Overdue

Ep 742 - Heated Rivalry (Game Changers #2), by Rachel Reid

February 16, 2026

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  • The hosts of "Overdue" are discussing Rachel Reid's popular hockey romance novel, "Heated Rivalry (Game Changers #2)", which they both read, marking their first time covering an explicit MM romance on the show. 
  • The discussion highlights the real-world context of homophobia in professional hockey culture, which served as a major inspiration for the author, and notes the recent, albeit slow, progress toward LGBTQ+ visibility in the NHL. 
  • The popularity of "Heated Rivalry" is linked to the broader success of the recent television adaptation and the unique appeal of the sports romance subgenre, which leverages themes of rivalry and hidden vulnerability. 
  • The central turning point for Shane and Ilya's relationship occurs after the All-Star game when they both realize their true feelings, leading to a commitment to figuring out how to be together. 
  • A significant portion of the latter part of the book details the couple's long-term, complicated plan to eventually be together publicly, involving Ilya potentially moving to Canada for citizenship. 
  • The hosts noted that the book's extended timeline, spanning several years, allows for the inclusion of various sports milestones (like the Olympics and playoffs) that would feel rushed if confined to a single year. 

Segments

Sponsor Reads: Marley Spoon & Mint Mobile
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(00:00:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Marley Spoon and Mint Mobile are the initial sponsors for this episode of “Overdue,” offering specific deals to listeners.
  • Summary: Marley Spoon is promoted for helping listeners escape meal ruts, offering up to 25 free meals via a specific URL. Mint Mobile is advertised as a cost-saving alternative for wireless service, offering new customers unlimited premium wireless for $15 per month for a limited time.
Introduction to Heated Rivalry
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(00:03:50)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts confirm they both read “Heated Rivalry” by Rachel Reid, noting it is their first time covering a spicy MM romance on the show.
  • Summary: The episode officially begins by introducing the book, “Heated Rivalry,” which is the second in the Game Changers series. The hosts acknowledge the book’s high popularity, driven by recent media attention, and warn listeners about potential explicit content requiring an explicit tag for the episode.
Author and Series Context
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(00:08:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Author Rachel Reid, a Canadian who played hockey growing up, was inspired by the Crosby/Ovechkin rivalry and a desire to critique hockey culture’s homophobia.
  • Summary: The Game Changers series spans several books, with “Heated Rivalry” being the second installment, featuring characters Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander. Reid’s work directly addresses the ingrained homophobia within hockey culture, aiming to present a more hopeful narrative within that setting.
Homophobia in Sports Timeline
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(01:11:34)
  • Key Takeaway: The timeline of the book (roughly 2009–2017) reflects a period where openly gay players in the NHL were virtually non-existent, contrasting with slightly earlier progress in other major sports leagues.
  • Summary: Luke Prokop is noted as the first player under an NHL contract to come out, though he has yet to play an NHL game, highlighting the league’s lagging timeline compared to the NBA (Jason Collins, 2014) and NFL (Carl Nassib, 2021). The NHL’s reaction to the book’s popularity involved a backhanded statement acknowledging its potential to create new fans.
TV Show Adaptation Details
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(01:23:13)
  • Key Takeaway: The television adaptation of “Heated Rivalry” is largely faithful to the book, with Episode 3 serving as a departure that grounds the audience emotionally due to the visual medium’s lack of interiority.
  • Summary: The show, released in November 2023 on Crave (distributed in the US by HBO Max), stars Hudson Williams and Connor Story and was created by Jacob Tierney of “Letterkenny.” The author, Rachel Reid, was involved in the process and was pleased with the adaptation’s faithfulness, noting the show successfully portrays the characters as young men in their early twenties.
Book Structure and Character Development
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(00:34:25)
  • Key Takeaway: The novel spans nearly a decade (starting around 2008/2009), using contemporary technology markers like Blackberries and iPads to denote the passage of time, which provides a different flavor than typical contemporary romances.
  • Summary: The plot begins with a prologue showing the main characters, Shane (Canadian) and Ilya (Russian), already intimate, before flashing back to their initial rivalry and first encounters. Shane’s inexperience with sex with men and his internalized homophobia are key elements explored through his internal monologue, contrasting with Ilya’s bisexuality.
Key Plot Points and Relationship Milestones
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(00:53:38)
  • Key Takeaway: The relationship progresses through clandestine hotel encounters, a public distraction involving Shane dating actress Rose Landry, and a pivotal moment at the 2011 All-Star Game where Shane admits he is gay and in love with Ilya.
  • Summary: Shane’s public dating of Rose Landry causes Ilya significant jealousy, prompting Shane to realize his feelings are specific to Ilya, not just general attraction to women. The relationship solidifies after the All-Star Game, leading to more open relationship behaviors, such as Ilya making Shane a tuna melt.
Post-All-Star Realization and Relationship Growth
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(01:05:32)
  • Key Takeaway: Ilya realizes his jealousy of Shane and Rose Landry, while Shane realizes he is gay, specifically for Ilya, marking the start of their mutual commitment.
  • Summary: Following the All-Star game where Ilya playfully kisses Shane, both characters have major realizations about their feelings and sexual orientation. From this point, the narrative focuses on them admitting their desire to be together and functionally figuring out their relationship. This period includes Ilya making Shane a tuna melt, a moment deemed iconic in the ‘heated rivalry canon’ despite the sandwich’s perceived lack of romance.
Tuna Melt Debate and Emotional Milestones
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(01:06:50)
  • Key Takeaway: The tuna melt, while a significant boyfriend behavior gesture in the book, is considered by the hosts to be a highly unromantic and ‘gambly’ sandwich choice for a romantic gesture.
  • Summary: The hosts debate the romantic viability of the tuna melt, with one host finding it the least romantic sandwich, especially when used to signal boyfriend behavior. They note that making a sandwich for someone earns appreciation, but a tuna melt specifically might have the opposite of the intended romantic effect. This segment highlights the hosts’ humorous critique of the specific food choice in the context of the characters’ developing relationship.
Tragedy and Immigration Considerations
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(01:09:59)
  • Key Takeaway: Ilya’s father’s death in Russia severs his ties to the country, leading him to consider marrying Svetlana for American citizenship, though his feelings for Shane complicate this path.
  • Summary: Ilya reveals to Shane that his father died and that his mother had previously taken her life, leaving him with no emotional ties to Russia. This prompts him to consider obtaining American citizenship, potentially by marrying Svetlana, but his growing feelings for Shane introduce uncertainty. The conversation briefly touches upon a 2016/2017 political reference regarding America not being great for Russians.
Skype Intimacy and Cottage Visit
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(01:11:54)
  • Key Takeaway: During Ilya’s time in Moscow following his father’s death, the couple engages in intimate Skype sessions, including a competitive ‘jerk-off contest’ where they focus on each other’s faces.
  • Summary: Shane calls Ilya to check on him after hearing about the death, and later Ilya calls back to say ‘I love you’ in Russian, which Shane does not understand. Shane then invites Ilya to his cottage for the summer, leading to Skype sex, notably a competitive ‘jerk-off contest’ where the emotional beat is seeing each other’s faces. The hosts also discuss the appropriateness of using Skype in the 2016/2017 timeline.
Hospital Visit and Public Revelation Catalyst
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(01:15:44)
  • Key Takeaway: Shane is severely injured by an opposing player, and Ilya’s captain-level visit to the hospital, coupled with the public coming out of the fictional character Scott Hunter, prompts Ilya to immediately go to the cottage.
  • Summary: While at the cottage, Shane is violently hit on the ice, suffering a concussion and a broken collarbone, prompting Ilya to visit him in the hospital under the guise of concern. The catalyst for action is watching the fictional Game Changer finale where Scott Hunter publicly kisses his love interest, leading Shane and Ilya to text about coming out publicly. Ilya declares he is coming to the cottage, setting up the final section of the book.
Cottage Life and Long-Term Planning
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(01:18:23)
  • Key Takeaway: At the cottage, the couple enters ‘boyfriend mode,’ devising a long-term plan to stay together discreetly for 10-15 years before coming out publicly, starting with Ilya moving to Canada.
  • Summary: The final part of the book at the cottage involves the couple discussing their families and making plans for their future, including playing video games and having sex. They formulate an ‘impossibly complicated’ long game plan: Ilya plays for a Canadian team to gain citizenship, they maintain a low profile for years, and only come out publicly after retirement. Shane’s supportive parents catch them hooking up but are immediately accepting of both their relationship and Ilya.
Epilogue and Happily Ever After Theme
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(01:23:17)
  • Key Takeaway: The epilogue shows the couple initiating the first step of their plan by starting a charity named for Ilya’s mother, publicly acknowledging their non-hostile relationship, which aligns with the show’s goal of portraying a queer happily ever after.
  • Summary: The book’s epilogue shows Ilya and Shane starting the first phase of their plan by launching a charity named for Ilya’s mother, marking a public step where they acknowledge they do not hate each other. The hosts reflect that the show successfully captured the vibe of a happy love story, emphasizing that queer characters can achieve a happily ever after, which is a key theme of the romance genre. The discussion concludes with listener feedback on the book/show balance and the appeal of sports romance.