The story of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov does indeed have a happy ending, though their journey to that point is a long and secretive one. The romance between the two hockey rivals spans two books in Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series, ultimately culminating in a well-earned public relationship. The emotional payoff satisfies readers who followed their secret affair for years.
The Secret Relationship in ‘Heated Rivalry’
Heated Rivalry, the second book in the series, introduces Shane and Ilya as rival team captains whose public animosity hides a private passion. Shane Hollander, captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, is known for his clean-cut reputation and dedication to hockey. Ilya Rozanov, captain of the Boston Bears, is his opposite—cocky, talented, and unapologetic. Their legendary on-ice rivalry fuels their careers, but off the ice, they share a powerful and undeniable attraction.
The book follows their secret affair over nearly a decade, starting from their first meeting in 2008. Their relationship is built on hidden hookups in anonymous hotel rooms, always shadowed by the fear that public exposure could ruin their careers. The story is not a traditional romance with a definitive happy ending; instead, it concludes with the two men in a good place, committed to each other but still forced to keep their love a secret from the world. Author Rachel Reid described the ending as “wrapping up a season of a television show,” leaving the door open for more of their story while giving them a stable, if private, partnership.
The Public Happy Ending in ‘The Long Game’
The sequel, The Long Game, picks up where the first book left off, delivering the satisfying public happy ending that fans craved. Shane and Ilya are now in a committed relationship and have begun a careful plan to eventually go public. Their end goals are the same, but their timelines clash. Ilya is eager to shout his love from the rooftops, to “never stop showing you off,” while the more cautious Shane fears a scandal could derail their careers.
The central conflict of the sequel is navigating this tension. Ilya makes significant sacrifices to protect their relationship and Shane’s comfort, which sometimes leads to loneliness and struggle for him. Shane, in turn, must realize the weight of these sacrifices and fully commit to their future. The story follows their journey as they decide what is more important: their hockey careers or the freedom to live openly together. In the end, they choose each other, going public with their relationship and securing their well-earned happily ever after.
“I would never stop showing you off,” Ilya said. “If I could.”
Their love story is celebrated for its emotional depth and the powerful connection between the two men. As one fan review highlighted, Ilya, despite his bad-boy exterior, possesses a huge heart and wears it on his sleeve for Shane, making the final victory of their love feel truly earned.
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From Page to Screen: A New Adaptation
The epic romance has moved beyond the page. A television series adaptation of Heated Rivalry premiered in Canada on Crave on November 28, 2025, with a simultaneous release on HBO Max in the United States. The series stars Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov. The show is set to bring the beloved characters and their journey from secret rivals to public partners to a new audience, covering the same intense and romantic storyline from the books.
Also Read: Heated Rivalry Release Schedule: New Episode Dates and Streaming Details
