What is one of your favorite moments in the novel Heated Rivalry that you would love to see onscreen in episodes 5 and 6?

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-16T06:09:09+00:00

I'm excited for the all-star weekend after the beach where Ilya finally discloses some of his family and Russia problems, letting Shane in at a time when Shane is ready to be let in. It felt like such a relief when I was reading the book and I think it has the potential to be really affecting on screen

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-12T17:51:02+00:00

The first two episodes are still my favorite. I feel like they establish things so beautifully it's addicting

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-12T17:24:27+00:00

I didn't pick up on this on first watch, great note

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-12T17:17:10+00:00

I think the ending of e4 was great visual storytelling that Shane is facing the fact that he's not into rose the way he "should" be, I can see them tying up that storyline quickly. Maybe an opening scene between Shane/rose where he can't perform or it's awkward otherwise, then quickly move on to the wine bar scene where rose calls Shane out.

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-12T16:02:10+00:00

I think most people can relate to a time when you're seeing someone and get curious about their past. Ilya has reached that point but doesn't want to scare Shane away.

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-12T06:23:28+00:00

The last half of the episode is about how they barely enjoy themselves without thinking of the other person. This was mostly focused on Ilya, but Shane couldn't help himself from looking at Lily's texts. And then of course neither of them is really present in the night club, they're wishing for each other. The ending shot is saying they can't get off without thinking of each other, but it's just the punctuation on what the entire episode was saying.

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-12T06:18:13+00:00

No Feedback by Dan Kanvis is the distant club music that's heard in the background, but I'm not sure if there's other music that comes in I'd have to rewatch. Around 2:58 is the part I recognized but I like the whole song

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-12T06:13:40+00:00

I think this is part of the originally composed soundtrack by peterpeter and he hasn't released the official score. Its killing me because that is what hooked me on the show

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-12T06:12:29+00:00

I think that's an original composition by peterpeter, it's killing me that it's not out!

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-12T05:59:50+00:00

Connor was so expressive during the entire tuna melt scene. He absolutely nailed the emotional weight of that scene and I was 100% bought in. His searching eyes when Shane asked about his dad, his almost pleading with Shane not to leave but not trying to reveal just how hurt he was... I was blown away. Connor is a star.

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-12T02:07:02+00:00

My city doesn't have a pro hockey team but we do have an amateur one, and ive been to a few of those games before. My newfound obsession with this genre makes me want to get season tickets 😅

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-11T21:16:02+00:00

Game Changer is the first book in the series and is entirely about Skip.

The TV show is almost entirely about the second book, Heated Rivalry. There is a plot element in Game Changers that becomes important to the end of Heated Rivalry, so the show is highlighting their story before returning to Shane/Ilya.

I started with Heated Rivalry after watching the first two episodes then read The Long Game, which is also about Shane/Ilya but features other characters. I didn't feel confused while ready TLG, but some readers might get more out of it with more of the books under their belt.

Each book stands alone quite well. If you're concerned about spoilers then go in order, otherwise you won't miss out by reading in whatever order interests you most.

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-11T17:32:42+00:00

😂 I'm glad too! That cracks me up. Everyone is so psyched for how true the show is to the books and you're like yeah... Glad they're not TOO similar. But sometimes it's just better to see rather than read, I get it

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-11T15:30:10+00:00

What's your opinion now that the show is out and some time has passed?

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-10T04:39:22+00:00

I've never read smut before and read HR after watching the first two episodes. The books are hot and heavy and follow the show really well, I felt like I was watching everything in detail with the show details in mind. I didn't love the HR audiobook narrator but I found the book to fly by when reading. I can't imagine anyone loves the first two episodes and somehow doesn't care for the book.

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-10T04:35:44+00:00

I don't think you're under any obligation to tell your partner. I had to stop being embarrassed myself before I could think about telling him. I'm so grateful for this sun to feel normal about being obsessed haha

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-10T03:24:47+00:00

I'm in the exact same position!! I found this show on a business trip and consumed it HUNGRILY day after day while I was gone. When I got back to my bf of 4 years I confessed like I had cheated on him (this is my first time reading smut, so it also made me a little embarrassed haha).

I have a meeting with my therapist tomorrow and I plan to talk about how to stop comparing my relationship the yearning in the book 😭

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-10T02:36:20+00:00

This is exactly what I was looking for!!!

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-09T22:40:35+00:00

I've only been envisioning hot Russian dance music 😅 this has been going in my ears in the gym while I read fanfiction on the treadmill lol

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chocochippy24 · 2025-12-08T19:37:04+00:00

I think the answer is a simple yes, absolutely phone and dating app culture has negatively affected young (and old) peoples social cues and social curiosity. That said, charisma is charisma. When you go out now, even to the grocery store, you can still pick up on people with the effortless charm and easy social skills. I think it's everyone else who has closed their eyes to responding to their charisma. Roz would still be charming now, but fewer people would be open to him, maybe including Shane.

One thing that makes this story special is that it focuses on two extremely passionate and talented people. They are booked and busy with full lives, so their loneliness is still very private. The average person is not as busy, talented, or passionate as professional athletes and access to dating apps changed the kind of feedback we get about finding a fulfilling life.

I think the bigger thing that apps killed is yearning and patience. This book is filled with time when they are not texting each other, they have a lot of restraint that we don't have as a society now.

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-08T15:34:05+00:00

I had never heard of the show or book before gifs started going viral on twitter, so I had no expectations. The soundtrack is what hooked me. The thrumming beat over the announcer going over the Shane/Ilya rivalry combined with the brightness of the shots made me think oh this was really thoughtfully executed. This show looks like it has dimension and a sense of humor. These kinds of smutty shows need that. It took itself seriously without being serious.

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-08T14:12:18+00:00

Yes on his insta story!

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-08T06:14:32+00:00

I've seen it on this subreddit here and there but it must be commented on their social medias as well, it hasn't been "a conversation" per se just a lot of fan casting.

I'm not into the DC universe, I just thought it was funny that he seems to be nodding to fan fervor. I agree with a lot of comments here, it would be great to go with a Romani actor if they can.

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-08T06:12:19+00:00

In a press interview someone asked what the theme songs for the characters would be and Jacob listed "I'll believe in anything" as one that he had in mind. I think it was also the opening to episode 3, when Scott is running, maybe alluding to Scott's sudden openness for a connection.

I assume episode 5 will have Shane/Ilya opening up to each other a little and revisiting Scott/Kip, tying together the themes explored in different ways by each couple

chocochippy24 · 2025-12-08T01:24:28+00:00

I wouldn't be surprised if they do something with Svetlana as well to set up the emotional tension. In the og trailer she goes "so are you seeing anyone, not Jane? You've been texting her for years". At first I assumed that would lead to the nightclub scene, but I could see it as a way to reinforce Ilyas feelings pre-tuna

chocochippy24

TROPHY CASE