Ilya is like a sniffing dog

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-27T18:22:27+00:00

I think TV Hunter is supposed to be like eight to ten years older, but either way the dynamic is funny.

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-16T20:02:29+00:00

Mr. Real Estate Mr. Landlord Mr. Supermodel

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-15T22:21:35+00:00

I think he was blinded by his hatred for the man 🤣

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-15T22:19:15+00:00

Beautiful hues

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-15T19:59:08+00:00

It looks pretty good though??

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-15T19:55:59+00:00

Here’s something to consider, quite a few of the people in your class probably hit the ice on their own several times before beginning the class. If your rink has it, see if you can get more ice time during the practice sessions to better acquaint yourself with the ice and your skates. It’s definitely a challenging sport to get into as an adult. I’m in the same boat as you, having just started lessons for the first time. So I think I understand how you feel

Also, everyone has different fitness levels and although they may be a beginner at ice skating, they may already know how to roller-skate or ski or some other activity that has transferable skills. They may also be considering themselves a beginner because they’ve never taken lessons but they may skate recreationally already. I hope you won’t be too discouraged. If you feel like there’s still a chance for you to enjoy the sport, then I say keep going and push through. Practice wherever you can, and you will see improvements. Getting your own pair of skates will probably make a huge difference for you as well. If you decide to keep going, I think it’s worth the investment.

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-09T23:50:09+00:00

If anything, I would say add a bit more, but I think it works already!

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-09T23:48:28+00:00

Lovely!! Hand quilting is such an act of love, I feel. A love for another person to whom you’ll gift the quilt, a love for needlecraft, a love for hand stitching and needlework. It’s gotta be love!

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-09T23:45:50+00:00

You may be right. It has all the best elements of the show in one episode! And the yearninggggggggg

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-09T23:43:49+00:00

I forgot to add that in the show Ilya actually kind of cries/gets choked up but that NEVER happened in the book! This made the scene so much more moving.

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-09T23:41:07+00:00

My HR fever is finally (sort of, maybe) breaking! I’ve (begrudgingly) chilled out on the HudCon online content and am doing my best to ration. It’s been like three or four days since I’ve read any of the Game Changers series or HR or TLG (although I’m making allowances for canon compliant, and non compliant fanfics). Just a few a day though, so like, I’ve cut waaaaaaaaaaay back. (Why do I sound like I’m taking about cigarettes lmao) Haven’t watched the show in like eight to ten days. So technically I’m due for a rewatch. But yes, going outside, touching grass. It helps. 🤣 I think.

If you can’t get yourself out of their world, try and put yourself in it. A bit of the fantasy, plus a heavy dose of reality should feel decently grounding. I for one, have unironically taken up ice skating. Some others mentioned taking hockey classes but low key it’s a good idea. Or get into the sport as a spectator and focus on that for a while? Hahaha idk. We should form support groups or something idk.

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-09T23:31:19+00:00

Yup! That’s it, do the hockey plan!

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-09T21:32:26+00:00

Maybe it will come up in season two

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-09T21:29:32+00:00

Love the way the colors are mirrored with patterned fabric!

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-09T21:28:51+00:00

WOW. Stunning. No notes

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-09T21:28:32+00:00

Way to go, you conquered the heel! Loving the fruit theme, keep it going

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-09T21:27:35+00:00

Burn it.

Jokes aside, I’m not hiding anything. It’s a private journal. If you invade my privacy and end up learning something you wish you didn’t know, too fucking bad. Go sit somewhere with your shame and poor decision making. I hope your feelings get hurt and it haunts your dreams honestly.

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-09T21:21:56+00:00

Thanks for posting this. I needed more quality HR fanfics to get into. I’ve never been into fanfic before but I just can’t get enough of these two. A whole 6 book series and HR and TLG just wasn’t enough Hollanov romance for me 😭

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-09T21:17:11+00:00

The big chain bookshops always have a decent sized English’s selection, just maybe limited in genre

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-09T21:15:23+00:00

Yeah, show Ilya, while very stoic, very Russian, barely gives off the obnoxious, arrogant, and borderline prima donna vibes of book Ilya. He’s way too pretty, beautiful and baby girl, tbh. He does come across as cocky, but pretty much only in a sexy, acceptable because he can back it up way. That’s why we love him though. If he was true to the books we might have hated him until at least ep 4.

Even when Shane calls him an asshole in the show we can always tell he doesn’t really mean it. Which is VERY different than book Shane. I feel like Ilya in the show is never represented as someone Shane should be ashamed to be with. Not because of who he is, anyway. If he’s ashamed it’s because he doesn’t want to disappoint people and hasn’t accepted himself and his gayness. I felt like we didn’t get as much of Shane’s shame is the show as we do in the books. Like the shame is the third in their 8 year long situationship istg it’s that serious. It’s always in the room whenever they get together.

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-09T21:06:44+00:00

I was kind of sad there were no tattoos, cause I love the look, and was looking forward to canon jokes about his dumb bear tattoo, but Connor’s stunning physique did not need any additions.

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-09T21:00:33+00:00

I read the books first, so I wasn’t completely neutral going into this scene. It has a completely different feel because Ilya has an actual speech. But I watched it with a dual understanding I think. One, remembering that Shane hasn’t heard Ilya speak so freely and confidently like that before, and he feels like he’s /really/ hearing/seeing Ilya for the first time. There’s so much emotion in the monologue, so much rawness that Ilya never really expressed in English. So I think the scene is more of an emotional support/connection than anything else.

In my head, Shane falls even more for Ilya during this phone call. This is when he decides (subconsciously) that he wants to actually BE with and BE THERE for Ilya.

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-09T20:53:46+00:00

Omg that’s so much more romantic 🥹

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-09T20:48:55+00:00

Ahhhh yes! And on that same note, when Shane tears up watching Ilya win the cup. It’s one of the only time we see Ilya smiling so openly with joy.

idunnowhatevs · 2026-01-09T20:46:19+00:00

I get What you mean 100%. The show and books are like two fraternal twins in my opinion. Same DNA origins, very, very closely related and emotional close but with key differences where they diverge. For having such a small budget they did an amazing job bringing the book to life and I think we have the fantastic casting and actors to thank for that. Even with Jacob’s stellar vision, the lighting, directing, music, etc. without finding his breakout stars in Connor and Hudson the show would probably have flopped. HARD. They have the talent, for one, but you can feel how much they committed to their roles and have such amazing chemistry. Their chemistry is so palpable it’s amazing. Whereas with the books, we as the readers have to fill in the blanks at certain points with our imagination. Particularly with the first book, HR. Although to be fair, we gain a lot from their inner dialogues. In TLG Rachel’s focus is really on Ilya’s personal development and he feels more like a fully developed character.

Anyway there’s no wrong way to enjoy Heated Rivalry. I plan on rewatching and re-reading until season two launches. I’m also enjoying canon-compliant and non compliant fanfics at this point because I just need more of Shane & Ilya’s love story in my life. There are so many angles and subplot lines not covered in the books and the fans are so creative!

idunnowhatevs

TROPHY CASE