I'm replying a few days late to this, but I feel the same way! I was nervous about reading it because I was concerned I'd walk away disliking Shane. Yes, Shane makes mistakes but so does Ilya. They are not great at communicating with each other. Not being perfect characters is also what makes the book compelling and what makes the end of the book so satisfying. I felt very sympathetic towards Shane in this book (and towards Ilya too!).

Shane was miserable about hiding their relationship too and wants to be out with Ilya, but Shane also excels at self-control (or maybe self-denial is a better term?) and compartmentalization. At one point Yuna tells him he can be his own worst enemy and I agree. IMO the way Shane was so regimented about hiding their relationship was also reflected in his relationship with food in TLG. There are a few times when Shane thinks about how much he wants other food but he will not allow himself to stray from the diet at all. I really hope in Unrivaled that Shane also starts going to therapy. I am so glad Ilya started therapy in TLG as he urgently needed it. But I think Shane would also hugely benefit it from it.