After all the attacks on the LGBTQIA community

[xmas74]

We all needed a show to feel good about.
Heated Rivalry on Crave and HBOMax. Sexually graphic but damn- I had actual tears of joy after last night's season finale. A second season has been greenlit and there's an entire series of books.

Anyone else watching?

[MustLoveBeagles]

1. I've been looking for a new series to watch

I'll put Heated Rivalry on my bucket list.


Happy New Year 🎊

[xmas74]

2. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Message me if you watch. I need to talk about it!
"Heated Rivalry is a popular 2025 Canadian sports romance series on Crave and HBO Max about two rival professional hockey players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, who develop a secret, long-term romantic and sexual relationship that complicates their careers and personal lives. Based on Rachel Reid's Game Changers book series, the show has gained significant traction for its queer storyline, explicit scenes, and focus on consent, becoming a major hit for the streaming platforms. A second season has already been announced."

And the NHL has been following. They're using music from the show and following it on social media, encouraging women and LGBTQIA to attend games.

[MustLoveBeagles]

3. I'll let you know when I start watching it

It'll probably be after the new year.


🎊

[LymphocyteLover]

10. oh this must be the gay hockey show I saw people chatting about on Bluesky!

[xmas74]

12. It is!

If we get enough wanting to chat about it we'll have to start a thread somewhere

[LymphocyteLover]

14. I haven't seen it but it sounds interesting. I wasn't sure if was a joke or not first time I saw

references to it.

[xmas74]

15. 1) Not a joke

2) It's actually a series of MM hockey romance books
3) There will be a season 2

If you decide to watch be advised it is very sexually explicit. It's all simulated but the blocking in.the scenes is extremely well done. If that's not your cup of tea, well...
And if you can handle that stick with it. It's very well done and some of the microexpressions from the leads are the best on TV right now. It's an arch rivals to lovers to actual love and acceptance. Without giving it away episode 5 made me cry it was so good! And episode 6-swoon!
The leads have incredible chemistry and I hope to see more of them in other things.

[LymphocyteLover]

16. Cool! Thanks!

[dsc]

4. Yes

I am glad I persevered after episode 1 which struck me as emulating porn. Episode 5 was down right amazing and episode 3 was so sweet and tender. A great series. HBO took a risk buying this and it paid off handsomely. Crave deserves all the credit in the world for greenlighting it and I hope they got their share of money from it.

[xmas74]

6. I cried at the end of episode 5.

The kiss on the ice! The cottage!

[dsc]

5. In terms of the books it seems like they covered most of that material

from what I read.

[xmas74]

7. The leads signed on for 3 seasons

And season 2 was green lit. It's being called the biggest surprise hit of the year, with Tiktoks showing sports bars having viewing parties and the NHL actively encouraging book and TV fans to attend their games.

[dsc]

8. I am wondering what the plan is

[xmas74]

9. They have one more book they can cover with

The leads and could turn it into more of an anthology, focusing with new leads for other books and bring the current ones back for secondary lines. It's worked well for shows like Bridgerton.

[Behind the Aegis]

11. It is a fantastic series. Well-acted and engaging.

It is one of those shows that you watch and when the episode ends, you scream, "No fucking way it has been an hour!" It always seems to fly by; to me, that is the sign of a great show. It doesn't hurt the dudes are scorching hot. The scene with Ilya in Russia, after flying back, had me in tears. Then, the "call from the stands" moment....I was openly (happy) sobbing! I told my husband, I can't wait for something like that to actually happen!

Watch some of the interactions between the two main stars on YouTube. They are really funny and seem to have a really good chemistry.

[xmas74]

13. The call from the stands made me cry.

Have you watched the last episode yet? I don't want to say anything but if you have message me- I need to talk about it!

And the two leads have fantastic chemistry.

[Behind the Aegis]

17. Haven't seen the finale yet!

We will watch it tonight.

[xmas74]

20. Message me later!

Absolutely no one i know is watching and I want someone to talk with about it!

[Behind the Aegis]

23. It was awesome!

Cried. But brought me such joy.

[Duncan Grant]

18. Most straight men don't have the emotional range to enjoy it. It'll scare the hell outta them.

How’s that for trolling?

Seriously though, I’ve seen so many good series featuring straight couples that I’ve lost count. I never flinch when they get sensuous and “sexy”. I don’t even think about their sexuality.

I’m not sure my brothers-in-law can say the same. Masculinity is fragile.

[xmas74]

19. It's such a good show

The big conversation is about why straight women are such fans of it and MM romance. The top answer? Because it explores male love and sexuality in ways most het romance doesn't. Even the sex scenes had them checking with each other on if what they were doing was ok, if it felt ok,etc- something you rarely see in het romance and it's something most women wish would happen irl.

[Duncan Grant]

21. I'm delighted straight women enjoy it. It's wonderful.

There’s a rich discussion just waiting to happen about this. I’m watching the season finale tonight. Looking forward to an episode 3 and 5 styled epiphany.

[xmas74]

22. Message me sometime

No one around me irl is watching and I want to chat with someone!