Heated Rivalry

Having reviewed the whole Game Changers series when it was originally published, I've been a big fan of Rachel Reid's writing ever since and I was delighted to hear Heated Rivalry had been picked up for a TV adaptation.

Having now seen both this opening episode and the second, I have to say I'm seriously impressed.

Not only is the casting spot on, but under Jacob Tierney's sensitive direction, the book has been brought to life beautifully.

Important scenes that drive the plot in the book are visually recreated in such a way that you can see the internal thoughts reflected on and through the actors faces and behaviour.

It's not slavishly the same though and the unique touches have only added more depth to what's already a genre classic.

For the longest time, never had I seen a show wherein the two leads are oozing with god-tier chemistry. WE NEED 5 MORE SEASONS, 2 MOVIES, AND A HOLIDAY SPECIAL MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!! I'm serious when I said that Ilya and Shane has consumed every thought in my daily life. I AM OBSESSED AND I HOPE THERE'S MORE TO COME!!!

So unexpected. I guess we never expected to see these themes portrayed so perfectly. The acting is on a masterclass level, accurately portraying what so many of us have felt at some point, in some way, during our journeys coming out, or coming to self-realization. Dealing with society, with sex, with love, with self acceptance, with anger, with fear, with hope and joy. With all of it! It's so perfectly portrayed, seriously... what a gift for anyone learning to live authentically. Just think of the young people today, being able to see this love story, portrayed so honestly on screen.

So perfectly written. It's going to change so many lives. So many hearts. I know it will and it should. That's what the arts can do, and have done throughout time. Love, love, love, this series. These characters. This tale as old as time...

I devoured the book in a day and I binged the first two episodes as soon as they came out a few hours ago. I didn't expect it to be so steamy (although I'm not complaining because it adds to the story buildup and character development that's in the book), but it exceeded my expectations with how well the actors were cast. With only two episodes and early in the story we already understood who these main characters are and why they are drawn to each other. The first two episodes were so good I'm encouraged to read the book again just to get more of the yearning that makes mm romance so appealing. It's going to be a long week until episode 3.

Not much to say, this is a perfectly directed adaptation of an incredible book. Jacob Tierney, as a gay man, really knows how to bring the heat of the book to screen, there's no director better than him for that as of now.

This show is a huge step forward for society. Gay men in sports are underrepresented and I hope this traces a path towards the end of homophobia in sports.