Reviews

Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

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minnini's review against another edition

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emotional funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

few problems with this book it was ALL vibes tho

There is a fine line between love and hate or so it is said.This book brings that into focus,no one can turn on Shane faster than Ilya but no one also pisses him off that fast too.He could kiss him and cuss him out in the same breath.
A love that has been growing since they were eighteen ,budding in the dark for seven years is a pretty strong one and it caught them by surprise too.With too much in the way, it feels impossible till one by one the obstacles are kicked down.The biggest one yet is softening the rivalry blow till they can come out.
Beautiful book about denying the existence of love by ignoring it till it hits you in the face.

anderemk's review against another edition

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emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

bitchbane's review against another edition

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5.0

holy shit this book was everything.

i love ilya rozanov ten ways to tuesday. this book hit me right in the emotions. ilya is... for all intents and purposes, a very closed off person. he has a mask, he hides behind a shell, and he only shows the world a version of him that is strong and confident. he's the troublemaker, the womanizer, the cocky hockey player that antagonizes everyone on the ice.

and shawn hasn't been able to stay away from him since the day he met him.

and shawn. shawn is so genuine, so sweet, so caring. he's vulnerable and lonely but scared of losing his weird relationship with ilya. even if they're always rivals on the ice, even if they never talk about it, ilya is the one thing he can't give up no matter how hard he tries. and he does try. he tries so hard, but nobody loves him like ilya does. he's ruined him for anyone else.

what started as two rivals getting off after games gets complicated when feelings get involved. and damn, do feelings get involved.

i don't think i've ever read a book that was so heavy on the pining, the way your heart breaks when you love someone with your entire soul and are powerless to do anything about it. the kind of love that is so completely beautiful and tragic at the same time.

shane teaches ilya how to open up and depend on someone again, teaches him what it's like to have people around who care about him, and ilya teaches shane what it's like to feel a love like fire. something so passionate and beautiful it hurts but you can't stay away.

the ending was a bit of a HFN, but i'm looking forward to their HEA in book 6.