A major win for BookTok as HBO Max has acquired the rights for Crave's Heated Rivalry, a six-part gay hockey romance series based on Rachel Reid's beloved Game Changers book series. The upcoming story marks the second installment in Reid’s six-book romance series and it’s already the fan favorite.Produced by Bell Media, the show is created by Letterkenny alumni Jacob Tierney, along with Brendan Brady. Bell Media has decided to sell the show's rights to HBO Max in the US and Australia, following which, Reid's story is now looking for a Global premiere on November 28.Heated Rivalry follows a passionate fling between Canadian-born Shane Hollander and Russian-born Ilya Rozanov, two teenagers and elite professional hockey players. While Shane and Ilya are fierce rivals on the field, they begin a fling during their rookie years that transforms into a genuine, years-long and complicated relationship.The show is executive-produced by Tierney and Brady, with author Rachel Reid serving as a consulting producer to maintain the authenticity of her story.More on this in our story.Heated Rivalry release date and streaming details View this post on Instagram Instagram PostShane and Ilya's passionate rivalry will have a simultaneous debut on HBO Max in the US and on Crave in Canada on November 28. The premiere will kick off with two consecutive episodes, following which, weekly episodes will be released every Friday till the Season 1 finale (Episode 6) on December 26.The best option for US fans to enjoy the upcoming adaptation of Rachel Reid's book is via HBO Max. New episodes will air weekly on the platform. In addition, the series will air on Moviestar Plus+ in Spain and Sky in New Zealand.What is Heated Rivalry about?Fans of YA novels and seasoned BookTok fam have witnessed the rise of hockey-based love stories in recent times and Rachel Reid's Heated Rivalry is easily a pioneer in the genre.According to IMDB, the official synopsis of the series reads as follows:Two rival hockey stars at the top of their game face an unexpected challenge when they develop feelings for each other, complicating their careers and the sport's expectations.The story follows elite professional hockey players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, who are considered two of the major players in League Hockey. While Shane and Ilya's professional equation is marked by ambition, rivalry and fierce competition, they struggle to navigate their budding feelings for each other off the field.Heated Rivalry explores the themes of first love and the denial that comes with it. As Shane and Ilya start a secret fling as two confused teenagers in their rookie year, it transforms into an emotional roller coaster over the next eight years. Can fierce competitors learn to let love skate into their lives? Or will this fragile first love perish in their intense rivalry on the field?Meet the star cast View this post on Instagram Instagram PostHeated Rivalry is led by Hudson Williams (Shane) and Connor Storrie (Ilya), who will bring Rachel Reid's passionate love story to life.Connor Storrie is best known for playing the role of the young inmate who kills Joaquin Phoenix‘s Arthur Fleck in the 2024 crime drama film Joker: Folie à Deux. Additionally, Storrie has also appeared in Hulu's miniseries Tiny Beautiful Things and Benjamin Howard's coming-of-age film Riley.While HBO Max's upcoming series will mark Hudson Williams' first starring role, he had minor appearances in projects like CBS' Tracker, Allegiance and Surface of Blood. Recently, he also starred in David I. Strasser's 2024 holiday-themed movie All I Need for Christmas.The additional cast for Heated Rivalry also includes François Arnaud, Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova, Robbie G.K., Sophie Nélisse, Christina Chang and Dylan Walsh.Tune into the Heated Rivalry double-episode premiere on HBO Max on November 28.For the latest scoops on your favorite TV shows and movies, follow SoapCentral.