Rachel Reid didn’t think a social media notification would change her life. Writers get tagged in stuff constantly. Usually, it's fan art or someone crying over a fictional breakup. But when Jacob Tierney—the guy behind the cult hit Letterkenny—slid into her DMs, things got real. Fast. This wasn’t just a fan saying hi. It was the start of bringing Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander to the screen.
If you’ve spent any time in the romance book community, you know Heated Rivalry isn't just another hockey book. It’s the blueprint. It’s the gold standard for the "enemies to lovers" trope. The story follows two pro hockey players who spend a decade hating each other, sleeping together, and eventually realizing they’re the only people on earth who actually matter. It's gritty. It's funny. It's incredibly emotional. And for years, fans begged for a movie or show.
Most book-to-screen deals feel like they happen in cold boardrooms with people who have never read the source material. This wasn't that. This was two creators geeking out over a shared vision.
The unexpected connection between Rachel Reid and Jacob Tierney
Jacob Tierney isn’t just some random producer. He’s a guy who understands Canadian subcultures better than almost anyone in the industry. Through Letterkenny and Shoresy, he proved he could handle the specific, chirpy, high-intensity world of hockey. But Heated Rivalry is a different beast. It requires a delicate touch. You need the locker room banter, sure, but you also need the crushing vulnerability of two men terrified of being outed in a sport that isn't always kind to "different."
Tierney read the books. He loved them. He didn't just see a "gay hockey story." He saw a sprawling, decade-long character study. When he reached out to Reid, he wasn't pitching a generic adaptation. He was pitching a partnership.
Reid has been vocal about how protective she is of Shane and Ilya. To her, they aren't just characters. They’re people she’s lived with for years. Giving up control is scary. But Tierney’s track record of authenticity made the difference. He knows how to film hockey so it looks like actual hockey—not that weird, slow-motion stuff you see in bad sports movies.
Why this partnership actually works for fans
Let’s be honest. Most book adaptations suck. They strip away the internal monologue and leave you with a shell of the story. But Tierney and Reid are working to keep the soul of the series intact. They know the fans don’t just want to see the big games. They want the hotel room scenes. They want the quiet moments of longing. They want Ilya being a chaotic brat and Shane being a repressed disaster.
One of the biggest hurdles in any sports adaptation is the casting. You need actors who can actually skate—or at least look like they can—and who have chemistry that doesn't feel forced. Reid’s involvement ensures that the essence of Shane and Ilya stays true to the page. She isn't just a consultant in name only. She’s in the room.
Moving beyond the hockey romance stereotype
People like to dismiss romance novels as "fluff." They're wrong. Especially when it comes to the Game Changers series. These books handle mental health, the pressure of being a top-tier athlete, and the complex reality of queer identity in professional sports.
By bringing Tierney on board, the project gains a certain level of "prestige" that romance adaptations often lack. This isn't a Hallmark movie version of hockey. It’s going to have teeth. It’s going to be funny because Tierney is a master of dialogue, and it’s going to be heart-wrenching because that’s what Reid does best.
The "Heated Rivalry" effect is real. The book has a massive, dedicated following that spans the globe. We're talking about a fandom that tracks stats and maps out the timeline of the books like it’s a historical documentary. That kind of passion is a double-edged sword for a creator. It means a guaranteed audience, but it also means zero room for error.
The logistics of bringing the Long Game to life
Mapping out a series that takes place over such a long period is a nightmare for television. You have to age the characters. You have to maintain the tension while the characters are literally thousands of miles apart playing for different teams.
Reid’s books rely heavily on the passage of time. The rivalry isn't solved in a week. It’s a slow burn that lasts ten years. Tierney’s experience with long-running series will be vital here. He understands how to pace a story so it doesn't feel rushed. You need to feel every year of that longing.
What this means for the future of queer sports media
We are seeing a shift. From Young Royals to Red, White & Royal Blue, queer stories are finally getting the budgets and the talent they deserve. But professional sports remain a frontier that feels largely untouched in a realistic way.
Most "gay athlete" stories end when the player comes out. Reid’s stories are different. Coming out is just one part of the journey. The real story is how they build a life together when the world is watching. It's about the compromise and the secret handshakes and the way they find home in each other.
If you’re a fan of the books, stay patient. The development process is a grind. Scripts get rewritten. Schedules get shifted. But knowing that the creator of the world is working hand-in-hand with someone who genuinely respects the source material is the best-case scenario.
Stop worrying about whether they'll change the ending or ruin the characters. The DMs proved that this project is in the hands of people who actually care. Go back and re-read The Long Game. Pay attention to the details. Those details are what Reid and Tierney are fighting to keep on your screen. Keep an eye on official production updates and don't fall for every "leaked" casting rumor you see on TikTok. The real deal is coming, and it’s going to be worth the wait.
