The hit TV series has spurred fans to create dance parties and merch themed to the show, creating a welcoming community with mutual love for the queer hockey romance along the way.

"Heated Rivalry," a hit HBO Max series about romance between hockey players, was inspired by Rachel Reid's books.

Right—the second thing that makes “Heated Rivalry” so successful is the extreme freshness and handsomeness of the two leads, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, who play Ilya and Shane. Much has been made of how hot they are, what gods. But they are also near-total unknowns.

Tennis champion Coco Gauff invited "Heated Rivalry" stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams to her match at the Australian Open.

If you can't wait for more Ilya and Shane in "Heated Rivalry" Season 2, check out these hockey romance books and similar steamy sports stories.

Auston Matthews is growing tired of all the Mitch Marner questions. The president of the United States of America enjoyed (another) laugh at Canada's expense when welcoming the Florida Panthers to the White House.

Rachel Reid thought her books, about an illicit relationship between two star hockey players, were "unadaptable".

And in the past month we've been treated to some moving stories, specifically the steamy queer series Heated Rivalry (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription ), as well as Will Byers finally sharing his queerness in the penultimate episode of Stranger Things.