‘Heated Rivalry’: A Guide to Shane & Ilya’s Bonus Scenes in the Book
What To Know
- Crave’s Heated Rivalry is based on Rachel Reid’s book of the same name.
- Reid has written several bonus scenes featuring Shane and Ilya.
- They include Ilya’s point of view during the Las Vegas hookup, a scrapped version of the epilogue, and more.
So, you’ve consumed all of the Heated Rivalry content that there is to consume. You already watched Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams bring Ilya and Shane’s rivals-to-lovers romance to life in the first few episodes of the TV adaptation. You’ve already read Rachel Reid’s books about the couple, including The Long Game sequel — or maybe you haven’t, because the first book sold out before you could get your hands on it. Either way, you’re in desperate need of more Hollanov content. We’ve been there.
How is one to fill the Hollanov void while waiting for new episodes to drop? Well, one thing you could do is read the other books in Reid’s Game Changers series. (You’ll be happy to learn that a certain sassy Russian hockey player has a penchant for making cameos.) However, if pure Hollanov material is what you’re after, Reid has posted several bonus scenes that fit the bill on her website — and one of them even gives more insight into a moment that’s already appeared in the show. Let’s break down what we’re working with.
The Las Vegas hookup from Ilya’s perspective
This scene is probably the one you should read first, considering it just took place in Heated Rivalry Episode 2. In the final version of the book, the 2014 NHL Awards — you know, when Ilya invites Shane to the penthouse he’s staying in and tells Shane to show off for him — is entirely told from Shane’s perspective. Thanks to Reid, we know for sure what exactly was going through Ilya’s head before and during that encounter. Let’s just say, if you had any doubt that the yearning goes both ways at this point, this scene should clear it up. Click here to read it in full.
Deleted scenes from Heated Rivalry Part Two
You can check out Reid’s collection of deleted scenes from the beginning of the book’s Part Two section, which spans from 2013 to 2014. The first one (which is the only spoiler-free one if you’re caught up on the show) describes Shane’s disastrous attempts to hook up with women. He has to face the fact that no one does it for him like Ilya. As early as then, we find out, Shane is fantasizing about having Ilya at his cottage, which he hasn’t even built yet. (We already knew it, but it’s even more confirmation that our boy was so down bad.)
The next scene Reid included actually takes place after Heated Rivalry ends (besides the epilogue) and before The Long Game, during the 2018 Winter Olympics. They commiserate over NHL players being barred from participating over text, then Ilya parties with some of his Russian teammates. They were ultimately cut from the book, making Ilya the only Russian member of his team. Reid followed that one up with a deleted scene from the epilogue, which finds Ilya moving into his new house in Ottawa. Our icon, Yuna Hollander, makes an appearance.
My Dinner with Hayden: A Heated Rivalry Short Story
This short story is a version of the epilogue that was scrapped. You’ll also find it at the end of the book, but we’re including it anyway in case you missed it. Ilya and Shane invite Hayden and Jackie over for dinner, since Hayden has just found out that his bestie is dating Ilya (aka the bane of Hayden’s existence). Ilya is his snarky, Hayden-hating self, and things take a seriously awkward turn. At one point, Ilya even insinuates that Hayden is jealous that he’s dating Shane, which gets an interesting reaction out of Hayden.
Eventually, they talk about how their relationship started, which makes for a sweet moment. Before you ask: Once Hayden and Jackie leave, things take a spicy turn. It’s Hollanov, what else would you expect?
Halloween with Ilya
Finally, the last bonus scene we managed to find on Reid’s website is called “Halloween with Ilya,” and it’s just as iconic as it sounds. It details Ilya’s first Halloween in Ottawa after his move from Boston (where he used to live in a penthouse, which obviously got no trick-or-treaters.) Ilya’s costume? Shane says it’s “the stupidest thing you have ever done,” but it’s beyond perfect.
Which bonus Hollanov scene is your favorite? Tell us in the comments below!
Heated Rivalry, Season 1, New Episodes, Fridays, HBO Max
