TV Tuesdays: On the occasional Tuesday, I will review a book series or novel that has been made into a TV Series. I will then answer the question that everyone asks: which is better, the TV adaption or the book?
Book Series: Game Changers by Rachel Reid (-ongoing) | Show: Heated Rivalry (2025-ongoing)
Which did I read/see first? the TV show
Series: Game Changers
Author: Rachel Reid
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports, MM Romance
Point of View: Third Person, Alternating
Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook
I’m in the process of reviewing the entire series as I write this post so stay tuned! I’ve only read the first two books-which are what the TV series is based on-so far.
I really enjoyed both books. I think Heated Rivalry (#2) is actually the stronger of the two (the characters are a little stronger and I really loved the progression of the romance) but I really did enjoy the intent and purpose of Game Changer (#1).
Lots of sexy times for sure! But also some great character connections and evolution between those pages.
Series Rating: 4/5
Game Changer 3/5 | Heated Rivalry 5/5
Were My Expectations Met?
I had never heard of this book series despite living in Canada where the author is from. I’ve read Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy’s MM Hockey Romance Him a few years ago but I didn’t know Game Changers existed. But I’d have to be living under a rock to not have heard about the TV adaptation – it was (and as I write this, currently is) everywhere!
I binged all 6 episodes in one sitting! I’m glad I waited for all the episodes to be released before I dove in because I would have hated to wait each week. I understood the obsession after episode 1. The characters, the acting, the story execution: I got sucked into the story!
How Close is it to the Book?
So I purposely didn’t read the books before I watched the show so that I had some suspense of “what will happen next” for these characters. However, once I finished the show, I started reading the first two books in the series that are used for Season 1. I really wanted to rewatch the first season after finishing it the first time because I feel like there were so many little things I missed along the way. So it was the perfect excuse to watch the corresponding TV episode when I got to that point in the books so everything was fresh for me to compare.
WOW – this is probably one of the best book-to-screen adaptions I’ve ever seen! All the big scenes from the books are in the show and are nearly word for word. It’s obvious that the producers, writers and actors read the books and understood the assignment.
There are some changes of course but ones that I think enhance the story in a positive way. Svetlana has a bigger role in the TV show and her relationship with Ilya is much stronger as a result than it is in the books. And I felt like that enhanced Ilya’s character evolution on the show versus what we get in the book.
Some of the biggest “changes” would be the condensed version of Game Changers (#1) into an episode and a half. I really wanted more from this romance when I watched the episode without having read the book. But I appreciate that they included any part of that book in the show even though the focus is on Shane and Ilya’s story because it is the catalyst for some of the events in their story as well. So I hope we get to revisit them in future seasons!
There is a really great video of how the TV version differs from the Books here:
Did I Like the Cast?
Not that I think a movie was ever planned for this adaption but I’m glad a TV series was the chosen medium. It really gave the characters time to grow versus a 1.5hr movie.
It’s obvious to me that the lead actors read the books and understood the characters because they executed them flawlessly. The author, Rachel Reid, is a consulting producer on the show so it does help to have her input and guidance for character execution. But they brought those characters to life in a way I haven’t seen in a long time and when I read the books, that became so obvious to me how great of a job they did in authentically portraying those characters.
The micro-expressions and the eye-banging—I haven’t seen anything that good since Bridgerton for palpable romantic chemistry!
I had the cast in mind when I read the books so I just ignored the fact that Scott is blond in the books and a brunette in the show – I think the casting was perfect.
My Expectations for the Rest of the Series:
I don’t know how familiar you are with the series as a whole. Most of the books in the series are standalone stories but Shane and Ilya’s story takes place over 3 books. I believe the plan for season 2 is to focus on their second book. I’ve decided that I likely won’t read Long Game (#5) before the second season so that I can have a bit of suspense again as I watch it – but I might change my mind before then if I go through withdrawal! I do hope we see some of the other book leads in future episodes though!
Honestly, I don’t think adaptions get any better than this one!
Do you agree? Leave a comment below!
Synopsis for Heated Rivlary (from Goodreads):
Nothing interferes with Shane Hollander’s game—definitely not the sexy rival he loves to hate.
Pro hockey star Shane Hollander isn’t just crazy talented, he’s got a spotless reputation. Hockey is his life. Now that he’s captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, he won’t let anything jeopardize that, especially the sexy Russian whose hard body keeps him awake at night.
Boston Bears captain Ilya Rozanov is everything Shane’s not. The self-proclaimed king of the ice, he’s as cocky as he is talented. No one can beat him—except Shane. They’ve made a career on their legendary rivalry, but when the skates come off, the heat between them is undeniable. When Ilya realizes he wants more than a few secret hookups, he knows he must walk away. The risk is too great.
As their attraction intensifies, they struggle to keep their relationship out of the public eye. If the truth comes out, it could ruin them both. But when their need for each other rivals their ambition on the ice, secrecy is no longer an option…
Trailer:
