Join Val and Lisa as they dive into the intense world of two NHL superstars caught in a fierce rivalry turned romantic. This episode explores themes of love, identity, and societal pressures within the high-stakes world of professional hockey.

Key Topics:

• The premise and storyline of Heated Rivalry, based on Rachel Reed’s novel, focusing on two top NHL players and their complex relationship.
• How rivalry in sports can evolve into deep understanding and love.
• The real-life challenges faced by LGBTQ+ athletes in male professional sports, emphasizing the lack of openly gay players historically.
• The characters Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilia Rosinov (Connor Story), their backgrounds, personal struggles, and cultural differences.
• The impact of external pressures like family expectations, national culture (Russia vs. Canada), and societal rejection.
• The significance of timing, proximity, and internal growth in making a relationship work under extraordinary circumstances.
• The portrayal of LGBTQ+ love stories in sports media, with an appreciation for authenticity and the potential for inspiring change.

Connect with Us:

Let’s Chat! Have a love story to share or a book recommendation we can’t miss? Maybe you have a "What Would You Do?" dilemma for us to tackle? We’d also love to hear from published authors or fellow relationship podcasters interested in an interview!

Head over to www.myperfectromance.com to connect.

But first, while you're here… don’t forget to follow the show and leave a rating or review. It means the world to us!

Resources & Links:

• Rachel Reed's novel Heated Rivalry
• HBO Official Site

Coming Up;

• Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/36336078-call-me-by-your-name
• Interview with Lindsey Goldstein Author of Gap Year: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/57052023.Lindsey_Goldstein
• The Drama starring Robert Pattinson & Zendaya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zmKcUa4Xxk

• (00:00:00) - The Perfect Romance
• (00:02:54) - Ender's Game: The Rivals
• (00:07:12) - Shane Ilya vs Ilya
• (00:11:17) - Shane on Being Gay in Canada
• (00:13:02) - How Do Gay Men Get To Know Each Other?
• (00:17:58) - Shane and Ilya's First Night Together
• (00:22:11) - Ilya And Shane's Love Letter
• (00:25:50) - Shane Had Sex With Rose in The Bathroom
• (00:28:02) - Shane and Ilya's Coming Out Story
• (00:32:47) - Shane and Ilya's Coming Out Story
• (00:36:37) - "This Is For Adults"
• (00:38:19) - Reviewer: First Ghost Pepper
• (00:38:43) - The Perfect Romance
• (00:41:31) - "My Perfect Romance"