US military forces on Friday killed an al Qaeda affiliate leader, identified as Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, linked to an Islamic State attack on Americans in Syria last month, the US Central Command said in a statement on Saturday. The Central Command said Bilal Hasan al-Jasim had "direct ties" to an
MAHA TET result 2025: The Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE) declared the most awaited Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (MAHA TET) result 2025 on Friday, 16 January. Candidates who appeared for the exam can check their scorecard at the official website of the State Council, mahatet
Yes Bank Q3 Results: Private sector lender Yes Bank on Saturday reported a 55.4% year-on-year surge in its net profit to Rs 952 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2025. Its net interest income (NII), which is the difference between the interest earned and interest expended, rose 10
Private sector lender ICICI Bank on Saturday reported a 4.02 per cent fall in its standalone net profit to Rs 11,317.86 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2025. Its net profit had stood at Rs 11,792.42 crore in the corresponding period last year, according to a regulatory filing
Happy Patel Khatarnak Jasoos Box Office: Emmy-winning comedian Vir Das makes his directorial debut as the film hits theatres yesterday - Check day 01 collection. Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos Box Office Collection: Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, directed by and starring Vir Das
President Donald Trump has clashed with major US oil companies over investment plans in Venezuela, saying he may block Exxon Mobil after its CEO called the country “uninvestable.” Trump wants oil firms to invest heavily to boost supply and keep oil prices low
For years, Sudan has existed in the global imagination as a peripheral crisis – periodically erupting into violence, then fading back into obscurity. The civil war that started in April 2023 has now lasted more than 1,000 days. Sudan is now the site of the world's largest displacement crisis
Indian influencer Tanya Khanijow's viral video sparks a massive debate on why Singapore "works." Discover the historical link to Kolkata, the status of the Tamil language, and the water systems studied by space agencies. An urban-planning, travel video posted by Indian influencer Tanya Khanijow
Heated Rivalry author thought ice-hockey romance was too steamy for TV
Heated Rivalry author thought ice-hockey romance was too steamy for TV
I write sexually explicit queer romance novels about hockey players. You probably know this, but I'm saying it because it's something that I don't feel comfortable telling everyone.
Rachel Reid wrote those words on her blog four months ago. Now, the adaptation of her self-described "smut" is the most talked-about show on TV: Heated Rivalry.
Its stars have appeared at the Golden Globes, on major late-night talk shows and podcasts, and in a seemingly unending stream of social media fan edits - leaving Reid nowhere to hide.
But the Canadian author tells the BBC: "There's nothing to be embarrassed about anymore."
People are so open about loving the show," she continues. "It's embarrassing to not like it.
There is no shortage of sex in Heated Rivalry, which follows the illicit relationship of two rival ice-hockey stars and is based on the second book in Reid's Game Changers series of novels.
"I thought they were unadaptable," Reid says frankly of her books, which she first published anonymously online, disguised as fan fiction.
But changes to her story for TV are few and far between. The author from Nova Scotia notes: "I don't think I've ever seen an adaptation this loyal before."
Despite its heartfelt depiction of LGBT relationships and representation in sport, some have trivialised it – branding it "the gay hockey show".
Reid, however, is not concerned: "I feel very good about it. A lot of the community around it – all these events, watch parties, raves – it's because the show is such a great vibe check for people.
If you like this show, you're probably on the right side of a lot of things.
One such watch party in London grew quiet as the packed pub waited for episode one to begin on the evening of its UK release in early January.
A "shush!" rang out when Canadian rookie Shane Hollander - one of the now-beloved protagonists - first appeared shirtless on screen. The crowd, mostly made up of younger viewers, listened.
Later, there were cheers and applause: standing near Shane in an otherwise-empty row of locker-room showers was the confident Ilya Rozanov, from Russia. Both men, the camera showed us in some detail, were naked.
Nonetheless, viewers were quick to stress the sex was a way to illustrate their slow-burn relationship, developed through secret meetings and covert texting over eight years of public sporting rivalry.
"I went into it expecting it to be a 50 Shades of Grey type of thing," said Joe Leonard, one of the organisers of the West London Queer Project event.
You're watching a little bit in awe for the first few episodes," he confessed, "but then by the end, you're there sat with tissues drying tears away… it's a very, very sweet story.
Another fan, 21-year-old Alana, added: "If people are reducing it to the intimacy aspect, it's like - people don't say that about Bridgerton, about different shows that have intimacy between straight people, so how is it any different?"
In a room split almost evenly between men and women, some in the crowd were eager to address the show's popularity with female viewers - dubbed "wine moms" by showrunner Jacob Tierney and the subject of some debate online, from Reddit to TikTok.
"I don't think it's a new thing that women are interested in queer fiction, even straight women," said Bethan Smith, 26.
I think it's just because it's become so mainstream people are like, 'oh why are women a fan of this?' Where have you been?
Reid, whose real name is Rachelle Goguen, gives a simple view on this question: "Obviously, the books have a huge female fanbase because that's who reads romance, that's who reads fiction generally.
Now, with the show, we've gained a much wider and more diverse fanbase of - yeah - a lot of men, which is really exciting.
Combining romance and sport may seem unusual to the uninitiated - but to some readers in the room, it made perfect sense.
Kayleb, 23, said Heated Rivalry was one of several "sport romances" he had read. "I've read some Formula 1 romances," he explained.
He was referring to a growing sub-genre of romance novels set in the world of sport - from football to boxing and baseball - which literary agent Saskia Leach said had "absolutely snowballed over the last four to five years".
"It's arguably the breakout romance sub-genre of the 2020s," she said, making the success of Heated Rivalry unsurprising.
Aimee Cummings, who runs Love Stories Bookshop in Cardiff, agreed there was "huge demand" for these books, "even though they're a niche within a niche".
Our first customer order was for Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh, a rugby romance," she said, adding: "Since day one, we've had people ask for Heated Rivalry.
But ice hockey is more than a backdrop in Reid's world. The author says she wrote her books "to work out a lot of my feelings about rampant misogyny, homophobia, violence" in the sport of which she had been a life-long fan.
There are no openly gay active players in North America's National Hockey League (NHL), according to the Canadian broadcaster CBC, and the show has reignited discussion around representation in the sport.
Reid says no one from the NHL has reached out to her since the show first aired in the US and Canada in late November, "but a lot of people from the hockey world have… people I love and respect, so that's all that matters to me".
The show, created by Canadian streamer Crave, has naturally boosted book sales. Heated Rivalry, first published in 2019, and several of Reid's other novels hit the New York Times bestseller list in early December.
Reid announced a new Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, or "Hollanov", novel last week, Unrivaled. Meanwhile, the rest of her titles will line UK bookshelves for the first time from 20 January. They have previously only been available as e-books in the territory, and recently entered Amazon's best-seller chart.
The UK's biggest bookselling chain, Waterstones, said daily pre-orders for the series in print had increased "by about 700% week on week" since the new year - the bulk for Heated Rivalry - while publisher HarperCollins said it had to print several more batches of the books than originally planned to meet demand.
For Reid, her hope is that the books inspire more positive LGBT love stories.
There just haven't been many shows that have had a happy ending, and queer joy.
Maybe we don't have to kill one of them before the end," she jokes. "It would be a nice change.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: Minnesota officials say FBI blocked their access to ICE shooting probe HOCKEY INDIA LEAGUE Second night of US protests over ICE shooting of woman in Minneapolis ICE agent in Minnesota shooting was dragged by car in June Arts festival faces exodus after dropping Palestian Australian author Celebrities wear pins protesting ICE on the Golden Globes red carpet How Australian festival imploded after axing Palestinian author Why calling Minneapolis ICE victim a ‘domestic Terrorist’ is controversial JSW Soorma Hockey Club register first win "I Thought It Was Just PCOD”
Africa Cup of Nations final: It's a clash of titans as Morocco faces Senegal in the ultimate battle for the Africa Cup of Nations trophy. With both teams eyeing their second victory, Morocco enjoys the advantage of local supporters, while Senegal's Teranga Lions are steeled for the contest
Just now
A grand religious gathering planned in Tirunavaya, Kerala, facing unexpected challenges with a stop order for a temporary bridge. This controversy, however, generated massive free publicity. Local support emerged from various communities, including Muslim merchants and the state government
Just now
A twist has emerged in the Goa murder case after a Russian national allegedly confessed to additional killings, with investigators indicating that the two women earlier found dead may not be the only victims.A twist has emerged in the Goa murder case after a Russian national allegedly confessed to
Just now
The Malegaon local body elections signal a shift in voting patterns, with Muslim voters increasingly supporting parties explicitly representing their community, sidelining traditional secular parties. Analysts warn the “Malegaon Model” could influence political dynamics in other
Just now
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned that United States tariffs on its allies are detrimental. She believes these actions weaken prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic. Kallas stated that China and Russia are the primary beneficiaries of such divisions among allies
Just now
Music composer AR Rahman in an interview to BBC Asian Network said that the Hindi film industry has changed over the past eight years, attributing it to a shift in power and possibly to “a communal thing”. His remarks sparked a political row
Just now
US President Donald Trump's apparently coercive threat to force Western allies not to oppose his proposed annexation of Greenland, or face further damage to their trade with the US, is without both parallel and precedent. We've had some unusual and unexpected economic threats from President Trump
Just now
Indian women's football stalwart Ashalata Devi believes the dream of seeing the country play at the FIFA Women's World Cup remains alive. However, she emphasises that sustained progress at the grassroots level is crucial to bridging the gap with the world's elite
Just now
Thousands of angry Greenlanders gathered in protest against US President Donald Trump on Saturday, waving their national flag and chanting “Greenland is not for sale” in support of their own self-governance in the face of increasing threats of an American takeover
Just now
Sitting on multiple job offers may be a thing of the past for most technology professionals, but not so for artificial intelligence talent.AI professionals are getting not just multiple offers but also counter-offers from existing employers and big incentives
Just now
Tarot Card Reading Horoscope Today For January 18: Step into the mystical realm as the tarot cards reveal what the universe has in store for you today. Whether you're seeking clarity in love, career, or personal growth, today's tarot insights offer powerful guidance tailored to your zodiac sign
Just now
The European Union on Saturday said negotiations on a proposed EU–US trade deal have been put on hold following President Donald Trump's decision to impose fresh tariffs on Denmark and several other European countries, linking the move to his renewed push to acquire Greenland
Just now
Delhi-NCR Weather Alert: Visuals from near the Delhi-Noida-Delhi (DND) flyway and surrounding areas showed a dense layer of fog blanketing the region. Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced the reimplementation of Stage-IV measures under the Graded Response Action
Just now
UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is set to visit India on Monday, aiming to strengthen the strategic partnership amidst regional shifts. This visit, building on a strong personal rapport with PM Modi, follows a series of high-level engagements and significant growth in bilateral ties
Just now
Delhi residents woke up to ‘severe' air quality on Sunday morning as toxic smog blanketed the capital city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a cold wave alert as minimum temperature dropped below 5 degrees Celsius at multiple locations
Just now
India have not lost a bilateral ODI series at home since March 2019, when Australia overturned a 0-2 deficit to win 3–2, including the decider in Delhi. But that history is now firmly on the line. The Black Caps have toured India for bilateral ODIs since 1989 but have never won a series in
Just now
Things went from bad to worse for the India Open 2026 as the women's doubles semifinal clash between the Chinese duo of Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning of China and the South Korean pairing of Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hi on Saturday. The fixture that ended 21-12, 17-21
Just now
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- When reports spread that users on X were asking the platform's AI chatbot, Grok, to turn photos of celebrities and non-public figures — including minors — into sexualized images, public outrage rightly focused on the violation inflicted on the victims
Just now
Arsenal may have stretched their lead at the top of Premier League to seven points on Saturday, but the goalless draw at Nottingham Forest will have left many Gunners fans reflecting on another missed opportunity. Manchester City's 2-0 loss at Old Trafford offered Arsenal the chance to move nine
Just now
US President Donald Trump on Saturday announced 10% tariffs on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, UK, Netherlands, and Finland starting February 1, 2026 in a major push towards aquisition of Greenland. The imposed tariff escalating to 25% from June 1
Just now
The Indian Embassy in Tehran on Saturday urged Iranian authorities to grant consular access to 16 Indians who were part of a ship's crew and were detained by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on December 8. The detained persons were aboard the vessel MT Valiant Roar
Just now
Khamenei termed US President Donald Trump a "criminal," accused the United States of planning the unrest with the aim of "swallowing up Iran," and held Trump responsible for the killings and destruction in the recent riots in Iran. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei boasted on Saturday that the
Just now
India Vs New Zealand 3rd ODI Live Cricket Score and Updates, IND VS NZ: The stage is set for a thrilling series decider at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore as Shubman Gill-led India face Michael Bracewell's New Zealand in the 3rd and final ODI
Just now
Modi, speaking at a Bodo folk dance performance here, also asserted that the BJP government was "cleansing the sins" of the previous Congress regimes. Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Congress of disrespecting the culture and heritage of Assam
Just now
Shah Rukh Khan's return to Don 3 will not involve Jawan director Atlee, as rumours of his participation have been confirmed false. Following Ranveer Singh's exit from Don 3, speculation has been swirling about the direction of the iconic franchise
Just now
A threat by President Donald Trump to impose fresh tariffs on eight allies opposed to his proposed takeover of Greenland has drawn condemnation from European leaders. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the move was "completely wrong", while French President Emmanuel Macron called it "unacceptable"
Just now
High computing solutions firm Netweb Technologies on Saturday posted its highest-ever quarterly profit with about a two and half times jump in profit after tax (PAT) at Rs 733.1 crore in the October-December period. The company's performance was driven by demand for artificial intelligence
Just now
