Long Game: a Heated Rivalry Podcast

Declan and Silvan are joined by Jenn from the Book Refuge for Part 2 of our Fan fiction and AO3 episode. We go deeper into the world of AO3 and fancition. 

We cover tags such as hurt/comfort and soulmate Alternate Universess to secret marriages, social media disasters, and the infamous plane crash fic. Jenn guides us through the stories that have captured the Heated Rivalry fandom's imagination. We explore why readers are drawn to angst, whether suffering makes a love story more meaningful and how fanfiction allows us to revisit beloved characters in entirely new ways while keeping the original story intact.

We also unpack the difference between canon, fanon, and headcanon, discuss why some fanfiction can successfully transition into traditionally published novels while others lose the very thing that made them special and debate what makes readers emotionally invest in a story in the first place.

Jenn puts us to the test with a fanfiction recommendation game, where we rank a selection of Heated Rivalry fanfics based only on their summaries. Some are romantic, some are chaotic, some are surprisingly emotional and a few leave us wondering what exactly we've gotten ourselves into.

This episode is a celebration of fandom creativity, storytelling, and the many ways readers keep Shane and Ilya's story alive long after the final page.

The next episode of the podcast will be published on Sunday 7th June.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Fanfiction and AO3
01:46 Exploring Heated Rivalry Tropes
07:22 The Community of Fanfiction Writers
11:20 Understanding Gender Dynamics in Romance
18:09 Recommendations for New Readers of Romance
18:39 Exploring Romance Preferences
20:56 Character Connection in Storytelling
23:40 The Value of Emotional Stakes
26:33 The Role of Antiheroes in Fan Fiction
29:03 Transforming Villains into Heroes
32:25 The Impact of Fan Fiction on Canon
35:55 The Appeal of Catastrophe in Stories
39:57 The Creative Process in Fan Fiction
42:46 The Challenge of Traditional Publishing
45:24 Understanding Canon vs. Fanon
51:40 The Separation of Fan Fiction and Traditional Publishing
01:08:00 The Fallout of Public Breakups
01:11:01 Fan Fiction and Social Media Dynamics
01:13:58 Exploring Alternate Universes in Fan Fiction
01:19:36 The Complexity of Relationships in Fiction
01:23:44 The Appeal of Fake Relationships
01:28:42 The Intrigue of Cheating and Open Relationships

Join our Long Game Podcast Book Club on Fable to read along with us each week.: https://fable.co/club/long-game-pod-book-club-with-long-game-pod-349252537194?invite=fc285de0-86ea-45c4-ab3f-8dcc82b8cad8&referralID=4tVUzsxlCC

Find Jenn:
Instagram: thebookrefuge18
Youtube: TheBookRefuge

Find us on instagram: longgame.heatedrivalry.pod
Write to us: [email protected]

Find Declan: 
Instagram: declan712
Tiktok: declanmccallion1

Find Silvan:
Instagram: Silvates
Tiktok: silvates1

Listen to the Podcast on:
Apple podcast: 

Spotify podcast: 

Amazon podcast: 

Watch it on youtube: https://youtu.be/ua60zP9zahk

Listen to Silvan’s ‘Silvates’ podcast here:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/silvates/id1531620495
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xMX59teVzpf6M86Cv7WG9?si=016f5477aed14697

Fic recommendations we spoke about in this episode:
Mutually Assured Exposure: https://archiveofourown.org/works/77434821/chapters/202760196  
Slipfast:  https://archiveofourown.org/works/73643456/chapters/191997696 
The Game Plan: https://archiveofourown.org/works/42797457/chapters/107510184  
Something You Can Fix: https://archiveofourown.org/works/76495636 
Shane Hollander is dating a nice man from Montreal: https://archiveofourown.org/works/77871996/chapters/204023421 
If This Is It: https://archiveofourown.org/works/80245286/chapters/210674496

Silvan is joined by special guest Jenn from The Book Refuge for a deep dive into the passionate world of Heated Rivalry fandom, fan fiction, and the phenomenon of AO3.

Jenn shares her journey into fan fiction culture, including how Heated Rivalry became one of the biggest fandoms on AO3. We unpack why these characters inspire such devotion, what makes romance adaptations so emotionally powerful when done well and why fandom spaces can feel both deeply creative and deeply personal.

Together we explore what AO3 actually is and how it works, why Heated Rivalry lends itself so perfectly to fan fiction, the blurred lines between authorship, creativity, and community and the legal and ethical complexities surrounding fan works.

If you are a longtime AO3 reader or someone hearing the term for the first time, this episode is a fascinating exploration of why people become so attached to fictional characters why Shane and Ilya continue to resonate so deeply with fans around the world.

The next episode of the podcast will be published on Sunday 31st May.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Setup
00:40 Exploring Heated Rivalry and Fan Fiction
03:41 Diving into the Fan Fiction World
06:28 The Impact of Adaptations on Romance
09:42 The Role of AO3 in Fan Fiction
12:29 The Significance of Romance in Storytelling
28:30 Exploring the World of Fan Fiction
30:21 The Legal Landscape of Fan Fiction
37:18 The Gift Economy of Fan Fiction
42:11 The Allure of Heated Rivalry Fan Fiction
46:35 Understanding Tags in Fan Fiction
58:03 The Impact of Wolfbird and Opal Apparition
01:00:33 The Popularity of Fan Fiction
01:02:25 The Impact of Unfinished Works
01:05:17 The Drama Surrounding Fan Fiction Authors
01:07:02 Navigating Fandom and Parasocial Relationships
01:11:03 The Role of Fiction in Understanding Diverse Experiences
01:13:51 Creating a Safe Space in Online Communities
01:14:00 Handling Criticism as a Content Creator
01:15:37 Exploring Diverse Romance in Literature
01:21:00 The Journey into MM Romance

Join our Long Game Podcast Book Club on Fable to read along with us each week.: https://fable.co/club/long-game-pod-book-club-with-long-game-pod-349252537194?invite=fc285de0-86ea-45c4-ab3f-8dcc82b8cad8&referralID=4tVUzsxlCC

Find Jenn:
Instagram: thebookrefuge18
Youtube: TheBookRefuge

Find us on instagram: longgame.heatedrivalry.pod
Write to us: [email protected]

Find Declan: 
Instagram: declan712
Tiktok: declanmccallion1

Find Silvan:
Instagram: Silvates
Tiktok: silvates1

Listen to the Podcast on:
Apple podcast: 

Spotify podcast: 

Amazon podcast: 

Watch it on youtube: 

Listen to Silvan’s ‘Silvates’ podcast here:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/silvates/id1531620495
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xMX59teVzpf6M86Cv7WG9?si=016f5477aed14697

References for material Jenn spoke about today:
Series of YT videos by Jill Bearup: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj4N-R1RQxAs2v9G09lNy4oyAnGBBUtW3&si=d1osuTsCvf_6ykw8 

An Exhaustive Defense of Fan Fiction: https://youtu.be/wvP_BLMgYBg?si=NoOIu5jxUh3AtigJ 

Ao3’s Mission Statement: https://archiveofourown.org/about 
Ao3’s FAQ Page: https://archiveofourown.org/faq/about-the-archive?language_id=en#whatisao3 

Slash Fiction (Wiki): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash_fiction#:~:text=It%20is%20commonly%20believed%20that,Spock%22)%20were%20used%20interchangeably 

Reddit Thread about Opal Apparition: https://www.reddit.com/r/heatedrivalryfanfics/comments/1sbnnuz/this_has_actually_made_me_feel_physically_sick/

Declan and Silvan dive into Part 3 the Heated Rivalry book review. We finally reach one of the most emotionally charged turning points in Shane and Ilya’s relationship and we had a lot to say about it.

From the aquarium scenes with Hayden and the subtle hints about Shane’s fears around family, to the infamous penthouse chapter, ginger ale, tuna melts, and one devastating use of first names, we unpack how Rachel Reid uses intimacy, domesticity, and even sex itself as storytelling devices. 

We explore how these chapters shift Shane and Ilya from “hookups” into something far more vulnerable, and why Shane’s panic feels so heartbreaking once you understand what’s really going on underneath it all.

We also discuss queer identity, denial, internalised shame, reclaiming slurs, chosen futures, and how the TV adaptation changes and deepens the emotional beats from the book. 

Plus, Declan goes on an anti-pickle rant, we accidentally term the phrase “tuna spit,” and we somehow end up talking about Shakespeare in the middle of all of it.

This episode covers chapters 12 onward and sets the stage for one of the most painful stretches of the book.

The next episode of the podcast will be published on Sunday 24th May at 10am (GMT).

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Heated Rivalry Podcast
00:28 Exploring Character Development in Chapters 12-15
05:26 The Complexity of Family Dynamics
09:28 The Pressure of Traditional Expectations
12:35 Navigating Identity and Relationships
16:44 The Impact of Language and Labels
24:58 Shane's Sensitivity and Foreshadowing
27:18 The Complexity of Parenthood and Relationships
31:53 Navigating Long-Term Hookup Dynamics
35:40 Sexual Dynamics and Power Play
47:30 The Shift Towards Intimacy
54:02 Confronting Domesticity and Vulnerability
57:34 Conflicted Emotions and Inner Turmoil
58:23 Denial and Acceptance in Relationships
01:00:24 Character Depth: Ilya's Backstory
01:03:50 Intimacy vs. Physicality in Relationships
01:06:46 The Significance of Names in Connection
01:10:18 Emotional Climax and Vulnerability
01:14:04 Conflict and Pacing in Storytelling
01:19:25 Building Intimacy Over Time

Join our Long Game Podcast Book Club on Fable to read along with us each week.: https://fable.co/club/long-game-pod-book-club-with-long-game-pod-349252537194?invite=fc285de0-86ea-45c4-ab3f-8dcc82b8cad8&referralID=4tVUzsxlCC

Find us on instagram: longgame.heatedrivalry.pod
Write to us: [email protected]

Find Declan: 
Instagram: declan712
Tiktok: declanmccallion1

Find Silvan:
Instagram: Silvates
Tiktok: silvates1

Listen to the Podcast on:
Apple podcast: 

Spotify podcast: 

Amazon podcast: 

Watch it on youtube: https://youtu.be/tjtQNj3qXr8

Listen to Silvan’s ‘Silvates’ podcast here:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/silvates/id1531620495
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xMX59teVzpf6M86Cv7WG9?si=016f5477aed14697

In part two of our Heated Rivalry book review series, Declan and Silvan dive deeper into the emotional chaos, yearning, and tension that turns Shane and Ilya’s relationship from a physical rivalry into something far more dangerous. What started as criticism in part one quickly becomes obsession as the pair unpack chapters 9–11 of and realise this is where the story truly finds its rhythm.

We discuss Ryan Price’s introduction and the early exploration of anxiety and mental health and Ilya’s protective instincts and the complicated relationship he has with his father. 

We explore why Ilya might be the most psychologically complex character in the series, how trauma and perfectionism shape his behaviour, and why the TV adaptation deepened certain emotional beats even further.

Our conversation also unpacks the infamous Vegas scene, the shifting power dynamics between Shane and Ilya, and the subtle ways intimacy is portrayed differently in the books versus the TV show. 

Plus, we discuss Rachel Reid’s bonus Ilya POV chapter, why it completely changes the tone of the Vegas encounter, and how it reveals just how heartbreakingly in love Ilya already is.

Along the way, there’s discussion of Hudson and Connor’s rising fame, future season predictions for the show, emotional communication failures, improvised TV moments that made fans lose their minds, and why the “we didn’t even kiss” text still hurts.

The next episode of the podcast will be published on Sunday 17th May at 10am (GMT).

Join our Long Game Podcast Book Club on Fable to read along with us each week.: https://fable.co/club/long-game-pod-book-club-with-long-game-pod-349252537194?invite=fc285de0-86ea-45c4-ab3f-8dcc82b8cad8&referralID=4tVUzsxlCC

Find us on instagram: longgame.heatedrivalry.pod
Write to us: [email protected]

Find Declan: 
Instagram: declan712
Tiktok: declanmccallion1

Find Silvan:
Instagram: Silvates
Tiktok: silvates1

Listen to Silvan’s ‘Silvates’ podcast here:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/silvates/id1531620495
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xMX59teVzpf6M86Cv7WG9?si=016f5477aed14697

Listen to the Podcast on:
Apple podcast: 

Spotify podcast: 

Amazon podcast: 

Watch it on youtube: https://youtu.be/Bm92FVXKCHI

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Part Two
01:35 Character Development and Emotional Depth
02:34 Introduction of Ryan Price
04:17 Ilya's Protective Nature
08:37 The Impact of Fame on Characters
11:45 Predictions for Future Seasons
14:35 Character Dynamics and Relationships
17:34 The Evolution of Ilya's Character
20:25 Realism in Character Roles
22:39 Shane's Commitment and Actions
25:33 Yuna's Role in the Story
28:55 Sexual Tension and Writing Quality
31:14 Comparing Book and Show Intimacy
37:53 Pressure of the Olympics on Ilya
39:08 The Weight of Leadership
42:13 Family Dynamics and Personal Struggles
47:32 The Complexity of Relationships
48:59 The Pain of Separation
56:36 The Power of Perspective
59:01 Control and Power Dynamics
01:06:17 The Significance of the Extra Chapter

In this episode of the podcast, Declan and Silvan dive into the Heated Rivalry book. Covering the first eight chapters, we begin a multi-part deep dive into how the original story compares to the TV adaptation, and whether the book lives up to the hype.

Coming to the story from two very different perspectives, Declan as a longtime reader and Silvan as a first-time book reader shaped by the show, our conversation explores first impressions, biases, and the challenge of separating beloved on-screen portrayals from the source material. 

We unpack the book’s bold opening, its heavy focus on physical intimacy, and whether the pacing works when read as a standalone versus part of a larger duology. Along the way, we explore key differences in characterisation

Our discussion also gets into adaptation choices: what the TV show adds, what it elevates, and what gets lost in translation. Expect thoughtful critique, a bit of gay panic analysis, and plenty of debate about writing choices, tropes, and what makes this story resonate so strongly with fans.

The next episode of the podcast will be published on Sunday 10th May at 10am (GMT).

Join our Long Game Podcast Book Club on Fable to read along with us each week.: https://fable.co/club/long-game-pod-book-club-with-long-game-pod-349252537194?invite=fc285de0-86ea-45c4-ab3f-8dcc82b8cad8&referralID=4tVUzsxlCC

Find us on instagram: longgame.heatedrivalry.pod
Write to us: [email protected]

Find Declan: 
Instagram: declan712
Tiktok: declanmccallion1

Find Silvan:
Instagram: Silvates
Tiktok: silvates1

Listen to Silvan’s ‘Silvates’ podcast here:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/silvates/id1531620495
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xMX59teVzpf6M86Cv7WG9?si=016f5477aed14697

Listen to the Podcast on:
Apple podcast: 

Spotify podcast: 

Amazon podcast: 

Watch it on youtube: https://youtu.be/YIKoVyKK7ms

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Heated Rivalry
03:08 Comparing Heated Rivalry and Game Changer
05:46 Character Analysis: Ilya and Shane
08:31 Differences in Character Portrayal
11:23 Pacing and Emotional Depth
14:47 Sexual Dynamics and Their Purpose
16:53 Prologue and Story Structure
20:13 Time Jumps and Character Development
27:58 Realism in Relationships
31:04 Sound and Storytelling in Adaptation
34:24 Creative Adaptation and Elevation of Material
37:38 Character Perspectives and Narration
39:25 Main Character Dynamics
42:49 Character Arcs and Stakes
47:09 Tropes and Character Descriptions
50:06 Easter Eggs and References
51:18 Character Interactions and Humor
53:31 Exploring Anxiety Through Visual Mediums
54:34 The Dynamics of Sexual Encounters
57:24 Power Dynamics in Relationships
57:32 Navigating Gay Panic and Sexual Awakening
59:53 Emotional Distance and Intimacy
01:02:08 The Complexity of Sexual Experiences
01:03:27 Character Development and Emotional Depth
01:07:16 The Significance of Awards and Recognition
01:11:20 Characterization and Emotional Context
01:12:13 Comparative Analysis of Writing Styles