'Heated Rivalry' Season 2: Jacob Tierney teases increased danger and seriousness

As Shane and Ilya return for the second season of Heated Rivalry, the stakes are even higher for the beloved duo.

The creator of the series, Jacob Tierney, recently hinted that Rachel Reid’s book, The Long Game, is “a deeply insightful story that gives this pair the attention they deserve,” set a decade after the events in Heated Rivalry.

He described at BookCon 2026, according to Entertainment Weekly, “It’s truly different, and from an adaptation angle, you’re stepping into much more intense territory,” he stated. 

“While there’s plenty of flirting and intimacy, it carries a sense of danger. The ‘hotel room teenage romance’ vibe is mostly absent.”

In the sixth installment of Reid’s Game Changer series, The Long Game focuses on Shane and Ilya a decade into their secretive relationship, even though Ilya wishes to make their love known.

“How do you navigate a relationship after the thrill of excitement fades, all while grappling with unresolved communication issues?” Tierney added. 

“Expressing love is one thing, but as mature individuals understand, there’s much more needed for a relationship to thrive. And that’s what they are discovering.”

Tierney recently shared with Deadline that there’s “a wealth of material” for Season 2, indicating the book might be divided into two seasons.

“When I first spoke with Rachel about Heated Rivalry, I wanted to approach it with seriousness because I felt the material merited that. There’s a version that’s light and dramatic, but my goal was to take it earnestly because I am captivated by this relationship,” he stated. 

“I was captivated knowing the direction it was heading with The Long Game. Rachel treated them with seriousness, and the subtle elements in the first book evolve into significant issues for them [later].”