Okay, so like January, my February wrap is super late. Hey 24th March!! Still blaming my Heated Rivalry obsession, the problem now though is that I’ve made the mistake of going down the fan-fiction rabbit hole. The last time this happened was back in 2013 and my TBR suffered terribly. I’ve tried to limit them to short social media shots but as I’m writing this in March I can tell you that I’ve failed spectacularly. Life things have also been kicking my ass, so I’m not going to stress too much about things like challenges, just yet.

Read 15 books in February, and one of those was a classic I’ve had on my TBR since I was like 16. I think I’d have preferred it back then! :p

I’ve read six books in the Romanceopoly — 2026 Reading Challenge in February! I would have liked to have read at least two more but I’m happy enough with this. I’ve now read 13 books in this challenge, that puts me at 25% of the challenge completed, so I’m making some headway!

Some of the other challenges I’m taking part in this year are; TwentyOffMyShelf 2026, Twenty Genres in 2026, and my own Non-fiction reading 2026. I’ll up date the numbers on on the first two once I’m up to date on posting.

Heated Rivalry (Game Changers #2) – 5⭐Role Model (Game Changers #5) – 5⭐, The Long Game (Game Changers #6) – 5⭐ by Rachel Reid

Look, this is what it is. I’m going to TRY not reread these specific books (Heated Rivalry Season 1 and Role Model and The Long Game Season 2) every month until season 2 in 2027, but I don’t know how successful I’ll be! I’m afraid that Heated Rivalry the TV show has become my entire personality, and as is the way with hyper fixation, all I can do is let it run it’s course. If I try to correct it, I’ll just make it worse. I know this from experience! 😀

King (Alliance #2) – 4⭐, Dom (Alliance #3) – 4.5⭐by S.J. Tilly

King (Alliance #2) by S.J. Tilly was the prompt for was the prompt for Romanceopoly — 2026 Reading Challenge – Crimson Brawl: Read a dark or paranormal romance (possessive alphas, morally gray, blood pacts, dangerous love interests)

Dom (Alliance #3) by S.J. Tilly was the prompt for Romanceopoly — 2026 Reading Challenge – Velvet Blitz: Read a dark romance (psych thrillers with romance, villain MCs, or mafia/assassin love stories)

Bluebird Gold (Lost Legends #1) by Devney Perry – 4.25⭐

Bluebird Gold (Lost Legends #1) by Devney Perry was the prompt for Romanceopoly — 2026 Reading Challenge – Softest of Tropes: Read a comfort trope romance (single parent, cinnamon roll, found family, childhood crush)

FU: Fixer Uppers by Devon McCormack – 3⭐

FU: Fixer Uppers by Devon McCormack was the prompt for Romanceopoly — 2026 Reading Challenge – Spoonful of Spice: Read a cozy or low-angst romance

The Wolf at the Door (Big Bad Wolf #1) – 4.5⭐, The Wolf at Bay (Big Bad Wolf #2) – 4.5⭐, Thrown to the Wolves (Big Bad Wolf #3) – 4⭐, Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing (Big Bad Wolf #4) – 4.75⭐, Cry Wolf (Big Bad Wolf #5) – 5⭐ by Charlie Adhara

The Wolf at the Door (Big Bad Wolf #1) was the prompt for Romanceopoly — 2026 Reading Challenge – Lycanthrope Hall – Read a shifter romance

I adored this series and I’m really very sad that it’s over. I loved the character development of both characters and each case had me on tenterhooks. I legit can’t wait to reread!

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy – 3.25⭐

I enjoyed the beginning of this, there was so much dram, and it actually felt like I was being let in on some supremely good gossip!

As the story progressed I started to dislike almost everyone though, but nobody as much as Levin and then to learn that Levin is thought to have been considered semi-autobiographical?! That just made me really dislike Tolstoy!

So, look, this book was written in the late 1800’s so I get it. Misogyny be hard on misogyning. Looking at this through a 21st century lens is unfair. It also doesn’t stop me from me being annoyed by how women were damned if they did, or damned if they didn’t in this book! Levin/Tolstoy would much prefer for the virginal young bride to be hidden in the country producing a herd of children, and if she doesn’t, she should just throw herself under a train!

Anna Karenina is of course much more complex than that, and there was lots going on in relation to class and the industrial revolution in Russia at that time, but I was too stuck on the fact that the men making the decisions were all despicable in their own unique ways. Depressingly, not a lot has changed in the intervening 148 years. All I know is that Anna, Kitty and Dolly all deserved better. Fuck all these men!

Glad I finally read this, and it was fabulously written, I really appreciated those short chapters! Look at me giving Tolstoy a compliment! He really seems like an absolute dick!!

Perfect In Every Way (Manors and Mysteries #2) by Kristen Ashley – 4.25⭐

Perfect In Every Way (Manors and Mysteries #2) by Kristen Ashley was the prompt for Romanceopoly — 2026 Reading Challenge – Quietly Feral: Read an indie or self published romance that’s not on a bestseller list

Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts, and Schemes by Laci Mosley – 5⭐

Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts, and Schemes by Laci Mosley was my February non-fiction pick.

Heated Rivalry Fanfics February 2026:

Fics read in February: 21

Words read in February: 95,738

Approx. pages read in February: 273

ShaneHollander_24 has started an Instagram live! by leaveittome – Tags: Canon Compliant, Alternate Universe – Canon Divergence, Crack, Humor, Concussed Shane Hollander, Social Media, Instagram. (bookmarked) – Words: 1,023

Who dis? by Sweettree – Ilya is giving Cliff a ride to the club. Should be fine right until an overly horny Shane Hollander starts texting his husband. But Ilya can’t be on his phone and drive that would be dangerous. So he has his best friend Cliff Marlow answer for him. It gets steamy. Tags: Accidental Voyeurism, Sexting, Ilya Rozanov Loves Shane Hollander, Shane Hollander Loves Ilya Rozanov, Best Friends, Good Friend Cliff Marlow, Married Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov, Ilya Rozanov is a Menace, Shane loves him though, Ilya Rozanov Is Down Bad,Post-Book 6: The Long Game (Game Changers). (bookmarked) – Words: 1,513

Ilya Rozanov’s 2017 Dating Wrapped by forjodssake –  Ilya drops a bunch of hints about his love life to his teammates. They do not pick up on them. Tags: PowerPoint, Texting Fic, in which you try to come out to your bros but they are oblivious, montreal girl, jane and lily. (bookmarked) – Words: 1,137

Ilya Rozanov’s Discount Dildo Emporium by hoko_onchi – Ilya reads Shane a chapter from his favorite AU. Tags: Ilya Reads to Shane, Fanfic within fanfic, Alternate Universe – Flower Shop, Alternate Universe – Sex Shop, Sex Toys, Coming Untouched, Hopeful Ending, Alternate Universe – Canon Divergence, Banter. – Words: 4,837

Shane & Ilya Go to Costco by yourboringbestie – In this fanfic – Shane takes Ilya to Costco. Tags: Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov, Shane Hollander & Ilya Rozanov, Shane Hollander & Hayden Pike & Ilya Rozanov, Shane Hollander & Hayden Pike & Jackie Pike & Ilya Rozanov, Shane Hollander/Rose Landry/Ilya Rozanov, Shane Hollander, Ilya Rozanov, Rose Landry, Hayden Pike, Jackie Pike, Hayden Pike’s Children. – Words: 1,308

Time after Time (if you’re lost, you can look, and you will find me) by mufftis – One year into marriage, Shane and Ilya realize that love isn’t just about the easy days. It’s about what happens after the cameras stop flashing and the wet towels start piling up. Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Baggage, Drama & Romance, Ilya Rozanov Loves Shane Hollander, Shane Hollander Loves Ilya Rozanov, Anxious Shane Hollander, Married Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov, Post-Book 6: The Long Game (Game Changers), Post-Book 2: Heated Rivalry (Game Changers), Miscommunication,
Heartbreaking, News Media, Song: Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper), Happily Ever After. – Words: 7,174

Ilya Rozanov’s Guide to Fanfic Etiquette by Ihaveaskedyouthrice – Harris tries to get Ilya to stop writing fanfiction and instead gets lessons in appropriate fanfic etiquette. Tags: Ilya Rozanov is a Little Shit, Ilya Rozanov is a Menace, And somehow it is Harris’ problem, Post-Book 6: The Long Game (Game Changers), ilya writes fanfic, Harris is not paid enough to deal with this shit, Crack,
Texting Fic, Crack Treated Seriously, Fluff and Humor, Shane is also a little shit, Shane is an enabler
Supportive Shane Hollander, Spoilers for Book 6: The Long Game (Game Changers), Ilya Rozanov Loves Shane Hollander, Shane Hollander Loves Ilya Rozanov, Married Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov, Harris is not amused. (bookmarked) – Words: 1,217

settle down the beat in my chest by vibrantsaturn – heated rivalry, as told though text messages and tweets. Tags: Alternate Universe – Canon Divergence, Social Media, Getting Together, Twitter, Fluff, Idiots in Love, text fic, Kinda, Jealous Ilya Rozanov, No Angst, Relationship Reveal, Multimedia. (bookmarked) – Words: 6,666

Having fun isn’t hard (when you’ve got a library card) by soul_wanderer – Ilya Rozanov had a library card. Shane is surprised until he learns the story behind it. Then, the best kind of chaos ensues, and Shane is along for the ride and finds out that yes, he can actually fall for Ilya even harder along the way. Tags: Libraries, Fluff and Humor, Fluff, Ilya Rozanov has a big fucking heart. (bookmarked) – Words: 1,364

Hayden Pike’s Cape by GrendelsMother – The one where Hayden is actually the hero of the story, because Jackie talks him into rehabilitating Ilya’s asshole image by publicly defending him, several times. The reactions to the FanMail are different this time, because of Hayden. (Spoiler warning for anyone not finished reading The Long Game). Tags: Canon Timeline, Hayden Changes History, Comedy, Fluff, Secret Relationship, Ilya is a sweetheart, Confused Shane Hollander, Male Friendship, Social Media, POV Outsider, Shane Hollander Speaks Russian, Ilya Rozanov Loves Shane Hollander, Good Friend Hayden Pike, Protective Hayden Pike, POV Jackie Pike, Good Friend Jackie Pike, Jackie Pike & Ilya Rozanov Friendship, BAMF Jackie Pike. – Words: 23,460

20 questions by UglyGreenJacket – [Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander sit on stools in the Centaurs’ locker room. They are wearing each other’s jerseys, and Ilya has a large pink heart painted on his left cheek. Shane has a smattering of silver sparkly heart freckles across his nose.] Tags: Fluff and Humor, Boys In Love, Idiots in Love, Feel-good, Post-Canon, Canon Compliant, Post-Book 6: The Long Game (Game Changers), Spoilers for Book 6: The Long Game (Game Changers), Hockey Boys, Dumb Hockey Boys, Established Relationship, Ottawa Centaurs (Game Changers), Ottawa Centaurs Player Ilya Rozanov, Ottawa Centaurs Player Shane Hollander, Valentine’s Day, Valentine’s Day Flu. (bookmarked) – Words: 2,593

Control Your Dog by winter1477 – Five times Ilya Rozanov acts unhinged over his husband online, and the one time Shane acts unhinged back.. Tags: Social Media, Texting Fic, Texting, Twitter, Ottawa Centaurs (Game Changers), Supportive Ottawa Centaurs (Game Changers), Ottawa Centaurs Group Chat (Game Changers), Married Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov, Mixed Media, Crack Treated Seriously, Fluff, Canon Compliant, Post-Canon, Humor, Fluff and Humor, 5+1 Things. (bookmarked) – Words: 2,141

ilya rozanov: partner, parent, pensioner by goldengalaxies – snippets of ilya as a wag/stay at home husband & dad, as seen through social media ❤ – Social Media, Humor, Fluff, Ilya Rozanov is a Menace, Shane Hollander Walks Ilya Rozanov Like A Dog, Retired Hockey Player Ilya Rozanov, Married Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov, Parents Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov, seriously this is just crack and fluff, standalone fic, Homophobia, Texting, WAG Ilya Rozanov. – Words: 2,052

Only One Bed in Boston by hoko_onchi – Ilya discovers Hollanov fanfic. Tags: Hollanov RPF, Crack Fic, Dirty Talk, Fanfic within fanfic, Banter, a love letter to fanfic, Alternate Universe – Canon Divergence, There Was Only One Bed. (bookmarked) – Words: 1,172

just know that these things will never change for us at all. by jtt_writes – Shane knew this. He had stood beside Ilya on some of his darkest days. Shane had seen firsthand how cruelly Ilya’s mind could distort reality. He knew he was having one of those unreliable narration days. Tags: Happily Ever After, Inspired by Heated Rivalry (TV), Book 2: Heated Rivalry (Game Changers), Post-Book 6: The Long Game (Game Changers). (bookmarked) – Words: 1,660

Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov Break the Internet by UglyGreenJacket – There’s rumor going around that Page Six has evidence from last weekend’s All-Star Game that two NHL players are romantically linked. Checking my sources to see what I can find out. Will update later. This could have huge implications if true. (AU where Ilya and Shane control their coming out before it’s leaked by the press) Tags: Social Media, Coming Out, Boys In Love, Alternate Universe – Canon Divergence, Fluff, Humor, Love. Idiots in Love, Feel-good, Found Family, Spoilers for Book 6: The Long Game (Game Changers), Fluff and Humor, Mixed Media, Crack Treated Seriously, Dumb Hockey Boys, Soft Hockey Boys. (bookmarked) – Words: 6,297

trophy husband by PenniesBloom – Ilya and Shane are thirty-six years old with two kids, and Ilya thinks it’s time to retire. Tags: Original Children of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, Post-Canon, Post-Book 6: The Long Game (Game Changers), Spoilers for Book 6: The Long Game (Game Changers), Domestic Fluff, Husbands, WAG Ilya Rozanov, Married Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov. (bookmarked) – Words: 4,547

wishing you the best (in the worst way) by gurlsrool – In which the Voyageurs’ secret homophobic group chat leaks, Shane decides it might be time to tell the world how long he’s been seeing Ilya, and said world loses their shit. Tags: Montreal Voyageurs Team Ensemble (Game Changers), Ottawa Centaurs Team Ensemble (Game Changers), Social Media, Texting, Texting Fic, Humor, Light Angst, Fluff and Humor, Homophobia, Post-Book 6: The Long Game (Game Changers), Shane Hollander Needs a Hug, Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov Relationship Timeline Reveal, Montreal Voyageurs | Montreal Metros Being Assholes (Game Changers), Crack Treated Seriously. – Words: 12,151

Fantastic! by ingberry – The one time Shane Hollander was the problem. Tags: Ottawa Centaurs Team Ensemble (Game Changers), Spoilers for Book 6: The Long Game (Game Changers), Fluff and Humor, POV Outsider, Embarrassed Shane Hollander, Ilya Rozanov is a Menace, Married Life, Interviews, Minor Troy Barrett/Harris Drover. – Words: 2,262

i care, i care, i care by amongtheshadows. Ilya gets sent a photo of Irina while Shane is in Montreal and does the right thing and reaches out for help. Tags: Book 6: The Long Game (Game Changers), No Spoilers for Book 6: The Long Game (Game Changers), Depressed Ilya Rozanov, Protective Yuna Hollander, Good Parents David Hollander/Yuna Hollander, Shane Hollander Loves Ilya Rozanov, Irina Rozanova Haunts the Narrative, Mentioned Irina Rozanova, Grief/Mourning, Ilya Rozanov Needs A Hug, Ottawa Centaurs Player Ilya Rozanov, Shane Hollander Speaks Russian, Emotional Hurt/Comfort. (bookmarked) -Words: 4,311

at the foot of a palindrome by labeledbones – Shane and Ilya’s dinner with Shane’s parents at his house following the end of episode six. Tags: Shane Hollander, Ilya Rozanov, Yuna Hollander, David Hollander. (bookmarked) – Words: 6,853