Starring Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, ‘Heated Rivalry’ is utterly fantastic 

“Heated Rivalry” the novel is the kind of smutty romance read that’s thoroughly enjoyable but slightly ephemeral, a tale of angst and love and outlandish situations that doesn’t linger long in your mind once you get to the happily ever after-ish ending. 

“Heated Rivalry” the TV series, however, is anything but: An effervescent combination of faithful adaptation, standout acting and gorgeous cinematography, it’s one of the best shows of the year — and one you won’t be forgetting anytime soon. 

Originally meant for just the Canadian streaming service Crave (and only picked up by HBO Max a week before the Nov. 28 premiere), “Heated Rivalry” adapts the novel of the same name by Rachel Reid. (It’s the second in the six-part “Game Changers” series; Season 2, based on the sequel “The Long Game,” has already been greenlit.)

Read the full review at The Seattle Times.

Five “stupid Canadian wolf bird” stars out of five, and a critic’s pick.

Photo credit: Hudson Williams, left, and Connor Storrie in “Heated Rivalry.” (Sabrina Lantos / HBO Max)