Snowed In? NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Recommends Reading ‘Heated Rivalry’

The cultural reach of Heated Rivalry has officially crossed into City Hall.

During a Sunday press conference addressing heavy snowfall across New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani encouraged residents to stay indoors, rest up, and find ways to pass the time. Among his recommendations was an unexpected but pointed shout-out: reading Heated Rivalry.

“The snow is coming down heavily across our city, and I can think of no better excuse for New Yorkers to say home, take a long nap or take advantage of our public library’s offer of free access to Heated Rivalry on e-book or audiobook for anyone with a library card,” Mamdani said, drawing laughter and smiles from staff standing behind him.

For a romance novel rooted in queer hockey fandom, the moment marked a rare crossover into mainstream civic discourse, and underscored just how far the book’s influence has spread. NYPL Clears the Hold List

The mayor’s comment followed an announcement from the New York Public Library, which revealed Saturday (Jan. 24) that patrons with a library card could instantly access Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series. The promotion runs through Feb. 14 and includes all six published titles in the collection.

For readers familiar with long digital waitlists, the offer removes one of the biggest barriers to catching up with a series that has surged in popularity over the past year. The timing also positions the books as a fitting Valentine’s Day option, whether readers are new to the fandom or revisiting a favorite pairing. From Page to Prestige TV

Heated Rivalry, the second installment in Reid’s series, centers on the long-running tension between two professional hockey players whose rivalry slowly turns into something deeper. The novel later became the basis for the Crave–HBO Max adaptation, which premiered late last year.

The series stars Hudson Williams as Canadian player Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie as Russian standout Ilya Rozanov. Their on-screen chemistry helped turn the adaptation into a breakout hit, drawing in audiences well beyond romance readers and hockey fans.

The sixth book, The Long Game, continues their story and is also included in the library’s access window. A seventh installment, Unrivaled, has already been announced, signaling that the franchise’s momentum shows no signs of slowing. Rising Stars on and off the Ice

The show’s success has had a swift impact on its leads. Williams and Storrie have become two of the most talked-about newcomers in entertainment since the premiere, earning attention for both their performances and public appearances.

Most recently, the pair traveled to Italy, where they served as torchbearers for the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, an appearance that further blurred the line between sports, storytelling, and pop culture.

From library downloads to mayoral endorsements, Heated Rivalry continues to carve out space in unexpected corners. For New Yorkers snowed in this winter, it seems even City Hall agrees: there are worse ways to wait out a storm.

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