Virgin River Tragedy: Colin Lawrence (Preacher) Passes Away Suddenly After Serious Car Accident md20

Viewers have also come to love the escapist quality that lives within Virgin River’s seasons. The show balances an interesting level of romance and drama, but it’s the romance that wins out season after season to keep viewers invested. As Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson) have grown closer and found love, Virgin River fans have swooned.

Considering the style of programming that HBO tends towards, the network’s new streaming series that offers viewers its own Virgin River replacement is definitely somewhat spicier than the Netflix hit. With Virgin River tending toward cozy escapism, HBO’s newest offering is a flashier series that allows its viewers to escape into a world of fame, fortune, and a romance hidden within professional sports.

Heated Rivalry Is Now Streaming On HBO Max

The Series Is Based On Rachel Reid’s Game Changers Series

MovieStillsDB

Heated Rivalry, the newest series streaming on HBO Max, is perfect for Virgin River fans who are looking for another romance series to add to their roster. Following the romance between two professional hockey players, Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie). Both drafted into the fictional MHL in the top spots, the players share a professional rivalry that turns into a steamy romance.

Led by Letterkenny creator Jacob Tierney, Heated Rivalry’s first two episodes are now airing on HBO Max, and offer an incredible look into the budding romance between the rivals. While Hollander, a Canadian-born player who’s trying to keep up with his squeaky-clean reputation, and Rozanov, a Russian-born phenom who’s a bit more free-living, are a fun match, their romance is rocky.

Why Virgin River Fans Need To Watch Heated Rivalry

The Romantic Escapism Is Strong On HBO Max’s Series

Although Heated Rivalry is a far steamier series than Virgin River, it’s got a lot of the same components as the Netflix series. Viewers of Virgin River enjoy the escapist nature of the series, and while Heated Rivalry isn’t the same by way of being a small-town cozy series, it’s a show that allows viewers to fall into its story quickly and stick around.

Heated Rivalry is definitely a more mature offering than its Netflix competitor, but the show’s intensity is what makes it so fun. Watching Hollander and Rozanov play a game of cat and mouse that spans years over just the first two episodes makes it clear that their trajectory, whatever it may be, is going to be well worth the wait.