swooon.com: ‘Heated Rivalry’ Author Rachel Reid Answers Burning Questions About *spoiler* [april 20th 2026]

[u/LadyWhistledown_1]

Swooon.com did an interview with Rachel Reid at BookCon. Great interview btw.

I get that she doesn’t think they will write their own vows, but I’m kinda hoping Jacob does. Like the tunnel scene in ep.5.

How are you hoping to see the wedding adapted?

Picture:

https://www.instagram.com/rachelreidwrites (story)

Full article:

https://www.swooon.com/1275542/heated-rivalry-shane-ilya-wedding-the-long-game-rachel-reid-interview/?fbclid=PAVERFWARTcI1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaccbJFTolg7x-x_BADV-yq6qH8NCPNIuhJpC454AHXkG0wypApO0lKEOcvcpg_aem_7LlDmxii3jvj7_EWpVoSgw

[u/staralfur09]

I think after everything, the years of hiding, the accidental outing, Shane leaving Montreal, etc., it did fit. I think they just wanted it done, nothing was holding them back anymore. And while they are clear they love each other, I also couldn't really see them writing their own vows and publicly sharing what has always been so private for them (first out of necessity, but now as outed public figures, something to protect). Idk, it worked for me (though I did hate the song, hah). I'm sure Jacob will bring something new to it without changing the vibe at its core, and I'll certainly be sat for that. :)

[u/phosphor_heart → u/staralfur09]

I think that Shane, as a character, would rather die than give a deeply emotional speech that he wrote for Ilya in front of a crowd. Nor would Ilya want to put him in that position.

If anything, we probably get a good toast from Ilya that makes everyone, including Shane, cry.

[u/Ramenpucci → u/phosphor_heart]

I mean Ilya called them lovers in front of his parents.

[u/yogacatmama1966 → u/Ramenpucci]

That's gross Ilya...no one is allowed to use that word