The creative force behind the popular hockey romance series Heated Rivalry, director Jacob Tierney, has announced a companion volume aimed at viewers who want to linger in the show’s world between seasons. The book, titled I’ll Believe in Anything in People, collects annotated scripts, production anecdotes and a foreword by novelist Rachel Reid. It acts as both a production diary and a reflective guide to how a small team translated a sensitive, character-driven story from page to screen.
The release is timed to bridge the gap before the show’s return: season 2 of Heated Rivalry is set to premiere in April 2027, and this book gives fans context and background material to revisit the relationships and decisions that defined season 1. The director frames the volume as an invitation to join the makers at the workstation — not merely to see what they made, but to understand the reasoning and conversations that shaped it.
What the book contains
I’ll Believe in Anything in People is primarily a collection of annotated scripts from season 1, presented with commentary that walks readers through creative choices and the evolution of scenes. The book includes a foreword by Rachel Reid, who wrote the source material, and it highlights how collaborative decision-making influenced everything from dialogue rhythm to visual staging. Throughout the text, Tierney emphasizes the ensemble nature of the production process, crediting writers, producers and performers for the series’ tone and texture.
Annotated scripts and production notes
The annotated scripts are the core feature: page-by-page notes that explain why certain lines were kept, altered or dropped, and how moments grew in rehearsal. These annotations are intended to demystify the translation from script to screen. Tierney uses annotations to place readers inside the edit room, on set and in wardrobe fittings where small decisions sometimes produced large emotional payoffs.
Design choices and pop culture moments
The book also documents visual and marketing choices that resonated with viewers, such as the creation of a now-viral fleece jacket worn during an Olympic subplot. Tierney and producing partner Brendan Brady discuss how minor costume elements became symbols that fans adopted, illustrating how production design can ripple into real-world fandom. These sections aim to show how practical design choices intersect with audience culture.
Why this book matters to fans
For supporters of the show, the volume offers more than trivia: it provides a lens on representation and audience engagement. Tierney and his team deliberately framed the series to avoid pigeonholing queer relationships as niche, describing their approach to portraying two closeted hockey stars who move from secret encounters to an open relationship. The book promises to unpack how the writers balanced multiple love stories — Ilya and Shane alongside Kip and Scott — without sidelining either couple.
On-screen intimacy and choreography
One candid area the book addresses is the staging of intimate scenes. Tierney explains the collaborative choreography that resulted in the show’s candid portrayals of erotic moments, aiming to communicate how safety, consent and authenticity were prioritized on set. These passages reveal the technical and ethical considerations behind scenes that sparked strong audience reaction.
Format, tone and publication details
Tierney describes the volume as an extension of the series rather than a detached analysis: the narrative voice is personal, conversational and sometimes confessional, inviting readers to sit beside the creators as decisions were made. The content balances technical observations — such as notes on camera coverage, editing rhythm and costume continuity — with reflective writing about emotional stakes and audience resonance.
I’ll Believe in Anything in People has been made available for preorder and is scheduled for publication on Oct. 13. The announcement positions the book as an ideal way for fans to revisit season 1 before the series resumes next year. Tierney has shared cover art and spoken publicly about the collaborative nature of the project, stressing that the book was designed to be accessible both to industry readers curious about process and to everyday viewers who want to deepen their connection with the characters.
Who will appreciate the book
Readers who enjoy behind-the-scenes storytelling, script analysis or fandom culture will find value in the volume. Particularly useful are the sections that document how small production choices amplified the show’s emotional reach and how the creative team worked to dismantle stereotypes about queer narratives’ commercial viability. The book operates as both a celebration of the first season and a bridge toward the show’s next chapter.
In short, Tierney’s book invites fans to re-enter the cottage, study the production process and better understand the creative trade-offs that shaped Heated Rivalry. With season 2 set to arrive in April 2027, this companion text functions as both a keepsake and a primer for what comes next.
