Libraries are providing limitless ‘Heated Rivalry’ audiobooks

Hudson Williams, star of the TV collection “Heated Rivalry” takes half in a dialogue on the Prime Time display and media business convention gala in Ottawa, on this Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026 handout photograph. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout, George Pimentel (Obligatory Credit score)

TORONTO — The Toronto Public Library is the most recent establishment to make the “Heated Rivalry” audiobook obtainable and not using a ready record.

It follows different libraries in Canada and the U.S. which have made digital variations of the audiobook and e-book, which impressed the hit Crave TV collection, available to borrow — together with the Calgary Public Library, Burlington Public Library and, notably, the New York Public Library.

New York Metropolis Mayor Zohran Mamdani informed metropolis dwellers over the weekend to remain indoors throughout a snowstorm and “make the most of our public library’s provide of free entry to ‘Heated Rivalry’ on e-book or audiobook.”

The Toronto Public Library’s senior supervisor of collections improvement says the transfer is feasible due to a licensing choice made obtainable by writer Harlequin.

Matt Abbott says sometimes, publishers provide a “one copy, one person” licence, which mimics the mechanics of borrowing bodily books.

However some publishers provide a unique choice, which permits libraries to purchase numerous licences which might be obtainable for speedy obtain.

As soon as the variety of debtors reaches that restrict, the library can select to resume the licence to permit for extra speedy downloads.

Abbott says they’ve blown previous the 100 downloads sometimes allotted to any such settlement, so that they’ve needed to renew the deal a number of occasions over.

He says the primary three audiobooks within the “Recreation Changers” collection, that are all obtainable for obtain, have been checked out 5,000 occasions this month.

“There are these titles that basically hit, and on this case we’re actually lucky that it’s a Canadian creator and the writer is making it obtainable so we are able to provide broader entry,” he says.

He notes the library is at all times keeping track of its price range, however it’s going to proceed to supply the wait-list-free obtain choice so long as the demand persists.

He says any such licensing could be nice for publishers as a result of it promotes the work.

“We all know library customers are guide patrons too and the oldsters who obtain these, they’ll go purchase books — they’ll purchase subsequent books within the collection and such,” he says.

“Different publishers are a bit extra hesitant about offering broader entry and have completely different pricing fashions and like to maintain that stage of friction the place you place a maintain on an merchandise and it’s a must to watch for a bit longer.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Jan. 31, 2026.

Nicole Thompson, The Canadian Press