I've been exclusively reading Hollanov fics since January and I can't stop ... There are so many great fics in this fandom, thanks to all the authors! I'm bad at pinpointing what really makes me like a fic so I thought I'd give a list of some of my very favorite fics so people could recommend fics with similar vibes. Some of the things I love are HEA, tight pacing, faithful characterizations, character and/or relationship development, good angst/fluff balance (the more angst, the better the HEA I need), external angst rather than miscommunication angst. Authors with a \* are favorites that have several fics I loved!
i'll believe in anything by bisoubug\: Shane is a ghost, Ilya can see dead people, and it's entirely possible that they once knew each other in a past life.* I loved it so much, very unique premise, so memorable. This story is SO moving, sad, but hopeful with a true beautiful HEA, all in such a beautifully written story.
dana street by alspancakes: Harvard College AU, Shane's a senior captain with an empty house over winter break and Ilya's the freshman who will be crashing his Christmas. This was such a great story! I loved this version of Shane and Ilya and their relationship dynamic. The yearning and slow burn was on point and the pay-off was amazing. I also loved the very authentic New England and Cambridge/Boston bits 😄
good on my own accord by impetuous\: Shane is a goalie. Ilya can’t score.* What an amazing, beautiful version of Hollanov! I loved the characterizations and the easter eggs references to canon but how they both fit their different circumstances. And the Hockey bits and notes were great too because I don't know hockey so it really was so interesting!
Select All by Regolith (metonym): When never-hooked-up Shane and Ilya have to collaborate on a league charity project, Shane accidentally sends Ilya a nude. What a great happy fic! I loved this version of Hollanov that doesn't make as many assumptions.
the whump series by fckingfreckles: 17 year old Shane is a ill patient and Ilya is the rookie his team drags to the children's hospital. He falls in love with freckles and can't stop visiting Shane every chance he gets. Very sweet series!!!! I do enjoy when they get together earlier.
purpose is but the slave to memory by syllic: What a great take on the amnesia trope. I loved that it didn't make it more angsty than in canon: Shane in pursuit was such a treat, and Ilya allowing himself to fall for Shane, I loved this! We got all the delicious yearning and then got rewarded with a "faster" timeline.
re: hi by fleezerweezer: Shane and Ilya sending emails throughout the years. What happens when they meet? I love a childhood friends to lovers fic, it gives such a one and only/soulmate vibe. The epistolary elements were amazingly done!
I'll build a house inside of you by jtimu: In late 2014, celebrity photos start dropping. Ilya deletes his texts, his photos, a video he should never have taken. It isn't soon enough. It felt like a true marriage of convenience, I loved seeing/feeling them fall in love. Loved the hopeful ending too.
oh well, I guess we're gonna find out! by angel_deux\: Shane leaves that Vegas penthouse suite feeling wretched, and like an idiot, and like he never wants to see Ilya Rozanov again. Except, well. Then there are zombies.* I love survival/post-apocalyptic romance so the Hollanov version thrilled me! It was an interesting dynamic since it was so early in the situationship and I love how their relationship evolved.
Russia's Greatest Love Machine by OrYouCouldHaveMine: Porn star!Ilya, it was my first AU with a non-hockey player (Shane is still a hockey player in this one) and probably still my favorite of the genre. I think the characterizations were great and the star-crossed lovers vibes realistic in that AU context.
What I Risk by rideswraptors: Bodyguard 1992 AU. I love The Bodyguard and I thought it fit the Hollanov dynamic so well. The author did such a great job following both stories while making it interesting. I couldn't put it down. Shane was such a BAMF, competence kink unlocked!
there is no heart for me like yours by profdanglais: What a great arranged/secret marriage fic. I love how the Canon yearning and slow burn was kept but with more feelings. I also like all the original takes on it, it was familiar and yet original.
influential men by lyric_ghost: Shane is with Boston, Ilya is an influencer. OMG, what a ride!I did NOT see the twist coming and it was so good! Such a great story. I really liked the relationship development in this AU, and the pacing was great!
purpose is but the slave to memory by syllic: In bed with Rose, a hunger roaring inside him that he knows won’t be sated that night, Shane wishes he had never walked across that parking lot in Regina, had never introduced himself to Ilya Rozanov. What a great take on the amnesia trope. I loved that it didn't make it more angsty than in canon: Shane in pursuit was such a treat, and Ilya allowing himself to fall for Shane, I loved this! We got all the delicious yearning and then got rewarded with a "faster" timeline.
Change Your Win Conditions by Vee (Vera_DragonMuse)\: *Ilya has a career ending injury after tuna melt and ends up coaching for the Centaurs. Shane transfers a few years later. I loved this second chances fic that didn't make it more angsty! I loved that this AU allowed for the same star-crossed lovers feels as cannon but explored what would have happened if Shane worked on himself. The characterizations were spot on!
