Lace up your skates and hit the ice once again as more thrilling literary content from the “Heated Rivalry” series is on the horizon for next year! The excitement initiated by author Rachel Reid from Nova Scotia continues with a fresh novel being released by Harlequin.
Originally scheduled for a September release, the new installment in the Game Changer series, titled “Unrivaled,” has been rescheduled to hit the shelves on June 1, 2027. Rachel Reid, in an Instagram video alongside Harlequin, announced this date change, citing the overwhelming media attention she has received as a challenge that has limited her writing time. Reid also disclosed the added physical challenges she faces while writing due to her Parkinson’s symptoms, a condition she was diagnosed with in 2023.
“Unrivaled,” the seventh book in Reid’s hockey romance series, delves back into the evolving relationship between hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Once fierce rivals, their love is now out in the open. This storyline, first introduced in the second book of the series, “Heated Rivalry,” picks up right after the events of the sixth book, “The Long Game.”
The screen adaptation of “Heated Rivalry,” directed by Montreal filmmaker Jacob Tierney, premiered last November as the most successful Crave Original Series to date, captivating both new and seasoned audiences of queer hockey romance stories. This success has propelled the lead actors, Hudson Williams from British Columbia and Connor Storrie from the United States, into instant stardom, with both making appearances at the 2026 Golden Globes.
Rachel Reid expressed her delight at the global reception to her Canadian queer characters, describing it as a pleasant surprise and a “hit of dopamine.” She emphasized her aim to contribute to the increasing number of queer narratives with happy endings, citing the positive timing of her work and the uplifting feedback she has received.
In Canada, the literary community has taken notice of Reid’s work, with “Heated Rivalry” making the Canada Reads 2026 longlist and consistently ranking as a bestseller six years after its initial publication in 2019, according to Bookmanager.
The latest addition to the series, “Unrivaled,” continues the celebration of queer love as Shane and Ilya navigate new chapters in their lives, from being newlyweds to playing together on the same team for the first time. Amidst the #TakeBackHockey movement gaining momentum, Shane and Ilya remain steadfast in their love for each other and their sport.
With over 1.3 million copies of the Game Changers series sold in North America and a confirmed second season of the show, fans eagerly anticipate more from Reid’s captivating world. Alongside “Unrivaled,” Reid has six other novels, each exploring unique romantic pairings within the intense hockey universe she has crafted, such as “Role Model,” “Tough Guy,” and “Common Goal.” Reid has assured that all existing pre-orders will be honored.