'Heated Rivalry' author announces new book

Rachel Reid is expanding the world of Heated Rivalry with a new novel centered on Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander.

The author has confirmed that Unrivaled, the seventh book in her hockey romance series, will be released on September 29. The novel is currently available for pre-order as a Barnes & Noble exclusive.

Unrivaled continues the story of Ilya and Shane following the events of The Long Game, which explored the couple a decade into their relationship. According to the official synopsis, the two hockey stars are no longer hiding their romance. Now married and playing on the same professional team, they are publicly living their lives together for the first time. While many fans celebrate their openness, the book will also address backlash from parts of the hockey community, including criticism fueled by a popular podcast and a growing online movement.

The announcement comes as interest remains high in the television adaptation of Heated Rivalry, which premiered on Crave and HBO Max. Created by Jacob Tierney, the series is based on Reid's Game Changers novels and focuses on the long-running rivalry-turned-romance between Ilya and Shane. Season 1 adapted the novel Heated Rivalry, while Season 2 is expected to draw primarily from The Long Game.

Tierney has previously stated that the show will continue to center on Ilya and Shane while gradually expanding its universe. The release of Unrivaled provides additional source material as the adaptation moves forward.

With its mix of professional sports, public scrutiny, and long-term romance, Unrivaled is positioned as a significant addition to the Heated Rivalry franchise and a highly anticipated release for fans of hockey romance and LGBTQ+ fiction.

The series had its preview screening at the Image+Nation LGBTQ+ Film Festival in Montreal, Canada on November 23, 2025. The first season then premiered online on Crave on November 28, 2025, and was picked up for streaming on HBO Max in selected territories; Neon in New Zealand; and Movistar Plus+ in Spain.

Heated Rivalry received critical acclaim, with praise for the directing, writing, and the lead actors' performances and chemistry. It also achieved strong audience viewership, becoming Crave's most-watched original series to date and HBO Max's top debut for an acquired, non-animated title since the platform's launch in 2019.