Lace up your skates and prepare for more captivating content from the “Heated Rivalry” series later this year! The engaging narrative initiated by author Rachel Reid from Nova Scotia is set to continue with a new book release by Harlequin. Scheduled for publication on September 29, 2026, Reid has revealed that a new installment in the beloved Game Changer series is on the horizon.
Titled “Unrivaled,” the seventh installment in Reid’s hockey romance series delves back into the evolving relationship between two hockey players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Once fierce rivals, the duo’s love is now out in the open, no longer shrouded in secrecy. This story arc was first introduced in book two, “Heated Rivalry,” and the upcoming release will pick up right after the events of the sixth book, “The Long Game.”
The on-screen adaptation of “Heated Rivalry,” helmed by Montreal filmmaker Jacob Tierney, premiered last November as the most successful Crave Original Series to date, captivating a wide audience interested in queer hockey romance narratives. The show’s popularity has propelled its lead actors, Hudson Williams from British Columbia and Connor Storrie from the United States, to instant stardom, with both even making appearances at the prestigious 2026 Golden Globes ceremony.
Rachel Reid, the author herself, has been pleasantly surprised by the global reception to her authentically Canadian queer characters, describing it as a delightful “hit of dopamine.” In a recent interview on “The Next Chapter” with Antonio Michael Downing, Reid expressed her joy in contributing to the growing collection of queer stories with happy endings, indicating that the timing for such narratives is just right and the positive feedback has been truly uplifting.
The literary community in Canada has also taken notice of Reid’s work, as “Heated Rivalry” secured a spot on the Canada Reads 2026 longlist and dominated the weekly bestseller chart, six years after its initial release in 2019, according to Bookmanager.
In the forthcoming book, “Unrivaled,” the celebration of queer love continues as Shane and Ilya embark on new chapters in their lives, from newlyweds to teammates for the first time in their hockey careers. Amidst the #TakeBackHockey movement initiated by prominent hockey podcasters, the couple remains steadfast in their love for each other and their shared passion for the 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 universe. Additionally, Reid has penned six other novels, with five exploring diverse romantic connections within her intense hockey-themed world, such as “Role Model,” “Tough Guy,” and “Common Goal.”
“Unrivaled” is slated for release on September 29 and is currently available for pre-order.