# Heated Rivalry Heats Up the Charts—But **Unrivaled** Fans Face a Heartbreaking Delay! Imagine the electric tension of rivals-turned-lovers on the ice, now exploding into a full-blown TV phenomenon—only for the next chapter to slam on the brakes. That's the rollercoaster Rachel Reid fans are riding right now.[1] The surge in popularity for **Heated Rivalry**, the steamy start to Rachel Reid's *Game Changers* series, kicked off with its TV adaptation starring actors like Williams as Shane Hollander. Premiering in November 2025 on Crave (Canada) and HBO Max (US), it earned rave reviews, a Season 2 renewal, and skyrocketed book sales.[1] But amid this spotlight, author Rachel Reid hit a personal health setback, forcing her to push the seventh and final book, **Unrivaled**, from September 29, 2026, to **June 1, 2027**.[1][2] Why the delay? Reid shared candidly in an Instagram video: "There is nothing more crucial to me than ensuring *Unrivaled* is the best book it can possibly be. I believe it will benefit both the readers and the characters... I just need a little bit more time to do that."[1] Fans can still pre-order now through HarperCollins, with a tantalizing Barnes & Noble exclusive edition boasting a special cover, sprayed edges, and unique content.[2] **Unrivaled** picks up the rivals-to-lovers saga of hockey stars Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov—now newlyweds battling homophobic backlash in the pro leagues. A podcast called *Top Shelf* ignites the #TakeBackHockey movement, testing their marriage like never before. It builds directly on *Heated Rivalry* (2019) and *The Long Game* (2022), weaving into the broader *Game Changers* universe that includes *The Game Changer*, *Tough Guy*, *Common Goal*, and *Role Model*.[1] Perfect timing too—*Heated Rivalry* Season 2 eyes a 2027 debut, syncing with the book launch.[1] This isn't just a delay; it's a promise of polished perfection from a *New York Times* and *USA TODAY* bestselling author whose hockey romances have captured hearts worldwide.[2] If you're hooked on queer sports romance with high stakes and higher heat, this series is your slam dunk.
Intense hockey rivalry on the ice—much like Shane and Ilya's epic journey. (Free stock image via Unsplash)
Citations
1.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/news/english/heated-rivalry-surge-meets-health-setback-rachel-reid-pushes-unrivaled-release-to-2027/articleshow/128769609.cms
2.https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unrivaled-rachel-reid/1149166585
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