What Happened
Rachel Reid’s novel Heated Rivalry, part of the Game Changers series, has topped the Canadian fiction bestseller list for the week of February 15-21. The book, which tells the story of a romance between rival professional hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, has gained significant popularity, further fueled by its adaptation into a successful TV series on Crave.
Why It Matters
The success of Heated Rivalry highlights the growing interest in LGBTQ+ narratives within mainstream media, particularly in sports contexts. The series has resonated with a diverse audience, making it Crave’s most successful original series to date. Additionally, Reid’s work has been recognized on the Canada Reads 2026 longlist, further cementing its cultural significance.
What’s Next
Despite the success of Heated Rivalry, Reid announced a delay in the release of her next book, Unrivaled, originally scheduled for September 2026. Due to worsening symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease, Reid has pushed the release date to June 1, 2027, to ensure the quality of her writing. She has expressed gratitude for her publisher’s understanding and support during this challenging time.
