Heated Rivalry: Everything we know about upcoming Game Changers novel Unrivaled
Is Unrivaled the new Game Changers’novel? (Rich Polk/Getty)
Is Unrivaled the new Game Changers’novel? (Rich Polk/Getty)
Heated Rivalry fans are in shock at the news that author Rachel Reid has seemingly written a new Game Changers instalment titled Unrivaled, set for release this year.
A new book would be a welcome distraction, helping tide fans over until season two of the hit show based on the novel series arrives.
If the rumours are true, Unrivaled will be the seventh book in Reid’s hit series. The book follows Game Changer, Heated Rivalry, Tough Guy, Common Good, Role Model and The Long Game.
The Crave original show adapted Heated Rivalry, a queer hockey romance that follows closeted Canadian prodigy Shane (Hudson Williams) and bisexual Russian star Ilya (Connor Storrie).
The two athletes are at the top of their game, in a fierce rivalry, as they navigate a passionate, almost decade-long illicit romance.
Unrivaled by Rachel Reid listed on Barnes & Noble website
On Saturday (10 January), fans noticed that a new book from Reid was quietly uploaded onto the Barnes & Noble website.
Quickly, fans flocked online to share their theories that this will be a continuation of Shane and Ilya’s love story. This is seemingly confirmed by the book description.
“They better publish enough copies of unrivaled because im prepared to fight black friday 2000s style for this book,” one fan noted.
Another wrote: “game changers #7 being a new hollanov book all we literally do is win unrivaled i love you already.”
Also over the weekend, Storrie and Williams attended the Golden Globes, and presented an award.
On Instagram, Reid shared her joy for the two actors portraying her characters and seemed to hint towards the new book rumours being true.
“I’m having a glamorous night, too. Styled by deadline stress,” she posted on her Instagram story with a selfie.
Could it be possible that the deadline she’s working towards is Unrivaled? We’ll have to wait and see.
What is the plot of Unrivaled?
The plot description indicates that this book will follow Ilya and Shane’s romance, continuing from the novels that previously focused on the couple, Heated Rivalry and The Long Game.
“A line has been drawn—and the hockey world is divided,” Unrivaled’s synopsis reads.
“For the first time in their professional hockey careers, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander have nothing to hide. For more than a decade, they kept their love a secret, but now they’re out, married, and even playing on the same team.
“The support is incredible. Most of the time. They’ve gotten a lot of love from fans who are thrilled for them.
“But some people in the hockey world are still reeling from their relationship reveal, and the backlash—led by popular hockey podcast Top Shelf and the #TakeBackHockey movement—is getting louder.
“Ilya and Shane are finally able to stand together in the light, the way they’d always wanted. And now they might be facing their biggest challenge yet.”
With Heated Rivalry confirmed for three seasons, some have theories that the book will be adapted. The show’s second series may follow the plot of The Long Game while the third series could adapt Unrivaled.
When is Unrivaled being released?
While many are frothing at the mouth for another Game Changers series book, there has been no official announcement from Reid or her publisher.
Furthermore, it has not been officially confirmed if the book is part of the story canon rather than just a listing. However, the description certainly hints to it being part of the Game Changers series. It’s worth noting, however, that retailer pages go live early or with incomplete details.
According to the webpage, Unrivaled will hit bookstore shelves on September 29.
Unrivaled is available to pre-order now.
