Heated Rivalry author Rachel Reid delays Unrivaled release as health worsens
The release date of ‘Unrivaled’ by Rachel Reid has been delayed due to her health. (Harlequin)
Heated Rivalry author Rachel Reid has delayed the release of Unrivaled after her health has worsened.
In December last year, the 45-year-old novelist cited the steamy hockey romance’s popularity in helping her access better care more than two years following her Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Parkinson’s disease, which can be inherited, is a neurological condition caused by a reduction of dopamine in the brain, leading to a plethora of physical and psychological problems such as memory loss, violent tremors, and motor-function issues.
READ MORE: Six differences between the Heated Rivalry book and the hit show
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday (24 February), Reid shared an update about her new Game Changers instalment titled Unrivaled, which was supposed to be released later this year.
Unrivaled is 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 and will continue Shane and Ilya’s story.
‘It’s going to be a much better book’
Reid thanked her fans for “the last few months”, with she described as “absolutely incredible”.
“I can’t really put into words what any of this feels like for an author,” she continued, adding that it’s “beyond a dream come true” and she appreciates all of the love.
“It’s also been very, very busy and overwhelming. My life has gotten very different in the last couple of months and, although it’s all good, it’s also taken away my ability to have quality time to write.”
She explained that “there’s nothing more important” to her than “Unrivaled being the best book it can possibly be” and expressed that she believes when good stuff happens the “universe hands you some worse stuff to balance it out”.
“And for me that’s been [that] my Parkinson’s symptoms have gotten a bit worse and it’s made it difficult physically to write, so I’m definitely a lot slower, and that’s just something I need to navigate and kind of face instead of ignoring.”
She then shared that due to her health she has decided to move the publication date for Unrivaled to June 1, 2027.
“Ultimately it’s going to be a much better book and that’s the most important thing to me, and I think it’s going to be better for the readers and better for the characters,” she continued, sharing that the writing of the book is going well so far.
Comments in response to the update shower Reid with support.
“It will be worth the wait,” one person commented, while another wrote: “Good things take time. We can be as patient as you need us to be. Take care of yourself.”
A comment with 700 likes read: “It’s not too long of a wait for us. As much as we appreciate your explanation, you don’t owe us one. You’ve given us so much, especially over the past couple of months, and I’m so content with all of it right now if it means you take care of your health first for the next one. June 1st, 2027 it is! All of our love.”
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