The craving hit hard. One day spent completely immersed in the world ofHeated Rivalry, and then…silence. The agonizing wait for season two stretches all the way to 2027. But there’s a lifeline for those desperate for more – a series of novels that ignited the spark for the show in the first place: Rachel Reid’sGame Changers.
Originally a Canadian sensation on Crave,Heated Rivalryisn’t a standalone story. The show masterfully weaves together the narratives of the second book, also titledHeated Rivalry, and incorporates elements from the first,Game Changer, as a compelling parallel storyline. But there are six books currently available, with a seventh on the horizon, albeit delayed due to the author’s health.
A six-book commitment can feel daunting. Could the source material possibly live up to the brilliance of the adaptation? The answer, unequivocally, is yes. Having devoured the entire series, I’m here to guide you through the world beyond the screen.
TheGame Changersseries centers around the lives of queer hockey players, navigating the complexities of love, identity, and the high-stakes world of professional sports.Game Changer, published in 2018, introduces us to star player Scott Hunter and the captivating barista, Kip Grady.
Then cameHeated Rivalryin 2019, the book that launched a phenomenon. It delves into the clandestine relationship between rivals Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, a story brimming with tension and undeniable chemistry. The following years broughtTough Guy(2020), exploring the rekindled connection between Ryan Price and his childhood crush, Fabian Salah, andCommon Goal(2020), following Eric Bennett’s journey of self-discovery and his unexpected romance with Kyle Swift.
The series continued withRole Model(2021), where hockey pro Troy Barrett finds love with his team’s social media manager, Harris Drover, and most recently,The Long Game(2022), a sequel toHeated Rivalry, chronicling Shane and Ilya’s struggles to balance their personal and professional lives.
Should you start at the beginning? Absolutely. While the show covers much ofGame ChangerandHeated Rivalry, reading them in order unlocks a richer, more nuanced experience. You’ll catch subtle foreshadowing and appreciate the intricate connections between characters.
Don’t worry about spoilers if you’ve seen the show; the core plot points are familiar. But skipping ahead means missing out on the full emotional weight of the journey, the delightful cameos (Ilya Rozanov seems to appear in *every* book!), and the incredible character development that extends far beyond Shane and Ilya’s story.
And what about the heat level? The show’s steamy scenes certainly contributed to its viral success. But the books? They take things further. Rachel Reid’s writing is unapologetically sensual, exploring intimacy with a raw honesty that’s both captivating and, at times, surprisingly tender.
The adaptation, helmed by Jacob Tierney, is remarkably faithful to the source material. As someone who typically devours the book *before* watching the adaptation, I was bracing for disappointment. Instead, I was blown away by the show’s accuracy and respect for Reid’s vision. Both versions are brilliant in their own right.
The story doesn’t end withThe Long Game. Rachel Reid is currently working on a seventh installment,Unrivaled, which will once again follow Shane and Ilya as they navigate the next chapter of their lives. Though initially slated for 2026, the release has been postponed to June 2027 due to the author’s health challenges.
Beyond theGame Changersuniverse, Rachel Reid has penned two additional hockey romances,Time to Shine(2023) andThe Shots You Take(2025). She also wrote a short story, “My Dinner with Hayden,” which is now included in the print edition ofHeated Rivalry, offering a charming glimpse into the lives of Shane and Ilya.
