--- title: "Heated Rivalry Author Rachel Reid Talks Tour and TV Adaptation" url: https://noti.group/heated-rivalry-author-rachel-reid-talks-tour-and-tv-adaptation/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "Entertainment" published: 2026-10-04T22:26:44.000Z updated: 2026-10-05T04:48:39.304Z id: 9a1b815e-56d2-403c-aadb-2558f856d6a6 source: "The Hollywood Reporter https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/rachel-reid-unrivaled-heated-rivalry-season-2-interview-1236721934/" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/heated-rivalry-author-rachel-reid-talks-tour-and-tv-adaptation/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Heated Rivalry Author Rachel Reid Talks Tour and TV Adaptation Rachel Reid is currently on tour promoting the deluxe edition of her hockey romance novel, Heated Rivalry, while filming has begun on the second season of the TV adaptation of her Game Changers series. Rachel Reid is currently on tour promoting the deluxe edition of her hockey romance novel, Heated Rivalry. However, she's not just excited about sharing her book with fans, but also a bit anxious about the experience. The reason for her stress isn't related to the book itself, but rather the fact that filming has begun on the second season of the TV adaptation of her Game Changers series. As an author who's been closely involved in the show's creation, Reid is trying her best not to spill any spoilers to eager fans. Reid recently spoke with this publication backstage at a Los Angeles book event, where she revealed that being on tour right now poses some challenges for her. "Going on tour right now is risky because there are a lot of things I can't talk about," she said. Despite the difficulties, Reid seems to be taking it all in stride. The author's fictional hockey universe has gained a massive following over the years, and the TV adaptation of Heated Rivalry has only added to its popularity. The show's creators were drawn to the novels because of their dedicated fan base, which already existed before the series premiered. Reid's books focus on the complex romance between two hockey players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. They are the central figures in her fictional universe and have been the subject of two novels: Heated Rivalry and The Long Game. As Rachel Reid prepares for the release of season two of her show based on The Long Game, she's also looking ahead to another project: Unrivaled, the next installment in the Game Changers series. This upcoming book will continue the story of Shane and Ilya, but details about it remain scarce. Reid is tight-lipped about what fans can expect from the new book, saying only that people will have their answers soon enough. With a publication date set for June 2027, Reid's fans will just have to wait a little longer to get more information about Shane and Ilya's next adventure. The past year has been chaotic for Reid, with the release of season one of her show and the announcement that it would be adapted into a television series. Despite the whirlwind experience, Reid seems to be thriving in the midst of it all. She describes feeling excited about what's on the horizon, citing not only the upcoming season two but also her new book. Reid acknowledges that it still feels surreal to have her work being made into a show, but she's starting to get more comfortable with the process. Now that she knows some of the people involved in the production, Reid says things are starting to feel a little more normal. As she works on Unrivaled, Reid has been giving a bit more attention to Scott Hunter, a supporting character who plays an important role in the story. This time around, Reid is writing more of him into the narrative than she had in previous books featuring Ilya and Shane. Reid's enthusiasm for her projects is palpable as she talks about what's next. With season two of the show on its way and Unrivaled set to hit shelves in 2027, fans have plenty to look forward to from this talented author. The experience of seeing her work come to life on screen has been a wild ride, but Reid seems to be taking it all in stride. As she looks ahead to what's next, it's clear that Reid is just getting started and that there are many more exciting projects on the horizon. As Reid navigates her latest creative endeavor, she's finding ways to give more depth to supporting characters in her stories. One character who's received extra attention is a male lead, whose interactions with certain female characters have been particularly compelling. Reid has deliberately played up the dynamic between this character and two others, creating an intriguing friendship that adds richness to the narrative. This approach isn't new for Reid, who has consistently sought to flesh out lesser-known characters in her work. Even minor figures like Rose and Svetlana are given more space within the story, adding complexity to the overall plot. With so many readers scrutinizing every detail of her writing, it's no surprise that Reid has faced pressure to meet high expectations for her upcoming book. However, she's managed to maintain a level head by focusing on her own creative vision rather than external pressures. While fans have undoubtedly played a role in shaping the story, Reid is careful not to let their opinions dictate every decision she makes. Instead, she tries to stay attuned to audience feedback while staying true to her artistic goals. The turning point came when the show's trailer dropped, sending shockwaves through social media and beyond. Reid witnessed firsthand how quickly fans absorbed and memorized the trailer's details during a bookstore event soon after its release. This phenomenon, coupled with HBO's decision to pick up the show just before its premiere, signaled that something special was brewing. By episode three, it became clear that the series was resonating with viewers in a big way. As Reid reflects on this development, it's evident that she's learned to appreciate how her work can connect with audiences on a deeper level. With more eyes than ever on her writing, she's finding ways to balance creative integrity with audience enthusiasm. As her fan base continues to grow, Rachel Reid has had to adapt to a new reality where every word she writes can be scrutinized and taken out of context. The author's experience has been shaped by the fact that she is now writing for an audience that is much larger than before, with her social media following increasing dramatically in recent times. Reid notes that this change has made her more cautious about what she posts online, as even a lighthearted comment can be blown out of proportion and turned into a headline. She admits that it's been frustrating to see quotes from interviews or events being pulled out of context and used to create controversy. One challenge Reid has faced is the need to think carefully before posting anything on social media, knowing that it could potentially go viral and become a major news story. The sheer scale of her online presence has made this issue even more pronounced, with Reid's following increasing significantly in recent times from around 7,000 to over 400,000. This shift has meant that Reid is now writing for an audience that is much larger than before, which can be both a blessing and a curse. As she navigates this new reality, Reid is having to balance her desire to connect with fans online with the need to maintain control over how her words are interpreted. As she continues to work on her upcoming novel 'Unrivaled', Rachel Reid is making changes to some of its scenes. One such change involves a specific moment where a character puts their fingers in someone's mouth - initially it was three fingers, but Reid decided that was too many and revised it down to two. Reid's decision to revisit characters Shane and Ilya from her 'Heated Rivalry' series was not taken lightly. She had considered continuing the story in short stories or abandoning it altogether due to concerns about its depth. However, with the show restarting production, Reid found herself drawn back into their world. As she delves deeper into the new book, Reid is pleased to find that her initial reservations about the story's length were unfounded. 'Unrivaled' has turned out to be her longest novel yet, indicating that there was indeed more to explore in this universe. One of the driving forces behind Reid's decision to revisit these characters was the renewed interest sparked by the show's popularity. Fans have been discovering and falling in love with series characters like Luca Haas, who, incidentally, is not a major part of the upcoming book. Despite her focus on 'Unrivaled', Reid remains hopeful about revisiting other projects, including her abandoned novel featuring Luca Haas. She believes that a good idea will eventually come to her and allow her to return to this character's story. Reid finds writing Luca Haas to be an enjoyable experience, suggesting that the character has a lot of potential for exciting stories. The fact that she is still enthusiastic about the project suggests that it may not be entirely abandoned after all. The renewed interest in Reid's series characters is a welcome development for fans who have been eagerly following their journeys through the books and now the show. It remains to be seen how 'Unrivaled' will expand on this universe, but one thing is clear: Rachel Reid has her hands full with this new project. It's clear that Rachel Reid has created a devoted fan base for her series, as evident from the growing demand for more stories about certain characters. The casting of Edvin Ryding in Luca's role has undoubtedly contributed to this surge in interest, given his significant following. The increase in requests for a book centered around Luca is likely due in part to Ryding's massive fan base, but Reid acknowledges that she had already been considering writing a story featuring the character. This self-awareness suggests that Reid is attuned to her readers' desires and willing to adapt her creative plans accordingly. Reid also mentions other characters who have garnered significant attention from fans, including Wyatt Hayes and the happily married couple from Ottawa. These characters are not only popular in their own right but also serve as potential subjects for future stories, offering opportunities for Reid to explore different aspects of her universe. As a result, it seems that Reid is well-equipped to handle the demands of her devoted fan base and will likely continue to deliver engaging content that meets their expectations. --- Source: [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/rachel-reid-unrivaled-heated-rivalry-season-2-interview-1236721934/) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/heated-rivalry-author-rachel-reid-talks-tour-and-tv-adaptation/