When is the next Heated Rivalry book released?

It’s surprising to see so many people watching ice hockey! But most of us aren’t really interested in the game itself – we’re tuning in to watch the chemistry between the two leading players, Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie).

These two athletes have a heated rivalry on the ice, but a surprising connection off of it. They’re trying to keep their relationship a secret while also dealing with the pressures of their careers, and audiences are captivated by the drama.

The show was a huge success in Canada when it first aired in December 2025, leading to plans for a second season. It finally came to the UK on January 10, 2026, and has quickly gained a dedicated following.

Many viewers might not know that the show Heated Rivalry is actually based on a bestselling book series. It’s adapted from ‘Heated Rivalry,’ the second book in Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series, which follows the love lives, careers, and personal journeys of gay couples in professional ice hockey.

If you enjoyed the TV show, you’ll probably be eager to experience even more of the story – and that’s where the original books come in!

Everything you’re curious about the Heated Rivalry novels—also called the Game Changers series—is right here. Enjoy the books!

When is the next Heated Rivalry book out?

Unrivaled is currently set for release on 29 September 2026.

Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov are the most popular characters in Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series. This is proven by the fact that they’re the only couple to get not only a follow-up novel, but a third book dedicated to their story.

On January 12, 2026, Reid announced that Shane and Ilya will be back in a new book! Called Unrivaled, it’s the seventh installment in the Game Changers series and picks up where The Long Game left off, showing what happens next for the couple and the obstacles they’ll face.

Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander are openly a couple for the first time in their hockey careers. After keeping their relationship private for over ten years, they’re now married and teammates, and the response has largely been positive.

The couple’s announcement is being met with both celebration and strong opposition within the hockey community. A growing wave of criticism, spearheaded by the Top Shelf podcast and the #TakeBackHockey campaign, is gaining momentum. Shane and Ilya always dreamed of openly sharing their relationship, but now they might be facing their toughest test yet.

If the second season of the TV show does as well as the first, this book could be the basis for a third season.

Heated Rivalry books in order

Game Changers (2018)
Heated Rivalry (2019)
Tough Guy (2020)
Common Goal (2020)
Role Model (2021)
The Long Game (2022)
Unrivaled (2026)

1. Game Changers (2018)

Fans of the series will quickly recognize this storyline. Scott Hunter, the captain and star center for the New York Admirals, is going through a difficult period with his hockey performance. His life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Kip, a graduate student, at the Straw+Berry smoothie shop, and they feel an instant connection.

Scott soon started visiting the smoothie shop regularly, and Kip’s friendly attention—along with the delicious smoothies—helped him feel better. Their initial meeting blossomed into a significant connection.

The story of Scott (François Arnaud) and Kip (Robbie G.K.), first seen in season 1, is a great way to begin exploring the Game Changers series. Unlike the slow-developing tension in Heated Rivalry, Scott and Kip experience an immediate connection. However, their romance also realistically portrays the challenges of homophobia in professional hockey and the anxieties players face when considering coming out.

2. Heated Rivalry (2019)

This book had readers, particularly in the UK, quickly searching for the rules of ice hockey! It tells the story of Shane Hollander, a talented Canadian player, and Ilya Rozanov, a rebellious Russian player, who first encounter each other as young stars aiming for the Major League Hockey draft.

They’ve been rivals from the start, and their legendary competition makes every game a must-watch. It’s driven by national pride, personal ambition, and a relentless desire to win. However, the biggest conflicts aren’t always happening during the game – the real tension exists behind the scenes.

Shane and Ilya share a hidden connection, their competitive tension quickly turning into a powerful attraction. This sparks a captivating and gradually unfolding romance that’s sure to enthrall fans of contemporary sports stories.

3. Tough Guy (2020)

We’re sad to see Ilya and Shane’s story arc end for now, but don’t worry – the third book in the Game Changers series is just as captivating!

This story centers on Ryan Price, a towering 6’7” enforcer whose job in hockey is to defend his team’s best players. Despite his tough image, Ryan secretly battles anxiety and low self-worth. After a trade to Toronto, he hopes to build a life for himself and find connection within the city’s LGBTQ+ community.

Ryan’s life gets a surprise twist when he bumps into Fabian Salah, someone he had a crush on as a kid. Fabian, a confident and outgoing musician, is very different from Ryan – especially since he doesn’t share Ryan’s love for hockey. As they reconnect, Fabian introduces Ryan to Toronto’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community, encouraging him to try new things and embrace the life he’s always dreamed of.

Now that their lives have crossed paths again, will their relationship be able to withstand the pressures of the hockey world that pulls them apart?

4. Common Goal (2020)

What’s a fresh approach for the fourth book in a hockey romance series? Try a love story with a significant age difference between the characters.

As a total cinema devotee, I’m fascinated by compelling stories, and this one really grabbed me. It’s about Eric Bennett, the 41-year-old goalie for the New York Admirals, who’s decided to hang up his skates after a fantastic 16-year career. But retirement isn’t the only big change in his life; he’s also recently divorced. What’s even more interesting is that Eric, who’s always known he’s attracted to both men and women, is now cautiously exploring dating men for the first time ever – and honestly, he’s completely lost when it comes to figuring things out. It’s a really vulnerable and exciting moment for him, and I’m eager to see how it unfolds.

Meet Kyle Swift, a 25-year-old bartender who works at the Kingfisher – it’s also a favorite spot for Eric! Kyle has decided he wants to avoid dating older men, but he feels an instant connection with Eric. They begin a casual friends-with-benefits relationship, but as the hockey season goes on, they both discover it’s hard to keep their feelings from growing into something more.

5. Role Model (2021)

It’s time for some classic grumpy-meets-sunshine energy — think black cat meets golden retriever.

Harris is a cheerful and friendly person who is determined to cheer up Troy, even though he finds himself falling for him. Meanwhile, Troy starts to realize that moving to Ottawa isn’t just about hockey; it’s an opportunity to learn from his mistakes, change his behavior, and become a better version of himself.

Fans of the show will be happy to see Ilya Rozanov return in Role Model, which nicely ties everything back to the Game Changers world.

6. The Long Game (2022)

They’re back! The Long Game is the long-awaited sequel to Ilya and Shane’s story.

The story begins ten years after Shane and Ilya’s secret romance started. Now, they’re at a turning point: Shane is enjoying success and prefers to keep things stable, but Ilya, who now plays for Ottawa, fears they’ll be living a secret relationship for another ten years.

Now it’s time to decide what truly matters: each other, or hockey?

If you enjoyed the TV show, ‘The Long Game,’ you’ll probably love season 2 of ‘Heated Rivalry.’ It’s set to deliver even more exciting drama, intense emotions, and thrilling moments on the ice.

How is the show different to the books?

As always, adaptations require some changes, and Heated Rivalry is no exception.

The TV series moves events forward more quickly than the book, combining multiple happenings and showing less of what Shane and Ilya are thinking. These changes were likely necessary because the show only has six episodes and a limited budget.

The book and the series start differently. The book takes time to develop Shane and Ilya as characters before they meet, helping readers connect with them. The series, however, immediately throws viewers into the moment they first meet.

Interestingly, the show doesn’t focus much on the hockey games themselves. The strong competition and high pressure that fueled their rivalry in the book aren’t as emphasized.

The show delves deeper into Shane’s background, especially his experiences as an Asian-Canadian. We also see more of his mother and her strong influence as his manager.

Fans were especially disappointed that the prologue was removed, and that the ending was changed to be shorter, cutting the original epilogue – a favorite part of the book for many.

Authors

Fleurine Tideman

2026-01-13 17:36