Author Rachel Reid is postponing the release of her upcoming hockey romance novel, “Unrivaled,” due to the challenges of sudden fame and the worsening effects of Parkinson’s disease. Originally scheduled for a fall release, Reid announced in a video on Instagram that the book will now be delayed until June 2027.
“Unrivaled” will be the third installment in her “Game Changer” series, focusing on the relationship between hockey rivals and secret lovers Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. The success of the first two books, “Heated Rivalry” and “The Long Game,” has led to an HBO miniseries featuring Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, propelling Reid to publishing stardom.
In her Instagram message, Reid explained that recent changes in her life have limited her writing time, emphasizing her commitment to delivering the best possible book with “Unrivaled.” She acknowledged the balance between positive and negative events, revealing that her Parkinson’s symptoms have worsened, making writing physically challenging and slowing down her progress. Reid first learned of her Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2023, coinciding with director Jacob Tierney’s interest in adapting her work.
Tierney’s adaptation, initially developed for Crave in Canada, became a hit on HBO Max during its debut season and has been renewed for a second season. Reid’s journey and insights into her writing process can be watched in a video where she engages with fans, discussing the adaptation of her work, the unexpected fame surrounding her series, and the emotional impact of the “Game Changers” stories.
