New Heated Rivalry book to be released September 2026, titled Unrivaled
"Now they might be facing their biggest challenge yet," reads the book synopsis
By Aaron Sugg
Heated Rivalry fans have uncovered a new book in Rachel Reid’s gay hockey series, slated for release on 29 September 2026, titled Unrivaled.
According to the official Barnes & Noble website, the upcoming release is the final instalment in the franchise, bringing Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander’s love story to a close.
Following the release of the Heated Rivalry TV series on Crave and HBO Max in late November last year based on Reid’s novel of the same name, interest in both the show and the book series has surged.
“Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander have nothing to hide” – Rachel Reid’s new Heated Rivalry book synopsis reads
The official book synopsis on the Barnes & Noble website reads: “For the first time in their professional hockey careers, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander have nothing to hide.”
Unrivaled picks up more than a decade after Rozanov and Shane began their secret romance. Now married and out, the pair are playing on the same hockey team… “most of the time”.
“They’ve gotten a lot of love from fans who are thrilled for them,” the synopsis continues. “But some people in the hockey world are still reeling from their relationship reveal, and the backlash, led by popular hockey podcast Top Shelfand the #TakeBackHockey movement, is getting louder.”
“They might be facing their biggest challenge yet” – Reid’s new Heated Rivalry will conclude Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander’s love story
The description concludes: “Ilya and Shane are finally able to stand together in the light, the way they’d always wanted. And now they might be facing their biggest challenge yet.”
While Reid has teased that she is working on a new book, she has not yet officially announced any further projects.
As anticipation builds around the six-part Heated Rivalry series arriving in the UK this weekend (10 January) on NOW TV and Sky, a second season has already been confirmed.
Season two will be inspired by The Long Game book, with Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams set to reprise their roles.
According to the book’s official synopsis, viewers can expect to revisit Shane and Ilya a decade into their relationship, while Reid has also revealed to Variety that a brand-new couple will be introduced.
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