At a Glance
- Rachel Reid’s next novel Unrivaled continues Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov’s story
- The pair are now out, married, and teammates facing fresh backlash
- Book drops September 29, 2026, with pre-orders live now
Why it matters: Fans of the Game Changers series finally get the next chapter after the TV adaptation sent the fandom into overdrive.
Rachel Reid is skating back into the lives of hockey’s favorite couple. The New York Times bestselling author has announced Unrivaled, a direct sequel to Heated Rivalry, set for release on September 29, 2026.
Back on the Ice-Together
Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov have come a long way from secret hotel meet-ups and bitter on-ice rivalry. In Unrivaled they’re openly married, wear matching wedding bands, and-for the first time-share a locker room instead of trading barbs from opposite benches.
The public reveal of their relationship drew cheers from most fans, but a vocal pocket of the hockey world isn’t ready to cheer. Popular podcast Top Shelf and the social-media #TakeBackHockey movement have turned the couple into a culture-war lightning rod.
Plot Reveal
According to the publisher synopsis, “They’ve gotten a lot of love from fans who are thrilled for them. But some people in the hockey world are still reeling from their relationship reveal, and the backlash-led by popular hockey podcast Top Shelf and the #TakeBackHockey movement-is getting louder.”
The summary adds: “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.”
Reid tells News Of Losangeles the tidal wave of reader affection made returning to the characters irresistible.
> “I’m really excited to have the chance to continue their story with Unrivaled. I’m writing this one for all the Hollanov fans, old and new,” Reid says. “I can’t tell you how much the love my characters have received over the years means to me. It has been a blast writing these guys again, and revisiting the entire Game Changers cast.”
TV Boost
Demand for more Shane and Ilya spiked after HBO Max’s adaptation of Heated Rivalry premiered in late November 2025. Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams star as the teenage rivals whose chemistry steams up every arena they share.
The streamer renewed the series for season two on December 12-two weeks before the first-season finale, “The Cottage,” dropped on December 27.
Series Standings
| Title | Focus | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Game Changer | Scotty & Kip | Available; cameoed in episode 3 of the show |
| Heated Rivalry | Shane & Ilya | Adapted; renewed for season 2 |
| Tough Guy | Unspecified hero | Published |
| Common Goal | Unspecified hero | Published |
| Unrivaled | Shane & Ilya, married life | Sept. 29, 2026 |
Pre-Order Push
Olivia M. Hartwell reports the novel is available for pre-order now wherever books are sold. Harlequin Trade Publishing will release the title in print, digital, and audio formats.
Reid’s existing Game Changers entries have sold briskly, buoyed by the screen boost and a voracious online fandom that ships “Hollanov” across every social platform. Unrivaled is expected to land on best-seller lists quickly-especially if the TV series keeps climbing in viewership before the new season debuts.
Key Takeaways
- Shane and Ilya return in Unrivaled, set for Fall 2026
- Storyline tackles married life and public backlash
- HBO Max renewal keeps hype high
- Pre-orders are open now
