‘Heated Rivalry’ Author Rachel Reid Delays New Book Due to Parkinson’s Symptoms
Rachel Reid, author of the popular “Heated Rivalry” series, has announced a delay in the release of her upcoming novel, “Unrivaled,” due to worsening symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and the demands of newfound fame. The book, the third installment in her “Game Changer” series, is now expected to be published in June 2027.
Parkinson’s Disease and Writing Challenges
Reid, who publicly disclosed her Parkinson’s diagnosis last year, shared the news in a video message posted on Instagram on Tuesday. She explained that the progression of her symptoms has made writing more physically challenging and time-consuming. “My life has gotten extremely different in the last couple months, and although it’s all good, it’s also taken away my ability to have quality time to write,” she said according to Them. “For me, that’s been that my Parkinson’s symptoms have gotten a bit worse, and it’s made it difficult physically to write. So I’m definitely a lot slower, and that’s just something I require to learn how to navigate and kind of face instead of ignoring.”
“Unrivaled” and the “Game Changer” Series
“Unrivaled” continues the story of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, the hockey rivals-turned-lovers at the heart of the “Game Changer” series. The first two books, “Heated Rivalry” and “The Long Game,” have gained a large following and were adapted into an HBO miniseries starring Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie as reported by the Associated Press. The series has become a cultural phenomenon, significantly raising Reid’s profile.
Balancing Success and Health
Reid emphasized her commitment to delivering a high-quality book to her readers. “I do think that this book will be worth the wait. It’s going to be a much better book, and that’s the most vital thing to me,” she stated. She acknowledged the challenges of balancing her increased public profile with her health needs, noting, “I think when good things happen, sometimes the universe hands you some worse stuff to balance it out.” The New York Times reported on the author’s announcement.
Fan Response and Future Plans
Despite the delay, Reid expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans of her books and the “Heated Rivalry” series. She assured readers who had pre-ordered “Unrivaled” that their orders would still be fulfilled. The delay comes ahead of the expected premiere of the second season of “Heated Rivalry” on Crave.