Author Rachel Reid is facing unexpected challenges while touring for the deluxe edition of her hockey romance novel Heated Rivalry, navigating fan expectations while under strict non-disclosure agreements regarding the television adaptation, The Hollywood Reporter reported.
Strict filming rules limit book tour discussions
Reid kicked off her book tour amidst intense fan enthusiasm for both her literary universe and the Crave television series created by Jacob Tierney. Filming for season two of the show is currently underway in Canada, creating a strict boundary for what the author can discuss on the road. Going on tour has proven risky because she cannot talk about upcoming plot points from the production, Reid told The Hollywood Reporter backstage at her Los Angeles book event.
The first season of the show transformed her 2019 novel into a cultural phenomenon following its premiere. The narrative centers on Canadian hockey prodigy Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and Russian phenom Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie. The television adaptation features a sprawling cast, with season two adding Justice Smith, Charlie Gillespie, Daniel Diemer, Shaheen Jafargholi, Emily Hampshire, Edvin Ryding, Robert Naylor, Sabrina Jalees, Priyanka, Brendan Morgan, David Tomlinson, Gerry Dee, Michelle Mylett, Lauren Chan, and Nick Stahl, according to Deadline.
Writing Sex Scenes After Watching the Adaptation
Transitioning back to the page presented distinct hurdles for the author. Writing sex scenes for the upcoming seventh book in the series, titled Unrivaled, proved very difficult because she now visualizes actors Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams in the roles. Reid noted that watching the first season as it aired made her realize she needed to step back from viewing the show to maintain her own creative vision.
Originally scheduled for release earlier, Unrivaled is now set to be published on June 1, 2027. The delay also accommodates Reid managing her Parkinson’s diagnosis. The upcoming novel serves as the third book in Shane and Ilya’s love story, following Heated Rivalry and The Long Game, with the latter serving as the narrative foundation for season two of Tierney’s series.
Massive follower surge alters online interactions
The explosive popularity of the television adaptation also transformed Reid’s digital footprint. Her follower count surged from roughly 7,000 to over 400,000, altering how she interacts online. She told The Hollywood Reporter that the most difficult adjustment involves censoring her dry sense of humor to prevent flippant jokes from turning into out-of-context headlines across media outlets and social platforms.
Release dates for season two and upcoming novel
When will season two of Heated Rivalry premiere?
Season two is scheduled to premiere in spring 2027 on Crave, following the start of production in Canada in August.
What is the release date for Rachel Reid’s upcoming book Unrivaled?
Unrivaled is slated for publication on June 1, 2027, continuing the story of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov.
Which novels form the basis for the television adaptation?
The first season adapts the 2019 novel Heated Rivalry, while season two draws primarily from its 2022 sequel, The Long Game.
How many followers did Rachel Reid have before the show aired?
Reid’s social media following grew from approximately 7,000 users to over 400,000 following the premiere of the television adaptation.