Just a few weeks ago, Rachel Reid, author of the New York Times Bestseller Heated Rivalry novel, said that she didn’t really have any concrete plans to write any more books about Shane and Ilya and that she’d write it if there was an idea there.
The only things fan can think of in light of the recent news is: “Is lie. Liar told you that.”
Reid’s big announcement on the final Game Changers novel was meant to be a surprise, but somehow, in true Heated Rivalry fashion (IYKYK), Barnes and Noble had already spoiled both the title and synopsis. Unrivaled will wrap up Shane and Ilya’s story and comes out later this year. The synopsis follows the two after the events of The Long Game where they are now married and playing on the Ottawa Centaurs together. While most of the fans are supportive of their relationship, they’ve experienced significant backlash from people who disapprove them.
In an interview with writer/producer Matthew Francis, Reid revealed some additional information about the book. Unrivaled will only follow the first season where Shane and Ilya play together as teammates.
“They’ve never really been a couple in a normal way,” Reid said. “Suddenly, they’ve gone from grabbing time secretly whenever they could to being married and living together and everyone knowing them and being teammates. Basically, they’re never apart now.” She chuckles. “That’s its own thing. It’s a huge whiplash in their relationship.”
She was quick to reassure fans that she “wasn’t doing anything awful to [Shane and Ilya].”
“That’s not what this book is for,” she said. “It’s largely nice. I have no interest in writing them again if I have to drive them through hell; it’s not about that. It’s really a good versus evil story… The conflict is largely external and is about the backlash, and being famous for your personal life.”
In talking about the conflict and progression of Shane and Ilya’s relationship, Reid said, “In Heated Rivalry, they’re hiding their feelings from each other. In The Long Game, they’re hiding their feelings from everyone else. And in this one, they’re not hiding their feelings but they do have to adjust. It’s the first time they’re in control of how the world sees them. They can be honest now about a lot of things they never could before.
“It continues the theme of the three books–it’s still them against the world–but every time, their role changes a little bit.”
The covers for the three Hollanov (the ship name for the two characters) show exactly that. Heated Rivalry displays Shane and Ilya on rival teams, facing off against each other. The Long Game shows Ilya in an Ottawa Centaurs jersey and Shane in his Montreal Voyageurs jersey, standing much closer together, their pinkies interlocked. Unrivaled shows the two sporting the same jersey and hugging each other on the ice.
While Heated Rivalry enjoyed modest success, the Crave television series adaptation, directed and written by Jacob Tierney and starring Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, shot the book to stardom and it ended up becoming a New York Times Bestselling title.
Unrivaled comes out on September 29. The television series is streaming on Crave and HBO Max.
Source: YouTube
