‘Unrivaled’: Everything We Know About Rachel Reid’s Third Book About Shane & Ilya’s Romance
What To Know
- Rachel Reid’s third book about Shane and Ilya, titled Unrivaled, has been confirmed.
- The reveal of the next Game Changers book comes after the success of the TV adaptation of Heated Rivalry.
- A release date and synopsis have been revealed.
Hollanov lives on, in TV form and book form! Shane and Ilya fans don’t just have Heated Rivalry Season 2 to look forward to — Rachel Reid has a third book about the couple on the way called Unrivaled.
Everyone’s favorite hockey couple got their happy ending in the author’s The Long Game, which saw Shane and Ilya’s relationship go public after they faced many challenges on and off the ice. Not only were they married by the end of the sequel, but they also wound up playing for the same team. But it looks like their troubles won’t stop there, based on Unrivaled‘s description. The couple overcame all of their internal obstacles in the sequel, but they’ll have plenty of external ones in the next book.
So, when will you be able to catch up with Shane and Ilya? And what has been released about the plot so far? Swooon has everything you need to know about the seventh installment in Reid’s Game Changers series below.
What is Unrivaled‘s release date?
The wait for Unrivaled won’t be nearly as long as the one for Heated Rivalry Season 2: It comes out on September 29, 2026, which is shortly after Season 2 is thought to start production. It’s now available for preorder wherever books are sold. (You’ll definitely want to get your hands on it as soon as possible, considering that Heated Rivalry and The Long Game are flying off shelves.)
What is Unrivaled about?
In the wake of coming out and being a public couple, Shane and Ilya will face a divided hockey world, per the book’s synopsis. After a decade of keeping their love a secret, they don’t have to hide anymore. They’re both playing for the Ottawa Centaurs and enjoying married life. While they’ve received plenty of support, not everyone has reacted positively to them.
Unrivaled’s description reads, “While fans celebrate them, others in the hockey world are still reeling from the reveal. A growing backlash—led by the popular hockey podcast Top Shelf and the #TakeBackHockey movement—is making its presence felt. Standing together in the light was everything Shane and Ilya ever wanted. Now, they may be facing their biggest challenge yet.” (Can Shane and Ilya catch a break? Let them be happy!)
Is Unrivaled the last book in the Game Changers series?
Harlequin’s official press release for Unrivaled doesn’t mention that it’s the last book in the series, though Barnes and Noble’s website does. Many assumed that The Long Game was where Game Changers would end, though, and that obviously isn’t the case anymore. We’ll have to wait and see what Reid herself says about the future of the Game Changers series after the success of the TV adaptation.
Will Heated Rivalry Season 3 be based on Unrivaled?
The Crave series, which airs on HBO Max in the United States, has already been renewed for Season 2, which is set to follow The Long Game. Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, aka Shane and Ilya, have both signed on for Seasons 2 and 3, which is standard for television shows.
If the show is renewed for Season 3, then it’s highly likely Heated Rivalry will explore the events of Unrivaled. Show creator Jacob Tierney has already optioned the rest of Reid’s novels!
What do you think will happen to Shane and Ilya? What do you want to see in their next book, for that matter? Tell us your Unrivaled theories in the comments below!
