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Rachel Reid, the acclaimed author behind the popular hockey romance series “Game Changer,” announced Tuesday that she is postponing the release of her highly anticipated novel “Unrivaled” until June 2027, citing the dual challenges of unexpected fame and worsening Parkinson’s disease symptoms.
In an Instagram video message, Reid explained that the sudden success of the HBO adaptation of her books “Heated Rivalry” and “The Long Game” has dramatically altered her daily life, making it difficult to find quality writing time.
“My life has gotten very 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,” Reid said. “And there’s nothing more important to me than ‘Unrivaled’ being the best book it can possibly be.”
The author then revealed that her health has complicated her writing process. “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,” she explained. Reid had previously disclosed her Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2023, which coincided with director Jacob Tierney’s initial interest in adapting her work for television.
“Unrivaled” was initially scheduled for publication this fall as the third installment in Reid’s series chronicling the complex relationship between Canadian hockey player Shane Hollander and his Russian rival and secret lover, Ilya Rozanov. The first two books in the series have gained extraordinary attention since being adapted into the HBO miniseries starring Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie.
The adaptation, which first developed for Canadian streaming service Crave before being picked up by HBO, has become a cultural phenomenon. The series ranked as HBO Max’s top-rated show in its first season and has already secured renewal for a second season, further cementing Reid’s unexpected rise to mainstream literary fame.
The show’s success has been particularly notable for its portrayal of a queer romance in the traditionally masculine world of professional hockey. Despite initial concerns about how such content might be received in certain markets, the series has found enthusiastic audiences worldwide, including in Russia, where strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws might have limited its reach.
Reid’s candid disclosure about her health struggles reflects a growing trend of public figures being more open about chronic conditions. Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, can make tasks like typing and writing particularly challenging, especially as symptoms advance.
The four-year delay in publication represents an unusually long timeframe in the publishing industry, where authors typically work to annual or biennial release schedules. However, given the extraordinary commercial success of Reid’s work through the HBO adaptation, publishers are likely to accommodate her timeline rather than rush production of what has become a highly valuable literary property.
For fans of the series, the delay may be disappointing, but the author’s commitment to quality over expediency has generally been met with understanding across social media platforms. The extended timeline may also allow the television adaptation to further develop the storylines established in the first two books before the literary series concludes with “Unrivaled.”
Reid’s announcement highlights the sometimes difficult balance between unexpected career success and personal health challenges, even when that success represents a lifelong dream for many authors.
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7 Comments
Sad to hear about Rachel Reid’s health struggles, but it’s good that she’s being honest about the impact of Parkinson’s and the demands of newfound fame. Delaying ‘Unrivaled’ to ensure it’s the best it can be is a smart choice, even if it’s disappointing for eager fans. Wishing her all the best.
That’s really too bad to hear about Rachel Reid’s health challenges. Parkinson’s is a tough condition to deal with, and I can understand how the sudden fame would make it even harder to find time to write. Wishing her all the best as she takes the time needed to complete ‘Unrivaled’ to her high standards.
It’s admirable that Rachel Reid is prioritizing her health and creative process over rushing to meet an earlier deadline for ‘Unrivaled.’ Parkinson’s is a formidable challenge, and the added pressure of celebrity must make things even more difficult. I hope she’s able to find the time and space she needs to finish the book on her own terms.
Ah, I was looking forward to the release of ‘Unrivaled’ next year. But given Rachel Reid’s Parkinson’s diagnosis and the demands of her sudden fame, I’m glad she’s taking the time to ensure the book is as good as it can be, even if that means a delay. Quality over speed, I say.
That’s a real shame to hear about Rachel Reid’s health struggles and the impact on her writing process for ‘Unrivaled.’ Parkinson’s is a formidable challenge, and the added pressures of sudden fame must make it even harder. I respect her decision to prioritize her wellbeing and take the time needed to complete the book to her high standards, even if it means a lengthy delay. Quality over speed is the right approach here.
This is certainly a bittersweet update on ‘Unrivaled.’ It’s wonderful that Rachel Reid’s work has found such widespread acclaim, but the toll of Parkinson’s and the pressures of fame must be immense. I respect her decision to take the time needed to complete the book to her high standards, even if it means a significant delay. Quality over speed is the right call here.
I’m sorry to hear about Rachel Reid’s health challenges and the impact on her writing process. Parkinson’s is a difficult condition, and the added demands of sudden fame must compound the challenge. While it’s disappointing to wait longer for ‘Unrivaled,’ I respect her decision to prioritize her wellbeing and ensure the book is as strong as possible.