NEW YORK – The excitement was palpable at BookCon as thousands of fans cheered for Rachel Reid, the author of “Heated Rivalry,” and Jacob Tierney, the director-screenwriter of the series adapted from her work. As they stepped onto the main event stage at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York, both Reid and Tierney expressed disbelief at the overwhelming response they received.
“We don’t really get to experience this kind of energy and fandom in person very often,” Tierney shared with The Associated Press. “It’s been a bit more of an amorphous online thing.”
Since its premiere on HBO Max last November, “Heated Rivalry” has captured the hearts of many. The series, based on Reid’s “Game Changer” novels, follows the complicated love story between hockey stars Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. The show has not only boosted the popularity of hockey but has also solidified Reid’s status as a prominent figure in the sports romance genre.
Filming for the second season is expected to begin this summer, and will be based on Reid’s second novel, “The Long Game.” Reid is also busy writing the third book in the series, titled “Unrivaled,” which is set to be released in 2027.
The journey to success has not been without its challenges. In August 2023, Reid received a life-changing diagnosis of early onset Parkinson’s disease. Shortly afterward, she connected with Tierney, who would become instrumental in bringing her characters to life on screen.
Tierney, a Montreal native and award-winning filmmaker known for the series “Letterkenny,” is also set to release a collection of annotated scripts titled “I’ll Believe in Anything: The Making of Heated Rivalry Season 1” in October.
Reid, 44, who grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, has been candid about the impact of her newfound fame and health struggles. She postponed the release of “Unrivaled” to the summer of next year, acknowledging the difficulty of writing amidst the whirlwind of attention. “I’m in a place where the whole world seems to care about what happens next to these characters,” she said. “I’m still determined to stick to what I’ve always done when I was writing, just kind of pretend I’m writing for me and I hope other people like it.”
During their discussion with the Associated Press, Reid and Tierney delved into the themes of love, identity, and the unique challenges of writing and filming intimate scenes. Reid expressed her passion for writing romantic scenes, saying, “I actually really enjoy it. It’s my favorite part.” Tierney added that in their story, sex is an important language that illustrates the evolution of Shane and Ilya’s relationship over time.
Fans have developed a strong connection to Reid’s characters, with many feeling that Shane and Ilya are almost real. Reid shared that these characters continue to speak to her, inspiring her to write more about their adventures. “They just keep talking,” she said, highlighting how engaging and enjoyable they are to create.
As for the third book, Reid is determined to have it ready by June 1, 2024, despite the struggles she faces. “Hell or high water, it’s coming out,” she promised, showcasing her commitment to her readers and her characters.
