Heated Rivalry author Rachel Reid is enjoying a rare moment where a beloved book series and its screen adaptation are fueling each other’s success in real time. Once a cult favorite among romance readers, Reid’s Game Changers novels have surged back into the spotlight following the breakout popularity of HBO Max’s queer hockey romance series. The show follows a year-long secret fling between star hockey players and arch-rivals, Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie).A hockey sm*t topping HBO Max’s charts was not on anyone’s 2025 bingo card. Yet here we are, completely obsessed with two fictional hockey players who went from arch-rivals to passionate lovers and finally boyfriends across the short six-episode season of Heated Rivalry.Heated Rivalry, the sensational hit that became Crave's most-watched original series to date and HBO Max's top debut for an acquired, non-animated title since 2019, has caused an explosion in interest in Reid's book, which has already sold over 650,000 copies total as of late 2025.Now that the show is renewed for a second season, Reid has shared her expectations and hopes for the sophomore season.Check out her comments in our story.Author Rachel Reid reveals exclusive details about Heated Rivalry Season 2 View this post on Instagram Instagram PostIn a recent interview with Variety, Rachel Reid opened up on the exclusive details for Heated Rivalry Season 2. Her comments suggest the second season will continue to follow Shane and Ilya and likely another couple (like Scott and Kip) from her fictional hockey universe. Here's what the author teased:''I think we’re on the same page about it. Obviously, the focus has to stay on Ilya and Shane. We’re not going to do Season 2 and it’s a totally different couple. It wouldn’t be very popular. Not that we weren’t expecting it, but I think we’re all surprised at how popular Scott and Kip were. So now it’s, 'OK, how do you get more Scott and Kip?'”While Shane and Ilya naturally became a beloved couple after the two-episode premiere of the series, fans equally loved the adorable chemistry between Scott and Kip, the protagonists from Reid's first book who were featured in the third episode of HBO Max's Heated Rivalry.Heated Rivalry adapts a significant portion of their story, including their historic kiss on the ice which instilled hope in Shane and Ilya.Now that the freshman season introduced Scott and Kip into Shane and Ilya's world, Reid's comments suggest that her readers could likely get another couple (from the books) on their screens soon.Rachel Reid hopes to see this book adapted inHeated Rivalry Season 2 View this post on Instagram Instagram PostHeated Rivalry Season 2 will adapt the sixth and final book in the Game Changers series titled The Long Game, a direct sequel to Shane and Ilya's story. The book explores harrowing challenges as the couple continues their secret relationship and navigates their expanding hockey careers. Shane and Ilya also established a mental health joint charity in memory of Ilya's late mother, which was also hinted at in the Season 1 finale.While The Long Game seems an obvious choice for the sophomore season, Reid hopes to see another book coming to life. In her interview, the author expressed hopes for a longer sophomore season, allowing room to adapt more than one book in the second installment.''...It’s going to be mostly 'The Long Game.' Jacob’s already said that in interviews, but there’s another book 'Role Model' that kind of overlaps it. So I’m hoping that we’ll get both stories told at the same time. I don’t think there’s another way you could do it. I’m hoping we get more episodes.''When asked about her expectations for the episode count in Season 2, Reid said:''I’d go as high as 12, but maybe if it was just eight or 10, that would be nice.''Role Model is the fifth book in the Game Changers series, which follows the slow-burning romance between professional hockey player Troy Barrett and social media manager Harris Dover. While the book is a standalone novel, it also features Shane and Ilya, making it the perfect crossover with The Long Game for Heated Rivalry Season 2.For the latest scoops on your favorite TV shows and movies, follow Soap Central.