Rachel Reid (author)
Rachel Reid | |
|---|---|
Reid in Toronto in 2025 | |
| Born | Rachelle Goguen Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Known for | Game Changers book series |
| Notable work | Heated Rivalry |
| Spouse |
Matt Reid (m. 2008) |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | rachelreidwrites |
Rachelle Goguen (born 1980), known by her pen name Rachel Reid, is a Canadian author from Nova Scotia. She is known for writing the Game Changers book series and other hockey-themed gay romance novels. A 2025 television series, Heated Rivalry, has been adapted from the first two books in the Game Changers series.
Career
Reid was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1980.[2] She is a lifelong fan of ice hockey, and played hockey when she was a teenager.[3] She is the Canadian writer of the Game Changers book series and other hockey-themed gay romance novels.[4][5][6] She said in 2023, "Game Changer came from a place of me being angry at hockey culture and how clearly homophobic it was and is, and all the other things that made me really ashamed to be a hockey fan. That whole series attacks the NHL and hockey culture quite a bit."[4]
Reid gained recognition after romance novelist Cat Sebastian recommended her books on social media in 2020.[7]
A 2025 television series, Heated Rivalry, was adapted from the first and second books in the Game Changers series.[8] The Toronto Star reported that Reid's book had entered the top ten for bestselling Canadian works of fiction just ahead of the streaming release of Heated Rivalry on Crave in Canada.[9]
Works
All of Reid's books have been published by Carina Press (an imprint of Harlequin Romance).[10][11]
Game Changers series
- Game Changer (2018) – American professional hockey player Scott Hunter falls for barista Kip Grady.
- Heated Rivalry (2019) – Shane Hollander, the Canadian captain for the Montreal Voyageurs, finds a nemesis—and a lover—in the cocky Russian captain of the Boston Bears, Ilya Rozanov.[5][9]
- Tough Guy (2020) – Toronto pro hockey star Ryan Price reconnects with musician Fabian Salah, his teenage crush.[6]
- Common Goal (2020) – Silver fox hockey goalie Eric Bennett, finally open to dating men, and Kyle Swift, a younger grad student and bartender, find that their new no strings attached relationship may just be more than they expected.
- Role Model (2021) – Fresh off a messy breakup, pro hockey player Troy Barrett has been traded to the worst team in the league, but soon finds himself irresistibly attracted to peppy social media manager Harris Drover.
- The Long Game (2022) – Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov have been secretly dating for ten years, and Ilya wants to finally go public with their relationship.
- Unrivaled (2027)[12] – Newly married and out, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov face public backlash and a growing movement against them as they navigate life, love, and their careers on the same team.[13]
Other novels
- Time to Shine (2023) – Backup goalie and loner Landon Stackhouse becomes the roommate of charming winger Casey Hicks.
- The Shots You Take (2025) – Tragedy reconnects hockey stars Riley Tuck and Adam Sheppard.
Personal life
Reid lives in Bedford, Nova Scotia.[14] She was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in August 2023.[15] Reid chose her pen name because "it is much easier to say, spell and remember than Rachelle Goguen".[16] She married Matt Reid in 2008,[1] and the couple have two children.[16]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Rachel Reid on Instagram". Instagram. July 12, 2025. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
- ^ Romo, Luis Fernando (February 19, 2026). "Rachel Reid, the Canadian writer and hockey enthusiast who triumphs with the series More than Rivals". ELMUNDOAMERICA. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- ^ Reid, Rachel (December 19, 2025). "How My Book, Heated Rivalry, Became A TV Phenomenon". Macleans.ca (in Canadian French). Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- ^ a b Kurzius, Rachel (August 6, 2023). "Hockey romance novels are in the news. Here's why they're so popular". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ a b Simon, Scott (June 8, 2024). "A surprising genre of romance novels is gaining popularity". NPR. Archived from the original on November 15, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ a b "Rachel Reid | Exclusive Interview: Tough Guy". Fresh Fiction. January 13, 2020. Archived from the original on December 9, 2025. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
- ^ Mazza, Angelina (December 19, 2025). "Rachel Reid Put the Heat in 'Heated Rivalry'". The New York Times. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ^ One-on-one with Heated Rivalry author: 'I could have not dreamed of a better adaptation'. YouTube. CP24. November 27, 2025. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
- ^ a b Yeo, Debra (November 27, 2025). "Giller Effect bumps Souvankham Thammavongsa onto the Toronto Star's bestselling fiction list". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ "Books". Rachel Reid Writes Romance. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ "Carina Press, Rachel Reid Books". December 2, 2025.
- ^ Italie, Hillel (February 24, 2026). "Rachel Reid Delays Unrivaled Release to June 2027, Citing Parkinson's and Fame". AP News. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ Chan, Tim (January 10, 2026). "A New Heated Rivalry Book Pops Up for Pre-Order: Here's Where to Read and Buy Unrivaled Online". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 10, 2026. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
- ^ Sampson, Andrew (October 28, 2025). "Two NHL players openly falling in love? In real life, that's a fantasy. Not in this series". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
- ^ Ellis, Maddie (December 7, 2025). "Heated Rivalry Author Rachel Reid on How the Show Is Changing TV Romances: EXCLUSIVE". Today. Archived from the original on December 10, 2025. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
- ^ a b "Author Biography and Book List: Rachel Reid". Fresh Fiction. Retrieved December 5, 2025.