This week, Tommy is joined by bestselling author Rachel Reid, the writer behind Heated Rivalry and the Game Changers series. The series is beloved for redefining queer romance in the world of professional hockey. What began as a passion project quickly became a phenomenon, earning Rachel a devoted global fanbase and cementing Heated Rivalry as a modern romance classic.

She opens up about the origins of Heated Rivalry, how Shane and Ilya’s story evolved from a side romance into something much bigger, and why readers connected so deeply to its emotional honesty. Rachel discusses why Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams were the only choices for Ilya and Shane, if more Ilya and Shane books are coming, and what we might see in Season 2 of the hit series. She also talks about fandom culture, online communities, and the unexpected life-changing success of her books, as well as what it’s like to create characters that live far beyond the page. Plus, she shares what she’s learned as a writer, what inspires her storytelling, and why romance (especially queer romance) matters now more than ever. And she is answering YOUR burning fan questions!

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Rachel Reid: Author of Heated Rivalry