Heated Rivalry Books in Order: The Complete Game Changers Series Guide

Hey fellow romance lovers! If you have spent any time on BookTok, BookStagram, or romance forums over the past few years, you have almost certainly heard the buzz surrounding Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander. Written by Canadian author Rachel Reid, the Game Changers series—and specifically its crowning jewel, Heated Rivalry—has become a massive pop-culture phenomenon in MM (male/male) romance and sports fiction.

Whether you are here specifically for the iconic enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Shane and Ilya or want to dive into the entire hockey romance universe, here is your complete, detailed reading guide.

1. The Game Changers Series (Complete Reading Order)

The series follows professional hockey players in the fictionalized NHL as they navigate high-stakes athletic careers, media scrutiny, secret relationships, and coming out.

1. Game Changer (2018)
   Main Couple: Scott Hunter & Kip Grady
   Smooth, famous NHL team captain Scott Hunter has a strict game-day routine, which includes eating at a smooth smoothie shop where he meets Kip Grady. As Scott hides his sexuality to protect his sports career, his growing relationship with the openly gay, sweet smoothie maker forces him to confront what he truly wants out of life.
2. Heated Rivalry (2019)
   Main Couple: Shane Hollander & Ilya Rozanov
   Pro hockey superstars Shane Hollander (the golden boy of Montreal) and Ilya Rozanov (the arrogant bad boy of Boston) have been fierce rivals since they were rookies. What the media and fans don’t know is that behind closed doors, their intense rivalry turned into a secret, passion-fueled hookup arrangement that has lasted for eight years.
3. Tough Guy (2020)
   Main Couple: Ryan Price & Fabian Samaroo
   Ryan Price is an NHL enforcer—a massive guy hired to fight on the ice—who secretly suffers from severe anxiety and hates violent conflict. When he meets Fabian Samaroo, a sweet, artistic musician who embraces his individuality, Ryan learns to accept himself both on and off the ice.
4. Common Goal (2020)
   Main Couple: Eric Bennett & Kyle Swift
   Eric Bennett, a veteran NHL goalie in his late 30s who recently came out as bisexual after a divorce, decides to try a casual arrangement. He connects with Kyle Swift, a charming graduate student who is younger and eager to help Eric explore his desires.
5. Role Model (2021)
   Main Couple: Troy Barrett & Harris Drover
   After being traded to a new team following a toxic locker-room scandal, grumpy hockey player Troy Barrett wants to keep his head down. Instead, he meets Harris Drover, the team’s relentlessly optimistic, openly gay social media manager who slowly breaks down Troy’s defensive walls.
6. The Long Game (2022)
   Main Couple: Ilya Rozanov & Shane Hollander
   The direct, highly anticipated full-length sequel to Heated Rivalry. Ten years into their secret relationship, Ilya and Shane are deeply in love, but hiding their bond from the world, their teams, and the media is taking a devastating emotional toll. Together, they must decide if they are ready to risk their careers to finally be together in the light.

2. Bonus Content & Novellas

• Unwritten Rules (Short Story / Epilogue): A short bonus scene released by Rachel Reid focused on Ilya and Shane, taking place between Heated Rivalry and The Long Game. (Available via the author’s official newsletter/website).

Detailed Reading Guide: Choosing Your Entry Point

Because readers come to Rachel Reid for different reasons, here is a detailed breakdown of how to approach the series based on what you are looking for:

Option A: The Complete “Game Changers” Experience (Recommended)

• Best For: Readers who love interconnected character cameos, world-building, and watching an entire professional sports league evolve culturally over time.
• Where to Start: Begin with Game Changer (Book 1) and read straight through to The Long Game (Book 6).
• Why This Order Matters: Even though Books 1, 3, 4, and 5 feature different main couples, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov appear as recurring side characters throughout those novels. Watching Ilya make hilarious, chaotic cameos in Role Model or seeing Scott Hunter’s career arc unfold adds immense satisfaction when you finally reach The Long Game.

Option B: The “Ilya & Shane” Fast-Track (The Viral Phenomenon)

• Best For: Readers who are specifically reading this series for the iconic Shane and Ilya romance and want to skip the other couples.
• Where to Start: Read Heated Rivalry (Book 2) followed immediately by The Long Game (Book 6). (Optionally read Book 5, ‘Role Model’, in between).
• Why This Order Matters: Shane and Ilya’s story is a decade-long slow burn spanning two full books. While you can technically read Heated Rivalry and jump straight into The Long Game, reading Role Model (Book 5) in between is highly recommended by fans. Ilya plays a major, heartwarming supporting role in Role Model, providing crucial setup for his mindset at the start of The Long Game.

About the Author

Rachel Reid is the pen name of Canadian romance novelist Rachelle Delaney. A lifelong hockey fan living in Nova Scotia, Reid created the Game Changers series out of a desire to see rich, nuanced, and authentic queer representation in the hyper-masculine world of professional sports.

Her breakout novel, Heated Rivalry, achieved viral success for its sharp banter, intense emotional depth, and sizzling chemistry, elevating Reid to one of the most celebrated voices in contemporary LGBTQ+ romance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to read the Game Changers series in order?

While each book (except Book 6) features a standalone romance with a guaranteed happy ending, reading in publication order is recommended. Characters from previous books pop up as friends, teammates, and rivals in later installments.

Can I read Heated Rivalry as a standalone?

Yes! Heated Rivalry was written as a standalone novel with a satisfying conclusion. However, because fans fell so deeply in love with Shane and Ilya, Rachel Reid wrote The Long Game three years later to give them the full, triumphant sequel they deserved.

Is “The Long Game” a direct sequel to “Heated Rivalry”?

Yes. The Long Game is a direct continuation of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov’s romance, picking up years after the events of Heated Rivalry as they navigate the challenges of long-term commitment and coming out to the public.

What trope is Heated Rivalry?

Heated Rivalry is famous for executing several beloved romance tropes at an elite level:

• Enemies to Lovers / Sports Rivals: Two elite athletes competing for the same trophies.
• Secret Relationship / Friends with Benefits to Lovers: Years of clandestine encounters turning into deep emotional devotion.
• Forced Proximity: Shared media tours, award shows, and international tournaments.

Final Verdict

Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series set a new gold standard for contemporary MM sports romance. It balances steam, humor, and sharp athletic banter with tender emotional vulnerability and meaningful discussions around mental health and queer identity in sports.

If you want the full, rich universe, start at the very beginning with Game Changer. If you want to jump straight into one of the most celebrated rivalries in modern romance fiction, grab Heated Rivalry, prepare for some top-tier banter, and enjoy the ride!

Written by

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon. I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you. When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.