If you’ve heard people raving about Heated Rivalry and aren’t sure where to start, you’re not alone. While Heated Rivalry is the breakout hit, it’s actually part of Rachel Reid’s Game Changers hockey romance series, and the reading order can feel a little confusing at first.
Good news: there is a “best” way to read the series, and it depends on how deep you want to go. Below, I’ll walk you through the correct reading order, plus a couple of alternative approaches depending on your goals as a reader.
What Is the Heated Rivalry Series?
Heated Rivalry is Book 2 in Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series, a set of interconnected M/M hockey romances. Each book focuses on a different couple, but characters frequently overlap, timelines intersect, and emotional arcs carry across books.
While many readers discover the series through Heated Rivalry, the full experience is richer when read in the proper order.
The Recommended Reading Order (Best Experience)
If you want the smoothest character development, emotional payoff, and timeline continuity, this is the ideal order:
1. Game Changer (Book 1)
Introduces the Game Changers universe and several recurring characters. While lighter in tone, it sets the foundation for the series.
2. Heated Rivalry (Book 2)
The fan favorite. Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov’s rivals-to-lovers story unfolds over several years and becomes a cornerstone of the series.
3. Tough Guy (Book 3)
Focuses on Ryan Price and Fabian Saleh. Emotional, character-driven, and important for understanding the league dynamics moving forward.
4. Common Goal (Book 4)
Centers on Eric Bennett and Kyle Desmarais, with strong found-family themes and continued crossover appearances.
5. Role Model (Book 5)
Troy Barrett’s redemption arc. This book benefits greatly from familiarity with earlier characters and league history.
6. The Long Game (Book 6)
A direct sequel to Heated Rivalry and the true conclusion to Shane and Ilya’s story. This should always be read after Book 2, and ideally after the rest of the series.
Can You Start With Heated Rivalry?
Yes, but with caveats. Many readers start with Heated Rivalry because it’s so widely recommended.
While it can function as a standalone romance, you’ll miss:
- Early character introductions
- Emotional context for side characters
- The full weight of The Long Game
If you start with Heated Rivalry, it’s strongly recommended that you go back and read Book 1 before continuing the series.
Why The Long Game Should Be Read Last
Even though The Long Game directly follows Heated Rivalry, it’s best saved for the end. By then, you’ll:
- Understand the broader league dynamics
- Recognize recurring characters and callbacks
- Feel the emotional growth across the entire series
- Reading it last makes the payoff significantly stronger.
Final Verdict: The “Correct” Order
For the best reading experience:
Read the Game Changers series in publication order, with The Long Game last.
That way, when you reach Shane and Ilya’s conclusion, it hits exactly the way Rachel Reid intended, hard, heartfelt, and unforgettable.
