Author Rachel Reid avoided watching 'Heated Rivalry' TV show to finish final book 'Unrivaled'

Author Rachel Reid said she stopped watching the TV adaptation of her "Heated Rivalry" book series to finish writing its final sequel, "Unrivaled," citing difficulty writing sex scenes while picturing the actors. Reid, speaking at a September 29 New York City tour stop, said the show's popularity created pressure from increased expectations, and she avoided rewatching episodes to stay focused on her version of characters Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. She also noted her Parkinson's disease symptoms worsened, delaying the book's release to June 1, 2027. The author credited producer Jacob Tierney for expanding the audience and welcomed the collaborative ownership of the characters, though she acknowledged the on-screen version differs from her original vision.