Cat Ellis

Rachel Reid, born Rachelle Goguen in 1980, is a Canadian author from Nova Scotia, known for her hockey-themed gay romance novels, particularly the Game Changers series. Her work gained significant attention after a recommendation from fellow romance author Cat Sebastian in 2020. Reid's writing often stems from her personal experiences and observations, including a critical perspective on hockey culture's historical homophobia, which she stated fueled the creation of the Game Changers series.

A television series adaptation of the first two books in the Game Changers series, titled Heated Rivalry, is set to premiere in 2025. This adaptation has contributed to increased recognition for Reid's work, with her books appearing on bestseller lists for Canadian fiction. Reid has faced delays in publishing her upcoming book, Unrivaled, due to health issues and a demanding schedule, pushing its release to June 2027. She chose the pen name Rachel Reid for its simplicity and ease of use compared to her birth name.

Rachel Reid's literary output primarily centers on gay romance within the context of professional ice hockey. Her Game Changers series, in particular, is noted for its exploration of relationships set against the backdrop of a sport she has been passionate about since childhood. Reid has expressed that the series was partly motivated by her frustration with the perceived homophobia within hockey culture. She aimed to address and challenge these aspects through her narratives, offering a counterpoint to experiences that made her feel ashamed of being a hockey fan. This critical engagement with the sport's culture informs the development of her characters and their journeys.

Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1980, Rachel Reid's career as a writer gained momentum in 2020 when romance novelist Cat Sebastian promoted her books on social media. This endorsement led to broader recognition for her hockey-themed gay romance novels. The upcoming 2025 television adaptation of her Game Changers series, titled Heated Rivalry, further amplified her visibility. The Toronto Star reported that her books achieved bestseller status among Canadian fiction works in anticipation of the show's release. Reid, who has played hockey herself and remains a lifelong fan, continues to develop stories within this niche, with her upcoming novel Unrivaled scheduled for a 2027 release after previous delays.

All of Rachel Reid's published works have been released through Carina Press, an imprint of Harlequin Romance. Her personal life includes residing in Bedford, Nova Scotia, with her husband Matt Reid, whom she married in 2008. They have two children. In August 2023, Reid was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a factor that has influenced her professional life, including the postponement of her book releases. She adopted the pen name Rachel Reid for practical reasons, finding it more accessible than her birth name, Rachelle Goguen.

“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.”

“I feel like more than any other book I've written, this one needs to be really good. I hope I'm giving people what they want out of this.”

“it is much easier to say, spell and remember than Rachelle Goguen”