Jan 6
How a Queer Romance Author's Parkinson's Diagnosis Fueled the Steamy Series "Heated Rivalry"
READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Rachel Reid, a Nova Scotia-based author known for her "Game Changers" series of gay romance novels centered on hockey players, has built a dedicated following with stories that challenge homophobia in sports culture. She explained that the series originated from her frustration with hockey's homophobic elements, stating, ""Game Changer" came from a place of me being angry at hockey culture and how clearly homophobic it was and is." Her breakthrough novel "Heated Rivalry", part of this series, explores a passionate enemies-to-lovers relationship between two rival hockey players, blending explicit queer romance with critiques of toxic masculinity in professional sports. Reid's work affirms LGBTQ+ identities by centering gay male relationships in a genre often dominated by heterosexual narratives, offering representation that resonates with queer readers seeking authentic depictions of love amid societal barriers.
In August 2023, Reid received a life-altering diagnosis: early-onset Parkinson's disease, despite having no family history of the condition. At just 42 years old, she noticed a persistent tremor in her right arm and hand, which became increasingly obvious to fans at events and in videos. "It was surprising because I have no family history of Parkinson’s, and I was only 42 when diagnosed," she shared publicly. The diagnosis came less than a month after her first in-person author event in London, adding emotional weight to an already exciting career milestone.
Parkinson's, a progressive neurological disorder, brought immediate practical challenges to Reid's daily life and work. Symptoms included constant shaking, sleep disturbances limited to just two hours at a time, and difficulties with fine motor skills like typing, handwriting, and using a mouse. "Mechanical things like typing, writing with a pen, and using a mouse have become challenging," she noted, impacting her ability to annotate books or provide lengthy personalizations at events. Despite this, Reid remains optimistic, supported by a team including a neurologist for medication, a physiotherapist for movement and balance training, and a psychologist for mental health support common with the disease. Her doctor provided a realistic outlook, estimating about ten years—now roughly eight—before significant symptom progression, though she emphasizes it could be longer with potential treatments.
Reid chose transparency about her condition to normalize it within the LGBTQ+ romance community and beyond. "I’m sharing the news about my diagnosis... because I plan to continue to do author events and videos... and I want people to know what’s causing ," she wrote. She also hopes to connect with others facing similar issues, viewing openness as a way to build community. This approach aligns with broader LGBTQ+ advocacy for visibility in health discussions, where transgender people, gay men, and others often face compounded stigmas around chronic illnesses.
Four days after her diagnosis, amid uncertainty about her writing future—"Would I lose my memory? My ability to speak fluidly?"—Reid received a transformative Instagram DM from director Jacob Tierney. He expressed admiration for her books and proposed adapting them for film, starting with "Heated Rivalry". "Things like this aren’t supposed to happen to authors of sexually explicit queer romance novels about hockey players," she reflected with humor. Despite warnings that book options rarely lead to production, Reid embraced the optimism, calling it "a fucking gift" during a dark time.
The project advanced to set visits, where Reid witnessed her fictional world materialize. "I fucking walked into the world I’d created come to actual fucking life," she described, despite sleep deprivation from Parkinson's. Now on a deadline for her ninth book, "The Shots You Take" , and in group chats with young actors portraying her characters, Reid marvels at her reality as a mother, author, and Parkinson's patient.
Reid's journey underscores how queer creators draw strength from their communities. Her stories, like "Time to Shine" about a loner goalie and charming winger, continue to affirm gay relationships while she pushes forward. She plans more events, including 2026 appearances, and vows to write until impossible. "I’m going to keep writing until it’s impossible, which will hopefully be never." For LGBTQ+ audiences, Reid's openness models living authentically with health challenges, turning a "silly disease" into a narrative of unyielding creativity.
