You probably know Rachel Reid as the name behind Heated Rivalry, the hockey romance that became a phenomenon. But behind the pen name is Rachelle Goguen, a Canadian writer who publicly shared her Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2025 while her most famous book was being adapted for television.

Birth name: Rachelle Goguen ·
Born: September 2, 1980 ·
Pen name: Rachel Reid ·
Nationality: Canadian ·
Known for: Game Changers series, Heated Rivalry

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Relationship status and partner details
  • Whether she has children
  • Net worth figures
  • Ethnicity beyond Canadian nationality
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Next novel Unrivaled scheduled for June 1, 2027 (The Independent)
  • TV adaptation of Heated Rivalry in development (The Independent)

Seven key biographical facts, one pattern: the author has shared some details openly while keeping others private.

Label Value
Full name Rachelle Goguen (Wikipedia)
Birth date September 2, 1980 (Wikipedia)
Citizenship Canadian (Wikipedia)
Occupation Author (Official site)
Pen name Rachel Reid (Wikipedia)
Debut series Game Changers (Goodreads)
Health condition Parkinson’s disease (diagnosed August 2023) (The Independent)

Does Rachel Reid have a partner?

Who is Rachel Reid married to?

  • Rachel Reid is private about her relationship status. No public confirmation of a partner or spouse exists as of 2025.
  • Some unverified sources claim she married Matt Reid in 2008 (Wikipedia), but this is not corroborated by the author herself or by her publisher, Harlequin (publisher of Carina Press).
Bottom line: Rachel Reid has not publicly identified a partner or spouse. Fans should treat the 2008 marriage claim as unconfirmed.

What illness does Rachel Reid have?

What is Rachel Reid diagnosed with?

  • Rachel Reid was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in August 2023 (YouTube interview).
  • She disclosed the condition in a 2025 interview with The Independent (UK news outlet), describing symptoms such as tremors and stiffness that have made writing physically challenging.
  • Her publisher Harlequin (Carina Press) extended the deadline for her next novel Unrivaled to June 1, 2027 (The Independent).

“My life has changed significantly over the past couple of months, which has affected my ability to dedicate quality time to writing.”

— Rachel Reid, in The Independent

“I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in August 2023. My symptoms have intensified slightly, making it physically challenging to write.”

— Rachel Reid, YouTube interview

Does Rachel Reid have children?

How many children does Rachel Reid have?

  • Rachel Reid has not publicly discussed having children. No verified information is available (Wikipedia).
  • Some unverified sources list her as having two children, but the author has not confirmed this in any direct statement.

What ethnicity is Rachel Reid?

  • Rachel Reid is Canadian. She was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia (Wikipedia).
  • She has not specified her ethnic background in public records or interviews.

Is Heated Rivalry a true story?

  • Heated Rivalry is a work of fiction. It is part of the Game Changers series, which follows original characters (Official site).
  • While the novel draws on real hockey culture, the plot and characters are invented.

Timeline

  1. September 2, 1980: Born in Nova Scotia, Canada (Wikipedia)
  2. 2018: Published Heated Rivalry, first book in Game Changers series (Goodreads)
  3. 2020–2024: Continued Game Changers series, publishing multiple titles (Official site)
  4. August 2023: Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (YouTube)
  5. 2025: Disclosed diagnosis in The Independent; TV adaptation of Heated Rivalry announced (Official site)
  6. June 1, 2027: Scheduled release of next novel Unrivaled (The Independent)

Clarity: What we know vs. what we don’t

Confirmed facts

  • Rachel Reid is the pen name of Rachelle Goguen (Wikipedia)
  • Born September 2, 1980 in Nova Scotia (Wikipedia)
  • Author of the Game Changers series (Official site)
  • Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in August 2023 (The Independent)

What’s unclear

  • Relationship status and existence of partner
  • Whether she has children
  • Net worth figures
  • Exact ethnicity beyond Canadian nationality

Summary

Rachel Reid has built a loyal readership with her Game Changers series, but her personal life remains largely out of the spotlight. Her Parkinson’s disclosure in 2025 brought new attention to the author behind the books. For fans following her career, the clearest takeaway is that Unrivaled is still coming — just a little later than planned.

Frequently asked questions

Does Rachel Reid have a blog?

She does not maintain a public blog, but she uses her official website for book announcements and updates.

What is Rachel Reid’s mailing address?

Rachel Reid does not publish a mailing address. Fans can contact her through her publisher, Carina Press (Harlequin).

Does Rachel Reid do book signings?

There are no public events currently listed. Given her health condition, live events may be limited (The Independent).

What inspired the Game Changers series?

Reid has cited her love of hockey culture and m/m romance as inspirations, but she hasn’t shared a single origin story (YouTube interview).

How many books are in the Game Changers series?

As of 2025, there are at least seven books listed on her official site.

Is Rachel Reid active on social media?

Yes, she maintains an Instagram account (@rachelreidwrites), where she identifies as a New York Times bestselling author.

Does Rachel Reid write under any other pen names?

No. Rachel Reid is the only pen name she has publicly used (Wikipedia).

What are Rachel Reid’s next book releases?

Her next novel, Unrivaled, is scheduled for release on June 1, 2027 (The Independent).

Related reading: Game Changers by Rachel Reid: Book Series Guide & Spiciness · Jamie Benn: Collapsed Lung, Marriage, Nickname, Retirement