Madoc and Fallon were fantastic lead characters and in addition to falling for their love story I also fell for them as individuals and I adored them both equally as much. I had a honest to goodness soft spot for both hero and heroine in this story and nothing appeals more than characters who profess to hate each other when in truth their love is just as evident. I'll always have a soft spot for a dual point of view in a novel especially one that provides the reader with an opportunity to get involved with the characters thoughts and feelings. I loved that this book was deliciously tempting and swayed on the side of taboo but never crossed over into the uncomfortable territory, instead it made my heart pound and the anticipation of what was to come was well played out by the author. Everything about this novel dramatically appealed to my reading tastes. What was not to love? Gorgeous story telling, fantastic writing talent, characters that blew me away and a plot that stole my heart. Follow this fall away novel and fall in love with rivals that can't help but love to hate each other. But will games, hate, family connections and a dark past stop a love that was destined to be or will they both be able to fight beyond themselves. One wants revenge, the other wants to beat its partner at it's own game. Their connection was one that has stayed with them both and their obsession with each other doesn't seem to want to end.

Madoc and Fallon are two star crossed lovers fighting against the pain and secrets of the past.

My expectations have been blown away, 'Rival' is a novel not to be forgotten about and a book that I'm happy to say I loved. With a hero to die for and a heroine with plenty of bite I could not have enjoyed my time spent with these characters any more than I did. 'Rival' has been a long anticipated release and i can now admit that I was a little dubious with how this story would play out, but my doubts were unfounded, this novel was spectacular it had the right amount of grit and taboo without making it too dark or difficult to read and if there is one thing I can now be sure of is that Penelope Douglas has a wickedly sensual talent of making me fall straight into love with her story telling. This author brings something fresh to the 'new adult' genre of writing and it seems I'm not able to stop my admiration for her work. Intrigued by it's title and a newfound author I found myself falling for this authors debut writing style and since reading 'Bully' I've not once wanted to look back.

It was love at first chapter when I first read the work of Penelope Douglas.

Rival fall away