First of all many thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books UK for the free digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw the cover of The Rival on Instagram the first time it got my attention straight away.
Furthermore I love to “discover” new authors so I was very eager to get my hands on this debut.
Honestly said the beginning had me a bit puzzled since the story quickly shifts from past to present with two different narratives.
However, after the first few pages I was dragged into the story and captivated till the end.

The subject of female rivalry is one that is very intriguing to me because it’s an issue that every woman can relate to.
Whether it’s on the work floor or on the schoolyard women just have this tendency to compete and overachieve. It's refreshing to read about the day to day struggle of women balancing a career, motherhood, relationship, household and social life.

The author takes her time to build up the tension between the two main characters Theresa and Ash.
Ash being the young fiercely ambitious newcomer and Therese the well experienced, successful and respected supervisor who’s got it all.
Right from the start Ash is determined to work her way up and prove herself wishing she too can fulfill a high position in KAMU the make up brand they both work for. Theresa is the perfect role model at first but soon enough Ash wants more, much more and she won't let anybody stand in her way.

Ash’ mentality derives from her poor background with an absent father and alcoholic mother who dies, causing Ash and her brother to be brought up in foster care. She is dead set on doing well for herself. Theresa is already there, working long hours but loving her job. Although she finds Ash' ambition unsettling it's something entirely different that causes Theresa to fear she's going to lose the career she has worked so hard for.

I liked the way the story turned from past to present and vice versa. It kept me guessing about what actually happened.
I must also admit that there is a twist towards the end of this book that I did not see coming and I love it when that happens! The author surely knows how to surprise her readers.
This book got me absolutely hooked and I can't wait to read more by Charlotte Duckworth.

This is one of those books that the story is told between two characters, the one you like and the one you hate, but you can't stop reading every page till the end to discover what happens.
The Rival is not simply a story of rivalry between two strong women and their obsession with work, success and jealousy between each other, but an enlightening way to show how women instead of fighting together for their rights at work they like to fight against each other... It tries to show the reader too how maternity can affect the life of their parents in every way; specially a mother in a high position job it could make her redundant simply for being pregnant.
Let me say that I've read this book in one stand, I was hooked since the first page. The story is told between the past and the present of Helena and Ashley, since the first moment they met till their fateful ending. The story is not only addictive but emotional, of course I didn't like Ashley from the first page, too bold and without any regrets to do whatever it takes to have a success in the job. But we see some bits of her past, trying to explain how her job and success is so important for her.
Helena is not an easy character neither, she is a good boss but she really doesn't want to be a mother until she discovers she is pregnant. I can understand her change of mind or how she feel surpassed with all the changes, the worries and distress affects her life. Yes, having a baby is something precious, but not everyone is ready or willing to have one, and we always should respect their decisions and thoughts even if we don't totally agree with them.
There's a note of the author at the end of the book that really touched me, because for me all the pregnancy was like being in a train without a driver and knowing where it will go, no matter what everyone tells you every pregnancy is different, and of course every baby is different too. The only way to be a good mother/father is to try our best, we will fail again and again, but loving our little ones and being with them in the good moments and the bad is the only way to be a good parent.
This had been an emotive read for me, with a twist in the end and addictive since the first page. The Rival is a quick read that will show us how an obsession can change your life.
Ready to discover The Rival?

I kept thinking I had read this book before yet knowing I couldn’t have done really. Then I realised it was reminding me very much of a tv series I had watched not too long ago. Not sure if this made a difference but I did not particularly enjoy the book. Just a little boring and predictable.

Prior to receiving a copy of ‘The Rival’, I hadn’t heard of Charlotte Duckworth before. Sorry Charlotte. I’ve certainly heard of her now and then some. Dear oh dear ‘The Rival’ was certainly one hell of a read. I absolutely loved it but more about that in a bit.
The two main characters are Helena and Ashley. When we first meet Helena she seems to have it all. She is an ambitious career woman, who is at the top of her field. Helena also has a high flying boyfriend. Helena wants to hire somebody and take her under her wing as a kind of protégé. That’s where Ashley comes in. She gets the job and immediately starts impressing the right people. Initially Helena is pleased that she obviously recognises talent when she sees it but it isn’t long before doubts start to creep in about Ashley. Helena wakes up and smells the coffee and realises that she had misjudged Ashley and her motives. Ashley is somebody I wouldn’t trust as far as I could throw her and that wouldn’t be far on account of my dodgy back. Ashley is one of those characters that you wouldn’t turn your back on because she would soon be stabbing you in the back. Ashley doesn’t seem to care about who she tramples on to get to the top. Helena becomes pregnant and matters between Ashley and Helena soon come to a head. Fast forward a few years and Helena’s life has drastically changed. She is still the determined career woman that she was before but she has no job, she has no baby, she has a partner but she doesn’t seem to love him and she blames Ashley for all her problems. What happened years ago to drastically change the course of Helena’s life? Is Ashley really to blame? What happens to Helena and Ashley? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves because I am not going to tell you.
‘The Rival’ is very well written. The storylines in this book take place in two different periods of time. One period of time describes things as they happened all those years ago and shows how matters came to a head. The other period of time describes things as they are in the present day. This way of telling the story works really well. The chapters interlink brilliantly and the story flows seamlessly.
The synopsis of ‘The Rival’ intrigued me and I just knew that this was one book that I needed to read sooner rather than later. Well blimey oh riley it was one hell of a rather scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride of a read and then some. Just when you think that things had settled down then another surprise or twist was waiting just around the corner and off the ride/ read would go again. There were a couple of occasions where I didn’t want to turn the page because I feared what was going to happen next but realised that if I wanted to know how the story turned out then of course I would need to turn the page. Reading ‘The Rival’ soon became an addiction for me. I just couldn’t stop reading because I am nosy and I had to know what happened and who, if anybody, was to blame for how things turned out. It seemed like I finished reading ‘The Rival’ in next to no time but in reality was a matter of a few hours. I was disappointed to finish because I was loving the author’s writing style, the storylines and the characters so much that I just wanted the book to continue. A couple of times, I smugly thought that I had fathomed out what had happened and to whom only to be sent down another path entirely. It got to the stage where I suspected everybody and believed nobody. I wasn’t sure which person’s version of events was the truth. ‘The Rival’ certainly messed with my head a bit.
To conclude, I really enjoyed reading ‘The Rival’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I can’t wait to read what Charlotte comes up with next. Here’s hoping that we don’t have too long to wait. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a well deserved 5* out of 5*.

Wow.. The Rival by Charlotte Duckworth was good!! Totally took me by surprise and did not want to put it down. I read 80% of it in one sitting and If it hadn't been for work this morning I would have finished it all. I was fully engrossed in the story and really couldn't see how it was going to end which is always a good thing.

The Rival tells the story of Helena and Ashley. Helena is a career woman with a husband and her work - that is all she thinks she needs. She hires Ashley who is a young, single and very ambitious girl. They become a dream team at their company...and then Helena falls pregnant. What happens next changes both the women.

There were times in this book that I was not a fan of either of the women, but as the story progressed my feelings changed. It is told from the point of view of both the women and jumps between then and now. And ending that you will not imagine and this is a brilliant book. Just loved it!

Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased

This book follows the stories of two women, a boss and her new employee.

Helena, the boss, is a very confident and successful career woman, but then everything changes. She has a baby, and something happens. Her life, and her mind, are left in tatters.

Ashley is a determined young woman, who seemingly cares about nobody else and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. And what she really wants is Helena's job, her beauty, her success, her friends and contacts.

This book was well written. I felt like the author knew the characters she was writing about and conveyed the feelings of anger, confusion, frustration and awkwardness prevalent throughout the book well.

However, I didn't like it. Not really. I found it to be quite boring, and I didn't really care about most of what was going on. I wasn't interested in the meetings or the office politics. It wasn't juicy enough or underhanded enough for what I wanted it to be. There was no grit, no real deceipt going on between these two women. Yes, Ashley wanted what Helena had, and she tries her best to get it. So what? There's nothing wrong with that. She worked hard for her achievements and actually didn't do anything wrong other than maybe spreading a bit of gossip and being fake. I could name plenty of people I've worked with just the same as Ashley. And it wasn't her fault that Helen became pregnant, she did that almost all by herself!

And now we come to the ending. I'm sorry, but it was ridiculous. The culmination of all the events leading up to it, described at great length, was so disappointing. I realised at the end that the author wrote the book with one specific thought in mind, one point to get across. I won't say what it is because it would be a huge spoiler. I don't think it had the impact or shock value she wanted it to have as far as I was concerned.

All in all, I struggled to read this book and didn't really enjoy it at all. The ending was especially difficult for me to get through because I was expecting something worth all my effort at the end, and I didn't get it. Sorry, but I'm not a fan of this one.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Quercus Books and Charlotte Duckworth for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of The Rival.
I was drawn to this book by the cover initially. Once I read the description, I thought it sounded really promising.
Unfortunately, it didn't grab me whereby I had to read it in one sitting which is what I thought it would do.
Not a book for me.

The two main characters, Helena and Ashley are the rivals in this bland, run of the mill novel. Helena is Ashley's immediate boss; both are ambitious and competitive, but Helena is caring and compassionate, whilst Ashley is ruthless in her determination to become successful. Her work is all consuming with no room or time for friendships.

These two characters are cut-from-a-template, with Helena, happily married but putting off motherhood, whilst Ashley has had a Troubled Childhood and has a brother she'd rather forget. Helena's move from London to the country, into a house on a particularly nasty bend on a country lane is somewhat contrived, as is Ashley's brother.

The author uses the well-worn – and sometimes confusing – ploy of Now and Then, with Helena and Ashley taking chapters in turn. I'm tired of this type of narrative, it's so commonplace and irritating.

There is absolutely nothing new here, in fact it reminds me of a television series, The Replacement, in which Vicky McClure plays the newcomer in an established business. It could almost be a copy. Deckchair fodder.

I was sent an ARC by Amazon

I can not recommend this book enough. Fabulous debut novel. Lots to keep you wanting to turn the pages until there are no more left.

Can not wait for her next book. Definitely one to keep an eye on.

What a debut. Wow. Female against female. A shocking end, not what you expect. Tension all the way. Brilliant book

This is a great debut read and well written. The twist didn't jump out at me which is good and by the end I actually felt sad for both Ashley and Helena.
Look forward to the author's next one.

Overall this is a good story. The overall plot is good. I feel though that it took too long to reach the final twist. I think if the book had been shorter the ending would have had more impact and made the book feel more like the thriller I thought it was going to be.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

NOW
Living in her home in the countryside HELENA used to be career woman but now she has no job and shes a mother without a baby. she lives in a beautiful home with her husband, She blames ASHLEY for destroying her life. But is what happened really Ashley's fault? and can she ever get back the life she once had and the job she much loved?

Then
When Helena hires Ashley to work with her, she's very impressed by her fierce ambition and strong personality They form a dream team and Helena is proud and their new business gets of to a strong start and everyone is impressed they even get the chance to go to new york - But soon Helena realises that nothing will stand in the way of Ashley's drive to get to the top to take her job her life. And when Helena discovers she is pregnant, she quickly realises how vulnerable her position is can she stop Ashley and save her job or will Ashley get everything she ever wanted leaving Helena with nothing and with shocking and devastating consequences.

if im very honest i was very disappointed with this book i was expecting an edge of your seat thriller.. but the book was boring and dull and i got to 90% of the book and nothing happened at all it was only the last 10% that the book got a little bit interesting but not much i was keep waiting for something to happen but it never did i thought the story was a bit bland there was nothing to keep you hooked it got to a point where i was unsure if i should keep reading or just give up but i kept at it and i wish i didn't the book has left me with nothing i have no feeling about it and ill forget all about it tomorrow... the cover of the book was more interesting then the story,i love a book that has me on edge or has me hooked and wanting more from the story i want a book that is hard to but down and one i tell my friends about but sadly this was not it.. thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for my copy of the book but sadly this book was not for me

Riveting and completely unpredictable - this is an excellent debut.

The dual narratives of Ashley and Helena are fascinating - providing us with an insight into their day-to-day lives whilst also allowing us a private look into how they really view each other. Their relationship is complex, chilling and on the outside at least really quite relatable. However the beauty of this book for me lies within the simmering undercurrent of their emotions, emotions that swept me up until I frantically turned page after page desperate to reveal the truth of what happened THEN and how it has impacted on the NOW.

The narrative voices seem to grow stronger as we hurtle towards the conclusion, the prose almost cascading into a stream-of-consciousness and causing my anxiety to mount alongside Helena’s.

The twist literally had me gasping for air, leaving me completely oblivious to anything outside of this books pages.

This is a book that is quite simply unputdownable - highly recommended.

Charlotte Duckworth has written a great thriller!

This book was very hard to put down, I had to keep on reading to find out more and see where it would go! The characters were very naturally and seemed to jump off the page. I really enjoyed reading this and am looking forward to read more!

The Rival is an excellent psychological thriller. Its premise is different from most in the genre by focusing on Helena, a successful career woman, who mentors Ashley, an ambitious young woman who will stop at nothing to achieve her aims in her own career. But when Helena gives up work having had a baby, the baby is never seen. So what has happened to the child and how is Ashley involved.? Why does Helena blame Ashley for all her woes? This is a story that doesn't fail to surprise, told from the point of view of both Helena and Ashley.

I highly recommend The Rival and look forward to reading more from Charlotte Duckworth. Many thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. I ignored my kids and husband, let everyone fend for themselves and binge read this in 2-3 sessions over the weekend.

In the present, Helena has no job and no child. Something awful has happened, she's having treatment for it and she blames Ashley for what happened. Also, fatal accidents keep happening outside her house.

In the past Helena is a successful Creative DIrector at a Beauty tech start up and Ashley is her intern. But what is Ashley hiding and why does she appear to be taking over Helena's job...

I thought this novel was going to be predictable - which is partly why I requested it as the premise looked great and reminded me of the The Replacement. But it was much much better than that!

I was gripped by what Helena was hiding, why she wasn't taking her medication and matching up her past with her present. I never ever guessed where her husband was going every day - and I always guess twists.

As Helena's past got darker and more distressing, I felt for her so much.

Ashley was great as an anti-hero, out for all she could get and juggling her secrets and her past, trying to create a new life for herself.

The twists at the end of this book were so so unexpected and unpredictable, but that's no bad thing in a market swamped with thrillers. I loved the strong women in this book and that they weren't perfect and made mistakes. I adored the writing and the characters and I just couldn't stop reading. I loved this book and it's definitely in my top five books this year :)

Really enjoyed this book, it reminded me a bit of a drama that was on BBC one last year where a woman went off on maternity leave and her replacement took over her life...anyway, back to The Rival, the two story centres around two women, Helena who is at the top of her game in her job, has the handsome husband, the nice car, clothes and is loving life. Then their is Ashley, with her vision boards and motivational quotes, she's desperate to have the life Helena has.

Ashley gets a job working for Helena but swans around like she is the manager, she is determined to oust Helena from her position. So when Helena gets pregnant, Ashley sees her chance...

There were some really important points covered in this novel, the transition from woman to mum, there's no guide book, no instructions, people warn you that you'll be more tired than you've ever known, but you can't imagine it until it actually happens, so how do you deal with that? Then Helena's struggle with her mental health after the baby is born and Ashley's jealously.

The ending to this book made me feel quite sad...these women could've been friends if the hadn't felt the need to compete against each other, which is the other important issue in this book, unfortunately women are still made to feel like they have to fight against each other rather that support each other.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book, this is my honest opinion.

I loved the premise of this book, so thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for approving my request in exchange for an honest review.
Now 30-something Helena lives in a secluded countryside with her husband, Jack. We know she’s a mother, but she has no baby. We get an eerie impression that something traumatic has happened for which Helena is seeking therapy, but we don’t know exactly what’s happened.
The story alternates back and forth in time. In the before timeline we meet Ash who’s a 25-year old, given a job by Helena. Ash turns out to be ambitious and ruthless, determined to rise up the ranks even if it means undermining Helena. A mentor-protege relationship turns toxic and competitive. The story progresses until the past and present come together in a climax and we finally see the tragedy unfurl...
I loved the premise of this book. Toxic female relationships is a favourite theme of mine and I was not let down. I raced through the first 75%. The office environment was well captured and I highly enjoyed the escalating drama between Ash and Helena. What did disappoint me was the last 10%. I think for me I felt there was too much exposition, storylines started to become predictable, and without giving away spoilers, for me personally, the story veered off track and by the end it was like I had ended up in a completely different book. I found the ending unsatisfying.
Overall most of the book was gripping, its a pacy, well-written debut, and I’ll definitely check out the author’s future work.

The tale off Ashlie and Helena told from their individual angles, Helena from a priverledge background who doesn't get along with her Mum. Ashlie however didn't have a great upbringing a alcoholic Mum who died when she was just 15, so she spent most of her time looking after her younger brother Jason and he only gets harder work the older he gets.
Ashlie gets her dream job working under Helena and at a or rather the leading media company at the London office where she has to work hard and does well for herself and make her Gran very proud of her. Helena had a gifted husband who is a banker and also doing well.
This is a story that gets better and more compelling the deeper you get into and will take you where you never expected to go. You will be led from what seems a simple tale of a younger person pitching and pushing her way into a invaluable worker for the team rags to riches, but you will get a shock as one twist leads to another and well some deadends, you need them keeps us on our toes. However the twists that run into a journey you won't want to leave till you get to the end will not be what you expect. The last part of this thriller is some of the best and most gripping and unpredictable writing you will find anywhere. Charlotte has some chapters that tell the story of one of her characters spinning not knowing where to turn and you will feel it's you and that even as a man who obviously can not fully know what ladies go through with the trauma of a female life with complications that only you/ they go through. That will make a whole lot of sense when you read the book and see I'm not being sexists as both Helena and Ashlie would despise me greatly if I was and I would have to be on the wrong side of either. It will be hard to workout who is the goodie and then the bady as this may swap over several times but you need to read it for yourself. I really do recommend this book and hope that you are as gripped as I was. Thankyou for this book both to Charlotte and NetGalley. I can honestly say I have never read a thriller with the high quality of writing that you will enjoy it experience towards the end, absolutely incredible well in my opinion that is.