Entangled Publishing sent me an advance copy of Romancing His Rival by Jennifer Shirk to review because I begged...er, requested it. The free copy in no way influenced this review.

Hotel receptionist Elena Mason is left heartbroken months before her wedding when her fiancé dumps her, and it's all Lucas Albright III's fault. Her fiancé's so-called best man talked him out of marrying Elena, and months later, she still hasn't recovered, or stopped believing her fiancé will realize they're meant to be together and come back. As for Lucas, Elena hopes to never see him again.

Lucas Albright is a marketing executive on the fast track to promotion. After a failed marriage, Lucas focuses all of his attention on his career, and it's paid off. Convinced he works better alone, professionally and personally, Lucas is frustrated to find out his long sought after promotion is dependent upon him working with the one person who thinks of him as her archenemy.

Elena knows she has to work with Lucas. but that doesn't mean she's going to make it easy for him. She wants him to pay for breaking up her engagement. Lucas is willing to do whatever it takes to secure his promotion, even work with Elena. But the closer Elena and Lucas work together, the more each has trouble remembering they're supposed to be rivals and not romantic partners.

I was ready to read Elena's story from the time I turned the last page of Catch Him if You Can. The little glimpse into what happened with Elena intrigued me and I couldn't wait to see how Ms. Shirk would pull of Elena's happily ever after. Coming to a book with high expectations like this can be dangerous. I loved Elena as a supporting character, but how would I feel about her as a heroine? Could Jennifer make me love this character and her hero as much as Wade and Arden?

When I first met Elena in Romancing His Rival, I didn't connect with her right away. I wanted to grab her and shake her out of her depressive funk. I wanted to say "get over it, already!" She seemed a little too whiny and was a little too eager to foist all the responsibility onto Lucas for why her relationship didn't work out. Yet there was something about her that kept me reading.

This also did a curious thing: it immediately made me more willing to hear Lucas's side of the story. Instead of being aligned with Elena against him, I was open to the idea there would be more to him and what he did or didn't do than Elena knew or was willing to admit. I couldn't love a man who went around destroying engagements for fun, but I could hear out the guy who was being unjustly blamed for the fate of an entire relationship.

Once Lucas and Elena were on the page together, things got even better. Even though Lucas is supposed to be the uptight ad exec, he's funny and even laid back with Elena, who, although usually rainbows and sunshine, is acerbic and a little dramatic with Lucas to begin with. I liked them together from their first encounter on the page.

It's evident from their first appearances that both of these characters have some growing and changing to do, and Ms. Shirk pulls them through it with an invisible string. Their actions, even the slightly outrageous ones, seem self-motivated and not driven by the plot. There were a couple moments I felt pulled out of the book by a bit of dialogue that felt clunky, but for the most part, I was able to immerse myself in Elena and Lucas's story.

I would recommend Romancing His Rival to anyone looking for a sweet, enemies to lovers romance with humor liberally sprinkled in. Although you don't have to have read them to enjoy Romancing His Rival, I would also recommend Bargaining with the Boss and Catch Him If You Can, the first two books in the Accidentally Yours Series by Jennifer Shirk.

Star Rating 3.5/5

If you like books without sex scenes, but still enjoy the foreplay, this book is for you. Who would ever think that they could fall in love with their rival. Definitely not Elena or Lucas. It does help that Scott, the ex, isn’t what Elena needs. She just need to realize that relationships aren’t perfect, there are no perfect dates to follow and that someone else cannot make you happy. Once Elena realizes this, her and Lucas are on!!

Elena was happily engaged and planning her future with her fiancé Scott until his friend Lucas made his opinions on marriage clear and she now finds herself single and alone.

Lucas’s previous experience with marriage has ensured that he will not travel down that road again and his focus is on his career. When he discussed marriage with Scott it wasn’t because he had anything against Elena, but he didn’t see a marriage between them working out.

When fate steps in and Lucas and Elena start working together feelings develop but are they strong enough to overcome both his past and the fact that she still envisions a future with Scott?

This is an enemies to lovers story of self discovery as they both need to determine what they really want in their future. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy.

in romancing his rival elena mason has decided that lucas albright the third is the jerk who ruined her perfect relationship. somehow he convinced her dreamy fiancé to leave her. and now she hates his guts. so when she finds herself snowed in with him on her vacation she's less than happy.

even though he's actually kind of nice.

it doesn't matter because she's decided he's worse than lord voldemort.

the thing is, elena is kind of wrong about everything. lucas isn't the heartless ruiner of relationships that she imagines him to be. he's right that she and her former fiancé do not belong together. it takes a while before elena is ready to admit that the person she does belong with is the very person she was so adamantly against.

i enjoyed this story so much. lucas and elena play off each other really well.

**romancing his rival will publish on february 11, 2019. i received an advance review copy courtesy of netgally/entangled publishing (bliss) in exchange for my honest review.

Elena Mason is perfectly happy working alongside her friends Kingsley and Arden in Cape Harmony. Although she truly enjoys her job, she can’t put her broken engagement behind her. So her friends send her to a remote cabin to “help” her relax and try to move past Scott. Elena doesn’t expect company to arrive in the form of her biggest enemy...Lucas Albright.

Looking to get his creative juices flowing, Lucas treks to his sister’s cabin. Upon arriving, he’s accosted by a pillow to the face and his “mortal” enemy...Elena. Elena believes Lucas to be responsible for her broken engagement. As her ex’s best friend and best man, Lucas never really saw them as a serious couple. Ultimately, he wasn’t responsible for the broken engagement but that’s how Elena sees it. A snow storm has them trapped in the cabin for the evening, breaking down a few “walls”. When Elena takes off the next day, she accidentally leaves behind a sketch. A sketch that could ultimately lead to more...

I enjoyed Lucas and Elena’s slow burn. From enemies to friends to more. Although I truly enjoyed the story, I wanted to knock Elena upside the head! She was soooo mean to Lucas, blaming him for her broken engagement. If my fiancé broke it off with me, I would hope I could step back long enough to look at the “why” and not blame others. Her ex was truly a slime ball, but she was blind to his MANY flaws! Lucas liked Elena for WHO she was, not who he WANTED her to be. He accepted the fact that she loved Cape Harmony and her job. He was also supportive of her artwork/sketches, not for what it could do for “them”. Don’t get me wrong, he would benefit from the use of her sketches but he urged her to get out of her comfort zone in a supportive way. Great enemies to more love story! I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.

Sweet Enemies to Lovers!

Jennifer Shirk is a new to me author. I enjoyed this enemy to lovers romance. This is the third book in the series, but it truly is a stand alone.

Elena is a quirky romantic who believes in signs and timelines for love. When her parents passed away, she was alone. Until she started dating Scott. Elena thought they were a perfect couple and they’d follow the love timeline. Scott was perfect until his best friend Lucas, questions Scott about them marrying. He seemed to realize they weren’t meant for each other, and his discussion causes Scott to call off their relationship! Now Elena considers Lucas the enemy who caused their breakup!

When a massive snowstorm strand Lucas and Elena together at his sister’s cabin, the two learn that the impression they had of each other was invalid. Lucas learns about Elena’s talent and a sketch she draws is the inspiration he needed for an ad campaign he was developing. When the sketch is accidentally seen by his boss, Lucas is given the opportunity to try to persuade Elena to work with them and wow their client with her sketch. If he can do that, he may become a partner. On the other hand, their budding relationship would be tried as they use Elena for a client and for a partnership. Lucas learns hat Elena is a sensitive, giving woman. He listens to her and he accepts and appreciates all she is. I found her to be whiny and hung up on who she thought she’d be in love with. It took what I felt was a long time to relinquish her “love” for Scott and see herself and Lucas for who they really are.

I received an ARC copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley and Entangled Publishing and am voluntarily reviewing it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.

Romancing His Rival by Jennifer Shirk is an “enemies to lovers” story. At least Elena the main female character views Lucas as the enemy. Of course by the end she feels differently. This is a contemporary romance with two people at odds because of another person; untruthful person at that.

I guess from the beginning, I wondered why Elena wanted to marry someone like Scott anyway. Handsome but shallow; what a bad combination. The world is full of givers and takers, no mystery in which group Scott belongs. He makes more than one appearance in the story making a triangle, of sorts. Now Lucas on the other hand! The only thing I had against Lucas is that he was friends with Scott. There is lots of drama, angst and mutual attractions as the story progresses, Elena takes a chance on life and love. I love to believe that given time we all will made the right decision. As for Elena, it is a will she or won’t she kind of story.

A really fun, sweet, contemporary romance story. I really enjoyed the originality of the storyline and the writing style too. I wasn’t too sure about Lucas at first, although I really didn’t like Scott from the very beginning. Elena was a very sweet character and I liked her. I could see myself being friends with her in real-life. I felt that the story flowed well and the pacing was good. I read it almost in one sitting. It held my attention. I would recommend it.
I regularly read and review complimentary electronic books from authors, publishers, publicists, and NetGalley. I am not obligated to leave positive reviews, nor do I, nor have I ever, receive(d) compensation. I am not related to anyone who has provided these. The thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

The blurb drew me in and enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes.

I liked the overall storyline and Lucas. Lucas was hands down my favorite character in this whole story. He's a decent guy and a great friend. Elena, I just couldn't seem to like her. Her obsession with life timeline just seemed ridiculous. She seemed so immature and I just couldn't get over it.

*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*

Let me start by saying that I love Jennifer Shirk’s books and the enemies to lovers trope is one of my favorites in the genre. The premise of the book, the writing style, pacing and dialogue are all spot on for me.
My problem, and hence, the 3 star rating, is the heroine, Elena. I wanted to bitch slap her through the whole book! She’s a needy, whiney, clueless mess. Her obsession with the ridiculous love/ engagement/marriage timetable she insists she needs to duplicate is both sad and creepy. While I feel sorry for her, I just couldn’t seem to like her.
Lucas, on the other hand, is a good guy. He had every chance to defend himself against her false rankings, but didn’t do so. While I know he was trying to be a good friend to Scott, I do wish he had at last tried to make Elena see her ex’s true colors.
Overall, liked the book. I received an ARC from the publisher, for which I voluntarily honestly reviewed

When the person who should have been the best man at your wedding is the man your ex-fiancé listened to before breaking off your engagement, he's not exactly the most welcome person in your life! In fact Elena Mason likens Lucas Albright III to the spawn of Voldermort, for his role in the break up. When he turns up at the chalet she's gone to stay in to get away from everyone, she really wants to get away from him asap! However, this fateful encounter results in him needing her to work with him, using her artistic talents for a promotion he's involved with . . . . Can he convince her to work with him? What will happen when they stop fighting the attraction that's building between them? Does she really want to get back with her ex?

This is a fun, quirky, contemporary romance that had me laughing out loud at times. It is well written with great characters who develop in their relationship and self knowledge as the story progresses. How on earth she could think her ex was such a great potential husband I have no idea - love definitely was blind with that one! This is a lovely read, one where the heroine sets out hating the hero before he manages to romance her! It is a sweet contemporary romance that I have no hesitation in recommending to anyone who enjoys this genre, mind you I also recommend they check out other books by this author as she's written some fantastic reads IMHO!

I requested and was given a copy of this book, via NetGalley. This is my honest review of the book after choosing to read it.

Romancing His Rival is a story that will leave you happy with a smile on your face. It is kind of like a modern fairy tale because Elana Mason finds her true prince charming when she was not even looking for him. What a fun, romantic story that emphasizes you should not change for someone to truly love you. Great story! I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to leave an honest review.

Romancing His Rival is the third and final book in Jennifer Shirk’s Accidentally Yours series. This is a truly sweet enemies to lovers story that will leave you smiling. They say you should never judge a book by its cover. In the case of Romancing His Rival, that statement is so true. The release cover screams Valentine read however, this is actually a Christmas romance. If you are a traditionalist and only read Christmas romances during the Christmas season, be sure to put this on your reading list.

Elena Mason is a hopeless romantic, who looks for signs to guide her life. Since her parents died, she's felt lost and alone. But for her that all changed when she met and started dating Scott Coban, a Wall Street guy from New York. Elena thought she found her perfect match. So what if he didn't spend as much time with her as she would like? So what if work kept him busy and interrupted the time they did spend together? He sent her flowers every Friday, just like her father used to do for her mother. He even proposed to her at the same location her father proposed to her mother. Everything was perfect until Scott's friend and best man Lucas Albright III broke them up. Elena views Lucas as the wrecker of dreams and happily-ever-afters.

Lucas has known Scott since they were roommates in college. If truth be told, he never spent that much time with Elena. But he understands why Elena isn't buddy-buddy with him. While he did question Scott about marrying Elena, he never said anything Elena is accusing him of saying. He was simply trying to save them both heartache, because in the back of his mind he knew they weren't right for each other.

Fate and a massive snowstorm converge to strand these two together for the night at Lucas's sister’s cabin. Over a dinner of smores, Elena is shocked to realize that Lucas isn't so bad after all. Lucas is shocked to discover Elena’s hidden talent as an artist. A sketch drawn by Elena proves to be the inspiration Lucas needs for the ad campaign he's been working on. When Lucas’s boss accidentally sees Elena’s drawing, he wants it. If Lucas can get Elena to work with him and provide more drawings, and if Lucas can wow the client, the partnership he’s been seeking could be his.

Romancing His Rival is a standalone read however, over the course of the two previous books readers have gotten a glimpse of Elena. They've also seen some of the things going on with Elena and Scott. Elena is a nice character. She's loving, caring, and giving. But what makes her unlikable at times is the fact that she's so hung up on Scott. She's so sure they belong together. But her blind desire won’t allow her see that Scott just isn't that into her.

When I found out who Elena's hero was going to be, I wasn't sure Jennifer could pull the story off. I mean how could a woman fall for the man who told her fiancé to break up with her? I went into the story already not liking Lucas. But oh my gosh! From the beginning, I had Lucas pegged all wrong. He was EVERYTHING Elena needed and more. Lucas wasn’t looking for love but he saw Elena. He listened to her. He accepted her for who she was. He was beyond supportive.

“Love just kind of sneaks up on you and won’t let go.” That is so true of Elena and Lucas. And honestly, that’s what makes Romancing His Rival so special. I loved that over the course of a month, Elena actually matured, discovered who she really was, and realized the error of her ways. The ending was heartfelt and touching. It showed exactly what makes love so special.

Loved, loved, loved! One of the things I enjoy the most about Jennifer Shirk's books is her ability to write a sweet emotion filled story infused with just the right amount of humor to keep it light, fun and relaxing. That is exactly what she's done with this book. It's one of the better enemies to lovers stories I've read in awhile. Elena blames Lucas for the fact that her fiance called off their wedding. Something Lucas has never denied and won't apologize for, fact is he's never told Elena the whole story nor will he now. When they get paired up to work on a crucial project for Lucas they are forced to put the past to rest and focus on the job. That's when things really start getting interesting.

This one is a must read. I highly recommend it.

3.5 stars

Another sweet entry into Jennifer Shirk's Accidentally Yours series.

Elena blames Lucas for talking her fiance out of marrying her. She hopes there is still a chance for her relationship, but decides to get away for a few days. When she has a run in with Lucas she ends up upset with him again and leaves as soon as she can. However, they end up working together and find that maybe their first impressions of each other weren't right after all.

I thought, at first, the whole story was going to take place at the condo where they were stranded together. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the story took them back to Elena's home town and Lucas' work. It made things much more interesting to see them in their element, and to see their lives through each other's eyes.

While this is not my favorite book in the series, it is a fun read about finding love in unexpected people and places.

A love affair gone wrong could end up costing them a romance that feels so right. Romancing His Rival flirts with the heartstrings while tempting with humor. Shirk knows how to make a heart feel. Lucas and Elena are caught in the middle of a great big misunderstanding, perhaps their hearts can help them sort it all out. A feel good kind of romance.

Unfortunately I had to dnf this book. I have a hard time reading books written in third person. The author has to write it really well for me to be able to read it. This wasn’t one of those books for me.

A sweet love story in Jennifer Shirk’s Accidentally Yours series is a must read.
Elena Mason is a romantic and wants to find romance and a Happily Ever After just like her parents did. Her fiancé Scott not so much. When he calls the wedding off thanks to his best friend Lucas Albright the Third, Elena is bound and determined to have Lucas help her get Scott back. What results is a funny, warm, romantic story of two people who really do find their Happily Ever After.

3.5☆
Cute

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Accidentally Yours
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

I look forward to reading more from this author.

Romancing His Rival is Book 3 of the Accidentally Yours Series by Jennifer Shirk. While this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. This was the first of the series I read and had absolutely no problems whatsoever in following the story.

Absolutely loved this sweet read. Romancing His Rival is a nice and clean romance that stays focused on the story and is true to the characters. Fast-paced, defined world, great storyline and engaging characters...a reader can’t ask for more. Nicely done Ms. Shirk.

Please note that an ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review of which this is both honest and completely voluntary.