I really enjoyed this Romeo/Juliet-esque novel. The pacing was fast and the voices were polished. I loved the dual narration--I'm always a big fan of that.

With Rival comes a new spin on the classic Romeo and Juliet style of love story. In Rival, we're introduced to Juno and Maddox, two teens from warring communities, who are thrown together after an unexpected meeting.

The novel follows these two as they search for the theif who's been targeting both of their communities, and through their meetings, the two becoming closer until it's impossible for them to deny their feelings, despite the danger.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this novel was that it was written in dual narration. This is a narrative style that I love. I felt it was the perfect choice for this novel. Allowing us to get to know the two main characters a lot better.

On the whole, I enjoyed the plot of this book. It's what drew me to it in the first place, and I'm pleased to say that it was every bit as enjoyable as I thought it would be. It kept me interested and turning the pages, without being overly hectic with plot threads.

A few minor things that did bother me about this novel, were that I would have liked to of see it a little more fleshed out. By this, I mean that we're thrown into this dystopian world, without a clear explination as to how they got here, or what the rest of the world, outside of these two communities is like. I would have liked to have had this explored a little further, because it seemed like a really interesting area that was touched on a little too briefly for my liking.

Besides this, I did feel as if in a few parts the story moved a little too quick. For example, at one point in the novel, Juno and Maddox have a fight and the chapter ends with the two of them seeming as if they're not going to see each other again, and then in the very next chapter, the two are together again and it's all sort of skimmed over. Personally, I would have liked to have seen them dealing with the fallout of that fight a little more, just to build a little suspence.

Lastly, and this is possibly the biggest thing I found to bother me in this book, was that from the description of this book, it seemed as if the two of them teaming up to find the theif, was going to be one of the main focusses of the book, alongside the love story. However, to me, it felt as if they barely did anything to actually figure out who the theif was. It bothered me because it was, I thought, meant to be much more of a focus than it was.

Having said all of that, despite the few problems I had with it. I can't deny that I really enjoyed reading this book. There was just something about it that kept me interested and I liked the characters a lot.

I liked how they both had things going on outside of the main plot. Juno with her being an outsider in her community, and Maddox with his family and secrets in the past that come to light during this novel. It made them feel much more fleshed out and I liked that a lot.

The dynamic between these two main characters, as well, was well written and had me rooting for them, which is always something I look for in books like this. Because if you don't like one or both of the main characters, and aren't rooting for them. It makes it really hard to keep reading!

So, overall, I'd say that this is a good, enjoyable book with a lot of good points, and mostly, my only negatives boil down to me wishing the book had been longer, fleshing out a few areas.

Cindy R. Wilson who has definitely spiked my interest. Her books offer something a little different. I’ve read both her novels so far and would highly recommend.

From the blurb, I was expecting a Romeo and Juliet type of story in Rivals but I was wrong.

Juno is an outcast amongst her own people. She doesn’t quite fit in. Pillar her best friend is the only one who supports her.

Life outside the main city is hard. Food is scarce and everyone has a job to do. When the fishing nets turn up empty Juno goes to investigate. What she finds is a boy from another community. Nobody should cross the borders.

An unlikely friendship forms. Two rivals, a mystery and a glimpse at true love.

I enjoyed this book. It’s set in a dystopian world and hard times. Juno is a mystery even to herself. This is a complete story but I felt it could be turned into a series.


*I received an arc in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars out of 5.

For more book thoughts visit me at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/

**3.5 Stars**
When Juno goes out to check the nets for fish, she finds them empty, as if someone stole her catch, the catch her people rely on to survive. Instead, she finds Maddox, a boy who is from across the boundary, a boy who should never be on her side, a boy who is suppose to be her enemy. Maddox crossed the boundary out of curiosity, but when he discovers his people were robbed too, the teens decide to do the unthinkable and team up to discover the truth.

Cindy is fabulous at creating depth and realism to her characters, you feel what they feel and understand how they think. Rival was another example of this at work, and this time we get dual narration between Maddox and Juno. Alternating at chapters, the story unfolds from both character's perspective, two opposing sides of the conflict. Juno and Maddox were always told those on the other side of the boundary were their enemies, yet here they are teaming up to solve the same issues, learning that what makes someone an enemy may not be as clear cut as they expected.

Juno does not fit in, she struggles to make herself useful and needed since she is told on a regular basis that she is unwanted, unworthy. Her parents are dead and she has but one friend, the only person who seems to care about her at all. Juno struggles with loneliness and self-worth, both such real and heart-wrenching emotions. Maddox feels discontent with his life and the status of being separated, frustrated that none of his questions are addressed or that nobody seems to want more from life. He was curious and friendly, the perfect combination to help Juno break out of her shell and show her her worth.

Here is the one thing that I think I struggled with the most in the story. The book seems like a dystopian, set in a world after some kind of war or event occurred dividing people. But there was not a whole lot of world building that took place, basically we are dropped into this story just as Juno and Maddox meet and the book is predominantly about their relationship developing I think this would be best described as a romance that happens to have a dystopian setting to help create a conflict to move the plot. Also, there is hardly any action at all, and only minimal conversation, mainly the story is internal monologue from each of the characters. I found it a little difficult for me to get into the book because my expectations were somewhere else entirely, not expecting a romance but an action/dystopian adventure.

Overall this was a quick read, perfect for those who are looking for a clean romance fix with strong emotions and self discovery.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this title.

Rival
Cindy R. Wilson
Entangled Teen, October 2019
ISBN 978-1-64063-351-3
Ebook

From the publisher—

For years, our families have had one rule: We leave them alone. They leave us alone.
When Juno caught me scavenging for supplies in her family’s territory, I had no idea that the war between our two families was about to be pushed to the edge.

But she takes a chance on me. Trusts me. Lets me go.

Now there’s a greater threat to both sides. Someone’s stealing from my family, too.

And it’s up to me to find the thief before anyone else. Because if I can’t, both sides will blame each other. Rule broken. Game over. No one wins.

My only ally is Juno. The one girl I can’t be found with. The one girl who tempts me like no other. She’s the definition of off-limits. If our families knew how we look at each other, and kiss each other…

Star-crossed doesn’t even begin to describe our fate.

I’ve always been fascinated with the feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys that lasted through much of the latter half of the 1800’s on the West Virginia/Kentucky border so, when I first saw the description of Rival, I hoped this would be a fitting re-telling of that inter-family war. I’m happy to say that Ms. Wilson has done a really good job with this.

Re-framed in a future time when conditions are dismal and people are struggling to survive, this also offers a nod to Romeo and Juliet in a sort of disjointed manner and the two threads combine into a tale that held my attention all the way through. Juno and Pillar have a friendship that has allowed them to survive a harsh life and, when Maddox ventures into their community’s territory, a hope for peace between the warring sides is born, if only tenuously. First, Maddox and Juno have to learn to trust.

Although I’m not generally a fan of the kind of angsty romance we usually see in young adult fiction, it works here, maybe because they really do have to overcome the hatred and distrust that have been bred into them. Ms. Wilson has gotten my attention with this story and I’ll be looking forward to many more.

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, October 2019.