"A most anticipated book - A witty and thought-provoking mystery that reimagines the spy story to explore the nature of relationships in a digital age: the follow-up to Jane Pek's "thoroughly modern twist on classic detective fiction," The Verifiers (New York Times Book Review)

Claudia Lin - mystery novel superfan and, until recently, clichéd underemployed English major - has scored her dream job: co-running Veracity, a dating detective agency for chronically online New Yorkers who want to know if their prospective partners are telling the truth. Unfortunately, along the way, she and her colleagues - tech savant Squirrel, and the elegant and intimidating Becks - have uncovered a far-reaching AI conspiracy. And the corporate matchmakers may be resorting to murder to protect their secrets.

In the wake of a client's sudden death, Claudia convinces his ex, an industry insider, to turn on his employer and feed the verifiers information about what the powerful dating platforms are really up to. But even as Claudia starts to get a feel for this new genre - just call her Lin, Claudia Lin - she's distracted by the possibility of romance with both Becks and a very charming target. She also fears that her beloved older brother is unwittingly being drawn into the matchmakers' deadly web. And as Becks reminds Claudia: spy tropes dictate that someone you trust will betray you."

Eh, but only sloppy writing and sloppy living means you fall for tropes...

Claudia Lin returns in this sequel to The Verifiers and this time she is getting even more involved in trying to find the AI disruptors in the dating software world. I like Claudia as a heroine- she's smart, spunky, quirky in the best ways and she always seeks more and more answers- all while navigating NYC on a bicycle! What I didn't like about this book- it had so many backstories and references to ficticious books and movies that it took away from the main story. While Claudia's love of crime fiction was funny in The Verifiers, this continues with that but also brings in a new interest (and descriptions of) a series of fictional spy movies. I thought this book took a long time to get through and then I saw the page count- it's a really long book! I think the length of the book took away from the tightness of the story. Maybe fewer "but I digress..." moments would have made this a faster-paced and more enjoyable read. But, it does have a great cast of characters, interesting insight into the interactions between work colleagues, mothers and children, siblings and friends. I love Claudia's family and all of their connections and their squabbles. I look forward to the next book in the series but I do hope the next one is a little more concise and faster moving.
Thank you to Vintage Publishing and NetGalley for providing an ARC e-book for me to read and review.

"The Rivals", the second book in the Claudia Lin series is an exciting blend of a spy thriller along with a murder mystery. The sequel builds upon the aftermath of the first book and I would not recommend jumping into this book cold. I continue to love Claudia's snarky voice and inner monologue as she navigates her complex family relationships and her job as a verifier. I really like how this series continues to juggle Claudia's personal life along with her professional life without losing focus. We sense that there could be a possible relationship in the future series (figures crossed!). In addition to the dark aspects of online dating, we are thrown a curve ball by adding artificial intelligence into the mix. Though I did get a little lost in following the tech trail that Claudia and her team follow, I got the gist of it to keep me flipping the pages of this story. There are well timed red herrings and twists in the story. I am so curious about the little details that are unveiled about Becks, who continuously surprises me and Claudia alike. The book wraps up the mystery in the end, but there is a big question dangling for the next book in the series. Hopefully, the wait won't be too long.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for an advanced reader's copy of the book.

Officially, Claudia's company Veracity uses old-fashioned and perfectly legal detective work to determine if their clients' online dating partners are being truthful. Their true methods are less palatable, but still far less objectionable than the high-tech manipulation used by the dating sites to control their users. In her quest to stop them, Claudia slips from her preferred genre of mystery to straight-up spy thriller. Delving into the synth conspiracy makes it easier to ignore her family's sudden collapse. Claudia is smart but headstrong, a combination that gets her into as many binds as it gets her out of. The lack of resolution to many of the plot threads is frustrating. Thanks, Netgalley.

I absolutely loved this sequel. For the first time ever, I'm disappointed to have read a book early because it means I have that much longer to wait until the next installment.

If The Verifiers was a mystery, The Rivals is a spy thriller. There's romantic and sexual tension, betrayal, suspicion, and Claudia continuing to be the most wonderful chaos demon to follow through New York as she tries to do her best.

I really enjoyed the verifiers, which makes me feel so sad this follow up fell so flat for me. This book is unnecessarily long and spoiler alert, nothing of note happens. It ends with a cliffhanger, which i suppose leads to a third book. This felt like it dragged and the mini subplots felt like they went all over the place. I’ll probably read the next one, but this did not help get me out of my reading slump.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Good mystery novel that deals with family dynamics and office politics in a highly technical world.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

This started out so great that I was sure I would give it 4 stars like I did for The Verifiers. Then I got to the middle and it took me forever - I mean, more than a week, very unlike me! - to slog through the technology and try to figure out what was going on. I still don't understand most of it but I did make it to the end. Around 80% the story picked up speed and even though you can figure out the "bad guy" so to speak, that didn't deter from enjoying the end. So I'll have to give this 3 stars even though it probably deserves more. She's an incredibly talented writer and I had forgotten how funny she is. The ending was a bit of a cliffhanger so I will attempt book 3 (assuming there is a book 3) and hope for a less-techie read.

quite an entertaining book! perfect for fans of the comfy crime/thriller/mystery genre. thank you so much to the publisher for reaching out and giving me the e-arc of this book!!

The Rivals by Jane Pek is the next story following The Verifiers. Now Claudia’s team is keeping an eye on the synths, she has an odd relationship with Homer colleague Beks, and a man comes in claiming a new profile is the exact same as his which is dangerous for him. While the Verifiera can’t help, they recommend he reaches out to Let’s Meet to complain. Next thing they know, he’s dead. They also take a case for Mason Perry, who seems thrilled to be caught in a lie; however, Claudia secretly bonds with Amalia, his girlfriend. While Claudia worries about her brother’s work with matchmakers, her company tries to solve the mystery of their almost client’s death and get drawn more deeply into the AI web of the matchmakers.

This was an amazing follow up to The Verifiers. I didn’t remember very well where the last book left off, but I was immediately sucked back into the story. Claudia is very well written. It ended up on a cliffhanger, and I was so disappointed there wasn’t more to read. Can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for access to an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the first book so much so when I was approved for this one, I downloaded and read it immediately. It was good! Not as good as the first one for me. I don’t know why but I struggled keeping everyone straight in the book and with some of the concepts of the programming stuff. It could just be me- but it was a little less enjoyable when I was constantly asking what they were doing and what it meant! I liked the twisty part with the movie girl. I could see that being a great plot line in the future installments. I’m still so glad I read this and will read anything else Jane Pek writes!

A quirky read about the insidious effects of AI. The author has a unique voice and the story flows smoothly! Loved the ending which sets up future novels nicely!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Jane Pek’s “The Rivals” is a captivating follow-up to her acclaimed debut, “The Verifiers,” and it does not disappoint. This literary mystery is a brilliant blend of corporate espionage, family dynamics, and the complexities of modern relationships, all wrapped up in a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

The story centers around Claudia Lin, a mystery novel enthusiast and co-runner of Veracity, a dating detective agency in New York City. Claudia’s job is to verify the truthfulness of online dating profiles, but she soon finds herself entangled in a far more dangerous game. When a client’s sudden death points to a nefarious AI conspiracy within the corporate matchmaking world, Claudia must navigate a web of deceit and danger to uncover the truth.

Pek’s writing is sharp and witty, with a keen eye for detail that brings the bustling, tech-savvy world of New York to life. The narrative is infused with a sense of urgency and suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Claudia delves deeper into the mystery. The author’s background in law and her experience in various martial arts add authenticity and depth to the story, particularly in the action-packed sequences.

Pek deftly examines how technology shapes our identities and interactions, raising questions about trust, authenticity, and the nature of truth in an increasingly online world. Claudia’s journey is not just a quest for answers but also a personal exploration of her own values and beliefs.

The characters are richly developed and multifaceted. Claudia is a relatable and engaging protagonist, whose love for mystery novels and sharp intellect make her a formidable detective. The supporting cast, including the tech-savvy Squirrel and the enigmatic Becks, add depth and complexity to the narrative, each bringing their own unique perspectives and skills to the table.

The plot is masterfully crafted, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. Pek’s ability to weave together multiple storylines and themes is impressive, creating a narrative that is both cohesive and compelling. The pacing is impeccable, ensuring that there is never a dull moment as the mystery unfolds.

“The Rivals” is a must-read for fans of literary mysteries and contemporary fiction. Jane Pek has crafted a novel that is intellectually stimulating yet thoroughly entertaining, with a protagonist as endearing as she is clever. Whether you’re a fan of Pek’s previous work or new to her writing, this book delivers an unforgettable reading experience.

Great mystery and it was easy to get back into after not having read the first book since it came out. I love these characters and this world and can’t wait for more in the series!!

The Rivals was pretty much exactly what I wanted from a sequel to The Verifiers - similar mystery elements but with a little more of a peek into main character Claudia Lin's psyche and also her very dysfunctional (but relatable) family. Claudia is now part owner of Veracity, the firm that helps people verify the identities of the people they meet on matching apps. In this installment of the series, Claudia and her colleagues Squirrel and Becks happen upon what looks to be a pretty major conspiracy involving the use of AI in dating apps. We still see the same detective novel tropes from the Verifiers, but this time there are some spy thriller elements thrown in as well (very intentionally if the conversations the characters have about them are any indication). I just really like Claudia as a protagonist, though I often find myself silently yelling "what are you doing??" when she gets into dangerous situations (which is fairly often). I liked the cliffhanger-y ending of this one and I really hope a third book is in the works. Content warnings for murder, suicide, and other forms of violence (on and off page).

I loved "The Verifiers," the first book in the Claudia Lin series (which I now want to reread), and I was very excited to learn about the sequel. It did not disappoint! Claudia has an unusual job--she now runs the agency she worked at in The Verifiers--an agency that verifies whether people's online dating profiles are accurate. When a client dies in suspicious circumstances shortly after visiting the agency, Claudia is on the case.

I loved the combination of classic mystery tropes with high-tech concerns around the use of AI. But I especially loved Claudia, who is funny, and smart, and real, along with the cast of characters that include her fellow employees and dysfunctional family members. I can't wait to read about Claudia's next adventures!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a fan of this series, and I think I enjoyed this one more than the first. As odd as the setup is, it kinda works.
(Our protagonist, Claudia Lin, works at a company that investigates online matches on behalf of clients but also the unauthorized use of AI by dating apps? Huh?) Claudia is an incredibly engaging narrator as she is tries to work her way through the complexities and mendacity of corporate America, the various clients and targets of her company, and the shambles of her dysfunctional family. While at the same time harboring crushes and never really acting on them. The author manages to channel quite a bit of knowledge of AI and the dating industry into the plot, which makes the story thought-provoking but does seem far-fetched at times. Claudia is young and does not yet have confidence in her strengths, or quite know all her blind spots. But she is earnest and determined. A very lovable Gen Z LGBTQ heroine.

Jane Pek's The Rivals is unrivaled fun! From the publisher's description, here is the basic plot: "Claudia Lin—mystery novel superfan and, until recently, clichéd underemployed English major—has scored her dream job: co-running Veracity, a dating detective agency for chronically online New Yorkers who want to know if their prospective partners are telling the truth. Unfortunately, along the way, she and her colleagues—tech savant Squirrel, and the elegant and intimidating Becks—have uncovered a far-reaching AI conspiracy. And the corporate matchmakers may be resorting to murder to protect their secrets."

I love Claudia, her complicated Chinese family, her coworkers, and the clever way Jane Pek writes. I laughed out loud multiple times. Unfortunately, I found the mystery kind of convoluted and difficult to keep up with. I'm not a Gen Zer or Millennial, so maybe that's why. I'm sure anyone who enjoyed Pek's first book in the series, The Verifiers, will also enjoy this one. Anyone new to Pek's writing should read The Verifiers first.

Okay, I’ve decided I am extremely onboard with this series and want more posthaste! Delightful! Need more!

Claudia Lin of the Verifiers returns in another mystery set in the shadowy world of online dating and its collection of algorithms, bots, AI, and sinister humans. Claudia is still working for Veracity, and her life seems to have settled into a somewhat predictable rhythm when what looks like an ordinary case starts to raise questions of fake profiles and competing AI among the "Big 3" dating sites. As Claudia investigates a mysterious death, she realizes that her older brother may be accidentally embroiled in the data mess and in way over his head. Claudia remains as prickly as ever, though readers may be starting to catch a glimpse of her softer side. Another solid offering from Jane Pek. I look forward to Claudia's continued adventures.