THE RIVAL review

⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5

📰My second Emma Lord read and it was much like the first in that it was a cute, YA/new adult romance! I loved the college setting of this one and had no idea how the whole competition aspect of it would wrap up. 👀

📰Here’s a summary of the plot:👇
Sadie has spent her whole life competing with the boy next door, Seb. When they end up at the same college, both competing for the same spot on the campus magazine, their competition gets even more ruthless.

📰 This was a fun read but not something that will prob stand out as one of my faves of the year. I enjoyed it on audio and it did cover some heavier topics. At times I found Sadie a bit frustrating and got annoyed with her decisions/rational. But the ending was sweet and wrapped up exactly how I thought it would! 🩵

📰Thanks to @macmillan.audio for my digital copy!

I've been a fan of Emma Lord since her Tweet Cute days. I haven't loved all of her books, but I'm happy to report The Rival scratches that itch I've been having from Emma Lord's early works. I always wonder at the quality of books once the first one is a major hit and then so many different books are released in such a short amount of time. I always love when authors are able to find that "thing" that brings them back to their roots. Whatever it was for The Rival, I hope it continues.

The banter between Sadie and Seb was top notch. I'm all for this new wave of books that are taking place for new adults, those who are in between high school and being a real life adult. Let's have more books that look at this age group, please. They are severely neglected and they too need books that feature strong female leads and romantic tension that is just a little bit more mature than the high school drama but not so adult we're all over here rolling our eyes. Reading is supposed to be a getaway, yes? No need to face my real life problems in the books I'm reading, too.

Narrator Jesse Vilinsky is an automatic yes from me. She has narrated a number of books I have found enjoyable (The Do-Over, Nothing More to Tell, Wilder Girls) and this one was much of the same. I love how she structures her narration. I know if I see Jesse's name I'm going to enjoy the audiobook experience.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners, and NetGalley for an advanced listening copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoy Emma Lords young adult Books. This was such a good rivals to lovers college romance that has such great banter and back-and-forth between Seb and Sadie, who have been in each other's lives since birth. I loved Begin Again which takes place at a different college in the same world, but it's totally not connected to this book. I think young people are often underestimated and I think Emma does such a good job with bringing to light the issues and insecurities faced by new adults. I mean, I don't think anyone is truly prepared for college, socially or emotionally and I think this book does a fabulous job of discussing those issues while also incorporating amazing humor and banter between all the characters.

Jesse Villinsky did a great job narrating this book. I loved the pancake house crowd and just the back and forth that she handled with ease!

The Rival is adorable, fun, and full of heart, capturing the intensity of competition and the unexpected friendships that can come from it. The story follows two ambitious teens vying for the same coveted position, leading to plenty of banter, tension, and emotional growth. I loved how their dynamic evolved, shifting from rivalry to something much deeper, with great moments of self-discovery along the way.

That said, the story dragged a little in the middle, making it feel longer than necessary. While the characters are lovable and well-developed, a tighter pace would have made it even better.

Overall, it’s a charming, feel-good listen with a mix of romance, ambition, and personal growth.

Like always, if Emma Lord is writing it, I'll be there. This time with both the physical book and audio, for me to make sure I don't miss a moment!

The stand out treats of this book: Pancakes and cookies. Although there was a easy-to-make dorm food challenge as well that brought up a lot of interesting snacks!

Seb and Sadie have always known each other. Their families live next door to each other, and with parents who are best friends, they couldn't avoid each other. But when friendly pranks turn serious, it creates an academic rivalry that spurred them to even greater heights at school. When Sadie won the scholarship to Maple Ride, she thought this was finally her chance to thrive away from Seb.

Until she runs into him - literally, with a smoothie spill to cement the collision - when she's looking for the building that houses the school's magazine offices for "The Newsbag". It's been Sadie's dream for as long as she can remember, and when they learn that there's only one spot open, Sadie knows she'll pull out all the stops to take Seb down.

But being at college isn't everything she expected. Her best friend Christina is running herself into the ground with cross country practices. Sadie finds herself missing her family, but also feeling like she needs to keep her distance to finally be "the real Sadie" for once. And Seb... turns into maybe an ally, at least someone who knows what it's like to miss her family and feel adrift in their new school.

I loved the connection between Seb and Sadie, even when they thought they were competing ruthlessly. Their growth is great, finally getting to come into their own and not act how they feel they're expected to. The news articles they come up with keep them invested in the school, making Maple Ride come alive and not just be a background setting.

As for the audio, I thought Jessie Valinsky did a great job conveying how tightly wound Sadie could be, how much pressure she was putting on herself. A great listen or read, however you choose to pick this one up.

I love Emma Lord's characters. This is a sweet enemies-to-lovers romance between two former friends turned enemies.

Sadie and Seb are college freshmen, competing for a spot on the campus literary program, each have very valid reasons to need that spot but have grown apart too far to be in one another's confidence. Sadie and Seb both learn to be better friends to each other, their other friends, and to not make assumptions about what anyone else may be going through. There is a narrative in there somewhere about a campus scandal and their determination to bring it to light, but as with all Emma Lord tales the crux is the relationship between the characters and what they learn about themselves.

I love Jesse Vilinsky, and as usual she does a phenomenal job.

4.5 Stars

Just like all of Emma Lord's books, this one hit the heart in the most perfect and cozy way. Emma adds depth to her stories with the perfect enemies-to-friends-to-lovers tropes, and The Rival is just as amazing as her previous stories.

Taking the plot to a college campus, full of young adults trying to figure out their place in the world while managing expectations and their own desires and feeling untethered for the first time was perfect for fans of YA, but wanting something a bit more high stakes. And the fact that our main characters really are the epitome of do we love each other, because our hate feels an awful lot like feelings? was *chef's kiss*.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book, and it is the perfect spring break read!

Emma Lord's books are usually some of the best books of the year but The Rival didn't have the charm of her previous books. I never cared about Sadie and, at times, I found myself rooting for Seb. Also, the story felt uneven with the ending not quite fitting. I will keep reading anything Lord releases but I was disappointed by this one. Plus, the audiobook was difficult as I found the audiobook reader offputting and sometimes shrill.

Another great YA from Emma Lord! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved the tension between the two main characters, an enemies to lovers trope that Lord does well. It also does a really fine job of portraying the highs and lows of the first year of college. I thought the narrator was great for the audio. Highly enjoyable listen!

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

Story: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Narration: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overall: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Another adorable romance by Emma Lord with fantastic narration by Jesse Vilinsky. Set in college, this book about longtime rivals following for one another is so sweet and hilarious. I highly recommend it.

ALC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a decently cute YA novel about finding yourself during the transition from high school to college, and trying to maintain relationships along the way. The synopsis and even title might be a bit misleading, because the two main characters, Sadie and Seb, don’t actually seem to be rivals, just overly competitive high-achieving teens that are clearly in love with each other but try to pretend not to be. There were moments with them that were adorable, and other times when Sadie really got on my nerves and I questioned whether or not Seb would be better off moving on with his poor little heart. Thankfully, there is growth though. There were a lot of great side characters and plot points that moved the story along, but definitely some random unnecessary characteristics added that did nothing to change the story, and were only there to check boxes for a certain margin of people. Par for the course in this genre now, I think. All in all, still a 3.5, round up for the great narration in audiobook format. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

A cute, clean, and uplifting young-adult rom-com.

Sadie and Seb spent high school as rivals, always competing for top honors. When they unexpectedly end up at the same college, competing for as editorial position for the school's famous Newsboy, Sadie fears her chances of a position are ruined. As they settle in to their life on campus, Sadie & Seb find their rivalry may lead them down a different path than they expected.

Similar to my earlier review of The Getaway List, the audio narrator was perfect for this - look forward to more stories by this author!

Tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Slow burn
Excellent banter

I love Emma Lord! She seriously writes the best characters. She is becoming an auto buy author for me.

I loved following Sadie and Seb, who are constantly competing for the same things, all while trying to ignore their chemistry.

This book is most definitely a slow burn, but add in the chemistry and the banter? It's totally ok.

I am not in college anymore, but I also loved the college setting. You can feel Sadie working on who she is and who she wants to be, and I loved that part of the story as well.

Check this one out!

Sadie and Seb grew up in families who were best friends and thoroughly entwined through very different. Sadie was thrilled that she was finally able to go to college away from her family and away from Seb but then he shows up not only at her school but in the activity that she very specifically went to this school for the honor of being part of this campus group. Not only are they competing against each other but they're also racing to save their school reputation and newspaper while still navigating their futures. It only makes sense to team up to do so though they've been Rivals for most of their childhood. This book was so cool and a great early adult transition book.

#arc
#netgalley
#therival

I loved the setting in this one, and the idea/implementation of all the clubs. Lord also nails the food descriptions, as always. The stakes felt real and tense and enjoyable.

4.5 stars, rounded up. Another fun read from Emma Lord! Pick up this RomCom if you enjoy:
🥞 College romance
🥞 Finding yourself
🥞 Friendly competition
🥞 Pancakes 🩷

Pancakes aside, this is a fun, sweet read. I loved the characters of Sadie and Seb - rivals for years, these two now find themselves competing for one spot on the college zine. Through their competition, Sadie unpacks their rivalry and also begins to discover who she truly is when she’s flying solo away from her family.

This is a story about discovering who you are, finding your path, and not losing what’s important along the way. It’s about finding new connections and discovering relationships that have been there all along. The college setting is perfect for Sadie on her journey of self-discovery.

This one is told entirely from Sadie’s point of view, flashbacks give us insights into the Sadie/Seb rivalry. I adored Sadie’s family; the characters and their relationships added so much to the story. If you’re looking for a sweet, slow-burn, will they/won’t they romance, don’t miss this one!

Many thanks to @netgalley for this audiobook.

**4.5-stars rounded up**

I'm not apologizing anymore. I'm done. Let it be known, I love Emma Lord, her stories, her characters, her wit and the themes she chooses to explore in her books. I've never walked away disappointed. They're silly, cutesy and so dang full of heart and humor. I'm a fan. A big, big, huge, unapologetic fan.

In this story we follow Sadie, who is excited to shake off the constraints of her small town and family, as she starts her first year at Maple Ridge College. She's most excited to focus on her writing, as she competes for a spot at the college's famous zine. What she wasn't expecting was to have to compete against her lifelong academic rival, Sebastian, for the spot.

Sadie and Seb's parents are best friends, and thus they've been shoved into each other's orbits their whole lives. Unfortunately, it seems they are always trying to out-do one another, so the relationship has been contentious. Traditionally, Maple Ridge has selected one student from their high school to attend, so Sadie thought she was golden. Apparently, Seb worked his way off the wait list though, probably just to be the bane of Sadie's existence.

Of course, he also wants to write for the zine, even though unlike Sadie, his long-term plan isn't to be a writer. At least, not if his Dad has anything to say about it. Even though she wants to continue to look at Seb with nothing but contempt, in this new setting, with more on the line and less support, he becomes a bit of a comfort as she transitions to college life. Before they know it, they seem to be working together in a way they never have before, and also starting to feel things they've never felt before.

This was so cute. It's such an Emma Lord story. She has such a style and formula, and darn it, it works. I find myself becoming completely invested in her characters, no matter what they are going through. I feel like nobody writes inner-turmoil, or self-doubt, quite like Emma Lord. She makes everything relatable and understandable. It's hard not to root for her main characters.

I love academic rival situations anyway, so this was sort of set-up to be a win for me. There's something so sexy about two individuals battling it out with their big brains. I also love Lord's side characters. There's never anyone who feels superfluous. Every player has a point, a reason for being there, and a well-developed personality to boot.

In this, both Sadie and Seb have some issues they're working through in regards to their families. I thought those aspects were very well done. There are def some complex feelings to work through as you move out of the family home for the first time, and that was examined in detail here.

I would recommend the audiobook if you have access to it. The narration was so great as a voice for Sadie's perspective. I had such a good time listening to it. There were moments that I was laughing out loud, and others were I was nodding in understanding. Just a really well rounded YA Contemporary. If you've loved Emma Lord before, or want to try her work for the first time, you should really check this one out!

Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. Keep 'em coming, Emma Lord!

Read If You Like:
- Rivals-to-lovers romance
- College campus settings
- Witty banter and academic competition
- Slow-burn chemistry
- Heartfelt narratives with humor

The Rival is a romantic comedy that brings a fresh twist to the classic rivals-to-lovers trope. The story centers on Sadie, a determined student who has long competed with her neighbor, Seb, for academic accolades. When both are accepted into their dream college, they find themselves vying for a coveted spot on the school's prestigious zine. As they navigate this new competition, they uncover systemic issues within the institution, prompting them to collaborate despite their rivalry. This partnership leads to unexpected discoveries about each other and themselves, blending humor, romance, and social commentary seamlessly.

The novel's pacing is engaging, with well-developed characters and a plot that balances humor and heartfelt moments. The chemistry between Sadie and Seb is palpable, making their journey from rivals to partners both believable and compelling. The narrative offers a realistic portrayal of the complexities of young adulthood, ambition, and the courage required to challenge the status quo.

The Rival is a charming and irresistible read for fans of romantic comedies that offer more than just a love story. With its engaging plot, relatable characters, and a setting that feels both familiar and fresh, this novel is perfect for those seeking a feel-good escape into a world of romance and self-discovery.

Thanks so much to Wednesday Books and Macmillan for my ebook, ALC and finished copy!

The heartbreaking reality of dnf'ing a romance read on Valentine's day.....

I was excited for this book since I enjoyed some of Emma Lord's other books, The Getaway list and The Break Up pact, but this book is just too whiny. I understand that the main character, Sadie, is a college freshman and is still insecure but I think I may have aged out of reads like this. I just cannot relate to her in anyway and it is too cringey to continue on after this 26% mark. I think if I was reading this with a 20 year old brain instead of 27 year old, I would feel differently but at this point it is not meant for me - and that's okay!

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for this arc!

This was ADORABLE.

Despite taking place during freshman year of college, this story definitely read more like a YA romance vs. New Adult, but I thoroughly enjoyed it nonetheless! This has everything in it that I've come to love from Emma Lord's writing - coming of age stories, first loves, complicated family dynamics, close friendships, great banter, and life lessons that everyone can take something away from.

Sadie and Seb are the true definitions of "frenemies" - long time (family) friends who are always competing and trying to one-up each other. Their dynamic was so fun and watching them grow into themselves and finally coming to terms with how they feeling about each other was a delight.