3.5⭐️


Mo escribió una nueva adaptación de su obra favorita, The Proud and the Lost y espera publicarla, pero no contaba con que la familia de la autora original aún tuviera los derechos de autor. Entonces, su editora logra conseguir una reunión para convencer a la familia de que le permita publicarla, pero no será fácil, ya que al parecer tiene competencia y Wes quiere hacer su debut con otro libro que también es una adaptación. Ahora tendrán que convencer a la hija de la escritora de que su trabajo es el ideal. ¿Quién ganará? ¿Qué pasará cuando Mo y Wes empiecen a gustarse? ¿Lograrán estar felices el uno por el otro en caso de que su trabajo sea seleccionado, o será el principio del fin?

~


Wes se robo el libro, me cayó muy bien.


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

Mo is a caterer trying to make it as an author. Wes is an agent who decided to take a shot at writing his own novel. The two of them are thrown into a competition to see which one of them will get to have their adaptation of a famous novel published. While there is an intense rivalry between the two and they both want so badly to succeed, the chemistry is undeniable.

Rivals to Lovers was a great, well, rivals to lovers romance. Lol! Characters who are passionate about books and reading are always a thumbs up for me and this was no exception. I loved the diversity of the characters and the inclusivity represented in the book. Watching the relationship between Mo and Wes grow was a fun journey. I have a soft spot for Gary and want to just give him a hug! The only thing that dropped this to a four star was just that there seemed to be some spots where it dragged a bit. Other than that, love it!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

As the author mentions in the acknowledgements, this is absolutely a book for book lovers. It is a love letter to classic literature, an adorable romance, and a fascinating exploration of human character all in one.

Maureen “Mo” Denton and Wesley Spencer are competing, each with their unique adaptations of a classic work of literature, The Proud and the Lost. They are invited to read selections of their manuscripts to the daughter of the author and her two children. Over their weekend visit, a rivalry blossoms into something more, and they must navigate a combination of factors if they want to make it work.

There are several elements in this story that work really well. I loved Mo’s journey of accepting her desire for both love and ambition, and how she comes to understand that having big career goals is not a bad thing. Additionally, the tributes to classic literature and English classes brought me so much joy while reading.

Unfortunately, other elements weren’t for me. Wes’s internal monologue focuses a bit too much on the physical side of their relationship for my taste. I have no problem with descriptions of their desire and explicit scenes, but the verbiage and timing of Wes’s spicy thoughts made me uncomfortable. Additionally, a few of the plot choices that felt significant to me are brushed over in descriptive paragraphs without accounting for the characters’ emotional reactions.

I did enjoy the writing style for the most part, and the characters do grow as the story progresses. This is an entertaining, quick read, and I’d recommend it if you enjoy modern romance books with an element of classic literature. For me, it is a solid, enjoyable read at 3.75 out of 5 stars.

Thank you for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5

This was so stinkin' cute!

This follows two authors who are both writing an adaptation/retelling/version of the same classic story. But the drama comes in with only one of them being published, so the two are battling it out, wanting their version to be chosen.

And I just love me a rivals to lovers so very much!

My only real issue with this book is that it did drag a little bit every now and then, especially at the beginning. But it wasn't too annoying and never made me want to put the book down, it just made me read through those sections faster, wanting to get to some excitement.

I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you're the type of reader who loves to read books about bookish people. I know I love that kind of book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

Mo has been obsessed with the classic feminist novel The Pround and the Lost forever. She needs the original estate's author to approve her modern adaptation.... Wes is the agent who represents the estate and he also wants to write his own modern version.... They fight and become friends and more...

Fun story. Plenty of steamy scenes. Love the story about writers. Terrific chemistry.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

The Rivals to Lovers novel is a must read book for all romance lovers out there! It was an exciting enemies to lovers trope read. It is extremely well written and easy to read! I enjoyed the characters, the suspense, the romance and the mystery of what was to come next! The novel kept me on my toes and gave me whiplash, in a good way of course.

This book started out slow, which is the only reason that I did not give it a five star rating. I give it a strong four stars! Overall, I am happy and smitten by this book!

The novel is about two authors named Mo and Wes who live in New York. Both of these characters wrote their own adaptations of a classic and well beloved book. However, only one of their books will end up being published and sold in stores.

This is where the rivalry begins between them. As the story goes on, they start to get to know each other better and a bond starts developing. This bond confuses them and excites them at the same time. However, things happen between them that ultimately tests their bond.

This book is an adult read, due to explicit sexual content.

Thank you to NetGalley for this advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review of this novel!

#Netgalley
#RivalstoLovers

Thank you NetGally for the advanced copy! This book was just so sweet. I loved the chemistry between the two main characters. Several times I laughed out loud. It was just so cozy and warm. The writing style was beautiful and the plot was different than other romcoms I have read lately. Will definitely check out more by this author.

While I love rivals to lovers as a trope, I did have a hard time getting into this book. Several things about it felt disjointed to me, and took me out of the “reading headspace” that I’m in when I’m reading a book. At the beginning, it was initially confusing for me how the author went back and forth between calling the FMC both Maureen and Mo. I had to flip back and forth on a few pages to make sure I was understanding correctly that they were the same character and not two separate characters. It was just confusing that there didn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to when and why she was referred to her name, or her nickname (even within her own internal thoughts).

The connection between Maureen and Wes just didn’t hit for me. Maybe it’s because I’m more of a slow burn fan, but I was a bit put off by some of their interactions (i.e. Maureen reaching and grabbing his ass in public during a dinner party). Some of it just seemed bizarre to read (again, maybe some of this is about my own personal preferences about character dynamics).

Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the ARC! My review will be posted to Goodreads upon the publication date, and this review will be edited with the Goodreads link at that time.

I love love love books like this. They are TRUE rivals who are fighting for the same thing and fighting against falling in love and I eat it up every single time! This was so fun!

Unfortunately, I did DNF this book at 10%.

This book just didn't resonate with me but the plot seems like it would be super cute. I could even see in the bit that I did read that it was quirky and adorable, but there was a few things that I just couldn't quite get past.

1) The writing style just wasn't for me. I'm not quite sure what it is about the style but it feels kind of clunky and disjointed. It didn't really flow in a way that I expected it to. The author gives details in the most random of moments, which feels like she was trying to spread out information but it didn't really translate that well.

2) While I understand that this is a Contemporary romance, I wasn't a big fan of the name drops of brands. "IPad" "Honda Civic" "Target", It all just feels very name droppy or ads for these companies in a way that didn't need to be in the book. It pulled me out every time I read one of the major names.

While these might not seem like major points, they were enough to disconnect me from the story. I do see how this book could get traction and become a fan favorite however and I wish the author the best and hope it finds its fans!

I really loved the concept for this book! I love books that take the authors love for reading, and writing a story which puts that at the front of their novel, the main issue I had with this book was random quirks of the character that didn't fit my persective such as the weed gummies. A really stunning base for a novel though and will want to keep an eye on this author.

I just love enemies to lovers stories. The latest I’ve read was Rivals to Lovers by Elise Wayland. It was a good read.

Give me ALL the novels about rival authors who find that sparks fly when they’re together! I loved Rivals to Lovers, the story of two would-be debut authors who each hope their adaptation of a classic novel will be the one the author’s elderly daughter chooses. Since she’s never allowed an adaptation to be published before, Mo and Wes have their work cut out for them.

They spend a weekend at the estate where the heir still lives, reading sections of their respective adaptations—and letting their nearly instant attraction to each other grow. Yet despite their chemistry and rapport, they are still technically rivals, knowing that only one of their books is likely to ever land on bookstore shelves.

Both Wes and Mo are complex and interesting characters, and I enjoyed seeing how their relationship develops. It’s filled with tension and heat and romance! I received an ARC of the book from NetGalley and Alcove Press.