Rival (Fall Away Series) by Penelope Douglas

The Blurb:

Madoc and Fallon. Two estranged teenagers playing games that push the boundaries between love and war…

She’s back.

For the two years she’s been away at boarding school, there was no word from her. Back when we lived in the same house, she used to cut me down during the day and then leave her door open for me at night.

I was stupid then, but now I’m ready to beat her at her own game…

I’m back.

Two years and I can tell he still wants me, even if he acts like he’s better than me.

But I won’t be scared away. Or pushed down. I’ll call his bluff and fight back. That’s what he wants, right? As long as I keep my guard up, he’ll never know how much he affects me…


The Review:

What can I say?  

I think that this just about sums it up.....

This is the third book in the excellent Fall Away series by the talented Ms Douglas and this time the story focuses on Jared Trent's best friend Madoc Caruthers and his Step-sister Fallon Pierce.  

I found Rival darker in tone than the previous two books.  Not to give away any spoilers but for Young Adult books there are some pretty heavy duty themes running throughout the series thus far.   Kudos to Penelope for writing about them in such a sympathetic manner.

Having loved Madoc in the first two books.; I thought there was much more to him than good looks, lots of money and mischievous nature.  I pleased to say that I was right Batman!  Admittedly, I spent some of the book really really disliking him for his attitude towards Fallon but the boy comes right in the end.  And Fallon!  Fantastic character.  She skates, she has tattoos, she has attitude and I may just have a tiny girl crush on her.

But beware my darling readers!!! It is a love story, it is a hate story. There is a lot more sex in this book than in the previous ones, so those who do not like sex scenes and are of a nervous disposition may wish to shut your eyes for these bits as they are HOT. Personally, I do not believe that there can be too much sex in a book.......

Anyway on with the review.

The last quarter of the book was full of surprising events which would have made me do a happy dance if I hadn't been reading in the middle of the night, feeding my little girl and trying not to disturb my hubby. Ultimately it was a satisfying ending (no sex pun intended).

Rival can be read as a stand alone but I would highly recommend you read Bully and Until You (something that Little Red still hasn't done.... Sod it, I'm just going to buy you Bully, Kay Red.).  They are in my go to books that I will read again and again.  I have written short reviews for Bully and my favourite in the series, Until You, on Goodreads.  However, if you are a fellow fan like me don't worry, there is plenty of Jared and Tate.  We also get a glimpse of the  man Jax is fast becoming (and I liked what I saw....swoon).

Penelope Douglas has become one of my favourite authors; If I see a book written by her, Michelle Valentine, S C Stephens or Heidi McLaughlin it will be an insta-buy.  She writes with warmth and wit.

I look forward to the next instalment, Falling Away.

Sara 

*ARC copy received from UK publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Buy Bully
Buy Until You
Buy Rival