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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
4.5 stars!! (i was going through my ratings for this series and it just occurred to me that i gave the second and third book the same amount of stars which didn’t sit well with me since i liked the second one more so here ya go!)
DNF at 39%.
As much as I liked bully, and the second one, I couldn't get into this one at all. It's not that it was badly written, I just didn't feel at all connected to Fallon. While I would have liked to learn a little more about madoc because he was a good guy underneath it all in bully, this book just didn't hold my interest.
As much as I liked bully, and the second one, I couldn't get into this one at all. It's not that it was badly written, I just didn't feel at all connected to Fallon. While I would have liked to learn a little more about madoc because he was a good guy underneath it all in bully, this book just didn't hold my interest.
*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
For me Penelope Douglas has done it again. She just has this way of writing unusual relationships that captivates the reader and draws you into the story.
In Bully and Until You we got glimpses at Madoc but only really brushed the surface of his personality. In Rival we get to know him soo much better and boy is he worth getting to know. Although he can come off as a nasty piece of work, there is soo much more to Madoc and he has some of the sweetest, most protective instincts that make you swoon all the more.
Fallon was a great character to read about as she had a personality that was different to the usual types of books I read. She was fiercely independent, to the point where sometimes I did really want to hit her, but I appreciate that more in a book because it means the story is evoking emotions in me, be them good or bad.
To top it all off I got to read more about one of my favourite book couples, Tate & Jared. There is enough content in this story about them to feel as though it is a continuation of their story at the same time as being Madoc's story.
I can not wait for Jax's story if this is anything to go by, normally I am not a fan of series that continue by following different characters, but i will definitely be making an exception for this series!
For me Penelope Douglas has done it again. She just has this way of writing unusual relationships that captivates the reader and draws you into the story.
In Bully and Until You we got glimpses at Madoc but only really brushed the surface of his personality. In Rival we get to know him soo much better and boy is he worth getting to know. Although he can come off as a nasty piece of work, there is soo much more to Madoc and he has some of the sweetest, most protective instincts that make you swoon all the more.
Fallon was a great character to read about as she had a personality that was different to the usual types of books I read. She was fiercely independent, to the point where sometimes I did really want to hit her, but I appreciate that more in a book because it means the story is evoking emotions in me, be them good or bad.
To top it all off I got to read more about one of my favourite book couples, Tate & Jared. There is enough content in this story about them to feel as though it is a continuation of their story at the same time as being Madoc's story.
I can not wait for Jax's story if this is anything to go by, normally I am not a fan of series that continue by following different characters, but i will definitely be making an exception for this series!
"Rival" is the second story and third book release in the "Fall Away" series by one of my favorites, bestselling author Penelope Douglas. As was the case in "Bully" and "Until You", books one and 1.5, the main characters in this installment have a past that they share with each other. If Jared Trent and Tate Brandt were former best friends turned tormentor and victim, respectively, and now lovers, Madoc Caruthers and Fallon Pierce are step-siblings turned lovers, and now consider each other persona non grata.
Madoc has always appeared to have a good life. He's popular, he does well in school, his family is rich, and he's got loyal friends. The one thing he doesn't have is a girlfriend and he's kept it that way for a reason. When he finds out Fallon is returning to their family home after a sudden two-year absence, Madoc is not sure what to think. She upped and left without so much as a goodbye, leaving him to suffer alone, and now her return is forcing him to suffer in a completely different way.
Fallon's return is all part of her plan to exact revenge on those she believes hurt her two years ago. It may require her getting Madoc's attention once again but then that's the price she needs to pay to get what she ultimately wants. She's ready to do what's necessary and to use what she knows to her advantage and against those on her shit list. However, even the best laid plans can go awry and Fallon finds herself questioning if Madoc was as much a victim of what happened in the past as she was.
This book was on my TBR list from the time it was announced that it was coming out. I absolutely loved the first two books and I wanted to know Madoc's story, especially since he was such a memorable character. Learning about what he and Fallon went through in the past and what they had to confront in their present seemed to have been avoidable, especially since the lies of one individual caused them all this misunderstanding and heartbreak. But then these are young people whose circumstances were being manipulated by those who should know better.
"Rival" is a great story of first loves, second chances, and what "family" truly is. Madoc and Fallon are well-developed characters who are far from perfect but together find that they're exactly what the other needs. I loved that Jared and Tate were still around and Jax is definitely one whose story seems to be worth waiting for (Falling Away, formerly titled Native, releasing in January 2015). This book put a smile on my face, tears in my eyes, and a flutter in my heart and anything that can do that rightly deserves five stars and goes on my "Best Reads of 2014" list. ♥
Madoc has always appeared to have a good life. He's popular, he does well in school, his family is rich, and he's got loyal friends. The one thing he doesn't have is a girlfriend and he's kept it that way for a reason. When he finds out Fallon is returning to their family home after a sudden two-year absence, Madoc is not sure what to think. She upped and left without so much as a goodbye, leaving him to suffer alone, and now her return is forcing him to suffer in a completely different way.
Fallon's return is all part of her plan to exact revenge on those she believes hurt her two years ago. It may require her getting Madoc's attention once again but then that's the price she needs to pay to get what she ultimately wants. She's ready to do what's necessary and to use what she knows to her advantage and against those on her shit list. However, even the best laid plans can go awry and Fallon finds herself questioning if Madoc was as much a victim of what happened in the past as she was.
This book was on my TBR list from the time it was announced that it was coming out. I absolutely loved the first two books and I wanted to know Madoc's story, especially since he was such a memorable character. Learning about what he and Fallon went through in the past and what they had to confront in their present seemed to have been avoidable, especially since the lies of one individual caused them all this misunderstanding and heartbreak. But then these are young people whose circumstances were being manipulated by those who should know better.
"Rival" is a great story of first loves, second chances, and what "family" truly is. Madoc and Fallon are well-developed characters who are far from perfect but together find that they're exactly what the other needs. I loved that Jared and Tate were still around and Jax is definitely one whose story seems to be worth waiting for (Falling Away, formerly titled Native, releasing in January 2015). This book put a smile on my face, tears in my eyes, and a flutter in my heart and anything that can do that rightly deserves five stars and goes on my "Best Reads of 2014" list. ♥
Sincer nu pot spune că mi-a plăcut în mod deosebit de cei doi sau că am reușit să mă atașez de personaje. Același mediu toxic ca în primul volum și aceiași lipsă de comunicare. Înțeleg că erau la vârsta la care singura rezolvare pentru orice era sexul, dar parcă a fost totul prea forțat între ei după ce ,, s-au așezat lucrurile”.
Nu știu dacă e vina mea și poate nu mă mai atrag ,,iubirile” astea de liceu, dar nu a fost cine știe ce cartea.
Nu știu dacă e vina mea și poate nu mă mai atrag ,,iubirile” astea de liceu, dar nu a fost cine știe ce cartea.
I like them together but I don’t think the book itself was good. The parent drama was kinda annoying and the whole step sibling thing was weird.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
I love, love, loved this story! I love those rival, step-sibling stories and this one was amazing! The push-pull, love-hate along with the confusion and misunderstandings made this one of those books you get so frustrated at (in a good way) you can't put it down until you see the resolution. You keep turning pages to find out just when they're going to find out what's really going on... yeah, that's what happened with this book. It made it on to my Favorites shelf :)
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes