994 reviews for:

Rival Darling

Alexandra Moody

3.63 AVERAGE

funny lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
funny lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: N/A
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

Wow i was eating this book up until about 1/2 way when i realized it was YA - but i was invested so i kept reading - I got to about 20 pages left when I had to DNF.  FMC finally realizes she was being stupid and goes to the Big game of the year to confess her love. Its the last period and he sees her takes off his gloves and helmet and starts figure skating in his uniform. During the whole book he is embarrassed that he can and enjoys figure skating as well as hockey. He makes it super clear he is not interested in sharing that secret. I got the worst second hand embarrassment by him dancing in the middle of a hockey game I had to DNF ---- okay I didnt DNF but had to skim the rest of it
hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous challenging funny fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

It’s a really great book and the plot definitely is dramatic 

Stopped at chapter 15
I tried pushing through since some parts are quite entertaining, but it really bothers me that they aren't just honest with each other. Like Violet setting the rules of fake dating and adding the obvious no falling for one another and then immediately in her head being like : that's gonna be difficult. Like if you just want him, tell him girl.

Same for Reed like there's a limit to how quickly insta-love works like he knew her for like 3 days and was already thinking: well I know my goal in life is going pro in hockey, but if Violet sticks to her no-jock rule I could just stop playing.. like?? I get that she's interesting to him, but changing your life plans for a cute stranger is just weird.

I also found odd how, like ok Reed being grumpy with the general public is his defense mechanism, but does that mean he should just let any/every rumor about him pass? Like some rumors about his family can affect his dad's business, for instance. I feel like at least clear those up you know? It also affects his relationship with Violet, since her cousin keeps warning her about him and making her weary. 

I found it super interesting to see the fake dating start only at 1/3 of the way through, since we got to meet the characters more and didn't just immediately jump into it like most fake dating books do, but alas.

I'll still check out the other brothers'  stories, since at least for his twin (which will be friends to lovers) pining makes sense if you actually know the person (learn from this Reed).
fast-paced

It was repetitive and didnt like all the back and forth 
funny hopeful medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
lighthearted medium-paced