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reeyabeegale's review against another edition
4.0
I love this book! This is technically my third book from Kathryn Nolan, but I have not yet finished On The Ropes since I started it late last year (or earlier this year?). I found that book too serious for my liking, it almost read as women's fiction to me.
Rival Radio was definitely sexier and more spicy than Out of the Blue, but I enjoyed the romance equally.
I enjoyed this book for the plot, mostly. I love anything that's set in radio or podcasts, probably because I love listening to one on a daily basis.
The romance was okay, nothing too glamorous or memorable. For all the talk and hype about Theo being a "hopeless romantic", I expected the book to have more romantic and swoon-worthy scenes. I get that it's done to match Daria's aversion to that type of love/relationship, but as a reader, I wanted to be swept off my feet and fall hopelessly in love with the two of them.
I would say though that I noticed how much effort the author puts in the background of her heroines, but with the heroes, it's mostly just words on a paper. Not that I'm a masochist, but I would have appreciated it more if I saw/read Theo's experience with his parents (even in his adulthood) firsthand. I wanted to feel his pain and I wanted to actually see him be vulnerable and grow from the situation and experience, than read his thoughts about his childhood experiences.
Nonetheless, this is a good book. It's got the steam, but with enough plot for you to truly immerse yourself into K-SUN and the entire community. So excited to read more from Kathryn Nolan!
Rival Radio was definitely sexier and more spicy than Out of the Blue, but I enjoyed the romance equally.
I enjoyed this book for the plot, mostly. I love anything that's set in radio or podcasts, probably because I love listening to one on a daily basis.
The romance was okay, nothing too glamorous or memorable. For all the talk and hype about Theo being a "hopeless romantic", I expected the book to have more romantic and swoon-worthy scenes. I get that it's done to match Daria's aversion to that type of love/relationship, but as a reader, I wanted to be swept off my feet and fall hopelessly in love with the two of them.
I would say though that I noticed how much effort the author puts in the background of her heroines, but with the heroes, it's mostly just words on a paper. Not that I'm a masochist, but I would have appreciated it more if I saw/read Theo's experience with his parents (even in his adulthood) firsthand. I wanted to feel his pain and I wanted to actually see him be vulnerable and grow from the situation and experience, than read his thoughts about his childhood experiences.
Nonetheless, this is a good book. It's got the steam, but with enough plot for you to truly immerse yourself into K-SUN and the entire community. So excited to read more from Kathryn Nolan!
sarahs_book_corner's review against another edition
4.0
✨What to expect✨
•Enemies to lovers
•Work rivals
•Radio co-hosts
•Relationship radio show
✨Thoughts ✨
If you were a fan of The Hating Game and want a steamier/adult version, then this is the book for you! I really enjoyed this one, I loved the MCs! I loved the idea of two people who have polar opposite views on relationships being forced to host a show together. Theo… I am obsessed and I would like to know where I can find me one! I loved what Daria preached, not being in a relationship doesn’t mean you can’t be happy and that its important to love yourself first. The banter between these two was *chefs kiss*, also chapter 26 was so hot. I loved all the side characters in this too! I thought Janis was really funny, I hope I am that cool when I’m in my 70s.
I HIGHLY recommend this one!
•Enemies to lovers
•Work rivals
•Radio co-hosts
•Relationship radio show
✨Thoughts ✨
If you were a fan of The Hating Game and want a steamier/adult version, then this is the book for you! I really enjoyed this one, I loved the MCs! I loved the idea of two people who have polar opposite views on relationships being forced to host a show together. Theo… I am obsessed and I would like to know where I can find me one! I loved what Daria preached, not being in a relationship doesn’t mean you can’t be happy and that its important to love yourself first. The banter between these two was *chefs kiss*, also chapter 26 was so hot. I loved all the side characters in this too! I thought Janis was really funny, I hope I am that cool when I’m in my 70s.
I HIGHLY recommend this one!
sierra_beal's review against another edition
3.0
Took longer to read than expected, which to me is typically a sign I didn’t love it. While I loved the banter and relationships in this book, it felt SO repetitive. The characters just kept talking about the same exact thing over and over again from their pasts. I would’ve loved different situations and experiences being shared from their perspective, but it was the same ones every time. Towards the end I was just skimming, which is a bummer because I really enjoyed the beginning.
annabutgonerogue's review against another edition
4.0
i am and will always be a sucker for uptight preppy men being sooooo obsessed over a snarky alternative woman. the allure of septum piercings and tattoos are forever unmatched.
4.5
4.5
dromerjen's review
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
I am rounding up to 3 stars. I loved the idea of this book. I was so excited to read and it completely fell flat. I should have DNF'd it but i just kept pushing through hoping I would eventually connect with the characters and the story. The writing was not bad and I think this book would definitely appeal to a variety of people which is why I am still giving it 3 stars. I guess it just wasn't for me. I ended up skimming as I found it moved way too slow. I did enjoy Theo Chadwick and the side character of Janis.
karalyn9's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
alrightieaphroditie's review
5.0
five stars! ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ i literally have to be up in a few hours but i could not stop reading this oh my lord!
i was sucked in immediately by the banter between the two main characters, and from there i loved every single moment of this book. daria and theo are two of the most emotionally secure people i have ever read about. there was no toxicity, no miscommunication, nothing. they were so open and honest and trusting with one another and it was like a damn breath of fresh air! it was amazing! and the fact that there was no third act breakup, in fact they ✨talked shit out like adults should✨ was literally phenomenal. i was shouting from the rooftops in excitement!
one of my favorite things about this novel was that the relationship wasn’t lust driven at all. like sure, there was sexual tension (and damn, was it good!) but daria and theo were attracted to each other in so many different ways and i loved that it just wasn’t physical. i feel like with romances lately there’s just that huge push of physical attraction that influences their emotions/thoughts and it never usually turns out good (cough, third act breakup bc they don’t know how to fucking communicate bc all they do is fuck, cough) which admittedly i have read and loved books like that but it’s just so nice not having that be the main attraction between the characters !!
i just loved basically everything about this. all of the characters were fleshed out and served a purpose, and i loved all of the friendships and relationships within the radio station community. this book definitely serves the found family trope and i was just !!!!!! hella stoked for it. the epilogue genuinely made me tear up in the best way. this book was genuinely just so great. it was such a fun and entertaining read. and honestly, this book is what ‘the hating game’ wishes it was. plus, it had a paintball scene inspired by ‘10 things i hate about you’??? arguably the best romcom ever?? yes, please!! i fuckin loved this book <333
i was sucked in immediately by the banter between the two main characters, and from there i loved every single moment of this book. daria and theo are two of the most emotionally secure people i have ever read about. there was no toxicity, no miscommunication, nothing. they were so open and honest and trusting with one another and it was like a damn breath of fresh air! it was amazing! and the fact that there was no third act breakup, in fact they ✨talked shit out like adults should✨ was literally phenomenal. i was shouting from the rooftops in excitement!
one of my favorite things about this novel was that the relationship wasn’t lust driven at all. like sure, there was sexual tension (and damn, was it good!) but daria and theo were attracted to each other in so many different ways and i loved that it just wasn’t physical. i feel like with romances lately there’s just that huge push of physical attraction that influences their emotions/thoughts and it never usually turns out good (cough, third act breakup bc they don’t know how to fucking communicate bc all they do is fuck, cough) which admittedly i have read and loved books like that but it’s just so nice not having that be the main attraction between the characters !!
i just loved basically everything about this. all of the characters were fleshed out and served a purpose, and i loved all of the friendships and relationships within the radio station community. this book definitely serves the found family trope and i was just !!!!!! hella stoked for it. the epilogue genuinely made me tear up in the best way. this book was genuinely just so great. it was such a fun and entertaining read. and honestly, this book is what ‘the hating game’ wishes it was. plus, it had a paintball scene inspired by ‘10 things i hate about you’??? arguably the best romcom ever?? yes, please!! i fuckin loved this book <333
indeanna's review against another edition
4.0
Daria and Theo are rival radio hosts with different views of love/romance/marriage. When they are forced to co-host a show together, neither thought the sparks would fly because of their attraction but because of their dis-like for each other.
I just loved them both! Daria was sassy and unafraid to be herself. Theo, I thought, was more subdued and wasn’t afraid of relationships. I loved that these two weren’t afraid to communicate their feelings to each other. They weren’t afraid to help each other and learn from each other. Their chemistry jumped from the pages and the heat! WOW! I just loved that they were open and honest and the banter was just amazing.
I just loved Daria and Theo’s story of learning to love yourself and each other!
I just loved them both! Daria was sassy and unafraid to be herself. Theo, I thought, was more subdued and wasn’t afraid of relationships. I loved that these two weren’t afraid to communicate their feelings to each other. They weren’t afraid to help each other and learn from each other. Their chemistry jumped from the pages and the heat! WOW! I just loved that they were open and honest and the banter was just amazing.
I just loved Daria and Theo’s story of learning to love yourself and each other!
bagelpapi's review against another edition
5.0
Goddamn I loved this book. This had everything that a fantastic romcom needs: banter, top tier spice, strong characters (and side characters -shout out to Mags and Janis