A review by booklionqueen
The Rival by Emma Lord

funny hopeful medium-paced

5.0

5 out of 5 stars 

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday books for a complimentary copy of this book. 

I really resonated with this one. Remembering how lost you feel at the beginning of college and finding yourself along the way is something that felt so raw and real about this story, While most of the story was filled with joy, laughter and competition, there were some real moments that exhibited the true feelings of college from the community, to finding yourself, to coping with stress and so much more. I loved those aspects of the book. I loved the rivals to lovers aspect to this story. The tension between the two characters was great and didn't feel forced. I thought Sadie and Seb's back story of growing up together made it easy to believe their tension without seeing them for very long on the page. The only thing I wanted to make note of is that this book has a lot of language in it and I would suggest this for older teens rather than younger teens.

In this book you'll find: 
Enemies/Rivals to lovers
He falls first 
Slow Burn 
College Shenanigans 

You will always, always catch me reading rivals to lovers. This book was absolutely adorable and I think it perfectly embodies all of the feelings of navigating college and young love.