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A review by geoemily
Rival by Ketley Allison
4.0
This honest review was provided in exchange for an advanced review copy.
To be honest, Rival is not a book I would have bought to read. In my late twenties I am moving away from high school based stories but I am SO grateful that I got sent this ARC and had to read it. I've been pulled into a world that has sucked me in with its mystery and twists and turns. It was a bit more thriller than I anticipated and full of sexual tension... definitely right up my alley. So much so that I purchased the book after reading the ARC. I'm HOOKED!
Rival is a very well written book that keeps you on your toes. Bullying tropes (in and out of high school) are increasingly popular at the moment but the risk is it starts to feel very tired and boring pretty fast. They all end out sounding the same. Ketley Allison is a step ahead and manages to incorporate all the good elements of the bullying trope but throw in enough mystery, drama, and sexual tension you are kept on the edge of your seat.
At times the bullying is very intense, and it may dig up some old scars or be triggering for some, so fair warning if you are unsure about the themes in the book.
Chase is hot-as-hell and the kind of leading man that will leave you with a chronic book hangover. Callie is a brilliant female lead, and the kind of girl you hope really exist in teenage girls these days. The world these two exist in is twisted and filthy rich... the kind that leads to dark secrets and selfish, bitter people to battle against.
Rival does end on a cliff-hanger and I can't wait for the next book. Rival has kickstarted what I anticipate to be an incredible series and I'm excited to see what is in store for the Briarcliff world. DEFINITELY worth the read.
To be honest, Rival is not a book I would have bought to read. In my late twenties I am moving away from high school based stories but I am SO grateful that I got sent this ARC and had to read it. I've been pulled into a world that has sucked me in with its mystery and twists and turns. It was a bit more thriller than I anticipated and full of sexual tension... definitely right up my alley. So much so that I purchased the book after reading the ARC. I'm HOOKED!
Rival is a very well written book that keeps you on your toes. Bullying tropes (in and out of high school) are increasingly popular at the moment but the risk is it starts to feel very tired and boring pretty fast. They all end out sounding the same. Ketley Allison is a step ahead and manages to incorporate all the good elements of the bullying trope but throw in enough mystery, drama, and sexual tension you are kept on the edge of your seat.
At times the bullying is very intense, and it may dig up some old scars or be triggering for some, so fair warning if you are unsure about the themes in the book.
Chase is hot-as-hell and the kind of leading man that will leave you with a chronic book hangover. Callie is a brilliant female lead, and the kind of girl you hope really exist in teenage girls these days. The world these two exist in is twisted and filthy rich... the kind that leads to dark secrets and selfish, bitter people to battle against.
Rival does end on a cliff-hanger and I can't wait for the next book. Rival has kickstarted what I anticipate to be an incredible series and I'm excited to see what is in store for the Briarcliff world. DEFINITELY worth the read.