I was excited to get my hands on “The Rival” by Emma Lord, and it definitely delivered a delightful mix of rivalry, romance, and self-discovery.
The premise hooked me right away – childhood frenemies competing for a coveted newspaper position? Yes, please! Having written for my own college paper back in the day, I could totally relate to that burning ambition Sadie feels. Though thankfully, I never had to compete against my childhood nemesis for a spot! The whole setup reminded me of those Sunday morning brunches with family friends where you’re forced to play nice with their kids even though you’d rather be anywhere else.
The college setting at Maple Ridge is beautifully crafted. I’m normally pretty picky about campus-set stories since they can sometimes feel inauthentic, but Lord really nails the freshman experience here. The bustling campus life, the nervous excitement of joining clubs, and that feeling of finally breaking free from your hometown – it all rang so true. It brought me right back to my first day of college, clutching my campus map while trying to look like I totally knew where I was going!
Sadie grabbed my attention from the start. She’s passionate about writing and determined to make her mark at the Newsbag (though that name took me a minute to get used to!). Her character development throughout the story really impressed me – watching her navigate her complicated feelings about Seb while trying to maintain her professional goals felt authentic and relatable. Though I will say, there were moments when I wanted to grab her by the shoulders and tell her to just talk to Seb already!
Speaking of Seb – oh my goodness, what a character! While we don’t get his POV (which I actually think worked well for maintaining the mystery of their dynamic), his presence lights up every scene he’s in. The way he subtly pursues Sadie while maintaining their familiar competitive banter made me smile. It reminded me of those high school crushes where you’re not sure if you want to kiss them or compete with them – you know the ones!
The romance develops at just the right pace. Lord expertly weaves together their shared history with their current rivalry, creating this delicious tension that had me turning pages way past my bedtime. Their Sunday pancake breakfasts with both families present added such a fun layer to their dynamic – those scenes made me crave both confetti pancakes and more of their banter!
One thing I particularly appreciated was how Lord handled the journalism angle. The corruption storyline added depth to what could have been just a straightforward romance, and it felt realistic without becoming too heavy. The way Sadie and Seb have to decide between their personal ambitions and doing what’s right hit home for me – it’s exactly the kind of complex decision college students often face.
The supporting cast deserves a special mention too. They felt like real college freshmen finding their way, not just props for the main characters’ story. I especially loved the dynamics in the newspaper office – it reminded me so much of late nights spent editing articles with my own college newspaper crew.
While I adored most aspects of the book, I did find myself wishing we got a bit more insight into Seb’s perspective at times. The story works well from Sadie’s POV, but there were moments when I really wanted to know what was going on in that boy’s head! Also, some of the pop culture references felt a tiny bit forced – though maybe that’s just me showing my age!
The writing style is quintessential Emma Lord – warm, witty, and full of heart. She has this magical way of making you feel like you’re right there on campus with these characters, sharing their triumphs and setbacks. The dialogue sparkles with authenticity, and the descriptions of college life made me nostalgic for my own university days.
For readers looking for a sweet, engaging college romance with depth, “The Rival” delivers in spades. It’s perfect for fans of rivals-to-lovers stories, anyone who loves a good college setting, or readers who enjoy watching characters grow while falling in love. Just don’t start it right before bedtime – you might find yourself staying up way too late to find out what happens next!
This book reminds us that sometimes the person who drives us crazy might just be the person who gets us the most. It’s about finding yourself while finding love, and learning that maybe your biggest rival could turn out to be your biggest supporter. Just be prepared – you might find yourself craving confetti pancakes and wanting to join your local college newspaper after reading!
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