Book Review: The Rivalry by Nikki Sloane

This was a roller coaster of a read. It’s pretty dramatic and sometimes felt like too much. Around 50% it started to drop off but picked back up in the last quarter.

I went to a college with an intense rivalry. Our rival was in the next town over so that added to it. But tons of girls from my school dates (and married) guys from the other college. So, I appreciate the rivalry aspect, but this was extreme. You kind of just have to suspend rivalry. 

Kayla and Jay have very good chemistry. They also explore that chemistry often. Kayla occasionally uses sex as a distraction. I liked when Jay realized that. He was an incredibly observant partner. I also love when authors use sex/sex scenes to explore characters and further plot.

Back to the rivalry conflict. I did have a bit of an issue with Kayla. She was incredibly irrational about it. At first it was funny, but it started to feel immature. I was really confused with how Sloane would resolve this. I was gripped. 

I’m still enjoying Nikki Sloane. I’m not sure where to go next though.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Book Review: Doubletalk by Teralyn Mitchell

Friends-to-enemies kind of-to lovers. There’s predictable moments, but I really enjoyed this. I read it in one day and easily got sucked in.

Rory and Zeke were childhood friends, but they had a falling out in middle school. Rory still lives in Vermont. Zeke is a professional basketball player. He returns to Vermont to rehab some injuries. They run into each other and slowly reconnect. Zeke definitely wants a relationship or at least friendship, but Rory is still angry from the earlier stuff.

Rory will probably bother some readers. She’s a harsher personality and she’s a big grudge holder. I didn’t mind, but I’ve been known to hold a grudge so I get it. She’s also fairly self-aware about that. She does grow and learn, too. 

Zeke was a very nice guy and he tried to make up for mistakes he made as a kid. I would’ve liked him to be a bit more developed. We got little glimpses of his familial relationships, but that was really it.

My biggest issue was around the “big secret”. I knew from the beginning what the big conflict would be. I hate the not talking to each other thing. It wasn’t the knowing it part that bothered me but what the actual conflict was.

There were some small pacing or plotting things that felt off. Or sometimes I thought there was a continuity error. Maybe it was me. It didn’t impact my enjoyment too much anyways. 

Ms. Mitchell, please tell me Stacey will get her HEA. I’ll definitely look into more books by Mitchell when I have space in my TBR. Her style was easy to read and connect with.

Thanks for reading!
Holly