Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:
Synopsis for When Rivals Fall (from Goodreads):
OLIVER
Rivals since before birth, there has never been a time when my family hasn’t hated the Lockwoods and their daughter Harlow.
Two years ago she set us up, tainted our family image, ruined my brother’s life. She made it personal. It was no longer just a rivalry between our parents.
Now she’s here, at Bayshore University, without her family’s protection. There’s nothing to stop us from getting our revenge on her, no one to tell us enough is enough.
And so my brothers and I have devised a plan. We’ll break her, have her falling at her knees for us in no time, and then we’ll send her back to her family with a warning…
Cross the Bishops again and you’ll pay.
***
HARLOW
I’ve despised the smug, stupidly gorgeous Bishop brothers since I was a small child. Our families rivalry was one that started years before us and one that I wanted to end.
I was tired of being my parent’s puppet, tired of the games, of the hate. All I wanted was to enjoy college and move on with my life.
But your past can never stay hidden, right?
When the Bishop brothers turn up at my school I have no place to run. I know then they’ll make certain I pay for every single bad-mouthed remark I or my parents ever made about them.
At Bayshore, I’m at their mercy and they won’t stop until my heart is a bleeding mess.
AUTHOR NOTE: This is a reverse harem college bully romance that contains subject matter not suitable for all readers.
Author: J L Beck and C Hallman
Series: Bayshore Rivals
# of Books: 3 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Dark
Heat Rating: Smokin’ (Kink: major)
Point of View: First Person, Single (#1); Multiple (#2-3)
Publication Dates: July 2019 – October 2019
Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook
Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:
So I only picked this series up because I had been reading the Blackthorn Elite series as my audiobook when the last 2 books became unavailable at my library. So, I needed a new series to binge and this was there waiting. I actually didn’t realize until I was writing this review that I picked up the first book as an Amazon Kindle freebie years ago, oops! So clearly, I had an interest in read this beforehand.
The Plot:
I’d say there isn’t much of a plot in When Rivals Fall (#1) other than Harlow getting overruled by her libido and attraction to the brothers. Everything just seems rushed in the first novel in all ways.
But, we started to get some inklings of a plot in When Rivals Lose (#2) that break up the sexy times and the uncontrollable lusty monologues all these characters have. Things get a little wild and melodramatic as the series progresses but I wasn’t taking this series too seriously so I just went for the ride.
The Characters:
Well, I couldn’t tell you one thing that differentiates the brothers from each other besides a birth order (and I still don’t remember who is the oldest). I found them all to be pretty non-descript and one-dimensional.
Harlow is one of the most indecisive heroines I’ve ever encountered. I don’t think she made a single decision on her own that wasn’t coerced by someone else other than the times she started listening to her libido.
The Romance:
I’ve really only read one other true reverse harem novel (Triple Threat) where all the males where truly in love with the heroine and agreed to share her. Most of the time, it’s multiple suitors vying for the heroine but one reigns supreme in the end. I actually thought that Harlow would make a choice between the brothers in the end but that isn’t the premise here.
Which brings me to my hesitancy with this series. I’m creeped out by the brothers all sharing Harlow. I get that there is a taboo element to it but I think I would feel better if they were non-related fraternity brothers when they say dirty talk in front of each other or have three/foursomes together. It’s just plain weird.
And I still don’t know why they actually love her. I’m not even sure if two of the brothers talked to her prior to the start of the series.
My Audiobook Experience:
I actually think my enjoyment of Meghan Kelly as the narrator kept me reading this series. She did a great job by giving everyone unique voices throughout. I’m not sure if I would have stuck with the series had I read it as text.
Series Rating: 2.5/5
When Rivals Fall 2/5 | When Rivals Lose 3/5 | When Rivals Lose 2.5/5
If you don’t like taboo romances or want more plot to your dark romances, I’d look elsewhere.
Read if You Like: taboo romance, reverse harem
Avoid if You: dislike dark romance
- Sinister Obsession by J L Beck & C Hallman (Blackthorn Elite Series #3)
- Triple Threat by K Webster (Deception Duet Series #1)
- A Hurt So Sweet by Betti Rosewood (An Elite of Eden Falls Prep Series #1)
