Single Sundays: The Rivalry by Nikki Sloane

Single Sundays: While this blog may be focused on reviewing book series as a whole, we can’t forget about the good ole’ standalone novel! On Sundays, I will review a novel that is considered to be a standalone novel. Here is this week’s offering:

Synopsis for The Rivalry (from Goodreads):
This tight end is at the top of his game.

He’s good with his hands, even better with his sexy mouth, and the best at making me forget my own name. His—ahem—stats are perfect.

But I can’t fall for him.

He might be everything I want, all rolled into a glorious package of gridiron god, but there’s one teeny-tiny problem. The vile, loathsome team I’ve spent my entire life hating—my beloved school’s arch-rival?

This guy is their star player.

Author: Nikki Sloane
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports, Football
Heat Rating: Hot
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Date: November 21, 2017
Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

I had recently read Nikki Sloane’s Filthy Rich Americans and really enjoyed it. It was unlike anything I’d read in the adult contemporary world so I was curious what her writing style was like in other books. My library had this book and I loved the hate to love you rivalry theme and couldn’t wait to dive in!

The Plot:

This was cute and fun and definitely had me laughing at Kayla’s passion for her team. It had a great balance between light and serious which made it enjoyable to read.

I do wish there was a bit more to the plot at times. And I certainly did struggle with some of the plot-holes in the finale, I understand why it was done that way.

The Characters:

I think Kayla is the focus and has some solid development as she tries to reconcile her feelings for the “enemy”. Jay plays a great “straight-man” to Kayla’s crazy and balances her out nicely, but he doesn’t have as much growth as her in the grand scheme of things. But the focus is really on the romance when it’s all said and done.

The Romance:

I really enjoyed the chemistry these two had. One thing I appreciated was the focus on being intimate and giving your partner what they need. I would have liked a few more scenes with them together outside the bedroom but their first meeting did such a good job of establishing their connection that I didn’t mind so much.