The Rival Book Reviews

AUTHOR
Kendall Ryan
SCORE
4.5
TOTAL RATINGS
792

The Rival by Kendall Ryan Book Summary

Being stranded in remote Canada with a hottie?
Wasn’t part of my summer plans.

Dump my cheating ex? Check.

Land an amazing job with Boston’s professional hockey franchise? Check.

Fall stupidly in love with hockey’s favorite bad boy? Ugh.

After wasting years of my life with the wrong person, I told myself all I wanted was a little no-strings fun. Enter Alex Braun—a wealthy, handsome, notorious playboy who’s equal parts charming and dangerous as hell to my wounded heart.

After enduring a very public breakup of his own, the sexy player doesn’t want to be anyone’s forever. Too bad he barreled his way into my heart, instead of just my bed.

But this professional athlete knows a thing or two about competing, and he won’t let go so easily.

Warning: This romance contains one grumpy, emotionally damaged, but gorgeous-as-hell hockey player, and a whip-smart, hardworking heroine who has never quite fit in. It should only be read by those who like their men brawny and their romances red-hot!

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Book Name The Rival
Genre Romance
Published
Language English
E-Book Size 768.22 KB

The Rival (Kendall Ryan) Book Reviews 2024

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Falling for the bad boy. This is book 2 in the Looking to Score Series and it is Alex and Aspen’s story. It isn’t necessary to read the first book The Rebel but I would recommend it since this one has characters that crossover and it will help you make the connections. Alex is known as the bad boy of his hockey team and he is also the ex-boyfriend of the owner of the team Eden. Aspen works as Eden’s assistant and is coming off of a bad break up. That is one thing that she and Alex have in common. When they both attend Eden and Holt’s engagement party, they find themselves hanging out together. The season is over and Alex is helping out a guy on the team by looking after his cabin in Canada and he suggests that Aspen should go to the cabin as well to do some cleaning. What will happen when these two spend their summer in the same cabin? Will Alex show Aspen that he isn’t the bad boy that Eden made him out to be? Kendall does a great job with Alex’s story and you can’t help but to fall in love with him especially since he was painted the bad guy in the previous book. I loved his sweetness and the chemistry he shares with Aspen is explosive. I didn’t want their story to end. I loved this book and can’t wait for the next one in this series. I also purchased the audible version as well and I have to say it is so worth the credit. Jacob Morgan and Vanessa Edwin did an outstanding job narrating this book.

Bad Boys CAN Be Redeemed. Redeemed bad boys are some of the best. They've done their thing, they've broken hearts, they've made the headlines, but then, then it's time to settle down. You know, put the shenanigans aside and show their true colors. In THE RIVAL by author Kendall Ryan, Alex Braun has some serious damage control to handle, and I wasn't sure how in the world Kendall could turn his story around, but she did it, and did it well. There was truly not much to like about Alex in THE REBEL. I mean, he was pretty much the whole reason that Eden and Holt had a story to tell, and the fact that he was such a jerk made it easy to root for the two of them. But now, in this second book, Kendall develops Alex's story and we can see how much more there is to him than the quintessential bad boy, and allow him the space to grow into a person with much more depth and character. Aspen Ford is Eden's right hand, and she is fantastic at keeping her boss on track. Aspen's personal life, though, could use some help, and no one is more surprised than she is when Alex steps in to save the proverbial day by getting her the chance to step away from it all for the summer. And to make things really interesting, she won't be doing it alone. What happens in Canada, stays in Canada, I suppose, because mum's the word on these two...until it's not. I continue to enjoy this new hockey series very much, and, although there are only a few books slated for it, I'm really hoping to get stories for all the main characters. Both THE REBEL and THE RIVAL showcase Kendall's gift for writing a sweet and sexy tale that is guaranteed to deliver characters whose stories draw you in. I was hooked from the set-up with this book, and look forward to getting to know more about all of the Boston Titans. Steamy, sweet, and sure to satisfy, THE RIVAL is one date with your TBR that you should absolutely not miss. ❤️

Another great hockey romance from Kendall Ryan!. Beautiful story about finding yourself and finding love in the process. I’ve been wanting to know Alex’s story since book one, and it did not disappoint! Such a great redemption arc for him. Loved the backdrop of the Canadian wilderness, it added something extra special. Definitely spicy, but with a tenderness behind it that was heart squeezing-ly good. The chemistry between these two could have kept the fireplace lit for the entire Canadian winter!

Fantastic slow burn, sweet and steamy romance!. I wasn't sure what I would think of Alex as the Hero after meeting him in The Rebel. There were definitely glimpses of depth to him there, but overall I had doubts. Obviously, I shouldn't have. In The Rival you see how different he really is from how he appears in The Rebel and that there is deep, sensitive and vulnerable side to him. Both him and Aspen, have come off incredibly difficult breakups and are trying to find their way again. Complicating things further is that they work together - Aspen as the assistant to his ex, and the owner of the hockey team he plays for. I loved everything about both Alex and Aspen and despite the angst that existed as both of them navigated their way through getting to know each other and their attraction, while rebounding from bad breakups it was also a lighthearted read and exactly what I needed. The Rival is a fantastic slow burn, sweet but steamy romance set in the world of professional hockey. I received an Advanced Reader Copy and have voluntarily left an honest review.

Sweet! Steamy! Swoony!. Aspen & Alex’s story had me swooning all over the place. Alex’s character is truly impressive as he owns his mistakes and proves his new-found maturity in this book. I liked the way Aspen learns how to get out of her own head and be her true self. Their romance captured my heart and felt so very “real.” Kendall writes such all encompassing stories and she includes the characters from other books to create a well rounded narrative. This 2nd book in the series packs a Poignant punch with the impact focusing on “being your true self.” Great job again Kendall.

sweet Love Story. The second book in the Looking to Score Series following Alex and Aspen. This was an engaging story, with some sweet romance and a lot of heart. I have to hand it to Kendall she was able to take an unlikeable character and make you fall in love with him. After reading the first book I disliked Alex because I loved Eden so much that he became the villian. In this book we got a peek into Alex’s head and we found a misunderstood man who didn’t know what he truly wanted when he was with Eden. Enter Aspen, Eden’s opposite. Aspen was exactly what Alex needed. This was a slow burn but so worth the wait. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Good Story. Alex and Aspen heats up the pages in this engaging story. All Aspen is looking for is a no strings attached relationship after dealing with a cheating ex. Too bad Alex didn’t get that memo. Their connection is highly charged and both of them are coming off of breakups! Will their relationship be one that will weather the storm or will it be a something that gets them over their hurt feelings? This story will have you in Alex and Aspens corner to get a second chance to find happiness! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Great book!. I devoured this one! I couldn’t put Alex & Aspen’s book down.

Just a rebound?. Alex is a star hockey player whose team owner is his former girlfriend who is now engaged to someone else. Aspen is a friend and assistant to the owner who is temporarily living with her boss and her fiancé after her recent break-up. Alex talks his teammate into letting Aspen stay at his lake cottage during the summer as caretaker and he offers to help her with the big jobs. Aspen has liked Alex but her boss has portrayed him as an immature, inconsiderate, and arrogant playboy. However, when he arrives to help her and they start talking she realizes he is not like her boss described him. Alex likes her and is intensely attracted also. They both talk about their bad breakups and grow closer but Aspen is afraid of being hurt again and leaves. Will Alex and Aspen be able to forget their past bad breakups and find happiness together? I absolutely loved this story with 2 people who had been hurt by past relationships that come together. The author is a great job describing their feelings and the problems they had believing that their new relationship could be real. The epilogue was a fantastic ending for their story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A Steamy but Sweet Romance. *Spoilers* I absolutely love Alex and Aspen’s story! It’s super sweet, sexy, and I couldn’t put it down. The Rival follows Alex Braun, the playboy professional hockey player, and Alex, the sweet assistant to the team owner, Eden. We first met Alex and Aspen in The Rebel, which is book 1 in the series. Alex was the wholly unlikeable ex-boyfriend of Eden’s that I did not care for at all, but he’s a very different character in this book. The story starts off with Aspen’s long-term relationship having just ended weeks before, and she’s trying to get past it. Alex finds out that she currently is staying with Eden and her fiancé, Holt, and finagles her the job of caretaker at one of the other hockey player’s summer homes. He decides that he’ll go up to the cabin to help out with the heavier chores, and their friendship develops from there. Not long after though, their relationship develops into something more, and that’s the focus of this book. I did not like Alex in The Rebel, but in The Rival he’s someone totally different. In this book, we see him as a complex and vulnerable guy, and it’s so nice to discover this side of him. In the previous book, I thought he was sort of just awful. However, my mind is totally changed now, and I love his character. Aspen is so likable, too. She’s smart, cute, and sweet. After finding out how heartbroken she is after breaking up with her terrible ex, I couldn’t wait for her to heal and find something more. If you enjoy Kendall Ryan’s work, you aren’t going to want to miss The Rival. It’s such a sweet romance and a total page turner. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

As always…. Amazing. Thank you Kendall for all of the steamy beautiful heart wrenching romance you bring to my life

Loved this book. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about Alex when I started this book, he didn’t come off so great in the first book of the series. But holy cow I love Alex. Alex definitely was not the jerk that he came off as, he was just unsure of who he was and who he could be himself with. Aspen was the perfect woman for him. She didn’t want him for anything but how he made her feel and what he felt for her. And she probably should have been off limits to him, she was after all his ex girlfriend’s assistant and friend. Spending the hockey off season taking care of a cabin in Canada together, Alex and Aspen became friends and let the other person see their real selves. They both also realized they fell in love but neither knew how it would actually work once they got back to their lives in Boston. These two really were a great couple. For as hot as they were together and yes they were very hot, I loved seeing them actually become friends and fall for each other because of that. This was a fantastic book 2 in the series and Alex definitely redeemed himself for the jerk that he came off as in the first book. Definitely a book you don’t want to miss!

Likable. 3.50⭐️⭐️⭐️ Style: Contemporary Romance Story: 3/5 Enjoyment: 3.5/5 Dark Level: 0/5 Sexual Level: OK-GOOD Triggers: No Violence: No Male: Really Nice & Sexy Series: Book 2 Pages: loc. 3333 Audio: N/A Kindle Unlimited: N/A STORY: So, this was a very light read for me. I have to say, Alex is not what I expected. Reading Book 1 and Alex’s character, I was expecting someone a little more intense for the first part of the book. I thought Alex was really really really nice. That’s not a bad thing, but my mindset was expecting something different, the angry hockey player who can’t stay out of the tabloids. Aspen was just the sweetest thing. I loved her and thought she was good for Alex. Watching their story unfold was nice, especially in a remote cabin away from everyone. I did feel some areas may have dragged a bit, but it was nice to see. SEXUAL CHEMISTRY: Like the first book and now this book, I wanted a bit more sexually. I am not expecting erotica, but when that sexual chemistry is ignited its over in the blink of an eye and not able to fully enjoy it. SECONDARY CHARACTERS: It was mainly Alex and Aspen. But we did get a bit of Saint another team member and Eden. OVERALL: I like it, and it’s a nice and light read. Would have liked a bit more intensity from Alex to match some of his intensity in book 1. The college guy get any girl I want to the jerk boyfriend he was to Eden. I like seeing the softer side but wanted a little more, or it could be I am not fully connecting with this series. ✰✰TRIGGERS: none ****I don’t equate these stories to real life. It’s about personal taste and what you would or want to tolerate with the books you read. I know we all have different opinions and preferences with what we read. I based my book reviews on my preferences and what I like, and while these preferences may not be the same for others, I hope this review was still helpful. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

So excited for this story!. So excited for this story! After getting to know a different side of Alex through the eyes of his ex-girlfriend in the previous book, I was very interested to see how Kendall was going to change our minds about him and show us the real him – but she didn’t disappoint! After a bad breakup, Aspen is staying with her boss while she tries to get back on her feet, and somehow, she keeps running into Alex and can feel the sparks flying. Unfortunately, she doesn’t think it’s a great idea because she’s living with his ex-girlfriend as well as her first-hand knowledge of what happened between the two during their breakup. But when he helps to get her a summer job away from the city, she doesn’t know that he is going to tag along – and the more time they spend alone together, the more she realizes that he’s got a very different side to him that nobody else gets to see. I loved getting to see Alex become his true self and show who he really is – under that tough guy exterior is a caring and generous person. I was so glad that these two were able to make things work even when both of them got spooked at different times, and I cannot wait for the next book in this series! I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

❤️Hockey Romance❤️. I loved Aspen & Alex’s story. They both were hurting and needed each other. I loved that while everyone was kinda writing him off Aspen was getting to know him. Alex cares deeply. I love our other players too.

So Fun, Sweet & Sexy!. This was a charming fast paced read that had a lot of heart and the perfect amount of heat. Loved it. After the first book in this series I was not impressed with Alex Braun as a book boyfriend but I was all in to see how the author would redeem him in this story. And she definitely redeemed his character… and his bad boy ways. Alex Braun has been living in the fast lane, after his very public break up from his ex and now boss Eden Wynn. His bad boy ways have been not only affecting his play but all his fun had been making him feel more alone. With the off season in his sights he is given strict orders from Eden to stay out of the tabloids. Fearing that his job on the Boston Titans might be in jeopardy he knows that that he will need to turn himself around. I cant figure out what it is about her that has me so … invested.” Aspen Ford has just been through a bad breakup with her longtime, cheating ex-boyfriend. Thrilled to have landed such a great job as an executive assistant for Eden Wynn and the Boston Titans hockey franchise. She must now find somewhere to live, after having to move out of her boyfriend’s place and in with Eden, she is tired of being a third wheel and a constant observer to Eden and Holt’s happiness. But when Alex Braun gets her a job as a caretaker for Saints’ fishing cabin in Canada, she is thrilled that finally she will be have somewhere else to live during the off season. But when she is leaving Eden’s engagement party Alex and her share a mind blowing, entirely forbidden kiss. So when Alex shows up to help with some of the duties at the cabin, Aspen worries that getting chummy or anything else with this bad boy could affect her job and her friendship with Eden. But if they just have some fun for the summer, who will ever know? This series just keeps getting better and better! You do not want to miss this one. Steamy scenes, colorful characters and riveting dialogue a real page turner. So what are you waiting for? Get your copy and get reading…you’re in for a treat.

The Rival. Kendall Ryan did too good of a job making Alex the ultimate jerk. I was never able see him any other way. Also, I prefer stories with real physical drama, not emotional drama. Therefore, this booked dragged on too long for me.

This worth reading. When your ex owns the hockey team you play for, and you fall in love with her assistant, life can be interesting especially when your ex thinks you’re a slimy worm and makes sure she tells her assistant all about you.

Brings the Heat. I’ll be the first to admit that I was skeptical about Alex being the next hero in the series. But I never should have doubted Kendall Ryan. Seeing Alex away from the pressures of hockey (and Eden. And hockey players.) showed just how sweet and generous he was. He won me over pretty early on too. And Aspen? I adored her take charge attitude. She wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted. This book was almost too hot for the summer heat. I’m still fanning myself.

Loved this. Big time!. Whhhoooooossshhhhhhh! This book! I loved me some Alex. After The Rebel. I was prepared to hate Alex on principle. Team Eden. Boy i was wrong. M He’s sweet. And sexy. And caring. And everything Aspen needs. Aspen is Eden’s assistant and has some preconceived notions on Alex. When they end up at the same place for the summer, let’s say chemistry and sparks fly! I loved this story and cannot wait for Saints turn! Highly recommend.

A sports romance must read!. Wow! This was swoon worthy from start to finish. Having not read the first book in this series, I can see where Alex’s character was misunderstood, but this newest release brings him forward in a new light. When he finds himself helping Aspen, it takes an unexpected turn he didn’t know he was ready for, but a sweet chemistry and a friendship that became more made for an delightful read. This is a definite must read for sports fan with a great storyline.

Love this author and series. I loved every minute of this book. The story line keeps me interested and I just want to keep reading the entire series and get sad when they end.

Soooo good!. I loved the first hockey series, and I love this one soooo much too!

.. .

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Redeemed. An enjoyable slow burn romance with a bad boy turned love interest keeping things hot I did wonder how on earth Alex was to be redeemed after his performance in the last book, but the book can’t be judged by the cover with him apparently…and Eden embellishes!! Turns out he is thoughtful, romantic and very self aware. Aspen comes into this off the back of a bad breakup and just wants space, offered a chance to take a break at a players cabin she decides that it fits the requirements nicely. Alex, who unexpectedly helped her get the opportunity also ends up staying and this is where the slow burn comes in. A fun read with engaging characters, a stimulating storyline and leaving you with a feeling of wanting more in the series I did think the unwinding of Eden and Alex’s relationship could have done with some more coverage, as well as Aspens breakup but otherwise I thought this a very satisfying read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Absolutely Amazing Book. This is book two in The Looking To Score Series and it is Alex and Aspen's story and omg this book is a must read. After reading book one in this series I couldn't wait to read book two and omg I definitely wasn't as as this book took you in right from the first page and I couldn't put it down as it was a real page turner and so addictive. I absolutely loved Alex and Aspen and how they eventually got there happy ending which they definitely deserved after everything that they had both been through and my heart broke for Alex and everything that he has endured from the people that should have been there for him. I definitely recommend you read this book and series and you will definitely not be disappointed as Kendall Ryan is an amazing author and writer and she certainly knows how to keep her reader's attention and on the edge of there seats. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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A genuine feel good read!. The Rival is Alex and Aspen’s story and its one very steamy ride. I wholeheartedly loved this book. I loved how Alex and Aspen really got to know one another. Both spending the summer at a house in Canada, alone together they form a wonderful bond. After reading The Rebel, I was really looking forward to knowing who Alex really is and to be quite honest, he is not the man we thought, he is so much more. He’s caring, charming and knows how to cook, among other things….he redeemed himself and I really didn’t want their story to end! This book was a genuine feel good read that caused so many emotions. I think this is one of my favourite books by Ms Ryan. I just can’t get enough of the Looking to Score series, so excited for more stories to come!

Loved it. Having read the first book and how it ended, I couldn’t wait to dive in to The Rival. This book was everything I was hoping for and so much more. I was intrigued by Alex and Aspen and was anxious to see what Kendall Ryan had in store for them. In the first two books I really disliked Alex but by the end of book one, Kendall Ryan had managed to turn my opinion around. Alex has a lot of baggage and is the first to admit that he has done himself and his reputation a lot of damage with his wild ways. Now that he his back on track, he is determined to make a success of his ice hockey career with the Boston Titans. When Alex offers Aspen the opportunity to escape to Canada with him for the summer she accepts. That begins a healing for both Alex and Aspen. I really fell for Alex in this book, such a troubled soul and Aspen is the perfect woman to mend his heart while he mends hers. I felt that they made a great couple, particularly as Alex helped Aspen to gain her self confidence after a bitter and emotionally scaring break up. I enjoyed the journey that they travelled to get to their happily ever after. Their love was based on friendship and it was heart warming to watch the growth of both Alex and Aspen. Bring on the next book, I for one cannot wait.

Ticked all my boxes. I was so excited for The Rival because after reading book one and how that ended I needed more, I wasn’t disappointed this book was everything I expected and so much more. Alex and Aspen had my attention and I needed to see where their journey took me, well let me just say I was captivated and there was no putting down until the final word has been read. Alex hasn’t always been the good guy of hockey, his reputation was damaged by his wild ways but now he seems back on track and looking forward to a successful career with the Boston Titans. He also senses that Aspen needs some healing time so he invites her on a trip to Canada for the summer. What follows is a friends to lovers journey but this story is so much more than boy meets girl, falls in love and lives HEA, this is journey based on friendship with two souls needing each other to mend and make a future. The Rival has all the feels and I highly recommend everyone one clicking this gem.

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Awesome read. Awesome Book

Steamy Hot but Sweet. Aspen gets a summer side job at Saint’s cottage along with Alex. Both coming off a bad relationship, they decide to have a rebound fling as their chemistry is sizzling hot and explosive. They must fight past their past hurts and learn to trust in order to reach their HEA. This book is part of the Looking to Score series. Though it can be read as a standalone, I think it is even better if you can read the rebel first as it talks about Alex’s past relationship. I am so happy to read Alex’s story. He didn’t come across as a good guy in the Rebel so I am glad to see his real personality and it to showcase that perhaps people just aren’t at their best if they aren’t in the right relationship. I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.

Tugs on the Heartstrings. The Alex in this story is a far cry from the Alex we see in The Rebel and I, for one, am so happy to see how this character has matured. Alex and Aspen’s relationship is so absolutely sweet but also well balanced, and I really enjoyed how authentic this story felt, without contrived drama. This series just gets better and better!

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Summary of The Rival by Kendall Ryan

The The Rival book written by Kendall Ryan was published on 01 June 2021, Tuesday in the Romance category. A total of 792 readers of the book gave the book 4.5 points out of 5.

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