Great mystery and it was easy to get back into after not having read the first book since it came out. I love these characters and this world and can’t wait for more in the series!!

The Rivals was pretty much exactly what I wanted from a sequel to The Verifiers - similar mystery elements but with a little more of a peek into main character Claudia Lin's psyche and also her very dysfunctional (but relatable) family. Claudia is now part owner of Veracity, the firm that helps people verify the identities of the people they meet on matching apps. In this installment of the series, Claudia and her colleagues Squirrel and Becks happen upon what looks to be a pretty major conspiracy involving the use of AI in dating apps. We still see the same detective novel tropes from the Verifiers, but this time there are some spy thriller elements thrown in as well (very intentionally if the conversations the characters have about them are any indication). I just really like Claudia as a protagonist, though I often find myself silently yelling "what are you doing??" when she gets into dangerous situations (which is fairly often). I liked the cliffhanger-y ending of this one and I really hope a third book is in the works. Content warnings for murder, suicide, and other forms of violence (on and off page).

I loved "The Verifiers," the first book in the Claudia Lin series (which I now want to reread), and I was very excited to learn about the sequel. It did not disappoint! Claudia has an unusual job--she now runs the agency she worked at in The Verifiers--an agency that verifies whether people's online dating profiles are accurate. When a client dies in suspicious circumstances shortly after visiting the agency, Claudia is on the case.

I loved the combination of classic mystery tropes with high-tech concerns around the use of AI. But I especially loved Claudia, who is funny, and smart, and real, along with the cast of characters that include her fellow employees and dysfunctional family members. I can't wait to read about Claudia's next adventures!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a fan of this series, and I think I enjoyed this one more than the first. As odd as the setup is, it kinda works.
(Our protagonist, Claudia Lin, works at a company that investigates online matches on behalf of clients but also the unauthorized use of AI by dating apps? Huh?) Claudia is an incredibly engaging narrator as she is tries to work her way through the complexities and mendacity of corporate America, the various clients and targets of her company, and the shambles of her dysfunctional family. While at the same time harboring crushes and never really acting on them. The author manages to channel quite a bit of knowledge of AI and the dating industry into the plot, which makes the story thought-provoking but does seem far-fetched at times. Claudia is young and does not yet have confidence in her strengths, or quite know all her blind spots. But she is earnest and determined. A very lovable Gen Z LGBTQ heroine.

Jane Pek's The Rivals is unrivaled fun! From the publisher's description, here is the basic plot: "Claudia Lin—mystery novel superfan and, until recently, clichéd underemployed English major—has scored her dream job: co-running Veracity, a dating detective agency for chronically online New Yorkers who want to know if their prospective partners are telling the truth. Unfortunately, along the way, she and her colleagues—tech savant Squirrel, and the elegant and intimidating Becks—have uncovered a far-reaching AI conspiracy. And the corporate matchmakers may be resorting to murder to protect their secrets."

I love Claudia, her complicated Chinese family, her coworkers, and the clever way Jane Pek writes. I laughed out loud multiple times. Unfortunately, I found the mystery kind of convoluted and difficult to keep up with. I'm not a Gen Zer or Millennial, so maybe that's why. I'm sure anyone who enjoyed Pek's first book in the series, The Verifiers, will also enjoy this one. Anyone new to Pek's writing should read The Verifiers first.

Okay, I’ve decided I am extremely onboard with this series and want more posthaste! Delightful! Need more!

Claudia Lin of the Verifiers returns in another mystery set in the shadowy world of online dating and its collection of algorithms, bots, AI, and sinister humans. Claudia is still working for Veracity, and her life seems to have settled into a somewhat predictable rhythm when what looks like an ordinary case starts to raise questions of fake profiles and competing AI among the "Big 3" dating sites. As Claudia investigates a mysterious death, she realizes that her older brother may be accidentally embroiled in the data mess and in way over his head. Claudia remains as prickly as ever, though readers may be starting to catch a glimpse of her softer side. Another solid offering from Jane Pek. I look forward to Claudia's continued adventures.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

I read and liked The Verifiers okay and decided to give this a try as well to see if I enjoyed it, but I felt like it was, in so many ways, just a repeat of book one. It is incredibly well written and the cultural dynamics are interesting and fun to read but the actual main plot of the book wasn't gripping enough for me especially for a semi detective novel.

This is the second in what is being called the Claudia Lin series, the first being the very successful The Verifiers which I read and enjoyed.

Picking up where the first book left off, Claudia is co partner with two others in Veracity which, while maintaining a low, secretive profile, provides a service that investigates if those who post in online dating sites are truthful in their interactions with potential partners. When they uncover a possible AI plot by one of the sites which may also involve murder, they work to untangle a web of deceit.

Similar to The Verifiers, this is a very contemporary story that is so much more than just a mystery. There are family relationships, cultural stereotypes, information about the internet dating industry and the negatives encountered in our online, AI influenced world, as well as a homage to classic mystery and espionage stories. I did think that it wandered around a bit in the middle but redeemed itself in the end. Those more in the know about all things tech than I am may not feel so lost.

The Rivals was a great follow up to The Verifiers, and I really hope there will be a book 3! Jane Pek does an excellent job of creating a noir atmosphere that's set in the tech world of today's online dating companies. The tensions within her family, and with Becks, her colleague/love interest are as interesting as the ongoing case they're working.

The novel presents an interesting concept with its blend of mystery, technology, and romance, but unfortunately, it falls short in execution. The protagonist, Claudia Lin, is an engaging character on paper—a mystery novel enthusiast who lands a job at a dating detective agency—. Still, her journey feels somewhat predictable and lacks the depth that could have made the story more compelling.

The idea of uncovering a far-reaching AI conspiracy within the world of online dating is intriguing, yet the plot never fully capitalizes on its potential. The pacing feels uneven, with certain sections dragging while others rush through crucial developments. The supporting characters, like tech-savvy Squirrel and the enigmatic Becks, offer some moments of interest, but they, too, remain underdeveloped, making it hard to invest in their stories entirely.

The romantic subplot, which involves Claudia’s growing feelings for Becks and a target of their investigation, sometimes feels forced, distracting from the main narrative rather than enhancing it. The tension and suspense that should drive a mystery novel are somewhat lacking; the twists are predictable, and the stakes never feel as high as they should.

While the novel has a unique premise and some entertaining moments, it doesn’t quite live up to its potential. The story could have benefitted from a tighter plot and more nuanced character development. It’s an enjoyable read for fans of light mysteries.

I did not realize that this was book 2 in the series. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the story set in the world on online dating. I might seek out the first book to understand the connective thread between the two books.

A good sequel that answers some things yet still brings up more questions. Like who will die next? Will she do it? Will he do it? All the while making you feel like you're in the New York City landscape. While your heart hurts a bit as you figure out what to do about your dysfunctional family.

The second book in the series, The Rivals hums with suspense and espionage. The book is quite clear that Spy meets Spy here, and the main character was a reluctant but thorough secret agent.
huge
I received a NetGalley copy, but I was already huge a fan.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, finding it to be a fun mystery with a very particular voice, and I was able to jump right back into this next one despite having read the first quite some time ago. I think you'll know from the first chapter whether this one is for you, because you immediately get a sense of who the narrator is and the world of dating mysteries she inhabits. It is, to be clear, definitely for me. (I also really love the cover, FWIW.)

this was a very good sequel!

i got an arc for the verifiers when it first came out, back in 2022, and i liked it! it was a very interesting concept, one that i definitely was not familiar with, but it hooked me. i reread it a couple days ago, and when i found out that a sequel was coming out this year, i requested it eagerly. i think overall that the rivals is better than the verifiers, and that i'm really eager to see where this series is going.

this book follows claudia lin, new partner at veracity, a dating detective agency. she and her partners, becks and squirrel, are working to uncover the secrets behind the synthetic accounts on dating profiles, and the stakes are upped from the last book. it also follows claudia's relationship with her family. i thought this book was written better than the first book; i found myself a bit confused while reading the first book, and i think this book was more clear and straightforward in its writing. i thought the plot was really inventive as well; all these loose threads were weaving together.

the protagonist, claudia, is someone who's quite easy to root for; her voice is so interesting and she is a compelling character, especially with her relationships to her siblings. i really like how her and becks' relationship was developed throughout the book; the scene at the concert??? i was rooting so hard for them.

i think this sequel is really quite good and a fitting sequel to the first book. i would definitely reccomend this to mystery and thriller fans, and i can't wait to see how the story concludes. four stars!

thanks to netgalley and knopf for the arc!

I read the first book and really enjoyed it. I was hoping this book would be just as good and I was pleasantly surprised that it was! I love that the main character is a queer detective. I also love that this book is so much more than a mystery, it includes family issues and relationships. I also laughed a few times throughout the book. This is a well rounded book that I recommend!

WOWWWWW!
I didn't realize this was a book 2 but was still able to follow along and have already purchased book 1.
In Jane Pek's The Rivals, we meet Claudia Lin, a queer, Asian-American, detective novel fan weighed down by bills and family responsabilities.

Claudia is now working at Veracity, a company that verifies prospective dates in New York City. It's a fun and fast moving job that keeps her on her toes and close to the mysterious Becks, her co-president. In the Rivals, Veracity is approached by a young man who thinks his ex is punishing him by creating a clone entry in the matching company that employs him. The Veracity team isn't sure what can be done but dig in further following the client's death.

What happens next includes lots of family issues, love issues, every day dating issues as well as a look at what technology can do to the human race. Jane Pek writes with a light hand and pivots through mystery and thriller plot points while including laugh out loud throwaway comments and uniquely written observations on life. Pek is one of a kind and this is a book not to be missed!
#Knopfpantheonvintageanchor #vintagebooks #vintage #janepek #therivals #theverifiers

What a fun, well-written, and fundamentally baffling book. That is, I loved the characters and their complicated relationships, the New York setting that made me feel as if I was there, and the style, which combines sassy humor and insight with a dose of occasional gravity. Brilliant.

The plot - well, it's possibly my fault for being too lazy to really concentrate on following the twists and turns, and I kept having to push away a nagging thought (really? dating sites, when the much more complete and unfiltered data gathering comes through other sites, like Google search and other places where we aren't necessarily showing off?) Adding the body-monitoring software helped with that skepticism, but I have to admit to being a bit of a skeptic that data-devouring companies actually wield as much power as they claim to advertisers, because honestly, they don't work nearly as well as they say. But hey, it's fiction. Just like those prospectuses. And it's fine with me to make these outfits villains. Because they are, even if they don't perform as advertised. The link between video game zombies and data doubles is really thought-provoking.

Apart from not always knowing what the heck was going on, I was especially taken with the family drama roiling in the background. Clearly, there's a third book in the works given the way this one ended. I'm sure I'll have to read it if only to find out what is up with that long-lost father. And what happens to Charles?? I need to know.

I want to start by saying I was thrilled to be able to read this before its release— I was a huge fan of The Verifiers. People like to say that sequels are never as good as the original, but The Rivals absolutely surpassed expectations. I enjoyed it as much, if not more than, the original. I will be preordering the book to have the hard copy when it comes out in December!

Claudia Lin is back to solving mysteries in this sequel to The Verifiers. With Komla gone, she is now a co-owner of Veracity, the mostly-secret detective agency that “verifies” their clients’ online dating matches. The mystery from the first novel continues— there’s more of the high-tech corporations and their conspiracies, more deaths, and more people who aren’t exactly as they seem.

There is something about Jane Pek’s writing that I love. It’s just sophisticated enough to still be accessible, with colorful and vivid prose. I am charmed by all of the characters she writes, and enamored with Pek’s ability to write an engaging mystery, because I think that writing a good mystery is hard to do. The plot is layered and unique and totally unlike other modern mystery novels—in the best way. Even the way Pek weaves into the book scenes and witticisms from Claudia’s cherished Inspector Yuan novels (a fictional detective series that impresses upon its readers the importance of filial piety) is genius and so fun. Plus, The Rivals is set in New York City in a way that feels so intentional (à la NYC being the fifth character in Sex and the City), and I really enjoyed that.

The publishing industry continues to churn out mystery novels, and yet, most mystery novel protagonists are still pretty homogenous. But Claudia stands out. Not only is she a Chinese-American lesbian, she’s also a genuinely intriguing character with a likable personality and interesting backstory. Her internal dialogue is biting and funny, her flaws (one of which, in her words, is her “elastic treatment of time”) are relatable and even charming, and given that she’s smart and detail-oriented, she’s very believable as a normal-woman-turned-detective.
I also enjoyed reading more about Claudia’s relationships— with her family, with new character Amalia, and especially with Becks. Very eager to read the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for the ARC.