I’ll be honest — I was really intrigued by the premise of this book, but I struggled to connect with it because it’s written in third person POV. I’ve realized I tend to prefer romance novels in first person, especially when it comes to contemporary settings. The only time third person works for me in romance is when it’s paired with a fantasy backdrop.

That said, I did enjoy the storyline and thought the characters were well done. I just didn’t always feel a strong chemistry between the main couple, which made it harder to get fully invested in their relationship.

Overall, it was a decent read, but it didn’t stand out as anything particularly memorable for me

Review

A book about two writers who wrote an adaptation. In the story it is a competition between the main characters of the book.

The book gives us a look in the lives of the two main characters. Mo and Wes are rivals, but is there something more between them?

***

The stort was cute, but I missed some spice. It was more of a feelgood romantic story. But I loved the characters and the storyline between them.

#booksta #bookstagram #netgalley #betgalleyread #rivalstolovers #romantic #romance #arcreading #goodreads #readingchallenge #cozyreading #cozycauldronreads #readingisfun #readingaddict

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. Let me first say, I would rate this 3.5.

Things I loved:
• I’m a sucker of the rivals to lovers trope
• Bi representation in a more normal, everyday sense. I especially love when he acknowledges the feelings of being bisexual in a hetero appearing relationship
• Descriptions of the people of Greenwich, CT — spot on in my opinion
• Mo’s feelings on being too much and having people chronically misunderstand her
• The character arc of Wes overall
• Nonbinary representation
• Friend relationships
• Ratport

Things I didn’t love so much:
• The overall believability of the story.
• It felt rushed to the physical
• Are we really going to ignore some of the stalking behavior made to seem romantic? There were some things that were kind of problematic to me.
• While I identified with Mo’s internal feelings… overall I was much happier to get to the chapters from Wes. I felt like Mo did not have a lot of depth overall.
• All the stuff with Mo’s sister. Not that knowing about her family was bad, it just didn’t feel particularly pertinent to the story to talk about dog breeding and pigs. And other than providing a key moment for Mo and Wes… most of the parts in Nebraska felt like fluff
• A lot of coincidental happenings drove this story

Overall not a bad story and the romance mainly hit the point. Does work if you love rivals to lovers, but may have some themes or fluff that some won’t be interested in.

I had such a hard time with it.
The dual pov with a third person omniscient was rough. We had lots of info dumping that pull you off the story. The banter felt awkward, not authentic or too slow because the narrator pulls you off the scene with information.

Might read better as audiobook and will give it another try after release

Thanks NetGalley for the Arc.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“I am, in fact, a disaster some of the time. Or maybe, more accurately, I am a construction zone and I’m not used to letting someone see the unfinished building.”

When I got 90% through the book, I set it aside to get some sleep. When I woke up a few hours later around 3:30 AM, I couldn’t help but pick it back up and finish. I ended up sobbing at the end, though whether that had more to do with the book or my emotional state at the time is yet to be determined.

Please do not glance at the title and think this is a true-blue enemies to lovers like many are interested in. This is not that type of book, which is partly why I enjoyed it. Its title is accurate in that it’s more rivals to lovers, a much more comfortable and natural transition for me when it comes to most romance novels.

I loved Wes. In many ways he almost felt too perfect, but, if you read the book, you’ll perhaps come to understand why I ultimately decided that was purposeful. Mo is someone that I really resonated with on MANY levels, including when it comes to texture and literature obsession as well as a bit of a confidence problem. I had a ton of fun with each of the two main characters’ gaggle of supporting characters as well.

I did also find myself frustrated at times with the characters and how they handled situations. In general, this wasn’t a perfect reading experience where I was only singing its praises in my head the entire time, BUT it was such a fun reading process that I’m a little sad it’s over. I enjoyed escaping into the lives of Mo and Wes and the anticipation I felt waiting to find out what would happen. It’s also always so enjoyable to read about characters whose lives also revolve around books.

My favorite part of this book and the reading experience was the banter between the main characters, and also between the main characters and some of the other interesting people around them. I had so many lines I came across that make me laugh out loud, or immediately message my friends. There was even a smattering of MLIS/librarian jokes from/about one of the characters and LOTR references from/about another, and that was just truly the icing on the “books made for Dusti” cake.

Overall, this was such a fun, bookish romance, and I would especially recommend it for interested readers who understand and can relate to the deep love of a book and its characters, and how that can sometimes shape you in the most significant ways. It’s also a great read for people who appreciate many aspects of enemies to lovers but find that the relationship dynamics often leave them feeling unsettled. Rivals to Lovers was a silly and enjoyable yet heartfelt and deeply relatable story, and I look forward to exploring more of this author’s work.

overall I enjoyed this book, it's extremely sell written and has a good ending but I thought the beginning of the book started out slow. it was worth pushing through the beginning and the new York setting or any big city setting is something I've always loved in romance books more so then small town romances. the rival between mo and wes was interesting but second to the tension and growing relationship. The cover and title are both fitting for the story and the design is gorgeous. I would definitely recommend this to a friend and any romance lovers. it's not too full of smut and spice like other romance books and has a sense of realism to it with it being in a city everyone knows. I really liked this book but it's not a 5 star for me as it did start off slow and my personal preference for romance books is much darker or full of fantasy.

I feel as the title suggests, there should have been more rivalry between the characters or more of a back story to sport why they didnt like each other. I felt that rivalry turned into something else quite quickly. But overall it was a fun read for me.

Rivals to Lovers is an enjoyable books about books. There is fun banter, amazing competion. It's more than just a witty romance because the characters show such amazing growth through grief. They are beautiful, witty and entertaining all the way through. Rivals to Lovers began slowly. The first chapter from Wes felt wordy and blathering on. However, eventually this felt purposeful to expemplify the the different worlds of the the two main characters. I originally hated Wes and his privilage. This is a beautiful story. It shows great dual perspective. I was so excited for the possibility of a romance of growth. It was a great possibility of redemption for the redemption of the rich smugness of the man. Beautiful tropes: Enemies to Lovers, forced proximity, Different worlds, 2nd chance, redemption arc. Triggers: Classism, sexism, grief and loss, divorce

i will admit, i wasn't immediately drawn to this book. the ‘popular trope as book title’ trend is not my favourite and i’m not the biggest fan of reading books about writers. therefore, my not liking this book is entirely my own fault: it was exactly as it said on the tin and i ignored that because the author plugged it in a compelling way online. again, my own fault. there were moments of humour, but it never reached ‘giggling and kicking my feet’ territory for me, which i what i crave from a romance read. the biggest draw for me what the bisexual representation, but even that wasn’t enough to get me to love this book.

Thank you so much netgalley and Elise for the arc!
This book was so cute!! The tension between the two was just *chefs kiss*
I loved the idea behind the book but I felt like the rivalry was barely there I dunno if it was because it was 3rd person and was hard to really feel the emotions from them both. It also felt too drawn out like it could of easily of been shorter.
If you want something quick and ready to read definitely give this a go!

One book. Two rival adaptations. And a whole lot of unresolved tension...

Rivals to Lovers is a clever, heartfelt tribute to the stories that shape us. I adored how the novel explores the intensely personal relationship we form with books—how the same story can mean entirely different things to different people. For Mo, the feminist classic she read at thirteen wasn’t just a favourite—it was formative. From her hair colour to her cat’s name, the book helped define who she became. That kind of literary love—the kind that alters your lens on life—is something every reader will recognise.

The writing is witty and emotionally resonant, with just the right mix of banter, tension, and heart to keep the story moving. Mo and Wes are brilliantly layered, and watching their dynamic shift from wary competitors to something deeper was a joy. But what stayed with me most was how this book celebrates being a reader. If you've ever been changed by a story, this one's for you.

Charming, smart, and deeply bookish—this is rivals-to-lovers with soul.

I’m not usually into romcoms, but I’ve been giving them a try lately. Unfortunately, this one didn’t really connect with me it felt similar to other enemies-to-lovers stories I’ve read.

This book is a must read for everyone who loves a little ennemies/rivals to lovers. It’s so well written and extremely engaging. I couldn’t put it down, I wanted to know how the story unfold. I enjoyed the characters and the suspense, their chemistry and banter was also 10/10! I’m totally smitten with Wes… 🤭 The anticipation was on point.

I loved how complex Wes and Mo were, and seeing their character development. I would’ve loved to learn more about Wes coming out and accepting his bisexuality. I don’t usually see bisexual MMCs, so I would’ve liked to delve deeper into this. But I find it interesting either way.

This book perfectly describes the love for a story, how it touches and you and builds you. It reminded me a little of A Study in Drowning and Divine Rivals, which are my favorite books.

The side characters were also really interesting and fun, like Mo’s and Wes’ friends, Ulla, or Gary and Estelle’s story.

This book delivered everything I was expecting and more. I recommend it a 100%!

Thank you for the ARC! It was everything I was looking for and more.

I really enjoyed this book and I loved the romance between the characters. It did give me Emily Henry vibes and I am here for that


I highly recommend this book for everyone

Rivals to Lovers is an enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn, literary masterpiece! It was slow to start (only because it took time to really build the background for both characters). I loved how complex Mo and Wes are, and enjoyed a look into what the publishing world is like. The side characters were developed perfectly, (Mo's friends are the bomb!), the plot was engaging, and the MCs grew and changed in a realistic way. As a midwestern girly, I appreciated some of the midwestern hospitality (aka the airport scene LOL) and the references made to Wes. I felt like they were relatable characters and their POVs were enlightening.

If you're looking for an engaging, heartwarming, feel-good book, this is for you!

Cute and fun! I adored the premise of the two MC’s loving a book and being able to create and adaptation for it! I do wish we had a bit more of a backstory for the book but it’s more centered around Wes and Mo. For a book titled Rivals to Lovers they did become lovers FAST so I would’ve loved to seen that drawn out. Some elements were not my favorite like Wes comments were a lil uncomfy at times but I understand the intention.
However besides that, this reads like pride and prejudice: book lovers edition. Wes coming from a good wealthy family, famous mother and Mo a small-town caterer needing her big break. This book did drag and I almost dnf’d sadly but it was worth it for that ending!
All in all good and fun book romance story though!
3.5⭐️ because of the ending 🫶🏼

Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity to share my honest review!

Rivals to Lovers by Elise Wayland was so good! It has a really interesting premise, that I believe was executed very well!
It was a cute, fun read. I really liked it! There was a lot of anticipation, tension and rivalry that all blended wonderfully, and the ending wrapped everything up beautifully.

This book is incredibly cute. It flowed effortlessly despite being written in third person, which is admittedly not my proffered style. I was hooked from the first pages and loved the premise of two rival writers competing for their book adaptation to be published. Though the reason for them meeting was a bit peculiar (why would you invite both of them at the same time if you want to get to know them and their take on the adaptation), it drew the rivalry in even more. The chemistry between Mo and Wes was palpable and so was their connection and understanding for each other. It was nice to read a book, in which the characters can communicate as grown adults, although the near misses with the timing let to some conflicts, but fortunately these were sorted out fairy quickly.
The writing was fun with a lot of witty dialogue, likable characters, good pacing and much appreciated dual POV. I only wish that their rivalry lasted longer that it did and was bit more intense and palpable. Them getting over it happened a bit too quickly for me and if would create that much more tension and even more snarky banter between them. Also, I'm kinda puzzled about the spice in this book, because even though it is somewhat explicit on the page, it's more sprinkled in though characters reminiscing than being written on the page in one full segment.
Overall it was great read, I enjoyed it very much and the end is wrapped up very nicely.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alcove Press and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This one was so cute! The plot, flow, and author’s style felt very unique and genuine which made it such a fun and easy read. Overall, it gave off strong Emily Henry and Ali Hazelwood vibes.

The only thing I didn’t love was that the spice had a closed, but vaguely open door style to it that felt a bit awkward to read. But aside from that (which I feel can be very easily overlooked), I loved the MCs and their growth throughout the story.

I would definitely recommend this to any book lover in search of a quick, sweet contemporary romance.

Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for this ARC and the opportunity to give my candid feedback.

Rivals to Lovers is such a good book! I don’t really enjoy third person books but I loved this one! Both Wes and Mo write an adaptation of a book and compete to see which one will be published. They end up clicking despite having to compete for the adaptation. I loved how they loved eachother! The only thing I disliked was the miscommunication MULTIPLE times. But I totally recommend this book if you want a heartwarming easy read!