pretty fun and well written book about two rivals to get their book settled, although i feel like both of the characters could have used a minute or two more in the oven. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Wanted to love it, ended up feeling kinda meh. Marketing of the book says it’s great for fans of Emily Henry and Ali Hazelwood—I’ve only read one of Ali’s books and none of Emily’s so maybe readers who love those two authors will appreciate this more. Also — 3rd person pov! Not my fav so definitely affected my feelings towards it.

I started this read hoping for some solid banter and romantic tension since “rivals” is in the title, but it didn’t really deliver on either (at least in a way I wanted). The “rivalry” felt more like minor annoyance than actual sparks flying. I want heat with rivalry not just small spats and eye rolls.

Wes (MMC) came off a bit watered-down and just overall lacking for me to have more complex feelings about him. He’s rich, broody, and vaguely sad about his parents’ divorce, but that was about it. I felt more emotions with Mo (FMC) and definitely related to her obsession with a book that feels like it truly transcended everything and shaped you into the person you are today. But her insecurity kinda took too much of a front seat role to where I started to get a little annoyed with her.

The main part that pushed me to 3⭐️ was that it felt like the author couldn’t seem to decide what kind of romance she wanted this to be. It tiptoed toward being spicy but then pulled back on details every time things started heating up. Like, if you’re gonna go there, go there. Maybe it was just the transitions in scenes, but it definitely pulled me out of the story.

Overall, I found myself putting it down a lot and having to remind myself to go back to it because the characters and rivalry just wasn’t holding my attention as strong as I had wanted. There were cute moments and a fun concept with the whole story-within-a-story angle, but overall it just didn’t click for me. Not a bad book, just not one I see myself revisiting or raving about unfortunately.

Aspiring writer Maureen has just gotten the best news ever: an invite to pitch her novel, an adaptation of a beloved American classic, to the author’s estate. Included in this invitation is a stay at the mansion belonging to the author’s heir for a weekend.

However she soon finds out that she faces formidable competition. Wes, a wealthy and well connected literary agent is also staying for the weekend and vying for his retelling to be chosen. It doesn’t feel like a fair fight to Maureen, who makes her feelings known to Wes.

But as they read each other's books, their rivalry transforms into mutual admiration then into a sensual and tender affair. But it’s all threatened by the impending and life-changing publishing decision, and by the secrets Wes is keeping from Maureen.

This sweet novel features a dual point of view, a vibrant cast of characters, and lgbtqia+ representation against a fun New York backdrop. Fans of bookish love stories like the ones found in Emily Henry’s novels, and emotional romances like Kate Clayborn and Tarah DeWitt will flock to this debut.

Thank you to Netgalley the publisher Alcove Press for providing me with a complimentary advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC copy of this book.
I think this book should fall under the friends to lovers more than enemies to lovers. While yes they were competing against each other. It was never really anything brutal or cutthroat. And the we’re friendly to each from the start.
It was a sweet light read. I do like how they both had different takes on the story they were doing a retelling of. And it just shows how books can have different impacts on our lives as we age and the environment we are in at the time of reading it.

I really dislike the daughters in this story, while their parts were small in the book, I still had a bad taste for them.

It was a simple read about two aspiring writers competing to write the adaptation of the same book. I liked the character development both the characters had. I like the FMC a lot more that the MMC. Mo felt a lot more relatable probably because I’m trying to write my own book too and I could understand her passion. The characters chemistry was alright but could have been better. It was missing a little something. Overall it was a good read.

This book was the perfect palate cleanser between all the intense fantasy and thrillers I’ve been reading lately! I loved the banter and chemistry between Mo and Wes—it felt effortless and fun, but still had emotional depth. The whole setup of two writers competing to adapt their favorite classic novel was such a cool twist, and the Manhattan setting added a cozy, creative vibe.

There’s LGBTQ+ representation, great character development, and the romance is sweet with closed-door spice, which I really appreciated. If you’re in the mood for a light, feel-good read with a bit of sass and heart, this one definitely delivers.

2 adaptations of a classic novel, Which will get approval from the authors family?? Upon receiving an invitation to spend the weekend at the authors daughters with her 2 children to read their manuscripts, who can win them over.
This was a lovely easy read with some unexpected story lines, which just make the book. Looking forward to reading more from Elsie Wayland

It is not your typical enemies to lovers kind of story where they HATE each other. They are both writers fighting to get their adaptation of their favourite classic novel - The Proud and the Lost picked by the elderly daughter of the original novelist. From rivalry, a bond develops which excites and baffled them and they would rather prefer to pretend it is just a mere friendship.

The buildup was slow for me, I found the MMC, Wes POV boring. I also felt that they moved pretty fast from rivals to lovers/friends with benefits zone. The rivalry wasn't intense nor drawn out.

An easy to read, flirty romance story. A 6.5/10 for me.

I love a good Rivals to Lovers trope. So I was excited to receive this advanced copy. Rivals to Lovers is a sweet story about two main characters competing for the same job. It is a book about writers wanting to publish a modern take on a classic story. This is a challenge for sure, but it gets even stickier when both authors start to have feelings for each other. This book was a cute light read for those that love a romance book.

I really struggled to get into this book. The chapters are quite long with my kindle suggesting it will take 30 minutes for each chapter when usually I'd read a chapter in 10-15 minutes. The back and forth of having to understand the background of the book they're discussing adds to the complications of reading this. Although I was enjoying the dynamic and the overall plot idea, I was unable to continue past 20% of this book. I may try again at a later date but I just found it hard to follow through and get into the book.

Thank you, NetGalley and Alcove Press, for this advanced reader copy! You can pick up Rivals to Lovers by Elsie Wayland on August 12, 2025!

3.5 ⭐️

This book was a delightful read!

I loved the premise–Mo and Wes both wrote an adaptation/retelling of their versions of the same classic tale. However, only one of their books will end up getting published. The two ended up battling…until love was thrown in the mix.

I adored Mo and Wes–their chemistry was palpable, and their banter was *chef kiss*! The story gave me all the feels–smiling, laughing, and warming my heart. Rivals-to-lovers is my all-time favorite, and it describes the title perfectly.

The only criticism I could give was that the book started off slow, and it dragged on. But I still ended up enjoying it!

I highly recommend Rivals to Lovers if you’re looking for:

- Closed-door spice
- Rivals-to-lovers
- LGBTQ representations
- Third-person/dual povs
- He falls first

As soon as I read the title I knew I couldn't miss this book. My weakness is enemies to lovers and this is it. Fun, easy to read, perfectly matches the spring/summer mood that I'm in right now. It contained all the tropes that make a romantic comedy a top read and this book definitely didn't disappoint. I especially liked the idea of ​​a story within a story.

First of all thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

4 stars – Cute, fun, and totally bingeable!

Rivals to Lovers was such an entertaining read. The banter was sharp, the chemistry was slow-burn and satisfying, and the rivalry never felt too harsh, just the right balance of tension and flirtation. I loved how both main characters slowly let their guards down, turning competition into connection. Add in a bookish setting, great side moments, and a soft-hearted love interest? Total win. Perfect for when you want something light, romantic, and full of smiles!

I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters to be very well written and realistic.
The start of the book was slow to get into but once it passed the book moved and an exciting pace.

I thought the premise was fun however I was skeptical going on because it sounds very like Emily Henry’s Great Big Beautiful Life with some minor differences. However I was pleasantly surprised at how this book stood up on its own.

Tropes:
Rivals to lovers
Forced proximity
He falls first
Slow burn

Rivals to Lovers by Elise Wayland is such a cute spring read! We follow Mo, who leaves her small-town life in Iowa to chase her dream of becoming an author in NYC, and Wes, a literary agent with dreams of writing something of his own. Both are passionate about adapting their favorite classic, The Proud and the Lost. But Estelle, the original author’s daughter, has never approved an adaptation until now. She invites them to her Greenwich estate for a weekend retreat, where only one version will be chosen.

It’s told in third-person narrative, which usually isn’t my thing, but I still found myself really enjoying the story.

I also really liked some of the side characters and the dynamic between the FMC and her roommates—it added a cozy, fun layer to the story, which always feels like a win. If you’re a fan of Emily Henry’s writing style and storytelling, I think this one will be right up your alley.

Overall, a cute, feel-good read with an interesting concept. A huge thanks to Alcove Press and NetGalley!
Highly recommend checking it out if you are in the mood for it! 📖💕

Rivals to lovers was an easy read. Finished it in about 24 hours and I found it enjoyable. I definitely wasn’t the demographic, but I powered through and I’m glad I did. Like I said, I definitely wasn’t the person the book was written for, but I did enjoy it and found it to be well written.

I really wanted to like this book, another debut author. The concept is really cool: Adaptation of a story, kinda plays out like story within a story within a story. I had a hard time finding MMCs story compelling: Nepo baby, silver spoon fed, and parents divorce your biggest struggle? Feel like that character could have spent some more time in the oven. The FFM is a little on the insecure for my liking. And listen, if the book title has “Rivals” I’d expect there to be more actual rivalry, this was not it.

The semi closed door was annoying…their first (kinda) sexy time scene I was confused, cuz we jumped from one backdrop to another and all the sudden they are naked, but we didn’t get any build up or release. A cock tease of confusion. If your book description says “for the Emily Henry, Ali Hazelwood lovers” I’m expecting some bone tastic scenes.

Once I got past some of my annoyances, it was cute enough, but I struggled to keep picking it up and finishing it.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC, this is my honest review.

Thank you so much to publisher Alcove Press and NetGalley for this arc! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was highly anticipating Rivals to Lovers as the premise sounded so intriguing and full of promise, however it unfortunately did not meet my expectations. Especially given the title I was anticipating a true enemies to lovers rivalry happening as they battled it out to prove who's adaptation is the best. Instead I was met with insta-lust, one of my least liked tropes.

Personally I found both Mo and Wes to be unlikeable. Mo had a real "woe is me" attitude, and was very "eat the rich" until they buy her a pretty dress. Wes on the other hand cannot communicate to save his life. This wasn't just miscommunication, this was a distinct lack of anything. The cause of the third act breakup was clear from the second chapter, and while there were a few unknown tidbits that sprung up along the way, it was all fairly predictable.

I didn't enjoy the pacing of this book and found that the first section in particular felt really dragged out. I think I would have enjoyed it more if we had met Mo and Wes during the writing process aka they were both commissioned to write an adaptation and whoever's was best got to be published, as it would have given them more time to really be rivals before they were lovers.

I do have to say that I really loved Elise Wayland's writing style! I felt that this book had so much promise and while it wasn't the one for me, I do hope to pick up another of Elise's in the future that hopefully resonates with me more!

Two aspiring authors find themselves having to work against each other to get their adaptation of a well loved novel released. This is only a wonderful sum for tension and suspense in the face of academic ambitions.

The story of Mo and Wes was written well, though I'd say its more workplace rivals to lovers as opposed to enemies to lovers. It was an enjoyable cosy read that will be easy for a reader to pick up and fall into when they need something to read by the pool side.

The tension and rivalry was short lived and I'd have enjoyed more pages filled with it before they become friends/lovers. I feel that this would have drawn me into the story more, and made it more unputdownable.

Overall its an enjoyable read, and is worth picking up if you need something easy for your holiday.

Thank you to Elise Wayland, Alcove Press and NetGallery for this ARC.

Two aspiring writers, Mo and Wes, compete to have the approval to release their adaptation of their favourite novel, The Proud and the Lost. The authors estate will only allow one adaptation to move forward, therefore Mo and Wes are invited along to pitch their respective novels to Estelle, the authors daughter.

Mo and Wes clash, the tension soon bubbling up and over between them as they begin to act on their actions. Can their attraction continue past the weekend and will they continue their friendship/relationship past this.

The premise for the book sounded intriguing but I found this quite tough to get through - mainly due to it being in third person (I'm not overly keen on books written this way). The main characters weren't rivals for very long and I felt like the pacing was off in the middle and a few scenes could have been cut from the book.

I found it quite hard to connect with the characters. Wes is a nepo baby and I feel like he was quite deceptive despite saying he had reasons to do so. He just came across as quite entitled. Mo, I found to be quite bland. There was something I just couldn't put my finger on with her.

I did a few of the side characters like Estelle and feel like she could have featured a bit more.

Overall it was an ok read. I could see people who enjoy soft, cosy romances enjoying this book, it just wasn't for me.