Book Review: Rival (Fall Away #2) by Penelope Douglas

I feel like I have been waiting ages for this book, and yet I really had to psych myself up for it. I loved Bully and Until You and all of the gut wrenching emotions they brought with them. But the ARC for Rival sat in my inbox for weeks before I finally worked up enough courage to start it. Why? Because I knew it would grab hold of me and take me on an emotional journey that would leave me wrecked. And it was everything that I expected it to be.

After reading the first two books in this series, I was really looking forward to learning more about Madoc. Sure he had plenty of super jerk moments, but you could tell tell there was something more underneath the surface. And what is there is a boy hiding a world of hurt behind a cool, wise ass facade. Nothing could have prepared me for the world of pain that Madoc and Fallon go through. And Fallon? Dear God poor Fallon. She really took the brunt of it all and my heart literally split apart for her.

I wavered back and forth in my feelings for both of them between loving them and then being so frustrated with them that I wanted to throw things. At their heads. They make stupid, selfish mistakes that will make you scream but ultimately, they are kids and that is par for the course. In the end, I do love them both and their love for each other. I just wish they had an easier road.

Now not to take anything away from these two, but I have to say that Jax stole the show for me a little bit. We get a small glimpse of him which has left me itching for his story. He might be new to this "group" but dammit if he didn't show just how far he would go for his friends. I was impressed and quite honestly, a little bit turned on. So yeah, bring on more Jax!!

As I said, Rival lived up to everything I expected it to be. Penelope Douglas has delivered another story in this series that brings out every emotion possible and leaves you in a puddle of your own tears and snot. You definitely need to have a box of tissues near by when reading this book. It was heartbreaking and beautiful and just perfect for Madoc and Fallon.

"Take me home. To your bed. Lock me up in your room and feed me until the only thing I know how to do is moan your name."

Marianna's Rating:

**I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Excerpt: Madoc and Fallon in the Mirror

Reaching around, he twisted my chin towards the mirror, and I sucked in a breath. “What do you see?!” he shouted. “You and me!” I blurted out. “Madoc and Fallon!” My heart was racing. I looked at him through the mirror. I sat on one side of his lap, so he could see from the other side, and we stared at each other, my chest rising and falling more urgently. “That’s not what I see,” he said in a low voice. “Those names mean nothing to me. They’re simple and empty. When I’m with you, I don’t see the daughter of a gold digging bitch and an Irish drug lord or the son of a crooked lawyer and a vegan Barbie.” I almost wanted to laugh. Madoc had an ironic way of looking at the world. But he wasn’t smiling. He was scowling. He was dead serious, and I knew from experience that his genuine moments were few and far between. He reached up, threading one hand into my hair while the other hand rested on the chair. “I see everything I want for as long as I can have it,” he continued. “I see a woman that wears the cutest little scowl like she’s two years old and was just told she couldn’t have candy. I see a guy that went and got an apadravya piercing, because he wanted to live in her world for even a little while.” I closed my eyes. Don’t do this to me, Madoc. Please.

Title: Rival  
Series: A Fall Away Novel #2
Author: Penelope Douglas
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/18129852-rival
Blurb:
Madoc and Fallon. Two estranged teenagers playing games that push the boundaries between love and war…

She’s back.

For the two years she’s been away at boarding school, there was no word from her. Back when we lived in the same house, she used to cut me down during the day and then leave her door open for me at night.

I was stupid then, but now I’m ready to beat her at her own game…

I’m back.

Two years and I can tell he still wants me, even if he acts like he’s better than me.

But I won’t be scared away. Or pushed down. I’ll call his bluff and fight back. That’s what he wants, right? As long as I keep my guard up, he’ll never know how much he affects me….
Buy:

Book #1
Bully

My Review

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Book #1.5
Until You

My Review

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About the Author
Penelope Douglas is a writer and teacher in Las Vegas. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, she is the oldest of five children. Penelope attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, because her father told her to "just get the degree!" She then earned a Masters of Science in Education at Loyola University in New Orleans, because she hated Public Administration. One night, she got tipsy and told the bouncer at the bar where she worked that his son was hot, and three years later they were married. To the son, not the bouncer. They have spawn, but just one. A daughter named Aydan. Penelope loves sweets, the show Sons of Anarchy, and she shops at Target almost daily.

Website: www.penelopedouglasauthor.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PenelopeDouglasAuthor
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7139136.Penelope_Douglas
Twitter: @PenDouglas
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/penelopedouglas



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