candace623's review against another edition
4.0
A great story. Loved Arya and Christian. Arya is the privileged girl that grew up with rich parents but a mother that was checked out. Christian was the maid’s son that got in trouble and ended up making a good life for himself. The background built a fantastic plot and I loved the back and forth with Arya and Christian. Can’t wait for the next in this series.
oladotun's review against another edition
3.0
I would give the book a 3.5-star rating, you know, it was alright, but I was expecting a bit more oomph. The confessions part? Meh, didn't really do much for me. Also, I hated that he had sex with her without revealing his true identity. Not cool, dude. Overall, I was kinda hoping for a juicier read, but hey, you win some, you lose some.
lucy_qhuay's review against another edition
3.0
I think this is my least favourite L.J.Shen's book. The writing was still good, but the characters didn't do it for me, particularly the heroine. I don't even know if it's adequate to call her ridiculously naive or stupid. She and her family truly fucked up the hero's life. If I had been in his place I wouldn't have touched her with a ten-foot pole. Granted, he made mistakes as well, but as far as I'm concerned he was a choirboy.
Anyway, I'm still looking forward to the next books, especially Riggs's. Can't wait!
juliesbooklandreviews's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
For my first book by L. J. Shen Ruthless Rival was really good. I loved Arya and Christian as characters and their past and present love story was interesting and what Arya's dad did was messed up and tried lying until he was caught and he finally admitted to everything he did. Christian's friends were entertaining and Arya's friend Julian was an okay friend. If you want something fun to read and not to mention I did listen along as the audiobook narrators narrated the characters and their voices for all these characters were really good too.
caffine_and_spice's review against another edition
4.0
LJ does it again. I loved this one! Not as much as others I think this one has a lot of filler that made it longer then necessary but besides that it was *muah*
bibliophile3785's review
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
probablyromance's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved the Count of Monte Cristo x Atonement vibes. It’s the perfect amount of angst and romance. There are always some side character issues that I wished were fleshed out better but that’s more of genre issue.
ledamerouge's review against another edition
3.0
yet another version of our best boy vicious spencer
but i enjoyed this one too
but i enjoyed this one too
stephkeepsreading's review against another edition
5.0
This one killed me. Cried a couple of times. So wholesome! I loved Nicky and Ari’s story and how they ALWAYS loved each other! Arsène and Riggs were the best thing! I loved their friendship with Christian! ♥️ Can’t wait to read their books!
theoriginal_b00k_nerd's review
5.0
Ruthless Rival - Cruel Castaways #1 - Review
Couple: Arya Roth & Christian Miller
Author: L.J. Shen
Tropes: frenemy to lover, hidden identity, second chance romance, dark romance, hidden agendas
Review: Another great high angst enemies to lovers read from LJ Shen! This book is once again written in dual POV and is written from past and present. The story is about Arya and Christian (formerly Niko) who were childhood friends and then innocent lovers to enemies as adults.
The tale is old as time and focuses on the hate Christian felt when he believed his childhood best friend betrayed him and made him go away. It is tension filled and emotional and it will leaves you needing more from this dynamic duo. I loved this book, it was so full of strife and coming of age/new adult themes that it makes you feel like you are in the midst of the plot watching it happen.
Arya is a socialite but also a business woman. I thought her plights and desires to branch out from her family were strong willed and amazing. She is a string FMC who feels drawn to Christian but also repulsed that she is attracted to the man trying to put her father in prison. Add on the fact that he is disturbingly familiar to her and the plot thickens with their attraction and hate.
Christian is a man who takes what he wants. I admired and hated his character. He truly rose from the ashes after being exiled from New York at a young age. I enjoyed his POV and loved how he grew into a man who valued true relationships. I felt like the addition of his friend group and pseudo-mother were important to who his character was and loved how cynical his thoughts were.
The book is HAWT on the spice level and this couple is it! Arya and Christian are two halves of one soul and it is amazing to read them coming together again. I felt like the deceptions and betrayals were so smoothly done that at times I was surprised. I really liked how she confronts her father at the end and makes amends with her mother.
This book is good for anyone who loves enemy to lovers reads.
Rating: 10/10, OMG Christian Miller!
Couple: Arya Roth & Christian Miller
Author: L.J. Shen
Tropes: frenemy to lover, hidden identity, second chance romance, dark romance, hidden agendas
Review: Another great high angst enemies to lovers read from LJ Shen! This book is once again written in dual POV and is written from past and present. The story is about Arya and Christian (formerly Niko) who were childhood friends and then innocent lovers to enemies as adults.
The tale is old as time and focuses on the hate Christian felt when he believed his childhood best friend betrayed him and made him go away. It is tension filled and emotional and it will leaves you needing more from this dynamic duo. I loved this book, it was so full of strife and coming of age/new adult themes that it makes you feel like you are in the midst of the plot watching it happen.
Arya is a socialite but also a business woman. I thought her plights and desires to branch out from her family were strong willed and amazing. She is a string FMC who feels drawn to Christian but also repulsed that she is attracted to the man trying to put her father in prison. Add on the fact that he is disturbingly familiar to her and the plot thickens with their attraction and hate.
Christian is a man who takes what he wants. I admired and hated his character. He truly rose from the ashes after being exiled from New York at a young age. I enjoyed his POV and loved how he grew into a man who valued true relationships. I felt like the addition of his friend group and pseudo-mother were important to who his character was and loved how cynical his thoughts were.
The book is HAWT on the spice level and this couple is it! Arya and Christian are two halves of one soul and it is amazing to read them coming together again. I felt like the deceptions and betrayals were so smoothly done that at times I was surprised. I really liked how she confronts her father at the end and makes amends with her mother.
This book is good for anyone who loves enemy to lovers reads.
Rating: 10/10, OMG Christian Miller!