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Chester Falls #2
How to Catch a Rival
When you’re competing, the last thing you should do is fall in love...especially with your rival.
Wren turned up out of nowhere and now he’s my boss...kind of. He’s also a straight, closed-off, emotionless icicle. Who cares if he’s also drop dead gorgeous, with eyes you could get lost in?
Tom is beautiful, colorful, strong, creative, and my eyes can’t stop following him everywhere he goes. He also works for my parents, which means he’s off limits. That, and I haven’t told them that I’m bi yet.
A baking competition with high stakes
Two men who both need that prize money
When the heat moves from the kitchen to the bedroom, will Tom and Wren put their rivalry aside? Or is what they stand to lose more important than their growing feelings?
Welcome to Chester Falls, where you can expect to meet sweet men, sexy situations, interfering friends, lots of feels, and a happy ever after.
Book two in the Chester Falls series. How To Catch a Rival is a standalone sweet and steamy MM romance novel with no cliffhanger, and a guaranteed HEA.
Wren turned up out of nowhere and now he’s my boss...kind of. He’s also a straight, closed-off, emotionless icicle. Who cares if he’s also drop dead gorgeous, with eyes you could get lost in?
Tom is beautiful, colorful, strong, creative, and my eyes can’t stop following him everywhere he goes. He also works for my parents, which means he’s off limits. That, and I haven’t told them that I’m bi yet.
A baking competition with high stakes
Two men who both need that prize money
When the heat moves from the kitchen to the bedroom, will Tom and Wren put their rivalry aside? Or is what they stand to lose more important than their growing feelings?
Welcome to Chester Falls, where you can expect to meet sweet men, sexy situations, interfering friends, lots of feels, and a happy ever after.
Book two in the Chester Falls series. How To Catch a Rival is a standalone sweet and steamy MM romance novel with no cliffhanger, and a guaranteed HEA.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 24, 2020
About the author
Ana Ashley
61 books791 followersMeet Ana Ashley, your friendly neighborhood romance author!
Ana has been lost in the pages of books for as long as she can remember, taking a few amusing missteps with her childhood writing attempts. But everything changed when she discovered the magical world of LGBTQ+ romance—cue the confetti!
Ana's books offer sweet and sexy romance with a charming mix of humor and heart. Getting her guys together wouldn't be the same without the meddling but well-intentioned cast of secondary characters, who always insist on having their own story.
When she’s not crafting heartfelt tales, you can find her indulging in her favorite pastime of baking delicious treats, enjoying quality time with friends, or staying up late immersed in the pages of a good book.
You can find out more about Ana and her works-in-progress by joining her Newsletter. To sign up visit Ana's website anawritesmm.com
Ana has been lost in the pages of books for as long as she can remember, taking a few amusing missteps with her childhood writing attempts. But everything changed when she discovered the magical world of LGBTQ+ romance—cue the confetti!
Ana's books offer sweet and sexy romance with a charming mix of humor and heart. Getting her guys together wouldn't be the same without the meddling but well-intentioned cast of secondary characters, who always insist on having their own story.
When she’s not crafting heartfelt tales, you can find her indulging in her favorite pastime of baking delicious treats, enjoying quality time with friends, or staying up late immersed in the pages of a good book.
You can find out more about Ana and her works-in-progress by joining her Newsletter. To sign up visit Ana's website anawritesmm.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
September 29, 2021
This went from "cute and sweet" to "WTF?" to "worst plot ever!" in a shocking speed towards the end.
First the two things that did not make any sense at all:
- Why does someone who never baked before expect to win a baking competition?
- And why does someone who grew up in a town where almost everyone is on the LGBT spectrum AND whom's parents are publicly and openly support LGBTs is afraid to come out to his parents?
Other than that: in the second half of the book cute and sparkly Tom decides to become an a@@hole, which is very disappointing, and then comes the plot. It read like the author did not really have a plan where this story was going and just made up shit while she was writing.
Plot "The Rejection":
Plot "Winner Winner":
The author has some epic love messages and her protagonists say the most romantic things, but *holy cow* was this story all over the place!
Nevertheless I recommend the first book in the series, How to Catch a Prince, which was very sappy and sweet but without the "WTF"-triggers except for a very fast moving love story.
First the two things that did not make any sense at all:
- Why does someone who never baked before expect to win a baking competition?
- And why does someone who grew up in a town where almost everyone is on the LGBT spectrum AND whom's parents are publicly and openly support LGBTs is afraid to come out to his parents?
Other than that: in the second half of the book cute and sparkly Tom decides to become an a@@hole, which is very disappointing, and then comes the plot. It read like the author did not really have a plan where this story was going and just made up shit while she was writing.
Plot "The Rejection":
Plot "Winner Winner":
The author has some epic love messages and her protagonists say the most romantic things, but *holy cow* was this story all over the place!
Nevertheless I recommend the first book in the series, How to Catch a Prince, which was very sappy and sweet but without the "WTF"-triggers except for a very fast moving love story.
November 9, 2020
I loved this book. At first I thought Tom was a little much, but he grew on me. I just couldn’t put it down and zoomed right through it. It was also fun to see Kris and Charlie again.
January 18, 2025
This one was good...until it wasn't. I never did understand why Wren wouldn't tell his family about his football injury. He acts like he's close to his family, so why would he think he could hide that for years? lol. Same with his relationship with his brother.
Then you have the competition and everything that happened afterwards. It just was too much. You go from sweet for the majority of the book to the end just being ridiculous.
Then you have the competition and everything that happened afterwards. It just was too much. You go from sweet for the majority of the book to the end just being ridiculous.
March 11, 2020
Super cute and sexy.
However, not as good as the first book, but I might have had too high expectations since I absolutely loved the first one.
Some things didn't add up and I had to go back to see if I'd missed something.
Anyway, can't wait for the next book.
However, not as good as the first book, but I might have had too high expectations since I absolutely loved the first one.
Some things didn't add up and I had to go back to see if I'd missed something.
Anyway, can't wait for the next book.
August 6, 2020
Nice, fast moving story but too much crying from Tom.
May 5, 2020
Unfortunately this book did not work for me. First, it is very obvious that this author is not American, knows nothing about American football or professional football leagues, and knows nothing about New England's climate. Second, the thought that Wren would be injured during a game, would be in the hospital and would have surgery and no one in his family would have a clue is completely unbelievable. Very hard to swallow. This story gets two stars for Tom. The first story was cute. This story left me shaking my head. Here's to hoping the third story is better.
November 8, 2023
Tom et Wren avec un Culomètre à 🍑
Deuxième tome pour cette série toujours aussi sympathique à lire, passez un bon moment avec Tom et Wren.
Dans le cas d'un changement de vie, Tom s'est installé à Chester Falls, ville où son ami habite. Son rêve : ouvrir une boutique de vêtements dans le local qu'il a repéré pas loin. Mais il lui reste un obstacle, l'argent. Mais le retour du fils prodige des ses employeurs va lui donner un rival de taille dans le concours de pâtisserie de la ville.
Comme le tome précédent, l'histoire de celui-ci est simple dans son scénario et dans son écriture. Il ne faut pas s'attendre à plus que ce qu'en dit le résumé, mais franchement, ça suffit bien.
On découvre d'abord Tom, gay assumé, pleins de couleurs et de joie, il évolue dans une boutique de Chester Falls avec des employeurs, un couple charmant, très bons avec lui mais il rêve de plus grand. Et quand il entend parler du concours avec à la clé 10.000€, il va se mettre à la pâtisserie pour gagner le gros lot.
Et puis, Wren arrive et tour devient moins simple. Wren ment à ses parents, parti pour jouer en football au niveau pro, il s'est blessé et est devenu professeur de sport, ce qu'il n'a évidemment pas dit à sa famille.
Quand ils se voient pour la première fois, c'est un mini coup de foudre qui se crée mais Wren est encore dans le placard et n'est pas franchement prêt à en sortir (quoi que).
Au fils des pages, les deux protagonistes vont se tourner autour jusqu'à que Wren ne craque et ne commence à sortir ensemble. Mais ils participent tous les deux au concours et la tension règne. Ce n'est pas vraiment un ennemis-to-lovers puisqu'ils sont à peine rivaux mais c'est juste assez pour que ça soot intéressant.
Après ce n'est pas non plus très profond comme romance, mais si ce n'est pas ce que vous recherchez, alors ça ira parfaitement !
Deuxième tome pour cette série toujours aussi sympathique à lire, passez un bon moment avec Tom et Wren.
Dans le cas d'un changement de vie, Tom s'est installé à Chester Falls, ville où son ami habite. Son rêve : ouvrir une boutique de vêtements dans le local qu'il a repéré pas loin. Mais il lui reste un obstacle, l'argent. Mais le retour du fils prodige des ses employeurs va lui donner un rival de taille dans le concours de pâtisserie de la ville.
Comme le tome précédent, l'histoire de celui-ci est simple dans son scénario et dans son écriture. Il ne faut pas s'attendre à plus que ce qu'en dit le résumé, mais franchement, ça suffit bien.
On découvre d'abord Tom, gay assumé, pleins de couleurs et de joie, il évolue dans une boutique de Chester Falls avec des employeurs, un couple charmant, très bons avec lui mais il rêve de plus grand. Et quand il entend parler du concours avec à la clé 10.000€, il va se mettre à la pâtisserie pour gagner le gros lot.
Et puis, Wren arrive et tour devient moins simple. Wren ment à ses parents, parti pour jouer en football au niveau pro, il s'est blessé et est devenu professeur de sport, ce qu'il n'a évidemment pas dit à sa famille.
Quand ils se voient pour la première fois, c'est un mini coup de foudre qui se crée mais Wren est encore dans le placard et n'est pas franchement prêt à en sortir (quoi que).
Au fils des pages, les deux protagonistes vont se tourner autour jusqu'à que Wren ne craque et ne commence à sortir ensemble. Mais ils participent tous les deux au concours et la tension règne. Ce n'est pas vraiment un ennemis-to-lovers puisqu'ils sont à peine rivaux mais c'est juste assez pour que ça soot intéressant.
Après ce n'est pas non plus très profond comme romance, mais si ce n'est pas ce que vous recherchez, alors ça ira parfaitement !
June 10, 2020
I love Tom, he is so comfortable in his own skin and just has this bright sweet outlook. When he sets his eyes on Wren, he almost combusts. Oh Wren, you silly lost boy. Wren hasn't come out to his parents that he is bi and has kept himself in the closet as he didn’t want that to interfere with his NFL carrier. But unfortunately, his career crashes and burns when he has a devastating knee injury. Why at that point he doesn’t tell his parents that his career is over and that he is bi is beyond me. I’m not sure how he was able to keep the fact that he was no longer playing ball. Didn’t anyone in his family notice that he wasn’t on a team? Once you retire, due to injury or otherwise, you are not listed on anyone’s roster. As if they would judge him, ever. Wren hasn’t been home in several years and comes back when his dad becomes ill. His parents own a shop and Tom works there and is a valued employee or should I say part of the family. Tom has a dream of opening his own shop and there is an empty building that would be perfect, if only he could scrape up the money. As it turns out, it is Pride week & on top of the best window decoration contest, there is a baking contest with a prize of $10,000, which of course both Wren & Tom enter. I loved watching how competitive they are with each other. Even though there is mutual attraction, it is a slow burn between our two MC’s. There were also some misunderstandings that I really didn’t think was needed in the story, but our two love birds finally do get their HEA. I can’t wait for James’ book to come out in audio, I have been impatiently waiting for his book since I listened to book 1. If you enjoyed the first book, you will definitely enjoy this one as well.
Audio ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Audio ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2026
*sigh* I almost DNF, but I saw I only had an hour to go and thought maybe the book would redeem itself. I'm glad I stuck with it, if only to get to the HEA, which made the read more worthwhile.
This book just seemed incredibly amateurish to me. There were things in the plot that just strained credulity.
For instance, when the story begins, we learned that Wren had become a professional football player straight out of high school, that he had injured his knee and had been forced to retire and become a high school teacher/football coach. He didn't tell his parents that he'd injured himself and retired because he was embarrassed, and he believed that they hadn't noticed. For years. As if there was no such thing as telephones, newspapers, or the internet. Utterly ridiculous.
The book largely centered around a baking contest. Fine. But this small-town baking contest had a cash prize of $10,000. Again, utterly ridiculous.
Tom was a bit obnoxious, and I really, really disliked him, straight through to the end. Consequently, I couldn't see why Wren would find Tom appealing, other than his hot tushy. Book 1 had a relationship that was credible and MCs who were appealing. That's a bit subjective though, so I didn't rate down for that. It was the other nonsense.
Audiobook: Nick Hudson seemed uninspired. He was fine in general, but his reading of the steamy bits was lackluster in the extreme. Everand.
This book just seemed incredibly amateurish to me. There were things in the plot that just strained credulity.
For instance, when the story begins, we learned that Wren had become a professional football player straight out of high school, that he had injured his knee and had been forced to retire and become a high school teacher/football coach. He didn't tell his parents that he'd injured himself and retired because he was embarrassed, and he believed that they hadn't noticed. For years. As if there was no such thing as telephones, newspapers, or the internet. Utterly ridiculous.
The book largely centered around a baking contest. Fine. But this small-town baking contest had a cash prize of $10,000. Again, utterly ridiculous.
Tom was a bit obnoxious, and I really, really disliked him, straight through to the end. Consequently, I couldn't see why Wren would find Tom appealing, other than his hot tushy. Book 1 had a relationship that was credible and MCs who were appealing. That's a bit subjective though, so I didn't rate down for that. It was the other nonsense.
Audiobook: Nick Hudson seemed uninspired. He was fine in general, but his reading of the steamy bits was lackluster in the extreme. Everand.
June 4, 2023
RECENSIONE A CURA DI ELYXYZ
Come per i precedenti volumi, anche questo libro è una sorta di dolce coccola da leggere per rilassarsi, magari fra due letture più impegnative o turbolente, perché è un concentrato di glitter, dolcezza e favolosità che strappa più di un sorriso e regala un’iniezione di buonumore.
Abbiamo già conosciuto Tom, l’amico-coinquilino ed ex-collega del precedente protagonista. Quando Charlie ha seguito il suo principe all’estero, Tom ha deciso di lasciare Boston e di trasferirsi nella piccola, ma accogliente Chester Falls per rivederlo nei ritorni in patria e per poter ricominciare, sperando di aprire il proprio negozio di abiti realizzati su misura, che è il suo sogno di sempre.
Per adesso si accontenta di fare il commesso nell’emporio della piccola cittadina e guarda avido la vetrina vuota del locale che vuole affittare.
Continua sul nostro blog!
Come per i precedenti volumi, anche questo libro è una sorta di dolce coccola da leggere per rilassarsi, magari fra due letture più impegnative o turbolente, perché è un concentrato di glitter, dolcezza e favolosità che strappa più di un sorriso e regala un’iniezione di buonumore.
Abbiamo già conosciuto Tom, l’amico-coinquilino ed ex-collega del precedente protagonista. Quando Charlie ha seguito il suo principe all’estero, Tom ha deciso di lasciare Boston e di trasferirsi nella piccola, ma accogliente Chester Falls per rivederlo nei ritorni in patria e per poter ricominciare, sperando di aprire il proprio negozio di abiti realizzati su misura, che è il suo sogno di sempre.
Per adesso si accontenta di fare il commesso nell’emporio della piccola cittadina e guarda avido la vetrina vuota del locale che vuole affittare.
Continua sul nostro blog!
January 27, 2023
This was a super cute, fun read. Wren and Tom were such a cute couple together. With Rival being in the title I was thinking it would be an enemies to lovers but it really wasn’t. They were just rivals in the baking competition, there was no real animosity towards each other except for a few parts.
Tom is a very femme MC and I haven’t read too many books with this type of character but I really enjoyed reading about Tom and his dreams and being there with him when his dream finally came true and he had his HEA with Wren!!
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job. I was laughing out loud quite a lot listening to this book! There were also a few very emotional moments that had my eyes watering.
I do recommend reading this series in order. This is the first book in this series and by this author that I have read and I was lost at times. It seemed like we should have known the back story for some of the side characters to understand how everyone is connected.
Tom is a very femme MC and I haven’t read too many books with this type of character but I really enjoyed reading about Tom and his dreams and being there with him when his dream finally came true and he had his HEA with Wren!!
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job. I was laughing out loud quite a lot listening to this book! There were also a few very emotional moments that had my eyes watering.
I do recommend reading this series in order. This is the first book in this series and by this author that I have read and I was lost at times. It seemed like we should have known the back story for some of the side characters to understand how everyone is connected.
January 26, 2020
This book was both cute and super sexy!
That's what happens when you put a super sparkly fashion-loving sexy twink like Tom Jones in close proximity to a (maybe) closeted bi, sexy hunk, ex football pleyer like Wren Mason.
The push and pull is strong for both of them, but the attraction is so strong to overcome everything else.
I'm really loving this new series by Ana Ashley, low-angst stories set in the quaint little town of Chester Falls, which is so supportive they have a month-long Pride celebration in October.
I can't wait to read many more stories!
That's what happens when you put a super sparkly fashion-loving sexy twink like Tom Jones in close proximity to a (maybe) closeted bi, sexy hunk, ex football pleyer like Wren Mason.
The push and pull is strong for both of them, but the attraction is so strong to overcome everything else.
I'm really loving this new series by Ana Ashley, low-angst stories set in the quaint little town of Chester Falls, which is so supportive they have a month-long Pride celebration in October.
I can't wait to read many more stories!
January 2, 2023
Baketastic
This was so cute, when I read the blurb I was wondering where an earth the bake off aspect would fit and I loved what I found.
I read How to Catch a Bodyguard first and was instantly hooked on learning Tom and Wrens story and I wasn’t let down at all. The way these two just were drawn to each other was so special and they were truly made for each other once they came together.
I really can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
This was so cute, when I read the blurb I was wondering where an earth the bake off aspect would fit and I loved what I found.
I read How to Catch a Bodyguard first and was instantly hooked on learning Tom and Wrens story and I wasn’t let down at all. The way these two just were drawn to each other was so special and they were truly made for each other once they came together.
I really can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
early-dnf
June 27, 2026Sigh. Me and audiobooks not getting along of late. DNF chapter 6, not rating.
Enjoyed the narrator's voice though! No complaints.
The characters already irritated me, and I barely remember what's going on. Then I read @Kitty's review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
and decided not to bother trying to get back into it, because the two things she lists as not making sense/unforgivable would be so for me as well. Moving on.
Enjoyed the narrator's voice though! No complaints.
The characters already irritated me, and I barely remember what's going on. Then I read @Kitty's review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
and decided not to bother trying to get back into it, because the two things she lists as not making sense/unforgivable would be so for me as well. Moving on.
February 2, 2020
This is the best book of all the books the author has written. I loved the interaction of all the secondary characters and the way they support the main characters during the bake-off.
I fell in love with Tom. Tom is excessive, passionate, sincere and essentially a good person. Wren with his insecurity is the counterpoint to Tom's wonderful excess.
I fell in love with Tom. Tom is excessive, passionate, sincere and essentially a good person. Wren with his insecurity is the counterpoint to Tom's wonderful excess.
July 30, 2020
Confusion and misunderstandings riddled this cute story to the point where I just wasn't fully invested. I didn't see the connection between the two MC's. They didn't really have anything in common. I did listen to the full story and it was sweet, but I just didn't connect with it.
April 29, 2021
How to Catch a Rival is the second book in the Chester Falls series by Ana Ashley. This book is about Tom and Wren. I really liked their story. It was sweet, sexy and very well written. I really love this series!
August 19, 2021
It has been a long time since I’ve read a book with a well rounded gay character who is an absolute Twink. An adorable, smart, strong, joyful, oh and compassionate Twink. I mean Tom was the type of guy I’d like to know. The story was fun and readable. It wasn’t perfect but it was so very pleasing.
July 21, 2023
Sehr viele Awww Momente, heißer Sex, ein Backwettbewerb und viel Witz.
Die Story beinhaltet wenig Drama. Es gibt einen kurzen Moment, wo man denkt jetzt geht es los, aber der ist ziemlich schnell vorbei.
Ich fand die kurze aber zuckersüße Geschichte sehr lesenswert.
Die Story beinhaltet wenig Drama. Es gibt einen kurzen Moment, wo man denkt jetzt geht es los, aber der ist ziemlich schnell vorbei.
Ich fand die kurze aber zuckersüße Geschichte sehr lesenswert.
May 18, 2024
Troppo divertente e romantico con una diva come Tom Jones stilista e amante della Divina Coco Chanel e Wren Mason un allenatore di football.
Ci sarà una gara di cucina, una gara delle vetrine per il Festival del Pride, tanti amici, famiglia e amore!
💖💖💖💖💖💋
Ci sarà una gara di cucina, una gara delle vetrine per il Festival del Pride, tanti amici, famiglia e amore!
💖💖💖💖💖💋
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2024
La storia di Tom e Wren è molto carina
Il libro è slow burn, del tipo che prima di vedere i due protagonisti interagire romanticamente bisognerà aspettare un bel po’. Ma è anche molto scorrevole, quindi ci arriverete abbastanza velocemente.
3,5⭐️
Il libro è slow burn, del tipo che prima di vedere i due protagonisti interagire romanticamente bisognerà aspettare un bel po’. Ma è anche molto scorrevole, quindi ci arriverete abbastanza velocemente.
3,5⭐️
August 1, 2020
I listened to the audiobook and I highly highly recommend it! The narrator is amazing!
And the story was really sweet and I loved the main characters.
And the story was really sweet and I loved the main characters.
March 22, 2021
3.5 stars
August 30, 2021
Sweet
Sweet easy read with a little drama, fabulous outfits, and baked goods. I liked the bake-off and the rivalry. There were lots of supportive family and friends.
Sweet easy read with a little drama, fabulous outfits, and baked goods. I liked the bake-off and the rivalry. There were lots of supportive family and friends.
September 30, 2021
1.5/5
This was my second read from the author and I'm not sure she's for me. Mostly I was either simply bored, or rolling my eyes at the drama/illogic.
The book started out ok, I liked Tom quite a bit (even if his name is Tom Jones......really?). Unfortunately the story started feeling choppy and at the same time dragging for me quite fast.
I honestly wasn't feeling the connection between Wren and Tom. The chemistry just wasn't there for me and I didn't see why they'd be together. Plus the smut was totally excessive. They'd go bake, then have sex. Rinse, repeat, and so forth. Doesn't equal relationship progress. They didn't talk about anything, what did they seriously have in common..? I got bored of the constant sex really fast and started skipping. Also wasn't a fan of the incessant use of "baby" from Wren after a certain point. In general there was also a lot of dialog throughout that just didn't feel realistic to me.
Other than that, I frankly could've done without the entire baking competition. In general I don't particularly enjoy reading about bake-offs or cook-offs, unless the story is otherwise incredibly compelling. But here, I mean both MCs participating made no sense to me (i.e. realistically, why would they expect to win). The whole thing felt like a sloppy tool to have their "rivalry" instead of an organic main ingredient in the story.
The point where Tom stopped being charming was the big misunderstanding and after that he just got on my nerves. Another big peeve for me was the ridiculousness in the end with the bad guy, that made no sense whatsover and was just such OTT drama.
Overall the author threw way too many things into the mix, and they didn't come together in any cohesive way to me. The book ended up feeling really long although being under 200 pages and I considered DNF'ing several times after I passed 30 %.
Maybe this series just isn't for me, I might wait for something new from the author to try again.
This was my second read from the author and I'm not sure she's for me. Mostly I was either simply bored, or rolling my eyes at the drama/illogic.
The book started out ok, I liked Tom quite a bit (even if his name is Tom Jones......really?). Unfortunately the story started feeling choppy and at the same time dragging for me quite fast.
I honestly wasn't feeling the connection between Wren and Tom. The chemistry just wasn't there for me and I didn't see why they'd be together. Plus the smut was totally excessive. They'd go bake, then have sex. Rinse, repeat, and so forth. Doesn't equal relationship progress. They didn't talk about anything, what did they seriously have in common..? I got bored of the constant sex really fast and started skipping. Also wasn't a fan of the incessant use of "baby" from Wren after a certain point. In general there was also a lot of dialog throughout that just didn't feel realistic to me.
Other than that, I frankly could've done without the entire baking competition. In general I don't particularly enjoy reading about bake-offs or cook-offs, unless the story is otherwise incredibly compelling. But here, I mean both MCs participating made no sense to me (i.e. realistically, why would they expect to win). The whole thing felt like a sloppy tool to have their "rivalry" instead of an organic main ingredient in the story.
The point where Tom stopped being charming was the big misunderstanding and after that he just got on my nerves. Another big peeve for me was the ridiculousness in the end with the bad guy, that made no sense whatsover and was just such OTT drama.
Overall the author threw way too many things into the mix, and they didn't come together in any cohesive way to me. The book ended up feeling really long although being under 200 pages and I considered DNF'ing several times after I passed 30 %.
Maybe this series just isn't for me, I might wait for something new from the author to try again.
August 6, 2020
I liked Wren and Tom together but there was just not enough of it. Most of the book was focused on them going back and forth trying to ignore each other in the beginning, and then the baking contest. By the time they actually got together the book was almost over.
Wren does something after the competition is over that upsets Tom. Tom being upset was understandable even if he didn’t know the reasons behind it. Wren ends up making good. I was happy with how that happened. I just would have liked to have seen more couple time.
It was nice seeing some of the others from the first book, especially Charlie and Kris. The banter between Charlie and Tom is hilarious.
This leads into the next book, James and Connor’s.
Overall, I liked How to Catch a Rival well enough. I just honestly found myself rolling my eyes a little bit with Wren. He had great, accepting parents. Chester Falls is about the most LGBTQ+ friendly small town as you can imagine. They make a bigger deal out of Pride week than they do the major holidays. I like seeing bi characters. I’m finding that I’m seeing more these days in books, which is refreshing. I just felt that Wren not coming out and his not being honest about his life in San Diego was a bit much. Or maybe I’m just over books with closeted jocks who only come out when they find somebody worth coming out for. I know Wren would’ve come out with his parents and brother eventually whether Tom was in the picture or not, so it’s not exactly like all the others. Even so, it was still pretty predictable.
Full review can be found at -
Wren does something after the competition is over that upsets Tom. Tom being upset was understandable even if he didn’t know the reasons behind it. Wren ends up making good. I was happy with how that happened. I just would have liked to have seen more couple time.
It was nice seeing some of the others from the first book, especially Charlie and Kris. The banter between Charlie and Tom is hilarious.
This leads into the next book, James and Connor’s.
Overall, I liked How to Catch a Rival well enough. I just honestly found myself rolling my eyes a little bit with Wren. He had great, accepting parents. Chester Falls is about the most LGBTQ+ friendly small town as you can imagine. They make a bigger deal out of Pride week than they do the major holidays. I like seeing bi characters. I’m finding that I’m seeing more these days in books, which is refreshing. I just felt that Wren not coming out and his not being honest about his life in San Diego was a bit much. Or maybe I’m just over books with closeted jocks who only come out when they find somebody worth coming out for. I know Wren would’ve come out with his parents and brother eventually whether Tom was in the picture or not, so it’s not exactly like all the others. Even so, it was still pretty predictable.
Full review can be found at -
May 18, 2026
Tom was Charlie’s roommate in book 1, and moved to Chester Falls shortly after the events of the first book in the story where he’s making a life for himself. Everything is going to plan until Wren, his bosses’ eldest son, comes back from California, with his football player build and eyes to get lost in.
This book was more slow-burn than the previous, but I adored both main characters so much! There’s a little bit of angst, a lot of rivalry, a baking competition with a grand prize and a lot of meddling friends and family — including Kris and Charlie from book 1, some of their friends and family, and Tom’s younger brother Troy, who’s one of the main characters of the How to Catch a Billionaire novella in the Elite Connections anthology!
This book was more slow-burn than the previous, but I adored both main characters so much! There’s a little bit of angst, a lot of rivalry, a baking competition with a grand prize and a lot of meddling friends and family — including Kris and Charlie from book 1, some of their friends and family, and Tom’s younger brother Troy, who’s one of the main characters of the How to Catch a Billionaire novella in the Elite Connections anthology!
April 20, 2022
Rival = 4 stars
This was a fast pace, angsty, low steam, quick read. The characters had instant amazing chemistry and were an adorable couple for the most part. I did love both the characters for the most part especially Tom but both characters did have some flaws that annoyed me a bit at times. I enjoyed the story overall but found the angsty part to be very random and unnecessary.
This was a fast pace, angsty, low steam, quick read. The characters had instant amazing chemistry and were an adorable couple for the most part. I did love both the characters for the most part especially Tom but both characters did have some flaws that annoyed me a bit at times. I enjoyed the story overall but found the angsty part to be very random and unnecessary.
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