The Rivals

by Daniel Hurst, Deirdra Whelan (Reader), Harriet Dunlop (Reader)

A psychological thriller from the bestselling author of The Passenger and Til Death Do Us Part . Lucy is a successful businesswoman who loves nothing more than to spend her time competing in fun challenges with friends, colleagues, and even strangers. But she might just have met her match when she encounters Jess, a woman who is not used to losing at anything. Jess is very much like Lucy when it comes to a fondness for competition, only a more extreme version, and as the pair become friends, it's clear that a rivalry is developing between them in the fields of business, love, and beyond. But as the lives of both women become more intertwined, that rivalry becomes more intense, and by the time it reaches the point of their friendship breaking down, it seems that there is nothing either woman won't do to come out on top. Two women. Only one winner.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Mystery

Audio CD

First published January 13, 2022

About the author

Daniel Hurst is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of fast paced psychological thrillers. His most popular titles include Til Death Do Us Part, The Passenger and The Doctor's Wife, the latter title reaching #1 on the Amazon UK Kindle store in February 2023. A regular KDP Select All Star since he became a full-time author in 2021, Daniel prides himself on writing fast, releasing stories often and engaging with his readers.

You can visit him at www.danielhurstbooks.com, where you can also download a copy of his FREE thriller 'Just One Second.'

Reviews

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a relief that hurst chose a different theme for his plot. Ok, there was some revenge and romantic aspects as well, but I loved the competition angle, it made this very interesting since you didn’t know what they would do next to win something.

[SVETLANA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lucy and Jess love to compete against one another and other people.

How important is it to win in every challenge? Is there a limit line that you must not cross?

The book shows situations when a win is more important than life.

[Donna Weber ( Recuperating from Surgery) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Deciding between 2 and 2 1/2 Stars Definitely not a psychological thriller. Had potential, but with two unlikable characters who were almost identical in their competitive compulsions, it was hard to get invested.
Though an easy, but repetitive read, additional, or for that matter, any background information or history about "The Rivals", to flesh out the characters, would have made for a much more compelling read.

[Carrie Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis: Lucy is a successful businesswoman who loves nothing more than to spend her time competing in fun challenges with friends, colleagues, and even strangers. But she might just have met her match when she encounters Jess, a woman who is not used to losing at anything.

Jess is very much like Lucy when it comes to a fondness for competition, only a more extreme version, and as the pair become friends, it's clear that a rivalry is developing between them in the fields of business, love and beyond.

My review: This book was insane! The women meet on an app that lets you pit yourself against people all over the world for competitive activities, like who logs the most steps in 24 hours. When they realize they're in the same city, they meet up, and that is the beginning of the end. I very much enjoyed the cattiness, gaslighting, and fast-moving plot. If you haven't read this author yet, he's an excellent addition to the thriller genre, and his books are all on KU!

[Kay Oliver · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this story but I just couldn't. It was so repetitive with so many over explanations. And the two main characters were redundant; basically the same person. A quick read, though not one of Hurst's best.

[Donna Mallery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Daniel Hurst books for light, deliciously evil reading. As you might expect, this book is about those people who can’t stand to lose. All of us are competitive to a degree. Can we always take the high ground or are we blinded so much that we will do anything to win? I enjoyed this quick read, but I was disappointed in the ending. Still, a great way to spend a little escape time.

[SueCanaan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am not sure you could come up with a dumber premise for a book 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Laura Lovesreading · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my first book by Daniel Hurst and I believe he has written 50+ books but I think I chose the wrong one to start with.
The Rivals was a quick fun read about two women who are strangers to one another; who become friends but are VERY competitive and it leads to trouble. It sounded so exciting and I was all in for at least the first half then it tremendously fell flat and the ending was MEH.
With that being said I like his writing style and the quick chapters so Im definitely willing to read more of his works. I just need to delve more into his backlist and find a more exciting one.

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one felt a little lukewarm. Maybe it's just because I'm not a competitive person so the MCs just seemed so boring. Jess is evil and I probably would have left her there after the shit she pulled. Lucy is more normal but unassuming and dimwitted. I would have loved if some crazy twist popped up in the end where the women were the same person because she couldn't find someone more competitive than herself.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oof. Why do I keep reading this author?! Overall storyline is decent but the fluff!! Any decent editor would insist the fluff be removed which would reduce the content of the book by 50%!

[~bookisham · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 ☆

the whole book was basically filled with filler pages and when the plot finally got interesting, it ended???

[Mary Rogers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring!

This book never really gets off the ground. It’s about two self-absorbed women competing with each other, but a “thriller” it is not!

[Tinowa Oreggio · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an ok audiobook. Good narration. Annoying female characters.

[Simona · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Rivals was a bit different from the usual romantic plot twists I’ve come to expect from Daniel Hurst’s books, but it was still engaging. While it didn’t have the same intense emotional draw for me as some of his other novels, I appreciated the unique focus on professional rivalry and ambition. The tension between the two main characters was well-developed, and the mind games kept me intrigued.

However, compared to some of Hurst’s other books, I’d give this one 3 stars. It was enjoyable, but I didn’t feel as connected to the characters or invested in the outcome as I have in his other works. Still, the twists were well done, and it definitely held my interest. Even though it wasn’t a favorite, it was engaging enough to keep me hooked, and I’m still glad I read it.

[Casey Blessing · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lil Daniel Hurst thriller snack. Silly but fast paced & enjoyable!

[Lauren Jugovic · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can’t do the caddy, women against women thing. We’re not in competition & this book took that to a new level. Writing was good but the storyline was terrible.

[Rosie Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has to be my worse book by this author oh well the rest have been brilliant this is the first one I didn’t like

[Ian Rosales · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rivals is a gripping tale that delves into ambition, rivalry, and human nature. The story unfolds skillfully, introducing complex characters in a suspenseful plot full of surprises. The well-developed characters add depth, making the reading experience immersive. Hurst's writing is both engaging and thought-provoking, making the novel stand out for its intricate storytelling and exploration of the dynamics between ambitious and competitive individuals.

[Wendy Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Daniel Hurst book finished. If you like an author who writes easy to read or listen to books with short quick pace chapters Daniel Hurst is the author for you!

His storylines are brilliant and always offer a little twist and characters you root for as well as ones that really irk you.

This one however had a little edge to it with the competition between characters. Another great story.

Daniel Hurst consistently provides great stories and multiples per year so there’s never long to wait until the next comes along.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Rivals a psychological thriller by Daniel Hurst.

Jess is a highly valued saleswoman in her company and always gets the highest bonus every month and joins an app on her phone where she can choose challenges with various faceless competitors and Jess strives to aim to be the best in both her professional and her personal life too.

Lucy works for a recruiting company for eight years and has got bored with her job and would like to try something new. She too is on the same app as Jess and she and Jess have a lot in common as they both want to be top at their game.

They both decide to meet up face to face for a drink and a chat after talking about their scores on the app about their training to run a marathon but the rivalry between them gets really out of hand as the battle of who is the winner turns into something more sinister.

Lucy joins Jess' company and after only one week overtakes Jess as the high flier of the company and receives the coveted monthly bonus which Jess usually got.

Lucy meets Ryan and he becomes her boyfriend and he is quite the gentleman who wines and dines her but just like Adam in the garden of Eden he is to take a bite from the apple and ends up being cast out by Lucy when she is betrayed by him and Lucy is like Eve tempting Adam to stray.

This rivalry is like a boxing match and who will be left standing when the final bell rings.

Brilliant twist at the end.

[Pheadra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about two highly competitive women, Jess and Lucy who meet because of an app that poses challenges. Being determined to win at all costs they agree to meet and when Lucy excuses for a job at Jess's place of employment the competitiveness between the two picks up and becomes downright ugly. There were some ridiculous inclusions in this tale like Lucy getting the biggest bonus for Sales after being with the company one week and the behaviour of both women resembled hormonal teenagers rather than 30-something mature people but I was still eager to see how this ended. 4 stars.

[Dawn Prueter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner

This is another great novel by Daniel Hurst that keeps you guessing even after the last page. Only Mr Hurst can keep you spellbound to wanting to keep on reading about such a benign subject as a friendly contest between two rivals. I absolutely love Mr Hurst's books and hope you will enjoy them like I do.

[Vina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Daniel Hurst’s “The Rival.” It is not a particularly long book, but is good, quick reading. The story is about two highly competitive women, and how far they would go to win.
Do read.
3 Stars

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read. The premise was based on the competitive nature of two women. The depths that some people would go to in order to win is unimaginable. This book gives friendly competition a new name. I enjoyed the book, but it wasn't a 5-star read for me.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story poor ending

Enjoyed this right up to the end when it appeared a bit rushed. Enjoyable read but not one of his best

[Holli B · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. I tried hard to stick with this book, but I couldn’t. I found both Jess and Lucy to be so unlikeable. But even worse, they sounded like the exact same character. I had to bail.

[Kamla · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was hilarious! Keep churning them out Daniel - Master of the Short Entertainment Novel! And when Diedra narrates - always a winner.

[Danielle Sweeney · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the only Daniel Hurst book that I would not recommend

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

These fools need therapy.