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Rivals for Love
Hayden Sinclair has it a job she loves, supportive friends and a drop-dead gorgeous boyfriend. She should be happy-and she should say yes when Luc proposes marriage. But one thing stands in her Sawyer Underwood, her impossibly sexy ex, who disappeared almost a year ago.When Sawyer returns, he has one goal in to win Hayden back, and away from his long-hated rival, Luc. Sawyer's willing to do anything it takes, and he'll use all his powers of persuasion to convince Hayden that he's the man for her-especially in the bedroom. But Luc's not willing to give Hayden up without a fight!As the two men battle for Hayden's affections, she is torn between them. If only they could reach a compromise-then maybe she wouldn't have to choose...77,000 words
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2010
8 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Eve Vaughn
116 books844 followersNYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Eve Vaughn has enjoyed creating characters and making up stories from an early age. As a child she was always getting into mischief, so when she lost her television privileges (which was often), writing was her outlet. Her stories have gotten quite a bit spicier since then! Eve likes to read, bake, make crafts, travel, and spend time with her family. She lives in the Philadelphia area with her husband and pet turtle. She loves to hear from her fans, so feel free to contact her at Eve@evevaughn.com or join her Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/eveva...
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 12, 2010
I'm no stranger to Eve Vaughn's writing. This is the 3rd book I've read by the author. With that being said, I hate to that this book didn't do much for me. Hayden is in a relationship with Luc but is still in love with her ex, Sawyer. From the beginning ,I knew this was going to be a love triangle. Two sexy men wanting the same woman? Sign me up! As I read the book I was enjoying it until Sawyer returned. It wasn't his return that turned me off. In fact, I was silently cheering because I was ready for the love triangle to start. What turned me off was his reason for being away for the past year. When his explanation was given, I rolled my eyes. It was so soap opera-ish. I felt like I was watching General Hospital. And then I started thinking (over thinking) that if what he said happened, and he's a big time businessman, why didn't anyone know what happened to him? How was he able to be gone for a year and no one know why? I couldn't shake how much that bothered me.
I've read other Eve Vaughn novels and those were much steamier than this one. The solution to the love triangle was too convenient and unbelievable considering how much Luc and Sawyer hate each other. I wasn't surprise with the solution to the problem; I just thought that there would be more build-up to it where it would appear more plausible. Hayden was an okay MC but I felt that she was too wimpy and whiney and I wondered what these two men saw in her. Yes, as a person she was nice, charitable and giving. But as a lover, I found her timid, submissive and not owning her sexuality. She was scared to admit to her lovers what she liked for fear of how they would react. I think she suffered from "Good Girl Syndrome". But she was okay with Sawyer and Luc's solution to their triangle. For me, it didn't feel true with the Hayden that was being portrayed throughout the book.
Even though Rivals for Love wasn't the best for me, it won't deter me from reading other works by this author.
I've read other Eve Vaughn novels and those were much steamier than this one. The solution to the love triangle was too convenient and unbelievable considering how much Luc and Sawyer hate each other. I wasn't surprise with the solution to the problem; I just thought that there would be more build-up to it where it would appear more plausible. Hayden was an okay MC but I felt that she was too wimpy and whiney and I wondered what these two men saw in her. Yes, as a person she was nice, charitable and giving. But as a lover, I found her timid, submissive and not owning her sexuality. She was scared to admit to her lovers what she liked for fear of how they would react. I think she suffered from "Good Girl Syndrome". But she was okay with Sawyer and Luc's solution to their triangle. For me, it didn't feel true with the Hayden that was being portrayed throughout the book.
Even though Rivals for Love wasn't the best for me, it won't deter me from reading other works by this author.
August 10, 2012
Description: After almost getting over the heartbreak of being unceremoniously dumped by her first love, Sawyer, Hayden Sinclair has managed to move on with his long-time rival, Luc, another ridiculously hot businessmen. But then Sawyer comes back to town and makes it clear that he has every intention of winning her back. What’s a girl to do?
The Good: This was the first interracial romance I ever listened to on audiobook, and I really liked the experience. I’m hoping more will come out in this format. The sex is very hot, and Ms. Vaughn does a very good job of presenting Hayden’s conflict. Readers will have a lot of fun rooting for Team Luc or Team Sawyer — if you’re wondering, I was firmly on Team Luc.
The Bad: The story is very sexy, but suffers from an abundance of momentum-killing and often unnecessary conversations. For example, it’s great that Hayden gets along with Sawyer’s much younger half-sister, but it’s excruciating to sit through pages of them shopping for an appropriate dress for her Sweet Sixteen when you’re dying to know what’s going to happen next in the much hotter love triangle.
The Naughty: Erotic. Menage. Sexy dreams. Outside sex. Peeping Tom.
Editing issues: N/A
Publisher: Carina Press
Length: 208 pages
Final Grade: B
Happy Reading,
Theodora from irbookreviews.com
The Good: This was the first interracial romance I ever listened to on audiobook, and I really liked the experience. I’m hoping more will come out in this format. The sex is very hot, and Ms. Vaughn does a very good job of presenting Hayden’s conflict. Readers will have a lot of fun rooting for Team Luc or Team Sawyer — if you’re wondering, I was firmly on Team Luc.
The Bad: The story is very sexy, but suffers from an abundance of momentum-killing and often unnecessary conversations. For example, it’s great that Hayden gets along with Sawyer’s much younger half-sister, but it’s excruciating to sit through pages of them shopping for an appropriate dress for her Sweet Sixteen when you’re dying to know what’s going to happen next in the much hotter love triangle.
The Naughty: Erotic. Menage. Sexy dreams. Outside sex. Peeping Tom.
Editing issues: N/A
Publisher: Carina Press
Length: 208 pages
Final Grade: B
Happy Reading,
Theodora from irbookreviews.com
March 6, 2011
Hayden thought she'd found the man of her dreams until the day Sawyer vanished without a trace. Immediately there to pick up the pieces was his long-time rival Luc who loved her from afar for a very long time. Starting out as friends they soon become lovers and even though Luc wants them to take that ultimate step, something keeps holding Hayden back. She loves Luc, but visions of her time with Sawyer keep intruding. She never stopped loving him and when he suddenly re-enters the picture, she's even more troubled by her feelings. Will she ultimately choose one of them or will she give into her darkest desires and form a family of three? The journey to that answer is full of steamy interludes, heartbreaking encounters, catfights, and male egos fighting it out.
I find menage stories to be very intriguing since an author has to work very hard to make them believable. There has to be a compelling reason, a set of strong emotions, that makes a group of three into a family. This story does a very good job at showing why Hayden is drawn to both men. Both men are alpha and easily flex their muscles when in each other presence. It was like watching two dogs fighting over a bone. There's a lot of history between Luc and Sawyer from their teen years when they constantly tried to outdo each other and all those emotions add an interesting layer to the story.
For me, it's the men that make this an enjoyable story. Their feelings of possession and how they acted on those feelings were humorous and sexy at the same time. Both men have family baggage that affects the image they present. It's led to the anger they've carried for each other all these years and only by talking it through do they actually have a breakthrough. And yes, they actually do talk it out and by spending time together they end up bringing out more likable qualities in each other. They're both sexy, strong-willed, and willing to do anything to make Hayden happy. I could easily understand being torn between those two hunks.
I wasn't as enamored with Hayden though. Her character felt drab and unexciting on her own. It's only in the presence of the men that she got interesting. She was a bit meek in my opinion and could've reached her happy ending much faster just by being honest. She was portrayed as being the most caring person and yet I didn't think she treated Luc or Sawyer fairly. By not speaking up, it felt like she was cheating on each man. That added to me not liking her as much. I didn't find her worthy of either man because of her emotional weakness and felt that the story would've been better with a stronger heroine.
All-in-all I enjoyed this story, and it's mostly due to the men. They were the mature individuals in this relationship and it was through their sacrifices that a resolution comes about.
I find menage stories to be very intriguing since an author has to work very hard to make them believable. There has to be a compelling reason, a set of strong emotions, that makes a group of three into a family. This story does a very good job at showing why Hayden is drawn to both men. Both men are alpha and easily flex their muscles when in each other presence. It was like watching two dogs fighting over a bone. There's a lot of history between Luc and Sawyer from their teen years when they constantly tried to outdo each other and all those emotions add an interesting layer to the story.
For me, it's the men that make this an enjoyable story. Their feelings of possession and how they acted on those feelings were humorous and sexy at the same time. Both men have family baggage that affects the image they present. It's led to the anger they've carried for each other all these years and only by talking it through do they actually have a breakthrough. And yes, they actually do talk it out and by spending time together they end up bringing out more likable qualities in each other. They're both sexy, strong-willed, and willing to do anything to make Hayden happy. I could easily understand being torn between those two hunks.
I wasn't as enamored with Hayden though. Her character felt drab and unexciting on her own. It's only in the presence of the men that she got interesting. She was a bit meek in my opinion and could've reached her happy ending much faster just by being honest. She was portrayed as being the most caring person and yet I didn't think she treated Luc or Sawyer fairly. By not speaking up, it felt like she was cheating on each man. That added to me not liking her as much. I didn't find her worthy of either man because of her emotional weakness and felt that the story would've been better with a stronger heroine.
All-in-all I enjoyed this story, and it's mostly due to the men. They were the mature individuals in this relationship and it was through their sacrifices that a resolution comes about.
November 4, 2010
My Thoughts: I have never read anything by Eve Vaughn before, but after Rivals for Love I added her to my "Must-Watch-Authors List".
Even though Rivals for Love is categorized as a ménage story, there is no ménage until the very last chapter of the book! Yes, you read that right!
Hayden is a sympathetic character, a woman to whom monogamy and loyalty are essential, so imagine her confusion and panic when she discovers that although she is in love with Luc, she isn't over her love for Sawyer, and that she loves both men just as much as the other.
Eve Vaughn's writing is of great quality: her story flows naturally and her characters are completely believable. Usually with ménage stories, you feel that the setting is forced and that a threesome could never exist in real life, but Eve Vaughn makes it all seem possible and credible.
The story comes to life through her writing: you feel Hayden's guilt and confusion and the men's trepidation and panic at losing the woman they love. Rivals for Love is more an erotic romance than an erotica novel. Don't misunderstand me, there is plenty of very hot, scorching love scenes, but they are love scenes: there is an emotional setting, meaning to the act, not just the sake of sex. The explored emotional depth of the characters was amazing and gripping.
Verdict: The writing style was extraordinary, Rivals for Love is a brilliant novel, one I would definitely recommend, even to those who are a bit shy of saucy novels ;-)
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Ending: 10/10
Writing: 10/10
Cover: 6/10
Even though Rivals for Love is categorized as a ménage story, there is no ménage until the very last chapter of the book! Yes, you read that right!
Hayden is a sympathetic character, a woman to whom monogamy and loyalty are essential, so imagine her confusion and panic when she discovers that although she is in love with Luc, she isn't over her love for Sawyer, and that she loves both men just as much as the other.
Eve Vaughn's writing is of great quality: her story flows naturally and her characters are completely believable. Usually with ménage stories, you feel that the setting is forced and that a threesome could never exist in real life, but Eve Vaughn makes it all seem possible and credible.
The story comes to life through her writing: you feel Hayden's guilt and confusion and the men's trepidation and panic at losing the woman they love. Rivals for Love is more an erotic romance than an erotica novel. Don't misunderstand me, there is plenty of very hot, scorching love scenes, but they are love scenes: there is an emotional setting, meaning to the act, not just the sake of sex. The explored emotional depth of the characters was amazing and gripping.
Verdict: The writing style was extraordinary, Rivals for Love is a brilliant novel, one I would definitely recommend, even to those who are a bit shy of saucy novels ;-)
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Ending: 10/10
Writing: 10/10
Cover: 6/10
December 29, 2010
This book is totally unfathomable. Two guys who hate each other all of a sudden realize they have been played and become mutual partners in a nontraditional relationship??? Such utter and complete garbage. The author couldn't have reached farther if she had the story taking place on the moon. After reading some of the reviews, I had expected to not like Sawyer. Honestly I think Sawyer was the best of the three. Luc, knowing the relationship between Sawyer and Hayden, was a complete butthead. Hayden was a total wuss. Sawyer was an admitted butthead. I might have understood if they had become enemies over both wanting Hayden. But to have been enemies from the time they met, this goes beyond fiction into delusional.
October 30, 2016
Cheesy, corny, and just plain bad writing rivals over-the-top, dramatic, and just plain weird reading in this audiobook.
Not good.
Ps: stop having women deem themselves sluts for their sexual desires.
Not good.
Ps: stop having women deem themselves sluts for their sexual desires.
September 16, 2014
Ok, this was kinda weird. I felt weird reading this book. I kept yelling, "YES YOU LOVE THEM BOTH BUT MAKE A DECISION ALREADY!!" As I said WEIRD but I don't judge, WTH!! 4 stars. Darn alphas. ;-)
April 25, 2023
Ok loving it
Omg I was so torn I couldn't think straight 😭 I thought she would push Luc away and be with sawyer. But then I was hoping she would be with both bc I couldn't decide between them it was to much. But when they decided for her I was happy no one got left out man I was worried there.....lol
Omg I was so torn I couldn't think straight 😭 I thought she would push Luc away and be with sawyer. But then I was hoping she would be with both bc I couldn't decide between them it was to much. But when they decided for her I was happy no one got left out man I was worried there.....lol
September 19, 2018
What a book?!!
Never would have thought this would happen in this book but of course, there were some subtle ways they used to make you think it was possible but still not realistic
Never would have thought this would happen in this book but of course, there were some subtle ways they used to make you think it was possible but still not realistic
October 1, 2017
Really nice.
The internal drama was a little daunting at times, but overall a great story with a HEA ending. I really do love this author.
The internal drama was a little daunting at times, but overall a great story with a HEA ending. I really do love this author.
December 29, 2018
Worth reading
March 22, 2020
Too much/many rich alpha manhood (ahem) and the writing was stilted and sometimes cringy
March 10, 2017
I loved this book!
I loved the character development of the men it showed their strengths and weaknesses and how they worked together to get along because of their love for Hayden and their desire to make her happy ☺.
I loved the character development of the men it showed their strengths and weaknesses and how they worked together to get along because of their love for Hayden and their desire to make her happy ☺.
August 13, 2014
I actually listened to this book with Audible. This was just okay. There wasn't much to it. The only surprises were what happened to Swayer and that she didn't accidentally call love #1 love #2. I was kinda feeling that was going to happen but it didn't booooo. I love Eve Vaughn and a great menage story but this fell very flat.
August 25, 2011
An emotional roller coaster of a read. There were parts where I didn't like the characters and their actions at all, but ended up rooting for their HEA.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews