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Saints vs. Pirates #1
Rivals
Riley
Reign Thorn was my best friend turned enemy. But we both know this thing between us is more than just a rivalry.
I remember the exact day Reign and I ended our childhood friendship. One terrible accident, and I was to blame.
That same year, everything fell apart while my friendship with Reign became a rivalry of epic proportions.
He was the boy who held my hand when I lost my mom—the boy who taught me the love of the game.
Then suddenly, he was gone and in his place was a calculating, ruthless, opponent, both on and off the ice.
Reign set out to destroy my life, leaving me behind while he lived in his golden palace and enrolled in an elite, private academy, pitting us against each other.
Until one summer when our prank war goes too far and I decide to fight back.
Before long, the look in Reign’s icy eyes feels a lot less like hatred.
Too bad, I would never date a Saint.
Reign
Riley Conrad became the bane of my existence when she ruined my season years ago.
It didn’t matter that we were only eleven at the time.
She was supposed to be my best friend—the other half of my soul.
We shared an obsessive love for the game and she knew how much I needed to sweep that tournament to appease my old man.
So when I got the chance for revenge, I didn’t hesitate to put her in her place and leave her behind.
Once we were out of the same school and playing for warring teams, the divide
between us grew bigger and bigger.
Until one summer, one prank and one favor, and suddenly the hatred I used to feel for her turned into an obsession she can’t escape from.
It’s time Riley learns…
All is fair and love and hockey.
Read less
Reign Thorn was my best friend turned enemy. But we both know this thing between us is more than just a rivalry.
I remember the exact day Reign and I ended our childhood friendship. One terrible accident, and I was to blame.
That same year, everything fell apart while my friendship with Reign became a rivalry of epic proportions.
He was the boy who held my hand when I lost my mom—the boy who taught me the love of the game.
Then suddenly, he was gone and in his place was a calculating, ruthless, opponent, both on and off the ice.
Reign set out to destroy my life, leaving me behind while he lived in his golden palace and enrolled in an elite, private academy, pitting us against each other.
Until one summer when our prank war goes too far and I decide to fight back.
Before long, the look in Reign’s icy eyes feels a lot less like hatred.
Too bad, I would never date a Saint.
Reign
Riley Conrad became the bane of my existence when she ruined my season years ago.
It didn’t matter that we were only eleven at the time.
She was supposed to be my best friend—the other half of my soul.
We shared an obsessive love for the game and she knew how much I needed to sweep that tournament to appease my old man.
So when I got the chance for revenge, I didn’t hesitate to put her in her place and leave her behind.
Once we were out of the same school and playing for warring teams, the divide
between us grew bigger and bigger.
Until one summer, one prank and one favor, and suddenly the hatred I used to feel for her turned into an obsession she can’t escape from.
It’s time Riley learns…
All is fair and love and hockey.
Read less
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2024
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August 29, 2024DNF
It wasn’t for me, the H sleeps around while threatening everyone to stay away from the h. Therefore she’s pure as snow and he is not 😒. Hate double standards.
Also, I didn’t feel their connection AT ALL. They go from enemies to lovers in a second.
It wasn’t for me, the H sleeps around while threatening everyone to stay away from the h. Therefore she’s pure as snow and he is not 😒. Hate double standards.
Also, I didn’t feel their connection AT ALL. They go from enemies to lovers in a second.
August 26, 2024
3.5 rounded up to a 4
please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: HEA
POV: dual 1st person
spice: a few open-door spicy scenes
TWs: assault, birth control tampering, blood play, bullying, cancer, cheating, death of a parent (recounted), dubcon, fugue states, homeless shelter, knife play, OW drama, PTSD, stalking, violence
Kinky Content: biting, blood play, car sex, degradation, dirty talk, dubcon, eyes on me, finger licking good, fingering, hand necklaces, irrumatio, knife play, manhandling, marking, one more, oral, outdoor sex, praise, pushing it back in, unconventional sex toys, teach me, virgin
standalone: yes
final thoughts: okay so I need to preface this review saying that when I first got this book, I didn’t realize it was a bully or high school romance and those are 2 genres I don’t typically read… so I’m trying to keep that bias out of my review as much as I possibly can! PS. Both MMCs are of legal age when the romance aspect begins so at least there’s that 😅
This very much read as if it was a college romance in both location and characters- the private school has a campus where the students live, they have a dining hall, all the typical college campus spots which made it easy to age these characters up in my head. Yes, the characters made some dumb moves (especially during the prank wars) but overall, their behavior wasn’t very “oh that’s so high school of them” which is refreshing.
Listen- I know this was a dark bully romance, but I was expecting groveling, and I got almost none (cue the crying from me). The over the top jealous, possessive, obsessive behavior was really well written, and his character stayed really consistent throughout the whole book while giving some surprises along the way. His character was great, his obsession was intense, and his growth was realistic to the character. I love the “soft only for you” trope and he definitely fits that bill.
read this book if you love
😆 banter
🤝 bet
😠 bully
💞 childhood crush
🖤 dark romance
🥵 dirty talk
📅 dual timeline (in linear order)
🏝️ forced proximity
🤜 friends-to-rivals-to-lovers
😎 good girl/bad boy
🛁 he washes her
🏫 high school setting
🩹 hurt/comfort
🧠 “it’s always been you”
🛏️ “it’s just a fling”
🤐 miscommunication
😜 over the top, jealous, possessive MMC
🙏 praise
👦 she falls first, he falls harder
🏒 sports romance (hockey)
🤓 “teach me”
💔 third act breakup
☠️ “touch her and die”
☠️ “touch him and die”
💳 virgin
👕 wearing his jersey scene
please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: HEA
POV: dual 1st person
spice: a few open-door spicy scenes
TWs: assault, birth control tampering, blood play, bullying, cancer, cheating, death of a parent (recounted), dubcon, fugue states, homeless shelter, knife play, OW drama, PTSD, stalking, violence
Kinky Content: biting, blood play, car sex, degradation, dirty talk, dubcon, eyes on me, finger licking good, fingering, hand necklaces, irrumatio, knife play, manhandling, marking, one more, oral, outdoor sex, praise, pushing it back in, unconventional sex toys, teach me, virgin
standalone: yes
final thoughts: okay so I need to preface this review saying that when I first got this book, I didn’t realize it was a bully or high school romance and those are 2 genres I don’t typically read… so I’m trying to keep that bias out of my review as much as I possibly can! PS. Both MMCs are of legal age when the romance aspect begins so at least there’s that 😅
This very much read as if it was a college romance in both location and characters- the private school has a campus where the students live, they have a dining hall, all the typical college campus spots which made it easy to age these characters up in my head. Yes, the characters made some dumb moves (especially during the prank wars) but overall, their behavior wasn’t very “oh that’s so high school of them” which is refreshing.
Listen- I know this was a dark bully romance, but I was expecting groveling, and I got almost none (cue the crying from me). The over the top jealous, possessive, obsessive behavior was really well written, and his character stayed really consistent throughout the whole book while giving some surprises along the way. His character was great, his obsession was intense, and his growth was realistic to the character. I love the “soft only for you” trope and he definitely fits that bill.
read this book if you love
😆 banter
🤝 bet
😠 bully
💞 childhood crush
🖤 dark romance
🥵 dirty talk
📅 dual timeline (in linear order)
🏝️ forced proximity
🤜 friends-to-rivals-to-lovers
😎 good girl/bad boy
🛁 he washes her
🏫 high school setting
🩹 hurt/comfort
🧠 “it’s always been you”
🛏️ “it’s just a fling”
🤐 miscommunication
😜 over the top, jealous, possessive MMC
🙏 praise
👦 she falls first, he falls harder
🏒 sports romance (hockey)
🤓 “teach me”
💔 third act breakup
☠️ “touch her and die”
☠️ “touch him and die”
💳 virgin
👕 wearing his jersey scene
August 20, 2024
Rating: 5⭐️
Would Recommend: Hell yeah! 😍🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
My Review:
I needed a break from my usual mafia reads, and "Rivals" was the perfect choice. This book was such a refreshing change of pace, and I’m so glad I picked it up! 💖
The friends-to-enemies-to-lovers trope was beautifully executed. I absolutely loved how Reign and Riley were treated as equals throughout the story. Riley gave as good as she got, and honestly, and I was all here for it! 🙌
Reign? Total book boyfriend material. 😍 He knew what he wanted and gave his 100% to make it happen, which made me fall for him even more.
The challenges and favors aspect was such a fun addition. It almost felt like watching an episode of "That 70’s Show," and I was hooked!
But it’s not just the romance that shines. The way Ashton portrayed the ups and downs of being a teen figuring out their future was spot on. The mix of emotions, confusion, and self-discovery felt so real.
The spice, the banter, the drama, the plot—everything was on point. 🔥✨
I seriously hope Ashton Brooks turns this into a series because I’m dying to read more about Emma, Sam, Leif, and Carter. Fingers crossed! 🤞
Tropes:
Childhood friends
Virgin h
Slight Bully trope
Slight breeding kink
Would Recommend: Hell yeah! 😍🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
My Review:
I needed a break from my usual mafia reads, and "Rivals" was the perfect choice. This book was such a refreshing change of pace, and I’m so glad I picked it up! 💖
The friends-to-enemies-to-lovers trope was beautifully executed. I absolutely loved how Reign and Riley were treated as equals throughout the story. Riley gave as good as she got, and honestly, and I was all here for it! 🙌
Reign? Total book boyfriend material. 😍 He knew what he wanted and gave his 100% to make it happen, which made me fall for him even more.
The challenges and favors aspect was such a fun addition. It almost felt like watching an episode of "That 70’s Show," and I was hooked!
But it’s not just the romance that shines. The way Ashton portrayed the ups and downs of being a teen figuring out their future was spot on. The mix of emotions, confusion, and self-discovery felt so real.
The spice, the banter, the drama, the plot—everything was on point. 🔥✨
I seriously hope Ashton Brooks turns this into a series because I’m dying to read more about Emma, Sam, Leif, and Carter. Fingers crossed! 🤞
Tropes:
Childhood friends
Virgin h
Slight Bully trope
Slight breeding kink
September 22, 2026
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
One of my favorites stories to get lost in, is one where our leads are childhood friends who grow apart then circle back and become more. I like it because the author doesn’t have to convince me of their compatibility too hard because they were already friends and know at least the basics of each other’s personalities. So, as a couple, they are already a few rungs up the ladder. I also like it because if what separated them in the past, was some sort of “bad thing”, coming together to become more will come with an inherent push-pull tension that I love, which in turns serves up a third act break-up of sorts, if the author utilizes it, that more than likely will not just make sense, but be necessary. Rivals is one of these stories, mostly, and that’s what drew me to participate in the audiobook promotion. I’ve got a trifecta of newness with this one, so I did not have any kind of expectation or background on either the author or narrators. I find that those are the stories that take me by surprise and I tend to enjoy them!
Here’s the thing about the whole high school age portion of this story. It didn’t do any winning for me. I have to be in the mood for these kids, because let’s face it, teenagers are assholes. We were all assholes at 15/16 so I don’t begrudge their shenanigans or even get offended by it. Because it’s legit and they should be written like the little brats that they are! LOL However, there is a scene in this book, well there is more than one but this was the first, where for me, the asshole tendencies went too far and I lost a lot of respect for our MMC. A lot. So much so that it was really difficult to stay in the story at times. But then, BAM, their rivalry seemed to do an about-face and although I liked the circumstances, that also felt very rushed. It just left me constantly thinking when the next shoe might fall and that’s not a good place to be at as a listener/reader. But the shoe never fell and the story truly began to be enjoyable for me at that point. I “liked” it from the beginning, but it grew into something more as the circumstances, challenges and favors began to unfold therefor their relationship began to build.
This turned out to be a crazy ride for me but thinking back, I think this is the only way this story could be told. Do I wish the asshole shenanigans had been turned down a bit? Sure, but teenagers are gonna do what teenagers are gonna do. And honestly, the author stayed true to teenager tendencies so I can’t fault her for that. 🤷♀️
Listening to both Macie Miller & C.J. Grey in this performance was my first for both narrators and I think they both did a good job. Actually, not just good, they both captured the essence/core of Riley & Reign really well to what I felt these characters sounded like/were. I’m not sure that explains it as well as I’d like but hopefully you get the gist that they both performed well enough to have me listening way past my bedtime! LOL Their performance is one of the best dual-narrations I’ve had the pleasure of listening to in a while.
One of my favorites stories to get lost in, is one where our leads are childhood friends who grow apart then circle back and become more. I like it because the author doesn’t have to convince me of their compatibility too hard because they were already friends and know at least the basics of each other’s personalities. So, as a couple, they are already a few rungs up the ladder. I also like it because if what separated them in the past, was some sort of “bad thing”, coming together to become more will come with an inherent push-pull tension that I love, which in turns serves up a third act break-up of sorts, if the author utilizes it, that more than likely will not just make sense, but be necessary. Rivals is one of these stories, mostly, and that’s what drew me to participate in the audiobook promotion. I’ve got a trifecta of newness with this one, so I did not have any kind of expectation or background on either the author or narrators. I find that those are the stories that take me by surprise and I tend to enjoy them!
Here’s the thing about the whole high school age portion of this story. It didn’t do any winning for me. I have to be in the mood for these kids, because let’s face it, teenagers are assholes. We were all assholes at 15/16 so I don’t begrudge their shenanigans or even get offended by it. Because it’s legit and they should be written like the little brats that they are! LOL However, there is a scene in this book, well there is more than one but this was the first, where for me, the asshole tendencies went too far and I lost a lot of respect for our MMC. A lot. So much so that it was really difficult to stay in the story at times. But then, BAM, their rivalry seemed to do an about-face and although I liked the circumstances, that also felt very rushed. It just left me constantly thinking when the next shoe might fall and that’s not a good place to be at as a listener/reader. But the shoe never fell and the story truly began to be enjoyable for me at that point. I “liked” it from the beginning, but it grew into something more as the circumstances, challenges and favors began to unfold therefor their relationship began to build.
This turned out to be a crazy ride for me but thinking back, I think this is the only way this story could be told. Do I wish the asshole shenanigans had been turned down a bit? Sure, but teenagers are gonna do what teenagers are gonna do. And honestly, the author stayed true to teenager tendencies so I can’t fault her for that. 🤷♀️
Listening to both Macie Miller & C.J. Grey in this performance was my first for both narrators and I think they both did a good job. Actually, not just good, they both captured the essence/core of Riley & Reign really well to what I felt these characters sounded like/were. I’m not sure that explains it as well as I’d like but hopefully you get the gist that they both performed well enough to have me listening way past my bedtime! LOL Their performance is one of the best dual-narrations I’ve had the pleasure of listening to in a while.
August 26, 2024
ARC kindly provided for the author in exchange for an honest review
Ranking: 4.5⭐
Rivals is one of the books I've been looking forward to the most this year and it left me with mixed feelings, but despite that, I hope Ashton Brooks turns this world into a new series because I really liked Riley & Reign as individual characters, their personal plots and everything about their rivalry, I also LOVED the secondary characters, I think they have a lot of potential and I would love to be able to read their stories, plus, it would make me VERY happy to read a series where both main characters play hockey.
Riley is the girl from the wrong side of town, her life has been complicated but her parents love her, and although tragedy leads her to rely only on her dad, Riley finds common ground with him with their love for hockey, something that I loved reading because Riley has the sweetest relationship with her dad, plus I love that she's a strong athlete, that she has her own circle of friends after losing Reign and that they support her unconditionally.
Reign is a little more complicated, a privileged boy, who always gets what he wants and who seeks revenge on his ex best friend for a misunderstanding from the past. Reign was a very interesting character to read, I really enjoyed reading about his obsessive side and the direction that his character took when he finally accepts his feelings for Riley. What I didn't love so much about this character was his possessive and controlling side, especially because I think his actions complicated the plot in an unnecessary way sometimes.
Riley & Reign went from being best friends who loved hockey together, to rivals who have a constant war of challenges & pranks, to realizing that they feel more than hate for each other, and I have to say that I loved their plot!! Ashton took their love story to a place I didn't expect and that made me love this book in a special way, however, I think that the conflict that led these two to become rivals should have been explored a little more. Still, I think that Riley & Reign are quite entertaining, funny and very interesting too, and they are very much worth reading!
🎧Audiobook Review🎧 (May 5, 2025)
🏒Narrators: Macie Miller & C.J. Grey
🏒Narration: 5/5
When I read Rivals last year, I liked it, especially because I LOVED that both characters played hockey since that was something new to me (and I think uncommon in the romance world), BUT I had a hard time connecting with Reign and even harder to love him as a main character. However, the audiobook is so well executed by the narrators that I even raised my rating for this story because I enjoyed reading this story in a different format so much.
Macie Miller & C.J. Grey were the best narrators Rivals could have had! Both of them conveyed EVERYTHING that Riley & Reign experienced throughout this book and I loved every moment: I still think that Reign is a difficult character to love, BUT C.J. Grey and her work helped me a lot to understand this boy completely obsessed with his childhood best friend turned rival and I loved him a little more.
I loved Riley so much from the first time, especially the beautiful bond she shares with her dad, but in the audiobook her personal story broke my heart a lot more, especially towards the end of the book, also in this format I liked her friendship with the Pirates girls much more and I enjoyed her a lot.
🏒Riley: 4/5
🏒Reign: 3/5
🏒Plot: 4/5
🏒Love story: 4/5
🏒Secondary characters: 4/5
🏒Cover: 5/5
🌶️: 2/5
ARC amablemente proporcionada a cambio de una reseña honesta
Puntuación: 4.5⭐
Rivals es uno de los libros que mas he esperado este año, pero me dejó con sentimientos encontrados, pero a pesar de eso, espero que Ashton Brooks convierta este mundo en una nueva serie porque Riley & Reign me gustaron mucho como personajes individuales, sus tramas personales y todo sobre su rivalidad, también AMÉ a los personajes secundarios, creo que tienen mucho potencial y amaría poder leer sus historias, además, me haría MUY feliz leer una serie en la que ambos personajes principales juegan hockey.
Riley es la chica del lado incorrecto de la ciudad, su vida ha sido complicada, pero sus padres la aman, y aunque la tragedia la lleva a contar solo con su papá, Riles encuentra un punto en común con él con su amor por el hockey, algo que me encantó leer porque Riley tiene la relación más dulce con su papá, además me encanta que sea una atleta fuerte, que tenga su propio circulo de amigas después de perder a Reign y que ellas lo apoyen incondicionalmente.
Reign es un poco más complicado, un chico privilegiado, que siempre obtiene lo que quiere y que busca vengarse de su ex mejor amiga por un malentendido del pasado. Reign fue un personaje muy interesante de leer, me gustó mucho leer su lado obsesivo y la dirección que su personaje tomó cuando por fin acepta sus sentimientos por Riley. Lo que no me encantó mucho de este personaje fue su lado posesivo y controlador, especialmente porque creo que sus acciones complicaron la trama de manera innecesaria algunas veces.
Riley & Reign pasaron de ser mejores amigos que amaban el hockey juntos, a rivales que tienen una guerra constante de retos, a darse cuenta que sienten más que odio el uno por el otro, y tengo que decir que su trama me encantó, Ashton llevó su historia de amor por un lugar que no esperaba y eso me hizo amar este libro de una manera especial, sin embargo, creo que el conflicto que llevó a estos dos a convertirse en rivales debió de explorarse un poco más. Aún así, creo que Riley & Reign son bastante entretenidos, divertidos y muy interesantes también, y vale mucho la pena leerlos!
🎧Reseña del audiolibro🎧 (5 de mayo del 2025)
🏒Narrators: Macie Miller & C.J. Grey
🏒Narration: 5/5
Cuando leí Rivals el año pasado, me gustó, especialmente porque AMÉ que ambos personajes jugaran hockey ya que eso fue algo nuevo para mi (y creo que poco común en el mundo del romance), PERO me costó mucho conectar con Reign y aún más amarlo como personaje principal, sin embargo, el audiolibro está tan bien ejecutado por los narradores que incluso subí mi calificación para esta historia porque disfruté mucho la lectura de ésta historia en un formato diferente.
Macie Miller & C.J. Grey fueron los mejores narradores que Rivals pudo tener! Ambos transmitieron TODO lo que Riley & Reign vivieron a lo largo de este libro y yo amé cada momento: sigo creyendo que Reign es un personaje difícil de amar, PERO C.J. Grey y su trabajo me ayudaron mucho a entender a este chico completamente obsesionado con su mejor amiga de la infancia convertida en rival y lo amé un poco más.
A Riley la amé mucho desde la primera vez, especialmente el vinculo tan hermoso que comparte con su papá, pero en al audiolibro me rompió mucho más el corazón su historia personal, especialmente hacia el final del libro, además, creo que en este formato su amistad con las chicas de los Pirates me gustó mucho más y disfruté mucho eso.
🏒Riley: 4/5
🏒Reign: 3/5
🏒Trama: 4/5
🏒Historia de amor: 4/5
🏒Personajes secundarios: 4/5
🏒Portada: 5/5
🌶️: 2/5
Ranking: 4.5⭐
Rivals is one of the books I've been looking forward to the most this year and it left me with mixed feelings, but despite that, I hope Ashton Brooks turns this world into a new series because I really liked Riley & Reign as individual characters, their personal plots and everything about their rivalry, I also LOVED the secondary characters, I think they have a lot of potential and I would love to be able to read their stories, plus, it would make me VERY happy to read a series where both main characters play hockey.
Riley is the girl from the wrong side of town, her life has been complicated but her parents love her, and although tragedy leads her to rely only on her dad, Riley finds common ground with him with their love for hockey, something that I loved reading because Riley has the sweetest relationship with her dad, plus I love that she's a strong athlete, that she has her own circle of friends after losing Reign and that they support her unconditionally.
Reign is a little more complicated, a privileged boy, who always gets what he wants and who seeks revenge on his ex best friend for a misunderstanding from the past. Reign was a very interesting character to read, I really enjoyed reading about his obsessive side and the direction that his character took when he finally accepts his feelings for Riley. What I didn't love so much about this character was his possessive and controlling side, especially because I think his actions complicated the plot in an unnecessary way sometimes.
Riley & Reign went from being best friends who loved hockey together, to rivals who have a constant war of challenges & pranks, to realizing that they feel more than hate for each other, and I have to say that I loved their plot!! Ashton took their love story to a place I didn't expect and that made me love this book in a special way, however, I think that the conflict that led these two to become rivals should have been explored a little more. Still, I think that Riley & Reign are quite entertaining, funny and very interesting too, and they are very much worth reading!
🎧Audiobook Review🎧 (May 5, 2025)
🏒Narrators: Macie Miller & C.J. Grey
🏒Narration: 5/5
When I read Rivals last year, I liked it, especially because I LOVED that both characters played hockey since that was something new to me (and I think uncommon in the romance world), BUT I had a hard time connecting with Reign and even harder to love him as a main character. However, the audiobook is so well executed by the narrators that I even raised my rating for this story because I enjoyed reading this story in a different format so much.
Macie Miller & C.J. Grey were the best narrators Rivals could have had! Both of them conveyed EVERYTHING that Riley & Reign experienced throughout this book and I loved every moment: I still think that Reign is a difficult character to love, BUT C.J. Grey and her work helped me a lot to understand this boy completely obsessed with his childhood best friend turned rival and I loved him a little more.
I loved Riley so much from the first time, especially the beautiful bond she shares with her dad, but in the audiobook her personal story broke my heart a lot more, especially towards the end of the book, also in this format I liked her friendship with the Pirates girls much more and I enjoyed her a lot.
🏒Riley: 4/5
🏒Reign: 3/5
🏒Plot: 4/5
🏒Love story: 4/5
🏒Secondary characters: 4/5
🏒Cover: 5/5
🌶️: 2/5
ARC amablemente proporcionada a cambio de una reseña honesta
Puntuación: 4.5⭐
Rivals es uno de los libros que mas he esperado este año, pero me dejó con sentimientos encontrados, pero a pesar de eso, espero que Ashton Brooks convierta este mundo en una nueva serie porque Riley & Reign me gustaron mucho como personajes individuales, sus tramas personales y todo sobre su rivalidad, también AMÉ a los personajes secundarios, creo que tienen mucho potencial y amaría poder leer sus historias, además, me haría MUY feliz leer una serie en la que ambos personajes principales juegan hockey.
Riley es la chica del lado incorrecto de la ciudad, su vida ha sido complicada, pero sus padres la aman, y aunque la tragedia la lleva a contar solo con su papá, Riles encuentra un punto en común con él con su amor por el hockey, algo que me encantó leer porque Riley tiene la relación más dulce con su papá, además me encanta que sea una atleta fuerte, que tenga su propio circulo de amigas después de perder a Reign y que ellas lo apoyen incondicionalmente.
Reign es un poco más complicado, un chico privilegiado, que siempre obtiene lo que quiere y que busca vengarse de su ex mejor amiga por un malentendido del pasado. Reign fue un personaje muy interesante de leer, me gustó mucho leer su lado obsesivo y la dirección que su personaje tomó cuando por fin acepta sus sentimientos por Riley. Lo que no me encantó mucho de este personaje fue su lado posesivo y controlador, especialmente porque creo que sus acciones complicaron la trama de manera innecesaria algunas veces.
Riley & Reign pasaron de ser mejores amigos que amaban el hockey juntos, a rivales que tienen una guerra constante de retos, a darse cuenta que sienten más que odio el uno por el otro, y tengo que decir que su trama me encantó, Ashton llevó su historia de amor por un lugar que no esperaba y eso me hizo amar este libro de una manera especial, sin embargo, creo que el conflicto que llevó a estos dos a convertirse en rivales debió de explorarse un poco más. Aún así, creo que Riley & Reign son bastante entretenidos, divertidos y muy interesantes también, y vale mucho la pena leerlos!
🎧Reseña del audiolibro🎧 (5 de mayo del 2025)
🏒Narrators: Macie Miller & C.J. Grey
🏒Narration: 5/5
Cuando leí Rivals el año pasado, me gustó, especialmente porque AMÉ que ambos personajes jugaran hockey ya que eso fue algo nuevo para mi (y creo que poco común en el mundo del romance), PERO me costó mucho conectar con Reign y aún más amarlo como personaje principal, sin embargo, el audiolibro está tan bien ejecutado por los narradores que incluso subí mi calificación para esta historia porque disfruté mucho la lectura de ésta historia en un formato diferente.
Macie Miller & C.J. Grey fueron los mejores narradores que Rivals pudo tener! Ambos transmitieron TODO lo que Riley & Reign vivieron a lo largo de este libro y yo amé cada momento: sigo creyendo que Reign es un personaje difícil de amar, PERO C.J. Grey y su trabajo me ayudaron mucho a entender a este chico completamente obsesionado con su mejor amiga de la infancia convertida en rival y lo amé un poco más.
A Riley la amé mucho desde la primera vez, especialmente el vinculo tan hermoso que comparte con su papá, pero en al audiolibro me rompió mucho más el corazón su historia personal, especialmente hacia el final del libro, además, creo que en este formato su amistad con las chicas de los Pirates me gustó mucho más y disfruté mucho eso.
🏒Riley: 4/5
🏒Reign: 3/5
🏒Trama: 4/5
🏒Historia de amor: 4/5
🏒Personajes secundarios: 4/5
🏒Portada: 5/5
🌶️: 2/5
August 25, 2024
This book has quickly become my favorite enemies-to-lovers story, and I found it nearly impossible to put down. The narrative is so expertly crafted, with a perfect balance of tension, emotion, and romance, that it pulls you in from the very first page.
Reign and Riley’s journey is nothing short of intense. Their story begins with a deep childhood friendship that forms when they’re just six years old. However, an unfortunate accident leads to an injury, which abruptly ends their bond and ignites a fierce rivalry that sets the stage for the rest of the book.
Ashton Brooks has done an exceptional job in detailing and executing every aspect of the story, ensuring that all your questions are answered along the way. The blend of spice, love, and adoration throughout the book is perfectly measured, leaving you completely immersed in their world and fully invested in their relationship.
If you haven’t already, I highly recommend adding this book to your TBR list. It’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.
Reign and Riley’s journey is nothing short of intense. Their story begins with a deep childhood friendship that forms when they’re just six years old. However, an unfortunate accident leads to an injury, which abruptly ends their bond and ignites a fierce rivalry that sets the stage for the rest of the book.
Ashton Brooks has done an exceptional job in detailing and executing every aspect of the story, ensuring that all your questions are answered along the way. The blend of spice, love, and adoration throughout the book is perfectly measured, leaving you completely immersed in their world and fully invested in their relationship.
If you haven’t already, I highly recommend adding this book to your TBR list. It’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.
August 28, 2024
I did not want to put this book down! Holy my! The way I fell in love with this book immediately! This was such a great read!
Rivals is an romance that really pulls at the heart strings and the excitement of the drama. Both Reign and Riley were really well written and exciting characters. Very much two characters to love and to enjoy reading about. The tension between them is just so well done! Ashton Brooks really brought it with this one! I am amazed by this read and living in the hype of reading it.
If someone were to ask me about a new enemies to lovers read, I’d definitely recommend this one for them! This is definitely a great book for readers that love tension, angst, and a friendship turned bad back to good.
Rivals is an romance that really pulls at the heart strings and the excitement of the drama. Both Reign and Riley were really well written and exciting characters. Very much two characters to love and to enjoy reading about. The tension between them is just so well done! Ashton Brooks really brought it with this one! I am amazed by this read and living in the hype of reading it.
If someone were to ask me about a new enemies to lovers read, I’d definitely recommend this one for them! This is definitely a great book for readers that love tension, angst, and a friendship turned bad back to good.
August 22, 2024
This might be my favorite friends to enemies to lovers book, I couldn’t put it down I fell asleep reading it and woke up the next day and continued just like that.
Reign and Riley’s story was so intense I don’t know what to say.
I loved the flow of their relationship from being friends since they were kids to becoming rivals and enemies to it changing again to being lovers, I was possessed with Reign OTT attitude it was so exciting and explosive, I loved the way he loved Riley and knew he wants her and he would do anything to have her.
I’m so happy I read their story and experienced their journey with them.
I also loved Riley’s relationship with her dad and I adored Reign relationship with him and how they bonded together to give Riley what she deserves to was so sweet to read.
Ashton again leaves me speechless and happy with her stories and characters.
Reign and Riley’s story was so intense I don’t know what to say.
I loved the flow of their relationship from being friends since they were kids to becoming rivals and enemies to it changing again to being lovers, I was possessed with Reign OTT attitude it was so exciting and explosive, I loved the way he loved Riley and knew he wants her and he would do anything to have her.
I’m so happy I read their story and experienced their journey with them.
I also loved Riley’s relationship with her dad and I adored Reign relationship with him and how they bonded together to give Riley what she deserves to was so sweet to read.
Ashton again leaves me speechless and happy with her stories and characters.
December 21, 2024
Le termine dando un 2.5 al libro porque esta ok.. es facil de leer y ligero.. pero la verdad que en un punto ya aburria de lo predecible que era.
August 23, 2024
This is a childhood friends to rivals to lovers. Definitely not “enemies”
I felt like the back and forth was too repetitive and the conflict would be resolved just to have the same issue resurface. With this being set in high school it felt very high school.
I felt like the back and forth was too repetitive and the conflict would be resolved just to have the same issue resurface. With this being set in high school it felt very high school.
dnf-2024
December 9, 2024let’s leave weak heroines in 2024
August 21, 2024
I love an unhinged, over the top jealous and possessive MMC and Rivals delivered this in spades. Reign and Riley started out as best friends as kids, then because of one incident, they become bitter rivals for years, and then their senior year of high school, they went from hate to lust to love. These two were from opposite sides of the track, Riley lived in a women's shelter until her mother passed away and then she had to live with her dad, who suffers from PTSD from being in the military. She had a very hard upbringing and hockey was her salvation. Reign grew up extremely wealthy and wanted for nothing except for a dad who was domineering and could understood what hockey meant to him. When Reign and Riley enter high school, Reign goes to the preppy private school and Riley goes to the woefully underfunded public school. Both are the captains of their hockey teams and their schools are rivals. They start a prank war that has them doing over the top stuff and neither will back down from a challenge. Riley wants so badly to fix their relationship but Reign will not give her a chance to talk to him about what happened. After a challenge goes awry at hockey camp, they end up in compromising that leads to them fooling around and the fact that Reign gets turned on by Riley not only makes him mad, but it is confusing to him. He keeps finding ways to be in her company during camp, thinking he would get her out of his system and the could go back to hating each other, but instead, he ends up OBSESSED with Riley. He has his father create a scholarship for her so that she can attend his private school because he wants to keep tabs on her and keep all other guys away from her. He also wants what is best for her and thinks that she will have a better opportunity to get into a D1 college on a hockey scholarship if she is at the private school. He makes sure they are enrolled in all of the same classes except for one. He basically hovers and stalks her until they become an official couple. Them being a couple causes Riley problems on and off the ice, because there are some petty, jealous girls. I loved watching how their relationship changed and how gutted Reign was when he finds out how Riley had been living and then the things that happen to her because they are together. Reign is so completely unhinged when it comes to Riley and the things he does to help her, protect her, and nurture her is over the top but at the same time, so sweet. The spicy scenes, they were spicing. There was a lot of angst but not too much. This book was really well written and I know it will be reading it over and over. Reign is my comfort unhinged book boyfriend. This was the first book I've read by Ashton Brooks and I cannot wait to read more, especially if they are similar to Rivals.
August 23, 2024
***ARC REVIEW*** ***POSSIBLE SPOILERS***
**Read Content/Trigger Warning First
Riley and Reign grew up together as friends, became rivals, and finally lovers. But it was a long road to get to the final stage in their relationship, mainly because of how bad Riley was hurt by Reign, who was hurt by Riley (who didn’t mean for him to be physically hurt).
This was a really good story with lots of emotion. I did have two icks from this, blood play and birth control tampering. Both are mentioned in the trigger warnings, I wasn’t aware that would be an ick for me, but it did not take away from the story or my rating. This was a dark highschool romance and there were times I forgot they were in highschool with how the story was progressing. I thought it was an amazing story between Riley and Reign. He had a very over the top obsessiveness over Riley. It was crazy, how he went from hating her with what seemed to be every fiber of his being, to being completely and utterly obsessed with her, to where no one could have her or even look at her.
This is one of the best quotes in the book. I can hear the heartache and hurt in Riley’s voice. I can see her standing in front of Reign saying this and being angry.
“You made your choice about me a long time ago, Reign. Remember? I can’t date anyone else because of your ban and you’re right I’m not down to hook up just to lose my virginity. So yes, I am still as pure as snow. But f*$k you for thinking that I’ll just give it to you so you can f*$k me out of your system.”
Looking forward to reading more books by Ashton.
“If you would have told me I’d fall in love with my greatest rival, I would have told you over my dead body.”
Story - 5/5 ⭐️
Spice –5/5 🌶️
Characters - 5/5 ⭐️
#ARC #FriendsToEnemiesToLovers #HockeyRomance #PrankWars #TouchHerAndD!e #MorallyGrey #IndieAuthor
**Read Content/Trigger Warning First
Riley and Reign grew up together as friends, became rivals, and finally lovers. But it was a long road to get to the final stage in their relationship, mainly because of how bad Riley was hurt by Reign, who was hurt by Riley (who didn’t mean for him to be physically hurt).
This was a really good story with lots of emotion. I did have two icks from this, blood play and birth control tampering. Both are mentioned in the trigger warnings, I wasn’t aware that would be an ick for me, but it did not take away from the story or my rating. This was a dark highschool romance and there were times I forgot they were in highschool with how the story was progressing. I thought it was an amazing story between Riley and Reign. He had a very over the top obsessiveness over Riley. It was crazy, how he went from hating her with what seemed to be every fiber of his being, to being completely and utterly obsessed with her, to where no one could have her or even look at her.
This is one of the best quotes in the book. I can hear the heartache and hurt in Riley’s voice. I can see her standing in front of Reign saying this and being angry.
“You made your choice about me a long time ago, Reign. Remember? I can’t date anyone else because of your ban and you’re right I’m not down to hook up just to lose my virginity. So yes, I am still as pure as snow. But f*$k you for thinking that I’ll just give it to you so you can f*$k me out of your system.”
Looking forward to reading more books by Ashton.
“If you would have told me I’d fall in love with my greatest rival, I would have told you over my dead body.”
Story - 5/5 ⭐️
Spice –5/5 🌶️
Characters - 5/5 ⭐️
#ARC #FriendsToEnemiesToLovers #HockeyRomance #PrankWars #TouchHerAndD!e #MorallyGrey #IndieAuthor
June 24, 2025
“You’re mine. Your tears, your pain, your smiles, it’s all for me.”
I just met my first Ashton Brooks book and HOLY WOW! What a tantalizingly twisted tale this author weaves! I loved every tension-filled moment! Rivals is a potent mix of hockey, heat and heart that rendered me breathless, ensnaring me in its wicked web like a predator to prey. I had no choice but succumb to this romance with characters that had me in a chokehold. Prepare to be owned by one of the most brazen, dirty, dominating heroes.
Rivals is an addictive trifecta of hockey, coming of age, and enemies to lovers romance. This book dominates with desire and deviance in the ultimate game of cat and mouse. I reveled in this depraved romance of a beautiful and bold belle surrounded by her fierce and handsome beast. I loved how both the hero and heroine are competitive hockey stars.
Reign is as hot as his name, an all alpha who’s a little psycho and pure sin with that intoxicating touch-her-and-unalive persona that was my undoing. And Riley is his perfect match, his equal in stunning looks, sensuality and smarts. I loved fierce connection … the stalking … the taunting … the PDA … the possession … just yes! I was here for it all!
Rivals is a mind-blowing, body-owning, breath-stealing, edge-of-your-seat feeling force of a romance that burns in the best way. I was dominated by this book that owned every part of me. This bad boy kept me up at night reading. I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down. If you love an obsessive, possessive hockey star hero with touch her and unalive vibes who’s a little psycho, then goooo read Rivals now!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ hat trick stars
➡️ https://amzn.to/4eisb81
Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog
I just met my first Ashton Brooks book and HOLY WOW! What a tantalizingly twisted tale this author weaves! I loved every tension-filled moment! Rivals is a potent mix of hockey, heat and heart that rendered me breathless, ensnaring me in its wicked web like a predator to prey. I had no choice but succumb to this romance with characters that had me in a chokehold. Prepare to be owned by one of the most brazen, dirty, dominating heroes.
Rivals is an addictive trifecta of hockey, coming of age, and enemies to lovers romance. This book dominates with desire and deviance in the ultimate game of cat and mouse. I reveled in this depraved romance of a beautiful and bold belle surrounded by her fierce and handsome beast. I loved how both the hero and heroine are competitive hockey stars.
Reign is as hot as his name, an all alpha who’s a little psycho and pure sin with that intoxicating touch-her-and-unalive persona that was my undoing. And Riley is his perfect match, his equal in stunning looks, sensuality and smarts. I loved fierce connection … the stalking … the taunting … the PDA … the possession … just yes! I was here for it all!
Rivals is a mind-blowing, body-owning, breath-stealing, edge-of-your-seat feeling force of a romance that burns in the best way. I was dominated by this book that owned every part of me. This bad boy kept me up at night reading. I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down. If you love an obsessive, possessive hockey star hero with touch her and unalive vibes who’s a little psycho, then goooo read Rivals now!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ hat trick stars
➡️ https://amzn.to/4eisb81
Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog
August 22, 2024
I could not put this down. I loved this story, this couple and Ashton’s writing to infinity and beyond!!!
Riley & Reign had me on the edge of my seat the entire book. Every time I’m like ok they get some reprieve, Ashton threw something else at these two and holy smokes was it amazing!! Riley is soooo relatable! She struggles with being her true self and not getting caught up in her relationship with Reign. She tries throughout the entire story to march on persistently and not let much bother her.
Riley and Reign were absolute best friends, and then boom that changed to rivals on the ice and off. They hated each other with a passion, which was soooo hot and entertaining. And as they slowly made their way back toward each other, the layers of their friendship gets deep and unraveled chapter after chapter.
Reign has a lot going on. His emotions are all the place. He has great reason to hate Riley. But when it comes down to it, does he hate her? He is soooo conflicted and determined to figure this out. Though hockey is both Riley & Reigns lives, they realize they need each other. But not before throwing challenges and pranks at each other left and right. The prank wars and challenges throughout the book were soooo fun! It was a big reason I wanted to read this story. Ashton did an excellent job of making their challenges entertaining, funny and even at times superrrrr spicy!
I highly highly recommend this book! It had such amazing hate to love, prank wars that were soooo fun, and the most amazing epilogues that were soooo awesome. I didn’t want this story to end, but the epilogues were incredible and had my heart swooning.
Tropes:
MMC & FMC Both Hockey Players
Childhood Best Friends to Hate to Love
Prank Wars
Slight B*lly
Slight Stalking
Breeding Kink
Touch Her & 💀
Birth control Tampering
Riley & Reign had me on the edge of my seat the entire book. Every time I’m like ok they get some reprieve, Ashton threw something else at these two and holy smokes was it amazing!! Riley is soooo relatable! She struggles with being her true self and not getting caught up in her relationship with Reign. She tries throughout the entire story to march on persistently and not let much bother her.
Riley and Reign were absolute best friends, and then boom that changed to rivals on the ice and off. They hated each other with a passion, which was soooo hot and entertaining. And as they slowly made their way back toward each other, the layers of their friendship gets deep and unraveled chapter after chapter.
Reign has a lot going on. His emotions are all the place. He has great reason to hate Riley. But when it comes down to it, does he hate her? He is soooo conflicted and determined to figure this out. Though hockey is both Riley & Reigns lives, they realize they need each other. But not before throwing challenges and pranks at each other left and right. The prank wars and challenges throughout the book were soooo fun! It was a big reason I wanted to read this story. Ashton did an excellent job of making their challenges entertaining, funny and even at times superrrrr spicy!
I highly highly recommend this book! It had such amazing hate to love, prank wars that were soooo fun, and the most amazing epilogues that were soooo awesome. I didn’t want this story to end, but the epilogues were incredible and had my heart swooning.
Tropes:
MMC & FMC Both Hockey Players
Childhood Best Friends to Hate to Love
Prank Wars
Slight B*lly
Slight Stalking
Breeding Kink
Touch Her & 💀
Birth control Tampering
August 25, 2024
A book with an MMC waving several red flags?! Sign me the effff up!🙌🏻 As soon as I saw the tropes of this book, I knew I had to read it! Ashton Brooks is a new to me author but daaamn, did I enjoy her writing!
This was a fab story of how Reign and Riley, (childhood best friends) became rivals and rivals eventually turned into obsession which turned into love. The hockey theme behind all of it was fun to read. Especially with the FMC Riley playing hockey as well. The prank wars/challenges between the two of them over the years sure made things entertaining. Even if it was a risky and/or embarrassing challenge, Riley didn’t back down. This girl has guts! Riley was way stronger than she gave herself credit for.
Reign’s anger with Riley was misplaced. He didn’t see the bigger picture and lost 4 years of friendship because of it. I loved the darker jealous and possessiveness that consumed Reign. He was so obsessed with Riley he would do anything and everything to make her his and let everyone know who she belongs to in the process. She became untouchable!
“𝙉𝙤𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙍𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙮. 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚. 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨, 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣, 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙨, 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙚. 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙚. 𝙄 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪; 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡, 𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙚.”
This was a high school, bully romance but the environment felt more college level with dorm rooms, parents doing their own thing, etc. I would have liked them to be aged up even a year older…that’s the only reason it’s not a full 5 stars for me! I really enjoyed this book all the same!
Thank you to Ashton and The Author Agency for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
4.5⭐️
3🌶️
This was a fab story of how Reign and Riley, (childhood best friends) became rivals and rivals eventually turned into obsession which turned into love. The hockey theme behind all of it was fun to read. Especially with the FMC Riley playing hockey as well. The prank wars/challenges between the two of them over the years sure made things entertaining. Even if it was a risky and/or embarrassing challenge, Riley didn’t back down. This girl has guts! Riley was way stronger than she gave herself credit for.
Reign’s anger with Riley was misplaced. He didn’t see the bigger picture and lost 4 years of friendship because of it. I loved the darker jealous and possessiveness that consumed Reign. He was so obsessed with Riley he would do anything and everything to make her his and let everyone know who she belongs to in the process. She became untouchable!
“𝙉𝙤𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙍𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙮. 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚. 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨, 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣, 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙨, 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙚. 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙚. 𝙄 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪; 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡, 𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙚.”
This was a high school, bully romance but the environment felt more college level with dorm rooms, parents doing their own thing, etc. I would have liked them to be aged up even a year older…that’s the only reason it’s not a full 5 stars for me! I really enjoyed this book all the same!
Thank you to Ashton and The Author Agency for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
4.5⭐️
3🌶️
August 25, 2024
We have Riley & Reign who become best friends when they're kids and with their love of hockey you'll find no other kids as close as these two. It was adorable. Until it wasn't and they become enemies!
Their rivalry is widely known between the two schools and they constantly challenge each other with a favour owed by the loser and it can be entertaining at times but you know that these two should never have fell out and when a challenge goes too far, Reign admits what he's always denied - Riley is his!
The issue then becomes about can Riley trust him! With years of rivalry you can understand why she's wary. Can they overcome all that's happened? Can trust really be salvaged?
It's a good read, I liked the characters and I'm hoping we get the friends stories - just putting that out there!!
We have hope, want, passion, a deep connection between two people who most definitely belong together and a story that will keep you up
*I voluntarily received an arc and this is my honest review.
Their rivalry is widely known between the two schools and they constantly challenge each other with a favour owed by the loser and it can be entertaining at times but you know that these two should never have fell out and when a challenge goes too far, Reign admits what he's always denied - Riley is his!
The issue then becomes about can Riley trust him! With years of rivalry you can understand why she's wary. Can they overcome all that's happened? Can trust really be salvaged?
It's a good read, I liked the characters and I'm hoping we get the friends stories - just putting that out there!!
We have hope, want, passion, a deep connection between two people who most definitely belong together and a story that will keep you up
*I voluntarily received an arc and this is my honest review.
August 26, 2024
Seppy's Star Review:
Reign and Riley were best friends at 6 years old playing hockey together until they weren't when Reign got injured. Riley didn't understand what she did for him to hate her so much at eleven when he got hurt. It was just an accident. Now in different high schools and older. These two started a challenge (like a prank) and favor war between them. Everyone knew how Reign felt or did they?
This is a friends-to-enemies romance. Reign seems to be very possessive regardless of his feelings for Riley. This is a story of characters with big emotions and feelings. It is a great book full of lots of drama. I loved this one so much. I love a good enemies-to-lovers romance and this one didn't disappoint. I was hooked from the beginning. I loved that they both played hockey. I think Reign's feelings twisted, and Riley never understood why things changed. Riley just tried to live her life but Reign wouldn't break their connection even if it was hate. It was twisted but I loved it. One-click this one today!
Reign and Riley were best friends at 6 years old playing hockey together until they weren't when Reign got injured. Riley didn't understand what she did for him to hate her so much at eleven when he got hurt. It was just an accident. Now in different high schools and older. These two started a challenge (like a prank) and favor war between them. Everyone knew how Reign felt or did they?
This is a friends-to-enemies romance. Reign seems to be very possessive regardless of his feelings for Riley. This is a story of characters with big emotions and feelings. It is a great book full of lots of drama. I loved this one so much. I love a good enemies-to-lovers romance and this one didn't disappoint. I was hooked from the beginning. I loved that they both played hockey. I think Reign's feelings twisted, and Riley never understood why things changed. Riley just tried to live her life but Reign wouldn't break their connection even if it was hate. It was twisted but I loved it. One-click this one today!
September 21, 2026
Thank you to Ear Candy Promos for the ARC — this review is my honest opinion.
Tropes: rivals to lovers, hockey romance, childhood friends to enemies to lovers
I had the opportunity to listen to this audiobook early. Listening to the audiobook totally improved the book for me. I got pretty irritated with the MMC and FMC sometimes, but the narrators made it way more enjoyable. This story revolves around Reign and Riley, who were childhood best friends. Following an accident, Reign turns into Riley's enemy. They spend their lives competing with one another. Things take a turn in high school, leading to the start of a toxic relationship.
This is a dual narration audiobook. I appreciated the way the narrators vividly brought the characters alive. I totally felt all the passion and energy. CJ Grey nailed Regin's obsessive and toxic side, while Marcie Miller highlighted Riley's sweet and naive nature.
Tropes: rivals to lovers, hockey romance, childhood friends to enemies to lovers
I had the opportunity to listen to this audiobook early. Listening to the audiobook totally improved the book for me. I got pretty irritated with the MMC and FMC sometimes, but the narrators made it way more enjoyable. This story revolves around Reign and Riley, who were childhood best friends. Following an accident, Reign turns into Riley's enemy. They spend their lives competing with one another. Things take a turn in high school, leading to the start of a toxic relationship.
This is a dual narration audiobook. I appreciated the way the narrators vividly brought the characters alive. I totally felt all the passion and energy. CJ Grey nailed Regin's obsessive and toxic side, while Marcie Miller highlighted Riley's sweet and naive nature.
August 22, 2024
Riley and Reign had been best friends after one simple interaction when they were kids, going through the hockey leagues together they thought they'd always have each other but after one wrong move their friendship not only ended but turned sour, Reign would do anything and everything to ruin Riley's life and in turn they'd play annual challenges. But the lines between love and hate have always been blurry, mix in old flames and things become increasingly complicated.
What could I love more than a hockey romance? When both main characters are hockey players, we love a hockey playing lady who kicks ass! But honestly I loved the relationship between these two, even when they 'hated' each other Reign definitely was infatuated by her and just couldn't let her go, even though she'd nearly ruined everything. His whole 'touch her and you die' attitude and steering any guy away just because she was his is so caveman but we love to see it.
“I win the race, you get my v-card. You win, and your teammate does.”
This line had me, I was completely fucking sold, Reign was shooketh and Riley was an absolute queen.
Definitely enjoyed reading it, would definitely recommend and would read more Ashton books if these characters are anything to go by.
What could I love more than a hockey romance? When both main characters are hockey players, we love a hockey playing lady who kicks ass! But honestly I loved the relationship between these two, even when they 'hated' each other Reign definitely was infatuated by her and just couldn't let her go, even though she'd nearly ruined everything. His whole 'touch her and you die' attitude and steering any guy away just because she was his is so caveman but we love to see it.
“I win the race, you get my v-card. You win, and your teammate does.”
This line had me, I was completely fucking sold, Reign was shooketh and Riley was an absolute queen.
Definitely enjoyed reading it, would definitely recommend and would read more Ashton books if these characters are anything to go by.
August 24, 2024
• B O O K 📚 R E V I E W •
Rivals by Ashton Brooks
⭐️ — 3.5/5
🌶️ — 4/5
Please read content warnings prior to reading Rivals
Rivals is a dark academia hockey romance following childhood best friends-turned-enemies Reign and Riley. The two had a falling out when they were young and spend years pushing each other to the limit with challenges and competition. When they end up at training camp together the summer before their senior year of high school, it’s suddenly obvious that the competition has been hiding their real feelings for each other.
The author did a fantastic job incorporating the mentality of a teenager into the story — a lot of the reactions and emotions that the characters show seem ridiculous as an adult but honestly who didn’t make rash decisions as a teen? It makes the story more believable, more relatable.
I enjoyed the book, and I hope the author continues the storyline with some of the side characters because I would like to see how the world develops.
Rivals by Ashton Brooks
⭐️ — 3.5/5
🌶️ — 4/5
Please read content warnings prior to reading Rivals
Rivals is a dark academia hockey romance following childhood best friends-turned-enemies Reign and Riley. The two had a falling out when they were young and spend years pushing each other to the limit with challenges and competition. When they end up at training camp together the summer before their senior year of high school, it’s suddenly obvious that the competition has been hiding their real feelings for each other.
The author did a fantastic job incorporating the mentality of a teenager into the story — a lot of the reactions and emotions that the characters show seem ridiculous as an adult but honestly who didn’t make rash decisions as a teen? It makes the story more believable, more relatable.
I enjoyed the book, and I hope the author continues the storyline with some of the side characters because I would like to see how the world develops.
August 25, 2024
I love that this book started out with what happened in the past. Too often you have to wait to learn what drove two people apart. We get a detailed history from the start. It helps us find out who these two are, and what happened between them.
Oh my god when I say I devoured this story I’m not exaggerating. I was so enthralled in their story I couldn’t put it down. The ups and downs this story took me on made me crave more. I NEEDED to know what happened. I needed to see how Riley and Reign turned out. I was not disappointed. I pushed all the things I was supposed to do because I needed to know.
Fair warning. This book is fantastic. You’ll be sucked in until the last moments and crave more. I can’t say enough good things about this book. Trigger warnings are present so please be advised. You may not enjoy it as much as I did if you ignore it.
This book is fantastic. I loved it so much
Oh my god when I say I devoured this story I’m not exaggerating. I was so enthralled in their story I couldn’t put it down. The ups and downs this story took me on made me crave more. I NEEDED to know what happened. I needed to see how Riley and Reign turned out. I was not disappointed. I pushed all the things I was supposed to do because I needed to know.
Fair warning. This book is fantastic. You’ll be sucked in until the last moments and crave more. I can’t say enough good things about this book. Trigger warnings are present so please be advised. You may not enjoy it as much as I did if you ignore it.
This book is fantastic. I loved it so much
August 27, 2024
I really enjoyed this book.
The bullying/enemies bits were hard to read and made my heart hurt, particularly because the main characters were just kids but obviously that feeling is crucial to the story.
The relationship dynamic between the main characters was really fun and I enjoyed watching it evolve.
There were some elements that I struggled with, mostly that they were teenagers in high school so the spicy stuff felt a little strange to read (absolutely a me thing, not an issue with the book) and that the turning point for enemies to lovers felt kind of superficial, but these were only minor detractors.
I went from loving the MMC to hating him, to loving him, to hating him again and landed on loving him in the end.
All in all, a good read that I finished in a day because I had to know how it ended.
The bullying/enemies bits were hard to read and made my heart hurt, particularly because the main characters were just kids but obviously that feeling is crucial to the story.
The relationship dynamic between the main characters was really fun and I enjoyed watching it evolve.
There were some elements that I struggled with, mostly that they were teenagers in high school so the spicy stuff felt a little strange to read (absolutely a me thing, not an issue with the book) and that the turning point for enemies to lovers felt kind of superficial, but these were only minor detractors.
I went from loving the MMC to hating him, to loving him, to hating him again and landed on loving him in the end.
All in all, a good read that I finished in a day because I had to know how it ended.
August 28, 2024
Review by: Jennifer
(5 Stars)
A nicely done enemies to lovers story. Reign and Riley were the best of friends, and then all of a sudden, they just weren't, and then an all out feud started. For years the two had challenges to see which one could best the other, who would get in trouble for whatever stunt they pulled. Just as fast as they became enemies, a line gets crossed and suddenly their dynamic changes again, but can Riley trust this dynamic or is this just another challenge for Reign?
I absolutely adored the obsessed over the top alpha that Reign became when it came to Riley. Yes, IK he is probably a huge red flag walking, but I loved it! We are getting some drama, some over the top obsessed touch her and die alpha, and Riley added her own bit of obsession as well; and don't forget the naughty bits that were on fire. I really enjoyed this story and give 5 stars.
(5 Stars)
A nicely done enemies to lovers story. Reign and Riley were the best of friends, and then all of a sudden, they just weren't, and then an all out feud started. For years the two had challenges to see which one could best the other, who would get in trouble for whatever stunt they pulled. Just as fast as they became enemies, a line gets crossed and suddenly their dynamic changes again, but can Riley trust this dynamic or is this just another challenge for Reign?
I absolutely adored the obsessed over the top alpha that Reign became when it came to Riley. Yes, IK he is probably a huge red flag walking, but I loved it! We are getting some drama, some over the top obsessed touch her and die alpha, and Riley added her own bit of obsession as well; and don't forget the naughty bits that were on fire. I really enjoyed this story and give 5 stars.
July 7, 2026
This book annoyed me a lot.
First of all both MCS stopped being friends when they were 11 for a dumb reason. The male mc was stupid to bully the FMC since that accident. ALSO it was just that, an accident. He blew it up and made everyone hate her. Which was ridiculous.
And then when he wanted to forgive her and date her, he did. Everything happened when HE was ready to do it. Which bugged me.
He slept with so many women, the opposite of the FMC, all blonde. And warned every man off the fmc so she was a virgin. The same old pathetic story.
I think he used that incident when they were 11 as an excuse to separate from her for so many years so he could be whore. And then come back to her when he was ready to settle down.
Anyways I only read this so I could have a bit of context for the next book. So hopefully the next one is better because this just wasn't it.
First of all both MCS stopped being friends when they were 11 for a dumb reason. The male mc was stupid to bully the FMC since that accident. ALSO it was just that, an accident. He blew it up and made everyone hate her. Which was ridiculous.
And then when he wanted to forgive her and date her, he did. Everything happened when HE was ready to do it. Which bugged me.
He slept with so many women, the opposite of the FMC, all blonde. And warned every man off the fmc so she was a virgin. The same old pathetic story.
I think he used that incident when they were 11 as an excuse to separate from her for so many years so he could be whore. And then come back to her when he was ready to settle down.
Anyways I only read this so I could have a bit of context for the next book. So hopefully the next one is better because this just wasn't it.
August 28, 2024
Riley and Reign kept the pages turning! They go from best friends as kids, to hating to each other, to falling for each other. The pranks throughout this book were great! Riley and Reign were both great characters. The steam between them is top-notch.
I loved that Riley played hockey and held her own. She was such a strong character who did not have an easy life, lived in a homeless shelter with her mom, then moved in with her father who has PTSD after losing her mother.
And Reign, he becomes so obsessed after an incident at hockey camp. The lengths he won’t go to just to be close to Riley. When he finds out how she has been treated because they are together and her living arrangements, he was so tore up!
I loved that Riley played hockey and held her own. She was such a strong character who did not have an easy life, lived in a homeless shelter with her mom, then moved in with her father who has PTSD after losing her mother.
And Reign, he becomes so obsessed after an incident at hockey camp. The lengths he won’t go to just to be close to Riley. When he finds out how she has been treated because they are together and her living arrangements, he was so tore up!
August 28, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
I absolutely enjoyed this book so much. The feelings I felt when reading this. Riley and Reign have my heart. I love that they both play hockey it’s rare the fmc plays hockey along with the mmc I love that so much! They go all the way back to childhood best friends, and teammates. Then something happens & it all changes for reign & Riley’s friendship. My heart hurt for both of them, they both had big feelings & one wouldn’t talk and one wouldn’t listen. The third act break up in this absolutely fucking destroyed me. I sobbed over it. I also love love reign and how possessive he is over Riley. Riley never backed down and she was so strong. I loved that about her. I also love the enemies to lovers & the challenges! 🏒🖤
I absolutely enjoyed this book so much. The feelings I felt when reading this. Riley and Reign have my heart. I love that they both play hockey it’s rare the fmc plays hockey along with the mmc I love that so much! They go all the way back to childhood best friends, and teammates. Then something happens & it all changes for reign & Riley’s friendship. My heart hurt for both of them, they both had big feelings & one wouldn’t talk and one wouldn’t listen. The third act break up in this absolutely fucking destroyed me. I sobbed over it. I also love love reign and how possessive he is over Riley. Riley never backed down and she was so strong. I loved that about her. I also love the enemies to lovers & the challenges! 🏒🖤
August 24, 2024
Friends to enemies and rivals to lovers…sign me up!!
Riley & Reign were explosive together. I totally fell for the OTT hero and the girl who was quite honestly a badass in her own right. I loved that Riley was a force on her own when it came to her hockey skills and being able to play just as good (if not better) than her counterparts.
The rival pranks and ‘favors’ were so fun. This book had me laughing out loud and then swooning in the next minute.
I was a little worried the story would falter off when they got together so quick in the book, but there was so much going on with character arcs and self discovery that made up for that.
The steam was there 🫠🔥 these 2 bring it for sure!
Riley & Reign were explosive together. I totally fell for the OTT hero and the girl who was quite honestly a badass in her own right. I loved that Riley was a force on her own when it came to her hockey skills and being able to play just as good (if not better) than her counterparts.
The rival pranks and ‘favors’ were so fun. This book had me laughing out loud and then swooning in the next minute.
I was a little worried the story would falter off when they got together so quick in the book, but there was so much going on with character arcs and self discovery that made up for that.
The steam was there 🫠🔥 these 2 bring it for sure!
May 1, 2025
Reign and Riley were childhood best friends until a tragic accident drove them apart. From that point on, Reign made it his mission to get under Riley’s skin, turning every opportunity into a chance for revenge. Their story is filled with wild pranks, intense challenges, and an unforgettable moment deep in the woods that changes everything.
The chemistry between Reign and Riley is electric, defined by a push and pull tension that never lets up. Reign is fiercely possessive and protective, determined to make it clear that Riley belongs to him. Their relationship is messy, passionate, and utterly addictive.
Narrators C.J. Grey and Macie Miller bring the characters to life flawlessly. Grey captures Reign’s gritty, possessive edge, while Miller nails Riley’s sweet, slightly naïve charm. Their performances make the story’s emotional highs and lows even more compelling.
If you're into bully romances with fiery enemies to lovers energy, this one is definitely worth a listen!
Thank you, Ashton Brooks for the ALC.
The chemistry between Reign and Riley is electric, defined by a push and pull tension that never lets up. Reign is fiercely possessive and protective, determined to make it clear that Riley belongs to him. Their relationship is messy, passionate, and utterly addictive.
Narrators C.J. Grey and Macie Miller bring the characters to life flawlessly. Grey captures Reign’s gritty, possessive edge, while Miller nails Riley’s sweet, slightly naïve charm. Their performances make the story’s emotional highs and lows even more compelling.
If you're into bully romances with fiery enemies to lovers energy, this one is definitely worth a listen!
Thank you, Ashton Brooks for the ALC.
August 26, 2024
Once I started reading Rivals, I honestly could not put it down. I enjoyed the characters. Even though they were in high school, I did not feel like they were too childish. The emotions were raw and the angst was on par with the story.
Riley and Reign's relationship certainly has some intense emotions and typical miscommunication. Although, once Reign realizes how he feels about Riley, there is no going back for him. Now, Riley has to decide if she can trust this isn't a challenge to him or if Reign really does want to be with her.
I'd recommend reading this book, especially if you like hockey romance, dark themes, and red flags in fictional characters.
Spice: 4/5
Character Development: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4/5
Riley and Reign's relationship certainly has some intense emotions and typical miscommunication. Although, once Reign realizes how he feels about Riley, there is no going back for him. Now, Riley has to decide if she can trust this isn't a challenge to him or if Reign really does want to be with her.
I'd recommend reading this book, especially if you like hockey romance, dark themes, and red flags in fictional characters.
Spice: 4/5
Character Development: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4/5
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