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The Rival Pact: An enemies-to-lovers high school romance
Practice perfect. Stay civil. Don’t fall for your academic rival.
Jules Tanaka isn’t just aiming for valedictorian—she’s practically already got the title engraved. But when senior year starts and her co-lead on the school’s biggest fundraiser is Malik Carter, the guy who ghosted her all summer, everything gets messy. Malik is cocky, laid-back, and infuriatingly charming. Worst of all? He’s just as smart as she is.
When the principal threatens to replace them unless they get it together, Jules lays out a no sabotage, no drama, just results. Malik agrees. They call it The Rival Pact.
But the longer they work side by side—in late-night planning sessions, heated brainstorms, and hallway near-misses—the more that pact starts to crack. Tension turns into teasing. Glares turn into glances. And the biggest threat to their perfect records? Might just be each other.
The Rival Pact is a sweet, slow-burn academic rivals-to-lovers romance full of swoony moments, sharp banter, and secret softness. Set at Bayridge High, this clean YA novella is perfect for fans of Kasie West, Jenny Han, and Lynn Painter.
Jules Tanaka isn’t just aiming for valedictorian—she’s practically already got the title engraved. But when senior year starts and her co-lead on the school’s biggest fundraiser is Malik Carter, the guy who ghosted her all summer, everything gets messy. Malik is cocky, laid-back, and infuriatingly charming. Worst of all? He’s just as smart as she is.
When the principal threatens to replace them unless they get it together, Jules lays out a no sabotage, no drama, just results. Malik agrees. They call it The Rival Pact.
But the longer they work side by side—in late-night planning sessions, heated brainstorms, and hallway near-misses—the more that pact starts to crack. Tension turns into teasing. Glares turn into glances. And the biggest threat to their perfect records? Might just be each other.
The Rival Pact is a sweet, slow-burn academic rivals-to-lovers romance full of swoony moments, sharp banter, and secret softness. Set at Bayridge High, this clean YA novella is perfect for fans of Kasie West, Jenny Han, and Lynn Painter.
118 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 6, 2025
14 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 2, 2025
3.25 :) definitely my fav so far!
August 9, 2025
୧ ‧₊˚ 💌⋅ ☆
rating: ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★
୧ ‧₊˚💌 ⋅ ☆ thoughts:
love the cover, was okay.. i’ve read better but for a free kindle book it was alright
୧ ‧₊˚ 💌⋅ ☆ characters:
jules
malik
୧ ‧₊˚ 💌⋅ ☆ storyline:
jules and malik start a partner project, jules has like 20 different mood swings in this book and it’s not even an exaggeration. she takes credit for stuff then proceeds to say she loves him a ton. what. then jules loves malik and or something and they get together.. WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THE FIGHTING? malik just dumps all his problems on jules and she doesn’t know what to say.. like 😭😭
୧ ‧₊˚ 💌⋅ ☆ pre read:
the cover was stunning !!
୧ ‧₊˚ 💌⋅ ☆ post read:
it was meh..
rating: ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★
୧ ‧₊˚💌 ⋅ ☆ thoughts:
love the cover, was okay.. i’ve read better but for a free kindle book it was alright
୧ ‧₊˚ 💌⋅ ☆ characters:
jules
malik
୧ ‧₊˚ 💌⋅ ☆ storyline:
jules and malik start a partner project, jules has like 20 different mood swings in this book and it’s not even an exaggeration. she takes credit for stuff then proceeds to say she loves him a ton. what. then jules loves malik and or something and they get together.. WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THE FIGHTING? malik just dumps all his problems on jules and she doesn’t know what to say.. like 😭😭
୧ ‧₊˚ 💌⋅ ☆ pre read:
the cover was stunning !!
୧ ‧₊˚ 💌⋅ ☆ post read:
it was meh..
October 18, 2025
at the beginning, malik honestly pissed me off. it’s more because i get jules, like her organisation for everything to be perfect, her very little social networking as she’s focused on school and suddenly this guy who - i know isn’t but still - seems lazy just waltzes in three months late. like im not saying jukes is me but if i were in her position i probably would’ve killed him off by now.
these two are cute but do NOT give “lovers”. like bro- they had so many issues like personally that i feel like they gotta grow before getting together instead of just some quick confession into dating when they both clearly still have trauma with themselves.
“learning that love isn't a distraction from your goals. it’s what makes achieving them meaningful.”
these two are cute but do NOT give “lovers”. like bro- they had so many issues like personally that i feel like they gotta grow before getting together instead of just some quick confession into dating when they both clearly still have trauma with themselves.
“learning that love isn't a distraction from your goals. it’s what makes achieving them meaningful.”
December 25, 2025
Malik could’ve at least texted her back once in the summer really
The amount of times they asked each other questions is giving character ai
A lot of talking
Wow she just cut him off and stole his ideas multiple times
Sometimes I feel like they like to repeat things even if it’s not in the same way or context
It’s a good book but it felt like wattpad, like a good wattpad story but still wattpad
The amount of times they asked each other questions is giving character ai
A lot of talking
Wow she just cut him off and stole his ideas multiple times
Sometimes I feel like they like to repeat things even if it’s not in the same way or context
It’s a good book but it felt like wattpad, like a good wattpad story but still wattpad
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2025
What a cute novella!
This is such a sweet enemies-to-lovers romance! :)
The characters are wonderful, the writing is smooth and pleasant, and the story is delightful! I love the snappy dialogue and witty banter, and Malik and Jules's interactions are hilarious!
I did feel like the romance was a bit rushed, though. It didn't ever really feel like they were enemies, they sorta plunged straight into having feelings for each other?
Overall, I really loved this sweet, touching novella!
Cala Finn is such an amazing author, and I can't wait to read more from her! :)
This is such a sweet enemies-to-lovers romance! :)
The characters are wonderful, the writing is smooth and pleasant, and the story is delightful! I love the snappy dialogue and witty banter, and Malik and Jules's interactions are hilarious!
I did feel like the romance was a bit rushed, though. It didn't ever really feel like they were enemies, they sorta plunged straight into having feelings for each other?
Overall, I really loved this sweet, touching novella!
Cala Finn is such an amazing author, and I can't wait to read more from her! :)
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews