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The Rival Next Door
He’s baseball’s biggest heartthrob, and she cleans toilets.Drake Walker had it all – females, fame, and fortune, but none of it was real. The money could disappear, the attention could wane overnight, and all the women that surrounded him were only there for one thing – to be able to say they were dating an All-Star baseball player.
It was a pathetic, lonely life, and he was ready for a change.
Steffi was shocked to see her snooty neighbor barge into a public bathroom wearing a baseball jersey – of the team currently on the field. Now, with a plunger for a scepter, and a dustpan for a shield, the unexpected allies emerge victorious from Drake’s escape… only to make a bargain neither could have ever imagined.
A (very fake) relationship.
Every girl dreams of a luxurious life, a handsome prince professing his love, and a kingdom at her feet, but her ‘diamond’ had bases, her ‘love story’ was full of foul balls, and her 'prince' was the one wearing white (pants).
What do you do when falling in love isn’t quite the fairytale you expected?
It was a pathetic, lonely life, and he was ready for a change.
Steffi was shocked to see her snooty neighbor barge into a public bathroom wearing a baseball jersey – of the team currently on the field. Now, with a plunger for a scepter, and a dustpan for a shield, the unexpected allies emerge victorious from Drake’s escape… only to make a bargain neither could have ever imagined.
A (very fake) relationship.
Every girl dreams of a luxurious life, a handsome prince professing his love, and a kingdom at her feet, but her ‘diamond’ had bases, her ‘love story’ was full of foul balls, and her 'prince' was the one wearing white (pants).
What do you do when falling in love isn’t quite the fairytale you expected?
- GenresSports
180 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2026
About the author
Ginny Sterling
463 books754 followersGinny Sterling writes sweet, clean, closed-door romance with small-town charm and heartfelt emotion. From cozy communities to closed-door hockey romance, her stories feature cinnamon roll heroes, meaningful connections, and uplifting happily-ever-afters—perfect for readers who love wholesome, feel-good love stories.
https://linktr.ee/ginny_sterling
Closed-door love stories | Small-town romance | Hockey heroes 🏒 Cinnamon roll men.
Real emotions.
Happily ever afters.
ALWAYS.
https://linktr.ee/ginny_sterling
Closed-door love stories | Small-town romance | Hockey heroes 🏒 Cinnamon roll men.
Real emotions.
Happily ever afters.
ALWAYS.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely adore Drake & Steffi's laugh out loud, fiery, caring, hard-won, sweet, loving happily ever after!!
March 28, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️
Filled with laugh out loud, romantic, sweet, and swoon worthy moments, I couldn’t put My Rival Next Door down once I started. Ginny Sterling gives readers an amazing baseball romance in her latest release. From their very first interaction, our MCs promise a great story. I thoroughly enjoy reading Ginny’s books as each one introduces great characters, captivating storylines, and sizzling romance. Her MCs are well developed and truly easy to fall in love with. She makes them easy to connect with and wants to see them happy.
Steffi did not expect for her day to end up fighting someone off with a plunger during her community service hours. What’s more she did not expect it to be her neighbor who is constantly complaining about her to the HOA being the one at the end of said plunger. What starts out as a pretty routine day ends with her fake engagement to a pro baseball player and a relationship that just keeps getting better and better. I loved Steffi’s wit and charm. She is strong, independent, and works hard for everything she has.
Drake may be a professional athlete, but he likes his privacy and hates being at the center of media drama. So when he gets clobbered by a plunger by his annoying neighbor, he doesn’t want tabloids to stretch what actually happened. Instead he asks Steffi to pretend they are engaged to keep things at bay. Soon, the annoying next door neighbor is all he can think about and maybe the fake relationship doesn’t need to be so fake.
With the opening day of baseball season recently happening, this is a great book to read at the same time. Sure Drake and Steffi may constantly annoy each other, but it is easy to see their attraction to one another. While this may be a romcom, it has its deep moments that Ginny always weaves into her storylines. Full of heart, this book was a joy to read. Ginny definitely knows how to write closed door romance that sizzles.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
⚾Opposites Attract
💙Reluctant Allies to More
⚾Neighbors
💙Baseball Player MMC
⚾Fake Engagement
💙Sassy FMC
⚾Closed Door Romance
Filled with laugh out loud, romantic, sweet, and swoon worthy moments, I couldn’t put My Rival Next Door down once I started. Ginny Sterling gives readers an amazing baseball romance in her latest release. From their very first interaction, our MCs promise a great story. I thoroughly enjoy reading Ginny’s books as each one introduces great characters, captivating storylines, and sizzling romance. Her MCs are well developed and truly easy to fall in love with. She makes them easy to connect with and wants to see them happy.
Steffi did not expect for her day to end up fighting someone off with a plunger during her community service hours. What’s more she did not expect it to be her neighbor who is constantly complaining about her to the HOA being the one at the end of said plunger. What starts out as a pretty routine day ends with her fake engagement to a pro baseball player and a relationship that just keeps getting better and better. I loved Steffi’s wit and charm. She is strong, independent, and works hard for everything she has.
Drake may be a professional athlete, but he likes his privacy and hates being at the center of media drama. So when he gets clobbered by a plunger by his annoying neighbor, he doesn’t want tabloids to stretch what actually happened. Instead he asks Steffi to pretend they are engaged to keep things at bay. Soon, the annoying next door neighbor is all he can think about and maybe the fake relationship doesn’t need to be so fake.
With the opening day of baseball season recently happening, this is a great book to read at the same time. Sure Drake and Steffi may constantly annoy each other, but it is easy to see their attraction to one another. While this may be a romcom, it has its deep moments that Ginny always weaves into her storylines. Full of heart, this book was a joy to read. Ginny definitely knows how to write closed door romance that sizzles.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
⚾Opposites Attract
💙Reluctant Allies to More
⚾Neighbors
💙Baseball Player MMC
⚾Fake Engagement
💙Sassy FMC
⚾Closed Door Romance
Review of advance copy received from Author
Baseball is America's sport, and Drake Walker is baseball's hero. Women love him and men want to be him.
Drake's life is about to drastically change when he runs into a bathroom trying to evade rabid fans. What he finds behind that bathroom door is more dangerous than his adoring fans. He finds his next door neighbor, Steffi, cleaning toilets. Their story from this point forward, especially this part of it, will be a story that will be shared many times. This scene had me laughing from deep within my belly. Who knew a plunger would be so handy? The king of baseball has met his match, and I do not mean the good kind. Trust me when I say Steffi can hold her own with this arrogant baseball player.
As they try their hand at a fake relationship, compliments of Drake's big mouth, the walls are going to be high and the fights will be epic, but somewhere along the way each of them realizes what happens when you assume you know the other person, without really knowing the other person.
I love Ginny Sterling's books and her writing style. She knows how to make me laugh, fall in love with the characters and maybe learn a lesson or two in human behavior. This book most assuredly falls into my top five books that I have read by this author, and I have read a lot of them.
I love the game of baseball, so that was part of my reason for loving this book. But the most important thing in this book that made me fall in love with the story was the characters. They were just down right loveable and more than a little hilarious.
This is a homerun for this author, pun intended.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Drake's life is about to drastically change when he runs into a bathroom trying to evade rabid fans. What he finds behind that bathroom door is more dangerous than his adoring fans. He finds his next door neighbor, Steffi, cleaning toilets. Their story from this point forward, especially this part of it, will be a story that will be shared many times. This scene had me laughing from deep within my belly. Who knew a plunger would be so handy? The king of baseball has met his match, and I do not mean the good kind. Trust me when I say Steffi can hold her own with this arrogant baseball player.
As they try their hand at a fake relationship, compliments of Drake's big mouth, the walls are going to be high and the fights will be epic, but somewhere along the way each of them realizes what happens when you assume you know the other person, without really knowing the other person.
I love Ginny Sterling's books and her writing style. She knows how to make me laugh, fall in love with the characters and maybe learn a lesson or two in human behavior. This book most assuredly falls into my top five books that I have read by this author, and I have read a lot of them.
I love the game of baseball, so that was part of my reason for loving this book. But the most important thing in this book that made me fall in love with the story was the characters. They were just down right loveable and more than a little hilarious.
This is a homerun for this author, pun intended.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
OMG I waited over a year for this book and let me tell you it was worth the wait!! Ginny didn't disappoint at all! I fell in LOVE with Drake & Steffi! I'm an Outfield girl so when I found out we were getting his brother's story I knew it was going to be epic! I loved that we got to hear from Outfield and Sunny as well in this book!
Drake is a snarky baseball player that likes to have a good time and drive people crazy sometimes! LOL...During one of his games he ends up getting hit and decides he needs to make sure he's ok and tries to sneak away but ends up going into the janitor's closet where he finds a woman with a plunger! Now he needs help from this woman because he's surrounded and so he pretends she's his fiancé!! OMG the scene, the laughter and the ride that's to come was everything!!
Steffi finds herself doing community service at a baseball stadium and if that wasn't bad enough now she finds herself engaged! Turns out her new fiancé is also her annoying next door neighbor! Steffi is such a sweet character.
Drake & Steffi had such great banter and they had me laughing, smiling, and swooning through out this book. I had such a great time getting to know these two characters and some of the side characters as well. You will also be left with a wonderful ending! If you love baseball romance and a snarky man, then this book will be a must for you! I HIGHLY recommend this book!
Thank you Ginny Sterling for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.
Drake is a snarky baseball player that likes to have a good time and drive people crazy sometimes! LOL...During one of his games he ends up getting hit and decides he needs to make sure he's ok and tries to sneak away but ends up going into the janitor's closet where he finds a woman with a plunger! Now he needs help from this woman because he's surrounded and so he pretends she's his fiancé!! OMG the scene, the laughter and the ride that's to come was everything!!
Steffi finds herself doing community service at a baseball stadium and if that wasn't bad enough now she finds herself engaged! Turns out her new fiancé is also her annoying next door neighbor! Steffi is such a sweet character.
Drake & Steffi had such great banter and they had me laughing, smiling, and swooning through out this book. I had such a great time getting to know these two characters and some of the side characters as well. You will also be left with a wonderful ending! If you love baseball romance and a snarky man, then this book will be a must for you! I HIGHLY recommend this book!
Thank you Ginny Sterling for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Only Ginny Sterling could come up with such a hilarious set up as the one in The Rival Next Door.
Drake is baseball's charming heartthrob. He puts on a show at every game, but chooses to live a quiet, simple life out of the public eye (as much as possible). Instead of a big showy house, he has a basic neighborhood home.. with the best yard in the neighborhood because he might be just a tad OCD about it.
Steffi works hard to afford her rental in a decent neighborhood. Yes, her house is basically empty, but it's home. She has no idea who her neighbor is.. only that he complains to the HOA about her car and lectures her about her lawn continuously.
Imagine her surprise when he comes flyinging into the stadium's public bathroom, which she is cleaning, dressed like a professional baseball player. Wait? Is he a baseball player?
And how on earth did he convince her, in that bathroom ove a few minutes, to pretend to the public that they are engaged!? What on earth!? And where do they go from here?
As with all Ginny's books, this one is full on outrageous and hilarious moments that have the reader laughing out loud. Add in the banter and chemistry and innuendo (appropriate.. not vulgar) and it just gets better and better. But also, Ginny is a master at weaving in deeper issues. My heart hurts for Steffi and the life she's had. At the same time I love the groundedness of Drake despite his popularity and outward antics.
Ginny hit a home run with this one. (Wink! Wink!)
Drake is baseball's charming heartthrob. He puts on a show at every game, but chooses to live a quiet, simple life out of the public eye (as much as possible). Instead of a big showy house, he has a basic neighborhood home.. with the best yard in the neighborhood because he might be just a tad OCD about it.
Steffi works hard to afford her rental in a decent neighborhood. Yes, her house is basically empty, but it's home. She has no idea who her neighbor is.. only that he complains to the HOA about her car and lectures her about her lawn continuously.
Imagine her surprise when he comes flyinging into the stadium's public bathroom, which she is cleaning, dressed like a professional baseball player. Wait? Is he a baseball player?
And how on earth did he convince her, in that bathroom ove a few minutes, to pretend to the public that they are engaged!? What on earth!? And where do they go from here?
As with all Ginny's books, this one is full on outrageous and hilarious moments that have the reader laughing out loud. Add in the banter and chemistry and innuendo (appropriate.. not vulgar) and it just gets better and better. But also, Ginny is a master at weaving in deeper issues. My heart hurts for Steffi and the life she's had. At the same time I love the groundedness of Drake despite his popularity and outward antics.
Ginny hit a home run with this one. (Wink! Wink!)
March 27, 2026
This was such a good book and honestly, the perfect read for opening day if you love a baseball and are looking for that theme woven into a book. Drake is a star baseball player, full of talent, ego, flirty banter and unfortunately for Steffi, he’s also her incredibly irritating neighbor. Steffi is doing everything she can just to stay afloat, working hard to afford her rental in a nice neighborhood, even if it means putting up with her oil-leaking disaster of a car and skipping pretty much every luxury. Their dynamic starts off as pure chaos. Drake and Steffi are constantly clashing, getting into petty arguments and full-on neighborhood wars that are equal parts frustrating and entertaining. But things take a turn when Steffi steps in to save Drake from an uncomfortable situation… and suddenly finds herself stuck playing the role of his fake fiancée. From there, the story gives an insane amount of banter, tension, forced proximity, and that slow shift from annoyance to something much deeper. I loved how their relationship developed, especially seeing the layers behind Drake’s cocky exterior and Steffi’s resilience. If you’re into enemies-to-lovers with a sports twist and fake dating done right, this one is absolutely worth the read.
One of my favorite quotes: “I realized that to stay focused, to appreciate the blessings that had been given to me, that I needed to live simply… and touch grass.”
One of my favorite quotes: “I realized that to stay focused, to appreciate the blessings that had been given to me, that I needed to live simply… and touch grass.”
March 17, 2026
Agh!! It’s finally here, everyone! Drake and Steffi’s story, The Rival Next Door by Ginny Sterling has arrived, and it’s absolutely adorable!
If you are looking for a fun, witty, banter filled sporty romcom, look no further! I confess, I have been very curios about Drake ever since I read Forever Flawless in the Flyboys series. He both is-and is NOT- what I pictured. He seems like he drips with arrogance, and to an extent, he is. But he is so much more! Then we throw in Steffi, who is constantly at the ready to throw down with said arrogant baseball player who happens to be her next door neighbor with a penchant to seemingly ruin her life. Having them find themselves in a fake engagement, oh boy howdy do those sparks fly!
Drama, tension, angst and swoony moments galore! I loved watching them navigate from enemies, to reluctant allies, to friends and then love just snuck up on them!
I do want to point out as a little disclaimer, this is a book written for adults. It is NOT YA. While it is closed door and minimal to no swearing, I would not label it as “clean and wholesome,” as there are innuendos aplenty.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you are looking for a fun, witty, banter filled sporty romcom, look no further! I confess, I have been very curios about Drake ever since I read Forever Flawless in the Flyboys series. He both is-and is NOT- what I pictured. He seems like he drips with arrogance, and to an extent, he is. But he is so much more! Then we throw in Steffi, who is constantly at the ready to throw down with said arrogant baseball player who happens to be her next door neighbor with a penchant to seemingly ruin her life. Having them find themselves in a fake engagement, oh boy howdy do those sparks fly!
Drama, tension, angst and swoony moments galore! I loved watching them navigate from enemies, to reluctant allies, to friends and then love just snuck up on them!
I do want to point out as a little disclaimer, this is a book written for adults. It is NOT YA. While it is closed door and minimal to no swearing, I would not label it as “clean and wholesome,” as there are innuendos aplenty.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 7, 2026
Wow, talk about an adorable yet explosive romance! Ginny Sterling has done it again! Once I started reading, I couldn’t put this book down.
I was rooting for Drake and Steffi from the start, even though it seemed in the beginning that there was no way they’d ever fall in love with each other. I couldn’t believe the amount of nicknames she could come up with from his initials and their verbal sparring had me rolling on the floor!
This story has the perfect blend of swoony and laugh out loud moments. I love the characters and the tropes and I was especially excited that this book ties into the Flyboys series with Drake’s brother Pete and his wife Sunny making an appearance here. I highly recommend!
I was rooting for Drake and Steffi from the start, even though it seemed in the beginning that there was no way they’d ever fall in love with each other. I couldn’t believe the amount of nicknames she could come up with from his initials and their verbal sparring had me rolling on the floor!
This story has the perfect blend of swoony and laugh out loud moments. I love the characters and the tropes and I was especially excited that this book ties into the Flyboys series with Drake’s brother Pete and his wife Sunny making an appearance here. I highly recommend!
March 18, 2026
Ginny Sterling does it again with this fun fake engagement story.
Drake is an all pro baseball player but his life is a disaster. The women who chase him only want his body and/or his money.
Through a crazy event at a game, Drake and his neighbor, Steffi, become fake engaged.
Through all the snarky comments they finally see each other. Sometimes fairytales do come true.
I received this as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.
Drake is an all pro baseball player but his life is a disaster. The women who chase him only want his body and/or his money.
Through a crazy event at a game, Drake and his neighbor, Steffi, become fake engaged.
Through all the snarky comments they finally see each other. Sometimes fairytales do come true.
I received this as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.
April 16, 2026
Ginny Sterling had me laughing, crying -- just feeling every emotion possible throughout the pages of this book. Steffi and Drake met in a rather unconventional way -- even though they were neighbors. The snark, the attitudes, the laughter and finally ... the love? These two characters absolutely had me on a rollercoaster of emotions, in a very good way. I gave this book 5 stars out of 5 because I think Sterling hit a home run with this book!! I can't wait for the next one!
May 5, 2026
This story had me dying of laughter. These two are hilarious with their banter. I know they use it to guard themselves but they are both amazing people who love deeply when they feel comfortable. I love the cross over we got from Flyboys too! As an avid Ginny Sterling reader, the crossovers are always my favorite because we get to revisit characters we fell in love with in previous stories. This is a dual pov, closed door romance.
March 13, 2026
This had me in stitches from the start! Nobody does banter quite like Ginny Sterling! From the antics, to the fake engagement, and the neighborly war they have going on, Drake and Steffi will have you laughing and crying in equal measure! I wasn’t sure I liked Drake at first, but he quickly won me over! A sweet and beautiful baseball romance with a swoon happily ever after!
⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️
⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️
March 21, 2026
It’s refreshing to see a sports romance that isn’t centered around hockey. I love baseball, so this really worked for me.
I do wish it had been a bit longer and more developed, but I still had fun reading it.
Drake starts off a little arrogant, but he becomes more endearing as the story progresses. Steffi was hilarious, and I really enjoyed their dynamic and banter.
I do wish it had been a bit longer and more developed, but I still had fun reading it.
Drake starts off a little arrogant, but he becomes more endearing as the story progresses. Steffi was hilarious, and I really enjoyed their dynamic and banter.
May 17, 2026
The Best Bantering
I absolutely love bantering, and Drake and Steffi take it to the top. I laughed out loud so many times. The story is so funny while being touching and sweet. Phone calls and texts between Drake and his family are hysterical. The way he takes care of Steffi is so loving and matter-of-fact. The ending is perfect.
I absolutely love bantering, and Drake and Steffi take it to the top. I laughed out loud so many times. The story is so funny while being touching and sweet. Phone calls and texts between Drake and his family are hysterical. The way he takes care of Steffi is so loving and matter-of-fact. The ending is perfect.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Loved them so much! Drake & Steffi are not friendly neighbors but through some hilarious, desperate last minute events, they end up fake engaged! I love how they find out that the line is very thin between love and hate.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ginny Sterling delivers another solid and sweet romance --this time in baseball!
I found Drake to be such a fun goof ball. He was hamming it up on the field and seemed to have it all but life was empty. When he seizes an escape by declaring Steffi his fiance, he goes all-in, taking care of Steffi and relishing in being needed and bringing joy and delight. Steffi doesn't believe it could be genuine because Drake turns out to be her terrible neighbor who has complicated her life--reporting issues to the HOA.
I liked how Drake and Steffi's assumptions about each other were directly confronted and put through trials. They had to be honest and vulnerable with each other and figure out how to communicate as friends and romantic partners.
Honestly, I just needed maybe 50 more pages to grow the relationship, feed a slow burn, and show more of their longing and experiences together. I wanted even more examples of sweetness that convinced each other they were the ones!
I found Drake to be such a fun goof ball. He was hamming it up on the field and seemed to have it all but life was empty. When he seizes an escape by declaring Steffi his fiance, he goes all-in, taking care of Steffi and relishing in being needed and bringing joy and delight. Steffi doesn't believe it could be genuine because Drake turns out to be her terrible neighbor who has complicated her life--reporting issues to the HOA.
I liked how Drake and Steffi's assumptions about each other were directly confronted and put through trials. They had to be honest and vulnerable with each other and figure out how to communicate as friends and romantic partners.
Honestly, I just needed maybe 50 more pages to grow the relationship, feed a slow burn, and show more of their longing and experiences together. I wanted even more examples of sweetness that convinced each other they were the ones!
March 18, 2026
Can be read as a standalone but some of the characters overlap with other books and series by Ginny.
Opposites attract
Enemies to friends to....
He's made her life difficult. The last thing she wants is to help him out.
Fake relationship
He falls first
Unique nicknames
Opposites attract
Enemies to friends to....
He's made her life difficult. The last thing she wants is to help him out.
Fake relationship
He falls first
Unique nicknames
March 23, 2026
This book was so adorable. If you love witty banter than you will love this one. Their love language is fighting insults and sassy comebacks. She pretends to his fiancé to avoid fans but than it turns into a whirlwind relationship you won’t forget
April 5, 2026
Wow!!! What a marvelous read.
I just loved and laughed all through this wonderful read of Drake and Staffie's journey to your happy everafter and BOY was it a ride. The storyline is a knockout and the characters are heart throbs. It is a wild read but enjoyable.
I just loved and laughed all through this wonderful read of Drake and Staffie's journey to your happy everafter and BOY was it a ride. The storyline is a knockout and the characters are heart throbs. It is a wild read but enjoyable.
May 12, 2026
I love Ginny Sterling Books
I love these books, the series and all the characters. All though sometimes they get on my nerves! They feel like family. A family we all want to belong to.
I love these books, the series and all the characters. All though sometimes they get on my nerves! They feel like family. A family we all want to belong to.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Drake was giving me serious Savannah Bananas vibes in the best way possible and Steffi is such a great balance for him...just loved them!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fantastic sports romance! Wildly funny and sweet.. Quirky characters!
March 23, 2026
I loved Steffi and Drake so much! The banter, the sass, the yearning, it was EVERYTHING! The fake engagement and antics pulled such a fun angle into this that I was laughing out loud and kicking my feet like a kid. Nobody writes like Ginny does and I will always read everything she publishes!
April 9, 2026
If you like enemies to lovers and fake relationships with lots of banter and a side of banana ball, you will love this book.
Thank you Ginny for this ARC. My opinions are my own.
Thank you Ginny for this ARC. My opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews