Ashwood Anthology - Ruled by Rivalry

by Selina Mae, Svenja Tengs (Translator)

Das Ashwood - Rivalität, Luxus, Glamour — und verbotene Gefühle


Als Maeve Peterson direkt nach ihrem Abschluss ein Praktikum bei Adeline Ashwood , dem größten Luxusimperium der Welt, ergattert, scheint ihr Traum, Modedesignerin zu werden, zum Greifen nah — wenig überraschend, schließlich gelingt Maeve so gut wie alles. Zumindest, bis sie die Ashwood -Büros betritt. Zwischen verschüttetem Kaffee und kaputten Druckern gerät sie auch noch mit Elliot Ashwood aneinander, der als Einziger zwischen ihr und ihrem Traumjob steht. Nachdem die beiden dann aber nicht nur um die gleiche Stelle kämpfen, sondern sich gezwungenermaßen auch noch ein Apartment teilen müssen, wird es immer schwerer, ihre Rivalität aufrecht zu erhalten ...

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance

448 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 1, 2026

About the author

As a writer of romance and reader of (you guessed it!) romance, Selina Mae has been compensating her lack of meet-cutes by writing them into her rom-coms. When she’s not writing, you will find her rereading her comfort books or crying at happy endings.

Reviews

[jae ⟡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

ꘓ ‎‎ ‎ ׄ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎୨୧ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ 3.75 stars ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ⳍ
there’s simply nothing i love more than a pretty cover paired with a good story. maeve and elliot’s banter was so engaging and i was constantly swooning over all the sweet things elliot did for her 🥹 their relationship was paced well, though i personally would’ve enjoyed more domestic scenes instead of smut.

i absolutely loved the fashion plotline and thought it was such a unique addition! it tied in nicely with the romance and maeve’s design being brought to life was the perfect culmination of everything 🎀

ⓘ thank you to netgalley and lyx for the arc!

[justine ⊹ ࣪ ˖ (slump era)]

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

pre-read : another case of pretty book covers that reeled me in ପ(๑•ᴗ•๑)ଓ♡ thank you for the arc copy, LYX ❀

[~Ria {Semi-Hiatus: College}]

WHY IS THIS COVER SO CUTEE.. 😭❤️??

[Sara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, I simply ADORED this book. Elliot and Maeve were so cute, and there story was so real and raw. I cannot wait to see what comes next.

In this novel, he falls first. Billionaire heir to a fashion line, Elliot is interning at the company his Grandmother started, per his father’s request. Enter Maeve. A recent college graduate who has dreamt of being a designer to honor her late mother. She is also interning at the Ashwood fashion company…and her and Elliot are competing for a permanent job post internship. Who will prevail?

Elliot was so sweet. Maybe a little spicy/sour at the start, but he always had Maeve’s back and just wanted to get to know her. I loved how he treated her to different Ashwood fashion items he knew she coveted but could never afford. I loved how he worried about her running and walking home at night, so he had his security team keep an eye on her to ensure she got home safe.

Maeve was a fiery little redhead. She definitely surprised me at the beginning when she tried to sabotage Elliot. Like a sour patch kid, she eventually turned sweet on him and found herself thinking about him all the time. I think she truly fell because Elliot cares about her and really takes pride in showing off her designs and creations. Love them together!!!

This book was a fun read. I’m hoping we get Roman’s book next!

*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.

[Jy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, LYX and Selina Mae for this ARC!

This book genuinely surprised me! I have a couple of Selina Mae books on my physical tbr so I was excited to receive this arc! This book read like a comforting rom-com movie. I had a great time !

In this book we follow our characters Elliot Ashwood and Maeve Peterson. Maeve becomes an intern at Adeline Ashwood, a luxury fashion house, with dreams of having an official job in the fashion industry. Elliot Ashwood is struggling with a bad reputation with the press and his punishment by his grandfather (CEO of Adeline Ashwood) is to intern at the company as well. Maeve and Elliot become rivals both trying to get the full time position at Ashwood but lines become blurred between the two as they work together and get pushed into such close proximity.

I found Maeve so relatable in the way she has everything to be planned out and needs reassurance. As a words of affirmation girlie, Elliot is THE DREAMMM GUY. Every time she started to worry, Elliot knew just what to say. Loved the chemistry, loved the banter and loved the tension. I ate this book up.

My mom raised me to appreciate the luxury fashion houses so reading this felt close to home! If you’re into fashion, this is a must read!

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you NetGalley and publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review

I don’t think Selina Mae is able to write a book I don’t like! The men in her books are always down bad for the fmc. Especially in this book. I thought it was gonna end up being an insta love story but I was proven so wrong. The slow burn, banter, and tension made up for it. The fashion world setting felt refreshing and not like any other corporate culture romance book.

[Peyton Smuzeski · Rating 5 out of 5]

E-arc received through NetGalley.

Funny, loving, and engaging, this story felt like opening Netflix to discover the perfect romcom waiting for you. Not only that, but it IS the perfect romcom, hitting every single expectation I had.

If you loved The Hating Game or The Fine Print, I need you to settle in, get popcorn, and read this book, because both titles remind me of this one.

-Main Characters-

Maeve: She’s a strongly motivated woman, and I’m so glad her goals are clearly defined. Not only does she chase after what she wants (even fighting for her goals with some dirty tactics), but she excels at fashion as well. One thing I always worry books will do is diminish the female lead in favor of the romance, but this book absolutely didn’t. She had a full history and life, complete with skills and independence. Every single one of her choices felt reasonable (at the time, at least…), meaning I was right next to her cheering her on the whole time. She’s a perfect female lead, reminding me greatly of every Ali Hazelwood fmc.

Elliot: The billionaire heir who… might not actually be all that bad. We all know this cliche, when the supposed arrogant playboy turns out to be a great guy. However, Elliot is written in such a way that it doesn’t feel overdone in the slightest. He’s unfairly funny, so even when you think he’s up to no good, you still absolutely love him. There are plenty of twists about his character as well, all of which are perfectly done. Elliot might be from a wealthy family with immense power, but not once does he manipulate it for bad, making him more of a sweetheart than anything else. Where my Elliot??

-Plot-

Immaculate. 5/5.

I mean, it’s exactly what I wanted going in!
Job drama? Check.
Rivalry? Check.
Forced proximity? CHECK!! (There is very little I love more than the fact they have to live together.)
Enemies to lovers? They’re not trying to murder each other, but there is definitely a competition.
A non-overwhelming amount of fashion details? Also check.

Everything between Maeve and Elliot felt so natural. Their chemistry developed great, keeping me rooting for them to get together the whole time. I loved how they deal they made progressed their relationship, as it didn’t make the romance feel forced at all. It wasn’t rushed, it wasn’t overly slow, and it was simply perfect. If a romance like theirs isn’t in my future, then I don’t want it!

The fashion and internships weren’t sidelined in favor of their romance, which I loved. Oftentimes stories can get too caught up in one aspect, which this didn’t do. We got a healthy dose of their working lives, and were constantly reminded of the job at stake.

If you want workplace rivals to lovers, stop looking. If you want forced proximity, a strong female lead, and a charming male lead, pick this book up right now. This WILL be your next 5-star read.

[Nya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recieved an e-arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

How do I begin.

Ruled by Rivalry reads like an early 2000's romcom, with a nyc background and gleaming offices for a fashion empire. I LOVED it. It reminded me of Liana Cinciotti's Picking Daisy's on Sundays, just based on the wistfull vibes and fashion playing such a crucial part. Selina Mae's writing style is so perfect for this too. She really developed these characters so well, and places a lot of personality in them. She made them just so darn likeable.

Maeve, as the main character, is so stubborn and independent, but that balances out by her internal mentions of her family and just WHY she is that way. I was reminded of that line from the Devil Wears Prada, "Okay, she’s tough, but if Miranda were a man…no one would notice anything about her, except how great she is at her job". Granted, Maeve is definitely not Miranda, but you get the same DRIVE and need for success and perfection from her. She knows she's capable of great things, so how can we fault her for trying to push anything out of her way?

Hence the rivalry with Elliot. He is such a SWEETIE! He was giving all the best parts of Nate Archibald in season 1 of Gossip Girl. Mae emphasised that there are so many different sides to him. You get the sense that, yes, he's probably a little too pefect for an MMC, but I just think he's so loving, and craving so much of being loved in return that he's grown into someone who is open, caring, and understanding. Just EXACTLY what Maeve needs to let her finally bring her guard down.

This is just such a sweet, simple, but still so incredibly heartfelt romance. Mae wrote this for all the independent girls out there who need a reminder that it's okay to let someone else help you once in a while. I love that- when it's so incredibly obvious when an author writes because they genuinely have something to say, a message to share, and they do it WELL.

I am such a picky rater, so I am so pleasently happy/surprised to give this 5 stars!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Selina Mae, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had a feeling from the cover alone that this was going to be the cute, heartwarming romance I needed, and it absolutely delivered.

At first, I was a little hesitant because I know next to nothing about the fashion industry, but that ended up not mattering at all. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I became invested in both the story and the characters.

I love a good close-proximity romance, and Elliot and Maeve were such a great pairing. Their relationship felt natural from the start, and the tension between them was top-tier. The banter was realistic, charming, and had me smiling throughout the book. I found myself staying up later than I intended because I needed to know what happened next.

My favorite part of the story was how genuinely sweet it was. Sometimes romance novels focus so heavily on drama that we don’t get enough truly feel-good relationships. Elliot and Maeve’s relationship felt authentic, complete with moments of passion, vulnerability, and conflict. It unfolded in a way that felt believable and earned.

Elliot was a wonderful book boyfriend, and Maeve was an incredibly relatable FMC. Her struggles with trust and opening herself up to love felt realistic and added emotional depth to the story. When you’ve been hurt in the past, allowing yourself to be vulnerable with someone new can be difficult, and I thought that aspect was handled well.

The ending was exactly what I wanted, and it left me hoping for more. Whether it’s a sequel or a spin-off, I would happily return to this world and these characters.

[Abby Harkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was such a cute, cosy romance that was exactly the kind of easy read I was in the mood for.
My only slight disappointment was the rivalry side of things. With a title like Ruled by Rivalry, I was expecting a bit more tension and back-and-forth before the romance kicked in. It felt like they went from rivals to catching feelings pretty quickly. Was it predictable? Absolutely. Did I still enjoy it? Also yes. 😂
Around the halfway mark I was sitting at about a 3-star read and happily enjoying myself, but once we got to that elevator scene and then the office scene... okay, we have lift off. 🤦🏼‍♀️😂 From there I was fully invested. Then came the pretending to hate each other stage and I was eating it up.
I also really liked that it was the FMC who had to swallow her pride and apologise. You don't always see that, and it made the ending feel more satisfying. Maeve and Elliot were genuinely lovely together, and their relationship by the end had me smiling.
As someone who loves both fashion and romance, this book was a fun combination of the two. I did find myself getting a little bored towards the very end while everything was being wrapped up, but overall I had a really good time with it.
A solid 3-star read from me. If there'd been a bit more rivalry and tension before we settled into the cosy romance, I think I would've loved it even more.

[Andrea Griggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an ARC review. I want to thank Selina Mae and LYX for allowing me the chance to read this book ahead of release day!

While I am not at all into fashion, I am VERY much into a rivals to lovers plot! Elliott Ashwood is the son of Adeline Ashwood who owns the biggest luxury empire in the world. Although growing up wealthy, he now has to prove himself not the spoiled rich teenager he portrayed. Changing his image wouldn’t be so complicated if he didn’t have the most determined woman to reach her fashion goals.

Maeve Peterson aka Lucky wants nothing more than to make her stamp in the world and working for Adeline Ashwood is the place to do it! She has such a great drive to make her mom and grandparents proud! With that she also has a perfectionism complex due to the expectations of others.

Their love was a SLOW BURN! I enjoyed Maeve coming to her own conclusions that maybe there was more to Elliott than meets the eye. With Maeve’s inexperience and Elliott’s enjoyment of the women anatomy, it brought a stark contrast. They had spice in a subtle way and man oh man does Elliott have a “I will keep my woman safe no matter what” complex that I loved!

Overall I thought this was a rivals(ish) to lovers. I almost wanted more of them pitted against each other than there was. They honestly seemed to work so well together it was hard to really think of them as rivals.

[Joji · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to receive an e-arc, not just because of the storyline but especially because I could recognize that art style anywhere!

This book was fun. I loved how determined Maeve was to keep her eyes on her goals, even while having a certain handsome boy swoop her off her feet.
The banter between her and Elliot was appropriately well-paced. Not too fast, not too slow, which I’m happy about. Because of that, along with many other emotions throughout getting to know each other, the relationship felt very authentic, both in moments of conflict/confusion and vulnerability. Elliot also surprised me a lot despite having a rich reputation to his name.
And his yearning?!??? I could feel how yearned for her he was before Maeve even figured it out herself, and it was pulling on my heart strings 🥹 yearners will always be my favorite.
Him being blonde was very fitting for his personality as well. It just made sense

If you care about no spice, it is short & quick, but pretty easy to skip if you’re using context clues.

I also really loved that it centered mainly around a fashion career. These kinds of stories with a fashion career are always fun to read.

*an e-arc was received in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publishers and netgalley!

[Bluesworldofbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Maeve lands her dream fashion internship at Adeline Ashwood, she learns she has to compete with the youngest Ashwood heir, Elliot Ashwood.

Maeve decides to fight for her position, playing dirty and doing whatever it takes to win, until Elliot moves into the interns’ apartment and she starts to see who he really is, slowly letting the rivalry between them fade.

Honestly, Elliot is my favorite character in the book, like please give me more of him because the media is not doing him justice. Put him in a room with Maeve and I am glued to the book. The man was hooked and obsessed for reasons even he could not explain. Watching him quietly give Maeve what she wanted and come up with excuses as to why they should spend more time together was just perfect and I love him.

As for Maeve, I liked how she fought, how she didn’t get discouraged and kept proving to the fashion label that she was worth it. I also enjoyed the connection she had to the brand and her reasons for pushing forward. Although avoidance was her thing, I liked how Elliot always forced her to face things head-on and not let her keep ignoring him.

PS. Loved Paula and Henry’s cameo

Selina Mae never disappoints with her books!!

Thank you LYX for the eARC!

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rivals-to-lovers tension between Maeve and Elliot was flawless, and your writing style made the NYC fashion world feel so cinematic! It genuinely touched my heart.
The FMC had me so frustrated, and swooning for the MMC.
The way the FMC acted throughout the book was a mix of insufferable and independent. I can say that at the beginning of the book, the MMC was giving off nonchalance, which gave off snob energy, but once he started doing nice things for her, you could tell that was his character. I believe she should have thought differently in some aspects. I was so hooked on this book that I would scream at the ghost in my room and have full-blown conversations with my fur baby. But all in all, the book was well written, had a few spicy scenes (their first time finally being together should have been expressed in more detail). I believe the FMC should have realized her role in betraying him instead of justifying her actions by acting like it is what it is, and the MMC should have attempted to move on and accept that she was giving toxic while he was being understanding, caring, etc.
But I loved the cute banter, slow burn, tension.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Selina Mae, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.


The absolutely gorgeous cover is what first caught my attention, and I'm glad I decided to pick this one up! This was my first time reading Selina Mae, and it definitely won't be my last.

Ruled by Rivalry felt like curling up with a comforting rom-com movie. I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn't wait to see how everything unfolded. The fashion-focused storyline was such a refreshing touch and added a fun, unique element to the romance.

Maeve and Elliot completely won me over! Their chemistry was undeniable, the banter was fun and effortless, and the tension between them had me eagerly turning the pages. I was constantly swooning over all the sweet things Elliot did for Maeve, and it made their romance even more heartwarming.

Overall, this was a charming rivals-to-lovers romance with fantastic chemistry, laugh-out-loud banter, plenty of swoon-worthy moments, and a fresh fashion storyline!

[Erica Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very sweet. I was first attracted to the cover because I love the manga/anime style that is becoming popular. More than the low-detail graphic covers for sure. Maeve and Elliot are a fun duo and I loved the microcosm of this one fashion house they are interns at. It was giving me project runway vibes in the best way. I also enjoyed how the author kind of flipped the script on the reader as far as who these characters are. We are meant (and Maeve certainly does) think that Elliot is some feckless playboy coasting on his family's money but he is really a secret cinnamon roll that wants to save the planet. Maeve is very smart woman, mid EQ coded. She has goals and doesn't really know how to handle her plans being messed up. I really loved their relationship and the care that Elliot takes with her. The power dynamic is so imbalanced between them and Elliot recognizes that through every interaction.

I would def read more from this author.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

One word to describe this book. Adorable!

This was the first book I’ve read by Selina Mae, and it won’t be the last. What initially drew me in was the cover, and for the first time ever, I just had to keep going back to the cover every time Maeve and Elliot had a cute moment. And boy did they have so so many cute moments!!

Banter was absolutely perfection. The right amount for a romcom. The dialogue between the characters felt so natural, and Elliot’s yearning was to die for. Truly that man was down so bad from day one.

The only critique I had for the book was the pacing. I think there could’ve been more of a slow burn between the characters because it just felt a little bit insta lust-y. The conflicts in the story were also resolved really quickly, so I never felt like there was much conflict at all.

If you like a 2000s rom com vibe, then this is the book for you!

[Kat Ho · Rating 4 out of 5]

4️⃣⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ruled by Rivalry is an adorably sweet workplace rivals-to-lovers romance following Maeve, who we previously met in Selina Mae’s Hall Beck University series. She’s found herself at her dream internship with Adeline Ashwood Designs, only to find herself competing for a full time position with the company with the CEO’s black sheep grandson, Elliott Ashwood.

The tension between the two is high, and Selina Mae uses a lot of tropes to pull these two together—forced proximity, he falls first, inexperienced FMC—and it all culminates into an entertaining contemporary romance of two young adults falling in love with spectacular ease.

Thank you to the author, Lyx Books, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Mars · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect rivals-to-lovers romance!

I loved the buildup because the romance didn’t happen instantly, but it also never felt dragged out.

One of my favorite parts of this story was Maeve’s character. She’s ambitious, hardworking, and completely dedicated to her goals. Because of the way she grew up, she always felt like she needed to be independent and rely on herself. It wasn’t that she was closed off to love. She just wasn’t sure if she could have both love and the future she had worked so hard for.

I also loved the role her grandparents played in her journey. They weren’t constantly present in the story, but whenever Maeve truly needed them, they were there. Some of my favorite scenes were the conversations she had with them, especially when they helped her realize that love and independence don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

At the same time, her biggest struggle was believing that Elliot’s feelings were genuine. Knowing everything that was at stake for him, she constantly questioned his intentions, and I loved that tension throughout the story.

What I loved most was that Maeve never had to give up her ambitions for love. Instead, she learned that she could make room for both. Watching her open her heart while still chasing her dreams made this romance incredibly satisfying to read.

[Kasey Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love when a man is obsessed like just totally completely obsessed. That is how they should always be. Also I enjoy that she made him work for it so what if she had a few bipolar moments every couple pages. She’s just a girl who’s working hard to accomplish her dreams. I love a woman with a stick up her ass and who’s proud of it. Can’t say I’d be working that hard for an unpaid job but then again I don’t really have a passion for working. Main character is a virgin but it is not central to the story and I didn’t find it incredibly annoying. Altogether cute read, definitely some secondhand anxiety but when is there not.

Thank you to NetGalley and LYX for the advanced copy of this arc

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maeve is super excited for her summer internship at her favorite fashion designer, Adeline Ashwood, but things get messy when she finds out she’s competing for a permanent position against Elliot Ashwood… the owner’s grandson. Cue the tension, banter, and sparks.

This was such a cute rivals to lovers romance! Maeve and Elliot had great chemistry, and their bantering gave me all the early 2000s romcom vibes. The fashion world setting added a fun touch, and the whole story was light, cutesy, and easy to fly through.

Thank you NetGalley and LYX for the ARC!

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruled By Rivalry 🩷🪡✨

A 4 star read, thank you so much Lyx Books for the ARC provided via NetGalley

I love discovering new authors that I’m not familiar with and Mae has left a great impression with this one. I don’t usually love a blonde MMC but the world of Elliot Ashwood convinced me. A NYC high society and luxury fashion brand nepo babies, sign me up! And Maeve was such a sweetheart, with her passion for fashion and career driven personality paired up with a zero fucks rival made for such a fun and easy read.

It was giving Dan Humphrey x Blair Waldorf banter and tension when they were doing that fashion internship

[Grace Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Selina Mae does it again. The beauty that is ‘Ruled by Rivalry’ is unbelievable. I love Maeve and Elliott’s dynamic, their passion, their feisty and fierce nature, and of course their stubbornness. This romance is EVERYTHING to me. Slow burn, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, work place romance…the list of tropes goes on and on in the best way possible. I love Selina Mae and I can’t wait for this new series to get started. I loved the Hall Beck universe and now it’s time to immerse myself in the universe of the Ashwood Anthology ❤️

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gives "How to lose a a guy in ten days" vibes! It would make an amazing movie and I would without a doubt watch it.

This is a should be enemies story in a romcom style. Girl who has worked her whole life for a dream and a rich guy who might take it from her because of mistakes and his family trying to make their image better. I would have loved for this to be duel POV but if it was it wouldn't have the same vibe.

1.5 chili peppers
4 stars

[amby · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

i was so happy i got approved for this arc because it seemed so cute!!! it definitely did not disappoint. their dynamic was soo fun and i loved mae a lot. this had forced proximity which i really loved! the only reason this wasn’t a 5 stars read for me was because i got bored towards the end, but other than that, this was a fun read!!

[akaching · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the ARC!

This is a proper romcom. has thee romance and thee comedy. really fun read. i had so much fun. the characters were enjoyable— some cliche but not the worst thing in the world and the tension was palpable.

100% recommend. what a lovely way to write a story. i just wish i saw more of elliot’s pov because it might have been more fun but this was soo good.

4.2 ⭐️

[Daniela Chisiu · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5*
I read this book during summer vacation and I had a good time with it.
"Ruled by Rivalry" was such a fun rivals-to-lovers romance! Maeve and Elliot drove each other crazy, but they had a great chemistry, and the banter between them was probably my favorite part.
The pacing dragged a little in places, but overall it was a sweet, cute read.

[⋆｡°✩ Lulu ꩜ ⋆｡°✩ · Rating 3 out of 5]

i wouldve rated this a 2, but i hate giving low ratings so this will do...

one of my most anticipated releases 😭
thank you to the author and netgalley anyway

at the end i basically skimmed
i think for me it was the plot and the characters.

[CozyCat_Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ARC read this on NetGalley.
This book not only had a cute cover, but a cute story. I like the whole concept of competing for the same job position. I think this book was really well written, and had such cute moments.