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Never #4
Bitter Rivals
First it was love. Then it was war.
XAVIER
Work hard, play harder.
All I wanted was a weekend in the Hamptons, but what I got was forty-eight hours of quality time with my former business partner. My ex best friend. The girl who walked away without so much as an explanation the second sh*t got real.
I’m going to make her sorry she was never mine.
MAGNOLIA
Work hard, forget the rest.
All I wanted was a peaceful weekend alone at my boss’ Hamptons manse, but what I got was forty-eight hours with the guy who convinced me to fall in love with him and then did the unthinkable.
He broke my heart once, and I’ll be damned if I let him anywhere near it ever again
XAVIER
Work hard, play harder.
All I wanted was a weekend in the Hamptons, but what I got was forty-eight hours of quality time with my former business partner. My ex best friend. The girl who walked away without so much as an explanation the second sh*t got real.
I’m going to make her sorry she was never mine.
MAGNOLIA
Work hard, forget the rest.
All I wanted was a peaceful weekend alone at my boss’ Hamptons manse, but what I got was forty-eight hours with the guy who convinced me to fall in love with him and then did the unthinkable.
He broke my heart once, and I’ll be damned if I let him anywhere near it ever again
71 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2016
205 people are currently reading
634 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
February 14, 2017
I wasn't sure about this one at the start - it can be hard to get into a story when you're thrown into a relationship that has already started and ended. It took a while for me to get into things, but I ended up really enjoying this one.
That's thanks mostly to Xavier, he wasn't shy about how he felt, he fully admitted that he had loved Magnolia for years. And after unexpectedly bumping into each other again he's not going to let her get away again before finding out what went wrong.
This was a classic case of miscommunication, but it wasn't boring or too cheesy. It was short and sweet.
May 3, 2016
They say love and hate are closely related!!
~~~I received an ARC of Bitter Rivals by Winter Renshaw for an honest review!~~~
This is a novella from the Never series by Ms Renshaw. She says you can read it as a standalone, though I would recommend reading the other books in the series (Never Kiss a Stranger, Never is a Promise, and Never Say Never) you will love the alpha males and the strong women!!!!! Besides the other characters mentioned in Bitter Rivals will make more sense if you read the Never series first!!!
This story is based on Xavier and Magnolia, two realtors that were as close as two peas in a pod. They were the best of friends and co-workers until a misunderstanding tore them apart, with Magnolia leaving and going to work for the Van Cleef agency.
Magnolia is taking a much needed extended weekend up to the Van Cleef’s Hampton beach house all by herself. That is until she steps into the house seeing shoes, a computer on the counter, and the patio doors wide open. When she steps out to the patio, she realizes that there is a very big mistake going on and is not too happy to she HIM there!!! She has not been able to forgive him or forget the reason why she fled all those years ago. She could not reconcile the man she spent the night with to the man who was talking to other male realtors the next morning.
Xavier, hot and sexy with a physical being that just screams for attention. Five years ago he told Magnolia he loved her, spent a wonderful night with her, then lost her the next day with her switching agencies with no explanation. The man has yet to pick up his heart and put it back together, not that many women didn't want to assist him. So when he sees her at the Van Cleef’s Hampton beach home, he knew he had to try get her back and figure out what went wrong all those years ago.
Of course when you put two stubborn people together in a house on a holiday weekend, what else happens but some good old misunderstandings and alcohol induced excitement. This is a sweet romance where surprisingly the alpha male is more willing to spill his heart and risk irreparable damage, this is a first for me and I think I fell in love!!!!
This is a sweet, clean romance about second chances with a lesson in not listening to conversations and think the worst without getting the FULL understanding. I would highly recommend this novella and the rest of the Never series (or just about all of Ms Renshaw’s books.
~~~I received an ARC of Bitter Rivals by Winter Renshaw for an honest review!~~~
This is a novella from the Never series by Ms Renshaw. She says you can read it as a standalone, though I would recommend reading the other books in the series (Never Kiss a Stranger, Never is a Promise, and Never Say Never) you will love the alpha males and the strong women!!!!! Besides the other characters mentioned in Bitter Rivals will make more sense if you read the Never series first!!!
This story is based on Xavier and Magnolia, two realtors that were as close as two peas in a pod. They were the best of friends and co-workers until a misunderstanding tore them apart, with Magnolia leaving and going to work for the Van Cleef agency.
Magnolia is taking a much needed extended weekend up to the Van Cleef’s Hampton beach house all by herself. That is until she steps into the house seeing shoes, a computer on the counter, and the patio doors wide open. When she steps out to the patio, she realizes that there is a very big mistake going on and is not too happy to she HIM there!!! She has not been able to forgive him or forget the reason why she fled all those years ago. She could not reconcile the man she spent the night with to the man who was talking to other male realtors the next morning.
Xavier, hot and sexy with a physical being that just screams for attention. Five years ago he told Magnolia he loved her, spent a wonderful night with her, then lost her the next day with her switching agencies with no explanation. The man has yet to pick up his heart and put it back together, not that many women didn't want to assist him. So when he sees her at the Van Cleef’s Hampton beach home, he knew he had to try get her back and figure out what went wrong all those years ago.
Of course when you put two stubborn people together in a house on a holiday weekend, what else happens but some good old misunderstandings and alcohol induced excitement. This is a sweet romance where surprisingly the alpha male is more willing to spill his heart and risk irreparable damage, this is a first for me and I think I fell in love!!!!
This is a sweet, clean romance about second chances with a lesson in not listening to conversations and think the worst without getting the FULL understanding. I would highly recommend this novella and the rest of the Never series (or just about all of Ms Renshaw’s books.
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April 9, 2018
I found this novella hard to get into, mainly because the pair had already got a relationship of sorts, but that was in the past. It felt like we had missed something within the relationship by not getting the beginning and being thrown into where they were meeting up again by mistake.
Yes we end up getting the information we need, but it took me a while to adjust.
The pair have good chemistry, but the last two years apart basically comes down to not Magnolia not trusting her friend and the pair not communicating about what happened, which would have so easily sorted everything out.
You don't need to read any other books in order to read this novella although there are other couples in the book that have stories from the Never Series.
Yes we end up getting the information we need, but it took me a while to adjust.
The pair have good chemistry, but the last two years apart basically comes down to not Magnolia not trusting her friend and the pair not communicating about what happened, which would have so easily sorted everything out.
You don't need to read any other books in order to read this novella although there are other couples in the book that have stories from the Never Series.
December 10, 2019
Better friends...
These Bitter Rivals make better "friends." Friends to Lovers to Enemies to Lovers. They sure are busy!
Everything can change in a second. For better or worse, these two learn that twice over.
These Bitter Rivals make better "friends." Friends to Lovers to Enemies to Lovers. They sure are busy!
Everything can change in a second. For better or worse, these two learn that twice over.
May 4, 2016
Wow, loved this story so much. This is the story of Two rival Manhattan real estate brokers who were good friends, who ended up spending one night together and then the classic miscommunication caused one to immediately separate and not speak to the other for several years until they were forced back together. Awesome story and can’t wait to read more in this world again. Love Ms. Renshaw’s writing, it flows so well together. The scenes, especially the lovemaking is so hot and spicy.
My rating : 4.6 stars*****
**I was given an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review***
My rating : 4.6 stars*****
**I was given an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review***
January 26, 2019
SKIP IT
I really wanted to like this one, but I didn't. Two people meet, fall in love and then, wham! A misunderstanding causes them to separate for two years. You're introduced to the hero & heroine during that separation and you spend the entire story wondering what the hell could have happened to cause them to separate, thinking there's a great climatic truth coming, only to be given a lackluster, juvenile explanation. I wasn't thrilled with this quick light read. Ms. Renshaw is a great storyteller, and I look forward to her future works. Just not this one.
I really wanted to like this one, but I didn't. Two people meet, fall in love and then, wham! A misunderstanding causes them to separate for two years. You're introduced to the hero & heroine during that separation and you spend the entire story wondering what the hell could have happened to cause them to separate, thinking there's a great climatic truth coming, only to be given a lackluster, juvenile explanation. I wasn't thrilled with this quick light read. Ms. Renshaw is a great storyteller, and I look forward to her future works. Just not this one.
October 13, 2020
Why did SHE have to grovel? He's the one who ran his mouth. Fine. He did it for (what he thought) a decent reason. But he couldn't just tell her and trust her to be able to say no? But fine, he didn't mean it. He said it, she took what came out of his mouth as the truth. He should have apologized and it be done. She didn't even have to give him an apology, much less grovel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2016
Short, quick, fun read.
August 30, 2020
This is another second chance story so that's another win for me. It's always a good feel read when you discover forgiveness between two people and the hope for a renewed relationship.
Although a little short (duh it's a novella), we meet Magnolia and Xavier during a weekend at the Hamptons. It may be a little annoying not to know what exactly happened between these two but we eventually find out they were best friends, co-workers, and moving into the direction of lovers when a huge misunderstanding tears them apart. It has been years and Xavier is determined to find out what happened with Magnolia and he is not letting her run away a second time. It seems like forever by the time we finally discover the misunderstanding; Magnolia assumed Xavier's intent towards her while listening in to a conversation between Xavier and other colleagues, but in reality, he was only trying to protect her. After everything is out in the open, you can't help but find yourself rooting for them to get past it and continue with what was just the beginning of their relationship.
I would recommend this for anyone looking for a fast and easy read. Even though this can be read as a stand-alone, others have mentioned that reading the Never Series will make this more enjoyable.
Although a little short (duh it's a novella), we meet Magnolia and Xavier during a weekend at the Hamptons. It may be a little annoying not to know what exactly happened between these two but we eventually find out they were best friends, co-workers, and moving into the direction of lovers when a huge misunderstanding tears them apart. It has been years and Xavier is determined to find out what happened with Magnolia and he is not letting her run away a second time. It seems like forever by the time we finally discover the misunderstanding; Magnolia assumed Xavier's intent towards her while listening in to a conversation between Xavier and other colleagues, but in reality, he was only trying to protect her. After everything is out in the open, you can't help but find yourself rooting for them to get past it and continue with what was just the beginning of their relationship.
I would recommend this for anyone looking for a fast and easy read. Even though this can be read as a stand-alone, others have mentioned that reading the Never Series will make this more enjoyable.
May 22, 2017
This is the second novella by Winter Renshaw that I've read. This novella is about two people who are highly competitive in real estate, and they used to be partners. Xavier believes that you should work your butt off, but you should also have a good time. Both end up at the same house for a vacation. Xavier is determined to make her sorry that they never were a couple. Magnolia believes that one should work hard all the time - who needs rest. She arrives at the vacation home of her boss and there's already someone there. She knows he broke her heart once, but she's determined to make sure it never happens again. Good character development. Good plot. An enjoyable read. I would recommend for romance fans. Happy Reading my friends!
June 1, 2017
Circumstances led then to the same vacation home, emotions boiled over. Xavier saw this as an opportunity to give it his final shot, but Magnolia couldn't trust him. What happened in the past was keeping her away from him.
She's too stubborn, he's too noble. But sometimes something has to give.
This story is a quick coverage of their back and forth existence after seeing each other 2 years later. Two years without closure, without getting over each other, without knowing what went wrong really.
Mistakes made, lessons learned. You just need to communicate.
Cute quick story, with some passion thrown in.
She's too stubborn, he's too noble. But sometimes something has to give.
This story is a quick coverage of their back and forth existence after seeing each other 2 years later. Two years without closure, without getting over each other, without knowing what went wrong really.
Mistakes made, lessons learned. You just need to communicate.
Cute quick story, with some passion thrown in.
July 10, 2017
Rate: 4, 2 / 5 stars
I was in a middle of a Winter Renshaw marathon so I picked this novella because I hadn't yet read it but as it turns out, I had. As soon as I started reading this, I knew I had read it before and I thought I was going crazy because for the past 4 years Goodreads has been my religion, every book I read I add it here and I seriously have no clue how this book was on my want-to-read shelve instead of the read one. I'm pissed because if it happened with this one, it might have happened with others and that also makes me sad. However, I did not mind re reading the book, it was as entertaining as the first time, it's a super fast read and a fun and sweet book.
I was in a middle of a Winter Renshaw marathon so I picked this novella because I hadn't yet read it but as it turns out, I had. As soon as I started reading this, I knew I had read it before and I thought I was going crazy because for the past 4 years Goodreads has been my religion, every book I read I add it here and I seriously have no clue how this book was on my want-to-read shelve instead of the read one. I'm pissed because if it happened with this one, it might have happened with others and that also makes me sad. However, I did not mind re reading the book, it was as entertaining as the first time, it's a super fast read and a fun and sweet book.
July 9, 2023
Книга неплоха на один раз, очень короткая и лёгкая, я прочла за пару часов.
Больше всего мне здесь понравилась атмосфера, не сюжет, он тут слишком простой да и автор делает акцент не только на нем. Атмосфера здесь пляжа, лета, отдыха и лучше всего прочитать эту книгу в отпуске на пляже. Правда мне тут показалось лишним прописаные постельные сцены, они тут не оригинальны и очень проигрывают другим книгам, а если человек хочет прочесть книгу только ради этого, то и вовсе розачаруеться.
Один словом книга хорошо подойдёт для отдыха, но было ощущение будто автор то-ли недоразказал, то-ли сюжет очень сократил и он будто пересказ. А общем мне зашло, но думаю про эту книгу я забуду быстро.
Больше всего мне здесь понравилась атмосфера, не сюжет, он тут слишком простой да и автор делает акцент не только на нем. Атмосфера здесь пляжа, лета, отдыха и лучше всего прочитать эту книгу в отпуске на пляже. Правда мне тут показалось лишним прописаные постельные сцены, они тут не оригинальны и очень проигрывают другим книгам, а если человек хочет прочесть книгу только ради этого, то и вовсе розачаруеться.
Один словом книга хорошо подойдёт для отдыха, но было ощущение будто автор то-ли недоразказал, то-ли сюжет очень сократил и он будто пересказ. А общем мне зашло, но думаю про эту книгу я забуду быстро.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2020
Rivals
This story actually has two themes: second chance and enemies to lovers. Magnolia and Xavier butted heads at every turn but a mix up by mutual friends brings them back together for a weekend that changes their course.
It was a quick and enjoyable romance written on the author's classic style. Although the main characters here are secondary from two other series, it ties the two together well and gives these two a story if their own.
This story actually has two themes: second chance and enemies to lovers. Magnolia and Xavier butted heads at every turn but a mix up by mutual friends brings them back together for a weekend that changes their course.
It was a quick and enjoyable romance written on the author's classic style. Although the main characters here are secondary from two other series, it ties the two together well and gives these two a story if their own.
September 10, 2020
DNF 80%
I didn't get why he got mad and stormed off when she explained what she overheard. There was no reason to badmouth her to his buddies. That didn't protect her in any way. The guy just wanted to sleep with her, not have a relationship. He was the jerk. And then the friend flipped and told her she needed to grovel to get this guy back? No. I'm done.
I didn't get why he got mad and stormed off when she explained what she overheard. There was no reason to badmouth her to his buddies. That didn't protect her in any way. The guy just wanted to sleep with her, not have a relationship. He was the jerk. And then the friend flipped and told her she needed to grovel to get this guy back? No. I'm done.
November 17, 2020
Great until it wasnt
The beginning off this book was fab, I felt like it was building to something great but the reasons for all the angst was just ridiculous. The fact that he had embarrassed handshakes her at a work event in front of her male colleague was actually to protect her!? Made zero sense. Disappointing twist that ruined my enjoyment
The beginning off this book was fab, I felt like it was building to something great but the reasons for all the angst was just ridiculous. The fact that he had embarrassed handshakes her at a work event in front of her male colleague was actually to protect her!? Made zero sense. Disappointing twist that ruined my enjoyment
December 2, 2020
Kinda have me a tooth ache
I've loved all the books in this series. But this one was a little to "sweet" for. I get it was a quick novella, but I think without the build-up it wasn't enough for me. It's all sweet and HEA. Xavier and Magnolia are meant for each other and it was great to catch up with previous characters. Read on a half hr.
I've loved all the books in this series. But this one was a little to "sweet" for. I get it was a quick novella, but I think without the build-up it wasn't enough for me. It's all sweet and HEA. Xavier and Magnolia are meant for each other and it was great to catch up with previous characters. Read on a half hr.
March 12, 2025
This book wasn’t for me. It was highly immature from the plot to the characters. As we never saw their relationship grow and they were enemies when we met them, I felt zero connection between them. Magnolia was hardened and X was ehhh, ok. They became enemies over the stupidest reason and his reaction to learning why was crazy and absurd.
July 17, 2017
This was a cute novella about exes that find their way back to each other. The book starts approx. 2 years after they have parted ways, and I wish had a few chapters showing their dynamic when they were best friends who took it to the next level.
Grade: 3/5
Grade: 3/5
December 9, 2019
Miscommunication Love
This short read was nice. I enjoyed how they used to be best friends and lovers. But came back together again. This second chance love was great. I really enjoyed read this.
This short read was nice. I enjoyed how they used to be best friends and lovers. But came back together again. This second chance love was great. I really enjoyed read this.
August 9, 2020
Quick Repair of Meant-To-Be Romance
Sweet, quick read. I really liked the characters and, honestly, would’ve loved to have had a full length with these two. They were angsty & romantic. Great read, standalone, when you need a sweet HEA.
Sweet, quick read. I really liked the characters and, honestly, would’ve loved to have had a full length with these two. They were angsty & romantic. Great read, standalone, when you need a sweet HEA.
December 16, 2020
This is a novella so it is a quick read. But this story is page turner because Xavier and Magnolia draw you in and you want to find out what happened in their past and if their future is going somewhere together! I enjoyed this book.
May 7, 2017
2.5⭐️
May 29, 2017
Cute novella. Quick and good.
June 17, 2017
Enjoyed this very much! I love the rivals-to-lovers premise! There were some parts where I was a little confused, but overall written very well!
July 3, 2017
I don't think it's possible for second chance stories to be told well in novella format. We just never see the connection. When they get back together, it always seemed rushed, or those fleeting moments of "hey, you know, my ex wasn't so bad" and "we always had great sex".
Such a shame, I like friends to lovers, ex-lover enemies, and like second chances. Even though to me, second chances are the most fairy tale of fairy tales.
Such a shame, I like friends to lovers, ex-lover enemies, and like second chances. Even though to me, second chances are the most fairy tale of fairy tales.
January 14, 2020
4.5 Stars
An excellent novella and one that has all the feels. Lots of love and getting back together. I highly recommend this book as well of most of Winter Renshaw's books.
An excellent novella and one that has all the feels. Lots of love and getting back together. I highly recommend this book as well of most of Winter Renshaw's books.
April 13, 2020
Always A Good Story From WR
Winter Renshaw rarely disappoints, even when it’s a short. While misunderstandings are a trope I’m eh about, she carries it off.
Winter Renshaw rarely disappoints, even when it’s a short. While misunderstandings are a trope I’m eh about, she carries it off.
April 21, 2020
Butter rivals
Good reading it shows you how you can lose love and find it again good characters and plots were very interesting
Good reading it shows you how you can lose love and find it again good characters and plots were very interesting
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews