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Rival
The heart-racing new gangland thriller from bestselling author Jacqui Rose, available to pre-order now. Perfect for fans of Kimberley Chambers’ Queenie and Martina Cole.
AS THE OLD SAYING GOES…
Franny Doyle has one thing in common with Wan Huang, head of the notorious Triads gang: they both want Vaughn Sadler six feet under.
KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE
When Harry Jacobs brings Vaughn into his business and his fold, his life is protected – for now.
AND YOUR ENEMIES CLOSER
But when Franny finds out the truth about Wan and Harry’s dark dealings, all hell breaks loose in Soho. And Vaughn is the key to helping Franny with the score she now has to settle Together with Alfie Jennings, they were once a formidable trio. But can bitter enemies once again become allies? Because in a life of crime – no one lets bygones be bygones…
THREE GANGSTERS. TWO FUNERALS. ONE LAST OPPORTUNITY FOR REVENGE.
AS THE OLD SAYING GOES…
Franny Doyle has one thing in common with Wan Huang, head of the notorious Triads gang: they both want Vaughn Sadler six feet under.
KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE
When Harry Jacobs brings Vaughn into his business and his fold, his life is protected – for now.
AND YOUR ENEMIES CLOSER
But when Franny finds out the truth about Wan and Harry’s dark dealings, all hell breaks loose in Soho. And Vaughn is the key to helping Franny with the score she now has to settle Together with Alfie Jennings, they were once a formidable trio. But can bitter enemies once again become allies? Because in a life of crime – no one lets bygones be bygones…
THREE GANGSTERS. TWO FUNERALS. ONE LAST OPPORTUNITY FOR REVENGE.
- GenresCrime
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2020
140 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Jacqui Rose
33 books174 followersJacqui Rose is a novelist who hails from Manchester and South Yorkshire, though she now lives in the South East in the countryside, surrounded by her horses and lots of animals. Jacqui first came to appreciate the power of the written word when as a child she charged her classmates a packet of sherbet dips to write their essays for them. Adopted at a young age and always a daydreamer, she felt isolated growing up in a small mining village in South Yorkshire and it was her writing which kept her company.
Jacqui has written a variety of things including
stand-up comedy, radio drams and screenplays.
She is published by HarperCollins and Pan Macmillan and has written over 16 bestselling novels. She is also collaborating with Martina Cole on Martina's new novel, Loyalty.
Jacqui Rose also writes under the name of
J P Rose (not to be confused with the American author!) and has written, The Haunting of Tyrese Walker her first teen/YA novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
August 5, 2020
This is my favourite book in this series so far. It was great to find out what Franny, Alfie and Vaughn were up to again and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
With the fallout from the previous book the three of them have gone their separate ways and each of them is as unhappy as the other with where they’ve ended up.
Wan and Harry are drugging underage girls and making them take part in sick and twisted sex games with anyone willing to pay.
Carter wants to stop this but needs some help from the inside.
Soon two of their lives are in danger and with Wan and Harry after them, they have to do the unthinkable.
This is a gripping gangland crime thriller that I can highly recommend.
Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
With the fallout from the previous book the three of them have gone their separate ways and each of them is as unhappy as the other with where they’ve ended up.
Wan and Harry are drugging underage girls and making them take part in sick and twisted sex games with anyone willing to pay.
Carter wants to stop this but needs some help from the inside.
Soon two of their lives are in danger and with Wan and Harry after them, they have to do the unthinkable.
This is a gripping gangland crime thriller that I can highly recommend.
Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
July 8, 2020
Wow - where do I start
My own fault for not reading the rest in the series to know what is going on or who the characters are did this put me off? Absolutely not, it now makes me want to go back and read them all.
I have read Jacqui's early books taken and for some reason I never went back for more but thanks to Avon books for giving me the opportunity to review this one I was totally blown away and this is gangland crime at it's finest.
I was immediately drawn into the characters with a great plot against Harry and Wan. I really felt for Tia and Vaughn.
The story was full of suspense twists and turns and kept you guessing which way it would go, what a cliffhanger to be left on.
Praise for Jacqui I cannot wait for the next installment.
My own fault for not reading the rest in the series to know what is going on or who the characters are did this put me off? Absolutely not, it now makes me want to go back and read them all.
I have read Jacqui's early books taken and for some reason I never went back for more but thanks to Avon books for giving me the opportunity to review this one I was totally blown away and this is gangland crime at it's finest.
I was immediately drawn into the characters with a great plot against Harry and Wan. I really felt for Tia and Vaughn.
The story was full of suspense twists and turns and kept you guessing which way it would go, what a cliffhanger to be left on.
Praise for Jacqui I cannot wait for the next installment.
December 20, 2020
I'm sorry but Jacqui Rose, you can't just leave a book there, and expect us to wait for the next one - I want more and I want it now!
Can you possibly tell that I loved this book?
If you have been reading my reviews for a while you will know that this isn't' typically the sort of crime book I'd go for, but yet I'm actually hooked on the author and the series.
I needed my latest fix of Vaughan, Frankie and Aflie, and to see just what mess they would get themselves into this time.
Running alongside that there are a multitude of other storylines, including one that made me really feel for all the young girls involved in it, including Ellie, who is a bit of a prick, but at the same time doesn't deserve to be in the situations she finds herself in.
This is fast paced, keeps you on your toes, you never know who may double cross who as its a world where loyalty rarely exists and on the whole everyone is out for themselves.
I would love to see Jacqui Rose's books made into a TV series, as they really do have a bit of everything.
Now bring on the next book already, I need more!
Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Can you possibly tell that I loved this book?
If you have been reading my reviews for a while you will know that this isn't' typically the sort of crime book I'd go for, but yet I'm actually hooked on the author and the series.
I needed my latest fix of Vaughan, Frankie and Aflie, and to see just what mess they would get themselves into this time.
Running alongside that there are a multitude of other storylines, including one that made me really feel for all the young girls involved in it, including Ellie, who is a bit of a prick, but at the same time doesn't deserve to be in the situations she finds herself in.
This is fast paced, keeps you on your toes, you never know who may double cross who as its a world where loyalty rarely exists and on the whole everyone is out for themselves.
I would love to see Jacqui Rose's books made into a TV series, as they really do have a bit of everything.
Now bring on the next book already, I need more!
Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
January 23, 2022
I have enjoyed the series up to now but this one didn't work for me. All the usual characters are there and it's good to see Vaughan, Franny and Alfie working together again. The plot while a bit grim was resolved way to easy.
July 27, 2021
Really enjoyed this. Lots and I mean lots of twists and turns. But, the ending. Come on! And not even another one carrying on......I want to know if.......
September 12, 2020
OMG what a fantastic read, I could not stop reading about Franny, Alfie, and Vaughn in this brilliant series. Cannot wait to read the next book so know what happens. The best book I have read this year. Worth more than 5 STARS
August 6, 2020
SOHO CENTRAL LONDON
Franny Doyle doesn't take no stick in the crime and drug junkie world.
Taking on Harry Jacobs, Vaughn Sadler and Wan Huang. She has to watch her back. Revenge is best served cold, and one day she would serve it. It's payback.
What a fast pace book this is. So much going on chapter after chapter. Criminal underworld is boisterous these men are bad in all that they do. It left me shocked to the cord at times , be ready it will blow your mind. Carefully planned out by this author, her writing getting better every time. Well worth the read.
Franny Doyle doesn't take no stick in the crime and drug junkie world.
Taking on Harry Jacobs, Vaughn Sadler and Wan Huang. She has to watch her back. Revenge is best served cold, and one day she would serve it. It's payback.
What a fast pace book this is. So much going on chapter after chapter. Criminal underworld is boisterous these men are bad in all that they do. It left me shocked to the cord at times , be ready it will blow your mind. Carefully planned out by this author, her writing getting better every time. Well worth the read.
December 24, 2025
I have been thoroughly enjoying this series of books and this one was also super enjoyable but probably not my favourite of the series so far. Once again we are thrown into the world of Alfie, Vaughn and Franny. It's really difficult to get into the storyline without ruining it for people reading from the beginning but there is a lot going on in this latest book. Franny is dealing with the ruthless Wan and soon realises she is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Meanwhile Vaughn is dealing with Harry and his wife Tia who herself is stuck in an impossible predicament. This latest installment provides plenty of action and drama and certainly kept me turning the pages. I loved the storyline involving Vaughn this time around thats for sure. The next book by this author appears not to feature these current characters so who knows if we will see them again, but I sure hope so!!!
July 4, 2023
So I was at a bookstore and for £2.99 you get a mystery book, wrapped in brown paper and a bow, unable to see the title or author. All there was, was a very brief description of the book.
Once I unwrapped it and saw the book for the first time, I was debating whether I wanted to read it as it isn't my usual kind of book.
But by a few chapters, I finally got into it and kept wanting to know what happened next.
It was about to be a solid 4 out of 5, but then I got the last few chapters. All that build up only for the ending to feel as if it was rushed. As if the author had a deadline and so she needed to finish the story ASAP. It was basically a little too anti-climactic. Plus it also ended on a cliffhanger.
Once I unwrapped it and saw the book for the first time, I was debating whether I wanted to read it as it isn't my usual kind of book.
But by a few chapters, I finally got into it and kept wanting to know what happened next.
It was about to be a solid 4 out of 5, but then I got the last few chapters. All that build up only for the ending to feel as if it was rushed. As if the author had a deadline and so she needed to finish the story ASAP. It was basically a little too anti-climactic. Plus it also ended on a cliffhanger.
July 25, 2022
Who can you trust in Londons gangland underworld …
Well, old lovers and enemies, Franny, Alfie and Vaughn have got to forget their differences and work together if they want to bring Wan and his triad gang down, who are dealing with drugs and underage girls, nobody with a brain wants to mess with the triads do they ?
And then some of the girls are turning up dead….overdoses…beaten up.
Then there’s Harry, he’s up to his neck in it, snorting the product and sampling the goods, he loves rough sex, Harry has a vile temper and he’s handy with his fists, well his wife could tell a few stories..
It’s full of hard men, sexy ladies and if you like gangland crime this is your book.
Well, old lovers and enemies, Franny, Alfie and Vaughn have got to forget their differences and work together if they want to bring Wan and his triad gang down, who are dealing with drugs and underage girls, nobody with a brain wants to mess with the triads do they ?
And then some of the girls are turning up dead….overdoses…beaten up.
Then there’s Harry, he’s up to his neck in it, snorting the product and sampling the goods, he loves rough sex, Harry has a vile temper and he’s handy with his fists, well his wife could tell a few stories..
It’s full of hard men, sexy ladies and if you like gangland crime this is your book.
November 24, 2020
Brilliant read
I give Jacqui rose 5 stars. She is a brilliant writer and her books are really good I have now read all her books and each one is different I can possibly see there will be another episode to this book the way it has ended so fingers crossed. I would recommend this book to her fans also if you have not read her books before then try this author and you will not be disappointed.
I give Jacqui rose 5 stars. She is a brilliant writer and her books are really good I have now read all her books and each one is different I can possibly see there will be another episode to this book the way it has ended so fingers crossed. I would recommend this book to her fans also if you have not read her books before then try this author and you will not be disappointed.
October 24, 2025
I listened to the audio version of this and I throughly enjoyed it. The narrator was perfect and made me laugh multiple times with the use of swear words as if they are normal, everyday words. Actually, they probably are in the world that Franny, Harry, Vaughn and Wan live in.
I haven’t read any of the previous books, but I don’t think I needed to.
I will definitely be reading more from this author.
I haven’t read any of the previous books, but I don’t think I needed to.
I will definitely be reading more from this author.
September 1, 2020
Love Franny Doyle
Dont know how long l have to wait for the next in this series. Just read Poison and followed with this. They always end on a bit that has you dying for the next part.
Dont know how long l have to wait for the next in this series. Just read Poison and followed with this. They always end on a bit that has you dying for the next part.
September 5, 2020
Love Jacqui Rose
I have read all Jacqui Rose books and enjoyed every one of them. Love hearing about Franny and Alfie 's on off relationship. It's got it all murders drug dealing and lots more. Can't wait to find out what happens next
I have read all Jacqui Rose books and enjoyed every one of them. Love hearing about Franny and Alfie 's on off relationship. It's got it all murders drug dealing and lots more. Can't wait to find out what happens next
September 18, 2020
Fab read
Great read by Jacqui Rose yet again. Really enjoy the Franny Doyle storyline but I think if there is another book in the series it should be the last as I feel the series has run it's course
Great read by Jacqui Rose yet again. Really enjoy the Franny Doyle storyline but I think if there is another book in the series it should be the last as I feel the series has run it's course
April 1, 2025
I DEVOURED this book in a day!!! Blood chilling and edge of your seat from start to finish as always!
Alfie💜Vaughn💜Franny - this trio lives rent-free in my head! May we meet them again!
Jacqui Rose, you did us dirty with that ending, but it's exactly why I love your work!!!
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Alfie💜Vaughn💜Franny - this trio lives rent-free in my head! May we meet them again!
Jacqui Rose, you did us dirty with that ending, but it's exactly why I love your work!!!
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏👏👏👏
August 20, 2020
Absolutely loved this book! Fantastic, as always
September 26, 2020
Couldn’t put it down!!
Another superb book.100% recommend this. Great storyline with twists and turns, excellent characters. Impossible to put down. Can’t wait for the next one.
Another superb book.100% recommend this. Great storyline with twists and turns, excellent characters. Impossible to put down. Can’t wait for the next one.
October 15, 2020
Why
Why did it have to end like that. It's not fair please don't kill off. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and i seriously can not wait for the next one
Why did it have to end like that. It's not fair please don't kill off. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and i seriously can not wait for the next one
November 7, 2020
Good
I enjoyed this one because the orther was much different to the other books I was reading and loved the follow on great story’s looking forward to the next one
I enjoyed this one because the orther was much different to the other books I was reading and loved the follow on great story’s looking forward to the next one
November 19, 2020
I loved this book... Vaughn, Alfie & Franny what a trio.... I cannot wait for the follow on and there will be judging by the finishing page
December 27, 2020
My first book by this author and of this genre, and I loved it! Seems like it's perfectly set up for another book after this one and I will definitely be looking out for more by this author.
March 30, 2021
Read in just over a day. Intertwined and still got great characters of Franny, Alfie and Vaughn. Left open for next book sequel, I hope. Hurry up Jacqui Rose.
April 27, 2021
Didn’t realise this was one of a series but great read and it makes more sense now! Can’t wait to read the next one
May 2, 2021
Gripping! In line with Martina Cole’s famous east end crime books.
June 8, 2021
Very good read with the ending left hanging.
July 21, 2021
Excellent as always
Never disappointed with these books. Gripped from the start. Strong characters as always. Some new characters introduced well right from the beginning.
Never disappointed with these books. Gripped from the start. Strong characters as always. Some new characters introduced well right from the beginning.
March 22, 2024
Really enjoyed this, fast and pacy. Everyone should have a Franny as a best friend!
April 23, 2024
Good read, gritty and
December 26, 2025
Rival
Another exciting page turner that has left me hanging on a cliff - need to read the follow up to this to find out Vaughn’s fate.
Another exciting page turner that has left me hanging on a cliff - need to read the follow up to this to find out Vaughn’s fate.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews