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Rivals
“I embrace my rival. But only to strangle him.”
~Jean Racine
After landing her dream job as head volleyball coach at Ohio State University, Lauren Chase’s career has become a nightmare. Her only hope of saving her job is to recruit a star player to her team. Too bad the player’s twin brother has signed a football scholarship for OSU’s chief rival, Michigan. And too bad Michigan coach, Jeremy Trent, sends sparks through Lauren every time they cross paths. But no way will she pursue an attraction to a man who represents the university she hates.
Jeremy detests his boss, and he hopes that signing the nation’s #1 recruit is the ticket he needs to become a head coach himself one day. Lauren Chase is already a head coach, and Jeremy has to admit that she intrigues the hell out of him. He wants to know why her performance has tanked after winning a national championship. He wants to see beneath Lauren’s fast pace and dirty mouth. But he can’t get with a Buckeye, right?
Maybe rivals don’t have to remain enemies. Maybe they can learn to appreciate their opponent’s strengths. And, if they’re lucky—if they excel at the game—maybe rivals can bring out the very best in each other.
~Jean Racine
After landing her dream job as head volleyball coach at Ohio State University, Lauren Chase’s career has become a nightmare. Her only hope of saving her job is to recruit a star player to her team. Too bad the player’s twin brother has signed a football scholarship for OSU’s chief rival, Michigan. And too bad Michigan coach, Jeremy Trent, sends sparks through Lauren every time they cross paths. But no way will she pursue an attraction to a man who represents the university she hates.
Jeremy detests his boss, and he hopes that signing the nation’s #1 recruit is the ticket he needs to become a head coach himself one day. Lauren Chase is already a head coach, and Jeremy has to admit that she intrigues the hell out of him. He wants to know why her performance has tanked after winning a national championship. He wants to see beneath Lauren’s fast pace and dirty mouth. But he can’t get with a Buckeye, right?
Maybe rivals don’t have to remain enemies. Maybe they can learn to appreciate their opponent’s strengths. And, if they’re lucky—if they excel at the game—maybe rivals can bring out the very best in each other.
282 pages, Paperback
First published March 19, 2021
4 people are currently reading
332 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Lane
16 books1,432 followersPsychologist/author (psycho author) Jennifer Lane invites you to her world of sports romance and suspense with a psychological twist!
Jen fell in love with sports at a young age and competed in swimming and volleyball in college. She went on to become the Honda Award Winner for Division III Athlete of the Year. She still gets high from the smell of chlorine and the satisfaction of smashing a beautiful volleyball set.
In Jen’s upcoming tenth novel, Low Water, a swim coach and his psychologist team up to heal from trauma. Rivals features a romance between coaches from rival universities, Ohio State and Michigan. Her Blocked trilogy also explores the transformation from hate to love. One of Jen’s favorite themes is finding common ground.
A romantic suspense trilogy (The Conduct Series) and a psychological thriller (Twin Sacrifice) complete Jen’s collection of novels. For shorter reads, check out sports romance short stories Swim Recruit and Behind the Catcher’s Mask.
She calls South Carolina home and shares writing space with her two trusted feline collaborators: Tuxedo and Tessa. Whether writing or reading, Jen loves stories that make her laugh and cry.
Jen fell in love with sports at a young age and competed in swimming and volleyball in college. She went on to become the Honda Award Winner for Division III Athlete of the Year. She still gets high from the smell of chlorine and the satisfaction of smashing a beautiful volleyball set.
In Jen’s upcoming tenth novel, Low Water, a swim coach and his psychologist team up to heal from trauma. Rivals features a romance between coaches from rival universities, Ohio State and Michigan. Her Blocked trilogy also explores the transformation from hate to love. One of Jen’s favorite themes is finding common ground.
A romantic suspense trilogy (The Conduct Series) and a psychological thriller (Twin Sacrifice) complete Jen’s collection of novels. For shorter reads, check out sports romance short stories Swim Recruit and Behind the Catcher’s Mask.
She calls South Carolina home and shares writing space with her two trusted feline collaborators: Tuxedo and Tessa. Whether writing or reading, Jen loves stories that make her laugh and cry.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
April 12, 2021
Such a fun read that delivers a swift kick to the heart from the very start. A sharp and witty meet-greet between the main characters is terrific when they both arrive at the same home on a recruiting trip for opposing college teams! The uniqueness of the plot grabbed my attention immediately. And I loved that the story was told from both coaches (Lauren’s and Jeremy’s points of view). Offering both allowed readers to really get to know them separately and as a couple and to understand their personalities and vulnerabilities. A supertastic sizzling rom-com well-written and delightful to read.
Evan and Emma are twins and top recruit candidates, both of whom added a real game-changer to this story. Their entire family’s presence was certainly entertaining and upped the dynamics in the overall game.
Jennifer Lane scores bigtime for both the Wolverines and the Buckeyes -- it's a fair game! Most of the action comes from the coaches striving for success both personally and professionally. Their non-stop volleying of humorous banter, wit, sass and competitive exchanges sent me into fits of laughter, oohs and ahhs and rip-roarin' cheers!
On the volleyball court, the football field or cheering from the sidelines — the game of love is best of all!
March 10, 2021
Lauren Chase is the head coach of the girls volleyball team for Ohio State Buckeyes, Jeremy Trent is one of the assistant coaches of the Michigan Wolverines. While they are rivals in regards to their jobs even though they coach different teams, they met under unconventional terms. While they start off as rivals due to their employers they end up not only in a steamy relationship, but being each other’s half that was missing from their lives. They bring each other up when it is needed, they are each other’s sounding board at times and they bring out the best in each other. Lauren has a pass that she is not proud of and she tells Jeremy basically right away in what is the start of their relationship. They do end up with a happy ending that I saw coming. I’m not going to spoil it for others and tell what I foresaw.
March 13, 2021
❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋
This was a really refreshing and interesting story.
A sports romance between enemies that will have you sighing with pleasure.
I Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
It filled all the right zones and left me very satisfied with the ending.
Jennifer is a new author to me but I’m now off to look up more of her past books .
I pray she brings out more in this series there are some great characters that she could build into excellent stories.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
💋
This was a really refreshing and interesting story.
A sports romance between enemies that will have you sighing with pleasure.
I Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
It filled all the right zones and left me very satisfied with the ending.
Jennifer is a new author to me but I’m now off to look up more of her past books .
I pray she brings out more in this series there are some great characters that she could build into excellent stories.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
November 15, 2024
Fabulous sports romance!
Lauren Chase is the 36-year-old head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes girls' volleyball team. She was a volleyball star in college, and she completed a master's degree to fulfill her dream to become a college coach. It has been four years since her team won the national championship, but for top-tier college coaches, the athletic director's attitude is, "What have you done for me lately?" Lauren is worried that, if she doesn't deliver another championship win this year, she will lose her job. In service of that goal, Lauren has her eye on one of the top high-school volleyball players in the country, Emma Watkins, but Emma's parents are extremely straight-laced teetotalers who never cuss. Can Lauren avoid their finding out that she's a smoker, who enjoys social drinking and has a potty mouth, long enough that they won't tank her hopes to recruit Emma?
Jeremy Trent is the 33-year-old quarterback coach for the Michigan Wolverines. He was a star quarterback in college until he got sidelined due to injuries to his back. He completed a master's degree so that he could become a college football coach. Over the years, he has been working as an assistant coach as a means to eventually attain a position as a head coach. Unfortunately, his current position seems to have become a dead-end nightmare. The head coach of his team is a brutal bully. He is verbally abusive to everyone on his staff, and destroys the morale of the student athletes on his team by publicly humiliating them with his insulting rants. Jeremy is desperate to escape from this job, but his options will be enormously limited in that regard if the team does not achieve a winning season. A less than stellar performance will end up in the head coach and his entire support staff, including Jeremy, being fired. Meanwhile, Jeremy's recruitment goal at the present time is to convince Evan Watkins, one of the top high-school quarterbacks in the country, to join his team.
The cute initial encounter of these two dedicated coaches occurs in front of the Watkins home when Jeremy shows up to meet with Evan and the Watkins parents shortly after Lauren meets with Emma and the Watkins parents. There is enormous, long-standing rivalry between all of the sports teams of their respective schools, and though both of them are clearly strongly attracted to each other, both physically and because as coaches they have a great deal in common, this institutional rivalry presents a seemingly insurmountable barrier to any potential romantic connection.
This wonderful, contemporary romance novel contains the following popular tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Sports romance
Long distance relationship
Cinnamon Roll MMC
Dual point of view
Painful family dynamics (FMC has a verbally abusive mother; MMC has an estranged father)
I absolutely adored both Lauren and Jeremy, and I loved their relationship. Each of them is a warm-hearted, compassionate human being, which is reflected in their coaching style. Unlike far too many college coaches, they not only do not verbally abuse their players or risk their health by rushing them back into playing after an injury before the player is fully recovered, but they are emotionally encouraging of their players and very careful of their health, which results in their obtaining the very best play possible out of the talented, young athletes whom they are responsible for.
Since Lauren and Jeremy are both coaches, there are multiple scenes throughout this book of each of them coaching important games and working with struggling players on their team. This author writes those scenes so concisely and accurately, I did not skim them at all which, with many other authors of sports romances, I frequently tend to do for these types of scenes.
There is a great deal of physical and emotional chemistry between Lauren and Jeremy, but there is only one onstage sex scene in this slowburn romance. In that scene, there are no descriptions beyond undressing and kissing, and there is a great deal of tenderness in their attitude toward each other. The rest of the sex in this book is offstage.
There is a lovely, believable, well-earned HEA both personally and professionally for these two terrific lovers.
By the way, I don't personally enjoy romance novels in which either of the MCs smokes, but Lauren kicks the habit early in this novel, and smoking is never glorified in any way.
I obtained the audiobook version of this novel using one of my credits from my Audible membership. The audiobook utilizes dual narrators, male and female, who do a good job.
I have read this book multiple times since it was first released and, each time, including today, it has continued to be a 5-star read for me. This author is outstanding at both writing sports in an interesting way and including significant psychological issues that are extremely well handled in a medically believable way. I highly recommend the four other sports-themed novels she has written.
New adult trilogy:
Blocked
Aced
Spiked
New adult novella:
Swim Recruit
Lauren Chase is the 36-year-old head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes girls' volleyball team. She was a volleyball star in college, and she completed a master's degree to fulfill her dream to become a college coach. It has been four years since her team won the national championship, but for top-tier college coaches, the athletic director's attitude is, "What have you done for me lately?" Lauren is worried that, if she doesn't deliver another championship win this year, she will lose her job. In service of that goal, Lauren has her eye on one of the top high-school volleyball players in the country, Emma Watkins, but Emma's parents are extremely straight-laced teetotalers who never cuss. Can Lauren avoid their finding out that she's a smoker, who enjoys social drinking and has a potty mouth, long enough that they won't tank her hopes to recruit Emma?
Jeremy Trent is the 33-year-old quarterback coach for the Michigan Wolverines. He was a star quarterback in college until he got sidelined due to injuries to his back. He completed a master's degree so that he could become a college football coach. Over the years, he has been working as an assistant coach as a means to eventually attain a position as a head coach. Unfortunately, his current position seems to have become a dead-end nightmare. The head coach of his team is a brutal bully. He is verbally abusive to everyone on his staff, and destroys the morale of the student athletes on his team by publicly humiliating them with his insulting rants. Jeremy is desperate to escape from this job, but his options will be enormously limited in that regard if the team does not achieve a winning season. A less than stellar performance will end up in the head coach and his entire support staff, including Jeremy, being fired. Meanwhile, Jeremy's recruitment goal at the present time is to convince Evan Watkins, one of the top high-school quarterbacks in the country, to join his team.
The cute initial encounter of these two dedicated coaches occurs in front of the Watkins home when Jeremy shows up to meet with Evan and the Watkins parents shortly after Lauren meets with Emma and the Watkins parents. There is enormous, long-standing rivalry between all of the sports teams of their respective schools, and though both of them are clearly strongly attracted to each other, both physically and because as coaches they have a great deal in common, this institutional rivalry presents a seemingly insurmountable barrier to any potential romantic connection.
This wonderful, contemporary romance novel contains the following popular tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Sports romance
Long distance relationship
Cinnamon Roll MMC
Dual point of view
Painful family dynamics (FMC has a verbally abusive mother; MMC has an estranged father)
I absolutely adored both Lauren and Jeremy, and I loved their relationship. Each of them is a warm-hearted, compassionate human being, which is reflected in their coaching style. Unlike far too many college coaches, they not only do not verbally abuse their players or risk their health by rushing them back into playing after an injury before the player is fully recovered, but they are emotionally encouraging of their players and very careful of their health, which results in their obtaining the very best play possible out of the talented, young athletes whom they are responsible for.
Since Lauren and Jeremy are both coaches, there are multiple scenes throughout this book of each of them coaching important games and working with struggling players on their team. This author writes those scenes so concisely and accurately, I did not skim them at all which, with many other authors of sports romances, I frequently tend to do for these types of scenes.
There is a great deal of physical and emotional chemistry between Lauren and Jeremy, but there is only one onstage sex scene in this slowburn romance. In that scene, there are no descriptions beyond undressing and kissing, and there is a great deal of tenderness in their attitude toward each other. The rest of the sex in this book is offstage.
There is a lovely, believable, well-earned HEA both personally and professionally for these two terrific lovers.
By the way, I don't personally enjoy romance novels in which either of the MCs smokes, but Lauren kicks the habit early in this novel, and smoking is never glorified in any way.
I obtained the audiobook version of this novel using one of my credits from my Audible membership. The audiobook utilizes dual narrators, male and female, who do a good job.
I have read this book multiple times since it was first released and, each time, including today, it has continued to be a 5-star read for me. This author is outstanding at both writing sports in an interesting way and including significant psychological issues that are extremely well handled in a medically believable way. I highly recommend the four other sports-themed novels she has written.
New adult trilogy:
Blocked
Aced
Spiked
New adult novella:
Swim Recruit
March 26, 2021
Loved the book!!!
We can find :
• Slow burn (as a long relationship instead of insta love)
• Sports
• Nice side characters/dynamic
• no drama or miscommunication
Jeremy and Lauren are a team. Opposites team, but a TEAM as couple. They talk, figure out and respect each other battles while light up their own paths.
They are very humans, with their bad and good habits, their past...Also no your typical heroine or hero. Very relatable ppl. Very well written. The writer put some difficult issues here and she wrote it amazingly...
Again, is a slow burn in the story so you can follow easily the relationship.
* very safe book, VERY, no cheating, no drama, no separation* only... I want an epilogue.
We can find :
• Slow burn (as a long relationship instead of insta love)
• Sports
• Nice side characters/dynamic
• no drama or miscommunication
Jeremy and Lauren are a team. Opposites team, but a TEAM as couple. They talk, figure out and respect each other battles while light up their own paths.
They are very humans, with their bad and good habits, their past...Also no your typical heroine or hero. Very relatable ppl. Very well written. The writer put some difficult issues here and she wrote it amazingly...
Again, is a slow burn in the story so you can follow easily the relationship.
* very safe book, VERY, no cheating, no drama, no separation* only... I want an epilogue.
March 4, 2021
How soon is it acceptable to DEVOUR a book again?!?!??
In the world were living in right now all anyone wants is to completely lose themselves in another world. This book brought angst, rivalry and a playful back and forth that you didn’t want to end!
I loved that it wasn’t a damsel in distress but a unapologetically strong woman. It made the development of the relationship all that more encompassing. The playful banter with each other and bonds with the athletes made the you feel like you were really living in their world. The progression of hate to relationship to love was real and compelling with all the excitement of college sports. You can’t help but read it all in one sitting!
Maybe there’ll be a couple more books set in this universe....👀👀 (please)
I received an ARC from the author for an honest review.
In the world were living in right now all anyone wants is to completely lose themselves in another world. This book brought angst, rivalry and a playful back and forth that you didn’t want to end!
I loved that it wasn’t a damsel in distress but a unapologetically strong woman. It made the development of the relationship all that more encompassing. The playful banter with each other and bonds with the athletes made the you feel like you were really living in their world. The progression of hate to relationship to love was real and compelling with all the excitement of college sports. You can’t help but read it all in one sitting!
Maybe there’ll be a couple more books set in this universe....👀👀 (please)
I received an ARC from the author for an honest review.
March 4, 2021
Having gone to graduate school at a Big Ten university, I was instantly intrigued by the premise of this book - an enemies-to-lovers romance between two coaches from rival schools.
It was fascinating to learn about what goes on behind the scenes in elite sports programs. But it was even more fascinating to watch the relationship between the Jeremy and Lauren unfold. Both of these characters are really well fleshed out. They're real people with imperfections, issues, and struggles. That's what made them so relatable, and what makes their relationship so realistic and relatable.
Whether you're a sports fan or not, your heartstrings will be tugged, you'll be turning pages to see what happens next, and, most of all, you'll be rooting for Jeremy and Lauren to have their happily after.
Note: I received an ARC from the author and voluntarily chose to leave an honest review.
It was fascinating to learn about what goes on behind the scenes in elite sports programs. But it was even more fascinating to watch the relationship between the Jeremy and Lauren unfold. Both of these characters are really well fleshed out. They're real people with imperfections, issues, and struggles. That's what made them so relatable, and what makes their relationship so realistic and relatable.
Whether you're a sports fan or not, your heartstrings will be tugged, you'll be turning pages to see what happens next, and, most of all, you'll be rooting for Jeremy and Lauren to have their happily after.
Note: I received an ARC from the author and voluntarily chose to leave an honest review.
January 6, 2022
I received this arc for an honest review.
A recruiting trip for a volleyball coach from Ohio State and a football coach from Michigan have put these two people together. First Lauren Chase is the head coach for the women's volleyball team at Ohio State. She has put pressure on herself because her team has not won the NCAA championship since her first year as coach and so she feels she needs to really add someone to her roster for the new season.
Then you have Jeremey Trent, an assistant coach for the Michigan Wolverines who have already signed the twin brother to the player Lauren is after. After the two of them meet sparks fly but Lauren works at keeping everything hidden for she cannot be falling for a coach from her own rival school. Everything changes when Jeremey begins to find out little secrets about her which really does not help her cause at all. Each one has their own problems at their schools and the author does a good job bringing in everything that goes on with sports and other parts of life. A very good story. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars.
A recruiting trip for a volleyball coach from Ohio State and a football coach from Michigan have put these two people together. First Lauren Chase is the head coach for the women's volleyball team at Ohio State. She has put pressure on herself because her team has not won the NCAA championship since her first year as coach and so she feels she needs to really add someone to her roster for the new season.
Then you have Jeremey Trent, an assistant coach for the Michigan Wolverines who have already signed the twin brother to the player Lauren is after. After the two of them meet sparks fly but Lauren works at keeping everything hidden for she cannot be falling for a coach from her own rival school. Everything changes when Jeremey begins to find out little secrets about her which really does not help her cause at all. Each one has their own problems at their schools and the author does a good job bringing in everything that goes on with sports and other parts of life. A very good story. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars.
February 22, 2021
Absolutely loved this book. The rivalry was spot on. This book has it all, humor, love and sports. Such a good book to read for anyone, especially those who understand sports rivals.
March 21, 2021
Rivals is a story that totally has two main characters who are 100% opposites. Lauren is the HC of OSU's volleyball team, and while she's had some success, in order for her to keep her career, she needs to recruit a star player. She has her eye on a girl, but that girl's twin brother has signed a football scholarship at Michigan, and the two schools are really rivals. I will say this as an obsessed NCAA football fan, that OSU is the better football school as Michigan isn't quite up to par these days but I digress. Jeremy is one of the coaches at Michigan so despite the sparks flying, he knows that he probably should stay away from her since rivalries can be mean (OU/Texas is ours & INSANE). I do think that there really weren't a lot of issues with the rivalry (I would NEVER have anything with any person from the Texas Longhorns myself) but I reminded myself it's not nonfiction. I do love the sports aspect of it since it's my happy place, but there were a few things that weren't really the truth about college sports, however, it didn't take too much away from the story. So experience it for yourselves as I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
March 19, 2021
I didn’t understand the tabu attraction of the coaches from rival schools but as I was reading this book John Legend even mentioned the Ohio-Michigan rivalry.
I loved these strong amazing characters because they were imperfect with their own weaknesses. I loved how they fought their attraction until they couldn’t and then found strength with each other. They made one another better and it was beautiful. I loved their relationships outside of the romance.
Jennifer Lane created a fantastic story and I can’t wait to read more of her books!
I loved these strong amazing characters because they were imperfect with their own weaknesses. I loved how they fought their attraction until they couldn’t and then found strength with each other. They made one another better and it was beautiful. I loved their relationships outside of the romance.
Jennifer Lane created a fantastic story and I can’t wait to read more of her books!
March 20, 2021
Rivals was a great read. Lauren is the head volleyball coach at Ohio State University. She's competitive and works hard. I liked her. Jeremy is an assistant football coach for Michigan. He would love to be a head coach someday. He's also a hard worker. Michigan and Ohio State are rivals. These two meet outside potential recruits' house. Jeremy is there for Evan and Lauren is there for Evan's sister Emma. They don't start out very friendly. Jeremy is a really good guy and his actions win Lauren over. They have a great connection. Jeremy does do something that had me a little mad at him but he's a good guy and redeems himself. I loved this one from beginning to end. These two were so cute together. I also loved Evan and Emma and would totally read stories about them.
March 6, 2021
I absolutely loved this book!!!
Jennifer Lane knows how to write! Sports romances are in my top 5 favorite to read in romance and this is going to top of my favorites. The character development was so good, I felt like I was right their with them.
Lauren and Jeremy are coaches at rival schools, Ohio and Michigan; coaching two completely different sports, football and volleyball. They meet while recruiting twins Emma and Evan. Needless to say the twins end up going to the two different schools but their bond is always there. Through this whole transition we see Lauren and Jeremy’s relationship develop from hate to love with each other and to almost parental kind of figures with their two recruits. Lauren is such a strong woman and so independent, I love how the author made her like this and Jeremy just wants to be part of her life, supporting her dreams while she does the same. If you want more you will just have to read it! It’s a must read! I will definitely be reading more from this author.
I received an ARC for and honest review from the author and Psyched Publishing.
Jennifer Lane knows how to write! Sports romances are in my top 5 favorite to read in romance and this is going to top of my favorites. The character development was so good, I felt like I was right their with them.
Lauren and Jeremy are coaches at rival schools, Ohio and Michigan; coaching two completely different sports, football and volleyball. They meet while recruiting twins Emma and Evan. Needless to say the twins end up going to the two different schools but their bond is always there. Through this whole transition we see Lauren and Jeremy’s relationship develop from hate to love with each other and to almost parental kind of figures with their two recruits. Lauren is such a strong woman and so independent, I love how the author made her like this and Jeremy just wants to be part of her life, supporting her dreams while she does the same. If you want more you will just have to read it! It’s a must read! I will definitely be reading more from this author.
I received an ARC for and honest review from the author and Psyched Publishing.
April 6, 2021
4.5 stars. Loved it! Good guy, vegan, Michigan QB football coach/Jeremy and a sassy, foul mouthed, junk food eating, Ohio State volleyball coach/Lauren. Sparks fly when these two opposites attract. Fun times with some LOL moments. Adorable romance with rival sports team drama. Loved Jeremy and Lauren. J.L., this one was a winner.
April 24, 2025
*The ARC copy of this book was provided by NetGalley in exchange of an honest review*
My Rating - 4.25/5
Lauren was the OSU head coach of volleyball. A Buckeye. Jeremy, on the other hand, was the assistant football coach at Michigan who hated his boss because of his cruelty. Both met outside of the house of the twins- Emma and Evan, their new star recruits and were intrigued by each other even though the rivalry between the two university were pretty much hard to ignore. Emma chose OSU while her brother signed up for Michigan. They were content with their decisions. Anyway, Lauren and Jeremy managed to cross path quite a few times before deciding to give into their feelings despite the rivalry. They secretly started dating. Although long distance relationship was hard, they managed to make it work. Supported each other and faced all of their problems together even when all the odds were against them. At the end, they were happily engaged.
My Feelings -
- I don't like the older woman/ younger man trope. but I can make an exception for this book because Lauren was only 3 years older than Jeremy. It didn't bother me here mainly because there wasn't any situation concerning their ages. So I'm good. 🙂
- I liked Lauren and Jeremy's relationship. It was so easy and sweet that it was hard for me to not like them. Their sense of humor, bantering and the easiness of the conversation between them, I adored all of those! I also liked the fact that despite their differences, they made their relationship work without doubting each other. They're not like the couple who fight without any apparent reason and break up or hurt each other before the end of the books for the sake of drama the authors seem to want. I just loved this book because the author had broken the usual cycle of 'heartbreak before happiness'.💓
- I hated the way Lauren's mother treated her. Ugh!😠 Poor Lauren!😢
- I was really amused with Lauren's colorful vocabulary. Shitnubbin or Bitchtits? Lmfao!
- Fuck! Evan, stop talking!😂 End the interview asap or Jeremy's gonna get trouble from the head coach. I must admit, I really found it hilarious when Evan was only praising Jeremy, not the head coach. Because let's face it. He's an asshole. the head coach I mean. i really hated that man.
- All the football stuff was reminding me of the World Cup. Ugh! I'm gonna get emotional if I start talking about it. I miss the thrill of anticipation if my team's gonna win or not.
I freaking loved this book. The author did a good job. The games, the relationship and most importantly the simplicity of this book kinda blown my mind. I was holding my breath the whole time from 70% till the last chapter thinking Lauren and Jeremy's gonna break up for some reason. I know I was being paranoid. And when they argued, I thought, this was it. They're gonna break up now. But I was shocked when it didn't even fazed their relationship at all; merely a bump on the road kinda situation. The break up or hurtful stuff never came. I was glad. It's the main reason I loved this book so much. Cockdamn doodle do!
"Two aspects of life we have no control over? The past and the future," I continue. "You throw an interception, it's in the past. You gotta let that go. You worry about winning the game, that's in the future. You gotta focus on the play in front of you."
My Rating - 4.25/5
Lauren was the OSU head coach of volleyball. A Buckeye. Jeremy, on the other hand, was the assistant football coach at Michigan who hated his boss because of his cruelty. Both met outside of the house of the twins- Emma and Evan, their new star recruits and were intrigued by each other even though the rivalry between the two university were pretty much hard to ignore. Emma chose OSU while her brother signed up for Michigan. They were content with their decisions. Anyway, Lauren and Jeremy managed to cross path quite a few times before deciding to give into their feelings despite the rivalry. They secretly started dating. Although long distance relationship was hard, they managed to make it work. Supported each other and faced all of their problems together even when all the odds were against them. At the end, they were happily engaged.
My Feelings -
- I don't like the older woman/ younger man trope. but I can make an exception for this book because Lauren was only 3 years older than Jeremy. It didn't bother me here mainly because there wasn't any situation concerning their ages. So I'm good. 🙂
- I liked Lauren and Jeremy's relationship. It was so easy and sweet that it was hard for me to not like them. Their sense of humor, bantering and the easiness of the conversation between them, I adored all of those! I also liked the fact that despite their differences, they made their relationship work without doubting each other. They're not like the couple who fight without any apparent reason and break up or hurt each other before the end of the books for the sake of drama the authors seem to want. I just loved this book because the author had broken the usual cycle of 'heartbreak before happiness'.💓
- I hated the way Lauren's mother treated her. Ugh!😠 Poor Lauren!😢
- I was really amused with Lauren's colorful vocabulary. Shitnubbin or Bitchtits? Lmfao!
- Fuck! Evan, stop talking!😂 End the interview asap or Jeremy's gonna get trouble from the head coach. I must admit, I really found it hilarious when Evan was only praising Jeremy, not the head coach. Because let's face it. He's an asshole. the head coach I mean. i really hated that man.
- All the football stuff was reminding me of the World Cup. Ugh! I'm gonna get emotional if I start talking about it. I miss the thrill of anticipation if my team's gonna win or not.
I freaking loved this book. The author did a good job. The games, the relationship and most importantly the simplicity of this book kinda blown my mind. I was holding my breath the whole time from 70% till the last chapter thinking Lauren and Jeremy's gonna break up for some reason. I know I was being paranoid. And when they argued, I thought, this was it. They're gonna break up now. But I was shocked when it didn't even fazed their relationship at all; merely a bump on the road kinda situation. The break up or hurtful stuff never came. I was glad. It's the main reason I loved this book so much. Cockdamn doodle do!
"Two aspects of life we have no control over? The past and the future," I continue. "You throw an interception, it's in the past. You gotta let that go. You worry about winning the game, that's in the future. You gotta focus on the play in front of you."
March 7, 2021
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours for providing me this arc via Netgalley!
Once again, I am sooo disappointed. Please stop advertising a book as enemies to lovers when there's only like 20 pages of light animosity.
Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours for providing me this arc via Netgalley!
Once again, I am sooo disappointed. Please stop advertising a book as enemies to lovers when there's only like 20 pages of light animosity.
March 28, 2021
Associating with the enemy. Crossing the line or spreading the love?
I've always had a love for sports romance, though most of those I've read have been grid iron related. In Rivals, Jennifer Lane mixes volleyball and football together in a way I've never seen before. The Ohio State University Buckeye head women's volleyball coach Lauren Chase and bitter rivalry Michigan Wolverine QB assistant coach Jeremy Trent find themselves in an interesting predicament on the recruiting trail. Their relationship, ethics, morality, and patience are put to the test. Neither is a saint, but falling into the arms of a bitter rival, may just be what it takes to claw their way to the highest level.
Having a passion for sports and music, I've been drawn to romance writing in those genre's. The writers who have impressed me the most, have been those who can not just write a great romance, but who can really immerse you into that category's world. Often the writers may have been in the music industry in some manner, or were athletes themselves. Writing about something you have personal knowledge of or are passionate about, gives them an edge, even I believe over those who have researched for their book. Jennifer Lane has just that personal knowledge, as an athlete herself, when she swam and played volleyball at the collegiate level. However, in all the hundreds of books I've read these last 5-6 years, I've never come across the depth of sports knowledge Lane has so brilliantly weaved throughout this book. She could easily be a sports commentator. Don't get me wrong, all that knowledge wasn't thrown at the reader to baffle us with BS. It helps drive the story and enhances the story in an effortless, yet brilliant manner.
So you know what you are getting into, know this...you will get a beautiful HEA. It's not the steamy writing I'm used to, but fade to black. Despite that, I never felt like I was really missing anything, because Lane was delivering in so many other areas for me as a reader. Rivals is a great read, a clean read, and one that inspires us to be our best self.
I've always had a love for sports romance, though most of those I've read have been grid iron related. In Rivals, Jennifer Lane mixes volleyball and football together in a way I've never seen before. The Ohio State University Buckeye head women's volleyball coach Lauren Chase and bitter rivalry Michigan Wolverine QB assistant coach Jeremy Trent find themselves in an interesting predicament on the recruiting trail. Their relationship, ethics, morality, and patience are put to the test. Neither is a saint, but falling into the arms of a bitter rival, may just be what it takes to claw their way to the highest level.
Having a passion for sports and music, I've been drawn to romance writing in those genre's. The writers who have impressed me the most, have been those who can not just write a great romance, but who can really immerse you into that category's world. Often the writers may have been in the music industry in some manner, or were athletes themselves. Writing about something you have personal knowledge of or are passionate about, gives them an edge, even I believe over those who have researched for their book. Jennifer Lane has just that personal knowledge, as an athlete herself, when she swam and played volleyball at the collegiate level. However, in all the hundreds of books I've read these last 5-6 years, I've never come across the depth of sports knowledge Lane has so brilliantly weaved throughout this book. She could easily be a sports commentator. Don't get me wrong, all that knowledge wasn't thrown at the reader to baffle us with BS. It helps drive the story and enhances the story in an effortless, yet brilliant manner.
So you know what you are getting into, know this...you will get a beautiful HEA. It's not the steamy writing I'm used to, but fade to black. Despite that, I never felt like I was really missing anything, because Lane was delivering in so many other areas for me as a reader. Rivals is a great read, a clean read, and one that inspires us to be our best self.
March 16, 2021
Another great sports romance by Jennifer Lane—and this time, the coaches are the leads. I found this to be a fresh perspective and enjoyed seeing how coaches navigate a romantic relationship with their insane schedules and all the pressures on them. And here, the pressure is multiplied because the coaches are from rival schools and don’t want word that they’re dating getting out.
I’m not actually a big sports enthusiast, but this author has such a great way of pulling me into the action with just the right amount of detail so that I know what’s going on, but not so much that I lose interest. She makes me feel the tension and emotion of the players and coaches. I teared up more than once and cheered, too.
Speaking of tension…hooboy, the sexual tension between the two leads is fire. But their chemistry goes far beyond just the physical. The more the story goes on, the more you know they’re made for each other—if only pesky real-world troubles would stop getting in the way!
The story is told alternately in Lauren’s and Jeremy’s point of view, and the author pulls this off to perfection. The story continually moves forward, and by the time I started each new chapter, I was eager to hear the other person’s point of view. They had unique voices, and each lent an important perspective to the story. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Lauren’s extreme talent for creative cuss words. She had me cracking up so much.
This story has all the emotions. Even if you’re like me and don’t like sports, you’ll still enjoy this book. I’m excited it’ll be coming out in audio, so I can experience it in a new way.
I’m not actually a big sports enthusiast, but this author has such a great way of pulling me into the action with just the right amount of detail so that I know what’s going on, but not so much that I lose interest. She makes me feel the tension and emotion of the players and coaches. I teared up more than once and cheered, too.
Speaking of tension…hooboy, the sexual tension between the two leads is fire. But their chemistry goes far beyond just the physical. The more the story goes on, the more you know they’re made for each other—if only pesky real-world troubles would stop getting in the way!
The story is told alternately in Lauren’s and Jeremy’s point of view, and the author pulls this off to perfection. The story continually moves forward, and by the time I started each new chapter, I was eager to hear the other person’s point of view. They had unique voices, and each lent an important perspective to the story. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Lauren’s extreme talent for creative cuss words. She had me cracking up so much.
This story has all the emotions. Even if you’re like me and don’t like sports, you’ll still enjoy this book. I’m excited it’ll be coming out in audio, so I can experience it in a new way.
March 18, 2021
Rivals is the first book I have read by Jennifer Lane but it certainly won’t be the last, if you love sports romance you should check out this very talented author and I will certainly be looking at her other works as soon as time permits.
I fell hard and fast for Jeremy Trent and I adored Lauren Chase but when these to get together this book is taken to a whole nother level. This is a story about a couple fighting for their jobs, they need to win to prove they are worthy of the job of head coaches so will they grow stronger together or will the fact they start off in rival college’s finish their relationship before it’s even started.....
This is a fun, entertaining read with plenty of witty banter and sizzling chemistry and after throughly enjoying Rivals I’m off to look at other books by the very talented Ms Lane.
I fell hard and fast for Jeremy Trent and I adored Lauren Chase but when these to get together this book is taken to a whole nother level. This is a story about a couple fighting for their jobs, they need to win to prove they are worthy of the job of head coaches so will they grow stronger together or will the fact they start off in rival college’s finish their relationship before it’s even started.....
This is a fun, entertaining read with plenty of witty banter and sizzling chemistry and after throughly enjoying Rivals I’m off to look at other books by the very talented Ms Lane.
April 20, 2021
What an amazing book!
I could not put this book down! It was so witty, and funny and so well balanced for a sports romance! I think this is the first sports romance I thoroughly enjoyed, the author did an amazing job in balancing both sides of the story to make sure it wasn't just one aspect that was more heavily favored. It was such a refreshing thing to see.
And the characters! The main characters were the literal best, honestly, Lauren with her swear words got me every time, it was an art form in itself.
I'm so excited to read other books from Jennifer Lane!
Thank you to Netgalley and Psyched Publishing for the earc in return for an honest review.
I could not put this book down! It was so witty, and funny and so well balanced for a sports romance! I think this is the first sports romance I thoroughly enjoyed, the author did an amazing job in balancing both sides of the story to make sure it wasn't just one aspect that was more heavily favored. It was such a refreshing thing to see.
And the characters! The main characters were the literal best, honestly, Lauren with her swear words got me every time, it was an art form in itself.
I'm so excited to read other books from Jennifer Lane!
Thank you to Netgalley and Psyched Publishing for the earc in return for an honest review.
April 16, 2021
This is the first book I read from this author and let me tell you that I loved it! Such a good book with great characters that keeps you obsessed with every page since the first one. The ending of this book.. come on! I just didn´t expect it! Can´t wait to read other books from this great writer! Amazing job! a must-read! A fantastic book that has it all! I happily endorse this story to any and all who are looking for a romance enjoyable read and a completely different experience than anyone could imagine on their own. ¡Great book!
March 16, 2021
The book is a good light romance read that also has meaningful and heart moments. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 18, 2021
Jeremy and Lauren had a refreshing relationship that I do not read often but in this enemies to lovers sports romance I enjoyed this story from start to finish. I have read this author before and I have always enjoyed her writing style and this book was no different.
These 2 had life's problems that you are I have, and they were right in front for you to read about. It was nice to finally read about "normal" for a change.
These 2 had life's problems that you are I have, and they were right in front for you to read about. It was nice to finally read about "normal" for a change.
March 20, 2021
Rivals is two sports in one. Lauren is a Volleyball head coach at Ohio State and Jeremy is the quarterback coach at Michigan U. Huge rival schools. They are both in Toledo to recruit a set of twins... a setter for Lauren girls volleyball and a quarterback for Jeremy. The father is wanting both twins in Michigan so Lauren is really having to work to get Emily.
I love all these characters. There is a lot of fun side characters and Jeremy is quite the stud male hero but... Lauren is not your typical female lead. She smokes, drinks, cusses like a sailor and has no filter. Her colorful curse words most that make no sense at all are totally hilarious.
Both main characters are over thirty, set in their ways and opposites.
If you like sports, opposites attract, and a sexy romance you will love this.
March 21, 2021
Spunky N Sassy Rating: 4.0
~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~
This book is definitely worth the read. I was hooked from the very beginning and I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to read more books by this author.
~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~
This book is definitely worth the read. I was hooked from the very beginning and I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to read more books by this author.
March 18, 2021
Oh boy did I enjoy this book. As a lifelong Buckeye fan and knowing many "bi-rival" couples this was just great. I found Lauren to be a bit too crass for me in the beginning but she really grew on me through the story. Jeremy was awesome from the start, I just loved his character and integrity! This was a very fun easy read that I hope others enjoy as much as I did.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC to read for a an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC to read for a an honest review.
March 18, 2021
Well written story full of complex relationships among characters. Good reality and background of colleges' rivalry. Lots of emotions and action with twists and turns. Enjoyable and relaxing read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 7, 2024
Such fun, even for the sports challenged
This book made me love the characters so much I started rooting for their imaginary games, I was invested on and off the field! Adorable all around
This book made me love the characters so much I started rooting for their imaginary games, I was invested on and off the field! Adorable all around
March 29, 2021
*This review was initially published at The Readdicts Book Blog. For more reviews, go
here
.
When I had the opportunity to read an ARC of author Jennifer Lane’s book, Rivals, I had to grab it because she’s one writer who does romances really well, mixed with sports and psychology- two of her fields of interests, and I’ve previously read and loved her sports romances Streamline and the Blocked series. Besides, I trust her fully and blindly to write and share the most awesome stories. I knew Rivals would show a newer, better and more brilliant side of Jen as it’s an adult romance (the others were young adult), and it didn’t disappoint even one bit.
While not the most well versed (in fact, not all all) with American sports, I found myself having a great time trying to understand how the system of college sports works when coaches of rival teams, Lauren and Jeremy who, while on a mission to recruit student-athletes, start to fall in love. From the twins Emma and Evan, they each get one and it was adorable and amusing to read about their journey with the students. As a teacher myself, I really loved the student teacher bond which was portrayed in the most astounding and relatable manner.
For someone like me who isn’t into reading about it, reading the sports scenes was fun and I never once felt lost or disinterested in knowing what was going on. The highlight of the book, however, was the romance was sizzling, saccharine and super fun. I found myself enjoying the banter between our two main characters. Jeremy’s firm, calm and understanding personality was the perfect match for Lauren’s feisty, fun and strong one- a perfect couple whose romance was enjoyable, hot and sweet.
Rivals is another great read by Jen Lane. While I do find it difficult to read e-books, this one had me wanting to read more and more, to the point where I hope Jen is considering writing a sequel (hint, hint) as I’d love to know more about the excellent couple that’s Lauren and Jeremy.
*A copy of this book was provided by Enticing Journey in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.
When I had the opportunity to read an ARC of author Jennifer Lane’s book, Rivals, I had to grab it because she’s one writer who does romances really well, mixed with sports and psychology- two of her fields of interests, and I’ve previously read and loved her sports romances Streamline and the Blocked series. Besides, I trust her fully and blindly to write and share the most awesome stories. I knew Rivals would show a newer, better and more brilliant side of Jen as it’s an adult romance (the others were young adult), and it didn’t disappoint even one bit.
While not the most well versed (in fact, not all all) with American sports, I found myself having a great time trying to understand how the system of college sports works when coaches of rival teams, Lauren and Jeremy who, while on a mission to recruit student-athletes, start to fall in love. From the twins Emma and Evan, they each get one and it was adorable and amusing to read about their journey with the students. As a teacher myself, I really loved the student teacher bond which was portrayed in the most astounding and relatable manner.
For someone like me who isn’t into reading about it, reading the sports scenes was fun and I never once felt lost or disinterested in knowing what was going on. The highlight of the book, however, was the romance was sizzling, saccharine and super fun. I found myself enjoying the banter between our two main characters. Jeremy’s firm, calm and understanding personality was the perfect match for Lauren’s feisty, fun and strong one- a perfect couple whose romance was enjoyable, hot and sweet.
Rivals is another great read by Jen Lane. While I do find it difficult to read e-books, this one had me wanting to read more and more, to the point where I hope Jen is considering writing a sequel (hint, hint) as I’d love to know more about the excellent couple that’s Lauren and Jeremy.
*A copy of this book was provided by Enticing Journey in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.
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