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Being stranded in remote Canada with a hottie?
Wasn’t part of my summer plans.


Dump my cheating ex? Check.

Land an amazing job with Boston’s professional hockey franchise? Check.

Fall stupidly in love with hockey’s favorite bad boy? Ugh.

After wasting years of my life with the wrong person, I told myself all I wanted was a little no-strings fun. Enter Alex Braun—a wealthy, handsome, notorious playboy who’s equal parts charming and dangerous as hell to my wounded heart.

After enduring a very public breakup of his own, the sexy player doesn’t want to be anyone’s forever. Too bad he barreled his way into my heart, instead of just my bed.

But this professional athlete knows a thing or two about competing, and he won’t let go so easily.

This romance contains one grumpy, emotionally damaged, but gorgeous-as-hell hockey player, and a whip-smart, hardworking heroine who’s never quite fit in. It should only be read by those who like their men brawny and their romances red-hot!

239 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2021

702 people are currently reading
3685 people want to read

About the author

Kendall Ryan

130 books18.3k followers
Kendall Ryan is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of flirty, feel-good romance filled with heart, heat, and plenty of banter. An American author who has lived all over the world, her books have sold millions of copies and been translated into multiple languages. She writes swoony heroes, bold heroines, and stories that make you laugh, blush, and fall in love. When she’s not dreaming up new plotlines, she is a proud mom to two amazing sons and the wife of her real-life hero.


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5 stars
1,454 (33%)
4 stars
1,716 (39%)
3 stars
957 (22%)
2 stars
183 (4%)
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40 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 429 reviews
Profile Image for Leticia (jerseygirlsbookshelf).
578 reviews288 followers
June 13, 2021
“Well,” I say slowly, “some things you just don’t get over.”
I picked this up because I wanted a fluffy love story, and Kendall Ryan never disappoints. I found the plot here to be better than the one in the previous book in this series, The Rebel. And I do love forced proximity stories, and friends to lovers. ❤

"I love his unfaltering kindness, his sense of humor, his talents in the kitchen and the bedroom. Not to mention those eyes and that smile."
Look, I absolutely hated Alex in the previous book. Now I see that my perception of him was tainted by Eden's (his ex and the heroine in the previous book) POV. He really is an awesome guy. He really cares. He's loving, considerate, and sweet. He listens. And he's pretty hot in the bedroom as well. Oh, did I mention he cooks AND is good at it? Yep, boyfriend material for sure. I shouldn't have been so hard on him over the previous story, as there's always two sides to each story anyway.

"Everything is zero to a hundred with us. I’m convinced this woman was made just for me."
I couldn't relate to Aspen (love the name!). I really wanted to connect to her throughout the book, but I just wasn't able to. We have a few things in common when it comes to our respective exes, and so I thought I could find that connection there, but not so much. She's a nice girl, for sure. She's smart, she's loving. She knows what she wants, but she's shy, because she has been hurt before, and my heart kind of breaks for what she's been through. But it just didn't happen for me.

"When she steps into my arms again, she chases away the cold."
Alex went through a very public break-up with Eden. Aspen's been through a break-up with her asshole of an ex, Dale. So they're both single, and they're not looking for anything, but one thing leads to another and they end up spending the summer at Saint's cabin in Canada (from the description, I wish I could live there myself!) together. And yes, sparks fly everywhere, there's real chemistry between them. They're amazing, the moments they share are incredible, and I love the two of them together. Truly.

"I haven’t always felt like I could be myself, you know? Back home, it’s like everyone has already decided who I am. But here with you, I can be the kind of man I want to be."
Why the 4 stars then, you ask? I loved a lot of it. Alex is definitely a plus point on his own, and carries the book for me. The two of them together, and their falling in love with each other slowly, but surely, was great. I really like Kendall Ryan's writing, and that's why I couldn't put this down, and finished it in less than 24 hours.
Spoilers ahead, don't click if you don't want to.



“I should have told you how I felt about you this summer. I messed everything up, letting you just walk away. Will you let me fix this?”
“How?” I take a deep breath. “I don’t know. But I want to be with you. Will you let me try?”

All in all, this was definitely a page-turner for me, and it's a really good read. I just needed to feel that emotional connection. Maybe that's on me, I guess.

I'm looking forward to the next in the series, though, and to Saint's book - at least I hope there'll be one about him!
Profile Image for Melissa  ❤️ bookaddict_fanatic .
1,128 reviews109 followers
June 1, 2021
The Rival is the second book in the Looking To Score series and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I was not Alex's biggest fan in The Rebel he was the biggest troublemaking playboy that needed a reality check and fast. I was looking forward to see how he could possibly redeem himself and I must say that I absolutely couldn't have asked for a better heroine to knock him on his ass and turn his world upside down than Aspen! Aspen had been heartbroken and ready to put herself first.....to find herself again when the most unexpected person shows her how she should be treated, the one person she's been told is nothing but selfish.

I loved Alex and Aspen's story, watching their relationship build and form was a beautiful journey and one that you should read!
Profile Image for MELISSA *Mel Reader*.
1,396 reviews1,506 followers
June 1, 2021
4.5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)

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Aspen Ford is the executive assistant for the owner of the Boston Titans. She's newly single after wasting years on the wrong guy, and feeling devastated and heartbroken. She needs a break from reality and a change of scenery. When the perfect opportunity presents itself for some R&R she takes it. Time alone in the middle of the Canadian wilderness is just what she didn't know she needed. Then starting center for the Titans, Alex Braun enters her space, and one forbidden kiss changes everything. Will she be her usual level headed self and play it safe, or will she go after what she wants and indulge?

Alex Braun is a professional athlete in the NHL. He's wealthy, successful, talented, and has a reputation as hockey's number one bad boy. He's made some mistakes, and had a rocky season trying to stay out of the tabloids. Hockey is his life and he needs to lose his playboy image, but things aren't easy when your new boss is also your ex-girlfriend. After just getting over a very public breakup, he's not ready for a relationship. Then Aspen Ford enters his life and complicates things. They try to ignore their growing attraction, but soon they can no longer deny the chemistry between them. It's easy when they spend time together, and they can be themselves. Will a rebound fling remain temporary when they return to the real world, or will they risk their hearts again for love?

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-God, he's gorgeous. I don't think I'll ever get used to how handsome he is. He takes my breath away.

-I've never been kissed like this, and I hold nothing back.

-I couldn't get enough of him. The way he looked at me.

-He made me feel desirable. Wanted. Needed.

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The Rival by Kendall Ryan is the second book in the Looking to Score series. It's a sexy, forbidden, friends to lovers, sports romance about healing, redemption, and new beginnings. I wasn't a fan of Alex in the first book in the series, but I absolutely loved the misunderstood vulnerable version of Alex Braun. He's sweet, swoony, and completely irresistible. I can't wait for more books in the series!

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***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/3uIcUVC
Profile Image for Syndi.
3,710 reviews1,038 followers
July 11, 2021
Hmmm.... OK, here it is. The whole package: plot, twist, characters are promising. What is missing is drama. I need drama. I do not like over thr top drama. But I need enough drama to make the storg pops.

I read Miss Ryan's book in the past and most of it, I found them OK. I think it is ber signature to write with min drama.

Anyway.... moving on...

3 stars
Profile Image for Lady Raven RAVE!.
1,824 reviews1,501 followers
June 6, 2021
3.50⭐️⭐️⭐️

Style: Contemporary Romance
Story: 3/5
Enjoyment: 3.5/5
Dark Level: 0/5
Sexual Level: OK-GOOD
Triggers: No
Violence: No
Male: Really Nice & Sexy
Series: Book 2
Pages: loc. 3333
Audio: N/A
Kindle Unlimited: N/A


STORY:
So, this was a very light read for me. I have to say, Alex is not what I expected. Reading Book 1 and Alex’s character, I was expecting someone a little more intense for the first part of the book. I thought Alex was really really really nice. That’s not a bad thing, but my mindset was expecting something different, the angry hockey player who can’t stay out of the tabloids. Aspen was just the sweetest thing. I loved her and thought she was good for Alex. Watching their story unfold was nice, especially in a remote cabin away from everyone. I did feel some areas may have dragged a bit, but it was nice to see.



SEXUAL CHEMISTRY:
Like the first book and now this book, I wanted a bit more sexually. I am not expecting erotica, but when that sexual chemistry is ignited its over in the blink of an eye and not able to fully enjoy it.


SECONDARY CHARACTERS:
It was mainly Alex and Aspen. But we did get a bit of Saint another team member and Eden.



OVERALL:
I like it, and it’s a nice and light read. Would have liked a bit more intensity from Alex to match some of his intensity in book 1. The college guy who got any girl he want to the jerk boyfriend he was to Eden. I like seeing the softer side but wanted a little more, or it could be I am not fully connecting with this series.




✰✰TRIGGERS: none

****I don’t equate these stories to real life. It’s about personal taste and what you would or want to tolerate with the books you read. I know we all have different opinions and preferences with what we read. I based my book reviews on my preferences and what I like, and while these preferences may not be the same for others, I hope this review was still helpful.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jeeves Reads Romance.
1,683 reviews795 followers
May 25, 2021
A HUGE improvement over the first book in the series, this light and steamy love story is everything that I look forward to from this author's work. While reading The Rebel, I was drawn to the heroine's broody ex, who earned a bad rep in that book. I wasn't sure that I particularly liked Alex going into this, but I could tell that there was more brewing beneath the surface. That turned out to be correct; he's a man who knows that he messed up, and now he's craving the intimacy and connection of a relationship. I loved the focus on the emotional connection in this (though there are plenty of steamy moments), and it was so good to see Alex's softer side. The forced proximity and forbidden dynamic make this a page-turner, so this quick, sexy story absolutely flew by. It's got a few timeline issues and there are a couple of threads that were just sort of dropped, but I sincerely enjoyed this as a whole.

The story follows Alex, a hockey player who spent the last season making headlines - in a bad way. After his relationship with a good woman crumbled, Alex thought that he wanted to go back to the single life. But it doesn't take long to realize that the emptiness he feels from casual hookups isn't what he wants either. He just wants the RIGHT woman. When Alex finds himself sharing a remote cabin with his ex's assistant for the summer, the two bond over their broken hearts. Both Alex and Aspen are struggling to find their footing after ending long-term relationships, and neither one is in the right headspace to start anything real. But the attraction that sparks between them is impossible to ignore, and their connection gets deeper with every day they spend together.

I loved Alex in this. We see a completely different side of him here, and it's a lot easier to empathize with his decisions. I also loved that he really is a relationship type of guy; Alex wants the intimacy that he can't get from casual encounters, and he is such a loving, hurting man. Aspen was easy to like too, and their connection was obvious from the start. The emotional build was great, and most pages are devoted to the two of them together - one of my favorite things in a romance. I do think that the timeline has some issues (and some inconsistencies). Plus, the conflict drags on longer than necessary, with a reconciliation that felt abrupt. But that doesn't take away from the love that I have for the rest of the story; this is exactly the kind of quick, low angst love story that I was hoping it was going to be. I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes next. I received an early copy and am voluntarily leaving a review of this forbidden romance.
Profile Image for Jenny Lovez Bookz.
663 reviews151 followers
March 12, 2023
Meh this was kind of boring. I really enjoyed the 1st book but I just couldn't connect with Alex & Aspen in this
Profile Image for Erin Lewis.
6,190 reviews220 followers
May 23, 2021
5 Star Review The Rival (Looking To Score #2) by Kendall Ryan

Having read the first book and how it ended, I couldn’t wait to dive in to The Rival. This book was everything I was hoping for and so much more. I was intrigued by Alex and Aspen and was anxious to see what Kendall Ryan had in store for them.

In the first two books I really disliked Alex but by the end of book one, Kendall Ryan had managed to turn my opinion around. Alex has a lot of baggage and is the first to admit that he has done himself and his reputation a lot of damage with his wild ways. Now that he his back on track, he is determined to make a success of his ice hockey career with the Boston Titans.

When Alex offers Aspen the opportunity to escape to Canada with him for the summer she accepts. That begins a healing for both Alex and Aspen. I really fell for Alex in this book, such a troubled soul and Aspen is the perfect woman to mend his heart while he mends hers. I felt that they made a great couple, particularly as Alex helped Aspen to gain her self confidence after a bitter and emotionally scaring break up.

I enjoyed the journey that they travelled to get to their happily ever after. Their love was based on friendship and it was heart warming to watch the growth of both Alex and Aspen.

Bring on the next book, I for one cannot wait.
Profile Image for Elisa ♡.
702 reviews1 follower
September 20, 2021
a no-strings-attached summer fling.

i loved the hero, he has a bad boy image but he's actually a sweetheart, and i love that.
Profile Image for Meredith Wilson.
383 reviews44 followers
June 3, 2021
The Rival is book two in the sports romance series Looking to Score by Kendall Ryan. Told in dual perspectives, this is Alex Braun and Aspen Ford's story.

Aspen is the assistant to Eden who runs a pro hockey team. She has been staying with Eden & Holt after her recent breakup, but she would really like a place of her own. When Saint (one of the team players) offers her a chance to stay at his Canadian cabin for the summer in exchange for pay and upkeep, she jumps at the chance. The job was originally supposed to be for Alex, so she invites him along to help her out and to keep her company. What she's not expecting is to fall in love with the notorious bad boy and for him to fall for her too.

I wasn't a big fan of Alex in The Rebel but he certainly redeemed himself in this one, and I fell head over heels in love with him. Aspen's ex was a real jackass who treated her poorly, but Alex showed her what it was like to be treated like a queen. As much as I enjoyed Eden & Holt's story, I enjoyed this one even more. It's lighthearted, fast-paced, sweet, swoony and completely addicting. If you're looking for a sexy, friends-to-lover's, sports romance then please be sure to give this a go. Five stars for Alex, Aspen and The Rival.

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Profile Image for Keri Loves Books.
1,247 reviews203 followers
May 20, 2021
The bad boy of hockey is about to get his own HEA and it’s HOT and SWEET! This vacation fling to forever romance between a hockey star and his ex’s assistant will heat things up.

Aspen needed new scenery. After an ugly break up which left her homeless, she’s tired of crashing with her boss. An opportunity arises to spend the summer in Canada house sitting, so she jumps at the job.

Alex can be a good guy when he wants to. He knows Aspen could use some help, so he helps her get the job house sitting. He also promises to help her with some maintence chores at the lake house for a few days.

What was supposed to be a quick trip to Canada for Alex, turns into a summer of sexy fun times with Aspen. However, they have an expiration date and as it approaches their no strings arrangement seems to have turned into more. Things are about to get complicated.

I enjoy this hockey series. Holt and Eden will make an appearance and you’ll get to know some of his other teammates. Aspen was Alex’s perfect match. Sweet and easy to open up to, but also vulnerable enough to need him too. Both had hearts to mend but Alex didn’t just want to be her rebound. They both found that they shared more than a simple attraction.

This was an enjoyable read with a forbidden aspect and a great trasformation of a guy you may not have liked very much, who became the guy you wanted to get the HEA. Alex definitely turned up the romance factor and he got the girl.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
1,220 reviews152 followers
May 30, 2021
The Rival was such an improvement from the first book! Usually this author writes quick fast paced books, but it didn’t feel that way this time and I loved that. Alex was such an enigma to me in The Rebel, but I absolutely adored him here. I loved getting to know him. Aspen was a breath of fresh air compared to Eden. She was so chill and laid back and the perfect counterpart for Alex. Definitely recommend!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Red Cheeks Reads.
2,278 reviews373 followers
June 3, 2021
5 SMOOCHES!

I went into The Rival by Kendall Ryan with pre-conceived notions about the hero. I was unsure I could get on board with him, his story and his chance at love. Silly me. Now, I love a good second-chance romance, but it also turns out that I really like it when it’s under the guise of a bad boy’s redemption. I also really love hockey romances, and The Rival was an engaging, heart-tugging, sexy and addictive take on this favorite trope of mine. Ryan is no stranger to hockey romances—I absolutely loved her entire Hot Jocks series of hockey romances. But the Looking to Score series feels a bit more emotionally hard-hitting so far, and I am here for it! It’s Kendall Ryan, so you can expect a super sexy sports romance, but there’s also some delicious angsty emotion, but just enough to keep readers invested without bogging them down in pain.

Like I said, I wasn’t too sure about Alex going into this book, but he worked his way into my heart. Talk about your misunderstood heroes! He was broody and moody, but he had a really kind and charming side that he didn’t show to too many people. From their first real interaction, though, Alex saw a kindred spirit in Aspen, the assistant to the owner of the hockey team who also happens to be Alex’s long-time ex-girlfriend. These two just clicked, and with the off-season upon them, they’re both looking to regroup after a rough year. Aspen is fresh off a nasty break up of a long-time relationship. Her tender heart is recovering, and she’s not looking to be the next notch on anyone’s bedpost—let alone her friend and boss’s bad-boy ex. But there was something about the way Alex just seemed to get her and the natural ease they both felt in each other’s company, not to mention that crazy, electrifying chemistry, that made it all worth the risk.

Alex was headed to rural Canada to spend the summer as the caretaker at a teammate, Saint’s cabin. He invites Aspen along, and the two of them spend a summer completing Saint’s to-do list and getting to know each other. The thing is the more they learn about each other, the closer they become, and coupled with all this overwhelming attraction, both are feeling way more than they anticipated. I just loved seeing this softer, kinder side of Alex. Watching this man fall in love with Aspen was the best sort of redemption. Aspen may have been heartbroken and hurt, but seeing herself through Alex’s eyes was a balm for her soul. They were so natural and perfect together, and I honestly wasn’t expecting that, but boy did I gobble it up!

The Rival was an unputdownable love story about a swoon-worthy hockey playing hero redeeming himself and finding soul deep love with a compassionate and fun heroine who is coming into her own. An emotional, passionate, unputdownable pleasure-read, it was full of heart-string-pulling emotion and a smoking hot, slow-building romance. The Rival by Kendall Ryan gets 5 smooches from me!
~Danielle Palumbo
Profile Image for Amy [Book Addict Reviews].
2,650 reviews178 followers
May 31, 2021
Alex has a reputation and it isn’t a good one. He is also the broody type. However, there is just something about him that draws you in and makes you want to know more about him. Aspen is hard working, she is smart and working on getting over her cheating ex. They spend the summer in a cabin together and well it didn’t go how either of them expected.

There is a ton of chemistry between Alex and Aspen. They tried to deny it each for their own reasons, but with the chemistry and the tension growing it was only time they gave in. Sparks were flying between them. Aspen saw a different side of Alex. A side that was the complete opposite of what her boss and his ex said, a different side than what the media reported. Alex learned more about himself and what he truly wanted as he spent more time with Aspen.

I loved that a majority of the story was truly just Alex and Aspen together and just focused on them, their chemistry and their relationship with little from the outside world. However, the secondary characters are great and I can’t wait to know more of the team in the coming books.

If you’re looking for a grumpy hero, work place romance this is one to check out.
Profile Image for Amy .
3,120 reviews
June 1, 2021
The Rival is a sweet story of finding love and getting a second chance.

The Rival follows the story of Alex and Aspen. Alex is no stranger to scandal and the last thing he wants in his downtime is to spend more time in the spotlight. So, when his teammate is looking for a caretaker for his cabin in Canada, he jumps at the opportunity. What he didn’t plan on, was having company. You see, Aspen just got out of a terrible relationship and is looking for a place to land on her feet. And when Alex hears about Aspen’s situation, he can’t help but offer her the caretaker position of his friends cabin. The only catch, the two of them will have to spend the summer together…

The Rival is a quick and sexy read. I loved Alex and Aspen together. I knew there had to more to Alex than what readers had previously seen. Alex may appear grumpy and gruff, but really he’s just a sweet guy who made some stupid mistakes. Alex’s character grew leaps and bounds in this story and I couldn’t have been happier to see the true Alex. And Aspen….well, she was just what the doctor ordered. She was the bright ray of sun that Alex didn’t know he needed. Sure, she may have sworn off men thanks to her ex, but something about Alex pulled her in and made her want to take a chance.

Alex and Aspen had some amazing chemistry. I loved seeing the two of them together and couldn’t wait to see what the summer would bring. Their journey to happily ever after wasn’t without its hurdles. Alex needed to deal with his past and be open with Aspen about things going on in his life and Aspen needed to heal her heart and take a chance on Alex despite his past. Together, these two had me devouring their story and anxious to see how it would all end.

The Rival is the perfect close proximity, summer romance. The characters are fun and relatable. I enjoyed the romance, steam, and light drama. I couldn’t help but devour Alex and Aspen’s story and never wanted it to end.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Jamanda.
409 reviews5 followers
June 3, 2021
Great read

Kendall ryan delivers another amazing book. The rival is book 2 on the looking to score series. We were introduced to Alex and Aspen in the Rebel. What started out as a summer fling soon turned into something serious. Feelings start to develop that weren't suppose too. It was beautiful, sexy, Swoony and a page turner. The characters are fantastic and the storyline is addictive.
Profile Image for Jungian.Reader.
1,400 reviews63 followers
June 13, 2021
Okay, I read this but I cannot remember the majority of it.
.
He is a hockey player on is currently on shaky ground because of his constant tabloid coverage. And she is his ex-girlfriend secretary or something like that.
It was okay but not really memorable for me.
Profile Image for Amy Dickinson.
1,464 reviews41 followers
June 2, 2021
Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Kendall Ryan’s The Rival is a continuation of her Looking to Score series. In her newest book, the seeming “villain” of the first book of this series, The Rebel, Alex Braun gets his story. If you haven’t read The Rebel, then you’ll go into The Rival with only the understanding that Alex has suffered a breakup with his team’s owner and finds himself on some thin ice, pun intended, based on his former season’s antics post-breakup. What you miss is the almost acerbic nature of his character in The Rebel, which might make The Rival a bit confusing as this newest book shows a simple man looking for a simple life. With that in mind, he meets Aspen and finds more than he expects. However, Ryan shows her writing prowess in transforming Alex Braun into a likable character for those of us who read the first book of this series. As a reader invested in her series, Ryan could have disappointed in her characterization of Alex; however, in this story, she makes it clear that we don’t really know the real Alex Braun. Given that the first book is written through the points of view of Eden, the team owner, and her love interest, Holt, it makes sense that we can’t really trust that we know Alex. And it’s clear from the early chapters of The Rival that Alex Braun is a much better man than we expected. I personally loved this aspect of Ryan’s newest book; it’s the grit of his character that makes reading this newest book a bit more palatable.

The one thing I can say about Kendall Ryan is her reliability in storytelling. She writes characters whose lives feel so different from our own, specifically in occupation, yet the characters feel like us. They are relatable. It’s why I keep reading her stories because I love to see the journeys she crafts for them. However, this sometimes comes off as a bit anemic. In The Rival, there is a bit of repetition as she lays out Alex and Aspen’s challenges to be together. Add in some fairly innocuous $ex scenes, and The Rival feels a bit one-note. I love the continued development of the characters of the Looking to Score series, but I’m starting to want more from this series, especially given that she recently published stories in another hockey romance series, Hot Shots.

Overall, I read my way through The Rival, but I didn’t find a hat trick of a story. I keep waiting for there to be a stronger emotional connection to her characters, and it’s not quite there yet. Kendall Ryan’s The Rival is more of what her readers love: tropes that feel familiar and characters that seem relatable. They simply need more story.
Profile Image for Becca T. &#x1f970;dreamingandromanticreading.
177 reviews15 followers
June 2, 2021
4.5 🌟

Loved it 💕!! Let’s just say that if The Rebel was the appetizer, then The Rival is definitely the main course🍝!! I think what makes this book just as good, if not even better then the first one in this series, are the dynamic characters, which would be Alex and Aspen.

Alex is Eden’s (from The Rebel) ex-fiancé. If you read that book, which you don’t have to, you know that Alex came off as an asshole to say the least. He’s a hockey player known as a rebellious athlete in the franchise and a ladies man, who in book one, seemed to only care about himself rather than his college sweetheart and long term partner Eden. But, in this book, readers will better understand why Alex could no longer be in a relationship with Eden. Eden has moved on (book one was her story with Holt) and is now the new and young owner of Alex’s hockey team. While she doesn’t hold any grudges against Alex, she has talked badly about him to her assistant Aspen, who is the other protagonist and Alex’s love interest in this book, The Rival.

While I loved Alex and his growth in this book, Aspen was such an awesome character because of how relatable she is. For example, unlike Eden or Alex, Eden is not wealthy and just like any other girl, has insecurities about her ability to attract a HOT, gorgeous, and famous hockey player like Alex. Additionally, she has just come off a breakup with her only serious boyfriend who cheated on her not too long ago 🙄. Just like Alex, Aspen slowly grows out of her insecurities as she spends the summer hanging out with Alex in a cabin outside Ottawa (my CITY 🇨🇦🍁!!). I LOVED seeing her growth and certainly I also loved the sizzling chemistry between her and Alex. Furthermore, as Aspen won me over with her relatability, Alex won me over with his sweetness and kindness towards Aspen (I LOVED how he took care of her on her birthday 🥰🥰🥰!!).

Overall, I highly recommend this book and I’m sure that you will love Aspen and Alex as much as I did ❤️!!
Profile Image for Jackie Wright.
6,497 reviews154 followers
May 26, 2021
I was so excited for The Rival because after reading book one and how that ended I needed more, I wasn’t disappointed this book was everything I expected and so much more. Alex and Aspen had my attention and I needed to see where their journey took me, well let me just say I was captivated and there was no putting down until the final word has been read.
Alex hasn’t always been the good guy of hockey, his reputation was damaged by his wild ways but now he seems back on track and looking forward to a successful career with the Boston Titans. He also senses that Aspen needs some healing time so he invites her on a trip to Canada for the summer.
What follows is a friends to lovers journey but this story is so much more than boy meets girl, falls in love and lives HEA, this is journey based on friendship with two souls needing each other to mend and make a future. The Rival has all the feels and I highly recommend everyone one clicking this gem.
Profile Image for Amy.
352 reviews8 followers
December 15, 2021
Ok- here’s the thing. 😂I listened to this, and actually found it only because I will listen to Jacob Morgan read anything AND it’s a hockey player- so Audible got my credit real fast. I’d never read this author before.

Soooo- the narration is 5 stars.

The story? Well then.
⭐️low angst
⭐️ cinnamon roll hero *apparently he is NOT a cinnamon roll in book 1, which I did not read😂
⭐️heroine isn’t a ninny. Well, except at the conflict😂
But she blocked the phone number of her ex so she gets a star from me (because I’ve been screaming for heroines to do that in almost every book I’ve read this last week).

That’s all the stars I have with the story. It was a wee bit boring, tbh.

I mean, if your thing is more sex than banter and emotional connection- this is your book. Personally, I needed some more emotional connecting 😂

So 5⭐️ narration + 3 ⭐️ story = 4 star rating
Profile Image for J. Grayland.
Author 7 books127 followers
June 13, 2021
Dump my cheating ex? Check. Land an amazing job with Boston’s professional hockey franchise? Check. Fall stupidly in love with hockey’s favorite bad boy? Ugh.
A bad boy hockey player with a bad reputation opens up and shows his real colors while in a Canadian cabin with the hockey teams secretary. I really likes book 2 in this series, it was a very simple and sweet romance between two people who both needed someone to connect with. The story line was easy and romantic and the characters were wonderful and sweet and the sex was hot and sensual.
Profile Image for Kim Whitehead.
2,822 reviews
May 18, 2021
Wow!! I devoured this book! Such a slow burn! Kendall Ryan had me on anxiously waiting for her characters to finally realize they were in love! Alex and Aspen were explosive together! Their chemistry was off the charts! I was whisked off to a cabin with a forbidden feel and explosive encounters, add in a few giggles and a huge smile, i was over the moon excited! Such a great feel good book! The Rival was such an awesome read!
Profile Image for Nancy Metsch.
1,368 reviews3 followers
May 20, 2021
Alex Braun is all kinds of stuff. The first being misunderstood. At lease for me.
I get all the stuff that happened between Him and Eden really messed with both their heads, but given time and some growing up people can change. Enter Aspen. First of all let me say how much I can relate to her. I love how strong she is. Yes it took some time and her confidante needed to be built. But she truly is something else

Profile Image for JudyAnnLovesBooks.
2,118 reviews75 followers
May 18, 2021
After reading The Rebel - Book 1 of the Looking To Score Series, I was completely and utterly fascinated by the idea of Book 2 - The Rival, being about Alex Braun. For those of you who haven’t read The Rebel (What’s wrong with you? Go read it now!), Alex is the bad guy, the boyfriend who broke the female leads heart. In other words, we don’t like Alex.

The old adage - there are two sides to every story holds true. Alex Braun is so much more than the guy we love to hate. Alex Braun is perhaps one of the nicest, sexiest and deserving of men. He won me over and made me fall head over kindle for him. Talk about a Knight in dented armor. He is absolutely wonderful and watching him fall in love with Aspen made this the unputdownable read that it is.

Aspen is the perfect woman for him. Smart, sexy, beautiful, and not afraid of hard work, Aspen proves to be woman enough to bring the world’s most hated man to his knees and make us see him for the absolutely incredible person he is. Well played Kendall Ryan, well played!

TBR The Rival and enjoy!
Profile Image for Mar.
2,230 reviews43 followers
September 8, 2021
4 stars

This was a fun cute and quick read.
Really liked it!
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