Rival is high spice (4/5)—explicit, detailed intimate scenes are a central part of the story.

Does Rival have a happy ending?

Yes, Rival has a Happily Ever After (HEA) ending.

What tropes are in Rival?

Rival features several romance tropes including bully romance, first love, hidden past revealed, second chance, secret relationship, forbidden love.

What are the content warnings for Rival?

Content warnings for Rival include: emotional abuse, pregnancy loss / miscarriage, gaslighting, self-harm, suicide, child abuse (referenced), substance abuse, dubious consent.

Is Rival a standalone or part of a series?

Rival is book 3 in the Fall Away series.

Yes, Rival is dual POV—you get both perspectives throughout the story.

What is the setting of Rival?

Rival is set in small town / village—contemporary.

Rival is 368 pages, which takes roughly 12 hours to read at an average pace.

What is the mood of Rival?

Rival has a dark, intense, angsty, emotional, seductive feel to it.

Is Rival on Kindle Unlimited?

Yes, Rival is available on Kindle Unlimited.

What order should I read the Fall Away series?

Rival is book 3 in the Fall Away series.

Rival

by Penelope Douglas

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️steamy·Fall Away #3·✓ Series Complete

4.0 on Goodreads (63,354)

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Available on Kindle Unlimited

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Ending

reveal ending

Why Read This?

Synopsis

New York Times bestseller and New Adult sensation Penelope Douglas returns with an all-new novel in the Fall Away series. Madoc’s easygoing nature masks a hidden pain. But he’s ready to get on with his life, until Fallon—the one girl he’s loved and lost—unexpectedly returns to their small town the summer before college. And she’s not done with him…

book details below may contain spoilers. some hidden

At a Glance

Fall Away book 2 (often listed as #3 counting the prequel Until You). Step-sibling romance between Madoc and Fallon—they grew up in the same house, hooked up at 16, then were separated by manipulative parents who lied to both of them. Extremely spicy with back-to-back explicit scenes. CWs are heavy: forced abortion (off-page, referenced), parental emotional abuse, substance use. The series is complete. Not a standalone—builds on Bully and Until You context.

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Book Details

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Goodreads Rating

3.99 ★ (63.4k)

Page Count

368 pages

Published

2014

Primary Genre

New Adult

Pairing

POV

Dual POV

Romance Pacing

Cliffhanger

reveal ending

Audiobook

Available

Yes

Format

Single Narrator (unspecified)

Narrator

Abby Craden, Nelson Hobbs

Mood & Vibe

Mood

darkintenseangstyemotionalseductivebroodingsteamy

Writing Style

edgyemotionaldramaticrawpunchy

Story Pacing

fast

Emotional Weight

heavy

Energy Required

medium

Vibes

page turnerhate-to-love transformationfamily dysfunction drama

Spice Details 🌶️

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🌶️

Spice Level 4

Spice Style

Getting Steamy

Bringing the Heat

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World & Setting

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World Type

contemporary

Primary Setting

small town / village

Fantasy Creatures

humans only

Reading Context

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Emotional Payoff

Best Time of Year

summer

When & Where to Read

at night can't sleep vacation

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Quick Facts

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️steamy

368

2014

3.99 ★ (63.4k)

reveal ending

Series

Fall Away #3

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