Books like Rival by Penelope Douglas

Madoc and Fallon grew up as enemies in a prestigious boarding school, each sidelined by the other’s sharp wit and untouchable reputation. Three years after being pulled apart, Fallon returns to find that her former rival still holds her in his personal game. As they confront their shared past, their rivalry turns into a passionate, forbidden love that tests their independence, wills, and the boundaries of their world. Amid sports competitions, college plans, and a secret pregnancy, the pair navigate abusive relationships, bullying, and the pressure of a wealthy hero’s expectations. Through forced proximity and a struggling found-family dynamic, the story charts a path from angst to second chances, as the possessive, alpha‑male Madoc learns to fight for a future with the independent, virtuous Fallon. With themes of enemies‑to‑lovers, cheating, and sexual awakening, the novel offers a tense look at contemporary romance, depicted through tight friendships and the fierce, unspoken battles of adolescence.

First publish date: 2014