• Home
  • Reviews
  • Ratings
    • 3 Stars
    • 3.5 Stars
    • 4 Stars
    • 4.5 Stars
    • 5 Stars
  • About Us
  • REVIEW POLICIES AND DISCLAIMER
  • Our Rating System
  • Contact
  • New Releases

TheBookBellas

  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Ratings
    • 3 Stars
    • 3.5 Stars
    • 4 Stars
    • 4.5 Stars
    • 5 Stars
  • About Us
  • REVIEW POLICIES AND DISCLAIMER
  • Our Rating System
  • Contact
  • New Releases

Blog Tour with Review, Deleted Scene & Giveaway: RIVAL (FALL AWAY #2) by Penelope Douglas

September 9, 2014

Title: Rival (Fall Away, #2)
Author: Penelope Douglas
Genre: NA | Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Tour Hosted by: As the Pages Turn
Synopsis

From the New Adult sensation and New York Times bestselling author of Until You

Madoc and Fallon. Two estranged teenagers playing games that push the boundaries between love and war…

She’s back.

For the three years she’s been away at boarding school, there was no word from her. Back when we lived in the same house, she used to cut me down during the day and then leave her door open for me at night.

I was stupid then, but now I’m ready to beat her at her own game…

I’m back.

Three years and I can tell he still wants me, even if he acts like he’s better than me.

But I won’t be scared away. Or pushed down. I’ll call his bluff and fight back. That’s what he wants, right? As long as I keep my guard up, he’ll never know how much he affects me….

Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

RivalTease #7

~ My Review ~ 

I am a huge fan of Penelope Douglas and her books are perfection to me. I was absolutely enthralled by Madoc and Fallon, I had always LOVED Madoc and was thrilled he was getting his own story. In Rival, the author deals with lots of emotion, heavy subjects and the pain of tragedy but she always throws in a little humor to lighten things up a bit. Madoc and Fallon have a forbidden love but the way the author tells their story, you fell nothing but empathy and love for them.

I absolutely love these characters, and how the author never disappoints with the steam and chemistry factor. Her writing is honest, elegant and blunt, and never filters out the harsh reality of life with hearts-and-butterflies. Madoc and Fallon have had some terrible things happen in their lives but they still turn out to be honest and good young adults. This series is one of my favorites and I highly recommend that you start with Bully, which is one of my all-time favorite books.

Tate and Jared do get an appearance here, as well as Jax, who is getting his own book soon (yay!). But Madoc and Fallon are the focus and they are fantastic characters. I love Madoc’s hot, tough-guy exterior and Fallon’s off-beat personality. Of course, they are are hiding their pain and they must work through lots of miscommunication before we get to their very satisfying conclusion.

I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait for Jax’s story!

(*ARC provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.)

~ Rival – Excerpt ~ 

Reaching around, he twisted my chin towards the mirror, and I sucked in a breath. “What do you see?!” he shouted.

“You and me!” I blurted out. “Madoc and Fallon!”

My heart was racing.

I looked at him through the mirror. I sat on one side of his lap, so he could see from the other side, and we stared at each other, my chest rising and falling more urgently.

“That’s not what I see,” he said in a low voice. “Those names mean nothing to me. They’re simple and empty. When I’m with you, I don’t see the daughter of a gold digging bitch and an Irish drug lord or the son of a crooked lawyer and a vegan Barbie.”

I almost wanted to laugh. Madoc had an ironic way of looking at the world.

But he wasn’t smiling. He was scowling. He was dead serious, and I knew from experience that his genuine moments were few and far between.

He reached up, threading one hand into my hair while the other hand rested on the chair.

“I see everything I want for as long as I can have it,” he continued. “I see a woman that wears the cutest little scowl like she’s two years old and was just told she couldn’t have candy. I see a guy that went and got an apadravya piercing, because he wanted to live in her world for even a little while.”

I closed my eyes. Don’t do this to me, Madoc. Please.
~ DELETED SCENE – MADOC’S FLASHBACK ~ 

“Fallon” I call quietly, inching into her room.
She’s sitting on her bed, leaning back against the headboard and knees pulled up. The room is dark, except for the small light that glows from the nightstand. I can see her eyes pop up from the book she’s reading.
“I…I um…” I stutter, feeling like a complete idiot Why the hell did I come here? She’s ignored me completely since we had sex last week. I haven’t stopped thinking about it, though.
“What do you want, Madoc?” Her sharp tone cuts my confidence, and I almost turn and dive out of the room.
But I can’t. I’ve been driving myself nuts all week trying to not stare at her, trying not to look for her in the halls at school, trying not to think about how much I want her.
I need to know.
“You.” I swallow and hold my head up. “I want you.”
She drops her knees and folds her legs cross-legged. “So you think I’m a slut, then? Just like my mother, Madoc?” She reminds me of my horrible words to her.
“Jesus, no.” I walk towards the end of the bed. “I didn’t mean that. I know you were a virgin…like me.”
I see her eyebrows rise in surprise.
“I just…,” I continue. “I just can’t stop thinking about it. I can’t stop thinking about you.”
She looks down and slowly slides the book off of her lap and onto the bed.
She’s thinking. With Fallon, that can be bad. But she hasn’t kicked me out, either. I round the end of her bed to stand at her side.
“Did you like it?” I ask.
She peers up at me, her voice softer. “I thought you were just drunk or pissed off. I didn’t think you meant to…” she trails off, shaking her head.
Whipping off the covers, she swings her legs over the edge of the bed and looks up at me. “You’ve always insulted me, Madoc,” she accuses.
I kneel down, my jeans rubbing between her legs.
“I’m an idiot. You’re beautiful, and I don’t know how I didn’t see it.”
Her pursed lips are angry. “You just want me, because I’m here. You think because we did it once, I won’t say no.”
“You can say no.” I plant both of my hands on the bed on either side of her, and she stared at my bare chest. “You can lock the door, and I’ll never come in again. I just can’t stop thinking about you. I love the piercings. They turn me on. I love that you don’t dress like a girlie girl. I like that no one else gets to see what I saw. Tell me you liked it, Fallon.” I search her eyes.
Please don’t say no. Please tell me I can touch you, I want to scream. The room is quiet except for the light hum of the AC coming through the vents. She breathes and searches her lap for answers she already has. She wants me, too.
If she didn’t, she’d have kicked me out already.
Her tight green tank top and sleep shorts are within my touch. I can barely breath, knowing that in a moment she’ll either tell me to get out or she’ll let me feel her again.
After a moment, she tugs at the hem of my gray T-shirt. “This doesn’t mean we have to hang out, does it? Because I still hate your music and your friends.”
Joy grips my chest, spreading like a forest fire throughout my body. I lean into her neck and kiss.
“Just at night,” I whisper.

~ Buy books 1 & 2 of the Fall Away series ~ 
Bully (Fall Away, #1) – Buy Links:
Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

Until You (Fall Away, #1.5) – Buy Links:
Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | iTunes | Kobo
~ About Penelope ~

Penelope Douglas is a writer in Las Vegas. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, she is the oldest of five children. Penelope attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, because her father told her to “just get the degree!” She then earned a Masters of Science in Education at Loyola University in New Orleans, because she hated Public Administration. One night, she got tipsy and told the bouncer at the bar where she worked that his son was hot, and three years later they were married. To the son, not the bouncer. They have spawn, but just one. A daughter named Aydan. Penelope loves sweets, The Originals, and she shops at Target almost daily.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads
Follow the tour for more reviews, excerpts, character QA, author QA, guest post…etc! You can find the schedule HERE.

~ Giveaway ~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Categories : 4.5 Stars, Blog Tour, Giveaway, New Adult Contemporary Tagged : 4.5 stars, Deleted Scene, Excerpt, Fallon, Madoc, Penelope Douglas, Reviews, Rival

« COVER REVEAL: SMOLDERED by Rachel Blaufeld
Cover Reveal and Excerpt: FELIX (5th Street #5) by Elizabeth Reyes »

Comments

  1. Shirin Rasheed says

    September 9, 2014 at 1:39 pm

    Thank you so much for the Giveaway. I want to win this contest.

    • admin says

      September 9, 2014 at 1:44 pm

      It’s a fantastic giveaway!! 🙂

  2. Shirin Rasheed says

    September 9, 2014 at 1:43 pm

    I am not in pinterest. I hope it won’t be a problem.

  3. hannah says

    September 9, 2014 at 4:09 pm

    Fab giveaway, thank you 🙂

  4. Teresa Richards says

    September 9, 2014 at 4:25 pm

    I would love to read these books. I have not read anything by this author. I have been totally missing out. Thank you for the chance! 🙂

  5. Heather Horton says

    September 9, 2014 at 5:59 pm

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

  6. Susie says

    September 9, 2014 at 6:07 pm

    Loved Madoc’s and Fallon’s story and the deleted scene. Can’t wait for the next book!!!

  7. Maegan says

    September 9, 2014 at 6:11 pm

    I love the giveaways! Penelope is my favorite author. I can’t stop rereading the series.

  8. Sarah says

    September 9, 2014 at 6:53 pm

    Love the spotlight and the deleted scene! *sighs*

  9. Ashley G. says

    September 9, 2014 at 7:06 pm

    Awesome giveaway!! Thanks!!

  10. Megan says

    September 9, 2014 at 7:42 pm

    I have been a fan of Penelope since she first published Bully on Amazon. In my opinion the stories keep getting better and better!

  11. Jenny says

    September 9, 2014 at 8:00 pm

    Love, love, love the deleted scene. This is the BEST series!!!

  12. Melissa Crisp says

    September 9, 2014 at 8:23 pm

    I have been wanting to read this series. I’ve just been a little short on money lately.

  13. Valerie says

    September 9, 2014 at 9:06 pm

    Great giveaway! Loved reading the deleted scene and your review. 🙂

  14. malorey says

    September 9, 2014 at 10:14 pm

    So glad other people loved this series as much as I did. Seriously cannot wait for the Jax story.

  15. Lynne says

    September 9, 2014 at 10:45 pm

    Great Giveaway!!….Would love to win these books, fingers crossed!!
    Thank you 🙂

  16. Julie Mayer says

    September 10, 2014 at 12:28 am

    Love the deleted scene. Thanks for the giveaway!

  17. Danielle says

    September 10, 2014 at 12:42 am

    I love the deleted scene!

  18. SHELLEY S says

    September 10, 2014 at 1:31 am

    GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BOOK AND THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

  19. rhowi says

    September 10, 2014 at 3:15 am

    I sooo want more of that deleted scene!! >.<

  20. Lynne Rivet says

    September 10, 2014 at 5:45 am

    Thanks for this awesome giveaway! ♥♥Love your books!!

  21. Linda Willis says

    September 10, 2014 at 6:48 pm

    Brilliant giveaway, even better books

  22. Jo says

    September 10, 2014 at 8:08 pm

    I love these books! I can’t wait until KC & Jax!

  23. Sydney says

    September 11, 2014 at 9:50 am

    Giveaway!!!!

Categories

  • 2 Stars
  • 2.5 Stars
  • 3 Stars
  • 3.5 Stars
  • 4 Stars
  • 4.5 Stars
  • 5 Stars
  • Action Romance
  • Adult
  • Adult Coloring Book
  • Adult Romance
  • Adult Suspense
  • Alpha male
  • Alpha- hero
  • Angsty
  • Anthology
  • Audiobook
  • Author Interview
  • Author Signing
  • Autobiography
  • BDSM
  • BDSM – Dark and Angsty
  • Biker
  • Billionaire Romance
  • Biographical Fiction
  • Biography
  • Bisexual Romance
  • Blog Hop
  • Blog Tour
  • Book Blast
  • Book Blitz
  • Book Launch
  • Book Tour
  • Charity
  • College
  • College Romance
  • Coming of Age
  • Contemporary
  • Contemporary Erotic Romance
  • Contemporary Fiction
  • Contemporary Gay Romance
  • Contemporary Homoerotic Romance
  • Contemporary M/M Romance
  • Contemporary Queer Romance
  • Contemporary Romance
  • Contemporary Western Romance
  • Courtroom Drama
  • Cover Reveal
  • Cowboy Romance
  • Cozy Mystery
  • Crime
  • Crime Romance
  • Dark
  • Dark and Twisty
  • Dark Contemporary Romance
  • Dark Erotic Romance
  • Dark Erotica
  • Dark Humor
  • Dark Romance
  • Diverse
  • Domestic Fiction
  • Domestic Suspense
  • Domestic Thriller
  • Dominant
  • Dystopian
  • Enemies to Lovers
  • Erotic
  • Erotic Humor
  • Erotic Romance
  • Erotic Romantic Comedy
  • Erotic Suspense
  • Erotic Thriller
  • Erotica
  • Erotica/Sci-Fi
  • Events
  • Family Drama
  • Family Saga
  • Fantasy
  • Fashion
  • Feminism
  • Fiction
  • Fighter
  • Financial Thriller
  • Forbidden
  • Giveaway
  • Gothic
  • Gothic Romance
  • Guest Post
  • Hispanic American Literature
  • Historical Fiction
  • Historical Romance
  • Holiday Fiction
  • Holiday Romance
  • Horror
  • Horror Romance
  • Human Sexuality
  • Humor
  • Legal Thriller
  • Lesbian Romance
  • LGBQT Science Fiction
  • LGBT
  • LGBT Romance
  • LGBTQI
  • Literary Fiction
  • Literary Saga
  • M/m
  • M/M Contemporary Romance
  • Mafia Romance
  • Magical Realism
  • Mature YA/NA
  • MC Romance
  • Memoir
  • Ménage
  • Mental Health
  • Military Romance
  • MM Romance
  • MMA
  • Movie Star Romance
  • Multicultural Romance
  • Mystery
  • Mythology
  • Nature
  • New Adult
  • New Adult Contemporary
  • New Adult Contemporary Romance
  • New Adult Romance
  • New Adult Romantic Comedy
  • New Adult Romantic Suspense
  • New Release
  • Non-con
  • Non-Fiction
  • Novella
  • Office Romance
  • Organized Crime Thrillers
  • Own Voices
  • Paranormal
  • Paranormal Romance
  • Poetry
  • Political Romance
  • Post-Apocalyptic
  • Prequel
  • Psychological
  • Psychological Thriller
  • Release Blitz
  • Reviews
  • Rock Star
  • Rock Star Romance
  • Rocker
  • Romance
  • Romantic Comedy
  • Romantic Erotica
  • Romantic Suspence
  • Romantic Suspense
  • Romantic Thriller
  • Romantic Women's Fiction
  • Satire
  • Sci-Fi Romance
  • Science Fiction
  • Second Chance
  • Second Chance Romance
  • Self-Help
  • Serial
  • Series
  • Shifter
  • Short Story
  • Single Dad
  • Slow Burn Romance
  • Small-town Romance
  • Speculative Fiction
  • Sports
  • Sports Romance
  • Sports-Hockey
  • Spotlight
  • Spotlight Tour
  • Standalone
  • Student-Teacher
  • Suspense
  • Taboo
  • Tattooed hero
  • Teaser
  • Teaser Tuesday
  • Thriller
  • Time Travel Romance
  • Trailer Reveal
  • Uncategorized
  • Urban Erotica
  • Waiting on Wednesday
  • Western Romance
  • Women's Fiction
  • Women's Studies
  • Young Adult
  • Young Adult Contemporary Romance
  • Young Adult Fantasy
  • Young Adult Fiction
  • Young Adult Romance
  • Young Adult Thriller
  • Young Adult Time Travel
  • Young Adult-New Adult

Stay Connected

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Recent Favorites:

Search The Book Bellas

New Posts Delivered Straight To Your Inbox

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 37 other subscribers

Recent Posts

  • THE EDEN TEST by ADAM STERNBERGH
  • DROWNING by T.J. NEWMAN
  • HORSE by GERALDINE BROOKS
  • THE GUEST by EMMA CLINE
  • CRYING IN H MART by MICHELLE ZAUNER
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Archives

Find us on GoodReads

Goodreads: Book reviews, recommendations, and discussion

Grab our Button


Tags

4 stars 4.5 stars 5 stars A.L. Jackson Aleatha Romig Alessandra Torre alpha male BDSM Bella Jewel Blog Tour Book Blitz Book Launch Cat Porter Chelle Bliss contemporary romance Cover Reveal Erotica Erotic romance Excerpt Giveaway Jane Harvey-Berrick K. Bromberg Karina Halle Katy Evans Kristen Ashley Laurelin Paige Mara White Nelle L'Amour New Adult New Releases Pam Godwin Penelope Douglas Penelope Ward Pepper Winters R.S. Grey Release Blitz Review Reviews S.L. Scott Skye Warren Tarryn Fisher Tessa Bailey Tia Louise Vi Keeland Young Adult

Copyright © 2023 · Annabelle Reloaded Theme