The Rival

Rating:
Summary: TOO SICK!!
Review: I have read "The Conqueror" and thought it was great except for the sister "Lady Alice" ....sicko, then read "Splendor" and thought it was so good except for Niki's wife, the Princess. She was even sicker. But this book had incest, so much cruelty, and so many really sick, evil characters. The story was dark, depressing and so sad. I have only one thing to say and that was the very last page in the book gave me hope. I am not sure I really want to read anymore of Ms. Joyce's books and I honestly wouldn't recommend them to anyone. Sorry.

Rating:
Summary: This isn't actually a review, it's a comment.
Review: I haven't read this book, but I can't figure out if I want to read it or not, juding by the extreme comments I have read from other readers. Is this book worth my money or not?

Rating:
Summary: Captured Me Till The End!!!!
Review: I Loved This Book!! I couldn't stop reading it from beginning to end. When I finished I was disappointed it was over! I've read the other readers comments and could not believe that they did not find it to be as wonderful as I did. I look forward for more books like this one!!!Olivia was wonderful!!! And Garrick was a true hero!The story was so mysterious, and the love these to felt came right off the pages into your heart!!! I think those who did not enjoy it should read it again, for they sorely misjudged this book!!

Rating:
Summary: A very well thought out, complex plot...
Review: If you like light and airy romance, this AIN'T the book for you. If you want a dose of realism in your romance, then this is for you. The characters are flawed -- each and every one of them -- just like me and you. I found the story uplifting in the sense that Garrick and Olivia are obviously soul mates and were destined to meet and be together. The meat and potatoes are the villains -- yes, plural -- who are as twisted and warped as they come. What Garrick and Olivia have to overcome to be together is way beyond what most people would do in the name of love. Theirs is a selfless love that is determined to conquer all evil so that they can be together.

Rating:
Summary: Spectacular Book! One not to be missed.
Review: If you're looking for a deep, well written book, then grab this one. Brenda Joyce is one of my favorite authors, not for the sexy scenes, but for the well written books she keeps pounding out for her audience. Love the author! Love the book!

Rating:
Summary: Really a 3 1/2
Review: Let me start off by saying that I am a HUGE fan of Ms. Joyce's deadly series. That being said, I found this to be an enjoyable book, but as one reviewer committed the book didn't seem to focus on the romance between the two characters (it did have some steamy parts though). However, the book was interesting and it kept me guessing.

Rating:
Summary: Not That Bad!!
Review: Like all of Ms. Joyce's fans I always and very anxiously await her latest books but this book was something else. It is certainly an improvement from "Splendor" and "The Finer Things." The hero was always beaten and as for the heroine I wondered why it took her that long to gain her freedom when she could have used what she knew long before. Apart from that the book was very good. I really do hope Ms. Joyce next novel is like "The Game" or any one of her earlier works.

Rating:
Summary: Very different
Review: Most of the negative reviews are from people who probably want a generic, standard, love story and thats fine. If you want something a little darker and more sensual, then this book is it. I found it well written and refreshingly different. I also read her book, Beyond Scandal and highly recommend it too.

Rating:
Summary: Very different
Review: Most of the negative reviews are from people who probably want a generic, standard, love story and thats fine. If you want something a little darker and more sensual, then this book is it. I found it well written and refreshingly different. I also read her book, Beyond Scandal and highly recommend it too.

Rating:
Summary: Finished...finally!!
Review: Not a well thought out book. Brenda Joyce writes well, but this book is full of self-centered, evil characters with really no one except the adulterous main characters that could be considered otherwise. The main male character, Garrick, is an anti-hero type you almost hope gets killed off before the end since he has done so many stupid and immature things. His love interest, Olivia, a spineless, love-starved, married woman has somehow managed to live mostly alone in a house for nine years and made not one friend, nor, it seems, win the support of her own servants. Even her parents hate her.