The Rival

Rating:
Summary: Skip this one
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.

Rating:
Summary: A real romance with a real plot
Review: Okay, readers of romance. The reviews on this book are definitely mixed. You either love it or hate it. And I know why. For one thing, this is not your usual romance fare. This is a story with a serious plot and some serious issues. For me, it's the best Brenda Joyce book ever, even over her latest contemporary stuff. Why? Because it's truly suspenseful. The characters are developed and not fluff. There are issues, dark issues. I loved this book. It's a keeper on my shelf and I hardly ever keep my romances. I trade them. Personally, I liked the heroine. She was very conflicted in her own right. And the hero had his own problems too. It was not two people emoting over each other or yeah-yeahing for pages and pages. This is a real story, with real heart. It's dark. It's dangerous. It's sometimes sad, but it's gripping love story about two people who need to heal emotionally. Also, few supernatural elements. Nicely done, Ms. Joyce. I just wish you would do this more often in historical times and not contemporary. Forget the numbers. Follow your heart.

Rating:
Summary: THE RIVAL will keep you holding your breath to the last page
Review: Read THE RIVAL and find out why Brenda Joyce was the winner of Romantic Times's Best Historical Romance of the Year for her novel SPLENDOR! Brenda Joyce delivers what readers want: page-turning plot, unforgettable characters, true emotion, breathtaking drama, and sensuous romance. Once you read a Brenda Joyce novel, you'll be hooked for life!

Rating:
Summary: This book is better than Splendor and Finer Things.
Review: Since Ms.Joyce has left Avon, I have found her books lacking. This is the first book with her new publishers that is absorbing in the style that is uniquely hers. Rival is captivating because there is instant attraction and no elongated game between the star players. As the reader you feel the characters are instantly in love and have an understanding that neither are perfect and must be together. Rival is written in a way that is reminiscent of the Game and has been sorely missed since.

Rating:
Summary: Not worth staying up all night!
Review: The characters were not drawn very well and after awhile I was just waiting for the next suprise to happen. Laslty, was it just me or did everyone seem to arrive at a destination within minutes of each other at record speed?

Rating:
Summary: It's over 100 degrees outside, but hotter inside with this
Review: This book is almost spontaneously combustible (did I spell that right?). I'm a fan of Brenda Joyce, but her last two books, in my opinion, didn't have the intensity of Captive and The Game (for example). The Rival has that fire and I have to admit that I have badly neglected my family today because of it. Sent the kids to bed early (having forced them to watch videos), sent my husband out on errands (that could have waited), and enjoyed every minute of this story. Great plot that kept me guessing. Excellent characters that I loved and hated and felt were real. I'd like to see her next book move out of England and see someplace exotic again...the author has a real gift for heating up history!

Rating:
Summary: Brenda Joyce does it again.
Review: This book is so full of emotion, betrayal and the understanding of people that are not like everybody else. Her characters are strong but not to the point where they cease being human. Garrick and Olivia sizzle. It was hard to put the book down. This author writes for the adult minded and not the faint of heart. Brenda Joyce, please keep up the good work.

Rating:
Summary: MAGNIFICENT
Review: This book will hold you, and keep you, to the very end. Mysterious and spellbinding. The best part, the male lead character, Garrick is NOT perfect! I couldn't put it down. Just a bit spicy with lots of plot, twist, and turns. Be warned, if an incestuous relationship between characters bothers you, don't read this. I thoroughly enjoyed my read!

Rating:
Summary: Riveting...I couldn't put this book down!
Review: This is the first book by Brenda Joyce that I have read and it will not be my last! I found this book spellbinding and I really enjoyed how the story unfolded. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a sequel.

Rating:
Summary: This romance has a different kind of heroic figure.
Review: This novel kept my interest partly because the hero was so non-heroic, so almost ordinary. Garrick is not the best looking, the strongest, or even the nicest man you want to meet. What he has, is heart. He feels strongly and in spite of his fears goes after that which his heart needs. Olivia is not pretty, not tall, nor petite, her uniqueness is in her character, which apparently developed from within. The two together make for a different kind of romance and an intriguing story. However, it was too long, and the ending was too abrupt with the handling of Richard, Lionel, Arlen and Elizabeth in the ending as an afterthought. Overall, I enjoyed the book and I will look for other Joyce novels in the Library. I bought this one, but I am not sure the others would hold my interest enough for re-reading.