Broken Rivalry by R.G. Angel is live!
This is the first book in the Silverbrook University series, a beautifully emotional and heartfelt NA romance with strong themes of family, redemption and forgiveness, and I loved this story.
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Blurb
Poppy:
Once, I walked the halls of privilege, but in a heartbeat, I watched my world crumble. Now, as I stand at the threshold of Silverbrook University, I’m armed with nothing but a scholarship and a determination to reclaim a semblance of my former life.
But fate has a cruel sense of humor. Ethan Hawthorne, the golden boy of my former elite world and my ex-rival, is here. His every smirk is a reminder that the past is not easily outrun.
Ethan:
At Silverbrook, I’m the guy with the world at his feet—star athlete, heir to a legacy, the guy who always wins. But Poppy? She was the one challenge I never conquered, the one competitor who never played by my rules.
Her return in my life is a curveball I never saw coming. She’s changed, hardened by life’s twists, and now she captivates me more than ever. Our history wasn’t just competition; it was a clash of hearts and egos. Now, the rules have changed. I’m not just out to win a petty game. This time, I’m playing for her heart.
In the elite corridors of Silverbrook University, a tale of passion, redemption, and undeniable attraction unfolds. Poppy and Ethan, bound by their tumultuous past, are caught in a dance of denial and desire. Can an alpha athlete truly humble himself for love? And can a strong-willed girl find forgiveness in her heart? Dive into a steamy saga of love, scars, and second chances.
Review
4 stars
This is the first book in the Silverbrook University series, and my first read by R.G. Angel. It’s a beautifully emotional and heartfelt NA romance with strong themes of family, redemption and forgiveness, and I loved this story.
Poppy’s privileged life fell apart when her father was arrested and her family’s possessions seized. She, her mother and her younger brothers were suddenly thrust into poverty and, all alone, they have scraped by to support themselves. Poppy has just been granted a scholarship to Silverbrook University, and though it’s a year later than she should have started college, she is ready to get her life back on track.
Ethan is a star soccer player at Silverbrook and a bit of a golden boy. From a wealthy family, he wants for nothing, and being the gorgeous success that he is, he can (and usually does) get whatever he wants. And then Poppy enters his world. They went to high school together, and were bitter adversaries, but for Ethan, Poppy was the one who got away. She’s different than how she used to be, but she’s suddenly back in his life, and he wants to keep her there permanently. There’s just a small problem – she hates him with a passion. Not only was he cruel to her in high school, but Ethan’s father is responsible for the downfall of Poppy’s father, and she wants nothing to do with him. But he is determined to win her heart.
Something inside me clicks, settling with a certainty that’s almost frightening. I want Poppy in my life, and I want to be in hers.
It’s a great set-up, and from the very first moment, I could feel the intensity between Ethan and Poppy. She is justifiably furious, he genuinely longs for her, It’s a great dynamic, and watching Ethan go about winning Poppy over is just gorgeous.
“I wanted to be here.”
“To watch me lose my mind?” I retort, a playful edge to my voice.
“No,” he whispers, his breath caressing my skin, “to see you let go and to be here in case you need someone to hold on to afterward.”
Ethan is sweet and patient, but he’s also persistent as he inserts himself into Poppy’s life at every opportunity, and I loved their interactions. From snarky bickering to heartfelt conversations, friendship, flirting, banter, and open-hearted declarations, it felt so natural and I was there for all of it, and loved watching these two come together.
I’m already suspecting that letting her go won’t be an option for me.
Their past is complicated, and they have challenges to face, and though there is some drama along the way, I loved watching Ethan and Poppy fall so hard for each other. They are open with each other, and don’t hide what they’re feeling, and their relationship develops beautifully.
There’s a great cast of side characters in this book. Ethan has two best friends who just happen to pair up perfectly with Poppy’s two roommates. Such an eclectic group, each with secrets in their past, I cannot wait to get to explore these characters more in future books.
I loved this one, 4 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by author for an honest review.
Silverbrook University
Broken Rivalry (#1) (Ethan & Poppy)
Review
Buy: Amazon
Broken Hearts (#2) (Cole & Eva)
Review
Buy: Amazon
Broken Desires (#3) (Liam & Nessa)
To be released 12 June
Pre-order: Amazon
Meet R.G. Angel
R.G Angel is a trained lawyer, world traveler, coffee addict, cheese aficionado, avid book reviewer and blogger.
She considers herself as an ‘Eclectic romantic’ and wants to write romance in every sub-genre she can think of.
When she is not busy doing all her lawyerly mayhem, and because she is living in rainy Britain, she mostly enjoys indoor activities such as reading, watching TV, playing with her crazy puppies and writing stories she hopes will make you dream.
Connect with R.G. Angel:
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