Bitter Rival by Emery Rose Andrews is live!
The first standalone in a new series, this is an opposites attract, enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity romance. It’s fun, sexy and heartfelt with great chemistry, and I really enjoyed this one.
Amazon
Blurb
Spending the summer on a vineyard sounds idyllic. But my California dream comes with strings attached—forced proximity with the insufferable Beckett Heyward.
He loathes me and okay, I get it, but it’s not my fault his father bequeathed me half of the Sutton Ridge estate.
Not that we actually own it yet. First, we have to meet the conditions—to live and work on the vineyard for three consecutive months. Together.
God help me. I don’t know how I’ll survive three minutes under the scrutiny of his piercing blue gaze let alone three months.
What do I care if my childhood crush has broad shoulders and sculpted abs now?
His roguish good looks and dimpled smile leave me cold. What smile? All he ever does is scowl and brood and march around, barking out orders.
Oh, I know what he’s up to, but good luck trying to cut me out of the inheritance.
Granted, he was his father’s only son, and sure, I’m only the stepdaughter. But I’m not the evil villain in this fairy tale.
I’m just the girl tasked with the impossible—to convince my bitter rival to keep the vineyard.
And to not, under any circumstances, fall in love with Beckett Heyward.
Review
3.5 stars
The first standalone in a new series by Emery Rose Andrews, this is an opposites attract, enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity romance. It’s fun, sexy and heartfelt with great chemistry, and I really enjoyed this one.
Beckett and Daisy are brought together at his family’s vineyard after the death of his father. They were step-siblings for a short while when they were younger, and they cared for each other, but for Daisy it was more than that and as a young teenager she crushed madly on her older step-brother. They lost touch when their parents split but they have been brought back together under the terms of Beckett’s father’s will which states they need to spend three months living and working together on the vineyard, after which time they will both inherit half.
These two are complete opposites. Beckett is serious and a bit of a grump – bitter about his past and angry to be dealing with the ridiculous conditions of his father’s will, while trying to manage his own business dealings. Whereas Daisy is a complete free spirit, all spontaneity, living in the moment, and finding happiness wherever she can, and she throws herself into working on the vineyard. There is initially a lot of snark on Beckett’s side, but despite their differences, and the difficulty of their situation, there is clearly an attraction between them from the beginning, and they can’t deny their mad chemistry.
There’s no point in pretending otherwise – Daisy is beautiful. But she drives me insane. Challenges me at every turn. Tempts me beyond reason.
She’s unpredictable. Chaotic. A perfect storm.
The sexual tension is fantastic, and I loved watching the build-up between these two. They argue and bicker, but they also flirt and tease, and I was feeling it all with them as they give in to their mad lust for each other. But they keep it no strings, with neither of them in a place to be starting anything, and both with their own, private, reasons for agreeing to be at the vineyard in the first place.
Beckett is a man with demons. He’s closed off and holding on to a lot of hurt from the past and is consumed with missions of revenge against the people who hurt him and his loved ones. But being in the home where he grew up, with Daisy back in his life, brings a change. He’s opening up, looking at things differently, and he’s basking in her goodness.
Daisy is a breath of fresh air. She’s sweet and smart, and she’s worked hard to create a good life for herself, while staying true to who she is. She’s dealing with a toxic relationship with a persistent ex-boyfriend, and she has some lessons to learn, and Beckett shows his softer, protective side, as he makes sure she’s taking care of herself.
They’re opposites, but they complement each other and they’re good for each other. And I loved watching their dynamic shift and change as they fell for each other.
I was never supposed to care about him. I was never supposed to catch feelings, but I fell for him all the same.
The heart doesn’t understand logic. It wants what it wants.
And I want him. All of him. His flaws, his weaknesses, his vulnerabilities, his love.“I’m choosing you, Daisy. I’m choosing you so that you can choose yourself.”
These two have a lot to work through as they figure out their feelings for each other, what they want for their lives, and where they want to be. There is drama along the way, but it’s a great journey and I enjoyed watching them find their way forward.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s sweet and sexy with a great love story, and I’m looking forward to more books set in this world – hoping that Beckett’s friends get stories as the series continues.
3.5 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.
About Emery Rose
Emery Rose has been known to indulge in good red wine, strong coffee, and a healthy dose of sarcasm. When she’s not working on her latest project, you can find her binge-watching Netflix, trotting the globe in search of sunshine, or immersed in a good book. A former New Yorker, she currently resides in London with her two beautiful daughters.
Facebook | Reader Group | Newsletter | Goodreads | Bookbub | Amazon | Instagram | TikTok | Website