Rival

Rival by Penelope Douglas is a steamy new adult romance novel in the Fall Away series, centering on Madoc and Fallon, two step-siblings turned enemies and lovers. After years of silence, Fallon returns from boarding school to the house they once shared, forcing both of them to confront unfinished business. What begins as a battle of wills quickly turns into a volatile mix of attraction, resentment, and deeply buried hurt.​

The novel leans into an intense enemies-to-lovers dynamic, where sharp banter and emotional cruelty coexist with undeniable chemistry. Madoc remembers a girl who cut him down by day and left her door open at night, while Fallon carries the scars of being abruptly sent away after a mysterious incident. As they circle each other again under the same roof, their history makes every touch and argument feel charged with both longing and revenge.​

Rival explores themes of family loyalty, betrayal, and the blurred boundaries created by their complicated step-sibling relationship. Secrets about why Fallon was exiled, and how their parents manipulated the situation, gradually come to light and force both characters to reassess what really happened between them. The romance pushes them to decide whether they will repeat old patterns or finally choose honesty over mind games.​

This contemporary romance book will appeal to readers who enjoy emotionally charged love stories with high stakes, flawed characters, and plenty of heat. The Fall Away universe adds depth through friendships, rivalries, and shared history, making Madoc and Fallon’s story feel interconnected yet distinct. Rival offers a provocative look at how love can grow from chaos when two people are brave enough to confront both their past and their own mistakes.