Blog Tour & Giveaway : Rival (Fall Away, #2) by Penelope Douglas

Rival
Fall Away, #2
by Penelope Douglas

Release Date:
August 26th, 2014

Publisher:
Pengouin Group (USA)

Source:
Publisher via NetGalley

eArc received for honest review

Tour Hosted by: As The Pages Turn

Welcome to our Rival Blog Tour stop! 
You can follow the rest of the tour HERE

Synopsis:

From the New Adult sensation and New York Times bestselling author of Until You 

Madoc and Fallon. Two estranged teenagers playing games that push the boundaries between love and war… 

She’s back. 

For the three years she’s been away at boarding school, there was no word from her. Back when we lived in the same house, she used to cut me down during the day and then leave her door open for me at night. I was stupid then, but now I’m ready to beat her at her own game… 

I’m back. 

Three years and I can tell he still wants me, even if he acts like he’s better than me. 

But I won’t be scared away. Or pushed down. I’ll call his bluff and fight back. That’s what he wants, right? As long as I keep my guard up, he’ll never know how much he affects me….

Purchase At:

Amazon|Amazon UK|B&N|iTunes|Kobo

Fall Away Series on Goodreads

 Our review of Bully HERE 
Purchase At:
Amazon|Amazon UK|B&N|iTunes|Kobo

Our review of Until You HERE
Purchase At:
Amazon|Amazon UK|B&N|iTunes|Kobo

Excerpt:

“This is my father’s house.” I spoke low and straightened my back. “And someday all this shit will be mine, Fallon. That bed you sleep in, along with everything else under this roof.” 

“Not me, Madoc. You don’t own me.” 

“Yeah.” I brushed her off. “Been there. Done that. Got the T-shirt. Thanks.” 

“Get out,” she ordered, her tone hard. 

I took another sip of my beer. “The thing is Fallon…I told you before to lock the door if you wanted me to stay out. Funny thing is…” I leaned in. “You. Never. Did.” 

In one swift movement she whipped off her covers and stood up on the bed. Charging to the end, she slapped me across the face before I even knew what was happening. I almost laughed. Hell, yeah. 

My body stayed in place, but my head had twisted to the side with the blow, and I closed my eyes out of reflex. The sting started as a few little needles under the surface but exploded and spread like electricity. I kept my eyes shut for a few seconds longer than necessary, savoring the rush. 

With the bed elevating her, she stood about six inches higher than me, and I turned my head back to her slowly, welcoming whatever she had. 

She scowled down at me. “I was sixteen years old and too stupid to keep you off me,” she spat. “Little did I know that they have toothbrushes bigger than you. And I’ve definitely had better than you in the past two years, so count on the door being locked from now on.”

Lindy's Thoughts:

I've loved every single book in the Fall Away Series by Penelope Douglas! I cannot get enough of these addictive stories. The plots are so catchy, and the romance scenes are some of the best that I've read!!! In Bully, and Until You, we got Jared and Tate's story, which I thought was amazing! In Rival, we get Madoc (Jared's best friend,) and his step-sister, Fallon's story. 

Madoc's wealthy and mostly absent Father and Fallon's gold digging mother, married when Madoc and Fallon were young teenagers. Madoc resented Fallon and her mother. Unfortunately, he treated her horribly at school and at home, even though Fallon didn't deserve his harsh treatment. However, Fallon had a lot of gumption and whatever Madoc dished out, she dished right back at him. She was a strong young lady, and Madoc respected her. As Fallon and Madoc got older, their attraction towards one another grew. Their verbal sparring towards each other lead to passionate and unspoken feelings for one another. 

Eventually, these two began a serious relationship with one another, and when Fallon disappears on Madoc without any communication, he feels like she never really cared about him in the first place. He couldn't be more wrong. Things were not as they seemed, and Fallon returns to their childhood home two years later. Both Fallon and Madoc feel like they were wronged by the other person, and yet they still having feelings for one another, leading to complications and a whole lot of surprises. 

Madoc and Fallon had a lot of passion towards one another, and believe me when I say there were some very steamy love scenes between these two. There were also a lot of heartfelt moments. I liked getting a different perspective on Madoc's character through Fallon's eyes. Whereas, in the previous books, he was the jokester, and wild partier, in Rival, we get to see a whole new side to him. We see vulnerability, protectiveness, passion, romance, and what he looks like when he is deeply in love. Madoc and Fallon were the perfect match for one another. I was also very grateful that we get a lot of Jared, Tate, and Jax in this book. It wasn't just a small appearance. All three of these characters played a significant role in Madoc and Fallon's story! 

I can't wait to read Falling Away, the next story in the Fall Away Series. I'm so excited that we will finally be getting Jax (Jared's half-brother,) and K.C. (Tate's best friend's) story! Jax's character has profoundly affected me. The way he was abused and mistreated his whole life, has me rooting for him to get some healing, and have the happily ever after that he deserves. He's been such a good brother and friend, and is always there for those that he cares about. He has such a big heart, and I want him to have something special.  

Rating:

I give, Rival 4.5 Outstanding, Passionate, "You Always Were the One," Filled Stars!!! This story is another great addition to the Fall Away Series! If you are looking for a good Y.A./N.A. Romance, check this one out!!!  

Favorite Quotes:

"But breaking was beautiful. It hurt, and it was an uphill climb back to sanity, but you came back stronger, fiercer, and more solid than you were before." (eARC, Loc. 639) ~Fallon 

"You were my first everything. And my only love." (eARC, Loc. 2919) ~Madoc

Mikki's Review:

Oh.my.God!!!!!!!

Rival, by Penelope Douglas, was FANTASTIC!!! I am a huge fan of the Fall Away Series! When I read Bully for the first time I got a book hangover that lasted two freakin' weeks!!!! Jared and Tate completely intoxicating me to the point that I could not think of anything else or read any other book! I was extremely happy to find out that the characters that I fell in love with in Bully would be back for three more books (Until You, Rival and Falling Away). If you have not read this series yet stop what you are doing and go add these books to your TBR list! Trust me, you don't want to miss this PHENOMENAL series!

Rival is the second installment in the Fall Away Series and is Fallon and Madoc's story. There is some pretty heavy tension between these two from the very beginning. Fallon's mother married Jared's dad and Fallon gets a pretty harsh introduction to the family. Her step-brother is arrogant and he does not accept her or her mom. But, all that changes and Fallon and Madoc share a secret relationship with intense moments of passion. When Fallon disappears without any explanation, Madoc's world is turned upside down. He really thought that Fallon had feelings for him. When Fallon comes back to town a couple of years later, and they cross paths again, sparks fly. There is a thin line between love and hate, but will they be able to cross that line and forgive the mistakes from the past?

Eeeeeeeep!!!! I don't think I could ever find the perfect words to express how much I love this series!!! When I open a book from the Fall Away Series my world literally stops!!! My husband knows pretty well that nothing will get done in the house until I finished reading the very last page. These books INTOXICATE me!!! Penelope Douglas writes breathtaking stories, unforgettable characters and spectacular panty melting intimate scenes! 

When I read one of her books, I lose myself in the story and feel every emotion that the characters are feeling. I am glued to my seat from beginning to end. When I see that I'm almost at the end of the story I start getting anxiety because I know that my time with my fictional friends is almost over. Gahhhhh! I love these characters to pieces and I wish I could jump right into the book and hang out with them!

This story was very intense! Madoc and Fallon had to overcome some pretty heavy stuff before finally finding a way back to each other. Family drama, lies, betrayals and unspoken words makes their journey one hell of a roller coaster ride! I can't even begin to tell you how much these two are perfect for each other! Holy Crapola! The chemistry that they have?!?! It's FIRE!!! The pages were filled with sexual tension and once they gave in ... Oh, God! *Panties melting* I loved to see Madoc so in love. He was such a different person and he truly loves Fallon with all his heart and soul. Both their POV's gave me all different kinds of emotions and I love them even more than before!

This book exceeded all of my expectations! I can't get enough of this series! I loved the check-ins with Tate, Jared and Jax. The banter between all these characters is AMAZING!!! They are such an awesome group of people and they are always there to support their friends when they need help. 

The next books is Falling Away, which is Jax's story. Sweet Mother of God! I need this book like I need my next slice of toast with Nutella. And, trust me, I never joke about Nutella! Penelope Douglas left the very best for last! I'm already an emotional mess just thinking about his story! It's so heartbreaking! I'm also super curious to see how Penelope Douglas will write this story. I am not a fan of K.C. at all!!! If there is one person who can make me fall in love with a character it's Penelope Douglas! K.C. is an enigma for the moment, but I am positive that once I have finished reading Falling Away, I will be cheering for her! ;)

Rating:

I give, Rival, by Penelope Douglas 5 sensual, powerful, thrilling, phenomenal, all-consuming stars!

Picture Teaser:

Giveaway:

Penelope is offering up the following prizes. The giveaways are international and ends at 11:59 PM CST 09/15/2014. 

(2) $100 gift cards for either 

Amazon or B&N winners choice 

(2) Signed paperbacks of Rival

(1) Signed set paperbacks of 

Bully, Until You and Rival

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Penelope Douglas is a writer in Las Vegas. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, she is the oldest of five children. Penelope attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, because her father told her to "just get the degree!" She then earned a Masters of Science in Education at Loyola University in New Orleans, because she hated Public Administration. One night, she got tipsy and told the bouncer at the bar where she worked that his son was hot, and three years later they were married. To the son, not the bouncer. They have spawn, but just one. A daughter named Aydan. Penelope loves sweets, The Originals, and she shops at Target almost daily. 

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