Book Blitz + Giveaway: Rival Love Series by by Natalie Decker

Welcome to this week’s Swoon Romance YA Wednesdays! This week features Rival Love and Rival Hearts by Natalie Decker. Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

Rival Love

by Natalie Decker

Publisher: Swoon Romance

Release Date: August 26th 2014
Read my review

Synopsis:

Skylar Fletcher is a proud Harris Academy Bulldog! She has everything she’s ever wanted: a perfect boyfriend, great friends, and her dream college waiting for her in the fall. But nothing lasts forever. Skylar's world shatters when her mom decides it is time to move and drags Skylar, kicking and screaming, into Bobcat territory.

At Delmont High School, home of the Bobcats, Skylar has no friends and is often bullied. To make matters worse, her home life sucks thanks to all-star quarterback Caleb Morgan, nephew of her mom's live-in boyfriend.

At first Skylar and Caleb want nothing to do with one another. But they soon discover they're not that different after all--and each is harboring a secret attraction to the other. But can a Bulldog and a Bobcat ever really be more than friends? And are Skylar and Caleb willing to risk everything to find out? Rival Love is a debut young adult contemporary romance from Natalie Decker.

Rival Hearts (Rival Love #2)

by Natalie Decker

Publisher: Swoon Romance

Release Date: December 23rd 2014

Read my review

Synopsis:

Caleb is ticked off. Skylar hasn’t answered any of his calls, texts, or emails since her move to New York, virtually cutting him out of her life without warning. So Caleb decides to go after her—and convince her to come back home. 

But even when Skylar realizes her heart does belong at home with Caleb, her uncertainty lingers. Is it safe? Have things changed? 

After the mysterious vandalism to the pool at Delmont High, everyone is desperate for answers they believe Skylar can provide. At first, she’s determined not to run. But when Caleb’s ex-girlfriend unleashes a vengeful surprise, Sky's love for Caleb is threatened. 

Are these two rival hearts ready to fight for their love, or will they have to throw in the towel? 

RIVAL HEARTS is the sequel to the bestselling teen romance novel RIVAL LOVE by Natalie Decker.

Natalie Decker is the Author of Rival Love. She loves oceans, sunsets, sand between her toes, and carefree days. Her imagination is always going, which some find odd. But she believes in seeing the world in a different light at all times. Her first passion for writing started at age twelve when she had to write a poem for English class. However, seventh grade wasn’t her favorite time and books were her source of comfort. She took all college prep classes in High school, and attended the University of Akron. Although she studied Mathematics she never lost her passion for writing or her comfort in books. She’s a mean cook in the kitchen, loves her family and friends and her awesome dog infinity times infinity. If she’s not writing, reading, traveling, hanging out with her family and friends, then she’s off having an adventure. Because Natalie believes in a saying: Your life is your own journey, so make it amazing!

Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

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DNF Review: Rival Hearts (Rival Love #2) by Natalie Decker

Rival Hearts (Rival Love #2)
by Natalie Decker
Publisher: Swoon Romance
Release Date: December 23rd 2014

Rate: DNF (2 stars)

Synopsis:

Caleb is ticked off. Skylar hasn’t answered any of his calls, texts, or emails since her move to New York, virtually cutting him out of her life without warning. So Caleb decides to go after her—and convince her to come back home. 

But even when Skylar realizes her heart does belong at home with Caleb, her uncertainty lingers. Is it safe? Have things changed? 

After the mysterious vandalism to the pool at Delmont High, everyone is desperate for answers they believe Skylar can provide. At first, she’s determined not to run. But when Caleb’s ex-girlfriend unleashes a vengeful surprise, Sky's love for Caleb is threatened. 

Are these two rival hearts ready to fight for their love, or will they have to throw in the towel? 

RIVAL HEARTS is the sequel to the bestselling teen romance novel RIVAL LOVE by Natalie Decker.

Rival Hearts was a complete DNF for me (20% of the book). 

I had a good time reading the first book, Rival Love, and I think I mentioned when I thought that the first book was a standalone novel that it needed a different ending, that the characters deserved a better ending. Having this second book, I thought I was going to finally enjoy their relationship and really see how these two would get their happy ending, but the characters were way too immature for me. I was always frustrated with Skylar because no matter how hard Caleb tried, she was always whining and trying to create drama. At least that's my opinion.

I think that the main thing that made me drop this story is that there was too much unnecessary drama. Like okay, people have problems. Teenagers even more. And a teenage relationship? Sure! There's bound to be drama in it. However, I didn't connect with the characters anymore and their problems seemed vain to me. Like they made a fuss over small things when they could be together and tried to solve their differences and the obstacles they had.

That's why I ended up skimming the whole story and reading the ending to see if Skylar and Caleb finally get their happy ending. That's why I think these books would have been a mind-blowing story if there would have been a fusion of the two books and have only a standalone novel. 

Maybe I was not in the mood or probably this second book was not meant for me, but I didn't finish it. However, this does not mind that you won't like it. If you think you will end up liking the story, I encourage you to read it.

Read my review for Rival Love by Natalie Decker

Natalie Decker is the Author of Rival Love. She loves oceans, sunsets, sand between her toes, and carefree days. Her imagination is always going, which some find odd. But she believes in seeing the world in a different light at all times. Her first passion for writing started at age twelve when she had to write a poem for English class. However, seventh grade wasn’t her favorite time and books were her source of comfort. She took all college prep classes in High school, and attended the University of Akron. Although she studied Mathematics she never lost her passion for writing or her comfort in books. She’s a mean cook in the kitchen, loves her family and friends and her awesome dog infinity times infinity. If she’s not writing, reading, traveling, hanging out with her family and friends, then she’s off having an adventure. Because Natalie believes in a saying: Your life is your own journey, so make it amazing!

Blog Tour: Rival Love by Natalie Decker

Rival Love
by Natalie Decker
Publisher: Swoon Romance
Release Date: August 26th 2014
Rate: Enjoyed it (3,5 stars)

Synopsis:

Skylar Fletcher is a proud Harris Academy Bulldog! She has everything she’s ever wanted: a perfect boyfriend, great friends, and her dream college waiting for her in the fall. But nothing lasts forever. Skylar's world shatters when her mom decides it is time to move and drags Skylar, kicking and screaming, into Bobcat territory.

At Delmont High School, home of the Bobcats, Skylar has no friends and is often bullied. To make matters worse, her home life sucks thanks to all-star quarterback Caleb Morgan, nephew of her mom's live-in boyfriend.

At first Skylar and Caleb want nothing to do with one another. But they soon discover they're not that different after all--and each is harboring a secret attraction to the other. But can a Bulldog and a Bobcat ever really be more than friends? And are Skylar and Caleb willing to risk everything to find out? Rival Love is a debut young adult contemporary romance from Natalie Decker.

Rival Love truly captivated me after reading the synopsis. It promised a lot of love-hate moments and that in a YA story can come out as a really sweet and lovely story.

I had a great time reading the story through Skylar's point of view. She's a teenager who has been transferred to another school thanks to her mother falling in love with a man and deciding to go live with him. This wouldn't be a problem, if Skylar's new school wouldn't be the rival of her old school. 

The story started great. I found myself reading all about Skylar's fears and why she was complaining so much. The tension in the air was almost palpable and it goes to another level, when Caleb appear's in the story giving another meaning to living with your enemy.

Their relationship started out of hate, but you can see how it changes with time and how their pranks that started out as a mean to get the best of the other, turns out into something that they share. They relationship was an important factor to make this story captivating. It was clear that there was a tension: first hate, then something else. And the reader is just on the edge of the chair, wanting to know if these two would see past their school's team.

I only had a few troubles with the story nearly when it came to the end. There were scenes that made no sense to me as a reader. At least, my reader feelings were a little bit hurt. Some of the actions came manly from Caleb and that I found myself with urges like wanting to punch Caleb in the face, wanting to scream at him to do something and again wanting to punch him for not trusting the right person. If you read the book, you'd know what I'm talking about.

These lead me to find myself with the very end of the story and not wanting to believe it was the end (I tried a couple of times to see if the iPad had gone mad and maybe delete pages or something like that). Leading me in a glass case full of emotions, because my iPad did not hate me and didn't delete any pages. It was the simply end. My little reader heart couldn't take this ending knowing this would be just a standalone. So for me, it was kind of a disappointing ending.

Despite this, Rival Love has a lot of rivalry that makes the reader have a great time while reading Skylar's story. She completely changes and matures and I think it's a good YA story that I recommend to those readers who like a romance story with a lot of team rivalry and pranks. 

Natalie Decker is the Author of Rival Love. She loves oceans, sunsets, sand between her toes, and carefree days. Her imagination is always going, which some find odd. But she believes in seeing the world in a different light at all times. Her first passion for writing started at age twelve when she had to write a poem for English class. However, seventh grade wasn’t her favorite time and books were her source of comfort. She took all college prep classes in High school, and attended the University of Akron. Although she studied Mathematics she never lost her passion for writing or her comfort in books. She’s a mean cook in the kitchen, loves her family and friends and her awesome dog infinity times infinity. If she’s not writing, reading, traveling, hanging out with her family and friends, then she’s off having an adventure. Because Natalie believes in a saying: Your life is your own journey, so make it amazing!

Win a $10 Amazon gift card + ebook of Rival Love (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz: Rival Love by Natalie Decker

Rival Love
by Natalie Decker
Publisher: Swoon Romance
Release Date: August 26th 2014

Synopsis:

Skylar Fletcher is a proud Harris Academy Bulldog! She has everything she’s ever wanted: a perfect boyfriend, great friends, and her dream college waiting for her in the fall. But nothing lasts forever. Skylar's world shatters when her mom decides it is time to move and drags Skylar, kicking and screaming, into Bobcat territory.

At Delmont High School, home of the Bobcats, Skylar has no friends and is often bullied. To make matters worse, her home life sucks thanks to all-star quarterback Caleb Morgan, nephew of her mom's live-in boyfriend.

At first Skylar and Caleb want nothing to do with one another. But they soon discover they're not that different after all--and each is harboring a secret attraction to the other. But can a Bulldog and a Bobcat ever really be more than friends? And are Skylar and Caleb willing to risk everything to find out? Rival Love is a debut young adult contemporary romance from Natalie Decker.

Rival Love

by Natalie Decker

My eyes expand. Morgan? Why do I know that name? My mother makes her way toward the commotion. I stifle back a remark and wander off into the other rooms of the house. A loud snapping sound pulls my focus from a set of mahogany chairs and table, to a black and white kitchen. Taking a seat on one of the barstools is a tall, cute guy with shaggy, dark brown hair. I watch a bottle of water shift from one hand to the other. Why am I staring at him? I don’t know why, and for some reason can’t stop. Black cords string from his ears down to a small iPod secured to his left bicep. He unscrews the cap and starts to take a drink from the bottle. All at once, it hits me: I’m staring at the all-star Bobcat quarterback. Caleb Morgan. My life just became a whole lot worse.

“Liv!” my mother calls.

I flinch and glance back at the dining room. My mother continues to yell my name but I don’t answer. Facing the boy again, his green eyes lock with mine, and I stand there frozen and say nothing.

His eyes trail up and down my body. “Well, well, well. A freaking Bulldog is in my house. Hell must’ve frozen over,” Caleb says.

I glare at him. “I was just leaving.”

“Uh-huh. Guess I could give you some parting wisdom before you go.” He stands and makes his way to me. “Changing your name to Liv isn’t going to save you from getting your assed kicked in school. You do know that, right, Skylar?” The way he says my name sends a shiver down my spine. His face cringes a little when my mother’s voice carries into the kitchen.

I flip him the bird. “That’s what I think about your parting wisdom. And FYI, I’m not changing my name, that’s just what my mother calls me, moron!”

I turn on my heels and my mother enters the room with Brian in tow. Damn. “Oh, there you are. I wanted you to see … oh … ” She looks past me and smiles. “Hi, Caleb. I’m glad you two have met then. See, Liv, you already know someone. It’s not going to be so bad.”

She has no idea. Not a freaking clue. I want her to stop talking now. Why won’t she stop talking? “I’m so glad someone Liv’s age will be around to help her get adjusted to the school.”

“My pleasure. I’d love to stay and chat, but I need to get my run in.” My mother is oblivious to the sarcasm lacing his words, but I notice.

Brian blocks the exit to the back door. “Hold up. I need your help with their bags and we need to talk about the Danielle Samson episode on my front porch.”

I smirk as Caleb’s face slowly changes from a smile to a frown.

Ha. Stupid Bobcat! “Fine,” Caleb grumbles. They make their way past my mother and I. My mother gets a peck on the lips from Brian, and I get a snort from Caleb.

As soon as the boys leave, my mother squeals, “What do you think?”

“I think this place sucks. Are we done pretending yet? If we leave now, I might be able to get my life back.”

My comments bring her down from her glowing high. “Skylar, I’m happy. This is our home now. As soon as you start accepting that the better off things will be for the both of us.”

“I’m a Bulldog, Mother! This isn’t my home. I’m far from it.”

Natalie Decker is the Author of Rival Love. She loves oceans, sunsets, sand between her toes, and carefree days. Her imagination is always going, which some find odd. But she believes in seeing the world in a different light at all times. Her first passion for writing started at age twelve when she had to write a poem for English class. However, seventh grade wasn’t her favorite time and books were her source of comfort. She took all college prep classes in High school, and attended the University of Akron. Although she studied Mathematics she never lost her passion for writing or her comfort in books. She’s a mean cook in the kitchen, loves her family and friends and her awesome dog infinity times infinity. If she’s not writing, reading, traveling, hanging out with her family and friends, then she’s off having an adventure. Because Natalie believes in a saying: Your life is your own journey, so make it amazing!

Win (1) $10 Amazon gift card + ebook of Rival Love (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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