The Bitter Rival (ARC)

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Release Date: December 9, 2021

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb: 

Sebastian Lee is a self-serving playboy. 

Arrogance personified.

There's no need for clever seduction. He merely circles his prey, just waiting to take a bite. 

With his sinfully handsome looks and confidence to match, I'll take a swim. 

It's just one night, right? This single mom has needs too. 

Until suddenly, you discover the surgeon you're working with is the shark in blue scrubs.

And he doesn't realize it's you.

Our explosive connection is no longer limited to the bedroom. 

This is not the kind of man you bring home to meet your son. We've endured enough.

Yet these are treacherous waters.

Is it purely lust that brings me back for more?

Our chemistry is undeniable.

The passion unparalleled. 

Is there a hope for a future with this deliciously dangerous man, driven to win at any cost? Or is this relationship one more betrayal in the making?

Review:

Thank you for LM Fox and Foreword PR for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. 

I stayed up late into the night to finish this book and had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes as I got to the Happily Ever After. The struggles Bas goes through made me want to hug my kindle in hopes that he could feel just a little bit of my love. 

This book starts out with a bang, pretty literally! The chemistry between Bas and Bella is smoking hot and right from the very beginning their connection just sizzles off the pages. Even though this is a contemporary romance with some serious material, Bella's inner monologue had me chuckling in the very first chapter. 

"That dimple is going to need a nap for all the effort it's putting forth this evening.

I really liked that Bella was not the normal blonde haired, co-ed Sebastian usually goes for. She's independent, fun sized, has curves, and is a 36 year old mom. She's driven and gives her all to those she loves. Bas starts off as the playboy we all know him to be, but quickly starts to realize that perhaps he wants more than the usual one night stand. He's having issues concentrating and is struggling to perform at his normal levels without any of his normal relaxation techniques helping. This leads him to believe that perhaps the spitfire he spent the night with is ruining him and he just needs to get her out of his head... easier said than done when she turns out to be the woman he demeans in front of several staff and a patient! His behavior along with his history are what  keeps both of them away from one another, yet after coming back for more nights together, they both realize it's something more. Bas's body seems to realize how much Bella could mean faster than his brain. 

"He goes from shark to octopus, his limbs circled about me like tentacles."

Like most mothers, Bella is devoted to her son, Austin who happens to be on the Autism spectrum. I absolutely adored every scene with Austin and swooned especially hard when Bas meets him, accepts him for the unique person he is and welcomes him into his heart without a second thought. He speaks about Austin and his artwork as a "we" which let's face it, is complete SWOON MATERIAL! 

Without giving away any spoilers, I want to throw out that this book made me feel everything. I laughed out loud, swooned over Bas, got angry right alongside Bella and cried for the monumental bomb that tears them apart. It was great to see Kat and Nick back in a more supporting role. We're able to see them develop as a family with just enough of a glimpse into their lives without taking away from the main storyline and characters. 

LM Fox's ability to create this love story filled with so many obstacles, while still making it beautiful is amazing. She does a wonderful job bringing these characters to life and making them relatable. I'm very excited to see what's next with her medical dramas. The list of characters I'd love to get to know more of is long and ever growing. Do yourself a favor and dive into the Deprivation Trilogy, then just keep going right into The Bitter Rival.

The Bitter Rival

L.M. Fox