This book sounded very good but started slowly. I didn't like the characters and eventually gave up and didn't finish it. This one's not for me

The Rival is a psychological thriller that is a slow start, but is worth the finish line. Well developed characters and interesting storyline.

Really interesting, a fun, gripping, page-turner.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Really gripping story with so many twists and turns, I was so surprised by the last chapters. WOW! A really page turner.

This one was ok. I was expecting a little bit more from it if I’m honest but it was an enjoyable enough read. The storyline was predictable but it did have a few good twists and turns.

Here's to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Divided into three parts and told from two perspectives...those of Helena and Ashley, The Rival goes back and forth from the past to the present. It was quite expertly rendered, as I was never confused about the characters or timeline. In fact, the characters were beautifully fleshed out, their actions and desires ultimately making both quite sympathetic.

This isn't a super gripping story...it wasn't one I just had to pick up, but once I was reading, I was always engrossed. Honestly, it wasn't at all what I was expecting. I was thinking we'd have two snarky characters battling it out in the office...but what I got was more of a character study about ambition, rivalry, and mental illness.

My main gripe, which isn't really much of a gripe at all, was that Part 3 of the novel felt like a completely different book. The writing, the tone, the voice...it was all COMPLETELY different. And while there is a "twist" at the end of the story, it really isn't much of one.

Worth reading, I think.

**Thanks to the publisher for my free copy in exchange for my candid review.

Interesting, chilling story. The back and forth in time made it hard to follow at times, but the twists and turns throughout the book kept you turning the pages.

I enjoyed this book with it's more than meets the eye main characters. It deals with mental health issues in a really sensitive ( and different) way. The book to me is paced as a thriller would be and this really adds to the drama. Would recommend this book.

Such an interesting sounding read, until you actually start reading it. Ms. Duckworth makes the characters sound like head cases. It really did not seem like there was a true plot either, just two women competing to be the best in their business. Like we haven't read that story before. Only that wasn't really the hidden premise behind the book, it was more about postpartum depression, too many "TMI" moments, and seemed to be one long running public service announcement.
I really wanted to like this book but instead it was disappointing at best. Helena and Ashley just are not characters you want to keep reading about. Overall lackluster novel. Would not recommend

Plot? Strong
Characters? Well-balanced and intense
Thriller worthy? Maybe, it did good.
This was a good read, took a while to finish due to other commitments but I finished it.
Looking forward to more books from the author.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

What an interesting book. It took me a bit of time after finishing it to decompress and really think through what I just read. There were so many aspects of this book that I found intriguing - such as the study of female relationships and mental health - and so many times that I was truly surprised. However, as powerful as I found the ending in some ways (including the wonderful note from the author at the end), in other ways I felt that certain characters were done an injustice.

The author did a wonderful job of portraying the business world that Helena and Ashley lived in, and while I have no idea as to the accuracy, I found it all very believable in a way that had me feeling invested in the business happenings and with a sense of understanding of how things were at KAMU. This is something that Charlotte Duckworth also did amazingly in her newer novel, Unfollow Me - she got me both understanding and invested in something completely different from my everyday life. This is a major strength of hers and will keep me reading her books in the future. As much as I found myself annoyed with what the characters said or did at times, they felt real in a way that kept me reading and wanting to know more.

It's hard to share my feelings about the end without spoiling the ending. I felt that more could have been done to wrap things up for Ashley and give readers as good of an understanding of her as we were given for Helena. That being said, I would still recommend reading this book, as it gives you so much to think about and to discuss.

A book that seems to deliver not much but in reality it packs a punch. A book that keeps you wanting more and wanting to know more.
A great, intense read.
Plot is strong, characters are well balanced and well written.
Overall a good read

Stunning tale, I was engulfed in this story and could not stop reading. I will be following this author for new releases.

The characters in this book pull you into the story from the beginning and mess with your mind in a good way since the story is told from different perspectives at different times in the lives of the characters. The plot was full of twists and turns and plenty of action.

Psychological suspense revolving around two women (Helena and Ashley), two timelines and a double but clear narrative. Slow to start but ultimately a compelling read with some clever plotting and some unexpected turns. Overall an engaging, character driven read.

Firstly I would like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

With POVS from both the past and future from both main characters, this read certainly had me at the edge of my seat throughout. It kept me guessing from start to finish and that shocking end twist had me gasping!
A brilliant read from this author and I'm really looking forward to reading 'Unfollow Me'.

This story alternates between then and now, for both Helena and her protégé Ashley, you know something has happened but what? You won't have a clue. This book flowed smoothly and kept my interest throughout. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

This book has dual-timelines and chronicles a work rivalry between two women, Helena and Ashley. This book is part Single White Female and partly a narrative about navigating motherhood in a corporate world. This book was gritty and suspenseful yet still manages to have a deeper commentary about societal issues. One of the characters, Ashley, seems so unlikeable, and I devoured this book so quickly trying to figure out why.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing advance review copies to review. All opinions are my own.

What a great book. Would definitely recommend to it others I no. Great work will look out for this author again

This is a great guilty read accompanied by popcorn and chocolate with an anxiety pill towards the end. Told through our favorite mode; two different POV’s of the two women in a work rivalry /friendship that goes terribly wrong. Fast paced with post-partum underlying issues, this is a book you read quicker and quicker.