Rival Hearts

By: Maggie Rawdon

Narrated by: Amy Hall, Lance Greenfield

Pro football might see me as their favorite underdog, but Madison Westfield would rather see me six feet under.

My ex-best friend’s little sister has every reason to hate me. I took her boyfriend’s spot on this team, her brother might lose his too, and our short-lived engagement years ago is part of the reason our families are locked in a grudge match that has the whole league on edge.

Ruining me would fix most of her problems, but she's stuck trying to work a PR miracle with my career instead.

Making my way through her build-a-better-image checklist is the kind of torture I'll gladly sign up for, especially if I get to help her prove everyone wrong.

But it means we're spending a lot of time alone together, and when it comes to Madison, I'll take any chance she gives me. Even if it means there's hell to pay—on and off the field.

©2024 Maggie Rawdon (P)2024 Maggie Rawdon

I liked this one

I have had this book on my TBR for a long time, and since the audio came out, I have tried to make sure that I would listen to it.

I liked the story and the characters. The audio was done really well, Amy Hall and Lance Greenfield narrated this one, and I liked them for the characters' voices. I don't know that I have listened to Amy Hall before, but she quickly got added to my list of ones to listen to.

This story will keep you interested, and I enjoyed the twists that came with it.
I will listen to the next in the series. I am invested now!

Great second chance romance

Quentin is a golden retriever rolled up in a tattooed bad boy! He was thoughtful, patient, and completely obsessed with his girl! 10 years! This man waited for her for 10 years! Madison was such a spitfire and didn't let Quentin off that easily, but he didn't have a problem proving himself at all! The chemistry was off the charts good! The support and love that Quentin and Madison have for each other was so beautiful! I enjoyed this one a lot and can't wait for Bea and Cooper's story next!

AUDIO: Amy Hall and Lance Greenfield narrated this one. They both did a great job! Amy was fantastic! She was perfect for Madison, and her male voice was dang convincing. I forgot that it was her speaking!

Loved the story

I really enjoyed the story but the narrators voices didn’t match what I had in my head as their voices especially the male narrator. Still worth a listen but I think I recommend just reading the book. This story is fantastic though so if you can only listen to it is still worth it.

Rival Hearts

Rival Hearts is a second chance, sports romance (football) with Madison and Quinton who share a past 10 years prior and are just now seeing each other again. It’s no secret I love a second chance romance story and all things sports, real and in fictional romance, so this what right up my ally. Both books are full of angst, family drama, forbidden romance, and of course that side of spice 😉. @amyhallnarrates and @lance.greenfield narrate Rival Hearts in dual bringing each character to life and giving us the emotions behind each characters feelings and personality.
🎧Listened to Rival Hearts on Audible

A Man Obsessed

Hiiiiii! I’m back and the Maggie Rawdon obsession is in full swing 😍😍 I love everything she writes and I can never get enough. I don’t often reread books in the same year, but for Maggie’s first audio? I absolutely jumped on this.

There is a prequel to this novel called, Before the Chaos, it’s not required but it will absolutely set up taking Rival Hearts to the next level.

I love Madison and Quentin with my whole soul. 10 years after their story started, we’re back for more. Listening to them on audio took me right back.

🏈 Football Romance
🏈 Second Chance
🏈 Brother’s Ex Best Friend
🏈 (other) Brother’s Teammate
🏈 Enemies to Lovers

I love them. Have I said that already? I LOVE THEM! Quentin knows he messed up. But now he’s back for his girl and nothing and no one will stand in his way. He’s possessive and jealous but also perfect and supportive. I just want to squeeze his tattooed teddy bear self.

Maggie Rawdon’s spice is always my favorite. Some things I read had me squealing in joy. I loved this book and it was the perfect start to her new series.

“You’re the one. You were always the one.”

Rival Hearts was an absolutely beautiful and emotional story of second chances and a love that never died. Quentin and Madison’s journey started in Before The Chaos and I would absolutely recommend reading the prequel before Rival Hearts in order to understand the complexities of their relationship. It will help you appreciate Quentin even more and you won’t be able to help but to fall in love with him!!

Madison was such a strong and independent character. She hates Quentin for their past, but when she’s forced to work with him, she realizes that the man she thought she knew before and thought was an illusion really does still exist. I liked that she was willing to listen to Quentin and how she fought for him.

Quentin Undergrove is EVERYTHING!!! I couldn’t love a character more. He’s a filthy talking bad boy with a heart of gold for the woman he loves. His devotion to Madison was swoonworthy. He had always loved her and although he never felt he was good enough for her, he would do anything to make her happy. His determination to win back her heart melted my heart and his growth was so powerful. He’s the ultimate book hero.

Lance Greenfield and Amy Hall narrated the audio and they were fantastic as Quentin and Madison. Lance gave me all the feels as Quentin and while Amy Hall was new to me, I absolutely loved her performance of Madison. Both conveyed all the emotions of the story and gave me all the feels.

The push and pull between Quentin and Madison was absolute FIRE! The snarky, flirty banter between them was off the charts and the tension between them leaped off the pages. They had to work through a lot of issues and learn to forgive a painful past, but their connection was just as strong in the present as it was in the past. With each other, they can be their true selves. Rival Hearts was angsty, swoony perfection with strong characters and I am so excited to see what’s next in this new series.

Love them!

I absolutely love this story and being able to hear these perfect voices read it was the best. The connection and hearing them fall in love was just what I needed!

If I Loved You Less

Rating: (5/5)  
Spice: (4/5)  
Audio Rating: (4.5/5)

“I need to know I’m the one. I need to hear you say it. Because as long as I breathe, I belong to you. My heart will go out beating for you,” I confess, my heart hammering in my chest. “You’re the one. You were always the one.”

Tropes:   
Pro Football Romance
Second Chance
Rival Families
Older Brother’s (ex) Best Friend
Younger Brother’s Teammate
Quarterback x PR Rep
Forced Proximity
Secret Relationship
Man Obsessed
No Third Act Breakup
Spicy

Vibes:   
Maggie - YOU QUEEN! These characters are PERFECT. It’s truly a fantastic continuation of all the goodness from Before the Chaos! Quentin has the bad boy exterior but is a complete obsessed when it comes to HIS Madness. Mads has grown up so much, is a little jaded, but is so fierce in her job and for her loved ones. I cannot gush enough about the chemistry and spice between these MCs - so yummy. Every single thoughtful gesture and heart felt confession had me swooning. As usual, our side characters bring the whole story up to another level. I love all the cameos! My only ask - I need to see justice for the villain - like a full fledged take down. I’m still boiling about all of it. But also, I’m so very much here for the Bea and Cooper’s story next!

Audio Notes:
Dual Narration by Amy Hall and Lance Greenfield. This performance brought an already great book to life. Amy’s voice paired perfectly with Madison’s character. I would have preferred a different male narrator, as Quentin embodies a rough-around-the-edges professional quarterback. Lance’s voice lends more towards an academic sound. I would still highly recommend this audiobook - this story is full of angst, drama, tenderness and spice (all the best of romance).

Recommended to...  
All the sports readers who love the extra spicy rival families to lovers vibes.

Amazing story!

Rival Hearts is the first book in the Queen City Chaos series, but it can be read as a standalone. There’s also a prequel, Before the Chaos, which I highly recommend reading because not only is it amazing, but it also gives more backstory to Madison and Quentin’s story.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Maggie Rawdon’s books always give me a book hangover. She just makes you fall in love with the characters and their story.

I’m. I’m. I’m struggling to find words for how much I loved this book.

First, I was so happy seeing characters from both of Maggie’s previous series (Plays & Penalties and Seattle Phantom). And what Easton (Personal Foul) did just made me love him more. If you know me, you know how much I love the Westfield brothers…but I have to say, I’ve been converted from a Westfield girlie to a Quentin Undergrove girl.

After that prequel, my heart hurt for Madison. But she was so strong. Seriously. If I were her, I doubt I’d be able to be as nice to Quentin as she was when they saw each other again. Not that I truly hated him, but still. Anyway, she was such a great character and had such a huge heart, but she was no pushover. And when she loved, she loved hard (just like her brothers).

Quentin Undergrove. WHEW, this man. He was a little rough on the edges, but that was for everyone that wasn’t Madison. And the way he was so, so obsessed with her — THE TATTOOS (I was so shocked, and that was so swoony), the books, literally everything he did. He did everything he could to get a second chance, and he truly knew her, so he knew he just had to work for it.

Oh, and the spicy scenes? Well, f. Those were hot. Madison wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted, and Quentin was filthy.

The tension, the angst, the banter, the chemistry, everything was perfect.

Audio:
Narrators: Amy Hall and Lance Greenfield
Narration style: Dual

I was so excited to listen to this, because I absolutely loved reading it. I’ve listened to both narrators before, so I kind of knew what to expect. Amy Hall did a fantastic job bringing Madison to life, and she has a great “male” voice. Lance Greenfield’s voice didn’t match Quentin’s character, and he doesn’t really put much emotion in his narration. And he didn’t really differentiate his voice for the different (male) characters, so they all sounded the same.

more than a typical football romance

To fully grasp Madison and Quentin's journey, explore "Before the Chaos," the prequel novella. This narrative uncovers the evolution of their relationship, the repercussions of yielding to temptation, and the poignant moments they face.
I was deeply moved by this book. Quentin's background, navigating between family members, and mistreatment by certain individuals evoke a desire in me to advocate for him. Despite his inherent goodness, he, like many of us, made decisions that altered his life trajectory. Even before meeting Madison, he made regrettable choices, including allowing unworthy influences to cloud his judgment. It took a decade for him to rectify these missteps and have a chance at winning Madison back when he was transferred to play quarterback in her city.
Throughout their ten-year separation, Madison never truly moved on from Quentin. Their reunion in the new city catalyzed a positive change in both their lives. Despite her initial doubts about Quentin, she eventually realizes his irreplaceable value through his words, his ability to make her feel special, and his capacity to bring her genuine happiness.
Their profound connection and mutual magnetic pull were undeniable. While Quentin always recognized Madison as his soulmate, it took her some time to arrive at the same conclusion.
This book led me on an emotional journey. My heart ached for Madison and Quentin and the challenges they faced. I was captivated by the story and found it difficult to set the book aside. It's a remarkable read, and the conclusion was truly satisfying
Amy Hall and Lance Greenfield did a great job with the audio of this book! Lance has that raspy voice that is perfect for a dominating character and on the flip side, Amy has a fantastic tone that is lovely. Her male voice is completely on point too! Together they made this audio such an easy listen!