Romance's Rival argues that the central plot of the most important genre of the nineteenth century, the marriage plot novel, means something quite different from what we thought. In Victorian novels, women may marry for erotic desire--but they might, instead, insist on "familiar marriage," marrying trustworthy companions who can offer them socially rich lives and futures of meaningful work. Romance's Rival shows how familiar marriage expresses ideas of female subjectivity dating back through the seventeenth century, while romantic marriage felt like a new, risky idea. Undertaking a major rereading of the rise-of-the-novel tradition, from Richardson through the twentieth century, Talia Schaffer rethinks what the novel meant if one tracks familiar-marriage virtues. This alternative perspective offers new readings of major texts (Austen, the Bront s, Eliot, Trollope) but it also foregrounds women's popular fiction (Yonge, Oliphant, Craik, Broughton). Offering a feminist perspective that reads the marriage plot from the woman's point of view, Schaffer inquires why a female character might legitimately wish to marry for something other than passion. For the past half-century, scholars have valorized desire, individuality, and autonomy in the way we read novels; Romance's Rival asks us to look at the other side, to validate the yearning for work, family, company, or social power as legitimate reasons for women's marital choices in Victorian fiction. Comprehensive in its knowledge of several generations of scholarship on the novel, Romance's Rival convinces us to re-examine assumptions about the nature and function of marriage and the role of the novel in helping us not simply imagine marriage but also process changing ideas about what it might look like and how it might serve people.

Hayden Sinclair has it all: a job she loves, supportive friends and a drop-dead gorgeous boyfriend. She should be happy—and she should say yes when Luc proposes marriage. But one thing stands in her way: Sawyer Underwood, her impossibly sexy ex, who disappeared almost a year ago. When Sawyer returns, he has one goal in mind: to win Hayden back, and away from his long-hated rival, Luc. Sawyer's willing to do anything it takes, and he'll use all his powers of persuasion to convince Hayden that he's the man for her—especially in the bedroom. But Luc's not willing to give Hayden up without a fight! As the two men battle for Hayden's affections, she is torn between them. If only they could reach a compromise—then maybe she wouldn't have to choose... 77,000 words

This tight end is at the top of his game. He’s good with his hands, even better with his sexy mouth, and the best at making me forget my own name. His—ahem—stats are perfect. But I can’t fall for him. He might be everything I want, all rolled into a glorious package of gridiron god, but there’s one teeny-tiny problem. The vile, loathsome team I’ve spent my entire life hating—my beloved school’s arch-rival? This guy is their star player.

I spent years hating Tyler Adams. I've also envied him, longed for him, and prayed to forget him. He will always be my rebel prince. My childhood rival. My best friend. Soon, he'll be something new… My husband. And I dare anything in this world to try and break us apart. A Love Song for Always (Rivals #4) is a Tyler and Annie wedding book and should be read following Book 3 of the Rivals trilogy (A Love Song for Dreamers)! Topics: contemporary romance, small town, second chance, friends to lovers, series, romantic series, women’s fiction, romance saga, romantic small town, series starter, first in series, romance series, romance saga, romantic family saga, bestseller romance, sexy, heartwarming, heart-warming, family, love, love books, kissing books, emotional journey, captivating romance, emotional, healing, hot, hot romance, forbidden love, sparks, loyalty, swoon, funny romance, modern romance, new release, forbidden romance, boy band, childhood crush, friends to lovers, one night stand, second chance romance, hidden romance, strong alpha, alpha hero, family business, strong female lead, strong heroine, family secrets, top romance reads, best seller, New Adult, Romance books free, teenage books free, best seller, series, romance novels, love story, alpha, rockstar, high school, prep school, bully, angst. Other readers of Piper Lawson's books enjoyed books by: Carrie Ann Ryan, Corinne Michaels, Susan Stoker, Natasha Madison, Chelle Bliss, Chelle Sloane, Sally Thorn, Christina Lauren, Colleen Hoover, Talia Hibbert, Helena Hunting, Elle Kennedy, Kristen Callihan, Penny Reid, Kristen Ashley, KA Tucker, Melissa Foster, Bella Andre, Jean Oram, Sarina Bowen, Vi Keeland, Winter Renshaw, Meghan March, Willow Winters, Carly Phillips, Erika Wilde, Kendall Ryan, Jillian Dodd, Melissa Foster, Nana Malone, Anna Todd, Lauren Blakely, Julia Kent and Jay Crownover.

We all have a boy who was our first crush. I never expected to meet up with mine again. Danielle: Our families vacationed together for years. The summer I turned sixteen, hormones raged, and I developed a huge crush on Charlie Blakewell. It ended badly when my dad and his had a huge argument. Even talking to anyone in the rival family became a crime. I grew up, and like a good girl, I joined the family firm and waited for my turn at an important assignment. As usual, my brother, John got tapped for the latest acquisition, but my turn would come. When John got in an auto accident, my turn came earlier than expected. The surprise came when Dad declared we were doing a joint deal with the Blakewells. I would be working side by side with Charlie after all these years. When things started going wrong, I had to question everything I thought I knew, and all the decisions I'd made. Was he the cause of all my problems, or the answer to my prayers? Our time together would soon come to an end. If only the clock could be turned back. Charlie: I'd been spied on during the negotiations, and when Dad said we were changing our offer to a joint deal with the Wentworths I couldn't believe it. They were likely the ones behind the surveillance. At first, when Danielle replaced her older brother John in the deal, I considered it good luck. Then things started going haywire. When busy days turned into heated nights, I had to decide if she'd been sent to distract me with her curves and that smile. Were we working toward the same goal, or were my hormones coloring my judgment? Events soon forced a choice. But, how could I choose between her and my family? Check out The Rivals today and see if love can find a way.

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's 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.