THE RIVAL by Brenda Joyce

PUBLISHER: St. Martin's, 1998
GENRE: Fiction/Historical Romance
SETTING: England, 1746
PURCHASE: link
MY GRADE: B-

SYNOPSIS: After Lionel De Vere's mysterious disappearance, Garrick De Vere becomes heir to an estate shrouded in scandal. Blackmailed by his powerful father into returning to England after a decade-long exile, Garrick finds himself forced into confronting the past and defending his innocence against those who wished to see him banished forever. Lady Olivia Grey and her daughter both possess the shattering "gift" of sight, and it is this vision which drives Olivia from a loveless marriage directly into the heart of a bitter rivalry between two brothers, placing both herself and her daughter in jeopardy-as lies, secrets and ancient passions threaten to destroy everyone involved. The were strangers and outcasts, thrown together by a past that would not die. Together they fought to expose a legacy of deceit and claim the love that defied their entire world.

MY THOUGHTS: Possible spoilers ahead- This takes place in 1746 and I couldn't get a feel for the timespan. Story was dragged out a little too long which made it a bit boring. Everything came to a head during the last few pages which made it seem like some last minute ideas were thrown together as a resolution. I wish it hasn't been so rushed.

I like Olivia. She's blonde and twenty-five or six and has been married to Arlen for nine years. He's abusive and can't stand her and won't acknowledge their blind daughter, Hannah. Most people outside of their servants don't even know she exists. He's also having an incestuous relationship with his younger sister, Elizabeth. I would have liked background information on both siblings but we didn't get any. Elizabeth is a true bitch and I like her. Aside from some abuse by Arlen towards Olivia, I don't dislike him.

Garrick is very likable. He's twenty-six with dark hair and skin. His father, Richard, doesn't seem to care much for him nor does Garrick care much for him. Garrick set his sights on rescuing an unhappy Olivia and they begin an affair but Arlen's not having it and sets out to punish her. There's a person who turns out to be someone other than who they claim to be. I wouldn't have guessed who they really were.