The Rival

In Emma Lord’s romcom The Rival, Sadie finally wins her long-standing academic rivalry with charming neighbor Seb by securing the top spot at her dream college. However, her victory is short-lived when Seb unexpectedly makes the college waitlist, reigniting their friendly competition—this time to join their college's renowned zine. As Sadie navigates family chaos, personal insecurities, and unexpected feelings for Seb, she finds her perceptions—and relationships—more complicated than ever.