Since I have recently developed a major obsession with YA sports romances, today I am here to fangirl about Rival Darling by Alexandra Moody. If you love YA contemporary romance, fake dating, hockey romance, and boys who fall first, you will want to add this one to your TBR.

This sweet YA rom-com follows seventeen-year-old Violet, who has just been burned by the captain of her school’s hockey team. Her solution? Stick to the one very important rule she shouldn’t have broken to begin with: never ever date a jock (again).

Naturally, as in all good stories, that rule doesn't last long.

When Violet needs to convince her ex that she has moved on, she turns to the last person anyone would expect: Reed Darling, the captain of his rival hockey team. Reed has a reputation for being a gorgeous bad boy and notorious heartbreaker, but Violet soon discovers that there may be much more to him than the rumors suggest.

Of course, their resulting fake relationship comes with rules. Reed, however, has absolutely no intention of following them.

Thus, with fake dating, hockey rivalry, romantic tension, a slow-burn relationship, and a hero who falls firs and falls hard (Zøe sighs), Rival Darling delivers the kind of feel-good YA romance that is incredibly easy to binge.

And today I am here to share 10 reasons I think might make you fall for it, too.

1. The Fake-Dating Trope Is So Much Fun

Let's start with one of the biggest reasons to pick up Rival Darling by Alexandra Moody: fake dating. After reading Lynn Painter’s Better than The Movies, I became a huge advocate for this trope.

Violet needs a fake boyfriend to show her ex that she's moved on, and Reed is the most unexpected person she could possibly choose.

There's just one problem. The more time Violet and Reed spend together, the harder it becomes to remember that their relationship is supposed to be fake.

If fake relationships that slowly turn into something real are your weakness, this setup gives you plenty to enjoy.

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2. He Falls First

If your favorite romance trope is he falls first, pay attention. First of all, you should check my post: He Falls First: Sweet YA Romance You Need to Read.

Now that’s done, back to Rival Darling. Reed may have a reputation as a heartbreaker, but his relationship with Violet doesn't stay as casual as she expects. While Violet is busy trying to control their fake relationship with a list of rules, Reed has other plans.

He's determined to prove that he's not the person everyone thinks he is—and to win Violet over in the process.

And honestly, there's something incredibly satisfying about watching the supposedly intimidating hockey player become completely invested in the girl who doesn't want to fall for him.

3. It's a YA Hockey Romance

It is undeniable. Hockey romance has become a huge part of the romance world, but Rival Darling brings the trope into a young adult setting.

Hockey isn't simply background decoration. The rivalry between Violet's school and Reed's school plays an important role in the story, giving their romance an extra layer of tension.

The sport also creates the perfect setting for a romance involving rival teams, reputations, competition, and plenty of emotional stakes.

If you've been looking for a YA hockey romance rather than an adult sports romance, this one is worth adding to your list.

4. Reed Isn't Quite Who Everyone Thinks He Is

At first glance, Reed Darling seems to have all the ingredients of the stereotypical bad-boy hockey player. He's attractive. He's intimidating. He's the captain of the rival team. And rumors about him seem to follow him everywhere.

But Violet gradually realizes that the person everyone talks about isn't necessarily the person Reed actually is. That makes his character especially fun because part of the romance is watching Violet discover the person underneath his reputation.

It's a classic don't judge a book by its cover situation—and it works beautifully for a YA romance.

5. The Chemistry Builds Slowly

If you prefer romance that gives the characters time to actually develop feelings, Rival Darling by Alexandra Moody has plenty of room for the relationship to grow.

What begins as an arrangement gradually becomes something much more complicated.

Violet and Reed have to spend time together, navigate their fake relationship, deal with their existing reputations, and figure out where the boundaries between pretending and reality actually are.

That gives the romance a satisfying slow-burn quality, rather than having everything happen instantly.

6. Violet Has a “Never Date a Jock” Rule

Violet's rule is basically a challenge to the entire plot: Never date a jock.

She made an exception once, but after getting hurt by her ex, she has no intention of making the same mistake again. Which makes Reed the worst possible person for her to choose as her fake boyfriend.

And that's exactly why it works. Her determination not to fall for him makes every little moment between them more entertaining because readers know she's fighting something she may not actually be able to control.

7. The Romance Has Plenty of Banter and Tension

Fake dating is always more fun when the two characters have chemistry, and Violet and Reed have plenty of opportunities for playful tension.

Their relationship starts with an arrangement and a set of rules, but Reed isn't exactly interested in keeping things strictly business. That creates the kind of romantic push-and-pull that makes YA rom-coms so addictive.

If you like books where the characters constantly make you wonder, “Okay, but when are they finally going to admit they like each other?”, this is definitely that kind of story.

8. It's a Sweet, Low-Spice Romance

One of the biggest selling points of Rival Darling by Alexandra Moody is that it's a cleaner YA romance.

The focus is on the relationship, emotional connection, chemistry, and romantic tension rather than explicit scenes. Several readers (including myself) describe the book as sweet, wholesome, and fluffy. And it has been recommended for readers looking for sports romance without the spice commonly found in adult hockey romances.

So if you've been searching for a YA sports romance without explicit content, this could be a great fit.

9. You Get Dual POV

Admittedly, I have never been a big fan of dual PoV. But in the case of Rival Darling, this happens to be another fun feature for romance readers.

The story gives readers perspectives from both Violet and Reed, which means you don't have to experience the entire romance from only one side.

And when you're reading a romance with a he-falls-first dynamic, getting insight into both characters can only make the experience even more satisfying. Especially when one character is trying desperately not to fall in love.

10. It's the Beginning of the Darling Devils Series

If just like it happened to me you aren't ready to say goodbye to the Darling family after one book, there's good news.

Rival Darling is the first book in Alexandra Moody's Darling Devils series, giving you more romances to look forward to after Violet and Reed's story.

And because the series follows the Darling family, the first book gives you a chance to meet the characters and become invested in the family dynamic before moving on to the next stories.

That's always a bonus when you find a fictional family you want to spend more time with. I have wasted no time picking up Grumpy Darling, the second book in the series.

Final Thoughts: Should You Read Rival Darling by Alexandra Moody?

If you're in the mood for a sweet YA hockey romance with fake dating, a he-falls-first hero, romantic tension, and a happy ending, Rival Darling checks a lot of boxes.

It's especially worth adding to your TBR if you enjoy:

It's also a great choice for readers who enjoy the cute, feel-good side of YA contemporary romance and want a sports romance without the explicit content found in many adult hockey romances.

So if you're looking for your next YA romance book with a swoony hockey player and a fake-dating setup, Rival Darling might be exactly what you're looking for.

And let's be honest: “never date a jock” + fake dating the captain of your ex's rival hockey team is basically a recipe for romantic chaos. Which is exactly what makes it so much fun.

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About Me

📍Dumbo - New York

I'm Zøe!

I write heartfelt, character-driven fiction featuring resilient teenage heroines navigating personal challenges and striving to become their best selves. Beyond my novels, I love storytelling in all its forms. On this blog, I share narrative-rich travel pieces, offering glimpses into my favorite places, hidden corners, and unforgettable encounters around the globe.

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