Review: The Rivals of Copper County by May Archer (Copper County #2)


Note: An advance reader copy (ARC) was provided by the author.

Back to Copper County we go, and we've got ourselves the rather intriguing romance between former friends and rivals who have an opportunity to rekindle their friendship--and maybe get a second chance at seeing where a spark from a first kiss could lead them. The Rivals of Copper County is Watt Bartlett and Jasper Lancaster (nee Wrigley)'s story, and it's been two decades since these thirty-seven-year-olds find themselves in each other's orbits once again. There was a time they were best friends who also had a rivalry, spending summers together, making bets, and dishing out dares. But after one mind-blowing kiss at seventeen, Jasper never returned to Copper County nor did he get in touch with Watt again, even after Jasper's great aunt told Watt he would. Fast forward two decades later, and Jasper's back, taking Watt by surprise. Both divorced, with Watt being a single father to his seventeen-year-old son, Dermott (aka Derry), they were just teenage boys the last time they saw each other and a lot has changed since then. Becoming friends again could come with a whole new slew of benefits, but with Jasper leaving for California after he gets his late great aunt's home in order, can either of them afford to risk their hearts?

This book was a much needed respite from all the heaviness I've been going through over the past couple or so weeks. May Archer's story of friendship found again turning into love whisked me away to this fictional town that I wish had a real life counterpart. I'm pretty sure there are more than a few if I do a bit of digging. Jasper's return to Copper County may have been unexpected, but it was exactly what both he and Watt needed--not just to bury the misconceptions of that first kiss they shared and the lack of communication that followed, but to finally explore that promise of something more. I was glad that there wasn't this prolonged hemming and hawing between the two main characters, and seeing them flirt and have fun made this even more of the lighthearted read that I knew it would be. Watt's son, Derry, was very much a seventeen-year-old, and I'm talking about the more realistic kind, not the overly angsty, charicaturized version that is often created in order to stir up unnecessary drama. I love his support for his dad and his best friend (not together for those who have yet to read the book!). And of course, the town and residents of Copper County brought levity to it all. Five stars for The Rivals of Copper County.

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Read my reviews for the Copper County series:


The Stargazers of Copper County (prequel novella) - stars - My Review

The Pretenders of Copper County (book one) - five stars - My Review

The Rivals of Copper County (book two) - five stars - My Review (posted above)

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Release Date: 19 November 2024

Date Read: 17 November 2024

Learn more about May Archer.

Pre-order The Rivals of Copper County on Amazon.

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