“This book is mean and kinky, desperate and romantic…I was consumed.” – KC Caron, Goodreads ReviewerEdward Fasbender is a devil. He’s my father’s biggest rival. He takes what he wants, and he bows to no one. And now Edward Fasbender wants me.I didn’t expect to want him back. Having him is not in the cards, not when a union with him would destroy my father. But that doesn’t mean I can’t play … doesn’t mean I can’t play with him a bit.
Except, I’ve never played against such a ruthless opponent. Edward is cold and vicious, and my blood has never run hotter. They say you should choose the devil you know, but I’ve always preferred long odds.
Even if it’ll get me slain.
“Oh my. I was hooked. You won’t be able to put this down!” – Aleatha Romig, NYT Bestselling Author
Rivalry is book one in New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author, Laurelin Paige, dark and edgy Slay series.
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This book brings back so many feelings from The Fixed Series (which I totally !!) The hate. The deceit. The betrayal. The game. She has never changed and the author doesn’t change her at all.
The author never disappoints me. EVER. She creates a world of twists and turns that will have you on the edge of your seat. She has a masterpiece that follows her other masterpieces – and we can always count of more masterpieces as we continue to see her write. It is a story of every emotion you can possibly think of. It will make you dizzy and you will need to sit down and read this book – as quickly as possible.
The way the author writes Celia, it makes me want to cuss and throw things. She has since the first book with Fixed on you. She creates chaos and problems no matter where she is. She is a master at deception and playing games. But this time around is completely different. She is getting a taste of her wine medicine and boy do you feel the sweet revenge from the past and how she’s treated others. This story is one of realizing true feelings and accepting them, but it not turning out how you ever want it.
Cecilia and Edward have this twisted, amazing, story that is full of Deception and lies at all levels. Truly, an amazing spinoff to the fixed series that will leave you begging for more!!
Oh boy here we go! Queen of angst is bringing the suspense upon us once again. We have a whole new roller coaster of emotion ahead of us and it won’t be a doozy, let me tell you. Ms. Paige can redeem anyone, I know it’s hard to believe but I’m already feeling so sorry for Celia. I know I shouldn’t but I think she’s been going through her own demons she has had to battle.
Edward Fasbender is a mystery, an enigma. I am dying to know more about this man and his feeling towards Celia. He holds something over her where Celia submits herself, it’s this energy Edward has about himself that holds Celia captive. These two have me on the edge of my seat! I cannot wait to find out what happens next, I need more like I need to breathe. Get ready, just make sure you don’t have any plans for the day when you read this. Once you start you won’t be able to stop! 5 intense and mysterious stars!
Im left speechless. I am left with the same feels I felt when I read the Fixed series! Laurelin never disappoints I swear. I love the excitement she provides, along with keeping me intrigued. you’ll always find yourself devouring her stories, which always leave you craving more!
I know Celia story was going to be good! I went into her story not really understanding how she was going to win me over, but in the end I’m 100% a Celia fan!
I felt her struggle and man was her tension on high. I wanted to just talk to Edward for her. And Edward! Wow this man, I freaking LOVED him. We don’t get to know much of him but trust me his alfa-ness will leave you craving him! Just like Celia was. Man did he do a number on her!
This story was so awesome. It’s a page turner that will leave you full of all kinds of emotions. I want more NOW. I’m dying to see how this will all unfold and come together. Truly another great read from Laurelin!
Celia Werner owns her own interior design company but she gets more pleasure in playing a “game” with people where she gets what she wants through any means she can. She is the daughter of a successful media magnate and when she meets her dad’s biggest competitor she hopes she can finally gain the support from her dad that she craves.
Yet Edward Fasbender is unlike anyone Celia has ever met and will she be able to succeed in getting what she wants or will she find herself in over her head with a man that is used to getting what he wants.
Will Celia stick to her guns or will she be played in her own game?
I liked this book but I found it quite confusing at the beginning with the game and really understanding what she was after. I knew that Celia was playing a game with certain people but I felt like I really missed her explaining what she was after with certain people and how and why she was doing what she was doing.
I knew the moment that Celia met Edward that she wouldn’t be able to beat him at any game due to her attraction to him. Immediately she should have walked away but she let her ego get in the way and I felt like she was in over her head from that moment on and she had no chance against Edward.
I really didn’t like Edward right from the start and I could tell he was trouble and had an enormous ego. He would not be turned down and he wanted things his way and wasn’t really willing to negotiate at all.
I actually felt bad for Celia as she was trying to “play her game” a little but it was not working well for her. I was shocked at what occurred with her parents meeting Edward and everything that happened and how she was truly a pawn in everyone else’s lives.
The very end completely shocked me with what Edward’s plans were and now I am really hoping that Celia gets everything together so she can win. By Rebecca
Wow this book just WOW! Seriously Ms. Paige SLAYED Slay!
If you read the Fixed series, you will remember Celia Werner, Hudson Pierce’s former friend and partner in crime who often engaged in devious and manipulative behavior. Prior to reading Slay, I couldn’t stand her and she was one of the most despised characters that I’ve ever read. And I want to give massive kudos to Ms. Paige for doing the impossible by redeeming Celia in the best way possible. Her character development was a complete 180 degree change and considering the person she was before, I found myself rooting for her!! I just couldn’t put this book down.
And the hero, Edward Fasbender what a sexy, naughty, arrogant asshole! And with that said, he intrigued me and I wanted more him. My feelings were all over the place with these two and the fiery spark between them was tantalizing yet maddening at the same time. Slay is an excellent and well written enemies to lovers story, the ending absolutely blew my mind and I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for book two!!
SLAY /slā/ verb
1.
ARCHAIC•LITERARY
kill (a person or animal) in a violent way.
synonyms: kill, murder, put to death, do to death, put to the sword, butcher, cut down, cut to pieces, slaughter, massacre, shoot down, gun down, mow down, assassinate, execute, dispatch, destroy, eliminate, annihilate, exterminate, dispose of;…
2.
INFORMAL
greatly impress or amuse (someone).
“you slay me, you really do”
synonyms: amuse greatly, convulse with mirth/laughter, entertain greatly, make someone laugh;
Need I say more? Two definitions to the one word that will haunt you throughout this series.
It takes a special individual to marry a man like Edward Fasbender. And more than strength to marry him knowing all he wants out of this marriage is Celia’s father’s media company. As Celia becomes intrigued and attracted to this man, she is all in trying to seduce and destroy him. The more she tries, the deeper she gets into a perilous situation, not for the faint of heart.
I cannot say more because I will spoil it for you. Do not miss this gem! Just be prepared!
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.
SLAY: RIVALRY by Laurelin Paige is book One in the Slay Quartet Series. This starts the story of Celia Werner and Edward Fasbender.
Celia is somewhat different heroine who likes to plays games, comes off somewhat cold, plays the big games, can manipulate you. But the more we read about her the more she starts to grow on you and you see some reason why she has become this. Edward is the strong, Alpha, with a dark heart
but with each page he too starts to become more. Edward and Celia are a good match with how devious they can be. This book kept me turning pages. I just want to know what is going to happen next….I need the second book soon!
Laurelin Paige is giving us a look in the twisted eyes of Celia Werner. If you haven’t had the pleasure of her acquaintance previously, consider yourself lucky. Celia is a toxic individual with little to no morals which is why she made such an excellent “bad guy”.
Slay, however, is her swan song. Celia’s chance to be heard. Her devious mind and psychological warfare are just the things to keep a reader on edge. If you thought Celia was the bad guy in this story, I await your decision after you finish.
Two people. Two decisions. One very disturbing outcome…or is it just as possible that there could be more? I am eager to see just how deep Celia is willing to go down the rabbit while and just how far over her head she already is.
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
I literally have no idea how to write this review. The book is phenomenal, the story is getting better and better and damn that ending shoot this book series to the stratosphere, I really need the next one stat. Celia and Edward’s story let me tell you is like no other you have read. It can be read as a standalone, but there are clues in other books by the author. Edward approaches Celia with a proposal hard to turn down, at the same time her father will not be pleased. So let the scavenger hunt begin, I know I am still looking for more clues. A top must read favorites 2019!
I wasn’t sure how I was going to like this story with the amount of hatred I have for Celia. She was such an unlikable character in the series, and I couldn’t imagine her getting any redemption. I can’t say I’ve warmed up to her a whole lot, and at times I found her annoying, but I did like to see some glimpses into her past with the possibility of some hope for her. I loved her surprise at the ending. Oh yes, Celia has met her match.
I’m very curious to see how this is going to play out. Laurelin Paige has written one wicked bastard with Edward Fasbender. Neither of them can trust the other. What was a cat and mouse game of a battle of wills turns into something even better! Laurelin always knows how give us a fantastic shock of an ending and I can’t wait to see what’s to come.
Wow! What had happened? Laurelin had took my breath away with Slay..slaying the mysterious Dragon! Phew, The story was ended with more cravings. Edward Fasbender, the ruthless mysterious Billionaire. I loved his persona…the way he had handled Celia Werner. The dance between were intense and slow burning romance. Celia had met her match! The infamous Celia with all her naught and play. SLAY was fresh and delicious mind game. It will keep you guessing and wont stop until the last page. I want to know more Eddie! Stop driving me crazy…
“I’m dizzy and aching and restless, and I swear if you don’t touch me soon, I’m going to burn up out of need, and you’ll have to explain to everyone that your new wife has left you widowed because she expired from a fatal case of lust.”
Holy Hannah was this amazing!! I have been dying for this series to get here and now it has finally arrived! Both strong-willed, manipulative, conniving and cunning, they’ve met their match with each other for sure!
Celia Werner took this meeting, knowing full well who he was – her father’s biggest business rival. She had no intention of taking him on as a client, but she soon finds out that Edward Fasbender has a completely different business deal in mind. One, that if she plays the game right, would allow her to infiltrate and eliminate, and ruin the man. But, as arrogant, and maddening as he is, she can’t fight the attraction she has to Edward and his dominance much longer. She’ll break him down and get what she wants, but this is war. Game against game, player against player. And the rules have just changed and it may cost her everything.
Edward Fasbender wants Celia Werner. No, not in that way – she’s merely a token in a much grander plan. He’ll convince her, no doubt. He would expect nothing less from himself. With his eyes on the ultimate goal, he never expected to actually WANT her. She wasn’t supposed to be like this. She wasn’t supposed to make him feel things. He’ll have to fight his desire if this plan his going to work. He knows she’s playing her own game to try to destroy him, but he’s about to change the rules and the loser will lose it all.
Gah! Edward is the ultimate alpha-hole! He’s so self-absorbed, hubristic and smug. Yet, at the same time, I think I’d do just about anything he asked me to. I absolutely love him! In between the condescending remarks, the pompous attitude, and the manipulation, I could see smatterings of decency, warmth, and vulnerability, which made me want to kiss him and smack him all at the same time. I really want to peel off the layers surrounding this man and find out what turned him this way. And after that ending, I can only imagine how Celia is going to turn the tables in her favor. I can’t wait for more of his and Celia’s story!
WHOA!!! HOLY SMOKES. GET READY TO HAVE YOUR EXPECTATIONS BLOWN OUT OF THE WATER.
Rivalry (Slay Trilogy #1) really lived up to its name. I totally slayed me.
Anyone who is a fan of Laurelin Paige, must surely have read the ‘Fixed’ series of books. We all know about Lainey and Hudson. We also know who Celia is.
Or we thought we did.
Here is her own book we find a totally different woman. Yes, she owns up to her mistakes. She takes responsibility for them- at least in her own head. She’s strong and determined. She’s her own woman. But, nothing… not even Hudson Pierce has prepared her for all that is Edward Fasbender.
My word. This man??
He’s incredibly hot and ruggedly sexy, but he’s hard, callous… brutal. Celia is drawn to him like an unwilling moth to a scorching flame. He plans to bend her to his will, but not in the way she expects… or comes to want. To desire. To lust after.
Didn’t think you’d ever feel sorry for Celia. Or want to bash her protagonist over the head? To kick and scream at the very fabric of what’s become of her???
THINK AGAIN!!! OH MY GOD! Truly. THINK AGAIN!
If you read The Fixed series, then you know about Celia Warren. Slay: Rivalry is the first book in her story. After reading this, she isn’t as bad as I thought but I still don’t know how I feel about her and also Edward Fassbender. Edward was arrogant, possessive and a jerk. I am dying to read book two to see where their story goes!
If you’ve read the Fixed Series by Laurelin Paige you may remember Celia. The woman we all loved to hate. It is nice to see her get her own story, to get into her mind and to learn more about her. Honestly, after reading this I started to hate her a little bit less.
This book SLAYED. I was completely hooked from there very beginning. Celia and Edward’s story is completely addicting, full of steaminess, mysterious, and perfect. There is so much to both of these characters and Slay is just the surface of their stories.
Edward Fasbender, that man is deadly. He is arrogant, he is a jerk, he is possessive and he is also insanely handsome. No wonder Celia is so attracted to the man. He is the perfect man to give Celia and her games a run for their money.
After the ending of Slay, I CANNOT wait to see where their story goes and if the Dragon will be slayed in the end.
I don’t even know where to begin with this book, I have been lost for words for the last 24 hours. This story running crazy in my mind…. and that is not a bad thing. I love it when a book can gut-punch me hard, and leave me winded just like this one has.
Slay is the first book in the Slay Quartet series and what an amazing start to a series. Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. This story is intense and insane, it blew my mind. Laurelin Paige in one of my top favorites and this series is the prime example of why. The author is ruthless.
This was one epic start to what I know is going to be an epic series. In book one we have two main characters Edward and Celia, who enter an arrangement where they go head to head and are at war with each other, but though they are constantly playing each other off, playing mind games and trying to defeat each other, the affection, passion, and heat between the two starts to boil over, and things get even more insane and intense. Both characters are strong willed, hard headed, alphas and won’t go down without a fight.
Edward was… infuriating and arrogant in a way but Jesus Christ I loved him, he was delicious, he was ruthless and cutthroat. He was the type to be able to get exactly what he wanted, when he wanted and how he wanted. He was intimidating but that began to slip when Celia was in the picture, he had underestimated her, and she was basically the female version of him. She was just as alpha, just as cutthroat and she wasn’t afraid to go for the kill. She could handle herself well and she gave back as much sh*t that was thrown her way. She was strong and I loved that.
This plot had my mind on overdrive, and it still has, especially with that ending. I need MORE! It was hot, sexy, intense and addictive! I cannot wait to see what this author has in store for us next. One thing I do know is that it is going to be just as epic as this!
5 Stars
I am barely holding onto my sanity after finishing Slay : Rivalry by Laurelin Paige. My emotions are all over the place. My heart is wrecked. The intricate and insane mind games have left me breathless and dazed. A masterpiece, a genius creation and undoubtedly the best story by Laurelin Paige till date.
I thought I knew and understood the characters from Fixed Universe perfectly well. But I am dead wrong. Celia Werner had her own box in my mind. She is the devil, the cruel player and the cold hearted despicable woman without any regard for other people’s feelings. And then Laurelin Paige turned my world upside down. It is still early in a four book series to comment but only Laurelin Paige can take risk on something epic like this. She took me right inside the darkest corner of Celia’s mind. An extraordinary storytelling peels her layers slowly and I am just awed.
The Devil required a worse kind of predator to challenge, unsettle and break her. And damn if Edward Fasbender is not better than perfection. He is absolutely the most ruthless, cruel, assholish, gorgeous and so by default the most intriguing and attractive man created by Laurelin Paige. Donovan Kincaid has just handed over his crown. He is playing games. Celia is playing games. And I am in the middle, getting shattered and devastated. Edward wants to marry Celia, daughter of his biggest competitor. But why? How? My mind is spinning with theories and possibilities. Trust me the adrenaline rush is unlike anything you have ever read.
All of Laurelin Paige’s stories are epitome of sexy and passionate. But this story has a certain kind of dark edgy feeling that is a bit different from her playful sexy stories. The writing has become a character on it’s own. The words crept inside me, chilled me to the bones and warmed me to the core. The suspenseful and mysterious dance between Edward and Celia is simply brilliant perfection. She sucked me right in from the prologue and cast a strong spell. I have been holding my breath, cursing and hitting my head all the time. The anticipation of the twist in the next chapter was literally killing me. She dug deep into the psyche of Edward and Celia with her amazing and mindblowing writing. And I just savoured every minute of torture. They have hatred and passion flowing between them like electrical charges. They are bound by the mistrust, hostility and resentment right along with contrasting inescapable and undeniable attraction. The jaw dropping ending was cruel but fitting. The push and pull, the resist and yield- was fascinating.
Slay : Rivalry by Laurelin Paige is absolutely mesmerizing and stunning. I really don’t have enough praising words to describe my out of the world reactions and sincere admiration. Just trust me. You need this story more than your next breath!
Received ARC for Honest Review
WHAT DID I JUST READ?!?!?!? I will start this by saying that I hate Celia with a passion! The way she wouldn’t let go of Hudson was so infuriating! Ugh! I can’t even go back there right now! So I hate this chick right….. why the hell did I start feeling sorry for her half way through this story? Why??? I don’t know!!!!! It’s like now that she seems to want love (which she is still in denial about) this guy comes along and takes that away from her by playing her own game. You would think that I would be jumping for joy…. why am I not jumping for joy??? And the cliffhanger killed me! Literally had my jaw dropped and mouth wide open! I am so ready to get the next one to see what happens!!! I need to know what happens with Edward and Celia! He seems like he is so hot and cold….. and he does some of the sweetest things! But makes it sound like it was “just because”. I really really need to know more about him! I am in freak out mode!!! Totally need to get in on these books! 5 stars all the way!
Slay Series
Gahhhh!! I fell in love with Ms. Paige’s stories with the Fixed Series. I learned to love to hate Celia Werner.
Now this series, whew this first book is fantastic. The push and pull between Edward and Celia is epic.
Celia is trying hard to use her old tricks against Edward. You also get some hints and teases about her back story, what made Celia into the woman she is today.
Now Celia is a tough character to empathize with. But Ms. Paige has the talent to bring the reader around. I started to feel sorry for Celia, and then I also wanted to shake her and tell her to stay strong, don’t cave!
Edward, wow! One one hand I kinda love him for calling Celia out on her behavior. Then on the other hand I so want to shake him and what the hell!! He is taking the whole “tough love” saying to a whole new level!
And the ending!! Holy crow! This is a cliffhanger that has me holding on by my fingertips, waiting for the next book in this series!
You are going to love this first book in the series! I do! I want to see their world burn around them and see what comes out of the ashes!
I was on edge while reading this entire book. It is book one of a spin off series. I highly recommend reading the Fixed series by Laurelin Paige because it is one of my favorite series of all time, and it’s important to have the background information on Celia Werner. Slay is Celia’s story Celia’s past behavior is seemingly lacking conscience and ethics. In this book, Edward Fasbender is the head of of a rival business, and he claims romantic interest in Celia. As a reader, I wasn’t sure who is the evil character – Celia or Edward? Little by little pieces of background and personality about each character is shared. I am having questions whether they need to be locked up or need a hug. It ends in a cliff hanger, and book two cannot be here fast enough.