Rivals: The steamy romance from the Sunday Times bestseller, now the hottest series on TV [cover may vary] (Rutshire Chronicles Book 2)

Rivals by Jilly Cooper Review: The £0.99 Romance That Hooked a Nation

Why Everyone's Talking About It Again

The recent TV adaptation has introduced Cooper's world to a new generation, and frankly, the timing couldn't be better. After years of worthy but dreary television drama, there's something refreshing about a show that embraces pure, unapologetic fun. The book that started it all is available for pocket change, which explains why it's been climbing the digital bestseller charts again.

Cooper wrote Rivals during the height of Thatcherite Britain, and it shows. The characters are larger than life, the wealth is obscene, and everyone's shagging everyone else with the sort of carefree abandon that only works in fiction. Rupert Campbell-Black, the show-jumping lothario who dominated the previous book, returns here as a supporting character, whilst media rivals Declan O'Hara and Lord Baddingham take centre stage.

What You're Actually Getting for 99p

At over 600 pages, this isn't a quick beach read, despite what the bodice-ripper reputation might suggest. Cooper has a genuine talent for character development, even if those characters happen to be shagging their way through the Cotswolds. The plot rattles along at breakneck speed, jumping between multiple storylines without ever feeling scattered.

The writing style is deliberately accessible – this isn't Booker Prize material, but it's far more sophisticated than critics often give it credit for. Cooper has a sharp eye for social observation, and her skewering of 1980s media culture feels surprisingly current. The sexual politics are very much of their time, which some readers might find jarring, but there's an underlying feminist streak that's easy to miss if you're not paying attention.

The Characters That Made It a Phenomenon

Declan O'Hara, the Irish journalist turned television presenter, anchors the story with surprising depth. His rivalry with the ruthless Lord Baddingham drives much of the plot, but it's the supporting cast that makes this world feel lived-in. From Taggie, Declan's dyslexic daughter, to the various wives, mistresses, and media executives orbiting the main players, Cooper creates a genuine ensemble piece.

The horses get almost as much character development as the humans, which tells you everything you need to know about Cooper's priorities. If you're not comfortable with detailed descriptions of both equestrian events and bedroom activities, this probably isn't your cup of tea.

Where It Shows Its Age

Rivals was written in 1988, and some aspects feel decidedly dated. The casual attitudes towards workplace harassment and the general treatment of working-class characters might make modern readers wince. There's also an assumption that readers will find certain behaviours charming that wouldn't fly today – though whether that's a bug or a feature depends entirely on your perspective.

The pacing occasionally suffers from Cooper's enthusiasm for her characters. Some subplots feel underdeveloped whilst others get more attention than they deserve. At 99p, though, you can afford to skim the bits that don't grab you.