Before the Chaos: A Rival Hearts Prequel Novella

Queen City #0.5

by Maggie Rawdon

I have two goals when I head up to the mountain house with my older brother and his friends: get his best friend Xander to see me as something more than my brother’s little sister and lose my V-card before I leave on gap year. The more those two goals align, the better.

So when I end up stuck sharing a room with the wrong best friend, I use it to my advantage. After all, who better to give me the tips and tricks I need?

But after a few late nights, I’m forgetting the list I made and realizing that even the best laid plans can end up in chaos. Especially when the wrong guy starts feeling like the right one…


Before the Chaos is the novella length prequel to Madison & Quentin’s full length story in Rival Hearts.

Genres: Sports Romance, Sports, Novella, Romance, Football, Forced Proximity, College

116 pages, Paperback

Published February 25, 2024

Reviews

[Kursed Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Before the Chaos, a prequel for Rival Hearts, we meet Madison Westfield and Quentin Undergrove.

On a getaway with her brother Tobias and his friends, Madison is taking one final opportunity to seduce Xander.

These two. Ugh! I need their full story ASAP! This teaser has me all sorts of twisted up.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥1/2
Darkness: 🤍
Heat: 🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🤭🤫🥵🫠😲
Ending: 🧗🏻‍♀️ {Cliffy}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}

🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): New Adult, Sports

✨ Tropes: Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Friends-to-Lovers
💫 Microtropes: Athlete, Pet Name, Secret Crush, Sėx Lessons, Virgin FMC

💋 Kinks: n/a

⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will leave your panties wet and reaching for BOB.

🚩 Safety Squad: n/a

📣 Type: Before the Chaos is a prequel to Rival Hearts releasing February 29, 2024. This novella ends on a cliffhanger.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐

Okay.. I am going to freaking love Rival Hearts. I am not typically a second chance girly but with this novella, I have a feeling it's going to make me love it.

I love Quentin.. he is perfect. I genuinely don't need to say anything else about him. Just PERFECT.

The only reason why I took .5 off is because I struggle with inexperienced fmc's. It wasn't awful in this - I actually think this was done so well - it's just not my vibe so being that Rival Hearts is 10 years later ... I AM SO READY. 👏👏

Quotes:
"I won't break you. Don't break me?"

"I want you more than I can ever remember wanting anything in my life."

-prequel novella
-sports romance
-brother's best friend
-forbidden
-inexperienced fmc
-he teaches her things 😉
🌶️🌶️

[Finucha]

Fun prequel! I’m intrigued to read the next book and their hea.

[♡Gabi♡ [life & work is chaotic hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

can’t wait to see quentin and madison get their second chance in the next book AH!!! immediately starting it bc the way this novella ended, I need answers, redemption arcs, and a hea!! 🥲

this novella packed a punch: a great setup for quentin and madison’s full-length book, spice, heavy emotions, entertaining banter…it was chefs kiss!

brother’s best friend trope will always serve! 🙂‍↕️

also, hate madison’s dad for ruining everything. 🤬

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect prequel to give you background on Quentin and Madison, and now I’m dying even more for their full novel.

I’m a sucker for wrong side of the tracks guy, spicy “teach me” lessons, and a women who grows up to be a ball buster. This novel is going to be so freaking good!

[iremucka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seriye girmeden önceki olayları anlatan kısa bir Novella.
Madison her zaman abisinin en yakın arkadaşlarından biri olan Xavier (!) ' e aşıktır ama karşılık göremez. Bu nedenle abisinin bir diğer yakın arkadaşı (!) Quentin ile yakınlaşmaya başlar ve olaylar gelişir.

100 sayfada oldu olanlar, giriş için iyiydi, diğer kitabı merak ettirdi ama öyle dağları da oynatmadı.

Kitabın özeti: Be careful what you wish for 😈️️️️️️

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

- forbidden/secret relationship
- rival families
- brother's best friend
- forced proximity
- virgin fmc
- insta love, ish

Solid little prequel to give us a taste of Madison and Quentin's story, definitely left me wanting more

[dess · Rating 4 out of 5]

only 114 pages and this book had me screaming, crying and throwing up… i’ll def be starting the next book right now.

[girlwithhearteyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Ok, this was a good prequel novella!

Sex lessons + (wrong) brother’s best friend + rival families tropes.

Both characters were really likeable, and I didn’t even mind the speed at which their relationship developed because these young adults don’t know what they’re getting themselves into yet.

I’m very interested in seeing where this goes after the time jump.

[Maren’s Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-4.5⭐️

[Kilikina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great prequel to help set the tone and relationship up for book 1. I can’t wait to see what happens between them!

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️

I don’t usually like novellas or prequel novellas but this was amazing. Can’t wait to start the full length! 🫶🏼

[Grace Wilson🦧 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting much from this because it’s an Novella and a prequel which I really didn’t want to read. HOWEVER the author wrote that it’s kind of essential and I’m so glad I did because oh my God!!!!! is anything like how the fuck is gonna be? I can see it a new favorite because my God this was so good.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This prequel novella is so good, I was completely hooked from the first page. The chemistry between Madison and Quentin was burning hot, but also so sweet. I was rooting for these two even though I knew it wasn’t going to end how I wanted. I’m so ready to dive straight in to Rival Hearts to see what happens.

[Fahmida · Rating 3 out of 5]

I already read Madison and Quentin's book months agp and didn't know they had a prequel story. I already knew what was going to happen here because of the flashbacks in their book but I still enjoyed this.

[Notyourmomsshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect prequel to Rival Hearts and I'm so glad I read this first.

[Kylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMFG I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHERE THIS SHIT SHOW LEADS

[Olga 🌺 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alrighty where do I start. There’s so many ideas jumbled in my head about this novella.
It’s a prequel for Rival Hearts.
It’s quick paced. And straight to the point.
I like how even if she’s 19 and him probably 21, they’re not portrayed as sex know it alls. Young adults usually are still learning how to manoeuvre their way around their partners bodies. And the awkwardness of it before, during and after especially when you’re trying stuff for the first time is very realistic in the book.

I like their genuine feelings and I can feel that this novella has paved the way for a pretty good book.

However!!!! I hate most romance authors who are always showing parents as villains. Newsflash, they’re not!
It’s a pretty normal and logical reaction for a parent to get furious about finding his daughter with a man in bed. What was she expecting? “Oh my bad love, carry on making out with your boyfriend of a second under my roof behind my back and when you’re done come out so we can socialise!!”
Yeahh no!!! Parents have their kids’ lives as their priority. Being 19, a young adult who is still a teen, even though legally an adult, is still a young adult/big kid. Hormones are still all over the place and some of their decisions are obviously not the law even if they think it is.

Also, she had a lifelong crush on her brother’s best friend and wanted to lose her V card to him before going on a gap year to Europe to hook up with strangers 🙄 (not gonna reason with the logic of that idea but to each his own), and suddenly she deems it a good idea to experiment with her brother’s other best friend to pave the way to her first crush before she frolics with strangers in Europe. (Also no comment).

But alas, after experimenting with the other best friend and loses her v card to him she realises she loves him 🙄 and after he hadn’t seen her in a year he realises 💡 that after a weekend together of “experimenting” that he loves her too 🙄

Anyway, that said. The foundation is a bit wobbly, the book has potential and honestly I will read the book to see where they end because I am a stupid romantic who is a sucker for second chances and would love to see how their lives blossomed (and who am I kidding! To see how many Europeans she frolicked with 😁🙄)

[Emily Johnston (Booked.Up.With.Emily) · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two are literally EVERYTHING!!! Madison and Quentin already have me in a chokehold and this is just the prequel.

Madison and Quentin have known each other forever, but nothing has ever happened between them. But when Madison wants to gain experience before heading across the world, Quentin agrees. Their sexy lessons were HOT, but I expect nothing less from this author.

But let me tell you, that ending has me edging in my seat! Lord, I need their story ASAP!!

I can't wait for them to find their happy ending.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!

Madison had a crush on one of her brother’s best friends and he never really acknowledged her as more that a little sister, so when grumpy Quentin, another good friend of her brother's, offers to help her get her crush to notice her, she decides to accept the help. As Quentin and Madison check off some of her firsts, they can't help but grow closer.

When they are found in a compromising position, Madison's father is furious especially since Quentin's family is Madison's family's rival. Madison comes up with a plan to save him and herself from the situation and because of growing feelings, she is happy to tie herself to him permanently.

That is, until he leaves without a word, breaking her heart and making him even more of an enemy.

Before the Chaos is the perfect prequel to Rival Hearts . It sets up Madison and Quentin’s history beautifully so we know exactly what when down and where they are when they meet ten years later. I loved getting to see their feelings bloom and all they share. It also gives us what we need to know about Quentin's relationship with Madison's brother and friend. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and I was excited to dive right into Rival Hearts.

It’s a quick read but this little snippet into their past had me hooked from the start! I cannot wait for more!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okayyy.

Overall a great prequel novella. Definitely short with spice.

The fmc is inexperienced, but the mmc is written really nicely and it doesn’t give weird vibes.

Also, Quentin…my little tattooed golden retriever.

✨prequel novella
✨sports romance
✨brother's best friend
✨forbidden romance
✨inexperienced fmc
✨understanding mmc
🌶️🌶️.5

Favorite Quotes:

“The two scenarios where I feel like I’ve made a fucking difference in this world are when I hit one of my guys in the end zone and when I watch a woman come for me.”😏

“Don’t worry about not being sexy. Everything you do is sexy. You yell at me about the Regency era, it’s sexy. You stomp up this ladder pissed at me, it’s sexy. You eat ice cream and it’s fucking sexy.”🫶

“I won’t break you. Don’t break me?”🥹

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Hearing it from you makes it feel real.” I confess. “Because it is. We are. I think.” Somehow her hand is through my chest, wrapped around my heart and I belong to her with just those few words. I’m gone. I’m hers.”

Holy hell! I don’t know how a novella had that much story and HEAT in so few pages! I started Rival Hearts first thinking I didn’t really need the backstory, but was loving reading about Quentin and Madison so stinking much that I paused and read their prequel story in under an hour. This was so freaking phenomenal!

M/F
Older brother’s best friend
V MFC
Teach me
Forced proximity
Marriage of convenience

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Sydnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, this was so so so good! For a novella this really packed a punch and I was here for it. I can already tell that I am going to be obsessed with Quentin & Madison. I know that a lot of times that novellas can seem really fast and the love aspect can seem rushed, but I didn't to feel like that with this one. Their tension and just overall relationship was so well thought out and fun to read. Though this was short, it really gives you such a good understanding of these two relationship and back story. I cannot wait to see how this plays out for them.

I immediately downloaded Rival Hearts and started reading it, because I need to know what happens!

It is going to be good and juicy, I can tell!

[Lakshmi Praveen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What in the world! This tiny sneak peek into the origin story of Madison and Quentin has left me bereft!!! I need more , I mean excuse me what in the ever loving floof was that!!! I mean what!!! It left me gasping, why couldn't it be a continuation like " here take the book" but no no nooo, Maggie has to tease you and edge you. That's what happened I can't wait for rival hearts now!!!
Phewww rant over!!

Can't wait 🫶🫶🫶

[Jess - Reader of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
NA • Romance
Paperback Review
114 pages

🏈 sports romance
🖤 brother’s best friend
🏈 secret relationship
🖤 close proximity
🏈 he falls first
🖤 rival families

📌”Somehow her hand is through my chest, wrapped around my heart and I belong to her with just those few words. I’m gone. I’m hers.”

I knew this novella would destroy me. Because I already knew everything that would happened that summer. But I will never ever regret it. Because the journey to heartbreak was as exciting as a pick six. Followed by a two point conversion 👏🏼

Every little detail in Quentin and Madness’s love story left me craving more. Every little touch, every little secret made me need more. And to know what still laid ahead of them 😭 It was the pain I’d always welcome 🥹

He who shall not be named is still very much the worst 😤

[Chey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, let’s start saying that I heard about the author, but this is my first book by her and I really enjoyed it.
Sports romance it’s my confort reading (one of many actually kkkk) and I really liked this prequel. Here we can see the background for Rivals Hearts and how the love story between Madison and Quentin starts. It’s the kind of fast love/passion we could see with too young people and, right after, life happens and destroys a new relationship. It’s a good start to the book and shows us a promising story.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO glad I read this quick novella before diving into the book. Loved the past and the story.

This is a 2nd chance romance (usually a NO for me) but with some twist and turns so I’m here for it.

Diving into next one now!

[Alyssa GSell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guys! Holy hotness!

I was mad, sad, pissed and heartbroken in just 16 chapters! I can't wait to see what happens with these two in Rival Hearts!

Definitely read this prequel!

[✨Dashik✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good prequel. I'm so excited to read the full length story😻

[C. Rhee · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh wow okay short spicy and awesome!!! give me their book now i’m so so exited and glad i’ve read this first