The Rival by Emma Lord Summary, Characters and Themes
The Rival by Emma Lord is a contemporary young adult novel that explores the highs and lows of ambition, identity, and the messy nature of love through the lens of a long-standing rivalry. Centered around two gifted students—Sadie Brighton and Sebastian “Seb” Adams—whose years of academic competition are upended when they unexpectedly reunite at the same university, the story unfolds with sharp humor, emotional depth, and whip-smart dialogue.
As Sadie fights to rediscover her voice beyond external validation and Seb grapples with the expectations imposed on him, their once-antagonistic relationship morphs into something far more vulnerable, romantic, and real. Lord masterfully captures the chaotic but exhilarating transformation from enemies to partners in both writing and life.
Summary
Sadie Brighton arrives at Maple Ride University, nerves frayed and body dripping with sweat, as she desperately tries to find the meeting for Newsbag, the university’s most coveted student publication. Known for being the responsible one, Sadie is thrown off her usual rhythm—especially after a collision with none other than her lifelong academic rival, Sebastian “Seb” Adams.
Their rivalry had been fierce throughout their school years, culminating in a college admission face-off that Sadie believed she had finally won when she got into Maple Ride and Seb didn’t. But Seb’s unexpected announcement that he got off the waitlist jolts Sadie back into the uneasy familiarity of their old battles, this time with both of them competing for the same writing spot on Newsbag.
The competition is structured around weekly challenges focused on creativity, and Sadie quickly realizes the stakes are high—particularly when Seb’s charm immediately grabs the attention of the editors. Initially too shaken to sign up, she’s coaxed back into the game by her best friend Christina, who urges her to stop hiding her comedic voice.
Sadie agrees and decides to compete, vowing to fight not just for victory but for her authentic self.
Their rivalry continues to unfold across campus, particularly during a chaotic but revealing Dorm Food-Off event, where the two are forced to collaborate and compete under tight constraints. Their banter turns flirtatious, their teamwork electric.
They bicker over recipes, joke through awkward moments, and nearly share a kiss, each sensing the emotional current just beneath the surface. Their relationship becomes more than a competition—it’s a dance between vulnerability and deflection, a balancing act between memory and possibility.
As the weeks pass, Sadie and Seb inch closer to shedding their masks. Their mutual façade of sarcasm and snark begins to crack, especially during late-night diner visits where they share pancakes and reminisce about their childhood friendship.
They reveal their creative insecurities—Seb’s doubts about his engineering major and Sadie’s guilt over not being the perfect daughter. These intimate conversations begin reshaping their dynamic, transforming their competitive bond into one of mutual understanding.
The comfort they find in each other challenges long-held assumptions about their identities, opening them to the possibility of a future together—not just in love, but as writers.
However, just as things begin to settle into something new and promising, a betrayal shatters the fragile trust they’ve built. Sadie discovers that Seb’s submitted article for Newsbag—a moving and sharp piece about emotional gaps in sex education—includes details from their personal conversations without her consent.
Though Seb’s intentions were sincere, Sadie feels blindsided, violated, and exposed. Their argument is intense, charged with years of tension, misunderstanding, and unspoken longing.
Sadie, overwhelmed by heartbreak and anger, refuses Seb’s attempt to fix things by withdrawing the article.
Their fallout affects more than just the two of them. Sadie’s younger sister Hadley, who has been struggling at home, overhears the fight and feels abandoned.
This pushes Sadie into an emotional reckoning—not just about Seb, but about the identity she has been clinging to. She begins to acknowledge how much she’s allowed perfectionism and responsibility to define her, smothering the messy, funny, bold parts of herself in the process.
She sees now that her voice—raw, comedic, sharp—is something she doesn’t need to hide.
Just when Sadie is beginning to rebuild, an even bigger crisis strikes: Newsbag comes under threat from the university administration. A dean accuses the publication of leaking confidential information, triggering panic among the editorial team.
In the chaos, Seb decides to take the fall, driven by guilt and a deep sense of moral responsibility. Sadie, unwilling to watch him martyr himself, chases him across campus to stop him.
Their confrontation ends with a dramatic tackle, a breathless kiss, and an outpouring of confessions—about dreams, fears, and how their rivalry was always a way to stay close.
Despite Sadie’s pleas, Seb turns himself in, leading to the shutdown of Newsbag. But rather than letting the story end there, Sadie organizes one final act of resistance: a rogue “greatest hits” edition of the zine, filled with powerful alumni contributions and a biting piece she writes herself exposing administrative hypocrisy.
The issue goes viral, garnering national attention and ultimately leading to the reinstatement of Newsbag. It’s a triumphant moment of creative and personal victory for Sadie, who not only reclaims her voice but learns to wield it boldly.
In the aftermath, Sadie and Seb rebuild their relationship on more solid ground. Their bond, once defined by rivalry and sabotage, is now based on honesty, mutual respect, and shared goals.
Seb decides to remain at Maple Ride and pursue writing full-time, while Sadie officially earns her place on Newsbag. The epilogue reveals them as partners—still teasing, still competitive, but now grounded in love and creative purpose.
They continue their pancake traditions, develop new writing projects, and foster a vibrant community around them, having finally found what they were truly competing for all along: a place where they can be fully themselves, together.
Characters
Sadie Brighton
Sadie Brighton is the fiercely ambitious, deeply layered protagonist of The Rival. At the outset, Sadie is presented as a model of responsibility and composure—punctual, reliable, and driven.
However, the story quickly reveals the internal conflict between the image she projects and the more chaotic, humorous, and creatively passionate person she suppresses. Her encounter with Seb, her childhood rival, immediately reintroduces the combustible mix of competitiveness and unresolved emotion that defines much of her personal arc.
While she initially resents his reappearance and the rekindling of their rivalry, this dynamic ultimately serves as a mirror through which she begins to see her own suppressed desires and authentic self.
Sadie’s evolution is rooted in her journey to reclaim her identity—not as someone reacting to others, especially Seb, but as a writer and individual carving out her own path. Her decision to compete for Newsbag is less about winning and more about proving to herself that she can lead with passion rather than obligation.
This culminates in her reclaiming her hidden identity as “Jerry,” the high school humor columnist, a persona that had allowed her true voice to thrive without the burden of expectations. Her layered emotional responses, from homesickness and guilt over her sister Hadley to her vulnerability in the face of romantic confusion, paint a portrait of a young woman learning to own both her strengths and her messiness.
Sadie’s courage to publish the rogue issue of Newsbag and call out institutional injustice also highlights her transformation into someone willing to take risks not just for love or competition, but for what she believes in. By the end, she emerges not just victorious in her career aspirations but also more grounded in self-awareness and emotional openness.
Sebastian “Seb” Adams
Sebastian Adams, or Seb, is far more than the charming foil to Sadie’s intense persona—he is her equal in ambition, wit, and emotional depth. At first glance, Seb appears as the golden boy: charismatic, confident, and able to glide through social settings with ease.
However, this charisma conceals a deep well of vulnerability and a constant pressure to perform—not for accolades, but to live up to a role shaped by his family’s expectations. His decision to pursue engineering despite a clear passion for writing is indicative of the internal conflict he carries, and it is only through his deepening connection with Sadie that he allows himself to confront and articulate these feelings.
Seb’s relationship with Sadie is the emotional heartbeat of The Rival. Beneath their rivalry lies a deep, unspoken admiration and affection that has spanned years.
His flirtations and teasing banter are not simply playful—they are a coping mechanism for navigating his complicated feelings toward her. The revelation that he recognized Sadie as “Jerry” all along underscores how much attention he’s always paid to her, even when masked by competition.
His moral integrity is highlighted in moments of crisis, particularly when he contemplates turning himself in during the Newsbag scandal, showing that his sense of right and wrong often overrides self-interest. However, Seb is not without flaws—his decision to publish Sadie’s vulnerable moment without her consent, though well-intentioned, shows his blind spots and ignites one of the most painful rifts in their relationship.
Still, Seb’s growth comes through his willingness to apologize, reflect, and ultimately commit to a path that aligns with his values. His decision to remain at Maple Ride and build a future rooted in writing and integrity signals his transformation from a boy trying to win to a man ready to build something meaningful—with Sadie by his side.
Christina
Christina, Sadie’s roommate and closest confidante, serves as the grounding force throughout The Rival. Athletic, humorous, and pragmatic, Christina is the embodiment of supportive friendship.
She doesn’t let Sadie wallow in fear or insecurity, especially when Sadie initially withdraws from the Newsbag competition. Her encouragement is never forced or sugary—instead, it is bracing, honest, and laced with affection.
Christina often serves as a sounding board for Sadie’s emotional upheavals, offering both reality checks and comic relief. Her character adds balance to the narrative, emphasizing the importance of platonic support systems amid romantic and academic turmoil.
Christina’s own busyness and overextension also reflect the student hustle culture at Maple Ride, grounding the story in a relatable college experience.
Amara and Rowan
Amara and Rowan, co-editors of Newsbag, are both gatekeepers and instigators in Sadie and Seb’s journey. They set the stage for the rivalry to evolve by recognizing the unique dynamic between the two and capitalizing on it during the competition.
While their role is primarily as mentors and judges, they are also symbolic of the larger community Sadie wishes to be a part of—creatively demanding, fast-paced, and ruthlessly original. Amara, in particular, becomes more involved as a moral compass and logistical leader, especially during the scandal that threatens Newsbag’s existence.
Her trust in Sadie and willingness to support the rogue issue’s publication reinforces the theme of rebellion paired with responsibility. Together, Amara and Rowan help foster a space where both conflict and collaboration can flourish.
Joey
Joey, the sophomore entertainment writer for Newsbag, represents the bridge between competition and camaraderie. Friendly, nonchalant, and observant, Joey is a recurring figure in Sadie’s life at Maple Ride who manages to stay above the fray while still being a part of it.
His pancake diner recommendation becomes a key moment of emotional turning for Sadie, making him an indirect catalyst in her and Seb’s emotional breakthrough. Joey’s presence at the Dorm Food-Off and his willingness to work with both Sadie and Seb reveals his easygoing nature and steady influence, helping to smooth over their more turbulent exchanges.
Though not central to the primary emotional arc, Joey embodies the best of collegiate friendship—uncomplicated, generous, and quietly supportive.
Hadley
Hadley, Sadie’s younger sister, represents both the emotional tether to Sadie’s past and a catalyst for her growth. Their bond is affectionate but strained by distance and Sadie’s internal pressure to be the “good daughter.”
Hadley’s vulnerability—seen in moments of chaos at home and during her emotional reaction to Sadie and Seb’s argument—forces Sadie to confront how much she’s internalized the role of caretaker and perfectionist. Hadley serves as a reminder of who Sadie used to be, and her needs prompt Sadie to reevaluate her own desires and how much of herself she’s willing to sacrifice for others.
In the end, Sadie’s decision to stay true to herself and her voice reflects a desire to become a better sister—not through self-erasure, but through authenticity. Hadley’s role may be brief on the page, but her impact is profound, inflecting Sadie’s personal journey with stakes beyond just romance or career.
Themes
Identity and Self-Definition
Sadie’s journey throughout The Rival is underpinned by the tension between the version of herself she performs for the world and the person she truly is. Her tendency to take on the “reliable girl” role—responsible, cautious, structured—is directly at odds with her authentic desire to be bold, irreverent, and funny, especially in her writing.
This division is reinforced by how others perceive her and what she thinks is expected of her, both at home and on campus. Sadie’s internal struggle is sharpened by the presence of Seb, who not only challenges her in competition but also recognizes her hidden identity as “Jerry,” the anonymous humor columnist.
This revelation becomes pivotal because it forces Sadie to confront the lie she’s been living—not just to others, but to herself. Her eventual embrace of her comedic voice represents a reclamation of identity and agency.
This theme is not only about artistic identity but also emotional authenticity; Sadie is constantly navigating who she is in public versus who she wants to be in private relationships. The friction between expectation and reality, especially as it plays out in academia, family dynamics, and romance, becomes the crucible for her transformation.
By the end, Sadie’s decision to own her ambition, voice, and vulnerability signals a turning point: the merging of the “performative” Sadie and the real one into a single, self-defined identity.
Rivalry and Emotional Intimacy
The emotional terrain of Sadie and Seb’s relationship is shaped by a rivalry that masks deeper feelings neither is initially willing to admit. Their dynamic is built on a scaffolding of years of academic competition, quick-witted insults, and unacknowledged attraction.
What complicates this further is how seamlessly their rivalry blends with a form of emotional intimacy they have never truly explored. Seb is the person who pushes Sadie the most—sometimes frustratingly so—but he is also the one who understands her ambition, her sense of humor, and her fear of not being enough.
The story explores how rivalry, when rooted in admiration and unresolved affection, can evolve into something richer. However, it also examines the limits of that closeness: how trust can be eroded when vulnerability is weaponized, as seen when Seb’s article unintentionally exposes Sadie’s personal fears.
The disintegration of their tentative romantic bond following this incident lays bare how proximity without emotional transparency can do more harm than distance. Yet, rivalry also serves as the connective tissue of their relationship; it has kept them tethered for years and forces them to acknowledge one another’s brilliance, even when words fail.
The eventual softening of their opposition—and the emotional honesty that follows—illustrates how love can emerge not despite rivalry, but because of it, if both people are willing to move beyond pride and self-protection.
Moral Courage and Responsibility
The events surrounding the Newsbag controversy bring the theme of moral courage into sharp focus. Sadie and Seb, both ambitious and driven, are faced with ethical dilemmas that test their values as writers and individuals.
When administrative retaliation threatens the integrity of student journalism, Seb’s instinct is to accept responsibility, believing that sacrifice is the noblest course. Sadie’s counter-impulse—to protect him and preserve the collective work of the team—reveals her own sense of justice, one that is not reactive but strategic and communal.
Their differing approaches underscore how courage can take many forms: public confession, silent resistance, or creative rebellion. The rogue publication of the final Newsbag issue exemplifies Sadie’s growth into someone who doesn’t just react but leads.
She channels her moral outrage into action that is bold, public, and effective. This theme isn’t limited to the campus crisis; it also plays out in smaller, more personal decisions—such as when Sadie chooses to accept the consequences of her fight with Seb rather than ask him to retract his article, despite the pain it causes her.
These moments show how responsibility is not just about owning mistakes, but about recognizing one’s role in shaping outcomes for a broader community. By the end, both characters emerge as people who have confronted the costs of doing what’s right—and chosen courage anyway.
The Complexity of First Love
At the heart of The Rival is a portrayal of first love that refuses to be simplified into pure sweetness or clean resolution. Sadie and Seb’s relationship is messy, frustrating, euphoric, and emotionally intense.
It is built on shared history, old wounds, and present-day misunderstandings. What makes their love story so compelling is that it doesn’t unfold through grand romantic gestures but through small, charged moments: a shared pancake, a collaborative cooking challenge, a confession delivered late at night.
These interactions are layered with years of mutual significance and unresolved tension, making every gesture feel weighty. Their love is also closely tied to their evolving senses of self; both are afraid of losing themselves in the other, of being diminished rather than elevated.
This fear leads to missteps and missed opportunities, but also to moments of profound recognition and vulnerability. Sadie’s romantic confusion is never just about Seb—it’s also about whether she is ready to be seen, to be truly known.
Similarly, Seb’s struggle lies in whether he can be more than just Sadie’s rival, if he can risk being her partner without the protection of competition. By the story’s end, their love has matured into something that acknowledges those complexities.
It is not perfect, but it is real—a shared foundation built on equality, respect, and the mutual desire to grow, not just as a couple, but as individuals.
Voice, Expression, and the Power of Writing
Writing is not merely a narrative device in The Rival—it is a lifeline for Sadie, a mirror through which she sees herself, and a tool through which she reshapes her world. Her journey is one of rediscovering the power of her own voice, both literally and metaphorically.
As “Jerry,” she had once written freely, unencumbered by expectations or fear. But as she enters the high-stakes world of collegiate journalism, that voice becomes muddled by performance anxiety and the pressure to conform.
The competition for a single writing spot at Newsbag is symbolic of the broader battle for legitimacy, originality, and self-respect. Her writing becomes a place where she confronts uncomfortable truths—about her family, her dreams, and her fears.
When she finally embraces her comedic sensibility and uses it to critique institutional corruption, she steps into a new level of self-actualization. The act of publishing a rebellious final issue becomes both an act of protest and personal liberation.
It is also through writing that Sadie and Seb begin to understand each other’s inner lives. Seb’s controversial article, while painful, forces a conversation about intent, perspective, and the boundaries of storytelling.
In this way, writing functions not just as a career aspiration but as the medium through which relationships, power, and personal freedom are explored. Ultimately, the story argues that to write truthfully is to live truthfully, and that voice—when wielded with integrity—can reshape not just narratives, but lives.