It's here! Browse the 2024 Penguin Christmas gift guide
Rivals

Rivals

Summary

Now a major series streaming on Disney+, read the whole story here!

Everyone wants to get on top . . .


Fun, sexy and unputdownable – a classic’ - Marian Keyes
'Pure, unadulterated joy' - Sophie Kinsella
'Hilarious, witty, wise, astute [and] flawlessly entertaining' - Helen Fielding

_____

Welcome to the 80s, the decade of decadence…

The glamorous, cutthroat world of 1980s British television is all about power, a time when the affluent elite exist in a bubble of immense wealth and influence, and will use any means to get what they want. Lord Baddingham is desperate to retain his Corinium TV franchise, and to do so he’s hired Declan O’Hara, an Irish talk show mega-star. Baddingham has also enticed on board Cameron Cook, a gorgeous and brash executive, to produce Declan’s program. But Declan and Cameron detest each other, soon provoking a storm of controversy.

Enter into the fray everyone’s favourite hate-to-love-him bad-boy, Rupert Campbell-Black. As a rival group emerges to pitch for the franchise, reputations ripen and decline, true love blossoms and burns, marriages are made and shattered, and everyone is competing—in bed and in the boardroom—to come out on top.

_____

PRAISE FOR DAME JILLY COOPER

Joyful and mischievous. I know of no woman my age who won't admit that Rupert Campbell-Black nearly ruined them for other men for life . . .’ - Jojo Moyes
‘Jilly Cooper is the funniest and the sharpest writer there is’ - Jenny Colgan
'A combination of drama, sex, and good social comedy ... unputdownable' The Sunday Times
'Jilly Cooper is the very best ... elegant, glamourous, wonderful fun' Daily Mail

Jilly Cooper, Sunday Times bestseller, May 2024

About the author

Jilly Cooper

Jilly Cooper is a journalist, author and media superstar. The author of many number one bestselling books, she lives in Gloucestershire.

She has been awarded honorary doctorates by the Universities of Gloucestershire and Anglia Ruskin, and won the inaugural Comedy Women in Print lifetime achievement award in 2019. She was also appointed DBE in 2024 for services to literature and charity.
Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more