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kellyyoungbl's review
4.0
4 stars
This was overall pretty good. Solid writing, plot and character development. I took off a star because Theo did literally NOTHING to make up for all that he put Abigail through. He was absolutely awful to her and didn’t grovel at all. And Abigail kept coming back for more. Zero backbone.
This was overall pretty good. Solid writing, plot and character development. I took off a star because Theo did literally NOTHING to make up for all that he put Abigail through. He was absolutely awful to her and didn’t grovel at all. And Abigail kept coming back for more. Zero backbone.
halffast's review
3.0
Neglected youngest daughter of a rich but toxic family is assigned a bodyguard to avoid any scandals before she's married off, but the guard is her ex-best friend who broke her heart several years prior. However, he's convinced she's the one who betrayed him, and intends to make her life hell.
This book ended up being a really interesting mix of tropes—bodyguard, bully, second chance, friends to enemies to lovers—set against a backdrop of uber elite society and all its inherent social machinations. The bully moments in the first part of the book were tough to read. Theo knew how to hit Abigail right where it hurt. The author did a good job of portraying Abigail's pain and frustration as she lashes out against a world where the odds are continually set against her. Girl is definitely a mess mentally, but no matter how awful things got, she knew she loved Theo with all her heart and Theo was so drawn to her in turn. Their connection was volatile but also at times so sweet.
The second half of the book got a bit muddled for me. Theo and Abby eventually figure out
I listened to this on audiobook and the voice actors did a great job. Teddy Hamilton in particular really sold me on Theo's character. One complaint I have (and this applies to audiobooks in general) is that it can be hard to tell when a character is thinking something in their head versus speaking it out loud. This book seemed to have more inner dialog than average so it was difficult to follow certain conversations between Theo and Abby.
This book ended up being a really interesting mix of tropes—bodyguard, bully, second chance, friends to enemies to lovers—set against a backdrop of uber elite society and all its inherent social machinations. The bully moments in the first part of the book were tough to read. Theo knew how to hit Abigail right where it hurt. The author did a good job of portraying Abigail's pain and frustration as she lashes out against a world where the odds are continually set against her. Girl is definitely a mess mentally, but no matter how awful things got, she knew she loved Theo with all her heart and Theo was so drawn to her in turn. Their connection was volatile but also at times so sweet.
The second half of the book got a bit muddled for me. Theo and Abby eventually figure out
Spoiler
they didn't betray one another, but they don't really discuss it and it doesn't resolve anything between them. Theo doesn't apologize for bullying Abby, and the two of them run hot and cold so many times I started to lose track of what they were fighting about. I also could not believe what Abby did with Theo just moments after his final "betrayal" and lost a lot of respect for her.I listened to this on audiobook and the voice actors did a great job. Teddy Hamilton in particular really sold me on Theo's character. One complaint I have (and this applies to audiobooks in general) is that it can be hard to tell when a character is thinking something in their head versus speaking it out loud. This book seemed to have more inner dialog than average so it was difficult to follow certain conversations between Theo and Abby.
shelbylovestoread's review
5.0
O my gosh, there are no words, this story was incredible. Abigail and Theo’s love was so palpable within the pages, you got lost in it. Even when things got a little dark, a little twisted, I had faith that love would prevail! Or at least that’s the hope, right?
booksumed's review
4.0
Major Jasper and Eleanor vibes from the TV Series "The Royals"!
Okay, I LOVED it! This was definitely ENEMIES to Lovers because the MMC was so CRUEL to the FMC at the beginning!!! (I might have shed some tears here and there
Okay, I LOVED it! This was definitely ENEMIES to Lovers because the MMC was so CRUEL to the FMC at the beginning!!! (I might have shed some tears here and there
victoiredt's review
1.0
How does this book has so many 5 five stars reviews ? I don’t think we have read the same book.
This book didn’t make sense, it was so unrealistic and it needs serious editing !
This book didn’t make sense, it was so unrealistic and it needs serious editing !
swagginswanigan's review
3.0
*3.75*
This book is whack. Very dramatic and over the top but also I was kinda hero for it. It’s a total bully romance at the beginning and then shifts into like a toxic forbidden love situation. It was a lot but I was apparently enough in the mood for the dramatics.
This book is whack. Very dramatic and over the top but also I was kinda hero for it. It’s a total bully romance at the beginning and then shifts into like a toxic forbidden love situation. It was a lot but I was apparently enough in the mood for the dramatics.
totallybookeduk's review
4.0
A dark romance featuring the journey of Abby Crowne as she navigates life as part of the elitist Crowne family. With an arrangement marriage, stalker, bullying and family dynamics to contend with.
After chasing off all her previous security detail, the new replacement is Theo, her teenage best friend who broke her heart and hasn't seen in five years. Watch as they work through the anger, frustration and miscommunications between them.
After chasing off all her previous security detail, the new replacement is Theo, her teenage best friend who broke her heart and hasn't seen in five years. Watch as they work through the anger, frustration and miscommunications between them.
bookish_kayy's review
5.0
Before I really dive into this review, I have something on my mind. And it will soon be on yours as well, if it’s not already.
Ready?
MCG is an EMOTIONAL TERRORIST. There. I said it. No take backs.
Anyways. What the actual flub just happened to me? Theo is literal perfection. I like my boys mean, and Theo delivers. He’s callous, and unflinching, and stubborn, and so many other things. But under that layer is a whole other side. The guard dog, ever loyal, willing to battle. The lover. The swoon factor is real.
And Abigail. The reject princess. So many scenes, I wanted to cry for her. Her family wasn’t the most supportive, she was dealing with a lot of things on her own that would have been easier with a support system. And then she was dealing with Theo, who is intent on making things difficult for her.
MCG brought it in this one. The torment, the angst, the drama, the steam and the feels. I’ve been raked over the coals in the absolute best way. There’s no going back from this one.
Recommendation: put it on your reading list twice. You’re gonna need the second time to sort through the emotions the first time left you reeling in.
Ready?
MCG is an EMOTIONAL TERRORIST. There. I said it. No take backs.
Anyways. What the actual flub just happened to me? Theo is literal perfection. I like my boys mean, and Theo delivers. He’s callous, and unflinching, and stubborn, and so many other things. But under that layer is a whole other side. The guard dog, ever loyal, willing to battle. The lover. The swoon factor is real.
And Abigail. The reject princess. So many scenes, I wanted to cry for her. Her family wasn’t the most supportive, she was dealing with a lot of things on her own that would have been easier with a support system. And then she was dealing with Theo, who is intent on making things difficult for her.
MCG brought it in this one. The torment, the angst, the drama, the steam and the feels. I’ve been raked over the coals in the absolute best way. There’s no going back from this one.
Recommendation: put it on your reading list twice. You’re gonna need the second time to sort through the emotions the first time left you reeling in.
naughtybookaffair's review against another edition
5.0
Rules you must follow when you are queen. One do not fall in love with your bodyguard. But that rule is not so easy to keep. This is the first book in this series and what a great way to kick off this series. This storyline was intense from beginning to end. Nonstop twists and turns, surprising moments you don't see coming. I absolutely love the way that Mary Catherine writes her books. She will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last word. She includes all characters in the storyline and provides each one with an equal amount of understanding that will have you wanting more from them.
This storyline is Abigail and her bodyguard Theo. But Theo is far more than just her bodyguard. He is a bully but yet at the same time so deliciously frustrating and attractive.He’s a dark hero but he’s a gentle and protective one when he needs to be. I absolutely loved the chemistry between these two. It was off the charts hot. I loved what Abigail does to make sure that she gets her happy ever after. I loved her character. She is strong and will not let anyone stand in her way of her life. Highly recommend this romantic bully romance.
This storyline is Abigail and her bodyguard Theo. But Theo is far more than just her bodyguard. He is a bully but yet at the same time so deliciously frustrating and attractive.He’s a dark hero but he’s a gentle and protective one when he needs to be. I absolutely loved the chemistry between these two. It was off the charts hot. I loved what Abigail does to make sure that she gets her happy ever after. I loved her character. She is strong and will not let anyone stand in her way of her life. Highly recommend this romantic bully romance.