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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
Don’t do bully romances & KU doesn’t show the full title.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a low 3 stars. The premis sounded great, even though I'm not into bully romance. The story was...interesting. I think some of it was just off the wall. The reason the MC and his besties hated and tortured the FMC was just ridiculous. And I know bullies in general harrass people for no good reason, but without spoiling it, this reason was really dumb. They were literally mad at her because she got in the way of something that she couldn't have possibly been aware of, and they attacked her as if she had done it maliciously. And then she had no reason as to why they despised her. The FMC was firey and didn't let them intimate her, which I loved.
The writing was okay, but I could have used more editing/polishing. There were a few cringe things, but that wasn't the issue. The repeptition of words and phrases was the problem. A character would mention something, and then within the next paragraph (sometimes within the next few sentences) would literally repeat it. It happened frequently enough to be annoying, and it took me out of the story. The fact that the MC and his friends were brothers, family was overstated. It was evident in their relationships and interactions. It didn't need to be stated time after time within the text.
It ended on a cliffhanger, which I absolutely hate. The spice was just enough, considering they were high schoolers (of legal age). The story wasn't bad, if really convoluted. Despite the parts that irritated me and that it wasn't what I expected, I might be invested to check out the next in the series.
The writing was okay, but I could have used more editing/polishing. There were a few cringe things, but that wasn't the issue. The repeptition of words and phrases was the problem. A character would mention something, and then within the next paragraph (sometimes within the next few sentences) would literally repeat it. It happened frequently enough to be annoying, and it took me out of the story. The fact that the MC and his friends were brothers, family was overstated. It was evident in their relationships and interactions. It didn't need to be stated time after time within the text.
It ended on a cliffhanger, which I absolutely hate. The spice was just enough, considering they were high schoolers (of legal age). The story wasn't bad, if really convoluted. Despite the parts that irritated me and that it wasn't what I expected, I might be invested to check out the next in the series.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this because of a tiktok recommendation. I only finished because I don't like to leave a book unread. Bully "romance" is not for me. How a strong minded girl could go for a boy who assaults her is beyond me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Omg yassss, let's romanticise trying to SA someone with a bat!
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This book was so toxic and not in a good way. Like I get it, dark romance, bullying, blah, blah. But bro. I draw a line at attempted rape, extreme sexualising and I don't know, putting a bunch of dildos in a girls bag and locker?!?!? That was new. Don't get me wrong. I love some good dark romance. Kidnapping, murder, obsessive, possessive, overprotective. But this guy was just weird.
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I felt like trauma was forced on this guy just so his actions are excused (which they shouldn't be).
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The sub plot (ig). Was probably the only good thing about this book. However, this does not make up for the whole toxic plot.
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The writing was so bad. It felt like I was reading a wattpad story. We have a 5'10, long haired, "Kardashian" looking girl whose parents are 💀, who was poor but became rich (hates being rich). She's also a bad bitch, doesn't care what others say and loves to get into fights. And then we have a spoiled, mentaly unstable, toxic, bully, man whore, rich guy. This guy also has his little Leauge. Everyone fears the Leauge (4 spoiled brats), even the teachers (grown ass adults). The guys smoke weed all the time, always have a girl on their life (man whores). "Yea my friend and I lost our virginites at 16 (15) together. Not TOGETHER but in the same house, rooms next to each other to random chicks." These men do not respect women. It's actually critical. And yet, it never fails to amaze me how Sloane fell for Dorian.
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The toxicity of the snob families in this book is beyond me. Why should I care that this dudes great-grandfather killed this other dudes great aunt or that this dudes grandfather is a psychopath and was in jail. Like tf. It just keeps getting worse.
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As much as I hated this book. It did, indeed, end on a cliffhanger. And I indeed, need to know what happens next bcs I ABSOLUTELY hate cliffhangers. <333
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If this review doesn't convince you that this book is shit, I don't know what will.
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read this for research. The writing is competent. The sex scenes are decent. The plot is bit of a convoluted mess that vilifies a survivor of intimate partner abuse, by framing her as a sexual predator. It’s pretty repugnant choice, imo.
The bully scenario is excused away by a misunderstanding and the FMC being “too aggressive.” Which is also a strike for me, as her fearlessness in the face of threats is a big part of what I like about her.
In the end, it was informative read that helped me deconstruct the tenants of this subgenre. But can’t recommend it, especially to survivors of intimate partner abuse. The internalized misogyny is thick in this one.
The bully scenario is excused away by a misunderstanding and the FMC being “too aggressive.” Which is also a strike for me, as her fearlessness in the face of threats is a big part of what I like about her.
In the end, it was informative read that helped me deconstruct the tenants of this subgenre. But can’t recommend it, especially to survivors of intimate partner abuse. The internalized misogyny is thick in this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Classism
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated