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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
4.4 stars
This author is one that I don't even have to have a title or a blurb to add it to my to be read list. If she writes it, I will read it. There is just something about the way that she writes that beckons my soul. I feel her words and I get lost in her worlds.
I started this book not sure of what was happening. I kept reading, despite not knowing what the beginning was foreshadowing, and immediately was caught up in the pull between Jude and Fern. Their connection was fire. I shouldn't have been drawn to Jude, because he was dastardly in how he treated her. He took Bullying to a whole new level. Yet, despite this, I still wanted to know how it tied to the beginning and how did Fern play into the story. I wasn't sure about Fern because, although there were parts of this that made it seem like she was just a lovestruck teenager, there also was more that led me to believe that she was connected to something sinister.
Even though this book started out with the characters in High School, they never felt like teenagers, other than the mad crush that Fern had on Jude, which could be even college age. I appreciate that because it is getting harder and harder to relate to characters that are 30 years, or more, younger than me. I, in fact, just thought of them at University or something, and at times, even older than that once I started understanding the secrets that surrounded them. Not many authors can make the characters timeless but this author can. If it wasn't like a word like Prom, I would have stayed in that mindset.
Once the story started putting the pieces together, and I finally understood what had happened in both of their pasts The story really clicked and it made sense. Up to that point though the story had just been a solid four. However, the pieces clicking together made the story finally click for me and I found myself enjoying it much more than I had. Now that I understand a little bit more about what is going on and the world in which they live, I am looking forward to more because there is SOOOO much possibility here. I hope there are a couple of characters that will get their story told.
Even though this was not my favorite by this author, it still would be a solid A-rated book by any other author, which says something with how insanely talented and mesmerizing this author is. She has some of the most poetic lines written in books and this book had several too. I highly recommend this and anything that this author writes.
This author is one that I don't even have to have a title or a blurb to add it to my to be read list. If she writes it, I will read it. There is just something about the way that she writes that beckons my soul. I feel her words and I get lost in her worlds.
I started this book not sure of what was happening. I kept reading, despite not knowing what the beginning was foreshadowing, and immediately was caught up in the pull between Jude and Fern. Their connection was fire. I shouldn't have been drawn to Jude, because he was dastardly in how he treated her. He took Bullying to a whole new level. Yet, despite this, I still wanted to know how it tied to the beginning and how did Fern play into the story. I wasn't sure about Fern because, although there were parts of this that made it seem like she was just a lovestruck teenager, there also was more that led me to believe that she was connected to something sinister.
Even though this book started out with the characters in High School, they never felt like teenagers, other than the mad crush that Fern had on Jude, which could be even college age. I appreciate that because it is getting harder and harder to relate to characters that are 30 years, or more, younger than me. I, in fact, just thought of them at University or something, and at times, even older than that once I started understanding the secrets that surrounded them. Not many authors can make the characters timeless but this author can. If it wasn't like a word like Prom, I would have stayed in that mindset.
Once the story started putting the pieces together, and I finally understood what had happened in both of their pasts The story really clicked and it made sense. Up to that point though the story had just been a solid four. However, the pieces clicking together made the story finally click for me and I found myself enjoying it much more than I had. Now that I understand a little bit more about what is going on and the world in which they live, I am looking forward to more because there is SOOOO much possibility here. I hope there are a couple of characters that will get their story told.
Even though this was not my favorite by this author, it still would be a solid A-rated book by any other author, which says something with how insanely talented and mesmerizing this author is. She has some of the most poetic lines written in books and this book had several too. I highly recommend this and anything that this author writes.
Let me start by saying that I'm rating this book a 3 because I'm feeling neutral.
I love Ella Fields. Her books just soothe my angst loving soul. The angst levels in her books are just the perfect amount, every time.
Ive read more than my fair share of bully books and the one thing that makes them successful is the hero redeeming themself.
Im not completely convinced that Jude did redeem himself.
I dont feel like Jude got to a place where Fern could completely forgive him, which is essential for the bully trope to work.
I feel like the authors writing style was different to usual, I cant quite put my finger on it but it was a bit unsettling.
There were a few other things that bothered me, but overall I did like the book. So im going with a neutral review this time.
I love Ella Fields. Her books just soothe my angst loving soul. The angst levels in her books are just the perfect amount, every time.
Ive read more than my fair share of bully books and the one thing that makes them successful is the hero redeeming themself.
Im not completely convinced that Jude did redeem himself.
I dont feel like Jude got to a place where Fern could completely forgive him, which is essential for the bully trope to work.
I feel like the authors writing style was different to usual, I cant quite put my finger on it but it was a bit unsettling.
There were a few other things that bothered me, but overall I did like the book. So im going with a neutral review this time.
I enjoyed this so much. Overall rating: 4.5, rounded up.
In a nutshell: Obsession. Cruelty. Need. Yearning.
I will admit, I felt a kinship with the heroine of this story. Her obsession, her love for her obsessions, and her all-or-nothing approach were things that I could really relate to. Maybe not to the extent of stalking and creating a shrine, but I can understand how her obsession became so intense. This was unique to me, because most of the time obsessions are only seen as a mental health problem and are portrayed that way. Sometimes, all an obsession is is just an intense desire for something, and the yearning that comes with it. Obsessions don't always have to include psychopathic or nonfunctional tendencies. I really liked this twist, and that's why this book is rated so highly for me.
I will say, I have read many bully romances and new adult romances, but this one was a little different. Most of the time it's the hero and the heroine fighting each other, doing a hate-love type of thing, hot and cold sort of relationship, with some pranks, hot make out sessions, jealous situations, at least one attempted assault scene thwarted by the alpha hero to the rescue, "no, I don't want you" "oh, yes you effing do, let me prove it," and embarrassing circumstances. This story, however, didn't follow this recipe. I found that it wasn't a typical bully type of story. They both wanted each other and they weren't afraid to put that into words or actions. Jude wasn't a player or an alphahole (he had only ever been in one long-term relationship and he was still portrayed as a wickedly charming bad boy, with real emotions and an appreciated maturity). There wasn't any angst or miscommunication. There wasn't a "traitorous body" or "oh my god, how could I want him so much." Even after Jude did horrible things to her, they still both were 100% certain that the want was still there. It was clear to the reader and to themselves how much passion Jude and Fern had for each other. Neither were ever judged by the other. Neither made assumptions or jumped to conclusions. There weren't annoying ass or immature fights or withholding secrets. It was just pure in the sense that "you want me so much and I want you so much, so let's not even talk at this point and just let us see this through right now. Let's be vulnerable in the late night and exchange secrets, and even though I'll use this against you later, let's live in the now and let us enjoy each other before reality returns." It was intoxicating to read this type of thing when I'm used to a recipe and checklist for this genre. So, well done, Ella Fields. I fucking loved the honesty. It was refreshing and much needed in this angst filled genre.
This is where the "bully" trope doesn't necessarily fit. Jude was cruel. He used something vulnerable about Fern that she shared in confidence (when he was vulnerable with her too) to humiliate her thoroughly. I believe this is different than just embarassing or pranking someone to get a laugh. Jude was 100% cruel. He hurt Fern so much, and she didn't deserve it. She didn't try to retaliate, she never hurt him in any way, shape, or form, before or after the humiliating events, she was never malicious or vengeful. She was honestly just so pure, with so much intensity and longing, knowing exactly what she wanted and being steadfast about it. I never blamed her for continuously giving into Jude. It's all she ever wanted, and Jude was so good at being with her. The chemistry was fire. He was his true self with her. And he treated her with so much reverence and had so much need for her. It was no wonder she kept trusting him. They were so open with each other and wanted each other so much. So it honestly hurt my heart to see how cruel Jude was to Fern, despite how much he wanted her. He took her vulnerable secrets and humiliated her with them in the most severe ways. It was to the point where I didn't think that there was any redemption for Jude. He had broken Fern's heart so intensely that I had no idea how the author would bring him back and continue on with a love story. Obviously, this is a new adult romance, so the author found a way. I wasn't disappointed. Fern grew some claws and Jude grew some balls. Honesty and sexual tension galore. Delicious.
The flaws:
I did think the addition of the secret society came out of left field after the 50% mark. Yes it was mentioned throughout the beginning in bits and pieces, but it was never fleshed out the way I wanted it to be. I wanted more detail, more history, more evidence that membership in this secret society was something worth giving up your love for. And I wasn't given that, and therefore, I was disappointed in this plot point. I never really thought it was worth all the hype or fear, and that is a shame since it was so prominent in this story and had been so intricately weaved into Jude and Fern's history.
I also believed there were some loose ends at the end of the book that weren't addressed. Mainly, Silas and Cory, along with Jude and Fern's life within the secret society before the epilogue.
Would I reread this? Yes.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, if you're ready for a cruel hero and some serious obsession (even though I wanted just a little more groveling and vulnerable bits in there due to the harshness of the hero's previous actions), along with a seriously hurting heart during one of the scenes midpoint in the book. It hurt my heart so much just because I know what Fern went through.
Was I entertained? Obsessively.
Happy reading, my Goodreads fiends.
In a nutshell: Obsession. Cruelty. Need. Yearning.
I will admit, I felt a kinship with the heroine of this story. Her obsession, her love for her obsessions, and her all-or-nothing approach were things that I could really relate to. Maybe not to the extent of stalking and creating a shrine, but I can understand how her obsession became so intense. This was unique to me, because most of the time obsessions are only seen as a mental health problem and are portrayed that way. Sometimes, all an obsession is is just an intense desire for something, and the yearning that comes with it. Obsessions don't always have to include psychopathic or nonfunctional tendencies. I really liked this twist, and that's why this book is rated so highly for me.
I will say, I have read many bully romances and new adult romances, but this one was a little different. Most of the time it's the hero and the heroine fighting each other, doing a hate-love type of thing, hot and cold sort of relationship, with some pranks, hot make out sessions, jealous situations, at least one attempted assault scene thwarted by the alpha hero to the rescue, "no, I don't want you" "oh, yes you effing do, let me prove it," and embarrassing circumstances. This story, however, didn't follow this recipe. I found that it wasn't a typical bully type of story. They both wanted each other and they weren't afraid to put that into words or actions. Jude wasn't a player or an alphahole (he had only ever been in one long-term relationship and he was still portrayed as a wickedly charming bad boy, with real emotions and an appreciated maturity). There wasn't any angst or miscommunication. There wasn't a "traitorous body" or "oh my god, how could I want him so much." Even after Jude did horrible things to her, they still both were 100% certain that the want was still there. It was clear to the reader and to themselves how much passion Jude and Fern had for each other. Neither were ever judged by the other. Neither made assumptions or jumped to conclusions. There weren't annoying ass or immature fights or withholding secrets. It was just pure in the sense that "you want me so much and I want you so much, so let's not even talk at this point and just let us see this through right now. Let's be vulnerable in the late night and exchange secrets, and even though I'll use this against you later, let's live in the now and let us enjoy each other before reality returns." It was intoxicating to read this type of thing when I'm used to a recipe and checklist for this genre. So, well done, Ella Fields. I fucking loved the honesty. It was refreshing and much needed in this angst filled genre.
This is where the "bully" trope doesn't necessarily fit. Jude was cruel. He used something vulnerable about Fern that she shared in confidence (when he was vulnerable with her too) to humiliate her thoroughly. I believe this is different than just embarassing or pranking someone to get a laugh. Jude was 100% cruel. He hurt Fern so much, and she didn't deserve it. She didn't try to retaliate, she never hurt him in any way, shape, or form, before or after the humiliating events, she was never malicious or vengeful. She was honestly just so pure, with so much intensity and longing, knowing exactly what she wanted and being steadfast about it. I never blamed her for continuously giving into Jude. It's all she ever wanted, and Jude was so good at being with her. The chemistry was fire. He was his true self with her. And he treated her with so much reverence and had so much need for her. It was no wonder she kept trusting him. They were so open with each other and wanted each other so much. So it honestly hurt my heart to see how cruel Jude was to Fern, despite how much he wanted her. He took her vulnerable secrets and humiliated her with them in the most severe ways. It was to the point where I didn't think that there was any redemption for Jude. He had broken Fern's heart so intensely that I had no idea how the author would bring him back and continue on with a love story. Obviously, this is a new adult romance, so the author found a way. I wasn't disappointed. Fern grew some claws and Jude grew some balls. Honesty and sexual tension galore. Delicious.
The flaws:
I did think the addition of the secret society came out of left field after the 50% mark. Yes it was mentioned throughout the beginning in bits and pieces, but it was never fleshed out the way I wanted it to be. I wanted more detail, more history, more evidence that membership in this secret society was something worth giving up your love for. And I wasn't given that, and therefore, I was disappointed in this plot point. I never really thought it was worth all the hype or fear, and that is a shame since it was so prominent in this story and had been so intricately weaved into Jude and Fern's history.
I also believed there were some loose ends at the end of the book that weren't addressed. Mainly, Silas and Cory, along with Jude and Fern's life within the secret society before the epilogue.
Would I reread this? Yes.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, if you're ready for a cruel hero and some serious obsession (even though I wanted just a little more groveling and vulnerable bits in there due to the harshness of the hero's previous actions), along with a seriously hurting heart during one of the scenes midpoint in the book. It hurt my heart so much just because I know what Fern went through.
Was I entertained? Obsessively.
Happy reading, my Goodreads fiends.
This one really took me for a ride... i could never really predict what was going to happen. The characters seemed to switch personalities quite fast, and the pace of the story wasn’t linear, sometimes things dragged and sometimes it was just over way too fast ? anyway, i was annoyed multiple times but when i think back on it, i find i had a good time reading this. it was surprising and a bit different and passionate and thus - good
4.5 stars
You know, we ask and Ella Fields delivers. She's surely a guarantor for angsty stories that will make your heart beat faster and hit every emotional nerve, playing them like a pro.
Evil Love is another masterpiece by Ella Fields giving you all the feels.
You know, we ask and Ella Fields delivers. She's surely a guarantor for angsty stories that will make your heart beat faster and hit every emotional nerve, playing them like a pro.
Evil Love is another masterpiece by Ella Fields giving you all the feels.
Wow…
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where I dislike all the characters. The story was great. I really enjoyed the narrative, but the characters were all awful to each other. I liked how they grew over time but I would have noped out and left the island long ago! It’s the sign of a good author being able to evoke such strong feelings.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where I dislike all the characters. The story was great. I really enjoyed the narrative, but the characters were all awful to each other. I liked how they grew over time but I would have noped out and left the island long ago! It’s the sign of a good author being able to evoke such strong feelings.
I loooove hating characters, and FUCK JUDE! But this was delightfully angsty and I liked it a lot.
fast-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
Did I read this in one 24-hour sitting? Yes. Did I think the redemption arc was in fact redeeming? No. Did I enjoy the book? It’s complicated.
Overall I wasn’t convinced that he should have been in love with her. Like it didn’t make a ton of sense. I also wish he groveled more and that the outside dynamics that put pressure on them was more…. Robust?
Not my favorite but it was ok!
Overall I wasn’t convinced that he should have been in love with her. Like it didn’t make a ton of sense. I also wish he groveled more and that the outside dynamics that put pressure on them was more…. Robust?
Not my favorite but it was ok!
“Love me.”
She whispered my favorite words. “All through the night.” Her lips brushed over mine. “And every second of daylight.”
very surprised that i managed to squeeze in one more book before 2020 ends. the epilogue was really cute ella fields just succeeds at giving me the most heartwarming endings.
...what the actual fuck?
I swear to god this is one of the weirdest novels I’ve ever read and, let me tell ya, I’ve read some weird shit.
It’s a mixture of clichés (I’ve nothing against clichés when they’re well executed I actually enjoy them). We have the physically perfect bully asshole, the teenage girl desperate for his attention, a fake marriage... that kind of stuff. Just add up to the mixture a bunch of Illuminati wannabes and a lot of psychological problems.
Because, god bless her soul and everyone defending her behavior, she really does have a problem. I mean, that was why I even kept reading—it was an interesting twist, but the topic wasn’t treated as seriously as I think it should’ve been.
By saying she has a problem I mean an obsession problem. She does weird shit like take photos of the before-mentioned bully asshole while he’s asleep and then print them and hang them up in her dresser. You know the bitch is a psycho mainly because of the fact she fucking printed those photos. Who the fuck prints photos nowadays? (Bad joke but seriously). Anyways, my point is, the girl literally made me cringe all through this book with those obsessive traits of hers.
Not to mention that her love interest is another kind of fucking psycho and, in all honesty, I quite understood why the hell they were attracted to each other. They’re just fucking insane. She’s a masochist and has a serious issue with managing her feelings and thoughts, and he’s a pseudo-melancholic asshole who enjoyed torturing her.
I won’t even comment about the secret society because, in all honesty, that shit made me laugh my ass off with all the absurdity of it.
Now, after that gorgeous rant of mine, I do have to relax and openly admit that the story was written in a way that both infuriated me and intrigued me because even though I was hating both main characters, I couldn’t stop reading. It was an addicting read. So kudos for that.
Anyways, maybe I’m just a judgmental bitch and this story is actually good, based on all the good reviews—but well, that’s my thinking.
2/5 stars.
I swear to god this is one of the weirdest novels I’ve ever read and, let me tell ya, I’ve read some weird shit.
It’s a mixture of clichés (I’ve nothing against clichés when they’re well executed I actually enjoy them). We have the physically perfect bully asshole, the teenage girl desperate for his attention, a fake marriage... that kind of stuff. Just add up to the mixture a bunch of Illuminati wannabes and a lot of psychological problems.
Because, god bless her soul and everyone defending her behavior, she really does have a problem. I mean, that was why I even kept reading—it was an interesting twist, but the topic wasn’t treated as seriously as I think it should’ve been.
By saying she has a problem I mean an obsession problem. She does weird shit like take photos of the before-mentioned bully asshole while he’s asleep and then print them and hang them up in her dresser. You know the bitch is a psycho mainly because of the fact she fucking printed those photos. Who the fuck prints photos nowadays? (Bad joke but seriously). Anyways, my point is, the girl literally made me cringe all through this book with those obsessive traits of hers.
Not to mention that her love interest is another kind of fucking psycho and, in all honesty, I quite understood why the hell they were attracted to each other. They’re just fucking insane. She’s a masochist and has a serious issue with managing her feelings and thoughts, and he’s a pseudo-melancholic asshole who enjoyed torturing her.
I won’t even comment about the secret society because, in all honesty, that shit made me laugh my ass off with all the absurdity of it.
Now, after that gorgeous rant of mine, I do have to relax and openly admit that the story was written in a way that both infuriated me and intrigued me because even though I was hating both main characters, I couldn’t stop reading. It was an addicting read. So kudos for that.
Anyways, maybe I’m just a judgmental bitch and this story is actually good, based on all the good reviews—but well, that’s my thinking.
2/5 stars.