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dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ok, I’m not really into a lot of dark, taboo or bully romance, but here we are. And with stepsiblings? Let’s go!
Now, there was one point in this where I had to step back and say, “whoa” this is a lot for teenagers. Eloise and Rome were just doing things and so were other characters. It was a lot. Until I realized I did a lot of that when I was younger and knew people who did as well.
That’s when this book just became really easy for me to read. Usually darker content can trigger me, but I have been working on things and I was able to enjoy it.
The ending was a tiny bit unexpected, but it also felt a little rushed. Still, we got a story that I had a good time reading.
Now, there was one point in this where I had to step back and say, “whoa” this is a lot for teenagers. Eloise and Rome were just doing things and so were other characters. It was a lot. Until I realized I did a lot of that when I was younger and knew people who did as well.
That’s when this book just became really easy for me to read. Usually darker content can trigger me, but I have been working on things and I was able to enjoy it.
The ending was a tiny bit unexpected, but it also felt a little rushed. Still, we got a story that I had a good time reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking
Minor: Bullying
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
This was teetering more around a 3.5 ⭐️ for me personally. I really liked Rome and Elodie as both individuals and a duo but at times the story felt drawn out and slow.
I love a good bully romance and while Rome is initially attracted to Elodie before bullying her the hatred felt weak. What he tries to use against her wasn’t threatening in my opinion and I enjoyed the book far more once he started realizing his obsession with her. Their chemistry was great and the secrecy added an intriguing element that was lacking in the bullying portion.
The secondary threat is what really kept me interested in reading, and had me gripping my kindle at times wondering what would happen. The ending did feel a tad rushed, or at least it could have been drawn out given what we were building towards but it wasn’t bad at all.
This books biggest opportunity was Elodie’s mom… what kept irritating me was how little she cared for her daughter. She was written to care but when certain details were shared it felt so flat? You’d think as her mother she’d be more concerned but no. The ending of the book left me scratching my head a bit because again, it FELT like there should be more concern or hesitation but nope.
Spice 4/5 🌶️ and read like early-mid twenties smut.
At the end of the day I did still enjoy this read, it met my bully romance needs and I’m still really intrigued by book 2!
Thank you Valentine PR & Rachel Leigh for providing me with an opportunity to read an advance copy!
I love a good bully romance and while Rome is initially attracted to Elodie before bullying her the hatred felt weak. What he tries to use against her wasn’t threatening in my opinion and I enjoyed the book far more once he started realizing his obsession with her. Their chemistry was great and the secrecy added an intriguing element that was lacking in the bullying portion.
The secondary threat is what really kept me interested in reading, and had me gripping my kindle at times wondering what would happen. The ending did feel a tad rushed, or at least it could have been drawn out given what we were building towards but it wasn’t bad at all.
This books biggest opportunity was Elodie’s mom… what kept irritating me was how little she cared for her daughter. She was written to care but when certain details were shared it felt so flat? You’d think as her mother she’d be more concerned but no. The ending of the book left me scratching my head a bit because again, it FELT like there should be more concern or hesitation but nope.
Spice 4/5 🌶️ and read like early-mid twenties smut.
At the end of the day I did still enjoy this read, it met my bully romance needs and I’m still really intrigued by book 2!
Thank you Valentine PR & Rachel Leigh for providing me with an opportunity to read an advance copy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Bullying
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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:
No
(Advance Readers Copy)
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶🌶🌶
I'm so happy that I got to read this as an ARC. This book was so great, and I'm a lover of Step-Siblings romances! This author is amazing! The way she added in the perfect amount of suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat, guessing. Wow, I love this book!
Tropes:
🏈 Football (Quarterback)
📚 Step-Siblings
🏈 Forced Proximity
📚 Suspense
🏈 Bullying
📚 Touch Her & Die
Eliody has her life planned out. She's been accepted into Stanford University. One night, while in her mom's hometown, her and her sister go to a party. Eliody gets lost on her way back to the hotel. She finds herself in a park/playground where 3 guys are trying to sexually assault her. A guy comes out of nowhere and saves her by attacking the boys. Eliody runs and calls the law to help her hero out.
A year later, Eliody's mom says she's getting married to her high school sweetheart, and their all moving in with her new husband and his 4 sons in the town of Willow Creek. The same town she was in when she was attacked.
Rome is her new step-brother, and he is set out to make her life a living hell. He had his life planned out as well. Accepted into UCLA with a football scholarship. Now he's benched for half the season of his senior year, watching his twin brother Wilder playing in his spot. His life is ruined, and he blames Eliody for it all. He runs the high school they go to and pretty much blackmail and bully anyone to get his way.
With Eliody in his site and living under the same roof now. She's going to pay for what she's done. Eliody is clueless as to why Rome is after her. And now that she's back in town, she's getting threats, drugged, and sought after by someone who wants to hurt her. The only person she can seek out for help is Rome. The more Rome is around Eliody, the closer they become. When Eliody finds out the truth as to why Rome is after her, she'll do anything to help him out. To try and fix things and make them right. Now they just have to find out who's after her.
This book keeps you on the edge of your seat, trying to guess who is after Eliody. When you think you have it figured out, it's not that person. Plus, you have the football team trying to get into Eliody's pants and making comments to Rome. Rome has got a temper and is mad at the world since his mother died. Can Eliody help him calm out. Oh, the spice is extra spicy between these two. I normally feel weird sometimes reading a romance book about high school teens. I'm imagining these two are 18, even though it didn't state it. Because I would feel really weird reading about younger teens and really spicy banging scenes. Besides that, this book was amazing 👏 🤩
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶🌶🌶
I'm so happy that I got to read this as an ARC. This book was so great, and I'm a lover of Step-Siblings romances! This author is amazing! The way she added in the perfect amount of suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat, guessing. Wow, I love this book!
Tropes:
🏈 Football (Quarterback)
📚 Step-Siblings
🏈 Forced Proximity
📚 Suspense
🏈 Bullying
📚 Touch Her & Die
Eliody has her life planned out. She's been accepted into Stanford University. One night, while in her mom's hometown, her and her sister go to a party. Eliody gets lost on her way back to the hotel. She finds herself in a park/playground where 3 guys are trying to sexually assault her. A guy comes out of nowhere and saves her by attacking the boys. Eliody runs and calls the law to help her hero out.
A year later, Eliody's mom says she's getting married to her high school sweetheart, and their all moving in with her new husband and his 4 sons in the town of Willow Creek. The same town she was in when she was attacked.
Rome is her new step-brother, and he is set out to make her life a living hell. He had his life planned out as well. Accepted into UCLA with a football scholarship. Now he's benched for half the season of his senior year, watching his twin brother Wilder playing in his spot. His life is ruined, and he blames Eliody for it all. He runs the high school they go to and pretty much blackmail and bully anyone to get his way.
With Eliody in his site and living under the same roof now. She's going to pay for what she's done. Eliody is clueless as to why Rome is after her. And now that she's back in town, she's getting threats, drugged, and sought after by someone who wants to hurt her. The only person she can seek out for help is Rome. The more Rome is around Eliody, the closer they become. When Eliody finds out the truth as to why Rome is after her, she'll do anything to help him out. To try and fix things and make them right. Now they just have to find out who's after her.
This book keeps you on the edge of your seat, trying to guess who is after Eliody. When you think you have it figured out, it's not that person. Plus, you have the football team trying to get into Eliody's pants and making comments to Rome. Rome has got a temper and is mad at the world since his mother died. Can Eliody help him calm out. Oh, the spice is extra spicy between these two. I normally feel weird sometimes reading a romance book about high school teens. I'm imagining these two are 18, even though it didn't state it. Because I would feel really weird reading about younger teens and really spicy banging scenes. Besides that, this book was amazing 👏 🤩
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Kidnapping, Death of parent
Minor: Vomit