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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Holy crap! This is the first book I have read by C.M Stunich, and let me tell you, I am not disappointed. This first story has everything I could hope for! The bulling ,hot alpha men, a great story line and plot! I can not wait to dive right in to book number two. I need more of these boys ! This is by far a top read of 2021 for me! This is ones of those books that you can not stop reading until you get to the end.
I didn’t hate this. Doesn’t mean I liked it, though.
Rating: 3 ⭐️
I don’t usually read dark romance. Typically, I like to stay far, far away from it. But I was in one of those rare moods, and I didn’t hate this premise. This book was, of course, not realistic in this slightest and I knew that going into it. It’s still crazy to read, though.
There are some absolutely unhinged lines in this book. Such as the following:
Keep that to yourselffff, girl. Why would you make me read that? I had a visceral reaction.
He has a tattoo in his PENIS???? Is that even possible?? And WHY was that included??
Yes. That is INSANE. In fact, one of the most insane things I’ve ever read.
The prose in this book is absolutely wild. Bernie’s mind is a weird place. One second she’s talking like this is a Shakespearean play and the next she’ll be making references to anime or Blackbear.
These characters are absolutely comical, as well. What do you mean Hael has a bright red faux hawk? What do you mean Vic has a tattoed penis? Why are they all 17, wearing wife beaters and chain smoking cigarettes?
That was actually the biggest suspension of disbelief I had to make while reading this book. Oh, she smells like peaches? No no no, they all wreak of cigarettes.
A common complaint I have for books like these (where the guys are absolute assholes) is that there’s never enough groveling. Where are the apologies? I never get my satisfying penultimate moment where they ultimately regret their actions! They just have sex and never speak about the fact that they locked her in a closet for a week with only granola bars and a bucket.
With all that being said, I didn’t hate this book. It was definitely entertaining. It had an insane premise that kept me pretty glued to the story. I don’t think I’ll continue the series, though. Don’t have it in me.
Rating: 3 ⭐️
”What was left of me, of Bernadette Blackbird, died along with my sister, so my only recourse here is revenge.”
I don’t usually read dark romance. Typically, I like to stay far, far away from it. But I was in one of those rare moods, and I didn’t hate this premise. This book was, of course, not realistic in this slightest and I knew that going into it. It’s still crazy to read, though.
There are some absolutely unhinged lines in this book. Such as the following:
“You thought you caged a kitty cat? You got a fucking cougar.”
Keep that to yourselffff, girl. Why would you make me read that? I had a visceral reaction.
“There are very few places on his body that are left bare, not even his cock.”
He has a tattoo in his PENIS???? Is that even possible?? And WHY was that included??
“I’m sitting here defending Havoc? Getting all excited about thanking them for … like, not raping me? This is insane.”
Yes. That is INSANE. In fact, one of the most insane things I’ve ever read.
The prose in this book is absolutely wild. Bernie’s mind is a weird place. One second she’s talking like this is a Shakespearean play and the next she’ll be making references to anime or Blackbear.
These characters are absolutely comical, as well. What do you mean Hael has a bright red faux hawk? What do you mean Vic has a tattoed penis? Why are they all 17, wearing wife beaters and chain smoking cigarettes?
That was actually the biggest suspension of disbelief I had to make while reading this book. Oh, she smells like peaches? No no no, they all wreak of cigarettes.
A common complaint I have for books like these (where the guys are absolute assholes) is that there’s never enough groveling. Where are the apologies? I never get my satisfying penultimate moment where they ultimately regret their actions! They just have sex and never speak about the fact that they locked her in a closet for a week with only granola bars and a bucket.
With all that being said, I didn’t hate this book. It was definitely entertaining. It had an insane premise that kept me pretty glued to the story. I don’t think I’ll continue the series, though. Don’t have it in me.
It’s not high literature by any means but I had fun. Pretty dark so if that not for you I wouldn’t recommend but if you aren’t opposed to it, I would say give it a go. I like the characters, I want more back story as the series progresses but so far so good
4 stars.
4 stars.
I seriously need to stop ready books before the whole serious is out as the wait for book 2 is seriously killing me.
Loved this book from page 1. Girl get bullied for a year turns to her bullies to get revenge to all who have done her wrong. But what are the reason why they didn't do worse to her when the easy could of and why is Vic so jealous and possessive of Bren.
I've seen mixed reviews but definitely worth a read.
Loved this book from page 1. Girl get bullied for a year turns to her bullies to get revenge to all who have done her wrong. But what are the reason why they didn't do worse to her when the easy could of and why is Vic so jealous and possessive of Bren.
I've seen mixed reviews but definitely worth a read.
This was like a 2.5 star read for me. I was being generous giving it 3 stars
- FMC: Bernadette (aka Bernie)
- MMC's: Hael, Aaron, Victor, Oscar, Callum
- POVs Included: Single Female POV (Bernie)
- Book Playlist (The Havoc Boys Book Playlist)
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
SUMMARY: (SPOILER WARNING)
Bernadette walks into Preston High the first day of her senior year and calls out "Havoc". Which is a sign she's ready to make a deal with the H.A.V.O.C. boys -- the gang that rules her school. They have an open agreement that they will make a deal with anyone who invokes "Havoc" -- but she'll have to agree to their terms no matter what they are.
Bernadette's history with The Havoc Boys is long and complicated. She's known them since elementary school, and she's secretly had crushes on most of them at one point or another. She's even dated one of them. But the worst was when her ex-best friend invoked Havoc against her. And they turned on her -- torturing her for her entire sophomore year.
Now she needs their help getting her own revenge. And she has a long list of those she needs to get revenge on. Can they work through their issues to work together? And can she agree to their terms, which will bring her closer than ever to all of them?
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
REVIEW:
This was so good! I was on the fence about starting this one. I've had mixed experiences with C.M. Stunich books. I LOVED her Secret Girl series, but couldn't stand her Rich Boys of Burberry Prep series. So I didn't know where this one would fall on the scale. Thankfully I loved it!
There was a lot about this that hit all the right spots for me.
First, the bullying was off page and as we get flashbacks, it becomes clear that the boys were hesitant and held back as much as possible in order to fulfill their bargain with Kali without having to really hurt Bernadette. This was done well and so I didn't hate them for their bullying.
I also really love the off page history between Bernadette and each of the guys. A lot of times with series' like this, the girl is the new girl. But in this case she has known them all basically her whole life. And there's clearly been some pining going on from all sides. A few of the guys hint at having wanted her for a while, and she admits (in her thoughts) to having had crushes on them too. So this was a nice change from what we normally see in these high school bully stories. I loved this setup. It was different and I loved the long denied feelings element.
I also loved Bernadette. She is my favorite type of heroine. She's badass and can back it up with her actions. She honestly fits with the Havoc Boys absolutely perfectly. And it's a situation where I actually can understand why they are all panting after the same girl. She's perfect for all of them and the perfect girl for their group.
I like or love all the guys too...
Aaron (her ex-boyfriend) is sweet and I hope they make up. Hael is super sexy and I loved their steamy moments. Callum is scarred inside and out and he's a mystery I'd love to unpack. Oscar is standoffish, but I get the feeling there's more going on there under the surface.
Victor is the most complicated. He is the leader of the group and starts off planning to share Bernadette between them all. But he becomes very possessive of her even towards the other guys. I typically really dislike this in an RH. But I still really like Vic. I actually think he's had a crush on her for longer than she realizes. I can't wait to see him finally come around to sharing though. The scene between him, Hael, and Bernadette was so hot before he put a stop to it.
The story is actually quite layered and that's a pleasant surprise. Initially it seems that everyone on her hit list is disconnected, but the final scene throws that all out the window and it's clear there are some deeper deceptions going on. I can't way to see how it all plays out.
Overall it was a great story. Great characters. Lots of sexual tension and steamy good times. I can't wait to watch the RH develop and see what happens next.
- MMC's: Hael, Aaron, Victor, Oscar, Callum
- POVs Included: Single Female POV (Bernie)
- Book Playlist (The Havoc Boys Book Playlist)
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
SUMMARY: (SPOILER WARNING)
Bernadette walks into Preston High the first day of her senior year and calls out "Havoc". Which is a sign she's ready to make a deal with the H.A.V.O.C. boys -- the gang that rules her school. They have an open agreement that they will make a deal with anyone who invokes "Havoc" -- but she'll have to agree to their terms no matter what they are.
Bernadette's history with The Havoc Boys is long and complicated. She's known them since elementary school, and she's secretly had crushes on most of them at one point or another. She's even dated one of them. But the worst was when her ex-best friend invoked Havoc against her. And they turned on her -- torturing her for her entire sophomore year.
Now she needs their help getting her own revenge. And she has a long list of those she needs to get revenge on. Can they work through their issues to work together? And can she agree to their terms, which will bring her closer than ever to all of them?
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
REVIEW:
This was so good! I was on the fence about starting this one. I've had mixed experiences with C.M. Stunich books. I LOVED her Secret Girl series, but couldn't stand her Rich Boys of Burberry Prep series. So I didn't know where this one would fall on the scale. Thankfully I loved it!
There was a lot about this that hit all the right spots for me.
First, the bullying was off page and as we get flashbacks, it becomes clear that the boys were hesitant and held back as much as possible in order to fulfill their bargain with Kali without having to really hurt Bernadette. This was done well and so I didn't hate them for their bullying.
I also really love the off page history between Bernadette and each of the guys. A lot of times with series' like this, the girl is the new girl. But in this case she has known them all basically her whole life. And there's clearly been some pining going on from all sides. A few of the guys hint at having wanted her for a while, and she admits (in her thoughts) to having had crushes on them too. So this was a nice change from what we normally see in these high school bully stories. I loved this setup. It was different and I loved the long denied feelings element.
I also loved Bernadette. She is my favorite type of heroine. She's badass and can back it up with her actions. She honestly fits with the Havoc Boys absolutely perfectly. And it's a situation where I actually can understand why they are all panting after the same girl. She's perfect for all of them and the perfect girl for their group.
I like or love all the guys too...
Aaron (her ex-boyfriend) is sweet and I hope they make up. Hael is super sexy and I loved their steamy moments. Callum is scarred inside and out and he's a mystery I'd love to unpack. Oscar is standoffish, but I get the feeling there's more going on there under the surface.
Victor is the most complicated. He is the leader of the group and starts off planning to share Bernadette between them all. But he becomes very possessive of her even towards the other guys. I typically really dislike this in an RH. But I still really like Vic. I actually think he's had a crush on her for longer than she realizes. I can't wait to see him finally come around to sharing though. The scene between him, Hael, and Bernadette was so hot before he put a stop to it.
The story is actually quite layered and that's a pleasant surprise. Initially it seems that everyone on her hit list is disconnected, but the final scene throws that all out the window and it's clear there are some deeper deceptions going on. I can't way to see how it all plays out.
Overall it was a great story. Great characters. Lots of sexual tension and steamy good times. I can't wait to watch the RH develop and see what happens next.
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
