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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a slow burn that leaves off on a cliff hanger… I want to continue reading when the next one comes out so that is a good sign. Should check trigger warnings before reading!!!
dark
emotional
medium-paced
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What was that ending?!?!? I need the next book as soon as possible PLS😭
Really enjoyed this one even though I was frustrated with some of the guys most of the time. I know they had their reasons for acting the way they did but I still wanted to 👊 them.
Out of the 3 of them Logan is definitely my favorite but I have a really soft spot for Royce. Gray needs to work on some stuff 🥴
Riley is a very strong determined woman. I'm really hoping things change a lot for her in the next book. I really need her to do something with her mom. The patience Riley has is admirable.
There was definitely a lot of back and forth in the book. You kind of wouldn't know what mood anyone was gonna be in. There was a lot of secrets, misunderstanding and just a lot happening that it kept me hooked waiting for everything to blow up. Definitely recommend to everyone.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Riley wants to get her life and future on track after some major trauma four years ago. Enrolling at Halston U is the first step however Riley wasn't expecting her future and her past to suddenly collide in the form of Royce, Grayson and Logan.
Riley is still recovering from what happened to her and although she still has vulnerable moments she is strong and is slowly reclaiming her power. This is definitely on the slow burn side but the betrayal still packs a punch. I liked that one of the guys is held back from the narrative especially as we know its going to happen before Riley is aware of him; the suspense was killing me for them to meet!
I enjoyed this and will read the second book but I am so conflicted about Grayson, Logan and Royce though. One more than the others; I love a redemption arc but I am really struggling to see how he is going to turn in a believable way when there is only one more book in this series. I cannot wait for him to find out the truth and realise just how wrong he is. I am trusting the process though so I know it will be worth it although I'm a little disappointed this is going to be a duet and not a trilogy as Riley definitely deserves a whole book of grovelling! The last couple of chapters just broke my heart; this was the perfect type of cliff-hanger.
I have so many questions though; why is Riley's mum so awful? Did Grayson's dad do something to his mum? What on earth happened between the arrest and Riley enrolling at Halston and why isn't Riley with her family? I need to know everything!
My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely and I have added all the authors works to my TBR!
Riley is still recovering from what happened to her and although she still has vulnerable moments she is strong and is slowly reclaiming her power. This is definitely on the slow burn side but the betrayal still packs a punch. I liked that one of the guys is held back from the narrative especially as we know its going to happen before Riley is aware of him; the suspense was killing me for them to meet!
I enjoyed this and will read the second book but I am so conflicted about Grayson, Logan and Royce though. One more than the others; I love a redemption arc but I am really struggling to see how he is going to turn in a believable way when there is only one more book in this series. I cannot wait for him to find out the truth and realise just how wrong he is. I am trusting the process though so I know it will be worth it although I'm a little disappointed this is going to be a duet and not a trilogy as Riley definitely deserves a whole book of grovelling! The last couple of chapters just broke my heart; this was the perfect type of cliff-hanger.
I have so many questions though; why is Riley's mum so awful? Did Grayson's dad do something to his mum? What on earth happened between the arrest and Riley enrolling at Halston and why isn't Riley with her family? I need to know everything!
My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely and I have added all the authors works to my TBR!
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Big DNF. As someone who devours bully romances, trust me on this: it's a pass. At some point there's a line for how much extremely dubious consent is acceptable, especially when the main driving factor of the story is the FMC's history of being repeatedly sexually assaulted. When the main aggressor is the son of her rapist, and he's taking her over and over (with very dubious consent) and actually cutting her skin NOT because he's into her, but because he's angry with her every time, and wants her to admit to something she can't, that has to be the line. Normally it's clear that she'll be able to stand up for herself at some point and demand the grovel she deserves after an entire book of bullying (this was more than that, but ok), but the way she interacts with all three of the MCs in this book makes it clear she'll be a doormat in the next book and there will be very little grovel because body betrayal or because she likes them and caves to their demands. SMH. I really liked this author's other bully romances, and was excited for this one, but it's a hard pass for me. Once I decided to DNF, I skimmed the rest of the book and confirmed it turned out exactly as I expected, especially the ending.
This is my reminder for when the next book comes out and my recs on all platforms show it to me bc it's right up my alley that I do not want to finish this series.
This is my reminder for when the next book comes out and my recs on all platforms show it to me bc it's right up my alley that I do not want to finish this series.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Geez this author has a way with taking your emotions and doing what she wants with them. I am embarrassed to say I read this book in two days. The FMC Riley is stronger than almost any man I know. The message I kept getting from this book is to make your own decisions about people. Be your own judge of someone's character. This book made me want to throw it across the room and run as fast as I can to pick it right back up. Her writing has me in a chokehold and I am ready for more. We all love Logan the golden retriever but Royce, holy hell. Like I said I NEED the next book like I need water.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When Riley’s past catches up with her and lies are spun to make her look at fault the 3 guys she cares for take their revenge . What will they do when they find out Riley has been telling the truth all along . RA Smyth never fails to keep my attention loved this book and I’m hoping book 2 is out before next year .
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️½
Perhaps I’m not as broken as I believe. Perhaps there’s something in the water at Halston U. Or perhaps their damage speaks to mine in a song without words. One that, instead of breaking us apart, melds us together.
Five enthusiastic stars!
Holy shit, this book wrecked me. I am still reeling from the high state of anxiety I held while reading. It goes from light and fluffy to dark, dark quickly. Sunshine and rainbows to thunder and lightning. And it doesn’t let up. I loved it! Give me all the pain. All the angst.
There is substantial character development. The MCs’ backstories are revealed like the rings of an onion, garnering sympathy and giving them depth. There is a shared darkness and harsh edges; everyone is slightly damaged.
You may come to love and then hate the MMCs. At more than one point, I wanted to give them a dick punch. It has been a long time since I have such strong feelings about a MC’s behavior. I will require some growth and groveling before their redemption arc is complete.
I adore the FMC, Riley. She is a survivor, arising from the ashes even stronger. This isn’t to say she doesn’t struggle at times, but she is not broken. The things she suffered did not break her. She has become a close second to Hadley (from Pacific Prep), my favorite FMC RA Smyth has written.
This is medium burn, transitioning from steamy to spicy by the end of the book. You cannot deny the characters’ sexual chemistry, pulling them together almost against their better judgment. There is lots of sexual tension that builds up to the spicy scenes. Please read the TW available in the book. Not every scene is entirely consensual.
I need Part Two. I need the grovel. I need the redemption. But more than anything, I need Riley to get her HEA.
Highly recommended!
Genre: Dark College Bully Romance
Tropes/Features: Very dark elements, elite college, bully, rich vs. poor MCs, chosen family, revenge plot, trauma survivor FMC, golden retriever hockey player, former football player turned fighter, stepbrother, kidnapping, dubcon/noncon
Narrator: Multiple 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: Why Choose MFMM, medium burn, steamy-to-spicy (lots of sexual tension, kinks)
Book Type/Ending: Halston U Part One, cliffhanger
TW/CW: Extensive list in book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking