Reviews with content warning for Bullying - Bad Intentions

Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

booklovinmamas's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Bad Intentions is the first book in Mila Kane’s Hellions of Hade Harbor series, and it’s the first book I’ve ever read from this author. After reading my first book from this author, I definitely need to check out her other books.

Storyline: I always love reading bully romances and I love when the MMC is all about the FMC, even though he’s tormenting her the whole time and making her life difficult. This is the case with Cayden, aka Cade, who is forced into Lily’s life when her father decides that he needs Cade on the high school hockey team that he coaches. If Cade’s on the team, the team is most likely to go to Nationals, and then Lilly’s Dad’s goal of becoming the Coach at the HHU will come true. The issue is that Cade and Lily don’t get along after they first initially meet, and it also doesn’t help when Cade ends up living with Lily and her family after something happens with his foster father. Now Lily is stuck with Cade, who is all about making her life difficult at her high school. It also doesn’t help when he finds out something about Lily that she doesn’t want anyone to know, especially her parents. He has dirt on her, and she knows he’s hiding his own secrets. She’s determined to find out what those secrets are, but it may cost her in the long run.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down because of the angst between the MCs. I loved that the author gave me both POVs, so I got to read both characters’ feelings, and I love how both MCs were fighting their feelings for one another, especially Cade, who knows he’s not suitable for Lily, but he can’t help himself. He’s never felt for anyone until her, and I loved how he handled when OW would try something with him and he would shut them down. Cade focuses solely on Lily, even though he’s horrible to her. Once you find out what happened to him, you’ll have sympathy for him. He’s not had it easy, and Lily’s father taking him in was the best thing for him.

I adored Lily in this book because she went through a lot when it came to Cade, but she stuck up for herself. She had been the quiet, thoughtful girl at the beginning of the book, but she changed by the end of the book, and Cade actually gave her the courage to stand up for herself. She’s also not as timid as everyone thinks, and Cade found out some things about her that he used for his advantage, or maybe it was for her benefit.

This is a bully romance, and some of the things that Cade did would be considered red flag material in real life or worse. He did some things that I knew I wouldn’t be able to forgive if I was Lily, but he did redeem himself at the end of the book. No one hurts his Freckles. Cade is definitely the OTT Jealous/Possessive Hockey Player. Cade and Lily were definitely meant to be together, and I loved that these two had firsts together. =)

I’m so glad I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited because now I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I also can’t wait to read more from Mila Kane, who is a new author to me.

Story Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Steam/Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Hellions of Hade Harbor series, but each book can be read as a standalone.

Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you enjoy reading Bully Romance stories with an OTT Jealous/Possessive Hockey Player Hero who is all about tormenting the smart girl because he’s obsessed with her.

Content Warnings