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A review by bee_thebibliophile
The Bully by Sophie Lark
5.0
I COULD NOT put this book down. The Bully is exciting, sexy, emotional and so entertaining. It’s a roller coaster from the very beginning but it all comes together to form an amazing story of redemption and growth, everything I wanted and needed from these characters to endear them to me forever.
I’m a sucker for a great redemption arc. Sophie Lark created an unbelievably flawed character when she introduced Dean Yenin in [b:The Heir|57633823|The Heir (Kingmakers)|Sophie Lark|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1617630174l/57633823._SY75_.jpg|88115351] and I didn’t think I’d ever be satisfied with his character growth enough to believe he deserved redemption, but WOW did she prove me wrong. I had a little soft spot in my heart for Dean after The Heir, but he’d done so many terrible things in the other two books that I couldn’t imagine that I’d totally love him by the end. Dean may have presented himself as a bully for the better part of two years, but he’s grown and changed, opening himself up to new emotions and possibilities. Even with so much heartbreak and hurt in his life, he finally sees that he can overcome his circumstances and be someone that he’s proud of.
When Cat was introduced in [b:The Rebel|57677901|The Rebel (Kingmakers)|Sophie Lark|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1617990839l/57677901._SY75_.jpg|88198046], her sweetness and innocence bled from the pages...until she did the unthinkable and then she really became an interesting character. Now that she’s coming into her own and doesn’t have Zoe to hide behind, she has the opportunity to explore a whole new side of herself and work to figure out who she really is. Even when she questions herself, she comes out on the other side stronger and more sure of herself and her actions.
I didn’t know what to expect from Dean and Cat’s relationship before I dove into the story. I knew this wasn’t going to be a typical bully romance, but this FAR exceeded my expectations. The BDSM elements were just enough to explore and push the limits of their relationship and bring them together, but not enough to be overwhelming. But really, these two were so unexpectedly steamy and sexy and brought so much chemistry to every scene. I loved seeing their relationship develop from one of obligation to one of passion. Seeing them protect each other and grow to love each other was heartwarming from two characters that seemingly didn’t belong together.
I loved the continuations of previous storylines from the Brutal Birthright series and the Underworld series in this book - Snow and Sasha were a great addition to this story and I always love the Gallo/Yenin feud. Snow was so integral to Dean’s emotional growth time and time again in this story and I was so grateful for this addition - the story couldn’t have happened without him. And the Gallos/Yenins...I have no words. All I’ll say is it was everything I never knew I needed from this arc.
One of the most unexpected parts of this story was the addition of POVs from The Spy. I love that each of these stories have been told from three POVs and this addition (even though we only got a little tease!) was so perfect in setting up the next book and to keep me guessing about how everything is going to play out. I can’t wait to go back to Kingmakers and to finally find out which of the students has been [b:The Spy|57731894|The Spy (Kingmakers)|Sophie Lark|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1618341993l/57731894._SY75_.jpg|88342203] all along. Is it July yet?!
I’m a sucker for a great redemption arc. Sophie Lark created an unbelievably flawed character when she introduced Dean Yenin in [b:The Heir|57633823|The Heir (Kingmakers)|Sophie Lark|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1617630174l/57633823._SY75_.jpg|88115351] and I didn’t think I’d ever be satisfied with his character growth enough to believe he deserved redemption, but WOW did she prove me wrong. I had a little soft spot in my heart for Dean after The Heir, but he’d done so many terrible things in the other two books that I couldn’t imagine that I’d totally love him by the end. Dean may have presented himself as a bully for the better part of two years, but he’s grown and changed, opening himself up to new emotions and possibilities. Even with so much heartbreak and hurt in his life, he finally sees that he can overcome his circumstances and be someone that he’s proud of.
When Cat was introduced in [b:The Rebel|57677901|The Rebel (Kingmakers)|Sophie Lark|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1617990839l/57677901._SY75_.jpg|88198046], her sweetness and innocence bled from the pages...until she did the unthinkable and then she really became an interesting character. Now that she’s coming into her own and doesn’t have Zoe to hide behind, she has the opportunity to explore a whole new side of herself and work to figure out who she really is. Even when she questions herself, she comes out on the other side stronger and more sure of herself and her actions.
I didn’t know what to expect from Dean and Cat’s relationship before I dove into the story. I knew this wasn’t going to be a typical bully romance, but this FAR exceeded my expectations. The BDSM elements were just enough to explore and push the limits of their relationship and bring them together, but not enough to be overwhelming. But really, these two were so unexpectedly steamy and sexy and brought so much chemistry to every scene. I loved seeing their relationship develop from one of obligation to one of passion. Seeing them protect each other and grow to love each other was heartwarming from two characters that seemingly didn’t belong together.
I loved the continuations of previous storylines from the Brutal Birthright series and the Underworld series in this book - Snow and Sasha were a great addition to this story and I always love the Gallo/Yenin feud. Snow was so integral to Dean’s emotional growth time and time again in this story and I was so grateful for this addition - the story couldn’t have happened without him. And the Gallos/Yenins...I have no words. All I’ll say is it was everything I never knew I needed from this arc.
One of the most unexpected parts of this story was the addition of POVs from The Spy. I love that each of these stories have been told from three POVs and this addition (even though we only got a little tease!) was so perfect in setting up the next book and to keep me guessing about how everything is going to play out. I can’t wait to go back to Kingmakers and to finally find out which of the students has been [b:The Spy|57731894|The Spy (Kingmakers)|Sophie Lark|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1618341993l/57731894._SY75_.jpg|88342203] all along. Is it July yet?!