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heysunnyjess's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
naardsx's review against another edition
1.0
DNF @ Chapter 4!
I want to start off by saying that I'm a reader with no triggers. I read and love dark and twisted romances, I enjoy taboo storylines, so it takes a lot for me to feel triggered when I'm reading a book.
The Bet is the first book in a long time to truly infuriate me to the point where I couldn't have returned it fast enough! I'm all for second chances, which is why I tried listening to the audio TWICE! I thought, maybe I'm being dramatic and it wasn't that bad...wrong!
Strike One:
The fact that the name of this book is based on a bunch of frat boys throwing girls names in a hat and picking one to pursue for 6 weeks, only to come back after those weeks to share evidence of their sexual acts with said chosen girl, than deciding who has bragging rights and doesn't have to do party clean up for 6 months. Oh, and after those 6 weeks they must tell the girl to her face that she was just a bet.
Strike Two:
Remington drags the heroine, Jules, out of a frat party, takes her somewhere dark and where no one can see them, ignores the fact that she is scared—sorry, he doesn't ignore this, he actually gets off on it. Manhandles her, than forces her to her knees and demands she suck his dick. Had she not punched him in the balls, I would have DNF at this point.
This is where I started to get hope that he would be put in his place, at the very least the heroine was strong and wouldn't allow herself to be treated such a way. But than the infamous chapter 4 came along and we have...
Strike 3
Remington shows up at her apartment because the girl he has to pursue for 6 weeks is in fact Jules' roommate. He forces himself into Jules' room, locks the door and while she is struggling against him, he pushes her face first onto the bed, than proceeds to hold her down, strip her of her undergarments and sexual assaults her. From this point I got the impression that the authors thought this was okay since; 1-he used his fingers, and 2- she got off on it. THIS COULD NOT BE FUTHER FROM THE TRUTH!!! This is not okay!
After listening to her punching him in the dick, I thought maybe, just maybe she would punch him in the face and get away from him, right? Nope, instead she kisses him because she feels sorry for him and although it was wrong it felt soo right. If it wasn't obvious enough, sexual assault should NEVER be romanticized! Which is why I stopped listening and returned the audio straight away.
Like I said at the very beginning, I'm a big fan of dark stories and I don't have triggers, so for this to truly infuriate me to the highest degree says a lot. When an author, or in this case two authors advertise this as just a new adult romance, you never expect the above strikes to happen, especially with the hero of the story being the abuser. I understand that this is fictional, but if your going to have this kind of storyline it shouldn't be in this category, or you know...don't write it at all.
I'd advise you to read Ellie and Jade Violet's reviews (once I figure out how to link them I will) because I couldn't agree with both of them more. What they had to say about this book makes me glad I stopped reading when I did, because there is no way I would have enjoyed the rest of it.
I want to start off by saying that I'm a reader with no triggers. I read and love dark and twisted romances, I enjoy taboo storylines, so it takes a lot for me to feel triggered when I'm reading a book.
The Bet is the first book in a long time to truly infuriate me to the point where I couldn't have returned it fast enough! I'm all for second chances, which is why I tried listening to the audio TWICE! I thought, maybe I'm being dramatic and it wasn't that bad...wrong!
Strike One:
The fact that the name of this book is based on a bunch of frat boys throwing girls names in a hat and picking one to pursue for 6 weeks, only to come back after those weeks to share evidence of their sexual acts with said chosen girl, than deciding who has bragging rights and doesn't have to do party clean up for 6 months. Oh, and after those 6 weeks they must tell the girl to her face that she was just a bet.
Strike Two:
Remington drags the heroine, Jules, out of a frat party, takes her somewhere dark and where no one can see them, ignores the fact that she is scared—sorry, he doesn't ignore this, he actually gets off on it. Manhandles her, than forces her to her knees and demands she suck his dick. Had she not punched him in the balls, I would have DNF at this point.
This is where I started to get hope that he would be put in his place, at the very least the heroine was strong and wouldn't allow herself to be treated such a way. But than the infamous chapter 4 came along and we have...
Strike 3
Remington shows up at her apartment because the girl he has to pursue for 6 weeks is in fact Jules' roommate. He forces himself into Jules' room, locks the door and while she is struggling against him, he pushes her face first onto the bed, than proceeds to hold her down, strip her of her undergarments and sexual assaults her. From this point I got the impression that the authors thought this was okay since; 1-he used his fingers, and 2- she got off on it. THIS COULD NOT BE FUTHER FROM THE TRUTH!!! This is not okay!
After listening to her punching him in the dick, I thought maybe, just maybe she would punch him in the face and get away from him, right? Nope, instead she kisses him because she feels sorry for him and although it was wrong it felt soo right. If it wasn't obvious enough, sexual assault should NEVER be romanticized! Which is why I stopped listening and returned the audio straight away.
Like I said at the very beginning, I'm a big fan of dark stories and I don't have triggers, so for this to truly infuriate me to the highest degree says a lot. When an author, or in this case two authors advertise this as just a new adult romance, you never expect the above strikes to happen, especially with the hero of the story being the abuser. I understand that this is fictional, but if your going to have this kind of storyline it shouldn't be in this category, or you know...don't write it at all.
I'd advise you to read Ellie and Jade Violet's reviews (once I figure out how to link them I will) because I couldn't agree with both of them more. What they had to say about this book makes me glad I stopped reading when I did, because there is no way I would have enjoyed the rest of it.
megan_elise's review against another edition
1.0
No. Hell to the no. No. No. And just one more no.
And another no.
He’s a rapist. There I said it. Rapist. Disagree? Read the definition. The idea that Remington is offended by Cole is laughable. Y’all are the same. Period.
He a pig. He’s immature and dramatic. Can you say anger problems? He needs therapy. Or an ass kicking. Maybe both.
She is weak. Weak. I am so ashamed to share a gender with this fictional character. Grow some lady balls.
This is legit why I couldn’t be a therapist.
I have decided these types of “bully” (aka absolute douche canoes) storylines aren’t my thing. I have read bully storylines before and they work. This doesn’t. At all.
Was the author in a silent completion with the author of After to write a completely unredeemable immature dramatic asshole and a weak woman child storyline of “love”? If so, this story probably won. Sigh. (That’s not a compliment here).
And another no.
He’s a rapist. There I said it. Rapist. Disagree? Read the definition. The idea that Remington is offended by Cole is laughable. Y’all are the same. Period.
He a pig. He’s immature and dramatic. Can you say anger problems? He needs therapy. Or an ass kicking. Maybe both.
She is weak. Weak. I am so ashamed to share a gender with this fictional character. Grow some lady balls.
This is legit why I couldn’t be a therapist.
I have decided these types of “bully” (aka absolute douche canoes) storylines aren’t my thing. I have read bully storylines before and they work. This doesn’t. At all.
Was the author in a silent completion with the author of After to write a completely unredeemable immature dramatic asshole and a weak woman child storyline of “love”? If so, this story probably won. Sigh. (That’s not a compliment here).
jsani_library919's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ariloves2read's review against another edition
3.0
This is Jules & Remmy's story. I figured "the bet" would take up most of the book, but already in the book (45% finished) & Jules already assumed what Remmy was up too without getting confirmation. I feel like this book was more of a groveling Remmy more than anything
mar_cortz's review against another edition
2.0
25% and will not finish.
I started to read this book because I found so many controversial reviews and I wanted to give it a fair chance.
Let me say I love dark romance and bully is not my favorite trope but when done right I can enjoy it. Unfortunately I’m not connecting with the characters on this book and the reason why he hates her is absurd, this book is seriously missing build up steam.
There are a few details that could have made such a huge difference in this story:
1- the reason why he hates her. She was a teen her parents divorced and she had to move away, why would he hold this against her, when you are a kid you don’t have a lot of power to choose.
2- the hero is an asshole, really. His excuses that he wants to hurt her because he is hurting and almost rapes her even though he says he would never do that are just fucked up.
3- I find it hard to believe you would discover you like rough sex while scared shitless you are about being raped but okay
4- why don’t we have any build up any acknowledgement of the attraction between the characters, any inner conflict and hot scenes before moving to the hardcore stuff?
I feel so disconnected from the characters I won’t keep on reading, but I think this story could have been great and if you decide to pick it up beware you will need to forgive a lot from the hero to move forward.
I started to read this book because I found so many controversial reviews and I wanted to give it a fair chance.
Let me say I love dark romance and bully is not my favorite trope but when done right I can enjoy it. Unfortunately I’m not connecting with the characters on this book and the reason why he hates her is absurd, this book is seriously missing build up steam.
There are a few details that could have made such a huge difference in this story:
1- the reason why he hates her. She was a teen her parents divorced and she had to move away, why would he hold this against her, when you are a kid you don’t have a lot of power to choose.
2- the hero is an asshole, really. His excuses that he wants to hurt her because he is hurting and almost rapes her even though he says he would never do that are just fucked up.
3- I find it hard to believe you would discover you like rough sex while scared shitless you are about being raped but okay
4- why don’t we have any build up any acknowledgement of the attraction between the characters, any inner conflict and hot scenes before moving to the hardcore stuff?
I feel so disconnected from the characters I won’t keep on reading, but I think this story could have been great and if you decide to pick it up beware you will need to forgive a lot from the hero to move forward.
sheri_lemay's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing emotional read
This is such an amazing writing team. I have never been disappointed by any of their books. This book will make you cry, laugh, and lose your temper. It’s an emotional rollercoaster ride that this writing team excels at. I can’t wait for the next one. I highly recommend The Bet and the Rossi Crime Family series.
This is such an amazing writing team. I have never been disappointed by any of their books. This book will make you cry, laugh, and lose your temper. It’s an emotional rollercoaster ride that this writing team excels at. I can’t wait for the next one. I highly recommend The Bet and the Rossi Crime Family series.
booksandcoffee_7's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0