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bookishlee18's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
averyjcmie's review
i don't even know what to say. this was bad. and i mean probably one of the worst i've ever read. i can't fathom why people would rate this high??? this book is rated on average higher than some of my favourite books. im done trying to read bully romances and understand why the fuck people would read this shit, like you're telling me your dopamine is activated from someone bullying the fuck out of the other person including emotional abuse at times physical abuse to the point where physical and emotional scars are tethered to them forever, but it's not as hot as the authors make it out to be, it doesn't matter how much trauma the bully has gone through it does not justify any of it, in the high school/college context especially i just cannot justify it because it's so messed up, like if you really think about it the fact that it even exists is beyond me, like someone came up with this trope and thought it was good, and y'all like it???? they make you feel bad about yourself, you live in fear of not of their absence or being without them but of their existence, they make you question your every move, they make you think is what real love is, that you deserve it. wtv this was like every other bully romance worse in many areas but overall the same.
beckyrendon's review
3.0
It feels familiar...
for a reason. He's angry with her for something she didn't do. While it work in the Churchill Bradley Academy series, I am bummed we're doing a repeat.
It's not exactly the same but enough of the same that it feels like an echo. Am I enjoying it? Yes. Does it hit the same way? No because I just finished CBA. I'm still high on CBA and this while entertaining feels like a knock off.
Am I going to continue? Yes. I want to see them come into their own. I'm hoping they get their sh!t together. We'll see...
for a reason. He's angry with her for something she didn't do. While it work in the Churchill Bradley Academy series, I am bummed we're doing a repeat.
It's not exactly the same but enough of the same that it feels like an echo. Am I enjoying it? Yes. Does it hit the same way? No because I just finished CBA. I'm still high on CBA and this while entertaining feels like a knock off.
Am I going to continue? Yes. I want to see them come into their own. I'm hoping they get their sh!t together. We'll see...
ravendelilah's review
5.0
What?!? That ending is tense! I loved all the twists and turns, all the angst. Another great story from Lee Ann and Claire.
beautifully_bound_bibliophile's review
4.0
I devoured this novel. I love dark romances and I love sports romances. Putting the two of them together? GENIUS! However, there isn't a lot of hockey so if you want a sports-heavy romance then I don't think you'd get enough of that from this book.
This is definitely a dark book and could be triggering for some readers. Please check the TWs before diving in.
But dive in you should. I laughed a little, cried a lot, cheered them on, yelled a little, and so much more.
Rush is the MMC who avoids depression and allows his anger to lead him. Bailey (FMC) is the only one he can take his anger out on, even though it's her parents' decisions (and even his mother's) that have made his life very difficult.
Bailey is the opposite. She comes off as entitled and privileged at the very beginning. That quickly changes, but sometimes her inner thoughts are still along these lines.
She gets a job and helps support her family even though both her brother and mother are kind of bully-like / abusive to her. Her brother, Jamie, is the absolute worst and his mother enables him. It's totally stupid and unfair to her.
Once the devil comes out to play in the form of Rush all bets are off. He's manipulative, controlling, demanding, and demeaning.
This is definitely a dark book and could be triggering for some readers. Please check the TWs before diving in.
But dive in you should. I laughed a little, cried a lot, cheered them on, yelled a little, and so much more.
Rush is the MMC who avoids depression and allows his anger to lead him. Bailey (FMC) is the only one he can take his anger out on, even though it's her parents' decisions (and even his mother's) that have made his life very difficult.
Bailey is the opposite. She comes off as entitled and privileged at the very beginning. That quickly changes, but sometimes her inner thoughts are still along these lines.
She gets a job and helps support her family even though both her brother and mother are kind of bully-like / abusive to her. Her brother, Jamie, is the absolute worst and his mother enables him. It's totally stupid and unfair to her.
Once the devil comes out to play in the form of Rush all bets are off. He's manipulative, controlling, demanding, and demeaning.
in_love_with_books94's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
thebookhangover's review
5.0
I didn’t think that L.Ann and Claire Marta would be able to top their first co-author series The Churchill Bradley Academy series but I am completely blown away by this, the first book in a new duet. I seriously don’t know how they do it. The way they write together, weave a story and create characters that are so morally-grey you love them is just unbelievable. The emotions, drama, intrigue, mystery and spice that spill from every page is mesmerising. And I don’t think I would be able to cope with that cliffhanger if I didn’t have the next one lined up ready to read. This is dark bully romance at its finest and I highly recommend. Now to go and find out what happens to Rush and Bailey next, keeping my fingers crossed for a HEA in the next book!!! This is a dark romance with very heavy themes, please check your TW before reading.
romance_book_obsessed's review
4.0
For a high school hockey romance, this one really is interesting!
Check triggers before reading, because this one has some dark themes. Loss of a parent, knife play, and so much more. Keep in mind that this is a bulky romance.
Bailey’s family has lost everything and had to move back into their old home. Bailey had a pen pal relationship with the boy who had rented from them for 10 years. Now, Rush has been kicked out of his home shortly after losing his father. He hates the family that took his home from him.
When Rush finds out Bailey’s family is the one that evicted him and his mom, he begins to bully her. Most of this takes place after they turn 18.
There is a “wear my jersey” moment. It is a bit long, but I was hooked to find out what would happen next! Now I have to read the second book!
Check triggers before reading, because this one has some dark themes. Loss of a parent, knife play, and so much more. Keep in mind that this is a bulky romance.
Bailey’s family has lost everything and had to move back into their old home. Bailey had a pen pal relationship with the boy who had rented from them for 10 years. Now, Rush has been kicked out of his home shortly after losing his father. He hates the family that took his home from him.
When Rush finds out Bailey’s family is the one that evicted him and his mom, he begins to bully her. Most of this takes place after they turn 18.
There is a “wear my jersey” moment. It is a bit long, but I was hooked to find out what would happen next! Now I have to read the second book!
missrandomess's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I liked the story well enough. It kept me engaged, wanting to know what happens next. I’m enjoying the story and look forward to seeing what happens in the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Suicide attempt and Suicide