My name is Crystal Dolce, and I’m anything but sweet…
They’re every bit as wealthy as we are, and they’re not happy with our new money moving in. The three Darling cousins, each one more cruel and gorgeous than the last, rule the halls of Willow Heights the way my brothers ruled our prep school in Manhattan. None is worse than Devlin Darling, who makes it his personal mission to ruin his new rivals.
The Darlings see my brothers as a threat. They want them gone.
It doesn’t take them long to find my brothers’ one weakness.
Me.
Bully Me is a high school dark romance suitable for readers 18+
more
I’m reading this series completely backwards and I am okay with that I started with Royal and Harpers series which i absolutely loved and devoured and I’m (im)patiently waiting for the rest of the books to be written. I figured I’d read about how this crazy rivalry between the Darlings and the Dolces all started.
This book takes us on a crazy emotional rollercoaster that I dont want to get off of! I started the next book already because I couldn’t stop at that cliffhanger! The Darlings come from old money and rule this town. Their name means something, holds power. The Dolces are new in town. They are use to being on top in NY and are looking to take over. But the Darlings won’t go down without a fight.
Imagine walking down the street, your headphones are in, listening to your favourite playlist, minding your own damn business…. then out of nowhere, a car hits you from behind, and sends you crashing into the windscreen. You sit up, surprisingly still alive and coherent, the windscreen is cracked, and you have a splitting headache. And you think to yourself.. “WHERE DID THIS COME FROM?!”
Ladies and gentlemen… see exhibit A, or otherwise known as Bully Me.
I stumbled across this series and WOWEEE what a hit to the head it was! I suffered a major book-hangover after this book… then realised there were two more in the series.
Selena has created a believable rivalry between the Dolces and the Darlings. Crystal and Devlin’s story begins with the Dolces (Dad, King, Royal, Crystal, Baron and Duke) moving to Faulkner and trying to take over from the current rulers of the town – the Darlings. With a little bullying, violence, and coercion, Crystal and Devlin begin something in addition to the current war brewing.
If you like a good high school bully story, with a great plot, deep character development, this is for you. Highly recommend.
Be prepared for the following books and spin-off series.
This was my first book by Selina. I did enjoy it and listened to it quiet quickly but would of liked a bit more action and surprise. Hoping book 2 with be packed with it. It still kept me intrigued and interested.
A dark storybook retelling: Romeo and Juliette with a twist
A newly altruistic Crystal Dolce arrives in Faulkner, AZ with her rugged Dolce brothers and father and decides she is going to turn over a new leaf from her former mean girl persona in NYC. She chooses to become subservient to the Dolce boys at school in defense of a new friend. Crystal is sweet within controlling her family, particularly her brothers while the Dolce boys seek to upend the power at the new town into their hands. Ruling Darlings family won’t stand for that. As family rivalries between the Dolces and Darlings ensue Crystal’s unfaltering attraction to bad boy Delvin Darling develops. This first book explores both the feud between families and the attraction between Crystal and Delvin.
Excellent writing in depicting personalities and behaviors brought the Dolces, the Darlings, and the side characters to life, mentally painting pictures to reenact the events of the story. The story was written with just the right pace for full immersion, and even the fights were legendary. Loads of heated, sexual tension while forbidden desires and even jealous-possessiveness arise. Sexy antihero Devlin was in true alpha jerk form. Yaas! And what’s not to love? I did expect more in the way of steam but have hopes in the next book. Interestingly, I noticed little nuggets of detail suggesting events to come (especially if you’ve read the next series, The Exile).
Audiobook review
With dulcet tones, the voice actress delivered an excellent performance rendering Crystal and her personality. She narrated with great range in vocal shift from dialogue to narration as well as differentiating female and male characters. Sweet almost Georgian southern accent with an ease in switching to NY / Jersey accent, she was expressive and believably authentic in reciting the regional accents areas of the characters. Overall impressive performance narrating a great story.
Looking forward to book 2 as both the story and audiobook of book 1 were excellent. Can’t wait to read more about the not so sweet Dolces and unwavering Darlings in this dark-themed Romeo and Juliette retelling.
Ugh! I didn’t know this was a cliffhanger. I was gifted an Audible version of this book from Story Origin. This is my voluntary review.
Don’t get this book if you want to fall in love with the characters. None of them are likeable let alone loveable! Two privileged families vying for dominance in high school. No holds barred. Despicable acts. Lewd behavior. Very violent. I couldn’t put it down!
The narration is super. The story is read by Amanda L’Orien and she is a perfect voice for Crystal Dolce, the main character, who is the teller of this story. A 5+ star read.
This is the first book in the Willow Heights Prep Academy: The Elite, a Dark Bully Romance. This is a great start to the Series! The storyline is intense, and captivating! The world building between the Dolce and the Darlings is complex, and intriguing. The characters are great and well developed. The story ends on a big cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to listen to Betray Me, the next book in the Series, to know what happens next. Amanda L’Orien did a great job with the narration.
I’m not gonna lie here, I did the bad thing. I barreled through this series like a prize bull at the rodeo. There was NO stopping once I started. Good for my reading streak, bad for a timely review. Kicking myself. Let me tell you right now, no matter how much I pack in this review it will NOT cover everything nor do the series justice. It was THAT good and THAT expansive in its content. I couldn’t possibly say for sure what happened when because by the end of the series so much had taken place. So here we are with the dreaded series review rather than individual books.
This series centers around Crystal the ‘princess’ of the Dolce family and Devlin Darling. Essentially we get the city girl plunged into a small town left to decide if she will continue on the path that she had grown to resent or if she will finally break rank and become the woman she had dreamed of being. Meanwhile her family has one goal, end the Darlings. She’s left torn. Stay loyal to her family, or to her heart?
Guys, these characters were INCREDIBLE! Not just our mains but the side characters through the whole series. There were happenings in the background that had us constantly piqued and craving everything they could give us and more. Each of them were facing their own battles of morality, their loyalties, and their need to be true to themselves. These pages bled conflict. They seeped unrest.
By the end of the series I was completely swept away. I was NOT ready for the end. I NEEDED to see how they all came out. And guess what? THERE’S MORE! Yeah! I had NO idea that there is a series after this one that centers around some of the remaining characters from Willow Heights. And believe me, you will be dying for it.
This series will leave you one of two ways at the end. I wouldn’t dare speculate which one nor sway you with the possibilities. I will just say, if you don’t read this one, you WILL regret it.
One of the best series ever!! Loved Selena’s writing
Great book, couldn’t put it down.
Where my love for Selena books started!
Welcome to Willow Heights Prep, where the students rule the hallways and the teachers look the other way.
The Dolces
Chrystal, a born and raised New Yorka and her brothers have been uprooted and sent to Arkansas to live with Daddy. Leaving behind their status as the Royalty of their High School. Only to end up fight for their status again. Only thing is, Chrystal, just wants to be normal. This is her chance to start over. And she will do everything it takes to do just that.
The Darlings
Colt, Devlin and Preston. They are Willow Heights Royalty. They are not going to let a bunch of city boys come into the picture and take anything from them. Even if they bring with them a beautiful temptress.
The story is very interesting and at time you will scream WTF!! And even more when you get to that cliffie at the end. Which really had me screaming b/c I was in the middle of the highway listening when it was poof over.
I read this some time ago and then did a re-read in the form of an audiobook. The narrator was great. She hit the New York accents and southern ones perfectly.
Audio ARC provided and I decided to leave an honest review.
I listen to the second book first, so I had to go back to listen to the first one. Very twisted and dark story. Delvin and Crystal are from to families who hate each other. Delvin is from old money and Crystal is from new money.
Audio review
I found this an uncomfortable listen. It is a well written story and the narrator is good but I really struggled with the content. I have read/listened to other bully stories, but, for me, the bullying was beyond acceptable. I felt truly bad for Crystal while wanting to both shake her and protect her. Devlin was pretty vile and I wonder how he can actually become an acceptable hero! This ends on a cliffhanger, so there is time.
Bully Me (Willow Heights Prep Academy: The Elite, Book 1) is a dark bully romance with its own twisted moments. I’ve read and listened to a quite a few bully romances, however; this one is quite different and some actions were stomach puking feelings. And a bit much for my taste as I read/listen to a lot of dark bully books but just some of things were too much for my taste. The writing is very good, the characters are fleshed out, the plot unfolds smoothly, and the writing style is vivid and bold.. if you are looking for a different darker bully romance this series is for you.
Nararated by Amanda L’Orien; her inflection was smooth and easy to listen to. But with so many characters; Darlings & Dolce’s it would have been more pleasurable with more narrators.
Crystal Dolce and her brothers ruled their school in Manhattan. But when their father gave them the news that they were moving to a small town Arkansas they were totally shocked. They have the confidence, but can they take over their new school like they did in New York? A run-in the Darlings is a fight for dominance. The Darlings, all cousins , are old money, family history, own the small town and school. They are conniving, ruthless, and cold hearted.
Crystal just wants to figure out the school hierarchy and use that information to her family’s advantage.
Crystal does not have the confidence but she doesnt want to show weakness either. She knew if she did, they would prey on it. The writer slowly draws you into the twisted world of the Darlings. Their view of entitlements, bullying, and devil may care attitude. They’re small town royalty. The Dolce brothers cause havoc to try to bring them down.
Amanda L’Orien really brought this story to life! Every emotion, every voice , every character was perfection! She flawlessly transitioned from one character to another. Thank you for the great listen! I was gifted This story by Story Origin and offered my honest review
3.5 Stars
I have to say I truly enjoyed the first two books in this series. I enjoy the authors writing and I love this world she has created but this conclusion was a big let down for me. There are a few reasons why.
1)I am disappointed in Crystal’s disposition as she went from a seemingly strong character to someone who is weak. She is easily intimidated by her brothers and showed little growth.
2) She comes from a strong Italian mafia family where family means everything and yet (view spoiler) it was the Darlings who showed the most growth and acceptance.
3)The ending was unrealistic and not very satisfying. There are still many questions unanswered and while it may be considered a HEA for the main couple (view spoiler)
I have heard that the author plans to write books for the Dolce brothers though I am not sure if I will read them. The ending of this book really changed my opinion of them. While disappointed with this book, overall I enjoyed the series.
I should have taken the warnings to heart when this said it was a darker bully romance. I was not expecting some of the things the bully would put the MC through, and can’t really forgive him for some of it. I do think he has some redeeming qualities, but the one scene with the knife and collar….yeah was not a fan. I hope he gets what is coming to him. I thought the rivalry between the southerners and the NY elite was interesting. I wish the MC would stick up for herself more. Like I understand she has a kink, which is totally fine, not kink shaming here, but there were times she could have stopped the really bad stuff from happening. I mean other people (stuff was done in public) had the chance too but they just let it happen. I am definitely going to listen to book 2, but I will say I had to stop listening a couple of times because of the tough scenes. I am intrigued but he brothers and the southern family, and how those guys from love in the future. I will have to see what spinoffs the author has in store for us!
For the narration, I thought Amanda did a good job, some of the southern voices were a tad grating on my ears, but I could totally imagine the characters in real life haha. I thought most of her inflections were done well and I enjoyed her male voice. I just wish you could tell some of the characters apart. I think the guys were the hardest to distinguish. I would definitely listen to her again and it was an easy 4 stars from me
My very first read/listen by this author and I am not disappointed. Its definitely not sweet and pretty. Its angsty and dark. The author delivers this story in a way that traps you in, leaving you breathless and wanting, no, needing more. I want to know more about these characters, especially Devlin. He’s hiding things, hiding himself, and I so desperately want to know his truths. I admire the risks Crystal is taking to prove that she can be different and make changes to better herself. I got to the end and that cliffhanger made me cry out because I need to know what happens next! I can’t wait to dive into the next book!
Oh the Dolce’s and the Darlings. In the beginning of this series I was all for the Dolce’s. Team dolce. But by the end of book 2 I was leaning more toward team Darling and with this one I am all the way a Darling.
Crystal and Devlin are a couple that shouldn’t happen and won’t happen if her brothers and dad have any say about it. But crystal is having a hard time denying her feelings toward Devlin. What should she do when she learns the truth of things. And Royal…man I wanted to throat punch him so many times and I’m hopeful that we will get his story later on.
I loved the ending of this book even though I have so many questions of how it worked lol. I need more explanation and feel like the end was slightly rushed. It was a awesome book and series, I just felt like book 3 could have had a little more something to it.
Oh Yes!! I absolutely love this book. There is so much intrigue. The Dolce’s have their work cut out for them moving from the big city to Arkansas. Little do they know the Darlings won’t go down without a fight. I’m excited to read more in this series.