Loving your tormentor isn’t easy, especially when they collect broken hearts and parade them around like trophies. They’re the bad boys, the alpha a**holes, and the thorns in our sides. They push us past our limits, turn us on, and break us.They’re our bullies.They’re the class of 2020.Eight bestselling authors are teaming up to bring you eight stories baout the guys we love to hate.This … the guys we love to hate.
This anthology benefits one of the largest anti-bullying organizations in the world, and all proceeds will go toward helping to support victims of bullying.
Note from the authors
Bully Me: Class of 2020 is a collection of novellas that includes a mix of standalones and prequels that will later be expanded upon.
Shantel Tessier
CoraLee June
Siobhan Davis
Sam Mariano
Callie Hart
C.M. Stunich
K Webster
Kaydence Snow
more
Make You Beg by Shantel Tessier:
Wow this story was Amazing. Just like all of her others. I couldn’t get enough. It didnt seem like a novella to me AT ALL. I cannot WAIT to find out what happens in the continuation of the story! I love Henley’s drive and fight to stick with what she knows is right. And I gotta say, I love a bad boy but give me 4 and I am in a dream. Scout, Law, Rellik and Dax are a sandwich I would love to eat. Oh oh oh!!!! I loved the surprise at the end! 5 star story!!!
The Boy on the Bridge Sam Mariano:
Can Sam Mariano write a single bad story?! I was hooked on this little tale from the very beginning! I actually didnt even realize they were 14 until almost the end because they seemed so mature. I loved Hunter and cannot wait to read the full adult version! I bet he is a full on rebel! And Riley had a great big heart. When they say opposites attract, they had these two in mind. I was so angry on Hunters behalf at the things he endured too. Ughhh another 5 star story!!!
Charlie: Siobhan Davis
This book brought me back to when I first read the Rydeville series. I loved it so so so much! I didnt think I would fall so madly in love with Charlie like I did. Now I wholeheartedly believe that Siobhan can make ANY character someone you fall madly deeply in love with. Because man, Charlie was it for me. I am still thinking of that story. Demi was a spitfire. I liked that she gave it right back to Charlie and didnt cower. I also loved seeing the gang again. Brought back so many feelings. UGHHH MASSIVE 5 STARS!
Hood River Rat: K Webster:
This book had me feeling all kinds of emotions from the very start!!!! I felt for Hollis and the struggles he had to go through all because of his sexuality. I was so angry for the stuff Roan had to go through with his life. The angst between Roan and Hollis had me squirming in my seat and figuratively pulling my collar aside. The tension had me taking huge gulps of air. It was everything and MORE. I need more from this world. The exact reason that Miss Webster is one of my absolute favorite authors in the World. 5 of the biggest stars!!!!
I was given a complimentary ARC of this Anthology in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
CHARLIE by Siobhan Davis:
4.5 star read!!!!! This novella redeemed Charlie in a big way! Such a broken, misunderstood and empty character who was completely brought back to life.
I loved Charlie in the Rydeville series until I didn’t. If you’ve read the series, you’ll understand. So I was a little apprehensive on how the author was going to try to get him into our good graces again. Boy, did Siobhan blow me away!
I absolutely loved the chemistry / battles between Demi and Charlie. They were obvious attracted to one another but were determined to make it impossible to get along with one another. I liked their battle of wills and back and forth jabbing!
This novella was full of heartbreak, unraveling secrets, grief and discovery. Charlie’s entire back story was so dark and traumatic. His mixed up feelings about Abby and the death of his father left him completely bitter and unapproachable. He kept so many walls up to protect himself, never letting anyone get too close to his heart. His obsession with Demi seemed to be misplaced in the beginning, but as their relationship developed and flourished, it became apparent that his feelings were completely genuine and real. The way he provided unwavering support for Demi through one of the hardest times in her life, proved that he was a good man who’d been forced to survive an evil upbringing.
RIOT HOUSE by Callie Hart:
4 stars!
Something about Elodie drew me in from the very beginning. She was so broken and hurting, but kept this impenetrable facade up. I don’t know what her Father has done to her in the past but it clearly shaped her into a hesitant, untrusting, protectant woman.
Wren Jacobi was the epitome of a bad boy you should stay far, far away from! His dark and uncaring demeanor made him seem like a complete ahole. But something about Elodie sparked something inside him. She held a power over him she didn’t even know she possessed.
I wanted so much more of this haunting story!!!! The novella ended in a starling place that left me gasping and yelling “NOOOOO! How could you end it there?!?” I cannot wait for the full installment of Elodie and Wren’s story from Callie!!!!
THE ORIGINAL BULLET by Coralee June
4 stars!
I quite liked the mystery that surrounded Gavriel and his past. He seemed like a dark and brooding teen, but was actually quite sweet.
Summer was stuck in a world of wealth and appearances. She was sheltered, disregarded, broken and innocent. She tried to be the perfect daughter to the most undeserving parents. They were cruel and withdrawn. My heart broke for her sweet little soul. It warmed me to see Gav take a liking to her and give her a safe space to be herself.
The young age of the characters became quite apparent when the dirtiest it got was talking about making out.
I can’t wait to read the trilogy that features these characters!
THE BOY ON THE BRIDGE by Sam Mariano
5 stars!
The way Hunter cared and provided for Riley was so darn sweet! I’m not usually a fan of super young romance stories and at times this novella felt very juvenile but it was understandable since the characters were 14 and in the 8th grade. I thought for sure Hunter was going to end up being a super bad guy but dang it if I didn’t swoon more and more as the story progresses… but hindsight is 20/20 right?
I can’t wait to see where Mariano takes this story because it’s bound to be an angsty ride!!! Especially if it takes place when they’re older. I can see Hunter being a very, very dark force to be reckoned with!
LIKE YOU CARE by Kaydence Snow
5 STARS!
My heart broke for Mena from the very first few sentences of this story!!!!! Her little patio meet ups with the mysterious new neighbor Turner were some of my favorite scenes in the story! They were connecting on a deeper level than face value, which Mena desperately needed. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for him to figure out her identity! I sighed with glee so much at his declaration of feelings for her!
I couldn’t believe the cruelty Mena was subjected to day after day by her peers. This was some of the darkest, most belittling writing I’ve read in a long time! The author did an incredible job making your heart shatter for the heroine!
That cliffhanger ending… I wanted to cry!!!!!! My stomach was in knots for Mena! The full novel CANNOT come fast enough!!!
DEVILS’ DAY PARTY by C.M. Stunich
4 stars!
This story was a trip!!!! I felt kind of bad for Karma and her obvious unrequited love for the enemy. The entire story, I couldn’t tell who was going to be revealed as the “good” bad boy. I’m still left guessing!
The time loop aspect was interesting. I liked seeing how the author switched it up each time Karma was thrown back to the beginning. I loved the care free and zero f()
Siobhan Davis: Charlie:
I love that Davis took the boys we love to hate, and redeemed him into the boy we all love! In the Rydeville series Charlie ends up the bad guy, and semi redeems himself at the end. In this book we see the man behind the boy from High School. After his dad was killed Charlie learns what it is like to truly be alone. In steps Demi with her own family issues. She’s just trying to do the best she can with what life has dealt her. Together they make a great team. Charlie realizes what it really means to love and made a full recovery into the sweet guy we first met.
Sam Mariano: Prequel to The Boy on the Bridge:
In this prequel we are given a small look into a new book by Sam. We meet Riley and Hunter as kids. Rich angry boy meets poor happy girl. Together these two embark on a secret friendship that borders on a romance. All this book did was leave me waiting for more. Waiting for this book to come out is going to be a little torturous as I want to see where things go.
Charlie by Siobhan Davis
Wow, I never actually thought I’d like Charlie. He was a complete douche bag in the Rydeville Elite Series. This book however has changed my opinion on him and I couldn’t hope but want him to get his happy ending! Defo worth reading! Can’t wait for Jackson’s story
Reviewing Charlie by Siobhan Davis
Well hot damn… this was AMAZING….
What a love to have… they are perfect for each other.
Was so nice to get snippets of the rest of the crew too.
I’ve not come across 1 book by Siobhan that I haven’t enjoyed, and she doesn’t disappoint with Charlie.
Another book I hated putting down to ‘adult’.
I’m voluntarily leaving a review from an ARC received
Riot House by Callie Hart (5)
I can’t wait for the full extended version of Riot House. Callie Hart introduced us to what will become memorable characters, even in much shorter format, full of deceit and secrets weaved through a dark, atmospheric setting that left chills running down my back. I’m thrilled for all the sordid possibilities; I know this author will deliver a narrative that is eccentric and evocative.
LOVED this entire Anthology! It is one of the best anthologies that I’ve ever read and quite possibly my FAVORITE.
“Loving your tormentor isn’t easy, especially when they collect broken hearts and parade them around like trophies.”
THIS!!! SO FREAKING TRUE! I couldn’t help but love these as much as I hated them!
There are a couple different themes going on in this anthology; some are reverse harem, some have more of a romantic feeling but the bully aspect is there and strong in every single story.
When I first saw this anthology was happening, I couldn’t wait to read this because it’s featuring a couple of my FAVORITE authors who have written some of my FAVORITE books. A plus was that I was also introduced to a couple new authors. After reading their stories in here I’ve definitely added their book to my TBR. I need more of EVERY SINGLE story in this anthology!
These stories vary as far as the level of darkness written within but I love the varying bully situations in each one. A couple of them were more intriguing for me because of why their bully wanted to bully them to begin with.
I know some people skim and only read their favorite authors in anthologies like this but I highly recommend reading them all, you might just find a new author whose work you enjoyed. They are all pretty quick reads and it’s such a great collection representing the bully romance world.
**CHARLIE by Siobhan Davis
Charlie is book 4 of the Rydeville Elite series. It is hands down one of my favorite book series ever. The characters, the writing and the entire plot is amazing, dark and twisted just like it should be. If you’ve read those books then you most likely already feel a certain way about Charlie. I always WANTED to like Charlie…well to me he was always a misunderstood villainous wannabe hero. One that I might have hated 75% and didn’t trust him EVER. Siobhan is showing us the side of Charlie that we never got a glimpse of in the first 3 Rydeville Elite books. It was so easy for us to hate him because of the choices he makes but now we get insight into those choices and his thoughts. I always have HUGE respect for an author who can take a character and cause you to have such strong feelings toward then is able to alter those feelings.
I think the ONE thing in this that makes such a huge difference is seeing Charlie through Demi’s eyes. We’ve seen him through Abby & Kaiden’s but never someone else that’s not part of that inner circle of Charlie’s. So seeing Demi’s POV both at the beginning and the end…and all the torturous moments in between is what makes this one so great! Every villain needs his own heroine.
Getting his POV in this short story was EVERYTHING! I needed it and now I can’t wait for more from this world!
**MAKE YOU BEG by Shantel Tessier
HOLY SMOKES! This story…these characters. I LOVED IT! Shantel Tessier is one of my FAVORITE dark romance writers, regardless of what it’s about I have found that I love it. Make You Beg is devious and delicious just the way we love Shantel’s books to be. I love how dark her mind gets too! She always has some kind of shocking thing in her book, something twisted that tends to shock you a bit. It’s usually my favorite part because it’s normally the spot that evokes some type of reaction or emotion from me.
The heroine in this one is Henley and after giving up one of her closest friends in the pursuit of justice; everyone turns on her. What breaks her the most is losing the boys she considers her best friends, the one that she loves. These boys are HOTTT too, I didn’t get nearly enough of them. Shantel did a perfect job of introducing me to them and making me want SO MUCH MORE! HAHA! I NEED MORE!! OMG!!! I need EVERYTHING surrounding this world.
I bought this specifically for Shantel Tessiers short/preview(?) Story, Make You Beg. She did not disappoint and left you wanting more. I can’t wait to read more about Scout and Henleys story. It has a very I Dare You feel so if you loved that series then Make You Beg is for you. Congrats Shantel for another spectacular edge of your seat read. Dont make us beg too much longer for the whole book
With each new release, Siobhan Davis continues to exceed my expectations and showcase her talent as a writer. Her Rydeville Elite series is one of my all times favorites. All of the Rydeville characters are fantastic with their own quirks and flaws.
If you’ve read the series, you’re probably like me and disliked Charlie come the end, and surely had some serious doubts about his redemption. I didn’t like Charlie mostly because I felt he was selfish and I could never quite figure out what his motives were. In this novella, he blew me away. You see a whole new side to him. He feels, and he feels deeply. He is struggling with his new reality and he suffers from guilt over the death of his father and his feelings and relationship with Abby. He grew on me quickly and I couldn’t help but feel for him. His POV really gives good insight into his thoughts and feelings and it made me adore him. I think my favorite part of this story was seeing him be there for Demi and how beautiful it was to see him love her. #Redeemed
Demi. This poor girl is going through hell. Her emotional turmoil over the impending loss of her father is something that sadly I can relate to and that really added to my strong feelings toward her. I love her fierceness when it comes to Charlie and how transparent she was with him. She didn’t take his nonsense and I lived for the banter between. Their chemistry was sizzling and I couldn’t get enough.
Ms Davis truly surprised me with her ability to make me fall for Charlie. His character evolution was something beautiful to read and I see him in a different light. Charlie is full of heartbreak and struggle but also love and acceptance. This novella is a brilliant edition to Rydeville Elite series and a must read!!
Charlie by Siobhan Davis.
WOW. Just. WOW.
Siobhan Davis weaved her magic yet again.
You go into Charlie (the novella) thinking you know, when in fact you’ve got no idea.
You can’t help but love Charlie, once you see things through his eyes. You’ll kinda bleed for him.
Demi, you’ll absolutely love her! She can give as good as gets. She’s the strong female lead we’ve come to know and love from Siobhan.
Charlie is a story that’s raw, heartbreaking and beautiful.
An amazing way to start off this anthology.
Make You Beg by Shantel Tessier
DAMN! Make you Beg, just jumps right in with the mystery and intrigue. These characthers are absolutely delicious, and I just know that Henley is going to end up being quite possibly the biggest badass we’ve gotten from Shantel yet. 8 Chapters just isn’t enough. Make You Beg ends on a huge cliffy. You’ve been warned.
A prequel to A Boy on the Bridge by Sam Mariano.
This is a tease of epic proportions, but so deliciously good! Hunter and Riley are going to be complete fire. I’m so excited to get more of them! Hunters parting words at the end “You ruined my life. It’s only fair I return the favor”
Let’s is know we are in for a wild ride.
Hood Rive Rat by K. Webster
First off I have to say I’m so glad Kristi went with M/M
Hollis and Roan are so incredibly perfect!
Hood River Rat, has mystery, heartbreak. It’s raw in a fresh kinda way. Hood River Rat has all the makings to be an amazing series fingers crossed ~I have no knowledge if K. Webster is going to turn HRR into a series.
Review of Charlie by Siobhan Davis
Is it possible to fall in love with someone you hate?
Siobhan Davis proved even the biggest bully and traitor deserves redemption and second chance.
With every story, she impresses me with her ability to surprise the reader with an unpredictable plot and complex heroes. She puts in your mind a certain vision of someone to suddenly crumble it down like a house of cards. Charlie’s story is exactly like that, very emotional, steamy, enjoyable and rewarding. And Siobhan in her style revealed big secrets, dropped few hints here and there making me obsessed over upcoming books in Rydeville Elite series.
„You told me before that you see me. Well, I see you too, Charlie, and I like what I see.”
Getting into Charlie’s head and seeing his growth was amazing to experience. We can finally read how much his past actions messed with his head and heart. I loved how Demi brought Charlie to his knees with her attitude, understanding, and support. She doesn’t let his intimidating, rude and cold behavior to push her away. Of course, sometimes I wanted to slap Charlie because of his sudden changes of heart but I can understand his fear of elite life. But Demi is a very strong woman, ready to stand by his side.
Siobhan Davis stole my heart with Demi and Charlie’s story. It was an amazing addition to Rydeville Elite!
Review Make You Beg
I NEED MORE! 8 chapters of Henley’s story is not enough. Shantel Tessier has literally left me begging for more! Henley and the boys are hot as hell. In this tiny tease of Make You Beg we get, murder, lies, secrets, and threats, you know everything we love in a book! Tessier has me in the edge of my chair with each page. And then you know what happens? The book ends. This is me sitting here crying needing more! Tessier definitely hooked me from the first page. If Make You Beg is any indication this anthology is going to be phenomenal and leaving us needing more.
I reviewed books by Siobhan Davis and Shantel Tessier.
Siobhan Davis has just delivered another 5 star read.
Charlie had me hooked. I wasn’t sure what I was going to think about this book because I hated him in the Rydeville High series. I knew that she was going to have to redeem him massively in my eyes and she did. She broke Charlie and made him the hero I needed him to be and now I can say that I love him so much.
This was a surprisingly emotional read and I loved Demi and Charlie’s love story.
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8 chapters is not enough to feed my black heart and my Shantel Tessier addiction. I need more of Henley and those devious, hot as hell boys right now.
Secrets, mystery and lies will keep you on the edge of you seat not knowing what the hell is going on and will leave you begging for more.
I will be stalking Shantel’s pages for when the whole book releases.
Phenomenal anthology for an absolutely amazing charity with all proceeds going to the anti bullying organisation DITCH THE LABEL that in itself is enough to make you want to buy it….
8 amazing authors bring us 8 fantastic bully romance stories filled with angst ,drama and ohh sooo steamy moments, if you are a fan of the highly addictive trope then you DO NOT want to miss out on this anthology you will be far from disappointed ….
Bully Me : Class of 2020 doesn’t only have a star studded line up. It lived upto my expectation and then some more. The stories all had dark deliciousness with twisted chemistry and characters you would love to hate.
Shantel Tessier shredded my heart in Make Me Beg. It was an intense, super steamy and dark reverse harem romance. Scout, Dax, Reilik and Law would make you beg for more for real! Henley was their girl and she has accused Dax. She failed to prove herself in legal system’s eyes. And now the guys are hell bent on destroying her. In true Shantel Tessier style, the mind games freaked me out, turned me on and kept me on the edge all the way. The chemistry is sensational. The intensity of their love-hate-passion was phenomenal. I just need more and I CANNOT WAIT to see how this ends!
Siobhan Davis brings her A game in Charlie. She turned up the angst and heat to maximum. And it is one of my most favourite bully romance ever. The hate to love. The emotional turmoil. The steam factor. Just perfection.If you are a bully romance lover like me, Charlie by Siobhan Davis is one hundred and ten percent must read for you! It’s an intriguing, intense and unputdownable read!
Hood River Rat is another mindf*** from K Webster. Hollis and Roan’s story has every element of awesomeness. Chemistry that will set your kindle on fire. Character who are broken and twisted yet perfect. Emotions run crazy through the pages along with nail biting suspense. Hollis is forced to move with her aunt after his father abandons his family due to his sexual orientation. In Hood River, the Hoodlums rules and Roan is the king. He hates Hollis because of his apparently perfect life. Hollis should stay away from this arrogant, cold and almost cruel bad boy. But they have a magenetic pull they cannot deny. The story ends in a frustrating cliffy as it’s not complete. Let me tell you that you are in for one sexy, bumpy and angsty ride.
I also loved Riot House by Callie Hart. Elodie and Jacobi’s story set in an ancient school for rich and powerful gave me chills and goosebumps. This story nailed the bully part with sick chemistry and some shuddering scenes.This story is to be continued and I will wait for it.
Coralee June’s The Original Bullet is a prequel to The Bullet Series and it made me really interested to read the full series. I love her writing and Gavriel and Summer seem to have an intriguing story to tell. Sam Mariano’s story is another prequel to The Boy On The Bridge , a brand new story coming soon. Hunter and Riley really touched my heart. This story was high on angst, heartbreak and dark emotions! The full story will be a treat. Like You Care by Kaydence Snow and Devil’s Day Party by C.M. Stunich were good reads too!
It’s rare to come across an anthology like Bully Me: Class of 2020 where every story has something amazing and intriguing. I am just craving for more bully romance goodness!
Received ARC for honest review
This anthology is FULL of dories from some of my favorite bully romance authors. They have me panting, screaming, and aching for more.
I did not read all of the stories but here is my review for each story I did read..
A prequel to The Boy on the Bridge by Sam Mariano
“Whether it’s today, tomorrow, or five years from now, he’s coming for me—and when he does, he won’t stop until he’s destroyed me.”
Ughh.. Sam knows how to slay my heart with her words. I am so ready for The Boy on the Bridge.. I honestly can’t wait. It is going to be so so amazing!
I knew this was a prequel going in and I KNEW Sam was going to give me just enough to slim me along and scream with anger because I need more.. but I did it anyway. I read it anyway. I got caught up anyway. I got attached anyway. Now I have to wait and I don’t think that’s possible.
“You ruined my life. It’s only fair I return the favor.”
Make You Beg by Shantel Tessier
“Just when she starts to get comfortable, we’ll remind her just who we are—the guys who are going to ******* bury her.
Holy crap. What just happened and WHY DID IT END?!
I am a huge fan of Shantels writing. Everything she releases is an automatic one-click for me. This short story.. prequel.. whatever it is, I need more. I NEED IT SHANTEL. YOU CANT LEAVE ME HANGING LIKE THAT!!
There is so much more to this story that I need to know. So many unanswered questions. So many theories. So much EVERYTHING!!
This short story was insanely hot, a whole lot dark, and the characters are mean as hell. I can only pray to the book gods that we get more of these characters.
“You were ours before, Henley, and you’re ours now. But instead of loving you, we are going to destroy you.”
Hood River Rat by K Webster
“I don’t know if it’ll end with fists and broken bones or kisses and broken hearts. It’s too intense and cataclysmic to not end in destruction, though. If it’s not hate, it’s something close. Hate destroys and decimates. Whatever this is, it’ll ruin too. Ruin me. Ruin him.”
I am a HUGE fan of K Webster’s writing. It’s taboo, forbidden, sexy, alluring. I have yet to read a story of hers that was anything but amazing.
Hood River Rat has me desperately aching for more. The characters had me hooked form the first chapter and I am already impatient for more of K Webster’s words.
The tension building between Hollis and Arian has my thighs clenching. I’m so ready for them to clash. Their personalities are total opposites and the tension is building.
“My mouth waters to taste him. To bite him. To kiss him.”
Charlie by Siobhan Davis
Siobhan continues to impress me with each story she writes. She takes characters and just breathes life into them, making them all so unique.
I was graciously given the opportunity to read Charlie’s story.
Charlie quickly became a character all us Siobhan fans loved to hate. His antics in the Rydeville Elite made him an enemy but deep down all us fans knew surely he was redeemable…
And he was!!
This story was perfect!
The chemistry between Charlie and Demi is explosive!! I love that they tested each other throughout this story.
Demi was a strong female character and I love that she stood her ground.
Amazing story!!
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Make You Beg by Shantel Tessier
Shantel Tessier is the queen of Dark Bad Boys!! Make You Beg is her novella in the Bully Me Anthology and it’ll have you literally begging for more!!!
Henley is the girl who cried wolf. No body no crime. After witnessing a crime she shouldn’t have seen she’s been outcasted as a liar and now has a target on her back.
Scout, Law, Rellik and Dax rule the school. All extremely good looking and popular, women fall to their knees in their presence.
They chose her. She was theirs. But now they’ll do anything to destroy her.
This story was very well written as with all Shantel stories! She has a way of capturing readers attention from the first page. This story was intriguing was interesting but of course way too short!
Can’t wait to see more of these characters and watch their story unfold.
I am in actually now in love with Charlie. I’m not going to lie I definitely thought it would be hard to redeem himself but he did it. I loved Demi, she was not a pushover. My heart broke for her and I cried. I loved the epilogues in the end! Amazing book, so happy I read it!
Review of Charlie by Siobhan Davis
Siobhan is a new author to me, and I must say that after reading this, she has made a fangirl out of me. I can’t wait to one-click the Rydeville Elite series and completely lose myself in their world!
Charlie Barron has made a lot of bad decisions throughout his life, Demi Alexander being one of them. So when she becomes his personal assistant, he makes it his mission in life to make her life hell. But she doesn’t cower down at his attempts to make her life miserable. She is a beautiful and ballsy woman who gives as good as she gets, and Charlie can’t seem to get her out of his head. But they say the line between love and hate is thin, and that line… It is about to be obliterated.
The attraction between these two is off the charts, and immensely hard for either to fight. Things slowly begin to HEAT, SIZZLE and STEAM UP! She is the light to his darkness, and the woman that he never knew he needed. The only problem? Protecting her from the elite world. He almost lost another woman he cared for to that dark and dangerous world. Is he willing to subject Demi to the same? A decision must be made. Will he choose love or will he let her go?
The elite world is full of lust, lies, secrets and suspense. I absolutely loved it! It was wonderfully written and will definitely keep you on your toes. I never knew what would happen next. This is a thrilling and captivating book that I couldn’t bring myself to put down. And now I am waiting with bated breath for more of their story when it comes out in May. Five stars and more for Demi and Charlie!
Review of The Original Bullet by CoraLee June
CoraLee is another new author for me, and I’m wondering why the hell I waited so long to read her work?! This prequel to the Sunshine and Bullets trilogy was very short, but riveting, and it left me yearning for MORE! I just one-clicked the box set and can’t wait to get started!
Summer aka Sunshine lives in a world where appearances are everything. On the outside looking in, it seems as though she has the perfect life, but underneath the façade is a family that is far from perfect. Her dad, the police chief, is almost never home and presumably cheating on his wife. And because of that, her mom is a hot mess always popping pills or getting drunk.
When Summer meets Gavriel, her gorgeous new neighbor, she is immediately intrigued. All of the girls in school want him, and the guys want to be him. But he finds this town and the people here a bit predictable and boring. It’s definitely a far cry from growing up in New York, in a life of crime. But Summer is different. He is drawn to her and able to see beyond the mask for who she really is.
Although short, I loved this prequel! Summer and Gavriel have some amazing chemistry, and I can’t wait to read more of their story!
Review of The Boy on the Bridge by Sam Mariano
Mariano is also a new author to me, and let me just say… I will now be stalking her everywhere. So far, this story has been my favorite in this anthology. I will be anxiously awaiting more of Riley and Hunter’s gut-wrenching tale!
Riley was a very likeable and relatable person. I found her to be strong, selfless and brave. She is exactly the type of girl that I could see myself having as a best friend. I loved what she did for Sara and the close friendship that they had. And Hunter? His story really tugged at my heartstrings for all that he had to endure. No kid should ever be subjected to that.
Hunter’s friendship with Riley was very sweet. I enjoyed seeing how their friendship blossomed into something more until the moment it all fell apart. He put her in an impossible situation asking her to keep a secret that definitely should not have been kept. When that secret gets out, he feels betrayed and is sent away, but not before vowing to get revenge upon his return. The groundwork was laid for what I’m sure is going to be riveting and epic bully romance.
Review of Make Me Beg by Shantel Tessier
Shantel is one of my go-to authors. She never fails to entertain me with the dark and delicious worlds that she creates. But these eight chapters were not nearly enough. I NEED MORE, and I NEED IT NOW!
Henley witnessed a horrendous event that she was never meant to see. What makes matters worse is the accused is one of her best friends. When she comes forward with the truth, the boys retaliate, determined to wreck her world.
This short and thrilling tale is filled with secrets, lies, threats and murder. Everything we have come to love and expect from a Tessier story. She definitely keeps you on your toes as you furiously devour this book, word for word, page after page.
I can’t wait to see how the rest of this dark and gritty story unfolds! Make Me Beg has me begging for more and hopefully sooner rather than later! 5 stars for Henley, Scout, Dax, Law and Rellik!
Eight Great Authors, Eight Great Reads. This Anthology will offer you stories that will want you wanting more. Some authors you will know some might be new to you but make sure you read them all because each one is unique in their own way.