Bully

It is hard to believe that the lead male character treated the female character poorly for so many years because he liked her so much. You kept looks for a reason and the reason made no sense.

I loved this book. It had many twists and turns and opened me up to dark romance novels. Right now it’s on sale, and a must one click.

Yay!

This was my first read by this author after having it in my TBR for months. And I LOVED it!
I loved Jared’s initial coldness. I loved Tate’s strength. I loved the supporting characters- Madoc, KC, even Madman and Tate’s grandma. The backstory was solid as well. There was a part in the story that I won’t discuss specifically other than to say it made the bottom drop out of my stomach. It actually raised my heart rate. That’s a sign of a good story!
I can’t believe I waited to read this, and I can’t wait to read more of this series!
Recommended!

I utterly devoured this story. If you have a thing for bully romances than look no further this book is it. Penelope created a wonderful story with an intriguing plot and genuine characters. You become obsessed with Jared and finding out what went wrong between him and Tate. This was the first book by Penelope I’ve read, I know I’m super late to the game. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read more by her.

“I had loved Jared once, but now I knew without a doubt, that “my Jared” was gone.”

This first thing I liked about this story was that it drops you right into their world. Page one brings you face to face with Jared and Tate and what their relationship has become. I loved this because it draws you in from the start. Penelope pulls you into this world and does not let you go until the last page.
Jared is a complete ass to Tate literally from the beginning. You slowly learn all these things he’s been doing to her throughout the years, some she knew about and some she didn’t. You want to hate him for all he’s done to her, but you can’t. Penelope wrote him in such a way that you know something happened that turned him this way. You need to find out what made him change how he feels about Tate so abruptly. He’s so beautifully damaged that you can’t help but want to get to know him and find out all his demons to help heal him.

“You were my tempest, my thunder cloud, my tree in the downpour. I loved all of those things, and I loved you. But now? You’re a fucking drought. I thought that all the assholes drove German cars, but it turns out that pricks in Mustangs can still leave scars.”

Tate goes through a lot from essentially the beginning of high school. You feel for her and you want her to become stronger from what’s happened. And in the beginning, you think she does. She does something to Maddoc on more than one occasion and you think yes this is it she’s got her backbone don’t back down. But than she kind of loses it as the story goes on. This didn’t diminish the story in anyway for me I just wish she had held onto that strength.
The slow burn build-up was pure fire. You could feel the passion pouring from the pages even when they hated each other, maybe even more so. As the story goes on you can see the possessive nature that Jared has for Tate. But not only on his side, I loved the parts where Tate became possessive of Jared and blasted anyone in her way. But also, the deep searing connection that they’ve had since they were kids can be felt throughout.

“I want to touch you.” His words were against my lips now. “I want to feel what’s mine. What’s always been mine.”

I absolutely adored this story. I loved watching the connection between Jared and Tate grow and come back around to what it always should have been. Seeing Jared grow throughout and come to terms with some of what was going on with him, was amazing to see. You want to love him from the beginning and as he continues to grow you love him even more. This story will keep you utterly captivated from the start and you won’t be able to put it down. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series and see where these wonderful character’s go from here. I highly recommend this book, especially if you’re a Penelope Douglas newbie like me, and love your bullies sexy, possessive, with a side of he’s such a dick.

WOW just WOW, this book is fantastic and I found a new author to read, I could not put this book down and read it in 1 day. Jared and Tatum was best friends when they was young then came the teenage years and best friends become enemies, Jared is down right mean to Tatum, Tatum does a year abroad in Europe and she comes back with an attitude and not putting up with Jared’s attitude, they clash terrible and then something changes in these two, they become friends again, then lovers. This story at times made me teary eyed, being a teenage girl can be frustrating at times and mix that with a teenage boy who suddenly hates you without reason makes life even more frustrating, it really hit home. Definitely worth 5 stars and more, this book is a keeper!

My first Penelope Douglas book… I thought I had a great plot and really excellent potential but… I felt it fell a little flat, had too many inconsistencies. Jared’s reason for torturing someone for 4 years just didn’t make sense. I think this book is probably better suited for YA readers. I considered reading the next book I’m the one from Jared’s point of view but if the introduction is any indication it’s just a repeat of all their interactions and won’t further the story.

Loved this whole series! Great read!

There is a thin line between being a victim and a bully and that line is easy to cross. This story complemented that very well, as well as the conflict and confrontation of bullying and as well as being bullied. This book brought a whole new view and perspectives to the subject, both in good ways and sort of in bad, unacceptable ways as well. I have never found a bully as intriguing and attractive before. No, scratch that. I have NEVER found a bully anything but loathe-some and disgustingly inhuman before, and in many ways Jered got on my nerves and my psyche like a real bully. But he also pulled my heartstrings as well as stepping up my drama addiction to a whole new level. I simply could not put this book down for one minute.

The drama and treatment Tatum had to live with daily really made me ache for her and loathe Jered like a disease. But not everything is black and white and not everything is easy and clear. This book is very close to reality that way. As much as I wanted to hate Jered, throughout the story he became less a bully and more a victim trying not to loose face. As much as I felt for Tatum she, the victim, could easily be cruel and cross the line to bullying herself. In some ways they were switching places, finding new strategies and ways to get through their situation. It really showed a complex and complicated predicament for both sides and what a grey area it can be. That aspect was exciting and excellently written.

For all the confusion and different ways the characters came at each other, I found myself liking both Jared and Tatum both individually and together. I shipped them hard. However, the revelation as to what happened and why he bullied her was so unsatisfying and bland (the reason not really explained well at all) that even after finishing the story I’m left a little annoyed that they could just move past years of bullying just from the “explanation” she got. The fact that he said that it felt good hating and hurting her should have been a clear warning sign to stay away.

The most unsatisfying thing in this book however isn’t the explanation. No, that was Tatum’s friendship with K.C. (and a bit the fact that it never revealed what K.C stands for). I mean, what a b**ch she was! She had for years stood by Tatum, seeing how horribly mistreated she was by Jared with all the pranks, mean insults and him making her cry. Yet she can find it in herself with no problem to date the guy. Not only that, she takes his side even when the bullying continues. What a horrible friend! Even worse is that she suspected and even hinted to Tatum that there were more between Tatum and Jered than hate, so she knew Tatum liked him and went for it anyway. What a horrible cruel b**ch! And that was never even acknowledged! Instead, somehow, she was written as the victim in all of this and that Tatum was overreacting to something she had no part in? First of, she had plenty of part in it since her so called “friend” choose Jared over the friendship with Tatum. Yet, somehow it came out as Tatum’s choice to make. Tatum had every right to feel angry and betrayed, yet she acted like her emotions were wrong and kept being friends with K.C. I swear, my hands were shaking from anger reading that. She should have just dumped the b**ch. K.C effing deserved it plenty times over.

Despite my long angry rant about K.C’s betrayal, I really enjoyed the drama, story and characters. I think this is the first book I’ve ever read start to finish in only a day, which is saying a lot. I just really hope K.C will be burning in book hell someday!

Loved the book and the tension was great!I truly enjoyed the book and how the characters interacted with each other and eventually how their relationship developed. I definitely recommend this book. I can’t wait for book 2!

Tate is being tortured by her former best friend and she has no idea why. Jared and his friends seem to thrive on making Tate’s life miserable.
After taking a year to attend school abroad, she is back and is ready to fight back.

When the bullied becomes the bully.

I could never wrap my head around Tate’s feelings for Jared. He was miserable, but it has been a long, long time since I was in high school, so maybe I would have different feelings towards it. I can tell you my mid-40’s brain was just not seeing the appeal even after knowing the reason why he was so bad to Tate. Again, I think it might be an age thing. A brooding hot bod can only get you so far and Tate seemed like she was going places, other than her choice in men.
To each their own I guess.