He can’t stand anything about her, but can’t keep his hands off of her.
Frankie
I wasn’t looking for him.
He found me.
With his sexy smirk and irresistible body.
I wanted nothing to do with someone like him.
Judgmental and brooding.
So full of himself.
But now, I’m stuck playing the fool.
Falling for him.
And losing it all.
If only for one night.
ZEKE
Stuffy, rich, entitled.
The kind of girl … rich, entitled.
The kind of girl that gets what she wants.
When she wants it.
And I want nothing to do with her.
Yet, I can’t stay away.
I’m drawn to her kindness and compassion.
Her beauty.
She holds me when the pain won’t subside.
And now, if I can help it, I’m going to hold on to her…
Forever.
more
In this second book in the Westover Prep series, we see Frankie and Zeke’s story play out.
Frankie watched her best friend be tormented by bullies, so imagine her surprise when she meets the biggest jerk on the planet while away for the summer and starts to fall for him.
Zeke has a past riddled with obstacles and figures that Frankie is too good for the likes of him. So he pushes her away.
Mixing like oil and water, when life throws these two together, can Frankie learn to forgive all the Zeke has put her through so that they can carve out their own slice of happiness?
This is a wonderful installment to the series and what an ending. Can’t wait for the next book!
Zeke and Frankie
Holy Hell did I not see this story coming. And I mean that in every way possible. I stayed away from every blurp and every synopsis that I came across. I didn’t care what this book was going to be about I just knew that I wanted to get my hands on it. And fuck was I glad that I did. I loved every emotional moment of this story. And damn this story had what I was needing in a story right now.
1. angst to the 10th degree
2. an asshole male character
3. an asshole male character that needs to find love
4. enemies-friends-enemies-lovers
5. an emotional whiplash
6. angst to top all expectations
and
7. a female character that you can’t help but love
It has been a long time since I have come across a character that I have wanted to hate with every ounce of my being. And well for a good part of this story that character was Zeke. He was a complete and utter fuck-wad when it came to Frankie. Then there was moments that he let his asshole facade slip and I would be drawn to him again, just to have him turn back into the fuck-wad that he was moments before. The way that his personality was up and down could give a reader whiplash, and damn if I didn’t enjoy every moment of it.
Frankie, my poor girl was already use to being a punching bag. And right from the start my heart hurt for her. This is no way to live your life. So when there was moments that she showed that she had a backbone, I was like “FUCK YEAH GIRL!”. I wanted her to grow that backbone and show Zeke that she wasn’t just a poor pitiful girl that he could take all his anger out on.
I swear there was times while reading this story that I just wanted to dick punch Zeke. Then there was moments that I wanted to hold him and tell him that he was going to be okay. Hell there was even times that I wanted to smack Frankie aside her head till she started showing that backbone that I know she was hiding. Fuck I love it when I get emotionally sucked into a story that I wish harm on the characters. Marie James showed what to expect with the first book in this series and then she raised the bar with the second book. Now how the fuck is she going to up the angst and the all around emotions with the next book in this series.
This is the 2nd novel in this phenomenal series and is Frankie and Zeke’s story. This is an outstanding story which deserves so much more than the 5 stars allowed. I was not too keen on Zeke at first but as the storyline develops and the depth of characters grow, we find out why he lashers out like he does especially to those closest, and he certainly redeems himself. This is a well written story which is and emotional roller coaster and filled with love, forgiveness and heartbreak. I was totally captivated throughout this addictive page tuner and I highly recommend for all lovers of a bullying romance story.
Catch Twenty-Two is a bully romance that will fill you with angst and have you torn between loving and hating Zeke. This second book in the Westover Prep series gives us Zeke and Frankie’s story and fills in some blanks from book one. Their story is emotional, drama packed and gives you a surprise or two that you don’t see coming. As you take the journey between love and hate, Frankie’s kind heart and strength will draw you in and Zeke’s outbursts between good and bad will have you second guessing his every intention. As you ride out the highs and lows and your heart suffers a battering with all the emotions flying, you will finally be left with happiness for these two. A steamy, angsty story that will have you on the edge of your seat and an epilogue that might just leave you needing more in this series.
Marie James has scored a touchdown with book #2 in this series. The story pulls you in and you ride the rollercoaster that is Zeke and Frankie’s relationship. I have never wanted to throat punch someone more than I did Zeke. Yes he has had a though few years and poor Frankie become his punching bag for all the good and bad spewing out of him. I was sucked into the story and I cheered at the highs and cried at the lows, just like Frankie. Once he’s on her turf things take a turn a – can Frankie forgive him? Herself? Her parents?
Catch Twenty-Two is my second book by this author and I am impressed with her impeccable writing skills and her ability to weave a story that draws the reader in.
I adored Frankie in that she is a strong heroine full of compassion, kindness and resilience. In spending the summer on her nan’s ranch, one would think this change of scenery would provide respite from the bullying that she endures at her school. However, things don’t exactly turn out that way. Her tender heart gets battered by a boy and yet, she cannot help but be drawn towards him.
Zeke is a bit of a broken hero and Frankie is caught in his orbit. He is searching for a sense of control as he grapples with various aspects of his life and unfortunately, that illusion of control takes the form of misguided anger towards Frankie. While my heart truly felt for him, at times, I wanted to shake him for the hot and cold behaviors he unleashed on Frankie. Nonetheless, I found myself loving him and I think the author did an excellent job portraying his struggles and developing his character.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book which flowed well, had an interesting storyline, and had good character development. This book is a standalone novel in the Westover Prep series with Frankie’s and Zeke’s story being uniquely different from the previous book. I liked the background stories of the characters, the bully element, and catching glimpses of Dalton and Piper. My only complaint is that I would have loved an epilogue. I love this entire series so far and I cannot wait to see what this author writes next!
Catch Twenty Two is the second novel in Westover Prep series, and I don’t know how to express, how much I loved this book. I thought the first book One Eighty was great, but this one is so much better! The story is well written, realistic, and full of feelings. At times I didn’t know if I wanted to hug the characters, or smack them up the side of the head. Frankie and Zeke were genuine, and I could see myself being friends with them. I liked that past characters Piper and Dalton were in the story too. Can’t wait for the next book from M. James.
Gheez oh Pete… have you ever wanted to just hate a lead character but no matter how hard you tried you just couldn’t? No… well grab up Catch Twenty-Two and you’ll know just how I feel. Kudos to Ms. James for outstanding book 2 in the Westover Prep series and may I say it was awesome to meet up with Piper and Dalton again (from book 1 in the series). Catch Twenty-two is very well written and the characters jumped right off the pages for me. First we have Frankie, a strong young lady that has been made even stronger due to all the bullying she has endured over the years at school and her parents neglect. Then we have Zeke, a star athlete who has had his world ripped apart on several levels causing his outlook on life as well as his demeanor to go through radical changes.
These two meet while Frankie is spending the summer at her grandmother’s ranch. They are constantly being forced together by nan and Zeke’s parents in hopes of making a love match. But Zeke, who is mad at the world these days, rebels against this idea and takes out all his frustrations on Frankie. I won’t give away the storyline but I’ll just say the adults are correct these two would be a match made in heaven if only Zeke and Frankie could be given a fresh start without all the pain they are enduring.
I am not a huge fan of “bully books” but Ms. James’ Westover Prep series has pulled me in (starting with book 1: One-Eighty). I can’t recommend these books enough. 2 Thumbs Up and 5 Amazing Stars for both Catch Twenty-two and the Westover Prep series.
A summer in Utah, with her nan, sexy ranchers and space sounds like heaven.
The gorgeous boy that catches her eye has a face like thunder, and a posture full of anger.
Nice to her nan, yet so hateful to her. Sharp words and harsh realities.
What is it about her that he despises so much, what did she ever do to him..
The second book in the Westover prep series had me drooling and struggling to sit still!
From the beautiful ranch setting to the image of a cowboy my mind ran away with me many a time whilst reading this.
That’s not a bad thing it just means my imagination connected with this story so easily.
The characters were everything I wanted and needed. From the stormy country bumpkin Jekyll and hyde Zeke to the innocent city girl Frankie.
Whilst they were indeed opposites, the tension, hate, need and want between them was electric!
Their lies and hidden truths made me sympathise with their imperfect situations, and I hoped that they would see what everyone else saw in them.
A fantastic second book in this amazing series!! and I simply can’t wait to see who else steps forward with a book of their own.
I don’t even know how to express how much I loved this book. This is Book #2 in the Westover Prep Series. I thought that the first book was amazing, but this book surpassed my expectations. It is an epic and emotional tale of young love.
This story is about navigating teenage years, teenage love, relationships with parents as well as peers, hard knock life experiences, second chances, and a little bullying. There was such a roller coaster ride of emotions. This plot was extremely well-written. Some of the experiences these young people experienced were gut-wrenching, painful, and heartbreaking. My heart felt like it cracked in my chest at times. I cried more than once while reading. Ezekiel “Zeke” Benson was broken and weary, trying to fight for control in some aspect of his life. Nothing in his life was going as he imagined. This made him angry. I loved and hated Zeke. Piper was broken too but in a different way. Her parents were never home and basically ignored her existence. She was bullied mercilessly at school and only had one friend. When she goes away for the summer, at the insistence of her parents, to visit her Nan, she meets the gorgeous boy, Ezekiel who works at her Nan’s ranch with his father. She becomes the target of his ire without having to try. He hates her at first sight. She tries her hardest to be kind but it doesn’t help and he constantly hurts her feelings and pushes her away with his hateful words and sharp tongue. Zeke hated her before she even got there. He knows that isn’t fair but he figures life isn’t fair. The push and pull between Zeke and Piper was painful at times. I wanted to throat punch Zeke at times but hug and comfort him at other times. I felt so bad for Piper. She tried but sometimes it just isn’t enough. These characters are so real, raw, and relatable. The pain and passion were palpable from both characters. Their chemistry sizzled but would it be enough?
This was an emotional and epic journey of love and the power of forgiveness. The emotions bled off the page and into my heart. It was unputdownable! The only problem I had was that it came to an end. I need more! I wasn’t ready for it to be over. I was completed invested in these characters and their journies. I highly recommend reading it. It is a complete standalone with a HEA. You do not have to read Book #1 in order to understand what is going on here but I highly recommend reading the first book as well. You won’t be sorry! They are both captivating and entertaining reads that have fast become an addiction!
****ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.****
After reading and loving “One-Eighty” I just had to read “Catch Twenty-Two” Book 2 of Marie James’ Westover Prep Series. I was expecting a lot of things from this YA Bully Romance and was not disappointed but most definitely surprised by what I got.
Frankie is 17, she’s a fighter and loyal to a fault. Neglected by her parents and bullied by her peers has made her the person that she is.
Zeke is complicated. A boy caught in a man’s body with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Forced to grow up quickly and to man up has left him bitter and angry.
Frankie and Zeke are thrown together and although there is a spark between them, she’s gun-shy and he’s down right angry about it. Their love to hate each other relationship is all over the place and will wreak havoc on your emotions and patience – there were times where I wanted to throttle both of them and just as many where I wanted to hug them tight.
An incredibly well written YA bully romance. I highly recommend you read One Eighty prior to reading this. TBR and enjoy. (I read an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.)
Those who have read the first book in this series will remember Frankie, she was Piper’s best friend, she’d been there alongside Piper throughout all of the physical, mental and emotional drama she’d suffered over the years, however just when Piper needs her more than ever before Frankie’s away for the summer to her grandmother’s farm where she’s going to be put through her own personal drama as Zeke, the gorgeous, brooding foreman who helps at the farm makes it his mission to make Frankie’s summer hell with his constant push and pull which leaves her more confused with each day that passes.
Marie has given us one hell of an alpha-hole in the form of Zeke, yet there are times when he lets his guard down and we get to witness his sweeter, vulnerable side.
This was an amazing story where there’s love, hate, passion, forgiveness and growth, reminding us exactly how being a teenager isn’t always easy, regardless of whatever background you come from.
This is the second book in the Westover Prep series. I was so excited when I got my hands on this book. This is Frankie and Ezekiel’s (Zeke) story. Frankie is spending her summer at her Nan’s. She loves spending time at Nan’s and away from all the bullies in her day to day life. Except things have changed this year. With a new foreman and his son (Zeke) she can only hope they can be friends. This is all before she has to deal with him on a daily basis and he decides to take his problems out on her.
Second book in the Westover Prep series. I had no idea that I like bully-romance stories, but the way Marie James writes them, I love them.
Zeke and Frankie have a rollercoaster of a relationship and a few times you want to hate Zeke. But once some misconceptions are cleared up, the two are really good together. Looking forward to the next one!
Frankie goes to visit her grandmother and help on her ranch, where she meets Zeke, a local, who works with his dad for Frankie’s grandmother. While Frankie is instantly attracted to his outside appearance, the minute he opens his mouth, it goes downhill and fast. Zeke is emotional and angry and pretty much all over the place throughout the entire book.
In the moments when Zeke allows his true self to come through with Frankie and the reader gets to see some of his vulnerability, I found myself really feeling for Zeke and his situation. He felt like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. I enjoyed the moments when his softer side came through and I felt like he and Frankie had some pretty great chemistry physically.
I enjoyed the snippets throughout the book of Piper and Dalton also since their story was the highlight of book one in the series.
To bully or not to bully
Catch Twenty-Two was like watching a ping pong game. First he’s terrible to her, then he’s nice to her, then he’s back to being terrible.
Frankie is sent to her Nan’s for the summer by her less than attentive parents (and that’s being nice). The first time she sees Zeke he looks at her like he wishes she was dead. Then he comes to dinner and is nice to her in front of her Nan. Then he tells her he’d rather piss on an electric fence than kiss her. What is going on?
Zeke is dealing with a lot at home. Now everyone is pushing Frankie on him like she’s the end to all of their problems. Well he’s not going to stand for it. Unfortunately Frankie has no idea what’s going on but she’s the brunt of all of his frustrations.
The second of the Westover Prep series, and boy does it feel like this series is just getting started. Frankie is Piper’s best friend, and while Piper and Dalton were going through their drama, Frankie was going through some of her own with Zeke. A summer spent at her grandmother’s house, Frankie is thrown into the ranching life and it seems like she is also being thrown together with Zeke. But the Zeke that her grandmother sees is not the Zeke that Frankie gets. Just when she thinks that Zeke has changed and shows her a different side, his mood shifts and it proves that the soft nice side was just an illusion. Just when she thinks she has escaped him, it turns out that Zeke follows her back to Colorado and will in fact be staying at her house.
Zeke’s summer had some super high moments, as well as some seriously super low. Now his world has turned upside down and he finds himself in Colorado. But its not all bad, this means he gets a second chance with Frankie, only problem is she has to give him the time of day and speak to him for him to get that chance. Can he get Frankie to just hear him out?
A great story, seriously entertaining. Giving us loads of teenage drama; Zeke and Frankie did not disappoint. I give them 5 stars and am looking forward to what comes next.
Wow and I thought Piper and Dalton’s story killed.me , Zeke has not had an easy life ,losing the ranch and then his dad is not healthy either then they are pushing Frankie on him , then they meet and he pushes her away and then pulls her in , they share one special night and then she is gone he shows up at Westover prep and again he keeps pushing her away then her secret gets out and they both realize what they really want . Zeke has to prove to her that he really wants her in his life and Frankie has to learn to trust
Bully romances are not typically my thing, but I love Marie James stories so I just had to read it.
Frankie is Piper’s best friend from the first book in the series. Her parents sent her to stay with her grandmother for the summer. She meets Zeke and for no apparent reason he can’t seem to stand her but he also can’t stay away from her. Will Zeke be able to shed his mean ways or will he stay bitter?
Teenage high school bully books are not usually my thing, but Marie just had to prove me wrong!
Catch Twenty-Two will catch you off guard in so many heart pounding painful ways, but the angst and the burn will leave you consumed with fire and love in your heart! Zeke and Frankie are something else and they have this gravitational pull that changes their whole world. You’ll want to scream, cry and swoon…the struggle is real. I have never wanted to hurt and hug a guy more in my life than Zeke. He brought out the best and the worst in me and I feel like that’s what he and Frankie did to each other in this story too. Frankie can hold her own and I would be friends with with a girl like her. These two fill you with so much hope, longing and passion that you will totally understand the meaning of desperate times call for desperate measures. Marie James, Catch Twenty-Two was an intense whiplash of emotions and my heart was enthralled by Frankie and Zeke until the very end! This story is dynamite!
Tracey, Life Reads With Friends