Emerson Andrews is no stranger to the dark side of life. Growing up in an abusive household, she endured a life of violence that ultimately led to the murder of her mother. However, she’s only a couple of months away from turning 18, so she’s got it covered. At least, she thought she did until her guilt ridden aunt comes and takes her in. Now, living miles away, where money is worshipped like a … a deity, she realizes she’s a far cry away from the trailer park she called home.
Ramsey Reed wasn’t blinded by money, power or social standing, even though he had all three of those things in spades. He knew people with money were just as degenerate as people without it. The wealthy were just able to pay people to look the other way, while the poor could not. He was only 18-years-old, but he was already sick and tired of the people around him. They were nothing but tools he used for his entertainment, and he found himself not being entertained much these days.
When Emerson shows up at a pre-school year party and meets Ramsey, their connection sparks a battle of wills so strong, neither is certain if they’ll be able to hold on to their sanity. And, yet, neither of them cared.
Warning: While the story contains a HEA, it is a dark romance, bully read. It contains triggers and can be offensive to some readers. Please do not purchase if sensitive to such materials.
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CHRIST ON A CRACKER…I did not expect this book to be as good as it was (that cover is cringe worthy). But this was a seriously good bully romance. Ramsey was such a fucking asshole. I mean…legit fucking awful, but I loved him. <--- not sure what that says about me, but I am going with it. There was heaps of jealous, possessive alpha moments in this book. Emerson was an awesome heroine. Strong. Feisty. I loved her as much as Ramsey. No OW/OM drama. A celibate hero. A virgin heroine (groan). Throw in a bunch of angst, hot sex, and a trio of secondary characters I am DYING to read about, and this one earned itself 5-Stars from yours truly. SIDE NOTE: The whole used condom thing was SOOOO nasty. I legit threw up in my mouth. Not sure the author needed to take it QUITE that far. (lol)
I AM OBSESED LIKE VERY MUCH
A book which left a big message and influence on me.
I love this book and it makes me proud of the author cuz the reading only took me 4 hours to finish which labels a new record in my list. The way the author had written it, the emotions and everything was really good and I highly recommend and suggest u to read it too. Lots of love for the author
I loved this book. It has all the good stuff. A hot rich Hero that runs the school, a heroine from the wrong side of the tracks that comes in and shakes things up by getting his attention away from the rich girls. He bullies her at first but then shows her his feelings for her.
He gets crazy jealous of other guys and misinterprets situations and tries to get back at her for being with other guys. It is quite a journey between these two people in a short time period but they have strong feelings for each other and his actions toward her set the stage for how the rest of the school will treat her. So when he starts to treat her bad, everyone in school does and it starts to get out of hand even though he is just trying to play a game with her.
I really liked the book and it was certainly steamy between the two main characters. Emerson was from an abusive background where her father abused her and her mother and ended up killing her mother. She likes the violence in Ramsey, who is a bit of a Sociopath. This is not your typical YA bully romance. More sex and violence.
After Emerson’s father murders her mother she is forced to move in with her aunt, placing her in a new school. A school for the spoiled children of the uber rich. Anyone else might feel intimidated by the change from trailer trash to high society, but Emerson isn’t one of them. Even when Ramsey Reed sets his sights on her with every intention of breaking her, she never wavers in her strength and resilience.
Ramsey has grown bored with his life. At eighteen he runs Windsor Academy as well as the town. He knows everyone’s secrets and exactly how and when to use them. When he first lays eyes on Emerson, his boredom is blown to pieces and suddenly he’s responding to her presence in ways he hasn’t felt for over a year. Things are suddenly looking up and it all revolves around how he’s going to bring Emerson to her knees.
”There wasn’t another girl like her. I wanted her like I’ve never wanted anything else in my life. I wanted to ruin her and protect her at the same time.”
There is definitely plenty of bullying here but it’s also laced with a deep seated desire within Ramsey. He’s totally possessive of Emerson and brutally protective. Some of the things he does and says will leave you gaping.
””Then who are we burying?” Deke asked as if this was a completely normal conversation.
“Whoever’s stupid enough to talk to her or put their hands on her,” I divulged. “If we walk in and there’s a guy close enough to so much as breathe the same air as her, he’s a dead man.”
I’d never, ever been jealous over anything or anyone in my life and I was finding that particular feeling to be a violent one.”
One of the things about high school romances that can irk me is the miscommunication or no communication and we certainly have that in this case. The resulting scene is probably one I’ll never forget. However, I love when a hero who has been a real A hole is found to be wrong and has to grovel. And while I needed more grovel from Ramsey, there was no doubt that Emerson held all the cards.
”However, I’ve never been in control of Emerson. Not since the moment I first laid eyes on her. She’s actually been the one with all the power and strength.”
Ramsey is one dirty talking A hole hero and what he and Emerson share is some raunchy sex that was exactly what each of them craved. They were actually perfect for each other and I loved the epilogue that gave us a look ten years down the road where we see that although they’ve grown and matured, they still like things dirty.
There was so much about this story that I loved – the jealous/possessive/protective hero, the smart, stronger than life heroine and the fact that even through the bullying the hero had feelings for the heroine. But it’s hard to suspend belief enough to accept that an eighteen year old boy can control a town or that some of the things that took place at school could go without adult interference of some kind. However, I’m a lenient reader and I was able to overlook those issues but the fact remains that they affected my overall enjoyment to a certain degree. Nevertheless, I would still check out more from this author. I have my fingers crossed that she’s got some heroes like this that are grown men.
Read via Kindle Unlimited
I got this book for free via Amazon and am leaving my review voluntarily. It is part of a series and contains many grammar errors. This book needs serious editing. The covers on these books have zero connection to the content of the story. I like reading this genre and if you do as well (and liked LJ Shens Sinners of Saints Series) skip this series altogether. You will be disappointed. This series is clearly for the 18+ and over reader, not young adult/teen.
Triggers: abuse, attempted rape, serious bullying, teen sex, unprotected sex, talk of domestic abuse, murder, a (non sexual) bullying scene involving bodily fluids from multiple people
**spoilers**
I read this authors book, The Heavier the Chains, which I enjoyed. This book unfortunately was not in the same league at all.
Emerson, poor girl growing up in a trailor park, victim of domestic abuse for years by her father who eventually murdered her mom.
Ramsey, apparently overly good looking, privileged, rich (courtesy of his fathers money) and capable of blackmailing all the adults in town to get his way.
Ramsey sees Emerson walk into his party with her spoiled cousin Bailey and because he is oh so bored, decides Emerson is his newest challenge.
This is a quick read. Start to finish I think the entire timeline is 5 or 6 weeks? Yes there is loads of bullying, mean girls, guys making inappropriate remarks, attempted rape, adults afraid of Ramsey, and Ramsey himself acting like he owns it all.
Emerson, a victim of domestic violence, is repelled and drawn to Ramsey. Their “relationship ” is not healthy in any reality.
There is honestly nothing redeeming about Ramsey. Emerson needs serious counseling.
A completely FU/HEA.
Holy mother goodness what did I just read!! This book was so dang twisted and I couldn’t stop reading it!! Ramsey was such a possessive alpha but such an a$$. Man there was one part where I wanted to reach in and slap the hell out of him. Emerson was such a bada$$ and stood up for herself at every turn. Together they were a mess sometimes tragic but beautiful !! Loved the epilogue, kinda tied everything together. This is my first read by M.E. Clayton but it sure won’t be my last. I will be looking for sales on this series !!!
I was a fan of this book. I actually really liked the love/hate, back and forth going on between the 2 main characters. The one problem I had with the book is the time line. I’m all for time jumps and what not, as long as they are explained. This book started out saying it was 2 months til her birthday, then all this stuff happens and she’s leaving town on her birthday but it’s only been like 2 weeks according to the timeline. Other then that, I liked the character and the backbone of the female lead a lot.