Two years ago she ruined my family’s life. Maybe she thought it was only a little lie. That she did the right thing, that the worst was behind her, that no one had gotten hurt. Oh how naive the black haired beauty was. Fate has finally brought her back to me, to Blackthorn Academy.Once upon a time I was obsessed, consumed with the need to make her mine. Now I just want revenge, and I’ll do …
Now I just want revenge, and I’ll do whatever I can to get it.
You see the beautiful, sweet, Willow doesn’t realize the mistake she’s made yet. She doesn’t realize that she’s entered the lion’s den and there won’t be any escaping her fate.
I’m Parker Rothschild, and I’ll become her nightmare, her enemy, her bully.
By the time I’m finished with her she’ll be begging me for forgiveness and pleading to confess her sins.
*This is a standalone DARK bully romance. This book contains scenes that may be triggering to some readers. This is not a YA romance novel and should be read by those only 18+ or older. *
more
I definitely think I’ll be in the minority with this review and the 3.5 stars I’m giving this book. I was super excited about this book but I was not a huge fan of the way they went about it.
I love bully romance. I can’t get enough of them. However, I do think there is a line that shouldn’t be crossed and I feel like it was crossed in Hating You. That scene in the science lab just does not sit well with me. If that were to happen in real life we wouldn’t be sitting here saying “It was so hot.”
I will say the plot of the book was fantastic, the twist and turns were great, the characters were good and these are the reason I can give the book 3.5 stars.
Beck and Hallman know how to deliver a bully book, and I love the Blackthorn Elite series. I can’t wait to see what they do with the next book, because even though this one was not my thing I will still be here for the others.
Damnnnn this book was on fire!!!! Parker was so dark and Willow was fierce in her own way. He started out by seeking revenge but it was a mixture of lust. These two were HOT!!!! The tension wrapped with hatred was so intense that it was sizzling. Willow was afraid of Parker but never showed him fear which made his feelings for her even stronger. Little by little you didn’t know anymore where Parker feelings actually were. Willow tried not to feel for him but was unsuccessful. Then secrets were revealed and when you thought that was enough another secret came out that will have you gasping. Great beginning to a series and great ending for these two that went thru so much heartache but finally ended up together and having each other’s back. I think there’s more to these two.
Willow and Parker’s story had so many ingredienses – threatning, hot, loving and so many more.
I held my breath so many times.
I can’t wait for the next book in this serie.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book
I loved this book. J.L. Beck and Cassandra Hallman has done it again. Such great writers who created such a great book. The push and pull between Parker and Willow was so good. The chemistry between them was so hot. Parker has had a crush on Willow from the start and he wants her for himself and for revenge. You will find everything in this book – angst, drama, steam, twists and turns that will keep you wanting more. I can’t wait for book 2 of this series.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Such a good story! So realistic and crazy! Twisted dark se*y, naughty…. Yess!! JL BECK did it again and Willow and Parker came successfully to life!! I love this book so much…and oh! What plot twists appear…this is a true page-turner and I highly recommend it to you all!!
Parker will do anything to free his brother.
He will make Willow pay for her lies.
Willow will do anything to save her sister.
She will do anything her father asks to free her sister.
Lies, prison, a family feud, and revenge are just the tip of the iceberg for Parker and Willow.
Their families are connected by a web of deceit, but what happens when the “bully becomes the salvation? Will “Hating You” be so easy?
Intense. So intense and dark. This messes with your mind and makes your gut clench. You don’t know what to believe. Twisted, sick and sad. Well done.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another awesome read from J.L. Beck and Cassandra Hallman! These two have given us, time and time again, a great angsty bullying storyline that will grab your attention from the start. Parker and Willow are easy to love and their enemies to lovers story is a complete stand alone with a great HEA! Can’t wait to read book two!
One of the darkest bully romance that will have you wanting more. It’s a hate/love feeling that I have for Parker, his character is the definition of a bully but if you stick to the story you will find some redeeming characteristic that you will love. I enjoyed how his character grows with the twist throughout the storyline and the heat level he has with Willow. I can’t wait for the next story in this dark and delicious series.
His brother paid the price for her lies. She should of been honest!
Her sister was never the same afterwards, and now to keep her safe she must be her father’s puppet.
He spots her from the shadows and can’t believe his eyes.
Revenge shall be his, she brought his wrath upon herself!
A fantastic dark and delicious bully academy read.
There are so many secrets and lies, untold truths and hidden emotions to discover.
Nothing is as it seems. Twists and turns galore drenched in hatred for as far as the eye can see.
Parker is a very passionate character who’s close to losing control. His anger and hatred is eating him up.
Willow is so naive and innocent. She tries her best to be a tough cookie but bless her little act.
The sexual tension between them is off the charts, and oh my gosh, *fans self* there are some very hot and steamy scenes you have been warned!
I’m liking the new direction that J.L Beck and C.Hallman are going in, and cant wait for more darkness!
This was a twisted dark romance. I enjoyed the unexpected twists and turns throughout the story. Look forward to more by this dynamic duo J.L. Beck & Cassandra Hallman
Overall Grade: ++
Dark bully romance isn’t for everyone. There are some general tropes attached to it, as far as my newbie brain has observed: the heroine’s father is horrific, mom is dead or long gone, hero must exact some type of revenge on the heroine, hence his “bullying” of her, and there is an ancillary cast of characters who either help or hinder the hero’s plight of revenge. At some point in the story, the hero recognizes his undying love for his intended object of revenge and undergoes a change. However, all along, he has secretly loved her, much to his discontent. Additionally, her heroine hates the hero, stands strong in her own convictions, but her body betrays her when the hero threatens to ravage her. In the end, they admit their undying love for each other and live a life with hot, ravishing $ex and an obsessive love.
Again, this sub-genre is not for everyone. It’s difficult to watch the oftentimes horrific bullying of the heroine. Yet, it’s her strength to endure that earns her reader love. J.L. Beck and C. Hallman’s newest book, Hating You, holds many of these qualities. And for this reader, it is a success. You see, I love dark bully romance. I love when a heroine stands up to the hero, while the hero obsessively hates and loves her. He can’t help himself when he is around her, and I love when she feels the same. It’s dark and wrong in a normalized romance setting. But it reads like candy on the page.
Hating You follows Parker and Willow. Two years prior to this story, Willow turns in Parker’s brother, Brett, for assaulting her sister. This launches Parker in a full out plan to exact revenge on Willow, as he believes she lied and put his brother away in prison. Unbeknownst to Willow, Parker’s family “owns” the university that she has entered. She goes to school under an agreement with her abusive father as a way to protect her sister’s care. From the first night, Parker obsessively bullies her. With no help and a threat from her father, Willow makes an agreement with Parker that can do whatever he wants to her. As they enter this agreement, their feelings for each other become entangled, and they both fight against each other when they really want to fall FOR each other. When a situation arises that puts Willow’s life in danger, will Parker save her, or will his revenge become complete?
I could not put this book down. I picked it up late in the evening, fell asleep, woke up with it, and finished it in a couple of hours. Beck and Hellman have created this tense, erotic bully romance that engulfs you. My heart bled for Willow as she endures Parker’s abuse. There were many times that I found myself wanting to yell at him to leave her alone. For me, anything that evokes a visceral response from me is considered a strong romance.
From one minute to the next, I didn’t know if I should hate or love Parker. In fact, you won’t like Parker until later in the story when the truths of the book are revealed. However, once he realizes the error of his ways, he is swoon-city. Honestly, if I didn’t know any better, I would think that Parker struggles with bipolar. He cannot decide for much of the book if his hate is stronger than his want for her. He is your typical bully hero.
Willow is the true hero of this story. She is principled and stalwart, even in the face of her abuser. There are many times when Parker takes situations too far, and sadly, Willow’s body betrays her as she lusts for Parker. Yet, she acts as the ultimate protector of her sisters, and her motivations are pure. I’ve read dark bully romances wherein the heroine is my least favorite character. This is not the case with Hating You. Willow is someone to admire.
This book is a page turner. It engrosses, titillates, entertains, and challenges your thinking about modern romance. From the beginning to the end, you won’t be able to put J.L. Beck and C. Hallman’s book down until you’ve finished it. This is one of the best bully romances I’ve read since Ashley Jade’s Cruel Prince. I highly recommend it.
This is not an easy book to read, be aware that is very dark and twisted!
Excellent dark, twisted college bully romance.
Willow is starting her college freshman year and Blackthorn Academy as part of a deal she made with her father. When Parker corners her and informs her he will be at Blackthorn as well she’s not sure she will be able to keep her deal with her dad. Parker makes sure she understands that if she stays he will make her life a living hell because he believes she lied two years ago and ruined his family. This is such an amazing story and it just pulled me in and I couldn’t put it down until the very end. It’s a great read and I highly recommend it!
This standalone is a dark bully read filled with plenty of heartache and loss, heartbreak, betrayal and a passion. Finding love where you least expect, when everything is against you.
Parker can’t believe his eyes after two years she would dare to show her face hear at Blackthorn Academy. He will have his revenge, he will stop at nothing to break her. Parker is untouchable at Blackthorn as his father’s money speaks very loudly. He answers to no-one here they will all look away for what he has planned.
Willow is a beautiful young woman who is attending at her father’s insistence as he threatens Willow with her sister’s safety if she doesn’t comply with his demands. Willow has no idea of the extent of her suffering.
Highly recommended read and I can’t wait for more.
I absolutely loved Willow and Parker’s story. I was captivated from the very beginning. So intriguing that I was pulled in and held hostage to the very end. An amazing story on bullying. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an amazing read
This was an addicting 5 star story that I had a difficult time putting down. Trust me this is a must read.
This is about Willow who enrolls into college with a plan. Parker had other things on his agenda, to make her suffer. Things are about to get real complicated.
I usually stay away from college romance types of stories but this one is far from being for YA. It’s quite an highly entertaining. There were some twists and turns. A solid page turner.
Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA. I strongly recommend this story.
In Parker’s eyes Willow ruined his family a couple of years previously, and now she is on his turf, and he is out for vengeance. No spoilers; this is a dark and twisted story, so be aware of triggers! This is a well written story which is an emotional roller coaster journey throughout, as well as a raw, gritty, dark, heartbreaking and twisted read. I was hooked throughout, and look forward to reading more from these gifted authors’.
Yes, yes, yes!! Hating You is the first book in Blackthorn series and what a great series it will be.. This book is so dark and delicious. I freaking loved it. If you like your bully mean, ruthless and possessive than you will love Parker. It is the ideal bully all rolled in to one. I give props to Willow for all the fight she had in her. This was the perfect bully book to me and I’m so excited for what’s to come..
Loving This!!
Willow and Parker have known each other forever and always had something between them. It all went away when Willow testified against his brother for raping her sister. Parker is convinced that she lied and that his brother has been in jail for two years for a crime he did not commit and he lives for revenge. That is handed to him when Willow enrolls in Blackthorn Academy, a university for the upper echelon and one that his family practically owns. Now it’s time to make her life Hell. Willow would like nothing better than to Not be there but her father has put her in a position where she cannot leave. Now all she has to do is avoid Parker but how can she when he is everywhere and does she really want to when he makes her feel so many things even when she knows it’s wrong? I cannot wait to see what is happening with Warren and I can only assume his book will be next…(hint, hint, nudge, nudge).
I read a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review