From USA Today bestselling author K Webster comes a MM high school bully romance called Hood River Rat! Hood River was supposed to be the change I needed.A fresh start.An escape from my painful past.Better in every way. I’m a popular guy. Approachable. I make friends easily.Cool car. Nice clothes. Good attitude. Everything will be fine. School is school. I’ll keep my head down until graduation …
School is school.
I’ll keep my head down until graduation and try not to stick out.
College will be here before I know it.
Yet my first day proves to be anything but easy.
The Hood River Hoodlums—our school’s most notorious group of bad boys—have put a target on my back.
Their leader, Roan, hates me.
He calls me Rat.
To him and his friends, I’m a loser who doesn’t belong at their school.
I could pretend I don’t care about their hate.
If only Roan wasn’t so hot.
He’s mean, cruel, and sexy as hell.
My nemesis is impossible to ignore…and a secret part of me doesn’t want to.
Here I thought being gay was the worst of my problems.
Turns out, being gay and crushing on your enemy takes the cake.
This is a full-length high school enemies-to-lovers and new adult romance with high angst, suspense, and gutting emotion. It’s book one in the Hood River Hoodlum series that will have interlinking storylines. Hood River Rat can be read as a standalone and starts off a four-book planned series that gives each Hoodlum a book. This is the only MM story. The others are MF.
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After reading the Prologue in Bully Me. I’m reading to continue the story. I’m going in…
Hollis life is anything but normal. Things get very complicated fast when he starts a new school. Enter, Roan who has his fair share of life problems. The chemistry between these two is unbelievable. They have this love hate relationship down to a tee. Ready to see what happens in the next book.
When your life is in shambles it doesn’t mater what side of the tracks you grew up on. The pain is real and nobody can take that away.
This story brings together two enemies on a soul deep level. Each hating and yearning for different reasons. Each with their crosses to bear and demons to fight. But the heart wants what the heart wants.
There is no mistaking the need to reach out, but the fear is too great, there is no underestimating angst, raw carnal connection and love.
K Webster, wrecked me and put me back together in one fell swoop. Not to be missed!
K Webster is an absolute genius. Her writing will grab you from the first page and wrap you up so tight, you don’t want her to let go.
We meet sweet Hollis and bad boy Roan in the Bully Me Anthology (which has amazing stories FYI).To be clear in the Bully Me Anthology you got about the first 10 chapters of the book. So you do not need to read it there first.
Hollis is the new straight laced boy in town. Roan is the head of the Hoodlums. The two could not be more opposite. In Hood River Rat their story continues on and you get to see their relationship grow and develop into something truly amazing. You will get all the feels in this one and it is sure to leave you wanting more.
Can’t wait for Little Hoodlum!!
Oh man. This book. This book is so captivating, I’m almost speechless. It’s full of raw, angsty, emotional goodness that draws you in from page one. I frantically read page after page, needing to know where the story would go, but also obsessively checking my % read because I didn’t want it to end. I NEED MORE HOLLIS AND ROAN. I loved every word, start to finish. 5/5 stars doesn’t even begin to describe the amazingness that is their story.
I can’t wait for the rest of the series. I have a feeling the next book is going to gut me even more. Jordy is…complicated. I so cannot wait to get inside his head. Bring it on, Little Hoodlum!
Hood River Rat is an amazing coming of age story which focuses on the characters Roan and Hollis. It is book 1 in the Hood River Rat series and if this book is anything to go by, the series is going to be epic!
Hollis was the All-American boy, liked and favoured by his peers in his old school, but his life has taken an unexpected turn when he, his mother and siblings move across the country to stay with his aunt. His popularity all changes when he comes to his new school and comes across the ‘Hoodlums’, a gang of boys who from first glance are fighting to just stay alive. One of the main characters of the Hoodlums is Roan, a young man who is trying to bring up his sister in dire circumstances and he takes an instant dislike to Hollis and his preppy, rich self.
The story focuses on the building of new relationships when struggling to like another person. Hollis always seems to be in Roan’s way and Roan always seems to seek Hollis out. When they are thrown together even more due to Hollis’ aunt, things just seem to get more complicated. Add into the mix the rest of the ‘Hoodlums’ and other secondary characters, this book was hard to put down. It has enough angst, drama, heart-breaking emotion and sexiness to keep you turning the pages. The build up between Hollis and Roan is dramatic and hot, as is the storyline not only between the two characters but also their independent stories which are vastly different yet have some similarities.
This is a fast-paced, emotional book and has become one of my favourite reads of 2020. The author has a way of writing about characters who are complex, realistic and overall human with a story that just comes off the page. If you haven’t read K. Webster before, you need to start…right now!
ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review
More of my reviews can be found on my blog: https://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com
4.5*
WOW This was so good. The angst and push and pull between the two main characters is so chef’s kiss perfect, I cannot express enough how good it is.
This did give me a lot of deja vu to when I read another bully style MM book by this author. Not that that is a complaint because I’m pretty sure I gave that book exactly the same rating and glowing review as I’m giving this one.
This really is so much more than a high school bully story between two boys. It’s a story about survival. About family. Found and actual. Finding out who you are and not being ashamed of it, no matter what.
There are parents in this who actually give a damn about their kid!! Okay there are also parents in this that are utter garbage humans, but still, it’s all there. And like so many of K Websters books that I’ve read before, the characters are real, flawed and completely relatable.
Side note, the steamy scenes are off the charts hot.
Be careful of the triggers in here. (Will update when book is released because spoilers and such) No question about it this is dark. and I cannot wait for the next book in this series because if the couple is who I think it is, hot darn it’s going to be dark as heck and I’m living.
**I requested this ARC and would like to thank the author and IndieSage PR for the opportunity to read and review this. My opinion is my own and has not been influenced.**
K Webster done it again!
She tore my heart in pieces.
Make me weep like a baby.
Furiosly mad for these boys.
Cry again for their love story is simply that. A love story.
I lusted over these two.
I fall in love easily with Hollis and Roan.
But my heart break once again for the Hoodlums when their brotherhood, their friendship must take sacrifice to survive.
The way K Webster play with her readers emotionohmylaaaw this author! I love her!
And yes! I inhale this book in one sitting! Wohoo!
Hood River Rat is one full standalone angst, enemy to lover, MM romance.
Hollis is a new guy in school. Preppy looking, this rich boy instantly got enemy on his first day.
Roan is the school Hoodlum. He’s bad. Beautiful as he may look, but he and his three friends are notorious bad boys, The Hoodlum in school.
Enemy from the get fo, spark fly around them. Making situation more difficult for this two hot blooded young man haven’t discovered their similarity. Their scar. Their hurt. Their shame. Their burden. Their passion.
And at the end, I can’t wait to read Little Hoodlums story!
K Webster works her magic yet again. Hood River Rat is a MM bully romance with characters that will make you fall in love with them, leaving you wanting more.
Hood River Rat is a must have book in your collection. Hollis, Roan, Jordy, Little Hoodlum, and company will suck you in and infect your heart.
A top 2020 read!
Such an amazing and emotional story. I devoured it in one day. I am not a huge fan of MM but I read the synopsis and I was immediately intrigued. This is so much more than a love story. It was gut-wrenching, raw, gritty, inspirational, real, and beautiful at the same time. There is a tinge of darkness to this read but even that is intriguing.
Never judge a book by its cover. That is what comes to mind when I think of Roan. He is so much more than meets the eye, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with his character. He has had to grow up fast and has more on his shoulders than any kid his age should. Hollis is also more than meets the eye too. He is stronger than he appears and determined. He is confident in his sexuality and knows what he wants and goes after it. He can’t help but be attracted to the brooding boy who acts as if he hates him. They both have things that they are hiding, simmering beneath the surface. They just deal with it differently. They don’t start off on the best foot with each other. Quite the opposite, actually. Unexpectedly, they are in a situation where they find themselves spending more time together. Secrets are uncovered. They eventually find solace in each other but things aren’t ideal nor that easy.
I love K. Webster’s books and she exceeded my expectations with this book. I devoured it in one day! It is beautifully written, well-paced, compelling, and captivating. I laughed, my heart broke and hammered out of my chest at times. I swooned, laughed, and cried. The characters are flawed but you fall so in love with them. Roan and Hollis had sizzling chemistry and heat. Their love, loyalty, and devotion know no bounds. It was everything. The secondary characters were just as endearing although there were a few I wanted to throat punch. lol. This is a must-read. It touched me on an emotional level. I hated to see it end and can’t wait to read about Roux’s story next!
P.S. I hope Jory gets a book too!
****ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.****
I don’t know even know what to say. I usually don’t go for the high school bully romances but the writing of this author is so good that I knew I could go in blind. The chemistry between Hollis and Roan is out of this world, even when Roan is out to get Hollis. The story itself has so many facets and written so well that I could understand why the characters behaved the way they did. Now I am super excited and anxious for the rest of the books in this series.
OMG K Webster you sucked me right into this beautiful story!
Now let me start by saying I am not a fan of high school romance nor am I fan of bully stories. They are just not my thing…that being said I loved this high school bully story!
Hollis and Roan were just the perfect mix of sweet, sexy and hot.
And the side characters. I need all the things about them.
Looking forward to the Little Hoodlum!
Fantastic dark and gritty MM that I just couldn’t put down! Hollis moves to a new town and goes from being a popular, preppy stud to being bullied by the guys who rule his new school. Roan is struggling with his sister and wary of anyone who offers help. He rules the school but he is drawn to the new kid in inexplicable ways. This story was so steamy but emotionally gripping as well. Both guys were broken but together they could rely on one another. Loved them as a team and the family they forged. So intrigued by the entire set of characters and can’t wait until we know more of their stories. This series is going to keep me craving more…more Hood River
This book pulled me from in from the beginning. I love the characters and how close and supportive most of them were. My heart broke a few times. I sat so open mouthed a few times with my heart broken for these characters. Not all was sad though, the hot moments a couple of the characters had together was amazing. I can’t wait to read what comes next from this author. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!
x10This book will take you on a rollercoaster journey, but what a journey it is.
Hollis English has had his life turned upside down, uprooted he has move to a new town and new school.
He has gone from being the popular boy on campus to the new guy, how hard can it be too fit in right.!
Hollis first encounter on his first day of school is meeting the Hood river hoodlum gang.
Roan Hirsch is the leader and as soon as he set his sights on Hollis with his posh car and preppy outfit he takes an instant dislike to him.
Roan has had a crap upbringing his father is in jail and his mum well lets not go there !
All he cares about and all that matters to him is his little sister Roux she is his life he would do anything for her.
Hollis doesn’t understand why Roan has so much hate for him and slowly both of their stories start to unfold, they are both from broken homes and both have so much baggage, but between them both they seem to work the anger and frustration out.
Which is a shock to them both something neither of them thought would happen is they fall for each other.
The story that unfolds will have you on the edge of your seat, its angsty emotional and some parts so damn heartbreaking it will have you crying for these characters.
You just don’t want this story to end, do they get the HEA well i guess you will have to read it to find out.
As usual this author takes us on an unforgettable journey, with her word she brings the book to life.
If you read one book this year make sure this is it a must read.
My GOD these two boys… Roan & Hollis teeter-tottered that damn pedestal I set Cope & Penn up on top of!
Hollis is a total, preppy nerd with heart-wrenching inner turmoil, and yet he’s confident, sassy, and in-your-face sexy when flirting with the bully who wants to bury him. And Roan? He absolutely melted me with his uninhibited expressions – even in public – toward Hollis once he got his head screwed on straight.
GOD.
Angst, heartache, heat, and ALL the feels, HRR will have you scrolling those pages hoping they’ll never end. However, Ms. Webster had to toss in THE END, giving us a swoon-worthy HEA and just enough of a teaser for the next title. Bring it. I was ready for Little Hoodlum the second I hit the power off button on my Kindle.
K Webster has redeemed and overshadowed bully romances with Hood Rat River in the best way possible!
I’m going to be completely honest here for a second. Bully romances, especially high school ones, aren’t really my go to reads. Not because I don’t like them or they trigger me. It’s because I’m picky af. They have to be done right. No offense to other bully romance books lately but they never hooked me. Too much bad and confusing bullying for I to enjoy it as a great romance story. To me the butthole in question has to be a jerk with purpose. Meaning I have to connect to them, feel why they are this way, why they are fueled to do the horrible things they do their person of interest. That’s what lacks in some bully romances, purpose and empathy.
Not here though. This story has everything, all my required check marks and probably yours too ticked off from beginning to end.
I was not expecting for these character to grab onto my heart and hold on for dear life, and that they did.
Look, all you need to know is that you need to read this story. It’s the one story to read.
Hands down one of my top reads of 2020.
Bravo K Webster, you did it again.
I never get tired reading one of K Webster’s stories. She knows how to bring out the laughs, the right amount of sexy times, and heart felt moments. T
Roan and Hollis were definitely couple goals. They were inevitable. They tried to hate each other at first but just couldn’t. The pull or the attraction they had for one another was way too deep.
I was sad close to the end of the story. Roan and Hollis equally were amazing book boyfriends. But I was all about Jordy. I couldn’t help but love the brooding guy. Little Hoodlum needs to get here soon. I need more Jordy. He is going to cause a certain person to be ruined for all others. Can’t wait to see.
I got an ARC of this book from the author and it was AWESOME! Roan and Hollis are everything. Hollis is struggling with life after his dad basically told him he was worthless because he came out as gay. Roan is struggling with raising his sister while his dad is in prison and his mom is addicted to drugs. The struggles they both have are heavy for a teenager but they fight through them. Roan hates Hollis on sight and Hollis just wants to get through high school so he can go to college and help support his family. The tension and the chemistry these two have was HOT and I’m so glad I got to read their story. 10/10 recommend!
An epic love story that will leave the reader desperate for more. Even if you’re not a fan of MM books these characters are so well written you can do nothing but fall head over heals. Stunning storytelling that will break your heart. Proof that love can come in all forms even when you least expect it.
I adored Hollis and Roan’s book. Each of these characters will make your heartache for them. Neither of them is having an easy time of it and this helps create a story that is gripping, emotional, filled with tension, packed with drama and steamy. I felt that this MM love story was a mash-up of bully romance and edge of your seat tearjerker. Trust me when I say that your emotions are going on one epic roller coaster ride as this captivating read unfolds. These guys are going to melt your heart, raise your temperature and leave you swooning!! I just finished this and I desperately want the next book in this series as soon as humanly possible! Of my own accord I am posting an independent, impartial review.