It was such a shame that she was in the wrong place, at the wrong time. She knew that we would come for her.We had seen her delicate face that night, hidden in the shadows, and she had seen what we did, her gasp of horror giving her away. She was perfection, beauty, and oozed goodness but that wasn’t going to save her from us. No one could ever find out our secret, which meant we needed to get … secret, which meant we needed to get rid of her.
But killing her wasn’t an option and scaring her into silence wasn’t as easy of a feat as we expected. She was strong, resilient , and smart doing whatever she could to evade us.
Thus without even knowing it she turned it into a game, and so we became blood thirty wolves.
Run and we’ll find you. Keep our secret and you might live.
That is until someone else finds out what we did…
*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. *
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“Fear is a powerful motive and as long as she’s afraid, she’ll do whatever we tell her to do.”
Cameron and Easton are best friends that are very different. Cam is the sweet, jock with a panty dropping smile. Easton is dark and broody. He is quiet but dangerous.
Stella is caught in the wrong time in the wrong place and now she is at their mercy.
Hurting You is filled with drama and angst. Steamy men and their VERY dirty mouths.
I always enjoy these authors writing together.
This was my first look into the Blackthorn Elite, and holy, what have I been missing? After reading Hurting You, which is a stand-alone, I’ve decided I must role back and read previous books from the series.
Stella unfortunately witnesses something she shouldn’t and it changes hers life completely.
Enter Easton and Cameron, two scary young men from Blackthorn University. They discover innocent Stella witnessing their secret. They hunt her down and make sure she keeps quiet about what she saw and introduce her to dirty sexual encounters she had never experienced before.
This is a bully M/F/M relationship story. The mixed feeling between the characters is complicated and emotional, the characters themselves take time to realize their true feelings.
A very intriguing story with characters that were very well developed and interesting. I highly recommend this book!
If you like dark, dirty and twisted romance, you will enjoy Hurting You by J.L. Beck and C. Hallman. It was so much more than I expected. They give us three characters that are multidimensional and have intense emotions. Stella, that poor girl. Life definitely has not been good to her. You would think with the way she meets Cameron and Easton, that it was still dealing her a bad hand. Cameron and Easton are brothers in all the ways that matter, just not by blood. Both are incredibly alpha but Cam is the softer to Easton’s rough edges. They have no problem sharing. Their road to a HEA is full of potholes and distrust, but my oh my do they find their happy!!
I don’t know how I feel! I went from angry, to scared, to sad, to aroused, to happy, and then back again.
The writers have a way of writing bully romances that make it…okay? Even though we know Stella is sort of forced into the situation due to what happened, it’s consensual. The relationship, if you could even call it that at the beginning, actually makes sense. Easton and Cam suck you in with their darkness and how could Stella resist?
Love the epilogues. I only wish there would have been mention of her grandma at some point again.
When I started reading this I was surprised by how much I liked Easton and Cameron. At first they were just doing what they had to do but then it got serious and personal. Stella was a strong woman too and she stood up to them. I really liked this story and I loved how the guys were basically night and day in their personalities. I think Cam is my favorite though out of the two men. I liked that there was give and take between Stella and the men. I would recommend this book to anyone who loved a good romance that was a little different than a normal romance but just as good and plenty interesting.
This book is number 3 in the Blackthorn Elite series. Stella is just trying to get by in life but Cameron and Easton aren’t making it easy for her. Cameron and Easton come very well to do families with Cameron’s dad being the Chief of Police and Easton’s mom being the District Attorney.The relationship between these three is m/m/f or rh if you prefer that. Stella witness’s something that she wasn’t supposed to see and Cameron and Easton need to come up with a plan so things don’t get out of hand. This relationship between the three of them isn’t easy and it will have your emotions in a tailspin. I would highly recommend reading books 1 & 2 before reading this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
HURTING YOU by JL Beck and C. Hallman is book Three in the Blackthorn Elite Series. This is the story of Stella, Cameron ‘Cam’ and Easton.
Stella is a young women who is basically along except for her grandmother who has Dementia. Stella is just trying to keep herself and her grandmother going, working and just trying to stay strong. But then something happens that Stella is witness too that brings her into the sites of Cameron and Easton. They need to ensure that she doesn’t take what she saw any further so that start to harass, threaten and bully her. But things are starting to go further when they can’t seem to get her out of their minds. This was a dark bulling romance between M/M/F that may be triggers to some.
Overall Grade: 1/2
Okay, okay. So romance. It’s one of those things where there is something for everyone. If you love that delicious smut, you’ll find it. If you want a romance with some greater message, written with the most beautiful of prose, you can find it. It doesn’t matter what you’re in to, everyone’s kink can be found in romancelandia.
I think one of the tropes that romance readers sometimes struggle to accept is bully romance. I’ve seen romance authors post out on Facebook, curious over people’s interest in it. I responded to such an author with my answer: bully romance is delicious because the alpha-hole who is doing the bullying is usually brought to his knees in a way that is more profound than your average romance hero. At least, that’s the reason I adore bully romance, even when I’m cringing over the behavior of the hero towards the heroine.
J.L. Beck and C. Hallman have brought us the zenith of bully romance with the third book in their series of standalones, Hurting You. The first two books in this series, Hating You and Breaking You, were the quintessential bully romance books. Both incorporate heroes who despise their heroines, but they can’t resist them. Your heart can’t help but weep for their treatment of the heroines. It’s abusive, yet the inner torture of the heroes who need those heroines in their lives is more delicious than the gravity of the abuse poured out on the heroines. One minute, you cringe, while in the next minute, your figurative lenses are fogged up by the steam between the hero and heroine. It’s this odd, but entertaining cycle.
Enter Beck’s and Hallman’s newest book, Hurting You. To say that these two authors raised their game is an understatement. In this book, there are two very alpha, very masculine heroes who have committed a crime. Unfortunately, our heroine comes upon them as they are preparing to dispose of the crime scene, and they decide to threaten her life and possess her. Unlike the heroes in the first two books, these guys are ruthless and overpowering, not to mention that there are two of them. This story borders dubious consent. Yet, Beck and Hallman toe the line carefully, showing us the heroine’s interest in the treatment of her heroes.
As is the case with the first two books in this series, this is one steamy romance. Hurting You is $exy and deliciously forbidden-feeling. There are moments when you feel uncomfortable because Easton and Cameron can be awful to Stella, the heroine. This is a heroine who must journey towards self-confidence. It takes most of the story for her to achieve her heroic superstrength, but for much of the story, there is a distinctive push and pull between her and the guys. In my opinion, they are greater bullies than Parker or Warren, the heroes from the first two books.
Hurting You is also MFM romance, so Beck and Hallman have added to the usual bully trope. This adds another layer of steam to the book. I love reading this type of romance because it seems so improbable in real life. Yet Beck and Hallman write it so well that you almost wish you could be Stella in the story (well, almost).
Overall, Hurting You is just good plain torturous fun. It finds its happy ending. In order to get there, though, you have to grit your teeth a bit and accept that Stella can fall for Easton and Cameron. If you’re into the pleasure of dark bully romance with some MFM on the side, then Hurting You is DEFINITELY your book. It sure was mine!
3 1/2 stars**
I’ve read the previous books in the series and really liked them.
So I was looking forward to Hurting You very much.
It’s well written.
With a gripping plot and storyline.
It had my attention from the get go.
All the way till the very end.
I liked Cameron.
He gives and takes.
He knows when to push and knows when to use sweetness.
While he was intrigued by the Stella from the start.
He was still worried about what she would do with what she saw.
Which is reasonable and understandable.
So while he was bullying her he also wasn’t doing it constantly.
He did show her some kindness and felt compassion for the situation she was in.
Easton on the other hand was ninety nine percent a jerk.
He was always mean and nasty.
He had the biggest chip on his shoulders.
But we never know why.
Throughout the book Easton’s only emotions for Stella is hate and disdain.
Only at the very end did he show some compassion.
Both treated her like dirt under their shoes.
But at least Cameron had some sympathy for her.
Stella is a sweet girl.
Who carries and has tremendous responsibilities.
She is responsible for herself,her grandma and for all their needs.
She’s a hard worker.
And has given up a lot.
When one night while at work she witnesses something she shouldn’t.
Her life goes into free fall and straight to hell.
I admired her for her ability to give up on her dreams to take care of her grandma.
I thought she was strong and determined.
When Easton and Cameron first started bullying her,I know she was terrified of them.
But as time went on and she started figuring them out I thought she would finally standup for herself.
She never really did though.
The strong girl I first meet in the book just disappeared and never returned.
While some scenes between the three of them and with Stella and one of the boys are hot.
A lot of the times the sexual encounters felt forced on her.
I didn’t feel any romance/love between them nor any true connection.
Lust yes. But nothing deeper.
While I liked this book and read it in one go I wish I felt more real emotions from them than just the physical aspect.
This is an amazingly well-written stand alone book in the “A Blackthorn Elite Series”. The some of characters were introduced in previous books and now you get to learn more about them and also find out some answers to questions from book 2. These characters are very well-developed with flaws and all and you feel as you know them and feel their emotions. This story is action-packed from beginning to end with many twists, turns, and deceptions. This emotional story will make you cry and make you mad. When it is over it will make you happy that everything has been worked out, even if it is not how you think it will happen. I enjoyed all the books in this series, this is my favorite & I also love all the books by this Author.
This is a must read book and series.
I guess this means I’m back to reading smut.
*e-book generously provided by the promo team in exchange for an honest review*
“…have to touch myself to pretend you’re there.”
Burning Desire – Lana Del Rey
What’s this book about? (I’m trying to give as little spoilers as possible)
Bad boys do bad stuff. A girl sees them do bad stuff. They make it their mission to… keep her quiet by all means necessary.
I usually don’t read dark bully romance. Therefore, I’m not an expert. (NOT THAT I’M AN EXPERT IN ANY OTHER GENRE EITHER HAHA). My binary comments feel out of place here because this is a hardcore (for me) venture into dark romance where the lines are blurry and since I ‘liked’ reading it (shame me feminists haha) I will spare everyone from my usual rants. The scenes were steamy as hell. The chemistry of the threesome was intense. I’d usually complain that the female lead falls into certain clichés with the authors trying to make us have sympathy for the girl, but I won’t because I actually liked Stella. At first, I had trouble differentiating Easton from Cameron in their POVs, however, the more I read the more their differences emerged. I hadn’t read the previous books, so I wasn’t at all familiar with the Blackthorn world. (Now that I’m writing this review I’ve read all three of the books). Bottom line (the word choice ugh): hot scenes, strong chemistry, lot of back and forth between the characters, a fun time if you like dark bully romance! (Fun time!?!?! Shakes head at the word choice)
This was a dark, sexy and very emotional story. It had darkness, drama, angst and some very hot, steamy times. It hooks you from the start and you won’t be able to stop! These two authors have written another fantastic story! I look forward to reading their next bio!
This was my first time reading a book by this duo. I had really high hopes for this book based on description but it ended up being just ok.
Writing was good and storyline was intriguing. It was just characters that I had a hard time with. The chemistry between Stella, Cam and Easton felt forced. I’m all for insta-lust but I was missing transition from lust to love. The romance development just wasn’t there.
Characters in general also didn’t feel well developed so they weren’t really interesting for me and I couldn’t connect with them.
I also expected this book to be much darker. I wouldn’t call it dark by my standards, but that just might be me.
I’m still intrigued by the Blackthorn Elite and I plan to read previous books in this series to see if I like them better.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
OMFGosh!!!!! This series just keeps getting better and better and darker and darker. Stella was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But, was she really? Cam and Easton were caught in a predicament and Stella witnesses it. To make sure she doesn’t tell, they keep her in their sights, so to speak. While these three spend more time together, their feelings for each other start to grow. Their chemistry is absolutely hot and steamy and their connection continues to grow. The guys don’t do relationships though and they try to prove Stella is nothing but a doll/toy. If you like dark, suspense, twists and turns and alpha a******s, pick this book up. This series is fantastic and has great characters. While they can be read separately, it is better when read in order. Once you read one, you’ll want to read the others.
This is the 3rd novel in this awesome series and is Cameron, Easton, and Stella’s story. When Stella is the witness to something she should not have, she is placed firmly in the radar of these two bully boys. This is a well written tale which in my opinion is the darkest of this series so far. This story is raw and gritty, intense as well as having secrets and suspense, which all leads to a great bully romance read. This story is not for the faint-at-heart, so be aware there may be triggers for some readers. I look forward to reading more from these gifted authors.
There are certain things you expect when you read a book by these two authors, and they deliver all of that and more in Hurting You. They jump right into the gritty, dirty stuff, and it never lets up. This story features Cam and Easton and their relationship with Stella, the girl who crossed paths with them in the wrong place and at the wrong time.
Cam and Easton are best friends who pretty much share everything with each other. Though they do have some similarities, for the most part they are very different. Cam is kind, charming and will make your heart swoon. But Easton on the other hand is dark, controlling and a complete alpha jerk. Enter Stella. She witnesses something the guys never wanted to be seen. For this, they demand her silence and do whatever means is necessary in order to keep it that way. She is now their toy to play with and control. But somewhere along the way real feelings develop, and that is certainly not part of the plan.
I loved every word of this book. There is a little something for everyone… Drama, angst, darkness and some hot af steamy moments. This dangerously dark and delicious tale will definitely sink its claws into you, hooking you from the very first page. These authors crafted a well written story that had my heart aching and racing, and my emotions constantly churning. I positively inhaled this story, and in the end was left begging for more.
O.M.F.G. I absolutely love this series!! Just when I think I know what’s about to come it takes a twist and throws me for a loop!! Each book gets a bit darker in the most amazing ways. I can’t wait for more in this series!!
Hurting you by J.L. Beck/C. Hallman will pull you in like no other in this third installment of the Blackthorn Elite series which is raw, gritty and full of suspense. This story surrounds Cameron and Easton and what transpired one night that will change one person’s life. Stella who works at the school is just trying to make ends meet as she is tired and worn from taking care of her grandmother who is suffering from dementia. Between being harassed by her boss and looked down upon by the students at Blackthorn her only thought is to make it through each day and make a better life for her and her grandmother. But now Stella’s life is going to change forever when she happens to be at the wrong place when she witnesses Cameron and Easton beating a young man. When Cameron and Easton discover that Stella has seen everything, the game is on do they shut her up for good or can they scare her in to not telling anyone what she saw through bullying, threats and sex. When they see Stella being abused by her boss they take matters into their own hands as they inform Stella she will be living with them as she will be at their beck and call until she proves to them she can be trusted. But these two privileged men are about to realize that the more time they spend with Stella the game is changing as they become obsessed with her and vow that no one will touch or harm her as she is theirs. Stella is starting to have feelings for both of them even though she is being tormented and constantly being tested as she starts to question her sanity, can she want them both? As these three embark in a triad relationship, Stella is torn should she stay as she believes she won’t have a future with Cameron and Easton once they are done with her, or should she try to escape when given the chance? . Now Cameron and Easton are racing against time to find the woman who has stolen their heart, will they get to her in time or will Stella be lost to them forever? This was a very emotional story filled with drama, danger, violence, steam and twists and turns that will have you on edge from beginning to end. Once again J.L Beck and C. Hallman has done an outstanding job telling this story as only they can. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Stella recently graduated from high school but has to work to take care of her Grams instead of going to college. Cameron and Easton are the bad boys of Blackthorn. When Stella witnesses Cameron and Easton in an illegal act they decide to make her life hell. But somehow their arrangement becomes more than anticipated.
I loved it. The characters, the story line, the way Kennedy and Warren’s story is tied in….I loved it!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4*
Stella witnesses Easton & Cameron committing a crime in the alley at the back of the school cafeteria she works in.
Making sure she won’t talk & taking her prints they hope to off scared her enough?
Easton is such a brooding character but Cameron balances him. Stella’s life is far from easy with her nan been ill.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.