I am nothing.Nobody.I’d rather be invisible than deal with what happens on the days my classmates decide to acknowledge my existence.But then Turner Hall shows up – all cool confidence and witty banter – and all of a sudden I don’t want to be invisible any more. I want to be seen.I want him to see me.I’m not who he thinks I am but I’m starting to suspect he’s not all he says he is either.Just my … he’s not all he says he is either.
Just my luck that he starts to make friends with my tormentors. How am I supposed to tell him who I really am? How am I supposed to show him my true face? What if the boy I’m falling in love with decides I’m nothing too?
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This book was so good! It had different elements that are usually seen in bully romances, which I absolutely loved. It was refreshing.
This is my first book by this author and I’m really excited to read more of her work. Her writing and character development was amazing. Everything was so well written, I fell in love since the beginning.
Mena, poor girl, being bullied for something so insignificant…I felt for her. But she’s so strong, she’s a fighter and doesn’t something so simple define her. I loved her character.
Tucker…damn that boy is dangerous. He stole my heart from the very beginning. He’s so damn sweet and protective.
This was a great start to this series, and I can’t wait to read more about these amazing characters
WOW!! Completely gripping read from beginning to end!
A different bully story than I’ve read before, but one that gripped my insides, twisted them up and then completely shredded them to dust.
Mena was bullied at a level of brutality unlike any I’ve read before. The written accounts of bullying in Like You Care are vivid and so harsh I felt like I was the one experiencing it myself instead of Mena. It’s heartbreaking and will make you weep for this poor defenseless girl. It will also make you sympathize as to why she keeps her identity hidden and does the things she does, the horrible shame and lack of self esteem she carries is enough of a reason, when she meets the new boy next door.
When Turner moves in next door to Mena he doesn’t see her face, but they talk and get to know one another. He doesn’t know she is the piraha at school, the one everyone bullies, he just likes the girl who lives next door. Could it be a trick? Should Mena trust him? Could this be the biggest prank ever pulled? Get the new boy to play nice and then humiliate her in public? Mena is tied up in knots over what to feel, hence keeping her identity a secret. That is until she no longer has a choice.
Like You Care will tie you up in knots for lots of reasons and reasons you may not even guess. Even with the vivid accounts of bullying, this story pulled me in and I read it in one sitting and couldn’t put it down. It was like nothing I’ve read before and was full of twists that I didn’t see coming. I’m really looking forward to reading more of Kaydence Snow in the future.
This book will suck you in, and spit you out with a “what did I just read?” reaction. This will make you go back to the beginning and start again!
This book looks at the dark side of life. Mena has been bullied most of her life at her public school, and does anything and everything to go unnoticed. She has low self-esteem, and doesn’t want to make waves. Unfortunately the “popular” kids will not allow her to go unnoticed. She meets her new neighbor, Turner, without having to be seen. They develop a friendship based on feelings, and emotions that turns to something more. Both Mena and Turner are keeping secrets from each other while they decide what they want to do about their feelings for each other.
While Mena doesn’t have any friends at her school she does have a great group of girls who support her every step of the way. Donna and Harlow are her cousins and Amaya is their best friend. Their unconditional support brought tears to my eyes. I’m excited to see where the Devilbend Dynasty series goes!
Wait up! This is a real bully book, not a bully romance. Like the person being bullied is actually being bullied and not in the hopeless romantic kind of way. That’s sorta exciting!
Philomena Ann Willis is a loser. Well, not if you ask me, but in her school, she is a non-entity, and the people that bully her won’t let her be anything but. If she steps out of place, they are there to quickly remind her that she is, in fact, a loser.
Turner Hall is in love with someone he’s never seen. His next-door neighbor, the voice on the balcony next to his. The lips he briefly got to kiss and the girl he gets to text late in the night are a mystery. She won’t let him see her, she says it will ruin everything, and when he meets her, he finds out why.
One of the reasons that Mena is singled out is because she has a port-wine birthmark that marks her face. But the other reasons are because Madison’s and Jayden’s crew are all a-holes. They are dyed in the wool, should be shaken until their rattled, mean kids. There is no other reason that Mena is tortured so, but that is what mean kids do. They find a weakness and exploit it. Bullies are like sharks; they scent blood in the water.
Turner has his own thing going on in this story that makes him sort of accepting that bullies-will-be-bullies attitude that so many of us take. He’s not a bad guy for not standing up to Jayden and Madison–Turner has an agenda too.
A few nit-picky things about Like You Care: the banter, for the most part, is great, but when it isn’t, it feels like it’s trying too hard. It’s painful and noticeable. And the cover shows a girl with a perfect face. I would love to have seen the artwork expresses the character’s most visible feature.
The next book is Donna’s story. I can’t wait.
Recommend for fans of bully books. Try the Rebel of Raleigh High if you would like to try another actual book about a girl who is bullied, and her guy comes to her aid. BUT I warn that that book has a trigger warning that is bright red and written in bold letters.
The Rebel of Raleigh High (Raleigh Rebels Series Book 1)
This was definitely not what I was expecting,
and of course I totally loved it!!! This is definitely
a different type of bully-romance.
Mena and Turner live right next door to each other,
but have never actually met in person (sort of).
I really liked that they got to know each other without
knowing who the other was, with no expectations before
they met and finally got to see each other face to face.
So apparently Mena’s mom comes from money, but
refuses to touch it(for reasons), so although they
live paycheck to paycheck, they’re happy (mostly).
And while Mena can have the life her cousin has, she
doesn’t. So, unbeknownst to her parents, she gets bullied
by most of the popular kids at school. Her cousins
are a trip though, and love her, and try their best to
show their support, and respect her wishes. Turner has
some family stuff happening on the side that I believe
is connected to the rest of the books, but I could be wrong.
Can’t wait to read the next books in this series.
Great story! This is not your usual bully story. The school outcast falls for the new kid at school. Only meeting through their balconies, he doesn’t know what she looks like. She wants to keep it a secret but when he falls into the popular group with her tormentors, she can no longer keep her identity a secret. There are a few interning side stories that I would’ve like to have explored more but this was a great fast read with a HEA.
Star Rating : 4/5 Stars
POV : Dual
Cliffhanger : None
Hero : Tucker
Heroine : Mena
Pace of the story : Moderate
Angst Rating : 6/10
Heat Rating : 5/10
Triggers Involved : Bullying
Plot Summary :
Mena does not have a peaceful life in her high school. Being the victim of so much bullying , it’s starting to break her. She is strong enough to not let these people decide her life and destroy her but slowly their poison is making way in her mind.
Tucker is the new boy at school. He was sweet and hot and everything was perfect. For Mena , he was the overall guy and the one she did not deserve. The one whom she could not show her true face. Because if he gave up on her like everyone else , it might just break her for the final and last time.
Overall Opinion :
I still remember the time when I read this book in Anthology! I was so hooked. The way the author has spun this tale of Bullying and heartache all the while giving us the perfect Ending , pretty much made this book a perfect package for me! Mena and Tucker were perfect for each other.
I loved the way he always supported her and the way he always gave her everything he had. She didn’t know it but she needed exactly someone like him to make her life complete. Their story was full of heartbreak and so much love keeping me hooked from the start to the very end! Highly recommended!
FIVE CARE STARS for Mena and Turner !!!
TRULY ENJOYED READING THIS BOOK!
Oh, I have no idea how to start this review because this book surprised me positively in every way.
Although I’ve read numerous bully romances in the last few years, this book was a real refreshment as it was an atypical book of this trope.
I have to admit that reading some parts of this book was a bit tiring for me, but only because the author described them credibly.
Kaydence is the author who has shown with this book that she has a lot of potentials to write an interesting and emotional bully romance no matter how much this trope has become a bit worn out.
“Like You Care” is a dark high school bully romance with a lot of extremely emotional parts that will break your heart but also sweet moments between Mena and Turner.
Mena is a female character that I completely admire because, despite the bullying she experienced from her peers, she managed to survive, no matter how much she was mentally and physically hurt.
There were several situations in which I wanted to hug and comfort her because of what she was going through that I wouldn’t wish that even to my worst enemy.
Turner is a male character who completely surprised me because I expected him to be the one who would bully Mena, but I was so wrong.
He is the type of man that every woman would want in her life because of his caring and protective attitude towards Mena and the people he loves.
Mena and Turner’s connection from the beginning of the book was real and tangible, and it slowly grew from a friendship into a relationship that, despite several difficulties, managed to survive and become even stronger.
If you love a dark high school bully romance and you don’t have any triggers, then this is the book you should read next!!!
Highly recommended!!!
P.S. Can’t wait to read “Like You Hurt”!!!
OMG ! I can’t believe I just read this book ! Where have I been lately?!!! Mena’s and Turners story was literally EVERYTHING!!! This book is everything I love about a good bully romance with twist and turns a plenty. All is not what it seems at Devilblend Dynasty! I don’t even know where to begin with this story I’m in awe of this author’s ability to tell such a story and make me feel everything these characters were feeling! Oh and the side characters AMAZING!!! This series is a definite must read of the bully genre ! Five amazing stars !!!
Hero – u2063
Heroine – u2063
Story – u2063
Steam – u2063
Chemistry – u2063
u2063Side characters
Overall Rating
Like You Care is a beautifully written, bully romance that enthralls the reader from the first page. Mena has been viciously bullied at school for years. No one at school would help, she was afraid to tell her parents and she became isolated feeling like she was nothing. All that changes when Turner moves in next door. They develop a relationship across the balcony without seeing each other. Strong feelings develop but Mena worries if it will all come to an end when Turner finds out her secret. This story is intense, gut-wrenchingly emotional and I loved everything about it. Mena and Turner are so sweet together, they have this amazing emotional connection. Her cousins are supportive and loyal. I loved Donna, she is so fierce. This is a unique bully romance with a twist and I can’t recommend this book highly enough!
Like You Care (Devilbend Dynasty #1) by Kaydence Snow is the story of Philomena aka Mena. She is a senior in high school who has been bullied mercilessly by a group of students for years. I hate bullies so at times it was painful to read what this young lady endured. Dreading the beginning of the school year a young guy moves in next door. They strike up a friendship however she is scared for him to see her due to her face. The face that is one of the reasons for her being bullied. On the first day of school her neighbor is the new guy and has become friends with her tormentors. Turner really likes his new neighbor. She makes him happy but she won’t let him see her. A really good story that was more than just about a girl being bullied. I recently discovered this author and really enjoy the way she tells a story. She is quickly becoming one of my authors I want to read. Loved the characters. My heart went out to Mena because of what she endured. I can say she was a strong young lady. Turner was sweet and kind. He is a good looking guy that had the ladies swooning and a body they craved. However he had issues and secrets of his own. A good start to this series. Be prepared, the beginning of this story sets the tone for this book and had me mad from the start but by the end, it was well worth the read. My frown had been turned upside down which left me smiling. I hope to see more of Mena and Turner. She has come into her own and is ready to fly. The next book is about her cousin so I have my fingers crossed I will she them again. A 4 star read for me.
This is the first book in the Devilbend Dynasty series, a dark Bully Romance. This is a series of interconnected standalone stories. Each book follow one couple. Mena and Turner’s story is breathtaking. This is a beautiful love story. Turner is handsome, secretive, caring, and protective. Mena is such a strong and beautiful young woman! My heart broke for her. They are perfect together. The cast of supporting characters is impressive. The world building is enthralling. The storyline is intriguing and captivating, filled with secrets, mystery, and suspense. Looking forward to read Like You Hurt, the next book in the Series, Donna’s story.
Like You Care is an emotional roller coaster. It’s sad in a way that is real and happens to kids everyday. It’s a hard truth that many refuse to believe happens. Mena has something a lot of kids don’t. A support group outside of school. Loving parents, cousins and friends who care deeply about her yet still she’s afraid to stand up because some adult brushed off her, told her to grow up. It’s a sad truth. People who haven’t been through it have no clue how to handle it. Kaydence Snow put it together so beautifully. Mena was in grave danger yet no one was aware. I received a free advanced copy of Like You Care to read and review. It made my heart bleed but put it back together in a special way. What’s next for Turner and Jenny…I’m hope to find out in book 2.
This was an excellent start to a new series! This one tells the story of Mena, who is ashamed of the birthmark on her face, so she hides behind a hoodie, or tries to cover it up with makeup, and her next door neighbor, Turner, who has some personal family secrets of his own. They form a friendship, and end up falling for each other, but in the meantime, Mena’s being bullied at school, and Turner is trying to solve a family mystery, so things keep getting in the way of their relationship.
This book was emotional and angsty, with some mystery and suspense thrown in the mix, which made it an excellent read! I can’t wait to read the next books in the series! Definitely recommended!
I received a free copy of this book from the author, and this is my honest review of Like You Care.
LIKE YOU CARE BY KAYDENCE SNOW
4 stars
– twisted
– forbidden
– bully romance
Like You Care by Kadence Snow is a complete standalone bully romance set in high school.
Mena has been bullied for a birthmark on her face so she keeps her distance and avoid catching attention. Turner is the new guy in school and easily gains popularity. Mena and Turner are neighbors and talk through a partition, late night chats have turned in to more. Mena is not ready to face Turner worried what he will think about her birthmark. Turner has his own secrets and motives he’s keeping from Mena. What happens when Mena and Turner come face to face in the light?
I enjoyed the romance between Mena and Turner they really were able to get to know each other before Turner knew what Mena looked like. Turner was sweet and wore his heart on his sleeve with Mena. Turner had his own struggles and when the twist is revealed it was surprising and sad.
This story isn’t like those typical bully romances where the hero bully the heroine, and they slowly fall in love. This is different and very unique, in my opinion. The hero here doesn’t bully the heroine, but instead he was helping her when she was bullied. It was sweet to finally see a hero who stand up for the heroine instead of joining her bullies and participating in taunting her. Bully romance like this is hard to find, I’m glad that Kaydence went for this direction instead of going for the typical direction that most authors go for.
Any bully romances always made me cry and hurt my heart. Mainly, it was due to the fact that the heroine was bullied and she felt powerless to fight back. I knew that feeling really well. The whole time reading this book, I cried for Mena. It pained me seeing how she was treated at her school. The part that really broke my heart deeply was seeing how her tormentors gone to an extreme measure to taunt her.
The whole time I was reading the book, I was about to throw hands at her bullies for what they did to Mena. The awful things they said to her and the horrible things they did to her was unforgivable. They aren’t humans in my eyes. This book has been testing my patience since the beginning.
The story was incredible in so many ways, and the plot was very engaging. What I didn’t see coming was the twist about Turner’s actual intention—on why he befriend Mena’s tormentors. Learning the whole truth was quite shocking because I didn’t expect that at all. I’ve been wondering what was Turner doing with Jenny, and what secret did he kept from Mena. Turner is a great guy but he acted a bit shady in some parts, and that made me doubt him and whether his kindness is real or not. After he told the truth about what happened to his family, I knew he wasn’t bad. I feel guilty for doubting him in the first place. Still, I didn’t expect Kaydence would put a twist and some surprises in the plot.
Mena is actually a very strong female character despite her being bullied at school nearly everyday. What I liked the most was that, she doesn’t break even after how many time she was bullied, especially when she was wearing makeup because makeup is her passion, and her tormentors made fun of her for it. The situation hit close to home, been there and it sucks a lot. I’m glad she didn’t stop doing makeup just because people told her to. She’s the only character I can connect with the most since what she had to go through is very relatable. I feel really bad for Mena, for everything she endured. But I was really happy that she fought back and stood taller.
As for Turner, he is an overall a great guy. He’s kind, has a good heart, and is basically Mena’s savior. Seeing him stood up for her and defended her brought tears to my eyes. I just didn’t expect him to do that at all, but at least I knew he wasn’t a bully like the rest. He does have his own problem and it was not like what I imagined at all. He’s so sweet and very caring. I loved that he is different from most guys in bully romances because majority of the guys in bully romances are the bullies. Turner has his own charm, but oh my…he’s a pure perfection. He’s like one of those most swoon-worthy guy. In a world full of bad people, be a Turner.
The romance between Mena and Turner is beautiful. They have instant connection when they first met, and their chemistry was off the charts. I liked how at first, Mena was keeping her identity a secret from Turner, and for a good reason too. And then Turner went to the school library to find Mena’s picture in the school’s yearbook. He really is a smart guy, he knew where to look for. These two are both smart individuals, and I liked knowing that the author paired them up.
Overall, this book is magnificent. The story and everything was solid and nothing is lacking. Mena and Turner’s story will break you, cut you open, but it will also mend you. Their story isn’t all lighthearted, but you’ll be happy with how they’d been dealing with everything in order to get their happy ending. I will never get tired of these two, and will definitely revisit their story again. I knew that this book will be amazing, and I was right about it. Everyone should read this outstanding book, I highly recommend it.
I got a glimpse of this story in an anthology and had to purchase the novel when it released. I devoured this story in one sitting, it was an epic read.
This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. I love bully romances, so when I saw this one in my email I knew I wanted to read it. I was very intrigued by the blurb of this book. This book is not like any other bully book I’ve read. This book takes you on a journey. This is not only a bully book romance but a secret romance. The bullying part of this book is intense. I see a lot of myself in Mena’s character. It reminds me of my time in school. Mena is a strong character. She endures so much and wants to keep it all to herself. Turner’s character is very mysterious in the beginning. I enjoyed all the characters in this story. Looking forward to continuing this series.
*A review copy was provided by the author.
What an amazing story! So much angst and so emotion provoking, I loved it! I loved Mena and Turner and all the other wonderful characters. If you love bully romances and emotionally connecting with the MC, you will love this book. I definitely recommend it!
Oh my goodness, I read this in less than 24 hours, it was so good!!!! Mena and Turner’s story was so tragic, and sucked you right in. That poor girl is a freaking survivor, I was so proud of her for finally getting the help she needed. And Turner, that male is so protective of his family and friends! I was so glad he finally found Jenny(his sister) and sad that he lost his mom. Man, I so ugly cried for this book, I highly recommend it!