Two months have passed since the day I pushed Hayden away. Two months since I found out he loved me and wanted to be with me. I’ve been trying to move on and forget about him, but my heart refuses to listen.
Hayden had almost died saving me. Half of me wants to forgive him for everything and give him another chance. The other half prevents me from doing so, distrusting him and ignoring my … my heart’s desires. Hayden is dark and complicated, and as the days pass, he gets further away from me, ignoring me whenever our paths cross.
I have less than a year before I go to college, and I won’t see him ever again. I have to believe I will get over him and move on with my life. I have to believe in my future without him.
Unless he didn’t really move on, and our masks are about to fall.
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It took me a few days to process this book. I’ve waited so long for this book and omg there are so many feelings
First off, I love how much more comfortable Sarah is getting with Jessica and Melissa. I love seeing them all interact. And Mateo is so sweet with her, giving her time, I feel bad for him when she breaks up with him. Also, on the topic of Mateo, I love how much his Grandpa, Jonathan loves Sarah. At the end when she was in the hospital had me in tears.
On the other hand, her mom is still a POS. I still can’t stand the woman. I hope there is a way she can redeem herself in the next book. I felt bad for her while they were kidnapped and got her kneecaps broken. But then how she treated Sarah when she was in the hospital was awful.
Now on to Hayden. I just love how much he’s grown in this book. He was mean to Sarah, but it was understandable due to what she did and said at the end of the first book. And when he was crying after overhearing what Sarah said about lying that day at the hospital. I love how he finally lets Sarah see the silly goofy side of him. I just love them so much. When they’re in his bedroom finishing up their project, that’s my all time favorite part of the book.
There are so many ups and downs, but they’re getting better. I can’t not wait for Damaged when it comes out.
As always Vera, you write pure magic
TW: drugs, mental illness, abuse, violence, kidnapping, bullying.
Months after being stabbed, Sarah is trying to live a normal life with her friends and boyfriend. She’s trying to force happiness into her life, but darkness kept overwhelming her. She’s dating Mateo, but her heart still belongs to Hayden. On top of that, her mother’s causing her troubles with drinking, arguing, and abusive ex’s. Sarah just wants to finish high school and leave. Life doesn’t always work out the way we wish for. Sarah and Hayden have a long way to go before both allow the other behind their walls.
Rereading Bullied made me question my reasons for liking this series but then I read this and I’m like “maybe this is why”. The way Vera shows how conflicted these characters are is the reason. If you loved it, it’s because you felt attached to them. If you hated it, it’s because the emotions they conducted railed something in you.
Sarah is confused. I get it, she is a teenager who never had an experience with boys as she keeps reminding us, but her actions are getting on my nerves. She wanted Hayden to love her, he does, she wanted him to leave her alone, he did, then she wanted his attention after she rejected him. What the heck, woman?
Throughout the book, we keep reading about BPD and how Hayden was trying therapy and I’m here thinking that Sarah too needs fixing. Cause man is she unstable. They say a person shows their true selves when they’re angry. Some of the things Sarah did when she got overwhelmed by emotions made me cringe. She hit herself or whatever surface near her, and I noticed that Hayden often did the same. Actually, I don’t think anyone in this series is sane. Almost all the characters need some therapy.
I loved seeing the two main characters trying to make sense of their feelings. Sometimes I would just roll my eyes at them, sometimes I would laugh, and other times I just didn’t agree with them. But that’s how you know this book is good. It makes you question the greys, wondering if it’s right or wrong.
After getting off the emotional high of book 1, Bullied I jumped right into this one. Pained started off with a strong note. I was looking forward to Sarah moving forward and maybe Hayden getting some help for his issues. But it seemed that we were stuck right back to the beginning of book 1. That was not where I thought Vera would take us. To be honest I was highly disappointed.
I kept reading and I will say Pained did get better to the point that Sarah grew up a little and started doing some research on what Hayden was going through, although I will say that she stayed a lot longer than I think anyone would. I also have to say Pained isn’t much of a Bully book as more of an emotional rollercoaster.
I am really hoping the next book brings happiness to Sarah and Hayden.
I enjoyed this book much better than the last, even though I still wanted to bang my head at times when they kept going round in circles. Every time progress was made it felt like they went back to square one.
It was nice seeing growth from both of them though, and communication is a hot topic of mine.
The plot was far more gripping, with more depth than OTT bully, and that shows the authors growth too.
And that ending…. diving immediately into book three.
Oh my goodness this second book is just as powerful, if not more, than book one, Bullied. The story is told from Sarah’s point of view but it reveals much of what life is like for Hayden, his perceptions, and how he handles his condition. It is a fierce romance as well, fierce in the sense that they really do battle to have a relationship and battle in their relationship.
As well, there are other incredible dramas that have you literally on the edge of your seat with worry. The emotional ride is one you need to buckle up for but is so worthwhile. Bullying takes center stage again and as an offshoot of this, I felt this quote from the book worth mentioning as it is so accurate. “When you had money, connections, and power, people either feared you or respected you.”
I look forward to reading the next book in this amazing series, Damaged.
Reviewer: Robyn
Oh my goodness this second book is just as powerful, if not more, than book one, Bullied. The story is told from Sarah’s point of view but it reveals much of what life is like for Hayden, his perceptions and how he handles his condition. It is a fierce romance as well, fierce in the sense that they really do battle to have a relationship and battle in their relationship.
As well, there are other incredible dramas that have you literally on the edge of your seat with worry. The emotional ride is one you need to buckle up for but is so worthwhile. Bullying takes centre stage again and as an offshoot of this I felt this quote from the book worth mentioning as it is so accurate. “When you had money, connections and power, people either feared you or respected you.”
I look forward to reading the next book in this amazing series, Damaged.
HOLLY HADES….. I can’t stop saying this because this book was that and so much more. We continue with Sarah being bullied and Hayden trying to figure things out. He knows that he cares for Sarah but there is still something there that is keeping him away from her. We also learn that Hayden had a mental disorder and he is trying to deal with that.
So Sarah decides to start dating someone and she likes him only her heart belongs to Hayden even after all he has done to her. We get the background story about her mother and her ex boyfriend which made me understand why they moved and why Sarah thought the way she thought. There were times when I wanted to jump in the book and beat the crap out of some characters but they needed to be told and they were.
I need book three like ASAP because I need to find out some things.
Vera Hollins
Pained (Bullied Book 2)
Sarah and Hayden
This book continue to keep me involved
In the MC lives I was never bored with the story content in fact this book continue to capture my attention to see the out come of this story can’t wait to read book 3 to see what the end result.
I voluntarily read an advanced copy and this is my review.
REVIEW:
The second book in this series is super intense and raw..To understand a person with issues is really tough but in vera’s writing I can see through all her characters and I’m super impressed with sarah here..Initially in the first book she appeared to be easy target and she lacked backbone but this book shows how she matures to be more stronger..I liked how Hayden realizes his love for Sarah and his complicated character makes everything super hard..intriguing book!
This part of Sarah and Hayden story was so emotional, the whole story will drag you on a rollercoaster of emotions, I loved the first book, so I needed to read this one as well. All the changes they made throughout this part of their story, but now I need the next one, it left me wrecked I so need to see what happens next. I absolutely love this story.
Wow ! This is a definite emotional roller coaster of a ride and the push and pull between these characters is intense and the chemistry between these two have sparks flying and just when I thought Sara and Hayden would get a happily ever after boom Vera Hollins puts a twist on it ! I NEED book 2 ASAP!!! Great read definite must read to all my bully romance lovers and can’t wait for the next book to come !
*** I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book ***
This is the 2nd book in this phenomenal series and is a continuation of Hayden and Sarah’s story. This is a well written tale with a lot of push and pull throughout, as well as being dark, intense, raw, gritty, emotion, and with complex and complicated characters. I was totally captivated throughout this riveting tale and cannot wait to read #3. There may be triggers for some readers so just be aware!
She walked away from him, his darkness and the pain he created for them both believing it was for the best.
She hoped a relationship with the hunky captain of Rawenwood Highs football team would ease her heartbreak, give them both what they needed.
But her heart cries for him, for them. Will she listen, or continue to hope her heart will change its allegiance..
Oh my god this was more than worth the wait!!!
The first book “Bullied” was so dark and viscous, it was heavenly!
This book simply broke me. It reduced me to a blubbering mess. My heart is no more. It feels like its literally been ripped to shreds!
I’ve never felt so strongly about characters in a book. I both loved and hated them both.
I yelled at Sarah to stand up for herself so many times. I truly didnt like her vulnerability. But at the same time I loved her for her true heart.
Hayden brought me so much pain and anguish. He turned me into an emotional wreck. I wanted to fix him, make him whole again. His pain simply became mine.
I hoped they would get a happy ever after, for no one deserves it as much as these two characters.
Did they get it? that’s not for me to say, just know you will need comfort food and tissues to see you through this angst driven bullylicious read.
I neeeeed the last book in this trilogy, like I need air to breathe and that to me says it all.
This series is not pretty, but it’s a fast, entertaining read that hits in all the YA/NA feels.
I started Bullied at bedtime and stayed up until 3am so I could push through Pained as well. The lack of sleep was worth it, but now I’m lamenting that I don’t have the final piece to Hayden and Sarah’s story and won’t for a while!
I don’t want to like Hayden, but I do. Sarah’s bar none one of the most unlucky characters I’ve ever met, and she’s surrounded by horrific and dangerous people. This love story is tricky and I’m curious as all get out how it’s going to conclude.
In this latest installment in the Bullied series we are reunited with our troubled couple and get a deeper glimpse into both of their lives. They are both struggling to maintain distance from one another, Sarah is with Mateo now and while he makes her happy and treats her well, he just isn’t Hayden. But Sarah is adamant about keeping her distance from Hayden knowing no good can come from them reuniting, their relationship is toxic and often volatile, and just not good situation for either of them.
But you cannot deny your heart for long… it always wins out in the end!
This story is one of those stories that seeps into your soul and forces you to feel every ounce of pain in it’s words, it is downright gut-wrenching! This pairing is so damaged and their feelings and hatred for one another are so raw. It isn’t possible to read this one and not walk away without feeling something, these characters will draw you in, mesmerize you with their story, and completely wreck your heart. Once again they leave me hanging in the balance holding out hope that they can finally find the love and forgiveness they both need… I cannot wait to see what they next installment has in store for them. This dark and soul touching tale is one that should not be missed, it’s words will steal the breath from your lungs and leave your heart in shambles! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.