The Rebel of Raleigh High is the first book in the Raleigh Rebels Series. Please be advised, this book comes with a trigger warning. Intended for readers 17+ * SilverHit me. Kick me. Hurt me. Hate me. There’s nothing that the students of Raleigh High can do to Silver Parisi anymore. Over the past year, she’s had to endure more pain and suffering than most people are asked to bear in their … most people are asked to bear in their lifetimes. She’s a pariah, an outcast, a ghost. She’s also never been one to take shit lying down, though…despite what half the football team might say.
With only one hundred and sixty-eight days left of the school year, it won’t be long until graduation, and Silver’s planning on skipping town and leaving Raleigh firmly in her rearview mirror…
Until he comes along…
Alex
Orphan.
Degenerate.
Reprobate.
Deviant.
Alex Moretti’s earned most of his labels, and he’s not ashamed of a single one of them. He’ll earn far worse before he’s finished with his new found ‘friends’ at Raleigh High. Having spent years being ground down under the boot heel of society, it’s time for a little payback. And if exacting revenge upon the heads of the Raleigh elite means he can also help the beautiful girl who hovers in the shadows, then that’s all for the better.
Oil and water. Fire and ice. The differences between Silver and Alex are broader than any chasm. To reach one another, they must take a leap of faith and fall into the divide.
And falling?
Nothing good ever came from falling.
more
5 stars!
Wow, Callie Hart! Just wow. I am struggling to find the words for this one, but what an amazing read! Dark, dramatic and intense, sweet, sexy and romantic, this book is unexpected and exciting, and I couldn’t put it down. I was completely captivated and it kept me madly turning pages until I finished it at 2am. I loved it!
First and foremost – yes, this book is about high school students. The main characters are both 17, but this is NOT a young adult book. There are dark themes, strong sexual content and triggers galore (bullying, sexual assault and violence – all graphically occurring on the page), but it’s fantastically written and all of that dark intensity fits really well within the high school setting.
Silver Parisi is a high school senior counting down the days until the school year is over. She was once a princess of the school, but one devastating event changed all of that, and her friends all turned on her. She is now the school outcast – constantly bullied and belittled, school is a living hell for her and it takes all of her strength just to get through every day.
Alex Moretti is new to Raleigh High. He is tall, dark and gorgeous, covered and tattoos and rides a motorcycle. He has a bad attitude and a devastating smirk and is instantly cast as the bad boy – which isn’t far from the truth. He’s been through his own hell, and his close calls with the law have him walking a thin line so that he can graduate and put his family back together.
Silver and Alex come from completely different worlds but they recognise something in each other. Both outcasts in their own way, they are dealing with more than the average high school student, and their brokenness and strength draws them together in a way that neither of them could have anticipated, and their journey together is absolutely beautiful!
“She crooks an eyebrow at me, and I mirror her expression, making her smile.
Fuck. Me. Dead.
I made her smile.
…
God, how am I ever going to be worthy of this girl? I have no clue, but I’m gonna figure it out if it kills me.”
Both Silver and Alex have been through so much, and though they are only 17, they come across as much older. Their thoughts, feelings and language are very mature, as is the way their relationship develops, and though it’s fast, I felt it right along with them as they opened up to each other and fell hard and fast.
“Is this the part where you pretend you’re late for something, make your excuses and you leave?” I whisper.
Alex huffs out a shallow, soft burst of laughter. “No, Dolcezza. This is the part when I realize you’ve stolen my fucking soul and I have no chance of ever getting it back.”
And together they are a powerhouse. They have great chemistry, they are open and honest with each other, and they hold nothing back. There is graphic sexy time which fits well with the story, but so much more than that, they support and strengthen each other, forming a true connection which means the world to both of them.
“It was a boy with a clean record, a winning smile and a glorious halo who broke me. Ironically, it’s the boy with the rap sheet, a body full of ink and the dangerous glint in his eye who’s putting me back together.”
It’s a beautiful, beautiful love story that is sweet and sexy, with that tingly anticipation that we all love in a romance, along with a whole lot of swoon, and I loved them together so much.
“Don’t you dare let me go. Loving you is the only thing that makes any sense right now.”
But more than just romance, it’s also a fantastic character story as we see so clearly how both Alex and Silver have had to adapt to cope with their all they’ve been through, their present situations, and their unfolding family drama (shout out to Silver’s fabulous father and the family dynamics which bring add so much to the story), while working towards the futures they want so badly. There is so much that they are both dealing with, and their world is about to get a whole lot more complicated, with secrets revealed, vengeance sought, and a devastating twist which will change everything.
My heart ached for them as it all played out, and I couldn’t put my book down. I was so drawn into their lives and all that was happening with them, and I felt everything right alongside them. It’s emotional and unexpected, and that ending certainly packs a punch!
It doesn’t exactly end on a cliffhanger, but there is definitely more story to be told, and I can’t wait for the next book to see how Alex and Silver’s story ends.
Such a great read, I loved it! 5 stars.
Sometimes you read a book and you fall in love with a story, sometimes it’s the characters that grab you first and other times you find yourself head over heels for the way an author writes. This book has all three, it’s the trifecta of awesomeness… the perfect recipe for a five star book. Don’t let my love for this story fool you, there are real hard-hitting issues with reading a book this great. One of those blaring problems being that you feel the overwhelming urge to go and dig through the authors back list because when the writing is this phenomenal you just know you’ll love it all. So thanks Callie, you’re about to give my poor used up credit card a real workout. I forgive you though, how can I not when you gave me this beautiful story?
The growth between these characters from start to end is honestly just breathtaking. Silver is so lost and lonely and the unlikely broken bad boy becomes her only real lifeline. It’s a recipe for disaster, right? I mean yeah, sure. We can all smell the chaos brewing from the get-go but honestly who can resist that ooey gooey drama filling? Not me! Never! I need all the angst and build up. These two push and pull and collide together and it’s so spectacular that I wanted to scream.
I really want to stress here how fantastic of a job this author did of handling multiple touchy subject matters that popped up in this story. Seriously, she tackled them like a champion. Some of them were downright shocking and others even turned my solid stomach. Every single thing Callie wrote about was handled with passion, grace and a fantastic understanding of the culture that kids are currently growing up in. I absolutely loved where she took the story, eve if it did rip me apart, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for these characters next.
Yes, you read that right. Silver and Alex are going to get a second book! I know, I know. Try not to squeal. I’m beyond excited BUT I love that she didn’t leave me bereft on a cliffhanger either, she took the story where it needed to go and left things open for a continuation without all the theatrics of a story cut in half. So yes, I will one thousand percent be reading the sequel. I feel like everyone who picks up this book will feel the need to see where things to next, the writing was too beautiful not to ensnare the undivided attention of even the most ADD reader (that’s me, by the way). This is a definite must-read for 2019!
So I read this on a whim because I’ve been craving YA romance lately and I’ve gotta say I loved it!! It’s got some heavy subject matter but it was dealt with beautifully. The characters are complex and real. I can’t wait to see what she does next with this series!! Alex is definitely a member of my harem!!
4.5 Stars!
This was a wild and crazy ride of two broken souls that find solace in the most unexpected place. Even though this is a fiction book it deals with situations that are all to real and I commend this author for dealing with it in a way that brings awareness in a compassionate way.
I fell hard for Silver and Alex and was sucked right into their story of hurt, heartbreak, and a strength that I am in awe of. Their story wasn’t easy but it kept me hooked in and fully invested in their story. I will say that this author gutted me a bit at the end, but I’m not gonna get into it because I don’t want to give anything away… brave yourself…
I can’t not wait for the rest of this story and hope that time flies so that I can get right back to it!
I really enjoyed this book & I am looking forward to more of Alex & Silver.
Not gonna lie, I read this because of some one star reviews. I typically don’t read a lot of reviews because I don’t want to prejudge a book before I even crack it open. I just want to find out for myself if I’m going to enjoy it or not. This is dark. I say head that warning too because there’s some stuff that goes on, it definitely won’t be for everyone. I’ll for sure check out the second one when it come out. It didn’t end in a cliffy, which was nice, but there’s some stuff that needs to be buttoned up and I can’t wait to see how it all works out.
Here I am several days after finishing and I keep thinking back to this book…and I like it more and more. The background and story is devastating at times, and hopeful at others. Silver is trying to ghost by to get through high school, although her passion and strength are undeniable. Alex takes her by complete surprise, but he is just what she needs to realize her true self-worth. While he has his own demons to battle, he is hauntingly drawn to Silver and once they connect, his fierce caring loyalty is everything! The story has some unexpected twists that add to the suspense and just made me want to keep reading that much more! 5 stars for The Rebel of Raleigh High. I’m excited for this story to continue!
An Emotive, Angsty Read With Real Hard Issues Broached!!
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
The characters are this story. Their pasts, future & present their hopes & fears are what make this book such a good read!! Yes it’s dark & yes there are definite triggers in it but it’s written extremely well.
The two main characters, Silver & Alex, are inspiring although both in different ways. They’re trying to stay strong in the face of life beating them down & mostly succeeding Individually they’re good characters, worth reading about, but together they’re dynamite!!
The nastiness & the people that are at the centre of it are vile human beings, there are 4 mainly. One girl & 3 boys – They’re the worst types of bullies & entitled elite!! Ripping people’s lives apart, breaking them, humiliating them & taunting them is all just a bit game, without consequence – for them at least, because they’re the ‘untouchable elites’ that rule the school through fear & Daddy’s money & clout!! Disgusting ,
I’m looking forward to book #2 this summer!! This is a dark, emotive romance that has so much heart – please don’t miss out!!
Debbie, 1970, UK
This is the first Callie Hart book i have ever read and it wasnt bad, Although I thought the book was good, there were just way too many triggers, that weren’t dealt with..
I kept waiting for the happily ever after but we dont really get it.. we get left on a cliffhanger. Which isnt bad, i mean i want to know wat Alex does to Jake…
I didn’t like the school shooting and why oh why did it have to be him doin the shooting…
I like how strong Silver is, I like Alex.. I think they are very good for each other.. they balance each other out…
Silver is a girl who goes thru hell, she is then outcast and bullied by her peers.
Alex is the orphan passed around and treated like shit. The Bad boy.
Together they r stronger and overcome their pasts, letting each other in and sharing their pasts.
I wouldn’t recommend this book for a teenager.. I think it should be adult..
This book got on my must read list of 2019 and on my personal favorite as well. Callie Hart got a strong start on this new series. Alex and Silver story started with a bang. Every single page had me on edge, the book hangover is real but wow. A spectacular masterpiece you need to read now! An over five star if possible.
I loved this book. Silvers storyline has a tragic event that was a little difficult to read only because as a female, this author really made you feel what this character was going through. I love Alex’s character and the relationship he and Silver form. The ending is great and I can’t wait for the next book. Silver’s dad was very funny which helped lighten the mood at times.
The Rebel of Raleigh High by Callie Hart is book one in her brand new Raleigh Rebels series. A completely dark and twisted romance set in the halls of Raleigh HighSchool and featuring the outcast girl, Silver, and her rebel hero, Alex.
This definitely is NOT your typical high school romance but it also isn’t gratuitously dark. Every aspect of Silver’s trauma was handled with care and Alex is one of the hotter hero’s I’ve read recently. The emotions are strong, the writing is awesome, as ever, and there was just never a good time to stop reading. So basically, un-put-down-able! Enjoy!
Wow! I definitely didn’t see that coming!
The Rebel of Raleigh High has some obvious plot points if you can read the signs and then there is the nuclear bomb Callow Hart drops in you. There is no avoiding it. You can outrun it. She drops it and you are left with the wreckage. A hollowed out cavernous remain of everything you thought you knew. I was surprised but eventually not shocked. It’s interesting the amount of pain a human can take before it becomes too much. Everyone has their own limit. Or even breaking point.
This survival story is about strength and keeping your head held high. Silver is brave and damn stronger than those idiot extends give her credit for. She may not have made good choices but she’s human. She is going and I look forward to seeing her become the vibrant woman she can be.
The Rebel of Raleigh High, whilst still containing her signature dark elements, is a change of direction for this author. It deals with some tough subject matter, however, and is not for the faint hearted. Please be aware, there are several triggers.
Alex and Silver are teenagers from contrasting backgrounds, yet both are dealing with their own problems, each have their own personal goals and motivations, striving to change their lives for different reasons. They’re endeavouring to survive their final year of high school in whichever way they can. They’re tough and I loved the both of them for their grit and determination.
Young in years they may be but their life experiences have ensured that they grew up very quickly and once I got into the story, it was easy to forget their youthfulness. Alex in particular is mature beyond his years and I decided that I would ignore the fact that it’s been many moons since I left school, in order to swoon over him guilt free. He’s definitely the kind of guy I would have ogled from a distance when I was 17, although I’m not sure I’d have wanted to attend Raleigh High. A school for the privileged, the egos and sense of entitlement from some of these kids made for some very interesting, if not rather debauched, behaviour. Morally corrupt, their actions towards Silver were inexcusable and unforgivable but they created a great platform for the story and it’s quite a controversial one too.
This story is so much more than boy meets girl. It’s deep and multi layered, exciting and heart wrenching, with the consequences of people’s actions creating a ripple effect no one could’ve predicted. I love this author’s writing style, the way she’s able to balance the dark with the light by way of humorous moments, mainly courtesy of Silver’s dad, who is an absolute hoot. I love the way she brings Alex and Silver together, their connection and trust in each other and their love stole my heart. I want to say so much about this story but you need to experience the twists and turns, for yourself. They will knock your socks off!
What an amazing roller coaster ride of a book! I loved every second! The storyline was fresh. The characters grabbed me right from the start. In fact, I’m claiming Alex Moretti for my own. Silver’s strength was awe-inspiring. The secrets that kept coming out were mind blowing. Callie Hart has written one of my new favorite books! She showed the rich, cliquey high school life perfectly. The tension and angst in this book ripped me apart! I can’t wait to tell everybody to read this book!
5 Emotional Stars!!!
The social pariah and the new bad boy in town find a love neither expected. This isn’t your conventional high school love story. It will tear out your heart and leave you in tears. It’s not an easy read but it was worth it!!
Silver just wants to finish out her senior year, avoid her tormenters and start over. The constant bullying and ridiculing of her peers has taken it’s toll. She went from the popular crowd, cheer squad, top of the food chain to the very bottom. Her whole life was turned upside down.
Alex has just arrived at Raleigh High. He’s gorgeous, tattooed and whole lot intimidating. He also happens to be intelligent, street smart and he won’t be taking anyone’s crap. His life has not been easy, but Alex is a fighter. He just wants to get through school and get custody of his little brother.
Two outcasts who end up needing each other. Neither wanted a relationship. Sometimes you have no choice, because love chooses you.
Alex was everything Silver needed. Someone who believed her. Someone who could be patient and love her the way she deserved. Someone to stand by her side and take on the fight with her. This story took on several difficult, yet relevant topics. I enjoyed the characters. I felt their pain and heartache. It was emotional, but it also had it’s moments of strength and beauty. The characters were strong in the face of great loss and hurt. They triumphed over their pain. They fought for what was right. They loved hard. I will be looking forward to more of this story.
Love truly heals, even the deepest hurts.
4.5 stars!
The sarcasm had me snickering and laughing. The gut-busting humor and back and forth banter was so refreshing. I haven’t laughed so hard during a romance read in a long time! But that doesn’t mean the entire book was laugh out loud funny. Underneath the witty story was some seriously troubling content. This book dealt with many distressing teenage problems such as underage drinking, drug abuse, sexual assault and bullying.
Silver was an outcast, trying her hardest to survive the last year of high school seemingly unnoticed after suffering major trauma at the hands of her “friends”. But the new bad boy who rolled into town on a motorcycle couldn’t look away. He saw something in her that she couldn’t hide. Strength. Perseverance. Courage. He saw a bit of himself in her slumped shoulders and baggy attire. He knew she wasn’t the shell of a girl she’d become and he was determined to bring her into the light and show her just how beautiful and captivating she was.
They may not have come from the same upbringing, but Silver and Alex had the same determination and tenacity to change their futures. For vastly different reasons, sure, but the same end goal in their sights.
I absolutely loved their chemistry, their honesty and their trust in each other. Two perfectly imperfect seventeen year olds, wise beyond their years who found strength in each other. Alex was down right book boyfriend material with his badass motorcycle, tattoos and mysterious demeanor. He won my heart over within the first few chapters!
Callie Hart did an incredible job of not sugar coating the problems and suffering that effect today’s youth. She wrote with honesty and truth, regardless of how painful and gruesome. This may have been a fictional story, but very well could have been the retelling of many current high schoolers’ reality. Beneath the epic love story were real issues that plague every high school. I truly appreciated the author’s efforts in bringing those to light!
The ending wrapped up the book well but I’d love to see more of Silver and Alex because I still have so many questions about what happened to them and to some of the side characters we grew to hate! I need more from Raleigh High!
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 Stars
Silver Parisi is a pariah in her high school. From her torturous encounters with her ex-friends to having to see the untouchable monsters who ruined her, roaming the halls day in and day out, Silver is only biding her time until graduation… and the promise of attending college as far away from Raleigh as possible.
Alessandro “Alex” Moretti is on his last chance with a transfer to Raleigh High. With his eighteenth birthday just around the corner, he has a very important reason to keep himself out of trouble… which at this particular high school is easier said then done…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Rebel of Raleigh High shows the dark and depraved side of a high school that you’ll be glad you never attended. Silver and Alex are two shattered souls who in a normal life would never had known each other, but within the heinous halls of Raleigh High, they discover that finding someone who can share you pain makes life a little less painful…
Silver is a young woman who shows up everyday to the place where she is continuously abused. Biding her time until graduation, as long as she tries her hardest to remain unnoticed, she is sure she will succeed… until the new guy shows up…
Alex has been through a lot in his 17 years of life and he knows that he can only ever rely on himself for everything he needs. Meeting Silver, he can see how much damage she is carrying… just like him. And when the last thing he needs is to get entangled with a girl who says she wants nothing to do with him… it’s just too bad that Silver isn’t the kind of person that he can so easily walk away from…
Wow. This book was such an unexpectedly intense read, and I think I might still be sitting here with my mouth hanging wide open in it’s aftermath…
Silver was a tough AF girl who while actively protecting herself is still taking care of a whole lot of things on her own. Alex is someone who she shouldn’t feel safe around, but he shows her a gentle and protective side that no one else gets to see but her.
While technically a young adult read, this book touches on some tough subjects and the main characters are definitely more mature and world hardened than their peers. Silver and Alex’s relationship is a slightly slow journey, but at the same time burns hot and intensely from their first encounter.
From the darker aspects to the sexy relationship between Silver and Alex, I can not wait for more from the Raleigh High world…
I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.
BOOM!! That’s how you write a compelling and gripping story. From the first chapter with Alex I thought holy sh!t who the hell is this guy? I love him already.
Callie never fails to draw me in with her stories they’re always multi layered. Don’t be fooled thinking this is an average High School romance, it’s anything but. This story has some dark themes it’s brutal full of drama and teenage angst.
Raleigh High is a dangerous place to be a student. It’s survival of the fittest you’re either predator or prey. Whichever one you are depends on your popularity status.
Silver Parisi used to be one of the popular crowd she was both adored and envied.
Then just as quick she became the outcast, public enemy No1.
Finding herself on the wrong side of the football team her life changed forever.
Alex Moretti the new student at Raleigh creates an impact as soon as he arrives. Hot, dangerous, tattooed badboy with a bad rep and a cool motorcycle. He’s coveted by the in crowd but Alex follows his own rules and is no ones sheep.
The outcasted girl and the delinquent badboy they’re complete opposites but they are brave and strong and have both dealt with way more than any person should at such a young age. I absolutely loved them both.
The book didn’t end on a cliffhanger but with the possibility of more to come, well I certainly hope so anyway.
I knew heading into Silver and Alex’s story that this wasn’t going to be a YA read, not even close; I also quickly realized that even though the characters are 17 year old high school seniors, the events and issues that unfold as The Rebel of Raleigh High continues are destructive, deviant, and beyond devastating, illustrating the darker sides of people’s personalities and what happens when money and social status matter more than the truth.
The beginning of the book focuses on the heroine and the hero separately as they adjust to and endure their new normal in the halls of Raleigh High, and while they handle things differently due to the situation that placed them in their current position, neither of them wants to deal with the elite Raleigh Royalty because all they are, are a bunch of followers who blindly trail behind a crew who doesn’t deserve the respect or honor that their cronies dote on them.
Silver Parisi may have been one of the Queen Bs of Raleigh, but for the past 9 months, as the school’s pariah, she has had to endure continual mistreatment, nasty remarks, and sneering glares from those who she once called friends, simply because she refused to remain quiet when her choices were taken from her and a group of guys played a sick and twisted game with her body and her mind.
I truly don’t know how Silver kept it together day in and day out with the amount of abuse that was doled out. Regardless of how other people viewed her, she refused to cower…she refused to break, even though she would have had every right to given what she endured. I do wish that there would have been further insight into how she handled what happened to her all on her own without succumbing to the darkness…to the fractures of her heart with all of the loss…to the loneliness she felt when everyone ditched her. Because even though Silver seems to just deal with everything, there had to be breaking points…there had to be times where the risk of being swallowed up whole would have overwhelmed her.
I don’t know if I’ve ever been introduced to a hero in quite the way Callie Hart unveils Alex Moretti to her readers. But as unusual and off-putting as it seemed, on some level, I understood his actions. He’s a bit of a loose cannon for much of the story, which makes sense given his backstory and all that he has to endure by other people’s words and actions. Alex is definitely a lot like Silver, and the fact that they challenge each other, make one another feel alive, and give the other person something to fight for is a testament to how strong they are.
I love that Alex saw through the fake personalities of the Raleigh Elite and went about proving just how much he didn’t care for their antics and showboating. He’s as fierce and uncaring as Silver is, so it’s easy to see why they’re intrigued by each other. As much as Silver tried to stay away from Alex, it wasn’t possible because on some level, she knew she needed him and he needed her to keep their shoulders straight…to keep their heads up…to keep enduring, which is exactly what they do because they’re no longer fighting their fight alone.
The ending events of the book seemed to come out of nowhere, so much so that I actually went back into the earlier chapters to see if there were clues and inferences made that would indicate that even more chaos was headed their way. I actually didn’t find too many, which the more I thought about it, the more it made sense that there shouldn’t be because situations like the one these students find themselves in at the end of the story don’t occur in a rational way, so keeping things unexpected fits.
If I remember correctly, Callie Hart plans to bring readers back to Raleigh High and provide us with more of Silver and Alex’s story, which I’m eager to read because there are a lot of loose ends at the end of book, and I need a bit more closer on a few of conflicts that are still open ended. And, I also wouldn’t mind Alex delving out some payback in what I would suspect would be ingenious ways.
4.5 Poison Apples