Blurb:I didn’t ask for the hand life dealt me. I didn’t ask for my mom to die, leaving me alone in the world.I didn’t ask for my estranged aunt to take me in, thrusting me into the lions den.I certainly didn’t ask to be tossed into Brighton Academy.Yet, here I am.They think I want their money, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.They think they know who I am, but they are wrong.They think … am, but they are wrong.
They think they can run me out of this town, but you can’t scare someone who has nothing to lose. They underestimate me, but who am I to walk away from a good fight?
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TOTAL RATING:
ARC RECEIVED FOR HONEST REVIEW
First of all I would Like to say that this is a seriously a very underrated book. The first time I saw the number of ratings and reviews, I was shocked! Had it been me , I would not have read this book because of the less ratings.
But because of the ARC i have received , I would like to say that this is a very well written book and deserves a lot of praise.
The characters were perfect and the story line was good. Moreover there was less drama and hysterics.
I would recommend this book to all the high-school bully romance lovers. I have read a lot of books and believe me when i say that this is a real good book!!
Another thing that I liked in this book was that , we got to know the story of not only the main characters but also the sideline ones. I mean we know which couples to expect in the future and that excites me very much!!
I am really looking forward to more books by this author!
A passionate story of loss, love, family and new beginnings. Sage and Reed bring a new twist to a bully romance. This book brought a whole new level of angst to my heart reading this story brought tears to my eyes and then joy to my heart.
The characters were powerful and smart. A powerful read that teaches how to forgive grow to make better relationships. The strength that Sage and Reed show through out this books shows that strength of character can be powerful at any age.
Cala gave me a powerful read that had me binging for a whole night, totally worth a night of no sleep!
I can not wait to read more of the Brighton Academy.
*First time reading author
Unbidden is the first book to the Brighton Academy series and it does not put you to sleep. Cala brings you into the life of high school kids that do not always get along. The kids are spoiled, rich, sexually active and just plain mean. When Sage shows up at Brighton Academy after never being there before everyone notices she is different. Sage could care less about the money, being popular, or any of the things these kids do. She wants to graduate and go to college. But when the Yates boys start putting her on the radar she can’t seem to get away from everyone.
I thought this book started out a little slow and I want to be honest and say I was a little confused. I thought this was at one point going to be an RH book. But no, it is not an RH and is strictly a normal high school story with bullying and then a happy ending. I will be reading the next book so I can see who is next. And I am a fan of Cala for future reading.
This is the 1st on a new series and what a thrilling and enticing beginning this is. Sage is lost and grieving when she is forced to live in a new town and go to a new school when her aunt takes her in. Reed is the king of the school who is used to getting his own way, but underneath he is haunted by his own demons and when he sees Sage, she becomes his target. This is a well written tale which these talented authors have done an amazing job in penning. This story is filled with secrets, lies, angst, and heartbreak which all lead to an all-consuming and riveting read. I was hooked and intrigued throughout this addictive page turner, and highly recommend for all lovers of a bully romance. I cannot wait to read the 2nd book.
She’s no ones victim, and those that try to make her one, feel her fury.
That is how she ends up in a different county living with family that are strangers to her.
His heart and body sing for her upon his first sight, but his mind fights as she’s not naturally one of them.
She might have the name, but she doesnt walk the walk, or talk the talk, and she sure doesn’t dance in their footsteps.
What is her end game, he will find out if it’s the last thing he does.
Oh wowsers! how I swooned and sighed, chuckled and grinned as I listened to my heart beating erratically. What a read!
An academy read with bully elements is heaven to me. It’s my go to trope and by the end of chapter one I knew I had found something special.
The fire within is so fierce and loyal, the outward actions are so protective and honest. There’s not a single thing I would change about this book
The characters are everything! From innocent Tinsley to loveable Victoria and feisty Sage. The trio are extremely adorable!
The boys are oh so yummy! Dark and dangerous Reed, and free boy Keaten steel the show!
So different yet the same. I want them both!!
Cala Riley is a new to me author, and I’m so glad I took a chance on her as now my heart is so full of love it’s untrue.
I’m hoping that the next book in this series will be around Tinsley or Keaton, but I seriously can’t wait for more!!
Brighton Academy rules!!
This is the first time reading this book by Cala and let me tell you I loved it. The secrets and the twists that you get out of this is something else. I love reading the high school bully romances!! I so can’t read the rest of the series. Want to read a high school bully romance check Cala Riley out and you will love this series Brighton Academy!
Sage’s life will never be the same and on her first day at Brighton Academy she doesn’t back down to the bullies. What Sage doesn’t know that secrets will be revealed that will rock her world. I loved Sage she is one tough, strong and brave woman. This story is about strength in the face of darkness that tries to destroy you. First time reading this author and I can’t wait for more.
Unbidden is book 1 in this new bully romance series and I am here for it.
Reed Yates was absolute fire. I knew as soon as a started reading that he was going to be added to my ever growing book boyfriend list. He’s the privileged king, an asshole but I love him.
The chemistry between him and Sage burns bright and I couldn’t wait until she came and knocked him on his ass. I instantly loved Sage because she wasn’t a weak heroine. She stood toe to toe with the guys and wasn’t backing down.
An amazing start to the series.
This is my first time reading anything from this author, and I look forward to reading more in the future. This is the first book in the Brighton Academy series, and the story of Reed, and Sage.
This book was my first by these authors and what a book to start with!
I was sucked in by Sage’s story, she is now one of my all time favourite heroines. After all she has been through, she stands up for herself and doesnt let anyone bring her down. Also, standing up for what is right and not what is expected – GAH! I just loved her!
Reed in the beginning was definitely broody, but I could totally tell he was gonna make me love him and that he did!!
I’m heading straight on to book 2 now!!
Sage is the new girl in town and completely out of her element. After losing her mother she became a ward of the state and was put in foster care, but after several failed placements her care provider suggests she consider going to live with the aunt she has never really known. Sure her mother talked about her family from time to time, but she left out so much information, especially the part of them being a very wealthy and affluent family. She has never known wealth like this, nor going to a private school filled with only rich and privileged mean kids. But she thinks she can make it work until she turns eighteen and can officially be in charge of her own life, then she can pack her bags and be gone.
But after some time in Brighton she begins to adjust to her new life, now she has friends and a family who loves her, and she has also caught the eye of the very unattainable Reed Yates. Suddenly leaving doesn’t have the same appeal it once held!
Unbidden centers around young heroine Sage Miller and the boy that captures her heart Reed Yates. When Sage showed up in town she knew she would be met with some trouble, being the new poor girl in a very rich community is certain to draw some attention, and also rile some feathers. But her mother prepared her for life and all the rough patches she may hit in it, and to her this is just a means to an end. A place to live for a few months until she can be free. But then she meets Reed, makes a few friends and suddenly for the first time in her life she feels like she fits… but not everyone thinks so. This attention stealing page-turner had me hooked from the first page, once my eyes found the words I just couldn’t stop. I had to see how things would turn out for Sage, and see if Reed would ever find a way to sneak past all her defenses. This one did not disappoint, it’s pages were riddled with feels, heartache, and loads of drama that kept me coming back for more! I cannot wait to see what the next installment holds for these characters… I suspect more of the same, and I am perfectly okay with that!! Highly recommend!
I received an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
3.5 stars
Bully romance stories are kind of a trend right now! I’ve read quite a lot lately, so I thought to give this one a chance as well. “Unbidden” was my first book from the author.
Sage lost her mother 6 months ago, and since them she’s been circling through foster homes. She’s angry and hurt about what happened and she can’t seem to stay in one place for long. After she gets kicked out from the last home, her social worker sends her to her aunt’s house. That how she finds herself in the world of the rich, a world her mother ran from all those years ago. On her first day at Brighton Academy, she realizes that this world is nothing like she used to. The people that rule the school will make sure that she understands that. Reed Yates rules Brighton Academy. Sage’s arrival disrupts the school order, so he’s ready to show her who’s boss. What he doesn’t anticipate is Sage fire. She won’t bow down to anyone and she makes that known from day 1.
There were some surprises in the book. Normally the newfound family is cruel, but in this book, Sage’s aunt and cousin are truly kind and good to her. I was able to predict most of the secrets unveiled through the chapters and I liked the secret society side story. What I didn’t like was how the relationship between Reed and Sage was written. Reed’s emotions were constantly changing, without an actual explanation. I couldn’t see their relationship evolving. It was like Reed woke up one day and decided that he liked her after all… Overall it was a good story that left me mostly curious about the side characters. I would like to see their stories as well!!
Unbidden is the start to a new series, Brighton Academy. Cala Riley is a new author to me, and I will definitely be reading more from her. This book has all the angst and drama you would expect from high school students.
Sage is strong and fierce. Two things I love in heroine. She stands her ground and doesn’t back down. Being at Brighton Academy is like being thrown to wolves. They don’t know what to make of her, so in true bully fashion, they put her down. Call her names, make fun of her upbringing, you name it, they’ve probably done it.
Reed rules the school, and Sage needs to go. Then she befriends his sister, Tinsley, and he realizes he at least needs to try and be cordial. But Sage isn’t having it. She prefers no contact with him, now he’s not sure how to feel about that. She intrigues him, she seems fearless, and he wants to know more about her.
This story is told from Sage’s POV, so we don’t know as much about Reed as we would if it was from dual POV. I loved the secondary characters but I’m hoping the next book is still following Sage and Reed. I can’t wait to read more about them!
This is a new author for me but I look forward to reading more from her. I enjoyed this book but the pace at certain times was a bit jumbled but overall still really enjoyed it and the characters. Sage is dealing with a major tragedy of her mothers passing and finding out about a aunt she never she had who she will now live with and also being going to a new school that she just wants to survive in but she realizes that won’t be as easy when the schools it boy Reed sets his sights on her. I loved that Sage was nobody’s pushover and she wasn’t going to bend as easily as they thought, she had a backbone and wasn’t afraid to use it. Looking forward to more
Wow! Unbidden was very intriguing! Cala Riley Steals your attention from the start and never lets you go! Unbidden is book one in the Brighton Academy series, from my understanding this series is going to be a series of standalones. Which is perfect because ALL the characters are wonderful and I would love to have their stories! I finished this book wanting more of their world and of their relationships! This book is a delicious bully romance in the world of the rich and privileged! lots of drama at school and between the families! I wouldn’t call it enemies to lovers but I would call it a Hate to Love Romance! The line very much becomes blurred for Sage and Reed. She definitely has to figure out who she can trust and who she cannot! I loved Sage, she’s one of those characters you get all the feels for! She’s a perfect blend of kind, independent, loyal and true. She’s just trying to make it to 18 given the hand she was dealt, and the powerful kick of emotion you have for her is fantastic! I loved all the characters! Reed was a smexy aho//, that had our girl stuck in his her from the moment their eyes met! I really have it bad for Keaton, and I’m excited to see what is in the works for Tins! This book is funny, sweet, sexy and unpredictable! The surprises hit you quickly and Sage just keeps rolling with it! I clutched my chest and shed a few tears at the end! Unbidden is very well written! I love the way this Author Duo writes and I can’t wait to read more of their work! I’m so looking forward to the next book in this series! I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Walking into BA every morning is like walking onto a battle field. Your armor better be firmly in place otherwise the next hit could be fatal.
Unbidden is book one in the Brighton Academy series and Cala Riley has started the series leaving me needing more. This bully romance was a fantastic, addicting read.
The town of Brighton, Illinois be small but it’s jammed packed with lies, secrets, assholes. Just a few days in the town leaves Sage with questions. Every corner has a secret, or lie behind it. This being the place her mother grew up and ran away from could destroy her or make her strong, but she’s the only one who gets to decide. The bitchy girls and the asshole guys have never met a girl like Sage before.
Sage is thrown into a life she doesn’t want, is in a place she doesn’t want to be. She wants to do her time and be on her way. She’s hurt, lost, and grieving. The last things she wants to do is meet the long lost aunt she didn’t know she had. But sometimes the things we don’t want are the things that we end up needing the most. Sage is fierce, sassy, and snark. She’s independent and headstrong, and loyal to the core.There’s no doubt she won’t survive the town of Brighton, Illinois and the guys of Brighton Academy. I loved watching her walls come down one at a time, even when she tried to fight it.
Reed Yates, the king of the school. What he says is gold, when he says jump people say how hi. He’s an a-hole, and you wouldn’t be able to tell anyone anything different. He carries a weight much bigger than he should on his shoulders and does so by adding a chip. But one look at Sage had his world turned upside down, with no way to control it. One of my favorite things is watching the huge a-hole, all at the feet of the girl he falls for and Reed was no different.
Each one of the characters in Unbidden added to the book. There was a purpose for everyone and everything. Without the side characters being as amazing as they were Unbidden would not be the book it is. Cala Riley was able to deliver a fantastic read while setting up future books effortlessly. I cannot wait to get more from these characters in the rest of the Brighton Academy series. I NEED MORE!!