OLIVERRivals since before birth, there has never been a time when my family hasn’t hated the Lockwoods and their daughter Harlow. Two years ago she set us up, tainted our family image, ruined my brother’s life. She made it personal. It was no longer just a rivalry between our parents. Now she’s here, at Bayshore University, without her family’s protection. There’s nothing to stop us from getting … nothing to stop us from getting our revenge on her, no one to tell us enough is enough.
And so my brothers and I have devised a plan. We’ll break her, have her falling at her knees for us in no time, and then we’ll send her back to her family with a warning…
Cross the Bishops again and you’ll pay.
***
HARLOW
I’ve despised the smug, stupidly gorgeous Bishop brothers since I was a small child. Our families rivalry was one that started years before us and one that I wanted to end.
I was tired of being my parent’s puppet, tired of the games, of the hate. All I wanted was to enjoy college and move on with my life.
But your past can never stay hidden, right?
When the Bishop brothers turn up at my school I have no place to run. I know then they’ll make certain I pay for every single bad-mouthed remark I or my parents ever made about them.
At Bayshore, I’m at their mercy and they won’t stop until my heart is a bleeding mess.
AUTHOR NOTE: This is a reverse harem college bully romance that contains subject matter not suitable for all readers.
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Harlow Lockwood is a pawn. No matter who’s game is played, she is merely a disposable part. But she’s about to be bumped from the board to return a queen, much to the surprise of all.
The Bishop brothers have a grudge. Sullivan was done dirty by Harlow Lockwood, and it ruined the Bishop’s name. Now Oliver, Banks, and Sullivan have moved heaven and hell for the perfect revenge. They plan to destroy her completely. Only to find she’s not the monster they thought she was.
When Rivals Fall is a so-so RH Bully Romance, many dangerous liaisons are going on. These four can’t stay away from one another and, at the start of the story, are TOXIC. I’m far from convinced they aren’t pure poison when they improve.
I immediately finished this and jumped into When Rivals Lose, so that says something, though.
The background goings-on reminds me of The Four by Becca Steele machinations, although not the same genre.
The Secrets We Hide
After Harlow Lockwood finds out her father lied and used her to ruin the Bishop family, she enrols at Bayshore University. Harlow doesn’t want anything to do with her old life, the drama, the hate, the revenge. Harlow knew someday karma would catch up with her but she just never expected it to be so soon. Turns out Sullivan, Banks and Oliver Bishop are also students at Bayshore University. Harlow knows she’s in trouble when Sullivan tells her “You can never get away from us. We’ll find you wherever you go, and we will make you pay for what you did.” So why is Harlow so attracted to the Bishop brothers? Note: this story ends on a cliffhanger.
When Rivals Fall is a dark, heart-breakbreaking, suspenseful, and steamy story full of twists and turns that’s completely addictive and a must read!
Loved this series!
A waste of time. Stupid characters, bad plot.
I always enjoy a good book by J.L and this one is no different. These 2 ladies wrote one hell of a story that will keep you hooked from beginning to end. It does end on a cliffhanger but it’s worth the read! Can’t wait for book 2.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
I read this via ku and am leaving my review voluntarily. This is a quick read.
Triggers: bullying, lying, assault, criminal activity
**spoilers**
First off, I like this genre (don’t judge) – but if you, like me, enjoyed LJ Shen’s Sinners of Saint series, this book will leave you disappointed.
I’ve read other books by these authors and unfortunately this does not hold up.
Harlow, is super whiney. She listens to her daddy tell bad stuff about the family rival. Then she commits a crime because daddy told her too.
The Bishop brothers, Sullivan, Oliver and Banks. Sullivan was a football star in hs when Harlow plants drugs on him. He’s kicked off the team.
Fast forward to college. Harlow knows her parents lied. She attends school far from home. The brothers show up there determined to make her pay.
Typical spoiled brat behavior, she takes no responsibility for her part in the lies.
At 40% in, I was just hoping Harlow would disappear. She is a the definition of a TSTL character.
The brothers, while jerks, were much more likeable (mainly because you can understand their behavior)
Harlow whines one minute about how bad they treat her and the next, she’s ready to have sex with them.
Drama throughout, bullying by other students as well.
Ends on a cliffhanger.
Will I read the next book? Yes, more because I’m hoping the guys get a HEA and Harlow fades away.
When Rivals Fall
(Bayshore Rivals Book One) by Cassandra Hallman, J.L. Beck
Let me first say this about the book before I begin, Lord have Mercy be still my heart! What!#!? What!#!? What!#!? Just Happened I am BLOWN AWAY!! Ya’ll have damn done it again and it wrecked me. I’m still thinking about everything and everyone with a whole new light! Bravo ladies you started this series with a bang!
Now that I got that out ……
The Lockwoods and the Bishop families have been nasty bitter rivals for decades. Their children never really knew why but were taught to hate each other because of their parents. Then one night when Harlow Lockwoods was sixteen her father sent her to a party to place a baggie in Sullivan Bishop pocket. She had a bad feeling and didn’t want to do it but her father gave her no choice. Two years later when she turned eighteen she took her trust fund and moved as far away from her lying manipulating family as she could only to find herself at the mercy of the Bishop brothers Sullivan, Oliver and Banks. Her chance to start over as a care free regular college student would never come to be.
There are so many twist, turns, ups and downs that you won’t be able to put this book down. You can feel the hurt,anguish, and even desire in Harlow at each and every turn. Just when you think you know what is going on WHAM it takes a different turn. The ending shocked me totally unexpected and Holy Hell What A Cliffhanger! I can not wait for the next book When Rivals Lose!
Five I would give Ten if could!!!!!
I didn’t really know what to expect when I started When Rivals Fall, all I knew was that there were 3 alphaholes in this book and I love alphaholes!!
The Bishop’s and the Lockwoods are rival families, set out to ruin each other and Harlow Lockwood was a pawn used in this war. A plan was put into motion against Sullivan Bishop. Fast forward 2 years and Harlow has stepped away from her family and is a freshman in college. The Bishop boys, Oliver, Banks and Sullivan, have followed her and they are out for revenge. This book is full of secrets, intrigue, angst and OMG steamy sexy times!! This ends in a major cliffhanger and I can’t wait for the next book!!
This stunning story line pulled me and had me instantly addicted, once my eyes found the words I couldn’t pry them away. This one will wreck you, constantly playing on your emotions, putting a squeeze on your heart. You cannot help but feel for this heroine and the impossible situation she has wandered into, I cannot wait to see what happens next! Highly recommend!
One of the best series I’ve read in a long time! Look forward to reading more by these authors!!
The characters in this one are something else! They bully each other and the banter is to die for. There are so many ups and downs in this book you forget who you’re rooting for, but the ending? I NEED MORE! Please You won’t be able to put this one down!
This book absolutely shredded me. But, I can’t stop this series and an diving right into the next book!
Emotional roller coaster at its First off, this book will leave you wanting more… That is mainly because it leaves you with a cliffhanger.
You are taken through so many emotions in this story and you just can’t stop reading…
3 brothers. The Girl. Hurt. Pain. Wrong. and Revenge… However you see the story, you may beel one side deserves what they receive or one side went to far. A story of rivalry that seems to carry on from generation to generation.
And you while you will want them to find their HEA, you can’t help but commit yourself to their journey…
On to book #2…
best…
OMG how do i start with out given to much away, This one hell of a story that will have you griped from start to finish. Oliver, Sullivan and Bank’s Bishop want revenge against Harlow for what sh did in the name of family, There some steamy sexy scenes, plus full of lies, secrets and drama, Full of twists and turns along the way. WHY WHY WHY CLIFFHANGER, A must read, Brilliant story Cassandra & J.L
Ok so where to start here. OMG! This book had me hooked, I was so addicted and although my emotions were put through the wringer I needed more, I had to carry on. This is a genre I have to admit I don’t read often but might have to now, especially after this. I thoroughly enjoyed this and desperate for book two!!
Heartbreaking!
What an utterly heartbreaking but absolutely fantastic story. My emotions went on an extreme roller coaster ride. So many ups and downs with plenty of twists and turns. I was happy, angry, frustrated and heartbroken. At certain points in the story I was so frustrated and angry I wanted to smash my kindle! Didn’t do it, but I really wanted to! There was no way I was putting this down until I reached the end. And what an amazing cliffhanger of an ending. WTF!
There is so many secrets and twists to this story that I can’t wait for the next book to come out. Book two is going to be massively explosive!
This is a definite must read. You will not be disappointed.
The story is a bit of a taboo for some but this is definitely a different storyline. It is well written and the characters are amazingly developed. You can just feel their personalities and their emotions coming through the writing. Harlow has times of self doubt and times of strength just as we all do. This leads to a more realistic storyline that is felt as reading it. This has all the makings of a mystery movie with it drama and suspense throughout it. The three brothers have these types of alpha male personalities that add to a wonderful mix of emotions that you feel while reading it. At times you hate them and at times you love them. Yes, the ends in a cliffhanger and I for one can’t wait for the second book.
Received Book ARC From Author For Honest Review.
I Give this Book a 3.5/4ish out of 5 Star Rating, listing as 4.
No Spoilers.
Romance: I guess 1(?)/5, It is Book 1 after all..
Heat: 3 to 3.5ish/5
Suspense: 5/5, I mean I have my theory but I won’t talk about until I read book 2.
Drama: 5/5 LOT & Lots of Drama
HEA(?): It’s Not Over Yet.
Cliffy(?): Yes, and man what a cliffhanger!
I can’t wait to read book 2, I’m all over this series! Cant wait!! XD
Definitely looking forward to reading Book 2!
Will I Read more from this Author? Yes!
4.5 stars
What a rollercoaster ride. When all seems to be going well, the bottom drops and starts all over again. So who is reporting back to her parents? Who threw her off the boat? Did he really film them if was he just trying to hurt her and protect himself? What changed so suddenly? So many questions left unanswered. I can’t to read more. This book is full of suspense, manipulation, hurt, tension, betrayal. I can’t get enough!!