Bully (Fall Away #1)
By Penelope Douglas
I just burned through Bully by Penelope Douglas, and holy smokes, it’s like a rollercoaster that doesn’t let up. This 2013 New Adult romance drops you into the life of Tate Brandt, a high school senior who’s been tormented by her former best friend, Jared Trent, ever since they were kids.
What starts as a classic enemies-to-lovers setup turns into a steamy, emotional ride that had me glued to the pages.
I was reading this during a late-night flight, trying not to gasp out loud and wake the guy next to me. Tate’s this tough-but-vulnerable girl who’s had enough of Jared’s cruel pranks—like spreading rumors and icing her out at school. But when she comes back from a year abroad, she’s ready to fight back, and the sparks between them? Off the charts. There’s this scene where they’re screaming at each other, and you can just feel the tension—like, are they gonna punch each other or make out?
I was rooting for Tate to stand her ground, but Jared’s got this bad-boy charm that makes you wanna know what’s driving him to be such a jerk. What I loved was how Douglas digs into their past. You get why Jared’s so messed up, and it’s not just some lazy “he’s a bully for fun” trope. His pain made me soften toward him, even when I wanted to shake him.
The romance is intense—think stolen glances and heated arguments that turn into something else. But it’s not perfect; some of Jared’s stunts are straight-up mean, and I wished Tate called him out harder at times. Plus, the high school drama can feel a bit over-the-top, like a CW show on steroids.
This book got me thinking about my own high school days—those grudges you hold, the crushes that hurt. I scribbled a quote on my boarding pass about second chances, ‘cause it hit me how we all mess up but still crave forgiveness. Bully’s got heart, heat, and enough angst to keep you flipping pages way past midnight.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommendation: If you’re into enemies-to-lovers stories with a side of drama and steam, this book’s your vibe. It’s a quick, addictive read for a lazy afternoon when you wanna get swept up in messy romance. Great for fans of angsty love stories who don’t mind a few tears and cheers along the way.
I was reading this during a late-night flight, trying not to gasp out loud and wake the guy next to me. Tate’s this tough-but-vulnerable girl who’s had enough of Jared’s cruel pranks—like spreading rumors and icing her out at school. But when she comes back from a year abroad, she’s ready to fight back, and the sparks between them? Off the charts. There’s this scene where they’re screaming at each other, and you can just feel the tension—like, are they gonna punch each other or make out?
I was rooting for Tate to stand her ground, but Jared’s got this bad-boy charm that makes you wanna know what’s driving him to be such a jerk. What I loved was how Douglas digs into their past. You get why Jared’s so messed up, and it’s not just some lazy “he’s a bully for fun” trope. His pain made me soften toward him, even when I wanted to shake him.
The romance is intense—think stolen glances and heated arguments that turn into something else. But it’s not perfect; some of Jared’s stunts are straight-up mean, and I wished Tate called him out harder at times. Plus, the high school drama can feel a bit over-the-top, like a CW show on steroids.
This book got me thinking about my own high school days—those grudges you hold, the crushes that hurt. I scribbled a quote on my boarding pass about second chances, ‘cause it hit me how we all mess up but still crave forgiveness. Bully’s got heart, heat, and enough angst to keep you flipping pages way past midnight.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommendation: If you’re into enemies-to-lovers stories with a side of drama and steam, this book’s your vibe. It’s a quick, addictive read for a lazy afternoon when you wanna get swept up in messy romance. Great for fans of angsty love stories who don’t mind a few tears and cheers along the way.