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Ruthless Rivals
Harper was always the calm to my storm. She kept me level and steady.
For years throughout our friendship, I even fought for her. Sticking up to her bullies and making it known she was untouchable.
Slowly, our friendship morphed into more though. Then, she left me.
Now, years later, she’s back without an explanation thinking everything will be the same. Little does she know, when she left, that calm went with her. Now I’m the motherf**king storm that can’t be tamed and I won’t be showing her any compassion. I will break her the same way she broke me.
No longer am I fighting her bullies. I am her bully.
**This is a dark academia romance that is a complete standalone, and may contain material that might be triggering to some readers. **
For years throughout our friendship, I even fought for her. Sticking up to her bullies and making it known she was untouchable.
Slowly, our friendship morphed into more though. Then, she left me.
Now, years later, she’s back without an explanation thinking everything will be the same. Little does she know, when she left, that calm went with her. Now I’m the motherf**king storm that can’t be tamed and I won’t be showing her any compassion. I will break her the same way she broke me.
No longer am I fighting her bullies. I am her bully.
**This is a dark academia romance that is a complete standalone, and may contain material that might be triggering to some readers. **
194 pages, Paperback
Published October 5, 2023
3 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Beck
235 books7,178 followersJ.L. Beck is the USA Today Best Selling author of unapologetic romance. She lives in WI with her husband, two kids, and four dogs. She enjoys writing and recently starting a literary agency to help represent authors in the industry.
To learn more about her books or interact with her go here: https://linktr.ee/jlbeckbooks
J.L. Beck xoxoxo
To learn more about her books or interact with her go here: https://linktr.ee/jlbeckbooks
J.L. Beck xoxoxo
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 21, 2024
I wanted a little more from the plotline. I had the big twist figured out pretty early on. The character development could have been stronger too.
But it's a quick read with plenty of heat and angst so it was entertaining nonetheless.
But it's a quick read with plenty of heat and angst so it was entertaining nonetheless.
July 12, 2024
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
***Possible spoilers***
J. L. Beck is one of those "hit-or-miss" authors for me. I've loved some books and absolutely hated others. This is one of those books I don't necessarily regret reading, but I would've been fine if I never ingested it. It contained all my least favorite tropes and character traits.
The miscommunication trope is already bad, but it's really bad in this book. The MMC is a total asshat with very very very few redeeming qualities. Like legit didn't like him from start to finish. The FMC was your typical "virgin college kid pushover" who let ol boy treat her like an absolute doormat. The second chance trope is overshadowed completely by all the hateful behavior from the MMC. All that malarkey just to be topped with a surprise pregnancy cherry on top.
Oh, and it's never discussed that she WAS actually a virgin when he had sex with her the first time. That red flag alone would've been enough for me to walk immediately.
They would've needed another 200 just to cover his graveling and her backbone in a just and fair world.
We also are never given an update/closure for the missing attempted rapist.
Dad is never put in his place.
Just a lot of loose ends.
Saving graces:
The 🌶️ was 🔥.
It was short enough that I don't feel like I wasted my time listening to it.
The next book I read will be even better by comparison.
I can't say I'd recommend this book. I probably won't even remember it; which I'm fine with.
***Possible spoilers***
J. L. Beck is one of those "hit-or-miss" authors for me. I've loved some books and absolutely hated others. This is one of those books I don't necessarily regret reading, but I would've been fine if I never ingested it. It contained all my least favorite tropes and character traits.
The miscommunication trope is already bad, but it's really bad in this book. The MMC is a total asshat with very very very few redeeming qualities. Like legit didn't like him from start to finish. The FMC was your typical "virgin college kid pushover" who let ol boy treat her like an absolute doormat. The second chance trope is overshadowed completely by all the hateful behavior from the MMC. All that malarkey just to be topped with a surprise pregnancy cherry on top.
Oh, and it's never discussed that she WAS actually a virgin when he had sex with her the first time. That red flag alone would've been enough for me to walk immediately.
They would've needed another 200 just to cover his graveling and her backbone in a just and fair world.
We also are never given an update/closure for the missing attempted rapist.
Dad is never put in his place.
Just a lot of loose ends.
Saving graces:
The 🌶️ was 🔥.
It was short enough that I don't feel like I wasted my time listening to it.
The next book I read will be even better by comparison.
I can't say I'd recommend this book. I probably won't even remember it; which I'm fine with.
March 26, 2024
A sexy, dark, bullying romance.
Sometimes enemies to lovers, is more like "people who don't ask each other nothing, and assume the worst" to lovers.
Harper and Warren are just so hot together! But there was soooo much misunderstanding and they were riding the thin line between love and hate!
Warren was hurt and that turned him cruel (and abusive) and I couldn't believe how quickly Harper forgave him for the life changing revenge he and his Father gave her and her family, for a big misunderstanding!
Cute ending, and yup I'll be reading the next book in the series, specially since it's MFM ;)
Sometimes enemies to lovers, is more like "people who don't ask each other nothing, and assume the worst" to lovers.
Harper and Warren are just so hot together! But there was soooo much misunderstanding and they were riding the thin line between love and hate!
Warren was hurt and that turned him cruel (and abusive) and I couldn't believe how quickly Harper forgave him for the life changing revenge he and his Father gave her and her family, for a big misunderstanding!
Cute ending, and yup I'll be reading the next book in the series, specially since it's MFM ;)
March 17, 2024
This book was okay. I enjoy Beck's writing but this book didn't hit the mark for me. Dark romance is a category that I can enjoy sometimes, but it is not my favorite. Beck's dark romance is usually pretty dark, and I feel like Harper didn't get enough justice for what was done to her.
March 11, 2024
This is another dark, bully-themed romance, and if you loved the first in the series, you’ll enjoy this one too! Again, as with the first, my only issue is that I need more of a grovel! The hero has a major misunderstanding about why the heroine “betrayed” him, but when he finds out the truth, he doesn’t quite deliver in the regret arena. I needed more. I wanted him to apologize and Harper to make him earn her trust back. He should have had to do some grand show/sacrifice to demonstrate his undying love.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews