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Bully
(Fall Away #1)
by
My name is Tate. He doesn't call me that, though. He would never refer to me so informally, if he referred to me at all. No, he'll barely even speak to me.
But he still won't leave me alone.
We were best friends once. Then he turned on me and made it his mission to ruin my life. I've been humiliated, shut out, and gossiped about all through high school. His pranks and rumors ...more
But he still won't leave me alone.
We were best friends once. Then he turned on me and made it his mission to ruin my life. I've been humiliated, shut out, and gossiped about all through high school. His pranks and rumors ...more
Get A Copy
ebook, 3rd Edition, 333 pages
Published
February 18th 2014
by Intermix (Penguin Group (USA) LLC)
(first published June 17th 2013)
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Start your review of Bully (Fall Away, #1)


I am conducting what I'm shelving as a "New Adult (NA) Experiment". I'm going to work my way through some of the popular New Adult books and see if I can weed out the crap and hopefully find some surprising gems. Here's hoping!
Dear book,

I was ready to like this book. I was ready to be forgiving of the small negatives. I was ready to make excuses for it, try and justify the bad and pretend the good overshadowed it. I don't even remember the last time I wanted to like a book this much. Despite wha ...more

Thank you to EVERYONE who has left reviews and messaged with feedback. Truly. As a new author who had no connections and no network, I cannot tell you how much your support has meant. It has been a wonderful year and a half since Bully's release, and now three books later, we complete the circle.
Jared and Tate will continue to finish up the series. Look for Aflame in April 2015!

(Note: This is not the cover. Just a teaser pic.) Thank you everyone again!
...more
Jared and Tate will continue to finish up the series. Look for Aflame in April 2015!

(Note: This is not the cover. Just a teaser pic.) Thank you everyone again!
...more

Jul 06, 2013
Aestas Book Blog
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
book-1-of-my-fav-series,
favorites


Bully was a wonderfully addictive read that kept my heart racing from start to finish. I could not put it down! 5 stars!!
He loves me... He loves me not... He loves me... He loves me not...
Jared and Tate grew up next door to each other. Jared was sweet, generous and friendly and they were the best and closest of friends. But not anymore. The kid who had held her hand through the pain of losing her mother, who had climbed trees with her, and who had snuck over for sleepovers was gone and now he s ...more

Jul 07, 2013
the burning dreamer.
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
NOBODY, GET OUT OF HERE.
Recommended to the burning dreamer. by:
MY NAIVE MIND.
First off, I admit: I'm a sucker for love/hate stories. And after reading the premise for Bully, I was super psyched to see where it would take me.
Alas, I feel like I've stepped into a trap.
I've come across a thousand FANFICTIONS that were so. much. better. (Hell, comparing it to that feels like an insult to fanfictions themselves.) But this is simply yet another blasted romance novel suffering from the 'new-adult-unoriginal-cliche-itis' that's been circulating around and contaminating 80% of th ...more
Alas, I feel like I've stepped into a trap.
I've come across a thousand FANFICTIONS that were so. much. better. (Hell, comparing it to that feels like an insult to fanfictions themselves.) But this is simply yet another blasted romance novel suffering from the 'new-adult-unoriginal-cliche-itis' that's been circulating around and contaminating 80% of th ...more

5 HUGE Asshole Stars
I REALLY enjoyed this book.
Now, I know bullying is a serious and highly sensitive issue. And I'm not downplaying that or tying to make light of that.
I am speaking about this strictly as a 30-something, non-impressionable ADULT reading a work of complete fucking fiction.
So I'm not going to get into any social commentary regarding this books portrayal of bullying and all its evil.

My review is from an entertainment (aka how "un-put-downable" was it?) standpoint only.
And th ...more
I REALLY enjoyed this book.
Now, I know bullying is a serious and highly sensitive issue. And I'm not downplaying that or tying to make light of that.
I am speaking about this strictly as a 30-something, non-impressionable ADULT reading a work of complete fucking fiction.
So I'm not going to get into any social commentary regarding this books portrayal of bullying and all its evil.

My review is from an entertainment (aka how "un-put-downable" was it?) standpoint only.
And th ...more

3 Stars – I have very mixed emotions about this book.
While I liked this book for the most and was captivated by the author's realistic portrayal of bullying, I must admit, this book left me with mixed feeling.
Bullying is a real-life problem and I felt the author did a great job showcasing its powerful ability to hurt the human soul while at the same time showing the resilience of the human spirit.
For me, though, this book had some undeniable stumbling blocks. This story was too Young Adult for ...more
While I liked this book for the most and was captivated by the author's realistic portrayal of bullying, I must admit, this book left me with mixed feeling.
Bullying is a real-life problem and I felt the author did a great job showcasing its powerful ability to hurt the human soul while at the same time showing the resilience of the human spirit.
For me, though, this book had some undeniable stumbling blocks. This story was too Young Adult for ...more

5 Stars


God. This book. I mean, THIS BOOK. Words fail me to describe just how much I loved this. I've had this in my kindle for what feels like ages since I got it as a freebie way back in 2013. I've seen it making the rounds on Goodreads and for some reason I still hadn't read it. If I can kick my own ass for not reading this sooner, I would, because this book? This book reminded me about all the reason ...more

I had loved Jared once, but now I knew, without a doubt, that "my Jared" was gone.

God. This book. I mean, THIS BOOK. Words fail me to describe just how much I loved this. I've had this in my kindle for what feels like ages since I got it as a freebie way back in 2013. I've seen it making the rounds on Goodreads and for some reason I still hadn't read it. If I can kick my own ass for not reading this sooner, I would, because this book? This book reminded me about all the reason ...more

4.5 Crazy good stars!!!!!
For her whole high school career, Tate has been bullied. By one person in particular... Jared. Jared is Tate’s neighbor and used to be Tate’s best friend, but now, he isn’t. He is just someone who enjoys making her life hell.

For her whole high school career, Tate has been bullied. By one person in particular... Jared. Jared is Tate’s neighbor and used to be Tate’s best friend, but now, he isn’t. He is just someone who enjoys making her life hell.

I had loved Jared once, but now I knew, without a doubt, that ‘my Jared’ was gone.The worst part about it? The summer before their freshman year of highschool, Jared went to stay with his dad. When he came home, he was different. He wan ...more

Jun 20, 2013
SueBee★bring me an alpha!★
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to SueBee★bring me an alpha!★ by:
Geri Reads


★★★★! Bully, a debut by Penelope Douglas. Broken, jaded & sexy high school senior deals with the aftermath of having bullied a girl he can’t forget!
“You were my tempest, my thunder cloud, my tree in the downpour. I loved all those things, and I loved you. But now? You’re a fucking drought. I thought that all the assholes drove German cars, but it turns out that pricks in Mustangs can still leave scars.”
As the title would indicate this story is about bullying. And ...more

Initial thoughts: Not worth the time taken to read. I honestly thought it would be a better read than it actually was - it wasn't terrible in the beginning, but at the same time, as it went on, it glorifies and romanticizes bullying to no end. I have a lot of words to say about this and I'll try to be as constructive as I can about what went wrong with this read after I meditate a bit over it.
Full review:
This is a difficult review for me to write, but I'm going to start this reflection with a fe ...more
Full review:
This is a difficult review for me to write, but I'm going to start this reflection with a fe ...more


____________________________________________
“I like storms. Thunder, torrential rain, puddles, wet shoes. When the clouds roll in, I get filled with this giddy expectation. Everything is more beautiful in the rain. Don’t ask me why. But it’s like this whole other realm of opportunity. I used to feel like a superhero, riding my bike over the dangerously slick roads, or maybe an Olympic athlete enduring rough trials to make it to the finish line.”
____________________________________________
...more

“You were my tempest, my thunder cloud, my tree in the downpour. I loved all those things, and I loved you.”
Hi, my name’s Melanie and all I want to read this summer is New Adult Romances. This is my third Penelope Douglas book and, again, I’m so impressed. I loved Bully and it might be my favorite book of hers I’ve read so far.
Before I go any further, I just want to point out again for people who follow my reviews mostly for the Fantasy I read: I rate smutty books differently than o ...more

3,5 STARS
Yesterday lasts forever.
Tomorrow comes never.
Until you.
Tate and Jared are neighbours and they were best friends...

One summer..Jared turned on Tate!He began to bully her..Spreading vicious rumours,humiliating her..Time passed and things get worst..
“What was worse than losing you was when you started to hurt me. Your words and actions made me hate coming to school. They made me uncomfortable in my own home.”

Tate comes back for her senior from France..But coming home she's tired of being ...more
Yesterday lasts forever.
Tomorrow comes never.
Until you.
Tate and Jared are neighbours and they were best friends...

One summer..Jared turned on Tate!He began to bully her..Spreading vicious rumours,humiliating her..Time passed and things get worst..
“What was worse than losing you was when you started to hurt me. Your words and actions made me hate coming to school. They made me uncomfortable in my own home.”

Tate comes back for her senior from France..But coming home she's tired of being ...more

When I think about how I've started reading contemporary romance, the first book that pops in my head is Bully. I was fascinated by a lot of elements, mostly the striking way in which the love scenes were described, but the list can go on forever and ever.
Now looking back after reading around 300 books, I think that "Bully" is unique in plot and in theme provided. There weren't a lot of books that had this approach, making you question the morality of the characters and really raising awareness ...more
Now looking back after reading around 300 books, I think that "Bully" is unique in plot and in theme provided. There weren't a lot of books that had this approach, making you question the morality of the characters and really raising awareness ...more

Gaaaaah... oh dear sweet Jesus, someone pls save me from books with unnecessary and excessive angst....more
Admittedly, I am not the target demographic and if the author's writing skill hadn't been so darn good, I would have chucked this down to "that book that is loved by everyone else except for me", however, I did enjoy the enemies turned lovers story and I totally get the appeal.
But...
But....
I. Didn't. Like. Tate. She's just so beautiful that all the boys wanted to date her or whatever. 🙄🙄🙄🙄😴😴. Yeah

4 FALLING IN LOVE STARS.
"I want to touch you, I want to feel what's mine. What's always been mine."

What's it all about?
Two former friends Jared Trent and Tate Brandt now find themselves as mortal enemies. After years of being inseparable the duo find themselves in the ultimate love/hate relationship. Tate has suffered for years at the hands of Jared's constant taunting and pranks so after a year away in Europe Tate returns to Shelburne falls high school determined to be stronger. In a stando ...more
"I want to touch you, I want to feel what's mine. What's always been mine."

What's it all about?
Two former friends Jared Trent and Tate Brandt now find themselves as mortal enemies. After years of being inseparable the duo find themselves in the ultimate love/hate relationship. Tate has suffered for years at the hands of Jared's constant taunting and pranks so after a year away in Europe Tate returns to Shelburne falls high school determined to be stronger. In a stando ...more

Jun 11, 2015
Katerina
rated it
it was amazing
Recommended to Katerina by:
NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books}
Shelves:
contemporary-romance
I didn't want light and sweet romance.I needed angst and pain and tears and fights and all kinds of feelings.
And I found them all in Bully.
How bullies are made?Is there a reason for their behavior and the pleasure they find in physically and emotionally abusing innocent people?Do they feel a surge of power when they belittle others?I can't say I was a popular girl in school (you see,I was the geek,the perfect student and that didn't exactly make me Miss ...more
And I found them all in Bully.
“This is how bullies are made.”
How bullies are made?Is there a reason for their behavior and the pleasure they find in physically and emotionally abusing innocent people?Do they feel a surge of power when they belittle others?I can't say I was a popular girl in school (you see,I was the geek,the perfect student and that didn't exactly make me Miss ...more

Gah, another tough one to review. I don't understand quite a few things that occurred. Really. And I consider myself a fairly intelligent person. A lot of this just didn't make any logical sense.
Jared and Tate used to be besties. The summer of their 14th year, Jared goes to stay with his father for a few weeks and comes home different. Now he hates Tate. When the book begins, they're both 16, and Jared has spent two years bullying Tate. He's also enlisted the help of his friend, Madoc. No one r ...more
Jared and Tate used to be besties. The summer of their 14th year, Jared goes to stay with his father for a few weeks and comes home different. Now he hates Tate. When the book begins, they're both 16, and Jared has spent two years bullying Tate. He's also enlisted the help of his friend, Madoc. No one r ...more
![Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1646942374p2/66224803.jpg)
ATTENTION ❗️ nearly-rape, child-abuse, alcoholism, bullying
“I like storms.
Thunder torrential rain, puddles, wet shoes.
When the clouds roll in, I get filled with this giddy expectation.
Everything is more beautiful in the rain.
Don't ask me why.
But it’s like this whole other realm of opportunity.”
Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tates life is a living hell. Jared, her former best friend, is bullying her and making her school life miserable. But after one year gone she’s not the vulnerable weak girl anymore. ...more
“I like storms.
Thunder torrential rain, puddles, wet shoes.
When the clouds roll in, I get filled with this giddy expectation.
Everything is more beautiful in the rain.
Don't ask me why.
But it’s like this whole other realm of opportunity.”
Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tates life is a living hell. Jared, her former best friend, is bullying her and making her school life miserable. But after one year gone she’s not the vulnerable weak girl anymore. ...more

These are my favorite quotes:
“Acting like you don't care is not letting it go.”

i just LOVE THE WHOLE CONCEPT.....can't wait to read the next book! :D ...more

4.5 stars
Bully has been on my tbr for a long time. I decided to finally pick it up on a whim last night, and I'm so happy that I did! It was exactly what I needed! This is one of the best books I have read all year, and I think I'm falling in love with Penelope Douglas! 😍 ...more
Bully has been on my tbr for a long time. I decided to finally pick it up on a whim last night, and I'm so happy that I did! It was exactly what I needed! This is one of the best books I have read all year, and I think I'm falling in love with Penelope Douglas! 😍 ...more

”You were my tempest, my thunder cloud, my tree in the downpour. I loved all of those things, and I loved you. But now? You’re a fucking drought. I thought that all the assholes drove German cars, but it turns out that pricks in Mustangs can still leave scars.”
For 3 years Jared has been making Tate’s life a living hell. He taunts her at every turn, makes up nasty stories about her and threatens any guy that even tries to get close to her. The kicker? Tate and Jared were once the best of frie ...more
For 3 years Jared has been making Tate’s life a living hell. He taunts her at every turn, makes up nasty stories about her and threatens any guy that even tries to get close to her. The kicker? Tate and Jared were once the best of frie ...more

Sep 30, 2013
Dayana
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
No one literate.
Recommended to Dayana by:
Goodreads
Shelves:
bookclub
- Glorifying destructive behavior? Check.
- Reinforcing negative gender relations stereotypes? Check.
- Normalizing violence and sexual assault? Check.
- Romanticizing bullying? Check.
- Exclusively female centered slut shaming? Check.
Rarely (read: never) does a book make me wish for stronger censorship laws. This book being advertised as YA did that.
** EDIT **
... and then the author went and extracted a single part of my review to share on her Facebook page out of context.

Stay classy Penelope Doug ...more
- Reinforcing negative gender relations stereotypes? Check.
- Normalizing violence and sexual assault? Check.
- Romanticizing bullying? Check.
- Exclusively female centered slut shaming? Check.
Rarely (read: never) does a book make me wish for stronger censorship laws. This book being advertised as YA did that.
** EDIT **
... and then the author went and extracted a single part of my review to share on her Facebook page out of context.

Stay classy Penelope Doug ...more

so nice to see the topic of bullying being turned into a romance! that is definitely the way to deal with bullies. they just need hugs and kisses and your virginity! poor misunderstood bullies. Jared the manly wittle bully with daddy issues just needs to be wuved by someone. bullies just pick on you because they are secretly in love with you. why even bring up the idea that bullying can cause kids to kill themselves. that's not romantic, yuck!
in the words of one of our top reviewers:
"This may ma ...more
in the words of one of our top reviewers:
"This may ma ...more

reread 11/24/19: all my thoughts are pretty much the same as the first time but especially the bit about p. douglas books working SO MUCH BETTER as dual POV. kept wanting jared's thoughts but he remains kinda one note because we don't get his POV. not bad, not my fave of hers'.
--------------------
I was hoping we could move forward without looking back.
the good
This is my second book by Penelope Douglas and wow was it a trip. This book focuses on the former friendship and hate-to-love relationship ...more
--------------------
I was hoping we could move forward without looking back.
the good
This is my second book by Penelope Douglas and wow was it a trip. This book focuses on the former friendship and hate-to-love relationship ...more

Holy shite... I L.O.V.E.D. it!!!
I mean, I loved it hard.
I could not put it down.

*the GIF above is representative of my excitement for this 5 star read upon my completion of it at 3am.
Who's a sucker for complete alphaholes?

Jared is a complete and total alphahole. And, boy, did I lurve the big jerk.

I can take it. Judge away! I'll just be sitting here blissfully reliving all the yummy feels this book gave me.
...more
I mean, I loved it hard.
I could not put it down.

*the GIF above is representative of my excitement for this 5 star read upon my completion of it at 3am.
Who's a sucker for complete alphaholes?

Jared is a complete and total alphahole. And, boy, did I lurve the big jerk.

I can take it. Judge away! I'll just be sitting here blissfully reliving all the yummy feels this book gave me.


This is how bullies are made
This one was all over my feeds a few months ago but I think I had been burned by jumping in and reading a FIVE star book that turned out to be only OK for me. So I decided to wait a while before starting this one. Was it good? Yes, it was. I am now 48 = when I started it I sort of said, Maura, do you really want to be reading books about kids who are younger than your son and THIRTY YEARS younger than you??? Not really, but went for it.
This is how bullies are m ...more
This one was all over my feeds a few months ago but I think I had been burned by jumping in and reading a FIVE star book that turned out to be only OK for me. So I decided to wait a while before starting this one. Was it good? Yes, it was. I am now 48 = when I started it I sort of said, Maura, do you really want to be reading books about kids who are younger than your son and THIRTY YEARS younger than you??? Not really, but went for it.
This is how bullies are m ...more

4.5★★★★Stars
Genre: YA-Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone Book 1 of Fall Away Series
POV: First Person – Female
“You were my tempest, my thunder cloud, my tree in the downpour. I loved all those things, and I loved you. But now? You’re a fucking drought. I thought that all the assholes drove German cars, but it turns out that pricks in Mustangs can still leave scars.”

Tatum "Tate" Brandt has been bullied by one person in particular her entire ...more

4.5 surprising stars
Wow! This book really took me by surprise. I haven't read YA in a while but this was a freebie on Amazon right now, so I one-clicked it. I was intrigued by the premise and at the same time cautious because the bullying thing might be too much for me to handle. But I ended up really, really liking it.
What I liked
- I loved the writing. It has great dialogue and really well developed characters. The story didn't lag. There were no wasted dialogue or purple prose which seems to ...more
Wow! This book really took me by surprise. I haven't read YA in a while but this was a freebie on Amazon right now, so I one-clicked it. I was intrigued by the premise and at the same time cautious because the bullying thing might be too much for me to handle. But I ended up really, really liking it.
What I liked
- I loved the writing. It has great dialogue and really well developed characters. The story didn't lag. There were no wasted dialogue or purple prose which seems to ...more

DNF @ 80%
nah y'all can keep it 😪 this girl makes me wanna go WWE ...more
nah y'all can keep it 😪 this girl makes me wanna go WWE ...more
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Goodreads Librari...: Please Correct Page Numbers | 2 | 13 | Mar 17, 2020 03:40PM | |
Goodreads Librari...: Add edition to book | 2 | 15 | Dec 03, 2019 07:43AM |
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Penelope Douglas is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Their books have been translated into nineteen languages and include The Fall Away Series, The Devil’s Night Series, and the stand-alones, Misconduct, Punk 57, Birthday Girl, Credence, and Tryst Six Venom. Please look for The Hellbent Series and Motel, coming next.
They live in New England with their husba ...more
They live in New England with their husba ...more
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“I like storms. Thunder torrential rain, puddles, wet shoes. When the clouds roll in, I get filled with this giddy expectation. Everything is more beautiful in the rain. Don't ask me why. But it’s like this whole other realm of opportunity. I used to feel like a superhero, riding my bike over the dangerously slick roads, or maybe an Olympic athlete enduring rough trials to make it to the finish line. On sunny days, as a girl, I could still wake up to that thrilled feeling. You made me giddy with expectation, just like a symphonic rainstorm. You were a tempest in the sun, the thunder in a boring, cloudless sky. I remember I’d shovel in my breakfast as fast as I could, so I could go knock on your door. We’d play all day, only coming back for food and sleep. We played hide and seek, you’d push me on the swing, or we’d climb trees. Being your sidekick gave me a sense of home again. You see, when I was ten, my mom died. She had cancer, and I lost her before I really knew her. My world felt so insecure, and I was scared. You were the person that turned things right again. With you, I became courageous and free. It was like the part of me that died with my mom came back when I met you, and I didn’t hurt if I knew I had you. Then one day, out of the blue, I lost you, too. The hurt returned, and I felt sick when I saw you hating me. My rainstorm was gone, and you became cruel. There was no explanation. You were just gone. And my heart was ripped open. I missed you. I missed my mom. What was worse than losing you, was when you started to hurt me. Your words and actions made me hate coming to school. They made me uncomfortable in my own home. Everything still hurts, but I know none of it is my fault. There are a lot of words that I could use to describe you, but the only one that includes sad, angry, miserable, and pitiful is “coward.” I a year, I’ll be gone, and you’ll be nothing but some washout whose height of existence was in high school. You were my tempest, my thunder cloud, my tree in the downpour. I loved all those things, and I loved you. But now? You’re a fucking drought. I thought that all the assholes drove German cars, but it turns out that pricks in Mustangs can still leave scars.”
—
774 likes
“Yesterday lasts forever.
Tomorrow comes never.
Until you”
—
727 likes
More quotes…
Tomorrow comes never.
Until you”