verb - bully: use superior strength or influence to intimidate
Have you ever: Wondered the thoughts of the bullied? Wondered what happened when they left? Cecilia Marks was bullied. Bullied her entire life because of an accident she had no control over, Cecilia began college hoping for a fresh start. To her dismay, she’s been faced with the same bullies only with crueler taunts and words that can slice deeper than the sharpest of knives. A short run-in with a stunning man had her world turning upside down in ways she never expected.
Did you know: He was her white knight? He was relentless? Landon Powers was possessed. Walking back into college ten years after he left, Landon hadn’t expected to fall for the gorgeous brunette he ran into. But there she was, soft-spoken, unassuming, and the strongest woman he’d ever met. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for her. Including making it known, she wasn’t to be bullied.
Krystal writes as USA Today Bestselling Author KL Donn. Born and raised in Alberta, Canada, she has over 50 published books in differing romance genres. She enjoys making her readers cry as they go on a deep journey of love and loss through each book.
Experiencing her own insta-love at 17, Krystal has been with her husband for 18 years and they share 4 beautiful children together.
Fun facts about KL: Perpetual romantic. Coffee addict. Sarcasm lover. Give her an action flick over a romance. But a romance book over action. She’s weird like that. Did she mention coffee addict? Closet shopaholic. Beach lover. Coffee addict, it bears repeating. Again. Husband obsessed. Hers that is, you can keep yours. Mom of 6, well 7 if you count the husband. Oh and 2 of those are a cat & dog, that are confused about their species.
Hmmm well I can say I loved how the hero loved heroine. loved how he stuck up for her against his bitch sister(which I still don't forgive) lol. but if I'm being honest at first I couldn't buy the whole insta love. I normally love it but it didn't really work for me here. it did grow on my after and I liked the epilogue. I felt bad for heroine . I wanted her to stand up for herself and slap that sister so bad:/ Nothing got resolved with the sister in my eyes. we just know 3 years later shes a changed women! Umm no I need more on that.lol All in all this was ok. not bad but not great either.
safety gang safe heroine a virgin. hero's past is not mention at all.
This is one of those books that I REALLY REALLY liked, while at the same time REALLY REALLY didn't like. Let me explain...
Landon...LOVED him. Insta-alpha-love at it's best. I adored this dude. He was hot as fuck and sweet as hell. Although, we never did find out if he had tattoos or not. What was up with that??
Cecilia...I liked her. I got her. I was bullied horribly growing up and through school, so I empathize with her on that front. I didn't think the whole "insta-love" thing worked with her. She was FAR too damaged to do what she did with Logan a 32 year old billionaire public figure.
The above leads me to another issue I had. I think this would have worked far better if Logan had been a fellow college student. I just didn't find his infatuation with college student virgin Cecilia to be realistic AT ALL. Now, I am not saying I need realism, hell I read Jordan Silver and love this very scenario, but here it just didn't work for me. I think part of the problem was this book was just too short to really have a plot that supported the story the author wanted us to believe.
Lastly, Ashley and company were WAY too OTT with their bullying. It was so ridiculous that I thought at one point they may tie Cecilia to a railroad track and stand around twirling their mustaches. It simply was not believable in the slightest. I have a sneaking suspicion because of Ashley's apparent 180 degree turn around we hear about briefly in the epilogue that we are going to be subjected to her crazy psycho ass as a heroine in a future book.
So, as you can see I loved Logan and I loved the insta-love aspect, but the rest fell way short for me. If this had been longer and perhaps there was more time to develop feelings and plot, It would have probably garnered a higher rating from me.
I loved the idea for this book but not so much the book itself...
It's a quick, very OTT story about a girl, Cecilia, who has been bullied for half her life by one cruel, spoilt, class A bitch, Ashley Powers.
The bullying gets to a new, hardcore level when Cecilia meets Landon Powers, a hot piece of ass who owns half the city, also Ashley's older brother.
We obviously have instalove/ instalust and all the good ole ridonculous staff we usually get in novellas. And Landon and Cecilia were cute as hell together and that was the part I absolutely adored.
But...
Here's also where my problems begin.
Because Cecilia is a very shy and withdrawn 19 year old when we meet her. She has scars on her face and all over her body, a reminder of a car accident she survived when she was only 3. Her self-esteem is very low and she generally is on the verge of depression. So them getting together in the blink of an eye was just not right, very uncharacteristic for someone like Cecilia and I wasn't buying it.
What's better, when she gets together with Landon and she gets slapped in front of everyone at school, pushed down the stairs and beaten by Ashley and her goons, this girl is worse than ever, mentally and physically. She is drained and within an ace of a nervous breakdown. So her miraculous recovery within a few hours was also something I just couldn't ignore.
So if the story was a full length and our heroine was given the so much needed time to change and grow as a character, I would've given this book a 5.
Because I loved the writing and I adored Landon, despite all his crazy ass OTT behaviour.
And like I said before, the storyline is deliciously good. But not for a novella.
Btw, Ashley was sentenced for 2 years in prison. And for that reason I'm rounding it up to 3 stars.
And I know the next book is her story but I'm not sure if I wanna read that because I seriously detested her character.
Nothing special, VERY insta love. I love possessive, jealous OTT Heros but sadly this Hero's love came outta nowhere. I couldn't connect to it or them.
The bullying seemed a bit extreme, the heroine had scars and was picked on because of them. The whole book felt very high schoolish to me. Heroine was very insecure, which I do understand one would be if you are always made fun of, but her insecurities actually annoyed me LOL
Overall, I did not really enjoy this book and had some major eye rolling at times.
Really enjoyed this story. Quick read that will leave you satisfied. Landon and Cecilia were a great couple. Great chemistry between them. I need to read more from this series.
Very short read, but still a good story. Being only 70 pages, it didn't get too deep. Landon was an OTT alpha who fell head over heals at first sight of his "goddess " Cecelia. He never strayed from wanting her. Cecelia had been bullied most of her life because of scarring. The worst offender was a girl named Ashley who happened to be the H little sister. I actually found the tormenting heartbreaking because I know that this happens no matter what age you are. There is a short epilogue that is set for 3 years later. I hope that the rest of the series had the same type of alpha hero. I loved that there was no cheating, no ow/om, no triangles. Just a man who feel in love at first sight.
I have to say that I really loved this one. It's heartbreaking for sure and you can definitely feel what the characters feel, but it was so good. Great read. I loved it. Ow/om drama: Separation:
Read under Once Upon a Time. I have to say that I really loved this one. It's heartbreaking for sure and you can definitely feel what the characters feel, but it was so good. Great read. I loved it. Ow/om drama: Separation:
This story was absolutely freaking amazing! It touched something within me that resonated and I truly felt connected to this story so much. I was also bullied when I was younger, of course, not to the extent that Cecilia was but I know how you can feel. I felt her sorrow because I also felt it. I felt her pain and desolation because I also felt those emotions too.
In my eyes and I think that in many eyes when they read this story, Cecilia is such a strong character and I hated how she was treated and the reasons those people did it was so stupid, it frustrated me to no end! People could be so mean and heartless and only care for the superficial appearances, luckily Landon saw Cecilia for who she was, her inner pure light and genuine heart and to him, she was the most beautiful woman in the world, scars and all. I LOVED THAT <3 There are some obstacles that both need to overcome, especially Cecilia, in order to reach their happy ending but they do conquer these demons, both inner and outer, and get their beautiful, sexy as hell and awesome happily ever after <3 :)
I've got to give a shout out to the amazing author, K.L. Donn because she did such an incredible job with Bullied, which was the original to "Once Upon A Time", but I will admit I loved this new version of Bullied so much more. I felt every single emotion, both the good and the bad and only a great author can transmit that into their writing unto their readers and that's exactly what author, K.L. Donn did :) Major respect in the way Bullying was treated here, because everything that happens in this story can happen to many and it did happen to me and it was like this, bullying for no reason can cause so much emotional damage and can affect our believe in our self-worth. This story truly touched me and I know that it will do so for many more.
Guys, if you're being bullied, speak to someone, don't let those bad emotions to fester because it can cause irreparable damage. Talk to someone you can trust, don't let those bullies win. I know it's hard sometimes to be vulnerable in that way, trust me, I went through that and it wasn't easy at all but as I started as a victim, at the end, I became the victor because those bullies that with their words, speared my soul at times, couldn't destroy me like they probably intended, instead I grew stronger internally, and learned how to read people so I could learn who to trust because sometimes the people you think you can trust, sometimes, I'm not saying that this happens all the time but talking from experience, they're the ones to break that trust. Learn to trust your gut, sharpen those instincts and turn a deaf ear to those who are bullies because in reality, they're the ones are insecure about themselves that they have to bully other people to feel better about themselves and how their lives are going. You're much better than them and never doubt that! :)
I loved the way he loved her. Instalove possessive and protective heroes are my crack. so I would read it just for that but this one felt off to me. everything was OTT the bullying and her abuse, how meek and broken the h was and even how over the top the H became at first sight. The best way to explain it is it is like watching a movie that you like because it looks amazing but is made bad because the acting is so horrible. There didn't seem to be cohesion. Plot points like the h being afraid of being abandoned"again" but she had loving parents with no abandonment is mentioned early on. I sat literally scratching my head going did I miss something? flipped back a few pages nope ok moving on. The last 90% you find out they died two years prior which explained it but a little late.
The main bully was OTT evil H was OTT fixated on the h and pushing her into a relationship h was OTT broken
I actually got a little uncomfortable reading it because the h was so broken it seemed like the H was taking advantage of her rather than saving her.
Overall 3 stars just for being a trope I like. instalove love with protective H.
Maybe this one wasn't beta read? There was a lot of holes.
Standalone/Cliffhanger: Standalone Ages of H and h: H is 31 and h is 21 Multi-Luv'n/Ménages: Was There Descriptive Sex: Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM: >>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup: Contains Cheating: Amount of Sex In The Book: HEA/HFN/etc Ending: Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval: Any Triggers/Warnings: No >>Detail: N/A Do You Recommend This Book: Yes. Will You Re-read This Book: No Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes
My Thoughts I loved how crazy in love Landon was. I didn't love how Cecelia's bully didn't face any repercussions of her bullying? And I could it hard to imagine that Ashley's parents just sat by and did nothing? However, I would've liked to have both characters develop and tell us why they loved each other. It happened way to fast, the sex, the I love yous, more of a ONS.
An instalove story with OTT possessive alpha H. I liked the way the story went ahead with bullying issues. It somewhat helped readers to understand how hurtful and damaging it was for the victim. Though the idea was great, i felt that the flow didnt add up. Parts of the plot felt bit forced and rushed; even the ending. In my opinion, there are stories where all characters didnt have to make peace one another and that's fine; this story was one of them. I just hoped that it could have a different ending; a realist one. Not everything in this world had to be perfect, because we're all just a human.
Fast paced, sexy read with a sad theme running through it. Cecilia has had a sad life. Scarred physically from a car accident as a 3 yr old, she has been shunned and bullied all her life. Landon is the successful businessman who swoops in and saves her from the bullies. This book is very easy to read, the hero is a gorgeous , possessive loving man and Cecilia deserves someone so lovely. Real Cinderella themes in this one. No cheating & a lovely HEA.
Do you love OTT Alpha males and insta love? Then this book is for you. A very short story but so good! Cecilia Marks is a scarred and broken girl who is bullied nearly her whole life. I was so mad and sad for her because nobody ever stood up for her (Until Landon). Landon Powers like his last name is a powerful and rich man and falls head over heals in love with Cecilia. He was so protective and possessive with her. Loved that so much.
I like some of this but some part it felt like it went way to fast. I love Landon and Cecilia together. They were so cute together. And I loved the tropes in this but I felt like their relationship went a bit to quickly especially with her mental health.
After she had been hit and pushed down the stairs she’s so mentally unwell that it made the miraculous recovery unreal. I was happy Ashley got jail time for that but in the ending were she becomes close with BOTH of them was disappointing. Her brother I somehow get BUT Cecilia?? If I hade been that bullied I would not have wanted to be in the same room as my bullies even though they have paid for it. And that close to her brother after she did to his wife? I would not have forgiven her that quickly or even at all.
The next book is about Ashley but I don’t think I want to read it. I hate her and she should not even have a book. I dont want to read a book where the character have been a vicious bully and to the point where they abuse other leads or other people. I get in other books where there is violence and blood but I HATE bully romance and bullies.😡
•It was insta love and insta lust. • Very OTT and protective ML (Loved it) • Cecilia being bullied half her life which makes her have a low esteem and on the verge for depression.
KL Donn has a special way of making you feel the emotion she pours into her words. This was a fabulous read full of gritty emotion. Nell and Law will steal your heart and give you everything you are wanting in a great read.
Whelp, this one is painful to rate. While I love the idea of the H coming to save the h from bullies, I didn't like how it panned out, mainly because it's too unbelievable and unrealistic. None of the characters are acting in much of a reasonable or normal fashion, making it very difficult to get into the story with everything so contrived and exaggerated.
I'm not against insta anything, in fact, I love that our protagonists know what they want and how important that other person is to them right off the bat. I have a huge problem here though as this seems even more insta than my idea of insta, the H basically just did a mouth to mouth within minutes of meeting the h, then that very same night they more or less hopped into bed, after his having to track her down during the day. Okay....given h's experience and what she's been through all her life, I really find it unrealistic. This more or less sets the tone for the whole story, she'll become hesitant for that millisecond, then she'll be fine with whatever the H steamrolled her into. I just cannot reconcile a person that's brave enough to withstand years of bullying can be that casual about such a major decision, especially considering the H's relatives and who he is.
The H also comes off as very unnatural. He kept pushing her to do what he wants, without real consideration for her person. The girl's just been hurt, and they ending up rolling in bed 3 seconds after the doctor left...he also totally bypasses or ignores her real concern regarding his sister, which ended up with her being hurt. While slightly smutty dirty talking and slightly rough sexy times can be sexy in other books, this one actually just makes it worst. Given how abused she's been, I cannot fathom how he can talk to her like she's his slave or "slammed" her around when they're doing the dirty deed (err again right after she got hurt). So instead of enjoying some smutty sexy time, I cringed and just wanted to holler out to h to run forest run far far away from these people. This isn't love, this is possession with no regards to your person and no attempts to help and cherish you!
I know this is a really short book, so I cannot be expecting much in terms of plot development, but still...I don't get the reason our h is being bullied to begin with, and we were never explained in the end (in fact, there are tons of loose ends not explained). I also cannot fathom anyone doing such stupid things to "bully" the h and not even be slightly remorseful about it. I did read about another bullying book with the bullied h hurt, and that only is because things escalated and snowballed into having a mind of its own and went out of anyone's control, which I think makes a whole lot more of sense than the very weird situation here.
All in all, I'm very disappointed. This is quite an amateurish effort despite having a great idea. It seems Donn has a few favorite ideas and was just trying to cram them all in a book that's less than 100 pages, with not much thought to coherency or relevancy. I actually am pretty surprised by the high rating. It could have been a so much better book in my mind if this was done only slightly differently and with a longer length.
Of course I do not pretend to know how to write or that I'm right. I do appreciate having the opportunity to enjoy talented writer's books. I'm being quite harsh here hoping by honestly expressing my view that this will help with future books as being a good writer needs both imagination and words, and I think Donn's got it, just need practice and polish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
If a guy grabs you in a hallway calls you a goddess and started making out with you, what would you do pepper spray or swift kick to the balls? What if said stranger tells you that he is in love with you and you can never leave him? Oh, you give him your virgenity. Okay I see you went in a different direction there. But what if he was gone the next day and his sister tells you he played you. Seems legit since he never called after the main event. Then his little sociopath (pronounced sis-ter) has you beat up by male classmates until you're bloody and bruised day after day for three long PTSD inducing days!!! Oh. Move in with him, meet his parents, and drop out of college to stay in his home and do online classes, I see. So, you guys been together what 3-4 day now ? Sorry I'm sure you mentioned it already but the story rushed by so fast I think I have whiplash.
This was a very emotional read. This story is about two people who fell in love. In this story you meet a young man named Landon Powers. Landon walks back into college after ten years. He bumps into a young woman named Cecilia Marks. Cecilia was in a car accident as a young girl. She was left scarred in the accident. She was taunted in school viciously. Landon meets Cecilia and is instantly attracted to her.
Landon’s sister is terribly vindictive towards her. Cecilia is pushed down stairs and attacked. Landon’s sister is part of the abuse. Landon goes after Cecilia with his charm and seduction. Landon is well off and powerful. Cecilia falls for Landon. It was sad how she was treated in her life and by Landon’s sister. I didn’t like how Landon forgave his sister after all that she did to Cecilia. I don’t see how he would allow his sister around Cecilia after how she treated her. I think Landon was sweet to Cecilia.
BULLIED : Is about a young woman name Cecilia that has been bullied all her life just because she different. Thinking that things are going to be different in College instead they are worst , crueler , hurtful and painful . She meets London "Billionaire" which turns out to be the brother of her nightmare "The Bullly" Ashley is a bitch , nasty , spoiled and a total brat. Cecilia is a wonderful , strong and I am not going to take anymore type . Love the book how it was written and I know that the subject matter is one that some people shy away from but it happens every day I have personally lived it. Mz Donn Thank You for the opportunity to read your ARC Loved all your characters.
Received an ARC. KL Donn let the words flow and the heart speak on a topic that should be tackled more often. To be in a place of hurt by other people is a place to find strength. Cecilia spoke volumes and Landon was the light she needed to have her words be heard. These two had fabulous chemistry. Landon is so hot and Cecilia a young woman that wanted to be herself. To have a light shine so bright in your life is an exceptional find. Bullied lays it out there that there are people that can be cruel and there are people out there that cross our paths that will stand beside you and love you unconditionally. Stand strong, fight and survive. Find your light and believe! Well done KL Donn and Thank You for an amazing story with a lot of heat.
Possibly the most incoherent thing I've ever actually finished reading. Outrageously over the top in every way. Not just instalove, it's like microsecond love... And then sex approximately ten seconds after that. My jaw literally hung open as I read various parts of this because it was so insane. At least it was short.
OTT instalove can work, as long as it has a story attached that makes sense and features actual humans. I think if these characters had acted more like people and less like caricatures, this would have worked.
However,I reserve the right to read the next in the series because this was a crazy car wreck that I couldn't tear my eyes away from, and sometimes you just need that in your life.
An insta love story between a scarred and broken woman and a possessive determined alpha male. Cecelia and Landon's love story is a beautiful roller coaster. I love that KL addresses the issue of bullying because it is such a huge thing, and it can ruin someone's life. I was bullied in school all the time (although not nearly as badly as Cecelia) and I was never happier when I went off to college and got to start over. As always, KL's style is easy to read and flows perfectly. The only thing I felt was missing was Cecelia telling Landon how she got her scars. He seems to know but we never get to see them have that conversation which is something I wanted to see. Other than that, a perfect, quick read, insta love, semi-dirty ;) love story. I can't wait for the next one in the series!
Where is that golden button??!! I want to give more than Five Stars to Landon Motherf*ucking Powers and his goddess, Cecilia. My heart!! I swear I loved this the first time round but now with new content I FLOVE it!! I am a puddle of goo after watching Landon falls hard and fast at first glance, with Cecilia. He knows what he wants and what or should I say who he wants is Cecilia after a chance meeting. Total alpha, who will do anything to protect and possess Cecilia from the bullies who have made her life hell. I could not put this down, beautiful and heartbreaking at times, this couple took a hold of my heart and didn't let go.
Cecilia is a young woman who has suffered bullying almost her entire life - and just when she thinks she might get away from her tormentors, they quickly prove that thought wrong.
Landon sees her and is immediately intrigued by her and enraged at those who continue to make her life miserable and endangered.
This book tore at me since I'd like to think humanity is better than this, but I can too readily accept the plausible nature of the story.
All the feels and plenty of emotions later, Cecilia and Landon... well you'll have to read it for yourself. (See what I did there? No Spoilers! Seriously, read it!)