All the hate. All the fights. All the steamy sex. We’re taking enemies to lovers to a whole new level.
Whether male or female, human or supernatural, high school or adult, bullies come in all shapes and sizes. We love to hate them. It’s especially gratifying when they crash heads-over-heels in love with the very person they’ve been mistreating. Bring on the groveling and the make-up sex and decide if these bullies can be redeemed.
This anthology brought bully romance to a whole new level. I both loved and hated this book. In the end I couldn’t put it down. Since there are several stories in this book I feel like I need to review them each individually.
My Dirty Secret by Nikki Young and Beth Hendrix was a quick little teaser about a girl trying to help her drug addict mom and get through college. The way it ended leaves you wanting more and I can’t wait to see how it progresses.
This can’t be us by L.E. Bross. A story about two kids stuck between a family feud that has lasted decades. Neither of them are to blame for the crimes committed to each others families but they are are stuck all the same. Roman secretly pines for Jules. While Jules avoids contact with any of his family. When Jules finds herself in a dire situation Roman saves her and starts to show her that he isn’t like the rest of his family. This story was both heartbreaking and heart warming. It shows in the end that your family and acquaintances don’t define you.
The reason by Evelyn Masters. This was a short read about a girl who was bullied so badly she tried to take her own life. While recovering she and a friend plot revenge against the people who wronged her. When she returns to school the bullying starts back up but she finds the evidence she needs to get back at the people who bullied her. There was a definite cliffhanger and I can’t wait to read further installments.
Rogue Roots by Deborah Alexander. A story about a girl who is endlessly tormented by a group of guys at the restaurant where she works. Then, one day, something changes and she finds that not all of them are so bad. It’s a sweet story about people making the best out of their horrible pasts.
Hush little wolf by A.C. Pontone. When tragedy befalls Haylee she is forced to live with a man and his three sons. The sons make her life hell, all while hiding a secret that could change her world forever.
Guilt by associates by Rieka Eli. A short about suicide, betrayal and abuse. I really ate this story up, can’t wait to see how it continues.
Infernum Academy by Alexis Taylor and Axel James. I really enjoyed this one. Neive is trying to clear her family’s sullied name after getting accepted into an academy for magic users. It’s going to be harder than she thought. I need more of this story! Now!
Omega secrets by A.C. Wilds. This was my favorite story in the anthology. An omega wolf who is a badass and knows what she wants and needs. She comes out of her shell and doesn’t let anyone take her for granted.
The vicious by Joely Sue Burkhart. This short story was excellent. I love all things voodoo and New Orleans folklore. I need this to be a full book! After being murdered a woman is given the power to exact her revenge on her ex!
My review is based on Joely Sue Burkhart's "Vicious"!!!
What's really refreshing, is the authors take on the popular bully romance genre. It's not more of the same, and through that this book demands to be in its own league.
The story is short, too short! Not because it's not wrapped up in a satisfactory way, but because I'm greedy and I want more!! I want to know what happens next. I want to know more about her new role in life - or the afterlife.
I got absolutely sucked into each of these stories. When I got to the ends and it said to be continued I was like noooo I must have more. I hope they finish these stories they were amazing.
I usually have a hard time with short stories. But I enjoyed every story in this anthology.... I really hope these authors all extend their stories because I want to read them all further. A definite recommendation if you enjoy bully romance.
This is a review for Hush, Little Wolf by A C Pontone. I really liked the idea of the book, but I did got a disappointed for not seeing a little more of a backbone in the FMC.
My dirty secret by Nikki Young and Beth Hendrix, was amazing, and a bit gritty and I can't wait to see what happens next with is story.
This can't be us by L.E Bross, I really liked this it was harsh and sweet, when it was over I wanted more.
The reason by Evelyn Masters, this story just about broke my heart, the poor female character, I am absolutely going to get the full book when it comes out, can't leave this story hanging.
Rogue roots by Deborah Alexander, I liked this one it was so good, bullying turned to love with a bit of excitement thrown in.
Hush little wolf by A.C Pontone, great story, this one kept me guessing they hate her, they want her, they hate her, constant back and forth. Absolutely loved how this one worked out.
Guilty by association by Risks Eli, this story left me hanging, I was really getting in to it then I read to be continued, now I have to wait for the whole book to come out to see what happens next, can't wait.
Infernum academy by Alexis Taylor and Adel James, I loved this story, full of intrigue and suspense. But it left me hanging again can't wait for the full book.
Omega secrets by A.C Wilds, I really enjoyed reading this story, it was rough and exciting, then sweet and kind. Wouldn't mind more of this story.
The Vicious by Joely Sue Burkhart, this was definitely a great story, and I hope Joely expands on this on would love to read more of this.
Absolutely fell in love with the characters in this book. This book gave me a taste of a story that will keep me coming back.
When haylee is adopted and forced to move in with a new family. It's not anything like she expected, especially not when it comes to the three new guys she has to share a home with now. Ryan, Noah and Jacob do not like the new girl they are forced to live with thanks to their dad. But do they hate her and the secrets they have to keep or is it more.
I instantly connected with the characters and it sucked me into the story. Haylee wants to win over the guys and tries to play nice, but even she has a point where she can't take anymore. I like that we get the guys POVs as well, it helps to see how they are feeling.
Great book.... hopefully it gets made into a book. Because I'm sure Mya isn't through.
Another story I enjoyed: this is us by l.e bross I really enjoyed this modern day take on the Hatfield and the McCoy. Gotta love a good family rivalry. Sometimes the people that you hate arnt who you think they are. This comes to light in this story. When Jules and Roman find they might be each other's liferaft, we they grab ahold or not. I liked the different relationships that we got to see in this story, not only with the MC but the supporting relationships as well.
I really enjoyed this anthology...keep it coming guys
Oh this short story scratched an itch I've been having! It was wonderfully unique and absolutely satisfying. It was dark, yes, but no triggers in my opinion, and plenty of paranormal elements that worked so well. It was a revenge and vigilante tale that fits the bully mode but in an unexpected way.
Karissa has discovered a new world and it has empowered her.
"My rage. I could feel my fury bubbling up inside me like a volcano. On the outside, I seemed normal and unaffected by the serial rapist blatantly targeting me, but on the inside… I burned with the fiery fury of countless women who were done being told to smile by men they didn’t know. Who were afraid to be rude to a man because of what he might do. Or worse, who’d trusted someone— like a husband or police officer— and paid for that mistake with their lives."
Karissa could be talking about any of us women and therefore the story is infinitely relatable. I loved the devious way it ended, and it just made me clap. Stories like this make us women smile with crazy glee and then look around them to be sure no one is listening or watching.
I picked up this anthology coz of Joely Sue Burkhart's The Vicious and I only read this story as well as My Dirty Secret by Nikki Young and Beth Hendrix. So, I will only review the two books that I read.
The Vicious by Joely Sue Burkhart
3.75 Stars
Okay. So, are we getting a new series from this story? I love that Joely writes from a point of folklore/history as the Barons are part of the Guede and Loa beliefs which are a part of New Orleans.
I hope we are getting a series from this. The story was good but too short. It didn't resolve anything, just set up the characters for a greater story.
In short, I want more of this, with smut included.
My Dirty Secret by Nikki Young and Beth Hendrix
2 Stars
Again, another book left unresolved. It gave no insight into who the boys were (and they were acting like boys) or where the story was going.
And the fact that out of nowhere, they were calling Amy a slut for dancing in a club, over reaction much.
Didn't feel this story. It seemed too rushed and was leading nowhere.
As a result of reading this two books, I did not feel like going forward with the other stories in the book.
Every story is anger inspiring, huge disappointment.
It's anger inspiring not just because ever story ends in a cliffhanger, but it's says to be continued ,you go to the author page and nothing continues no information to finish the story's that have barely begun to just end. Don't get me wrong I understand that the purpose of these completion books is to give to a taste of different stories as well as different authors. This book was nothing more than pieces of stories or books that the author seemed to start then just decided not to finish. Such a let down, some of these were really intriguing and I would have like to have at least had one finish. It's bad enough most of the time these types of books get you interested in a story that you just want more details on characters or back stories or just more of them but this was just a giant tease with a promise of a great finish ,then ultimately a let down.
Collection of short stories involving some from of bullying
All I can say is these stories weren't enough to satisfy my craving. I need closure! If it didn't end on a cliffhanger then it just ended just after a scene. So many good and talented writing that I wanted more. Becoming involved in the characters and their drama I wanted restitution and payback. I don't tolerate bullying - good natured teasing yes but not meanness or actions filled with hate and evil. Shaping a person is important and to have the underdog strike back makes me giddy and justified. Each mini-book I wrote my thoughts and main impressions in my kindle. But hopefully someday I'll be able to finish reading the rest of these characters and what their final outcome is. It promises to be an interesting ride.
Tormented is a collection of short novellas from its participating authors which centers to one trope, bully romance. This specific trope seems to be the rave right now and I, for one, couldn't get enough of it. I will add more review once I'm done reading, but for now it will be for "My Dirty Secret" and "The Vicious".
My Dirty Secret by Nikki Young and Beth Hendrix So, this was a prequel and told the story of Bellamy or Amy, who had to work at a club to pay off her mother's debt. When she went off to college, she didn't know that her secret will be found out until the arrival of 3 gorgeous guys in her life. The story was promising and with that ending, I'm very intrigued to read what happens next.
The Vicious by Joely Sue Burkhart Man, I want more! Set in New Orleans, I love the dark, creepy undertone on this novella and I seriously want the full length of this. Ms. Burkhart never fails to amaze me with her storytelling, and this one was sooo good!
I wasn’t sure if I should give three stars or four. I decided three because, while the stories I read held my interest, some ended on a cliffhanger. I really wanted to know what happened but the book isn’t on the authors’ websites. I think I was mainly disappointed because I thought these were complete stories. The good thing is you can read a story in one sitting when you don’t have much reading time. I really liked the one where the guy, Roman, rescues Jules from the snowstorm and she is stranded with him. Their families are arch enemies like the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s. There were a few typos in the books I read but not enough to bother me. All in all it was worth reading in KU. If I would’ve paid full price, I think I would’ve really been disappointed. Sorry guys. You are all still great authors.
A huge craze right now is the bully romance genre. Whether you have been reading bully for awhile or brand new to the genre Tormented is a great book for you. It gives you some nice novella sized samples of some great bully romances. Some of the stories in the collection end with a to be continued, and I can't wait to see where some of those go! All of the stories were great and completely different. A couple of my favorite were This Can't Be Us by L.E. Bross, The Reason by Evelyn Masters, Infernum Academy by Alexis Taylor and Axel James, and The Vicious by Joely Sue Burkhart. I would definitely recommend this anthology to anyone who loves bully or wants to give it a try, this book would be the way to do just that!
Sweet baby Jesus and bacon. This story is dark but oh so good. Karissa is broken down and you see why in the story. However her strength is there. You glimpse it. Just a little taste. The men? I dont care. I want them. Yes sir. I do. They're aggressive and alpha yet protective. I actually loathe that it's an anthology story only for the fact that I want to know more, read more. I am obsessing over this. I love the idea of a New Orleans based story and I need this to he a series because one full length book will not quench the thirst I now have.
Warning this anthology has triggers, so if you are sensitive to things this is not something you want to read.
Now for those who like bully romance, dark series than this is a one stop shop. Keep in mind the stories included in this anthology are short and leave with a cliffhanger. For me, I need more of these stories like yesterday. They are heart wrenching, unpredictable, tingling and more. I was literally on edge through this whole book. I was captivated by how each author pulled me in the story. I loved every but if it. There were a few typos but the amazing stories a made up for that.
No spoilers of any kind included. So many amazing authors in this anthology that there’s no way that I could talk about each story. So this is all I’m going to say and that is even though I’m not a fan of bully romance, I actually enjoyed reading these stories because each author wrote them in a way that I want to see more of the characters again. So it’s going to be a yes I most definitely do recommend Tormented to anyone who is searching for some awesome short stories to get lost in. But fair warning these stories are not for anyone who has a history of being bullied in the past, so I’m going to say enter at your own risk because there are triggers included.
*loads of triggers in different stories, as bully tends to *mostly happy endings and some hunger inducing cliff hangers
So I’m not a huge fan of bully romance. To me, it seems the FC endure and have to be strong,always bending. It seems the boorish jerk MC still always get the FC when they should really get prosecuted. But these short stories, though variations of dark, were enjoyable to read and enticing enough to make me want more. If you enjoy bully romance I think you’ll enjoy them even more
I enjoyed this book. Some of these stories were absolutely amazing and others I could take em or leave em...but all in all a good read. This book is for those who like bulky romance only. If this is your first bully romance this might be the one for you since the stories are short or unfinished. So get this read it and if u are new to bulky welcome if u are a long time bulky fan hipe u enjoy 2. I did.
I was lucky enough to get a arc copy of vicious ! The book was shorter than I thought it would be and I’m so ready for the next one bexcuse the characters are amazing and the storyline was so unique and interesting ! I love how this author writes you really feel like your in the story, please release the next vicious book soon ❤️ If you like supernatural romance with a bit of gore I would recommend this book !
Excellent anthology, compiled short stories based in bully romance genre.
I dont usually fo for short stories and anthologies as i like a good lengh solid book. But this was very enjoyable.
I fully hope that some of these short storoes were almost an introduction to something much more. I would love to read on and spend more time with the characters.
Fully recommend these if you like bully romance you'll enjoy these.
Wow! I freaking love all of these stories in this book! The only thing i didn't like about it was that there wasn't more to each story and they all left me wanting more which isn't a bad thing. I do hope the authors add more and publish as a whole book. I went through a while bunch of emotions; laughing,crying,angry,sad,happy etc. This book deserves way more than t stars!! Great job to all of th authors
This entire collection was amazing. Each story had it's own great style and I wasn't disappointed.
I'd love to shout out for a couple of amazing authors in this collection. L.E. Bross-- your story of forbidden love and enemies to lovers is amazing. I loved the way it started and how it unfolded. AC Wilds-- amazing shifter tale! I've always loved wolf shifters and this was no exception. I'm eager to see how it plays out if you continue the story.
This review is for A.C. Pontone's - Hush, Little Wolf, This is such a lovely short story. I fell in love with the characters and I wish there was more to read. Haylee has had a crap start to life and now she is thrown into the deep end. Will she make it to the other side, unhurt or damaged? There was real chemistry between the characters. It really was a great short read.
The tormented anthology was a surprising read. Each story really complemented the theme of the previous one. I did have a few favourites, Omega secrets by A.C. Wilds, Hush little wolf by A.C. Pontone and the Vicious by Joely Sue Burkhart as I have a soft spot for the paranormal. Would love to see these stories continue in a full novel.
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**
This is an amazing anthology by a great group of authors. Each author takes their own spin on a bully romance and I am craving more. I loved the story by Joely Sue Burkhart because it is set in my hometown of New Orleans and I loved that twist on the lore of the city. I really hope that she makes this a longer book at some point because I would love to read it.
I got this book to read The Vicious by Joely Sue Burkhart and the other books were really good too. I love anything written by Joely. She is such a damn good author. I really hope this story is continued because holy smokes I know this could be a phenomenal series! I love revenge stories and when one of my favorite authors writes it, I love it even more!
I've read My Dirty Secret by Nikki Young and Beth Hendrix - Its a short story about Bellamy who has to work as a stripper to pay off her drug-addict mother's debts and to afford college. She rooms with Sven, Rhett, and Bain who immediately have a distaste for her. I can't wait to read more of this story.
I will update as I read each book. This is a review for The Vicious by Joely Sue Burkhart. Well!!! I devoured this from start to finish and couldn't put it down. I'm so invested and cant wait to see where Joely takes it.