The Reality of Wanting My Bully

Love Without Labels #2

by Lexi Amber, Bec Benson

This contemporary reality show romance explores what happens when Kieran finds out he's been blindly dating his former bully on national television.

Kieran

Jace Ryan is such a cliché. The popular star baseball player who can get any girl he wants.

He’s also a close-minded jerk who can’t seem to understand why a guy would ever want to wear makeup.

He won’t leave me alone, claiming that what I choose to wear is distracting, that I’m a freak for being different. His bullying is annoying, and yeah, I might have been afraid once or twice, but I won’t let it get to me.

I won’t change who I am for anyone.

And despite what he might say in front of his friends, Jace doesn’t actually seem to hate me as much as he claims.

Especially when we’re alone and I’m on my knees for him.

Jace

I have a lot of regrets in life, but the way things blew up with Kieran Delaney thirteen years ago is at the very top of my list.

I’m sure he hasn’t thought about me since then, but not a day goes by that I haven’t wondered what might have been. It’s so easy to pretend like he’s still in my life when I can watch all of his videos, like all of his posts. Who knew he’d become so famous for the very thing I used to bully him for?

I signed up for Love Without Labels, a label-free dating show, in an attempt to finally get over him. When they took away my phone, I thought it would finally help me move on. I found someone new, someone who made me laugh and forget about Kieran. Someone who I thought I could have a future with. But when I met him in person, I realized it’s been him the whole time.

The man I hurt all of those years ago.

The man I’ve loved in silence ever since.

He might think things are fake between us, but I know this is my one chance to prove I’m not the same guy who broke his heart.

The Reality of Wanting My Bully is a 137k-word, dual-POV romance told in two parts. It’s based on real-life bullying set in 2010-2012. It is NOT a dark romance. It’s a story about the challenges of growing up without positive support, healing, forgiveness, and realizing that the people we were at eighteen aren’t the people we’re destined to become.

Genres: M M Romance

Kindle Edition

Expected publication December 4, 2025

About the author

Lexi is an American author who is obsessed with queer happily ever afters. Most of her time is spent with her two kids, but if they’re asleep then she is either reading, writing, or watching hockey.

Professionally trained as a nurse, Lexi decided to start writing when she became a stay at home mom and the characters in her head haven’t stopped talking since.

Lexi also loves Diet Coke, traveling, and Halloween. Her house is probably obnoxiously decorated for whatever holiday is next because she thinks that little things that make people smile are important.

You can find her attempting to stay up to date with all social media under the name Lexi Amber.

Reviews

[Lore · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

First of all, can we give a round of applause for this gorgeous cover? I’m usually more of a discreet-cover kind of girl, but Lexi and Bec picked the perfect model for Kieran and I’m honestly obsessed.

I really loved the authors’ take on a bully romance. Keeping it away from the dark-romance vibe made it feel refreshing and real. They handled those themes with so much care, and you can tell that getting an accurate representation was important to them. I genuinely have nothing bad to say about Part 1.

The reality-show setting is still amazing, just like in tRoWH. But with the added layer of them already knowing each other and the way things ended before, this book doesn’t even come close to feeling like book 1. It’s completely different in the best way. I loved the cameos from L and B, and seeing how Kieran and Jace reacted to everything thrown at them.

If Part 1 was Kieran’s time to steal my heart, then Part 2 was definitely Jace’s. I ate up all the groveling, the regret, and obsession, chapter after chapter. Jace is really something else, but honestly I can’t pick a favorite. They were both such well-thought-out characters.

The only part that fell a little flat for me was the last 20%. A few things felt rushed, and I needed more of Kieran’s inner thoughts to fully get where that switch flipped for him.

But overall? As always, I barely have anything negative to say about Lexi and Bec. They’re my Saxon and Eden, I’ll read whatever they publish, knowing I’m guaranteed a good time.

Tropes:
Second chance
bully romance (not dark romance)
obsessed mmc
mmc who wears make up
forced proximity
fake dating
texting without knowing it's them
grovelling

Spice:
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Info:
Characters: Kieran & Jace
Age: Part 1: 18 years old, part 2: 31 years old
Nicknames: Sparkles/baby
Pov: dual, 1st person
third act break up: no
Roles: verse

[anna_79_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kieran and Jace had all of my heart from the very first time I beta read their story. Now I have finished the arc of it and I still love them just as much!! Let me take a minute to just stare and appreciate the absolutely stunning cover!!

I love the way Lexi and Bec built this book, with the first part from High School to the second part where they are contestants in the reality tv-show. I devoured this book both times.

Lexi and Bec are amazing at making you get close to the characters and really feel for them. Even though Jace starts out as a bully I really felt sorry for him. His life isn't as easy as it seems. Kieran has an amazing family and a lot of support from home. I really love his parents and how supportive they are.

We get everything in this book. The angst, amazing chemistry, spice and so much emotions!! And of course we get to see a bit of Blake and Liam as well (from book 1).

Thank you for the epilogues!! They make this whole experience complete!!

Thank you for the beta/arc. My review is honest and voluntary!

[Toddles · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW COMING SOON

[Tonya ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Wow. Wow.

*arc review *

Absolutely LOVE THIS BOOK. Full review closer to release date.

[Mikaela (risqué.romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Reality Of Wanting My Bully -
Bec Benson & Lexi Amber
5♾️/5

* SPOILERS *

I devoured this book in less than a day because Jace and Kieran had me from start to finish. When two of my top authors of this year came out with their second book in this series, I literally had to stop what I was doing so I can get into this one.

I love that we got cameos from the last book. I love Blake and Liam so much. Blake is the best chicken daddy ever. I absolutely loved Joey and Patrick because they were exactly what Jace needed in his life. There was one chapter that I really did cry that I wasn’t expecting. I’m such a sap and I loved the surprise feelings.

I’ve read some books where authors go back and forth and it can be confusing sometimes. I loved how Bec started from Kieran and Jace’s past and then started in the present time. Every moment from the angst to the emotional moments and to the spice that we get was everything I could ask for.

And the epilogues were the perfect way to end this book. All I can say is cannot wait for the next book to come out.

There is a lot of growing up and owning up to mistakes in this lovely book. I loved that we got to see how some “bully situations” are written because to see how Kieran and Jace were in high school and to see them as adults was just so beautiful. To see someone how they once were because of certain situations and then to be a better person shows that people can truly change.

This is hands down one of the best bully romances I’ve ever read and I can see myself reading this all over again because it definitely angsty but it truly sucks you in.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Jessie Coughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt, emotional, and utterly captivating — I was enthralled from start to finish. 💔💫
Love Without Labels #2: The Reality of Wanting My Bully by Lexi Amber is a beautifully raw and deeply moving romance that grabbed my heart and refused to let go. From the first page, I was completely hooked on Kieran and Jace’s story a tale of regret, healing, and the messy, complicated nature of love.
Jace’s journey from bully to someone seeking redemption is written with nuance and depth. You can feel every ounce of his guilt, his longing, and his fear of losing the one person he truly cares about. Kieran’s perspective is equally compelling his strength, vulnerability, and emotional truth made me ache for him. Their dynamic is full of tension, sweetness, and emotional honesty that made it impossible to put the book down.
Lexi Amber’s writing draws you so close to the characters that every triumph, every heartbreak, and every moment of connection feels personal. I was completely entranced by their growth, the forgiveness they navigate, and the slow-burning romance that feels both real and inevitable.
This isn’t just a romance it’s a story about the scars left by bullying, the power of redemption, and the courage it takes to open your heart again. The family dynamics, the support, the emotional stakes everything came together beautifully.
💖🔥 I was captivated, entranced, and completely hooked. A passionate, emotional journey that will stay with me long after the last page.

[DeeReads412 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the first book in this series, so I was so excited when this one came out! And I was not disappointed!

While this story does end up with the filming of Love Without Limits, and we get the full story about Liam's friend JR (Jace), it is so much more than that!

This actually starts 15 years before the show films. We meet Kieran and Jace in their junior year of high school. To say they do not hit it off well is an understatement. Jace, having been taught that being different means being wrong, begins to bully Kieran. Kieran, remaining steadfastly true to himself, never lets the constant bullying change him. In fact, he soon challenges Jace to confront a few truths about himself, which ends with life-changing results.

Fast forward 13 years later, and they are both unknowingly on Love Without Limits together. It was so amazing to get to see them reconnect and blend past hurts with present feelings—the process of the show bringing them together again.

What starts out as a way to save face—faking a relationship—quickly turns into so much more when feelings that never left come to the surface.

This book shows that people really can change—or more accurately, in this case, stop being afraid of the person they truly are. That it's okay to be "different," and shows what success you can have when you remain true to yourself!

I loved this series from book one and now know it will remain one of my favorites. Can't wait to see what comes next... maybe in Vegas??

[Emma Capella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Reality of Wanting My Bully by Bec Benson and Lexi Amber was so worth the wait! After reading The Reality of Wanting Him—where we first meet Blake and Liam—and getting those delicious little teases of JR and KD, I was beyond excited to finally get their full story.

Let’s start by saying I’m a total bully romance junkie, and I’m critical when it comes to the reasoning and growth behind the bully characters. This book absolutely knocked it out of the park, hitting every single thing I look for and expect in a good bully romance.

We got it all: the initial meeting, the confusing emotions and lashing out, the realizations, and the post-realization interactions that showed so much character growth. I just loved Jace—loved to hate him, then loved to love him.

And Kieran… what a remarkable character. His resilience, his refusal to compromise who he is, and his sass—I adored his ✨sparkly✨ personality from start to finish.

I honestly didn’t think anyone could compete with my love for Blake in this series, but BB and JD have officially stolen my heart.

Lexi and Bec have become quick favorites of mine, and I eagerly await for everything they write!
So excited to see where the series goes from here!

[Shruti Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bully romance where the bullied lead's self-worth and common sense are not compromised in the name of romance.

The main characters are exceptional; their stories are moving, emotional, and thoroughly engaging. Kieran is portrayed with both strengths and vulnerabilities, embracing his true self without apology. Jace’s transformation from a bully to someone seeking forgiveness is depicted with subtlety and complexity. Every bit of his remorse, yearning, and fear of losing the person he truly loves comes through vividly. The relationship between them brims with tension, tenderness, and honest emotion, making the book truly unputdownable.

Romance and chemistry, both in the past and present, were beautifully presented with lots of heart and heat. Dividing the story into two sections makes it straightforward to follow and allows readers to see the progression of Kieran and Jace’s relationship over time, and there was lots of spice, but the kind that enhances the story, not hinders it.

The reality show element didn’t take up much space in the story, which I really appreciated. Instead of centering on the reality show drama, the author focused more on developing and healing the main characters’ relationship.

All in all, this is an emotional yet uplifting bully romance.

[Steven Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Reality of Wanting My Bully is the second book of the “Love without Labels” series. This is Kieran’s (KD) and Jace’s (JR) story, which authors Lexi Ambers and Bec Benson have told beautifully. This is a bully to lovers’ story that was told in a way that felt heavy at times but not “dark”. The first half of their story takes place in high school when Kieran decides to live his life how he wants. (wearing make-up) Unfortunately that’s when he becomes Jace’s target/obsession. Written in alternating chapters duel POV, which personally is best in my opinion when you have two MCs. While this can be read as a standalone, I personally think you should read the first book in this series. The Reality of Wanting Him, I think it sets up the show better and you understand the other characters more. This was another book that was hard to put down, and I will absolutely read again in the future. This wasn’t the spiciest book from these authors, but I feel like it was good for the story that was being told. I mean it isn’t like “quiet missionary”.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Magne Einar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love absolutely everything about this book! The way it’s structured into two parts makes it so easy to follow and really helps you understand how things between Kieran and Jace developed over time. Both characters are written so well — I could truly see where each of them was coming from. I understood why Jace did what he did and why he’s trying so hard to make things right, but at the same time, as someone who has experienced bullying myself, I deeply related to Kieran. I honestly don’t think I could’ve forgiven my bully either. Both of them are such strong characters, and I’m pretty sure this book will end up being one of my highlights of the year.

And can we talk about the message? “Makeup is for everyone.” I adore that so much. Who says men can’t wear makeup? I love how unapologetically Kieran owned that part of himself. Even though he’s a fictional character, he’s such an inspiring example of self-expression and confidence.

[Henna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freaking loved this one!
We got to see how two characters grow separately and together, own up to their past mistakes, and come to themselves. This is a lovely story about personal growth, staying true to who you are, and fight for the ones you love.
I cried, and laughed, and I think my blood pressure wasn't happy with me for the hours I spent reading this book.
I wanted to hug both Kieran and Jace. Kieran was such an awesome character, just wanting to live authentically. And Jace didn't understand his own feelings because he was never shown love and support.
Joey and Patrick were great, and it was lovely to see more of Liam and Blake.
This story will stick with me for a long while.

[Danni C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader Copy.

I like that the story was broken up into two parts: Past and Present. It gave us a chance to learn how Kieran and Jace came to be and then fell apart. We got to grow with them and break with them. My heart hurt for them when the inevitable happened. I understand Kieran's thought progress at that age and what he was going through. It made sense but it still hurt. It was great to see them get their second chance even though Kieran was stubborn, but understandable. I am glad they finally communicated and let themselves love each other again. Such a beautiful story.

[Han. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh, you're trying to kill me. All i thought all the way through this book was protect both these boys at all cost. 😭

I've always been drawn to bully romances for some reason, maybe it's the masochist in me, however, this book had something special. A coming-of-age, bi-awakening, enemies to lovers mm romance between two high school boys, who are discovering who they are. Jace, who is going through his own hell with his dad, and Kieran, who just wants to express himself. Yes, it's a bully romance but no, it's not dark. Bit uncomfortable, maybe and triggering for some, perhaps, but honestly, I think it was written beautifully. I need more books like this in my life!

[Bryoni Jayde]

Beta read, full review to come after release when I read the published version

[T]

Beta read

[Brittney Kane]

Beta read

[Rod Lujano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book so much.

Jace and Keiran are perfect

[Christina Sturgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5/5 🌟
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Characters: Kieran and Jace

RTC closer to release date.

[Ashtyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

*arc review*
4.5/⭐️
2.5/🌶️

[Lea Branov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rtc

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review, RTC closer to release date. ✨🖤

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy fecking HELL!! If I could give this book more stars I would! One of the best books I've read this year and did you see that hot AF cover?

RTC