Monster Bully

by Sam Crescent

From the moment Grim looks at Eve, he knows he wants her. All of his life, he has only known true evil. It was why he was able to rise the ranks and become the man that he is today. No one dared to betray him. If they did, they only knew him to be cruel, a true monster—a bully.

All she did was help a stranger. A man with a flat tire.

One date turned into another, and now, she is married to the love of her life. Only, Grim is not who he says he is.

One year, Eve thought she was married to a respectable business man called Graham. He’s called Grim, and there is nothing good about him. She now knows the truth. He is a dangerous man, and she wants a divorce. The only problem is, she is still in love with him. He is no different from the man she married.

Grim will not let her go without a fight. But while focusing on his wife, an enemy has risen up. When they threaten his wife, there is no holding back. He promised his wife he would protect her. Anyone who threatens her, will be dead.

Will Eve be able to forgive and finally accept who her husband is?

Genres: Romance, Novella, Contemporary, Crime, Dark, Contemporary Romance, Short Stories

108 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 12, 2024

About the author

Sam Crescent is passionate about fiction. She loves a good erotic romance and so it only made sense for her to spread her wings and start writing. She began writing in 2009 and finally got that first acceptance in 2011 by Total-E-Bound.
She loved creating new characters and delving into the worlds that she creates. When she’s not panicking about a story or arguing with a character, she can be found in her kitchen creating all kinds of havoc. Like her stories the creations in the kitchen can be just as dubious but sometimes things turn out great.

Reviews

[CriSsStina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

** possible small spoilers**

Soooo, this was on the sweet side of mafia? He was some sort of a mafia, something like that, boss, in his city. He rulled the underground illegal stuff happening in the city. He never loved anyone and never was loved by anyone, not even his family, since he grew up in foster care. So when our heroine shows him unconditional goodness, he falls fast, hard, and forever.

There's some conflict because, of course, he hides who he is. She finds out, then some drama happens. They make up after a few weeks that culminate with her being in danger because of his enemies. He, of course, saves her then voila, happy ending with them and their family ten years later.

Overall, I liked both of them. The plot was entertaining, but I felt like a few things were so cliché. Like she's, of course, a V, he's experienced, but never was in a relationship. They both were lonely, she lost her family, and he never had one. Their relationship, eventually, is adorable, but the reminders on her body type were annoying, actually. I liked how he loved her, for a person that didn't know how to express himself he really tried and succeeded to make her happy.

There's no bullying anywhere in this book, in my opinion. He is a monster, just not to her 🤭. A monster with morality when it comes to whatever illegal stuff he dabbles his fingers into.

Even though it wasn't perfect, I'll continue trying this author's books. Most times, these reads are quick, interesting, and manage to entertain me 😁.

What to expect
- age gap (40 H, 25 h)
- insta everything on his side, especially, with their relationship in the first year being off page; they date for 6 months and then they have their wedding; the actual action of the book starts one year later after their first meeting when she finds out about who he really is and the drama starts
- he is bad, she is a very good girl 🤭 *pun intended
- spicy, not overdone, no cheating, they are their other person from the moment they met
- quick, fast-paced read
- HEA, epilogue, 10 years later


.
.
.

"She slid out of the small gap she had made, which was actually a good size, because she still needed to squeeze her ass through. She didn’t close the door, for fear of what noise it would make."

This type of statement was annoying to me. Why does it matter in that moment that she's on the bigger size!? Just say she opened the door, slid out the room, and easily closed the door. There, easy! As a bigger girl, this got on my nerves!!! 🙄 I'm probably over analyzing, so this one is on me. I assume it shouldn't be an issue for most other readers 🤷‍♀️🤭.

[Viv “BookVixen” Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

when a bad man loves a good woman

Loved this one!

The hero is a bad deal, jaded and cruel and nothing gets in his way. When he sees the kind and caring heroine, he is entranced by her goodness and can’t keep away. Hes never known anyone with such a good heart and he wants to keep her for himself.


Safe. Hero’s past is briefly mentioned, he was a manwhore but was faithful to heroine from the day he meets her. Heroine is a virgin and belongs only to her hero. No others, no cheating or sharing or abuse between MCs. WARNING: graphic on page description of violence and torture of heroes enemies. On page violence against heroine (threat of SA, but no actual) HEA with epilogue years out.

[Kate V · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 - 3.5 stars!

The day Graham lays eyes on Eve, he knows he wants the innocent and kind beauty as his. So he pursues Eve and they fall in love. But soon Eve discovers that the man she married may be Graham but he’s also Grim. He wasn’t completely honest with Eve about the other life he leads. It will take everything for Grim to prove to Eve that they’re meant to be together.

”You are going to see that leaving me is not an option. Right now, you’re hurt, and I accept that, but I’m not letting you go. You’re mine, Eve.”

These two have a lot to work through and quite honestly I thought Eve forgave him way too quickly. But the book was also short. I liked Grim and his alphaness and possessiveness. Eve was sweet and I liked her well enough. At least she knew what she wanted which I appreciate that in any heroine.

”She loves the feel of him surrounding her. She was never going to let him go. “I’d like a lifetime with you,” Eve said.”

Overall, a pretty good read. However, I did feel like I just kind of got dropped into the middle of a story with these two. Quick and smutty, I always enjoy Sam’s reads.

ARC provided for an honest review.

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monster Bully by Sam Crescent is the story of Grim looks at Eve. Grim has come from nothing to be something. Grim is around 40 and when he meets Eve he is shocked by how sweet and innocent she seems. Grim knows that she is the light to his darkness which leads him to want her more than anything. Enjoyed.

[TheReaderVert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm

Typical Sam Cresent but something in the story seemed lacking. It had all of the markers bit the romance felt a little contrived and mostly tell not show. We were told about their romance arc but we didn't see it for ourselves. The FMC being upset for most of the book hindered the novella vibes and she seemed sooo perfect. Too perfect. In several ways the MMC felt too perfect as well. He's a bad guy but not that type of bad guyism that feels neutured in Dark romances.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just loved Grim. The love he has for Eve is amazing. He definitely does not take any crap from anyone and has no problem doing his own dirty work. The softer side Eve brings out in him even surprises him and it was beautiful to see. She is definitely the good to his bad and the light to his dark.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carolina]

𝑵𝒐 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒆𝒓𝒐 𝒒𝒖𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒆 𝒎á𝒔. 𝑵𝒐 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒆𝒓𝒐 𝒒𝒖𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒂𝒅𝒂 𝒎á𝒔 𝒒𝒖𝒆 𝒕ú. 𝑵𝒐 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒆𝒓𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒆, 𝒏𝒊 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒆. 𝑸𝒖𝒊𝒆𝒓𝒐 𝒆𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒈𝒐. 𝑵𝒐 𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂 𝒔𝒊 𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒐 𝒐 𝒔𝒊 𝒎𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒆 𝒆𝒏 𝒖𝒏𝒂 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒂 𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆. 𝑻𝒆 𝒂𝒎𝒐, 𝒕𝒐𝒅𝒐 𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒊. 𝑵𝒐 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒆𝒓𝒐 𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒏 𝒏𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒆 𝒎á𝒔 𝒒𝒖𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒈𝒐. —𝑬𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏ó 𝒔𝒖𝒔 𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒐𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒔 𝒅𝒆 é𝒍. —𝑻𝒆 𝒂𝒎𝒐, 𝑮𝒓𝒊𝒎. 𝑴𝒖𝒄𝒉í𝒔𝒊𝒎𝒐.

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grim (H40), a man entrenched in darkness and criminality, finds himself drawn to Eve's (h25) innocence and kindness. Their whirlwind romance leads to marriage, but Eve discovers Grim's true nature—a dangerous man with a dark past. Despite her love for him, she seeks a divorce, but Grim is determined to keep her by his side. As their relationship faces challenges and threats from Grim's enemies, Eve must reconcile her feelings for the man she once thought she knew. Hot and steamy intense romance exploring love, forgiveness, and the complexities of relationships amidst a backdrop of danger and intrigue.

[Vickie Chaisson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the epitome of how opposites can attract. She is the lightness to his dark, good to his evil, sunshine to his grumpiness, naive to his jaded. One thing we know for sure is the H/h love each other completely. He wants to keep her safe and for her to never experience the evil forces of the world. Some would say the plot is simplistic and unrealistic but I say that there is good and evil in everyone. This was a quick read full of spice, love, and acceptance. This author writes in and concise and riveting manner and you will be hard pressed to but the book down before the end. There may be trigger points for some. Be sure to check before reading.

I received an advanced review copy for free and this is my voluntary review.

[Laura Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helping a stranger changed Eves life. Grim was hooked from the first sight and was determined to make Eve his.
Fast paced romance. He hid who he was from her so that the dark part of his life didn't touch her. But in the end the two collided and she found out what her husband is really like. But could she stand by his side and fully accept him.

[Magnafeana · Rating 2 out of 5]

A 2.25-star read on a dark bully age-gap romance

DISCLAIMER: I received this ARC via BookSirens in exchange for an honest review. All my thoughts are my personal opinions.

SUMMARY

When Grim met stranger “good” Eve, he knew her light would drown in his darkness—and he didn’t care. For Eve, Graham Doe is a little odd, but he’s charming in his own way. And for both of them, marriage becomes a natural conclusion to their romance.

Until one year later showed Eve her husband was nothing more than a lie.

Now Eve is trapped with this mysterious, murderous Grim, and Grim is stranded as his wife is desperate to leave him. Whether Eve likes it or not, Grim won’t let her leave.

And he won’t let anyone who touches her leave alive either.

***

* **Found On**: BookSirens (ARC)
* **Available On**: Amazon (US)
* **Audio**: N
* **Genre(s)**: bully romance, (semi) dark erotic romance
* **Demographic**: Adult
* **Page Count**: 108 pages
* **Tropes**: secret identity, cruel MMC, virtuous FMC, strangers to lovers to enemies to lovers, fast burn
* **POV**: dual, past
* **Reproduction**: Y
* **Third Act Conflict**: External
* **Intimacy**: sexual intimacy w/ penetration (graphic), sensual (minor), emotional (minor)
* **Standalone**: Y
* **Connected to Other Works**: Y
* **Other Notes**: negative depictions of care homes, “when women refuse”, entrapment (MMC to FMC), abuse, body betrayal syndrome, murder/death of side characters, assault (FMC), blood
* **Personal Rating**: 2.25 ⭐️ | 0 🌶 | ♨️|

***

CHARACTERS

Grim/Graham Doe. Foster kid. Self-proclaimed “evil”. Cruel. OTT J/P. 2.5 ⭐️

Eve. “Good”. Helpful. Determined. Sees the best in people. Body betrayal syndrome. No flaws. 2.5 ⭐️

***

OVERALL

The story’s net positive was in its summary. I’m a sucker for bully romances and dark romances. Learning this one would be about a man who lured in an unsuspecting but trusting woman to be his wife under his carefully-crafted persona, only for the illusion to shatter, and she’s trapped with him?

My bread and butter.

Unfortunately, I think I lost the plot.

This is a fast burn and something I wouldn’t read, as well as very intense with things being black and white. Rather than the audience also falling for the illusion Grim set up, falling in love with him as Eve does, we’re notified point-blank he’s a “bad guy” in a bit of a Jojo Siwa “Karma” way. He emphasizes how cruel, evil, and uncaring he is, while Eve is perfectly perfect in every way. “Good” and “Evil” are used a lot. From Eve, the most I understood from her is that she’s “good” and easily fooled, and, while she’s in dismay about her husband lying to her, she’s not really wanting to escape him. There’s no struggle with her morality or ethics in staying with him either.

This being around 20 or so pages too many from being a novella coupled with my complaints may have led me to having a lower rating.

I’m not a fast-burn reader, so I cannot appreciate this pseudo-novella. As a dark romance, dark erotica, and dark fiction reader, I would have preferred a fleshed 300-page novel or so, in which in the beginning, we’re in Alice’s perspective, and we see what she sees in “Graham Doe”. We fall for him, though we sense something about him is dangerous, and, at the moment, that excites her. From there, we follow Alice in her marriage with “Graham” and all the intimate details. We also get to where Eve is kidnapped, and she’s doused with the reality her husband is Grim. From there, I could be satisfied in either splitting between Grim and Eve’s perspectives or keeping this in Eve’s point of view. We’re all left on the edge of our seat, not understanding Grim but recognizing his actions are very considerate and romantic towards Eve.

This was a bit of a disappointing read, as I was in the mood for something dark and depraved, and it tricks your mind into believing one thing and then shocking you into another. I wouldn’t necessarily classify this under bully romance as “bully” is self-prescribed by the MMC of how he treats others. He’s not a bully towards the FMC at all, which is a shame. I like bully romances ☹️

BOTTOM LINE: This book is for fast-burn novella readers who want something that doesn’t linger too much on the emotional beats and is very cut-and-dry with “good” and “bad”. Not the book for me, but it could be the book for you.

[Avid · Rating 1 out of 5]

The more I see from this author, the more I am convinced that all of her stories are self-inserts. I am sure that the author is a “chubby”, “curvaceous”, or “fat” woman. Perhaps, she is even vegan. All her heroines are the same person again and again and again.

Also, through her writings, it is clear that the heroines suffer from eating disorder. They are somehow always eating, and not in a healthy way. In this story for instance, there are moments where the author goes on and on, during paragraphS, about junk food. I have read my fair share of books where food is used as a plot device, or simply is present, but in S.C’s writings, food turns into an issue. I wonder if she even notices it. I mean no disrespect and no offense, and it is my opinion I am expressing here, but most of her books scream eating disorder, weight issues, body image issue, and low self-esteem from the author herself.

The heroine always needs a man to help her “love” her “curvaceous” body, her “big ass”, her “big tits”, and “thick thighs”.

Her heroines are often virgins that “wait” for the right man. Glorifying virginity ain’t my stuff.
About this book in particular, I had to DNF instantly. The heroine is an idiot, as in, she is truly stupid. The hero, a 40 years old man mind you, acts like a teenage.

The conservative bullshit in this book had me vomit. I mean the virginity idealization, marriage, and of course to obey and honor.

The (z)hero is a pimp, drug dealer, and wannabe “crime lord.”

Age gap. Hero is 40. Heroine is 25.

Their whole dynamic sounds like Feeder/Feedee.

Vomit worth moments:

“You heard me. I’m not going to grant you a divorce. I married you, for better or for worse. You
came to me a virgin, and there is no fucking way you’re going to annul this marriage. I saw those damn sheets. I fucked you and made you bleed.”

“Grim had been quite shocked about having a woman in his home without demanding sex.”

“Eve had told him straight that she wasn’t in the market for a good time. She was saving herself for marriage. At first, Grim had thought it was stupid. However, his need for her kept him coming back for more. And then, one day, out of the blue, he had found himself at a jewelry store, looking at engagement rings. From there, he had proposed and Eve had said yes.” <= Moral of the story, keep yourself a virgin and the man will come back to you with a ring after only six months of knowing each other. YaY! The author cracked the code of …utter bullshit.

"She did like to experiment, trying different ingredients, but that was rare." <= My oh My, she is not like any other girl !! She tries new ingredients! Color us impressed !


The trophy goes to this moment when he addressed his child:

“Grim sunk to his knees. “Now, little girl, I’m going to make love to your mother tonight, and you’re not going to make her feel sick, or kick, or force her to use the bathroom.”

-

I will have to stop here otherwise, it is the whole book that will be quoted. At least, what my bleeding eyes were able to read.

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75stars-MONSTER BULLY by Sam Crescent is a stand alone, dark, contemporary, adult, erotic, romance story line focusing on Grim and Eve.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from omniscient dual third person perspectives (Eve and Grim) MONSTER BULLY follows the building relationship between our story line couple. Approximately one year earlier, Eve met Grim on the side of the road when his car broke down. Fast forward to present day wherein Eve is now married to the man she knows as Graham, a man with a dark past, and even darker secrets. A virtual prisoner of the man she loves, Eve struggles with her love for a man who lifestyle is questionable at best, and illegal at worst. What ensues is the rebuilding but contemptuous relationship between Grim and Eve, and the fall-out when Eve is targeted for Grim’s vigilante ways.

The world building is limited but there is enough detail to reveal the truth behind Grim’s actions and power. A crime lord/a killer/ a dealer and a savior, Graham aka Grim is a man of many titles but first and foremost, the man that Eve still loves.

The relationship between Eve and Grim begins with attraction and need but Eve is unaware of the reality of the situation, and that Grim is still controlling most of her life. Having fallen in love with a killer, Eve struggles with what was and what continues to be. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative.

The secondary and supporting characters are limited as their roles reveal the true nature of Grim’s work and persona.

MONSTER BULLY is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, acceptance and love. The fast paced, character driven premise is thought-provoking and haunting; the romance is intense; the characters are desperate and edgy.

Copy supplied for review

www.thereadingcafe.com

[Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monster Bully by Sam Crescent

Grim is forty years old and has come from nothing to make himself the king of the city. He rules with an iron fist and although he has many business "interests" that are not all legal he still has rules that all must obey in order to avoid his wrath. His world is dark, filled with evil and definitely not for the faint of heart. So when he meets Eve Donald, an innocent, fifteen years his junior and beautiful inside and out he is shocked that such a person even exists. When Grim meets Eve he is shocked that someone so honest, truly innocent and kind actually exists, she is a precious gift, a light in his darkness and he is determined to keep her all to himself. They are together for a year, lost in love with one another with Eve completely oblivious to her wonderful husband's true life and even name. However once the darkness touches her light Grim shows her and his enemy just how very much he loves his Queen and what a mistake the enemy has made even thinking to touch his woman. Eve belongs to Grim, she is his everything, his whole world and no one can take her away from him. I really enjoyed this romance, filled with action, moments of pure sweetness and absolute, wholehearted love. It was another great standalone to add to Sam Crescent's catalogue of books. Enjoy and Happy Reading!
5 out of 5 stars.
Please note that I was given an arc of this book for my honest review which is exactly what I have given.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eve thought she found the prefect guy. She found him in need of help. One date led to many then marriage. But Graham aka Grim is not the man she thought he was. Grim didn’t expect a woman come running to help him with his car. She had no fear of him. Even more, she had no idea who he was. He didn’t expect to fall for her and marry. But Eve found out who he was, and she tried to run. He was not going to let what was precious to him leave. I have to say, Eve’s reason for leaving, ok I get it. Grim is a bad man. But did he really lie to her about his feelings and how he treated her, NO. It was just the “job” that he did. But as he said, “you never asked.” Grim wasn’t as bad as she thought him to be. OK, yes he was shady in his deals in a lot of things but he always protected her. He never wanted his world to touch her. And he sure went after those that tried. In a way, he was like a big bear keeping her close and safe. There is so much ugliness in the world and Grim was keeping it away from his wife or trying to. I am glad that he was able to save those lives even if there had to be a means to an end.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a bit of a departure from Sam's usual blueprint. The sex occurs near the end of the book. We get to know the characters and the love they share. Refreshing!

Eve meets Graham one night when he has a flat tire, she immediately comes out to help and he's surprised by her helpfulness. He wants to know her better so he investigates her life and orchestrates a surprise reunion. He wants to take her dinner, so she suggests a local diner, where the food is cheap and plentiful. Graham doesn't know how to process Eve, she doesn't seem to want anything from him which is a departure from women in his past.

When Eve finds out that she's been duped and that Graham is actually known by his street name as Grim, she is understandably upset and wants answers to who he really is and what he actually does for a living. I admired the fact that he didn't lie to her and answered all of her questions. Eve is shocked, and hurt and needs time to decide whether to stay or leave. Grim is patient with her and he courts her again when she gets a front row seat to why he handles some aspects of his business, the way he does, she begins to understand that Grim is a good bad man. Recommended: Read It!

[Books and Gems · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grim and Eve

— age gap
— opposites
— virginia FMC
— insta love

This was a very fast paced novella about Grim and Eve. One night Grim has a flat tire outside the animal shelter Eve is working at. She runs out to help him, and he is immediately taken aback by her and her kindness. Grim does some research to learn about her background. He plots a way to run into her again, and they begin dating shortly after.

This was a very quick read, but it had some repetitive parts which felt odd considering how short it was. The same thing would be repeated multiple times, and it just felt like the story was dragging a bit.

Due to the time jump, I didn’t feel a strong connection to the characters or their relationship. I felt like we missed the chance to really connect with them and their love story.

Eve was a very naive FMC. I never really connected with her character. I did like Grim’s character. He’s not a good man, but as you learn more you understand his reasonings for why he does what he does.

“Evil doesn’t wait for the cover of darkness.”

This was an ok read for me, and if you’re looking for a quick read with action this may be a good read for you.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Coccibelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and a little spicy with a splash of bloody

This romance novella is a fast-paced blends elements of insta-love, lust, and suspense. While the title might be misleading (no bully romance nor monster creature here), the story focuses on the intense connection between an innocent woman and a criminal boss.

What I liked:
-quick read: The book’s brevity makes it perfect for an evening escape. It’s a great choice for readers looking for a quick and easy read.
-pallet cleanser: When I was in a reading rut, “Monster Bully” provided an engaging plot and straightforward writing style, breaking me out of my boredom.
-respectful male lead: Despite his violent criminal background, the male lead treats the female protagonist with respect, care, and protectiveness without crossing into overbearing territory.
-cute opposite attract with the grumpy/ sunshine, innocent/ crime boss paring

Critique:
-more telling than showing, the 3rd person narrative is a little bit impersonal
-the female lead is a little bit too naive, but it is to be expected for this genre and it thankfully did not cross over to the TSTL territory.

I received an ARC of this book

[**Elle**Bee**Double U** · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, not a favorite one of mine from this author (and I've read a few from this author that I didn't care much for).
When I read the book title with the word "bully" in it, I assume that it means one of the characters is typically a bully to either the other main character or we see on-page bullying of other people. Now, that is probably my problem, is that this is my assumption, but in no way shape, or form would I say this book is a bully book.
I have no issues with a female character who is a bit naive. But Eve, I wouldn't even call this character naive. She was just flat-out TSTL. She goes into a relationship/marriage with Graham/Grim, not knowing ANYTHING about the man, but has made assumptions about his lifestyle and occupation. When she finally discovers who he is, she makes the excuse for her assumptions because Grim would redirect her questions to be about herself...
Yeah girl you need some help if you go into a marriage assuming everything is all sunshine and rainbows and not knowing anything about the man you married.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jane Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, the title of the book says it all! Grim was not a nice man but he didn't deny it. He was getting rid of people who had done awful things and frankly, he enjoyed it. That all changed the day that Eve helped him with a flat tyre. He was a stranger to her but she was happy to help him. Grim was feeling things that he had never felt before and within a few months they got married. He was the love of her life but she didn't know the real Grim. The real Grim killed people, people who had deserved to die he felt no remorse.

Grim tried to keep what he did from Eve but eventually she found out. Eve was torn between the man she loved and the man who killed people. It wasn't until she witnessed an attempted abduction of a child that she began to think that maybe people like that did deserve to die. I liked this book but the things he did to people was a bit difficult to read. Eve was a sweetheart and she clearly had a problem trying to get her head around Grim her husband she adored and Grim the man who killed.

It was a short read and there were some steamy moments.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars*

Interesting take on personal responsibility…

I always snap this author’s books for a jaunt into a world that is black and white and doesn’t try to hide what it is – fictional escapism to the nth degree. I am always up for more of that. While the characters often say and do things I cannot relate to at all, that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate and admire the honesty in which they do it. And perhaps that’s why I had such a hard time with this story.

The heroine, as is often in this author’s books, a virginal woman with high ideals. As a counterpoint, the hero is seemingly not. Grim and Eve were polar opposites and as their story unfolded, Eve came to realize how far apart they actually were and the exception she was in his life…

I struggled a lot with Grim’s responsibility for the situation they found themselves in as well as how Eve responded. If this story didn’t quite hit the mark for me, that won’t stop me from reading more from this author.

*I happily reviewed this story
**Thank you to BookSirens

[Anne Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can there ever be a good bad man??
Grim is a crime Lord, who rules the surrounding areas. One day when he had a flat tire, He meets the woman that was meant for him. She is such a good person with a heart of gold and she isn’t scared of him. Eve sees the man for what he is. and it isn’t long before Grim invites her out for dinner. She falls madly in love with him, and they get married but then one night she witnesses The man that Grim truly is, and it scares her, Eve runs, but can Grim win Eve back, the woman that holds his heart??
I’ve got to say this is an easy story to read, and I’ve got to be honest and say that I’d liked Grim. so in my eyes are a bad man can be good and Eve learns what Grim is capable of . And what he will not abide, but will it be enough? The passion these two share is off the charts, and I truly believe they are soulmates. A good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lyndi (mibookobsession) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grim is a crime lord, born from nothing he built his own empire. He cares for nothing and no one...until he meets Eve. After she helps him out and asks nothing of him in return, he becomes obsessed with her goodness. He wants her for himself but knows she'd never accept his true self. Eve thinks she's dating and marrying Graham, a successful businessman that she loves, but when she learns the shocking truth she runs. To protect her from his enemies, he can't let her go. He knows she still loves him, can he show her his heart is still the same...still hers?
Eve's extreme naivete to marry a man she knows nothing about just about drove me crazy. And Grim, though he never lied didn't exactly tell the truth either. I like the story behind it, how careful he was with her through it all, and their make up story was sweet. Overall I thought it was a good story but parts of it were repetitive or the characters stream of thought would jump around so much it was distracting.

[Spender of Money · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is NOT a 3rd act break up story, this book is so much more.

I really liked this storyline, Eve is a happily married woman. Content and fulfilled and completely in love with her husband, Grim. Completely and wholeheartedly. And then she learns, everything she thought she knew and loved about him was a lie.

But is everything she knows and loves about him a lie? Does that man, she fell so in love with, actually exist? How much of him does she really know?

But what makes this story a page turner and not a DNF, is this story isn’t pages of third act break up and prideful miss-communication. Heck, I stay SO clear of THAT. This story is NOT about a proud woman, ‘cutting her nose off, to spite her face’. This is a story about a woman leaning into her strength, to see beyond the hurt, to hear, listen, see and reflect to a new and better happily-ever-after.

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monster Bully is a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, age-gap, opposites-attract, curvy girl gets her morally gray hunk slightly dark romance. Eve is a 25 year old sweet and curvy virgin with a heart of gold. Grim (Graham) is a 40 year old hunky, jaded, playboy crime lord. But when Eve helps him on the side of the road, he is instantly taken with the curvy girl and promptly swears off other women. He is drawn to her goodness. She knows him as Graham but doesn't know about his dark ways. When she finds out, she is upset. But she still loves him. Will she stay? When she is put in danger by his enemies, can he save her? This couple had amazing chemistry, and we ended on a happy note. I adored Grim and how he loved Eve. Great story!.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Daria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lies, secrets and tells. It was innocent... she's innocent and so very good for a man so very bad.
When you're immersed in bad stuff most of your life you hone that skill and are the Monster of nightmares.
Then one night becomes life changing. On Eve's discovery she's givin time to think, to make choices. Do you just fall out of love?
That life that he kept hidden comes a knockin and the Monster has to be on point because she is what matters.
This was such an amazing story. To find out things you hadn't a a real clue about. To see that yes you ca do it. I think it was about self discovery as well. The bad deserves a bit of light and the the light gets that much brighter, stronger. Sexy, Dangerous a smidgen if dark. Loved it!!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️, rounded up.

Monster Bully was a quick read, but I definitely didn't get what I was expecting out of these characters. I thought Grim would be one of those main characters that I would begrudgingly hate at first and would have to learn to love as Eve did the same. Instead, I ended up pretty much loving Grim right off the bat; I never once thought of him as either a monster or a bully.

I loved the action that we got in this short romance, but I definitely would've loved to see more. I don't think Grim ever seemed as bad as he was made out to be, and a lot of that stemmed from the fact that his worst atrocities all seemed to happen off-page so we were left just taking Eve's word for it. But even Eve never seemed truly afraid of the big, bad monster, so I wasn't either.

I did enjoy the romance and action in this story, but I think I would've liked it even more if we got to see more of Grim doing his worst on page. I loved him as a character, but he never did seem as bad as the blurb made him out to be.

[polimagicallibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very fast pace read and I really liked it.

I was curious how the relationship between the two main characters would be described and developed given the plot of the story. For me the author handled it very well and I as a reader I felt the connection between them.

The plot is not something we haven't heard or read before but it has it's own spin and life which I found very charming.

The female main character is someone I really loved for her honesty and different characteristics.

I kind of missed more prominent secondary characters to change the dynamic a bit.

The story is too short for me 😄I wanted more of those two.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[ObsessiveReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eve's kindness and innocence draw Grim to her. There is nothing innocent about Grim, who has his fingers in all kinds of illegal activities and is greatly feared by others. Somehow he manages to keep her in the dark for a year before his enemies come looking for her.

Needless to say she wasn't happy that he lied to her. I wouldn't say she accepts that he is a criminal so much as she still loves him despite the truth. He may be a monster to everyone else, but never with her. He will do whatever is necessary to keep her safe.

I liked Grim with Eve. She brings another side of him out. When she sees the kind of things that Grim puts a stop to, she understands a little more about him.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this novel! I have read other novels from this author and loved them and this novel did not disappoint. Fr0m the first chapter this novel reached out and grabbed my attention. I love a good MC novel and this did not disappoint. I loved how this novel started, Eve stopped to help a stranger. I loved how Grim hide who and what he really did and pursued Eve. I loved Grim and Eve. Their chemistry was so good. I loved that after Eve discovered who Grim really was that both characters worked to repair the damage the trust that was broken. This novel would not allow me to put it down, because I needed to know what was coming next. I loved it! I can't wait to see what is next from this author. So good!