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The Syndicate Academy #2
Cruel Bully
He’s spent years tormenting me, but now he wants to own me.
I’ve spent years trying to avoid Elias Morales, King of the syndicate academy. He hated me on first sight, and I learned to hate him. A hatred that never had any cause, but defined us both. Elias may be the most devastatingly handsome boy at the academy, but he’s cruel to the core.
Senior year is finally here, and my escape is in sight. I’ll never have to see my tormentor again once I graduate. But, Elias doesn’t intend to let me go that easily. He wants to make sure I’ll never forget him, no matter how hard I try.
He blackmails me when he finds dirt on my family. Information that could tear our world apart. I will not let him destroy the one thing I care about. Which means I have to be his pet for the rest of the year.
He intends to own me and claim my innocence on his terms. He wants to leave me broken and destroyed in ways I never imagined were possible. I thought he hated me, but his actions don't make any sense.
They say there is a fine line between love and hate. I can already feel the line blurring as my tormentor lays his claim. The question is, will I walk out of the academy free or will Elias finally break me?
Cruel Bully is the second book in the Syndicate Academy Series. This book can be read as a standalone and has a happily ever after ending. This is a dark bully romance story and has dark themes, hot scenes, violence, content some readers may find upsetting, and bad language.
I’ve spent years trying to avoid Elias Morales, King of the syndicate academy. He hated me on first sight, and I learned to hate him. A hatred that never had any cause, but defined us both. Elias may be the most devastatingly handsome boy at the academy, but he’s cruel to the core.
Senior year is finally here, and my escape is in sight. I’ll never have to see my tormentor again once I graduate. But, Elias doesn’t intend to let me go that easily. He wants to make sure I’ll never forget him, no matter how hard I try.
He blackmails me when he finds dirt on my family. Information that could tear our world apart. I will not let him destroy the one thing I care about. Which means I have to be his pet for the rest of the year.
He intends to own me and claim my innocence on his terms. He wants to leave me broken and destroyed in ways I never imagined were possible. I thought he hated me, but his actions don't make any sense.
They say there is a fine line between love and hate. I can already feel the line blurring as my tormentor lays his claim. The question is, will I walk out of the academy free or will Elias finally break me?
Cruel Bully is the second book in the Syndicate Academy Series. This book can be read as a standalone and has a happily ever after ending. This is a dark bully romance story and has dark themes, hot scenes, violence, content some readers may find upsetting, and bad language.
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Published July 7, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
July 18, 2022
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Style: Dark Bully Mafia Romance (High School)
Story: 4/5
Enjoyment: 4/5
Dark Level: 2/5
Sexual Level: D.R.I.P (Don’t Read In Public)
Triggers: Yes
Violence: Yes
Male: Bully, Popular & Sexy
Series: Book 2
Pages: loc.3713
Audio: N/A
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
STORY:
WHAT I LIKED:
I’ve been reading the Chicago Mafia Don series by the author which is current and has one book remaining to be release. Reading this series, I think I complained and I had a small tantrum to get something from the (SA) Syndicate Academy. I got it and I was not disappointed. I’ve started reading this author’s last two series recently, so for the SA series, my excitement stems from the characters in this series, as they are in some way connected to someone within the last 2 series. Familiarity is part of what excites me.
Book 2 merges with Book 1 as certain scenes may seem familiar. Elias belongs to the cartel mafia, while Natalya belongs to the Russian mafia. I thought Elias was straight savage in the beginning of this story. He's been bullying Natalya for the last 5 years. Their final and 6th year in the SA, he upped the ante by blackmailing her sexually, which still was bullying verbally and physically. I like that the blackmail had a long lifespan for half the book as it was fueling Elias to get whatever he wanted form Natalya. Over time we started seeing Elias feelings change for Natalya and it morphs in to obsession mixed with possessiveness and an addiction he was not able to control. Natalya, loved her in book 1 and she was still likable. Her innocence and submissiveness was appealing and was a good combo when interacting with Elias’ dominating personality. Her quick decision in the story in regards to Finn was questionable, like girl, ummm, noooooooooooo.
This was dark, but definitely dark leaning more to the bullying the way it was done. This could offend some so be mindful and the forced intimacy may not be pleasing to all so know your limits as it’s not your typical Romeo and Juliet romance.
WHAT WAS SO SO:
I really didn’t find myself having any issues. It was read in one sitting and I personally enjoyed it, especially if you are looking for certain things when choosing dark books:
SEXUAL CHEMISTRY
Can we have a moment of silence for the sex-capades in this one…………………………..………..ok, for a moment, and only a quick moment, I thought Elias and Natalya put these adults to shame. I gave them a sex rating of D.R.I.P. as it’s not anything special but it’s the way it was done. I would classify Natalya as a masochist, someone who gets off and finds pleasure from degrading and submissiveness, but not hardcore. There was throat grabbing, forced intimacy, dirty talk, a bit of roughness and some degrading action. This story was filled with sex scenes, but I did not find the plot lacking if you are familiar with the author’s other series.
SECONDARY CHARACTERS:
Love the besties Eva, Camilla, Adrianna and even Giorgia. Camilla is next and I’m excited for that. I like Rizzo, Elias’ friend, hoping to see something with him, don’t want to say with who. Coach Daniels, he will be paired with one of the girls. I have one word for him, THIRSTY. Lila, Elias’ cousin, she didn’t have a big role but she should be paired with Nik.
OVERALL:
Was I entertained? Yes
Did I like the story? Yes
Would I read the other books in the series? Yes, still want to.
TRIGGERS: Forced intimacy, bullying verbal and physical and sexually.
NOTES: No om/ow, virgin heroine, no cheating.
****I don’t equate these stories to real life. It’s about personal taste and what you would or want to tolerate with the books you read. I know we all have different opinions and preferences with what we read. I based my book reviews on my preferences and what I like, and while these preferences may not be the same for others, I hope this review was still helpful.
Style: Dark Bully Mafia Romance (High School)
Story: 4/5
Enjoyment: 4/5
Dark Level: 2/5
Sexual Level: D.R.I.P (Don’t Read In Public)
Triggers: Yes
Violence: Yes
Male: Bully, Popular & Sexy
Series: Book 2
Pages: loc.3713
Audio: N/A
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
STORY:
WHAT I LIKED:
I’ve been reading the Chicago Mafia Don series by the author which is current and has one book remaining to be release. Reading this series, I think I complained and I had a small tantrum to get something from the (SA) Syndicate Academy. I got it and I was not disappointed. I’ve started reading this author’s last two series recently, so for the SA series, my excitement stems from the characters in this series, as they are in some way connected to someone within the last 2 series. Familiarity is part of what excites me.
Book 2 merges with Book 1 as certain scenes may seem familiar. Elias belongs to the cartel mafia, while Natalya belongs to the Russian mafia. I thought Elias was straight savage in the beginning of this story. He's been bullying Natalya for the last 5 years. Their final and 6th year in the SA, he upped the ante by blackmailing her sexually, which still was bullying verbally and physically. I like that the blackmail had a long lifespan for half the book as it was fueling Elias to get whatever he wanted form Natalya. Over time we started seeing Elias feelings change for Natalya and it morphs in to obsession mixed with possessiveness and an addiction he was not able to control. Natalya, loved her in book 1 and she was still likable. Her innocence and submissiveness was appealing and was a good combo when interacting with Elias’ dominating personality. Her quick decision in the story in regards to Finn was questionable, like girl, ummm, noooooooooooo.
This was dark, but definitely dark leaning more to the bullying the way it was done. This could offend some so be mindful and the forced intimacy may not be pleasing to all so know your limits as it’s not your typical Romeo and Juliet romance.
WHAT WAS SO SO:
I really didn’t find myself having any issues. It was read in one sitting and I personally enjoyed it, especially if you are looking for certain things when choosing dark books:
SEXUAL CHEMISTRY
Can we have a moment of silence for the sex-capades in this one…………………………..………..ok, for a moment, and only a quick moment, I thought Elias and Natalya put these adults to shame. I gave them a sex rating of D.R.I.P. as it’s not anything special but it’s the way it was done. I would classify Natalya as a masochist, someone who gets off and finds pleasure from degrading and submissiveness, but not hardcore. There was throat grabbing, forced intimacy, dirty talk, a bit of roughness and some degrading action. This story was filled with sex scenes, but I did not find the plot lacking if you are familiar with the author’s other series.
SECONDARY CHARACTERS:
Love the besties Eva, Camilla, Adrianna and even Giorgia. Camilla is next and I’m excited for that. I like Rizzo, Elias’ friend, hoping to see something with him, don’t want to say with who. Coach Daniels, he will be paired with one of the girls. I have one word for him, THIRSTY. Lila, Elias’ cousin, she didn’t have a big role but she should be paired with Nik.
OVERALL:
Was I entertained? Yes
Did I like the story? Yes
Would I read the other books in the series? Yes, still want to.
TRIGGERS: Forced intimacy, bullying verbal and physical and sexually.
NOTES: No om/ow, virgin heroine, no cheating.
****I don’t equate these stories to real life. It’s about personal taste and what you would or want to tolerate with the books you read. I know we all have different opinions and preferences with what we read. I based my book reviews on my preferences and what I like, and while these preferences may not be the same for others, I hope this review was still helpful.
August 4, 2022
In general, I liked the book more than the first one. I wasn't bored reading.. The characters are young and behave standard for their age.
They have known each other for six years, first met when she was 12, he was 13. They study at the same closed school and go home only for school holidays. The hero hated the heroine very much, he has a reason for this, I will not spoiler. He hates her so much that even when she was 15-16 years old, he stabbed her in the thigh with a knife. But at some point, his feelings began to develop into obsession and lust. That's where the story begins. He is not a virgin, but there are no descriptive scenes or women in the frame with whom he used to do this. There is a girl who claims to be him, but he had nothing with her. As soon as the hero begins to pursue the heroine sexually, he is faithful only to her. The heroine is a virgin and belongs only to the hero.
They have known each other for six years, first met when she was 12, he was 13. They study at the same closed school and go home only for school holidays. The hero hated the heroine very much, he has a reason for this, I will not spoiler. He hates her so much that even when she was 15-16 years old, he stabbed her in the thigh with a knife. But at some point, his feelings began to develop into obsession and lust. That's where the story begins. He is not a virgin, but there are no descriptive scenes or women in the frame with whom he used to do this. There is a girl who claims to be him, but he had nothing with her. As soon as the hero begins to pursue the heroine sexually, he is faithful only to her. The heroine is a virgin and belongs only to the hero.
September 5, 2022
I can’t believe I liked this book, but i did. Its definitely not safe and It’s an ACTUAL bully romance, not a fake bully as so many are with this trope. The hero hates the heroine, blames her family for something horrific that happened to him as a child. And so starts a 6 year relationship with him tormenting her until their last year in HS when he blackmails her.
But as their relationship changes into something sexual and they cross those lines of intimacy, the hero’s feelings for the heroine change. He finds his obsession growing deeper and his hatred melting away. Until he realizes he loves her and wants her forgiveness. He wants her forever.
This isn’t a sweet romance, so beware. The hero is an anti-hero. He’s cruel and vicious to the heroine and there isn’t any lines he won’t cross. But he falls hard. I wasn’t happy that he fucked other women after knowing the heroine but it wouldn’t have made much sense for him not to. He didn’t have any romantic interest in the heroine before they begin a physical relationship and he truly believed he hated her. But once they cross into physical intimacy, he’s only with her and there’s never any explicit details of his past, only that had one.
Not safe. Hero was a manwhore before heroine. Heroine is a virgin and belongs only to her hero. No others, no cheating once together, he was her bully and blackmailer so yes to abuse. Hero grovels and begs for forgiveness.. HEA with epilogue almost a year out, and h pregnant.
But as their relationship changes into something sexual and they cross those lines of intimacy, the hero’s feelings for the heroine change. He finds his obsession growing deeper and his hatred melting away. Until he realizes he loves her and wants her forgiveness. He wants her forever.
This isn’t a sweet romance, so beware. The hero is an anti-hero. He’s cruel and vicious to the heroine and there isn’t any lines he won’t cross. But he falls hard. I wasn’t happy that he fucked other women after knowing the heroine but it wouldn’t have made much sense for him not to. He didn’t have any romantic interest in the heroine before they begin a physical relationship and he truly believed he hated her. But once they cross into physical intimacy, he’s only with her and there’s never any explicit details of his past, only that had one.
Not safe. Hero was a manwhore before heroine. Heroine is a virgin and belongs only to her hero. No others, no cheating once together, he was her bully and blackmailer so yes to abuse. Hero grovels and begs for forgiveness.. HEA with epilogue almost a year out, and h pregnant.
August 5, 2022
I don’t get it. All of the 4/5 star reviews…I was about 1/4 of the way through this and read back through the reviews confused.
I couldn’t relate to characters or connect with them. MMC was beyond cruel and there is a line between bully/sexual relationship that sizzles and…sexual assault/rape. This leaned heavily to the latter.
No character development.
Too many cliches.
No aesthetic and no world-building.
Sexy can be fun and enticing.
Sacrificing good writing just to have tons of sex in a story is not worth my TBR.
This is a no from me.
I couldn’t relate to characters or connect with them. MMC was beyond cruel and there is a line between bully/sexual relationship that sizzles and…sexual assault/rape. This leaned heavily to the latter.
No character development.
Too many cliches.
No aesthetic and no world-building.
Sexy can be fun and enticing.
Sacrificing good writing just to have tons of sex in a story is not worth my TBR.
This is a no from me.
July 18, 2022
“I know everything, which means you’ll give me your innocence without complaint when I demand it or everything daddy worked for will be gone.”
I haven't read a good bully romance in a long time. This one checked off everything I like! OTT, possessive, manipulative H with an innocent virgin h who just wants to make it through school. Elias blackmails Natalya and her family, so she becomes his 'pet'. Do they fall in love? CAN they fall in love?
"She has always belonged to me in a sick and twisted way. It just took me a long time to realize that I love her, even if I can’t tell her that to her face."
Four stars. There's lots of heat in this book!! I recommend it and Bianca's other books as well.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I haven't read a good bully romance in a long time. This one checked off everything I like! OTT, possessive, manipulative H with an innocent virgin h who just wants to make it through school. Elias blackmails Natalya and her family, so she becomes his 'pet'. Do they fall in love? CAN they fall in love?
"She has always belonged to me in a sick and twisted way. It just took me a long time to realize that I love her, even if I can’t tell her that to her face."
Four stars. There's lots of heat in this book!! I recommend it and Bianca's other books as well.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 4, 2026
DNF at 10%.
I genuinely don't understand all the positive reviews. The book starts with the H bullying the h for six years, and on the first day of senior year he threatens to destroy her family unless she spends the entire year as his pet. Then, what feels like minutes later, she's offering him her virginity and they're already getting sexual—all on the same day.
Could this heroine be any more pathetic? She's supposed to be from the Russian mafia and a potential future leader, yet she shows absolutely no fight. I enjoy bully romances when the heroine fights back; otherwise, the dynamic just feels like non con. Not for me.
I genuinely don't understand all the positive reviews. The book starts with the H bullying the h for six years, and on the first day of senior year he threatens to destroy her family unless she spends the entire year as his pet. Then, what feels like minutes later, she's offering him her virginity and they're already getting sexual—all on the same day.
Could this heroine be any more pathetic? She's supposed to be from the Russian mafia and a potential future leader, yet she shows absolutely no fight. I enjoy bully romances when the heroine fights back; otherwise, the dynamic just feels like non con. Not for me.
September 13, 2022
Despite of how cruel Elias is with her i couldn't not like him.
I love how possessive ,obsessive and devoted he is with her.
I didn't give the last star only because we had 10 months of them off page before the epilogue :(
i wanted to see them back to school, how the others reacted to the engagement,etc.
I also loved when he called her nena and bonita , every freaking time.
I love how possessive ,obsessive and devoted he is with her.
I didn't give the last star only because we had 10 months of them off page before the epilogue :(
i wanted to see them back to school, how the others reacted to the engagement,etc.
I also loved when he called her nena and bonita , every freaking time.
May 22, 2023
3.75 🌟
February 6, 2026
A really good 4 star mafia read!
I’m pretty sure this is my first book by Bianca Cole but also sure that it won’t be my last period sometimes, when books say that they are bully romance? They are nothing of the sort. However THIS was definitely a bully romance. We had the blackmail the dubcon, humiliation, praise, body betrayal, possessive, obsession, alphamale, crazy, unreasonable MMC. Yes, Elias had it all.
That being said, it wasn’t overly so. All of these elements happened, much more than they do in the average bully romance however, I have read much darker. This was dark enough that I will definitely be checking out the other books as this probably falls in the median of light to dark bully romances.
The spice level in this book, however, was off the chain hot. This new to me, Author Bianca Cole knows her stuff and have been finding myself. I didn’t hurt that while I was listening and we had Corvin King & Autumn Ivy narrating our characters during these parts? I had to turn my radio down to make sure nobody could hear inside my very dirty car! lol
I didn’t realize until I was well into the book that this was actually part two of a series. They gave just enough glimpses of the first couple that I’m actually planning on going back and reading there’s first and then continue on two books 3 and four afterward. I love having a nice catalog to review as this is a good author that I will be reading more of.
All in all, a fantastic new author who gets the whole dark spectrum who understands the elements of a bully romance, and who provides them in spades. Can’t wait to see what happens next!
I’m pretty sure this is my first book by Bianca Cole but also sure that it won’t be my last period sometimes, when books say that they are bully romance? They are nothing of the sort. However THIS was definitely a bully romance. We had the blackmail the dubcon, humiliation, praise, body betrayal, possessive, obsession, alphamale, crazy, unreasonable MMC. Yes, Elias had it all.
That being said, it wasn’t overly so. All of these elements happened, much more than they do in the average bully romance however, I have read much darker. This was dark enough that I will definitely be checking out the other books as this probably falls in the median of light to dark bully romances.
The spice level in this book, however, was off the chain hot. This new to me, Author Bianca Cole knows her stuff and have been finding myself. I didn’t hurt that while I was listening and we had Corvin King & Autumn Ivy narrating our characters during these parts? I had to turn my radio down to make sure nobody could hear inside my very dirty car! lol
I didn’t realize until I was well into the book that this was actually part two of a series. They gave just enough glimpses of the first couple that I’m actually planning on going back and reading there’s first and then continue on two books 3 and four afterward. I love having a nice catalog to review as this is a good author that I will be reading more of.
All in all, a fantastic new author who gets the whole dark spectrum who understands the elements of a bully romance, and who provides them in spades. Can’t wait to see what happens next!
October 4, 2022
i really love that it was a real bully romance not a little bully romance when the h always loved the woman in his head. this was a revenge bully romance like we love !
June 21, 2023
3/5⭐⭐⭐
4/5🌶🌶🌶🌶
4/5🌶🌶🌶🌶
June 2, 2024
Tags: bully, dirty-talking, hero-hurts-heroine, high-school, mafia-cartel-romance, mean-mean-girls, obsession, over-the-years, possessive-mine-mine-mine, read, teenage-romance, virgin-heroine
July 14, 2026
Ew. Just ew. I want my credit back! Not the book I thought it would be. Irritating character’s. Zero world building. Disgusting subplots.
Something is wrong with these authors!
I have a huge bone to pick with some of the sub plots mentioned in this book. Can we re-normalise it being wrong for teacher/authority-student romantic relationships to exist?
There is such a rise of female predators and just predators in general, especially in those who are teachers/in positions of authority because of authors who romanticise it. Can we also re-normalise appropriate age-gap romances. I keep seeing an increase of age-gap romances where the FL still has teen in her age or is fresh to university “falling in love” with someone decades or nearly a decade her senior. Regardless of age of consent!
Believe it or not, saying a very young female or male is mature for their age is a common grooming tactic. It turns my stomach when that’s the excuse provided in books that use it as a plot.
Mid-twenty, late-twenty somethings, and beyond have no business being with someone severely younger or even looking at them in that manner.
Normalise therapy. Normalise people dating within their age group/range.
Rant concluded.
Something is wrong with these authors!
I have a huge bone to pick with some of the sub plots mentioned in this book. Can we re-normalise it being wrong for teacher/authority-student romantic relationships to exist?
There is such a rise of female predators and just predators in general, especially in those who are teachers/in positions of authority because of authors who romanticise it. Can we also re-normalise appropriate age-gap romances. I keep seeing an increase of age-gap romances where the FL still has teen in her age or is fresh to university “falling in love” with someone decades or nearly a decade her senior. Regardless of age of consent!
Believe it or not, saying a very young female or male is mature for their age is a common grooming tactic. It turns my stomach when that’s the excuse provided in books that use it as a plot.
Mid-twenty, late-twenty somethings, and beyond have no business being with someone severely younger or even looking at them in that manner.
Normalise therapy. Normalise people dating within their age group/range.
Rant concluded.
July 31, 2022
Cruel Bully is the second story in The Syndicate Academy series and wow to date they have both been thoroughly riveting.
Firstly, an explanation about the Syndicate Academy. It is actually a secret educational facility that educates the next generation of families that belong to the Mafia, Bratva and Cartels from around the world, and any other family that holds a strong arm over any part of society willing to educate at a very high price. So, don't expect the usual subjects of chemistry, Science and languages but subjects that will prepare the students for their future roles within their
(dark) family social standings. Interestingly they say environment makes a character, so not sure what that means this type of institution will do to young minds.
This story, Cruel Bully can very much be read on its own from the previous title, Corrupt Educator and be enjoyed without the feeling of missing out on vital background points, and I say that as I read this book first then searched out for the first book and didn't lose any book appeal.
So this time the story revolves around the primary couple of Mexican cartel member Elias Morales and Bratva originated Natalya Gurin. It is literally hatred at first sight for these two but after six years together at the Academy things change for both. Both have secrets that rule over their lives and create the obstacles that create their unhealthy relationship between the two.
I loved the character of Natalya even though all the bullying she experienced through the actions of Elias she was still a strong female character and prepared to do whatever was needed to protect her family.
The character of Elias is portrayed as a typical hot shot young Alpha and leader with his own emotional baggage that has helped create him the way he is.
So the story highlights their final year at the Academy and Elias' plan to make Natalya's a living nightmare and making her become Elias' pet for the year.
The sequences between these two are varied, usually leaning towards the uncomfortable "hot" and sultry and certainly delving into the genre of erotic and dark romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Firstly, an explanation about the Syndicate Academy. It is actually a secret educational facility that educates the next generation of families that belong to the Mafia, Bratva and Cartels from around the world, and any other family that holds a strong arm over any part of society willing to educate at a very high price. So, don't expect the usual subjects of chemistry, Science and languages but subjects that will prepare the students for their future roles within their
(dark) family social standings. Interestingly they say environment makes a character, so not sure what that means this type of institution will do to young minds.
This story, Cruel Bully can very much be read on its own from the previous title, Corrupt Educator and be enjoyed without the feeling of missing out on vital background points, and I say that as I read this book first then searched out for the first book and didn't lose any book appeal.
So this time the story revolves around the primary couple of Mexican cartel member Elias Morales and Bratva originated Natalya Gurin. It is literally hatred at first sight for these two but after six years together at the Academy things change for both. Both have secrets that rule over their lives and create the obstacles that create their unhealthy relationship between the two.
I loved the character of Natalya even though all the bullying she experienced through the actions of Elias she was still a strong female character and prepared to do whatever was needed to protect her family.
The character of Elias is portrayed as a typical hot shot young Alpha and leader with his own emotional baggage that has helped create him the way he is.
So the story highlights their final year at the Academy and Elias' plan to make Natalya's a living nightmare and making her become Elias' pet for the year.
The sequences between these two are varied, usually leaning towards the uncomfortable "hot" and sultry and certainly delving into the genre of erotic and dark romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 31, 2022
This is a great steamy addition to the Syndicate Academy Series where we get Natalys and Elias’s story. Natalya has been attending the Academy for years with the thought she’d take over the Bravta for her family. One day Elias starts as a new student speaking little English and turns Natalya’s life upside down upon making eye contact. He torments, embarrasses, physically hurts her all based on his beliefs about why his mother was killed. At the start to their senior year Elias decides he wants all of Natalya and boy does he takes every little part of her. In the beginning she’s against it but how can she not want him as from the moment she made eye contact with him she thought he was attractive. Being the King of the Academy gives Elias power that others want from him so when he is challenged he puts them in their place. These two are mortal enemies with him being a mean bully and once Elias is told the story behind his moms death he starts to see Natalya in a different light especially after they become intimate and him taking her innocence. When Elias goes out on a limb to check on Natalya you hope she’ll be able to move beyond their horrible beginnings. Beware of the trigger warnings for this story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 31, 2022
Natalya thought she could get through to one more year of torture, but what she didn't expect was to be blackmailed by Elias into being his slave. They both attend Syndicate Academy (school of kids related to Mafia or criminal organizations ties). He knows her family's biggest secret and is scared that he'll expose it, so she agrees to be his play thing. Elias left Mexico at a young age when his father murder his mother on orders of his uncle. Yeah, f*** up right? He blamed Natalya's family at the beginning, but once he learned the truth, not so much.
This book is off the charts when it comes to sex, on a 🔥 level. Yes, I find it hard to believe they're high school kids. However, as I always say, the author is always right (it's their story and respect to them).
Steamy/hot: 10 💕
Characters: 9 (sometimes it was like ugh)
Honestly, the bully was mild, Elias wasn't an unlikeable bully. He tripped her and humiliated her (in a sexual way that she liked). There wasn't anything major that made me dislike him where I was tempted to be part of the story and throw huevos (eggs) at him.
Recommend: Yes, mild drama, teenage love, and HEA (marriage and a baby 💕).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book is off the charts when it comes to sex, on a 🔥 level. Yes, I find it hard to believe they're high school kids. However, as I always say, the author is always right (it's their story and respect to them).
Steamy/hot: 10 💕
Characters: 9 (sometimes it was like ugh)
Honestly, the bully was mild, Elias wasn't an unlikeable bully. He tripped her and humiliated her (in a sexual way that she liked). There wasn't anything major that made me dislike him where I was tempted to be part of the story and throw huevos (eggs) at him.
Recommend: Yes, mild drama, teenage love, and HEA (marriage and a baby 💕).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 17, 2022
2.5 stars
Natalya was 14 when Elias showed up at her school, transferring from Mexico. Once he learns her name, he immediately sets about making her life a living hell for the next 6 years. Their senior year, he leans a secret about her family and uses this to blackmail her into being his 'pet'. This was my first read by this author and I'm disappointed. I spent most of the story wishing Natalya was stronger. She literally tried nothing to fight back or look for another way out. She just lies down and takes his abuse and public humiliation. So much secondhand embarrassment. Can't believe she though her brother was going to make her their mafia head. She was far too soft to lead anyone anywhere. I found Elias' reason for hating Natalya flimsy. The book needed more editing to make the dialogue more natural and tighten up the writing. Many of the characters lacked depth especially her best friends. We're told they're so close but not really shown. The sex scenes together was hot, I'll admit but things got repetitive. I did like Nitkin and I'm curious about him and his sinister ways but don't know if it's enough to read his book.
Natalya was 14 when Elias showed up at her school, transferring from Mexico. Once he learns her name, he immediately sets about making her life a living hell for the next 6 years. Their senior year, he leans a secret about her family and uses this to blackmail her into being his 'pet'. This was my first read by this author and I'm disappointed. I spent most of the story wishing Natalya was stronger. She literally tried nothing to fight back or look for another way out. She just lies down and takes his abuse and public humiliation. So much secondhand embarrassment. Can't believe she though her brother was going to make her their mafia head. She was far too soft to lead anyone anywhere. I found Elias' reason for hating Natalya flimsy. The book needed more editing to make the dialogue more natural and tighten up the writing. Many of the characters lacked depth especially her best friends. We're told they're so close but not really shown. The sex scenes together was hot, I'll admit but things got repetitive. I did like Nitkin and I'm curious about him and his sinister ways but don't know if it's enough to read his book.
Did Not Finish
October 5, 2022❌DNF at 66%❌
I basically never leave notes for DNF, but I wanted to point out that this book felt like it was unfortunately leading up to one of my bigger nopes and I had to spoil the ending myself to confirm it:
I was already on the verge of DNFing because I think this book had way too much repetition (like, within the same page the character would repeat sentences.) and I couldn't shake off the feeling that the book needed more editing because this did not need to be anywhere close to 350+ pages if it was going to be so repetitive. I did like the bullying, but yeah.
I basically never leave notes for DNF, but I wanted to point out that this book felt like it was unfortunately leading up to one of my bigger nopes and I had to spoil the ending myself to confirm it:
I was already on the verge of DNFing because I think this book had way too much repetition (like, within the same page the character would repeat sentences.) and I couldn't shake off the feeling that the book needed more editing because this did not need to be anywhere close to 350+ pages if it was going to be so repetitive. I did like the bullying, but yeah.
August 9, 2022
I was shocked that none of the reviews mentioned the typos and errors. But maybe it was just my brain that was in the wrong.
If my rating were to be based on smut only, it would have been five stars. Because holy hell it was smoking! Though I found some of Nat's dirty talk to be a bit cringey.
There was more dialogue between the main characters and their friends. Than dialogue between the two main characters together that didn't include dirty talk.
At times Elias's "tough guy" routine got annoying.
What was with Natalya constantly spitting on or in Elias's face (3x's in the first 48% of the book). No offense but that gross. If she was spitting into his mouth like he did to her that would have been a different story.
If my rating were to be based on smut only, it would have been five stars. Because holy hell it was smoking! Though I found some of Nat's dirty talk to be a bit cringey.
There was more dialogue between the main characters and their friends. Than dialogue between the two main characters together that didn't include dirty talk.
At times Elias's "tough guy" routine got annoying.
What was with Natalya constantly spitting on or in Elias's face (3x's in the first 48% of the book). No offense but that gross. If she was spitting into his mouth like he did to her that would have been a different story.
January 19, 2026
Trope:
•Enemies-to-lovers
•Mafia
This one was BADDD. The main characters were horrible (the MMC was a d*ck, the FMC wasn’t likable and was a pushover) which had me in the end not rooting for either of the main characters, the MMC was such a DOUCHE and their chemistry fell flat. I got 75% in and honestly couldn’t do it anymore. There wasn’t any real story line and it was repetitive.
•Enemies-to-lovers
•Mafia
This one was BADDD. The main characters were horrible (the MMC was a d*ck, the FMC wasn’t likable and was a pushover) which had me in the end not rooting for either of the main characters, the MMC was such a DOUCHE and their chemistry fell flat. I got 75% in and honestly couldn’t do it anymore. There wasn’t any real story line and it was repetitive.
May 8, 2026
DNF. I should’ve known from the title that this book was gonna be ass 😭😭 It’s so cringey I can’t even move past chapter two. Usually I give books more chances than that, but this one… I just can’t. The dialogues, bro… wtf was that? They talk like 10-year-old kids. They’re 18 😭 The dialogue is cringey asf, and the writing is just so bad. Gosh.
May 25, 2026
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶.75
Narrating: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
This book was really enjoyable and had me hooked from page 1. This is the 2nd book in, "The Syndicate Academy." A dark high school romance between the king of the school and a quiet/shy girl that he bullies and torments everyday for the past 6 years.
Tropes:
🖤 Dark Mafia Romance
🩵 Private High School (18 & 19 yr olds)
🖤 Bad Boy/Good Girl
🩵 Bully
🖤 Blackmail
🩵 Enemies to Lovers
🖤 Boy Obsessed
🩵 Virgin FMC
🖤 Found Family
🩵 Things Aren't As They Seem
🖤 He Falls First & Hard
🩵 Dom/Sub
🖤 Degrading & Praise Kink
🩵 Breeding Kink
Narrators Corvin King and Autumn Ivy did an excellent job. Corvin is top notch in my book and he's always been my favorite male narrator. He has such an amazing deep voice and plays the part of the bad boy so damn well. I've purchased audiobooks just because he was narrating it, and this is one of those books. His voice was perfect for Elias. He had the accents down well and he made them sound authentic. When this man dirty talks, boy is it hot 🥵🥵 I could listen to his voice all day long and never get tired of it.
When Corvin King narrates a book, you can tell he puts his all into it, like he is stepping into a role and plays his part perfectly every time. When the character's line is to mumble, growl, whisper, etc., it actually comes through in his voice so it sounds the way the book reads.
Autumn Ivy did fantastic as well. I have not listened to a book narrated by her before, but I really hope I do in the future. Her voice sounded like how I pictured Natalya would. Her voice is a little deeper than most female narrators I've listened to, but she sounded great. Her accents were top notch. She did accents for Russian and Italian, and sounded authentic.
There were a few times (like maybe 2 or 3) that her voice studdered or had a little pause in a sentence, but it didn't hurt the book any. It actually sounded and went perfectly with how Natalya would sound or talk during her lines. If anything it helped the book more.
Elias Morales has hated Natalya Gurin from the moment he laid eyes on her at age 13 (she was 12). He blamed her family for his mother's death and the reason he was sent to America to live with his uncle who runs the cartel in Chicago.
Natalya was always popular at the Syndicate Academy from the time she started there at age 8. When Elias showed up, he made her friends turn against her and they pretty much tossed her aside so they could have the new hot boy in their circle. Which was a good thing bc she then became friends with 3 of the girls her old friends used to pick on. They then grew up as best friends.
Elias became King of the school from that day on and made Natalya's life a living hell. He bullied and tormented her, often doing cruel things. She never understood why he hated her so much.
Starting their senior year, on the first day, Elias drags Natalya into an empty classroom saying her had important information for her. He has figured out about her parents life together, and that information would get them all unalived if it ever came out. In order to keep this a secret, Elias tells her that she'll be his pet for this school year and he'll be the one to take her "cherry." Natalya agrees to doing this to keep her family safe.
The more Elias is around Natalya the more obsessed he becomes. His methods of bullying her have changed into something more s3xual, and he can't get her off his mind.
Natalya hates Elias for everything he's done. She hates that he's blackmailing her to, but doesn't understand why every time he does something to her s3xually she loves it and it turns her on. He degrades her, praises her, and punishes her when she deserves it and she loves it all.
When Elias finds out that everything he thought he knew was a lie, it leaves him confused and guilty when it came to Natalya. He starts to realize that everything he's been told by certain people in his friend and hers friend group is true. That he is obsessed and In love with Natalya.
He's scared to confess his feelings to Natalya in fear that everything he's done in the past 6 years was to much for her to love him back. He willing to do whatever it takes to show Natalya that he serious about wanting her and he begs and grovels on his knees quite often.
When someone else finds out about her past, Elias tells her he'll take care of it to protect her, Natalya leaves to attend her brothers wedding. He freaks out when he realizes she gone and can't find her. One of her friends finally breaks and tells him where she went. This dude takes a 4 hour taxi ride to Boston to sneak into this wedding and find Natalya.
Things go from "what were you thinking" to "omg bye bye Elias" when her brother, Phakan of the Russian Bratva Boston overheard their private conversation where Elias claims his love while she talks about the blackmail for her cherry.. you can see why it went bad.
I really enjoyed this book. There were a lot of spicy moments throughout it and they were written perfectly. The blackmail was written perfectly and the plot played out nicely. I do wish there was more to it when it came the mean girls, especially Jenny. I wanted to see her get karma or an ass whooping, either way would have worked. Maybe her karma will be in another book. I have now bought book 1 and book 4, and look forward to listening to them.
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶.75
Narrating: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
This book was really enjoyable and had me hooked from page 1. This is the 2nd book in, "The Syndicate Academy." A dark high school romance between the king of the school and a quiet/shy girl that he bullies and torments everyday for the past 6 years.
Tropes:
🖤 Dark Mafia Romance
🩵 Private High School (18 & 19 yr olds)
🖤 Bad Boy/Good Girl
🩵 Bully
🖤 Blackmail
🩵 Enemies to Lovers
🖤 Boy Obsessed
🩵 Virgin FMC
🖤 Found Family
🩵 Things Aren't As They Seem
🖤 He Falls First & Hard
🩵 Dom/Sub
🖤 Degrading & Praise Kink
🩵 Breeding Kink
Narrators Corvin King and Autumn Ivy did an excellent job. Corvin is top notch in my book and he's always been my favorite male narrator. He has such an amazing deep voice and plays the part of the bad boy so damn well. I've purchased audiobooks just because he was narrating it, and this is one of those books. His voice was perfect for Elias. He had the accents down well and he made them sound authentic. When this man dirty talks, boy is it hot 🥵🥵 I could listen to his voice all day long and never get tired of it.
When Corvin King narrates a book, you can tell he puts his all into it, like he is stepping into a role and plays his part perfectly every time. When the character's line is to mumble, growl, whisper, etc., it actually comes through in his voice so it sounds the way the book reads.
Autumn Ivy did fantastic as well. I have not listened to a book narrated by her before, but I really hope I do in the future. Her voice sounded like how I pictured Natalya would. Her voice is a little deeper than most female narrators I've listened to, but she sounded great. Her accents were top notch. She did accents for Russian and Italian, and sounded authentic.
There were a few times (like maybe 2 or 3) that her voice studdered or had a little pause in a sentence, but it didn't hurt the book any. It actually sounded and went perfectly with how Natalya would sound or talk during her lines. If anything it helped the book more.
Elias Morales has hated Natalya Gurin from the moment he laid eyes on her at age 13 (she was 12). He blamed her family for his mother's death and the reason he was sent to America to live with his uncle who runs the cartel in Chicago.
Natalya was always popular at the Syndicate Academy from the time she started there at age 8. When Elias showed up, he made her friends turn against her and they pretty much tossed her aside so they could have the new hot boy in their circle. Which was a good thing bc she then became friends with 3 of the girls her old friends used to pick on. They then grew up as best friends.
Elias became King of the school from that day on and made Natalya's life a living hell. He bullied and tormented her, often doing cruel things. She never understood why he hated her so much.
Starting their senior year, on the first day, Elias drags Natalya into an empty classroom saying her had important information for her. He has figured out about her parents life together, and that information would get them all unalived if it ever came out. In order to keep this a secret, Elias tells her that she'll be his pet for this school year and he'll be the one to take her "cherry." Natalya agrees to doing this to keep her family safe.
The more Elias is around Natalya the more obsessed he becomes. His methods of bullying her have changed into something more s3xual, and he can't get her off his mind.
Natalya hates Elias for everything he's done. She hates that he's blackmailing her to, but doesn't understand why every time he does something to her s3xually she loves it and it turns her on. He degrades her, praises her, and punishes her when she deserves it and she loves it all.
When Elias finds out that everything he thought he knew was a lie, it leaves him confused and guilty when it came to Natalya. He starts to realize that everything he's been told by certain people in his friend and hers friend group is true. That he is obsessed and In love with Natalya.
He's scared to confess his feelings to Natalya in fear that everything he's done in the past 6 years was to much for her to love him back. He willing to do whatever it takes to show Natalya that he serious about wanting her and he begs and grovels on his knees quite often.
When someone else finds out about her past, Elias tells her he'll take care of it to protect her, Natalya leaves to attend her brothers wedding. He freaks out when he realizes she gone and can't find her. One of her friends finally breaks and tells him where she went. This dude takes a 4 hour taxi ride to Boston to sneak into this wedding and find Natalya.
Things go from "what were you thinking" to "omg bye bye Elias" when her brother, Phakan of the Russian Bratva Boston overheard their private conversation where Elias claims his love while she talks about the blackmail for her cherry.. you can see why it went bad.
I really enjoyed this book. There were a lot of spicy moments throughout it and they were written perfectly. The blackmail was written perfectly and the plot played out nicely. I do wish there was more to it when it came the mean girls, especially Jenny. I wanted to see her get karma or an ass whooping, either way would have worked. Maybe her karma will be in another book. I have now bought book 1 and book 4, and look forward to listening to them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2025
the mmc is a coward, loser and a pathetic bully who has no reason to be cruel. he just bullies her for the sake of it and gives a stupid reason to do it.
see I don't mind a bully romance, but then the mc should either have a good reason or be unapologetic about it and not give some random excuse.
see I don't mind a bully romance, but then the mc should either have a good reason or be unapologetic about it and not give some random excuse.
July 31, 2022
Such a sexy read. Really enjoyed it!
Read
April 29, 2023DNF
Read
September 10, 2024DNF @ 10% too much of a rip off
September 21, 2024
This book is so ridiculous like what 🤣🤣🤣 why did the H keep growling and snarling is he a werewolf 🤣🤣🤣🤣
August 4, 2022
This book is on par with many other books in Bianca Cole’s various series’, but I must make a note, there is quite a bit of bullying and some of it gets questionable, but if you are familiar with Ms. Cole’s work, then you know it will all work out in the end.. I mean, as much as it can for Mafioso’s.
Elias was kind of a jerk, and I didn’t like him for quite a bit of the story, but he eventually became the dark love interest I was expecting, so all’s well that ends well.
5 ⭐️s= Perfect story, exciting, engrossing, well developed complex characters, solid plot with few to no holes, descriptive environments and place settings, great mystery elements, realistic dialogue, believable reactions and behaviors, loved this story so much I’d buy it.
4 ⭐️s= Great story, highly entertaining and enjoyable, exciting storyline, well developed characters and settings, a few discrepancies but nothing that can’t be overlooked. Believable actions and reactions, realistic dialogue, a book I would consider buying.
3 ⭐️s= Good but not great story, noticeable discrepancies, grammatical and or spelling errors, undeveloped characters or unbelievable behaviors but still readable. Nothing majorly wrong with the story, just not interesting enough for me to continue. Would not buy the book.
2 ⭐️s= Not offended by the story, but not interested enough to finish. Unbelievable characters, poor writing, many mistakes, big holes or discrepancies, many spelling or grammatical errors, characters not believable, unlikeable or TSTL.
1 ⭐️= Offensive, extremely poor writing, horrible characters, victimization, gaslighting, blatant abuse, unnecessary violence, child endangerment, or any other highly objectionable behaviors by Main characters. Would never buy this book, and do not recommend it to anyone.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Elias was kind of a jerk, and I didn’t like him for quite a bit of the story, but he eventually became the dark love interest I was expecting, so all’s well that ends well.
5 ⭐️s= Perfect story, exciting, engrossing, well developed complex characters, solid plot with few to no holes, descriptive environments and place settings, great mystery elements, realistic dialogue, believable reactions and behaviors, loved this story so much I’d buy it.
4 ⭐️s= Great story, highly entertaining and enjoyable, exciting storyline, well developed characters and settings, a few discrepancies but nothing that can’t be overlooked. Believable actions and reactions, realistic dialogue, a book I would consider buying.
3 ⭐️s= Good but not great story, noticeable discrepancies, grammatical and or spelling errors, undeveloped characters or unbelievable behaviors but still readable. Nothing majorly wrong with the story, just not interesting enough for me to continue. Would not buy the book.
2 ⭐️s= Not offended by the story, but not interested enough to finish. Unbelievable characters, poor writing, many mistakes, big holes or discrepancies, many spelling or grammatical errors, characters not believable, unlikeable or TSTL.
1 ⭐️= Offensive, extremely poor writing, horrible characters, victimization, gaslighting, blatant abuse, unnecessary violence, child endangerment, or any other highly objectionable behaviors by Main characters. Would never buy this book, and do not recommend it to anyone.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 29, 2025
With tension at hand and Truth revealed they both keep coming back for more
So this is a high school Mafia academy and both main characters are 18. Elias has hated Natalia since he came to the school because he thought her family was the reason for all of his troubles so after 6 years of being cruel to her and obsessing over her he finally like finds out the truth that oh her family had nothing to do with why his family moved or why he lost his mom.
So with that all being said I normally do not do high school Romance I can find it sometimes very immature but this was very much two people who didn't really know who they were and they were overshadowed by their families that they ended up growing so much in their own roles and who they were by being together.
Elias is very much a cruel person but he sees Natalia as his weakness and Natalia for the life of her cannot seem to understand why she is growing a liking to Elias I do feel like there is manipulation in this book and I also feel like there is a stronghold of dubcon and non-con in this book as well . The book for me was a 4.5 star the spice is not a slow burn and it is about a 3.5 for me there is so much tension and so much hatred between the two main characters that it just builds more suspense for the book itself and for the over growing plot that is there. I can say that side characters helped a bunch in this book and I'm so excited to see how their stories unravel I also will say that I did enjoy Natalia's brother and him being able to have a cameo in this as well as his own story I would definitely say if you're wanting something that's a little bit more spicier and more on edge for a high school romance this would be it because it is very dominated with the mafia world and with the manipulation trope ☺️
So this is a high school Mafia academy and both main characters are 18. Elias has hated Natalia since he came to the school because he thought her family was the reason for all of his troubles so after 6 years of being cruel to her and obsessing over her he finally like finds out the truth that oh her family had nothing to do with why his family moved or why he lost his mom.
So with that all being said I normally do not do high school Romance I can find it sometimes very immature but this was very much two people who didn't really know who they were and they were overshadowed by their families that they ended up growing so much in their own roles and who they were by being together.
Elias is very much a cruel person but he sees Natalia as his weakness and Natalia for the life of her cannot seem to understand why she is growing a liking to Elias I do feel like there is manipulation in this book and I also feel like there is a stronghold of dubcon and non-con in this book as well . The book for me was a 4.5 star the spice is not a slow burn and it is about a 3.5 for me there is so much tension and so much hatred between the two main characters that it just builds more suspense for the book itself and for the over growing plot that is there. I can say that side characters helped a bunch in this book and I'm so excited to see how their stories unravel I also will say that I did enjoy Natalia's brother and him being able to have a cameo in this as well as his own story I would definitely say if you're wanting something that's a little bit more spicier and more on edge for a high school romance this would be it because it is very dominated with the mafia world and with the manipulation trope ☺️
August 13, 2022
Cruel Bully is the second book in the Syndicate Academy Series. This book can be read as a standalone and has a happily ever after ending. This is a dark bully romance story and has dark themes, hot scenes. An enemies-to-lovers, hate-to-love feels, forced proximity, revenge, blackmail, pain, anger, hatred, resentment, misunderstanding, coercion, drama, suspense, violence, drama, obsession, non-consensual and, debasement, bullying, possessive, and love. This is Elias and Natalya story. Elias is part of the Mexican Cartel and Natalya is from the Russian Mafia two mortal enemies. He new student on campus instantly he decided to hate Natalya on sight and she learned to hate him too. It was a hatred that didn't have any reason, it defined them both. He came Syndicate Academy and became an evil s.o.b. he was king and running school.
Elias bullied and tormented Natalya for five years to no end. She thought that she could get away from him in their senior year and she will never have to see her tormentor again once she graduates. Oh boy, was she wrong he wasn't going to let her off so easy. He wanted to make sure that she doesn't forget him even if she tries. He up the madness with some good old blackmail of some dirt on her family. Some information that if expose would tear their world apart. Natalya couldn't let him destroy her family, this means she had to do his bidding by being his pet for the rest of the year. He intends to claim her virginity. He wants to break her and destroy her. Will Elias fall in love in quest to break Natalya?Will Natalya break or walk away free?
I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Elias bullied and tormented Natalya for five years to no end. She thought that she could get away from him in their senior year and she will never have to see her tormentor again once she graduates. Oh boy, was she wrong he wasn't going to let her off so easy. He wanted to make sure that she doesn't forget him even if she tries. He up the madness with some good old blackmail of some dirt on her family. Some information that if expose would tear their world apart. Natalya couldn't let him destroy her family, this means she had to do his bidding by being his pet for the rest of the year. He intends to claim her virginity. He wants to break her and destroy her. Will Elias fall in love in quest to break Natalya?Will Natalya break or walk away free?
I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
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