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Breaking the Badboys: A Highschool Enemies to Lovers Bully Romance
👑 Three Princes. One New Girl. No Mercy. 👑
When Jen moves to Lakeview High, she wants nothing more than to fly under the radar. But the Gang of Princes has other plans.
They choose one girl each year. One girl to wear the crown.
It’s a game. A status symbol. A trap.
Galen—the brooding king with secrets darker than night.
Angelo—the golden boy with a wicked streak.
Thomás—the quiet one who might be the most dangerous of all.
Jen is no damsel. And she’s not here to be claimed. But in a school where power means everything, refusing the crown may cost her more than her pride.
🔥 Enemies-to-lovers tension
🔥 Found family & forbidden romance
🔥 High school politics with mafia-level stakes
Who will break—and who will be broken?
Perfect for fans of bully romance and dark high school drama with a twist of heart.
Scroll up and 1-click to dive into the twisted world of Lakeview High.
(This was originally a Kindle Vella series that didn't finish and is now the complete story!)
When Jen moves to Lakeview High, she wants nothing more than to fly under the radar. But the Gang of Princes has other plans.
They choose one girl each year. One girl to wear the crown.
It’s a game. A status symbol. A trap.
Galen—the brooding king with secrets darker than night.
Angelo—the golden boy with a wicked streak.
Thomás—the quiet one who might be the most dangerous of all.
Jen is no damsel. And she’s not here to be claimed. But in a school where power means everything, refusing the crown may cost her more than her pride.
🔥 Enemies-to-lovers tension
🔥 Found family & forbidden romance
🔥 High school politics with mafia-level stakes
Who will break—and who will be broken?
Perfect for fans of bully romance and dark high school drama with a twist of heart.
Scroll up and 1-click to dive into the twisted world of Lakeview High.
(This was originally a Kindle Vella series that didn't finish and is now the complete story!)
148 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2025
34 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 20, 2025
ARC review-BookSirens
High school Bully romance it was good. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline 3 boys interested in one girl. There was cursing it but sometimes it was censored and times it wasn’t seemed a bit odd to me. There some endings to scenes that happens that just ended and was on the next part before it felt like it was finished. The timeline seemed a little off because things happened but you had no idea how long time passed between it. Was it a few weeks a month or several months? It started off nicely paced but the ending felt rushed I wish it was a bit longer.
High school Bully romance it was good. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline 3 boys interested in one girl. There was cursing it but sometimes it was censored and times it wasn’t seemed a bit odd to me. There some endings to scenes that happens that just ended and was on the next part before it felt like it was finished. The timeline seemed a little off because things happened but you had no idea how long time passed between it. Was it a few weeks a month or several months? It started off nicely paced but the ending felt rushed I wish it was a bit longer.
September 28, 2025
Galen, Angelo, Thomás are the three Princes. Jen just happens to be a new girl. There will be no mercy.
Jen just moved to Lakeview High and all she wants is to fly under the radar and go unnoticed. But Galen, Angelo, and Thomás, the Gang of Princes have other plans all their own.
Each year pick one girl. One girl to wear their crown.
It's all just a game they play. For the girls, it's a status symbol. Regardless it's a trap.
Galen is the brooding king who has his secrets that are darker than the dark of night.
Angelo is the golden boy of the trio who has a wicked streak.
Thomás is the quiet one, and he's the one you might have to keep your eye on the most, as he might just be the most dangerous one of them all.
But, Jen is no damsel in distress and she didn't come to this school to be claimed by anyone. But, she also knows that when you are in a school where power means everything, if she were to refuse the crown, it may just cost her more than her pride.
Now the question becomes who will break – and who will be broken?
This book is perfect for fans of bully romance and dark high school drama that has a twist of heart.
Tropes: Enemies-to-Lovers Tension, Found Family, Forbidden Romance, High School Politics, and Mafia Level Stakes.
Breaking the Badboys is A High School Enemies-To-Lovers Bully Romance by J.T. Hardt. I have to say that this is really a very soft version of a school bully romance and it is really a great introduction to the genre.
I personally found that there really isn't any menage in this story, there are a few situations where all three guys are involved with Jen. But I found that most of the book revolves around other topics and conflicts that are still just as serious versus just involving multiple partners.
I really enjoyed that we got the POVs of not only Jen but also Galen. Although I do wish that we could have gotten POVs from Thomás and Angelo as well. But, I did like that we got at least one of the MMCs' POVs. We learn that Galen is stuck in this cycle of abuse and not only are some of these cycles put on him by force but at the same time some are of his doing.
I found Jen to be so stunning in comparison to him and in all honesty Jen is totally the opposite of Galen. She is such a fierce character and she doesn't rely on anyone else to make her decisions or better yet to come to her rescue. And even though Jen and Galen's roads were met with a lot of roadblocks and even a lot of false starts, there was always a hope lingering there for their future.
And that ending, oh how I loved that ending. In the end I got everything that I could have wanted for Jen, Galen, Angelo, and Thomás.
If you are new to high school bully romance and want to dip your toe in the pond then this is the perfect book for you. Even if you are deep in the high school bully romance genre and you just want something light and still in that genre, here's the book for you.
Jen just moved to Lakeview High and all she wants is to fly under the radar and go unnoticed. But Galen, Angelo, and Thomás, the Gang of Princes have other plans all their own.
Each year pick one girl. One girl to wear their crown.
It's all just a game they play. For the girls, it's a status symbol. Regardless it's a trap.
Galen is the brooding king who has his secrets that are darker than the dark of night.
Angelo is the golden boy of the trio who has a wicked streak.
Thomás is the quiet one, and he's the one you might have to keep your eye on the most, as he might just be the most dangerous one of them all.
But, Jen is no damsel in distress and she didn't come to this school to be claimed by anyone. But, she also knows that when you are in a school where power means everything, if she were to refuse the crown, it may just cost her more than her pride.
Now the question becomes who will break – and who will be broken?
This book is perfect for fans of bully romance and dark high school drama that has a twist of heart.
Tropes: Enemies-to-Lovers Tension, Found Family, Forbidden Romance, High School Politics, and Mafia Level Stakes.
Breaking the Badboys is A High School Enemies-To-Lovers Bully Romance by J.T. Hardt. I have to say that this is really a very soft version of a school bully romance and it is really a great introduction to the genre.
I personally found that there really isn't any menage in this story, there are a few situations where all three guys are involved with Jen. But I found that most of the book revolves around other topics and conflicts that are still just as serious versus just involving multiple partners.
I really enjoyed that we got the POVs of not only Jen but also Galen. Although I do wish that we could have gotten POVs from Thomás and Angelo as well. But, I did like that we got at least one of the MMCs' POVs. We learn that Galen is stuck in this cycle of abuse and not only are some of these cycles put on him by force but at the same time some are of his doing.
I found Jen to be so stunning in comparison to him and in all honesty Jen is totally the opposite of Galen. She is such a fierce character and she doesn't rely on anyone else to make her decisions or better yet to come to her rescue. And even though Jen and Galen's roads were met with a lot of roadblocks and even a lot of false starts, there was always a hope lingering there for their future.
And that ending, oh how I loved that ending. In the end I got everything that I could have wanted for Jen, Galen, Angelo, and Thomás.
If you are new to high school bully romance and want to dip your toe in the pond then this is the perfect book for you. Even if you are deep in the high school bully romance genre and you just want something light and still in that genre, here's the book for you.
October 4, 2025
Breaking the Badboys: A Highschool Enemies to Lovers Bully Romance by J.T. Hardt is a softer take on the bully-romance trope, blending high-school drama, emotional wounds, and an enemies-to-lovers arc. The story centers on Jen, a fierce and independent newcomer, and Galen, the brooding “Prince” of the high school power structure, with the narrative occasionally hinting at involvement of two other guys (Angelo and Thomás) but never fully diving into a ménage setup.
What worked for me:
- Dual POVs (Galen and Jen) give insight into both sides of their conflicts, making Galen more than a one-dimensional “bad boy” and allowing us to see the cycles of abuse—both inflicted on him and self-inflicted—that shape his behavior.
- Jen is refreshingly strong. She’s not waiting for rescue. She pushes back, questions the system of “crowning” girls, and refuses to lose her agency.
- Emotional stakes over constant erotic tension. Rather than making the trio dynamic the center of the story, most of the narrative focuses on serious themes, conflicts, and personal trauma, which gives the romance more breathing room.
- The ending delivers satisfying closure and hope—even if I didn’t always enjoy the journey, I appreciated how it ended on a high note.
What didn’t quite land:
- I struggled to like the characters at times. The boys’ behavior (and the way Jen sometimes lets herself be pulled into harmful dynamics) frustrated me. At moments, I felt less empathy and more exasperation.
- The spice scenes involving high schoolers felt tonally dissonant to me. It’s a delicate balance, and I think the author sometimes leaned too far into what the characters “can do,” which made me uncomfortable.
- The pacing occasionally wobbles—some arcs and conflicts resolve quickly, while others feel underdeveloped.
Writing style & tone
J.T. Hardt’s style is emotionally charged and dramatic, leaning into tension, internal turmoil, and high-stakes conflict. The prose is readable and engaging, though sometimes heavy on melodrama. The blend of “school politics meets mafia stakes” is ambitious and draws you in, but it occasionally overreaches.
Final verdict
Breaking the Badboys is a decent dip-your-toes-in into bully romance: it has its flaws, and some elements made me squirm, but it also delivered moments of emotional payoff and character growth. If you’re curious about darker high school romances but want something milder than full-blown dark romance, this one might work for you. For me? A solid 3 stars.
What worked for me:
- Dual POVs (Galen and Jen) give insight into both sides of their conflicts, making Galen more than a one-dimensional “bad boy” and allowing us to see the cycles of abuse—both inflicted on him and self-inflicted—that shape his behavior.
- Jen is refreshingly strong. She’s not waiting for rescue. She pushes back, questions the system of “crowning” girls, and refuses to lose her agency.
- Emotional stakes over constant erotic tension. Rather than making the trio dynamic the center of the story, most of the narrative focuses on serious themes, conflicts, and personal trauma, which gives the romance more breathing room.
- The ending delivers satisfying closure and hope—even if I didn’t always enjoy the journey, I appreciated how it ended on a high note.
What didn’t quite land:
- I struggled to like the characters at times. The boys’ behavior (and the way Jen sometimes lets herself be pulled into harmful dynamics) frustrated me. At moments, I felt less empathy and more exasperation.
- The spice scenes involving high schoolers felt tonally dissonant to me. It’s a delicate balance, and I think the author sometimes leaned too far into what the characters “can do,” which made me uncomfortable.
- The pacing occasionally wobbles—some arcs and conflicts resolve quickly, while others feel underdeveloped.
Writing style & tone
J.T. Hardt’s style is emotionally charged and dramatic, leaning into tension, internal turmoil, and high-stakes conflict. The prose is readable and engaging, though sometimes heavy on melodrama. The blend of “school politics meets mafia stakes” is ambitious and draws you in, but it occasionally overreaches.
Final verdict
Breaking the Badboys is a decent dip-your-toes-in into bully romance: it has its flaws, and some elements made me squirm, but it also delivered moments of emotional payoff and character growth. If you’re curious about darker high school romances but want something milder than full-blown dark romance, this one might work for you. For me? A solid 3 stars.
September 6, 2025
I didn't like it that much.
One it is not properly edited.
1. Forgot to close " after a dialogue ends
2. Spelling Mistakes
Second:
Abrupt scene endings. I mean, out of the sudden scene changes to another day or month or even without a proper transition.
Third:
Confusing: Sometimes characters are unclear like it's her. Whom? The teacher of the FMC? It takes time to connect dots like ok FMC is sleeping in her room so this is the teacher, but readers loose interest that way
And there are three hims here which one is the reference, you have to figure out.
No clear indication on who is saying which dialogue in places where more than 2 people are involved.
Fourth:
Her reaction is too normal, like okay, go with the flow. not realistic, like when they mentioned hidden cameras in her room, there should have been a plot after that, her actually trying to find one.
There is no fear when they take her to their place without informing, that not realistic and feels off
Repetition: Knuckles go white is repeated too many times. Use a variety of expressions to show anger.
Pacing: Unsteady pace of the book. Starts very slowly, and at 50% it's too fast. And the ending is too quick
Character: Gen is just a side character with no important role which is off a bit
Reason: Reasoning is too off. Like his teacher groomed him, so now he is literally playing with the lives of others
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
One it is not properly edited.
1. Forgot to close " after a dialogue ends
2. Spelling Mistakes
Second:
Abrupt scene endings. I mean, out of the sudden scene changes to another day or month or even without a proper transition.
Third:
Confusing: Sometimes characters are unclear like it's her. Whom? The teacher of the FMC? It takes time to connect dots like ok FMC is sleeping in her room so this is the teacher, but readers loose interest that way
And there are three hims here which one is the reference, you have to figure out.
No clear indication on who is saying which dialogue in places where more than 2 people are involved.
Fourth:
Her reaction is too normal, like okay, go with the flow. not realistic, like when they mentioned hidden cameras in her room, there should have been a plot after that, her actually trying to find one.
There is no fear when they take her to their place without informing, that not realistic and feels off
Repetition: Knuckles go white is repeated too many times. Use a variety of expressions to show anger.
Pacing: Unsteady pace of the book. Starts very slowly, and at 50% it's too fast. And the ending is too quick
Character: Gen is just a side character with no important role which is off a bit
Reason: Reasoning is too off. Like his teacher groomed him, so now he is literally playing with the lives of others
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 14, 2025
This is a softer version of a school bully romance and a nice one to dip your toes into the genre gently. There is no true ménage story, only a few situations involving three guys and one girl. Most of the book centers around other topics and conflicts that are very serious, versus involving multiple partners. You get the POVs of both Galen and Jen. Galen is multi-faceted, the lead of a group of three guys, and stuck in many cycles of abuse. Some of these cycles are put upon him, and others are of his making. Jen is quite the opposite of him in both status and living conditions. She is a very fierce MC who doesn’t rely on others to make decisions or come to her rescue. Their paths were met with many roadblocks and false starts, yet hope always lingered for the future. The ending was everything I wanted for them and more!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 1, 2025
Breaking The Bad Boy by J.T. Hardt
Galen, Angelo, and Thomas are the “princes” of their elite high school, and each year they choose a princess to crown. Last year’s princess, Seila, didn’t handle the pressure well once they ended things. This year, they’ve set their sights on the new girl — Jen.
This is another fantastic story by J.T. Hardt! The characters feel real — I even found myself disliking a couple of them at first, but by halfway through, my opinion completely changed. It’s a fast-paced, twisty page-turner that kept me hooked from the very beginning. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves intense, addictive high school drama.
I received an advance review copy at no cost, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Galen, Angelo, and Thomas are the “princes” of their elite high school, and each year they choose a princess to crown. Last year’s princess, Seila, didn’t handle the pressure well once they ended things. This year, they’ve set their sights on the new girl — Jen.
This is another fantastic story by J.T. Hardt! The characters feel real — I even found myself disliking a couple of them at first, but by halfway through, my opinion completely changed. It’s a fast-paced, twisty page-turner that kept me hooked from the very beginning. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves intense, addictive high school drama.
I received an advance review copy at no cost, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 13, 2025
An entertaining short romance that plays with familiar high school and bully-to-lovers tropes, while adding an unexpected twist of manipulation that keeps things interesting.
This was a great opportunity to experience the work of a new author, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well the plot unfolded, especially for a shorter read. As someone who enjoys reverse harem romances, I initially assumed this would lean toward a why-choose dynamic, but it took a different path—one that was more innocent than I expected.
Even so, it was an enjoyable and easy read, perfect for passing the time. A standalone story with a solid conclusion that left me satisfied overall.
This was a great opportunity to experience the work of a new author, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well the plot unfolded, especially for a shorter read. As someone who enjoys reverse harem romances, I initially assumed this would lean toward a why-choose dynamic, but it took a different path—one that was more innocent than I expected.
Even so, it was an enjoyable and easy read, perfect for passing the time. A standalone story with a solid conclusion that left me satisfied overall.
October 19, 2025
First I need to warn that there are triggers in this book. A teacher preys on a student. Although he is not underage at present, this has been going on for a long time. I believe this should be mentioned as a content warning. That being said, I liked the story. There were some parts where I was confused by the timeline. I realize it is a short story, but I felt it could have been so much better if there were more. It felt rushed, especially the end. Overall, it was good. I would read another book by this author.
September 13, 2025
This one just wasn’t my cup of tea ☕️ While the plot had potential and the HEA was satisfying, I found the pacing a bit rushed. The POV and timeline shifts made it tricky to follow at times, and some plot points felt like they were set up but never fully explored.
I think this story could really shine as a longer book — or even a multi-book series 🌟 I finished it because I don’t like leaving books unfinished, but it’s not one I’d read again.
💌 ARC received for free; review left voluntarily.
September 30, 2025
ARC Review-BookSirens
Star Rating: 3.75⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Pub Date: Aug 19, 2025
This is a high school bully romance novella that was pretty good. I enjoyed the plot and the characters. There’s 3 guys Galen, Angelo and Thomas, Galen being the main one who is attracted to the quiet new girl, Jen. There was a few errors and the only thing that really annoyed me was the profanity and cursing was plenty but it was censored. Like okay? It was constant but I enjoyed the romance. I read it in one sitting.
Star Rating: 3.75⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Pub Date: Aug 19, 2025
This is a high school bully romance novella that was pretty good. I enjoyed the plot and the characters. There’s 3 guys Galen, Angelo and Thomas, Galen being the main one who is attracted to the quiet new girl, Jen. There was a few errors and the only thing that really annoyed me was the profanity and cursing was plenty but it was censored. Like okay? It was constant but I enjoyed the romance. I read it in one sitting.
October 9, 2025
I can see some of the editing issues mentioned and definitely it is a book one have to check tws first but beyond these I found it a very sweet, tender, powerful high school story. With nice twists, empowering characters, motivational scenes. Loved the one he decided to reveal the truth to his aunt and the (re)actions after that.
And I absolutely loved the romance. And their "always".This is my honest review after receiving an arc copy.
And I absolutely loved the romance. And their "always".This is my honest review after receiving an arc copy.
Read
September 9, 2025This wasn't a bad read, but it needed more depth in terms of character development and storyline. At times, the pacing was too fast for me to keep track of the timeline.
Please check for trigger warnings, as the story contains potentially triggering content. I appreciated the role reversal aspects and the fact that the boys took responsibility for their behavior and sought help.
Please check for trigger warnings, as the story contains potentially triggering content. I appreciated the role reversal aspects and the fact that the boys took responsibility for their behavior and sought help.
Read
September 28, 2025I had a really hard time liking these characters. I was so upset with what the boys were doing and she knew what they were doing and let herself get pulled in! The spice for these high school students was upsetting too. However I understand these were broken characters and I like how she could see through them. . The end was satisfying so I'm glad I finished.
October 4, 2025
From the first chapter this draws you in & you have to find out what happens. Ever. Single. Detail. The story has it all, dark romance enemies to lovers, extreme high school bullying, angst, gang/mafia type mmc’s. Jen, Thomas, Galen, & Angelo are everything within this story. You get to see their characters grow individually and together. I highly recommend this book.
October 13, 2025
Who loves a bad boy romance story? This girl! I loved the characters and the Roman was on point. I could not put it down. This author spun a unique and phenomenal story with some of the most perfect spice. Definitely a must read if you love romance! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 5, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily ✨
as what the author said in the beginning it was meant for a mini short version --- story had a very fast paced but I was hooked! wished we had more moments of the MCs but nevertheless I enjoyed their journey!
as what the author said in the beginning it was meant for a mini short version --- story had a very fast paced but I was hooked! wished we had more moments of the MCs but nevertheless I enjoyed their journey!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2025
Loved it. Three kings of the school Galen, Thomas and Angelo bullying the new girl Jen. Although the attraction is mainly between Jen and Galen. Loved that Jen is no wallflower. Absolutely love that. Will definitely read more books from this author!!!
September 9, 2025
Some stuff should just stay in the drafts my dude 🙏
October 2, 2025
This book had a cute premise. I just feel like there could have been *more* to the story, it felt like a rough draft that could have had a few more details and background info included.
September 15, 2025
I received an ARC and am so honoured to be given the opportunity.
Thoroughly enjoyable read. Strong FMC, great banter between FMC and MMC. The story unfolds at a good, steady pace. I find sometimes authors rush through high school romances, but J.T. Hardt knows what they’re doing! Good redemption arc for MMC, loved watching that play out!
Definitely recommend giving this a go, it slowly reels you in and before you know it, it’s 2:00 am and you’ve devoured the book.
Thoroughly enjoyable read. Strong FMC, great banter between FMC and MMC. The story unfolds at a good, steady pace. I find sometimes authors rush through high school romances, but J.T. Hardt knows what they’re doing! Good redemption arc for MMC, loved watching that play out!
Definitely recommend giving this a go, it slowly reels you in and before you know it, it’s 2:00 am and you’ve devoured the book.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews