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CRUEL RULE: AN ELITE PREP SCHOOL BULLY ROMANCE : An Enemies to lovers teen bully romance with steam and sports
I kissed the king of Royal Oaks Prep. Now I’m his favorite target.
Leo Holt is rich, ruthless, and ridiculously hot.
Captain of the basketball team.
Worshipped by the school.
Feared by everyone else.
And me?
I'm the new girl. The nobody.
The mistake he never saw coming.
One stolen kiss at a summer bonfire—that’s all it took to paint a target on my back.
Now he’s made it his mission to destroy me, one brutal rumor at a time.
But I don’t scare easy.
I don’t cry in the bathroom.
And I sure as hell don’t bow to bullies—no matter how good they look in a varsity jacket.
Leo Holt thinks he can break me?
He’s dead wrong.
Because I’ve got secrets of my own.
And when the queen rises… the king falls.
Perfect for fans
💔 High school bully romance
🔥 Enemies-to-lovers tension
👑 Alpha bad boys & fierce heroines
🎓 Prep school drama with real heart
💋 First kisses, cruel games, and slow-burn passion
(THIS IS BOOK ONE OF A TWO BOOK SERIES MINI CLIFF)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“My new obsession!”
I devoured this in one sitting. Leo Holt is the arrogant, broken, brooding bad boy of my dreams, and the heroine? An actual queen. I was hooked from the bonfire kiss to the final twist. If you love cruel games, sizzling tension, and girls who fight back, this book is for you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Best bully romance of the year.”
This book has EVERYTHING.
💋 First kiss at a bonfire? Check.
👑 Arrogant alpha who secretly cares? Check.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Read this if you love Zodiac Academy, Elite, or Cruel Prince.”
The Gold Royal Oak setting gave dark academia perfection, and the dynamics between Leo and the heroine were FIRE. Every time he called her “Gitanilla” I MELTED. I need this adapted to Netflix immediately.
#LeoHoltForever #PromKingFanClub
🎓 Rich kids, power plays, and private school chaos? DOUBLE CHECK.
The writing is sharp, the pacing flawless, and the heat? Let's just say I highlighted a lot.
Leo Holt is rich, ruthless, and ridiculously hot.
Captain of the basketball team.
Worshipped by the school.
Feared by everyone else.
And me?
I'm the new girl. The nobody.
The mistake he never saw coming.
One stolen kiss at a summer bonfire—that’s all it took to paint a target on my back.
Now he’s made it his mission to destroy me, one brutal rumor at a time.
But I don’t scare easy.
I don’t cry in the bathroom.
And I sure as hell don’t bow to bullies—no matter how good they look in a varsity jacket.
Leo Holt thinks he can break me?
He’s dead wrong.
Because I’ve got secrets of my own.
And when the queen rises… the king falls.
Perfect for fans
💔 High school bully romance
🔥 Enemies-to-lovers tension
👑 Alpha bad boys & fierce heroines
🎓 Prep school drama with real heart
💋 First kisses, cruel games, and slow-burn passion
(THIS IS BOOK ONE OF A TWO BOOK SERIES MINI CLIFF)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“My new obsession!”
I devoured this in one sitting. Leo Holt is the arrogant, broken, brooding bad boy of my dreams, and the heroine? An actual queen. I was hooked from the bonfire kiss to the final twist. If you love cruel games, sizzling tension, and girls who fight back, this book is for you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Best bully romance of the year.”
This book has EVERYTHING.
💋 First kiss at a bonfire? Check.
👑 Arrogant alpha who secretly cares? Check.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Read this if you love Zodiac Academy, Elite, or Cruel Prince.”
The Gold Royal Oak setting gave dark academia perfection, and the dynamics between Leo and the heroine were FIRE. Every time he called her “Gitanilla” I MELTED. I need this adapted to Netflix immediately.
#LeoHoltForever #PromKingFanClub
🎓 Rich kids, power plays, and private school chaos? DOUBLE CHECK.
The writing is sharp, the pacing flawless, and the heat? Let's just say I highlighted a lot.
187 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2025
101 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 5, 2026
I should have listened to my gut and stopped on the first page when the FMC said "visco girl". Listen, you know that gross childhood phrase "He who smelt, it dealt"? Yeah, that basically applied to this author when she said;
"Then—like a scene straight out of a Wattpad cliché—he stepped closer."
I feel like she was trying to be witty here, like "Maybe if I say it first, people won't ACTUALLY comment that this is, in fact, a Wattpad cliche'!" and a horrible one at that.
For starters, the FMC was the most annoyingly overdramatic, self-insert chick I've read in a while. The kind of character who needs an assistant to carry around a fainting couch she can flop down on dramatically while saying "Oh EM GEE, everyone is so *mean* to me!!" 😭😭😭😭 She acts like she's been the victim of human trafficking and a locker room gang bang, not photoshopped bullshit! I'm not saying it's nothing, but her reaction to bullying that is maybe a 4/10 on the bully scale is as though she suffered bullying that is 1000/10 😂🤦🏼♀️
The writing was bad, I felt like I was reading a 15 year old girls creative writing journal. She did this MADDENING thing where she'd give you the same conversation from both characters PoV, but then she'd CHANGE the dialogue!
Like from Jade's PoV when she first has a convo with Leo, she asks how he knows she isn't from around here. He says because she doesn't have a spray tan and laminated eyebrows. When we get Leo's perspective, after she asks how he knows she isn't from around here, he instead says "Your shoe's are still clean" Gah!🤬🤬🤬 This didn't happen just once or twice, this was constant! In book two, an entire chapter was repeated twice! Not back to back either. Timelines changed randomly, Days went by and then were somehow repeated again. Information that was already given, was given again and everyone was shocked by it.It's like she kept all her ideas drafts in a folder and then never sorted them and just put them together and called it a book.
I started skipping and skimming about the 4th chapter in, skimmed to the end, went to the next book, skimmed through that where I got one of the most hilariously bad lines from the heroine. It's supposed to be her "I'm a bad ass" mic drop comeback lines, but instead we got;
"You wanted me gone. You got your viral moment. But here's the thing about queens, Bianca—they don't abdicate. They abdicate you."
😂😂😂😂💀💀💀💀💀😭😭😭😭
Whaaaaaat?! Girl, I don't think that word means what you think it means. You can't "abdicate" another person, it goes against the very definition of the word. You can usurp or depose someone but you can't "abdicate" someone else. In fact, the ONLY person who can abdicate from their position is the person in the position themselves 🤦🏼♀️ If I were Bianca, I'd have just stared at her for a second before cracking up laughing. It reminds me of "Not another teen movie" when the cheerleader girl is mocking the whole "bring it on" speech and says "Oh, it's already been BROUGHTEN" 😂😂 In fact, I think thinking of it as a satire is what carried me through skimming both books. It gets more and more overblown and ridiculous as we go on. Netflix specials for a chick who had glue put in her hair? Global fame? Are you kidding me? The FMC is supposed to be "So real and not faking anything or doing it for the publicity" but the entire damn thing, every single person is talking about, posting on and looking at everyone else's social media and hashtags😂🤦🏼♀️
This was also completely closed door. There may have been some comment to that effect in the blurb, but I didn't catch it. So there wasn't even any sex to carry it through.
Ultimately, if you're in the mood for a badly written YA daydream, just stick to Wattpad.
"Then—like a scene straight out of a Wattpad cliché—he stepped closer."
I feel like she was trying to be witty here, like "Maybe if I say it first, people won't ACTUALLY comment that this is, in fact, a Wattpad cliche'!" and a horrible one at that.
For starters, the FMC was the most annoyingly overdramatic, self-insert chick I've read in a while. The kind of character who needs an assistant to carry around a fainting couch she can flop down on dramatically while saying "Oh EM GEE, everyone is so *mean* to me!!" 😭😭😭😭 She acts like she's been the victim of human trafficking and a locker room gang bang, not photoshopped bullshit! I'm not saying it's nothing, but her reaction to bullying that is maybe a 4/10 on the bully scale is as though she suffered bullying that is 1000/10 😂🤦🏼♀️
The writing was bad, I felt like I was reading a 15 year old girls creative writing journal. She did this MADDENING thing where she'd give you the same conversation from both characters PoV, but then she'd CHANGE the dialogue!
Like from Jade's PoV when she first has a convo with Leo, she asks how he knows she isn't from around here. He says because she doesn't have a spray tan and laminated eyebrows. When we get Leo's perspective, after she asks how he knows she isn't from around here, he instead says "Your shoe's are still clean" Gah!🤬🤬🤬 This didn't happen just once or twice, this was constant! In book two, an entire chapter was repeated twice! Not back to back either. Timelines changed randomly, Days went by and then were somehow repeated again. Information that was already given, was given again and everyone was shocked by it.It's like she kept all her ideas drafts in a folder and then never sorted them and just put them together and called it a book.
I started skipping and skimming about the 4th chapter in, skimmed to the end, went to the next book, skimmed through that where I got one of the most hilariously bad lines from the heroine. It's supposed to be her "I'm a bad ass" mic drop comeback lines, but instead we got;
"You wanted me gone. You got your viral moment. But here's the thing about queens, Bianca—they don't abdicate. They abdicate you."
😂😂😂😂💀💀💀💀💀😭😭😭😭
Whaaaaaat?! Girl, I don't think that word means what you think it means. You can't "abdicate" another person, it goes against the very definition of the word. You can usurp or depose someone but you can't "abdicate" someone else. In fact, the ONLY person who can abdicate from their position is the person in the position themselves 🤦🏼♀️ If I were Bianca, I'd have just stared at her for a second before cracking up laughing. It reminds me of "Not another teen movie" when the cheerleader girl is mocking the whole "bring it on" speech and says "Oh, it's already been BROUGHTEN" 😂😂 In fact, I think thinking of it as a satire is what carried me through skimming both books. It gets more and more overblown and ridiculous as we go on. Netflix specials for a chick who had glue put in her hair? Global fame? Are you kidding me? The FMC is supposed to be "So real and not faking anything or doing it for the publicity" but the entire damn thing, every single person is talking about, posting on and looking at everyone else's social media and hashtags😂🤦🏼♀️
This was also completely closed door. There may have been some comment to that effect in the blurb, but I didn't catch it. So there wasn't even any sex to carry it through.
Ultimately, if you're in the mood for a badly written YA daydream, just stick to Wattpad.
January 12, 2026
4 stars for me.
Jade wants to keep her head down and survive her senioy year in new school without drama. Leo, a king of Royal Oaks Prep don't let her hide,he wants her even when that will just make Jade a target,he's elite ,she's a scholarship girl,and those two don't mix.Not being able to fight their feelings they get together soon,which is the thing that everyone wants to destroy.
Will Jade trust with her heart and let Leo get close?
I actually really enjoyed this book,which surprise me a little as it is more YA then NA.Leo as a bully was acting exacly his age,I often read about kings of school etc.,that behave older then the age insinuated,Leo while powerful also shows this vulnerability with his conflicted feelings about Jade and her safety.While it have some dark themes,I got also glimpse at the first love and sweet moments that make this book a emotional and great story.I hope Jade will tough up a little bit more,while I saw the parts that she's getting stronger,there were times that she lost all fight and wants to give up.I'm moving to book two now,and boy I really hope the bullys from old and the new school get what they deserved.
Thank you booksirens and author for copy,my review is honest and my own.
Jade wants to keep her head down and survive her senioy year in new school without drama. Leo, a king of Royal Oaks Prep don't let her hide,he wants her even when that will just make Jade a target,he's elite ,she's a scholarship girl,and those two don't mix.Not being able to fight their feelings they get together soon,which is the thing that everyone wants to destroy.
Will Jade trust with her heart and let Leo get close?
I actually really enjoyed this book,which surprise me a little as it is more YA then NA.Leo as a bully was acting exacly his age,I often read about kings of school etc.,that behave older then the age insinuated,Leo while powerful also shows this vulnerability with his conflicted feelings about Jade and her safety.While it have some dark themes,I got also glimpse at the first love and sweet moments that make this book a emotional and great story.I hope Jade will tough up a little bit more,while I saw the parts that she's getting stronger,there were times that she lost all fight and wants to give up.I'm moving to book two now,and boy I really hope the bullys from old and the new school get what they deserved.
Thank you booksirens and author for copy,my review is honest and my own.
October 14, 2025
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.
This is the first book in the Royal Oaks Prep Series. It is the story of Jade and Leo. Jade is the new girl at Royal Oaks Prep. He is the golden boy that is ruthless and the captain of the basketball team. During the summer they had a stolen moment around a bonfire. A kiss. And now she has a target on her back. He is on a mission to destroy her life. One vicious rumor at a time that he enjoys spreading a little to much. This is a slow burn or a romance with twists and turns and things you will not see coming. There is a lot of drama, a boy obsessed, total opposites attraction, bullying. You name it is in this book. I really enjoyed reading this book, and can't wait to have the next book in my hands.
This is the first book in the Royal Oaks Prep Series. It is the story of Jade and Leo. Jade is the new girl at Royal Oaks Prep. He is the golden boy that is ruthless and the captain of the basketball team. During the summer they had a stolen moment around a bonfire. A kiss. And now she has a target on her back. He is on a mission to destroy her life. One vicious rumor at a time that he enjoys spreading a little to much. This is a slow burn or a romance with twists and turns and things you will not see coming. There is a lot of drama, a boy obsessed, total opposites attraction, bullying. You name it is in this book. I really enjoyed reading this book, and can't wait to have the next book in my hands.
November 13, 2025
A brilliant new author I’ve come across has absolutely nailed their step into the world of prep school romance — complete with all the addictive tropes we love: bully-to-lovers tension, rich alpha sports jocks, and the kind of instant, all-consuming love that befalls Leo Holt, the reigning King of Royal Oaks Prep.
I truly enjoyed the character of Jade — her strength, resilience, and courage shine through every page. There’s something so captivating about an underdog who refuses to break, even when the odds are stacked against her. Jade’s down-to-earth nature and unwavering integrity make her impossible not to root for, especially as the drama unfolds.
This story delivers it all — action, emotional depth, loyal friendships, and a pure, passionate love that hits hard. And just when you think you can breathe again… that cliffhanger ending will leave you desperate for more!
I truly enjoyed the character of Jade — her strength, resilience, and courage shine through every page. There’s something so captivating about an underdog who refuses to break, even when the odds are stacked against her. Jade’s down-to-earth nature and unwavering integrity make her impossible not to root for, especially as the drama unfolds.
This story delivers it all — action, emotional depth, loyal friendships, and a pure, passionate love that hits hard. And just when you think you can breathe again… that cliffhanger ending will leave you desperate for more!
October 12, 2025
This is the first book in a new series, and this is Leo and Jade’s story.
Leo is ruthless, wealthy, and the captain of the basketball team, while Jade is the new girl at Royal Oaks Prep, and one stolen kiss at a summer bonfire—that is all it took to paint a target on her back. Now he has made it his mission to destroy her, one brutal rumour at a time.
I cannot wait to read the conclusion of Leo and Jade’s journey.
This is a well written slow burn, emotions roller coaster, with friendships, drama, tension, secrets, bullying, obsession, enemies / lovers, undeniable chemistry, engaging and realistic secondary characters, opposites attract, and is an entertaining, tragic, dark romance.
I look forward to reading more from these talented authors’ whose work I highly recommend.
Leo is ruthless, wealthy, and the captain of the basketball team, while Jade is the new girl at Royal Oaks Prep, and one stolen kiss at a summer bonfire—that is all it took to paint a target on her back. Now he has made it his mission to destroy her, one brutal rumour at a time.
I cannot wait to read the conclusion of Leo and Jade’s journey.
This is a well written slow burn, emotions roller coaster, with friendships, drama, tension, secrets, bullying, obsession, enemies / lovers, undeniable chemistry, engaging and realistic secondary characters, opposites attract, and is an entertaining, tragic, dark romance.
I look forward to reading more from these talented authors’ whose work I highly recommend.
January 8, 2026
Cruel Reign (Book 1) by J. T. Hardt
I fell in love with the main characters of this book. Jade and Leo have so much charisma together, and Aunt Sarah is so sweet. Shani is Jade's best friend and tries to help Jade cope with everything. They are all students at Royal Oak High School, and almost all have rich parents. Not Jade, she is a scholarship kid.
I could not wait for this book to come out, so I pre-ordered it. This is the second book of Jade and Leo. You will want to read Book One first, then this one. I loved both books and found the twists and turns very interesting. I highly recommend both books. I think I cried, laughed, and even got pissed reading this story. It is a wonderful read.
I fell in love with the main characters of this book. Jade and Leo have so much charisma together, and Aunt Sarah is so sweet. Shani is Jade's best friend and tries to help Jade cope with everything. They are all students at Royal Oak High School, and almost all have rich parents. Not Jade, she is a scholarship kid.
I could not wait for this book to come out, so I pre-ordered it. This is the second book of Jade and Leo. You will want to read Book One first, then this one. I loved both books and found the twists and turns very interesting. I highly recommend both books. I think I cried, laughed, and even got pissed reading this story. It is a wonderful read.
January 6, 2026
This book has potential but it lacks details. You get sort of lost because of the missing lines.
Also, I really wish authors would proofread their work before sending it out. There is nothing I dislike more than reading a book and the author changes the name of a person or changes the state of where the person is from.
In the middle of the book, the name of a girl and the state where Jade is from… annoying because it ruins the whole vibe.
Proofreading is your friend.
Take this back and edit it. It can be a good book.
Also, I really wish authors would proofread their work before sending it out. There is nothing I dislike more than reading a book and the author changes the name of a person or changes the state of where the person is from.
In the middle of the book, the name of a girl and the state where Jade is from… annoying because it ruins the whole vibe.
Proofreading is your friend.
Take this back and edit it. It can be a good book.
October 2, 2025
This is the first book I have read from this author and I can not wait to read more. The MCs had such fire between them even when they were fighting. The plot was refreshing and flowed easily. I could not wait to turn the page to find out what happened next. The supporting characters were so awesome I want books on them. I can not wait to read the conclusion of Leo and Jade's story.
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.
October 6, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
December 28, 2025
wish it was longer but other than that i loved it so much, i love jade and leo 💖💖😭😭
January 11, 2026
Nice fast read for when you are laid up sick in bed.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews