The Secret That Binds Us: The dark, addictive, high school bully romance

by Kai Juniper

Genres: Enemies To Lovers

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 7, 2026

About the author

I write about hot-as-sin guys and the badass girls that love them.

Reviews

[L_raffertysky.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did I love ?no.... Could I put it down? Also no

The tension in this book book was brilliantly built up. I loved how the plot you invest in at the beginning of the book becomes the subplot. I didn't 5 star this book because of the characters not the plot. 1. Finn, he is so annoying and lacks any depth. I was frustrated with this. 2. Parker, I feel like the concept of one of these dominant makes being made a fool of by their girlfriend was not believable. 3. He didn't know his own mind, I was frustrated with this guy. I then got annoyed with Charlotte and Ella who didn't have much conviction.

[Casca Wardle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just have to firstly say………..Wow! And what a rush you get from reading this little menacing and quite brutal story. Being a fan of the “I Know What You Did Last Summer” movies, I got this vibe straight away when the unexpected event happens. I absolutely loved this and I was hooked straight away as soon as I started reading it. Set in a high school environment, there are a lot of cruel pranks that happen throughout but at the same time, you just need to know what happens next as the story unfolds and you learn more about these characters. This would make such a fun movie too! Briggs is so dreamy too! You can’t help but fall in love with him.


5 out of 5! I am hoping there will be a sequel to this because that ending was so random and unexpected! I need more please! You need to read this if you love suspense and unpredictable twists.

[Abbie Riddle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A high school bully book that made me think of "I know what you did last summer". Three bullies one girl. And here we go, a secret to hide - a near murder, the type of thing even money may not be able to bury.

This is one of those binge worthy books that can be read in a weekend and leave you wanting to know what will happen in book two. I really hope that book two follows quickly enough. I also hope that we find out why Briggs targeted her in the first place and I also help some of the other characters are more fleshed out. I mean I could see Ella developing feelings for another character simply because she seems empathetic even though she's strong. I certainly would not want to be played by Briggs

[Monica · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't stand these characters. How can anyone defend, protect, or hide a drunk driver committing a hit-and-run, potentially a murder? You know that felony murder and conspiracy after the fact are thing.

Wren annoyed me the most - a goody two-shoes who doesn't care about anything but her own self. She's completely fine after the event and insists on hiding it.

I don't care if these are teenagers. They should know better, especially Wren. She has a supporting and understanding father.

[Coolchool H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was quick read but as of the moment, I’m not sending any chemistry between the MMC and FMC. I really hope Ella won’t be easily swayed by Briggs, which is similar to another series by the same author. The MMC seems awful and while he has his own issues, I am still not okay with how he treats Ella and how Ella seems to let him get away with it. I’m worried the second book will be along the same lines.

[Aia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure what to rate this series. i mean it was only 246 pages. I dont know what it is about the bully romance but in high school rich kids, i just gotta read it.

anyways poor Briggs. Poor Ella. no seriously. the trauma the plot twist the cliffhanger (not really) was crazy.

also SPOLIER.... if you watched the movie 'i know what you did last summer'.... it is pretty much the same plot lol

i actually liked the FMC, Ella. she stood her ground and wasnt just letting them walk all over here. She didnt succumb to Briggs threats and bullying either.

[Nena Jo Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had so much fun reading this book!! I really enjoyed a good bully romanc. I really felt for the main FMC and when an author can make you feel something for the characters, that means the author is a great one. Don't midd out on this incredible read, it's totally worth it

Thank you to the publisher and net galley for allowing me to read and review

[Nena Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amazing read. I totally loved the FMC and Im a sucker for a good bully romance book. You know the author is good when they can you feel something for characters in a book

Thank you so much to the publisher and net galley for allowing me to read and review

[Yvette · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed this book! I read it in one day! It kept me intrigued waiting to see what would happen!

[MCrawDRKRead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good storytelling. Okay bullying. It could use a bit more building to the relationships/situations. Overall I’m interested enough to read the second.

[BGaybba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a read!!!!

OMW, the plot just got thicker!!! Cannot wait to read the next book. Such a unique story, was not expecting this.

[Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big cliff hanger. RA

We all know most series have a clue hanger but wow. Its a must read. Can't wait to see what happens.

[Valerie Connery · Rating 1 out of 5]

Such a stupid reason to want to be a bully.

[Chantelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not like the book

[Jenna (jenreadsmagic) · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review - 3.75 stars

Thank you to Kai Juniper, NetGalley and Choc Lit for the opportunity to read an eArc of the Secret that Binds Us.

I binged my way through this book within 24 hours. It's very easy to read and at times reminds me of a contemporary version of the bully romance and teen drama aspects of Zodiac Academy. I love the FMC Ella - she's so feisty and I really like that she is constantly standing up to the school bullies regardless of whether anyone would back her up.

Briggs is also delicious - he's still a walking red flag, but he's a traumatised and lonely one. I am excited to see more of Briggs' character journey in the next book - see him hopefully open up more to Ella and watch their dynamics grow and change.

I think the original reason for Briggs bullying Ella has gotten lost a little bit - it became overlooked and remains unresolved at the end of book one, so I'll be interested to see whether it's revisited in book two. That being said, I love that the main thriller/suspense plotline has taken over - it became much more addictive once there was a bit of a forced proximity element added in and I am intrigued by the cliff-hanger the book left off on. I can really the romance ramping up in book two, but it being more of a romantic suspense with more of the thriller/suspense vibes of things like A Good Girl's Guide to Murder or One of Us is Lying.

While I like the plot, the tension and the pacing, I think there was a little bit of a mismatch between the content and the writing style. Although it is a high school bully romance, the book is aimed at an adult audience, but at times it really felt like adult content written in a YA style. This was the one thing that pushed my rating down to just below 4 stars, but overall I still really enjoyed the book and can't wait to see where the story will lead.