I Like The Way You Hurt

by Lorrain Allen

This book has undergone an extensive rewrite to include more craziness, smut, several added chapters, and new epilogue!

New title: Maverick's Madness

Maverick is a racist, raised that way by his bigot father.

The moment he saw me an invisible target was placed on my back.

He thought I would roll over and take his abuse, never expecting a fight.

He was mistaken.

I don’t roll over for anyone.

Maverick and his friends can suck it.

When I don't fold under pressure he comes at me full force, wanting to destroy me.

He never expected to be the one to fold.


WARNING: This book contains strong sexual content and triggers. The subject matter is very brutal. Readers beware. This book isn't for sensitive individuals. This is a stand-alone book

Genres: Dark, Dark Romance, Interracial Romance, High School, Contemporary Romance, Enemies To Lovers, New Adult

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 6, 2019

About the author

Lorrain Allen aka Trigger Queen has enjoyed writing ever since she was in first grade. She loves to get away from the world and lose herself in a book. As a young adult, she became a romance book junky and was inspired to pen her first romance by the many creative authors whose books she's read. Her main focus is writing nontraditional dark romance. The subject matters of her books are controversial, but what’s life without a little controversy?


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Reviews

[♡Meme♡Reads love♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Lorrain Allen


This was great and right up the alley of my favorite types of books my grown-ass likes to read (don't judge me) This genre(highschool bully romance for 18+) has gotten so popular this year and finally, we get an I/R couple (we need more please)

This story has the angst and hates to love you romance with hot back and forth fights that are soooooo fire! I enjoyed the hell out of this and didn't want it to end. Maverick you will hate to love and Cocoa you will root for her happiness. Let me just say the bathroom and classroom scene was freaking hot! I woke up my husband for that one lol! This is another new to me, author, I have found via Instagram and another to add to my fav list cant wait to read more from her!

Happy Reading friends

[Joyffree · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost put this down
I'm truly glad I took the chance on Maverick and Cocoa's story

This is a new author for me and I will admit it took me a few chapters to get accustomed to her writing style.
But once I found my rhythm it was an enjoyable read.

Cocoa is a tough character to crack. Her zest for life is almost contagious and her ability to trudge through the deepest of slush- and it gets pretty deep was a sight to behold.
She's young but she has a good head on her shoulders and every intention of fulfilling her dreams. She has been at the top of the high school feeding chain and in my opinion, can firmly handle being at the bottom just as gracefully - or not.
Mav has had a bit of a rocky start in life. He is angry and emotionally stunted. A bit feral really. Pulling pigtails on the playground seems to be his only knowledge of relationships or the only that he chooses to participate in.
Yes, I am downplaying the events of his childhood a touch but I think each reader will find his past affects us on varying levels (the whole nature vs nurture argument) and will have their own opinions as to whether he is the victim or the villain. My direction of choice may be the odd man out - I am okay with that.

I did have a bit of trouble connecting with the characters in the first 30% or so of the story. The scenes felt too structured and overly descriptive. Areas where I wanted more or even needed it just wasn't there. It did eventually begin a smooth rhythm grasping my attention and keeping me engaged.
I am curious to see what happens with our newly formed group. We get to meet the cast on a superficial level and I truly am interested in knowing more.
The copy I read was comp.

[Rosalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

So for a bully book, I really enjoyed this because she’s a strong heroine and he’s not uselessly a bully and then says 2 sweet words and they’re good.

He definitely develops and becomes a better person. He does horrible things, but in the end I did believe in his pain and regret.

I couldn’t give more than 3 stars cause of one specific issue. So Maverick isn’t just a bully, he’s racist. He uses derogatory terms in the beginning / middle and after he thinks she cheated on him he uses the N word.

And when he realized he was wrong, he apologises and says “he was upset.”

The things I liked: she didn’t forgive him, and he went away to therapy to get better. I liked that he gives her a promise ring to be good to her, and that he doesn’t forgive himself.

I just wish the racism part was a bit more talked about and fleshed our. I believe in their love, but for such a sensitive and important topic, I wish there was one part where Cocoa potentially speaks to Maverick about the fight and oppression of the black community. I felt like a very heavy and important topic was taken more lightly than should be.

I know he hated the words (n word etc) he used, but I wish on top of the therapy and anger management we heard more about his different views on the black community.

I tried not to dwell on this, but I still wish it was taken a MORE seriously. Especially since they started hooking up before his change and everything. The good news is, even if he uses these slurs, it was obvious he used it as an attack mechanism and in his POV, she’s stunning and he’s obsessed. In his POV, there isn’t one racist thought.

It’s just like ... if you have a racist h (hello it’s even in the blurb), let us rest assured that he learned and feels differently at the end. That he understands his wrongs not to just Cocoa, but to the black community.

But besides that, it was a good addicting book with this one important thing that didn’t work for me.

I really liked that Cocoa was strong. I felt uncomfortable with the fact she was aware she was being turned on by a racist (again, writing a racist H is very hard specially when the h is half-black). But again, in his POV, there were no racist thoughts so it kinda helped but still... I felt conflicted about that.

For example, in her POV she says:

“It’s sad that, in this day and age, interracial couples are still considered taboo by others.” And my reaction to that is, isn’t it sad that you’re hooking up with a racist as a biracial? But again.. it really was one of those things where his POV isn’t racist and they had an overwhelming passion. But I’d like to think in reality , a black or biracial woman would not hook up with a racist or so. (Even though his racism came through with comments so I never felt like
He was racist like his dad which helped, cause as much as his words were racist, his thoughts weren’t).

In the end it was his journey of becoming better in all facets of his life and this was part of it.

That being said, my heart broke for Maverick’s upbringing. It’s one of the worst I read about and it’s not his fault he was brainwashed by his dad in terms of racism. He led Cocoa who changed every single thing in his life. Before him, he was a numb asshole. Then she comes and blows his life up.

I liked his journey to becoming a better person. as you can tell, I’m conflicted about the stuff above but otherwise I really enjoyed it.

Let me reiterate, even with her hooking up with him, etc I would’ve given this a 4 or 5 stars if at the end, more was discussed about the racism and how he’s concentrating on that too

[100sweet · Rating 4 out of 5]

HOLY MOLY this is a super HOT read!! I loved Cocoa; a great character who didn't tolerate bullying and had good self-esteem. This is the only book I've read about high school students that actually had a solid female main character. I didn't give this book a perfect score bc I think the bullying went too far and some characters like Victoria were too clichéd. Anyway, I am so impressed by this author and will definitely be reading her other books.

[Vickie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the plot of this story! It’s different and it’s intriguing. However, I think the author fell flat when it came down to writing it in detail.

There was no flow of the storyline and the transitions, in my opinion, was lacking. Often time the author would jump from one scene to the next without even giving us any transitions and that gave me whiplash 🥴🥴

I didn’t feel like there were a lot of character development and there wasn’t enough dialogue between the two characters. Majority of the time they’d argue and then Maverick would sexually assault Cocoa. She had a backbone and that was great, but where was it when he was sexually assaulting her? She gave in too easily in my opinion.

I guess I expected more out of this given the good reviews but I’m left hanging. I ended up dnf’ing this book at 76% and trust me, it took a lot out of me to get that far.

[Nur D. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Çok fena bir kitaptı ya. Zaten kitabın ilk paragrafıyla yazım dilinin kötülüğü karşısında şaşkınlığa uğruyorsunuz. Sonra devam ettikçe şaşkınlığınız katlanarak artıyor. Mantık aradığım herhangi bir kurguda kesinlikle romantikleştirilmesini tasvip etmesem de gerçek dışı gördüğüm bu tür temalarda zorba-kurban ilişkisi okumayı seviyorum. Kalitesinden şüphe etmediğim, seveceğime emin olduğum kitapları bile okuyamıyorum şu sıralar. Bu kitap tam bu dönem kafayı dağıt-topla işlemi görür dedim ama bu ne bu ne haha Sinirlenemedim bile ya hani kitabın tümü saçmaydı ve yazım dili/hikaye anlatımı fecaatti. Konusunu anlatıp saçmalığından bahsetmeyi denemiyorum bile çünkü kitabı eleştirebilmek için bir noktada ciddiye almak gerekiyor. Dahası yorumu yazarken gördüm, yazar bu kitaba daha fazla saçmalık ekleyerek yeni bir isimle tekrar çıkarmış. Böyle ölmezsiniz, füze atayım demiş.

[Crystal Luckey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an eye awakening story. Cocoa lived in California and lost her dad at a young age and her mother eventually remarried and they moved to West Virginia. Maverick was raised in a house that made him become not a nice person. When Maverick saw Cocoa he had feelings he didnt want to have. Maverick and Cocoa did not like each other. They were in situations that always put them around each other. They eventually acted on their feelings and became a couple. This is a story of a thin line between love and hate and love won. This was a great read and shows that just because you were taught wrong, you can change.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh wow.

I honestly don't even know how to start this review. Maverick and Cocoa's story really just needs a moment of silence....

Now that I've got that out of the way...HOLY HELL. Lorrain wasn't kidding with the triggers and warnings. This is not your average bully romance. This packs a punch.

Children imitate their parents and the behaviors they are exposed to in their formative years. Maverick is no exception in his small town, at least until Cocoa moves to town. She turns his world on it's axis and he "secretly" loves every second of it.

She's no punching bag though. She's strong and determined, but most importantly, she is completely aware of her worth and refuses to be treated as a second class citizen.

Cocoa is everything Maverick has been taught to hate so he tried his best to do just that.

He wanted to hurt her.
He never expected to love her.

*I recieved this novel for free in exchange for an honest review by way of Voracious Readers Only *

[Janet Villareal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok...I have a like dislike relationship with this book. I wanted to love it so bad because it sounded so good. I think the concept is a brilliant one but the execution fell a little flat for me. For example, I feel the author overly explained in too much detail what the characters were doing. I feel words were put in as a filler.

That being said, as the book went on I did enjoy it a little more than the beginning. I liked that Cocoa stood up for herself and wasn’t scared of Mav or the mean girls. I didn’t particularly care for Mavs character. I get he grew up in a messed up situation but some of things he did was unforgivable and unredeemable.

So overall the book was just ok for me. I LOVE where the author wanted to go. I think we need more books that overcome racism and love wins in the end. It just wasn’t executed like I hoped it would be. But I definitely will try this author again!

[Valentina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining read at a great pace. This tale was a bwwm, bully romance that included the taboo topic of racism. The story involved a confident biracial without being snarky heroine and a troubled alpha hero who was unwittingly smitten with the heroine upon first encounter. Unlike the now traditional themes of queen bees, bully heroes and bullying events, the book included a few but less similarly played out events, all from which the heroine triumphed. This was no weak, crying heroine. I liked dynamic between the couple, the chemistry and forbidden passion. Their attraction was stronger than they could handle. I also liked that the heroine didn’t play hard to get, didn’t deny her attraction to the hero, and how she submitted to him. There was no constant push and pull in this tale. The hero redeemed myself in this story.

Some issues I had with the book were its writing style -- stilted, and often read as a recounting of events — this happened then this, and next this. There was not, especially in the beginning, a natural flow, diction. I did not feel the relationship or connection between the heroine and her mother. It was very odd how independent the heroine was allowed to live without any parental dissent — drinking, partying all night, getting Brazilian waxes (the latter she freely shared with her mother). Without judgement, a bit of modesty in the heroine’s attire would have balanced (countered) her strength of character seemingly demonstrated from the free-spirit provocative clothing she always wore outside of her uniform. Finally, the stepfather came across as wooden; he didn't feel real. It was as if he were given a couple of scenes in a script that he rehearsed for.

Overall a great read in a non-traditional trope in bwwm, told from both main characters’ points of view. The music list worked well with the story, too.

[La Vida Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ended up liking the book despite my better judgement, but man, the hero is not an easy one to like at all. He's a very racist young man and the pull between him and the bi-racial heroine, Cocoa, who moves to West Virginia from Los Angeles when her mom remarries, is almost unbelievable. He calls her the n-word and a whore when he thinks she's cheated on him because yes, they eventually do get together beyond the really hot sex. It was just a bit much. I don't think I could ever ever be with a man who purported to care for me that called me that awful word. The thing is, Cocoa is a very strong character. She's young, but she's got a good head on her shoulders and handles others that bully her because of her race in their place. She does the same with Maverick, but she can't deny the attraction she has towards him despite his general nastiness.

The author tries to explain where all his anger comes from mainly as a result of losing his mother to suicide and having a racist and violent father. But eh..still can't stomach this Maverick kid. Oh, I say kid cuz keep in mind, they're still seniors in high school. He not only mistreats Cocoa whom he has this animal sex attraction to, but other young women too. He's just..almost nonredeemable. But it's a short read, it kept my attention and had hot love scenes.

[Mary S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow just wow! It takes a lot for me to fall in love with a story. First it has to grab me from the first page and it has to not be dragging at the same thing or just dragging. But this one oh my freaky goodness! it was amazing even with this tough situations it really was a good read a fast pace read. And the part that I love most it's that it definitely makes you feel and imagine what this chacaters are going through. their difficult life they have especially Maverick even for him being mean and so broken as he was I like that Cocoa and him found a way to get at least for the moment a hfn ending. I really hope we get the secondary chacaters stories that were introduce in here. I would love to hear more from this author.

[Kashi Ashley-Ann Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author

My first book by this author was “When Art rises” and I loved that so I decided to give another one of her work a shot. I was not disappointed!

This book is about high school students Mav and Cocoa who had a love/hate relationship. Mav was emotionally and physically abused by his father who was seen as a man of standard to the community but behind closed doors he was just a racist and bigot who enjoyed abusing and raping women.

Unfortunately, Mav was negatively influenced by his father until Cocoa came into his life and challenged the way he saw things. She turned his whole world upside down. He tried to resist her but as you know destiny wouldn’t allow him to escape.

All in all this book was exceptional well and dark as indicated. The toxicity level was high and out of this world. I am happy that I came across this author’s work

[Stephanie Ditmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book by this author for me and I really enjoyed it. I’ve just begun reading “bullly” books and this one was intriguing, emotional and kept you wanting more. Maverick and Cocoa’s story is anything but perfect, these two should not be together on any level, but the attraction is there and undeniable between them. They will deal with all sorts of social inadequacies and this authors bring everything to light in a beautiful way. No spoilers, great read and I look forward to reading more from her. I received a copy of this book.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beware of the warnings before reading this novel, they are there for a reason!! This story is not for the faint-at-heart! Maverick and Cocoa’s story is a well written, fast paced tale, which is dark, intense, raw, gritty, emotional, heart-breaking, intriguing, and with angst and relatable character and riveting plot. I was hooked throughout and look forward to reading more from this gifted author.

[Cynthia Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was mind blowing, heartbreaking, emotional, with loads of twists and turns and will have your head all over the place. Cocoa and Maverick are the epitome of toxic and have an attraction that they can't stay away from. Each page takes you from one dark topic to the next leaving you wanting more and more. This is not for the faint of heart and be mindful of the warnings about triggers. An amazing read and can't wait to read more from this author.

[Rowena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The drama and emotions of the characters will have you flipping the pages in this newest release that doesn’t disappoint. Cocoa and Maverick’s characters are intense and add the people surrounding them makes for an explosive storyline. Their chemistry sizzles and made for some delicious loving. I enjoyed how the two different worlds interacted and was highly entertained.

[lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really a tough book, a good one but if you have any triggers make sure read about the book before reading it. There was a lot of heartbreak, angst and a lot of adversites that Cocoa and Maverick had to go through. I liked that Cocoa was so strong that through everything she stayed strong no matter what occurred. Good book.

[Krystal Estrada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maverick is a hard person to love. Cocoa is not. These two are seemingly oil and water. Everything Maverick has been through makes him nothing short of terrible. You love to hate him, but you also see he's hurting and doesn't know anything different. His transformation is nothing short of fantastic, and I'd love to have more of that Maverick!

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a emotional dark read, didn't know how i would react as i read the book , but then as i read it more as i got into all i can say is wow just wow, cocoa and maverick were two people whom shouldn't have gotten together but thank goodness they did
Cocoa held her own,she knew she had to be tough and strong. Maverick was damaged and tried to destroy everything in his path including cocoa. This is a must read .i reccomend this well written story by Lorraine allen

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart was breaking for Cocoa and what she was going through...good read..strong characters

[Alicia Pressey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very emotional you couldn’t help but love and hate the male character he was so broken but it also had me wondering what was wrong with the female character as she kept taking his crap and wanted him all and all grab some kleenex and a bottle of wine this book will have you in your feelings

[Samantha Fields · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Cocoa and Maverick. Cocoa is new to the town after her mum remarried. I didn't connect with the characters in any way and kept hoping for something that never happened. It's a nice quick read but it didn't grip me and I'm usually a massive fan of this genre. I think if Maverick had shown us he wanted to be different it would have helped.

[Alexandraa XX · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost 5 stars! Almost.... but i really like this book 😃 nice book! Like woww...


~~~ NOT LOVE IN FIRST SIGHT.
ONLY ELECTRICITY FEELING...

One of my fave part when they both meet the second time at a party that the hero invite the heroine to go is: THE HERO TRIES TO BULLY HER AND EMBARRASSING HER IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL FRIENDS. AND HE TOUCH THE HEROINE'S shoulder to see her reaction... oh boy...

THE HEROINE KNEEL HIS D*CK AND SLAP HIM VERY HARD ON THE FACE! HE EVEN CAN TASTE HIS BLOOD!

AND THAT.... IS AMAZING HAHAHAHA



~~~ DARK SAFE HOT high school ROMANTIC LOVE STORY BUT NOT TOO DARK in my opinion.



~~~ THE HERO IS OTT POSSESSIVE ALPHA MALE LIKE OMG



~~~ MANY JEALOUS SCENES FROM THE HERO! MANY.... even in a way that i think its rude to even be jealous of something like that lol



~~~ MANY PUSHING AWAY from the hero! The heroine only did it like twice because for a good reason.



The hero? Did it many times. But in the end and even in the beginning i understand his reasons why... and I'm sympathize...



~~~ ITS A BIT DARK because the hero is mentally and spirituality damaged. He been through so much and it's overwhelming sometimes when he split the details on why he acts the way he is and why his personality is like that... In the end i sympathize to him... I LIKE WHEN HE ALWAYS SAYS THAT THE HEROINE IS THE LIGHT AND WHOS TRYING TO MAKE HIM BETTER... LIKE SHE IS HIS TRUE HEART. in the end even admit to his friends that he loves her very much...



~~~ IT HAS BULLYING SCENES! from the hero and his friends and fake friends.



~~~ NO CHEATING.



~~~ OMG! I LOVE THE HEROINE SO MUCH LIKE I LITERALLY SCREAMS SAYING GIRL I LOVE YOU PLEASE BE MY FRIEND! Why? Because she defends herself, she didn't take sh*t from nobody even from a sh*tty person. SHE IS SASSY! SHE KNOWS HOW TO FIGHT AND SHE DOES FIGHT! even when the hero apologies in the end she said YOU NEED HELP YOURSELF BEFORE YOU'RE WITH ME CAUSE I AIN'T GOING TO HELP YOU THAT WAY. YOU NEED A PROFESSIONAL HELP FOR THAT. yay girl!




~~~ DRAMA.... DRAMA.... DRAMA WITH THE FAKE B*TCHES BUT NOT TOO ANNOYING... BECAUSE THE HEROINE FIGHT THEM AND THEY DIDN'T STAND A CHANCE! THE HEROINE BEAT THEM UP! BRAVOOOOO.... and other drama is only between the hero's personality...

One of the bullying girl who posted some video about the heroine, WHEN THE HEROINE FIND OUT ABOUT IT THE HEROINE WENT STRAIGHT TO THE ENEMY. AND PUNCH HER VERY HARD!




~~~ IT HAS SEPARATION 5 MONTHS because the hero have to moved to another city. the heroine didn't stop him because she wants him to be better before started their relationship. DURING THIS 5 MONTHS BOTH ARE VERY LOYAL AND DIDN'T GO TO ANYONE ELSE EVEEERRR...



>>>> NO VIRGINS...
They don't even talked if they celibate.

They never use condoms.



~~~ I LIKED when they finally have s*x and even after that the hero didn't asked the heroine properly to be his girlfriend, he DIDN'T go to anyone else... neither did she.



~~~ VERY HOT SMUT SCENES



~~~ what makes me give it 4 stars:

1. WHEN HE FIRST MEET the heroine, he found her very attractive but f*cks another just one girl on the party that he invited the heroine. I know this sounds silly but i like the hero to finally stop f*cking around when he knows the feeling or electricity attractions to the heroine. But he doesn't...
so i was a bit disappointed.

2. When the hero touch the heroine p*ssy for the first time at the office i think, only like touch for few seconds and see it. THE HEROINE punch the hero, she got away. AND MR STUPID DECIDED TO CALL THE OW AND told her to s*ck his d*ck. Idk if there's more than that tho.
But it made me very uncomfortable.

3. THE HERO PUSH THE HEROINE AWAY, HAVE HIS D*CK SUCK THAT ONE TIME AFTER TOUCHING THE HEROINE. AND WHEN THE HEROINE WENT ON KISSING SOMEONE ELSE ON A PARTY, HE GOT VERY MAD DRIVE SO FAR TO THE PARTY TO SEPARATE THE HEROINE AND THE OM. LIKE seriously? You can do it and she can't? But he did said he is selfish but this is not acceptable like you can't be too stupid... btw the heroine was kissing him at the dance floor, they didn't go further from that..

4. The hero didn't want to sit with the heroine's friends at first when they start to going out and make a public appearance at school. Like seriously? So arrogant.

5. First time they have s*x it was back in the car with his two friends are driving... LIKE SERIOUSLY WTF WITH THE HERO! HE WAS THE ONE who can't control himself wtf. I do not like this scene at all... nooopppeeee.



~~~ HAPPY ENDING! They are going to get married. I need a longer epilogue and this is also what gave me give it a 4 stars! Because I need a longer epilogue! Come on!

:/


But hey if you want to this book after my review go ahead. I'm just telling you my pros and cons about this book that i find in my point of view like what it is to me. ITS A SAFE love story BOOK IN THE END THO...

[Nene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dang!

I really enjoyed Maverick and Cocoa story. I was glad to see Maverick was willing to change for love. I only wished it was more to their and friends story.

[KayBee's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I received a copy of the ARC in exchange for honest feedback. Thank you Author Lorrain Allen for allowing me to offer my “two cents” on this beautifully written novel. My rating is a 4.5.

My overall experience reading this story was one of pain, heartbreak, and hope. I read this in one sitting and enjoyed every minute of it. I think maybe because I saw a bit of myself in both of these characters. I fell in love with Maverick. He was so beautifully damaged. The romance is true to its dark interracial category. The author did a good job of creating tension between the characters by ensuring the story had relatable content, good flow, developed characters. Overall, I recommend this well-written story to romance lovers.

[Sonia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The issue is not dark or triggers.

The author claims that her story is dark and has triggers. It is dark; however, there is evidence to support the darkness. The names that the h is called and her behavior after being called these names, without justification, was a complete turnoff. Being disrespected is a trigger to reject the person and the behavior. Oh, I forget, very vjayjay totally enjoyed being disrespected. I guess that is the dark part? Really? When the h finally respects herself, which is at the end, the story gets to be palatable. The author is talented; however, needs to work on her characters.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

At times this was confronting but I was riveted and read this in one sitting. Maverick tugged at my heartstrings as he struggled with his darkness and his confusion about Cocoa. I loved her strength and heart, and their passion for eachother burned on the pages. Maverick is hot! I didn't expect this book to grab me as much as it did, and I highly recommend it if you like dark, sexy and emotionally enthralling reads.

[Sky- A hopeless romantic girl :D · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 stars.
A very nice read.
Strong hero and j/p hero.

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Lorrain Allen . At first I wasn’t so sure about where you were going with this novel, but I’m so glad that I stuck it out to the end.
Coco is a young biracial girl who’s father is killed in the line of duty. Life is hard growing up for her and her mom. Her mother’s family has disowned them because she was married to a black man.
Coco is now in her senior year of high school when her mom meets Michael, a school teacher who lives in Virginia. They date and eventually marry. Coco has to leave her three best friends behind and start her senior year at a new school. Little does she know that she will be faced with racism at an all time high. She never tells her mom about what she is up against, she learns to stay tough and to keep her head up and fight back.
Maverick the school ring leader and bully gives Coco a hard time each da. He does this because there is something about her that keeps him wanting her. Mavericks father is a judge and has taught his son to hate every race but his own. So Maverick has a hard time understanding why he has such strong feelings for Coco. He forces himself on her and she can’t refuse him, she wants him also.
Coco and Maverick start to share there life stories with one another until Victoria tells Maverick that Coco is a slut and that she had the pictures to prove it. Maverick calls Coco some very ugly racist names that are unforgivable, and it takes his best friends Dee and Nix to make him see how wrong he was.
Coco and Maverick are two young teenagers that have both had traumatic childhoods with the death of a parent. Their issues bring them together and break the lines of color. Thank you Lorrain, for such an amazing book. I really recommend this as a must read. Great story.