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Blackthorn Elite #2
Ruthless Rivals
They say there is always a calm before the storm. A time when you think you’re safe, protected from the destruction that you know is going to eventually come. Harper was that calm. And I? I was the motherfucking storm.
As kids we were best friends. She was the light to my darkness. I used to protect her from her bullies, now I’ll become her most feared one.
Seeing her for the first time after three years was like a bucket of ice water being poured on me. It chilled me to the bone, making me irrational, angry. No longer is she a little girl but a grown woman with curves and eyes that pierce my black soul.
No one knows the darkness that lingers under the surface, all they see is my smile, my charismatic charm. I’m the all American golden boy.
Having her back in my life is awakening something inside of me. She reminds me of everything good, everything I’ll never have and I refuse to let her stay.
She has to go and the only person dark enough, dirty enough to scare her away is me…
Breaking Harper isn’t as easy… I thought I knew everything, turns out others are just as good at hiding their secrets as I am.
Damaged, dark and falling off the deep end. Will I break her? Will I break us?
“Sometimes the scariest monsters aren’t those that hide in the dark. Sometimes they’re the ones hidden right in plain sight… like me.”
**This is a standalone DARK bully romance. This book contains scenes that may be triggering to some readers. This is not a YA romance novel and should be read by those only 18+ or older. **
As kids we were best friends. She was the light to my darkness. I used to protect her from her bullies, now I’ll become her most feared one.
Seeing her for the first time after three years was like a bucket of ice water being poured on me. It chilled me to the bone, making me irrational, angry. No longer is she a little girl but a grown woman with curves and eyes that pierce my black soul.
No one knows the darkness that lingers under the surface, all they see is my smile, my charismatic charm. I’m the all American golden boy.
Having her back in my life is awakening something inside of me. She reminds me of everything good, everything I’ll never have and I refuse to let her stay.
She has to go and the only person dark enough, dirty enough to scare her away is me…
Breaking Harper isn’t as easy… I thought I knew everything, turns out others are just as good at hiding their secrets as I am.
Damaged, dark and falling off the deep end. Will I break her? Will I break us?
“Sometimes the scariest monsters aren’t those that hide in the dark. Sometimes they’re the ones hidden right in plain sight… like me.”
**This is a standalone DARK bully romance. This book contains scenes that may be triggering to some readers. This is not a YA romance novel and should be read by those only 18+ or older. **
190 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2019
1254 people are currently reading
2426 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Beck
238 books7,280 followersJ.L. Beck is the USA Today Best Selling author of unapologetic romance. She lives in WI with her husband, two kids, and four dogs. She enjoys writing and recently starting a literary agency to help represent authors in the industry.
To learn more about her books or interact with her go here: https://linktr.ee/jlbeckbooks
J.L. Beck xoxoxo
To learn more about her books or interact with her go here: https://linktr.ee/jlbeckbooks
J.L. Beck xoxoxo
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 330 reviews
December 23, 2019
Another great bully romance by these two. This one felt a wee bit rushed, a stalker who got his comeuppance who then went missing and the story didn’t go any further. But overall still a riveting story.
March 17, 2020
My second try with in this series and... I still can not like it. Like the first book, the story, characters, conversation, plot and twist, writing, all of them are bad.
It is just bad. I still manage to finish it. I know this is for NA audience. There are so many good authors out there who can write much better than this.
2 stars
It is just bad. I still manage to finish it. I know this is for NA audience. There are so many good authors out there who can write much better than this.
2 stars
December 9, 2019
Holy Hell!!! These authors definitely deliver on their promise that this series is not for the faint-hearted. This dark bully romance goes from zero to one hundred on the first page and doesn't let up. The world of the Blackthorn Elite is full of lies, secrets, twists and turns, and will destroy you if you let it. All of the evil that takes place in this book, speaks right into this black soul of mine.
Once upon a time, Warren thought that Harper was his future. She was his everything, but then she betrayed him. Now three years later, he comes face to face with her after she enrolls at Blackthorn. He is cold and cruel to her, trying to get her to leave. The love that he had for her is gone, and now he's left with a black cold heart dead set on revenge. He does what he wants and certainly doesn't hold back. He is determined to break her and make her pay for what she had done. But when the truth finally unfolds, will it be too late for him? Will she forgive him or will he have lost his one true love?
Lies, secrets, betrayal and an alpha asshole... all things I absolutely love in a book and Breaking You has them in spades. I love a good bully romance and have read many, but this series right here is at the top of my favorites. The authors had me hooked from the start, and I cannot wait to see what they have for us next. Please do yourself a favor and read it. You can thank me later. All the stars in the sky for Warren, Harper and Breaking You.
Once upon a time, Warren thought that Harper was his future. She was his everything, but then she betrayed him. Now three years later, he comes face to face with her after she enrolls at Blackthorn. He is cold and cruel to her, trying to get her to leave. The love that he had for her is gone, and now he's left with a black cold heart dead set on revenge. He does what he wants and certainly doesn't hold back. He is determined to break her and make her pay for what she had done. But when the truth finally unfolds, will it be too late for him? Will she forgive him or will he have lost his one true love?
Lies, secrets, betrayal and an alpha asshole... all things I absolutely love in a book and Breaking You has them in spades. I love a good bully romance and have read many, but this series right here is at the top of my favorites. The authors had me hooked from the start, and I cannot wait to see what they have for us next. Please do yourself a favor and read it. You can thank me later. All the stars in the sky for Warren, Harper and Breaking You.
December 1, 2021
Lowered to 2-stars from my original 3-/2.5-star rating, after reading book1 (Hating You).
MEH or the BAD: ***SPOILERS***
H&h not as less likable & romance less healthy than book1's H&h, despite their many similarities (i.e, H cruel revenge against h for something she supposedly did in the past that she's not aware deeply hurt H who used to like her, H forces BJ on h, H blackmails h to live with him). 19yo virgin college-studenth too doormat-y & 19yo popular college-student manhoH too cruel/controlling/vengeful without enough remorse. Biggest problem is that h easily submitted to H's demands without holding him accountable (weakly resisting & then quickly forgiving H for the physical & verbal abuse he heaped on her (i.e., he forced her to BJ him, he called her a whore & a liar, he controlled who she could talk to & where she could go). She didn't give H much incentive to change his impulsive & over-controlling ways. And H himself just lacked the inner fortitude to change. Book1-H's view of this H was very accurate:
This H reads like book1-H's sidekick in many ways. Not quite as alpha, not quite as obssessed, not quite as protective-possessive, not quite as mature.
Lacked enough character growth. So by the end, both H&h were only slightly changed. She got a little more sassy but very quick to revert back to her passive silent-martyr mode, silently taking the cruelty H dished her. H became faithful to h & slightly less controlling of her. Yet by the end, H was still too quick to judge h & dismissing her without giving her a chance to explain. Three years before, H immediately believed his dad's accusation (that then-16yo h was cheating on H & got an abortion with medical document that showed h's name as the abortion patient) & dropped h without confronting her about it. He did the same 3 years later, when h told him that she was pregnant from all their unprotected sex. I wished that h at least had the guts to ask him why he (her loving & considerate BF at age 16) suddenly hated her & made no contact after his dad got her maid-mom fired & their whole family evicted from H's family's estate 3 years ago. No mention of her trying to contact him via phone/text/email/letter/personal visit 3 years ago to ask why he just dropped her/her mom fired/their family evicted.
The GOOD:
Some angst towards the end, when H told h to get an abortion & get lost after she told him that she thought she may be pregnant. When he realized he was misjudged her, he did apologize. But not enough groveling, mostly because h took him back quickly after he showed up at her parents' house. H needed to feel the pain of guilt & regret for his misjudgment/mistreatment of h longer to make his character growth better & more believable. ok S chemistry. Good-enough detailed sex scenes but didn't like that H forced h to BJ him the night they saw each other again even if h did get some pleasure out of it later.
Sexual History:
virgin h dated & kissed other guys but nothing past the 1st kiss because no OM made her feel like H did. H was a known manho who smexxed many girls in their college campus. After he dismissed h 3 years ago, he became a bitter & vengeful person hate-smexxing lots of women over the 3 years to forget h. Once he saw he again though, he didn't want any other. Didn't like that neither acknowledged that h was a virgin before/during/or after their 1st time smexxing. Maybe her sex-toy collection made her feel less virginal since she didn't bleed or had much discomfort. H wasn't sure beforehand if h was still a virgin & their was no admission by either one after.
MEH or the BAD: ***SPOILERS***
H&h not as less likable & romance less healthy than book1's H&h, despite their many similarities (i.e, H cruel revenge against h for something she supposedly did in the past that she's not aware deeply hurt H who used to like her, H forces BJ on h, H blackmails h to live with him). 19yo virgin college-studenth too doormat-y & 19yo popular college-student manhoH too cruel/controlling/vengeful without enough remorse. Biggest problem is that h easily submitted to H's demands without holding him accountable (weakly resisting & then quickly forgiving H for the physical & verbal abuse he heaped on her (i.e., he forced her to BJ him, he called her a whore & a liar, he controlled who she could talk to & where she could go). She didn't give H much incentive to change his impulsive & over-controlling ways. And H himself just lacked the inner fortitude to change. Book1-H's view of this H was very accurate:
"It’s obvious (Warner) wants to say something, but like the pussy he is,
he tucks his tail between his legs and nods, once again reminding me
why my family name is more powerful than his. It’s not always about
the money, but about the bite behind the bark."
This H reads like book1-H's sidekick in many ways. Not quite as alpha, not quite as obssessed, not quite as protective-possessive, not quite as mature.
Lacked enough character growth. So by the end, both H&h were only slightly changed. She got a little more sassy but very quick to revert back to her passive silent-martyr mode, silently taking the cruelty H dished her. H became faithful to h & slightly less controlling of her. Yet by the end, H was still too quick to judge h & dismissing her without giving her a chance to explain. Three years before, H immediately believed his dad's accusation (that then-16yo h was cheating on H & got an abortion with medical document that showed h's name as the abortion patient) & dropped h without confronting her about it. He did the same 3 years later, when h told him that she was pregnant from all their unprotected sex. I wished that h at least had the guts to ask him why he (her loving & considerate BF at age 16) suddenly hated her & made no contact after his dad got her maid-mom fired & their whole family evicted from H's family's estate 3 years ago. No mention of her trying to contact him via phone/text/email/letter/personal visit 3 years ago to ask why he just dropped her/her mom fired/their family evicted.
The GOOD:
Some angst towards the end, when H told h to get an abortion & get lost after she told him that she thought she may be pregnant. When he realized he was misjudged her, he did apologize. But not enough groveling, mostly because h took him back quickly after he showed up at her parents' house. H needed to feel the pain of guilt & regret for his misjudgment/mistreatment of h longer to make his character growth better & more believable. ok S chemistry. Good-enough detailed sex scenes but didn't like that H forced h to BJ him the night they saw each other again even if h did get some pleasure out of it later.
Sexual History:
virgin h dated & kissed other guys but nothing past the 1st kiss because no OM made her feel like H did. H was a known manho who smexxed many girls in their college campus. After he dismissed h 3 years ago, he became a bitter & vengeful person hate-smexxing lots of women over the 3 years to forget h. Once he saw he again though, he didn't want any other. Didn't like that neither acknowledged that h was a virgin before/during/or after their 1st time smexxing. Maybe her sex-toy collection made her feel less virginal since she didn't bleed or had much discomfort. H wasn't sure beforehand if h was still a virgin & their was no admission by either one after.
December 20, 2019
D-N-fucking-F. I passed the halfway mark so it gets rated.
The double standards in this poor excuse for a romance grated on my last nerve. I know that works for some people, but some of us want more for the heroines we read about...
Don’t care how it ended. There’s no coming back from that POS ‘hero’...and the heroine is an idiot with no self control.
Shit like this annoys me.
The double standards in this poor excuse for a romance grated on my last nerve. I know that works for some people, but some of us want more for the heroines we read about...
Don’t care how it ended. There’s no coming back from that POS ‘hero’...and the heroine is an idiot with no self control.
Shit like this annoys me.
March 6, 2025
There is good bully romance and there’s bad bully romance and this one is BAD ! Not ever author can do bully romance well……. 😒
I love bully romance even though it enrages me to no end. My feminism always flares up and it makes me want to decimate the entire men population, but then I love see them turn around and grovel and suffer to get the women to forgive them. I love bully romance when it’s well done and when the girl IS NOT a stupid doormat that allows the guy to walk allover them and in the end there is no grovel or suffering. When the need and groveling and suffering doesn’t happen and when the girl is just a doormat, it’s not worth all the humiliation, shame and pain they went through most of the book. So in those cases when the book is like this I just PLAIN HATE ! And that’s this book over here.
First of all this one is almost a copy and paste of the first one except the first one has a good plot, the girl is feisty and a fighter and there is groveling. So yep this one is bad.
I love bully romance even though it enrages me to no end. My feminism always flares up and it makes me want to decimate the entire men population, but then I love see them turn around and grovel and suffer to get the women to forgive them. I love bully romance when it’s well done and when the girl IS NOT a stupid doormat that allows the guy to walk allover them and in the end there is no grovel or suffering. When the need and groveling and suffering doesn’t happen and when the girl is just a doormat, it’s not worth all the humiliation, shame and pain they went through most of the book. So in those cases when the book is like this I just PLAIN HATE ! And that’s this book over here.
First of all this one is almost a copy and paste of the first one except the first one has a good plot, the girl is feisty and a fighter and there is groveling. So yep this one is bad.
December 31, 2019
FIVE DARK STARS for Harper and Warren 💖💖💖!!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is one more amazing book written by the brilliant duo, J. L. Beck and Cassandra Hallman.
I've enjoyed every moment I spent reading this book.
It's dark.
Full of secrets, lies and everything that one dark romance book needs to have.
If you loved the first book from this series, you must read this one ❤🖤!!!
Highly recommended!!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is one more amazing book written by the brilliant duo, J. L. Beck and Cassandra Hallman.
I've enjoyed every moment I spent reading this book.
It's dark.
Full of secrets, lies and everything that one dark romance book needs to have.
If you loved the first book from this series, you must read this one ❤🖤!!!
Highly recommended!!!
January 6, 2020
Addicting and Sinfully Good
If you guys thought Parker was mean in Hating You (Blackthorn Elite Book 1) then you are not ready for Warren.
When we first met Warren he seemed like he was a fun, cocky, flirty asshole but when he comes face to face with Harper a blast from his past a flip switches and we get a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde situation. He was Cold, Cruel, Vengeful and down right Nasty towards Harper and barely seem to show any remorse and HOLY FREAKING HELL did I enjoy it. Maybe a little too much really but this story was intriguing, captivating, super entertaining and sexy as hell
We slowly find out why Warren treats Harper the way he does and is it justified most definitely not but boy is it fun to read about. He is the ultimate Anti-Hero. It did take me a sometime to warm up to Harper as even though she had her sassy moments and stood up to Warren I do wish she would've fought a little harder against him but I understand given their past why she felt conflicted towards him and how he treated her. I loved their ending but there were a few minor scenes I'm hoping get explored/explained a little more in the next book.
So far I'm loving this series but this is definitely not for everyone as it does tackle some triggering and hard to read topics so I would suggest taking caution before reading
Is it weird that im slightly obsessed with Warren even loved him when he was being horrible. Don't really know what that says about me
"Warren wasnt prince charming. He wasn't a knight. He had become what true nightmares were made of. My Bully. My Monster. My Tormentor."
If you guys thought Parker was mean in Hating You (Blackthorn Elite Book 1) then you are not ready for Warren.
When we first met Warren he seemed like he was a fun, cocky, flirty asshole but when he comes face to face with Harper a blast from his past a flip switches and we get a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde situation. He was Cold, Cruel, Vengeful and down right Nasty towards Harper and barely seem to show any remorse and HOLY FREAKING HELL did I enjoy it. Maybe a little too much really but this story was intriguing, captivating, super entertaining and sexy as hell
We slowly find out why Warren treats Harper the way he does and is it justified most definitely not but boy is it fun to read about. He is the ultimate Anti-Hero. It did take me a sometime to warm up to Harper as even though she had her sassy moments and stood up to Warren I do wish she would've fought a little harder against him but I understand given their past why she felt conflicted towards him and how he treated her. I loved their ending but there were a few minor scenes I'm hoping get explored/explained a little more in the next book.
So far I'm loving this series but this is definitely not for everyone as it does tackle some triggering and hard to read topics so I would suggest taking caution before reading
Is it weird that im slightly obsessed with Warren even loved him when he was being horrible. Don't really know what that says about me
"Warren wasnt prince charming. He wasn't a knight. He had become what true nightmares were made of. My Bully. My Monster. My Tormentor."
December 19, 2019
No, just no. Bully romances are tricky by nature, in my opinion, but can be done well. Breaking You is not one of them.
Warren is not just an a-hole. He’s a predator and is sexually assaulting Harper, the only woman he’s supposedly ever loved, from the second she reappears in his life. He wants revenge for her betrayal, to break her the way she broke him three years ago.
The humiliation and assault from the get-go was a lot for me, but I kept reading hoping that it would turn around once his reasons were revealed. And okay, he had a kind of good reason to be pissed, but he was an immature jerk for not discussing it with her then or now. And Harper just takes everything that Warren dishes out and returns for more? No thank you. She deserved more than that.
Sure, there’s a nice HFN at the end, but I didn’t hate by that point because I was so turned off by his behavior and her simple acceptance of his apology. He was AWFUL to her, and she just took him back? No, this one didn’t work for me.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
Warren is not just an a-hole. He’s a predator and is sexually assaulting Harper, the only woman he’s supposedly ever loved, from the second she reappears in his life. He wants revenge for her betrayal, to break her the way she broke him three years ago.
The humiliation and assault from the get-go was a lot for me, but I kept reading hoping that it would turn around once his reasons were revealed. And okay, he had a kind of good reason to be pissed, but he was an immature jerk for not discussing it with her then or now. And Harper just takes everything that Warren dishes out and returns for more? No thank you. She deserved more than that.
Sure, there’s a nice HFN at the end, but I didn’t hate by that point because I was so turned off by his behavior and her simple acceptance of his apology. He was AWFUL to her, and she just took him back? No, this one didn’t work for me.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
April 27, 2026
Okay this was exactly like book one??? But also... THERE IS CHEATING IN CHAPTER 19 (it is graphic and it is on page)
In the strongest terms possible, readers and people who know this author in real life should absolutely be re-examining their relationship with this woman.
Women who out themselves as relishing the absolute cruelty and brutality they write for their FMCs out themselves as not only deeply misogynistic but unsafe to be around. Why in your imagination is this type of behavior romanticized in your fiction??
Yeah um, whether or not someone is human to you shouldn't be conditional upon if they broke your heart or hurt your little 16 yo feelings. This author is weird.
There's bully romance and then there's blatant dehumanization. And yes, it really is that deep.
THE CHEATING:
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
Virgin h (kissed a few boys but "felt nothing" 🙄)
HUGEEEEE manwhore (both MCs were virgins when they met but only he is allowed to have a sex life while she lives in complete isolation)
🚩 Not just dubcon but full on RAPE by the H
Body betraying syndrome
Mentions of abortion
Sexual Abuse (on page by H)
OWD: Warren tries to fuck a blonde stripper after they have a fight and cheats on Harper
🚩 CHEATING: Warren gets mad at Harper when finding out she's pregnant and does cheat on her with a stripper and only stops when Val comes into confront him. The cheating is graphic and it is ON PAGE
HFN
Accidental pregnancy
I don't have any words on how horrible this story is and how glad I am that reading this is OVER. Also Harper never finds out about Warren cheating on her right after finding out she's pregnant. No one who saw him with the stripper ever even warns her. She just forgives him and gives him a baby without knowing that he is actively cheating on her/ okay with cheating on her.
All in all, I really don't know what this author's problem with other women is but I saw a picture of her and honestly I all makes sense. The psychology of physically unfortunate women is really telling. Woof.
In the strongest terms possible, readers and people who know this author in real life should absolutely be re-examining their relationship with this woman.
Women who out themselves as relishing the absolute cruelty and brutality they write for their FMCs out themselves as not only deeply misogynistic but unsafe to be around. Why in your imagination is this type of behavior romanticized in your fiction??
Harper means nothing to me. She’s worthless, dirt beneath my feet, she lost her worth the day I found out she betrayed me.
I don’t care about girls. They’re nice to look at and to fuck, but that’s as far as my feelings go for them. I use them as a place to put my dick, so why the fuck am I getting territorial and pissed over someone calling Harper a whore?
Yeah um, whether or not someone is human to you shouldn't be conditional upon if they broke your heart or hurt your little 16 yo feelings. This author is weird.
There's bully romance and then there's blatant dehumanization. And yes, it really is that deep.
THE CHEATING:
“Hi, there,” some chick behind the bar greets me. Leaning over, she puts her elbow on the bartop, giving me a prime view of her tits. “What can I get for you?”
“I’d like to suck on your tits,” I confess, making her giggle as if she is shy. I know otherwise because she keeps pushing her chest up to give me an even better view. Bitch loves the attention.
“How much for a private dance?” I let my gaze trail down her barely dressed body. She’s wearing some lingerie that leaves very little to the imagination. In fact, one of her nipples is actually peeking out on one side. Classy. Then again, who am I to complain? I came here to get wasted and fuck some bitches.
“How long would you like your dance to be?” she asks, trailing her hand up my arm and over my shoulder. Her fingers feel like acid on my skin, but I don’t care… anything to get rid of her memory, of her stupid voice in my fucking head.
“Maybe three or four songs long? Depending on how tight your pussy is.”
The chick’s eyes light up, and not surprised in the least by my proposition. These girls will do anything for money. “For you, three hundred.”
“Perfect! Let’s go then,” I tell her, gesturing with my hands, “lead the way.”
She grabs my hand and starts pulling me away. I almost trip over my feet as I glance back at Cameron one more time. He gives me a disapproving look but is smart enough not to say anything. He doesn’t know what it’s like to be in love and have everything fall apart. He doesn’t know what it’s like to have the woman of your dreams become exactly what your father said she would be. Jokes on her though. I’m going to follow through with my threat this time. I’m going to destroy her, ruin her until she’s nothing, just a speck of dust.
Like a puppy, I follow the blonde to the back hall. She doesn’t walk very fast on her five-inch clear high heels, so I take the time to stare at her ass while I trail behind her. It’s not as full and nice as Harper’s ass, but it will do. Ugh, I really need to get her out of my head. Maybe fucking this chick will help, then again, if it doesn’t, there are plenty more women in this place.
“Don’t call me anything…”
“Okay.” She closes the distance between us and drops down to her knees between my legs. Her fingers flick the button on my jeans, and she is about to take my still flaccid dick out when the door suddenly flies open.
What the fuck?
The girl jumps back, and we both look up at who has come to interrupt us. I swear to god if it’s Cameron… For a split second, all I see is Harper standing in the doorway, but quickly realize it’s Valerie. Sweet, good, Harper would never step foot in a place like this.
“I’ll give you five hundred bucks if you don’t say whatever you are about to say and let Candy back in here,” I offer, and I can see Valerie thinking about it.
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
Virgin h (kissed a few boys but "felt nothing" 🙄)
HUGEEEEE manwhore (both MCs were virgins when they met but only he is allowed to have a sex life while she lives in complete isolation)
🚩 Not just dubcon but full on RAPE by the H
Body betraying syndrome
Mentions of abortion
Sexual Abuse (on page by H)
OWD: Warren tries to fuck a blonde stripper after they have a fight and cheats on Harper
🚩 CHEATING: Warren gets mad at Harper when finding out she's pregnant and does cheat on her with a stripper and only stops when Val comes into confront him. The cheating is graphic and it is ON PAGE
HFN
Accidental pregnancy
I don't have any words on how horrible this story is and how glad I am that reading this is OVER. Also Harper never finds out about Warren cheating on her right after finding out she's pregnant. No one who saw him with the stripper ever even warns her. She just forgives him and gives him a baby without knowing that he is actively cheating on her/ okay with cheating on her.
All in all, I really don't know what this author's problem with other women is but I saw a picture of her and honestly I all makes sense. The psychology of physically unfortunate women is really telling. Woof.
March 16, 2020
Warren and Harper loved each other until a terrible misunderstanding tore them apart. Warren saw an abortion bill in Harper's name, thought she had the abortion, while in fact, it was her cousin Valerie had it. Warren's father manipulated the situation because he didn't like Harper because she was poor.
When they meet again, the attraction was there. Everything happened so fast in this book, I was doubting what the hell was happening.?
But I enjoyed it. The truth was later revealed but I wish it was more impactful or suspenseful instead, the situation was handled very poorly. Warren was abusive, kind of forceful and Haper gave in every time. Sometimes I felt Harper was too weak but given her circumstances it's kind of fitting. The author handles it fantastically.
When they meet again, the attraction was there. Everything happened so fast in this book, I was doubting what the hell was happening.?
But I enjoyed it. The truth was later revealed but I wish it was more impactful or suspenseful instead, the situation was handled very poorly. Warren was abusive, kind of forceful and Haper gave in every time. Sometimes I felt Harper was too weak but given her circumstances it's kind of fitting. The author handles it fantastically.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2020
Yet another fantastic story from this duo of authors. I can't wait for the next installment!
April 19, 2020
Had to take a star off because the hero was too big of an asshole and he was so wrong about that one thing and it was never brought up but he was so obsessed with it. Then I also hated how the ending felt so rushed. The rest was good though. Hurt me deep.
December 6, 2019
One of my favorites to write. Just like Hating you, this book is not for the faint hearted. Be aware! This is a dark romance!
December 20, 2019
Just ok 2.5 stars
I liked the first book and was ready for this to come out. I’m sorry to say that it was just ok. I would have rated it an extra star but the ending was really rushed. It felt like maybe the author had writers block and needed to finish anyway? After all of the hatred, the revenge, 3 years of him screwing anything that walks. It turns out he dumped her over a miscommunication that he was in the wrong for not clarifying. Then he screws up again, there are two pretty quick conversations and he is forgiven. He didn’t really grovel it make a big gesture. She didn’t make him earn it at all. And back to the miscommunication, she is a virgin. He takes her virginity, somehow he couldn’t tell? There were no signs, and she didn’t acknowledge it. Later when he finds out she was a virgin, he never apologizes for being rough, wrong, not knowing etc. Neither of them bring it up AT All. I found this so strange. The second he told her what he thought she had done, her immediate answer should have been “I was a virgin back then and until you and I about 2 weeks ago”. But nope, nothing. It may be a little detail but it really added to the ending feeling rushed. Your think with his possessive nature he would have at least reveled in it in his internal monologue. Earlier in the book he was having thoughts of wishing it had just been him. So none of that made any sense. Anyway. This book reads like a rough draft, the authors really need a good Beta reader. Someone should have already pointed this out.
I liked the first book and was ready for this to come out. I’m sorry to say that it was just ok. I would have rated it an extra star but the ending was really rushed. It felt like maybe the author had writers block and needed to finish anyway? After all of the hatred, the revenge, 3 years of him screwing anything that walks. It turns out he dumped her over a miscommunication that he was in the wrong for not clarifying. Then he screws up again, there are two pretty quick conversations and he is forgiven. He didn’t really grovel it make a big gesture. She didn’t make him earn it at all. And back to the miscommunication, she is a virgin. He takes her virginity, somehow he couldn’t tell? There were no signs, and she didn’t acknowledge it. Later when he finds out she was a virgin, he never apologizes for being rough, wrong, not knowing etc. Neither of them bring it up AT All. I found this so strange. The second he told her what he thought she had done, her immediate answer should have been “I was a virgin back then and until you and I about 2 weeks ago”. But nope, nothing. It may be a little detail but it really added to the ending feeling rushed. Your think with his possessive nature he would have at least reveled in it in his internal monologue. Earlier in the book he was having thoughts of wishing it had just been him. So none of that made any sense. Anyway. This book reads like a rough draft, the authors really need a good Beta reader. Someone should have already pointed this out.
March 31, 2024
»I definitely won't sleep with them either. How about I sleep on the couch?«
»How about… No?«
★ ★ ★ ★
❥ 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒑𝒆𝒓
I liked her. She is tough and sweet and knows what she wants. I enjoyed the way she shows backbone.
❥ 𝑾𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏
What an asshole. Still he is hot as fuck.
✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
I really enjoyed reading.
The plot was thrilling and I read the whole book in one sitting.
Harper and Warren have great tension and I loved the crumbs of their childhood. The problem between them is a big „just talk and everything would be fine“, that was annoying sometimes. Warren is too stubborn to listen to Harper and just explain his problem. But I still enjoyed their banter and the back and forth between them.
This was a great bully romance.
Please only read this book if you can stand dark plot and morally grey main characters.
𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓
plot: 4/5
spice: 3/5
humor: 3/5
couple/tension: 5/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes
𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
bully romance, college, enemies to lovers, protective and possessive hero, dark romance, secrets and lies, morally dark hero, rich x poor, high society, childhood friends, virgin fmc
𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
ages: both in their twenties
cheating: no
sharing: no
kinks: no
𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
#1 Hating You ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#2 Breaking You ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#3 Hurting You ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#4 Regretting You ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
»How about… No?«
★ ★ ★ ★
❥ 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒑𝒆𝒓
I liked her. She is tough and sweet and knows what she wants. I enjoyed the way she shows backbone.
❥ 𝑾𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏
What an asshole. Still he is hot as fuck.
✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
I really enjoyed reading.
The plot was thrilling and I read the whole book in one sitting.
Harper and Warren have great tension and I loved the crumbs of their childhood. The problem between them is a big „just talk and everything would be fine“, that was annoying sometimes. Warren is too stubborn to listen to Harper and just explain his problem. But I still enjoyed their banter and the back and forth between them.
This was a great bully romance.
Please only read this book if you can stand dark plot and morally grey main characters.
𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓
plot: 4/5
spice: 3/5
humor: 3/5
couple/tension: 5/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes
𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
bully romance, college, enemies to lovers, protective and possessive hero, dark romance, secrets and lies, morally dark hero, rich x poor, high society, childhood friends, virgin fmc
𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
ages: both in their twenties
cheating: no
sharing: no
kinks: no
𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
#1 Hating You ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#2 Breaking You ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#3 Hurting You ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#4 Regretting You ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
January 19, 2020
Breaking You was another delicious installment in the Blackthorn series. Warren and Harper were sexy and their banter was fire. I enjoyed the story but wish there was a little more information fleshed out towards the end. It seemed like there were items that were left open/undiscussed.
I enjoyed this story but also wished there was more grovel from Warren. What he did and said was heinous but there didn't seem to be any repercussions for him. This was a good story but I did wish for more. 4 stars! ~Ratula
I enjoyed this story but also wished there was more grovel from Warren. What he did and said was heinous but there didn't seem to be any repercussions for him. This was a good story but I did wish for more. 4 stars! ~Ratula
April 26, 2026
What is wrong with the author? Its like the author loves doormat, spineless, pathetic females, who melt with sex. This book is legitly rot infested. It has a brainless bully and a pathetic fmc who keeps going back to the person who treats her like a white, like an inconvenience, and what not.
Do we get even a tiny amount of proper grovel and redemption, no, because then the author would have to actually use the two brain cells left to create chapters where sex and insults weren't a part, and we can't have that can we?
Sheer utter disgust.
Do we get even a tiny amount of proper grovel and redemption, no, because then the author would have to actually use the two brain cells left to create chapters where sex and insults weren't a part, and we can't have that can we?
Sheer utter disgust.
December 24, 2019
Everything happens so quick.. I kept thinking when the truth of the heroine’s “betrayal” came to
light there would be more but it was sooo anti-climatic!! I would have loved some grovel, there was none.
light there would be more but it was sooo anti-climatic!! I would have loved some grovel, there was none.
November 20, 2022
Rinse and repeat
I'll be honest I'm disappointed in this book. It's basically the same as the first just with different name.
Idiot guy thinks the Heroine betrays him, makes her give him BJ. Then he gives her oral. Let's not forget about the "I'm going to do everything I can to destroy you. Oh oh better yet next comes someone attacking heroine. Then hero force takes her virginity. A misunderstanding and the boy Grovel's a little and BOOM they are together again.
Won't read the next one as I have a big feeling that it will be the same with different named characters and a bunch of not need sex!
I'll be honest I'm disappointed in this book. It's basically the same as the first just with different name.
Idiot guy thinks the Heroine betrays him, makes her give him BJ. Then he gives her oral. Let's not forget about the "I'm going to do everything I can to destroy you. Oh oh better yet next comes someone attacking heroine. Then hero force takes her virginity. A misunderstanding and the boy Grovel's a little and BOOM they are together again.
Won't read the next one as I have a big feeling that it will be the same with different named characters and a bunch of not need sex!
January 9, 2021
Warren and Harper's story... another misunderstanding and a bunch of lies resulted to the protagonists drifting apart. Now they meet again and hell breaks loose. Quite smutty, not a big fan of pregnancy/abortion tropes these days...
November 28, 2021
3.5
I loved the book, plot and the characters so much!
But unfortunately there were a lot of question marks like how did he not notice she was a virgin 🤔or what happened at the end with the story with his dad
Despite everything I really liked the book and their writing is really fun and special
I loved the book, plot and the characters so much!
But unfortunately there were a lot of question marks like how did he not notice she was a virgin 🤔or what happened at the end with the story with his dad
Despite everything I really liked the book and their writing is really fun and special
January 3, 2020
As much as I loved Hating You, and couldn't wait to read this next book in the interconnected standalone series...it felt a little repetitive for me. *Hides d/t what's sure to be my unpopular opinion* And what happened to that one guy??? Lol! Anyway, it's all good...it was a really quick read and I did enjoy it. 3 stars.
July 31, 2020
H was an asshole who treated h like shit but what was more disappointing and frustrating was the was h allowed it. H had his reasons for treating her the way he did but the spineless h had no idea Why he hated her so much and treated her the way he did but the pathetic excuse called woman went back to him time and again without bothering for an explanation. How could she look at herself in the mirror.
At least in book 1 h knew why H hated her. Though H was a bully to her he never looked down upon her or treated her like she was shit on his shoe unlike this jackass. Also h in book 1 acted strong and at least showed a backbone and if you ask me gave back as good as she got.
Here the h was soooo pathetic I wanted to throat punch her and take her woman card away. Yes she is a stain on woman kind. She gave in without any hesitation like she wanted it all along. In the end she gave him so easily without any groveling that it pissed me off to no end.
Icing on the cake, around 95% of the mark, when they have conflict or misunderstanding or argument whatever you want to say this H (or zero) goes to the strip club with full intention of fucking strippers, yes multiple, to get h out of mind/system after being a total douche to her. And he would have, if Val hadn’t stopped him. Shows how loyal he is. I won’t even be surprised if he goes and fucks ow after their big argument in future. Cherry on top, It wasn’t even worth mentioning to h or asking for an apology. But I guess it ok since she understands him so well and is so forgiving.
Reality check time.
This is my opinion which I’d like to also share. The h grew up poor and saw her parents struggle though their are better now and doing good but not that good. She has scholarship and dreams and to become something ( successful) in her life but at the age of 19 when she becomes pregnant, she’s ready to leave all that behind, be a single mother and be (burden) with her parents. Remember she’s just 19 and we all have at least some idea how hard parenting is and she is ready to be a single mother at such a young age. Hats off to her, ( or not if you’re being practical). Brainless twat.
At least in book 1 h knew why H hated her. Though H was a bully to her he never looked down upon her or treated her like she was shit on his shoe unlike this jackass. Also h in book 1 acted strong and at least showed a backbone and if you ask me gave back as good as she got.
Here the h was soooo pathetic I wanted to throat punch her and take her woman card away. Yes she is a stain on woman kind. She gave in without any hesitation like she wanted it all along. In the end she gave him so easily without any groveling that it pissed me off to no end.
Icing on the cake, around 95% of the mark, when they have conflict or misunderstanding or argument whatever you want to say this H (or zero) goes to the strip club with full intention of fucking strippers, yes multiple, to get h out of mind/system after being a total douche to her. And he would have, if Val hadn’t stopped him. Shows how loyal he is. I won’t even be surprised if he goes and fucks ow after their big argument in future. Cherry on top, It wasn’t even worth mentioning to h or asking for an apology. But I guess it ok since she understands him so well and is so forgiving.
Reality check time.
This is my opinion which I’d like to also share. The h grew up poor and saw her parents struggle though their are better now and doing good but not that good. She has scholarship and dreams and to become something ( successful) in her life but at the age of 19 when she becomes pregnant, she’s ready to leave all that behind, be a single mother and be (burden) with her parents. Remember she’s just 19 and we all have at least some idea how hard parenting is and she is ready to be a single mother at such a young age. Hats off to her, ( or not if you’re being practical). Brainless twat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2019
4.5/5 stars
Loved this friends/enemies to lovers’ story. Warren and Harper were such a great couple. A huge misunderstanding caused Warren to treat Harper really bad. He wanted to make her hurt like she hurt him. Little did he know that he was wrong and when he realized it, she was gone. I loved watching them find each other again and work their way to the HEA that they both wanted and lost out on before.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved this friends/enemies to lovers’ story. Warren and Harper were such a great couple. A huge misunderstanding caused Warren to treat Harper really bad. He wanted to make her hurt like she hurt him. Little did he know that he was wrong and when he realized it, she was gone. I loved watching them find each other again and work their way to the HEA that they both wanted and lost out on before.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 11, 2022
1 star
DNF
That's a big fat nope for the tstl doormat heroine, the immature asshole for a hero and the exhausting plotline.
Nope.
Not planning to continue with the series.
Waste of my precious time and money.
DNF
That's a big fat nope for the tstl doormat heroine, the immature asshole for a hero and the exhausting plotline.
Nope.
Not planning to continue with the series.
Waste of my precious time and money.
December 24, 2019
Breaking You is beautifully written. Two people, Warren and Harper, have a history of teenage love that ends in heartbreak. Now that they are in college and Harper ends up in the same college has Warren, these two are like oil and water. Harper has no idea why Warren is treating her the way he is. And Warren is bound to keep her at arm's length while still getting what he wants out of her.
Breaking You is a book you can not put down. From start to finish, you have to continue reading. You want to know why Warren is doing what he is doing. The emotions are too high, the questions to big to not finish this story.
December 20, 2019
I really wanted to love this book because of the whole bully romance trend. I’ve read them all, and found myself deep into the rabbit hole of mean-yet alpha hero’s. This has a lot of potential, and based on the blurb I thought it was a slam dunk. I’ve not read either of the authors before, so I was excited.
This book really didn’t do it for me-but it may be your cup of tea. I don’t think their writing flowed well together, as there were several spots that were almost robotic.They definitely struggled to capture me with any kind of dialogue between the characters, as I thought it was a bit immature and not very genuine.
There was a lot of potential, but I just was not a fan of the writing styles. I urge you to read to make your own opinion on this bully romance.
This book really didn’t do it for me-but it may be your cup of tea. I don’t think their writing flowed well together, as there were several spots that were almost robotic.They definitely struggled to capture me with any kind of dialogue between the characters, as I thought it was a bit immature and not very genuine.
There was a lot of potential, but I just was not a fan of the writing styles. I urge you to read to make your own opinion on this bully romance.
January 2, 2020
Entertaining read and thoughtfully written. I enjoyed this book, the college setting of this series, over any high school book, which is more limiting for sexual maturity and themes. The hero in this tale was perhaps more jealous / possessive, though not too dissimilar from, the hero in book one, and could very well warrant the title of over the top (which I secretly loved). The sweet heroine was very much still in love with this hero from their past. I liked that she displayed an inner strength and wasn't that sassy heroine with something to prove to others. The little twist in the story which recalled why the hero was upset with, and the distain the hero's father felt for, the heroine to begin with was a welcomed surprise.
The book ended rather too quickly and with some unresolved issues, one of which might be answered in the next release.
Overall, great book. I am looking forward to the next in the series, especially as it looks to be menage. Can't wait!
The book ended rather too quickly and with some unresolved issues, one of which might be answered in the next release.
Overall, great book. I am looking forward to the next in the series, especially as it looks to be menage. Can't wait!
December 17, 2019
Warren and Harper we teenage loves from different sides of the track. He lived in the mansion and her mom cleaned the mansion. They were separated by lies and misunderstandings. 4 years later, Warren sees her again. they are attending the same college. He tries everything to break her. He is mean, petty and so dominant. Harper has some backbone in most situations but pretty much lets him bully her. He soon realizes that things are not quite what he thinks. When he pushes her too far, he has to scramble to get her back. I love that Harper eventually pushes back. Good bully story that pushes the tab a little in some of his exploits but he redeems himself in the end. He is lucky she takes him back.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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