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Used. Worthless. Broken.
The Darlings think they won. They think they've beaten me, that I'm exactly what they call me--a dog.
But there are things they don't know about my family. They don't know the lengths I'll go to get revenge. To protect my family. To honor my name.
Devlin thinks he's done with me, but he's wrong. I'll never forget what he did to me, and I'll never let him forget. Not until I've had my revenge.
Because Dolces don't break.
We break hearts.
The Darlings think they won. They think they've beaten me, that I'm exactly what they call me--a dog.
But there are things they don't know about my family. They don't know the lengths I'll go to get revenge. To protect my family. To honor my name.
Devlin thinks he's done with me, but he's wrong. I'll never forget what he did to me, and I'll never let him forget. Not until I've had my revenge.
Because Dolces don't break.
We break hearts.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2020
1107 people are currently reading
1653 people want to read
About the author
Selena .
37 books1,316 followersYou might not guess it when you pick up your first Selena novel, but Selena is a true romantic. She writes gritty, realistic New Adult contemporary novels with characters you'll love to hate and hate to love.
If reading about teens behaving badly upsets you, steer clear because these are full of drama, angst, fighting, drugs, sex, and rock & roll. There will be times you want to throw your Kindle. There will be lying, cheating, bullying, backstabbing, violence, and hard-earned, sweet redemption for those who won't give up on love. Because life's not always picture perfect, but every heart, no matter how broken and damaged, deserves love.
If reading about teens behaving badly upsets you, steer clear because these are full of drama, angst, fighting, drugs, sex, and rock & roll. There will be times you want to throw your Kindle. There will be lying, cheating, bullying, backstabbing, violence, and hard-earned, sweet redemption for those who won't give up on love. Because life's not always picture perfect, but every heart, no matter how broken and damaged, deserves love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 293 reviews
April 19, 2020
Spoilers from the last book and beginning of this one below.
I wanted to like these books, but the main character, Crys, is just too frustratingly stupid and helpless. The love interest crossed the line too many times and is horrible to her without any redeeming qualities. I get it, it’s a bully romance, but it’s Cry’s reactions to the torture that ruin it for me.
She immediately seems to forget the horrible things these guys do to her and keeps running back to them. Colt helped his cousins hold her down, press a knife to her face, and then threaten to mutilate her before dragging her around a party shirtless on a leash. And literally all he has to do is smile and apologize for her to forgive him immediately. Seriously, all it takes is saying I’m sorry and she’s fine with the fact that he was going to carve her face up hours earlier. Then she agrees to be his prom date. Are you kidding me? How stupid can this girl be. Shocker, it was another setup.
She doesn’t get any more sense in this book. Devlin does something horrible to her at the end of the last book, she believes that he is behind her brother going missing, so she immediately has sex with Devlin in the school bathroom? Oh, and when he climbs through her window and demands she come with him, what does she do? Not the sensible thing of screaming for her dad and brothers. She just goes with him. The guy who held a knife to her face, tortures her nonstop, and may have killed her brother. Again, shocker, they do something horrible to her that could have gotten her killed.
I couldn’t handle how stupid she was and how terrible all her decisions are. You can tell the author wanted her to be sassy and full of fight, but she’s not. The things these guys do to her are unforgivable and the author deals with that by just having her seemingly forget about them when she should be furious. Devlin was a psycho and had no redeeming qualities. Normally I’d be fine with that (I read non-con and dub-con) but I couldn’t get past Crys. It seemed like every chapter ended with her getting serious and saying Devlin and the gang would pay, but she never does anything and just weakly crawls back to them at every chance.
I did finish the book, and it only got worse. I can’t believe so many people are rating this as 5 stars. Devlin’s cousin beats the hell out of Crystal, ties her up, and bring his whole football team back to LITERALLY GANG RAPE her. Devlin see what’s going on and he handles it by raping Crystal, who said no to him, because for some reason that was his way of apologizing to his cousin and he had to do it. In front of the whole team. Makes zero sense but whatever. And what does Crystal do after this entire ordeal? Hours later, she tells Devlin “thank you for being there for me tonight.” He raped her in front of dozens of people, and she thanks him for it. It’s not even the rape, which I expect elements of in Bully books, it’s Crystal’s reactions that are so horribly spineless and unrealistic. Yes it’s fiction, it’s bully romance, it’s not meant to be just like real-life, but I can only suspend my belief so much. Oh and of course Colt was ready to gang rape her along with the other guys but later that night he shows up, SMILES AT HER, and her inner monologue is literally “oh, it’s impossible to stay mad at him.” Really? You can’t muster a little bitterness for the guy who was chomping at the bit to mutilate and rape you just because he smiled at you? She does finally get a little mean at the very end, but she ended the last book vowing revenge against them and that was forgotten by the second chapter of this one. I think this author is so talented based on her writing style, it’s seriously high quality for what I expect from these romance stories, but I hope she does some reconsidering about her lead characters and how they respond to things.
I wanted to like these books, but the main character, Crys, is just too frustratingly stupid and helpless. The love interest crossed the line too many times and is horrible to her without any redeeming qualities. I get it, it’s a bully romance, but it’s Cry’s reactions to the torture that ruin it for me.
She immediately seems to forget the horrible things these guys do to her and keeps running back to them. Colt helped his cousins hold her down, press a knife to her face, and then threaten to mutilate her before dragging her around a party shirtless on a leash. And literally all he has to do is smile and apologize for her to forgive him immediately. Seriously, all it takes is saying I’m sorry and she’s fine with the fact that he was going to carve her face up hours earlier. Then she agrees to be his prom date. Are you kidding me? How stupid can this girl be. Shocker, it was another setup.
She doesn’t get any more sense in this book. Devlin does something horrible to her at the end of the last book, she believes that he is behind her brother going missing, so she immediately has sex with Devlin in the school bathroom? Oh, and when he climbs through her window and demands she come with him, what does she do? Not the sensible thing of screaming for her dad and brothers. She just goes with him. The guy who held a knife to her face, tortures her nonstop, and may have killed her brother. Again, shocker, they do something horrible to her that could have gotten her killed.
I couldn’t handle how stupid she was and how terrible all her decisions are. You can tell the author wanted her to be sassy and full of fight, but she’s not. The things these guys do to her are unforgivable and the author deals with that by just having her seemingly forget about them when she should be furious. Devlin was a psycho and had no redeeming qualities. Normally I’d be fine with that (I read non-con and dub-con) but I couldn’t get past Crys. It seemed like every chapter ended with her getting serious and saying Devlin and the gang would pay, but she never does anything and just weakly crawls back to them at every chance.
I did finish the book, and it only got worse. I can’t believe so many people are rating this as 5 stars. Devlin’s cousin beats the hell out of Crystal, ties her up, and bring his whole football team back to LITERALLY GANG RAPE her. Devlin see what’s going on and he handles it by raping Crystal, who said no to him, because for some reason that was his way of apologizing to his cousin and he had to do it. In front of the whole team. Makes zero sense but whatever. And what does Crystal do after this entire ordeal? Hours later, she tells Devlin “thank you for being there for me tonight.” He raped her in front of dozens of people, and she thanks him for it. It’s not even the rape, which I expect elements of in Bully books, it’s Crystal’s reactions that are so horribly spineless and unrealistic. Yes it’s fiction, it’s bully romance, it’s not meant to be just like real-life, but I can only suspend my belief so much. Oh and of course Colt was ready to gang rape her along with the other guys but later that night he shows up, SMILES AT HER, and her inner monologue is literally “oh, it’s impossible to stay mad at him.” Really? You can’t muster a little bitterness for the guy who was chomping at the bit to mutilate and rape you just because he smiled at you? She does finally get a little mean at the very end, but she ended the last book vowing revenge against them and that was forgotten by the second chapter of this one. I think this author is so talented based on her writing style, it’s seriously high quality for what I expect from these romance stories, but I hope she does some reconsidering about her lead characters and how they respond to things.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2021
To say I hate these kinds of books is an understatement. The bully/dark books I like the girls give just as much as the guys. Not when a guy treats her horrifically and she forgives him cause “OMG he turns me on and my body betrays me and I can’t help but love him” we should be teaching our young ladies to be strong, to take no bullshit, and what they are worth. Their worth doesn’t lie in lying, cheating, abusive, narcissistic men who wouldn’t know how to treat a woman. Real men don’t treat women like shit.
Both their families are messed up. Hers is just as bad as his. I wouldn’t be surprised if the kidnapping of Royal was her dads doing. Just so he could take Devlin’s family down. It’s crazy to me though that people love this particular type of bully book. But ask yourself would you want yourself or your daughter to go through this? Guarantee your answer is no. Nothing sexy about it.
Both their families are messed up. Hers is just as bad as his. I wouldn’t be surprised if the kidnapping of Royal was her dads doing. Just so he could take Devlin’s family down. It’s crazy to me though that people love this particular type of bully book. But ask yourself would you want yourself or your daughter to go through this? Guarantee your answer is no. Nothing sexy about it.
April 20, 2020
The first book I didn’t like.. but I had to know if it got better
No
It didn’t.
They treat her like a dog. There is no redeemable qualities about any of these boys at all.
I got so angry reading it I wanted to smash my kindle up it was so frustrating.
You know what’s more frustrating .. knowing a book could be so good if it had more time spent on building relationships ... I can’t like a bully if they don’t eventually show redeemable qualities.. it’s impossible! Especially when the girl acts like a horny teenager after they have put a knife to their throat .. left them in a shady place to walk home
“He may not want to admit it, but he respects me. I sit up, clutching the soaked pillow to my chest. Devlin Darling respects me.”
Holy shit . . . He does nooottttt respect you! Arghhhhhbbhbbbbbh
Djsiiseorijenduesxndjwuhdndbdjejeieej
Can you tell I’m frustrated
No
It didn’t.
They treat her like a dog. There is no redeemable qualities about any of these boys at all.
I got so angry reading it I wanted to smash my kindle up it was so frustrating.
You know what’s more frustrating .. knowing a book could be so good if it had more time spent on building relationships ... I can’t like a bully if they don’t eventually show redeemable qualities.. it’s impossible! Especially when the girl acts like a horny teenager after they have put a knife to their throat .. left them in a shady place to walk home
“He may not want to admit it, but he respects me. I sit up, clutching the soaked pillow to my chest. Devlin Darling respects me.”
Holy shit . . . He does nooottttt respect you! Arghhhhhbbhbbbbbh
Djsiiseorijenduesxndjwuhdndbdjejeieej
Can you tell I’m frustrated
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2022
I’m sorry, but this book was horrible. Simples as that: horrible.
You see, I can’t with these stupid heroines. She is easily the most stupid character.
I mean, she just takes shit from the hero all the damn time. She doesn’t fight back ONCE. And when she does, when she needs to deliver the final blow she what? was falling apart and suffering. Like actually feeling bad for her abuser. Wow.
The hero is an ASSHOLE. I don’t care if he gave her 2 min of his precious darling day and was somewhat nice. I don’t care. He did unforgivable things. That scene in the boys locker room? What the fuck? Then she getting off? Aw, sis. Hell no. Have some SELF RESPECT! How can you let some boy use you like that? In front of everyone to prove himself to his buddies????
This small town is altogether disgusting. And Dixie? She was MIA in this whole book, and I can’t with her as well. Begging for attention. Preferring to be bullied than left alone. Girl???? Girl???? What the fuck? These girls need to learn how to love themselves.
I was so eager to start this book after the major cliff from book 1, I was like “finally, some action; finally, she’s gonna make them pay”... Well, look at that, joke’s on me. 400 pages later and she couldn’t even feel good about making him pay. And what an immature plan tho. Fall in love? 💀
Devlin was a dick and didn’t redeem himself once. Constantly calling her a slut, cunt, whore, choking, yanking her by the hair with full force, humiliating and mocking, spanking with his belt in front of an audience, making her use a dog’s collar, letting strangers grope her, leaving her ALONE in a fucking dangerous neighborhood with nothing, didn’t stop saying cruel CRUEL cruel things... I mean, what the hell, you guys. This bullying was completely sick. Sick to the point where you don’t forgive your tormentor. You don’t. You just can’t. He was despicable. I don’t feel sorry for him one bit. Even this stupid boy asked her how could she forgive him? I mean, he knows and she just... doesn’t care. Oh my God. This is not appealing.
You see, I can’t with these stupid heroines. She is easily the most stupid character.
I mean, she just takes shit from the hero all the damn time. She doesn’t fight back ONCE. And when she does, when she needs to deliver the final blow she what? was falling apart and suffering. Like actually feeling bad for her abuser. Wow.
The hero is an ASSHOLE. I don’t care if he gave her 2 min of his precious darling day and was somewhat nice. I don’t care. He did unforgivable things. That scene in the boys locker room? What the fuck? Then she getting off? Aw, sis. Hell no. Have some SELF RESPECT! How can you let some boy use you like that? In front of everyone to prove himself to his buddies????
This small town is altogether disgusting. And Dixie? She was MIA in this whole book, and I can’t with her as well. Begging for attention. Preferring to be bullied than left alone. Girl???? Girl???? What the fuck? These girls need to learn how to love themselves.
I was so eager to start this book after the major cliff from book 1, I was like “finally, some action; finally, she’s gonna make them pay”... Well, look at that, joke’s on me. 400 pages later and she couldn’t even feel good about making him pay. And what an immature plan tho. Fall in love? 💀
Devlin was a dick and didn’t redeem himself once. Constantly calling her a slut, cunt, whore, choking, yanking her by the hair with full force, humiliating and mocking, spanking with his belt in front of an audience, making her use a dog’s collar, letting strangers grope her, leaving her ALONE in a fucking dangerous neighborhood with nothing, didn’t stop saying cruel CRUEL cruel things... I mean, what the hell, you guys. This bullying was completely sick. Sick to the point where you don’t forgive your tormentor. You don’t. You just can’t. He was despicable. I don’t feel sorry for him one bit. Even this stupid boy asked her how could she forgive him? I mean, he knows and she just... doesn’t care. Oh my God. This is not appealing.
May 21, 2021
The writing was good and the plot was really good. And the ending was fucking great. But!!! I would have loved and actually believed in the story if it DIDN'T have a high school setting.
I mean, one second, they are talking about being the rulers of the school(typical for high school populars)...and then they are mature enough to start playing mind games and turn the games on the Darlings?! Yeah, I don't have that much faith in a 16-yr old's brain. Their age is also the reason why the whole mafia stuff is not believable. 😑
Also, I was really mad at one point when Crystal says she was gonna say yes to Devlin when he fucked her in the bathroom in front of everyone....so it doesn't matter if she wasn't able to actually say the word out loud. It's enough that she wanted to, right?!
Well, no! I was all " Darling, you specifically said NO, and then he fucked you anyway....it doesn't matter what you were gonna say afterwards. "
I am good with the non-con/dub-con stuff but please don't make the fmc's justify rape internally. 😩
I mean, one second, they are talking about being the rulers of the school(typical for high school populars)...and then they are mature enough to start playing mind games and turn the games on the Darlings?! Yeah, I don't have that much faith in a 16-yr old's brain. Their age is also the reason why the whole mafia stuff is not believable. 😑
Also, I was really mad at one point when Crystal says she was gonna say yes to Devlin when he fucked her in the bathroom in front of everyone....so it doesn't matter if she wasn't able to actually say the word out loud. It's enough that she wanted to, right?!
Well, no! I was all " Darling, you specifically said NO, and then he fucked you anyway....it doesn't matter what you were gonna say afterwards. "
I am good with the non-con/dub-con stuff but please don't make the fmc's justify rape internally. 😩
December 26, 2020
I came into this book with an open mind. I really and truly did.. I liked it more so than book 1 plot wise, but I am going to put book 3 on hold for right now.
I'm not invested in anyone in the book to need to read it at this time.
I am not fond of Crystal. She truly has no backbone and the betraying body thing is so over the top. She hates until the touches and cooing starts.. stick a fork in her and she's done! She plays like she is her own Dolce woman and makes her own way in life, but ultimately she is just a pawn for the darling family and her own. I kinda felt bad for D at the end. Her words were harsh, but the truth.
Maybe in book 3 she will finally wake up and realize that?? Not sure.
If she forgives Preston for what he did to her.... I wouldn't be able to take that. There should be no forgiveness there.
I'm not invested in anyone in the book to need to read it at this time.
I am not fond of Crystal. She truly has no backbone and the betraying body thing is so over the top. She hates until the touches and cooing starts.. stick a fork in her and she's done! She plays like she is her own Dolce woman and makes her own way in life, but ultimately she is just a pawn for the darling family and her own. I kinda felt bad for D at the end. Her words were harsh, but the truth.
Maybe in book 3 she will finally wake up and realize that?? Not sure.
If she forgives Preston for what he did to her.... I wouldn't be able to take that. There should be no forgiveness there.
June 7, 2020
I just can't with these books. It's like watching a toddler left to their own devices in a fully stocked sweet shop and makes about as much sense realistically, I mean even after the toddler has made itself sick it is likely TO STOP EATING THE F**KING CANDY.
The question I have when reading these books are: what female would act like this...? Even if you have no self respect; no self worth; were motivated by guilt, self-destruction and masochistic tendencies; while also having no regard or respect for your families name or opinion, could any one realistically act this way?
The books are well written, however the authors poor opinion of women isn't something I'm interested in or have time for.
The question I have when reading these books are: what female would act like this...? Even if you have no self respect; no self worth; were motivated by guilt, self-destruction and masochistic tendencies; while also having no regard or respect for your families name or opinion, could any one realistically act this way?
The books are well written, however the authors poor opinion of women isn't something I'm interested in or have time for.
March 10, 2021
Very twisted, but I can't deny the intrigue
September 25, 2021
This book could be so good....
....but unfortunately that's not the case.
I'm really at a loss over this and it's a crying shame, but I'm going to give a few examples and then you can decide yourself *Spoilers ahead*.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ok..
So...
Book 1, Crystal & her family move to a new town, try to take it over but doesn't work because the Darlings own it. So a lot of tension, bla bla bla. It left me not quite impressed but I hate giving up, so here u am, on book 2 and oh jees, where to start....
Crystals twin is missing and they believe the Darlings have something to do with it - please note, I didn't even realise she was a twin until late on in last book. I know her 2 younger brothers are twins but apparently so is she 🤷🏻♀️
Anyway, the main Darlings in the school? Devlin, Colt and Preston. Devlin has paraded her around in a bra, dog collar and let people touch her. He slept with her which apparently he was told to do so, he's just not a likeable guy at all.
Colt, the fun-loving cheeky flirty Colt, the one who convinced her to a truce and they would work to bring the family's to peace, the one who kissed her, the one who kidnapped her, felt her up, threatened rape and mutilation, who stands aside and watches her trussed up broken and bleeding and says he wants a turn...
Then Preston, the complete knobend one. He's the one who's happy to use the knife. He drags her inside to the men's lockers, beats her, hangs her of the showerhead with a net, strips her naked then leaves her there for a while why he go plays football - WHILST he has a broken hand/wrist and is in plaster! Seriously?
So many silly contradictions, her and her brothers are so close, family comes first - they all left royal behind and didn't even check in with him. She sleeps with Devlin several times even after everything he's done, including driving her to the middle of a very bad town and leaving her there with no phone. He rapes her while she's ties up in the lockers but then carries her out.
He loves football, lives for football but doesn't really like it, he's just told to.
Her brothers missing but her mum goes to bed to get drunk.
She's a mafia princess but they're most definitely not in the mob. They wouldn't stand for what's being done to her if they were. Noone would!
Devlins two years older than her but they have science class together?
There's just to many things I'm reading thinking will you wise the f-up!
And then knowing the complete opposite was written two pages before, it's just ridiculous at some stages.
I hate saying things like this but I don't believe in giving fake reviews and I can honestly say, with a bit of help, then this could be a really good book!
1⭐
....but unfortunately that's not the case.
I'm really at a loss over this and it's a crying shame, but I'm going to give a few examples and then you can decide yourself *Spoilers ahead*.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ok..
So...
Book 1, Crystal & her family move to a new town, try to take it over but doesn't work because the Darlings own it. So a lot of tension, bla bla bla. It left me not quite impressed but I hate giving up, so here u am, on book 2 and oh jees, where to start....
Crystals twin is missing and they believe the Darlings have something to do with it - please note, I didn't even realise she was a twin until late on in last book. I know her 2 younger brothers are twins but apparently so is she 🤷🏻♀️
Anyway, the main Darlings in the school? Devlin, Colt and Preston. Devlin has paraded her around in a bra, dog collar and let people touch her. He slept with her which apparently he was told to do so, he's just not a likeable guy at all.
Colt, the fun-loving cheeky flirty Colt, the one who convinced her to a truce and they would work to bring the family's to peace, the one who kissed her, the one who kidnapped her, felt her up, threatened rape and mutilation, who stands aside and watches her trussed up broken and bleeding and says he wants a turn...
Then Preston, the complete knobend one. He's the one who's happy to use the knife. He drags her inside to the men's lockers, beats her, hangs her of the showerhead with a net, strips her naked then leaves her there for a while why he go plays football - WHILST he has a broken hand/wrist and is in plaster! Seriously?
So many silly contradictions, her and her brothers are so close, family comes first - they all left royal behind and didn't even check in with him. She sleeps with Devlin several times even after everything he's done, including driving her to the middle of a very bad town and leaving her there with no phone. He rapes her while she's ties up in the lockers but then carries her out.
He loves football, lives for football but doesn't really like it, he's just told to.
Her brothers missing but her mum goes to bed to get drunk.
She's a mafia princess but they're most definitely not in the mob. They wouldn't stand for what's being done to her if they were. Noone would!
Devlins two years older than her but they have science class together?
There's just to many things I'm reading thinking will you wise the f-up!
And then knowing the complete opposite was written two pages before, it's just ridiculous at some stages.
I hate saying things like this but I don't believe in giving fake reviews and I can honestly say, with a bit of help, then this could be a really good book!
1⭐
April 26, 2020
Im not very impressed with this second book,really. He raped her and after that she was so f@cking in love with him,come on... 🙄 When did they fall in love?? Everything was so fast,i think there had so much more for writing and explaining. Also,too much with the rape. Really too much. 3.5*, and I will read the next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2020
I'm loving this series! I'm addicted! I loved the chapters that we got from Devlin's perspective. His chapters didn't give too much away but it helped me understand him. Now Crystal... Crystal, Crystal, Crystal. In the end, she succumbs to her family and I almost guarantee she doesn't follow thru in this next book. She is always talking but never doing. It irritates me and I want to yell at her.. "Be a woman and fight for what you want, Crystal! Geez, SPEAK UP and GIVE YOUR OPINION!" Now I'm moving on to book 3 and hoping Crystal gets her head out of her bum.
March 31, 2022
Intrigue and star-crossed lovers
4.5 stars
This story continues the Darling-Dolce feud, Devlin Darling having exacted some retribution through Dolce daughter Crystal on top of treating her scornfully, but emotions and passions rise as their unbidden attraction grows. Always compelled to follow the rules, dress the right way, Crystal takes a stand in her own way, however, in this book 2.
The story delves more into the two families' rivalry with more character building of family members. Expect school politics and bullying, as well as the subtle building of Devlin and Crystal's relationship while continuing to search for missing brother Royal Dolce.
Angst, toxic, and forbidden, Crystal and Devlin continue their star-cross dance. A sweet and determined Crystal is drawn to Devlin; and Devlin fights his attraction disguised through scorn and delicious jealousy. Some heated moments, their attraction was undeniable, even if unacknowledged. Spice level was 3 out 5.
Loved the presence of pivotal side characters, including influential nonna and her wives’ tales, cold and derisive Preston Darling, and playful Colt Darling as Crystal attempts to serve up revenge and find her brother Royal with her protective brothers.
Medium pace, progressive storyline, mounting tension, I was drawn into the complexities of this symbolic retelling with a sprinkling of mafia. A heart-wrenching ending to this ill-rated romance.
Audiobook
What range, this voice actress performs with flourish – accents, intonation, women, men, narration to dialogue. Simply excellent, reflective of each character, each situation. Sure, I would have liked an actor for the few male POVs conveyed by character Devlin, but even so, this actress carried the performance with aplomb.
4.5 stars
This story continues the Darling-Dolce feud, Devlin Darling having exacted some retribution through Dolce daughter Crystal on top of treating her scornfully, but emotions and passions rise as their unbidden attraction grows. Always compelled to follow the rules, dress the right way, Crystal takes a stand in her own way, however, in this book 2.
The story delves more into the two families' rivalry with more character building of family members. Expect school politics and bullying, as well as the subtle building of Devlin and Crystal's relationship while continuing to search for missing brother Royal Dolce.
Angst, toxic, and forbidden, Crystal and Devlin continue their star-cross dance. A sweet and determined Crystal is drawn to Devlin; and Devlin fights his attraction disguised through scorn and delicious jealousy. Some heated moments, their attraction was undeniable, even if unacknowledged. Spice level was 3 out 5.
Loved the presence of pivotal side characters, including influential nonna and her wives’ tales, cold and derisive Preston Darling, and playful Colt Darling as Crystal attempts to serve up revenge and find her brother Royal with her protective brothers.
Medium pace, progressive storyline, mounting tension, I was drawn into the complexities of this symbolic retelling with a sprinkling of mafia. A heart-wrenching ending to this ill-rated romance.
Audiobook
What range, this voice actress performs with flourish – accents, intonation, women, men, narration to dialogue. Simply excellent, reflective of each character, each situation. Sure, I would have liked an actor for the few male POVs conveyed by character Devlin, but even so, this actress carried the performance with aplomb.
March 31, 2020
Omfg this book is everything. The guys make you want to hate them one second and love them the next. Devlin and Crystal are on fire and will smoke up your kindle screen 🔥🔥🔥 so many twists and turns you dont expect. Absolutely loved the journey this book took me on and I simply cannot wait for the next book.
January 8, 2021
2.5 STAR SERIES......
This review is for all three books. Bully Me ~ 4 stars, Betray Me ~ 2 stars and Bury Me ~ 2.5 stars.
This series had a Romeo and Juliet kind of vibe. Which I found entertaining and interesting. Who doesn’t like a good Forbidden story.
“If the Capulets and Montagues had known how it would end, would they have done things differently?” Even Crystal seems to think her families are like the epic love story.
Crystal Dolce and Delvin Darling families are sworn enemies. Making it impossible for them to be together. Sounds good...right?
Well sorry to disappoint. I was really hoping this book was going to be something I could have written home about....
Seriously this book had so much potential, but unfortunately Selena fell short with her female main character. For starters not only was Crystal annoying as hell, but she was beyond pathetic! To the point it was embarrassing, because there is no possible way someone can be that stupid and pathetic!
I know this was a dark bully romance, but when there are that many disturbing and disgusting scenes happening to the heroine and she doesn’t do shit about it, well for one, I loss complete respect for the heroine. Plus I feel there is no way in hell for the Hero to redeem himself and I felt that Selene tried to do exactly that in her third book, but no amount of groveling can make up for what Devlin and his cousins did. Nope! I wasn’t having any of it. Delvin and his cousin went WAY pass the point of no return in my opinion.
Also If your going to write about the Mafia then you better have a strong ass FMC and she better be able to hold her own and Crystal was soooo not that at all. Me being Italian myself I was disgusted how Crystal acted and behaved. If Selena would’ve had Crystal put up fight or do some repulsive things back to the Darlings this series would’ve been awesome! But Instead she was a doormat that pinned over the Hero throughout the series. All the while Delvin and his cousins treated her like a dog. Literally....if I had to hear one more time about that freakin dog collar or how her traitorous body betrayed her I seriously thought my ears would start bleeding!
Authors, Stop! with that would you!!! You make women sound stupid, like we have no willpower. 🙄
All Crystal talks about in book 2 is how she’ll get her revenge. I was so excited thinking “yes” finally she going to get back at these bastards! Good lord was I ever wrong...The so called revenge...was so weak it was laughable...
“See, that’s where you’re wrong,” I say. “You think your family is better because they’ve had money for generations, but the truth is, you’re just living in the past. Your family will never reclaim its glory because you can’t go back in time. Everyone here is so enamored with the glory days of old, but the truth is, it’s over, Devlin. And those stupid traditions and attitudes you hold onto aren’t doing anything but holding you back. Because you think you can ruin a woman by fucking her, but I’ll let you in on a little secret. We’re not living in the 1800s anymore. A woman’s worth isn’t judged by the thickness of her hymen anymore, Devlin.” “I didn’t say it was,” he says, giving me a stormy look. “Then you should know that fucking me won’t ruin me any more than it ruined you.” “Your reputation probably says otherwise.” I shrug. “You think I care what all these backwards hicks think of me? So you tricked me into giving you my virginity. That shows what kind of person you are, not me.” “I thought we talked about that.” “And you thought I forgave you,” I say. “That’s cute, Devlin. You’re not used to girls playing you, so I’ll make it clear for you. I don’t like you, Devlin. I don’t want anything to do with you. You were nothing but a means to an end.”
Yep! there you have it folks! The Ultimate humiliation revenge....Wow! such powerful words! Seriously 8-year-old could’ve done better than that! Like come on Selena that’s all you could come up with? Even Devlin’s comments in that revenge speak was more degrading then hers words. What was even more laughable then her revenge was that Crystal actually thought she broke Devlin’s heart with those words and even apologized for it in the third book.
“He tenses, and I don’t blame him. I made him fuck me until he cared about me, and then I ripped his heart out like some heartless bitch who needed it to fill the void where her own should be.”
Umm....Did I miss something, because I never even got that impression that Devlin was devastated? He barely blink n eye after that so called revenge. It wasn’t until the third book that he seem to show some feelings and that even seem nonexistent. I never felt that connection between Crystal and Devlin, because it went from nothing to Bam 💥 I’ll die for you kind of love. The only time I felt there connection was during the sex senses. Now the sex between them was off the charts hot! That I can say Selena didn’t miss a beat on. They were hot, steamy and dirty! I absolutely loved Devlin’s dirty talk!
It was beyond annoying that Crystal always referring herself as a monster, which was the biggest joke of all! Someone clearly needs to send Selena the definition of what a monster is, because Crystal wasn’t even close to being a monster. She was more of a weasel... not only was Crystal a doormat to the Darlings, but she was a doormat with her own family. Seriously I would’ve told Royal where he could stick it!
Needless to say by the time I got to book 3 I just wanted to get this series over with. At this point it was like Crystal forgot all the horrible things that happened to her, but still found the time to be such a hypocrite with her ridiculous comments...
“Just… Don’t let him walk all over you, okay? I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Umm hello! Is anyone home up there? This dumb bitch would say things like this throughout the series. Did she have amnesia?
Anyhow I just wanted this book to be over with. I can’t even write anything positive about the ending either, because that was a complete disaster/disappointment too. Way to many un-answered questions and of course it wasn’t a shocker that Crystal ended up being pregnant since her and Devlin never used any type of birth control. Way to go to show responsibility! Overall the series was such a disappointment, because it really could have been an awesome series if it was written with a strong FMC because the storyline was great.
Audiobook: This was my first time listening to Amanda L’Orien and she was absolutely awesome! It looks like this was her first time narrating a Romance book. I hope she will continue doing more audible narrating in the future. Her performance is a five-star!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2022
If you like evil characters then this is the book for you.
The author prefaces her books by saying if you need trigger warnings than they are not for you. She is right!
If you have no triggers then jump in. You won't regret it.
The author prefaces her books by saying if you need trigger warnings than they are not for you. She is right!
If you have no triggers then jump in. You won't regret it.
December 20, 2020
Wow!!
“Crystal 2.0 is not Daddy’s baby girl anymore. She’s a snake, a woman who will seduce a boy, set fire to his heart, and watch it burn while she sits back and has a cocktail.”
Y’all. It gets pretty intense in this book. I can only imagine how the final book will play out. This trilogy is definitely a page turner.
We find out who’s side everyone’s on.. I think.
Some things are answered some things I’m still dying to know the answers of but I’m going to dive headfirst into the third book right now!
“Crystal 2.0 is not Daddy’s baby girl anymore. She’s a snake, a woman who will seduce a boy, set fire to his heart, and watch it burn while she sits back and has a cocktail.”
Y’all. It gets pretty intense in this book. I can only imagine how the final book will play out. This trilogy is definitely a page turner.
We find out who’s side everyone’s on.. I think.
Some things are answered some things I’m still dying to know the answers of but I’m going to dive headfirst into the third book right now!
February 7, 2022
I don’t even know where to begin with these books. I stumbled across Bully Me by sheer luck.
At the time, I was in a proper reading slump. Everything I picked up bored me, and I struggled to reach the finish line.
Selena is a new author for me. I’d never heard of her, nor her books. My expectations were pretty low when I downloaded Crystal’s and Devlin’s stories. I never expected to be sucked into the dark, twisted world of Darling and Dolce drama. It is very rare that an entire series can hold my attention long enough to binge read every book, but Willow Heights absolutely drained the life out of me. Literally. I have lost so much sleep.
I will try really hard to avoid spoilers because I think readers should go into this series blind.
I want to start by saying that these books will not be everyone’s cup of tea. The author didn’t lie. The triggers warned you. The characters are dark, borderline psychotic, mentally unhinged and almost irredeemable. They challenge your forbearance levels and take you down some very uncomfortable roads. I often found myself rooting for them in one breath, then hating them in the next breath.
It started with the Darlings. Devlin, Preston and Colt. They were awful to Crystal Dolce. In fact, they treated everyone who never carried the Darling name like inferiors. Everything was one sickening game of cruel dominance and submissiveness. You never knew if they were lying or genuine or what they had up their sleeve.
Devlin Darling took a liking to his new neighbour, Crystal Dolce. She was the new girl in town with crazy arse brothers, King, Royal, Duke and Baron.
The Dolce family had Mafia ties, but we see very little of that in Bully Me, Betray me and Bury Me because the storyline mostly revolves around the Darlings.
The Dolce boys are here to stake their claim on every segment of the town and its people—Darling hierarchy be-damned. They’ll do anything—and I mean anything—to get to the top (there is a reason for this, thanks to Daddy Dolce). They want every politician and their brother in their pockets to take down the Darling empire, and they won’t stop, even if it kills them.
The Darling family are just as evil, just as stubborn and just as vindictive as the Dolce family. They, too, will do whatever it takes to protect their family name and legacy.
It’s a gritty retelling of Romeo and Juliet, I suppose. Two enemies-to-lovers amidst warring families.
Bury Me ends on a huge, shocking cliffhanger that tips the scales between Dolces and Darlings. All I will say is Devlin and Crystal, with or without their families blessing, found more than love in each other and had to take drastic measures to be happy.
Where do we go after three books of constant chaos? Back to the Darlings, right? Nope. Not even close.
When I started Bad Apple, the sister series of Willow Heights, I did not expect to see the Dolce boys on the throne and the Darlings squashed under their thumbs. I mean, they completely changed the town's dynamics and had every minion in high school marching to their drum. Everyone is terrified of them and rightfully so. These boys take bullying to an entirely new level of what-the-f*ck?!
Royal is the ultimate bully. His brothers, Duke and Baron, are probably the cruellest twins I have ever read in any dark bully romance. The brothers did what was expected of them. They understood the assignment. They tore down the Darling empire and became everyone’s worst nightmare.
I am still reeling from this! I went from absolutely hating Preston and Colt Darling for their sickening behaviour towards the Dolces to rooting for them. I wanted sweet revenge for Crystal, but I was not prepared for the shocking turn of events or the unforgivable Dolce behaviour. All I can say is Colt did not deserve it! Preston did not deserve it!
Insert Harper Apple, the trailer park girl from the wrong side of town with a huge chip on her shoulder, and deservingly so, who lands a scholarship at Willow Heights because Mr D, the philanthropist who she does not know, or has never met, landed in her DM one morning and offered to be her fairy godmother. This man is an opportunist, though. He will help Harper just as long as she checks in on messenger every Friday to give him information on the Dolces. I mean, all the way through, I figured Mr D was Preston Darling, who is finally going to come out of hiding to take down the Dolces and regain control of his hometown. No spoiler. But I never expected Mr D to be the ultimate reveal at the end, like, what even?
Anyway, Harper is a badass heroine. Yeah, she is weak where Royal Dolce is concerned, but she always comes back fighting and gives just as good as she gets. I loved her character and everything she stood for. I loved how, layer by layer, she peeled away Royal’s dark armour until we got to see snippets of the boy we fell in love with in Bully Me—and she did all this while living her worst life, too. I never lost hope. I knew Royal was still in there somewhere. I knew if anyone could reach him and bring him back, it would be Harper. And that girl went through so much to be with Royal. He never deserved her love nor forgiveness, but still, I was rooting for them. These were just two young kids sucked into Daddy Dolces’ gruesome world of revenge and violence.
I could pinpoint everything I loved and hated about these books, but I stand by what I said earlier. If you love dark, bully romance books, Selena is the author for you.
I am gutted the series is over. I never wanted it to end. Even though Selena tied up loose ends, I still want more (yes, I’m a greedy book whore; sue me). I want Colt’s story, Preston’s story, Duke’s story and even Baron, who is beyond redemption. And mostly, I want more of Harper and Royal.
I am not ready to say goodbye to Willow Heights or the Darlings, or the Dolces.
At the time, I was in a proper reading slump. Everything I picked up bored me, and I struggled to reach the finish line.
Selena is a new author for me. I’d never heard of her, nor her books. My expectations were pretty low when I downloaded Crystal’s and Devlin’s stories. I never expected to be sucked into the dark, twisted world of Darling and Dolce drama. It is very rare that an entire series can hold my attention long enough to binge read every book, but Willow Heights absolutely drained the life out of me. Literally. I have lost so much sleep.
I will try really hard to avoid spoilers because I think readers should go into this series blind.
I want to start by saying that these books will not be everyone’s cup of tea. The author didn’t lie. The triggers warned you. The characters are dark, borderline psychotic, mentally unhinged and almost irredeemable. They challenge your forbearance levels and take you down some very uncomfortable roads. I often found myself rooting for them in one breath, then hating them in the next breath.
It started with the Darlings. Devlin, Preston and Colt. They were awful to Crystal Dolce. In fact, they treated everyone who never carried the Darling name like inferiors. Everything was one sickening game of cruel dominance and submissiveness. You never knew if they were lying or genuine or what they had up their sleeve.
Devlin Darling took a liking to his new neighbour, Crystal Dolce. She was the new girl in town with crazy arse brothers, King, Royal, Duke and Baron.
The Dolce family had Mafia ties, but we see very little of that in Bully Me, Betray me and Bury Me because the storyline mostly revolves around the Darlings.
The Dolce boys are here to stake their claim on every segment of the town and its people—Darling hierarchy be-damned. They’ll do anything—and I mean anything—to get to the top (there is a reason for this, thanks to Daddy Dolce). They want every politician and their brother in their pockets to take down the Darling empire, and they won’t stop, even if it kills them.
The Darling family are just as evil, just as stubborn and just as vindictive as the Dolce family. They, too, will do whatever it takes to protect their family name and legacy.
It’s a gritty retelling of Romeo and Juliet, I suppose. Two enemies-to-lovers amidst warring families.
Bury Me ends on a huge, shocking cliffhanger that tips the scales between Dolces and Darlings. All I will say is Devlin and Crystal, with or without their families blessing, found more than love in each other and had to take drastic measures to be happy.
Where do we go after three books of constant chaos? Back to the Darlings, right? Nope. Not even close.
When I started Bad Apple, the sister series of Willow Heights, I did not expect to see the Dolce boys on the throne and the Darlings squashed under their thumbs. I mean, they completely changed the town's dynamics and had every minion in high school marching to their drum. Everyone is terrified of them and rightfully so. These boys take bullying to an entirely new level of what-the-f*ck?!
Royal is the ultimate bully. His brothers, Duke and Baron, are probably the cruellest twins I have ever read in any dark bully romance. The brothers did what was expected of them. They understood the assignment. They tore down the Darling empire and became everyone’s worst nightmare.
I am still reeling from this! I went from absolutely hating Preston and Colt Darling for their sickening behaviour towards the Dolces to rooting for them. I wanted sweet revenge for Crystal, but I was not prepared for the shocking turn of events or the unforgivable Dolce behaviour. All I can say is Colt did not deserve it! Preston did not deserve it!
Insert Harper Apple, the trailer park girl from the wrong side of town with a huge chip on her shoulder, and deservingly so, who lands a scholarship at Willow Heights because Mr D, the philanthropist who she does not know, or has never met, landed in her DM one morning and offered to be her fairy godmother. This man is an opportunist, though. He will help Harper just as long as she checks in on messenger every Friday to give him information on the Dolces. I mean, all the way through, I figured Mr D was Preston Darling, who is finally going to come out of hiding to take down the Dolces and regain control of his hometown. No spoiler. But I never expected Mr D to be the ultimate reveal at the end, like, what even?
Anyway, Harper is a badass heroine. Yeah, she is weak where Royal Dolce is concerned, but she always comes back fighting and gives just as good as she gets. I loved her character and everything she stood for. I loved how, layer by layer, she peeled away Royal’s dark armour until we got to see snippets of the boy we fell in love with in Bully Me—and she did all this while living her worst life, too. I never lost hope. I knew Royal was still in there somewhere. I knew if anyone could reach him and bring him back, it would be Harper. And that girl went through so much to be with Royal. He never deserved her love nor forgiveness, but still, I was rooting for them. These were just two young kids sucked into Daddy Dolces’ gruesome world of revenge and violence.
I could pinpoint everything I loved and hated about these books, but I stand by what I said earlier. If you love dark, bully romance books, Selena is the author for you.
I am gutted the series is over. I never wanted it to end. Even though Selena tied up loose ends, I still want more (yes, I’m a greedy book whore; sue me). I want Colt’s story, Preston’s story, Duke’s story and even Baron, who is beyond redemption. And mostly, I want more of Harper and Royal.
I am not ready to say goodbye to Willow Heights or the Darlings, or the Dolces.
April 24, 2020
The first book in this series ended on a major cliffhanger and I couldn't wait to read Book #2. I also have to admit this is one of the better Bully romances I have read and the content in this book is aimed at the 18+ audience and can be quite intense. If you thought Romeo and Juliet's families were warring with each other, the Dolces and Darlings take it up a whole major notch. At the beginning of this book, Crystal's twin brother Royal is missing and Crystal's alibi covers one of the Darling brothers - Devlin. The Darlings have now pushed the game too far by kidnapping one of the Dolces. The thing though that Crystal is finding difficult is that her body and emotions are betraying her as she finds herself in this love/hate relationship behind closed doors with Devlin Darling. In Betray Me, we learn more about the rivalry between the Dolces and the Darlings and it looks like things are about to get cray-cray up in the town of Faulkner as more Dolces and Darlings come out from the woodwork as the Dolces hunt for Royal and plan a payback scenario. I have to admit what I am loving about this series is that no matter how far Crystal is pushed especially with Preston Darling's sadistic side coming through in this book and being treated like a dog, she doesn't back down and no matter how much they try to break her despite feeling broken inside, she does her best not to show them any weakness. I am now looking forward to reading Book #3 in the Willow Heights Prep Series.
April 8, 2020
I volunteered to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and to submit an honest review.
Crystal's twin, Royal, is missing and no one knows where he is. Crystal and her family are sure the Darlings are responsible.
Crystal and Devlin are magnetic towards each other. When Devlin is around others, especially his cousins, he is cocky and refers to Crystal as "his" dog and he can treat her however he wishes. Yet alone with her he is a different boy as he's tender, loving and caring. Living next door to him, Crystal never knows when Devlin will appear in her bedroom.
The drama builds in Betray Me the longer Royal is missing. A full-out battle brews between the Darling boys and the Dolce boys, each family trying to outdo each other to declare the own Faulkner and the high school. Personal property is destroyed and there are serious injuries.
The Dolce males are not happy with Crystal seeing Devlin but decide she is in a position to gain knowledge they need to find Royal and to take down the Darlings. No matter how hard the Darling boys try to break her, knowing that that will hurt her brothers, Crystal bounces back and stands her ground.
When the drama comes to a head, there is a standoff where Crystal is to deliver final psychological blows to take Devlin down and prove her loyalty to her family while Devlin tries to be loyal to his.
Betray Me is an excellent Book 2 following Bully Me. Definitely a must read to get ready for book 3.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Crystal's twin, Royal, is missing and no one knows where he is. Crystal and her family are sure the Darlings are responsible.
Crystal and Devlin are magnetic towards each other. When Devlin is around others, especially his cousins, he is cocky and refers to Crystal as "his" dog and he can treat her however he wishes. Yet alone with her he is a different boy as he's tender, loving and caring. Living next door to him, Crystal never knows when Devlin will appear in her bedroom.
The drama builds in Betray Me the longer Royal is missing. A full-out battle brews between the Darling boys and the Dolce boys, each family trying to outdo each other to declare the own Faulkner and the high school. Personal property is destroyed and there are serious injuries.
The Dolce males are not happy with Crystal seeing Devlin but decide she is in a position to gain knowledge they need to find Royal and to take down the Darlings. No matter how hard the Darling boys try to break her, knowing that that will hurt her brothers, Crystal bounces back and stands her ground.
When the drama comes to a head, there is a standoff where Crystal is to deliver final psychological blows to take Devlin down and prove her loyalty to her family while Devlin tries to be loyal to his.
Betray Me is an excellent Book 2 following Bully Me. Definitely a must read to get ready for book 3.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 6, 2023
I was excited to start this one thinking maybe she finally grows a pair, and we start to see some boss $itch action, but naturally..no. I like bully books if the bully redeems himself or herself. With this one, there was so much that I didn't like, the whole dog thing is weird, the whole allowing her to be groped is weird, the sexual assault was a huge thing, and then she turns around and continues to gravitate towards the abuse. She's always talking about being this top girl and a bully herself but both books she was a simpering idiot.
There are a lot of bully books that have assault in it but it's done in a way where you can forgive along with the main character who is suffering it. I had so many angry feelings towards a lot of things in this book but I let time pass, so I didn't vent before I wrote a review. There are some things that make zero sense with the characters and the plot holes and the questions I have about things.
And she's SIXTEEN. I easily thought she was older. All of this happens in high school. I've read bully high school books and so far I haven't found a single one that doesn't come off as being weird because it's high school, and this one is just as bad.
Don't get me wrong, Selena seems to be a good writer, but it's the content that I'm like, but why?
There are a lot of bully books that have assault in it but it's done in a way where you can forgive along with the main character who is suffering it. I had so many angry feelings towards a lot of things in this book but I let time pass, so I didn't vent before I wrote a review. There are some things that make zero sense with the characters and the plot holes and the questions I have about things.
And she's SIXTEEN. I easily thought she was older. All of this happens in high school. I've read bully high school books and so far I haven't found a single one that doesn't come off as being weird because it's high school, and this one is just as bad.
Don't get me wrong, Selena seems to be a good writer, but it's the content that I'm like, but why?
May 16, 2021
Oh, this was so messed up.
But I was expecting it.
I did a thing. I don't typically read reviews for books before I read them because they spoil MY experience of the book. But I read some reviews for this book because of the cliffhanger ending in Bully Me. I almost didn't read it based on some reviews I had read.
But I decided I was in for a penny in for a pound. And I'm glad I continued.
Crystal and Devlin remain toxic to each other. At this point, I'm not sure I could see them in a healthy relationship. By the end of Betray Me it was hard for me to understand why they would want to be together at all but like they are kids. I remember when I was this dumb. I don't miss it.
There were some pretty shocking events to take place in this book. And now I can say I've read some things. There are quite a few things urging me to read the last book. 1. can it get any crazier? I bet it can. In fact, I will be disappointed if the next book is toned down. 2. What happened to...... ? 3. how the hell are they going to overcome all this for their happily ever after? There's so much I need to know.
But I was expecting it.
I did a thing. I don't typically read reviews for books before I read them because they spoil MY experience of the book. But I read some reviews for this book because of the cliffhanger ending in Bully Me. I almost didn't read it based on some reviews I had read.
But I decided I was in for a penny in for a pound. And I'm glad I continued.
Crystal and Devlin remain toxic to each other. At this point, I'm not sure I could see them in a healthy relationship. By the end of Betray Me it was hard for me to understand why they would want to be together at all but like they are kids. I remember when I was this dumb. I don't miss it.
There were some pretty shocking events to take place in this book. And now I can say I've read some things. There are quite a few things urging me to read the last book. 1. can it get any crazier? I bet it can. In fact, I will be disappointed if the next book is toned down. 2. What happened to...... ? 3. how the hell are they going to overcome all this for their happily ever after? There's so much I need to know.
June 10, 2022
Perfection! I Love Devlins POV! Selena writes the Perfect Bully romance. I just csnt get enough! I enjoyed seeing the Romeo and juliet vibes! It was made for me! As much as people might paint Crystal as weak i beg to differ, it's only a fictional story so obviously no one would behave this way but I think she is strong as hell! She held her head high no matter what! Love love love! Ordered every single book Selena has written and will one click anything she writes FOREVER!
February 2, 2022
WOW!! I loved this book it was a hell of alot more brutal but also more steam as well!! I also made me really emotional nearer thr end!! This has given me all the feels and more that is needed in a book definitely recommend this series even if just for this book alone!!
November 25, 2023
5 ⭐️
absolutely incredible, twisty and intense! onto book 3!
absolutely incredible, twisty and intense! onto book 3!
December 7, 2023
1/5 stars
god the body betrayal thing here was TOO much i kept waiting for her to grow a backbone. it wasn’t boring though so that’s something.
god the body betrayal thing here was TOO much i kept waiting for her to grow a backbone. it wasn’t boring though so that’s something.
June 8, 2024
Shifting allegiances
Oooh this book is delicious. Nothing and no one are what they seem. Crystal is given a crash course in being an adult member of her family and both she and Devlin start asking themselves questions that their family really don’t want them to ask. This book is DARK and not for anyone with triggers…but for those who can read it, it is well worth it.
Oooh this book is delicious. Nothing and no one are what they seem. Crystal is given a crash course in being an adult member of her family and both she and Devlin start asking themselves questions that their family really don’t want them to ask. This book is DARK and not for anyone with triggers…but for those who can read it, it is well worth it.
July 8, 2020
Crazy addictive series.
January 3, 2023
2 ⭐️
Basically the whole time I was reading this book, I was trying to formulate what I was going to say in my review because there’s really so much.
I wouldn’t say this series is bad, and I wouldn’t even say the writing is bad. They’re both middle of the road, not super stand out, but generally enjoyable. The ending of the first one even made me interested enough to continue on to the second. I don’t think I’ll read the third however—it’s 450 pages and without a decent cliffhanger from this one, it’s just not calling to me. (I was going to save my series review for that book, but since I probably won’t read it, here it is.)
So, if the writing isn’t bad and the plot is generally enjoyable, why the low rating?
The characters.
Specifically the main character Crystal Dolce. I was trying to think if I’ve ever read a character who was as frustrating, insufferable, no-backbone, pathetic with no sense of self-control or even self-worth, and I couldn’t think of any.
So in the series, the new wealth, New Yorker (maybe mob-tied) Dolce Family move to a tiny town in Arkansas and Crystal’s brothers (older King, twin Royal, younger twins Duke and Baron) decide they want to be the royalty of their new school, so they start beef with the three Darling cousins, whose old money family basically own the town. Crystal just wants to fly under the radar at this new school, but she gets constantly dragged into the war by the Darlings who see messing with her as a way to break her brothers. There’s also longer running beef between the parents’ generation, and there’s some sort of Darling-led secret society, but I assume that will be delved into more in the third book.
Now, here’s the disclaimer I always need to put: I have no problem with high school romances, bully romances, toxic romances, villain love interests, so none of my critiques of the series are because I don’t like the tropes. And if you do have a problem with those tropes, this is not the place or the series for you, argue with the wall.
Let’s get into the reasons why Crystal will probably make it onto a list of my least favorite romance heroines, if I ever make one:
- she cannot make up her mind about standing up for herself or not. It seems like every chapter she decides she’s not going to take shit from the Darlings anymore, but then immediately folds in the next chapter. That’s not to say there aren’t moments when she does fight back, but those moments always seem to be when it’s already too late.
- She’s far too trusting with good reason not to be. The Darlings are in a war with her brothers that has included cars being totaled and major physical fights, and yet she’s willing to trust Colt (honestly probably the least shitty of the three, but still VERY shitty) when he says he wants to help reach a truce. I wonder if it works out? Spoiler: it does not. And go with Devlin when he wants to take her places like it’s going to be a good time. Spoiler: it is not.
- She has zero perspective. At a certain point I believe in the first book, Crystal wonders if her brothers are just as bad or worse than the Darlings. And I just wanted to shake her and say absolutely not. Even at that point, before the Darlings had really turned their shitty-ness up a notch, the Dolces weren’t as bad at the Darlings, and the fact that Crystal’s family loyalty was wavering for these shitty shitty boys she just met was absolutely ridiculous. The Dolces just wanted to be top of the school food chain and get spots on the football team, the Darlings are the ones who accosted them first and then also escalated to physical violence first with putting nails in the road so the Dolces would crash, which they did.
- She’s attracted to Devlin (second Darling cousin), seemingly no matter what he does. This I think is her main character flaw, and here’s where the spoilers are going to be, but I NEED other people to understand what I mean. What follows is a list of just a few of the things that should have had Crystal either high-tailing it back to New York, involving the authorities or committing homicide instead of continuing to be inexplicably attracted to (and continuing to hook up with) Devlin.
- For sticking up for her new friend Dixie, who was made the “Darling Dog” for the year (don’t even get me started), Crystal is made the new Darling Dog. At first it doesn’t mean much, some light bullying and name calling, small beans. But after Preston (the third and worst Darling) and Devlin are suspended from the football team, they get back at the Dolces after a game by grabbing Crystal, throwing her in their backseat, spanking her with a belt while many people watch, basically threatening to rape her, then threatening to carve words into her forehead if she doesn’t give them her phone passcode so they can text her brothers she’s fine. Then they throw her in the trunk and drive her to a party where they rip off her shirt, put a leash on her and make her walk around the party while they let anybody who wants to grope her. Then when she doesn’t want to drink, Devlin hits her and tackles her and threatens to carve her again. Then they leave her at the party without a phone or a shirt.
- Then is the fake truce. Colt asks Crystal to go with him to homecoming and she does. They kiss but when he propositions her for sex and she isn’t receptive, Devlin randomly (wink wink) shows up and dances with her and they have a moment (swooning and barfing). Then they leave with Colt and Dixie, as well as Duke, Baron and Duke’s date Dolly (who might be the best character). They get wasted and Crystal wakes up in her underwear with Devlin, but they didn’t have sex—yet. In the morning, Devlin basically coerces Crystal into sex, and by basically I mean she says no and that they can’t and to get off of her, but only until he starts fingering her and says he can’t have sex with her because he realizes she wasn’t lying about being a virgin, then she is completely on board. Fast forward, they’re done hooking up, so are Colt and Dixie (also the Baron, Duke and Dolly threesome is over too), and it’s revealed real quick that the dance and the sex was all a ploy to “break” her and ruin her in the eyes of her family. Which she really should have seen coming a mile away but instead she let herself and her friend get played.
- Then she gets home and finds out that while she was being played, her twin was being kidnapped, presumably by Preston (who wasn’t at the dance) or some other Darlings. And that’s all just book one.
- Then day one back at school while her brother is still missing, Devlin drags her into a bathroom and starts getting physical with her, she says no and to stop multiple times, then as soon as he’s inside her, she changes her tune once again and literally states “I want this,” keeping in mind, she’s still convinced he and/or his family have something to do with her twin being missing.
- Devlin breaks into her room while she’s showering before school, tells her to get dressed (she does), tells her to leave with him (she does) and she’s surprised when he takes her to his car and Colt and Preston are there. He throws her into the car and they drive her to a bad neighborhood and leave her there with no phone. She gets followed by some guys who definitely want to assault her before she finds a guy she recognizes to drive her to school.
- After a fight at school (that started with Preston making her sit on his lap and then had people pouring milk on her and ended with King breaking Preston’s arm) Crystal finds Devlin in his yard in the middle of the night, they have a conversation and a fight, then he tries to have sex with her but she says no because she’s on her period, and guess what he does? Yeah, patterns.
- Then the big one: Crystal is at school while her brothers have football practice before a big game, Preston finds her, drags her into the boys locker room, she gets away, runs into a coach, Preston finds her and tells the coach to get lost, he does, Preston bashes her head into a door, throws her into the boys showers, bashes her head again, ties her hands to a shower head, cuts her clothes off of her, threatens to rape her, goes and gets the whole team after practice is over (minus her brothers) and says she’s a gift for them, they are all very interested and on board. Preston tells Devlin he has to fuck her or he’ll let the whole team take turns raping her, so Devlin does it.
So that’s a lot, but those are the main things that make me hate Devlin (the other Darlings as well obviously) and get so infuriated with Crystal because after any one of those things, there should be no lingering feelings or attraction to Devlin (especially when for almost all of book two, she is sure the Darlings have kidnapped her twin), and yet throughout all of the terrible shitty inexcusable things he and his cousins do to her, she’s still waxing poetic in her thoughts about him and is basically gaslighting herself about him having redeeming qualities. Absolutely pathetic, if ya ask me.
But with all that taken into account, beyond her being pathetic and insufferable and Devlin being possibly the most irredeemable and terrible love interest, the books aren’t bad. I think her brothers are interesting (I’d much prefer a book about them), her friends Dolly and Dixie are good characters, and the non-romance plot isn’t bad.
So basically, if you want to get mad at some characters for a few hundred pages, give it a read.
Oh, and there’s a scene where Crystal’s Italian grandmother convinces her that Devlin will fall in love with her if she puts her period blood in his food. I’ll let you guess whether or not she does it.
Basically the whole time I was reading this book, I was trying to formulate what I was going to say in my review because there’s really so much.
I wouldn’t say this series is bad, and I wouldn’t even say the writing is bad. They’re both middle of the road, not super stand out, but generally enjoyable. The ending of the first one even made me interested enough to continue on to the second. I don’t think I’ll read the third however—it’s 450 pages and without a decent cliffhanger from this one, it’s just not calling to me. (I was going to save my series review for that book, but since I probably won’t read it, here it is.)
So, if the writing isn’t bad and the plot is generally enjoyable, why the low rating?
The characters.
Specifically the main character Crystal Dolce. I was trying to think if I’ve ever read a character who was as frustrating, insufferable, no-backbone, pathetic with no sense of self-control or even self-worth, and I couldn’t think of any.
So in the series, the new wealth, New Yorker (maybe mob-tied) Dolce Family move to a tiny town in Arkansas and Crystal’s brothers (older King, twin Royal, younger twins Duke and Baron) decide they want to be the royalty of their new school, so they start beef with the three Darling cousins, whose old money family basically own the town. Crystal just wants to fly under the radar at this new school, but she gets constantly dragged into the war by the Darlings who see messing with her as a way to break her brothers. There’s also longer running beef between the parents’ generation, and there’s some sort of Darling-led secret society, but I assume that will be delved into more in the third book.
Now, here’s the disclaimer I always need to put: I have no problem with high school romances, bully romances, toxic romances, villain love interests, so none of my critiques of the series are because I don’t like the tropes. And if you do have a problem with those tropes, this is not the place or the series for you, argue with the wall.
Let’s get into the reasons why Crystal will probably make it onto a list of my least favorite romance heroines, if I ever make one:
- she cannot make up her mind about standing up for herself or not. It seems like every chapter she decides she’s not going to take shit from the Darlings anymore, but then immediately folds in the next chapter. That’s not to say there aren’t moments when she does fight back, but those moments always seem to be when it’s already too late.
- She’s far too trusting with good reason not to be. The Darlings are in a war with her brothers that has included cars being totaled and major physical fights, and yet she’s willing to trust Colt (honestly probably the least shitty of the three, but still VERY shitty) when he says he wants to help reach a truce. I wonder if it works out? Spoiler: it does not. And go with Devlin when he wants to take her places like it’s going to be a good time. Spoiler: it is not.
- She has zero perspective. At a certain point I believe in the first book, Crystal wonders if her brothers are just as bad or worse than the Darlings. And I just wanted to shake her and say absolutely not. Even at that point, before the Darlings had really turned their shitty-ness up a notch, the Dolces weren’t as bad at the Darlings, and the fact that Crystal’s family loyalty was wavering for these shitty shitty boys she just met was absolutely ridiculous. The Dolces just wanted to be top of the school food chain and get spots on the football team, the Darlings are the ones who accosted them first and then also escalated to physical violence first with putting nails in the road so the Dolces would crash, which they did.
- She’s attracted to Devlin (second Darling cousin), seemingly no matter what he does. This I think is her main character flaw, and here’s where the spoilers are going to be, but I NEED other people to understand what I mean. What follows is a list of just a few of the things that should have had Crystal either high-tailing it back to New York, involving the authorities or committing homicide instead of continuing to be inexplicably attracted to (and continuing to hook up with) Devlin.
- For sticking up for her new friend Dixie, who was made the “Darling Dog” for the year (don’t even get me started), Crystal is made the new Darling Dog. At first it doesn’t mean much, some light bullying and name calling, small beans. But after Preston (the third and worst Darling) and Devlin are suspended from the football team, they get back at the Dolces after a game by grabbing Crystal, throwing her in their backseat, spanking her with a belt while many people watch, basically threatening to rape her, then threatening to carve words into her forehead if she doesn’t give them her phone passcode so they can text her brothers she’s fine. Then they throw her in the trunk and drive her to a party where they rip off her shirt, put a leash on her and make her walk around the party while they let anybody who wants to grope her. Then when she doesn’t want to drink, Devlin hits her and tackles her and threatens to carve her again. Then they leave her at the party without a phone or a shirt.
- Then is the fake truce. Colt asks Crystal to go with him to homecoming and she does. They kiss but when he propositions her for sex and she isn’t receptive, Devlin randomly (wink wink) shows up and dances with her and they have a moment (swooning and barfing). Then they leave with Colt and Dixie, as well as Duke, Baron and Duke’s date Dolly (who might be the best character). They get wasted and Crystal wakes up in her underwear with Devlin, but they didn’t have sex—yet. In the morning, Devlin basically coerces Crystal into sex, and by basically I mean she says no and that they can’t and to get off of her, but only until he starts fingering her and says he can’t have sex with her because he realizes she wasn’t lying about being a virgin, then she is completely on board. Fast forward, they’re done hooking up, so are Colt and Dixie (also the Baron, Duke and Dolly threesome is over too), and it’s revealed real quick that the dance and the sex was all a ploy to “break” her and ruin her in the eyes of her family. Which she really should have seen coming a mile away but instead she let herself and her friend get played.
- Then she gets home and finds out that while she was being played, her twin was being kidnapped, presumably by Preston (who wasn’t at the dance) or some other Darlings. And that’s all just book one.
- Then day one back at school while her brother is still missing, Devlin drags her into a bathroom and starts getting physical with her, she says no and to stop multiple times, then as soon as he’s inside her, she changes her tune once again and literally states “I want this,” keeping in mind, she’s still convinced he and/or his family have something to do with her twin being missing.
- Devlin breaks into her room while she’s showering before school, tells her to get dressed (she does), tells her to leave with him (she does) and she’s surprised when he takes her to his car and Colt and Preston are there. He throws her into the car and they drive her to a bad neighborhood and leave her there with no phone. She gets followed by some guys who definitely want to assault her before she finds a guy she recognizes to drive her to school.
- After a fight at school (that started with Preston making her sit on his lap and then had people pouring milk on her and ended with King breaking Preston’s arm) Crystal finds Devlin in his yard in the middle of the night, they have a conversation and a fight, then he tries to have sex with her but she says no because she’s on her period, and guess what he does? Yeah, patterns.
- Then the big one: Crystal is at school while her brothers have football practice before a big game, Preston finds her, drags her into the boys locker room, she gets away, runs into a coach, Preston finds her and tells the coach to get lost, he does, Preston bashes her head into a door, throws her into the boys showers, bashes her head again, ties her hands to a shower head, cuts her clothes off of her, threatens to rape her, goes and gets the whole team after practice is over (minus her brothers) and says she’s a gift for them, they are all very interested and on board. Preston tells Devlin he has to fuck her or he’ll let the whole team take turns raping her, so Devlin does it.
So that’s a lot, but those are the main things that make me hate Devlin (the other Darlings as well obviously) and get so infuriated with Crystal because after any one of those things, there should be no lingering feelings or attraction to Devlin (especially when for almost all of book two, she is sure the Darlings have kidnapped her twin), and yet throughout all of the terrible shitty inexcusable things he and his cousins do to her, she’s still waxing poetic in her thoughts about him and is basically gaslighting herself about him having redeeming qualities. Absolutely pathetic, if ya ask me.
But with all that taken into account, beyond her being pathetic and insufferable and Devlin being possibly the most irredeemable and terrible love interest, the books aren’t bad. I think her brothers are interesting (I’d much prefer a book about them), her friends Dolly and Dixie are good characters, and the non-romance plot isn’t bad.
So basically, if you want to get mad at some characters for a few hundred pages, give it a read.
Oh, and there’s a scene where Crystal’s Italian grandmother convinces her that Devlin will fall in love with her if she puts her period blood in his food. I’ll let you guess whether or not she does it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2020
WOW! Where do I even start!?! I was on the edge of my seat this WHOLE BOOK! The suspense was killing me and I loved every minute of it. The bullies are some of the meanest I’ve read but that only makes me love it more. When Crystal captures Devlins heart I was on pins and needles to see what he would do about it. The drama between families was intense and has you second guessing everything. Are the Darlings really the bad guys or are the Dolces hiding something? I am DYING to find out!
April 1, 2020
This is the follow up to Selena's first book Bully Me. We continue right where we left off with Royal (Crystal's twin) missing after the night of the dance. Again it's the Dolce's against the Darlings as each family fights to gain the upper hand along with finding Royal Dolce.
Crystal is welcomed to the "adult table" and starts to see exactly who her family is. We get more interactions with her mom along with her grandparents. She begins to find out more of the history her father has with Nebraska and just how ruthless her family can be. During this process she continues to develop her friendship with Dixie, and becomes acquaintances with the Mayor's daughter (Dolly). In this second book Crystal is not as much of a pushover as she was in the first book. She is finding her backbone, and standing up to Devlin, Colt, and Preston more. Devlin starts to waver in his loyalty to his family, and his interest in Crystal. The tug of war between the two of them is more one on one in this book unlike the three on one in the previous book. They still bring out the worst in each other, but each are questioning just how much they may be willing to give up in order to be together.
Trigger Warning: There is still a lot of bullying, and some questionable consensual sex however in this book. There is physical abuse along with continued emotional and mental abuse. This is a DARK bully book, and is fictional. If you like the dark and twisted this series continues to be for you.
Crystal is welcomed to the "adult table" and starts to see exactly who her family is. We get more interactions with her mom along with her grandparents. She begins to find out more of the history her father has with Nebraska and just how ruthless her family can be. During this process she continues to develop her friendship with Dixie, and becomes acquaintances with the Mayor's daughter (Dolly). In this second book Crystal is not as much of a pushover as she was in the first book. She is finding her backbone, and standing up to Devlin, Colt, and Preston more. Devlin starts to waver in his loyalty to his family, and his interest in Crystal. The tug of war between the two of them is more one on one in this book unlike the three on one in the previous book. They still bring out the worst in each other, but each are questioning just how much they may be willing to give up in order to be together.
Trigger Warning: There is still a lot of bullying, and some questionable consensual sex however in this book. There is physical abuse along with continued emotional and mental abuse. This is a DARK bully book, and is fictional. If you like the dark and twisted this series continues to be for you.
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