Rivals since before birth, there has never been a time when my family hasn’t hated the Lockwoods and their daughter Harlow.
Two years ago she set us up, tainted our family image, ruined my brother’s life. She made it personal. It was no longer just a rivalry between our parents.
Now she’s here, at Bayshore University, without her family’s protection. There’s nothing to stop us from getting our revenge on her, no one to tell us enough is enough.
And so my brothers and I have devised a plan. We’ll break her, have her falling at her knees for us in no time, and then we’ll send her back to her family with a warning…
Cross the Bishops again and you’ll pay.
***
HARLOW
I’ve despised the smug, stupidly gorgeous Bishop brothers since I was a small child. Our families rivalry was one that started years before us and one that I wanted to end.
I was tired of being my parent's puppet, tired of the games, of the hate. All I wanted was to enjoy college and move on with my life.
But your past can never stay hidden, right?
When the Bishop brothers turn up at my school I have no place to run. I know then they’ll make certain I pay for every single bad-mouthed remark I or my parents ever made about them.
At Bayshore, I’m at their mercy and they won’t stop until my heart is a bleeding mess.
AUTHOR NOTE: This is a reverse harem college bully romance that contains subject matter not suitable for all readers.
C. Hallman is a USA Today Bestselling Author who wrote her debut novel in 2018 and has since published over 100 books in various romance subgenres. Her works have been on numerous bestseller lists and have been translated into 8 languages around the world. When she doesn't write her next novel, she publishes spicy novellas under the pen name Darcy Rose.
I really only picked this up because it was short, free, and seemed mildly interesting.
Not long into the story, I wanted to dnf, but I already logged it on Goodreads so I decided to finish it. And yeah, it's as terrible as it sounds. My bad for expecting substance in something like this, won't happen again.
The thing is, I've read good RH books before, and I've read amazing novellas too. Not everyone can make those things work together, so I won't dissect it, but why oh why did the whole book have to be so bland? There was no point to any of it.
Some scenes sounded very young to me, based on how they were written which also rubbed me the wrong way. I felt like I was reading a very specific kind of fanfic (you know the kind, when teens with no romantic/sexual experience try to write a smutty fic), and that's fine WHEN I'M READING FANFICTION, but not in an actual book.
I was bored, simple as that. I don't think other books by either author will be on my radar in the future.
Sincere, codependent girl seeks someone to love. Will swoon at the first sight of a hint of affection. Call now.
Here's the first half of the book in a nutshell:
FMC = Harlow, the Princess formely controlled by a lying father, now escaping her family to a far-away university. BBs = The Bishop boys, aka the Bland Yet Hot Guys 1, 2 and 3. (Might as well group them together, because you won't be able to tell them apart.) Their family and Harlow's are rivals.
FMC: I want to leave my past behind me and start anew. BBs: *show up and generally exist* FMC: Omg, they're sooo handsome. I want them. BBs: You're a liar. We hate you and will destroy your new life. FMC: Omg, you smell so good. I'm all tingly when you're near. BBs: We're spreading rumors that you're a kinky whore. Because the whole "calling girls whores/sluts" thing isn't getting old at all.. FMC: Like, omg, have you seen your eyes, hair, muscles, tanned skin, etc. So yum. Please love me. BBs: You will do as we say. We'll stalk you and control your life. FMC: Oh, hey, not cool. But also, let me cry real quick so you can see that I'm a real girl with real feels. Love me, yet? BBs: *go out with other girls and continue having lives* FMC: Why won't you love meeee? I didn't do anything bad to you. Well, apart from apparently destroying your reputations, businesses, futures, lives, etc. "Sorry."
The rest of the book is basically just Harlow getting into bad situations or having her body harmed in some way. And the only times the guys seem to care about her is when she's physically hurt. Also, everyone (but mostly Harlow) magically wants and needs each other for no apparent reason. There is insta-love for sure, seeing as these people supposedly didn't spend a lot of time together in the past (or present).
And you know, it wouldn't have even been half bad, if about 90% of Harlow's lusty thoughts had been deleted, the boys had been given separate and distinct personalities, and if the focus of the book had been a bit more on the family issues, or the boys' bad intentions, or on Harlow's weirdly creepy girl friends, etc. But as it is now, it's just a bland story that we've all read a million times. Hopefully, with the next book(s), there will be some action and/or family histories that'll make these teenage drama moments worth trudging through.
PS. Don't judge a book by its cover..? But, man.. The same blonde girl on the cover of this book appears on the covers of the Infinity Chronicles by Albany Walker - and that's not a good omen.
Ya know.. after that that ending I have no idea what to think.
When Rivals Fall is kind of a take on Romeo and Juliet. However, it's Harlow against three gorgeous brothers. They each think the other is evil to the bone.. but they can't help but feel attracted to one another. The Bishop brothers and her have been at each other's throats until the day she walks away from her family. Well, she went to college very far FAR away. Of course, she didn't expect to walk into the bishop brothers while there either - so her life just got a lot more fun, right?
Long story short, they do end up saying that they all have feelings for one another. They also had some hot intense moments as well, like Harlow losing a special something something. Yet, everything get's ruined. One, boys are idiots - especially these ones because they were so quick to think the worst of her even when she did absolutely nothing wrong. Then there's this whole mystery with her best friend/roommate and some other new girl that she met. I feel like they are both working against her but ya never know. Especially with that ending and she found out that someone was lying to her as well.
Speaking of that ending, hot damn. Why do I have to wait until September to find out what the heck is going to happen next with her. She doesn't remember jack shit right now and I need to know what's going to happen to her fragile mind. Ugh, waiting sucks.
While reading I wrote my thoughts. Here they are (in order):
fair warning: I am in a horrible mood and when I'm in a horrible mood I write very mean reviews. Anywaaaaays.
First 2 chapters: Nobody says "I'm going to make you pay for what you did" while smirking evilly or 'devilishly' like the author likes to write a hundred times over in one chapter. And like if I had 2 sisters going after a guy I was into I would leave bye that is weird.
On 3rd-4th chapter: And how many times is this girl going to write "I can't breathe" ? Like, use them lungs 😭😭
this is the fifth blond main character I've read in this past two days WHY IS EVERY MAIN CHARACTER A WHITE BLOND GIRL OH MY FUCKING GOD
4th-5th chapter i think??: and no one magically meets a friendly girl and becomes besties with them in 5 seconds okay
6th chapter???? lost count: Listen, when you hate someone, no matter how hot and sexy they are, you will hate them and this mf is only thinking about how 'devilish' they are and I think I will rip out my hair why do romance books have to be like this my god THIS ISN'T WATTPAD
“Yup, we made sure at least one of us is always in one of your classes, so we can keep an eye on you,” he explains. “We wouldn’t want you to have a good time or anything.” I think that is the single most stupidest line I've ever read. This book is getting on my nerves and I just started it.
....I whirl around to find Sullivan walking towards us, his lips like a beacon calling out to me. what the actual fuk
what i like about this book: 1. nothing
what i dislike about this book: 1. how "devilishly" hot the brothers are 🥺🥺 2. the main character 3: all three brothers. same personality. all act the fuking same 4. the writing. 5. the side characters 6. everything
Harlow: bye why is she steaming over three dudes who are also brothers??? that is so weird for the brothers and uncomfortable like... I know this was reverse-harem but like....they are siblings hello?? I was expecting something more like....different. Anyways she was dramatic and annoying and had serious breathing problems bc every time she got into shit she apparently lost her lungs.
The brothers: Not going to write about the brothers separately because they all basically merge into one character. The book mentioned zero of their interests, hobbies, or anything at all. Their entire personality was to be Harlow's love interests and please her and be hot. All they did was smirk, growl, seduce her with their "devilish" eyes and smiles and then at the end of the series all three apparently marry her or some bullshit like that. Yeah, no idea I read some reviews and that's what I got from it.
The plot was stupid. The bullying part of the book lasted literally for ten minutes. They saw her perfectly "golden" hair and smooth skin and her such kissable lips and all three boys fell to their knees and began kissing her feet. Anyways, this is one of the stupidest books I've ever read and I'm so mad I want to slap someone in the face and scream and rip my hair out.
Biggest takeaway: don't read when you're mad. Am I going to apply this takeaway to my life? No. Bye, I'm going to read another romance book and pray it's better than this one. Btw, I'm still mad.
THIS IS THE ONE! A stuff your kindle day book has never had me in such a hold I’m already getting the rest of the series as we speak on Amazon! This one was quick and AMAZING!
When Rivals Fall is my first book from these two amazing authors, and most definitely won't be my last. I am a sucker for menage books, and recently I discovered RH (reverse harem) and the new trend, bully romance genre, and I love it. I adore it. I try to read every book that I find. For me, the best books are the ones that I go in them blind. I am never disappointed. Obviously, this masterpiece isn't an exception. I didn't even know this book was an RH. I just saw that it was a bully romance so I nailed it down. At first, I thought this was some modern Romeo & Juliet, but imagine my surprise when I find out that are 3 Romeos and only 1 Juliet. I wish I was that Juliet, in our case, Harlow. Harlow and the Bishops Brothers, Sullivan, Oliver and Banks had the misfortune to be born in the wrong families. The Lockwood's and the Bishops never stop hating each other. They are at war for decades. Only two years ago, the Lockwoods went too far, and they throw her only daughter on the line. So finally the time has come for the Bishops to revenge themselves and end the Lockwood's forever. Harlow is alone away from her family protection, only the Bishops don't know the truth about Harlow and her family. Can the Bishops brothers trust Harlow Lockwood? Will they trust her again? Are the love and the attraction between them strong enough? Stronger than blood? This book was AMAZING. Didn't expect it, but I loved it. I need book two like yesterday. Can't wait to see what will happen and if I guessed the spy. Grab this book NOW !!!
Brace yourself now, because this book is going to rock your world!!! It took me more than a day to get over my book hangover and try to form a decent sentence to express my thoughts. If you think I'm kidding, then dive right in and you will soon know what I'm talking about! Harlow made me want to shake her and then quickly hug her. She made me want to scream and at times my heart would break for her, and I felt my eyes tearing up. The Bishop brothers (all 3) made me want to slap them across the face, then climb them like a tree!! This book will bring you to the highest high and then crashing to the ground. I read until 4 in the morning because I just couldn't stop. It's THAT good!! You become so immersed in the story you won't even realize what is going on around you!! I absolutely hated that it had to end. I would have gladly read ALL night if it was any longer, but all good things must come to an end, and WHAT AN END IT IS!!!! I now wait impatiently for book 2 in the Bayshore Rivals series. Kudos to the authors of this AWESOME book, you did great!! Enjoy!!
How do I even put into words the emotional roller coaster J.L. Beck and Cassandra Hallman put me on while reading this book. I seriously could not put it down. I'm not sure whether I want to hit the Bishop brothers in the nuts, slap them across their faces or rip their clothes off and pounce.
The Bishop brother's mission in life is to make Harlow pay for her parent's sins and they are not prepared for reality of this girl is nothing like her parents.
This book will give you a hangover like no other. I can't wait for more.
Great story. Going into book 2! Highly highly recommend this book. It was a short read, which is ok bc I honestly wouldn't have put it down if it weren't. Just like I am hitting book 2 after this review.
HOLY HOTNESSS!!! Can I have the Bishop Brothers? Because the authors have written 3 freaking sexy as sin alpha males that I need! Although, I screamed at them enough in this book that I wanted to throw my tablet so many times!!! I also screamed at Harlow, I wanted her to be stronger. I feel like she was made of more than she showed! This book made me an emotional fool!
Harlow is doing everything she can to escape the toxicity that is her parents. Being their pawn through life to do their dirty work, she’s tired of being in the middle of their drama. Especially after doing something that she can’t take back. Heading off to college where she thinks she’s going to be alone with her best friend and no ghosts from her past. She couldn’t be more wrong...
Oliver, Sullivan and Banks are the hottest guys around and most powerful. After so many years of being rival family to Harlow’s; they decide to make her pay for her part in the incident that ruined Sullivan’s life. Their plans to ruin her life, to break her go too far! So much betrayal and lies!!!! Harlow’s fresh new start isn’t going the way she wanted! The torment and problems she‘s encountering due to these guys is beyond insane!!
It took me a little while to actually get into this book. I felt like the main character was too weak and a push-over, I would've liked a stronger female lead. I also wished that there had been more background to show any sort of relationship with the Bishop brothers instead of her just instantly being in love with them, the book seemed rushed in regards to their feelings. She gave into them too easily and seemed naive about all of the relationships in her life. Additionally, I did not see this as a real RH but instead a book where she had a connection and feelings for just one of them and was merely attracted to the others but there was no real character development with them and no real connection shown.
The book ended on a cliff hanger and I will read the next book, I just hope that she becomes a stronger character and does not give in so easily in the next books. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and am giving an honest review.
OMG, this book. I am not quite sure why authors are writing Young Adult lately, but I have to say, J.L. and Cassandra is kicking ass with it when Rivals Fall is a brilliant book about two families that are bound and determined to destroy each other. Too bad the children are in the middle. Right before everyone leaves for college and to do their thing, Harlow does something so wrong to one of the Bishop boys that they are bound to make her pay. Harlow doesn't know until it is too late that the Bishop boys are all at the Bayshore University and are going to make her life a living hell. Even though the boys do everything they can to destroy her, there is still so much chemistry between the four of them to burn through your Kindle. I am so excited about this book and can not wait for the next one. Damn cliffhangers! :P
Wholly Moley! A Whirlwind of Feels. With this being the first part to this series it is a force to be reckoned with. The grueling angst and blinding betrayal are a tough pill to swallow and then to go mix in a storm of painful emotions makes for one heck of fantastic read that I hate to love it so darn much. The story grabs hold you from the start and the deeper I got the bigger my love hate relationship got pushing me to the edge filled with momma bear worry and concern shadowed by push comes to shove you shove back. Making it impossible to put down. Hot edgy chemistry. A force of unexpected twists and nail-biting drama. Explosive cliffhanger that had me screeching profanities desperately wanting more. An explosive One Click and get it. Read it and demand more.
OMG, this book. I am not quite sure why authors are writing Young Adult lately, but I have to say, J.L. and Cassandra is kicking ass with it when Rivals Fall is a brilliant book about two families that are bound and determined to destroy each other. Too bad the children are in the middle.
Right before everyone leaves for college and to do their thing, Harlow does something so wrong to one of the Bishop boys that they are bound to make her pay. Harlow doesn't know until it is too late that the Bishop boys are all at the Bayshore University and are going to make her life a living hell. Even though the boys do everything they can to destroy her, there is still so much chemistry between the four of them to burn through your Kindle.
I am so excited about this book and can not wait for the next one. Damn cliffhangers! :P
Not for me. Writing style wasn't strong and I really hate the traitorous body/body betrayal trope. No connection to FMC as she is a wet noddle mixed with a doormat.
Also, at least for the audiobook the solo female narrator’s male voice was awful and not listenable.
This is a fictional story where the lead female is in love with 3 brothers, and vice-versa. In real life, I think it's weird and gross—in my own opinion. I mean, come on, who wants to share the love their life to someone else? We don't even want to share our ice cream let alone private parts, right? Especially to siblings, that's just too taboo.
But like I said this is a fictional story. In the book, the brothers are hot, strong and virile. On the top of my head I was thinking, Christian Hogue—who doesn't want three of him?! Lol
I enjoyed the story. It was riveting and captivating... still gross when I compare it real life but like I said it was an indulgence. A guilty pleasure...
O.M.G!! What another great page turner! Harlow thinks that now she's at college she's away from the drama that was going on at home. But the drama that is called the Oliver, Sullivan and Banks Bishop, brothers that have followed her, and they want revenge for what she did (under her Fathers say so) to them at high school.
Their families have been rivals for quite some time. But Harlow has this unhealthy attraction towards the three brothers.
"It's like I'm possessed or something. Like a goddamn dog in heat, I want all three brothers."
The brothers follow her around campus, one of them in every class of hers, spreading rumours about her, practically stalking her, waiting for her to crack.
Until Harlow has an accident and Oliver (one of the brothers) saves her. They think that she tried to hurt herself due to their bullying ways. But she didn't do this, someone else did.
So they tell her that they've going to protect her and figure this out.
"Something dawns on me. Did we ever really hate each other? Or were we just conditioned? Did we just hate the versions of each other our parents made us see?"
Then things take a turn, and the brothers go back to hating on Harlow again. And their pranking ways get her severely hurt this time.
What's up with Shelby? Is she her Fathers little spy? And where is she going if she's not working where she says she's Or is it Caroline, her new friend that's the spy?
Loving the twists and turns. O.M.G!! That ending!! Mind Blown!! GAH!! That cliffhanger ending!! Needing When Rivals Lose book 2, like NOW!! Coming August
*I received a copy via Booksprout and this is my honest review*
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫 for #whenrivalsfall by @authorjlbeck and @cassandra_hallman . . This is the first book I’ve ever read in one sitting! It did help that it was a shorter book but, the real reason was because this story was to addictive to put down and another female author duo! Yes Please! I wasn’t sure what I was going to think about this book going in but it blew my expectations. It was super steamy and sexy, with a Romeo and Juliet type story line except it was Harlow and the Bishop Brothers (3 super sexy brothers). . . Synopsis: The Lockwoods and Bishops have been enemies for decades and in senior year Harlow was forced by her father to destroy the reputation of the Bishop Brothers now trying to put the past behind her and heading off to college she’s shocked to say the least when she discovers the Bishop Brothers are attending the same school and are out for revenge! . . Okay so I do wish they weren’t brothers because some of the steamy scenes were a little awkward but it gave me a major #vcandrews vibe and is another reason I liked it so much. The cliff hanger ending was great and I’m so happy I have book 2 to dive into! Thank You to the authors J.L. Beck and Cassandra Hallman for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This is my first book I've read from these authors and I can say I really enjoyed it. This book is full of drama, forbidden love and suprize . Made for a good book.
This book is about Harlow who is trying to leave behind the life she had and goes away to college, but it's not that easy. The bishop brothers are the sons of a rival family and they won't make it so easy to escape. Harlow has to learn and quick are they really my rivals?
The authors did a great job with making the bully relationships very authentic. There were times you loved and hated the brothers. I liked the MC she did cry alot and I wanted her to own up to her part alittle bit more.
Overall really enjoyable book. I'll for sure be reading the next one.
These authors have become an automatic one-click for me. They are kicking a** in this genre. The story is well written and the characters are intriguing. There has been a rivalry between the Bishops and the Lockwoods for years. Harlow was a pawn in her dad's scheme to get rid of the Bishops and tarnish their family name. She later realized the error in her ways but it was too late. She goes away to college to get away from the drama but the Bishop brothers attend the same college. They are determined to make her pay. This was a really good book and I need the next one now!
5 Never-Trust-Blindly Stars⭐ A Heart-gripping story with Lies, secrets, Bullies, Rumours, near deaths, the clash b/w Love & Hate, Her Firsts, And a hellish cliffhanger! DEVOURED The story in 4hrs!
#My 1st by these authors, This story had me on edge the whole time! I'm sooo going for more!
The story starts off with Harlow coming to Bayshore college, miles away from home, to get away from her parents' clutches, from their lies.
But her past, the Bishop brothers, came after her (Met again in Their Party). [The prologue] Even if she was working on her father's order(his lies..) she did destroy them, especially Sullivan. So they're Hell bent for revenge.
Oliver: The eldest, maybe the smartest. Passionate kiss, cold+Caring demeanour. Banks: Middle one, the fun guy. Angry kiss, hotness. Sullivan: The youngest (her age), Also The one who started it all, her 1st kiss. Also the day she destroyed him. He's actually Gentle, but has a darkness & venom after what's she'd done.
They shadow her everywhere, spreading rumors about her being a 'Kinky Whore'. She doesn't do anything, as she feels she deserves this. AND She can't help but want them, but Them kissing her makes the rumors worse.. Maybe it was their intent? The kisses here? Banks *Towel incident!*, Oliver *Hallway*, Sullivan *Dark alley* Wanting Needing them all is Taboo, Forbidden. But did it stop Her? OR Them? Nope. (yay!)
Through the days.. The glares, Weird glances was starting to feel normal.. but then the Boat party happened. Jealousy, Sadness, Tears.. AND Someone pushed her off the boat! She almost died.. Someone Tried to kill her. Who? Why?
But Oliver saved her. This was the changing point for the bros & her! They took care of her, they all even had sexy times. But then her parents (I so hate them!!) came, like cold water, spewing lies. Making the bros hate her once again..
Her heart broke, No one listened to her. She was so done, with her parents, with The bishop brothers. Enough was enough. Heartbroken, Sad, wanting.. All 4 were Sad, Angry, hurt..
But the rumors had escalated, & when Sullivan saves her from near assault. She thought maybe she & the brothers had a chance. Maybe they can be together.. Hope, Care, Love? Then the Ultimate Betrayal came, Not only from Sullivan but Also from her bestie-Sidney. Her whole life had been a lie..
omg, I hadn't hated the bros when they did All bullying, it was childish & amusing, funny even.. But what Sullivan did at the end was downright crossing the line! She Gave him all her 1st, Her 1st kiss, her 1st orgasm, even her Virginity.. & what he did? OR Didn't did. Believe!!
Wtf is it with her bestie? She seemed like a great friend but now when Harlow needed her the more.. Her lies came out. What the?!
Poor Harlow just had an accident, omg she can't remember anyone!!!! I've got so many questions, I'm off to reading the next part.
P.s. You bishop brothers better redeem your mistakes in the next book *Angry huff*
Rounding up from 3.5 stars. I was disappointed by this series. Although there were things I liked about it: the books are well-written and there's genuine chemistry between the heroine and three heroes, even accounting for how young the characters are, they make some egregious decisions. Really TSTL moments. Without getting too spoiler-y, the heroine effectively manages her nightmare of a father in the first book, but loses all agency in the second book and lets him run roughshod over her. It's obvious who her stalker/saboteur is, but none of the main characters can figure it out. Sadly, I just wasn't engaged enough to read on to book 3.