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‘I’ll go to the dance, but I won’t enjoy it. I hate you, Drake.’
Famous last words from a girl who can’t keep her lips to herself…
‘The game worked perfectly. She’s mine for the taking.’
Famous last words from a guy who doesn’t know he’s met his match...
Tarryn.
I can’t fall for Drake. No, I won’t fall for Drake.
I’ll give him a taste of his own medicine.
His bullying days are over.
Drake Castleton believes he’s a king.
He thinks girls exist for pleasure.
And money buys everything.
But it doesn’t buy me.
Though there’s a part of me that…
finds him intriguing. God help me.
Drake.
Tarryn thinks she can resist me.
She thinks she knows how to play the game.
She doesn’t know the truth though.
That it was never a game.
Even when I tried to convince myself that’s all it was…
I don’t know how to make amends.
But f**k, I’m gonna try.
**contains consensual sex, underage drinking/smoking, and various scenes some readers might find inappropriate** Recommended for 17+, mature readers.
Famous last words from a girl who can’t keep her lips to herself…
‘The game worked perfectly. She’s mine for the taking.’
Famous last words from a guy who doesn’t know he’s met his match...
Tarryn.
I can’t fall for Drake. No, I won’t fall for Drake.
I’ll give him a taste of his own medicine.
His bullying days are over.
Drake Castleton believes he’s a king.
He thinks girls exist for pleasure.
And money buys everything.
But it doesn’t buy me.
Though there’s a part of me that…
finds him intriguing. God help me.
Drake.
Tarryn thinks she can resist me.
She thinks she knows how to play the game.
She doesn’t know the truth though.
That it was never a game.
Even when I tried to convince myself that’s all it was…
I don’t know how to make amends.
But f**k, I’m gonna try.
**contains consensual sex, underage drinking/smoking, and various scenes some readers might find inappropriate** Recommended for 17+, mature readers.
143 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2020
302 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 6, 2023
Flat and uneventful
I hate that Tarryn is being written like a little girl. No experience, but with so much book knowledge.
Her character is good, yet I feel like she's written like she's 12, not 17. I feel like even though she is a virgin, she needs more depth to her. Every girl her age is more like Sasha or Tabitha.
I'm enjoying learning more about Drake and his back story, but we need more. This is like a PG13 book and it's just not there.
Everything seems like it's all puppies and kittens. Life isn't that way, and this is so unrelatable.
Of course I want to see where it goes, but I'm hoping for more
I hate that Tarryn is being written like a little girl. No experience, but with so much book knowledge.
Her character is good, yet I feel like she's written like she's 12, not 17. I feel like even though she is a virgin, she needs more depth to her. Every girl her age is more like Sasha or Tabitha.
I'm enjoying learning more about Drake and his back story, but we need more. This is like a PG13 book and it's just not there.
Everything seems like it's all puppies and kittens. Life isn't that way, and this is so unrelatable.
Of course I want to see where it goes, but I'm hoping for more
July 5, 2020
Tarryn Monroe was going to the dance with Drake Castleton but didn’t seem very happy about it, she swore she would not have a good time, and told him she hated him. None of that seemed to bother him. He instead felt that her dress was specifically designed to please him, but she tried to assure him she had expected to wear it for someone else, as he well knew. Drake had paid Aiden to go along with his pretending to be Aiden online and asking Tarryn to the dance in text message conversations. Aiden needed the money for tuition and went along with it. Because her parents were peeking out the window, Tarryn let him reach out and hold her hand. Then he drove her to his family’s fancy restaurant for dinner.
In the parking lot, she was cold, but when he put his jacket around her, she wanted to give it back. He commented that it should make her feel good to wear it so that he might now be cold. But she said no one should ever be happy to see someone else hurt or in pain. Her words startled him, seemed to make him sad, and he asked why she was nice to him when he didn’t deserve it. She acknowledged he didn’t -- but told him she was not him and just because he has treated her badly, that doesn’t mean she should change the person she is. He softly touched her cheek, surprised that he had never met anyone like her before. But as soon as they entered the restaurant, he became a jerk again.
At the school dance, Aiden showed up and Drake was angry. He wasn’t supposed to be here. And Drake had paid him $10,000 for his college fund for going along with the trick they pulled on Tarryn. When Tarryn walked away from both of them, Aiden punched Drake and set Drake off into a rage. It wasn’t a good night. Tarryn came back and offered to drive Aiden home since he couldn’t see clearly with his eye swollen shut, and she and her dad would return his car tomorrow. She couldn’t wait to get home, away from this awful night. But in the parking lot, Drake’s father was yelling at him when it was Aiden who had started the fight. And his father paid Ms. Boyles for spying on Drake and calling him about the incident. He was ready to send Drake to military school, even though Drake had stayed out of this kind of incident for the school year.
This was a difficult story at times due to the high level of angst the characters experienced. Tarryn feels bullied, thinks Drake started to be decent (he did), then thinks it was all a lie when he became a jerk again when he entered the restaurant. However, I think he had developed his smart-aleck persona to hide the pain he is feeling and the confusion. He had a tough home life, is treated like a failure, so he covers it up with bravado. And having that connection with Tarryn in the parking lot really shook him up as it was the first “real” thing to happen to him. Her comments really touched him deeply. I think he’s a good person and needs someone to believe in him and see that good in him to bring about the changes he needs to make in himself. Anyway, I enjoyed the story, the author’s handling of real emotions, and the realistic characters we meet. Will Drake seek Tarryn out again and try to recapture what he felt with her? Or will he give up and walk away?
In the parking lot, she was cold, but when he put his jacket around her, she wanted to give it back. He commented that it should make her feel good to wear it so that he might now be cold. But she said no one should ever be happy to see someone else hurt or in pain. Her words startled him, seemed to make him sad, and he asked why she was nice to him when he didn’t deserve it. She acknowledged he didn’t -- but told him she was not him and just because he has treated her badly, that doesn’t mean she should change the person she is. He softly touched her cheek, surprised that he had never met anyone like her before. But as soon as they entered the restaurant, he became a jerk again.
At the school dance, Aiden showed up and Drake was angry. He wasn’t supposed to be here. And Drake had paid him $10,000 for his college fund for going along with the trick they pulled on Tarryn. When Tarryn walked away from both of them, Aiden punched Drake and set Drake off into a rage. It wasn’t a good night. Tarryn came back and offered to drive Aiden home since he couldn’t see clearly with his eye swollen shut, and she and her dad would return his car tomorrow. She couldn’t wait to get home, away from this awful night. But in the parking lot, Drake’s father was yelling at him when it was Aiden who had started the fight. And his father paid Ms. Boyles for spying on Drake and calling him about the incident. He was ready to send Drake to military school, even though Drake had stayed out of this kind of incident for the school year.
This was a difficult story at times due to the high level of angst the characters experienced. Tarryn feels bullied, thinks Drake started to be decent (he did), then thinks it was all a lie when he became a jerk again when he entered the restaurant. However, I think he had developed his smart-aleck persona to hide the pain he is feeling and the confusion. He had a tough home life, is treated like a failure, so he covers it up with bravado. And having that connection with Tarryn in the parking lot really shook him up as it was the first “real” thing to happen to him. Her comments really touched him deeply. I think he’s a good person and needs someone to believe in him and see that good in him to bring about the changes he needs to make in himself. Anyway, I enjoyed the story, the author’s handling of real emotions, and the realistic characters we meet. Will Drake seek Tarryn out again and try to recapture what he felt with her? Or will he give up and walk away?
December 22, 2023
Wow
So tarryn is the new girl in town & in school, she's attracted the attention of castletons very own drake castleton, for whatever reason she is having an extreme affect on him, he is slowly going from absolute moron that uses girls and breaks their hearts , to gentlemen with eyes for one woman only, Tarryn. Her major affect on him is solely down to the fact she doesn't fall for his charm, and now to his every word. She challenges him, and calls him on his BS. I'm so happy I found this series, I actually feel sorry for Drake after what he revealed to Tarryn, and I totally relate to him in how he feels, with the whole cutting emotions off and becoming cold, not for the same reason as him ofcourse, can't wait to read the next book. Definitely recommend !
So tarryn is the new girl in town & in school, she's attracted the attention of castletons very own drake castleton, for whatever reason she is having an extreme affect on him, he is slowly going from absolute moron that uses girls and breaks their hearts , to gentlemen with eyes for one woman only, Tarryn. Her major affect on him is solely down to the fact she doesn't fall for his charm, and now to his every word. She challenges him, and calls him on his BS. I'm so happy I found this series, I actually feel sorry for Drake after what he revealed to Tarryn, and I totally relate to him in how he feels, with the whole cutting emotions off and becoming cold, not for the same reason as him ofcourse, can't wait to read the next book. Definitely recommend !
July 2, 2020
Really enjoyable..... not what I would class as a bully romance. This is more high school angst romance. I do like Drake especially in this book, we get to learn more about him and it helps to understand why he is the way he is! Tarryn is strong and I like that, but I can sense things aren't going to go to plan for her. I found this book more emotional than the last one, probably because we get more back story, but i do wish it had a bit more action and suspense. That said I really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down, it was very well written. I will be reading the next in series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 2, 2024
Despite not enjoying book one very much, I couldn't resist continuing the series with book two. I wanted to know if it would get better.
Fortunately, this installment showed improvement. The main characters had more meaningful interactions, and delving into Drake's background was a highlight. The deep conversations added depth to the storyline.
However, the frustration continued as Drake's involvement with Tabitha persisted, even after expressing intentions to change for Tarryn. It's disheartening to expect a romance centered around two characters only to find the focus diverted to the protagonist's interactions with other girls, even if it was less in this one than the first.
Fortunately, this installment showed improvement. The main characters had more meaningful interactions, and delving into Drake's background was a highlight. The deep conversations added depth to the storyline.
However, the frustration continued as Drake's involvement with Tabitha persisted, even after expressing intentions to change for Tarryn. It's disheartening to expect a romance centered around two characters only to find the focus diverted to the protagonist's interactions with other girls, even if it was less in this one than the first.
August 16, 2025
I feel like…even tho I know the books have been revamped to seem older, I don’t get that advanced vibe that comes with age and experience. I liked the characters but I still feel like aspects are missing. Namely friends for Tarryn. She missed her friends from her old school but no one ever made contact, which I found strange. Also Drake still seems like a lone wolf even with all his acquaintances.
And as with the first book, the editing was better but still lacking-which hinders my love for this author.
And as with the first book, the editing was better but still lacking-which hinders my love for this author.
January 2, 2020
It was good.
I hate series books. It's long and drawn out and doesnt get to the point and leaves you hanging.
This wasn't as good as part 1. Can't wait to the end of this series. I didnt like how the reason hero was a certain way was all due to an older woman. Like he was making up for the lack of motherly figure in his life. I thought it was a weak reason for why he is the way that he is but overall a good decent even if drawn out read.
I hate series books. It's long and drawn out and doesnt get to the point and leaves you hanging.
This wasn't as good as part 1. Can't wait to the end of this series. I didnt like how the reason hero was a certain way was all due to an older woman. Like he was making up for the lack of motherly figure in his life. I thought it was a weak reason for why he is the way that he is but overall a good decent even if drawn out read.
February 23, 2021
The past, the present or the future
Tarryn is a high school girl who wants the perfect boy, but there is no perfect boy. There is only Drake Castleton who is making her question her feelings and what she wants. She wants to please everyone, but she may be losing herself. While Drake wants the truth about the woman he once loved and needs to figure out his feelings for Tarryn. This is getting messier, but it also keeps you engaged in the story. Moving on to book three.
Tarryn is a high school girl who wants the perfect boy, but there is no perfect boy. There is only Drake Castleton who is making her question her feelings and what she wants. She wants to please everyone, but she may be losing herself. While Drake wants the truth about the woman he once loved and needs to figure out his feelings for Tarryn. This is getting messier, but it also keeps you engaged in the story. Moving on to book three.
April 30, 2020
I'm still not sure how I feel about Drake. He is getting more likeable but then he back tracks to his old ways. I hope he keeps his promise not to use girls anymore. I feel like the story is being drawn out and could of been put into less books but I'll wait to see what happens.
July 15, 2020
A great continuation of this series about Tarryn and Drake. Quite the roller coaster ride! Lots of chemistry and drama!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 13, 2020
Square and King
I don't know what is it, but I loved every minute reading this. I loved how Drake fought for her and kept fighting for her. You saw he redemption coming through when he was being vulnerable with her. I can't wait for the next book
I don't know what is it, but I loved every minute reading this. I loved how Drake fought for her and kept fighting for her. You saw he redemption coming through when he was being vulnerable with her. I can't wait for the next book
October 18, 2021
I’m starting to think these books could have been all in one…or maybe two books possibly. I like the story, however they just abruptly end in the middle…I guess hard to explain like it doesn’t end on a wow…it ends literally in the middle of thought lol if that makes sense 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
November 4, 2021
Cliffhanger...
Wow this book was intense and took a twist I didn't see coming at all. It completely through me for a loop. It made me feel deeply for a character who was made by action done to him. So... off to the next one.
Wow this book was intense and took a twist I didn't see coming at all. It completely through me for a loop. It made me feel deeply for a character who was made by action done to him. So... off to the next one.
January 1, 2020
I felt the story was drawn out. Could have ended in two books. It just did not hold my interest. This bully genre is getting repetitive. Not everyone can do it well.
January 6, 2020
Good 2nd book
Good 2nd book in this series. Definitely did not expect a few of the things that popped up. I think someone resurfaces but who knows.
Good 2nd book in this series. Definitely did not expect a few of the things that popped up. I think someone resurfaces but who knows.
June 21, 2024
3.5 ���️
January 24, 2025
Now I'm hooked
After reading the first book and feeling intrigued by this series and where it will go I now want to find out how it finishes.
After reading the first book and feeling intrigued by this series and where it will go I now want to find out how it finishes.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews