Manic

Ruthless Bullies #2

by Savannah Rose

A Dark High School Bully Romance

In the bowels of hell is where she found me.

Burnaby High is the kind of place where rejects sit on scalding thrones, dreading adulthood, angry at the uncertainty the future holds.
It’s where threats are never empty, and traitors never walk free.
Where respect is everything.

At first, I was her savior.
Until her betrayal turned me into the ruler of her own personal hell.

Arlena sauntered into this furnace, clad in high heels and designer gear, the key to her flashy BMW spinning off her pinky finger. Here, in poverty central, she was a slap to our faces. The shiny smiles she wore, the carefree stench emanating from her pores, the privilege…she was just asking to be devoured.

I should have let it happen.
I should have turned my back while she suffered their wrath.
But hindsight is a hell of a thing. And back then, I didn’t have it.

We found our way to each other by accident. A purposeful accident, on her part. A disastrous one, on mine. A puff of a cigarette later, I was offering her my protection, claiming her, teaching her the ropes around this place. Pulling her close enough to allow her to betray me. And she didn’t blink twice before throwing my life under the bus.

Now that my brother’s behind bars and Arlena’s to blame, it’s not just the vengeance of the Burnaby rejects that can no longer be quelled.

She’s unleashed the demon in them and the monster in me. Unlucky for her, we’re already on my turf.

And now she’s really about to learn what it means to live in hell.

Manic is a dark high school bully romance for of age readers who enjoy steamy, new adult, enemies to lovers romances.

Genres: School, Enemies To Lovers, High School

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 12, 2020

Reviews

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t care for this one. I gave it two stars because I have definitely read books where the hero did worse and still forgiven him, but I’m not sure if I will change that later. One major problem with this book is the way that it’s set up. The hero and heroine date for months before the book even starts. Then this huge thing happens that he blames on her. He doesn’t have back at all or give her even the slightest chance to defend herself. He also immediately gets back with his ex and dates her for a large part of the book. He and the ex make sure that everyone turns on her. He actually cares about the ex, it wasn’t something to make the heroine jealous. I found that no matter what he did I couldn’t forgive him the way I have with other heroes of this genre. In most of these books the bad stuff happens before they date. So there is a transition as we watch his feelings grow and his dislike/hate fade. And once that loyalty is finally there nothing can sway it. That is what a love about this genre. The opposite happens here. In this one we are just dropped in the middle of a relationship to watch it all disappear. No matter what happened after that, I just don’t trust the guy even when he says or does something. He is the type to cut and bail as soon as something bad happens. If he did it once he will do it again, and no amount of the author writing him being sweet makes up for that. And for once the fact that the hero didn’t have sex with anyone else, didn’t give him bonus points with me. Even when he realized he was wrong and she hadn’t betrayed him, he didn’t dump the girlfriend and beg her to take him back. His internal monologue didn’t even make it seem like a thought really. He seemed more worried about himself and his reputation that he did about her even when she was being bullied daily. And when he finally does do something to help her and he breaks up with the girlfriend, it was a gigantic case of too little too late. Honesty I found him to be an unreliable pu%#y. So while I didn’t hate this, I definitely didn’t like it or find it to be a story worth reading at all. I think the author was trying to approach this genre from a different angle, and I guess I can respect that. Kudos for not taking the manwhore route, with almost any other story it could have won me at least a little bit. I guess for it came down to the fact but the hero is parading as the bad boy who is really a sweet guy while his actions show selfish douche, it won’t work.

[Peggy Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've ever read by Savannah Rose. It started out with me questioning it, because Blayze and Arlena had already been together for several months when the book starts, and I always feel so much more invested in the couple if I've read their full story, and how they got together in the first place; however, I decided to give it a chance, and I'm really glad I did, because it got so much better after that. Although there were several grammatical mistakes (and the wrong last name used for Arlena) throughout the book, which is a big turnoff to me, the book also had some twists and turns in the storyline that kept me so interested, I ended up starting and finishing it the same day. I would give this book 4.5 stars, and definitely recommend it to anyone who loves all the normal high school angst and emotional rollercoaster feelings.

I received an ARC from Booksprout in exchange for an honest review.

[Art of Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this! This story was intense and full of drama! I definitely loved how the story played out with these characters!

I loved the storyline and even though i had some questions, by the end of the book everything played out how it should!

This was definitely a different take on bully romance but I absolutely loved it!

4.5 stars and I definitely recommend it

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arlena and Blayze fell for each other and then she betrayed him. Will Blayze take his vengeance? Fast-paced bully read with loads of drama, suspense and steam. Lots of emotion in the dark high school bully read with intense chemistry and lots of twists and turns. I liked it.

[Flo₂₂]

dnd at 40% and skipping a lot. This story was boring, and i disliked it a lot, he basically cheated by kissing and going back with his ex when he find our some new information about her (not about being involved with other guys), if he would've at lesat break up with her before going back to the ex would've be a little better, but still, i hated this thing,he didn't even confronted her. Then he keeps staying with the ex even when he found out the h didn't do anything wrong, it's helping they weren't never intimate, but still , i didnt like it, also we jump right into the story with the last days of them being together, and right after that they break up, i would've like to see how they meet and get together you know? this was more about other stuffs than them , and also unrealistic for the most part. I liked more Vile, it was way better.

[Airam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted more from this book. Contains spoilers

The book started out promising and then it just fell flat. This book started different as in the start the two main characters are already together. Then the H's brother is put in jail by the h's dad and the drama begins.
Arlena then becomes a target at school because Blayze believes she snitched on his brother selling drugs. Not entirely convinced this was a strong reason but this is what keeps them apart for a while.

So I really hoped that Blayze had a stronger character. This is where I wish he were like his ex Sam. Sam, now she wasn't only tough but she was smart and didn't back down from anybody. On the other hand Blayze allowed himself to be pushed around by Sam and Eddy. Eddy is 22 years old, still in high school and Blayze's closest friend. I didn't like Eddy from the start. Eww! He's just so slimy and what's the point of him still being in high school if he's earning big bucks selling drugs?
So towards the end we finally know who set up Blayze's brother and who is behind the threats to Arlena. Trust me, the whole unveiling of the villain is weak at best. So Eddy was behind it all and man was he caught in the stupidest way.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I did enjoy the book. I was a little put off that as a couple dating for a few months if something happened to change one’s view of the other or being slighted that Blayze would give Arlena a chance to explain herself. Rather he ghosts her until she confronts him, then he goes back to his ex-gf quickly. His better half of his personality is shown later into the book when Arlena accuses him of sending threats to her home. This story is intense in a way that shows what poverty and an unstable home life can wreak havoc emotionally, and limits one’s future potential. The couple do get their HEA in a rather unrealistic way, but they use their circumstance to help shape their future and the future of others.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love & Hate go hand in hand along side secrets & lies in this book. A secret that Arlena (FMC) has kept quiet about comes to light and it kicks off a chain of events that see her being made the enemy of the whole school, a target of a sadistic stalker and hated by her boyfriend - Blayze. Even with everything that happens to her Arlena never stoops to their level (even though i was kinda hoping she might smack a few people) but i also loved that she became more confident towards the end of this book. It was also great how the book completely changed half way through too. Manic is a different take on the school bully genre and i really like that it was. Apart from wanting to slap the hell out of Blayze at that beginning of this book i totally wanted Arlena & Blayze to work it out together. I kinda loved Sam too. A great read though

[Kelly Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fab story from Savannah Rose! I really liked Blaze and Arlena...they had really good chemistry. The story was so good, full of twists and suspense. I was genuinely guessing who the bad guy was throughout the story and I must admit I did heavily suspect the person it turned out to be!! This had a really lovely ending, especially the part in the epilogue with Blazes mom....that really touched me for some reason.
This was a bit of a twist on your typical bully romance and it really worked!! I highly recommend the author and this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

True Bully

This is true bully romance that comes from all different directions. While having your life turned over solely on the basis of a lie and the parents you have, is the only thing causing all of Arlena's troubles. Still this is a romance, and love can sometimes help you overcome a lot what life throws at you. Here's how the book made me feel, hopeful. See Tristan and Arlena's story isn't just about their love. It is about redemption, forgiveness and change. What I am taking away from Savannah's story is that you have to believe in yourself, ask for help when you need it, and be willing to stand up for yourself.

[Becky Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Manic by Savannah Rose is a bully romance with plenty of high school drama. Arlena and Blayze were friends and a couple and then no fault of Arlena the bullying started. Savannah did not drag out the high school torture of Arlena, all caused by the wrong conclusion, but focused on Blayze trying to help Arlena through the turmoil. The couple did get their HEA. Very enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristina Waible · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manic

Different take on a bully story. Rich girl in bad school boy from the area never catching a break hooking up. Her dad prosecuting lawyer. His friends dealing. What could go wrong. Some one trying to turn the school against her in a dangerous way. Neither knowing who to trust. I will say the out come I’m not sure in real time would play out that way but it was a I interesting read

[Kelé · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a great book. Loved the characters. As bully stories goes (and I read a lot), this one was pretty intense and had some new story line to it. Didn't feel like it was the same old, same old. Savannah Rose is a good writer, the story flows easily, and the writing is on point. There were a few typos, but overall well done.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 - 4 stars
A different bully romance that I found hard to understand. I liked them together but as the story progressed, I was puzzled that he was able to quickly change his attitude towards her. Then everything comes back together. I guess I wouldn’t have been so easy to forgive and forget but it was an interesting read.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is told from dual points of view and has plenty of action, drama, suspense and steam that it was able to hold my attention throughout. The plot was an interesting one with some twists and turns.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book interesting to read. The characters are well developed and engaging the storyline flows smoothly from beginning to the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a lot to say

I didn't love it but I didn't hate it. It all seemed very unrealistic and tied up so perfectly and neatly that it keft me disappointed.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Blayze & Arlena's book. This was an intriguing read. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

[Amy M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book just.. I don't know.. I wasn't crazy about it. There is a mystery plot that overshadowed the romance. It was a large part of the book which had me skimming pages.