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The Curvy Girls Club #6
Curvy Girls Can't Date Bullies
He bullied my sister. Now it’s his turn to pay.
Ryker is the top of the Emerson Academy food chain, and he uses his power to remind everyone of just how powerless they are.
Until now.
When I see him picking on the most innocent girl in school for her weight, I snap. Ignoring him is no longer enough. No, my friends and I are going to make him pay.
He’s going to go down as the hottest mess Emerson Academy has ever seen, and I’m going to be the one lighting the flame.
Ryker is the top of the Emerson Academy food chain, and he uses his power to remind everyone of just how powerless they are.
Until now.
When I see him picking on the most innocent girl in school for her weight, I snap. Ignoring him is no longer enough. No, my friends and I are going to make him pay.
He’s going to go down as the hottest mess Emerson Academy has ever seen, and I’m going to be the one lighting the flame.
458 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2021
605 people are currently reading
3765 people want to read
About the author
Kelsie Stelting
48 books1,737 followersKelsie Stelting is a body positive romance author who writes love stories with strong characters, deep feelings, and happy endings.
She currently lives in Colorado. You can often find her writing, spending time with family, and soaking up too much sun wherever she can find it.
Visit www.kelsiestelting.com to get a free story and sign up for her readers' group!
She currently lives in Colorado. You can often find her writing, spending time with family, and soaking up too much sun wherever she can find it.
Visit www.kelsiestelting.com to get a free story and sign up for her readers' group!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
March 1, 2021
Received a copy from the author herself, for an honest review and this does not affect my review or rating of the book, thank you!
"Sometimes you put your heart out there and hope like hell they'll catch it."
~ Cori to Knox
I honestly can’t believe this book was ever written? I mean falling in love with your bully? Who would have thought ?😳
But this story, it was perfect. I greatly enjoyed the feud between Cori and Ryker when they first started their senior year. There was some pretty great chemistry between them, even during their war. And Cori! Man does she have great self-esteem and confidence! That girl was definitely fire! I loved how she was so free and confident of her weight and size and knowing that her size does not impact who she is as a person. She was truly an inspiring person to read about.
But as I put on my swimsuit, I decided to be proud of the body I had. This boy had helped me play basketball on an elite team. It carried me everywhere I went. Why bother hating it when I could love it instead?
~ Cori
And I love the new Curvy Girls Club 2.0! They are all so different and have different likes and passions but they all come together and work amazing as a friendship group. I can’t wait to see how far each girl will go in their journey.
Ryker was also a very interesting character, he really was quite despicable when he was first introduced in Ginger’s story, Curvy Girls Can't Date Cowboys. And I am glad I chose to read Ginger’s story before diving into this one. I got to know Cori in that story and what her family life was like before diving into her story here. Plus we do get glimpses of Ryker and how he was a complete jerk. I really enjoyed his character growth and the different perspective he has taken after he got a taste of his own medicine.
"I could live the life I want to and not the one everyone expects me to. With you, I can be me. The me I actually want to be."
~ Ryker to Cori
Ryker and Cori were really cute together and now I am really excited to read the rest of the stories from the original club and find out what will happen to the second club with Cori’s friends.
Definitely worth the read!
Footballs might be fun to toss around, but hearts aren't made for games
"Sometimes you put your heart out there and hope like hell they'll catch it."
~ Cori to Knox
I honestly can’t believe this book was ever written? I mean falling in love with your bully? Who would have thought ?😳
But this story, it was perfect. I greatly enjoyed the feud between Cori and Ryker when they first started their senior year. There was some pretty great chemistry between them, even during their war. And Cori! Man does she have great self-esteem and confidence! That girl was definitely fire! I loved how she was so free and confident of her weight and size and knowing that her size does not impact who she is as a person. She was truly an inspiring person to read about.
But as I put on my swimsuit, I decided to be proud of the body I had. This boy had helped me play basketball on an elite team. It carried me everywhere I went. Why bother hating it when I could love it instead?
~ Cori
And I love the new Curvy Girls Club 2.0! They are all so different and have different likes and passions but they all come together and work amazing as a friendship group. I can’t wait to see how far each girl will go in their journey.
Ryker was also a very interesting character, he really was quite despicable when he was first introduced in Ginger’s story, Curvy Girls Can't Date Cowboys. And I am glad I chose to read Ginger’s story before diving into this one. I got to know Cori in that story and what her family life was like before diving into her story here. Plus we do get glimpses of Ryker and how he was a complete jerk. I really enjoyed his character growth and the different perspective he has taken after he got a taste of his own medicine.
"I could live the life I want to and not the one everyone expects me to. With you, I can be me. The me I actually want to be."
~ Ryker to Cori
Ryker and Cori were really cute together and now I am really excited to read the rest of the stories from the original club and find out what will happen to the second club with Cori’s friends.
Definitely worth the read!
Footballs might be fun to toss around, but hearts aren't made for games
March 21, 2021
Oh my gosh!!! This book! This is going to be a hard book to beat in the Curvy Girl Club 2.0. It was real, funny, and oh so romantic.
I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book at first because the love interest is a bully, but I ended up absolutely loving it. Our man, Ryker, did a lot of things wrong in this book and in one of the previous books in the series. He truly hurt people with his words and actions which is what made his change that much sweeter. He had a lot to make amends for and I think he went about it very well. Stelting did a great job with Ryker and his actions. This didn't feel like a toxic romance or like Ryker was just getting off the hook because the main character liked him. He had to truly change and seek forgiveness from the people he wronged.
But moving on, we get a whole new crew of curvy girls!! Each girl is so different and has a different interest and is going to have a different story to tell. This book was a great introduction to the characters which we'll see in the coming books.
It was especially fun to see these girls get involved in getting revenge on Ryker. They grew closer as friends and just had fun pulling some crazy pranks. The pranks added some lightheartedness to the overall heavy topics of bullying and body shaming. However, I felt like the balance between the fun and crazy pranks and the heavy topics was well done. One didn't overpower the other and still made this book very enjoyable.
Lastly, the romance between Cori and Ryker is amazeeeeee! They were just so cute! At first, there was so much tension and it would kill me. And then things just turned sweet and cute and heart-melting.I love them so much. I think they may be on the same level as Callie and Carson which is saying something.
Overall, this book was one of the best Curvy Girl Club books to date! I can't believe I went so long without knowing Cori and Ryker so well. I can't wait to see the how the other girls' stories play out.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book at first because the love interest is a bully, but I ended up absolutely loving it. Our man, Ryker, did a lot of things wrong in this book and in one of the previous books in the series. He truly hurt people with his words and actions which is what made his change that much sweeter. He had a lot to make amends for and I think he went about it very well. Stelting did a great job with Ryker and his actions. This didn't feel like a toxic romance or like Ryker was just getting off the hook because the main character liked him. He had to truly change and seek forgiveness from the people he wronged.
But moving on, we get a whole new crew of curvy girls!! Each girl is so different and has a different interest and is going to have a different story to tell. This book was a great introduction to the characters which we'll see in the coming books.
It was especially fun to see these girls get involved in getting revenge on Ryker. They grew closer as friends and just had fun pulling some crazy pranks. The pranks added some lightheartedness to the overall heavy topics of bullying and body shaming. However, I felt like the balance between the fun and crazy pranks and the heavy topics was well done. One didn't overpower the other and still made this book very enjoyable.
Lastly, the romance between Cori and Ryker is amazeeeeee! They were just so cute! At first, there was so much tension and it would kill me. And then things just turned sweet and cute and heart-melting.I love them so much. I think they may be on the same level as Callie and Carson which is saying something.
Overall, this book was one of the best Curvy Girl Club books to date! I can't believe I went so long without knowing Cori and Ryker so well. I can't wait to see the how the other girls' stories play out.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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April 3, 2024
3 stars ✨
I mean…… it’s literally what I expected it to be 🙏🏼
I mean…… it’s literally what I expected it to be 🙏🏼
February 22, 2021
I'm still wiping tears as I write this review. Let me first say, Cori is amazing!!!! To say she is a strong female character is putting it mildly. She flat out rocks!!! Ryker has some of the best "lines" in the curvy girl books. The bond created amongst the curvy girls is endearing, you can feel the companionship among the girls. Time has a way of fading your memories of high school, (for those of us who've been out a while), and this read brings it all back to the forefront of your mind, the friendships, the crushes, and yes even the drama, but also a sense of precious memories. Whether you were the popular girl who seemed to just float through life or the nerdy band girl who struggled just to get through the day, those moments made you who you are today. To be honest, I don't care who you were, we all had insecurities and hurdles to get through during our school years, which brings me to this point. The characters in this book are realistic and relatable, that may be the reason I enjoyed this book so much. This book pulls on your heartstrings and brings the hopeless romantic that resides in us all close to the surface and let's us wallow in sappy feelings and leaves us walking on air for a short while. I wouldn't hesitate to let my daughter (a few months shy of 13) read this. Read this book, you won't regret it!
March 30, 2024
This is one of my favorites from the Curvy Girls Club which surprised me. But this one is definitely for the readers who love them a morally gray love interest because Ryker was great but was far from perfect.
Read
January 11, 2025This was my bedtime audiobook it was exactly what I thought it would be
March 28, 2021
2.5 stars
So far I've basically loved all of Kelsie Stelting's books and am really sad to rate this one so low. This is the first book I've read in this series so I'm a bit behind, but reading this book I get the idea. I love the idea of girls accepting their bodies and bonding over that fact. The friendship in this book was amazing and I think my favorite part!
Bullying is something awful and I think I disliked the fact that the whole plan in this book was to make the bully pay by doing the exact same thing to him (only in different ways). For me that just didn't work. I really wanted to like these characters together, but everything was resolved too quickly and without much consequence. This one just wasn't for me.
So far I've basically loved all of Kelsie Stelting's books and am really sad to rate this one so low. This is the first book I've read in this series so I'm a bit behind, but reading this book I get the idea. I love the idea of girls accepting their bodies and bonding over that fact. The friendship in this book was amazing and I think my favorite part!
Bullying is something awful and I think I disliked the fact that the whole plan in this book was to make the bully pay by doing the exact same thing to him (only in different ways). For me that just didn't work. I really wanted to like these characters together, but everything was resolved too quickly and without much consequence. This one just wasn't for me.
February 23, 2021
Curvy Girls Can't Date Bullies
by Kelsie Stelting
Book 6 in the Curvy Girls Club
Rating: 4/5
Release date: February 27, 2021
Kelsie Stelting does it again! With a new group of seniors at Emerson Academy, Stelting continues her heartfelt stories that encourage teenage girls to love themselves for who they are and stick up for those around them.
While Cori is Ginger's younger sister and the twins' older sister, she feels neglected and ignored by her overprotective parents. While walking into her first day of senior year, she spots a classmate getting teased and corralled by Ryker and his fellow bullies. Cori decides to speak up for her friend and starts a war with Ryker. When the school hears about the event, they offer forming The Curvy Girls Club 2.0 and new friendships follow trying to get back at Ryker. However, Ryker starts seeing Cori differently and seems to want to change for her. Can Cori trust her heart to Ryker after all he's done including making Ginger's life miserable? Is he really interested in changing who he is to be worthy of her?
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and it was interesting to see the changes that Cori and Ryker go through. I admit the story was a bit predictable but that's what tropes are lol. I do not condone bullies but I do know that bullies can also have insecurities and troubles. Redemptive stories are always inspiring, and swoon-worthy grand gestures always make me smile (or squeal). I laughed. I cried. I sighed. Body positive books for teenage girls are harder to find and I appreciate what the author does in this entire series. When/If I have a daughter, I will definitely be recommending these books for her to read.
Highly recommend if you enjoy clean YA fiction with romance and humor and heart.
My thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
by Kelsie Stelting
Book 6 in the Curvy Girls Club
Rating: 4/5
Release date: February 27, 2021
Kelsie Stelting does it again! With a new group of seniors at Emerson Academy, Stelting continues her heartfelt stories that encourage teenage girls to love themselves for who they are and stick up for those around them.
While Cori is Ginger's younger sister and the twins' older sister, she feels neglected and ignored by her overprotective parents. While walking into her first day of senior year, she spots a classmate getting teased and corralled by Ryker and his fellow bullies. Cori decides to speak up for her friend and starts a war with Ryker. When the school hears about the event, they offer forming The Curvy Girls Club 2.0 and new friendships follow trying to get back at Ryker. However, Ryker starts seeing Cori differently and seems to want to change for her. Can Cori trust her heart to Ryker after all he's done including making Ginger's life miserable? Is he really interested in changing who he is to be worthy of her?
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and it was interesting to see the changes that Cori and Ryker go through. I admit the story was a bit predictable but that's what tropes are lol. I do not condone bullies but I do know that bullies can also have insecurities and troubles. Redemptive stories are always inspiring, and swoon-worthy grand gestures always make me smile (or squeal). I laughed. I cried. I sighed. Body positive books for teenage girls are harder to find and I appreciate what the author does in this entire series. When/If I have a daughter, I will definitely be recommending these books for her to read.
Highly recommend if you enjoy clean YA fiction with romance and humor and heart.
My thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
March 9, 2021
rating: 4.5 ⭐️
format: kindle unlimited
format: kindle unlimited
November 20, 2023
I enjoyed Cory’s story. Great addition to the series.
March 31, 2021
This is Bullies to Lovers trope, and unfortunately it's my least favorite! But I loved Cori she is smart and strong Heroine.
December 5, 2025
Lowkey gave Cinderella story there for a sec.
March 8, 2021
This is Cori and Ryker's book! Cori is Ginger's younger sister and Ryker was Ginger's bully in her book.
Cori starts our 2nd generation of Curvy Club, Curvy Club 2.0 with this book. She stays home a lot with her dad and is always the helper of the family. She is 2nd to the oldest of 4 girls. Sometimes not being the oldest or youngest, you can be looked over and maybe feels invisible at times.
Cori is feisty, persistent, and ready to take down the bully. Curvy Club 2.0 has a plan and she is determined to see it through without repercussions and hopefully not breaking her heart as well?
There is more to Ryker Dugan but no one has ever gotten close to his heart to see the real himself. Will he fall for the wills of Cori and her plan or does he have one himself?
I love these series!
Cori starts our 2nd generation of Curvy Club, Curvy Club 2.0 with this book. She stays home a lot with her dad and is always the helper of the family. She is 2nd to the oldest of 4 girls. Sometimes not being the oldest or youngest, you can be looked over and maybe feels invisible at times.
Cori is feisty, persistent, and ready to take down the bully. Curvy Club 2.0 has a plan and she is determined to see it through without repercussions and hopefully not breaking her heart as well?
There is more to Ryker Dugan but no one has ever gotten close to his heart to see the real himself. Will he fall for the wills of Cori and her plan or does he have one himself?
I love these series!
April 25, 2024
I first read "Curvy Girls Can't Date Quarterbacks", which was a big disappointment to me, and then decided to read "Curvy Girls Can't Date Best Friends" because already in that first installment you could feel how adorable Carson and Callie were together, and that novel sure delivered.
So I knew "Curvy Girls Can't Date Bullies" could be either a real sweet treat or a frustrating read.
Unfortunately this one was a total miss for me. Even if the premiss was quite interesting.
I think what bothers me here, just like it did in the first novel of the series, is that I don't feel any real satisfying personal growth, I don't get to understand why the ML and FL fall for each other. It happens so fast, you don't have the time to enjoy the change and be satisfied with the end result.
It may also be just me, but it irks me how the "Curvy Girls" seem to have such a strong dislike to fruits and veggies, which solidifies the stereotype that if you're fat it's because you don't eat those and you only fancy fast food and sugary treats. You can love grapefruit and cauliflower, or dislike soda and hotdogs, and still be fat because you can never say no to calorie bombs, or your stomach is a bottomless pit.
Still, even if I struggled to enjoy this novel, I'm thankful for people like Kelsie Stelting who are trying to make romance novels a little more diverse especially for all the hopeless romantics out there who don't feel represented enough.
So I knew "Curvy Girls Can't Date Bullies" could be either a real sweet treat or a frustrating read.
Unfortunately this one was a total miss for me. Even if the premiss was quite interesting.
I think what bothers me here, just like it did in the first novel of the series, is that I don't feel any real satisfying personal growth, I don't get to understand why the ML and FL fall for each other. It happens so fast, you don't have the time to enjoy the change and be satisfied with the end result.
It may also be just me, but it irks me how the "Curvy Girls" seem to have such a strong dislike to fruits and veggies, which solidifies the stereotype that if you're fat it's because you don't eat those and you only fancy fast food and sugary treats. You can love grapefruit and cauliflower, or dislike soda and hotdogs, and still be fat because you can never say no to calorie bombs, or your stomach is a bottomless pit.
Still, even if I struggled to enjoy this novel, I'm thankful for people like Kelsie Stelting who are trying to make romance novels a little more diverse especially for all the hopeless romantics out there who don't feel represented enough.
July 28, 2021
4.5 stars
I was very curious to read this book based on 2 things: seeing Cori as a main character and how the author was going to redeem the bully.
Well, I got to see those this and more. I met a new group of girls (and I can’t wait to read all their stories!), I read about difficult family relationships, about forgiveness and trust, failing and trying again, and I got to know a great main character (I love Cori so much!).
It was a beautiful book and I may or may not have had my eyes a little moist in parts... (which is very unlikely for me.)
I was expecting to like this but not this much (I was a little apprehensive about the bully thing) so it was a very pleasant surprise.
And now I can’t wait to read about Adriel and all the other girls after!
Note that this book does not depict toxic relationships as good (or much at all) if you were worried about that.
I received an ARC of this book from the author. All opinions are my own and I try to be as unbiased as possible.
I was very curious to read this book based on 2 things: seeing Cori as a main character and how the author was going to redeem the bully.
Well, I got to see those this and more. I met a new group of girls (and I can’t wait to read all their stories!), I read about difficult family relationships, about forgiveness and trust, failing and trying again, and I got to know a great main character (I love Cori so much!).
It was a beautiful book and I may or may not have had my eyes a little moist in parts... (which is very unlikely for me.)
I was expecting to like this but not this much (I was a little apprehensive about the bully thing) so it was a very pleasant surprise.
And now I can’t wait to read about Adriel and all the other girls after!
Note that this book does not depict toxic relationships as good (or much at all) if you were worried about that.
I received an ARC of this book from the author. All opinions are my own and I try to be as unbiased as possible.
March 2, 2021
This book begins The Curvy Girls 2.0 Club and we get Cori first. She is Ginger's little sister and is now a senior. The book deals with bullying somewhat but it's not as big of a storyline as it probably should be given the title. I'm not one to write long, drawn out reviews with spoilers so I'll just say that I thought everything just fell into place way too easily. I expected more backbone from Cori and I thought Ryker was a straight up douche canoe until the very end. I also think, for me, it's getting a little unbelievable that every overweight girl at this small private school is going to end up with some hot guy. It just doesn't happen. Sometimes it's better to stop while you're ahead and not try to keep stretching stories out of the same environment. That's my opinion and I'm certain others totally disagree and that's ok. I just didn't connect with the characters and the bullying angle was just too easily handled.
November 8, 2024
Character motivations were all over the place, mum never actually apologized to cori for essentially ignoring her her whole life, I had no time to actually feel sorry for Rykers home situation since we only saw his awful dad for like 2 minutes and got glimpses of stories that could've been exaggerated, the revenge plots were sub par but I did like how ryker managed to make it all work for him
Alas, I'm a sucker for people falling in love so 2 stars
Alas, I'm a sucker for people falling in love so 2 stars
January 8, 2025
this one is my fault. I keep reading these knowing they’ll be bad. another h with no backbone. she fell in love a little too quickly and forgave a little too quickly. the guy was more that a bully if you ask me. I get banter and falling for the bad boy but this guy was literally making fun of her and her plus size friends ?????
March 9, 2025
I hated this…i hated this so much…but i’m giving it two stars because of that one scene where Ryker(?) shows up at her house and is nice for 2.3 seconds and Cori’s like “Who’s this? The good twin??” That line was genius and on its own deserves five full fat stars.
October 26, 2023
My old kindle was attached to my moms account. These are my highlights. You don’t wanna read these
Chapter 1
Highlight(pink) - Page 5 · Location 109
Ryker put his hand on my arm. “You sure you want to start this battle?” I narrowed my eyes at him. “No, I’m starting a war.”
Chapter 11
Highlight(pink) - Page 73 · Location 681
A growl sounded low in his throat, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Caveman doesn’t look good on you, Dugan.” “Is that so?” He stepped menacingly forward, and I backed up until my back hit the hard brick wall. He had me cornered, and he knew it. Liked it—I could tell from the glint in his eyes.
Highlight(pink) - Page 74 · Location 690
“My name. Is Cori.” I pushed away from him and went to the stairs, despite the fear and adrenaline racing through my blood. “And I want nothing to do with you.” I held on to the railing and started down. Behind me, he said, “You’re going to have to do better than that if you want to win this war, Red.” Under my breath, I promised, “Don’t worry, I will.”
Chapter 12
Highlight(pink) - Page 79 · Location 724
and the second I put my hand on the front handle, my skirt blew up all the way. I dropped the handle and pushed the fabric down, absolutely mortified, even though I hadn’t seen anyone outside. A large hand reached around me, pushing the door open, and Ryker’s voice said, “Ladies first.” My mouth fell open as I turned to take in his smirking face. “You didn’t—” “See your Tuesday underwear?” His eyes smoldered. “Absolutely.” He nodded toward the open door. “Go inside.”
Chapter 20
Highlight(pink) - Page 134 · Location 1192
glared at the sophomore with a senior sense of entitlement. “I’d tell you to beat it, but I’m sure you do that enough already.”
Highlight(pink) - Page 136 · Location 1212
“Then you know how nice she is?” He nodded again. “One of the nicest girls I know.” “Do you also know Ryker and half the guys on the football team pretended to corral her like she was a cow our first day of school?” Aiden cringed. “No. Come on.” He raked his hand through his hair. “Really?”
Highlight(pink) - Page 137 · Location 1224
His smile was easy as he backed away. “Yeah, yeah, now go back to your board with red yarn and thumbtacks, ya evil genius.”
Chapter 24
Highlight(pink) - Page 168 · Location 1474
Nope, I was enjoying watching him flounder a little too much. “I’d love to, but...” I took a long sip of my shake. “Betty just brought me this, and I’m fat, you know, so I’m not going to pass up a chance for a milkshake.” Ryker’s fists clenched at his sides, but before he could speak, I said, “We were kind of talking, so... see ya next Friday, Rykerina.”
Chapter 32
Highlight(pink) - Page 231 · Location 2009
I snorted, thinking of the revolving door of girls Ryker kept on his arm. “It would be too hard to remember all their names, right?” “No, because they never cared enough to.”
Highlight(pink) - Page 232 · Location 2016
“Are you coming?” Ryker asked. “You want to be seen with me?” My voice came out more bitter than I’d wanted it to, but the sentiment remained the same. His eyes held mine as he said, “Why wouldn’t I?” I narrowed my gaze. “You might be a jock, but I know you’re not dumb.” Instead of replying, he opened his door and got out. I’d expected him to walk into the restaurant, make an order to-go, and walk out, but instead, he crossed the front of the pickup and opened my door.
Highlight(pink) - Page 232 · Location 2021
Mouth closed. “Say that to my size sixteen jeans.” His eyes heated as he took me in. “Whatever size they are, I like them. Especially on you.” My stomach fluttered before my mind could catch up. I rolled my eyes and got out. “Lay off, Dugan.”
Chapter 33
Highlight(pink) - Page 240 · Location 2092
He raked his fingers through his hair and scrubbed his face, letting out a frustrated sigh. I’d never seen him less composed.
Highlight(pink) - Page 240 · Location 2093
“Can you just shut up for a second?” My eyebrows rose, but I waited. “This has got to be good.” He rolled his eyes at me, then took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders toward me. “I met someone.”
Highlight(pink) - Page 241 · Location 2104
“Then leave my friends alone.” I broke the spell and got out of the car. His headlights didn’t leave my back until I was inside my house.
Chapter 34
Highlight(pink) - Page 243 · Location 2118
His low voice cut through the chatter instantly, and a silence fell over the entire parking lot, like even the students walking around us knew they shouldn’t speak. My eyes widened as I took in Ryker. Was he... defending us? My friends and I stood still, like deer caught in the headlights of their bullying. Of Ryker’s defense.
Highlight(pink) - Page 243 · Location 2121
“Man, it was just a joke,” the guy said.
Highlight(pink) - Page 243 · Location 2122
“Wasn’t funny,” Ryker said simply. He bent and picked up the backpack by his feet and turned to walk inside. Each of the guys around him seemed just as confused as I did, but they slowly stopped leaning against his pickup and followed him into the building. Once all their backs were to us, Des hit my arm. “What was that?” Adriel nodded fervently. “You said he asked for a truce, not that he’d get everyone else to shut up too!” “I don’t know,” I answered honestly, watching Ryker easily take the stairs to the school. I bit my bottom lip. What had happened?
Chapter 36
Highlight(pink) - Page 259 · Location 2260
laughed. “Miss Harry, do you?” Knox made the sign of the cross. “May he rest in peace.” Shaking my head at him, I said, “How was your week?” “Lots of tests and studying. You?”
Highlight(pink) - Page 261 · Location 2275
And then, when you eventually find someone worth holding on to, you put your heart out there and hope like hell they’ll catch it.”
Chapter 38
Highlight(pink) - Page 274 · Location 2394
But Ryker said, “I’ll carry your bag.” I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling even sillier than I had before, and extended the bag his way. It was light, but the gesture was nice. Until he started walking through the garage, digging through the contents. “Hey!” I cried, reaching for the bag. He turned away, saying, “I want to see what swimsuit you brought!” I reached around him, brushing my arm over his firm core, and grabbed the bag. “You’ll have to see it on.” His eyes heated as he said, “I’d rather see it off.”
Chapter 39
Highlight(pink) - Page 282 · Location 2464
“My dad always told me you shouldn’t put all your chips on the table,” he said. But I shook my head. “My heart isn’t a game.”
Highlight(pink) - Page 283 · Location 2466
“I like you, Cori. And I want to be the kind of guy you’d like back.”
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He glanced at the pool, the water reflecting over his eyes. “Because I can’t take another day of looking at you and knowing that I did everything I could to mess things up and nothing to make things right. Because I feel like, with you...” He reached out and
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touched my cheek. “I could live the life I want to and not the one everyone expects me to. With you, I can be me. The me I actually want to be.” His lips quirked as he tucked a curl behind my ear and met my eyes.
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My eyes stung and I blinked quickly. Ginger must have been crying too because a soft sniffle came from her end of the phone.
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“Why are you doing this?” she asked. Ryker looked straight at me. “Your sister showed me how much my words affected other people. I can’t change the past, but I’m making damn sure I don’t hurt anyone
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in the future like I did to you. When you know better, you do better.” My heart swelled at his words and the earnestness in his expression. “Thank you,” Ginger said quietly. “It was long overdue.” She chuckled softly. “It was right on time.”
Chapter 40
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“You’re really different now?” I breathed. He nodded forcefully. ��I told you, Cori. I want to be better. For you.”
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“I’d take a thousand fish taped to my truck if it meant another kiss like that.”
Chapter 43
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The air left my lungs as I tried to comprehend what he was saying. “Wh-what?” Like it pained him, he said, “I want you to be my girlfriend. And I want to be your boyfriend. And you’re going to figure out how new this is for me, but I want to try it with you.” His hands gripped mine firmly. “I know I’m terrible at this, but please don’t make my first time asking a girl to be exclusive a complete failure.”
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“What about me?” I asked, blinking back the stinging in my eyes and trying to smile. With a soft expression, he reached across the table and cupped my cheek with his hand, then lowered it to the table. “That was when you started playing basketball, right? Eighth grade?”
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“Let’s be real,” he said with a smirk. “You’ve never been the good girl.” I tried to hold back a smile and said, “Really, what kind of girl am I?” “Right now?” he asked. “Mine.”
Chapter 48
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He nodded. “And you’ll kiss me good luck before the homecoming game?” Butterflies lifted in my stomach. “Of course.” “It’s a date,” he said.
Chapter 49
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He leaned over and kissed the top of my head. “How’s my girl?” I held his arm and rested my chin on his shoulder. “Better now. I missed you.” He kissed my forehead. “Me too.” “Where are we going?” I asked, glancing around the rows of boats around us, ranging from small ships to massive yachts. He pointed toward the end of the dock to a large yacht. “I thought we could watch the sunset on the water. How does dinner with a view sound?”
Chapter 51
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I glared at him, all my hurt, all my anger, coming out in my words. “I guess I finally figured out where I belong.”
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Tears stung my eyes, and I didn’t even bother blinking them back. “You’re a pig.” I pushed past him, but he caught my arm and said, “Cori, wait!” I glared at him, all the pain in my body coming through my gaze. “Don’t touch me. Don’t ever touch me again.” Without waiting for his response, I tore my hand from his grip and walked away with my head held high, just like I should have all those weeks ago.
Chapter 53
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Ryker came to walk beside me. “You didn’t answer my calls last night,” he said. I kept walking, picking up my pace. “Nope.” “All seven of them.” “So you can count.” “I guess I deserved that.” We reached the stairs, and I turned on him. “What are you doing here?” I demanded. “Embarrassed you lost and now you’re showing all your friends you still have a chance?”
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“Bullies want to tear you down so you feel just as bad as they do on the inside,” Faith said. “The ultimate failure to them is watching you thrive. Watching you live your life the way you want to, regardless of the bullying, regardless of the games.”
Chapter 55
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“Why?” I repeated. “Because! I don’t want another reminder of how much I messed up!” The door clicked, and he pushed inside, leaving me shocked, frozen.
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No matter what I’d heard him say in the locker room, the pain in his voice seemed real. I recognized it in my own.
Chapter 56
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“Cori Nash is a stubborn, persistent, cunning... incredible, beautiful, wonderful woman.”
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“Cori, I’d apologize for everything, but if I hadn’t gone through with it, I never would have known you the way I do now. What I am sorry for is ever hurting you. And I know I don’t deserve a second chance; you’ve already given me more than I deserved once. But I promise, I won’t ruin it ever again.”
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I turned then and ran away from the field, away from the bleachers, away from
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the boy who held the microphone, and most of all, my heart.
Chapter 57
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“No!” he cried, raking his fingers through his hair. “Cori, I’m joking because if I showed you how much you meant to me, I’d be a damn puddle on the ground. I wouldn’t be able to get up and keep walking after what I did to you. After what I lost.” He beat at the pads covering his chest. “I’m here because I can’t give up on us, Cori.” Tears shone in his eyes, and his voice broke with emotion. “Not now that I know what I have to lose.”
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“They know.” He shrugged, stepping closer again. This time, I didn’t back away. His right hand wound around my waist, pulling me ever so gently toward him. “Everyone knows, and I’m not wasting another second pretending to be the guy I was. I’m yours, Cori. Only yours.”
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“Cori,” he breathed, eyes full of concern as he wiped at my cheeks. “Baby, please don’t cry. If you don’t want this, I’ll leave,” he said desperately. “I’ll go and never bother you again. Okay?”
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“Great! They’re in love!” Coach Ripley shouted. “NOW CAN YOU GET YOUR EVER-LOVING HEAD BACK IN THE GAME?”
Chapter 1
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Ryker put his hand on my arm. “You sure you want to start this battle?” I narrowed my eyes at him. “No, I’m starting a war.”
Chapter 11
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A growl sounded low in his throat, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Caveman doesn’t look good on you, Dugan.” “Is that so?” He stepped menacingly forward, and I backed up until my back hit the hard brick wall. He had me cornered, and he knew it. Liked it—I could tell from the glint in his eyes.
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“My name. Is Cori.” I pushed away from him and went to the stairs, despite the fear and adrenaline racing through my blood. “And I want nothing to do with you.” I held on to the railing and started down. Behind me, he said, “You’re going to have to do better than that if you want to win this war, Red.” Under my breath, I promised, “Don’t worry, I will.”
Chapter 12
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and the second I put my hand on the front handle, my skirt blew up all the way. I dropped the handle and pushed the fabric down, absolutely mortified, even though I hadn’t seen anyone outside. A large hand reached around me, pushing the door open, and Ryker’s voice said, “Ladies first.” My mouth fell open as I turned to take in his smirking face. “You didn’t—” “See your Tuesday underwear?” His eyes smoldered. “Absolutely.” He nodded toward the open door. “Go inside.”
Chapter 20
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glared at the sophomore with a senior sense of entitlement. “I’d tell you to beat it, but I’m sure you do that enough already.”
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“Then you know how nice she is?” He nodded again. “One of the nicest girls I know.” “Do you also know Ryker and half the guys on the football team pretended to corral her like she was a cow our first day of school?” Aiden cringed. “No. Come on.” He raked his hand through his hair. “Really?”
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His smile was easy as he backed away. “Yeah, yeah, now go back to your board with red yarn and thumbtacks, ya evil genius.”
Chapter 24
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Nope, I was enjoying watching him flounder a little too much. “I’d love to, but...” I took a long sip of my shake. “Betty just brought me this, and I’m fat, you know, so I’m not going to pass up a chance for a milkshake.” Ryker’s fists clenched at his sides, but before he could speak, I said, “We were kind of talking, so... see ya next Friday, Rykerina.”
Chapter 32
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I snorted, thinking of the revolving door of girls Ryker kept on his arm. “It would be too hard to remember all their names, right?” “No, because they never cared enough to.”
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“Are you coming?” Ryker asked. “You want to be seen with me?” My voice came out more bitter than I’d wanted it to, but the sentiment remained the same. His eyes held mine as he said, “Why wouldn’t I?” I narrowed my gaze. “You might be a jock, but I know you’re not dumb.” Instead of replying, he opened his door and got out. I’d expected him to walk into the restaurant, make an order to-go, and walk out, but instead, he crossed the front of the pickup and opened my door.
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Mouth closed. “Say that to my size sixteen jeans.” His eyes heated as he took me in. “Whatever size they are, I like them. Especially on you.” My stomach fluttered before my mind could catch up. I rolled my eyes and got out. “Lay off, Dugan.”
Chapter 33
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He raked his fingers through his hair and scrubbed his face, letting out a frustrated sigh. I’d never seen him less composed.
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“Can you just shut up for a second?” My eyebrows rose, but I waited. “This has got to be good.” He rolled his eyes at me, then took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders toward me. “I met someone.”
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“Then leave my friends alone.” I broke the spell and got out of the car. His headlights didn’t leave my back until I was inside my house.
Chapter 34
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His low voice cut through the chatter instantly, and a silence fell over the entire parking lot, like even the students walking around us knew they shouldn’t speak. My eyes widened as I took in Ryker. Was he... defending us? My friends and I stood still, like deer caught in the headlights of their bullying. Of Ryker’s defense.
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“Man, it was just a joke,” the guy said.
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“Wasn’t funny,” Ryker said simply. He bent and picked up the backpack by his feet and turned to walk inside. Each of the guys around him seemed just as confused as I did, but they slowly stopped leaning against his pickup and followed him into the building. Once all their backs were to us, Des hit my arm. “What was that?” Adriel nodded fervently. “You said he asked for a truce, not that he’d get everyone else to shut up too!” “I don’t know,” I answered honestly, watching Ryker easily take the stairs to the school. I bit my bottom lip. What had happened?
Chapter 36
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laughed. “Miss Harry, do you?” Knox made the sign of the cross. “May he rest in peace.” Shaking my head at him, I said, “How was your week?” “Lots of tests and studying. You?”
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And then, when you eventually find someone worth holding on to, you put your heart out there and hope like hell they’ll catch it.”
Chapter 38
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But Ryker said, “I’ll carry your bag.” I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling even sillier than I had before, and extended the bag his way. It was light, but the gesture was nice. Until he started walking through the garage, digging through the contents. “Hey!” I cried, reaching for the bag. He turned away, saying, “I want to see what swimsuit you brought!” I reached around him, brushing my arm over his firm core, and grabbed the bag. “You’ll have to see it on.” His eyes heated as he said, “I’d rather see it off.”
Chapter 39
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“My dad always told me you shouldn’t put all your chips on the table,” he said. But I shook my head. “My heart isn’t a game.”
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“I like you, Cori. And I want to be the kind of guy you’d like back.”
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He glanced at the pool, the water reflecting over his eyes. “Because I can’t take another day of looking at you and knowing that I did everything I could to mess things up and nothing to make things right. Because I feel like, with you...” He reached out and
Highlight(pink) - Page 283 · Location 2472
touched my cheek. “I could live the life I want to and not the one everyone expects me to. With you, I can be me. The me I actually want to be.” His lips quirked as he tucked a curl behind my ear and met my eyes.
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My eyes stung and I blinked quickly. Ginger must have been crying too because a soft sniffle came from her end of the phone.
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“Why are you doing this?” she asked. Ryker looked straight at me. “Your sister showed me how much my words affected other people. I can’t change the past, but I’m making damn sure I don’t hurt anyone
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in the future like I did to you. When you know better, you do better.” My heart swelled at his words and the earnestness in his expression. “Thank you,” Ginger said quietly. “It was long overdue.” She chuckled softly. “It was right on time.”
Chapter 40
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“You’re really different now?” I breathed. He nodded forcefully. ��I told you, Cori. I want to be better. For you.”
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“I’d take a thousand fish taped to my truck if it meant another kiss like that.”
Chapter 43
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The air left my lungs as I tried to comprehend what he was saying. “Wh-what?” Like it pained him, he said, “I want you to be my girlfriend. And I want to be your boyfriend. And you’re going to figure out how new this is for me, but I want to try it with you.” His hands gripped mine firmly. “I know I’m terrible at this, but please don’t make my first time asking a girl to be exclusive a complete failure.”
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“What about me?” I asked, blinking back the stinging in my eyes and trying to smile. With a soft expression, he reached across the table and cupped my cheek with his hand, then lowered it to the table. “That was when you started playing basketball, right? Eighth grade?”
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“Let’s be real,” he said with a smirk. “You’ve never been the good girl.” I tried to hold back a smile and said, “Really, what kind of girl am I?” “Right now?” he asked. “Mine.”
Chapter 48
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He nodded. “And you’ll kiss me good luck before the homecoming game?” Butterflies lifted in my stomach. “Of course.” “It’s a date,” he said.
Chapter 49
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He leaned over and kissed the top of my head. “How’s my girl?” I held his arm and rested my chin on his shoulder. “Better now. I missed you.” He kissed my forehead. “Me too.” “Where are we going?” I asked, glancing around the rows of boats around us, ranging from small ships to massive yachts. He pointed toward the end of the dock to a large yacht. “I thought we could watch the sunset on the water. How does dinner with a view sound?”
Chapter 51
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I glared at him, all my hurt, all my anger, coming out in my words. “I guess I finally figured out where I belong.”
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Tears stung my eyes, and I didn’t even bother blinking them back. “You’re a pig.” I pushed past him, but he caught my arm and said, “Cori, wait!” I glared at him, all the pain in my body coming through my gaze. “Don’t touch me. Don’t ever touch me again.” Without waiting for his response, I tore my hand from his grip and walked away with my head held high, just like I should have all those weeks ago.
Chapter 53
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Ryker came to walk beside me. “You didn’t answer my calls last night,” he said. I kept walking, picking up my pace. “Nope.” “All seven of them.” “So you can count.” “I guess I deserved that.” We reached the stairs, and I turned on him. “What are you doing here?” I demanded. “Embarrassed you lost and now you’re showing all your friends you still have a chance?”
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“Bullies want to tear you down so you feel just as bad as they do on the inside,” Faith said. “The ultimate failure to them is watching you thrive. Watching you live your life the way you want to, regardless of the bullying, regardless of the games.”
Chapter 55
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“Why?” I repeated. “Because! I don’t want another reminder of how much I messed up!” The door clicked, and he pushed inside, leaving me shocked, frozen.
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No matter what I’d heard him say in the locker room, the pain in his voice seemed real. I recognized it in my own.
Chapter 56
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“Cori Nash is a stubborn, persistent, cunning... incredible, beautiful, wonderful woman.”
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“Cori, I’d apologize for everything, but if I hadn’t gone through with it, I never would have known you the way I do now. What I am sorry for is ever hurting you. And I know I don’t deserve a second chance; you’ve already given me more than I deserved once. But I promise, I won’t ruin it ever again.”
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I turned then and ran away from the field, away from the bleachers, away from
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the boy who held the microphone, and most of all, my heart.
Chapter 57
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“No!” he cried, raking his fingers through his hair. “Cori, I’m joking because if I showed you how much you meant to me, I’d be a damn puddle on the ground. I wouldn’t be able to get up and keep walking after what I did to you. After what I lost.” He beat at the pads covering his chest. “I’m here because I can’t give up on us, Cori.” Tears shone in his eyes, and his voice broke with emotion. “Not now that I know what I have to lose.”
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“They know.” He shrugged, stepping closer again. This time, I didn’t back away. His right hand wound around my waist, pulling me ever so gently toward him. “Everyone knows, and I’m not wasting another second pretending to be the guy I was. I’m yours, Cori. Only yours.”
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“Cori,” he breathed, eyes full of concern as he wiped at my cheeks. “Baby, please don’t cry. If you don’t want this, I’ll leave,” he said desperately. “I’ll go and never bother you again. Okay?”
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“Great! They’re in love!” Coach Ripley shouted. “NOW CAN YOU GET YOUR EVER-LOVING HEAD BACK IN THE GAME?”
March 22, 2025
Why do they keep repeating that line about chasing footballs and hearts like it had any depth?
Sigh. Anyway …
I wasn’t sure what to expect out of curvy girls 2.0. What started off in the first book in the series as a promising premise soon became formulaic and dull in its tropes. 2.0 had an opportunity to break that.
There were things I liked. Cori’s friends actually felt like friends, at least her original 2. Though … I kept thinking it was Adriel and Desirae she was friends with first. That made the story originally a lot stronger. Cori having confidence to begin with was a plus after so many whiny main characters.
But.
Cori soon became an anxious mess like all the others. She actually has character regression after deciding to date Ryker, not just losing her spunk but doubting herself entirely, talking herself into things that the Cori we saw glimpses of before wouldn’t care about. I couldn’t pin Ryker as a character, he was inconsistent. Maybe he did have a twin brother who didn’t have such a stupid name. I didn’t buy them as a couple and Cori seemed much more interested in a sunset than him on her date. Actually the most relatable part.
As said above, I couldn’t keep track of the friends, they felt interchangeable, notable only for their “Thing” (a singer, a dancer, adopted, Spanish?) and not for who they were. I kept thinking Adriel was the one bullied in the opening scenes as well as being her close friend.
Mainly, I think there are a few overarching issues with this series. They are formulaic. I think I’ve expressed in other reviews in this series, I am so character driven, and fitting characters into pigeon holes to meet the beats your formula demands is disingenuous.
I also wonder how much proof reading goes into these books. There was so much inconsistency about just Ryker’s jacket and it takes you out of the moment to notice these things. Other people have said in their reviews that there’s more inconsistencies to come so that’s fun. But there’s also issues of word counts giving ambiguity, when Cori spoke to Aiden and referenced his sister I didn’t have a clue who that was. It took pages for me to understand it was Rory from book 1. I do wonder if AI is involved in these books somehow from all the issues they have.
And lastly, possibly most boldly … I think these books are fatphobic. Rory’s story has so much promise of highlighting to the world that yes, there’s all sorts of reasons why someone can be big. My own chronic fatigue has made me gain weight and I barely eat. But after Rory everyone just loves cakes and pigging out, even Cori with health conscious parents and a love of sports is obsessed with junk food and avoids fruit where possible. Then there’s so much snark at skinny people. Why does Knox have a skinny girlfriend? And Aiden? Of course the skinny salesperson isn’t going to know what fits a big person and she must be working on commission (tell me you’ve never worked retail, Kelsie. When I was at a shoe store, I had 10 seconds to greet customers. If I told you about our shoes it would be about what worked best for an occasion or what would for your needs. I put shoes on customers who couldn’t bend and gave pros of each option when asked my opinion, because I knew my stock and loved my job and gave zero fucks about someone’s size unless we were out of that size shoe). For a body positivity series, it’s really negative.
I’ll still read these though. They’re absolutely perfect to read on a book hangover so I can enjoy well crafted stories for what they are. These books have just become palate cleansers when they had so much potential. It’s disappointing.
Oh yeah and when I described the plot to my boyfriend he said “if a guy did that, it would be called Negging” So there’s that too.
Sigh. Anyway …
I wasn’t sure what to expect out of curvy girls 2.0. What started off in the first book in the series as a promising premise soon became formulaic and dull in its tropes. 2.0 had an opportunity to break that.
There were things I liked. Cori’s friends actually felt like friends, at least her original 2. Though … I kept thinking it was Adriel and Desirae she was friends with first. That made the story originally a lot stronger. Cori having confidence to begin with was a plus after so many whiny main characters.
But.
Cori soon became an anxious mess like all the others. She actually has character regression after deciding to date Ryker, not just losing her spunk but doubting herself entirely, talking herself into things that the Cori we saw glimpses of before wouldn’t care about. I couldn’t pin Ryker as a character, he was inconsistent. Maybe he did have a twin brother who didn’t have such a stupid name. I didn’t buy them as a couple and Cori seemed much more interested in a sunset than him on her date. Actually the most relatable part.
As said above, I couldn’t keep track of the friends, they felt interchangeable, notable only for their “Thing” (a singer, a dancer, adopted, Spanish?) and not for who they were. I kept thinking Adriel was the one bullied in the opening scenes as well as being her close friend.
Mainly, I think there are a few overarching issues with this series. They are formulaic. I think I’ve expressed in other reviews in this series, I am so character driven, and fitting characters into pigeon holes to meet the beats your formula demands is disingenuous.
I also wonder how much proof reading goes into these books. There was so much inconsistency about just Ryker’s jacket and it takes you out of the moment to notice these things. Other people have said in their reviews that there’s more inconsistencies to come so that’s fun. But there’s also issues of word counts giving ambiguity, when Cori spoke to Aiden and referenced his sister I didn’t have a clue who that was. It took pages for me to understand it was Rory from book 1. I do wonder if AI is involved in these books somehow from all the issues they have.
And lastly, possibly most boldly … I think these books are fatphobic. Rory’s story has so much promise of highlighting to the world that yes, there’s all sorts of reasons why someone can be big. My own chronic fatigue has made me gain weight and I barely eat. But after Rory everyone just loves cakes and pigging out, even Cori with health conscious parents and a love of sports is obsessed with junk food and avoids fruit where possible. Then there’s so much snark at skinny people. Why does Knox have a skinny girlfriend? And Aiden? Of course the skinny salesperson isn’t going to know what fits a big person and she must be working on commission (tell me you’ve never worked retail, Kelsie. When I was at a shoe store, I had 10 seconds to greet customers. If I told you about our shoes it would be about what worked best for an occasion or what would for your needs. I put shoes on customers who couldn’t bend and gave pros of each option when asked my opinion, because I knew my stock and loved my job and gave zero fucks about someone’s size unless we were out of that size shoe). For a body positivity series, it’s really negative.
I’ll still read these though. They’re absolutely perfect to read on a book hangover so I can enjoy well crafted stories for what they are. These books have just become palate cleansers when they had so much potential. It’s disappointing.
Oh yeah and when I described the plot to my boyfriend he said “if a guy did that, it would be called Negging” So there’s that too.
March 29, 2021
Curvy Girls Can’t Date Bullies….or can they? I savored this book so much that I read it in a few hours. I would not go to sleep until I finished. Now, let me say a quick apology to Stelting. I was so confused on why she would choose Ginny’s sister to make a book on…now, don’t pop off, but Ginny’s story was one of my least favorite. The organic vs. farmers backdrop was a little ridiculous to me, but hey, I still finished the book. My biased thinking was quickly crushed with the firecracker named Cori. Cori was who I wished I could be; she honestly didn’t care! Her pissed-off nature left little room to be upset. I was always someone who played strong, mostly because people assumed I was strong (I got labeled the stereotypical strong black woman). I became what people thought I was, but I will admit that though I acted strong, hateful size-based comments ate away at my confidence. I am now an adult still dealing with the words that others threw at me in my childhood. So, I loved seeing Cori, who was not only strong but truly talked, walked, and acted strong! Little moments bothered her, but overall, she did not come to play, and she was on Ryker’s neck, honey! She would not be made uncomfortable or bothered because of her size and surely not because she defended herself. Nevertheless, I disliked a few things about this story because a lot of moments were left incomplete or great opportunities missed. S P O I L E R S are in the next paragraph, so skip straight to the ending paragraph if you don’t want key scenes of the book to be spoiled for you.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this book. Cori was a powerhouse and was knocking down bullies left to right. She fought for her friends and fiercely faced humiliation straight in its face and wouldn’t back down. She didn’t go easy on Ryder, and I love that. I also love that the author didn’t force us to love Ryder or make some grand excuse for him being a jerk. Now that’s a good and realistic redemption story. Thank you, Stelting. I am not so patiently waiting for the next one!
Overall, I truly enjoyed this book. Cori was a powerhouse and was knocking down bullies left to right. She fought for her friends and fiercely faced humiliation straight in its face and wouldn’t back down. She didn’t go easy on Ryder, and I love that. I also love that the author didn’t force us to love Ryder or make some grand excuse for him being a jerk. Now that’s a good and realistic redemption story. Thank you, Stelting. I am not so patiently waiting for the next one!
February 2, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 stars
Curvy Girls Can’t Date Bullies was a deeply emotional and healing read for me.
This isn’t the first book I’ve read in this series, and I loved the others, but this one hit me on a much more personal level. The story focuses on the FMC, a curvy girl who is confident, strong, and not shy. She has the strength to stand up to her bully — who is also connected to her family and friends — and during what the book calls “the war,” she ends up falling in love with him, while the MMC is already drawn to her from the beginning.
I cried several times while reading this book. Not because it’s overly dramatic, but because it feels painfully real. The FMC feels invisible within her own family, especially to parents who seem to focus all their attention on her other siblings. She also feels unseen at school — the way classmates treat her, and how girls with similar body types are ignored, mocked, or dismissed. All of that resonated deeply with me.
I was bullied in high school too, mostly because of my body. And like the FMC, I dreamed of having a boyfriend, of being loved, of feeling desirable like the other girls. I wanted to feel worthy of that kind of love. That didn’t happen for me until I was 28. Reading this story felt like a small form of healing — like rewriting a part of my past with a happy ending. Not because I want to change anything about my life now (I love my present and my own HEA), but because sometimes your heart just needs peace.
One thing I truly appreciate about this series is that it doesn’t rely on spice. There are no explicit scenes, and none are needed. The characters are so well written that watching them grow, change, and fall in love is more than enough. This book reminded me that we read about love, not porn — that feelings, connection, and emotional growth matter more than instant sensations.
This story stayed with me long after I finished it. For its representation, its emotional honesty, and the way it made me feel seen, this was a five-star read for me.
March 25, 2021
**spoilers splash 💦 throughout this book💦**
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2021...
The thing when I read books with big women/girls... I say that thicker women doesn’t realize that slimmer women have the same insecurities about their size too. Same way their clothes or their looks aren’t up to par with people or themselves. Skinny women think the same thing. Heifer they can go in a store and try on clothes and look at their figure and say this doesn’t look right on them. When someone with bigger waistline/hips and bigger boobs theirs pop. Whereas skinny girls is straight down like a pole. 9/10 they have a figure.
So when reading this book I come to realize it’s not about shape or size because everyone go through something with their size, skin tone, their looks etc...
I would love to just see a book where the smaller girl , a tall girl or shy/nerd girl feel the same way as the bigger women/girls in these books.
So with that being said I’m going to point out what I liked in this book. Maybe pinpoint where either Ryder got on my nerves to Cori...
I can say only time that Ryder did got on my nerves was when he was being mean to the girls. But I love when Cori had Faith back. But it was also wrong for Ryder to say what he said it the locker room with his wack friends who judge someone on their side alone. Which I thought was ridiculous like how can you bully someone based on their looks. I was glad when Cori called Ryder and his friends out for their crap. But deep down I knew that Ryder liked Cori by how she didn’t never back down to him. Which I liked....
I definitely enjoyed this book; it was good. I can’t wait to read the next book.
I knew that the Curvy Girls Can’t Dance book was about Adriel because she’s the only one out of Cori friends that dances. But I can’t wait for her story to come out. I’m excited to read about Cori and her friends. & will Faith brother be the one to end up with Des...
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2021...
The thing when I read books with big women/girls... I say that thicker women doesn’t realize that slimmer women have the same insecurities about their size too. Same way their clothes or their looks aren’t up to par with people or themselves. Skinny women think the same thing. Heifer they can go in a store and try on clothes and look at their figure and say this doesn’t look right on them. When someone with bigger waistline/hips and bigger boobs theirs pop. Whereas skinny girls is straight down like a pole. 9/10 they have a figure.
So when reading this book I come to realize it’s not about shape or size because everyone go through something with their size, skin tone, their looks etc...
I would love to just see a book where the smaller girl , a tall girl or shy/nerd girl feel the same way as the bigger women/girls in these books.
So with that being said I’m going to point out what I liked in this book. Maybe pinpoint where either Ryder got on my nerves to Cori...
I can say only time that Ryder did got on my nerves was when he was being mean to the girls. But I love when Cori had Faith back. But it was also wrong for Ryder to say what he said it the locker room with his wack friends who judge someone on their side alone. Which I thought was ridiculous like how can you bully someone based on their looks. I was glad when Cori called Ryder and his friends out for their crap. But deep down I knew that Ryder liked Cori by how she didn’t never back down to him. Which I liked....
I definitely enjoyed this book; it was good. I can’t wait to read the next book.
I knew that the Curvy Girls Can’t Dance book was about Adriel because she’s the only one out of Cori friends that dances. But I can’t wait for her story to come out. I’m excited to read about Cori and her friends. & will Faith brother be the one to end up with Des...
February 22, 2021
I'll admit that I was rather skeptical about the concept of "bully romance" (and frankly, I still am). I'm generally not a big fan of the enemies-to-more trope because it is quite difficult to pull off a credible transformation from someone behaving like a grade-A jerk to a hero or shero I can root for.
But, having read and loved other books by Kelsie that also touched on serious issues, I was curious to see how she would handle it.
Regarding the romance and Ryker's miraculous change, I'm still a bit confused as to how much was posturing for his clique, and when exactly he began to start seeing Cori as a friend and potentially more.
Initially, Ryker acted in such a cruel and disrespecting way, I doubted he'd be able to redeem himself. But there *were* plenty of swoon-worthy moments, and Cori and Ryker got their HEA.
I really liked Cori as a shero, and I especially enjoyed spending time with her and her group of friends, the Curvy Girl Club 2.0. I also appreciated how the story arc with Cori's family played out in the end.
And much respect to Faith who actually opposed the plan to bully the bully right back. I'll admit that these girls are better people than me - I don't hink I could forgive Ryker quite as easily as they did, especially Ginger and Faith.
This is the first book in the Curvy Girls series I've read (although there are more on my TBR). It can absolutely be read as a standalone, although you might want to read more about the other girls in the "CGC 2.0" after you've finished this story.
But, having read and loved other books by Kelsie that also touched on serious issues, I was curious to see how she would handle it.
Regarding the romance and Ryker's miraculous change, I'm still a bit confused as to how much was posturing for his clique, and when exactly he began to start seeing Cori as a friend and potentially more.
Initially, Ryker acted in such a cruel and disrespecting way, I doubted he'd be able to redeem himself. But there *were* plenty of swoon-worthy moments, and Cori and Ryker got their HEA.
I really liked Cori as a shero, and I especially enjoyed spending time with her and her group of friends, the Curvy Girl Club 2.0. I also appreciated how the story arc with Cori's family played out in the end.
And much respect to Faith who actually opposed the plan to bully the bully right back. I'll admit that these girls are better people than me - I don't hink I could forgive Ryker quite as easily as they did, especially Ginger and Faith.
This is the first book in the Curvy Girls series I've read (although there are more on my TBR). It can absolutely be read as a standalone, although you might want to read more about the other girls in the "CGC 2.0" after you've finished this story.
February 26, 2021
I loved Ginger's story in Curvy Girls Can't Date Cowboys so I was so elated when I learned that the first story in the Curvy Girls Club 2.0 was Cori's. Normally, bully romances aren't for me but I loved this one! It was tastefully written given the subject. I laughed, teared up, and was embarrassed along with Cori and her friends! I couldn't put it down!! Cori is the type of girl I wish I was in high school.
The Curvy Girls Club 2.0 is a new group of girls coming together to ease the struggles of senior year and to support one another through all the challenges of being a curvy girl.
CGC 2.0 is led by Cori, Ginger's sister. Cori is an altruistic basketball player who is strong willed. On the first day of school, she stands up for a fellow curvy girl being harassed by a well known football player and bully, Ryker, along with his friends. After Birdie, the school's counselor, hears about Cori and Ryker's run in, she brings Cori in to discuss the CGC. She wants Cori to eat lunch with girls with similar "issues". After the first meeting of the CGC 2.0, Cori and her new friends makes it their mission to make Ryker and his cohorts pay. Pranks ensue. Cori and Ryker fall into an all out war to make the other miserable but later realize the feelings they have toward each other are more than hatred.
Curvy Girls Can't Date Bullies set the bar high for the rest of them!
If you haven't already check out Kelsie Stelting's original Curvy Girls, you need to do so! You will not be disappointed.
I was given a ARC by author. My opinions in this review are honest.
The Curvy Girls Club 2.0 is a new group of girls coming together to ease the struggles of senior year and to support one another through all the challenges of being a curvy girl.
CGC 2.0 is led by Cori, Ginger's sister. Cori is an altruistic basketball player who is strong willed. On the first day of school, she stands up for a fellow curvy girl being harassed by a well known football player and bully, Ryker, along with his friends. After Birdie, the school's counselor, hears about Cori and Ryker's run in, she brings Cori in to discuss the CGC. She wants Cori to eat lunch with girls with similar "issues". After the first meeting of the CGC 2.0, Cori and her new friends makes it their mission to make Ryker and his cohorts pay. Pranks ensue. Cori and Ryker fall into an all out war to make the other miserable but later realize the feelings they have toward each other are more than hatred.
Curvy Girls Can't Date Bullies set the bar high for the rest of them!
If you haven't already check out Kelsie Stelting's original Curvy Girls, you need to do so! You will not be disappointed.
I was given a ARC by author. My opinions in this review are honest.
February 21, 2021
I typically steer clear of the “Bully Romance” sub-genre because I prefer sweet romances, and I too often find the lines being blurred with bullying and abuse. When Kelsie put out her blog post about why she decided to challenge herself in trying this genre, I knew if there was anyone who could write a bully romance that was redemptive and didn’t encourage/enable abusive behavior, it was Kelsie. I wasn’t wrong.
Cori is a bold and courageous heroine who steps up to the plate to take on the school’s notorious bully, Ryker, after he and his friends pick on another curvy girl on the first day of school. Since the school’s bully policy can be swept under the rug for the right price, Cori declares war with Ryker so that she and the other curvy girls can live life at school without fear of being bullied every day.
Sparks fly as fate keeps throwing them together and they discover they have more in common than they realize. As they begin to spend more time together, they see each other as the flawed, but human, people that they are. I love that they don’t make excuses for their mistakes, but they grow as characters to see how their actions affect others.
And as you would expect from a Curvy Girls Club book, Cori’s awesome friends keep her grounded and on the straight and narrow when her quest for revenge threatens to be too much. These new characters are fun and have so much personality. I can’t wait to read their stories!
Cori is a bold and courageous heroine who steps up to the plate to take on the school’s notorious bully, Ryker, after he and his friends pick on another curvy girl on the first day of school. Since the school’s bully policy can be swept under the rug for the right price, Cori declares war with Ryker so that she and the other curvy girls can live life at school without fear of being bullied every day.
Sparks fly as fate keeps throwing them together and they discover they have more in common than they realize. As they begin to spend more time together, they see each other as the flawed, but human, people that they are. I love that they don’t make excuses for their mistakes, but they grow as characters to see how their actions affect others.
And as you would expect from a Curvy Girls Club book, Cori’s awesome friends keep her grounded and on the straight and narrow when her quest for revenge threatens to be too much. These new characters are fun and have so much personality. I can’t wait to read their stories!
February 27, 2021
I have enjoyed every book in this series and was delighted to read Cori's story. Cori was one of my favorite characters in Ginger's story and it was great to see her story unfold. Cori feels invisible because her parents are always worried about her sister Ginger's asthma and her twin sisters' acting careers. She loves her friends and family fiercely and will stand up for them whenever it is needed. I was pleased to see that she was finally seen and appreciated in this story.
Ryker is a bully who used to pick on Ginger and Cori has been warned to stay away from him. But, on the very first day of school, he and his buddies were picking on a curvy girl. Cori stood up to him and the boys and saved the girl from their bullying. The story continues with Cori standing up to Ryker and slowly, she shows him how to treat others. I really didn't like Ryker in the previous book and I wasn't sure if I could get past it for this story, but Kelsie did an excellent job showing us how his character changes and grows.
I love Kelsie's messages in all of these books about how everyone is different and that you should love yourself for what makes you special. The only thing I would have liked to see in this book was a scene with Ryker cheering on Cori at her basketball game. I highly recommend this book and the whole series.
I was given this book as a free ARC from the author, and this review is only my thoughts freely given.
Ryker is a bully who used to pick on Ginger and Cori has been warned to stay away from him. But, on the very first day of school, he and his buddies were picking on a curvy girl. Cori stood up to him and the boys and saved the girl from their bullying. The story continues with Cori standing up to Ryker and slowly, she shows him how to treat others. I really didn't like Ryker in the previous book and I wasn't sure if I could get past it for this story, but Kelsie did an excellent job showing us how his character changes and grows.
I love Kelsie's messages in all of these books about how everyone is different and that you should love yourself for what makes you special. The only thing I would have liked to see in this book was a scene with Ryker cheering on Cori at her basketball game. I highly recommend this book and the whole series.
I was given this book as a free ARC from the author, and this review is only my thoughts freely given.
February 28, 2021
The Curvy Girl series continues with Cori, Ginger's little sister. Now that Ginger has graduated and gone off to college, Cori is on her own as she starts her senior year. On the first day she witnesses Ginger's bully, Ryker, and his friends laughing and making fun of a girl. She storms over to defend her and is determined to take down Ryker. With the help of old and new friends who quickly become her allies, they succeed with their plans of revenge. When Ryker's attempt to befriend Cori stirs up feelings she didn't know were there, she's conflicted with what to do. Is it possible that the school bully has fallen for her, or is this a cruel joke?
Now that Ginger and her friends are in college, Cori and her friends have formed Curvy Girls 2.0. They are committed to help each other overcome their personal self-esteem issues. This author is not shy when it comes to dealing with the every day struggles of high school and the pressures teenagers face. Not only is Cori dealing with the school bully who made her sister's high school life miserable, but she also feels ignored and looked over by her parents. What I love about Cori is her confident attitude and her love and acceptance of her body. She embraces her curves and doesn't care what other people think. With her parents doting on her other sisters, Cori relies on her friends to get through the tough times. I was looking forward to reading Cori's story and this book did not disappoint!
Now that Ginger and her friends are in college, Cori and her friends have formed Curvy Girls 2.0. They are committed to help each other overcome their personal self-esteem issues. This author is not shy when it comes to dealing with the every day struggles of high school and the pressures teenagers face. Not only is Cori dealing with the school bully who made her sister's high school life miserable, but she also feels ignored and looked over by her parents. What I love about Cori is her confident attitude and her love and acceptance of her body. She embraces her curves and doesn't care what other people think. With her parents doting on her other sisters, Cori relies on her friends to get through the tough times. I was looking forward to reading Cori's story and this book did not disappoint!
February 19, 2021
ARC Honest Review
Non spoiler
Kelsie Stelting keeps knocking it out if the park! The new generation of the Curvy Girl Club now 2.0 is everything you could imagine. The characters have you craving more. With having a background from the previous books ( that are all available) you have a deeper connection with the characters.
We met Ryker in Curvy Girls Can’t Date Cowboys as one of the bullies that tormented Ginger. But the real star of this story is Cori. We saw her strength with her sister Ginger and being in Ginger’s corner when it came to Ray and hers relationship. The strong dependable young woman who will always do right by her family. But when life keeps moving and Cori begins to question life , you begin to see the real young woman Cori is meant to be.
Ryker is a handful. You see a young man struggling to find himself in a world of dominance and demands of his family. His need to feel in control in any part of his life. Most of all you see a young man who has meet his match. Cori is a strength that Ryker craves. However will his ignorance and her insecurities stop them from living their life’s, or is it the match that will ignite there need for more out of life.
This review will not have spoilers so here is my highly recommended review. You can not go wrong with this story and regardless of your story you will be able to relate to Cori and Ryker.
Non spoiler
Kelsie Stelting keeps knocking it out if the park! The new generation of the Curvy Girl Club now 2.0 is everything you could imagine. The characters have you craving more. With having a background from the previous books ( that are all available) you have a deeper connection with the characters.
We met Ryker in Curvy Girls Can’t Date Cowboys as one of the bullies that tormented Ginger. But the real star of this story is Cori. We saw her strength with her sister Ginger and being in Ginger’s corner when it came to Ray and hers relationship. The strong dependable young woman who will always do right by her family. But when life keeps moving and Cori begins to question life , you begin to see the real young woman Cori is meant to be.
Ryker is a handful. You see a young man struggling to find himself in a world of dominance and demands of his family. His need to feel in control in any part of his life. Most of all you see a young man who has meet his match. Cori is a strength that Ryker craves. However will his ignorance and her insecurities stop them from living their life’s, or is it the match that will ignite there need for more out of life.
This review will not have spoilers so here is my highly recommended review. You can not go wrong with this story and regardless of your story you will be able to relate to Cori and Ryker.
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