It Just Had To Be You

Second Chances #1

by Jacqueline Francis

A High School Bully Romance - enemies to lovers

Scott Carter is a bully. Scott Carter is a racist. Scott Carter is the most arrogant douche I have ever met. This man-whore charms the pants off all the girls, but not me - the Latina from the wrong side of town - I see none of that charm. I get the worst of him. He has made my life a living hell, tormenting me for years with no reprieve.

Just when I’m at breaking point, Scott Carter steps in and makes everything ten times worse. My whole life is turned upside down in an instant. And now, after he’s messed up everything, that’s when he decides that maybe we should try to be friends. He wants to reconcile and put the past behind us.

Ugh! No! He can go to hell. I want nothing from Scott Carter…but it’s starting to look like he wants something from me.

If you're looking for haters-to-lovers romance with a sexy, cocky hero and a sassy, quick-witted heroine, this one is just for you. #slowburn #highschooldrama

Dear Reader,

Although this is definitely not a 'dark romance', please take note that this book contains many triggers that may be offensive such as suicide (before the book begins) and bullying. In particular, there are some racial slurs. As a woman of color myself, I fully understand how hurtful these words can be. I am no stranger to them either. However, I did not want to tiptoe around this issue or sugarcoat the severity of it. I wanted to highlight how damaging such slurs (or any kind of name-calling for that matter) can be to the person on the receiving end. It also contains strong language and sexual content and is not recommended for readers under 18 years of age or sensitive readers.

Guide to read this series:
Book 1: It just had to be you - Can be read as a standalone or with book 4
Book 2: My Debacle with De Lorenzo - Must be read with Book 3.
Book 3: My Infatuation with Isabella - Must be read with book 2.
You do not need to read Book 1 to read Book 2 and 3, but it is recommended.

Book 4: It Should've Been Me (Cat and Scott part 2) - Must be read with book 1
You do not need to read Book 2 and 3 to read book 4, but it is recommended.

Book 5: Peter and Lia - Will be published in April/ May 2023

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Romance, High School, Contemporary, Slow Burn, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance

436 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2021

Reviews

[Phuong ✯ · Rating 4 out of 5]

– 4.25 stars

well, this was weirdly refreshing.

Scott Carter my favorite ignorant racist boi<3, yes you’ve read that right. Scott started out as the most dumbest bully racist asshole ever that threw out racial slurs like his life depended on it just because Catalina (h) is Mexican and poor and has the audacity to go to the same elitist school he goes to. so be WARNED if racial slurs trigger you. BUT Y’ALL THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND GROVEL? 10/10

he goes from

Loughlin Academy is supposed to be for the elites and yet somehow, she and her whore of a sister managed to get in. She is the shit stain on what otherwise would be a perfect institution. She, and her whole goddamn family, should go back to wherever the hell they came from.

which isn’t even the worse of what he thinks of Catalina and her family 💀

to

“Catalina!” It’s the first time I’ve used her name, and it does something so messed up to my brain. It’s like the first time I’m acknowledging her as a person. Not a rat or a riffraff or a beaner, just a person...like me.

and finally to

Karma is a bitch, and she is probably laughing her ass off right now because the girl who I called worthless ended up being worth more to me than my entire inheritance. The girl who I called weak gave me the strength to leave it all behind. The girl who I called nothing now means everything to me.

💖💕🥰🖤♥️🧚‍♀️🛐😈🙇🏻‍♀️

Scott – if i’m being honest i never hated him even when he was horrible at the beginning, because i just felt so much pity for him. his brain is so hollow with hot air. he basically is a product of his parents and his toxic environment it’s not completely his fault he turned out the way he did 🌚 yes he did act really nasty, but i love how he just become so obsessed with Catalina, how he fell first and harder and basically gave up his life to be with her at the end. do i hate it when the girl has to give up her life/changes her personality to be with the guy she likes? hell yes, but i'm a hypocrite here because it was part of Scott's redemption arc and it was nice seeing it coming full circle.

Catalina – she was more shy and reserved in school and didn’t do much against the bullying, but she is so sassy in private. loved that she had a backbone and took her long ass time forgiving Scott for his nasty behavior. she kept throwing back each of his insults back to him that Scott didn’t had any chance but eat his words and apologize again and again. she made him work for it. queen behavior.

“You’re such a nerd,” I say more to lighten the mood than to insult him. “But that is exactly the reason why I think you’d make a great teacher.” He smiles. “Yeah, but then I’d be poor, and who wants that?” “You make a strong argument.”

Romance – their development from enemies to reluctant friends to eventually more than friends was so organic. there was a lot of push and pull with them that every time Scott would make a step forward in the right direction, Catalina would remind him how he used to treat her and then Scott had to start from the beginning again. but in this case i didn’t feel annoyed, because i can understand the hesitancy from Catalina’s side so well and why she was afraid to be hurt again. Scott persistency was so hot like no matter how many times he got rejected, he just came back crawling.

Scott and Catalina’s mom – let me say something if there is ever the time when my year long high school bully comes to my home and my mom cooks him dinner and talks nicely to him after he made my life a living hell i’d be so livid with her. yet it made me so soft how Catalina’s mom gave Scott a chance to show her who he is without judging him only from Catalina’s retelling. Catalina’s mom played a huge role in his development and made Scott realized that he can’t judge people solely from what he hears about them. Catalina's family was a bit of a safe haven for Scott and the first real place where he received love. it kinda reminded me of Joey and Edel's relationship from the Boys of Tommen series. those types of relationship always make me soft. 😩

“Mrs. D...I want you to know that you’re my first love. Nothing will ever change that...but, man, oh man, the way I feel about your daughter...I can’t even begin to describe it. You know I’m going to marry her one day, right?”

Conclusion

Scott and Catalina made me giggle with their cute high school romance and this gave me so much pain for the Hero and all the anguish Scott has to go through and i ate it up. glad i can gatekeep this book since this book will never be commercial or popular with the masses. if only some people see that it’s about a racist Hero they would instantly cancel the author and label her problematic. 🤺

[Pinky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings:Racism, racial slurs, bullying, suicide of parent, poverty, death of loved one, slut shaming, cheating, suicide ideation, drug overdose, hit by car, PTSD, sexual assault, alcoholic, underage drinking, underage clubbing, sex with minor (15 y/o with strip club escort), parental neglect and abandonment, assault

This is a bully romance recommended by Phu🌟. I went in for the grovel and BOY DID IT DELIVER. 80% of this book was grovelling, the first 20% is the bullying and it was disgusting. Scott is so racist, entitled, and a manchild, I didn’t know how the guy would win me over. What made this book so satisfying was Catalina, Cat never let any of the bullshit he did slide and had a backbone.


Scott has been bullying Cat for the past three years. After her dad died, she couldn’t take it anymore. After saying something cruel to Cat, Scott can’t get Cat’s wounded eyes outta his head. He goes back to apologize and it ends with Cat at the hospital because of an accident. Scott has to go to Cat’s place to help her with chores or he’s off the football team. Cat can’t stand Scott and isn’t willing to forgive him.


Now for spoilers


Catalina’s dad committed suicide after his family went into debt. Cat is so bitter, her sister Isabella is drinking and sneaking out with guys, and her mom is working herself to the bone. They can’t afford food because they go to a rich kid's private school, so she eats the free caf food. Cat is bullied by Scott, who calls her Cat the Rat. Scott is racist because she is Mexican. Dylan is the nice guy that tries to stop the bullying when he’s around. Cat doesn’t stand up for herself since Scott is rich and has a lot of influence in the school thanks to his parents. They get free lunch and she eats while Scott makes out with his girlfriend Bethany but he’s watching Cat. Peter, Scott’s friend, throws Cat’s plate on the ground so she leaves, it’s devastating. Dylan goes to a diner, Peter and Scott go as well and Cat works there. Peter keeps suggesting Cat has a go with him and Scott tells him they shouldn’t touch her cuz she’s filth. When Cat put their orders on the table, Scott knocked the coke down. Cat had to clean it on the ground, and he said she belonged there. Scott said she was ugly and no one wanted her and even her dad killed himself to get away, it was such a fucked up thing to say. Cat for the first time asked Scott to stop, Scott feels guilty and leaves. Scott couldn’t stop thinking about Cat’s hurt expression so he goes back to the diner. He struggles to apologize and tells her to forgive him. Cat calls him an asshole and he’s not entitled to her forgiveness. Scott asks if he wants her to write it in the sky while holding her wrist, she pushes to get away and gets hit by a car.


Cat lost her job and has a cast and a lot of medical bills. The principal called Scott out for harassing Cat. Scott’s mom threatened to take funding away and the principal let her since there are a lot of rich kids at their school. The coach said Scott is suspended from the team. Scott has to go over to Cat’s place and help her clean her house and help with homework. For the first three days, he drove to Cat’s place but didn’t go in. When he sees her struggling with a laundry basket, he finally helps. Cat shows him how to do the chores since he’s a spoiled brat. Cat has been bullied by Scott and his friends for three years. Scott says it was hard for him to wait for over an hour for her to come out of the shop so he can apologize. And how her rejection was a slap in the face. So Cat slaps him to show him what a slap is lmao. Cat apologizes and quotes part of his apology, asking if he wanted her to write it in the sky.


Cat is having a hard time with math so Scott teaches her, he’s actually smart. Cat says she’s waiting for him to use all her weaknesses against her. He tells her he won’t hurt her and that he was raised in a racist household but Cat said it isn’t an excuse. He notices she’s hungry and realizes that Cat only ate at the cafeteria and regrets all the times they threw her food on the ground. Scott offers to buy food but Cat tells him to get out. He buys groceries and Cat tells him to leave and throws all his things at him, even slapping him a coupla times, he has bruises on himself. Cat wanted her dad, how she was counting down the days until she wouldn’t see Scott. Scott's feeling of regret was satisfying, letting Cat hit him because he thought he deserved it. Cat was crying and he held her, even when she fought him, he consoled her. He makes her a sandwich and asks her to talk to him. Isa and her mom go off at Scott when they walk in. Scott offers to pay $5000 and pay for Cat’s medical bills, but they refuse so he uses reverse psychology. Their mom cooks them a meal and invites Scott to eat. When he leaves, he asks Cat if she’s ever gonna stop counting down the days she will stop seeing him and she says no.


Bethany is suspicious about why Scott can’t spend time with her. Scott asks Beth if she is tired of pretending to be in a perfect relationship and how he plans on marrying her but they shouldn’t settle now. Beth finally agrees and says they can act like they took a break. Scott avoids Cat at school since he still has a persona he doesn’t wanna change, he doesn’t do anything mean but he can’t be nice to her. When he’s over at her place, she ignores him. He hates seeing another day crossed off the calendar every time. In class, Peter makes suggestive comments to Cat but Cat stands up for herself. At lunch, Cat gets attacked by Peter. He throws the fucking soup at her face. He is about to hit her when Scott stops him and says she’s a girl, saying she even has a cast on. He goes to her place and tells her what Peter did was not okay. Cat has a black eye and a bruise on her nose. Scott makes Cat sit down and tells her to play a game where she asks questions and he will answer honestly. He says if she has personal info on him she will have power over him. Cat asks him about his parents and calls him out for cheating on Beth. Cat always calls him out for the things he said to her in the past and Scott says it’s because in his brain he thought she didn’t deserve to go to his school because her parents were immigrants, but he regrets it all now. He says she has a pretty smile and Cat is laughing, she doesn’t believe him when he compliments her. He says he can’t get her out of his mind. Scott asks why she won’t give her number and she said she didn’t wanna be cyberbullied. Scott asks if she wants to be friends someday and she said maybe.


Even when Cat tries to distance herself, Scott doesn’t give up and Cat can’t help but give in. He loves Cat’s mom and her checking up on them. They’re both into true crime and bond over serial killers. Scott asks who Cat’s first victim would be and she said Cameron her ex, since he manipulated and cheated on her. Scott admits he cheats on Beth because he doesn’t wanna be with her. Cat regrets opening up to Scott and she tries to leave but he holds her by the waist. When Cameron and Cat broke up, Scott made fun of her and told the whole school, even sticking a picture of him cheating on her locker. Scott admits he did that but he’s changed and won’t do it again. Without thinking, Scott hugs Cat for a long time and Cat starts to have feelings for him. He hopes she won’t cross the calendar again but Cat says she will do it. They meet at Ms. Jeffries’s office, the guidance counsellor, and show each other baby pictures. Scott’s childhood was lonely but fulla money while Cat was fulla family with no money. Scott gets upset and takes one of Cat’s baby pictures to keep and leaves. Cat wants to sculpt again and Isa tells her to do it.


Cat gets a text from her sister begging her to pick her up from a party. Scott finds Cat and takes her into a room. Some guy got handsy with Isa so Scott told Dylan to keep an eye on her. Amanda finds Scott, he apparently asked her to meet him in the hot tub. Amanda tries to insult Cat but she says she’s leaving. Scott offers to drive them and when Cat refuses, he tells Cat he doesn’t wanna ruin his image if she still hates him. He felt so insulted when she said they weren’t friends. He goes over to her place the next day and she’s dancing and has no idea Scott is there. Scott corners her to a fridge and they’re close to kissing when Isa interrupts. Scott finds out Cat sculpts and helps her sell. Cat is confused about why he wants to spend time with her. Cat opens up about sculpting and her dad. She cries in Scott’s lap and he holds her. Scott noticed Cat didn’t cross out a day in the calendar and was happy. Scott’s coach said he can play football again but he quit and didn��t tell Cat.


Since Cat gave the sign of her willingness to be friends, Scott openly talked to her and gave her a lighter necklace at school. It’s raining out Scott gives Cat a ride. He asks her for her number but she says she still needs time to trust him more. They’re both soaked so he tells Cat to shower but she can’t change with her cast. He offers to help her and they hold a towel up but there’s so much tension. Scott offers to cook for Cat’s mom since she will be tired from work. Scott kisses Cat and they make out but Cat regrets it and thinks Scott will make fun of her. What’s so satisfying is seeing Cat close up every time Scott makes progress. She asks if he’s tryna find something exotic to get his dick into. Scott doesn’t even know how to defend himself and apologizes. He goes to Cat’s mom’s workplace. He tells her that he kissed Cat and has feelings for her but she doesn’t believe him. Cat’s mom tells him that Cat knew her boyfriend was cheating but because someone called her worthless (also Scott), she didn’t break up with the guy. Cat’s mom tells Scott that calling someone a name for so long will make them believe they are what they are called, he asks how to make Cat move on and trust him and she said to take baby steps. Cat’s mom doesn’t hate Scott since he made a difference once he showed up. After the night he helped, her daughters are laughing more and Cat is sculpting again.


Scott comes back and asks to play a game with Cat. They write a bunch of confessions about themselves on cards and when they’re ready, they give them to each other. Scott wrote he was a racist and feels ashamed. Cat tells him if she gets with him it’s like betraying herself. He tells her he finds her beautiful, how he has feelings for her and wants to be with her. When Cat tells him she hates that she’s starting to like him, Scott is so happy, and the calendar isn’t marked either. I loved how Scott was jealous of a fake man Cat made up and tried scoring points against him. Scott admits he wants to be more than friends and pulls Cat’s chair in front of him asking for a kiss. He says they can go at whatever pace Cat wants, if she wants to be just friends then they will but if she wants more, he’s down but he wants one kiss. They make out and Scott leaves all his cards on the table. All his cards were so sweet, he apologized, called her pretty, admits he was falling for her, and even told her he quit the football team for her.


Scott’s mom is pissed and goes to Cat’s place and uses racial slurs. She doesn’t know anything about Scott, and even forgot it was his birthday. Scott is done ignoring Cat at school even though she wants that and he sits with her at the caf. He just kept talking about how they should tutor the neighbour’s kids together. He wanted Cat to translate their Spanish so he can learn Spanish that way. Peter is pissed they’re sitting together and yells at Cat but Scott tells him to stop being disrespectful and he leaves. Beth says everyone thinks Scott left her for Cat so she has to fix her reputation. Scott tells Peter it’s his fault he hates Cat because of the racist shit he spread and it isn’t right. Cat had a mini surprise party for Scott, Cat’s mom took the day for Scott and got him leather bracelets. Scott and Cat go to Scott’s party and Scott is bummed he doesn’t have Cat’s number yet. Peter apologizes to Cat for the way he treated her. Cat runs into Cameron, the idiot is in a relationship and begging Cat to get with him. He pushes her against the wall but she slaps him. Scott tells Cameron to back off, deletes Cat’s number off his phone, and tells him to leave. Scott tells Cat he can’t believe Cameron cheated cuz he wouldn’t if she was his and she called him out for cheating on Beth. Scott tells Cat all the things he wants to do to her but he says he doesn’t wanna do it when she still has doubts about them. Cat finally gives him her number and he’s so excited it’s adorable, he takes a picture of her to remember, and he kept coming back for kisses to recharge. Peter said how Scott’s dad would disown him if he becomes a teacher. Seeing Scott teach the kids was just so wholesome, he uses interactive ways to teach the kids, and Cat is there to translate. Cat asked if she can meet Scott’s parents and Scott knows they’ll cut him off from his money and inheritance. Cat says she doesn’t wanna be a dirty little secret.


Scott is always over at their place, Cat wants to shower but he tells her he wants to cuddle. He’s always taking pictures of her, he goes on walks with her neighbours, I just love who he’s become. Cat and Scott go to a bonfire and Peter, Dylan and Isa are there. Cat steals Scott’s hoodies all the time. Cat goes to the washroom when Beth sees Scott. Beth asked when Scott was picking her up for a Christmas lunch their families were having. Scott says he’s not going and Beth said they had a deal since their parents think they’re still together. Scott says his relationship with Cat means more to him and Beth says it changes nothing since they will marry in the future. She said they both want money in the future and if they ruin this deal, they won’t have it, and Cat hears the whole thing. Scott’s mom even made a clause to his trust fund that he can only get access to it if he marries Beth specifically. Cat shuts him out and walks away and Scott admits his parents didn’t know they were together, and she slaps him.


Scott tells Cat that his parents will never accept her and he’s willing to lose everything for her. How he didn’t choose to love her but it happened and he earned every smile, every step into their relationship. He was upset when Cat said he thinks of her as a play toy and he says he loves her. Beth wanted Scott to pick her up and he refused. Cat can’t get over the fact that his parents won’t accept her. Cat fell down the porch steps and is in the hospital. Cat sends Scott a message saying he’s a spoiled rich kid looking for an escape and she wants someone from her same background. Scott responds right away and is clearly upset, especially cuz it’s a breakup text rather than in person. He doesn’t talk to her for 2 weeks. Nasty Kyle saw Cat and asked if she wanted to get with him and Scott tells him to leave. It’s the first time he talks to her since the fight. It’s raining out so Scott offers Cat a ride and says he wants his hoodies back.


Cat gives him all his hoodies but she asks to keep the one she’s wearing and Scott says no since it’s the hoodie she wore when he said he loved her. Cat starts crying and asks to be friends but Scott says no and Cat admits she misses him. They get close and Scott says he has no self-control but if he fucks her she will tell him he’s using her and Cat is hurt that her own words are thrown back at her. He holds her wrist and realizes she's bruised. She tells him she fell down a porch but he doesn’t believe her. Turns out Scott’s mom found out about their relationship and attacked Cat. Cat tried to call Scott so his mom scratched her, what a fucking witch, then she pushed Cat down the stairs, fuck her. Scott yells at his mom for hurting Cat. His mom doesn’t regret her actions and tells Scott he can see her discreetly like she’s some sex toy. They say that their contract with Beth will be ruined and Scott says he doesn’t care so his mom says if he doesn’t agree to stop seeing Cat, he’s on his own. Scott stays over at Peter’s place. Scott was smart enough to contact his finance advisor once he kissed Cat to figure out how to invest the money he already has. Scott tells Cat he knows his mom pushed her down the stairs the next day at school. Scott says he gave everything up for Cat. The way Scott was charming Cat by telling her he’s living on her love and lost everything while teasing was so cute. Scott is tired of explaining himself and took the family picture he had of Cat and said he wanted that for his future, Cat asked what if they break up and he said he wanted a happy family in the future and to call when she’s ready. Cat ran after him but he was waiting by the door. Scott takes pictures of them and puts them on his social media.


Cat secretly goes to Scott’s place and they’re graduating months later. His dad comes to his graduation, and he offers the job of CEO at his company still but Scott refuses since Cat wouldn’t fit into the life he’s tryna push him to. His mom didn’t bother coming and his dad said this isn’t the life he wanted for his son. Scott proposed to Cat and knew she would say it was too soon. He asked if he needed to write it in the sky like their first convo, and he does exactly that. He asks her again and she says yes and everyone is celebrating, it was adorable. This book was too cute, I’m glad I read it.


Stay safe folks!

[Marilla ☘︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5✨


Minor spoilers👇


✦ I love you now, but it still needs to be said. ᶠᶸᶜᵏᵧₒᵤ Scott, you absolute piece of shit!

✦ I feel like this is an 'either you'll love it, or hate it' kind of book.🎭

✦ It's also one of the best bully romances I've ever read.


✦ That being said, I HATED the hero for a good chunk of this book. Scott was so awful and cruel to the heroine, Catalina. He bullied her relentlessly for 3 years. Racial slurs, slut-shaming and 'pranks' just to name a few. Not for one second did I believe Scott could redeem himself, at least not in my eyes. Nor did my poor e-reader, whose life was🤏close to ending on several occasions because of him. However, to my utter shock and bafflement, he actually started to grow on me after a while.

✦ After an unfortunate 'accident', Scott has to spend a lot of time at Catalina's house to help her out with chores. There he meets, and forms a special connection with Catalina's mother. And their relationship chipped away at a lot of the lingering hatred I still felt towards him.

✦ It's a slooooowburn. I had my doubts about Scott and Catalina together as a couple, at first. But, I ended up really loving their romance. The road to getting there was long and messy though. It took Catalina a long time to believe Scott's sincerity and start trusting him. He had to earn it. And that was something I really appreciated seeing.

✦ The point of no return:
“Mrs. D...I want you to know that you’re my first love. Nothing will ever change that...but, man, oh man, the way I feel about your daughter...I can’t even begin to describe it. You know I’m going to marry her one day, right?”
😭😭😭😭
I forgive you!! Maybe I'm being way too lenient and overly sappy... But, I meeeen, COME ON!!!🫠🫠💗💗💗

✦ Was it unrealistic at times? Sure, lil bit. But I didn't mind that at all. A little over the top pzazz never hurt anybody.💃🏻

✦ Lastly, it was so refreshing to read a bully romance where the main conflict wasn't this. -" Oh, gawwd, she's the most buutiful creature I ever did see, and that makes me feel some feelings and sh*t. Therefore, I hate her, and I'll make it my personal mission to be awful to her." (Yeah dude, that seems reasonable...)🙄

If you're looking for an emotional hate-to-love/bully romance that isn't this⬆️, I highly recommend - It Just Had To Be You!✨✨


Tropes/what to expect:

🥀Bullying
🥀Hate-to-love
🥀Drama & Angst
🥀Death of a loved one
🥀Rich Hero X Poor Heroine
🥀Forced proximity
🥀Groveling
🥀Dual pov
🥀Racism
🥀Abuse
🥀Suicide and suicide ideation
🥀Check out more CW/TW

[Ⓐlleskelle - That ranting lady ッ · Rating 4 out of 5]

So here's the thing, I don't do bully romance and the days I do let myself read NA are now a rarity (because juvenile BS) BUT this book came highly recommended by a trusted and equally nitpicking source.
Verdict? I did enjoy it, I expected much more angst due to the premise : a racist bullies a latinx heroine, with time she learns to forgive him and eventually falls for him as he miraculously does a one-eighty and relentlessly pursues a flirty friendship with her.

SUSPEND ALL YOUR DISBELIEF alright? This is a romance, therefore you've got to go with the fantasy a racist would somehow irrevocably revert on his vile ideology and all of sudden see the wrong of his past actions because of one girl.

This was actually a super cute read IF you can believe in the hero'swift turnaround.

Great banter between the love interests, I loved how they would start their verbal bickering, forget they weren't alone and give a show to the people around them, as if in their own bubble. Interesting supporting characters completed the picture, I loved Catalina's mom but I regret the lack of depth given to some of them (Catalina's sister destructive behavior, Scott's best friend Peter, who stopped acting as a racist scumbag upon request as a favor for his bro: MAJOR EYE ROLL) and the new found Latinx family for Scott was SO cliché it elicited so many eye rolls from me my eyes hurt.

The slow burn romance between Cat and Scott was endearing and sweeeeet—again if you can forget how strongly the hero was portrayed at the beginning— though I didn't feel like he redeemed himself much. It was pretty much him demanding the heroine that she forgives him because he said he had changed. The reasons and explanations he later gives seemed a bit flimsy to me. I didn't find his continuous presence at Catalina's house served as enough atonement for his past actions.
Despite the author's portrayal of Scott newfound respectability, he would still sometimes appear the entitled rich kid he was minus the racist slurs.
I know, SUSPEND ALL DISBELIEF, I said...

I sound very nitpicky but that's second nature, I TRULY did really enjoy this, great writing and a pageturner. The ending was a corny cheese fest, I wasn't prepared for this?
I wish the author would have given more time for Scott to transition from racist to decent human. It was just difficult to go from awful to perfect behavior.

CW for racial slurs, bullying, depression, parent death, suicide.

More reviews and book talk at :

You can find me here too ☞

[Jena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow burn. The H is with super hot ow constantly. No chemistry between the MCs.
The h is made out to be this poor girl with no looks, background or friends. She wears ugly, loose sweats to school and she has no body to speak of (flat chested), when H is always with curvy girls.

Her dad passed away, so she’s made out to be this super sad, timid and depressed bullied girl.

The H is a gorgeous, popular QB and he’s rich.
No idea why the H was attracted to her.
Authors a talented writer but she doesn’t seem to understand attraction, and this book was just depressing.

#dnf

[ANTC · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this author is a very talented writer and there were moments in this book where I really connected and felt for the characters, especially towards the beginning. Mature YA is one of my favorite genres and I think the author has a lot of potential moving forward.

However, I didn't love this book. It felt way too preachy and didactic to me, at the expense of believability and enjoyment. At certain moments, the characters were way too introspective, as if a flip was switched and all the sudden they had all these realizations about why they acted in certain ways. At other moments, the characters were entirely too dense, as if the author wrote them that way solely to serve as "teachable" moments. The characters' behaviors just didn't seem believable at all but rather contrived to further the book's message. The book honestly became really boring to me, especially with the psychologist/counselor added to further preach and dissect the characters' (what felt like manufactured) feelings.

Also, blatant, obvious racism like the hero and his friends displayed is very dated and unrealistic in a very liberal area like Pasadena, California. Racism is definitely still present in these areas, but its more subtle than white kids hurling racial slurs at PoC in schools. He would (and should) have been expelled for all the shit he put the heroine through in todays age. And then the whole school is chill with it? Like the heroine sat alone at lunch and had no friends because of all the racially motivated hatred. So yeah, it was just super hard for me to believe that the hero, given his upbringing and geography, would so recently realize racism was bad and stupid. Like what? At that point...there really aren't excuses. I think we can grow in our discussions about racism and how it's taken on different forms in modern society rather than using the same sorts of examples from the 60s.

[Helen Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. THIS BOOK. This might be one of my top books of the year? Omg.
I started off HATING the love interest, Scott. He’s not only a rich, entitled a$$hole who has literally bullied the heroine for YEARS, but he’s a racist. How can he be redeemed?

The heroine, Catalina, comes from a poor household, her father recently died, and she’s at rock bottom, both emotionally and financially. She’s tough, yet sweet. I adored her from the start.

The way that the author writes Scott is so realistic and his redemption is so gradual. His point of view scenes at first are just sickening. But the way he starts to gradually unpack who he is, where his racism comes from, and who he wants to be, is just so raw and powerful. The best part of the book is that Catalina does not forgive him the first (or even tenth) time he gives a hollow apology. The book spans months as he tries to make up for his wrongs and figure out who he wants to be as a person.

I don’t understand how the author took this wretched character and actually made me fall for him. Like... what? How the…? By the end he becomes a perfect human. This book is so freaking satisfying, and definitely worth pushing through all the heartache in the beginning!

Trigger warnings Suicide before book began, bullying, racism, racist slurs
HEA?Yes

[Sheen⚘ ⃰⃰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only valid bully romance to exist.

The only bully 'romance'. Period.

I wanted to write this review because this is the first bully romance where they didn't reach their happy ever after easily and the effort put in by the bully is not something I've read and I've read good highschool bully romances like Never Sweeter by Charlotte Stein and Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills.

Scott was a racist prick who made Catalina's life a living hell in their pricey highschool which they could barely afford after her dad committed suicide.

The family is in grief and the only person who ever protected and showed Cat the light at the end of tunnel, that was school and Scott, was dead and Catalina was sad, lonely and destitute.

Scott goes over at her place of work and says something racist about her to his friends and then makes fun of her father's death and she asks him to stop. This makes scott feel uneasy so later he comes back to this low income neighbourhood and gives his insincere non apology so she'd go on her knees and forgive him and give him a star for his exemplary behaviour. Yeah, right. She doesn't forgive him and he actually scared her enough that she was hit by a car getting away from him and got her arm broken. The arm she needs to work so she can feed her family.

All of this was cool until she took a pill too many and doctor thought she was trying to kill herself that she tried to put scott and cat together so they could understand eachother. Scott was supposed to do cat's household chores while she was healing and he was suspended from his hs american football team.

Now you're thinking why would she want to share close quarters with her bully? Trust me she protested that and that's why i like her.

Now personally speaking I've read enough books by white people trying to write poc but nothing hits you when you read writer of the same community writing one of their character. Scott visiting her house and seeing it clean instead of the sty he was expecting was so unexpectedly saddening to me. Him seeing how nice Mrs D was. When he reversed blackmailed them into taking food. When he discovered they had no food. Those were something.

Cat was on her guard and she told him about the fact that she was counting down the days until she doesn't have to see him or that she won't give him her number as it could lead to cyber bullying were such raw scenes. Like fuck me for trying to be happy in my own house, it made me so sad.

When Scott realized that the damage he did was too real and he tells her mother so and she says this -

“So, what you’re saying is that if someone calls you something for long enough, you start to believe that’s who you are? Realistically, that means if someone had called you Jennifer from the time you were little, you would believe you were Jennifer. Do you agree?"

“Likewise, if someone called you ugly for long enough, you would believe you were ugly. You can’t underestimate the power of name-calling. And now you want to call my baby something else. She doesn’t believe you, just like how you wouldn’t believe me if I started calling you Jennifer. It contradicts everything you believe about yourself.”


This conversation shot me between my eyes. I'm generally very harmless and non confrontational but this made me want to take any negative word I've spoken to someone back.

I loved this scene -

“It is to me. And you rejecting my apology is a slap in my face.”
I stand up and fling my hand at his face with all the force I have in me.
“Catalina!” Ms. Jeffries screams in shock.
“That’s a slap in the face!” I hiss with contempt.

I loved that he made an effort and not just with cat but everyone else around him. Her mother, her neighbours. It was so endearing seeing him at their house all the time or the sister talking about how he's starting to believe that he lives there.

This book, in my eyes, is really good. I felt cat's hurt, i felt how scott felt when he realized how much he'd fucked up and i loved how they both worked together to be there. The effort was A+ and the third act break up was due to external reasons.

I'll give you a scene as a goodbye.

“Okay. Okay, if you left home, where are you staying?”
“I’m a straggler now. I’m just out here on these streets...living on nothing but my love for you.”
“Scott, you moron! You were supposed to be the smart one in this relationship. What have you done? Oh, my God! I’ve ruined your life.”
He agrees with a somber nod. “You have. I had to leave everything behind. My car and I love my car. All my designer labels. My entire sneaker collection. My gym room. All those luxuries – gone. I’ve got nothing but the clothes on my back. I’m destitute and you should be comforting me through these dark, worrying times but instead, you’re still giving me attitude.”


He's hilarious when he's trying to be -


“You’re right. I’m already starting to (resent you) because now I’m sad and lonely...and poor. I did it all for you, Cat. And I want to point out that I did it after you dumped me over text. Does that mean anything to you? Instead of being your stubborn, infuriating self, you should be groveling right now considering everything I’ve done for you, for us...but I’m feeling generous, so you don’t need to beg...I’ll settle for make-up sex.”

PS. Pretend the other book doesn't exist.

[Jo - •.★Reading Is My Bliss★.• · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catalina lives with her mother and sister in a modest neighbourhood. Everyone pitches in to make ends meet and help to keep the household ticking over. Both Cat and her sister Isa have part-time jobs to help pay the weekly bills as her mothers wages don’t quite stretch that far. They share the household chores between and somehow manage to fit in their homework too. After tragically losing their father recently, things have gotten really bad for them all.

The girls go to a sought after school that kids mostly from a higher socio economic demographic go to and Cat always feels like she doesn’t belong there. Most of these feelings come from the fact that every day she is tormented by people, called names, has her lunch tray flipped over, is spat on and ridiculed for being Latina. The main ring leader is Scott Carter, a rich, spoiled, over indulged guy who is in most of her classes. He loves to remind Cat of her pedigree, multiple times a day.

When Scott oversteps just one too many times, actually saying he ‘overstepped’ is an understatement, he crosses a boundary in such an awful way that leaves Catalina absolutely heart broken. So much so that he finds himself instantly remorseful and leads to a chain of events that will forever change him. Finding himself at Cat’s family home is very confronting and knocks him right down off his self built pedestal.

When Scott removes all the judgements and prejudice he has about Cat, he realises that she has a life he is envious of. She has a loving family, a house that feels like a home and a neighbourhood he has never felt more comfortable in. He can also see how much they have struggled since losing her dad so he immediately sets out to make things a bit better for them,the only way he knows how.

After being ridiculed daily, Cat is very skeptical of Scott’s presence in her life and his sudden change of heart. She is waiting for the other shoe to drop. How can a guy that spewed so much hatred on her for so long now be so kind to her. Is he trying to prank her? Is this some kind of dare? She will go along with it for now as he hasn’t shown any signs of not being sincere.

Cat begins to see that what she assumed about Scott’s life was nothing like she imagined. Sure, he has anything that money can buy and never goes without but what he doesn’t have is the loving family home she does. He was raised by a nanny, his mother cheats on his dad and they have already chosen the career he will have and who he will eventually marry. Everything in their life revolves around money.

The more time Scott spends with Cat, the clearer he sees what he wants his future to be like and who he wants to spend it with. It seems that Scott has finally found what he didn’t realise he had been looking for, love and unconditional acceptance. I especially loved the bond he formed with Cat’s mum.

This was a really addictive read for me, once I got hooked in I was invested. A lot of issues that face a lot of people, in particular our younger most vulnerable ones, are covered in this story and I thought the author did a fantastic job at bringing them into the light. A thought provoking and inspiring story.

[sashenka &#x1f5a4; · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.65 ⭐

I hate bullying trope in romance. I made an exception there because I was told the MMC does grovel (and we know how much grovelling is missing in romance books these days).
I also happen to not enjoy high-school romance very much. So what made me read this book? Just the fact that, apparently, MMC is a big racist, and he redeems himself (and I kind of trust recommendations coming from the RomanceBook subreddit)

Since I'm not a Latina and I don't live in the USA, I can't grab how realistic this was. Are people this openly racist and proud of it? Well, I can understand a little, with the wall thing between the USA and Mexico, but still, I can hardly judge that.
But Scott was mean, his bullying was brutal. I almost DNF'd when he was bullying the FMC on the fact that her father killed himself to be away from her. What happened to 'sorry for your loss' thing. Also, he was disgusting, thinking with his dick most of the time. I still don't like slut like him. But once he started seeing the FMC as an actual human being (I'm still stunned to say that) and started feeling bad for everything he did/say, I kind of started to soften to his chapters. He won't be in my book boyfriends list, but he was decent in the end. He was so open to the communication (she was less, but we can forgive her, she went through enough) and patient (again, we can forgive her). It took time for her to accept that he changed and sometimes, I was annoyed by her inner monologues saying 'but he can't be attracted to me, I'm not like the other girls (not in the wrong way)'. Girl, don't be blind, he's a dude with a dick, the day he started to see her like a girl, he started to eye-fucking her. But I got over it, saying to myself she thought like this because he belittled her for years, and she's young.
Another thing I didn't understand is what the fuck is this psychiatrist thinking, about putting the bully and the victim together, alone? Ok, it worked for the plot, but in real life, bad things could have happened. But once again, for the plot, I ignored it.

Nothing much to say. I liked the characters, except maybe the sister (I won't read her books), the chemistry was fine, they had a good growth. He made his own choices and owned it, and it worked for them. I just won't read their next book, that happen few years later: I saw they broke up, they were with different people during their break-up, she was with OM and cheated on this OM with MMC. That is why, I think I'll just stop her and accept this HFN.

If you love the bullying trope, you might enjoy it but check TW first.

[Topastro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was addicted to this book, my heart hurt but was healed. I love a good gut punch moment and this had a few that had my tummy flipping. A bully romance can be so tricky to pull off, it really depends on the character development and subtle nuances to make the bully redeemable. Jacqueline Francis perfectly balanced these aspects to make you root for the couple.

The last 30% was a little silly and OTT, that made me knock off a star.

[Sorcia Lorde · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hated both characters

DNF . Hated both characters especially Scott. He isn't redeemable. He was too horrible and she too insecure and weak for me to respect either. No freaking way should she eventually get with him. No way! He is a disgusting racist bully to the point that I can't forgive him. So their lust and his acceptance will eradicate all.

Too many obstacles for this to be a comfortable transition. All the other racists, including his mom. The arraigned upcoming marriage. Plus the psychological damage she has endured for years.

Oh and so tired of these broke starving proud people who are too dumb to accept money. Especially in the case of the douche who caused the problem. The latinas are so dumb they had to be tricked into taking money that they needed (eye roll Offensive).

This book's recipe

- White intelligent knight saving the day after causing the problem. Fixing their lives emotionally and financially.
- Less then intelligent minority women
-violent, promiscuous latina sister
-Latina single mother struggling working her fingers to bone for less then bare minimum. But too proud to accept help . Smh

It was good writing but hated the story personally. Despised all of the characters.

-

[Tee · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is dangerous. It propagates the message that the abuser is simply hurting or misunderstood and the victim should be empathetic and forgiving. It humanizes the abuser—but it does so at the expense of the victim.

I’m not saying racists are incapable of positive change or that they can’t come to feel remorse, regret, sorrow or contrition for their past wrongdoings. I’m saying that the actual victim of their racist abuse doesn’t have to—and probably shouldn’t—forgive them. You can change and go forward into the world as a better person. And people you have never harmed can know your past but choose to see and like you for who you have evolved into, respecting your evolution and growth. However, it’s asking quite a lot for the person you spent years victimizing in the most vile ways to forget or forgive such actions to the point where they welcome you into their home, their family, their bed and their heart. That’s a bridge too far to cross.

That’s what this book does. It depicts a vile racist abusive jerk. He torments our heroine for years. He calls her racial slurs. He calls her worthless and ugly. He taunts her with her father’s suicide. He encourages others to mock and verbally abuse her. He ultimately inadvertently causes her to be physically injured. Then, after being forced to make a modicum of reparation by assisting her at home with her household chores (that proposed solution is a complete joke of an idea that isn’t worth dissecting as it’s clear to anyone with a hint of common sense how inappropriate such a suggestion would be), suddenly he’s sorry and he’s flirting with her and bygones are supposed to be bygones?

I have no respect for any of these characters. The MMC was an a&$hole for 18 years, a couple of months of mediocre-level remorse doesn’t fix that. The FMC is stupid & pathetic to even consider being friends, let alone bed buddies, with a guy who has spit on her for years. She has no self-respect. The FMC’s mother is crazy to allow this jerk who she knows has targeted her daughter for years into her home, cooks him dinner, gives him advice and basically treat him warmly like a son. What kind of mother embraces her child’s abuser?!?

The author really missed the mark with this book. She coddles the racists and sends the message that the harm they’ve done can be easily erased with a few I’m sorry and some sexual attraction. Both MMC and his best friend Peter are just given passes for years of abuse. Peter threw a freaking metal tray at her face causing a black eye and bruising and then had to be restrained from hitting her!!! And yet she’s supposed to be friends with him once he’s ready to make nice? “Peter isn’t all that bad either…” she says. It’s truly disgusting.

“The pained look on his face pulls on my heartstrings and I don’t know what to say to make him feel better. I want to take those words back, but I’m still not fully convinced. “I’m sorry. I know this back and forth must be a little frustrating for you and—” Cat says this at one point. God forbid her abuser feel frustrated for her unwillingness to trust him or believe that he likes her. I mean he’s only told her she’s ugly, worthless trash for years. How dare she not immediately trust his change of heart. That must be so frustrating for him.

By the end she’s convinced herself she’s going to ruin his life. “I’m never going to fit into his world. I’m trash. I’m nothing. I’m never going to be good enough for him. I’m just a phase he’s going through. Eventually, he’ll realize that I’ve ruined his life and he’ll resent me forever.” So now the victim is blaming herself for her abusers consequences and trash panda parents.

In short, I really hated this book. And I would never recommend it.

[Rossy]

Would have been 4.5 ⭐if I didn't find out spoilers about book 2 for this couple.

Now I don't wanna rate this and gonna go sulk somewhere in a corner. No wonder we have trust issues. For such wholesomeness to be ruined. I haven't been that upset in ages. Especially after being in such good mood after reading this. Gah!!! Wish I could undo reading this tbh as it's just more painful after this has been so good.

Do yourself a favour and if you read and enjoy this book, pretend the following ones don't exist.

Original Review:

4.5⭐

Character development, character development and one more time character development. Wow.

I am by no means an expert on racial topics, but damn some stuff was heart breaking to read. But the way Hero redeem himself, one of the best character growths I read in a long time. Their relationship development, supportive characters, plot overall.

Loved it. Haven't read something as good in a while.

[Lolina ⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I’ll deal with anything if it’s you...and it absolutely has to be you.”

This was such a hidden gem of a book and let's keep it that way (I wanna gatekeep this so bad lmao 💀), and I'm absolutely obsessed. The character development was crazy and I couldn't put this book down.

This felt like a mix of 'Binding 13' (in relation to its writing and relationships), and 'Bad Boy Blues'(in terms of the setting and situation). All in all I really enjoyed it🫡.

[Avid · Rating 1 out of 5]

AVOIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIID
DNF 16%

If you want to read this book, suspend your disbelief.
What certified and good therapist would forcefully put the bullied victim in a house with her bully without supervision? The bully is bigger physically, and very powerful socially. He has every mean to hurt her and badly. YET the adults think that the best solution for her to heal is to force her to spend time with the person that made her life a living hell for three years non-stop. THIS IS SO IDIOTIC. I know that sometimes you need to suspend your disbelief, but this shit takes the cake. WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK?!!!

also, the "do you want me to write it in the sky?" is so cringe.


there are many incoherent moments in the plot. Like when the bully goes to "apologize", first of all, his change of behavior is too fast. then, she goes from petrified to angry within seconds. Let me tell you something, when you are confronted to a person that you know can and will harm you, you do not seek to anger them. You usually try to flee.

I think the author tried to tackle the theme of racism as herseld, as said in the note, is a POC. However, it is done BADLY. You cannot romance racism.... at least, I hope the fuck not. There is a limit to everything in life, and this book transgress it.

There are too many things wrong with this book. I won't waste my time commenting on, same as I won't waste my time finishing this "book". Don't waste your time either on this.

And you know what to do when you have tortured someone for years to the point they got PTSD? GIVE THEM MONEY and everything will be fine.
For a book that aims to speak about racism and streotyping a minority, it sure digs plenty in it and uses them. hard working latina mom with too much pride. Heroine speaking in spanish when angry. Violent and hot tempered latina women. Sexy and promiscuous latina women. A white men comes and saves the family from poverty because god forbids we get a strong and independent latina heroine, no let's dig in the stereotypes and make her horny for the white male supremacist.... i can go on for a while longer.

Author, don't tackle such important themes when you don't know how. Leave that to competent people.


AVOIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIID
DNF 16%

[Lyndsey Wharton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think I have adequate words to sum up how much I love this book, so I’m just going to word vomit.

It just had to be you hit me with all of the feels. I cried, I laughed, the characters were so real and relatable. The story flowed easily, the characters actually had me laughing out loud at time. But the emotion in this story packed a punch. I’d love to hear more from every character in this book.

[Medollga · Rating 5 out of 5]

It just had to be perfect!🔥💗🥳

From start to finish, from beginning to end, this book had me in a chokehold! How the author managed to take an unforgivable situation and not only redeem the hero in the heroine's eyes, but more importantly, in the reader's (my👉 👈) eyes is beyond me.

The hero is a racist. In all of his ignorant, stupid, cruel glory. Like the heroine, I wanted to keep on hating him. I didn't want to like him. But the change that happened in him was 🤯🔥😭

And the relationship development was top tier! There was never a moment where it was lacking, or boring, or unbelievable. The banter was so lively! The chemistry between them sizzling🌟🌟🌟

[Kate ☕ (semi-hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Currently, being busy during the weekends, so don't have much time for books in general, but still this felt like ages to finish!

It is a bully book, and I just can't help myself - if the H is redeemed "kinda sorta", I just go for it! 😆

In the beginning I wanted to kill the guy!! He's a major asshole, racist, spoiled brat, etc., and you either believe his change for better or you don't, it's simple as that! Percentage-wise for me it was about 70% belief he was able to change, still has my doubts and view the whole thing on the fairytale-like level.

Most of the book has Scott (the H) grovelling, redeeming himself and basically changing to be the good guy. He's succeeding although the stuff he did in the beginning makes you question the whole sudden change of his. I liked that the author didn't go for the typical - I've always loved you, but couldn't have you so I started bullying you. However, there are subtle hints of that as well.

What I definitely didn't like was the obivous too much drama. If Catalina (h) was bullied this bad, and their father left the family with nothing but debts, the normal reaction would be to switch schools. Instead of going to this prestigious place, it would make sense to go to public school, especially because Cat has no plans of continuing to college anyway.
There are many details, which probably works for the author and supports the plot, but doesn't make too much sense as a whole. The writing isn't totally bad, though. Not sure, yet if I'm going to read other books in this series.

3.75 stars being very generous.

[Hana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bully you for years, i say the most despicable racist things to you, I'm always aggressively angry around you but i would never *gasp* hit you! 😱 Why would you ever even 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 that? Dont be scared of me🥺 - the Mmc in this book

[kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was kind of fucking weird.

first of all i don’t buy that this guy all the sudden has a change of heart after YEARS of tormenting the main girl, calling her racial slurs and having his posse do the same. like he went into her house and was like “ohhhh she’s just like me fr” then BOOM his racism cured yayyy 🥳.

hhhhmmmmm okay…

and this girl’s “quirk” is that she has a strange fascination with serial killers and likes to make jokes about them.

“She wouldn’t be like Jeffrey about it. He was sweet, you know, a nice cannibal.” 🌚🌝

hhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmm kk.

[Candy Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

So at the beginning of the book I'm like how is this girl going to fall in love with her Bully🤔 it wasn't an ordinary Bully, he was a racist! So right away I hated Scott. OMG I wanted to lay hands on him! Poor Cat! This book sucked me in though! I needed to know how these 2 were going to get together. And when they eventually did, IT WAS BEAUTIFUL! OMG I swooned! I loved how Cat didn't forgive or trust Scott right away. I loved how she made him work for it!

“Your apology does not entitle you to my forgiveness. It’s mine. I control it. I decide when I give it and when I don’t. You can throw your toys and beat your chest, demand it all you want, and I still won’t give it to you because you don’t deserve it.”

And boy did he work for it!! He worked his ass off to gain her trust! It was at one point I'm like damn dude I would've given up but he didn't!

“And I had to work for this love. I worked to tear your walls down brick by brick. I worked to get you to open up to me. I worked to get your goddamn phone number! I worked for every smile, for every ounce of trust. I earned the right to call you my girlfriend. And you must be out of your fucking mind if you think I’m going give that up for my parents or Beth...or something as meaningless as money. No, Catalina. I’m not giving you up for anything.”

This was a slow burn romance I loved every bit of it!

[Lucina · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 stars

I wasn't sure if I would like a story about a racist bully. I mean, how can a like a hero who was such a disgusting person? But I could. The bullying was only in the first two chapters and what Scott did was awfully. No sugar-coating there. But I believed that he changed for the better and I started to really like him. He was trying so hard and became a real cutie. It was really nice that he had to grovel so hard and it took Cat a very looooong time to forgive him (but I don't think she can ever forget). But I can understand why other readers can't forgive him, what he did and said was awful.

Cat was okay. Her hot n cold behaviour was understandable but was a bit annoying after a while. But I can't blame her. You just can't get over the past like that. I got a bit of "not like other girls" vibes from her but not to much that it really bothered me. But Scott really is the highlight here which is surprising because he started off as a horrible person.

I loved Cat and Scotts banter and wow that had chemistry. And after they sorted everything out they are definitely behaving like sex addicted hormonal teenagers, so be ready for a lot of hot sex. 😅

One thing that bothered me though was the fact that I didn't get the feeling that Cat was really invested in the relationship. I understood Scotts feelings. First steming from guilt but than realizing how amazing she is. But Cat? I saw her attraction to him and the friendship, but love? I wasn't really feeling it from her part. Maybe it was too early but I got more of a "Why not?" kind of feeling instead of "He's the one".

A thing that bothered me was that a sequel to their story was announced and if a book ends on a HFN I'm always afraid an author will ruin the first book for me with breakups, drama and other stuff. And I think this will be the case here.
After finishing this book I checked out Dylans and Isas book, although I wasn't really interested in them. And well, I shouldn't have. I just read the afterword to the third book and obviously Scott and Cat didn't sort their stuff and broke up!? Like she moved away? And that book is set in like 2027!? Nope. I'm out. I just pretend Scott and Cat lived their HEA. Why can't authors stay away from past couples? Like there are too many romances ruined because of sequels that fuck with the couple and I hate it.

[Serial Romance Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I’m into this author. I love an arsehole H who gets redeemed by the end of the book and this delivered. At first there is little to like about our racist H who has bullied the h for years. However, his character becomes introspective and empathetic very quickly and he undergoes a complete personality transformation.

I liked our spicy h, how she didn’t instantly forgive the H, but made him work for it. The secondary characters were dynamic and added a lot to the story.

Overall, it’s one of the better bully romances I have read. Was it super realistic? Nope, but I was here for every bit of it!

Trigger warnings: suicide, racism, slut-shaming

[Elle ♡ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was pretty entertaining, I found the first half to be more of a page turner than the second half. In general it was pretty corny, cliche, not very well written and had a lot of one dimensional characters and characters that had immediate, unbelievable personality transplants, but I still enjoyed the grovel even though Scott never really stopped being an entitled POS 🤷🏼‍♀️ and idk man I think these high school books are also just getting harder for me to connect with as I get older lol but this was fun.

[Ifimust · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty unrealistic. Some characters are written in a Disney supervillain manner while others have their come-to-Jesus moment in the span of one conversation. It sucks because there were some nice components (like the neighbors and the mom), but the overall book was still messy. Yet another case of teenagers being written poorly.

Also, the whole serial killer obsession thing is not cute or quirky. Jeffrey Dahmer should not be making you "feel all warm and fuzzy inside."

[the amanda show · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★ scottlina stars!!!

I throughly enjoyed this read!! Didn't think I would because hero was a world class dick at the start of this!! But let me tell you! We love a good redemption story!!! An boy did he redeem himself!!! 🥲🥹

This was such an emotionally driven book honestly the way Scott worked so hard to get on Catalina's good side. She made him WORK. Which we love to see it!!

I kinda of wish we could've seen more into what Scott and Catalina's future looked like especially after everything that happened!!

So that brought this read to a 4 for me because I'm greedy I wanted to see more especially after everything these two endured to be together.


8/10 would recommend

-bOOkSn0b📚

[Lien · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars

Probably one of the most charming, disarming and endearing heroes I've ever read ❤︎

[sahar (warner's version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75

HE WAS SO GOLDEN RETRIEVER AND SO CUTE UGHH😭😭😭💗💗 and SO funny gosh i will never stop talking about him

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Over the last couple of years I've read hundreds of books and this is one I will always remember and recommend.

Where can I purchase a physical copy though!?!