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All the Games We Play #1
I F-ing Dare You
I was supposed to stay invisible.
My school might be a den of vipers, but if I endure senior year, I have a shot at my dream: a place at Tisch.
I’m used to keeping my eyes down and my mouth shut to survive the cruel, depraved, privileged assholes who delight in breaking the weak. Then I see something I can’t ignore. Four boys, as beautiful as they are twisted, threatening my friend. They might run the school, but that doesn’t give them the right to corner a poor, terrified girl.
Only, I didn’t have all the facts when I intervened.
I stood up to the four idols of this school, and Jason, the worst of them, won’t let the world forget it. Now I’m no longer a ghost: I’m a target, humiliated at every turn. If I want them off my back, I may not have any choice but to make a deal with the devil who started this nightmare in the first place. Jason would be more than happy to oblige…as long as I'm willing to play his wicked games.
All the Games We Play is a series of twisted novels extremely unsuitable for sensitive readers.
What you will get: blackmail, group action, MF, HEA, steam and psychopaths.
What you won't get: a sweet vanilla story.
I Fing Dare You is the first novel in a duet. The story ends at book two.
My school might be a den of vipers, but if I endure senior year, I have a shot at my dream: a place at Tisch.
I’m used to keeping my eyes down and my mouth shut to survive the cruel, depraved, privileged assholes who delight in breaking the weak. Then I see something I can’t ignore. Four boys, as beautiful as they are twisted, threatening my friend. They might run the school, but that doesn’t give them the right to corner a poor, terrified girl.
Only, I didn’t have all the facts when I intervened.
I stood up to the four idols of this school, and Jason, the worst of them, won’t let the world forget it. Now I’m no longer a ghost: I’m a target, humiliated at every turn. If I want them off my back, I may not have any choice but to make a deal with the devil who started this nightmare in the first place. Jason would be more than happy to oblige…as long as I'm willing to play his wicked games.
All the Games We Play is a series of twisted novels extremely unsuitable for sensitive readers.
What you will get: blackmail, group action, MF, HEA, steam and psychopaths.
What you won't get: a sweet vanilla story.
I Fing Dare You is the first novel in a duet. The story ends at book two.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2022
791 people are currently reading
1341 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
June 24, 2024
I hate the swingers storyline in all of her books so much, it would've been a 5-star guilty pleasure otherwise 🤷🏼♀️😤
January 21, 2023
I mostly liked what I’ve read so far. I’ve always enjoyed this genre but I’ve been less enticed to read it lately because the bullying always seems over the top for the absolute dumbest reasons and then there is little to no grovel. It’s extremely tiresome.
There is no resolution here as it’s a duet but the other book is available. I’ll definitely read it because this was interesting so far.
The bullying mostly stems from other students as the bully “kings” of the school have declared h persona non grata. The H clearly wants h though. I’ve definitely read worse bullying. It’s still ultimately so dumb. They are mad because she attempted to defend a girl they were reading the riot act too. I don’t know that they were bullying that girl as she defended them but whatever. It’s all really annoying.
There’s definitely more in play with her family stuff. I suspect her “uncle” is actually her dad. Hs family and hers are associated some way.
Slow burn, they don’t get it on until 95%. There’s an extremely dub con scene earlier in book but no actual sex occurs then.
No condoms
Manwhore h
Extremely mild ow drama
No OM drama
No cheating
No separation
Cliffhanger
Safety - prologue opens on h stumbling across the bullies banging an unknown girl in locker room. H appears to be only watching.
Late in book an OW informs h she’s engaged to H, a family arrangement since they were kids. H tells her engagement was canceled after meeting h.
There is no resolution here as it’s a duet but the other book is available. I’ll definitely read it because this was interesting so far.
The bullying mostly stems from other students as the bully “kings” of the school have declared h persona non grata. The H clearly wants h though. I’ve definitely read worse bullying. It’s still ultimately so dumb. They are mad because she attempted to defend a girl they were reading the riot act too. I don’t know that they were bullying that girl as she defended them but whatever. It’s all really annoying.
There’s definitely more in play with her family stuff. I suspect her “uncle” is actually her dad. Hs family and hers are associated some way.
Slow burn, they don’t get it on until 95%. There’s an extremely dub con scene earlier in book but no actual sex occurs then.
No condoms
Manwhore h
Extremely mild ow drama
No OM drama
No cheating
No separation
Cliffhanger
Safety - prologue opens on h stumbling across the bullies banging an unknown girl in locker room. H appears to be only watching.
Late in book an OW informs h she’s engaged to H, a family arrangement since they were kids. H tells her engagement was canceled after meeting h.
September 3, 2024
4⭐️
So I was in the mood for a bully book and this has bully right I the description so I was like … yes 🙌 .
It was good. What went down towards the end in the club was meh 😒. Going right into book 2 of the duet.
So I was in the mood for a bully book and this has bully right I the description so I was like … yes 🙌 .
It was good. What went down towards the end in the club was meh 😒. Going right into book 2 of the duet.
January 26, 2022
!!! I F-ing loved it !!
Emm Darcy is another pen name of one of my favorite authors. So I was excited to begin with. 3 tumultuous hours later, Oh my god!!! I F-ing loved it.... this is exactly what I was looking to read since the last couple of days. I just finished a Korean drama based on high school love and I so wanted the bad boy to get the girl, which didn't happen, but yippee for this book ... The prologue itself blew my mind. I had read something along these lines a long time ago and this was refreshing take on the same kind of group action, not for the vanilla romance lovers at all. I can't wait for the next one! Hope its in the pipeline!
Emm Darcy is another pen name of one of my favorite authors. So I was excited to begin with. 3 tumultuous hours later, Oh my god!!! I F-ing loved it.... this is exactly what I was looking to read since the last couple of days. I just finished a Korean drama based on high school love and I so wanted the bad boy to get the girl, which didn't happen, but yippee for this book ... The prologue itself blew my mind. I had read something along these lines a long time ago and this was refreshing take on the same kind of group action, not for the vanilla romance lovers at all. I can't wait for the next one! Hope its in the pipeline!
avoid
July 18, 2023Sharing.
October 25, 2024
Bullies suck!
Ok, I like a dark romance and a strong FMC but is seems that Nadia was set to cave for Jason from day one even tho he and his group of friends are awful to her. Yes the last chapter reveals a lot about him but he has crossed a few lines for me and she has caved far to easily for him already.
I can see the ending before it happens... I won't predict things but I can see where it is going.
Ok, I like a dark romance and a strong FMC but is seems that Nadia was set to cave for Jason from day one even tho he and his group of friends are awful to her. Yes the last chapter reveals a lot about him but he has crossed a few lines for me and she has caved far to easily for him already.
I can see the ending before it happens... I won't predict things but I can see where it is going.
January 10, 2024
fing dare you
I did not see that ending coming! Wow. This is a dark high school, secret society, with an epic twist at the end/last chapters. Emm Darcy may just have scored a spot on my one click radar.
I did not see that ending coming! Wow. This is a dark high school, secret society, with an epic twist at the end/last chapters. Emm Darcy may just have scored a spot on my one click radar.
March 13, 2024
So, I picked up this book because I was simply scrolling through my kindle and thought it might be a good idea... I don't really know what I was thinking because what on earth. Homegirl tries standing up for someone she sees being 'bullied' and gets the attention of these 4 guys who 'own the school'. They get everyone to bully and be rude to her to the extremes, and she goes and apologizes but they don't leaver her alone. Fast forward some time and poof, this guy Jason who is like the leader of the 4 guys is becoming #obsessed and won't leave her alone. This was a rollercoaster of like "I like you" to "I hate your guts". THEN THIS JASON DUDE BECOMES LIKE ADDICTED TO PROTECTING HER. AND my goodness just like what the frack. I can't even recall everything that happened in the short span that is this book. Next thing you know she's taking a shower but her room catches on fire and the end she's in the hospital. Anywho, the back and forth was crazy and so were the characters... Don't get me wrong I enjoyed it but at the same time was so put off so I don't even know what to rate this one...
3.5/5 stars?
3.5/5 stars?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2022
Spoilers/warnings needed
I wasn't really feeling the book anyways, we have the standard wanna be bad@ss fmc, who gets bullied, hurt and treated like crap by her wanna be suitor, and she "stands up" for herself, which basically means saying no a couple of times and cursing him, while letting him do whatever he wants...because he hawt! Ugh. Then, at around 91%, when the big reveal, I guess it's supposed to be, is read, I was done. I guess I took the "sharing" to be something different and I honestly didn't realize this wasn't rh. I should have paid better attention to the mf and no more ms. I'm not about a hero who gets with others (or a fmc who does, when there's no commitment between all players). The sad plot and spineless fmc was enough to put me off anyways, I didn't plan on reading book two before I got to that point, but that put the final nail in the coffin for me.
I wasn't really feeling the book anyways, we have the standard wanna be bad@ss fmc, who gets bullied, hurt and treated like crap by her wanna be suitor, and she "stands up" for herself, which basically means saying no a couple of times and cursing him, while letting him do whatever he wants...because he hawt! Ugh. Then, at around 91%, when the big reveal, I guess it's supposed to be, is read, I was done. I guess I took the "sharing" to be something different and I honestly didn't realize this wasn't rh. I should have paid better attention to the mf and no more ms. I'm not about a hero who gets with others (or a fmc who does, when there's no commitment between all players). The sad plot and spineless fmc was enough to put me off anyways, I didn't plan on reading book two before I got to that point, but that put the final nail in the coffin for me.
February 17, 2023
2.5 I liked it up until the end, I don’t need the attempted murders or cliffhangers in my romance. I also hesitate to even call it a cliffhanger, it felt like half a book none of the storylines have wrapped up. I could also do without the star crossed lovers of it all but I’m getting that that’s a thing for this author. It’s annoying that every couple had a random interaction one time as children that they both remember as deeply life changing and therefore when they meet again as teens are invested, like you can meet for the first time as teenagers and still form an obsession.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2024
juvenile and repetitive
I wanted to DNF. The story had details on things that didn’t matter and not enough details on things that did. So many characters introduced for no reason. This was my first time reading this author. I doubt I’ll pick another book by her.
I wanted to DNF. The story had details on things that didn’t matter and not enough details on things that did. So many characters introduced for no reason. This was my first time reading this author. I doubt I’ll pick another book by her.
May 6, 2024
**EDIT 05/05/24** Lowered rating to 2⭐️from 2.5⭐️ after finishing the sequel (Spin the Damn Bottle)
I’m kind of surprised how divided I am on this one. Perfection, it was not, obviously. If we’re all being honest homer though, it’s not the kind of book most go into with that expectation in. That said, I found myself really liking our FMC, Nadia, she was quick witted with a never-back-down energy which, although not groundbreaking in its execution, made me root for her all the same.
I’m still a sucker for those classic #strongfemalecharacter tropes all these reading years later. You can count of me getting sucked in when they start making all the wrong choices and when their motivations and actions become predictably problematic and inconsistent. Nadia definitely fit the mould on those counts. She’d go from cutting down bullies with a razor sharp tongue to being the bumbling starry-eyed girl with quivering legs whenever Jason touched or looked at her too long (after saying/doing something awful to her, of course). There’s always something endearingly real when characters are flawed like that so long as it feels authentic. Emm Darcy managed to give the reader a fair number of moments throughout the book that felt authentic like that; moments that made me believe an 18-year-old girl like Nadia would get pulled in by Jason and that Jason, in return, has genuine feelings for, and probably loves, Nadia.
Maybe that sounds like the bare minimum, but it pretty much sums up the conceit under which the entire romance genre operates. Romance is always a framed narrative: No matter how toxic, violent, or depraved the MMC behaves, he still loves the FMC.
[Disclaimer: Perhaps this is applicable to LGBTQI+ romance as well, but since I’m not well versed, I’m going to strictly talk about hetero romance]
This is more or less the core of my main issue with this book - for almost the entirety of Chapter 15, I didn’t believe in the conceit of the story. Considering the average star rating for this book, I can tell I feel differently about this than many other readers, but the way that scene played out crossed the line of should be considered romance. I won’t get into details, but I strongly this book should have more specific content warnings about lack of consent and SA. The entire scene was from the Nadia’s POV and consent was not verbally given nor implied once. There was a content warning for blackmail, but this went far beyond blackmail. I’m sure it was intended to be hot, but it was not at all. Not for me.
Jason’s third act personality transplant did have the desired effect though and allowed me to suspend my disbelief to such a degree that I finished the whole book in one sitting. Call it morbid curiosity, but I will most-likely read the sequel in this duet series just to see whether the impossible can be achieved and Jason will be redeemed. Unlikely. It was a real Chuck Bass situation overall; everyone remembers what he did to Jenny in Ep. 1, but somehow, through some combination of willful ignorance and narrative distance you get re-invested all the same.
2.5⭐️ may be a bit generous, and although I felt like I needed a shower to wash figurative aftertaste off me after finishing, I F-ing Dare You was still compulsively readable. Might lower it to 2⭐️, but I’ll wait until I finish Bk. 2.
I’m kind of surprised how divided I am on this one. Perfection, it was not, obviously. If we’re all being honest homer though, it’s not the kind of book most go into with that expectation in. That said, I found myself really liking our FMC, Nadia, she was quick witted with a never-back-down energy which, although not groundbreaking in its execution, made me root for her all the same.
I’m still a sucker for those classic #strongfemalecharacter tropes all these reading years later. You can count of me getting sucked in when they start making all the wrong choices and when their motivations and actions become predictably problematic and inconsistent. Nadia definitely fit the mould on those counts. She’d go from cutting down bullies with a razor sharp tongue to being the bumbling starry-eyed girl with quivering legs whenever Jason touched or looked at her too long (after saying/doing something awful to her, of course). There’s always something endearingly real when characters are flawed like that so long as it feels authentic. Emm Darcy managed to give the reader a fair number of moments throughout the book that felt authentic like that; moments that made me believe an 18-year-old girl like Nadia would get pulled in by Jason and that Jason, in return, has genuine feelings for, and probably loves, Nadia.
Maybe that sounds like the bare minimum, but it pretty much sums up the conceit under which the entire romance genre operates. Romance is always a framed narrative: No matter how toxic, violent, or depraved the MMC behaves, he still loves the FMC.
[Disclaimer: Perhaps this is applicable to LGBTQI+ romance as well, but since I’m not well versed, I’m going to strictly talk about hetero romance]
This is more or less the core of my main issue with this book - for almost the entirety of Chapter 15, I didn’t believe in the conceit of the story. Considering the average star rating for this book, I can tell I feel differently about this than many other readers, but the way that scene played out crossed the line of should be considered romance. I won’t get into details, but I strongly this book should have more specific content warnings about lack of consent and SA. The entire scene was from the Nadia’s POV and consent was not verbally given nor implied once. There was a content warning for blackmail, but this went far beyond blackmail. I’m sure it was intended to be hot, but it was not at all. Not for me.
Jason’s third act personality transplant did have the desired effect though and allowed me to suspend my disbelief to such a degree that I finished the whole book in one sitting. Call it morbid curiosity, but I will most-likely read the sequel in this duet series just to see whether the impossible can be achieved and Jason will be redeemed. Unlikely. It was a real Chuck Bass situation overall; everyone remembers what he did to Jenny in Ep. 1, but somehow, through some combination of willful ignorance and narrative distance you get re-invested all the same.
2.5⭐️ may be a bit generous, and although I felt like I needed a shower to wash figurative aftertaste off me after finishing, I F-ing Dare You was still compulsively readable. Might lower it to 2⭐️, but I’ll wait until I finish Bk. 2.
September 23, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
This one was… okay. Not amazing, not awful, just okay. The story itself was alright, but oh my god the amount of continuity errors and plot holes had me filling a stack of post-it notes with comments 😂
A few things that really stuck out to me:
1️⃣ She agrees to brunch with her uncle on Sunday → mum suggests shopping on Saturday → suddenly it’s Monday?! Then later she texts her uncle about that Sunday brunch and he’s like “I’m out of town, how about next Sunday?” … eh??
2️⃣ Jason sets the whole school against Nadia (expected in a bully romance, and honestly what I wanted) but then suddenly it’s “I bullied you to see if you could handle being my wife because I’ve wanted you for 10 years.” Sir… you didn’t even know she existed.
3️⃣ The cat thing... did you kill it, not kill it, have someone else kill it?? The story contradicted itself within paragraphs.
4️⃣ Out of nowhere, Nadia suddenly has a supportive work and other friend group. Who are these people? Where did they come from??
5️⃣ Speaking of friends… Nadia herself was not it. She was so awful to her “best friend”. Ignoring her for weeks, then sulking when she moved on. Like… you can’t have it both ways, hun.
6️⃣ Oh, and that rave she apparently went to at 16. Really? With what confidence, babes? Certainly not flashing enough to get past a bouncer 🙄😂
7️⃣ The nightclub. Four 17-year-olds buying, renovating, and fully licensing a club with alcohol? Not in the UK, not in the US, not anywhere believable.
8️⃣ Jason being into swinging but wanting a monogamous relationship while also being cool with watching her with other people… meanwhile Nadia goes from one sexual experience to being totally fine with exhibitionism in a matter of pages. That escalated quick.
9️⃣ Jason’s POV chapters? Gave me absolutely nothing. Everything was already explained elsewhere. And the whole random twin brother dead reveal near the end felt slapped in too.
Overall: the bones of the story were decent, but the execution just wasn’t there. It felt rushed, it needed more development and definitely needed a stronger edit - so many spelling errors. With another 100 pages or so, this could have possibly worked better.
But yeah… my post-it note stack for this one could rival a stationary shop 😂
This one was… okay. Not amazing, not awful, just okay. The story itself was alright, but oh my god the amount of continuity errors and plot holes had me filling a stack of post-it notes with comments 😂
A few things that really stuck out to me:
1️⃣ She agrees to brunch with her uncle on Sunday → mum suggests shopping on Saturday → suddenly it’s Monday?! Then later she texts her uncle about that Sunday brunch and he’s like “I’m out of town, how about next Sunday?” … eh??
2️⃣ Jason sets the whole school against Nadia (expected in a bully romance, and honestly what I wanted) but then suddenly it’s “I bullied you to see if you could handle being my wife because I’ve wanted you for 10 years.” Sir… you didn’t even know she existed.
3️⃣ The cat thing... did you kill it, not kill it, have someone else kill it?? The story contradicted itself within paragraphs.
4️⃣ Out of nowhere, Nadia suddenly has a supportive work and other friend group. Who are these people? Where did they come from??
5️⃣ Speaking of friends… Nadia herself was not it. She was so awful to her “best friend”. Ignoring her for weeks, then sulking when she moved on. Like… you can’t have it both ways, hun.
6️⃣ Oh, and that rave she apparently went to at 16. Really? With what confidence, babes? Certainly not flashing enough to get past a bouncer 🙄😂
7️⃣ The nightclub. Four 17-year-olds buying, renovating, and fully licensing a club with alcohol? Not in the UK, not in the US, not anywhere believable.
8️⃣ Jason being into swinging but wanting a monogamous relationship while also being cool with watching her with other people… meanwhile Nadia goes from one sexual experience to being totally fine with exhibitionism in a matter of pages. That escalated quick.
9️⃣ Jason’s POV chapters? Gave me absolutely nothing. Everything was already explained elsewhere. And the whole random twin brother dead reveal near the end felt slapped in too.
Overall: the bones of the story were decent, but the execution just wasn’t there. It felt rushed, it needed more development and definitely needed a stronger edit - so many spelling errors. With another 100 pages or so, this could have possibly worked better.
But yeah… my post-it note stack for this one could rival a stationary shop 😂
May 14, 2022
4.5 mind bendingly clever stars!!Where the hell do I start??
Okay first of all let’s start with the fact this is a bully romance. And we all know I’m a whore for a bully romance. Secondly it has a little dub-con, not my fave trope, but I’m kind of enjoying a few of the ones I’ve tried lately. Thirdly this is more than just a romance. It’s a mystery/suspense story with a sexy secret society to boot. Who f**king knew?? Not me, when I started this book, that’s for sure!!
Now we come to the characters Nadia, doesn’t stand for the shit Jason & his entourage throw at her. I like her. She’s game for most things and had a backbone made from steel. Then there’s the man himself, Jason Alden, he’s hot, like twisted bully that loves his victim hot. He has layers, I want to peel them off one by one - ugh - so sue me!!
Then there’s the rest of Jason’s tormenting team, Cain, Maverick & Rowan. There’s Nadia’s friends outside of school - errr.. Gabriella anyone? I need her in my life. There’s the bitches Yuki, and Sophia - I want her to get her comeuppance. But my favourite has to be Melina. I really hope she gets a story of her own!!
There’s also so many questions I have right now like who the hell is Nadia really? I mean I have an idea but I can’t work out how it fits. Who started the fire? And most importantly.. WHO THE HELL DEADED CAT?!?!
I will admit it took me a few chapters to get into it, that opening scene kind of put me off, I won’t lie, but I’m so glad my I-Hate-To-DNF-Anthing came into play and I stuck with it.
Anyway you need to read this. Emm Darcy is a new favourite of mine. Her books are like crack, addictive and unputdownable only way healthier and less likely to get you arrested!!!
Okay first of all let’s start with the fact this is a bully romance. And we all know I’m a whore for a bully romance. Secondly it has a little dub-con, not my fave trope, but I’m kind of enjoying a few of the ones I’ve tried lately. Thirdly this is more than just a romance. It’s a mystery/suspense story with a sexy secret society to boot. Who f**king knew?? Not me, when I started this book, that’s for sure!!
Now we come to the characters Nadia, doesn’t stand for the shit Jason & his entourage throw at her. I like her. She’s game for most things and had a backbone made from steel. Then there’s the man himself, Jason Alden, he’s hot, like twisted bully that loves his victim hot. He has layers, I want to peel them off one by one - ugh - so sue me!!
Then there’s the rest of Jason’s tormenting team, Cain, Maverick & Rowan. There’s Nadia’s friends outside of school - errr.. Gabriella anyone? I need her in my life. There’s the bitches Yuki, and Sophia - I want her to get her comeuppance. But my favourite has to be Melina. I really hope she gets a story of her own!!
There’s also so many questions I have right now like who the hell is Nadia really? I mean I have an idea but I can’t work out how it fits. Who started the fire? And most importantly.. WHO THE HELL DEADED CAT?!?!
I will admit it took me a few chapters to get into it, that opening scene kind of put me off, I won’t lie, but I’m so glad my I-Hate-To-DNF-Anthing came into play and I stuck with it.
Anyway you need to read this. Emm Darcy is a new favourite of mine. Her books are like crack, addictive and unputdownable only way healthier and less likely to get you arrested!!!
February 1, 2022
This was nothing special. This was everything I wished for.
As soon as I saw a facebook post that May Sage is starting a contemporary dark bully romance I had to try it. Every single book I have read of hers has been well-done, and I have been reading bully academy romances lately to offset any sugary-sweet fantasies I start.
When I was in school, I never knew how to react to the bullying. I think I am attracted to how the victim manages to deflect the bullying and come out stronger.
There is non-consensual sex. I don’t think it is rape, and I really liked what I read. Matter of fact, I was surprised not to see it happen again. Unlike in real life, having a possessive and forceful guy gives my heart little flutters. I guess it is that human desire for the leader, the strongest person, the alpha. You will notice the women always seems to be attracted to the leader, right? The leaders were more likely to successfully support the rearing of a child in history.
There is kink, too. I might not read the next book because of the swinger/watching/orgy-like kink at the end. But I like the enemies-to-lovers, or lower class girl gets the rich elite trope, and I love the damaged backgrounds both have. Yes, this is not a book that breaks new ground, but the details are all there, and I was on edge throughout the story. When I reached the climactic ending I realized that there were warnings throughout the story that this would happen. But it still threw me.
First-person POV
MF, although there are elements of more.
Angsty and dramatic 😜
The "villain" is actually pretty tame, but I liked him anyways.
As soon as I saw a facebook post that May Sage is starting a contemporary dark bully romance I had to try it. Every single book I have read of hers has been well-done, and I have been reading bully academy romances lately to offset any sugary-sweet fantasies I start.
When I was in school, I never knew how to react to the bullying. I think I am attracted to how the victim manages to deflect the bullying and come out stronger.
There is non-consensual sex. I don’t think it is rape, and I really liked what I read. Matter of fact, I was surprised not to see it happen again. Unlike in real life, having a possessive and forceful guy gives my heart little flutters. I guess it is that human desire for the leader, the strongest person, the alpha. You will notice the women always seems to be attracted to the leader, right? The leaders were more likely to successfully support the rearing of a child in history.
There is kink, too. I might not read the next book because of the swinger/watching/orgy-like kink at the end. But I like the enemies-to-lovers, or lower class girl gets the rich elite trope, and I love the damaged backgrounds both have. Yes, this is not a book that breaks new ground, but the details are all there, and I was on edge throughout the story. When I reached the climactic ending I realized that there were warnings throughout the story that this would happen. But it still threw me.
First-person POV
MF, although there are elements of more.
Angsty and dramatic 😜
The "villain" is actually pretty tame, but I liked him anyways.
Read
September 18, 2022Not for me going in but I typically like Sage's other stuff and figured her writing under this pen name for her "spicier content" would offer enough appeal to outweigh the bully romance genre I haven't liked yet. It was not. I honestly didn't even make it super far in this story before giving up. I had no connection to Nadia and honestly her friend Sofia seemed like a better choice to have a story told about her. Nadia is biracial Italian and Spanish and despite exposure to three languages growing up, she is only fluent in English, which I find weird but sure. The first few chapters giving her journey into the school on the first day are a bit all over the place. It's a boarding school (which to me means students live on-campus) but her dad had to drop her off due to car trouble. Is there not a designated move-in day before classes? That was odd but she's barely late for the mandatory assembly, then she's also somehow very late to her first class after going to the office for her schedule and having her short interaction with "The Four Kings of the School"🤷🏿♀️ Also repeatedly calling high school senior boys "kings" was just too much for me. I couldn't even picture which guy she liked the most because their descriptions were at the very beginning and lumped together. How am I supposed to keep straight which of the 3 white guys she finds attractive? (the lone biracial male is the school favorite hottie but not Nadia)😒 Not sure if better character descriptions or a clear backstory at the beginning on its own would've drawn me in more but it's a DNF for me.
June 21, 2025
This was a quick read. I was half way done before I knew it. The writing is decent and the author has a quirky voice. For that reason, I rated this three stars. Unfortunately, I really didn’t like the story. This is a bully romance, but the H, Jace, doesn’t actually bully the h, Nadia. He just arranges for others to bully her.
One of the the things about these sorts of stories is the kink involved with dub-con/non-con, as well as the control and humiliation the H exercises over the h, whether she likes it or not. The twisted courtship is what it is all about. However, in this story, the H is merely testing the h and they only have one sexual interaction before the end where he takes her to a sex club. Then, literally, at the end the H reveals that he has been testing the H, and now he knows she’s ready for whatever.
At the very end of the story, the H reveals he likes to share his h and swing, so all that nonsense was just to make sure she was made of sterner stuff. There was no romantic or twisted romantic reason behind the bullying. Well…there sort of is, but again that aspect is loss because the H doesn’t do the bullying personally.
Again, the writing is smooth and flows nicely, so that was a plus.
One of the the things about these sorts of stories is the kink involved with dub-con/non-con, as well as the control and humiliation the H exercises over the h, whether she likes it or not. The twisted courtship is what it is all about. However, in this story, the H is merely testing the h and they only have one sexual interaction before the end where he takes her to a sex club. Then, literally, at the end the H reveals that he has been testing the H, and now he knows she’s ready for whatever.
At the very end of the story, the H reveals he likes to share his h and swing, so all that nonsense was just to make sure she was made of sterner stuff. There was no romantic or twisted romantic reason behind the bullying. Well…there sort of is, but again that aspect is loss because the H doesn’t do the bullying personally.
Again, the writing is smooth and flows nicely, so that was a plus.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2025
It’s entertaining, for sure, though I find the story a bit lacking in terms of background information. Also, the boys being described as fully developed men feels a bit weird. They’re teenagers.
Nadia: illegitimate daughter of an Italian man dealing with PR and some other shady businesses for rich people. She was passed off as the legal daughter of her gay uncle to avoid the spotlight since her family is related to the mafia and has lots of enemies. She grew up with her brother who she believed to be her cousin.
Jason “Jace” Alden: selfish asshole with a dark background story. He bullied Nadia because he was attracted to her and wanted to test her suitability to be his partner. He got a fiancée from a verbal agreement by his dad. Probably had more bed partners than he could even remember.
I like their chemistry, though I don’t know if this guy is anyone’s idea of book boyfriend. Add the swinger club concept and it’s a bizarre mix between OTT alpha male and partner sharing.
Nadia: illegitimate daughter of an Italian man dealing with PR and some other shady businesses for rich people. She was passed off as the legal daughter of her gay uncle to avoid the spotlight since her family is related to the mafia and has lots of enemies. She grew up with her brother who she believed to be her cousin.
Jason “Jace” Alden: selfish asshole with a dark background story. He bullied Nadia because he was attracted to her and wanted to test her suitability to be his partner. He got a fiancée from a verbal agreement by his dad. Probably had more bed partners than he could even remember.
I like their chemistry, though I don’t know if this guy is anyone’s idea of book boyfriend. Add the swinger club concept and it’s a bizarre mix between OTT alpha male and partner sharing.
June 6, 2025
I wanted to love this. But it took me way too long to read such a short book because it was too easy to set down. I love the idea of it- the plot. But I needed so much more.
There was SO much bullying and I love that Nadia is so strong and didn't really let it bother her, although I find it hard to believe because that shit was baddddd. I also really got the feeling that Nadia was a total loner but at like 80% of the book, we find out that she has a good group of friends she parties with.
Smut was 2 chili peppers- because there was only 2 smutty scenes and the second one was almost at the end of it. The build up wasn't even that great- not too much sexual tension like at all. I guess they are high schoolers, which was my first red flag but dove in any way.
I'll finish the second one but honestly didn't really hit.
There was SO much bullying and I love that Nadia is so strong and didn't really let it bother her, although I find it hard to believe because that shit was baddddd. I also really got the feeling that Nadia was a total loner but at like 80% of the book, we find out that she has a good group of friends she parties with.
Smut was 2 chili peppers- because there was only 2 smutty scenes and the second one was almost at the end of it. The build up wasn't even that great- not too much sexual tension like at all. I guess they are high schoolers, which was my first red flag but dove in any way.
I'll finish the second one but honestly didn't really hit.
April 4, 2024
I got this book on stuff your kindle day and was eager to get to it. The writing is good, however I guess the premise just wasn't for me? I have read this genre of book before but I don't think I can get over the fact that these are HIGH SCHOOLERS. At least it was a short read. Unfortunately, due to the book ending in what I felt was the middle of the whole f'ing plot, I will be reading the second one as I am mentally, physically and emotionally incapable of DNF'ing.
Overall, 2.5 stars. Again, it was a quick, easy read that required no thinking to comprehend. It gave me something to do, and I was bored at work.
Overall, 2.5 stars. Again, it was a quick, easy read that required no thinking to comprehend. It gave me something to do, and I was bored at work.
June 19, 2024
Oh...I dared!!!
You never know where you'll find your next beast. Finding him here was inevitable, but finding him part of the Heritage world excited my taste for such deviant taboo, well, you know!😉 Jace fills that role exquisitely with his quiet menace. And Nadia as the FMC, vulnerable yet strong... clueless and aware at the same time is refreshing. But the best is the Heritage popping into the scene. Believe me... You want the Heritage shoving itself into your fantasies!!! In your face...exquisitely slamming into your brain! Obliterating everything else in its path. Pure sex!!! 😋
You never know where you'll find your next beast. Finding him here was inevitable, but finding him part of the Heritage world excited my taste for such deviant taboo, well, you know!😉 Jace fills that role exquisitely with his quiet menace. And Nadia as the FMC, vulnerable yet strong... clueless and aware at the same time is refreshing. But the best is the Heritage popping into the scene. Believe me... You want the Heritage shoving itself into your fantasies!!! In your face...exquisitely slamming into your brain! Obliterating everything else in its path. Pure sex!!! 😋
August 5, 2024
Le iba a poner 4 estrellas pero no le gusta que mueran animales, ni en la vida real, ni en ficción.
Es un prólogo largo. Suena interesante, voy a leer el próximo libro, pero realmente me gustaría que en algún libro, cuando a la protagonista se la enfrenta a un mundo “extravagante” en lo sexual, que dude un poco, que tenga que luchar para adaptarse los “gustos peculiares” de su potencial pareja, que les sea un poco más difícil, no que siempre encuentran lo que no sabían que estaban buscando y entran en la dinámica como si nada.
Como para variar un poco, que se yo, sino todas las historia son demasiado parecidas
Es un prólogo largo. Suena interesante, voy a leer el próximo libro, pero realmente me gustaría que en algún libro, cuando a la protagonista se la enfrenta a un mundo “extravagante” en lo sexual, que dude un poco, que tenga que luchar para adaptarse los “gustos peculiares” de su potencial pareja, que les sea un poco más difícil, no que siempre encuentran lo que no sabían que estaban buscando y entran en la dinámica como si nada.
Como para variar un poco, que se yo, sino todas las historia son demasiado parecidas
November 29, 2024
Deducting one star for the…
…appalling fashion sense throughout the story. Seriously cringe-worthy attire.
Also cringe-worthy is the FMC’s frequently asinine and useless dialogue and thought. “Like, seriously?!” Give me a freaking break.
Stupid seventeen-year-old girls aren’t reading your shit, author. Studies have shown a significant decline in teen hobby reading. It’s adult women with a better vocabulary and more maturity. Do us a favor and write to your audience, even if the FMC is a kid. None of us want to be in the mind of an intellectually disadvantaged SoCal twit.
…appalling fashion sense throughout the story. Seriously cringe-worthy attire.
Also cringe-worthy is the FMC’s frequently asinine and useless dialogue and thought. “Like, seriously?!” Give me a freaking break.
Stupid seventeen-year-old girls aren’t reading your shit, author. Studies have shown a significant decline in teen hobby reading. It’s adult women with a better vocabulary and more maturity. Do us a favor and write to your audience, even if the FMC is a kid. None of us want to be in the mind of an intellectually disadvantaged SoCal twit.
January 1, 2026
Was looking for a nice quick enjoyable read and I definitely found one. I haven't read a lot of bully romances but I did enjoy this one well minus two scenes which was the cat ☹️ and then the club scene.
I liked that Nadia heard someone in trouble who she thought was being bullied and stood up for her even if that got her unwanted attention. They teach her what 'real bullying' is by getting the whole school to be cruel to her.
Jasons backstory is honestly heartbreaking and sucks majorly what happened to his twin brother but doesn't excuse his behaviour. He definitely seems really obsessed with Nadia and can't wait to see what the second book has in store considering that ending.
I liked that Nadia heard someone in trouble who she thought was being bullied and stood up for her even if that got her unwanted attention. They teach her what 'real bullying' is by getting the whole school to be cruel to her.
Jasons backstory is honestly heartbreaking and sucks majorly what happened to his twin brother but doesn't excuse his behaviour. He definitely seems really obsessed with Nadia and can't wait to see what the second book has in store considering that ending.
July 7, 2024
woow..
That was intense. I started reading this story before bed. At 1:30 to be exact. Every passing minute, I would look at the time and say, one more chapter. Here I am at 4:00 am. Not a sleep I ashore you. At the beginning, I found that the story was so descriptive and thought that I would DNF it. But then things escalated and went down the hill. I believe that there were parts where the plot went crazy fast but still, I loved the story and can’t wait to find out who is trying to kill Nadia.
That was intense. I started reading this story before bed. At 1:30 to be exact. Every passing minute, I would look at the time and say, one more chapter. Here I am at 4:00 am. Not a sleep I ashore you. At the beginning, I found that the story was so descriptive and thought that I would DNF it. But then things escalated and went down the hill. I believe that there were parts where the plot went crazy fast but still, I loved the story and can’t wait to find out who is trying to kill Nadia.
July 2, 2022
I don’t know what it is about may sage but her books just leave me flat. She writes great characters with good character development and mostly believable interactions. Her plots go off at some point but they feel derivative, like she’s borrowing heavily from San Mariano.
I’ve only read two of her contemporary books including this one but I know she wrote fantasy that was well received so maybe she’s better at that and this is a very new avenue for her.
I’ve only read two of her contemporary books including this one but I know she wrote fantasy that was well received so maybe she’s better at that and this is a very new avenue for her.
July 28, 2022
Just a hunch...
I bought this book on a hunch. Yes, that is what I said, a hunch. I love high school bully romances. I have for a long time, and Emm's story takes me back to the first one I read in all the good ways. It's everything I want in a bully book, a girl who is targeted and a boy who thinks he had every right to make her life miserable. Still, this one takes a turn that I don't see coming, and it is spicy. I definitely rec this book. Enjoy.
I bought this book on a hunch. Yes, that is what I said, a hunch. I love high school bully romances. I have for a long time, and Emm's story takes me back to the first one I read in all the good ways. It's everything I want in a bully book, a girl who is targeted and a boy who thinks he had every right to make her life miserable. Still, this one takes a turn that I don't see coming, and it is spicy. I definitely rec this book. Enjoy.
December 21, 2022
HOLY INCREDIBLE!!! I’m on the edge of my seat!!!
I need more, I need answers. I loved this. I stumbled upon this book looking for something different to read and oh man am I so glad I did. I loved the back and forth between Nadia and Jason. The intrigue, the hotness of their banter back and forth, I loved everything about this book. I need more, I need answers!!! So excited to read book 2!!!
I need more, I need answers. I loved this. I stumbled upon this book looking for something different to read and oh man am I so glad I did. I loved the back and forth between Nadia and Jason. The intrigue, the hotness of their banter back and forth, I loved everything about this book. I need more, I need answers!!! So excited to read book 2!!!
August 21, 2024
I have a love-hate relationship with bully romances. I think the bullying in this one went on a little too long without reprieve and the animal cruelty made me feel bad.
I thought Nadia gave in too easily to Jason, given how extreme the bullying was. I felt like I needed more reason than just “he’s hot.”
The writing is good though, and the smut is hot (though there isn’t much in this book), so I will read part 2.
I thought Nadia gave in too easily to Jason, given how extreme the bullying was. I felt like I needed more reason than just “he’s hot.”
The writing is good though, and the smut is hot (though there isn’t much in this book), so I will read part 2.
August 24, 2024
Read this book!
Omg! This book had me right from the start! Jason and Nadia's story is the rich boy/less girl. Of course he and his friends have to be mean to her. Because he can't just tell her he likes her. The parents thing has me needing to read book two now! I have a feeling there is something not right there. I feel bad for Nadia but at the same time she gives just as good.
Omg! This book had me right from the start! Jason and Nadia's story is the rich boy/less girl. Of course he and his friends have to be mean to her. Because he can't just tell her he likes her. The parents thing has me needing to read book two now! I have a feeling there is something not right there. I feel bad for Nadia but at the same time she gives just as good.
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