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Court University #2
Kingpin
“I’m going to have fun breaking you, beauty queen.”
They call him kingpin. A blond titan with the looks of a god, the wealth of a king, and the influence of the mob. Lance Johnson is the guy you go to when you want anything on Woodcreek University’s campus.
And I mean, anything.
He’s got more than one dean in his pocket, as well as nearly all the university’s staff—the professor I’m a TA for included.
He’s got grown men and respected scholars by their balls, but he doesn’t have me.
I have a direct hand over his academic future and not only does he know that, he gets off on it. He tests me in any ways he can. He plays with me and pushes our boundaries to the point of their brink. He doesn’t care that I control his grades.
And definitely doesn’t care that I have a boyfriend.
He says I’m nothing but a perfect, little beauty queen. A plaything he can’t wait to break. He sets his sight on me and I’m a target of the most powerful man I’ve ever seen.
He has to be if I let him kiss me.
Warning: Kingpin is an NA enemies-to-lovers romance that contains dubious content and situations some may find triggering. It’s recommended for readers 17+ and is a standalone novel with no cliffhanger. It’s book two in a series of standalones titled Court University, which is a spin-off series about characters featured in Eden O’Neill’s Court High books. Reading the Court High books first is not necessary for the enjoyment of Court University. The characters origin stories merely begin in Court High and can be referred to at any time if the reader so chooses.
They call him kingpin. A blond titan with the looks of a god, the wealth of a king, and the influence of the mob. Lance Johnson is the guy you go to when you want anything on Woodcreek University’s campus.
And I mean, anything.
He’s got more than one dean in his pocket, as well as nearly all the university’s staff—the professor I’m a TA for included.
He’s got grown men and respected scholars by their balls, but he doesn’t have me.
I have a direct hand over his academic future and not only does he know that, he gets off on it. He tests me in any ways he can. He plays with me and pushes our boundaries to the point of their brink. He doesn’t care that I control his grades.
And definitely doesn’t care that I have a boyfriend.
He says I’m nothing but a perfect, little beauty queen. A plaything he can’t wait to break. He sets his sight on me and I’m a target of the most powerful man I’ve ever seen.
He has to be if I let him kiss me.
Warning: Kingpin is an NA enemies-to-lovers romance that contains dubious content and situations some may find triggering. It’s recommended for readers 17+ and is a standalone novel with no cliffhanger. It’s book two in a series of standalones titled Court University, which is a spin-off series about characters featured in Eden O’Neill’s Court High books. Reading the Court High books first is not necessary for the enjoyment of Court University. The characters origin stories merely begin in Court High and can be referred to at any time if the reader so chooses.
Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2021
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About the author
Eden O'Neill
20 books2,979 followersEden O’Neill is an Amazon top 10 bestselling romance author known for sweeping readers off their feet with dark romance, fire-emoji-level spice, and a whole lot of angsty feelings. Eden inspires audiences to embrace their desires without shame—whether they want to fulfill them through fiction…or otherwise.
She teases over 100,000 followers on Tiktok and Instagram every week with her sassy (and ultra spicy) videos that pack an emotional punch. Her debut dark romance series featuring a found family spanning multiple generations has sold over 85,000 ebooks and paperbacks and continues to tantalize readers with passionate stories about morally gray heroes and the heroines who have no problem breaking them.
When Eden is not penning spicy reads, she can be found at Disney World with her favorite human and a vegan beignet. She’s also a dog mom of one good corgi and another one who’s doing her best.
Subscribe to Eden's newsletter and get a link to freebies! ➳ https://bit.ly/2TBbygm
My Tiktok ➳ https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJnSCRBc/
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Eden's Facebook group ➳ https://bit.ly/38Ow81K
Facebook page ➳ https://bit.ly/37O75L8
She teases over 100,000 followers on Tiktok and Instagram every week with her sassy (and ultra spicy) videos that pack an emotional punch. Her debut dark romance series featuring a found family spanning multiple generations has sold over 85,000 ebooks and paperbacks and continues to tantalize readers with passionate stories about morally gray heroes and the heroines who have no problem breaking them.
When Eden is not penning spicy reads, she can be found at Disney World with her favorite human and a vegan beignet. She’s also a dog mom of one good corgi and another one who’s doing her best.
Subscribe to Eden's newsletter and get a link to freebies! ➳ https://bit.ly/2TBbygm
My Tiktok ➳ https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJnSCRBc/
Eden's IG ➳ https://www.instagram.com/edenoneillw...
Eden's Facebook group ➳ https://bit.ly/38Ow81K
Facebook page ➳ https://bit.ly/37O75L8
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
October 4, 2023
Player, player!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙🖤❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍
Character development: 🤨😟😳😍
The heroine: Billie - she was attending graduate school near her hometown. Billie grew up in a wealthy family though while she was attending college on the west coast her dad, a prominent lawyer, left her mom for a woman old enough to be Billie’s sister. She has barely spoken to him since, but recently got an invitation to his wedding. Billie’s boyfriend is Sinclair Huntington the third and he is partner in his family law firm in town.
The Hero: Lance Johnson (a.k.a. L.J.) - he is a self made man, who basically runs all the illicit enterprises at his college. He came from nothing, a single mother with three younger sisters whom he helped raise and still supports. He and his friend Niko have a hand in everything from who gets to sell drugs on campus to promoting the best parties on campus. He lives in a mansion across the street from where Billie just rented a house.
The Story: The two main characters meet the day before classes begin when Billie is woken up by the loud noise of a party across the street. Billie and Sinclair go over to tell the neighbors to keep it down. They go into the house to get out of the cold, when Billie gets spilt on, then drenched by the faucet and ends up in L.J.’s bedroom where he mistakes her for a stripper before kissing her. Suffice it to say, their initial meeting doesn’t go as planned. The next day she finds out he is in the class where she is a teaching assistant and he makes her look bad in front of the professor.
Though this book I would say went a little too far after Billie caught Lance naked in her mother’s bed. I was kind of liking the story up until that point. Though he didn’t know she was Billie’s mother at the time, I just can’t even imagine having any attraction to or getting with any guy my mother had been with. So even if I had been attracted to him at one time, that there would have been the end of it and should have been for Billie, in my opinion.
Though I did like how the relationship between Billie and L.J. built over time. They were so attracted to each other from the start, but neither of them really wanted any kind of relationship with the other. However, over time, they got to know each other and for the fact that they lived near each other and that L.J. was in Billie’s class where she was the TA, they kept ending up in close proximity where they couldn’t really help themselves. I could see why they happened. There was also a side storyline about illegal activities that was pretty interesting.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙🖤❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍
Character development: 🤨😟😳😍
The heroine: Billie - she was attending graduate school near her hometown. Billie grew up in a wealthy family though while she was attending college on the west coast her dad, a prominent lawyer, left her mom for a woman old enough to be Billie’s sister. She has barely spoken to him since, but recently got an invitation to his wedding. Billie’s boyfriend is Sinclair Huntington the third and he is partner in his family law firm in town.
The Hero: Lance Johnson (a.k.a. L.J.) - he is a self made man, who basically runs all the illicit enterprises at his college. He came from nothing, a single mother with three younger sisters whom he helped raise and still supports. He and his friend Niko have a hand in everything from who gets to sell drugs on campus to promoting the best parties on campus. He lives in a mansion across the street from where Billie just rented a house.
The Story: The two main characters meet the day before classes begin when Billie is woken up by the loud noise of a party across the street. Billie and Sinclair go over to tell the neighbors to keep it down. They go into the house to get out of the cold, when Billie gets spilt on, then drenched by the faucet and ends up in L.J.’s bedroom where he mistakes her for a stripper before kissing her. Suffice it to say, their initial meeting doesn’t go as planned. The next day she finds out he is in the class where she is a teaching assistant and he makes her look bad in front of the professor.
“You do know they call him the kingpin, right?” Davey asked, basically gnawing on her lip as she turned back. “As in, he is the ins and outs of everything around here? You need drugs? He knows a guy. Test answers? Again, he knows a guy. Fuck, even if you want sex—”
Though this book I would say went a little too far after Billie caught Lance naked in her mother’s bed. I was kind of liking the story up until that point. Though he didn’t know she was Billie’s mother at the time, I just can’t even imagine having any attraction to or getting with any guy my mother had been with. So even if I had been attracted to him at one time, that there would have been the end of it and should have been for Billie, in my opinion.
Though I did like how the relationship between Billie and L.J. built over time. They were so attracted to each other from the start, but neither of them really wanted any kind of relationship with the other. However, over time, they got to know each other and for the fact that they lived near each other and that L.J. was in Billie’s class where she was the TA, they kept ending up in close proximity where they couldn’t really help themselves. I could see why they happened. There was also a side storyline about illegal activities that was pretty interesting.
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August 4, 2021
"Kingpin" is the story of Billie and LJ.
Um.. so- I am disappointed. Ive been binge reading this author and this is probably my least favorite of all the books so far. Mainly two reasons
-cheating on partners
-sleeping with heroine and her mom
Yeah they're new adults, doesnt make it sexy if they behave like herpes carriers. Honestly, I wanted to abandon it but I championed through due to my OCD. I dont want to give the rest of the stuff away.
Meh
Unsafe
2.25/5
Um.. so- I am disappointed. Ive been binge reading this author and this is probably my least favorite of all the books so far. Mainly two reasons
-cheating on partners
-sleeping with heroine and her mom
Yeah they're new adults, doesnt make it sexy if they behave like herpes carriers. Honestly, I wanted to abandon it but I championed through due to my OCD. I dont want to give the rest of the stuff away.
Meh
Unsafe
2.25/5
August 14, 2020
DNF. Mom and daughter with same guy!?! No thanks.
December 2, 2022
Ew. Why does this always happen to me. WHY!! I just wanna read a bully novel that isn't filled to the brim with an apologist heroine and slut shaming and idiocy. Is that too much to ask? REALLY??
I don't care how edgy or different you are. You just do not date a guy your mom has slept with. You just don't do it.
Especially a sexist, misogynist asshole of a guy like LJ who's NEVER going to respect your mom after this. Uggghhhhhhhh
Also, the Heroine was very unlikeable.
I don't care how edgy or different you are. You just do not date a guy your mom has slept with. You just don't do it.
Especially a sexist, misogynist asshole of a guy like LJ who's NEVER going to respect your mom after this. Uggghhhhhhhh
Also, the Heroine was very unlikeable.
August 2, 2021
I dont know why I gave it 3 stars the first time I read this.
But still triggers me the fact that he fucked the girls mom and ended up with her daughter 😭
But still triggers me the fact that he fucked the girls mom and ended up with her daughter 😭
July 13, 2022
4.25/5 stars
+ bully romance, check tw’s
i’ve come to the conclusion that anything eden writes, i will absolutely devour. her writing is ADDICTING, INTRIGUING and CAPTIVATING. i wasn’t able to put this book down.
not only was the plot so unique and entertaining, but the characters were really fun to read about! LJ is your typical reformed playboy & i absolutely love him! he definitely has his downsides but his character development was incredible and I love his interactions with his sister!*
i also loved billie’s character, she was really relatable and her personality matched LJ’s perfectly, i can’t imagine anyone else with him! i do wish we got more insight into her and her father’s relationship but i enjoyed the snippets towards the end!
so excited to read the rest of the series!
*kinda spoiler???: personally LJ sleeping with billie’s mom didn’t bother me — it was at the beginning & at that point, billie & him had barely interacted. billie clearly didn’t like him, he didn’t know it was her mom AND it was mentioned once then never again.
+ bully romance, check tw’s
i’ve come to the conclusion that anything eden writes, i will absolutely devour. her writing is ADDICTING, INTRIGUING and CAPTIVATING. i wasn’t able to put this book down.
not only was the plot so unique and entertaining, but the characters were really fun to read about! LJ is your typical reformed playboy & i absolutely love him! he definitely has his downsides but his character development was incredible and I love his interactions with his sister!*
i also loved billie’s character, she was really relatable and her personality matched LJ’s perfectly, i can’t imagine anyone else with him! i do wish we got more insight into her and her father’s relationship but i enjoyed the snippets towards the end!
so excited to read the rest of the series!
*kinda spoiler???: personally LJ sleeping with billie’s mom didn’t bother me — it was at the beginning & at that point, billie & him had barely interacted. billie clearly didn’t like him, he didn’t know it was her mom AND it was mentioned once then never again.
August 7, 2020
I just couldn’t...
This was a DNF for me. I’m sorry, I couldn’t get past the fact that he slept with the h’s mom. I’m sorry...that was just yuck for me. How could the h get past that because I simply couldnt
This was a DNF for me. I’m sorry, I couldn’t get past the fact that he slept with the h’s mom. I’m sorry...that was just yuck for me. How could the h get past that because I simply couldnt
June 23, 2021
The spice was mild at best. Guy slept with her mom and she was like “oh that’s fine it was just a casual hook-up” uhhhh ma’am are you okay??? If the plot is going to have zero development, the smut better be on point…and this smut was beyond boring.
February 21, 2021
*
Read more of my reviews at Whoo Gives A Hoot
*
Kingpin, the second book in Eden O'Neill's Court University series, was a beautifully written enemies-to-lovers romance that pulled on all of my heartstrings as I found myself completely lost amongst the pages of this story. The author's brilliant storytelling once again captured my undivided attention and I couldn't put this story down until I reached the end because I was wholeheartedly consumed every moment.
Lance "LJ" Johnson and Billie Coventry's connection was undeniable from the moment they laid eyes on one another and their chemistry managed to set my soul on fire. While Billie is content on denying the sexual tension between her and LJ, which happens to be a HELL of a lot, he has his mind set on this woman and he will stop at nothing to make her his. The twists and turns throughout kept me on the edge of my seat and I was left completely entranced the entire time by these characters and their storyline.
LJ and Billie's story was full of emotions and my heart was swooning in overdrive. These two knew how to push each other's buttons and in the end it made their chemistry all that much more explosive. I was absolutely addicted to these two and found myself head over heels in love with every second of their journey. This breathtakingly beautiful romance was the perfect read that can be enjoyed as a standalone, but I do highly recommend reading all the books in the Court University series because they are all amazing stories!
Kingpin, the second book in Eden O'Neill's Court University series, was a beautifully written enemies-to-lovers romance that pulled on all of my heartstrings as I found myself completely lost amongst the pages of this story. The author's brilliant storytelling once again captured my undivided attention and I couldn't put this story down until I reached the end because I was wholeheartedly consumed every moment.
Lance "LJ" Johnson and Billie Coventry's connection was undeniable from the moment they laid eyes on one another and their chemistry managed to set my soul on fire. While Billie is content on denying the sexual tension between her and LJ, which happens to be a HELL of a lot, he has his mind set on this woman and he will stop at nothing to make her his. The twists and turns throughout kept me on the edge of my seat and I was left completely entranced the entire time by these characters and their storyline.
LJ and Billie's story was full of emotions and my heart was swooning in overdrive. These two knew how to push each other's buttons and in the end it made their chemistry all that much more explosive. I was absolutely addicted to these two and found myself head over heels in love with every second of their journey. This breathtakingly beautiful romance was the perfect read that can be enjoyed as a standalone, but I do highly recommend reading all the books in the Court University series because they are all amazing stories!
May 7, 2021
Did not finish this. The moment we find out he was with her mom I was out. That might work for some - but I just can’t get past that.
March 19, 2024
3.75 ✨
I ALMOST stopped. Like I almost DNFd after the crap with her mom. Ok that was absurd and just should not have even been in the book.
But I’m glad I kept going bc the character development for everybody was really good. Although, I had to pretend that awful part just never happened.
I ALMOST stopped. Like I almost DNFd after the crap with her mom. Ok that was absurd and just should not have even been in the book.
But I’m glad I kept going bc the character development for everybody was really good. Although, I had to pretend that awful part just never happened.
April 8, 2022
Hated it. The only good thing about it was Billie’s Niko’s friendship, the rest was trash.
Was is really necessary for the hero to sleep with the heroine’s mother? yikes. Also, the whole “I own everyone and everything on campus” thing was a real turn off for me, what did he even do to gain such power? Baby, your barely 21… go to bed. Billie was just annoying, not much to say about her.
Am I gonna keep torturing myself by continuing this series? Guess we’ll see.
Was is really necessary for the hero to sleep with the heroine’s mother? yikes. Also, the whole “I own everyone and everything on campus” thing was a real turn off for me, what did he even do to gain such power? Baby, your barely 21… go to bed. Billie was just annoying, not much to say about her.
Am I gonna keep torturing myself by continuing this series? Guess we’ll see.
July 24, 2021
No Thanks. I’m Good.
I loved Knights story! So I ordered the next one in the series. This one though? Just No. It started off okay. I think the heroine should have punched the hero in his nether regions as soon as he grabbed her and then proceeded to think she was his stripper. (No offense to Strippers) But then the author wrote that she comes home to her drunk mother on the couch and goes to her moms room and said “hero” is naked and asleep in her moms bed. I mean…. WTH?! He slept with her mom, and then what? When they do get together, Do they pretend that didn’t happen because him and the mom were just casual. I’m sorry(not sorry) but that’s gross. I did not finish past that part as everyone seems to be okay with it. Am I being judgmental? Absolutely. Do I care? No. Clearly multiple people had no problem with this taboo setting going by the 4- 5 star reviews. However I’m clearly one of the group who has a problem. But did my due diligence and am deleting it even though I have not finished , writing my review and keeping it moving. But I’m moving way past the thought of the hero sleeping with heroines mom. If I wanted a taboo situation I’ll just read a taboo book. I may hit pause on the rest in the series if this is what I’m going to be looking forward to. So thanks, but no thanks. I’m good.
I loved Knights story! So I ordered the next one in the series. This one though? Just No. It started off okay. I think the heroine should have punched the hero in his nether regions as soon as he grabbed her and then proceeded to think she was his stripper. (No offense to Strippers) But then the author wrote that she comes home to her drunk mother on the couch and goes to her moms room and said “hero” is naked and asleep in her moms bed. I mean…. WTH?! He slept with her mom, and then what? When they do get together, Do they pretend that didn’t happen because him and the mom were just casual. I’m sorry(not sorry) but that’s gross. I did not finish past that part as everyone seems to be okay with it. Am I being judgmental? Absolutely. Do I care? No. Clearly multiple people had no problem with this taboo setting going by the 4- 5 star reviews. However I’m clearly one of the group who has a problem. But did my due diligence and am deleting it even though I have not finished , writing my review and keeping it moving. But I’m moving way past the thought of the hero sleeping with heroines mom. If I wanted a taboo situation I’ll just read a taboo book. I may hit pause on the rest in the series if this is what I’m going to be looking forward to. So thanks, but no thanks. I’m good.
July 27, 2020
This is the second book of the Court University Series. The book can be read a standalone.
Billie is an Assistant Teacher at the university. And we already met LJ in previous books. Kingpin is a fast-paced and an enjoyable read. I loved Billie and LJ. They were so hot! She was a no nonsense girl and I really enjoyed the relationship between the two.
And their chemistry was off the charts.
Billie is an Assistant Teacher at the university. And we already met LJ in previous books. Kingpin is a fast-paced and an enjoyable read. I loved Billie and LJ. They were so hot! She was a no nonsense girl and I really enjoyed the relationship between the two.
And their chemistry was off the charts.
August 18, 2020
3.5 stars
Good story. Lots of angst upon the couple's first unusual encounter as next door neighbors. The hero was deliciously alpha bad boy and a great complement to the often put-out heroine. Nice twist on the hero being underprivileged while the heroine came up on the "right side" of the tracks. I really like this author's method of character development, as well as the chemistry and tension build up. A bit too prosy for me as I generally enjoy more dialogue and faster pace, but still an interesting read.
Good story. Lots of angst upon the couple's first unusual encounter as next door neighbors. The hero was deliciously alpha bad boy and a great complement to the often put-out heroine. Nice twist on the hero being underprivileged while the heroine came up on the "right side" of the tracks. I really like this author's method of character development, as well as the chemistry and tension build up. A bit too prosy for me as I generally enjoy more dialogue and faster pace, but still an interesting read.
August 29, 2022
Slept with my mom? I wouldn’t touch you with someone else’s. I couldn’t let it go though out the whole book. I only carried on because it was a short book.
March 13, 2022
So the start and all was annoying but the end really completed the book and made it better
I love the scenes and it’s detailed and everything but some parts of the plots still do annoy me, it’s definitely not a favourite but it’s a good book, and definitely realistic.
I love the scenes and it’s detailed and everything but some parts of the plots still do annoy me, it’s definitely not a favourite but it’s a good book, and definitely realistic.
March 31, 2021
If I could give this story .5 I would. This story features slut shaming, using homosexuality as a plot device and is overall so cliché and trashy, I haven't read something this bad since I reread my 2013 Wattpad stories and those were tragic. Now this story features a male who is literally the embodiment of white male privilege and frat boy. And our Heroine is the spicy red head with the ability to tolerate more then one frat boy while simultaneously having daddy issues, she has talent. I'm almost jealous except Id rather not be in the predicament where I fall for some white boy that thinks slut shaming me while being aroused is a complement.
This would have been a DNF if I wasn't in a battle to torture myself with stories like these. .5 out of 5 stars. I wouldn't waste my time nor would I recommend you do so.
~Possible spoilers~
In my opinion there isn't anything to spoil. The book was just bad and unfulfilling, the Plot twist was tacky and cliché. I think the only thing I liked was the idea that the book was coming to an end. I wished there was some Whump because that would def keep me going. Smut was okay. Nothing to rush reading. I'd gotten better shit from Wattpad, The lawless land of smut. I wish the female character had friends, actual friends. Not none of this bs about some friends that she linked up with at a club only for them to A. not be mentioned ever again/make an actual appearance and B. someone to talk to that knew her character. Not her mom who fucked her boyfriend {even though they weren't dating at the time.} OR her ex which payed no mind to her because he didn't actually like her. the girl had nothing but the paint on the walls. It was pathetic.
This would have been a DNF if I wasn't in a battle to torture myself with stories like these. .5 out of 5 stars. I wouldn't waste my time nor would I recommend you do so.
~Possible spoilers~
In my opinion there isn't anything to spoil. The book was just bad and unfulfilling, the Plot twist was tacky and cliché. I think the only thing I liked was the idea that the book was coming to an end. I wished there was some Whump because that would def keep me going. Smut was okay. Nothing to rush reading. I'd gotten better shit from Wattpad, The lawless land of smut. I wish the female character had friends, actual friends. Not none of this bs about some friends that she linked up with at a club only for them to A. not be mentioned ever again/make an actual appearance and B. someone to talk to that knew her character. Not her mom who fucked her boyfriend {even though they weren't dating at the time.} OR her ex which payed no mind to her because he didn't actually like her. the girl had nothing but the paint on the walls. It was pathetic.
May 17, 2022
YUCK YUCK YUCK!
I couldn’t make myself finish this book after he slept with her mom. I really tried with this author because I thought her ideas sounded good, but her writing style is not at all enjoyable to me. There are so many errors, and the phrasing can be very confusing. Most of her characters fall flat in my opinion. The timelines are also very confusing, it feels like she jumps around a lot.
I couldn’t make myself finish this book after he slept with her mom. I really tried with this author because I thought her ideas sounded good, but her writing style is not at all enjoyable to me. There are so many errors, and the phrasing can be very confusing. Most of her characters fall flat in my opinion. The timelines are also very confusing, it feels like she jumps around a lot.
October 10, 2021
Okay so here is my input.
I always liked LJ and Jax. I felt we never got enough of them in previous books. I liked LJ from before because he was so different from his friends. He didn't come from money like his friends so he always worked for it. SO I loved him.
But this story while was entertaining felt it could of been better for LJ. Felt he deserved a better story especially a better love interest.
Billie is definitely not my favorite character. I found it difficult to like her most of the time. The reasons why:
1. Found her to be a bit snobby and uptight.
2. She treats her father like total trash...where I can understand she's still upset that he divorced her mom and marrying a much younger woman....it was discussed that her father and mother never loved eachother and only married because of social status reasons and the much younger fiancé he actually is in love with. Billie is a grown woman in her mid twenties so I would of expected to get over it and think rationally instead of bratty, especially when she called him for a favor for LJ but still wouldn't talk to him?! Like wtf?
3. Her boyfriend cheats on her turns out he's gay but she gets upset at LJ because he's one who had guy come to the party? Umm how is it LJ 's fault that her boyfriend cheated on her?
4. LJ slept with her mom recently after he just meets Billie as his TA but didn't know she was her mom. Okay I would never get involved with a guy who slept with my mom no matter circumstances. It's fucking gross. How could I have a relationship with someone that my mom knows what his penis looks like...nope...not happening.
So anyway....while story was interesting I think it could of been better and had a much better heroine. I'm actually hoping Niko and LJ's sister Dasha would have their own book. Can't wait to dive into Jax's book. Hopefully his book does better justice.
I always liked LJ and Jax. I felt we never got enough of them in previous books. I liked LJ from before because he was so different from his friends. He didn't come from money like his friends so he always worked for it. SO I loved him.
But this story while was entertaining felt it could of been better for LJ. Felt he deserved a better story especially a better love interest.
Billie is definitely not my favorite character. I found it difficult to like her most of the time. The reasons why:
1. Found her to be a bit snobby and uptight.
2. She treats her father like total trash...where I can understand she's still upset that he divorced her mom and marrying a much younger woman....it was discussed that her father and mother never loved eachother and only married because of social status reasons and the much younger fiancé he actually is in love with. Billie is a grown woman in her mid twenties so I would of expected to get over it and think rationally instead of bratty, especially when she called him for a favor for LJ but still wouldn't talk to him?! Like wtf?
3. Her boyfriend cheats on her turns out he's gay but she gets upset at LJ because he's one who had guy come to the party? Umm how is it LJ 's fault that her boyfriend cheated on her?
4. LJ slept with her mom recently after he just meets Billie as his TA but didn't know she was her mom. Okay I would never get involved with a guy who slept with my mom no matter circumstances. It's fucking gross. How could I have a relationship with someone that my mom knows what his penis looks like...nope...not happening.
So anyway....while story was interesting I think it could of been better and had a much better heroine. I'm actually hoping Niko and LJ's sister Dasha would have their own book. Can't wait to dive into Jax's book. Hopefully his book does better justice.
January 3, 2024
» He did, and any guy who does that isn't worth vour time.«
»And what? You are?«
»I value what's mine. And I may be a brute. I may be a bully, but when I have something good, I don't throw it away.«
★ ★ ★
❥ 𝑩𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒆
Adored her but she got too little backbone in my opinion.
❥ 𝑳𝑱
I don‘t know, overall he was badass but the thing with Billies mother just gave me the ick.
✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
First: this book was very well written and totally thrilling, the pages just flew by and I got caught up in the story. It was an enjoyable and entertaining read!!
BUT I fucking can‘t get over the fact that LJ banged Billies mother and this was just okay for both of them. Like HOW can Billie bring her boyfriend home with the knowing that he was in bed with her mother (and had a fun night)?! That’s so ewww and this was a very big NO. At this point in the book I felt like throwing up because it‘s just not normal! Yeah he doesn‘t know it was her mother but from this point on he would be dead to me, can‘t got involved with the same guy my MOTHER did. That‘s gross.
And of course Billie and LJ were so cute together and I loved them but I can‘t get the picture from him and her mum out of my head.
This could have been an 4 or maybe 5 star read but the scenario above is just a big No-Go.
𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓
plot: 4/5
spice: 2/5
humor: 4/5
couple/tension: 4/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes
𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
forced proximity, poor x rich, college, bully, forced proximity, teacher assistant x student, dark, problematic ex, possessive and protective hero
𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
ages: 27 (Billie) and 21 (LJ)
cheating: no
sharing: no
kinks: no
𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
#1 Brutal Heir ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#2 Kingpin ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
»And what? You are?«
»I value what's mine. And I may be a brute. I may be a bully, but when I have something good, I don't throw it away.«
★ ★ ★
❥ 𝑩𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒆
Adored her but she got too little backbone in my opinion.
❥ 𝑳𝑱
I don‘t know, overall he was badass but the thing with Billies mother just gave me the ick.
✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
First: this book was very well written and totally thrilling, the pages just flew by and I got caught up in the story. It was an enjoyable and entertaining read!!
BUT I fucking can‘t get over the fact that LJ banged Billies mother and this was just okay for both of them. Like HOW can Billie bring her boyfriend home with the knowing that he was in bed with her mother (and had a fun night)?! That’s so ewww and this was a very big NO. At this point in the book I felt like throwing up because it‘s just not normal! Yeah he doesn‘t know it was her mother but from this point on he would be dead to me, can‘t got involved with the same guy my MOTHER did. That‘s gross.
And of course Billie and LJ were so cute together and I loved them but I can‘t get the picture from him and her mum out of my head.
This could have been an 4 or maybe 5 star read but the scenario above is just a big No-Go.
𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓
plot: 4/5
spice: 2/5
humor: 4/5
couple/tension: 4/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes
𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
forced proximity, poor x rich, college, bully, forced proximity, teacher assistant x student, dark, problematic ex, possessive and protective hero
𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
ages: 27 (Billie) and 21 (LJ)
cheating: no
sharing: no
kinks: no
𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
#1 Brutal Heir ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#2 Kingpin ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
February 7, 2025
•Reverse Age Gap
•TA & Student
•Player MMC
•He curls her hair
Billie just unknowingly moved next door to a party house. One night when she’s trying to sleep the music wakes her up. She and her boyfriend Sinclair go to confront the party house about their music in the process a drink gets spilled on her and one of the owners of the house, Niko, takes her upstairs to get a shirt because it’s snowing outside. Upstairs she meets LJ who mistakes her for a stripper and comes on very strong. After they managed to get back to Billies house Sinclair warns her to keep her distance from LJ because word around the college is he’s a kingpin. Neither of them have no idea LJ is in the class Billie is a TA for.
LJ can’t help himself, after he meets Billie he has to mess with her and then things escalate.
I really enjoyed this story! I read it so fast, I couldn’t put it down! I loved the characters and the plot. I liked how soft LJ was with his sisters and mom and thought it was so cute when he curled Billie’s hair for her. His friendship with Niko was so funny, I love Niko.
I couldn’t get over the fact that LJ banged Billie’s mom and after they got together it was never brought up again 😳 like hello? I would never bang a man that has banged my mom 🥴 I was kinda hoping he would mention that he didn’t actually bang her mom, that when he got to her place he passed out before anything could happen (this is what I pretended to help cope).
Pretending he never banged her mom, I really enjoyed this book 🥰
•TA & Student
•Player MMC
•He curls her hair
Billie just unknowingly moved next door to a party house. One night when she’s trying to sleep the music wakes her up. She and her boyfriend Sinclair go to confront the party house about their music in the process a drink gets spilled on her and one of the owners of the house, Niko, takes her upstairs to get a shirt because it’s snowing outside. Upstairs she meets LJ who mistakes her for a stripper and comes on very strong. After they managed to get back to Billies house Sinclair warns her to keep her distance from LJ because word around the college is he’s a kingpin. Neither of them have no idea LJ is in the class Billie is a TA for.
LJ can’t help himself, after he meets Billie he has to mess with her and then things escalate.
I really enjoyed this story! I read it so fast, I couldn’t put it down! I loved the characters and the plot. I liked how soft LJ was with his sisters and mom and thought it was so cute when he curled Billie’s hair for her. His friendship with Niko was so funny, I love Niko.
I couldn’t get over the fact that LJ banged Billie’s mom and after they got together it was never brought up again 😳 like hello? I would never bang a man that has banged my mom 🥴 I was kinda hoping he would mention that he didn’t actually bang her mom, that when he got to her place he passed out before anything could happen (this is what I pretended to help cope).
Pretending he never banged her mom, I really enjoyed this book 🥰
January 30, 2024
LJ is the kingpin of the campus; dabbling in the wrong side of the law. Everyone knows not to trifle with him. In walks in Billie, one of the TA's for the film class that LJ is in...and all she wants to do is to trifle.
Billie is in her 2nd to last year of graduate school. Sinclair, her long-term successful lawyer boyfriend, seems to be the cherry on top of the perfect life. Then, under the quest to the new neighbor's house to ask them to turn down their music, Billie literally has her world turned upside down. While searching for a new shirt (beer and wine spilled on her shirt, sans bra, and has her looking like a participant to a wet tshirt contest), she runs into LJ, who mistakes her for a stripper...and "steals" a kiss from her (can't really steal from the willing 😂).
Billie's impression of LJ is less than stellar. He comes off as a philandering playboy who throws money and caution to the wind. But JL is more than what meets the eye. While his choice of employment is sketchy, he does it all for the loyalty of his single mom and 3 younger sisters.
Neither were counting on the other to be what they were truly looking for in their lives.
Billie is in her 2nd to last year of graduate school. Sinclair, her long-term successful lawyer boyfriend, seems to be the cherry on top of the perfect life. Then, under the quest to the new neighbor's house to ask them to turn down their music, Billie literally has her world turned upside down. While searching for a new shirt (beer and wine spilled on her shirt, sans bra, and has her looking like a participant to a wet tshirt contest), she runs into LJ, who mistakes her for a stripper...and "steals" a kiss from her (can't really steal from the willing 😂).
Billie's impression of LJ is less than stellar. He comes off as a philandering playboy who throws money and caution to the wind. But JL is more than what meets the eye. While his choice of employment is sketchy, he does it all for the loyalty of his single mom and 3 younger sisters.
Neither were counting on the other to be what they were truly looking for in their lives.
Read
March 20, 2022Este libro es bastante aburrido, no pasa nada interesante, tenía "buena" pinta porque L.J me gusta bastante pero es que en este libro es otro imbecil más que no sabe poner dos palabras juntas, la trama de la mafia podía haber salido bien si se hubiera tratado mejor y el final con el ex sobraba bastante. Por último solo pido que las chicas de estos libros se quieran un poco más y no perdonen a estos seres inertes con complex god a la primera.
November 3, 2025
Dnf at 16% this just isn’t for me. i tried to pick this series back up after reading the first book over a year ago and my taste has just evolved i don’t think these stories are my type. not feeling this over the top lust and the dude is just a weirdo
July 31, 2020
This is the second book in this incredibly amazing series and I have to tell you it is so good. The story will grab you right from the beginning because there’s so much drama, intensity, out-of-control craziness and so much chemistry and steam. Once again Eden writes another captivating book that will knock you off your feet.
August 3, 2024
if we forget about the part where the mmc fucked her mom, it was interesting and cute. would I look at the dude twice in real life? absolutely fucking not 🫶🏻
September 7, 2022
this book had much better character development than the first book. there were a few times when it reads like a little girl writing in her diary rather than the progression of a book, but this the author definitely improved her writing! i'm excited for the next book
Read
January 22, 2023rtc
March 15, 2021
Couldn't do it.
I've never thought to leave such a critical review, and never based on content. I review strictly on writing style and the like. I hate character and content based reviews. Like when someone doesn't like a character so they give a low rating. I'll never do that but after only getting 18% through I can say I didn't like Billy, hated her of the bat. Not why I stopped reading.
I wish I had read some reviews before hand because I could have tried to prepare myself. I, like many others, could NOT get past the mom thing. I'm sorry but there were so many other things that could have happened and I would have got past them. This was probably for shock value and it worked. I've had to read such things in the past and it didn't sit right then either. Having a relationship with someone who has slept with your parent is the hard limit I didn't know I had until recently. Probably because this is only the second time I've come across it.
I have LOVED these books, I have been dying for Lj's story from the beginning, he's my favorite. It's upsetting that this is where his story went. I actually picked up Brutal Heir in a reader challenge and was frustrated to find there are FOUR books before this series. It's passed off that these are stand alones and that those books aren't necessary to read first and I heavily disagree. I'm sorry but If you're here before reading any of these, go back to 'They the Pretty Stars' and start there. The entire 'Court' thing is explained there and the guys are much easier to connect to and understand with that knowledge.
I do not understand why we were led to believe these are OK to read by themselves. Having read those Lj seems to be an entirely different character than in the previous books and I'm just at a loss right now. I hope eventually I can get over it and read the book so I can finish the series but right now I'm just uncomfortable.
The writing style and flow is great, I've always said if an author gets a reaction they've nailed it and deserve the 5 stars, and I'll agree with that here to a point. I'm just not seeing why that was the chosen route for Lj to mess with Billy. It was cheap and realistically impassable. I don't see anyone moving past something like that and for now I can't.
3/15/21 ETA
Well, to update, I finished the book a while back. It earned a 4th star from me and I'm glad I finished it. Lj was just too great of a character to give up on. It took some time but I was able to ignore what happened in the beginning of the book and move on. Billy is still not a favorite character of mine but I encourage those who cut out early to double back and finish the read.
I've never thought to leave such a critical review, and never based on content. I review strictly on writing style and the like. I hate character and content based reviews. Like when someone doesn't like a character so they give a low rating. I'll never do that but after only getting 18% through I can say I didn't like Billy, hated her of the bat. Not why I stopped reading.
I wish I had read some reviews before hand because I could have tried to prepare myself. I, like many others, could NOT get past the mom thing. I'm sorry but there were so many other things that could have happened and I would have got past them. This was probably for shock value and it worked. I've had to read such things in the past and it didn't sit right then either. Having a relationship with someone who has slept with your parent is the hard limit I didn't know I had until recently. Probably because this is only the second time I've come across it.
I have LOVED these books, I have been dying for Lj's story from the beginning, he's my favorite. It's upsetting that this is where his story went. I actually picked up Brutal Heir in a reader challenge and was frustrated to find there are FOUR books before this series. It's passed off that these are stand alones and that those books aren't necessary to read first and I heavily disagree. I'm sorry but If you're here before reading any of these, go back to 'They the Pretty Stars' and start there. The entire 'Court' thing is explained there and the guys are much easier to connect to and understand with that knowledge.
I do not understand why we were led to believe these are OK to read by themselves. Having read those Lj seems to be an entirely different character than in the previous books and I'm just at a loss right now. I hope eventually I can get over it and read the book so I can finish the series but right now I'm just uncomfortable.
The writing style and flow is great, I've always said if an author gets a reaction they've nailed it and deserve the 5 stars, and I'll agree with that here to a point. I'm just not seeing why that was the chosen route for Lj to mess with Billy. It was cheap and realistically impassable. I don't see anyone moving past something like that and for now I can't.
3/15/21 ETA
Well, to update, I finished the book a while back. It earned a 4th star from me and I'm glad I finished it. Lj was just too great of a character to give up on. It took some time but I was able to ignore what happened in the beginning of the book and move on. Billy is still not a favorite character of mine but I encourage those who cut out early to double back and finish the read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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