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English Prep #1
All the Little Lies
English Prep stands tall with its ivy-covered exterior and old, wrought-iron doors. The stone gargoyles sit at the school’s entrance, knowing just as much as anyone: I don’t belong.
Once upon a time, I did. I belonged in the “it” crowd with all the other well-endowed kids, but now, I am no longer welcome.
Not after five years away from this place.
Not after the scandal that landed me on the wrong side of the tracks.
I’d be lying if I said I’m not looking forward to seeing the one person who was always by my side. My old best friend. My safe place.
Only, Christian isn’t the same boy I left behind. His cold, brooding, devastatingly attractive glare sends chills down my spine. My old best friend doesn’t welcome me with open arms, and I have no idea why. Lies continue to fall from our lips.
Christian wants me gone.
But I’m determined to stay.
Once upon a time, I did. I belonged in the “it” crowd with all the other well-endowed kids, but now, I am no longer welcome.
Not after five years away from this place.
Not after the scandal that landed me on the wrong side of the tracks.
I’d be lying if I said I’m not looking forward to seeing the one person who was always by my side. My old best friend. My safe place.
Only, Christian isn’t the same boy I left behind. His cold, brooding, devastatingly attractive glare sends chills down my spine. My old best friend doesn’t welcome me with open arms, and I have no idea why. Lies continue to fall from our lips.
Christian wants me gone.
But I’m determined to stay.
360 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2022
2155 people are currently reading
21094 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Sylvis
30 books2,681 followersS.J. Sylvis is an Amazon top 50 and USA Today bestselling author who is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies. She currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, two small kiddos, and dog. She is obsessed with coffee, becomes easily attached to fictional characters, and spends most of her evenings buried in a book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,108 reviews
August 11, 2020
Nope, I can't do another word so I'm out. This was an Amazon recommend (something I need to avoid in future) and because I'm in such a book funk, and I've not read much MF lately, and I've not read a bully romance in yonks I thought I would give it a whirl. Bad. Move. 🤦♀️
To be honest it started great and I thought I was on to a winner. But when the author throws in everything including the kitchen sink .... nope, this was a total fail. Over-cliched, over-troped (is that even a term), over everything - Foster kid, murdered father, baddie father, evil mother, druggie mother, abusive foster homes, bullied at school, sleeps on a mattress on the floor with a thin blanket to cover her, doesn't get fed, gets locked in her room, always getting beaten up, it was freaking endless ... and this is just the heroine. Don't even get me started on the zero!! 🙄
So when all this is needed to drive a story forward it's a certain DNF from me, I couldn't make it past 50%.
To be honest it started great and I thought I was on to a winner. But when the author throws in everything including the kitchen sink .... nope, this was a total fail. Over-cliched, over-troped (is that even a term), over everything - Foster kid, murdered father, baddie father, evil mother, druggie mother, abusive foster homes, bullied at school, sleeps on a mattress on the floor with a thin blanket to cover her, doesn't get fed, gets locked in her room, always getting beaten up, it was freaking endless ... and this is just the heroine. Don't even get me started on the zero!! 🙄
So when all this is needed to drive a story forward it's a certain DNF from me, I couldn't make it past 50%.
June 17, 2020
I was debating on whether I should give this a 3 or 4* because it had a few personal peeves of mine that I really hated, namely all the ow sexual info I just didn’t want to hear about. I hated the way the H treated heroine in the beginning and I don’t know if I truly forgave him even at the end. In the end I gave the 4* for the h because she was so strong in the fact of everything she had gone through and the H did try and make amends. I really did like how he was so protective over her and really was there for her. Ollie was a great character as the H’s brother and Ana the social worker was truly a character to look upto. The book was written great and had so many feelings to it so even with my personal peeves I don’t think it would have been fair to give it less then 3.75*
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2020
4,5 💖💖💖💖 💥⚡️💥⚡️🌟🌟🌟🌟s❣️❣️❣️❣️
I started reading this story with not so high spirits, since I had read ya bully romances before and I almost knew what to expect.
Wow! This was overwhelming!!!
I have nothing but praise for the writing, the plot, the storyline, the characters, the development.
Hayley and Christian were adorable characters, their story was intense and angsty, and their emotional connection was so beautiful❣️
The secondary characters, either good or bad, had great roles and I would definitely like to read their stories in the near future.
Well done S. J. Sylvis❣️❣️
I started reading this story with not so high spirits, since I had read ya bully romances before and I almost knew what to expect.
Wow! This was overwhelming!!!
I have nothing but praise for the writing, the plot, the storyline, the characters, the development.
Hayley and Christian were adorable characters, their story was intense and angsty, and their emotional connection was so beautiful❣️
The secondary characters, either good or bad, had great roles and I would definitely like to read their stories in the near future.
Well done S. J. Sylvis❣️❣️
June 25, 2022
I hate how all of these books are literally the same plot with different characters and I still eat them up every.single.time.
June 6, 2021
Style: Enemy to Lovers Romance (High School)
Story: 4/5
Sexual: GOOD
Enjoyment: 4/5
Series: Book 1
I truly enjoyed this book. The author gave a story line, that really kept you wanting to see what will happen. Honestly, Christian and Hayley, made this story, however, Ollie, Piper and Eric made it amazing when thrown into the mix.
Christian was your typical king of the school, but based on other books I’ve read, he wasn’t so bad, not too mean just right in this role. Hayley, bless her heart, this girl has it rough the last 5 years and it was a little hard to read her story like at times. I thought the author would play up a little more that Hayley knew these group of people as she was kind of apart of the it crowd at one point in her past. The only people we see her reconnect with were Christian, Ollie and Piper-ish, so I wanted to see more people that she used to know. Also, call me selfish and please don’t judge me, I wanted more intimacy from Christian and Hayley after the whole I hate you nobody wants you here chapters. Their intimacy scenes were very much a big tease of will they, won’t they.
I love the secondary characters. Ollie has my heart and can’t wait to read his and Piper’s story. Eric, very mysterious and hope there will be a story for him as well.
Overall, a good story that makes you feel like you don’t want to skip through pages with lovable and redeemable characters.
***I don’t equate these stories to real life. It’s definitely about personal taste and what you would or want to tolerate with the stories you read. I hope this review was helpful.
Story: 4/5
Sexual: GOOD
Enjoyment: 4/5
Series: Book 1
I truly enjoyed this book. The author gave a story line, that really kept you wanting to see what will happen. Honestly, Christian and Hayley, made this story, however, Ollie, Piper and Eric made it amazing when thrown into the mix.
Christian was your typical king of the school, but based on other books I’ve read, he wasn’t so bad, not too mean just right in this role. Hayley, bless her heart, this girl has it rough the last 5 years and it was a little hard to read her story like at times. I thought the author would play up a little more that Hayley knew these group of people as she was kind of apart of the it crowd at one point in her past. The only people we see her reconnect with were Christian, Ollie and Piper-ish, so I wanted to see more people that she used to know. Also, call me selfish and please don’t judge me, I wanted more intimacy from Christian and Hayley after the whole I hate you nobody wants you here chapters. Their intimacy scenes were very much a big tease of will they, won’t they.
I love the secondary characters. Ollie has my heart and can’t wait to read his and Piper’s story. Eric, very mysterious and hope there will be a story for him as well.
Overall, a good story that makes you feel like you don’t want to skip through pages with lovable and redeemable characters.
***I don’t equate these stories to real life. It’s definitely about personal taste and what you would or want to tolerate with the stories you read. I hope this review was helpful.
June 20, 2020
DNF @ 32%.
I love a good bully romance. Just couldn’t get past the poor writing, cringey dialogue, and stereotyped characters.
I love a good bully romance. Just couldn’t get past the poor writing, cringey dialogue, and stereotyped characters.
March 10, 2023
meh 🤷🏼♀️🥱
April 15, 2022
3.5
This was a quick enemies to lovers read. It wasn't as dark as I was looking for, but the characters and storyline kept me engaged.
Hayley's life has been anything but perfect. She lived through one nightmare and was thrown into one over and over. If it was bad, it most likely happened to her. This girl could not catch a break. The only good things in her life were taken from her. Losing her once best friend, Christian, was a blow that shook her.
Christian has the best life - when looking from the outside. Star football player, nice house, fancy car, lots of money and girls that will fall to their knees at his words. Don't let that fool you, this boy is hurting. He tries to drown out the pain with all the "things". He thinks one person and one person alone is to blame for all the bad in his life.
Past and future collide when Haley is awarded a scholarship to English Prep. The school for the rich kids. Where one Christian Powell resides as KING. Finally, one good thing in her life.... expect he doesn't welcome her with open arms. He loathes her, wants her to leave his school and she can't understand why.
If you're in the mood for a read where the hero hates and then a switch is flipped to lust when he finds out more information... when he goes from wanting her to leave to trying to shelter her from the pain and hurts of the world, well then this is your book.
I really enjoyed the side characters in this book. Ollie and Piper were my favorite. Happy to see that their story is book 2!
This was a quick enemies to lovers read. It wasn't as dark as I was looking for, but the characters and storyline kept me engaged.
Hayley's life has been anything but perfect. She lived through one nightmare and was thrown into one over and over. If it was bad, it most likely happened to her. This girl could not catch a break. The only good things in her life were taken from her. Losing her once best friend, Christian, was a blow that shook her.
Christian has the best life - when looking from the outside. Star football player, nice house, fancy car, lots of money and girls that will fall to their knees at his words. Don't let that fool you, this boy is hurting. He tries to drown out the pain with all the "things". He thinks one person and one person alone is to blame for all the bad in his life.
Past and future collide when Haley is awarded a scholarship to English Prep. The school for the rich kids. Where one Christian Powell resides as KING. Finally, one good thing in her life.... expect he doesn't welcome her with open arms. He loathes her, wants her to leave his school and she can't understand why.
If you're in the mood for a read where the hero hates and then a switch is flipped to lust when he finds out more information... when he goes from wanting her to leave to trying to shelter her from the pain and hurts of the world, well then this is your book.
I really enjoyed the side characters in this book. Ollie and Piper were my favorite. Happy to see that their story is book 2!
May 27, 2022
Finally, I read a well-executed enemies to lovers romance! It’s my first read by S.J. Sylvis but I think that it won’t be my last one.
I liked the main and the side characters a lot and it surprised me (in a good way) how much action this book had. It might not be the best book I’ve ever read but I had a really good time reading it and I’ll definitely check out more books by this author.
Can we please take a moment to appreciate Christian? It’s probably one of my favorite male characters ever. He was an @sshole most of the times but he was so cute with Hayley. One of my favorite things he did for her was:Not only were we celebrating her eighteenth birthday, but we were also celebrating the last five birthdays. There was a separate room for each birthday that Hayley didn’t get to celebrate because of being in foster care. As each hour passed, we’d go into a different room and celebrate that particular age.
Isn't this the cutest thing ever??? 😍😍
I’ll definitely read the next book in the series, I’m really interested in Ollie and Piper’s story. 4 ⭐
May 13, 2025
Been there, read that (a hundred times before).
It was just another story of a high class prep, girl from the wrong side of town and “nasty” (but not really) womanizer bully who cannot help himself and falls in love with her because…
(Say it with me!)
ShE’s nOt LiKe tHe OtHer gIRLs.
It was just another story of a high class prep, girl from the wrong side of town and “nasty” (but not really) womanizer bully who cannot help himself and falls in love with her because…
(Say it with me!)
ShE’s nOt LiKe tHe OtHer gIRLs.
May 15, 2022
I wish he was more mean for a longer time
But nonetheless i liked it
But if he were to be more mean to her i would like it more.
🥰
But nonetheless i liked it
But if he were to be more mean to her i would like it more.
🥰
dnf
January 17, 2024I want to cry in cringe 😭
Dnf 13%
Dnf 13%
April 1, 2022
cruel prince wannabe
August 26, 2023
This wasn't entirely awful, I didn't hate the second half of this as much as I hated the first. The characters are interesting but the writing sucks.
May 26, 2025
★ 5
«Cuando todas las pequeñas mentiras sabían amargas en mi lengua, tú eras la única verdad de la que no podía esconderme»
«Cuando todas las pequeñas mentiras sabían amargas en mi lengua, tú eras la única verdad de la que no podía esconderme»
September 29, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Il finale è decisamente sbrigativo e molte dinamiche di trama, oltre a creare piccoli buchi, sono davvero surreali, poiché nella nostra realtà non potrebbero mai accadere con una tale noncuranza e disattenzione ai dettagli (sai di avere una taglia sulla testa per i tuoi diciott’anni e il giorno del tuo compleanno vaghi in giro come se nulla fosse anziché trattare con la polizia, okay. Diciamo che, da questa parte in poi del libro, si concentra la surrealtà più assoluta delle sue vicende).
Ciononostante, la scrittura di S.J. Sylvis ti cattura. Ti prende. Vuoi saperne di più e i colpi di scena sono inseriti nei momenti giusti. La trama è un qualcosa di visto e rivisto nei libri adolescenziali, ma la freschezza e la fluidità con cui lei racconta le vicende ti intrattiene fino alla fine.
La coppia è molto tenera, sebbene i leggeri toxic sides di lui, e con il trope della second chance a fare da sfondo l’ho trovata molto coerente.
Mi è piaciuto il tema delle famiglie affidatarie: sebbene trovo che potesse essere trattato meglio, si nota come Sylvis si sia messa d’impegno e cuore. E ovviamente, mi è piaciuta l’aria high school che si respirava, con le cheerleader, i banchi di scuola e il football. Chi mi conosce sa che è la mia obsession per eccellenza nei libri (e non solo). Leggerei solo di questo.
Di questo libro ricorderò i sorrisi, la leggerezza e la spensieratezza che mi ha donato nelle serate, dopo giornate stancanti. Mi aspettavo molto di più dal finale, soprattutto per il percorso fatto da lei e la pace ritrovata dalla coppia, ma poiché ho scoperto essere il primo di una trilogia, questa sospensione potrei anche giustificarla. E probabilmente spiegherebbe le porte aperte e i dilemmi sospesi.
Tutto sommato, ho intenzione di recuperare molto altro della penna di questa autrice, che è decisamente promossa. Soprattutto gli hockey romance, che sono i libri con cui ho conosciuto il suo nome.
E si sa, non dico mai no a un hockey romance.
Il finale è decisamente sbrigativo e molte dinamiche di trama, oltre a creare piccoli buchi, sono davvero surreali, poiché nella nostra realtà non potrebbero mai accadere con una tale noncuranza e disattenzione ai dettagli (sai di avere una taglia sulla testa per i tuoi diciott’anni e il giorno del tuo compleanno vaghi in giro come se nulla fosse anziché trattare con la polizia, okay. Diciamo che, da questa parte in poi del libro, si concentra la surrealtà più assoluta delle sue vicende).
Ciononostante, la scrittura di S.J. Sylvis ti cattura. Ti prende. Vuoi saperne di più e i colpi di scena sono inseriti nei momenti giusti. La trama è un qualcosa di visto e rivisto nei libri adolescenziali, ma la freschezza e la fluidità con cui lei racconta le vicende ti intrattiene fino alla fine.
La coppia è molto tenera, sebbene i leggeri toxic sides di lui, e con il trope della second chance a fare da sfondo l’ho trovata molto coerente.
Mi è piaciuto il tema delle famiglie affidatarie: sebbene trovo che potesse essere trattato meglio, si nota come Sylvis si sia messa d’impegno e cuore. E ovviamente, mi è piaciuta l’aria high school che si respirava, con le cheerleader, i banchi di scuola e il football. Chi mi conosce sa che è la mia obsession per eccellenza nei libri (e non solo). Leggerei solo di questo.
Di questo libro ricorderò i sorrisi, la leggerezza e la spensieratezza che mi ha donato nelle serate, dopo giornate stancanti. Mi aspettavo molto di più dal finale, soprattutto per il percorso fatto da lei e la pace ritrovata dalla coppia, ma poiché ho scoperto essere il primo di una trilogia, questa sospensione potrei anche giustificarla. E probabilmente spiegherebbe le porte aperte e i dilemmi sospesi.
Tutto sommato, ho intenzione di recuperare molto altro della penna di questa autrice, che è decisamente promossa. Soprattutto gli hockey romance, che sono i libri con cui ho conosciuto il suo nome.
E si sa, non dico mai no a un hockey romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2022
Highschool coming-of-age book on crack.
June 18, 2020
ONE OF THE BEST BULLY ROMANCES!
I’m usually not a fan of bully romances but this was a huge exception! This was so well written, it had good characters, character development and there’s so many great tropes mixed into one. This story follows Christian and Hayley. Both Hayley and Christian has bad pasts and even not so good presents. They used to be best friends until everything went spiraling down and took a turn for the worst. Fast forward to a few years later, they meet again in HS and it’s not at all how Hayley expected to be. When they are reunited Christian becomes cold and a bully. Their story had hate to love, friends to lovers, suspense, angst and really great side characters! I highly recommend this if you are looking for a not so typical bully romance that you will devour!
Thank you so much to SJ Sylvis for the arc opportunity!
I’m usually not a fan of bully romances but this was a huge exception! This was so well written, it had good characters, character development and there’s so many great tropes mixed into one. This story follows Christian and Hayley. Both Hayley and Christian has bad pasts and even not so good presents. They used to be best friends until everything went spiraling down and took a turn for the worst. Fast forward to a few years later, they meet again in HS and it’s not at all how Hayley expected to be. When they are reunited Christian becomes cold and a bully. Their story had hate to love, friends to lovers, suspense, angst and really great side characters! I highly recommend this if you are looking for a not so typical bully romance that you will devour!
Thank you so much to SJ Sylvis for the arc opportunity!
June 1, 2023
2.5 stars ⭐️
It kind of felt like the author closed her eyes here and pointed to several plots and was like "eh, that should work." Foster kid, murdered father, baddie father, evil mother, druggie mother, abusive foster homes, bullied at school, sleeps on a mattress on the floor with a thin blanket to cover her, doesn't get fed, gets locked in her room, always getting beaten up…the plot was all over the place. After 60% of this mess and with no hint of romance between these two just yet I just gave up. Next!
It kind of felt like the author closed her eyes here and pointed to several plots and was like "eh, that should work." Foster kid, murdered father, baddie father, evil mother, druggie mother, abusive foster homes, bullied at school, sleeps on a mattress on the floor with a thin blanket to cover her, doesn't get fed, gets locked in her room, always getting beaten up…the plot was all over the place. After 60% of this mess and with no hint of romance between these two just yet I just gave up. Next!
April 28, 2022
Not a word guys.
August 2, 2022
why does EVERY prep school romance have run-ins with the FBI and weird-ass cartels??????
my high school experience sure as hell didn’t entail car chases and kidnappings…
my high school experience sure as hell didn’t entail car chases and kidnappings…
October 10, 2024
2 stars?
I stopped after chapter 34 and i just couldn't force myself to pick it up again.
Too many chliches including the poor martyr heroine, the jock manwhore hero who rules the school and the bitchy cheerleading captain bimbo who is the hero's girlfriend/ current fuck or whatever she is and who likes to bully the heroine because in reality she feels threatened and insecure.
Plus, despite all this teenage drama (that i just couldn't care less about) nothing actually happens in this book and it was all more like a snoozefest to me.
Like srsly, nothing happens, they just go from one place to another or they argue or the h gets beaten up.
I may not be a target audience here but i do like me a good bullying romance.
But it has to be done well, including things that this book didn't have in my modest opinion:
-decent writing
-a touch of sth new, fresh or at least a tad creative
-a good reason why the hero hates the heroine.
It's like this book was trying too hard and yet not trying enough at the same time.
What i liked?
I don't know to be frank, but i did tolerate the heroine so that was already a lot. And i did stick around for 34 chapters with only 10 left. So, like i said, that's already quite a lot.
Dunno what happens later and if i'm to be honest, i don't give a rat's behind.
We will have a hea, that's a given but i am not at interested in finding out about the mafia (???), the drugs and some other nonsense.
And I think that's about it.
Summing up? Not my cuppa.
I stopped after chapter 34 and i just couldn't force myself to pick it up again.
Too many chliches including the poor martyr heroine, the jock manwhore hero who rules the school and the bitchy cheerleading captain bimbo who is the hero's girlfriend/ current fuck or whatever she is and who likes to bully the heroine because in reality she feels threatened and insecure.
Plus, despite all this teenage drama (that i just couldn't care less about) nothing actually happens in this book and it was all more like a snoozefest to me.
Like srsly, nothing happens, they just go from one place to another or they argue or the h gets beaten up.
I may not be a target audience here but i do like me a good bullying romance.
But it has to be done well, including things that this book didn't have in my modest opinion:
-decent writing
-a touch of sth new, fresh or at least a tad creative
-a good reason why the hero hates the heroine.
It's like this book was trying too hard and yet not trying enough at the same time.
What i liked?
I don't know to be frank, but i did tolerate the heroine so that was already a lot. And i did stick around for 34 chapters with only 10 left. So, like i said, that's already quite a lot.
Dunno what happens later and if i'm to be honest, i don't give a rat's behind.
We will have a hea, that's a given but i am not at interested in finding out about the mafia (???), the drugs and some other nonsense.
And I think that's about it.
Summing up? Not my cuppa.
September 23, 2020
3.75 ⭐️
This was okay. I don’t know. It started out pretty good. This is a combination between Royal Hearts Academy by A.Jade and Royal Elite by Rina Kent, only not that great. Like I said, it started pretty good, but I didn’t like how long it took to the MC to get together. Also, the whole conflict about the gang wasn’t my favorite. I never really felt the fear and I just didn’t believe it 100%. Hayley was tough as shit though. Loved her. We love a strong independent queen. Christian was nice, too. But it bothered me how he demanded answers all the time. Like, dude, let her breathe jeez. Their romance was sweet.
Another thing. This was supposed to be a reunion between two best friends right? But it didn’t feel like that. We didn’t get flashbacks or any sort of memory between them as kids. It was like they just met. The only hint about them being friends as kids was that they spent time in the treehouse and the big night. I needed more depth and more scenes.
I’m actually very excited about Ollie and Piper’s book. I’m wondering what the plot would be. Cause we don’t really get a hint of anything about them other than they like each other but are in denial.
This was okay. I don’t know. It started out pretty good. This is a combination between Royal Hearts Academy by A.Jade and Royal Elite by Rina Kent, only not that great. Like I said, it started pretty good, but I didn’t like how long it took to the MC to get together. Also, the whole conflict about the gang wasn’t my favorite. I never really felt the fear and I just didn’t believe it 100%. Hayley was tough as shit though. Loved her. We love a strong independent queen. Christian was nice, too. But it bothered me how he demanded answers all the time. Like, dude, let her breathe jeez. Their romance was sweet.
Another thing. This was supposed to be a reunion between two best friends right? But it didn’t feel like that. We didn’t get flashbacks or any sort of memory between them as kids. It was like they just met. The only hint about them being friends as kids was that they spent time in the treehouse and the big night. I needed more depth and more scenes.
I’m actually very excited about Ollie and Piper’s book. I’m wondering what the plot would be. Cause we don’t really get a hint of anything about them other than they like each other but are in denial.
August 8, 2022
the most important parts of all the little lies, in a few sentences:
christian is hot. (so is his brother)
hayley is hot. (so is her best friend)
christian and hayley both have mommy and daddy issues, are traumatized, and are probably not mentally okay
(said brother and best friend also flirt a lot)
this was surprisingly interesting. i read this because it has the childhood friends to enemies to lovers trope, so my expectations were somewhat high.
i can't say i'm disappointed.
although i found some moments annoying, if not downright problematic, overall i enjoyed this. if you're interested in reading this - go ahead!
christian is hot. (so is his brother)
hayley is hot. (so is her best friend)
christian and hayley both have mommy and daddy issues, are traumatized, and are probably not mentally okay
(said brother and best friend also flirt a lot)
this was surprisingly interesting. i read this because it has the childhood friends to enemies to lovers trope, so my expectations were somewhat high.
i can't say i'm disappointed.
although i found some moments annoying, if not downright problematic, overall i enjoyed this. if you're interested in reading this - go ahead!
June 21, 2020
I’ve been reading a lot of bully romances just lately & this one was up there with the best of them. Beautifully written, with lots of suspense & heat, I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I loved Christian, but Hayley was my girl. So tough & feisty yet vulnerable. She deserved all the happiness.
Fab job Sammi! Loved this!
Fab job Sammi! Loved this!
July 22, 2025
౨ৎ 2⭐️
i didn’t actually enjoy this book, i just kept reading and praying that it would get better. but it didn’t. i actually was just reading it for something to do. this book is definitely not anything like st mary’s, so don’t get your hopes up like i did. i can tell, because this is the earlier series, that the author really improves and it’s sad because, with a fair few changes, it could’ve been a decent book. i can understand what she was trying to achieve with all the little lies but it just didn’t work for me.
the couple themselves were okay. not like good either though. like nothing special. hayley was cute, on her own but with christian, she just was stupid. like she threw a tantrum every time he went near her and it pissed me off, especially because he was all like “leave” and always so demanding. he literally said he was the king of the school. cringe. one of the worse book boyfriends ever. i hate him purely because he’s stupid and annoying
but the one thing that annoyed me the most was the reason for the whole “i hate you” thing christian had going on which was lame asf and has zero logic as well as being super selfish and conceited of him. after he got over the whole angry at hayley thing thing, i thought i’d like him more. but i still couldn’t. he was too angry over the stupidest things and got mad every five seconds that hayley was hiding stuff from him. like it’s actually not your business dude. he was all protective in a super controlling “she’s my property” type way and it just gave me the ick.
also the writing style was quite juvenile and they all spoke in descriptions. it was really hard to follow and kinda of lame. the only reason why i’m continuing the series is because i have high hopes for the third book which has madeline in it and i might as well read the second one too. anyways this book low key sucked and i didn’t like it.
i didn’t actually enjoy this book, i just kept reading and praying that it would get better. but it didn’t. i actually was just reading it for something to do. this book is definitely not anything like st mary’s, so don’t get your hopes up like i did. i can tell, because this is the earlier series, that the author really improves and it’s sad because, with a fair few changes, it could’ve been a decent book. i can understand what she was trying to achieve with all the little lies but it just didn’t work for me.
the couple themselves were okay. not like good either though. like nothing special. hayley was cute, on her own but with christian, she just was stupid. like she threw a tantrum every time he went near her and it pissed me off, especially because he was all like “leave” and always so demanding. he literally said he was the king of the school. cringe. one of the worse book boyfriends ever. i hate him purely because he’s stupid and annoying
but the one thing that annoyed me the most was the reason for the whole “i hate you” thing christian had going on which was lame asf and has zero logic as well as being super selfish and conceited of him. after he got over the whole angry at hayley thing thing, i thought i’d like him more. but i still couldn’t. he was too angry over the stupidest things and got mad every five seconds that hayley was hiding stuff from him. like it’s actually not your business dude. he was all protective in a super controlling “she’s my property” type way and it just gave me the ick.
also the writing style was quite juvenile and they all spoke in descriptions. it was really hard to follow and kinda of lame. the only reason why i’m continuing the series is because i have high hopes for the third book which has madeline in it and i might as well read the second one too. anyways this book low key sucked and i didn’t like it.
April 17, 2024
My god this was painful! The first 3rd of the book was her best friend hating her because he blamed her for his mom dying. Okay, that's fairly standard for a bully romance, however this is "Blaming mom's death on FMC but make it ENTIRELY illogical!" So he hates her because she didn't answer her phone and he was worried about her not answering her phone and went out in the middle of the night in the rain to help her. His mom decided to go out looking for him and in the process got hurt and supposedly this started her on pain medication that she eventually OD'd on. Okay, that's an insane enough reason to blame her in and of itself, but WHY didn't she answer the phone? Because her little 12 year old self was watching her father be murdered by cartel men. Clearly his anger is valid 🙄 Listen, I'm used to dumb reasoning in bully romances, but this is next level! Then never once does he apologize to her for his own insanity! He just starts coming over every day and that's supposed to be his apology? Then beyond that, the fact that a bunch of sheltered prep school kids are trying to find a way to outsmart the CARTEL is purple cartoon bunnies in space suits dancing on the Eiffel Tower whacky 🙄 I usually enjoy SJ Sylvis books, so I'm particularly disappointed in how bad this one was. Hopefully the next book of her's I try will be better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2025
4.5 🌟
good plot
good plot
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