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Kings of McKenzie High #2
Pretty Wicked Boys
I've always been the bully. Until Caylon makes me the target.
This should be my year. I've worked hard to position myself at the top of the McKenzie School hierarchy and I'm not about to let my recent dumping jolt me from my rightful place.
But when a chance encounter puts Caylon Mercer in my path, I discover my perceived status is no match for his ruthless pursuit.
The more I tell him I don't want him, the harder he tries.
The harder he tries, the more damage he causes.
It seems inevitable that he'll win... except I'm hiding more than a crush on my pursuer.
Truth is, I already have a secret admirer and if Caylon gets on his radar, he'll tear his life apart.
This is a DARK/BULLY romance and contains graphic scenes and elements that may be triggering. Please read at your own discretion and check the warning in the preface of the book.
This should be my year. I've worked hard to position myself at the top of the McKenzie School hierarchy and I'm not about to let my recent dumping jolt me from my rightful place.
But when a chance encounter puts Caylon Mercer in my path, I discover my perceived status is no match for his ruthless pursuit.
The more I tell him I don't want him, the harder he tries.
The harder he tries, the more damage he causes.
It seems inevitable that he'll win... except I'm hiding more than a crush on my pursuer.
Truth is, I already have a secret admirer and if Caylon gets on his radar, he'll tear his life apart.
This is a DARK/BULLY romance and contains graphic scenes and elements that may be triggering. Please read at your own discretion and check the warning in the preface of the book.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 29, 2022
298 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 2, 2023
After reading about Em in book 1, I was intrigued to read her story.
Layla wrote a really good book with this one. A dark romance with trigger warnings throughout.
Poor Em has not had an easy life. She’s hiding dark secrets.
Caylon wants Em, and she keeps him at arm's length, so Caylon vows to make her life hell.
The pull and push of the pair and the tension were off the charts.
Layla wrote a really good book with this one. A dark romance with trigger warnings throughout.
Poor Em has not had an easy life. She’s hiding dark secrets.
Caylon wants Em, and she keeps him at arm's length, so Caylon vows to make her life hell.
The pull and push of the pair and the tension were off the charts.
Read
January 28, 2023?/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶
Tropes:
- dark bully romance (he has the people she bullied bully her)
- enemies to lovers
- reformed bully (heroine)
- OTT obsessed hero
- hero fucks up and is eaten alive by guilt (my favorite trope)
- heroine is older by a couple months (she’s 18 and he’s 17 the whole book)
- content warning: grooming (big part of plot)
- high school setting
POV: first person - dual
Type: interconnected stand-alone
Idk how to rate this. I loved the romance between Em and Caylon and the feeling I got reading this but I hated so many things at the same time.
I couldn’t decide whether I hated the hero or not. In a sense he was my ideal OTT obsessed hero but he had some moments where it was a complete turn off. He was also younger than her by a couple months which is not my vibe.
I actually really liked the heroine. Once I got passed all the shit in the beginning. I’m never one to root for the bully but she got her fair share of karma, it was hard to read.
A big point of the plot revolves around the heroine (Em) being groomed by an older man since she was 14. So when a scene with a ten year old girl making “passes” at the hero pops up, it was a huge wtf moment.
ESPECIALLY when THIS is part of the hero’s POV:
“𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙨 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙀𝙢 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮’𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙤 𝙛𝙖𝙧, 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙙𝙚, 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙞𝙛 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚.”
“HER” BEING THE 10 YEAR OLD GIRL. That was the fastest I’ve been turned off by a book in a while.
3/5 🌶
Tropes:
- dark bully romance (he has the people she bullied bully her)
- enemies to lovers
- reformed bully (heroine)
- OTT obsessed hero
- hero fucks up and is eaten alive by guilt (my favorite trope)
- heroine is older by a couple months (she’s 18 and he’s 17 the whole book)
- content warning: grooming (big part of plot)
- high school setting
POV: first person - dual
Type: interconnected stand-alone
Idk how to rate this. I loved the romance between Em and Caylon and the feeling I got reading this but I hated so many things at the same time.
I couldn’t decide whether I hated the hero or not. In a sense he was my ideal OTT obsessed hero but he had some moments where it was a complete turn off. He was also younger than her by a couple months which is not my vibe.
I actually really liked the heroine. Once I got passed all the shit in the beginning. I’m never one to root for the bully but she got her fair share of karma, it was hard to read.
A big point of the plot revolves around the heroine (Em) being groomed by an older man since she was 14. So when a scene with a ten year old girl making “passes” at the hero pops up, it was a huge wtf moment.
ESPECIALLY when THIS is part of the hero’s POV:
“𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙨 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙀𝙢 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮’𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙤 𝙛𝙖𝙧, 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙙𝙚, 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙞𝙛 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚.”
“HER” BEING THE 10 YEAR OLD GIRL. That was the fastest I’ve been turned off by a book in a while.
March 30, 2023
Layla Simons writing has been one of my favorite 2023 discoveries. The perfect mix of spice and plot and I look forward to receiving copies of any of her novels. The dark themes are not for everyone but I love how her mind works. I wish the book was longer as I was so sad it ended.
Thank you to BookSirens and Layla Simons for the free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to BookSirens and Layla Simons for the free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review
Read
April 8, 20232.5
The majority of the book was good but the ending kind of sucked 😅
The majority of the book was good but the ending kind of sucked 😅
July 3, 2023
Layla did it again, i don't know how she does it but she is the queen of making you fall completely in love with these morally grey men! It's a dark bully romance, definitely check trigger warnings before reading because it gets very dark most of the time. And do not get me started on the spicy scenes, they are very very much THAT!
This book is about Em who grew up poor and got into a situation when she was younger that's very wrong but she can't get out of. This man took advantage of her when she was younger and doesn't want to let her go. All she wants is to not be poor anymore. She is the Queen bee of her high school with rich guy Zach at her side until he dumps her for Lily and she looses her power over the school. She looses all status she had and it only goes downhill from there. She's forced to go back to the one guy who she wants nothing to do with anymore. Until Caylon comes along and he tries to help her. He's bored with his life and the only thing that excites him is Em but She can't be with him for one particular reason. He doesn't know and thinks he'll bully her into saying yes to him.
This story is so heartbreaking the further you get into the story. Because of the first book in this series we got to know Em as the spoiled brat who bullies everyone but the more you get to know her story, the more sympathy you get for her, you start to fall in love with her. She has so much going on and it only gets worse until the only way out is... And Caylon is unbelievable the way he hangs onto her, doesn't want to let her go, tries to fix everything, tries to make her enjoy life again. They both have so many issues with themselves but by standing with eachother, they figure out life is worth living if they're together. It was so beautiful i am absolutely in love with their story and with Layla Simon. She makes you feel everything her characters feel.
The lesson to ber learned is you don't know what anubody else is going through to make them act like that.
This book is about Em who grew up poor and got into a situation when she was younger that's very wrong but she can't get out of. This man took advantage of her when she was younger and doesn't want to let her go. All she wants is to not be poor anymore. She is the Queen bee of her high school with rich guy Zach at her side until he dumps her for Lily and she looses her power over the school. She looses all status she had and it only goes downhill from there. She's forced to go back to the one guy who she wants nothing to do with anymore. Until Caylon comes along and he tries to help her. He's bored with his life and the only thing that excites him is Em but She can't be with him for one particular reason. He doesn't know and thinks he'll bully her into saying yes to him.
This story is so heartbreaking the further you get into the story. Because of the first book in this series we got to know Em as the spoiled brat who bullies everyone but the more you get to know her story, the more sympathy you get for her, you start to fall in love with her. She has so much going on and it only gets worse until the only way out is... And Caylon is unbelievable the way he hangs onto her, doesn't want to let her go, tries to fix everything, tries to make her enjoy life again. They both have so many issues with themselves but by standing with eachother, they figure out life is worth living if they're together. It was so beautiful i am absolutely in love with their story and with Layla Simon. She makes you feel everything her characters feel.
The lesson to ber learned is you don't know what anubody else is going through to make them act like that.
January 22, 2023
2.5⭐️
Pretty Wicked Boys is the first book I’ve read by this author. I had a really hard time getting into it, I didn’t particularly enjoy any of the characters & I’m a huge dark bully fan- the darker the better, but I just couldn’t get into this one. I really struggled to stay interested & actually quit at the 50% part & was going to just mark it as DNF, but I came back to it a few hours later & finished it.
While the last half was better than the first, I still wasn’t crazy about it. The storyline was ok, it definitely had the bully aspects down- Em had a tough life & Caylon definitely didn’t make it easier. She was a doormat for others at times & at other times she was the bully. It just made it hard to like her. And I didn’t like Lilac or the other side characters. However I did like the way Caylon was there to rescue her & protected her at the end- even though he caused a lot of her pain for most of the book.
I’m glad I finished it, but I don’t think I’ll read the other books in the series.
Pretty Wicked Boys is the first book I’ve read by this author. I had a really hard time getting into it, I didn’t particularly enjoy any of the characters & I’m a huge dark bully fan- the darker the better, but I just couldn’t get into this one. I really struggled to stay interested & actually quit at the 50% part & was going to just mark it as DNF, but I came back to it a few hours later & finished it.
While the last half was better than the first, I still wasn’t crazy about it. The storyline was ok, it definitely had the bully aspects down- Em had a tough life & Caylon definitely didn’t make it easier. She was a doormat for others at times & at other times she was the bully. It just made it hard to like her. And I didn’t like Lilac or the other side characters. However I did like the way Caylon was there to rescue her & protected her at the end- even though he caused a lot of her pain for most of the book.
I’m glad I finished it, but I don’t think I’ll read the other books in the series.
January 11, 2023
This is a dark romance that has many triggers(suicide, bondage, death, etc.) so I do not recommend this if things like that bother you. I had a hard time liking any of the characters in this book. I didn't like their attitudes and the way they acted. Both of the main characters had rough upbringings and had something to hide. Em was unstable, letting people get away with doing things to her and Caylon is a pushy boy who does whatever to get the girl he wants. I did not like the way he pushed himself on Em after a bad situation. I did like the way he tried to save her at the end and he showed how much he really loved her. The ending was a happy ending but kind of blah. I felt Em needed more reckoning after what happened. I felt like she really didn't seem concerned about what happened in Wilbur's house.
I received this ARC for free and this is my honest review.
I received this ARC for free and this is my honest review.
January 26, 2023
The second book in the Kings of McKenzie High is about Caylon and Em. Both characters were a part of book 1. Caylon as Zach's friend and Em was his girlfriend and Lily's tormentor for a time.
The thing with this series is that none of the characters are good per se. They aren't particularly nice to others, they do bad things, and they don't care who they are hurting to get their own way. This is usually the case with bully romance, it seems to be a particular trait in high school romance too, but there is usually one party who is somewhat innocent. Neither Caylon nor Em can claim that. Have the circumstances in their life turned them that way? Yes.
All that aside as far as high school bully romance go, this has been a good series so far. I believe there is one more book to go.
I found it took a few chapters to really get hooked in this one but once I was in I was all in. Towards the end, I was on edge just waiting for things to go bad and worrying how it would all be made right again. Layla did a great job with the build-up and the follow-up.
I really liked how she put it all together and how it all came to a conclusion. Looking forward to Travis's story next.
.
.
.
Em was supposed to have the perfect senior year, ruling the school and trying to get the most out of it while her life was less complicated. Zach and Lily have chipped away at her throne though and it appears the fear the others once had of her has begun to crumble. To top it off she's now dealing with Caylon while trying to solve a humiliating situation.
Caylon has become a bit fascinated by Em and seeing her pawning the jewelry Zach bought her gives him a chance to play with his new toy. She is all fire and venom and for some reason, he really likes that. When she storms off and he follows offering to help he notices little things about her that are very out of character only adding to his fascination.
With no other choice, Em has to reach out to the one person she hoped to never had to call upon again. When Wilbur comes to help her she learns very quickly that things are much worse than she could have hoped. He's determined to have her tied to him in every way and should she disobey him then she'll suffer the consequences.
"I'm not playing Caylon. I can't go with you. You need to stay away from me." " But you don't want me to." His mouth twists, fingers tightening on the back of my neck while his thumb gently applies pressure to the front. "And I can't."
While Caylon's life had become boring and tiresome with his new interest in Em things have looked up. Every time he gets Em to give a little she pulls back and away from him only inciting his anger. Caylon will wear her down even if he has to make her life miserable to do it.
'It's so good being with her, I don't understand why I can't have this.'
Em is almost at her breaking point. Her life was hard before, but between Wilbur and Caylon her troubles pile higher and she feels like she is losing everything she had been working for. She can't see a way out when one more hit comes her way.
Caylon is about to find out all of Em's secrets and in his attempts to save her from her troubles he has to take her away from it all. But Wilbur has no plans to let Em go and he'll do whatever he has to so she's his again.
Happy Reading.
The thing with this series is that none of the characters are good per se. They aren't particularly nice to others, they do bad things, and they don't care who they are hurting to get their own way. This is usually the case with bully romance, it seems to be a particular trait in high school romance too, but there is usually one party who is somewhat innocent. Neither Caylon nor Em can claim that. Have the circumstances in their life turned them that way? Yes.
All that aside as far as high school bully romance go, this has been a good series so far. I believe there is one more book to go.
I found it took a few chapters to really get hooked in this one but once I was in I was all in. Towards the end, I was on edge just waiting for things to go bad and worrying how it would all be made right again. Layla did a great job with the build-up and the follow-up.
I really liked how she put it all together and how it all came to a conclusion. Looking forward to Travis's story next.
.
.
.
Em was supposed to have the perfect senior year, ruling the school and trying to get the most out of it while her life was less complicated. Zach and Lily have chipped away at her throne though and it appears the fear the others once had of her has begun to crumble. To top it off she's now dealing with Caylon while trying to solve a humiliating situation.
Caylon has become a bit fascinated by Em and seeing her pawning the jewelry Zach bought her gives him a chance to play with his new toy. She is all fire and venom and for some reason, he really likes that. When she storms off and he follows offering to help he notices little things about her that are very out of character only adding to his fascination.
With no other choice, Em has to reach out to the one person she hoped to never had to call upon again. When Wilbur comes to help her she learns very quickly that things are much worse than she could have hoped. He's determined to have her tied to him in every way and should she disobey him then she'll suffer the consequences.
"I'm not playing Caylon. I can't go with you. You need to stay away from me." " But you don't want me to." His mouth twists, fingers tightening on the back of my neck while his thumb gently applies pressure to the front. "And I can't."
While Caylon's life had become boring and tiresome with his new interest in Em things have looked up. Every time he gets Em to give a little she pulls back and away from him only inciting his anger. Caylon will wear her down even if he has to make her life miserable to do it.
'It's so good being with her, I don't understand why I can't have this.'
Em is almost at her breaking point. Her life was hard before, but between Wilbur and Caylon her troubles pile higher and she feels like she is losing everything she had been working for. She can't see a way out when one more hit comes her way.
Caylon is about to find out all of Em's secrets and in his attempts to save her from her troubles he has to take her away from it all. But Wilbur has no plans to let Em go and he'll do whatever he has to so she's his again.
Happy Reading.
January 6, 2023
ARC from author - NO spoilers. Standalone Dark bully, enemies to lover High School romance, Book 2 in the Kings of McKenzie High series
***CW suicide, bullying, abuse, death, violence and rape - please check your triggers***
Our FMC Emily and MMC Caylon are both flawed, vulnerable, needy, disillusioned with life and do not make the best decisions. Partly age, they are Teens, but mainly due to being a product of their respective environments and upbringing.
Supporting characters are vivid and realistic, I have not read Book 1 but I shall do next, if nothing more than to understand the history that created some of the current animosity.
Superbly written, it did strike home in many places hence an intense read for me, so I repeat check your triggers.
Nothing too graphic to my mind and I put the Dark tag down to more the feelings this story elicits in you and the skill of the Authors writing in the portrayal of what our FMC is going through without being over the top.
The initial chapter is fade to black, for good reason, however it sets the story line and gives you a greater depth of understanding to Em's mindset. Takes a while to get to know Caylon and fully understand him and his questionable actions.
Although I was concerned about a slight edge of Stockholm Syndrome at times this did become unjustified the further along I read.
The ending? mmm for me was a little anticlimactic as the tension was kept strong throughout.
Your emotions roller coaster as you became more invested in the story and I needed a tadge more justice for Em, a Day of Reckoning from more than participant.
As stated in the book blurb it is a HAE though and for that I am grateful, along with my decision to start reading when I had time to finish in one hit.
Addictive reading and I shall actively look for more of this authors work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
***CW suicide, bullying, abuse, death, violence and rape - please check your triggers***
Our FMC Emily and MMC Caylon are both flawed, vulnerable, needy, disillusioned with life and do not make the best decisions. Partly age, they are Teens, but mainly due to being a product of their respective environments and upbringing.
Supporting characters are vivid and realistic, I have not read Book 1 but I shall do next, if nothing more than to understand the history that created some of the current animosity.
Superbly written, it did strike home in many places hence an intense read for me, so I repeat check your triggers.
Nothing too graphic to my mind and I put the Dark tag down to more the feelings this story elicits in you and the skill of the Authors writing in the portrayal of what our FMC is going through without being over the top.
The initial chapter is fade to black, for good reason, however it sets the story line and gives you a greater depth of understanding to Em's mindset. Takes a while to get to know Caylon and fully understand him and his questionable actions.
Although I was concerned about a slight edge of Stockholm Syndrome at times this did become unjustified the further along I read.
The ending? mmm for me was a little anticlimactic as the tension was kept strong throughout.
Your emotions roller coaster as you became more invested in the story and I needed a tadge more justice for Em, a Day of Reckoning from more than participant.
As stated in the book blurb it is a HAE though and for that I am grateful, along with my decision to start reading when I had time to finish in one hit.
Addictive reading and I shall actively look for more of this authors work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 6, 2023
I don't know if it's because I'm a Brit myself and this writer is (I assume) from New Zealand , so much in common in terms of humour, passive/aggressive takes on life and sarcasm, that I found myself inhaling this book. Page after page after page, feeling resentment when normal life interrupted.
There is grit, there is wit, there is violence and it surely runs the gamut of triggers - please be responsible and check these before reading, always protect your mental and emotional health - and yet still I inhaled it.
Part of a series - but can be read as a stand alone - Pretty Wicked Boys begins with surely the most disturbing tropes of all, luckily it's inferred rather than fully described.
This is the harrowing story of Em's fight for her very survival - physical and emotional and mental -against seemingly insurmountable odds and her nemesis Caylon and the metamorphosis of their relationship.
None of these characters are essentially 'nice' people but rather shaped by the deck of cards dealt them.
I would never include spoilers in my reviews but suffice to say there is much to take the reader so far out of their comfort zone as to be challenging for the senses.
The writing is first rate. The dialogue, sharp. The sense that so many of the horrors here are happening to someone maybe next door to you, is ever present.
Saying I loved it would be wrong on so many levels because of the events that occur but, yes I inhaled it and yes I would read a shopping list of it was authored by Layla Simon. I can't say more than that.
There is grit, there is wit, there is violence and it surely runs the gamut of triggers - please be responsible and check these before reading, always protect your mental and emotional health - and yet still I inhaled it.
Part of a series - but can be read as a stand alone - Pretty Wicked Boys begins with surely the most disturbing tropes of all, luckily it's inferred rather than fully described.
This is the harrowing story of Em's fight for her very survival - physical and emotional and mental -against seemingly insurmountable odds and her nemesis Caylon and the metamorphosis of their relationship.
None of these characters are essentially 'nice' people but rather shaped by the deck of cards dealt them.
I would never include spoilers in my reviews but suffice to say there is much to take the reader so far out of their comfort zone as to be challenging for the senses.
The writing is first rate. The dialogue, sharp. The sense that so many of the horrors here are happening to someone maybe next door to you, is ever present.
Saying I loved it would be wrong on so many levels because of the events that occur but, yes I inhaled it and yes I would read a shopping list of it was authored by Layla Simon. I can't say more than that.
December 24, 2022
Initially, I wasn't sure how I felt about the book because in the beginning, I found it pretty difficult to like any of the characters, especially the main characters. I didn't like their attitudes, their actions, or their interactions. But eventually i started to understand them better, even though I still didn't like some of their decisions, especially the mmc decision to bully mfc into dating him, which I couldn't understand for the life of me why he thought that would help instead of hurt his cause. They both were dealing with bad situations internally and externally. And they, mainly Em, used being mean and bad attitude as a shield to protect themselves and a weapon to keep others away. The way they finally got together was a bit weird for me because I felt like after the situation he rescued her from, that was the wrong time, and he took advantage, especially in her position after. But I did appreciate his openness, his resolve to save her, and do what it took to make her happy. The storyline was good and intense at times. The end felt a little lackluster after everything that happened, and they overcame together, but It was nice to have a hea. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 25, 2023
This book was a roller coaster ride! Please read trigger warnings. If mentions of suicide or assault trigger you then this is not the book for you.
Em was once the queen b of her high school. Struggling for money at a young age put her in the devil’s sights. She thinks she is going for a job interview but he wants much more. Caylon is her ex’s friend and hasn’t been able to keep Em off his mind since he first laid eyes on her. She wants nothing to do with him or does she?
Em is been through a lot no young girl should ever have to deal with. This book was loaded with heavy topics. I enjoyed being on the ride. I had a lot of oh no and I can’t believe this is happening moments.
I was given an arc for an honest review.
Em was once the queen b of her high school. Struggling for money at a young age put her in the devil’s sights. She thinks she is going for a job interview but he wants much more. Caylon is her ex’s friend and hasn’t been able to keep Em off his mind since he first laid eyes on her. She wants nothing to do with him or does she?
Em is been through a lot no young girl should ever have to deal with. This book was loaded with heavy topics. I enjoyed being on the ride. I had a lot of oh no and I can’t believe this is happening moments.
I was given an arc for an honest review.
June 19, 2023
Very unlikable main characters
I did not like Em or Caylon in Zack's book , I struggled to read this book, although I did sympathize with them they are characters I could of did without ever coming cross of. Em was a terrible horrorible person( no she did Not deserve the things she went through) but the bullying was nothing she didn't deserve , she callously destroyed others lives and was not even remorseful. Thats why I didn't like her character. At no point in the story did sh
e take an accountability for her actions. Caylon was not a true friend, he was awful and always jealous of Zack. I only read this book because I thought it would tie into Trents story Im disappointed that after I read it , I realized I could have skipped it.
I did not like Em or Caylon in Zack's book , I struggled to read this book, although I did sympathize with them they are characters I could of did without ever coming cross of. Em was a terrible horrorible person( no she did Not deserve the things she went through) but the bullying was nothing she didn't deserve , she callously destroyed others lives and was not even remorseful. Thats why I didn't like her character. At no point in the story did sh
e take an accountability for her actions. Caylon was not a true friend, he was awful and always jealous of Zack. I only read this book because I thought it would tie into Trents story Im disappointed that after I read it , I realized I could have skipped it.
January 18, 2023
This is an extremely dark and intense story. It’s hard to review without giving anything away. Read the disclaimer and believe the disclaimer. If you enjoy dark, twisted in all the ways, and desperate realities then this is the book for you. The writing is wonderful and the story is so realistic you will have to keep reminding yourself it’s fiction and for readers who may have a similar experience so know that they are survivors. Hopefully my review doesn’t give anything away. Romance books with a little spice, edginess, and adventure are more my speed so this book definitely took me by surprise.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
February 8, 2023
4 Stars for Pretty Wicked Boys
This is Book 2 in the McKenzie High Series
Readers should definitely review content warnings. This is a bully very dark romance.
What a story ! This book deals with some very dark themes for me they just flowed with the story …
Emily and Caylon are amazing characters with such depth to them. Life has thrown them a lot and they are only 18 & 17 !
I felt so much emotion for this couple - definitely a hard fought Happily Ever After !
If you are a fan of bully genre romance I would recommend this book and series.
I received an advanced reader for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is Book 2 in the McKenzie High Series
Readers should definitely review content warnings. This is a bully very dark romance.
What a story ! This book deals with some very dark themes for me they just flowed with the story …
Emily and Caylon are amazing characters with such depth to them. Life has thrown them a lot and they are only 18 & 17 !
I felt so much emotion for this couple - definitely a hard fought Happily Ever After !
If you are a fan of bully genre romance I would recommend this book and series.
I received an advanced reader for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 20, 2023
The story has a lot of potential. The plot and characters are well written and very drawing. My low rating is more about the pace, I wish the story would move a little quicker. I feel sometimes there was just to many words, and some parts were drawn out to much. I hate leaving a low review, like I said the story was good. Just didn't need so many extra words. Like the scene when a main character was talking about killing another character, it was drawn out with ways to kill him and it was overkill. There were a lot of parts in the book similar. I loved Em's character she was strong but vulnerable. Very well written. I received an ARC copy to read and review.
June 26, 2023
Emily..
She hasn’t had an easy life.. drug addicted mother.. no real safe place to lay her head at night… a father figure she trusted who was pedophile trying to make his own creepy family.. possessive much and commanding of her life he wanted for her.. The school boy who thought he knew her and really didn’t.. he bullied her just because he could.. because he wanted to be her boyfriend.. when life got too much Caylon had to make decisions for himself and ‘Em… he was already battling his disease Schizophrenia.. he wasn’t ready to face the reality that he could have a normal life too.. he seen schizophrenia as a death sentence.. he fought for is future and won..
She hasn’t had an easy life.. drug addicted mother.. no real safe place to lay her head at night… a father figure she trusted who was pedophile trying to make his own creepy family.. possessive much and commanding of her life he wanted for her.. The school boy who thought he knew her and really didn’t.. he bullied her just because he could.. because he wanted to be her boyfriend.. when life got too much Caylon had to make decisions for himself and ‘Em… he was already battling his disease Schizophrenia.. he wasn’t ready to face the reality that he could have a normal life too.. he seen schizophrenia as a death sentence.. he fought for is future and won..
January 13, 2023
My rating for this book would be closer to 3.5. I love the enemies to lovers trope and this fit the bill. There were some moments I scanned ahead. There were plenty of moments the writing and ways the words were strung together created such a visual that read and reread more that several times. I’m curious to know where ‘Em and Caylons story go- perhaps an epilogue some time down the line? Looking forward to more from Simon.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 15, 2023
Meh
Ok where do I begin. I had a really hard time getting into this book, I didn't care much or particularly enjoy any of the characters. I struggle something fierce to stay interested I actually stopped reading it all together. But I really don't like leave books as DNF so I eventually finished today. I will admit that towards the end it wasn't so bad but I wasn't loving it either. I'm just glad I finished it, but I'm definitely going to pass on this series I won't be reading the other books.
Ok where do I begin. I had a really hard time getting into this book, I didn't care much or particularly enjoy any of the characters. I struggle something fierce to stay interested I actually stopped reading it all together. But I really don't like leave books as DNF so I eventually finished today. I will admit that towards the end it wasn't so bad but I wasn't loving it either. I'm just glad I finished it, but I'm definitely going to pass on this series I won't be reading the other books.
December 29, 2022
This is the second book in the Kings of McKenzie High series. It is a Dark Bully Romance story. I will say to check Triggers as this story does contain many dark triggers. I absolutely enjoyed reading this story. Which each page I read, I wanted more and more. Layla did an Amazing job with this story and I'm excited to read more of this series and more of Layla's work. I highly recommend checking out Layla's work and this series.
January 20, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is part two of the McKenzie High series. It follows Em and Caylon.
I want to say that it’s a testament that the author could make me like Em because I could not stand her character in book one.
The backgrounds of the characters are tragic and I loved their character development. I’m excited to read book three.
This is part two of the McKenzie High series. It follows Em and Caylon.
I want to say that it’s a testament that the author could make me like Em because I could not stand her character in book one.
The backgrounds of the characters are tragic and I loved their character development. I’m excited to read book three.
January 31, 2023
This book wasn’t what I expected it to be in a good way !! I didn’t see all the twists and turns coming. I definitely can’t wait for the sequel of this book to come out to see where the author goes with it next !! Thank you so much for allowing me to be apart of this review team !! I highly recommend this book especially if you like high school bully romance !! The FMC and the MC both were strong willed individuals and I loved watching their love story unfold!!!
February 3, 2023
I guess it’s my fault for not realizing that this was part of a series. The whole time reading it I felt like I was missing some parts. I really wish I liked it more than I did. But I wasn’t attached to the characters. It felt like a lot was happening with no real explanation. Especially the bullying. Didn’t really get Caylon’s goal at first. They’re attraction didn’t feel organic but maybe if I’d read the first book I’d feel different.
June 16, 2023
4/5⭐️
3/5🌶️
This was crazy read. I have never read a bully romance where he is trying to bully her into dating him. I really enjoyed this read. Em truly struggled with mental health issues through the story and well Caylon was starting to show signs of schizophrenia. They also had to do deal with the man trying to groom Em into his wife. It was also great to see Zach and Lilac from the first book.
3/5🌶️
This was crazy read. I have never read a bully romance where he is trying to bully her into dating him. I really enjoyed this read. Em truly struggled with mental health issues through the story and well Caylon was starting to show signs of schizophrenia. They also had to do deal with the man trying to groom Em into his wife. It was also great to see Zach and Lilac from the first book.
December 30, 2022
Caylon can have any girl he wants, but he just wants Em. Em is a damsel in distress who's been pushed to the max. Pretty Wicked Boys is an intense bully romance bursting with longing, angst, heartbreak, suspense, drama and steam. There are triggers in Em and Caylon's story, but if triggers aren't an issue for you, then this book is a definitely a must read for fans of bully romances.
January 12, 2023
Dark but a really good book.
This was much darker than the first book. There were some heavy things to deal with so definitely check your trigger warnings. The lines blurred between dubcon/noncon and mental health played a big part in this one. It was a great read thoug. It stayed up way later than I should have trying to finish this.
This was much darker than the first book. There were some heavy things to deal with so definitely check your trigger warnings. The lines blurred between dubcon/noncon and mental health played a big part in this one. It was a great read thoug. It stayed up way later than I should have trying to finish this.
April 2, 2023
Pretty Wicked Boys is book two in the Kings Of McKenzie High series. This was going to be my first book by this author when I selected to ARC read it with BookSirens. When I realized that it was book two in the series, I read book one, Pretty Cruel Boys first. This is an honest review after ARC reading.
**This book is a dark bully romance and does contain scenes and elements that could be sensitive to some readers. Please check the trigger warnings before reading.**
After reading book one, I do have to admit that I feel like Pretty Wicked Boys is much darker. The character development and the plot was written very well. This book was able to hold my attention through it's entirety. To be younger characters, Emily and Caylon have both already been through so much in there lives. There is alot of discussion about mental health that could be triggering to some so once again, please check the trigger warnings. This book had some pretty rough bully romance, angst and steam and I loved everything about it. I'm excited to read the next book in the series. Although Layla Simon is a new author to me, she has definitely gained a new fan in me. Pretty Wicked Boys is a fantastic read for those who enjoy a dark, bully romance. Well done!!!
**This book is a dark bully romance and does contain scenes and elements that could be sensitive to some readers. Please check the trigger warnings before reading.**
After reading book one, I do have to admit that I feel like Pretty Wicked Boys is much darker. The character development and the plot was written very well. This book was able to hold my attention through it's entirety. To be younger characters, Emily and Caylon have both already been through so much in there lives. There is alot of discussion about mental health that could be triggering to some so once again, please check the trigger warnings. This book had some pretty rough bully romance, angst and steam and I loved everything about it. I'm excited to read the next book in the series. Although Layla Simon is a new author to me, she has definitely gained a new fan in me. Pretty Wicked Boys is a fantastic read for those who enjoy a dark, bully romance. Well done!!!
January 4, 2024
😻
My god.. you kinda can’t help but feel beyond bad for Em. She went through so dam much. I can actually see why she was that way! Thank god Caylon was actually there for her! Those two are perfect for each other! Btw I really like his mom! I’m also even more curious about Stephan! Like seriously I want his story.
My god.. you kinda can’t help but feel beyond bad for Em. She went through so dam much. I can actually see why she was that way! Thank god Caylon was actually there for her! Those two are perfect for each other! Btw I really like his mom! I’m also even more curious about Stephan! Like seriously I want his story.
June 16, 2024
I haven't read the first book, and I was a little lost about some of the events. But anyway, I liked the book.
I was kind of surprised to go from being a teenage Bully to the mafia and death. Hahahahah It seems that the author saw that she was in the middle of the book and came up with an ending that didn't make much sense to me. 😅
I was kind of surprised to go from being a teenage Bully to the mafia and death. Hahahahah It seems that the author saw that she was in the middle of the book and came up with an ending that didn't make much sense to me. 😅
dnf
July 12, 2024DNF
I feel like I would like this book but I find the writing style is very hard to read. The sentence structure is very different.
Also, I’m not sure where this book is set because it almost seems like it should be the in the US but then the story and spellings are very British so I’m lost on that count.
I feel like I would like this book but I find the writing style is very hard to read. The sentence structure is very different.
Also, I’m not sure where this book is set because it almost seems like it should be the in the US but then the story and spellings are very British so I’m lost on that count.
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