psyched_np's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Mental illness, Bullying, Gaslighting, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Alcohol, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Sexual content, and Violence
folkofthebook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I just found a mafia book I like?!?! I'm shook.
I picked this book up to get to the third book of the series, The Bully (because I'm a sucker for bully romance), but all the reviews kept insisting on readers starting from the first so I begrudgingly abided.
I found myself impressed by Sophie Lark's ability to pull me into this world she's built; granted, the setting is at an academy, and I love academy so that probably explains it, but I tip my hat to her.
Secret isolated academy? Check.
Beautiful Mediterranean setting? Check.
Tournament-esque plotline? Check.
Admittedly, I do not love that they're cousins - "by marriage, not blood." Why can't y'all just have their parents be besties like they already are and leave it at that lol but I guess that's adding the forbidden romance factor?
You can bet that I'm diving right into book two after I post this.
Check TWs
I picked this book up to get to the third book of the series, The Bully (because I'm a sucker for bully romance), but all the reviews kept insisting on readers starting from the first so I begrudgingly abided.
I found myself impressed by Sophie Lark's ability to pull me into this world she's built; granted, the setting is at an academy, and I love academy so that probably explains it, but I tip my hat to her.
Secret isolated academy? Check.
Beautiful Mediterranean setting? Check.
Tournament-esque plotline? Check.
Admittedly, I do not love that they're cousins - "by marriage, not blood." Why can't y'all just have their parents be besties like they already are and leave it at that lol but I guess that's adding the forbidden romance factor?
You can bet that I'm diving right into book two after I post this.
Check TWs
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Murder, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death and Fire/Fire injury
shaipanda's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Okkk so I read this cause Kendra_reads recommended it on booktok (well recommended Bully and I figured I should start with the first one) and I’m not mad ? But also I had issuessss
1. This was so longggg - not that it wasn’t without reason but like damn I was not expecting that at all and tbh I don’t know if it was entirely necessary
2. The fact that they’re cousins?? Fucking weirddd
3. I really disliked everyone but Anna tbh and *maybe* some of the other girls like Zoe and Chey
4. Absolutely no discussion of condom use or birth control or safe words when doing more kinky stuff or anythinggg
There were definitly other things too but those were the most significant for me besides the spoiler which im gonna add in a second and in the TW’s
1. This was so longggg - not that it wasn’t without reason but like damn I was not expecting that at all and tbh I don’t know if it was entirely necessary
2. The fact that they’re cousins?? Fucking weirddd
3. I really disliked everyone but Anna tbh and *maybe* some of the other girls like Zoe and Chey
4. Absolutely no discussion of condom use or birth control or safe words when doing more kinky stuff or anythinggg
There were definitly other things too but those were the most significant for me besides the spoiler which im gonna add in a second and in the TW’s
Spoiler
ok so why was there like essentially no discussion or even realization really about the fact that Dean sexually assaulted and manipulated Anna on multiple occasions and also that even if she didn’t fully realize that he was drugged, Sophia Gallo also sexually assaulted Leo like wtf <spoiler/>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Minor: Torture
psydneigh's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. They felt like young adults. I kinda wish they were in their 20s but its college. I get it. Now I really could've done without the tearing in the sex scene Jesus. Not needed. I also wish Sophie Lark would discuss contraception more in here books because I can't tell if they are risking it for the biscuit or if she's on the pill and there are no worries.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
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