'Bully' by Penelope Douglas delves into the complex relationship between childhood friends turned enemies, Jared and Tate. The story follows Tate as she navigates the intense bullying she faces from Jared upon returning from a year abroad. As the plot unfolds, readers witness the evolution of their relationship from animosity to romance, intertwined with themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the lasting impact of bullying. The writing style captures the angst, tension, and emotional depth of the characters, drawing readers into a story of love, betrayal, and self-discovery.

Characters:

Tate is a strong protagonist who confronts her past, while Jared is a flawed character struggling with his own issues, making their relationship dynamic complex.

Writing/Prose:

The author employs a compelling, character-focused writing style that captures the emotional turmoil and romantic tension between the leads.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around Tate and Jared, who face a tumultuous relationship that shifts from childhood friends to high school enemies, driven by bullying and unresolved emotions.

Setting:

The setting is predominantly in a high school, reflecting the struggles and social intricacies of adolescent life.

Pacing:

The story maintains a fast pace, driving the plot with emotional intensity and conflict, while occasionally allowing for deeper character exploration.

I smiled to myself. My best friend knew me too well. I liked to drive fast. I liked to move fast. I walked as quickly as my legs could take me, and I drove as speedily as was reasonable. I rushed to e...

Notes:

The story involves a complex relationship between former best friends, Tate and Jared, who become enemies after Jared returns from a summer away.

The book features themes of bullying, romance, and the struggle for self-empowerment.

Tate spends a year in France to escape the bullying, which marks a turning point for her character.

Jared's behavior is attributed to his traumatic experiences with his father, but many readers question the justification for his bullying.

The chemistry between Tate and Jared is described as explosive, leading to conflicting feelings about their relationship.

Many readers appreciated Tate's character for her resilience and ability to stand up for herself after years of bullying.

The author, Penelope Douglas, is praised for her writing style and character development, despite the controversial themes.

The book has sparked discussions around the portrayal of bullying and the complexities of forgiveness in relationships.

This is Penelope Douglas's first published book, and it has gained a significant following, leading to further books in the series.

The sequel, 'Until You,' is told from Jared's perspective, providing more insight into his character.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes themes of bullying, emotional abuse, and toxic relationships, which may be triggering for some readers.

Has Romance?

There is a significant romantic arc between the main characters, highlighting both tension and chemistry.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Penelope Douglas delivers an unforgettable romance that toes the fine line between love and hate….

My name is Tate. He doesn't call me that, though. He would never refer to me by a friendly nickname. No, he'll barely even speak to me. But he still won't leave me alone.

We were best friends once. Then he turned on me and made it his mission to ruin my life. I was humiliated, shut out, and gossiped about all through high school. His pranks and rumors got worse as time wore on, and I made myself sick trying to stay out of his way. I even went away for a year just to avoid him.

But I'm done hiding from him now, and there's no way I'll allow him to ruin another year. He might not have changed, but I have. It's time to fight back.

Ratings (132)

Incredible (24)
Loved It (43)
Liked It (37)
It Was OK (17)
Did Not Like (7)
Hated It (4)

Reader Stats (238):

Read It (146)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (63)
Did Not Finish (3)
Not Interested (24)

2 comment(s)

mskrav898

It Was OK

2 months

Better plot maybe

fimbud315

Liked It

1 year

I was pleasantly surprised by this book, finding it better than expected, despite not entirely aligning with my usual preferences. While it contained tropes I typically avoid, such as younger main characters and the bully romance subgenre, the author managed to craft a story that resonated with me. Although the teenage drama and exaggerated emotions were present, they didn't detract from my enjoyment as much as I anticipated. While I still find the concept of bullying someone due to attraction absurd, the protagonist's resilience was commendable. Overall, the story was engaging and easy to read, and the characters didn't irritate me as much as I feared. While this was my first experience with the author's work, I'm now open to exploring more of her books after this positive encounter.

What can you read after
Bully?

See the list (100 books)

About the Author:

Penelope Douglas is a New York Times bestselling author of the Fall Away series, and a teacher in Las Vegas. She and her husband have one daughter.

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Bully

Penelope Douglas

Book 1 in the series:Fall Away