I’ve been hit with the Blues

First of all, let’s start with the disclaimer that this book contained all of my catnip; an enemies to lovers story, new adult angsty goodness, a dominating, a grumpy, broken alpha hero, and a strong feisty heroine, and a reason-defying magnetic pull between the main characters that spans a few years, or even a lifetime. All this meant I was very on board for this book. Also, the hero and heroine have the best, most dramatic names, Zachariah Prince and Cleopatra Paige. See, dramatic.

Having said all that, I really loved this book! Beneath this rich-boy-meets-and-hates-poor-girl-and-tortures-her story is a poignant, emotional tale of love and hate and bullies and the bullied. Our hero is a damaged, hardened boy with horrifying secrets and a love for the stars, returning to the town his family basically owns. Our heroine is a Curvy, blue haired girl who works for his family and hates him with a passion, and with good reason. But both have much more in common than their passion for the color blue.

This is a Cinderella story but with a dark, tarnished Prince instead of a golden one, and the servant girl who’s been hurt by the world but doesn’t take anyone’s crap lying down. She may be bullied but she’s no victim, she has chosen not to be. Not so with the boy who invokes all these feelings in her, he has demons he’s very much a victim of. I can’t say much more about the book without giving away spoilers, but it’s one I would recommend for the characters’ journey of coming to terms with the scars of their past and the cracks in their soul.

This book wasn't the "bully" drama I was picturing, since by the time the books start, Zach doesn't really bully Cleo anymore, but this was a nice contrast to the other books like this I've read. It also makes it easier to like Zach more quickly, as you can see him struggling with what he did in the past.

The chemistry between the main characters is really good and so steamy! I really enjoyed reading them.

I can't say I enjoy the whole "love at first sight" vibe this book kind of puts forward, and that Cleo and Zach were in love with each other despite the way they treated each other. I can slightly understand how it fits together, but the end product was a bit too sickeningly sweet, which put me off a little.

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Method: ebook

Rating: 3/5 stars

H rating: 3/5 - Zach

h rating: 3/5 - Cleo

Drama: 3/5

Thoughts: Received this in a book box, gave it a try, not really for me, I am just not a huge fan of this genre personally. It was a good read though.

Pretty solid hate to love bully romance

the smut was so bad i had to read for the plot

Just meh

It started off so strong. Idk what happened, honestly. It just became less enjoyable as it went on but overall still a good book.

I seriously loved this book so much. Top 5 of the year for sure. I absolutely loved the chemistry between Zach and Cleo. I was not expecting to feel so many emotions in this book. I cried and I laughed. It was so well written that I felt such a connection between the two characters. I’m surprised to read other people’s reviews that say they didn’t feel the connection or the chemistry!

The only thing I will say is that it reminded me a lot of Vicious by L.J. Shen. So if you liked that book, you’ll like this one too!

“You haven’t changed a bit, have you? I bet you still think you own the world.” He shakes his head, slowly, dangerously. Hypnotically. “I don’t give a fuck about the world. But I do own you.” Fully knowing that it might make my situation worse, I scoff. “You’ll never own me. Not now. Not ever.” “Is that a challenge, Blue?”

Sure, these two hate each other, but there really is a fine line between love and hate. Both characters were so dear to me. The more I read about them, the more I loved them for who they were.

This book also deals with some heavy topics, and the author handles it beautifully.