Title: Bully
Author: Penelope Douglas
ISBN: 9780451477101
Publisher: Intermix (Penguin Group (USA) LLC)
Pages: 333
Source: Private copy
My name is Tate. He doesn’t call me that, though. He would never refer to me so informally if he referred to me at all. 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’ve been humiliated, shut out, and gossiped about all through high school. His pranks and rumors got more sadistic as time wore on, and I made myself sick trying to stay out of his way. I even went to France for a year, just to avoid him.
But I’m done hiding from him now, and there’s no way in hell I’ll allow him to ruin my senior year. He might not have changed, but I have. It’s time to fight back.
I’m not going to let him bully me anymore.
Official Summary
24 June 2025
Okay, so Bully was definitely a wild ride, and I enjoyed it for what it was. It gave me all the messy drama and angsty tension I was hoping for, even if some parts made me raise an eyebrow. Like… it’s clearly a product of its time, early 2010s vibes for sure, and not everything aged perfectly, but I still couldn’t put it down.
The main thing that kept me hooked was the whole enemies-to-lovers situation. Tate and Jared had so much history and tension that I just had to see how it would all play out. I didn’t always agree with how Jared treated her, some of the stuff was honestly lowkey toxic, but I appreciated that the book gave him some backstory that helped explain things a little. Not excuse it, but explain it. That said, I still wanted to slap him a few times.
Tate was a great main character. I loved how she found her backbone and started standing up for herself instead of just letting Jared walk all over her. She had this inner strength that made me root for her, even when I didn’t love all her choices. Their chemistry was intense and kind of addictive, even if it felt a little extra at times.
I wouldn’t say this book changed my life or anything, but it was entertaining and exactly what I needed for a dramatic, emotional escape. It’s like one of those books that you know is a little problematic, but you still can’t stop reading because you’re so invested in the chaos. A fun read if you’re in the mood for teen drama and big emotions.
So yeah four stars from me. Not perfect, but still a solid guilty pleasure read.
Also by Penelope Douglas
PUNK 57
Misha
I can’t help but smile at the words in her letter. She misses me.
In fifth grade, my teacher set us up with pen pals from a different school. Thinking I was a girl, with a name like Misha, the other teacher paired me up with her student, Ryen. My teacher, believing Ryen was a boy like me, agreed.
It didn’t take long for us to figure out the mistake. And in no time at all, we were arguing about everything. The best take-out pizza. Android vs. iPhone. Whether or not Eminem is the greatest rapper ever…
And that was the start. For the next seven years, it was us.
Her letters are always on black paper with silver writing. Sometimes there’s one a week or three in a day, but I need them. She’s the only one who keeps me on track, talks me down, and accepts everything I am.
We only had three rules. No social media, no phone numbers, no pictures. We had a good thing going. Why ruin it?
Until I run across a photo of a girl online. Name’s Ryen loves Gallo’s pizza and worships her iPhone. What are the chances?
I need to meet her.
I just don’t expect to hate what I find.
Ryen
He hasn’t written in three months. Something’s wrong. Did he die? Get arrested? Knowing Misha neither would be a stretch.
Without him around, I’m going crazy. I need to know someone is listening. It’s my own fault. I should’ve gotten his number or picture or something.
He could be gone forever.
Or right under my nose, and I wouldn’t even know it.
About The Author
Author Bio from the Author’s Site
Hi! My name is Penelope Douglas, and I write romance. New adult, a little contemporary… Really whatever is calling me at the moment. I believe a good writer can spin any story in a way with which you’ll connect, and I endeavour to do just that with every book I write. Not many topics are too taboo for me. I love breaking rules, and I love taking myself out of my comfort zone.
Thank you for reading, let me know what you think in the comments below.
Keep reading see you soon.
