Bully by Penelope Douglas
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.
We're neighbors, and once, we were best friends. But then, one summer, he turned on me and has made it his mission to screw up my life at every opportunity. 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 hide from him. I worried about what was around every corner and behind every door.
So I left.
I spent a year studying abroad and bathed in the freedom of life without Jared. Now I'm back to finish up high school and get the hell out of here forever. I'm hoping that after a year of breathing room, he's moved on and forgotten all about me.
But even if he hasn't changed, I have. I'm not interested in avoiding him or turning the other cheek anymore. We're going to go head to head, because neither of us wants to back down.
I read this book a while ago... but considering it's Summer and here in the Midwest we have had some absolutely beautiful weather... it's been a little difficult to sit down and write reviews, plus my kids are constantly asking to go outside to play (we recently introduced them to water balloons - Big Mistake lol). Anyway, when I woke up this morning I told myself - "Lori you HAVE to review this book" and considering it's been a few weeks and the characters and message behind the book are still on my mind I figured it was perfect. Normally I write a review with in hours to maybe 1 or 2 days after finishing it so considering I'm going on a few weeks here it tells me one thing - This book is extremely memorable! So memorable that I could honestly read it again and enjoy it just as much. I can honestly say I've read very little that stays with me like this one did... sure characters stick with me, especially boys, but everything stuck with me with this one - Especially Tate!
Tate and Jared's characters are so well built that you actually feel yourself inside Tate. You're just as confused by her attraction to Jared and you're there patting her on the back when she's done something to stand up to him. It's always amazing to watch a heroine grow in a book but in this case it was watching Tate grow a backbone and finally do what she should have been doing from day one - and that's put the very sexy Jared in his place. I've seen reviews that she was immature and should have rose above it but come on... a person can only take so much.
I would have liked a little more out of Jared but I was satisfied with what I got... he wasn't easy to fall for but there is no doubt in my mind that once that wall he was holding up so tightly fell it became impossible not to fall for him.
Needless to say this book is definitely worth a read and a reread... maybe even another reread after that! If you haven't read it.. pick it up and as always feel free to email me or comment below and tell me what you thought of Bully!
Happy Reading!
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