Bully
Tate and Jared's tumultuous relationship evolves from childhood friends to enemies, exploring themes of power, revenge, and redemption in a high school setting.
Tropes & Themes
About This Book
In "Bully" by Penelope Douglas, the once-close bond between childhood friends Tate and Jared unravels when Jared returns from a summer visit to his father, transformed into a tormentor who subjects Tate to relentless bullying. This sudden cruelty shatters their friendship, leaving Tate confused and hurt. Determined to escape the torment, Tate accepts a year-long exchange program in France, seeking solace and distance from Jared's harassment.
Upon her return, Tate finds herself confronting a changed Jared, who now appears remorseful and eager to mend their fractured relationship. As they navigate the complexities of their past and present, both characters are forced to confront their emotions, traumas, and the lingering connection that binds them. The story delves into themes of power, revenge, and redemption, set against the backdrop of high school dynamics. The evolving tension between Tate and Jared creates a dark, intense atmosphere, driving the narrative toward a slow-burn exploration of forgiveness and personal growth.
What Readers Say
Many readers appreciate the intense emotional depth and character development in 'Bully'. Fans praise Penelope Douglas's writing style for its engaging and fast-paced narrative. Some readers find the portrayal of bullying and the ease of forgiveness to be problematic. Content warnings include themes of bullying, violence, and sexual situations; reader discretion is advised. Ideal for readers who enjoy angsty, enemies-to-lovers romance with complex character dynamics.
Rating Distribution
Based on 11 Open Library ratings
Reader Reviews
7 curated reviewspadme35
Jul 18, 2015
... out of the gate by saying this story is amazing and the characters are perfect
I am just going to jump out of the gate by saying this story is amazing and the characters are perfect. Now, I know what you're thinking "perfect? Where is the fun in that?" Well, I guess it depends on your definition of perfect. To me perfect is not about being a "utopian" character it's about having flaws, surviving and flourishing because of those flaws. And that's exactly what Caleb and Nathan have, flaws. You will definitely hate or at the very least despise high school Nate and you will most definitely want to shake college Caleb more than once. Plain and simple this is a story abo
DiverseReader
Jul 14, 2015
A story about forgiving and love
This is a story about forgiving. Its a story that shows us the strength of love. When we were in high school we did stupid things. Even though we thought we knew it all. Nathan and Caleb are living their lives, in college, unable to let go of one gigantic mess that happened in high school. They pretty much coast through 4 years. Study, build for a future. But they aren't whole. They cant be until they sit down, and talk. The flashbacks explain the turmoil they are currently in. We get glimpses of the happy times and what inevitably made it all go wrong. But 4 years later, going to the same col
HKS
Jul 24, 2015
Bully & Exit
I'm a huge fan of the second chance tropes. That is one of my favorite themes to read of in a book. Nathan made a huge mistake back in High School. He and Caleb had a secret relationship back then because Nathan was so deep in the closet. When something happens to scare Nathan about his and Caleb's relationship , he hurts Caleb in a pretty awful way. Flash forward a few years and they see each other at party. Caleb is furious and in no position , emotionally and mentally, to forgive Nathan. Nathan , though is stubborn and won't let go of his second chance of righting a wrong. With the help
Wendy Clements
Aug 3, 2015
Heads up for Bully & Exit
****Some possible spoilery things**** At first I thought this was going to be just another going to college gay romance book. I was so wrong! I really liked the way Ms. Vaughn tied together what happened in high school between Caleb and Nathan with the present, and slowly revealed _why_ what happened did. I didn't expect what had occurred with Nathan, and was completely behind Caleb's reasons for not wanting to give him another chance, regardless of his present intentions--which was sort of silly of me, because I do think people deserve second chances; it's just hard when you have been hurt,
Karen Lane
Jul 26, 2016
An easy read
I think Caleb was over dramatic, his inability to listen to someone was frustrating. Nathan was a putz, but it was a sweet story, and it held my interest
Xanlthorpe
Sep 1, 2015
Good Romance
A well written story line, though I do not like the flash forward/flash backward style. I think it adds an unnecessary layer of confusion to an already interesting story. Reasonable character development. About a quarter of the way in I had nothing good to say about Caleb. Eventually he became a person I could accept.
About the Author
Penelope Douglas
14 books in library
Readers are drawn to Penelope Douglas's novels for their deep emotional resonance and the exploration of complex, often taboo relationships. Her ability to craft morally ambiguous characters and intense romantic dynamics keeps audiences engaged and eager for more.
