REVIEWED by Jen B.
TITLE: Clark’s Bully
SERIES: Rebels and Nerds
AUTHOR: R. Cayden
PUBLISHER: R. Cayden
LENGTH: 256 Pages
RELEASE DATE: November 12, 2019
BLURB:
Friends. Enemies. Lovers.
For these bad boys and geeks, the fire gets a second chance to burn.
Clark
I thought I was finally ready for my first boyfriend. I was twenty-four years old, and I dreamed about something sweet and easy with a fellow geek. But somehow, I ended up on a date with Mars instead.
He was a total playboy. Sure, he loved science-fiction as much as I did, but he had tattoos up his arms and no interest in a boyfriend. I wanted to run away, but every time he smiled, I ended up sticking around.
The real problem was, Mars didn’t move to Seattle alone. He moved with his best friend and occasional hookup buddy, a guy just as rough and tumble as Mars was, but with a mean glare, too. A glare that was seared into my memory many years ago.
Back when Mars’s badass, sexy roommate was my high school bully.
Not only was Rip Cirillo back in Seattle, but now, he was an out gay man, too. I was still the awkward geek with no dating experience, but Rip had seduced more men and broken more hearts than I could begin to imagine.
A love triangle with my high school bully? Not exactly the first love I was looking for.
REVIEW: Clark is the coworker and friend of Ezra, one of Brick’s geeks who we met in Book 1. Clark is a sweet young thing who had a bit of a late start in life. He was bullied all throughout school which resulted in panic attacks, anxiety and much needed therapy. But, he now has his life more in order and, with the encouragement of his friends, Ezra and Valeria, feels he is ready to start dating.
In walks Mars, who recently moved to the area and immediately sets his flirting sights on Clark. Mars is up front about not looking for a committed relationship, but Clark decides the chemistry is there and Mars might be just the guy to help him get through the initial sexual jitters. Mars is awesome. Even though he is a total player up until this point, he never pushes Clark and even goes along with playing things slow while their friendship grows. All is going well until the both realize that Mars’ best friend with benefits and roommate is none other than the guy who had bullied Clark all those years ago.
Rip is not the same person he was back when he was closeted and dealing with abuse of his own at home. Lashing out at others was his way of coping with it all. But he has tried to make up for it since being on his own and has done well, for the most part. That is the person Mars knows.
There are a number of things taking place here aside from the reunion of Clark and Rip. Mars and Rip also have issues to face regarding their own relationship/feelings for one another, and once that is squared away, they both turn their sights on Clark who just seems a perfect fit for both of them. I really enjoyed this installment with the different elements. It’s a solid addition to this series and, as always, it’s great to see previous characters and how their relationships are doing. If you are a fan of geeky guys finding love, be sure to give this series a try.
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