Book picks similar to
Pretty Vicious Things by J.S. Madden


bully
contemporary-romance
academy
bad-romance

Rules and Roses


Heather Long - 2019
    I don’t wear cosmetics, do my hair or really give a damn about my appearance in general. I don’t need to be cool, and I’ve managed my high school career navigating all the different groups from the nerds to the jocks to the theatre kids and the band geeks. Kicking off senior year, my only focus is to make every AP class count and keep my grades up. Shouldn’t be hard, particularly with my so-called untouchable status. Oh yeah, imagine that—I had a reputation. Hadn’t been a blip on my radar until the end of junior year when one of the girls’ dropped that little nugget on me. Apparently, the guys at school considered me the best girl to hang out with for fun or homework, but nothing else. While I’m not looking for a date, it’s a little hard to swallow that I ranked as the best bud and tutor, but would definitely never fall into the Girl Most Likely To Get Asked Out. Pfft. What did I care? One more year and I was off to college, so what if the numbers of female friends I used to have drifted off and I’d scored a permanent seat in the friend zone. I had subjects to study, grades to maintain, and colleges to get into. Fine, I didn’t care about the rules or status before, and I wouldn’t now. 181 class days to go, and I’ll graduate. No problem, right? *Please note this is a reverse harem and the author suggests you always read the forward in her books. This is the first in a series and the story will continue through future books.

Wicked Liars


Laura Lee - 2020
    Every last one of them. The kings and queens of my new high school.The father and stepmother I never knew. Each has more wealth and privilege than I could've ever imagined. Each has a pile of wicked dirty secrets they'd do anything to protect. These people have grown accustomed to getting what they want and what they want is to make my life a living hell. Too bad for them, you can't break someone who's already broken. Too bad for them, I won't give up without a fight. Too bad for them, I'm going to make them pay...even if it's the last thing I do. *Wicked Liars is the first book in the Windsor Academy series and cannot be read as a standalone. This is a dark high school MF bully romance that may contain triggers for sensitive readers. Due to mature subject matter, it is recommended for readers 17+ only.

Less Than Perfect


Savannah Rose - 2019
    This little piggy I shall break. This little piggy will forgive me. This little piggy's heart's at stake. Momma had a mantra; “Ignore the bullies and they’ll go away, poof, like magic.” When I was still naïve enough to believe her, this suggestion had made perfect sense. Only for some reason, it never worked for me. At first, I thought that I wasn’t ignoring hard enough. Then, I realized that magic only works when you’re pretty. This world wasn’t kind to little pigs. We don’t live long. Sooner or later, someone always came along to blow our worlds down around us. If I wanted to survive, if I wanted boys like Marcus to leave me alone, I’d have to become something different. Something new. Something better. I’d have to grow teeth and claws. I’d have to be willing to bite back. To kill the piglet and transform myself into a big, bad, wolf. And so I did. I wasn't a child anymore. I was a woman with a past that no longer had the right to haunt me. A woman who wanted love and wouldn't shy away from the unconventional in order to claim it. The plan was simple. Marry a man I didn't know. Fall in love with love and life. And never, ever, ever, look back. The problem? My past chose to push its way into my future. No matter how big I felt, no matter how much I'd grown, seeing him again made me feel like nothing more than the little piglet, ready for the roast. Less than perfect is a duology with a strong female lead, a bully, and a fake fiancé.

When the Saint Falls


A.D. McCammon - 2020
    Arrogant. Cruel. Ruthless. And the most attractive guy I’ve ever laid eyes on. He’s the rebel of Westbrook high, and I’m merely the annoying goody two-shoes he dubbed the saint. There must be something wrong with me. After nearly two years of dirty looks and constant humiliation, I’m still crushing on the guy who hated me on sight. Then he kissed me and instead of the ice-cold gaze I was accustomed to, I saw passion burning behind his dark molten eyes. Violet St. James doesn’t belong in my world. Good. Kind. Pure. She’s everything I’m not.She doesn’t just look like an angel, she is one. And I’ve fought every impulse to make her mine.But all my efforts went up in flames the second I tasted her sweet lips. My inability to stay away has changed everything. She’s determined to break down all my walls, but my little saint doesn’t understand the consequences of her actions. She tells me she’s not afraid of the fall.But she should be.

The Inadequate Spy


Scarlett Haven - 2020
    My family, we’re the royals. I am fifth generation Spy School, the best of the best. My family started training me while I was still in the womb. Yet, despite all the training, I’m still a disappointment to them. Not good enough, not smart enough, not fast enough, and definitely not strong enough. Even The Royals don’t think think I’m good enough, but I’ll show them. I’ll prove to everybody that I’m not as weak as they think I am. The Inadequate Spy is the first book in the Spy Academy: The Royals Series. It is a medium burn, reverse harem (RH), why choose, fast paced, action packed, new adult (NA) spy romance. MORE IN THIS SERIES: Book 1 - The Inadequate Spy Book 2 - The Cruel World Book 3 - The Perfect Lie Book 4 - The High Life Book 5 - The Ugly Truth MORE SERIES IN THIS WORLD: The Spy Chronicles East Raven Academy After Spy The Zara Chronicles Spy Academy

Bad Apple


Gemini Jensen - 2019
    Keyword: Supposed. But I’ve just been shipped off to a new school. Sentenced to hard time deep in the heart of Hicktown, USA. I left everything behind—my friends, my girl, my band, my ambitions. Besides graduating, I thought there was nothing left to strive for. Then, I meet her...Pretty. Preppy. Popular. Basic. Most importantly, daughter of the enemy.And now I have a new vision...Rip away her crown. Knock her off her pedestal. Wear her down until she’s stripped bare. She has no idea what’s coming for her. They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and the Creed family tree is full of bad apples. But me?I’m the most rotten of them all. Note: This is a full-length novel that ends on a cliffhanger. Book two will be releasing before the end of the year, and can be pre-ordered at the release of Book One. This series deals with subjects that may be uncomfortable for some. This duet in particular contains flawed characters that may be hard to swallow. In other words, if you are a safety reader, or have disliked “Bully” stories with crude anti-heroes in the past, this may not be the book for you.

Finding Kyler


Siobhan Davis - 2017
    After her parent’s tragic death, she’s whisked away from her home in Ireland when an unknown uncle surfaces as her new guardian.Dropped smack-dab into the All-American dream, Faye should feel grateful. Except living with her wealthy uncle, his fashion-empire-owning wife, and their seven screwed-up sons is quickly turning into a nightmare—especially when certain inappropriate feelings arise.Kyler Kennedy makes her head hurt and her heart race, but he’s her cousin.He’s off limits.And he’s not exactly welcoming—Kyler is ignorant, moody, and downright cruel at times—but Faye sees behind the mask he wears, recognizing a kindred spirit.Kyler has sworn off girls, yet Faye gets under his skin. The more he pushes her away, the more he’s drawn to her, but acting on those feelings risks a crap-ton of prejudice, and any whiff of scandal could damage the precious Kennedy brand.Concealing their feelings seems like the only choice.But when everyone has something to hide, a secret is a very dangerous thing.Will I enjoy this book?Full of scandal, dysfunctional families, teen soap-opera-style angst and drama, secrets and lies, mean girls and catfights, lust and love, book one in the unputdownable Kennedy Boys series will have you flipping the pages’ way beyond bedtime! Only suitable for readers aged seventeen and older due to mature content and language. Please note this book contains a forbidden love theme featuring first cousins and a cliff hanger. It is not a standalone read.Books in this SeriesFinding KylerLosing KylerKeeping KylerThe Irish Getaway - optional short novelKENNEDY BOYS STANDALONE NOVELSLoving Kalvin- friends-to-lovers second chance romanceSaving Brad - enemies-to-lovers romanceSeducing Kaden - second chance/forbidden romanceForgiving Keven - second chance romanceThe three Kyler books must be read together. Thereafter, every book in the series will focus on a single Kennedy boy and his love interest, and they will be standalone titles with an HEA and no cliff hanger.

Wicked Titan


A.J. Logan - 2020
    I won’t bow.He can’t break me.Because I’m already in hell.

Cruel Boys


Mina Thorne - 2019
     I was the new girl. A charity case who needed the scholarship at Blossom High to keep me out of juvenile hall. From the moment I saw my new school I knew I would never fit in. My plan was to survive my senior year and escape after graduation, unnoticed. But the elites at Blossom High had different plans for me. Sugar Royale decided I was her new target. She wanted to break me and watch me crumble until I ran from them, shattered with no place to go. What she didn't count on was how hard I'd been fighting my whole life. None of them imagined I would hit back twice as hard, and if I went down, I would go down swinging. Even if it meant losing myself in the arms of her brutal brother. Even if it meant stealing her arrogant, bullying boyfriends one by one until she was left with nothing. I'd do whatever it took to get even...even if it meant falling in love with cruelest boy of all.

The Initiation


Sam Crescent - 2019
    Her father left, her mother killed herself, and she still has to be the good girl, the one that doesn’t make waves, who is always nice. But one day, something changes. No, it’s not something. It’s them. Draven, Axel, Jett, and Buck. All of them are dangerous, scary, and most people avoid them at all costs. She knows they’re bad news, but Draven’s not willing to take no for an answer, not from her. For Draven, he and his friends had this idea of finding the one girl that would complete their circle. One girl for all of them. Harper is that one girl, but first she has to go through their initiation to become one of them, to be able to bear their names, and to stand proudly. All they ask is she remain loyal to them and them alone. No squealing to the cops. No backing down. And above all else, no running away. All she has to do is give herself, mind, heart, and body. She can keep her soul. It’s dark anyway, just like theirs.

Crooked Crows


Elena Lawson - 2021
    Heartlessly cruel. Broken beyond repair.Corvus, Rook, and Grey – The Crows. Bred in a world of gang wars, violence, and secrets, they rule the bloody town of Thorn Valley and all the people in it…too bad for me I’ve never been good at kissing ass or keeping quiet.Even if their savage spirits awaken something inside of me I thought was long dead, I can’t break. I won’t. They think they scare me, that I’ll run and hide, but the joke’s on them. The Crows aren’t the first monsters I’ve faced, and they won’t be the last. There are worse evils out there waiting to take their stab at Ava Jade Mason.I say let them try. I’m tired of running. Tired of holding back my darkness. Thorn Valley isn’t ready for a new boogie man. Too bad I’m already here.Crooked Crows is a dark enemies-to-lovers reverse harem romance, meaning the main character will have more than one love interest.Warning: This series contains foul language, explicit sexual content, graphic depictions of gang violence, and jealous/possessive themes. Recommended for readers aged eighteen and up. Please read responsibly.

Beauty and the Bully


Mya West - 2020
    I did what I had to do to survive.I thought I finally caught a break when a terrible accident turned into an oppurtunity. I started at Ryland Academy, the country's wealthiest high school. I’ve somehow managed to get the full attention of three of the hottest guys here- Chase, Jaxson and Lance.But things are worst than ever.They made sure of it.Now I’m part of their sick game. Ryland Academy is full of secrets, just like the town that surrounds it. I hear rumours about who really controls everything and everyone around me. I’ve been warned to stop asking so many questions. I should have listened.This place is not what I thought it would be.They are not who I thought they were. Their problem? I’ll get my revenge, or die trying. Beauty and the Bully is is a dark bully high school romance filled with mystery, suspense, and heat.Warning: This is a young adult/new adult bully romance high school series that does contain mature scenes and ends on a cliff-hanger, but the series will end in a HEA.

Break You


M.V. Ellis - 2019
    I’m the whispers in the darkness you can’t quite hear. I’m the unease that can’t be explained, but won’t go away. I’m your worst nightmare come to life. I’m the filthy rich guy who’s coming for revenge. Everything you’ve ever had. Everything you hold dear. I won’t stop until I break you. RockyYou were once my savior. Now you’re my bully. I’m the girl from the wrong side of the wrong side of the tracks. No match for your money, your might, or your wrath. But I’m not going down without a fight. When I go, I’ll take you with me. Because we’re more alike than you want to admit. And more connected than you know. This is not a love story.

Savage Prince


Kristin Buoni - 2020
    Liars and sinners lurk around every corner… and I’ve just stumbled onto the worst one yet.Her name is Laney Collins.She’s a maid’s daughter with a scholarship to Royal Falls Academy, and she’s got a hell of a dark secret. Everyone else might be fooled by her sweet, innocent act, but I know the truth.I know what she did last year.Now that our senior year has started, she’s going to pay for her sins, and she’s going to learn her proper place at RFA. I own the school and everyone in it, and soon, I’ll own her too.Welcome to my kingdom, Laney. You really should’ve stayed away…***LANEY Welcome to Royal Falls Academy… Those five words were supposed to change my life. I thought I finally had friends, opportunities, and a ticket to freedom… but the privileged boys who rule RFA have other ideas. Especially their leader, Hunter Connery.He’s rich, arrogant, and looks like a god. He also knows my darkest secret.Now he’s marked me. Added me to the school’s infamous Blacklist to turn everyone against me.I’m supposed to flee or beg for forgiveness before he drives me away with his ruthless cruelty, but that’s not going to happen, no matter how close I get to my breaking point. I’ll never fall on my knees for him, and he’ll never destroy me.I might come from nothing, but that doesn’t mean I’m worthless… so bring it on, Hunter.Savage Prince is a dark high school bully romance with content that some readers may find disturbing or offensive. The story follows on from the events of Twisted Elite and continues in Shattered Kingdom.

Toxic Creek


K.C. Kean - 2021
    It’s like the trash took itself out.”I had everything I ever wanted, until my life was flipped upside down. Now, I’m suddenly being forced to live in my parent’s hometown, with complete strangers. Like my heart isn’t broken enough. Could I fall any further?Yes. Yes, I could.Why might that be?The Allstars. Xavier Knight, Hunter Asheville, and Tobias Holmes. Asheville High’s prestigious star football players.They’re my worst nightmare. But damn – why do they have to be so mouth-wateringly hot? I mean I’m sure there is more to them, I can see it in their eyes, but I won’t be getting any closer to pin-point what it is exactly.They seem to think I’m breakable, but they obviously don’t know me at all. The Allstars have no idea of what I’m dealing with, and I’m not above biting back. I’m here out of a promise to my mother, but this damn town screws with you. Knight’s Creek welcomes you in, with its picture perfect neighborhoods, making you think it’s safe, quaint, and wholesome. But in reality, this toxic town seeps into your soul and tears you apart.Now, I have no choice but to stay and piece myself back together. The second I graduate, I’m getting the hell out of here.In theory, it sounds simple. Right?Toxic Creek is Book One in The Allstars Series, which is a contemporary, bully reverse harem. Some scenes may be classed as triggering to some, and with sexual scenes throughout it is recommended for those 17+. F/M/M/M steam, so for clarification there will be NO MM and Eden is everyone’s soul focus; if they get over their egos that is!