Title: The Boy on the Bridge
Author: Sam Mariano
Genre: Bully Romance
Release Date: March 4, 2021
BLURB
The day I met Hunter Maxwell he wasn’t the rich kid who lived in the giant house, he wasn’t the most popular guy in school, he certainly wasn’t the bully who had chased his own best friend out of town after a falling out—he was just a boy with a black eye and a dark secret.
My life would have been much easier if I had stayed out of it, but I couldn’t. I saw someone hurting and wanted to help. I saw someone possibly in danger and wanted to make sure he was safe.
There’s nothing safe about Hunter Maxwell, though. I thought there might be. I fell under his spell. Whatever the world saw when they looked at him, it wasn’t what he showed me.
The bond we formed was real. I know it was real. But with Hunter, when the tides turn, you’d better hope you’re safely on the shore and out of his reach.
I thought I was a strong enough swimmer to keep my head above water. I thought if it came down to it, I could resist his pull.
I didn’t know, but now I do.
Once Hunter sets his sights on you, there’s no such thing as out of his reach. Whether it’s today, tomorrow, or five years from now, he’s coming for me—and when he does, he won’t stop until he’s destroyed me.
Caroline's Review
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Having read Untouchable, I went into this book thinking it might push me out of my comfort zone again. However, although a bully romance, it’s actually not that dark. There are mixed reviews about this story but I absolutely devoured all 700+ pages of this novel!
”He’s kind of popular jerk who comes to school just to hang out with his friends, and I’m kind of a quiet bookworm who actually shows up to learn.”
Riley Bishop has known who Hunter Maxwell is for years, but the year they were both 14 was the first time they ever interacted. She’s a girl-nerd and he’s a popular jock. When she comes across him at the bridge behind his house and en route to her home, a connection is forged between them. However, Hunter is troubled and when Riley breaks his confidence, for his own good, she makes an enemy of him. He ends up being exiled abroad and she becomes the school pariah. Just as she’s entering her senior year, with a tentative boyfriend, Hunter is suddenly back, and he’s about to make good on his promise to make her life a living hell.
”I've never been as tempted to betray myself as I am when he's around.”
I found Riley Bishop to be an incredibly strong, principled heroine. I loved that she walked her own path and refused to bow down to popular consensus. She wasn’t afraid to go against the status quo. If anything, her principles got in the way of her desire and being with the boy she loved. It was almost like a no-win situation for her. Hunter had to bargain and negotiate with her to get her to a place where she could have what she really wanted.
"There is never one moment of any given day that I don't care about you."
Hunter was a complicated guy. He was ripped away from everything he knew – even though what he knew was brutal and harmful to him. When he came back, he was bent on his revenge. However, when he realised that he’d taken it too far, he suffered the consequence of his action, and then had to fight for every bit of Riley’s attention. He was knowing, intuitive, and so, so confident! He came across as much more mature than his actual age, especially when we add in his wealth, power and intellect. He talked a big game, but he always delivered, too. His focus and commitment were pretty daunting, at times, and his romantic side was pretty swoonworthy!
”Don’t try to pretend you don’t feel it between us, Riley. You feel it, just like I do. There’s something here, something…unbreakable. A pull neither one of us can resist, no matter how much we think we should.”
I loved every bit of this story. Yes, it was long and some might say prolonged, but I loved Hunter’s laboured yet determined conquest of Riley. I was wholly taken by his alpha tendencies because he also showed chinks of vulnerability and doubt. Riley was so stubborn in her convictions that you wondered how Hunter was ever going to win her round. Hunter was jealous and possessive but also willing to play the longer game in order to persuade Riley that they belonged together. I adored that he wanted to look after her and make her life easier. The author questioned his actions as manipulative and controlling, but Riley knew herself well. A lot of the time, she was a willing participant in whatever Hunter wanted. Ultimately, he would only have pushed ahead if Riley wanted it. Hunter’s influence and power at the school, as well as the town, was far-reaching and mindboggling. The pull between them was irresistible and they were insanely hot together, and often pretty reckless.
I thoroughly enjoyed the dialogues throughout the story. Riley and her mother had a beautiful relationship. I loved their light-hearted banter and understanding of one another. The exchanges between Hunter and Riley were also amusing and fun. I loved that Hunter adored his beautiful girl-nerd!
"I want to take care of you, heart, body, soul. There's no limit to what I'll do for you, Riley. I'm yours completely. I want you to be mine the same way."
Hunter’s shocking revelations near the end brought everything into focus and the conclusion was gorgeous. There is no doubt that I thought this story was absolutely amazing, and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
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EXCERPT
“You sure you want to bail? Leave me here alone in a dark theater with Valerie? Maybe you should tag along and make sure I behave myself.”
I know he’s only ragging on me, but I scoff at him anyway. “Please. I’d never babysit a guy. My mom taught me better than that. If you like Valerie, there’s no way you like me. If you don’t like me, then—”
He stands just as abruptly as I did, moving so close he’s practically on top of me.
My words halt and my amusement fades. His handsome face is so close to mine, my heart sinks. I can’t think straight when he stands so close to me.
“Then what?” he challenges, looking down at me and holding my gaze.
Stampeding wild animals stomp through my chest as I look back at him. I can see from the glimmer in his eyes, he knows exactly how he’s affecting me.
“Don’t torture me, Hunter.”
“This isn’t what it feels like to be tortured by me, Catnip.”
AUTHOR BIO
Sam Mariano writes the books she wants to read. She loves edgy, twisty romantic reads with complicated characters you’re left thinking about long after you turn the last page. Her favorite thing about indie publishing is the ability to play by your own rules! If she isn’t reading one of the thousands of books on her to-read list, writing her next book, or playing with her adorable daughter… actually, that’s about all she has time for these days. Feel free to find her on Facebook or Instagram—she loves hearing from her readers!
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