Untouchable: A Bully Romance

I feel kind of terrible about the review I'm about to write because it's going to be harsh and it's going to be crazy long. Sorry to the author because I hate going on about the negatives in a book for most of my review, but there was a lot here that frustrated me, especially after some people had talked it up so much. I purchased this book after seeing a lot of recommendations on a couple of pages I follow that recommends alpha male characters and the like. It was described as a bully romance, has a lot of good reviews and talks about the H being a bit over the top. He was, but like a spoiled, young male might tend to be and in no diabolical, complex manner unfortunately, making the book fall pretty flat for me. He wasn't strong and swoon-worthy - he was basically a kid. I thought this book read like a juvenile, teen romance. I honestly find it hard to believe so many older women (as in, not in their teens) loved it. It's like a high school version of 50 Shades but with a few non-consensual scenes thrown in to stand out and 'heat' things up. And make no mistake about it, it is sexual assault in the book, not romance, which makes a lot of the novel ridiculous and poorly communicated. The way the story panned out was a series of wtf's followed by nonsense - repeat cycle - making the story sound like tripe.*** Major spoilers below ***Okay, so I'll sum up the book here. Carter is the king of the school: Quarterback, rich (of course), handsome and crazy popular. Zoey is a quiet, Churchy nerd who is studying hard to try and get a free ride into college via a scholarship. She's felt up inappropriately by a member of the football team (Jake) and reports him, resulting in him being suspended from the team for the rest of the year and her being blacklisted by not only the town's community as a whole, but her entire school and even her own mother (who was a bit of a drip, so no loss there). She has only a couple of friends and eats on her own, etc. because pretty much everyone hates her guts. One lunch time when she's trying to find somewhere to eat on her own, she is set upon by Jake, Carter (our H) and some other douche on the hopes of intimidating and scaring her enough that she recounts her story so Jake can rejoin the team. She's forced into a classroom where they strip her to her panties and forcibly restrain her and feel her breasts. Carter, the ring leader, forces Jake to hold her and then has him and the other tosser to watch the door. He proceeds to force Zoey to her knees and says really romantic things to her along the lines of try not to vomit, if you don't give me oral, I'll stick it in your c*** and if you bite me I'll knock out your teeth and I mean it. Upon the threat of rape where Carter explains to her and his friends that's he'll use her virgin blood as lubricant, Zoey gives Carter a blow job. They then leave her to cry and I'm assuming go to have lunch. Well, after this, Carter couldn't help but be enamoured by Zoey. Who couldn't???Carter likes the fact that she doesn't care what people think and stands by her convictions. He likes her so much, he turns up at her house the next day after she's called in sick to ask her to dinner and meet her mother. He also takes the opportunity to feel her breasts again as he can't stop thinking about him. I know what you're thinking - what a catch! He's not impressed when she turns him down and promises her he'll get his way - something he does throughout the book because he's the king of their town. I know he is because he said it several times as did others. The book then continues with a monotonous repeat of the same old, same old. Carter pursues Zoey. Zoey seems okay with it and lets him get away with it, not because she's a victim but because his abusive behaviour really intrigues her and she wants to be a psychologist in the future. Throughout the course of their day to day romance, he takes her virginity when she said no (he literally just thrust it in so it was out of the way), forces/strongly suggests/cajoles/blackmails her into giving him sex and blow jobs, threatens to sexually assault her best friend if she doesn't turn up to a party and gets said Churchy friend drunk, pressures Zoey into situations she has said no to and exchanges favours for sex of which she is a willing negotiator. Chuck in a few dates, getting to know each other, him having a secret child (don't know where this came from) when he was 13, a mother with recurring depression and a douche of a father and you have the book. It's basically Carter trying to get Zoey to stay with him and trying to get his way by dropping casual threats and promises. I didn't find him so much of a bully, which of course he was to a degree, as an arrogant prick. So to me, the title should be Untouchable: An arrogant prick romance.Zoey was apparently a very bright girl. She did not come across as this is the book. She didn't seem naive, but just plain stupid. Her recurring theme seemed to be, 'Don't do this, I don't want to, oh, okay you can, or, it's alright that you did, we'll just move on like it's another day because I actually really like you even though you only noticed me on the day you sexually assaulted me'. Carter was athletic, popular, good looking and rich so of course his behaviour was totally fine and acceptable. He had a rough time growing up as a rich boy, so it's really not his fault. Zoey wants to fix him (hello again, 50 Shades). Yawwwn.I have read a lot of dark romance and similar genre so obviously dark content doesn't bother me. It didn't bother me in this book, although I understand why many reviewers flipped their lid over the content in this book. Personally, although some content was tasteless (which is why I sometimes like dark reads - sue me), I didn't find it excessive through the book. A few scenes and phrases won't be up some people's alley, so if you don't like rape, sexual assault and the like in books, don't buy it. The author clearly indicates the sensitive nature of some of the material in this book as do many reviewers so I don't get why people then purchase said book only to say it was terrible and disgusting due to darker content. That's why the warning is there, petal! Anyway, even though the content was dubious, that's not my main reason for disliking this book.I'm going to list a few things in the book that really drove me to tears. There are a lot, so hold onto your hats as the spoilers continue. I didn't mind the premise of the book - it was the follow through that I found poor, turning this into a fantasy novel more than a bully romance. Carter is basically grooming Zoey for sex abuse and the events and dialogue that take place are laughable at times. This book is only told from Zoey's point a of view and she waffles on continuously. If Zoey was thinking it, we got to hear about it so the story became bland and repetitive quickly. Her reaction to her assault is literally unbelievable. She flirts with him and constantly exchanges dry and lengthy banter. She initiates conversation and actively tries to get to know him and learn more about his ideas, thoughts and life in general as he tries to charm her, resorting to blackmail and veiled threats when that doesn't work. Zoey also treats her interaction with Carter as a competition or a game (she actually says this) and wants to win. Righhhhht.One of my major problems with this book is the inconsistent themes. Carter threatens to rape and sexually assault her and then is made out to be this affable guy. The author wants us to excuse this behaviour and have a soft spot for him because he just really likes Zoey. This is so juvenile. He's depraved! But it's okay, I'm going to be nice to him because he brought his cute little sister along and I'm a really nice person. He talks explicitly to Zoey and turns up at her place of work where she can't afford to get fired. She's always engaging in playful banter with Carter. She's constantly bringing up her assault in a lighthearted or dry way. Who would have thought that a teenager would find abuse so funny?! But again, it's okay because he's super popular. What drivel. She even accepts gifts from him because isn't that the sweetest! What are we supposed to be buying into here? She's wary of him, but constantly puts herself in situations where she's alone with him and lets him get his way. I didn't find this bullying, I found it leaning more towards stupidity.Carter refers to owing Zoey a meal several times as she gave him a blow job...which he forced her to do. Just wow. Zoey constantly uses the word 'rapey', e.g. 'If you ignore the things that make him repugnant - like his whole rapey jock thing, for example - Carter is actually pretty all right to hang out with.' Yeah, because rape is so funny, so she then goes out with him for lunch on a school day for wings because she was hungry. Zoey then worries that she's putting herself in a dangerous situation and that a date would give him the wrong idea. Do you think??? She says because of this he's an entitled a$$hole - no, mate. He's a rapist and a predator. That's not actually bullying. Zoey feels mean if she has to tell him no (about anything including sexual advances). This makes her an absolute idiot. Carter gets her off after basically forcing her to attend a party by threatening to sexually assault her friend. She feels 'gratitude and affection' so gets him off as well. She hangs out with his friends who were horrible to her at school. Zoey uses her assault as a defense in an argument with another girl because it shows Carter wants to sleep with her and not his ex. And on the ex, she was in the book a bit as well because she so desperately wanted Carter. Blech. Carter continually has sex with Zoey without a condom even though she asked him several times to please use one and then makes jokes about this all the time. Like, for chapters. Because unprotected sex after he had non-consexual sex with you is a hoot! This then leads to them both making chapters of jokes about being married or her stalking him at college. So juvenile. He won't answer her when she asks about his child (at one point she's convinced herself it's his ex's as she thinks she can see similarities) and when he gets upset and won't answer her, Zoey initiates sex. There are bouts of jealousy from both of them. She gets on birth control just in case he rapes her. Carter went to his ex's house to maybe sleep with her, depending on how he felt. Zoey complains that Carter doesn't want her but then whinges when he leaves. She tells him to rape her. I kid you not. After all this, she lets Carter's rich father pay her tuition to Columbia so they can be together where she studies psychology to become a counsellor. It's just laughable at this point. Oh, and the cream on the cake? Carter says he's really glad he stumbled across Zoey. Stumbled/assaulted - same, same.I'm sorry for the length of this and that I now seem to be ranting, but this is only some of the rubbish brought up. It went from the ridiculous to the ludicrous.The entire book is set amongst a teenage context as they are 18. While the writing was okay, it reflected high school problems in a teenage way which probably had a lot to do with my disliking how the story was told. Unless you're a teenager or are prone to wanting to be/think like one, this isn't appealing. It's one thing to escape into fiction. I do this often and understand this was a school setting, but I don't like it when the writing as well as the themes tend to be inconsistent and immature.I almost gave it one star, but didn't because I have read a couple of books that were worse. I gave it an extra star because the writing wasn't terrible, i.e. grammatical errors, and it was a really decent length. The cover was nice eye candy. Unfortunately, it was about $4 too expensive. I would expect a book written along these juvenile lines to be 99c or free. It almost makes me want to give it only one star. Not the worst thing I've read, but not too far off it. It could have been really good, but read like tripe with some assault thrown in to make it a supposedly dark read. I felt like I was in high school. If you liked the abysmal 50 Shades or have a boring life and like to live vicariously through teenage romance novels where the protagonist is a teenage boy who physically and emotionally abuses the girl he likes, this is for you. Sigh.

This is one of those books that I know in real life I'd cock punch the hero (use pretty loosely here) and throw gas on him and than light him on fire, for the horrible thing he pulls right out of the gate of this book. I mean I was reading those first chapters with my hand in front of eyes peeking between my fingers. I really couldn't fathom what I read and like a car crash...I couldn't look away.I kept reading and thinking no way I'm going to like this a-hole and no way I'm going to be convinced the heroine somehow magically falls in love and I'd believe it. But to my utter shock I found myself invested and actually liking Carter Mahoney. By the time I closed the book I could believe that our heroine Zoey fell for him. It's crazy but it happened. I am still shocked myself. It's that same confused feeling I had when I ended up loving Caleb from Captive in the Dark. You know it's all wrong and you keep telling yourself this is fiction cause in the real world none of this would be OK at all.I will warn others right now this is not a book for everyone. There is some serious crap that happens right away and is unforgivable and frankly makes the hero a messed up psychotic sociopath. The fact that they are seniors in high school but are 18 years of age will be a hard pill so swallow for others. I mean it, it if you even remotely want to give this book a chance and you think After books by Anna Todd or Beautiful series by Jamie McGuire were dysfunctional and abusive then you will definitely not like this book cause those books in my opinion aren't even dysfunctional and abusive at all compared to this one.Somehow I still found that I enjoyed the messed up and crazy story of Carter and Zoey. As crazy as it was. Seriously not sure if my review even makes sense. Anyway read it if you enjoy those dark crazy romance.

This book would have been good if the female lead wasn’t a brain-dead idiot. The author clearly didn’t want to spend time developing a realistic character and chose instead to make her lead character act in a way that suited the story she built rather than how the characters should have acted.Here we have a sweet, honorable, intelligent girl who is also a virgin get assaulted by the “hero” and forced on her knees to give him oral, unless she would rather be raped. Then this girl gets so curious about the guy who assaulted her and threatens her that she decides so needs to spend some time and get to know him. She is also afraid of hurting his feelings because if he did a bad thing it must mean someone was mean to him at some point?The author is great at writing but what she wrote here made me really angry, not because it was dark or because the male lead assaults the female lead (I expected it due to it being dark) but because the girl starts off being very intelligent and then just becomes a dumb doormat. Author lost out on a great opportunity to show growth for both characters and they just ended up being extremely unrealistic and annoying.read the sample and keep in mind she isn’t that bothered about the assault and wants to know her rapist. If that doesn’t bother you and you enjoy her writing you’ll love this books.

Maybe I am a little twisted to feel this way but I was absolutely engrossed in this book. I hated Carter to start. I almost didn't continue but his obsession with Zoey just got me! I love how he would stop at nothing to be with her. I know he wasn't a warm a fuzzy H. I know his actions weren't lovey and endearing but they were hot! He wanted her so much he wouldn't let anyone or anything get in his way. Who doesn't want a guy to want you at all cost!? Carter was an @sshole but I loved him. At least he owned his crazy.

Holy FML!!!!!WARNING!!!! WARNING!!!!! WARNING!!!!!You need to take this warning as seriously as you can! This book is NOT for the faint of heart, it is not for people who are sensitive or have any triggers what so ever. It is not an easy book to read and you will hate at least the first few chapters. What Carter does is completely unforgivable and I don't understand how Zoey can even stand to look at him to start. Honestly in the beginning I was in tears coz it was not a nice start to the book at all.Now on to the rest of the book...oh holy wow!! The chemistry between these two is off the chain hot and you can't help but love the scenes. If you are squeamish then you won't enjoy them either. This book is on a whole other psychological level and as much as there were parts that messed with my brain, I actually loved it. Their banter and wit was something I adored and the love that blossoms...oh my!All in all one of the best books I have ever read but I could not give it 5 stars because of the way the book starts. It just wasn't for me but I can say without a shadow of a doubt this is a book I will never forget and will probably re-read again!This is my honest and unbiased review.

First, I want to say, romantising sexual assault is not cool. And he did it in an ugly way. Not in a way other authors have done in where the girl says no, but secretly inside, she does. Right from the start, it's a strong no. Even her thoughts are scared and unprepared. It was not nice to read.Then The next day she's fine. She speaks to him.Then hangs out with him.This is so unrealistic and disregarding to women who have encountered sexual assault.Second, I deleted the first part of the book from my memory. First 5 chapters I think it was.Because after, he wasn't actually mean. Just forceful in persuading her. She still did everything without him asking. She turned up to the party without taking someone. Not to sound selfish but I'd rather my friend got in trouble for her own stupid behaviour than be sexually assaulted. Just saying. And I didn't feel that friendship bond between the two to even consider it been something I'd do.Anyway, I kind of like his no BS attitude when it come to being honest. About everything. He told her straight up he was messed up.But the things he did for her were kind of sweet too.And I did like the story from chapters 5 onwards. The ending was so romantic.The story is dark and twisted. If it's not something you can look past, I wouldn't recommend you read it.

WOW! This book had me utterly glued to the pages. I got exactly what I expected from this story, it's Dark, Twisted and definitely not for the faint hearted.A read that'll make you uncomfortable, you'll wonder if Carter has any redeemable qualities or if he's a lost cause. I did see some as the story went on, but that's for you to decide.As well as the atrocious things done in this story there were also so tender vulnerable moments shown. Although these didn't excuse any wrong doin, they did make me sympathize to an extent.I also saw some humour throughout as well as lovingly sweet moments, if you're only fixating on the Dark elements to the book then you're missing the bigger picture in my opinion.I loved the story and if you can take it for what is....a fictional book. Then I'm sure you'll enjoy it too.If you can't get past the warnings then its unfair to read the book and judge it based only on that part of the story.I think Carter and Zoey have an unconventional relationship but it works for them and they balance each other out perfectly.

Wow what a long beautiful book!! It took me a couple of days to read as I had work!! And I even got caught few times reading at work but hey I fell in love with carter and zoey!!Zoey is a strong person I liked how her mind worked always wanting to know more.Carter oh carter what can I say? I can go on forever as much as I wanted to get to the end of the book I wanted more as I’m love with carter! He is who he is and that’s that! He has a almost soft side but only for Zoey so that was awesome to read!Sam Mariano you are brilliant I love your writing your story’s everything! Thank you for Carter who will stay with me for a VERY long time.

I hate to admit but I really enjoyed reading this book. A horrible storyline and some really nasty characters. But once I got into it I really enjoyed it. This story really does make you think, lots of right and wrong moments and so many parts are just wrong but it just turns out right. Zoey Ellis has made a name for herself in school and it’s not a good one. She stood up and spoke out and landed herself in a whole heap of trouble. This whole town sticks together, but luckily for Zoey she has a thick skin and tries to ride it out and keep on with her studies determined to get out of town for college. Carter Mahoney is king of the Jocks and now Zoeys biggest tormentor. What starts off as a bit of bullying turns into a sexual assault and then turns into so much more and it’s really hard to get your head around the lengths that Carter will go to in his quest for control, not only over Zoey but everyone else. There is a line between what right and wrong and this crosses it on so many occasions but it seems the more it goes on the more Zoey enjoys it. We do find out Carter’s story in the end and I expected something along the lines of what occurred and was so sad for him, he is one of those characters that you hate, like, hate, like.