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Heat for Sale #2
Bully for Sale
Bullied and outcast, Ezer has seen firsthand the cruelties of the world. He knows what’s expected from his kind—timid compliance and submission to his “betters.” But Ezer isn’t one to roll over and conform to the role society has forced upon him.
Despite his defiant nature, Ezer is coerced into partnering with a man of his father’s choosing. One his father promises will love and care for him for the rest of his life.
A night of nameless and faceless passion later, Ezer is horrified to find himself bound to Ned, a bully who has done so much to make his life hell. Ezer’s determined to hate Ned but he can’t help the way his body craves his touch.
Ned is young, privileged, and hopelessly in love with Ezer. Too bad his pack of so-called “friends” have targeted Ezer for torment. Ned has a lot of regrets, but none greater than his role in Ezer’s misery. When Ned’s offered the contract of a lifetime, he sees it as the only way forward with the man he loves.
The dual biological drives of heat and its aftermath might be all that’s keeping them close now, but Ned is determined to prove he’s worthy of Ezer’s love.
While Ezer is just as determined not to fall for his bully.
Bully for Sale is a standalone m/m romance set in the Heat for Sale universe featuring forced proximity, first times, bully romance, opposites attract, and enemies to lovers. Content warnings will be available at start of book.
Despite his defiant nature, Ezer is coerced into partnering with a man of his father’s choosing. One his father promises will love and care for him for the rest of his life.
A night of nameless and faceless passion later, Ezer is horrified to find himself bound to Ned, a bully who has done so much to make his life hell. Ezer’s determined to hate Ned but he can’t help the way his body craves his touch.
Ned is young, privileged, and hopelessly in love with Ezer. Too bad his pack of so-called “friends” have targeted Ezer for torment. Ned has a lot of regrets, but none greater than his role in Ezer’s misery. When Ned’s offered the contract of a lifetime, he sees it as the only way forward with the man he loves.
The dual biological drives of heat and its aftermath might be all that’s keeping them close now, but Ned is determined to prove he’s worthy of Ezer’s love.
While Ezer is just as determined not to fall for his bully.
Bully for Sale is a standalone m/m romance set in the Heat for Sale universe featuring forced proximity, first times, bully romance, opposites attract, and enemies to lovers. Content warnings will be available at start of book.
404 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2022
272 people are currently reading
635 people want to read
About the author
Leta Blake
69 books1,727 followersAuthor of the bestselling book Smoky Mountain Dreams and fan favorites Training Season, Will & Patrick Wake Up Married, and Slow Heat, Leta Blake has been captivating M/M Romance readers for over a decade. Whether writing contemporary romance or fantasy, she puts her psychology background to use creating complex characters and love stories that feel real. At home in the Southern U.S., Leta works hard at achieving balance between her writing and her family life.
If you'd like to be among the first to know about new releases, you can sign up for Leta's newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/bdn32H
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
October 8, 2022
|| 3.0 stars ||
I’m not sure how to feel about this one, since the whole thing left a very nasty taste in my mouth. The omegaverse this story takes place in is utterly horrendous and completely unfair; you constantly feel the anger and helplessness of it all.
One of the main characters has also done a lot of awful things, especially to his love interest, so it was extremely difficult to forgive him.
Ned claims to have loved Ezer from the very beginning, but he never stopped his friends from bullying and harassing Ezer, and he even stood by and watched while his friend attempted to rape him. How can you ever get over such a thing? I mean, even after reaching the end of this book, I’m still not sure if it is even possible to ever truly forgive him.
In the end, it is clear that Ned was an utter coward, but I do believe he loves Ezer with all of his heart and he would never let such a thing happen again in the future.
I honestly felt a little squeamish while reading this book and some of the things that happened were questionable at best. Seeing people have no right over their autonomy at all is so devastating and completely enraging: It makes me feel like utter shit.
I also thought there was far too much smut and I would have liked a little more talking and bonding between the love interests without sex involved.
Nonetheless, I did think this story was interesting and I was intrigued by a lot of it.
The characters had their issues, but their characterization was done well and I was invested in seeing their lives unfold.
The romance had an intense beginning, and a difficult path ahead of it.
I definitely loved the obsessive devotion from Ned and I also appreciated that Ezer stood his ground, refusing to forgive Ned without a fight. Ezer did not open up until the end, which was good for him, but also a little frustrating to read sometimes. I would have loved to see more true development in their relationship with more depth, understanding and true love.
I still don’t entirely know how I feel about their love story, but it was surely quite fascinating.
I’m not sure how to feel about this one, since the whole thing left a very nasty taste in my mouth. The omegaverse this story takes place in is utterly horrendous and completely unfair; you constantly feel the anger and helplessness of it all.
One of the main characters has also done a lot of awful things, especially to his love interest, so it was extremely difficult to forgive him.
Ned claims to have loved Ezer from the very beginning, but he never stopped his friends from bullying and harassing Ezer, and he even stood by and watched while his friend attempted to rape him. How can you ever get over such a thing? I mean, even after reaching the end of this book, I’m still not sure if it is even possible to ever truly forgive him.
In the end, it is clear that Ned was an utter coward, but I do believe he loves Ezer with all of his heart and he would never let such a thing happen again in the future.
I honestly felt a little squeamish while reading this book and some of the things that happened were questionable at best. Seeing people have no right over their autonomy at all is so devastating and completely enraging: It makes me feel like utter shit.
I also thought there was far too much smut and I would have liked a little more talking and bonding between the love interests without sex involved.
Nonetheless, I did think this story was interesting and I was intrigued by a lot of it.
The characters had their issues, but their characterization was done well and I was invested in seeing their lives unfold.
The romance had an intense beginning, and a difficult path ahead of it.
I definitely loved the obsessive devotion from Ned and I also appreciated that Ezer stood his ground, refusing to forgive Ned without a fight. Ezer did not open up until the end, which was good for him, but also a little frustrating to read sometimes. I would have loved to see more true development in their relationship with more depth, understanding and true love.
I still don’t entirely know how I feel about their love story, but it was surely quite fascinating.
December 31, 2022
Well, I liked Bully for Sale better than Heat for Sale, so I guess that's something...
I read a LOT of Leta Blake, but this series isn't my favorite. Yet I keep buying more- I know that's on me! I have a sickness where I can't resist trying a book that looks interesting, even though sometimes it's an epic fail.
This book is a WHEW! sea of trigger warnings. It's like every trigger warning threw up on this story. We get the whole gamut- bullying (duh- but it's gross), abuse, dubcon, eating disorder... I can't even remember them all. It's triggering for lots of readers, I'll leave it at that. I think I would have been okay with some of it if the bullying wasn't so intense and not very forgivable and the romance wasn't so unbelievable.
There was something very addictive about this story, and I kept reading it, but I also kept grimacing also (and swearing off more books in this series).
I don't know... I should probably stop reading these... shouldn't I?
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I read a LOT of Leta Blake, but this series isn't my favorite. Yet I keep buying more- I know that's on me! I have a sickness where I can't resist trying a book that looks interesting, even though sometimes it's an epic fail.
This book is a WHEW! sea of trigger warnings. It's like every trigger warning threw up on this story. We get the whole gamut- bullying (duh- but it's gross), abuse, dubcon, eating disorder... I can't even remember them all. It's triggering for lots of readers, I'll leave it at that. I think I would have been okay with some of it if the bullying wasn't so intense and not very forgivable and the romance wasn't so unbelievable.
There was something very addictive about this story, and I kept reading it, but I also kept grimacing also (and swearing off more books in this series).
I don't know... I should probably stop reading these... shouldn't I?
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October 6, 2022
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.***
Bully for Sale is a high angst romance between Ned and Ezer who agree to a contracted arrangement that becomes increasingly more complicated due to the unrequited love on Ned's part, while Ezer still believes he is the bully he appeared to be before their contract. This makes for such a complicated dynamic where their relationship is fractured before it can ever truly begin. Bully for Sale is a slow-burn romance that takes its time due to the harsh circumstances in this world, brilliantly designed by the author.
You can't help but feel such empathy for Ezer's horrible situation, he does the most selfless thing by giving up us autonomy to help his family. Ned on the other hand has only known privilege and his groveling to earn the forgiveness and trust of Ezer is not easily won, but when things finally start to turn around their bond is very beautiful to see develop and deepen.
Overall I love this universe and the complex scenarios that arise from it. The HEA is well earned, at times painful, but such a fantastic story and I cannot wait for more.
Bully for Sale is a high angst romance between Ned and Ezer who agree to a contracted arrangement that becomes increasingly more complicated due to the unrequited love on Ned's part, while Ezer still believes he is the bully he appeared to be before their contract. This makes for such a complicated dynamic where their relationship is fractured before it can ever truly begin. Bully for Sale is a slow-burn romance that takes its time due to the harsh circumstances in this world, brilliantly designed by the author.
You can't help but feel such empathy for Ezer's horrible situation, he does the most selfless thing by giving up us autonomy to help his family. Ned on the other hand has only known privilege and his groveling to earn the forgiveness and trust of Ezer is not easily won, but when things finally start to turn around their bond is very beautiful to see develop and deepen.
Overall I love this universe and the complex scenarios that arise from it. The HEA is well earned, at times painful, but such a fantastic story and I cannot wait for more.
October 2, 2022
“From bully to beloved. From coerced to freely chosen”
I loved how Ezer and Ned's relationship grew and developed. It started with hatred and distrust from Ezer's end, and rightfully so. Ned was friends with two horrid classmates who would torment, hurt, and attempt to rape Ezer. This was because of his family's financial situation. While he adored and fell in love with Ezer, he did not go up to him even to befriend him. Instead, he stood by and allowed the other two to hurt him. He did not participate, but as a bystander, that also hurt Ezer. Of course, for Ezer, it is a nightmare once they are bound to each other by contract. Ezer already has to deal with a shitty father who wants him bred and out of his life. So learning that Ned is the one who his father is paying is another blow to him. However, as time passes, he sees that while yes Ned is a coward, he is also devoted and loves him. Ned himself starts to grow and become brave. There is a lot of hurt and mistrust, and Ned has to prove to himself that he will be the Alpha that Ezer needs and deserves.
On a side note: I wanted to strangle Ezer’s Alpha father. Horrid horrid man.
Leta Blake’s writing is beautiful and enchanting. Her take on Omegaverse is just amazing and unique. It is, unfortunately, a society where Omegas are second class - you can compare it to how women were seen as extensions of male family members to be sold off for money, status, or leverage. However, Ezer is defiant and fights that with his core, even as his body and biology betray him at times. The world-building is amazing. The sex scenes are so intimate, sexy, and so erotic. Even the hate (well one-sided hate) sex between Ned and Ezer was amazing. I think alongside Roe Hovart, Leta is one of the few writers I would say writes beautiful erotica. If you’re not into mpreg and omegaverse, it might not be your cup of tea, but oh, I could re-read those scenes forever.
Their story is so multilayered as we watch Ned and Ezer, who are just 19 years old, navigate a coerced bonding, pregnancy, and birth as they come to love one another. Their Happy Ever After was one that was fought and struggled for, one that Ezer and Ned deserved.
I was introduced to Leta Blake through Heat of Love, and once devouring it, I hoped for more. I am glad that we have this wonderful series. I am curious to know if we will get future stories that will follow Ezer's brothers. I am interested to know what will happen to Flo. How is Shan doing as he was forced into heat and sent off by his father to some isolated mountain region?
Overall, I can not recommend this series enough. You can read it without reading the first story but the whole series is gold.
**I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review**
I loved how Ezer and Ned's relationship grew and developed. It started with hatred and distrust from Ezer's end, and rightfully so. Ned was friends with two horrid classmates who would torment, hurt, and attempt to rape Ezer. This was because of his family's financial situation. While he adored and fell in love with Ezer, he did not go up to him even to befriend him. Instead, he stood by and allowed the other two to hurt him. He did not participate, but as a bystander, that also hurt Ezer. Of course, for Ezer, it is a nightmare once they are bound to each other by contract. Ezer already has to deal with a shitty father who wants him bred and out of his life. So learning that Ned is the one who his father is paying is another blow to him. However, as time passes, he sees that while yes Ned is a coward, he is also devoted and loves him. Ned himself starts to grow and become brave. There is a lot of hurt and mistrust, and Ned has to prove to himself that he will be the Alpha that Ezer needs and deserves.
On a side note: I wanted to strangle Ezer’s Alpha father. Horrid horrid man.
Leta Blake’s writing is beautiful and enchanting. Her take on Omegaverse is just amazing and unique. It is, unfortunately, a society where Omegas are second class - you can compare it to how women were seen as extensions of male family members to be sold off for money, status, or leverage. However, Ezer is defiant and fights that with his core, even as his body and biology betray him at times. The world-building is amazing. The sex scenes are so intimate, sexy, and so erotic. Even the hate (well one-sided hate) sex between Ned and Ezer was amazing. I think alongside Roe Hovart, Leta is one of the few writers I would say writes beautiful erotica. If you’re not into mpreg and omegaverse, it might not be your cup of tea, but oh, I could re-read those scenes forever.
Their story is so multilayered as we watch Ned and Ezer, who are just 19 years old, navigate a coerced bonding, pregnancy, and birth as they come to love one another. Their Happy Ever After was one that was fought and struggled for, one that Ezer and Ned deserved.
I was introduced to Leta Blake through Heat of Love, and once devouring it, I hoped for more. I am glad that we have this wonderful series. I am curious to know if we will get future stories that will follow Ezer's brothers. I am interested to know what will happen to Flo. How is Shan doing as he was forced into heat and sent off by his father to some isolated mountain region?
Overall, I can not recommend this series enough. You can read it without reading the first story but the whole series is gold.
**I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review**
October 12, 2022
2,5 stars
I really enjoyed Leta Blake's 'Heat of Love' series, but this did not do a lot for me.
I have to agree with another reader who observed that there wasn't really much to like about most characters.
Ezer was very likeable to start with. I could associate with his fears and sad situation. But as the story went along, I somehow lost that connection and what remained was a guy who really can hold a world record grudge. Admittedly, he does have good reason, but Ned tries blooming hard to do what he can for him.
Despite Ned's compliance with the bullying at the beginning, I thought that people are really harsh with him. Of course it's not ok what he does (or rather does NOT do), to put it mildly, but he is also only human, very young, under a lot of pressure and really regrets his behaviour. Of course he can't expect to be easily 'forgiven', but being called a coward even in the last 10% of the book , when he's done so much to change Ezer's view of him, felt a teeny bit unfair.
Tbh, I thought all the fathers behave abominably, with vengeful George winning top prize, shortly followed by selfish Lidell. Even Amos seems to not really think the consequences of his actions through..
Saying all that, I thought the premise of the plot is a good one, but ...
...too many little things felt illogical to me, most notably at the end when
... for me, the pregnancy and birth details are simply too much. Not sure I really wanted to read all that.
... most importantly I missed a real sense of some romantic development. Yes, Ned is winning Ezer over in glacially slow steps, but Ezer is so determined not to feel anything for him, it takes virtually until the very end to see some really positive emotions. A bit frustrating for me.
... thewhole book felt very dark and depressing. Virtually everyone is mean, opinionated, cruel, uncaring, selfish etc etc. The whole society and the way it works feels very wrong.
So no ... unfortunately not a favourite by this author for me.
I really enjoyed Leta Blake's 'Heat of Love' series, but this did not do a lot for me.
I have to agree with another reader who observed that there wasn't really much to like about most characters.
Ezer was very likeable to start with. I could associate with his fears and sad situation. But as the story went along, I somehow lost that connection and what remained was a guy who really can hold a world record grudge. Admittedly, he does have good reason, but Ned tries blooming hard to do what he can for him.
Despite Ned's compliance with the bullying at the beginning, I thought that people are really harsh with him. Of course it's not ok what he does (or rather does NOT do), to put it mildly, but he is also only human, very young, under a lot of pressure and really regrets his behaviour. Of course he can't expect to be easily 'forgiven', but being called a coward even in the last 10% of the book , when he's done so much to change Ezer's view of him, felt a teeny bit unfair.
Tbh, I thought all the fathers behave abominably, with vengeful George winning top prize, shortly followed by selfish Lidell. Even Amos seems to not really think the consequences of his actions through..
Saying all that, I thought the premise of the plot is a good one, but ...
...too many little things felt illogical to me, most notably at the end when
... for me, the pregnancy and birth details are simply too much. Not sure I really wanted to read all that.
... most importantly I missed a real sense of some romantic development. Yes, Ned is winning Ezer over in glacially slow steps, but Ezer is so determined not to feel anything for him, it takes virtually until the very end to see some really positive emotions. A bit frustrating for me.
... thewhole book felt very dark and depressing. Virtually everyone is mean, opinionated, cruel, uncaring, selfish etc etc. The whole society and the way it works feels very wrong.
So no ... unfortunately not a favourite by this author for me.
June 4, 2023
4.4 stars
Welp ... um ...
I'm exhausted ...
I'mma gonna need a minute ...
🥴
Welp ... um ...
I'm exhausted ...
I'mma gonna need a minute ...
🥴
October 7, 2022
Reading from Ned's perspective was like reading from the mind of a serial killer.
He was not the 'tormented hero' that other readers have claimed. In fact, he reminds me of one of those narcissistic, un-remorseful, sociopathic criminals who desperately paddle back when interrogated.
Let me paint an ugly picture.
This character, Ned, with two other assaulters, tried to rape Ezer. Ned put his foot upon Ezer's chest, holding him down, while the other boys did what they wanted. The only thing that stopped them was Ezer's out-of-touch omega parent who scared them off.
Ned was an accessory to sexual assault.
He participated.
I cannot reiterate that enough, because from then on, the story made less and less sense.
NED DOES NOT OWN UP TO HIS PARTICIPATION.
Whenever the sexual assault is brought up, he desperately brushes it off and claims clear innocence, and all the while, we're supposed to LIKE his character?
Watching this character constantly shift blame to make himself seem innocent, instead of taking responsibility and owning what he did, was BEYOND triggering.
Here are, no joke, some actual examples:
"Please, sir. I didn't mean for things so go that far. I tried to stop them." (In case you guessed, ding-ding-ding, Ned didn't actually try to stop them, and Ned is making excuses to make himself seem like a hero rather than a perpetrator. Red flag.
"No! Well, not me! I mean yes, I was there, and—please, Mr. Elson, don't remind me of what I did." Un-shockingly, instead of thinking about the feelings of the victim, our good friend Ned here is more concerned about his OWN feelings towards the crime. Rather than, again, owning up to it, he would rather live comfortably without any sense of guilt. Needless to say, RED FLAG.
I could go on with this particular issue, but you get the picture.
Another thing to illustrate the point, after Ezra's and his pa's HOUSE BLOW UP, Ned gets Ezra a hotel room. He then is constantly checking his phone, waiting for Ezra to call and say thank you. Again, behavior I found highly disturbing. Don't you remember the, uh, assault, buddy?
It was like watching a person give food to a on-the-brink-of-death starving man, then tapping his foot and checking his watch and eventually exclaiming, "WHERE'S MY THANK YOU?! I KNOW I TRAUMATIZED YOU EARLIER BUT SAY THANK YOU!"
Needless to say, Ned was an odd, sick individual, and if the goal was for the reader to like him, the target was largely missed.
A side note on the omega father. Ned showed up at his house, after witnessing the assault, and instead of calling the police to make sure justice was served to his son, he calls his ex to arrange the marriage of the sexual assaulter and his son.
This was the omega father we, as a reader, are apparently supposed to LIKE.
This story was beyond, beyond strange. Because of the moral confusion, I really had a hard time making sense of it. The wrongs were just too distracting for me to like it.
I gave it a two for the entertainment factor, but I am thoroughly disturbed.
He was not the 'tormented hero' that other readers have claimed. In fact, he reminds me of one of those narcissistic, un-remorseful, sociopathic criminals who desperately paddle back when interrogated.
Let me paint an ugly picture.
This character, Ned, with two other assaulters, tried to rape Ezer. Ned put his foot upon Ezer's chest, holding him down, while the other boys did what they wanted. The only thing that stopped them was Ezer's out-of-touch omega parent who scared them off.
Ned was an accessory to sexual assault.
He participated.
I cannot reiterate that enough, because from then on, the story made less and less sense.
NED DOES NOT OWN UP TO HIS PARTICIPATION.
Whenever the sexual assault is brought up, he desperately brushes it off and claims clear innocence, and all the while, we're supposed to LIKE his character?
Watching this character constantly shift blame to make himself seem innocent, instead of taking responsibility and owning what he did, was BEYOND triggering.
Here are, no joke, some actual examples:
"Please, sir. I didn't mean for things so go that far. I tried to stop them." (In case you guessed, ding-ding-ding, Ned didn't actually try to stop them, and Ned is making excuses to make himself seem like a hero rather than a perpetrator. Red flag.
"No! Well, not me! I mean yes, I was there, and—please, Mr. Elson, don't remind me of what I did." Un-shockingly, instead of thinking about the feelings of the victim, our good friend Ned here is more concerned about his OWN feelings towards the crime. Rather than, again, owning up to it, he would rather live comfortably without any sense of guilt. Needless to say, RED FLAG.
I could go on with this particular issue, but you get the picture.
Another thing to illustrate the point, after Ezra's and his pa's HOUSE BLOW UP, Ned gets Ezra a hotel room. He then is constantly checking his phone, waiting for Ezra to call and say thank you. Again, behavior I found highly disturbing. Don't you remember the, uh, assault, buddy?
It was like watching a person give food to a on-the-brink-of-death starving man, then tapping his foot and checking his watch and eventually exclaiming, "WHERE'S MY THANK YOU?! I KNOW I TRAUMATIZED YOU EARLIER BUT SAY THANK YOU!"
Needless to say, Ned was an odd, sick individual, and if the goal was for the reader to like him, the target was largely missed.
A side note on the omega father. Ned showed up at his house, after witnessing the assault, and instead of calling the police to make sure justice was served to his son, he calls his ex to arrange the marriage of the sexual assaulter and his son.
This was the omega father we, as a reader, are apparently supposed to LIKE.
This story was beyond, beyond strange. Because of the moral confusion, I really had a hard time making sense of it. The wrongs were just too distracting for me to like it.
I gave it a two for the entertainment factor, but I am thoroughly disturbed.
October 10, 2022
~3.5
The Omegaverse in this one is disturbing with omegas having no right over their bodies. My heart broke for Ezra so many times. The love story wasn't beautiful - I didn't like Ned for the majority of the book and wasn't sure he deserves a happy ending. At the same time I never doubted Ned's love for Ezra. The road to forgiveness was long and painful with lots of groveling. The character growth was prominent and believable. Towards the end I liked the man Ned was becoming. But it still felt like work in progress with both MCs being so young and just starting their adult life. I would prefer an epilogue set in a more distant future and more on page time with Ned and Ezra building their life together. And still, despite all the niggles, I couldn't put the book down being completely immersed into the story. So, rounding up
The Omegaverse in this one is disturbing with omegas having no right over their bodies. My heart broke for Ezra so many times. The love story wasn't beautiful - I didn't like Ned for the majority of the book and wasn't sure he deserves a happy ending. At the same time I never doubted Ned's love for Ezra. The road to forgiveness was long and painful with lots of groveling. The character growth was prominent and believable. Towards the end I liked the man Ned was becoming. But it still felt like work in progress with both MCs being so young and just starting their adult life. I would prefer an epilogue set in a more distant future and more on page time with Ned and Ezra building their life together. And still, despite all the niggles, I couldn't put the book down being completely immersed into the story. So, rounding up
October 8, 2022
Omg...
Yall...this book broke me. I was mad, upset, in tears at times, and happy at the end. I was not prepared based off the first story in this universe.
Spoilers ahead
Be warned that this has attempted on page SA, Ezer has an eating disorder, rampant misogyny, abuse, and the world sucks for everyone except alphas.
Also, this mpreg story shows the birth on page which was great.
Let me explain the way this omega verse is setup. Women do not exist, omegas are less than human, betas are servants, and alphas rule all. With that in mind, let me get to the story.
Ezer is a small omega who does not eat as a way to control his life. His father kicked out his omega da forcibly with violence and bloodshed from the home to bring in another omega as he has only had 4 omega sons and one beta and he wanted an alpha. We find out later why, but still, it was a horrible thing to do.
Ezer has dyslexia, which means he can't read, but he is massively smart. He loves doing math problems. Ned is weak and unable to stand up for himself. They are also only 19 and still in school. Ned was a part of a group of bullies who tormented Ezer and Ned never helped or protected him at all. I disliked Ned a heck of a lot.
After an attempted rape, Ezer's da, who lives in a bad place, gets his father to set an arrangement to give him to Ned in exchange for a lot of money.
Then, after something horrible that Ezer's father does, these kids spend the heat together and Ezer gets pregnant.
Everything that happens after is a cluster freak of an emotional roller coaster that damaged me. The scene in the hospital was superb, I fell for Ned then. I hated the part when Ezer went into labor but the emts couldn't touch him cause his alpha didn't give permission.
I'm very happy with how it ended, though I need to know about what happens with Shan and I still dislike Heath from the first book.
Yall...this book broke me. I was mad, upset, in tears at times, and happy at the end. I was not prepared based off the first story in this universe.
Spoilers ahead
Be warned that this has attempted on page SA, Ezer has an eating disorder, rampant misogyny, abuse, and the world sucks for everyone except alphas.
Also, this mpreg story shows the birth on page which was great.
Let me explain the way this omega verse is setup. Women do not exist, omegas are less than human, betas are servants, and alphas rule all. With that in mind, let me get to the story.
Ezer is a small omega who does not eat as a way to control his life. His father kicked out his omega da forcibly with violence and bloodshed from the home to bring in another omega as he has only had 4 omega sons and one beta and he wanted an alpha. We find out later why, but still, it was a horrible thing to do.
Ezer has dyslexia, which means he can't read, but he is massively smart. He loves doing math problems. Ned is weak and unable to stand up for himself. They are also only 19 and still in school. Ned was a part of a group of bullies who tormented Ezer and Ned never helped or protected him at all. I disliked Ned a heck of a lot.
After an attempted rape, Ezer's da, who lives in a bad place, gets his father to set an arrangement to give him to Ned in exchange for a lot of money.
Then, after something horrible that Ezer's father does, these kids spend the heat together and Ezer gets pregnant.
Everything that happens after is a cluster freak of an emotional roller coaster that damaged me. The scene in the hospital was superb, I fell for Ned then. I hated the part when Ezer went into labor but the emts couldn't touch him cause his alpha didn't give permission.
I'm very happy with how it ended, though I need to know about what happens with Shan and I still dislike Heath from the first book.
October 8, 2022
Bully for Sale is a well-written romance that is a strong continuation of the Heat series.
The relationship between the two heroes is a difficult one at times, making their hard won HEA a beautiful thing to watch.
Yes, there is definite miscommunication and both characters make some stubborn angry choices that aren't always the smartest thing for them, but together and patience and a much earned friendship, love, respect and support these two young men turn into a couple to be reckoned with.
If you like the enemies to lovers trope, you'll like this one. There is very strong redeeming qualities to both men and I ended up really rallying behind them and enjoying the story they had to tell.
I hope Shan's story is next.
4.25 stars
The relationship between the two heroes is a difficult one at times, making their hard won HEA a beautiful thing to watch.
Yes, there is definite miscommunication and both characters make some stubborn angry choices that aren't always the smartest thing for them, but together and patience and a much earned friendship, love, respect and support these two young men turn into a couple to be reckoned with.
If you like the enemies to lovers trope, you'll like this one. There is very strong redeeming qualities to both men and I ended up really rallying behind them and enjoying the story they had to tell.
I hope Shan's story is next.
4.25 stars
October 7, 2022
For me a 5+++ stars read.
That was one hell of an impressive story, the way it’s built, the way all the feelings are palpable, every page was impressive and palpable, it wasn’t an easy read, but the way it’s written got me so mesmerized I couldn’t put it down.
There were big parts I deeply hated the circumstances, not the story but the circumstances. I hated certain characters. I hated the position of alpha’s, beta’s, and omega’s. I wanted to throw my iPad through the window.
I loved Ezer, I cried for him, I admired him, I cheered for him, he was tiny tiny bullied omega but with a big personality and attitude!
I respected Ned hugely, but only in a later stadium, not in the first part.
I felt as obstinate as Ezer felt. I felt so much while reading, when a read can do that to me it has to be a pearl!
There’s a lot of manipulation, cruelty, and ugliness, content warning is necessary.
On the other side of this all, there’s devotion, love, redemption, faithfulness, and growth.
The end made me cry ugly tears.
Read the blurb to get an impression of the content that made me feel all the above.
That was one hell of an impressive story, the way it’s built, the way all the feelings are palpable, every page was impressive and palpable, it wasn’t an easy read, but the way it’s written got me so mesmerized I couldn’t put it down.
There were big parts I deeply hated the circumstances, not the story but the circumstances. I hated certain characters. I hated the position of alpha’s, beta’s, and omega’s. I wanted to throw my iPad through the window.
I loved Ezer, I cried for him, I admired him, I cheered for him, he was tiny tiny bullied omega but with a big personality and attitude!
I respected Ned hugely, but only in a later stadium, not in the first part.
I felt as obstinate as Ezer felt. I felt so much while reading, when a read can do that to me it has to be a pearl!
There’s a lot of manipulation, cruelty, and ugliness, content warning is necessary.
On the other side of this all, there’s devotion, love, redemption, faithfulness, and growth.
The end made me cry ugly tears.
Read the blurb to get an impression of the content that made me feel all the above.
October 6, 2022
Woah this one is kind of intense. I read the partially edited ARC so I didn't see any trigger warnings so here is a list
Content Warnings: eating disorder, sexual assault, traumatic birth, consent issues, dubcon, lack of autonomy, omegaverse dynamics, ableism regarding a learning disability, coercion, and as the title suggests, bullying
Leta is a master at gritty, intense omegaverse romance and this is no exception. Aside from the content warnings I don't want to spoil it too much. I thought it was a really good bully romance and had a lot of good groveling and redemption and building trust between the two main characters. The omegaverse structure here is really interesting too (same universe as Heat for Sale) where there are heat contracts and 4 month long pregnancies and a lot of scenting. I kind of wish the character were older especially for the situation they were put in but I suppose them being 19 ups the intensity.
Overall, I enjoyed this book but it's definitely not fluffy romance.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings: eating disorder, sexual assault, traumatic birth, consent issues, dubcon, lack of autonomy, omegaverse dynamics, ableism regarding a learning disability, coercion, and as the title suggests, bullying
Leta is a master at gritty, intense omegaverse romance and this is no exception. Aside from the content warnings I don't want to spoil it too much. I thought it was a really good bully romance and had a lot of good groveling and redemption and building trust between the two main characters. The omegaverse structure here is really interesting too (same universe as Heat for Sale) where there are heat contracts and 4 month long pregnancies and a lot of scenting. I kind of wish the character were older especially for the situation they were put in but I suppose them being 19 ups the intensity.
Overall, I enjoyed this book but it's definitely not fluffy romance.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
October 9, 2022
Well, this was both a bit of a disappointment and much better than I expected. I know, it doesn't make sense.
This book starts off really slow; I was actually contemplating a DNF at one point. Then, it made me feel really, really uneasy. And then, finally and surprisingly, I actually enjoyed it: Ned and Ezer's fraught journey towards their HEA was satisfying and the ending much happier than I expected, all things (and the horrific and unjust omegaverse world they live in) considered.
I haven't read many bully romances, because I'm always worried that the groveling and the redemption arc won't be enough for me: so yes, I obviously, absolutely abhorred Ned's behaviour for most of the book. He isn't even a bully, technically, but a bit of a spineless, cowardly spectator, and that makes it worse in some ways. But I think, like with Ezar, he eventually won me over with his relentless optimism and devotion and patience.
But because of that, and because of the utterly unfair and horrific circumstances behind their relationship, I wasn't sure I would enjoy their romance. Dubious consent in romances always leaves me uneasy; but here, it helped that both mains were more or less coerced into their contract, and that even though Ned definitely had the upper hand in their relationship, he still suffered because of the circumstances of their agreement. So yes, in the end I actually ended up rooting for them, even though Ezar and all the omegas in Leta Blake's world deserve so much more.
So why three stars? I did enjoy this book. What I absolutely could not stand was the world-building. It's horrific, terribly unfair, absolutely bleak and disgusting and not what I was expecting from a romance series at all. Don't get me wrong, I know that omegaverse is basically founded on the principle "omegas have it bad", and I actually like that, I like seeing omegas win, despite the odds stacked against them, but here... There's no way they could actually win. Their circumstances are horrifically bleak and this book made me feel so, so sad.
And saying this makes me feel even sadder, because I was just about certain I was going to love this book and all of Leta Blake other books (since she's considered a favourite author in this genre!), but I actually don't think I can read more of her stuff. Or maybe, knowing me, I might just about give "Slow Heat" a chance because older omega X younger alpha has become a favourite trope of mine. But yeah, all in all, I was a bit disappointed, even though I DID end up enjoying this book.
This book starts off really slow; I was actually contemplating a DNF at one point. Then, it made me feel really, really uneasy. And then, finally and surprisingly, I actually enjoyed it: Ned and Ezer's fraught journey towards their HEA was satisfying and the ending much happier than I expected, all things (and the horrific and unjust omegaverse world they live in) considered.
I haven't read many bully romances, because I'm always worried that the groveling and the redemption arc won't be enough for me: so yes, I obviously, absolutely abhorred Ned's behaviour for most of the book. He isn't even a bully, technically, but a bit of a spineless, cowardly spectator, and that makes it worse in some ways. But I think, like with Ezar, he eventually won me over with his relentless optimism and devotion and patience.
But because of that, and because of the utterly unfair and horrific circumstances behind their relationship, I wasn't sure I would enjoy their romance. Dubious consent in romances always leaves me uneasy; but here, it helped that both mains were more or less coerced into their contract, and that even though Ned definitely had the upper hand in their relationship, he still suffered because of the circumstances of their agreement. So yes, in the end I actually ended up rooting for them, even though Ezar and all the omegas in Leta Blake's world deserve so much more.
So why three stars? I did enjoy this book. What I absolutely could not stand was the world-building. It's horrific, terribly unfair, absolutely bleak and disgusting and not what I was expecting from a romance series at all. Don't get me wrong, I know that omegaverse is basically founded on the principle "omegas have it bad", and I actually like that, I like seeing omegas win, despite the odds stacked against them, but here... There's no way they could actually win. Their circumstances are horrifically bleak and this book made me feel so, so sad.
And saying this makes me feel even sadder, because I was just about certain I was going to love this book and all of Leta Blake other books (since she's considered a favourite author in this genre!), but I actually don't think I can read more of her stuff. Or maybe, knowing me, I might just about give "Slow Heat" a chance because older omega X younger alpha has become a favourite trope of mine. But yeah, all in all, I was a bit disappointed, even though I DID end up enjoying this book.
October 8, 2022
Well this book certainly took me through every emotion. I absolutely loved this book, but readers should know that this book deals with a lot of heavy content and subject matter. Please read the content warnings before diving into this book.
I admit, I am not a huge fan of the bully romance trope - but when I saw this was Leta Blake's omegaverse, I still really wanted to read this. Leta's omegaverse is one where omegas are seen as "less than" and struggle in a society that caters to the alphas. Omegas have no rights, no bodily autonomy, and it's a very harsh world. So expect angst. Lots and lots of angst. And then add to that to a history of bullying between Ned and Ezer? Yeah, LOTS of angst.
Ned and Ezer both go through so much. My heart breaks for Ezer and his whole family really, well his brothers mostly lol, with what they have to endure from such a cruel father. And I just wanted to hug Ned, tell him that things will be OK. He also had to grow and grow up, and be a partner for Ezer, not just the man who saved him from an even worse mating match.
There is that quote - if you love something, set it free. If it comes back it's yours. If not, it was never meant to be. I was thinking a lot about that quote towards the end of this book.
Ned and Ezer's love story isn't an easy one. There are bumps, fights, anger, extreme worry, and these two then have to fight for each other really. It was at times heart breaking, hopeful, painful, sweet, and just absolutely beautiful to read about. Those last couple of chapters and the epilogue? Perfection. Not many stories will get me to cry, but this one did.
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I admit, I am not a huge fan of the bully romance trope - but when I saw this was Leta Blake's omegaverse, I still really wanted to read this. Leta's omegaverse is one where omegas are seen as "less than" and struggle in a society that caters to the alphas. Omegas have no rights, no bodily autonomy, and it's a very harsh world. So expect angst. Lots and lots of angst. And then add to that to a history of bullying between Ned and Ezer? Yeah, LOTS of angst.
Ned and Ezer both go through so much. My heart breaks for Ezer and his whole family really, well his brothers mostly lol, with what they have to endure from such a cruel father. And I just wanted to hug Ned, tell him that things will be OK. He also had to grow and grow up, and be a partner for Ezer, not just the man who saved him from an even worse mating match.
There is that quote - if you love something, set it free. If it comes back it's yours. If not, it was never meant to be. I was thinking a lot about that quote towards the end of this book.
Ned and Ezer's love story isn't an easy one. There are bumps, fights, anger, extreme worry, and these two then have to fight for each other really. It was at times heart breaking, hopeful, painful, sweet, and just absolutely beautiful to read about. Those last couple of chapters and the epilogue? Perfection. Not many stories will get me to cry, but this one did.
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
September 24, 2022
I hadn't expected heat for sale to ever get a sequel, and yet it feels right that this became a series. I found Ned and Ezer to be a really compelling couple, even more complex and appealing than Heath and Adrian. I'm hoping we get more books in this series. Maybe with Ezer's brothers?
Read
September 26, 2022I'm leaving this unrated and unreviewed for now because I'm honestly very conflicted over it.
February 12, 2023
Never in my life have I regretted staying up late to finish a book so much. Reading Omegaverse is my guilty pleasure and I know you often have to leave your reality at the door. But I could physically feel the feminism leaving my body the further I read.
To get things out of the way to start with, the whole story and relationship we are meant to be rooting for is abuse. There's no consent and so much coercion that I still feel kinda sick to my stomach after reading it.
The only thing that kept me going was the Ezer rebelled against the appalling treatment. Until he didn't - we are sold that the ending is a happy ending, but for who exactly? Ezer ends the story having given up on any dreams of his own education and happiness and instead wants to start a school for pregnant teens? While also popping out more babies despite the fact that he never wanted them and nearly died having them. Like absolutely everything he stood for has changed since having kids and it is sold has a HEA, which annoyed the fuck out of me. Because that's what society does to women all the damn time and it's not something to celebrate. Can we stop perpetuating this nonsense that birthing a child means you suddenly have no personality, hopes, dreams or interest outside of raising that child
Not to mention it's glossed over at the end, that the exact same fucking thing happened to Ezers brother except even worse cause he was physically forced into it rather than just being coerced. And Ned is just like 'well aside from that little unpleasantness all is well with his family'
And his da basically human trafficked his own son and then tells him he should thank him because his life isn't completely terrible
Don't even get me started on Ned. When he isn't helping his friends try to rape the man he supposedly loves, he has the resolve of a jellyfish (no spine to be heard of). He spends the whole book either proclaiming the Ezer is being unfair because he didn't want to bully him, he just couldn't bring himself to stop it. Newsflash that doesn't make me feel sorry for you Ned and I don't feel sorry for you that Ezer doesn't love you. Then he spends the rest of the book talking about how he's going to change but never doing even a miniscule step to do anything different
Oh and despite my scathing review of this book, I actually quite enjoyed the first book in the series (expect when Adrien also gives up his dreams to be an incubator 🙄). But even in this book, Heath comes across as a total Neanderthal making comments like if Ezers brother isn't a virgin, then he doesn't feel sorry for him being sold off to a alpha against his will. Or how he thinks his husband wanting to start a school (after he totally derailed his dreams of being a professor) is a cute little project
I honestly don't understand what this author is trying to say. Because for the majority of the book, we are led to believe to the treatment of omegas in this universe is cruel and unjust. But by always making their 'happily ever after' with the omega being perfectly content to be a brainless, cum drunk barefoot and pregnant submissive without any hint of their former selves, it's like she's saying that is what women in society should be happy doing? And that the alphas aka men in real life are justified in treating women as less than because they're actually right
Ugh it really just didn't sit well with me and the more I think about it, the angrier and sadder I get
Ezer deserved so much better. A real happy ending for him would have been giving his kids up for adoption and going back to school and then college and studying maths like he wanted to
To get things out of the way to start with, the whole story and relationship we are meant to be rooting for is abuse. There's no consent and so much coercion that I still feel kinda sick to my stomach after reading it.
The only thing that kept me going was the Ezer rebelled against the appalling treatment. Until he didn't - we are sold that the ending is a happy ending, but for who exactly? Ezer ends the story having given up on any dreams of his own education and happiness and instead wants to start a school for pregnant teens? While also popping out more babies despite the fact that he never wanted them and nearly died having them. Like absolutely everything he stood for has changed since having kids and it is sold has a HEA, which annoyed the fuck out of me. Because that's what society does to women all the damn time and it's not something to celebrate. Can we stop perpetuating this nonsense that birthing a child means you suddenly have no personality, hopes, dreams or interest outside of raising that child
Not to mention it's glossed over at the end, that the exact same fucking thing happened to Ezers brother except even worse cause he was physically forced into it rather than just being coerced. And Ned is just like 'well aside from that little unpleasantness all is well with his family'
And his da basically human trafficked his own son and then tells him he should thank him because his life isn't completely terrible
Don't even get me started on Ned. When he isn't helping his friends try to rape the man he supposedly loves, he has the resolve of a jellyfish (no spine to be heard of). He spends the whole book either proclaiming the Ezer is being unfair because he didn't want to bully him, he just couldn't bring himself to stop it. Newsflash that doesn't make me feel sorry for you Ned and I don't feel sorry for you that Ezer doesn't love you. Then he spends the rest of the book talking about how he's going to change but never doing even a miniscule step to do anything different
Oh and despite my scathing review of this book, I actually quite enjoyed the first book in the series (expect when Adrien also gives up his dreams to be an incubator 🙄). But even in this book, Heath comes across as a total Neanderthal making comments like if Ezers brother isn't a virgin, then he doesn't feel sorry for him being sold off to a alpha against his will. Or how he thinks his husband wanting to start a school (after he totally derailed his dreams of being a professor) is a cute little project
I honestly don't understand what this author is trying to say. Because for the majority of the book, we are led to believe to the treatment of omegas in this universe is cruel and unjust. But by always making their 'happily ever after' with the omega being perfectly content to be a brainless, cum drunk barefoot and pregnant submissive without any hint of their former selves, it's like she's saying that is what women in society should be happy doing? And that the alphas aka men in real life are justified in treating women as less than because they're actually right
Ugh it really just didn't sit well with me and the more I think about it, the angrier and sadder I get
Ezer deserved so much better. A real happy ending for him would have been giving his kids up for adoption and going back to school and then college and studying maths like he wanted to
October 10, 2022
3 🌟🌟🌟for Ezer and Ezer alone. He alone is why I finished the book.
This book...I don't even know where to start. This book was beautifully written. It was a heartbreaking story in a very undesirable world where omegas are treated like second class citizens. It made me sad and angry and heartbroken but mostly just angry.
Ezer is this sweet omega who's fierce and loving and just trying to survive everyone in his life. I loved him from the very beginning of the book to the end. I just wanted Ezer to be happy.
Ned, Ned ,Ned oh how I hated this character. I loathed him I wanted to write him out of the story so so bad🤬. I cursed him throughout the book and even when he manned up ,my opinion of him was already so low I was like meeeh this is just the basics. He spent 3/4 of the book being a spineless coward who tried to pretend like he was doing the right thing..(Page 305)...
“I think, to reach that understanding, I need you to forgive me for how things were in the past, and how I didn’t speak out or do more to protect you from Finch and Braden.”
By this point I just wanted Ezer to slap the shit outta him coz...I can't 🤦🏾♀️.
All the parents in this book needed a reality check .They were absolute shit. Ezers Da especially, this man with his holier than thou I just wanted to protect my son bullshit yet he's spending time with his lover while his son is almost SA .
It's been a while since book made me this angry so I'mma just stop and go read something happy😔.
This book...I don't even know where to start. This book was beautifully written. It was a heartbreaking story in a very undesirable world where omegas are treated like second class citizens. It made me sad and angry and heartbroken but mostly just angry.
Ezer is this sweet omega who's fierce and loving and just trying to survive everyone in his life. I loved him from the very beginning of the book to the end. I just wanted Ezer to be happy.
Ned, Ned ,Ned oh how I hated this character. I loathed him I wanted to write him out of the story so so bad🤬. I cursed him throughout the book and even when he manned up ,my opinion of him was already so low I was like meeeh this is just the basics. He spent 3/4 of the book being a spineless coward who tried to pretend like he was doing the right thing..(Page 305)...
“I think, to reach that understanding, I need you to forgive me for how things were in the past, and how I didn’t speak out or do more to protect you from Finch and Braden.”
By this point I just wanted Ezer to slap the shit outta him coz...I can't 🤦🏾♀️.
All the parents in this book needed a reality check .They were absolute shit. Ezers Da especially, this man with his holier than thou I just wanted to protect my son bullshit yet he's spending time with his lover while his son is almost SA .
It's been a while since book made me this angry so I'mma just stop and go read something happy😔.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
id-rather-kiss-drake
February 7, 2023🅾Okay , heavy TRIGGERS AHEAD.🅾
M/M Romance.
🟥Few reviewers said that-
🎦The bully- Ned is....... what's the synonym for low-life scumbag, asshole?
Yeah , he's all that.
🎦Ned claims to have been in love with Ez for as long as he can remember.
🟥BUT STIL-
🟥He let his friends bully Ez and traumatize him.
🟥He even lets his friends rape him.
🟥Later on when Ez and Ned's romance begins(idk how it began).
🟥But when it does, Ez still falls for Ned first because ...... helllooo..... 'body betraying.'
Wow, what a fucked up book.
M/M Romance.
🟥Few reviewers said that-
🎦The bully- Ned is....... what's the synonym for low-life scumbag, asshole?
Yeah , he's all that.
🎦Ned claims to have been in love with Ez for as long as he can remember.
🟥BUT STIL-
🟥He let his friends bully Ez and traumatize him.
🟥He even lets his friends rape him.
🟥Later on when Ez and Ned's romance begins(idk how it began).
🟥But when it does, Ez still falls for Ned first because ...... helllooo..... 'body betraying.'
Wow, what a fucked up book.
March 1, 2023
DNF’ed @ 83% - maybe the most I’ve hated a book ever. Not a single redeeming quality and it left me so very angry, not so much at the story itself but at the themes and the way the story is told. Ned is probably the most unlikable character I’ve ever encountered. I really can’t put into words how much I hated this but I would actively not recommend it to a single person on earth. It’s trauma porn and the fact there’s any sort of HEA is actually shocking, the omega MC isn’t getting a HEA no matter how it’s wrapped up in an attempt to make the alpha MC seem like a progressive guy.
October 9, 2022
If you’re interested in trauma porn, read this. Not 1 side character or even the MC Ned is redeemable. The HEA seems entirely unfit for this story.
At 76% I had to go back to start to check this book came with trigger warnings because they are necessary for this read. This isn’t a bullying book, this is a book with on-page sexual assault and coercion with a sprinkling of bullying.
At 76% I had to go back to start to check this book came with trigger warnings because they are necessary for this read. This isn’t a bullying book, this is a book with on-page sexual assault and coercion with a sprinkling of bullying.
April 20, 2024
Voto: 3.5
RECENSIONE A CURA DI SLANIF
Ezer Fersee ha solo diciannove anni ma ha già capito che la vita è dura. Non solo ha un problema a leggere e per questo viene emarginato e ridicolizzato dal suo stesso padre, ma il suo aspetto non convenzionale per un Omega (ovvero magro ed emaciato) e il suo temperamento tutt’altro che remissivo, non favoriscono il suo inserimento nel nuovo liceo.
Non c’è dunque da stupirsi quando dei bulletti lo prendono di mira, cominciando a infastidirlo. Soprattutto due di loro, Brandon e Finch, gli danno vita difficile. Il terzo componente del gruppo è Ned Clearwater, che si è innamorato a prima vista di Ezer, ma nonostante i suoi sentimenti, non riesce a essere coraggioso e dire ai suoi amici di farla finita con quelle angherie.
Questo vuol dire che Ezer odia profondamente Ned e la sua cricca e quando si ritroverà legato a lui da un contratto…
Continua sul nostro blog!
RECENSIONE A CURA DI SLANIF
Ezer Fersee ha solo diciannove anni ma ha già capito che la vita è dura. Non solo ha un problema a leggere e per questo viene emarginato e ridicolizzato dal suo stesso padre, ma il suo aspetto non convenzionale per un Omega (ovvero magro ed emaciato) e il suo temperamento tutt’altro che remissivo, non favoriscono il suo inserimento nel nuovo liceo.
Non c’è dunque da stupirsi quando dei bulletti lo prendono di mira, cominciando a infastidirlo. Soprattutto due di loro, Brandon e Finch, gli danno vita difficile. Il terzo componente del gruppo è Ned Clearwater, che si è innamorato a prima vista di Ezer, ma nonostante i suoi sentimenti, non riesce a essere coraggioso e dire ai suoi amici di farla finita con quelle angherie.
Questo vuol dire che Ezer odia profondamente Ned e la sua cricca e quando si ritroverà legato a lui da un contratto…
Continua sul nostro blog!
October 19, 2022
4.5⭐️
Okay. I almost didn’t read this after seeing a lot of people upset over Leta Blake’s version of the Omegaverse. Was it hard to read? Yes. But I truly felt the omegas were representative of the minorities, women, and the LGBTQ communities of our past, and in some instances, our present.
Omegas in this series essentially hold FAR fewer rights than alphas. It was all very frustrating to read at times, especially the scenes where the alphas spoke about and treated the omegas like property rather than people, but I think a good book is a book that can elicit the raw emotions I felt while reading this.
Ezer and Ned’s love story was fought hard for and I loved how Ned eventually took it upon himself to start making their world a better place. He might not have started as an endearing character, but he sure as hell ended up being one.
My only critique was how quickly everything wrapped up.
So, yeah, this will be a book I’ll be thinking about for a while.
Okay. I almost didn’t read this after seeing a lot of people upset over Leta Blake’s version of the Omegaverse. Was it hard to read? Yes. But I truly felt the omegas were representative of the minorities, women, and the LGBTQ communities of our past, and in some instances, our present.
Omegas in this series essentially hold FAR fewer rights than alphas. It was all very frustrating to read at times, especially the scenes where the alphas spoke about and treated the omegas like property rather than people, but I think a good book is a book that can elicit the raw emotions I felt while reading this.
Ezer and Ned’s love story was fought hard for and I loved how Ned eventually took it upon himself to start making their world a better place. He might not have started as an endearing character, but he sure as hell ended up being one.
My only critique was how quickly everything wrapped up.
So, yeah, this will be a book I’ll be thinking about for a while.
September 17, 2022
All I can say is this author manages to truly capture complex characters amazingly well. Ezer and Ned go through A LOT to get their HEA, and much of it, as you can guess, is unpleasant. Some they (Ned) bring on themselves because they’re young and immature and just plain making bad decisions, but much is because they’re surrounded by horrible and reprehensible adults who excuse their bad behavior or rely on and use children to solve their problems. It does serve to make you loathe those adults (and love the few good ones) even more and see how the story ends up where it does. The beautiful thing is that everything can be salvaged… The terrible thing is that everything comes at a cost. In this case that cost is angst. One thing I loved above others was this couple’s progression was not linear and that seemed so true to life. They make progress and backslide and show that love is a journey of fits and starts, and ultimately you get out what you put in. This relationship demanded a lot, and she made sure these characters got exactly that—a beautiful, uncompromised HEA they fought for at the end of the day.
March 25, 2023
Love is a multi-contractual emotional status challenge
It takes work every day, especially for a growing family. Constant reassurance and visible confirmation through gifts and events that reinforce the mutual support of love that is tangible in the ways it is revealed when the lovers are together and for friends and relatives whose relationships reflect the love for each other constantly in daily life.
Arguing and yelling represent the difficulties of working and living together, but only balance the love with independence to discuss the things that affect the family. It takes time to work through the challenges of love and living together, but once it is resolved, life becomes much more important and enjoyable for all.
It takes work every day, especially for a growing family. Constant reassurance and visible confirmation through gifts and events that reinforce the mutual support of love that is tangible in the ways it is revealed when the lovers are together and for friends and relatives whose relationships reflect the love for each other constantly in daily life.
Arguing and yelling represent the difficulties of working and living together, but only balance the love with independence to discuss the things that affect the family. It takes time to work through the challenges of love and living together, but once it is resolved, life becomes much more important and enjoyable for all.
October 8, 2022
I guess this isn't really anyone's fault but I just hated the abo world in this book like I love abo I do but this is just extreme. I know there has to be a level of oppression of course it only makes sense in omegaverse but be fr like this was just.... inhuman. the way omegas are regarded in this world the author created. I couldn't find it in me to like ned and especially not heath. apparently omegas are only good for fucking and breeding. no thoughts no ambitions no goals they're not even regarded as human. I'm sorry but I read abo for the porn not for the oppression like this was just so severe. ugh good enough story I had to give it the stars but I really don't enjoy this type of abo
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April 29, 2023The reviews for this are fascinatingly divisive. I'm squarely in the 'loved it' camp. The relationships are messy, everyone is flawed, the omegaverse is a hard, gritty place and it really worked for me. Nothing is sugarcoated, no one is without fault. Leta's writing always clicks for me anyhow and this was no exception. I haven't read book 1 (not realising this was book 2) but it worked as a stand alone.
October 7, 2022
ᗪᎥᖴᖴᎥᑕᑌᒪT TO ᖇᗴᗩᗪ
I had a difficult time reading this story. It started out painfully full of angst and that continued all the way to the last page.
The omegaverse created for this story is extremely unbalanced. The immediate issue of the story was never resolved and there were many more opened regarding the side characters that were also left unsatisfactorily open.
I enjoy Leta Blake, but definitely will not be reading anything else from this particular omegaverse.
I had a difficult time reading this story. It started out painfully full of angst and that continued all the way to the last page.
The omegaverse created for this story is extremely unbalanced. The immediate issue of the story was never resolved and there were many more opened regarding the side characters that were also left unsatisfactorily open.
I enjoy Leta Blake, but definitely will not be reading anything else from this particular omegaverse.
October 9, 2022
I received a free copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads
BULLY FOR SALE is the second installment in the Heat for Sale series. While it could easily be read as a standalone, I recommend reading Heat for Sale prior, as the cast of characters are familial connections, where the previous protagonists make many cameos on the pages- their presence impacting the overall plot.
Ned and Ezer were both abused by their parental units, groomed to act in the manner in which they are behaving. Ned to always put his father first, no matter if it causes destruction to his own future. Ezer to champion for his omega parent, because he too is an omega, even if that parent isn't worthy of the devotion. This abuse leads to behaviors that are hard to swallow on both their parts.
During Heat for Sale, Heath downgraded his nephew as his heir by breeding an omega and having a son to call his own. Heath's nephew, Ned, was his previous heir, seeing the boy as more son than his layabout brother's son.
Ned is in a precarious position, forced to befriend his father's business partners' sons. While Ned is trying to be a better person, trying to make his uncle proud, he also has to think of his father's wellbeing- something his father never lets him forget. Befriending these two sadistic, teenage alphas is the only thing keeping his father out of the poorhouse and away from emptying Ned's trust fund, which would destroy Ned's future. There is only one major issue with this- his so-called friends have targeted the small omega with the hypnotic eyes.
Emotionally driven, easily manipulated by familial connections, Ned is a romantic, believing in love at first sight. While I wouldn't classify Ned as a coward, because he's not taking the path of least resistance. He's on a destructive, painful path, putting a father first that only ever thinks of himself. In the end, his emotions and drive to do right causes him to unknowingly do wrong.
Ezer (going to be honest, I'm not a fan of this name, as my mind continually kept trying to input Ezra for Ezer and it would yank me from the story) Ezer is an omega, born in the middle of a large family of omegas. To Ezer's knowledge, his father kicked out his omega parent for never producing an alpha child, then found a young replacement. Said father sees omegas as nothing but either money pits or opportunities, believing they should forever be barefoot and pregnant to be happy.
Ezer is filled with rage, to the point he never truly thinks clearly. Ezer will never take the path of least resistance, even if that's the path that is right to take or the path that he truly wants to take.
Spiteful, with good reason, highly intelligent, but this beligerence causes him to make mistakes, which make him look emotionally and intellectually stunted. Ezer isn't easy to love, let alone like, even when the reader is rooting for him. Even hormones cannot be blamed for his attitude. While this reader understood the outrage and is equally outraged for him and behalf of other omegas, there wasn't anything else to like about Ezer personality wise.
Ezer used to do math equations- that's it. His entire personality is rage, beligerence, and the drive to be opposing. If Ned says he likes tv shows, then Ezer can't stand tv, and so on. I'm surprised he actually answered with an ice cream flavor instead of saying he loathed it because Ned liked it.
A string of miscommunications and badly behaving parental units leads to the union of Ned and Ezer. Ned is patient, kind, submissive, comforting, understanding, and never-endingly calm and supportive. He's also young, younger than Ezer, yet Ezer assumes Ned should know everything and take care of everything.
Ned didn't get anything out of the contract- the parents did - except for Ezer, believing Ezer was where he wanted to be after signing the contract. Ezer got away from his father, from a fate much worse. I understand Ezer's rage but it's directed at the wrong party. Ezer's fate was in peril- while Ned isn't his hero, shouldn't require thanks, he shouldn't also be the person vilified either.
I'm not sure why the butler didn't just hire security at the house, knowing everything there was to know about the pair of kids thrust into this situation by their awful parents. They needed a parental unit to take care of them. Heath was otherwise distracted. But Ned cannot know what he hasn't been taught, and it was wrong of Ezer to assume he should just do everything and know everything. Ezer demanding perfection from Ned while all he required of himself was to exist.
While pregnant, Ezer has no plans to take care of anything for himself or the house, nor does he support Ned in any way. I get that some of this was the world building, but Ezer showed no interest for the future either. Nothing was good enough, perpetually waited on like a prince, Ezer couldn't even get himself a drink or put his dishes in the sink.
It was odd, in a world where omegas are to be the caretakers, homemakers, and babymakers. Ezer did nothing but be miserable, most of the misery earned, but it showed he was spoiled and did absolutely nothing as he grew up, entitled and privileged. While the alpha was the one doing the housework, cooking, and caretaking, when that would have never been taught to him growing up. This just didn't compute.
Ned was wrong in the past, he's tried to make amends, even if Ezer is only hearing what he wants to hear. Ezer is borderline abusive in his manner toward Ned, even after admitting Ned was doing what he thought was right, what he thought Ezer wanted. Ned is not a mind-reader where the contract was concerned.
Does Ezer have the right to be angry? Yes. It just felt as if that rage wasn't directed at the correct parties. Ezer should have hated the system, the parents, the bullies. He should have seen Ned as a partner in this hellscape who had no options either. Instead, all he ever did was blame Ned. Everything was Ned's fault. Yet Ezer played into their hands time and time again. This intelligent, stubborn boy would get angry, the anger causing him to do exactly what they wanted instead of thinking of a work-around, even in the end of the novel when he returned to his father's home. Why did he do that? If Ned is at fault for everything, and Heath is so powerful, why not ask them to stop this versus being hysterical and playing into his father's hands. This was frustrating to read and made me dislike Ezer. The omega was a classical damsel in distress acting too stupid to live for the sake of some manufactured drama.
It just felt to me that Ned got the short end of the stick, as Ezer was just as narcissistic as the rest of the cast. Ezer's da was not a good person, and Ezer was now making excuses to justify abusive behaviors.
Ned is so besotted, he would give Ezer anything on the planet. Ezer isn't going to go to school, he wants to work but isn't. He has someone else taking care of the house and eventually the kids. I'm not sure what Ezer plans in life but to be purposefully miserable. Only the epilogue saved Ezer from appearing to be as awful as the parents, but the reader never saw the journey to his character growth. No matter Ned's horrific origins in the novel, at least he grows over the course of the pages.
As a feminist, the omega rights portions deeply resonated with me, enraged me, and gutted me. However, I found it ridiculous that every parent was a PoS. Every single one of them. Ned's dad was a layabout. Ezer's father was cruel and insane. His omega parent was not even remotely redeemable, especially shacking up with a married man with kids, said married man was also utterly worthless. The whole lot of them were awful.
Then add in the "bullies" and their never-shown fathers. How many villains can a novel support?
So while I appreciated the omega rights issues, I didn't appreciate how most of the cast was written as the villains to highlight how amazing and awesome Heath is as an alpha and a person.
Ned's journey into manhood was a good read. Ned & Ezer's relationship left a lot to be desired with the fact that Ezer never allowed Ned to truly speak to him, never allowed a true bond to take place. No matter how many times Ezer tested or punished Ned, there was never true closure.
Am I glad I read BULLY FOR SALE? Yes. Would I recommend it? Yes. Did I think there was some missteps in the plot? Also yes.
BULLY FOR SALE is the second installment in the Heat for Sale series. While it could easily be read as a standalone, I recommend reading Heat for Sale prior, as the cast of characters are familial connections, where the previous protagonists make many cameos on the pages- their presence impacting the overall plot.
Ned and Ezer were both abused by their parental units, groomed to act in the manner in which they are behaving. Ned to always put his father first, no matter if it causes destruction to his own future. Ezer to champion for his omega parent, because he too is an omega, even if that parent isn't worthy of the devotion. This abuse leads to behaviors that are hard to swallow on both their parts.
During Heat for Sale, Heath downgraded his nephew as his heir by breeding an omega and having a son to call his own. Heath's nephew, Ned, was his previous heir, seeing the boy as more son than his layabout brother's son.
Ned is in a precarious position, forced to befriend his father's business partners' sons. While Ned is trying to be a better person, trying to make his uncle proud, he also has to think of his father's wellbeing- something his father never lets him forget. Befriending these two sadistic, teenage alphas is the only thing keeping his father out of the poorhouse and away from emptying Ned's trust fund, which would destroy Ned's future. There is only one major issue with this- his so-called friends have targeted the small omega with the hypnotic eyes.
Emotionally driven, easily manipulated by familial connections, Ned is a romantic, believing in love at first sight. While I wouldn't classify Ned as a coward, because he's not taking the path of least resistance. He's on a destructive, painful path, putting a father first that only ever thinks of himself. In the end, his emotions and drive to do right causes him to unknowingly do wrong.
Ezer (going to be honest, I'm not a fan of this name, as my mind continually kept trying to input Ezra for Ezer and it would yank me from the story) Ezer is an omega, born in the middle of a large family of omegas. To Ezer's knowledge, his father kicked out his omega parent for never producing an alpha child, then found a young replacement. Said father sees omegas as nothing but either money pits or opportunities, believing they should forever be barefoot and pregnant to be happy.
Ezer is filled with rage, to the point he never truly thinks clearly. Ezer will never take the path of least resistance, even if that's the path that is right to take or the path that he truly wants to take.
Spiteful, with good reason, highly intelligent, but this beligerence causes him to make mistakes, which make him look emotionally and intellectually stunted. Ezer isn't easy to love, let alone like, even when the reader is rooting for him. Even hormones cannot be blamed for his attitude. While this reader understood the outrage and is equally outraged for him and behalf of other omegas, there wasn't anything else to like about Ezer personality wise.
Ezer used to do math equations- that's it. His entire personality is rage, beligerence, and the drive to be opposing. If Ned says he likes tv shows, then Ezer can't stand tv, and so on. I'm surprised he actually answered with an ice cream flavor instead of saying he loathed it because Ned liked it.
A string of miscommunications and badly behaving parental units leads to the union of Ned and Ezer. Ned is patient, kind, submissive, comforting, understanding, and never-endingly calm and supportive. He's also young, younger than Ezer, yet Ezer assumes Ned should know everything and take care of everything.
Ned didn't get anything out of the contract- the parents did - except for Ezer, believing Ezer was where he wanted to be after signing the contract. Ezer got away from his father, from a fate much worse. I understand Ezer's rage but it's directed at the wrong party. Ezer's fate was in peril- while Ned isn't his hero, shouldn't require thanks, he shouldn't also be the person vilified either.
I'm not sure why the butler didn't just hire security at the house, knowing everything there was to know about the pair of kids thrust into this situation by their awful parents. They needed a parental unit to take care of them. Heath was otherwise distracted. But Ned cannot know what he hasn't been taught, and it was wrong of Ezer to assume he should just do everything and know everything. Ezer demanding perfection from Ned while all he required of himself was to exist.
While pregnant, Ezer has no plans to take care of anything for himself or the house, nor does he support Ned in any way. I get that some of this was the world building, but Ezer showed no interest for the future either. Nothing was good enough, perpetually waited on like a prince, Ezer couldn't even get himself a drink or put his dishes in the sink.
It was odd, in a world where omegas are to be the caretakers, homemakers, and babymakers. Ezer did nothing but be miserable, most of the misery earned, but it showed he was spoiled and did absolutely nothing as he grew up, entitled and privileged. While the alpha was the one doing the housework, cooking, and caretaking, when that would have never been taught to him growing up. This just didn't compute.
Ned was wrong in the past, he's tried to make amends, even if Ezer is only hearing what he wants to hear. Ezer is borderline abusive in his manner toward Ned, even after admitting Ned was doing what he thought was right, what he thought Ezer wanted. Ned is not a mind-reader where the contract was concerned.
Does Ezer have the right to be angry? Yes. It just felt as if that rage wasn't directed at the correct parties. Ezer should have hated the system, the parents, the bullies. He should have seen Ned as a partner in this hellscape who had no options either. Instead, all he ever did was blame Ned. Everything was Ned's fault. Yet Ezer played into their hands time and time again. This intelligent, stubborn boy would get angry, the anger causing him to do exactly what they wanted instead of thinking of a work-around, even in the end of the novel when he returned to his father's home. Why did he do that? If Ned is at fault for everything, and Heath is so powerful, why not ask them to stop this versus being hysterical and playing into his father's hands. This was frustrating to read and made me dislike Ezer. The omega was a classical damsel in distress acting too stupid to live for the sake of some manufactured drama.
It just felt to me that Ned got the short end of the stick, as Ezer was just as narcissistic as the rest of the cast. Ezer's da was not a good person, and Ezer was now making excuses to justify abusive behaviors.
Ned is so besotted, he would give Ezer anything on the planet. Ezer isn't going to go to school, he wants to work but isn't. He has someone else taking care of the house and eventually the kids. I'm not sure what Ezer plans in life but to be purposefully miserable. Only the epilogue saved Ezer from appearing to be as awful as the parents, but the reader never saw the journey to his character growth. No matter Ned's horrific origins in the novel, at least he grows over the course of the pages.
As a feminist, the omega rights portions deeply resonated with me, enraged me, and gutted me. However, I found it ridiculous that every parent was a PoS. Every single one of them. Ned's dad was a layabout. Ezer's father was cruel and insane. His omega parent was not even remotely redeemable, especially shacking up with a married man with kids, said married man was also utterly worthless. The whole lot of them were awful.
Then add in the "bullies" and their never-shown fathers. How many villains can a novel support?
So while I appreciated the omega rights issues, I didn't appreciate how most of the cast was written as the villains to highlight how amazing and awesome Heath is as an alpha and a person.
Ned's journey into manhood was a good read. Ned & Ezer's relationship left a lot to be desired with the fact that Ezer never allowed Ned to truly speak to him, never allowed a true bond to take place. No matter how many times Ezer tested or punished Ned, there was never true closure.
Am I glad I read BULLY FOR SALE? Yes. Would I recommend it? Yes. Did I think there was some missteps in the plot? Also yes.
October 17, 2022
Bully for sale was high on the angst and steam, but fell short on the romance for me. Ezer spent about 90% of the book disliking Ned. Yes I totally was on his side about what a jerk Ned was at school and his cowardess. I also agree Ned's excuses were flimsy at best. However, it was obvious from the start of their "relationship" that Ned was trying his best. He was constantly worrying about what he could do to make Ezer more comfortable and happy. He spent time asking others opinions to help him. He did everything in his power to provide Ezer what he wanted, but it was never enough for Ezer. Instead of placing the blame where it really belonged, with his sorry excuse for a parent, he punished Ned. In the end Ezer was more the bully than Ned ever was.
I also had a hard time getting past how often Ezer called Ned names about his intelligence, even in his thoughts. Ned literally saved Ezer from being with an alpha who would have taken pleasure in forcing himself on him and causing him pain. You would think he'd at least show some gratitude. Omegas were definitely treated like little more than incubators and posessions as the norm. Often, like with Ezer and his brother, heat partners are chosen by the alpha father and the omega has no control over being sent to them mindless with lust. There is dub con a plenty here fyi. Ned never treated Ezer that way. The epilogue is the only part of the book where both Ezer and Ned appear happy. So while the steam was plentiful and I ended up liking Ned, I never warmed up to Ezer which caused my rating to go from 4 stars to 3.
I also had a hard time getting past how often Ezer called Ned names about his intelligence, even in his thoughts. Ned literally saved Ezer from being with an alpha who would have taken pleasure in forcing himself on him and causing him pain. You would think he'd at least show some gratitude. Omegas were definitely treated like little more than incubators and posessions as the norm. Often, like with Ezer and his brother, heat partners are chosen by the alpha father and the omega has no control over being sent to them mindless with lust. There is dub con a plenty here fyi. Ned never treated Ezer that way. The epilogue is the only part of the book where both Ezer and Ned appear happy. So while the steam was plentiful and I ended up liking Ned, I never warmed up to Ezer which caused my rating to go from 4 stars to 3.
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