Pretty When She Cries (Black Mountain Academy)

Pretty When She Cries (Black Mountain Academy)

A. Zavarelli

Enjoyment: Quality: Characters: Plot:

Your first kiss is supposed to be sweet. Ours was baptized in fire. I was the new girl trying to find her place. Landon was the brooding neighbor I tutored over the summer. I didn’t know he was a legend at Black Mountain Academy. I didn’t know they worshipped him like a religion. But I fell for him before I knew those things. To me, he was just the tortured soul who drew me in like a magnet. And then he did something so unspeakable, so unforgivable, it shattered me. I ran away then because I was weak, but I’ve shed my tears. He stole my heart and my dignity, and I’m here to take it back. The only problem is… he’s not giving it up without a fight.


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  • wenders
    Jan 07, 2025
    Enjoyment: Quality: Characters: Plot:

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  • NickyM96
    Mar 09, 2025
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    I pretty much devoured this one in one sitting. Once you start, you are not going to want to stop. Partly because it’s a pretty good book. But mostly because it’s a very compelling story and you are not going to want to put it down until you find out what happens. There is a lot of drama and twists and turns that truly keep you on the edge of your seat.

    In this book, we have Kailani and Landon. Kailani was known simply as the new girl in town. So when Landon moves back to town, he needs a tutor to help him catch up on some subjects he’s behind on. It’s a small, rich town, and Kailani is basically the only student who’s not on some lavish European vacation for the summer. So she is assigned to be his tutor. Landon is a big deal and he finds it refreshing that Kailani doesn’t seem to know who he is. But towards the end of the summer when the other students return, that’s when things start to fall apart. Something happens and it turns Landon and Kailani against each other. Kailani leaves town and returns 2 years later a much stronger and tougher person, determined to get revenge on those she feels wronged her. At the top of that list: Landon.

    So while this is kind of sold as a bully story, I wouldn’t say that the bullying happens between the male and female character. There’s hate there and they fight and lash out to hurt each other, but overall, they still can’t stay apart despite their hate for each other. And he still can’t help but be really protective of her.

    One thing I will say about this book, is that it is very dramatic and sometimes the events are pretty outrageous and outlandish. But no one can accuse this book of being boring. And it’s very interesting that you see what kind of emotional and psychological issues these kids are dealing with and it really shows why they act the way that they do. But in the end, our main couple gets their HEA and the bad guys pay for their actions. So all in all, a very satisfying read.

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  • kitsnicket
    Mar 11, 2025
    Enjoyment: Quality: Characters: Plot:

    Why at the first half of the book he doesn't seem the least bit bothered that she was raped by two guys at a party he invited her to? Where's the compassion? Are we supposed to ignore that and be like yes girl! Lose yourself to him? I feel so angry and this story isn't even mine or real, I'll take the slut-shaming, physical abuse, threats, taunts, anything, but rape? While the entire time he acts as if she owes him something. Like f**k you and your mommy issues, disrespectfully.

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