This book frustrated me at first.

Normally, bully romances are interesting for me, seeing the characters going from hate to love. Maybe I just read it at a bad time, having been reminded recently of my own experiences being bullied throughout my entire school life.

I don't know.

Another part that frustrated me was the reveal of a couple who are already established, married and pregnant, when their book is later down the line. Looking it up, I found that their book is a prequel to Roman. As someone who likes to read along the timeline, rather than the recommended reading direction, this was a tad frustrating.

So far, there's been one exception to that dislike but it was less a prequel and more just extra information, including the guy's POV of key moments in their time together up to where it leaves off in the book prior. But this doesn't feel like that.

I'll need to make a note for if I ever re-read this series, which I may very well do at a later date. This series is so much fun to read and is so emotional. Sophie Lark just may become one of my top five with these series.

Roman and Mila are a lot of fun to read about. Roman is honest and aware of the type of man he is and that's rather refreshing. Granted, all the guys in these series are usually aware of what kind of person they are and if they aren't, their counterpart often makes it very obvious.

I did have a problem with the whole thing where Roman had always liked Mila but was angry that she wasn't falling at his feet, eager to please, just like every other girl in their school, so he makes her hate him instead because it was the only way he would have her attention. When I was little, I was often told guys will pick on girls they like. This is essentially that saying wrapped into a book. Granted now that they are adults, he isn't trying to tear her down any more. At least, not like he used to. Instead we have dubious consent, which I kind of expect from dark romances. It's a nice change when Roman finally realizes why he felt the need to act the way he did. At least after that he starts doing better and Mila genuinely gives him a chance, never trying to pretend to like him.

I was expecting some kind of conflict to happen and wasn't disappointed. At least, not really. The conflict in this book seemed more tame than what was seen in other books. Kingmakers: The Bully was similar but didn't go anywhere. This book feels more like a false love triangle, similar to Kingmakers: The Heir but without the other guy getting a chance.

When the other guy finally does act, it's not that surprising.

One thing I love about these books is how realistic they can be, like these events and people could actually exist in real life. All the characters feel like living, breathing people.

Now, it is time to leave Paris and head back to Russia and see Ivan's little brother find love. Dom is the next book in the series and I am excited to see how he met and fell in love with the wife I met when reading Adrik's story. I'd love to meet the woman who created Adrik.