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Bully romance books have this wild way of mixing heartbreak, heat, and complicated feelings into stories you can’t put down. If you’re looking for the best bully romance novels that hit all those notes, you’re in the right place.
We’ve rounded up some of the top titles from fan-favorite authors like Penelope Douglas, Ashley Jade, and more—perfect whether you’re new to the genre or a longtime stan.
So get comfy, because you’re about to dive into some seriously addictive reads that will keep you hooked from start to finish.
For some more grey areas in the romance genre, check out this list of forbidden romances in books.
Bully by Penelope Douglas
Jared Trent and Tatum Brandt were inseparable best friends—until Jared became Tate’s worst nightmare. On the eve of her year abroad, a cruel prank pushes Tate to escape her past. A year later, she’s back, stronger, and ready to confront Jared, who’s trying to make things right. If you’re craving a slow-burn, best-friends-turned-enemies-to-lovers story with zero insta-love, Bully is your next obsession.
Just Drop Out by J Bree
Eclipse Anderson thought Hannaford Prep would be her escape from a rough home—but instead, she lands on the bad side of the school’s elite four. To survive, Lips has to play smart, fight dirty, and keep her head down. If you want a bully academy story with a fierce heroine, zero insta-love, and a gripping plot, Just Drop Out is a knockout.
Tryst Six Venom by Penelope Douglas
Clay Collins looks like a prom queen with the perfect life—but behind the scenes, her world’s falling apart. Her only escape? Olivia Jaeger, the girl she loves but can never have. Olivia just wants out of their small town, but Clay isn’t ready to let her go. Steamy, emotional, and full of twists, Tryst Six Venom is a fierce FF enemies-to-lovers bully romance you won’t put down.
Vicious by L.J. Shen
Meet Vicious: a ruthless, heart-of-stone bad boy who treats everyone like dirt—especially Emilia LeBlanc, the daughter of the hired help. After driving her away, ten years later, he’s back, hell-bent on winning her over. If you’re into dark bully romances with a love-hate edge and complicated feelings, Vicious is your perfect match.
Hate Me by Ashley Jade
Aspen and Knox’s first meeting was a disaster, and years later, Knox is still her relentless bully. When they reunite at Black Mountain Academy, sparks fly in all the wrong ways. Hate Me is a dark, twisted bully romance packed with taboo moments and jaw-dropping drama—perfect for readers who like their romances edgy and intense.
Kings of Quarantine by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
Trapped in quarantine with three boys who hate her, Tatum’s stuck in a nightmare fueled by secrets and suspicion. They think she’s guilty, but she’s not backing down. Kings of Quarantine delivers explosive angst, sizzling chemistry, and a bully romance that goes way beyond the usual.
The Bully by Sophie Lark
Cat’s back at Kingmakers Academy, but this year is a whole new kind of hell. Dean Yenin knows her secret, and their deal might cost her everything. With sizzling spice, mystery, and insane chemistry, The Bully is a must-read for anyone who loves steamy, high-stakes bully romance.
Shunned by Steffanie Holmes
After losing her family in a tragic fire, Hazel’s got one plan: survive her elite academy scholarship and get out. But Ayaz, Trey, and Quinn—the school’s toughest guys—have other ideas. They want her gone. What they don’t know? Hazel fights back. If you’re into reverse harem bully romances where the bullies become love interests, Shunned hits the spot.
Manhattan Tormentor by V. Theia
High school quarterback Finn Maverick is a ruthless legacy in the making—but his brutal act hides a secret: an obsession with Sage Fierro, the school nerd. Sage never understood why he tormented him—until he realizes it’s lust, not hate. For a scorching MM bully romance packed with passion and angst, Manhattan Tormentor is unforgettable.
Cruel Prince by Ashley Jade
Once best friends, Dylan and Jace are now enemies after a family tragedy. Dylan’s back, and Jace’s icy hatred is impossible to ignore. But Dylan’s not one to back down, and this friends-to-enemies-to-lovers bully romance will keep you hooked till the last page.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
After her family’s murder, Jude is dragged into the deadly politics of Faerie, where the charming but cruel Prince Cardan makes her life a living hell. In a world of scheming royals and dangerous fae, survival means playing dirty—and maybe falling for your tormentor. If you crave slow-burn bully romance with epic fantasy stakes, The Cruel Prince is a must-read.
Tough Sh*t by Sheridan Anne
Oceania Munroe’s world flips upside down when she moves from a gang-ridden neighborhood to wealthy Bellevue Springs—and meets Colton Carrington, the son of her mother’s boss and a brutal bully. But Ocean’s no pushover. If you want high school bully romance with a fierce heroine and a rich, bad boy hero, Tough Sht* is fire.
Lords of Pain by Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue
Story Austin’s past drags her into the orbit of three men: Killian, Tristian, and Dimitri Rath. When desperation leads her to her stepbrother and his friends, nothing is simple—and everything is steamy. For fans of dark, morally gray bully romances with intense passion and drama, Lords of Pain is an addictive ride.
Dirty Girls by Lily White
Soren Callahan was locked up for murder—until the killings start again after he’s released. Olive Reid wants nothing to do with him, but Soren’s dangerous charm pulls her in. When survival is on the line, will Olive make it out alive? If you want a gritty whodunit with a bully romance twist, Dirty Girls is your perfect pick.
Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas
Misha and Ryen have been pen pals since fifth grade—bonding over letters without ever meeting. But when Misha suddenly goes radio silent, Ryen’s world shifts after meeting a boy who couldn’t be more different from the friend she thought she knew. Enter Masen Laurent, the new guy who challenges her every expectation. This friends-to-enemies-to-lovers bully romance is full of raw emotion, surprises, and electric tension.
Untouchable by Sam Mariano
Zoey’s senior year takes a harsh turn after she reports a football player for harassment, turning her into the school pariah. Then Carter Mahoney, the star quarterback, starts paying attention—and things spiral into a dangerous game she didn’t expect. Untouchable is a gripping, dark bully romance with edge-of-your-seat tension that fans of intense reads will devour. I recommend reading the trigger warnings before starting it.
The Secret Girl by C.M. Stunich
Charlotte has to disguise herself as “Chuck” at an all-boys academy, turning her life upside down. With a killer on the loose and suspicious classmates watching her every move, keeping her secret becomes a high-stakes game. If you’re into slow-burn bully romance with mystery and suspense, The Secret Girl delivers all that and more.
Angry God by L.J. Shen
Vaughn Spencer is the brooding, ruthless artist everyone fears—except for Lenora, who refuses to back down. When both compete for a coveted art internship in London, their rivalry ignites into something dangerously fierce. For lovers of gritty bully romance with sharp wit and fierce passion, Angry God is unmissable.
Corrupt by Penelope Douglas
Erika “Rika” Fane thought college would be a fresh start—until her ex’s older brother Michael, a pro basketball player, moves in next door with revenge on his mind. Dark secrets and scorching tension collide in this morally complex, addictive dark bully romance that will keep you questioning every twist.
Deviant King by Rina Kent
Elsa Quinn’s life is a nightmare under the King of Royal Elite Academy—until she dares to challenge him. Packed with possessive alpha heroes, fierce heroines, and steamy moments, Deviant King is the dark bully romance trilogy that fans of intense, controversial stories can’t put down.
Devil’s Day Party by C.M. Stunich
What if you had to relive your worst day on repeat—bullies, crashes, and wild parties included? This reverse harem bully romance delivers nonstop thrills and unexpected twists. Buckle up for a wild ride that will keep you hooked from start to finish.
The Help by Callie Rose
When Harlow’s mom takes a job as an executive housekeeper, Harlow meets Lincoln—the son of her mom’s boss and one of the Kings of Linwood. But Harlow’s no pushover, and the high school reverse harem bully romance that unfolds is full of sass, fire, and plenty of drama. The Help serves up a fresh take on power dynamics with a strong heroine at the center.
It Just Had To Be You by Jacqueline Francis
Catalina’s tired of being bullied by Scott Carter—until he starts showing her a different side. But with so much history between them, trusting him won’t be easy. This slow-burn bully romance brings all the feels and tension fans crave, with a satisfying emotional payoff.
Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward
High school senior Greta’s life flips when her brooding, arrogant new stepbrother Elec moves in. Years later, their reunion sparks fierce emotions neither can ignore. If taboo step-sibling bully romance with plenty of heat and angst is your jam, Stepbrother Dearest is a must-read.
Resurrection by Siobhan Davis
After her father’s death and catching her boyfriend cheating, Harlow gets tangled with the notorious Sainthood gang. Dark, steamy, and dangerous, Resurrection is a bully romance packed with explosive confrontations and unforgettable characters that will keep you hooked.
The Awakening by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
Twins Tory and Darcy Vega discover they’re part of a magical realm—and survival at Zodiac Academy is anything but easy. Full of magic, danger, and a touch of romance, this bully romance with fantasy elements offers a thrilling adventure fans won’t want to miss.
The Peer and the Puppet by B.B. Reid
Four Archer’s world is turned upside down when she moves into her new stepbrother Ever’s mansion—where he makes it clear she’s not welcome. But when Four returns with a plan for revenge, sparks fly. The Peer and the Puppet blends step-sibling bully romance with fierce drama and sizzling tension.
Orientation Week by Ruby Vincent
Zela disguises herself as a boy to get into the cutthroat Breakbattle Academy, where competition is fierce and nothing is fair. As “Zeke,” she faces rivals—and a certain boy who throws everything off balance. For slow-burn bully reverse harem romance with clever twists, Orientation Week is addictive from page one.
I Dare You by Shantel Tessier
Austin’s fresh start with her dad crashes when she witnesses a crime and gets pulled into a deadly game of dares. As danger mounts, the tension with Cole heats up in this bully romance full of heart-pounding suspense and sizzling slow burn. I Dare You will keep you hooked till the last page.
Filthy Rich Boys by C.M. Stunich
Picture this: you just scored a scholarship to one of the most exclusive private schools in the country. But on day one, everyone already seems to know you—and not in a good way. Your tour guide ditches you with a snide comment about not belonging, and you quickly learn about the school’s ruthless social ladder. The “idols,” or elite students, rule everything—and you’re their new target. With danger lurking at every turn, surviving means navigating a reverse-harem high school bully romance that’s equal parts thrilling and intense. Filthy Rich Boys is perfect if you crave drama, power plays, and complicated alliances.
Pretty Reckless by LJ Shen
One choice changed everything for Daria Followhill—she crushed a fellow dancer’s dreams and lost the guy who meant the world to her. Now, four years later, that same guy is back in her life… as her foster brother. Penn Scully once adored Daria, but after she broke his trust, he’s torn between love and revenge. In this high school bully romance full of raw emotion and blurred lines, the tables have turned, and Penn might be the one who finally breaks her. If you’re into stories where love and hate collide with misunderstood characters, Pretty Reckless is a must-read.