Bully vs. Blindsided: A Friends-to-Lovers Romance Book Comparison
As I was rereading Bully, by Penelope Douglas, I wanted to see if it still held a spot on my favorites list (which can be found here) and to my surprise, it gave me the same vibe as Blindsided, by me, T. Christensen. That’s never happened before! So, I thought it would be fun to review them side by side and see how they compare. I mentioned in my September newsletter that this post was coming, and as promised… let’s dive into a Bully vs Blindsided book comparison.
Bully by Penelope Douglas: Review and Reflections
(FYI…this is the exact review that I did in my newsletter of Bully. If you read it feel free to skip to Blindsided.)
Hero: Jared is the stereotypical popular, good-looking high school boy. The entire school loves him, and he is friendly with everyone, except Tatum.
Heroine: Tatum (Tate) is a determined heroine who’s endured years of bullying from her neighbor and former childhood friend, Jared. Heading into her senior year, she’s made up her mind that this year will be different. She refuses to let him intimidate her or allow his words to cut her down anymore.
Tatum’s not sure what changed between her and Jared as they entered high school, but it is her senior year and she won’t allow him to intimidate her and she refuses to let his words hurt her.
I love a heroine who can stand her ground without coming across as harsh, and Tate is exactly that. The way she and Jared reconnect through their shared love of cars was unique, and I could feel Tate’s excitement in those moments.
One of my favorite details was learning about Tate’s unusual but touching memory: “I had a picnic in a cemetery once.” You’ll have to read the book to uncover the story behind it, but it’s a surprisingly poignant moment involving Jared.
My favorite quote: “You were the person that turned things right again.”
Blindsided by T. Christensen: Review and Reflections
Hero: Brock is also the stereotypical popular, good looking high school boy. Yep, the entire school loves him, and he is friendly with everyone, expect Kirsa.
Heroine: Kirsa’s journey is all about finding her strength. She’s done making excuses for Brock, even though part of her still aches for the boy who used to be her best friend. Until three years ago, her and Brock were best friends. Now she’s being bullied for something she’s never done. However, Brock refuses to believe her or even consider the possibility that it’s not her. That betrayal cuts deep, and watching Kirsa stand tall in the face of it makes her growth more powerful.
At the center of their story is the treehouse. What was once their place. And as the story unfolds, more memories are made.
My favorite quote: “I thought you were the only one who knew the real me, Brock.” I swallow down my humiliation and force myself to continue. “But it turns out when push comes to shove, you’re the worst friend imaginable.”
Bully and Blindsided: How These Enemies-to-Lovers Romances Are Similar And Different
Both stories center on childhood friends who grew up as neighbors, only to have their relationship shift in painful ways. In each book:
- The heroine finally reaches her breaking point. She’s done being bullied and decides to stand up for herself.
- A love triangle develops, testing loyalty and trust.
- Each romance carries a touch of mystery, with secrets waiting to be uncovered.
One key difference is in the heroines’ perspectives. Kirsa understands why Brock lashes out at her, even if it still hurts, while Tatum is left in the dark about Jared’s reasons. And while both stories lead to a happily-ever-after, the paths they take couldn’t be more different.
Final Thoughts: Which One Stole Your Heart?
Here’s a challenge: Read them both—Bully by Penelope Douglas and Blindsided by T. Christensen—then come back and tell me what you think! Which scenes or quotes stayed with you the most? Let’s get this conversation going in the comments.
If you haven’t picked them up yet, you can find Bully here and Blindsided here.
And while we’re at it—are there other books that give you this same intense, emotional vibe? Drop your recommendations below. I’m always looking for my next favorite read!
