“Experience is the best teacher.”
The romance genre is a diverse one, full of different subgenres and communities all with their own unique quirks and characteristics. Whilst it is great for readers to be able to neatly sort all of their favourite stories into their own categories, it can be difficult for newcomers to work out exactly what each one means. Which is why we here at What We Reading thought we would dive into the world of romance again and answer the question: ‘What is bully romance’? One of the most popular tropes in the romance space, bully romance books certainly generate discourse amongst the reading and writing communities. So join us as we break down the definition, provide some of the best examples and fill you in on everything else you need to know about bully romances.
What Is Bully Romance?
As the name handily gives away, a bully romance is where one main character bullies another, but the two end up falling in love. In most instances, the ‘bully’ is the male character. Bully romance is a subtrope of the enemies-to-lovers types of stories you find in the romance genre.
One of the fundamental aspects of the bully romance formula is the power dynamics between the characters. There are also often intense grovel sequences where a character who has wronged another has to make up for their actions.
It’s important to note that bully romance is different to dark romance, another subtrope in the romance world. Bully romance is almost exclusively an extension of enemies-to-lovers, whereas dark romance is a separate trope in its own right.
Appeals Of Bully Romance Books
To some, the concept of a ‘bully’ being admirable, likeable or appealing can seem like a strange one. Some critics have asked questions such as: ‘Do bully romance books glorify bullying?’ and ‘Do bully romances promote toxic and abusive relationships?’
The important thing to remember is that bully romance stories are fictional. Individuals who enjoy reading bully romances are learning about their own likes, interests and dislikes through the safety and comfort of the pages. These books allow them to explore these things without any fear of abuse, shame or consequences in the real world.
Another one of the core appeals of bully romances is the fantasy behind someone who has treated someone cruelly actually being sorry. So remorseful that they are desperate to make it up to them.
Furthermore, in an age where mental health matters more than ever, there’s something to be said about going through a bullying experience again and finding a positive outcome, as opposed to how it might have played out in the real world.
Check Out These Romance Writing Prompts
5 Bully Romance Book Recommendations
Now that you have a better idea of what a bully romance story is and why it has so much appeal in the genre, let’s take a look at some of the best reading recommendations for newcomers to enjoy:
The Silver Swan – Amo Jones
- Why it’s bully romance: Madison Montgomery enters a new school where she encounters a group of boys known as The Elite Kings. Their leader is Bishop, who seems especially antagonistic. The book follows Madison, Bishop and their tumultuous relationship.
Bully – Penelope Douglas
- Why it’s bully romance: Bully centres around Tate and Jared. Jared was once Tate’s best friend but turned into her tormentor during high school. The narrative centres on the complex emotions and history that led to Jared’s bullying and, eventually, his reconciliation and romance with Tate.
Vicious – L.J. Shen
- Why it’s bully romance: Vicious is our male main character here. He is cold and cruel to Emilia, our heroine. His bullying comes from his deep emotional scars and complex background. By delving into their past, the story transitions the pair from enemies to lovers.
Paper Princess – Erin Watt
- Why it’s bully romance: Ella Harper is thrust into the world of affluence, and elitism when the wealthy Royal family adopts her. The Royal brothers, particularly Reed, are extremely hostile to her. Gradually, their dynamic evolves from antagonism to attraction as they navigate their feelings.
Fear Me – B.B. Reid
- Why it’s bully romance: The protagonist, Lake Monroe, is bullied relentlessly by Keiran Masters. Their interactions are intense and cruel, but slowly give way to a deeper, intense connection.
Hopefully, these definitions and recommendations have given you a flavour of what to expect from the bully romance trope. If you’re interested in learning more, consider checking out our guides to reverse harem romance and the grumpy/sunshine trope!
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
