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The Boys of Clermont Bay #1

The Touch of a Villain

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Young. Wealthy. Elite. Ruthless. The boys of Clermont Bay ruled over this town as if it was their kingdom.

And Beck Clermont controlled them all.

He was arrogant and conceited, and from the moment I met him, he had made up his mind about me.

Dangerously handsome and wickedly cruel, he had no intention of letting me spend my senior year under the radar.

The secrets of old money ran deep, and even though I barely knew them, the sins of my family had put a target on my back.

He was a hurricane, and I was unprepared for the storm.

His touch fatal. His impact irreparable.

There was no negotiation.

He stole my heart. Without warning, without permission.

He was the enemy, but that didn’t stop me from falling for The Touch of a Villain.

244 pages, Paperback

First published March 18, 2021

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About the author

Holly Renee

28 books4,478 followers
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Amazon Top 100 bestselling author of contemporary romance, Holly Renee brings readers a pinch of angst, an indulgence of heat, and the perfect amount of heart in every book.

Born and raised in East Tennesse, she is a married mom of two wild children. When she's not writing, you can find her reading, pretending to be a dragon for the hundredth time that day, being disgustingly in love with her husband, or chilling in the middle of the lake with her sunglasses and a float.

Holly is a lover of all things romance, Mexican food, Harry Potter, and yoga pants.

Holly is represented by Savannah Greenwell at Two Daisy Media.

Find me here:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2EmyBlD
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2BFWTnG
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2DZUqtz

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 626 reviews
Profile Image for ❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books.
2,335 reviews9,339 followers
March 11, 2021
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'THE TOUCH OF A VILLAIN' is the first full bully romance book in the series 'The Boys of Clermont Bay', by Holly Renee. Spoken in 'Dual Perspectives.'

From the cover 🔥 to the blurb, this was one book I was highly anticipating and it delivered all the angsty goodness in spades. I read this in one sitting, loving the feels that we’re thrown my way, hating the cliffy I was thrown over but craving that next book like my next breath because I can only imagine it’s going to be as good as this one!

You could feel the hatred seeping off the pages, you could feel his frustration as he fought that attraction, you could feel their connection even when neither wanted it. This was a great start to what I can imagine will be an unforgettable series.

Josie Vos is now living in Clemont Bay with her estranged father, his wife and her stepbrother after her mothers passing.

It's not long afterwards where she's caught the eye of Beck Clermont, they share one quick fire kiss, he's the guy whose family owns the town and everything inside it is stamped with his last name, when he learns who her family is he turns his back on her with disgust. vowing to destroy her.
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I like my heroines to have more of a backbone than Josie did, one look from Beck and she'd literally melt at his feet. I wanted him to chase her, I wanted her to fight him, but I'm crossing everything in hopes that will come in the next book.

The only reason why I rated this 4 stars and not 5 is because her POV words/sentences were repeated repetitively throughout which lost some of that flow for me.

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Profile Image for Shaikha.
125 reviews37 followers
September 3, 2021
1.5 stars

I could just imagine Wattpad readers going ballistic after reading this book. This would be their kryptonite. But I’m well past the stage of reading filthy smut on the infamous thirst-trap otherwise known as Wattpad. So this book didn’t entice me. At all. In fact reminded me why I steer clear of YA. And I feel so indignant for picking up this book because I thought maybe, maybe this would be different. Boy, was I disappointed. More in myself than in the book. My 17 year old self would have rejoiced after reading this book but 22 year old me just read it with cold derision tinged with a layer of detached amusement.



The main character, Josie Vos, was the embodiment of stupidity. There’s no nice way to put it and there’s no sugarcoating the truth. I finally get when people say ‘stop acting like a teenager,’ because the ones in this acted like bloody horny chimpanzees all the damn time.
Idiot. She was a complete idiot. Here are some brief glimpses of her stupidity:

“I would have to stand on my tiptoes to reach them, but I could do so easily. I could kiss him, and I knew I wouldn’t regret a thing.”

“He was going to kiss me. I didn’t know anything about this boy or who he was or what he wanted, but I knew that. We didn’t need to know anything about each other to know that I felt desperate for him to kiss me.”

She felt desperate, desperate to kiss him. Do you hear that, folks. Desperate to kiss a complete stranger. But a stranger who was oh-so-handsome, so naturally he didn’t pose a threat to her whatsoever. And after jumping this complete stranger within moments of meeting him like a gorilla in heat this is what our sweet, innocent h had to say:

“I wasn’t desperate or a whore, and I refused to be treated like one simply because I let some asshole kiss me on the beach.”

Um... you let some asshole? You let some asshole kiss you? If my memory serves me well you were the one who initiated the kiss and I hate to break it to you but you are desperate and disgusting.

Moving on to Beck Clermont. You ever read about a character who pretends he is this:



But he’s actually this:



Apparently, Beck is one of those characters. A shallow, superficial, entitled rich asshole. He spent the majority of this book loathing and planning to wreck Josie and her family because her stepbrother did something horrible to someone he cared about, and it was equally fascinating and abhorring to watch him abandon his revenge and watch his contempt morph into lust and eventually into love just because he got his dick wet.



There was no plotline, no character development. The h had no self-respect, she literally threw herself at Beck whenever he so much as breathed in her direction. And Beck never acted on his hate, I mean I would have loved to watch him throw Josie down a cliff steal her panties, or egg her car, or whatever shit teenagers do when they hate somebody. But somehow he always ended up with his hand down her panties every time he saw her. Beck, sweetie, I would suggest you calm your raging hormones before acting on your revenge. You are embarrassing yourself.



And don't even get me started on that ending!?!?!?
After committing such a horrendous act did he expect her to understand his reasons? And maybe shower him in roses? Or perhaps castrate him and hang his you-know-what in her room as a souvenir?
Please, I’m so over this teenage shit. The only reason I didn’t DNF this book was because I knew it ended in a cliffy. I refused to watch two vile teens live HEA. Because I’m a sadist. Lol.
Profile Image for  Sonya ♕Chatterbooks book blog♕.
990 reviews1,146 followers
March 10, 2021
20210310-184158

Well this took bully romance to a whole different level. with a cliffhanger that is sure to leave you pulling out your hair and screaming for more, The Touch of A Villain is going to have you asking the million dollar question. When are we getting part two?!!

Having been through one heck of a year herself, Josie’s life is going to take another turn when she has to move in with her estranged father and start her Senior year at a new school. With one goal in mind with keeping her head down and graduating, things might just go her way. But that all changes when she crosses paths with the king of Clermont Bay Prep most popular and notorious bad boy Beck Clermont.

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I haven't read a bully romance in a while and I forgot how much I enjoy them!.Beck and Josie had this push and pull with a splash of hate going on and I liked seeing them when they were in that element. from the moment Beck set his sights on Josie, it was game over and the girl didn't even know it yet. Add in decades old secrets that were meant to stay to buried, privileged teens who would do anything to stay on top, and you’ve got yourself a drama fest that is not going to end well.

My only complaint is that I wished Josie had fought back a bit more when it came to Beck and not let him have so much power of certain situations. Aside from that, this was a quick enemies hate fuel, seductive,bully romance that will have you craving for more.


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Profile Image for Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾.
2,129 reviews13.1k followers
December 31, 2021
3.5 STARS
He was a terrible decision that I knew I would choose again.

If you don't like teenage drama, hot toxic guys, family rivalries, and more drama...this book is not for you. As for me, those things are my catnip, so I was in hog heaven.

The writing immediately hooked me and I knew right away I'd be binging on the series, no matter what.

Josie moves in with her rich father that she barely knew growing up after her beloved mom passes away from cancer. She finds herself in a new town, with a new stepbrother, and a father she wants nothing to do with. Walking on the beach at a party, she runs into a handsome boy and they share a moment. Only for that moment to be crashed later by the reality that her new stepbrother and the boy, Beck, hate each other. Lucas did something unforgivebale, and Beck has been waiting for the right revenge. And getting that through his new step sister is the perfect way. Or so he things. Thus begins the hate lust.

I have to say my biggest quibble in this book was Josie and her teenage hormones. She hates Beck and the way he treats her, but the second he so much as grazes her with his little finger, her brain shuts down and her ovaries turn on. Every. Single. Time. It's like 'you're the worst ever and I hate you. OMG never stop touching me. No stop, I hate you again.' I wanted Josie to just grow a backbone not only in her bravado but her action. She talks a good talk, but when it comes to the walk...it's mostly the walk of shame. Le sigh.

Beck was just the kind of toxic I love. He's a bit broken, but all of this is due to what happened with Lucas and his sister and him blaming himself for not being able to protect her. He's a bit disillusioned and blinded by his drive for revenge. It doesn't take him long to fall for Josie though. And then he screws up SO bad that I couldn't jump on book two fast enough.

I've seen a few people mention how a certain subject matter is handled in this book. And I will say, it's handled with sad reality. So I didn't feel it was glazed over at all. Rather more realistic. But in any way, this didn't bother me at all.

Overall, I devoured it like the drama crack that it was and immediately jumped into book two.

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Profile Image for ABookLover73.
375 reviews218 followers
March 25, 2021
FIVE VILLAIN STARS for Josie and Beck 💛🖤💛🖤!!!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

It’s been a long time since I read my first book by Holly Renee and I have to admit that this book reminded me how much I love Holly's writing style.

Until I got to 50% of the book I was convinced that this book was standalone, and when I realized it was ending with a cliffhanger let's just say that I was a little disappointed because I didn’t know that before I started reading this book, so I could mentally prepare for that ending.

I can only say that right now can't wait for the next two months to pass as soon as possible.

But that didn’t stop me from continuing to read the book at high speed, let alone give it a lower rating in the end because of a cliffhanger.

All in all, I’m glad I took my free time and read this book because it was worth every second.

"The Touch of a Villain" is a dark high school bully romance with enemies to lovers trope full of angst and steamy moments because of which you won't be able to separate yourself from the book.

Josie and Beck’s relationship is complicated from the start and goes through more downs than ups as seen at the very end of the book.

Despite this, it can be noticed that sparks are constantly flickering, indicating that there is a lot of chemistry between the two of them.

If you're looking for a dark high school bully romance with a lot of angst and you don't mind cliffhangers, then this is the book for you!!!

Highly recommended!!!

P.S. Can't wait to read "The Fall of a God"!!!
Profile Image for Bookgasms Book Blog.
2,839 reviews1,443 followers
February 28, 2021
Gahhh!! What did I just read?! The Touch of a Villain was absolutely amazing!! Josie and Beck were fabulous, intense and so sexy. I am so consumed by Holly Renee's new series. The Boys of Clermont Bay are an addiction you can't live without!! 

If you're looking for shocking and intense secrets, a sassy and spirited heroine and an alpha hero that is so deliciously wicked....jump aboard this hot af train! I loved this story so much! Josie was strong and assertive. She has all the traits in a heroine that I adore. She gave as good as she got and didn't allow anyone to walk all over her. That included the always enthralling and uber intense Beck Clermont. That boy was addicting as he was bad.. a growly, alpha badboy with a grudge as big as his bank account. 

Overall, this was a delicious read. Anyone who knows me knows my obsession with Bully romances is a vice I can't deny. I loved Beck and Josie and their fiery chemistry. I seriously can't wait for book two! 5 stars! ~Ratula
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,751 reviews1,323 followers
April 3, 2021
***COMING IN A FEW DAYS***

4 STARS

Enemies to lovers. Revenge plot. Hot cover. Done deal, I’m here for it all.

I loved Beckham. I shouldn’t have, but I did. Now in a scale of bullies and mean heroes, he doesn’t rank very high for how awful he is to the heroine. He has a lot of internal struggle when coming to terms with his hatred and love for Josie. I think this internal conflict is why I loved him so much. He wasn’t this cold hearted jerk. He struggled, and I think that is why the ending broke me so much.

Josie is your pretty typical enemies to lovers heroine. She knows she should stay away from him, she reminds herself all the time but she can’t. I don’t know that I can blame her. With the guy on the cover as the hero in my mind and what we learn about him, I can’t fault her. Will there be readers that don’t like that she never seems to stick to her guns when it comes to Beck, sure, but it’s the trope AND I loved Beck, too.

The writing was great, and the chemistry between the two physically was explosive. It did take a bit for the emotional chemistry to develop, and since this is book one of two, most of this story is the exposition, rising action, and climax of the story so that really is to be expected. The pacing slowed down for me a bit close to the middle but quickly picked back up, and that ending has me invested, needing to see how this is going to end, the epic groveling that is sure to come, and an HEA for everyone.

I’m also very invested in some secondary plot lines the author has created and developed. She is laying the groundwork for some interesting books.

The Touch of a Villain was a great read. It has everything I love about enemies to lovers romance, angst, drama, hate to love you / love to hate you dynamic, and steam for days. I’ll be anxiously awaiting for the conclusion of Josie and Beck’s story.

ARC review
Profile Image for Holly Renee.
Author 28 books4,478 followers
Read
November 30, 2020
✨✨✨SURPRISE BOOK NEWS✨✨✨

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𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙏𝙊𝙐𝘾𝙃 𝙊𝙁 𝘼 𝙑𝙄𝙇𝙇𝘼𝙄𝙉 is coming March 18th!

🔥Enemies to Lovers
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Coming March 18th, add to your TBR now!➜ https://bit.ly/TTOAV-GR

Blogger/Bookstagrammer sign-up ➜ https://forms.g
Profile Image for Sentranced Jem.
1,134 reviews601 followers
March 23, 2021
OK… This was good.
I haven’t had the best reading month but this one hit the mark for me.

This enemies to lovers, high school romance was faced paced, mysterious and a definite page turner for me.
I don’t know whether I should huffed and shake my head at Beck’s cockiness or not because that finally cliff-hanger…. I really want to read book2 ASAP.

This is my first book by Holly Renee and I must say, I really enjoyed it.
Profile Image for ✨ Lucy ✨.
327 reviews89 followers
March 14, 2021
“He was a terrible idea.I knew that. But I didn’t care.”



This is definitely the start of a very promising series.

It’s the first time I read something about this author and I’m so glad I did.

I loved her style , I was hooked to this story since the first chapter .

The boys of Clermont Bay are going to give a touch of sexiness and ruthlessness to our life.



And you should get ready for the worst of all so far : Beck Clermont .

He is the definition of Elite and Wealthy . A rich boy looking for revenge , who’s ready to take some casualties to get what he want , no matter what. But he surely didn’t expect to meet her …

Josie Vos , the new girl who just moved in with her ‘father’ after her mother’s death .

She just wanted to graduate and then go away and live her life. she didn’t expect to became the enemy of the king of Clermont Bay .

“I hated the way his eyes were studying me. I hated the way a simple look could make me feel so much”



He wanted to hate her , but the chemistry and the feelings were to much strong to be ignored .

And that end ?! I absolutely need more like right now!

This book was a real page turner, I’m sure you’ll love it

I gave it 5 stars

-->ON MY BLOG<--

I hope you’ll enjoy it like I did!
*ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*
Profile Image for Abstract ♥ Books.
1,212 reviews1,655 followers
March 2, 2021



ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS

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Star Rating : 4.5 /5 Stars

POV : Dual

Cliffhanger : Yes

Hero : Beck

Heroine : Josie

Pace of the story : Moderate

Angst Rating : 6/10

Heat Rating : 7/10

Triggers Involved : Bullying

Plot Summary :
Josie’s life took a sudden turn when she had to live with her stepbrother and his parents. She knew nothing about their town and what awaited her. One night she met the most amazing boy ever. The one with whom she felt a connection with. And he reciprocated that. That is until he knew who she was. Or what her family was. It seems like Beck Clermont has vowed to destroy her fami;ly and if he has to use her to do that , then he would happily do so.

Beck’s whole life imploded when his best friend destroyed his life. And now he was finally going to have his revenge. Even if he has to sacrifice the one thing he has ever wanted for himself. Josie is an enigma. Someone he desires even though he should hate her. It doesn;t matter what they feel. By the end of this , she is going to be broken by his hand and there is nothing she can do about it.

Overall Opinion :
OMG , This book!! That ENDING! I am literally speechless. Like Punched in the gut speechless. This wasn’t a simple enemy to lovers romance , it was something so much more! Beck and Josie had this wild chemistry that drove me crazy everytime they both made an appearance together. The way they interacted and the way they even hated each other was amazing to me.


And don’t even get me started on that ending. That cliffhanger still has me climbing walls in order to rush to the author and demand for the next part. Absolutely amazing. A must read and highly recommended to all the dark romance high school enemies to lovers romance addicts!

My-Post-3
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Profile Image for NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books}.
1,422 reviews85 followers
March 23, 2021
***4 "Don't forget!!!" stars***

OUT NOW



"The boys of Clermont Bay weren't to be trusted. Not a single one of them."

This is my first time reading Holly Renee and I can assure you that will follow more books!!!
This was a beautiful written story and it was drawing you from the very beginning in the turmoil that were Josie and Beck. We could characterized this story as a bully one, but not exactly...
I really enjoyed this story, even though from time to time it felt slow for my taste and that cliffy made me lose my mind. First of all, I had the idea that each book in the series would be about a different boy, but even though I hate cliffhangers, I can not wait for the next part!!! I just need answers on my endless questions!!!

"I refused to play by the rules of a few priviledged boys who thought they ran everything. They were madness, and I refused to be a pawn in their games."

Josie's life changed in the blink of an eye. Her mother passed away and she is forced to be living with her enstranged father and his family...
She just have to suffer this year with all these entitled people around her and then she is gone...
One walk in the beach, a handsome boy and a lifechanging kiss later is enough to change her life forever...

"This boy was no good for me. He was toxic."

Beck Clermont is like a god around town. His family's name is holding all the power. Beck is privileged, but he is having a soft side that he is hiding very well...
A sweet girl is making him craving more of her and something different than he was used too...
But when her identity is coming on light, he had to lock away the way she made him feel.
And through her, he can't finally take his revenge.

"I would use her, and I would make every moment of it worth it."

Well, after Josie and Beck's first meeting, you could feel that something great was breeding between them... But their reality will shut their dream very soon!!!
There is animosity between the Clermonts and Vons and Beck can not ignore the reality of the situation...
He wants her, but he wants to destroy her and through her destruction to destroy her family.
Poor Josie just doesn't know what hit her!!! She just stepped into something that she had nothing to do, but as it seems she will be the one to pay the price!!!

"He was a bomb, and I would be the one to feel the effects of him. I would be the one he destroyed."

I liked Beck very much and even though, he appeared like the villain, I have faith on him.
Yep, from time to time, he was acting like a total jerk toward Josie, but when he was letting his heart lead him, I was swooning very hard for him!!!
As for Josie??? She is just a girl that had stepped in the middle of a 'vendetta' and she just wants to keep her head down for one year and to get far away from this place. Also, she is starting to resent Beck after his awful actions toward her, but still... her heart is skipping some beats every time he is close to her!!!

"I had a plan. And that plan did not include some privileged boy who hated me for no reason."

"Josie Vos was mine, and I wouldn't stop until I had her."


Well, Josie and Beck's intimate moments were pure fire and honestly, I'm having too many blank spots in here, even though I'm having some theories...
I'm dying to read the next part and I'm dying to get more stories about the rest of Beck's crew!!!
This was a very lovely and promising start in a new series!!!

"You made me fall for you, then you fucking crushed me."

**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
Profile Image for The Romantic Rush Blog.
1,935 reviews890 followers
March 18, 2021
HOLLY YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID!!!!!!!!

Secrets and lies. Love and hate. And SO MUCH DRAMA. Touch of a Villain is explosive, mysterious, and sexy- Holly's best book to date and a total addiction. This fast paced page turner that will consume you, break you, and leave you desperate for answers- hang on tight, there's no going back from Beck Clermont!

Oh Beck- I’m so enamored by him. My favorite Holly Hero ever! And I love how Holly is having him subvert some of the normal enemy tropes- he’s so pure of heart in many ways, self-aware of his conflicted feelings- he’s so vulnerable His intentions are good, even if his actions aren’t- and that makes him so charismatic and empathetic. But his anger, his anger consumes, and that causes him to be reckless and destructive- especially with his hesitant but intense connection with Josie.

I loved how level Josie was, but I also felt her isolation, her suppressed pain. She’s been abandoned by so many, so it’s not wonder that the intensity of her connection confuses her, causes her to be a bit reckless herself. To fall for the enemy- even when she knows he’s trying to destroy her. But she’s been craving to be seen, to matter to someone, for so long- that his hatred-tinged obsession with her draws her in, consumes her. And it consumes us. Because their chemistry- UGH, so intense. Vengeance collides with their soulful and emotional connection- we get a lot of angst, but then, LORD these two are fire together.

These are two characters who struggle to trust- but can’t help but open to each other. But chemistry doesn’t erase their family vendetta- and they are left making choices that surprise them both. That may destroy them- and that cliffhanger ending most certainly destroyed me. Hearts will break, secrets will unveil, and two broken souls have to decide- can they survive the touch of the villain?
Profile Image for ~Mindy Lynn~.
1,399 reviews654 followers
February 16, 2022
Hardly 3 stars for me.

This has to be one of the most wordiest books I have read in quite some time.

The chapters were repetitive. It never really moved along. The author kept saying the same thing in just different ways in a different scenario. I got quite bored which led me to skim a lot of the book.

My issue always starts with the female MC. I just don't see why these girls have to be written so weak. Josie was struck dumb just by the nearness of Beck. Maybe I was just raised different, but I can't fathom me nor the women I have in my life being this dick dumb. Not even being as young as 17. It infuriates me to read characters like this because I just wish they weren't such a doormat and didn't get so stupid over a touch.

I tried going into the next book with an open mind hoping Josie would grow a backbone and stand up for herself. Unfortunately that isn't the case. I've only gotten about 30% or a little more in and I just can't find myself giving any fucks to continue with it. She's worse in the second book. As dick dumb and as she can possibly get. So I'm done.

Maybe this is your kind of cuppa, but it is not mine.

Happy reading dolls! xx
Profile Image for Sakshi.
257 reviews45 followers
December 15, 2021
Can't even bother to read the next book to see how it ends. 🤷
Beck and Josie need to make their minds about how they feel about each other. One moment Josie wants him, next moment she doesn't.. yet she does. Make your mind girl! She goes in exactly knowing what Beck is and what he wants... Yet plays a victim.
Normally, I wouldn't mind some pull and push (enemies to lovers is one of my favourite troupes!), but the characters and circumstances did not add up for me. Sorry peps!
Profile Image for B. Celeste.
Author 35 books2,970 followers
February 24, 2021
Holly is at it again. Consumed from page one and in serious need of book two.
August 15, 2021
"THE TOUCH OF A VILLAIN" is the first full Bully Romance in the series "THE BOYS OF CLERMONT BAY", Spoken in DUAL perspective, revolving around the story of Josie Vos and Beck Clermont.

Holy moly!!! This ended on a heartless cliffhanger. My first read from Holly Rene and it was mind-freaking-blowing....
This book cemented my belief that loving a villain is so much better than a hero...they will go through any means for love.

Beck and Josie had a very insta attraction from their first meeting but when the truth about her family comes out, this love birds becomes prey and predator and there starts the story. This was one of the top bully Romances I ever read with so much angst and drama. And of course, don't let the hate bullying stray you....the love here is as pure as they come... Beck and Josie are meant to be...now here I go...to the next book..!!!🔥❤🔥
Profile Image for queen_of_the_books_18.
850 reviews224 followers
March 6, 2021
The Touch Of A Villain was not what I was expecting at all but I absolutely loved it. When I tell you that I consumed it within 4 hours, I mean it. I didn’t move, eat or do anything I really didn’t. Beck and Josie’s story consumed me.

This is a bully romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat just waiting for the bombs to go off. I’ll admit that I figured out the big twist but it didn’t take anything away from that ending and damn am I mad!

Josie and Beck’s relationship was complicated, painful but oh so worth it. Their sexual chemistry was off the charts and burning bright on the pages.

This is my favourite Holly Renee book to date!
Profile Image for S.M. Yair-Levy.
Author 3 books73 followers
March 17, 2021
First of all: OMG. Second of all: Beck. *swoons* (Do I need to say more?)

Anyone following my reviews knows I'm a sucker for an enemies to lovers romance and this book straight up hit the spot! Josie is the new girl in town and Beck Clermont is the king of Clermont Bay. He’s beyond hot and perfect. Every girl wants him and all the guys want to be him… except he’s holding a grudge and sees Josie as the perfect target for his revenge.

The Touch of a Villain is the first book in the Boys of Clermont High series and I have a feeling I'm going to be devouring each book the second they release! This story is steamy, intense, and so very angsty with an ending that left me in a pool of my own tears, begging for the next book!

Absolutely recommend!

ARC in exchange for honest review
Profile Image for  Linathebookaddict  .
1,452 reviews391 followers
March 15, 2021
This was such an easy read!! I was hooked from the start and I thoroughly enjoyed how the author introduced us to her characters. I loved how Josie and Beck meet and how their relationship takes the tricky road ahead.
This is kinda of a bully romance. Kinda. I enjoyed the entire mystery around Beck's issue with Josie and her stepbrother but even now I am not sure Beck has it all right. I think there are things the author is hiding from us when it comes to Lukas.
There was certain chemistry here BUT I had an issue with how easily Josie gave into Beck when she knew that he was using her for revenge against her family. Girl, protect your heart!!!! It's right there in front of your eyes.
The ending was somewhat predictable but I am very curious to see what happens in the next book.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Stars
Profile Image for Jenifer Briggs.
1,426 reviews170 followers
March 10, 2021
I know I always say that bully romances isn't my favorite trope, and while that is true, I was so excited when this author announced that she was writing something completely different than she's ever written before. So I sucked up my hatred for the bully plot and read it, and I'm glad I did because it was very good! The plot is one that we've read before countless times: innocent young girl who's named after the enemy, aka her father & stepbrother, and because of her association with them, she's basically public enemy number one by the gorgeous yet psychotic young man who has more money than emotions. All that's well and good, but I actually felt everything while reading this: Josie and Beck are very real people, caught between the mess and all the secrets of their families. I guessed what had happened pretty early on in the book, and I so hope that the fucking scum of the stepbrother gets what he deserves, otherwise it's just too realistic and depressing that he got away with it all. My heart definitely hurt at the final chapter, and I can't wait to see how Beck will redeem himself, if he even can at this point.

This was definitely worth reading, but the only thing that made me slightly angry was that there was no mention that this wasn't a stand-alone. Nothing in the authors post or the signups indicated this would be a duet/trilogy. If I had known I would have waited until all the books were released so i could binge read them all at once, and not have a cliffhanger that I'm going to be obsessing over. Other than that though, this was a very well written bully romance and I can't wait t to see what happens next!

**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions.**
Profile Image for Hen Ben naim.
79 reviews1 follower
November 25, 2021
I'm sorry, I don’t know if I will continue to the second book. How it’s possible forgive what Beck did to Josie? In an age of trying to avoid cyberbullying, it's shocking and disappoint.
Profile Image for Book Maniac Forever.
949 reviews380 followers
April 23, 2021

⭐️ 4 "The Taste of Revenge" Stars ⭐️
The Touch of a Villain was such an enjoyable read! I love everything Holly Renee writes and this novel has her signature blend of sweet, sexy and emotional! At times, the drama was a little too much for me, but I guess it is understandable with characters still in high school.

I loved how Beck and Josie meet and share a meaningful bond right away. This special connection is soon tested when Beck discovers she’s the step-sister of his biggest rival, Lucas. After that revelation, he only seeks revenge by demeaning and using her. I felt bad for Josie to be the recipient of Beck’s hate toward Lucas, because he can be unjustifiably cruel. Josie is such a genuine and down to earth girl. She's only waiting for when she can leave this town of the rich and privileged.

Despite all the antagonizing, when it's only Beck and Josie, their unique connection and intense attraction is all that matters. They share deep instants where they expose parts of themselves others don’t know. But they also get really hot and sexy too! The evolution of their relationship brings doubts and conflicts inside Beck about his revenge plan.

The plot line was interesting and kept me invested all read long even if at times I rolled my eyes at the immaturity of the protagonists. With that jaw dropping ending, I can’t wait for the next installment in The Boys of Clermont Bay Series. It sure promises a great time!

** ARC received in exchange for an honest review **
Profile Image for _book_topia_.
636 reviews68 followers
January 25, 2022
I have saved this book for so long. My anticipation was high and I was so excited to read it. It started off good, Beck & Josie meet, have a moment and then bam, they’re mortal enemies and Beck hates Josie’s whole family. The reason of which, I guessed in the first few chapters.

My issue with the book is that I wanted more dialogue. There was a lot of inner monologues, in fact far too much, and quite a lot of repetitiveness and in the end I got bored.

The relationship between Beck & Josie jumps all over the place, he hates her, she hates him but is desperate to have him even though she knows it’s wrong. She gives in. She feels bad. Each time her and Beck hook up she tells herself it’s wrong and she’ll deal with the consequences later. Every. Single. Time.

I couldn’t find a reason to love Beck. Unlike some of the other bully romances I’ve read, I didn’t feel bad for him when he screwed up, I just thought he was a dick! He didn’t do anything to deserve Josie.

I could see the cliff hanger from a mile off and the only reason I’m going to read book 2 is because I want to know how it pans out. Not because I’m invested, but because it’s going to bug me if I don’t finish it.
Profile Image for Marureviere.
1,233 reviews151 followers
May 31, 2021
Another day another book with a shirtless man on the cover that disappointed me. The number of times that I rolled my eyes while reading this would've contested that of Dixie D'amelio's from that trashy medical drama.
Profile Image for Teelah.
326 reviews10 followers
April 8, 2021
Another heroine who just couldn’t stay away. To quote: “The urge felt irrational and obsessive, and I tried my hardest not to give in to it. But I failed.” A good book overall though. Laying it a bit thicker than I like, but good.
Profile Image for C. Lymari.
Author 36 books1,046 followers
February 24, 2021
OMFG
I need to gather my thoughts but you need this book
Full Review To Come
Profile Image for Shyralf.
1,296 reviews66 followers
July 3, 2021
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars! Bully, YA romance. I loved book 1, can’t wait to read book 2, boy that cliffy. Beck you are a bad boy and you have a lot of groveling to do, so chop, chop buddy.
Profile Image for Karen Mc .
991 reviews773 followers
March 5, 2021
Tell me you’re mine.

Oh. My. Yes! I just met my first book by the Holly Renee and am so in love with this author’s spellbinding storytelling. Renee seamlessly bleeds the beauty with the broken and the fierceness with the flaws in The Touch of a Villain, a deliciously dominant tale full of torment, tension, and tenderness too. A story that is as savage as it is sweet.

A heart-pounding love story laced with Romeo and Juliet, The Touch of a Villain is an enemies-to-lovers saga of fire, desire, and vengeance. A deliciously dangerous game of cat and mouse with a devastatingly handsome devil of a prince, a beautiful and bold princess, and the broken, tangled past that ties them together. Broken sees broken, and Josie and Beck are two kindred souls who are perfect together, and I fell so hard for them.

With writing full of tantalizing teenage angst and raging emotion, strong and compelling characters, a beautiful beach setting, and a soul-slashing storyline threaded with Romeo and Juliet vibes, I was a goner for this bully romance ... thoroughly touched by The Touch of a Villain. This roller coaster of a romance left me on edge, in awe, and aching for more! Pure fire and desire. A book that burned me in the best way. I can’t wait to feel that fire again.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ deliciously dominant stars

➡️ https://amzn.to/2MEbNXi

Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog
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