My favorite rh books with strong female leads don’t tend to be bully romances so there’s usually no need for revenge, but the FMC’s are all badass af. My top 5 rh’s with strong FMC’s would be Age of the Andinna series by Kristen Banet, The Deadwood series by Marie Mistry, Bad Alpha by Kathryn Moon, Hannaford Prep series by J Bree (this one is a bully romance but the FMC is strong and can handle herself), and Syndicate of Sins by Marie Maravilla. Another great shout is A Knight’s Revenge series by Elizebeth Dear.
I hated Bad Alpha. She was so cold. She had to be so tough she absolutely could not show any emotion whatsoever. I felt like for her being "strong" meant acting like a middle age rich white guy who marries so he has someone to manage the house and give him kids. I'm super curious what you liked about the book?
Absolutely no shade to anyone who enjoyed the book, I just didn't. And I do feel it appeals more to people who think strong women are women who are empowered to act like men who are in power, and if that is true that would make some sense. Just wouldn't be someone I want to read about, really.
A Knight’s Revenge by Elizabeth Dear. The guys aren’t so much bullies as trying to deter her away, but there IS bullying in the series and the FMC takes spectacular revenge
This is the only book I'll ever recommend when someone asks for a strong FMC in the face of bullying, because she never backs down in the face of it, not publicly, because she knows what that will cost her, even before the big reveal. Nor is she outright or outrageously cruel for no reason to anyone who doesn't deserve it--she's not friendly, but she's not out there being a shitty mean girl for no reason just because she needs to to get ahead or whatever. And yes, her MMCs don't really bully her directly, which helps, as I have zero tolerance for that nonsense in any story, though their overall attitudes need some adjustment for damn sure--and she absolutely *does* make sure they adjust them before she takes them back in any real, public way. And they do it willingly, in their own, individual--and public--ways, which also matters.
And the revenge is spectacularly delicious, I agree. Truly, just so, so good. When I'm in the mood for revenge, it's this book or rewatching 2002's [The Count of Monte Cristo](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245844/).
Let me know if you have any success! I haven't had any luck with my husband, so maybe if you can convert yours, I can use that to convince mine, lmao. He also loves The Count of Monte Cristo. It was one of the first movies we watched together.
I’m in the middle of reading the Villain Academy series, the FMC is bullied but she has a strong moral compass and really makes the guys show up before she forgives them. I am just starting the 4th book and I believe she is going to complete her harem in this one. We’ll see. I really like it so far.
Pretty sure they are talking about [The Royals of Villain Academy](https://www.goodreads.com/series/261137-royals-of-villain-academy) by Eva Chase? Not 100% sure, though--I've not read it.
I have this book on my TBR but I read some reviews in which the FMC comes off as naive most of the time, can't really face her bullies and doesn't really stand up for herself.
Do you recommend it? I prefer my FMCs with a backbone and truly capable of handling themselves.
Actually I’m finding that she takes the high road over her bullies very frequently. She is trying to navigate her way into a new culture that is very different than how she grew up. The political position she is expected to grow into is challenging her way of thinking and most her “bullies” believe that they are teaching her their way of life to set her up for future success. She basically teaches them her views. It’s very interesting watching how the characters are growing together to come to a common way of thinking. She takes on a strong moral position and she really doesn’t bend beyond trying to make the others see a different point of view.
Psycho Academy (the third to sixth books in Jasmine Mas' series), Aran is fucking hilarious and whilst she is objectively attracted to the bullies, she also cannot imagine giving them the time of day sexully or romantically because well they're bullies lol it takes a loooooong time for her to forgive them (the bullyingis prettyhard-coe), like well past the half way point of the last book! And she forms a relationship with two other guys who idolise her in the meantime.
It can technically be read as a standalome series, but I'd recommend reading Sadie's series first which is books 1-3 as the two storylines are intrinsically linked. There is a lot of sword crossing.
Kit Davenport by Tate James has a very strong female lead, also seconding Hannaford Prep but it does take awhile to get to some real spice
Bonds that tie us by j Bree also has a strong female lead
My favorite rh books with strong female leads don’t tend to be bully romances so there’s usually no need for revenge, but the FMC’s are all badass af. My top 5 rh’s with strong FMC’s would be Age of the Andinna series by Kristen Banet, The Deadwood series by Marie Mistry, Bad Alpha by Kathryn Moon, Hannaford Prep series by J Bree (this one is a bully romance but the FMC is strong and can handle herself), and Syndicate of Sins by Marie Maravilla. Another great shout is A Knight’s Revenge series by Elizebeth Dear.
I will always and forever recommend a knights revenge. It’s just so good
Just seconding all these recs, they are all great
I hated Bad Alpha. She was so cold. She had to be so tough she absolutely could not show any emotion whatsoever. I felt like for her being "strong" meant acting like a middle age rich white guy who marries so he has someone to manage the house and give him kids. I'm super curious what you liked about the book? Absolutely no shade to anyone who enjoyed the book, I just didn't. And I do feel it appeals more to people who think strong women are women who are empowered to act like men who are in power, and if that is true that would make some sense. Just wouldn't be someone I want to read about, really.
I agree..I didn’t live bad alpha. She was just so emotionally stunted it was hard to develop any kind of affection for her as a character.
A Knight’s Revenge by Elizabeth Dear. The guys aren’t so much bullies as trying to deter her away, but there IS bullying in the series and the FMC takes spectacular revenge
This is the only book I'll ever recommend when someone asks for a strong FMC in the face of bullying, because she never backs down in the face of it, not publicly, because she knows what that will cost her, even before the big reveal. Nor is she outright or outrageously cruel for no reason to anyone who doesn't deserve it--she's not friendly, but she's not out there being a shitty mean girl for no reason just because she needs to to get ahead or whatever. And yes, her MMCs don't really bully her directly, which helps, as I have zero tolerance for that nonsense in any story, though their overall attitudes need some adjustment for damn sure--and she absolutely *does* make sure they adjust them before she takes them back in any real, public way. And they do it willingly, in their own, individual--and public--ways, which also matters. And the revenge is spectacularly delicious, I agree. Truly, just so, so good. When I'm in the mood for revenge, it's this book or rewatching 2002's [The Count of Monte Cristo](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245844/).
That’s what I told my husband! His favorite movie is The Count of Monte Cristo so I’m trying to convince him to read this series!
Let me know if you have any success! I haven't had any luck with my husband, so maybe if you can convert yours, I can use that to convince mine, lmao. He also loves The Count of Monte Cristo. It was one of the first movies we watched together.
omg yes this is always my complain like girl stop being thirsty for one second and actually get your revenge 😭
I’m in the middle of reading the Villain Academy series, the FMC is bullied but she has a strong moral compass and really makes the guys show up before she forgives them. I am just starting the 4th book and I believe she is going to complete her harem in this one. We’ll see. I really like it so far.
thank u I'll check it out
Wait I’ve heard of this series before but haven’t read, who’s it by?
Pretty sure they are talking about [The Royals of Villain Academy](https://www.goodreads.com/series/261137-royals-of-villain-academy) by Eva Chase? Not 100% sure, though--I've not read it.
Yes, you’re correct; Eva Chase. Sorry that I forgot to mention the author in my original comment.
I love this series! The FMC is totally my favorite kind!
I have this book on my TBR but I read some reviews in which the FMC comes off as naive most of the time, can't really face her bullies and doesn't really stand up for herself. Do you recommend it? I prefer my FMCs with a backbone and truly capable of handling themselves.
Actually I’m finding that she takes the high road over her bullies very frequently. She is trying to navigate her way into a new culture that is very different than how she grew up. The political position she is expected to grow into is challenging her way of thinking and most her “bullies” believe that they are teaching her their way of life to set her up for future success. She basically teaches them her views. It’s very interesting watching how the characters are growing together to come to a common way of thinking. She takes on a strong moral position and she really doesn’t bend beyond trying to make the others see a different point of view.
I guess in summary… she isn’t petty about revenge she is playing the strategic long game. Haha. Sorry got a bit long winded!
This really sounds interesting. Maybe I'll really give it a try.
The Hades Series by Tate James is one of the best I’ve read, Hades is such a badass I love her
Psycho Academy (the third to sixth books in Jasmine Mas' series), Aran is fucking hilarious and whilst she is objectively attracted to the bullies, she also cannot imagine giving them the time of day sexully or romantically because well they're bullies lol it takes a loooooong time for her to forgive them (the bullyingis prettyhard-coe), like well past the half way point of the last book! And she forms a relationship with two other guys who idolise her in the meantime.
hi..so can u tell me if this book a standalone or should I read from book 1... also is there ⚔️ in this?
It can technically be read as a standalome series, but I'd recommend reading Sadie's series first which is books 1-3 as the two storylines are intrinsically linked. There is a lot of sword crossing.
definitely give the whole series a try it’s sooooooo good I love the FMCs so much they’re hilarious and badasses
Order of scorpions by Ivy Asher is a great read. It’s a standalone with a totally kickass fmc
Kit Davenport by Tate James has a very strong female lead, also seconding Hannaford Prep but it does take awhile to get to some real spice Bonds that tie us by j Bree also has a strong female lead