One Eighty by Marie James

Posted February 10, 2020 in review Tags:

One Eighty by Marie James
Pages: 232

Series: Westover Prep #1
Genres: New Adult
Setting: Westover, CO
Source: ARC
Also in this series: Catch Twenty-Two
Also by this author: Catch Twenty-Two, Aro

Goodreads

He loves what he can't remember —she can't forget the truth...

PIPER
Arrogant, controlling, and an absolute jerk.
He's everything I loathe, and everything I want to forget.
But he doesn't remember a bit of it.
One accident, one misstep, changed everything.
Changed him.
Now, he's different and unbelievably sexy.
But I refuse to fall for a bully.

DALTON
Sexy, smart, feisty, and perfect.
She's everything I want, and nothing that I remember.
What she says I am, I refuse to believe.
For her, I will be anything.
I will do anything.
Even destroy the bully from before.

One Eighty by Maria James is a slightly divergent take on the uber popular bully romance trend right now. This take, and the entire story, totally worked for me though! I have been struggling getting into books lately (ok for like 6 months), but this was one of those books that make me remember why I used to just devour books.

To say Dalton is a bully is to say that Bill Gates has a little money. Dalton’s actions against Piper are deplorable and vile in a way that is almost unimaginable. Except, I teach high schools. I know they can do some heinous things to each other. But, that all changes after a car accident takes away Dalton’s memories. Piper isn’t quick to believe him, so Dalton has some major woo-ing to do.

Its impossible to read one eighty and not cry for Piper. Her life has been hell because of Dalton and his friends. Despite that, she is #1 in her class and has managed to not stoop to the level of hatred and vileness her peers have. She and Dalton have a LONG road after the accident, but its quite difficult to hate Dalton. You can see that “new” Dalton is disgusted by his past (when people tell him of it), he is disgusted by the way his former friends behave, and without memories, he just speaks his truth regarding Piper.

One Eighty was a surprise-in a good way. I will admit, the beginning had me worried, and I skipped to the end to check. Not sorry! If you like high school romances, first loves, bullies, and the pain of figuring out who you really are, One Eighty is a perfect pick. I am excited for more from Marie James.