The Cheat is a strange story of blackmail and falling for your blackmailer.

None of the characters were likeable in any way, and I found it impossible to root for anyone. The plot not at all believable, and seemed to be trying to maximise the shock factor rather than telling a story. This book has more clichés and tired tropes than I've ever seen before. Instead of being sexy, the interactions just made me very uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me and I won't be picking up the next episode.

This review has been posted to Goodreads.

I am super confused about what I read just now.

First off, I am aware this is part of an ongoing series that is supposed to release every two weeks. So there is missing story here. I have acknowledged this and it plays no bearing in my review.

With that being said, where is the story? I feel like there was a lack of information given that wasn't based on stalking (being a peeper). It is totally fine he since he is okay with it, but then she extorts him and he cheats because he is unhappy with his current relationship. Then they have sex and she decides she is in love with him... even though he ignores her and is still with his girlfriend. That "summary" is the extent of the book. There is no development between the characters that make you want a real relationship between them. You don't connect with either of them because they have zero reasons or excuses for their behavior. Justification of these types of situations are difficult to give in the first place, but there is zero discourse within the story that give the impression the next ones are worth reading.

Even though this was a short story, I had a fun time reading it. Riley is more than just good looks and a good hockey player and I think the story portrayed him well in relatively few pages. Lucy, on the other hand, gave me weird vibes. I suppose this was conscious choice, but for me, it took away some enjoyment. The storyline itself isn't anything new or original, but that's not something I minded.

Alright well.. I’ll go point by point.
- I liked the plot, in a way it was quite funny with all the ‘I need you to do this for me’s’ and ‘name your price’s’. So in a tricky way, all those bargaining was quite fun and very well embedded in the plot and also the characters.
- I liked the backbone Lucy has. Despite the bribes, Riley has offered, she even made her own counter offer and I found it in a way admirable, despite the fact that she has her own very obvious flaws. All the filming etc does not make her shine in the readers’ eyes obviously.
- Riley.. well he is an asshole and he knows that too, and he is good at playing the high school game. He is arrogant, popular hockey playing asshole. Merely humanized by his dad’s condition. There is not much to say about him, he is just playing the game, like everyone else and he is in no better condition than a Lucy if you ask me. And he is no worse than Lucy, either. As he says, he is trapped.
- I think Brooke is the very crux of the whole story. If it wasn’t for her, Riley might not even have found Lucy attractive perhaps . You know ‘forbidden fruit’ and all.. And so I believe, Brooke’s very presence makes the story all the more exciting for the reader. Though I admit that side of the story is hardly very realistic, but what can I say.. It very much serves a purpose.
- I also found the parts of high school scenes quite good. As a reader who usually enjoys some classic high school drama myself, I believe it was strong.
- I have no negative comment on the characters, they were quite strong etc. their growths are also appropriate. Perhaps maybe the weird sexual part about Lucy’s mother.. but it’s not very relevant in the story, so.. it doesn’t matter much.
- The ending is abrupt. There is no other explanation for that. I can’t imagine anyone saying otherwise. There really is no hint as to what might or might not happen afterwards. But yeah, I have my ideas about what might possibly happen next in the story.
- But it is very well promising. While it wasn’t in any way strong enough to leave me speechless and breathless at the end, Most likely the story is basically incomplete, which I’m sure the authors has her reasons for. It was still very much enjoyable. The smutty erotic scenes were good..

I would like to read the rest of the series. I enjoyed it a lot. I believe as a whole the other books in the series will very well be feeding each other and make the series stronger.
And would like to recommend it to those who like smut, high school drama, some adult scenes and some playful plots..

Thanks for the ARC copy provided from NetGalley for this honest review!

My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The blurb tagged this as episodic, resembling teen TV series like Euphoria. And, yes, just about every teen trope out there can be found in this first episode. Lucy is a Peeping Tom and Riley, the school's most sought after jock - and, coincidentally, her neighbor - has broadcast this tidbit all through high school, effectively killing Lucy's reputation and making her life absolute hell.
And yet, Lucy, being the doormat that she is, still watches him through her window and lusts after this totally spineless jock. Although the author wants us to feel sorry for Lucy, I have to take a hard pass. Lucy is the author of her own misfortunes here. I actually cringed during the sex scene at the end. (Some writers seem to enjoy making us readers squirm!)
Riley inexplicably starts to have the hots for Lucy, whom he has sex with in exchange for her doing his math and English homework. His actual girlfriend is the coach's daughter and she threatens to have Riley tossed off the hockey team if he cheats on her or tries to drop her. Boohoo! Seriously? Would the coach really toss their only chance at a championship off the team because his daughter tells him to? Give me a break!
These flimsy plot lines couldn't hold my interest during the first episode, so I doubt I will be checking out the remaining installments. I rate this a 2.75 out of 5.

The Xheat is just the beginning. And it certainly has my attention. He is trying to survive high school and hopefully enter the NHL. She is the "creepy" girl next door who watches him unrepentantly.

Theirs is a match no one would have made. One choice, a last resort, leaves them both wanting more.

I'm really interested in seeing where this goes an how it plays out. I'm usually to impatient to start a serial before they all release, so wish me luck! My patience, or lack there of, and I are going to need it!

First off I want to thank @netgalley, @maritahansen for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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What a perfect way to start the month. This was a hot, steamy, bully, sport romance and I adored every second of it.
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The story was told from Lucy the fat nerd and Riley the hot hockey star. Their relationship grows in a very intense manner but yet it stays believable. The characters were flawed, imperfect and easily relatable. It is a shorter book but this series will be done as episodes one will release every few weeks, I really adore the concept. This book was definitely intensely steamy, emotional and hopeful. I cannot wait to learn more about each character through the other books.
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The ending left me on a cliffhanger and I need more. If you're a fan of sexy bully romances definitely do not hesitate to give this book a try.

Riley and Lucy's story. Lucy and Riley live next each other and she watches him undress everyday since he caught her ages ago.
They study in the same school but Riley is a hockey player and Lucy is the fat and the nerdy one has a big crush on him. Riley is not that smart so he demandes that Lucy does his assigments which I clap her because the girl actually has a backbone even though she suffers a lot about that.

I kinda despise Riley yet has a shit life still it was not cool the way he treated Lucy for the past few years.
Its a hate and love story. There is some funning parts and wwas waiting for Brooke to be put on her place which will totally happening in the next books.

Its a short story but so much happenned that I don't want to spoil. Go and read it.

Short, steamy high-school drama and romance. Lucy's feelings for Riley start more as unrequited crush than hatred, but otherwise the synopsis about sums it up. There's jocks, lunchtime bullying, snobby cheerleaders, pesky math homework - in short, the classic high-school scene. What drew me to Lucy as a character were the times she stood up for herself against the school baddies, and her determination to drive a hard bargain.

For this opening story, it's pretty much Lucy against the world. As the mini-series progresses, it'd be neat to see her gain the support and confidence of a couple close friends. I need more characters to root for in the story, even Riley has a lot of work to do to earn that.

Stylistically, the writing is plain but gets the job done. It's clear and doesn't distract from the narrative. Some things that were distracting: I wasn't 100% sure Lucy and Riley understood consent, and some of the reveals about side characters were more than a little uncomfortable. I wonder if each of these events has greater bearing on the overall plot arc, or is included merely for a shock factor.

*Thanks for the opportunity to review! Review will be cross-posted on Amazon.*