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The Bullets #4
Bitter Pills
I’m on the run.
I’m a ghost. A nobody. A man longing for two people he can’t have.
When the Ringleaders captured me, my life ended.
I’ve seen the world. I’ve killed innocents. I’ve lost myself to a cause I never wanted to be apart of.
If I want to keep Grace, Alessandro, and Sunshine safe, I have to become a monster. The family I’ve chosen can’t know I’m still alive.
Once a Bullet, always a Bullet.
The only way out is death.
I’m a ghost. A nobody. A man longing for two people he can’t have.
When the Ringleaders captured me, my life ended.
I’ve seen the world. I’ve killed innocents. I’ve lost myself to a cause I never wanted to be apart of.
If I want to keep Grace, Alessandro, and Sunshine safe, I have to become a monster. The family I’ve chosen can’t know I’m still alive.
Once a Bullet, always a Bullet.
The only way out is death.
190 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2020
About the author
Coralee June
71 books2,895 followersAuthor Coralee June has always been passionate about storytelling and impressed by the influence it has on people and the decisions they make in life. She loves engaging with the projects she works on, diving headfirst into developing real, raw, and relatable characters that are equally flawed and beautiful. Coralee lives in Dallas, Tx with her husband and two daughters. She's been known to frequently indulge in boxed red wine and day-old pizza. When she's not writing, June is reading or substitute teaching at the local middle school.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
August 13, 2020
This was a highly anticipated book for me because I really loved Sunshine and the Bullets. Phoenix was an important secondary character in the bullets story and I wanted to know what happened to him.
This was a good final book of this series. This was actually an emotional read seeing Grace and Alessandro come into their friendship which started because of their love for Nix, however, their love developed on their own and it was beautiful.
I loved h how it wrapped everything up and everyone got their happily ever after.
This was a good final book of this series. This was actually an emotional read seeing Grace and Alessandro come into their friendship which started because of their love for Nix, however, their love developed on their own and it was beautiful.
I loved h how it wrapped everything up and everyone got their happily ever after.
August 3, 2020
Wow. Grace, Alessandro & Nix were absolute magic. The chemistry was so intense, my skin was buzzing. There for a minute I thought Alessandro was going to revoke his gay card with how deep his love ran for Grace. I couldnt have loved the connection between these 3 more if I tried. Nix, he was so tortured. I did almost want to slap him ATLEAST twice though. Always the sexy hero.
Also, I LOVED Kaydence in this book haha. I wonder if the author she wrote this after is actually wild like this.....hahaha...I laughed (like always) during a good portion of this book when I wasnt swooning. This author is actually very hilarious. I cannot wait to read her next 5 star story. Because I already know that is what it will be.
Also, I LOVED Kaydence in this book haha. I wonder if the author she wrote this after is actually wild like this.....hahaha...I laughed (like always) during a good portion of this book when I wasnt swooning. This author is actually very hilarious. I cannot wait to read her next 5 star story. Because I already know that is what it will be.
August 8, 2020
Original review
Bitter Pills is the fourth book in The Bullets series and tells the story of Grace, Alessandro and Nix.
I decided to start reading The Bullets series because I joined Coralee June’s Facebook group and saw her talking about Bitter Pills. I was immediately intrigued by The Bullets series and I decided to give it a go. I’m so glad that I discovered The Bullets series because it’s such a good series and I loved reading Bitter Pills. When I finished the third book in the series, Love and Lead, I just had to know what was going to happen to Nix, and I’m so glad that I read Bitter Pills.
I loved that Coralee June started Bitter Pills with a chapter in Sunshine’s POV. She’s one of my favourite characters and I loved reading about her again. After Sunshine’s chapter, we got to read in Grace, Alessandro and Nix’ POV and I loved getting to know the characters and their feelings. All three characters have changed so much throughout the book and I loved the way Bitter Pills ended.
Bitter Pills was exactly what I wanted and I highly recommend this book and The Bullets series. Bitter Pills is such a well-written and fast-paced Romance read, I read this book in one sitting because it was that good. I’m so glad that I picked up this series and Sunshine and her friends will forever hold a place in my heart.
Bitter Pills is the fourth book in The Bullets series and tells the story of Grace, Alessandro and Nix.
I decided to start reading The Bullets series because I joined Coralee June’s Facebook group and saw her talking about Bitter Pills. I was immediately intrigued by The Bullets series and I decided to give it a go. I’m so glad that I discovered The Bullets series because it’s such a good series and I loved reading Bitter Pills. When I finished the third book in the series, Love and Lead, I just had to know what was going to happen to Nix, and I’m so glad that I read Bitter Pills.
I loved that Coralee June started Bitter Pills with a chapter in Sunshine’s POV. She’s one of my favourite characters and I loved reading about her again. After Sunshine’s chapter, we got to read in Grace, Alessandro and Nix’ POV and I loved getting to know the characters and their feelings. All three characters have changed so much throughout the book and I loved the way Bitter Pills ended.
Bitter Pills was exactly what I wanted and I highly recommend this book and The Bullets series. Bitter Pills is such a well-written and fast-paced Romance read, I read this book in one sitting because it was that good. I’m so glad that I picked up this series and Sunshine and her friends will forever hold a place in my heart.
April 6, 2022
Oh how I so badly wish this was the main couple. I connected with these characters so much more and their story was SOOO good.
I am happy we got one book, but I could’ve read 3 about them rather than the others!
I am happy we got one book, but I could’ve read 3 about them rather than the others!
July 11, 2022
Nix was not Nix in this story. He was faded and had lost all his confidence and sass. Poor little lonesome Nix.
Grace and Alessandro were awesome. I loved the dynamic that developed between the two of them. I would have been happy with this story even if it just ended up with the two of them living out spinster lives together watching TV and owning a llama farm.
The Bullets are moving on too. Not sure where this timeline falls in relation to the Debt of Passion duet (because I am special and read it first), but Hunter makes an appearance. There's also a slew of new characters named after the author’s author friends, and based on the setting I'd say this was written after BABE.
Grace and Alessandro were awesome. I loved the dynamic that developed between the two of them. I would have been happy with this story even if it just ended up with the two of them living out spinster lives together watching TV and owning a llama farm.
The Bullets are moving on too. Not sure where this timeline falls in relation to the Debt of Passion duet (because I am special and read it first), but Hunter makes an appearance. There's also a slew of new characters named after the author’s author friends, and based on the setting I'd say this was written after BABE.
December 2, 2022
"She made pain sound like a haunting symphony. She wore her scars like they were a Cartier love bracelet—priceless and locked around her wrist."
I'm devastated it's over, but so honored to have been there fore the ride. I appreciate so much about Coralees June's writing and the characters that she created. These will be in my top shelf for years to come and always have a place in my heart. Thank Coralee, what an unforgettable experience!
Bullets Forever....
I'm devastated it's over, but so honored to have been there fore the ride. I appreciate so much about Coralees June's writing and the characters that she created. These will be in my top shelf for years to come and always have a place in my heart. Thank Coralee, what an unforgettable experience!
Bullets Forever....
August 1, 2020
Why did I love Nix? His friendship and brutal loyalty are what healed Sunshine, at least to the point that she could be healed. Nix was willing to challenge the scariest foes for Sunshine while finally making her smile again, the kind of guy you ache for as a best friend and soul mate. He was brilliant and shameless, and perfect in such a way that I found myself almost hoping for more to develop with Sunshine…at least until he met Grace. This is the Nix I thought I would be getting more of in Bitter Pills. This is the character I was so excited for Cora to wrap up for me. Let me tell you, this is NOT the Nix she gave me. However, as always, Cora knows what I really need better than I do.
If you read the first three Bullets books (which I assume you did if you’re looking to read the third), you know their world is not the flowery kind of romantic. Nope, instead we get elements such as a gang, mafia ties, a serial killer, MMA, and a kinky dominant hacker that ends up skipping town. That last one is where we pick up in this book, 5 years after Nix has fled, leaving Sunshine with the assumption that he is keeping her safe somehow, and it mirrors her own choice earlier in the series, but she is still crushed with missing him. Unlike her, two other broken souls rage with their love of Nix, clawing further into each other’s heart to fill the void he left. Alessandro and Grace love the same man and see themselves as competition for Nix, both wondering if they would individually be enough, even if they did manage to find him. Those feelings of inadequacy and pain are brought to crushing life in Cora’s writing. I absolutely love that she used this book to allow Alessandro and Grace to heal each other and to finally recognize how intertwined their love is, no matter how they fought against it. It gives us another example of soulmates, a love like Nix and Sunshine have, that may not be romantic, but we still get a kind of love that is dynamic and compelling.
Oh. And Nix? He’s a broken man after giving himself over to the Ringleaders, quite literally a prisoner in their disturbing world. The things he’s done in the last 5 years? Even one of them would be enough to completely ruin a person, but his acts as a hacker are innumerable. Unfortunately, Nix hasn’t been able to let go of his own conscience, so every day that he spends in this hell, drags him further into this disconsolate, shell of a man. His parts in this book are heart-wrenching and his storyline with Grace and Alessandro seems irredeemable, surely not even CoraLeeJune can write a love so powerful in its healing?! Let me just say, this book will tear you apart and you will cry, so you might as well count on that going into it. Seriously, this book was cathartic in ways I didn’t even expect, but of course, were precisely what I needed in order to wrap up my love affair with the world of the Bullets. Thank you Cora, for never taking me on the journey that I expect or think I want, but for always dragging me along on the journey that my heart is secretly screaming for.
If you read the first three Bullets books (which I assume you did if you’re looking to read the third), you know their world is not the flowery kind of romantic. Nope, instead we get elements such as a gang, mafia ties, a serial killer, MMA, and a kinky dominant hacker that ends up skipping town. That last one is where we pick up in this book, 5 years after Nix has fled, leaving Sunshine with the assumption that he is keeping her safe somehow, and it mirrors her own choice earlier in the series, but she is still crushed with missing him. Unlike her, two other broken souls rage with their love of Nix, clawing further into each other’s heart to fill the void he left. Alessandro and Grace love the same man and see themselves as competition for Nix, both wondering if they would individually be enough, even if they did manage to find him. Those feelings of inadequacy and pain are brought to crushing life in Cora’s writing. I absolutely love that she used this book to allow Alessandro and Grace to heal each other and to finally recognize how intertwined their love is, no matter how they fought against it. It gives us another example of soulmates, a love like Nix and Sunshine have, that may not be romantic, but we still get a kind of love that is dynamic and compelling.
Oh. And Nix? He’s a broken man after giving himself over to the Ringleaders, quite literally a prisoner in their disturbing world. The things he’s done in the last 5 years? Even one of them would be enough to completely ruin a person, but his acts as a hacker are innumerable. Unfortunately, Nix hasn’t been able to let go of his own conscience, so every day that he spends in this hell, drags him further into this disconsolate, shell of a man. His parts in this book are heart-wrenching and his storyline with Grace and Alessandro seems irredeemable, surely not even CoraLeeJune can write a love so powerful in its healing?! Let me just say, this book will tear you apart and you will cry, so you might as well count on that going into it. Seriously, this book was cathartic in ways I didn’t even expect, but of course, were precisely what I needed in order to wrap up my love affair with the world of the Bullets. Thank you Cora, for never taking me on the journey that I expect or think I want, but for always dragging me along on the journey that my heart is secretly screaming for.
August 2, 2020
Coralee June is one of my must read authors as her stories never fail to grab my attention and Bitter Pills is no exception. This is the 4th book in the Bullets series and as expected I could not put it down. The story was fast paced, action packed, steamy and emotional and I enjoyed every moment. of it. Its a story about 2 people in love with the same individual. This is a story about friendship, family, sacrifice and love and it was so well written and layered I was glued to each page.
The story builds on the Bullets legacy and takes us on a heart-pounding, angst-filled journey picking up 5 years after the end of the Bullets trilogy and the disappearance of Nix. The complex relationship among the characters will touch your heart as we delve in their feelings for each other and themselves. Nix, Grace and Alessandro were all flawed, intriguing characters you can't help but love and you will enjoy seeing them try to navigate their unique relationship.
The action, the adventure, the suspense and the mystery will all have you at the edge of your seat frantically turning the pages to find out what happens next. The author did a fantastic job with world building, introducing us to the dangers of the Ringmasters, the characters development was excellent as we see significant growth of each character throughout the novel, and the cameo appearances of Sunshine and the Bullets topped it all off. Bitter Pills took us on an epic ride worthy of a 5 star status and I would highly recommend it to all romance lovers.
The story builds on the Bullets legacy and takes us on a heart-pounding, angst-filled journey picking up 5 years after the end of the Bullets trilogy and the disappearance of Nix. The complex relationship among the characters will touch your heart as we delve in their feelings for each other and themselves. Nix, Grace and Alessandro were all flawed, intriguing characters you can't help but love and you will enjoy seeing them try to navigate their unique relationship.
The action, the adventure, the suspense and the mystery will all have you at the edge of your seat frantically turning the pages to find out what happens next. The author did a fantastic job with world building, introducing us to the dangers of the Ringmasters, the characters development was excellent as we see significant growth of each character throughout the novel, and the cameo appearances of Sunshine and the Bullets topped it all off. Bitter Pills took us on an epic ride worthy of a 5 star status and I would highly recommend it to all romance lovers.
November 1, 2020
2.5 stars
Quite honestly, the romance and relationship here wasn't convincing and I didn't buy into their HEA, but I did love seeing the Bullets. My 2.5 stars are completely for the scenes with them. Otherwise this would have been a DNF for me. The introduction of The Ringleaders had so much promise as a plot point but it felt a bit wasted here, and it was (overall) too short to be believable. This is not a book I'll revisit really, unless maybe to visit again with the Bullets.
Quite honestly, the romance and relationship here wasn't convincing and I didn't buy into their HEA, but I did love seeing the Bullets. My 2.5 stars are completely for the scenes with them. Otherwise this would have been a DNF for me. The introduction of The Ringleaders had so much promise as a plot point but it felt a bit wasted here, and it was (overall) too short to be believable. This is not a book I'll revisit really, unless maybe to visit again with the Bullets.
September 11, 2021
I really enjoyed being able to read more about Phoenix aka Nix in this one. He was a great characters in the first three books in the series so it was nice having his own story. He meant so much to Sunshine and seemed like such a great guy, friend, you name it. So yes this book I really enjoyed and finding out about his past and where he was now and who kidnapped him. I definitely recommend this series to everyone!
August 2, 2020
Oh! My heart! Wow. Like many of you, this book, Nix’s book has been one I was highly anticipating. But, was I truly ready for the impact of all the emotions that would rain down havoc throughout my body and soul during this book? No, I’m not quite sure I was, but even so... I loved every word, every moment every page.
This phenomenal story was everything I was hoping for, but at the same time more than I could have even imagined it to be. Nix, Alessandro, and Grace’s story is a journey full of angsty moments, and full of heartbreaking moments.
It’s got tons of steamy and dreamy moments where I am literally fanning myself. It’s got moments of pure frustration and deep agony where my tears were flowing. This book was the most bittersweet and perfect way to say goodbye. CoraLee June dominates once again with literary magnificence, as she does what she does best.
She will give you a story that you will feel all the way from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. You will feel it everywhere. I know I will think of this story, this series over and over and most definitely come back for a reread of all of it.
Bullets Forever!!
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August 4, 2020
A perfect ending…
I knew going into this story that it was going to tear me up and spit me back out. And boy did it! This is part of the Bullets world and revolves around Nix, Sunshine’s best friend and soulmate. Her person. We met Nix in the Sunshine and Bullets trilogy and I fell in love with him. He is loyal to a fault and full of love, even if he doesn’t realize it. Nix disappeared in the trilogy and this story takes place five years later. Grace and Alessandro are looking for Nix as they are both in love with him. This story is as much about their love for Nix as it is their finding their love with each other. This story has all the emotions in it! There is angst, drama, mystery, love, happiness, sadness, anger, frustration, and everything between. It wrecked me. And it put me back together. And then it wrecked me some more. The best stories always do in my opinion and CoraLee is a master at doing this. The wait for Nix’s story was worth it. We get to see a different side of Nix than we got of him in the Bullets trilogy. The fact that CoraLee was able to convey the hopelessness that he felt was truly a work of art. I felt all the emotions that they were feeling. This story is telling us what each one of the characters would do for love. And how far they will go. It also reinforces the fact that even with all your flaws, you are worthy of love. That can be a bitter pill for some to swallow. I hate that I read it already and plan to do several rereads. I can’t get enough of this world that CoraLee has given us.
I knew going into this story that it was going to tear me up and spit me back out. And boy did it! This is part of the Bullets world and revolves around Nix, Sunshine’s best friend and soulmate. Her person. We met Nix in the Sunshine and Bullets trilogy and I fell in love with him. He is loyal to a fault and full of love, even if he doesn’t realize it. Nix disappeared in the trilogy and this story takes place five years later. Grace and Alessandro are looking for Nix as they are both in love with him. This story is as much about their love for Nix as it is their finding their love with each other. This story has all the emotions in it! There is angst, drama, mystery, love, happiness, sadness, anger, frustration, and everything between. It wrecked me. And it put me back together. And then it wrecked me some more. The best stories always do in my opinion and CoraLee is a master at doing this. The wait for Nix’s story was worth it. We get to see a different side of Nix than we got of him in the Bullets trilogy. The fact that CoraLee was able to convey the hopelessness that he felt was truly a work of art. I felt all the emotions that they were feeling. This story is telling us what each one of the characters would do for love. And how far they will go. It also reinforces the fact that even with all your flaws, you are worthy of love. That can be a bitter pill for some to swallow. I hate that I read it already and plan to do several rereads. I can’t get enough of this world that CoraLee has given us.
January 2, 2024
🔥 edit is my own, i do not own the rights to any of the images 🔥
Oh NIX! I have waited for you since i knew you existed! And now that you’re finally here I can’t wait to dive headfirst into your journey!
It’s so awesome being back in the bullets world! Things are bigger than the bullets this time around no one is safe.
Grace and Alessandro are both stuck in limbo pining after Nix! They finally have a lead but then that’s when things get crazy and some of the actions start!
Oh my heart!!! Damnnnn Nix you were a savage!!! (The point where he sees grace again for the first time) if you know, you know 😩😭
Oohh on the run for their lives these three have to figure a way not to die but also try to navigate through their relationship! This one is definitely action packed and I can’t get enough of reading!
OMG!!!! My baby HUNTER!!!!! Eeekkkk !!!!!! (Totally unrelated in a related way) you’ll have to read to find out what i mean 😉
Aahhh! The bullets are finally complete with Nix being home! I couldn’t have imagined a better ending for them than this! Coralee definitely did Nix justice and had me bawling like a baby in some parts! Get ready for a while ride because Nix will have you gripping your kindle wanting more of him. He was definitely playing hard to get because of his need to protect his family *swoons*
5 bullet stars ✨ this was simply amazing and I highly recommend this!
July 9, 2021
This book….whew!
Where do I even begin?
This book was everything I needed and wanted. Not only did we get little snippets into Sunshine and her Bullets but we also go to see everything with Nix, Alessandro, and Grace. The very beginning of this book made me feel so many emotions and kind of hurt me with everything Grace was feeling. Grace always felt alone and that broke me. Alessandro was hurting and was stubborn to the idea maybe he did care for Grace. Nix hurt me with his words and they cut deep especially for Grace. Then when they were watching the news, I immediately started crying and choked up thinking that happened to the Bullets. The ending when everyone reunited and that last scene with the three of them was well worth the wait. I loved this series and I loved these characters. I have to thank the author for this amazing story and the emotions that she delivered. I highly recommend this story, GO CHECK IT OUT!
Where do I even begin?
This book was everything I needed and wanted. Not only did we get little snippets into Sunshine and her Bullets but we also go to see everything with Nix, Alessandro, and Grace. The very beginning of this book made me feel so many emotions and kind of hurt me with everything Grace was feeling. Grace always felt alone and that broke me. Alessandro was hurting and was stubborn to the idea maybe he did care for Grace. Nix hurt me with his words and they cut deep especially for Grace. Then when they were watching the news, I immediately started crying and choked up thinking that happened to the Bullets. The ending when everyone reunited and that last scene with the three of them was well worth the wait. I loved this series and I loved these characters. I have to thank the author for this amazing story and the emotions that she delivered. I highly recommend this story, GO CHECK IT OUT!
August 6, 2020
Coralee June has always been a risk taker- a bold writer who never limits the bounds of her creativity. And in Bitter Pills, she breaks all the rules, with a gritty, tumultuous, and heart pounding narrative that gave me all the nostalgia for the Bullets books. This story builds on the bullet legacy- the writing style, the longing angst, the character depth, the twists- but these characters and their journey fiercely carve their own path to standout on their own. You are not ready- this story hurts as much as it heals, full of bitter pills to swallow. And when all is said and done, the drama leads to a jaw dropping, earth shattering bang that will forever change this world, because this is the bittersweet end.
Coralee June has created such a vibrant and tangible world with the Bullets- a world I’m obsessed with, that I revisit often, and that consistently moves my soul. I was ecstatic to be able to be back in this place, with these complicated and imperfect characters that I have grown to intensely adore. This story picks up 5 years after the conclusion of the trilogy- a trilogy that gave us some closure to the Bullets and Sunshine but left us bereft with the willful disappearance of fan favorite, Nix. Sunshine misses her soulmate, while his former romantic interests from Bullets books, Grace and Alessandro, have found themselves in some sort of emotional stasis. Alessandro is guarding Grace, out of a promise to Nix and obligation to Gavriel, but he resents it, and her- because he knows Nix loved her more. And Grace is equal parts intrigued by Alessandro as she is frustrated by him- this bittersweet tension of him being a painful reminder of the past, of her being nothing more than an obligation to her, with the reality that he’s the closest person to her in her life. Alessandro has pent up baggage of feeling like just him was never enough for Nix, and Grace feels the jagged knife of everyone she loves abandoning her, of being well and truly alone. But, the Bullets haven’t given up on Nix, and when the trail gets hot, Grace and Alessandro end up on a bit of a wild goose chase to find Nix, despite his warning to stay away, despite knowing that whatever hot mess Nix is in that it is most likely to spare them. The action, the adventure, the suspense and mystery are riveting as always, a true page turner that keeps your heart beating the whole time. But the real heart of this story, of any Coralee June story, is the exploration of the complexity of caring for someone who is flawed and the at times insurmountable challenge of allowing yourself to be loved despite your own flaws, despite your own emotional baggage.
I’ve said it before that very few authors know their characters as well as Coralee June- she’s a master at developing complex, flawed, nuanced and dimensional characters. Characters who are tried and tested, characters who learn and grow, characters that are so fully realized that I feel like I can call them my friends. And here she takes this strength to a whole new level- because Nix is not the Nix we knew. We all grew to love Nix in the Bullets trilogy- he’s light, he’s dominant and sassy, he’s a loyal friend with an indomitable fire in his spirit. He’s a hero. But in Bitter Pills, Nix has had to change and evolve. It’s been 5 years, with Nix isolated from everyone he loves, miserable and trapped. That changes a man, that dims his fire, and Cora doesn’t back down from allowing this character to unravel before us, from the real and gritty reality of what happens to a man when he’s forced to be something he’s not, when he’s robbed of everything and everyone that gives him joy, and when he’s well and truly alone with this new version of himself. And even more complex? She’s real about the implications of that being Nix’s choice. Cora brilliantly withholds us from Nix for a bit- both because of the character journeys of Grace and Alessandro and to build anticipation, but this also helps shake us more when we find him- because we believe that everything is okay and we’ll find Nix just as we left him. And when we finally catch up to him and find that he is not, it is that much more heartbreaking, that much more painful. Nix is broken, demoralized- he’s muted, a shell of himself, darker and less hopeful, trapped by his own guilt. He’s self-destructive, even a bit self-loathing- and that spark we love? It’s been stifled by the pain of the last 5 years. As much as this book is about Alessandro and Grace figuring out who they are together and who they can or will be with Nix, as much as this is a book full of mystery and intrigue- a daring rescue story, this is a story about Nix clawing his way out of that hole. Nix finding what parts of himself are still buried inside. Nix reconciling and healing from the bitter pills he’s been forced to swallow for 5 years- and answering the scary question- can he recover from it? Is there any way he can be with those he loves when he’s lost in himself? Is he still worthy of their love, when he might not love himself anymore? When he’s NOT the hero?
Narratively, Cora does some really inventive things here. The use of parallelism is us subtly and skillful done- juxtaposing key benchmarks in Sunshine’s journey with Nix’s- moments where the circumstances feel the same (Nix running like Sunshine running, for example) but the characters' reactions are different because they have changed- they’ve learned. So brilliant! Part of what has endeared me to the Bullets series was its obstinate refusal to fit inside any boxes. Sunshine’s story pushes the boundary of every trope- shaping a unique approach to a reverse harem story- a harem that isn’t easy, that is as complicated and challenging as it is evitable. And narratively, Bitter Pills plays in that rule breaking, continues to challenge the norm- in ways that are so clever and captivating. Unlike a normal reverse Harem story, this book is told predominantly through the eyes of the harem, a story less about being loved by a harem and more about loving someone from within a harem. This is not actually Nix’s book at all- this is Grace and Alessandro’s book. Don’t worry, fans, you still get tons of Nix, but the POVs that really progress our story, the characters whose journey this most about are really Grace and Alessandro. And that, that choice, is truly groundbreaking, because that changes the very nature of this story. This becomes a story more about the powerful love of friendship- of two friends falling in love with each other. Their journey begins as two rivals who just want to be chosen, but their story evolves into them finding they are soulmates, and the choice was never really Nix’s- this is more about them choosing each other, finding that their commitment and respect for each other trumps all their baggage. Grace and Alessandro are two friends who discover that the platonic need to care for someone, the interest you have in that other person’s happiness, is just as catalytic, just as life shattering, and just as important as romantic love.
And their friendship chemistry?! WOW- this is just as awe inspiring as the individual chemistry each has with Nix. Longing, need, commitment, soulmates- they don’t have to be sexual, they don’t have to be romantic. Cora already showed us that with Nix and Sunshine, but that was more so secondary, here we get to see it as our focus. As Nix really goes on a journey to refind himself, to relove himself, we get the love story of Alessandro and Grace- with equal attention and care to BOTH parts. And my goodness- there aren’t words for how beautiful and moving all three of their journeys are. Individual, in couples, and as a trio, their journey is tumultuous, but oh so inspiring.
Along this incredibly emotional journey, there are some major jaw dropping surprises- the ending had me sobbing like a baby on my bedroom floor. I’m not ready to leave this world, these characters behind, but I can’t be anything but grateful. Because I’ll always have these Bullets- the whole menagerie of characters that have tattooed themselves in my heart. Not only has their story entertained me, but their story has inspired me, it has moved me. The Bullets have shown me that love can be painful, messy, and turbulent. But, that in the end, love is redemptive, love can heal, and that love, of all kinds, is more powerful than anything else. Thank you for giving me this world, Cora- I will cherish it always.
Merged review:
Coralee June has always been a risk taker- a bold writer who never limits the bounds of her creativity. And in Bitter Pills, she breaks all the rules, with a gritty, tumultuous, and heart pounding narrative that gave me all the nostalgia for the Bullets books. This story builds on the Bullet legacy- the writing style, the longing angst, the character depth, the twists- but these characters and their journey fiercely carve their own path to standout on their own. You are not ready- this story hurts as much as it heals, full of bitter pills to swallow. And when all is said and done, the drama leads to a jaw dropping, earth shattering bang that will forever change this world, because this is the bittersweet end.
Coralee June has created such a vibrant and tangible world with the Bullets- a world I’m obsessed with, that I revisit often, and that consistently moves my soul. I was ecstatic to be able to be back in this place, with these complicated and imperfect characters that I have grown to intensely adore. This story picks up 5 years after the conclusion of the trilogy- a trilogy that gave us some closure to the Bullets and Sunshine but left us bereft with the willful disappearance of fan favorite, Nix. Sunshine misses her soulmate, while his former romantic interests from Bullets books, Grace and Alessandro, have found themselves in some sort of emotional stasis. Alessandro is guarding Grace, out of a promise to Nix and obligation to Gavriel, but he resents it, and her- because he knows Nix loved her more. And Grace is equal parts intrigued by Alessandro as she is frustrated by him- this bittersweet tension of him being a painful reminder of the past, of her being nothing more than an obligation to her, with the reality that he’s the closest person to her in her life. Alessandro has pent up baggage of feeling like just him was never enough for Nix, and Grace feels the jagged knife of everyone she loves abandoning her, of being well and truly alone. But, the Bullets haven’t given up on Nix, and when the trail gets hot, Grace and Alessandro end up on a bit of a wild goose chase to find Nix, despite his warning to stay away, despite knowing that whatever hot mess Nix is in that it is most likely to spare them. The action, the adventure, the suspense and mystery are riveting as always, a true page turner that keeps your heart beating the whole time. But the real heart of this story, of any Coralee June story, is the exploration of the complexity of caring for someone who is flawed and the at times insurmountable challenge of allowing yourself to be loved despite your own flaws, despite your own emotional baggage.
I’ve said it before that very few authors know their characters as well as Coralee June- she’s a master at developing complex, flawed, nuanced and dimensional characters. Characters who are tried and tested, characters who learn and grow, characters that are so fully realized that I feel like I can call them my friends. And here she takes this strength to a whole new level- because Nix is not the Nix we knew. We all grew to love Nix in the Bullets trilogy- he’s light, he’s dominant and sassy, he’s a loyal friend with an indomitable fire in his spirit. He’s a hero. But in Bitter Pills, Nix has had to change and evolve. It’s been 5 years, with Nix isolated from everyone he loves, miserable and trapped. That changes a man, that dims his fire, and Cora doesn’t back down from allowing this character to unravel before us, from the real and gritty reality of what happens to a man when he’s forced to be something he’s not, when he’s robbed of everything and everyone that gives him joy, and when he’s well and truly alone with this new version of himself. And even more complex? She’s real about the implications of that being Nix’s choice. Cora brilliantly withholds us from Nix for a bit- both because of the character journeys of Grace and Alessandro and to build anticipation, but this also helps shake us more when we find him- because we believe that everything is okay and we’ll find Nix just as we left him. And when we finally catch up to him and find that he is not, it is that much more heartbreaking, that much more painful. Nix is broken, demoralized- he’s muted, a shell of himself, darker and less hopeful, trapped by his own guilt. He’s self-destructive, even a bit self-loathing- and that spark we love? It’s been stifled by the pain of the last 5 years. As much as this book is about Alessandro and Grace figuring out who they are together and who they can or will be with Nix, as much as this is a daring rescue story, this is a story about Nix clawing his way out of that hole. Nix finding what parts of himself are still buried inside. Nix reconciling and healing from the bitter pills he’s been forced to swallow for 5 years- and answering the scary question- can he recover from it? Is there any way he can be with those he loves when he’s lost in himself? Is he still worthy of their love, when he might not love himself anymore? When he’s NOT the hero?
Narratively, Cora does some really inventive things here. The use of parallelism is subtly and skillfully done- juxtaposing key benchmarks in Sunshine’s journey with Nix’s- moments where the circumstances feel the same (Nix running like Sunshine running, for example) but the characters' reactions are different because they have changed- they’ve learned. So brilliant! Part of what has endeared me to the Bullets series was its obstinate refusal to fit inside any boxes. Sunshine’s story pushes the boundary of every trope- shaping a unique approach to a reverse harem story- a harem that isn’t easy, that is as complicated and challenging as it is inevitable. And narratively, Bitter Pills plays into that rule breaking, continues to challenge the norm- in ways that are so clever and captivating. Unlike a normal reverse Harem story, this book is told predominantly through the eyes of the harem, a story less about being loved by a harem and more about loving someone from within a harem. This is not actually Nix’s book at all- this is Grace and Alessandro’s book. Don’t worry, fans, you still get tons of Nix, but the POVs that really progress our story, the characters whose journey this most about are really Grace and Alessandro. And that, that choice, is truly groundbreaking, because that changes the very nature of this story. This becomes a story more about the powerful love of friendship- of two friends falling in love with each other. Their journey begins as two rivals who just want to be chosen, but their story evolves into them finding they are soulmates, and the choice was never really Nix’s- this is more about them choosing each other, finding that their commitment and respect for each other trumps all their baggage. Grace and Alessandro are two friends who discover that the platonic need to care for someone, the interest you have in that other person’s happiness, is just as catalytic, just as life shattering, and just as important as romantic love.
And their friendship chemistry?! WOW- this is just as awe inspiring as the individual chemistry each has with Nix. Longing, need, commitment, soulmates- they don’t have to be sexual, they don’t have to be romantic. Cora already showed us that with Nix and Sunshine, but that was more so secondary, here we get to see it as our focus. As Nix really goes on a journey to refind himself, to relove himself, we get the love story of Alessandro and Grace- with equal attention and care to BOTH parts. And my goodness- there aren’t words for how beautiful and moving all three of their journeys are. Individual, in couples, and as a trio, their journey is tumultuous, but oh so inspiring.
Along this incredibly emotional journey, there are some major jaw dropping surprises- the ending had me sobbing like a baby on my bedroom floor. I’m not ready to leave this world, these characters behind, but I can’t be anything but grateful. Because I’ll always have these Bullets- the whole menagerie of characters that have tattooed themselves in my heart. Not only has their story entertained me, but their story has inspired me, it has moved me. The Bullets have shown me that love can be painful, messy, and turbulent. But, that in the end, love is redemptive, love can heal, and that love, of all kinds, is more powerful than anything else. Thank you for giving me this world, Cora- I will cherish it always.
Coralee June has created such a vibrant and tangible world with the Bullets- a world I’m obsessed with, that I revisit often, and that consistently moves my soul. I was ecstatic to be able to be back in this place, with these complicated and imperfect characters that I have grown to intensely adore. This story picks up 5 years after the conclusion of the trilogy- a trilogy that gave us some closure to the Bullets and Sunshine but left us bereft with the willful disappearance of fan favorite, Nix. Sunshine misses her soulmate, while his former romantic interests from Bullets books, Grace and Alessandro, have found themselves in some sort of emotional stasis. Alessandro is guarding Grace, out of a promise to Nix and obligation to Gavriel, but he resents it, and her- because he knows Nix loved her more. And Grace is equal parts intrigued by Alessandro as she is frustrated by him- this bittersweet tension of him being a painful reminder of the past, of her being nothing more than an obligation to her, with the reality that he’s the closest person to her in her life. Alessandro has pent up baggage of feeling like just him was never enough for Nix, and Grace feels the jagged knife of everyone she loves abandoning her, of being well and truly alone. But, the Bullets haven’t given up on Nix, and when the trail gets hot, Grace and Alessandro end up on a bit of a wild goose chase to find Nix, despite his warning to stay away, despite knowing that whatever hot mess Nix is in that it is most likely to spare them. The action, the adventure, the suspense and mystery are riveting as always, a true page turner that keeps your heart beating the whole time. But the real heart of this story, of any Coralee June story, is the exploration of the complexity of caring for someone who is flawed and the at times insurmountable challenge of allowing yourself to be loved despite your own flaws, despite your own emotional baggage.
I’ve said it before that very few authors know their characters as well as Coralee June- she’s a master at developing complex, flawed, nuanced and dimensional characters. Characters who are tried and tested, characters who learn and grow, characters that are so fully realized that I feel like I can call them my friends. And here she takes this strength to a whole new level- because Nix is not the Nix we knew. We all grew to love Nix in the Bullets trilogy- he’s light, he’s dominant and sassy, he’s a loyal friend with an indomitable fire in his spirit. He’s a hero. But in Bitter Pills, Nix has had to change and evolve. It’s been 5 years, with Nix isolated from everyone he loves, miserable and trapped. That changes a man, that dims his fire, and Cora doesn’t back down from allowing this character to unravel before us, from the real and gritty reality of what happens to a man when he’s forced to be something he’s not, when he’s robbed of everything and everyone that gives him joy, and when he’s well and truly alone with this new version of himself. And even more complex? She’s real about the implications of that being Nix’s choice. Cora brilliantly withholds us from Nix for a bit- both because of the character journeys of Grace and Alessandro and to build anticipation, but this also helps shake us more when we find him- because we believe that everything is okay and we’ll find Nix just as we left him. And when we finally catch up to him and find that he is not, it is that much more heartbreaking, that much more painful. Nix is broken, demoralized- he’s muted, a shell of himself, darker and less hopeful, trapped by his own guilt. He’s self-destructive, even a bit self-loathing- and that spark we love? It’s been stifled by the pain of the last 5 years. As much as this book is about Alessandro and Grace figuring out who they are together and who they can or will be with Nix, as much as this is a book full of mystery and intrigue- a daring rescue story, this is a story about Nix clawing his way out of that hole. Nix finding what parts of himself are still buried inside. Nix reconciling and healing from the bitter pills he’s been forced to swallow for 5 years- and answering the scary question- can he recover from it? Is there any way he can be with those he loves when he’s lost in himself? Is he still worthy of their love, when he might not love himself anymore? When he’s NOT the hero?
Narratively, Cora does some really inventive things here. The use of parallelism is us subtly and skillful done- juxtaposing key benchmarks in Sunshine’s journey with Nix’s- moments where the circumstances feel the same (Nix running like Sunshine running, for example) but the characters' reactions are different because they have changed- they’ve learned. So brilliant! Part of what has endeared me to the Bullets series was its obstinate refusal to fit inside any boxes. Sunshine’s story pushes the boundary of every trope- shaping a unique approach to a reverse harem story- a harem that isn’t easy, that is as complicated and challenging as it is evitable. And narratively, Bitter Pills plays in that rule breaking, continues to challenge the norm- in ways that are so clever and captivating. Unlike a normal reverse Harem story, this book is told predominantly through the eyes of the harem, a story less about being loved by a harem and more about loving someone from within a harem. This is not actually Nix’s book at all- this is Grace and Alessandro’s book. Don’t worry, fans, you still get tons of Nix, but the POVs that really progress our story, the characters whose journey this most about are really Grace and Alessandro. And that, that choice, is truly groundbreaking, because that changes the very nature of this story. This becomes a story more about the powerful love of friendship- of two friends falling in love with each other. Their journey begins as two rivals who just want to be chosen, but their story evolves into them finding they are soulmates, and the choice was never really Nix’s- this is more about them choosing each other, finding that their commitment and respect for each other trumps all their baggage. Grace and Alessandro are two friends who discover that the platonic need to care for someone, the interest you have in that other person’s happiness, is just as catalytic, just as life shattering, and just as important as romantic love.
And their friendship chemistry?! WOW- this is just as awe inspiring as the individual chemistry each has with Nix. Longing, need, commitment, soulmates- they don’t have to be sexual, they don’t have to be romantic. Cora already showed us that with Nix and Sunshine, but that was more so secondary, here we get to see it as our focus. As Nix really goes on a journey to refind himself, to relove himself, we get the love story of Alessandro and Grace- with equal attention and care to BOTH parts. And my goodness- there aren’t words for how beautiful and moving all three of their journeys are. Individual, in couples, and as a trio, their journey is tumultuous, but oh so inspiring.
Along this incredibly emotional journey, there are some major jaw dropping surprises- the ending had me sobbing like a baby on my bedroom floor. I’m not ready to leave this world, these characters behind, but I can’t be anything but grateful. Because I’ll always have these Bullets- the whole menagerie of characters that have tattooed themselves in my heart. Not only has their story entertained me, but their story has inspired me, it has moved me. The Bullets have shown me that love can be painful, messy, and turbulent. But, that in the end, love is redemptive, love can heal, and that love, of all kinds, is more powerful than anything else. Thank you for giving me this world, Cora- I will cherish it always.
Merged review:
Coralee June has always been a risk taker- a bold writer who never limits the bounds of her creativity. And in Bitter Pills, she breaks all the rules, with a gritty, tumultuous, and heart pounding narrative that gave me all the nostalgia for the Bullets books. This story builds on the Bullet legacy- the writing style, the longing angst, the character depth, the twists- but these characters and their journey fiercely carve their own path to standout on their own. You are not ready- this story hurts as much as it heals, full of bitter pills to swallow. And when all is said and done, the drama leads to a jaw dropping, earth shattering bang that will forever change this world, because this is the bittersweet end.
Coralee June has created such a vibrant and tangible world with the Bullets- a world I’m obsessed with, that I revisit often, and that consistently moves my soul. I was ecstatic to be able to be back in this place, with these complicated and imperfect characters that I have grown to intensely adore. This story picks up 5 years after the conclusion of the trilogy- a trilogy that gave us some closure to the Bullets and Sunshine but left us bereft with the willful disappearance of fan favorite, Nix. Sunshine misses her soulmate, while his former romantic interests from Bullets books, Grace and Alessandro, have found themselves in some sort of emotional stasis. Alessandro is guarding Grace, out of a promise to Nix and obligation to Gavriel, but he resents it, and her- because he knows Nix loved her more. And Grace is equal parts intrigued by Alessandro as she is frustrated by him- this bittersweet tension of him being a painful reminder of the past, of her being nothing more than an obligation to her, with the reality that he’s the closest person to her in her life. Alessandro has pent up baggage of feeling like just him was never enough for Nix, and Grace feels the jagged knife of everyone she loves abandoning her, of being well and truly alone. But, the Bullets haven’t given up on Nix, and when the trail gets hot, Grace and Alessandro end up on a bit of a wild goose chase to find Nix, despite his warning to stay away, despite knowing that whatever hot mess Nix is in that it is most likely to spare them. The action, the adventure, the suspense and mystery are riveting as always, a true page turner that keeps your heart beating the whole time. But the real heart of this story, of any Coralee June story, is the exploration of the complexity of caring for someone who is flawed and the at times insurmountable challenge of allowing yourself to be loved despite your own flaws, despite your own emotional baggage.
I’ve said it before that very few authors know their characters as well as Coralee June- she’s a master at developing complex, flawed, nuanced and dimensional characters. Characters who are tried and tested, characters who learn and grow, characters that are so fully realized that I feel like I can call them my friends. And here she takes this strength to a whole new level- because Nix is not the Nix we knew. We all grew to love Nix in the Bullets trilogy- he’s light, he’s dominant and sassy, he’s a loyal friend with an indomitable fire in his spirit. He’s a hero. But in Bitter Pills, Nix has had to change and evolve. It’s been 5 years, with Nix isolated from everyone he loves, miserable and trapped. That changes a man, that dims his fire, and Cora doesn’t back down from allowing this character to unravel before us, from the real and gritty reality of what happens to a man when he’s forced to be something he’s not, when he’s robbed of everything and everyone that gives him joy, and when he’s well and truly alone with this new version of himself. And even more complex? She’s real about the implications of that being Nix’s choice. Cora brilliantly withholds us from Nix for a bit- both because of the character journeys of Grace and Alessandro and to build anticipation, but this also helps shake us more when we find him- because we believe that everything is okay and we’ll find Nix just as we left him. And when we finally catch up to him and find that he is not, it is that much more heartbreaking, that much more painful. Nix is broken, demoralized- he’s muted, a shell of himself, darker and less hopeful, trapped by his own guilt. He’s self-destructive, even a bit self-loathing- and that spark we love? It’s been stifled by the pain of the last 5 years. As much as this book is about Alessandro and Grace figuring out who they are together and who they can or will be with Nix, as much as this is a daring rescue story, this is a story about Nix clawing his way out of that hole. Nix finding what parts of himself are still buried inside. Nix reconciling and healing from the bitter pills he’s been forced to swallow for 5 years- and answering the scary question- can he recover from it? Is there any way he can be with those he loves when he’s lost in himself? Is he still worthy of their love, when he might not love himself anymore? When he’s NOT the hero?
Narratively, Cora does some really inventive things here. The use of parallelism is subtly and skillfully done- juxtaposing key benchmarks in Sunshine’s journey with Nix’s- moments where the circumstances feel the same (Nix running like Sunshine running, for example) but the characters' reactions are different because they have changed- they’ve learned. So brilliant! Part of what has endeared me to the Bullets series was its obstinate refusal to fit inside any boxes. Sunshine’s story pushes the boundary of every trope- shaping a unique approach to a reverse harem story- a harem that isn’t easy, that is as complicated and challenging as it is inevitable. And narratively, Bitter Pills plays into that rule breaking, continues to challenge the norm- in ways that are so clever and captivating. Unlike a normal reverse Harem story, this book is told predominantly through the eyes of the harem, a story less about being loved by a harem and more about loving someone from within a harem. This is not actually Nix’s book at all- this is Grace and Alessandro’s book. Don’t worry, fans, you still get tons of Nix, but the POVs that really progress our story, the characters whose journey this most about are really Grace and Alessandro. And that, that choice, is truly groundbreaking, because that changes the very nature of this story. This becomes a story more about the powerful love of friendship- of two friends falling in love with each other. Their journey begins as two rivals who just want to be chosen, but their story evolves into them finding they are soulmates, and the choice was never really Nix’s- this is more about them choosing each other, finding that their commitment and respect for each other trumps all their baggage. Grace and Alessandro are two friends who discover that the platonic need to care for someone, the interest you have in that other person’s happiness, is just as catalytic, just as life shattering, and just as important as romantic love.
And their friendship chemistry?! WOW- this is just as awe inspiring as the individual chemistry each has with Nix. Longing, need, commitment, soulmates- they don’t have to be sexual, they don’t have to be romantic. Cora already showed us that with Nix and Sunshine, but that was more so secondary, here we get to see it as our focus. As Nix really goes on a journey to refind himself, to relove himself, we get the love story of Alessandro and Grace- with equal attention and care to BOTH parts. And my goodness- there aren’t words for how beautiful and moving all three of their journeys are. Individual, in couples, and as a trio, their journey is tumultuous, but oh so inspiring.
Along this incredibly emotional journey, there are some major jaw dropping surprises- the ending had me sobbing like a baby on my bedroom floor. I’m not ready to leave this world, these characters behind, but I can’t be anything but grateful. Because I’ll always have these Bullets- the whole menagerie of characters that have tattooed themselves in my heart. Not only has their story entertained me, but their story has inspired me, it has moved me. The Bullets have shown me that love can be painful, messy, and turbulent. But, that in the end, love is redemptive, love can heal, and that love, of all kinds, is more powerful than anything else. Thank you for giving me this world, Cora- I will cherish it always.
January 31, 2021
Omg! Started with Sunshine wanting more because her best friend is gone and while she has an amazing life, this one thing being absent leaves her wanting more... so sick of this character... haha!
I loved all the references to how great Australian coffee is, because it’s true. Australia has great coffee and it’s really hard travelling around the world where the coffee standards are so much lower. But laughed hard at this description of Sydney fashion. “The people had a sense of style all their own, and I caught myself eyeing some of the taller men in tailored suits strolling down the business district.” Like... what? The unique fashion is men in suits? I was actually interested to see what would be written about Sydney fashion because there are a couple of unique dress senses that the city has, but men in suits is not a great example...
This book, well, what to say. I liked the dynamic better than the original chunk of the series. But where was Lily, Alessandro’s mum? Why didn’t she help? The solution to the whole problem didn’t work for me, and frankly the introduction of this whole secret so suddenly and for such a short book that is the last in the series was kind of silly to me. Maybe this is crossing over with another series or future books, I don’t know. But it didn’t work for me.
I loved all the references to how great Australian coffee is, because it’s true. Australia has great coffee and it’s really hard travelling around the world where the coffee standards are so much lower. But laughed hard at this description of Sydney fashion. “The people had a sense of style all their own, and I caught myself eyeing some of the taller men in tailored suits strolling down the business district.” Like... what? The unique fashion is men in suits? I was actually interested to see what would be written about Sydney fashion because there are a couple of unique dress senses that the city has, but men in suits is not a great example...
This book, well, what to say. I liked the dynamic better than the original chunk of the series. But where was Lily, Alessandro’s mum? Why didn’t she help? The solution to the whole problem didn’t work for me, and frankly the introduction of this whole secret so suddenly and for such a short book that is the last in the series was kind of silly to me. Maybe this is crossing over with another series or future books, I don’t know. But it didn’t work for me.
July 10, 2021
Loved Nix
I dont know what I was expecting out of Nix's story, but this wasn't it. And I don't mean that in a bad way at all. It was complicated, it was emotional, it was raw and it was scary (for our characters)
It's so often we see the traditional M/F relationship or the Reverse Harem but seeing a MMF was so refreshing. I loved that this never became about Grace. I Loved that this was Nix and that HE got both but that Grace and Alessandro remained best friends. Theoretically, that shouldn't work. That should be so f*ked up. BUT it was so perfect for them. And I loved seeing the three of them fight for their relationship.
The line she used near the end about someone needing to take control while the others couldn't was the perfect way to sum up their relationship and this book. These 3 could never have been in a relationship without the other 2. It wouldn't have ever worked. They need each other like they're a missing freaking limb.
I just loved how despite the chaos and struggles and doubt, they made it.
I often really like couples and RH pairings, but for me, this "throuple" totally made the book. They are the shining stars of book 3. Yes, loved the plot - but mostly I loved how hard they had to work to hit the finish line.
I dont know what I was expecting out of Nix's story, but this wasn't it. And I don't mean that in a bad way at all. It was complicated, it was emotional, it was raw and it was scary (for our characters)
It's so often we see the traditional M/F relationship or the Reverse Harem but seeing a MMF was so refreshing. I loved that this never became about Grace. I Loved that this was Nix and that HE got both but that Grace and Alessandro remained best friends. Theoretically, that shouldn't work. That should be so f*ked up. BUT it was so perfect for them. And I loved seeing the three of them fight for their relationship.
The line she used near the end about someone needing to take control while the others couldn't was the perfect way to sum up their relationship and this book. These 3 could never have been in a relationship without the other 2. It wouldn't have ever worked. They need each other like they're a missing freaking limb.
I just loved how despite the chaos and struggles and doubt, they made it.
I often really like couples and RH pairings, but for me, this "throuple" totally made the book. They are the shining stars of book 3. Yes, loved the plot - but mostly I loved how hard they had to work to hit the finish line.
August 21, 2021
Bitter Pills
Now that was a much better ending for the Bullets as a whole then book 3! I’m so glad the author chose to write this book. The only part of the storyline that fell short, for me anyway, was the finality of the Ringleaders believing their story in one shot like that! But without giving to much away, I guess, sure it could happen that easily — it was all just a little to neatly wrapped up in a bow and seemed rushed to be finished towards the end. Even still, the drama and intensity through out the book as well as the love scene and the overwhelming love between this cast of characters, keeps this books moving at a fast pace. I totally loved it even with the rushed parts, and highly recommend this series as a must read for anyone who enjoys reverse harem/mafia romance! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Now that was a much better ending for the Bullets as a whole then book 3! I’m so glad the author chose to write this book. The only part of the storyline that fell short, for me anyway, was the finality of the Ringleaders believing their story in one shot like that! But without giving to much away, I guess, sure it could happen that easily — it was all just a little to neatly wrapped up in a bow and seemed rushed to be finished towards the end. Even still, the drama and intensity through out the book as well as the love scene and the overwhelming love between this cast of characters, keeps this books moving at a fast pace. I totally loved it even with the rushed parts, and highly recommend this series as a must read for anyone who enjoys reverse harem/mafia romance! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 27, 2021
Oh Alessandro!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m so glad we got Nix’s story, although this felt like so much more than that, because it wasn’t just about Nix at all. It was also a beautiful story about friendship that Alessandro and Grace found in one another. The beautiful realisation that they meant a lot more to each other than they originally realised, tying that in then to the beautiful love the both held for Nix made this a fantastic love story.
I laughed and cried throughout this book, there were so many touching moments and my heart broke for Grace, especially at the beginning.
It was amazing to catch up with Sunshine and the Bullets as well, oh that epilogue was everything!
I absolutely love CoraLee June’s work and I’m instantly intrigued by the snippet of one of her next books at the end, I can see her becoming a new one click author for me!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m so glad we got Nix’s story, although this felt like so much more than that, because it wasn’t just about Nix at all. It was also a beautiful story about friendship that Alessandro and Grace found in one another. The beautiful realisation that they meant a lot more to each other than they originally realised, tying that in then to the beautiful love the both held for Nix made this a fantastic love story.
I laughed and cried throughout this book, there were so many touching moments and my heart broke for Grace, especially at the beginning.
It was amazing to catch up with Sunshine and the Bullets as well, oh that epilogue was everything!
I absolutely love CoraLee June’s work and I’m instantly intrigued by the snippet of one of her next books at the end, I can see her becoming a new one click author for me!
March 13, 2022
I really wanted to love this book.I really did but I felt like the ending was rushed and not resolved in any way. They basically faked their deaths and went into hiding and while I get the reasons I felt like the story isn't really resolved. I mean the ringleaders are still out there. Faking their deaths isn't a fool proof plan, they eventually could be found. I loved reading Nixs story and I kind of wish the relationship between all three was a true relationship. They basically have "relations" with the same guy but not all three. I wanted to see Alessandro and grace have relations. I felt their was potential but nothing happened. Basically, all build up and no action. The spice was limited and not as good as the spice between sunshine and the bullet. I loved and hated this book. I want to give three stars but I am giving four because of the appearance of sunshine and the bullets.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2023
Good read
I really enjoyed being able to read more about Nix. He was such important secondary character in the Bullet story and I wanted to know what happened to him. I will admit that the beginning of the book made me get in my feeling. So many emotions and my heart hurt for Grace and Alessandro. But I realize that this book wasn't only about Nix, but a beautiful story about friendship that Grace and Alessandro found in one another. Can I tell you that I was kinda expecting more and was disappointed about the introduction of the Ringleader. It had so much potential as a plot point to bring the drama and intrigue but it was too rushed and short to be believable. Did the Ringleader really buy into that?? What happened to everyone afterwards?? Anyways I loved the little snippets into Sunshine and her Bullets though. Overall a good read.
I really enjoyed being able to read more about Nix. He was such important secondary character in the Bullet story and I wanted to know what happened to him. I will admit that the beginning of the book made me get in my feeling. So many emotions and my heart hurt for Grace and Alessandro. But I realize that this book wasn't only about Nix, but a beautiful story about friendship that Grace and Alessandro found in one another. Can I tell you that I was kinda expecting more and was disappointed about the introduction of the Ringleader. It had so much potential as a plot point to bring the drama and intrigue but it was too rushed and short to be believable. Did the Ringleader really buy into that?? What happened to everyone afterwards?? Anyways I loved the little snippets into Sunshine and her Bullets though. Overall a good read.
July 19, 2023
Review of "Bitter Pills"
Hero(es) = 2/5 ★★☆☆☆
---Nix = 2/5 ★★☆☆☆ (Felt very different than the Nix from the main series. It wasn't a "people change" type of different, it was like he was an entirely different character)
---Allesandro = 2/5 ★★☆☆☆ (Could've done more with the character, especially since he had an interesting background im the main series)
Heroine = 4/5 ★★★★☆
Villain(s) = 5/5 ★★★★★
Secondary Characters = 3/5 ★★★☆☆
Plot = 3/5 ★★★☆☆
Pacing = 5/5 ★★★★★
World building = 5/5 ★★★★★
Beginning = 3/5 ★★★☆☆
Ending = 2/5 ★★☆☆☆
Chemistry = 2/5 ★★☆☆☆ (A bit too sudden)
Character Development = 2/5 ★★☆☆☆
Writing = 4/5 ★★★★☆
Average = 3.3/5 ★★★☆☆
Overall Enjoyment = 3/5 ★★★☆☆
Final rating = 3.1/5 ★★★☆☆
Hero(es) = 2/5 ★★☆☆☆
---Nix = 2/5 ★★☆☆☆ (Felt very different than the Nix from the main series. It wasn't a "people change" type of different, it was like he was an entirely different character)
---Allesandro = 2/5 ★★☆☆☆ (Could've done more with the character, especially since he had an interesting background im the main series)
Heroine = 4/5 ★★★★☆
Villain(s) = 5/5 ★★★★★
Secondary Characters = 3/5 ★★★☆☆
Plot = 3/5 ★★★☆☆
Pacing = 5/5 ★★★★★
World building = 5/5 ★★★★★
Beginning = 3/5 ★★★☆☆
Ending = 2/5 ★★☆☆☆
Chemistry = 2/5 ★★☆☆☆ (A bit too sudden)
Character Development = 2/5 ★★☆☆☆
Writing = 4/5 ★★★★☆
Average = 3.3/5 ★★★☆☆
Overall Enjoyment = 3/5 ★★★☆☆
Final rating = 3.1/5 ★★★☆☆
August 2, 2021
4.5 stars
This was my favorite from the bullet series!! I loved the dynamic of Nix, Allesandro, and Grace! Being on the run and the crime aspect was exhilarating. All the while trying to figure out the mess of a love triangle these have going. I felt the jealousy, the love, and the pain. The smut scenes were incredibly hot and the characters all well developed. I loved getting everyone’s POV and think that did the story the most justice. I also loved seeing Sunshine and the bullets and their journey within this book was great. My only complaint is below but contains minor spoilers.
**minor spoilers below**
My only complaint was that the major dilemma of our trio resolved a bit too quickly. I think another 100 pages could have flushed out the ending a bit more.
This was my favorite from the bullet series!! I loved the dynamic of Nix, Allesandro, and Grace! Being on the run and the crime aspect was exhilarating. All the while trying to figure out the mess of a love triangle these have going. I felt the jealousy, the love, and the pain. The smut scenes were incredibly hot and the characters all well developed. I loved getting everyone’s POV and think that did the story the most justice. I also loved seeing Sunshine and the bullets and their journey within this book was great. My only complaint is below but contains minor spoilers.
**minor spoilers below**
My only complaint was that the major dilemma of our trio resolved a bit too quickly. I think another 100 pages could have flushed out the ending a bit more.
June 4, 2021
this book explores the other side of polyamory - the part that is not a RH!. I loved it because usually when im reading RH, i tend to place myself in the shoes of the female lead (which is usually the love interest). But here in this story, Grace isn't the one getting all the love - Nix is!
"Soulmates come once in a lifetime, Grace. Grab hold of it and never let go. Soulmates aren't always lovers. They're people who get you."
- Sunshine to Grace
When I read that quote, i had a OH MY GOD MOMENT. i stopped reading, called my best friend, and told her this. Nix and Sunshine, Grace and Alessandro - wow! Love this concept!
"Soulmates come once in a lifetime, Grace. Grab hold of it and never let go. Soulmates aren't always lovers. They're people who get you."
- Sunshine to Grace
When I read that quote, i had a OH MY GOD MOMENT. i stopped reading, called my best friend, and told her this. Nix and Sunshine, Grace and Alessandro - wow! Love this concept!
July 17, 2021
A little rushed for a Bullets Book but exactly what I expected
It was good. It took a quick trip down Nix's memory and feelings. There were aspects I was disappointed in regarding Nix but I understand why she wrote it that way. I can't tell you what it was without spoiling it though. The whole ending part was what I had expected and I'm kind of glad and kind of sad all in one. I just loved them all so much that I never want the stories to end. I'm hoping the new series will bring me the happiness (and sadness and danger and passion and every other emotion) this series has drawn out!
It was good. It took a quick trip down Nix's memory and feelings. There were aspects I was disappointed in regarding Nix but I understand why she wrote it that way. I can't tell you what it was without spoiling it though. The whole ending part was what I had expected and I'm kind of glad and kind of sad all in one. I just loved them all so much that I never want the stories to end. I'm hoping the new series will bring me the happiness (and sadness and danger and passion and every other emotion) this series has drawn out!
July 18, 2021
Honestly, I wish the Bullets had stayed out of this book. I feel like they just ruin everything.
Now after saying that, I absolutely loved the first 80% of this book. It was intriguing. A much better tone than reading about Sunshine and her Bullets.
The trio had a great dynamic and I loved how they had to figure out how their relationships with each other would work.
But the plot felt like it was resolved too quickly? Like did the Ringleaders really buy that?? What happened to everyone afterwards? How did they manage to have a life after that?
I don’t know. I was going to rate this a 4 but a 3 seemed more fitting.
Now after saying that, I absolutely loved the first 80% of this book. It was intriguing. A much better tone than reading about Sunshine and her Bullets.
The trio had a great dynamic and I loved how they had to figure out how their relationships with each other would work.
But the plot felt like it was resolved too quickly? Like did the Ringleaders really buy that?? What happened to everyone afterwards? How did they manage to have a life after that?
I don’t know. I was going to rate this a 4 but a 3 seemed more fitting.
November 29, 2023
Books 1-3 I absolutely loved. I thought book 4 was going to be about Sunshine, Gavriel, Blaise & Ryker but was about Nix, Grace & Alessandro. More of a spin off with the original characters into their story. Really disappointed how they ended the series with this book which should have been its own series on its own. It was rushed and I felt like we didn’t enough of what we needed at the end of book 3 to complete the series for Sunshine, Gavriel, Blaise and Ryker even though they appeared in book 4 it wasn’t enough.
August 9, 2020
Finally!
I feel like it has been forever waiting for this story. I was so frustrated by the author that Nix wasn't something to her. In thankful she waited for her muse to tell his story because this was a great conclusion. I love all these characters. They feel like family. It is bittersweet to be at the end because these stories are how I found this author. Now, it just means that I will have to start on her backlog.
I feel like it has been forever waiting for this story. I was so frustrated by the author that Nix wasn't something to her. In thankful she waited for her muse to tell his story because this was a great conclusion. I love all these characters. They feel like family. It is bittersweet to be at the end because these stories are how I found this author. Now, it just means that I will have to start on her backlog.
October 22, 2020
This is dark romance and mafia story with Nix in love with both Grace and Alessandro. It is a fitting addition to the Sunshine & Bullets trilogy. Nix is essentially the 5th bullet. The bullet, who is Sunshine’s soul mate and best friend. This should be read as the fourth instalment in sequence, as it has characters from the trilogy and is the continuation of the previous 3 books. Worth reading to have Nix, Alessandro & Grace’s story. A fitting conclusion to the Bullet’s storyline.
March 4, 2021
Phoenix was a beloved character while reading Sunshine’s series and I was so excited to learn he was getting his own book. This book was a fast-paced, fun, emotional and steamy read and once I started I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I wasn’t sure about Grace at first but I grew to love her. The story was absolutely perfect and gave us everything we wanted including cameos from our favorite characters from Sunshine’s series. Love Coralee and hope to see more from this world!
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