Bully 4 Love by Steven Paul Leiva

Author

Bully 4 Love

Bully 4 Love is set in the 1990s and a bit beyond. It is narrated by Adolphus, a history professor at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, California (you know, where they do the Rose Parade each New Year's Day). He agrees to teach a nighttime Adult Education class at a local High School as a favor for a friend. On the first day of class, the first student to walk in is Lavinia, a radiant beauty fashionably dressed and expensively bejeweled, especially her wedding ring. Adolphus is intrigued at first glance. And even more so when Lavinia shows a hunger for education and a deep interest in history. She's a mystery woman. That first night, after class, he secretly follows her out to the front of the school and watches from a distance as she is picked up by a large man in a big Rolls Royce. He is obviously her husband, judging by the kiss he gives her. One evening, after class, when Lavinia's husband Eugene is out of town, she and Adolhpus go to a local historic drug store, replete with an old-fashioned soda fountain. Over two of the fountains' famous vanilla malts, Adolphus learns the story of Lavinia and Eugene's romance and marriage. When Lavinia shows Adolphus a photo of Eugene, he almost falls off his little soda fountain chair and has to force himself not to throw up. Lavinia's Eugene Carson is obviously, despite the time that had passed, Adolphus' Gene Pytka, the bane of his high school existence. The bully who daily harassed the young Adolphus. And who committed an act of violence against Adolphus, both weird and traumatic. And so begins a rather odd love story, at times a comic tale of twists and turns and surprises. An account of love rejected, love ignored, love revealed—and pizza.

Reviews

Jean Rabe, USA Today Bestselling Author

"I love the writing in this story. I love the characters, the play of words. The book made me feel something … anger, happiness, sympathy, and it made me smile. And I went back and reread some pages because they were that well written."

MOM KAT READS blog

Adolphus didn't know it, but his life would be forever changed when a woman named Lavinia walked into his Adult Education class. The changes wouldn't come directly from or through her, though something about her presence seemed to bring about great change in those whose lives she touched.

This was an unusual story. In the beginning, I wasn't sure what to make of it. It's isn't your typical romance story. (Lavinia is a very happily married woman, and there is no physical, romantic, or emotional relationship between Adolphus & Lavinia.) This book more truly explores the story of Adolphus & Livinia's husband Eugene.

But again, it is not a physical or romantic love story between these two men, but more a story of how their lives intertwined throughout the years. The two had known each other as children, and while in the beginning they seemed destined to destroy one another's futures, instead it turns out that they are meant to be each other's saviors.

I really enjoyed reading this story. It brings you through the full range of human relationships. This book at times made me laugh and at other times made me cry. This is a contemporary tale that you really won't want to miss.

Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys reading deeply personal stories about how the simplest of things can be the catalyst to forever alter the course of someone's life.

The Faeire Review

I will say this definitely lived up to the title – it’s odd. Not bad odd, and definitely interesting. I was captured from the first page, and the unique style kept me turning pages until the end. Above all, this story is about connections. Connections to each other, romantic, platonic, professional. I’m not sure if I’d call it a romance necessarily, and if you’re looking for your typical romance story, you’ll be sorely disappointed. If, however, you want something that is off the beaten path, and a bit unique, then this is exactly what you’re looking for. A must read. — Liliyana Shadowlyn, The Faeire Review

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