If We Were Villains: The Sensational TikTok Book Club pick: M.L. Rio

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Quiet night with James and Oliver. A nigh they never get to have. Language: English Words: 727 Chapters: 1/1 Comments: 1 Kudos: 27 Bookmarks: 1 Hits: 388 Oliver Marks (31), is serving a ten year prison sentence for murdering his former theatre school friend, Richard Stirling. Although Oliver’s confession, the case’s primary investigator, Detective Colborne, has always felt Oliver was not the murderer. He pays one final visit to Oliver in jail, asking him to give him the truth now that Colborne is about to retire from the force.

The game Aces is playing is a dangerous one and soon it becomes obvious they are planning something much larger than just high school. But these are the only (somewhat) positive things I have to say about this book: it's very accessible from the get go, the characters are easy to love (and hate) and the building climax to the inevitable murder is thrilling. Sadly, this is also where the downfall of this novel lies. For someone who has a masters in Shakespeare Studies, M.L. Rio sure as hell doesn't know how to structure her novel/play properly. If there is one thing she should've learned by studying Shakespeare so meticulously, it is that you do not place the murder in the second act, especially if that's the only big upset of the whole plot. Villain Has a Point: Okay, so maybe Richard is not the nicest of guys, but he is kind of right in that if James and Oliver had gotten a grip and admitted their feelings earlier, Oliver wouldn't have slept with Meredith and Richard wouldn't have been angry enough to try and shove James around at the lake, leading to his death and the rest of their problems. Meredith – New theatre department director of Dellecher Classical Conservatory. She is a talented director who has a strained relationship with Oliver and the other students. And each act, to me, really highlights a different Shakespearean play, that really sets the tone for what is unfolding in that act. From A Midsummer Night's Dream, to Julius Caesar, to King Lear, to Romeo and Juliet, to so many more; the honoring, appreciation, and celebration are all there and it truly makes for a read like no other. This book is a love letter to theater. And this book is structured so perfectly, written so expertly, that I really think that R.L. Rio crafted something beyond genius.

I want to thank Chaima, Melanie, and Aleksandra for encouraging me to read this, because honestly... dear god. don’t be afraid to skim the Shakespeare quotes (of which there are MANY) if you don’t understand them. don’t get too caught up if you’re confused… you’ll start to understand the scenes through context. :) Alexander is a freakshow really, a junkhead and definitely the villain of the story, but he might be the one you’ll go to when you want to forget about your worries; he exudes this calmness that you cannot grasp, but you definitely need in life;

This romantic tragedy is the perfect tale and refreshing take on one of the old classics and a great read for those looking for a book like If We Were Villains. By introducing the boys to all sorts of famous and talented poets such as Shelley, Byron and Keats, they learn about living life in the moment. The ending was something you would see coming, but wouldn't see coming.The last line..GUYS the last line..i have no wordsThe evening before he is due to be released on parole after serving ten years for an unspecified crime, Oliver Marks is approached by the lead investigator on his case, Detective Colborne. Suspicious of the official story, Colborne announces his retirement from the police force and asks Oliver to finally tell him the truth. Oliver accepts but requests that Colborne not act upon what Oliver will tell him. go into this knowing that it will take some brainpower — it is not a light, fast-paced read. this book is difficult in many ways (including the writing style and the content.)