You know that feeling when you finish a book and immediately need to see the other side of the story? Not just want, but need. That’s exactly what happened with the Fall Away series. Most readers started with Bully, watching Tate get put through the wringer by Jared Ryel. But it wasn't until Until You by Penelope Douglas hit the shelves that we actually understood the "why" behind the cruelty. It changed everything. Suddenly, the villain wasn't just a jerk; he was a person drowning in his own bad decisions and a massive secret.
The Jared Ryel Perspective: More Than Just a Retelling
Writing a book from the male perspective after the original is out can be a gamble. Sometimes it feels like a cash grab. A lazy copy-paste job. But Penelope Douglas didn't do that here. Until You by Penelope Douglas isn't just Bully with "he said" instead of "she said." It’s a deep, often uncomfortable look into Jared’s head.
He’s messy. He’s angry.
The book kicks off by showing us the exact moment Jared’s life fractured. We see the summer in Chicago. We see the betrayal he thought he suffered. Honestly, it makes his behavior toward Tate slightly more logical, even if it's still totally inexcusable. That’s the magic of Douglas’s writing—she makes you empathize with someone you kind of want to punch in the face.
Why the Bully Trope Works (and Where It Fails)
Bully romances are everywhere now. TikTok is obsessed with them. However, back when this series was gaining traction, it felt fresher. The "enemies-to-lovers" pipeline is narrow. If the hero is too mean, the redemption feels fake. If he’s too soft, the "bully" label doesn't stick.
Jared Ryel walks a razor-thin line.
In Until You by Penelope Douglas, we get the internal monologue that justifies—in his mind—the year of silence and the year of torment. It’s about power. When you feel like you’ve lost control of your home life, you exert it elsewhere. For Jared, that was Tate. It's a psychological profile of a teenager who doesn't have the emotional tools to handle a crumbling family dynamic.
The Problem with "Redemption"
Let’s be real for a second. In the real world, if a guy treats you like Jared treated Tate, you don't marry him. You get a restraining order. But in the world of New Adult fiction, we’re looking for that specific brand of catharsis.
We want to see the moment the mask slips.
Douglas delivers that in the scenes where Jared is alone. We see him struggling with his feelings for Tate while trying to maintain his "tough guy" persona for his friends, especially Madoc. The tension isn't just between the hero and heroine; it’s between Jared and his own conscience.
Key Differences Between Bully and Until You
If you’re wondering if you can skip this one, the answer is no. You've got to see the new scenes. Douglas added significant content that wasn't in the first book, specifically regarding Jared’s relationship with his father and the mechanics of the "betrayal."
- The Chicago Backstory: We get a much clearer picture of what happened during that fateful summer.
- The Internal Turmoil: Jared’s obsession with cars isn't just a hobby; it’s his escape. The way he describes mechanics and speed mirrors his need for control.
- The Epilogue: This is usually what seals the deal for fans. It gives a glimpse into the future that the original book lacked.
The Impact on the New Adult Genre
Penelope Douglas basically helped define the "darker" side of New Adult. She doesn't shy away from the ugly parts of growing up. Until You by Penelope Douglas proved that readers are willing to forgive a lot if they're given a seat at the table during the character's lowest moments.
It’s about the vulnerability.
When Jared finally breaks, it feels earned because we've spent 300 pages watching him build those walls. It's not just a romance; it's a study on how trauma cycles through a community. Jared’s dad is a nightmare, so Jared becomes a nightmare. Tate is the only thing that breaks the circuit.
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Breaking Down the "Secret"
For those who haven't read it in a while, the big reveal involves Jared’s mother and a web of lies that would make a soap opera writer blush. The reason Jared hated Tate wasn't actually about Tate. It was about the fact that she represented the "perfect" life he was being kicked out of.
He was jealous.
It’s a very human, very petty emotion. And honestly? It’s more relatable than some grand, noble sacrifice. Most teenagers are petty. Most teenagers lash out when they’re hurt. By grounding Jared’s motivations in jealousy and abandonment, Douglas made him a permanent fixture in the "Book Boyfriend" hall of fame—even if he is a massive "red flag" for the first half of the story.
How to Approach the Fall Away Series Today
If you're diving in for the first time in 2026, the reading order matters. Some people say read Bully then Until You. Others suggest reading them side-by-side.
Don't do that.
Read Bully first. Let yourself hate Jared. Let yourself feel Tate’s confusion and pain. Then, and only then, pick up Until You by Penelope Douglas. The emotional payoff is way higher when you already have a preconceived notion of who Jared is, only to have Douglas tear it down.
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Actionable Steps for Romance Readers
If you’re looking to get the most out of your Penelope Douglas experience or just want to explore the genre further, here is how to navigate it.
Check the Trigger Warnings First
Douglas writes "dark" for a reason. There’s emotional abuse, bullying (obviously), and some heavy family themes. If those aren't for you, this won't be your cup of tea.
Follow the Chronology
After you finish Jared and Tate's story, move on to Rival (Madoc’s book) and Falling Away (Jax’s book). The series is best experienced as a sprawling family saga rather than standalone novels.
Analyze the "Why"
When reading Until You by Penelope Douglas, pay attention to the silence. Jared’s biggest mistakes happen when he stops talking. It’s a great lesson in how lack of communication ruins relationships—even if you aren't a fictional character in a high-stakes romance novel.
Engage with the Community
The "Fall Away" fandom is still massive on platforms like Goodreads and Discord. Because these characters are so divisive, the discussions are usually pretty heated and insightful. You'll find plenty of people who still think Jared went too far, and others who will defend him to the death.
Ultimately, the book stands as a testament to the power of perspective. It reminds us that every "villain" in our lives has a narrative running in their head where they are the victim, or the hero, or just someone trying to survive the day. Whether or not you forgive them is up to you, but understanding them makes for a much better story.