"Off Campus" by Amy Jo Cousins

This first book in the Bend or Break series centers on Tom Worthington, who is returning to college after taking time off to deal with the revelation that his father has been running a ponzi scheme.  He's been gypsy-cabbing for cash in Boston and sleeping in his car.  Now that he has enough money to live in the older student dorm, he's surprised to find that he has a roommate, and the roommate hates him at first sight.  Reese Anders is technically too young for this dorm, but he was brutally bullied by jocks during his freshman year, and he's been separated for his safety.  Unfortunately, Tom was once a college jock, and Reese will do just about anything to get him to leave.

Poor Reese and Tom have both been through very tough times, although in vastly different circumstances.  Their interactions are tense, funny, and uncomfortable but evolve into a grudging friendship.  However, Tom's ongoing money problems and Reese's continued harassment by his tormentors threaten to push them both over the edge.  Will they bend or break?  314 pages (Kindle edition).