Welcome to their kingdom.
Cole Covington is the most popular heartbreaker at school.
Every guy wants to be him and every girl wants to screw him.
Except me.
His devastatingly good looks, golden arm, and flirty smiles don't do it for me anymore...because I know what's lurking underneath the star quarterback's gorgeous armor.
At least I thought I did.
Sometimes the most beautiful people...hide the ugliest truths.
And sometimes the only way to save someone...
is to walk beside them through hell.
Sawyer Church is the bible-thumping nerd of Royal Hearts Academy.
Girls pick on her and guys don't notice her.
Except me.
Sweet, curvy, and sarcastic, she's impossible to ignore.
No matter how much I try.
Everyone at school has her pegged as the chubby, Jesus loving geek, but unlike them—Sawyer's real and never pretends to be someone she's not.
Until I ask her to be my fake girlfriend.
Sometimes the most beautiful souls...hide the greatest pain.
And sometimes the only way to save someone...
is to fight for them.
REVIEW: 4 STARS
"She tastes like innocence and fire...an intoxicating combination if there ever was one."
After reading Cruel Prince, I was extremely excited to check out Cole and Sawyer's twisted story - definitely an anticipation that ramped us as the release date came closer. Their dynamic in that first book made me smile, but I knew there was something a little more sinister boiling behind Cole's outward persona. His popularity was a facade that had a heavily barricaded heart and a very troubled and heartbreaking past. This was an eye opening and self-deprecating, emotional read that wasn't one I could barrel through. This was a time consuming read between the background that was built into their comeuppance and the variables that were strewn about because of their emotional wounds. Two very troubled kids for very different reasons.... but they found solace in each other.
Going into this book, I knew there was going to be some depth to discover with Cole and the way he handled not only himself, but also how he reacted to everyone else around him. I honestly loved Cole’s intensity. He had so many unexpected layers. Jade gave his struggle so much "personality" and reality, so I could appreciate he wasn't one dimensional. Was he a little predictable in his self-loathing, given what happened? Sure, but Jade explored a very real subject and allowed the anger and the pain to manifest into this beast that he had no control over. I loved the way he fought everything. Hot-headed punk with a heart that needed some love - but he was a a stubborn punk in every right, too. Pride is a two headed monster. On one side, it’s good because it keeps your head up and goals centered. On the other, you’re too damn stubborn to see what’s right in front of you and willing to accept it.
"You're addicting, Bible Thumper. But you're my addiction."
Sawyer was the same spit-fire she was in the first book, but she had me giggling quite a few times. She was sarcastic and had some times where she was absolutely clever with her comebacks and that had me loving her strength even more - most appreciatively, their banter was on point. However, I want to address Sawyer's character, because I feel like that will be a point of contention for many - but I also think that a bigger picture will be missed if there isn't an understanding placed with the reader. I loved the problems she had and I love that Jade gave her struggles page time, because they are very real struggles. The aggravation I saw and the pain I felt from her, I loved that her story was told the way it was. It's not the same for everyone and this one was very definitely a different narrative than what I have read in the past and I enjoyed that so much.
"You're addicting, Bible Thumper. But you're my addiction."
Sawyer was the same spit-fire she was in the first book, but she had me giggling quite a few times. She was sarcastic and had some times where she was absolutely clever with her comebacks and that had me loving her strength even more - most appreciatively, their banter was on point. However, I want to address Sawyer's character, because I feel like that will be a point of contention for many - but I also think that a bigger picture will be missed if there isn't an understanding placed with the reader. I loved the problems she had and I love that Jade gave her struggles page time, because they are very real struggles. The aggravation I saw and the pain I felt from her, I loved that her story was told the way it was. It's not the same for everyone and this one was very definitely a different narrative than what I have read in the past and I enjoyed that so much.
One thing that resonated with me was I found myself constantly contemplating the drama that was weaved throughout the pages. Not only did Jade give me the normal teenaged drama while adding some liberties with other high school drama, she showcased how messed up a teenagers life can be and made it very age appropriate. Something seemingly inconsequential was blown out of proportion - fittingly so. And even though looking from the outside in, it looks like a dream - that added another layer of misleading deception. I love how she portrayed their problems, especially in the way most teenagers see small problems and how things can escalate farther than they imagined. Some things didn't line up with some of the variables (money and "problems"), but it mostly gave a little push for everything to work itself out. The give and take was probably one of my favorite parts of this story and I feel like it was paced aptly.
While it was overwhelmingly long, the story did progress and never really felt stagnant. There was almost enough recap of the first book that didn’t have anything to do with this book that could have easily been cut giving us less pages to peruse, but it wasn’t a negative hindrance to the story - it just added unnecessary length. Given everything Cole and Sawyer went through, their story was the main focus and that's what I wanted to concentrate on - so sometimes the outside reminders of what happened in Cruel Prince didn't directly affect the scene at hand, and while it was a great recap, I didn't think it was entirely necessary. But, like I said - I don't think this book ever stalled for me and I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed it immensely - crazy drama and all.
Pain does not negate love. Sometimes, they’re one in the same. <-- I couldn't help but think that the entire time I read this book. My words, not Jade's, but they kept coming out while I read it because she allowed me to feel a sense of despondency and elation as each battle emerged and was fought. The strength in Cole and Sawyer's attachment felt real and they were bonded on a deeper level than I initially imagined.
I am looking forward to getting this one signed and setting it on my shelf next to my copy of Cruel Prince. I enjoyed the first book, but this second book swept me up in a hailstorm of pain and vitriol, popularity and pride. But the end result being a love that wasn't easily won but was most definitely deserved.
"How come lies are so beautiful and the truth is always so fucking ugly?"
~BEE
Welcome to their kingdom...
I never thought I'd step foot in Royal Manor again.
But four years later, here I am...back to finish my senior year at Royal Hearts Academy.
And forced to face Jace Covington.
My first friend. First crush. First kiss.
The one I left behind.
Only—he isn't the same boy I gave my heart to.
This new Jace is as cruel as he is gorgeous.
And he's determined to make my life a living hell.
Along with the rest of his glorified family and crew of tyrants.
They expect me to worship the ground they walk on like everyone else, but I'd rather eat dirt.
If Jace Covington wants me gone...he'll have to try harder.
Because I've never been the kind of girl to play by the rules.
My review: http://bit.ly/2NArj4p
Chapter Reveal: http://bit.ly/2MNgcF2
by ASHLEY JADE
Welcome to their kingdom.
This is book 3 in the Royal Hearts Academy series. Please note: Although this is Bianca's book, Cruel Prince (Jace and Dylan’s book) and Ruthless Knight (Cole and Sawyer's book) should be read first for a better understanding of the family dynamic and to avoid spoilers.
WARNING: Royal Hearts Academy is a New Adult/High School series of standalones filled with drama, a touch of angst, and boys who are bad to the bone. And when I say bad, I mean they are assholes with a capital A. If you're looking for a safe, sweet romance, this series is NOT for you. At all! Please don't say you weren't warned.
Blurb coming soon.
Cover coming soon.
Release date coming soon.
~MEET ASHLEY JADE~
Ashley Jade loves to tackle different genres and tropes within romance. Her first loves are New Adult Romance and Romantic Suspense, but she also writes everything in between including: contemporary romance, erotica, and dark romance. Her characters are flawed and complex, and chances are you will hate them before you fall head over heels in love with them.
She’s a die-hard lover of oxford commas, em dashes, music, coffee, and anything thought provoking…except for math.
Books make her heart beat faster and writing makes her soul come alive. She’s always read books growing up and scribbled stories in her journal, and after having a strange dream one night; she decided to just go for it and publish her first series.
It was the best decision she ever made.
If she’s not paying off student loan debt, working, or writing a novel—you can usually find her listening to music, hanging out with her readers online, and pondering the meaning of life.
Check out her amazon page and Facebook page for future novels. She recently became hip and joined Twitter, so you can find her there, too. She loves connecting with her readers—they make her world go round’.
~CONNECT WITH ASHLEY~
Another great review!
ReplyDelete