Thoroughly enjoyed this one! Ashley Jade's ability to write smooth, natural character dialog is top-notch. I so appreciate that! It makes for a more worthwhile reading experience and just a fun time. This story had me glued to the pages, read it in one sitting. I read some reviews upset with how Jace treats Dylan, but you have to get to the end for it to make complete sense why he acts the way he does. Once you do, you won't be so upset with him - you'll end up understanding and sympathizing....

Thoroughly enjoyed this one! Ashley Jade's ability to write smooth, natural character dialog is top-notch. I so appreciate that! It makes for a more worthwhile reading experience and just a fun time. This story had me glued to the pages, read it in one sitting. I read some reviews upset with how Jace treats Dylan, but you have to get to the end for it to make complete sense why he acts the way he does. Once you do, you won't be so upset with him - you'll end up understanding and sympathizing. I really had a good time with this book, and I'm immediately hopping into the next, Ruthless Knight. There were definitely some exciting tidbits thrown in about Sawyer & Cole that has me chopping at the bit to get straight into it. I adored Sawyer's spunk. I wish there were more feisty female characters like her around these romance book streets. Sadly and extremely disappointingly, they are few and far between. A. Jade is quickly becoming one of my favorite romance authors. Her books (writing style, character dialog & plot) are consistently reliable, with the exception of Hate Me, which was slightly too sensational for my tastes. I also can't fail to mention how fantastic the cheeky banter was in this book, along with some of the shenanigans some characters got up to. There is a dic pic incident that had me rolling out loud with laughter. It was fabulously hilarious!

*Updated 6/22/24*

This book just does something for me I can't explain. It's as good, if not better, the 2nd time around. It is extremely, extremely rare that I have the desire to reread a book. I only read this book for the 1st time a few months back. I've, now, finished it for the 2nd time, and I know I will 1000% be rereading it once again. I am rereading Ruthless Knight next - as in, as soon as I finish this updated review.

Whenever I start getting frustrated because other books/ stories aren't cutting it, I know I can turn to some of this author's work and be revived. If you haven't read this series, I would highly encourage you to give it a chance. The first 2 books in this Royal Hearts Academy series are the absolute best high school bully romances I've ever read (and probably ever will read). While a few, very few, have come close... this is the best, imo. I would compare it to the first couple of books from The Fall Away series by Penelope Douglas. And as much as I love those - these are better. Cruel Prince & Ruthless Knight are my Gold Standard in this category.

Four stars for a heartbreakingly beautiful story of love and hate.

I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book. From the love, the hate, the s*x, the emotion, the well written characters to the writing, all together equaled one thrilling ride. I have to say my most favorite part of this book was the writing and how the author was able to capture such intense emotions in wording. I felt everyone of Dylan’s tears and Jace’s pain felt like my own. Every emotion was wrapped in depth and re...

Four stars for a heartbreakingly beautiful story of love and hate.

I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book. From the love, the hate, the s*x, the emotion, the well written characters to the writing, all together equaled one thrilling ride. I have to say my most favorite part of this book was the writing and how the author was able to capture such intense emotions in wording. I felt everyone of Dylan’s tears and Jace’s pain felt like my own. Every emotion was wrapped in depth and realism. The author is a true work of talent. Dylan and Jace’s story was about friendship, hate, grief and loss but also about the power of love. This is one story that will sit with you long after the last page.

Dylan‘s character was one of my favorite heroines that I’ve read in a long time. She was complex and complete. Tough as nails when she needed to be, raw and emotional when it counted most and strong and brave when she had no choice. Overall a very well written character. I like that we only got Jace’s POV a few times. Which was very poignant to the story. Each one of his POV showcased a layer to his character. We got him when he was in rage, in desire, in pain and in grief, all coming together to build a realistic hero ... or anti-hero actually.

Four stars because as much as I enjoyed the build up that this novel was, the ending was unbelievably lackluster. Kinda like being on a roller coaster ... you soar to the top with adrenaline and anticipation but once you reach the peak, the ride going down is slow and disappointing. I was very disappointed in the ending. Compared to the whole book the ending was weak and flat. Jace not only bullied Dylan, he damn near tried to destroyed her and all it took was literally a couple sentences and it was all better and on to the HEA. Jace was cruel and ruthless as ever in the beginning and I just kind of felt like his redemption wasn’t very redeemable. The no resolution to Oakley and Dylan’s aunt having s*x was also a major turn off. A very important subplot that wasn’t extended on or resolved. Dylan and Oakley became close as cousins and her Aunt is literally her only the only family she has. Important people in her life. Finding out they were having s*x was an important plot. And the author literally open ended it with one sentence. There was no finality. I kinda felt cheated out on. To read such a profound story and it end so badly.

However, overall, I really did enjoy this book. I loved the brotherhood between Jace, Cole and Oakley. And I swooned at the heat between Dylan and Jace. I also adored Oakley. His character and personality were hilarious. I laughed out loud multiple times reading his commentary. There’s a lot possibility with his character and even though the series is focused on the Covington siblings, I hope he gets his own novel.

I can’t wait for book 2!