Cruel IntentionsRydeville High Elite #1
By:
Siobhan Davis
Published:
June 10, 2019
Add to:
Goodreads
Source:
eARC in exchange for honest review
Warnings:
Explicit Physical/Sexual Abuse
Mature Content 18+
Book Synopsis:
In the power struggle between two elite groups, one feisty girl will bring them to their knees…
Life is a cruel game where only the most ruthless survive. It’s a truth my mother rebelled against, and she paid for it with her life. Now, I play their game. Publicly accepting the destiny that lies in wait for me when I turn eighteen.
But, behind closed doors, I plot my escape.
Trent, Charlie, and my twin, Drew, rule the hallways of Rydeville High with arrogance and an iron fist. I execute my role perfectly, hating every second, but they never let me forget my place in this world.
Everyone obeys the rules. They have for generations. Because our families have always been in control.
Until Cam, Sawyer, and Jackson show up. Throwing their new money around. Challenging the status quo. Setting hearts racing with their gorgeous faces, hot bodies, and bad boy attitudes.
Battle lines are drawn. Sides are taken. And I’m trapped in the middle, because I made a mistake one fateful night when I gave my V-card to a stranger in a blatant F you to my fiancé.
I thought it was the one thing I owned. A precious memory to carry me through each dark day.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Because the stranger was Camden Marshall, leader of the new elite and my perpetual tormenter. He hates me with a passion unrivaled, and he won’t be the only one. Fire will rain down if the truth is revealed, threatening alliances, and the power struggle will turn vicious.
My life will hang in the balance.
But I’ll be ready, and I’m not going down without a fight.
My Thoughts:
Cruel Intentions was a book that drew me in with it's steamy cover and intriguing book synopsis. However, it was Ms. Davis' ability to tell a phenomenal story, that completely hooked me!
I was on vacation with my daughter and husband when I started the book. I figured that I'd read a little bit each night before bed. Boy, was that a mistake! I didn't want to put this story down! So there I was reading it every chance I got. Knott's Berry Farm... Disneyland... Eating Breakfast... Lunch... Dinner... Everything I did included reading Cruel Intentions off of my Kindle or iPhone until the story ended. My poor husband kept trying to talk to me, and my head was buried in the story. He'd say, "Let's go grab some food, and I'd say "Ok, after I finish just one more chapter!" Needless to say, he's a very patient man, but I could tell he was getting frustrated with me.
Cruel Intentions is a dark enemies to lovers romance. This story blew me away with all of the intrigue, manipulation, lies, deceit, and crazy twists and turns! In seventeen year old Abigail Hearst-Manning's world, you don't know who to trust. It's hard to distinguish friend from enemy, and the only way to keep people in line, even "friends," is through blackmail and manipulation.
Abby is a part of the "Old Elite," the wealthiest and most powerful founding families. Her father is a sadistic, dangerous, and power-hungry man who controls every aspect of her life, including forcing her into an arranged marriage once she turns eighteen, with his best friend/business partner's son, Trent, who is just as horrible and abusive. The rest of the old elite include her twin brother Drew, best friend Jane, and good friend Charlie. Abby is forced to wear a mask of superiority and contentment, despite hating every aspect of her life, except ballet, and a few close friendships.
Part of the marriage arrangement between Abby and Trent stipulates that she must be a virgin on her wedding night, despite the fact that her fiancee is a manwhore. In a vulnerable moment of lust, and emotional need, Abby loses her virginity to a stranger. She is shocked and anxious when she learns that the guy that she lost her virginity to is Camden Marshall, leader of the new elite, which includes Sawyer and Jackson. They come from new money, and their families are extremely powerful as well. However, the old and new elite are enemies, and Abby and Camden will go head to head in a battle of wills.
I loved Abby's character. She was a pillar of strength, perseverance, and resilience. She was intelligent, and loyal (to those who deserved it). Camden was a sexy, artistic, intriguing and mysterious alpha male. We know that he hates Abby, but as readers we are left in the dark, for the reasons behind his intense hatred and anger towards her. He was a character full of contradictions. At times, we saw a dark and twisted side to him, and yet at other times we saw a deeply caring and loyal side to him. He had mixed feelings towards Abby, and his actions reflected this. Abby and Camden's attraction was visceral, unshakable, and explosive. It took on a life of its own, and could not be denied.
The story ended in a torturous cliffhanger! I'm talking about the kind where you are yelling at your kindle, and saying, "What?!!! No! This can't be it!!! I don't know how I'm going to wait until the next installment. Shocking revelations came to light, danger and intrigue are at an all time high, and Abby and Camden's story is no where close to over! I wish I had the rest of the story in hand to see how everything is going to play out.
Fans of Penelope Douglas' Devil's Night Series, as well as dark bully romance, multi-layered stories full of drama, twists, suspense, and off the charts steam, need to read this story! I give, Cruel Intentions, by Siobhan Davis 4.5 Aphrodisiac, Alluring, Scandalous, and Page-Turning Stars!!!
Book Teaser:
Book Excerpt:
“Hopefully, Camden Marshall acts as a suitable distraction, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.”
“I wonder what he’s like?” she muses, staring idly out the window.
“I spent most of last night Googling him, but it’s so weird, there isn’t a single photo of him or his family online.”
“Drew said they are notoriously reclusive.”
“Apparently so, according to the gossip sites. Camden’s father has Techxet—Sawyer’s father’s company—on retainer, and a team of technical specialists is dedicated twenty-four-seven to finding and removing all photographic content and any unsavory online content. I could barely find out anything about him other than his father is Wesley Marshall, owner of a pharmaceutical company called Femerst, and a much-respected philanthropist, and he met Sawyer and Hunt when they all enrolled at a private New York school a couple of years ago.”
“I bet he’s hot,” Jane speculates as our driver pulls into the entrance to Rydeville High.
“Of course, he’s hot. I don’t need a picture to confirm that. Hot, rich assholes always stick together. We should know.”
I spot Oscar fighting a smile through the front mirror.
“Just don’t go kissing this one,” Jane whispers, her expression half serious, half mischievous.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be going nowhere near Camden Marshall. Trust me on that score.”
Book and Series Information:
Watch the Trailer: https://smarturl.it/CruelIntentionsTR
Add the rest of the series to GoodReads today!
Twisted Betrayal (#2): https://smarturl.it/TwistedBetrayalGR
Sweet Retribution (#3): https://smarturl.it/SweetRetribGR
Join the Rydeville High Elite Spoiler Group: http://bit.ly/2WKtbwp
Purchase At:
Download your copy today or read FREE
in Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon | Amazon Worldwide | Audible | B&N
Google | IndieBound | TBD
Download your copy today or read FREE
in Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon | Amazon Worldwide | Audible | B&N
Google | IndieBound | TBD
About the Author:
Siobhan’s family will tell you she’s a little bit obsessive when it comes to reading and writing, and they aren’t wrong. She can rarely be found without her trusty Kindle, a paperback book, or her laptop somewhere close at hand.
Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in human resource management.
She resides in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.
Lindy Fantastic review! I'm still laughing at the vacation visual "one more chapter" I think the husbands of book addicts could form a support group.
ReplyDeleteThis is going on my list
Sorry I've been awol lately but we're dealing with being flooded out of our home, living with relatives and just the day to day of still living. I'm hoping to someday soon put a blog post about it
Ohhhh this one sounds goood! I love enemies to lovers and sprinkle in some dark twists and I am definitely intrigued. Great review!
ReplyDeleteOh you must be impatient to have the sequel with such an end and you made me curious about Abby!
ReplyDeleteHa! Sorry, shouldn't laugh, but your dilemma sounded like something that would happen to me.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, that does sound deliciously dark and twisty. Yikes on being left hanging, but hopefully it will come out quickly. :)
oooh haha I didn't know bully romances were a thing Lindy but they sound like something I would like. And you are too cute reading with your husband, luckily for him you only brought one book? ❤️ Great review you totally sold me if it beats vacationing!
ReplyDeleteLOL....some authors I know this about and plan "alone time" with them. Too funny! Wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteLove the review Lindy! A shame that it ends in a cliffhanger. Interesting that there's an arranged marriage, and she ends up falling for another Elite! I think I need to know more about this series!
ReplyDelete