Cruel Intentions: Rydeville Elite, Book 1

Great story! I can’t believe the story was getting some action and leaving us hanging. I can’t wait to continue the story.

So I felt a whole lot of emotions when listening to this audiobook. I at times had to stop listening because I was so angry or was about to bawl my eyes out. This book is no joke when it comes to the bullying and intensity. If you are used to other bullying books....you probably are not ready for this one. This one was probably the worst I have listened to/read and that is saying something. Now I will say I did eventually for the characters, but it took a lot of time and for some the next book to get me there. I will say I really liked Abi, despite her flaws. She was so tenacious but sometimes naive. Those she cared about (especially Jane, Xavier, and when he wasn't a d-bag, Drew) she would do anything for, even put her own happy and well-being in jeopardy.The beginning of this book instantly drew me in, made me want to cry because her pain and emptiness was palpable. The tension between her and the 3 new elite was so yummy, I was kinda hoping for RH but I get why that couldn't work in this series and I totally agree haha. Jackson was disgusting part of the time, but flirty and fun in others. Sawyer was probably my fav (always love the nerd), and Cam was horrible most of the time but had brief glimpses of what he would later become (who I fell hook line and sinker for in book 2 and definitely book 3). I am super intrigued to see where some of these side characters go/interconnect, but more on that later.I liked all the twists and turns in this book. So much scheming and betrayals and things you were not expecting. The two elite factions are not to be messed with, there are a lot of victims left in their wake. Again I mention this book is not for the faint of heart. There are some things that made my skin crawl (and it will only get worse as the books go on, I will warn you). The baddies in this book just keep getting worse and worse, especially Abi's father and Trent. I won't say more because I don't want to spoil anything, but be ready to hate most of the characters and want their karmic justice so badly haha. I am not sure what the TWs were, I will read through anything at this point haha but he ready for assault/trauma of all kinds from many many characters.The ending of this book was really intense, and I am really glad I didnt start the trilogy until they were all available. I would have flipped with the cliffhangers!!In terms of the narration, these 2 were spot-on. I think Carly did a fabulous job with all the emotions of Abi, Jane, and Rochelle (OMG don't even get me started on her hahaha). I did thinks she was overly breathy at points, but still a really good job. And Tor knocked it out of the park 🔥🔥🔥 Like his voice was liquid sex. He epitomized Cam and did a great job with the other voices. They were different enough I could tell who was who and none of the voices irked me or anything. Listened to the boxset and loved it was duet narration. 4.5 stars for the narration!!🎧 Audiobook Obsession Reviewer - Flock Team 🎧

So I love a good dark romance. I’ve read some doozies that have some intense trigger warnings but this series takes the cake. Literally some of the most disturbing content I’ve ever read. While I did overall like the series, it starts to get really far fetched while also getting more and more disturbing.

Every time I read one of her books I fall more in love. If you are looking for a few tender moments among the crazy this is for you.

Ok first off WOW!🤯 Abby is so freaking strong! This book is an emotional roller coaster! She is put through more than anyone ever should be and I’m honestly dreading the next book! I’ll read it bc I have to know! But damn! This book pulls at all your heartstrings and makes you wonder if trust is really a thing bc dang poor Abby just has no one! Her brother ugh what a wimp!! The things that happen to her in that office is a lot! So if you have triggers read them!I obviously would recommend this book! I gave it 5 stars!But it is an extremely dark bully romance. So go in prepared. The name does not lie!

This series was entertaining, though I don't actually know if that's the right word because it was dark and really really gross/dirty pretty much the whole time. It kept me reading, I will say that.Spoilers Ahead:I did find it odd that the writer chose to use this subject matter and apply it to high school students who aren't even legal adults yet. The cunning and resources that were required to take down the elite were well beyond what I can see high school students accomplishing. And the romance, sexual situations (not your garden variety), and cutthroat society didn't seem very "high school" at all so I had to suspend disbelief. By the 2nd and 3rd books, going to school was an afterthought that is mentioned briefly, but they all missed so many days and it seemed superfluous. This could have been happening to 20 somethings or 30 somethings with some advanced education and life experience and it would have made more sense with the very adult themes and advanced skills needed to overcome the big bad. I just have a hard time looking at my own high school senior and imagining him being able to cope with this sort of thing and he certainly wouldn't have the skills needed to take on something this big. Just weird. No one gets married before they are out of high school these days, so the high school aged thing just seemed to be an extremely odd fit for this particular story.This whole story seemed dystopian even though it is seemingly set in our world. The bad characters were beyond bad and made lives miserable all around them, including family members (I should say, especially family members). This shady underbelly club had so much power and the members got away with anything and everything to the point that it seemed almost mafia-esque, or post apocalyptic. Maybe the inspiration was Epstein? It's an interesting take on all of that high class debauchery that hasn't completely unfolded to this day and possibly never will. Anyway, while it was dark as dark gets, it does make you wonder what these elites are getting up to and how their pairings and family lives actually are.I also had some reservations about the female characters and how they are portrayed throughout the book. Abby was the bestest, most awesomesauce girl that all the boys loved, and all of the other girls and women were portrayed in a pretty negative light. Jane as the bestie was fine, but pretty flat, and later we have another friend who isn't really important to the plot that passes muster. Rochelle and pretty much every other woman and girl in this society is either weak, mentally damaged, or party to their own sexual exploitation. The moms were beaten down so I'm not really including them in this, but I still don't understand why Olivia would love Atticus so much (and cheat with a good friend's husband) when he was just as toxic as her own husband. That was another odd story line that was never really fleshed out.So, long/short, this series had some issues that bothered me but it did keep me up at night reading into the wee hours and I do recommend it as long as you don't mind dark and some square pegs trying to fit in round holes.

It has a strong female lead and lots of twists and turne with a good plot line that gets you hooked and wanting more. Loved it

What a story. Loved it. Super good. Sometimes I feel like it could have been more detailed. But awesome! Really enjoyed it

My first book by this author and I didn’t expected that .. at all ..I loved it !A real bully romance , dark, painful, sexy and so addicting ! I couldn’t put my kindle down ! From the first word to the last word I was hooked !! Plot twists and betrayal ! And the end ? Mind blowing !An amazing book ! Must read !

So I’m hoping to keep this light on the spoiler side so that if you haven’t read this series yet you go download it and stop putting it off.The book starts out with highly emotional scene, Abby is about ready to give up, she’s stuck in a life that she has no control over and isn’t sure she can escape from. But one night with a guy who makes her feel alive is the thing that tears her world apart.Rydeville is the school for the Elite and The children of the founding families; Trent , Charlie and Drew are the rulers of the school.Then there are the new elite. Camden, Jackson and Sawyer. And these guys are ready to destroy the rules and cause chaos for everyone.This book introduces each of the complex and despicable characters in a way which has you despising them and the life that Abby is forced to lead.Abby is sassy, smart and very strong willed where she is expected to be pliant and pretty. After a brutal punishment in front of those who are meant to protect her we finally see another side of her and we find out some truths from the guys. Then just as we feel we know what is happening another bombshell is dropped.There are so many twists and turns throughout the story and of course there is an EPIC cliffhanger to leave you wanting more.This book is angsty, dark, brilliant and addictive. It’s got some steam but it’s only book one.

This gave all the feels and then some! Just read at your risk and I'm telling you at the end of this you're not gonna regret picking this up