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A Flawed Series #2
Brutal
I will take revenge. Their day of disaster will arrive. I am their Ruin.
I need to believe that, because someone has to push back against the crap in the world. That someone is us. What happened to my best friend may have formed Ruin, but fixing it didn't break our group. If anything, the seven of us are stronger than ever.
But the bad guys still exist. They're also getting worse. When I find out they're tormenting a group of girls at school, I have to act. Women are supposed to help each other, after all. At least that's what my "girl lessons" have taught me.
Unfortunately, these guys aren't stupid. The proof of blackmail is nowhere to be found. That means it's time to go analog and do this "old school." Because if we can't tear them down legally, I'm more than willing to destroy them socially.
As the situation escalates, I'm drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. These guys are brutal, think they're untouchable, and they have no qualms about hurting people to get what they want.
So I'm going to have to take a few risks.
After all, I have nothing else to lose - or do I?
There are some situations in this book that may be jarring for some readers. Please check the front of the book via the "Look Inside" option for the Sensitivity Warning & Lifelines for further details.
I need to believe that, because someone has to push back against the crap in the world. That someone is us. What happened to my best friend may have formed Ruin, but fixing it didn't break our group. If anything, the seven of us are stronger than ever.
But the bad guys still exist. They're also getting worse. When I find out they're tormenting a group of girls at school, I have to act. Women are supposed to help each other, after all. At least that's what my "girl lessons" have taught me.
Unfortunately, these guys aren't stupid. The proof of blackmail is nowhere to be found. That means it's time to go analog and do this "old school." Because if we can't tear them down legally, I'm more than willing to destroy them socially.
As the situation escalates, I'm drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. These guys are brutal, think they're untouchable, and they have no qualms about hurting people to get what they want.
So I'm going to have to take a few risks.
After all, I have nothing else to lose - or do I?
There are some situations in this book that may be jarring for some readers. Please check the front of the book via the "Look Inside" option for the Sensitivity Warning & Lifelines for further details.
646 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2023
217 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
February 17, 2024
This book is still taking place between Gamer Girls books 4 and 5. Book 5 will start a few weeks after the end of this book.
We get to see the full formation Jericho's polycule in this book. I LOVE that they include 2 friendships as essential to the cule, even though there is nothing sexual between all of them.
The book is aptly named as this book leaves off on a brutal cliffhanger. I am so glad that book 3's release got moved up!
There is more intimate time in this book, and we see it between all the members of Jericho's harem. Riley (from Gamer Girls) makes Knocks first time embarrassing as she does not knock before entering the room.
TW: as with the first book there is mention of death from drug overdose, suicide, and rape. In this book we do also see characters drinks spiked.
We get to see the full formation Jericho's polycule in this book. I LOVE that they include 2 friendships as essential to the cule, even though there is nothing sexual between all of them.
The book is aptly named as this book leaves off on a brutal cliffhanger. I am so glad that book 3's release got moved up!
There is more intimate time in this book, and we see it between all the members of Jericho's harem. Riley (from Gamer Girls) makes Knocks first time embarrassing as she does not knock before entering the room.
TW: as with the first book there is mention of death from drug overdose, suicide, and rape. In this book we do also see characters drinks spiked.
July 6, 2023
4 stars with a few caveats
Let me preface by saying I just finished the 2nd book, have read and loved the Gamer Girl series and really am not looking to sound like I’m picking anything apart.
That being said there’s something about this particular series in the world of Gamer Girls that isn’t working for me. Spoilers if you keep reading
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Ok, so while I love the why choose/reverse harem genre this one is pushing my limits of acceptance. One because of the underage scenes. Yes I know it happens but there’s an ick factor for me as an adult reading about kids doing THAT. Which leads into the main female character having done that for years (how old was that then? She’s too young for years of that behavior) often not practicing it responsibly and then having huge internal monologues that take chapters to define multiple relationships occurring at once that she is not mentally or emotionally capable of having because she’s a child still. No matter what her life experiences or trauma (that makes it worse not better) she’s not capable of having those relationships if she has to discuss it repeatedly both internally and externally. Again that gave me somewhat of an ick factor.
The side story with Riley bothered me somewhat as well. It honestly felt like a different character most of the pages on the book. I don’t know if they switched off who wrote her or what but she didn’t feel right.
Now for my biggest problem. There’s a whole story line of assault against minors. The adults in the story are almost blasé about it. People in authority are oops my hands are tied nothing I can do. Kids are left to fend for themselves with no parental support and an explanation of the parents wouldn’t believe them or would blow it off or they’d get in trouble. The conditions are just not believable for the age group or the amount of people involved. What’s being done is horrific and not believable in the context it’s presented. Small town USA might have its issues but most families are just that. Family. If someone is hurting their child they aren’t going to blame the child.
Circling back to Riley and Knock. After Knocks first experience to sit down and have the type of family discussion they had took away from the actual experience because it almost felt like it was dissected and analyzed to a fault. Which is an ongoing theme especially in book two. Which also then circles back to if you need that much monologue about the action after the event they are not ready for what they are doing. It just doesn’t sit right.
I wish the age range was just a bit older. I think that would have solved many of the problems that I struggled with in this story because I wanted to like it. I still want to like it. I like both authors and will read their work in the future.
Let me preface by saying I just finished the 2nd book, have read and loved the Gamer Girl series and really am not looking to sound like I’m picking anything apart.
That being said there’s something about this particular series in the world of Gamer Girls that isn’t working for me. Spoilers if you keep reading
*
*
*
*
*
Ok, so while I love the why choose/reverse harem genre this one is pushing my limits of acceptance. One because of the underage scenes. Yes I know it happens but there’s an ick factor for me as an adult reading about kids doing THAT. Which leads into the main female character having done that for years (how old was that then? She’s too young for years of that behavior) often not practicing it responsibly and then having huge internal monologues that take chapters to define multiple relationships occurring at once that she is not mentally or emotionally capable of having because she’s a child still. No matter what her life experiences or trauma (that makes it worse not better) she’s not capable of having those relationships if she has to discuss it repeatedly both internally and externally. Again that gave me somewhat of an ick factor.
The side story with Riley bothered me somewhat as well. It honestly felt like a different character most of the pages on the book. I don’t know if they switched off who wrote her or what but she didn’t feel right.
Now for my biggest problem. There’s a whole story line of assault against minors. The adults in the story are almost blasé about it. People in authority are oops my hands are tied nothing I can do. Kids are left to fend for themselves with no parental support and an explanation of the parents wouldn’t believe them or would blow it off or they’d get in trouble. The conditions are just not believable for the age group or the amount of people involved. What’s being done is horrific and not believable in the context it’s presented. Small town USA might have its issues but most families are just that. Family. If someone is hurting their child they aren’t going to blame the child.
Circling back to Riley and Knock. After Knocks first experience to sit down and have the type of family discussion they had took away from the actual experience because it almost felt like it was dissected and analyzed to a fault. Which is an ongoing theme especially in book two. Which also then circles back to if you need that much monologue about the action after the event they are not ready for what they are doing. It just doesn’t sit right.
I wish the age range was just a bit older. I think that would have solved many of the problems that I struggled with in this story because I wanted to like it. I still want to like it. I like both authors and will read their work in the future.
July 5, 2023
Gamer Sex Ed, Advanced Level
Book 2 of this new series ties the Gamer Girls and Shades of Trouble series in with new characters, primarily set in a Texas high school. Found families, trauma, and Cyn popping in? I should adore every page.
And yet... It's just not singing to me like the other series.
It's a recurring cycle of poly love, sex, angst about said love, sex, Neanderthal high school bullies (and parents, for that matter, thanks Texas), sex, gaming, sex, hacking, and wait - yeah, more sex.
Some of the hacking sounds like "how to protect your home system 101," like this tidbit:
"As I crossed the grass, heading to my Impala, I was trying to remember the steps for getting into a router. The password and username was easy. It was admin. It was always admin. No one ever thought to change it, which meant we didn't need a crack on that. We just had to get into the network, and the wifi passwords I had were the key to that."
There's enough sex and talk about sex to qualify as both a pr0n channel and an open-minded sex advice column. I read a lot of erotica, and even I thought this was excessive - the actual plot of the two books so far could have been one.
The teens are, well, teens. Finding they're not invincible while acting like they are, and actually frustrating enough to be a reasonable depiction of mental attitudes at that age. Their plans definitely qualify as chaotic good, which sometimes made me wince... And by wince I mean mutter obscenities to my Kindle screen.
Will I read the rest of the series? Yup. Will I go back and reread the Gamer Girls for the 3rd time because I enjoyed it more? Yup.
Book 2 of this new series ties the Gamer Girls and Shades of Trouble series in with new characters, primarily set in a Texas high school. Found families, trauma, and Cyn popping in? I should adore every page.
And yet... It's just not singing to me like the other series.
It's a recurring cycle of poly love, sex, angst about said love, sex, Neanderthal high school bullies (and parents, for that matter, thanks Texas), sex, gaming, sex, hacking, and wait - yeah, more sex.
Some of the hacking sounds like "how to protect your home system 101," like this tidbit:
"As I crossed the grass, heading to my Impala, I was trying to remember the steps for getting into a router. The password and username was easy. It was admin. It was always admin. No one ever thought to change it, which meant we didn't need a crack on that. We just had to get into the network, and the wifi passwords I had were the key to that."
There's enough sex and talk about sex to qualify as both a pr0n channel and an open-minded sex advice column. I read a lot of erotica, and even I thought this was excessive - the actual plot of the two books so far could have been one.
The teens are, well, teens. Finding they're not invincible while acting like they are, and actually frustrating enough to be a reasonable depiction of mental attitudes at that age. Their plans definitely qualify as chaotic good, which sometimes made me wince... And by wince I mean mutter obscenities to my Kindle screen.
Will I read the rest of the series? Yup. Will I go back and reread the Gamer Girls for the 3rd time because I enjoyed it more? Yup.
June 30, 2023
Amazing!
This is the 2nd book in the Flawed Series and it just gets better. The friendships in this series are just so amazing. I just love all the characters and all the relationships between them. Seeing some familiar faces from the Gamer Girls and Shades of Trouble series is amazing too.
I love Jeri, she is fierce in her determination to save those hurt. The group working together is perfect.
That ending!!!! Not quite a cliffhanger but so close to being one. I am so excited for the next book and can't wait to read it.
This is the 2nd book in the Flawed Series and it just gets better. The friendships in this series are just so amazing. I just love all the characters and all the relationships between them. Seeing some familiar faces from the Gamer Girls and Shades of Trouble series is amazing too.
I love Jeri, she is fierce in her determination to save those hurt. The group working together is perfect.
That ending!!!! Not quite a cliffhanger but so close to being one. I am so excited for the next book and can't wait to read it.
This is the 2nd book in the Flawed Series and it just gets better. The friendships in this series are just so amazing. I just love all the characters and all the relationships between them. Seeing some familiar faces from the Gamer Girls and Shades of Trouble series is amazing too.
I love Jeri, she is fierce in her determination to save those hurt. The group working together is perfect.
That ending!!!! Not quite a cliffhanger but so close to being one. I am so excited for the next book and can't wait to read it.
This is the 2nd book in the Flawed Series and it just gets better. The friendships in this series are just so amazing. I just love all the characters and all the relationships between them. Seeing some familiar faces from the Gamer Girls and Shades of Trouble series is amazing too.
I love Jeri, she is fierce in her determination to save those hurt. The group working together is perfect.
That ending!!!! Not quite a cliffhanger but so close to being one. I am so excited for the next book and can't wait to read it.
July 2, 2023
I think this second book in the series is the closest to a cliffhanger Auryn and Kitty have ever written. It's not really one but daaaamn, that ending makes you want to continue reading.
Overall a great book! Love the characters and their relationships and the contrast between strong and weak, hard and soft that is playing out in characters and between characters. I like how we are seeing the polycule being formed and how Knock finally gets to shine properly.
The villains of the story are escalating and I'm really hoping they properly get what's coming for them in the next book, that this is why they've been hinting that one arc closes after book 3. Cause I don't think I can take more brutality from those high schoolers. I really like that one of the villains from book 1 got a redemption arc in this one though. Girl power!
Overall a great book! Love the characters and their relationships and the contrast between strong and weak, hard and soft that is playing out in characters and between characters. I like how we are seeing the polycule being formed and how Knock finally gets to shine properly.
The villains of the story are escalating and I'm really hoping they properly get what's coming for them in the next book, that this is why they've been hinting that one arc closes after book 3. Cause I don't think I can take more brutality from those high schoolers. I really like that one of the villains from book 1 got a redemption arc in this one though. Girl power!
November 11, 2025
Nobody’s Perfect, We’re All A Little Deviant It’s What Makes Us Human
Wow, breathtakingly brutal, just like the title says, it’s also flippin’ brilliant. The minefield of human interaction made ten times more complex because it’s teenagers trying to navigate their way through school and relationships (yes I’m including sex/ abstinence).
This is only book 2 in this series but it runs parallel to some of the events in Gamer Girls, more notably Collateral Damage. There are references to sexual abuse and assault, be good to yourself and check the TW’s before reading. You honestly don’t need any computer/ gamer knowledge to enjoy either series, I can definitely confirm that my knowledge of that sort of thing is painfully basic. I’m having a hard time trying to pause my reading!
Wow, breathtakingly brutal, just like the title says, it’s also flippin’ brilliant. The minefield of human interaction made ten times more complex because it’s teenagers trying to navigate their way through school and relationships (yes I’m including sex/ abstinence).
This is only book 2 in this series but it runs parallel to some of the events in Gamer Girls, more notably Collateral Damage. There are references to sexual abuse and assault, be good to yourself and check the TW’s before reading. You honestly don’t need any computer/ gamer knowledge to enjoy either series, I can definitely confirm that my knowledge of that sort of thing is painfully basic. I’m having a hard time trying to pause my reading!
July 2, 2023
So many tears..
My face has been like a freaking waterfall. These ladies know how to make you feel and they hit you with all the tears, happy, sad, and everything in between. I love it! I love that I got to see Blaze again, fill in missing conversations with Cyn, see Kitty's pregnancy from a different view point. I can't get enough of these characters and I'm so thankful to these ladies for expanding on this world they've created (the good, the bad, the broken and rehabilitated)!
My face has been like a freaking waterfall. These ladies know how to make you feel and they hit you with all the tears, happy, sad, and everything in between. I love it! I love that I got to see Blaze again, fill in missing conversations with Cyn, see Kitty's pregnancy from a different view point. I can't get enough of these characters and I'm so thankful to these ladies for expanding on this world they've created (the good, the bad, the broken and rehabilitated)!
July 2, 2023
Wow!
I didn’t think that this book and series could possibly be as good as the previous but the authors are doing a good job of proving me wrong! I absolutely loved this one and I can’t wait for the next one to come out! I am thrilled at the continuation from the Gamer girls series as it is on my all time favs list. This will be getting added to that to be reread several times a year!
I didn’t think that this book and series could possibly be as good as the previous but the authors are doing a good job of proving me wrong! I absolutely loved this one and I can’t wait for the next one to come out! I am thrilled at the continuation from the Gamer girls series as it is on my all time favs list. This will be getting added to that to be reread several times a year!
July 2, 2023
I could read these books on repeat
I love this world that the authors managed to create in this series and the ones related. It's cruel, but beautiful and real at the same time.
The bullies exist in the life of most of us at a lower or higher level.
The support community it not that good but hopefully we will be there in the future.
Thank you for writing this books and i am grateful i got to read them!!
I love this world that the authors managed to create in this series and the ones related. It's cruel, but beautiful and real at the same time.
The bullies exist in the life of most of us at a lower or higher level.
The support community it not that good but hopefully we will be there in the future.
Thank you for writing this books and i am grateful i got to read them!!
July 8, 2023
Bullying, rape, suicide triggers
Wow! That was traumatic. Between coming of age, being authentic in who you love and how you love, and building a group of friends then having to deal with the sick bullies. There is a lot of trauma and it's heart breaking that the most terrible people even exist in society and that they tear people apart. Hard cliffhanger. Can't wait for the next book and a victory that the good guys can win and protect.
Wow! That was traumatic. Between coming of age, being authentic in who you love and how you love, and building a group of friends then having to deal with the sick bullies. There is a lot of trauma and it's heart breaking that the most terrible people even exist in society and that they tear people apart. Hard cliffhanger. Can't wait for the next book and a victory that the good guys can win and protect.
July 6, 2023
This book has everything I've wanted. I love the way the story flows and I was so excited to see some of my faves from Gamer Girls from a different perspective. I love learning more about these characters that were introduced in the other series and why they are who they are. I can't wait for the last book cuz that ending...
July 6, 2023
Another amazing read!
Auryn Hadley and Kitty Cox once again have written a book I couldn't put down. I absolutely love this series and definitely would recommend. You don't have to read the Gamer Girls series or Shades of Trouble before reading this, but there are a lot of characters that cross over from them.
Auryn Hadley and Kitty Cox once again have written a book I couldn't put down. I absolutely love this series and definitely would recommend. You don't have to read the Gamer Girls series or Shades of Trouble before reading this, but there are a lot of characters that cross over from them.
July 6, 2023
I want them to be my friends
I want Jinxy, Hottie, Cade, Ripper, Zoe and all to be my friends. I want to have a circle like that -- a polycule. What a way to show love!
This is an amazing book, well written, as always from this duo. Five stars and four 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ for spice. Very nice.
I want Jinxy, Hottie, Cade, Ripper, Zoe and all to be my friends. I want to have a circle like that -- a polycule. What a way to show love!
This is an amazing book, well written, as always from this duo. Five stars and four 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ for spice. Very nice.
July 16, 2023
Brutal, the second book of the A Flawed series, is an ebook I borrowed through Kindle Unlimited (KU). The Flawed series is an off shoot of the Gamer Girls series and many of the characters cross over and the storylines run parallel. As with book one, Ruin, the story is intense, and the pace is a constant thrill ride. I am anxious for Vicious to release.
August 3, 2023
Emotional!
Book two in the excellent A Flawed series, was another rollercoaster of teenage angst, bullying, sexual assault, violence and death.
This series is deep, often dark, and at times, incredibly emotive. I was in tears at the end.
I'm very much looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Book two in the excellent A Flawed series, was another rollercoaster of teenage angst, bullying, sexual assault, violence and death.
This series is deep, often dark, and at times, incredibly emotive. I was in tears at the end.
I'm very much looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
November 11, 2023
Fuuuuddggeeee that was amazing!!
Know the prologue said shades of color was in here but I didn't put it together until you spelled it out for me and I flove when you blend worlds like this!!!! This is what makes you my favorite fricking authors and I'm here for everything and this series is amazing and so so so very well written, as always!!! Highly recommend!!!
Know the prologue said shades of color was in here but I didn't put it together until you spelled it out for me and I flove when you blend worlds like this!!!! This is what makes you my favorite fricking authors and I'm here for everything and this series is amazing and so so so very well written, as always!!! Highly recommend!!!
December 26, 2023
Always Amazing
I was pleasantly surprised the other day, when I realized I’d somehow missed two books in this series being released. I quickly added them to my library and got busy reading. I am NEVER disappointed by these ladies and their characters. I’m hurriedly moving on to book 3. This has been such a stellar read!
I was pleasantly surprised the other day, when I realized I’d somehow missed two books in this series being released. I quickly added them to my library and got busy reading. I am NEVER disappointed by these ladies and their characters. I’m hurriedly moving on to book 3. This has been such a stellar read!
February 8, 2024
Powerful good
Young adult is not my favourite genre, but if its Width and Kitty, well its different, amazingly different. Real world problems, drama and fun, with kids even old ladies like me can relate to. It will make you laugh cry rage run and warm your heart. And their Heroes all kick ass
Young adult is not my favourite genre, but if its Width and Kitty, well its different, amazingly different. Real world problems, drama and fun, with kids even old ladies like me can relate to. It will make you laugh cry rage run and warm your heart. And their Heroes all kick ass
June 26, 2023
Awesome storytelling, which I always expect from these two authors. And they definitely deliver! Strong and at the same time vulnerable characters, swordfighting with words and overall excellent book.
July 1, 2023
Loved seeing from this side of the storyline and how they line up with the other series. Sitting there and reading jinxys parts and realizing he is Teal from the shades of trouble was awesome. I look forward to seeing how the characters grow more and more in the coming books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2023
Brutal
Wow, fantastic read. Tying both series together is fantastic. Story line is so important now days. Great sense of interest. Character development is wonderful. Can not wait for the next one to get out. A real page turner from beginning to the end. Nicely written.
Wow, fantastic read. Tying both series together is fantastic. Story line is so important now days. Great sense of interest. Character development is wonderful. Can not wait for the next one to get out. A real page turner from beginning to the end. Nicely written.
July 6, 2023
I love this series.
This was another emotional yet fantastic addition to the series. I love seeing Jeri and her guys grow into a stronger relationship. Everyone seemed to take a step forward growing together. That ending through... So glad the next book comes out soon.
This was another emotional yet fantastic addition to the series. I love seeing Jeri and her guys grow into a stronger relationship. Everyone seemed to take a step forward growing together. That ending through... So glad the next book comes out soon.
September 16, 2023
Definitely Brutal
I am so glad I have the next book in the series because that ending was really brutal. You get invested in the characters when reading this series. That's what made this book so heart wrenching.
I am so glad I have the next book in the series because that ending was really brutal. You get invested in the characters when reading this series. That's what made this book so heart wrenching.
Read
January 7, 2024Triggers, lots of triggers. Eeeh, I’m still speechless over that last chapter. Man, these Alpha Team boys are soooo gross. I’m trying to hope this is fiction only but it’s very very possible that somewhere out there this is happening and it breaks my heart.
February 16, 2024
Omg omg
What a partial ending... I feel destroyed, that was hard to read 😔
So glad next book already available to move through this.
Love you girls!
P.s feel free to message me if anyone needs to talk about this.
What a partial ending... I feel destroyed, that was hard to read 😔
So glad next book already available to move through this.
Love you girls!
P.s feel free to message me if anyone needs to talk about this.
July 1, 2023
🔸4.5 stars🔸
July 3, 2023
Just finished Brutal
Just finished Brutal. Holy bleep! Not sure what else to say right now. I need to process all the feels but my immediate first thought was 'thank bleep the next book is out soon!'
Just finished Brutal. Holy bleep! Not sure what else to say right now. I need to process all the feels but my immediate first thought was 'thank bleep the next book is out soon!'
July 3, 2023
review
Love how these books deal with real world issues in a fictional setting. It shows characters fighting back against serious real world problems that people deal with everyday.
Love how these books deal with real world issues in a fictional setting. It shows characters fighting back against serious real world problems that people deal with everyday.
July 4, 2023
Loved it! This may only be the second book in the series, but it certainly doesn't feel like it with all the action. Can't wait for book 3!
July 9, 2023
An Eye opener
My mind is blown with how accurate some of the depiction’s in the book list out how victims don’t get justice and school aide in the process.
My mind is blown with how accurate some of the depiction’s in the book list out how victims don’t get justice and school aide in the process.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews