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Pawn Takes Knight
From Elizabeth Stevens, writing as E.J. Knox, comes...
A scarred heroine bent on revenge with no one else to turn to except a wolf in man's clothing.
Ten Months ago, I was one of them; an Elite of Lionswood Academy. Girlfriend to the King, no one could touch me.
Until they did.
They thought they could get rid of me. They thought I’d stay away forever, to lick my wounds and woe is me. But they don’t know the real me.
I’m back at Lionswood Academy. I don’t care about my final year of high school. All I want is revenge on the Elites, the usurper of my crown, and their King.
But I don’t know how to do it alone and there’s only one person who might help me.
Dante Wolfe – the Lord of the Immortals of Lionswood Academy – is the only one who can make my ex look like a tame kitten. He’s wickedly sinful in all the right ways and says my scars bring out my eyes. He shows me exactly how strong I really am.
He also thinks I’m his.
But I belong to no one.
I believed the lies and deceit of a King, I will not fall for those of a Lord. Even if his kiss is like fire.
This is a dark, angsty, contemporary, boarding school, new adult bully/enemies-to-lovers romance with enough steam to melt your screen. Do not engage in public consumption unless your poker face is impenetrable.
Do not read if you don’t like alpha males who’d do anything for their woman, a feisty heroine unafraid of her scars, or fake dating full of passion and dirty words.
While this book ends with a resolution, it is only step one in Raine’s revenge. This story will continue in Knight takes Bishop , and does not conclude until book five.
It contains themes and scenes that might be distressing to some readers. Please read the full warning in the Author Note.
A scarred heroine bent on revenge with no one else to turn to except a wolf in man's clothing.
Ten Months ago, I was one of them; an Elite of Lionswood Academy. Girlfriend to the King, no one could touch me.
Until they did.
They thought they could get rid of me. They thought I’d stay away forever, to lick my wounds and woe is me. But they don’t know the real me.
I’m back at Lionswood Academy. I don’t care about my final year of high school. All I want is revenge on the Elites, the usurper of my crown, and their King.
But I don’t know how to do it alone and there’s only one person who might help me.
Dante Wolfe – the Lord of the Immortals of Lionswood Academy – is the only one who can make my ex look like a tame kitten. He’s wickedly sinful in all the right ways and says my scars bring out my eyes. He shows me exactly how strong I really am.
He also thinks I’m his.
But I belong to no one.
I believed the lies and deceit of a King, I will not fall for those of a Lord. Even if his kiss is like fire.
This is a dark, angsty, contemporary, boarding school, new adult bully/enemies-to-lovers romance with enough steam to melt your screen. Do not engage in public consumption unless your poker face is impenetrable.
Do not read if you don’t like alpha males who’d do anything for their woman, a feisty heroine unafraid of her scars, or fake dating full of passion and dirty words.
While this book ends with a resolution, it is only step one in Raine’s revenge. This story will continue in Knight takes Bishop , and does not conclude until book five.
It contains themes and scenes that might be distressing to some readers. Please read the full warning in the Author Note.
182 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2023
62 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
E.J. Knox
17 books32 followersE.J. Knox is the darker/bully romance penname of bestselling author Elizabeth Stevens.
E.J. is the name to read if you want darker/bully romance in the Mature Young Adult/New Adult crossover space. Think high school, college, and academy. E.J. brings my usual wit, banter, and repartee in good old enemies-to-lovers showdowns between alpha males and the sassy heroines strong enough to knock them down a peg or two.
There's fake-dating, love triangles, kidnapping and danger, second chances, and more.
Find out more at the website, or check my socials:
Facebook
Instagram
Wattpad
If you'd like to keep up with all my shenanigans, you can sign up for my newsletter here.
NB: I'm usually happy to discuss review copies of my books. A track record of reviewing is preferable, but not completely necessary.
E.J. is the name to read if you want darker/bully romance in the Mature Young Adult/New Adult crossover space. Think high school, college, and academy. E.J. brings my usual wit, banter, and repartee in good old enemies-to-lovers showdowns between alpha males and the sassy heroines strong enough to knock them down a peg or two.
There's fake-dating, love triangles, kidnapping and danger, second chances, and more.
Find out more at the website, or check my socials:
Wattpad
If you'd like to keep up with all my shenanigans, you can sign up for my newsletter here.
NB: I'm usually happy to discuss review copies of my books. A track record of reviewing is preferable, but not completely necessary.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 28, 2024
While I am definitely interested in a revenge story of this sort, I am a bit disappointed that this seems to be going to be a loooong drawn out process to get there 🙄 This book was literally the female MC returning to school with no real skills or revenge plan (pissed me off) after almost a year of apparently training 🤔 (which really kinda pissed me off- like really you got an evil CEO daddy and he can’t find an ex navy seal to teach you anything 🤷🏻♀️🤔) So literally her plan was to enroll in school and what hide and hope no one notices her until a plan simply comes up?! HATED THAT! If something like that happened to me and I had a year to sit on it, unlimited evil resources and money…oh you bet I’d have a damn plan 😳 I feel like the author set this poor female MC up to look like a dumb helpless female and I hated that. Yes she does fine against the girls, but with the training she supposedly received I feel like it should have been more I was not impressed with that at all. I did like the chemistry between Dante and the female MC that was the saving grace in the story, but again the female MCs decisions wreck this story for me💆♀️. Ugh 😣
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2023
Raine + Dante 🥰🥰🥰🥰I hate west😡😡😡
October 23, 2023
I really enjoyed this story! It pulled me in from beginning to end and I can't wait for the next one to come out. This one introduces us to our characters and we get to start seeing Raine trying to come back and deal with what has happened to her and getting revenge. She is determined to get it but is struggling to put together an actual plan at this time to get it done. Then she is drawn to Dante, who seems to notice her since she's come back, even when she doesn't quite want to be. But he is also giving her protection from West. I loved the give and take between Dante and Raine. He pushes the boundaries with her but he never goes past consensual or too far and it makes a huge difference because of what happened to Raine 10 months ago. This story brings high sexual tension throughout the book and it is hot. I loved the dynamic between the two of them as well since as much as she didn't really want it, Dante imbued Raine with strength and was teaching her that you can ask for help without it making you weak. This was a shorter story and only part of a whole so I really can't wait for the next book to come out! Great story and start to new series!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
July 26, 2023
Great start to this series. This story is about Raine, West and Dante. Raine was an Elite along with West. They were the couple. However, West turned on Raine and disfigured her and she left for 10 months. Dante is the Lord of the Immortals, and is feared by most. Raine decides to come back to school 10 months after the accident and wants to get revenge on West – only she is not sure how she is going to do that.
Raine gets unexpected protection from Dante, once West figures out she is back. West is out to ruin and break Raine again. Dante has a sweet spot for Raine, only she is stubborn and refuses his help, until she realizes she cannot do this on her own. Deals are made between Raine and Dante – she has 3 unknown wishes she has to grant Dante when and if he decides.
Looking forward to the next book to see how they plan on taking down West. I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems ARC’s and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Raine gets unexpected protection from Dante, once West figures out she is back. West is out to ruin and break Raine again. Dante has a sweet spot for Raine, only she is stubborn and refuses his help, until she realizes she cannot do this on her own. Deals are made between Raine and Dante – she has 3 unknown wishes she has to grant Dante when and if he decides.
Looking forward to the next book to see how they plan on taking down West. I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems ARC’s and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 6, 2023
How the mighty will fall at Lionswood Academy! And Raine is determined to do just that, make him fall.
"This lowly pawn was going to see to it that the King toppled."
The Elites is the top of the top at Lionswood and the King of the Elites is West Flintlock. He's made a huge mistake and when revenge is finally gotten will there even be anything left of the mighty King of the Elites? Raine finds an ally from a very unlikely source,
The Immortals Lord, Dante Wolfe. Things take a big turn with this one. Revenge is the last thing on Raines mind when she's around Dante. Pawn Takes Knight is a fantastic introduction to this great new series Lionswood Academy. It's dark and dirty and has its readers glued to the pages. I can't wait to see what's next!
"This lowly pawn was going to see to it that the King toppled."
The Elites is the top of the top at Lionswood and the King of the Elites is West Flintlock. He's made a huge mistake and when revenge is finally gotten will there even be anything left of the mighty King of the Elites? Raine finds an ally from a very unlikely source,
The Immortals Lord, Dante Wolfe. Things take a big turn with this one. Revenge is the last thing on Raines mind when she's around Dante. Pawn Takes Knight is a fantastic introduction to this great new series Lionswood Academy. It's dark and dirty and has its readers glued to the pages. I can't wait to see what's next!
July 17, 2023
I sure loved this book 1 in this series. There is suppose to be 5 books in all, plus a prequel. I am so bummed book 2 doesn't cone our til January 2024.
A dark, angsty, steamy, bully, academy, enemy to lovers series. I love all that stuff. Raine is a little hard to understand. She doesn't always make smart moves. But she is brave, gritty, full of determination, full of revenge. And rightly so. I am so looking forward to her full story along with Dante, Riker and West.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems.
A dark, angsty, steamy, bully, academy, enemy to lovers series. I love all that stuff. Raine is a little hard to understand. She doesn't always make smart moves. But she is brave, gritty, full of determination, full of revenge. And rightly so. I am so looking forward to her full story along with Dante, Riker and West.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems.
January 1, 2024
Intriguing, dark, and delightfully entertaining. This one pulled me in from the onset. I'm definitely in Dante's corner! Can't wait to read the next one! I would like to know a bit more about how Raine left Lionswood to start (crosses fingers for future). This book does have some references to possible triggers for some, so read up on the warnings in the intro if that is something of concern for you. Great openening to the series.
May 30, 2024
I love high chool bully books. This is light on the bullying, because most of it took place pre story. It is a very good introduction into Dante, West and Raine's lives in the Lionswoord world of Elites and Immortals. This isn't a sweet world, so the story leans dark. It is a story that piques more than my interest. When I befan the book, I had my mind made up to only read this book. Now, I'm moving on to book two. Yes, I want to find out what happens to the piccola nuvola. Enjoy.
January 20, 2024
Read this!!
This dark romance novel kept me interested. Dante is a dark lord but he seems to be boyfriend material. It’s hard for Raine to trust Dante after West but she had no choice. I’m ready for more!! West plays a great villain.
This dark romance novel kept me interested. Dante is a dark lord but he seems to be boyfriend material. It’s hard for Raine to trust Dante after West but she had no choice. I’m ready for more!! West plays a great villain.
December 12, 2023
Loved it!!!
Cannot wait to read the second!! Loved this book, has kept me hooked all night...yep not put it down 🙈🫣
Cannot wait to read the second!! Loved this book, has kept me hooked all night...yep not put it down 🙈🫣
October 30, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. I think Vanda might just be my favorite and I look forward to getting to know her better in subsequent books. I loved the characters. This book sets the scene and sets up the plot for the rest of the series well.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews