Thatcher Reed is unhinged. I’ve known that since he held me captive in a cabin at twelve years old. We were both left with the scars from that summer but pardon me for not having sympathy for my kidnapper.
Lovely. Savage. Devil.
It took years and countless therapy sessions to finally move on from Thatcher, only for me to find myself within his reach again.
I’m known all over the world for selling out concert halls and arenas, and when I receive threats on my life, I thought hiding out at Pembroke University as a student would be my solace. It ends up being the place where my previous captor hails supreme.
Thatcher’s a god to this place, whether he’s on the football field or not. He and his circle of friends are collegiate royalty, and it turns out he’s just as untouchable now as he was when we were kids. Thatcher Reed has gone from a disturbed twelve-year-old to a campus king to these people…
And he unfortunately… hasn’t forgotten me.
Warning: Pretty Like A Devil is an enemies-to-lovers, college romance. Please see the author’s website upon release for content warnings. The book is recommended for readers 18+ and is book six in Eden O’Neill’s Court Legacy series. Pretty Like A Devil is a standalone romance and can be read by itself.
Author's Note: Court Legacy is a spin-off series about the children of characters featured in Eden O'Neill's Court High and Court University series. It's not necessary to read the previously released series to enjoy Court Legacy. This is a new series that can be read completely on its own.
Eden O’Neill is an Amazon top 10 bestselling romance author known for sweeping readers off their feet with dark romance, fire-emoji-level spice, and a whole lot of angsty feelings. Eden inspires audiences to embrace their desires without shame—whether they want to fulfill them through fiction…or otherwise.
She teases over 100,000 followers on Tiktok and Instagram every week with her sassy (and ultra spicy) videos that pack an emotional punch. Her debut dark romance series featuring a found family spanning multiple generations has sold over 85,000 ebooks and paperbacks and continues to tantalize readers with passionate stories about morally gray heroes and the heroines who have no problem breaking them.
When Eden is not penning spicy reads, she can be found at Disney World with her favorite human and a vegan beignet. She’s also a dog mom of one good corgi and another one who’s doing her best.
Eden O’Neill has done it again. This book captivates you from the start. This is the 6th book in the court legacy series and it follows thatcher Reed. The son of knight and Greer. Thatcher has always been the pretty boy who has the jokes and speaks his mind but he has a past. Years ago he kidnapped a girl that moved to his town Aspen. Aspen is now a celebrity musician who has been getting threats on her life now she is hiding out at Pembroke university. And their first encounter……. You will just have to read to find out how that went
Okay.. so I am a bit bummed. No I am definitely bummed.
Thatch and Aspen 😭😭😭 I’m obsessed with them!
I wish wish wish this book had the same go as Dorian and Sloan (I get it, they are leaders... but still!!) Two to three books of this love story. I was SOO STOKED to finally see a black MC in this series!! I wanted them to have more time and get to know them. It felt a bit rushed. But I couldn’t put it down. Like at all! I always wanted them to spend more time with the whole gang. That would’ve taken it higher I think.
The hostage situation was a bit lack luster. When the guy said “I’m sorry” I was like that’s it?
All in all it was very sweet! A tad less repetitive than the other novels which was nice. I can definitely see the author honing in their skill! GIVE US WHAT WE WANT EDEN! We want moooreeee!
In these books for a long time. From reading the original parents books and working my way through the friendship groups I never thought I’d have a favourite. Thatcher is that. Wells may well match him if my theories are right. But Thatcher has knocked his parents and best friends off of the top spot. I loved this story, the history for the characters, the paiiiiin. With each book I’m reminded why I love this authors work and I’m always ready for more.
Of course I had to read this the day it came out. Honestly, this was probably my least favorite in the series, It felt very predictable. I feel like very early on reading this you understand what happened to him in the past and why her kidnapped her. Although that whole scenario seems so far fetched for a 12 year old boy. Oh and the fire, totally knew the second it was brought up. I’m just bummed to wait an entire year until the next one…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Oh my gosh. Does it get any better than Thatcher? This is the sixth book in her series and I always thought he was just a pretty party boy. Thatcher has secrets. I won’t give too much away but read this series. I love the court legacy series and I hope she keeps writing them I want to hear about the legacy kids’ kids. Keep going Ms O’Neill. This book has spice and I’m a spicy girl but it’s not raunchy over the top. It’s what it is. This story also has a plot and I love how she links in the other characters.
While I enjoyed both leads, this felt unrealistically quick in how they fell for each other. Especially after the events of their childhood. The plot was also weak for me compared to her other books. However, I am impatiently waiting for a Wells and Bow book since it seems like that'll be the next route she goes based off the crumbs we got here. Unless she tries to do a love triangle with Bru, but hopefully not.
This book was in desperate need of an editor. Story was fine but not author’s best. It was just overly wordy, repetitive, just terribly edited. Really wanted to love. I’ve loved all the previous novels in this series.
I really enjoyed this cat and mouse dark bully romance. Eden O’Neill is definitely honing her craft with each book and I’m totally here for it. While Ares and Fawn are still my top couple, I did enjoy the dynamic and ultimate unravel of this couple. Their pasts and Aspen’s mother really show the why behind their personalities. And so far out of all the Legacies, Thatcher has an extremely valid reason for being the way that he is ( I don’t mean to discredit Dorian or Ares' pain but this was totally different). His story breaks me. I loved seeing Aspen become more of herself. And the hotel scene FCUKKKKKK. Ok so please say Wells is coming soon and I’m totally hoping my theory panes out because it will be epic!
The story was okay. It wasn't immersed or held captivated.
Their relationship was too fast in this book. I was expecting a slow burn, but I am not going to bang my childhood kidnapper right off the get-go. That also makes this not an enemy to Lovers.
Also, where's the dark for this dark romance? Again, barely there. And he's slightly unhinged. How can you be slightly unhinged, you ask? He speeds in a car once, and he chases her through the woods, which she indicates, I might add. He leaves her at a seedy motel once.
There was very little dialogue between the characters. There was too much inner dialogue that just sucked away from moments that could have helped the story.
I didn't feel the connection between Thatcher and Aspen. Again, anytime they tried to have conversations, it went straight into inner monologs.
Everything was so downplayed that when everything came to light. I wasn't hyped for it. So, it fell flat.
Another note to add. When it is listed as a sports romance. There should be sports intertwined in the story somewhere. Not just, he plays on the football team.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I did not love this quite as much as the duet that preceeded it. I know that each story is meant to also be able to be read as a standalone and that is why there's so much back story and explanation from the author but even that was a little repetitive in this book. I was also hoping for a bit better writing in terms of Thatchers point of view. I just felt she made him a bit more brutish and unrefined in his internal voice than he needed to be considering he'd had a great upbringing and he's an incredibly smart hacker. These details aside. The story was incredible and the characters are great together ❤️
If you have never read an Eden O'Neill book - start here and get yourself hooked and you will want to read her whole Court Family universe.
Thatcher and Aspen - OH MY GOD!!! I never knew it would be possible for a couple to unseat Wolf and Red but here we are. WOW!
You get a little bit dark, a little bully, lots of tension, so much angst, and you never really know what the plot twist if gonna be until it hits you right in the face and you are sent absolutely reeling. HOLD ON TO YOUR HEART COZ IT'S GONNA GET BUMPY (but no 3rd act breakup 🙌)
And if you are a reader of all things Eden O'Neill you know how hard those chapters of Knight and Greer hit. 😭😭😭
Thatcher had me all twisted up in this book. He is so loyal and a serious protector of his family, which includes all his friends. This story takes you on all the highs and laws and has your heart reaching out to Thatcher. And while I love his sensitive side, I love his kinks more. This book was super hot!! A must read and wish it was more than one book for his story!
HOLY YUMTASTIC! Why am I just now discovering Eden O'Neill?! Thank goodness for IG.
I know, it's strange to start a book in the middle of the series, but the blurb (and author's website trigger warnings) sucked me right on in! Plus, I will NEVER turn down BWWM that doesn't fade to black.<3
Go in blind, or just read the blurb and trigger warnings; you won't regret it!
Loveeee! This series is isane, these books end up taking me like three days bc they are so good. They start off where you think one of the characters is super messed up/doing bad shit but then there’s 72 plot twists and flashbacks that tie everything up; ending always make me happy, love the characters so much.
I will always pick up a book that has a black women being loved. I took me a little over four months to finish because im a huge mood reader. Although, the book in the beginning was a little slow even with the hot rave scene so it was hard to push through. I had to use the audiobook to really push me. After a few chapter with the audiobook. I was able to get through in my own and I don’t regret it. My heart hurt for Thacher so much. That sweet baby deserves all the love. Black wimen to balck women… I saw aspen. She is me and I am her. Literally related to her images. Especially the pressure to all says be perfect… all in all. This is good. pacing was a little wonky however that doesn’t cloud how much of a banger this book was.
What in the world did I just read? Was there any editing on this book? The amount of sentences that started with “again…” that just was restating a the previous sentence was insane.
You will fall in love with Aspen..... you will dislike Thatcher.... and then you will go, oh wait, what.... Because of course nothing is ever as it seems in this world. At we will not even speak about Aspen's mother.....I adore the relationship with the next generation. It's as tight as their parents. I love all of these stories. I listened to the audiobook and loved it
Thatcher and Aspen's story is cute. Wish there'd been more bullying. They fell into place quite easily. Their backstory was nicely executed even though it was predictable.
₊⊹⁀➴ 3 stars is it the best writing? no. but theres something kind of addictive about eden o’neill’s writing that makes it soo easy to fly through her books. honestly my heart dropped when what happened to thatcher was revealed. and aspen??🫶🏼
I’m a quitter, but I couldn’t push past the writing. The two books prior to this one were written so much better than this. Idk what happened but 75 percent through, I just couldn’t do it any longer.
I rated the book 4.5. The author wrote an outstanding storyline. Spoiler alert I have been reading Eden's books from the very beginning, and she does not disappoint. Eden’s writing style is a slow burn. The beginning is where she keeps her readers captured and intrigued. In this book, I was intrigued from the start but also a little confused. I couldn't believe what Thatcher did when he was younger. The author starts the story with a mystery regarding Thatcher’s wrongdoing and out-of-character act. However, in the story, the author pens Thatcher behaving as a devilish stalker. I've always been curious about his character, why he's so quick to anger, and his family life. Nonetheless, as always, there's an explanation. I think this series is very well-written by the author. Each of the boys has their unique personalities and demons to fight with. Nonetheless, Thatcher as well. Thatcher is a complex character with a personality intertwined with his playboy act and dark side. Thatcher is a three-dimensional character that the reader has met before and has learned that he is fun, a f***boy, protective of all his loved ones, a good brother, and a loyal friend. The reader in this book also reads about his family relationship with his grandmother, his mother, his sister Bow, and his father. I find his family life with his grandmother sad, but the reader also learns the good side, the nurturing and comforting side of his character. Thatcher is a well-developed character who matures and grows throughout the storyline. In between the storyline, the author introduces a younger version of Thatcher. It is Thatcher's younger version that he meets Aspen. They share a quite convoluted and twisted history. Aspen is the classic good girl who wants a break from her current life. She decides to return to college away from the spotlight and start acting at her age. It is at the college that her past collides. Aspen learns how to grow on her own, learns how to stand on her own, becomes stronger, and learns how to crush the scary aspects of her past. Both characters are well-penned by the author. Although I guessed Thatcher's past, it still was beautifully and emotionally written. The plot unravels smoothly, and everything makes much sense.
I noticed some repetition in the story, which affected my rating. Specifically, when Aspen fell ill, it felt too similar to Ares's story. Additionally, the author never clarified the exact type of autoimmune disease Aspen suffers. While I appreciate a series with standalone stories and characters, I still prefer each plot to be unique to that particular character. I find repetitive scripts, such as sickness and hospital scenarios, not intriguing, mainly when the author used them in her previous book. This is why I gave the story a rating of 4.5 stars. However, the story is well written; it has spicy content and an excellent storyline. I enjoyed reading the book. I will be waiting for the next book from the author. I hope it is Well’s book. I do not know if I want a Wells and Bow story. However, I strongly recommend this book. I received an arc book from the author; the review is my honest opinion.
Pretty Like A Devil prologue = attention grabbed! I started this book jsut before I had to go inside to work and that was the biggest mistake of my life as it left me with unanswered questions that were constantly on repeat all day. Thatcher Reed? Has he done something? What has he done? Why was she crying? It was honestly lucky that I even got any work done that day.
It has everything you could ever want, obsessive stalker vibes, steamy hot and spicy scenes with a side order of kink and a boat load of emotional trauma to process. Thatcher Reed is dealing with a lot of stuff behind the scenes, he has so many issues that hekeeps everyone but his boys at a distance. The only thing breaking through his darkness whe he was younger was Aspen Davis and as she comes back into his life she still is. Who doesn’t like a male that is completely and utterly obsessed with you to the point he has stalked your entire life even from a distance just to keep you safe.
Aspen Davis on the other hand wants only one thing FREEDOM! Freedom from the world ,her mothers expectations, freedom from her obligations as a famous cellist, freedom from everything controlling her life, to make her own decisions for once, to have a small chance to breathe. Despite her fear of him that is what Thatcher Reed provides her, freedom to be herself, to not be perfect anymore and in some ways to force her to let go and embrace the freedom she craves. Running away from the humiliation she feels after failing to play at her dream venue, Aspen finally managed to convince her mom to let her have a normal life, going to college. But its all a lie, until she reconnects with Thatcher and gains the confidence and strength to come clean to everyone whilst she provides the stability and love Thatcher so desperately desires.
Full of suspense, angst, drama this book has it all and is the perfect latest edition to this series but I am still desperately waiting for Wells’ book and this author knows it! Sprinkling the tiniest little dust of a hint about his issues with Bow and its driving me insane! And Thatcher knows about it which is why he’s not pulling up his friend despite his over-protectiveness when it comes to his sister. Wells’ book has to be next since there are no other boys or will she drag it out and give us Bru’s first?
Pretty Like a Devil is the 6th book of the Court Legacy, and let me tell you, I want more. With each book, the author keeps getting better with her writing. They are less repetitive and more to the point, which is one reason I like this one so much. I must admit that the ending was a bit weird after everything happened with the characters, but at least it got us to the point. I also felt we were missing more couple moments with the whole group. But only because when they are all together is one of the best parts of all the books.
I didn't expect to like Thatcher so much! I have to admit that it was lovely to meet him and learn more about him. We already knew he was brilliant, like a genius with technology and gorgeous. But he is also sweet, empathic, funny, and very loyal. The way his character was constructed really worked with the plot because it made you hate him and then fall in love with him. Aspen was not my favorite MC, but she was lovely and worked perfectly with Thatcher.
In general, I think I like this book so much because of how the couple works; they didn't get together and break up multiple times, didn't make each other suffer, and were open when they needed it instead of hiding it. They didn't play games in the relationship; well, they played games, but that was another type of fun game, and boy, they were steamy and amazing. The way Thatcher plays is so different from his friends because, like them, he likes to have control, but it doesn't force it; he makes it safe and consensual from the beginning, so you don't feel he is humiliating Aspen or making her feel bad. On the contrary, he makes her want to play more.
I can't believe this is the last book of the series for the moment because I still need one with Wells's story. I'm guessing his story includes Bow in there, and I really want that. We also need Bru's happy ending, so in the meantime, I will have to start reading the rest of the books and get to know the parents' kids. I'm invested here, and I want more.
Thatcher & Aspen bring the Tragedy and the Angst to new levels!
What to expect: Dual POV Enemies to Lovers Dark Themes Primal Kink Dom/sub vibes Tortured Past Found Family Vibes Morally Dubious Behavior Morally Gray MMC Perfectionist FMC Angst & Spice in Abundance HEA
Now I knew or guessed Thatcher would have a dark backstory but I didn't think it was gonna be as tragic as it was. Let's say that all the things he has done or said along the way now make perfect sense. Eden has made this charismatic playboy a complicated and complex character this time around. Buckle up because this one has a lot of bumps along the way to finding a HEA.
Aspen and Thatcher as twelve-year-old kids have a complicated past, to say the least here but things will change as they reenter each other's lives as adults now in the same college. With several years pass and a chance encounter brings these two back together in an unexpected way. It will be tension filled and heated exchanges/toxic level banter but with some dark primal spicy moments that will leave you heated up afterward.
If you want a slightly twisted love story where things aren't what you thought they were then you need to grab this one. It has a tragic backstory that brings everything full circle leaving you with a satisfying ending. I loved that it is dual POV for the most part, but you have a few chapters with other characters' POVs giving more insight into the situation at hand.
This is another must read by this author bringing you back into the Legacy Court world once again. It's a bumpy ride to finding a HEA but well worth it all. Highly recommend it!