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The Nature of Cruelty

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A standalone contemporary romance novel about love, cruelty and forgiveness.

Her name is Lana. She wasn’t dealt the easiest cards in life. She wasn’t dealt the hardest. She has an illness, but she doesn’t let it rule her. The first time she laid eyes on her best friend’s twin brother she fell in love at first sight. It didn’t last very long. He was a hateful boy who made her miserable. The happiest day of her life was when he moved away to London six years ago.

His name is Robert. He breaks the ones who love him. He’s always liked to play games with Lana, see how far he could push her. He once thrived on her pain, but no more. Now she’s coming to London to live with his sister for the summer and this time he plans on being her friend instead of her tormentor. But Lana is scarred by his past bullying. She doesn’t trust him, nor does she have any reason to.

When the two find themselves living under the same roof, they call a truce. This summer will change both of their lives, as they put their history aside and learn one another from scratch.

When fear takes over, we use cruelty as a mask. Robert and Lana’s story will see their masks slip away as the love they felt on the inside shows its true face.

**Not suitable for younger readers. Contains strong language and scenes of a sexual nature.**

366 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2013

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About the author

L.H. Cosway

57 books5,920 followers
L.H. Cosway lives in Ireland. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, food, musical comedy, and of course, books. She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LHCosway

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LHCosway

Mailing List: https://lhcoswayauthor.com/newsletter/

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lhcosway13/

Website: www.lhcoswayauthor.com

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5 stars
999 (22%)
4 stars
1,552 (35%)
3 stars
1,245 (28%)
2 stars
431 (9%)
1 star
188 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 454 reviews
Profile Image for  ⚔Irunía⚔ .
431 reviews5,552 followers
March 8, 2022
I decided to reread this book cuz I have a thing for stalkers and fucked up boyfriend material. Need my monthly toxicity fix like I need the air that I breathe. 😈👅

Since not many authors go there to offend my fragile sensibilities... auntie Irunía needed to visit her psycho boy 🥰Robert🥰 once again, you know?

What can I say?

Fucking Robert the

#unapologetic_stalker #iwilleradicateyourboundaries #tramplealloverthem #what's_evenpersonalspace

made my skin crawl too many times to count and that's (as y'all can assume) exactly what forced my silly, romantic heart beat faster.

✨Creepiness that has my seal of approval✨
Profile Image for "That's All" Ash.
158 reviews1,857 followers
July 19, 2013

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A story about the very thin line between love and hate.

Between cruelty and devotion.

Ever since childhood, Lana Sweeney has been love with the boy next door. With cruel eyes and a threatening smile, Robert was beautiful. He was everything Lana wasn’t. Where she was timid and shy, he had a loud laugh and moved with panther-like confidence.

And because Lana was best-friends with his twin-sister, she couldn’t escape his presence.

Not that she wanted to.

She was fascinated by him. And he always used that against her. Every time she would blush, he would use it to make her cry. Lana was always at the expense of Robert’s every joke.

But little did she know…

That while she was openly obsessed with him…he was secretly obsessed with her.

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Eleven years later…

Robert now lives in London, and Lana is visiting London for the summer.

And the two find themselves at each other’s mercy once again.

Except things are a bit different now.

Lana is more outspoken and has grown to be comfortable in her own skin. She’s not the same waif-like, fragile girl the cruel boy next door knew once upon a time.

But as she was growing up…

So was he.

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The malice he once shown as a boy has now taken on a very sexy edge. And the head games he used to play with her when they were younger have now turned into the ultimate game of seduction. He always knew how to be boyishly charming and always used it to get out of trouble… but now with age, it’s become something else entirely.

Suddenly, his expression turns serious. He reaches up and softly takes hold of my chin before swiping his thumb over my lower lip. I instantly regret not getting out from under him sooner because now I’m frozen solid.

“Your mouth,” he says, low and deep. “It moves and I just want to…”

“Zip it shut?” I interrupt nervously.

And artful grin splits his lips. “No,” he breathes, then leans in close to my ear and whispers, “Fuck it.”


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But is it all just a game to him?
Or is the new sincerity in his eyes actually real?
And if so, then why was he so malicious to her in the past?

Or is this just his nature of cruelty?

I always dreamed of a world where Robert was interested in me.

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Now that dream has come true, and it’s not at all what I expected.

***Reviewer's Note: This has got to be one of the most well-written books I've read in a long time! This isn't your average love story, guys. It's beautiful and sexy and sweet with a touch of darkness. And I'm only going to say this once: pay close attention to Robert.***
Profile Image for Melissa Baez.
403 reviews646 followers
June 5, 2015

♥{Ever So Mela}♥{Bloglovin}♥{Facebook}♥{Google+}♥

20 pages in and I knew I wasn't going to like it...


60 pages in and I already wanted to DNF it



I don't tend to cuss but things do get colorful down there.

You see I didn't like anything but I'm just going to run through that things I hated. We wouldn't want a mile long review.

First off this was unbelievably horrible. Shit was just atrocious. But bear with me cause trust me when I say I have my reasons.

Lets start off with my mayor NO-NO. And that would be Robert.
Aka the fucking creeper.
This dude seriously creeped me the hell out. I mean just look at the shit he does:
I think I feel the hem of my dress move, but it must have been an insect or a string breeze, because when I open my eyes there's nothing. The third time it happens I get irritated, and my eyes snap open to find Robert has lifted the end of my dress and is looking right up it.

And when she asks him what the hell he thinks he's doing he has the nerve to
say
"What does it look like?(...) I like your underwear. What kind of lace is it?""

I mean when in the world is it EVER ok to look up someone's dress and then act like they're the person overreacting?!?!

The fact that he acts like she's just this obtainable piece of meat that he can caress whenever the hell he feels like it without ever getting her consent!!! Screw you and your sexist ideals you worthless piece of degenerate scum!

So then he's all
"oh, don't be so melodramatic. I didn't violate you. Violating requires an action. I was simply enjoying the view." "You lifted up my dress. That's an action Robert." He scratches his jaw."Well now, you have me there. Aren't you flattered? I know some women who'd be over the moon to be violated by me."



OMG and how could I forget the CAMERA. The fucker sneaks into her room WHILE SHE IS SLEEPING to take pictures of her. YES people, you read right!!!! I mean does his pea-sized brain not fully understand the simplicity of a fucking boundary?!

The things that go through his mind!!
"Sometimes you can be so deeply wrapped up in a person that the only way to deal with it is to use cruelty to push them away."



Then we have the other side of the romance which is a 22 year old uptight prude. I seriously have no problem with the virgin trope-even though it's found in every stinkin corner-but what I despise is when this girl is basically terrified to even speak the word penis and then all of a sudden is a master in bed and gives the most epic head known to man. I mean if she's gonna be seen as a prude don't change her midway into this unbelievable and unrealistic sex god! Shit does not fly!

Then there's her train of thought
His words blindside me a little. I knew Robert has depth, but I hadn't known the true extent of it until now.

Wait, what? I'm sorry I missed that. Was this before or after he was lifting up your dress to sneak a peak.


And then her reason for breaking up with him within the last 40 pages of the book, because HELOUUUUUU we need drama!
“I think about the factors that caused me to go into shock, and the little things that have been accumulating over the last few weeks. Like how I never get as much sleep when Robert’s in my bed, or how I’m so wrapped up in him that I don’t give enough care or time to my health or my sugar levels, or anything else for that matter.
I’ve said it so many times before, but he makes me forget myself, and it’s not all his fault. It’s not his fault I’m so in love with him that it makes me careless. That all I can think about is being with him, to hell with important stuff that could mean the difference between life and death.”


Girl it ain't his fault you a dumbass twat who gives jack about her life. Ain't no love interest gonna keep me from living no matter how life shattering the sex is!!! Stupid ass twit!

Trust me she says more shit like this but I refused to highlight the whole book, sorry.

Look, I've read my good share of childhood tormentor turned lover and I have never, EVER been this conflicted. How can she just forgive him at the drop of a hat. Where the hell is your self respect woman?! Sexual harassment is not-I repeat- IS NOT an apology!

And don't even get me started on her diabetes...

Profile Image for Georgia ♥ .
420 reviews1,165 followers
December 10, 2020
4+ Cruel, Endless Love and the Forever kind of Stars

"Cruelty is easy, and it breeds only misery. Kindness is harder, and you have to be brave to give it. To be cruel, you can stay closed off from everyone, wear a mask, but to be kind, in essence, to show love, you have to make yourself vulnerable, show your true self to someone and open yourself up to rejection."


description

An essay on cruelty and an epic poem on love and forgiveness. A story about two young, ordinary people, that their fear of rejection and past torment, the sins of their parents actually, blinded them and almost led them to a life of emptiness. Cowards in front of feelings and crippled by a great love, that in the end only made them stronger.

Cruelty is Seldom Forgotten

Lana Sweeney grew up next to the twins, Sasha and Robert Phillips. One was her best friend and the other her biggest tormentor. Living every day with diabetes is certainly not easy, but it gets worse when you are crashing on your best friend's gorgeous brother, a boy that lives to call you names, humiliates you and makes your life hell. Now, years later she spends her Summer in London with Sasha and inevitably she faces again the bad boy she never forgot. She prays that he will ignore her but fate and Robert have different plans.

Cruelty Is Hard to Forgive

Robert is a womanizing bastard. Rich and arrogant he lives to have fun but now seeing again the girl he could not forget, he will try to prove to her that he is ready to put the past behind and beg for forgiveness.

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Cruelty Is the Symptom of a Deeper Cause

But why Robert was always an asshole to Lana? Why he avoided her and ridiculed her? Was he afraid to admit his real feelings? Was he also a scared and scarred child? Did he put on an elaborate façade to avoid having his heart on the line?

"...sometimes the only way I can feel anything is when I get a reaction out of others, and pain is the easiest emotion to provoke.”

description

Cruelty Is a Cycle

Now, Lana is the one afraid to admit her feelings. And take a huge risk with herself. Trust Robert with both her heart and well being and finally make every childhood dream of hers come true. And the decision she will make will break them both.

description

It's her turn to be cruel and abuse a heart and so on, in life's vicious cycle until someone brave enough takes the other's hand and together chase away the darkness of the soul, replacing it with hope and so much love...

description

L.H. Cosway after the unique and highly acclaimed Painted Faces, weaves another intricate story about the weirdness of love and how it can be found in the most unusual places. Simply and effortlessly she presents us with a very realistic story about two very complicated individuals that you can't help but root for and fall in love with. Their troubles are your own and their thoughts mirror yours. Two young and deeply afraid people, are swept off their feet by the tornado that it's love. And my cruel Robert... He comes off as such an asshole, that it makes your heart break and he is so sweet and perversely romantic that you can't help but love and despair on how clueless he is... Tender and emotional, I highly recommend Lana & Robert's love story!

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P.S: I made a promise in one of my status updates.... HERE IT IS.

How on earth could I NOT love a book that delivered this line:

“I’ll admit that sex is a pretty big part of the myths,” I go on. “Those Greeks had some seriously dirty minds.

YAY!! Go Greeks! We still have... Two words: Greek Kamaki! We are awesome that way!! AND LEGENDARY...

description
Profile Image for TJ ☾.
836 reviews1,905 followers
November 24, 2021
i'll be honest, for the first 30% of this i straight up hated it. i almost dnf for the sole reason that i thought robert (H) was an annoying immature little shit. and he is. 100% he is and i refuse to concede that point, but the seedy fucker grew on me 😒

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like a staph infection or something equally gross, robert and i are in this together now 🔫 this review is pretty much just gonna be a laundry list of robert acting completely out of pocket. the good, the bad, and the ugly here we go

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🧷exhibit a:🧷 when lana (h) and robert were younger he was her bully, but instead of making it hot this man said make it ✨obnoxious

He continued moving his hand up my thigh and leaned his lips in close to my ear. I let out a tiny gasp just before he whispered to me, “You, Lana, are the ugliest girl I have ever laid my eyes on.” Then he pulled away and began laughing uproariously.

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🧷exhibit b:🧷 terms of endearments

lana was skinny and pale when she was younger and has red hair, so naturally he nicknamed her Tampon. he bought his ex-girlfriend kara a boob job, and the creativity leapt out when he chose her nickname with all the care and affection in his tender heart:

We’re interrupted when Kara asks from across the table, “What are you two whispering about?”
“None of your fucking business, Boob Job,” Robert answers.

yeah that's a kill shot. rip boob job.

description

🧷exhibit c:🧷 i'm gonna let you go into this one blind (but i have to point out that he is a grown man at this point in case you were willing to write it off as juvenile foolery)

I think I feel the hem of my dress move, but it must have been an insect or a strong breeze, because when I open my eyes there’s nothing there. The third time it happens I get irritated, and my eyes snap open to find that Robert has lifted the end of my dress ever so slightly and is looking right up it. I stifle my scream.

description

honestly i won't lie to you i was bent over laughing at that point. it's disgusting, but that was the first time my creep meter started dinging and my enjoyment levels skyrocketed. it was just so ridiculous like—

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🧷exhibit d:🧷 after going on a beyond creepy inner monologue about how much he hatesloves lana FOR TWO FULL PAGES, he startles awake from his obsessive ruminating and goes:

When I glance down, I realise I’ve torn a chunk out of the frayed material on the armchair in my mum’s front living room. Sasha and Lana left for the beach two hours ago, and I’ve been sitting here all that time.

description

yo i can't 😭😂 he really sat in complete silence for two hours while subconsciously destroying the furniture as his psyche unraveled around him. bro you good? you sure you're sure?

🧷exhibits e-h:🧷
→ takes hundreds of pictures of her while she's unaware
→ watches her sleep, takes pictures of that too
→ when lana is over their house hanging out with his sister, he listens to them through the wall
→ watches her undress through a crack in the door

the problem i had with this book though is that it felt confused. the story is told from lana's pov but we get four 'interlude' chapters from roberts pov. lana's povs felt like reading a regular (below average) contemporary romance novel, and then roberts povs felt like reading a creeptastic thriller of a hunter stalking his oblivious prey. these things never really overlapped though. i don't even think this book is aware that the things robert does are truly weird. the fact that robert is sus would be brought up but then quickly forgotten like it's not really relevant. his obsession was one step away from going full dark crazytown (i almost felt blue balled by the unrealized potential) but i'm pretty sure the eery feeling of that was completely unintentional on the authors part. i think the weird things he does were supposed to come across like odd quirks that showed how in love w her he's always been, instead of warning signs. it's just strange that this book could have such off the charts skeeve vibes but like... kinda by accident lol.

honestly i could read a whole book about all the creepy shit robert does that lana has no knowledge of, so i wish we were allowed in his head more because we read from lanas perspective for 90% of the book and she was sweet but boring. also all of roberts chapters were flashbacks, and i would've liked to see in his head in present day to know the current state of his obsession and if he's still doing any of that wild shit behind our backs. also, robert's ex-girlfriend kara seemed just as crazy as him and from their exchanges, i think their book together would've been insanity in the best way, just saying.
Profile Image for Lucia.
756 reviews921 followers
February 9, 2017


3.5 STARS! A story about friendships and relationships, about love and hate, about cruelty and forgiveness. I really enjoyed it.

My Lana and Robert:


Lana does not have good memories of Robert. He is a jerk who used to torment and bully Lana as a teenager, so she basically hates him. But since Lana is a best friend with his twin sister Sasha, their lives were always connected. Now, Lana is 22 years old and she is supposed to spend summer in London with Sasha and by default, she will have to meet Robert too. Will she be able to handle her hidden feelings for Robert and to handle Robert himself?

Robert was very intense person and extremely interesting character. I was drawn to him and curious about his true self from very beginning. He seemed to wise up and change for better but his playful arrogance was always present. Is it wise for Lana to befriend him after the history they share? Isn't it just another game for Robert? And who is real Robert? Why is he behaving this or that way? My curiosity to get to know him through out the book was very strong and it made an exciting experience out of reading this book.



Most of the time, I really liked Lana. She was shy and nerdy, but she could be smartly feisty when needed. Also, she was excellent narattor and it was very easy to feel compassionate for her.

Robert is not your typical hero. He can be extremely cruel, always hiding his true feelings. But he was so sensual and charismatic that against my better judgement I fell for him.

Nature of Cruelty is a mixture of angst and emotions as well as some funny and very steamy parts. Most of the story is set in London which created magical atmosphere (at least for me since I love that city) and I really enjoyed reading it! Moreover, this is a standalone novel so no cliffhanger to leave you waiting and frustrated :)

Writing style was superb. It flowed easily and even though Nature of Cruelty may seem as ordinary contemporary romance, but L.H. Cosway succeeded in creating captivating characters and atmosphere that immediatelly sucked me into the storyline! I cannot wait what will this author come up with in the future.

*ARC provided by author as an exchange for honest review*

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Profile Image for Rachel  L.
2,142 reviews2,529 followers
March 9, 2018
4 stars!

“Cruelty is easy, and it breeds only misery. Kindness is harder, and you have to be brave to give it.”

When Lana was a young girl she fell in love with her best friends brother, Robert. Very quickly, those feelings went away when Robert began to torment her, calling her names and saying cruel things.

Now Lana is an adult and hasn’t seen Robert in six years, much to her relief. But when she moves in with her best friend for the summer, it turns out Robert will be there too. Except Robert seems different now and appears to want to make amends with Lana. But can Lana let go of the past and forgive Robert for all his wrongs against her?

“Sometimes you can be so deeply wrapped up in a person that the only way to deal with it is to use cruelty to push them away.”

This is a Cosway book I’ve always been meaning to read and never got to. Lots of mixed reviews on this book, but Cosway has never let me down before and I decided to give it a try. I really loved the first 75% of this book! Lana’s struggles with trying to trust Robert and his intentions but also so wary, it made for a great emotional ride. In turn I loved seeing Robert try his hardest to show he changed and explain his past actions. To me, this was similar to Bully by Penelope Douglas, but I felt this hero had better justifications for his actions and he didn’t fill me with rage the majority of the book. Robert was apologetic, he wasn’t perfect but he tried to be good.

I felt the ending or last 25% of the book could have been much more developed, it felt a little in the wind in terms of story and the finish kind of came and went. The issues these characters had needed more work than what I as a reader saw, and I felt an epilogue could have helped with that.

This is a wonderful story, and one I enjoyed in the middle of a gigantic life book slump. Cosway is an author whose writing I just connect with and I always fear I will run out of books by her to read for the first time. You savor her works, not rush through them.

“Nothing worth having is easy. The same goes for people. The ones who take cold, hard guts to get inside of are the most worthy of all. The ones you have to fight for.


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Profile Image for Jen .
814 reviews624 followers
November 11, 2013
3.5 Stars

Nice guys are well and good, but there’s something in the female brain that will always make us swoon for a wanker.

From the time she was twelve years old, Lana’s been tormented to within an inch of her life by her best friend’s twin brother, Robert. That might’ve been something she could withstand, if only for the fact that she was in love with the beautiful boy who chose to make her teen years a living hell. Now at 22, Lana’s spending the summer with her bff Sasha in London before she has to return to Ireland and finish getting her Ph.D. As luck would have it, Robert needs a place to stay and Lana finds herself living in the same house as the man of both her dreams and her nightmares. What happens when Robert’s actually nice to her? Seems like Robert might have a little more than friendship in mind, but how can Lana trust him?

God, for all I know this could be a ruse. Perhaps he’s only acting nice to break down my defences so that he can play the ultimate game. A game that will crush my heart. The idea makes my throat run dry.

The Nature of Cruelty wasn’t exactly what I expected. From the blurb I thought Robert might continue tormenting Lana once they found themselves living under the same roof. Instead it seemed Robert was trying to make amends almost from the beginning. The story’s told completely from Lana’s POV and to say she was a confused wreck for the better part of the story would be an understatement. Robert skated the line between creepy and besotted during the first half of the book, but I think a great deal of that had to do with the fact we only get Lana’s POV. I would’ve enjoyed reading about Robert working out his issues with Lana and realizing exactly how hellish he made her life, but it ends up being “show don’t tell” situations and most of those times Lana ends up a nervous wreck!

Sometimes you can be so deeply wrapped up in a person that the only way to deal with it is to use cruelty to push them away.

As much as I enjoyed this book, it also bored me a bit. Because of the single POV and the fact there’s not a huge amount of dialogue, it ends up being a whole lot of Lana all of the time. Lana didn’t fully trust the fact that Robert had feelings for her until the last third of the book so she came off skittish and nervous most of the time. Sasha, Robert’s twin sister and Lana’s best friend, was underutilized in my opinion. She’s witty as hell and coming to terms with who she is at the same time Lana and Robert are going through their mess. Even more dialogue and interactions between Robert and Lana would’ve been appreciated, if only to diffuse the constant “Lana in her head” vibe this book gave off.

Maybe my expectations were too high. Painted Faces was one of the best books I read last year and while I enjoyed The Nature of Cruelty it didn’t quite wow me. At the same time, I enjoyed it for the most part and I’m glad I finally took the time to read it.
Profile Image for Wendy'sThoughts.
2,670 reviews3,288 followers
March 6, 2018
4 Stars and Maybe More Stars :DDDD
* * * * Spoiler Free
I read this awhile ago when I was new to GoodReads. I wasn't reviewing and just would list my books as I read them.

Recently, this author's Painted Faces, became available as a freebie; many took advantage and became familiar with L.H.Cosway's writing. Because I was such a huge fan, I would comment on everyone's reviews of how they should read The Nature of Cruelty. I even directed a friend to "read my review."

I went to check my review and low and behold... no friggin' review! I had told so many of my real life friends at work and play about this book, I thought I had written what I had talked about......DUH...

So here is the deal: That's All Ash has written a beautiful, complete review. You should really check it out as it expresses most of my feelings for this book. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


What I will add are the important concepts this author talks about regarding human nature.
We as people seem to gravitate to cruelty to mask how we really feel about things or people. It sometimes becomes a knee jerk reaction based out of fear...
Fear of how we feel for others.
Fear of the unknown causing those who are insecure to lash out for no reason.

We are sometimes taught by parents, unfortunate experiences and society to protect ourselves in anyway possible..... allowing cruelty to prevail.

In my opinion, this book addressed all of that beautifully and made me a huge fan.

So to get the meat and potatoes of the story, read That's All Ash's review and then you can use my 2 cents for dessert. Bon Appetit!

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Profile Image for Gio Listmaker .
286 reviews88 followers
January 13, 2019
Image result for everyone is a monster to someone

Image result for nature of cruelty

Bad Boy Tamed

Sexual Tension

Characterization

Tough But Shy Heroine

Music References

Everyone Has A Cruel/Soft Side

“This whole encounter started with me forcing my company on her, with me being the one in control, and with only a few softly spoken words she’s turned the whole thing around on me. She doesn’t even know it, but she might as well be clutching my beating heart in her gentle hands”

It Is About Power

We All Have A Past

We Are All Capable Of Change

“But just so you know, most people are made of good and bad. And most people are capable of keeping the bad much smaller than the good,”

This Book Was A Three Star Story With A Four Star Ending
Profile Image for Azet.
1,095 reviews285 followers
August 2, 2019
First read this book two years ago in 2016,and this is my third time re-reading it."The Nature of Cruelty" is a well written contemporary romance that alters between the past and present between the responsible red-haired Lana Sweeney and her best-friends twin-brother, rebellious and sexy Robert Phillips .They have known each other since they were kids and Robert always bullied her while covering his secret obsession with her. Now adults they meet again...and the connection that always simmered between them will come to an conclusion. A undying passion that threatens to explode between them, combined with the bittersweet love they never managed to escape from.

I love this book, and i love Robert. A devil and manipulator. A rebel with his own rules: which is NONE. A shameless manwhore. Neither pride, manners nor honor stands in his vocabulary. With glints of unhidden desire he throws the skirt off heroine whenever he wants (and are quite unashamed by it) , he takes pictures of her whenever she is not watching, he is possessive and lets no man near her...and most actually and importantly...he is a besotted hero who only ever has loved his Lana.

You will love how desperate he is for her. Ahh but he is a hero to die for!

The chemistry between Lana and Robert are SMOKING STEAMY AND HOT,and the sex-scenes..GOD don´t let me get started with the unforgettable sex-scenes....Just WOW!
A very different Love-Story with a definite line between love and hate.I love love love this book so freaking much!!!
Profile Image for ✝✝ Ⓓaisy ❣ ✝✝ .
494 reviews270 followers
August 31, 2014

"I'm so into you as a person, Lana. I might as well as be living under your skin"

That's Robert Phillips and he is intense.

What is this story about Childhood mates, love and hate.

Hero Robert, I loved him. At first, he did come off as little creepy but he grew on me.

Heroine Lana was innocent but she kinda pissed me off towards the end

Steamy Yes it was just nice.

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" Didn't you hear a word I said earlier? It's you I want, Lana. It always has been"

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If you looking for childhood hate and love read, you gotta pick this up one up. I have adored LH Cosway's writing style and it one didn't disappoint me.

Happy reading

D x
Profile Image for Elizabeth (Liz).
683 reviews410 followers
July 5, 2013
L.H. Cosway exploded onto my radar with the book Painted Faces, which I read early in 2013, and which became my first 5-Star read of the year. It is still one of my favorite stories to this day. For those who have not read Painted Faces yet, I highly, HIGHLY, recommend it!! So, to say that I was thrilled and excited to read this author’s next book, The Nature of Cruelty, would be a massive understatement! I could not wait to get my hands on a copy, and I was even more honored and elated to be asked to be part of her blog tour for this book. I had, well, super-high expectations for The Nature of Cruelty based on my experience with her previous novel, and I may have set myself up for some disappointment in that way.

Let’s start with discussing what it was I enjoyed about The Natural of Cruelty. I confess that I find it fascinating to read—and, in fact, have a bit of a love affair with—stories set authentically in England, Ireland, Scotland, and other foreign locations. L.H. Cosway is an Irish author, and she obviously writes with the authenticity that I crave in stories like this. Some find books like these frustrating to read because of the unfamiliar slang and brands and whatnot, but, for me, it simply makes the experience more fun! I’m able to Google what I don’t understand, and it’s so interesting to learn and explore. The authenticity of the setting was a HUGE plus for me when it came time to rate The Nature of Cruelty. Stories like these are likely as close as I’m ever going to get to any foreign locations, so I look at it as my way of armchair-traveling outside of my own country. God knows I have the desire to flee where I’m at at least several times a week, and a story like The Nature of Cruelty allows me to do that, if only in my mind ;-)

Someone I found sort of surprisingly fun was Sasha, Lana’s best friend and Robert’s twin sister. For the minimal amount of page time she received, she still managed to make a positive impression on me. She was interesting and vivacious. She felt the most real to me of all of the characters, and I wish I’d had more time with her.

This is far from my favorite thing to do, but I really have to discuss the things which didn’t work for me in The Nature of Cruelty. To be frank, it simply isn’t an honest review unless I do so. One has to remember that reading is a very personal and subjective activity. What doesn’t work for me, may absolutely make a book for someone else. So, please keep that in mind as I discuss what I’m about to.

First and foremost, Robert did not work for me in any way. I was unable to connect with him, and, in fact, I found myself with very negative feelings about him. He was a hateful, mean, destructive bully as a child and young man, and the reasons for that were never explained to my satisfaction, despite what I feel were multiple attempts by the author to do so. As an adult…honestly, Robert came off as smarmy and just…odd. I could never find any way to relate to him, and I found it impossible to understand Lana’s attraction to and feelings for him. Perhaps my greatest issue with him was the fact that he showed nowhere near enough remorse for his actions in his youth. Or, not to my way of thinking. Lana deserved some groveling and effusive apologies from Robert, and I wasn’t satisfied with what she got.

Lana was another matter altogether. There were parts of her character which I found myself sympathizing with and parts which I found myself grinning at. Unfortunately, there were also aspects of her character which I did not and could not relate to, and that made it very difficult for me to enjoy her overall. I found her to be inconsistent.

I truly believe that L.H. Cosway had the best of intentions and the greatest of hopes with the message in this story, that being the cycle of cruelty and how it is perpetuated. The message, as a whole, as it was intended, I believe, by the author, is terribly important, timely, and one which I wish had been better and more fully explored. All of the components were there. I’m just unsure about the way they were put together.

Here’s what I would encourage others to do: read The Nature of Cruelty and decide for yourselves. Simple, right? How do you relate to the characters? What are your thoughts on the history between Robert and Lana? Most importantly, what message do you take away from this story? And, equally as important, did you have fun reading this story? The answers to those questions are the only ones which matter. Remember what I said? Reading is personal and subjective! Take a chance and see what you think!!

The one thing I do know, personally? I’ll be anxiously awaiting L.H. Cosway’s next Contemporary or New Adult Romance!! I’ve seen firsthand what this woman can do, and I know without any doubt there are so many more AMAZING stories to come!

3 to 3.5 Stars



**ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review (blog tour 7/3/13)**


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Profile Image for Didi.
865 reviews283 followers
August 31, 2015
4.5 STARS

The more I read from this author, the more I love her. I've really enjoyed her Hearts series so far, most notably Six of Hearts...Jay...the man is among my fave heroes, ever. I've also loved her collaboration with Penny Reid for The Hooker and The Hermit. I'm planning on reading Painted Faces as well which I've heard is a non-conventional love story but just as engrossing.
This book was very special, though. I have a soft spot for heroes that find themselves reluctantly in love with a woman. In this instance, the hero, Robert, used cruelty in the same way young boys pick on the girls they secretly crush on. He was a blow to Lana's ego. He was mean, ruthless at times and vicious. I hated him for how he was when he was younger. But I also loved the man who he became.

This was about romance as much as it was about forgiveness, kindness and the ability to overcome the past and embrace the future. I loved how LHC gave us snippets of Robert's POV when he was younger. He was suffering, too. This book was also funny and very sexy. I hate cliche alpha males that talk dirty just to say they did. Not Robert. The man was bad ass and his dirty talk was natural and very seductive---kinda like Jay...getting off topic, I know!

The secondary characters were great, adding depth to a story already pumped on awesomeness. Seeing a man fall for a woman, becoming the very best version of himself, was lovely. Some of the stuff Robert said to Lana was heart-melting. I also loved the ending! It was perfect.
Profile Image for Medollga.
784 reviews209 followers
May 11, 2023
Despite the name, there was too little cruelty for my tastes😅🤷🏼‍♀️

Don't get it twisted: IT'S A GREAT STORY! The plot was interesting, the pacing appropriate, the heroes intriguing. If you just expect some vanilla love story with some pinch of bullying in the past (10 years ago), GO FOR IT! 🙌🙌🙌

YET I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION I'D GET A HEALTHY DOSE OF PSYCHOSIS, SO YOU SEE HOW A GIRL CAN BE DISAPPOINTED 💔💔💔🚩🚩🚩

And it's not like the expectation was only in my head, NO NO NO! When the hero was a teenager it was vaguely hinted he's sort of neurodivergent, his mother didn't know how to handle him, he himself filled his inner monologues with thoughts of hurting the heroine. Cue 10 years later, when the hero and the heroine are reunited in London:

1. He conveniently breaks up with his on-again off-again girlfriend to be in his twin's apartment and accidentally meet the heroine 👀

2. The new apartment he found suspiciously can be moved into ONLY after 3 months time - the same amount the heroine stays in the city in his sister's flat, where he stays until moving into own apartment 👀👀

3. The ex-girlfriend reacts strangely upon meeting the heroine and later on warns her that the hero was 'obsessed' with her all these years 👀👀👀

4. The hero making photos of heroine's BODY PARTS: stomach, shoulder, freckle etc. 👀👀👀👀

5. Turns out he's been doing photos of her when she hasn't been aware of it. You know, from second story window, from around the corner, NEAR HER BED WHEN SHE'S ASLEEP 👀👀👀👀👀

All those perfect little details created such high-strung tension inside of me 😅 I prepared myself for some truly crazy shit from that point forward, truly OTT possessive and obsessive behavior was required after all that buildup! 👏

AND YET....the balloon of tension burst without flying away first, and everything turned so...mundanely vanilla without any real reason 🤬🙄😬

Plus the reason for their 3rd act breakup was truly stupid, if not in the idea itself, but the way the heroine went about it🤷🏼‍♀️
Profile Image for Alexis *Reality Bites*.
757 reviews3,656 followers
did-not-finish
June 24, 2013
Sadly this is a DNF for me. I hit 37% and was done. I did not connect with the characters and though I enjoyed this authors writing style in the past... The writing for this book was just not my cuppa.


*Copy kindly provided by the author for an honest review*
Profile Image for May Mostly Romance.
1,015 reviews71 followers
September 3, 2013
เหตุผลเดียวที่ซื้อเล่มนี้มาอ่านเพราะเราติดใจฝีมือการเขียนของนักเขียนคนนี้จากเรื่อง Painted Faces บอกตามตรงเลยว่า คำโปรยเรื่องดูไม่น่าสนใจเท่าไหรนัก และนี่เป็นสาเหตุที่เรารออยู่นานกว่าจะหยิบเล่มนี้ขึ้นมาอ่าน

จากที่อ่าน Painted Faces เราคิดว่า แอลเฮช คอสเวย์เป็นนักเขียนที่ฝีมือดีนะคะ พล็อตเรื่องน่าสนใจ แต่เล่มนี้พล็อตเรื่องดูธรรมดามาก ๆ เรื่องของหญิงสาวที่เดินทางไปลอนดอนเพื่อใช้เวลาช่วงฤดูร้อนกับเพื่อนสนิท แต่นั่นก็ทำให้เธอได้เจอกับคู่ปรับเก่า ชายคนที่แกล้งเธอมาตลอดในช่วงวัยเด็ก พี่ชาย (หรือน้องชาย) ฝาแฝดของเพื่อนสนิทของเธอเอง พล็อตมีแค่นี้ล่ะค่ะ เราจึงไม่ได้คาดหวังอะไรมากมายนัก แต่สุดท้ายเราก็อึ้งไปเลย

เราชอบเล่มนี้ยิ่งกว่า Painted Faced เสียอีก ท่ามกลางความเรียบง่ายของเนื้อเรื่อง มีตัวละครที่น่าสนใจ และน่าจดจำอย่างยิ่ง

เรื่องนี้คือสิ่งที่เราคิดว่า เรื่อง Tempting the Bride ของเชอร์รี โธมัสจะเป็นได้ เพราะพล็อตเรื่องทั้งสองถือว่ามีความใกล้เคียงกันมาก

ลานา สวีทนีย์ได้พบกับสองพี่น้องฝาแฝด ซาชา และโรเบิร์ต ฟิลลิปส์ตอนเธออายุสิบสองปี ทั้งคู่และมารดาย้ายมาอยู่ข้างบ้านของเธอ และแม้ว่าซาชาจะอายุมากกว่าลานาสองปี แต่ทั้งคู่กลายเป็นเพื่อนสนิทกันอย่างรวดเร็ว แต่โรเบิร์ตไม่ได้เป็นเช่นนั้น ไม่เพียงแต่เขาแสดงความไม่สนใจในตัวลานา เขากลับทำหลายอย่างที่ทำให้ชีวิตของเธอไม่มีความสุข ตั้งแต่การพูดจาว่าร้าย ไปจนถึงการกลั่นแกล้งในโรงเรียน ดังนั้นหากจะบอกว่า โรเบิร์ตเป็นคนที่ลานาไม่ปลื้มเอาเสียเลย ก็อาจจะเป็นคำพูดที่น้อยเกินไป

กระนั้นลานาก็ยังคงรักษามิตรภาพกับซาชามาตลอด แม้กระทั่งเมื่อซาชาย้ายไปอยู่ลอนดอนและเริ่มต้นทำงานให้กับหนังสือพิมพ์ และเมื่อโอกาสเปิด ลานามีเวลาช่วงฤดูร้อนก่อนที่เธอจะเริ่มต้นเรียนปริญญาเอก เธอจึงตกลงที่จะย้ายไปอยู่กับซาชาที่ลอนดอนเพื่อหาประสบการณ์ใหม่ ๆ สิ่งที่ลานาไม่คาดคิดก็คือ โรเบิร์ตจะอยู่ที่นั่นด้วย

มันช่างเป็นเรื่องบังเอิญที่โรเบิร์ตเลิกกับแฟน และถูกไล่ออกจากที่พัก ทำให้เขาต้องมาอาศัยบ้านของน้องสาวอยู่ชั่วคราว การได้เจอกันอีกครั้งหลังจากห่างหายไปหลายปี โรเบิร์ตยังดูเหมือนผู้ชายคนเดิม เขายังนิสัยไม่ดี และรังแกลานาอยู่ แต่เมื่อเห็นได้ชัดว่า โรเบิร์ตจำเป็นต้องอยู่กับซาชาไปจนตลอดฤดูร้อน เขาจึงยื่นข้อเสนอสงบศึกกับลานา หลายอย่างก็เริ่มเปลี่ยนแปลงไป

สำหรับลานา เธอไม่แน่ใจว่า ควรจะต้องคิดยังไง ประสบการณ์และความทรงจำ โรเบิร์ตเป็นคนที่ร้ายกาจ และกลั่นแกล้งเธอมาตลอด แต่ผู้ชายที่อยู่ในบ้านเดียวกับเธอตอนนี้เปลี่ยนแปลงไป เขาให้ความสนใจในตัวเธอมากขึ้น มากเสียจนดูเหมือนจะเป็นอะไรมากกว่าแค่เพื่อนของน้องสาว เขาทุ่มเทเวลาให้กับเธอ เป็นห่วงเป็นใยเธอ และดูเหมือนจะแคร์ความรู้สึกของเธอจริงจัง สำหรับหญิงสาวแล้ว เธอไม่เข้าใจมันเอาเสียเลย

ในขณะที่เรื่อง Tempting the bride หาทางออกด้วยการทำให้นางเอกความจำเสื่อม และเริ่มต้นความสัมพันธ์ครั้งใหม่กับพระเอก ทำให้เธอไม่อาจจดจำการกระทำที่ร้ายกาจของเขาในอดีต เล่มนี้ทำให้สิ่งที่ตรงกันข้าม ตลอดเวลาทั้งเรื่องโรเบิร์ตต้องทำให้ลานาเชื่อว่า เขาเติบโตขึ้น และเขาเปลี่ยนแปลงได้

ความงดงามของเรื่องนี้ก็คือ ความเปลี่ยนแปลงของโรเบิร์ตไม่ได้เกิดขึ้นชั่วข้ามคืน หากแต่เป็นความเข้าใจอย่างช้า ๆ ถึงการปฏิบัติต่อหญิงที่เขาหลงรักมาเกือบตลอดชีวิต มีหลายฉากที่การกระทำของเขาอาจจะดูมากเกินไป (การแอบถลกกระโปรงของลานาเพื่อดูชั้นในขณะที่เธอกำลังหลับ หรือการแอบเข้าไปถ่ายรูปของเธอในห้องนอน) แต่มันก็เข้ากับตัวตนที่เขาเป็นในขณะนั้น

นั่นเพราะโรเบิร์ตหลงรักลานามาตั้งแต่เกือบจะครั้งแรกที่ได้พบกับเธอ คนอ่านได้เห็นความคิดของเขาเมื่อเรื่องเล่าย้อนกลับไปในอดีต แต่เด็กชายวัยสิบสี่ปีไม่เข้าใจความรู้สึกของตัวเอง เขาเพิ่งเห็นครอบครัวของตัวเองพังทลายเมื่อแม่หย่าขาดจากพ่อ ต้องย้ายจากอังกฤษไปอยู่ที่ไอร์แลนด์ ประเทศที่เขาคิดว่าหลังเขา และน้องสาวฝาแฝดคนที่เขาคิดว่า ควรจะต้องเข้าใจความรู้สึกของเขาที่สุดก็ได้พบกับเพื่อนสนิทคนใหม่ การแสดงออกอย่างเดียวที่โรเบิร์ตทำได้ก็คือ การทำตัวร้ายกาจกับลานา เพราะนั่นเป็นการกระทำเดียวที่เขาได้รับการตอบสนองจากเธอ มันดีกว่าการที่เธอทำเหมือนเขาไม่มีตัวตน

เราไม่ได้บอกว่า การกระทำของโรเบิร์ตถูกต้อง มันเลวร้าย และเรื่องที่เล่าผ่านสายตาของเขาก็แสดงออกเช่นนั้นชัดเจน (ซึ่งเรื่องถึงได้ดีมาก ๆ ไงคะที่ลานาไม่ได้ใจอ่อนไปตั้งแต่ครั้งแรกที่เขาทำดีกับเธอ) แต่ขณะเดียวกันเมื่อเราได้อ่านเรื่องที่ผ่านสายตาของเขา เราก็เข้าใจความสับสนของเด็กชายคนนั้น และเราก็รับรู้ถึงความรู้สึกอันแรงกล้าที่เขามีต่อลานา ถึงความรักมากมายที่เขามีให้กับเธอ แต่เขาไม่รู้ว่า ควรจะแสดงออกมาอย่างไร

ช่วงฤดูร้อนที่ทั้งคู่ได้กลับมาพบกันอีกครั้ง ลานาอายุยี่สิบสอง ส่วนโรเบิร์ตอายุยี่สิบสี่ ก็เหมือนกับการได้พบกันครั้งแรกในแบบผู้ใหญ่อีกครั้ง แน่นอนว่าอดีตมีผลต่อพวกเขาทั้งคู่ ลานาไม่เคยลืมความเจ็บปวดที่เขาก่อกับเธอ ในขณะที่โรเบิร์ตปลดปล่อยความรู้สึกทุกอย่างที่มีต่อลานา เมื่อเขาได้เรียนรู้ว่า การที่เขาทำให้เธอมีความสุข ทำให้เขามีความสุขยิ่งไปกว่าการที่เขาทำให้เธอเจ็บปวด นี่จึงเป็นฤดูร้อนแห่งการเรียนรู้ของทั้งสอง

เรื่องนี้ไม่ได้โฆษณาว่าเป็นเรื่องแนว New Adult นะคะ แต่เราอ่านแล้วได้ความรู้สึกเป็น New Adult ชัดเจนมาก ด้วยอายุของตัวละคร พฤติกรรมที่ยังมีความเป็นเด็กอยู่มาก (นั่นอาจจะเป็นเหตุผลที่ทำให้เราเชื่อว่าโรเบิร์ตเปลี่ยนแปลงได้) แต่เราชอบเล่มนี้เพราะไม่ได้เน้นความหลังที่เจ็บปวด แต่โฟกัสอยู่ที่การเริ่มต้นใหม่ ลานาต้องยอมรับให้ได้ว่า โรเบิร์ตเปลี่ยนแปลงไปแล้ว ส่วนโรเบิร์ตก็ต้องลบล้างภาพลักษณ์เดิมของตัวเอง และกลายเป็นคนที่ดีขึ้น

เรื่องนี้เป็นแนวปัจจุบันที่เล่าความสัมพันธ์ของคาแร็คเตอร์ เช่นเดียวกับ Painted Faces ตัวละครรอบข้างพระเอกนางเอกก็มีความเป็นมนุษย์ มีตัวตนจับต้องได้ ไม่ได้ถูกสร้างขึ้นเพราะเป็นพระเอกนางเอกเล่มหน้า กระทั่งตัวร้ายในเรื่องก็ยังมีความน่าเห็นใจ

ช่วงท้ายเรื่องด้อยลงไปเล็กน้อยสำหรับเรา ขอบอกว่าโมโหลานามากในระดับนึงเลยแหละ การที่เธอเลือกที่จะเดินออกจากความสัมพันธ์โดยใช้เหตุผลเรื่องสุขภาพของตัวเองเป็นข้ออ้าง มันงี่เง่า แต่อย่างน้อยลานาก็ยอมรับความจริงข้อนี้ อย่างน้อยเธอก็รู้ว่า มันไม่ใช่เหตุผลที่จริง แต่เป็นเพียงข้ออ้าง เพราะทุกอย่างมันรวดเกินไป

เราไม่แน่ใจในตอนจบของเรื่อง ในทางเลือกของโรเบิร์ต (สปอยล์มาก ๆ) ที่เขาเลือกจะละทิ้งทุกอย่างและกลับไปเรียนมหาวิทยาลัย ถ้านี่เป็นนิยายไทย ก็คงจะเป็นทางเลือกที่ถูกต้อง เพราะค่านิยมของคนไทย พระเอกก็ควรจะเรียนจบปริญญาตรี แต่เรารู้สึกเหมือนโรเบิร์ตทำแบบนี้ เพราะเขาต้องการเป็นคนที่คู่ควรกับลานา แต่การทำแบบนั้นหมายถึงเขาละทิ้งตัวตนของเขาไปรีเปล่า

แต่ในขณะเดียวกันในเรื่องก็เห็นได้ชัดว่า โรเบิร์ตก็ไม่ได้มีความสุขกับชีวิตในลอนดอน เขาพบกับความสงบ ความสุขที่ค้นหามานาน ก็เมื่อเขาได้ลานามาอยู่ในชีวิตในที่สุด (อย่างเขาใฝ่ฝันไว้ตลอดชีวิต) ดังนั้นการที่เขาจะทำเพื่อเธอ ก็อาจจะเป็นการทำเพื่อตัวเองเช่นกัน

หนังสือที่เรียบง่าย แต่เล่าเรื่องความรักในมุมมองที่น่าสนใจ เรารักหนังสือเล่มนี้จังเลยค่ะ

คะแนนที่ 90
Profile Image for Leslie.
219 reviews53 followers
December 31, 2015
BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL!!

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Ms. Cosway stories are so character driven and these did not disappoint!

Robert...
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He's an asshole and he's mean but he's also funny and sweet and he cooks! I loved him!

I had so many quotes highlighted the whole book was lighting up! I'll just post some :0)

You were always something, but you really did turn into a swan, didn’t you, Lana?” Robert...

"He has this presence that always seems to surround me, like he’s ten people instead of one." Lana...

"This isn’t just a kiss, it’s a communication, the culmination of years of repression and feigned hatred." Lana...

“I’m so into you as a person, Lana, I might as well be living under your skin." Robert...

"For instance, I know that Lana has exactly twelve tiny freckles sprinkled across her nose and cheeks. I know that her upper lip curves in the most perfect Cupid’s bow I’ve ever seen. I know that she picks at her nails when she’s nervous in groups." Robert...

"Masculine beauty is the deadliest of cocktails." Lana...

"His attention can be so consuming that sometimes it feels like I’m underwater when his hands are on me." Lana...

"He looks like every decadent sin on earth." Lana...

"His body is a collection of destinations, each one with its own form of comfort or pleasure." Lana...

"I go about acting like I’m so far above her she’s not even worthy of my attention, when really my life orbits around her very existence. I listen to her voice echo through the walls from Sasha’s bedroom when she’s visiting our house, wait avidly for a glance of her walking down the corridor at school. It drives me insane to always be around her yet have to pretend like she doesn’t exist." Robert...

"Sometimes I’ll catch her watching me, and she’ll have this look in her eyes, a look that says every time I ignore her, it shatters her inside. But maybe I’m just imagining it, because deep down I need her to be suffering just as much as I am." Robert...

"She doesn’t even know it, but she might as well be clutching my beating heart in her gentle hands." Robert...

"I never stop thinking about you, Lana. It feels like I’ve been thinking about you my entire life.” Robert...


Ms Cosway is brilliant writer she gives me all the feels!

Don't miss this one guys!
Profile Image for Fanny.
2,396 reviews50 followers
May 20, 2017



The Nature Of Cruelty de L. H. Cosway no es mi primera experiencia con el trabajo de la autora pero si mi primera lectura suya que no pertenece a ninguna saga o serie.

De este estilo solo recuerdo vagamente Bully de Penelope Douglas por lo que sabia que no caeria en las tipicas comparaciones que a veces no puedo evitar hacer entre dos libros con tramas parecidas, ademas estaba muy intrigada sobre como desarrollaria el tema central.

The Nature Of Cruelty no fue lo que esperaba, exactamente no sabia que me encontraria en esta historia pero no imaginaba que todo seria tan incoherente, esa fue la sensacion que tuve mientras leia,todo me parecia muy forzado, no conseguia creerme lo que sucedia y no ayudaba que la actitud de los protagonistas fuera tan irreal.

Fue una novela que me dejo fria, se deja leer pero no me transmitio nada en absoluto e incluso me atreveria a decir que he leido historias cortas que me han emocionado mas.

Los personajes no me simpatizaron, eran planos y simples. Lana me parecio falta de caracter y que utilizaba su enfermedad para justificar sus errores y hacerse la victima ( algo de lo que nadie tenia la culpa y que solo dependia de si misma ) pero no con el abuso verbal que sufria a manos de Rob.

Rob me parecio bipolar ( y muuuy espeluznante ), no lo llegue a entender y lo que es peor, no me gusto lo suficiente como para intentarlo si quiera.

La historia de Rob y Lana no me conmovio ni me parecio especial, un libro entre tantos que no destaca ni brilla ( algo que pense que haria viniendo de la autora que viene ) y que se me hizo largo y pesado.

2 Estrellas!
Profile Image for Preeti ♥︎ Her Bookshelves.
1,462 reviews18 followers
May 30, 2023
“Would you believe me if I told you it was actually a form of affection?”
This YA-NA starts out pretty strong but loses some steam going along.
Profile Image for BG.
509 reviews146 followers
July 31, 2021

“Diabetes, that’s no big deal, right? Lots of people have that.”
“Well, yeah, lots of people have Type 2. Unfortunately for me, I have Type 1, which means my body can’t produce its own insulin, so I need my injections daily.”

His breathing quickens as he moves his body closer to mine. “Would you die if you didn’t get it?”
“It’s bad,” he grits out, his jaw tight. “I don’t want you to be sick.”

“Why not? Seems like when we were kids, you wanted me gone from the face of the planet.”
“That’s not true.”

“What’s true, then?” I ask, just before I notice a single tear falling down his cheek. I gasp audibly, and after several seconds pass I reach out hesitantly to wipe it away. Our faces are a breath apart when I say in awe, “You’re crying for me?”
Profile Image for  B.E.Love.
1,391 reviews132 followers
February 21, 2015
**re-read
Ahh Robert how I fell in love with you, and wanted more of you when I finished this book. So the start of this book I loved Robert, the middle of this book I loved Robert, and the end I loved Robert. Unfortunately I can't say the same for Lana. I really liked her at the beginning and middle of the book but at the end she really irritated me yeah she redeems herself but she really made me mad at what she did and her reason for it. Robert was very intense and possessive but everything he did was for Lana so Plus yes I'm a little biassed because as I may have mentioned I really loved Robert but still ugh Lana.

Lana and Robert have known each other since Robert was fourteen and Lana twelve, when Robert and his Twin sister Sasha moved next to them after their parents divorced. Lana and Sasha became best friends and Robert became Lana's tormentor. Now grown Lana plans to spend her summer before returning to college in London with Sasha. When Lana gets to London she finds out that Robert will be staying with them. Planning on Roberts typical cruelty Lana is surprised to see that Robert seems to have changed and Robert looks at her like he cares and wants her.

The more time Robert and Lana spend together Robert begins to break down Lana's walls and tells her that he cares for her. Soon Lana and Robert begin to date. Robert and Lana fall in love and grow closer every day till A decision Robert made leaves consequences for Lana, that will have an outcome that neither Lana or Robert planned. Now Lana and Robert will have to evaluate what they thought they knew and decisions they made and decide if they're love can with stand or if they are better apart.

Like I said before I loved Robert, don't get me wrong Lana wasn't horrible and I liked her till her in my opinion stupid decision and she did realize she was stupid so that helped. But if I'm honest I have to say I read books mostly for the hero I'm not saying I want to TSTL or irritating heroine I have to like the girl and understand or relate to her BUT in the end it's all about the hero. So I hated seeing him hurt. Robert oh Robert you were fantastic you were all I ask for in my book man, you were crazy in love, determined, possessive, one track minded, and all man.

L.H. Cosway is a great author she sucked me in from page one and had me invested and caring about all (yeah ok except for a few, but I always hate the bad guys/ girls in a book) the characters in this book. It took a minute to get used to her writing style but once I did I was off and running. Not only did she take care in writing Lana and Robert but also the side characters and it was great to see Sasha and Lana's relationship, and Robert and Sasha's relationship. I wish we had gotten an epilogue but thats because I think everything is better with an epilogue. Even with the little pet peeves I had this was still a great book that I'm glad I read and those pet peeves in no way over shadowed the greatness of this book.
Profile Image for Mariℓina.
624 reviews203 followers
January 17, 2015
3,75 Stars,
Who knew love could be so cruel! And what really makes a tormentor so cruel? Bullies are made, not born.


This book was different and such a nice change from the last few books i read.. Genuine, sizzling but not too abviously so and with a compelling writing.
With London for the main setting, an ex-bully hero, absolutely crazy in love and a complex heroine who lives inside her head way too much, how could this book not turn out to be an entertaining journey..?


And it was!
After reading it, you certainly feel the need to ponder and maybe even analyze it a bit, in my book, that is a great achievement for an author. It really makes you want to stop doing anything for a little while and become an ancient Greek philosopher yourself.
I 'm not saying the book was flawless but it was honest. I don't know how else to explain it. Honest, heartfelt, ardent and somewhat esoteric, sound like valid words to characterize it..


Now, i had a crush on Robert from the start, but the few chapters from his POV sealed the deal. And Lana was a nice character too, i could really empathize with her.
Sasha, my favorite girl, was fun, witty, with her own secrets and drama that made the book whole and even more engaging. I liked almost every character with a big exception: Alan. Oh, how i wanted to scream in his face, get lost!



THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK

- I loved all their past stories. Some were cruel, but still.
- I wouldn't have guessed Sasha's secret..
- Robert was too obvious about his feelings, how noone evere saw it?
- The twins were so funny.
- The references to the Greek civilization! YAY!
- I liked their mother.
- The sex was fun.
- What he did for her it was so adorable.
- At times Lana was a bit cold.
- The karaoke night was so nice.
- Many craracters redeem themselves one way or another.
- I was so sad when she erased all his photos..
- Her speech was a bit longish but very nicely done.
- The english way of speaking!! *SWOON* I can almost hear the accent..

Profile Image for Crista.
826 reviews
July 10, 2013
Review posted at: Swept Away By Romance


Painted Faceswas one of the most unique and compelling reads that I’ve had the pleasure of reading this year, so I jumped at the chance to read The Nature of Cruelty! My expectations may have been a bit too high.

The writing in The Nature of Cruelty is undoubtedly strong. I was sucked right into the story and time flew by as I became involved in this story. I had this same experience with Painted Faces, so this author’s work is definitely worth checking out!

The Nature of Cruelty is an enemy to lovers story. Robert and Lana were neighbors growing up and Lana was absolutely terrorized and traumatized by him throughout this time. He was condescending, mean, and completely shattered Lana’s self esteem.

Robert’s twin sister, Sasha, happens to be Lana’s very best friend, so as this story opens Lana has come to live with Sasha for the summer. As soon as Lana enters Sasha’s flat, guess who is eating in the kitchen?

My complete distain for Robert’s character happened in the first chapter and it really didn’t improve much. His character is completely narcissistic, cold, and as the title suggests, cruel. There are all different kinds of heroes written: alpha, gamma, damaged, tormented, charming, protective (or a combination). All of those types of heroes work for me, but what NEVER works for me is a man that shows little remorse for his cruelty. Even after Robert and Lana get involved with one another, he still says horrible things to her and doesn’t show much emotional maturing.

Lana’s character was kind of “blah”. Nothing really unique stood out about her, and I was hoping that she would’ve been stronger by standing up for herself against Robert’s destructive words.

The things that I loved about this book were the amazing love scenes, the writing (which is very engaging), and the snappy English dialogue between characters that I found very charming.

Overall, I liked this book, but I didn’t love it. If you are picking up a book by L.H. Cosway for the first time, I would reach for Painted Faces. For fans of this author this book will treat you to some amazing characterizations and straight “no frills” contemporary romance written by an extremely talented author.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
509 reviews107 followers
March 30, 2015
Second time Read : LOVE

5+++ // I decided to have the proper review for this book cause this novel is such a inspiration. Before Painted Faces, I hadn't known her before. I grabbed 'Painted Faces' because of its refreshing plot. It didn't let me down. That novel became my favorite novels immediately. When I got a chance to read her other book, I have super high expectation from her.

The Nature of Cruelty is the story of the emotional abused girl and the boy who badly treated her. The story is based on forgiving, forgetting and accepting. Lana attracted Robert by her sweet appearance and gentle heart. He's falling for her passionately. However, he didn't know how to properly react to her. He ended up hurting her again and again. Few years later, they had the situation to meet again. Robert started to repent his previous action and tried to properly express his deeper feeling to Lana.

This book is not only refreshing but it's also super sweeeeeeeet. Robert is the kind of bad boy every girl is falling for. One of his most adorable behavior is his creepiness towards Lana. I had happily scream every time he showed his passionate love to Lana. Sasa, Robert's twin, is also very interesting character. As being Lana's best friend and Robert's twin, she always had to be the protector for Lana. Her personal issue is very truly present's problem which was perfect for this book. I generally can't bare overwhelming love in the novel. This book didn't scratch my love for this coupe at all.

I love L.H. Cosway. I can't wait for her next novel to come out very soooooon.
Profile Image for Grecia Robles.
1,697 reviews471 followers
March 17, 2017
4 Stars
L.H. Cosway me gustó mucho por la serie Hearts y por eso quise volver a leer otro libro de ella.

Este libro es parecido al de Bully de Penélope Douglas, es más ligero y o en cuanto al de Bully no se justifica el acoso me pareció absurda la explicación, aquí sí tiene sentido o sea no es la máxima justificación no hay justificación para el acoso pero Rob nos muestra lo que siente por qué las bromas y la intimidación y nos da a entender sus sentimientos que hasta cierto punto raya en la obsesión y eso es en su adolescencia ya en la etapa adulta nos muestra a otro Rob más cariñoso y que quiere ganarse el amor de Lana pero ella tiene que aprender a confiar en él que no es fácil ya que él marcó su adolescencia y no se la va a poner fácil para poder perdonarlo aunque al final el amor siempre gana. Yo no sé si yo pudiera perdonar algo así puede que perdonar tal vez pero olvidar es muy difícil creo que nunca se olvida
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