They were the last words my mother heard before she collapsed on the church steps, poison ending her pitifully short life.
When her new husband dies minutes later, all eyes turn to me.
There are whispers. Accusations. The verdict is split.
I murdered them both. Or I'm the next to die.
To catch a killer, I move myself into my new stepbrother's house in the fancy town of Providence. With its million dollar mansions and ocean views, it's a far cry from the seedy Saint View underbelly I grew up in.
But my new life delivers more than I ever could have bargained for—and three men I never saw coming:
Fang, the biker gang enforcer everyone is terrified of. Everyone, but me. When he finds the bruises I've been hiding, he swears to stand by my side while I have my revenge on the men who hurt me. Vaughn, my cocky new stepbrother. The way he looks at me is anything but brotherly. With half his dad's fortune left to me, we might both be searching for the murderer, but he's my prime suspect. And Kian, my new roommate and Vaughn's enemy. The streetfighter is funny and sweet, but violence darkens his eyes when he hears about my past. Hiding secrets of his own, he joins the hunt. With every lie we uncover, every secret we expose, the danger mounts.
Until there's only one thing we know for sure.
The killer is still out there.
And we're his next targets.
Rebel Revenge is an adult, #whychoose romance, meaning the main character has more than one love interest. This book contains romantic suspense and dark themes that may trigger some listeners. It is the first book in an ongoing trilogy.
USA Today Bestselling author Elle Thorpe is the author of over thirty romance titles, including Amazon top ten books, Start a War and Locked Up Liars. She is best known for her dark reverse harems, and sexy small town romances.
When she's not writing, she's probably out on her family's alpaca farm in rural Australia.
okay buckle up ladies and gentlemen, Since there are many main characters in this particular installment and I’m assuming that most of them will be in the following installment as well this is going to be a long one and a bumpy ride
Yeah, sure She was a woman from Saint View, a place not known for its wealth. They were affluent men from the fancy neighborhood nearby. But that didn’t give them the right to treat her the way they did. Rebel has gone through some serious struggles that no woman should have to deal with.
Before that unforgettable night, Rebel was full of life and always acted on a whim, constantly in a hurry. A petite woman with ADHD, She was once a lively and spontaneous person, but now she seems to have faded into a mere shadow of her past self.
Rebel's new stepbrother Vaughn has a way of looking at her that totally blurs the lines of sibling affection.
Kian, her new roommate, is both Vaughn's enemy and a streetfighter with a great personality. But when he uncovers her backstory, a fierce intensity lights up his eyes. He has his own mysteries and becomes part of the mission. And then we have Fang, the big bad biker who was the club’s enforcer who strikes fear into the hearts of many. Except for her, of course.
Caleb Black was always obsessed with how others perceived him. His pride couldn't bear that Bliss walked away from him. Unable to take his revenge on Bliss, he decided to go after her best friend Rebel instead.
Alright, let's dive into what really bugged me about some of the ridiculous stuff Rebel did... It felt like she treated Fang like he was nothing. The guy was ready to set aside his pride and give her pretty much everything she wanted or needed. I mean, he even took a beating because he felt guilty about what happened to her. And then there's her complete lack of sense, putting herself in danger by going to her rapist's party. I get that she wanted to confront the guy who hurt her, but she put everyone in jeopardy. And don't even get me started on that cliffhanger!
Alright, let me list all the things I loved about this installment... I really enjoyed the revenge storyline mixed with a murder mystery, plus the electrifying spicy scenes .......... omg that dressing room scene
It's a bit dark, so don't forget to check the trigger warnings before you start! I highly suggest giving this book a shot.
As for my friend, thank you kindly for keep letting me shop your large Collection of paperbacks, you know who you are
Rebel Revenge is book one in the Saint View Rebels series by Elle Thorpe. I am so obsessed with the Saint View World. This book is teased at the end of the previous series, Saint View Psychos. I took a short break between series but have been chomping at the bit to get started and oh my gosh, what another crazy, wild, steamy start!
Rebel Kemp is twenty nine years old. We got to know her in the previous series, Saint View Psychos as the best friend of Bliss who works at the Psychos Bar. She is tiny, barely five feet tall. And spunky as heck. She says what she feels and goes for what she wants. But then something happens and it’s all taken from her. Rebel and her mom have a pretty good relationship but don’t always see each other often. Out of the blue, her mom announces she is madly in love and getting married to someone Rebel has never heard of. Only, just seconds after saying I do, her mother collapses to the floor and dies. Her new husband following only minutes behind.
Vaughn Weston is thirty one years old. He is the son of Rebel’s almost step father. Rebel’s almost step brother. It seems that Vaughn’s dad was very wealthy and has left half his wealth to Rebel, much to the dismay of Vaughn. Rebel needs somewhere to live and she needs to find out who killed her mom. What better way than to move in to the mansion they lived in, that Vaughn is currently living in.
Kian O’Malley is the same age as Vaughn I believe. His dad worked for Vaughn’s dad, running the mansion, and Kian now works and lives there in his dad’s place. It’s his home. He and Vaughn grew up together. They have a history, one we’re not really sure of at this point but I have suspicions. Kian is a bit of a mystery at this point. He’s definitely the fun one but there’s something there that we’re not getting yet and I’m so anxious to find out more about him.
Then, last but not least, there is Fang. Fang is part of the Saint View MC. He’s huge and scary looking but to Rebel, he’s just a teddy bear. Because Fang is so in love with Rebel he can’t see straight. Only he knows she’ll never feel the same way about him. So he does whatever he can to protect her, to be as close to her as she’ll allow.
When these men realize that something happened to Rebel, that she was hurt, they are all in agreement that someone will pay. And that they will protect Rebel however they can. Do I have a favorite? Oh yes I do and it is Fang. I am so head over heels for that man. To see how he is with Rebel makes my heart all squishy.
I have no earthly idea who killed Rebel’s mom and Vaughn’s dad. Not even an inkling. But that’s not the only danger happening here. Rebel wants revenge against the men that hurt her but they are more despicable than you or I can ever imagine. There is so much going on here and I can’t wait to start the next book, Rebel Obsession, which I am doing momentarily.
"They hadn't killed me, but they may as well have. I was dead inside. Used. My spirit broken."
They took everything from me. One night changed everything and I don't know if I will ever be the same. But I want to go back. I want to be the badass I was. They took everything from me, I will take even more from them.
"There would be no justice for what they'd done. Not unless I kept myself alive long enough to carry it out."
Rebel suffered unimaginable pain. She was the victim of something no one should ever have to endure. One day, her mom comes to check on her with news that she's getting married (yay... new step dad at 29...) But the wedding changed more than she could ever know... So with the help of her MC fling, her new stepbrother, and their new roommate... You bet your ass she's going to make those assholes suffer.
"I’d oozed confidence. Now I had none. Not anymore. They’d stolen more from me than they would ever know."
I have waited for Rebel's story ever since Bliss' in Saint View Psychos. And Elle Thorpe just keeps on hitting us with bangers!!
Rebel is a badass who had her spirit taken away form her. But she will be damned before she lets someone else exact her revenge. Rebel was a badass in Bliss' books but here we get to see the full range of her awesomeness and I am not complaining one bit.
"Oh, thank God. Room to escape your rapidly expanding head.”
Then you have Fang. Our big bad MC softy. You could see their chemistry from the beginning. Him protecting her no matter what. I mean the soup and chocolate says it all. And he would do anything for Rebel. And I do mean anything.
"Rebel was the only addiction I couldn’t fucking quit."
"Lean over the table, Pix. Spread your legs.”
We have Vaugh. Rebel's new stepbrother. Running away from his life in California. He did not expect to meet Rebel, her history, or the feelings he would feel because of her.
"I craved what she had. I craved her."
And finally we have Kian. Our adorable teddy bear comic relief. The man who has been living in Vaughn's childhood home for the past couple of years, Vaughn's best friend, and definitely more. And he just took an interest in the new woman making his best friend's life that much more interesting.
"Nah, little demon. ’Cause when I fuck you, I’ll have you panting so hard you can’t even utter a sound."
Rebel is out for revenge. She wants it at her own hands. But let's just say these men want to protect her every step of the way.
""You need more than just one man.” It seemed like I somehow suddenly had three."
Tropes: - Why Choose?/MMFM - Roommate - Stepbrother - MC Biker - Murder mystery / Who done it? - Revenge - Badass FMC - Touch her and I'll kill you vibes
This was just okay for me and honestly would have maybe been a little better if I hadn't had my expectations so high. I've really enjoyed all of the other Saint View books so I went into this one with high hopes that it would be just as good and it just didn't live up to that. It was still interesting and all of the characters had their intriguing moments but it didn't captivate me all that much. There was a lot going on and there were a few storylines that felt pushed to the background and a lot that didn't get the development I think they deserved. Which made it hard for me to care enough to go on.
I almost decided to just move on and wait to come back to the next book but with the lackluster feelings over this one I knew if I did that I'd never come back and finish the series. So I pushed through the next two books. In all honesty, I skimmed them heavily at times but I still never fully fell in love with this story.
What an ending. Damn! I don’t know how Elle does it. The characters just jump off the page at you and you can’t help but fall for the guys as they reveal themselves along the way. Fang he’s gonna be the one the readers call dibs on and I’m not different. The storyline is solid and didn’t have a dull moment. I can’t wait for the next book in the trilogy to release.
I wanted to like this book, I truly did. It was boring, Rebel was portrayed as weak even though her character was supposed to be strong and unfortunately I couldn't make it through to the end. DNF.
DNF at 26%. This started strong. I was captivated. But the heroine did a 360 and ended up being a big immature NOPE for me. Described as having an ‘advantage of being tiny’ after poking the belly of a police officer and then saying she looked forward to coffee and donuts, if he hadn’t already eaten them all????? No thank you. Not here for body shaming in any form.
*I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review for the whole trilogy. This is RH with MM in it, and a criminal underworld type setting. 1 heroine, 3 heroes, all around age 30. It's the typical RH plot of "tough girl heroine must live with a group of guys, for Reasons." (I'm not really being shady, I don't mind that plot, it's common because it doesn't get old, and it works as an RH set-up).
Rebel, a 30 year old bartender who lives in the crappy part of town, is told that her mom is getting married, and she suddenly has a new stepbrother. Their parents both die at the wedding, in a freak turn of events. Their local cops are corrupt, so they have to figure out what happened. She was also assaulted off-page right before her story began. So a big part of the plot also involves her getting revenge on those guys. Her group of 3 heroes is her cocky stepbrother Vaughn, this MC guy Fang who she was previously hooking up with and is the "gentle giant" type, and Kai, Vaughn's ex boyfriend who is also the "gentle giant" type.
I know the "Saint View" world is a whole universe of connected trilogies about different main characters. But, this is my first read in this world. It was mostly fine to dive in here. I wasn't totally lost. It was clear that every time a side character got mentioned, they had their own stories - but, it wasn't too overwhelming, and it did make me curious to try their stories.
Overall, this trilogy was nothing special - it didn't make me feel big emotions, I won't think about it much after finishing. And, the heroine annoyed me sometimes (by impulsively walking into dangerous situations with no plan. And, by refusing to listen when people pointed that out to her). I didn't hate her, I've read worse heroines, but she WAS the type of heroine where an author confuses being stupid for being bold and badass. Those aren't the same thing!
But, despite those flaws, this trilogy held my attention and kept me entertained. I wasn't wowed by it, but I didn't have a bad time reading it. So if you're in the mood for an RH with a tough-girl heroine and a criminal underworld setting, it hits the spot, it's just not amazing.
It did make me wonder why I constantly see the "Saint View" universe recommended and praised, since it's Fine but not special or memorable. But, as far as other RH books go that are like this (criminal underworld settings, and connected worlds following various main characters who pop up in each other's books) -- the Royals of Forsyth University series is too dark for some people, and slow to put out more books. Bea Paige's books like this (Academy of Stardom, the Dancer and the Masks, etc) are too weird for some people (although I like them) and that universe is now over. J Bree's Mounts Bay universe seem to be abandoned, as she's moved onto writing fantasy. So, that does narrow the choices down, if you want this type of read. And I guess that's why Saint View is popular. And like I said, despite me being a bit "meh" on this, I probably will check out more books in this world.
Oh. My. God. The queen of cliffhangers does it again. I’m so glad I waited until all books were out to start this trilogy because I knew I was going to absolutely lose my mind waiting for the next book to be released.
I’ve been waiting for Rebel’s story since Saint View Psychos and omg it did not disappoint. I was glued to my kindle anytime I could. I love Rebel and I hate what happened to her, when I saw Caleb’s pov in this book too I almost screamed in rage. I can’t wait to see him pay for everything he ever did to Bliss, Scythe and Rebel.
And the guys, Fang, Kian and Vaughn, I’m obsessed with them! I can’t wait to read more about them and more about Kian and Vaughn’s history. Into book 2 I go!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved it! Would recommend, almost perfect and likely would reread.
Yet another win from Elle Thorpe, I really enjoyed this first one and getting to know all the characters involved. This was action packed from start to finish, I am sick of stupid Caleb and the cliffy sent me! Finished this within a few years because #addicted
I listened to the audio on this one. 5 ⭐️ on the production and voice actors in this book. 4⭐️on the premise of the story. 2⭐️ on the story itself. I didn’t realize it was a cliffhanger and a trilogy. I don’t usually mind cliffhangers if it is part of a duet or trilogy and not some never-ending story. I feel like it’s missing something for even my “need to know what happens mind” to be invested enough to read the last two books.
Dnf - just couldn’t be bothered to get through it and the whole Caleb plot made me squeamish which is odd as I read a lot of dark romance, but for some reason just couldn’t get into rebels story enough to want to finish it.
*Audiobook* Picked this up as it is a multi POV narration, and I struggle to find books that are like that. The narrators did an okay job, I wouldn't say they were great and sometimes the voices just felt OTT. Also the random, but inconsistent background noises just made it worse. Sometimes footsteps, the odd message noise etc. The overall plot wasn't interesting and it felt off. The FMC is abused by 3 men (happens before the book so you get the aftermath) and most of the book focuses on her need for revenge. There is a significant death within the book, but the author spends minimal time reflecting on that and the FMCs grief. She mentions throwing a house party, her attraction to the men, her need for revenge...but there is nothing about her grief and dealing with it. Her best friend also makes minimal appearance even after the FMC has been abused and lost someone, it just gives off an insincere feeling to the overall book. I think the minimal emotions just makes it an overall shallow read. One of the MMC's continually blames himself for everything going wrong for the FMC, and the martyr act just gets boring. Can he not have other emotions other than guilt and love for the FMC? The FMC is also supposed to be a badass (yawn to another character written with this personality) but she yoyos between being rude and then feeling vulnerable...her anger, rudeness and revenge are all that she is. Where is the character depth? She also makes illogical, stupid decisions that just doesn't make sense. Going into a basement to hide...WHO DOES THAT. Any other place in the house, why not go upstairs where their are windows? Why go down into a room that has a lock on the outside and is underground? Oh and The idea and the overall plot had potential to be an interesting, emotional and angsty read but instead it all fell flat. It defintely felt that the author needed to develop the characters, relationships and emotions more. But also create more interesting scenes...2 parties were not needed, baking a cake scene could have been used better, going costume shopping could have been written more interestingly. Even though it ended on a cliffhanger, I wasn't interested enough to want to continue the series.
I have high expectations with rebel being who she is but it disappointed, things don’t make sense, like she’s badass but makes stupid decision left and right, she is traumatized but only a week after her attack (that was so brutal but she could walk) she was having sex and listing over 3 men. So smart but trap herself in her attackers basement. I also feel it was boring, repetitive, this whole book it’s just 2 weeks in their lives, and nothing at all change they were in the same place as the first page of the book. You can probably jump to book 2 without reading this and get the whole story. I’m not sure I’m reading #2
Just wow! I just adore Rebel and love how resilient she is even with everything hat has happened. My heart so breaks for her but love how she is bouncing back. And Fang, Vaughn and Kian are totally swoon worthy as they all feel something for her though, and can’t help but to try to protect her from the evil. This book has it all - sizzle, bad (and good) guys, sass and suspense. So much is happening and I cannot wait to read what happens as this had a doozy of a cliffhanger!
I received a free advance reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest review.
Elle Thorpe was my first reverse harem/why choose author. I devoured all her books and was so excited when this one was released to continue my Saint View journey. I was not disappointed. Loved learning more about Rebel and her guys. I don't know how I can wait until September and then October to finish this series with that cliffhanger!!
4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I love everything about Elle Thorpe’s reverse harem trilogies and this was an amazing first installment to Rebel’s story. We already have a common enemy that we’ve met in the Saint View Psychos story and Rebel’s harem is shaping up to be adorable in their own way.
1st book ends on a cliffhanger of course! So onto book 2 immediately!
this book took a while to pull me in but I liked the heroine enough to root for her to get her revenge. Rebel was definitely a survivor but I was surprised at how much I came to like her “stepbrother” Vaughn. I’m still team Fang but I like Vaughn too. I just want Caleb and his cohorts to go down.
I was already annoyed that Rebel wanted to purposely put herself in danger by going to her rapist's party, I didn't even read the chapter from his POV. But a cliffhanger, seriously?! At this point I don't care which of her guys she chooses or if it's all three.
I don’t understand how every single book this woman writes is amazing and her cliffhangers really hook me! The full cast narration and sounds effects made for such an enjoyable listen.