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Carved in Scars
"Everyone everywhere is dirty. Places like this just make it easier for them to hide."
Ally’s life is turned upside down when her mother is arrested, and she’s sent to Washington to live with her aunt and uncle. After spending part of her life homeless, the picturesque house near the water looks like a dream, but it isn’t long before Ally realizes it’s a nightmare.
Devon has watched his stepsister’s best friend since the first time he saw her, fascinated by her dark eyes and introspective nature. He's determined to break down Ally's walls and make her his.
But Ally’s troubled home life and friendship with his stepsister, Darci, complicates things. The two keep their relationship a secret and come up with a plan. And it seems like it’s going to work…
Until they find the body.
Now, Devon is out of jail and wants revenge against the person who put him there, the person who started all of this, the only one who could possibly know what happened that night…
Ally.
Ally’s life is turned upside down when her mother is arrested, and she’s sent to Washington to live with her aunt and uncle. After spending part of her life homeless, the picturesque house near the water looks like a dream, but it isn’t long before Ally realizes it’s a nightmare.
Devon has watched his stepsister’s best friend since the first time he saw her, fascinated by her dark eyes and introspective nature. He's determined to break down Ally's walls and make her his.
But Ally’s troubled home life and friendship with his stepsister, Darci, complicates things. The two keep their relationship a secret and come up with a plan. And it seems like it’s going to work…
Until they find the body.
Now, Devon is out of jail and wants revenge against the person who put him there, the person who started all of this, the only one who could possibly know what happened that night…
Ally.
389 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2024
454 people are currently reading
3030 people want to read
About the author
Elle Mitchell
12 books551 followersKnown as the (mostly benevolent) Queen of Angst, Elle Mitchell writes new adult contemporary romance ranging from shades of grey to morally pitch black with a hint of taboo. A mix of plot and spice, her books follow flawed, relatable characters as they rage against the machine or struggle against the darker parts of humanity and themselves. They’re messy—like real life—and emotional.
She can’t promise that all her books will depict what a healthy relationship should look like at every turn. She rejects purity themes. The best she can do is promise an eventual HEA when it’s all said and done.
When she isn’t reading or writing, it’s unlikely you’ll find her anywhere. She’s probably at home with her family, minding her own business.
Find her on IG and TT: @ellemitchellbooks
She can’t promise that all her books will depict what a healthy relationship should look like at every turn. She rejects purity themes. The best she can do is promise an eventual HEA when it’s all said and done.
When she isn’t reading or writing, it’s unlikely you’ll find her anywhere. She’s probably at home with her family, minding her own business.
Find her on IG and TT: @ellemitchellbooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews
January 18, 2024
Jumping into this one tonight!! Love the beautiful cover, caught my eye straight away. Then that blurb sealed the deal!!
I kind of had high expectations going into this one, it honestly took me a bit to get into it, past and present often collided that I had to go back to the chapter I was in to see if I was in the past or present time, usually I don't mind this set up too much but with this it just seemed too messy, we'd finally get somewhere in present time then it would jump abruptly back into the past.
Due to the jump in the storyline I also found it hard connecting with the characters.
Sadly this one wasn’t for me. Others have really enjoyed this book, this may also be its me and not the book senario, definitely give this one a go and form your own opinions. I’ve read one other by this author which I enjoyed.
I kind of had high expectations going into this one, it honestly took me a bit to get into it, past and present often collided that I had to go back to the chapter I was in to see if I was in the past or present time, usually I don't mind this set up too much but with this it just seemed too messy, we'd finally get somewhere in present time then it would jump abruptly back into the past.
Due to the jump in the storyline I also found it hard connecting with the characters.
Sadly this one wasn’t for me. Others have really enjoyed this book, this may also be its me and not the book senario, definitely give this one a go and form your own opinions. I’ve read one other by this author which I enjoyed.
January 9, 2024
L I V E today on Amazon and in KU!
Please check the TWs before reading this book.
Please check the TWs before reading this book.
February 19, 2024
Elle did it again. This book was PHENOMENAL. This is a DARK ROMANCE, please read the trigger warnings. I felt honored to read as she wrote it, and it made me realize how truly talented she really is as a writer. Her imagination is wild, and her mind works so fast. Producing relatable quotes left and right. I hope this book goes far. It deserves to be seen. All of her books deserve to be seen.
If you love bully romance like Punk 57, you will love this book. Ally goes through so many things, it just breaks your heart. Please read the trigger warnings. Devon has been intrigued with his stepsisters best friend, aka Allie, and just falls for her hard. I love how caring and loving Devon was to Allie. Every time he left breakfast in the locker, I melted. He's my top Elle Mitchell book boyfriend. Sorry, Tristan. Devon has my heart. I don't want to give too much away. But their secret relationship is adorable, angsty, and painful. By the epilogue, I cried so hard. My husband was so confused 🤣
It was such a beautiful, raw, and breathtaking story. Also, SPICY AF. I will recommend this book to everyone I know. You never know what others are dealing with at home. Everyone has their scars. Inside and outside. I think im going to read it again. Right now.
Also, if you've read A Little Unstable, you might...see some characters make a cameo in this book 😏
One of my favorite quotes:
“Lick it or I will. Don’t waste it.”
🖤Lovers to enemies to lovers
🖤He falls first
🖤Bully romance
🖤Best friends stepbrother
🖤Spicy
🖤Dual POV/timeline
🖤Secret relationship
If you love bully romance like Punk 57, you will love this book. Ally goes through so many things, it just breaks your heart. Please read the trigger warnings. Devon has been intrigued with his stepsisters best friend, aka Allie, and just falls for her hard. I love how caring and loving Devon was to Allie. Every time he left breakfast in the locker, I melted. He's my top Elle Mitchell book boyfriend. Sorry, Tristan. Devon has my heart. I don't want to give too much away. But their secret relationship is adorable, angsty, and painful. By the epilogue, I cried so hard. My husband was so confused 🤣
It was such a beautiful, raw, and breathtaking story. Also, SPICY AF. I will recommend this book to everyone I know. You never know what others are dealing with at home. Everyone has their scars. Inside and outside. I think im going to read it again. Right now.
Also, if you've read A Little Unstable, you might...see some characters make a cameo in this book 😏
One of my favorite quotes:
“Lick it or I will. Don’t waste it.”
🖤Lovers to enemies to lovers
🖤He falls first
🖤Bully romance
🖤Best friends stepbrother
🖤Spicy
🖤Dual POV/timeline
🖤Secret relationship
January 7, 2024
This book brought me back to some dark places from my past and it was cathartic in a way to revisit those. To remind myself those scars made me who I am. The way Elle wrote this brought ugly tears to my eyes because, I could relate. Ally spoke all the thoughts I had, felt everything and more.
It was an emotional roller coaster of feelings and tears throughout reading this but god it was beautiful. The story was so well written and planned. Ally and Devon have my heart. ♥️
I’m crying writing this because I just finished and I loved it so much. I am gonna go now. 🖤
It was an emotional roller coaster of feelings and tears throughout reading this but god it was beautiful. The story was so well written and planned. Ally and Devon have my heart. ♥️
I’m crying writing this because I just finished and I loved it so much. I am gonna go now. 🖤
December 28, 2023
First and foremost, please read the trigger warnings in this book. They are super important and beneficial to your mental health while reading. Don’t ignore them please, especially if anything listed on there can potentially trigger you. Books are fantastic, but they’re not worth jeopardizing our health over. None of my triggers were in this book, and some scenes were still tough to read, so heed the warnings.
“Etched in ink or carved in scars. It us. Against the world.”
Books that have the bully trope were never really my thing. I’ve always been too much of a crybaby, and way too emotional to give them a proper chance. I recently decided to give them a shot though, and I’m so glad I did because of this book right here!
Did I finish this book in a couple of hours? You bet I did! I absolutely devoured this book! From the very beginning I was hooked. I could not put this book down. Don’t even get me started on the spice in this book! It was so perfectly written.
“Can I be in your space, Ally? Because I like being in your orbit.”
I fell in love with Devon as soon as we got to meet him. His sense of humor, and the fact that he READS had me falling in love instantly. He was so sweet and thoughtful, and I loved every single time we got his POV because I loved reading his thoughts. Past Devon has my absolute heart. I will forever love him, and he’s going on my list of favorite book boyfriend’s.
“We all come into the world as blank canvases. And we leave it carved in scars.”
Reading Ally’s POV was heartbreaking, but I admired how strong she was. She deserves all of the happiness in the world, and she definitely deserves Devon. I loved watching her grow into herself as the book went on, and standing up for herself.
I loved the dual timeline and POV. It wasn’t hard to follow along with the story, and it helped me understand both Ally and Devon so much better. You could really see the differences in each of the MC’s as the story progressed and the timelines changed.
Please give this book a chance, you will not regret it. I loved it so much, and I can’t wait to own the physical copy so I can annotate it the way it deserves.
“Etched in ink or carved in scars. It us. Against the world.”
Books that have the bully trope were never really my thing. I’ve always been too much of a crybaby, and way too emotional to give them a proper chance. I recently decided to give them a shot though, and I’m so glad I did because of this book right here!
Did I finish this book in a couple of hours? You bet I did! I absolutely devoured this book! From the very beginning I was hooked. I could not put this book down. Don’t even get me started on the spice in this book! It was so perfectly written.
“Can I be in your space, Ally? Because I like being in your orbit.”
I fell in love with Devon as soon as we got to meet him. His sense of humor, and the fact that he READS had me falling in love instantly. He was so sweet and thoughtful, and I loved every single time we got his POV because I loved reading his thoughts. Past Devon has my absolute heart. I will forever love him, and he’s going on my list of favorite book boyfriend’s.
“We all come into the world as blank canvases. And we leave it carved in scars.”
Reading Ally’s POV was heartbreaking, but I admired how strong she was. She deserves all of the happiness in the world, and she definitely deserves Devon. I loved watching her grow into herself as the book went on, and standing up for herself.
I loved the dual timeline and POV. It wasn’t hard to follow along with the story, and it helped me understand both Ally and Devon so much better. You could really see the differences in each of the MC’s as the story progressed and the timelines changed.
Please give this book a chance, you will not regret it. I loved it so much, and I can’t wait to own the physical copy so I can annotate it the way it deserves.
January 12, 2024
Man… You know those books that just make you want to stare at a wall after you read them?
Well this one had me laying down staring at the floor, nothing deserved my attention after reading this book. Lol
Like, so many emotions we’re sewn into these pages. && still somehow Elle found a way to patch up and render my poor little heart by the end. I’ll be recommending this book until my lungs give out.
It’s only January and I already know this book is going to be in my top 5 reads of the year, if not my favorite of 2024.
Well this one had me laying down staring at the floor, nothing deserved my attention after reading this book. Lol
Like, so many emotions we’re sewn into these pages. && still somehow Elle found a way to patch up and render my poor little heart by the end. I’ll be recommending this book until my lungs give out.
It’s only January and I already know this book is going to be in my top 5 reads of the year, if not my favorite of 2024.
April 3, 2025
where do i begin? this book was so beautifully written. one thing i absolutely love about elle’s books is how she takes real life trials and tribulations, and creates beautiful stories with characters that hold such a special place in my heart. devon and ally’s story absolutely wrecked me in the best way possible. i was laughing, crying, blushing—ALL the emotions. their story is raw and heart gripping. ally hit close to home and devon is her safe space. this story will forever be in my favorites. 💗
did i cry while writing this? yes. is this a surprise to anyone who knows me? absolutely not 😂😭
did i cry while writing this? yes. is this a surprise to anyone who knows me? absolutely not 😂😭
January 3, 2024
This book had me speechless, crying, and emotional! I love Ally and Devon’s story, taking you from lovers to enemies back to lovers. Secrets tear them apart but also brought them back together. This is a bully romance, lovers to enemies, enemies to lovers, spice, high school drama, emotional and all the extra triggers that come with bully high school romance. But the secrets are what keep this book interesting with every page you turn. She leaves you wanting more after every chapter to learn what happens to Darci Ally’s best friend and Devon’s step sister who turns up dead. You’ll want to cry happy tears at the end of this one so get reading!
January 8, 2024
Review coming soon, but this is one of the best books I've ever read!!! Amazing and I'll never be over it!
November 17, 2023
"𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐲?"
𝐈 𝐬𝐡𝐫𝐮𝐠. "𝐖𝐡𝐲?"
"𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐭. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨."
•
Let me start off by saying that it has been years since I have read a book that resonated with me so deeply and I have read a LOT of books. Reading this story of two teens going through some of the worst trauma imaginable and then still getting through it together broke me and healed me in so many ways.
Carved in Scars is great for fans of books like Darling Venom and Punk 57, you can really tell that Elle pours her heart and soul into these beautiful, complex characters.
The spice between Devon and Ally was *insanely* hot without seeming unrealistic for the setting nor distracting from the plot which to me, is the perfect combination.
🖤 Lovers to Enemies to Lovers
🖤 Murder Investigation
🖤 Spicy
🖤 Best Friends Step Brother
🖤 Bully Romance
🖤 Secret Relationship
🖤 Dual POV/Timeline
🖤 HEA
𝐄𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐮𝐬. 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝.
𝐈 𝐬𝐡𝐫𝐮𝐠. "𝐖𝐡𝐲?"
"𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐭. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨."
•
Let me start off by saying that it has been years since I have read a book that resonated with me so deeply and I have read a LOT of books. Reading this story of two teens going through some of the worst trauma imaginable and then still getting through it together broke me and healed me in so many ways.
Carved in Scars is great for fans of books like Darling Venom and Punk 57, you can really tell that Elle pours her heart and soul into these beautiful, complex characters.
The spice between Devon and Ally was *insanely* hot without seeming unrealistic for the setting nor distracting from the plot which to me, is the perfect combination.
🖤 Lovers to Enemies to Lovers
🖤 Murder Investigation
🖤 Spicy
🖤 Best Friends Step Brother
🖤 Bully Romance
🖤 Secret Relationship
🖤 Dual POV/Timeline
🖤 HEA
𝐄𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐮𝐬. 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝.
January 8, 2024
✨Arc Review✨
My first read of Elle Mitchell books. The writing was amazing. I was interested from the very beginning. The real life situations is what threw me in. Just made it feel more real to me. I felt for the characters. Such a heart wrenching story. I couldn’t put it down.
Ally goes through many hardships she doesn’t deserve. Just when life goes her way. Things seem to get even worse for her. The person she didn’t expect to fall for. Bestfriend’s step brother, Devon. They begin to learn about each other. See each other in secret. That’s the thing about secrets. They don’t always stay a secret. Tragedy strikes and drives them apart. Devon plans to make Ally suffer for what she did. There’s always more to the story.
I am so blessed to have been given the opportunity to arc read, Carved in Scars. This is one of my top reads of 2023. It will definitely be a reread in the future. Elle Mitchell has become my insta read author.
Tropes:
~Dark Bully Romance
~Dual POV
~Dual Timelines
~Best friend’s stepbrother
~Lovers to enemies to lovers
~High school
~Suspense Romance
~Secret relationship
~Murder investigation
~Spicy
~HEA
*As always check TRIGGER WARNINGS!*
“We all come into the world as blank canvas. And we leave it carved in scars.”
“Etched in ink or carved in scars. It’s us. Against the world.”
My first read of Elle Mitchell books. The writing was amazing. I was interested from the very beginning. The real life situations is what threw me in. Just made it feel more real to me. I felt for the characters. Such a heart wrenching story. I couldn’t put it down.
Ally goes through many hardships she doesn’t deserve. Just when life goes her way. Things seem to get even worse for her. The person she didn’t expect to fall for. Bestfriend’s step brother, Devon. They begin to learn about each other. See each other in secret. That’s the thing about secrets. They don’t always stay a secret. Tragedy strikes and drives them apart. Devon plans to make Ally suffer for what she did. There’s always more to the story.
I am so blessed to have been given the opportunity to arc read, Carved in Scars. This is one of my top reads of 2023. It will definitely be a reread in the future. Elle Mitchell has become my insta read author.
Tropes:
~Dark Bully Romance
~Dual POV
~Dual Timelines
~Best friend’s stepbrother
~Lovers to enemies to lovers
~High school
~Suspense Romance
~Secret relationship
~Murder investigation
~Spicy
~HEA
*As always check TRIGGER WARNINGS!*
“We all come into the world as blank canvas. And we leave it carved in scars.”
“Etched in ink or carved in scars. It’s us. Against the world.”
January 14, 2024
“The things that happened to me changed me, but they don’t have to be the sum of who I am. I can be etched in ink instead of carved in scars.”
Wow. This was an amazing 5 star read! Ally’s mom is arrested and she has to go live with her aunt and her uncle. Her home life with them is not so great. She becomes friends with Darci, who has a stepbrother, Devon. Devon has been watching Ally for a while and he’s determined to make her his. But Darci hates Devon and Ally’s aunt and uncle keep her on a short leash. So they keep their relationship secret. Then a body is found. Devon is arrested for the crime and blames Ally and now he wants revenge.
It is so hard for me to put into words how fantastic this book is. I feel like I’m still processing this book and may be for a while. I was as addicted to this book as Ally and Devon were to each other. I wanted to read it so fast but not so fast because I didn’t want it to end.
Mitchell wrote two characters that were each other’s puzzle pieces. Both tortured by the circumstances of their past. Both equally shunned at school. Both with the ability to love and be loved. Both characters relatable in some fashion. I really related to Ally and the way she thought. I may not have ever been in her exact circumstances, but there were thoughts and feelings that were the same.
I felt the emotions of both Devon and Ally. That’s how talented Mitchell is. She made me fall in love with both of these characters, I was happy with them, hurt with them, and sad with them.
I’m seriously at a loss for words in describing this book. The words and thoughts I’ve chosen don’t feel like I’m doing this book justice. This book is beautiful, heartbreaking, gut wrenching, and mysterious. I did never expect the ending to go where it did. At the end of one chapter, my mouth was literally open in shock!
I will forever recommend this book to everyone and this is a book that will stick with me forever.
Wow. This was an amazing 5 star read! Ally’s mom is arrested and she has to go live with her aunt and her uncle. Her home life with them is not so great. She becomes friends with Darci, who has a stepbrother, Devon. Devon has been watching Ally for a while and he’s determined to make her his. But Darci hates Devon and Ally’s aunt and uncle keep her on a short leash. So they keep their relationship secret. Then a body is found. Devon is arrested for the crime and blames Ally and now he wants revenge.
It is so hard for me to put into words how fantastic this book is. I feel like I’m still processing this book and may be for a while. I was as addicted to this book as Ally and Devon were to each other. I wanted to read it so fast but not so fast because I didn’t want it to end.
Mitchell wrote two characters that were each other’s puzzle pieces. Both tortured by the circumstances of their past. Both equally shunned at school. Both with the ability to love and be loved. Both characters relatable in some fashion. I really related to Ally and the way she thought. I may not have ever been in her exact circumstances, but there were thoughts and feelings that were the same.
I felt the emotions of both Devon and Ally. That’s how talented Mitchell is. She made me fall in love with both of these characters, I was happy with them, hurt with them, and sad with them.
I’m seriously at a loss for words in describing this book. The words and thoughts I’ve chosen don’t feel like I’m doing this book justice. This book is beautiful, heartbreaking, gut wrenching, and mysterious. I did never expect the ending to go where it did. At the end of one chapter, my mouth was literally open in shock!
I will forever recommend this book to everyone and this is a book that will stick with me forever.
January 2, 2024
Elle has this special way of writing a story that tears you apart, rips you to shreds and then puts you back together again as if nothing happened.
The story of Ally and Devon was RAW and heart wrenching. I loved both of their flawed characters. They were somehow perfect for each other in the best and worst ways. Their relationship is the epitome of “for better or worse” and “to hell and back”
Both of them come from shit situations yet make the best of it in their own ways. The story is told in dual POV/past & present and you really get to see inside both of their heads which is SO necessary for this book. There’s nothing Devon wouldn’t do for ally and vise versa.
Ally is so strong through the shit constantly thrown her way. I was really excited to get to the end and see what happened with Darci and see them finally get the peace they needed after her tragic death.
5/5 ⭐️ written absolutely beautifully, with respect given to the raw topics throughout.
The story of Ally and Devon was RAW and heart wrenching. I loved both of their flawed characters. They were somehow perfect for each other in the best and worst ways. Their relationship is the epitome of “for better or worse” and “to hell and back”
Both of them come from shit situations yet make the best of it in their own ways. The story is told in dual POV/past & present and you really get to see inside both of their heads which is SO necessary for this book. There’s nothing Devon wouldn’t do for ally and vise versa.
Ally is so strong through the shit constantly thrown her way. I was really excited to get to the end and see what happened with Darci and see them finally get the peace they needed after her tragic death.
5/5 ⭐️ written absolutely beautifully, with respect given to the raw topics throughout.
January 9, 2024
Now Etched in ink instead of just carved in scars
Let’s start off by saying this book was amazing, heartwrenching, and so beaut written. The way Elle Mitchell is able to write about people surviving even the evilest of situations and make them a little easier to digest is what makes me love her books so much. When 2 high school students find their way to each other through a common person their lives quickly become intertwined. As they discover each others past traumas, and lean on each other in secret they are torn apart by a mutual loss. Now back in the same place again after months Devon is determined to make Ally pay for her role in his suffering. But things aren’t always what they seem on the surface.
Is this book spicy? Is it heartbreaking? Is it triggering? Yes yes and definitely yes
Elle ripped my heart out only to slowly stitch it back together one chapter at a time.
Let’s start off by saying this book was amazing, heartwrenching, and so beaut written. The way Elle Mitchell is able to write about people surviving even the evilest of situations and make them a little easier to digest is what makes me love her books so much. When 2 high school students find their way to each other through a common person their lives quickly become intertwined. As they discover each others past traumas, and lean on each other in secret they are torn apart by a mutual loss. Now back in the same place again after months Devon is determined to make Ally pay for her role in his suffering. But things aren’t always what they seem on the surface.
Is this book spicy? Is it heartbreaking? Is it triggering? Yes yes and definitely yes
Elle ripped my heart out only to slowly stitch it back together one chapter at a time.
June 14, 2025
This is my fifth Elle Mitchell book this year, and yep I’m officially obsessed.
She nails the dark, emotional rollercoaster in this high school bully romance. It’s enemies-to-lovers with raw themes like self-harm and depression, and somehow it still manages to be a heartwarming, gut-wrenching, and totally addictive story.
If you love characters that feel real and stories that make you laugh, cry, and maybe ugly sob, Elle’s your girl.
She nails the dark, emotional rollercoaster in this high school bully romance. It’s enemies-to-lovers with raw themes like self-harm and depression, and somehow it still manages to be a heartwarming, gut-wrenching, and totally addictive story.
If you love characters that feel real and stories that make you laugh, cry, and maybe ugly sob, Elle’s your girl.
dnf
October 26, 2024DNF at chapter 3...not feeling it at all and the hero is not my cup of tea😅
December 8, 2023
*Blows out breath* Wow… what a story! I’ll just start by saying that Elle never fails at delivering a heartache and an FMC so relatable to me. My younger self was similar in a lot of ways (behavior, attitude, sadness, some BS drama). I feel that even if our past traumas weren’t identical, or even quite as rough as what these characters go through, they’re still so relatable in many ways.
This story was heartbreaking, almost beginning to end. Please check the trigger warnings before reading, if you choose to. But when I say heartbreaking, I don’t mean that it was bad at all. This story was very good and what these characters went through is unfathomable. I enjoyed the absolute rollercoaster of the troubled past, a somewhat forbidden romance (best friends stepbrother), a tragic death that somehow ties to the main characters, and the trouble they go through to prove their innocence and self dignity, when all signs point to either of them. And there’s so many things that go on behind closed doors and out of the public eye. People aren’t who they pretend to be. A love that has you rooting for a successful outcome quickly takes a turn for the worst after Devon winds up in jail and wants revenge for who he believes put him there, his own girlfriend, Ally. One shattered and one broken. I felt for Ally.. my goodness. I want to both admire her strength but also feel so much sorrow for all she endures. Devon is so angry, and while it’s understandable, I held my breath the entire time he seeks revenge and turns to malice.
Elle did an amazing job breaking up this story between “then” and “now”.. keeping me guessing at who, why, and what really happened between Devon, Ally, both together & individually, and the murder. The reveal surprised me, I’m not going to lie. My emotions went from saddened to start, then heartbroken for the majority, to slowly redeemed by the end.
I can’t recommend Elle’s books enough! I love the struggle, the realness, the rollercoaster of emotions, the spice, the romance, and characters perseverance through it all. I can’t get enough of books that make me FEEL this much! Just. Amazing!
This story was heartbreaking, almost beginning to end. Please check the trigger warnings before reading, if you choose to. But when I say heartbreaking, I don’t mean that it was bad at all. This story was very good and what these characters went through is unfathomable. I enjoyed the absolute rollercoaster of the troubled past, a somewhat forbidden romance (best friends stepbrother), a tragic death that somehow ties to the main characters, and the trouble they go through to prove their innocence and self dignity, when all signs point to either of them. And there’s so many things that go on behind closed doors and out of the public eye. People aren’t who they pretend to be. A love that has you rooting for a successful outcome quickly takes a turn for the worst after Devon winds up in jail and wants revenge for who he believes put him there, his own girlfriend, Ally. One shattered and one broken. I felt for Ally.. my goodness. I want to both admire her strength but also feel so much sorrow for all she endures. Devon is so angry, and while it’s understandable, I held my breath the entire time he seeks revenge and turns to malice.
Elle did an amazing job breaking up this story between “then” and “now”.. keeping me guessing at who, why, and what really happened between Devon, Ally, both together & individually, and the murder. The reveal surprised me, I’m not going to lie. My emotions went from saddened to start, then heartbroken for the majority, to slowly redeemed by the end.
I can’t recommend Elle’s books enough! I love the struggle, the realness, the rollercoaster of emotions, the spice, the romance, and characters perseverance through it all. I can’t get enough of books that make me FEEL this much! Just. Amazing!
January 7, 2024
*please read trigger warning as this is a dark bully romance with on page domestic abuse & self harm*
omg ellie knows how to rip your heart out and put it back together again. this is my second book by her and let me say I am not disappointed. I am now an ellie mitchell stan and I need to read the rest of her books.
this book has some of my favorite tropes; dual pov, dual timelines, it’s always been you, I will do anything for you.
bully romance has never been a top trope for me but give this book a chance. it will break you but I promise it gets better. this book follows ally and devon as they rekindle their relationship after the death of devon’s half sister/ ally’s friend.
I loved that this book started in the present and as the book goes on, it gives more perspective of the past. the more you read, the more the backstory of ally/ darci/ devon comes to life.
there were parts of this book were it was a little dark and twisty for me and I had to put the book down for a little to collect my thoughts. at the end of the day, I fell in love with alli & devon’s story and I can’t believe it’s over.
ellie, thank you for writing such an amazing story and bringing these characters to life.
omg ellie knows how to rip your heart out and put it back together again. this is my second book by her and let me say I am not disappointed. I am now an ellie mitchell stan and I need to read the rest of her books.
this book has some of my favorite tropes; dual pov, dual timelines, it’s always been you, I will do anything for you.
bully romance has never been a top trope for me but give this book a chance. it will break you but I promise it gets better. this book follows ally and devon as they rekindle their relationship after the death of devon’s half sister/ ally’s friend.
I loved that this book started in the present and as the book goes on, it gives more perspective of the past. the more you read, the more the backstory of ally/ darci/ devon comes to life.
there were parts of this book were it was a little dark and twisty for me and I had to put the book down for a little to collect my thoughts. at the end of the day, I fell in love with alli & devon’s story and I can’t believe it’s over.
ellie, thank you for writing such an amazing story and bringing these characters to life.
January 1, 2024
This book people. My goodness was this a ride but so worth it. Devon and Ally were perfection. Just two odd balls coming together to make something beautiful.
Ally, this girl, where do I start. You feel for her right away. This poor girl has been through so much in her life, it has you thinking how much more can she handle. But her strength through everything was incredible. She will have you rooting for her throughout the whole book. Even during the times when they are at each other’s throats.
Then we have Devon. This guy, I think I fell for him right away. With how he was towards Ally from the moment she came into his life. There was just something sweet and cute about his behavior towards her…does that say something about me, I don’t know lol.
Yes I was upset with some of the things they both did to one another but ultimately I freaking loved them.
Also loved the little bit we got from Darci’s POV too.
All the suspense and twists in this book were just some cherries on the top to fully make this book incredible! What a way to end my reading year of 2023!
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5️⃣🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
10/10 recommendation‼️
Ally, this girl, where do I start. You feel for her right away. This poor girl has been through so much in her life, it has you thinking how much more can she handle. But her strength through everything was incredible. She will have you rooting for her throughout the whole book. Even during the times when they are at each other’s throats.
Then we have Devon. This guy, I think I fell for him right away. With how he was towards Ally from the moment she came into his life. There was just something sweet and cute about his behavior towards her…does that say something about me, I don’t know lol.
Yes I was upset with some of the things they both did to one another but ultimately I freaking loved them.
Also loved the little bit we got from Darci’s POV too.
All the suspense and twists in this book were just some cherries on the top to fully make this book incredible! What a way to end my reading year of 2023!
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.
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5️⃣🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
10/10 recommendation‼️
December 13, 2023
"We all come into the world as blank canvases. And we leave it carved in scars."
Well... Elle Mitchell does it again. This book has some extreme triggers so please be sure to read the disclaimer.
However.. it's also so beautifully done and I'm sure a ton of people could find it relatable in a sense.
Ilove books that have a murder mystery/thriller concept to them but also romance and smut. This book is all about the who done it and how does Ally stay standing so strong after everything she has to endure. Well thanks to the bad boy emo Devon who's really not a bad boy at all and loves with all his heart but also hates with it too. Allys best friend Darci is Devon's step sister so when sparks fly they have to keep it hush hush until Darci's murder makes everything spiral.
My heart broke so many times during this book it was really hard to mend it back even at the end. The pain and suffering that the characters go through makes you want to just hug them and take care of them until they feel better. But it's also so relatable on a grief perspective and how grief can make you do some messed up things. How it affects you mentally and emotionally and sometimes even physically. Once Carved in Scars is available to you please please read it if you can handle the triggers you won't be disappointed.
Well... Elle Mitchell does it again. This book has some extreme triggers so please be sure to read the disclaimer.
However.. it's also so beautifully done and I'm sure a ton of people could find it relatable in a sense.
Ilove books that have a murder mystery/thriller concept to them but also romance and smut. This book is all about the who done it and how does Ally stay standing so strong after everything she has to endure. Well thanks to the bad boy emo Devon who's really not a bad boy at all and loves with all his heart but also hates with it too. Allys best friend Darci is Devon's step sister so when sparks fly they have to keep it hush hush until Darci's murder makes everything spiral.
My heart broke so many times during this book it was really hard to mend it back even at the end. The pain and suffering that the characters go through makes you want to just hug them and take care of them until they feel better. But it's also so relatable on a grief perspective and how grief can make you do some messed up things. How it affects you mentally and emotionally and sometimes even physically. Once Carved in Scars is available to you please please read it if you can handle the triggers you won't be disappointed.
December 26, 2023
Deavon and Allys story is unbearably heart wretching. If ever 2 characters deserve a happy ending it's them, and of course it is delivered!
But before that happens be prepared to be drug through ALLLL the feels. There's so much love, hate, hurt, and anger in this story. Have tissues ready because we feel every bit of all of it right alongside them, "I know that’s my fault. I made you like this. I broke you, and I hate myself for it."
If there's one thing I've come to expect from an Elle Mitchell book it's quotes that are raw, relatable, and absolutely beautiful. I felt so seen while reading Carved in Scars that I wanted to hide. It latched onto thoughts that lurk in the darkest corners of my mind and put them to rest (Thank you Elle). For that, this book will always own a large piece of my heart.
But before that happens be prepared to be drug through ALLLL the feels. There's so much love, hate, hurt, and anger in this story. Have tissues ready because we feel every bit of all of it right alongside them, "I know that’s my fault. I made you like this. I broke you, and I hate myself for it."
If there's one thing I've come to expect from an Elle Mitchell book it's quotes that are raw, relatable, and absolutely beautiful. I felt so seen while reading Carved in Scars that I wanted to hide. It latched onto thoughts that lurk in the darkest corners of my mind and put them to rest (Thank you Elle). For that, this book will always own a large piece of my heart.
May 27, 2025
not sure if i wanna scream or cry because it’s over but i do know id do anything to get ONE more chapter. elle’s writing is so captivating and just addicting to the point i feel like im watching what im reading. this book destroyed me in so many ways and made me feel every emotion possible and i absolutely loved it. i could not be happier with the ending. this was a very deeply emotional and heartfelt book and i can’t express how good it was. i don’t think there is a single elle mitchell book i wont love 🧎♀️➡️🥹🫶🏻
January 5, 2024
Bully romance isn’t usually my cup of tea, but I have to say I had a hard time putting this book down once I started it. There was so much going on the whole time and I just had to know WHO DID IT!?
This is definitely a very dark book so pay attention to the trigger warnings. However, if you do that and still want to read it, I truly think you’ll enjoy this book! HEA.
"We all come into the world as blank canvases. And we leave it carved in scars - some we show to the world and others that remain invisible unless someone knows exactly where to look - but they make us who we are, whether we want them to or not."
Thank you so much to Elle for this ARC! Check it out when it releases on January 8th!
This is definitely a very dark book so pay attention to the trigger warnings. However, if you do that and still want to read it, I truly think you’ll enjoy this book! HEA.
"We all come into the world as blank canvases. And we leave it carved in scars - some we show to the world and others that remain invisible unless someone knows exactly where to look - but they make us who we are, whether we want them to or not."
Thank you so much to Elle for this ARC! Check it out when it releases on January 8th!
March 5, 2024
No because I loved this book so much 😭 I didn’t want to put it down, started AND finished it today. I loved Ally and Devon’s story so much. I can’t wait to read more by Elle soon!
December 23, 2023
I absolutely loved this book it has a dual timeline in it which I actually liked, it kept me at the edge of my seat and wanting to know everything as they went from then to now! I also loved Devon and Ally’s relationship I could feel all the emotions in this book! The plot twist was insane I never thought it would be this one person to do what he did! But if you guys are looking for a spicy, best friends brother, emotional, and bully romance this is the book! It’s a 5 star and you won’t regret it!
November 19, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️ CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS!
I could not put this book down. I read it in 9 hours. I was hooked after the first chapter. I loved the way the past and present were written. The character build up, and the plot were amazing. The author does a great job getting the reader to get a clear picture and understanding of the MMC and FMC. I was determined to find out how Devon and Ally went from loving each other to despising Ally and was determined to destroy her.
I could not put this book down. I read it in 9 hours. I was hooked after the first chapter. I loved the way the past and present were written. The character build up, and the plot were amazing. The author does a great job getting the reader to get a clear picture and understanding of the MMC and FMC. I was determined to find out how Devon and Ally went from loving each other to despising Ally and was determined to destroy her.
January 5, 2024
Elle Mitchell continues to bring the darkness, destruction, and pain - but I can't stop loving her books. Carved in Scars is so beautifully broken. Everything about this book is so good. I was immediately pulled in right from the beginning. I really enjoyed the angle of the murder plot, which brought a new element. At first, the timeline confused me, but once my brain started working, I got back on track.
This is a very dark and mature YA romance. The main characters, Ally and Devon, are in high school. These two lost souls are entwined - bound together by dark and hidden pasts. Devon is all kinds of sexy, but I adored how caring he was for her. Their secret relationship was so emotional and raw. I was on the verge of tears many times. Overall a good read and would recommend to anyone who enjoyed Punk 57.
This is a very dark and mature YA romance. The main characters, Ally and Devon, are in high school. These two lost souls are entwined - bound together by dark and hidden pasts. Devon is all kinds of sexy, but I adored how caring he was for her. Their secret relationship was so emotional and raw. I was on the verge of tears many times. Overall a good read and would recommend to anyone who enjoyed Punk 57.
December 12, 2023
Oh.My.God! I got the pleasure of arc reading this book and I cannot say thank you enough to Elle Mitchell for the stories that she writes!
Devon and Ally story emotionally wrecked me, broke my heart, put it in a blender and then took it out and glued it back together! The trials and tribulations that these two teenagers go through, had me in tears. We watched Devon and Ally grow up and become adults but during those late teenage years the emotional roller coaster of the drama that unfolded in this book was unhinged to say the least but I loved every second of it!
There is a HUGE plot twist in the last 10% of this book so be prepared to get your mind blown.
Pick up this book, YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT, and the words and lives of Ally and Devon will stick with you for a while.
Do read your TW's prior, mental health is important!
Devon and Ally story emotionally wrecked me, broke my heart, put it in a blender and then took it out and glued it back together! The trials and tribulations that these two teenagers go through, had me in tears. We watched Devon and Ally grow up and become adults but during those late teenage years the emotional roller coaster of the drama that unfolded in this book was unhinged to say the least but I loved every second of it!
There is a HUGE plot twist in the last 10% of this book so be prepared to get your mind blown.
Pick up this book, YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT, and the words and lives of Ally and Devon will stick with you for a while.
Do read your TW's prior, mental health is important!
September 23, 2024
5/5 ⭐️
3.5/5 🌶️
"do you want to go swimming, ally?"
"when i try to picture a version of my life where i'm happy—which is getting harder and harder to do—i still picture me with you."
"it's, ally. us against the world."
summary:
since ally moved to black rock island to live with her aunt and uncle after her mother was arrested, she’s been trying to keep a low profile. for unknown reasons, darci, a popular girl in school, has taken her under her wing, but ally is very different from the cool kids she hangs out with.
darci despises her outcast stepbrother, devon, and doesn’t want him around her friends. but devon is fascinated by ally and is set on knowing her. he sees through the mask ally puts on and knows there’s more to her than she lets on.
as they get closer and devon discovers the real ally, they must keep their relationship secret from everyone, especially darci. they come up with a plan to run away together and everything seems to be working out.
until a body is found, and everything changes.
four months later, devon is out of jail and back in town. and he’s set on getting his revenge on the one who betrayed him: ally.
ARC review:
i discovered elle mitchell's books last summer when i read her fourth novel, the pieces we leave behind. i fell in love with her writing and the deep raw emotions she was able to invoke with her words. elle and shelbie had warned me this one was darker, so i went in cautiously, but it ended up being one of my favorite reads of 2023. while i wouldn't say it's a dark romance, it is indeed pretty dark because of the topics included in the story. so please check the TWs before reading.
if i can say one thing about elle mitchell's books, it's that they are angsty and will have your heart breaking into pieces (but they always have an HEA). this one was no exception. i felt so much for both ally and devon when reading their story. i could feel their pain and emotions deep inside my soul. they both go through traumatic events and it's hard to read at times, but it's never done for shock value or drama.
this was promoted as a bully romance, and i won't say it's not because there is bullying, but elle managed to surprise me with the direction the story took. this is different than what i've read from the genre before. devon is not a jerk, he's actually a really good person who was deeply hurt and who was changed by events in the story. he had valid reasons to hate ally; it wasn’t just revenge for revenge. and you could tell how much it hurt him to hurt her.
ally... my girl. she felt so guilty and was in so much pain. but she was always thinking of other people's wellbeing first and tried to hide behind a mask to not bother anyone. she deserved better, and only devon saw through her good girl facade and did something about it. their love was so pure (but the spice between them was not 🤭).
ally and devon literally carved themselves a space in my heart in a few hours. i cannot recommend this book enough if you like emotional and powerful new adult romance books.
i would like to thank the author, elle mitchell, for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
read if you like:
- dark new adult romance (set in high shcool)
- lovers to enemies to lovers
- best friend's stepbrother
- secret relationship
- murder investigation
- bully romance
- dual timeline and POV
- "who did this to you?"
3.5/5 🌶️
"do you want to go swimming, ally?"
"when i try to picture a version of my life where i'm happy—which is getting harder and harder to do—i still picture me with you."
"it's, ally. us against the world."
summary:
since ally moved to black rock island to live with her aunt and uncle after her mother was arrested, she’s been trying to keep a low profile. for unknown reasons, darci, a popular girl in school, has taken her under her wing, but ally is very different from the cool kids she hangs out with.
darci despises her outcast stepbrother, devon, and doesn’t want him around her friends. but devon is fascinated by ally and is set on knowing her. he sees through the mask ally puts on and knows there’s more to her than she lets on.
as they get closer and devon discovers the real ally, they must keep their relationship secret from everyone, especially darci. they come up with a plan to run away together and everything seems to be working out.
until a body is found, and everything changes.
four months later, devon is out of jail and back in town. and he’s set on getting his revenge on the one who betrayed him: ally.
ARC review:
i discovered elle mitchell's books last summer when i read her fourth novel, the pieces we leave behind. i fell in love with her writing and the deep raw emotions she was able to invoke with her words. elle and shelbie had warned me this one was darker, so i went in cautiously, but it ended up being one of my favorite reads of 2023. while i wouldn't say it's a dark romance, it is indeed pretty dark because of the topics included in the story. so please check the TWs before reading.
if i can say one thing about elle mitchell's books, it's that they are angsty and will have your heart breaking into pieces (but they always have an HEA). this one was no exception. i felt so much for both ally and devon when reading their story. i could feel their pain and emotions deep inside my soul. they both go through traumatic events and it's hard to read at times, but it's never done for shock value or drama.
this was promoted as a bully romance, and i won't say it's not because there is bullying, but elle managed to surprise me with the direction the story took. this is different than what i've read from the genre before. devon is not a jerk, he's actually a really good person who was deeply hurt and who was changed by events in the story. he had valid reasons to hate ally; it wasn’t just revenge for revenge. and you could tell how much it hurt him to hurt her.
ally... my girl. she felt so guilty and was in so much pain. but she was always thinking of other people's wellbeing first and tried to hide behind a mask to not bother anyone. she deserved better, and only devon saw through her good girl facade and did something about it. their love was so pure (but the spice between them was not 🤭).
ally and devon literally carved themselves a space in my heart in a few hours. i cannot recommend this book enough if you like emotional and powerful new adult romance books.
i would like to thank the author, elle mitchell, for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
read if you like:
- dark new adult romance (set in high shcool)
- lovers to enemies to lovers
- best friend's stepbrother
- secret relationship
- murder investigation
- bully romance
- dual timeline and POV
- "who did this to you?"
December 22, 2023
Probably one of the best books I’ve ever read. I am beyond blessed to have the opportunity to be an ARC reader. Thank you so much Elle. I connected with ally the FMC so much in away that I felt like I’m free after reading it. I cried and yelled but overall absolutely loved it. Highly recommend reading this. PLEASE JUST CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS.
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