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Ruthless
They say grief comes in waves. Savannah Grey knows better. She’s been drowning for months. After surviving the massacre that stole her girlfriend’s life, Savannah is sent to Briarcliff Academy—an elite boarding school built on secrets, silence, and bloodlines sharper than knives. Haunted by memories, scarred by the past, she arrives with one bag, one lie, and no intention of surviving anything more. But Briarcliff is no safe haven. It’s a throne of shadows, ruled by four ruthless boys who see everything—and forget nothing. Cassian Wolfe has her dead lover’s eyes. Jett laughs like chaos and bleeds mischief. Alec plays by rules only he writes. And Ronan? He’s already broken. Just like her. As secrets unravel and alliances sharpen, Savannah is pulled into a web of privilege, pain, and revenge. She came here hollow. But in the fire Briarcliff feeds, she might finally learn how to burn. Grief is a cage. But survival? That’s a war.
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Published August 20, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 24, 2025
I started this book blindly (which is not something I do often) and I was sucked straight in.
The FMC is so well written, you feel her deeply, every agonising painful moment she lives through, is like you are connected.
I love how the four MMCs are all so polar opposites from each other and yet every one of them fills the missing piece of the FMC.
This book ends on a cliffhanger so I jumped straight into #2
The FMC is so well written, you feel her deeply, every agonising painful moment she lives through, is like you are connected.
I love how the four MMCs are all so polar opposites from each other and yet every one of them fills the missing piece of the FMC.
This book ends on a cliffhanger so I jumped straight into #2
August 30, 2025
(ARC for an honest review) This had so much potential and maybe with a new editor this would be closer to 5 starts but as it stands now, its sloppy and rushed.
The plot is great (if underdeveloped and rushed) and had great potential if executed right but it was overshadowed by Savi and her lack of personality and need to remind us she lived and Sadie died (I don’t see how this was relevant to the trafficking plot). There was no character, relationship or world building you just had to put the pieces together to figure it out. Who are the guys parents, what do they do, why do they have all this high tech equipment, why is the dean scared of Cassian's mum? In some cases i had to wait chapter to get answers to basic answers like how she knew who the guys were as soon as she saw them. There is a lot of repetition in words and descriptions ( "surgical" drove me crazy).
The book was also so fast paced that I struggled to keep up as it when from 0 - 100 in a paragraph. It jumped from place to place with no explanation to how someone was feeling about what happened just action. There was to much of “ I can see it on the face/eyes so he/she didn’t have to say it). I’d like them to say it and express themselves. Don't even get me started on the relationship between Savi and the guys...it felt forced and not in a good way, there was no tension just facts and declarations. With this being a RH, Sadie should have been left as a BFF not a GF as i struggled with Savi being so in love with Sadie and practically dying of a broken heart and never being in a relationship with a guy to just dick hoping between the four guys after a truth and dare game. I know where the author was going with this but it wasn't executed in a way that delivered the finding love in each other after tragedy.
I felt disconnected from the main plot of trafficking as not enough time was spent on developing this. I know what everyone is doing, saying and where they are but no idea where that is and what it looks like. They are in a boarding school and Savi is given a uniform that she is told she has to wear. The uniform is not mentioned again and Savi spends her days in an oversized hoodie.
I can't say much more without spoilers but it was a nice enough read just needs more details to paint a picture of not just the background but individual characters and plot.
The plot is great (if underdeveloped and rushed) and had great potential if executed right but it was overshadowed by Savi and her lack of personality and need to remind us she lived and Sadie died (I don’t see how this was relevant to the trafficking plot). There was no character, relationship or world building you just had to put the pieces together to figure it out. Who are the guys parents, what do they do, why do they have all this high tech equipment, why is the dean scared of Cassian's mum? In some cases i had to wait chapter to get answers to basic answers like how she knew who the guys were as soon as she saw them. There is a lot of repetition in words and descriptions ( "surgical" drove me crazy).
The book was also so fast paced that I struggled to keep up as it when from 0 - 100 in a paragraph. It jumped from place to place with no explanation to how someone was feeling about what happened just action. There was to much of “ I can see it on the face/eyes so he/she didn’t have to say it). I’d like them to say it and express themselves. Don't even get me started on the relationship between Savi and the guys...it felt forced and not in a good way, there was no tension just facts and declarations. With this being a RH, Sadie should have been left as a BFF not a GF as i struggled with Savi being so in love with Sadie and practically dying of a broken heart and never being in a relationship with a guy to just dick hoping between the four guys after a truth and dare game. I know where the author was going with this but it wasn't executed in a way that delivered the finding love in each other after tragedy.
I felt disconnected from the main plot of trafficking as not enough time was spent on developing this. I know what everyone is doing, saying and where they are but no idea where that is and what it looks like. They are in a boarding school and Savi is given a uniform that she is told she has to wear. The uniform is not mentioned again and Savi spends her days in an oversized hoodie.
I can't say much more without spoilers but it was a nice enough read just needs more details to paint a picture of not just the background but individual characters and plot.
August 23, 2025
B.L. Fagan is a new to me other, so this was the first book of hers that I read. Well, I'm happy to report, that I really enjoyed it.
It had some of my favorite tropes. RH/why choose, academy setting, bullying, (not by MMC) and more!
Right away I was pulled into the story and it easily kept my interest.
There was drama, secrets, and some spice. It was also quite emotional. It was filled with pain and heartbreak for sure. However, there was also love and hope.
Savannah went through some horrible things. It's about her path of recovery and healing.
I loved the guys. They lifted her up and fight for her. With their help, she is finding strength and courage.
Overall, it think this was a great read.
I do have some questions. Especially after that ending, I need answers!
It had some of my favorite tropes. RH/why choose, academy setting, bullying, (not by MMC) and more!
Right away I was pulled into the story and it easily kept my interest.
There was drama, secrets, and some spice. It was also quite emotional. It was filled with pain and heartbreak for sure. However, there was also love and hope.
Savannah went through some horrible things. It's about her path of recovery and healing.
I loved the guys. They lifted her up and fight for her. With their help, she is finding strength and courage.
Overall, it think this was a great read.
I do have some questions. Especially after that ending, I need answers!
August 28, 2025
Savannah has lost everything. She has lost the love of her life and soul mate in a mass shooting. Her grief is unbearable, and she will never be the same girl she was before the accident. This book gutted me!!
Savannah gets sent to Briarcliff Academy to get a fresh start, but the students there are bullies and downright hateful except Cassian, Jett, Alec, and Ronan, "The Bad Boys". This is an emotional, grief striken book with bullying, dark academia, why choose. Be warned that this book ends on a cliffhanger, but the 2nd book comes out on August 29th. It's been a long time since a book has taken ahold of me and has me still thinking about it. So good!!
Savannah gets sent to Briarcliff Academy to get a fresh start, but the students there are bullies and downright hateful except Cassian, Jett, Alec, and Ronan, "The Bad Boys". This is an emotional, grief striken book with bullying, dark academia, why choose. Be warned that this book ends on a cliffhanger, but the 2nd book comes out on August 29th. It's been a long time since a book has taken ahold of me and has me still thinking about it. So good!!
July 27, 2025
Oh my… I loved this heartbreaking and thrilling start! Savannah is living, huh living is not the right word. Barely surviving is more accurate. She’s barely surviving and suffering from acute survivors guilt. Cassian is a tough one for her initially because he reminds her so much of who she lost. Jett, Alex and Ronan all offer their individual support. The slow healing that starts to take place in Savannah is not for the faint of heart. It’s brutal, raw and honest. But the truth that’s uncovered sets danger into motion. I need the next book asap!!
August 5, 2025
Ruthless took me by surprise in the best way. Savannah’s pain feels so real you can feel her grief in every page. She’s not trying to be strong; she’s just surviving, and that made her story hit even harder. Briarcliff is dark and twisted, with secrets around every corner, and the boys? Unforgettable. Each one is dangerous in his own way, but it’s Cassian and Ronan that really stayed with me. The writing is emotional, sharp, and beautifully broken. If you love stories with grief, power games, and slow-burning tension, this one’s for you. I couldn’t put it down.
September 29, 2025
First book read by B.L Fagan and I was immediately suck in. Savannah lost the love of her life after watching her girlfriend get shot and bleed out during a mass shooting. Months later, still drowning in her grief, Savannah finds herself starting school at Briarcliff- an elite boarding school. Everyone around her gives her glares and whispers about her as she passes by. Four male students find themselves protecting Savannah at all costs.
This book does finish on a cliffhanger, so ensure you have book 2 on hand. You will find yourself immediately wanting to dive in!
This book does finish on a cliffhanger, so ensure you have book 2 on hand. You will find yourself immediately wanting to dive in!
August 21, 2025
🩶dark academia
🩶why choose
🩶grief
🩶found family
5⭐️ 🌶️🌶️
This book absolutely wrecked me and then put the pieces back together. Savannah’s story was both beautiful and heart wrenching. I can’t wait to read Savage and see if Savannah gets her revenge.
“They don’t ask me to forget you. They don’t try to replace you. They just love me in the aftermath. In the wreckage. In the ruins, I’ve been trying to rebuild.”
🩶why choose
🩶grief
🩶found family
5⭐️ 🌶️🌶️
This book absolutely wrecked me and then put the pieces back together. Savannah’s story was both beautiful and heart wrenching. I can’t wait to read Savage and see if Savannah gets her revenge.
“They don’t ask me to forget you. They don’t try to replace you. They just love me in the aftermath. In the wreckage. In the ruins, I’ve been trying to rebuild.”
August 15, 2025
Ruthless is an emotional and powerful read where you get to see first hand how Savannah gets her power back. The characters each have their own special aspects that do nothing but add more to the story. Sometimes reverse harems can be doing too much but this story was the perfect balance of each person. Has a heck of a cliff hanger and I can’t wait to read book 2
August 5, 2025
Oh wow
There better be another book!!!! It cannot end like that!!!
This story was raw in its description of grief. I liked it and will be looking for more from B.L.Fagan.
There better be another book!!!! It cannot end like that!!!
This story was raw in its description of grief. I liked it and will be looking for more from B.L.Fagan.
August 22, 2025
What a story. This was heartbreaking, but kept me on my toes. I loved watching all the guys fall for her little by little and glad they all agreed on vengeance that was more than necessary.
October 10, 2025
Good story. Ends in a cliff hanger. Be prepared to read book 2, Savage.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews