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Lethal
Hayden Crawford spent years trying to bury the girl who ruined him.
Olivia Banks was his best friend. His first choice. The one person he trusted without question. Then she disappeared and left destruction behind her.
Once, they shared a treehouse, late nights, and promises neither of them planned to break. Now every look between them burns with betrayal, guilt, and memories neither escaped.
Three years later, she walks back into his life like she never shattered it.
Now they’re trapped in the same college, surrounded by enemies, secrets, and two rival groups ready to tear each other apart. Olivia wants to survive five months and leave town forever. Hayden wants answers. Revenge. Maybe both.
But the closer he gets to her, the harder it becomes to hold onto the hate he built for her.
Because some people leave scars too deep to forget.
And some loves turn lethal when they break.
Olivia Banks was his best friend. His first choice. The one person he trusted without question. Then she disappeared and left destruction behind her.
Once, they shared a treehouse, late nights, and promises neither of them planned to break. Now every look between them burns with betrayal, guilt, and memories neither escaped.
Three years later, she walks back into his life like she never shattered it.
Now they’re trapped in the same college, surrounded by enemies, secrets, and two rival groups ready to tear each other apart. Olivia wants to survive five months and leave town forever. Hayden wants answers. Revenge. Maybe both.
But the closer he gets to her, the harder it becomes to hold onto the hate he built for her.
Because some people leave scars too deep to forget.
And some loves turn lethal when they break.
391 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 18, 2026
REVIEW OF ADVANCED COPY
I waver between 3.5 and 4 to be honest.
Not going to lie, for the first bit of this book I was very worried that Hayden was just some broken hearted dickhead who was still mentally stuck in high school.
Then the reason dropped and wow, it flipped my views completely. I could not even imagine dealing with what Hayden did. Now it was just wondering why it was done.
I wish Olivia had more of a backbone, had snapped back at a few people for their treatment.
Now, the big issue of what she did had me really thinking if I’d do anything differently in her position. Going to be honest and say I don’t know if I would. A girl having gone through something traumatic and instantly having her trauma being used against her for the life of others. I’m genuinely shocked she didn’t have a worse outcome.
I love Cain. I must admit when Hayden first alluded to snipers, I thought it was an edgy boy comment. Yeah, nah, he’s a k*ller 😂 I very much enjoyed learning about how Cain and Hayden became close. Wasn’t pretty but Cain vibes like another dad.
Was the Hayden and Olivia relationship handled well? Man it’s so hard to say because I absolutely adored the way the progression was written. So sweet and pure to those first signs of a crush. Then it all went to shit.
With what occurred, I don’t know. That time of forgiveness was a little too quick to me. I understand why, I do, but I wish it was dragged a little more. I enjoyed angry and heated conversations lol
Last note and not something I expected to get punched in the gut to, but Olivia’s mom. Just broke my heart. There were a few lines that hit a little too close to home and made me understand Olivia a little more.
I waver between 3.5 and 4 to be honest.
Not going to lie, for the first bit of this book I was very worried that Hayden was just some broken hearted dickhead who was still mentally stuck in high school.
Then the reason dropped and wow, it flipped my views completely. I could not even imagine dealing with what Hayden did. Now it was just wondering why it was done.
I wish Olivia had more of a backbone, had snapped back at a few people for their treatment.
Now, the big issue of what she did had me really thinking if I’d do anything differently in her position. Going to be honest and say I don’t know if I would. A girl having gone through something traumatic and instantly having her trauma being used against her for the life of others. I’m genuinely shocked she didn’t have a worse outcome.
I love Cain. I must admit when Hayden first alluded to snipers, I thought it was an edgy boy comment. Yeah, nah, he’s a k*ller 😂 I very much enjoyed learning about how Cain and Hayden became close. Wasn’t pretty but Cain vibes like another dad.
Was the Hayden and Olivia relationship handled well? Man it’s so hard to say because I absolutely adored the way the progression was written. So sweet and pure to those first signs of a crush. Then it all went to shit.
With what occurred, I don’t know. That time of forgiveness was a little too quick to me. I understand why, I do, but I wish it was dragged a little more. I enjoyed angry and heated conversations lol
Last note and not something I expected to get punched in the gut to, but Olivia’s mom. Just broke my heart. There were a few lines that hit a little too close to home and made me understand Olivia a little more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“𝓘 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓼𝓱𝓮 𝓵𝓲𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓪𝓽𝓬𝓱. 𝓣𝓾𝓻𝓷𝓼 𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝓼𝓱𝓮 𝓳𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝔀𝓮𝓭 𝓶𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓪𝓵𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝔂 𝓫𝓾𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰.”
I have been waiting, if a little impatiently for the next Crawford brothers book after reading and loving Declan’s book Ruin (I highly recommend that too btw) and when I finally got my hands on it, I devoured it within a couple of hours barely pausing for long enough to keep myself hydrated.
Lethal is the story of Hayden Crawford and Olivia Banks, a pair who seemed to almost be fated to be together. After meeting as children and becoming best friends their evolution into something more was almost a gradual realisation between them. Until one day a an unbearable betrayal not only forces them apart but does so in an incomprehensible way. Eroding the feelings of love and leaving behind darkness, pain, heartbreak and an unimaginable hatred.
But when Olivia returns, and they are once again in the same place. Beneath the cruelty and bravado, the line between love and hate doesn’t seem as impenetrable as it once was.
When someone from their past is stalking Olivia from the shadows and terrorising her with cruel taunts Hayden will stop at nothing to keep her safe, even if he has to break the rules that protect them to do it. But beneath the feelings of love is a lingering doubt, what happens if the love between them isn’t enough to forgive the betrayal? If faced with the same choice would she choose him this time, choose them?
I have been waiting, if a little impatiently for the next Crawford brothers book after reading and loving Declan’s book Ruin (I highly recommend that too btw) and when I finally got my hands on it, I devoured it within a couple of hours barely pausing for long enough to keep myself hydrated.
Lethal is the story of Hayden Crawford and Olivia Banks, a pair who seemed to almost be fated to be together. After meeting as children and becoming best friends their evolution into something more was almost a gradual realisation between them. Until one day a an unbearable betrayal not only forces them apart but does so in an incomprehensible way. Eroding the feelings of love and leaving behind darkness, pain, heartbreak and an unimaginable hatred.
But when Olivia returns, and they are once again in the same place. Beneath the cruelty and bravado, the line between love and hate doesn’t seem as impenetrable as it once was.
When someone from their past is stalking Olivia from the shadows and terrorising her with cruel taunts Hayden will stop at nothing to keep her safe, even if he has to break the rules that protect them to do it. But beneath the feelings of love is a lingering doubt, what happens if the love between them isn’t enough to forgive the betrayal? If faced with the same choice would she choose him this time, choose them?
Review of advance copy received from Author
I started my Ruby Wolff journey with Rich Boy, and with every book, I fall even deeper in love with her universe and Lethal is right up my alley!
I really loved Hayden and Olivia's story and their journey together. After all, who doesn't love a childhood friendship turned to romance? Of course, the road to get there is incredibly bumpy. I adored their early scenes because they are genuinely sweet, which makes the later heartbreak so much more effective. The dual timeline works beautifully here because every happy memory makes the present-day hostility hurt that much more.
While Hayden's anger occasionally becomes a bit repetitive and the misunderstanding lasts a little longer than necessary, the emotional intensity stays high throughout, and the finale is absolutely worth the wait.
I think for me the book's biggest success is that it made me believe that Hayden and Olivia were soulmates long before they became a couple. All in all, the emotional payoff is incredibly satisfying, especially if you enjoy second-chance romances, childhood friends-to-lovers, protective heroes, and long-buried feelings.
I really loved Hayden and Olivia's story and their journey together. After all, who doesn't love a childhood friendship turned to romance? Of course, the road to get there is incredibly bumpy. I adored their early scenes because they are genuinely sweet, which makes the later heartbreak so much more effective. The dual timeline works beautifully here because every happy memory makes the present-day hostility hurt that much more.
While Hayden's anger occasionally becomes a bit repetitive and the misunderstanding lasts a little longer than necessary, the emotional intensity stays high throughout, and the finale is absolutely worth the wait.
I think for me the book's biggest success is that it made me believe that Hayden and Olivia were soulmates long before they became a couple. All in all, the emotional payoff is incredibly satisfying, especially if you enjoy second-chance romances, childhood friends-to-lovers, protective heroes, and long-buried feelings.
June 16, 2026
The book starts with a flashback of Hayden and Olivia first time meeting as children. As the story is moving on we are jumping from the past to present. We get to see their past and their friendship which is absolutely beautiful. In the present we get to see that their friendship is none existent. Hayden hates this woman with a passion and Olivia wants her friend back. This was an emotional book. I felt love, pain, loss, anger. I laughed, I cried I felt it all. The one particular thing I love about this series is the family aspect. The Crawford family is tight knit crew with who share it all the good the bad and ugly. Hayden and Olivia’s story was story I was not prepared for. I was not expecting the things that happened to happened. It was a roller coaster. We were up and then down, we were on the edge of our seats and then we sat back. I knew Hayden’s book was going to be amazing and it was. I wanted to hug both Hayden and Olivia tightly. Now real quick it wouldn’t be a Crawford brothers story without spice and Hayden didn’t disappoint. I will say there was not a lot of spice, it was more plot and enjoyed it. As always well done Ruby and I’m ready for the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is my first time reading this author and it will definitely not be my last. I was instantly attracted and captivated with this book, which I couldn’t put down. It is a « lethal » book in many ways and in every aspect. The characters are amazingly strong and resilient. This story is loaded with overwhelming emotions that take you places you never thought you’d go but will forever stay with you. Hayden Crawford learnt this in an excruciating manner that has broken him in ways he never prepared for. Meeting Olivia at age twelve, the girl who couldn’t stop talking or reading Harry Potter books, attracted him in ways he never saw coming but also destroyed him, his essence and made him a lethality deadly weapon. I was very captivated by this authors writing, the way she draws you in , every page is a page turner and I’m looking forward to reading more of her books.
Review of advance copy
I loved being back in this series. The characters always take a hold of you. Haydens and Olivia's story was gritty, heartbreaking and intense. I loved the timelines, this really built the story, as a whole and made the heart ache real. The pain, anger and sorrow was palpable. This was captivating and I loved how the Crawford's rally together, through thick and thin. Honestly I'm disappointed I have to wait for the next book 🤣 However can not wait for more. Absolutely fabulous world building. Can not recommend highly enough if you love a good page turn get stuck in.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Once again Ruby Wolff has written another epic book. It was dark, gritty, heartwrenching, beautiful and healing! Olivia and Hayden's story was one of the best emotional book rollercoasters. The bully aspects made me want to scream at the book, the heartbreak had me crying, the banter had me laughing. If I didn't need sleep or to be a responsible parent/adult I would have binged it completely in a day lol. Way to go Ruby Wolff! I can not wait for the next brothers book!!
Review of advance copy
I devoured Hayden and Olivia's story!
Their story brought out so many different emotions. We also got drama, some danger, and spice.
I loved that we got both timelines. We get to see how their relationship began and the bond that they first built. It really establishs their connection. Sadly, that first relationship fractures. My heart broke for them both. Their journey wasn't easy. There was betrayal, heartache, and pain. Thankfully in the end, they finally get their happy ending.
Their story brought out so many different emotions. We also got drama, some danger, and spice.
I loved that we got both timelines. We get to see how their relationship began and the bond that they first built. It really establishs their connection. Sadly, that first relationship fractures. My heart broke for them both. Their journey wasn't easy. There was betrayal, heartache, and pain. Thankfully in the end, they finally get their happy ending.
June 23, 2026
Are you ready for an emotional journey?
Good, because that is what you get when you spend time with Ms. Wolff's characters, Hayden and Olivia.
Childhood best friends.
Would they become more?
Not only did Ms. Wolff make me cry, she made me laugh too! I was thankful for that!
There's spice in there too!
This was quite the journey and one I was glad I took!
Are you ready?
Clear your schedule.
I had a hard time putting this down!
Good, because that is what you get when you spend time with Ms. Wolff's characters, Hayden and Olivia.
Childhood best friends.
Would they become more?
Not only did Ms. Wolff make me cry, she made me laugh too! I was thankful for that!
There's spice in there too!
This was quite the journey and one I was glad I took!
Are you ready?
Clear your schedule.
I had a hard time putting this down!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews