Wicked Ruthless: A Dark High School Bully Romance

by Lila Grey

⭐ “This is a MUST READ for bully romance!”
⭐ “Dark, addictive, and full of twists.”
⭐ “Heart-stopping… I couldn’t put it down.”

At Edgewood Preparatory Academy, power isn’t given.
It’s taken.

And no one rules harder than Kaiden Monaghan.

Tall. Dark. Untouchable.
The kind of boy everyone fears… and no one dares to cross.

Until her.

Catherine O’Farrell doesn’t play by Edgewood’s rules.

She’s sharp. Controlled. Unreadable.
The new girl with secrets buried deep enough to survive anything.

And she’s the only one who doesn’t bow to Kaiden.

That’s when the game begins.

What starts as control turns into obsession.
What feels like hate starts to blur into something far more dangerous.

Because Kaiden doesn’t just want to break her—
he wants to understand her.

And Catherine?

She’s hiding a darkness that might just match his.

But at Edgewood Prep, nothing is simple.

Not the power.
Not the secrets.
And definitely not the way two broken people collide.

Wicked Ruthless is a dark high school bully romance

• Morally gray, obsessive anti-hero
• Strong, unbreakable heroine
• Enemies-to-lovers tension
• Power plays, secrets, and obsession
• Twists, heartbreak, and high heat

Welcome to Edgewood.

Where the elite don’t play fair…
and falling is the most dangerous game of all.

Genres: Dark Romance

722 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 20, 2026

About the author

Hello and thanks for following my writing journey!

I am a Community Volunteer, Pinterest worthy crafts, and home type of gal, who secretly loves to read down and dirty, alpha male romance books! (shh don't tell the others!) I love all things spooky and can't live without my coffee!

I live in a beautiful small town in New England with my husband, two kids, and our three rescue cats.

You can find my website here http://bit.ly/2K0dyZh

My Instagram here http://bit.ly/2YwlrPK

And if you want super exclusive content, secret sneak peeks, giveaways, and more, join my VIP group! http://bit.ly/2KvqSa2

I am so excited to share this amazing journey with you all!

Lila Grey

Reviews

[Jenea Wells · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with how to rate this book. I really loved the plot of the story - it was brutal and beautiful in a way that conveys the deep, personal emotions of the main characters. However it was written in a very clinical type of writing which made it hard to really get invested in the book. The premise of the book was based on very hard childhood trauma, so in a way I understand why this came across as more clinical. However, I really believe that had this written from a more personal perspective from the characters, it would have hit so much more deeply. I would have loved to see more of the relationship between the side characters as well and more of the story OUTSIDE of the trauma bonding they did. In general, it was a beautiful story of healing and redemption but ultimately fell flat with the writing style, in my opinion.

[Lee Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

This is my first read by this author and was refreshing. I love bully romance, especially when it is set in a school scenario. This book was a breath of fresh air and not your typical characters. The way she wrote the characters was "chefs kiss." Even the family dynamics were not your norm. This book had purpose and depth, and yes, it had sex but the book actually revolved around the stoyline and did not focus on sex being the main topic. I am glad to find an author who can do both, but has you talking about the plot, not always about the sex that I feel most books do these days.

[Maddie🐆 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I may have found my favorite book ever. Maybe even favorite series ever, I’m currently on book 4. I loved reading a love story that wasn’t all sweet. It was raw and real. I cried more times than I can count, happy and sad tears. For a high school relationship, it was a lot but it makes you open your eyes to realize that not everyone has an easy life at that age. I don’t really have the appropriate words to express how much I genuinely loved this book. If I could rate it 20 stars, I would.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! What a beautiful survival story 🙂 🥰
This story is intense, detailed, a shocker! No spoilers here; trust me. This is not a read for the faint hearted. I understand why the offer used highschoolers, but sometimes it was unbelievable because of their age. However, the story spans years and it delves into living life and surviving trauma. Overall, it was a fantastic and enthralling read. I highly recommend this book.

[mike bullock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply satisfying!!!😍😍😍

From the first to the last, this book excites.😁 There are sexy protagonists and dastardly, villianous antagonists. The story pulls you in all directions, compelling the reader to follow. Which means your emotions are all over the place, in a good way. The characters are always evolving. Sometimes in leaps and bounds. Sometimes in almost immeasurable increments. I highly recommend adding this to your library.😘 **check your triggers**

[Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant!!!

Couldn’t put it down from the first page. So well read, this author writes with courage and full heartedly. I appreciated every line and the context of how messages came across.

[Carla Mclemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaiden and Cat

Wicked Ruthless was the first book for me from Lila Grey. I was hooked from the first chapter. Looking forward to more from this series.

[Camryn Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing just like the first time around!

[Aaliyah Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 3.5 rounded down for the stars.

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheesy title but actually very well written! The best of this genre i’ve read.

[Shannon Alderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok

This was a good plot but about 270 pages in I started to find it quite boring. Very clinical and not much interest for the characters.

[MissBean]

The premise is good as is the writing. However it feels like the author lacks imagination. It’s was very repetitive.

[Rita Savio · Rating 5 out of 5]

well done

It’s wasn’t an easy read but it’s worth it NO cheating I got my
Hea . Please take a chance so well written and about a 3 1/2 for spice. ENJOY

[Romance Junky]

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