Colton

by Kat King

I never should've fallen for him. I knew it wasn't smart.

When circumstances force me to spend a night locked up in the Dean's office, with the Dean himself, I never could've anticipated the way he'd make my heart skip a beat.

Colton St. James, the Dean of the Saint Valley academy. A man who carries himself with dignity, respect, and power with each step he takes. Most importantly, a man almost twice my age, out of my reach - forbidden.

Yet, when we're all alone, the tension is palpable, undeniable, and when the sparks ignite the fire we've both been suppressing... something was bound to go wrong.

But I can't give him up.

I won't give him up.

He's the only person who has ever shown me what being worthy feels like.

Genres: Dark Romance, Forbidden Romance

417 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 5, 2026

Reviews

[charisse ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

˗ˏˋ 4 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .

omg i had such a fun time reading this! i knew i was young to love it since reading soren!! avalon and colton were so cute together! i loved how colton literally spoiled avalon till no end! and the dean x student tension between those two too!

besides that, i also loved the little side plot with the founding family! and trying to figure out what's going on alongside the characters..

and i also wanna know more about astrid! she's so unhinged and i feel like there's more to her story and i wanna know!

anyways all of this is to say that whatever kat writes, i'll be reading!!

⤷ thank you to author, kat king, for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶

₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
soren (book 1) was soooooo fucking good so like i already know this is going to deliver so hard!! dean x student, age gap, forbidden romance?? whaaat- anyways just know that i'll be here eating up all of the sophiasoren crumbs like no tomorrow!!!

[Kursed Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avalon Evans is a senior at Saint Valley Academy, focused on finishing out her education. Until Colton St. James steals her attention.

The dean of SVA, Colton is a taciturn, powerful man who wields influence in the secretive town of Saint Valley. He’s cruel when he needs to be, its protector when called upon, and unexpectedly soft for Avalon.

The secondary storyline surrounding the mysterious town of Saint Valley added an interesting thread to the story and helped create some of the tension surrounding Avalon and Colton.

There was no denying the chemistry between these two. From the beginning, it felt inevitable that they would end up together. That said, I did feel like their relationship could have used more development. The connection was there, but I wanted more time seeing it deepen and evolve before they ultimately gave in to it.

I did appreciate that once they decided to go for it, they were all in. No unnecessary third-act breakup or manufactured drama between them, which was a definite plus.

Overall, this one just didn’t quite hit for me the way I had hoped, but there were still elements I enjoyed—particularly the chemistry between Avalon and Colton and the mystery surrounding Saint Valley.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Format: 📱

🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): New Adult, Suspense

Ending: 💗 {HEA}
Length: 📚📚📚
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present}
Emotions: 😊🫣🤫🫠😍
Darkness: 🩶
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Pacing: 🏃‍♀️ {Moderate}
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Vibe: Angsty, Chaotic, Gritty, Intense, Swoony, Unhinged

✨ Tropes: Age Gap (17), Billionaire, Forbidden, Rich Boy x Poor Girl
 
💫 Microtropes: Caretaker/Protective MMC, “Good Girl”, He Falls First, She’s a Runner,“Yes, Sir”,

🔆 Character: Professor, Student,

💋 Kinks: Discipline/Punishment, Power Exchange, Spanking

🤰🏻 Pregnancy: n/a

🚩 Red Flags: Dominant MMC

⛔️ Safety Squad: There are potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📍 Setting: College Campus

📣 Type: Colton is part of the Saint Valley series of interconnected standalones.

⚠️ Warning: This sweet and steamy read will leave your panties damp and your cheeks flushed.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[joni ౨ৎ · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── 4.5 stars
i had such a good time binging this entire book!!! i was dying for the dean's story after reading soren a few months back. it was so addicting and fun to read this forbidden romance! i'm not a huge dark romance reader but i really enjoy kat's writing!!

if you enjoy forbidden, age gap, dean x student, college romances, elite families, and darker romance i'd definitely recommend the saint valley series!! this is the second book and the first one is also really good!
thank you kat for the eARC!!

[My_book_obsession25 · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★☆ 3.75–4 stars

I’ve been in a reading slump for TWO WEEKS, and honestly, thank God for this book because it finally got me out of it. 😭

I love professor/student romances, so when I found out this was a dean/student romance, I was immediately sold. And honestly? It was amazing. I loved the forbidden aspect, the age gap, the tension, ALL OF IT.

I loved Avalon. I loved her so much, and I especially loved getting to experience everything through her. And Colton… COLTON. 🫠 He was so freaking swoon-worthy. While reading his POV, I swear I could feel EVERYTHING. Every emotion, every thought, every bit of what he was trying to fight. I understood him so much, and that made me fall for him even harder.

The tension between these two??? I was eating it up. I love when two people know they shouldn’t be together but still can’t stay away from each other. And the fact that he’s the Dean made everything even more forbidden and addictive.

I also really loved the friendship between Ava, Grace, Sophie, and Leah. I wish we got a little more of them because I really enjoyed their dynamic and the little moments they had together.

My only reason for giving this around 3.75–4 stars is that I wanted MORE. More of Avalon and Colton, more of their relationship, more development. For me, the storyline felt a little flat in some parts, and I think if there had been more depth to it, I would have loved it even more.

But honestly, this book did something important for me: IT GOT ME READING AGAIN. 😂 After being in a slump for two weeks, finally finding a book that made me want to keep turning the pages felt so good.

I loved the tropes. I loved Avalon. I loved Colton. And I definitely felt EVERYTHING while reading this.

Definitely worth the read if you love forbidden age gap romance and a swoon worthy Dean. 🖤

[phoebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series, but this one feels like it puts you in a different story. We have new facts that I feel should have been mentioned in the first book, and it almost felt like they were in separate worlds. I also felt like the romance was so fast-paced since the couple got together, and they had no chemistry. It was still a fun read, and I will be continuing the series!

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Los amaré por siempre avaloncolton nada más que decir

[Karina · Rating 2.75 out of 5]

I liked it but i enjoyed Soren better tbh.

[Hayley Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I inhaled colton in one sitting. I was hooked from the very first page until the end.

Forbidden and age gap yes please.

This book had me in a chokehold and sat on the edge of my seat in places.

After reading soren(Book 1)i knew this was book was going to be really good and it didn't disappoint.

I can't wait for more in the series.

[Kim Janey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avalon is starting her senior year at Saint Valley with one goal: graduate so she can help support her family. But then she meets Dean Colton and the two find themselves falling for each other and while a student dating her dean should probably be their biggest problem, this is Saint Valley, so duh of course there are much stranger things going on around them.

SAINT VALLEY, WE'RE BACK BABYYYY WOOOOOO! It’s been a long 7 months since Soren but we’re here and we’ve got Colton and Avalon gracing our ereaders!

Oh man, I loved this book. I went into Colton expecting the student/dean dynamic and age gap to play a huge role in their relationship, but honestly, I never really felt a weird power imbalance between them and their age difference didn't define their relationship. They just felt like a normal couple…two people who genuinely loved each other and fit together ridiculously well. I was definitely not expecting that there would be SO many moments where I was just sitting there swooning because their relationship was incredibly sweet. This didn't feel like I was reading about a student sneaking around with her dean, it felt like I was watching two soulmates simply exist together and fall deeply in love while all the usual Saint Valley craziness and mysterious forces swirled around them.


“This is how it’s supposed to be — her in my arms, forever.”

Avalon was such a curious little thing and I really liked her a lot. She had this calm, almost timid demeanour most of the time but she also had a rebellious streak that came out exactly when it needed to. She was mostly pretty chill about things, which I honestly appreciated because she never frustrated or annoyed me just for the sake of creating drama. She was curious about the strange community she lived in without suddenly throwing all common sense out the window.

Colton on the other hand was just this wonderfully quirky and mysterious man who somehow ended up being SUCH a romantic. He was gentle, loving, and so sweet with Avalon and I sooooo was not expecting him to be like that. There was something about the way he loved her that made their relationship feel incredibly safe and settled and it really made me go aww.

Now, I have to confess that I’m mad at Kat King. Why you may ask? Well, my beef with Kat has to do with one thing…

WHY WAS THIS BOOK NOT DOUBLE, NAY, TRIPLE THE SIZE?!

Okay fine, I could've read two more entire books about Colton and Avalon and it STILL wouldn't have been enough. Give me an epilogue for every major milestone in their lives. Give me bonus chapters for every decade they're together. Give me domestic fluff. Give me them at 80 years old sitting on a porch somewhere at the estate. I need mooooore!

“You are my forever.”

These two were just so sweet and perfect for each other. I went into this expecting a spicy sneaky forbidden relationship with all the usual age gap dynamics and somehow came out thinking Colton and Avalon might genuinely be one of the strongest and most wholesome couples in the entire Saint Valley series. Kat King really went above and beyond with this one for me and by the end I was genuinely blown away by how much I loved their relationship. And now I'm looking toward the future because Grace and her arranged marriage with Kenzo are waiting for us and boy oh boy more Saint Valley craziness please and thank you.

[Faiza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly don’t even know how to put into words how much I enjoyed this book. From the very beginning, I was completely hooked, and somehow it managed to keep getting better the further I got. The characters, the atmosphere, the mystery, the romance—it all worked so well together that I never wanted to put it down.

Avalon and Colton absolutely stole my heart. I went into their story expecting the student-and-dean relationship, the age gap, and all the secrecy to be the main focus of their romance, but their relationship ended up feeling so much deeper than that. Their connection felt natural, genuine, and incredibly sweet. Instead of their circumstances defining them, they simply felt like two people who found each other and fit together perfectly.

Avalon was such a lovely heroine. I really enjoyed how curious she was about everything happening around her without suddenly becoming reckless or making ridiculous decisions just to move the plot along. She could be quiet and reserved, but she also had that little spark of defiance that appeared when it mattered. I found her incredibly easy to root for.

And Colton... I was NOT prepared for Colton. 😂 He had this mysterious, slightly eccentric quality to him, but underneath all of that was the sweetest, most romantic man. The way he treated Avalon had me constantly smiling. There was such a sense of tenderness and security between them, and I absolutely adored watching their relationship develop.

One of my favorite things about this series is that Saint Valley always seems to have something strange happening in the background, and this book was no exception. While Avalon and Colton were trying to figure out what exactly they were to each other, there was still all the weirdness, secrets, and unanswered questions surrounding the school. And of course, trying to keep their relationship hidden from the campus gossip machine was practically an adventure by itself.

What surprised me most was just how wholesome their romance felt. I expected forbidden romance, sneaking around, an age-gap dynamic, and plenty of tension, but what I got was a couple who genuinely seemed to adore each other. Their quiet moments together were honestly some of my favorite parts. I could have happily spent another few hundred pages just watching them be ridiculously in love.

And Kat King, I have a tiny complaint. 😂 HOW was that enough?! I need more Avalon and Colton. I need their future, their everyday life, their milestones, their ridiculous little domestic moments—give me everything. I would happily read an entire book about them decades later, still completely obsessed with each other.

The Saint Valley world continues to be such a fun combination of romance, mystery, secrets, and absolute chaos, and I am nowhere near ready to leave it behind. There are still so many questions floating around, especially the mystery of who is behind Sinners and Saints, and I desperately need answers.

And now Grace and Kenzo are waiting for us with their arranged marriage, so clearly Saint Valley has plenty more trouble in store.

I came for Ava and Colton, but I left this book completely attached to the entire world. Their story was romantic, comforting, mysterious, and ridiculously addictive. I loved every second of it, and I desperately need more Saint Valley.

[The Soft Curse Eva · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Colton (Saint Valley #2)

Well, I certainly wasn’t expecting Saint Valley to go from two completely unhinged characters to a romance that would make me want to wrap the main couple in a blanket and protect them from the world. 😂🖤

After Soren and Sophia’s chaotic relationship, Colton and Avalon feel like a completely different experience. And I actually really appreciate that Kat King didn’t simply repeat the same formula with different characters.

We still have the secrets, the wealthy families, the strange atmosphere surrounding Saint Valley and, of course, a forbidden romance. But this time, the relationship feels softer, more mature and surprisingly comforting.

And Colton? What a lovely surprise!

Considering the age gap, his position as Dean and the obvious power imbalance that could come with their relationship, I expected a much more controlling and morally questionable MMC.

Instead, we get a protective, caring and surprisingly gentle man who genuinely wants the best for Avalon. He’s dominant without making their entire relationship about control, and I really liked that distinction.

Avalon was also a refreshing FMC. She’s sweet, curious and occasionally naive, but she has her own priorities and doesn’t suddenly abandon everything that matters to her because a powerful man enters her life. I particularly appreciated her determination to build a better future for herself and her family.

Their chemistry works because there’s more than just physical attraction.

Yes, the forbidden aspect adds tension, and the age gap makes everything more complicated, but what I enjoyed was watching their connection develop beyond those tropes. There is tenderness, emotional vulnerability and a genuine desire to look after each other.

And honestly? Sometimes that’s exactly what I want from a romance.

I also enjoyed returning to Saint Valley and discovering more about the mysterious families and everything happening behind the scenes. There’s clearly more going on than the characters realise, and I like how the interconnected stories gradually reveal different pieces of that puzzle.

However, I do think the book could have benefited from a little more development.

Some parts of the storyline felt slightly underexplored, and I would have loved more time with Colton and Avalon outside the main romantic conflict. Their relationship had enough potential to explore their personalities, circumstances and emotional connection even further.

I also wanted a little more from the supporting characters and the larger Saint Valley mystery, especially because those elements make this series more interesting than a straightforward contemporary romance.

Overall, Colton is a sweet, spicy and surprisingly tender forbidden romance, with a very different dynamic from the first book.

I really appreciate that Kat King is giving each couple their own personality rather than relying on the same relationship formula throughout the series.

And now I’m even more curious about the secrets Saint Valley is hiding and what the next couple will bring to the table. 🖤

IG: @thesoftcurse

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saint Valley, you really do know how to keep a girl curious! 🖤

After absolutely loving Soren, there was no way I was passing up the opportunity to read Colton. I was excited to return to this mysterious little world, especially with the chance to discover what was happening between Avalon and the rather intimidating dean of Saint Valley Academy.

And while this one didn't quite steal my heart the way Soren did, there was still plenty to enjoy.

Colton St. James is a man who holds considerable power and influence within Saint Valley. He's guarded, commanding, and not necessarily someone you'd want to cross. But when it comes to Avalon Evans, there's another side to him that I really enjoyed discovering.

Avalon is trying to concentrate on finishing her education, but that's easier said than done when the dean himself becomes a rather tempting distraction.

Their relationship delivers that forbidden, age-gap dynamic that makes you wonder just how long they're going to resist the inevitable. There was definitely chemistry between them, and I particularly enjoyed seeing Colton's more protective and affectionate side emerge.

One thing I really appreciated was that once these two decided they wanted each other, they committed to that decision. There wasn't an unnecessary third-act breakup thrown in for the sake of drama, and I found that refreshing.

However, I did find myself wanting a little more from their relationship.

The attraction was obvious, but I would have loved more time watching their emotional connection deepen. There were moments when things seemed to move along a little too quickly, and I felt we missed opportunities to really get beneath the surface of their relationship.

Something else worth mentioning is that Colton takes place during the same timeline as Soren. I actually found this a little disorienting at times, particularly when trying to connect events between the two books. It's an interesting storytelling choice, but I definitely think reading the series in order makes a difference.

What continues to fascinate me, though, is Saint Valley itself.

There is something wonderfully unsettling about this town, with its influential families, hidden agendas, and the feeling that there's always something happening just beyond what we're being shown. That underlying mystery adds another layer to the story and keeps me curious about where the series is heading.

Ultimately, Colton was an enjoyable return to Saint Valley, even if I wasn't quite as captivated as I'd hoped. I liked Avalon and Colton together, appreciated the absence of unnecessary relationship drama, and remain invested in the bigger mystery surrounding the town.

If forbidden age-gap romances, powerful men with unexpected soft spots, and dark academia settings are your thing, this series is worth adding to your TBR.

I'm certainly not finished with Saint Valley yet!

Thank you to Kat King and Courtney's Little Library for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Brooke Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

(ARC)

This is the first teacher/student romance book that I have read and while I did enjoy this book, I think it will also be the last one I read. Its not because Kat King did a bad job writing the trope, it is purely because I am not a fan of it. Kat King actually did a fantastic job writing Colton as a morally grey man. Even though he was involved in some illegal things, he was the biggest green flag in any relationship. And did I mention he was rich? This man bought his girl the ENTIRE luxury clothing store because she jokingly said she wanted an entire wall of clothing. And he just said, let me do you one better and boom have the whole store.

The reason I rated it 3 stars was partially because I learned I am not a fan of the trope but also because I was a little disappointed with how the mystery of the robberies and murder played out. I felt like the story was set up to have this really interesting murder plot line along with the forbidden love plot line and then it just abruptly ended. I was hoping maybe since it was solved so quickly, then maybe there would be a plot twist and they would learn they had the wrong person all along but that unfortunately didn't happen.

Other than that, I will say, Colton had some good lines. "Im not saying this path with be easy, Ava, But if you'll let me, Ill worship you every single day. Ill keep giving you reasons to choose me, time and time again. And if the first step is to tell you every single detail of my life, so be it. There's nothing worth hiding if it means losing you." - Colton in chapter 28.

Kat King also did an amazing job making you want to read her other books. When I got to know more about her friends and their problems, I realized they must of had their own books and surely enough they do. I have already started reading Soren and I am so excited to keep reading it because I love Sophia and again, while I wasn't a fan of the trope or how the mystery played out, I was a huge fan of the writing of the love stories.

So thank you Kat King and thank you Courtney's Little Library for giving me the opportunity to read this book and bringing my attention to the rest of the characters and their books in the Saint Valley series.

[Rechal · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This is how it’s supposed to be — her in my arms, forever.”

I went into this expecting a forbidden dean/student romance with an age gap, but honestly? The way THE TENSION, THE SLOW BURN, THE FORBIDDENNESS kept building throughout the book — I ATE IT ALL UP. 😭

Avalon was such a sweet character. I loved how easily she could open up around Colton and how he made her feel seen, valued, and worthy. She had a quiet, curious side, but also enough of a rebellious streak to make things interesting. And watching her fall for a man she absolutely knew she shouldn't want was SO much fun. 😭

“You are my forever. You’re the most important person in my entire life, and you will always be my priority.”

And Colton??? SIR. 🫠 The dignity, the power, the wealth, the whole mysterious Dean/MAYOR situation—and then this man turns out to be such a soft, devoted romantic for Avalon. The way he spoiled her and made her feel like she was worth everything had me raising my standards AGAIN. 😭 The fact that he was willing to give up his position and actually did because being with her mattered more than the job??? Yeah. I was GONE.

Their relationship was probably my favourite part. The tension built so deliciously, and every moment they finally got alone together had me with butterflies. They just fit so naturally despite everything standing between them, and I loved how safe and understood they felt with each other.

I also really enjoyed the Saint Valley setting. There is something so strange and secluded about that place, and the founding families surrounding it, that it gave the whole place an almost dystopian feel, and having Colton at the centre of it all made everything even more intriguing.

“As long as I’m with him, I know it’ll be worth it all. He is worth it all.”

Overall, this was such a fun, easy, forbidden, slow-burn romance with delicious tension, an older MMC who completely raised my standards, and a couple I genuinely enjoyed rooting for. And Colton choosing Avalon over everything else? Yeah, that man had me. 😭❤️‍🔥

[Camryn Williams · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

۶ৎ ᴄᴏʟᴛᴏɴ ʙʏ ᴋᴀᴛ ᴋɪɴɢ ۶ৎ

#arcreview

ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★


𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩 - age gap, dean x student, forbidden romance, secret relationship, gossip girl vibes, found family, dark academia

—

Colton and Avalon my babiesss, this book was so freaking good and I definitely didn’t read it in one sitting wink wink. The age gap and dean x student trope is gonna get me every time and this one definitely did it for me got me right out of my slump. Once I peeped these two were gonna be together I was so freaking hype for this book. This series is getting so good each book I just know it’s going to be on my top series of the year. Their romance was just everything ugh they made my heart skip

Avalon my sweet snarky girl, I love her so much she’s everything and I don’t play about her I just love me an sweet fmc but also someone who doesn’t take no crap and she’s just that. She’s just the type of person who you can depend on and trust her with every secret you have.

Colton and Avalon chemistry is just out of this world. I LOVE THEM YOUR HONOR. these two were definitely meant to find each other and I am so happy they did cause even though their relationship had some challenges cause they are forbidden but nobody gets and understand them like they do each other. I love how this book was different from the first book but in a good way. And the spice with Colton and Avalon!? Whew it was so freaking hot

Colton st. James the man that you are babyyy, will I do anything for this man? Definitely. He’s just so smart and calculated and I love that about him plus the way he just appreciates Avalon and don’t play about her there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for his woman, he’s just so devoted to her

This book still gave the same gossip girl vibes like the first one with the drama, and lies and I enjoyed it so much and I like how with the plot it was so good I was so engaged into the book. I just love these two they are so freaking cute they way they just care for each other so deeply and forget about everything else is amazing!

I can’t wait for the next book in this series!!

Thank You So Much for this arc💖

[Savanha_lovesbooks · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. 🖤
Thanks to Kat and the team for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

I was super excited to read this story after getting a little tease of Avalon and Colton in Soren, and I was definitely curious to see where their story would take us.

Their relationship is forbidden from the very beginning, with Avalon being a student and Colton being the dean of the school. I really enjoyed the forbidden aspect of their relationship and how it tied into the overall plot. There was also another storyline running alongside their relationship that added an interesting layer to the book and kept things moving.👀

That being said, their relationship felt a little tamer than I expected considering the forbidden nature of it. Outside of the bedroom, I found myself wanting a little more tension and intensity between them. 🔥 The spice, however, definitely delivered! Kat definitely knows what she’s doing. 😈 And let’s just say… my favorite scene involved a desk. If you know, you know. 🤭

I also loved seeing the gossip page make another appearance. 👀 I’m still incredibly curious about who is actually behind it, and I definitely need answers! We also met some new characters throughout the story, and I’m really hoping we get to learn more about them as the series continues.

Overall, I did enjoy this book, but it wasn’t my favorite. I think I was simply left wanting more of everything—more tension, more emotion, more from their relationship, and more of the storylines surrounding them.

So Kat… I’m patiently waiting for the next one because I have questions. 😂 And I NEED answers!

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5/5 stars

[Charlene Atmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! The story progressed a little slow at first, but once you really get into everything, it doesn't let go.
Another 5 star read by Kat King. This book has a forbidden love and is an age gap romance.
The story is about Colton, the Dean and Avalon, a student of Saint Valley Academy.
In Soren they were just minor side characters, but I absolutely love both characters.

Avalon may seem as a quiet and more reserved person at first, but she is sassy and feisty when she needs to be. I love how her personality showed, especially in the presence of Colton. He might be twice her age, but she's the one who has him wrapped around her finger.
Colton is the greenest of green flags. He might seem like a cold and stoic person, but he is just an old softie when it comes to Avalon. Their chemistry is out of this world and he loves taking care of her. He would basically do anything for her.

If you love your books with spice then you'll really love this one. Colton and Avalon know how to heat things up, so prepare to get all hot and bothered reading those spicy scenes.

Another thing that I loved in the book is the girl group. Avalon, Sophia, Grace and Lila are definitely ride or die girls. They care for each other like sisters and absolutely got each other's back.
I'm so curious to find out how Grace's and Lila's stories will unfold. The book didn't exactly end on a cliffhanger, but there are still some secrets to be revealed. 

Thank you Kat King for the e.ARC!

[Keira · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? Another five star book from Kat!

• “There is nothing I wouldn’t give you, my sweet girl. Everything you want, it’s yours.” •

I think I loved this book more than Soren. But I’ve always had a guilty pleasure for the forbidden romance trope, and the age gap trope. I also love an inner connected series.

We have our FMC, Avalon. She is a student on scholarship at Saint Valley Academy. A prestigious and very expensive academy to be in. She finds our MMC very attractive, but it’s hesitant since he is older and he is also the headmaster of the college. She also is a history nerd, which works out perfectly with the MMC who is a part of a secret society for the town. He is also mayor of.

We have our MMC, Colton. He is the headmaster of Saint Valley Academy and he is also the mayor of Saint Valley. He is a calm and collected man who doesn’t resort to yelling or belittling the FMC. Which is so nice. And he will also resort to violence only when it’s necessary and to protect the ones he cares about.

I really loved Avalon and Colton‘s relationship and development with each other. I thought that they were very understanding of each other, especially Colton and how he was able to work with Avalon and help her with her own emotions and her own thoughts. They are my babies and I love them.

I also really liked how well their dynamic worked together and how they would kind of do anything for the other person. Avalon leave school so Colton could keep his job. And Colton would quit his job so Avalon could stay in school and keep her reputation. I also like how their relationship wasn’t fully based on intimacy and sexual relations. They really did also have that emotional connection as well.

This was by far one of my favorite series so far. And I’m excited for the next one and what will happen in that one.

[Meilin · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

arc review

Oh how I devoured this one!!

4.5⭐️ | 3.75🌶️

I've always been a student x teacher lover, but never had I ever thought of student x dean. And now i need more, please.

I absolutely adored Avalon and loved Colton so much!! She is literally the sweetest girl ever and she really became his number one priority always. I also really loved and enjoyed the way these two came together. Their attraction towards each other was so strong, and I just ate up the way the way these two let themselves be so absolutely taken and enthralled by each other. They really let the other consume their every thought and life.

Another thing I absolutely adore about this book is the girls' friendship. Avalon, Sloane (Soren), Grace and Lila truly were each other's ride or die. They loved each other so fiercely, always had each other's backs and could always lean and rely on each other no matter what. Their friendship was one of my favourite things in this book.

Save for the ending that felt a little lacklustre to me, everything else was perfection, and had me hooked and obsessed. Definitely recommend if a little taboo romance is your thing.

Thank you so much Kat King for the arc!!

[Worakarn · Rating 5 out of 5]

OBSESSED, SWOON WORTHY AND THE BIGGEST GREEN FLAGS. Literally green flags everywhere. Colton St James can take me any day of the year because this MAN is the biggest green flag I've ever come across. Yes he's morally grey too but oh my goodness, every word that came out of this mouth was just pure and HEALTHY. Colton is the definition of mature and masculinity. Avalon, is an absolute doll. At times she did come across as a little naive but not in a way that is consumes her entire personality and quite honestly, I would have folded a lot sooner than she did so props to her for lasting a lot longer then I would have done.
Jokes aside, the story is absolutely beautiful. I would say its a massive change from book one, Soren because Soren and Sophia was a major unhinged and crazy dynamic that somehow just worked. While here, you have Avalon and Colton who both have very mature outlook on things and how they navigated their feelings and relationship was really healthy. As you can tell already, I could definitely rave on about this book for eternity. In other words, I am super excited for Kats future works. I honestly cannot recommend this to you all enough.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

I was so excited to receive this arc copy, considering how much I enjoyed Soren!

I love the gossip girl vibes throughout this story, along with what we saw in book 1 with Soren.

The dean x student trope is so delicious, and it’s one of my many favourite tropes. (A student x professor style trope)

Did I feel like there was a strong connection between the two main characters? Not really. Did I enjoy them individually? Absolutely.

I love yearning, and seeing the tension when it involves a forbidden love trope like this, however, I do think it slightly missed the mark for me unfortunately, and I did find the ending a little bit rushed. We went from one scene to another really abruptly at certain times that I didn’t find happen with Soren.

I wanted to love this as much as Soren, but it fell a little flat me for me.

I still enjoyed several aspects of this book, and I did enjoy getting know Avalon more.

[Angela Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colton , book two , in the Saint Valley series was a sexy good time! It was a 4 star read for me and I had a lot of fun reading and I was so happy to finally get all the juicy details of Avalon and the Dean🥵🔥.

This book jumped right back into Saint Valley Academy and I loved being back! Still filled with so much mystery and gossip girl vibes , I just love it so much ! I was so happy to have Sophia , Avalon, and the rest of the gang back together again.

The forbidden and secretive romance , the dean and student vibe, and all the spice, spankings , and yes sir’s had me thoroughly enjoying this read and was so captivated by their relationship, I could not get enough 🔥🔥

The way this man loves her and would do anything for her is top tier and unmatched ! The ending was so sweet and gave me all the good feelings. I can’t wait for the next book and to get back to Saint Valley , I have a feeling that I know what the next book will be about 😉.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boys and girls, Kat did it again (insert Moira Rose meme saying "I'm so proud of you"). I truly love each of the characters that she writes. Avalon and Colton are no exception. They are both very intelligent and family oriented. Well, family that is trustworthy, that is.

I don't think you have to read the first book to get a grasp of what is going on, but the timelines do overlap, so I would definitely recommend it. It just adds the depth to the characters that helps you appreciate them more. It is no secret that Avalon is at the school on a scholarship, but so much more is revealed on why it is important to her. Colton is also more than just a sexy Dean of the academy.... a LOT more. Their age gap is just the beginning of the complexities to their relationship.

I loved the little Easter egg of the DeSantis family. It made my heart happy to see them mentioned. After reading this book, I am even more curious as to who writes the Sinners and Saints emails.

[Tohfaaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc review

4.5 ⭐

Ever since she announced Colton, I’ve been waiting for this book , so you can imagine how excited I was to finally read it! I really loved Colton and Avalon, and their chemistry was INSANE.

Colton and Avalon's forbidden romance is so good! He's this intense dean and mayor who is completely obsessed with her and only soft for her.

I really enjoyed the plot and everything happening with the founding families. I honestly thought this one was going to be darker than book one because of everything that was happening, but it actually didn’t get as dark as I expected. Still, I really loved the story and the direction it took.

I'm so excited for other characters book, especially Grace and Lila. I’m already so excited for their stories and the other characters too because there’s so much going on, and I NEED to know what happens next.🫠🫠

Thank you kat king for the arc🥰

[Alex Sedrowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing the Saint Valley Academy series with Avalon and the Dean Colton St. James-we get age gap forbidden romance with these two. Some D/s dynamics, more peeks into Saint Valley and the five founding families, & small mystery in the town of robberies & murder. We also get to meet Colton’s sister Dahlia & see their sibling dynamic (as well as who she is controversially sleeping with).

While I love getting more of SVA, the development of these two’s relationship didn’t feel as fully fleshed out as Sophia & Soren. I think big items were left out as they’re plot points in the future series but with that I guess I just wanted more from them or the story & the two of them than what we got. I still enjoyed it but I loved Sophia & Soren’s book a bit more. I can’t wait to see what we get of Grace & Kenzo and Lila and the priest though!

[Theresa Murray · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Colton is another entertaining trip into the wonderfully tangled world of Saints View, and I loved seeing how this story intertwined with Soren. The age-gap romance, complicated family dynamics, and sheer amount of influence these characters wield made for an engaging read. What kept me invested was the balance of chemistry, drama, and the complications that come with two people living very different lives. I appreciated that the story gave its characters more to navigate than just their attraction, while still delivering plenty of romantic moments. There were a few times I rolled my eyes at the sweetness, but I was entertained from beginning to end. A solid addition to the series, and apparently proof that even I can tolerate a little fairy-tale romance when it's done well. And I still need to know who runs the Sinners and Saints site!

[Lyssavynora Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot: 5/5
Spice :4/5
COLTON!!!!
I LOVED this book. Honestly, I don’t even know where to begin because everything about it was just AMAZING. The characters, the plot, the writing everything had me completely invested.
I loved how every character had their own distinct voice and personality. No one felt unnecessary or forgettable, and nothing was overly complicated. I could simply sink into the story and enjoy every single moment of it.
This was one of those books where I didn’t want to stop reading because I was having WAY too much fun. I loved the characters, I loved the story, and I genuinely loved every moment of this book. Absolutely incredible. I love Ava's and Coltons Story.
I had fun reading this ARC.😊

[KayBeReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was super excited to read this story. It was teased in Soren. Avalon and Colton have a forbidden relationship as she is a student and he is the dean of the school. The plot was good. It centered around their relationship and another plot that played into their story. Their relationship was a bit tame,(though forbidden) except in bedroom. The spice in the book was pretty good. My favorite scene involved a desk and mouth and that’s all I’m going to say. The gossip page is still around, I’m curious about who it truly is. We met so new characters. I did enjoy the book but it wasn’t my favorite. I wanted more of everything. I love Kat’s writing. I do hope this series continues because I want to know more about some people we’ve already met.

[Dianisse Marrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

This book was CHAOS in the best way. The drama, secrets, scandals, and constant mess had me completely hooked from beginning to end.
Sophia is still my favorite character. She is absolutely unhinged, but somehow always manages to be the friend you want in your corner when everything goes wrong.
The fallout had me STRESSED, especially watching everything she was terrified of actually happen.
I would've loved a little more depth during the Christmas break, because those parts felt a bit rushed. I also wish the whole robbery situation had been explored more instead of being left hanging.
Overall, though? The drama delivered, the spice was a solid 4/5, and I had way too much fun reading this. Definitely a 5-star read for me.

[2DMAE · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC.

I literally could not wait for this after reading Soren. & it was everything I wanted it to be. I live for an age gap romance but dash in the dark academia vibes 👩🏾‍🍳💋. Colton is the dean of the academy and Avalon is, of course, a student there. There were moments where I was definitely like "Avalon please" but overall I loved the soft D/S dynamic between them. Reading Soren first isn't mandatory but I'm so glad I did b/c I was able to line up certain events to really set the timeframe as well as have more background info. The timeframe vs relationship can seem rushed w/o that background BUT I don't mind the insta-obsession feel 🤭 . OH & the spice definitely spiced. 5 stars.