Very Wicked Things

Briarwood Academy #2

by Ilsa Madden-Mills

This is an alternate cover edition - ISBN B00KA0AGJK

Born on the poor side of town…

Ballerina Dovey Beckham is a scholarship student at Briarwood Academy, determined to prove she’s more than just a girl with the wrong pedigree. She does whatever it takes to succeed in her endgame, even if it means surrendering her body…but never her heart.

Until the day she meets him, and he rips apart all her well-laid plans. Suddenly, the girl everyone thought unbreakable might just shatter.

Born into wealth and privilege…

Cuba “Hollywood” Hudson is rich, spoiled, and a star football player. With his fast cars and superficial girlfriends, he lives the high-life, hiding his secrets from the world.

Until the day he meets her, and she offers him something he’s never tasted…love.

But once in a lifetime kind of love doesn’t come easy. When trust crumbles and doubts creep in, both will have to decide to either love or let go…forever.

Welcome to Briarwood Academy, where sometimes, only the wicked survive.

Genres: New Adult, Romance, High School, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Sports, Young Adult

279 pages, Unknown Binding

First published May 10, 2014

About the author

#1 Amazon Charts, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills pens angsty new adult and contemporary romances.

A former high school English teacher and librarian, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online. ☺


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New Book News:

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Reviews

[Ꮗ€♫◗☿ ❤️ ilikebooksbest.com ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The player and the dancer!



The following ratings are out of 5:
Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Romance: 💋💋💋💋
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📙📕📗📙
World building: 🌎🌏🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 👨🏻👱🏻‍👩🏻

“I sat there, letting the idea of starting again soak in, finding beauty in the balance of life. We have ups and downs, and how we deal is up to us.”

The heroine: Dovey Beckham - scholarship student at the prestigious Briarwood Academy. She has her best friend, British Bad Boy, Spider that rarely is with the same woman more than once.

The Hero(es): Cuba Hudson - he is the most talented football player at BA and is one of the most popular guys at school. He is tall, hot and a player of epic proportions.

The story: I thought (and hoped) the story would pick up right where the prequel left off but unfortunately it didn’t. It takes place a year later when they are seniors. Cuba had pursued, conquered and left Dovey. Now he ignores her. Of course we find out what happened in flashbacks. But I really hate flashbacks sometimes. I just wish we would find out in a linear timeline.

The narration was great. Guy Lock and Savannah Peachwood were the narrators. I have heard her in many other books. She does a lot of L.J. Shen and other Ilsa Madden-Mills books and does a great job. Guy lock was perfect for a wealthy playboy like Cuba.

Cuba has issues to say the least and Dovey has problems. I don’t want to go into the specifics and give away the plot. However, a lot of things happened in this book I didn’t like (and a lot of people probably wont). Like the main couple splitting up and both being with other people in between, despite the fact that they have feelings for each other. However, I did like it because it was real and life is not always sunshine and roses.

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[Alexis *Reality Bites* · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW may contain mature content reader discretion is advised.
4.5 STARS out of 5
Genre: New Adult Romance
Full Review Posted on 5-8-14



Cuba Hudson is famously nicknamed Hollywood by his class mates at Briarcrest Academy. His friends all think that his life is 'perfect' They have no clue. Cuba’s dream is to help people by becoming a doctor; he loves football and is well known for his position on the field. He’s all smiles and a big flirt at school yet it’s all a facade. The real Cuba lives with guilt, regret and pain and it runs deep.

NOTE: If you’ve not read the prequel to this story I highly suggest you do. I do not think you should read Very Wicked Things without reading Very Wicked Beginnings.



“Everyone says you’re pretty good on the field. That no quarterback is safe.” -Dovey

A Very Wicked Beginning:

Cuba is out on the football field when he looks up and spots a girl in a window performing a ballet piece. It’s the day his life takes a turn in a direction he never expected it to take. Cuba finds himself falling for a girl he does not even know. He’s positive that she does not run in his circle of friends. Still, he’s sure that he has most likely seen her before yet never acknowledged her presence.

‘Cuba was part of the beautiful people. I wasn’t.’ -Dovey

Dovey Beckham is attending Briarcrest Academy on a scholarship. Unlike the other students Dovey does not have wealthy parents; she does not live in a big fancy house or have tons of money at her disposal. No, Dovey has fought and earned her place as a ballerina at Briarcrest. As a matter of fact Dovey has been fighting her whole life just to survive.

‘Cuba Hudson, the hottest, richest, most popular guy on campus looked as broken as I felt.’ -Dovey

As I hinted at before Cuba’s home life is far from perfect. It’s more like a slow deteriorating..crumbling to the ground on which it once stood brick wall.
Cuba saw something in Dovey that day through the window of the ballet studio and he begins his quest to get her to agree to go out with him. She’s not really feeling it though and could care less about who he is. It takes some coaxing but Dovey finally gives in to him only to have her heart broken.

Cuba turns in to king of the assholes and I did not really like him for a minute there. I felt for Dovey, I truly did. He was a complete douche and it hurts. Then Dovey spots him, catches the look on his face and realizes that there is more to it then she may have thought.

Unfortunately that concern she felt towards him only lasts but a split second before she goes back to hating him with a passion all over again.

But does she really hate Cuba? I think not, home girl is ANGRY.

And Cuba? Well he seems to be in denial.

Dovey represents love and hope, something Cuba lacks but in her he sees it clear as day and believes it to be attainable.

‘ Between the day we’d met and today, we’d been irrevocably changed, altered into adults before our time.’ -Dovey



My Sweet and Sour

My Sweet- The Porsche, Dovey and Cuba in the front seat. No other words necessary!

My Sour- The scenes when Cuba is not being nice to Dovey :(




My Thoughts
I fell hard for these two. Both Dovey and Cuba are very realistic characters that make mistakes and react to situations in a way that only a 17 and/or an 18 year old would..Thinking you have no choices, no resources and no one to really count on. Yeah, that freaking sucks. I found it gripping how these two are seemingly opposites...were Cuba gave up and became numb to his feelings Dovey fought and refused to not feel anything. Instead she took what she felt and used it. Overall, the story was intense, at times sad, undoubtedly stirring and written very well.

My Rating and Why
4.5 STARS! I loved it! The story was emotional and filled with plenty of up’s and down’s. The writing is good. Ilsa Madden-Mills was not scared to take risks with her characters and I admire that in an author. It also makes a sub plot twist 10 times more interesting when an author takes such risks.

My Ratings
Characters- Lovable
Writing Style- Favorable
Plot/Storyline- Girl meets rich boy and denies him, he pushes for her to give him a chance only to break her heart because he is hurt and he fears love
Steam Factor- Medium/Steamy On a scale of 1-10 I say 6.5
Entertainment Level- From Lo-Med-Hi I say Medium, I was engrossed in the story
Overall- I loved it!
My Recommendation : READ THE BOOK!

Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it on Goodreads!
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* Copy kindly provided by the author for an honest review*

[Pearl Angeli · Rating 1 out of 5]

(I received an ARC of this book last year from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)

I tried so hard to like this book because of its lovely and promising synopsis. And of course, because of its gorgeous cover. I realized one thing: looks and high ratings can really deceive. The book gave me a hard time liking it. Why?

1.) There must be something wrong with the author's writing style, I could not connect with everything the book narrates.

2.) The characters, especially Cuba “Hollywood” Hudson, is not the type of guy who can swoon me. HE IS AN INFURIATING BASTARD. I don't like how he's so full of himself. A total turn-off.

NO. I'm sorry. JUST NO.

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★]

FREE on Amazon US today (3/1/2015)

BLURB:
Born on the poor side of town...

Ballerina Dovey Beckham is a scholarship student at Briarcrest Academy, determined to prove she’s more than just a girl with the wrong pedigree. She does whatever it takes to succeed in her endgame, even if it means surrendering her body…but never her heart.

Until the day she meets him, and he rips apart all her well-laid plans. Suddenly, the girl everyone thought unbreakable might just shatter.

Born into wealth and privilege...

Cuba “Hollywood” Hudson is rich, spoiled, and a star football player. With his fast cars and superficial girlfriends, he lives the high-life, hiding his secrets from the world.

Until the day he meets her, and she offers him something he’s never tasted... love.

But once in a lifetime kind of love doesn’t come easy. When trust crumbles and doubts creep in, both will have to decide to either love or let go... forever.

Welcome to Briarcrest Academy, where sometimes, only the wicked survive.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K...


FREEBIES are often good for MORE than one day, I have gathered all my FREEBIES on a special shelf: Kindle-freebies (currently over 370 books)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuba, star football player, class hottie and well known player, sets his sights on Dovey, a girl from the bad side of town, beautiful and shy. She is attending his private school on a dance scholarship, she doesn't fit in with the rest of the rich snobs at BA. Cuba catches sight of her and decides he must have her. The same night Dovey finally gives in and gives him her virginity, tragedy strikes Cuba and causes him to pull away and cast Dovey aside.

"I gave you my heart, and you destroyed it."

Now a year later, Cuba has publically embarrassed her and completely ignored her. Then one day out of the blue decides she exists again and has hard as Dovey tries to fight it, she is drawn back into him.

This is a great love story about a girl growing up in horrible conditions and a boy whose life is full of tragedy, meeting and falling in love. Dovey is very protective of her heart and after having it ripped out once by Cuba, she refused to give in again, but she can't help herself. Cuba seems to have the life of a typical rich boy on the outside, but inside he has been ripped apart by multiple tragedies in life and hides it behind his player mask. I felt sad for both characters, for the crapy life they had thus far. The author wrote them both very well and I could feel their pain while I read.

I enjoyed most parts of this book, it is not insta-love and the relationship between Cuba and Dovey does not come easy - it is hard and tragic and once they get it right it is beautiful. There were parts that had me yelling at my book - No Dovey don't do it!! The things she has do just to protect her family are gut wrenching. But luckily Cuba comes running in like a knight in shining armor to save her. I also loved all the supporting characters, like Sebastian. He really needs to have his own book. :)

No complaints or dislikes. Great book, well written, believable characters and a great story line that keeps you interested to the end. The romance is sweet and hot and tragic all at the same time. I love the happy ending, but who wouldn't? :)

*ARC generously provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

[Tessamari ♥Many Waters...♥ ~ Sweet Spot Book Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5-3.75 Stars

My emotions are all over the place - before, during and after reading this. I was extremely impressed with all the emotions I felt for Cuba and Dovey, but some parts of the story really bugged me. I'll explain more (if I can) in my upcoming review...

-------

HOLY SHIT! This is Cuba's Story. Oh yea....come to momma!


(Photo image obtained from Ilsa Madden-Mills Facebook page)

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF... sort of. I skimmed the rest of the book starting at the 66% mark. This book just didn't work for me. :(

I felt disconnected from the characters once I hit the 40% mark. Then the chemistry between the heroine and hero started to fall flat, which made me grow bored with the story.

I really hated the fact that the hero was written as a manwhore, which is basically how the first hero in the first book was written. I wanted a different hero this time around.

Also, I had a hard time believing these characters were in high school. I know they both had tough lives, and had to grow up fast, but I think this storyline would have fitted better in a college scene.

Others seem to love this book, so maybe it's just me. If you liked the first book, ignore me, and give this book a shot. You might love it.

[Ilsa Madden-Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Releases May 12, 2014!

The PREQUEL NOVELLA is called VERY WICKED BEGINNINGS and is ON SALE for .99 cents. ALL May proceeds benefit the Keith Milano Memorial Fund!

First Excerpt from Very Wicked Things (unedited and subject to change)

Cuba’s POV
Not exactly a meet-cute…


The room closed in, making me sweat. I hadn’t talked to Dovey in over a year, and now here we were, face-to-face. Two ex-lovers who hated each other.

I had to get away from her.

She gave me a scathing glare. “Leaving so soon? Yeah, go ahead, cut and run. Coward.”

I ignored her and tried to get Weinstein’s attention, to let her know she could flunk me for all I cared. Because if I stayed here much longer I was going to blow.

“Before you go, tell me one thing," she said, "and I’ll make sure we aren’t partners in this class. You’ll be free of me."

“What?” I asked, my voice going all raspy from blocking the words I wanted to say. They weren’t things she ever needed to hear.

“Why so cruel to me? You aren’t to the other girls you dump. Why single me out?”

I seethed. “And it didn’t take you long to find someone else, now did it? How is Spider? Does he get you hot like I did? Does he tell you how good--”

She slammed her notebook down. “He’s fine. He thinks I hung the moon. He thinks you’re an ass. I agree.”

I tightened my fists and pressed them against my thighs, swearing to myself I wasn’t responding to her bait. I swore. She was a dangerous game I didn’t need to play.

Suddenly, her face fell. Was she recalling the last time we were together? Was she remembering how I used to…

“I trusted you,” she whispered, all her anger seeming to be gone. The unsteadiness of her voice undid me, sent me right over the edge of that precarious cliff I’d been hanging on to by the skin of my teeth.

Yeah, she hadn’t been the only one who’d trusted me. I’d ruined them all. Every last one. Dark thoughts assaulted me, of the blood I had on my hands.

Snap! My pencil broke and small pieces flew across my desk and into the empty space between us.

I wanted to pummel my desk until my fists bled. I wanted to punch a hole through the wall, the floor, my face.

Everything was my fault. Just mine.

She’d been collateral damage, the kind that breaks everyone involved. And I was sorry for it, but sometimes you do what hurts because it’s for the best.

But she was my kryptonite, leaving me no option but to hurt her. Again.

I didn’t think about my cruel words, I just said them. “You were a curiosity, Dovey. You weren’t the usual BA girl, and I wanted a taste. That’s all. I moved on when it got boring. Get over it.”




Over 90K words with no cliffhanger.

A dark and gritty new adult romance, Very Wicked Things is not for the faint of heart.

If you prefer sweet heroines, then don't read it. ♥


Meet Dovey, one wicked ballerina...

[Jessica *The Lovely Books* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my me my...

Let's see. I think we need to wait until I'm able to catch my breath. Or my heart. If you thought Very Bad Things was an emotional roller coaster, think again! I think Very Wicked Things takes the icing on the cake for that one lol.



From the novella we all know I loved Cuba but my second thought as soon as I started VWT was "omg he's such an asshole!!!". Don't believe me, ask Ilsa lol. All jokes aside, I thought Cuba was a huge ass.

But...

Yes, there's a but. BUT, I couldn't help but love the guy at the same time. We find out early on what kind of, sort of happened. I was able to empathize with him.

My heart still broke for Dovey though. I'm probably not making any sense. Let me start at the beginning.

"Bad guys were always the prettiest, but then pretty is an understatement when it came to him."

So basically, VWT takes place about a year after Very Wicked Beginnings. Dovey and Cuba have been broken up and apparently it wasn't pretty. At all. In fact, he pretty much humiliated her in front of the entire school.

Um, bastard much?

So, they've avoided each other for a whole year. A WHOLE YEAR. No making eye contact, no accidental & awkward waves in the hallways, nada. Zilch. They don't even exist to each other.

During the time they were pretending the other didn't exist, they both saw different people. Well...Cuba saw a whole bunch of other people! For some reason I always think it's much harder for girls to just turn off their feelings like that.

As fate would have it, the two idiots( I say that with complete love in my heart) can't really stay away from each other. Yep, even after all this time!



As fate would also have it...
Our main girl is in trouble. Can she do what she needs to do to save herself and her only family she has?

What about Cuba? What's his secret?

Well I would tell you but that would be plain mean. You need to read the story to figure out the powerful story behind Dovey and Cuba.



The whole storyline was well thought out and had some surprise moments that had me going, "well I didn't see that at all!". Overall, this was such a great read! I loved being back in the world Ilsa has created. Her characters are do real and have flaws. That makes them believable on so many levels. Cuba and Dovey's story is a fresh, emotional read. Of course, it's filled with angst and sexual tension galore.

I think I might want more of them. They are great characters and I hope you love their story as much as I did.

*Review copy given by author in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the tease of Very Wicked Beginnings we finally get the full story to Cuba and Dovey. I can honestly say it was nothing like I expected. We begin this story about a year after we saw Cuba notice Dovey, the wooing stage but we start off not with a happy couple, but a broken hearted girl. Dovey isn’t sure what caused Cuba to break things off or not even look her in the eyes. She thought she fell for the guy that would be her white knight. Her soulmate. But in the end, she was cast aside while he moved on. As we get the bits and pieces of what happened during that year, we also progress forward. Cuba still not willing to allow himself to go after what he wants but fully able to let her go.

Dovey’s past is revealed through flashbacks, where we clearly get a chance to see what gave her the drive to succeed and why dance means everything to her. But when things get complicated, Cuba seems to be there just at all the right times. Letting him back in could destroy her – but she needs to know the answers to why he hurt her – and with those answers we get one heck of a revelation and look into the world of Hollywood. A world that isn’t as perfect as the rest of Briarcrest Academy thinks it is.

Ilsa Madden-Mills delivers a solid story with Cuba & Dovey and her second full installment of the Briarcrest Academy. I am really drawn to this series and I can’t quite place my finger on what it is about that that draws me in. Usually when I read a book there is something that stands out as my ‘favorite’ thing, with this particular book – I think the overall story was really my favorite thing. I love a heroine that isn’t weak, especially when her past gives her a free pass to be so. Dovey had backbone at all the right moments. Although Cuba hurt her deeply, she was still drawn to him and I loved that she couldn’t really stop herself from letting him in, even if it was just a little. I felt like I need to know what happened for my own closure just as badly as she did.

As for Cuba. He was a bit prickly and I could see what made him do the things he did, but still needed a bit more from him. It’s rare that I end up liking the heroine more than the Hero... but I think that is really what happened with Cuba. He was damaged but not broken and I think had he been a complete shattered mess, I would have loved him more.

Overall, a solid read that leaves you anticipating both Sebastian’s and Spider’s stories that follow this release.

[Kerri’s Reading Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, I am a HUGE fan of Ilsa Madden Mills. As soon as I finished her debut novel Very Bad Things I was harassing her about what was coming next. VBT was one of my top 5 reads of 2013 and i wasn't sure how she was going to top it, but she DID! Very Wicked Things exceeded my expectations. It was so different from VBT, yet I fell in love with her writing even more. Ilsa covered a very difficult topic in this story with great care. Very Wicked Things is a beautifully written, emotional, and powerful story of finding light in the darkness and always keeping hope.

Cuba Hudson: heartbreaker, football star, sexy, rich, and a liar. Cuba Hudson is viewed as an icon at Briarcrest Academy. He's got the looks, the wealth, and the social status that makes every girl want him. He puts a smile on his face everyday, but does what the world see match what he feels inside?

"Money hides a world of pain"

Cuba has been through enough heartbreak to last a lifetime. My heart hurt for him. He blames himself for some tragedies that struck his family and he cant let go of that blame, for fear that he will do it again. But then he meets Dovey, and she was his light.

"If i can have her, there'd be no reason to fear the dark"


Dovey is a poor girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Born into a life of poverty, she has a father that is MIA and a mother who prostitutes herself, leaving Dovey alone without food or heat for days at a time. In her cold lonely apartment complex, she meets Sarah, the ballet teacher. They develop a close relationship and Dovey quickly becomes focused on ballet knowing that it would be her ticket out of Ratcliffe. She ends up at Briarcrest Academy on a scholarship, where she meets Cuba Hudson. Cuba and Dovey really hit it off, despite their different social statuses. Dovey was hesitant because she needed to focus on ballet and Sarah, who became ill with Alzheimer's, but Cuba had other plans for them and just wouldn't give up in his pursuit. The two fall hard for each other..



But when i see Cuba, if there's such a thing as a soulmate...he's mine. It hurts to breathe without him..


Dovey's life quickly spirals out of control with some shocking twists that will leave your mind spinning. She needs to do what she needs to do to keep her friends and family safe, and she will stop at nothing until it's done. All the while Cuba pushes her away for fear of hurting her.



I wasnt sure if we would get a HEA because Dovey and Cuba had both been through so much. Their story was heartbreaking to read. This book was darker than VBT but extremely well written. I cried for both Cuba and Dovey, several times. The characters were well developed, making me feel as if I was right there with them, experiences their struggles. The story was paced perfectly, with some curveballs thrown in that will leave you shocked. And of course, book three was set up brilliantly! I really hope it's about Sebastian!

I highly recommend this book. I gave it 5 stars and I am anxious to find out more about book 3. And for my fellow VBT lovers, have no fear...Nora and Leo make a few cameo appearances in Very Wicked Things! Well done, Ilsa!!!

[Mallory · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars

Have you ever read a book that you went into pretty much knowing what was going to happen, but hoping against all hope that you'll somehow end up liking it? Very Wicked Things was that book for me. I knew that Cuba was a dick and that something obviously happened to tear them apart... but I trudged on thinking I could grow to like him and this book. However, that didn't happen.



Cuba was an asshole of epic proportions. And even taking his troubled past and feelings into account, I still saw him as an ass. Nothing could really fix that in my mind, and that pretty much ruined the book for me. I can see where the author was going, but I felt like the book was a departure from the first of the series. Dovey also made a decision that completely took me off guard. I kept thinking there was no way she'd actually go through with it, but I should have realized anything was possible here. And then there was the whole episode with Emma, Sebastian, Matt and even Spider. Too many outside problems occurred toward the end that interfered with Dovey and Cuba's journey.

The 2 stars are for the writing because I can't take away from the fact that this was a well written, thought out book. But with that said, I'm done with this series. I just don't care enough about Sebastian or the rest of the gang to hang around for more heartache.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

VWT was beyond amazing! We get to see who Cuba and Dovey really are and I was just in awe! We go on this really emotional, heartbreaking and beautiful journey with them as they grow into themselves and figure out who they are and who they may or may not be to each other. This was a very emotional read for me. I was sucked in from the very beginning and couldn't put it down until I finished! This one had my heart and soul gripped so tight that I felt I was right there with them.

And in that moment, my already big love for him grew. It changed and shifted into something as deep as the ocean and bigger than the universe. My soul ached for his; my body yearned for his touch. I didn't want to exist without him in my world.
Because I was not ordinary and neither was he. We were both survivors who'd manage to find each other amid the chaos. I wanted to be his bird of hope. I wanted to be the reason he chose to carry on.

I was all over the place with my emotions! Sad, heartbroken, intrigued, stupidly happy, scared...you name it, I felt it!



"I love you," I told him as we held each other later. He pushed the hair out of my eyes. "Dovey, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. Never forget that."

"Stay with me," he said, kissing my shoulder. "Let go. I'll catch you. Every single time."

This story is such a beautiful tale of family, heartbreak, loss, abuse, love and so much more. Ilsa Madden-Mills can write an amazing and emotionally gripping story and she she knocked it out of the park! This is one you DON'T want to miss! I have a VERY WICKED hangover in the best way possible! Bravo!!!

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

When we met Cuba in Very Bad Things he was the stuff that mothers warned their daughters about. Player. Heartbreaker. Manwhore. It’s not that Cuba is a bad guy, actually that is far from it. He never offers anything more than a good time. But even knowing who he is, Cuba still manages to leave broken heart-ed girls in his wake. One of those girls happens to be Dovey.

Dovey is the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Studying at the infamous Briarcrest Academy on a scholarship, Dovey is determined to become something more than what society and her fellow classmates think she is. With hopes that after graduation she can find a job doing her true life’s passion, dancing as a ballerina, Dovey won’t let anything stand in her way. That is until the circumstances of her past come back to haunt her. With all of this going on Dovey is still left reeling from the pain inflicted by Cuba. But he just might be the one help her.

Without giving too much away, Very Wicked Things is a book full of angst, heartache, love and redemption. Cuba and Dovey despite the roles they portray to protect their hearts, are truly two of the most heartbreaking characters I have read about. Human to a fault, the lengths they go to spare themselves and each other pain is maddening and yet I understood exactly why they did it. Very few people see Cuba behind his armor, and Dovey behind her pride. The feelings, connection and circumstance surrounding their past and their present create a story so full of emotion and hope that will keep you hooked to the pages and invested in Cuba and Dovey.

Very Wicked Things is everything that New Adult should be.

4.5 stars*

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Wicked Things is probably my most anticipated read of the year.  I fell in love with Ilsa Madden-Mills' writing when I read Nora and Leo's story in Very Bad Things.  She delivered heartfelt story surrounding an ultra privileged High School, that read nothing at all like a Young Adult novel. It also introduced us to numerous other characters, all deserving of much more attention.



VWT focuses on one of those characters. Cuba. A guy that came across as not much more than a complete man whore in VBT. But he is more. So much more.



Cuba is tragic, lost in his life. In his own mind, really.  Believing the worst about himself and refusing to see that he can be better, have better, deserves better.  There are profound moments from his past that make him the way he is and though I can't blame his mind for going where it did...the wake he leaves behind him because of it, is saddening and avoidable.   I had moments of wanting to wrap him up in a big fluffy blanket, feeding him hot cocoa with whip cream and rainbow sprinkles; followed quickly be moments of wanting to slap the taste out of his mouth.

Where as Cuba grew up in luxury, Dovey grew up in the slums. Nothing was handed to Dovey, not even basic necessities like food.  She learned to survive, learned to rely on herself, learned to lose herself in dance.  Living above a dance studio, seeing little ballerinas everyday, she mimicked and until she found a way to study.



All things considered Dovey should be the tragic one. Yet she isn't. She doesn't have an easy life but she refuses to let that show and is determined to work her way to a better life.  I admired that about her, so much.  She makes some incredibly hard decisions.  Decisions that some readers will probably take great issue with. I found them to be understandable and I can't say that put in the same situation, I would not have made the same ones.  Difference is, I don't think I would have come out them with the same resolve and strength that Dovey did. Again, something I greatly admire about her as a character.

I loved Dovey.  She did make some mistakes, there were things I wanted her to do that seemed natural to me, that she didn't.  And things she did do that utterly broke my heart. But I love her no less for them.



Cuba ran me through the ringer. I loved him, then hated him, then loved him, then hated him.  By the end I loved him again.  And even my hate came from a loving place.



These are two incredibly passionate, broken characters lost in their lives. They're trying to work through problems of their own hearts, twisted relationships with others and an outside source who is determined to shatter Dovey and all she loves.  Dovey's determination to not lose anything more than she has and Cuba's struggle to regain one good thing in his life creates one hell of an emotional roller coaster of a story.

While I'm not sure that I had quite the same connection with Very Wicked Things that I did Very Bad Things, it still stretched my heart nearly to its limits.  I shed a couple tears. I didn't cry, mind you. I leaked a little. It was just excess moisture, I'm sure I must have had something in my eyes because I am NOT a crier. ;)



Other than a few bumps and a slightly rushed feeling to the end, this is one hell of a good read and I predict much love for both Dovey and Cuba.

[Red Cheeks Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

To read about the characters Cuba and Dovey check out my review of Very Wicked Beginnings, the prequel novella HERE!

"Bad guys are always the prettiest, but then pretty is an understatement when it came to him. He was simply more."

I want to start this review by saying that I was completely taken by this story. Very Wicked Things had so many twist and turns that I was constantly in awe of the imagination of Ilsa Madden-Mills’ mind. I am a huge fan of the first novel in this series, Very Bad Things, and as I always am with follow up novels, I was concerned I would not love this book as much. I should have know I had nothing to worry about. Not only was this book as good as the first one, It was SO SO SO MUCH BETTER!



This book went much darker and intense than I was ever expecting. Cuba’s internal struggles really gave great depth to his character and watching him push Dovey away was heartbreaking but knowing where he was coming from helped me understand him so much more.

"Are you going to kiss me? Because the build-up is killing me. Just do it already," I said silkily, in a tone I'd never used on anyone. "What is it's not as good as my dream?" "Make your dreams com true, then,"

Dovey’s storyline killed me. I was an emotional mess and never
expected the turns it took. Ilsa Madden-Mills’ did not go light on the emotional turmoil and non stop surprises. I had every intention of being a functioning member of society the day I read the book but once I started this I knew I would not accomplish anything else until I finished it.



I loved the idea of a poor ballerina and the rich football player hooking up and was expecting it to be a fun story with even a few “wicked” high jinx. What I got was a deep story of two young people both trying to deal with the awful situations that are thrust upon them, all the while attempting to deny the feelings they have for one another. Quite often I found myself yelling (out loud like a fool) at Cuba and Dovey for the decisions they made and the direction those decisions took them.

"Let go. I'll catch you. Every single time."

That being said at the end I would not have changed one thing about them or their story because it was truly so beautiful. Very Wicked Things is about two broken people trying to survive and do what’s best for those they love even if that means hurting themselves along the way.

"Kiss me again, Dovey." "That's a terrible idea. Cause your naked, and I'm turned on you're naked. And you're touching yourself. And you're naked."

This book was a great fun and even witty New Adult read but really it was so much more. I went through such a range of emotions while reading this I am not sure I can ever fully recover. Cuba and Dovey’s story is a beautiful and even at time tragic love story (but I do promise you a great HEA) that left me absolutely breathless anticipating the next book from Ilsa.
~miranda

[Ezi Chinny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just can't excuse the way Cuba treated Dovey even if he had something bad happen to him. I felt sorry for Dovey and she deserved better from her boyfriend and her father. I was sad that she got dealt a shitty hand and tried her best to play it but was rewarded with broken trust, time and time again. Sorry but I needed a little something else before I can get with Cuba or Spider or even Sebastian.

[Tabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg! I thought Very Bad Things was emotional...wrong! Very Wicked Things, spun me round and round on a carousel of emotions.
Dovey and Cuba were together in the past and needless to say their breakup was pretty brutal. Nothing makes getting your heart broken like being humiliated in front of the entire school.
Bad guys are always the prettiest, but then pretty is an understatement when it came to him. He was simply more.

Needless to say after that the two avoided each other like the plague. Each saw different people, although Cuba saw a lot of people. A year passed and Dovey and Cuba once again found their way back to each other.
Cuba, who was known as basically the perfect guy (I still wanted to slap him at times) didn't have such a perfect life. His internal struggles broke my heart, and helped me understand why he did some of the things he did.
Dovey, I loved Dovey. Her story tore at my heart, like literally tore it to shreds. Full of twists and turns and jaw dropping surprises.

Each of them struggling with their own problems but incapable of staying away from each other. Watching them push each other away and then pull each other back was so emotional.
Now let me tell you, this book is emotional but it had it panty soaking, fan yourself, swoon moments.

Let go. I'll catch you. Every single time.
Does this review seem vague? Well you are going to have to deal with it. Very Wicked Things is so emotionally packed that you need to read it without any sort of spoilers to fully grasp the turmoil these two broken people had to survive.
Because I was not ordinary and neither was he. We were both survivors who'd manage to find each other amid the chaos. I wanted to be his bird of hope. I wanted to be the reason he chose to carry on.

[-ya]

Dnf at 31%.
Cuba was a man-whore and an asshole. The drama was just ridiculous and pissed me off. The storyline didn't work for me:(

[We like it big book blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ilsa Madden-Mills

( I was provided an ARC for an HONEST review)

When I love a book, I love hard and the days that follow soon after finishing, I find myself in a book slump because I'm still hung over and unable to get past it. That's exactly what Ilsa's debut novel, Very Bad Things did to me. So when she announced that the follow-up to this series would be coming, I was booming with excitement. However, the thing about follow ups is this-- when a reader such as myself who had fallen so deeply for the first book in that series, the expectations are always, unfairly set. The curse of the sequel in the film world holds the same value in the book world. I had to set aside my love of Very Bad Things, Nora Blakely, and Leo Tate; reminding myself that Cuba and Dovey deserved my undivided attention and so, I began my journey alongside these two very wicked characters where I found myself falling in love, torn apart, tested, and ultimately regaling in finding a happily ever after.

Katerina Dovey Beckham in one word is resilient. Though born into a life already set up for her to fail, she somehow finds incredible strength from within and bravely makes the conscious decision at a very young age that she would survive. I was most captivated with Dovey's self perseverance. I loved that she had such a passion for dancing and I admired how she nurtured those around her even though she grew up not having a mother who did the same for her. She broke away from the vicious cycle that she was expected to follow in society's standards. This girl was tough as nails and I enjoyed seeing her rise through all of her trials and tribulations because she kicked its butt each and every single time, irregardless of temporary emotional and physical injury. She always got up, dusted herself off, and gallantly floated away from the situation. Dovey Beckham was a force to be reckoned with, a silent explosion that no one ever saw coming.

"I closed my eyes and pictured me dancing as Joan of Arc, of mesmerizing the audience with clean lines and elegant feet. And like her, I would be resilient in the face of sacrifice, I would preserve through the burning, and I would not give into fear."



Cuba Hudson wasn't the hero I had expected him to be; he was SO MUCH better... SO MUCH MORE! I was ready for a rich, shallow hero who needed to be taught the meaning of what it was like to not have everything handed to him but I was happy to be proven wrong in my assumption. Instead, Ilsa developed a character worth all the heartache he caused, someone worth fighting for, and someone worth saving. My heart broke ten fold for Cuba-- the tragedies that caused such a deadly weight in his life. The self loathing and the guilt that ran rampart from within really made you see that money couldn't buy everything.

"Cuba Hudson, the hottest, richest, most popular guy on campus looked as broken as I felt."



I went absolutely crazy for Cuba and Dovey. Their interactions-- the flirtatious banter, the deep seated want for each other, the sweet rumblings whispered between them just had me floating on cloud nine. This is what I loved about this book. The chemistry that Ilsa created between these two was just a total knock out. It was everything that all readers hope for when picking up a romance novel. The beauty of Very Wicked Things lay on Dovey, Cuba, and the love that grew between these two brutally broken people. You had no other choice but to stand behind them and fight alongside their battles because their story is not easy to read-- there were many times where I was shell shocked and I was left wide eyed at the toxicity of Cuba's words and actions (I loathed him so many times over!!). Moments where I couldn't believe Ilsa took Dovey on; but these also made everything in this book that much more viscous. I LOVED LOVED LOVED Dovey and Cuba together, whether they were in love or at war. Together, they were just right.

"You were a curiosity, Dovey. You're not from here, and I wanted a taste, that's all. I moved on when it got boring. Get over it." "I slummed with you."

"Like a dancer who automatically recognized which toe shoes are hers, my heart sensed him as mine."



And though there were so much I loved about Very Wicked Things, there was also a critical point which didn't rock my boat (ergo the 4-star review). When suspense and criminal elements are added on to a romance book it becomes a really tricky situation for me. Don't get me wrong, I have read and loved a handful of romance/crime novels. These worked because it was exactly that, romance and crime driven with the perfect amount of suspense to heighten the senses. In Very Wicked Things, this fell short for me. Though it greatly influences the story, it didn't have the right focus and didn't have enough acceleration to drive the story line across. In many ways, it broke up the momentum of their story and left me scratching my head. I give props that Ilsa went BIG with a life changing decision that Dovey makes, but Dovey's reaction to the aftermath, I didn't feel to be realistic enough to drive the point of its magnitude. Again, I am very picky when a love story is intertwined with this type genre so it may be something that will totally work for others but just didn't for me.


Overall, I very much loved this follow-up. Ilsa remains strong in her story telling using the full force of her magnetic writing style. Her words suck you right into the pages, causing late nights of reading, ending with a huge smile plastered across your face. I cannot wait for what's to come in this series... Especially when this minx of an author leaves you with something to think about because of some unfinished business for a certain hottie who we have yet to truly know.



So, if you are a lover of great writing, addicting story lines, and characters so worth the sleepless nights, then Very Wicked Things (and Very Bad Things) is what you need.



Very Wicked Things Teaser:

[The Real Housewives of Romance Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review by Heather:


Welcome back to Briarcrest Academy folks! I could NOT WAIT for this book. To say that I loved Very Bad Things is a vast understatement. I fell in love with these kids and I fell in love with Ilsa! It is one of the BEST debut novels I have ever read and I had very high expectations for this follow-up, Very Wicked Things. I am very proud to say that Ilsa did not disappoint.

VWT is Cuba's book. Cuba is the resident bad boy. We got to know him in VBT and honestly I wasn't sure how I would be able to like or relate to Cuba. Well, not only do I like him.. I LOVE him. He has a very "wicked" side. He is downright mean and says some of the most hurtful things. It is clear that he has some very deep rooted issues and despite his harsh attitude, I fell in love with him more and more as those issues were brought to light.

Poor Dovey! A girl from the wrong side of the tracks with the most effed up life one could imagine... just wanting to come out on the other side. This girl somehow keeps her dreams alive in the midst of the shit storm of a life she was dealt. Seriously... WOW You just can't even imagine all that she has had to endure. She is fierce, strong, and loyal in spite of it all.

Her biggest mistake was allowing herself to fall for the wrong guy. Dovey and Cuba are the most unlikely of couples. She doesn't trust easily and when she finally does she gets her heart trampled on.

With a broken heart to add to her list of woes, Dovey focuses on her love of dance. Dancing is what will save her. It is her ticket out of the slums.

After a year of ignoring her, suddenly Cuba is speaking to Dovey again. He is hot one minute and cold the next. Dovey's whole world starts crashing down around her. Add in the confusion of Cuba Hudson and you get one crazy MESS!

"One winter day last year, I fell in love with you inside that barn. And I thought you loved me too—but you didn't. Why did you lie to me... make me love you?... Did you sit up at night and laugh about the stupid girl from Ratcliffe who fell for your bullshit?"

Regret... it is eating Cuba alive. He is plagued with it. One of his biggest regrets is Dovey... loving her? leaving her? All of the above?

What Ilsa has managed with this story is nothing short of remarkable. Tragedy knows no bounds. It doesn't care if you are the rich boy with everything or the poor girl with nothing. Both of these characters lives are filled with heartache and pain. There were scenes that shocked me and others that moved me to tears. I took days to process all that I read. There are twists and turns throughout the book that will keep you engaged and itching to see what is coming up next.

"Death is a constant, but love? It is rare."

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided by author in exchange of honest review

☆ ☆ ☆☆ ☆ 5 Very Wicked Stars ☆ ☆ ☆☆ ☆



So after I read Very Wicked Beginnings, I was thinking a cute romantic tale of Cuba pursuing his chase of Dovey in Very Wicked Things but Ms. Ilsa Madden-Mills had to put to a wicked abrupt halt to that. Of course, she had to put her readers on a wicked emotional roller-coaster since this book is titled Very Wicked Things. This book hooked me from the very first page and I was secretly at work trying to get my reading fix of Cuba and Dovey. Ilsa knows for a fact that I was secretly trying to hide in my office so I can invest all my attention to Cuba and Dovey. I just want to tell Ilsa that you literally gutted my heart with Cuba and Dovey’s story. Seriously, this book took my heart, twisted it around, tore it to pieces, and slowly taped it back together. Very Wicked Things was such an emotional, heartbreaking, heartfelt, and beautiful journey that I loved every bit of the ride that Ilsa took her readers on.



In Very Wicked Beginnings, we learned that Cuba’s mother has been battling with severe depression and that Cuba blames himself for his mother’s illness. In Very Wicked Things, a year has passed since Cuba and Dovey first met each other and we learn that Cuba humiliated Dovey in front of the school when he broke up with her. The Cuba for now is a big fat jerk. He ignores Dovey and doesn’t give her the time of day. Soon we learn that Cuba’s mother committed suicide and he blames himself for his mother and sister’s death. He feels that he will only disappoint anyone who tries to love him and people are better off without loving him hence, he distances himself from Dovey. His reasonings may sound dumb but as someone who suffered and experienced lost, I can totally understand his sadness and his feelings of detachment.



Dovey literally broke my heart. Her childhood and upbringing had me in tears. She is a fighter and survivor and applaud her for her strength to LIVE and DREAM. While others may succumb and give up, Dovey did what she had to do rise above from being stuck in her situation. What she lacked in money, she made up in intelligence and perseverance. She made her dreams of becoming a dancer in a reality.



The sexual tension and chemistry between Dovey and Cuba had me going crazy!!! I was like WHY Ilsa are you torturing us!!!! I wanted to scream at Cuba and tell him to man up and claim Dovey. And as for Dovey, I must applaud her strength dealing with the whole Cuba situation. I just wanted to give her a big hug and say it will be okay. Soon I found myself begging Ilsa just to give us a glimmer of hope for these two and when she did I was screaming YES...FINALLY!!! The emotional rollercoaster that Cuba and Dovey put me through made me demand that they get HEA! Hell they f*cking deserved one after all they been through. Both survived heartaches, loss and practically been to hell and back so they needed that fairy tale HEA.



Oh and as for the ending, I absolutely loved it. Yes, the ending made me over the moon happy! Ilsa did an amazing job in Very Wicked Things. She made you fall in love with all the characters and had your emotions invested in everyone. You couldn’t put down your kindle because you had to know how will Cuba and Dovey get their HEA. Very Wicked Things was deliciously wicked and a must read!



Ilsa Madden-Mills

Review on Behalf of Give Me Books

[Donna ~ The Romance Cover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Wicked Things (Briarcrest Academy #2) by Isla Madden-Mills
4 stars!!

“He was off-the-charts, no-holds-barred, freaking going to make-me-lose-my-mind-right-there, delicious. And I had no idea how to handle him. Because I was way out of my league.”

This is book two in the Briarcrest series and follows Cuba “Hollywood” Hudson and Dovey Beckham, I have to admit, I was hooked from the first till last page, this book was a page turner for me and I didn’t want to let their beautiful yet heart breaking story go.

Cuba is the guy that your mum warns you about, he is a star football player, he is also a player, a man whore, and he leaves a trail of heart broken girls in his wake with no remorse. But as with all things is this just a front? Who is Cuba “Hollywood” Hudson really? There are always two sides to every story and Cuba’s is heart breaking. Despite wealth, a privileged upbringing and all that entails there is a magnitude of hidden emotions underneath that playboy exterior, he just has a poor way of dealing with them…girls and a lot of them.

“Don’t pull away. I’m scared, too. And I know we’re young, but I feel older than I really am. I’ve gone through some bad shit in my life…”

Dovey Beckham is a ballerina, she tries her hardest to not be noticed, from the poor side of town and on a scholarship all she cares about is getting through school, dancing and looking after her guardian. Her back story is also an extremely harrowing one, but she is a survivor and has come through the other side stronger and more resilient. She has hardly any friends, she trusts no-one, but there is always one thing that keeps her grounded and that is her ballet.

When Cuba’s eyes strayed from the pitch to the window above, he was taken aback by the beauty of the dancer that he could see practicing; he was captivated, so much so he got sacked and never lived it down. He was enamoured with the ballerina and he had to get to know her better. Cuba had never had to chase before, girls just flung themselves at him, but he always knew Dovey would be different and she made him wait, he had to pull all the stops out just to convince Dovey that this was not one of his usual conquests. Slowly but surely Cuba reveals the real man underneath the façade and once he emerges you see him in a totally different light. He realises he has fallen, so does Dovey, but can Cuba be the man she deserves or will it all blow up in their face. Can he be that man or will fate have other ideas? This is a long and bumpy road but will they be strong enough to survive? Is this really a Cinderella style fairy tale whereby the poor little girl nabs the fit rich guy? There are many obstacles to overcome but can love pull them through? Will it be enough and more importantly will they realise before it is too late?

“Don’t you see what’s going on? Dovey, we don’t need sleep…because we are falling in love.”

This book is emotional, with two very guarded people. These two made me mad at times, Dovey’s pride made her make some really awful decisions but while I understood, they didn’t make them any easier to swallow. She had friends that were willing to help, but she would rather just deal. Cuba hid behind his reputation; he needed help in a different way, but would never let anyone see. Dovey got to see glimpses but as soon as they flickered, he doused them.

This is a book about love, redemption, forgiveness and survival. Emotional and heart breaking yet maddening at times Isla Madden-Mills manages to evoke through words a plethora of emotions that will leave you tearful and mindful. This book is extremely thought provoking, to what lengths would you go to, to protect the ones you love? If you finally found that you loved someone with all your heart and yet felt that you didn’t deserve that love, what lengths would you go to, to protect them and yourself? While infuriating at times, I was hooked from the first till last page and Cuba managed to wheedle his way into my heart, Dovey had her place there from the start. You cannot help but connect to these characters, you will champion them from the beginning and hope that despite the “obstacles” and crap that life puts your way that they will find their way through and realise that what they have is something precious and needs nurturing, they are soul mates, they share this connection that neither have ever felt before, it is powerful and consuming but it is theirs. Now it is up to them to grasp it and feed it.

“Yes, yes, yes. Someday.”

Totally loved this one and love this series, the characters from the first book do make an appearance although I would have loved to have learned more about Nora and Leo, but that is me being greedy. I can’t wait to see who gets their story next, maybe Sebastian, maybe Spider? But whoever the lucky soul is, I will be there at the front waiting to read.

www.theromancecover.com

[Jessica Hull · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I was delighted to find that my review copy of Very Wicked Things also contained a surprise prequel novella, Very Wicked Beginnings. I absolutely loved every bit of that prequel, getting tons of insight into who Cuba and Dovey were before they met, how they grew up, their early family lives... and how their initial relationship developed. Reading that novella was crucial because Very Wicked Things opens up with Dovey and Cuba, a year after their breakup. As a reader, I was so taken with them in the novella, that my heart broke immediately wondering what on earth had happened to them. Dovey is almost your anti-heroine. Unlike most weak female main characters in books, this chick is strong, she knows what she wants, she refuses to let her emotions get in the way of her goals. And she absolutely won't let a broken heart break HER. Cuba is the posterchild for your stereotypical wealthy, popular football God who can have any girl he wants. But underneath the facades of both of these characters, they are broken and tormented by pasts they can't escape.
 
My heart broke from the first page on. When I say my heart broke, I mean that literally. As a reader, my very favorite thing is those painful heart twinges I feel when I am so immersed in a story that my heart hurts right along with those characters. And that mine did. Very Wicked Things is written in dual points of view, giving us insight into both Cuba and Dovey as they live their daily struggles, secretly burying their feelings for each other. I love love love that sense of longing, that slow build between characters, that scenario when two characters feel like they can't be together and we just want them to find their happy ending so so badly. Yes, they'd been together before, but something has happened in that year, and as a reader, we don't know what has transpired until much later in the book. My heart hurt for pages and pages and pages. And I loved that.
 
Something happened at a point in the story and I slowly grew disconnected to a degree. I think it was around 70% when so much started to happen, so many characters started introducing their issues, a lot of drama started happening at once, and I felt like I was an outsider watching it all happen, rather than feeling immersed as I had previously felt.  I loved the dynamic the author created between Dovey and Cuba, their broken relationship, the heartbreaking dialogue they spew at each other in the face of hurt and anger. I loved all of that and I wanted more. Late in the story, things escalate from the halls of Briarcrest Academy and we're taken into a much darker, ugly world with these characters. While I understood that this was necessary for the story to develop, it still left me wanting for what once was earlier on in the book.
 
This book started out so strong and stayed that way for much of it. While I slowly felt a sense of disconnect later in the book, I never stopped feeling completely invested in the story. With that said, I found the ending to feel a little too perfect, too abrupt considering the gravity of the events that had previously transpired. It seemed like things went so far off course, so outside of the box, that it was all tied up a little too neatly and easily in the end. I wanted all those hurtful comments revisited in some way.  I wanted redemption and a happily ever after for both Cuba and Dovey, but I felt like it came too suddenly, too predictably. I may not have loved or grasped every bit of the journey, but I certainly am glad I took it with them. This author has absolutely delivered another unputdownable, original story in this series. 

[Jennifer Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Wicked Things by lIsa Madden-Mills

Review by Jen (BestSellers & BestStellars)

Very Wicked Things was such an amazing story! It really is a great follow up to Very Wicked Beginnings. We get to see how the continuation of Cuba and Dovey’s story, after what happened in Very Wicked Beginnings. I loved reading more about Cuba and Dovey and you really get a lot more background on them in this story. There were times I laughed, cried, and then there were times I wanted to throw my kindle I was so mad. lIsa did another fantastic job!



I loved Dovey. She’s smart, beautiful, and an awesome ballet dancer. She has had a tough life. Things aren’t easier for her, but she is going to do everything she can to make things better for herself. She catches Cuba’s eye in Very Wicked Beginnings, but she knows she has to stay away because he’s not good for her, but that doesn’t work out so well. She gets involved with Cuba against her better judgement.

“Cuba Hudson was serious man-candy, the kind good girls knew to stay away from. But I hadn't. Within the space of a few weeks last year, he’d wooed me, screwed me, and then tossed me in the trash. Of course, I’d given in to him, and he’d broken me, shattering something fragile that could never be fixed.”

She wanted Cuba so bad because deep down she saw a good person. She thought that maybe he would be different with her, but she was wrong.

“He wasn’t Apollo, but Ares, the god of war. Dark and vicious, his only goal was to cause discord. To ruin lives. And he’d ruined mine. Nothing of me would ever be the same.”

Then we have Mr. Sexy himself, Cuba Hudson. He’s Briarcrest Academy’s bad boy football player, but he’s also got a tough home life. No one sees that because he puts up a front at school. He’s cocky and he can get any girl he wants, and he wants Dovey. He definitely has the sexy factor down, and these girls better watch out.



“She’s got an aerodynamic body, like you. She’s sexy and hot and I want my hands all over her. I really want to crank her up and ride her, but I think I may have to wait, which is fine. I like delayed gratification.”

Even though things were tough with Dovey, it didn’t change how Cuba felt about her.

“You were never a game to me, do you understand? Not one time that we were together.”

I really liked the banter between Cuba and Dovey. Those were definitely scenes that made me laugh out loud.

“If you wore more clothes, you wouldn’t be cold.”
“If you’d stop talking, my car might get fixed.”

I loved this book. I was looking forward to Cuba and Dovey’s story and I was not disappointed. I love that the characters didn’t have that insta-love. I enjoy reading a story that makes the characters go through issues and have to work for what they want.

The quality of writing was great. The story was well-written and very enjoyable to read. It kept me interested and I found myself looking forward to the next page. I could not put it down! I can’t wait for the next book!

5 Diamonds for this amazing story!!

[Nadine ShelfLove · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-4.5 Stars
What a sweet angsty story

I've actually read the whole book until this morning 4am, in 1 session, including the prequel - yeah I got 3hrs of sleep. I can honestly say that besides Jennifer L. Armentrout, Ilsa's young MC I'll def continue to read. I really enjoyed them :) Make sure you read my review for the prequel, Very Wicked Beginnings first!

Ooooh Cuba, what have you done? Why did you hurt our girl like this? It's not always the right choice pushing the people away who could actually help holding you together, keep and cherish your hope and love.

It's easy to say -Cuba messed up. Messed up big times and shattered Dovey's heart; hurt her and humiliated her for what? To protect her...or so he thought. After guarding her heart for so long, she finally gave it to him to just have it broken by Cuba -the young man that talked about love and never wanting to let her go.

It was a tough year for Dovey trying to ignore the one person she can't forget; the one person she knew she couldn't forget; the one person that hold all the answers but never told her why.

Cuba shut her out one day of the other and she had no clue why. But according to his mind - his weird working mind- he knew why and he thought it was the right choice. No matter if it meant he'd suffer, too. And oh boy, did he hurt.

How are you suppose to forget or ignore the one person that made your world seem right? made your world complete? Gave you hope and strength? ...you can't, and Cuba found it out the bittersweet way.

One unfortunate day he couldn't hold it back anymore and his well-build wall broke down. He had to have her. He had to make her his again.

But did she want him back, too? After a year of heartache? A year where he treated her like the last person on earth? ...she didn't know.

Because not only tried Cuba to snake his way back into her life, no, her best friend declared his love her, too. To top it off, her past came back smacking her right in the face in a very bitter way.

What will Dovey do? Who will she choose and which decisions will she make to fulfill her dream of becoming a ballerina.


What a story!! I was hooked and couldn't get enough. Angst, drama, heartache, pain, hope, and love - I felt it all. Ilsa wrote a great standalone sequel telling the continuous story of Cuba and Dovey, 2 people who couldn't be any different but knew they were meant to be.
Thankfully, karma had other plans!

I'm ready for book 3 -maybe Sebastian's story?? *grin

[Carrie Richardson-horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

So the time is finally here! We get Ilsa Madden Mills second book Very Wicked Things! I was so excited about this. Her first book Very Bad Things was amazing, so I knew we were in store for another amazing read from this author.

Dovey Beckham isn't your usual rich girl from Briarcrest Academy. She's quite the opposite in every way imaginable. Dovey is there on a scholarship. As a child Dovey lived in poverty. With a prostitute for a mother and a father who never cared, or was there. Dovey's life was anything but easy. Dovey met Sarah a ballerina teacher in the same building she lived in. Determined to show Sarah she was just as good as the other students she tried out ratty clothes and all! That part had me sobbing like a newborn! Dovey's determination, and never give up attitude made me love her from that moment on. Sarah soon becomes Dovey's legal guardian. She can finally live somewhat of a normal life. Dovey's goals are set high for her future. She is focused and, dating is the farthest from her mind...until...

Wait for it ladies....

***Warning***

Panties will melt off!
Turn fan on high
Sweet Baby Jesus moments
Prepare to swoon
Cuba WILL steal your heart!


In walks Cuba "Hollywood" Hudson! Rich, Hot, star football star. He's the entire package. Now you would think if you have all that life is perfect right? For Cuba that couldn't be farthest from the truth. Cuba is carrying around pain that nobody knows about. He puts up a front to mask his deepest secrets. When he sets his sights on Dovey he knows there is no turning back even if he knows he's not good for her. He can't stop his attraction to this girl. From the moment he saw her dancing he knew he needed to know more.

Dovey doesn't believe Mr. Hollywood is serious. Being from what feels like opposites sides of the world Dovey isn't buying into Cuba's act. She knows he's a player, and isn't about to be one of his many flavors of the week. Now let me just say I had a love/hate relationship with Cuba at first. It wasn't until we dug further into his world that my feelings softened for him. Seriously the man is sugary cotton candy on a stick! Who can resist that?! As things started going great for this couple the unthinkable happens!

The story takes us into a much deeper level and you will have a WTH just happened moment? You will want to punch Cuba in the face, and you will be screaming NO!! Don't do that at Dovey! These two brought out emotions I didn't even know I had. You want them together so badly but is all the pain, lies, and secrets worth it?!

We get a glimpse into Nora and Leo's life <-----sigh....LEO!!!! Ok sorry but when I see his name I have to swoon! Lol!

I loved this book! Ilsa takes us into a bit darker read but it was amazing. Just because everything is all perfect and pretty on the outside doesn't mean that it is on the inside too right? Cuba and Dovey need each other more than either are willing to admit. Both grasping for love, but both thinking they don't deserve it. I felt so close to these characters. Your heart will ache for them. You won't put this down until you finish I promise you that!

Here are a few highlights I loved

"Maybe if this is my one shot, I'm going for it"I paused."Let Me In Dovey."<-----loved that moment! He sings the rest to her ;)

Let's hang out. I promise I won't bite unless you want me too." <---bite away Cuba ;) lol

It took me up into the heavens, dropped me and I spiraled down,afraid of crashing but having no way to stop. "Don't you see what's going on? Dovey, we don't need sleep...because we're falling in love."<-------lawdy my heart was bursting there!

There are many things I love about this book! The heat factor I might add is turned all the way up! Ilsa brings some serious heat to Very Wicked Things!

Sebastian Tate makes a few appearances too! Holy Hotness!!! I love that man! I fell for him hard in Very Bad Things. See why you need your air cranked on high? So many hot guys to swoon over up in here!

I give Very Wicked Things 5 HUGE BRIGHT stars! I am so thankful Ilsa let me read an advance copy. I adore her. She is amazing and I'm a better person just knowing her! Now go grab this and LOVE it like I do! You won't be sorry! Amazing!

[Elizabeth (Liz) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

Well, well! Ilsa Madden-Mills, I love to be surprised, and you certainly accomplished that!

Very Wicked Things is one of those stories where the reader is gifted with a taste of several genres. First and foremost, though, VWT was a second-chance-type love story about two high school seniors--wealthy, Briarcrest Academy football star, Cuba, and scholarship student/ballerina, Dovey, product of one of Dallas' worst neighborhoods. Their brief, emotional relationship during junior year was cut short by Cuba, and the opportunity for reconnecting was lost due to his devastatingly tragic, deeply personal loss and grief. However, a year later, their feelings hadn't changed or diminished, and Cuba found it increasingly difficult to stay away from Dovey. For her part, Dovey was broken-hearted and left believing that she had been nothing but a curiosity, a taste of the slums, to the uber-wealthy player. Hating him fueled her...or, so she told herself. She filled that empty year with different relationships, but none of them lasted. None of them were Cuba. Not even Dovey's best friend at BA, the fascinating and sexy Spider. Dovey and Cuba were two opposites who should have, realistically, never attracted. Well, never say never, because, in this case, opposites did indeed attract!

How else would I describe Very Wicked Things? It was a small dollop of romantic suspense, as well. This was highlighted by Dovey's home and family situation, which I won't ruin by discussing further. VWT incorporated slight twists and turns which filled out the story and gave these two characters something to really chew on.

Speaking of twists and turns, Ilsa Madden-Mills, at moments, lulled me into a somewhat false sense of well-being. I was, at times, convinced VWT was confined to, and defined by, that sort of very popular New Adult formula (which, with no shame whatsoever, I admit I'm quite fond of!). Then, !WHAM!, the author threw in a few doses of hard, cold, unbeautiful reality and knocked me off of my comfy perch. I've read a few comments claiming Very Wicked Things is much darker than its predecessor. To that, I have to reply. 'Dark' is subjective. How I define dark would be very different from how others define it. Honestly? VWT wasn't dark. Rather, several scenes and topics conveyed a few of the harsh realities of life. Plain and simple, it was the author writing the characters' truths. That's my personal opinion. And, frankly, I'd much rather read this type of story than one that simply skims the surface and doesn't bother to dig any deeper. Oh, and by the way? Those character truths were handled beautifully and written respectfully and in a non-judgmental tone, as they should have been, by the author. Well done!

Very Wicked Things, in addition to the above, provided growth for everyone's favorite, sweet, charming BA boy, Sebastian. I can't wait to see where his story goes! And, may I say, Spider? Oh, yeah. Waiting impatiently for more of him!! I do hope, as I follow the lives and stories of Briarcrest Academy's most interesting students, that a certain Miss Nora Blakely will appear again in a more substantial way. At the close of Very Bad Things, book #1, I truly believed she had more to say and reveal, and that hasn't changed.

Very Wicked Things, Ilsa Madden-Mills' second book in the Briarcrest Academy series, was a twisty, emotional, romantic, fun, super-sexy New Adult Contemporary Romance which you should not and do not want to miss!!

[Nasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you excited?
Cause I can't way for this to be out already!
--

Book Gifted by the Author for honest opinion
Since I finished Very Bad Things I couldn’t wait to read either about Sebastian or Cuba, I was very exited to know more about either of them, when I found it was Cuba I got really really excited cause I really wanted to know who is this sexy guy.
When I received the book I was screaming and going all excited and immediately start reading it, to say that Ilsa blew my mind is not compared to what I felt reading this book, once again she emotions toward a book, and when you go through the dames feelings as the character, it means that it is one hell of a book.






Cuba and Dovey are two characters with a very hard past, both having struggle growing up and making them insecure and misunderstood. The moment I read Cuba the first thing you think is YES a bad boy, a sexy bad bad boy, I LOVE HIM, which is not bad, but when you know HIM, I mean the sensitive insecure Cuba, you will just care for him, you will want to hug him and cry with him and tell him how much he deserves LOVE.




Now Dovey, Dovey little bear, cupcake, cutiething, reading her childhood got me all sad and bipolar, cause I smile sometimes with the stuff she did but then cry reading how hard her growing up with a woman who was in the wrong place and an abusive father (son of a b*tch!)
FEELS BABY FEELS EVERYWHERE!



Now putting this two people together, I think they are just meant to be together, is not the fact that they are broken inside, is that BECAUSE they are broken I think they are perfect for each other to fix their broken heart, and what I love about this two guys is that they just didn’t learn to love each other, the first learn to love their self, they learn to leave the past behind, learn from it and then they became what they are now. That made this couple just wonderful.

‘‘I know deep inside you, you still want to have hope. Because living without love is a terrible thing''

Now this book is gonna have a lot of stuffs that will make you go WTF with some characters.





But I know for sure you will love it, and love CUBA! and love Dovey and their story, I give this book 5 stars, congratulation on such an amazing story and I am glad of the fact that this author will donate to the Keith Milano Memorial Fund.


‘’Love and pain. You can’t have one without the other.''

[Tracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally feel in love with Dovey and her EMOTIONAL
journey that she took me on.
From everything that she goes through ,everything that she feels it is all so RAW.
Loving the ballet....and being at the B. Academy she will to learn to take the good with the bad. She will have her heart ripped apart more than once.
People aren't always what they seem and finding out what and who they are really about will prove to be a challenge for Dovey.
This is her story. Dovey will meet Hollywood . It's their story .
Some you meet along the way , you will love. You will want to cherish every bit of them. Others you will want to choke the crap out of and beat with an ugly stick.
Isn't that how life is though.
Read this book , that Ilsa Madden-Mills bring to you. Also her first BOOK, Very Bad Things . She brings books full of emotion that keeps you flipping the pages.
I am so honored to have gotten to read her story.
I wasn't ready for it to end.