Pretty Venom

Gray Springs University #3

by Ella Fields

Callum Welsh perfected the art of hating me when we were two kids who believed we’d be forced into marriage.
He thought I wanted it, but my only wish had been for him to leave me alone.
Then one afternoon, he stole my first kiss.
Despite all he’d done, everything changed after that.

As the years passed, our hearts thawed, and he no longer hated me. 
In fact, he loved me enough to make me his wife.
Until I ruined everything with one stupid mistake.

That hatred returned in the form of cruel words and even crueler deeds.
But we weren’t kids anymore.
I could handle his brand of venom.
He would be mine again, even if it cost me the remains of my heart.

Warning: contains cheating and an anti-hero who might make you throw your kindle.

Each book in the Gray Springs world can be read as a standalone.

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Second Chance, College, New Adult, Contemporary Romance, College Romance

ebook

First published August 3, 2018

About the author

USA Today and international bestselling author, Ella Fields, resides in Australia with her husband, two children, and furry critters.
A lover of chocolate, magic, and words—she enjoys exploring the sharper sides of love in varying genres of romance.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellafieldsa...

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/authorellafields/

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/2Amt3FL

Reviews

[Alex ✰ Comets and Comments ✰ · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Our breathing turned ragged, echoing into our mouths. My whimpering had his eyes blazing like black coal as he watched me climb closer and closer. “Yes, Mouse. Come on your husband’s cock.”




Something old: I'm such a sucker for second chance romances
Something new: I'm such a sucker for Callum Welsh
Something borrowed: "He’d broken my heart too many times to count, but I wouldn’t let him break me."
Something blue:


____________

The Story
Before getting into the story, I would like to say this whole plot worked incredibly well because both main characters were cunning. Fucked up in their own unique way and so perfect for each other.
I enjoyed this more than Toby and Pippa's and I think that narrows down to the plot being just the well balanced amount of angst and sexual tension.

Callum and Renee almost instantly detest each other when they first meet as teenagers. Rebelling against both their mothers wishes, they put a cork over their attraction to one another. Throw in some teenage hormones, jealousy, birthdays and a whole lot of teasing and bam! They begin to fall for each other in what I think is the sweetest part of the whole story. As their love grows and they start heading for college, they decide to make their own choices and get married. But when college does happen, things don't go to plan for both our lovers.

This was a enemies to friends to lovers to enemies to friends with benefits to enemies to friends to lovers romance.

Do I have your attention yet? ;)

In all honesty, Pretty Venom is the type of book that pulls you in and doesn't let you go. Before you know it, you'll be at the last page and you'll feel that bittersweet sting from reading an Ella Fields novel... wondering when she'll grace us with the next Gray Springs adventure.

"Even after they’d torn your heart to shreds and used it as a weapon against you, you could still love that same person with a ferocity that bordered on magic. And maybe that was the crux of it. Love was magic. Capable of making you believe the impossible was always possible."

Minnie Mouse, Mermaids and Messages

“Do you still get wet thinking about me?” he asked.

I enjoyed the quirks. More than I care to admit, I enjoyed the fact that the author wrote a kick-ass woman! (No matter how screwed up). There was some dialogue that had me double guessing the entire story because I thought: "This shouldn't be okay for him/her to say..."
But this is where the mermaids outsmart the sharks and anything horrible said was never taken by the person.

As always, I shall provide with example:

"When I said nothing, his hold tightened. “You know, it’s not attractive, this sudden insecurity.” (Callum)
“You know what else isn’t attractive?” I whispered, watching his eyes dart to my glossed red lips. “A husband who forgets he’s married.” (Renee)

So although some parts did bother me, I decided to rate up and give this four rather than 3 stars.. because to be fair it reached around 3.75. Besides, when you've got a character like Callum Welsh that stole your heart all the way back in the first book, you've got to give some credit for execution.

If you like steamy, angsty and secretly sweet coated stories - this one's completely for you. However, take the authors warning into consideration before reading because as much as these two are amazing, they're also pretty amazing assholes ;)

Edit: I'm actually going to go ahead and rate this 3 stars like I initially planned because after going through the notions - this was really a great read, but giving it four stars is probably too much ;)

[Aii · Rating 1 out of 5]

Obviously an unpopular opinion.

But I just had flashbacks of reading stories on Quotev. Stories that have unrealistic drama, and horrible characters. Even then, some of those stories were 10x better than what I've been reading lately.
The first 10% was good, but after that? I think a grimace is permanently stamped on my face.
It's start off with them meeting and hating each other right off the bat, then it turns all lovey dovey (the author could have skipped like 90% of it, but gotta make character count somehow y'know.) Then its drama, on top of petty drama and a dash of stupid, completely unwarranted and pathetic drama.

I thought I was going to enjoy this book especially with the praise it's been getting, but HOLY SHIT. Incoming long ass rant... under spoilers cuz around the 30% mark I just felt myself going crazy.

I saw the warning in the blurb and I saw the warning that was given for the other books so I assumed the cheating was going to be throughout all books in the series and I'm all for cheating.. when it's done in the right way. (Like in Tarryn Fishers' books) But it was not done right in this book.

It's so sad, because I actually really liked Frayed Silk and the 'cheating' in that book was done really well (I don't condone cheating in real life though, don't do it). What a shame.



(**I say slut in parts of this review, but Callum never out right calls Renee a slut. I just felt like it was heavily implied when he called her names and the way he treated her.**)

Anti hero? ANTI HERO? That's what you call the garbage that Callum is?
The number of times I've rolled my eyes and almost deleted the book was very high. Higher than usual, honestly.

So it all starts with Callum getting sent a photo of Mike and Renee cuddling together (naked I think?) so he instantly jumps to the conclusion that they fucked. Fair.
Then he decides to break up with her, kick her out of their house and sleep with every girl he could find from parties or on campus. Fine whatever, I can kind of understand.
But what annoyed me was that he didn't even listen to Renee and her side of the story at all. He doesn't even let her explain herself through their entire fight. Annoying, but I suppose I can understand that too. When you're pissed you do impulsive things and you aren't thinking straight sometimes.

After months, he still didn't try to hear Renee out. Which further annoyed me. You don't have to forgive them or anything, but I mean at least listen to what they have to say and their side of the story. INSTEAD he takes the side of a photo, sent from a RANDOM number.

This book taught me a valuable lesson. I don't need to listen to what my s/o says when I'm sent a dodgy photo. Nope, I can just jump to conclusions and then try to do everything I can to hurt them as much as possible.

BUT HEY, don't worry because we have Renee here saying,"he's sleeping with all the girls including people who are supposed to be my FRIENDS/ROOMMATES? Whatever, he can sleep with me too and it'll somehow make him completely forgive me and love me again!" Give me a fucking break.

Walking in on Hannah suck his dick? "Owwie, that hurts, I'll put it in my hurt lock box tucked into my heart and continue to fuck him :( peepoSad."
THAT LITERALLY HAPPENED IN THE BOOK. She said she was going to bury the pain, and persevere. Vomit. What a dumbass.

Fucking Renee, how stupid can one be? HOW STUPID CAN ONE BE. I hate her. She's so fucking stupid. I just. Arghh. AHHH. I just want to grab her by the shoulders and shake some sense into her.

Not only does she fit the dumb rich girl stereotype, but she seems to go out of her way to befriend people who will most definitely fuck her over in the end. At this point she kind of deserves all the shit that's happening to her. Stop chasing someone as toxic as Callum, oh my god.

Don't even get me started with Callum. He is the definition of garbage.

Love's not just about the laughs, presents, and sex-- no it's about trust too. Obviously Callum had none to call Renee a "conniving bitch" when she and everyone else at the party were blackout drunk.
**I'm not saying alcohol is a good excuse for cheating but there's also the possibility she was raped. He wasn't worried about that, though..**

Don't worry though, he continues to call her names, hate fucks her (ohemgee I feel, like, soooo bad for her! What a strong woman /s), and tries to make her jealous etc. etc. all you need to make a garbage hero and overall entitled douchebag.

Why cant characters just fucking TALK to one another? Why do they have to get 'revenge' and sleep with EVERYONE? Like there's so many other ways you could've created suspense and drama. So many other routes to go, BUT YOU CHOOSE TO GO FOR THE MOST TRITE STORYLINE POSSIBLE.

Renee was getting all uncomfortable and shit, because Callum came home late from partying and smelling like other girls perfumes. SAY SOMETHING. BRING IT UP WITH HIM. YOU DON'T HAVE TO FIGHT BUT DON'T EXPECT HIM TO CHANGE IF YOU'RE NOT BRINGING THE PROBLEM UP FOR DISCUSSION.

Oh, but course in this book if Renee slept with anyone or even kissed them-- she'd be the biggest whore! A conniving bitch-- as her husband may put it.
As if she planned to sleep Mikewhile she was blackout drunk and fucking LOVED it. Yeah her sobbing in the living room as Callum tried to kick her out definitely means she's 100% a lying, conniving bitch.

The way these characters were written reminds me of younger me writing an intense drama scene (minus the sex scenes) for a story I was writing in my pink bunny notebook. In other words someone who has never been in a real relationship, and has only seen it on TV (where it's obviously dramatized to make add more excitement and drum up attention).

Now that I'm older I look back and CRINGE at how I used to write. It's good for memories, but it will never see the light of day.

Also holy shit can we talk about how everything completely flipped when they found out Renee didn't have sex with Mike? Hmm? Yeah. Fuck off with that. DNFF after that.

Renee acting all cold towards Callum (for like 2 chapters until I assume they fuck again crying and saying they love each other and didn't mean it) and Callum trying to make it up to her by apologizing and groveling. Ugh. So fucking annoying.

But don't worry guys! It doesn't matter that Callum literally fucked and came into every girl (including her 'friends') at the University. Nope, it's ok because Renee kissed Mike so they're even!
Although I still feel, like, super bad that Callum will forever have the image of Renee kissing Mike.
Geez what a slut! He sooo deserves better! /s

Everything's great now guys! Renee didn't fuck anyone, Callum did though--he fucked everyone, but that's ok because she loves him! Aww! 5 heart-wrenching, tissue grasping stars, so intense, and steamy!!

This author is on my blacklist. I am actually so done. I haven't read a book like this in so long, but unfortunately it was bound to happen sooner or later.

[Jessica ❥Chatterbooks Book Blog❥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty Venom is the final book in the Gray Springs University series by Ella Fields. Typing that sentence made me sad, because I have come to love this series and the characters. They will be greatly missed. If you haven't started this series yet, don't wait another second! The writing is phenomenal, the stories are beautiful, the characters are flawed and complex, and  the romances are complicated and passionate.

Callum and Renee meet in highschool soon after Renee moves to town. Their mothers begin to plan their eventual marriage from day one which only makes Callum plot Renee's downfall. He's not thrilled with his life being planned for him, and Renee bears the brunt of his frustration. Bullying her relentlessly, he vows to make sure she never gets any ideas in her head about becoming his wife.

 Renee gives as good as she gets until one day she begins to ignore Callum altogether. That draws him in instead of pushing him away, and eventually, their mutal hatred turns to mutual affection. Before long, they fall in love and when high school ends, they're ready to make a life long commitment to one another. 

Going to college married and living together is what they both want, but not long after moving in, Callum is staying out all hours with his buddies leaving Renee alone in their apartment. After he ditches her on his birthday, she decides to go out herself. Too much alcohol mixed with jealousy and pain leads her to make a mistake that rips them apart, crushing Callum's heart and leaving him hell bent on revenge. 

Heed the warning folks! I'm stunned my kindle survived to the end. I wanted to throw it against the wall and bash it with a hammer for good measure. Callum tested me like no other. The stuff he did to Renee was horrible, but one thing made me lose. my. mind. I wished so badly that he could be real just for a moment, so I could back over him with my car. The rage was real, y'all. I still feel it as we speak, and even though I wouldn't run him over anymore, I would sure as hell squeeze the shit out of his nuts. 



Having said all that, you may think I disliked this story, but on the contrary, I loved it! Books that play with my emotions are my favorite. I want to fall in love, have my heart ripped to shreds, and have it sewn backed together. I want laughter through tears and smiles filled with rage. Give me characters that make me love them even when I want to hate them for chopping my heart up and throwing in a blender. I want to feel connection and experience every drop of emotion with them. This book gave me all those things, and though I feel like I've been put through the ringer, I'm grateful for the experience. 



I'm going to start referring to Ella as "Queen of the Feels", because she never fails to give me all of them. Each book in this series drew a big emotional response from me. Every character drug me into their story and made me feel what they did. I felt nostalgic for a farm I didn't grow up on, cried tears of despair watching mental illness try it's best destroy a good man, and fell in love with a self absorbed football player that made me feel his pain even when I wanted to shove my foot up his ass. I've endured three hard won love stories that left their mark on my heart, and I can't wait to do it again. I'll be waiting for your next project, Ella. In the meantime, I'll see if I can extend the warranty on my kindle. 

ARC generously provided for an honest review.

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★]

COVER REVEAL OOHEMMGEH CALLUM’S STORY! Oh and trigger warnings.

Stand-alone
Release: August 3, 2018
Blurb:
Callum Welsh perfected the art of hating me when we were two kids who believed we’d be forced into marriage.
He thought I wanted it, but my only wish had been for him to leave me alone.
Then one afternoon, he stole my first kiss.
Despite all he’d done, everything changed after that.
As the years passed, our hearts thawed, and he no longer hated me.
In fact, he loved me enough to make me his wife.
Until I ruined everything with one stupid mistake.
That hatred returned in the form of cruel words and even crueler deeds.
But we weren’t kids anymore.
I could handle his brand of venom.
He would be mine again, even if it cost me the remains of my heart.

Books in Gray Springs University series are stand-alones:
Book 1: Suddenly Forbidden
Book 2: Bittersweet Always
Book 3: Pretty Venom

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY REVIEW can also be found on my blog:
KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS

Renee wasn't all sweet; she was pretty venom wrapped up in a sugary bow. Deceptive yet honest at the same time. Underneath, her layers multiplied in ways she didn't often let show on the outside.



PRETTY VENOM:  Is the third book, full length novel in Ella Field’s ‘Gray Springs University’ series, but each book can be read as a complete standalone. In this we meet Callum Welsh & Renee

Pretty Venom was all consuming, profound, seductive, and so damn emotional, this book is everything I expect from Ella Fields.
The feels slap you in the heart as soon as you start this book as this author weaves her magic on you with her words, time and life is put on the back burner as you absorb, feel everything this author throws at you.

We’re first introduced to these two when they’re fourteen years old, even at this age they rubbed each other the wrong way, Callum tried everything to get a rise out of her but nothing worked, she stood her ground which surprised him and he upped the ante even more.

A handsome boy. Beautiful but like a wolf. He'd charm me, invite me in with sweet words and stomach clenching stares, then leave me half dead on the unforgiving ground.

Their fathers are merging firms, and their mothers think it would be a good idea if Callum and Renee became an item which wedged an even bigger gap between these two.

Callum wanted to live his own life accordingly and play ball on a professional level, marriage was way off in his horizon.

It’s not until they are sixteen when one stolen kiss is exchanged when they can’t fight that chemistry that’s simmering away in the background that they give into it and start having a secret relationship. At eighteen we saw them exchanging vows in a secret wedding ceremony attended just by them.

Arriving into their own place at Gray Springs University things ran smoothly for a short space of time, until Callum struggled to juggle a wife and his team mates, like a tightly wound bow things slowly started to unravel.

When we started college, I'd dumped her in tumultuous waters, expecting her to make it ashore while I concentrated on my own survival. Too focused on what I wanted, needed, and had to do, I'd just expected her to be there, exisiting in the background.

I fell in love with these two, drunk on wedded bliss, then in an unforgettable night things changed drastically, and with a blink of an eye nothing is the same again. I could feel my heart breaking, wondering how they would make their way back to each other after that, thinking it couldn’t get any worse.

My enemy, my ally, my best friend. She was love in it's rawest form. Everything I needed wrapped in one multilayered bow. One that I refused to let unravel ever again.

But it does, because these two have a few more games to play up their sleeves and that's when a world of hurt comes at me like thunder and I'm left reeling in it's wake, these two were a hot mess, my heart was literally ripped apart, so many wrongs in this book but like a gluten for punishment I couldn't for the life of me stop reading.

A long road to recovery, ups and downs, a world full of hurt, a shattered heart, nothing and I mean nothing prepared me for the emotions this book put me through.

     

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS

If someone has control over your heart, the worst thing you could do was make an enemy out of them. And like a fool, I had.

OH MY GOD! THIS BOOK.
I.
Can't.
DEAL.

First of all, that warning is no joke. I wanted to cry, yell, rip my hair out, and throw my kindle at the wall. This book wrung every emotion out of me, most of all all consuming rage. So much rage. Like ALL OF THE RAGE. But it was also all consuming. This book took over my entire existence for the hours that it took me to devour it, completely unable to put it down for even a second. I'm a sucker for some devastating angst, and if the blurb didn't lure me into reading my first Ella Fields book, that warning ultimately did the job.

His brand of assholery had a ricochet effect. Affecting other things in my life, piece by little piece.

The story takes a delicious turn from enemies to lovers and back again in this ulcer inducing romance, and this reader couldn't get enough of it. Heartburn and bald spots and all.

You smell like peaches.” “And you smell like an asshole.

Renee and Callum have history going back to their early teens. They first meet when they're in high school and their back and forth antagonism starts. Callum resents the fact that their parents are essentially planning their marriage already. And he takes special exception to Renee, by serving her to a daily dose of his special brand of douchebaggery. Renee is no wallflower, and she's not shy about giving as hard as she gets. Their connection is tumultuous and antagonistic, with a heavy undecurrent of chemistry that they're both too young to fully grasp and understand when they first meet. But then as the years pass, and their push and pull continues, it eventually begins to morph into something else. When Callum stops hiding how he truly feels behind cruel words and deeds, he goes after Renee with a completely different motivation, and a relationship blooms.

Being kids when they first get together, life doesn't really prepare them for the obstacles they'll face when they go off to college together. Then one mistake driven by hurt and anger changes everything.

I couldn’t do this, yet, at the same time, I couldn’t see a way out of this. Falling in love changed you bit by bit in a way you didn’t realize until that love had left you suffocating in the remaining pieces of who you once were. If this was what I had to live with, what I had to endure … I was afraid it’d kill me slowly.

And this is where the angst really starts. Callum's brand of punishment and cruelty truly takes a turn from painful to downright eviscerating. The man puts Renee through hell. Every move, word, and look is calculated for maximum pain. That warning is no lie, because the things he does makes you want to peel your skin off and throw it at him. But at the same time, knowing what he's going through in his head, you get where the anger is coming from. You hate him for what he does, but you understand why he's doing it. It's a special sort of hell, because as much as it hurts, it's also absolutely riveting.

If you make someone your world, do not complain when the ground crumbles beneath your feet.

Pretty Venom was an all consuming sort of story. It's the sort of book that takes over your entire world when you read it. It's gut wrenching, emotionally annihilating, and rip your hair out sort of angsty. Ella Fields is clearly a master of her craft, because she delivers two characters that are far from perfect, yet somehow relatable. They both make mistakes, and as much as you want to judge them for it, you simply can't. You're much too wrapped up in their pain to do anything else. It's no lie that there's a thin love between love and hate, and this book takes you through both extremes and then back again.

My enemy, my ally, my best friend. She was love in its rawest form. Everything I needed wrapped in one multilayered bow. One that I refused to let unravel ever again.

It was utterly delicious and I binged on it like the angst addict that I am. Ella Fields just went straight to my auto-buy list, no blurb required. This is an author that's not afraid to write about the ugly side of human emotion, and Pretty Venom was certainly that. This book owned me and I'm seriously kicking myself for only reading this author now. I plan on rectifying my mistake immediately by reading the rest of the series.

ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review

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[NMmomof4 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Overall Opinion: I'm torn about how to rate this one tbh. On one hand it had me emotionally invested enough to cry almost throughout the book -- so that tells me that I connected enough to enjoy it. On the other hand I couldn't get past the H's behavior. I don't have hardly any personal "triggers" when reading a book and I like the occasional angsty story, so I knew what I was getting into with this one with the cheating. I just didn't agree with the depth of hurt the H inflicted on the h. I didn't forgive him. I didn't feel like there was nearly enough grovel! I get that this is portrayed at an unconditional type of true love, but it all just rubbed me a little too raw. I also was a little frustrated with the scenes overlapping with the other books going on. I get that these events all seem to happen around the same time, but it literally felt like I experience the same exact conversations all over again -- and I didn't like that. I keep on getting drawn to these books because so many of my GR friends love her works, but I seem to always struggle with them and feel left out because I don't love them. Overall I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either.

Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Renee and Callum's story. Renee is the new girl in town that's mom as well as Callum' mom have decided that they will be married when their older. They instantly hate each other and the pressure that are put in them as fourteen year olds. As the years go by, they start seeing each other differently and start a relationship and fall in love. There are some big events that happen once they get to college together, and they are separated. Renee works hard to fix the wrong she's done, and Callum is adamant to push her away. There are some sweet moments, some angsty scenes, and some sexy times...and they get a HEA ending.

POV: This alternated between Renee and Callum's POV.

Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.

Instalove: No, they start as a hate relationship that turns into love.

H rating: 3 stars. Callum. I liked him in the past, but after all his transgressions I couldn't fully forgive him.

h rating: 4 stars. Renee. I like her. I appreciated her strength, and how she owned up to her mistakes.

Sadness level: Moderate/high. I cried throughout this book, but I never really got to the point of needing tissues.

Push/Pull: Yes They both push away (H more so) and also pursue the relationship (h more so) at times.

Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.

Descriptive sex: Yes

OW/OM drama: Yes There is an OM that I interested in the h that causes drama for the couple. The fact that the H hooks up with multiple OW causes drama.

Sex scene with OW or OM: Yes There is a scene of the H heavily making out with OW as well as getting oral from the h's roommate -- all experienced by the h.

Cheating: Yes The h kisses other man while really drunk and blacks out the OM makes it seem like they slept together, but they only kissed, the H hooks up with many OW after this happens (they are separated, but they are technically still married)

Separation: Yes They are separated (but married) for I'd say a cumulative of about 1.5/2 years -- I might be way off. The H was with many women during this time. The h only kisses OM.

Possible Triggers: Yes Cheating and what I would consider emotional abuse

Closure: This had a cute epilogue with a glimpse into their future, and it would have what I called a HEA ending.

Safety: This one is probably Not Safe for most safety gang readers

- Does have cheating
- Does Not have a descriptive sex scene with the H and OW
- Does have both the h and H pushing away
- Does have a separation between the h and H
- Does have abuse (see above)
- Does have a HEA ending

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

It's taken me an entire day to decide on a rating for this. This is my third or fourth Ella Fields story and I can say with unequivocal certainty that she just keeps getting better and better.

The fact she got me to emotionally invest in a relationship between two characters I didn't connect with in any way speaks volumes. Despite the fact I found both Renee and Callum to be on the selfish and vapid side, it still hurt when Callum "sent a message" or when Renee continued to try and fix things, despite those hurtful messages.

I can't seem to get enough of Ella Fields brand of angst and though I have a feeling the Gray Springs series is no more, I can't wait for what Ms. Fields comes up with next



My initial thoughts:

Am I the only one that kinda hopes this story belongs to Alexis? Could be interesting.

[Malene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella Fields made me feel every range of emotion while reading and experiencing Pretty Venom. I feared for my heart a couple of times because my puls was off the charts. The cause was Callum and Renee. They both made me feel everything and I mean EVERYTHING! All thanks to the brilliant mind and words from Ella Fields.

Callum and Renee complimented each other beautifully. Whether it was the hate/love game they both played masterfully or when they were just being them. Callum and Renee. In love, being reckless, spiting their parents and just seizing the moment. They were incredible together. Their chemistry and bantering was sexy and so much fun. But it’s not all fun and games and Ella Fields sucker punched me in the gut a couple times. I reveled in every twist and turn Pretty Venom threw at me. Callum and Renee took turns in turning my emotions inside out. It wasn’t pretty what I was yelling and cursing a couple of times but it was only because I was so invested in them both and their story. The spit fire Renee continued to impress me with her honesty and determination. Callum was definitely on my naughty list because of his behavior but I had faith in Ella Fields and her storytelling that she would deliver. She didn’t let me down.

The other characters from the two books in the Gray Springs University are there too and it was so wonderful to be back with them as well. These characters define Gray Springs.
Don’t get me started on the epilogue. Ella Fields nailed it beautifully with a hilarious surprise as well.
Pretty Venom is another knock out by Ella Fields. She pulled at my heartstrings and emotions. Made me curse these characters back to hell and back. I was entertained from start to finish and that’s exactly why I read. The perfect conclusion to the Gray Springs University series.

5 BadAssDirtyMiniMouseStars

[Michelle Claypot_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this story in one 2.30am binge reading session. If I could give it 6 stars I would. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It was simply extraordinary. I think this is Ella's bravest and rawest writing to date for me. These are not easy characters to love. Callum especially tested every boundary I had. I legit hated him at certain points. Yep. Hated!! To call him an assehole is a nice way of putting it. I can definitely see lots of people arguing over certain aspects of this story. There will definitely be strong opinions - but isn't that what makes a story great? When a book almost rips your heart out. 💔💔

We all know this author likes to make us FEEL all the FEELS - this book had me alternating between CRYING and RAGING and SWOONING and SWEARING!!! Sooooo many emotions. Angsty writing at its best! At one point I was yelling at my IPad so loud I woke my husband and I'm surprised my Ipad is actually in one piece after being thrown on the floor during one of my tirades.

Picture this - me throws Ipad on the bed, glares at Ipad, curses Ella out @#%^$!, picks up Ipad, rereads the last part again to see if what I read actually happened, throws Ipad back on the bed & storms out of the bedroom!! Seriously Ella needs a time out for what she puts my heart through!

I will admit it's not your traditional college romance. It's fierce, it's mean and sometimes it's just plain brutal. Callum and Renee both did things that had me yelling NOOOO at the top of my voice and wanting to reach into the screen and shake them. BUT it is a love story. Their love is founded in a shared childhood, shared secrets and a genuine love for each other. It just gets so lost due to mistakes and you're not sure if it can be found.

If you like your love stories to be full of emotions and your characters to feel real then this one's for your. I cannot recommend it enough.

Beta read

[Sonya ♕Chatterbooks book blog♕ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Love was magic. Capable of making you believe the most impossible was always possible. But it wouldn’t hold two people together, no matter how fiercely they felt for one another".

Every time I start an Ella Fields book, two things happen to me. I breathe a sigh of relief for finally having it in my hands and then slowly but surely, I start to get nervous. It’s not a question of whether the story is going to be good because you know for a fact that it is, my anxiety comes from knowing that at some point or another, my heart is going to break along with these characters. So many times as we're reading along, we want nothing more than to feel the emotions as the characters and have it bleed though the pages as if they we our own and I can safely say, that this has happened. I thought I knew what I was getting myself into when started the first chapter but I had NO idea the journey and self discovery that I was going to be led on.

You know the saying you can't help who you fall in love with? Well that quote has never been more true for Callum and Renee. Sworn enemies from their very first meeting, it was obvious that these two needed a referee in their presence at all times. Being the most popular guy in school, girls throwing themselves at his feet, it’s no wonder Callum Welsh thinks he's the greatest thing since barbeque Pringles. But his ego is about to take a huge hit when the girl in town wants nothing to do with him and as fate would have it, these two are about to be a part of each other's lives permanently.



Moving to a new town would be stressful for anyone and for a young teenager like Renee, this was no different. Thankfully with two loving parents by her side and anything she wishes to her heart's desire, settling in to a new school should be a breeze. That is until she sees the one guy who goes out of his way to annoy her and if there's one thing about Renee, she doesn't bend easily. With a few years gone by and their hate dwindled down to passionate love, life for Callum and Renee has never looked better. Or so they thought….





I’m not even going to lie and tell you that these characters were perfect because they were not!! They did some pretty fucked up things and at one specific point I said to myself:



I thought there was no coming back from that one and I was already giving up on administering CPR and just calling the fucking time of death on those two, because the shit that went down?! I needed a stiff drink and a warranty on my tablet! I didn’t think it was possible but this author went there and she lit a match on our feelings. I felt like I was going through a messed up emotional rollercoaster that lost it's brakes and now I’m coming back to reality. Pain, anger, happiness, frustration, contentment, you name it, and I’m feeling it in the most exhilarating way.

My favorite thing about this story was watching these characters grow and find their footing. We met them at a younger stage when they didn’t really know too much and some would say they were self absorbed and in their own bubble, but I loved that about them and I think the author did a great job at portraying their different personalities only to have them mesh so perfect together. From enemies to lovers , to enemies again, Callum and Renee went through it all and even though it was downright painful at times seeing them hurt each other, I understood their reasoning. I didn’t agree with everything they did, but I was glad we got the opportunity to see it from both sides and those pov’s meant everything.

If you’re looking for a sweet romance that is going to make you swoon and be happy for the duration of the story, this book is NOT for you. If you're looking for hearts and pretty flowers with a hero that comes along with it, turn the fuck around because this is NOT your book!! Now if you’re looking to get fucked up with your friend Vodka, have your heart broken, laugh, cry and fall in love with some of the most beautifully flawed and loving characters while plotting bodily harm to them, then this is your book!

Warning: This book does contains cheating.



   

[Wendys Wycked Words · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read 1/15/20



I have been looking forward to this book, ever since I read the ending of "Bittersweet Always". I was sure it was gonna rock...and boy did it !!!



Now I am gonna be honest here... It has been a long time since a book has frustrated me this much !! I wanted to take both the MC's heads and smack them together !! I was a bit worried about my blood pressure at one point!



These two have definitely had a "love/hate" relationship right from the start. Thankfully the love part won and these two have been happy en very much in love ever since. They even get married as soon as they can when they are 18. Their parents support their love to the fullest, even though they have no clue that the two of them eloped... That is their little secret...And it stays that way until they get to college. This is when the shit really hits the fan !!!



My emotions just couldn't decide how I felt... I went from sad, to angry, to frustrated, to annoyed but I never once felt like putting down the book :P I just had to know what would happen next.

That said.... I don't think I would have been able to do, what Renee did... I don't want to spoiler anything, but damn... she swallowed some crap. There were times when I really wanted her to give some of it back... Crap that is.



Still, I am a sucker for angst and this one had plenty for me. Now even though I wouldn't have been as forgiving as Renee, I was still happy they worked their shit out. True love and all that :P

I hope there will be plenty more by this author because she certainly made it to my "one-click" list ;)

[Dawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Weak h, cheating a-hole H what more do you need?

This book was awful. The husband had no loyalty to his wife. He believes she cheated even with no memory (hello benefit of a doubt anyone)? He begins screwing anything that moves, and set her up to walk in on her roommate giving a bj. That’s not love in any sense of the word. He flips his switch again when he finds out that she didn’t cheat and of course wants her back. She goes back and it’s supposed to be a good thing? It actually made me nauseous when the h took him back after all that he had done. How can you call that a HEA or even enjoy it?

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

AVAILABLE NOW - FULL REVIEW

5+ I’M A FOOL FOR YOU CROWNS

You know what makes Ella Fields unique in a world inundated with romance novels? She writes about real, troubled, flawed characters. Her romances aren’t easy. These characters have to work for love. But I have found, with the Gray Springs series, that her fictional love stories resonate because they are applicable to real life. We don’t live in the land of fantasy romance and alpha heroes. We live in a world where people screw up, where we act out of anger, where sometimes forgiveness isn’t easy, and where we have to fight tooth and nail for our HEA that may or may not come. This may seem contrary to what romance readers want, but, for me, it shows me that real love, the broken, tattered, bruised, kind of love can make it in the real world. It gives someone hope that maybe, even if they have made mistakes, that their HEA is out there, too. Even though all the characters of this stand-alone series exemplify this, none so more than Renee and Callum.

More than any other characters, Callum and Renee are probably the most unlikable, but their unlikable qualities, strangely are what I love about them. They embrace their entitlement and their wealth. They don’t make apologies for who they are or what they want. From the beginning, Callum sees Renee as a person with venom below, and she sees Callum for who he is, egotistical and callous at times. Their acceptance of each other, fully, flaws and all makes the reader accept them. In fact, I love how unapologetic they are about who they are and what they have. I love how they love each other in the beginning. It is consuming and all encompassing, transporting readers back to that reckless teen love. This facet of the story is so important for the fall, and, boy does Ella Fields shred your heart to pieces, and the more vile parts of their character become apparent. As much as I wanted to hate Callum for how he treated Renee or how she reacts to him, I couldn’t. Their actions came from heartbreak. It isn’t sound. It doesn’t make sense. Logically, readers will want to kill these two, but emotionally readers will get it, only making their actions and venomous words heartbreaking, leaving the shredded pieces to be scattered in the wind.

There is good to them, too, though, because they are complex and three dimensional characters. Renee is determined and fierce in her own way. She atones for her actions and continues to pursue what she wants without regard for her own feelings because she takes responsibility for her actions. Some may see this as weak but I saw it as strength. She also walks away when it becomes necessary, so she is anything but timid. Callum also has his good qualities. He is also willing to admit to his own wrongdoings and beg and plead for forgiveness. He is loyal and dedicated, and like Renee he takes responsibility for the role he plays as well. By the end of the story, Callum has my heart firmly in his hand, and I was more in love with them as a couple than ever!

This story isn’t for the faint of heart. Ella Fields, as always, writes in a way that makes you feel it. Renee’s desperation pulses through your veins. Each hateful act/word from Callum slices your own heart open. You LIVE these moments with them. I honestly didn’t know how she was going to turn all this hurt and pain around, but she did. And she did it in a way that I didn’t see coming and completely flipped the script. She throws everything into a shade of grey. But this is where the real ideas of love start being fleshed out: forgiveness, second chances, reformed love. Readers get to see how hard it is to forgive, how second chances don’t come easy and two different people enter the relationship for a second time from the tears and bruises that broke them down, and we get to see that a stronger love is there in the end. Ella Fields exemplifies and makes us feel REAL and COMPLEX love.

This series of standalones has made me a forever fan of Ella Fields. I will follow her anywhere she wants to go, crossing off any will not read topics off of my list because she handles each and every story with honesty and sincerity. She gives us authentic characters. She shows the complexity of the ever sought after love. She shows us that love is worth the fight and the hurt and the damage when it is for the right person. She gives real hope for real love in harsh and often unforgiving world, and I don’t think you can get any more romantic than that.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review

[Jeannine Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars...

What it feels like to read an Ella Fields novel:



Seriously. Her books fucking hurt 😭💔

Callum & Renee's story was as beautiful as it was heart-wrenching 💛 I'm always in awe of the strong emotions this author can evoke. If you're a fan of rooting for two imperfect people fighting for an imperfect love (and you don't mind feeling like your heart is being pummeled), then Pretty Venom is definitely for you!!

[Megan✦❋Steamy Reads Blog❋✦ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If you make someone your world, do not complain when the ground crumbles beneath your feet.”

From the moment I read the synopsis to Pretty Venom, I knew this was one book I had to get my hands on and let me tell you… it did not disappoint. Ella Fields delivered everything I hoped she would and so much more. Pretty Venom held my attention with a vice like grip from the start and didn’t let go. It was an intense, consuming story that was fierce, raw and at times downright brutal. I was taken on such a wild ride of powerful emotions; this story had the ability to make me feel absolutely everything right up until the very end.

I love reading a book that takes me completely out of my comfort zone, has my head spinning from one scene to the next and is absolutely unapologetic for all the feels it evokes from me. I am so thankful that Ella’s beautifully crafted words were able to make me experience all of those things. This is the reason why I love to read so much; the emotion and deep seated fear of having your heart ripped to shreds.

“The problem with not liking someone was that it could consume you.
Eat at your mind like a parasite that wouldn’t die, no matter how many different ways you tried to crush it.”

Callum and Renee first encountered each other at the impressionable age of fourteen, when Renee’s father uprooted their lives and moved the family to the small town of Trellara, near Gray Springs. To say that Callum and Renee had a mutual dislike for each other from the very beginning is putting it lightly. They loved nothing more than to swap insults just to get a rise out of each other. Callum loved pushing Renee’s buttons to the nth degree, but Renee didn’t take it lying down, she gave back as good as she got.

Things were soon to change between these two sworn enemies, when their passionate hatred for each other soon turned into a passionate love, and it all started with a secret stolen kiss. While their relationship soars to new heights they decide to get married in a private ceremony just for them.

“Renee wasn’t all sweet; she was pretty venom wrapped in a sugary bow. Deceptive yet honest at the same time. Underneath, her layers multiplied in ways she didn’t often let show on the outside.”

Things had never looked better for these two enemies-to-lovers as they lived a life filled with wedded bliss. Until one life altering mistake changed the course of their relationship forever and things crashed and burnt around them; it was an unstoppable force filled with hatred and the desire to hurt each other in the worst possible way.

Callum and Renee were both incredibly flawed and nothing about them or their turbulent relationship was perfect. As things progressed from bad to worse I was unsure as to how my heart was going to cope with much more. Some parts had me positively enraged (the thought of throwing my kindle across the room did enter my mind on more than one occasion), but I was undoubtedly addicted to the pain and thrived on how each word I read broke my heart just that little bit more. I couldn’t for the life of me see how things could possibly improve between these two, but when you’ve hit rock bottom the only way is up, right?

"As we stood there, the impossibility of the moment washed over me. That even after they'd torn your heart to shreds and used it as a weapon against you, you could still love that same person with a ferocity that bordered on magic. And maybe that was the crux of it. Love was magic. Capable of making you believe the impossible was always possible."

If I could rate Pretty Venom more than five stars, trust me I would. I loved it that much. Ella Fields has skillfully crafted an addictive, enticing and profound story about love, hate and betrayal. She is a true wordsmith and I felt every beautifully articulated scene right down to my very core. Pretty Venom was positively epic and is going down as one of the most unforgettable stories I have read to date.

“Warning: contains cheating and an anti-hero who might make you want to throw your kindle.”

[MELISSA *Mel Reader* · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 “I Belong With You, And You Only” Stars!
(ARC provided by Social Butterfly PR)

-It was our actions, our experiences, and the guidance of past mistakes that would glue what was ruined back into one slightly misshapen yet beautiful piece.



Renee Grant moves from New York to the tiny town of Trellara when her father joins firms with his best friend from college. Soon they are spending a lot of time with her dad’s new business partner and his family. This includes their gorgeous, cocky football player son Callum who she will be attending Trellara Prep with. Their families are constantly having get togethers and Renee & Callum soon realize their parents have decided to play matchmaker. Callum wants no part of it, and makes it his mission to make Renee’s life difficult. Something about her fancy, prissy clothes, and bows in her hair just rubbed him the wrong way. She can’t figure out what his problem is, and why he’s so hateful, and seems to get joy out of tormenting her. At this point Renee just wants him to leave her alone.



-“You’re really kind of exquisite, but I suppose you already know that, don’t you?”

-I needed to forget her.

-Her stupid bows, fancy pantyhose, and reluctance to care about what others thought about her were driving me insane.

-She remained resistant. Beautiful. Unchanged.



Callum & Renee are always around one another at galas & dinners, and forced to play nice. He’s angry she’s gotten under his skin, and he can’t quit thinking about her. Then one day he impulsively steals a kiss from her that changes everything. Their chemistry is insane as they go from enemies to best friends. Hate turns into a deep beautiful love that consumes them both. Then a mistake ruins their relationship, and the old, cruel, vicious venom returns as everything between them goes up in flames. The only thing left is the love one will fight for, and the other will fight to try and forget.



Pretty Venom is the third book in the Gray Springs University series, but can definitely be read as a stand-alone. This was my first book by Ella Fields, and I’m now hopelessly hooked on her writing! This story is full of off the charts crazy angst, sizzling chemistry, and beautiful love. It’s an enemies to lovers romance that spans from high school through college that will leave you feeling completely shredded. I was constantly thinking oh no you did not. Omg!!! It was one shocker after another in this turbulent angst tornado! It’s about two people destined to be together who royally screw things up along the way to their HEA. This book is intense, and I couldn’t put it down, although I wanted to at times as my stomach was in knots and I wanted to scream. ;)) It was fabulous, and I can’t wait to read more by this amazing author!



***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/2Mb4hh0

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

How the hell can I hate and love a book so much? I’ll tell you how … because Ella Fields wrote it and oh man, can she bring out the feels in me. She sure knows how to work my emotions, get my pulse racing, my gut in knots, my BP through the roof, my aggression spiking to dangerous levels, and me having to sound the low flying Kindle alert. ⚠️

God, I hated Callum and Renee’s stupidity at times, I really did. They were both products of their ridiculous parents lives, the spoiled Prince and Princess. The things these two did to each other, mostly Callum, were pretty unforgivable yet forgive them I did (as did they each other). I really don't know how I forgave Callum because he was a total and utter arsehole for most of the book. Go figure!

I have no patience for drama-lama bullshit or doormats yet I inhaled this book and could not put it down. Renee worked that Doormat title, did she ever, and yet I still rooted for her. She did wrong, owned and worked so hard for forgiveness. BUT, it takes two to tango and Callum wasn't blameless either. What he went on to do afterwards .... no words. So, there is CHEATING in this book and if that's your hard limit best to stay away.

Whilst reading it …. (during my aggression freak outs and rants) I threatened this sucker with 1 star but nope it’s getting 5 stars from me, it's just too good not to. That’s some class writing there Ms Fields. Your work is done! 👏👏

[Maria✦❋Steamy Reads Blog❋✦ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks for putting my heart and brain through the grinder. Really, thanks 😂

[KceeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a while since I finished a book. Two weeks to be exact. Real life hasn't been nice to me the past few weeks BUT Ella Fields saved me. I binged this book in one day. FUQ WORK and FUQ SLEEP because I NEEDED TO make sure this is HEA! Ooh and my review is crazy, you've been warned. You gotta be sitting down for this my friends.

First off, I've never hated a character as much as I hated Callum Welsh. I'm still surprised by how my e-reader survived this Ella Fields journey I embarked on because DAMN!!! It was crazy angsty and it was HELLUVA messy and heartbreaking!!!! (all the exclamation points, yes!) I loved Callum but I never thought that what he had it in him, y'know? Being a certified a-hole? So, ladies who love to read about heroes you love to hate, THIS IS FOR YOU! THIS IS A MUST READ!!!!

Each chapter was a jab straight to my heart. Few chapters rest but then again this author sucker punches you again. Ow! It was painful! Like "where-are-those-fcken-kleenex-when-you-need-them" painful.

The story's heroine, Renee Grant is a true queen. I SUPER LOVED HER. She has a lot of "fake it till make it" moments, but isn't that what most queens do? They endure all the pain. They fall and just get back up and re-adjust their crowns. She's like that. She's the most misunderstood character next to Professor Snape, in my opinion. She loves hard but she fights harder. I wanted to be that friend she needed during her toughest times (okay, here goes my tears again).

Some might think that Callum and Renee's love story is too fcked up to have a happy ending but if you're going to try to understand how they began, and the depth of love they had for each other, I'm sure you won't ever question why they did what they did.

Ella Fields has mastered writing about heroes who will test your limits and heroines who you will look up to. This author is a favorite of many because she's brave and never afraid to write what some would be afraid to. She writes about cheating, heartbreak, and pain like she wants you to feel them, too. And guess what? I'm such a mess after this read. Obviously she succeeded in making me feel all her words, huh?

[GimmeAllTheWerdssss]

So call me crazy or maybe just old fashion but why stay married?

She cheated...he cheated....nothing could be done or said to convince me they actually love each other so I ask again...why stay married?

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Doormat heroine, asshole hero. Another NA novel with the same dull characters and tropes.

God, I hated Callum so much. And not because he's an anti hero (although I do hate that description) but because he's just a dick. He pressures Renee into marriage then acts like a whiny child when she expects him to step up and be a husband. He mocks her insecurities and makes no effort to include her. He leaves her alone at a frat party (rape central) and upon finding out that she was blackout drunk with no memory, but in bed with his friend Mike, he loses his shit and has a year long tantrum. If he was a good and decent man (let alone husband) he would have supported her through her potential trauma, or actually speak to her or Mike about it and maybe try therapy. Instead he chucks her out and (as is typical of these alpha assholes) proceeds to sleep with anything moving.

Because if NA books have taught me anything it's that boys will be boys and we must expect them to shag anything with a heartbeat. But it's because they're upset and/or traumatized. Not because they're privileged idiots with no self awareness or control.

Meanwhile, because she's the heroine, of course Renee forgives him for all the betrayal and heartbreak he knowingly and purposefully causes her. She constantly blames herself (although she was drunk and he left her vulnerable) and even tries to win him back. Even though she's drop dead gorgeous, she dates no one and has no friends. Because her life is nothing without him and she's good at pining. What the actual fuck?? You never see why she loves him. At no point in the book does he seem to deserve the devotion she gives him. She completely changed her life for him, and he doesn't value her at all.

The most unforgivable thing Callum does is to arrange for Renee to walk in on him getting a bj from her friend. Just to send her a message to stop trying to win him back. I mean, how dare she try to work at the marriage he insisted on. That was it for me. Even if she had actually knowingly cheated on him, this is just too cruel and pathetic. He can't have ever loved her if he was able to inflict this sort of pain and pettiness. I honestly don't think you could ever move past that. I would have probably stabbed him in the eye and laughed as I stepped over his corpse. But I am unforgiving that way.

I'm so bored of these romances where the man gets to sleep around whilst the woman is too heartbroken to sleep with anyone else. The double standards on display is infuriating. After the bj scene I was really hoping Renee would realise her narrow escape from a life of misery and go live it up with a score of yummy men. Sadly she of course forgives him, but only after he discovers she didn't cheat on him at all. Only then does he feel guilty for his cruelty. He displays no growth at all, and never realises that you don't treat people like shit. Even if they sometimes deserve it. Instead we have an easy cop out with an easy villain (Mike) to boo and hiss at.

(Although, up to the big reveal I thought Renee would have been much better of with Mike. He seems much more mature and genuinely loving. I was annoyed by his abrupt character change.)

Renee forgives Callum so easily too. There's v little grovelling and he conveniently gets injured thereby forcing the reconciliation. Callum suffer no real consequences for his actions either. if I was Renee I would have made him watch as the entire football team went down on me, and then moved onto the basketball team.
But again, I'm not v forgiving.

I'm sick and tired of heroines being held to a higher standard than the heroes. I read this because I thought, at last, a heroine with flaws who makes big mistakes. But no, she was just drunk and passed out. I felt robbed that she didn't actually cheat. Which is a weird sentiment when reading a romance. All that self flagellation for nothing. What a disappointment.

I really wish NA romances would have characters with more integrity and backbone. They seem full of doormats who do anything for their men. And that's just not a realistic or positive interpretation of life and relationships. People cheat and move on together without this cruelty. You can have angst whilst still behaving with dignity. I'm shocked so many people have given this rave reviews. I found v little romance and no love in this book at all.

[Jessica Hull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good lord, where do I even begin with this book? I had never read Ella Fields before I picked up this book but as soon as I read the blurb for Pretty Venom, I knew it was my kind of read. It screamed angst and emotional turmoil and loads of push and pull, and let me just tell you, this book did not disappoint. Ella Fields delivers everything she promises with that jaw dropping blurb! Pretty Venom had my chin on the floor, my heart in my throat and knots in my stomach the entire time. 

I absolutely LOVED how this book started out. Callum and Renee quickly develop a deliciously nasty dynamic between them when they first meet. As neighbors and as peers in their prestigious private school, the two are fast enemies and a bully vibe begins to present itself. Well, I'm a glutton for a good bully romance. All that cruelty and masked heartache... I just eat that right up. I freaking LOVED these characters in high school, I loved the twists and turns their relationship took. I swooned. I was giddy. Their story of young innocent love absolutely melted my heart... when it wasn't tying me up in knots. 

Where this story goes after Callum and Renee leave high school, well, that's an entirely different beast. Enter all the angst and heartbreak and maddening feels. This story becomes one of devastation, a story jam packed with even more drama and angst and brutal emotion than anything it'd been up to that point. (And it was pretty freaking rough before!) Hearts will shatter, kindles will be thrown, F-bombs will drop, mark my words. This book is not for readers that like to play it safe. This book is for readers like ME that live and breathe for the sort of books that pummel the soul. Pretty Venom is for the readers that desperately crave the pleasure pain of unforgivable acts, infidelity, revenge sex and scathing words all swathed together in a love story that will not be denied. I actually wish the author had pushed the bar a little further because as unapologetically brutal as this story is, I found it a bit sugary for my taste. I could've handled some more angst and, in hindsight, I wish I hadn't read the blurb or the warning. I would've loved to have gone in blind and never seen the inevitable devastation coming until it knocked me on my ass. Yes, I said that. It's fine, you can laugh at me later, after you're done chugging all the vodka this book will demand you drink. 

Incase it wasn't clear, I loved the hell out of this book and I can not wait to read every single Ella Fields novel in existence. I needed a bit more grovel, a bit more... something... but if i'm being honest, I can't even be bothered to focus on what it's missing because it's delicious and intoxicating just the way it is. If it were up to me, I'd read books like Pretty Venom every single day. I don't think my heart could handle this level of angst on a daily basis, nor do I think I'd enjoy the sting of betrayal quite as much if I were treated to books like this more often. But in my angst-loving dreams, every book would infuriate me on the level Pretty Venom did only to soothe my heartache with the level of palpable romance Ella Fields just delivered. 

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had such a great time reading Pretty Venom this week!!!!!!!
Such a shame I was too busy with RL and could't do any updates.
It wasn't all perfection, Mom/daughter relationship was a bit ridiculous and there were some OTT situations but despite that, Pretty Venom was a fantastic read. It's been awhile since a MF got me so emotionally entangled.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars!

I loved loved this book! Couldn’t just rated even if it took me a long time to write this review lol! Anyway i can’t believe this the last book! I’m in total denial....

Ella Fields created this amazing series that I fell in love with and somehow each book was so different, the drama, the angst but all of them a roller coaster of emotions. I’ve been waiting to read Renee/Callum’s story since book one. I knew it was gonna be a rough ride so I was prepared and I was not disappointed.

Finally we get their whole history, how they meet as kids and eventually fall in love. I love how realistic their relationship felt especially, when they got to college. The mistakes they made, and to me they both had a fault in how things went down. This book hit a new level of frustration between this two the pull and push and pull again, but it I loved it. Let me say they both were stubborn and proud, but they both fought for each other in one way or another and eventually they learned and we’re able to move forward.

Can’t wait to read more from this author! Love her style of writing but more than anything how connect to her stories and characters. ♥️

[Hopelessly Addicted To Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOWZERS

This book is everything I've come to expect from this author she's upped the angst and really did a number on her readers this time.

I'm not sure I can adequately express just how much Callum and Renee's story affected me. I wanted to know everything about these two and boy oh boy did Ella give it to me in spades.

We follow this couple from innocent friendship to love and hate. As I read I alternated between happiness and full on hatred. I'm sure alot of readers will feel like me, at times I had to take a break from reading because my heart couldn't take the pain I felt.

If you've read the authors previous books you'll know she excels at emotional overload. I can't think of another author who makes me feel as much who makes me as happy or as angry. Her writing for me just gets better with every new book she releases. She can literally be stabbing me I'm the heart in one chapter and making me swoon in the next one.

Another fantastic book from start to finish I can't wait to see what the next release so bring.

[Nikki ღ Navareus · Rating 3 out of 5]

This poor story already had a strike against it when I was going in. I kept trying to start it months ago, but I truly loath YA and I can only tolerate NA when it’s done right. After reading the first few chapters, I’d put this one aside and start something else. I kept reading reviews on this one though, and being the angst whore I am, I had to try to give this one another shot. Callum was an asshole extreme, even as a kid, and really unlikable. I kind of enjoyed that Renee would never let Callum get the satisfaction of seeing her hurt or humiliated by his nasty actions towards her when they were kids. The instant flipping of Callum’s switch from hating Renee to falling absolutely in love with her wasn’t built up at all.

Then these two secretly get married and go to college not letting any of their friends or family know they are married was strange too. Callum acting like such a disrespectful prick to Renee soon after they start college made him even more repugnant than he was as a kid, but I actually dig the whole “relationship falling apart” story line, so this worked for me. The big event that actually tore them apart was fabulous angst. I was loving every second of Callum’s scathing hate towards Renee, the way he kicked her out of their place, the way he cut her off from him completely and even him fucking other women to get Renee out of his system.

Renee becoming an absolutely pathetic doormat heroine made the story go downhill from there though. I enjoyed watching Callum’s punishing actions towards Renee, and the way he wanted her to hurt because of her stupidity. That was awesome. Renee begging him back and trying to connive Callum into fucking her after he fucked these other women was disgusting though. And how many diseases did she risk getting by screwing him after he was screwing every skank whore he could get to spread their legs? Blech.


I had complete faith that Renee was finally going to get a backbone and give up on being this utter doormat where Callum was concerned, but that really didn’t feel like that had happened.

When they both found out that Renee was wrongly accused of screwing Michael, and Callum was instantly in love with her again, Renee was all pissy for like two seconds before she completely forgave him for screwing every skank whore on campus that he could, and she took him back. Just like that!

That knocked off at least 2 stars for me. Callum never gave Renee the sufficient grovel she deserved IMO, and damn he needed to do some major ass kissing to make up for what he had put her through. He truly needed to make up for the awful things he did to Renee, and I felt totally ripped off from the grovelly ending that should have been. If there had been epic grovel this could have been the perfect story for me.

I’m not giving up on this author though. This author can write some awesome angst. I did feel the gutting feelings from Renee when she was being denied anything to do with Callum while he was on his mission to get Renee out of his system via other women. I just wish I had liked the two main characters enough to want them to get back together.

[Lidia's Romance · Rating 2 out of 5]

God, this book made me so mad, I was fuming.

This was YA—high school bully romance—until about the 30% mark. I became somewhat bored with this part of the story. After that point, our Leads enter college as a couple in a committed and loving relationship...before it all goes to crap.

In high school, Renee had shown some grit. I really liked how she ignored Callum at every turn despite his bullying tactics. This girl didn't lose sleep over it. And she also didn't drool over him like many heroines often do in these types of scenarios. I thought, awesome, a female lead with a spine of steel. And why did Callum bully her? Because he liked her. How cliché. One reason he gave was that he resented their parents trying to set them up. So this was how he rebelled? Whatevers, the reasons for him being this way were murky. He eventually gets over his animosity towards Renee and starts pursuing her instead, with them becoming a couple soon after.

Enter the college years. Callum was once again an asshole, except now it was completely unforgivable to me. And Renee, disappointingly, became the doormat of doormats; it was absolutely degrading how she allowed Callum to treat her. I enjoy second chance romance—it's one of my top favorite tropes—and I equally enjoy reading about (charming and redeemable) asshole-y heroes, so for me to say this was an epic fail, speaks volumes. His reaction and behavior was tragic. He lashed out at her for something that I actually blamed him for. I know I'm being vague here, but I just don't have the energy to describe the mess he caused. Point is, Renee was not in the wrong; he was. But what actually made me fume was how she allowed him to humiliate her over and over again. That was incredibly difficult to read, and not so much because I felt her pain, which she didn't always show—after all, she thought she deserved it!—it was just heartbreaking for me to see her treated so appallingly. It was infuriating. He does finally figure out how wrong he was but the way it all plays out wasn't satisfying enough to make me fully forgive and forget. Yes, he does grovel for a decent amount of time, but he hardly suffered at all. Why do so many authors put their heroines through the wringer, but rarely the heroes? They just walk away with a slap on the wrist. Not fair.

[Reading with 2 book lovers Sarah P - · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What we want isn't always good for us, or what we should have in the end."

This is an outstanding story by this author, I liked seeing bits from the previous couples and loved callum and Renee's story so much.

"Do you ever say anything without injecting at least a tiny barb of venom?"

I devoured this book In a night I was so attached to it.

[Mimiorphee · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an emotional ride! To say I'm exhausted is an understatement...I'm drained, yes, but also very happy! With Pretty Venom, I'm discovering Ella Field's work and I loved the depth of her character's emotions and her compelling writing.

I usually tend to avoid a story about cheating, let alone a book solely based on this concept. In was a true challenge to me.

Although it made me really uncomfortable, it also captivated me and I found myself rooting for the heroine (who did, or rather started, the cheating) and her loneliness. 

Pretty Venom is a whirlwind of feels. I felt everything Renée and Callum went through: the betrayal (s) gutted me, the anger had my blood boiling, the guilt gripped my heart. But what utterly wrecked me was the venom dripping from Callum's mouth. His bitterness and toxic words hid the hurt....so much pain... Every action, from the silent treatment to the hate f*@k, felt like a stab wound in the stomach. 

It takes some serious strength to overcome that kind of drama and I loved that deep down neither of them really gave up on their love. They grew up into accomplished adults, who learned from their mistakes.

This perfectly portrayed descent to hell is definitely not a feel-good read and will take you to dark places; but if you are in the right state of mind, I highly recommend it! Enjoy!!



I VOLUNTARILY REVIEWED AN ARC COPY OF THIS BOOK. THANK YOU!!!