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Royal Hearts Academy #2
Ruthless Knight
Welcome to their kingdom.
Cole Covington is the most popular heartbreaker at school.
Every guy wants to be him and every girl wants to screw him.
Except me.
His devastatingly good looks, golden arm, and flirty smiles don't do it for me anymore...because I know what's lurking underneath the star quarterback's gorgeous armor.
At least I thought I did.
Sometimes the most beautiful people...hide the ugliest truths.
And sometimes the only way to save someone...
is to walk beside them through hell.
Sawyer Church is the bible-thumping nerd of Royal Hearts Academy.
Girls pick on her and guys don't notice her.
Except me.
Sweet, curvy, and sarcastic, she's impossible to ignore.
No matter how much I try.
Everyone at school has her pegged as the chubby, Jesus loving geek, but unlike them—Sawyer's real and never pretends to be someone she's not.
Until I ask her to be my fake girlfriend.
Sometimes the most beautiful souls...hide the greatest pain.
And sometimes the only way to save someone...
is to fight for them.
This is book 2 in the Royal Hearts Academy series. Please note: Although this is Cole and Sawyer's book, Cruel Prince (Jace and Dylan’s book) should be read first for a better understanding of the family dynamic.
WARNING: Royal Hearts Academy is a New Adult/High School series of standalones filled with drama, a touch of angst, and boys who are bad to the bone. The characters are flawed. If you're looking for a safe, sweet romance with nice heroes and heroines who are perfect all the time, this series is NOT for you.
Cole Covington is the most popular heartbreaker at school.
Every guy wants to be him and every girl wants to screw him.
Except me.
His devastatingly good looks, golden arm, and flirty smiles don't do it for me anymore...because I know what's lurking underneath the star quarterback's gorgeous armor.
At least I thought I did.
Sometimes the most beautiful people...hide the ugliest truths.
And sometimes the only way to save someone...
is to walk beside them through hell.
Sawyer Church is the bible-thumping nerd of Royal Hearts Academy.
Girls pick on her and guys don't notice her.
Except me.
Sweet, curvy, and sarcastic, she's impossible to ignore.
No matter how much I try.
Everyone at school has her pegged as the chubby, Jesus loving geek, but unlike them—Sawyer's real and never pretends to be someone she's not.
Until I ask her to be my fake girlfriend.
Sometimes the most beautiful souls...hide the greatest pain.
And sometimes the only way to save someone...
is to fight for them.
This is book 2 in the Royal Hearts Academy series. Please note: Although this is Cole and Sawyer's book, Cruel Prince (Jace and Dylan’s book) should be read first for a better understanding of the family dynamic.
WARNING: Royal Hearts Academy is a New Adult/High School series of standalones filled with drama, a touch of angst, and boys who are bad to the bone. The characters are flawed. If you're looking for a safe, sweet romance with nice heroes and heroines who are perfect all the time, this series is NOT for you.
588 pages, Paperback
First published January 20, 2020
4770 people are currently reading
24781 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Jade
49 books9,724 followersLink to my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Ashley-Jade-...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,817 reviews
November 9, 2021
“Emotionally tumultuous, Powerful, impactful, memorable.... It felt like I was reading beautiful poetry.
Ashley Jade is one of the most talented authors I've ever read. Her stories are Intense,Rievting, unique, her writing is beautiful, Raw, poetic and soul crushing!
“Flawlessly and poignantly written, Cole and Sawyer’s heart-wrenching beautiful love story touched my heart in so many exquisite ways, It was like a defibrillator Straight to my Soul! My heart was torn apart where every fissure, I felt everything Cole and Sawyer were going through down in my soul...
Ruthless Knight pulled on my heart strings and didn't let go. I was enraptured by this unputdownable book. I shed so many tears!
I will never forget this book it is tattooed on my soul forever and ever!
“10 heart-wrenching Stars!
Ashley Jade is one of the most talented authors I've ever read. Her stories are Intense,Rievting, unique, her writing is beautiful, Raw, poetic and soul crushing!
“Flawlessly and poignantly written, Cole and Sawyer’s heart-wrenching beautiful love story touched my heart in so many exquisite ways, It was like a defibrillator Straight to my Soul! My heart was torn apart where every fissure, I felt everything Cole and Sawyer were going through down in my soul...
Ruthless Knight pulled on my heart strings and didn't let go. I was enraptured by this unputdownable book. I shed so many tears!
I will never forget this book it is tattooed on my soul forever and ever!
“10 heart-wrenching Stars!
January 22, 2020
‘RUTHLESS KNIGHT’ This is book#2 in the ‘Royal Hearts Academy’ series. A full length romance novel. It is advised that you read (Jace & Dylan’s book) first as it has carry over characters and gives you a better understanding of the family dynamics.
5 BIBLE THUMPER & LUCKY SEVEN STARS.. These two were Imperfectly Perfect, BUT Perfect for each other!!
Cole’s always wanted to play ball, it’s in his soul, it’s the only time he ever feels really alive. Always thinking he was the least favourite sibling all his life football was the one thing that seemed to love him back.
In the ’Prologue’ we see a drunken Cole delve deep into his heart as he confides in Sawyer things that his peers don't know about himself and Sawyer opens up and confides about her home life that is crumbling down like rubble around her ears, pulling her in all directions. One is insecure the other is hiding his true self.
He's everything I despise in a person. He's a cocky, ruthless, a womaniser, and worst of all he mocks-my faith.
Things lead from there and Cole takes Sawyer by surprise as he kisses her senseless. It’s a dream come true as she’s had a secret crush on him for ages, even if he is a jerk.
Sawyer Church is the bible-thumping nerd of Royal Hearts Academy. Girls pick on her, and guys don't notice her. Except me.
But what makes it worse is he doesn't recall that night AT ALL he'd had too much to drink, he doesn't even remember the first kiss he stole from her.
Things escalate and drive a wedge between them even more when she overhears a bet going down in the boys locker room concerning her. And he who shall not be named didn't put a stop to it!!
Even though there were times when I cringed when something not quite right can out of Coles mouth calling him a douche canoe was upped by the few words Sawyer threw in his face. This girl does not mince her words, her tongue is like a double sided sword! It will cut you to the bone.
Cole was like an onion with many layers, half the time we saw the crowd pleaser, but delve deeper and he’s got a ton of hurt settled way down deep. An unapologetic A-Hole! His arrogance knows no bounds.
How naive was I thinking I was ready for this book!!🤣God this book kicked my ass, from the giggles, to the swooning, to the tears, to the sighing, this book kicks a huge punch I may never recover from!! These characters played ping pong on my emotions like no others. The feels hit me out of nowhere coming at me like a cannonball.
* Teaser used is off the authors facebook page *
January 21, 2020
5 Stars for the Bible Thumping good girl who landed the quarterback!!!
I am emotionally wrecked from this incredible YA love story. The author delivered a poignant tale of youth and first love that broke my heart at times, yet left me euphorically in love in the end.
Cole was the bad boy quarterback that every girl wanted to get with. Sawyer was a Jesus loving do-gooder that believed that everyone was redeemable...even Cole.
Cole is set on being a cliche. Dating the head cheerleader is what’s expected, too bad he’d rather be with the girl that is anything but a cliche. He’s a tormented soul trying to outrun his ghosts. You’ll want to punch him one minute and kiss him the next.
Sawyer is good people. She’s a great friend, truly loyal and dependable. She’s always willing to help someone out, but she’s not a pushover. She has no problem sticking up for herself or fighting back. However, she‘s fighting her own battle with how she looks. Everyone is always pressuring her to look a certain way, as if she doesn’t already berate herself enough about her appearance.
When Cole begins to show an interest, everything changes. Their relationship started out under false pretenses, but it doesn’t take Cole long to realize that Sawyer isn’t just some other girl. She’s the girl you keep. However, they’ll both have to face their demons to move forward.
The author dealt us a story with relevant topics that definitely hit close to home. Struggles with appearance, overwhelmed with feelings of never being good enough, guilt for mistakes you can no longer fix and poor choices that could have had dire consequences will leave you in tears. Emotions will run high. But my take away was soul-consuming love, smoldering chemistry, lasting friendships and bright futures.
I smiled, I swooned, I cried more than once. An unforgettable love story that reminds us that we all struggle with something and finding your circle is what saves us.
I am emotionally wrecked from this incredible YA love story. The author delivered a poignant tale of youth and first love that broke my heart at times, yet left me euphorically in love in the end.
Cole was the bad boy quarterback that every girl wanted to get with. Sawyer was a Jesus loving do-gooder that believed that everyone was redeemable...even Cole.
Cole is set on being a cliche. Dating the head cheerleader is what’s expected, too bad he’d rather be with the girl that is anything but a cliche. He’s a tormented soul trying to outrun his ghosts. You’ll want to punch him one minute and kiss him the next.
Sawyer is good people. She’s a great friend, truly loyal and dependable. She’s always willing to help someone out, but she’s not a pushover. She has no problem sticking up for herself or fighting back. However, she‘s fighting her own battle with how she looks. Everyone is always pressuring her to look a certain way, as if she doesn’t already berate herself enough about her appearance.
When Cole begins to show an interest, everything changes. Their relationship started out under false pretenses, but it doesn’t take Cole long to realize that Sawyer isn’t just some other girl. She’s the girl you keep. However, they’ll both have to face their demons to move forward.
The author dealt us a story with relevant topics that definitely hit close to home. Struggles with appearance, overwhelmed with feelings of never being good enough, guilt for mistakes you can no longer fix and poor choices that could have had dire consequences will leave you in tears. Emotions will run high. But my take away was soul-consuming love, smoldering chemistry, lasting friendships and bright futures.
I smiled, I swooned, I cried more than once. An unforgettable love story that reminds us that we all struggle with something and finding your circle is what saves us.
January 23, 2020
If you thought Cruel Prince was a 5 then Ruthless Knight is about to blow your mind, for me Coles book is miles ahead the writing is so much more of everything!
This book blew me away! I didn’t think I’d fall in love as hard as what I did with Ruthless Knight, but it sucked me in and squeezed on my heart so much I couldn’t not love it!!
For me when personal feelings are involved and it evokes memories emotions and flashbacks for me I’m deeply connected to a book when it does that it automatically stays in the feels, its already a top read for me and one that will live in my soul forever.
I get that feelings that are deeply involved in this and brushing off on feelings is hard, especially when you only show that dark soul, but showing a little light in a cracked door of a broken heart lets people see you can get to the other side 💚
Ashley thanks for bringing me along for the ride I loved it so much, and I cannot wait to see what’s coming next
5+ 🌟
This book blew me away! I didn’t think I’d fall in love as hard as what I did with Ruthless Knight, but it sucked me in and squeezed on my heart so much I couldn’t not love it!!
For me when personal feelings are involved and it evokes memories emotions and flashbacks for me I’m deeply connected to a book when it does that it automatically stays in the feels, its already a top read for me and one that will live in my soul forever.
I get that feelings that are deeply involved in this and brushing off on feelings is hard, especially when you only show that dark soul, but showing a little light in a cracked door of a broken heart lets people see you can get to the other side 💚
Ashley thanks for bringing me along for the ride I loved it so much, and I cannot wait to see what’s coming next
5+ 🌟
April 25, 2020
in many ways better than the first book, especially with the way it handled real issues. buuut it was way too long and the excessive fighting and jealously bumped this down a star for me.
January 22, 2020
OMG, this book slayed me... but in the best of ways of course ;)
I already know it is gonna be one of my top reads of this year, if not THE top read...and so you can imagine the book slump I am in right now. Someone, please send help....
It was while reading, the first book, Cruel Prince, that I fell truly, madly and deeply in love with the King of Royal Hearts Academy, Cole Covington and his bible thumper, Sawyer Church. I strongly advise everyone to read the first book, before jumping into this one. No worries, it is pretty awesome as well, so you won't be sorry.
This was definitely one of my most anticipated books EVER, which scared me a bit because we all know what happens when your expectations are so freaking high. I should not have worried though, because this book delivered on each and every expectation I had...and more.
It also broke my heart over and over again... By the time I was halfway through the book, my tissues where gone and I had to start using toilet paper.
I am gonna be honest and say that this book was hard to read at times. It touches so many different emotional subjects. That is what I love about it though... The fact that it made me feel so many different feelings.
One minute you want to hate Cole and the next you just want to put him in your pocket and take him home...keep him safe...
He is unquestionably one of my all-time favorite heroes.
Don't waste your time trying to fix me. You'll only cut yourself on my fucked up pieces.
I have read this book in one sitting, which is saying something because it is long!! But it kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I was pulled in from the very first page ...and I am still trying to let go.
I can't wait for everyone to read this one. I myself am already on pins and needles for Bianca's book. She showed me a side of her I didn't know and I am very eager to see more.
If I could give this one 10 stars I would, but alas...
Highly recommended!!!!
An ARC was provided to
in exchange for an honest review
October 17, 2024
4 stars
this made me so emotional, and the topics discussed hit too close to home. i never thought i'd relate this much to the characters, and i'm truly thanking god that at least the outcomes weren't this harsh!
i won't call it enemies to lovers because they were not enemies in the start. they had a whole "ignoring each other" phase, so i can't truly call it enemies to lovers.
⌞Cole Covington & Sawyer Church⌝
ᯓ champ & bible thumper
it was obvious that cole, being the most popular guy, would say or do something to hurt the girl he kinda likes because 'he's protecting her from the mean girls.' but it was bullshit. i didn’t like him calling her a fat virgin in the beginning at all. fuck you in capital letters to the starting cole but ✨ the character development ✨
“For once, people would look at me because I was beautiful… instead of looking at me and thinking, she’d be beautiful if she lost weight.”
I felt extremely bad for Sawyer. just because she was fat, people just wouldn't let her be happy with herself. she despised the way she looked, and the feelings she had for herself made me cry. i was so relating to her on this. every insecurity, every hurtful comment was painful to read.
cole, for all his massive assholery in the beginning, was actually nice. not empathetic enough, but despite his flaws, i love him. i hate what happened with his brother Liam and the tiny part he played in his suicide. tbh, he was a kid himself, but he shouldn’t have been that hard on his brother. that scene was really painful, and my heart hurts for Liam. I actually hate their mom because once again, the past scene was extremely relatable to what cole was facing from her. her obvious favoritism towards her other children, EVEN if she meant well, was so infuriating. sometimes parents truly don't understand that it's NOT THAT DEEP. what's the point of doing the right thing AFTER hurting your child? we all make mistakes, but it was obvious that it was a pattern for cole. idk, i'm confused, but cole deserved better, and so did Liam.
his relationship with Sawyer was always going up and down, but i loved how smitten and obsessed he was with her. i love a guy who doesn't shy away from giving hell to other girls if they're talking bad about his girlfriend. his starting povs were so hilarious and misogynistic, but lol i still had fun reading them. sawyer is a chill and cool girl, and their text messages were hilarious and cute! 😭
the whole bet scene would've made this book 'like others,' but funny that sawyer was present to hear everything, and how she tackled cole afterward. the efforts he put in for her after that were really cute though. cole's cute when he wants to be 🤭 his unhinged and jealous side was MU FAVOURITE! He literally beat her boss and co-worker because of some rumours shwjsj and punched a guy that she was talking to 😂🤭
what i kinda didn't like was, the whole church-religion thing. like it was a little uncomfortable to read because the hero wasn't a believer and the girl was jesus freak as everyone called. these things shouldn't be in the book, since they were NOT providing anything to the plot. also, the whole coma scene in the last 80% and the whole drug situation was kind of... dangerous and yeah dangerous! 😭 i wouldn't wish that upon ANYONE and
1 like = 1 slap to Sawyer's mom.
their relationship wasn't perfect... but it still was perfect. and it's actually NOT like black knight! He was neither her everyday bully nor her ex-bestie. the only thing both the books have in common is the fat-shaming that the girls faced from their shitting schools and mothers 😒
✨
pre-read: I've always gotten Black Knight by Rina Kent vibes from this book, so I wasn't sure if I wanted to read it. But now I'm excited!
this made me so emotional, and the topics discussed hit too close to home. i never thought i'd relate this much to the characters, and i'm truly thanking god that at least the outcomes weren't this harsh!
i won't call it enemies to lovers because they were not enemies in the start. they had a whole "ignoring each other" phase, so i can't truly call it enemies to lovers.
⌞Cole Covington & Sawyer Church⌝
ᯓ champ & bible thumper
it was obvious that cole, being the most popular guy, would say or do something to hurt the girl he kinda likes because 'he's protecting her from the mean girls.' but it was bullshit. i didn’t like him calling her a fat virgin in the beginning at all. fuck you in capital letters to the starting cole but ✨ the character development ✨
“For once, people would look at me because I was beautiful… instead of looking at me and thinking, she’d be beautiful if she lost weight.”
I felt extremely bad for Sawyer. just because she was fat, people just wouldn't let her be happy with herself. she despised the way she looked, and the feelings she had for herself made me cry. i was so relating to her on this. every insecurity, every hurtful comment was painful to read.
cole, for all his massive assholery in the beginning, was actually nice. not empathetic enough, but despite his flaws, i love him. i hate what happened with his brother Liam and the tiny part he played in his suicide. tbh, he was a kid himself, but he shouldn’t have been that hard on his brother. that scene was really painful, and my heart hurts for Liam. I actually hate their mom because once again, the past scene was extremely relatable to what cole was facing from her. her obvious favoritism towards her other children, EVEN if she meant well, was so infuriating. sometimes parents truly don't understand that it's NOT THAT DEEP. what's the point of doing the right thing AFTER hurting your child? we all make mistakes, but it was obvious that it was a pattern for cole. idk, i'm confused, but cole deserved better, and so did Liam.
his relationship with Sawyer was always going up and down, but i loved how smitten and obsessed he was with her. i love a guy who doesn't shy away from giving hell to other girls if they're talking bad about his girlfriend. his starting povs were so hilarious and misogynistic, but lol i still had fun reading them. sawyer is a chill and cool girl, and their text messages were hilarious and cute! 😭
the whole bet scene would've made this book 'like others,' but funny that sawyer was present to hear everything, and how she tackled cole afterward. the efforts he put in for her after that were really cute though. cole's cute when he wants to be 🤭 his unhinged and jealous side was MU FAVOURITE! He literally beat her boss and co-worker because of some rumours shwjsj and punched a guy that she was talking to 😂🤭
what i kinda didn't like was, the whole church-religion thing. like it was a little uncomfortable to read because the hero wasn't a believer and the girl was jesus freak as everyone called. these things shouldn't be in the book, since they were NOT providing anything to the plot. also, the whole coma scene in the last 80% and the whole drug situation was kind of... dangerous and yeah dangerous! 😭 i wouldn't wish that upon ANYONE and
1 like = 1 slap to Sawyer's mom.
their relationship wasn't perfect... but it still was perfect. and it's actually NOT like black knight! He was neither her everyday bully nor her ex-bestie. the only thing both the books have in common is the fat-shaming that the girls faced from their shitting schools and mothers 😒
✨
pre-read: I've always gotten Black Knight by Rina Kent vibes from this book, so I wasn't sure if I wanted to read it. But now I'm excited!
January 22, 2020
***5 "Hard to love!!!" STARS***
"Sometimes, when you least expect it... two beautifully broken souls end up finding each other.
Even when the world says the're not supposed to... because they don't fit inside the same box."
Be ready for the Lucky Seven and Bible Thumper to blow your minds!!!
Honestly, i was thinking... Is it possible for Sawyer and Cole to top Jace and Dylan???
And even though i loved "Cruel Prince" very much, Ashley Jade managed to deliver us an even more beautiful story than the previous one!!!
Yep, it was a very long book, but surprisingly i devoured it in just one day... A full day for me with work and a child... But it was so good, that i couldn't put it down!!!
"How come lies are so beautiful and the truth is always so fucking ugly?"
"Lies are easier to believe because they usually protect someone or conceal something bad... Or maybe it's because there is no truth... definitely anyway. We all have our own truth... and whatever version aligns best with that is what we grativate toward and believe... even if it's a lie. I guess in the end it comes down to selfishness."
Ashley, in here, took many things into consideration and she threw at us many critical issues that many people out there are facing and i loved the way that she was handling all the sensitive matters and there were many of them...
I also love how she has build all this beautiful characters in here and i can not wait for Bianca's turn... Hopefully, with Oakley!!! Right, Ashley????
But let me stick to this book for now...
"They all worship me because they think I'm better than them.
But I'm not. I'm just better at being fake."
"I just want you to leave me alone."
"Hurts when you can't have something you want, doesn't it?...
Remember how much you hate me right now... Because the second you think I'm capable of changing, or there's any good in me, I'll prove you wrong and hurt you again... worse than before."
We had already taken a glimpse of Cole and Sawyer in the previous book... Their bantering were always so entertaining and i was dying to get their book...
And i took so much more with this story...
This story was about a very popular and ruthless, athletic boy who deep down inside he had his own demons to face and about a girl that the mase was calling her an ugly, fat, Jesus loving freak, but who was facing her own issues!!!
In an unexpected way those two became a possibility, but they had to many obstacles to overcome and most of them, they had to face their own demons!!!
"I have a crush on Cole Covington... and I hate myself for it.
He's everything I despise in a person.
He's cocky, ruthless, a womanizer, and worst of all -he mocks my faith.
Yet... there's something about him I can't ignore."
"Don't waste your time trying to fix me. You'll only cut yourself on my fucked-up pieces...
And when that happens... I'll watch you bleed out with a smile on my face."
Well, honestly, i don't know what i can really say about this book... So many things had happened in here and i don't know how to express my feelings..
In short words, Cole got out his bad self to play and he hurt really badly Sawyer...
From that moment, they kept some distance, but then... Cole asked her to become his fake girlfriend and from that moment the things escalated very quickly...
Nope, i won't say more...
I will say that this couple was the best and they had a unique way to be there for each other...
"She's so goddamn beautiful.
So pure and innocent and good.
The saint a sinner like me never deserved."
"I don't care what he says.
I just need him to let me in.
Because all the pain he keeps bottled up inside is slowly killing him piece by fucked up piece.
And I refuse to let that happen.
Because no matter how ruthless and damaged he is... a world without Colton isn't a world I want to live in."
I love Cole so much, even though i wasn't so sure for that in the previous book... Yes, it was an easygoing guy with humor and ruthless attitude, but under the surface he was beyond all these superficial craps... He was caring and he was protecting the people around him... Including Sawyer, even when he was treating her poorly...
Also, i loved him for his obsession with Sawyer's curves!!!
And in here, i could understand better his relationship with Liam... and my heart was breaking for that lost boy inside of him that was craving attention and love!!!
Cole was needing a person to love him completely and unconditional... A person that will hold him his hand no matter the bumps on the road.... And that person was Sawyer!!!
"I hurt... so I hurt others.
Especially the people I care about most."
"Sawyer has a way of getting under my skin and inside my head like no one else... which makes her a hazard."
"There's a piece of missing now too.
A piece I'll never be able to fix or repair.
A piece I'll never get back...
And it's all my fault."
God, I love this girl!!! I loved her from the first moment that she had given that shirt to Dylan...
I love her sassy attitude toward Cole and i love how big heart she was having... How much love she could give to anyone... How real she was all the time!!!
But Sawyer had her own insecurities... Insecurities that she was keeping hidden very good, but which at some point gave her big problems...
Cole, except Nick Jonas, was her achilles heel!!! No matter what he would throw her way, she couldn't abandon him...
Sawyer was needing a guy that he would have the willing to fight for her and that person was Cole, even though it took him a while to realize it!!!
"God, I am so tired of being the fat girl.
So tired of feeling like I don't belong.
So tired of people only seeing one thing when they look at me."
"Cole Covington has always fascinated me...
No matter how many times he proves me wrong, I can't help but think his true colors aren't as one-dimensional or superficial as he wants everyone to believe."
I loved this couple so much and i would love to tell you more about them, but i really can't.
I just want to say that I still love Jace and Dylan and their story, but two persons in here, except the main characters, had stolen the spotlight!!!
God, i had loved Oakley from the first moment and i want his story desperately!!!! He had stolen a big part of my heart and i don't think that he will ever give it back...
Also, even though that Bianca was always a bitch toward Dylan, in here i saw her in a different light and to Sawyer ... she was the best!!!
These two made me laugh so much and yes, i laughed so much in this book and then, i cried the same... But i need it after all!!!
Please, Ashley!!! Give me some Oakley and Bianca vibes!!!! These two together will be a quite interesting mix!!!!
oh!!! And something more... Please read this series!!! It will worth your time!!!
"You think love is perfect? Like one of those fairytales?... Hell, no. Love is hard... difficult. It's dealing with someone's shit day in and day out but never giving up on them because your heart won't let you. It's having a million reasons to leave them... but always one goodreason to stay."
***I received an ARC of this book!!! Thank you!!!***
"Sometimes, when you least expect it... two beautifully broken souls end up finding each other.
Even when the world says the're not supposed to... because they don't fit inside the same box."
Be ready for the Lucky Seven and Bible Thumper to blow your minds!!!
Honestly, i was thinking... Is it possible for Sawyer and Cole to top Jace and Dylan???
And even though i loved "Cruel Prince" very much, Ashley Jade managed to deliver us an even more beautiful story than the previous one!!!
Yep, it was a very long book, but surprisingly i devoured it in just one day... A full day for me with work and a child... But it was so good, that i couldn't put it down!!!
"How come lies are so beautiful and the truth is always so fucking ugly?"
"Lies are easier to believe because they usually protect someone or conceal something bad... Or maybe it's because there is no truth... definitely anyway. We all have our own truth... and whatever version aligns best with that is what we grativate toward and believe... even if it's a lie. I guess in the end it comes down to selfishness."
Ashley, in here, took many things into consideration and she threw at us many critical issues that many people out there are facing and i loved the way that she was handling all the sensitive matters and there were many of them...
I also love how she has build all this beautiful characters in here and i can not wait for Bianca's turn... Hopefully, with Oakley!!! Right, Ashley????
But let me stick to this book for now...
"They all worship me because they think I'm better than them.
But I'm not. I'm just better at being fake."
"I just want you to leave me alone."
"Hurts when you can't have something you want, doesn't it?...
Remember how much you hate me right now... Because the second you think I'm capable of changing, or there's any good in me, I'll prove you wrong and hurt you again... worse than before."
We had already taken a glimpse of Cole and Sawyer in the previous book... Their bantering were always so entertaining and i was dying to get their book...
And i took so much more with this story...
This story was about a very popular and ruthless, athletic boy who deep down inside he had his own demons to face and about a girl that the mase was calling her an ugly, fat, Jesus loving freak, but who was facing her own issues!!!
In an unexpected way those two became a possibility, but they had to many obstacles to overcome and most of them, they had to face their own demons!!!
"I have a crush on Cole Covington... and I hate myself for it.
He's everything I despise in a person.
He's cocky, ruthless, a womanizer, and worst of all -he mocks my faith.
Yet... there's something about him I can't ignore."
"Don't waste your time trying to fix me. You'll only cut yourself on my fucked-up pieces...
And when that happens... I'll watch you bleed out with a smile on my face."
Well, honestly, i don't know what i can really say about this book... So many things had happened in here and i don't know how to express my feelings..
In short words, Cole got out his bad self to play and he hurt really badly Sawyer...
From that moment, they kept some distance, but then... Cole asked her to become his fake girlfriend and from that moment the things escalated very quickly...
Nope, i won't say more...
I will say that this couple was the best and they had a unique way to be there for each other...
"She's so goddamn beautiful.
So pure and innocent and good.
The saint a sinner like me never deserved."
"I don't care what he says.
I just need him to let me in.
Because all the pain he keeps bottled up inside is slowly killing him piece by fucked up piece.
And I refuse to let that happen.
Because no matter how ruthless and damaged he is... a world without Colton isn't a world I want to live in."
I love Cole so much, even though i wasn't so sure for that in the previous book... Yes, it was an easygoing guy with humor and ruthless attitude, but under the surface he was beyond all these superficial craps... He was caring and he was protecting the people around him... Including Sawyer, even when he was treating her poorly...
Also, i loved him for his obsession with Sawyer's curves!!!
And in here, i could understand better his relationship with Liam... and my heart was breaking for that lost boy inside of him that was craving attention and love!!!
Cole was needing a person to love him completely and unconditional... A person that will hold him his hand no matter the bumps on the road.... And that person was Sawyer!!!
"I hurt... so I hurt others.
Especially the people I care about most."
"Sawyer has a way of getting under my skin and inside my head like no one else... which makes her a hazard."
"There's a piece of missing now too.
A piece I'll never be able to fix or repair.
A piece I'll never get back...
And it's all my fault."
God, I love this girl!!! I loved her from the first moment that she had given that shirt to Dylan...
I love her sassy attitude toward Cole and i love how big heart she was having... How much love she could give to anyone... How real she was all the time!!!
But Sawyer had her own insecurities... Insecurities that she was keeping hidden very good, but which at some point gave her big problems...
Cole, except Nick Jonas, was her achilles heel!!! No matter what he would throw her way, she couldn't abandon him...
Sawyer was needing a guy that he would have the willing to fight for her and that person was Cole, even though it took him a while to realize it!!!
"God, I am so tired of being the fat girl.
So tired of feeling like I don't belong.
So tired of people only seeing one thing when they look at me."
"Cole Covington has always fascinated me...
No matter how many times he proves me wrong, I can't help but think his true colors aren't as one-dimensional or superficial as he wants everyone to believe."
I loved this couple so much and i would love to tell you more about them, but i really can't.
I just want to say that I still love Jace and Dylan and their story, but two persons in here, except the main characters, had stolen the spotlight!!!
God, i had loved Oakley from the first moment and i want his story desperately!!!! He had stolen a big part of my heart and i don't think that he will ever give it back...
Also, even though that Bianca was always a bitch toward Dylan, in here i saw her in a different light and to Sawyer ... she was the best!!!
These two made me laugh so much and yes, i laughed so much in this book and then, i cried the same... But i need it after all!!!
Please, Ashley!!! Give me some Oakley and Bianca vibes!!!! These two together will be a quite interesting mix!!!!
oh!!! And something more... Please read this series!!! It will worth your time!!!
"You think love is perfect? Like one of those fairytales?... Hell, no. Love is hard... difficult. It's dealing with someone's shit day in and day out but never giving up on them because your heart won't let you. It's having a million reasons to leave them... but always one goodreason to stay."
***I received an ARC of this book!!! Thank you!!!***
May 29, 2020
***5 RUTHLESS CROWNS***
Ruthless Knight is a standalone novel, but is best read after Cruel Prince (Royal Hearts Academy #1)
If you think you know Cole from the glimpses of him you see in Cruel Prince, think again.
Picture this:
It’s 1.30am Sunday morning, Ashley Jade sends you the final chapters of Ruthless Knight that you’ve been anticipating for what feels like FOREVER (it’s been a couple of days, really). Naturally, I inhaled those chapters, because who needs sleep when you have Cole and Sawyer to keep you company during the night?
This whole book SLAYED me. I never cry when watching movies or reading books, regardless of how tragic they may be. Sure, I’ve had a lump in my throat a time or two, but I never cry. But, I honest to God had tears in my eyes at 3am in the morning. Only a great storyteller would be able to evoke such emotion from me. I don’t know what it is about Cole and Sawyer; they were such honest and relatable characters, but they were also so much more. Just seeing their character development and growth right before my very eyes from beginning to end was a worthwhile journey in itself, romance aside.
Ruthless Knight is not just a love story between two broken souls; it’s a journey of self-recovery, a journey of learning to love yourself, a journey of two unlikely hearts fusing as one.
I always find it a little clichéd and often find myself rolling my eyes when an author’s work is labelled “their best work/book to date” for each and every release, as true as that may be. Having said that, I do not say this lightly when I say Ruthless Knight is by far Ashley Jade’s best work to date!
And is Bianca a dark horse or what? Mark my words, your perception of her will change from Cruel Prince. And something tells me we’ve just hit the tip of the iceberg with Baby Covington in Ruthless Knight, and I cannot wait to see what Ashley has in store for us in Wicked Princess.
**beta-read
Ruthless Knight is a standalone novel, but is best read after Cruel Prince (Royal Hearts Academy #1)
If you think you know Cole from the glimpses of him you see in Cruel Prince, think again.
Picture this:
It’s 1.30am Sunday morning, Ashley Jade sends you the final chapters of Ruthless Knight that you’ve been anticipating for what feels like FOREVER (it’s been a couple of days, really). Naturally, I inhaled those chapters, because who needs sleep when you have Cole and Sawyer to keep you company during the night?
This whole book SLAYED me. I never cry when watching movies or reading books, regardless of how tragic they may be. Sure, I’ve had a lump in my throat a time or two, but I never cry. But, I honest to God had tears in my eyes at 3am in the morning. Only a great storyteller would be able to evoke such emotion from me. I don’t know what it is about Cole and Sawyer; they were such honest and relatable characters, but they were also so much more. Just seeing their character development and growth right before my very eyes from beginning to end was a worthwhile journey in itself, romance aside.
Ruthless Knight is not just a love story between two broken souls; it’s a journey of self-recovery, a journey of learning to love yourself, a journey of two unlikely hearts fusing as one.
I always find it a little clichéd and often find myself rolling my eyes when an author’s work is labelled “their best work/book to date” for each and every release, as true as that may be. Having said that, I do not say this lightly when I say Ruthless Knight is by far Ashley Jade’s best work to date!
And is Bianca a dark horse or what? Mark my words, your perception of her will change from Cruel Prince. And something tells me we’ve just hit the tip of the iceberg with Baby Covington in Ruthless Knight, and I cannot wait to see what Ashley has in store for us in Wicked Princess.
**beta-read
January 26, 2020
Per-fucking-fection. 10 stars !
Finishing this book was like that feeling after you've just rode the biggest roller coaster of your life. Because this whole story WAS an emotional rollercoaster. One minute you're laughing because something one of the characters did then you're pissed off and want to murder someone then you're crying and asking why the fuck the author would put you through this whole ordeal, then all of a sudden it get hot as fuck and you forgot why you were so sad to begin with. And then it happens again multiple times!!!
Ashley Jade wrote such a beautifully emotional story that encompasses every spectrum of the human emotion. She wrote a story that covered such strong topics with such emotion that you couldn't help but feel with the characters. Even if you've never gone through the things these characters have been through you feel it all you mourn, experience anger, betrayal, joy, even the sexual tension is felt.
The characters are beautifully written and show such seamless growth and development. You connect with them in ways you didn't know we're possible. I can go on and on about this book I fell in love with it. I highly recommend you read Cruel Prince first but trust me it will be worth it. Now go get this book because you won't regret it.
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Finishing this book was like that feeling after you've just rode the biggest roller coaster of your life. Because this whole story WAS an emotional rollercoaster. One minute you're laughing because something one of the characters did then you're pissed off and want to murder someone then you're crying and asking why the fuck the author would put you through this whole ordeal, then all of a sudden it get hot as fuck and you forgot why you were so sad to begin with. And then it happens again multiple times!!!
Ashley Jade wrote such a beautifully emotional story that encompasses every spectrum of the human emotion. She wrote a story that covered such strong topics with such emotion that you couldn't help but feel with the characters. Even if you've never gone through the things these characters have been through you feel it all you mourn, experience anger, betrayal, joy, even the sexual tension is felt.
The characters are beautifully written and show such seamless growth and development. You connect with them in ways you didn't know we're possible. I can go on and on about this book I fell in love with it. I highly recommend you read Cruel Prince first but trust me it will be worth it. Now go get this book because you won't regret it.
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January 20, 2020
I thought I was ready for Cole Covington, I thought I knew what I was getting into with his story....I had no idea what was coming. None! Cole is everything I didn’t know I wanted him to be. Behind the mask that he wears is a completely different Cole. He’s a troubled guy, he’s not dealing with his issues, he can be calculated and cruel sometimes but even when he made me hate his actions (he’s definitely no angel) I still couldn’t stop myself from loving him. The more I got to know him, the more I understood why he’s the way he is and the more I understood, the more I loved him. He’s not always easy to like but when he shows his softer side, he is so unbelievably easy to love.
I knew before starting this that Sawyer was going to be my girl. I loved her in Cruel Prince (which does not need to be read first but I highly recommend you do read it) and I fell even more in love with her in this book. She is the star of Ruthless Knight, for me anyway. She’s a one of a kind character and she’s probably the easiest character to relate to that I’ve read, ever. The things she’s dealing with will resonate with a lot of readers, you’re going to feel every ounce of her pain, you’re probably going to get upset, angry, feel disappointed, but you won’t blame her. You’ll want to wrap her up in cotton wool and hurt anyone that hurts her. She definitely brought out my protective instincts. She’s the one character that I ‘got’ immediately. I get what she’s going through, what she’s feeling, why she’s doing what she does. She’s one of those characters I wish was a real person so I could kidnap her and keep her for myself.
The banter between Sawyer and Cole was one of my favourite things about this book. I lived for their little back and forth exchanges, you can feel the attraction between them constantly bubbling under the surface. Their story is an emotional rollercoaster. It really hit me with all the feels. My heart broke for what these two characters have gone through but it was worth every second of it.
I’ve been a fan of this author for years and this is without a doubt Ashley Jades best work to date. She’s elevated everything to the next level with Ruthless Knight. The characters and the story are beautifully written. It deals with some serious/sensitive subjects in an extremely thoughtful way and it made me really think and question a lot of the things brought up in this book. I did a fair bit of soul searching. It’s emotional and angsty but there’s plenty of humour to even it out so it doesn’t drain you and leave you feeling wrung out. The characters, their story and the subjects it deals with will definitely be playing on my mind for a long time to come.
This is a definite must read! With each book this series gets better and better and I can’t recommend this book enough.
I knew before starting this that Sawyer was going to be my girl. I loved her in Cruel Prince (which does not need to be read first but I highly recommend you do read it) and I fell even more in love with her in this book. She is the star of Ruthless Knight, for me anyway. She’s a one of a kind character and she’s probably the easiest character to relate to that I’ve read, ever. The things she’s dealing with will resonate with a lot of readers, you’re going to feel every ounce of her pain, you’re probably going to get upset, angry, feel disappointed, but you won’t blame her. You’ll want to wrap her up in cotton wool and hurt anyone that hurts her. She definitely brought out my protective instincts. She’s the one character that I ‘got’ immediately. I get what she’s going through, what she’s feeling, why she’s doing what she does. She’s one of those characters I wish was a real person so I could kidnap her and keep her for myself.
The banter between Sawyer and Cole was one of my favourite things about this book. I lived for their little back and forth exchanges, you can feel the attraction between them constantly bubbling under the surface. Their story is an emotional rollercoaster. It really hit me with all the feels. My heart broke for what these two characters have gone through but it was worth every second of it.
I’ve been a fan of this author for years and this is without a doubt Ashley Jades best work to date. She’s elevated everything to the next level with Ruthless Knight. The characters and the story are beautifully written. It deals with some serious/sensitive subjects in an extremely thoughtful way and it made me really think and question a lot of the things brought up in this book. I did a fair bit of soul searching. It’s emotional and angsty but there’s plenty of humour to even it out so it doesn’t drain you and leave you feeling wrung out. The characters, their story and the subjects it deals with will definitely be playing on my mind for a long time to come.
This is a definite must read! With each book this series gets better and better and I can’t recommend this book enough.
February 8, 2020
Ashley Jade fucked me up, y'all! She ripped open my chest and kicked me in my gut! My heart fell out onto the floor, and she stomped on it. The feelings she made me feel were real and deep. Days later, I'm still thinking about this story. I can't get it out of my head or my heart.
Sawyer had me under her spell from the second she appeared on the page. My love for her is hard to put into words. She is just such a relatable character for me. Her struggle is one that isn't usually discussed in romance novels in the particular way it is in this book. Whether you can identify with her or not, you'll feel her pain. The author made sure of it. She tugged the fuck out of my heart strings, and I guarantee you, she'll pull the shit out of yours, too.
As much as Sawyer's story touched me, Cole's destroyed me. He may be a dick at times, but if you don't feel for the guy or his family at least a little bit by the time you get to the end of the book, there's a chance you don't a soul. Lol Just saying.
If you've read Cruel Prince, you already know what happened to Cole's brother Liam. In this book, we're given yet another piece to the puzzle, and it's an even more painful one. This series focuses on so much more than just the romance between the main couple in each book. It's also the collective story of a family dealing with guilt and grief. The author tackles this aspect of the series in an incredibly raw and realistic way that I haven't come across in any other novel. Not everything in life can be fixed or changed, and she doesn't sugarcoat that fact.
Bottom line, Ruthless Knight is the kind of story you don't forget. It's packed with so much more than your average new adult romance. The author completely obliterated my expectations, and I can't wait for the next installment!
If you've read Cruel Prince, and are wondering if you should continue on in the series, you definitely should! If you haven't yet started this series, do it! It's fantastically written, and the stories have a surprising amount of depth.
New adult romance fans, this one's for you!
Sawyer had me under her spell from the second she appeared on the page. My love for her is hard to put into words. She is just such a relatable character for me. Her struggle is one that isn't usually discussed in romance novels in the particular way it is in this book. Whether you can identify with her or not, you'll feel her pain. The author made sure of it. She tugged the fuck out of my heart strings, and I guarantee you, she'll pull the shit out of yours, too.
As much as Sawyer's story touched me, Cole's destroyed me. He may be a dick at times, but if you don't feel for the guy or his family at least a little bit by the time you get to the end of the book, there's a chance you don't a soul. Lol Just saying.
If you've read Cruel Prince, you already know what happened to Cole's brother Liam. In this book, we're given yet another piece to the puzzle, and it's an even more painful one. This series focuses on so much more than just the romance between the main couple in each book. It's also the collective story of a family dealing with guilt and grief. The author tackles this aspect of the series in an incredibly raw and realistic way that I haven't come across in any other novel. Not everything in life can be fixed or changed, and she doesn't sugarcoat that fact.
Bottom line, Ruthless Knight is the kind of story you don't forget. It's packed with so much more than your average new adult romance. The author completely obliterated my expectations, and I can't wait for the next installment!
If you've read Cruel Prince, and are wondering if you should continue on in the series, you definitely should! If you haven't yet started this series, do it! It's fantastically written, and the stories have a surprising amount of depth.
New adult romance fans, this one's for you!
October 27, 2024
– re-read n°2: 4.5 stars (aug 2024)
I just want to tell you, whoever will read this, that you are beautiful, you are worth it and YOU ARE ENOUGH. It doesn't matter what society tells you how you should look, which size you are, how you should behave. Fuck it all, cause you are perfect the way you are!
Was this book perfect? Definitely not. But you know what it was? It was so real. It made me damn emotional from the beginning and the last 10% of the book literally ripped my heart out, therefore it deserves full 5 stars. Ruthless Knight is so much more than a love story. I really believe that everyone can see a part of themselves in these characters.
The book perfectly captured that life can get ugly pretty quickly.
What I loved most about Ruthless Knight is how relatable and perfectly flawed each of these characters were. The flaws were what made me fall in love with these characters in the first place.
The message of the book is just so powerful. I mean, who hasn't in their entire life at some point felt like they are not enough? Probably everyone. I don't know a single person who doesn't have scars. Some just hide it better than others. Sawyer wants to be accepted just the way she is and Cole want to feel loved. My favorite think about Cole & Sawyer is that they see the beauty in each other when it seems like no one else does. Cole loves Sawyer not only for her body but he sees her ginormous heart and brain too. Despite his ruthless exterior, Sawyer sees and loves Cole's sensitive heart and they are absolutely perfect.
If someone would have asked me months ago if I would take a bullet for Cole Covington, my answer would have been to laugh and walk away. Now? I would take the entire magazine for him. He and Sawyer are my babies and they deserve so much love and happiness. I didn't expect to to cry this much reading Ruthless Knight, but this story really touched me. Together with Oakley, Cole and Sawyer are the best characters of the series. They are a bunch of fucked up teens with serious issues, but if that doesn't make me love them even more.
Tomorrow I will probably have more to say about the book, but for now I'm just super happy how the book turned out. Cole and Sawyer got a new supporter in me! I haven't even finish this book 24 hours ago and want to reread. I know already that they are one of my favourite couple of 202o! Not ready to say goodbye to Cole and Sawyer. I can't wait to see them again in 'Wicked Princess'! <3
Sometimes, when you least expect it...two beautifully broken souls end up finding each other.4.5/5
Even when the world says they're not supposed to..because they don't fit inside the same box.
I just want to tell you, whoever will read this, that you are beautiful, you are worth it and YOU ARE ENOUGH. It doesn't matter what society tells you how you should look, which size you are, how you should behave. Fuck it all, cause you are perfect the way you are!
Was this book perfect? Definitely not. But you know what it was? It was so real. It made me damn emotional from the beginning and the last 10% of the book literally ripped my heart out, therefore it deserves full 5 stars. Ruthless Knight is so much more than a love story. I really believe that everyone can see a part of themselves in these characters.
The book perfectly captured that life can get ugly pretty quickly.
What I loved most about Ruthless Knight is how relatable and perfectly flawed each of these characters were. The flaws were what made me fall in love with these characters in the first place.
"I'm sorry I hurt you."
Her blue eyes cloud with sadness. "I'm sorry you hurt you."
The message of the book is just so powerful. I mean, who hasn't in their entire life at some point felt like they are not enough? Probably everyone. I don't know a single person who doesn't have scars. Some just hide it better than others. Sawyer wants to be accepted just the way she is and Cole want to feel loved. My favorite think about Cole & Sawyer is that they see the beauty in each other when it seems like no one else does. Cole loves Sawyer not only for her body but he sees her ginormous heart and brain too. Despite his ruthless exterior, Sawyer sees and loves Cole's sensitive heart and they are absolutely perfect.
If someone would have asked me months ago if I would take a bullet for Cole Covington, my answer would have been to laugh and walk away. Now? I would take the entire magazine for him. He and Sawyer are my babies and they deserve so much love and happiness. I didn't expect to to cry this much reading Ruthless Knight, but this story really touched me. Together with Oakley, Cole and Sawyer are the best characters of the series. They are a bunch of fucked up teens with serious issues, but if that doesn't make me love them even more.
Tomorrow I will probably have more to say about the book, but for now I'm just super happy how the book turned out. Cole and Sawyer got a new supporter in me! I haven't even finish this book 24 hours ago and want to reread. I know already that they are one of my favourite couple of 202o! Not ready to say goodbye to Cole and Sawyer. I can't wait to see them again in 'Wicked Princess'! <3
January 26, 2020
This is probably one of my MOST ANTICIPATED books of 2020...
Luckily, it was totally worth the wait!!! 🎉💃
📚 “𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘀𝗼 𝗳𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗴𝗹𝘆?” 📚
Cole and Sawyer are complete opposites.
Cole is the popular football star, the hot king of high school, the one that all the boys want to be like and all the girls want to be with - but he's fake... 😱
Sawyer is the fat nerd with the glasses, the one who goes to church every Sunday, that everyone at school laughs and bully's - but she's real... 😱
Despite all that, these saints and sinner have one thing in common: they both don't like themselves. 💔
This book deals with an important question - is it possible to love someone else before loving our self's...? 💔
Have you ever felt inferior about your looks, which not always match to society's crooked standards? Have you ever felt guilty about past decisions that cannot be changed, corrected or forgotten...? This is a story about real, imperfect characters - who teamed up together PERFECTLY! 💚
📚 "𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝘁… 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿.
𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼…𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘅." 📚
When I started reading and saw there were 100 chapters (not including the prologue and epilogue!!! 🙈) I'll admit, I was worried... like, what is there to write so much about?! 😂
At first I felt that there were some repetitive parts, but pretty quickly everything turned upside down... because I couldn't stop reading and didn't want the book to end, like... EVER!!! 🙏😂
Make no mistake, this book was NOT perfect... It had a lot of ugliness and self-hatred... but it was not perfect in a PERFECT WAY!!! 💚
Not only was the plot amazing - but Ashley Jade was able to convey an important message about self-love: because no matter whether you're thin or full, high or short, wearing branded clothes or not... what's important is to accept and love yourself as you are. 😍
I will not elaborate so as not to make spoilers AND because if I start writing what this couple did to my poor heart (especially towards the end 💔😭) I will probably write 600 pages myself... but if you ask me, this is Ashley's best book yet. She wrote about painful and real issues, handled them with care - and undoubtedly poured her heart and soul into this book. 👑💚
📚 "𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲…𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴.
𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗴𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗱 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗲." 📚
This is a second book in the "Royal Hearts Academy" series and can be read as a standalone - but I recommend reading Jace (Cole's older brother) and Dylan's (Sawyer's best friend) story first. 💙😍
All that is left for me now is to wait for Bianca's book, the little (and CRAZY 😈) sister of the Covington family, I'm sure it'll be just as awesome!!! 🎉💕💃
*** 𝕀 𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕖𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕕 𝕒𝕟 𝔸ℝℂ 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕣 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕒𝕟 𝕙����𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕥 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 ***
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September 17, 2021
DNF at 75% but I did skim towards the end and I’m glad I stopped at 75.
Before I state my reasons for DNFing, I want to say that I searched for content warnings for this book. Why? Because this book needed it. Big time.
And I all I saw was a condescending “warning”: “Royal Hearts Academy is New Adult/High School series of stand-alone a filled with drama, a touch of angst, and boys who are bad to the bone. The characters are flawed. If you’re looking for safe, sweet romance with nice heroes and heroines who are perfect all the time, this series is not for you.”
Right.
I mean, a book can be sweet and still have imperfect and flawed characters but whatever.
Anyway, since there was no clear content warning for the book, I will add them here because I personally believe this book has a lot of heavy subjects that were not dealt with sensitively. I don’t want any of my friends who are struggling right now to get triggered by some of the scenes in this book.
CW:
That said, this book wasn’t for me. I was bored out of my mind. How in the world does a book with so much drama be this boring? It’s truly a magnificent feat.
It meanders unevenly up to 75% on my kindle before shit hits the fan and everything just rushed towards the end. There’s also lots of repetition. And then there’s the drama and not the fun kind. Yes, I know they’re in high school, yada yada, but can we at least get some variety? It’s same drama, different day type of thing and after Cole’s third mantrum, it kinda got boring. I'm tired of authors using "but this is high school" as an excuse to write underdeveloped stories set in high school where the kids act and talk like 30 year olds!
But my biggest complaint with this book was probably how Sawyer was characterized. Sawyer is fat and so of course, we get scenes and scenes of fat shaming. I’m sure a lot of people can relate to Sawyer’s insecurities, as do I. Being bullied because of your weight sucks. But what really irked me is how heavy handed and insensitive her weight was tackled. Not only Yeah, I'm totally making Jesus Ex-Machina into a thing.
Anyway, I really just found this one boring and unimaginative. There’s lots of familiar scenes from popular 90s & 2000s teen movies in this book. It’s not a scene for scene copy but that protein bar trick was definitely Mean Girls, all the way down to the freak out scene. EDIT: The author now claims that it's totally on purpose. Right.roll eyes
Before I state my reasons for DNFing, I want to say that I searched for content warnings for this book. Why? Because this book needed it. Big time.
And I all I saw was a condescending “warning”: “Royal Hearts Academy is New Adult/High School series of stand-alone a filled with drama, a touch of angst, and boys who are bad to the bone. The characters are flawed. If you’re looking for safe, sweet romance with nice heroes and heroines who are perfect all the time, this series is not for you.”
Right.
I mean, a book can be sweet and still have imperfect and flawed characters but whatever.
Anyway, since there was no clear content warning for the book, I will add them here because I personally believe this book has a lot of heavy subjects that were not dealt with sensitively. I don’t want any of my friends who are struggling right now to get triggered by some of the scenes in this book.
CW:
That said, this book wasn’t for me. I was bored out of my mind. How in the world does a book with so much drama be this boring? It’s truly a magnificent feat.
It meanders unevenly up to 75% on my kindle before shit hits the fan and everything just rushed towards the end. There’s also lots of repetition. And then there’s the drama and not the fun kind. Yes, I know they’re in high school, yada yada, but can we at least get some variety? It’s same drama, different day type of thing and after Cole’s third mantrum, it kinda got boring. I'm tired of authors using "but this is high school" as an excuse to write underdeveloped stories set in high school where the kids act and talk like 30 year olds!
But my biggest complaint with this book was probably how Sawyer was characterized. Sawyer is fat and so of course, we get scenes and scenes of fat shaming. I’m sure a lot of people can relate to Sawyer’s insecurities, as do I. Being bullied because of your weight sucks. But what really irked me is how heavy handed and insensitive her weight was tackled. Not only Yeah, I'm totally making Jesus Ex-Machina into a thing.
Anyway, I really just found this one boring and unimaginative. There’s lots of familiar scenes from popular 90s & 2000s teen movies in this book. It’s not a scene for scene copy but that protein bar trick was definitely Mean Girls, all the way down to the freak out scene. EDIT: The author now claims that it's totally on purpose. Right.roll eyes
September 5, 2020
4 stars
Oh the drama and the angst! Ruthless Knight was full of it, but I couldn’t stop reading it!
After reading ‘Cruel Prince’ I couldn’t wait to get my hands on ‘Ruthless Knight’. I mean, a chubby, nerdy, religious high school girl… that was legit me in school. I wanted to know more about Sawyer because you don’t get a ton of NA heroines like her. And she’s paired with Cole, the quarterback of the football team. I was so here for it.
I did love Sawyer and Cole. I think a little too much happened in this book (hence the OOT drama) but I loved that it tackled some difficult topics that aren’t always talked about. There is a big part of me that wanted Sawyer to stick to her guns about a certain topic, but I can understand why the author made the choice she did. Cole was a jerk at times, but he’s had a hard life and hearing his story made my sympathize with him.
This couple had a lot of struggles to go through to make their relationship work. There was no easy path for them, but they forged one anyway. I loved how Cole saw Sawyer- really saw her, and how Sawyer stood up to Cole. This had a fun fake dating element along with some super emotional moments. Overall, I liked it much better than the first and I’m looking forward to reading more in this series. I need an Oakley book in my life!
Oh the drama and the angst! Ruthless Knight was full of it, but I couldn’t stop reading it!
After reading ‘Cruel Prince’ I couldn’t wait to get my hands on ‘Ruthless Knight’. I mean, a chubby, nerdy, religious high school girl… that was legit me in school. I wanted to know more about Sawyer because you don’t get a ton of NA heroines like her. And she’s paired with Cole, the quarterback of the football team. I was so here for it.
I did love Sawyer and Cole. I think a little too much happened in this book (hence the OOT drama) but I loved that it tackled some difficult topics that aren’t always talked about. There is a big part of me that wanted Sawyer to stick to her guns about a certain topic, but I can understand why the author made the choice she did. Cole was a jerk at times, but he’s had a hard life and hearing his story made my sympathize with him.
This couple had a lot of struggles to go through to make their relationship work. There was no easy path for them, but they forged one anyway. I loved how Cole saw Sawyer- really saw her, and how Sawyer stood up to Cole. This had a fun fake dating element along with some super emotional moments. Overall, I liked it much better than the first and I’m looking forward to reading more in this series. I need an Oakley book in my life!
“You think love is perfect? Like one of those fairytales?” He shakes his head. “Hell no. Love is hard…difficult. It’s dealing with someone’s shit day in and day out but never giving up on them because your heart won’t let you. It’s having a million reasons to leave them…but always having one good reason to stay.”
August 21, 2021
5⭐️
All I felt was pain while reading it. Hell I don’t even know how to feel about this because I love it but hate this book at the same time. I didn’t expect to get this kind of a reaction woah.
Man I had to take 3 big breaks in this book because my heart couldn’t handle it. Like I was actually contemplating on DNFing it at 88% not because it was bad but because it kept fucking with me. Every time I think about this book or look at the cover, I fucking start crying. Its safe to say that this book emotionally destroyed me, not even in a bad way. I think I took this story way too fucking seriously. I love Sawyer so much, she’s so fucking brave because god knows I would be fucking sad if even half the shit was said to me in that way back in high school. People are so hateful to big girls and its fucking sad.
To all my big girls: You are beautiful no matter what society calls beautiful.
God Cole being neglected as a child fucking hurt. I mean I swear to god I felt so bad for him because being under the shadow of a sibling is already hard but add in your parents not caring for you? Man I would fucking cry for hours.
Also, by chapter 61 I was literally contemplating on dying its like they are fucking take 1 step forward and 2 steps back. This book was like 600 pages of pain because it just felt so fucking realistic.
update:
i need someone to fight for me like cole fought for sawyer. i also need to love myself like sawyer did at the end.
“You are so much more than a stupid fucking number on a scale.”
All I felt was pain while reading it. Hell I don’t even know how to feel about this because I love it but hate this book at the same time. I didn’t expect to get this kind of a reaction woah.
Man I had to take 3 big breaks in this book because my heart couldn’t handle it. Like I was actually contemplating on DNFing it at 88% not because it was bad but because it kept fucking with me. Every time I think about this book or look at the cover, I fucking start crying. Its safe to say that this book emotionally destroyed me, not even in a bad way. I think I took this story way too fucking seriously. I love Sawyer so much, she’s so fucking brave because god knows I would be fucking sad if even half the shit was said to me in that way back in high school. People are so hateful to big girls and its fucking sad.
To all my big girls: You are beautiful no matter what society calls beautiful.
God Cole being neglected as a child fucking hurt. I mean I swear to god I felt so bad for him because being under the shadow of a sibling is already hard but add in your parents not caring for you? Man I would fucking cry for hours.
Also, by chapter 61 I was literally contemplating on dying its like they are fucking take 1 step forward and 2 steps back. This book was like 600 pages of pain because it just felt so fucking realistic.
update:
i need someone to fight for me like cole fought for sawyer. i also need to love myself like sawyer did at the end.
January 21, 2020
Ashley really knows how to twist the knife deep in your heart. Her earlier books are a testament to her tear inducing skills with angst and pain. In Cruel Prince we saw Jace and Dylan, in this one we meet Cole & Sawyer.
Though these stories can be read as standalone, it helps if you read them in order to connect the dots.
The characters are so broken, full of insecurities and complexes that their relationship becomes an enabling swamp of toxic mud which sucks them in. They're trapped, unable to move forward or escape. Their verbal exchanges broke my heart. I wanted to hug Sawyer and strangle Cole at times....actually many times.
It's emotionally explorative and deeply moving story about love gone wrong till the pieces of puzzle click and the heart is whole again
I love Ashley and if you need a good cry after you've torn out your hair in frustration, pick up Ashley book and cuss your heart out!!
4.5 stars for Sole who tore my Soul
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Though these stories can be read as standalone, it helps if you read them in order to connect the dots.
The characters are so broken, full of insecurities and complexes that their relationship becomes an enabling swamp of toxic mud which sucks them in. They're trapped, unable to move forward or escape. Their verbal exchanges broke my heart. I wanted to hug Sawyer and strangle Cole at times....actually many times.
It's emotionally explorative and deeply moving story about love gone wrong till the pieces of puzzle click and the heart is whole again
I love Ashley and if you need a good cry after you've torn out your hair in frustration, pick up Ashley book and cuss your heart out!!
4.5 stars for Sole who tore my Soul
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Follow me on:
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January 28, 2020
you know the kind of drama that's OTT but still makes you feel all the feels? yeah its this book.
i know some might be tired of the typical popular quarterback falling in love with the nerdy, religious girl that everyone makes fun of BUT this was still pretty good despite its flaws and a weakness of mine is friendship dynamic/group and i think it had a good one here.
i was a bit nervous to read this cuz apparently Cole is worse than Jace but he honestly is NOT. Jace was an unlikeable asshole, whereas Cole was a somewhat loveable asshole. he had more personality and substance compared to Jace in my opinion, and for that i ended up connecting with him and being emotionally invested in him.
but anyways, if you liked the first book and in the mood for the new adult high school romance with dark subject matters (suicide, bullying, fat-shaming, body dysmorphia, drug-use) then i recommend this.
now moving on to SPOILER talk :
↠ OTT drama:
there was A LOT of drama here and to be honest, some are pretty OTT but others aren't. though, there was so much drama that there's so much happening in the book. and at times, the resolution for the dramas were too quick so then another drama comes in and then it goes on and on. it was just a circle going round and round. i did actually have the feels here especially when it came to Liam, i really love that dude and i wish there were more flashback scenes with him, however, there was just too much going on that i ended up getting a headache.
↠ characters:
the characters i hated in the first book ended up becoming likeable here. I grew to like Bianca even though she was a mean bully but my feelings towards her are like my feelings towards Blair Waldorf. can't help but like the bishh. And Oakley? I LOVE THAT DUDE. he honestly made this book for me and there were so many funny moments because of him! love a good character development.
speaking of Oakley and Bianca...
i DO NOT ship these two. im sorry. i secretly ship Stone and Bianca more. can y'all just imagine the angst for that book? and honestly, Oakley's too much of a ho and im not down for petty OW drama in her book.
i definitely liked Cole waaay more than Jace. there were plenty of grovelling scenes here and i appreciated it. i loved how he fought for Sawyer and basically GREW THE F UP. he learned from his mistakes and ya know what, good for him. though, i wish we got more inner monologue about him regretting his actions towards Sawyer since he had a hand on bullying her and humiliating her plenty of times, feeding into her inner demons.
as for Sawyer, weeelll i didn't really connect with her and i knew that THAT was gonna happen to her at the end. her inner monologue didn't really annoy me because i understand her insecurities. i actually studied a bit bout body dysmorphia (though, im not an expert) and it helped that i understood that this is an occurrence prominent with teenage girls, so with that knowledge, it definitely helped me understand more about Sawyer's psyche. i honestly just wanted to hug her but also give her some tough love at the same time.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
↠ overall thoughts
i thought that this was a pretty solid book. i agree with Phuong's review, but i also agree with Bee's review. i honestly didn't know how to rate this cuz im kind of in between but just know that this was a decent read and be ready for hard hitting subjects.
3.5 stars
i know some might be tired of the typical popular quarterback falling in love with the nerdy, religious girl that everyone makes fun of BUT this was still pretty good despite its flaws and a weakness of mine is friendship dynamic/group and i think it had a good one here.
i was a bit nervous to read this cuz apparently Cole is worse than Jace but he honestly is NOT. Jace was an unlikeable asshole, whereas Cole was a somewhat loveable asshole. he had more personality and substance compared to Jace in my opinion, and for that i ended up connecting with him and being emotionally invested in him.
but anyways, if you liked the first book and in the mood for the new adult high school romance with dark subject matters (suicide, bullying, fat-shaming, body dysmorphia, drug-use) then i recommend this.
now moving on to SPOILER talk :
↠ OTT drama:
there was A LOT of drama here and to be honest, some are pretty OTT but others aren't. though, there was so much drama that there's so much happening in the book. and at times, the resolution for the dramas were too quick so then another drama comes in and then it goes on and on. it was just a circle going round and round. i did actually have the feels here especially when it came to Liam, i really love that dude and i wish there were more flashback scenes with him, however, there was just too much going on that i ended up getting a headache.
↠ characters:
the characters i hated in the first book ended up becoming likeable here. I grew to like Bianca even though she was a mean bully but my feelings towards her are like my feelings towards Blair Waldorf. can't help but like the bishh. And Oakley? I LOVE THAT DUDE. he honestly made this book for me and there were so many funny moments because of him! love a good character development.
speaking of Oakley and Bianca...
i DO NOT ship these two. im sorry. i secretly ship Stone and Bianca more. can y'all just imagine the angst for that book? and honestly, Oakley's too much of a ho and im not down for petty OW drama in her book.
i definitely liked Cole waaay more than Jace. there were plenty of grovelling scenes here and i appreciated it. i loved how he fought for Sawyer and basically GREW THE F UP. he learned from his mistakes and ya know what, good for him. though, i wish we got more inner monologue about him regretting his actions towards Sawyer since he had a hand on bullying her and humiliating her plenty of times, feeding into her inner demons.
as for Sawyer, weeelll i didn't really connect with her and i knew that THAT was gonna happen to her at the end. her inner monologue didn't really annoy me because i understand her insecurities. i actually studied a bit bout body dysmorphia (though, im not an expert) and it helped that i understood that this is an occurrence prominent with teenage girls, so with that knowledge, it definitely helped me understand more about Sawyer's psyche. i honestly just wanted to hug her but also give her some tough love at the same time.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
↠ overall thoughts
i thought that this was a pretty solid book. i agree with Phuong's review, but i also agree with Bee's review. i honestly didn't know how to rate this cuz im kind of in between but just know that this was a decent read and be ready for hard hitting subjects.
3.5 stars
November 10, 2023
3/5
August 24, 2023 3/5
January 20, 2022 5/5
Well, this reread was an unfortunate downgrade. I honestly don't know why I gave it five stars in the first place. I will just put the three stars here because I have some weird sense of sentiment for this book.
I'm too mad a tired of this book to write a review, so I will just list things I hated here, and two things I genuinely I liked.
I will start with the positive note, our heroine Sawyer. I loved that girl. She was a good person with shitty parents and a school that hated her for no reason. No reason because hating on someone for being plus size is just plain stupid. She was smart until, she decided to take Cole back every time he fucked up. She deserved someone better than him, after everything she had to went through with him. Only because of her weight.
The next and last positive thing here is the writing style. I have already read three books by this author, each of them was thick and each time I managed to read them in less than two days.
Moving to the less pleasant part. Things I hated, or more like the person I hated. Cole Covington. I despise this guy. There isn't enough room in the goodreads review form to list the things he did to Sawyer. I will never understand how she could ever forgive him. She had her whole life ahead of her and decided to pick a moron who thought it would be a good idea to bet the other moron on his team for his Ferrari.
I don’t even want to talk about his twin brother death. He was a piece of shit to him, because he was jealous. I know he was a kid, but reading the past chapters made me want to go inside the book and slap him hard enough for him to wake up after his twin lived a happy life without him in it.
I'm glad I decided to skip the first book because I didn't like the main couple from there here.
Royal Hearts Academy series
2. Ruthless Knight 2.5/5
3. Wicked Princess 3/5
4. Broken Kingdom, (Royal Hearts Academy, #4) tbr, maybe one day
August 24, 2023 3/5
January 20, 2022 5/5
Well, this reread was an unfortunate downgrade. I honestly don't know why I gave it five stars in the first place. I will just put the three stars here because I have some weird sense of sentiment for this book.
I'm too mad a tired of this book to write a review, so I will just list things I hated here, and two things I genuinely I liked.
I will start with the positive note, our heroine Sawyer. I loved that girl. She was a good person with shitty parents and a school that hated her for no reason. No reason because hating on someone for being plus size is just plain stupid. She was smart until, she decided to take Cole back every time he fucked up. She deserved someone better than him, after everything she had to went through with him. Only because of her weight.
The next and last positive thing here is the writing style. I have already read three books by this author, each of them was thick and each time I managed to read them in less than two days.
Moving to the less pleasant part. Things I hated, or more like the person I hated. Cole Covington. I despise this guy. There isn't enough room in the goodreads review form to list the things he did to Sawyer. I will never understand how she could ever forgive him. She had her whole life ahead of her and decided to pick a moron who thought it would be a good idea to bet the other moron on his team for his Ferrari.
I don’t even want to talk about his twin brother death. He was a piece of shit to him, because he was jealous. I know he was a kid, but reading the past chapters made me want to go inside the book and slap him hard enough for him to wake up after his twin lived a happy life without him in it.
I'm glad I decided to skip the first book because I didn't like the main couple from there here.
Royal Hearts Academy series
2. Ruthless Knight 2.5/5
3. Wicked Princess 3/5
4. Broken Kingdom, (Royal Hearts Academy, #4) tbr, maybe one day
May 25, 2020
While I have been straying away from New Adult recently, I read the first book of this series, Cruel Prince, a few months ago and really enjoyed it. People kept on telling me that book two was even better, so I knew I had to pick it up and read Cole's book!
Going in, I knew that this was going to be heavy. Cole's twin brother had committed suicide when they were in middle school and that is still something that has weighed on Cole's conscious. What I didn't know, though, was that Sawyer is a curvy main character and a lot of this book deals with people's opinions on her weight, her insecurities of her weight, and her dealing with an eating disorder. I really loved that we had a plus-sized main character, I just wish that the conflict with Sawyer's weight and mental health over the last 200 pages was woven into the previous 400 pages of the story. It felt like the last 200 pages were just an extension of the romance, so it felt like the story was dragging a bit too much to get to page 600.
That, though, is my only complaint about this whole book. While Cole and Sawyer hated each other at the beginning of the book because of something Cole did, I think Cole did a sufficient amount of groveling and self-growth that it was actually believable why Sawyer liked him and gave into him. Also, I had NO IDEA this had a fake dating trope! I loved how Sawyer and Cole pretended to date and ended up falling for each other. They had some serious chemistry and I loved how they both helped each other through some really tough moments in their lives.
Overall, I loved this book. The last 200 pages were pretty hard to read because of the topics they cover, especially when we had a flashback that played out Cole's brother's suicide again (we had it in book one), but that made me love and care for these characters even more. They are just broken people trying to find their way in the world. I can't recommend this series enough and I cannot wait for book three!
Going in, I knew that this was going to be heavy. Cole's twin brother had committed suicide when they were in middle school and that is still something that has weighed on Cole's conscious. What I didn't know, though, was that Sawyer is a curvy main character and a lot of this book deals with people's opinions on her weight, her insecurities of her weight, and her dealing with an eating disorder. I really loved that we had a plus-sized main character, I just wish that the conflict with Sawyer's weight and mental health over the last 200 pages was woven into the previous 400 pages of the story. It felt like the last 200 pages were just an extension of the romance, so it felt like the story was dragging a bit too much to get to page 600.
That, though, is my only complaint about this whole book. While Cole and Sawyer hated each other at the beginning of the book because of something Cole did, I think Cole did a sufficient amount of groveling and self-growth that it was actually believable why Sawyer liked him and gave into him. Also, I had NO IDEA this had a fake dating trope! I loved how Sawyer and Cole pretended to date and ended up falling for each other. They had some serious chemistry and I loved how they both helped each other through some really tough moments in their lives.
Overall, I loved this book. The last 200 pages were pretty hard to read because of the topics they cover, especially when we had a flashback that played out Cole's brother's suicide again (we had it in book one), but that made me love and care for these characters even more. They are just broken people trying to find their way in the world. I can't recommend this series enough and I cannot wait for book three!
January 23, 2020
Hands down to my favorite book of the year. I know that I will read more books that I’ll love and that will be especial to me, but this book will always be my number one.
When I read Cruel Prince, I cared more about these two than I cared about the main characters. They had two scenes in that book but those two scenes were enough for me to fall in love with them.
I want everyone to read this book, because the message in this book is just.... everything. There people out there who thinks that in orden for them to be pretty they have to skinny and that’s not true. If you’re skinny, curvy, plus size or fat, you need to know that you’re beautiful not matter your weight, height or color. We are all beautiful.
I think Sawyer Church is one of the female characters that I can relate the most. All things she used to think about herself, I used to think the same things about myself too. I cried a lot reading this story, suffered a lot too, but the end of this book made really happy. Cole Covington, I loved him before I’ve read this book but after reading book? I have no words. All Cole wanted was be loved. He always felt like he was left out, that nobody wanted him and that would’ve been better if he were dead. Cole and Sawyer are perfect for each other, they see the best of each other, and if you’d ask me I would say they’re soulmates. I loved how much Cole loved Sawyer. He never cared about weight, he always told her she was beautiful and he loved her because of who she was inside and out.
These two mean everything to me. Please, someone tell me where I can adopt fictional characters because I’m ready to adopt these two.
I can’t wait to read Bianca’s book. I didn’t care about her in Cruel Prince but in this book? I loved her. She’s my wicked bitch, my favorite mean girl. I’m so ready for her.
Everyone please read this book!!
*ARC provided in exchange of an honest review.
When I read Cruel Prince, I cared more about these two than I cared about the main characters. They had two scenes in that book but those two scenes were enough for me to fall in love with them.
I want everyone to read this book, because the message in this book is just.... everything. There people out there who thinks that in orden for them to be pretty they have to skinny and that’s not true. If you’re skinny, curvy, plus size or fat, you need to know that you’re beautiful not matter your weight, height or color. We are all beautiful.
I think Sawyer Church is one of the female characters that I can relate the most. All things she used to think about herself, I used to think the same things about myself too. I cried a lot reading this story, suffered a lot too, but the end of this book made really happy. Cole Covington, I loved him before I’ve read this book but after reading book? I have no words. All Cole wanted was be loved. He always felt like he was left out, that nobody wanted him and that would’ve been better if he were dead. Cole and Sawyer are perfect for each other, they see the best of each other, and if you’d ask me I would say they’re soulmates. I loved how much Cole loved Sawyer. He never cared about weight, he always told her she was beautiful and he loved her because of who she was inside and out.
These two mean everything to me. Please, someone tell me where I can adopt fictional characters because I’m ready to adopt these two.
I can’t wait to read Bianca’s book. I didn’t care about her in Cruel Prince but in this book? I loved her. She’s my wicked bitch, my favorite mean girl. I’m so ready for her.
Everyone please read this book!!
*ARC provided in exchange of an honest review.
August 25, 2022
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
I don't even know where to start, I'm in shock, first I wanted to say that I read this book with 100 CHAPTERS in 7 hours, I was sobbing and with a big headache at 5:00 am, but honestly it was so worthy.
I honestly cry with every book, but I don't think I've cried so much with something, this has been just wow, I really don't have words, Ashley Jade give us a story that now it's one of my favorites because it was really perfect.
I read someone saying that Sawyer and Cole are two sides of the same coin, and I wholeheartedly agree, thinking about it the book is so much more than a love story, this is about two characters who tend to hate themselves for something they did or for how they look, and the way Ashley managed to make them grow from there without erasing a big part of what they are was fantastic.
Now talking about their relationship, I had doubts before reading because I heard that Cole was worse than Jace, and in a weird way he is, his pain and the way he sees the world its darkest, but on the inside, he's a really good guy.
Cole and sawyer weren't a normal story and the way they start their relationship wasn't normal at all, but God, it was so beautiful seeing him being real with her and her finding her confidence with him.
And not only the story is fantastic, but Ashley Jade delivers a great message about self-love, no matter how skinny or overweight you are, accepting yourself and knowing that you're worthy of everything good that happens to you it's so important.
I don't want to give spoilers and I don't want to write more because I know I'm going to end up writing a whole paragraph about me crying for them, but guys seriously, this book was just something else, I connected with the characters so fast, the book is long, but the plot, it’s so good that honestly after you finish you'll want 200 pages more, it was perfect, thank you, Ashley, for providing me with an arc for this book, is already one of my favorites of 2020
I don't even know where to start, I'm in shock, first I wanted to say that I read this book with 100 CHAPTERS in 7 hours, I was sobbing and with a big headache at 5:00 am, but honestly it was so worthy.
I honestly cry with every book, but I don't think I've cried so much with something, this has been just wow, I really don't have words, Ashley Jade give us a story that now it's one of my favorites because it was really perfect.
I read someone saying that Sawyer and Cole are two sides of the same coin, and I wholeheartedly agree, thinking about it the book is so much more than a love story, this is about two characters who tend to hate themselves for something they did or for how they look, and the way Ashley managed to make them grow from there without erasing a big part of what they are was fantastic.
Now talking about their relationship, I had doubts before reading because I heard that Cole was worse than Jace, and in a weird way he is, his pain and the way he sees the world its darkest, but on the inside, he's a really good guy.
Cole and sawyer weren't a normal story and the way they start their relationship wasn't normal at all, but God, it was so beautiful seeing him being real with her and her finding her confidence with him.
And not only the story is fantastic, but Ashley Jade delivers a great message about self-love, no matter how skinny or overweight you are, accepting yourself and knowing that you're worthy of everything good that happens to you it's so important.
I don't want to give spoilers and I don't want to write more because I know I'm going to end up writing a whole paragraph about me crying for them, but guys seriously, this book was just something else, I connected with the characters so fast, the book is long, but the plot, it’s so good that honestly after you finish you'll want 200 pages more, it was perfect, thank you, Ashley, for providing me with an arc for this book, is already one of my favorites of 2020
March 27, 2020
I finished this book in a day, and it is not a short book! I think this is my second five star rate of the year and I don’t give many!
I ADORE Sawyer so much, I feel her pain, her insecurities about her body, her constant fight with body image... everything she went trough I have felt it as well! This is why books like this, with fat representation are so important. Showing the hot guy falling for the nerd, the fat girl is not shown up much on books. We ,girls, start to believe that’s the norm.
We can’t get the hot guy because of our trousers size... it is about time for authors to bring diversity into literature, more specially romance books.
I love everything about this book, Cole is just an asshole at the beginning but I fell in love with him despite himself lol.
This is my favorite book of this trilogy so far, love love love. 100000000000 ⭐️
Previous review: OMG!Can’t wait! I love Cole in the first book, hope he and Sawyer can become a thing in this book!!!
I ADORE Sawyer so much, I feel her pain, her insecurities about her body, her constant fight with body image... everything she went trough I have felt it as well! This is why books like this, with fat representation are so important. Showing the hot guy falling for the nerd, the fat girl is not shown up much on books. We ,girls, start to believe that’s the norm.
We can’t get the hot guy because of our trousers size... it is about time for authors to bring diversity into literature, more specially romance books.
I love everything about this book, Cole is just an asshole at the beginning but I fell in love with him despite himself lol.
This is my favorite book of this trilogy so far, love love love. 100000000000 ⭐️
Previous review: OMG!Can’t wait! I love Cole in the first book, hope he and Sawyer can become a thing in this book!!!
Read
August 13, 2021i knew sawyer was better than dylan the second she had an asthma attack midst cole sucking her tits
and i knew i liked cole the sec he snored (nuzzling sawyer’s left tit) while she was sucking her inhaler
so in a way better than the first. buuuut. this really draggsss. like, i lost interest pretty fast (not as early as book 1, which was what made this better, but skimming was still involved. a lot). essentially my main issue : (like my most issue w/ other low rated books) bored
& phuong; take a deep breath & let it out slowly*
and i knew i liked cole the sec he snored (nuzzling sawyer’s left tit) while she was sucking her inhaler
so in a way better than the first. buuuut. this really draggsss. like, i lost interest pretty fast (not as early as book 1, which was what made this better, but skimming was still involved. a lot). essentially my main issue : (like my most issue w/ other low rated books) bored
& phuong; take a deep breath & let it out slowly*
September 24, 2021
I don’t know how to start this. As soon as I opened the book and saw it was 900 PAGES LONG I doubted it would be worth it. The first one wasn’t thaaat great for me to read this much. But oh, how wrong was I.
This was damn near perfect. Yes, it has OTT drama. Yes, it was repetitive at times. And yes, it had some pretty heavy and controversial scenes. But that just made everything so much better. I could’ve lived without that much drama but these were high school kids, it was to be expected.
Even though it’s a NA novel, this is set with rich, presumptuous and pompous kids with serious issues. The repetitive part was kind of a lot but that was the damn point. It was done with the purpose of filling our heads with the same thoughts that filled Sawyer’s head. To get us into her headspace. It did it’s job. I know we ALL know Sawyer is amazing and a badass. She was super sweet but had fire inside her. I was so sad seeing her go down that road. It broke my heart. It was expected but damn I didn’t think it would go THAT far. Maybe I’m just uneducated and ignorant on the subject but I really didn’t know it could go that far. Now, speaking of Cole. I freaking ADORED him. He’s so perfectly imperfect. He wasn’t hard to love at all. Ofc, at the beginning, it took a little work. Cause he was an asshole. But in the last book, I could tell there was more to him than his facade. And oh lord, I’m so happy I stuck around. He’s been through shit and the way his mind worked... it fucked me up. My heart was in pain for him most of the time. I just wanted to hug him and tell him how much I loved him.
The progression from acquaintances-to-contract buddies-to-friends-to-lovers was beautiful to see. I mean Cole was a jerk with a capital J during that but we were rewarded with his real side. And I loved that. I just loved this whole ride. I cried and my soul left my body right before the end cause goddamnit I really though that was the end for both of them.
The other guys, Oakley, MY DUDE, I absolutely love him, he was hilarious and I CAN NOT WAIT for his peace and HEA. He effing deserves it. He’s got it rough. Bianca, it took a while but she’s got a spot in my heart, she still has a long way to go but I think in her book we will get there. I’m not sure if I want them together though... I’m thinking maybe Stone would be a great H for Bianca. But we’ll have to wait and see what happens. Jace and Dyl were pretty meh here but they helped my fav couple a lot so I’m thankful for them. Liam... idk what to think of him. Everybody loves him, but knowing him from Cole’s side made me resent him a little. I know his good side because of Jace but idk I can’t really say anything about him as he’s not here to defend himself. He’s not here so I can’t really meet him. I’m so sorry for what happened and I’ll always be sad for the fact I will never get to know him better. He was a kid... they all were, but his story is tragic and heartbreaking. I’m sorry for all Covington kids really, they deserve happiness and good, loving parents. They just deserved better. Anyway, Sawyer’s dad looked like he (finally) saw the light so that’s cool.
The ONLY problem in here was the fact that the thing with Stone was like forgotten. We didn’t see what happened with that. And ofc there were a few things shoved under the rug but they weren’t that important so it didn’t bother me that much. Also the religious thing, it was supposed to be a huge thing but I sometimes forgot she was religious at all. It slacked in that matter but I’m not complaining.
To end this I’d like to say:if you didn’t like the first one that much, please give my boy a shot. If the things I mentioned before doesn’t bother you then please please read this. It may seem like it’s dragged a lot and slow but it just makes it better, trust me, I usually don’t go for stories like this but this story got me. It was an amazing ride and I’m so glad I was able to ride it.
This was damn near perfect. Yes, it has OTT drama. Yes, it was repetitive at times. And yes, it had some pretty heavy and controversial scenes. But that just made everything so much better. I could’ve lived without that much drama but these were high school kids, it was to be expected.
Even though it’s a NA novel, this is set with rich, presumptuous and pompous kids with serious issues. The repetitive part was kind of a lot but that was the damn point. It was done with the purpose of filling our heads with the same thoughts that filled Sawyer’s head. To get us into her headspace. It did it’s job. I know we ALL know Sawyer is amazing and a badass. She was super sweet but had fire inside her. I was so sad seeing her go down that road. It broke my heart. It was expected but damn I didn’t think it would go THAT far. Maybe I’m just uneducated and ignorant on the subject but I really didn’t know it could go that far. Now, speaking of Cole. I freaking ADORED him. He’s so perfectly imperfect. He wasn’t hard to love at all. Ofc, at the beginning, it took a little work. Cause he was an asshole. But in the last book, I could tell there was more to him than his facade. And oh lord, I’m so happy I stuck around. He’s been through shit and the way his mind worked... it fucked me up. My heart was in pain for him most of the time. I just wanted to hug him and tell him how much I loved him.
The progression from acquaintances-to-contract buddies-to-friends-to-lovers was beautiful to see. I mean Cole was a jerk with a capital J during that but we were rewarded with his real side. And I loved that. I just loved this whole ride. I cried and my soul left my body right before the end cause goddamnit I really though that was the end for both of them.
The other guys, Oakley, MY DUDE, I absolutely love him, he was hilarious and I CAN NOT WAIT for his peace and HEA. He effing deserves it. He’s got it rough. Bianca, it took a while but she’s got a spot in my heart, she still has a long way to go but I think in her book we will get there. I’m not sure if I want them together though... I’m thinking maybe Stone would be a great H for Bianca. But we’ll have to wait and see what happens. Jace and Dyl were pretty meh here but they helped my fav couple a lot so I’m thankful for them. Liam... idk what to think of him. Everybody loves him, but knowing him from Cole’s side made me resent him a little. I know his good side because of Jace but idk I can’t really say anything about him as he’s not here to defend himself. He’s not here so I can’t really meet him. I’m so sorry for what happened and I’ll always be sad for the fact I will never get to know him better. He was a kid... they all were, but his story is tragic and heartbreaking. I’m sorry for all Covington kids really, they deserve happiness and good, loving parents. They just deserved better. Anyway, Sawyer’s dad looked like he (finally) saw the light so that’s cool.
The ONLY problem in here was the fact that the thing with Stone was like forgotten. We didn’t see what happened with that. And ofc there were a few things shoved under the rug but they weren’t that important so it didn’t bother me that much. Also the religious thing, it was supposed to be a huge thing but I sometimes forgot she was religious at all. It slacked in that matter but I’m not complaining.
To end this I’d like to say:if you didn’t like the first one that much, please give my boy a shot. If the things I mentioned before doesn’t bother you then please please read this. It may seem like it’s dragged a lot and slow but it just makes it better, trust me, I usually don’t go for stories like this but this story got me. It was an amazing ride and I’m so glad I was able to ride it.
October 23, 2024
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 3.5 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗
So for me this was really a less emotional version of Black Knight by Rina Kent. I swear this was Kimberly's story.
Don't get me wrong, I think they are both totally worth a read. I just sobbed like a baby in one and in this one not so much, I felt one just spoke to me more. I would highly suggest putting space between The Royal Elite series and The Royal Hearts Academy series if you plan on reading both.
➔Angst
➔High School Setting
➔Eating Disorder
➔Bully Romance
➔Fake Dating/Relationship
'𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠𝑛'𝑡 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 ℎ𝑢𝑟𝑡... 𝑖𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠.'
So for me this was really a less emotional version of Black Knight by Rina Kent. I swear this was Kimberly's story.
Don't get me wrong, I think they are both totally worth a read. I just sobbed like a baby in one and in this one not so much, I felt one just spoke to me more. I would highly suggest putting space between The Royal Elite series and The Royal Hearts Academy series if you plan on reading both.
➔Angst
➔High School Setting
➔Eating Disorder
➔Bully Romance
➔Fake Dating/Relationship
'𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠𝑛'𝑡 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 ℎ𝑢𝑟𝑡... 𝑖𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠.'
January 23, 2020
Oh my damn this book. 100 chapters 139k words and still I'm over here going can I please have more? This book will consume you and make you feel ALL the emotions. You will laugh, cry, cheer, swoon, fan yourself, contemplate how to k*ll off a fictional character that isn't one of your own creation. If you are looking for an emotional rollercoaster you have found it with Ruthless Knight.
Cole and Sawyer are...just...gah!
Ms. Jade put my emotions in blender with this one but it gets all the stars from me. Now bring on Bianca's book because I NEEDS it!
Cole and Sawyer are...just...gah!
Ms. Jade put my emotions in blender with this one but it gets all the stars from me. Now bring on Bianca's book because I NEEDS it!
August 17, 2020
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I'll be honest by saying that it took me a lonnnng time to finish this book.
Not because it's a long book (it is), but because I ended up getting so many spoilers, that I thought it would ruin my experience with the story (I already told that I'm against spoilers, if not asked).
Anyway... After all it didn't ruined everything.
I could enjoy all their banter, all their doubts, self hatred, insecurities...
I have only wished a little less of the insecurities... Both, Sawyer and Cole had different levels of insecurities.
Cole always felt like he wasn't enough for literally anyone. He was the middle child with all the issues related, and a twin, with a bipolar mother and a manipulative twin brother.
He was always craving for attention and love, and after Liam's death, guilty becomes his best friend on the inside, while his playboy's behavior were his outside mask.
What can I say about Sawyer... She's a really complex and amazing character and I reaaaally simpatize with her insecurities... While I was never a fat child or teenager, I've been struggling with my weigh for more than 10 years, and I can understand how society usually fat shames who's not in the model figure.
This is a story of two people finding their better version, after seeing how they looks like through the eyes of those who reaaaally love them.
I could give it 5 stars to this book only for Cole delivering some harsh truths to Sawyer's mother. She's the start point of her own daughter's self loathe and I couldn't hate her more.
Let's go see what's going on with Bianca now.
❤️ Follow me on Instagram 💋
I'll be honest by saying that it took me a lonnnng time to finish this book.
Not because it's a long book (it is), but because I ended up getting so many spoilers, that I thought it would ruin my experience with the story (I already told that I'm against spoilers, if not asked).
Anyway... After all it didn't ruined everything.
I could enjoy all their banter, all their doubts, self hatred, insecurities...
I have only wished a little less of the insecurities... Both, Sawyer and Cole had different levels of insecurities.
Cole always felt like he wasn't enough for literally anyone. He was the middle child with all the issues related, and a twin, with a bipolar mother and a manipulative twin brother.
He was always craving for attention and love, and after Liam's death, guilty becomes his best friend on the inside, while his playboy's behavior were his outside mask.
What can I say about Sawyer... She's a really complex and amazing character and I reaaaally simpatize with her insecurities... While I was never a fat child or teenager, I've been struggling with my weigh for more than 10 years, and I can understand how society usually fat shames who's not in the model figure.
This is a story of two people finding their better version, after seeing how they looks like through the eyes of those who reaaaally love them.
I could give it 5 stars to this book only for Cole delivering some harsh truths to Sawyer's mother. She's the start point of her own daughter's self loathe and I couldn't hate her more.
Let's go see what's going on with Bianca now.
❤️ Follow me on Instagram 💋
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