I thought Hillcrest and the handsome, sexy students in it would be my undoing. I was wrong.
This place isn’t a new start. The feud between Sawyer, Travis, and Declan doesn’t matter. It never did. I was blind to it, but what happened to Will and what happened to me has opened my eyes.
I, Ashley Bonds, am a liar. These pretty boys don’t know the real me, but they’re about to find out just how twisted I really am.
Hillcrest was never going to be my end. My ruin has been with me all along, watching, waiting, stalking. A true monster in the darkness. When my past comes to light, everything I built here, everything I have with the guys is over.
The truth is a bitch, and it cuts like a knife in the gut. This is my unraveling.
*Skank is a darker romance, meaning there are topics that might offend you. Self-harm, suicide, stalking, bullying themes, and more to come. Be warned.*
Hey guys! I'm a writer, an office worker, a wife, a mother to two dogs and two cats, and half of a strange pair of young adults who flip the houses they're living in with the goal of having no mortgage (so that I can eventually focus on my writing career!). Needless to say, I'm busy.
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More crazy happens here...with spoilers and speculation
Things have definitely gotten worse and even more insane. I have a feeling there are no innocent people in this book. Well maybe Declan aka Cinnamon Roll, lol. I don't get why she refers to him as a cinnamon roll, but it's funny. He probably isn't entirely blameless either though. His depression may have been due to something he did other than break up with Sabrina before she died.
Who killed Sabrina? My money is on Will though. Maybe he felt like he was protecting Declan. Or the dad? But maybe not. Why have her write a note blaming Declan then. I just don't know.
Ash pushes everyone away after being hit by a car to try and keep them off the radar of the serial killer of an ex boyfriend. Declan and Travis refuse to be put aside though. They can tell she's acting different.
Luckily for Ash, when she finds herself about to be raped as payback for throwing a drink in a girl's face and stopping her from dying and cutting her hair, Travis saves her.
About her hit and run...I knew who did it and why from the beginning of the book. It didn't make sense for it to be the same guy cutting up the guys to me. And I was right about who and why. Doesn't hurt the story at all that that was predictable.
And Kelsey...oh damn girl. What did you just do? She didn't know. He didn't know who she was. But for the love of all that's unholy, will this be enough for her to cut Sawyer loose? Probably not. She will probably plan put nair in his shampoo this time. What is Sawyer hiding?Why did he start drugs to begin with?
Now Ruiz... and all these guys really... they seem to treat her like she's been rolling in catnip or something. Speaking of Ruiz...how dare she?!?! She didn't give Travis a chance to say anything. Hasn't she heard of the best of two bad options? Not that I think Travis is a bad option, but in that moment she does.
Some of Ash's decisions aren't very smart. She is tough and has been through something, I get it. But why can't she just trust someone to help? She is a mess. Her past is dark. She was either forced or did something... more like was in shock and went with the flow... and it can and probably will come back to bite her in the ass. Was that the technicality Ruiz used to get out? Maybe Travis has some connections that can help with that.
Ash may be about to get into a lot of trouble unless she can say or prove she was an almost victim of Ruiz or something. Otherwise it will help him be in less trouble and her in more. I dunno.
Everyone seems to have a secret. There's something about the Briggs family. Will has Sabrina's other journal. The one she wrote truth in apparently. I really hope Sabrina wasn't sleeping with Declan's dad too. I'm guessing that because of the animosity between their dad and Will. Or maybe Will isn't the Dean's bio son. I just really hope Will didn't kill Sabrina, though it sorta would make sense in a terrible way.
I gotta read the next book today!
Let the insanity begin!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
DNF @ 58% - I really enjoyed the first book. I liked Ash a lot. She felt real and relatable. The dynamics of the guys as former best friends was interesting, plus plenty of mystery to keep me reading. Plus I enjoyed the Multi-POV. So, Book 1 was a 4⭐ read for me. Then each book after that was less enjoyable, and I'm now tapping out during book 3, where I just can't take it any more. In book 3, Ash walks the line of TSTL the whole time and trips over it more than once. She goes in a direction and just loses me completely. There's so much repetition in the book too. Like instead of progressing the plot, we're stuck in Ash's internal monologue loop and the guys not knowing what's going on. The pacing was painful as was Ash's rationalization for her behavior and actions. So much sh*t dragged out.
This series is described as being dark, and it is, really dark. I'm disturbed and amazed so so extraordinarily excited, I NEED the next book RIGHT NOW!
I picked this series as I thought it was complete, but have just realised that there is a book four. However, it didn't stop me devouring the three books I could actually read. Loved our heroine, absolutely fell in love with Declan and Will, but am still on the fence with regards to Travis and Sawyer, especially Travis...he is certainly a weird one. The back story was great and as the past comes to meet the present, my back went up as I was frightened as to what would happen...after the end of book three, I was certainly right to worry. Bring on book 4.
So much going on! This series gets better with each book. The twists in this book are crazy. I love how unpredictable this book was. These characters are amazing.
DNF 42%. Too much introspection for me, really drug down the pacing and became redundant super quickly. The mysteries were good and carried me through the first two books. However, everything dragged. When you are trying to bait someone you have to reward them every once in a while or else they move on to something else that they think will payout faster. There was hardly any reward to any of these books, mostly misery. Why have conflict if not to enjoy the high of a resolution? Why should I care she might lose one of the guys if she didn't seem to actually enjoy her time with them?
The first 2 books were 5 star all the way! I loved that Ash was a strong sassy female lead. However, in book 3 she turns into a whiny, selfish girl that makes you want to slap her on every page! I almost don't want to read book 4 for fear I will toss my Kindle if this girl doesn't change her ways. Here's hoping the author realized she went to far on this characters personality change!
Been obsessed with this series since it started and can say the same about this newest book! 4/5 stars just because it was a bit slow in the beginning but it definitely picked up and omg I have so many questions now! I thoroughly enjoyed this and cannot wait for the next book to see what kind of isht is gonna go down!
I did receive this as an arc, but as usual all opinions are my own 💕
I'm really trying with this series. I started reading because I loved the Death So sweet series & I didn't realize most of these series are connected. I *think* this is the series Hillcrest starts in, however I'm not sure. Some stand alone novels are in the mix too & I can't find a definitive reading order. Oh well, on with the review.
This series so far is not dark. It is also not romantic nor is it sexy. This is book 3 & there have been NO SEXY TIMES. NONE. I can get behind a slow burn, this is ridiculous though. There isn't even any tension. I'm not even sure if I like any of the characters. None of them are all that fleshed out. Ash is an idiot. A straight up idiot. The entire book is her inner monologue about what a horrible person she is. She's deluded & I can't even root for her to get the guys, they should run. Sawyer is a straight up bag of dicks. He couldn't care less about Ash or anyone else for that matter. I'm not sure how he gets redeemed, but I already predict it will not be enough. Travis I love. I always love the psycho though. Here's the thing though, he's not psycho. At least, I don't see any evidence of that. He says it. He says he's killed. He says a lot yet all I've seen for evidence is he's into BDSM. That does not a psycho make. Declan. She calls him a cinnamon roll, I call him the throw away. Nothing about him is attractive, he's a straight up simp. Speaking of throw aways, Will. WTF is the point of him?
TLDR: Characters are unrelatable & unlikable. Something better happen in this series quick or I'm out.
I am cranking these books out. idk what it is but I'm sticking with them.
Did I miss something? One second Ash is just this bad ass gal from poverty that just happens to have 3-4 guy's obssesed with her and now she's just casually walking hours back from her serial killer OLD msn ex boyfriend? I get it the trauma, the flash backs were freaky... but she didn't tell anyone? Not even her best friend she had come get her on the side of the road? How did she have a whole older boyfriend for 3 years and no one know? Okayyy
Speaking of her best friend... the Halloween party would make me vomit. Although they didn't know Swayer would be there or that he would cover up his hair.. why didn't Ash freak out more? How did Kelsey just keep going and only say close the door?? I just was expecting more of a reaction then and maybe even once she showed up back at Swayers later.
Declan and Travis are carrying this right now, Will was suspicious , Swayer needs rehab and maybe some counselling, Ash for sure needs therapy and to learn to tell the whole truth to the police, her guys, her mom and Kelsey... HER SELF..
The lying/secrecy is silly too me for considering her crazy ex literally attacked Will and all she did was run..
Also hope that Brooklynn girl gets hit by a car this time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Okay so I still hate Sawyer at this point idek if he’s redeemable. I mean look at what just happened.
Kelsey…. How could she? I’d hate her forever. Granted she didn’t know who it was but still like ask questions first otherwise your in the predicament you are now. And your bff hates you.
Travis God he’s the sexy tattooed psycho we all want in our lives. Overprotective and never backs down. Like look at the almost end of the book. 😍 he could defend my honor any day.
Declan ugh I love him. Since we saw the four from Spite I have to say he reminds me a bit of Xander. But gosh I love them both. Coke to think of it Christian and Sawyer are basically the same category too lol.
Anyways Declan…. Sweet, caring, sexy, protective ugh perfect sad boy cinnamon roll package.
I love Ash she’s so strong and this book just proved even the strongest have their weak moments. This whole book just proved that she was in need of rock bottom. Her and Sawyer.
Idc what the ending said Will is… off. Something’s not sitting right with me when it comes to him. Obviously dear ol dad is culpable in this so we shall see…..
Soooo wow!! These books really are freaking action packed! Ash just keeps getting sucker punched too. I will say I was thoroughly loving the scene when she broke and got her freak on with Declan!! Like woah!! The fact that he ex is a serial killer is still WOAH!! No wonder she is trying to be a beyotch and keep them away from her but with all the testosterone floating around her 24/7 in these 4 yummy men what's a girl supposed to do...I mean come on!! Then her comes and they go out to party and that mighty crack ho admits she is who hit Ash like WTF crazy stalker girl and Sawyer the douche canoe still doesn't really want her and ends up hooking up with Ash's best friend.... Which for the love of God DID SHE HAVE TO WALK IN ON 😲😲💔💔 Then psycho ex serial killer shows up and she leaves with him willingly. LIKE WHAT JUST HAPPENED... OMG 😲😲😲🤪🤪🤪😔😔IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THIS CHECK IT OUT!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story picks up with Ash in the hospital and being in a hit and run. Will in surgery after being attacked in his home. Ash decides being with the guys puts them at risk so she'll push them away. Trevor and Declan won't stand for it. After a prank by Ash, Sawyer is on a drug fueled downward spiral. Ash's best friend, Kelsey comes for a visit and honestly didn't add much to the story aside from unnecessary drama. The title says it all. Skank is right. Ash had one TSTL moment in the last book and has yet another in this one where she runs off alone and harms herself. Could've done without that. While I enjoyed most of the characters, this story struggled with pacing. There was a flashback at the end that I thought was happening in present time. Editing could've addressed that. Toward the end, more is hinted at about Declan's family secret with Will not being as innocent as he pretends. I'll read the next book but I'm left wondering if this story really needed 6 books.
This series is blowing me away. I can't believe how quickly I'm getting through each book. The words are literally sucking my brain into the pages.
Ash's past is coming back to haunt her in this book forcing her to push all her dudes away. One is injured in hospital, one is recovering from an attack, one is being a psycho stalker, and the other is on a downward spiral of substance abuse. Everyone is miserable.
Ash can't run from her past any longer and yet she refuses to tell anyone about it. Oh, if people could only be vulnerable and talk about stuff...but it's difficult when you're afraid of being judged and losing everything when it's not on your terms. There's a lesson in this book about control and about accepting help. Allowing someone else to share the burden and lend a hand is nice once in a while. I needed the reminder.
Essa série tem livros demais. Esse, por exemplo, é totalmente desnecessário, 80% dele é chato arrastado e repetitivo e no final tem uma confusão enorme e um cliffhanger que vai me levar a ler o próximo porém mais desanimada.
Ash está irreconhecível nesse livro de tão chata e burra, Declan é um mala total e os únicos que se salvam são Travis e Sawyer. Will aparentemente também vai ter alterações na personalidade no próximo livro, só espero que não estrague ele também. Outra coisa que ta me incomodando é o fato da Ash não desenvolver a relação com nenhum dos caras, ela gosta deles por motivo nenhum e eles gostam dela por motivo nenhum e fica essa coisa esquisita que não encaixa.
Enfim, espero que o próximo melhore e esse plot chato do ex termine.
Ugh! I completely lost ALL respect for Ash in this book! Without giving away spoilers, I'll just say she's a total idiot who deserves whatever happens to her because she became one of those girls in books and movies who's too stupid live. You know, the kind that runs upstairs instead of out the front door. The kind that trips when running from a chainsaw-weilding killer. That kind of dumb. I would ordinarily want to stop reading a series after the main character does something so monumentally stupid like Ash did during practically every chapter in this book, but I'm too committed and have to find out how this flaming dumpster fire ends. Also, I'm waiting for a certain someone to get what they deserve, and I have a feeling it happens in book four!
1. Sawyer fucked up massively. He’s literally a walking, talking, fuck up. 2. WTF SAWYER! Seriously? Fucking Ash’ best friend IN THE BATHROOM?! I want to throw up. 3. The spicy scene between Ash and Dec was hot as fuck. 4. Why the fuck didn’t Ash tell the police the truth? Like girl, are you that dumb? I can’t even. She’s too stubborn for her own good. 5. Travis, the tattooed, overprotective stalker. Ugh, I just love him. 6. I hope that slimy little bitch Brooklyn is dead. I mean, she deserves it after the shit she’s done. 7. Will, oh lord. What the fuck has he done? Why does he have the diary? Was he fucking Sabrina too? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!!!! 8. That cliffhanger- no words.
The major event in this take place in the Halloween party she finds her best friend with Sawyer in the bathroom after almost getting raped and Travis who is creepy saving her. She freaks out runs into her serial killer ex boyfriend and ends up going with him willingly. Found out what happened in the cabin which is all types of crazy. I just do not understand why she dose not go to the police I understand that she is scared because she stabbed her but come on explain the circumstances. I did not expect the brother to have the extra diary which would show that he is not as nice as he seems. Makes sense since she attracts crazies like flies to honey.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Ash's past is back in town, and she thinks there's nothing she can do to escape from it... And even though she basically tells Declan and Travis to f*ck off (to protect them), they aren't ready to let her go.
All the characters' stories (maybe except Declan's) are getting darker, and I love it. We get to see a different side to them. I absolutely live for the guys' POVs, their insights on Ash and on their own lives. In this book, we focus more on Ash's past and less on the mystery that surrounds Sabrina's death and the secrets the guys may have.
And these last chapters had me wanting to read more. Cannot wait to start book 4!
Ash try’s to push the boys away after finding out her ex was released from prison. Will was stabbed and ash suspects it her ex. Someone hit her with their car, and she thought it was her ex but turns out it was sawyers fling. She ends up going to a Halloween party with her BFF. Sawyers ex and a football player take her into the basement and try to rape her but Travis stops it. While ash goes and looks for her bff, she find her in the bathroom with sawyer. Ash leaves the party distraught and wonders around at night. Her ex Ray, shows up in his car and takes her. Travis saw and sent a video to his family. He finds out that her ex, who he dose know is her ex, is a serial killer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Wtf. Everytime I think I might finally have a clue what the hell is going on, boom. Nope I didn't have the slightest. That cliffhanger. Girllll. Why you do me like that? But seriously I love this series. I've read 3 of the books in a day, if that says anything. They just keep getting better. This series is a total mindfuck. But in a good way, I think. The characters just keep developing more and more, and shedding tiny secrets about themselves the further you go. Now that Ray has Ash, I'm dying to know what happened next.
The 2 initial books were able to hold my attention. To be blunt, this book was unnecessary. It wasn't until it got toward the end of the book that the storyline picked up. I was able to skip majority the of pages and did not miss any of the storyline. That is how much a lot was said but nothing was truly said. Ash was also hard to like or relate to in this book. Here is hoping the next book in the series does a better job of carrying forward the plot.
It was dark. It was twisted, and I LOVED every dark twisted minute of it. I loved that we delved deeper into Ash’s past through flashbacks and I absolutely lived for the guys’ POVs. Travis and Declan definitely stepped up and made strides towards this harem actually coming together (I hope). Oh Sawyer... poor poor Sawyer. I feel for him. And Will? I have speculations... will see if things progress the way I think they will.
This series is on its way to becoming an all time fav ☺️
This series just keeps getting better and better. I may be a little crazy myself but I really like these crazy boys for Ash. Even though they have done some things that may not need to be forgiven. Ash, what can I say, I really like her and want her to get what she wants. This book just ended with a cliffhanger and don't know who to trust but hoping Declan, Will, Sawyer and Travis will be able to be trusted and the ones for her.
I wasn't ready for the plot twists especially with Sawyer. I wasn't expecting her to cave so easily, but I understand it deeply. But the biggest misdirection... the biggest "gotcha" moment was Will. I was hoping he was gonna be a potential fourth member, unexpected but not unwelcome. INSTEAD. We get an absolute cliffhanger that is making me rethink EVERY interaction. Well played.
The twists and turns in the story are wringing me out. Holy hannah, how do we get to some of these places. Our poor Ash. What is going to happen to this girl, and how do I reach in and help her? Also, I'm starting to think these cliffhangers are planned to do the most harm! What in the world? My heart is racing.. but I can't stop. It's too good and I must know things.
I didn’t think this series could get any better but it has! I am definitely kept wondering and guessing. And then that ending!! I thought I knew what the cliffhanger was and then those last couple of pages and I was like “WHAT!!” Can not wait to move on to the next book and see what twists and turns will happen next.
I started off thinking I wouldn’t like this series. But here I am unable to put it down. I love the twists and turns, I’ve even been surprised which rarely happens. If you like secrets, revelations, twisted dark characters and mystery (sexy mystery) this series is for you!
This book feels like it's going in circles. I feel the story doesn't advance for about 150 pages; nothing significant happens. There's a lot of repetition in the thoughts and dialogues. The only interesting part about this book is the ending because it finishes in an intriguing way that makes you want to continue reading the next book to find out what happens next.