Savage Prince

Royal Falls Elite #1

by Kristin Buoni

Step into the deliciously dark and scandalous world of America’s most exclusive prep school and find out what wicked games the filthy rich students of Royal Falls Academy play behind closed doors…

HUNTER
Breaking the new girl has never been so much fun…

My hometown of Royal Falls might be veneered with riches and elegance, but it hides a dark underbelly of sordid activity. Liars and sinners lurk around every corner… and I’ve just stumbled onto the worst one yet.
Her name is Laney Collins.
She’s a maid’s daughter with a scholarship to Royal Falls Academy, and she’s got a hell of a dark secret. Everyone else might be fooled by her sweet, innocent act, but I know the truth.
I know what she did last year.
Now that our senior year has started, she’s going to pay for her sins, and she’s going to learn her proper place at RFA. I own the school and everyone in it, and soon, I’ll own her too.
Welcome to my kingdom, Laney. You really should’ve stayed away…

***

LANEY
Welcome to Royal Falls Academy…

Those five words were supposed to change my life. I thought I finally had friends, opportunities, and a ticket to freedom… but the privileged boys who rule RFA have other ideas. Especially their leader, Hunter Connery.
He’s rich, arrogant, and looks like a god. He also knows my darkest secret.
Now he’s marked me. Added me to the school’s infamous Blacklist to turn everyone against me.
I’m supposed to flee or beg for forgiveness before he drives me away with his ruthless cruelty, but that’s not going to happen, no matter how close I get to my breaking point. I’ll never fall on my knees for him, and he’ll never destroy me.
I might come from nothing, but that doesn’t mean I’m worthless… so bring it on, Hunter.


Savage Prince is a dark high school bully romance with content that some readers may find disturbing or offensive. The story follows on from the events of Twisted Elite and continues in Shattered Kingdom.

Genres: Dark Romance, High School, New Adult, Romance, Crime, Mystery Thriller, College

390 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2020

About the author

Kristin Buoni is the shared pen name of dark romance author Stella Hart and her romance-loving sister-in-law, K, who has always had a passion for writing and finally decided to give it a proper try.

S and K both love coming up with new ideas and gut-wrenching twists, so it was only a matter of time before they decided to team up and write books together! When they aren’t plotting, reading, or writing, they’re hanging out with their cats and bingeing their favorite TV shows.

Find them on Facebook here --->

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Reviews

[yana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, yes, I am reading a bully romance & I'm quite aware that I've to be open-minded about this, since this one's on my bookshelf as a result of my own free choice but gotta admit that my mind's still on fence over KB's Savage Prince.

Thing to really note, this is all covered with ANGST, ANGST and ANGST. Trust me, that's the primary focus. Romance,takes a back seat too. And since we're on topic, this is floating between YA & NA.

A whole book of conflicted emotions where I can not decide if I hated Hunter for targeting Laney without based on mere presumptions or loved it for the mysterious aura surrounding it.

He makes her suffer through weeks, probably months of misery just because he GUESSED wrong. Or, should I hate it because Laney never really detested him at any point in the timeline while he was ruining her life little by little. She's all calm n collected the dude's while grinning from sidelines.

I can't say for sure but what I'm one hundred percent sure about is that Hunter is not a alpha-hole, rather just a plain asshole.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will go ahead and warn you that your not going to be able to put this book down. If you love strong female characters then you have found one in Laney. This is a book filled with so many secrets you will not even be sure who to trust. Hunter is the bully and the way he bullies Laney just made me so mad at times I wanted to punch his lights out. I swear this guy is the perfect alpha male, super broody and man is he great at playing his role. He dedicates his life to it I feel like. These two also have some smoking hot, kindle melting chemistry and I love we got the why of why he was bullying her and that they resolves it until someone is after Laney. You wont even be sure it isnt Hjnter up to his old games or someone else. This book I'ds dark and delicious and I couldn't out it down. To say I canr wait for the next book is a understatement.

[M Mendes Bookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, although, a stand alone, should be after Twisted Elite. Twisted Elite gives a little more info about Laney and Hunter’s first meeting and some background. Due to a misunderstanding Hunter believes that Laney is responsible for a tragedy that happened to Hunter and his family. Laney is clueless on why Hunter went from flirting with her and wanting to spend time with her at their first meeting to being antagonizing. It all hinges around the necklace Laney is wearing that her Mom bought for her from a pawn shop. I am trying not to give too much info and spoil the story for you. Laney was offered a scholarship to RFA out of the blue but wanted to use the opportunity to a better school and education. Hunter thought that Laney had applied to RFA to try and taunt Hunter and his family that she got away with what happened in the past. Hunter uses every opportunity to bully Laney and turn everyone against her too. There is some surprises and a mystery that needs to be solved and there are a lot of foreshadowing but still manages to have surprises sneak up on you. Kristin Buoni, the author, was able create a picture of how and why Laney and Hunter act where you are able to see both sides. You can see the tension and attraction that they try to fight against as the misconceptions between them are revealed. Laney has secrets in her past that seem to make Hunter distrust her even more and you can see that even if she were to say she was innocent of wrongdoing Hunter would not just believe her in the beginning. When Hunter confronted Laney she ran and to Hunter that made her more guilty but Laney thought he was talking about her secret from her past. If I say any more I think it will give the plot away. But even having an idea of what might happen there will still be surprises. I will just say that Hunter wanted a confession of what happened. When Laney told him about her past he realized they were both talking about two separate incidents. Hunter then asked Laney about all of the evidence he had and Laney explained to him what happened. Once all the misunderstandings were cleared up they decided they were going to solve the mystery and find out who was responsible for the tragedy. The ending was a cliffhanger and a very good one. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I, also, want to see how much Laney and Hunter’s relationship changes too. This was a emotional and intense book. If you have triggers of bullying this book is not for you. I do highly recommend this book. I really enjoyed it with all of the twist and turns and misunderstandings. It leaves you on tenter hooks wondering what will happen and you want to shout at the H and h to clear up the misunderstandings between them. Anyway, I hope you give this book a chance and enjoy it.

[Starreads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting premise

All of the bully aspects were there , the storyline was really drawn out in this book took forever to est the reason for bullying. The writing was ok the dialogue at times was a bit weird mainly in the beginning , but i probably got used to it.
Lainey the Fmc i liked her but she had her dumb moments and a bit weak at times. However you understood her
Hunter we didn’t get as many POV ch and i felt like it wasn’t thorough enough to really know the character.
The chemistry was there i guess.
I may or may not read the second book, i don’t feel excited about finding out how the story unfolds if I’m bored I’ll pick it up

[Theresa Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it really hard to get into this book.

[Reylynn Purdue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Man!

This book is disturbing good. Its dark and twisted. I was hooked from the very beginning. I couldn't read fast enough. I'm excited to see how everything turns out!

[**Story chaser** · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the fence with this one
*Genre: Bully romance / Mystery – this to me was more mystery than romance
*POV: Dual – More focused on the h.
*Hero: Hunter – I did not get a real feel for this characters life – nothing seemed to focus on him. I did not “feel” his dominance at the school. I did enjoy his POV more; I would have loved to have read more from his side.
*Heroine: Laney – I’m not sure about her character. To me she did not come across as strong and used her friends to protect her and keep her sane. Which is fine, I’m just a sucker for a kickass strong heroine. To me, Trina was my type of character – the get up and fight type.
*Chemistry: Medium
*Heat: Low
*Angst Level: Medium / High
*Standalone or Series: Series
*Cliffhanger: Yes – a really good one
*Thoughts: I overall enjoyed the storyline of the book and the events that transpired – this is what kept me reading. The bullying in this book is a step above some bully romances – more intense. To me the book just seemed to be going on and on. The long dialogs between Laney and her friends, started to mentally exhaust me. I however did want to follow the mystery, thus I scanned through some parts to get to the good stuff.
*Would I Recommend? On the fence, but I will be reading book 2.
*My Review: Hits most of the major bully trope marks. Hunter runs the school and wants to get revenge on Laney. He makes her live a living hell by blacklisting her at school. Students put her life in danger and torture her soul. She has no idea why he is so cruel and obviously he has communication issues. I had a few eye roll moments when Laney so quickly forgave Hunter, but I did really feel for Hunter and his emotional guilt towards his sister. Soooo…. Secrets get spilled, lives get ruined. Ends on a major cliffhanger and I will read no 2 to find the conclusion.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit weak - not my favorite Bully Romance *spoilers*

As per usual, male main character erroneously bullies (and kidnaps/tortures (though it’s not explicitly detailed) female main character. The very next day she sleeps with him. Ummmm what?! There are weak females and then there’s WTF whatever this chick is.

I was so into this - sexy mean bad guy, but oops you made a mistake thinking it was so let me sleep with you after you tortured me with just a weak apology?! Lost me.

I’ll keep going with this series, bec let’s be real, my favorite authors take their time to give me great material. In the meantime, I need to fill my reading time, even if it is with drivel and weak main female characters - seriously, he tortured her!!! UGH.

Read Rina Kent instead - she’s a fantastic author!!!

[Isla · Rating 2 out of 5]

He bullied her 90% of the book, kidnapped her, & forced her to come out abt abuse and yet she forgives him strictly five minutes after he says 'I'm sorry' and literally sleeps with him the next day... what a girl she is....
Also what's with the guy on the cover he looks 40 and this book is supposed to be about highschool students

[Lauren Townley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay, but I probably won’t read it again...

Savage Prince... I don’t really know where to go with this one. I think it’s going to be hard to rate this book because it’s been left on such a major cliff hanger, it’s going to depend on how the next book goes; are questions answered, etc.

There’s an awful lot going on in this story. It’s the kind of book that you really need to focus on so you don’t miss something. I had a few day’s off work, so I was able to really give my full attention to it. If I had to put it down numerous times, I’m not sure I would’ve been able to follow the multiple storylines. My advice - read this book when you have plenty of free time!

Right. So. Savage Prince is a dark high school bully book. I somewhat agree. I didn’t find it very dark at all, if I’m being honest. I suppose other people could disagree. There’s pranks pulled, teachers turning a blind eye, breaking into dorms, tyres slashed and a kidnapping. That really doesn’t cover dark for me. The bullying wasn’t really that intense for me either - some gum here and there, nicknames, text messages. All of the bullying was done on behalf of the main character, Hunter. He did very little himself, but I really think he would’ve left more of a mark on me if he been a lot more involved. As a main character goes, he was pretty forgettable.

Laney was okay for me. I didn’t really connect with her much. She came across a bit childish throughout. Yes, she was getting a lot of stick once Hunter put her on the blacklist, but asking if her friends would come to her locker with her... I mean, she grew up in a rough area. Her school did random weapons checks. Come on! Now you won’t walk to your locker because someone might call you a virgin? I just couldn’t like her, but I really did try!

I think I will read the next book, but only because I want to find out for sure what happened to Lindsay. I have an idea, but I want it confirmed.

Overall, it’s a really slow book. In my opinion, this isn’t dark at all, but it is written well and it did keep me engaged long enough for me to want to read more.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silver Falls the place were only the most depraved and influential people rear there young. Young sociopaths that is and Laney has just found out that there's a consequence for being part of this vicious group.

Laney wouldn't have been here if not for a scholarship now the maids daughter is being bullied and taunted daily all because a rich pretentious boy thinks she did something now shes on the blacklist shes been invited to join a group of girls that have there own motives and they may not be the scariest thing out there. But in the end a romance will stop before it gets started and a bad decision will be made trust will be lost and a dirty awful secret revealed.

Hunter Collins wants to degrade and ruin Laney all because he thinks she did something to him personally but he also wants to own her hes obsessed with her downfall and her on a personal level will revenge or lust win with him. But when Hunter finally has his truth its not what he expected nothing is what he thought and he may have just ruined his chance with Laney. Did he do that awful thing to Laney expose her to all that cruelty for nothing and lead her to make a huge mistake one that will ruin them both. And who comited the murders was it the same person or is something even darker going on at this creepy cruel school for the rich and deadly. One thing I gathered after reading this book is that there should definitely be some extra names on that murder list and you should never ever trust someone or someone's when what there offering seems to good to be true.

Okay I liked this book it has all the usual elements of a bully romance with some extra weird stuff going on the lies, death and secret societies make for and interesting read.

I was allowed to read and advance copy of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest review.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a rollercoaster of a ride. You’ll find yourself running through every emotion. Each scene creates a different experience for the reader. Laney lives with her mother. They are very close and both work to pay bills and eat. They are poor, just struggling by, living penny to penny. Laney is not as worldly as most teens, as she hasn’t experienced what is expected by society for a young woman her age. Although she has definitely been through more trauma than most. She is not used to friends or truly being able to read people. She tends to give people the benefit of the doubt. She’ll learn the hard way as she sets to attend a new school. Hunter was born with a golden spoon in his mouth, his parents are billionaires. He first sees Laney across the room during one of his parent’s parties. Laney is filling in for her mother and is waitressing the event. When Laney sees Hunter looking at her, she blushes. He is the most gorgeous man/boy she’s ever seen. Then Hunter approaches her and they speak. She is excited at the attention and flattered. She can’t believe he is talking to her. Suddenly he seems upset and walks away, leaving her befuddled. At this time, Laney has no idea that this event will lead to one of her worst nightmares. A nightmare that seems to never end.
This is an incredible book. It definitely kept me on my toes. There are several triggers. Please keep this in mind before you begin reading this book. This is the first time I have read any of this author’s works. I am extremely impressed and I wholeheartedly recommend this book and this author.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting and emotional rollercoaster. A story of, betrayal, bullying, attempted murder and a misconstrued rush to judgement. As well as group mentality that leads to verbal and physical abuse. Laney is a scholarship student at a posh "richer than rich" school for privileged teens.Teens who are not held to the moral standards that most of society adhere to. As Laney finds herself in a new world, she soon finds how one event can change your life in a brutal way. Flash back to before the scholarship. Laney lives with her mother (single parent). They are very poor. Laney works part time to help her mom with food and rent, while her mother works two jobs. They are very close. When Laney's mother is requested to waitress an event at one of her jobs, she is unable to do so. Laney steps in. It is at this time that she meets Hunter, the host's son. She notices him staring and she blushes. He is the most gorgeous man/boy she has ever seen. He approaches her, they speak and he flirts. She's baffled as to why he'd flirt with her. She's nervous. Then, suddenly his demeanor changes and he swiftly walks away Laney is baffled. Little does she know that this interaction will change her world.
This book is incredibly well written. I highly recommend this book and this author.

[Kelly Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh wow....i couldn't put this down! I did read the prequel to this and that's what had me hooked. Laney is a strong heroine and i like that in the MFC. The story starts out like your typical bully romance, but it isn't!! This has a dark and twisted edge to it, i literally do not know who to trust because all the characters seem to have secrets. We obviously get more of the story in this book and find out why Hunter is bullying Laney so badly. Hunter is the broody alpha bully and plays his role to perfection! Their chemistry is off the charts so i was glad they resolved the issues and got it on! Then suddenly things change for the worst, someone is out for Laney and we don't know if this is still Hunter playing games or someone else?? So much Mystery its left me with loads and loads of theories and questions! What i do know is that Hunter's dad is up to something and Laney really shouldn't be joining the Medusa Society.....this is going to spell trouble!! Really cant wait to see where the story goes!! 5 huge stars

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Spoiler Alert*
Laney (FMC) gains a scholarship at Royal Falls Academy at the start of this book. An elite school for the wealthy so as you can tell for a housekeeper/cleaners daughter shes like a fish out of water. Made more difficult when shes blacklisted by The Princes (a clique of rich boys headed by Hunter from the family her mum works for) which make her a target of everyone in the school. Some of the crap they pull is particularly vicious. Hunter is on a mission to break Laney & i happily wanted to smack him silly for some of the stunts he pulled. I understand (to an extent) with his logic why he hated Laney but he should have gotten his facts straight first. I genuinely felt for Laney in this book. She was an outcast (through no fault of her own) & made to feel like one constantly except by her friends Adam & Trina. The only redeeming people in the whole school i thought. Oh boy that ending was jaw-dropping!!! Shocked the hell out of me. Such a flaming good read though so much going on in it. I just loved it

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laney is going to RFA (Royal Hills Academy) is a once in lifetime experience especially since this her senior year. But since the beginning Laney was blacklisted by Hunter and then her life had become a steady torment of bully. Needless to say Laney only have 2 friends Trina and Adam, Adam being Hunters brother and nothing alike each other. After all the bullying one day Laney finally got to the tell her side of the story to Hunter and where the necklace came from. Laney thought after that and they started to plot to find the killer of Hunter's sister Lindsay. But one moment watching the moving screen on drugs and having to pass the portal test a mandatory turned into her worst nightmare the horrifying night of be raped was on the screen. Now she's joining the Medusa Society Club for all the protection she can get. I cant wait to read the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kiran · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wrote a review and it deleted itself. 2 stars. Well-written and some great moments like Laney’s revenge. Ultimately though there was so much “shock factor” that it became overkill and also predictable. We all know what’s happening with Lindsay, with the Medusa club, with Hunter’s creepy Dad. This book was overly long with so many filler pages on just how rich everyone is. BORING. And to top it off it’s not a standalone, it’s pointlessly long but doesn’t even end here and I’m pissed because I wanted Adam’s book next but now I don’t even know if he gets a book.

Also she should’ve called the police. Hunter is a baby Peter Felton in my opinion. He crossed the fucking line and the fact that she gets over it so quickly is shocking and rings untrue. So I could give a fuck if they end up together. I’m sticking with it with the hope that Adam gets a book.

[Misty Schott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things are really heating up!!

Delaney "Laney" gets a scholarship for Royal Falls Academy and feels like she might finally get the opportunity to go to a great college after spending her senior year at RFA. Too bad she ends up on the receiving end of Hunter Connery's wrath and ends up being blacklisted by the Princes of RFA. Which basically means everyone starts bullying her to get her to quit their school. Laney has no idea what she did to Hunter to make him blacklist her and when she asks he just says "you know what you did", which of course just confuses her more cause she barely knows Hunter and she definitely didn't do anything to him. This is a great first book in this series and does end on a cliffhanger. I'm looking forward to book two to find out what happens next.

[Candy Ottarski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind. Blown. This book was epic! This is the first book I've read by author Kristin Buoni but I definitely will be reading more in the near future! This book tells the story of Hunter Connery and Laney Collins. It is horrific and brutal. Hunter and Laney attend Royal Falls Academy. One of the most prestigious schools in the country. Laney got a scholarship to attend. She is not wealthy as most of the other students attending. Hunter is a Grade A bully along with his minnions that run the school. He makes Laney's life hell. This book ends on a cliffhanger. Kudos go out to Kristin on this original well-crafted story that will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat the entire read! I highly recommend this book set!

[R.K. Tejaswi · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my review on Twisted Elite, the prequel of the Royal Falls Elite series, I have mentioned that it remained me of the Dark Dynasty series. Yeah even in this First Book of the duet, Savage Princes, at one or two scenes, I got that familiarity vibes, but loved the book. The back story was different, the revenge is different, the coming back is different, especially the secret society is different. The cliffhanger was given with an expectation for readers to know more and I'm eagerly waiting to know what happens and who the culprits and whether my guess are correct.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I start the review on this book, let me say, it can be read as a standalone but to make sure you have all the information that preambles the series you need to read the prequel, " Twisted Elite". Now for "Savage Prince". There's so much I want to tell you so you'll know how intense and intriguing this storyline is but I don't want to spoil it for you either. What I will tell you is it all started over an assumption about a necklace Laney's mother bought her from a pawn shop. I had a plethora of emotions running through me as I read this and can't wait for "Shattered Kingdom" to find out what happens next.

[Peggy Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, where do I even begin? This was such an amazing story! The authors did an excellent job of telling the story (and the editing was superb, which is so refreshing). It not only has romance in it, but it's also suspenseful, which made it that much more interesting. It, of course, leaves off with a cliffhanger, and I absolutely cannot wait for Shattered Kingdom (book 2)!! Excellent read, definitely recommended!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Airam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will read the second book

I think my biggest issue is that you don't get much interaction between the Hunter and Laney. Almost 50 -60% of the book is all about how horribly Laney is treated at school. The writers did a good job of keeping the plot interesting despite the lack of romance.
Laney for being a smart girl made some questionable choices that had me rolling my eyes. Also, almost everything gets described in great detail (not sure what the purpose is if main characters are not picking upon the clues).
Anyways I am curious to find out what will happen next.

[Lottie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well shit..
That's all I really have to say..
Damnnnn this book has been a whirlwind! So much drama and accusations and enemies and undoubtedly hot boys!

I honestly couldn't put this book down and I really understand the heroine more than I'd like to admit but she's strong and brave regardless of the things she's had to endure.
Hunter is without a doubt a mystery and a damn hot one at that! Although many, MANY times did he piss me off🙄

Adam is so sweet and I do trust him however Trina? I'm not so sure about? 🤔 Who knows? I could be completely off, we will see in the next book.

[N. JEFFERSON · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was a lot going on in this book and I am still trying to wrap my brain around what in the actual fuck was going on? One minute Hunter is bullying Laney and then the next he’s so Hot I can’t take my eyes off my tormentor. Also what’s with the secret societies and the murders. Then let’s not forget the kidnapping and 3 pages later they are having sex. It was to much and the author didn’t take the time to build up the attraction and Heat between Hunter and Laney right before she ripped them apart with the sex, rap tape. Again I will say just to much.

[Danielle MacLeod · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok.
I really don’t like when authors play a mystery out from the beginning aiming for a shock factor at the end, so the entire time all the reader gets is ‘you know what you did!’ We knew from the start what he thought, so why not delve deeper into that. I feel like if it was addressed right from the beginning, there could have been more character development.

And seriously... he literally tormented her. And the next day she fucks him because ‘oh, silly me. He only hates me cause he thought I killed his sister!’ OTT for me. I didn’t enjoy the lack of grovelling.

[Brandi-Lynn Weiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve only just discovered Kristin’s books, but I’m flying through her series. I was hooked instantly. I love the suspense and mystery of who’s behind everything. I do wish Laney wasn’t so easy to always fall for Hunter. I’d like her to be stronger. He bullied her, blacklisted her with the school, had his friends involved, and for what!? He ended up being wrong. But I seriously wanted to high five her when she got her revenge against him. Diving into book 2 now! Can’t wait to see how it plays out.

[Terry Babb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title says it all...
Not generally a fan of this genre but I read the prequel which was just a teaser really. The blurb & previous reviews have outlined the story so I'll just mention that it was pretty intense. A misunderstanding leads to bullying & worse & the poor heroine is struggling with the whole school against her save for two friends. Will she survive in this hostile environment? Overall a good page turner. I received an arc & this is my honest & voluntary review.

[Gen Aljoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery, muder and bad boys

Loved the story in this book. The plot was great. Loved the mystery. I wasn't ovely thrillee with how the H bullied the h and actually really did horrible, unforgivable things and she forgave him so easily. I love bully romances but the H needs to earn the forgiveness and really try hard to make amends. I am really excited to see what the next book brings.