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Beautiful Defiance
She’s no damsel in distress.
I’m not an optimist. Or a pessimist. I’m a realist. After catching the unwanted attention of Seven Shanahan, the school bully and jock at the upper echelon of high school royalty, I prep for a battle of wills and aim to win, even at the cost of getting my heart broken.
He’s the wrong guy to mess with.
The new girl, Leigh Kim, should cool her temper. Be less defiant and a pain in my ass with this push-pull of me saving her life and she evening the score by stealing the things that matter to me.
Because the more Leigh challenges the status quo, the hotter I burn with the need to bring her to her knees. For her to worship me like the other girls do. For her to be mine and no one else’s until I’m done toying with her.
I expect this and more. I am the almighty ruler at Cambridge High and won’t be overthrown by a girl with enough attitude to light up a stadium. What I’m not expecting is for Leigh to threaten the one thing I’m unwilling to give to any girl—my damn heart.
I’m not an optimist. Or a pessimist. I’m a realist. After catching the unwanted attention of Seven Shanahan, the school bully and jock at the upper echelon of high school royalty, I prep for a battle of wills and aim to win, even at the cost of getting my heart broken.
He’s the wrong guy to mess with.
The new girl, Leigh Kim, should cool her temper. Be less defiant and a pain in my ass with this push-pull of me saving her life and she evening the score by stealing the things that matter to me.
Because the more Leigh challenges the status quo, the hotter I burn with the need to bring her to her knees. For her to worship me like the other girls do. For her to be mine and no one else’s until I’m done toying with her.
I expect this and more. I am the almighty ruler at Cambridge High and won’t be overthrown by a girl with enough attitude to light up a stadium. What I’m not expecting is for Leigh to threaten the one thing I’m unwilling to give to any girl—my damn heart.
- GenresEnemies To Lovers
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 16, 2020
39 people are currently reading
490 people want to read
About the author
Ashlyn Mathews
55 books132 followersI'm an author of paranormal and contemporary romances. Blessed or cursed, depending on my mood and where I'm at on my current WIP, my overactive imagination guides my muse.
A big fan of Firefly and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I incorporate various weapons in my paranormal romances and use out of this world names just because I can.
You can find more about me and my books at https://www.ashlynmathewsauthor.com.
A big fan of Firefly and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I incorporate various weapons in my paranormal romances and use out of this world names just because I can.
You can find more about me and my books at https://www.ashlynmathewsauthor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 2, 2021
3 stars. This book was a great example of how sacrifice, friendship, and love should be.
November 10, 2020
Half way decent
Just so many characters thrown into one book. So many different directions made it chaotic to read. Could have been better.
Just so many characters thrown into one book. So many different directions made it chaotic to read. Could have been better.
August 6, 2020
This book is awesome! It caught and held from interest from the first page until the last, and I could not put it down. The banter and the chemistry between Seven and Leigh is off the charts and was fun, witty and oh so steamy at times. The characters were well rounded, including their friends and family as it added well to this novel. The storyline was exciting, with lots of excitement and mystery and conflict as well as a lot of fun/funny things that happen. This is definitely a recommended read if you love romance. Beautiful Defiance will a great addition to my library and will be a re-read!
I received a free advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a fair and honest review.
I received a free advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a fair and honest review.
August 9, 2020
This was a really well written and thought out bully romance. I loved the heroine who was tough, funny and full of sass! As for Seven, it was clear from the outset he wanted Leigh! There wasn't actually too much 'bullying' in this story, it felt more like an emotional tug of war and battle of wills between them. I did like how possessive and protective Seven was of Leigh, he was a very strong male character.
My only slight criticism was that we were introduced to a lot of different characters and it was hard at times to keep track of how they all linked up! Will definitely want to read more books though, especially Maddox!
This was my first book by this author and i would highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
My only slight criticism was that we were introduced to a lot of different characters and it was hard at times to keep track of how they all linked up! Will definitely want to read more books though, especially Maddox!
This was my first book by this author and i would highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 20, 2021
I liked the premise, the delivery however
First time reading this author, so I’m not sure if I missed out on the supporting character’s backstory or not. It’s just that new characters kept popping up and all the sudden they’re a main storyline without any backstory to support them suddenly showing up.
I did finish the book and liked it, there were just too many plot holes. And, too many things just happened without explanation. I love the h and could understand why so many gravitated to her loyalty but H wasn’t as convincing. He claims he’s an a-hole and a leader but gave no reasons or examples as to why. Sure, he tripped her and got in her face but that was it. Won’t give up on the author. I liked the book and hope her future books are worth reading.
First time reading this author, so I’m not sure if I missed out on the supporting character’s backstory or not. It’s just that new characters kept popping up and all the sudden they’re a main storyline without any backstory to support them suddenly showing up.
I did finish the book and liked it, there were just too many plot holes. And, too many things just happened without explanation. I love the h and could understand why so many gravitated to her loyalty but H wasn’t as convincing. He claims he’s an a-hole and a leader but gave no reasons or examples as to why. Sure, he tripped her and got in her face but that was it. Won’t give up on the author. I liked the book and hope her future books are worth reading.
July 26, 2020
DISCLAIMER: I received a free copy of this book as a beta reader and the a second time to give an honest review via Booksprout.
I loved this book! It's another Ashlyn Mathews book that I adore! The story is well written and the characters are so passionate about each other! As a reader, I felt immersed into Leigh and Sevens story!
I loved this book! It's another Ashlyn Mathews book that I adore! The story is well written and the characters are so passionate about each other! As a reader, I felt immersed into Leigh and Sevens story!
August 3, 2020
This is book one in The Cambridge High Series and it is Seven and Leigh's story. This is the first book that I have read by Ashlynn Mathews but definitely not the last as it was so well written and a real page turner and I had to keep reading to see what would happen next and I really loved the story.
I Voluntarily Reviewed an ARC Copy Of This Book.
I Voluntarily Reviewed an ARC Copy Of This Book.
August 6, 2020
Beautiful Defiance by Ashlyn Matthews. This is a really good dark high school bully romance with a lot of drama, intense scenes, strong characters that grew with the story, unique plot, and overall, this story left me feeling like I just couldn’t get enough. I enjoyed it and would recommend to others. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 25, 2020
Book one is a series by a new to me author. The plot is interesting and entertaining, easily holding my attention cover to cover. I also liked the characters; they were both strong willed and also had great chemistry together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 26, 2020
I got to say I usually don’t read young adult but this looked good and didn’t disappoint. Leigh was my kind of girl and Seven I wasn’t sure about. So if you love young adult and a cocky girl and some drama you have to get this story.
September 23, 2020
Too much bad language and vulgar sex descriptions. Not my kind of book.
February 16, 2021
DNF—-I just couldn’t anymore 🙄
July 6, 2021
Boring 👎
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews