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Stonehurst Prep #1
My Stolen Life
Psst. I have a secret. Are you ready? I’m Mackenzie Malloy, and everyone thinks they know who I am.Five years ago, I disappeared.No one has seen me or my family outside the walls of Malloy Manor since.But now I’m coming to reclaim my Ice Queen of Stonehurst Prep is back.Standing between me and my everything?Three things can bring me sweet guy who wants answers from his former friend.The rock god who wants to f*ck me.The king who’ll crush me before giving up his crown.They think they can ruin me, wreck it all, but I won’t let them.I’m not the Mackenzie Eli used to know.Hot boys and rock gods like Gabriel won’t win me over.And just like Noah, I’ll kill to keep my crown.I’m just a poor little rich girl with the stolen life.I’m here to tear down three princes, before they destroy me. From the author of Kings of Miskatonic Prep, the Amazon top-20 internationally bestselling bully romance series, comes this new dark contemporary high school romance.
336 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2020
850 people are currently reading
1453 people want to read
About the author
Steffanie Holmes
84 books1,367 followersSteffanie Holmes is the author of steamy historical and paranormal romance. Her books feature clever, witty heroines, wild shifters, cunning witches and alpha males who get what they want.
Before becoming a writer, Steffanie worked as an archaeologist and museum curator. She loves to explore historical settings and ancient conceptions of love and possession. From Dark Age Europe to crumbling gothic estates, Steffanie is fascinated with how love can blossom between the most unlikely characters.
Steffanie lives in New Zealand with her husband and a horde of cantankerous cats. Learn more about Steffanie at her website: www.steffanieholmes.com. She also writes dark science fiction under the name S C Green.
Want to be informed when the next Steffanie Holmes paranormal romance story goes live? Sign up for the mailing list! http://eepurl.com/ZrowD
Before becoming a writer, Steffanie worked as an archaeologist and museum curator. She loves to explore historical settings and ancient conceptions of love and possession. From Dark Age Europe to crumbling gothic estates, Steffanie is fascinated with how love can blossom between the most unlikely characters.
Steffanie lives in New Zealand with her husband and a horde of cantankerous cats. Learn more about Steffanie at her website: www.steffanieholmes.com. She also writes dark science fiction under the name S C Green.
Want to be informed when the next Steffanie Holmes paranormal romance story goes live? Sign up for the mailing list! http://eepurl.com/ZrowD
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
March 4, 2021
I really liked this book a lot. I'm looking forward to the next one in fact. But, I have some theories or speculation about what's really happening here.
So, spoilers below...
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Okay, so here's what I think...
Antony is really her brother. Her fake parents that she lived with that died kept her for some reason and tortured, neglected, and abused her because maybe they had an issue with her real parents. Antony knew somehow and that's why he found her in the grave. If this is true are her real parents alive still. I think probably not.
Her amnesia is partially true. But she will get her memories back at some point.
Noah's family may have had something to do with a rivalry with her fake parents and wanted them dead, but I'm not sure how or where Brutus fits in with them. I don't really believe he does fit with Noah's family, but rather that is a separate rivalry. The death of the mom (suicide) and son (nutritional athlete trial death) definitely give him motive but the dad was withdrawn and such, so opportunity? Dunno.
Eliot's family also probably had some type of rivalry against her parents. Her dad did rough him up when he was caught there playing with Mac as kids. He had to act like they weren't friends, so was that just because of her family or his also?
Gabe seems to be innocent as far as families go maybe? Not sure.
Alec got taken down and expelled. Don't think this is the last we will be seeing of him though.i expect some sympathizers to keep tabs on her for him or his family. Because Alex was against her from early on. Why? Another family rivalry?
Cleo needs to be dealt with. So do a few more of her groupies.
Can we really trust George? I'm not sure I would just yet. Especially if she cant remember every single thing that might be held against her in the past.
Is Mac really the same girl they knew, and not someone else? I think she is the same girl. If she isn't then I'm really confused. Unless she's a twin and just is remembering bits and pieces she learned second hand.
Who was shooting at Noah and Mac? Disorganized and possibly untrained meant to scare rather than injure, but for what purpose? Was this to test reaction times and such or to warn them or just done in a rage? I'm not sold on it being Brentwood the assassin under orders of Noah's father. Could it have been Noah's dad? Or his step mom Grace? To scare him away from her?
Is the firm Brentwood said is a cold blood killer actually Mac? She said in panic room to Noah she can't shoot, but we know she can actually. She did brand Alec and set up that whole slew of organized scare tactics.
What is her actual goal? What happens months from now? She said she just had to make it several months or to end of school year. Then what happens? Does she get her family money? Trust fund? What happens and what is the end goal?
At this point we need a lot more info because the questions have piled up. Seems like the next book will be the guys against her again since she clearly won't give them her story. Until they are all on the same page seems like more drama is on the way.
Guess we will see.
So, spoilers below...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Okay, so here's what I think...
Antony is really her brother. Her fake parents that she lived with that died kept her for some reason and tortured, neglected, and abused her because maybe they had an issue with her real parents. Antony knew somehow and that's why he found her in the grave. If this is true are her real parents alive still. I think probably not.
Her amnesia is partially true. But she will get her memories back at some point.
Noah's family may have had something to do with a rivalry with her fake parents and wanted them dead, but I'm not sure how or where Brutus fits in with them. I don't really believe he does fit with Noah's family, but rather that is a separate rivalry. The death of the mom (suicide) and son (nutritional athlete trial death) definitely give him motive but the dad was withdrawn and such, so opportunity? Dunno.
Eliot's family also probably had some type of rivalry against her parents. Her dad did rough him up when he was caught there playing with Mac as kids. He had to act like they weren't friends, so was that just because of her family or his also?
Gabe seems to be innocent as far as families go maybe? Not sure.
Alec got taken down and expelled. Don't think this is the last we will be seeing of him though.i expect some sympathizers to keep tabs on her for him or his family. Because Alex was against her from early on. Why? Another family rivalry?
Cleo needs to be dealt with. So do a few more of her groupies.
Can we really trust George? I'm not sure I would just yet. Especially if she cant remember every single thing that might be held against her in the past.
Is Mac really the same girl they knew, and not someone else? I think she is the same girl. If she isn't then I'm really confused. Unless she's a twin and just is remembering bits and pieces she learned second hand.
Who was shooting at Noah and Mac? Disorganized and possibly untrained meant to scare rather than injure, but for what purpose? Was this to test reaction times and such or to warn them or just done in a rage? I'm not sold on it being Brentwood the assassin under orders of Noah's father. Could it have been Noah's dad? Or his step mom Grace? To scare him away from her?
Is the firm Brentwood said is a cold blood killer actually Mac? She said in panic room to Noah she can't shoot, but we know she can actually. She did brand Alec and set up that whole slew of organized scare tactics.
What is her actual goal? What happens months from now? She said she just had to make it several months or to end of school year. Then what happens? Does she get her family money? Trust fund? What happens and what is the end goal?
At this point we need a lot more info because the questions have piled up. Seems like the next book will be the guys against her again since she clearly won't give them her story. Until they are all on the same page seems like more drama is on the way.
Guess we will see.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2020
Steffanie Holmes is the author of my favorite series of all time. I love her writing style, I love how she builds up her stories, how she balances a lot of different elements. I love how she gets the pacing of her stories just right, never too fast and never too slow. So, even though I don't do contemporary and I'm not a huge fan of bully romances, I pre-ordered this book as soon as I could. And once I started reading this morning I almost didn't want to stop.
The pacing of this book is just perfection. We start the story with a bang, setting the atmosphere and creating a certain setting. It's only a small part of the puzzle, but it keeps us on the tips of our toes while we read the first part of the story and get the time to settle in. We get to know the characters, we see their interactions grow more intense and then Holmes starts dropping those adrenaline bombs. With each thrilling new passage the stakes get higher and higher and eventually we get a very nice finale that's satisfying in so many ways I can't even explain it. I had goosebumps all over my body!
What kept me interested throughout the book are all the pieces of the puzzle we slowly get. By being in everyone's mind we get information the other characters haven't and very slowly I started to get ideas about what could be going on. In the beginning it were only breadcrumbs, but the closer we came to the end, the more information we got. And all the unanswered questions are now leaving me with a huge book hangover and a need to countdown to the next book.
But the true stars of this story are of course the characters! We have a main character who doesn't show all her cards, not even to us, the readers, but that's also what makes her so interesting. There's so much backstory still to discover! We've barely scratched the tip of the iceberg! And all the guys also have their own history and pain and grief. In this book we get to see quite a lot of them and yet there's still more than enough left to discover in the next one!
Is the next one out yet? I need it. NOW!
The pacing of this book is just perfection. We start the story with a bang, setting the atmosphere and creating a certain setting. It's only a small part of the puzzle, but it keeps us on the tips of our toes while we read the first part of the story and get the time to settle in. We get to know the characters, we see their interactions grow more intense and then Holmes starts dropping those adrenaline bombs. With each thrilling new passage the stakes get higher and higher and eventually we get a very nice finale that's satisfying in so many ways I can't even explain it. I had goosebumps all over my body!
What kept me interested throughout the book are all the pieces of the puzzle we slowly get. By being in everyone's mind we get information the other characters haven't and very slowly I started to get ideas about what could be going on. In the beginning it were only breadcrumbs, but the closer we came to the end, the more information we got. And all the unanswered questions are now leaving me with a huge book hangover and a need to countdown to the next book.
But the true stars of this story are of course the characters! We have a main character who doesn't show all her cards, not even to us, the readers, but that's also what makes her so interesting. There's so much backstory still to discover! We've barely scratched the tip of the iceberg! And all the guys also have their own history and pain and grief. In this book we get to see quite a lot of them and yet there's still more than enough left to discover in the next one!
Is the next one out yet? I need it. NOW!
July 13, 2020
So, uhhh...yeah, this book happened. I'm still a little confused about what I actually just read. I mean, was that ending supposed to be a shocker? Honestly, I thought we were supposed to already "know" about Mac, I mean, there was absolutely
no
other way that this could have played out and made any sense without us already knowing 'the big reveal', but the ending made me feel like maybe I was supposed to be shocked too? Or maybe we are just supposed to be freaked out because one of the guys 'figured it out'? I DON'T KNOW!!! Errrrggghhh...I don't want to give away any spoilers, so I know this review sounds like a hot mess.
Okay, Mac is back after being gone for four years and now she has "amnesia" and doesn't remember anything or anyone from her past. She has an agenda and doesn't want anyone to get in her way. The thing is though, as a reader, we aren't told too much. We are given glimpses into somebody's past, some journal entries, some cryptic thoughts, and some current drama. I felt like I was dropped head-first into the deep end of the ocean. I took a step back, thought about what was going on and figured "OH! This is what's happening." I wasn't sure why the author didn't just say it, but I figured she assumed we all already knew and I felt a little dumb for not getting it at first, but then the ending happens and I'm like, "huh? Wait, were we not supposed to know?" If that's the case...how in the ever loving hell was this book supposed to make any sense at all while reading it??
I'm just a pissed off, confused mess.
If you like RH, read it. Let me know if I'm the only idiot that didn't understand what the big reveal was supposed to be or if the big reveal was even a big reveal at all.
Okay, Mac is back after being gone for four years and now she has "amnesia" and doesn't remember anything or anyone from her past. She has an agenda and doesn't want anyone to get in her way. The thing is though, as a reader, we aren't told too much. We are given glimpses into somebody's past, some journal entries, some cryptic thoughts, and some current drama. I felt like I was dropped head-first into the deep end of the ocean. I took a step back, thought about what was going on and figured "OH! This is what's happening." I wasn't sure why the author didn't just say it, but I figured she assumed we all already knew and I felt a little dumb for not getting it at first, but then the ending happens and I'm like, "huh? Wait, were we not supposed to know?" If that's the case...how in the ever loving hell was this book supposed to make any sense at all while reading it??
I'm just a pissed off, confused mess.
If you like RH, read it. Let me know if I'm the only idiot that didn't understand what the big reveal was supposed to be or if the big reveal was even a big reveal at all.
March 7, 2021
I am not crazy about the heroine in this book. It was the main reason this did not work for me.
Mac does not remember anything. She reads her diary to remember people she may have known in her past. The police show up one day and so she has to go back to school. At school, she comes across three boys.
#1 - Eli, Mackenzie was friends with him when she was 13 years old. She does not remember him.
#2 - Noah, has something against Mackenzie. He wants to see her to suffer.
#3 - Griffin is a popular band and tries to swoon her. She loves his band. Blah.
Her parents made money owning/working with nutritional pills (stuff).
I love these types of RH stories, but I was unable to connect with Mackenzie.
You may love it. Reading is subjective.
Mac does not remember anything. She reads her diary to remember people she may have known in her past. The police show up one day and so she has to go back to school. At school, she comes across three boys.
#1 - Eli, Mackenzie was friends with him when she was 13 years old. She does not remember him.
#2 - Noah, has something against Mackenzie. He wants to see her to suffer.
#3 - Griffin is a popular band and tries to swoon her. She loves his band. Blah.
Her parents made money owning/working with nutritional pills (stuff).
I love these types of RH stories, but I was unable to connect with Mackenzie.
You may love it. Reading is subjective.
January 1, 2025
3.0/3.5⭐ - the questions of "WTF is going on" kept me reading, but I was kind of ehh about the characters. I don't really care for prissy rich bitch ice queen characters, and knowing it's a mask didn't help all that much cause I also didn't get enough peeks at the "real" her
Contemporary high school RH, told in Multi-POV (though mostly by the FMC in this book) which I love for the added depth and insights with the Hs, with E2L angst with one H. Lots of mystery and intrigue and... confusion 🤔 But the pacing was ok and it held my attention. Medium burn.
I didn't really like the FMC, and somewhat hoping that may change in the next book. I didn't feel like I got to know the guys all that well, hoping that changes in the next book and connections and emotional relationships are further built up.
Contemporary high school RH, told in Multi-POV (though mostly by the FMC in this book) which I love for the added depth and insights with the Hs, with E2L angst with one H. Lots of mystery and intrigue and... confusion 🤔 But the pacing was ok and it held my attention. Medium burn.
I didn't really like the FMC, and somewhat hoping that may change in the next book. I didn't feel like I got to know the guys all that well, hoping that changes in the next book and connections and emotional relationships are further built up.
August 29, 2020
Mackenzie has been hiding in her family’s mansion for four long years but now she is going to Stonehurst Prep to get revenge on those who hurt her. Will she and her cousin get the revenge they are looking for or will it backfire? Fast-paced read with loads of drama, suspense and twists and turns. I liked it.
October 22, 2021
Lots of questions and not a lot of answers. I’m not sure I really get what is going on, especially with the bombshell at the end but I mostly like what I’ve read so far.
Mackenzie starts out the book 4 years earlier and she’s been buried alive. Her parents are gone, presumably dead. She somehow hides in their mansion for four years before neighbors report a squatter and a nosy cop swings by. I really think she could have finagled her way through the school thing because she obviously had resources who could fake school transcripts but she ends up enrolling in Stonehurst Prep.
She seems to have some sort of amnesia and it’s all left vague, intentionally- I think. She was apparently a supreme bitch before though. This has a bullying situation. It’s mostly not her harem but also sort of is. There’s a douchey guy who’s the villain. A wicked witch queen bee who does what they always do. One of her harem, Noah, hates/loves her because he’s into her but he holds her responsible for the death of his brother and subsequent suicide by his mother. It’s something to do with her parents pharmaceutical company. She was 13 when the brother died it makes no sense for it to be her fault but bully reasons rarely do.
There’s the rockstar, Gabriel, finishing school who is walking sex. Very flirty and incapable of being serious. For some reason after they kiss at a party he humiliates her by pushing her in the pool. It was her first kiss ever. It’s never really explained why he did this and that bothers me. He did seem a bit surprised at how hurt and angry she was but eventually she gives up her v card to him.
The last one is Eli, he’s the nice one she had a prior friendship with that she doesn’t remember. He remains nice to her even when she’s being a bitch. He’s the only one she doesn’t kiss or bang in this book. Nice guys finish last.
Story 4/5, Heat 1.5/5, Angst 2.5/5
Slow burn, she gives up her v card to Gabriel at 81%, she bangs Noah a few days later near the end of the book.
Condoms used, virgin h, Gabriel is manwhore, Noah might be one, no info on Eli, push away from h, push away from Noah, no OM drama, slight OW drama. This is a quartet so there’s a cliffhanger, kind of a big one. The series is complete though so no worries.
Safety - this is a bullying type situation so mostly they aren’t actually together , I wouldn’t call anything in this book cheating.
The OW, Cleo is queen bee/bitch and she wants Gabriel but he rejects her completely. Noah, the one who hates/loves the h does mess with Cleo. He’s actively in hate mode and they haven’t had any pleasant encounters at that point. She hangs all over him, kisses him, lipstick smears, smug looks etc. The h doesn’t love it but she’s not real broken up by it either.
There’s a lot of violence here and her cat is intentionally injured by someone trying to send her a message. There’s also an attempted sexual assault on the h that’s stopped by Noah
Mackenzie starts out the book 4 years earlier and she’s been buried alive. Her parents are gone, presumably dead. She somehow hides in their mansion for four years before neighbors report a squatter and a nosy cop swings by. I really think she could have finagled her way through the school thing because she obviously had resources who could fake school transcripts but she ends up enrolling in Stonehurst Prep.
She seems to have some sort of amnesia and it’s all left vague, intentionally- I think. She was apparently a supreme bitch before though. This has a bullying situation. It’s mostly not her harem but also sort of is. There’s a douchey guy who’s the villain. A wicked witch queen bee who does what they always do. One of her harem, Noah, hates/loves her because he’s into her but he holds her responsible for the death of his brother and subsequent suicide by his mother. It’s something to do with her parents pharmaceutical company. She was 13 when the brother died it makes no sense for it to be her fault but bully reasons rarely do.
There’s the rockstar, Gabriel, finishing school who is walking sex. Very flirty and incapable of being serious. For some reason after they kiss at a party he humiliates her by pushing her in the pool. It was her first kiss ever. It’s never really explained why he did this and that bothers me. He did seem a bit surprised at how hurt and angry she was but eventually she gives up her v card to him.
The last one is Eli, he’s the nice one she had a prior friendship with that she doesn’t remember. He remains nice to her even when she’s being a bitch. He’s the only one she doesn’t kiss or bang in this book. Nice guys finish last.
Story 4/5, Heat 1.5/5, Angst 2.5/5
Slow burn, she gives up her v card to Gabriel at 81%, she bangs Noah a few days later near the end of the book.
Condoms used, virgin h, Gabriel is manwhore, Noah might be one, no info on Eli, push away from h, push away from Noah, no OM drama, slight OW drama. This is a quartet so there’s a cliffhanger, kind of a big one. The series is complete though so no worries.
Safety - this is a bullying type situation so mostly they aren’t actually together , I wouldn’t call anything in this book cheating.
The OW, Cleo is queen bee/bitch and she wants Gabriel but he rejects her completely. Noah, the one who hates/loves the h does mess with Cleo. He’s actively in hate mode and they haven’t had any pleasant encounters at that point. She hangs all over him, kisses him, lipstick smears, smug looks etc. The h doesn’t love it but she’s not real broken up by it either.
There’s a lot of violence here and her cat is intentionally injured by someone trying to send her a message. There’s also an attempted sexual assault on the h that’s stopped by Noah
October 23, 2020
This was an interesting premise, but I guess I won’t truly know how I’m feeling about it until I read the the second book when it’s out. This book sets up a lot of questions, but it’s like we don’t get a single one answered? And i wouldn’t claim it as a romance either, while it’s definitely building up to it, and there’s slight steam, i didn’t feel any feelings between the fmc and the three guys.
The cliffhanger is interesting, because i definitely wasn’t expecting it. Just have a ton of questions still, and I wish at least one had been answered to go off on.
The cliffhanger is interesting, because i definitely wasn’t expecting it. Just have a ton of questions still, and I wish at least one had been answered to go off on.
May 8, 2021
Actually 3.5 ⭐
Interesting.
I don't know what to think or feel about this book...
I liked it but something is bothering me and I don't know what it is...
I am intrigued to read the next one, so let's see if I find my answer in the sequel 😉
Interesting.
I don't know what to think or feel about this book...
I liked it but something is bothering me and I don't know what it is...
I am intrigued to read the next one, so let's see if I find my answer in the sequel 😉
July 29, 2022
This was a fun read. I did find the random self-insertion (of other books by the author) kind of annoying for some petty reason.
June 30, 2020
There is no pardon in this fast-paced tale, which packs more than the usual punch.
'Mac' or 'Claws' was the daughter of a rich and feared man, but when she finds herself buried alive in a coffin and her parents both dead, she's out for more than blood. After remaining hidden for four years, while her cousin, her sole supporter, works on their plan for revenge, she finally hits life again and signs up for her senior year of high school at a prep school for the super rich and prestigious. She could fit in, but she wants nothing to do with anyone. Grab the diploma and leave is her moto. But her lost memory of the past has made her forget who knows her and who doesn't as well as whatever relationships might have existed. And this is her downfall. But Mac isn't anyone's anything anymore, and she'll let everyone who comes against her feel how sharp her claws really are.
First off, this read is definitely for the upper end of the young adult age group. Not only does it hit more than a few harsh themes and violent moments, but there are explicit scenes in the last chapters. That said, this book definitely grabs and doesn't let go even after the last page. Mac is a force to be reckoned with, and she's a character that even hits readers with her tsunami. That she's got some huge issues is clear, but then, anyone buried alive and being hunted by people who aren't afraid to use any level of violence or cruelty can't stay sane and survive. She's harsh and not really someone to like, but still, there's enough humanity left in her to make her easy to root for...even if she's a nightmare.
This is a bully romance, but it's unlike any bully romance I've read so far. While she is ridiculed and mistreated at school, it's by no means a one-way street. She's not the poor girl to be pitied, but dishes out enough of her own. So, it's more of a bullied in all directions by everyone...which makes me wonder if it really can be classified as bullying. Every character in this book is messed up and all have more baggage than any normal human could bare. But for this plot, that's needed.
There are secrets upon secrets upon secrets. Nobody is innocent, and nobody is a saint. This novel sets the ground with the promise of some huge twists to come, and it will be interesting to see where the author takes this. Because...wow. The reverse harem side does build up a much needed backing for Mac because she needs more than a little loyalty and strength on her side. These relationships didn't come across as believable or natural as I would have hoped, but then, there is a lot of other things going on. I was a little disappointed at the sudden insert of the steamy scenes at the end, since they felt forced and a little 'pack-them-in-before-the-book-ends'. The emotional depth and reasoning (especially for one) wasn't there yet (imo).
Still, this is a book which keeps the reader at the edge of their seat and will thrill fans of rich mafia plots, dark revenge, and reverse harem all in the realm of high school. Which is quite the mix.
I received a complimentary copy and am giving my honest opinion.
'Mac' or 'Claws' was the daughter of a rich and feared man, but when she finds herself buried alive in a coffin and her parents both dead, she's out for more than blood. After remaining hidden for four years, while her cousin, her sole supporter, works on their plan for revenge, she finally hits life again and signs up for her senior year of high school at a prep school for the super rich and prestigious. She could fit in, but she wants nothing to do with anyone. Grab the diploma and leave is her moto. But her lost memory of the past has made her forget who knows her and who doesn't as well as whatever relationships might have existed. And this is her downfall. But Mac isn't anyone's anything anymore, and she'll let everyone who comes against her feel how sharp her claws really are.
First off, this read is definitely for the upper end of the young adult age group. Not only does it hit more than a few harsh themes and violent moments, but there are explicit scenes in the last chapters. That said, this book definitely grabs and doesn't let go even after the last page. Mac is a force to be reckoned with, and she's a character that even hits readers with her tsunami. That she's got some huge issues is clear, but then, anyone buried alive and being hunted by people who aren't afraid to use any level of violence or cruelty can't stay sane and survive. She's harsh and not really someone to like, but still, there's enough humanity left in her to make her easy to root for...even if she's a nightmare.
This is a bully romance, but it's unlike any bully romance I've read so far. While she is ridiculed and mistreated at school, it's by no means a one-way street. She's not the poor girl to be pitied, but dishes out enough of her own. So, it's more of a bullied in all directions by everyone...which makes me wonder if it really can be classified as bullying. Every character in this book is messed up and all have more baggage than any normal human could bare. But for this plot, that's needed.
There are secrets upon secrets upon secrets. Nobody is innocent, and nobody is a saint. This novel sets the ground with the promise of some huge twists to come, and it will be interesting to see where the author takes this. Because...wow. The reverse harem side does build up a much needed backing for Mac because she needs more than a little loyalty and strength on her side. These relationships didn't come across as believable or natural as I would have hoped, but then, there is a lot of other things going on. I was a little disappointed at the sudden insert of the steamy scenes at the end, since they felt forced and a little 'pack-them-in-before-the-book-ends'. The emotional depth and reasoning (especially for one) wasn't there yet (imo).
Still, this is a book which keeps the reader at the edge of their seat and will thrill fans of rich mafia plots, dark revenge, and reverse harem all in the realm of high school. Which is quite the mix.
I received a complimentary copy and am giving my honest opinion.
November 16, 2020
My Stolen Life: a high school bully romance (Stonehurst Prep Book 1) Kindle Edition
by Steffanie Holmes
I am positively obsessed with Steffanie Holmes's work and this book justifies my love!
Trigger warnings:This book takes place in a prep school, but this is not a YA read. Attempted rape, child abuse and very dark, violent settings.
MacKensie Malloy has spent the last 4 years alone, living a quiet, secluded life as the ghost of Malloy Manor. With only her cat for company, she is marking time until she can leave the house and get on with her life. She only has a few months to go. But, someone sticks their nose into her life and she is forced to go to school at Stonehurst Prep. Her first love, her fallen angel and her friend all attend there, and she is terrified to see them.
Ms. Holmes is one of the best writers in the RH Romance genre. She creates a tangible world filled with unforgettable characters and some of the best writing around, bar none. The words she chooses and the rich or violet way she weaves them together slice at the reader and pour the story into the readers soul. The love scenes waver between desperately sweet and darkly sexy.
Every person in Ms. Holmes's series have at least one secret. And in this book, those secrets could cost the characters their lives.
Her characters in this book, Gabriel Fallen, Eli and Noah are some of the most complex men to inhabit the Broken Boy trope. MacKensie is the definition of an unreliable narrator. She shares the task of narration with the boys, but she does bear most of the work. There is more than one reference to ancient Rome.
Side-characters are filled out enough that some of them should have books of their own.
The setting, a prep school for the uber rich, is as much a gladiatorial contest as the fight club. From the cafeteria to the gym and the bathroom, I could smell and takes the sweat, fear and pencil sharpener debris.
Ms. Holmes takes the time to link this series with her other series in a moment of pulling down the fourth wall that would impress Dead Pool. The band from Manderley Academy, Broken Muse, shows up as do mentions of her Lovecraft-inspired Kings of Misatonik Prep and her wonderful Never More Book Store are mentioned as fiction the character read, giving us a few moments of blatant self-promotion!
Everything in this book grabbed me by my reader's soul and dragged me along with the book. In fact, I do have to warn people to not start this series right before bed. I didn't sleep and ended up ripping into the second book immediately. Even the Kiwi-isms are perfect in the setting.
If it were possible I would give more than 5 stars, because this is the love child of Mean Girls and Gladiator.
5 stars out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/My-Stolen-Life...
by Steffanie Holmes
I am positively obsessed with Steffanie Holmes's work and this book justifies my love!
Trigger warnings:This book takes place in a prep school, but this is not a YA read. Attempted rape, child abuse and very dark, violent settings.
MacKensie Malloy has spent the last 4 years alone, living a quiet, secluded life as the ghost of Malloy Manor. With only her cat for company, she is marking time until she can leave the house and get on with her life. She only has a few months to go. But, someone sticks their nose into her life and she is forced to go to school at Stonehurst Prep. Her first love, her fallen angel and her friend all attend there, and she is terrified to see them.
Ms. Holmes is one of the best writers in the RH Romance genre. She creates a tangible world filled with unforgettable characters and some of the best writing around, bar none. The words she chooses and the rich or violet way she weaves them together slice at the reader and pour the story into the readers soul. The love scenes waver between desperately sweet and darkly sexy.
Every person in Ms. Holmes's series have at least one secret. And in this book, those secrets could cost the characters their lives.
Her characters in this book, Gabriel Fallen, Eli and Noah are some of the most complex men to inhabit the Broken Boy trope. MacKensie is the definition of an unreliable narrator. She shares the task of narration with the boys, but she does bear most of the work. There is more than one reference to ancient Rome.
Side-characters are filled out enough that some of them should have books of their own.
The setting, a prep school for the uber rich, is as much a gladiatorial contest as the fight club. From the cafeteria to the gym and the bathroom, I could smell and takes the sweat, fear and pencil sharpener debris.
Ms. Holmes takes the time to link this series with her other series in a moment of pulling down the fourth wall that would impress Dead Pool. The band from Manderley Academy, Broken Muse, shows up as do mentions of her Lovecraft-inspired Kings of Misatonik Prep and her wonderful Never More Book Store are mentioned as fiction the character read, giving us a few moments of blatant self-promotion!
Everything in this book grabbed me by my reader's soul and dragged me along with the book. In fact, I do have to warn people to not start this series right before bed. I didn't sleep and ended up ripping into the second book immediately. Even the Kiwi-isms are perfect in the setting.
If it were possible I would give more than 5 stars, because this is the love child of Mean Girls and Gladiator.
5 stars out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/My-Stolen-Life...
October 19, 2022
I’ve previously read almost all of the author's PNR books. I fell in love with her writing a few years ago. I feel like I’ve “re-discovered” her books. I’ve never been a fan of bully romances up until earlier this year. I decided to give them a try and have found some great ones. I was excited to dive into this one!
Let me tell you, this was NOT what I expected. This book does not start lightly either! It literally a BAM, straight into it, and has you guessing from the very first page. I gasped a few times in that prologue and my brain was racing trying to figure out what was happening. Mackenzie is forced into rejoining her world after many years, having been reclusive for many reasons. She may not be ready, but she sure as heck is going to make them remember who she is. They don’t call her the Ice Queen for no reason. Walking back into the thick of things proves to be a lot harder than she expected.
What she’s facing is not only a school ruled by the reigning “King” of Stonehurst but a blast from her past, a rockstar she’s adored, and an enemy she had no idea she had even made. Her appearance has shaken the very core of the hierarchy of the school> Let alone the people around her both past and present. I want to say so much, and I can’t because it will give it all away! Ugh.
This book had me going what the heck just happened? Gasping and talking back to my kindle. Whatever you think this book will be, throw it out the window and start back again. This may be a bully romance, but not your average one. The heroine in this one has claws of her own. She’ll only take so much. I loved her absolute fierceness and the complexity that is her story. Not to mention the complexity, unpredictability, and intriguing chaos that is the entire story. I'm ridiculously hooked and dove straight into book 2. Why? because of that ending! WHAT?
Audiobook review: I absolutely loved Ciarán Strange and Tyson Rinehart’s narration! Their voices complimented each other. I loved that they put real emotion behind their storytelling. It made the characters come to life. To me, that makes audio so much better. I wasn’t being read to, I was being told a story with what felt like real emotion and reaction. So well done!
Let me tell you, this was NOT what I expected. This book does not start lightly either! It literally a BAM, straight into it, and has you guessing from the very first page. I gasped a few times in that prologue and my brain was racing trying to figure out what was happening. Mackenzie is forced into rejoining her world after many years, having been reclusive for many reasons. She may not be ready, but she sure as heck is going to make them remember who she is. They don’t call her the Ice Queen for no reason. Walking back into the thick of things proves to be a lot harder than she expected.
What she’s facing is not only a school ruled by the reigning “King” of Stonehurst but a blast from her past, a rockstar she’s adored, and an enemy she had no idea she had even made. Her appearance has shaken the very core of the hierarchy of the school> Let alone the people around her both past and present. I want to say so much, and I can’t because it will give it all away! Ugh.
This book had me going what the heck just happened? Gasping and talking back to my kindle. Whatever you think this book will be, throw it out the window and start back again. This may be a bully romance, but not your average one. The heroine in this one has claws of her own. She’ll only take so much. I loved her absolute fierceness and the complexity that is her story. Not to mention the complexity, unpredictability, and intriguing chaos that is the entire story. I'm ridiculously hooked and dove straight into book 2. Why? because of that ending! WHAT?
Audiobook review: I absolutely loved Ciarán Strange and Tyson Rinehart’s narration! Their voices complimented each other. I loved that they put real emotion behind their storytelling. It made the characters come to life. To me, that makes audio so much better. I wasn’t being read to, I was being told a story with what felt like real emotion and reaction. So well done!
September 18, 2021
Steffanie really knows how to keep you guessing. My Stolen Life is the first book in the Stonehurst Prep series by Steffanie Holmes. This story in told in multiple POVs, but mostly by the heroine. This is the beginings of a reverse harem story full of drama, mystery and suspense. There were are twists and turns we don't see coming and so many questions that need answers.
In this story we meet Mackenzie Malloy. She and her family have been MIA for the past four years and circumstance sees her enrolling into Stonehurst Prep to finish her senior year. Mackenzie doesn't remember any of her fellow students and the once cruel, mean and ruthless queen bee finds herself on the bottom of the school hierarchy. Bullied and tormented, Mackenzie doesn't let others drag her down and fights for what she believes in. She finds herself becoming attracted to three guys. Gabriel Fallen, the lead singer of her favorite band, Eli, her once best friend and Noah, her arch nemises. These guys don't understand the change in her behavior but feel drawn to her all the same. Gabe never knew her before but sees the same darkness in her that he sees within himself. Eli wants to know why his best friend is avoiding him and where she was for the last four years. Noah hates her and blames her for the death of his brother and mother, but at the same time is drawn to her. Mackenzie is a survivor but what secrets is she hiding?
This story took me on such a thrilling journey full of drama, suspense and mystery. I enjoyed getting the POV of all the characters and while some of the answers to questions I had were answered, I'm hoping the next book will be just as good as this one was.
In this story we meet Mackenzie Malloy. She and her family have been MIA for the past four years and circumstance sees her enrolling into Stonehurst Prep to finish her senior year. Mackenzie doesn't remember any of her fellow students and the once cruel, mean and ruthless queen bee finds herself on the bottom of the school hierarchy. Bullied and tormented, Mackenzie doesn't let others drag her down and fights for what she believes in. She finds herself becoming attracted to three guys. Gabriel Fallen, the lead singer of her favorite band, Eli, her once best friend and Noah, her arch nemises. These guys don't understand the change in her behavior but feel drawn to her all the same. Gabe never knew her before but sees the same darkness in her that he sees within himself. Eli wants to know why his best friend is avoiding him and where she was for the last four years. Noah hates her and blames her for the death of his brother and mother, but at the same time is drawn to her. Mackenzie is a survivor but what secrets is she hiding?
This story took me on such a thrilling journey full of drama, suspense and mystery. I enjoyed getting the POV of all the characters and while some of the answers to questions I had were answered, I'm hoping the next book will be just as good as this one was.
August 11, 2021
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "MY STOLEN LIFE"
This is one interesting, entertaining, intriguing, mysterious intense drama, secrets, lies, betrayal, abuse, so many twists & turns have you turning the pages.
Mackenzie Malloy disappeared 5yrs ago she's been in hiding at Malloy Manor with her black cat Queen Bodica her only company also her cousin Antony who save from being buried alive at 13yrs. by her father's trusted friend Brutus.
Mackenzie is forced to go back to Stonehurst Prep where she was know as the Ice Queen because an Officer showed up her door causing her from being hidden anupymore.
Mac is worried to see her first love Gabriel Fallen Angel a rock star and her favorite band, her friend Elias Hart & Noah Marlowe her memories aren't all there she's out for revenge looking to get her life back & taking back her throne.
Mac has a run in with the leader & King of Stonehurst Prep she doesn't like how he touches her making her skin crawl she finches away everyone watching she turns & punches him in the nose he'll one of the ones she's want her revenge on.
I definitely recommend to get this book you loved the characters Gabriel has a dark tortured past which is a perfect match to Mac two dark souls drawn to one another, Eli isn't sure about the new Mac she not the same girl he use to love but I like him Noah Marlowe another story not sure how I feel about him right not much but that could change.
I'm so not a fan of cliffhangers but I do want the next book "MY SECRET HEART" to see how this plays out.
This is one interesting, entertaining, intriguing, mysterious intense drama, secrets, lies, betrayal, abuse, so many twists & turns have you turning the pages.
Mackenzie Malloy disappeared 5yrs ago she's been in hiding at Malloy Manor with her black cat Queen Bodica her only company also her cousin Antony who save from being buried alive at 13yrs. by her father's trusted friend Brutus.
Mackenzie is forced to go back to Stonehurst Prep where she was know as the Ice Queen because an Officer showed up her door causing her from being hidden anupymore.
Mac is worried to see her first love Gabriel Fallen Angel a rock star and her favorite band, her friend Elias Hart & Noah Marlowe her memories aren't all there she's out for revenge looking to get her life back & taking back her throne.
Mac has a run in with the leader & King of Stonehurst Prep she doesn't like how he touches her making her skin crawl she finches away everyone watching she turns & punches him in the nose he'll one of the ones she's want her revenge on.
I definitely recommend to get this book you loved the characters Gabriel has a dark tortured past which is a perfect match to Mac two dark souls drawn to one another, Eli isn't sure about the new Mac she not the same girl he use to love but I like him Noah Marlowe another story not sure how I feel about him right not much but that could change.
I'm so not a fan of cliffhangers but I do want the next book "MY SECRET HEART" to see how this plays out.
May 6, 2022
The only thing clear to me after reading the book:
1. the characters: McKenzie: “new” girl at school, after being hidden for 4 years she returns to her old life without knowing anything about what has happened to her, we only know that she is nothing like the Mckenzie that people remembered .
Noah Marlowe lives feeling guilty for the death of his older brother and therefore hates the Malloys because they are responsible for his death.
Eli, Mckenzie's childhood best friend, her faithful squire and her guardian, who watches with a broken heart as her old friend comes back into his life, just to keep him away from her heart.
Gabriel, a famous singer, who after the death of his drummer, goes back to school. Of all, the one Mckenzie seems to be most comfortable with at first.
Anthony, Mckenzie's cousin, fight club owner and Mckenzie's bodyguard. Brutus, mysterious guy who wants to screw Mckenzie's life.
2. Mckenzie is not your typical high school girl, this girl has claws and she is not afraid to use them. Her revenge for her cat was bestial and she left a mark.
3. That Mckenzie is messing around when it comes to Gabriel, Noah and Eli. Each one brings something different to her and although she wants to resist and stay away, she doesn't always succeed.
And what I don't know: what happened to her? is she the true Malloy heiress? who is Brutus? who puts her in a coffin? Will we know all the details of her relationship with Anthony?
To the next book to see if it answers any of my questions.
Very entertaining, I love Mckenzie Ice Queen.
1. the characters: McKenzie: “new” girl at school, after being hidden for 4 years she returns to her old life without knowing anything about what has happened to her, we only know that she is nothing like the Mckenzie that people remembered .
Noah Marlowe lives feeling guilty for the death of his older brother and therefore hates the Malloys because they are responsible for his death.
Eli, Mckenzie's childhood best friend, her faithful squire and her guardian, who watches with a broken heart as her old friend comes back into his life, just to keep him away from her heart.
Gabriel, a famous singer, who after the death of his drummer, goes back to school. Of all, the one Mckenzie seems to be most comfortable with at first.
Anthony, Mckenzie's cousin, fight club owner and Mckenzie's bodyguard. Brutus, mysterious guy who wants to screw Mckenzie's life.
2. Mckenzie is not your typical high school girl, this girl has claws and she is not afraid to use them. Her revenge for her cat was bestial and she left a mark.
3. That Mckenzie is messing around when it comes to Gabriel, Noah and Eli. Each one brings something different to her and although she wants to resist and stay away, she doesn't always succeed.
And what I don't know: what happened to her? is she the true Malloy heiress? who is Brutus? who puts her in a coffin? Will we know all the details of her relationship with Anthony?
To the next book to see if it answers any of my questions.
Very entertaining, I love Mckenzie Ice Queen.
June 28, 2020
Mackenzie Mallory is convinced that if she can finish her senior year at the Stonehurst Prep that and the fact that the cop that came to her house after finding out she was just seventeen that she decided that going to school would take some of the boredom away after 4 years of being stuck in the mansion by herself will keep her sane. But once she is back in school she acts as if she doesn't know anyone but they all remember and things seem to completely go downhill, Claws, as she is called by her supposed cousin Anthony and her protector is always there for her since the day he pulled her out of the coffin she was buried in. Eli was her best friend through childhood until she was 13 years old when everything in her life changed. Eli likes her as well as Gabe the Rockstar on sabbatical. But Noah hates her for recruiting his brother for testing sports pills. They all seem to be very attracted to Mackenzie. But it seems the rest of the Prep School was not as nice, Alec the school Bad boy is after Mac and is determined to harass her until he and Cleo go too far and payback is required. Things are not at all what they seem. I liked the storyline and the characters were interesting. Suspense and romance' Series, book 1. I was given an ARC as a gift from the author without obligations. I am providing an honest review.
July 16, 2020
Steffanie Holmes has captivated me with everything I have read by her till this point and it seems she just keeps on giving.
To date I have read her Nevermore Bookshop series (My absolute FAVORITE), Briarwood Witches, Wolves of Crookshollow, Broken Muses of Manderly Academy and each and everyone has something that calls to me that I just can't explain.
Here we have a different twist with the Stoncrest Prep series. Since it is book one we get a brief look at the main characters and parts of what formed the people they are at this point. There is a darkness that wraps around each character yet like MacKenzie I feel drawn to each guy. The book opens with a what the ? moment and builds at just the right pace to ensnare you in it's mystery.
By the time I reached the end all I wanted was to keep on reading to which there had to be a cliffhanger to draw us back for more.
All I know is that I can't wait to get my hands on the next book and see what dark tunnel the author is going to take us down and what that will reveal.
After all I've read in my life and the wonderful authors I follow, Steffanie Holmes has taken over the number one spot. Well done!
To date I have read her Nevermore Bookshop series (My absolute FAVORITE), Briarwood Witches, Wolves of Crookshollow, Broken Muses of Manderly Academy and each and everyone has something that calls to me that I just can't explain.
Here we have a different twist with the Stoncrest Prep series. Since it is book one we get a brief look at the main characters and parts of what formed the people they are at this point. There is a darkness that wraps around each character yet like MacKenzie I feel drawn to each guy. The book opens with a what the ? moment and builds at just the right pace to ensnare you in it's mystery.
By the time I reached the end all I wanted was to keep on reading to which there had to be a cliffhanger to draw us back for more.
All I know is that I can't wait to get my hands on the next book and see what dark tunnel the author is going to take us down and what that will reveal.
After all I've read in my life and the wonderful authors I follow, Steffanie Holmes has taken over the number one spot. Well done!
August 9, 2021
“Someone broke her. Someone snuffed out Mackenzie’s sunshine so completely she’s a stranger to me now. And I have a feeling I know exactly who it was.”
My Stolen Life was the introduction to this new to me author. Although there are darker elements, I didn’t find it an overly dark read. An abundance of nasty, privileged kids who hide behind daddy and mummy’s money. Although they all reek of money, they aren’t necessarily living perfect lives. The plot is complex, it’s unpredictable and the characters are cruel and calculating. Personally I was unable to put this book down and am about to dive head first into My Secret Heart.
Four years after a surviving traumatic event, Mackenzie finds herself attending Stonehurst Prep. She has lived a sheltered life in her family’s mansion alone and has little memory of her previous life. However she is instinctively drawn to three very different boys who are friends. A flirtatious rockstar, one who holds a grudge and one that’s missed his best friend. She sets out seeking revenge and karma can be one hell of a bitch. Ask no questions, tell no lies as the plot thickens around a web of deception.
My Stolen Life was the introduction to this new to me author. Although there are darker elements, I didn’t find it an overly dark read. An abundance of nasty, privileged kids who hide behind daddy and mummy’s money. Although they all reek of money, they aren’t necessarily living perfect lives. The plot is complex, it’s unpredictable and the characters are cruel and calculating. Personally I was unable to put this book down and am about to dive head first into My Secret Heart.
Four years after a surviving traumatic event, Mackenzie finds herself attending Stonehurst Prep. She has lived a sheltered life in her family’s mansion alone and has little memory of her previous life. However she is instinctively drawn to three very different boys who are friends. A flirtatious rockstar, one who holds a grudge and one that’s missed his best friend. She sets out seeking revenge and karma can be one hell of a bitch. Ask no questions, tell no lies as the plot thickens around a web of deception.
July 12, 2020
What a powerful, engrossing, riveting story. Something terrible happened to Mackenzie four years ago and she was rescued by her cousin Anthony. Now since the age of thirteen she has lived in the family mansion, hidden for four years, while she and Anthony plot the destruction of the people who hurt her and murdered her family. So at seventeen she is going back to school at Stonehurst Prep where all the rich kids go. But there she meets kids from her past. A past she doesn’t remember. Eli acts like an old friend, Noah hater her, and Gabriel just wants to be her friend and more. But she doesn’t remember of them. And all of the “in” kids in the school are gunning for her and make her life miserable. But one goes too far and she needs to get revenge and stop the bullying. But her revenge starts a chain reaction, and the person she and Anthony have been plotting their revenge against, might not be the only one they need to take care of. What happened four years ago might be more involved than they thought. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 11, 2021
What i love about Steffanie's books is just how complex the plot's are, they really keep you guessing the whole way through. This was no exception...there was so much action, so many twists and turns and it was so full of suspense....I can't even predict where the story is heading, so many unsolved questions that I'm desperate for answers for.
As for the characters...well i just loved how different and tough Mac is, she really can hold her own and definitely fits the ice queen type, but despite this her vulnerability and insecurities definitely come through in her interactions with the guys. As for the guys themselves.....Noah, Eli and Gabe, they are just as complex and interesting, their chemistry with Mac was off the charts! I also loved the chapters with their POV.
This story is definitely dark, contains some serious bullying and has some very hot sex scenes!
I am so excited for the next book...I just can't wait!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As for the characters...well i just loved how different and tough Mac is, she really can hold her own and definitely fits the ice queen type, but despite this her vulnerability and insecurities definitely come through in her interactions with the guys. As for the guys themselves.....Noah, Eli and Gabe, they are just as complex and interesting, their chemistry with Mac was off the charts! I also loved the chapters with their POV.
This story is definitely dark, contains some serious bullying and has some very hot sex scenes!
I am so excited for the next book...I just can't wait!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 27, 2020
Mackenzie Malloy has deadly secrets she needs to keep, but the Ice Queen of Stonehurst Prep wasn't expecting the three princes. Gabriel Fallen is a rock god, and bad boy singer for Octavia's Ruin. Eli Hart, is sweet, sexy, and his heart was broken when his friend disappeared. Noah Marlowe, is a senator's son, and his family blames her's for his older brother's death. Mackenzie and her family disappeared five years ago, and they want to know why she is back.
While this is a departure from what this author usually writes, I'm a fan, and I was curious, so I decided to give this book a try, I wasn't disappointed. The characters are compelling, and convincing, the dialog flowed smoothly, and kept me absorbed in their story. The plot has surprising and unexpected twists, with violence, and some steamy sex scenes. Needless to say, I loved this book, and highly recommend it to other readers who enjoy this genre.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
While this is a departure from what this author usually writes, I'm a fan, and I was curious, so I decided to give this book a try, I wasn't disappointed. The characters are compelling, and convincing, the dialog flowed smoothly, and kept me absorbed in their story. The plot has surprising and unexpected twists, with violence, and some steamy sex scenes. Needless to say, I loved this book, and highly recommend it to other readers who enjoy this genre.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
July 2, 2020
Mackenzie has been hiding out in her mansion since she was 13 years old and avoiding people for 4 years, but a cop has destroyed that for her, and she now needs to attend a school or trouble is going to find her. She decides to go to Stonehurst Prep, but she hasn't been to a school class since she was 13 and it's going to be a big challenge. Can she bluff her way through her senior year? Stonehurst Prep is full of rich kids and their entitled attitudes, will she survive? I loved this engrossing story, that had me turning the pages and consuming it's contents. Mackenzie is easy to love, with a great mix of tough (don't mess with her attitude) and lost teenager. I loved Gabriel (the fallen rock star), Eli (the friendly guy who remembers her) and Noah (who glares at her), and how their relationship with her forms. I really need the next one, I must find out what happens next.
August 30, 2020
Where do i start with this book?? The beginning of it just made my jaw drop and i couldnt pick it up off of the floor until the very end! I have so many unanswered questions my head is literally exploding with it all. Theres so many secrets Mackenzie aka Mac (FMC) is hiding that i dont think we have barely touched the surface in this book. She is so tight lipped about where she disappeared to? Where has she been for the last four years? Things in her life escalate when she enrols back at Stonehurst Prep with a set of ulterior motives but trouble comes in the form of three complications - Eli, Gabriel and Noah. An old friend, An enemy and a cocky brit. The three of these guys bring on the steam thats for sure. A brilliant read one hell of a cliffhanger ending. Bring on book 2 because im dying to get my hands on it
January 10, 2021
First book in the Stonehurst Prep Series and buckle up you are in for a ride. The book is primarily narrated by Mackenzie. What we know is that she has been hiding out for the last 4 years after a traumatizing event. Mackenzie is forced to reenter back into society by going back to high school her senior year. Enter Eli, Gabriel and Noah two of the boys are from Mackenzie's past she can't seem to remember. It is not all unicorns and rainbows as Mackenzie remerges. As secrets and danger surround her who does she trust and what must she do to protect those she starts to care about. I read this book in one day. It ends on a doozy of a cliffhanger which I happen to be a big fan of. I can't wait to read book 2 to see where this story is headed.
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.
April 24, 2021
Dark, twisted, and wicked YA RH romance that isn't for the weak, yet has undeniable chemistry that is hard to resist. Especially for anyone so attuned to this author's writing - I could not resist the temptation.
Mackenzie has more secrets than any average teenager - but she also had to survive a lot. No wonder she turned out to be the Ice Queen she is, carrying her crown with grace and don't-mess-with-me attitude. Yet her sudden appearance brought more turmoil than anyone could have expected..
I generally don't read romance books, but dark romance is an exception, and with excellent writing it is a reading experience worth taking. I got very much intrigued by the life of these rich kids and the very shady business of their families, showing the trauma, corruption, and broken dreams. And that cliffhanger... oh my goodness. I need more. Now.
Mackenzie has more secrets than any average teenager - but she also had to survive a lot. No wonder she turned out to be the Ice Queen she is, carrying her crown with grace and don't-mess-with-me attitude. Yet her sudden appearance brought more turmoil than anyone could have expected..
I generally don't read romance books, but dark romance is an exception, and with excellent writing it is a reading experience worth taking. I got very much intrigued by the life of these rich kids and the very shady business of their families, showing the trauma, corruption, and broken dreams. And that cliffhanger... oh my goodness. I need more. Now.
June 28, 2020
Wow. I am sure glad I didn't attend school where "Mackenzie" does and I definitely would have not wanted to get on her bad side. I'm still not sure where this book is going since it cliffhangs right where we might get to find out exactly what is going on with Mackenzie or Claudia, or whoever she is. One thing for sure, she has three hot guys after her. The rock star Gabe, the broody Noah, the protective old friend Eli. She seems disinclined to choose just one sooooo. She may be left with whoever will still speak to her when her secrets come out (or is that whomever?) Anyway, dive in and join me in waiting for the next book so we can find out what is going on.
I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
July 29, 2020
Wow, this book was dark, twisted, calculating and evil. It left me with more questions than answers. The cliffhanger at the end didn't help me figure some stuff out at all. One thing are rich kids really this evil. Not in my neck of the woods at least I hope. It's not just the kids being that way. I'm sure they learn it from their parents. Mackenzie was a girl who had been abused all her life. After a terrifying experience from her family's enemy. She is back for revenge and to get crown back as Queen of Stonehurst Prep.
Man, I loved this book. It was so intense that it kept me glued to the pages wondering what's next, who did it, when or where does it all end. Get this book, you won't be sorry.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. The review is of my own opinion.
Man, I loved this book. It was so intense that it kept me glued to the pages wondering what's next, who did it, when or where does it all end. Get this book, you won't be sorry.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. The review is of my own opinion.
September 1, 2020
This was my first book by this author and I was leery of the dark high school setting. I did enjoy story, but found that some parts were more predictable or that I was a little confused as to why some things were happening. All the characters are broken in different ways yet they are all drawn to each other. I enjoyed reading about the boys: Eli, Noah and Gabriel and their ties to Mac. I am not sure if I like Mac or not, she is able to bounce between Ice Queen and needy young teen with womanly desires. This first book seems to set the stage for what is to come and I will be reading book two and hoping that things get sorted. Overall if you like dark and twisted then you will like this book.
September 15, 2020
Thanks to that stunning prologue, I was hooked from the first page. This twisty turny, steamy, sometimes shocking high school bully romance left me with more questions than it answered and I loved it! Steffanie Holmes writes the most amazing, strong female characters and MacKenzie Malloy is no exception. Mackenzie has an agenda when she enrolls in Stonehurst Prep (one that I am mostly clueless about) but the mystery and suspense in this edgy drama kept me glued to my couch while I read this book from cover to cover. Eli, Gabe, and Noah are the guys - her guys -who refuse to walk away no matter how hard she pushes. I have no clue where this story is going but I can't wait for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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