Little Devil

Crash and burn #1

by E.B. Brooks

A girl from the wrong side of the tracks.
Four bad boys who rule the school.
When hearts are on the line, all bets are off.
But will they win, or will they crash and burn? Shelby and her cousin, Cin, have always taken care of each other, using an overcrowded foster system to slip through the cracks and live for themselves. Racing pays the bills, and freedom is on the horizon. But the world they built crashes down around them when a race goes wrong, bringing child services right to their door. Separated and sent back to the families they ran away from, Shelby finds herself flung into a brand new family with a drug-addict mom who promises she’s changed. But Shelby’s heard that story one too many times to trust that she’ll stay that way for long. When she joins the fancy new school her step-father paid for her to attend, she meets the Knight twins Mav and Dom, and their friends Luke and Cam. Together, these guys rule the school, and for some reason, they’re interested in Shelby. But with a conniving step-sister and the cheerleading squad out to get her, can Shelby ever be safe in this new place? And why can’t she get ahold of Cin, the only family she’s ever truly been able to count on? With time ticking down, will Shelby crash and burn again? And who will be the fallout? A dark and angsty high school reverse harem romance with fast cars and even faster pulses.

Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult

452 pages, Paperback

Published September 24, 2021

About the author

E.B. Brooks lives in West Virginia, where in addition to writing, he builds his house and homestead with his wife, children, and many pets.

Reviews

[Nicole Hale · Rating 3 out of 5]

ehhhh so much potential

I really really believe this book has so much potential! I love the FMC and the racing aspects. There were some times where the names were changed and it got a little confusing. I could care less for the guys. Honestly I only really cared for Nick and Dom. The FMC is such a strong character, the guys arnt on her level. All around I enjoyed it and will most likely read book 2.

[Daisy Delfin]

I couldn't get into this book. I had to dnf it only 5% in.
I think the writing got to me, but I'm not sure. No rating, because I didn't get far.

[Amor__fati · Rating 2 out of 5]

So much wasted potential the premise was interesting, i love a good illegal street racing book, even better when the fmc is a badass racer, but the juvenile writing, lack of character depth or development basically klled the book. This was written like a fanfiction where with fanfiction because they're doing a fan rendering of a known media, they can get away with this, people already know the world or character they are writing about but with books, especially a new one, we don't know these characters, you can't get away with this. One of the things i dislike the most about books is when author sell you a character like they're a going to be a certain way but when you actually read the book, they're nothing like promised and it feels like a scam, i was expecting the fmc to be this strong person that you can't mess around with and who've know the real world at a too young age but the author decided to take cheap route of making her a typical damsel in distress with no true essence and did a great disservice to her fmc. We are told through out the book tha she can take names and kick ass but when it's time for action we are left underwhelmed and disappointed.
Also what's up with the relationship??? Don't get me wrong, i love fast burn, but even if it's fast, you have put in a way that the relationship is convincing, like they barely even knew eachother so it's even worse when it's a poly relationship where communication and trust have to happen for it to work out. This was really a disappointing read and i truly wanted to like this but oh well...

[Tiffany · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful. Extremely juvenile and underdeveloped.

If you’re expecting a kickass FMC and hot alpha male harem members then you’ll be disappointed here.

This book is written as if Disney channel had a fever dream.

Everything about it is cliche and rushed. None of the characters have an ounce of chemistry and the dialogue between them is so stilted and dry.

DNF at 50%. Mad I wasted my time but I hoped it would get better. It did not.

[Elesha's book fun gossip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coming from a rubbish back ground Shelby and con have been living is fast racing in secret and Shelby is thrown through a loop in to a new life with 4 guys that can tip her world upside down its a intriguing, suspensful, fast paced, Insta attraction enjoyable read with amazing characters.

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

[Jennifer G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shelby and Cin are family. Their parents failed them. The system failed them. They have survived on their own, paying the bills by street racing for 3 years. But when it comes crashing down around them, they find themselves back with their separate parents. Shelby's addict mom has cleaned herself up, married into money, and has two step-children. Cin's reality isn't as good. Shelby immediately impacts her new family and school. Capturing the four hottest guys in the school's attention puts a target on her back from the Barbie squad, including her step-sister. However, they have never encountered a hood princess before. Shelby is smart, can fight, and isn't going to bow to a spoiled bunch of mean girls. She's going to claim the guys, handle the girls, and rescue Cin. Family doesn't give up.

Almost. The premise is solid. The characters have potential. But it's too simplistic. I need to know what makes Shelby special. Why did she capture the attention of Mav, Dom, Luke, and Cam? Is it because she's the shiny new toy in a school of carbon copies or is it real? Have they done this before? Is it a regular thing they do? More than one person implied this was common behavior. Why did she never ask? Are the guys even worth wanting? Their choice of former girlfriends and the girls of their circle are over-the-top awful. It's not a good look on any of the guys either. Add in their behavior when around the girls and I think maybe Shelby should steer clear. Honestly, I need to see character development from most of the guys. Her stepbrother Nick is a good guy. Dom is a great character. The brooding and sexy combo always works. Luke needs more time to distinguish himself. Cam and Mav need to be avoided until they can learn basic respect. Open flirting in front of the girl you are supposedly interested in isn't sexy. Mav's explanation wasn't good enough. His immaturity wasn't acceptable for me. It takes more than a pretty face and big equipment to impress me. It seemed out of character for Shelby too. This girl is a bada** yet she got over the disrespect immediately. She's confrontational and combative when guys look at her wrong or say something rude, yet her own boyfriends acted worse. Nope.
I liked the friendship with her brother. I wish it had been more developed and there were more conversations between the two.
I liked the friendship with her brother. I wish it had been more developed and there were more conversations between the two. I liked the friendship with her brother. I wish it had been more developed and there were more conversations between the two. And I hope Hannah gets her redemption. I have never met girls as bad as the Barbie squad. They were ridiculous even for mean girls. I would like to see her as a friend in the future embracing her full family not feeling threatened by them.

The book excelled when it focused on Shelby's street racing and Cin's auto prowess. This is its strength. This is where Shelby looks best. She is strong and sexy on her bike and behind the wheel. I hope we get more focus on these aspects in book 2. And more Dom.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who love TF&F will enjoy this teen R.H. version. Shelby is completely different from the cheerleading barbies of the prep school. Her life's been difficult and she's had to lookout for herself. She comes off as snarky and tough but doesn't really exhibits tough girl behavior much. The mean girls are unoriginal in their bullying, but Shelby just kind of takes it. In the end she does take back her power and stands up to the mean girls. Overall an enjoyable read but the character development could use a little work. Hopefully the next book in the series will give a little more development to each guy in relation to Shelby. Also, hoping to read more of Shelby getting into the racing scene and the challenge mention in this book.

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

[Ana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf 60%

Liked the start. Good character introduction that gave a good insight of the fmc's personality and history. That was my favorite part tbh, as well as the connection she had with Cindy.

After she got to meet the boys, that's when it started to be a hellish reading experience for me. The sudden change of pace, relationship status and dynamic threw me at the next planet over. There's nothing like four (kinda strangers, that still hv sm with their crazy ex's) guys cornering you and ask you if you want to be with the 4 of them at the same time. Like WTFFFFFFF? That was when I started regretting I have access to internet


I want back my wasted hours

Overall 1,5 ⭐
Don't recommend

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book

The story was good, lots of action and some angst. Some of it seemed a little out there to me but it has been a while since I was in school and dealing with all that drama, so it could just be me not remembering what all that hormone driven drama was like.
Can't wait to read the next book and find out what happens next.

[Athena Que Será, Será · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tags: biker-heroine, brothers-love-same-girl, bully, damaged-broken_hero, damaged-broken_heroine, friends-to-lovers, hero-hurts-heroine, hero-loved-or-loves-ow, high-school, jocks, manwhore-philanderer, mean-mean-girls, om_drama, ow-drama, poor-heroine, read, rh-contemporary, rich-hero, rich-hero-poor-heroine, strong-fmc-heroine, teenage-romance, mm, bisexual hero, editing-needed

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting and intriguing start to Shelby and Cin's story. Each character found within the pages of Little Devil has potential and I hope there to more depth given to them. Overall, this is a story that kept me reading with the suspense. action and fast pace.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining story that an interesting storyline. I liked the main character though I thought some of her actions were interesting and unexpected. The drama surrounding her was interesting as well. I requested a copy of this book and am voluntarily writing a review.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read

The boys annoyed me because they were jerks in different ways but they kinda grow out of it by the end …….. kinda . Hannah is a hot mess . I can’t wait to read what happens next.

[Nancy Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

If you enjoy strong heroines that have had major challenges in life but come out strong and a little damaged then you'll enjoy this read. It also doesn't hurt that it's a reverse harem! Looking forward to more!

[Nobody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the car and the storyline is decent but I felt like it was missing something. As always thank you to the author

[Alan Lee Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes

You did it again loved it hurry i need more books please I like this start better than other series

[Brenda Messenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

I so loved this book. I lov d the characters and thought they were absolutely amazing. I cannot wait til book 2 to get some answers

[Courtney Lowmaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Please tell me there is a book 2 coming out soon! This was absolutely amazing and really need to know how she gets back at the barbie squad.

[Susanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book! Interresting plot!
And it’s an easy read book as Well, so very good!

[Patricia Kearney · Rating 5 out of 5]

cool ride

Great story that ends on a cliffhanger. Love the whole cast of characters and can’t wait for the next book

[J.L. Cres · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. It was a decent read that I finished. I felt some of the connections between the guys and the FMC were lacking. Overall, I enjoyed it for a quick read.

[LeiT · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was recommended in one of my fav book group. I was very excited about the story and downloaded instantly.
So let’s start

There were a couple of things that I wasn’t sure about. Such the MC seems like such a strong lead but when it comes to the guys not so much. I would have loved for her to keep her anger s little longer cause some things they were doing were not okay. No excusessss “He’s a flirt” is not an excuse. To me that would be a mega red flag.

The love felt very insta love and I needed a little more time to get to know them and create that connection. Honestly the one guy I liked 100% was Nick and he wasn’t even an option. Sad news for me. Also there was no balance between the guys I would have loved to learn more about Luke but we got so little and towards the end with the supposed yelling that kinda turn me off. Can and Mav seem to be like the same person and Dom I kinda liked him he had that mysterious aura that I liked. Still my fav was Nick 🥺

Another thing it seems like the story is going to have m/m which I did not see any disclaimers or anything about it. I would really appreciate if authors could be a little more clear.


Overall I really was enjoying the story regardless of the minor things I was going to continue reading because it had potential. However with the m/m I decided not to continue reading it. If you are interested give a read because I do think the book has potential.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

This book surpassed my expectations, I thought it would be good and it was and more. It's a young adult age book, high school, but their actions are more like new adult, college age. I would love to read more.