Pretty Ruthless: Brighton High School Reunion

by Em Torrey

Life is a collection of memories and moments in time, choices and consequences. When you make a choice you have to live with the consequences, there are no take-backs, no do-overs. I knew that the moment I walked away from Dawson Meyers on graduation night I wouldn’t get a do-over, I’d have to live with the consequences of that decision forever. I haven’t been back to my hometown for more than a weekend in almost a decade and I haven’t had a relationship for the same reason; memories. When the invitation for my high school reunion shows up in the mail I almost throw it out but what if I didn’t look at the weekend at home as a nuisance instead

Genres: Second Chance, Small Town Romance

74 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 6, 2023

Reviews

[Kade Gulluscio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very fast paced book where we meet Claire and Dawson - high school loves who have unfortunately gone separate ways In life. Neither really wanting that though.

They meet again during their high school reunion. And their love reignites as it always does.

Great read with easy to like characters.

[Melluvsbooks]

Dnf@10% - I disliked the heroine immediately. There’s nothing of substance that kept the MCs apart. Doesn’t seem like much of a consuming love if you are willing to voluntarily separate for 10’years 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Sylvia Pelletier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fast paced book about Claire and Dawson. They were high school sweethearts, but one night changed everything. Claire was leaving for San Fran to go to Stanford and accept an internship. She left Dawson and their dreams behind to follow her own dreams. It's told in present and past timelines. At their 10 year reunion they see each other again and old Flames reappear and they both have a choice to make. This was such a sweet love story and I would love to read more about this couple and what their future holds.

[Rebekah Granger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book was a great introduction to this series! It’s a quick, light read that had me loving and hating some characters already. I love that this book takes place in the current year with flash backs up to 10 years prior making it easy to relate to the characters. I hope to get a peek back into these characters lives through the rest of this series!

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice story, good match. The first in a summer ARC series and I'm hooked, waiting for the next one! The characters were drawn together. Years and gaps separate them, but sometimes fate wins and as Claire said, "time to follow your heart." I want more Dawson. This is a fun read. And to the author, Mrs. Hunt is WRONG.

[Victoria Amrein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the privilege of being an ARC reader for this book, and I absolutely loved the story! Aside from a few grammatical errors, the plot and characters were great. Dawson (MMC) is literally the sweetest and I love that he got a happily ever after. Claire (FMC) faces a tough decision that many can relate to and we get to see her make hard decisions and choose herself always. The dual POV and dual timeline was done well and I think it was essential to the story because it really put all the pieces together. I can't wait for the rest of the series!

[Amberly Hays · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start!!
This is the first book to the Brighton High School 10 year reunion. It’s short and sweet. The FMC is Claire, she’s a big shot in the city and the MMC is Dawson, he stayed behind in their hometown. They dated in high school and then went their separate ways after. Where are they 10 years later and will they find their way back to one another?

[Laura (lady_h_reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been five years. Ten if you count the first heartbreak, almost to the day. I’m not sure how I’ll survive this heartbreak. The one I know is going to happen, she’ll leave again, she always does and there’s nothing I can do to change her mind.

What a sweet, short, second-chance romance read! High School sweethearts Claire and Dawson are reunited when Claire returns to her hometown for their 10-year high school reunion. Told in Dual 1st person POV and through flashbacks of happier days, we see how the heartbreak of letting the one you love go to chase their dreams never stops hurting. It is mildly angsty but leads to a sweet HEA.

The romance is medium-burn and steamy, with the fumbling of first-time love and the surety of adults.

I enjoyed this coming-home story and am excited to see what the other authors bring to the series.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes/Features: Second Chance, high school sweethearts, first-time love, mutual pining, 10-year HS reunion, coming home
Narrator: Dual 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: MF, medium burn, steamy
Book Type/Ending: Standalone short story in Brighton High School Reunion series, HEA

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received an ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own without any outside influences** contains possible comments some may take as spoilers **

Short and sweet novela.

Over all -⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Story- ⭐️⭐️⭐️(it was a novella)
Back story- ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (would have liked a few more POV chapters from their teenage years)
Character Development- ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (hand in hand with back story rating could have used more POV from younger years)

When I first started this book I went in with zero expectations. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I didn’t want this story to end, unfortunately it was a novella so it was really short. Dawson and Claire are absolute soul mates who find their way back to one another at their 10 year high school reunion where they finally air the truth of what tore them apart. Claire wanted to give Dawson everything but didn’t want to give up her dreams but took the choice from Dawson to support her though them when she left with only a note. Great lead to the rest of the series. I would have personally like a little more of their teenage years to properly gage the character development over a decade but I feel like we will see more possibly on the other books. I loved the sweet love these two had throughout the POVs we did have from their youth up until adulthood where they were still their each other’s hearts even though the distance, and Dawson is the sweetest BBF. The kitchen cabinet made my heart melt. I felt the middle was a little rushed but I still enjoyed it and look forward to the other books to come.

[XxLaVampiresaAlexisxX · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire and Dawson were once high school sweethearts. It was always those two against the world. They both ended in heartbreak. A decade later, at their reunion, old flames reunite.

Pretty Ruthless is a fabulous introduction into the Brighton High School reunion shared world. This is a quick and easy read. It was a little too fast paced, but really good. This is recommended if you enjoy second chances, small town, medium burn, and does end with an HEA. I normally don't care for flashbacks, but they fit so well, especially with this series. Definitely, can't wait to read more!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spice level 🌶️🌶️

I’m very sad this story wasn’t longer. It was a good story but it was very rushed.

Claire is a big bad CEO of a company
Dawson owns a garage.

They were supposed to have their dreams, but she chose hers and broke both of them. High school reunion time comes around, and she comes back only to have the flames reignite because they never fully extinguished.

Can they figure out a way to burn without turning to ashes?

I love a good second chance romance, the ending was brilliant. But the reality is there should have been more too it. Would love a full length version of this story vs the novella format.

[Megan Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a quick read but you get all the emotions, making tough decisions, chasing dreams and following the heart. Claire and Dawson's story is so cute.

[Sheree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet, quick read about two high school sweethearts getting their second chance at their high school reunion. It’s the 10-year reunion for Brighton High’s class of 2013 and Claire is reunited with Dawson after leaving him behind to follow her dreams, despite the plans they had made for the future.
With flashbacks providing background to their past, we see how our couple have never gotten over each other. Em Torrey has written sweet characters who, despite their broken hearts, do not go out of their way to hurt each other. The romantic tension is on point with some mild spicy scenes to sweeten the story.
This is the first book I’ve read from this author and for a short book, the story flowed smoothly, and the characters were well developed. I enjoyed the writing and would have loved a longer book. I look forward to reading this author again.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Talklessreadmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great story, a second chance, childhood friends. Parts def made me laugh out loud and also parts made me tear up. Read it all in one sitting, I couldn't put it down.

[Nicole Scarborough · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love second chance and this was a cute short second chance. It wasn't really spicy. I loved the flashbacks.

[Abigail Bogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Book Review: Pretty Ruthless

I loved this story. Claire and Dawson are highchool sweethearts, that are star crossed lovers. Claire’s and Dawson highschool reunion for 10 years is coming up, which also happens to be the anniversary of there 10 year heartbreak. Find out how the go from highschool lovers, to heartbreaks, to lovers. Coming soon on Kindle Unlimited by Em Torrey!

🌶️: 3.5/5
⭐️: 10/10

[Christina Rybka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire hasn’t been home in ten years except five years ago for her grandfather’s funeral. She is going to her ten year high school reunion. Dawson is the love she left behind to follow her dreams. When they see each other the intense connection is still there. Will Claire give them a chance or leave again ? Great characters and storyline. Highly recommended Amazing book Love Claire and Dawson. Em packed so much emotion in this short story.

[Tabitha Fritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is sweet, wholesome feel, that just really can allow you to get in your feels. Could be a hallmark movie.
It felt like with the hallmark movie feel that you were going down a path that has been seen often. high school sweethearts and one leaves, and one stays. ... beyond that I am not giving you all the spoiled deets.
I will say don't judge that plot path. There is juice with in this couple's story, and this author did a great job portraying it and fliping back between their POV's and their time line to allow the story to unfold as this school reunion happens.
This story is left very open ended. So it could definately be added to, but how it was left it does give a feeling of a HEA.

Note for spice/smexy time: It is there. it is not the priorty but rather the journey of Claire and Dawson's life is the priorty. So I said don't go in to this exspecting lots of smexy time. You will see a good scene around 70%

I don't typically go for this style of story, however I did enjoy it and found that the book was just the right length to really get in to it. I actually found that while it does give you feels so someone that cries easy at hallmark feel good movies may tear up with this one, it really is great to use as a pallete cleanser if you have been reading heavier books.

* I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.*

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty Ruthless by EM Torrey ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Being that this was my first time reading one of EM Torrey’s romances I was honestly not really sure what I was signing up for or what to expect when I first sat down and started. Well let me just say I was completely blown away in all the best ways . There were moments I was utterly speechless, moments I felt like my heart was being crushed, and moments I was literally on the edge of my seat anticipating what would happen next . Claire and Dawsons emotional rollercoaster of a journey is not a easy one by any means ( both were high school sweethearts and the most unfortunate and unexpected of circumstances ends up tearing them apart . It’s not until 10 years later that fate steps in and brings them back together at their High School Reunion. Will they be able to open their hearts and forgive one another? What does their future Hold ? Well to find out your simply going to have to pick it up go in with a completely open mind and read for yourself. 💜Angst 💜witty banter 💜humor 💜heartbreaking and heartfelt 💜twists and turns 💜family 💜friendships💜High School Reunion 💜Friends to lovers 💜Childhood Best Friends 💜second chances 💜opposites attract 💜wonderfully written characters 💜phenomenal world building . Pretty Ruthless has it all in spades and I have definitely found myself a new favorite author
2 minutes ago

[Devonne Hahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy second chance, small town romances and in need of a quick read, then you will want to read this novella.

Dawson and Claire were high school sweethearts. They both had dreams they saw together but Claire's led her to something that caused a rift between her and Dawson.

Things change, time goes by and Claire returns to her hometown for her 10 year high school after being away for far too long. When Dawson and Claire reconnect, so many emotions are built up between them. So what do you think will happen between the couple who seemed like soulmates? It's a bit emotional and I would give anything to have a full length novel that shows Dawson and Claire in their teen years and then now. There seems to be a beautiful love story there that was disrupted by Claire's dreams.

Rating: 4/5 stars ⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶 - There are some spice but it's not make you blush in public while reading spicy. It's pretty tame compared to the stuff I like to read.

This is a book among 12 other books based on Brighton High School Reunion. Be sure to check them out too if you want to see what happens among some of Dawson and Claire's classmates.

[Holly Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me modern day Noah and Allie from The Notebook vibes (and I say that in the best way because The Notebook holds a special place in my heart).

As the first book in the 12 book Brighton High School Reunion series, it's a quick and easy read - the kind that you don't want to put down. I'd rate it a 2/5 on the spice scale, and I love the main characters, Claire and Dawson. They were high school sweethearts with a plan to continue their lives together, until one piece of paper changed everything.

The flashbacks flow really well with the current day narrative which takes place 10 years later, and you can't help but rooting for these two. I loved reading their story unfold, while learning about what influenced their decisions along the way (especially Claire). You can feel the heartbreak, and their story is extremely relatable.

I would absolutely read this again and recommend it to anyone who likes stories about chasing dreams and second, and even third, chances.

*I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.*

[Cams Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

The beginning of a multi-author series, this is the first in the Brighton Reunion series. If this a sign of things to follow, them I’m excited. I genuinely loved this novella. A friends to lovers, second chance romance, Claire chose her dreams over her love Dawson a decade ago. Will she break his heart again?
I’m a first time Torrey reader and she must have been wielding some magic when she wrote this story. How she managed to give a complete overview of the relationship, from the past to the present, in such a compact story I don’t know. As a reader I don’t feel like there was anything missing. I got the back story, the angsty feels in the present and this feels like a layered story. All within a 100 pages. I’m not entirely sure how the series is going to work but I hope at some point, somehow we get Kennedy and Devon’s back story.

I received an arc and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[TheheartofBrigid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty Ruthless by Em Torrey is the first book in the Brighton High School Reunion Series. This will be a series where several authors have come together to write in this shared world.

💜HS sweethearts
💜 CEO FMC
💜 HS reunion
💜 🌶🌶 spice

Claire and Dawson. That’s how it always was back in high school. They were a couple and in each other’s lives as long as she could remember. Kennedy and Davon were her best friends and always around as well. But, now ten years later, she’s the CEO of her own company and living in San Francisco. An email ping pulls her out of her thoughts to remind her that their ten year reunion was coming up. Could she go back? Could she face Dawson again? What would she even say to him?

This was such a fun way to start the series. Claire and Dawson were so sweet together. I enjoyed the flashbacks and the glimpses into this story. I can’t wait to see what the next book in the series brings.

[L C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the 12 part multi author series based on Brighton High School Reunion and it set the bench mark high for those to follow.

Second chance small town romance isn’t usually my go to read so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. We follow Claire, a successful business woman and workaholic who left her childhood sweetheart, Dawson, upon graduation to chase her dreams. Dawson never left town dedicating himself to the garage. Despite the time and distance they both never forgot each other, so when they bump into each other at the high school reunion a decade later the sparks are still there - can the spark develop in to a HEA?

I won’t spoil the book by answering that but highly recommend. While Em did a great job making this story well rounded in the limited pages I do wish it was longer as I loved the couple and wanted more. Good sign of a novella!

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun and easy read to kick off the Brighton High School Reunion series. I think Claire and Dawson was literally the perfect opener to set up and I cannot wait to see how the rest of the series plays out.

This was a second chance love story after Claire literally burned their relationship to the ground when she made the decision to chase her dreams not once but twice. Now five years later it’s their high school reunion and they come face to face for the first time and it’s time to answer to her past actions.

I love that we get flashbacks so we can see why certain decisions were made. The only thing I wished was that this was just a bit longer because it felt a bit rushed. However this is just the first book out of 12 so hopefully we’ll see more of them thru the series. Overall I still really liked it.

[Nilda Parra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire me Dawson’s love story was the perfect way to start off the Brighton High School Reunion series! Short and sweet but still had a lot of substance and introduced us to a few possible characters for the rest of the series.
At their 10 year high school reunion, Claire and Dawson reunite and realize they both have unresolved feeling. Through the flashbacks we come to learn why Claire broke Dawsons heart (not once but twice) but we can also see how much they still love each other.
Will their love be enough to bring them back together, or has time changed them both too much?
My rating is a 4/5, because while I love the story, I really wish it were longer and showed us a bit more of their life together.

[Gemma Kitchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chance Romance
MF
🔥🔥

Claire a successful CEO returns home for her High School Reunion, it has been years since she has been home to see friends and then there is Dawson her High School boyfriend. They had a shared dream but all this changed when Claire followed her dreams and not theirs.

How will Dawson react to seeing Claire again. She broke his heart twice and what will happen this third time. He can’t go through that heart ache again. But was Dawson the only one that got there heart broken.

These two are molten magnets that have a pull that always leads to each other.

Can these two overcome their past, their heartbreak and have what they both desire and that being each other.

[DFS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty Ruthless is the first installment of the Brighton High School Reunion and it was great. Pretty Ruthless is a second chance romance that follows Claire and Dawson. Claire and Dawson were high school sweethearts, but broke up. Claire moved away and became a successful business woman. Dawson stayed in their hometown and works as a mechanic in his own garage. The story is short and it felt rushed. I would have loved to spend a two or more chapters with Claire and Dawson, but I rather a story be short and sweet than drawn out with unnecessary drama. So, overall, it's a short and sweet story and you won't want Claire and Dawson's story to end.

[Samantha Hickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire and Dawson are so freaking adorable!!!

This was my first read by EM, and now I can't wait to read more!!

Dawson and Claire were high school sweethearts that thought they would be together forever until Claire's dreams took her away from their hometown. She moves to San Francisco to make her dreams come true and they end up breaking up.

10 years later, at the high school reunion they reunite and the spark is still there between them, but they have some things to work thru before they can have their second chance.

I absolutely loved this fast paced story and would love more of these characters!

[Katie Dominguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced second chance romance , loved the relationship between Claire and Dawson. And how no matter the distance they never forgot about each other. Dawson kept tabs on her and it truly shows how much he was in love with her regardless of how things ended to begin with. “That’s what you do when you love someone, you celebrate their accomplishments even if you can’t celebrate with them. I’m really proud of you Claire, you did what you wanted to do and it’s pretty damn commendable.”


Spice level 🌶️🌶️/5