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reading_with_2_book_lovers's review
4.0
These characters really spoke to me and I devoured this book. I cant wait for the next one.
stephsromancebooktalk's review
4.0
4.5 Stars / 4 Steam Fans
If you liked the movie Cruel Intentions then you will LOVE this story!! Natalie is a free spirited aspiring writer that takes care of rich people's homes. Penn is the son of the New York Mayor, growing up around wealth and privilege. Natalie and Penn crossed paths years ago and this is how their story plays out when they meet again. I loved the twists and turns, nods to classic 90's movies and the things that I grew up loving. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.
This specific video review will be included in the May 2019 wrap-up.
For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
If you liked the movie Cruel Intentions then you will LOVE this story!! Natalie is a free spirited aspiring writer that takes care of rich people's homes. Penn is the son of the New York Mayor, growing up around wealth and privilege. Natalie and Penn crossed paths years ago and this is how their story plays out when they meet again. I loved the twists and turns, nods to classic 90's movies and the things that I grew up loving. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.
This specific video review will be included in the May 2019 wrap-up.
For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
proud_book_nerd's review
4.0
Oh how the affluent play...
I had such high hopes for Penn and Natalie. Six years is a long time to allow people to change and grow. But within the first scenes of the book I was screaming that Penn was a Fuckwaffle!!! And that's a special term reserved for Mr. Kincaid. But Mr. Kensington definitely deserves it. Ugh why do people like Katherine exist ?! She reminds me of Celia and I hate that bitch. I knew Penn would fall, but I was surprised Lewis did too. I hope Nat gets what she wants, whatever it may be...
I had such high hopes for Penn and Natalie. Six years is a long time to allow people to change and grow. But within the first scenes of the book I was screaming that Penn was a Fuckwaffle!!! And that's a special term reserved for Mr. Kincaid. But Mr. Kensington definitely deserves it. Ugh why do people like Katherine exist ?! She reminds me of Celia and I hate that bitch. I knew Penn would fall, but I was surprised Lewis did too. I hope Nat gets what she wants, whatever it may be...
tabberz's review
4.0
Oh Penn! and oh Linde! Once again the queen of angst delivered.
You have to meet Natalie and Penn. This couple has chemistry to spare. I love their love/hate relationship (the hate is mostly one-sided). I love their banter and I love when they come together. These two have a nice depth to them and are not your typical couple from opposite sides of the track. They have a history that is hinted at for a bit and you wait to find all the truths from their first time around (And if you want to read that story you can read One Cruel Night, which is free). This second chance that is given to them in a unexpected way is so much fun to watch unravel. You feel the tension in both good and bad ways and you wonder where this will go, if anywhere. I loved reading it unfold.
I loved Totle, who is my favorite character in the whole book. How a dog can be so expressive and lovable makes me want to get my own (would if I could).
The other supporting characters were fun to see interact with these two. The friends and family from both characters were interesting and brought out new sides to them. There's always the one character you keep your eye on because you know bad things always follow and in this book their "villain" was unlikable in the best way. You just wanted to yell, "RUN!", every time she entered a scene. But the best friends for both characters were great. They were supportive and had great interactions.
Since this is part of a 3-book series you know that this would not be a Linde novel without a cliffhanger. And oh what a cliffhanger it is! I am anxious and expectant for the next book and to see where she's taking out characters. It is a small time-jump so we will probably get to see what they were up to in the interim and see what will happen next.
And as I mentioned earlier in my review, there is a prequel book, One Cruel Night, that is currently free and it's a great read to get to know our characters a little more but not necessary to read this book. There is enough coverage of those events in this book that you get the gist of what happened BUT I think that read was also excellent and really enhances this read. So pick that up too.
Overall...Why do I need to wait so long for the next book!?!?!?!?!?
You have to meet Natalie and Penn. This couple has chemistry to spare. I love their love/hate relationship (the hate is mostly one-sided). I love their banter and I love when they come together. These two have a nice depth to them and are not your typical couple from opposite sides of the track. They have a history that is hinted at for a bit and you wait to find all the truths from their first time around (And if you want to read that story you can read One Cruel Night, which is free). This second chance that is given to them in a unexpected way is so much fun to watch unravel. You feel the tension in both good and bad ways and you wonder where this will go, if anywhere. I loved reading it unfold.
I loved Totle, who is my favorite character in the whole book. How a dog can be so expressive and lovable makes me want to get my own (would if I could).
The other supporting characters were fun to see interact with these two. The friends and family from both characters were interesting and brought out new sides to them. There's always the one character you keep your eye on because you know bad things always follow and in this book their "villain" was unlikable in the best way. You just wanted to yell, "RUN!", every time she entered a scene. But the best friends for both characters were great. They were supportive and had great interactions.
Since this is part of a 3-book series you know that this would not be a Linde novel without a cliffhanger. And oh what a cliffhanger it is! I am anxious and expectant for the next book and to see where she's taking out characters. It is a small time-jump so we will probably get to see what they were up to in the interim and see what will happen next.
And as I mentioned earlier in my review, there is a prequel book, One Cruel Night, that is currently free and it's a great read to get to know our characters a little more but not necessary to read this book. There is enough coverage of those events in this book that you get the gist of what happened BUT I think that read was also excellent and really enhances this read. So pick that up too.
Overall...Why do I need to wait so long for the next book!?!?!?!?!?
fryemomma05's review
5.0
Cruel Money is like nothing you have read before and like everything you've been missing in your life!!! This is a crazy world that would rival that are Gossip Girl and Cruel Intentions! Penn and Natalie are on fire! Their story will captivate you until the very end! You think you know what coming but you have no idea!!!!
smonro's review
4.0
He was kind of stupid tbh and she also sometimes. The only one I really liked was Lewis
gabibibi's review
2.0
this was soooo bad, it didn’t feel like a book it felt like a gossip girl au fanfic.
franjessca's review
4.0
Full Review posted at Book Lovin' Mamas
Fair warning there is a cliffhanger at the end of Cruel Money. This will definitely make you want to read the next book, which is to release in April. I’ll be anxiously waiting for the next book to publish.
Overall, I give this book 4 stars and recommend it to Contemporary Romance readers and fans of K.A. Linde. This book reminds me of one my favorite shows, which is Gossip Girl and how the rich and the powerful are the ones you look up to and want to be, but they have a dark side and if you are pulled into their world you are likely to get burned.
Fair warning there is a cliffhanger at the end of Cruel Money. This will definitely make you want to read the next book, which is to release in April. I’ll be anxiously waiting for the next book to publish.
Overall, I give this book 4 stars and recommend it to Contemporary Romance readers and fans of K.A. Linde. This book reminds me of one my favorite shows, which is Gossip Girl and how the rich and the powerful are the ones you look up to and want to be, but they have a dark side and if you are pulled into their world you are likely to get burned.
lauraanne9's review
3.0
***ARC Provided by the Author and InkSlinger PR***
3.5 Stars
Cliffhanger titles are tough to review without spoilers. So, this is going to be a shorter, and a little more vague review.
I enjoyed the first 20% of this, and the last 25%. Unfortunately, I lost some of my engagement with the story in the middle portion. From the blurb, and from the very first page before the book starts, you know this is a retelling of Les Liaisons Dangereuses and I wanted a little more of the game playing. And, while it was there, it took a little bit of a back seat to the rest of the story, at least in my opinion.
As always, I enjoyed the writing and the characters, as KA Linde is one of my go to authors. The plot, as I mentioned, lost me a little in the middle. However, by the time I got to the end of the story, I was engaged and the cliffhanger was a good one.
I can't wait for the conclusion of this story, and I definitely recommend it.
3.5 Stars
Cliffhanger titles are tough to review without spoilers. So, this is going to be a shorter, and a little more vague review.
I enjoyed the first 20% of this, and the last 25%. Unfortunately, I lost some of my engagement with the story in the middle portion. From the blurb, and from the very first page before the book starts, you know this is a retelling of Les Liaisons Dangereuses and I wanted a little more of the game playing. And, while it was there, it took a little bit of a back seat to the rest of the story, at least in my opinion.
As always, I enjoyed the writing and the characters, as KA Linde is one of my go to authors. The plot, as I mentioned, lost me a little in the middle. However, by the time I got to the end of the story, I was engaged and the cliffhanger was a good one.
I can't wait for the conclusion of this story, and I definitely recommend it.