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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
Ok I have been waiting on Cruel Hate since I read the novella Cruel Start. I would recommend reading this first just to give you a little bit more back story to Aspen and Phoenix. Cruel Hate picks right up where Cruel Start left off.
Ok on with my review...... Aspen is a strong heroine who can take care of herself and has for awhile. Her family life is in shambles and knows that she will not raise her child the way she has been raised with resentment and being used. She is exactly the type of person Phoenix needs in his in life. She is strong, she refuses to be his personal doormat, and her tenacity rivals his!
Phoenix what can I say about him. We get to see the many many layers that are him. He has so much inner turmoil that you really want to wrap him up and let him know everything will be ok. We get a deeper look into just who he is and the inner demons/fight he has going on.
With all of this being said we get to watch these two pussy-foot around each other. What starts out as something fake turns into something real.
You need to prepare yourself for the angsty ride you are about to embark. Oh and the ending... Well lets just say THANK GOD there is not a long wait for the next book!
Ok on with my review...... Aspen is a strong heroine who can take care of herself and has for awhile. Her family life is in shambles and knows that she will not raise her child the way she has been raised with resentment and being used. She is exactly the type of person Phoenix needs in his in life. She is strong, she refuses to be his personal doormat, and her tenacity rivals his!
Phoenix what can I say about him. We get to see the many many layers that are him. He has so much inner turmoil that you really want to wrap him up and let him know everything will be ok. We get a deeper look into just who he is and the inner demons/fight he has going on.
With all of this being said we get to watch these two pussy-foot around each other. What starts out as something fake turns into something real.
You need to prepare yourself for the angsty ride you are about to embark. Oh and the ending... Well lets just say THANK GOD there is not a long wait for the next book!
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Cruel Hate (Hidden Valley Elite Book 5) by Isla Vaughn - Review by Jessica Stone
First off, if you haven't read the book before this, go back and read Cruel Start, and if you have the time the other few books before this one. Ok with that being said, these books are soooo good, they have me on the edge of my seat with every new installment.
I'm not a super big fan of sports romances that take place heavily revolving around said sports, and this book has the perfect amount of sports romance and enough angst, heat and drama to keep it fun and entertaining for me.
Phoenix is my best and worst nightmare, he just wants to do what's best for him, his twin, mom and cousins, to have a good life and succeed, but man, he can be such a moody butthole about everything. I'm in love with his kind, protective nature, that he rarely lets show besides to those closest to him and I hate how he hides so much behind the angry macho guy thing. His character development for me in this book was wonderful to see, he's blossoming. But he still has some growing to do.
Aspen, Aspen, Aspen, my starving little pregnant artist. Aspen is one unlucky girl, the night she decides to lose her virginity she gets pregnant, talk about bad luck. Poor girl can't catch a break, all she wants to do is pursue he passions with her sister and go to college, get her degree and get out, a relationship and unexpected pregnancy is the last thing she needs or wants.
So what does this author throw into this mix, a fake relationship, yesssss start the popcorn and buckle up because it's a bumpy ride with these two. I'll warn you though, unlike with Cole and Damon, Phoniex's book is a slow burn, but like the other books in this series, this story ends with a cliffhanger that has me eager to see how she ends out Aspen and Phoniex's story. Please give this series a shot, seriously, you will not be disappointed.
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This author never fails to write a fantastic story. I'm normally not someone who reads the whole pregnancy trope, but the fake dating, while they fight their feelings, and try to navigate this part of their lives. I still have a major soft spot for Damon, but damn is Phoenix quickly becoming second place over Cole. Also, what the hell was that ending? I don't want to wait until the 28th to get the rest of the story! I need to know what happens! I do love though how we get more insight into the family dynamic of the Savage/Bennet family, and I just know some sh*t is going to go down in the next book with both the Bennets and the Reids. Overall, fantastic book, highly recommend, and don't talk to me on the 28th, cause ya girl is gonna be busy reading book 6!
dark
emotional
fast-paced
After reading the prequel to Aspen and Phoenix’s story and it ending in that cliff-hanger I couldn’t wait to start on their full length duet and what a first part this was. This book certainly kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through the story with so much drama and angst going on with our main characters. Although Aspen’s initial plan didn’t really work out all that well I really came to admire her integrity and how she wanted to raise her child in a completely different way to how she had been raised. Phoenix’s character also really evolved over the story and it was great to watch them both grow but that ending! I literally cannot wait to get started on the second part of their story!
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Will I ever tire of this series? The answer is a resounding NO. I have loved each and every book in the Hidden Valley Elite series, and somehow each one keeps me on my toes and excited for what’s to come! I was immediately caught up in Phoenix and Aspen’s back and forth verbal jabs, and the unplanned pregnancy added a whole different level of tension to their story. The flow of this book was flawless which makes it that much easier to get lost in this alternate reality. Don’t miss out on this wonderful addition to the series or you’ll kick yourself later. I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for us next!
emotional
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
THAT LAST CHAPTER?? WHAT? WHY? I can’t even handle it! 😭😭 I’m so stressed right now and I need the next book, STAT! As I’ve said in my previous reviews on the other books in this series, THEY ARE MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!! Every single book has been phenomenal and I’m obsessed with them. The emotions I feel with these books are out of this world. One minute I’m laughing and in love then the next I’m angry and crying. The author is easily one of my favorites because of this series! If you want a great story, with twists and turns, drama, jealousy, angst…read this! You’ll fall in love too!!!
Cruel Hate: A Dark College Sports Romance (Hidden Valley Elite Book) by Isla Vaughn
4 out of 5 stars
I find myself enjoying everything I read from Isla Vaughn and this book is not the exception. The story draw me from the start and it didn't disappoint. This story is a great addition to the series. I'm looking forward to the next one. Definitely recommend this book and all the previous ones in the series.
4 out of 5 stars
I find myself enjoying everything I read from Isla Vaughn and this book is not the exception. The story draw me from the start and it didn't disappoint. This story is a great addition to the series. I'm looking forward to the next one. Definitely recommend this book and all the previous ones in the series.
This was a great 5 star read. Once I started I didn’t want to put it down. We start out with Aspen and Phoenix agreeing to a fake relationship for a conversation with her parents, which did not go well. These two hooked up at a summer party and now Aspen is pregnant. These two have an attraction between them that is intense. Phoenix was getting on my last nerve with some of the things he would do or how he would react. These two needed to get their things together and see what was in front of them. Of course Aspen had jealous girls to deal with at times as well.
Overall I really enjoyed the book. The characters were great and seeing characters from previous books was great as well. We get lots of twists and turns and my emotions were all over the place. And the cliffhanger ending, ugh…I need the next book asap. If you're looking for a great read, 1-click and get started on this book/series. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Overall I really enjoyed the book. The characters were great and seeing characters from previous books was great as well. We get lots of twists and turns and my emotions were all over the place. And the cliffhanger ending, ugh…I need the next book asap. If you're looking for a great read, 1-click and get started on this book/series. I look forward to reading more from this author.
This is book 5 in the Hidden Valley Elite Series. I am so in love with this whole series. This is the first part of Phoenix and Aspen’s story. Now in college things are a little different for Phoenix as he tries to navigate classes and football. Then once Aspen discovers that she is pregnant they are both left struggling to figure out how this is all going to work. I could not put this book down and I am on pins and needles waiting for the second part of their story.
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cruel Hate by Isla Vaugn is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review
Cruel Hate is the fifth installment of the Hidden Valley Elite series. Isla Vaughn writes romance novels full of complex characters, strong alpha males, and fierce women. The story of Aspen and Phoenix is exactly that. Aspen is level headed, deals with no nonsense and knows exactly what she needs to do in life to deal with an unexpected pregnancy. Phoenix is a jock, falling behind in school, dealing with family drama, and trying to figure out how he can financially support a newborn. Will the two of them be able to work out their differences for the sake of a baby?
This was a very short, 189 page, quick read full of drama, steam, and what the heck kind of moments. I have a love/hate relationship with these characters. Depending on the moment, I am rooting for one over the other. The end leaves you with a cliffhanger. I can’t wait to get my hands on Cruel love. The name alone gives me hope that my love/hate relationship will take a turn. I highly recommend reading this ENTIRE series. Isla Vaughn is a wonderful author who knows how to draw her reader in leaving you craving more at the end EVERY. SINGLE. TIME!