rachnajain 's review for:

Save Me by Mona Kasten

5.0

medium-paced

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That cliffhanger really caught me off guard and now I need the next book ASAP. From the slow-burn tension to the private school drama, I was absolutely hooked. The dynamic between Ruby and James pulled me in from the start. She’s focused and fiercely independent, while he’s the confident, chaotic rich boy who slowly starts showing a softer side. The ending? Fully destroyed me. I thought the show’s finale was emotional, but this hit even harder.

The story blends some of my favorite tropes: scholarship girl meets elite golden boy, enemies to lovers, and of course, a juicy secret that changes everything. When Ruby uncovers something she was never meant to see, James makes it his mission to keep her quiet. Their constant clashes eventually turn into something more, and I loved watching the shift unfold. Their chemistry felt electric but also layered with emotion, which made every little moment between them hit harder.

I adored the balance between the angsty romance and the character growth. Ruby is so driven and grounded, and I especially loved seeing her relationship with Lydia start to blossom. James, while frustrating at times, has depth, and getting to peek into his perspective added so much to the story. The elite school setting felt like something out of a dark academia dream and the themed party scene was honestly perfection. It fit the vibe of the story so well.

This gave major Gossip Girl and Elite energy, with secrets, power plays, and messy emotions packed into every chapter. It’s bingeable, emotional, and full of heart. Huge thanks to Penguin for sending me this review copy.