A review by lilybuddy
Cruel Money by K.A. Linde

challenging emotional funny lighthearted sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I read the prequel first and it had me INSTANTLY hooked to read the book. I tore through it in less than a day, I wanted my happy ending so much....so of course I got a cliffhanger instead😭

Natalie and Penn meet again 6 years after a whirlwind night in Paris that left Natalie confused and angry. Penn, an Upper East Side rich kid, tried to get away from his family's expectations. Natalie, a military brat and from small-town-nowhere, is trying to make it as a writer. When the two connect, it's like kismet. But they're from different worlds and bored rich people can be monsters...are their feelings for each other enough?

I don't know why I cared so much about these people. It's a testament to the writing, because there was no real plot happening😂 it was mostly character work, which I love and all the characters were dynamic and interesting and deeply (un)likeable in many ways. I'm hoping to pick up the sequel at some point, as I want to know how this ends😂