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I’ve been dead inside for such a long time that I’d forgotten what it felt like to be alive… Until I met her.

Emilia Harrison. The woman I swore to protect. The one putting cracks in my walls and threatening to undo all my hard work keeping the ghosts of my past at bay.

She was only meant to be a job. I never anticipated that everything would get so complicated, but there’s no denying the effect she has on me.

One kiss had me coming undone, feeling alive for the first time in years. I was finally ready to put the ghosts that haunt me to rest… Except, now she’s missing.

Surely, fate can’t be so cruel as to deal me the same hand twice? I won’t lose her. Not now when she’s finally working things out with Hawk, and she and Wilder still have so much left to resolve.

The pain of my past hasn’t been this raw and exposed in a long time. I thought I’d come to terms with what happened, but I won’t survive this a second time.

387 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 17, 2023

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About the author

R.A. Smyth

25 books1,219 followers
My name is Rachel. I live in the UK with my husband and two golden retrievers, and I am an author of dark, contemporary reverse harem romance.

If you love a story with a well thought out plot and good character development that will give you all the feels, then why not give one of my series a go?

Crescentwood - high school, stalker, bully, enemies to lovers
- Three Divisions: https://books2read.com/threedivisions
- Two Forces: https://books2read.com/twoforces
- One Family: https://books2read.com/onefamily

Pacific Prep - academy, assassin FMC, brothers best friends, taboo, bully
- Broken Trust: https://books2read.com/brokentrust
- Brutal Lies: https://books2read.com/Brutallies
- Beyond Vengeance: https://books2read.com/beyondvengeance
- Break Free: https://books2read.com/BreakfreePP4
- Blurred Lines (novella): https://books2read.com/Blurredlines

Black Creek - Gang/Mafia, enemies to lovers, MM, Forced marriage
- Rebels & Rejects: https://books2read.com/rebelsandrejects
- Murder & Mayhem: https://books2read.com/murderandmayhe...
- Damaged & Deadly: https://books2read.com/damagedanddeadly
- Chaos & Carnage: https://books2read.com/chaosandcarnage

Ruthless Boys of Ridgeway - Second chance romance, Friends-enemies-lovers, college, secret society, stalker, fake dating
- Pretty Spiteful: https://books2read.com/TRBoR1
- Pretty Vile: https://books2read.com/TRBoR2
- Pretty Lethal: https://books2read.com/TRBoR3

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5 stars
922 (50%)
4 stars
565 (30%)
3 stars
291 (15%)
2 stars
48 (2%)
1 star
11 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
February 9, 2023
5 stars ⭐ RTC, literally savored it!
Omg, this was great, intense & fast paced! I loved the relationship & character development, all the important bits & stuff of past finally being revealed. Stalker situation reaching its apex too!

Loved the heat, chemistry, I absolutely love Emilia, Hawk, Kai, Wilder! Hawk being so sweet to Em & his dominant self is f'ing hot. Kai pulling away & opening up fully - heart-wrenching. Wilder being a wild card lol, but his & Em's relationship had the greatest development here, from torture to accepting love. And Em's personality just feels so real, scared of stalker & but so determined to not just survive but live.

Now I can't wait for the last book & find more about this secret society 👀. Amazing cliffhanger, didn't left me anxious but VERY curious!
Profile Image for mia.
556 reviews262 followers
March 4, 2023
(Thank you Peachy Keen and the author R.A. Smyth for the eARC in exchange for a spoiler free review)

Please check trigger and content warnings before reading.

I liked the first book of the series so I had to sign up for the second one!

Although the author said it is not necessary to read the first book, I would recommend it to be read for a more wholesome experience since this book picks up from where the previous ended as well.

This book dived more into their experiences and pasts which explained them better so in that sense I’d say there was character development. The harem was settling in and honestly they all seemed like a good fit.

My only slight disappointment was this book was how draggy and long winded some chapters were. Some of the content didn’t value add to the plot or characters so I thought that was unnecessary.

But overall I’d say the character development is still worth it and I can’t wait for the next book!

The Ruthless Boys of Ridgeway reviews
Pretty Spiteful
Pretty Vile - 3 ⭐
Profile Image for Erin Figueiredo.
3,072 reviews65 followers
February 19, 2023
Okay that was one hell of an adrenaline packed and insanely emotional rollercoaster ride from beginning to end. I was literally in the edge of my seat, biting my nails with anticipation of what I was going to read when I turned the page, and shocked by what was actually transpiring right before my eyes.

Emilia, Hawke, Kai and Wilder continue to take us on one hell of a suspenseful journey filled with anger, pain, heartache, violence, passion, forgiveness and love. There is so much that the four of them go through in this part of the story that you can’t help but let them consume you. Emotions were at an all time high and there were a few times that I wasn’t sure things were going to work out for the four of them. A lot of secrets get revealed slowly which helps them all grow stronger as a unique family. But there are still some darker secrets that need to be revealed!

The spiciness got ramped up a whole hell of a lot making my lady parts tingle like crazy. These guys could set anyone’s panties in fire!

The twists and turns throughout kept me guessing on what the outcome would be, and I was pleasantly surprised by the last few chapters leaving me guessing on how much darker things are now going to get.

The final book in this amazing series is going to be an explosive one! I am excited to see what is going to happen next!
April 15, 2023
dnf because it felt slow for my taste and there was nothing left to look forward too (if that makes any sense). The harem was on the verge of coming together (Kai’s reluctance didn’t fool me) and Wilder will probably not have to grovel enough for my tastes (whatever Em says, that was too close to forcing her for my tastes) so that was it for me. Moving on to another series by the same author though, because I do enjoy her books (at least the beginnings).
February 16, 2023
PRETTY … not a word I would use to describe Pretty Vile…

Amazing ✅
Suspenseful ✅
Steamy ✅
Addictive ✅

It’s no secret that I absolutely love the PacPrep would and the second book in Emilia’s series is no exception. Wilder, Hawk, and Kai are a stellar harem and 100% there for our girl both in and out of the bedroom. Throw in the surrounding stresses of a crazed stalker and a secret society? I couldn’t put it down!!

This is definitely one you don’t wanna miss! Jump in and stress with me over the wait for book three 🫣

🥵🥵🥵🥵
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Krystal- Celestialbookdragon.
307 reviews83 followers
February 20, 2023
I didn't think it was possible for me to fall even more in love with these characters and story but then the author had to go and publish this book just to prove me wrong! With the way book one had ended I thought the whole stalker storyline was just about wrapped up but boy was I wrong! If anything, I have even more questions about who/what they were involved with/in before they ran into Emilia because the math just ain't mathing! I have my own personal theories that tie into some of what we saw Wilder go through over the course of this book but we didn't get nearly enough information for me to make any confident guesses. Speaking of, I was so happy with the ending! I was wondering when/if the story would start to focus more on the secret society and it looks like I'm going to get my wish in Pretty Lethal! 🤩

While the story captured my attention from start to finish with all of the plot twists and action, the thing that really did it for me this go around were the characters themselves. This is becoming one of those harems where I'll have trouble deciding who my favorite guy is because I adore them all so much! However, given the emotional struggles that Kai and Wilder were going through for part of the book, my fave is still Hawk for now! He was truly the best of both worlds, so supportive while the guys were figuring their stuff out but also so freaking hot when he went all primal alpha on her! His scene with Kai? I was melting! That man is the epitome of sexual chemistry and I really hope there is a role-playing repeat of the night that started it all back at Pac with all of them because I NEED IT! 🥵🤌🏻 Moving on, I still adored Kai and while his progress was understandably slow and cautious, getting the details about his past trauma was eye opening and I can't wait to see how he contributes to the group dynamics now that everyone is on the same page!

And Wilder? He gets his own paragraph! It was obvious from the start that he was going to be a tough nut to crack but I think I'm the most proud of him for his character growth over the course of this book. He still has a long way to go but making peace with his feelings and inner demons, telling Emilia about his past, and coming clean to Hawk has given me so much hope for him. Especially that last one, I was really hoping that his betrayal wouldn't come to light from someone else blabbing and was so happy that he made the decision to come forward himself! And given the implications that we got in the epilogue, I'm hoping that he is able to find true peace and healing towards his past in the final book where it looks like a ton of secrets are going to be revealed! I'm so freaking excited to see how this story will end for the gang that I've already got the release date for Pretty Lethal marked on my calendar! 🤭
Profile Image for Jenifer Briggs.
1,426 reviews171 followers
February 18, 2023
This started with a bang, and just kept on going! Picking up right where we left off with Em being kidnapped by the person I thought it was, she fought like hell to escape.. only to realize that her nightmare is far from over. Her every move is still being tracked, and the person responsible seems to be a ghost in the wind, and seems to outsmart everyone in order to have Em all to themselves. It's a crazy ride, but I loved seeing her become even stronger and fight against what her kidnapper ultimately wanted from her, but against Wilder too.

If you told me back in the pacific prep days that I would love Hawk as much as I do now, I probably wouldn't have believed you, but I am so happy to be proved wrong!! The way he loves Emilia and the way he protects her against anyone and everything currently trying to take her away from them, just set my soul on fire. Their connection is so intense and beautiful, which made for such a great romance!

As for Kai, the poor guy goes through so much here. His past trauma is essentially playing out in real time, and he's trying not to let his emotions get in the way and leave yet another woman he cares about in harms way, but by doing that, he *is* hurting our girl. Thankfully he wises up, and I can't wait to see that connection grow more and more. Plus the heat between them is insane!!

Now for Wilder. Look, I love the psychopath, but he still has so much to make up for. Yes. He had his heart broken by Em in high school, but she was just a kid. She didn't do it on purpose or maliciously, and the fact that he didn't even read her letter which could have saved him so much heartache just made me want to shake him. I just want him to finally let down his walls and let her in again all the way.. and I have a feeling with the danger that's coming our girls way, he needs do it soon before the opportunity is taken away from him for good.

This book was so freaking intense and emotional in all the best of ways! I loved watching the connections and individual relationships grow, and I loved seeing Em grow into the woman she's always wanted to be. And that cliffy?! I cannot WAIT for the last book!!

**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **
Profile Image for Marisa.
748 reviews33 followers
February 22, 2023
Great characters

I love these characters and I love seeing the growth they have experienced. I thought we knew them but I was wrong, there is so much learn. They are growing as individuals and as a group and becoming stronger for it. I also like that we have learned more about their pasts, how it has shaped them and how it effects their way of thinking, as well as how others are using their pasts against them (dun dun dunnnn).

I was wondering how the author was going to stretch the stalker drama into three books but there was something even bigger happening behind the scenes to lead us into book three. What. Is. Happening? I feel like I’m moving closer to the edge of my seat as more is revealed.

While the story will have you turning pages faster, the characters really are what capture you. I was invested in these characters in the previous series and I just want them to have their HEA. They deserve it and I can’t wait to see how their adventure concludes.
Profile Image for booklover1816.
347 reviews46 followers
February 8, 2023
Pretty Vile picked up where the last book ended and didn’t have much of a recap, which I always enjoy in a fast-paced series!

“𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝, 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭. 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐲.”

We finally got some spicy scenes with Wilder + Kai and I’m so glad everyone has put their differences aside and decided to act on their feelings.

I am very curious to learn more about the secret society and the stalker in book 3 as I feel like I’m left with more questions, BUT I trust the author, so I know she’ll answer all of my questions in the last book lol.

I highly recommend this series! Read it! You won't be disappointed!
Profile Image for The Smutbrarians.
2,239 reviews1,736 followers
February 10, 2023
Feels 2
Steam 5
Storyline 5
Overall Rating 5
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Robin

This series keeps you on the edge of your seat with crazy twists and mysterious plotlines looming in the background. I really can’t put the book down. And the steamy scenes…oh, man! The entire book is way too addictive. I’ve fallen in love with Wilder, Hawk and Kai. These men are strong, protective, dominant and pretty much everything I love in my heroes with some broken pieces thrown into the mix. I love Emilia. She really seems to have grown throughout book one and two. She’s just the right amount of sassy and independent that pulls me in. I’ll be over here…dying for my next delicious morsel of this story to devour.
Profile Image for Brittanie England.
396 reviews7 followers
February 19, 2023
This book was filled with so much emotion! I’m still reeling from the feelings this book left me in! I’m shook with the ending and I’m dying to know if they will get their happily ever after!

This group has been through so much in the first book and that only continued here after the kidnapping of Emilia! The rollercoster ride this book takes you on is intense I have a feeling it’s not going stop soon!

The spice is also top notch! Like wow!!! Hawk is a dirty talker! And Wilder isn’t far behind! And I just love Kai even more in this book since he gets over his past! And same with Wilder, he was working through his own demons as well and that seems like just the beginning!

Pretty Lethal needs to be here lol now! 😂😂
Profile Image for Rebecca Hawkins.
694 reviews17 followers
February 7, 2023
I was so excited about this sequel because the first book left us with such a WICKED cliffhanger. So, I instantly started reading this book as soon as I downloaded it...

However.... I wasn’t as happy as I thought I would be about the twist... It was interesting, but I thought it wasn’t as well executed as the stalker in Pacific Prep... Also, the stalker seemed to drag, but resolve fast at the same time. It was just a little disappointing and I was kinda bored..

ALSO... the twist at the end... CAME OUT OF NOWHERE. I would have appreciated more build up on that one too to be honest.

BUTTTT... the steam was muy bien and the relationship between the harem was a highlight. Their banter is oh so fun!

Overall, this read was good, but not what I expected.
Profile Image for Robin Powers.
1,427 reviews32 followers
February 9, 2023
This series keeps you on the edge of your seat with crazy twists and mysterious plotlines looming in the background. I really can’t put the book down. And the steamy scenes…oh, man! The entire book is way too addictive. I’ve fallen in love with Wilder, Hawk and Kai. These men are strong, protective, dominant and pretty much everything I love in my heroes with some broken pieces thrown into the mix. I love Emilia. She really seems to have grown throughout book one and two. She’s just the right amount of sassy and independent that pulls me in. I’ll be over here…dying for my next delicious morsel of this story to devour.
Profile Image for Mysti.
599 reviews18 followers
February 19, 2023
Read as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one was explosive! We are left with Em being kidnapped and find out who her stalker is, I CALLED IT!!!

Em and the guys are navigating trying to trap a stalker, struggling with past regrets and mistakes, learning to trust each other, and learning what each of their relationships look like.

Em is finally realizing her choice to leave after PAC-Prep wasn’t the mistake she thought it was, but what they all really needed to see their relationships back in high school weren’t made to last…yet.

Hawke finds he may have had more feelings for Em in high school than he wanted to admit.

Wilder is slowly facing his demons and coming to terms that Em is not to blame for his pain.

Kai is learning to open himself back up after past trauma and seeing what happened in his past is not his fault.

I love this story and the characters. I love seeing character growth and I get excited to see Em grow a back bone! I can not wait to find out who the Stalker really was, and who is really after Wilder. I can’t wait to see where this story ends.
Profile Image for Nagma (Take A Look At My Bookshelf).
1,368 reviews92 followers
May 8, 2023
Another phenomenal book by R.A. Smyth! This book was intense, fast-paced, and had me hooked from the first page!

I love all of these characters so much since we were first introduced to them in the Pacific Prep series and the newly introduced characters in this series! These characters are so perfect for each other! The passion, chemistry, and love was everything!

This book ends on another cliffhanger and I can’t wait for the final book in The Ruthless Boys of Ridgewood series!

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Vanessa.
295 reviews22 followers
June 7, 2023
wilder !!!!!!!
finally!!! i loved him in this book, he was so unhinged but so fun to read.
i might have judged kai a little too harshly with his trauma the last book - but man was pissing me off 😭 i did like him more this book but i feel like he’s kinda been over shadowed by the other two so i’m hoping he gets more book time in the next one.
hawk is my bb 🫶🏽 and i never thought i would’ve said that before reading this series but here i am …..
Profile Image for Amanda.
270 reviews8 followers
February 8, 2023
*ARC Review*

Once again RA Smyth has knocked it out of the park with this book. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Now, about that cliffy... I need answers! Who the heck? What the heck? I knew this was a trilogy going into it, but that false hope I was handed was not fun at all, lol. As always make sure to check your TWs before going into this series.
Profile Image for Annasbook nook.
755 reviews66 followers
March 3, 2023
What a ride that was. Action packed from beginning to end. The secrets I needed revealing were revealed and I was shook!!! Emilia and the boys take on the task of finding the stalker with devastating consequences. Wilder and Kais past came to light also which was very interesting but very tragic. Need book three now to find out about Wilders side of the story.
Profile Image for Ari Loves All The Books.
372 reviews63 followers
February 12, 2023
Emilia and her men are just *chefs kiss* !! I loved knowing more about their backgrounds and what they individually went through, it explains a lot of their behavior. I enjoyed reading this book and cannot wait to know more about this *secret society*.. Wilder, you have a lot of making up to do!!
Profile Image for Rebecca Norvitz Norvitz .
641 reviews20 followers
February 20, 2023
Loved

Omg I loved this book so much. RA Smyth is a one click author for me and the reason is because when your reading her stories, it’s like you there. You can feel every emotion that is being written. Hands down a definite must read
Profile Image for XxLaVampiresaAlexisxX.
941 reviews53 followers
June 30, 2023
Pretty Vile is the second book in the Ruthless Boys of Ridgeway series.

Seriously, I AM HOOKED! It's completely action packed, completely twisted and sooooo good!!! There is just so much happening with Emilia and the guys. I'm loving this series sooo much!
Profile Image for Mandy Robitaille .
1,118 reviews15 followers
May 26, 2023
Ahhh! Just when things look like they'll be wrapped up nicely, RA Smyth deepens the plot! This was sooo good. Wilder is a psycho (but a sweetheart deeeeeep deep down). Kai has his own issues to work through, and Hawk is just an adorable alpha marshmallow. Can't wait to read book 3!
Profile Image for &#x1f989;Maggie Whitworth.
2,986 reviews98 followers
June 15, 2023
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋

These four are definitely having a bad year, luck wise.
If it’s not stalkers it’s secret society’s.
Triggers
Dark and steamy RH
Profile Image for Kricketland.
601 reviews10 followers
February 17, 2023
TITLE: Pretty Vile
GENRE: Dark Romance
AUTHOR: R. A. Smyth
TROPE: Enemies-Lovers, Stalker, Kidnapping
TYPE: Series (The Ruthless Boys of Ridgeway Book 2)
POV: Multiple POV
MY RATING: ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ / 5

The twists and angst keep on coming with this series! Wilder really is the wild card in this why-choose dynamic. I have so many unanswered questions. It seems like Hawk, Kai and Wilder each have their own inner demons, but Wilders appears to be next level. There is some closure to some of my questions, while the ending left me asking more.

I love this series, the characters within it, and the storyline's intensity. Once again, I found myself captured off guard by the twists and the book hard to put down. I was pulled into the storyline and invested in what would happen to Em. I can't wait to see where the series takes us in the next instalment. I am giving Pretty Vile 5 / 5 Stars.
Profile Image for Tamarra Lynch.
630 reviews7 followers
February 10, 2023
I received an ARC for an honest review

Content and trigger warnings apply.

Emilia has been taken. Hawk, Kai and Wilder spring into action to find her, but it is Wilder who is the unlikely hero. But what shocks them the most is when Emilia discloses who her stalker is.

For Kai, it triggers his own trauma. He is reconciling with the fact that he wasn’t able to save the person he once loved. He shuts down, drawing into himself, pushing Emilia away.

Hawk and Emilia are in a good place with there relationship, having accepted that what happened between them, in the past, was for the best, but now he has accepted the fact that she is back in his life, and wants more with her.

Wilder is still fighting with himself, his thoughts and his feelings. Of his own past, his family and what his future will bring him, in both the secret society and with Emilia. They have a love hate relationship, fighting each other and their feelings for one another, but for Wilder, he cannot fathom why someone like him, would end up with a girl like Emilia.

Through it all, Emilia finds her strength, her courage and her determination, to face head on what she has endured, coming face to face with Mel, taking back her power, her life and claiming ownership of her three guys.

Emilia will no longer run and she will no longer hide, for when Wilder finds himself in a precarious situation, does Mel learn the truth about her duplicitousness. But Mel one ups them, and it doesn’t come without a price when Kai’s hand is forced as he is confronted with his past, and when he shares his truth with Emilia, she accepts him, flaws and all, for it is Emilia that has bought his still heart back to life, the possessive need inside of him, to claim Emilia as his, raw and pure. For now the threat is no more, and they can move forward.

Wilder is spiralling, having betrayed Hawk’s trust, for the sake of becoming a part of this secret society, bring him back to the roots of his family, but at what cost. And when Emilia forces Wilder to bare witness, to hear what she has to say, that she accepts every fault of herself, but he is just as responsible for his own actions, having read her letter, does he begin to accept responsibility for his own mistakes but the decisions that he made that lead him to where he is now. In this moment do they share their own truths, accepting each other, Emilia finally claiming from Wilder what he has vehemently denied her.

With Emilia, Hawk, Wilder and Kai on the same page, they have come to accept their actions and choices around the decision that was made, finally at peace, the threat now no longer exists. However, for Wilder, he incurs Hawk’s wrath, having revealed his duplicitous intentions, only for the sake of Emilia do they somewhat understand and accept why he did what he did.

But not is all as it seems, for the society which Wilder has pledged himself to, have plans for him, for he is the person they have been waiting for, they were close, but not close enough, and they don’t like the fact that there plans have been somewhat delayed, Wilder’s focus elsewhere. To get him exactly where they need him to be, necessary sacrifices will be made, they will do whatever it takes, regardless of the consequences and to whomever it hurts the most.

This story is told from multiple POV, we get to see the characters growth and development throughout the book, each bringing there own strengths and weaknesses, what we see and feel shapes these characters, giving readers insight to who they are flaws and all, that they are in fact humans who all feel but handle what happened to them differently.

Their story will take you on a wild ride, having you turn page after page, this book had me from the beginning to the end. Reading this story, it enables the readers to really connect with the characters. The author knows how to write, and I will be coming back for more.

This book has it all dark why choose romance, possessive dominant alpha males, a fiery heroine who gives a good as she gets, touch her and die vibes, family and friend dynamics, murder, madness, mayhem, revenge, vengeance, violence, defiance, manipulation, adrenaline seeking suspense, jealousy, twists, truths and betrayal.

And those s*x scenes were blazing hot, downright dirty and physical, it had all the pleasure and passion one would expect when Hawk, Kai and Wilder show Emilia that they will be the only men that she will ever need, for they will always gets what they want, giving Emilia the pain and pleasure, she deserves, their attraction undeniable, there possessiveness and obsessive need for control and dominance, there foreplay it was off the charts and had all of the feels.

P.S. Love, love, loved having Hadley and her guys intersected into there story, the best friend bringing her own vibes, especially when we learn of someone’s (insert squealing) good news!

Here’s to anticipating the conclusion of their story, bring on Pretty Lethal!

Highly recommend both book and author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
40 reviews
November 23, 2023
Ugh. I'm pretty disappointed. As much as I liked the first book, too much stupidity happened in this one for me to enjoy it. I'm at 80% right now, and I will probably DNF it and the series.

There was always a small amount of things that didn't quite add up, even from the first book, but the amount that's in this one is ridiculous.

What really sealed its fate for me is when Mel took Wilder. First of all, Hawk and Kai said they were going to keep an extra eye on him because they thought Mel had something to do with the breach in the security firm and would target Wilder next. They have literal security teams available, thoroughly trained security, some of which are ex soldiers/marines. They already had people watching Emilia, why would they not assign at least one person to Wilder?

Also, it's COMPLETELY unrealistic. Mel dragged Wilder, a grown ass man, through campus and the woods and stuff to get to the bunker. By hand. All by herself. That's completely confirmed, and there was a few sentences about how much she was sweating from doing it, how heavy he was and how it took a long time to get him there. NO ONE SAW THIS?? Not a single person? Yeah okay.

Then all that time passed, once again, without Hawk or Kai sending any kind of security detail in to look for Wilder? Sure. Makes sense. Especially after they said they were going to keep an eye on him. Yeah. It makes so much super sense. 😐

THEN Emilia goes into the bunker calling Wilder's name, like an absolute idiot. Blows her cover in the worst way. You're not a savior Emilia. You're a damn idiot. And the only reason you and Wilder aren't BOTH dead is because Hawk and Kai came in time.

AND FINALLY, you're going to tell me that there's THREE against ONE in the bunker and Mel gets away? She's not a larger girl. She's small/average based on the descriptions given of her. Literally knock the b*tch out, restrain her and get Wilder to some medical help. There's clearly ties/bindings around. No one is going to say, "Oh hey. I need to ziptie this guy up. I'll bring exactly 4. 1 for each wrist and ankle. Because zip ties never ever accidentally snap or break, and they absolutely never ever get dropped." OBVIOUSLY, she would have extras. Even if they didn't have restraints, as I said, knock THE B*TCH OUT and then sit on her until either police or backup from the security company arrives. Whoever is needed to do that stays and the 1 or 2 people left can take Wilder to the hospital. Y'all just let this stalker and MURDERED walk away from the scene because ALL THREE of you are looking at Wilder. For a good amount of time. Multiple sentences were said and time passed before Mel left the scene. And Hawk and Kai, supposedly really good security specialists, and one ex-army, just walks down onto a bunker that they KNOW a murderer has used to restrain and kill people before and doesn't take NOT ONE LOOK AROUND THE ROOM before going to Emilia and Wilder??? What the actual heck. Mel literally states how they didn't even see or notice her and just went straight over to ask Emilia if she was okay and to look at Wilder.

Everyone but Mel is an idiot right now.

I'm absolutely fuming right now. Because that one chapter ruined the entire book and series for me. Any kind of "struggle" "danger" "turmoil" or whatever crap that happens for the rest of this book or series now means absolutely nothing. It's y'alls fault. Hawk, Kai and Emilia all deserve whatever torture or death that Mel brings their way because they literally just let this shit happen.

The ONLY reason that would have been acceptable is if no one else was there or coming. Because yeah, your main priority would be getting Wilder medical attention before he dies and not on Mel, because he's very close to death. BUT THERE ARE OTHERS. Emilia knew the other 2 were coming down into the bunker so there's no excuse. Even if she DIDN'T know, they still arrived. There's absolutely NO reason whatsoever for there to be 3 intact non-tortured, physically unharmed people there and not one of them even thought to incapacitate and bring Mel down. ESPECIALLY with 2 of the 3 being security firm employees and 1 of those 2 being ex-army. There's literally no change in hell for it to go down that way realistically. The author went out of the way to make this situation as messed up as it is. And not messed up in a good way. It's blatantly foolish at this point.

I honestly want to give this book 2 stats because wtf. It makes no sense and is the dumbest danger situation I think I've ever read in a book. But I was really enjoying it up until that point so I will leave it at 3 stars. But seriously, Jesus. It's so freaking bad. Super disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for allyreadsss.
95 reviews3 followers
February 14, 2023
Lets just ignore it took me a week to finish this book. (:

-

as someone who loves rh this book hits. You get all the slow burn romance in this one! All the characters are well developed and it's amazing the way you just see the characters grow.

If there's one thing ima do, it's get on my knees for these men.

I seriously didn't think I could love these men more, but PV proved me wrong.

One thing I especially love about PV is Hawk. Seriously! If you read Pacific Prep you know what an asshole he was (still loved him) and in this book you CAN TELL the way his mentality changed, his pov in certain situations; just the way he acts. He easily became my favorite. I know I know. I usually don't choose, but I think he won me over with this one. He carried the whole book tbh

Where can I get a Hawk????

Spoiler:

One of my fav scenes was when Hawk came home and Emilia cooked for him and she was all dressed up!!!! Like okayyyyyy looking all domesticated n shit. I ate that up. I could actually see Hawk's face, him just being in awe. Ugh. 😭

And while yes, there's a lot of character development.
FIVE/FIVE!!!!!
It didn't get interesting until the 70% mark. At times I felt like it dragged. I had to stop a couple times because the plot was slow that I just couldn't cont it wo getting bored.

I was originally going to give this book 3 stars due to all the unnecessary info and details, in the end I chose not. Obvi. One of the main reasons for that was because the last 30% was full of action and suspense and I couldn't help but cont reading. The whole stalker thing also kinda flatlined, but I wanted her dead anyway so it's not that big of a deal. The characters also helped because I truly love these 4. They have become one of my favs. And ofc I like R.A. Smyth's writing. Which okay I might be trippin, but it felt different. 😂

Going back to why this book could've been better; I couldn't help, but think that this small ass woman (the stalker, Mel) somehow overpowered Hawk and Wilder. BIG ASS MEN. Like there's no way they couldn't have done something. Even while restrained. I just couldn't believe it. Also, the fact that no one said anything to Hadley and her guys. Like HELLLLO they could've helped! And I know this is technically Emilia's and their story, but still it couldn't hurt to ask for help from someone else when you clearly couldn't do anything about it. But that's just me. We're going to leave it at that!

Now, for the spicy goodness!!!!!! CHAPTER 19. 🫠 SHEESH SOMEONE GIVE ME SOME WATER. absolutely devoured that chapter. Love love love it. And I can't wait for more group scenes 🥰. Rachel, bestie, don't be shy& gimme all the group scenes!!!!

(P.s spice: 2/5)

Spoiler:

Kai: “You’re so beautiful, Blackbird.”
Hawk: “She’ll look even better with a mouthful of your dick.”

Hawk fucking Davenport >>>>>>

I call dibs!!!!!! 🫡😂

Now, to end this review on a good note because HELLLLL. Wilder. He put me through so much. But, at last!!!!!!! I'm glad he got his shit, sorta, together. we got to see more of him. His personal life. His past. His fears. It was heartbreaking and beautiful all at once. Thank God for the guys or Wilder would've been off killing everyone lmao. Anyways, you'd be glad to know that by the end of the book he gets it together so keep pushing through and don't give up on him!!!!!

Sorry for this messy, all over the place review!!!!!! You'll be seeing more of me in my next review because after that cliffhanger! I. Need. To. Know. What. Happens. Next. They all want my hg dead 😭😂 like, give her a break!!!!

*arc provided in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Murphy.
717 reviews
February 11, 2023
'Wrangling your demons'

Intense! This book picks up perfectly right where book one ends. Emilia finally gets some answers on who her stalker is, only afterwards, we are left with more questions than when we started.

Hawk is the only one in this book that doesn't seem to have a giant stick up his whoohaw in this book. Kai develops a PTSD of sorts when Emilia is taken that he refuses to acknowledge, choosing to take a step back more than anything...until he is presented with a situation he cant back down from. ;-) Then there's Wilde... Wilde. Wilde. Wilde.

Wilde is beside himself in this book. Having felt lost once Emilia came back. He wants to belong and is questioning everything, feeling like that may no longer belong with the people he has come to love LIKE family. When the opportunity presents itself to meet his real, blood relatives, he makes questionable decisions that has the possibility for cataclysmic destruction.

"I think we had to get lost in the dark in order to find out way home to one another."

When the stalker decides to take players out of the picture, everyone is on high alert. All of the guys decide nothing is more important than Emilia's safety. No matter their situation with each other, they all decide she is theirs and no one will be taking her away, even if they all haven't gotten on board to be hers yet.

"They say time heals all wounds, but that's BS. You find a way to stitch them shut and navigate around the pain, but they never truly heal..."

The ending seems to come up too fast and we are left with broken truths, death and an unknown future. Their troubles seemed to have put an ending to one thing, but I have a feeling, this just opened an entirely new beginning for something else. The secret society is coming and Wilde and Emilia might just be their target.

"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be our beginning."

I loved this book. I was trying to savor it all, but couldn't stop turning the pages. This book is about fighting your demons and letting others in. These characters are fantastic and each have such unique qualities and characteristics. I love them all for Emilia and cant wait for more. I am so eager to get into the Secret Society of it all and uncover more truths! ...The plot twist took me for a minute, but I think I like where the turn of events is heading even more so than before. Also, by the end of the book, I am happy to say, no one had a stick up their whoohaw anymore. lol

"When you're around, my life is better. Lighter. Brighter. More vibrant. More alive. You're the splash of color in my world, and I don't want to go back to living in the gray."

*Overall 5/5
*Heat? 5/5
*Fast burn
*Multiple first person POV
*MFMM Relationship (No MM)
*Ends on cliffhanger
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