My d*ck never got me in half as much trouble as my heart…We were high school sweethearts. I was head over heels for her and no one could tell me we weren’t going to last forever. College? Going pro? My family’s money? None of it mattered. She was all I needed.Then she ripped my heart out. But I’m not going to let that happen again. She’s back. Invading my life and acting like she was the … Invading my life and acting like she was the wronged one. The pain is still there, but I can’t keep my eyes off her. I can’t stop thinking about her and how much was left unsaid between us. Being this close is making me question everything I thought I knew about her.
This time everything will be on my terms. Everything…
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This is the first book I have read by this author and of course this series. I will definitely need to read the previous books in the series, and of course, any future books.
This story is so much more than the rich guy meets new poor girl and they fall in love and have a happy life. It has scorching hot scenes as well some lighter moments with witty dialogue between all these lovable characters.
Ruthless King is a must read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this book SO much! Perfect read to start my new year. I’ve been waiting for Emmet and Avery’s story and Ms. Hughes hit the nail on the head with this one! It had EVERYTHING! All the emotions, so many FEELS, plenty of laughs, plenty of obstacles to get to the HEA, it was a long trip but so worth every lesson for them! By the end I had no doubt they were both in it for the long haul. All the lies we tell each other, to protect those we love and to protect ourselves, its so great to read that it can all work out in the end for the better. I absolutely love Avery, her strength and perseverance to protect her loved ones is so admirable, but it was great to see her finally realize her own needs and wants were an important part of the equation as well. So many fireworks, these guys were combustible, when they finally ignited, my Kindle started smoking lol. Absolutely loved these two, well worth the wait now bring on the next King!
I, like so many, have been waiting for this couples story since the first book of the Kings of Rittenhouse. Sports romances, especially hockey, just rock!
I love how this series has followed these friends from high school to college to the pros. They’ve all maintained a close knit group and I want to read all of their stories.
Emmett and Avery were high school sweethearts. Then something happened to break them apart and cause Emmett to despise her, but only as a front. The reason is quite the mystery throughout this series. Their story is a bit heartbreaking, but their love is hard fought and won. There are just things that neither of them know and both of them wanted the best for each other at risk of their own happiness. Little did they understand the heartbreak they’d both cause each other in the end.
I really needed this story and it was so romantic in the end. Another great addition to this hockey series.
Ruthless King is a good second chance book. It’s a story about high school sweethearts finding their way back to each other after a painful breakup and long separation. It’s also about family, fear, forgiveness, loyalty and love.
Fear and love are such powerful emotions. They have the ability to motivate one to do great things and also to cripple a person.
I liked Avery. I admire her courage, strength and dedication to her sister. I got a little teary-eyed when reading parts of their story. Avery is definitely a fighter and a survivor.
I liked Emmitt too. He’s got a big heart and is very sweet. I admittedly was a little disappointed in Emmett and some of his reactions to things that had happened. However, I could understand why he responded the way he did.
Overall, I really enjoyed Avery and Emmitt’s story and would recommend it.
…You got to go to college and play pro hockey, so don’t tell me this didn’t all work out for you. You got to live your dream!”
“No, I didn’t.” My tone was biting and caustic. “You were my dream, Avery. It was you!?”
Emmett & Avery. When I began reading about the Kings of Rittenhouse many months ago, Emmett’s story was the one I wanted the most (well, I also really wanted Heath’s story, but that’s a tale for another day). Their story truly began years ago when they were in high school and they seemed like the pair that would be able to tell their grandchildren about how they were high school sweethearts.
Then, just as quickly as they were head over heels in love … they weren’t. This split lasted well into their grown years, even bleeding into their mutual friends. As I read more about each of the friends finding love, I kept hoping for something to change between Emmett and Avery. For me, they didn’t need to have a happily ever after with each other, they just needed a happily ever after.
Beginning Ruthless King, it was nice to really glimpse inside of Avery’s head, and life. There were always hints at the struggles she faced, but truly seeing them … wow. I’m infinitely impressed by her courage and her determination to always put others before herself. Honestly, she’s kind of my hero. Emmett was her complete antithesis in so many ways, it was hard for her to imagine he would be happy in anything other than the luxury that he was accustomed.
What I loved most about this story was that it was emphasized that people are more important than things. Not only between Avery & Emmett, but within their whole group. At every turn, I saw loyalty, love, true friendship, and connections that I am 100% jealous of. What begins as a series of high school hockey stars, has quickly become one of my favorite worlds to live in.
4.5 Stars
This is the book I’ve been waiting for. I knew Emmett and Avery’s story was going to be an emotional one. Those two got me right in the heart. Everything life has thrown at them I so wanted them to get their second chance. This book definitely packs a punch. It delivers on the heat and heart. I’m super happy with the journey this book took me on. It gave me all I was looking for when it comes to Avery and Emmett. I loved the set up for the next book. That’s going to be an interesting one.
I’ll never get enough of second chance romance stories; there’s just something about a shared history and a foundation of feelings that make me root for the couple to find their way back to each other, fixing what was broken and working through the bitterness and heartbreak that they may still be carrying all the time they were apart. I also think I handle the angst of the book better when it’s made clear that the hero and heroine meant something significant to each other at one time and now have to how to let go of the baggage of the past and move forward to everything their future can be.
In true Kings of Rittenhouse’s fashion, Emmett, the hero of Ruthless King, is a cocky bastard whose demeanor is due to a past of painful experiences, and for that very reason, at the beginning of his and Avery’s story, it’s clear that he has one objective when it comes to the girl who broke his heart – payback – which makes Avery enemy number one and makes for quite a few awkward interactions since they’re friends with the same people and have to be around one another even when they’d rather not.
There’s so much pain and heartache that Emmett and Avery must work through if they stand a chance at making things work this time around and because most of their issues center around misunderstandings and miscommunications, nothing will straighten things out except the truth, regardless of how harsh or hurtful it is.
I do have to confess that Emmett and Avery frustrated the heck out of me at times because they acted and reacted instead of taking the time to think things through, but once they took a breath and let one another truly be heard, the healing process could begin and the bond that was created four years ago can resurface, offering them an opportunity to make things right and be together in a way that will last.
But boy does Maya Hughes make her characters and her readers work for every step in Emmett and Avery’s second chance, and while it put my head and my heart through the ringer to experience the push and pull as well as the ups and downs of their journey, it also solidified that they belonged together and needed to do everything in their power to become what they were always meant to be.
4 Poison Apples
4 Stars
Review by Lisa
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
Ruthless King by Maya Hughes is the third installment of the Kings of Rittenhouse series and in my opinion, the best so far!! Emmett & Avery’s story will knock your socks off. This is a second chance story for the ages. The angst, love, hate, family, friends, and life are all wrapped up into a great story.
Ms. Hughes has outdone herself with Emmett and Avery’s story. The back and forth, the chemistry jumping off the pages and things not always working out how you think they will is brilliant. Without giving anything away, I just love how strong Avery is and what she had to do and will do !!! Avery is the Bomb!!!!
Oh, and getting a sneak peek of what the others are up to is always a bonus in my book.
The dual POV puts this book over the top. Being inside each of their heads grabs your attention and causes you to read through the night.
Just a little about the book. Emmett and Avery were high school sweethearts from different sides of the track. One had everything they wanted and the other was falling apart. But, when a decision is made, both worlds crumble until and a second chance is materialized right in front of them.
Ruthless King is the third book in the Kings Of Rittenhouse series. Being the one and only book I have read from this series, I will let it be known, that this DUAL POV can be read as a standalone. Maya Hughes definitely knows how to write a story. My attention was soul focused on our Hero Emmett and our Heroine Avery. Their story completely captivated me. It pulled at my heart strings, and at some points, I felt like I was bleeding out. On another hand, I felt the loyalty to my core, and it made it feel sensible. With that being said, I also felt like the plot was drawn out for so long. In my opinion, the plot could have been wrapped up a lot sooner than it was. So that makes me feel like the soul focus was just on the plot, and not the build of the story. Overall, I did enjoy this story and I look forward to more from this author.
I am a sucker for a broken hero. One that plays in the NHL as well? That is a definite win in my book. So let me introduce you to our Hero Emmett. The Wing man. The one that has let his past shape him into the person he is today. The one that is jaded to the core, but also the one that has a huge heart and will give you the shirt off your back. Helping people makes him feel like he belongs.
Avery Davis has never been the one with a privileged life. She works her fingers to the bone, for reasons most people couldn’t comprehend. Not having the easiest of lives, she understands a lot more than what people her age should, but would give up everything, for those she loves. The most selfless person to ever grace a novel.
Emmett and Avery’s journey has never been an easy one. From their late teens to now. Everything that has happened, happened for a reason. Can Emmett and Avery leave the past in the past to move on, or will the past come back and haunt them? The second chance story is one you do not want to miss.
*I recommend this book.
*Reviewed for Reviews From the Heart
This is the third book in this series and can be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed Emmett and Avery’s story and there were a couple of scenes that just pulled on my heartstrings where I just had tears in my eyes. Definitely a great enjoyable read!
It’s been years since Emmett and Avery saw each other and when their friends invite both of them for a summer vacation they will do whatever it takes to stay away from each other. Emmett was left broken hearted many years ago and still hasn’t gotten over Avery but he doesn’t know the whole truth, a truth Avery has carried with her for such a long time. But they can’t seem to stay away from each other and secrets start to get spilled. Although they are growing closer again and Emmett is opening his heart again; he’ll have some more devastating news to endure. But sometimes there’s a love that’s just too strong to be ignored. Will Avery and Emmett finally find their way back to each other?…
Maya Hughes continues the Kings of Rittenhouse series with the latest book, Shameless King, Emmet and Avery’s story. Having read the first book in the series, Kings of Rittenhouse, I was eagerly awaiting this story after the cliffhanger of the party at Emmet’s house. I wasn’t disappointed.
Both characters have a deep bond with each other despite their completely different backgrounds. Avery is smart and poor; Emmet is spoiled and rich, an afterthought in his parents’ lives. They are drawn to each other in a romance that looks as if it will never end. It all changes one night.
I liked this book. There was a lot of story to tell and Maya Hughes gets it all in. The characters are believeable and that drives the plot. We all know someone like them or are them ourselves. The reason for their breakup is alluded to throughout the story, peeled away layer by layer until we find the truth behind it. Once revealed, there’s the inevitable chore of dealing with the lies and truths. But the HEA is worth it.
It’s a good read and worth a look.
Rating: 4 stars
***Tangled Hearts Book Reviews received an ARC copy of this book in return for an honest review.
All rights are reserved and this review cannot be used by anyone other than the author, publisher, or website where the review is published without written permission.
Ruthless King is the third book in the ‘Rittenhouse Kings’ series by Maya Hughes is Emmett and Avery’s story. It fills in a lot of blanks left behind by the previous books and explains how they went from being love’s young dream to a dramatic ending before they went off to college.
Emmett had been so smitten with Avery for three years, ever since meeting as sophomores, and thought she felt the same but one drunken party night showed him what he believed to be her true colors and that was the end of it all.
Four years later, he can barely stomach being in the same room as her never mind spending the summer in the same beach house but thanks to his old friends from school, he’s about to do just that. Emmett’s living the dream as a star hockey player, but his real life isn’t so great. He’s never been able to make a lasting connection with a woman and is feeling bummed out after another one of his relationship crashed and burned again. He needs to to relax and just chill with his old teammates who are so close to him, they’re more family than friends. I was truly caught up in Emmett’s story and wanted to grind his parents under my heels. They were the pits!!
Avery has had it tough too. Her dad has been less than stellar and she’s been left to raise her younger sister after their mom died. She’s been sister, mom and study pal all rolled into one, but now her baby sister Allyson is about to graduate high school and move on to college.
A few weeks at the beach would do Avery the world of good except… she can’t face seeing Emmett!!
This was an emotional minefield for these characters. There were a lot of things hidden from each other and both had a lot to deal with. Avery should have told Emmett what happened years ago, but she was scared of the outcome and needed to protect more than just herself. Some of this was more than a little frustrating as they could have solved a whole heap of drama by just being honest. However, it did make for a great story and I loved it. Emmett was sweet and kind. Hot and sexy with a dirty tongue that he knew how to use.
Avery was a tough cookie, a hard worker and gave her whole heart to all she did.
The secondary characters were a hoot, and I’m really intrigued as to what the next book will give us. Hopefully the snippet at the end is just a taster for that.
What a fabulous, fabulous read. Ruthless King is my first book by author Maya Hughes and it most certainly won’t be my last.
Told from dual points of view, Ruthless King follows the story of Emmett and Avery. Emmett and Avery had the kind of romance any young kid dreamed of. They were high school sweethearts and had the world at their feet. They thought nothing would ever tear them apart and that their love would be strong enough to survive anything…..But, when it comes to Emmett and Avery’s story, things aren’t as cut and dry as you would think. One moment will turn Avery’s life completely upside down and have her heading in a direction she never saw coming. That one moment will have Emmett asking questions and furious with what he thinks is happening. It will be years before these two are reunited and once they are all bets are off. Emmett is on a mission to forget Avery, but his need for her and the truth overpowers everything. The passion between these two is stronger than ever and so are the stakes. Will Avery finally open up and give Emmett the answers he so desperately seeks? Will Avery and Emmett be able to move on from the mistakes of the past? Will there be a happily ever after in line for these two?? There’s only one way to find out….
Ruthless King is just the book I was looking for. Emmett and Avery’s story hooked me from the very first page. I loved the chemistry and sparks between the two of them. It was like an intense fire that refused to go out no matter how much time, or pain got in the way. I loved watching these two together. Despite the pain and overwhelming tension between them, they still somehow gravitated towards each other. You could tell that they both still loved and cared for one another, but were afraid to take the leap. Avery had so much to lose by telling Emmett the truth. And Emmett thought he knew what had happened, but couldn’t have been more wrong. The push and pull and the angst left me hanging on each word, dying to see just how Emmett and Avery’s story would play out.
Ruthless King was a great read from beginning to end. The author’s writing style hooked me instantly and kept me glued to the pages. I really liked that while this is technically the third book in this series, it can be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone the novel. I thought the characters were a lot of fun and enjoyed what each of them brought to the table. I loved the passion and tension. I loved the delicious angst that just pulled at my heartstrings. I needed to know what happened between Emmett and Avery. I enjoyed watching Emmett and Avery grow as characters and learn from their mistakes. It isn’t easy letting someone in and learning to trust them again; especially if they already broke your heart once before. My heart ached for both of them, yet I couldn’t help myself from rooting for these two to find their way and to just figure things out!
Overall, I really enjoyed Ruthless King. It hit all the marks I was looking for and kept me glued to the pages. A great read to spend your day getting lost in. Like I previously stated, this is my first book by this author and I can’t wait to discover more of her books.
“Her secrecy and my temper had lit the wick of our destruction.”
Oh my, the angst was high with this second chance romance. This was my first read by Maya Hughes and I really enjoyed her writing style.
Since I haven’t read any of the previous books in the Kings of Rittenhouse series, it took me a few chapters to get a feel for the dynamic and who the characters were, but it didn’t take long for me to sink into this story.
Emmett and Avery were high school sweethearts that were ripped away from each other by secrets, betrayal, misunderstandings and Emmett’s meddling parents who cared more about money and their social status over their son’s own happiness. Avery wasn’t rich, nor did she have a conventional upbringing, which none of that mattered to Emmett, but his parents stepped in and blackmailed Avery into staying away from their son so she had no choice but to let him go, breaking Emmett’s heart.
Years later, the Rittenhouse crew decides to have a summer reunion and all rent a beach house together, throwing Emmett and Avery back in the same circles again. Both are still desperately in love with each other, but still left jaded over what had happened in high school. When the secrets finally come out, sparks fly between these old lovers and they really heat up the sheets.
I loved Emmett’s character. He was the biggest sweetheart, willing to do absolutely anything and everything he could for those he cares about. I didn’t love Avery’s character as much, though, and it took me a bit to warm up to her. She was a timid little mouse, but once we get further into the story we see her start to sharpen her claws.
This second chance romance was full of tension, angst and delicious chemistry. My only regret is that I didn’t read the first two books in this series before reading this book, but I don’t think it took away any enjoyment in reading it because it can definitely be read as a standalone, it’s only that I connected with all of the characters so well that I need to know the full story with them… and the way that epilogue ended with Colm’s sister and Ford…oh my god! That book is gonna be EPIC!
This is my first book by this author, and I know it won’t be my last! If I hadn’t had to go back to school after my winter break, I would totally have read this in one day. It was so good that I could barely put it down. The characters were intense, especially Emmett. But he was intense in a sexy way for sure. But, I had to have an issue with him and how he dealt with what happened to cause the rift between him and Avery. I know that what happened really looked bad, but for Emmett to not even demand to know what was going on, even knowing what Avery’s life was like, and what kind of guy the drug guy was, I just don’t get that. Then again, I feel like Avery should totally have been more open with Emmett about some things, which would have led to less problems, maybe. But their connection was like fireworks, lots of explosions, and I loved how they finally got things worked out, well, finally, but the first time in the book. All the characters and their friends were also ones that were well-written, and I need to go back and read the first two books so that I can find out more about them. I also look forward to future books, especially the next one I think, about Ford and a certain little sister.
I have read and enjoyed the first book in this series “Shameless King“. For some reason, I forgot ( skipped )the second book “Reckless King“(I will fix this mistake soon) …This is the third book…Avery and Emmet’s story, and it can be read as a stand-alone…Now even though I skipped the second book, I still remembered Avery and Emmett from the first book, and I really wanted to read their story. I do things ass-backward all the time so I will just read Heath’s story later.
The first book was an “enemies to lovers” story and the second book a “forbidden love” story. This time we get a “second chance love” story…which happens to be one of my favorite tropes. Avery and Emmett were very much in love in high school, that is until secrets and accusations rip the two of them apart.
I fell in love with Emmett the moment I met him in the first book and this love only grew throughout the book. Now I am known to be a bit harder on the heroines, but Avery could hold her own, so I was very impressed with her.
What I wasn’t so happy with, was the way everyone was treating Emmett. I can understand Avery having reservations about him, but the whole “vacation” thing and how they all ganged up on Emmett really had me seeing red!! I felt like everyone was picking Avery’s side (when she wasn’t even supposed to be there) while Emmett stood all alone…It broke my heart a bit.
The good thing about this “screwed up vacation“, is that things finally got out in the open, and Emmett and Avery can have their second chance…Now they will just have to start trusting each other again…Which is easier said than done!
I really enjoyed this story and so far it is my favorite in the series. I could have done with some more hockey though, I could always do with some more hockey!!! Now I will just have to go back and read Heath’s story.
Ruthless King is the third, actually fourth book if you count the prequel, in the Kings of Rittenhouse series it can be read as a standalone but I would highly suggest if you plan on doing that you at least read the free prequel because it will set this story up for you.
Emmett and Avery were high school sweethearts until their epic breakup that still haunts them four years later. This breakup left such hurt and hatred that neither of them ever moved on, yet they couldn’t stand to be near one another. Now they were forced to be together for two weeks and not kill one another. Well, you know the saying “What doesn’t kill us makes us fall in love again” oh that’s not how it goes? well, that’s exactly what happens here. YAY!!!! I love a good second chance romance and I have been waiting for theirs since they broke up so that’s saying something right there.
This book wasn’t all hearts and rainbows so don’t think it was, there was a lot of tears shed for what Avery had gone through and was still going through. That girl is one tough cookie…no pun intended for the baker. I admire the way she dealt with things even though she was young and shouldn’t have to deal with them. I do wish she had let Emmett in a little bit more than she had when they were in high school but I totally understand her reasoning behind it.
I would recommend reading this series in order because of the way the books overlap and the players are always together. So now that I got one of the books I have been waiting for the next one is Ford’s story which is out next and I cannot wait because oh my, he and Liv and going to finally get together, and Colm is going to shit a brick!!!!! I’m just going to throw this out there in case Maya reads this and say that I really, really hope that Imogen gets a book of her own somewhere down the line, if you read this series you’ll know who I’m talking about and if you haven’t well I’ve left it vague enough that I am not ruining anything for you.
I highly recommend this book, and this series to lovers of contemporary romance and new adult romance. These books are spicy and may melt your kindle so please be warned. I would also recommend this book to those that enjoy the second chance at first love, second chance romance, and enemies to lover tropes. Happy Reading!!!
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book**