Never trust a campus god. Knight Reed is a devil heir with a chip on his shoulder. The arrogant a-hole I love to hate.His name may be Knight, but that armor is black as coal. He’s a beautiful god with a wicked heart. I know because my mom used to work for his family. An act of brutal violence in the woods and he gets my mom fired, ultimately leaving us homeless. That was the last time I saw him … was the last time I saw him face-to-face.
At least, until recently.
He’s frat boy royalty at my new university, a campus god amongst the rich and elite. There’s little interest in a freshman like me.
But then I cross him, putting an end to me being invisible here in his world.
At a party, I see something I shouldn’t have seen. Now, suddenly, the campus god has me tackled on a bed with his hand around my throat. He tells me to forget what I witnessed. Do that or the end result will be bad for me. He’s hellbent on crushing my little dove wings and all I see is that cruel boy from the woods that day.
When it comes to Knight, I can’t seem to stay out of his way or keep my trap shut around him, no matter how hard I try. He tells me my little mouth will get me in trouble, but I think he’s wrong.
I’m not afraid what will happen if I spill his secrets. What terrifies me is how badly I want to see what might be beyond all that coal-black armor…
It’s possible that, to some small measure, I’m tempted to give in to the only devil I’ve ever known.
The dark knight himself.
Warning: Brutal Heir is an NA bully romance that contains dubious content and situations some may find triggering. It’s recommended for readers 17+ and is a standalone novel with no cliffhanger. It’s book one in a series of standalones titled Court University, which is a spin-off series about characters featured in Eden O’Neill’s Court High books. Reading the Court High books first is not necessary for the enjoyment of Court University. The characters origin stories merely begin in Court High and can be referred to at any time if the reader so chooses. Enjoy!
more
This book was recommended to me.
Brutal Heir pulls you into this world during the prologue, but in a I’m so traumatized by what just transpired I had no choice but to continue if for no other reason than to find out the why.”
*I do need to say that I felt that was for shock value and shouldn’t have been included. I understand it was to show the fierce protective instinct that Knight had for Greer that should have been shown in a different way.*
Greer had a small amount of sass, but she also didn’t, there were moments when I felt she should have pushed back against Knight with the stubbornness mentioned in the blurb instead she continuously lets him off the hook. The person that is spoken about in the blurb in reference to Greer isn’t the same character you get inside the story.
Knight was the ruler of Pembroke University, he was an alpha-hole, and Greer got a majority of his aggression. They had an immediate connection, but there were times I felt like Greer should walk away because of Knight’s actions and at times his reactions to situations.
Knight and Greer had a shared bit of history that connected them, but there were bits of that that when explained made little sense. Everything that should have been a major point of escalated drama added to the story wasn’t, it just smoothed over quietly all wrapped into a perfect bow.
The beginning chapters were very clear on explaining the timeframe of and between events, but I wish that had been something that had been carried throughout the story. Things would happen, and there was no reference as to if the next was hours, days, or weeks later. It was rather confusing.
There was a whole “shocking” element of the storyline that wasn’t all that shocking, and yet, it was something else that could have had a more detailed and sensible reasoning. Even the aftermath of that event ends up being wrapped with only a few sentences.
Overall, I did want to know the outcome of the story, but in reaching the end, I was wishing I had stopped reading during the prologue. I just felt as though at the end there were pieces missing to allow me to feel as though I had, “a complete” story as there were several things that were unanswered, and things that were meant to be a large part of the story were short changed with the lack of further explanation.
**Gigantic Side Note**
There is NEVER a reason to have a detailed scene of a brutal attack on a dog. The entire scene was added for shock value, and later it seemed the author just threw a reason together as for the why and not only was it utter nonsense it further cemented my thought that it was in fact for shock value.
BEFORE STARTING THIS SERIES I HIGHLY…recommend first reading the Court High series.
I actually picked up Brutal Heir in a reader challenge and was frustrated to find there are FOUR books before this series. It’s passed off that these are stand alones and that those books aren’t necessary to read first and I heavily disagree. I’m sorry but If you’re here before reading any of these, go back to ‘They the Pretty Stars’ and start there. The entire ‘Court’ thing is explained there and the guys are much easier to connect to and understand with that knowledge. I do not understand why we were led to believe these are OK to read by themselves.
If you HAVE read those, OMG ARE YOU NOT IN LOVE WITH THESE BOOKS!?? I’ve loved them from the beginning, I adore these characters and am so glad I went back to their high school years. Knight and Lj were especially intriguing to me and I was stoked that they were going to have their own books! These have been quick reads that flowed smoothy and could easily be read over and over. I read books 1-5 in just under 48 hours. I’m a fast reader but still, they progress in great time and fashion.
Eden has done it again…another page turner that i couldn’t put down! I can honestly say Knight is my new favorite. He is just everything….once you get beyond his tough exterior!! (hes a big softy really) but equally matched with Greer who quite simply brings out his best! I loved their chemistry and interactions, especially when December and Royal also butted in! (i still love December so much from the first four books (court High Series).
The story was really well thought out, and linked in well with the first series. It had the right amount of suspense, twists and sizzling hot chemistry and led nicely onto the next book (hoping for LJ’s story)
If you like broody alpha, bully heroes and strong heroines who aren’t afraid to stand up to them and who can put them in their place then this is definitely a book for you….cant recommend this book or author more highly. 5 huge stars……well done Eden…loved it!!!
I am so lucky to have received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review!
Brutal Heir was my beach read during vacation and I could not have asked for a more outstanding book to spend my time on! The main characters’ backstory and the way the author develops their relationship was beyond flawlessly done. Honestly I was a little heartbroken when I finished the book because I didn’t want it to end! Definitely plan on picking up Ms. O’Neill’s Court High series next to see where they all began!!!
its a hate and love thing
You ever find a book you hate and love at the same time? I hated the hero for his verbal abuse… his words were hurtful and yet i couldn’t stop reading. I knew something was off. He cant be an A hole on purpose… so i kept reading. It was worth it! Knight fought his demons and it took someone like Greer to find the silver lining in him. I don’t read bully romances, but i can honestly say for my first one it wasn’t bad. #donthateitTillYouTryit
Yowza!!! This book is all about Knight from the COURT HIGH series. This is a spin off from that. I don’t think it’s necessarily a must that you read those books first, but it might give you a tinier glimpse into character relationships and backstory.
Finally we get to learn about Knights history and his present. Who would’ve guessed the main girl of his life focused prominently in both? There a lot of secrets, darkness, and tragedy among the past. Some he already knows, and some he will learn. We get to see all the many layers behind the tough guy we’ve learned to love. Get ready for its a heckuva ride!
What started out as conceivably a bully romance and evolved into something more mature, a storyline with more feeling and natural human expression. I would not characterize this book as a bully romance or even dark. Instead it read like a contemporary romance involving a hero who from childhood was always smitten with the heroine, and a heroine equally drawn to the hero — misunderstand friends to lovers.
After the two find themselves attending the same college, their love affair, rockily, begins. I thought the character development in this book was excellently written. I felt as if I knew each character personally, emotionally and physically. The hero was large, muscular, dark eyed, alpha; the heroine, almost angelic in appearance, petite with inner steel. I liked that both characters demonstrated vulnerability and strength, and at the right point in the story recognized their growing feeling. There was no undue push and pull in this tale. The hero’s storyline was particularly interesting, tragic, inspiring a great deal of sympathy. The sexual chemistry and build up were tension-filled; the relations, steamy, passionate, and without timidness. These two characters were clearly compatible; they fit.
Besides title and blurb warning, I would qualify this read as contemporary romance with a little badgering to the heroine, not dark. In parts it was a little longer of a read than I thought necessary. While not exactly my taste, great for those who like a medium-burn love story with feeling, with likable vulnerable characters with a backstory, steam, and new challenges.
*Spoiler Alert*
Knight (From the Court High series) gets his own book and personally ive been dying to get my hands on it. Greer (FMC) the daughter of his granddad’s Ex housekeeper and with all the history between them theyre far from friendly towards each other. So when they both end up in University together sparks fly and tempers flare. Knight is a contradiction of a character with a hard outer shell that he shows to everyone and he covers up a soft, caring & compassionate guy underneath all that. i really liked getting to find that out about him & i loved the relationship between him & Greer too. I loved this book so much and i cant wait to get my hands on the other guys books too
Oh how I wish I could give Brutal Heir more than five stars!!! Loved this so very much, and has definitely moved to my top five this year!!! Eden has done it again!!
So much happens in this book I have no idea where to start. I loved it from the start and could not put my kindle down. Eden has a way of creating this world that you get lost in. You are transported there as if you are right next to Knight and his boys. There with Greer, while she navigates this new world he has created for her.
So Greer is someone from Knight’s past, from when they were kids. He has always seemed to look out for her unwillingly. When they meet up again at a college party, he does what he always did. Protect her, from anyone he has to. She is supposed to keep a secret, and in order to make sure she does, he follows her, and is cruel to her when he thinks he needs to be. But in doing that they get closer, and closer. When she stumbles upon something by accident it roots up everything Knight has been told. Does he believe her or does he throw her away?
Guys I am telling you, this is such an amazing read. I literally could not put down my kindle, because I had to find out what happened next. I have a thing for alpha A-holes and Knight sure does fit the bill. He plays that part so well. Sweet Greer, I found my self rooting for her so much. These two together, yeah it is gold. So I would highly recommend this book. Also cannot wait for book two in this series Kingpin, coming June 11th, 2021.
“You’re going to listen to me. Listen to what I have to say. What you saw tonight could cause problems for you.”
“What kind of problems?”
Too much fucking talk. My hand squeezed her throat, another incentive, and it worked. She stiffened immediately, her face scrunched in fear. I didn’t want to scare her. Honestly didn’t, but if it kept her quiet…
Greer is a girl from Knight’s past, from way back when they were just kids. And they meet again. She sees something she shouldn’t have, and he tries to protect her, but he has to be a bit cruel. She needs to see that the aftermath of the situation is no joke.
He’s afraid she’ll go to the police, so he starts shadowing her. But by doing that, he becomes a part of her life. He can’t get away and neither can she.
One day her teacher finds a simple word in her brilliant school work, and this one word puts Knight’s world into another perspective. Yes, it’s like a domino effect. His life is about to change, but will it be good, or will it be bad?
Brutal Heir is a perfect book for a reader who loves angst, but also craves to be crushed by emotions!
I stumbled upon Eden’s books one day and never looked back. What an amazing adventure it’s been. Every book I read, just keeps getting better and makes me so happy to have discovered her books. This is such a wonderful start to a new series. Loved every word.
Received Book From Author For Honest Review.
I Give this Book a 4/5 Star Rating.
*Please note the review you’ll read below might sound like I’m contradicting myself with the rating I give this Book.
But Honestly, I Really did enjoy the Book. I Cannot Give this Book 4.5 nor 5 Stars though.
HEA(?): Yes
Heat: 4/5
Romance: 3-3.5/5
Drama: 3/5
Suspense: 3.5/5
Dark: 2/5, Dark Lite (for me)
Surprisingly there is a bit of dark in this book.
By the way I LOVE Dark Books, Darker the Better. But I weirdly didn’t expect this book to have what it -has- in it (and that is NOT A bad thing! Lol.) But one of the scenes did feel a bit ‘dismissed or was kinda given a blind eye’
Bully Scale: 2-2.5/5, it (for me) is pretty lite.
Predictability: 3.5/5
Relationship Type: MF
I know this might sound weird but Knight was too >immediately< likable for me, it in all honesty bothered me for some reason, I guess cause I wanted it to be more suspenseful and have him grow on me. I really was craving some tension and purposeful silence on his end, like I got in Prologue. I also weirdly don’t know how I feel about Knight & Greer communicating so ‘easily’ with each other. I guess cause everything was transitioning too smoothly and calmly even with clearly slung insults & aggression here and there, during the beginning and near the middle, I did find myself having a bit of a time trying to keep focus on the book. But AFTER around the 45%, the book got much better and I was able to retain my focus. Loved the heat, and how Knight treated Greer later in the book, where I felt it fit much better. I did find it was a bit ‘quiet’ in the drama area, cause you really only see after effects, not the full drama that causes the effects > treated like drama being done behind closed doors from ‘prying eyes aka the reader’.
Cause it’s almost like your not supposed to have any urge to fully Dislike Knight, so you’re kinda prevented from seeing him in ‘action’ as a kind of bully.
But I Will Recommend This Book & Author.