If you can’t beat the rich boys…Fck them.Lily Anna Oakes and I share everything.We have the same billion-dollar name, the same designer clothes, and the same messed up problems.But Lily Anna and I will never meet. She died years ago. This town broke her. I’ll burn it to the ground before I let that happen to me.In Eden Falls, I’m forced to attend a school for the elite. The Firstborns own this … forced to attend a school for the elite. The Firstborns own this place and they think they own me, too. It’s not long before Dexter, Caspian, Lai, and Julian become the bane of my existence.
There are only two people I’m afraid of – my strict father, and my malevolent fiancé. Unfortunately for me, my husband-to-be is one of the Firstborns ruining my life.
Dexter Booth and I will marry on my birthday to secure our families’ bond.
Every woman in this damn town wants to be Dexter’s toy. Except me.
Dex and his Eden Falls Prep cronies have forced me to give up my body. I know my betrothed wants my mind next.
I play along… But soon, I’ll leave the beautiful jerk behind without the thing he wants most from me.
His heir.
**
A HURT SO SWEET Volume One is the first book in a series of full-length novels following Pandora Oakes and Dexter Booth.
This book ends in a cliffhanger and has dark themes throughout.
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This is my first time reading this author and she has written an awesome story. It’s the start of a series and does end with a cliffhanger. There are dark themes in this book and dark characters! It’s a book that grabbed my attention from the very first page and it refused to let go, even once I had finished the book all I wanted to do was read the next book in the series, but I have to wait as it’s not been released yet!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an unexpected amazing book. I absolutely forgot volunteered to read this book, but didn’t realize it was about an Elite high school romance. I must say I glad I read it. It’s very realistic I’m every sense. I can picture something like this happen. I’m so shock of Pandora’s new family, that are unbelievable. Throughout this all I love her will to survive and strength to face her tormentors every day. I’m very curious to find out who Dexter is hiding in his house and what happened to his parents. I must say deep deep down I feel Dexter is developing feelings for Pandora and she might feel the same for him when he is not tormenting her that is. Above all this is one seriously dark book that’s very mysterious, full of suspense and unrequited love in all forms.
I voluntarily reviewed this book after a free copy.
This book had great character and storyline development which made it a very intriguing read! My emotions were all over the place as I turned each and every page that I couldn’t put this book down until I finished reading the very last page!
This story wrenched me out of my world and dragged me into the broken, twisted lives of Pandora, Dexter, and the other members of Eden Falls Prep.
The characters in this book aren’t easy to like; in fact I spent a great deal of my time trying to fathom out how I could ever bring myself to forgive the unforgivable. But these aren’t ordinary young men and women with normal lives. Fabulously wealthy and yet they have no real freedom to make their own choices. They are damaged, bitter, cruel and with so much anger in them.
Dark, hot and intriguing, this tortuous story is full of unexpected events and revelations; I was completely captivated by it all, and the cliffhanger when it came left me still wanting more…I received an advanced copy of this book from the author.
What a book!
I was thinking that ‘A Hurt So Sweet’ will be something like ‘Boys That Tease’ but the story of Pandora and Dexter is incredible!
Totally opposite than ‘Lords of Wildwood’ series.
Pandora came home, her real home to be a fiancée of Dexter Booth. She left her old live, because when she come home, she must be a obedient daughter and future wife.
When the engaged day came, she became Lily Anna – the dead Dexter’s fiancée. Everyone in her world call her by a dead girl name.
Dexter is a boy which doesn’t look good. Pandora knows that she will has problems with him, and she doesn’t need to wait a long time to see his real face.
This story is sooo angst and steamy!
I am totally in love in this book and I can’t wait for Volume Two of this story.
And this end! Betti please don’t do it again! I had a heartattack when I read ‘To be continued’.
WTF? It should be punishable.
‘A Hurt So Sweet’ vol 1 is a short novel about Dexter and Pandora story. We can also met Crispin here and other boys, but as I wrote in ‘Boys That Tease’ that I don’t like Crispin, I write the same here in ‘AHSS’ review. I hate this guy. I hate him so fucking much.
‘Elite of Eden Falls Prep’ is a series starts with ‘A Hurt So Sweet’. I can’t wait for next book of this series and I can’t wait for next ‘Boys That…’.
If you looking for sexy alpha with devil face, read ‘A Hurt So Sweet’ and meet Dexter Booth. He is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Holy Crap on a Cracker! This book was Crazy Good! I devoured it in a few hours, too addicted to put it down! Never would I have anticipated this book being what it was! Ahhh! I’m so hooked on Pandora and her situation! This book brings a whole new meaning to the word Cruel and Bully! It was incredibly Dark and Twisted and you just can’t keep yourself from craving more! I have a feeling the tables are about to turn and conflict Booth is about to be in for a surprise! I’m so ready for what’s to come next! I cannot wait! I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
A Hurt So Sweet Vol 1 is the first book in this new series from the author. This is high school/upper YA romance with parts bully and enemies-to-lovers trope. If you had read the Lords of Wildwood series, then you will remember they were talking about the missing Pandora, sister of Andromeda. The reason was explained on book two, Boys That Read and though it may seem interconnected, this can be pretty much read as a stand alone.
It’s the story of Pandora who accidentally found out she was the real daughter of a very influential family. Once they’ve found out about her existence, she was sent to a boarding school for four years. The story starts when she rejoined them for the very first time. She learned she is a member of one of the founding families who rule over Eden Falls, home to the very rich and elite. She also learned that the one she was born with was all kinds of fucked up and dangerous; the complete opposite of the one she has grown up with. As a Firstborn of Oaken family, she is expected to eventually take the throne from her father, follow the rules and to marry Dexter Booth. Dexter who is one of the Firstborns and former fiance of Lily Anna; the girl who jumped to her death than go back to her real family. Told in dual POV, Pandora and Dexter hated each other for what they each represent; Pandora as the girl he was forced to marry and Dexter who considers her beneath him.
Okay, first off, this is a dark read and there may be some scenes that might be triggering to some so be aware of that. Next is, oh my lawd! I am so engrossed in this story, I feel myself shaking with frustration and anger right with Pandora as she navigates this twisted world she was now in. Since her initial plan to rebel was not effective, she tried to play along and tricked them while planning her escape.
We see Pandora as a smart mouth which always lead her to more punishments from the men around her. The men in this book are really sick bastards who gets off on belittling and hurting the women. I really wish Pandora will find more allies in the second book because she really needs one. I think she already suffered enough humiliation on this book. Also, I hope that the next installment will show us more background on the other Firstborns, even Dexter’s. Aside from that mystery surrounding his house, and I have my suspicions, I’d really like to know more of him other than the massive dick he is to Pandora. Dex’s character in this story is someone you will love to hate with his entitled, bully attitude along with the other Firstborns. I really don’t know how the author will redeem Dexter’s character to me, I guess I will just have to read the next book. With that cliffhanger ending, I can’t wait to read what will happens next!
This is a really different book. It starts with a bang and takes you along on this harsh, messed-up, page-turner where you don’t know if you like any of the characters, but you’re left wanting more! This is definitely a dark romance, and not for the faint hearted. It centres on Pandora aka Lily Anna who is thrown into an unknown world where the elite rule with a heavy hand and she is just a piece on a game board being manipulated by her father and new fiancé, Dexter.
But not all is what it seems, as Pandora comes to terms with her ‘family’ or arrogant, menacing family members. Her father is an ass and really has no redeeming characteristics whatsoever! She is also thrust into the arms of Dex and his posse. Again, there doesn’t really seem to be any redeemable characteristics of Dex, he is mean, arrogant and most of the time really cruel to Pandora. He uses her body’s senses against her which sometimes verge on non-consensual and also humiliates her and shares her with his friends whilst making her life a living hell. Although we are given some background into why he does it, it just doesn’t seem enough to warrant his utter distaste of Pandora and the hell he puts her through.
Through it all we have Pandora who is trying to be strong, but you can see her giving up the fight in parts throughout this book. She is a likeable character and tries to do the right thing (example is the scene with the maid, Minnie), but she just doesn’t seem to be enough in this masochistic society where she is ruled over like she is a non-entity.
There are plenty of twists and turns throughout this book and it will be interesting to see what happens to Pandora in the next book….I for one am hoping that she kicks some ass, both literally and figuratively. There are plenty of sexy scenes in this book but not of the nice kind, they are more heart pounding, WTF is happening kind of scenes which carry you along into this dirty chasm of hotness and debauchery. It will be good to see if Pandora rips Dex’s balls off in the next book or one of the other guys!
Overall, if you like dark, sexy, messed-up, binge reads, then this book is definitely for you! Well done Ms. Rosewood!
ARC received for a fair and honest review.
More of my reviews can be found on my blog: https://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com
This book is so twisted & sic!! Just when I thought I knew where the story was heading it took a 380 degree turn and left me scratching my head like I was crazy. The whole On Eden Falls have all lost their minds and can’t wait for next book to see what happens.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Pandora was thrown into a whole new life and life style from what she was used to. Pandora finds out that her biological father Emilian has money and that he lives in this town which treats him like he’s royalty. Now Pandora was sent to go learn manners and how to be have like a young lady. She was gone for four years not knowing anything about her father Emilian or her other family members. Pandora is Emilian’s first born child which has certain exceptions for the first borne children. Pandora will be going to Eden Falls Prep to continue her education and he will marry Dexter after her 18th birthday. Oh and she has to remain a virgin too. Now the first born’s are Dexter, Caspian, Lai, Julian. Pandora knows that she has to get away from them all but she doesn’t know how. I enjoyed reading this book. I loved the storyline and plot. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I wasn’t sure what to expect but I sure didn’t expect that..So many emotions when reading this book. I did have to switch my kindle off and put it down a few times gentle on the bed before I flung it across the room. This book was an intense read from start to finish. The whole situation Pandora found herself in was so very messed up, Her and Dexter’s story in one you couldn’t stop reading and just hoping that she fights back against her abusers. Every one has an ulterior motive, everyone has secrets and just when you are sort of making head way bang your in a massive cliffhanger … I need book 2 I end to know if Pandora fights back.
Pandora finds out she is a member of a rich family in Eden Falls, but when she realizes she is the first born, she is immediately taken from the only family she has ever known and put into a boarding school so she can be taught all the proper ways of life in Eden Falls. But when she returns home to to start school in Eden Falls, will she show her father how good she can be or how sassy she still is? Will her fiance be her lifesaver? Or the only friend she can find who is her maid? How much abuse can she handle?
Dexter likes to have fun and since Lily Anna took a turn for the worst and now he is engaged to Pandora, will he be able to move on from Lily Anna? Will Dexter play with his new toy and let the other first borns have their fun too? Will Pandora cast a spell on him?
This book is a roller coaster ride of emotions, it will have you wanting so much more and leave you on the edge of your seat!! There is a huge cliffhanger that will leave you hanging on for the next book!! I can’t wait to read the next one and find out what happens to Pandora and the woman in the room? I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
My Thoughts on A Hurt So Sweet:
**I received this book by the author for an honest review**
What in the holy hell have I just entered!?? I mean that even MESSED MY HEAD UP! My goodness what third realm is this? The elite always get what they want huh? This book had me shaking with rage, the way Pandora hurt, the way Dexter ways falling.. it was like 2 steps forward..10 steps back with them. I want to choke Dexter. I need more.. I have to wait until November! I love/hate this book! 5 stars ~Chris
This was the first title I have read by Betti Rosewood so I wasn’t sure what to expect going in. I was surprised how amazingly dark and twisted this story is! I can’t wait for volume two!!
High school bullying goes to a whole new level in A Hurt So Sweet. The entitled elite of Eden Falls seem to be completely devoid of any human decency, morals, or conscience, even Dexter, the antihero “romantic” interest. Most of the characters are one dimensional without any redeeming qualities, at least in book one. There is no romance, just cruelty and degradation, along with the physical and sexual assaults and the complete hopelessness of Pandora’s situation that bleeds from every page. In addition, there is no explanation of how Pandora and Lily Anna even came to be switched.
I know high school bully dark romance is the new hot genre and I’ve read several really great ones but I need some hint of remorse, some sense of decency – even if it’s buried deep – from the MMC and I don’t get any of that from Dexter. I am not sure if I will continue on with the series. As much as I want to know where it all ends up, I am not sure I can stomach anymore of the unrelenting brutality and perversion. 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If you’ve read the Lords of Wildwood series then you know who Pandora is, if you haven’t read that series what are you waiting for? In this book we find out where Pandora has been and why she turned up missing in the Lords of Wildwood series. Pandora’s story is dark, twisted, raw, and so captivating. She goes through so much pain and twisted sexual torture but the way she dealt with it was powerful in some ways and heartbreaking in others. I didn’t know whether to cry for her, cheer for her or wring her neck for staying. This author has created another series that pulled me in making me care for the characters and that cliffhanger and left me breathless. I need book two asap.
Ms. Rosewood delivers a bully book with a twist.
I wouldn’t call it a bully romance as there is absolutely no romance in this volume.
The author takes the reader into the world of Eden Falls.
The families that founded it.
And the firstborns that run it.
We are introduced to the bad boys and expect their snobbish and elite attitude.
The most powerful of them being Dexter.
Who is also the most cruel.
Pandora is suddenly thrust in a world unknown to her.
She was beyond bullied in my opinion.
In her mind she thinks of herself as strong.
But in reality she took the bullying without putting up more of a fight.
I hope in the next volume she gives them hell.
OMG !! I freaking floved this HOT MEAN F..D UP book !! It has some messd up stuff going on that i just want MORE of ! I wanted to speed read through it just to see how far EVERY person was willing to go to either keep secrets or just win !!!!
Welcome to the Elite world of the rich and twisted.
Pandora has been away for 4 years. Four years that she hasn’t seen her ‘real family’ and her friends. Four years at a boarding school to teach her the proper ways of the Elite in Eden, but what she’s doesn’t know just yet is how twisted and jacked up the town and it’s people really are.
Disclaimer I received an arc copy for an honest and voluntary.
I am in complete and utter shock. Just speechless. That ending, my god…pure, unadulterated torture. No better title for this story I can tell you that. I have read no other authors who compare when it comes to this type of writing. There is no holding back, Betti is all in. The mind of this woman is truly remarkable. It left me breathless with its deviance. There so much more to Dexter than what it seems and I am DYING to find out. Pandora has such an innocence about her but you come to find out that she’s a lot more than what you perceive. A lot of steam, so steamy that I’m blistered from the inside and out. There is no going back after that story, I need like it’s a drug. I can’t shake this feeling until I get my fix. But I’m sure Betti will have me a mess again as these books play out. A masochistic dreamland. If I could give it more than five stars, I would! Trigger warning.