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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A Hurt So Sweet Book 1 Elite of Eden Falls Prep
Betti Rosewood
5 Stars
Very speechless! OMG! Totally sucked in and I didn’t want it to end! Very twisted but oh sooo good!
“Because you think breaking girls gives you power. You think if you steal something, and lock it away, it’ll never belong to anybody else. But what you’re forgetting is, it’ll never belong to you, either. And I’m going to prove that to you. When I leave, I’m going to make sure your heart is broken.”
“the precious cries interspersed with moans of a hurt so sweet it makes me want to ruin her.”
Absolutely can not wait for book 2!
As I started this book, I got very excited as I realized what and who it was about. This book links directly to her Lords of Wildwood series, but it can be read as a standalone. Personally, I felt lucky that I read the previous series since it mentions some backstory. I felt I was able to connect to this one easier because of it, but i still think it could be a standalone.
In Hurt, you meet Pandora, who is back home after four yrs of private school. The family and staff call her Lily Anna, and she is woefully out of her league here. She is being forced into high society as a young girl shes never met. And these people are evil, scary and outrageous. It’s as if the city of Eden Falls is in a bubble where the rich and Firstborn rule the roost, and nothing else matters but power. Pandora is disgusted, but learns what she has to do to survive.
You want to hate Dexter…but you get glimpses into who he used to be and what he goes through. These glimpses were outlined so well, giving valuable insight into the bad boy. I couldn’t hate Dexter. I got the feeling that some of what Pandora goes through…Dexter has to (or had to) go through too. Keeping up appearances is important in Eden Falls.
There was this feeling of dread that permeates the story. Having Pandora replace another person is beyond creepy…reminds me of a Lifetime Original Movie. But every page was riveting. Every page fascinating. I rooted for Pandora because she was brave and strong. None of the minor characters were unimportant. There were whispers of secrets in every corner of this story. I can’t wait for the next book.
This is the first dark, bully romance I have read of Betti’s. This is a very dark, cruel, and intense bully romance. It is very well written and draws you in quickly. The storyline is a continuation of the Boys That… Series. We finally get a feel for what, Pandora’s character is like. She comes across as a typical seventeen-year-old. Yet, in some ways, she’s more mature. In this world of evil people, abusive rules, and unusual hierarchy Pandora stands tall. She will not bend to their will. There are times her heart and body betray her, but sometimes that’s just a natural reaction. It also leaves you with conflicting emotions. Pandora is very confused about her hate/love emotions toward Dexter. Dexter is the man to envy and whom everyone wants to be. I keep thinking I see a chink in his armor, but then it gets seeled right back up. There are so many unanswered questions. It is driving me nuts! I can’t wait to read the next book to answer my burning inquiries. Warning: it is a very dark, dark romance and may have some triggers.
I was given a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
I’ll be very clear, this is not a book for everyone. It’s got quite dark themes at times and a trigger warning is in effect.
I was very excited to read this book based on the teasers I’ve seen leading up to the release date. And it did not fully live up to expectations for me.
I did enjoy the premise of the story. It starts off great, immediately laying down a good dose of mystery as well as drama. All in all a good setup for a good book. That wasn’t my issue.
My issue was with the characters. Pandora in particular. She starts off strong and I loved her right from the start, but throughout 70/75% of the book she’s lost all her strength. She keeps being very clear to herself that she’ll make them pay, which I agree can and probably will happen to an extent in book 2, but is also very vocal about the abuse being done to her to stop and she tries to fight them, only to roll over and take it all in the next second. And that just became a little repetitive for me, and sadly made me like her less. Her personality just felt very contradictory to me. Is she strong? Is she not? I’m reaaally hoping that changes in volume 2!
Dexter though, well we got what we were promised and what I was promised. An Alphahole with a cruel streak to match a psychopath who might have a soft spot hidden somewhere deep in to the darkness in his heart. I like that there’s a good chunk of mystery surrounding his life and I’m excited to see if my predictions are right about what’s going on. Although I’m not quite sure if he’s redeemable or if I even want him to redeem himself. We’ll see if Betti can change my mind about him in the next one.
All in all, if you like bully romances on the darker side, I’d still recommend it. Cliffhanger warning though.
This book has blown me away. Not expecting the depravity and sickness but this book knocks it out of the park! Pandora is taken from her family and sent to live with her biological father in Eden Falls. The first born are in a class above everyone else. Pandora has to take the place of her previous sister Lily Anna who committed suicide once she learned she wasn’t really a first born. Pandora’s father and family are calling her Lily Anna. The whole place if filled with sick, twisted people and Pandora is caught in the middle of it all. Don’t want to give too much away but things aren’t always what they seem. Twists and turns abound just when you think you have it figured out. Ends in a cliffhanger so looking forward to the next book. This is a dark book and may be a trigger for some so read at your own risk.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
This original high school romance starts off with Pandora’s homecoming. One would think that is a celebration but this poor girl is bullied by everyone including her family and fiancé. The founding families in Eden Falls run the town and firstborn children have all the power except for Pandora. She’s having to try to figure out how survive in her cruel new world. Book does end on a cliffhanger. Possible triggers for some readers with forced and bullied sexual situations.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow what did I just read. Talk about a bully of bully romance books. Pandora who always thought her parents were her parents ends up not being the case. After her birth parents send her to boarding school for 4 years they deem that she is worthy to move to their house. When she moves in she also has a fiancé she’s never met and has to replace a ghost. This book is crazy. Dex and his friends tortures Pandora and all Pandora wants is to go back to the family she knows and loves. This book is full of secrets and drama and I cannot wait to find out what happens next.
Whew!!! I need a cold drink after reading this book! This is the first book in this series and it is a must have book!!! It is dark, it has twists you will not see coming. Emotions that make you want to scream and throw your e-reader one moment and the next you can’t let it go. This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I can not wait for more from this author. I am voluntarily leaving my review.
Holy wow! That was an intense read!
The drama, the intensity, the chaos made for a breathtaking, and anticipated read.
I was not expecting this story with the angst and atrocities and WOW!
Bettie Rosewood, this story just made me gasp and hang on for the ride!
I look forward to the next book!
Pandora is in the town of Eden Falls and forced to pose as the firstborn daughter Lily Anna Oakes. Dexter is the first born son and fiancee of Lily Anna. Now Pandora is expected to marry and give him a child. The cruelty and sexual abuse in this book are almost too much to take. I hate Dexter, Pandora and his friends at this point. The ending is a doozy of a cliffhanger. I am going to read the next book just to see how this story will unfold.
3.5 Stars
Depraved Indulgence
Pandora has just returned home after four years away at finishing school. She’s not exactly happy to see her family. It’s all about appearances with them, while all their dirty secrets are kept behind closed doors.
She is now living in Lily Anna’s shadow. She even has to marry the dead girl’s ex-boyfriend.
Pandora just wants to get back to her old life. Her fiance Dexter and her father, just seem to want to torture her. She is good for one thing…a marriage to strengthen ties with a first born and to produce an heir.
She’s not going to just bow to their demands. This girl isn’t going to comply without fighting them every step of the way.
So many secrets. There is so much more going on than we know. Everyone is plotting. This story is totally twisted and will appeal to your depraved side!! It’s going to get pretty dirty! And that ending….I want more!
In Boys that Tease and Boys that Read, the mystery of the missing Pandora is a subject of great speculation. This is her story. It’s cruel and painful. Pandora, or Lily Anna as her family want to call her, is made to comply to the rules of Eden Falls’ founding families. Pandora is engaged to Dexter, who has much power and uses this to try and break her, often sexually. I love Pandora’s strength, her defiance, and her cunning. While Dex can be cruel, there are also moments of hesitation, and protectiveness of Pandora. The plot is fast-paced, interesting, and kept me reading past my bedtime. It ends on a whopper of a cliffhanger, and leaves many things to be answered.
I received a copy of this book. My honest review is voluntarily provided.
A Hurt So Sweet is the kind of book that will absolutely consume you whole and plague your every waking thought.
Dexter is a vicious, ruthless opponent for our leading lady to face but she holds many hidden cards of her own. He’s fierce, cruel and somewhat mercurial and our heroine is just as strong, smart, cunning and entertaining. The two are engaged in a very interesting battle of will, wit and passion.
Great side characters, underlying mystery, sky high tension and heat that will leave you with a dry throat, AHSS has it all!
A world tangled in lies, lust, deceit and power, A Hurt So Sweet will leave you with an ache for more. Betti pulls out all the stops with this saga and boy, does she deliver! I need Volume 2 right NOW!
*Reviewed by Ali at Fallen For Books.
A bully romance with secrets galore in this story. Pandora and Dexter are forced to be together, though neither is happy about it. Dexter is doing everything to over power and humiliate Pandora. Pandora is just trying to survive in this world. I am intrigued enough to keep reading this series, while also being a little scared of the author’s imagination!! A great read so far.
Amazing situations and details.
To be honest, I finished this book and couldn’t decide on a rating. I haven’t read such messed up characters since finishing Amo Jones’s “The Elite Kings” series. With that been said, I’m a sucker for this kind of characters!
I haven’t read any other books from the author, although her “Lords of Wildwood” books are on my TBR.
Our heroine, Pandora, is in for a really rough time. Her father is strict and her soon-to-be husband Dexter, is the most ruthless of them all. He’s cruel and unkind to her from their first encounter. Dexter’s only goal is to torture her and break all her defiance. His own demons are driving him and I’m really curious to learn more about his reasons!
The town of Eden Falls is full of rich, entitled people, whose only goal is to get to the top. If you crave a book with characters that test your limits and leave you wanting more, then “A hurt so sweet” is definitely for you! Get ready for a wild ride!!!
A Hurt So Sweet Volume One: A Dark High School Bully Romance (Elite of Eden Falls Prep Book 1) by Betti Rosewood is deliciously dark! I can’t wait to read the rest of this series. I could not put it down until I read the entire book. This is definitely a must read for anyone that loves Dark Romance!
I was never a fan of end of dark type romance but I decided to take a chance on A Hurt So Sweet and absolutely did not regret it. It’s a story about being true to oneselves, happiness, love and to never be afraid to fight for what you believe in. It is a truly remarkable and enthralling read.
You will not regret this book.
I voluntarily submitted an ARC review for this book.
Betti has totally found her darkness again. OMFG!! I don’t even know where to start. Pandora/Lily Anna is back home. She isn’t entirely welcomed back with open arms. Her family is all sorts of messed up and her fiancé Dexter is a fine piece of work (not). This whole town is all sorts of f**ked up. Where you think there is actually one nice person, it turns out to be the total opposite. Pandora doesn’t know who she can trust. She just knows she can’t trust any of the firstborns. I’m left wondering what type of relationship did everyone have with the first Lily Anna. I hated Dexter one minute and the next he would change his mind. Oh my, the mindf*** you will get reading this book is, WOW! This is dark and twisted in the most delicious of ways. There is more than meets the eyes in this town and I can’t wait to see what it is. Who really was Lily Anna and what did she mean to the town? There are so many questions I have. Take a step into the dark side and enjoy the ride. Pick this one up and get pulled into the darkness. I read this in a couple of hours. I just couldn’t put it down until I finished. I wanted to find out what would happen next.
This is the first book I have read by Betti Rosewood and WOW it was a roller coaster read! You never know where you stand with this novel because of the twists and turns. The book is dark, twisted, and emotionally riveting. The characters of this novel, Dexter and Pandora, are well defined and you can literally feel the tension, loathing, dislike and sexual attraction they have for each other. Be warned, however, this book does end in a cliffhanger. I will definitely be buying the next installment in this series. I highly recommend this book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.