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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I’ve loved all of Betti’s books so far, BUT THIS IS BY FAR MY FAVORITE! It’s dark and twisted. Half the time I was whispering, “What the fuck..” to myself. This is a TRUE bully romance.
Gahhh, where do I even start? Betti has me pulling my hair out with questions that I NEED to know the answer to. There is so much more to this story that we don’t know and understand. This is only the tip of a VERY fucked up iceberg.
Dexter Booth. I hate him. I love him. There is SO MUCH more to this man that we don’t know. He comes in layers that are surrounded in fire and a brick wall to keep us all out. I don’t know how Betti is going to make us love him, but she will. I can feel it.
In this twisted story of prestige, riches, and secrets, we are shown a world that only the strong survive. Firstborns are royalty. There are no boundaries when it comes to them. They take as they please and do what they want. After being thrown into this world, Pandora finds herself in the middle of a fucked up group of people. She was thrown in the deep end and has to sink or swim. The problem is, the sharks smell blood.
Betti has left me needing a cold shower after this book. I want more. I NEED more and I won’t be satisfied until I have the rest of the story.
Omg! I loved this book so much! Every dark, twisted, secretive, sexy word was perfect! The characters were so well developed I felt like I knew them. I can’t wait to read more of their stories. The plot was very fast paced and hooked me from the beginning. The storyline was very original and I can’t wait to see where Betti Rosewood goes with it. I will definitely be shouting about this book to every one!
DARK, TWISTED AND HAUNTINGLY BEAUTIFUL…. This book will leave you BREATHLESS!”
“There are truly no words to describe the perfection with which Betti writes. Wickedly-dark and magically delicious.”
What an incredible ride…. from Beginning to the pulsating end… This story will show you how both darkness and light exist within all of us.
“6 Agonizing Breathtaking Beautiful Twisted Stars.. Betti, delivers this story was chilling and it’s execution was perfect.. It’s dark, it’s suspenseful it will set both your kindle and panties on FIRE!
“Anger, hate and darkness burns throughout the pages of this book. Leaving you wanting and aching for more.. fast paced, intense, and extremely well written storyline that flows effortlessly a hurt so sweet is everything..
“The Twists and turns swirled throughout the pages.. I’m in a totally hangover I don’t know what to do Betti, has a way with words her writing is masterful.”
This is one of the best dark books of 2019.. I bow down to you Betti!” 6 stars!”
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
This is my first Betti Rosewood book but it won’t be my last.
If you like dark bully romances this book is definitely for you. This was a very good read that I devoured in one sitting and to be honest this is one of the darkest I read as far as the male love interest is concerned but if you have triggers around consent (expressed or dubious) you might want to think twice before reading this book.
The story is mainly told from Pandora point-of-view even of Dexter get a few chapters from his POV.
I feel so bad for Pandora thrown in a patriarchal (and psychopathic world) she doesn’t want to be a part of – engaged to a man who unfairly loathes her. She had a backbone which every single man in that story is trying to break but so far, she is standing strong and I can’t help rooting for her. She is no more than a toy for Dex (this is how he calls her too) and she feels trap and want to do everything she can not to break. I’m rooting for you my friend!
Now Dex… Dexter Booth, as most of you know I am very keen with falling in love with the antagonist in stories and film (Kylo Ren, looking at you Babe) but here for the first time in a long time I didn’t. I’m not even sure Dex is or should be redeemable. He is despicable and frankly I see no glimpse of light, guilt or conscience in him…I’m all for Pandora gutting him and ridding into the sunset all by her lonesome. Seriously if Betti manages to make me root for DEX in volume 2 I would be more than impressed because it would take mad skills!!
There are a few side characters who are introduced – one in particular I think has the potential to steer the sh*t up and I want more of him. I’m staring at you big C – do your thing!
The story is well written and it was a very fast read which I managed in an afternoon. As the author explained it was supposed to be a very big book which she cut in volume 1 and 2 – Therefore this first opus leaves you with a lot of questions and no answers same goes for the characters’ development which seems incomplete but i’m not penalizing the story for this as there is the volume 2 coming soon.
In conclusion, this book ends on a big cliffhanger! But like ‘WHAT?!’ Type of cliffhanger so just be ready to suffer a little until you get your answers which the author assured would be sometime in October. If you are a fan of bully romances this book is for you!
Oh boy…this was one dark, twisted, messed up in every way book but man did I love it!!
These characters were broken and dark, controlled by power, tradition, and a hierarchy that was not to be tampered with. There was lust and degradation, loss and betrayal. This book was such a unique story. From beginning to end I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I wanted to see every line play out, to see this warped story take me from one moment to the next. To see Pandora and Dexter’s stories take them on this wild ride and see just how life plays out for them. Secondary characters were so intriguing as well only enhancing the temptation of this world Betti Rosewood created.
Dark twisted cult type town run by wealthy families that rule over Eden Falls.
With their rules that only the firstborn have control over everyone around them, everyone else is simply beneath them and for their entertainment.
Dexter is a firstborn and has to marry Pandora the daughter of one of the founding families, also a firstborn, however being a woman is still under the control of her sick twisted father.
This is a cruel bitter bully book1 with many unanswered questions about how Pandora was able to be dragged from her prior life sent to a controlling boarding school that was meant to teach her how to submit to her future husband simply to be his toy and bare his heirs. Pandora has vowed to find a way out of this controlling hell that she is a prisoner in. I’m looking forward to seeing if book2 answers these questions. And if Pandora is able to survive until she can escape.
When I started reading I couldn’t put it down.Betti Rosewood is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can’t wait for the next book.
First off I was really into the story.. Their was just the right amount of suspense, mystery, hate and a whole lot of drama, but I felt like Pandora was just too all over the place.. One minute she has a back bone and is holding her ground and then she becomes weak but at the same time she is turned on and wet and falling to her knees and doing whatever her bullies wants her to do.. Hopefully in the next book her character is stronger, because I am really looking forward to reading the next book in this series..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a dark and twisted tale!
Warning! This book ends on a cliffhanger and has dark themes.
Pandora is stuck in town she wants no part of, Eden Falls. A town where the rich are sick and twisted and the founders and firstborns get everything they want. She is forced to live the life of the girl that come before her including marrying a guy she hates because that is her duty to the town. Fighting every step of the way she can see no way out of this especially when the firstborns set out on breaking her any way they can. Can she survive with no one on her side?
This was a great story and I am anxious to find out what happens next.
I voluntarily read this book for an honest review.
RIVETING CRUEL HOT DARKNESS
I EFFing LOVED IT! I binged every word as fast as my stunned and overly excited mind would allow. Shocking cruel emotionally grueling story that takes every once of courage to turn from one page to the next as the the words assault my heart and have me filled with adrenaline and a thirst for more of brutal words that at times are a tuff pill to swallow yet I can’t stop as I’m caught in the stormy web of twisted drama that refuses to release the hold it has on me along with the sensual feels warming me in all the right places.
Every damnn chapter had me rattled and excited while tip toeing on baited breath unsure how the next words I read would hit like kid gloves or forcefully shoved down my throat as eff bombs after eff bombs flew though my gaping lips. The explosive ending has me screaming NOOOOO! With every foul word demanding more! Do not hesitate read it NOW. You will be so darn Happy you did. It’s dark, grueling, cruel, manipulative and absolutely addictive with and endless supply of angst painful emotions and sizzling popping dark chemistry!
For me, it’s hard to get into a dark romance book, because they don’t always work out well. However, Betti Rosewood hit this book out of the park with how intense everything is. I didn’t want to put the book down once I started reading it, but I did throw my Kindle at the end. The characters are twisted, messed up, and the patriarchy in Eden Falls is scary. I’m looking forward to seeing how this series goes, and how the next part of Dexter and Pandora’s story plays out.
Please note that I did receive an ARC of this book, and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was my first time reading something by Betti Rosewood and it was not quite what I was expecting. I was lucky enough to snag an ARC of volume 1 in her new series about the Elite of Eden Falls Prep. It’s also labeled as a dark high school bully romance but the main characters are all college age so don’t let that throw you off.
I will be honest, I normally don’t read darker themed erotica just because it’s not really my thing but the plot caught my attention and so I gave it a try. Lily Anna Oakes has her whole life uprooted with the discovery that the family she’s loved is not actually hers. I don’t want to give too much away but the girl who was raised by her real family has died and now Lily Anna has to return to a new home and take her place as the Firstborn heir to one of the founding families in Eden Falls. She has a family, fiance, and entire town of people who seem to take pleasure in hating her for something she never did. She hates the rules and her new fiance Dexter especially. Eden Falls and it’s elite families are like nothing she’s ever experienced and all she wants to do is find a way to escape. Dexter and his friends basically are treated as royalty and have zero respect for women as anything beyond play toys and Lily Anna is their newest target. She has no real power until their arranged marriage takes place on her birthday but up to that point she is pretty much a pawn in Dexter’s twisted game.
I am giving this 4 stars because the plot and writing are very compelling but it’s just not my particular genre. I had a tougher time with the ages of the characters and the roughness than I thought.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’ve waited so long for AHSS I love the way that betti wrote the dark and taboo books under her other pen name so was excited to see what she had to bring and damn I was no ready, this book was amazing.
It kept me on the edge of my seat, I felt every emotion going and couldnt get enough.
I love the different characters but Dexter GAHHH I loved him and hated him.
This book has left me reeling and I cant wait for more.
4*
Pandora has been forced back to the family after lily Ann discovered her identity and took her own life.
Dexter’s character is mean he’s looking for revenge for the girl he truly loved.
Pandora is not going to make it easy for them to destroy her, she’s starts of by showing such strong will.
I enjoyed the story and I’m looking forward to reading more from characters Dexter, Lai, Julian & Caspian definitely cannot wait for part two!
This was the fist book I’ve read by Betti Rosewood and it won’t be my last. It is a young adults book that is playing with my head. It is HOT…but disturbing. I haven’t really become emotionally attached to any character because I haven’t found one likeable, except for possibly Pandora. I’m still working it out. I really can’t wait to see what is happing next. It is a cliffhanger.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I Received this ARC Via BookSprout for and Honest Review.
I Give this books 3.5/5, Listing as 3.
Dark: 3.5/5
Heat: 3.5/5
Suspense: 5/5
Drama: 5/5
Romance: 0/5, It’s Book One After All.
I NEED to know what’s going to happen next!
The reason I listed this a is mainly due to the fact that beside the bullying from ‘family’ and other People, and the erotic ‘torture’ scenes, I’m not getting much plot, it just seems a little overdramatized in the beginning and then then the content seems to repeat but from different people.
I’d like to know why the secret with Dexter and who is Minnie Really?
I will be reading Vol.2
Looking forward to reading more from this Author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Betti can write dark and haunting and still make you love all the crazy characters. This book was oh so good, twisted and kept me wanting more.
Whew! I’ll be honest, I’m not so sure I can manage to corral all my thoughts well enough to write this review. I guess I’ll start with some basics that you should be aware of. 1. This is only book one of this series. Be prepared for the cliffhanger and yeah, it’s a mind-blowing one, 2. This is a dark and twisted bully romance. So I think it is fair to say that you need an open mind, nerves of steel and a backbone that is strong enough to bear up under the weight of some extremely vile characters and unpleasant situations and actions that occur in this book, and 3. This book does contain content that might be triggers for some or just be too dark for others. These include physical assault and dubious consent. So, please be informed before diving in. As for myself, I did enjoyed it, but as the story unfolded I often felt that I was like a rubbernecker, that simply could not look away from some horrific tragedy as it was playing out before my eyes. I will admit that in my opinion bully romances have it tough. Every reader is different and each one has those imaginary lines in their head that means you are crossing over from pushing boundaries to going into the No Go Zone. For me, this book went right up to that line. I am not sure of my feelings for Pandora. I want to like Pandora and desperately feel that I should. I just had issues with how often what she said and what she did were polar opposites of each other. I know the odds are stacked against her, the game is fixed and she seems to have more enemies than a dog has fleas, but still, I couldn’t stop feeling that she caved too often and too easily. Her actions didn’t scream, ” Just wait until you turn your back!”. To me it seemed more like, ” Oh, Wow! I didn’t know I liked this…but I do!” As for Dexter, I was not a fan. Bitter, brutal, arrogant and privileged, I thought he was a grade A, gold plated @$$h@le. I know there is a lot more to learn about him but I am not sure the author has a big enough shovel to dig him out of the hole he is in with me. The story is very intense and offers many twists, secrets and OMG moments. I’ll be very interested to see how things progress in book two.
Really great book, I enjoyed it. It was a different take on the Bully Romance that is really popular right now. It did end on a major cliffhanger, which makes you want to read the next book right away, but I am a little disappointed there wasn’t more chapters in the book Overall, I can’t wait to find out what happens next with Pandora, Dexter and the guys.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I cannot tell you how much I’ve waited for AHSS. I absolutely loved her books that she’d written earlier under the name Fawn Bailey. I missed her dark and taboo stories. I read the whole book in a few hours!
We can read the story in present time from Lily Anna’s POV rather than Dexter’s. Dexter’s POV is what you expect more than anything. I have a lot of questions. Obviously you must have a BIG QUESTION, but I’m not going to ask that! I have a theory and if you would love to talk about it write a msg me 😉 I don’t bite.
AHSS is like a drug, you want the next dose, and it will never enough for you. It plays a cruel game with your mind. You’re so helpless, you cheer, yell, rejoice, and then you just stare, staring open-mouthed. But damn it’s not gonna happen what you expect; it was completely unpredictable! At first, it plays with your senses, she makes you think that you must hate him. She fools into the deluded fantasy and then it precipitates into the abyss. The most perplexing thing is that, however, you want to be there at the bottom, you want to jump together with the protagonist. You completely experience what she went through.
Full review and excerpt: https://www.gcksbookreviewblog.com/2019/09/arc-review-excerpt-hurt-so-sweet-volume.html