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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Ok, WHAT THE ACTUAL F IS HAPPENING?!? I’m not ok! This was WEIRD for me, I’m not against the nuances of this particular type of story but never have I found myself so sucked in to the mystery of it from the get go as I am with this one! In a purely fictional world this was just ALOT. Pandora is taking the place of the dead Lily Anna who I’m inferring was switched at birth? Then sent away to finish high school and prepare her for her place in the world and more specifically Eden Falls. She’s engaged to Dex who is a real piece of work seems to me, plus his posse of elite jerks. Just alot to unpack in the first installment, leaving me with more questions than answers and wishing it was time for the release of the second book already in the hopes that some of my questions will be answered! Ah I hate having to wait! This author has just found her newest social media stalker lol
Shes not the dead girl, and refuses to walk in her footsteps gracefully. She will rebel every step of the way!
Locked doors, and harsh punishments to teach her how to be. The life of a prisoner with many a foe, little to none without an agenda.
A fiance given to her, not for love but to strengthen and secure the bond between the founding families.
This isnt the life she dreamt of…
What a read! Dark, dirty and utterly delicious, my favourite kind!
The passion is so fierce in this book, whether it be of hatred or lust its spellbinding.
The guys are all so dangerous and should each come with a warning label, but my god they know how to play!
Pandora is a worthy opponent, shes strong, feisty and cunning yet so innocent too.
I loved watching them dance and spar, and was enthralled by each move they made and the jealousy within.
I knew this would be good as I’ve read Betti Rosewood before, but this is the kind of read that brings you to your knees!
I need book two desperately!! her words are completely magical to a mind like mine.
this book is the first in this series where Pandora is replacing a girl called lily Anna. The story is twisted beyond belief but your rooting for this girl to be strong and over come the truth of her new future. There is so much that has yet to be told in this story and i cant wait to find out more. its brutal and if your sensitive to bully/forced consent then this isn’t the book for you. amazing read. dark and twisted.
Wow.
I LOVE the Wildwood series by this author but this book/new series just took things to a whole other level.
I’m mind blown and speechless by all the twists and turns within the book.
It’s dark and dirty and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Every book by this author gets better and better.
Definitely one to add to your must click list.
4.5 STARS
Dark Erotic, New Adult Romance; Enemies-to-Lovers; High School Bully; Ménage; Psychological; Non-consent; Cheating
First person; dual-POV
Book #1 of the Elite of Eden Falls Prep series; huge cliffhanger!
“My little toy is sobbing now, the precious cries interspersed with moans of a hurt so sweet it makes me want to ruin her.”
by Dexter
WHAT HAS REALLY WORKED FOR ME
Addictiveness: 5/5 This was a fast-paced, squirm-in-the-chair, can’t-let-the-kindle-go type of book. This was a hard read, very intense and twisted. Felt very emotional ! As addictive as chocolate and ice cream together!
Character: hero 4.5/5, heroine 4.5/5, secondary characters 4.5/5, growth 5/5, real 5/5 Very complex characters with so much depth that was impossible not to feel with them. So much anger and pain here, I felt for them, I hurt with them!
Dexter was definitely not a hero. An antihero that most of the times felt like a villain. He was the product of this twisted place in which everybody is a deviant. He showed some glimpses of normality, but his jerk was always present. A very complex character that showed some growth. He didn’t want to save her, he wanted to punished her. He wanted to own her, so he could destroy her. He was very mature for his age, as he has taken a lot of responsibility at such a young age. The perfect character that I love to hate!
Pandora was a good heroine. She was just trying to survive, but she seemed a bit weak sometimes. She had fight inside until the end, but her weakness were well explored by Dexter. Being the new kid is never easy, but she could never imagined that it would be so hard. Felt almost impossible at times, like she was fighting a lost war. I’m hoping to see her confidence grow, so she can find her own power and bring her badass out to get her revenge!
Many interesting secondary characters, such as the firstborn boys, specially Caspian. Pandora’s siblings were also characters that I would like to know more.
Villains… in this twisted world almost everyone but Pandora, could grow into a big villain. I don’t want to mention names here, so I don’t spoil for anyone.
These characters were multidimensional and hard to understand. Pandora was an easy character to connect and love!
Freshness: 5/5 This book is definitely one-of-a-kind!!! So crazy and out-of-the-box that made this very unique. As fresh as a cold bottle of water in the middle of the desert!
Plot: believable 4/5, conflict 5/5, dialogue 5/5, ending 3/5, enjoyment 5/5, opening 5/5, pace 5/5, setting 5/5, subplots 5/5, twists 5/5 Amazing opening and frustrating ending. A plot that should be unbelievable, but the author writes so well, that she convinced the reader that this is ok. Dialogues written by a wordsmith. A fast-paced tale filled with angst and some interesting subplots. I’ve loved the setting, I’ve enjoyed the twists and I’ve hurt with the conflict. Highest level of satisfaction!!!
What a world-built. This town has a bit of Handmaid’s Tale vibe. Totally nightmare for any woman. Really, if someone ever invite you to visit Eden Falls, run the other way!
Also, this book is a psychological thriller. More than play with your feelings, it plays with your mind!
Romance: believable 5/5, chemistry 5/5, description 5/5, development 5/5, steam 5/5 This was not a romance! The series probably will be, but this was not! This was kinky as hell and they had a lot of chemistry. We could see how Pandora was attracted to Dexter’s madness and how Dexter was obsessed with her. Crazy possessive, like ownership! These scenes were extremely hot. Really panty-wetter hot. But they were not for everyone.
Writing Style: 5/5 My first book by the author and I’m already blown away. It has everything a thriller should have. Amazing world-built that has a lot of room to be explored; complex characters; and a very cohesive plot. Crafty!
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER
Cover: art 3.5/5, title 5/5, color-font 5/5, buy 4.5/5 I’m obsessed with book covers. I love to find snippets of the stories within the art. This cover is very pretty, I can see it fit the story a little, but I wanted more. I guess this could be a scene from the Ball, but if it is, the colors are wrong. I also find the picture a bit tame for their raw passion/hate kind of love. Because I don’t have a clear description of the characters, I guess they may look like that. I would buy this book by its cover, mostly because of the title that is very catchy!
Plot: I mean, there are books that ends with a cliffhanger and there are books that feels like a cliffhanger. So, yeah, I can’t never not mention a cliffhanger. I will never like them, but I understand why they are there.
MY THOUGHTS
I’m sorry!I know this has been a very convoluted review, but this is how messy my mind is right now. My thoughts are not in sync or organized.
This book was a complete MINDSCREW (sorry for my play with words, but trying to be respectful here :)) !
Every new page I felt like I would crash and burn. Every new page I found something that I hated. Hate was the preeminent emotion I felt while reading this book. So, you must be thinking.. she didn’t like it. No! I’ve loved it! It is like a compulsion, when you believe that at the end of the tunnel will have a HEA. Ok, maybe a crazy HEA, but a closure of sorts.
THIS IS NOT FOR EVERYONE! It hurt, it flayed you, it destroyed!
I can’t wait for book #2, which I believe I will get a mending of sorts!!!
33/35 STARS – 4.5 STARS (between 31.5 stars and 33 stars)
Addictiveness: 5 Character: 4.5 Cover: 4 Freshness: 5 Plot: 4.5 Romance: 5 Writing Style: 5
Action 4/5
Angst 5/5
Darkness 5/5
Humor 0/5
Romance 3/5
Suspense/Mystery 0/5
Would I recommend? Yes, for everybody that likes their books dark and dirty!
Would I re-read this book/series? I’m certain I will have to do it every time another book of the series come out.
Would I read more from the author? Can’t wait for more!!!
You MAY read this because you like dark romance; you SHOULD read this because you twisted stories; you MUST read this to be shocked!!!
Ok….where do I even begin? This is my first book by Betti Rosewood. I don’t normally read books where the main characters are this young but I was very intrigued by the blurb and interested in giving it a try. I was sucked in right from the start. It’s a very intriguing story and one that definitely plays on your emotions. It ends on a big fat cliffhanger and I am dying to read book 2!
Let me start with saying this book will not be for everyone! Its savage, twisted, and all kinds of messed up! Pandora is thrown into this world of the rich and firstborns and she doesnt want it. Dex is trying to break her for taking Lilly’s place. The firstborns of Eden aren’t your typical young adults. They are gods in town. All fold to there feet. Pandora may be a firstborn but shes also an outcast.
This book ends in a MAJOR cliffhanger that’ll leaving wanting to throw your kindle. Who loves you hanging like this BETTI that’s who!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was dark but I loved every minute of it and couldn’t put it down. All the characters are messed up and broken. They live in a world with a hierarchy that I’ve never read in a book before. There’s a twist involving Dexter that is still not completely revealed – can’t wait for it to play out in the next book. Looking forward to more of Dexter and Pandora in the next book. Can’t wait for November!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read it in less then a day. Was captivated by all the characters especially Pandora and Dexter. Can’t wait to get the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed how well the author created characters that are well defined and engaging and a storyline that had an easy flow to it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’ve been a fan of Betti’s work for a while now and this book is no different. It did not disappoint at all. We have the main character Pandora who is taken from her family or who she thinks is her family after years of living with them. She finds out something happened at birth and was not living with the right family her real family are rich and twisted. But before she goes to live with them she’s put into a boarding school to teach her how to live like the other family members do. In the process the girl that was living in her place commits suicide not being able to deal with the shock of everything leaving behind a fiance with a twisted way of living. Once she is brought home to her new home things do not go her way and she’s treated horribly by everyone especially her new husband to be. The things she goes through are cruel and unforgivable. They may cause some triggers for some people due to the dark nature of them. I don’t want to go on much more other then to tell you all if you love Betti’s work and like things with a twisted dark side you will love this book. Also the ending leaves you like omg and dying for the next book!!
I received this book as an arc for a honest review
Oh my, what a read from Betti Rosewood. This book is one of her best works in my opinion, it is dark and delicious, and possibly hard to read at times but so worth it. Pandora wants to find her footing in this dark and crazy world that she has arrived in, while trying to follow the proper rules for everything. And Dex is the leader that has one crazy mind. We were left with a bit of a shocking ending so I cannot wait for the next book! Just be ready for one wild and crazy read!
I am going to try and review without giving spoilers lol. I felt so bad for Pandora and how everyone treated her. She didn’t ask for that life yet she was treated like an outcast. She was also not treated as an equal with the Firstborns. What those boys did to her made me so angry. I felt so bad for her and wished for someone to stand up for her or for her to be able to fight harder. But seems the harder she fought the more she got punished. An interesting secret was revealed about Dexter and I wonder if anyone will ever find out. Of course the ending leaves us with one doozy of a cliff hanger. I was so enthralled and intrigued with this book. I can’t wait until the next book to find out what happens.
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!
Like literally do it because this book is too hot to read it in public.
Beautiful dark romance with some kinky $h!t that you cannot miss.
Pandora is reunited with her real family. A Reich family from a strange town, she is not ready to live the nightmares that are coming for her.
Ruthless Dexter is ready to teach Lily Ann a lesson she will never forget. She is only there for his pain and pleasure and nothing more. She will never replace his real love… would she?
Amazing first book from this series that you CANNOT miss!
I received this book as an arc in exchange for an honest review and that’s what I did.
Dark high school bullying romance.
A Hurt So Sweet is Volume 1 in Betti Rosewood ‘s latest novels. This is a very dark romance taking place at Eden Falls Prep high school for the elite. Dexter Booth is a “Firstborn” and Pandora Oakes is his victim in his reign of bullying, and he is very good at what he does.
You might want to read Betti Rosewood’s Boys that Tease and Boys that Read, but not necessary. Several characters from the books are discussed in A Hurt So Sweet.
There is bullying, taboo sex, lots of drama and Dexter’s asshole friends. It’s a recipe for a dark good read.
The book does have one huge cliffhanger leaving lots of unanswered questions.
I heard from fellow booklovers that Betti Rosewood started off with dark romance. And did she ever deliver a dark romance that was wicked with A Hurt So Sweet. It’s such a twisted story beyond your typical bully romance. FYI, there is no rape so no need to get your panties in a twist. But, it is all sorts of messed up.
Her writing was on point as I was fully captivated by all that was happening. I couldn’t stop turning the pages hoping for some sort of peace for Pandora. You hate to love Dexter as you see there may be more than meets the eye with him. But only time will tell as she ends this on a cliffhanger that will have you saying wtf!?!
I’m looking forward to the next books in the series as the secondary characters are intriguing.
If you’re a fan of well written, fast-paced, intense, dark, twisted, intriguing, sexy, and dirty stories filled with twists and turns, suspense, revenge, and a cliffhanger that will leave you begging for more, then you definitely need to read A Hurt So Sweet by Betti Rosewood.
I volunteered to review an advance reader copy of this book.
This is my first book by Betti and I loved it. It is a dark story, but you can’t pull yourself out until it’s done. Pandora is being thrown into a life she doesn’t want and she hates it as much as she hates everyone in it. She is a first born and has to follow the rules. She’s not so sure she can.
Dexter is her fiance’ and she hates him the most. He is the meanest most degrading person she has ever met, but she is to marry him on her 18th birthday. Will her mind or her body last that long?
This is my first book by this author and I’m hooked. I love her writting style. This book is a DARK and TWISTED high school bully romance with a lot off bully and no romance. Loved it from the first until the last word. Thanks Betti for this amazing book. 5 black hart stars from me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really wanted to shake Pandora and Dexter to make them behave. Pandora because she is too compliant even as Dexter strips her of her dignity and Dexter because he is not as cruel as he appears. I have a feeling I know who is locked in his house, but I have to wait to find out and the way this book ends was intriguing and frustrating but very well done, I can’t wait for more.