Sticks and stones may break my bones,but my bullies will never fck me.Dexter Booth has taken everything from me.My pride, my innocence and my resolve to resist him have all fallen prey to his wicked charm.And now, he wants to pop my cherry – the very thing that could save me from his cruel reign.Worse than that though, he’s intent on sharing me with his entourage – the Firstborns of Eden Falls … me with his entourage – the Firstborns of Eden Falls Prep.
There are three boys desperate to steal me. Lai. Caspian. Julian. All eager to get their hands on Dex’s property.
When a fourth boy joins the mix, I find an unlikely ally. Easton is kinder. Sweeter. But he might just be the most messed up of all my bullies.
I promised myself this town would never break me. I made a vow to run before Dexter knocks me up.
But when running is no longer an option, I realize the choice was never mine to begin with.
It’s Dexter who has to pick.
My bully will decide whether he’ll put a baby in my belly…
Or ruin me and finally have revenge on my father – the man who destroyed his life.
**
A HURT SO SWEET Volume Two is the second 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.
more
Pandora is yet again fooled by someone that she thought that she could trust. Easton came back to Eden Falls Prep. after being gone over seas. Easton was acting like a savior to Pandora. Easton new Pandora’s secret and used that against her to better himself. Once Pandora new the bullies secret’s she tried in vain to use them against each of them and it back fired. Pandora’s father wasn’t happy with her and broke of the engagement with Dexter. Now Pandora is engaged to Easton. Pandora realizes to late that she should have listen to her internal self. Now she’s in real trouble and all she wants is for Dexter to save her. 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.
WHAT A RIDE…
And it’s not over yet!
Volume 2 picks up where Volume one left off and man, did Betti deliver. She somehow managed to turn this messy, complicated and convoluted situation even more insane!
Poor Pandora! Nothing more than a pawn in a power play (or is she?), my heart really went out to her at times. But she also managed to prove that she has a backbone made of steel, even in the toughest of times.
Dexter is still our alpha a-hole that we love to hate and can’t fully figure out. A smart guy who knows how and when to hide his hand and when to strike, he’ll have you sweating in your seat, both with his attractiveness and in anticipation of his next move.
And then there’s Easton. *Sighs.* He’s a game changer for sure. It’s hard to talk about these books because I don’t want to give even iota of plot or story line (and man, is it action packed!) away.
You’ll just have to trust me when I say going to school with Elite of Eden Prep is an experience and one you must have for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.
Now I just need Volume 3! Like, NOW.
*Reviewed by Ali at Fallen For Books.
OMG this series is killing me!!! So many things going on it’s sometimes hard to keep up, but I devoured this book. Give me more, please!
Not an Eden Falls, Rather an Eden Fallen
Betti Rosewood once more asks the reader to dive deeply into a dark, dystopian town, Eden Falls, where money, power, sex and misogyny rule. In Eden Falls all power rests with the founding families who carefully affiance their firstborn children to assure their First Family’s complete control of the twisted town. Pandora Oakes has unwillingly entered this twisted world, innocent of its ways, but required to replace the sister she has never met, Lily Anna, who committed suicide when it was revealed that she was not her father’s biological daughter. Pandora’s father hunts down his run-away-first wife and claims Pandora as his true firstborn. He affiances her as a replacement for the ineligible Lily Anna to Dexter Booth, another first born. Dexter has agreed to take Pandora as the replacement fiancé, but he never lets Pandora forget that she is not desired for herself, only for her position as a virgin, first born. She can never be the girl whom he loved—the girl whom he still loves and hides secretly at his home—the girl who has to be constantly guarded to prevent her self-harming actions.
Part of the twisted expectations of Eden Falls are that for a “first born” woman—not the man— to claim her “rights” as a first born—to continue her family’s power, she must remain a virgin until she marries at the age of 18. But, as a part of his twisted revenge against Pandora’s father for the rejection of Lily Anna, Pandora has been secretly sexually penetrated by Dexter seducing her to beg for her willing penetration by him. Her father knows that she has been relieved of her virginity, and the secret will remain hidden until Dexter wants the fact revealed.
But complications come to Dexter’s plan to punish Emilian Oakes’ rejection of Lily Anna. First, the hidden Lily Anna, without being drugged as she was under her father’s domination, is uncontrollable, injuring herself, and, Dexter’s old retainer, Anders who must seek medical attention. Without Anders to watch over Lily Anna when he is not at Booth Manor, Dexter must stay home, attending to the needs and distemper of his former fiancé. And, unannounced and unexpected, a former adversary, Easton Brantley returns to town. Handsome and smart, Easton is able to quickly pick up on the dynamics of the prep school. He is able to discover the identity of Pandora as Dexter’s fiancé, and to outmaneuver Dexter’s gang of lieutenants to gain a few minutes of private access to Pandora, providing him just enough time to discover the secret that neither Dexter nor Pandora want made public.
I cannot make a fully positive recommendation for this dark romance. The author needs to provide the reader guidance before entering into such a perverted world were abuse goes well beyond the term “bullying.” The author yields to the idea that the more perversion and cruelty offered the reader, the better. Seeking a greater message is futile, except to explore the destructive powers of a society that gives extraordinary license to men, especially men of wealth and the power wealth grants. The basic concept of a child switched for another and the consequences for the child her family is an ancient theme and an interesting topic, but not effectively explored in this work, especially with its chopped-up presentation that breaks the plot into individual installments. No installment can be read independently with success. It does not even approach the concept of HEA. I assume it will continue to be published in parts and eventually unified, hopefully with a satisfactory resolution for the poor souls of Eden Falls, especially for the pawn, Pandora.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Volume 2 continues where volume 1 left you on a cliff hanger…..Pandora is still fighting her way thru Eden Fall Academy with the firsts borns. Dexter takes a few days off from school in the mean time she meets the new guy Easton he’s kinder, sweeter and gives a challenge to who ever gets in his way. Drama ensues between Dexter and Easton. Only one of them can rule the school. Challenges are a daily accurance at the academy. Pandora receives Lili Anna dairy and this gives Pandora the upper hand with the boys Lai, Julian and Caspin. Their all twisted in there know way. I absolutely loved this story. The storyline was so interesting that it completely captivated me and was so intriguing that I couldn’t stop reading it until I finished with the very last word. Which is killing me as I have to wait on the next installment. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an amazing book. Enjoy happy reading
“I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.”
*4.5 stars* Book two in this four book series. This is slow torture because I want to know more already. I did not see that ending/to be continued coming for Pandora. But maybe I’m being a little too naive to think that, that wouldn’t of happened. Betti is the wielder of these twisted little games and I fall for them every time. I am very ecstatic for the next book. This book is a masochists, deepest, darkest, and sinister fantasy come to life!
Twisted, and Dramatic!!
This is the second book in the Elite of Eden Falls Prep series, and the continuation of Dexter, and Pandora’s twisted story. This book continues with the web of secrets, and lies starting to unwind, but the deceit runs deep, and the twists, and turns, and mystery will have you on the edge of you seat. For Pandora the bullying never ceases, and with addition a new character, their torment increases. This was a great read, the characters are well written, and have fiery chemistry. This book is intense, suspenseful, dark, and emotional. I’m looking forward to reading book 3.
This book was excellent
I am speechless and breathless from all the twist and turns this story is taking me. The story continues where we were left off and the question we were all asking was answered. Now, Pandora realizes that she can’t trust anybody and Dexter is not who he might seem. We were left on another cliffhanger that seem to be a big one. Where will this story will take us, nobody knows…
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the second book of this series and I’m still trying to take in this storyline. It’s definitely a dark read. It may be harder for me to read because it’s young people being so vile. Normally there’s someone to like/root for, but I’m still not liking/connecting to any of the characters. Why did Pandora have to stoop to their level? To show backbone? Don’t think so. I cannot deny that I’m spellbound wondering how Betti Rosewood is going to pull this off in the end. The cliffhanger is terrifying!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the second book in the Elite of Eden Falls Prep. Dex and Pandora’s story continues. A lot of the questions from book 1 are answered, but book 2 raises even more. The male characters are stronger, more interesting characters than the female characters, which is odd for me. There are some really dark moments, the characters ages make their actions more disturbing. With another killer cliffhanger, I’m looking forward to book 3.
I recieved an ARC from Booksprout and this is my honest review
Oh my hat, just when I felt a glimmer of hope the plot becomes even more devious. The outline of the story has been covered by the blurb & previous reviewers & is the sequel to the first book in the series, picking up where it left off. A compelling roller coaster read that keeps you guessing & then when you think there might be some normalcy along comes even more danger for the poor heroine. Can’t shake off the feeling that Dexter’s playing to the gallery & is not quite as bad as he portrays. Didn’t read Easton properly, what a chameleon! It’s a really graphic, ugly story but such a compelling read & I can’t wait for the next two books in the series. I received an arc & this is my honest & voluntary review.
I’ve said it before, but I’m still unsure if Dexter can be redeemed. While in book 2 you do get to see another side of him and his relationship with Lily Anna, he’s still evil and manipulative toward Pandora and I’m curious to see how this further progresses.
With this second book we also see the introduction of a new player on the scene, Easton. With this boy we still gotta be patient and watch his story play out, is he actually an ally, or the worst of them all?
I do find that in this book Pandora seems to be finding her strength just a bot more than in volume 1, but it still feels like she’s just a bit too much of a pushover almost? Every time she seems to be coming into her own and finally ready to fight back, something seems to happen that pushes her back 10 steps. Is it too much to ask for her to come out on top? Am I asking this about 2 volumes, too soon?
Who knows? Read to find out, then rage knowing there’s 2 more volumes coming!
Warning, it does deal with pretty dark themes and bullying to the extreme..
I liked this second book better then the first. The story picks up where book one left off and had good flow and made since. Be warned this is a very dark book about bullies and abuse. I got some answers that were left from the first book but of course this one is left on a cliff hanger. I look forward to book three.
Another great read continuing this series.
This book was full of surprises and twists that blew my mind which I never saw coming. I loved finding out about some of the secrets to do with the Firstborns and the one Dex is is keeping?! OMG. Although I kind of had my suspicions it was still a shock to find out. I had so many questions going in, and now at the end, those questions have doubled and I’m dying to find out more about the people in Eden Falls.
I loved meeting Lily Anna in the beginning as a teenager and getting to know what she was like and how the rest of her family was with her. I quite enjoyed how stubborn and how much of a brat she was. I really liked the flashbacks to Dex and Lily Anna’s time together before and after everything happened to Dex and his family.
And Easton… OMG wasn’t he hot?! I loved everything about his character from the moment he appeared in the story including the not so nice side he has. I really enjoyed the interactions he had with other characters including Pandora and Dex, I loved the fight between him and Dex.
Pandora, on the other hand, was a little up and down for me throughout the book. I just found her to be so weak at times, she really needs to grow a little bit of a backbone and stand up for herself.
There were some very hot scenes between these characters and I can’t wait for more.
This end on another big cliffhanger that had me screaming but loving at the same time, I am beyond excited to see what happens in book 3.
I received this novel from Booksprout in exchange for an honest review.
Because my review of this series book one was extensive and not favorable I am reviewing this second book against the first. I will not be repeating former criticisms in grudge form so any comments herein are specific to Volume Two.
You know when you are fully aware that something awful is happening but you have hopes that some divine intervention will save you from the horror? Well, the cliffhanger of Volume One did its job and allowed the moment of dire catastrophe to breathe. It gave the reader the hope that ill-will would somehow dissolve. Betti Rosewood is not going to be your white knight and just as Pandora is screwed and bound for destruction so are we as readers. We will not be saved and at this point, divinity has forsaken us all.
As a cruel taskmaster would do Rosewood pushes this story further and further into Pandora’s hell. I dislike Pandora as a character. She is annoying and pure nonsense upon nonsense for nothing more than nonsense’s sake but still, I can’t stand to watch the continued torture. While I feel very much like Pandora’s characterization may not be able to be brought up to a point where she is anything more than a poorly portrayed pornstar; the suspense and sense of futility Rosewood sinks the reader into during Pandora’s POV is something with which is beginning to truly exact punches.
However, I will say that Dexter, Caspian, Julian, and Lai are written far better than Volume One. The interjection of Dexter’s POV backstory is fantastic for fleshing out his damage and baggage. He’s disgusting and horrible but his motivations are more reasonably understood. I loathe that Rosewood is making me feel like he is the most redeemable character in this tragedy.
While the portions of the story of patriarchs/male Firstborn are getting better and stronger the females only get worse. We see for the first time Lily Anna and she is as one dimensional as Pandora. Every time Lily Anna and Pandora interact with Dexter or–a new character named Easton is introduced in this novel–Pandora with Easton it falls apart. The psychology of these two is so poorly based that it makes no sense. Pandora continues her whingy claims that Emilian or Dexter will be bothered with her mistreatment while having no reason to believe so at this point. And Lily Anna’s shallowness and cruelty feels pinned into the story rather than tattooed to a specific purpose. Both Pandora and Lily Anna lack form. While neither of the female MCs is likable I still wish that there would be a chance that I understood why Dexter would feel something for either of them. His fascination with Lily Anna makes him look stupid rather than complex.
Ultimately, this book is much better than the first. I’m giving it three stars based on the first and not necessarily on what I would give it against other novels.
Pandora still finds herself submitting to the whims of Dexter first and Lai, Caspian and Julian second. If that isn’t bad enough Easton, another First Born, enters the picture and although he appears to be her friend she is about to find out if that is the truth or if he is just another man that wants to break her.
This installment of the series weaves a dark and twisty tale filled with intrigue, secrets and suspense as you wonder what the future has in store for Pandora, Dexter and the rest of the First Borns.
Once again the author has created a book that is equally compelling and disturbing. This continuation of A Hurt So Sweet answers many questions from the first volume. However, the story also presents even more mysteries.
I loved seeing the heroine try to become as conniving and manipulative as the First borns. Her survival in this twisted society requires her to walk a high wire of deception. Whether she will succeed in living as the First borns demand while staying on the path of her true self, keeps me reading.
I recommend this twisted story to any who like books with dark romance, thrills, intrigue and a protagonist who shows determination in spite of adversity.
I received a free copy of the book for my honest opinion of this tale.
The second installment in A Hurt So Sweet series proved rather quickly I hadn’t seen anything yet from this enigmatic group of Firstborns. Dexter Booth once again demanded my attention and Pandora Oakes proved she wasn’t just the pawn everyone thought she was even as others attempted to push her back into a corner. I slowly began to piece together the game being played when suddenly a new Firstborn arrived throwing this story into a captivating new direction. I loved the intrigue, suspense, and twists threaded throughout this story. Admittedly, I was ready to throw my Kindle by the end and the only thing that stopped me was realizing I would need it to read the rest of this amazing series. I can’t wait to see how the rest of this dark, twisted and intense game plays out!
Everything is just as intense,if not more in volume 2.
The drama and suspense are gripping.
The intrigue and mystery deepen.
A fourth firstborn shows and sweeps Pandora off her feet.
Everyone has an agenda.
Everyone is looking out for themselves.
I like all the intrigue that’s going on.
The bullies are real as&hol@$.
And each ones has secrets ready to be told.
The story moves fast and kept my interest.
Where I felt let down was with Pandora.
She hasn’t grown or developed since bk 1.
She doesn’t learned from past mistakes.
And keeps repeating them.
She’s just stagnant.
Hopefully in the next volume her character will have more growth and some wisdom.