Dive back into the sexy side of the Upper East Side with the second billionaire romance from USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde.I finally have everything I ever wanted—fame and fortune and literary success.Only one problem: I lost my muse.He was tall, dark, and handsome. Broody, enigmatic, alluring, and right for me in every way.Until he wasn’t. Until I lost everything.And I can’t lose it … wasn’t. Until I lost everything.
And I can’t lose it all again. I’ll do anything to keep it.
Even seeing him again…
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CRUEL FORTUNE is the second full-length instalment in K. A. Linde’s contemporary, adult CRUEL erotic, romance series focusing on thirty year old, philosophy professor Penn Kensington, and twenty-five year old writer Natalie Bishop. CRUEL FORTUNE should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up one year following the events of book one Cruel Money.
Told from three first person points of view (Natalie, Penn, Katherine) CRUEL FORTUNE picks up one year after the events that destroyed and broke our story line heroine. With the publication of her first book, Natalie embarks on a whirlwind press tour including several stops in New York City, the city where her past lives and resides. Unable to move beyond the pain and heart break of betrayal Natalie will come face to face with the people who tore her down and spit her out, people who are about to disrupt and unravel her world, once again. Torn in several directions Natalie will set out on a journey that will come full circle when she is once again the pawn in a game bigger than she could have ever imagined.
CRUEL FORTUNE focuses on the naivete of one woman as she struggles to move on from the past, a past of which she lived, but a past that is now a number one New York Times Best Seller. Hoping to remain below the radar Natalie is quickly thrust into the world that all but ripped out her heart, a world that is about to consume her body and soul.
K. A. Linde invites the reader into an emotional, angst filled story of seduction and lies; betrayal and distrust; manipulation, cruelty, uncertainty and loss. The premise is engaging, thought provoking, gritty and raw; the characters are animated, tragic and untrustworthy; the romance struggles with the lies and manipulation of a woman who finds herself collateral damage in a game played by the spoiled and rich. The deception and dealings are about to be exposed, deception that travels from every direction.
KA Linde pushes the limits and the result is amazing. If you haven’t started this series, do it today. You need Cruel Fortune!!!
“Fake it till you make it. Fake it till you just don’t give a f*ck.”
Someone hold me, please?!
K.A. Linde has been delivering some serious attention gripping books and I’ve been lapping them up like crazy!
Set a year later after Cruel Money, Natalie is now a New York Times Bestselling author. Her dreams are finally coming true! Everything is going according to her plan and she is actually moving on until she receives an email from her agent that she has to go back to the place that ruined her… New York City.
Her plan is straight and simple — complete all her obligations as an author and then hightail out of the city as quickly as possible but all those plans take a backseat when she realizes that she needs this city. This city, the place, the memories and its people are her muses and she needs it to write her next book.
I can’t even write this review and go into detail because MAJOR SPOILERS!
I was definitely not expecting this story to go the way it actually went. I was stunned, is too much of an understatement, and I was sitting wondering desperately “WHY?!” and then as the story progressed HOLY SHIZ ON STICKS, PEOPLE! HOLY SHIZ! I mean, what in the freaking world just happened in this book and don’t even get me started on the major climax and ending! *gently squeezes Kathrine Van Pelt’s neck*
“Number one rule of the Upper East Side, Natalie: it is never nothing.”
As I mentioned before un my review of Cruel Money, there are some really manipulative and high handed characters, barring a few, but every single of them brings a layer to the story that makes it more rounded and all the more addictive and interesting.
The way this book ended I have some seriously high hopes from the next book, especially from Natalie’s character. I, truly want her to go all the Upper East Side on the Upper East Siders and bring them all down.
This series is 100% addictive! With every book, I am left wanting more and with every cliffhanger the need to have the next book in my hand drives me freaking crazy! July really can’t come fast enough!
4.5 Stars!
This book is edgy, and suspenseful and sexy, all the things a good dark romance book should be. I really enjoyed it!
Keep getting better and better, this picks up after Cruel Money left, Natalie is an author, she never thought Penn will be there, now her muse will make her move to NYC, this drama has me on edge, I need to see how this wraps on the next book.
In Cruel Fortune, New York’s Upper East Side returns with no shortage of malicious intentions, devious seduction and deceptive characters. Brimming with maddening pretences and frivolous schemes, the intensity rushing through this sequel will leave your mind stunned, heart racing and emotions unsettled as unexpected situations surface and the dramatic events continue to unfold.
“They would lie, cheat, and steal for what they thought belonged to them.”
Natalie Bishop goes back to Manhattan, the city of indescribable entitlements and inevitable exclusivity where her heart was shattered into minuscule pieces. Despite the deception, the devastating lie and destructive personalities that altered her perception of Manhattan, Natalie is finding herself returning to—staying—in this heartbreaking city, with charm and beauty that is both irresistible and indescribable, a twisting combination of bittersweet moments and wrenching experiences, to finally accomplish her long-lived dreams of becoming an author.
“Abandon. That was what his lips tasted like.
Bliss. That was what his hands felt like.
Reverence. That was what his body sang to me.”
Despite the immature scenarios and pettish actions, I’m kind of obsessed with this mess. Cruel Fortune is reminiscent of Gossip Girl and Dynasty, the trash-filled, drama-fuelled television shows that somehow capture my attention, leaving me riveted and invested in fictional characters’ inconsequential bullshit and trainwreck lives.
However, no matter my love, Natalie’s bewildering decisions made my teeth hurt from how hard they ground together in frustration. Her revenge-esque attitude doesn’t concern me because, to be quite honest, I’m living for the kind of transformation that will make Natalie finally have some backbone against Katherine. I lost respect for Natalie, reaching a firm conclusion that she’s weak and feeble, controlled by hormones and indecision instead of having strength and perseverance. Her attitude towards everything—Lewis, Penn, the crew, her career is such a complete disappointment.
“This world chewed me up and spit me out. And they just keep fucking winning. Even when they’re wrong, they always win.”
With lies and secrets, the tense atmosphere and brilliantly constructed environment of toxic deception and venomous intentions, New York’s treacherous Upper East Side will have you consumed and captivated as these characters’ “perfect” lives unravel. Cruel Fortune wasn’t needed or necessary to be honest, just a convenient excuse to drag this series out and ensure there’s a plausible reason to separate Penn from Natalie. It bided time to amplify the series’ finale, make us desperate to have more Penn and see Natalie find herself falling into the Crew’s drama—again. With that said, I do like this author’s writing and will await the finale in Cruel Legacy.
I really want to like this series but I’m struggling with it. Contains spoilers.
1. This series seems to have the overall trajectory of the Record Series. Anyone else notice that? Book one ends with the couple being torn apart. Book two involves the heroine involved with another man who at first seems like a great guy but then turns shady. There’s very little Natalie/Penn interaction in this book.
2. Natalie walks away from Penn after his grand apology because she can’t deal with his lifestyle and his friends on the Upper East Side. She wants no part of that. Then a year later she’s with Lewis and doesn’t have any problems with his Upper East Side lifestyle. Huh?
3. I had a hard time buying the morphing of Lewis from a supportive friend to a psycho stalker. I know his friends alluded to his “obsessions” but buying too many vinyl records is different from manipulating a person.
4. There is no one remotely likable in the Crew. Usually the secondary characters in Linde’s novels have some depth but these people are all shallow assholes.
5. I don’t like book three setting up to be all about Natalie seeking revenge on the Crew. If she goes in that direction, she will be no better than Katherine.
K.A. Linde can write amazing stories.
Poor Natalie.. At every turn, somebody who she cares for is always lying or betraying her and causing her trouble. She has just became a published author, and is working on her second book, when her rug is pulled out from under her feet.
Penn wants nothing more than to leave his life behind and build a new life with Natalie. Problem is, she is currently in a relationship with his best friend, but he knows that there is more to their relationship than meets the eye. Penn is in love with Natalie and is willing to do whatever is necessary to prove he loves her.
I can’t wait to read the last book in this trilogy to see if Natalie and Penn get the happily-ever-after that they deserve.
3.5 stars
After reading CRUEL MONEY, book # 1 of the series, I was wondering what Mrs. Linde had in mind for Natalie. The book ended with her being devastated and hurt, so fans that read and loved book 1, were left waiting for her HEA.
I had a lot expectations for this book. I really missed what Natalie and Penn had and I wanted their HEA. Their love story is beautiful and I was eager for more of them. Imagine my surprise, when the plot took a VERY different path. I was really HURT, I couldn’t believe what I was reading and I never expected the story to go this way and even though I like being surprised, I didn’t enjoy THIS surprise. I can’t explain my thoughts better because I don’t want to spoil this story.
With all that said, it doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy this book. I almost devoured it because I needed so hard to know what was going to happen. I was anxious, worried, sad but yet hopeful the story would go the way it should. I loved CRUEL MONEY (book # 1) more and I hope and pray that book #3 gives me what I need.
CRUEL FORTUNE (book # 2) shows us Nathalie getting some of her dreams to come true. She got a big deal with a known and big publisher. So she had to go back to NY for her big release. She wasn’t thrilled to go back to the place where she was hurt, she was already beaten up by the Upper East Side and she had no interest in being a part of it (or them) again.
Natalie knows she doesn’t belong to the UES crew, but it’s hard not being part of them either. Sadly, she learned that the hard way. She was fooled once in ONE CRUEL NIGHT (book #0.5), fooled twice in CRUEL MONEY (book # 1) and fooled thrice in CRUEL FORTUNE (book #2) I hope she can get her revenge in book # 3, I’m counting on it! Of course I want Penn and Natalie to work out their issues and have the HEA they both deserve.
OMG!
In the beginning, I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed. I didn’t like where this story was going. But, knowing K and her writing, I knew I just had to wait it out and I’d get the story I was waiting for.
The dynamic seemed to have changed with a lot of the characters, but this story is a year later, so it’s expected. But so much was NOT expected!
KA can write a story you don’t think you want to read and then, bam, there you have it all!
I love how this story played out, I just had to be patient and wait.
I can’t wait for the next book in the series, because I REALLY REALLY need to know what happens!!
If you haven’t read this series yet, I truly highly recommend it!!
What a ride! Book 2 in the Cruel Series will take you on a twisted roller coaster ride in the Upper East Side. Entering the first few chapters into the read already had my mind wondering what direction this story was heading.
This time around Natalie Bishop has published her first book and it was one that has made her a best selling author. Her dreams of becoming a writer has come to fruition; however, lately she had been facing some writer’s block and posing a challenge thanks to the lost of her muse. A man who was wrong for her but someone who was surprisingly perfect for her in many ways.
When a surprise flow of words picks up during her signing she has a decision to make whether to continue on this path of writing back home or back in the place that broke her.
Life in the Upper East Side this time around is a new thing for her. Filled with angsty, hesitancy, and her biggest issue of trust will either break her more or come out on top. We are left with another cliffy that will have you itching for more and a change of control on proving who Natalie really is.
KA Linde what did you do! I have no clue how i feel about this book! Nothing I wanted to happen happened and I am also not sure I know how I feel about what happened. I loved the appearance of Sutton and David. I am curious to see where the story goes next. Hurry up book 3!
I swear this series keeps getting better and better. Natalie returns and it’s not easy for Penn to get her back. As a matter of fact, he has competition that is so unexpected and will catch you by surprise. It shows her growth as an author and her relationship with this other person but it shows how much Penn fights for her. These two are fire!!! And her new love interest is just as territorial and makes for an interesting read. But then a major disappointment and a villain destroys everything and omg what emotions. And the ending?!?! I can’t wait to see what Natalie has up her sleeve.
Another incredible read from KA Linde!!
This novel will leave you guessing, wondering and hanging on to every last word right up to the last and final page of the novel. You will immediately fall in love with the characters. Even when they might annoy you, or make you upset, you still love them. You can’t help it. They have this quality and way about them, that you can’t look away from their story. Add in the beautifully written plot line, and captivating story, and you have a novel that you will devour in one sitting. I know I certainly did.
I have read every single novel from KA Linde, and loved each and every one of them. The Cruel trilogy has quickly become my favourite. I definitely recommend everyone go and grab it for themselves today.
5/5 Stars!
Cruel Fortune is the second book in the Cruel Trilogy. This story has drama, angst, and cunning characters, that kept me glued to my kindle wanting to know what was going to happen next. I read it all in one sitting. Natalie’s dreams are coming true. She’s back in the city that almost destroyed her. Penn is still in love with Natalie and he’s prepared to fight for her. Add in the other players and you have one heck of a read. I can’t wait to read the conclusion
Holy moly, this book…
I have been all in with the Cruel series by author K.A. Linde since the first book left me virtually staring at my e-reader with an open mouth and stunned look on my face. I mean, what the heck just happened there? Are there really people that operate like the Upper East Siders?
Here, in the second book of the Cruel series, Kyla pulls out all the stops, and reading CRUEL FORTUNE was like being at a tennis tournament. Back and forth, back and forth, in the most delicious way. The surprises just kept coming, and, I have to say, I couldn’t even begin to guess where all of her twists and turns would take me. There is enough passion, enough drama, and enough double-dealing to make this read like the most delicious soap opera ever.
But, wait, there’s more…because this story is far from over. I can hardly wait until July to get my hands on CRUEL LEGACY, the third and final installment in this over-the-top crazy good series. It is sure to delight, and finally, finally answer all of my remaining questions. In the meantime, CRUEL FORTUNE (and CRUEL MONEY, if you haven’t read it yet) is not to be missed, so snap it up, all quick-like. You will be obsessed.
4.5 stars
OMG!!! What has KA Linde done to me?!?! I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through and she has yet again left me shocked with that ending! She delivered a brilliant masterpiece of angst, deception, manipulation.
Natalie has achieved her dream to become a best selling author but she is now back in New York city, the last place she really wanted to be. As soon as her book release is over she is leaving again but New York is where her muse is……..along with his crew.
Its hard to write this review as I don’t want to give the plot away as so much goes on. I never knew which way this would go but I loved the suspense of it.
I really loved all the different personalities in this book. Some you love, some you can’t stand but all draw you in an keep you 100% addicted.
I honestly can’t wait for the next instalment as I really want to see what happens next.
I don’t even know where to start . What a crazy crazy roller coaster ride . You won’t see any of it coming but omg you won’t stop reading . The angst and twists will leave you dying for book 3 . Ahhhhh. My heart I need more now !!! FYI these are my favorite kind of books and I love the wild ride .
I want more.. NOW!
This book has all the angst. I had a hard time putting it down.
The crew is all back with more crazy than ever and Natalie is in the big fat middle of it.
I was a big gossip girl fan and this book gives me all the feels. Xoxo
Man have to say when K.A. Linde does revenge, passion and betrayal all in one in book be prepared for tons of surprises. One thing about Natalie is she is a fighter yet even the strong ones need a little bit of love. Penn have to say is one determined man and seeing him hurt and vulnerable was to me sweet in a way. The crew is back and boy you never know what is true or not when it comes to K.A. Linde in this series I don’t even know. This is one series though that brings the villains back to the point you not sure who is playing the game or just love beingnbad. Cannot wait for what Natalie will do next and Penn’s next move in getting hisnlove back.
“I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.”