Watch Natalie get revenge in her new dark and glamorous life on the Upper East Side in the conclusion to USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde’s billionaire romance Cruel Trilogy.Darkness swept in.Smothering everything in its inky black.I have turned into their worst nightmares.And I will not rest until they pay.For everything.
The queen of angst had done it again! I have been not so patiently waiting for the conclusion to the Cruel Series.
I was so consumed with these characters and the world they live in. Natalie isn’t the same girl she was at the beginning. She has grown a backbone and isn’t going to take crap from anyone. She is out for revenge.
It’s hard not to love Penn he has grown just as much. He’s going after what he wants.
If your looking for an addictive read full of angst look no further. This series will pull you in.
5 Stars
Cruel Legacy by KA Linde is the PHENOMENAL conclusion to the Cruel Trilogy. It cannot be read as a stand-alone, so you’ll need to read the first two books before starting this one. Even though I loved the first two books, Cruel Legacy was hands down my favorite of the three. Highly addictive, action packed, and hard to put down, Ms. Linde packs one helluva punch with this book.
I can’t say much about what happens because I don’t want to spoil anything. But I will say that I loved Penn so much. I felt he had the most growth throughout the entire trilogy. Even at his worst, I was able to see beneath his facade. Natalie drove me crazy with her back and forth but I was able to understand why she did what she did. With not being able to trust anyone, I’m sure I would’ve made the same decisions/mistakes. Overall, the trilogy takes you on a crazy journey that I honestly never wanted it to end. The writing was fantastic and I adored the characters. I cannot wait to see what’s next for Ms. Linde!
This was a really good conclusion to the Cruel trilogy. I’m giving it 3.5 out of 5 stars. This review is for an ARC, and reflects my honest opinion.
I wasn’t sure how this last book would play out after how the previous one ended. I liked this a lot more than I expected even though I knew Natalie was going to be different. The writing was too good not to enjoy. Once again, most of this was in Natalie’s POV; I didn’t mind that, but honestly it was refreshing being in Penn’s head. I would have liked even more from him.
Some things surprised me, some things didn’t, and there were some things I thought would play out that never did. I liked Natalie and Penn overall, but they were more morally gray than I expected to find both main characters. One would be normal, but I don’t think I’ve read much, if anything, where both were in a book. I liked seeing Amy, Enzo, Natalie’s parents, etc. again.
I don’t want to say much more since talking about the plot would be spoilery, but if you like drama and reading about the fabulously wealthy 1%, check these books out. The series was reminiscent of Gossip Girl, but a slightly more grown up version. I’m excited to see what this author publishes next!
Just when I thought that KA Linde wouldn’t make me fall in love more with her writing, she goes and does it again! what a trilogy jesus christ! I fell hard for these characters and their story! perfection at its best!
4.5 stars
I hate it when we come to the end of a series. I get so attached to this set of characters just to have to let them go. This series though, will be be extraordinarily hard to say goodbye to. Natalie and Penn are so different from when we met them. They’ve both changed and grown in completely different ways. Natalie isn’t the naive, innocent girl we once knew. Penn isn’t as conniving and hard as he used to be. Actually, it’s almost like they’ve changed roles. Penn is far from naive, but we see a different side to him. It’s easier to tell when he’s bringing out the Upper East Side role. There were quite a bit of swoon worthy moments from Mr. Kensington in Cruel Legacy as well. He just wants to be with Natalie and I can respect that. After all of the schemes and games are done, that’s what matters.
This world is just that…cruel. And I want more!!!
Some may refer to KA Linde as the Queen of Angst and she is but we can add “the Queen of Cliffy’s” now that this series has ended and she has ended it with a BANG.
Natalie has seen her ups and downs throughout this series and she continues the rollercoaster in Cruel Legacy.
The journey that Natalie and Penn have taken hasn’t been an easy one. Penn, the affluent, “has it all going for him” guy from the Upper East Side and Natalie from her humble beginnings have another path to take together. I have often been on the fence about Penn, one minute I loved him and the next, not so much. But Natalie has been a heroine I have been cheering on from the beginning and she came into her own in Cruel Legacy and she was a badass…and she gave Penn a run for his money, as well as his Crew. It was a delight to see Natalie show the Crew and the world what she’s made of.
The twists, the turns, the deceit, the lies – it all comes out in this angst-filled conclusion of the Cruel Series. This book is KA Linde at her best!!
One of my favorites for 2019.
4.5 stars!
The final book in the Cruel Trilogy is here and it does not disappoint! Cruel Legacy gives us more of everything we love about the trilogy! More games, secrets, and surprises. More lies, angst, and heartache. It’s intense, consuming, and clever, and will twist your heart as the story unfolds then fill it with love giving us an amazing conclusion to Penn and Natalie’s story.
The end of Cruel Fortune reveals some twisted surprises that ruin everything Natalie has worked so hard to accomplish. Now she is ready for vengeance as we are thrown back into the world of the Upper East Side and the Crew.
“I was being pieced back together out of order. Into a deep, dark, vengeful version of the Natalie I had been. The one that said I was ready to burn this city to the ground, and nothing would stop me.”
Natalie is strong, brave, and full of determination. She is in control as she stands on her own. She wants to make the people who tore her down and ruined her life to pay for their actions. She is in full on revenge mode as she takes on the Upper East Siders.
Penn wants Natalie. He’s always only wanted Natalie. He will do anything to keep her, including teaching her how to fit in when all he wants is to get out. Soon people are seeing the new Natalie and the tables are turning.
The progression of the story is well-paced and believable. There are turns I didn’t see coming, decisions that made me cringe, and characters that made me want to scream. But we see “Karma at its finest” and I loved that way things played out. Was every decision the right one? No. Did the characters make mistakes? Of course. Was there a whole lot of character growth by the end? Heck yeah, and I loved every single part, even the ones that broke my heart.
It’s not all black and white when it comes to Natalie and the Upper East Siders. There are surprising vulnerabilities and insecurities that have been hidden for so long that are well-written. I loved watching the characters acknowledge their flaws and wrongdoings as they grow. The changes Natalie goes through, including the ups and downs and the heartache and pain, is necessary. We also see all of Penn’s layers as he is stripped down by his honestly. I loved seeing how his character developed through the trilogy.
The emotion in this story is tangible and the love is fierce. I adored Penn and Natalie together. They go through so much heartache before they can be together and Penn sticks with her even when their relationship is tested.
This is just me. I’m not perfect. I’m still working on me. And I’ll probably fuck it up again, Nat, but I’m willing to try with you. For you.”
Overall, Cruel Legacy is a fantastic conclusion to the wonderfully twisted, emotionally captivating Cruel Trilogy.
This BOOKKKK… or yet this series is EVERYTHING!!!! Gahhhhh I rolled with the cliffhangers and as much as I hated it I loved it too!!! It sucks you in and doesn’t let you out!!! Seriously the best book in the series!!! I absolutely love that you have no idea of what’s coming next!!! It’s perfect and the perfect ending to the series!
This was a brilliant conclusion to Natalie and Penn’s story. They have been through so much and they have both changed and grown throughout this trilogy.
There are more games, more twists, turns and surprises that keep you on the edge of your seat waiting to see how this is all going to play out.
Natalie is out for vengeance now everything she worked so hard to achieve has been ruined. She wants those that tore her down to pay and is ready to take on the Upper East Siders. Penn just wants Natalie and will do anything to keep her. He wants out but will help her fit in a place he now hates.
What I loved about this trilogy is that the characters are flawed, they aren’t perfect, they make bad choices but they learn and grow from them. Natalie and Penn together seem to gain strength, even when their relationship is put through the ringer but they come out stronger.
Another fantastic twisted, gripping trilogy from K.A Linde and I can’t wait to see what she brings us next.
So, so good! I couldn’t wait to see how Natalie, Penn, Lewis, and The Crew’s story played out with this last book. Without being too spoilery, I’ll just say that I absolutely loved the revenge Natalie brought to the story. It felt so real and truly what someone who had been bullied and destroyed as she had would do. The growth and development of who they are as individuals and in their relationship was such a good story. Couldn’t be happier with how things ended.
Wow! Just pulled into NYC and got off the Angst train. Damn!! That was a crazy ride. This series was intense. Penn/Nat/Lewis/Katherine/Jane/Court….each of these crazy NY’s are what made this series a page turner.
After the totally messed and hurtful ending from Cruel Fortune that left me on the edge of my seat and honestly broken hearted for Natalie, I knew she was going to lose her marbles. Oh she definitely lost it. I kinda loved this side of Nat. Revenge looked good on her. And she wore it with a pair of bangin’ stiletto’s!!
But………….you’ve gotta watch, because there are always consequences. And that is when KA Linde brings her signature angst to the table.
I love all of her series’, but this one totally rocks! Hot NYC rich snobs, who will bring you to your knees and make you want to either bash their heads in, or jump in bed in them!
Penn……God I love him. But Nat takes the cake for me. That woman needed to have her last word. But at what cost?
Lots of twists and turns, as always. One of Linde’s best!
Natalie and Penn are back! Cruel Legacy will blow you away. The angst, the karma, the pain, and the emotions are all over the place. The chemistry is just insane between these two characters. The Crew has a lot that they need to pay for and Natalie has not plans on stopping! Watch out friends! K.A. Linde will have you in a whirlwind with the conclusion in Cruel Legacy!
Fantastic finale! This was everything I expected and more!
Natalie came back to take New York’s Upper East Side by storm and she did. Reunited again with Penn Kensington, she asked him to teach her how to be part of that society. With some misgivings, Penn accepted and what he didn’t know is that he created a “socialite monster”. Resolved to make them pay for ruining her career, Natalie embarks on revenge, in their own turf. What she doesn’t realize is that she would turn into someone she wouldn’t like.
I loved to see how Penn evolved and grew into the man he should be. Loved when they visited Nat’s parents in Charleston and met Nat’s hippy mother. I loved her! As for Natalie, I knew what she was getting into and what she was turning into and saw it as a necessary life lesson. Still, it was intriguing to read how she executed her Machiavellian plan and all its consequences. As she created strife in one side of her world, on the personal side, she created a wonderful relation with Penn. They had issues to resolve but they were more united and determined to stay together than ever before.
This was a great finale and everything that I wanted to see happen. The pace was great and kept me riveted to the book all day. Loved revisiting the crew with all their defects, but still strong on loyalty. Loved seeing the love between Nat and Penn flourish and grow strong. Loved everything!
I’m going to try to not spoil the last book to the Cruel Trilogy while typing up my review. It’s kind of hard not to though since this book is the last book of the trilogy and it had some explosive moments in it between the heroine, hero, and the crew.
I was prepared for the last book in the trilogy to be about revenge for what Natalie had to deal with in the previous book, Cruel Fortune, but let’s say she went a bit far in her revenge. I also was prepared for her to hook back up with Penn, who I knew would be there for her, but he also helped make her for what she was in this book.
Natalie has had enough with Katherine, Lewis, and the rest of the people in New York who get away with everything, and she has the perfect plan to get back at them all. She involves Penn to help her become more like them, even though he’s against it from the start. I had to agree with Penn on not wanting Natalie to become one of those socialite characters who get in the spotlight and lets it get to her head. Although, I also was for Natalie getting revenge, especially since what Lewis did to her in the previous book and what Katherine did too. Unfortunately, not everything is going to go as planned for Natalie, and she may end up losing the people who care for her and who she loves in between her getting revenge. It’s a no win situation for her, and I felt sorry for her.
There are moments though that Natalie stepped up, and I was proud of individual moments. I won’t give anything away because I hate spoiling books. Be prepared for some big shockers in the last book in the trilogy. The biggest comes toward the end of course, but be forewarned that Natalie is going to go through a 360 in this book that some readers may like or dislike. In my opinion, I prefer her being a free-spirit and not a socialite. She’s beautiful and successful already and doesn’t need the spotlight and glam changing her.
Penn in this book was my favorite character because he helped Natalie, but he also made her realize how dangerous his world really is and why he was always attempting to leave it. I felt for him in this book because he was watching things crumble, and most of them were happening due to someone he loved letting the world change her.
If you ever watched Gossip Girl, then this trilogy reminds me so much of that tv show. I was addicted to that tv show back in the day and loved how K.A. Linda wrote ‘The Crew’ and Natalie for this trilogy. The storyline and everything about this trilogy reminded me so much about the Gossip Girl world, and I loved reading this trilogy because of it. I loved how K.A. Linde ended this trilogy too. Don’t worry, there is eventually a HEA that happens, but it may come with a price.
K.A. Linde is one of my auto-buy authors, so I look forward to reading her upcoming books since the Cruel Trilogy is now over with, which I’m sad about because I did enjoy the craziness of this world.
Story Rating: 4 stars
Steaminess Rating: 3.5 stars
Standalone or part of series: Part of Trilogy and highly recommend reading in order.
Do I recommend this book? Yes.
Will I read other books from the author? Yes.
Tropes/Elements: Billionaire/Millionaire Romance; Second Chance Romance
Hero: Professor; Billionaire/Millionaire; Part of Crew (Think Gossip Girl characters)
Heroine: Writer/Author; Bohemian/Southern Beauty who is about to become the ‘New Katherine.’
This series is the one that gave me an entirely new perspective on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. It is the series that made me open my eyes to just how cruel privileged trust fund babies can be. It brought me such delight to follow this journey with Natalie as she also learns to navigate the UES and become one of the people that sought to destroy her. In Cruel Legacy we get the conclusion to Natalie and Penn’s story. And it leaves me utterly heartbroken that it’s over now! It was beautiful, it was adventurous, it was expressive and hands down the best series of 2019.
In Cruel Legacy we pick right back up where the previous installment had left us, wanting more. Things begin to get more serious for Natalie she finds herself entwined in the lives of the Crew so intricately, that her objective is closer to being met than she would have ever planned. Things are falling into place exactly how she has plotted her revenge. She has grown so much from her time with Penn in Paris and even on the beaches of the Hamptons. She has now been crushed by the doings of the Crew and will not rest until they pay. As it unfolds, you truly see Natalie’s character grow in many ways. Her character arc has been very interesting to follow from the streets of Paris and her time with Penn, to how her mind works now. Penn and Natalie’s relationship is as strong as ever, but if Natalie won’t give up the games she wants to play with her enemies, will they be able to survive anything meaningful? Penn was phenomenal in this one, and he had some making up to do after his past behavior, so I was thrilled at every glimpse of him.
This book completely wrapped up the series in such a nice way, while still bringing the Kyla angst we area accustomed too. It was a romantic conclusion to a twisty and drama filled world that I came to love!
The conclusion is here! Cruel Legacy by K.A. Linde, the final book in the Cruel series is now live. Natalie and Penn’s journey in this book, and series, has been one wild ride. Full of surprises at every turn, I was captivated by this book. Full of deceit and angst, I devoured this book.
Natalie was at her best in this book. She was strong and determined and ready to take down those that needed it. Penn was ready to help her in any way, but he also wants her. They had insane and steamy chemistry. So much has changed and they have both grown so much from when they first met all those years ago. I do not want to give too much away, as you have to experience their journey,. Theirs was a story that will grip you from start to finish.
4.5-stars. Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
** 5 Cruel, Upper East Side Stars **
“I wasn’t slinking away into the shadows and letting the Upper East Side chew me up and spit me out. I was here to play” -Natalie
Natalie is back where we left off in Cruel Fortune, and she is HERE. TO. PLAY. Wow, when I read that line, I was in. I couldn’t wait to see Natalie stand up for herself and teach these Upper East Siders that they weren’t untouchable.
“Money couldn’t hide the sewage, and when I was done with them, money wouldn’t save them from it either.”
I don’t want to give away any spoilers, so I will just say that I absolutely adored Natalie Cruel Legacy. She was everything I want in a strong heroine and I enjoyed every second of this story! This book is all about Natalie getting her sweet revenge.
Everything and more. This book is everything and then even more!!!
I cannot put into words. But I’m going to try!
Most I importantly.
Every. Single. Thing. Kyla. Writes. Is. Epic. Everything.
I cannot imagine living in her imagination. It’s phenomenal.
Adding to the first book in this series, Cruel intentions, meets mean girls, adding and they reside w/ 13-reasons…
This trilogy conclusion is epically amazing. And I’m so sad to be done with Penn, Natalie, & The Crew!
No spoilers. Let me just say, there’s no rest for the wicked and I highly, highly recommend this tale.
PS: read every thing Kyla has… you wont regret it!
K.A. Linde
The time has finally come. The last book of the series. I couldn’t want to see how Penn and Natalie’s story would end. This series has been fantastic. If you love angsty and addicting reads, I can’t recommend them enough. I loved the progression of the characters and the end of this book left me so freaking happy!
Natalie is not the same girl we met in the first book. She’s back in NYC and she’s out for blood. Figuratively of course. With some help, Natalie is ready to take down those that have wronged her. She wants revenge. And Penn just wants her. Swoon. I couldn’t get enough of Penn Kensington in this book. He’s grown so much and I adored him as a character. Natalie is strong, brave, and tough, but a little blinded by getting what she wants.
I think both of these characters grew so much in this book. I was a bit worried about how it would end, but I was completely satisfied. People aren’t always good or bad. A lot of people are in the inbetween and that makes them human. I love all the complex side characters and I’m dying for more from this world. I’m so ecstatic that Lark is getting her own spin off stand-alone. I can’t wait to get more of the Crew and Lark is one that I’ve always loved and been intrigued by.
Cruel Legacy is full of revenge, romance, twists and turns, and of course angst. It was unputdownable and completely captivating. Linde’s writing is impeccable as always and this trilogy is fantastic!
Damn this book is amazing.
K.A. Linde, yet again, didn’t cease to amaze me with this final book in the Cruel Series.
This book just has everything that you can wish for. All the drama and manipulation, the twists and turns in this book just made the perfect ending for this series. Penn and Natalie’s journey in these three (four) books is just utterly beautiful. The writing, the characters and the storyline are unique and you just can’t help but love them (and sometimes hate them).
In the third book, Cruel Legacy, everything just gets even more intense. All the drama, the emotions and the intriguers just don’t stop in this world of the rich and famous. I was so intrigued in Penn and Natalie’s story that I just couldn’t stop reading. This book is everything you could have ever wished for.
I don’t want to spoil anything as you just have to experience this book by yourself. And if you’ve already read the first two books you know that this book will be just as f**ked up and as amazing as the first two – so nothing will stop you from finishing this series.
Personally, I really loved this series! It’s definitely something different and so much more than I ever expected. I totally fell in love with it. It’s beautiful, amazingly written and the characters and storyline is just so unique and refreshing that you can’t help but fall in love with it. Definitely one of my favourite series ever and I can’t wait to read more about this f**ked up world on the Upper East Side and what K.A. Linde has up her sleeve next.