A new second chance billionaire romance set in the dark and glamorous underbelly of the Upper East Side from USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde.Natalie Bishop was just supposed to be a one night stand. Until she steps out of the ocean at my summer home in the Hamptons completely naked.The minute I see her, I know I can’t walk away.She claims that she’s just here to watch the house while it … just here to watch the house while it undergoes renovations. That she has no interest in rekindling our fire. But every weighted glance says it’s a lie.
I don’t care that I’m Manhattan royalty and she’s the help.
Only that she’s living in my summer home. With me.
And I want more.
more
This book reminded me of my drama shows I use to watch. The rich cliques who are always causing trouble. Penn Kensington and his crew made me mad, laugh and love them. Natalie made me root for her. I wanted her to show the crew that she was as good as they were if not better! They needed someone like her.
Natalie and Penn meet in Paris six years prior to when the book starts. She gives him her virginity without his knowledge. He leaves without saying bye. Fast forward to now, Natalie is watching his mom’s beach house. She hasn’t forgotten the past and doesn’t make it easy on Penn. Penn is reminded of what he seen in Natalie all those years ago. This could be their second chance if Penn doesn’t mess it up.
There are many things I liked about this book but I don’t know how to express it without spoilers. I will say this book is a cliffy and I want book two to take a whole new direction with a different character. I’m looking forward to see what the author does with book two because their are so many things running around in my mind.
Well the angst queen is at it again.
After reading one cruel night I knew this book was going to be a good one and I was right. I love both of these characters, so much and really wanted them to get the HEA. But I should know better when it comes to K.A. Linde. Also, I HATE KATHERINE.
Oh…the angst!! One of the favorite things about KA Linde is her ability to write angst! Well, she has brought it in this book.
I would suggest getting the free Prequel to Cruel Money – One Cruel Night.
One Cruel Night gives you just a little back story to the first meeting between Penn and Natalie, six years prior. I think it’s just a great insight to why Natalie is a bit hesitant and to see that Penn has changed.
Now onto the story – Natalie is an aspiring writer who makes money by housesitting all over the world <--- Yeah - how do I get that job? She's housesitting for the Mayor of New York - watching and organizing the redecoration of the mayor's East Hampton mansion. The dream job - beautiful home, lots of quiet time to write and look out at the beautiful fall scenery that the Hampton's provide. Her first few days start off with some horribly nasty rejection letters. She's purging these feelings by a nude dip in the ocean and once out of the water - she's brought face to face with Penn. The man who hurt her six years prior - let the fun begin. Penn really is a good guy, deep down I believe this and as the book continues he shows me exactly who he is. He has a past that often comes back to bite him in the ass, but he's trying to change. To be a better person "Our past getting in the way of our present." He's a rich billionaire who has a "CREW" of friends, all wealthy and materialistic - pretty much the opposite of Natalie. They bring Natalie into their crew and the high jinx begins. I absolutely LOVE Natalie, her instincts are so spot on, she knows when people aren't genuine - she's strong and everyone knows it! There is everything you want in a book in Cruel Money - angst, drama, romance and some serious sexy between Penn and Natalie. I have a feeling this book is going to bring me the feels I loved so much with the Avoiding Series. The series that brought me my admiration of KA Linde and her writing. The only problem I have? It's January and I have to wait until April for more Penn and Natalie and the crew. "...Penn Kensington was a game changer. I knew it. And was helpless to the fact."
And the Angst Queen strikes again! Wow! Where to begin… I loved Penn. I hated Penn. I guess you could say, I’m hating to love him! This book had my emotions all over the place and I loved every second of it!
Where to start with this book! I was a gossip girl fan and of course love romance books and add in some angst and you have Cruel Money.
Cruel MOney was such a fun and addicting story to read.
Natalie is sweet, down to earth and a wanna be author. She house sits in the hamptons to earn money and have time to write. Six years ago she was in Paris and lost her virginity and was devastated when the guy just left without a word. After being rejected from publishers she makes a bonfire and swims in the ocean only to come out and see him. How could he be here, Penn the guy from Paris.
Penn and his friends are Upper East Side wealthy, conniving and always plotting to get what they want. They are a very tight group of friends. Penn is different, there is so much more to him. He doesn’t want that life and does not get along with his family. Yet he is tangled in it.
The story keeps you glued to the pages, and when it ends you just want more. It is filled with angst, want, greed and so much more.
This is a book you do not want to miss!
Penn will make more than your jaw drop!
Cruel Money follows Natalie, a housesitter/writer who’s new job entails a very prestigious families Hampton’s home. To her surprise, a blast, (or explosion depending on how you look at it) from her past arrives and she loses all her carefully crafted plans. The fireworks may still be there, but so is the resentment. Cruel Money has a bit of a Cruel Intentions vibe, and I loved every minute of it. I can’t wait to see more of Penn’s friends in subsequent books. I adored Penn and Natalie together, the push and pull was just the right amount, the drama and angst is definitely prevalent, and the passion is off the charts. Ms. Linde’s writing is on point, she brings these characters to life, and I got lost in the book and read it in one sitting.
I would definitely recommend reading the prequel first, to read more about their initial encounter, however it is not required. What is required however is to start reading this fantastic book!
First let me just say that this being only the 2nd book I’ve read in 2019, and the 1st being this books prequel, I must say that I am beyond blown away with the world Kyla has laid out in the Cruel series thus far. If this is any sign, 2019 is going to be a good book year! I was pulled in with One Cruel Night and fell in love with Penn instantly. In Cruel Money, I was right by Natalie’s side while she navigated the world of The Crew and sought after her place in their society. While One Cruel Night can be read at any point during this series, per the Author, I say you start with One Cruel Night and prepare to jump feet first down into the rabbit hole and venture into Kyla’s very own wonderland.
In Cruel Money, we jump ahead 6 years from the end of One Cruel Night, the Prequel that the author has so graciously surprised us with before Cruel Money released. Natalie is back in the states, working on her first book, and doing so by taking up a career in house sitting for the wealthy. Her adventure takes her to the Hampton’s where she runs into the LAST person she ever thought she would, Penn. What she doesn’t realize is that Penn is a very different person from the one she met and fell in love with in Paris that one night, so many years ago. Yet, he is still the same. As the two begin to see their lives weave together, I was reminded of one of my favorite movies of the late 90’s, Cruel Intentions. It is unpredictable and snarky and uber provocative at times. This book will do things to your mind you didn’t know a book was capable of. It’s sexy, and feisty and filled with so much drama you would think it’s set on Broadway.
OK, can it be April yet!?! I need more Penn on my Kindle.
I. NEED. MORE! This book was soooo incredibly good, I gobbled it all up in one sitting. It’s just better than anything I’ve read from K.A. Linde. I can’t even help but think how this is so much like Gossip Girl, but with her own unique twist. Extremely addictive and completely unputdownable, Cruel Money just has the kind of intrigue and intensity that was up the wazoo. It wasn’t only packed to the brim with angst, drama, tension and seduction, but it was also dripping with manipulation, deception and lies.
“Our worlds didn’t connect. Our lives were so far from normal. I didn’t want to want this. I didn’t want to want him.”
Penn Kensington and Natalie Bishop’s tale was so twisted, yet fascinating—like a train wreck of betrayal and heartache waiting to happen, and you just can’t help but stare. I was so engrossed in reading this story that I felt everything around me fade away and morph into the world of “the crew”. Once I was sucked in, there was no chance of getting out until I read that last page. And even then, I’m left wanting more—like I was about to pull all my hair out the moment I realized I’d actually have to wait for months before I got the next part of this sexy and riveting tale.
“Penn Kensington was a game changer. I knew it. And was helpless to the fact.”
If you’re itching for a read that will swallow you whole right off the bat… a read that will make your emotions go haywire… one that has you so consumed, you’ll barely come up for air… or a story with characters you’ll love to hate and vice versa… then you need to pick this book up, stat. This series is definitely quickly shaping up to be my newest obsession, and we’re not even halfway there. I’m more than ready for Cruel Fortune, that’s for sure!
From Paris to the Hamptons, with a 6 year gap, we find Natalie and Penn crossing paths again when they least expect it! From the start Cruel Money sets a good, strong story telling pace and carries you beautifully through this tale of mismatched fortunes, the bonds formed in youth which can allow for bad behaviour, and the vulnerability brought when falling in love.
All of the characters in this book are well drawn, springing to life off the page. I loved the variety of individuals who made up the crew, and others who joined the story as it progressed. So glad that Natalie has an Amy in her corner!
I enjoyed this book immensely, became committed to Natalie and Penn very quickly and cannot wait to hear more about their affair asap!
When Penn Kensington showed up at his family’s beach house in the Hamptons, the last thing he expected was to come face to face with a one night stand from six years ago. While they only had one night and Penn never told her who he truly was, he shared more of himself with Natalie in those few hours together than he does with most people. Now that she is back in his space, he wants her, even if they are from two completely different worlds.
Aspiring writer Natalie Bishop is a house sitter to the wealthy. Her non-conventional job lets her see the world and gives her the time she needs to write. Too bad she keeps receiving rejection after rejection for her first book. She’s hoping her time in the Hampton’s will rejuvenate her and allow her creative juices to flow. What she didn’t expect was to be sucked back into the cruel and insincere world of New York’s wealthy and elite.
The dance that follows is beautiful and heartbreaking all in one as both Penn and Natalie know that it really isn’t meant to be, especially with so many things working to keep them apart. Will the cruel underside of New York’s finest keep them apart or will Penn and Natalie find a way to shuck society’s expectations to give their relationship a chance?
K.A. Linde’s Cruel Money was a bit of Cruel Intentions and Dangerous Liaisons set in modern day New York. This book really has it all . . . passion, heartbreak, deception, intrigue and more.
Natalie is an amazing woman who really does her best to fit into a world she really isn’t a part of. She’s so genuine that Penn and his friends are drawn to her, as most in their world are jaded. I really love that throughout this book, she never loses her true sense of self no matter what is thrown her way or how she is manipulated by Penn and his Crew of friends.
I’m also still super intrigued by Penn. While he knows how to play his role, he really doesn’t want to be a part of the New York elite and instead wants to focus on what makes him happy. It’s a true study of his character to watch him be torn between what he wants and what society expects of him to see which wins out.
We’re also introduced to the Cre who makes up Penn’s group of friends. I definitely fell in love with Lewis and can’t wait for more from him. I also can’t wait to see what happens with Katherine, as she is the greatest manipulator of them all . . . .
Cruel Money’s tangled web of emotions and manipulations sucked me right in. I cannot wait for more. While the story did have an end, it feels like a bit of a cliffhanger because you know that Penn and Natalie’s story is nowhere near being over. Honestly, I was left feeling uneasy (in a good way) and waiting in anticipation for their story to continue in the next book. 4.5 stars for this incredibly addictive series starter.
When I finished this book, my first thought was holy s**t, this is the perfect mix of Cruel Intentions and Gossip Girl!! Following the twisty lives of the rich and bored young adults, aptly named “The Crew”. I couldn’t put this book down straight from the beginning. Natalie and Penn are totally magnetic characters, I couldn’t look away!! It’s so dark, glamorous and twisty; easily one of my favorite reads this year.
Natalie is a fantastic character. She’s bold, fearless and independent. Brave and self-assured, she entered The Crew without trepidation or fear. Little did she know, she was soon a part of their game.
Penn, the sexy ethics philosophy professor. He’s trying to make amends for his past poor choices and be a better man while still intertwined with his nasty friends. Penn and Natalie together sucked me into their vortex of fun, glamour, and deceptive games.
Cruel Money is an addictive read that takes you into a word of intrigue and two faced friends. Nothing is ever what it seems, and I’m always questioning who can you trust. I’m so excited to see how Cruel Fortune will unfold as the story continues.
D TO GOODREADS
AVAILABLE NOW
Amazon US iBooks B&N Kobo Google Play Paperback
Stephanie’s 4 Star Review:
I received a free copy of this book from the author.
When I finished this book I was in a tizzy. Seriously…this author has a way of getting your to favor one character then throws another in the mix just to make you question which one you’d prefer!
Ok…I digress. So in Cruel Money we have an aspiring author house sitting in the Hamptons for a few months overseeing a remodel. What she doesn’t realize is the owners son would be the very man she’s hated for years since their one night stand in Paris.
He’s been the one person she’s measured every sexual experience since their encounter as well as the reason she’s not gotten close to any one man. Much to her best friends dismay.
In true K.A. Linde fashion what you think you know about these characters you probably don’t know the truth, whole truth, or any truth! HA! I’m serious. She (the author) loves to keep us on our toes. Here’s to waiting patiently impatiently for Cruel Fortune to come!
A fantastic look into the world of the privileged and entitled young men and women of the Upper East Side, New York City. With more money than they know what to do with, peer pressure, parental demands, no true moral compass except the love and pursuit of money and pleasure, we are taken into their world and cringe at their maneuvers.
In the novella One Cruel Night that serves as the prequel to this series, we have that Natalie and Penn met in Paris six years previous to the start of this book. It was the last night of Nat’s summer vacation and they spend the night walking around Paris, ending up at Penn’s family flat where Nat loses her virginity to Penn. Next morning, she finds that he left and the cleaning maid threw her out like she was garbage. This left her with some unresolved issues from that night.
Now, a full-fledged writer, with two book rejections under her belt, she’s starting a new house-sitting assignment in the Hamptons. Until she gets published, Nat has made a career of vacation house-sitting, which allows her to live rent-free, away from her parents, and free to pursue her dream of becoming an author.
To her surprise, Penn and his crew of high-society friends appear to stay overnight, and she finds that Penn is a Kensington, son of New York City’s mayor and part of the Manhattan royalty. The same holds true for his friends. After she tells Penn off, she hits it off with his friends, they have a great time, get drunk, and after Nat goes off to sleep, they concoct a bet involving Nat. Think Cruel Intentions, where the cast of characters aren’t evil, just bored socialites who like to compete and manipulate others.
The book is riveting with a great cast of characters. Everyone is fascinating in their own right, good or bad. Katherine is devious and conniving, Lewis is a darling, Lark is the serious goody-two shoes, and Rowe is nerdy and retracted. Penn rejects this way of life that seems to be second nature, and struggles with the philosophical pursuit of happiness and being ethical. Natalie is a strong, straightforward, sweet girl who comes from a military father and a flower child mother. She has always been poor but has been surrounded by love and acceptance. Even though she should be the disadvantaged one, she is in fact the richest one in that crowd.
The chemistry between Penn and Natalie is strong, their attraction inevitable. Penn pursues not only the woman but her essence and how she makes him feel. He feels he is real with her in a way he isn’t everywhere else. However, there is a struggle between his world and the world he shares with her. The book is multilayered, the interactions intriguing and fascinating. There is evil and sincerity, truth and evasions. I even loved the cliffhanger! Can’t wait for the sequel and read more about Penn and Natalie.
I have only recently discovered K.A. Linde and honestly, I am not sure what rock I was living under. I completely devoured Cruel Money. It was full of angst, emotional and all kinds of steaminess. There is a prequel available that you do not have to read, but it is free, so good and sets a foundation, so go one click One Cruel Night now!
Cruel Money tells the story of Penn and Natalie. They shared one unforgettable night years ago and now they are once again face-to-face. On the night they met, they were on equal footing, but now, we know Penn is from the best of families in New York with responsibilities and expectations. Natalie finds herself working where he is spending his summer. But their attraction and chemistry is still undeniable.
I could not stop reading Cruel Money by K.A. Linde. I loved how strong and determined Natalie was, no matter what others thought of her. Penn was everything! I loved him, even if it times, I wanted to hit him. A great start to this series and I cannot wait for the next book!
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
I always enjoy reading K.A. Linde’s books, but I feel like Cruel Money is a perfect reminder of why I love her books so much. I was instantly sucked into the story and didn’t put it down until I was done. This is one of those stories that I read on y Kindle until I had to leave then switched to reading on my phone anything to avoid stopping. Cruel Money is packed with angst, drama, and emotions to create an addiction.
Penn and Natalie felt so original and unique that it was refreshing. These two couldn’t be more different if they tried but it works so well for them, if there is any doubt, wait until you feel the passion between them coming off of the pages. Now I just need K.A. Linde to hurry up and get the next book out because I am nowhere near ready to be finished with these two.
~ Jessica
Cruel Money will have you on angst pretty much from the begging right to the end. The cruel world that has become The Crew. K.A. Linde will have you begging for more when we are left hanging on at the end. I was sucked into this story line. My kindle went with me everywhere while I reading this story. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop and end this HEA that Natalie has found herself in again with Penne. I did not trust the villain of the story. I won’t say too much for that character as you will figure it out within this story. As I stayed on the edge, I could not help but fall for our heroine and hero of the story. Even though Penne seemed to have his heart in the right place, he would still have me second guessing his every move!
Natalie is a free spirited sweet heart. I love her inner goddess and love for writing. She will show you a side of her that will become addicting. Even our side characters took notice. My heart cried for Natalie when she found out the cruel truth. Penne’s mom was a piece of work too. Gah! The scandal of it all!! Cruel Money unravels a lot of truth behind the rich facade. I am addicted to this story and anxiously awaiting book 2!!!
You know you’re in a K A Linde book when:
(1) The Hot Hero makes you want to smack him with your hand and your lips. And, oh, dear reader, is Penn ever the Hot Hero. He’s got that brooding, judgy, testosterone-fueled vibe going on, and I love him. Yes, there were times when I wanted to grab him by the shoulders and shout at him to FIX HIS MESS. But creating said mess is part of his charm.
(2) The Heroine takes herself a little too seriously and is a little too self-righteous. Natalie is both of those things to the marrow of her bones. I always ask myself if I would be friends with these women in real life, and I’m pretty sure I’d spend most of my time rolling my eyes behind Natalie’s back. She’s spunky, yes, but SHE IS DUMB. There are so many signs for her. SO MANY. And yet she ignores them, even as she tells herself that she’s got the writer’s skill for observation. Girl, you are BLIND.
(3) There is at least one scene in which The Hot Hero’s friends tell him how fabulous The Heroine is and how lucky he is to have her. Memo to Penn: not in this case, pal. You can do better.
(4) The sexy times are FABULOUS. I am a huge–hey-yooooooooge–fan of K A Linde’s erotic scenes. She knows how to pace them, how to build toward them, how to make you a mass of begging NEED. And she also has a sharp knack for giving you just the right amount of detail.
(5) The cliffhanger makes you scream. SCREAM, I tell you. I cannot wait for the sequel. As much as I may feel like I know where this is headed, I also know that K A Linde won’t take me on the predictable path, something I appreciate greatly.
A word about the prequel: go read it. Read One Cruel Night so that you can understand just why Natalie feels like she does about Penn. I enjoyed it a whole lot, and while you can dive into Cruel Money without One Cruel Night, I recommend the prequel if for no other reason than it means you get to spend more time with Penn.
Please, when you read this book, hit up the comments and let me know what you think of it. And Penn. AND PENN.
5 stars
This story is completely addicting! It’s the kind of story that first started my addiction with Ms. Linde’s writing. It’s captivating from the very first word. The angst and wonder that keeps you guessing throughout the entire story is what will make you come back for more. Make sure to read One Cruel Night first. It sets the scene for Cruel Money.
This story is packed full of characters that you love to hate. “The Crew”, as they’re called, is full of a group of socialites that are so good at playing the game that you don’t know whether it’s safe to trust them or not. The ones that come off as genuine are most likely the least trustworthy ones. But that’s part of the stomach-twisting angst that I continue to come back for. I HAVE to know what happens. At the end of Cruel Money, I got a sense of what first drew me in to the author’s writing. I was left with that nerve-wrecking tightness throughout my body that keeps me guessing and submitting myself to this torture. I just don’t know that I can wait to see what comes next.
This is by far the best book K.A. Linde has written.
I was so freaking excited for this book and did a happy dance when I saw it pop up on my kindle and couldn’t wait to get started on it.
I absolutely LOVED, LOVED this book so much!!!
The drama and the angst had me gripping my device so tight not knowing what was coming next. The characters were just down right phenomenal.
Natalie is a house sitter and has been given the job to sit a house in the Hamptons and it belongs to the Mayor. She is to get it prepped and ready for a huge event she will be having at the end of summer. What Natalie wasn’t expecting was to see Penn Kensington again after six years. She has a lot of resentment and anger towards him because she had a one night stand with the guy and never heard back from him. He pretty much ghosted her!
There is a game that is being played of cat and mouse between Penn and Katherine. Katherine and Penn belong to a little click called “The Crew” and any ways, in my opinion, Katherine has been harboring feelings for Penn for a long time but he doesn’t reciprocate. So she makes a bet with him that he can’t make Natalie fall in love with him and he begs to differ. In the end someone is bound to end up hurt. Katherine is one of those mean girls type that will do whatever she can to get what she wants.
Just when Penn and Natalie are starting to get to a comfortable place , things explode, secrets are revealed and hearts end up broken.
I was blissfully happy with the way this book was going, until I wasn’t. The end just left me with my mouth literally agape and was cursing the author for leaving me with this cliffhanger. Granted, I knew that this wasn’t a stand-alone and I know more is coming later this year on this duo, but ugh! Can it be spring now!!!!
K.A. Linde is a phenomenal writer and I love her work, but Cruel Money is, by far, my favorite of all the books I’ve read from her so far!!
Gah!! This story was outstanding!!! Penn and Natalie have a past filled with hot sexy times but a present filled with nothing but drama and secrets. After a chance reconnection after a one night stand years ago, Natalie and Penn must travel a road filled with hot sexual tension, resentment, lust and a connection they can’t avoid. He is an uber elite member of the crém de la crém of society and she is “the help” but their different stations in life would not be able to stop the freight train of drama coming straight towards them. And when I say drama I mean allllllll the drama and angst where you need to grab the “Oh $hit bar” and hold the eff on.
I FLOVED this story. I was hooked from the start and just loved Natalie so much. She was real, blunt and to the point. She gave as good as she got and had no qualms about giving you a piece of her mind. Penn likewise was sexy af and the playboy hero you equally hate to love and love to hate. And believe me, YOU WILL HAVE ALLLLL THE FEELINGS!! He sets his sights on Natalie and will not slow down in his pursuit of her, past mistakes, secrets and scandals be damned.
All in all, I seriously can’t wait for the next book in the series because that ending?! OMFG. Linde definitely did the damn thing with getting me so hooked that I’m dying for book two. Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula