Oliver Conley….The most infuriating man I’ve ever met.He’s crass, selfish, malicious. The worst kind of person.From our very first encounter we were at odds. Standing on opposite ends of the battlefield preparing for war.He didn’t care for me.I despised him.Until one day things started to change….I didn’t want to want him. Hell, I hated myself for it.And yet, there I was, falling hard for a man I … yet, there I was, falling hard for a man I had sworn as my mortal enemy.
But as time passed, I started to see him differently.
I started to see beyond the perfect exterior he exuded.
I started to see him.
But how can you truly know someone who’s spent their entire life hiding behind a façade?
Lines are drawn.
Secrets are revealed.
And when the dust finally settles, nothing will ever be the same again.
more
**3.75-4 Stars**
Let me preface this review with I am a HUGE fan of Alex Grayson..HUGE. I have LOVED everything I have read of hers. It is possible you could read Malicious as a standalone, but I wouldn’t advise it as you definitely need a lot of backstory on Oliver and Savannah’s history so I would definitely recommend reading Treacherous first.
Malicious is a enemies to lovers book with a lot of angst and emotional turmoil. It is well written, and includes some definitely steamy scenes. It also includes a lot of Zayden and Rylee who were featured in Treacherous and who are Savannah and Oliver’s best friends, and Rylee and Oliver are step-siblings which adds in another dynamic.
I struggled at times because I didn’t feel the chemistry between Oliver and Savannah. I wanted to feel it and have it be there, but I didn’t always see it or feel it. I also struggled at times with Savannah’s major issue in the book, but I think that had more to do with my job as a social worker and how it was portrayed/discussed in the book. I do think it is such an important issue that needs to be discussed more and appreciate the author’s bringing light to it.
So while this wasn’t my favorite Alex Grayson book (because she has so many simply amazing ones to choose from), it may very well be a case of the quarantine blues, my headpace at the time, or simply a case of “it’s me not you”, so please, please, please give this book a chance!!!! It may be perfect for you, and I may to return to it at another time and do a re-read.
Savannah and Oliver couldn’t stand to be in the same space. She hated him because of how he treated her best friend/his stepsister Rylee. He hated her just because he was bitter towards everyone. But brewing underneath was an attraction that they both tried to hide. It reached to a point that Rylee and Zayden knew that this wasn’t hate but something more. They tried hard to deny it but it was impossible these two were explosive together. Things were going good until a secret was revealed and something happened to Savannah that was bound to happen. Oliver never left her side and she saw underneath his tough exterior the real him. I love how remorseful he was towards Rylee he really loves her. And I enjoyed catching up with Rylee and Zayden even though I think we will need updates on both couples.
Five stars! Whewwww what a ride. Sometimes you can’t judge someone for their actions until you get to know the person. And sometimes you find a love like no other. Oliver’s story is raw and heartbreaking, it’s also hot and sexy and the love story overrides everything else.
Highly recommended.
*I was provided an arc of this book in exchange for my honest and voluntary review. *
What I liked?
Dialogue and back and forth.
Enemies to more is so not my jam.
Oliver is hard to like and stays that way for a long while. I was cool with Savannah but she gave it up pretty quick.
Overall- a recommend.
Heartfelt and humorous story of young adults Oliver and Savannah. Both shared a unique sharp and delicious banter and chemistry. As different as they were they just fit. They were not your typical young adults and their story was a real page turner.
Both have secrets and demons that made for interesting reading.
Although their story was enjoyable there were elements of the story that were predictable and Savannah’s highly emotional issue felt rushed.
Nevertheless, it didn’t take away from enjoying it.
My challenge to you: Read “Malicious” and then tell me who the title is referring to! I, like you, read the blurb and I thought I knew what this book would be about and the way it would go, but I didn’t plan for an issue to be a part of the story and how it would effect the person and those around them.
These focal characters are not strangers, as they were all present in “Treacherous”. As much as this can be read as a stand alone, you’ll have greater appreciation for the overall story line if you’ve already read “Treacherous”. “Malicious” is the perfect example that you don’t really know a person and until you get to know that person and spend time with them. It’s so easy to judge a person by what you see in the hallway of school, around the water cooler at work or the neighbor you wave hi to as you drive away. But until you know their life circumstances, you don’t know what’s going on to make them behave the way they do. I didn’t think to highly of Oliver, but as his life story started to unravel, my heart started to ache for him. Savannah appeared to have the perfect life, until it’s revealed what heartbreaking events took place in her life to change her personality. So many secrets and lies come to light in “Malicious”. Be prepared to have your heart and mindset changed.
WOW! Okay so in this awesome book we get to meet Savannah, Rylee, Zayden and Oliver.
First let me tell you something, not only is this an enemy to lovers read but it touches on a serious issue some women face. I was hooked right away, the storyline is very well laid out, easy peasy read with all the twists and turns you want in a well written story. Oliver has so many issues, he has had a lot of “emotional trauma “ happen to him I say in a short amount of time. The way he deals with it is way wrong, but I get it. He is a reactor and not a thinker (I am exactly the same) anger issues up the you know what! SAME! No one is perfect and if this story was set up with perfect people and perfect lives I would not have been able to read it. The health issue that Savannah deals with is a really big freaking deal, many women suffer with this. When Oliver said certain things to Savannah I cringed, I visually pictured punching him in the face lol. But I kept reading, learning about this great foursome group of kids I was super impressed with Rylee and her maturity level. I love how forgiving she was with Oliver and how she stood by Savannah through it all.
Ya know it’s hard having a BFF going through something and you kinda have to walk a fine line of confronting vs coaxing them to talk to you. Some won’t say anything and Savannah was that case. Once everyone knows and Savannah is able to get the help she needs, her and Oliver can work through their relationship.
I loved this book! Go get lost in this book tonight!
Malicious is a steamy enemies to lovers romance. Savannah and Oliver definitely have a love/hate relationship and an undeniable attraction to each other. Secrets and painful pasts play into their relationship, but after a bumpy ride they find their way.
Great story written by these two authors, 5 stars for each of them!!
Here we get Oliver’s story. It’s sad he never felt like he did good enough to his dad, no matter how hard he tried. At Thanksgiving dinner, he’s finally had enough of his father pointing out all his flaws, in front of his friends, he loses it and has it out with dad and leaves.
Savannah can’t stand Oliver after what he did to her best friend, but witnessing Oliver & his dad have it out, she starts to realize how troubled he is.
When these two come together, they sizzle! But can they get past their issues, and trust each other? Read along and find out!
I was happy to see that Oliver and Savannah got their story. You do not have to read Treacherous before this one but it will help to understand some of the background stories. Alex and Melissa have outdone themselves with this one. They put me on a rollercoaster of a ride with Malicious and I am thrilled to say I loved this book. This is an enemies turned lovers book with lots of secrets that are revealed. I couldn’t put this book down and is a must-read for everyone you will not be disappointed.
This is a complicated review for me to write. Did I enjoy this book? Yes. Yes I truly did. But for me personally it was not always an easy book to read and after finishing it my feelings are left raw and both my heart and my head hurt. While this book is a standalone read, these characters are introduced in Treacherous and I feel that there are definite benefits to be had by reading that book first. It will just make for a deeper more involving experience. This is Oliver and Savannah’s story and what a story it is. These character are brutally complex. They are flawed and complicated and often their own worst enemies. You will feel for them and cry with them. You will want to stand with them when they are hurt and be angry and frustrated with them when they mess up. My heart broke for Savannah. Her story is heartbreakingly real and unfortunately too common in real life. As for Oliver, he is an enigma. He can be such a jerk and a vile bully that does the most horrible things. He can also be kind of sweet, caring and funny and in those rare moments when he lets you see the hurt and confusion that lives inside him you desperately want to hug him and try to make him feel better…until he opens his mouth, says something incredibly cruel and acts like a spoiled brat by throwing an epic tantrum. I don’t think I have ever had a character make me walk such a fine line between like and dislike and keep me there for so long. When he was on his best behavior, I did love these two as a couple. They made each other better and I felt almost like they were that missing piece they had been looking for without realizing it. I was so happy that these authors let Savannah take control and accept the help she needed but I also felt they dropped the ball where Oliver was concerned. With all the family drama he had to deal with, along with the pain, anger and guilt he carried, combined with his terrible temper, self destructive tendencies and the harsh ways he chose to act out, I felt he should have tried to take control of his own issues and at least got some counseling. It would have been so good for him and it would have showed his commitment to being a better man. I know we like to think love can fix everything but in reality it just can’t and it does not matter if you are female or male. If you need help, you need to get it to be healthy and happy. I am posting a sincere review by my own volition.
I fell right into this story and enjoyed it until the very last page. In a year where slow burns rule, I was so beyond happy to find a story that didn’t make me wait until the very end of the book for the characters to finally get together. Oliver and Savannah were a breath of fresh air! Their back and forth banter was hilarious and built the tension between the two. Once that tension exploded the two were pure fire together! There were times I wanted to strangle them for their a$$holish and stubborn behavior and times I wanted nothing more than to hug them both until all was better. They each struggled with their own personal issues as well as learning to navigate college and a new ever-evolving relationship with each other. Throw in friends that kept the laughs rolling and antics that made them all blush blended with the harsher side of life where vulnerability and anger can sometimes take its toll and you have the makings for an amazing story. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started Malicious but in the end, I enjoyed these characters, the lessons they learned, and the growing pains that helped them all to find their way.
Edited to add I did NOT read Treacherous first. I had no problem reading Malicious. While I do see how having the backstory of the characters from the first book could enhance the reading of this book, I do not feel it’s a requirement.
A well deserved 5 star! This is a story about two people who had very strong dislike for each other, with good reason! Sometimes hate and love can be a very fine line; this book takes you on a very interesting path on V and Oliver letting themselves cross this line. Besides fighting their attraction to each other; they are both battling very real individual baggage. Such an awesome story that you won’t want to put down.
I never would have thought that Treacherous, Oliver Conley could be redeemed but it seems like maybe he could be. Savanna and Oliver met when Oliver was horrific to Savanna’s best friend. How can you come back from that? This is an enemies to lovers story that started out so rocky and has some twists and turns that explain these characters so well. Read this book and Treacherous too!
I really enjoy Alex Grayson’s books, so even though I haven’t read anything from Melissa Toppen before, I couldn’t pass this book. I’m glad that I picked it up, I always enjoy an enemies-to-lovers story. It’s been a while since I’ve read a new adult book, so reading this was a nice change.
Oliver and Savannah are a particularly good example for this trope. I could actually feel the animosity and the hidden lust while reading the book. The tension between them is palpable and the sexual attraction is definitely present. Even though both Oliver and Savannah are introduced in “Treacherous”, I didn’t have a hard time getting into the story. The little glimpses I got from Zayden and Rylee just made me more curious about their story! The authors managed to make this book a standalone without spoiling “Treacherous” storyline.
There’s not really much to say. I really enjoyed the story and I totally recommend it, especially is the enemies-to-lovers trope is one you like!!!
Malicious is the second book written in this series by these two amazing authors and they have not disappointed me!
Although I have enjoyed this book I have to state right here that throughout the majority of the book I was very irritated by the main guy Oliver. He was acting incredibly immature, but then he had moments I thought he was great, and then he would act ridiculous and spoiled again. Thankfully he does grow up before the end of the book, but I did mentally slap him a few times!!
Savannah on the other hand, scared me. Her behaviour and secrets were incredibly worrying. These authors have written the subject matter very well, and did not try to make light of such a serious condition. Thank god!
It was a slow starter book for me, it took me a while to really get into the story, but once it gripped me I could not put it down. I cried for savannah, I was angry for Oliver and I was so happy with the ending.
There wasn’t a pretty bow and they all lived happily ever after. There was the truth. They will be OK!
Alex Grayson ans Melissa Toppen, has down it again. Oliver and Savannahs story was incredibly written, it will get you deep in your heart. I hated Oliver in Treacherous but as I read through this book you start to see why he’s the way he is and you see the changes in him. My heart broke for him when he finds out some secrets, I just wanted to cry for him.
Savannah is a sweet but feisty, tell you how it is kinda girl. The sexual tension between her and Oliver was intense. They have this love/hate relationship. Savannah has her own personal issues that she struggles with and when her and Oliver finally open up to each other it was an incredible rollercoaster ride.
I can’t say enough about these two authors, the writing and the story lines are so amazing and you get pulled in. I would read Treacherous first just so you have an idea about the characters. A Must Read!
Amazing book, I am happy you write about the the topic Savannah is struggling with because in real life that is a real problem with a lot of girls. Oliver is an ass and a good guy. He has been through a lot but reacts uncontrolled there is no filter there. I love Z and Riley and I am happy to see Savannah and Oliver together. This book is written wit passion and love . The characters are wonderful and the writing is swiftly and entertaining. I am curious to see if this has a follow up. For Dani maybe? I recommend.
Oliver. Oh, my Oliver. I think he has to be one of my all-time favorite alpha-holes. He’s sexy, broody, evil, and has a huge heart. You don’t know that last quality but looking at him, but if you mean something to Oliver, you will always have a piece of his heart and he will do anything for you.
Anger plays a big role in his “chip on his shoulder” attitude. Hit after hit, blow after blow and he continues to stand. The feud he has with Savannah seems to keep him upright and rolling with the tides. However, one day a light switch goes off and he thinks there could be something with his most beloved enemy. His sisters’ best friend. Thing is, she hates him for all he’s worth. There’s no way she would let her walls down for him. Unless … she would. No time like the present to find out, right? I found myself rooting for this duo and I can tell you that I couldn’t be happier to see a tamed bad boy.
Alex and Melissa have a flow to their writing that is flawless. You honestly cannot tell where one ends and the other picks up. I absolutely love this stand-alone series. I hope and pray that it doesn’t end here because I need more of these characters. I loved seeing Z and Rylee throughout the story. Five amazing feathers for Malicious!
I loved this book. I loved the love/hate relationship between the two. I couldnt put this book down. It was a page turner. I cant wait to see what Alex and Melissa has in planned for the next one.