RIOT HOUSE is a 137,000-word standalone book in the Crooked Sinners Series and does not end on a cliffhanger. Future books in the series will feature other characters. This book contains dark content that may be considered a trigger for some readers, and as such is recommended for readers 17+
They might be richer than gods, but they’re morally bankrupt.
As far as the boys who run America’s most … run America’s most exclusive international academy are concerned, I’m an unwelcome interloper, an inconvenience, and they’re determined to make my life a living hell.
When Wren Jacobi sets eyes on Wolf Hall Academy’s newest inductee, all he sees is an easy mark. A reserved little girl with a target painted on her back. He knows nothing of my troubled past, though. Nothing of my mother’s suspicious death, or the horrific treatment I’ve had to endure at the hands of my psychotic father. And he has no idea of the lengths that I, unassuming little Elodie Stillwater, will go to in order to break the savage beast who dreams of breaking me first.
There’s a wolf stalking the forests that surround my new school.
Little does he know…
There are far scarier predators lurking out there in the dark.
more
Storyline: 5+ stars
Characters: 5 stars
Heat Factor: 5+ stars
Overall Rating: 5+ stars
Riot House by Callie Hart has risen up the list for my Favorite Reads of 2020!!
This book!!! Where do I even start?!?!? This book is so much more than a bully romance. It’s riddled with mystery, unpredictability and tackles some dark subject matter (may be trigger for some) but at the heart of it, it’s a story about two people, two tortured souls finding one another.
Wren will devastate your heart. He’s broody and dark. Loves Poe and is a tortured artist. He’s rebellious but loves fiercely.
Elodie is strong. Her backstory is heartbreaking. She’s the perfect heroine for this story.
These two together are combustible off the pages! They are intrigued by one another from the get home and their chemistry throughout this story is deep.
The writing in this story is flawless. It’s cohesive and fluid. It’s deep and dark. It’s rich in detail and it’s just an amazingly crafted story.
5+ stars!
This is my first book by Callie Hart. She got my attention with a very interesting and mysterious blurb. I am a sucker for high young adult stories with a dose of suspense. Wren and Elodie were everything I needed. They were explosive, unpredictable, and highly addictive. What at first was supposed to be a game, changed into something more and passionate but very dangerous.
„I can’t promise I’m not gonna hurt you, Little E. But I can promise that, if I do, it won’t be on purpose. I can also promise that I’ll do everything in my power not to.”
I am not going to lie, at first, I struggled a little. I could not connect with a plot. I love slow-burn stories but I felt as if something was missing or lacking. But then everything changed. I could not stop reading. I needed more of Wren and Elodie, more of the secondary characters and I cried when Riot House ended.
Wren stole my attention with his persistence and honesty. He thought his heart was so cold and deprived of feelings. He set his eyes of Elodie at perceived her as a target, something to use, destroy, and leave. But the more he spent time with her, the more Elodie became his obsession. He no longer wanted to ruin her. He wanted to make her his in every possible way. Wren is a deadly combination. He is very smart, handsome, protective, and possessive.
Elodie is my girl. She is so strong and resilient. Her life wasn’t easy and yet she found in herself the strength to life and fight. She was a light Wren needed. She isn’t someone easy to manipulate and break. She has claws and painful punches. She feels the pulls and connection with Wren. The air was so thick between then you could cut it with a fork. When they both finally admitted their attraction they went all in.
But Wolf Hall Academy hides a secret. Something bad happened in a forest surrounding the school and every clue lead to… Wren. And looks like Elodie is a new target.
Callie Hart surprised me with Riot House. I loved the mystery and suspense. The slowly blossoming relationship between Elorie and Wren. They knew what they wanted and wasn’t afraid to admit their needs and feelings. The ending was mind-blowing and I did not see it coming.
The second characters got my attention and I hope they get their own stories too!
Wow, this is one hell of a dark high school romance! It kept me on the edge of my seat through the whole book! It is a lengthy novel but is so well written. You will root for Elodie and Wren from the moment they meet. There is so much mystery surrounding Wolf Hall that I still have so many questions. I hope there will be more books involving these characters! Fingers-crossed!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie’s Book Reports.
They might be richer than gods, but they’re morally bankrupt. As far as the boys who run America’s most exclusive international academy are concerned, I’m an unwelcome interloper, an inconvenience and they’re determined to make my life a living hell. When Wren Jacobi sets eyes on Wolf Hall Academy’s newest inductee, all he sees is an easy mark. A reserved little girl with a target painted on her back. He knows nothing of my troubled past, though. Nothing of my mother’s suspicious death, or the horrific treatment I’ve had to endure at the hands of my psychotic father. And he has no idea of the lengths that I, unassuming little Elodie Stillwater, will go to in order to break the savage beast who dreams of breaking me first. There’s a wolf stalking the forests that surround my new school. Little does he know…There are far scarier predators lurking out there in the dark.
This book is twisted. We meet Elodie who is a new student at Wolf Hall Academy. Then you have the rich boys Wren, Pax and Dash. These boys run the school and they as the Riot House Boys keep it really exciting. However they don’t know that Elodie has lived under her military father’s absolute rule for year and she is excited about being sent to boarding school is quiet the relief to her. She is out from under his thumb and away from his super secret ways. However her father being the way he is has made her a super strong woman. The Riot House Boys, especially Wren doesn’t know that she is fearless and can stand on her own. They do not scare her in the least and she will make her own way. That won’t stop Wren from wanting to tear her down and destroy her. He is going to torment her so hard that she won’t know what hit her. However he soon discovers that there is really something to Elodie and he becomes obsessed with her in a different way. He never expects her to be the one to change everything. This book was so good. I couldn’t lay it down and you won’t be able to either!
A new dark bully romance from Callie, I was drawn in by the blurb, yes it’s set in high school but the characters feel way more grown up than that, a good start to new series from Callie.
I did struggle a little a first with the first half of the book, it seems overly long and very slow going as I struggled a little to see how this was going to play out. It wasn’t until the second half that I really got into it and grew to love the characters.
Wolf Hall, a private school, basically a dumping ground for rich parents and the military elite to place their kids. Elodie is just being transferred here, she’s not had the best of upbringings with her military father, who is happy to get rid of her to Wolf Hall from Tel Aviv.
The Riot House boys – Wren, Pax and Dashiell – live off school campus in their own little set up, they also run the school. Elodie was warned when she arrived not to get caught up with the boys or go the the Riot House. But Wren has taken an interest in her, finding out about her even before she arrived, she’s his new project, the girl he gets to mess with and set up, warp and destroy. Except it turns out he wants more from her than that.
Elodie is a tough and sassy heroine, smart and fierce, having learned to be able to physically defend herself, she doesn’t take any nonsense. Yet she is caring and vulnerable around her new found friends.
Wren is the typical diabolical bad boy, determined to mess with his prey however he sees fit as he pulls Elodie into his web. But he never expected her to get under his skin, for him to fall for her, for her to have that power over him.
Their unravelling relationship was fun to watch as it grew, each with assumptions about the other, but could they drop their guard to let each other in? Dark and dangerous games to be had as the puzzles unfolded, with a shocking truth at the end you will not see coming!!
I’m looking forward to the next book to see where it takes us.
Callie Hart has been steadily becoming one of my go to authors- I first learned to love her new adult, dark vibes, deeply emotional stories with the Rebel at Raleigh High series, which I adored, and Riot House is another strong showing and the start of another addictive series.
We jump straight into our story with a jaw dropping opener that sets the tone for the key elements of this story- some disturbing situations, secrets, and mystery. From there, we meet our heroine, Elodie. A military child suddenly shipped off by her controlling father to a boarding school. She immediately meets our hero Wren- and is both attracted to him and apprehensive- he seems like a jerk, has a notorious reputation, and he’s part of the pompous Riot House boys who rule the school. This attraction turns into that classic push-pull- both fighting their interest, her avoiding and assuming, him plotting to break and bully, but what unfolds was actually quite unexpected. I’d say this book is far less bully romance (we get beyond those themes quickly) and much more a sweet romance between two troubled but self-aware teens in the midst of some dark and troubling events, some life and death twists and turns, and a buttload of mystery.
Callie Hart’s writing style is really quite poetic- she really elevates the genre with her artfully crafted prose.This author can write. Imagery, symbolism, tight and varied syntax, word choice, delicately woven characters with nuance and emotional layers, well paced plot , etc. When we review these kinds of books, we talk about the characters we love of the sm-exy times, those are great here- but Callie is truly accomplished technically- words and thoughts are developed with care here.
But, speaking of characters. Wren = SWOON. I think he’s one of my favorite “dark,” “brooding,” “ahole” “anti-hero” “bully” heroes out there. I put those things in air quotes because Wren really defies tropes, in a way that I personally find very refreshing. He’s incredible attune emotionally, direct and honest about his feelings, and while he is brooding and dark his actually not much of a bully and doesn’t do much dark to our heroine- we assume or think he might, but he’s too honest with his feelings to mess with her much, which is actually in an of itself interesting. Instead of spending too much life hurting or torturing her like most ‘“bully” tropes, he quickly moves away from this because at his core Wren is both deeply curious and deeply cautious. He recognizes that the only way he can explore and understand his weird feelings and obsession, the push-pull, is to connect, to call it out, to lean in. MAN, that is not the normal “push away” because I’m attracted to’ dark lead and it feels pretty novel here. Yes, he’s dark- but mostly because of his experiences and the depth of his psyche, not because of what he does to our heroine. And my goodness- he’s so INTELLIGENT, and it is sexy AF. He’s somehow into books and reading and poetry, plays mind games, and likes being alone, all without being pretentious…he feels incredibly authentic and fully articulated. And make makes us swoon is his emotional depth- sure, he has a dirty mouth and know how to use it (COLD SHOWER NEEDED), but he also says some of the most beautiful and soulful things about his feelings, bring a delicate vulnerability to him that is magnetically charming. His character evolution is one of the more believable, authentic, and touching “bully arcs” I’ve read.
Elodie is also charming. She’s quite confident and self-assured but also damaged and vulnerable. She’s tough and determined, but not obstinate or stubborn- she has a delicate fragility paired with an acute toughness that attracts us and Wren.
The chemistry is definitely scorching here- you can practically hear the sizzle between them. And, once they start to open up, we see Callie at her best- helping two complicated characters scarred by their own journeys connect in an intensely emotional, cathartic, and refreshingly sweet romance that leaves you breathless and hopeful. They heal each other with their affection, which in turn heals pieces of us as the reader. The emotional connection here is particularly powerful, especially because of Wren’s trope-defying honesty. And, Callie lets us swim around in it, we have a good “lull” from action (the last 30% of the book is pretty fast though) where we just get to let their attraction BREATHE and watch them connect, and it is really beautiful.
So, why not 4 stars? Two reasons- 1) I found the epilogue to be a little underwhelming. Normally the epilogue either sets the stage for a second book or gives us the candy-sweet “in the future” HEA so we know that our characters’ connections LAST and mature. We don’t get either here. It’s FINE, but I don’t think it does much to advance the characters or story, and given that it occurs so close timeline wise to the giant climax of the book, it also seems a bit to normalized for where our characters should be. 2) Callie has demonstrated she’s such a strong character writer- and in part, she does that by helping construct her characters through key landmark traumas and challenges that both drive the characters as people but also become key plot points (Rebel is a great example of this). Here she does so- with care and meticulousness, but then when we figure it of all it is just kind of left there- we don’t get to know more about the why or dig more deeply into the characters thinking relative to this experiences (trying to not give away too much….)- in fact, the characters avoid them, and we as readers then avoid them, too.
Overall, however, this was a great read and I FLEW through it. I LOVED these characters’ connection, and I had lots of feels. This is both emotionally engaging and keep you on the edge of your seat intense- loved it!
Wow! Just wow! Callie Hart never ceases to amaze me.
Riot House is one hell of an intense ride!
This YA bully romance has a little of everything to keep you glue to your seat. Angst, suspense and twists and turns that you won’t see coming.
Elodie is one amazing strong girl who’s been through hell and back. What hasn’t broken this girl has definitely made her stronger.
Wren is the beautiful broken hero that every girl wants to fix.
This story was dark, sexy and did have laugh out loud moments. Absolutely love every word Callie Hart writes.
When Elodie is shipped off to a new school she has no idea she’s about to enter the lions den and become the object of Wrens bullying but also his absolute obsession but Wrens not prepared for how strong Elodie is, she’s no wallflower and has a backbone and I loved that about her. Wrens conflicted feelings toward Elodie infuriated him cause it didn’t make sense to him but for as obsessive as he was he did have a tender side when it came to her and only her.
4.5 Riotous Stars
Wow, this is a monster sized book and took me a good few days to get through I never read the anthology that featured a bit of Wren and Elodie’s story just purely because I knew Callie had mentioned writing a full story for them, so I patiently awaited their storyThis story is amazing but much like Pandora’s box is filled with secrets that just keep unraveling
Wren and Elodie both have had such difficult pasts but when Elodie arrives at Wolf Hall Academy, she knows he will forever change her and her future This story is dark but like most stories by Callie there is light at the end of the tunnel and well worth the read I’m hoping for stories for Dash, Carina, Pax and even Mercy if possible next
I received an advanced copy and I voluntarily leave my honest review
ARC review
WOW AMAZING!!!
This book was absolutely perfect. I’m at a loss for words. Callie Hart has a way of completely wreaking you with her work. I’m always left in Awe at her wonderful mind and the stories she comes up with.
Elodie and Wren’s story was …. man it was tragically beautiful. How she take tortured souls and bring them to the light and love is breathtaking. I loved how things would seem to be going one way then change in a blink of an eye. I thought for a moment I had it all worked out, I knew what was going to happen but then was floored by the actual truth. The two of them took a while to truly open up with one another, which is understandable with the things they had faced. I can’t even find the words to do this book justice without giving to much of it away so I’m going to leave it at that. I loved it. I would love to see Dash and Pax get a story of their own and even here more about Elodie and Wren, I’m not really ready to let them go just yet.
Being the new student in a regular school is hard, being the new student at boarding school and showing up in the middle of the night doesn’t even compare. When her father pulls a fast one and sends Elodie back stateside to New Hampshire to attend Wolf Hall Academy, she is actually more relieved than upset. Now she doesn’t have to deal with her father and his military way of being a parent. Being thrown into the new school when it has already been in session, means catching up not only on school work but on the friendships and social groups that have already been established and trying to figure out past drama. The one person that intrigues Elodie, is one of the ones that she was advised to stay away from. Since the first meeting Wren has been a constant on Elodie’s mind, but she knows trouble when she sees it and she is determined to meet him head on. She will not let Wren break her, but will she break him instead?
So at first I was a bit nervous as this is a massive story; but I think that the build up was totally needed. I was not prepared for the story that unraveled; I thought I knew what I was getting but I was dead wrong! Mystery, danger, suspense, bullying, spicy naughty bits; this story was super amazing! I can’t wait to see what happens next, I give this 5 stars.
What a fantastic read! I thoroughly enjoyed this story and hope it is only the first of more to come! I love this author. I am always drawn to her dark plots and broody anti-heroes. The setting was quite alluring and the storyline very captivating. I adored Wren and Elodie and the complexity of their relationship. Their secrets, their chemistry, their journey, the anticipation… it’s the perfect read to get lost in!
Review by Lys
Bloody hell what did i just read? Talk about being completely blindsided by this book. I assumed it was just another school bully romance and yeah there is aspects of that here but theres also a murder mystery interlinked into it too. It threw me but in a really good way. Definitely keep you on your toes. Elodie (FMC) is a no-crap, no nonsense character but with her background (which in parts is a hard read) it makes a lot of sense. So when she comes up against Wren he sees her as a challenge he wants to break. These two characters are certainly explosive together but it makes for a brilliant read though. Will Dash and Pax get there own books??? Im hoping so
Absolutely love Wren Jacobi! I am sure I am not the only one either. I freaking loved everything about his book. I read it in one go and couldn’t put it down. Elodie was the perfect match for him. This book has everything you could want and more.
There is mystery, hate, loathing, lust, love and sexy times. The three boys that make up Riot House are a force unto themselves. While I have read by far darker books I would say this is a great darker upper YA book for sure. The characters and the secondary characters leap out of the book and grab you by the throat. I cannot wait to read more of the series as the author puts them out. Told in dual POV.
“I’ve always been a depraved and dirty thing, Elodie Stillwater, but the idea of you has corrupted me to the point of insanity.”
Wow. This book was full of mystery, steam, angst.
I really loved this story. The twists and turns and curveballs that Callie throws at you really take you for a wild ride. My mind has been blown. I cried. I screamed. I laughed.
All around a great story. I was truly intrigued and captured by the blurb and the story doesn’t let you down.
“I want to devour her. Claim her. Bind her to me any way that I can.”
I read the beginning of this book in the Bully Me Class of 2020 anthology and it left me dying for more on the Riot House boys and the menace that is, Wren Jacobi. If you didn’t pick up the anthology when it was available, no worries because those chapters are included in the full book.
There’s an air of dark mystery surrounding Wolf Hall Academy and the story that unravels was surprisingly suspenseful. Adding to the air of mystery is a seemingly untouchable and filthy trio of boys.
The Riot House boys are known for their cruel games involving the female population at Wolf Hall Academy, and Elodie Stillwater is their newest target. Well, she really becomes the focus of just ONE of the boys, Wren Jacobi. She’s warned off but still can’t resist the dark pull she feels whenever coming in contact with Wren.
I loved both main characters! Wren has a way about him that makes him dangerously appealing and Elodie was the perfect match for Wren’s dark heart. They’re chemistry was off the charts!
Some events take place that implied Wren/the Riot House boys aren’t new to commiting darker, violent acts but We aren’t given any details. I wish we had more insight into exactly WHAT the boys are capable of.
This is getting too long. Listen, all I know is that I went into this book thinking I’d get a steamy bully romance but I was pleasantly surprised with the mystery, drama, and final plot twist. I loved it, I loved the friendship between Pax, Dash, & Wren, and I hope we get books on all the Riot House Boys.
Hands down one of the best books I’ve read!! It pulls you in and keeps you hostage until the end!!
Elodie and Wren have so much chemistry that it burns bright. Lots of twists!!
This is the 1st in a new series and what a perfect introduction this is. This is Wren and Elodie’s story and is a beautifully written story which is dark, intense, twisted, raw, gritty, emotional, heart-breaking, and with witty banter, secrets, suspense, mystery, and with complex characters and plot which all lead to a steamy and all-consuming tale. I devoured this story in one sitting and cannot wait to read more in this intriguing and fascinating tale. Be aware this content may be triggers for some readers.
Recommend visiting this Riot House! 5 stars
I was enveloped by the world and characters that this author created from the beginning of this book, and I did not want to leave. I loved Elodie – she was a strong, brave, fierce, smart survivor. Wren had a plan for Elodie, bless his corrupt, depraved, black heart. They were fascinated by each from the beginning, and they had “intoxicating anticipation.” Elodie’s reactions caught Wren off guard which had never happened to him before. So what happened when she finally runs into his darkness and fire and not away from him? What happened was combustible chemistry that lit up the pages of this book. They craved each other and became addicted to each other like I did reading this book. The evolution of Wren floored me in the best way, and he made me swoon. This book had a mysterious element to it that took twists and turns that I did not see coming. There are not enough words to describe my love for this book, but I hope these are enough! This is my first time reading this author, and now it will not be my last. I highly recommend you visit this Riot House!
*I received an advanced copy of this ebook for my honest review.*
Again, I am all for the bully romances and this is an awesome NA bully romance. I love seeing guys that are awful slowly turn redeemable! Callie Hart is a great writer that will captivate your attention and throws out so many twists and turns that you could not even imagine.
These twists really are crazy, I was hooked and the character development was great too. I originally checked it out in a separate anthology and was happy to have the full book to be able to read it all the way through! I hate waiting, but the wait was totally worth it! 5 HUGE stars from me- I loved these characters and cannot wait to read more.
PS: Thank you to Callie Hart and Candi Kane PR for allowing me an advanced copy of the book to read and review honestly.