Welcome to their kingdom…I never thought I’d step foot in Royal Manor again. But four years later, here I am…back to finish my senior year at Royal Hearts Academy.And forced to face Jace Covington. My first friend. First crush. First kiss. The one I left behind.Only—he isn’t the same boy I gave my heart to.This new Jace is as cruel as he is gorgeous.And he’s determined to make my life a … Jace is as cruel as he is gorgeous.
And he’s determined to make my life a living hell.
Along with the rest of his glorified family and crew of tyrants.
They expect me to worship the ground they walk on like everyone else, but I’d rather eat dirt.
If Jace Covington wants me gone…he’ll have to try harder.
Because I’ve never been the kind of girl to play by the rules.
WARNING: Royal Hearts Academy is a New Adult/High School series of standalones filled with drama, a touch of angst, and boys who are bad to the bone.
This series is recommended for mature readers due to graphic language and sexual content.
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This was a new to me author and one I had heard great things about, so was excited to finally try..
I definitely wasn’t disappointed that’s for sure. Yes J’s a-holeness got to be a bit much at times, and it felt like forever till the truth came out (A few loose strings there…) but all in all the plot and characters keep you turning the pages, and have you rooting for D and her sweet side-kick.
I’m starting next book in the series immediately to see if Cole finally see’s sense…
great bully romance with plenty of emotional depth and a mystery.
This story is told from a dual point of view perspective so we feel the mixed emotions of our heroine, Dylan, as she returns to the elite high school where our highly charged Hero, Jace, and his siblings still attend. Dylan walks into an emotionally volatile environment at school when her former love, Jace and his siblings, Cole and Bianca, shun her, which cause others to treat her the same way. Jace, being the oldest, has essentially raised his siblings after their father estranged himself after the death of their mother and brother. Dylan, being the strong and confident heroine, fights to get through Jace’s defenses. Family secrets and misunderstandings lead to a emotional climactic ending.
Ashley Jade has quickly risen to one of my “one-click” authors- her bully stories have all that we know and adore about the genre (a-hole hero, misunderstandings, angst, steam, darkness, redemption), but I’ve found her books to be deeply emotionally moving, complex,
I actually read these books out of order- I read book 2 first when it was on sale for free, and then came and immediately came to get book 1 because I loved book 2 so much AND because I wanted to know more about the pathway to love for Dylan and Jace. SO, I knew going into this where things ended up and the key conflicts at play, but that did not change my enjoyment or the emotional impact in anyway.
As we learn, Jace and Dylan were besties growing up- but hormones and life get in the way of their steady friendship, and the pair are separated, physically and emotionally. Now high schoolers, Dylan and Jace are thrust back together when Dylan moves back to town after her father’s imprisonment- they’ve not spoken in their separation, and Dylan is hurt. Jace, on the other hand, is recovering from the death of his brother and is coping with anger, revenge, and hate. He directs his hate to Dylan, and she has no idea why. Jace is popular, so Dylan is bullied, but she somehow finds solace in friendship.
Overall, when it comes to bully books, I’m not often a fan of the whole “massive misunderstanding that could have been cleared up with one conversation” plot device- but here, it works. The miscommunication is a bit more believable, and honestly the characters are just so well developed, so interesting, an the angst and romantic tension is so perfectly paced, that it bothers me less, even as heartbreaking (and frustrating) it is so have misunderstandings (or lies) result in so much wasted emotional energy and time. Here, however, that journey almost is cathartic for Dylan and Jace- a necessary step in their grief and adversity.
I actually really connected with Dylan, despite his a-holing, I think because his emotional arc is so driven by the complexities of grief. He’s broken and carrying a lot, all while trying to make sense of something that will never make sense, that will never be okay. He’s pain, his emotion was palpable- and Ashley did an incredible job engineering a character so riveting. I also liked Dylan- she’s got that right combo of strength and vulnerability. And, the side characters were delightful- it was fun to see Cole run around in this book since I already knew (and loved him) from book 2.
Ashley is knocking this series out of the park! Grab this up!
“Cruel Prince: A high School Bully Romance” by Ashley Jade.
It is a dark and twisted high school story. The main female character Dylan drives me up the wall. This girl really loves to be degraded by the guy she loves, Jace. Yes, Dylan has a mouth of her own, but she just keeps coming back for more. Do not get me wrong Dylan is a strong, thick skin, smart girl that fights for her love ones. The only weakness is the one guy she has been lusting over her entire life. Broken Wings is a great story line with great characters that bring something to the table, and leaves you wanting more. This story keeps surprising you with each turn of the page. It is a must-read book, but just beware once you start you cannot put it down. Can’t wait to see what happens with these group of kids.
You want a bully romance?
YOu want angst pouring from every page?
You want childhood best friends to bitter enemies and so SO much drama?
Then Read Cruel Prince.
And fall in love with the Covington family (but not Jason because rude and no)
And Dylan, she doesn’t stand for what Jace does to her. Not hardly at all.
Was the grovel good enough? No. Not by half. But I was hooked from the jump and I’ve already downloaded Ruthless Knight. Because Cole and need.
What can I say – I hate to love Jace Covington!
My first Ashley Jade book was “the devil” and I instantly loved her writing style. Especially the hot and steamy scenes
So I went crazy when I read that she is launching a whole new series that is set in high school I love high school themed books – especially when they’re hate to love
Cruel prince is about Jace, football God, brother, Big asshole. And his ex best friend Dylan.
Dylan moved back to Royal Manor years after moving away – or rather being moved away – in the first place. She and Jace were best friends and she secretly loved him. She gets back and thinks everything is great between them, but Jace hates her with a passion. She has no clue what’s up with him and his behavior.
This book gives you glimpses of their friendship in flashbacks and gets you through the story – explaining why Jace is how he is.
I loved this book! It was amazingly written. A lot of angst and heartbreak throughout this book – but that s what made it so special: It was real!
Can’t wait to read more of the gang in the next books
The only thing I love more than an enemies-to-lovers is a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers – you get all the angst and tension with the bonus of having a long history between the two. Jace and Dylan delivered all that and more, in the most amazing way possible.
Once friends, Jace and Dylan find themselves at odds – Dylan has no idea why her once best-friend has become so cold. Despite his treatment of her, she proves herself to be a caring and loyal person as she continues to be there for him when he needs the support. Jace, for all his bravado, is not wholly as unaffected as he wants everyone to think. He’s had it rough and is only trying to protect himself.
The story is spliced with flashbacks from the past which do a wonderful job of rounding out their history and layering the events of the past and present together without detracting from the story. The story also manages to balance a heavy topic and romance in tandem without either taking over and weakening the other. There is a LOT going on, but it never feels overwhelming or like too much.
What really strikes me with these characters is how well fleshed out and developed they are. They are both handling some tough situations and while they handle them differently, you UNDERSTAND why they cope the way they do. Even if you personally wouldn’t do the same or don’t like what they do, they are so well developed and the story so well written that you empathize with them and understand the position they are coming from. The side characters are also equally well developed and you will find yourself insatiable for their stories!
I also love the angst included here – my heart never feels more alive than after it’s been put through the wringer and comes out the other side transformed but still beating. This book gave me all the feels – it was like I wasn’t just reading about Dylan and Jade find their way, but like I was experiencing it with them too.
Cruel Prince was a angsty, mesmerizing story that will have your eyes glued to the page, breathless for what comes next!
“’ .”
I’m just going to sneak in here back to finish writing my review before wicked princess is out
But WOW WOW WOW i honestly love anything Ashley writes and ruthless knight is one of my fav but this one
I feel like this book was a real roller coaster, up and down with a lot of emotions and feelings. This book was angsty, steamy, heartbreaking and I love love LOVE that Jace wasn’t the “typical” nice character, I love that he was an complete ass and he had his reason to why.
A misunderstanding between Dylan and Jace that happens after Dylan’s dad takes her and moves away and something heartbreaking that happen that changed it all. Dylan have always felt more for Jace then she could ever explain but that didn’t made it easier when they separate their own ways….until she comes back and things aren’t the same…
I just are not over the feelings that this book gave me. Heck I love them both even when it was sad, I just love them and even when Jace was a real asshole with an big “A” like in the blurb made me like him more bc it did all make sense.
If you haven’t started the series yet GO GO GO!!!
– Cruel prince
– Ruthless knight
– Wicked princess
Safaereads
What a book !!!
I seen the cover of this book before the book was released and knew I had to read it. The cover is hot and I luv the title so I was dying to start it. After reading in delighted it caught my eye. The story is just brilliant I luv teen, college, angst and enemies to lovers romance. I was hooked from the start of this book Jace and Dylan are just brilliant characters there story is so good there is so much history between them some good but some really bad throw a ton of mixed communication in the mix and this story is crazy. You can’t help but her hooked into there crazy world. The writing was really good I was on the edge of my seat. The dual pov was really good and was really needed. My heart broke for both Jace and Dylan they go through so much pain. I just want to hug them and scream all at the same time. This is what made the book even better.
Dylan is brilliant she is so strong and will put up with a lot of crap. She will take what anyone throw a at her but they need to remember she will come for them. She may look sweet and innocent but deep down she can cause pain when it’s needed. At Royal Heart Academy she needs all the strength she has to keep it together. She didn’t think it would be so hard the guy she has luvd since she was young is there what could go wrong. Dylan didn’t expect the reception she got from Jace and his family they didn’t want a thing to do with her they treated her like shit. But she wasn’t going to let Jace the one she has luvd treat her this why even if it had her heart breaking all over again.
Jace where do I start with this bag of hotness. I luv his moody dark personality he hasn’t had an easy life and in some way what happened made him the guy he is now. His family mean everything to him and no matter how he feels he will never let his brother and sister down again. When the girl he once luvd is back he can let her close she has to get rid of her. After everything that went down there was no way she was goin to do anything else to his family. But seeing her again wasn’t so easy all the feelings that he once had came rushing back it wasnt goin to be as easy to hate her as he thought.
I would highly recommend this book. I’ve never read this author before but I’m already looking to see what else I can read of her books. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series this family are crazy in a good and bad way it’s so exciting. I really liked a lot of the characters in this series in really hoping that Oakley get his own book he is great character I really liked him and the storyline in this book for him was crazy I need to know more and I’m hoping for more. Cole Jace’s brother is so good as well plus so hot I can’t wait for his book next bring it on.
Cruel Prince
Book 1 Royal Hearts Academy
A. Jade
5 +++ Stars
A M A Z I N G!! LOVED LOVED LOVED!! Really really captivating. Very very well written!!
“He leans in so close his breath tickles my ear. ““Because you still haven’t figured out your prince charming has already found his Cinderella.””
“Revulsion, anger, contempt— it all surges through me like a tsunami. ”
Absolutely can’t wait for Book 2!!
I can’t believe how absolutely amazing this book was. This book is a prime example and exactly the reason why I like taking chances on new authors, especially indie authors. This book completely obliterated my expectations and I could not be happier for that.
These characters are just…wow. I mean, I don’t know how else to sum it up. These characters will eat your heart up. Even the secondary characters are amazing. All the characters are complex, full of depth, and have amazing character growth. The author writes these characters in such a way that the reader strongly connects with them. It is so easy to step into their lives. Their narratives are so personal and intimate that the reader feels like a member of their friend group.
The romance in this story was stunningly perfect. It was a friends-to-lovers that had an excellent slow-burn. Jace and Dylan are apart for four years and things happen right before their separation and after it that really change their relationship. There is a lot of growing with both the characters and the romance between them. Jace and Dylan have an electric chemistry that is undeniable to anyone with eyes. Their friends even remark on how obvious their attraction was fromt he start.
I enjoyed the clever plotting of the story with all the twists and turns that kept me glued to my kindle. I fell so in love with the author’s writing style because it was so smooth and flawless. The dialogue and the narration felt so natural.
Overall, this is a riveting, engrossing, addicting read that will enchant you. The author packs so many emotions into the story that you will be feeling so freaking much. There are parts of the story that simply overwhelmed my emotions. These characters will burrow themselves into your heart and you will not want to let them go once you’ve read the last page. I am so eager to read the other books from this series and more books from this author. I am officially a brand new certified fan.
Cruel Prince by Ashley Jade
5
So Bully Romance is a new trope for me and I’m starting to love it!
Jace the guy in highschool who ruled the school and had everything he could want! Could he really?
Dylan who just moved back to her old hometown after life drastically changed for her. Rekindling with her old best friend would be so great! Except he HATED her now and vowed to make her leave! Would a tumultuous school life and home life drove Dylan away!
READ THIS BOOK!
*trigger warnings*
Death is a major factor in this book.
Cruel Prince by A. Jade is everything you want in a bully romance! This book checked off all the boxes for me. Broken, jaded hero; strong, sassy heroine; heat for days; undeniable chemistry; all the conflict, and all the angst!
Author A. Jade does a great job of world building, and creating a plot so addicting you can’t put it down. I loved the main characters, as well as the supporting cast and find myself dying for the chance to read their books too!
If you’re looking for a book that packs a punch with a little bit of everything, from childhood friends, bully, second chance, and more, Cruel Prince by A. Jade is the perfect read for you! Enjoy xo
This steamy romance captures me from the very first word… I couldn’t put it down!! The love hate relationship between jace and Dylan will keep you reading to find out what is going to happen next!! I highly recommend this book!!!
Who here likes angst filled books? If you do, this is the book for you. This was so entertaining, I couldn’t put it down.
This book follows Dylan and Jace, and is told in dual POV. Dylan and Jace were childhood friends who met on the school yard. They bonded over the fact that they both lost a parent. Slowly, Dylan integrates herself in Jace’s life and family. When her father decides to remarry and move away, Dylan finds herself losing Jace’s friendship and earning his hatred.
Jade makes sure you feel a whole range of emotions while you read this book. I was utterly captivated. I needed to know what was going on. There were so many secrets and the characters kept me on my toes.
The characters were also very dynamic. I really and truly hated Jace when the book first started. I’m honestly amazed Jade was able to redeem him in my eyes. Dylan and Jace’s journey was never easy, their relationship was filled with bumps, but it was so perfect. Dylan was a rockstar. She was amazing and I was rooting for her every page.
I can’t wait for book 2! This is a series of standalones, but I loved Jace’s siblings, so I can’t wait to see what their books bring.
Wow, what a ride! Cruel Prince was a perfectly written angst-filled read that really took me on an emotional rollercoaster. This story of love, friendship, lust, heartache, sadness and happiness had me captivated from the very first sentence.
This is so much more than a YA book about a group of kids from the same academy. There are layers upon layers, and you don’t even see some of them coming till they hit you. The witty dialogue, the love-hate dynamic between Dylan and Jace, the turbulent story, and the flat-out amazing writing. This book didn’t just cover one trope. It covered so many like childhood friends trope. Dylan and Jace were an amazing couple. I say this because of the crazy one liners, the amazing chemistry, and the friendship that was there when nothing else was.
A multilayered plot that reveals dark secrets, indiscretions and truths. This jaw dropping standalone will have you burning through the pages. I can’t wait to see what Ashley has in store for her next book because I know it will be as good as this one!
Whoa! This was one wild ride! I know the bully trope isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I just love it! I devoured Cruel Prince. There was so much angst and despite Jace being a big jerk for most of the book, I couldn’t help but root for him and Dylan. These kids had just been through more than anyone deserves and I was cheering for them to get some happy. I can not wait for book two!
Oh Liam… or What’s a Twa.t Waffle?
*e-book generously provided by the promo team in exchange for an honest review*
“I’m a whole meal, entrée, main dish and dessert, and you looking at me like I peed on your parade? WTF is wrong with you?” Me for Dylan in the first 60% of this book.
“I could keep waiting for you
In that spot we’d always wait
In the city, on the park bench
In the summer, in the pouring rain
Honey don’t ignore me
I just wanted it to be the same.”
Tomorrow Never Came – Lana Del Rey
What’s this book about? (I’m trying to give as little spoilers as possible)
Friends to enemies to… Complicated. Dylan has always had a thing for Jace. Problem is, it wasn’t just a thing. He really meant a lot to her, but after she left Royal Manor, she never thought she’d make a comeback. Until she did… and she learns that the love of her life suddenly despises the living hell out of her.
I think this is my fifth Bully Romance and I can’t say that I don’t read Bully Romance because apparently it’s a thing I read now for real. First book by A. Jade.
It took me a long time to get Jace for some reason although he has a solid reason for being a prick most of the time (I don’t mean the reason he hates the main girl, I mean the family thing). Dylan was relatable from the go and it just sucked to have her go through all this bullying from all ends, but she truly didn’t let anybody get to her. Except maybe Jace.
Liam… Heart-breaking.
Oakley. The Evil Witch doesn’t really know what to think of you. At first, you seemed like a guy to hate, but you became a solid guy at some point. The dynamic between him and Dylan was a rollercoaster (actually any relationship she had was a rollercoaster, poor her), but it ended up estimable.
Sawyer. I loved her. Her friendship chemistry with Dylan was off the charts. I CAN’T WAIT for the next book Ruthless Knight that comes out 1/23.
Let’s get to my real talk. Due to me not getting Jace, even though he had the Liam situation, I wasn’t able to get into the book until I was 60% in. That’s when tables turned, cards turned upside down and my world was rocked. The author hit us with the reason why Jace hates Dylan and I was BLOWN AWAY. Seriously. The final 40% of this book were glorious. We didn’t get a lot of full smut scenes in the first 60% (there was LOTS of teasing though), but once the author unleashed the beast… Ugh. I loved it. Jace and Dylan were top of the line/off the charts/JUST PLAIN MARVELLOUS.
***4,5 “Butterflies appear when angels are near!!!” stars***
“Kiss me like you’re mine. I dare you.
Wow!!! This story was really good and even though the book was big, it was such a page turner… I just didn’t want to finish it and at the same time, i wanted to find what the hell was happening after all!!!
And now, i honestly can’t wait to get the next books in my hands, especially Cole and Sawyer’s…
The only sure here is that the Convington siblings are huge assholes!!! All of them!!! And imagine that one of them is a girl!!! But still… It’s impossible to not win you over eventually!!!
“How could someone so gorgeous be so cruel?”
Dylan and Jace were used to be best friends…
Dylan after four years away, she is turning back town and she is craving to reconnect for once again with her former best friend and love of her life…
Unfortunately, the things has dramatically changed around there…
And her best friend is miles apart from the boy that she used to know…
A boy that once upon a time was holding only love into his eyes for her, and now, only hatred you can see…
“We were best friends, but our demons were kindred spirits.”
“The Mariana Trench isn’t deep enough for what I feel for you.”
As you can understand, Jace has so much hatred toward Dylan and he is determined to chase her away from town very soon…
So, she is making all these shitty things to her to bully and humiliate her…
But Dylan is a strong girl and she knows how to hold her own…
“Are you crazy? Do you have any idea what you’re doing?”
Yup. I’m destroying the kingdom. And just like a game of chess. You have to take down the queen before conquering the king. Or in this case, the prince.”
“We were best friends before we were enemies, therefore my love for him will always be stronger than my animosity.”
Well, honestly, i really don’t know what to say more…
The general idea of the book is that, but still there were many things that were playing out on the background…
Too many things… Things that were keeping you on the edge all the damn time…
There were lies and secrets surrounding them… Things that tear them apart and maybe it’s impossible for them to find their way back to each other…
“The heart doesn’t choose who we love by their worth. Because love isn’t a choice. It’s an illogical, all-consuming consequence that results from someone stealing a vital piece of you.”
Literally, i wanted to punch Jace more than a hundrend times while i was reading the story… He was such an asshole!!! And honestly, i couldn’t get why he was holding such hatred toward Dylan whom didn’t do anything more than to love him from the first moment…
Yeah, now i get it, but still.. he was soooo cruel!!!! A cruel prince indeed…
“I’ve spent the last four years pining for the opportunity to destroy this girl’s life so I could watch her break. Who knew success would taste so fucking bitter.”
“I used to believe everything was black and white… right and wrong. But now I’m starting to think people might not be the sum of their greatest achievements… or their worst mistakes.”
Dylan was a wonderful character… I loved how she was handling all the ugly things that Jace was throwing at her all the damn time, but still… when he was close to her, she could be a pouty in his hands…
Arrr!!!! But she was so naive!!! So naive and sooo clueless…
I hated that she was so trusting toward people that were anything but trustworthy!!!!
“I guess my broken pieces missed yours as much as I missed you.”
“I want all of Jace. Every fucked-up piece and broken part. All to myself.”
Well, those two were fitting so perfectly together, even though the situation was rocky between them…
But i hated how they had relay to some bullshit that someone told them and they didn’t talk… Discussion, guys!!! A thing that could do you really good, before all this madness and heartbreak!!!
“I lost you once…and I’ll burn the whole fucking world to the ground before I ever make that mistake again.”
“I can’t change the past, but I can change the future…and mine includes you.”
And now, i have to talk about some of the secondary characters in here…
I loved Oakley so much!!! Thankfully, he pulled his head out of his head really soon and made amends with Dylan… I also don’t know why i have this impresion that he and Bianca could be an item… Yep, he is an addict, but still… a sweetness!!!!
I loved Sawyer very much and I loved how she was giving a piece of her mind to Cole all the damn time!!! Can’t wait for their turn….
Cole also was someone that i liked, but still there were some things that bothered me and that things were related to Liam…
Bianca is such a bitch! Period. I don’t know if i could like her at some point!!!
And Tombi… Oh, Tombi!!!! I could kill him for what he did…. He is responsible for so many things and I wish him to finally get what he deserves!!!! Manipulating, evil, selfish prick!!! A bully!!!
I HATE YOU!!!!
“If you want to stop the dogs from peeing on your lawn, you need to put up a fence. Not a sign.” {Cole}
“There’s someone out there for you, Oak. And when you find her, I can guarantee you won’t be her second choice. You’ll be her first and only choice.” {Dylan to Oakley}
***I was received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. Thank you!***