Welcome to their kingdom. Cole Covington is the most popular heartbreaker at school.Every guy wants to be him and every girl wants to screw him.Except me. His devastatingly good looks, golden arm, and flirty smiles don’t do it for me anymore…because I know what’s lurking underneath the star quarterback’s gorgeous armor. At least I thought I did.Sometimes the most beautiful people…hide the … I did.
Sometimes the most beautiful people…hide the ugliest truths.
And sometimes the only way to save someone…
is to walk beside them through hell.
Sawyer Church is the bible-thumping nerd of Royal Hearts Academy.
Girls pick on her and guys don’t notice her.
Except me.
Sweet, curvy, and sarcastic, she’s impossible to ignore.
No matter how much I try.
Everyone at school has her pegged as the chubby, Jesus loving geek, but unlike them—Sawyer’s real and never pretends to be someone she’s not.
Until I ask her to be my fake girlfriend.
Sometimes the most beautiful souls…hide the greatest pain.
And sometimes the only way to save someone…
is to fight for them.
This is book 2 in the Royal Hearts Academy series. Please note: Although this is Cole and Sawyer’s book, Cruel Prince (Jace and Dylan’s book) should be read first for a better understanding of the family dynamic.
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. The characters are flawed. If you’re looking for a safe, sweet romance with nice heroes and heroines who are perfect all the time, this series is NOT for you.
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REVIEW: 4 STARS
“She tastes like innocence and fire…an intoxicating combination if there ever was one.”
After reading Cruel Prince, I was extremely excited to check out Cole and Sawyer’s twisted story – definitely an anticipation that ramped us as the release date came closer. Their dynamic in that first book made me smile, but I knew there was something a little more sinister boiling behind Cole’s outward persona. His popularity was a facade that had a heavily barricaded heart and a very troubled and heartbreaking past. This was an eye opening and self-deprecating, emotional read that wasn’t one I could barrel through. This was a time consuming read between the background that was built into their comeuppance and the variables that were strewn about because of their emotional wounds. Two very troubled kids for very different reasons…. but they found solace in each other.
Going into this book, I knew there was going to be some depth to discover with Cole and the way he handled not only himself, but also how he reacted to everyone else around him. I honestly loved Cole’s intensity. He had so many unexpected layers. Jade gave his struggle so much “personality” and reality, so I could appreciate he wasn’t one dimensional. Was he a little predictable in his self-loathing, given what happened? Sure, but Jade explored a very real subject and allowed the anger and the pain to manifest into this beast that he had no control over. I loved the way he fought everything. Hot-headed punk with a heart that needed some love – but he was a a stubborn punk in every right, too. Pride is a two headed monster. On one side, it’s good because it keeps your head up and goals centered. On the other, you’re too damn stubborn to see what’s right in front of you and willing to accept it.
“You’re addicting, Bible Thumper. But you’re my addiction.”
Sawyer was the same spit-fire she was in the first book, but she had me giggling quite a few times. She was sarcastic and had some times where she was absolutely clever with her comebacks and that had me loving her strength even more – most appreciatively, their banter was on point. However, I want to address Sawyer’s character, because I feel like that will be a point of contention for many – but I also think that a bigger picture will be missed if there isn’t an understanding placed with the reader. I loved the problems she had and I love that Jade gave her struggles page time, because they are very real struggles. The aggravation I saw and the pain I felt from her, I loved that her story was told the way it was. It’s not the same for everyone and this one was very definitely a different narrative than what I have read in the past and I enjoyed that so much.
One thing that resonated with me was I found myself constantly contemplating the drama that was weaved throughout the pages. Not only did Jade give me the normal teenaged drama while adding some liberties with other high school drama, she showcased how messed up a teenagers life can be and made it very age appropriate. Something seemingly inconsequential was blown out of proportion – fittingly so. And even though looking from the outside in, it looks like a dream – that added another layer of misleading deception. I love how she portrayed their problems, especially in the way most teenagers see small problems and how things can escalate farther than they imagined. Some things didn’t line up with some of the variables (money and “problems”), but it mostly gave a little push for everything to work itself out. The give and take was probably one of my favorite parts of this story and I feel like it was paced aptly.
While it was overwhelmingly long, the story did progress and never really felt stagnant. There was almost enough recap of the first book that didn’t have anything to do within this book that could have easily been cut giving us less pages to peruse, but it wasn’t a negative hindrance to the story – it just added unnecessary length. Given everything Cole and Sawyer went through, their story was the main focus and that’s what I wanted to concentrate on – so sometimes the outside reminders of what happened in Cruel Prince didn’t directly affect the scene at hand, and while it was a great recap, I didn’t think it was entirely necessary. But, like I said – I don’t think this book ever stalled for me and I couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed it immensely – crazy drama and all.
Pain does not negate love. Sometimes, they’re one in the same. <-- I couldn't help but think that the entire time I read this book. My words, not Jade's, but they kept coming out while I read it because she allowed me to feel a sense of despondency and elation as each battle emerged and was fought. The strength in Cole and Sawyer's attachment felt real and they were bonded on a deeper level than I initially imagined. I am looking forward to getting this one signed and setting it on my shelf next to my copy of Cruel Prince. I enjoyed the first book, but this second book swept me up in a hailstorm of pain and vitriol, popularity and pride. But the end result being a love that wasn't easily won but was most definitely deserved. "How come lies are so beautiful and the truth is always so fucking ugly?" ~BEE
I know I said it on the last release but Ms. Jade’s books seriously only get better. This book has so much real life scenarios & emotions in it that it’ll make you feel like you’re right there in that moment with the characters. I feel like Cole & Sawyer are a part of me. I know Sawyer is, there’s so much of her in me, its almost scary. Y’all read this book & read it carefully, you might learn a thing or two from it.
Phenomenal read!!
After having a huge book hangover from this amazing book …a couple of days ago I might add it’s taken me a few days to put my feelings into words and i know my words will not do this book justice…it’s that freaking amazing!
I’ve never read a book where the characters (yes more than one) are so relatable on so many levels …they have consumed my every thought since ending this book and I know without a doubt that they will stay with me forever.
I’m a huge Ashley Jade fan, I have read everything she has written and have to say this book is her best yet, the emotion that’s seeps off the pages are all consuming and seeped right into my skin and have had my nerves on edge. Its 100 chapters and I swear I could of easily read another 100 …you will not be able to get enough of these addicting characters…Ashley Jade has outdone herself and deserves a standing ovation for this masterpiece.
OMG Cole and Sawyer do not disappoint. The love they have for each other is a love everyone wants. I’m a fat girl and know exactly how Sawyer was feeling about herself. Her mom is a bitch. This is a must read all together. Read full review
If you have not read Cruel Prince, do NOT read Ruthless Knight- they may be different couples but the story is heavily linked (and continues from) the previous.
There is so much to unpack after finishing Ruthless Knight that I’m having trouble formulating coherent sentences.
To write Ruthless Knight, Ashley went fucking hard. She dug deep into some really uncomfortable topics- things that people are not going to like. Things that I all too easily related to on a level buried deep inside myself I try to keep locked away. Things I don’t like confronting.
There are many actions (decisions made by our characters, in the past and present) and subsequent consequences in this story. While some of them are difficult to face, I’m infinitely pleased with how Ashley tackled them. With how heavy these actions (topics, etc.) are, there’s a fine line of glossing over them and diving so far into the abyss you lose readers who want the romance of it all. That’s not to say the tough shit is romanticized, it most certainly isn’t. Ashley does a womderful job of showing you the ugly face behind mental illness, addiction, eating disorders, toxic relationships (this includes family) and even faith. These characters still have a lot of growing to do mentally, emotionally, after the story ends and that’s the beauty of it in my opinion.
In addition to the above, the relationship between Sawyer and Cole is rough. Sawyer is an incredible young woman, with strong morals, faith, and (at times distorted) solid sense of self, despite bullying and a fractured family life. Cole…oh Cole, he’s a character my heart screams for because I could spend hours dissecting him. His guilt, his anger, his defensive walls built up to the sky to keep everything and everyone out. He understands the nasty side of society, and the logic behind some of his actions (though flawed) is sadly, understandable. His unforgivable behavior, his deep seated need to just be loved outright. He is a beautifully tragic character.
The very definition of opposites attract, with amountain of insecurities each. There were some seriously sexy moments, like HOTDAMN. And moments when I felt my heart might melt into a puddle of swoon at the bottom of my ribcage. A sprinkle of humor tossed in and this story really packs a fucking punch.
My extra ass gives Ruthless Knight a well deserved 100/10.
I’ve read several of Ashley’s book’s her writing is always impeccable her stories will just about break your heart and put you back again, but I swear this book will have you experience every damn emotion that you can imagine I honestly have to say this is her best book yet and I thought her other book’s were great, but this book here there’s no comparison.
These 2 character’s Sawyer and Cole will have you laughing one minute with what comes out of her mouth by what comes out of his and you’ll just want to smack him upside his head.
I could identify with Sawyer so much you’d thought Ashley was writing my story. This girl has been made fun of most of her life and she always hid it behind a smile or her sharp as a tack sarcasm, but she never let it get to her until one day when Cole says something mean to her just so he could look good in front of his peers that thing’s change.
“Sometimes, when you least expect it…two beautifully broken souls end up finding each other. Even when the world says they’re not supposed to…because they don’t fit inside the same box.”
This saying is so true and I know this book will stay with me for a long time.
This is the book to read for 2020.
Ashley you just burst into 2020 and made it your bitch. You fuckin’ the year with this one! If I could give this book the stars, I would for the reasons! It’s such a phenomenally well written story that takes you on the ride of your life. u2063u2063
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There’s so much depth to this book and it’s unlike anything you’ve ever read by Ashley. These two will shatter your heart and piece that sucker back together again. Although the pieces don’t line up as well, the flaws make it beautiful…just like Cole and Sawyer. u2063
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I smiled, I snort-laughed and I cried within the pages of this book. There’s so much talent that bled from the amazing woman who wrote this tale of two opposing characters that managed to bend the stereotypical norms and form such a bond that even I was a little jealous of the chemistry. u2063
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Cole and Sawyer make you yearn for everyone in life to find their person because they do exist…you just have to figure out where they are.u2063
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I stand by my statement made in her group: This is by the book you will read this year!u2063
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Cole Covington = EPIC GREATNESS
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5 Stars for the Bible Thumping good girl who landed the quarterback!!!
I am emotionally wrecked from this incredible YA love story. The author delivered a poignant tale of youth and first love that broke my heart at times, yet left me euphorically in love in the end.
Cole was the bad boy quarterback that every girl wanted to get with. Sawyer was a Jesus loving do-gooder that believed that everyone was redeemable…even Cole.
Cole is set on being a cliche. Dating the head cheerleader is what’s expected, too bad he’d rather be with the girl that is anything but a cliche. He’s a tormented soul trying to outrun his ghosts. You’ll want to punch him one minute and kiss him the next.
Sawyer is good people. She’s a great friend, truly loyal and dependable. She’s always willing to help someone out, but she’s not a pushover. She has no problem sticking up for herself or fighting back. However, she‘s fighting her own battle with how she looks. Everyone is always pressuring her to look a certain way, as if she doesn’t already berate herself enough about her appearance.
When Cole begins to show an interest, everything changes. Their relationship started out under false pretenses, but it doesn’t take Cole long to realize that Sawyer isn’t just some other girl. She’s the girl you keep. However, they’ll both have to face their demons to move forward.
The author dealt us a story with relevant topics that definitely hit close to home. Struggles with appearance, overwhelmed with feelings of never being good enough, guilt for mistakes you can no longer fix and poor choices that could have had dire consequences will leave you in tears. Emotions will run high. But my take away was soul-consuming love, smoldering chemistry, lasting friendships and bright futures.
I smiled, I swooned, I cried more than once. An unforgettable love story that reminds us that we all struggle with something and finding your circle is what saves us.
This is not just a love story it’s a love journey.
Sure life is pretty messed up and arkward when your 18 but the way in which Ashley Jade broached many situations made Sawyer and Cole’s characters come to life. Many time I was i was laughing at something that was being said or seen. All I’m saying is men’s locker room. Holy dolly I wouldn’t have minded being there. Then the next I’m literally crying. My emotions were all over the place. All of the main characters from Cruel Prince we’re back and being their usual self and added to the spectacular story line that is Cole Covington and Saywer Church.
This book grabbed me and didn’t let me go. There is no lull in the story line, the characters grow and develop right before your eyes and the writing is perfection.
Jace would have to be my favourite but his little brother Cole blew him out of the water and took an equal spot in my heart.
If this is how awesome Cole’s story is I’m waiting with bated breath for Bianca’s story. It’s going to be a doozy.
“The most popular quarterback can fall in love with the Jesus-loving nerd.”
The book follows quarterback Cole, the most popular guy in school and Sawyer, the sassy plus-sized nerdy geek, on which almost everybody at school picks on.
Amongst all the funny and sometimes even ludicrous moments, this book deals with a lot hard hitting issues: body negativity, bullying, drug abuse, survivor’s guilt, eating disorder.
The first part of the book is more lightheaded but the second part is a lot more intense.
Not a 5-star read for me because:
– I couldn’t fully buy into Cole and Sawyer’s relationship;
– There were a lot of passages regarding kissing and sex that were recycled from the first book; it would probably go unnoticed: unless you read them back to back like I did
– Someone is a fan of the word “vapid”;
– Also, this was a veeeery long book. 100 chapters + epilogue. Were they all necessary? Not sure.
I definitely recommend the audiobook. It’s very well narrated and entertaining and helped me get through this book a lot faster.
Safety: 4+ sexually explicit scenes
May contain spoilers…..
Let me start by saying take note of the authors warnings because this is not a sweet romance read. Yes, there are sweet and heartfelt moments in this story and some moments might even cause tears, but there is much more that happens between the pages in this story. I however, enjoyed Cole and Sawyer’s story and of course we get more of Jace, Dylan, Oakley and Bianca. I looking forward to reading Bianca’s story, she will be a handful. I hope Oakley’s story is also told because I’m wondering how things will turn out with his dad and if his Dad will ever find out the truth. I have to say how much I hated Sawyer’s mom in this story because of how she treated her daughter and I was happy that Sawyer made the choice to do what was best for her in the end even if she had to give up on her mom. There was so much more to Cole than his whoring ways and even though he struggled through his pain, guilt and grief, it was nice to see him act different with Sawyer when he wasn’t being a jack-butt. He had his moments but his character changed in this story. The ending was sweet and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I loved this book, It the second in the Royal Hearts Academy series and now my favorite. Cole is such a cocky MFer you love him one minute and hate him the next. I think this read was so engrossing and I have never met a character that went through so much change. He goes from cocky to knight in shining armour but stayed true to his character. Sawyer is Amazing. You need to read this book.
I am loving everything about this series! Sawyer hit me on a deep level with her insecurities and confidence, all in one. She proves a character can be complex, even if she is set up to be stereotypical. Cole’s story is so heartbreaking. I was not prepared for it. There is such suspense in this plot that I didn’t see coming.
I cried not once, or twice, but THREE times in this dark emotional romance between two 18 year olds who are still finding themselves in this world.
This story follows Cole (Jaces younger brother from the first novel Cruel Prince), a handsome jock who has had an emotional upbringing of not only losing his mum at a young age – but also losing his twin brother to suicide.
Cole then meets Sawyer. A Christian “curvy” girl, who is constantly bullied and teased by the “popular kids” for not being model skinny.
Cole automatically looks up to Sawyer and not only think she’s beautiful inside and out, but also sees her as an inspiration to someone he would love to be.
Cole then has the chance to get to know Sawyer closer when a bet is placed that he can keep her for 6 months as his girlfriend including taking her virginity. Sawyer overhears the bet and refuses to take place. Until Cole makes her a deal back to act like their “fake dating”, he will donate $10,000 to her church.
What they both don’t plan on happening – is both of them falling for each other in the process. If only it was as simple as them being able to work in a real relationship, but nightmares from their past and current come to haunt them and put extra emotional pressure on each other. Causing scenes that make you cry and truly connect with each character.
As mentioned, this book does include very emotional scenes including suicide, drug addiction and eating disorders. Please read with caution and definitely recommended for R18+ readers only.
All in all, I give it 4.5 Stars. I haven’t felt an emotional pull towards a novel like that in quite some time.
This book is amazing!!!!
Cole is definitely ruthless, but he also has a kind heart. I love how he supported Sawyer and she supported him. Their love is one that will last forever. Cole stayed with Sawyer through something she was going through towards the end of the book for as long as it took for her to get through this. How many teenage guys can you say would do that for their girlfriends? And yes, I know this is fiction, but somewhere I swear there is a Cole Covington and Sawyer Church. Somewhere this story is real.
Sawyer is the sweetest thing ever. I feel so bad about her not feeling good about her weight and her mom always putting her down, especially since I can relate to that with both my parents. I mean, you know that they love you and are just trying to do best by you, but sometimes the best thing they can do for you, is to just but out and let you be you.
This book is a heavy on the drama side and does touch on weight issues and suicide and I get that not everyone can deal with that, but if you think you can, give this book a try. I promise you won’t regret it. This book deals with a lot of teen issues and I think it deals with it very well. I, myself have had problems in the past with suicide, saying ruthless things I didn’t mean but couldn’t take back, weight issues, religion, and even problems in the LGBTQ community.
So, if you think your in the mood to read a dark romance with heart, smut and vulgarity, then you better read this and you better be prepared to have your mind blown and grab tissues because this one is definitely a tear jerker. Especially towards the end, but it is worth all the tears you can muster because once you read it, you will never be able to go back and I can’t know if you’ll want to go back but I absolutely didn’t.
I give this book all the stars in the world. God knows this book deserves that and so much freaking more! Ashley Jade is officially one of my all-time favorite authors. She is my queen and I will happily bow down to her if she keeps making amazing books like these!!!!
The character are complex, the story is rich and the plot thickens with every page you read until you reach the end. So if you like amazing books, then you should definitely, by all means read Ruthless Knight by Ashley Jade!!!!
Ashley Jade fucked me up, y’all! She ripped open my chest and kicked me in my gut! My heart fell out onto the floor, and she stomped on it. The feelings she made me feel were real and deep. Days later, I’m still thinking about this story. I can’t get it out of my head or my heart.
Sawyer had me under her spell from the second she appeared on the page. My love for her is hard to put into words. She is just such a relatable character for me. Her struggle is one that isn’t usually discussed in romance novels in the particular way it is in this book. Whether you can identify with her or not, you’ll feel her pain. The author made sure of it. She tugged the fuck out of my heart strings, and I guarantee you, she’ll pull the shit out of yours, too.
As much as Sawyer’s story touched me, Cole’s destroyed me. He may be a dick at times, but if you don’t feel for the guy or his family at least a little bit by the time you get to the end of the book, there’s a chance you don’t a soul. Lol Just saying.
If you’ve read Cruel Prince, you already know what happened to Cole’s brother Liam. In this book, we’re given yet another piece to the puzzle, and it’s an even more painful one. This series focuses on so much more than just the romance between the main couple in each book. It’s also the collective story of a family dealing with guilt and grief. The author tackles this aspect of the series in an incredibly raw and realistic way that I haven’t come across in any other novel. Not everything in life can be fixed or changed, and she doesn’t sugarcoat that fact.
Bottom line, Ruthless Knight is the kind of story you don’t forget. It’s packed with so much more than your average new adult romance. The author completely obliterated my expectations, and I can’t wait for the next installment!
If you’ve read Cruel Prince, and are wondering if you should continue on in the series, you definitely should! If you haven’t yet started this series, do it! It’s fantastically written, and the stories have a surprising amount of depth.
New adult romance fans, this one’s for you!
I loved Cole and Sawyer’s story! They are sassy and unpredictable characters.
“They all worship me because they think I’m better than them. But I’m not. I’m just better at being fake”
Ah! Our babies Cole and Sawyer are here! And they are here to steal your heart!
*This is the second installment in the Royal hearts academy series. While it can be read as a standalone, I’ll very much recommend reading the first book to understand the characters and story a bit better.
Cole is the perfect bad boy. He has the looks, money, popularity and everything else that makes him an idol in front of his peers. But from the inside Cole is carrying a burden. He is living with a huge void in his life, making him turn to alcohol and drugs for comfort.
Enter Sawyer Church, a complete opposite of Cole. She is a nerd and a god fearing girl. Secretly she has a crush on Cole and believes that there is more to him than meets the eye.
Now, it makes you wonder how such opposite people will come together and fall in love.
The way Ashley wrote their story made me cry ugly tears. There are no two people more perfect for each other than our QB and bible thumper!
Cole’s dirty mouth will make you laugh sometimes and at other times it will make you hit him on the head with a ball! He is definitely not a typical ‘nice guy’. But Sawyer has what it takes to tame the bad boy. She doesn’t back down when he is being difficult but she still doesn’t let her dignity and respect be challenged.
“Sometimes, when you least expect it… two beautifully broken souls end up finding each other.”
Cole has had a tough life. He has lost people he wasn’t supposed to lose at such a young age. This shaped him into a broken soul. He was used to pushing people away because he was scared to break them too. But from the inside he longed for someone to stay.
This was a huge emotional roller coaster ride!
Just one thing that bothered me a bit was that it was too long. Maybe some parts could have been eliminated or cut short.
But you don’t wanna miss one at all!!!
It’s a bet, bible thumper
Oh my freaking god, Ashley jade and I are not on speaking terms at the moment. I have always thought I knew my favorite book of hers and then enter Ruthless Knight.
I don’t know the last time
I felt so much reading a book. I want to hug both Cole and sawyer and never let either of them go. Thank you for writing this 10/10 book!
This Book Touched My Soul. I’m InLove with Cole and Sawyer! While the book deals with a lot of very serious subjects, it isn’t all angst, trauma, and pain. It’s one of the most Romantic novels I’ve read in a very long time and it’s also very funny and has a balanceof light and dark momens. This is a Total opposites attract but the term soulmates very much applies to this Love Story. Cole is my favorite type of hero, the tortured and wounded Athlete who masks his pain with a smirk and a cocky attitude. In my opinion, he is one of the best written of this type of hero because he has so many layers and you can feel his pain. Sawyer is also incredibly well written and any girl who has ever felt like she was always over shadowed by an older sister, has struggled with her weight, or constantly feels like an outsider, will relate to Sawyer. She has an amazing inner strength and her journey through the book is heartbreaking and uplifting. The world building is Amazing so Buckle up and get Ready for a wild ride! Definitely Your Next 5 Read