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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OMG, this book slayed me… but in the best of ways of course 😉
I already know it is gonna be one of my top reads of this year, if not THE top read…and so you can imagine the book slump I am in right now. Someone, please send help….
It was while reading, the first book, Cruel Prince, that I fell truly, madly and deeply in love with the King of Royal Hearts Academy, Cole Covington and his bible thumper, Sawyer Church. I strongly advise everyone to read the first book, before jumping into this one. No worries, it is pretty awesome as well, so you won’t be sorry.
This was definitely one of my most anticipated books EVER, which scared me a bit because we all know what happens when your expectations are so freaking high. I should not have worried though, because this book delivered on each and every expectation I had…and more.
It also broke my heart over and over again… By the time I was halfway through the book, my tissues where gone and I had to start using toilet paper.
I am gonna be honest and say that this book was hard to read at times. It touches so many different emotional subjects. That is what I love about it though… The fact that it made me feel so many different feelings.
One minute you want to hate Cole and the next you just want to put him in your pocket and take him home…keep him safe…
He is unquestionably one of my all-time favorite heroes.
“Don’t waste your time trying to fix me. You’ll only cut yourself on my fucked up pieces.”
I have read this book in one sitting, which is saying something because it is long!! But it kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I was pulled in from the very first page …and I am still trying to let go.
I can’t wait for everyone to read this one. I myself am already on pins and needles for Bianca’s book. She showed me a side of her I didn’t know and I am very eager to see more.
If I could give this one 10 stars I would, but alas…
Highly recommended!!!!
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review
Gah, this book is amazing!
This emotionally charged, highly entertaining book slayed me with this it’s engaging storyline and beautifully flawed, honest characters. I fear my review will not do this book justice. This author has such a phenomenal writing style that I was grabbed right from the first page and was fully immersed in the story and invested in these characters until the very end.
Seemingly to be complete opposites, Cole and Sawyer are exactly what each other needs. I found both of these characters to be perfectly imperfect – the type of relatable characters that have their flaws, but also possess an underlying strength.
Cole is a broken boy with a tortured soul and while he may be the popular golden boy at his high school, the author peels back the many layers of this character revealing that there is so much more to him. There were moments when I wanted to shake him and chuck my kindle and moments when I wanted to give him a big hug. I loved Sawyer and I believe that many will relate to her character. This girl is full of spunk and has a huge heart, but she also has her own demons to battle. These two will definitely pull at your heartstrings and the chemistry between the two of them is undeniable.
While this book is long, it went by fast. I tried to pace myself, but I just couldn’t put it down! Ruthless Knight is a beautifully written book that incorporates some important hot topics and is sure to put you through all the feels.
Wow!!!…. Sometimes a book will leave you speechless. That seems to be the trend with A Jade’s books/Ashley Jade’s books.
Cole and Sawyer’s story was not one you could absorb lightly, because it was so gritty. It was so real. Ashley’s way with words and ability to write with the intention of making you feel every single word she writes.
You can not take Lucky Seven and the Bible Thumper’s story lightly because it speaks about real issues. Everyone has their own demons. It’s how you tackle those SOB’s. Cole is everything & so much more. I love him so much. I hurt for him. I feel for him. Sawyer is able to see past Cole’s exterior and able to dig for the transparency of his interior. This book is not one you take lightly.
I cannot wait for Bianca’s story!!!
Ruthless Knight is the second book in the Royal Hearts Academy series by Ashley Jade. This is a fast paced, heart-wrenching, steamy tale where we see the characters Cole Covington and Sawyer Church come together. Cole Covington is not who he seems. Football player, brother…fraud, at least that’s how he comes across with his flirty smiles, good looks and charm but not everything is what it seems in Cole’s world and he is barely holding it together. Sawyer Church is also an enigma. The girl no one looks at twice because she is overweight, religious and a nice girl, but hidden beneath the exterior is a young woman just trying to hold it all together and now she is starting to crack. What happens when two broken people come together? Well, you’re about to find out!
This book is one that you can’t put down as it just entrances you from the moment you start reading it. Cole and Sawyer’s relationship is intriguing as they are neither friends nor enemies but just seem to have a connection that neither of them seems to understand. Although at times, there is a lot cruelty from Cole who on one side is trying to protect Sawyer, but on the other picks at her like a sab and watches her bleed.
This book really delves into the psyche of these two characters and why they are the way they are. There are also times when other characters are interacting with them that you are kind of flabbergasted that people think/act/do things like that! Both of their stories are heart-breaking in their intensity and leave you slightly flabbergasted that people actually go through things like that.
I loved how sassy Sawyer was but at the same time really sad that society and pressure made her the way she was (totally heart-breaking) as well as the guilt that seems to just explode out of Cole! (I don’t want to give away too many spoilers, so you’ll just have to read the book)
You will need to have read book one so that you understand other characters and what’s going on with them,. But, if you’re not readying Ashley jade, then you’re totally missing out. Angst, suspense, sarcasm, steamy scenes are just the tip of the iceberg of this book. A definite 2020 must read!
ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review
More of my reviews can be found on my blog: https://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com
5*
Firstly I have to say I’ve been desperate to read this book since reading Cruel Prince.
Cole is Jace’s younger brother & has tormented Sawyer for ages teasing her on her faith. However a bet with a team mate had him doing something he’s never done before begging.
The emotions you feel when reading this book truly stir something within. The book totally gives you the feels and a true understanding of the characters and the life they live, the way a chance remark can have a huge effect on you and your future.
I loved Sawyer’s sassy come backs be prepared I couldn’t put this book down.
Now the wait is on for Wicked Princess the story of Bianca
This book of Cole and Sawyer is EVERYTHING! I laughed and cried but in all, this is an amazing story. Cole and Sawyer are everything! Ashley did amazing with these characters. This is her best book up to date! You don’t want to miss this EPIC story of Cole and Sawyer. I highly recommend this book to anyone. If you read Cruel Prince then you definitely need to read Ruthless Knight! Bravo to Ashley Jade for another EPIC and amazing read! I so can’t wait for Bianca’s story (Wicked Princess)
I Ashley Jade won’t lie, if you read Cruel Prince then you met the hero of this book already and I wasn’t sure if Cole Covington could be redeemed.
ARC kindly provided. All thoughts in this review are my own.
I will say that each book in this series can be read as total standalone book but if you’re anything like me, you want to read everything and in publication order. You also see the couple from Cruel Prince in this book and honestly, you aren’t going to want to miss out on anything Ashley decides to bless us with.
Cole Covington is the younger brother of Jase Covington and the older brother of Bianca Covington, Oakley’s best friend, the star quarterback, and all around Mr. Popular. Sawyer Church is the thicker built, lover of Jesus, and best friend to Jase’s girlfriend. She is studious and caring, an amazing friend, and always willing to do the right thing. Cole and Sawyer are in each other’s orbit but neither is sure they want to be. Cole cares what others think and Sawyer never has. They have a very unique dynamic. I don’t want to give too much away. Because spoilers are wrong. (That shouldn’t have to be said.) There are times that Cole made me want to absolutely throttle him. BUT he has these other moments that will have you pumping your fist into the air and screaming GO ON COLE! DO YOUR THING!! You will think you know who the villain of the story is and who the clear good guy is but you may be surprised. So keep all of your preconceived notions to yourself, or better yet, just throw them out the window and read this book.
As is always the case when I pick up a book by Ashley Jade, I was immediately drawn in. These characters had me sitting up straight and paying real close attention. I could not put it down. I stayed up until 5am to finish it. Ashley just has a way of telling a story and you can just tell she gave you all she had. She doesn’t hold anything back and it really shows in her characters and their stories. I still can’t believe I only found her through a book bestie last year!! Because I went to reading her backlist and devouring anything new she releases immediately!! If you still haven’t picked up one of her stories then you really should stop dragging your feet. Personally, I love all the different tropes I have read from her but if you have one you prefer to others then she likely has something for you with that trope. But I promise you, you will love anything she writes because she puts it all out there. Every. Time. Personally, I can’t wait to see what she does next.
4.5 Stars
{I received this as an ARC in exchange for an Honest review}
This book is one of my most anticipated releases of this year and Ashley did not disappoint. Oh my gosh I am so in love with Sawyer and Cole. These two are heartbreakingly beautiful. This is a big book and it will have you feeling every single emotion possible. This story is raw and real. It’s absolutely amazing. These two stole my heart. They have insane chemistry and they are both just want the other one needs. They are soulmates I feel it. This story had me smiling while also making me want to cry. It broke my heart multiple times and managed to put it back together every time. It is everything I want in romance. It’s honest and sexy and full of deep emotions. Cole and Sawyer are truly one of kind. They bring the angst the fire. These two were so hot I’m surprised my kindle didn’t combust into flames. I swear these two will consume you just like they did me. Cole Covington is such an asshole but so much more at the same time. I seriously wanted to junk punch him in the beginning. Cole breaks my heart and all I want to do is give him the biggest hug. He is easy to love even if he doesn’t think so. Sawyer is wonderful. She is so real. She has insecurities and fears and she lays them all out in this book. This turned out to be so much more than I was expecting and I loved it so much. I will never forget this book or this couple. You NEED to meet them. Trust me.
“Our kiss is fire and ice….saint meets sinner.”
Broken. Wrecked. Emotionally gutted. Happy. Overjoyed. Crying sad tears. Crying happy tears. Content. Breathless.
It’s like, every emotion you could have while reading a book gets doled out in Ruthless Knight, only they’re all amplified tenfold and you’re getting them all at once in a hurricane of feelings.
I feel like I can’t even breathe right now after finishing this absolute masterpiece from Ashley Jade. This woman has NEVER let me down, but my gosh, this book is a pinnacle of her career. She told us it would be everything, and she wasn’t lying. It is. Cole is everything. Sawyer is everything. Their story is everything.
Cole Covington is the high king of Royal Hearts Academy. The popular quarterback has everyone eating from the palm of his hand, save one person. He’s a bad boy drenched with darkness, but he plays his role and does what’s expected of him.
Sawyer Church is the prime definition of a good girl; a hard worker, a fantastic student, an incredibly loyal and wonderful friend, she’ll give you the shirt off her back… or one of the extras she keeps tucked away. But she’ll stand her ground though and she’s a fighter… especially as the biggest fight she’s in is with herself and how she looks.
Cole and Sawyer have this electric current between them, it keeps them connected, even if they don’t want to be. Sometimes it’s a cool simmer, other times it burns white hot. What starts off as a fake relationship quickly morphs into something very real for both of them. However, they both have demons that refuse to be kept in their cages and they have to deal with them in order to see their future.
I don’t remember the last time I saw myself so clearly as a character like I did with Sawyer. Some things she went through even happened to myself when I was younger. But I also connected so strongly with Cole, too. The ideas of social conformity, insecurities and self loathing, guilt, and wanting to, but never being able to be good enough, will knock the wind out of you. The way that any person can find at least one theme to connect to in this book is something that I really loved.
This is so much more than a love story. It’s about realizing your worth, forgiveness for yourself and for others, finding your tribe and finding your love. A top read of 2020 and beyond, no doubt.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
“ .” . “ , ℂ?” . “ … ’ .”
Ashley Jade just stole my heart!
Okay let me start off by saying that I’ve been waiting for this book since I first read Cruel Prince back in August and I was not disappointed. While I loved and devoured CP, Ruthless Knight literally obliterated my heart. The emotional connection to this book is beyond any words I can say.
Sawyer, Sawyer, Sawyer…. I have never felt more connected to a character in a book like the way I felt with her. She is absolutely every woman I know and has the same struggles and fears as me. It was like taking a glimpse in the woman and my god…. I want to say so much but don’t want to give any spoilers!!
Okay let me just say, I thought I loved Jace but nothing could’ve prepared me for Cole. The broken, haunted, beautiful soul of a boy.
Now let me try to form some complete sentences! This book was truly outstanding. Hands down one of the best books I’ve read in my life, and that says a lot because I fall so hard for books, I literally dedicated my arm to it. The depth and growth of the characters, the struggles and heart of the story, the influences of the supporting characters. I mean every detail of this book literally form together to make magic.
#SoleSurvivor
This book is aptly named as it was RUTHLESS yet honest. Chapter by chapter we discover the best and worst parts of these characters. We get to experience all their hopes and dreams, insecurities and fears, strengths and weaknesses as they bleed onto the pages.
Cole and Sawyer’s story was one hell of a turbulent, emotional and heart wrenching journey.
We see them juggle the pressures of High School whilst struggling with their own ugly truths, It’s easy to forget how young they are with all they’ve been through.
I went from maniacally laughing my ass off at the witty banter and scorching chemistry between them, to feeling like my heart was in a vice being repeatedly squeezed until I couldn’t breathe.
It was a strange but intoxicating combination.
I’ve loved every minute that I spent with Sawyer and Cole..#Sole. They made me feel their story, not just read it.
I’m looking forward to the next book in the series the title has me all kinds of excited. There’s definitely more than meets the eye to that story. Bring on the Wickedness.
Words will not do justice to how devastatingly beautiful Sawyers journey is in this book! So this is Cole’s book, and he goes through tremendous self discovery and growth don’t get me wrong but OH MY HEART for Sawyer! You will feel her anguish right through the book, this author portrays this journey so many of us go through in our youth (some maybe older than that) with such grace, its a beauty to witness. There is no way you will come away from this book unchanged. I knew there was so much more to Cole than what we saw in the first book and what we see in the beginning of this one, I don’t think HE even knew the true depths of his feelings. Its not a pretty book. Its not a nice book. It is an amazingly beautiful story that needs to be read and felt and every word is an experience and needs to be consumed in one sitting if you can because you will NOT want to put it down lol
One of my Top Reads of 2020! I was blown away by Ashley Jade’s writing. It was emotional and angsty. Honestly, it was perfection!
Ruthless Knight is book 2 in Ashley Jade’s Royal Hearts Academy series. It is a stand-alone but I would suggest reading Cruel Prince first to get the whole picture.
Ruthless Knight focuses on Cole Covington and Sawyer Church. Cole is the arrogant and gorgeous star quarterback. He’s a jerk but the he’s actually kind of sweet. He’s broken and raw and guilt he carries with him is just so sad. Then there’s his favorite Bible Thumper, Sawyer. She’s sweet, beautiful, and strong willed. I love that she wasn’t a typical model size. It was hard to read how she was bullied for her weight.
Cole and Sawyer are complete opposites. It was amazing to see how much their characters grew throughout the book. This book was definitely an emotional roller coaster. I love how it tackles real everyday life issues. Guilt, grief, bullying. It’s all there and the story shows much they had to overcome to be their best person.
I don’t want to spoil any of their story so please just read it for yourself and prepare for an emotional journey.
You also get to see what Jace and Dylan have been up to. And get to see more of Oakley and his struggles. I loved him is this book. Bianca was definitely a brat I’m this one but we also see that there is more going on with her.
I would absolutely recommend reading Ruthless Knight. I could not put it down. Ashley Jade’s writing keeps getting better and better!
Can’t wait for book 3 which is Bianca’s story!
How do I even start a review of a book that completely wrecked my soul…a book that I felt ever single word of…a book that made me evaluate myself in so many ways. This book was so much more than a book. This was a story of tragedy and beauty. It was a story of fierce characters fighting to become exactly who they were meant to be. It was a story of strength.
Cole Convington, he is everything everyone wants to be but the demons that haunt him are bigger than anyone could possible imagine. The way he hurts people is ruthless. The way he pushes the people he actually cares about is gut wrenching. Cole is cruel. He is probably one of the cruelest characters I’ve met. At times, I sobbed because of his actions. I felt my heart rip apart at his words. The way he hurts people is by tearing their souls apart and his destructive behavior doesn’t spare anyone’s feelings. The way he treats Sawyer and how he plays on her biggest insecurities gutted me. He tore her down in the worst ways possible. Because he couldn’t deal with his own insecurities, he decided it was best to put everyone else’s on blast. He doesn’t know how to love. He doesn’t even know if it’s possible to love. But Sawyer Church gets under his skin like no one else ever has. Cole Convington broke my heart in the most tragically poetic way.
And Sawyer, Lord, I’ve honestly never met a character who felt more like a soul mate than her. She’s sassy and smart and so beautiful but she doesn’t realize it. She has so many people that truly love her but it doesn’t matter because she doesn’t know how to love herself. She wants to conform to societies view of beautiful and doesn’t care what the cost is. Sawyer internalizes all of her fears and insecurities and can’t let anyone in to see them because she feels like she’s just not good enough. Her heart is so big. So dang big. And thankfully, she has an ability to see Cole for who he truly is despite the ways he destroys her. Sawyer Church is strong, beautiful, fierce, but so so broken.
Cole and Sawyer together…they are the exact jaded, shattered pieces of a puzzle that fits perfectly together. Their need to take care of each other even when destroying themselves makes their love something that is hard to deny. Their journey is not a beautiful love story. Their journey is a devastatingly heart wrenching story with so many jagged edges and broken pieces.
Sole has truly and utterly embedded themselves into my soul.
Ashley Jade, this book, this journey that you wrote helped heal parts of me I didn’t even realize were broken. The honesty, love, devastation….the pain, cheese and rice, I felt every single bit of it. Thank you for words that have helped me more than you could ever know. Thank you for Sole. Thank you for writing. Thank you for healing me.
I am absolutely stunned over this book. Cole and Sawyer are such opposite each other it’s not funny, but I can’t imagine Cole without his favorite bible thumper.
Sawyer the, as Cole calls her, bible thumper with a dirty mouth, cause let’s admit when she get going girl has some language on her, and Cole the quarterback are so wrong, but so, so right for each other.
Cole is a veritable a$$hole, but to her he’s so much different. It’s so amazing watching him in action. It starts out fake between them but what they have, the chemistry, the passion is so real. It takes no time for him to realize what he could have with her, but this book is full of drama. It touches on a lot of real world stuff and I bawled like a freaking baby at times, but it’s such a beautiful story.
The way this book was put together was so seamless. The sides to Cole and Sawyer are so diverse you feel like you’re living the story with them. It sucks you in and does not let go. This is a thick book and I read it all in one day I was so into it. It shows the loss and love of people. It hits on some gnarly topics but it also shows you the beauty of things. I am in love with everything about this book. The ruthless knight and his bible thumper.
Plus we get more Oakley and Bianca in this book. It shows more sides to them as well. I can NOT recommend this enough to people. You will love this as much as I did. No doubt.
Prodigious in every way!
What do you even say about a book this good? This author just keeps raising the bar. She redefines the standards for New Adult Romance with every book she writes. She pours herself into her books. At over 500 pages it is still an easy read because it’s one of those stories that completely consumes your life. It is unputdownable! Once again Ashley Jade has masterfully created flawed broken characters that you can’t help but fall 1000% in love with. Her writing style is extraordinary. The emotion drips off the pages. She deals with real-world issues like grief, bullying, mental health, and addiction flawlessly. She doesn’t hold back at all, it’s beautifully gritty, ugly, and painful, and you feel it in your soul. It’s only January and Ruthless Knight is going to be the book to beat as Best Romance of 2020.
Ashley Jade
I have never connected so fast or so hard with a character as I have with Sawyer. I feel like my thoughts and experiences throughout my whole life have been ripped out of my head and put to paper.
I know everyone has difficulties and their own challenges in their lives and I won’t be able to understand what my neighbor has gone through but I do know what it feels like to grow up the fat girl that everyone makes fun of and snubs. I do know what it feels like to self sabotage myself and feel like a disappointment to my family and friends. Like I’ll never be good enough, pretty enough, skinny enough and I can tell you it’s suffocating.
I knew Sawyer would slay this book and she absolutely did but Cole.. wow! The weight he carries on his shoulders is pretty intense.
Jade took this book and catapulted her writing to a whole new crazy level. The words phenomenal, heartbreaking, desperately raw and real just don’t do this piece of work justice.
This is a standalone, no it doesn’t end in a cliffy. No you don’t have to read Cruel Prince to enjoy this one, but I’d highly suggest you do to enhance your reading experience.
Read. This. Book.
Sole for life!
OMG Ashley did it again she hit another one out of thr park. I have severe book hangover but I just couldn’t put the book down. She addressed so many real life issues. This author did an amazing job of making sure that everything was handled well and kept me engrossed from beginning to end
I thought I was ready for Cole Covington, I thought I knew what I was getting into with his story….I had no idea what was coming. None! Cole is everything I didn’t know I wanted him to be. Behind the mask that he wears is a completely different Cole. He’s a troubled guy, he’s not dealing with his issues, he can be calculated and cruel sometimes but even when he made me hate his actions (he’s definitely no angel) I still couldn’t stop myself from loving him. The more I got to know him, the more I understood why he’s the way he is and the more I understood, the more I loved him. He’s not always easy to like but when he shows his softer side, he is so unbelievably easy to love.
I knew before starting this that Sawyer was going to be my girl. I loved her in Cruel Prince (which does not need to be read first but I highly recommend you do read it) and I fell even more in love with her in this book. She is the star of Ruthless Knight, for me anyway. She’s a one of a kind character and she’s probably the easiest character to relate to that I’ve read, ever. The things she’s dealing with will resonate with a lot of readers, you’re going to feel every ounce of her pain, you’re probably going to get upset, angry, feel disappointed, but you won’t blame her. You’ll want to wrap her up in cotton wool and hurt anyone that hurts her. She definitely brought out my protective instincts. She’s the one character that I ‘got’ immediately. I get what she’s going through, what she’s feeling, why she’s doing what she does. She’s one of those characters I wish was a real person so I could kidnap her and keep her for myself.
The banter between Sawyer and Cole was one of my favourite things about this book. I lived for their little back and forth exchanges, you can feel the attraction between them constantly bubbling under the surface. Their story is an emotional rollercoaster. It really hit me with all the feels. My heart broke for what these two characters have gone through but it was worth every second of it.
I’ve been a fan of this author for years and this is without a doubt Ashley Jades best work to date. She’s elevated everything to the next level with Ruthless Knight. The characters and the story are beautifully written. It deals with some serious/sensitive subjects in an extremely thoughtful way and it made me really think and question a lot of the things brought up in this book. I did a fair bit of soul searching. It’s emotional and angsty but there’s plenty of humour to even it out so it doesn’t drain you and leave you feeling wrung out. The characters, their story and the subjects it deals with will definitely be playing on my mind for a long time to come.
This is a definite must read! With each book this series gets better and better and I can’t recommend this book enough.