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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Let me start off with you should first start with Cruel Prince. Although these are standalones. Reading CP will help you understand the family details.
This book here had my emotions all over the place. When know the Covingtons run the RH academy. But darn it these brothers are total buttheads. Don’t get me started on that ungrateful brat Bianca. Cole should know better than to play with peoples feelings. I absolutely loved Sawyer, because she goes through the most because she is a thick chick. Which leads her to take drastic matters. She is one strong welled lady who takes no crap. Be prepared to be mad and ready to throw your kindle. With the antics these siblings are up to.
Ashley Jade and Ruthless Knight just stole my freaking heart. I knew this book was going to be good and emotional, but y’all, you have no idea AT ALL. Cruel Prince set the stage for this world and these characters, and honestly, it set the bar pretty high but Ruthless Knight just blew it out of the park for me.
I knew it was going to be emotional, but nothing prepared me for when I actually got my hands on the book and was able to read it. It was ABSOLUTELY beautiful. The relationship and witty banter was on point and I ALWAYS love a good “Fake Relationship” read, but this was so much more. It touches on some really sensitive issues, some that you are aware about from the first book and some that are new and a little shocking. Ruthless Knight knocked me off my feet and honestly, I would not have it any other way. If I could give this book 6 stars I would because if you are a fan of New Adult deep romances, this is a MUST read for you- I cannot stress that enough!
PS: I would like to give a huge thanks to Ashley Jade and Candi Kane PR for allowing me an advanced copy of the book to read and review honestly. Thank youuuuu!!
I love Sawyer and Cole!!! Their back and forth banter has been some of my favorite parts of both book one and two. While Sawyer might be a kind and respectable girl, she’s also not going to let someone take advantage of her. She going to stand up to Cole and fight him every steps of the way! I loved that about her.
Not only was there banter on point, but their chemistry was off the charts!!! I love them together!
Now, this book deals with some serious issues that might be triggers for some people but I thought the issues were handled well. It let you see how situations like that can happen and how they can spiral.
This series keeps getting better! Two broken souls find their way to each other. A great book!
I received a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Ruthless Knight
Royal Hearts Academy #2
By: Ashley Jade
REVIEW
Ruthless Knight, Ashley Jade’s second Royal Hearts Academy book, puts me in mind of Romeo and Juliet (minus the poison and the dagger). I say this because the story has the vibe of an ill fated romance and star crossed lovers and what not. Sawyer and Cole are worlds apart, and that is a problem. Sawyer is the golden boy quarterback with great looks and is predisposed to date blonde cheerleaders. Cole is not part of the popular circle. She’s a genuinely good person but is very insecure about her looks because prep school is not the place to weigh a bit more or look less than perfect. Basically, Cole is not good enough for Sawyer, at least, in the eyes of all the cool kids.
If two people feel a genuine connection, the obstacles will not matter. Maybe. Sawyer would damage his perfect image with the less than perfect girl. Is any connection strong enough to bridge the giant social canyon between these two? High school is a cruel place.
I was so heartbroken for Sawyer and Cole as I read this book. The emotional pull of these issues was strong and unyielding. I never felt level or on solid ground with this one, instead I’m waiting intently for what happens next… Ruthless Knight is my favorite of the Royal Hearts Academy series so far. Seriously, just read it!
This is the 2nd book in this phenomenal series and is Cole and Sawyer’s story. These two are total opposites, but they are both realistic and flawed characters, as Cole hides behind his popularity and smiles, and Sawyer is bullied relentlessly, both at school and home, and her method is by being sarcastic to all. When these two enter a fake relationship, neither of them expected feelings to develop into so much more. This is a beautifully written tale which is heart-wrenching, raw, gritty, and is an emotional roller coaster throughout. I was completely captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and I look forward to reading more from this talented author, whose work I highly recommend for all.
**Read Cruel Prince before Ruthless Knight, to help get a better understanding of the Covington family dynamic**
OMG!! My mind is still spinning a million miles a minute after reading Ruthless Knight by the talented and wonderful Ashley Jade!!
My heart broke many times over while reading for the two characters in this book. Both characters have their issues and have ways of dealing with those issues however the way they deal isn’t exactly the healthiest of ways.
Unlike with Cruel Prince, I cried like the world’s biggest baby and of course I felt like my heart was breaking. I love both Cole and Sawyer but I definitely think I love Cole just a little bit more!
Bravo Ms. Jade!! Can’t wait for Bianca’s book!!
5 Lucky 7 Crowns
This is book 2 in the RHA series, it can be read as a standalone but you will see all the character’s from book 1 so if you don’t want any spoilers I’d read Cruel Prince first.
PSA: I could see people taking this story and internalizing it in many different ways. Therefore I am going to preface this review by saying, I feel it’s super important you go into it blind and make your own opinion on its content.
This book ended up being so much more than I had anticipated. It took me some time to actually formulate a review because there are so many emotions and feelings brought forth from this book. Ashley has slayed this emotionally charged love story filled with heartbreaking angst and ultimately the power of forgiveness/acceptance.
“Bible Thumper?” Despite the nickname, I respond. “Yeah?” The agony swirling in his eyes is unmistakable. “How come lies are so beautiful and the truth is always so fucking ugly?”
We first met Sawyer in Cruel Prince and I instantly loved her. Sawyer has a sassy way of looking at the world and she has no qualms about telling you how it is, she is a breath of fresh air. We get to see more of who she is in this story and I couldn’t love her more. Ashley wrote her with so many layers that made her feel so real. All her emotions, all her feelings of inadequacies, the way people treat her, reminds you of the reality that was High School, and how truly cruel people can be. You forget about how it felt back then and how you were just trying to come to terms with your body and who you are as a person and who you want to be as an adult. There are so many complex feelings associated with adolescence as you get older you just forget, or you stuff it in that box we all have titled “things I never want to think about again.” Her reality in this story may not have been yours verbatim but you feel a kinship with her because you can draw correlation between her story and ultimately yours.
Something tells me he wouldn’t appreciate me informing him that I have every intention of fucking his daughter so good she’s going to start calling me daddy soon.
Cole has the exact opposite high school experience but of course he would he’s the “QB golden boy”. Cole is exactly what the title of the story states he is ruthless. But what you come to learn about him is what makes you fall in love with this seriously broken boy. Cole has a myriad of issues that he needs to work through, but that’s really not surprising considering what he has gone through. As you watch him self-destruct you want nothing more than to be able to go to him and help him through it. And while reading this story and slowly peeling back his layers you’ll see piece after broken piece come to light, and inevitably Cole will take a piece of you with him. This boy will shatter your heart and soul but you won’t care because he is worth the devastation.
It’s the kind of kiss that makes it clear there’s no point in putting up a fight..because I’ve already lost the battle between sinner and saint.
Ashley has this way with words that has them wrapping around your heart and slowly squeezing it until you can’t breathe, leaving you desperately waiting to see what’s going to happen next. I could not put down this book, utterly consumed with what was happening and completely lost to the pages. Cole and Sawyer’s story will have you feeling Every. Single. Emotion and more. Their story is more than just a love story, it’s a story of forgiveness and acceptance not just of other’s but ultimately of yourself.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book.
Oh. My . God . This story destroyed me literally ripped my beating heart out of my chest ! It’s been days weeks since I’ve finished this and I still can’t come up with the words to do this book justice . So I’m just gonna say Sawyer and Coles story is one you don’t want to miss and it’s a definite must read of this series ! The emotion the pain the angst , this story was a unputdownable page turner and definitely gets my 5 stars ! This series has such an addictive captivating storyline and characters it’s definitely my new obsession and I can’t wait for more from this author !
The words use and overall review shouldn’t reflect personally on the author or any other of her series and books.
Twisted and Steamy! 3.5 stars!
I really wanted to love this! I sincerely did. But let me start with saying that I preferred the male lead than the female lead. And that’s says a lot because he was such douchebag towards her. The female reminded me of the secondary character from Awkward, Sadie. I’m not saying that chubby girls can’t have attitude and they have to always be crying in the corner. And maybe it wasn’t the author intention but for me she was bitchy. At the same time she was a bit of a contradiction walking.
The male lead had a back story and even tho no one has an excuse to be a douche bag at least he wasn’t just an ahole just for the hell of it. Maybe is just me that feels this way but I really don’t want to stop anyone from reading. Maybe what I didn’t enjoy you will.
This was so good!
I’m not going to lie, I was a little intimidated and concerned about the page count. However, I had absolutely no need to worry. I was so caught up in the storyline and the characters that it didn’t feel nearly as long as it is.
After reading the first book in this series, I knew this one was going to be heavy. The hard topics that are covered were done extremely well in my opinion and I appreciated that so much. There were some very hard scenes to read but it only made me love and want the best for these characters even more. This is a wonderful New Adult series and I can’t wait to get my hands on Bianca’s book!
Grateful to have received a complimentary ARC copy to honestly review.
Ruthless Knight’ is book two in the Royal Hearts Academy Series. Although I would suggest reading Dylan and Jace’s Story in Cruel Prince it’s not necessary as you sort of a get a refresher at the beginning of this book.
Welcome to their kingdom!
Cole Covington is the most popular heartbreaker at school and Sawyer Church the Bible thumping nerd.
Ruthless Knight pulled on my heartstrings and didn’t let me go. I was enraptured by this unputdownable book. This book will have you feeling all the emotions especially towards the end of the book where I was wreck. I felt everything Cole and Sawyer were going through.
“Because without her, there is no me!”…
This book is an unforgettable love story that reminds us that we all struggle with something and finding your circle is what saves us.
The connection that these two have grow and grow each time they are around each other. It’s definitely a love/hate relationship at the best of times. These two you know belong to each other and you couldn’t see them with anyone else.
Sometimes, when you least expect it…two beautifully broken souls end up finding each other.
Ashley Jade gave us a story that was filled with topics that most of us can relate to. I know I can for one and they hit me in the feels of how true they are. Struggles with appearance and feeling like you aren’t good enough, guilt for mistakes that you have no control over or cannot fix. Poor choices that leave you with the consequences and with tears. Leaving you with Emotions running so high.
At first, I really wasn’t enjoying this book and the length of it was really put me off, but once we got into the latter half of the book and Cole pulled his head out of his arse it all took off and I couldn’t stop reading!
There was just something so compelling about the latter half and Sawyer and Cole’s relationship, I love how he loved all of her no matter what and the ending the way he reacted and the scene with his siblings was heart-wrenching. Wow, just wow.
Cole really was an amazing character, he was so complicated and it was nice to see his reaction to Liam’s loss and how it impacted him. Once again the family dynamic between the Covington’s was A+ and really made it for me.
Bianca is an outstanding character, I LOVE mean girl redemption stories about them falling in love so I know I am going to LOVE her book!
I’m excited to read Bianca’s book, I really hope it’s not Oakley for some reason – I’d love to read a separate book about him! I’m lowkey hoping it’s Stone, I feel that’s where it may be heading – one of the two.
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I’ll be honest by saying that it took me a lonnnng time to finish this book.
Not because it’s a long book (it is), but because I ended up getting so many spoilers, that I thought it would ruin my experience with the story (I already told that I’m against spoilers, if not asked).
Anyway… After all it didn’t ruined everything.
I could enjoy all their banter, all their doubts, self hatred, insecurities…
I have only wished a little less of the insecurities… Both, Sawyer and Cole had different levels of insecurities.
Cole always felt like he wasn’t enough for literally anyone. He was the middle child and a twin with a bipolar mother and twin brother.
He was always craving for attention and love and after Liam’s death, guilty becomes his best friend on the inside, while his playboy’s behavior were his outside mask.
What can I say about Sawyer… She’s a really complex and amazing character and I reaaaally simpatize with her insecurities… While I was never a fat child or teenager, I’ve been struggling with my weigh for more than 10 years, and I can understand how society usually fat shames who’s not in the model figure.
This is a story of two people finding their better version, after seeing how they looks like through the eyes of those who reaaaally love them.
I could give it 5 stars to this book only for Cole delivering some harsh truths to Sawyer’s mother. She’s the start point of her own daughter’s self loathe and I couldn’t hate her more.
Let’s go see what’s going on with Bianca now.
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I thought Cruel Prince was good…Ruthless Knight is better. This had everything. Bully to lovers angst, side character drama, laugh out loud moments (Thanks Oakley and Bianca) impactful moments and more. It was 600+ pages and I still feel like it could have had 5 or 10 more chapters. I’m kicking myself for not reading this a while ago. The writing was so crisp and as many times as I laughed out loud I was wiping tears away. Ms. Jade knocked it out of the park and I have no doubt Wicked Princess will knock me harder on my tush. I was given a complimentary copy for an unbiased review. My opinions haven’t been altered in any way.
“Don’t waste your time trying to fix me. You’ll only cut yourself on my fucked-up pieces.” The look he gives me twists my insides. “And when that happens…I’ll watch you bleed out with a smile on my face.”
Well with a prologue that cuts you straight to the core, you’ll just know that this book is going to be brutal…
Picking up after the summer break in book 1, school is back in session, and if you thought the previous years seniors were malicious, wait till you see this lot in action, and to be honest I’m terrified for Bianca’s book, she’s scary on her rampage.
Cole is Jace 2.0 with even more broken pieces unsurprisingly. His love interest see’s it… “This time I let the tears fall. Not because I’m scared of his threats. But because he’s giving me glimpses of how dark and tortured his soul is.”
This book will send you on a rollercoaster of emotions that will have you going from wanting to throw your kindle to white knuckling it and back again. The journey these two went on is heart breakingly beautiful and one you’ll be unable to tear your eyes from.
I thought the first book in this series, Cruel Prince, was intense, but Cole’s story in Ruthless Knight, notched it up several ticks by dealing with a lot of issues kids have to face these days, both at school and at home. Our Hero, Cole, comes from a privileged family that’s been wracked with tragedy, including the deaths of his mother and his twin, Liam. Cole lives his life in the shadow of Liam’s ghost where he constantly feels like he’s never measured up to his twin. As a result he portrays himself as a pompous a** around his equally pretentious “friends”. Our heroine, Sawyer, is the only person who has seen flashes of the the tortured soul Cole really is. As a Christian girl, Sawyer tries to see the good in everyone, in spite of the hurtful barbs the kids throw at her because of her weight. She gets it at school and she gets it from her mother, who “encourages” her to lose weight in time for her sister’s wedding.
The story is told from a dual point of view, and the author does a great job describing the pain and angst that both Cole is dealing with and the bullying that Sawyer has to deal with. Through a mutual agreement, the high school bullying trope becomes a fake relationship trope which of course leads to real feelings. The turmoil doesn’t end there, as new demons surface that threaten Cole and Sawyer’s HEA. Wow!
This book was so much better than the first one. I honestly wasn’t invested much on Jace and Dylan relationship, even in this book, when Dylan was complaining about Bianca I was like girl stop your book is over, I don’t want to know about your drama anymore.
Anyway
So Cole is the hot shot quarterback who all the guys want to be and all the girls want to date.
And Sawyer is the curvy church girl who is the only one who can see through Cole’s facade. Also Yes, this book overcomes the stereotypical body type issue. It’s really disgusting that this is something that people who don’t have a barbie doll figure have to go through.
Now the book starts off with Sawyer at a party, where she ends up kissing a very drunk Cole who passes out in between the kiss.
The next day everyone at school gets to know about it (Thanks to Bianca) and Cole’s girlfriend, obviously the bitchy cheerleader captain is out to get Sawyer. Now in order for Cole to protect Sawyer he ends up humiliating her in front of everyone. Yup. You read it right.
”Why the hell would I ever fuck some fat virgin when I can have prime pussy whenever I want it?”
Now 2 months pass since the incident and Sawyer is trying her best to ignore Cole until one day she ends up hearing about a bet revolving her. Now Cole instead of being a decent human and stopping it, he agrees to the bet.
Now Cole. I wanted to put a gag in his mouth most of the times because the shit that was coming out of his mouth. Example one, Cole trying to convince Sawyer regarding the bet that was made.
“What if I give you money?”
“You’re poor, right?” Before I can scream my head off, he holds up his hands. “I’m not trying to insult you. I’m just stating facts.”
“ If she’s getting serious with someone, it could potentially pose an issue with me winning the bet. “
Now let me just clear the fact that this was the point where Cole didn’t want to realize that he actually has feelings for Sawyer because he was to busy hosting an internal pity party for himself. But you know what? I don’t blame him. I blame his mother, I don’t know, I don’t think Cole was giving her a hard time (As per Jace), she was straight up comparing Cole to Liam and I didn’t like it. Any kid would think that their mother didn’t love them enough because of that.
Anyway
The only thing at this point that made his nonsense bare able was Sawyer, she did not let him get away with hurting her. He did grovel every time he fucked up. So I was fine with it. I forgave him, so I didn’t mind Sawyer forgiving him too. The grovelling was cute okay?
“ On Monday my locker was filled with long stem roses. Tuesday, it was five pounds of chocolates. Wednesday, an autographed Nick Jonas “
“ I probably shouldn’t have punched him. But he shouldn’t have put his arm around my girlfriend’s waist and called her sugar. He fucked up my woo. “
Now the first half of the book I was hating on Cole (secretly loving him) and full on giving virtual hugs to Sawyer. But then towards the end Sawyer really really fucked up. I was getting so annoyed with her behavior she began to sound really dumb. Like I know you a smart bitch so why are you acting this way girl.
Also can we just talk about COLE BEING ON TEAM CURVES!
“ “Want a slice?” I ask Sawyer as I plate mine. I’m really hoping she says yes because her curves are disappearing and I fucking hate it. “
I really hope Bianca isn’t with Oakley because I don’t feel any connection between them.
And I love Oakley and I hope he gets his own book where he finds a really really really really really nice girl BUT who will at the same time give him shit so that he gets his act together. Not a full on bitch like Bianca. Even though the blurb on her book says she loses her memories so maybe her personality changes also. BUT STILL. I don’t want her with Oakley.
Wow- this is so much more than a young adult romance. We have a bittersweet, heartbreaking and beautiful story of young love, as well as a devastating but hopeful emotional journey of self discovery and acceptance for both our hero and heroine. The beautiful words of the blurb do it way more justice than I do- this is a book where “Sometimes the most beautiful souls…hide the greatest pain.”
If you read book 1 in the series, this is the story of Cole, Jace’s younger brother, the bad boy quarterback womanizer that is the king of the school. He’s attractive, popular, and heaps of fun. But this is all a facade, underneath it all he’s hurting, lost, and struggling to cope. H is brother is with Dylan, who became besties with Sawyer in book 1, bonding over their exclusion from the “in crowd.” Sawyer is the opposite of Cole in many ways- she’s a Jesus loving sweetheart with an optimistic soul. She’s not popular, and like Cole she’s hiding- her own insecurities and longing for acceptance and connection.
Their paths cross and we’re instantly smacked with their chemistry- you can practically feel the energy come off the page, like two magnets trapped inside their bodies trying to reconnect. They banter, Cole is a jerk but eventually they end up fake dating, where they form an unlikely friendship that turns into something more real. The progression feels natural, sweet, authentic- and Ashley gives us really thoughtful and meaningful emotional milestones and connective moments that help us experience their emotional a well as physical intimacy in a really tender way as the find their commonalities- namely they both share demons they are struggling to address, and they both are struggling to embrace and accept themselves for who they are. Both of them struggle with hating parts of themselves.
I love Sawyer- in part because I relate to her so much. I’ve been the chubby nerdy girl- the one everyone relies on, wants to be friends with, the one where people don’t understand just what it means to go through life day to day in a body that isn’t seen as “attractive” by societal standards, how every day is a battle to love yourself and to recognize your beauty- and what a toll that can take on even the most hopeful and grounded souls. THrough it all, Sawyer is always there for others over herself- she’s a loyal and faithful friend with a compassionate heart that wants to see the good in everyone….even if she can’t see the good in herself at times. Ashely Jade renders her character with such tenderness and care – she’s vibrant and so relatable, and you hurt alongside her.
And COLE- my goodness, this boy blew Jace out of the water for me. He’s charming and charismatic, sure, but his heart is so raw, so delicate, so sweet underneath his swagger-he loves hard, and the way he sees Sawyer and how he settles grows into that commitment and soul-changing connection is such a beautiful and touching emotional journey. He wrecked my heart, in a good way- and I love him so hard. He is deep.
These characters both have real pain and real issues- so this story is beautiful, but sad in places. Both of our characters make decisions that harm themselves or others as they try to cope with their own struggles- and in turn, our hearts hurt alongside theirs But, like our imperfect but perfectly matched pair, we find the joy in the struggle as they fight for themselves and each other. We see the beauty in the painful journey, the power of authentic connection, and the liberation of self-love and acceptance. What a beautiful story- I will return to this over and over!
My Thoughts:
I am devouring this series! Every time I pick up a Royal Hearts Academy story, I end up reading it in one sitting. Each of these books features a different sibling, but can be read as a standalone. The first story, Cruel Prince, was about eldest brother Jace, and his leading lady, Dylan. In Ruthless Knight, we get middle sibling Cole, and his leading lady, Sawyer.
Cole is the most popular guy at his private high school. He’s the varsity quarterback, extremely good looking, has a charming personality, and a family that is extremely wealthy. However, Cole put’s on a facade. Nobody knows the real him, and even his siblings, Jace and Bianca, don’t know everything about him. He has a dysfunctional family, a ton of baggage, deep feelings of guilt and emotional pain due to a traumatic past, and unfortunately he takes out his pain on others.
Sawyer is a do-gooder. She has a deep Christian faith, and works hard in school, and at work. She comes from a family that struggles financially, and her parents dislike each other, but stay married because of their religious beliefs. Sawyer gets made fun of at school because she is a size sixteen, wears glasses, and doesn’t dress or make herself up, in accordance to society’s beauty standards.
The attraction between Cole and Sawyer was evident in the first book, but Cole cared too much about living his facade. I was so excited to see these two get together, and watch everything play out. This story brought me to tears, and filled me up with so many emotions. I loved that Sawyer saw the real Cole, and called him out when he needed it. I fell for the fact that Cole always did his best to reassure Sawyer of his feelings and attraction to her, even though he messed up a few times.
Cole and Sayer’s story dealt with some very series themes; such as depression, suicide, losing a loved one, drug addiction, eating disorders, and positive body image. I was completely immersed in Cole and Sawyer’s story, and didn’t want it to end. These characters came to life and felt so real. Their story was entertaining, and had me rapidly turning pages and feeling so many emotions! If you enjoy the New Adult genre, I highly recommend you check out this series!