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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Ruthless Knight is the second book in the Royal Hearts Academy series.
What can I say? I devoured this book within a day because it was so freaking good!
It features Sawyer Church and Cole Covington – who we know from book 1 as Dylan’s best friend and Jace’s younger brother.
Ashley Jade has a way of writing… I just love all of her books and Ruthless Knight is no exception. So much angst, sorrow, emotions, hate … my hate to love heart was totally satisfied .
This book starts almost where the last one ended: Sawyer and Cole’s senior year in High School. They don’t run in the same circles. Sawyer is a bible lover, straight-A’s-student and has a heart bigger than the whole Covington family together whereas Cole is the ultra popular football player – quarterback actually – that has a don’t fuck with me, but fuck me attitude . He can be so cruel your insides hurt whereas Sawyer almost never has a mean word for anyone and believes in you no matter what. She also has some serious personal problems and self esteem issues.
From the outside it seemed like these two weren’t exactly relationship material because they were so different. In Cruel Prince it was hinted that these two would end up together and I was really eager to see how Ashley Jade will make this happen. I am so happy. She couldn’t have written it any better!
No spoilers from me so I’m just gonna say that these two were exactly what the other one needed. Cole needed someone that was always there for him, no matter what and helps him process his past. For Sawyer it was kinda the same. She just needed unconditional love
This story hurt while reading it, because it was just so damn real! You will love it!!
Can’t wait to find out more about Bianca in the next book
Y’all DEAD. I AM DEAD!
Ashley Jade is a freaking genius. This book had me by the heart strings from page damn ONE! If you read Cruel Prince then you know how hard this book will hit you.
This book hits all my high school and some times now insecurities. This is beautifully written and amazingly executed. Like the fact the Heroine is “plus size” but only to society’s standards and the way the popular guy has always seen her. #swoon The way HES ALWAYS SEEN HER. He’s always seen her for who she is. The feelings you get from Coles POV!
Cole- you beautifully broken human! Because that’s what he is is human. And broken. But only Sawyer can see him. He only gives her those pieces that everyone wish they had. With him being popular and the QB and needing to fit what he thinks his “image” should be is crushing. Cause you already feel the hurt. Because he’s hiding. But the way he opens to Sawyer HOLY SHIT! I can’t y’all. I just can’t. My heart.
Sawyer- She is beautiful and kind. She is every girls insecurities. Every one of us. I felt her on a personal level. Felt her heart rip for him. Felt her heart love him. I felt her in my bones. He sees her. And she see him. She craves those pieces of him that he gives her and it is BEAUTIFUL!
This book is 100. Like #bookhangover
Wow! When I got a hint of how many chapters this book was I almost fainted!
Then I thought to myself I hope I can stay entertained throughout this book! Well Ashley wrote a 100 chapter book and every chapter is incredible.
Book 2 – Sawyer & Cole.
Sawyer has always been ridicule her whole life because of her appearances. She has grown a thick skin and tries her best to be herself and don’t let the haters get to her.
Cole’s spotlight in his eyes are dimmed. Always second best never loved or appreciated until getting closer with Sawyer he realizes that just maybe he can learn to love.
This book is full of emotional moments that everyone can relate to. It brings awareness and hope. This story will not disappoint!
In love with this series!
5 stars for Ruthless Knight by Ashley Jade. This is book 2 in the Royal Academy Series. To really understand everything in this book you need to read book 1. Book 1 is about Jace and Dylan and Book 2 is about Sawyer and Cole. This book was an emotional ride, that I could not get off of. Ashley Jade continues to write about serious issues like suicide, drug use, and eating disorders just to name a few. She doesn’t just gloss over them either, she dives into them headfirst. Cole has this façade he shows everyone, when really, he is struggling on the inside. Sawyer is the bible thumping, “fat”, good girl but she has a crush on Cole until he embarrasses her. These two want each other but they don’t want too. I love these two. There are so many times I just wanted to hug them both. They both have their own issues, but maybe they can make it better for each other. Now don’t get me wrong this is still a bully romance. It has everything that we all love to read when reading this genre. Also, another great thing is the characters we loved in the first book are back in this book. I am ready for Wreckless Princess. I want to find out who her love interest is. While many might want it to be Oakley, I am really hoping its Stone. Oh, the drama that would cause. I am looking forward to reading more of Ashley Jade’s work.
Too perfect details. Especially near the end – It was exactly how a person with that background would act… if we’re being honest here, it was like that the whole dang(!) book! Not to mention the little clues left for book number three… which began in the first book, that means I’ve never been more afraid to read the next book…
I’m not quite sure I have the proper words to explain how much I enjoyed this book, but that’s never stopped me before. Cole is an intricate work of art and Sawyer is a character that I relate to on a level that I’ve never found while reading. This book is everything I didn’t know I needed until I got to the last page!
I am absolutely loving the Royal Hearts Academy series by A. Jade. In Ruthless Knight, the second book in the series, we get Cole and Sawyer’s story and though you do not have to read the previous book, I highly recommend it. So good and its where we first meet Cole and Sawyer. Cole is the quarterback of the school and guys want to be him and girls just want him. He is a bad boy who is tough and cocky, but there is so much more to him. Sawyer is the good girl with a big heart who is sweet and caring. They could not be more wrong for each other, right? This was more than just a young adult romance. It deals with real issues, was emotional and will draw you right in from beginning to end.
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
“The world doesn’t take kindly to fat girls.”
“Because every fat person will tell you…no one judges us harder than we judge ourselves.”
“How come lies are so beautiful and the truth is always so fucking ugly?”
Ruthless Knight is the second book in the series and just when I think it couldn’t get any better, the author proved me wrong with this newest installment.
I wouldn’t go into so much details so as to spoil anything, just that this was an emotional journey for me. I relate with Sawyer. Her story resonates within me. Being fat has its own stigma, more so in this generation. I’ve struggled with my body image. Being told to lose weight on the daily by the people around you- even those that mattered-could really lower your self esteem and how you view yourself.
Cole and Sawyer’s story is not easy but isn’t all great love story starts with one? Great writing, beautifully broken characters and a riveting story that will hook you from the first page. I think I might have highlighted most of the passages in this book because of how much I related to it. I loved it and I couldn’t wait to read Wicked Princess.
Sawyer and Cole were simply outstanding – a classic opposites attract with a fake relationship twist that left me reeling.
Sawyer is the school saint – she’s smart, witty, vivacious, and a bit of a goody too shoes. Cole is the school playboy – he’s talented, cocky, and flirtatious – a true bad boy through and through. But both are hiding different sides of him – Cole is hiding a sweet, soft side for Sawyer, and Sawyer is hiding an insecure side from the world. They both have some very real hangups but as the fight for each other, they gain the strength to fight for themselves.
As in the first book, the characterization here is stunning, multifaceted, and riveting. I found myself connecting with every character over something. In this book, Sawyer in particular struck me hard. Her struggles are relatable and relevant, and the extent they cause her to suffer is so personal to me and other I know that I felt myself choking on air trying to breathe through the pain.
How the author captures the brutally raw authenticity of the characters’ experiences, I don’t know, but she does it deftly. Each and every one of them feels real to me and that makes the pages fly by and an insatiable curiosity about the rest of the characters take root in your head. In these books you are invested in every one because they feel so real, you can’t not want to know them and their story.
I can’t recommend this book enough – you will laugh, cry, fan yourself, and swoon. You will feel your heart race, skip, break, and heal. This story will take you through the full gamut of human emotion and back again – and at the end, you will find yourself with a renewed appreciation for all the good things in the world like hope and forgiveness.
Everyone should read this book!!
Ashley never disappoints but this book transcends anything she’s ever written!! She put her heart and soul into this story.
It’s masterfully written. The storyline will enraptured you. Your feelings will be all over the place!! I was an emotional mess but it’s so worth it.
Sawyer and Cole will forever be top characters for me.
This is more than a new adult romance. It’s a great story and has so many fundamental values packed within it (self worthiness, forgiveness)
5 star read!
There’s so much more to some people than meets the eye . No one should ever be judged by their weight , looks or social standing. Peoples actions are what makes them who they are. A Jade brings a story that I instantly fell in love with these characters. She shows us to look past a person’s exterior and connect with the inside. The rawness, angst and heartbreak in this book nearly ripped my heart out of my chest. I will never ever forget these characters and this story. Loved the messages and the whole story!
#SAWYERANDCOLEAREHEARTBREAKERS
FIVE SHINE STARS for Sawyer and Cole !!!
Ashley did it AGAIN!
She absolutely won me with her writing style and…
I LOVED THIS BOOK…
CHARACTERS…
STORYLINE…
EVERYTHING!!!
She is a really good storyteller.
This story broke my heart in a thousand pieces and in the end, it put it together again.
It made me cry and smile.
There were moments when I was angry but it was worth to read it until the end because the conclusion of Sawyer and Cole’s is perfect.
“Ruthless Knight” is an angst high school romance with beautiful and broken characters that will get into your skin.
Sawyer and Cole’s relationship wasn’t the perfect one from the beginning and their love story isn’t a fairy tale but that the reason why is this book worth reading.
It will show you that life isn’t always wonderful, sometimes is awful, but after rain, it always comes a rainbow.
The same was with these two.
They fought for their HEA and after everything, they went through, they got it.
If you’ve read “Cruel Prince” and you’ve loved it, then you MUST READ THIS BOOK!!!
P.S. But, be ready and expect the unexpected!!!
Highly recommended!!!
Brilliant !!
What book I thought Jace and Dylan’s book was great but wow this book was amazing. Cole and Sawyers story was amazing. I felt everything they went through it was so heart breaking. They both have a darkness about them but make the best couple. In the group’s that they hang with they don’t fit but there attraction for each other is hot. It doesn’t matter what people think Cole can’t hide what he feel and Sawyer can’t hide. They are meant to be no matter what gets in there way.
Sawyer is a brilliant character i luv her. She has 2 sides to her one that’s is for everyone to see who is confident and happy to lucky. Then there is the self conscious one that has everyone picking at her weight and what she is meant to look like. That is the side that kills me she is a great person she helps people and wants the best for people. She does have a mean home in her body. Even when everything is getting to much she will still take on more to help people she loves. Cole is her weakness not matter what this guy does to get she can’t help but still have feelings for him and they just keep getting stronger as time goes on.
Cole god where do I start with this guy. His character is hurting so much I just want to hug and slap him at the same time. The pain he his holding onto everyone here in some way. Cole can’t be so vicious at time and hurts the people he loves the most. But he can’t stop it even though at times he knows he’s doing it but in some way he feels like he needs to do it. He doesn’t wait the people close to him to get close he doesn’t want to hurt them. He just needs to see himself the way the people close to him see him.
Sawyer and Cole’s story is easy it’s so hard on parts. My heart broke for them they were both fighting against things and it was so hard for them. Even then being together didn’t make things better they were both fighting there own demons that they needed to sort out. Ye they made a great couple but they could cut each other deep when they didn’t mean to.
I would highly recommend this book. The story is amazing I think I felt every emotion there is I cried and laughed I was happy and sad but God these characters had me all over the place. I felt so sorry for them. They did have great times where they didn’t care what was goin on in there lives they needed each other and no one or nothing was goin to get in the way. This story isn’t sweet in anyway but you will get hooked to it. I couldn’t get enough of this book the writing is amazing and I can’t wait for Bianca’s book. His that book is goin to be crazy but I’m DYING for it. The Convington’s aren’t the normal family and there screwed up in so many ways but you will luv them trust me.
Ruthless Knight
Book 2 Royal Hearts Academy
A. Jade
5 +++++
Book 2 is as phenomenal as the first book!! Oh my!! So captivating. Loved it alot!! Beautifully written!!
“He’s cocky, ruthless, a womanizer, and worst of all— he mocks my faith. Yet… there’s something about him I can’t ignore.”
“So ruthless. And I’m so screwed… because I like it.”
Can’t wait for the next book!!
Ruthless Knight
By @ashleyjadeauthor
5
This is the second book the Royal Hearts Academy Series and it blew me away! Cole has felt an attraction to Sawyer the curvy class religious nerd. His life traumas and highschool society has made him deny his feelings. Can Sawyer penetrate thru Cole’s tough exterior? Or will it be too late for him to change his ways? This book gave me all the feels! I was Team Jace but now all of sudden I’m Team Cole! READ THIS NOW!
*Trigger Warnings- this book does have suicide and it’s aftermath.
Honestly I wish I could give this book a 1000 stars because it is by far one of the best books I’ve read to date! Sawyer and Cole’s story is one you won’t forget anytime soon if ever. I have had such a hard time getting into another book since reading this book because nothing is grabbing my attention after reading this! I think Ashley finally broke my reading addiction lol just kidding, but seriously if you haven’t had the chance to read this then you will want to as soon as possible! It will suck you in and pull on every emotion a human can feel and it wont let go any time soon oh no it will hold tight right to the end of the book!! I felt emotions in this book I’ve never felt reading a book before and I absolutely loved every second of it. I hope you all enjoy it a much as I did and you Ashley deserve an award for this one!
Holy Doodle y’all! I have to try and convey to you guys just how amazing this book is. How much I think this book needed to be written, but also do it without giving anything away. I don’t give spoilers, EVER!!
You guys!! If you read Cruel Prince, which really is essential that you do before reading Ruthless Knight you will know some of this internal things that our Cole is struggling with. Things that have helped to shape him into the guy he is and why he acts the way he does. He’s pretty unapologetic in his behavior and I’m not sure he thinks he deserves any better so why would he try for better. See the thing with Sawyer was fake anyway, so there wasn’t any harm anyway right?
What would happen though when Sawyer, this bible thumper starts to try to see beyond the outside appearance that he puts on for everyone? What happens if she thinks there’s more to him, will he send her on her way? He’s gorgeous and popular and she’s shy, church going chunky girl. They couldn’t be more opposite.
Sawyer is the bomb y’all. She’s everyone of us girls out there at some point in our lives. She’s shy and sweet. She loving and caring. She wants to be accepted, but she’s not willing to go against her own integrity to be accepted. She is tough and she can kick tail and take names! She knows she’s worth more than the crap some of the snobby girls at school try to throw her way.
When Cole suggests the fake proposition she’s skeptical, but the more time they spent together she saw there was more to him that what everyone else saw, and she felt like for the first time someone looked at her as more than just the overweight girl.
My heart was torn during the struggles that they went through. They both had different things they had to overcome, but they were beacons of strength for each other. The character growth for these characters was astonishing and I was amazed by how much different the Cole and Sawyer from the beginning were compared to the Cole and Sawyer at the end. This book is one I think everyone should read. Life has so ups and downs and struggles we have to overcome. Things about ourselves we struggle with. I loved how Ashley Jade took Cole and Sawyer and their journey, took these beautiful flawed individuals and these tragic experiences in their lives, times of gut wrenching sadness and devastation and mixed it in with hope and growth and triumph. With love and laughter and acceptance. Was their journey perfect, no. Far from it in fact. But that’s what made it real, and believable and when they hurt I hurt too. I cried so much this book. But it wasn’t all sad tears. It was all of the emotions under the sun. This will most definitely go down as one of the best books I have ever read. Yes. It was that good!
*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book!
– I’m officially almost incapable of words!!
This book invoked so many emotions and had such character growth I spent it awestruck, in tears and just an all around bundle of emotions.
– Cole and Sawyer had chemistry for days. They were really slow burn but that was part of the perfection that was their love story
Cliffhanger Warning- I was super happy with how this ended!! It gave us a HEA I can wait for the next book in this series. Bianca’s story.
This book was absolutely amazing and so worth all the teasing The Queen put us through. Cole and Sawyer are my new favorite couple. All the things they experienced and went through was a true testament to the characters Jade has created. You will laugh, scream and cry your way through these wonderful pages.
My god Ashley Jade really knows how to suck you in and keep you there until your so strung out in the best possible way, you don’t know if your coming or going!! Ruthless Knight was everything and more.. Sawyer could only be described as the absolute best!! If only more of us could be as real as her; flaws and all. Cole…. What can I say… He was a beautiful tortured, a-hole who needed Sawyer as much as she needed him… This book broke my heart and repaired it back to what it’s all about… Being true and real with yourself and one another!! I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading the next book in this series!!!
This author is amazing! I read all her other books but wasn’t sure about a high school type of thing. I should’ve known I’d love it and Cole and Sawyers story I couldn’t put it down. I laughed and cried and then I read this book again!