SAVAGE (Rosewood High Book 3)

Savage has all the delicious ingredients that make a delicious bully romance treat that I love to gobble up- the bully, the sexy hero, the feisty but embattled heroine, angst, a slew of secondary entertainers. All the right components are here- but my resounding feeling was that Savage for me was just….inconsistent. There are parts of this book, maybe 20% that are delicious, can’t stop turning the page 5 star moments. Parts that are the solid good old familiar new adult romance done well- 4 stars, maybe another 30% of the book. And then the remaining 50% was just hard to get into for me.

Where I struggled to get into it was pretty much the first ½ of the book- a combination of two things I believe were at play. First, Lorraine is a brilliant writer technically- she’s descriptive and vivid, but man, the first part of the book just felt like so much exposition and day to day minutia and description of every little details the characters were doing (almost diary style) that made the “getting to the good” stuff feel a bit drawn out, had me doing a lighter read in sections, and didn’t really help me know our characters any better. In fact, they were pretty isolated from each other and friends then- so just so much internal monologuing. I know she’s mentioned this is her longest book- and to me I’m not sure everything here was needed, even though it was all incredibly well written. Secondly, I had a hard time liking Ethan for a long time. Yes, this is normal for a bully story, but in the most delicious bully stories the bully may be cold/mean but you feel that magnetic draw between the hero and heroine, you sense the longing, and here, it took me awhile to feel that. I could feel it from Rae, but not from Ethan- I genuinely actually didn’t even think he was attracted to her for a while- and we are inside his head with his POV! So, headline- it took me a while to even care about Ethan, and when I don’t have that sizzle there yet, it makes me even less forgiving about the a-hole things the bully does- and Ethan does some crappy stuff, and unlike traditional bully heroines, Rae may sass him but she does very little else to retaliate- so Ethan just felt like a jerk. He’s venomous and hateful- angry in a disturbing way and not a sexy one for a bit too long for me.

Fortunately, about halfway through, this book really picked up for me, and I DID immediately love and care for Rae, so she kept me invested even just to see what happens for her. After I got to about that 50% mark, this felt like a great 4 star read- I felt the chemistry, I believed the connection, I thought Ethan was genuine, I swooned, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I loved their evolution then, was so invested in them as a couple, and I started to see why everyone even liked Ethan to begin with- he charmed.

While Ethan didn’t start out strong for me at all, he grew on me. He felt a bit typical “privileged kid with mommy issues”- and that’s really what he was. He’s shattered by his parents divorce (understandable), unhappy that his father’s mistress and daughter are moving in with no notice (even more understandable), and decides to lash out at said daughter with sizable anger (not understandable). He’s angry and bitter- and unlikeable, even his POV. But, once he started opening up, being more introspective, we turned a corner. In fact, I found him to be one of the most openly remorseful, genuinely grovelling bully anti-heroes I’ve read- and actually, he’s not an anti-hero at all. In most bully tropes, the bully is just a jerk – the behavior is in character and the heroine “changes” them or becomes the exception to their coldness. In this case, this is not Ethan’s character- in fact, it is totally outside of it, so Rae doesn’t have to accept or adapt or even be his exception, because Ethan accepts and adapts and deals with this S***- he stops lashing out and returns to who he truly is- a pretty decent guy.

Rae was what kept me hooked when I thought the book was slow and Ethan wasn’t worth it- she’s feisty and strong and determined and self-assured, despite being practically abandoned with a stranger by her mother (which is even more problematic once we learn about her mother’s and her history). I also appreciated that she didn’t make it easy for Ethan- sure she gave in to the physical attraction (and honestly without that I’m not sure the first-half Ethan would be bearable) but she makes him work for the emotional connection- she has a spine, but she has a big heart. She’s just guarded and doesn’t trust easily. She made judgments too in places, but her history and past 100% to me justified her behavior. The tensions she felt made so much sense- this deep desire to belong and have somewhere you fit, paired with the fear of letting others in, which means she’s always going to be on the outside looking in- I really felt for her.

Overall, given the inconsistencies and the strong back half, I’d give this a 3.5 stars- so worth the read. I enjoyed the story (especially the last half), even though it is not my favorite of the series or genre. Ethan did redeem himself, they are adorable and delicious in the last 25%, and Rae is a heroine worth fighting for. Fans of the series will love it- particularly because of Mason and Jake’s adorableness in this- and there is much scene setting for a Shane story next- fingers crossed for a more sensitive, less anger focused male perspective from him

I am “savagely” addicted to Tracy Lorraine’s latest series. Savage is book three in the Rosewood High series and it was remarkable. This is a high school bully romance that is hot and heavy on the romance and makes me wonder “where were these kinds of boys when I was in high school?” With all sorts of family drama and school drama this book was too hard to put down. I just loved all the characters! Since this was book three, there are returning characters that play important roles in this story and it was nice to know their story, but this book can be read as a stand-alone. Book #4 will be out soon and it will be telling the story of the girl that everyone loves to hate, I just cannot wait. 5-stars for Savage by Tracy Lorraine.
Ethan Savage’s world is falling apart. He had the one thing that his friends did not have, family. Of course, his parents traveled a lot for his dad’s company, but his parents loved him and each other and he knew they would always be there. At least that was what Ethan thought till the day he found out that his mom was moving back home to live with her parents and his dad was having an affair with his assistant. To top everything off, now Ethan’s dad was moving the homewrecker in their house along with her daughter and Ethan is expected to play nice. Raelynn Pritchard has been dragged across the country as her mother attempts to find “Mr. Right”. Now Rae is must finish her senior year in yet another school and with yet another man her mom has found. Of course, it is not just Eric, he has a son and his son Ethan has made it clear that he wants nothing to do with Rae. Ethan has made it his mission to get rid of Rae one way or another. Every time Ethan looks at Rae, he sees her big dark eyes that pull him in, and he cannot seem to get her off his mind. Ethan is determined that Rae will see that he is as Savage as his name says he is, if he can just get past his overwhelming desire for her.

Ethan and Rae have such a dynamic relationship. I feel like they both have so much hurt and stress that comes with their life, and they have walls built a mile high.

Raelynn is just trying to make it to graduation. She knows her mom loves her, but she hasn’t always made the best decisions. Once she graduates, she won’t have to rely on her mom and hopefully won’t have to move anymore. She is very wary of anyone who wants to get close to her, and doesn’t want to make friends. All she needs is her journals to get her through.

Ethan thought he had it all. The perfect life…until it’s flipped upside down. He has anger that he spills on to everyone around him. He wants everyone to feel as miserable as him and attacks Rae most of all.

Watching their back and forth banter and connection gradually grow from enemies to lovers made me root for this couple from the start. They were perfect for each other, but they both had to fix themselves first. I loved how Ethan’s friends were there from the start and helped him see the light. They knew what to expect and how to help him throughout most of the book.

There is still so much mystery surrounding the other characters in this book! I can’t wait to see what Shane and Chelsea are up to next.

– An Arc was generously provided in exchange for an honest review. –

After reading Thorn and Paine and only getting glimpses of Ethan that once it was time for his story, it was going to be wild; and it was! This is dark, gritty, sometimes disturbing but underneath it all, it’s somewhat understandable. Ethan is definitely Savage! He had me glued to the screen from the very beginning and my heart would be pounding just from the anticipation. Him and Rae had me hooked. Their story is wild but sexy. Everyone needs to read this!

Rate: 4.5 / 5 stars

Oh, Ethan! You kind of broke my heart in Paine with all the suffering in silence and seeing it first hand hurt all over again. But oh man what a jerk you could be too! I loved it.

But you know who I loved more? Rae! Omg she was something else! I love her defianc, her strength, the power she had against Ethan. She was a hard nut to crack but watching her fall in love with the town, Amalie and Cami and falling completely for Ethanwas nothing short of amazing. I loved watching her open up to others, letting herself form friendships and just living. He past was tragic and her living situation has always been fleeting so getting to see her finally putting down roots meant so much.

Ethan was so easy to love too! I seriously loved how much of an a-hole he was with Rae. Their chmistry, their hatred had me all kinds of hot. These two damn. Whenever they were in a room together, they burned the whole place down. I loved them. They really straddled the line between love and hate and they straddled it well. But there were also so many feelings lying under the surface and once they came up oh boy, my heart wasn’t safe. Ethan showing his sweet, protective, loving side had me swooning left and right! He was amazing and I just adored him and Rae together.

Is it possible to love Jake and Mason more? They were such great friends to Ethan and watching them be all sappy and in love with their girls made me so happy ehe. I am way too curious about Shane…I need to know what he’s hiding, who he wants. I also need to know anout Shelby too! So glad she’s getting a book and it’s the next one up. I wonder if Shanw will be the hero, that would be interesting…we’ll see. Either way, I can’t wait for it all! I love being at Rosewood High… these boy who love as well as they hate are *chef’s kiss*.

I am loving the Rosewood High Series, each book just gets better and better. Oh my sweet Ethan. The big broody cocky football player who walks around like he is untouchable, but he has a lot on his shoulders. Ethan is brokenhearted and struggling with his family falling apart. So now not only a new person in his dads life but a new step sister two doors down from his room. This book is emotional and tugged at my heart. I wanted to wrap Ethan in a hug and just tell him everything was going to be alright. Raelyn knows when she’s not wanted and Ethan has made it perfectly clear that he doesn’t want her anywhere near his domain. But these two have this undeniable chemistry to pulls at them. The push and pull between these two had me at the edge of my seat and I needed to know what was going to happen next. Tracy has a written a fantastic book to add to this series and I cannot wait for book 4!! This is a must read!

Fantastic story.
OMG! I’ve been desperate to read Ethan’s story & it was worth the wait. At times it was so emotional I felt the odd tear down my cheek. Both Ethan & Rae are strong characters each with their own unhappy dark past that it was though they were meant to be together. This story was emotional it had drama, tears but also hot sexual chemistry. I loved this book so much.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This is the 3rd book in this awesome series and Ethan and Raelynn’s story is a dark and emotional roller coaster throughout. This is a well written tale which is dark and intense and filled with angst, drama, and heartbreak. I was totally captivated throughout this riveting tale and cannot wait to read more form this talented author whose work I recommend for all.

This is an intense,heartbreaking and gripping story with strong,likable characters in Ethan and Raelynn. The author does a fantastic job developing their relationship and bringing the story to life with her vividly detailed scenes. She brings out all the emotions and takes them on a tension filled ride. Add in the passion and steam and you have a fiery read that had me glued to the pages. It’s well written,moves fluidly and I loved and highly recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

This is the third book in the Rosewood High series, it can be read as a standalone story.

Savage is the story of Ethan and Raelynn, it’s well-written and fast-paced, was longer than usual but definitely gripping. My heart broke for Ethan and what’s happening in his family life and then bam, his father moves his girlfriend and daughter into his home.
I really liked both Ethan and Raelynn, both are well developed and incredibly likable.
I’m really enjoying this series, not a real lover of bully romance, but I’m liking this one.