Savage Lies (Hidden Valley Elite Book 1) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Ayla Phipps

Savage Lies: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book I have read by the talented Isla Vaughn. The first being the prequel to this duet, Savage Start. While not necessary to read it to understand this book it is helpful. Savage Lies picks up one year after the events of the prequel, and while the events of it are mentioned no background is given to give a full understanding of the heat and thus hatred that fuels Riley and Cole.
Riley and Cole are both seniors at Hidden Valley Academy in Santa Monica, California. Riley and her mother never hit a place twice and yet for some reason they have returned here of all places. While she looks different this time Riley still remembers everything that happened the first time, including the amazing soul changing kiss with the stranger at the beach party. Cole still dreams of the little thief from the beach party, with the perfect little body that perfectly fit against his. Now a senior Cole has one goal make it through the year and escape his father, at least until he unknowingly meets his same little thief on the first day of school. While Riley recognizes him, he was drunk the first time and thus clueless now, though he feels something familiar about her tugging in the shadows of his memory. After a conversation with his dad its revealed that Riley’s mom is his dad’s new girlfriend. In his mind that means one thing only, she is trouble, and he needs to make sure they are gone quickly. Only they have invaded every part of each other’s minds. With a determination to both have her and destroy her Cole makes it known around their school that Riley is off limits. To Riley he makes if very clear that she already belongs to him so she might as well face it. Riley feels betrayed and abandoned for the first time in her life, her mom has always been her best friend and filled her in on everything but after nearly 18 years she is telling Riley to turn her back on everything she was raised to do and remember and be a normal teenager. To go out for the diving team, to go to parties, have friends, enjoy living her life like a normal girl.
Can Riley survive being the target of Cole Savage? Is Riley’s mom really trying to be normal after all this time? What does normal mean to a girl raised like Riley was? I loved the prequel and impatiently waited for the main books to come out and I was not disappointed. Savage Lies continues to build the world of Cole and Riley, giving more insight to their desires, and hatred. The cliffhanger once again had me on the edge of my seat and I can’t wait for the final part of the duet Savage Truth, April 27th, 2023.

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