Savage Truth (Hidden Valley Elite Book 2) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Ayla Phipps

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

Finally, the conclusion I have been waiting for since February when I read the prequel to this duet. Isla Vaughn’s ability to leave you hanging at the end of the first book, Savage Lies and pick up in the same moment in Savage Truth is pure talent. This book starts up exactly where the first one ended, Cole has a name that can reveal everything.
The emotions warring not only in Riley are reflected in Cole. Riley finally joins the swim team only for her to overhear an argument between her mom and Cole’s dad the same day as her first practice. He’s saying it’s too soon he had plans to get Riley seen by scouts without media attention or risk. Cole finally unleashes the secret he had been holding in for a year, that Raelyn, Riley’s mom was the woman with their dad “that weekend”. Fear is laced through both Riley and Cole at every interaction. She tries to stick to the rules that have kept her and her mom alive for years. He’s tired of the lies and is ready to get Riley and her mom out of his home and out of their lives, only he can’t stop the unrecognizable emotions racing through him. Riley has never had the chance to live, she has only had a life of running to survive until now. Feeling like she has it all she holds back keeping doubt at the forefront of her mind, that girls like her don’t get what they want. Cole recognizes his obsession with Riley but in the past, he’s never felt anything deeper than the physical, but with Riley he feels everything and he’s not sure he wants to give that up. Riley’s dad’s name is finally revealed, Nick, too many warnings, they have been in the same place too long and when she learns her father has a “contract” and plans for her upcoming 18th birthday Riley is ready to run again. Raelyn says no, this time is different we aren’t running we are staying.
Can Riley and Cole end their war and just accept what they feel? Are they safe, can her mother be telling the truth? What will happen if Nick finds her? The characters the author has created continue once again to evolve in this amazing book. With each book we learn more and more, not only what they like or dislike but how deeply they feel, the pain of never being still for Riley has tormented her and now she has a chance to live. Cole makes her feel things she never experienced in her life, safety, and trust in someone other than her mother and uncle. Riley makes him feel everything, more than physical, he can confide in her and know she cares. The long-awaited promise of a happy ever after is worth the wait, you truly fall in love with the characters and pray they get all that they deserve. A chance to live, love and feel without fear.

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