Savage Truth (Hidden Valley Elite Book 2) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Donya Pedigo

Savage Truth: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Savage Truth, Hidden Valley Elite Series Book 2 is a New Adult (High School) enemy-to-lovers romance. Within its pages you will find a “bully” type relationship between the two main characters, Cole and Riley, mixed in with drama, jealousy, lies, family secrets, unexpected sparks, and maybe even some true feelings of first love. Though this can be read as a standalone, I’d really recommend reading both the prequel and the first book of this series as they give you a lot of background and insight into these characters, their lives, and everything that has been going on over the last couple of years.

Much like the prequel, Savage Start and book 1, Savage Lies, I devoured this book wanting to see what if anything Riley and Cole have discovered about themselves and each other. Have they figured out how you can crave someone so deeply and loathe them at the same time? This book starts off right at the cliffhanger point where the first book ended. Savage Truth finally answers questions like: Why have Riley and her mom been running pretty much all their lives? Does Cole admit to everyone what he knows about Riley’s mom? Will Riley finally get to stay in one place for good and have a normal high school experience? Is Riley’s dad really as bad as her mom says he is? What will happen if Riley’s dad does find them? Are they really finally safe?

“Bully” type romances are not something that has ever really interested me until now. My only negative about this series is that some of the situations or things Riley thought and said seemed a little repetitive, but thinking back, that fits with her character as those are things that have been drilled into her head based on the lifestyle she and her mom have lived. I really liked seeing Cole’s softer side in the prequel before he became so hardened by life and let-downs. The characters’ emotional growth in these books was well written and I felt like I got to watch them blossom throughout this series. I have really enjoyed this whole series and can’t wait to read more from this author and find out what happens to the rest of the Elite, Cole’s brother and two cousins.

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