Savage Truth (Hidden Valley Elite Book 2) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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

Savage Truth is Book Two in the Hidden Valley Elite series. The book carries on with the story from Book One that was filled with drama, anger, hatred, with a bully themed/friends turning to lover’s theme. It centers around the characters of Riley and Cole who both attend Hidden Valley Elite high school. Cole is known as one of the Elites at the school because he is a star of the football team and basically becomes the king of everything he does. He is the type of guy that guys want to be and that girls want to be with. Riley used to attend the school and has just returned after being gone for a year. She never imagined that she would be returning after being on the run with her mom from her mother’s psychotic ex-boyfriend. Riley also never expected to see Cole again after they shared a secret kiss while drunk at a party. Cole has not been able to get Riley out of his mind since then so when he sees her again feelings surface. In typical douchebag, jock, I’m-too-good-for-everyone behavior Cole decides to torment and bully Riley. She stands her ground and pushes back and the two play the cat and mouse game back and forth as they maneuver through their love-hate relationship.

In Book Two the story of Riley and Cole continues, and we are able to see its conclusion. The cat and mouse game between them continues and the chemistry between them grows. Cole realizes that he has intense feelings for Riley that he has been denying. In the past all he cared about were physical relationships but with Riley he feels a deep connection. Riley realizes that she loves Cole and has never felt like this about anyone before. Things heat up when secrets start to come to light about Riley’s mom and the true reasons Cole hates Riley and her mom. When secrets about who Riley’s dad is come to light and Riley’s life may be in danger, Riley must decide if she will run again or have the strength to stay. As the secrets and lies surface and danger looms, it pushes Riley and Cole to make hard decisions. Rather than fight each other they decide to fight for one another and protect one another at all costs.

This storyline may cause triggers to some because of its dark subject matter. As a survivor of bullying in high school it was a bit difficult to read at times. The characters are ones that you will either love or hate. Or in the case of Cole, love to hate at first. In the beginning, he was a bully through and through and had the attitude that he was better than everyone else. Yet, you cannot help but feel that there is more under the surface and must understand that high school is a popularity contest. Cole is used to getting his own way, used to winning, and used to being popular so he could not risk losing all that. Riley is used to living a life in hiding, running from her mom’s ex, and never staying in one place long. She just wants to get through high school and not draw attention to herself. Yet, Riley is not the type of girl to put up with stuff and will stand her ground and push back. She is strong and feisty. Both Riley and Cole developed and matured in this book. We were able to see a softer side of Cole that loved Riley and wanted to protect her from harm. Their love-hate game slowly bloomed into more, but it did not come easily. Great series that will have you reading to the end to find out what happens.

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