Savage Truth by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Cole and Riley are playing a game of catch and chase. They’re attracted to each other but are hesitant to give in to it. I really enjoyed this book but it also had me contemplating on a similar movie. The similarities were to stop doing what she was taught and enjoy school. In all it’s a really good book and I highly recommend the series.
Brutal Days by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Isla Vaughn scored a touchdown with the 3rd book in the Hidden Valley Elite series! I loved Damon’s mysterious character from the first two books in this series and was so excited for him to be one of the main characters in his tale of enemies to lovers story. Skylar is the perfect fiesty female to stand up against Damon’s broody, “I can have whoever I want” attitude. I love the change that you see through the unique ability of Isla Vaughn to develop her character, and then slowly lead you along the path that she wants you to take to recognize the growth in some and the decline of maturity in others. This is truly one of my favorite Hidden Valley Elite books in the series so far, Isla Vaughn continues to grow as a writer as she spins these tales of the Elite’s romantic lives. I love that she does not leave us wondering about our prior characters but doesn’t allow them to be the key players as their story continues in the shadows, where we may peek in on them from time to time but maintain our focus on our stars of the story. If you have not read the prior books in this series I highly recommend you look them up and get reading! This book took me less than a day to get through, it was so enticing I couldn’t put it down! I am so excited for Book #4 to come out soon, the wait is excruciating, being left on a serious cliffhanger right at the last minute, I am dying to know what’s next for Damon and Skylar, will they get their happily ever after, or will Skylar sacrifice everything for her BFF? Is her Daddy finally getting out of prison and if so will he be making a visit to check in on his wife and his little girl who’s all grown up?
Brandy Rymer
06/2023
Brutal Days by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Brutal Days is the third installment of the Hidden Valley Elite Series, and it is just as good as the first two books. In fact, Damon and Skylar may have a little bit more of my heart than Cole and Riley….if I’m being honest.
From the very beginning, Vaughn had my attention and kept it throughout the book. What started out as a good intention to help a friend soon turns into a complex situation fraught with lust, emotion, and secrets. Two people who hate each other also can’t stop thinking about each other. What is a dark romance has some really bright places in Isla Vaughn’s talented hands. The push and pull between Damon and Skylar made the book even better. These two characters have had to deal with some really painful events in their past, and so both are intent on having some control in their lives. Yet, they find that they can let go and show parts of themselves to each other that they can’t show anyone else. Skylar is a wonderful, multi-faceted, and strong female lead. Damon has hard edges and can sometimes be a real jerk, but he can also be tender with Skylar. How could I not fall in love with them and their story!!!!
I wasn’t sure if I would like the premise of the book because of the blackmail angle, and I didn’t want Skylar to be forced to do something she didn’t really want to. However, that wasn’t the case. Vaughn did a fabulous job of giving us a dark romance but with a lot of emotion involved. I can’t wait to see the next leg of Damon and Skylar’s journey to happiness.
Brutal Days by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Can’t! hold! on! much! longer!! 🤣🤣🤣
I know I probably said this before but hot damn Isla Vaughn is back with another amazing heart pumping thriller. In this enemies to lovers book we follow Damon and Skylar. This is the first book of their story and boyyyy it was by far my fave ( at least so far lol we got a couple more books to go) this world is so well built and the characters so real. This has everything you’d want, that’s for sure. Also Gia is ugh lol but it is ends in a Cliffhanger hanging from a cliff and that’s why we call’em cliffhanger 😂 (who else remembers that show lmao loved it) i cannot wait for the next one, releasing soon woot woot 🙌
Brutal Days by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Brutal days is something else. I don’t know what it is about bully/enemies romances that just give for me but it is so dang good! A third in the series but definitely no third place for Brutal days. The angst and chemistry will have you baited, hook, line and sinker. I couldn’t get enough nor could I put down and what a complex whirlwind my emotions went through! The characters are so well thought out and planned to perfection. I can’t wait to read other books from the series because this one was a showstopper.
Brutal Days by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Brutal Days: A Dark High School Bully Romance (Hidden Valley Elite Book 3)
I knew going in that this was a cliffhanger which I don’t usually enjoy because I’m impatient and want to know how things end up now, but there is something about this series and characters that forced me to read each and every book in this series. I have to know that all of the guys get their happy endings.
I’m not going to give anything away but I may have gasped and growled outloud when I read the end. What a way to keep me hanging, thankfully I won’t have to wait too long for the next book. I cannot wait to see what happens with the giant mess it has become.
You don’t have to read the Prequel or the first two books in the series though I would highly recommend it.
Brutal Days by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Brutal Days: A Dark High School Bully Romance (Hidden Valley Elite Book 3) by Isla Vaughn
4 out of 5
Another hit from Isla Vaughn. Definitely worth your time. In this book we follow Sky and Damon. I highly recommend anything by Isla Vaughn since all the books in this series are great and fun to read. This book was so hard to put down. Be aware that once you start the series you will not be able to stop reading. Highly recommend.
Brutal Days by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a really good read! While this is technically the third book the series, it’s also the start of new character POVs and could be read a standalone. I would definitely recommend reading the previous books though, because it does help give some background and they were just phenomenal as well. I really enjoyed getting to see more of Damon and dive into his life. He was an interesting character to me in the previous books so I very much enjoyed getting to see this side of him. I absolutely can not wait to read the next book in this series!
Brutal Days by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Brutal Days
By: Isla Vaughn
This is the third book in the Hidden Valley Elite that I have read. I have to say each one deals with dark themes and mature content. However, that does not stop this from being an absolutely amazing book. It must be noted that this is not a standalone.
This story features Damon and Sky. They have absolutely amazing banter between one another. The kind where the emotion is absolutely palpable. This story is told from dual points of view. I find that this type of story telling can be very hard to read if it is not done well. However, Isla Vaughn does dual point of view with excellence and I cannot imagine this story not being told from this point of view. Their dislike for each other absolutely jumps off the page but it is their obsession with each other that really drives the storyline. Especially the extra twist of Sky’s friend Gia. I am definitely looking forward to the next book to find out what happens between them. This is a definite book that sucks you in from the first page and doesn’t ever let you go!
Brutal Days by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Brutal Days (Hidden Valley Elite Book 3) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Jessica Stone
I LOVE this series, I could not recommend it more, Isla Vaughn has stolen my heart and given it to these guys.
This is book three in this series, not including a short prequel and this book focuses on Damon, the younger brother to Cole from the previous two books. Part of me was worried that this book would be more tame than the last two because it’s centered around Damon, but boy was I wrong.
Isla does a wonderful job building up the tense angsty situations and letting them explode, she creates fireworks between her main love interests while not making the book overly “romantic”.
This book in particular takes its main characters relationship to a different delicious level by making it a hidden relationship/forced/enemies to lovers, with a little bit of spice mixed in by having her pay Damon basically with her body to date her best friend and make her high-school dreams come true. Now… we all think know how this is going to end, but I did not expect the twist that popped up. Sky’s past coming back to haunt her and her inability to let go fully and put her trust in a man holds her back for a bit, but she blossoms and it’s beautiful.
All in all I really enjoyed this book, I enjoyed the continuation of where the last book left off, the follow through on the story, the depth to the characters and the hurt they’ve experienced, all quit enjoyable. Sprinkle in a little mystery and spice and you’ve got this wonderful book.
I’m pretty excited to see what the author does in the next installment of the series, and to get to know all of the main characters better.
Brutal Days, Hidden Valley Elite Series, Isla Vaughn, Review, Itsy Bitsy Book Bits, New Adult, Bully Romance, Jessica Stone, June 2023
Brutal Days by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This bully romance just does not miss. I have truly enjoyed each part of this series so far. This particular book revolves around Damon and Skylar. You can feel the emotions between them. The angst is wonderful. I truly enjoy bully romances and this is absolutely on the list of series I will be continuing.
Reviews by @michellerenee6590
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❥ PREORDER ❥
I lost the game.
Now? I’m going to lose everything else, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.
Sacrificing Damon, who turns my world upside down with a single touch, for my best friend’s happiness is a no-brainer. Protective and determined to make me his, Damon didn’t get the memo. And he’s made it clear that he isn’t going to let me go without a fight.
There’s only one thing that can destroy the happiness I’m beginning to find. It isn’t within the walls of the academy, but behind bars. The secrets I’m keeping are about to come crashing down, and when the dust settles, I’m not sure if there’s going to be anything left of my life worth saving.
Brutal Nights is an enemies-to-lovers, new adult, high school bully romance with plenty of angst, heat, and a HEA. This is the conclusion of Brutal Days, and Skylar and Damon’s duet. This book contains mature content that some readers may find disturbing.
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’ve been waiting for this book! The entire series is easily in my top 5 favorite series and I couldn’t wait for more! The first 2 books were about Cole and this book is about his younger brother Damon! The drama, the angst…I CANT GET ENOUGH. I love how Skylar doesn’t give a shit and she keeps her head held high. She doesn’t back down from the “Elite” even if others do. She’s her own person and she stands her ground, regardless what others think. The Hidden Valley Elite is just all around AMAZING and if you haven’t read them, please do! Each book has a cliffhanger and it makes you CRAVE more. I love when books have me invested in them and I can’t think of anything else. READ THIS BOOK!
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Isla Vaugh did it again! Brutal Days: Hidden Valley Elite book 3 kept me hooked from page one. It helps that I have read the prequel and the first two books in the series, but you could start here if you really wanted to. It’s worth it to grab the others first though!
Skylar hates sports and athletes without hesitation. She is dumbfounded when her best friend, Gia, falls for the biggest jerk in school, but will do anything to help her friend get the love she so desires.
Damon is NFL bound and elite to the core. He’s a dark, moody, and has a reputation that precedes him (good and bad). Every girl wants him, but he only wants exactly what he wants… and he’s used to getting it.
Isla Vaughn does a great job pulling the reader in and not letting go and Brutal Days is no exception! The characters are mostly privileged teenagers and she does a great job developing their personalities and attitudes. And with that cliffhanger? I need the next book now!
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Isla Vaughn blew it out of the ballpark again. Such a great book!
The love/hate relationship between Sky and Damon is intoxicating. I couldn’t put the book down. Such an easy read as well. Can’t get enough of Isla’s books. Can’t wait to read the next book in this series because this one leave you with a cliff hanger.
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
OMG!! I am head over heels for this series! I have read each book in this series including the prequel and I can’t wait to finish each book! This author has a superpower when it comes to creating characters and just writing in general.
Sky just wants to make her best friend Gia’s senior year one to remember and help her check everything off her ridiculous list! Even if it means Sky will have to be the game piece when Gia sets her sights on Damon Savage. What Sky didn’t anticipate was that she would end up falling for Damon behind her best friend’s back.
In each book that I read by this author, she has me falling more and more in love with her work!
Reviewed by @alape
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the third book in this series. But the first of 2 books about Sky and Damon. And if you liked the first 2 books you’ll absolutely love this…
Broody bad boy and take no nonsense Femal MC. Match made in heaven. The authors takes you on a ride with her storytelling and I couldn’t put it down. The character development is excellent and well thought out. The plot is also perfect and melds well with the first 2 books. There’s some character crossover so I would definitely read the first 2.
With the huge cliffhanger I’m super excited that the next book is releasing soon.
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
As an adult the issues in this book seem so “child-like” but as an adult of a senior/graduating high schooler these situations are scary- very real and very scary. These situations also seem like too much for young adults to handle. With that being said…UGH! WTF! More high school drama for the Elite at Hidden Valley Academy. Really! Wow!
This time it’s about Damon, brother of Cole. Cole was the star in Savage Start, Savage Lies and Savage Truth. Books that should be read in order but don’t necessarily need to be read before Brutal Days. Damon is the star now, he is in a group called the Elite. They are the top of the top of the popular kids at school…the Elite. Skylar is also a senior at Hidden Valley Academy. She would rather remain a wallflower but when her BFF Gia sets her sights on Damon as part of her “four point plan”, Skylar knows she has to step in. But of course things don’t go as planned. Lies are easier to spin than hurting friends.
Skylar and Damon are HOT. If I put their ages out of my mind…oh my!! Their push and pull..their anger and hate and oh my! Yeah, this is a book that should be read. Period. The cliffhanger ending…oh ding dang daisy….yeah…bring on those Brutal Nights!
Reviewed by @shannonlovesbooks
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ahhhhhhh that cliff hanger!!!!! This installment of the Hidden Valley Elite series is by far my absolute favorite. The banter between Sky and Damon is everything. I need the next installment now!
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This entire series has been phenomenal and Brutal Days did not disappoint! The heat, the hatred, the lies, and secrets kept between Damon and Skylar keep this book going and the inferno between them growing bigger and hotter. High school bully is one of my top favorite tropes, and I look forward to continuing this series, it has been one of the best series I’ve ever read!
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am officially ADDICTED to this series. As always, the author leaves us with a MASSIVE cliffhanger and an insane amount of audacity at the end of this book. This is the 3 book in HVE, but the first book in the duet for Damon and Skylar. You could read this as a stand alone duet, but it makes more sense to read all 3 books for the series, considering that the characters all tie together some way. I cannot WAIT for the next book in the series/duet, because I have got to know what happens after that cliffhanger. June 22nd can’t get here fast enough!!
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was another great 5 star read from this author. She is continuing to pull me in with her writing and I don’t want to stop until I’m done. This whole series is great, if you like High School Bully romance I highly suggest this book and series. This is Damon and Skylar’s story. There is a little hiccup when Skylar’s BFF wants the same guy she does. What will happen? This really added quite the storyline and made things very interesting. We get so much in this read, unexpected twists and turns, steam and so much more. All of the characters added a great element to the story. I look forward to reading more from this author. I suggest starting with book one so that you can get to know all of the characters. 1-click and get started today.
Reviewed by @mab54615
View all my reviews
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Brutal Days is the third book in the Hidden Valley Elite series by Isla Vaughn, this story follows on from the previous books in the series but focuses on Damon and Skylar. Skylar makes a deal with the devil (or Demon) to help her best friend achieve her senior year goals, this ends up putting her on Damon’s radar and she can’t seem to stay away from him, not matter how hard she tries. I really liked this book, I was very disappointed that I have to wait a couple of weeks until the next one comes out! I need to know what is going to happen right now, it is definitely on my wish list. I knew from the start that the ending, or something similar, was going to happen but I really need to know how it is going to play out. I really liked the characters in this book, Damon showing his softer side and Sky calling him out on his behaviour, I am keeping my fingers cross that they can get a happy ending in the next book. I am really enjoying this series.
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Savage brothers are back, and Damon is on the scene.
What would one best friend do for another during their senior year…Skylar goes above and beyond for Gia. Choices are made; good? Bad? Depends on how you perceive this entanglement.
This is book one of their duet. The author leaves us with a cliffhanger worthy of more than a gasp and throwing a Kindle.
Luckily, we won’t have too long to wait to see the conclusion of this fiery duo.
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
OMFG!!!!!!!!! My friends are back and they brought some new people. I am down for that. I have missed these characters. On a side note, I should totally take stars off my rating for that ending. I knew it was going to end on a cliffhanger but Uhhhhhhhh, I was not expecting to be there dangling just by my fingertips on my strong hand waiting on the rescue of the next book.
Okay, let’s catch up on what happened. Riley and Cole have gone off to college leaving behind the rest of the Elite. Damon, Phoenix and Shane are starting their senior year of high school. Skylar, who made a brief appearance in Riley & Cole’s story, is a reporter writing for the school’s blog on the football team. This is where the conflict begins. Skylar writes an unflattering article on Damon and now he is out for blood but as much as he wants to take her down, he finds her intriguing.
Skylar is in the midst of her drama. Her best friend is on a mission to complete a list of goals to make senior year awesome, Skylar is not interested. Skylar’s abusive father is about to get out of jail. She just needs to get through the year to get the heck out of dodge, as the saying goes. She might have written that article to rile Damon but also because it was how she saw it. Now, Skylar needs Damon’s help to make the best friend’s senior year goal list a reality. It just comes with a price.
The consequences of Skylar’s actions are catching up to her and now she is caught between a rock and a hard demon. Will her choices justify the ends? I sure don’t know but I hope the next book will tell me!!!
This author, this series….UHHH-effing-mazing!!!! The author draws you and then teases you with crumbs of information that will make sense later when you realize you know. The characters’ emotions are as real as the pages on which they are written. Beautiful. I crave the next book but know that when I devour it, it will only leave me wanting more.
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a quick read. I had a little trouble staying connected to the story. The story did flow well and the characters were good. The overall plot just didn’t hit with me. I would read others by the author because her writing style is well done.
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the third book of the series. It can be read as a standalone but it references characters and some things that happened in the first two books. Honestly, the whole series is so good you should just start at the beginning.
Gia wants a memorable senior year. Best year ever and all that. Sky, as Gia’s best friend, wants to support her and help her achieve whatever it is she wants to do. Sky doesn’t realize that Gia’s list includes Damon. She’s not happy about it but she does the only thing she can think of and that is ask Damon for a favor. Damon is intrigued by Sky and the best way to get to her is to help her out. What could go wrong?
I absolutely loved this book!! I can’t wait for the next book. It was so well written. The characters are great. You can really feel the turmoil Sky feels she’s in regarding her feelings about Damon. I couldn’t read this book fast enough!
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Isla Vaughn created Brutal Days to continue her Hidden Valley Elite series. The book features Skylar McCormick and Damon Savage. Skylar has promised to help her friend, Gia, to get her senior year goals: get invited to the underground fight club where all the cool kids were; get a popular boyfriend; lose her virginity; and become prom queen. However, Skylar knows that this will not be as simple as Gia attempts to make it sound. The following day, Skylar is watching the football team practice since it assigned her to write an article for the school’s blog. Damon approaches her and tells her to come to the barbecue with him. He wasn’t asking since he knew almost every girl in Hidden Valley Academy wanted him. Skylar told him no. Unfortunately, Gia zeroed on Damon Savage as who she wanted to date.
Skylar had propositioned Damon on behalf of Gia. She offers to do all of Damon’s homework as long as he dates Gia. Damon told her for every date he had with Gia then she would have to pay him back by doing him “favors.” Skylar thought she could resist Damon’s charm, but find it attracted her to him. She finds she will go further with Damon than she ever imagined.
The story has several steamy moments, however; I had struggled with what actually made Skylar decide to lower her guard. I couldn’t imagine how she could claim to be loyal to Gia when she was happy with paying Damon with her own body. The end of the book was perfect in leaving readers hanging and wanting to read the sequel. I felt bad for poor Tucker- Cole beat him up for being around Riley and then Damon beat him up for being friends with Skylar.
Brutal Days by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I couldn’t wait to read Damon’s story and what a ride this first part was!
We met Skylar in Cole and Riley’s books but now we get to know her and how she finds herself in the crosshairs of Damon.
I have to say while Damon is a bit of a jerk in the other books, which I understand, he’s a softy underneath and guards himself. While I don’t agree with the deal he and Skylar have made behind her friends back, as all secrets come to light sooner or later whether you have control over it or not.
This cliffhanger was not what I was expecting at all and I can’t wait to dive into the next one and im sure it’ll be pretty explosive with how this ended.
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Isla Vaughn has done it again, in this Hidden Valley Elite series, we finally follow the other Savage brother, Damon. I really enjoyed this book better than the first in the series but only because I love Damon’s character better than Cole. A great story line to follow with some scrumptious sexual scenes. Vivid imagery and intense feelings to be had. The cliffhanger ending has me dying for more.