Wicked Games by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shane was facing involuntary manslaughter charges after he hit Luke Green on behalf of Erica. When he hit Luke, the boy fell and hit his head on the corner of the cement steps. His grandfather brought in an attorney and the charges were dismissed once video showed that it was evident the move was self-defense. However, not everyone feels justice has been served. Shane’s father, Joe, attempts to convince him to go into business with him flipping houses. The only issue was he needed Shane and Phoenix to take a loan out on their trust money to get the business started.
Winter has arrived at Thane University. 8 years had passed since her mother was sent to prison for the death of her sister. Winter refused to read any of the letters she sent. She is given the parole hearing notice, asking she appear for her mother at the hearing. Winter is now a dorm roommate with Piper. At the coffee shop she sees Shane, and thinks he is attractive. What she fails to remember is that she tormented him in grade school. However, Shane has not forgotten and plans on payback.
At a party, Winter finds Shane and follows him where the tension is clearly palpable. Using the Landon as his name. offer to walk her back to her dorm. They share a kiss that leaves them breathless. Then, as part of his plan, he begins walking away. Winter enters her dorm room confused. While Shane is walking to the parking lot, Cindy, a professor he had a fling with, insists he meet her in her office to share an intimate rendezvous. Shane dismisses her and Cindy confronts him about Winter. He tells Cindy off and leaves the scorned woman in the parking lot. The following morning, Winter goes to her mail slot and finds a letter written in red letters calling her a Killer.

Isla Vaughn continues her Hidden Valley Elite Series with Wicked Games. Shane and Winter share a bond; however, hers is more of a smitten love while he has a whirlwind of inner turmoil. He wants to bond with his father but I think Joe is seeking money for something else. I think if he gets anything from Shane, he will disappear again. The impending birth of his brother’s baby, making his goal to the NFL, Professor Cindy Elian refusing to end their fling, build the turmoil Shane has to face. Just when he thinks everything is over regarding Luke’s accidental death, Luke’s family attack again with a civil suit. Winter’s memory of the day her sister died is foggy, but she believes her neglectful mother had either killed her sister or knows who did. The rumor that Winter killed her tore her apart. She doesn’t want to help her mother with the parole hearing. I am eager to read the sequel, as this series has become one of my favorites.

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