Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Aspen wants to have fun and she’s new to town. Beach party catches her attention once invited. She ends up having a one night stand. But will it turn into more now that she is pregnant? Love this book and the series.
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
So, after reading both books in this series Cruel, I learned how it is hard to be a teenager in high school and all you want to do is be free. But Isla Vaughn made The High School into a spicy novella that I love so much how each character goes through a lot to be part of something but then falls in love with their enemies.
In these two books, Cruel Start and Hate these two main characters make a huge change in their lives just to have others off their backs. Starting with a girl Phoenix who puts her past behind her and carries on with her pregnancy to find out that she sees her past in front of her. While Aspen a football player has to make a hard choice in life just for his teams to lay off of him. Crazy moments for both of them.
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a really good book. Aspen is the new girl in town. She gets an invite to a beach party. She meets the hottest guy she has ever seen. When she throws caution to the wind and a wild night of passion that quickly turns into taking a pregnancy test. Will he stick around and be the daddy his baby on the way?
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn is available now in eBook
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review
Cruel Start introduces us to the story of Phoenix and Aspen. This prequel is a super quick read full of hot, intense, chemistry between these two characters. I have never read a book by Vaughn that I did not like, and this one just made my skin crawl. I am super excited to read Aspen and Phoenix’s duet. If you are passionate about enemies to lovers, college romance novels you will NOT want to miss this one.
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122944378-cruel-start” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”Cruel Start (Hidden Valley Elite #4.5)” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1680522551l/122944378._SX98_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122944378-cruel-start”>Cruel Start</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/23199631.Isla_Vaughn”>Isla Vaughn</a><br/>
My rating: <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5850658851″>4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This was a real grab ‘em and not let ‘em go read.<br />Starting the story of Phoenix and Aspen.<br />New girl, star of the diving team, cliff diver Aspen, is just wanting to keep her head down and get through college, and start her business, keep a low profile where her parents are concerned.<br />Phoenix the star of the football team is going pro, that’s the plan if he can keep his grades.<br />Not quite a full on bully romance, but a very on the edge of the genre book, teen pregnancy, hormones running high and behaviours running hot and cold.<br />I am jumping straight into the next book as it is a need to know situation<br />
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<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/34425105-tracy”>View all my reviews</a>
This book is a three book series called Hidden Valley Elite Series!! You must read them in order!!!! I absolutely loved this series, I am still waiting for the third book but I have read the first two. Phoenix meets an amazing artist name Aspen and have a wild night together. They didn’t think that they would run into each other after that night. Little did they know that fate had other plans for them when the plus sign shows up on the stick and just like that their worlds are now connected.
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is a three book series called Hidden Valley Elite Series!! You must read them in order!!!! I absolutely loved this series, I am still waiting for the third book but I have read the first two. Phoenix meets an amazing artist name Aspen and have a wild night together. They didn’t think that they would run into each other after that night. Little did they know that fate had other plans for them when the plus sign shows up on the stick and just like that their worlds are now connected.
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The introduction to Phoenix and Aspen’s story was a great lead into their story. Aspen loves taking risks. She then meets Phoenix and her world is turned upside down. When the two clash two little pink lines turn everything in her world on it’s head she’s unsure what to do. Phoenix is your typical bully jock. He thinks that he rules the world. He’s not my favorite right now and I want to see where this goes. This dark and not everyone’s cup of tea. It has some triggers. It has spicy scenes in it and my oh my they had my heart skipping a beat!
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This short read give a bit of backstory into Phoenix and Aspens 1st encounter, everything that went down with Shane and Phoenix and Tracey, and how Phoenix hurt his hand. It was important to read. Helped tie it all together and made the story (as well as the characters) that much more intense. I am LOVING the Hidden Valley Elite books. Can’t wait for the final book in Phoenix and Aspen’s story. Eeeep!!!!
Review By: Manda Kelly 2023
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was fantastic to read. Isla has a way of making each character unique yet still has qualities that are relatable.
This book follows the story of Aspen. She is a girl excited about the next chapter in her life, college. She can’t wait to get out on her own and focus on making her dreams her reality. She has worked hard for a long time and is very determined. She loves the escape that comes with being in the water.
Phoenix is looking forward to college and being with all of his closest friends who are also family to him. He has rules that he follows and does not break them for anyone.
When Aspen meets Phoneix it’s like someone decided to throw a wrench into her plans. When one night of passion leads to a plus sign on a pregnancy test she is mortified. It only takes one time and one night to change the course of your life.
What happens when they meet again after their night together? How will he react to the news that he is going to be a father? Can they learn to like each other enough to handle the impending child they are bringing into this world?
Read this book to find out what happens with these two.
Cruel Hate: A College Sports Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ok so this series if you truly want to understand Phoenix start from the beginning but is it necessary? No. But it makes it so much deeper
Aspen and Phoenix have to figure out this surprise pregnancy from a one nighter. At first it seems like these two won’t even interact after but the chemistry is too much to be without and they find one another but their tempers are both red hot and it makes for fireworks in and outside the bedroom. He doesn’t do relationships and she refuses to turn into her parents.
Can they figure out their relationship and their feelings before it’s too late? They need one another and don’t even know it. The cliffhanger too I wasn’t even mad about… cuz.. whew!
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I accidentally read these out of sequence so I definitely recommend reading them in order. This book is a great introduction to the main characters Aspen, Phoenix, Shane, Tracey and their college lives. The struggles they face an what is about to come.
Cruel King by K.M. Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
WOW!! This is my first book by this author, and what an intense way to dip my toe in! I didn’t even feel myself finding the groove of this book, I just dove right in, and the author swept me away immediately. I couldn’t put it down and found myself staying up late to see what happened next just to find myself twisting and turning in the story. The characters will have you at the edge of your seat, yelling at the book, and rolling your eyes all while tugging at your heartstrings. The amount of tension and chemistry in this story is astounding, and I thought it was written incredibly well to make you feel each of those emotions as your own. I won’t give anything away, but you will absolutely be clamoring for more from this author after finishing this book!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a prequel to Aspen and Phoenix’s story. This is a super quick read and just like the rest of the Hidden Valley Elite series it is fantastic. I really just can’t get enough of this series. Phoenix just wants to get to college and then to the NFL. Can one night of passion derail all his plans? I am now counting down the days until the next book in this story comes out.
Brutal Nights by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the fourth book in the Hidden Valley Elite Series. Damon and Skylar’s story is so packed with twists and turns. I just could not put it down. The pull between these two characters is undeniable. I am impatiently waiting for the next book in the series.
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Cruel Start is another great installment in the Hidden Valley Elite Series, and now it’s Phoenix’s turn to share his story with readers, and he didn’t disappoint.
Cruel Start is a great title for this book as it is somewhat of a cruel start for Phoenix and his “surfer girl,” Aspen! The chemistry between these two is electrifying, but they have a lot of things to overcome before they find their happily ever after!
This book is a little different from the previous books as now the characters I have come to love have now moved on to college, and I actually liked Phoenix a lot earlier on than I did the male characters in the earlier books. He wasn’t all that nice to Aspen in the beginning, but now that he knows she is pregnant, he has no intention of shirking his duties as a father.
What I have come to discover about Aspen, I like. I don’t know as much about her as I do about Phoenix because I have gotten to know him just a little bit in the previous books. Both are going to be complex and complicated characters because of the parents they have. Each has issues with relationships and love because of their parents, with the exception of Phoenix’s mother, but I am hoping they work through those for the sake of their relationship and because I like them as individuals.
The book isn’t very long as this serves as a prequel for the upcoming books, but Vaughn packed a lot of things in those pages that just give us a little taste of what is to come. Looking forward to getting to know more about these two in the next few books!
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really love this series, it has everything you could want in a romance book. Even though it’s a prequel it’s missing nothing. It has everything you could hope and want. Somehow this author makes the series better and better with each book. Read it today you won’t be disappointed!
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Cruel Start
By: Isla Vaughn
Once again, Isla Vaughn does not disappoint. I have read every last one of the Hidden Valley Elite books and every last one is a page turner that is filled with drama, suspense and spice. All are dark, but to be honest, I like that in this series and I feel like it works perfectly well. Isla Vaughn is the queen of character development and I feel has absolutely thought about each and every aspect of her characters before she even begins writing. Her characters are flawed but in a very relatable way and they all show growth and evolution. Cruel Start is once again a fantastic addition to the series. This is the beginning of Aspen and Phoenix’s story and I am left waiting with bated breath for the second part of their story. This book is absolutely fantastic and I cannot recommend reading it and the rest of the series enough!
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the 4.5 installment in the Hidden Valleys series. Personally, I would read the book in order of the series in order to get the full context and character development but they can be read as stand-alone as well. In Cruel Start we are introduced to Phoenix and Aspen. The author definitely knows how to develop characters, write tension and keep you on the edge of your seat.
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Brutal Start by Isla Vaughn is another entry in the Hidden Valley Elite series. This book is our introduction to Phoenix and Aspen’s story. I recommend reading the series to get the best context and back story of the characters. This book follows Phoenix as he starts College as an up-and-coming football star. This is what he has worked for his entire life. Football, so he can chase his dreams of making it in the NFL and sticking it to his awful father. But what happens when a night of fun with a girl named Aspen flips his whole world upside down. This Author, this series, these characters are so good. They have been living rent free in my head ever since the first book and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment. 5 out of 5 Stars.
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh my god!! Talk about a tease!! This short intro of Aspen and Phoenix’s story leaves you hanging to make sure you read the full book. Now if you have read the other books in this series, you know you won’t be disappointed! I have read each book in this series so far and let me tell you this author does not disappoint with any of her books. Phoenix is a football star excited to get to Thane with his cousins Cole and Damon and twin brother Shane. Yet one last party and an accidental meeting with Aspen might derail his plans. How will Phoenix make football, college, and Aspen all fit together? Can he make it work? Aspen is a spitfire with her walls up, and after watching her parent’s unhappy and unhealthy relationship over the years, she could never fall in love. I can not wait to read the full story!!
Reviewed by @alape
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I didnt know such a short prequel could contain so much drama and fun. The writing of this made it feel so impactful in such a short time, and I immediately fell for these characters. I loved each character we met, well except one, if you know, you know!!! This being so short it kind of ended on a cliffhanger and has me scrambling to grab the next and now I want to read the entire series. This has so many things in it to appeal to so many people like family drama, some spice, college atmosphere, sports. If you want something quick and exciting that will suck you in and get you started on a series than absolutely pick this up. I would recommend reading the other books in this series first to get everyone’s backstory. I didn’t and I wish I had so now I will go read the ones before this because I already love (almost) everyone so I want to read their stories!!
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Cruel start was a short but truly amazing beginning for the Aspen and Phoenix story. This is the prequel to the next two both which will revolve around the two.😭😭😭 It makes me so sad to have to wait for the next 2 books in this series. I need to know what happens between them now 🤣😭. I’m also looking forward to seeing all the complex characters again and what role they play in these next books. Hopefully they help out and not make things worse 😂. I hope Aspen and Phoenix can work it out for the little one or ones lmao you know twins run in the family lmao
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Cruel Start is part of Isla Vaughns Hidden Valley Elite series. Let me tell you what is cruel… me not realizing this was a prequel novella! As I finished I was internally screaming NOOOO that’s it?! It was, over too soon. Really though, I should have known better. However, this is just the prequel for the two part story of Aspen and Phoenix. When one moment of passion turns their worlds upside down, the pair need to figure out how to deal with the impending future. I am so excited to see where this couple goes and what happens between them. I’m also excited to hopefully catch some glimpses of our previous characters.
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a great 5 star read. This author continues to pull me in with her writing. This is quickly becoming a favorite series of mine. This is 4.5 prequel that has me wanting the next two books now. Phoenix and Aspen have a chance encounter that turns into a steamy fling that could change both their lives forever. You could feel their chemistry coming off the pages. What will happen when Phoenix gets the news? What will they do?
I can’t wait to see where things go for these two. All of the characters added a great element to the story. There is adult content and we get a heck of a cliffhanger. 1-click and get started today on this series.
Reviewed by @mab54615
View all my reviews
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m so in love with this series and this author’s writing! This is the beginning of Phoenix and Aspen’s story, which is part of the Hidden Valley Elite Series. Personally, I can’t wait for the next book in the series to find out where their story goes from here. It is possible to read this amazing story as a standalone, but I’d definitely recommend reading the whole series as you get to learn more about Phoenix throughout his family’s books. Also, it’s an incredible young adult series that is enjoyable to read.
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I did not expect this to end the way it did, i need the next like right now, please of course .
So much happens in this quick prequel that I had to read it twice to be sure I didn’t miss anything the first time around.
if you liked any of the others from this series then you don’t want to miss this one. And if this is your first of this series I recommend reading the others, not that you need to but you’ll want to because they’re that good!!
Can’t wait to get the next one, I need to know what happens!
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Cruel Start: A Dark College Bully Romance (Hidden Valley Elite)
Another Hidden Valley Elite Book I blew through because I couldn’t put it down. I am so completely and totally in love and obsessed with this series.
Phoenix is starting college in the fall with his brother Shane, they’re on the football team and life is good for them. Then there is a change for both of the boys and I hope it will be good for them both.
We meet Aspen and I was able to relate to her, trying to do the opposite of her parents and looking forward to college in the fall. Then she meets Phoenix.
I am impatiently waiting for the next book and don’t know if I will survive the wait.
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love it when authors do prequels to their next full story – it’s a great introduction to the characters and for me gives me a deeper understanding of them and also makes you want to read their full story because you need to know what is going to happen and I am so excited to read Aspen and Phoenix’s full story. This was a brilliant read and having met Phoenix in previous books I was already highly anticipating his story and this taster has made me want it even more. I really loved meeting Aspen in this book, she is a nice character who is dealing with lots of stuff at home. I thought her and Phoenix had this genuine connection and I am looking forward to seeing how this relationship develops over the next two books!
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh man, the drama! This book is about Phoenix and I’m so excited about it. This is a short prequel but my goodness SO much happened and it’s blowing my mind lol. I can’t wait for the next book to know what happens with everything! Highly encourage you to read the other books before this one! Because they’re all so damn good! I can’t get enough of them.
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you are following along, you will know that this book is a prequel and a CRUEL START to the story of Phoenix and Aspen! It is also part of the Hidden Valley Elite, which started following this group of people when they were in high school. Several have now moved onto college but their situations, drama and angst have followed them there.
These two characters have lived in the shadows of their siblings and even their neglectful parents. Phoenix and Aspen are risk takers and care little about the damage they may cause to themselves. However, a little surprise addition begins to change things, but we really don’t know just how much as this story does end on a cliffhanger!
Looking forward to more of their story in Cruel Hate.
Reviewed by @shannonlovesbooks
