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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review byPaloma Fierro 21.01.24

Cole has to deal with his mom’s mental health, while his brother defends their father’s lack of interest in marriage and offspring. Both of them are highschoolers with dreams of being selected to play in the NFL, they have the built and athleticism to the point, now just need the time and selection. 

 

Riley has lived on the go since she can remember, city after city, change of look after change of look in order to not create a life but a constant runaway. But in one of those little lives of her she meets a man, and a kiss that will be burned in her mind forever. 

 

The beginning of a whole thread of stories, a good start of the series.

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Samantha Cleaver

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a quick read but a great set up for the rest of the series! Depicts more “real life” characters and has a little set up for romance. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Laura Quinn

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such an amazing book. Love the characteristics of the characters. Love how short and quick read. It was a book that I couldn’t get enough of. 5 stars 🌟

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Alison Risher

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a short yet intriguing teaser to a series. The main characters are actually interesting. The author must be quite adept with character development. I want to know more. Now, I’m off to search out the series.

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Michelle Austin

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a great 5 star read, being only 50 pages I read it in one sitting. This genre is quickly becoming a favorite for me. The characters were great, you could feel their connection coming off the pages. Riley and Cole definitely come from different sides of the track but money doesn’t always make things better. Of course we end on a cliffhanger, looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I need to see where their story goes. I will warn that 18+ readers are recommended due to the content and some darkness. If you like Bully Romance 1-click and get started today on this great read.

Reviewed by @mab54615
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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Dawn Mitchell

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love this series but this short prequel just didnt do it for me. It was nice to meet the new characters but seemed to jump around alot and not flow easily. I kept reading because it was short an I didnt understand the mothers story until finally at the end it came together. The kids stories were ok. The kids were familiar from the other books.

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fast paced start to a dynamic series, filled with drama, intrigue, and lies. It was a quick read, but definitely will draw you into the story and leaves you wanting more. It gives us a taste of Riley and Cole’s first kiss and the dynamics behind their families. I love how the author brings you right to the edge and then it just stops, leaving you filled with needing to know what happens next. I think this was an extremely well written story that really hooks you into the story. Be prepared to want to immediately grab the next book!

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Kelli Harper

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Riley and Cole share ONE kiss, but it is enough for both of them to know they want more. This is a high school bully romance starter. It shows you the dynamics of Riley and her mom as well as with Cole, his brother and their parents. It shows that no matter what background you come from, all families have issues. This prequel has drawn me in and I will be reading the series.

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Brandy Vaughn

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There are 10 chapters in this novel and is part of the Hidden Valley series. The heat that starts between Riley and Cole is an interesting prequel. Even though there’s 10 chapters, each one is packed with backstory and heat for an enemies to lovers romance novella. This prequel introduces and makes you fully understand the anger in the first official book in this series. It started with a kiss. This was an exciting look into what makes the bully in the series!

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Kay Stritesky

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am not so invested in this series that I have to read all of them but these little ones just don’t seem worth it! I really think this could just be a part of the main book. By time we got to the hook that wanted to make me keep reading the book was over.

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Tracy Greenhalgh

<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68042026-savage-start” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1672932917l/68042026._SX98_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68042026-savage-start”>Savage 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/6185173257″>5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
The prequel to the series and what a way to start it all off, even though I am reading this part way through the series This book is short and sets the scene for the rest brilliantly. <br />We find where Riley moves to the area and Damon and Cole’s backstory.<br />Another intriguing story by this great author. Just because it is shorter does not detract from its depth.<br />
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Savage Start, A High School Bully Romance Prequel, Hidden Valley Series, Isla Vaughn, Review, Itsy Bitsy Book Bits, New Adult, Romance, Bully

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this! It follows Riley Cole and Damon as they struggle with their family drama and try to navigate high school.
Rileys is new in town, her mum likes conning people so they move around alot, but Rileys hoping they can stay for a while.
Cole and Damons parents’ marriage is a mess. How do you help when you know one is lying to the other?
I love that the family drama isn’t the only theme running through this; like the teenagers going to parties, there’s flirting, sexual chemistry, and some mischief thrown in. It really leaves you wanting more and so I cannot wait to read the rest of the series! Highly recommend!!

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Mandy Ott

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I did things kind of backwards and read the entire Hidden Valley Elite Series before I read Savage Start, the prequel to them all. However, knowing the rest of the stories did not take away from the excitement and thrills of this one. Isla Vaughn starts this series off right with the introduction of some amazing characters. From the first page, the characters come to life; their struggles, emotions, and passion capture the reader’s attention. The world building of Isla Vaughn is spectacular! The reader is transported through the pages into the world of the Elite; the California coastline, beachside mansions, and parties at those mansions all come to life with her words! This book definitely gave me more insight into the timeline and background of Cole and Riley’s tumultuous relationship. Overall, another great read by Isla Vaughn! I can’t recommend this series enough, but definitely start with this one before moving on to the rest.

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Darian Vester

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve not read book one, Savage Lies, before reading the prequel, being 30 and reading a New Adult about teenagers doesn’t appeal to me but I really liked this prequel and it has me interested in book one. I hope the series explains more of Riley’s uncle, it just seems off to me that this guy bought her a “race car” but can’t help them. This is a nice short background about the characters that I’m sure everyone who has already read Savage Lies will love. I seen that Cole is the bully in book one and I’m not gonna lie, it makes me sad because I already really like him, not sure how I’m going to handle him being mean but I do look forward to how it all plays out.

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Crystal Jimmo

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had read the duet first before finding out that Riley and Cole had a prequel story. Once I found out I snatched it up! I loved seeing what made them, them. Reading this book made everything make so much more sense. The big reason why Riley is the way she is, and why Cole the way he is. Just like the other two, the back and forth in this book was really well done and balanced. The set up for the first book was fantastic! It really made me think and wanting more. Isla does such a good job setting up her worlds that I fell like I’m in the middle of them.

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Toni Sellers

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Savage Start is a Hidden Valley Elite Prequel, it is a very quick contemporary romance, bully/enemies to lovers. Definitely not a standalone as it ends with a big cliffhanger to lead you into Savage Lies. This gets us ready for Riley and Coles story. Very well written, can’t wait to keep reading this series.

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Kimberly Filer

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A great way to start off a series. Leaves you wanting more and more. A book complete with teenagers, hot guys, parties and family drama. A prequel story to Savage Lies and it’s a steamy one. Your introduced to the 3 main characters right at the beginning of the story. Brothers Cole and Damon and the new girl who just has moved into town named Riley. Where Riley goes it seems that trouble always follows as her and her mom are always on the run. Cole and Damon have so much going on family wise that their lives are turned upside down. In this short prequel you will laugh, cry, scream and just keep turning the pages to find out what happens next.

Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Heather Goodman

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a great teaser for the actual books. It’s crazy how the author can put so much passion and emotion in such a small package. This book leaves you wanting more but also satisfied with what you got too. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Manda Kelly

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Isla Vaughn has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her Hidden Valley Elite series is by far one of the best Bully Romance series of books I’ve ever read, and this prequel is no different. Get to know some back story into characters you already know and love. This story had me in tears, angry, and just all over the place. You get the a beginning peek into the start of Riley and Cole in this emotional prequel. I absolutely cannot recommend this series or this author to enough people. She is amazingly talented and I am so enthralled with her world.

Review By
Manda Kelly

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Kristin Boutelle

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Savage Start is a very short read and it does set up the backstory of Cole and Damon that’s mentioned throughout the series. The stories of each character are very intriguing and pull you in from the beginning. Throughout the prequel, I saw the story unfold like a movie playing in my head. I saw all the details and can relate to each emotion that the characters felt.

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This prequel gives you an insight into who the players are and why they are the way they are for future reads. In this edition, you will meet Cole and Riley. Riley is a girl who is always on the run with her mother. They have created a life of conning people and moving to the next town apparently to escape her father finding them. They end up in Santa Monica with a new aspect of going straight and staying, but Riley will believe it when she sees it. While walking, she stumbles upon a house party where she sneaks into and tries to steal something. She gets caught by Cole and ends up running out of the house after he kisses her. Cole is an elite teenager who plans on football giving him his future. He and his brother, while privileged, are dealing with their parents who have a loveless marriage. As the story goes on, Cole, who is a momma’s boy, is always consoling his distraught mother. In the book, the two main characters never run back into each other, but the circumstances of each of their stories seem to be foreshadowing how their relationship will go once they do.

I am a fan of a bully romance. You are not going to get the bully aspect in this short story, but it sets the scene for why (I believe it will be Cole) becomes a bully. I enjoy both characters with the little we learned about them. I also feel sympathy for Cole and the situation at home. I am excited to see what aspires between the two and how the series will progress.

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Jade Brunton

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a short introduction to a longer series. I was immediately drawn in and downloaded the next book of the series as soon as I finished this one. One spicy kiss was all it took for these two to keep thinking about things. I like how it gives the back story and point of view on both of them. It’s only two characters, so it’s not annoying or difficult to keep up with. I can’t wait to see what is next for Riley and Cole!

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Jamie Truex

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a perfect way to get me hooked on a new series!! Riley and her mom are constantly moving towns and doing cons. There’s definitely a past there I hope to learn more about. Cole comes from money, but definitely doesn’t have an easy life. He’s had to be the adult of his family. The book ends in a cliffhanger that has me ready to buy the next book already! I’m getting vibes like Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill. If you liked shows like that, I think you’ll really enjoy this book and series too I’m sure.

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Finn Cunningham

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Prequel to the Hidden Valley Elite Series will snag your attention from the first page. The drama of the story pulls you right in, keeping you curious about whats next. I also loved Riley and Cole, both are such captivating characters right off the bat. I just wish it was a little bit longer! I definitely enjoyed this quick read, and plan on delving further into this series!

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Jayme Raffauf

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a quick-paced prequel in the Hidden Valley series. The book is a dual-POV book, with alternating chapters featuring Riley and Cole. The two storylines are both interesting and intriguing and overlap in a unique way. Both characters have their own struggles to deal with and the book leaves you wondering how their connection, while brief, will continue into the next book in the series. This quick read was written well and definitely leads to wanting to find out more from the series. Will Riley have to pick up and move again? Will Cole be able to get through the tragedy that he faces at the end of the book and can he ever forgive his dad’s behavior? These are just some of the questions that you will be left wondering at the end of this book. Onto the next book to hopefully find out these answers and more.

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Erin DeRoma

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the perfect taste of the Series to get me hooked and excited about the whole series.
Honestly why more authors don’t do this is beyond me. It was a quick read that truly got me hooked and wanting more in the best way.

Despite being short and quick the character development in this prequel was fantastic.

If you are into Bully Romances this one is for you.

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Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance Prequel (Hidden Valley Elite Series) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Charlene Pryke

Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite #0.5)Savage Start by Isla Vaughn

A fantastic introduction into this series by Isla Vaughan. This is the story of Riley and Cole and their background stories and I cannot wait to read the next book to find out more after their hot first kiss.

This is the first book that I have read by this author and this short novella gave me a taste for her writing style.

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Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn

❣🌹❤🥀 ❥ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ❣🌹❤🥀 ❥
Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn
#ontour#ItsyBitsyBookBits#ItsyBitsyBookBitsPromotions#BookSpotlightShowcase#SavageStart#HiddenValleyEliteSeries#IslaVaughn#NewAdult#Romance#Bully#NewAdultRomance#BullyRomance#HighSchoolBullyRomance
Genre – New Adult, Romance, Bully
Page Count – 55
Cover Designer – TE Black Designs

Virgin? Check

New Identity? Double Check.

Grifter? Triple Check. 

Look, it’s not like I have a choice about being born into a family of conmen, or women- technically. A girl’s got to survive, and by the looks of the new town I’m forced into, it’s time to step up my game.  

It doesn’t take long to survey my prey, steal a souvenir, and get stopped by a panty-melting local who steals a kiss.  

That kiss is poison. Not really, but the emotional kind that forces me to face the fact. 

If I give up my precious v-card to a guy, he’s the kind who would take it. Dangerous. Sexy as hell and just as deadly. Distracting enough that I somehow managed to get caught… but will I escape?

Savage Start is an enemies-to-lovers, new adult bully romance with plenty of angst, and the prequel to Riley and Cole’s duet Savage Lies and Savage Truth. 

This book contains mature content that some readers may find disturbing. It is not a standalone and does end in a cliffhanger that continues with Savage Lies. 

~ AMAZON US ~ AMAZON UK ~ AMAZON CA ~ AMAZON AU ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn

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Isla Vaughn is the author of the Hidden Valley Elite series. Her romance books are full of complex characters, strong alpha males, and the fierce women who bring them to their knees. When not writing, she can be found daydreaming about owning a beach house, reading, or drinking too much coffee. You can find her at www.IslaVaughnAuthor.com 

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Wicked Ends: A Dark College Bully Romance (Hidden Valley Elite Series, Book 8 ) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Maikalani Alexander

Wicked Ends (Hidden Valley Elite #8)Wicked Ends by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Delectably dark and delicious isla does it again with winter and Shane ! In this duet of Shane’s POV this serious keeps you clutching your pearls and breathless. A bully romance with a HEA.

Danger is here and it’s clouding Shane’s mine. Winter can’t be forgiven for her past can she ? What happens when it all comes tumbling down. Will winter pay for something out of her control ?

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Wicked Ends: A Dark College Bully Romance (Hidden Valley Elite Series, Book 8 ) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Tonya Merritt

Wicked Ends (Hidden Valley Elite #8)Wicked Ends by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I hate that this is the last book of the Hidden Valley Elite but I love the story. Like all the other Hidden Valley Elite books it follows one of the boys, this one being the second story finishing up Winter and Shane’s descent into love. As always Isla Vaughn will have you in love with everything. Mystery, love, and so much more just waiting for you to finish.

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