A nice little start to this series. We get a decent introduction to all of the main characters a year before the events in Savage Lies. Riley and her mother are in a new town again, and only this time, things are different. Her mother says they will be staying a while and to get comfortable, but Riley is waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Isla Vaughn is an absolute genius when it comes to writing young adult fiction! I was so excited to find out that she had written “Savage Start” the prequel to the Hidden Valley Elite book series. This is a must-read to fill in the gaps of what Book 1 of the Hidden Valley Elite book series is referring to in the opening chapter when Riley mentions meeting and kissing a hot guy at a pool party a year ago. It also includes the death of Cole and Damon’s mom, which is heartbreaking but something that you need to read to understand where all of Cole and Damon’s anger comes from. This book has well-developed characters with intense details that make you feel like you are right there experiencing life as a teen during your summer break. This may be a short read, but putting the missing pieces together is vital before you move on to Book 2 in the Hidden Valley Elite series.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Brandy Jo Rymerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngBrandy Jo Rymer2023-04-15 23:12:202023-04-17 13:30:24Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Brandy Rymer
In this quick prequel, we meet Riley, who appears to be a con artist alongside her mom. We aren’t given much about their background but perhaps the series will enlighten us more. Riley meets Cole at a party where they share a quick yet heated kiss. Although this is a fast read, the author was able to lay out the groundwork for what to expect with the series and give us some info about our main characters. Looking forward to seeing what occurs in the first book of this series.
I never thought I was going to be into short series like this one but I have to say I was drawn into Riley and Cole from the start. The author Isla Vaughn did an amazing job! Who knew that a woman like Riley can hold so long her V-Card (funny way to say her precious gift)? Love it how Cole, a hot guy like him can get any girls he wants was drawn into Riley but they were enemies from the start funny life, but love has its way.
I love novellas, and I love prequels. This prequel was FANTASTIC! I made the (not so major) mistake of reading the first major installment of the series before the prequel, and lemme tell ya, things do make a bit more sense with the prequel. I absolutely love Riley- she’s a firecracker, and a force to be reckoned with. I definitely have an intrigue with Cole- I know he has major potential, and I’m sensing some serious enemies-to-lovers vibes with this series. The prequel definitely has a sadder ending- but it leaves it perfect for the next book!
Savage Start is a prequel and a quick read to set the stage for the rest of the series.
Riley lives with her mom and it’s obvious that they don’t live normal lives. Running cons is the mother/daughter duo’s game. They’re always running from something, or someone, and getting comfortable isn’t an option. Or is it?
Cole is the football star, all-American boy, and tough guy. He appears to have everything a person could possibly want. Along with his brother and cousins, Cole seems to run the school. Cole’s parents are not happy and neither and Cole and his brother.
Savage Start is a great foundation and teaser that makes me need to read the first book in the series, Savage Lies.
Savage Start is a short Prequel that ends with a cliffhanger which continues on with Savage Lies. This isn’t a standalone, but it gives you a little more back story with the characters in Savage Lies. In Savage Start, Riley and Cole are the main characters. Riley and her mother move to a new town in California. They move a lot and are almost always on the run. Her mom says it will be different this time, but it never is. She can’t trust being safe, ever! It doesn’t take her long to get caught stealing at a McMansion party and the guy who catches her not only takes her “souvenir”, but he also steals a kiss! Thrown off balance by his dangerous and sexy kiss, she’s distracted. And she got caught! She NEVER gets caught!! Leaving this town sooner rather than later might be the best. Cole, catching a little thief at his cousins party, is equally caught off guard by the mysterious girl. He was a little drunk, so he doesn’t remember all the details of her features, but he can’t stop thinking about the kiss and what it did to him. He’s never reacted like that before with anyone. When he catches wind of who she is, or more importantly who her mother is, all bets are off. This book is a new adult bully romance prequel about Riley and Cole’s story. I haven’t yet read the last of their story (Savage Truth), but I can’t wait to get my hands on it and all the books to this Hidden Valley Elite series! If you like enemies to lovers romance books this is a great set! I can’t wait to finish it all, but let me tell you that this prequel and the first book were enough to hook me in!!
A wonderful book to read. The character development and the storyline were well thought out and executed.
This book is about Cole and Riley. Riley is a girl that is not used to staying in one place for very long. She is used to not getting to know people too well because she knows that she will inevitably leave them sooner rather than later. Cole is the guy that everyone thinks has everything in the world and the best of the best. As well as being a high school athlete his life is not all that it seems to be from the outside looking in.
What happens when the jock meets a stubborn girl. In this story first impressions are important and the impressions that these two made on each other were not great. Enemies from the first talk are definitely how these two started out.
Read this book to find out, what really goes on behind closed doors of the perfect family. What causes a high school girl to have been to more schools and new places than some people move in their lifetime? Can you build trust from something that started with lies and hatred? Read this wonderful book to find out.
This is the prequel to the Hidden Valley Elite Series. This was a super quick read that was full of so very much. Riley was used to change, so moving to a new town right before her junior year was just what she had come to expect from her life. Things didn’t seem normal though in this new place. Then she met Cole. She knew that she would not be here long enough to get to know him but a girl could dream. Would this time be different and she would actually be able to stay? Would her or Cole’s life ever be the same after this summer?
I never thought I was going to be into short series like this one but I have to say I was drawn into Riley and Cole from the start. The author Isla Vaughn did an amazing job! Who knew that a woman like Riley can hold so long her V-Card (funny way to say her precious gift)? Love it how Cole, a hot guy like him can get any girls he wants was drawn into Riley but they were enemies from the start funny life, but love has its way.
This was a great start to a new series and I can’t wait to see what will happen next. This book was a quick and fun read but wasn’t lacking anything. It gets you hooked from the beginning. I definitely don’t miss high school days but this authors writing made me feel like I was there with everyone. I can’t wait for the next book!
Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Jessica Stone
This is the first book I have read from this author, but she did not disappoint , I literally cannot WAIT to read the rest of this series. Going to purchase as soon as I’m done with this review.
This book starts off with Riley and her mom moving into a new place in a new town, seemingly running from something but we haven’t discovered what yet. Riley’s mom is seeing a new man and is certain this will be the last new town, the last new home. Promising they are done running and things are changing, but Riley, knowing her mother, isn’t so quick to believe that things will actually be different. Used to getting by on the bare minimum, having nothing Riley’s learned to stay distant from everyone she meets, clothed in her “goth” style, it’s easy to play the unsociable weird girl to avoid drawing attention to herself, the last thing she’d want is for someone to look to closely.
Cole and Damon and two brother living in the perfect home with the perfect family… or so it seems from an outside perspective. Coles and Damon’s family is shredding apart from the inside out, Cole father, a certified jerk is having an affair and Coles mother is cracking under the pressure to keep it together on the surface. The only thing holding their family together are the boys and their willingness to try, but will that be enough to keep their “perfect” lives from crumbling down.
By chance one evening Riley and Cole meet at a party thrown by coles also seemingly perfect cousins, and sparks FLY between the two. But just before things can get to out of hand Riley flees from Cole, but that doesn’t stop him from invading her every waking thought from then on.
I loved this little taste of the Hidden Valley elite, super glad I was able to read this before diving into the series because it gives a look of perspective I believe of what’s going to happen in the series and why the characters are who they are. I would highly recommend reading this before starting the series but I do not believe that you necessarily have to read this before the others. It is short and sweet though so that’s something to note.
Anyways, rounding out this review with a yes, yes, yes, cannot wait, yes.
Savage Start, Hidden Valley Elite Prequel, Isla Vaughn, Review, Itsy Bitsy Book Bits, New Adult, Romance, Bully, Jessica Stone, February 2023
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jessicahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJessica2023-02-25 05:22:112023-03-02 08:44:29Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Jessica Stone
This book is the prequel to a new series. This was a quick read but it’s a good one!
You are pulled in right from the beginning with Riley’s character. The back story is intriguing and you definitely want to find out what’s going on. You can tell that while Cole and his family are well off, they are just as dysfunctional as the next family. This book did a really good job of setting the stage for the series. It introduced characters and gave some back story. You get hooked just enough!
This book is the prequel to the Isla Vaughn’s new series Hidden Valley Elite. The story follows two young teenagers, Cole and Riley. They comes from drastically different background and financial statues. Riley and her mother move around constantly, never staying in one place to long because they are con artists and hiding from her biological father. Her mother says that this time is different, that they will hopefully be able to settle in and stay. The first day Riley is in town, she comes across a house party at a mansion sized beach house. After scoping out the house, Riley steals a gold lighter and get caught by a dangerously attractive alpha male. Cole, catches Riley in a bold face lie and when taunted by Riley, kisses her. To both of their surprise it is the most intense kiss either of them have ever experienced. Riley’s mother’s plans of staying are quickly changed and before they know it they are on their way to moving again. The book ends with a cliffhanger! I cannot wait until Book One is released to see what happens between Riley and Cole!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Helen Dawkinshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngHelen Dawkins2023-02-24 20:27:262023-02-25 12:43:28Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn – Review by helen dawkins
This is the start to a new series. I really enjoyed this story. It is the first book in a new series that I have enjoyed this much in a long time. I really enjoyed the characters and thought that they were multidimensional. I also liked that this was a little dark and really was reminiscent of high school in many ways – especially the stereotypical high schools that were found in TV dramas. It reminds me of many of my favorite tv shows which means that I am really looking forward to more in this series. I definitely recommend this!!
Bully Romance is one of my absolute favorite tropes. This short and sweet read explores the toxicity, angst, betrayal, drama and additional outlying subjects that bring the store together. Cole and Riley each tell a story that binds them together but the road that links them is tainted to start. While, this book is just a preview, it does have the desire of effect inducing excitement for what is to come.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Laurenhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLauren2023-02-24 01:22:462023-03-13 08:43:26Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Lauren West
Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance: Hidden Valley Elite Prequel by Isla Vaughn
4 out of 5 Stars
A short story that will leave you wanting more. This story can definitely be a little dark some times so be aware. I was caught from the start. This prequel will leave you on a cliffhanger that will push you to read the sequel. I definitely recommend it.
Savage Start is a short prequel (55 pages) to the Hidden Valley Elite series. You are introduced to Riley and Cole, our FMC and MMC. Riley comes from a grifter/con artist life and, while she wants to have a calm, stay in one place lifestyle, she is always ready and waiting to do what needs to be done to survive. Cole comes from a wealthy background where all that glitters is definitely not gold. These two meet at a party and sparks fly leaving them and the reader on a cliffhanger that makes you want to jump straight into the first full length novel. March 30th cannot come soon enough.
This was a really good novella. This is a new to me author but i thought the blurb sounded interesting. This was a good introduction to the series and it was only 50 pages so i read it in one setting. This ended in a cliffhanger but I don’t mind because I am looking forward to reading more and seeing where this series/story goes. I would recommend this to anyone that likes bully romances. Happy Reading!
Here is a quick read. A new series from a new to me author. It is supposed to be an enemies to lovers, high school bullying type of romance. I can feel the connection between Riley and Cole. However, this prequel begins with Riley and her mother.
Riley lives with her mom and we get the feeling that life has not been fair or easy for these two. They have a life of petty crime, and it seems it is mostly stealing and overall being dishonest. However, this is left to readers’ discretion as nothing was really given away, more of a teaser for this part of the story.
Riley and her mother have a different place to live yearly or more often, and it appears they are on the run from dear ol’ dad who sounds like he would be vicious and violent. Again, just a tease of this situation so the reader is left to wonder and speculate.
Cole is the all-American boy next door, Mr. Popularity at school. He goes to high school with his cousins and his brother. On the outside he has it all. Especially money. But even having money causes and creates problems. Money doesn’t buy love. Some even believe money can’t buy happiness. I guess it depends on what makes you happy. Cole’s parents are not happy. Is money the root of their problems? Doesn’t seem like it. Implications that dad is having an affair, implications that mom may have mental issues. Again, just a tease of this situation as well.
This story is a prequel that ends in a cliff hanger and looks to what will be a good series. Looking forward to reading more and discovering just what is going on.
Savage Start was fantastic! The novella introduces us two teens, Riley and Cole who come from two very different back rounds; trying to live their lives. When Riley shows up at a party thrown by Cole’s cousin, she is confronted by Cole and they share a kiss. This fast-paced novella is short, with well-written characters. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to continuing the series.
Savage Start: A High School Bully Romance: Hidden Valley Elite Prequel by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This prequel did exactly what a prequel is supposed tot do…. it gave you a taste of what’s to come.
The author did a superb job in drawing you in and made me fall in love with the characters immediately. The story drew me in from the start and immediately captured my interest and left me wanting more. EXACTLY WHAT A PREQUEL IS SUPPOSED TO DO.
The release of book 1 can’t come soon enough!
The author knows her stuff! She starts off by giving you little bites of back story and insights into why the characters are the way they are. I’ve already added the first book to my TBR and I’m counting off the days to release day
View all my reviews
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jenique Bornmanhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJenique Bornman2023-02-22 09:40:382023-02-25 12:10:59Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Jenique Bornman
She, and her mom, go from town to town avoiding her father. He tries to stay out of his house to avoid his parents fighting. When they run into each other at a party she crashes, he catches her doing something she shouldn’t and then promptly kisses her. She escapes and tries to get him out of her mind. He can’t escape the memory of the kiss either. Opinion This prequel shows great promise for a new series. There is just enough angst to keep the story line interesting. With the way it ended, the book has been left in my mind wondering what will happen next. This will be a great book for an older teen being introduced to romance.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Dawn Brownhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDawn Brown2023-02-21 19:06:472023-02-25 12:00:22Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Dawn Brown
Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn. I loved this book and can’t wait to read more. This is about Riley who has had to travel from town to town because her family and more specifically her mom is always on the run. She’s been born into a family of female cons. When they move to Santa Monica Riley realizes she’s in a new world. Riley is walking along the beach and comes upon a party and decides to join. She’s a pure girl and is picky about who wins that. She meets a hunky guy that is perfect and he kisses her. Now all she can think about is him. She doesn’t even know his name. Cole’s life seems perfect on the outside but his dad’s cheating is embarrassing and pretty much ruined Cole’s life. This new girl is just the right thing to take his mind off it. Will Riley give what’s she’s been saving herself for just the right guy but is Cole it? Read this fast paced romance with dark secrets and see what happens!
This prequel leaves you so intrigued! It’s a bully romance unlike any that I’ve read so far. There is so much going on that leads to so many questions and no answers…I cannot wait for Savage Lies. Cole and Riley are going to bring so much more angst and hopefully some answers. I know their story is a duet so I will be (im)patiently waiting for each book. This was my first read from this author but definitely not my last.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Maria Colonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMaria Colon2023-02-20 17:54:582023-02-25 11:39:06Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Maria Colon
Reilly is a grifter, con artist you name it, a product of her up bringing always having to survive and with the chaos of her mother, life is not boring. Another move, another city but when she discovers they are living near the beach, she loves the walks along the beach to clear her head of her mother’s scheming. One night she spots a party in one of the houses and sneaks in, looking around she spots an opportunity to steal something and as she is almost getting away she is stopped by a boy who she is intrigued by.
Cody is at his cousins house for a party, when he spots her coming out of one of the bedrooms, as soon as he confronts her he has an urge to get to know this mysterious girl. Cody’s life is complicated and with his parent being wealthy there is also a certain mask he needs to wear, but can he be free with Reilly or will his world crash around him.
This is a great prequel into this series, the characters are brilliantly written and you are invested in them for the first chapter. As in all prequels it is a great story to easy you into the start of the series where it carries on with Reilly and Cody.
I do have to warn you although this is classed as a young adult story there maybe triggers which some people find uncomfortable to read, but in my opinion it just adds to the intensity to this story and of course the cliff-hanger at the end just wets your appetite for more.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Shirleyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Shirley2023-02-20 06:00:322023-02-20 11:32:29Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Angela Shirley
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Robin Rankinhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRobin Rankin2023-02-19 22:27:212023-02-20 11:31:25Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Robin Rankin
Savage Start is the prequel to the Hidden Valley Elite series by Isla Vaughn. This was a great short read to introduce the main characters and give a background to what I think will be a really interesting series (which is now on my to be read list!). The story introduces Riley, a young girl who has had an unusual upbringing moving around the country running cons with her mother, and Cole, one of the Elites of his school who has a tough time at home. When Riley and Cole bump into each other at a party sparks fly and they are unable to forget each other. This was a perfect intro to the new series.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Juls Dickhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJuls Dick2023-02-19 14:32:022023-02-20 11:26:10Savage Start (Hidden Valley Elite Prequel) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Juls Dick
This the prequel to the series. I honestly cannot wait to read the first book. Right off the bat the characters are amazing. Riley just moved to Santa Monica, after hopping from city to city with her mom. She is ready to stay out and be “normal” kid for a while. Cole is the popular kid who seems to have the perfect life. These two together are fire.
What a great start this series is off to be. I went into it blond and won’t even lie and say I wasn’t disappointed when I went to download the next book and it doesn’t release till next month. The author did a great job reeling me in from the get go. Perfect amount of character and plot development to leave you wanting more.
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