Cruel Prince: A High School Bully Romance (Royal Hearts Academy Book 1) Kindle Edition

Thoroughly enjoyed this one! Ashley Jade's ability to write smooth, natural character dialog is top-notch. I so appreciate that! It makes for a more worthwhile reading experience and just a fun time. This story had me glued to the pages, read it in one sitting. I read some reviews upset with how Jace treats Dylan, but you have to get to the end for it to make complete sense why he acts the way he does. Once you do, you won't be so upset with him - you'll end up understanding and sympathizing. I really had a good time with this book, and I'm immediately hopping into the next, Ruthless Knight. There were definitely some exciting tidbits thrown in about Sawyer & Cole that has me chopping at the bit to get straight into it. I adored Sawyer's spunk. I wish there were more feisty female characters like her around these romance book streets. Sadly and extremely disappointingly, they are few and far between. A. Jade is quickly becoming one of my favorite romance authors. Her books (writing style, character dialog & plot) are consistently reliable, with the exception of Hate Me, which was slightly too sensational for my tastes. I also can't fail to mention how fantastic the cheeky banter was in this book, along with some of the shenanigans some characters got up to. There is a dic pic incident that had me rolling out loud with laughter. It was fabulously hilarious!

Four stars for a heartbreakingly beautiful story of love and hate.I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book. From the love, the hate, the s*x, the emotion, the well written characters to the writing, all together equaled one thrilling ride. I have to say my most favorite part of this book was the writing and how the author was able to capture such intense emotions in wording. I felt everyone of Dylan’s tears and Jace’s pain felt like my own. Every emotion was wrapped in depth and realism. The author is a true work of talent. Dylan and Jace’s story was about friendship, hate, grief and loss but also about the power of love. This is one story that will sit with you long after the last page.Dylan‘s character was one of my favorite heroines that I’ve read in a long time. She was complex and complete. Tough as nails when she needed to be, raw and emotional when it counted most and strong and brave when she had no choice. Overall a very well written character. I like that we only got Jace’s POV a few times. Which was very poignant to the story. Each one of his POV showcased a layer to his character. We got him when he was in rage, in desire, in pain and in grief, all coming together to build a realistic hero ... or anti-hero actually.Four stars because as much as I enjoyed the build up that this novel was, the ending was unbelievably lackluster. Kinda like being on a roller coaster ... you soar to the top with adrenaline and anticipation but once you reach the peak, the ride going down is slow and disappointing. I was very disappointed in the ending. Compared to the whole book the ending was weak and flat. Jace not only bullied Dylan, he damn near tried to destroyed her and all it took was literally a couple sentences and it was all better and on to the HEA. Jace was cruel and ruthless as ever in the beginning and I just kind of felt like his redemption wasn’t very redeemable. The no resolution to Oakley and Dylan’s aunt having s*x was also a major turn off. A very important subplot that wasn’t extended on or resolved. Dylan and Oakley became close as cousins and her Aunt is literally her only the only family she has. Important people in her life. Finding out they were having s*x was an important plot. And the author literally open ended it with one sentence. There was no finality. I kinda felt cheated out on. To read such a profound story and it end so badly.However, overall, I really did enjoy this book. I loved the brotherhood between Jace, Cole and Oakley. And I swooned at the heat between Dylan and Jace. I also adored Oakley. His character and personality were hilarious. I laughed out loud multiple times reading his commentary. There’s a lot possibility with his character and even though the series is focused on the Covington siblings, I hope he gets his own novel.I can’t wait for book 2!

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️++How do you know if a book is a 5 star read? I think that’s always the question when you sit down to review a book. For me, it comes down to two things: does the book make me feel? Does it elicit any level of emotion from me? And secondly, is there some degree of believability to the story or the characters? For me, tied to that believability is the authenticity of emotion. Are the feelings I’m feeling (anger, sadness, frustration, happiness, joy, etc) true feelings? Even more, where do those feelings spring from? Has the writer hit to my most basics emotions? What bruises from my past does the writer press on with his/her characters and/or story? All of these questions drive my reviews even when the subject matter of a book isn’t anything I’ve experienced or far from the experiences in my past.Ashley Jade’s Cruel Prince shouldn’t really capture my attention. I’m a woman in her 40s with a young adult son who is far past the “new adult” experience. Should I really want to read about the romance of teens who are burgeoning into adulthood? This has been a personal question since I’ve noticed a bit of a surge in the New Adult romance genre. But here’s the thing. Ashley Jade’s Cruel Prince is so well written that you can’t help but need to read it. For me, it’s one of the best of this genre this year. And why? Because she crafts characters and storylines that hit to the core of the truth of feelings. Even in the darkest moments of this book, I believe the motivations of her characters driving their actions, that I don’t look at the story from the perspective of a 40-something woman or the mom of a young adult. I can find some piece of myself in the a-hole emotionally complex hero and the subversive powerful heroine. From my perspective, being able to craft this relationship between the reader and the story’s characters is the genius of this book.At its core, Cruel Prince is a character study in the reciprocity of pain. There are various levels of emotional pain perpetrated on the characters of this story. There are no redeeming adults in this story; the main characters, the teens of this story, are the most mature people in this book. As such, the adults in their emotional neglect and selfishness have created these kids who must learn to handle life and trauma on their own. From Jace’s inner guilt and heavy feelings of personal responsibility for his siblings to Dylan’s feelings of being unloved to Oakley’s father’s censure and step-mother’s selfishness, the pain inflicted by physical, mental, and emotional trauma embody these characters, make them who they are. It’s this embodiment of pain that draws you as a reader to them, no matter your age or background. Reading their experiences and empathizing with their feelings, even their actions (yes, even when Jace is horrible to Dylan or other characters I understand his motivations; I empathize with him and his pain), are what kept me reading this book overnight instead of sleeping. I needed to know that they would be “okay” in the end, so the characters of Cruel Prince are what engaged me in the story: Jace’s perpetual malice to cover his pain and guilt, Dylan’s internal strength to endure the people who mete out pain on her, Oakley’s humor and drug use to cover his pain from not really being seen, Sawyer’s insecurity about herself even as she lives in her truth, and Cole and Bianca’s guilt and lack of parental direction. This is Ashley Jade’s strength; it’s what makes her writing deep and engaging because she magnifies the human experience in her characters. It’s also why people are rabid for her books.Because I believe in her characters, I have a horrible habit of wanting to “chat” with her through comments on Facebook. I oftentimes forget that they are her babies, and I make selfish comments that might be construed as not believing in Ashley as their creator. This is furthest from the truth. I believe in Ashley Jade’s vision, as, I’ve noted above, she makes her characters believable for me. For my selfish comments, I am sorry, but I think it shows my belief in her writing genius. At least, that’s what I’ve hoped she might see.Along with the development of character, the storyline is a mighty driving force of Cruel Prince. There is definitely typical bully behavior in this romance. There are mistakes, misrepresentations, and falsehoods that keep the reader suspended in the story. The biggest piece of the story isn’t revealed until almost 80ish% in the story, so if you are looking for a quick, easy resolution in Cruel Prince, it isn’t found here. It’s that tension, though, that engages you, keeps you focused on the page. Additionally, this story is mostly focused on Jace and Dylan’s story. However, pieces of other future stories are doled out as little crumbs. Jade provides just enough to pique your curiosity. I think this is important to the story because the angst over the brokenness of Jace and Dylan’s friendship/relationship can feel overwhelming at times. However, with the interjection of other characters and their potential storylines, you receive an interlude that gives you respite for a short time before gutting your heart again with Dylan and Jace’s story. It’s this cycle that drives you forward in the story, thirsting for a happy ending. It’s why I didn’t put this book down until 5 a.m.If you are like me and need to feel “all the feels” of a story, then Cruel Prince should be at the top of your list. It’s a complex weaving of pain, brokenness, redemption, humor, and love. It doesn’t matter if you’re a teen, a 20-something, or even an old lady like me because Ashley Jade’s ability to construct the human experience in her characters and their story grips you in Cruel Prince. I may be far, far from teenhood, but the pain of a person’s betrayal and the need to be loved wholly and exclusively are emotions that transcend any age, any time. Ashley Jade’s Cruel Prince delivers on this message, making it one of the best new adult books of this year.

I don't know why it took me so long to read this book, considering I love Ashley Jade!I absolutely loved this book, this story, and everyone involved.I did feel there was a bit of unresolved things. However, they weren't vital to the love story.The strength of Dylan is amazingly written and felt throughout the book.Jace's struggles are also beautifully written.Loved it and the side characters we perfect!I am looking forward to the rest of the books.

A Dylan é uma garota forte que passa por sérios problemas familiares e retorna a cidade natal após uma ausência de 4 anos. Ela acha que reencontrará o amigo Jace, mas ele só tem ódio por ela e quer vingança. Ela só quer entender porque seu ex melhor amigo e amor mudou tanto.Da vontade de dar uns tapas no Jace mas ele tira a cabeça de dentro da banda e evolui.

Same bully trope as always, I've read this book before, from another author, still good tho, nothing too sad or boring

Amazing!!!Read without a stop and the romance was original and unrully pretty good hope read more from this author

Okay starting with Dylan she's a badass who breaks ppl's jaws on regular notice, but she always has jace to back her up when she needs him even tho he hates her guts bcz he thinks she did something. The best part is Oakley, cole and jace's banters,they're hella funny and sooooo entertaining!! This book is a solid 5 star!!