Ashley Jade

Welcome to their kingdom...I never thought I'd step foot in Royal Manor again. But four years later, here I am...back to finish my senior year at Royal Hearts Academy.And forced to face Jace Covington. My first friend. First crush. First kiss. The one I left behind.Only-he isn't the same boy I gave my heart to.This new Jace is as cruel as he is gorgeous.And he's determined to make my life a living hell. Along with the rest of his glorified family and crew of tyrants.They expect me to worship the ground they walk on like everyone else, but I'd rather eat dirt.If Jace Covington wants me gone...he'll have to try harder. Because I've never been the kind of girl to play by the rules.WARNING: Royal Hearts Academy is a New Adult/High School series of standalones filled with drama, a touch of angst, and boys who are bad to the bone.This series is recommended for mature readers due to graphic language and sexual content.

Royal Hearts Academy

Cruel Prince

Marcy Pursell 

I wasn't into this book when I first started it and kind of wanted to stop reading. But I kept going, and started to like it, so overall for a high school romance I thought it was fine.

Ana Clara Moreno

childhood best friends to enemies to lovers at its finest

Beatrix Haase

(4-29-21)
Holy... I read this is one day, I literally picked this up on a whim and I loved it...

(5-06-21)
Disclaimer: SOME SPOILERS AHEAD

I chose this book off of a whim. I got a free trial of Kindle Unlimited because I remember liking it for a little while in the beginning of my book reading journey but I canceled that membership after a few months since there were no books I especially excited about. I decided to try it again because there were a few books I wanted to read but didn’t want to buy that was on Kindle Unlimited. I found this book Cruel Prince and it looked interesting so I read the synopsis and it intrigued me because I really do like reading about friends turning to enemies, turning to lovers. That is probably why I love the Fall Away series by Penelope Douglas (especially Rival). I decided to download it and give it a shot and from the very first page I was hooked to the end.

“He’s the yin to my yang. The down to my up. The crazy to my normal.
The damaged pieces to all my broken parts.
I could befriend every single person on the planet, and no one will ever know me the way he does.
No one will ever come close to making me feel so alive or light my soul on fire.
No one will ever hurt me more.”
-28%-

This story revolves around Jace Covington and Dylan Taylor. Jace and Dylan were childhood best friends, they were inseparable until she left and Jace started hating her for a reason that Dylan doesn’t know. Jace is the oldest, and he has taken care of his younger brother Cole, and sister Bianca because their father doesn’t act like a father. Jace and his siblings have had to deal with the fact that that Cole’s twin committed suicide and that left their family in pieces. Jace’s best friend (Dylan) betrayed him and he is going to act like an asshole to her because he thinks that what happened to Cole’s twin brother is her fault.

Dylan came back years later, hoping for a nice reunion from Jace and his siblings. Instead, Jace hates her and she has no clue why, Cole is the only friendly one but still keeps his distance, and Bianca calls her a bitch anytime she can. Dylan has no idea why and her cousin Oak is suddenly best friends with Jace. Any chance that Jace gets, he tries to kick her out of town and makes sure she knows that the Jace she once knew is no longer hers.

“But the heart doesn’t choose who we love by their worth.
Because love isn’t a choice.
It’s an illogical, all-consuming consequence that results from someone stealing a vital piece of you.
And I wish like hell Jace would give me my piece back.”
-63%-

Let’s talk about CHARACTERS…

Jace Covington: He’s an asshole, he obviously still loves Dylan but his pride and the need to protect his siblings destroys the fact that he loves her. I always get ticked off with these type of characters but I think that it is normal only because what do you expect from the literal synopsis saying that he will be an asshole through the book. He does have some good moments but that is a lot later in the book that he starts to show the Jace that Dylan loves.

‘”Kiss me like you’re mine. I dare you.”‘
-20%-

Dylan Taylor: In this book, I definitely didn’t mind her but spoiler alert, Dylan in later books kind of pissed me off. She was confused in the beginning trying to figure out Jace until finally she stopped trying to talk to him and started to fight back against Jace and Oak. I think after that you start to see strong female characters which I like. This is why I like these books, another book that reminds me of this series is Bully and Rival (Fall Away series) by Penelope Douglas. I love that the female characters fight back and they don’t let a man take away from their pride. Dylan and Jace had history and once Dylan started to fight back and chip away at Jace’s integrity did she finally find the answers she was looking for.

Cole Covington: He was the nicest of the Covington siblings. So I like him.

Bianca Covington: A whole lot of sass in her but I love it. She hates Dylan and she is not afraid to let her know that she hates her.

Oakley (I forgot his last name): Oak is Dylan’s cousin and I didn’t like him in the beginning but through the book I realized just how cool and kind of weird he is. I definitely like him and Bianca together.

This book will rip you wide open and then stitch your broken pieces together. It is definitely not some light and fluffy romance book. It is one that will make you want to strangle Jace and then melt for Jace. I think that a book is a really good book when you want to strangle the characters and then you want to cry for the characters and then feel love for them. I loved how beautiful and raw this book was and it make me happy swoon and even more excited to read the rest in the series and follow all the Covington siblings on their little path to love and happiness.

❤ Bea

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Jasmine

3.5 Stars
I like it and overall enjoyed the story and most of the characters. There were some bits that made me emotional and those parts of it were a solid 4 star read, whereas others were just 3. It definitely gave me The Royals by Erin Watt series vibe which is not exactly a bad thing because I loved those books and those relationships. Though, because of some of those similarities I started unintentionally comparing characters. I just wish I got as into this book as I did that particular series, certain parts here didn't work for me. The ending was probably the biggest disappointment because it all felt rushed and not rewarding after all the build up to get there. That being said when the next book in the series comes out there is still a good chance I will read it.

"best mistake" by ariana grande, big sean
"colors by halsey" - EVEYRTHING IS BLUE
"happiness is a butterfly" by lana del rey


“I guess my broken pieces missed yours as much as I missed you.”

3.5 🌟 IM HOOKED UP!!! I LOVE DYLANJACE!! I wish we got more of them together in the end! also wish there was more groveling on Jace's part like A LOT more groveling bc the things he did...

i love the childhood friends to enemies to lovers!! THIS TROPE ALWAYS HITS! "
“dylan taylor was no longer meant to be my best friend…she was meant to be my everything."

a parallel that broke me:
"Jace Covington is blue.  A beautiful, turbulent ocean full of depth…and an incandescent sky that only gives you small glimpses of all its radiant colors…before turning gloomy and dark."
“You’re my favorite color.” (Dylan's POV)

"Ironic that a shade representing the best things in the world—the sky, the ocean, the color of Dylan’s eyes—also symbolized the worst.  My once favorite color…now made me sick to my stomach." (Jace's POV)

SOULMATISM QUOTES:
Dylan: "I could befriend every single person on the planet, and no one will ever know me the way he does.  No one will ever come close to making me feel so alive or light my soul on fire."

Jace: "It’s impossible for me to be truly happy without Dylan. She’s the one this fucked-up thing in my chest beats and bleeds for. I’m tired of living without the other half of my soul."

Neeky Reid

Dylan overreacted a lot.. 

She was literally so annoying the whole book. I read for Cole and Sawyer's sake. Wonderful girl she is for calling her aunt a two timing whore and after all the shit Oakley did, he's still good in her book.

Megan Lowe

4.5 stars.

I really enjoyed this book. I love bully romances and this was a pretty good one.
I did think there was a few story issues though, and this accounts for the half a star.
At times I thought Dylan was a bit naive and I don’t understand why she struck up a friendship with Tommy, especially given their history.
I also felt that Jace got over his feelings too easily. I wanted to see a definitive moment where he decided to let go.
And at the end I think things were wrapped up too easily.
I did love Oakley, Sawyer, and Cole. I know Oakley doesn’t get a book, but I think he really needs one.
This isn’t a massively bully-ish book, but it does still fit that category, so if they’re not for you, I’d give it a miss. On the other hand, if they are your thing, don’t expect this to be over the top. I’d still recommend it though!

3.5 Ugh mucho mejor que la mierda de rinacopiona, gracias por estos personajes no tan pendejos ✌🏻

nory

abolish pathetic mc’s who have no self respect and dickhead love interest’s who don’t know how to grovel

Aditi

Navya 

The plot was pretty shit to be honest . Felt like it was straight from wattpad

JoLee

4/5 Loved It

Good best friend to lovers, enemies to lovers, NA bully romance. Had a hate to love relationship with Jace. Loved every moment with him. He was overprotective of his siblings and any one else he cared for. Dylan was awesome can hold her own with anybody. Did feel bad for her as she had no clue why Jace and his siblings disliked her. Readers were right there with her in the dark. Once everything is revealed totally broke my heart. Secondary characters were interesting.

Marley Christy 

Oh my god. This book is a perfect high school bully romance. If your expecting second hand embarrassment you’ll definitely get that. The whole time there was something left unanswered and when you find out, it’s heart wrenching. Seriously though great book. 

Check Trigger warnings before reading the book!!

amaniabdul

broooooooo after reading the legacy i was very disappointed but then i read THIS...u guys have to read this. the hype is hella worth it and also its soo addictive as well.

lauren carla

2.5 actual rating. if you liked bully by penelope douglas, you should read this (or vice versa). the only reason i’m rating the book even this high is because of the epilogue & the smut parts 🥲. I spent over half of this book just being extremely mad at what a dumbass jace was. besides that, the plot was so predictable and weak lmfao 💀. miscommunication was the key to the entire conflict and that trope can go die in a hole. I had to stop reading at multiple points because of the characters stupidity. lmao if I ever want to feel angry, I guess I can just re-read this 😭

Bethany Lacey

This book is a first for me from this author and let me tell you it did not disappoint! This is my second time reading it within the space of a month, that is how good this book is! And to think, if it wasn’t recommended to me on my KU subscription, I would never have had the to meet the dreamy Covington brothers. 

This was a first for me in the YA/NA Bully trope and it won’t be the last. 

This book had everything you needed: from romance, to friendship, but most importantly, family. 
There is nothing the Covington siblings would not do for each other and this relationship is ultimately what made this book so great and resonated with me due to the close sibling relationship I have with my four siblings (the middle child of 5 here; two older brothers and two younger sisters).

I loved Dylan’s attitude and spunkiness: how she never let anything get her down. I loved her growing relationship with Oakley (who is a big sweetie) and most importantly I loved her loyalty and tenacity when it came to Jase. No matter what he threw at her, she never turned her back for a second.

Jase. He is the most dedicated, loyal, loving asshole I have ever met. The way he stood up for his siblings and had their backs not matter what was amazing to see!

I absolutely cannot wait for Cole and Sawyer’s book! Dying to get my hands on it!

Raven Dean

celeste

this book was like bully by p. douglas but on crack; like watching an episode of 90210 and the oc combined due to the OTT drama. and did i eat that shit up? you bet your ass i did. what can i say, i'm trash for this kind of books, but if you dislike miscommunication tropes you are gonna hate this (in that regard, it reminded me a lot of bad habit, bully and corrupt). i think i enjoyed the secondary characters more than the MCs cause the latter really gave me whiplash. even by the 95% mark they were still being their stubborn, annoying selves when it came to being together. while i can understand the H's feelings of guilt, there was sooo much back and forth that by the end it became annoying. 

i was also disappointed that none of jace's siblings even apologized to dylan after finding out the truth. even jace's apology was bullshit. but i actually loved the childhood best friends to lovers to enemies to lovers trope. if you are looking for a very dramatic and extra NA bully romance, you're gonna have a great time with this one. i was gonna give this 3 stars because like i stated i had several issues with it, but i was incredibly entertained throughout the book, so fuck it.

ps: liam deserved the whole world, my pure precious child :(

Lani 

Max 

It’s okay. 

I honestly felt frustrated knowing that no one thought to talk to the MC about what ACTUALLY happened, and I found it pretty obvious from the beginning what happened to a certain character.

I don’t know. It was kind of predictable and made me frustrated in a bad way seeing how the characters were so illogically back and forth. Like, make up your minds!

It was okay, though. Nothing to call home about.

 Bruna Acioly Leão

TW: Suicide, death of family members, attempted sexual assault.

Sexy smut. 

Not as problematic as you might expect (but of course, expect a possessive male character). 

If the Jude and Cardan love/hate and power pull dynamic is something that you enjoy, this feels similar to it.

Lacey

I was so... TIRED reading this book lol. It’s yet another bully romance where the reason for bullying is just crap. Made no sense by the end when everything came out. And there’s. no. groveling. She takes him back with a snap of his fingers even after everything he put her through. He doesn’t do anything to earn her forgiveness. Yuck. I only ever liked the fact that Dylan stood up for herself, even if that meant throwing hands 😂

Cruel Prince Royal Hearts Academy

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