Heartless

The Privileged of Pembroke High, Book 1

By: Ivy Fox

Narrated by: Laurie Winkel, Jeremy York

Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

I had their love once.  

They saw me for the girl I am and the person I yearn to become one day - a woman who thrives in her freedom and dances away in her rightfully earned independence. They saw all the strong, unafraid parts of me and coaxed each one of them out, daring me to dream bigger, climb higher.  

They never once saw the girl I had been groomed to see in the mirror. The abandoned daughter of a dead man. The unwanted child of a woman who despised her. The broken body formed wrong and built on a shaky foundation, threatening to fall apart and shatter.  

They made all the ugliness disappear and left only wonder and promise. The love we shared for each other was probably the only miracle I would be granted in this life, and I knew they felt the same.  

Or so I thought.  

Everything I held dear has been robbed from me, and I’ve been a victim of theft too many times to mention. I will not have them steal my pride. They can keep my heart, for all I care.  

The day they became my stepbrothers, it stopped working anyway.    

Heartless is the first installment in the Privileged of Pembroke High series that ends in a cliff-hanger. This is a bully/enemy-to-lovers, #whychoose, new-adult contemporary romance, full-length novel.  

*Recommended 18+ due to mature language, adult situations, and sensitive content.

©2019 Ivy Fox (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

Great narration. story was just above average

I liked the book, thanks to the narrators the book was better. I'm still on the fence on proceeding to next book, even with the big cliff hanger. It doesn't appear that h is going to get her hea anytime soon since this is part 1 of 5 and the last 2 are not even available. My fault should have checked that, but I can only handle 3 books before I get frustrated with the unresolved conflicts, especially when the conflict is a jump to conclusions on both Heros, yes this does appear to be RH, but nothing major occurs in this book with the h /H/H, just heavy petting. overall, ok story it kept my attention, but I wasn't anxious to read / hear more like my other reads.

Wow....

I’m not sure if this is really a billy romance, maybe half yes half no? Narration was on point! This story was so much more than I thought it was going to be and what a cliffhanger!! I’m going to go read the next two books because I can’t wait for it to come out on audible. Super happy I found it and it’s so worth the credit especially if you love RH dark bully romance. On par with Filthy Rich Boys in my opinion.

its no secret I love a good RH BOOK

Heartless honestly through me for a loop. Was it an RH romance or was it a Bully book. I went back and forth and I think, I think maybe it's both. which is wonderful because I don't think I've really read a Bully RH before and I'm all about new experiences.

Holland is dating twin brothers, they are rich and super easy on the eyes. Basically shes living the dream. But actually shes not. Her mom is just disgusting, her father committed suicide after stealing millions. Shes lived with her grandmother for so long most people didn't even know her parents had kids. Disgusting right? Well her bright spot is the twins, Asher and Oliver. They love her and its pretty freaking sweet. The thing is they don't know who she really is. They think she's a townie, shes not.

When the twin's older brother Roman discovers who Holland really is things get messy and go from bad to worse. Heartbroken the twins ICE her out. ANNNNNDDD she becomes their new step sister. queue my cheers for step-sibling romance!!!! As cruel as Roman is though like I hope he jumps into this romance with Holland and his brothers, once they forgive her which is completely inevitable.

I really enjoyed this one and the epilogue had my jaw on the floor. I really need to know what happens next.

I'm completely upset 😡

I have seen this book pop up several times as something that I might like. I completely overlooked this book for months. I must say... from the beginning to end I was sucked in. Not once did I think about how long the book was and I didn't get upset with the heroine! I mean totally submerged in this book and into their world! How irresponsible it was for me to pass on this book!

The way the author set this storyline and even the conflicts are believable. I mean wow! I didn't even notice that my hours had come to an end. Cliffhanger DONE RIGHT!!!! BRAVO!!

Bully RH - be prepared for all the feels!

Narration for audiobook:
So I fell in love with this series back in 2019 and I thought it would be a good idea to give these a listen in anticipation of Elle's book coming out later this month. Boy was I not disappointed! I am even more excited now to read Elle, Chad, and Saint's story after getting back into the world of POPH. The narrators I thought did a good job bringing these characters to life. I could feel the angst, sadness, and broken hearts, their depictions were very close to what I imagined. I think there were a couple moments where I was taken out of the story because the narration was a little off, but nothing too badly. I loved the range of Laurie, have to do a lot of male and female voices (I don't think Jeremy had to do as much). I think Jeremy's female narrations could be stronger/more diverse with intonation, but he got a solid 4/5 stars from me. If you love RH and can handle bullying from the harem (it will get better, I promise!) then you will love this love story ❤️


Previous review from 2019 (still holds true!):

I loved Ivy's previous books but I think this one might take the cake. Like I loved Rotten Girl and Archangels MC, but this one transported me to the Hamptons, had me fall in love with the twins, and was devastated by the events that transpired as flashbacks and present day confrontations. I absolutely got sucked into this story and am already in love with the characters and the storyline, despite have a bully trigger based on previous trauma.

I think Holland is so relatable, especially her past that has kept her under lock and key (no I am not going to spoil it for you). I related because one of my aunts has the same issue so I know how difficult and scary it can get. I need to know more about her relationship with her dad, how things came to a head that made him take such drastic action. I was crushed by Holland's flashbacks and the way her mom treats her now, even worse than when her dad was in the picture. She is very hesitant to let people in, I mean who can blame her? She has the mom from hell and a non-existent dad. She just wants to have a normal life and starts to have it until her mom ruins everything.

I wont give the rest away because its better if you are surprised. I will say that I kept going back and forth between my favorite of Holland's guys (Ollie and Ash). I love me some nerds (i.e. Ollie), but Ash had the bad boy exterior with a total marshmallow inside. I cannot wait to see them get back to where they used to be. Its going to be insane and super 🔥🔥🔥, especially if the diner and beach scenes are just teasers/little tastes of what's to come!! I think Rome needs a swift kick to his nether regions, but he is super loyal to his fam and I know the big softie is in there. He just has been burned pretty badly in the past so he has a spikey exterior to keep people at an arm's length.

The other characters are amazingly written. Ivy has really gotten the whole villain thing down pat now. I saw it in Rotten Girl and then Rotten Men, but this book shows a huge growth in that respect. Vivienne and Judge Grayson are horribly mean/evil. I thought Elle stole the book at moments and she needs her own book/novella with Saint and Chad (OMG I LOVE CHAD ALREADY!!!). I am super excited to see where this new sisterhood is going and love the friendship that Elle and Holland have developed. Elle and her friends are definitely the source of giggles/levity that the book needed.

Ok, enough ranting from me. I loved loved loved this book. I liked that it wasn't the typical bully romance and the solution that could have help avoid the whole misunderstanding could have been easily implemented and avoided, but life doesnt always work out the way we planned. It gets messy. People get hurt. This story is going to show how Holland, Ash, Ollie, Rome (and Elle) can come together after THAT ENDING and not fall apart.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book but beware, there is a cliffhanger. Don't go into this book thinking its going to be all sunshine and unicorns. It might start off that way but it quickly digresses. These characters are going to have to work for it. Ivy doesnt write predictable storylines; there is always some twist/new perspective. Also, she will obliterate your heart with the quick change in emotions and some scenes that will hit you in the feels. You have been warned ❤️❤️❤️

Wowsa!!!

All the great reviews were right! This was excellent, and I didn’t want to stop listening. On to book 2!

Fantastic Audiobook!

I loved this story when I read it, but, if possible, I loved it even more on Audiobook! The Narrators did a wonderful job bringing the characters and story to life!

What an ending

Holland is a character I root for to get everything she deserves. Her mother Vivian is the worse and her father before he died was not much better. In love with twins Asher and Ollie Grayson their lives are about to become even more entwined. The ending of this book has my mouth dropped open. I can’t wait to see what comes in book 2.

Ehh..

It started out ok..but after a while it gets irritating to the point it's not a worth reading.

Age

Enjoying the story. Just wish that stories like this would age up. So that I don’t have to do that in my head. Ugh! Not high school! College kids, college kids. They are adults. They are adults. This is my mantra I have in my head. It’s like I edit the story in my mind. Especially with the explicit content of the story.
Other wise I feel like a gross old cougar. It’s bad enough with the college age characters. 🫣.