by R.A. Smyth is the high-tension first book in the Ruthless Boys of Ridgeway series, often described by readers on The StoryGraph and Romance.io as a dark, "why choose" (reverse harem) romance filled with suspense and intense angst. Key Story Elements
: Frequently noted as the most "unhinged" and hostile, holding a deep grudge against Emilia for their past. Pretty Spiteful by R.A. Smyth
: The book is praised for its fast pacing and "exhilarating" momentum, though almost every review warns of a major, frustrating cliffhanger at the end. : The book is praised for its fast
: Struggling with his lingering feelings and indecision about her return. : Four years after high school, Emilia Harrison
: Many reviewers from The StoryGraph mention being "hooked from page one" due to the immediate danger and high sexual tension.
: Four years after high school, Emilia Harrison is living a seemingly normal life until a stalker begins sending her gruesome packages—including her boyfriend's severed finger.
: While it is a spin-off of the Pacific Prep series, most readers agree it can be read as a standalone, though reading the original series or the prequel novella Blurred Lines provides much-needed context for the characters' shared history. Critical Reception Pretty Spiteful - Reviews - The StoryGraph