: Struggling with his lingering feelings and indecision about her return.

: A common point of contention is Wilder's behavior; while some love his "unstable" energy, others find his bullying and hostility frustrating or even a reason to stop reading.

: The "protective" ex-military newcomer who provides stability amidst the chaos. Reader Consensus

: For her safety, Emilia is whisked away to live with her high school exes, Hawk and Wilder, and her mysterious new bodyguard, Kai. Character Dynamics :

: 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

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

: Many reviewers from The StoryGraph mention being "hooked from page one" due to the immediate danger and high sexual tension.

: The book is praised for its fast pacing and "exhilarating" momentum, though almost every review warns of a major, frustrating cliffhanger at the end.