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lmrivas54's review
4.0
This book is full of passion and venom! Two families got together, they were best friends, then they merged their companies, and went on to try to merge their kids. The mothers were giddy trophy wives, meeting for lunch, drinking themselves silly and planning their kids’ marriage. The kids were seven years old and hated each other. Callum was a bully to Renee in school, but made nice with her in front of their parents. When they were in high school, Callum realized he was attracted to Renee and ran scared, got heavily involved with a girlfriend but the chemistry was too strong.
The blurb of this book says that there was one mistake. I would say there were two mistakes. One got them too close too early; their new lives in college with all the many sensations, demands, and events were too much. Callum was an insensitive, selfish oaf. When the second mistake happened, he was horribly cruel and vindictive.
Through it all, Renee was sincere in her love, but she also behaved like a selfish, entitled rich young woman. No sense of self-worth, not much self-respect, and even less a sense of independence. These kids depended on their parents to pay for school, their fancy clothes, and luxury cars, so they submitted to their parents demands in order to continue with their cushy life. So, again, they would make nice in front of their parents and fight in private.
This book was very entertaining, but my heart hurt for Renee. Callum’s despicable behavior made me want to throw something at him. His goal to play professional football collided with his father’s expectations to have Callum head his company in the future. It was a constant struggle. Talk about poor rich kids, their life may be full of conveniences but the need to meet parent’s expectations make sure it’s not their life, but the life dictated by parents.
Great writing and great pace, and even though I wanted to scream at the characters, they were human and decent, just immature. Even thought my heart was hurting, I kept reading feverishly to find out how the plot developed. It was riveting and compelling, very passionate and very human, great story!
The blurb of this book says that there was one mistake. I would say there were two mistakes. One got them too close too early; their new lives in college with all the many sensations, demands, and events were too much. Callum was an insensitive, selfish oaf. When the second mistake happened, he was horribly cruel and vindictive.
Through it all, Renee was sincere in her love, but she also behaved like a selfish, entitled rich young woman. No sense of self-worth, not much self-respect, and even less a sense of independence. These kids depended on their parents to pay for school, their fancy clothes, and luxury cars, so they submitted to their parents demands in order to continue with their cushy life. So, again, they would make nice in front of their parents and fight in private.
This book was very entertaining, but my heart hurt for Renee. Callum’s despicable behavior made me want to throw something at him. His goal to play professional football collided with his father’s expectations to have Callum head his company in the future. It was a constant struggle. Talk about poor rich kids, their life may be full of conveniences but the need to meet parent’s expectations make sure it’s not their life, but the life dictated by parents.
Great writing and great pace, and even though I wanted to scream at the characters, they were human and decent, just immature. Even thought my heart was hurting, I kept reading feverishly to find out how the plot developed. It was riveting and compelling, very passionate and very human, great story!
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Amazing angst filled story young love, full of tension and heartbreak and ultimately hope and love again.
Callum and Renee were a very interesting and complex couple and so perfect for each other.
This book will give you the feels, but it will break your heart a few times!
Callum and Renee were a very interesting and complex couple and so perfect for each other.
This book will give you the feels, but it will break your heart a few times!
romecca's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Callum and Renee's story.
booklovershangout's review
4.0
Angst! So much angst! Even enough to satisfy me and I love me some angsty stories. This story had so much emotion. So much drama. So much suspense and definitely heart and romance as well as hate and enemies. I found myself flipping through pages not understanding how this would all wrap up and work out, but needing to know what was going to happen next. This was my first book by Ella Fields and the first I have read in this series, but I am dying to go back and read more. I will definitely be looking for more from this author.
rihoward's review
5.0
If I could give this book a million stars I would.
When you think of college or New Adult romance there is a certain expectation of angst. The characters are young and just learning about all the facets of love. It isn't always pretty, and there is typically a betrayal of some sort and the loss of trust. It is the foundation of NA. Going against it would be liking rewriting The Bible and expecting people to accept it as better than the first. So the ability to take this recipe and follow it but change up the ingredients and make it new and fresh would be near to impossible for any author other than this one. If this book was a chocolate chip cookie, then she just took that "recipe" and created the BEST chocolate chip cookie in the whole world. It is the most real, most vulnerable, heartbreaking story that I have read in this genre. This entire series has been this way. Yet, this book took the crown.
The emotions that this author made me feel ranged from rage to sadness to hope and back again. It was a continual cycle. Much like the cycle of hate to love to hate to love. Yet, even in that cycle, it always ended on love and showing that love will always trump hate in matters of the heart. This also showcased this author's innate ability to prove that even the perfect ideal of love is marred with ugliness but sometimes it is that ugliness that makes it beautiful because often times that is what reminds us to see the beauty and appreciate it or fight for it instead of taking it for granted.
In typical fashion, this author and her writing style were truly sublime. Her word choices, stylistic ways to set up a scene, setting, and characterization are in a master level. I know going into any of her stories that she will blow my mind and she did not let me down. Not that I thought she would. She truly gets better and better with every book.
Callum and Renee. These two. Where do I even begin? Have you ever read a book that you hated and loved the characters simultaneously? Typically, I vacillate between the two emotions. Never, have I read a book that this has happened to me before. NEVER. Yet, therein lies the beauty of this amazing book. It had me hooked before I even made it past the first chapter. I had been waiting with bated breath for this book. I scheduled my life to be put on hold around this book (Seriously, I am in the middle of repainting my home and I left a wall only half painted not giving two pinches of squirrel crap.) Both of these two irked me at some point and then made me swoon in the next. They both had their moments of selfishness (often caused by insecurities or hurt feelings). They were also sweet and endearing and made my jaded heart believe in love. They also hated as fiercely as they loved, This truly was a book juxtaposing love and hate. It was a great reminder of why the rose despite being the symbol of love has thorns. It will cause you to bleed if not careful. But if you appreciate it with its thorns and are careful it goes from a bud to a gorgeous bloom.
That is what this amazing author did. She not only created the world's best chocolate chip cookie (and I HATE chocolate so that pains me to say) but she let this book bloom into the perfect beautiful love story. I cannot say it enough. This author is truly one of a kind. I cannot imagine how she felt writing down the voices of these characters. I am sure her heart soared and then plummeted as much as mine did.
Kudos on another truly mesmerizing book, Ella. You deserve all the accolades on this book. ALL OF THEM. I can say that as your number one fan. I will fight for that title. Seriously.
There is a warning about cheating in this book. Please, I beg of you do not let that deter you. You will thank me later,.
When you think of college or New Adult romance there is a certain expectation of angst. The characters are young and just learning about all the facets of love. It isn't always pretty, and there is typically a betrayal of some sort and the loss of trust. It is the foundation of NA. Going against it would be liking rewriting The Bible and expecting people to accept it as better than the first. So the ability to take this recipe and follow it but change up the ingredients and make it new and fresh would be near to impossible for any author other than this one. If this book was a chocolate chip cookie, then she just took that "recipe" and created the BEST chocolate chip cookie in the whole world. It is the most real, most vulnerable, heartbreaking story that I have read in this genre. This entire series has been this way. Yet, this book took the crown.
The emotions that this author made me feel ranged from rage to sadness to hope and back again. It was a continual cycle. Much like the cycle of hate to love to hate to love. Yet, even in that cycle, it always ended on love and showing that love will always trump hate in matters of the heart. This also showcased this author's innate ability to prove that even the perfect ideal of love is marred with ugliness but sometimes it is that ugliness that makes it beautiful because often times that is what reminds us to see the beauty and appreciate it or fight for it instead of taking it for granted.
In typical fashion, this author and her writing style were truly sublime. Her word choices, stylistic ways to set up a scene, setting, and characterization are in a master level. I know going into any of her stories that she will blow my mind and she did not let me down. Not that I thought she would. She truly gets better and better with every book.
Callum and Renee. These two. Where do I even begin? Have you ever read a book that you hated and loved the characters simultaneously? Typically, I vacillate between the two emotions. Never, have I read a book that this has happened to me before. NEVER. Yet, therein lies the beauty of this amazing book. It had me hooked before I even made it past the first chapter. I had been waiting with bated breath for this book. I scheduled my life to be put on hold around this book (Seriously, I am in the middle of repainting my home and I left a wall only half painted not giving two pinches of squirrel crap.) Both of these two irked me at some point and then made me swoon in the next. They both had their moments of selfishness (often caused by insecurities or hurt feelings). They were also sweet and endearing and made my jaded heart believe in love. They also hated as fiercely as they loved, This truly was a book juxtaposing love and hate. It was a great reminder of why the rose despite being the symbol of love has thorns. It will cause you to bleed if not careful. But if you appreciate it with its thorns and are careful it goes from a bud to a gorgeous bloom.
That is what this amazing author did. She not only created the world's best chocolate chip cookie (and I HATE chocolate so that pains me to say) but she let this book bloom into the perfect beautiful love story. I cannot say it enough. This author is truly one of a kind. I cannot imagine how she felt writing down the voices of these characters. I am sure her heart soared and then plummeted as much as mine did.
Kudos on another truly mesmerizing book, Ella. You deserve all the accolades on this book. ALL OF THEM. I can say that as your number one fan. I will fight for that title. Seriously.
There is a warning about cheating in this book. Please, I beg of you do not let that deter you. You will thank me later,.
bee_reading_books's review
5.0
I read Pretty Venom today after having it on my bookshelf since BBTB earlier this year.
Oh my.
I have no words at all. The angst, oh the angst! I seriously love angst when it's done really well, and Ella... you're the queen!
Renee is much stronger than I that's for sure.
I'm a huge sook. Like really, I am. When it comes to books, I don't cry unless it's basically an ugly cry book. I do feel emotional, but I never cry with books.
This one had me pushing the book away, desperately trying to stop the stinging in my eyes. I was furiously blinking, trying to stop the hurt in my heart for Callum and Renee.
I really loved it.
I thought that Renee fighting for Callum broke my heart... but Callum fighting for Renee destroyed me.
This book shows that love isn't always enough, but if its real, its worth fighting for.
Oh my.
I have no words at all. The angst, oh the angst! I seriously love angst when it's done really well, and Ella... you're the queen!
Renee is much stronger than I that's for sure.
I'm a huge sook. Like really, I am. When it comes to books, I don't cry unless it's basically an ugly cry book. I do feel emotional, but I never cry with books.
This one had me pushing the book away, desperately trying to stop the stinging in my eyes. I was furiously blinking, trying to stop the hurt in my heart for Callum and Renee.
I really loved it.
I thought that Renee fighting for Callum broke my heart... but Callum fighting for Renee destroyed me.
This book shows that love isn't always enough, but if its real, its worth fighting for.
75_sweetestbook's review
5.0
Wow what a read. I don't even know where to start. This book is amazing and I would recommend this is a must read book. I've read all the books and just can't tell you what would be better one. Because the story will have you feeling all the emotionals ride all the the time from the time you start to the very ending.
aj_readz's review
4.0
This is my favorite book of this series by far. I really like the relationship between the team not only in this book but in the other books as well. I also like that Renee became friends with Pippa and Daisy. I love Callum and think he was right to be angry, but I also think Renee should've investigated further when she "realized/thought" she cheated. I think Mike needs punched in the face and find it absolutely hilarious that he ended up with Alexis. I loved Renee's and Callum's parents I found them funny even with all their meddling they always had their children's best interest at heart. Anyways... thanks for coming to my long winded review. Enjoy!
cobaltbookshelf's review
4.0
Amazing angst filled story young love, full of tension and heartbreak and ultimately hope and love again.
Callum and Renee were a very interesting and complex couple and so perfect for each other.
This book will give you the feels, but it will break your heart a few times!
Callum and Renee were a very interesting and complex couple and so perfect for each other.
This book will give you the feels, but it will break your heart a few times!
blvelances's review
3.0
it’s a theme in this series that the male characters do their worse to hurt the female characters… and they just take it until the males change
you’d think this one was different you know since we know from the other books that renee cheated on callum?
except the cheating part has to be excused so - i should have expected callum to be treating her badly even before any cheating happened
from the first second in this book he was treating her badly. then something switched they dated for a second, he threw a tantrum over her not being overjoyed with their mothers’ plans to have them married when they were 18… so got married.
and then went to college… where he proceeded to ignore her immediately. yo hang out with his friends. and then call her needy and insecure. all that unwarranted
but then she cheats (after he had gone home smelling like another girl AND she saw girls touching him btw) while being extremely drunk and suddenly of course he cares.
(and btw alcohol isn’t an excuse yada yada - except no one can consent when they’re too drunk to know what they’re doing and too drunk to remember it. it was extremely hard for me to read that part because it’s a little worse than cheating. )
parenthesis aside, callum now has ANOTHER reason to be terrible renee, even though he never needed a reason he was doing fine on his own
and for some reason, for the same mysterious reason that made daisy wait for her ex boyfriend and go to college to be together again with him while quinn had started dating daisy’s ex best friend, and the same reason that made pippa forgive each and every of toby’s offenses and even wait around for a little less than a year while he gave her no news at all
(the reason is that some authors and readers want their female characters to be tortured)
second parenthesis but renee basically only came to gray springs only to be with callum, even though the university didn’t really have what she wanted in terms of education- great right
« I’d always known what she was capable of. I just never thought she’d set her sights on destroying me. » ??? boy what - this book calling renee pretty venom but never showing examples is simply bad writing. none of her actions have shown what the boy who supposedly dated her for over three years is saying here. she didn’t even cheat out of spite
and btw the story COULD have been that renee was tired of being ignored and kissed mike to ignite a reaction out of callum. and then she’d have regretted it and the quote above could have been warranted. it would have been much better than this weird dubbcon
« Falling in love changed you bit by bit in a way you didn’t realize until that love had left you suffocating in the remaining pieces » were was that love before ? love is more than pretty words it’s actions
« In the downstairs bathroom, I stared at my reflection, the milky pallor to my skin, my defined cheekbones more prominent, and my hair, curled yet still flat.
Lifeless. As though who I was had been seeping out of my pores every day for the past year, and it was starting to show. »
over a man who basically never deserved her ? who never acknowledged even once he had treated her badly since they first arrived to college
who hasn’t ONCE looked for an explanation and simply kept of hating her and talking about prey to her when he was treating her like less trash
and then after all the suffering comes the truth: she actually did not fuck mike and he lied - to complete the martyr act. she was (kinda) innocent after all
and funny when callum is now chasing her he’s sending presents, and she’s not fucking anyone else. his pride gets to remain great while she gets to remain chaste (because it’s VERY important in this series as well)
knowing where the story was going, why couldn’t the author erase some of those ideas she had from the book?
- callum getting a bj from renee’s roommate et renee walking in on them
- all the times they had sex and he treated her like garbage
- all the time he talked to her and about her like garbage
- how many months the whole ordeal lasted
the book could have been about the aftermath instead. some things are hard to forget or forgive and i’m sorry but since their problems started when they arrived at college, i would have loved to see them be a real couple in college. see how callum’s behavior changed. but of course none of that happened (just like it didn’t for toby and pippa for whom i had the exact same problem - why keep piling up the offenses and then sweep them under the rug and jump to 10years later?)
it seems me from the past read this book and rated it 5stars and ??? it absolutely doesn’t deserve 5 stars. renee as a character does though
reneecallum could have been a worthy couple as well based on their personality and plot but the author decided to handle it badly
you’d think this one was different you know since we know from the other books that renee cheated on callum?
except the cheating part has to be excused so - i should have expected callum to be treating her badly even before any cheating happened
from the first second in this book he was treating her badly. then something switched they dated for a second, he threw a tantrum over her not being overjoyed with their mothers’ plans to have them married when they were 18… so got married.
and then went to college… where he proceeded to ignore her immediately. yo hang out with his friends. and then call her needy and insecure. all that unwarranted
but then she cheats (after he had gone home smelling like another girl AND she saw girls touching him btw) while being extremely drunk and suddenly of course he cares.
(and btw alcohol isn’t an excuse yada yada - except no one can consent when they’re too drunk to know what they’re doing and too drunk to remember it. it was extremely hard for me to read that part because it’s a little worse than cheating. )
parenthesis aside, callum now has ANOTHER reason to be terrible renee, even though he never needed a reason he was doing fine on his own
and for some reason, for the same mysterious reason that made daisy wait for her ex boyfriend and go to college to be together again with him while quinn had started dating daisy’s ex best friend, and the same reason that made pippa forgive each and every of toby’s offenses and even wait around for a little less than a year while he gave her no news at all
(the reason is that some authors and readers want their female characters to be tortured)
second parenthesis but renee basically only came to gray springs only to be with callum, even though the university didn’t really have what she wanted in terms of education- great right
« I’d always known what she was capable of. I just never thought she’d set her sights on destroying me. » ??? boy what - this book calling renee pretty venom but never showing examples is simply bad writing. none of her actions have shown what the boy who supposedly dated her for over three years is saying here. she didn’t even cheat out of spite
and btw the story COULD have been that renee was tired of being ignored and kissed mike to ignite a reaction out of callum. and then she’d have regretted it and the quote above could have been warranted. it would have been much better than this weird dubbcon
« Falling in love changed you bit by bit in a way you didn’t realize until that love had left you suffocating in the remaining pieces » were was that love before ? love is more than pretty words it’s actions
« In the downstairs bathroom, I stared at my reflection, the milky pallor to my skin, my defined cheekbones more prominent, and my hair, curled yet still flat.
Lifeless. As though who I was had been seeping out of my pores every day for the past year, and it was starting to show. »
over a man who basically never deserved her ? who never acknowledged even once he had treated her badly since they first arrived to college
who hasn’t ONCE looked for an explanation and simply kept of hating her and talking about prey to her when he was treating her like less trash
and then after all the suffering comes the truth: she actually did not fuck mike and he lied - to complete the martyr act. she was (kinda) innocent after all
and funny when callum is now chasing her he’s sending presents, and she’s not fucking anyone else. his pride gets to remain great while she gets to remain chaste (because it’s VERY important in this series as well)
knowing where the story was going, why couldn’t the author erase some of those ideas she had from the book?
- callum getting a bj from renee’s roommate et renee walking in on them
- all the times they had sex and he treated her like garbage
- all the time he talked to her and about her like garbage
- how many months the whole ordeal lasted
the book could have been about the aftermath instead. some things are hard to forget or forgive and i’m sorry but since their problems started when they arrived at college, i would have loved to see them be a real couple in college. see how callum’s behavior changed. but of course none of that happened (just like it didn’t for toby and pippa for whom i had the exact same problem - why keep piling up the offenses and then sweep them under the rug and jump to 10years later?)
it seems me from the past read this book and rated it 5stars and ??? it absolutely doesn’t deserve 5 stars. renee as a character does though
reneecallum could have been a worthy couple as well based on their personality and plot but the author decided to handle it badly