Cruel Money (Cruel #1)

As a weekend reader I’m by no means a book snob. I would go as far as to say I’m pretty lenient in plot, character development etc. I give authors the benefit of the doubt. I barely write reviews but take the time to read them. I write this just for guys on the fence. This books only redeeming quality was Penn. He at least made it interesting. The heroine who predictably had a 6 year one night stand HATE grudge was hands down the most annoying character in this book!! (Good Grief) How an 18 year old doesn’t get past a one night for 6 years while on vacation in Paris is a mystery! Known as a silvery haired bohemian goddess I find her to act pious and high handed. For A heroine who has strong negative opinions about the wealthy she sure is obsessed with them. She house sits for a living? But finds the rich disdainful? Is devastated when she’s fired for having a romantic relationship with her employers son… In her employers house while working? Blames Penn for her lack of professional integrity? It makes her honestly a harpy. A close minded one. She spends most of the book angry or debating the other characters intentions but making stupid decisions that any independent 24 year old would see through? I kept saying out loud “Are you serious?” If you’ve read this review just know I tried to warn you. I’m irritated that I wasted my Sunday afternoon on this garbage. Netflix reruns would have been better. -***The entitled by Cassandra Robins is what this book COULD have been. Check that out. Your welcome.

Reviewed by Donna on behalf of KFF Where do I start after reading the first in a trilogy and sat pondering on what an entertaining, angst enjoyable read Cruel Money was and do it justice for the potential reader. I haven’t stopped talking about this with my book buddies and I will urge the unsuspecting book world to pick this delight up. Natalie and Penn had a brief encounter six years ago and bump into each other unexpectedly at the beach house Nat is looking after for two months. Penn only ever wanted a one night with her; nonetheless, Nat got to see a different side to the man who just wanted to sate his vast sexual appetite. What does it matter if he’s seen as Manhattan Royalty and Nat is just the hired help! Could these two different worlds work well together or collide and crash? Living in the summer house might or might not be an absolute disaster. Anything is possible. Natalie Bishop is a 24-year-old aspiring author. She grew up as a military brat moving from one place to another so as an adult, she loves nothing more than drifting from one place to another. The house where she works stands for high society and is amongst some pretty impressive properties. It’s the perfect solution for her to earn money and at the same time, try to break into a writing career. Penn Kensington is from the Upper East Side and one of the elite. Filthy rich, he had no wish to work in the family business and found his own path as a philosophy professor. His group of lifelong friends are all from the same cut and go by the name of The Crew. A bunch of cruel guys who pretty much view anyone outside their circle as beneath them. It’s the ultimate clicky group. Although Penn is tied to them, there is a part of him that wants to be better and improve his behaviour towards others. I felt at times he needed a bit more of a backbone towards the Crew members. Cruel money is full of twist and turns, drama, angst and pure sexual chemistry that just sizzles between the two protagonists. The side characters equally intrigued me and had me chomping at the bit to find out their next move. Obviously, I wanted to know what was going to happen to Penn and Nat and I can’t not mention the puppy, Aristotle. Such a cute little addition to the story belonging to Penn but loved Natalie. He never left her side and it gave a bit of lightheartedness to the story. I’d read this author’s works a few years ago and although she’d dropped off my radar, I remember how I loved her words back then. Since finishing this offering, I’ve tried getting into other reads and whilst I’m a sucker for a great story, Cruel Money is still niggling in the back of my mind. This is the first of a trilogy and I’m so looking forward to seeing where I’ll be taken in the next two instalments. Get ready for a full-length romance; however, this shouldn’t deter you in the least. As a series, could it have been shorter? No way! Linde has given an action-packed story that’ll keep you enthralled from the first page to the last. I gave 5 stars to a great plot, exhilarating characters and for the author’s ability to suck me in and imprint this story constantly in my mind. I’m sure Ms. Linde would say that my reaction to her words would be her job is done. Or is it? Wait for Cruel Money!

There is a FREE prequel, One Cruel Night, that I would suggest reading first. It takes place in Paris. The hero and heroine spend a amazing night together. Most of Cruel Money takes place in The Hamptons. It is there that they meet again. I believe that there is going to be two more books in the series. I enjoyed Cruel Money. It kept me guessing about what was going to happen. I definitely got a Gossip Girl vibe. He comes from money and she doesn’t. I think the question of can you grow up filthy rich and still be a good person is seen throughout the book and I’m guessing the series. The end left me hanging in the best way and counting down the days until I can get my next fix. Cruel Money is the perfect guilty pleasure read.

This book definitely gave me the vibes of Cruel Intentions and Gossip Girl. I like Natalie. She speaks her mind, dreamy, and is not afraid of being herself. Penn, a billionaire heir with a sensitive, philosophical soul with seriously questionable friends. The only decent people are Lewis and Lark (and Lewis…sigh). Anyway, I love the diversity of the characters and I love how self-aware Natalie is. The ending…it makes you crave for more and now I gotta wait for the other book to come out (not fair!) This book is sexy, smutty, and romantic all in the same. I can’t wait when Natalie bosses up and shows people who she is really is. Katherine is definitely a cross between Blair from GG and the character Sarah Michelle Gellar played on Cruel Intentions. She’s spoiled, entitled, treacherous, ruthless and calculating. She’s definitely someone you wouldn’t want to mess with, but sometimes I feel a good smack up is what will get her to straighten up. I’m trying to understand how Lewis is still friends with her despite her having some seriously flawed qualities…qualities that can destroy a person. Lewis is a good guy, but he sure is a rider for his friends. His friends are really effed up and now…it becomes complicated because he sees who Natalie truly is. She’s someone who keeps you on your toes. She’s working class. She doesn’t believe in handouts or being seen as a “project” or charity case. She wants to show who she is by being who she is and you couldn’t help but love that. She’s flawed of course, but it makes her all the more beautiful! Im officially obsessed with the Cruel series. I need my next fix!

Natalie is skinny dipping in the ocean and as she comes out, she sees non other than Penn the man she shared one awesome day and night with in Paris 6 years before. Natalie and Penn’s relationship is oh so complicated, she is an aspiring writer who house sits for the very rich while she writes. Penn is a philosopher teacher and the son of the woman Natalie is house sitting for. The twists and turns throughout this book, make it an awesome can’t put down read. I read it in one sitting! Natalie gets thrown into Penn’s world and she meets his crew; Lewis, Rowe, Lark and Katherine. They are mix of powerful wealthy individuals. Wow what can I say about Katherine, she’s a ruthlessly wicked villain dressed in pretty designer clothing and butter wouldn’t melt exterior. Can’t wait to find out what happens next.

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