Cruel King

First, let me tell you I recommend reading the prequel Cruel Kiss before reading this one. However, you don't need to read the rest of the books of this series to jump into Cruel Kiss and Cruel King. I've been anticipating Gavin and Whitley's story since meeting them in Cruel Truth! Couldn't believe it when I finally got it on my Kindle!

I've loved Whitley from day one, so I knew I would love her through her story. Gavin could go either way, even though I always enjoyed his bromance with Court and his friendship with Camden. Fortunately, this story made me love Whitley even more and I fell in love with Gavin too!

Whitley and Gavin have been friends for a long time, they had an interesting dynamic even helping each other out to hook up with other people. After certain events, some of which were included in Cruel Kiss, Whitley left New York to work in LA and stayed there for a few years. The story in Cruel King picks up when Whitley comes back to New York and it was so fun following the events that led these two to fake an engagement!

Gavin always had feelings for Whitley, but he let her do her thing trying not to scare her, afraid she would run away. But he took all the opportunities he could to be closer and deepen their relationship. So, after Whitley finally came back to the city, he decided to ask her for help as his fake girlfriend/fiancé to make her fall for him too. Whitley had a difficult past, so falling in love was scary for her especially because she thought she sucked as a girlfriend. It was interesting how both of them were similar in some ways and so different in other aspects. That only made the dynamic between them funnier, steamier, and so freaking enjoyable.

Gavin was the sweetest! I loved how he loved Whitley just as she was through it all. Whitley will remain one of my favorite romance heroines, I truly understood her fear of being vulnerable and in love. Everything made perfect sense considering her upbringing, and her personality and I knew that things needed to reach a pivotal point.

However, my favorite book is still Cruel Desire (Court and Anna are my favorite couple! And Court remains my favorite character in this universe). The backstory between Gavin and Whitley could've played a larger role in this book. The reader is told about what happened after the events of Cruel Kiss (the prequel), but we never see it. A flashback of the circumstances that led Whitley to leave for LA could've been included.

Anyway, I enjoyed Cruel King a lot. Highly entertaining, and very steamy, with so many funny moments, perfect banter, and a splendid epilogue.

Recommend it if you're looking for an easy, steamy read set in the Upper East Side world with great characters, a mix of emotional and funny moments, amazing banter, and the fake dating trope.