My Pretty Little Savage Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
I picked up Pretty Little Savage by Lucy Smoke because I wanted an unflinching, dark enemies-to-lovers romance with real stakes and a heroine who never bows down. This is the first book in the Sick Boys series, and it throws me straight into the chaos of Eastpoint University—a world ruled by the “Sick Boys,” heirs to fortune and corruption, obsessed with power and order. Right from the jump, Avalon Manning stands out. She’s a fighter, the kind of girl who’s been kicked out of more schools than she can count, dragging a heavy past behind her. When she lands—reluctantly—at Eastpoint, she becomes target and obsession for the Sick Boys: Dean, Braxton, and Abel, each of them carrying secrets of their own. Their world is filled with danger, games, and violence, and Avalon refuses to play it safe. The book is all about twisting alliances, brutal secrets, and surviving in a place where cruelty and privilege run the show. But Avalon? She breaks the rules and carves her own path, no matter the cost.
Why I Love This Book
I love how this book doesn’t pretend to be gentle. The atmosphere is tense and gritty, with relentless drama, bullying, and an undercurrent of real danger at every corner. Avalon is impossible not to root for—she’s stubborn, sharp, and survives not just in spite of her past but because of it. The tension between her and the three Sick Boys is palpable. Each challenge, each fight, and each twisted game makes me want to see what she’ll do next. The dual POV gives me a front-row seat into her mind and Dean’s, and the chemistry (especially the enemies-to-lovers energy) keeps every scene charged, even before it turns physical. There are real moments of darkness—abuse, secrets, and trauma that don’t get glossed over. For me, that willingness to go deep and stay honest is what made the story hit hard. When Avalon stands her ground and refuses to back down, no matter what the boys throw at her, I can’t help but cheer her on.
Who Will Like This Book
If you’re into dark, gritty bully romance—complete with twisted family drama, secrets, and a heroine who never becomes anyone’s victim—this book is for you. It’s perfect if you love strong, “unapologetically badass” female leads, powerful and morally gray antiheroes, and stories that lean hard into tension and psychological games. Be aware: the content is intense, with graphic depictions of violence, sexual assault (on the page), drug and child abuse, and lots of complex trauma. There’s a cliffhanger, so be prepared to grab the next book in the series.
⚠️ Trigger warning: This book contains on-the-page sexual assault, child abuse (mostly in memories), bullying, violence, and other dark themes. Definitely check the trigger warnings before you start.
Tagged As
dark romance, bully romance, new adult, enemies to lovers, found family, college, privilege, trauma, strong heroine, antihero, dual pov, forced proximity, cliffhanger, rich bad boys, revenge, open-door romance, explicit, series, indie romance, kindle unlimited
Steam Level
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Insanely Hot
