Review of "Pretty Vile" by A.J. Cattapan
I have to admit that I kept seeing whispers of excitement about Pretty Vile, the second installment in A.J. Cattapan’s Ruthless Boys of Ridgeway series, pop up in my reading circles. As someone who enjoys a good mix of tension and romance, the “friends-enemies-lovers” trope always draws me in. This book promised a cocktail of complicated relationships wrapped in the backdrop of college life—exactly the kind of escapism I needed.
In Pretty Vile, we dive into the turbulent world of Emilia Harrison and her protector, a complex character who initially served as her bodyguard. Their chemistry crackles from the start, but it’s the emotional depth that truly kept me engaged. A haunting past lingers over the male lead, and as he grapples with his feelings for Emilia, his journey transforms into a wild ride of inner struggles and unexpected emotions. The plot tangles beautifully—she’s growing closer to her other love interests, Hawk and Wilder, making the stakes even higher. It creates an exquisite tension that had me turning the pages well into the night.
Cattapan’s writing style is particularly inviting. She balances heartfelt moments with sharp dialogue that pops off the page. As characters navigate their intertwined pasts and present dilemmas, I found myself genuinely invested in their journeys. The pacing is spot-on; it builds with an intensity that parallels the emotional crescendos, leading to climactic moments that left my heart racing.
One passage stood out to me: “I’ve been dead inside for such a long time that I’d forgotten what it felt like to be alive… Until I met her.” This line encapsulates the emotional transformation the protagonist undergoes, making it not just a love story, but a profound exploration of healing and rediscovery. It resonates with anyone who’s ever felt lost and found themselves through love.
If you enjoy stories that combine emotional depth with romantic entanglements, Pretty Vile is not to be missed. Cattapan has a talent for creating flawed yet incredibly relatable characters, and this book is no exception. The push-and-pull of their relationships, set against the backdrop of college life, creates a familiarity that many readers can relate to.
This book is for romantics who appreciate layered storytelling and emotional growth wrapped in a compelling plot. Whether you’re a fan of second chances or have a penchant for love stories that keep you on your toes, Cattapan’s Pretty Vile will prove to be a satisfying and exhilarating read. For me, it was a wonderful reminder that sometimes we must confront our ghosts to truly live—and love—fully again.