Pretty Venom (Gray Springs University) Paperback – 30 July 2018

I've sat at my laptop five times...and countless hours trying to find a way to write a review that will do this book justice, and I just can't. It's amazing. My favourite read of 2018.It’s official! Ella Fields is a soul-crushing, heart destroying wench, and I love her for it! She’s never afraid to take the road less traveled and doesn’t shy away from subjects. She makes her characters work for their HEA, which makes me fall in love with them even more. I will literally read anything this amazing author writes...she’s never going to get rid of me now.I am absolutely amazed. I don’t think I’ve swore so much at a book… at characters, in my life and that is saying something because I swear A LOT. It’s enemies to lovers and then goes into second chance romance…maybe, and gah, the thing with this book is that Callum is…he’s an a-hole. He’s right up there, mega a-hole material. The a-hole that you love to hate. Then he’s the most sweetest, swooniest hero and I was like, OMG, I just love him so much. Is this the same person, yes, of course it is, he’s been redeemed, it’s marvelous, and then the stuff hits the fan and he’s like, ‘oh, you thought I was an a-hole before? Well guess what? I’m gonna prove you wrong! I’m gonna be an even bigger a-hole’ And he was a total meany. TOTAL! I was so mad, I swore, I shouted, I wanted to throw my Kindle. I was so aggravated with him…but, that’s what makes it so good. That was all great and I love having that reaction. But what lifts this book up is Renee, her character…OMG, she is so strong, she knows what she wants, and she fights for what she wants, and she knows that they belong together. And they do belong together. Of course, things transpire in the book that will have you cursing and saying no, no, no Renee what are you doing? Then it’ll be like, go girl, go! You’ve got this! Get your man. It’s also because she’s so strong and I think, to be honest, it’s different variations of strong, what I see as strong someone else might not, they might see it as a weakness, that she was so connected to this man that her whole life was turned upside down and her whole life was…that she let him treat her that way and some might say, oh she’s a doormat, but she’s not. To me, she is not. She is strong, she is kick-butt, she knew what she wanted, and she understood why he did the things he did, and she was willing to take it, she didn’t take it because she had to, she took it because for her, that was her punishment and that’s the difference. That was my interpretation anyhow, and I can understand her mentality, when you think or know you’ve wronged someone, and you love that person with every ounce of your being, you take what they give. Whether or not you actually deserve that treatment. And she knew she didn’t, deep down she knew he was wrong, that he shouldn’t have been treating her that way, but she let him. Because she loves him and because she wanted that connection with him, no matter how tenuous it was. I’m a big fan of female characters I can get behind, that I can say, yes girl, yes, you’ve got me. And this character did that, hell, did she do that. It’s funny because this is another testament to Ella because when I first saw Renee in SF & BA I thought this is another character I was going to dislike, but, I should have known better. Because Ella does not follow anyone’s guidelines about what should happen, but her own. Ella writes what she wants, and she surprises you with her characters, because the characters you think, you know what I’m going to hate this character, but you end up loving. Don’t get me wrong, there are some characters that you take an instant dislike to, and they turn out to be dodgy, and you do hate them, but, she also surprises you. Like with Renee, I thought she was going to be your typical mean girl, who’s getting involved and wants her guy back and will do whatever it takes, but she’s not, and through it actually, it breaks your heart. When you see she’s all alone, she has nobody, without Callum she’s alone. So you can understand why she fights as hard as she does to keep him. And for me, it was so beautiful seeing her friendship blossom with Pippa…and with Daisy to an extent, because they were genuine, they were not like the people she’d had in her life before. They were not the people that lashed out and hurt her for their own benefit and that’ll make more sense when you read the book. Because I don’t want to give anything away, but, things transpire in the book with these so-called friends and it just made me want to cry. That poor girl.The chemistry between Renee and Callum is off the freaking charts, seriously, even when they are ‘hate-getting-down’ it’s hot as anything, but, so is the making love, it’s such a contrast, but even when they were enemies that chemistry between them was there, it was palpable, and it was going to happen – you could feel it.I cannot wait to read whatever Ella writes next. I'm sure it'll be just an awesome, and just as heart-wrenching.

It would be fair to say this book evoked a myriad of emotions. Between loving the characters, hating the characters, hearts breaking for the characters? Just glad my kindle ensured the torment.

Ella Fields has managed to capture the confusion, pain and intensity of young love perfectly in Pretty Venom.I started off loving both these characters. Callum was just enough of a jerk to make me like him and Renee wasn’t a walk over like I was expecting. My feelings towards Renee changed really fast though and I hated her at times. The frustration she (and Callum) made me feel was enough that I had to walk away from my kindle several times (I’m not even ashamed to admit I threw it more than once) but at the same time I couldn’t help but feel for her.Callum and Renee fall in love so young that they’re just not emotionally mature enough to deal with what’s coming their way and I know I’m going to get jumped on for this but I really sympathised with Callum. I didn’t necessarily agree with his actions but I understand why he acted like he did. I loved the character development and watching Renee and Callum grow emotionally as they both tried to deal with their problems.We all remember the joys of been teenagers and the battlefield that is dating and Ella Fields has managed to write Pretty Venom in a way that hurtled me back to been a teen and all the angst and emotions that come with it. I can’t recommend this book enough.

How the heck can I hate and love a book so much? I’ll tell you how … because Ella Fields wrote it and oh man, can she ring out the feels in me. She sure knows how to work my emotions, get my pulse racing, my gut in knots, my BP through the roof, my aggression spiking to dangerous levels, and me having to sound the low flying Kindle alert.Sheesh, I hated Callum and Renee’s stupidity at times, I really did. They were both products of their ridiculous parents lives, the spoiled Prince and Princess. The things these two did to each other, mostly Callum, were pretty unforgivable yet forgive them I did (as did they each other). I really don't know how I forgave Callum because he was a total and utter a-hole for most of the book. Go figure!I have no patience for drama-lama bull or doormats yet I inhaled this book and could not put it down. Renee worked that Doormat title, did she ever, and yet I still rooted for her. She did wrong, owned and worked so hard for forgiveness. BUT, it takes two to tango and Callum wasn't blameless either. What he went on to do afterwards .... no words. So, there is CHEATING in this book and if that's your hard limit best to stay away.Whilst reading it …. (during my aggression freak outs and rants) I threatened this sucker with 1 star but nope it’s getting 5 stars from me, it's just too good not to. That’s some class writing there Ms Fields. Your work is done!

I read all the warnings before reading this book about it getting peoples emotions and i was like yea yea whatever. Well that soon changed, the writing is so good in this book, and the characters are so realistic that i had to put my kindle down at times to remember that I was reading a book and not about to go beat up my friends ex and others (so many people i wanted to bitch slap in this book). I loved this book so much. It is a great addition to the series but can be read as a stand-alone. Would give more stars if i could.

This book turned me to mush!! Usually when a spouse cheats my instant reaction is murder, murder, stab, stab. But I surprisingly sympathized with the main character, also not gonna lie this book melted my black little heart and I actually shed a few tears while reading it

Essa história me pegou de jeito, Ella Fields me pegou de jeito com o amor entre Callum e Renne. Eu não conseguia parar de ler, de tão viciante e curiosa pelo que viria se desenrolar entre os dois, teve muito amor, mas tbm foi muito sofrido.Por muitas vezes senti pena ( chorei com a coitada) e raiva de Renne pela sua falta de amor próprio e pela tentativa de a todo custo reconquistar seu marido.Ela suportou coisas demais, mas no final conseguiu se reerguer e mostrar a mulher que era.Ela tbm precisava de amizades melhores ! Callum para mim foi infantil e imaturo.Eu não sei se estando no lugar de Renne o perdoaria, ele foi cruel demais e foi injusto da parte dele não ter parado para ouvi-la, já que dizia que a amava tanto. Tudo foi esclarecido e resolvido no final, mas ainda fiquei com a sensação de amor e ódio por essa história, apesar de pela sinopse e pelos comentários já esperar que seria um romance de partir o coração, só não esperava fosse ser tão angustiante. Se Callum não tivesse sido tão cruel, talvez eu tivesse dado 5 estrelas.Recomendo, mas já vai preparando os lencinhos. 🤧😅

Pretty Venom was my first book from Ella Fields and I loved every minute of it. Some stories you want to go in blind, and this one is one of them. The story between Callum and Renee tugged at my heart strings making it ache in ways I hated to love.I loved the way the author told the story, I flipped through every page always wanting to know more and not knowing which character I wanted to root for.I can't wait to read more from this author. 🖤

ark Your Calendars! You'll Wanna Grab This On Release Day- AUGUST 3rdEdge of your Seat Romance*** Book Blurb***Callum Welsh perfected the art of hating me when we were two kids who believed we’d be forced into marriage.He thought I wanted it, but my only wish had been for him to leave me alone.Then one afternoon, he stole my first kiss.Despite all he’d done, everything changed after that.As the years passed, our hearts thawed, and he no longer hated me.In fact, he loved me enough to make me his wife.Until I ruined everything with one stupid mistake.That hatred returned in the form of cruel words and even crueler deeds.But we weren’t kids anymore.I could handle his brand of venom.He would be mine again, even if it cost me the remains of my heart.(Admit it! You're already panting and salivating, and that's just the freaking blurb.)When will I learn that when I read an Ella Fields book, I should expect the unexpected?WOW!! That word is hardly sufficient to describe my reaction to this book, and yet believe me when I tell you, this is a WOW kinda book.From the moment I finished the final page, I had but one thought-Ella doesn't just write romance books-She writes sucker punches that hit you right in the gut-HARD!For this reason, I hereby declare her "Ella Fields~Queen of Sucker Punching Romance"I don't know how she does it, but she has a knack for leaving me slack jawed, gasping for breath, shaking my head, and holding onto my heart.To me the premise of this book can be explained in this quote "That even after they'd torn your heart to shreds and used it as a weapon against you, you could still love that same person with a ferocity that bordered on magic. And maybe that was the crux of it. Love was magic. Capable of making you believe the impossible was always possible."The enemies to lovers story of Callum and Renee was one that was simply unputdownable (yes that's a word) unless you were moving to pick up your Kindle after hurling it across a room (this happens repeatedly so you will get those FitBit steps in, promise). We meet these two frustrating characters in the previous two books in the series, but we never really delve into the true depths of their story. We know that they seem like two adversaries who carry a lot of pain and we watch it manifest in very unhealthy ways. Honestly, it's gut-wrenching folks. Our naive minds tell us we have some idea what's going on, but we. so. do. NOT.They are two people who never wanted anything to do with one another, never wanted to be seen together, until one day that all changed. In an instant, they couldn't stand to be apart. How did it all go so wrong?When I began this book, I had preconceived notions that I wanted to throttle Renee for causing Callum even an ounce of misery due to her selfishness and immature behavior. I was going into this standing up for My Man~yes, Mine, because how dare she hurt Callum? Then...the tides turned.Well, well, well...Mr. Callum-what do you have to say for yourself? Tsk, Tsk.It seems you have some explaining to do! Shame on you for playing with my emotions like that. You seriously had me fooled dude. My chiseled jaw sporting, dark-haired, football playing God was Hell bent on squandering his placement at the top of my book boyfriend list.You see...Callum is possessive, jealous, arrogant, sexy, sweet, and romantic, but he has a hair trigger temper and his impulsive side can have him turning on you like a dime. Hurt this boy, and all bets are off sister! As such, Callum managed to deliver one of the biggest gut punches to ever hit me. I seriously felt sick to my stomach and had to walk away. My heart was breaking for both he and Renee in that moment. Que the tears people! At that moment, I was DONE with him!!! No way Ella was ever going to redeem this prick in my eyes. But, I kept reading.....Guess what? She did it! She redeemed the jerk and days later I still can't believe it!!!This book is a serious 10 out of 10 for angst. It is also a solid 10 out of 10 for heat and passion.Whew...these two write the book on relationship chemistry! The remarkable way that Ella tells a story with her beautiful words and sheer talent, packs this book full of pure, undiluted, raw emotion. There were times where I wondered if a HEA was possible of these two. They made such a complete mess of things. However, their story was always meant to be. Everyone around them could see it, even when Callum & Renee were too stubborn.When Renee finally decides she is done lowering herself to inflict pain and revenge, we see the feisty and fearless Renee come to life in full color bow wielding display. She was gonna get her man back no matter the cost. She would love the unlovable, even if it killed them both. Renee is one of my top favorite book heroines EVER!! This girl rocked! We see a whole different side to her than who we met in books 1 and 2 of this series. She was smart, sassy, funny, determined, strong, loyal, passionate, aggressive, bold, and beautiful.Do you ever say anything without injecting at least a tiny barb of venom?NO...and I loved her for it! She always got her point across.This book is an emotional journey about two people who love each other so much, that they can't help but hurt one another. They make mistakes, and walk through fire trying to rescue one another, get back what they lost, repair the damage, and extend forgiveness. It is on my top 10 list this year as an unforgettable, hard won romance. It will frustrate you and leave you breathless, but you will love it!It is unique, unpredictable, and if you can appreciate the appeal of a good girl falling for the jerk of all jerks....I beg you to not miss this chance. Callum is waiting for YOU!

This was an exhilarating and exciting read that made my heart swoom and also cry over the events that transpired. I especially loved the dynamics between Renee and Callum and how flawed they both and despite the mistakes how they fought for each other. This was an not an easy read with loads of angst and also unexpected surprises. It is also about forgiving and starting fresh. Both are easier said than done and this book is the best example that depicts the hard and bumpy road in such love-hate relationships. Though I was satisfied with the ending, there is also if that was not the case scenario running in my head that I wished the author would have addressed in a conversation to give it more of a closure. Also special points of for Renee's character. I really loved her stubborn, go getter attitude.

Karen Moriarty's review Jul 31, 2018 · editit was amazingElla Fields is one of my very favorite authors and always leaves me reeling after her very emotional reads.. This was the third and final book in the Gray Springs University series and it did not fail to deliver.. OMG!!!!!What a story.. I wanted to throw my kindle multiply times as l got swept up in the drama of the story.. To say this was a story of angst would be an understatement..Callum and Renee's story played out so differently than l expected..As these books are intertwined we saw a glimpse of these characters in the previous books, but l was not expecting the level of drama and emotion in this read.. Such powerful dialogue, and strong personalities, l found myself switching from loving to loathing these characters...This is what Ella is so good at doing.. Her characters are fierce and vulnerable all at the same time, while going thru events that are so easily relateable..This book was so much more than a college romance gone wrong, which is what l thought l was getting when l started it..It navigates the messy parts of life when best laid plans go off track. It delivers buckets of emotions, heartache, anger, frustration and determination and LOVE..We get wort s and all from both Callum and Renee and it has you changing your mind as you turn each and every page.. Such a beautifully written story that has you wanting to scream and cry all at the same time.. I am always so moved when l read any of Ella s books and this is no exception.. I would happily rate this more than 5 stars because it delivers so very much. Highly recommend this to anybody who enjoys real and raw reads..