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Cruel #3

Cruel Legacy

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Lose yourself to the dark and glamorous underbelly of the Upper East Side in the final book in USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde's new billionaire romance Cruel Trilogy.
Darkness swept in.

Smothering everything in its inky black.

In its wake, we became our own worst nightmares.

How can we fight our way back?

Do we even deserve to?

285 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 16, 2019

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About the author

K.A. Linde

90 books9,631 followers
K.A. Linde is the USA Today bestselling author of the Avoiding Series, Wrights, and more than thirty other novels. She has a Masters degree in political science from the University of Georgia, was the head campaign worker for the 2012 presidential campaign at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and served as the head coach of the Duke University dance team. She loves reading fantasy novels, traveling to far-off destinations, and dancing in her spare time.

She currently lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her husband, son, and super-adorable puppy.

Visit her online at www.kalinde.com and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @authorkalinde.

Join her newsletter at www.kalinde.com/subscribe for exclusive content, free books, and giveaways every month.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 251 reviews
Profile Image for Christy.
4,081 reviews34.6k followers
July 15, 2019
4 stars

 photo C8176F3B-C9B5-42DB-8884-D290DC64C2C1_zpstbpzyfig.png
The world ceased to exist around us as we set it on fire in that one searing kiss.

The time has finally come. The last book of the series. I couldn't want to see how Penn and Natalie's story would end. This series has been fantastic. If you love angsty and addicting reads, I can't recommend them enough. I loved the progression of the characters and the end of this book left me so freaking happy!
I was consumed by rage, and I wanted to burn the city to the ground. I was fearless in my desire to make the people pay for what they’d done to me. Finally free and wild.

Natalie is not the same girl we met in the first book. She's back in NYC and she's out for blood. Figuratively of course. With some help, Natalie is ready to take down those that have wronged her. She wants revenge. And Penn just wants her. Swoon. I couldn't get enough of Penn Kensington in this book. He's grown so much and I adored him as a character. Natalie is strong, brave, and tough, but a little blinded by getting what she wants.

I think both of these characters grew so much in this book. I was a bit worried about how it would end, but I was completely satisfied. People aren't always good or bad. A lot of people are in the inbetween and that makes them human. I love all the complex side characters and I'm dying for more from this world. I'm so ecstatic that Lark is getting her own spin off stand-alone. I can't wait to get more of the Crew and Lark is one that I've always loved and been intrigued by.

Cruel Legacy is full of revenge, romance, twists and turns, and of course angst. It was unputdownable and completely captivating. Linde's writing is impeccable as always and this trilogy is fantastic!
“And you?” He gestured to me. “Do you finally feel like you belong?” It was the answer that I’d given so long ago. That I acted like I belonged, but I really didn’t. Had that changed? In some ways, I was acting more than ever. But the truth of it was, I did belong. Just as he’d said so long ago. “I belong with you,” I told him.
Profile Image for Carla Bulian.
1,396 reviews380 followers
July 19, 2019
I expected more about this book. It was awesome, of course, but was missing something...
Revenge is so weak, but everyone seems to learn after all of these troubles.
It’s worth the reading
Profile Image for Steph's Romance Book Talk.
2,790 reviews1,361 followers
July 28, 2019
4 Stars / 4 Steam Fans

A pretty good conclusion to Penn and Natalie's story. There were a few things that bothered me but overall all I can say is...REVENGE!!

This specific video review will be included in the July 2019 wrap-up.

For other video book reviews check out my YouTube channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.

(Review may be edited at a later date)
Profile Image for Manoela.
1,178 reviews26 followers
July 16, 2019
4 Stars

Finally it's time to know the conclusion of Natalie and Penn's story. I really like the author's books and with this trilogy was no different. I think I've said it before, but this series has vibe gossip Girl that left me hooked from the beginning.

Without going into detail I can only say that Penn and Natalie's journey was full of ups and downs and both have changed a lot over the course of this series, and I think Penn was a character that honestly grew into my concept in this book.Natalie was also a character who had some attitudes here that I did not approve, but that I understood from where she was coming from. And I liked the dynamics of the relationship between them here.

Cruel Legacy comes to finalize the story of these characters and I think she did it in a satisfactory way and earned the series that fascinated me from the beginning.K. A. Linde managed to create a fascinating universe and full of anguish, secrets, drama, twists and of course, the love that is embedded in each and every story she creates. I liked this series and hope to read more about this universe in the future.

I Received an unreleased copy of this book
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,741 reviews1,324 followers
July 18, 2019
***AVAILABLE NOW***

3.5 CROWNS

Let me start by saying that there isn’t anything “wrong” with this book. K.A. Linde is a great writer. I always enjoy her stories. In fact, her PNR series is one of the few I have ever read and enjoyed, so I’m going to conclude this is a just me thing.

Penn is a character I loved in book one and even two, but here there were some issues and his loyalty to Crew. These people were vile upper east siders, and while I get they are his friends, I just didn’t get it. He grew so much and they didn’t. I wanted him to fight for Natalie but he only brought her farther into that world.

Natalie was a bit of disappointment for me. She became every single thing she hated, and while she doesn’t stay that way, she became a a hybrid, like Penn straddling both worlds, becoming friends with people who haven’t seemed to change.

The one thing that I LOVED was the chemistry between Penn and Nat. They seemed to really love each other, and their physical chemistry was insanely explosive. I also enjoyed that Linde brought their story full circle.

While this wasn’t necessarily my favorite Linde book, lovers of elite, gossip girl type story lines will devour this series.

Arc received in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Courtney.
1,708 reviews199 followers
July 17, 2019
The Cruel trilogy has finally come to end, a bittersweet ending. It is an ending that gives us that HEA we have all wanted since book one but not without giving the readers the dramatic flair we have to come love and enjoy with this trilogy.

This series itself is one for the books. I enjoyed each book and all the characters that made this whole series a definite binge-read.

Linde really brings her books alive with her characters. You always have this empathy for what her characters are going through but she also makes you feel so much. Along with empathizing with her characters, you find yourself having strong feelings towards her villains - you love to hate them. And all this is what makes her books so great and well- rounded.

Cruel Legacy is the perfect title for this book and the ending of this trilogy. Natalie has been on the receiving end far too long from the cruelties of the Upper East Side. She's been in their inner circle long enough to know exactly who, what, how and when to bring them to their knees. But will she completely lose herself in the process??

Linde does an amazing job of bringing everything full circle with this book. There is a lot of drama and angst in this book but it would not be an amazing ending without it. I really don't want to say much more without ruining everything.

If there is a trilogy you should read this year, let it be this one. You will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for Amy | Foxy Blogs.
1,581 reviews1,028 followers
April 24, 2021
THE CONCLUSION TO THE TRILOGY

CRUEL LEGACY:
*a trilogy
*rich boy / poor girl
*dual pov
*revenge
*angsty
*New York’s Upper East Side

Cruel Legacy is the conclusion to Natalie and Penn's story.

Audiobook source: Hoopla
Narrator: Stephen Dexter & Virginia Rose
Length: 9H 28M
.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
2,841 reviews156 followers
July 18, 2019
I admittedly struggled with book two of the Cruel series. I didn’t understand why the characters made the choices they did, especially Natalie, and while I’m all for nasty people getting the ‘come up its’ they deserve, I wanted the focus to be more about the characters’ growth and the way they earned redemption, not just about all the ways revenge can be acquired.

Needless to say, I was extremely hesitant to begin Cruel Legacy; I didn’t know the Natalie readers would reunite with in the final book in the trilogy because, once again, her life in New York imploded because of the duplicitous nature of the Crew of Upper East Siders.

It’s clear at the start of book 3 that Natalie wants revenge; she wants the Crew, mainly Katherine and Lewis, to pay for the games they play with people’s lives. She wants them to understand that their actions have consequences, even if they never feel them because of the status and power they wield.

As the story progresses, Natalie is no longer the small-town girl who wanted to make it in New York; she loses her innocence and she takes a lesson or ten out of the Upper East Siders’ cruel handbook and makes them face the repercussions of their lies and manipulation. Natalie’s determined to not let them win - to beat them at their own game, but in doing so, she loses who she is at her core, forgets the person she wanted to be, and almost sacrifices everything she loves because she refuses to allow the Crew to stay up on their pedestals; they need to fall and she wants to be the one to knock them down, but the question is, is it worth it based on what becomes of her and how those closest to her don’t quite see the woman they remember?

The two main story lines in Cruel Legacy deal with Natalie getting her revenge and she and Penn re-establishing their connection/relationship, and while these things are occurring concurrently, Natalie is not the same person in the two situations, which means when these two plot lines intersect, it remains to be seen which one Natalie will have to sacrifice in order to reach the conclusion that she desperately wants.

I have to say that I am glad I stuck with the trilogy until the end because I wanted to see how everything played out and if the resolution was something that both readers and Natalie and Penn could live with given the dynamics of Natalie’s relationship with Penn and the other Crew members at the start of Cruel Legacy. But while I understand why Natalie did the things she did, I truly don’t understand why Penn reacted the way he did when everything was revealed toward the end of the story; it seemed a bit hypocritical and it made me bitter toward him, and while conversations occur and explanations are given, it was difficult to get past some of the things said and done throughout the course of the story.

Despite my issues with the actions and attitudes of the characters, the Cruel series definitely checks off all of the components of an angsty romance story, and readers who read and loved K.A. Linde’s Avoiding series will definitely enjoy this one.

3.5 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
Profile Image for Pavlina Read more sleep less blog  .
2,434 reviews5,107 followers
July 15, 2019
4 STARS

I love this series, it's full of surprises,twists,angst and an epic romance!In this book, Penn and Nathalie's characters grown up and they changed a lot!

I can��t say much about the storyline, you need to let it all unfold for yourself. But I will say that the things went how I wanted them and I loved it!I fell in love with Penn and Natalie even more in this book.

The plot was addictive and it was fast paced too, the epilogue was great!

 


  
Profile Image for Rohina .
591 reviews134 followers
July 19, 2019
description


descriptionPenn Kensington had been my first. Seven years later, still , no one compared to him.



Oh, how I missed this world! Linde is back with the final book in the Cruel Trilogy and it was everything more — more drama, more secrets, falling of the prince and princesses of the Upper East Side and more heartache.

Thanks to Katherine Van Pelt and Lewis Warren, Natalie is no longer the naive sweet girl she was at the beginning of the series. Now, Natalie is out for blood, owning the Upper East Side like was born in this world and bringing the two people down who ruined the one she had always dreamed of and achieved and held close to her heart.

Penn, on the other hand, just wants Natalie and he will do anything to have beside him, even if it means teaching the ins and outs and the ways to fit into his world.

Both Penn and Natalie grow so much in this book and so do the side characters. The vulnerabilities and insecurities, all of it were coming out in the open for everyone to see.



descriptionI was crew. I was a Kensington. I was just me.


Cruel Legacy is neither back or white; it sits smack dab in the gray area which had me questioning my morals when I supported a decision. Natalie made a few decisions, which surprisingly, I understood why she made. Were they always the best? No. But understandable nonetheless and I was cheering for her. (What is wrong with me?!)

Penn was more go with the flow in the beginning before he understood what was happening and finally made a decision.

One thing I wasn't on board for — Penn always going out of his way to justify and defend the Crew. I mean, I get that they were his friends and that they've been through a lot together but I felt there was certain desperation. I guess, this is what it is when the morals are staggeringly low and you get away with everything and Linde depicted this aspect beautifully throughout the Trilogy.

The climax, the emotions, Cruel Legacy, for that matter the entire trilogy, if full of revenge, romance, drama, angst and of course, the twists and turns. It's truly the Upper East Side.




4 Stars!

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*ARC gifted by author in exchange for an honest review.*
Profile Image for Kiki.
19 reviews1 follower
July 16, 2019
am having some issues woth this book. What I really can't stomach is the way Penn acts in this book.

He and his friend are responsible for bullying, framing and drowing to suicide an innocent girl. They are monster. All of them. He may have learned from his mistakes but his friends didn't. They did the same thong woth Natalie, who could have ended just as Hanna. But he is always going around making excuse for them. They are criminals.

Lewis stalked Natalie and desstroyed her career and yet Penn defends him when Natalie fighrs back.

What I can't accept os the fact that everyone has issues woth Matalie fighting back. Talking back to her sister's fiancee who called her a whore? "oh you were so mean". Fighting back against a stalker and an abuser like Lewis by simply exposing some of his illegal activities? Bad Natalie, you should have just let your men handle the situation by being friendly to a man who spyed on you, stalked you and physically harmed you.

Natalie was good. She fought back against her bullies. She didn't make anything up, she let them hang themselves with their own rope, exposing their crimes and the vile things they did. And yet toward the end we are supposed to think that Natalie went too far? That she shouldn't have fought back and exposed them for the horrible persons they were? I just can't accept that.

And the fact that Penn was always going back to his "crew" is unacceptable. I would never date someone who is still friends woth people that humiliated me, destroyed my career, bruised my body and stalked me. Natalie should have dumped Penn ass for being and awfull, unsupportive boyfriend who put his bulloes friend before the woman he claims to love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sunny (Kindles & Wine Book Blog).
551 reviews13 followers
December 31, 2019
A vengeful Natalie I do not like. When a character turns into something completely different in a series, they lose their appeal. While I liked Natalie early on in the Cruel trilogy, it was difficult to continue to find her strong points, especially when she was busy turning into what she hated about other characters. Ugh! I also found so much to love about Penn early on, yet his character confused me as well.

There was potential in this series, but I was disappointed in the direction it went. It is probably very representative of the billionaire lifestyle. If it is, I am glad not to be living it. I also found the ending to be very unbelievable as was much of this third book.

I once again enjoyed the narration of the book, but unfortunately the conclusion of this trilogy was lacking for me. Therefore, the story only got a 2 1/2 star rating.

Note: I received a review copy of this title courtesy of the audiobook publisher, Tantor.
Profile Image for Sanaa .
1,218 reviews176 followers
July 19, 2019
4 stars.

I don't know what magical hands Kyla writes with but she should never stop. Her books are angst filled, with so much emotions and drama. That you never see coming half the time.

This third and final book was exactly how I wanted the series to end. Just thinking about how much everything's changed from book one to now, it's crazy.
Profile Image for Mel.
754 reviews66 followers
July 16, 2019
4.5 stars!

The final book in the Cruel Trilogy is here and it does not disappoint! Cruel Legacy gives us more of everything we love about the trilogy! More games, secrets, and surprises. More lies, angst, and heartache. It’s intense, consuming, and clever, and will twist your heart as the story unfolds then fill it with love giving us an amazing conclusion to Penn and Natalie’s story.

The end of Cruel Fortune reveals some twisted surprises that ruin everything Natalie has worked so hard to accomplish. Now she is ready for vengeance as we are thrown back into the world of the Upper East Side and the Crew.
I was being pieced back together out of order. Into a deep, dark, vengeful version of the Natalie I had been. The one that said I was ready to burn this city to the ground, and nothing would stop me.

Natalie is strong, brave, and full of determination. She is in control as she stands on her own. She wants to make the people who tore her down and ruined her life to pay for their actions. She is in full on revenge mode as she takes on the Upper East Siders.

Penn wants Natalie. He’s always only wanted Natalie. He will do anything to keep her, including teaching her how to fit in when all he wants is to get out. Soon people are seeing the new Natalie and the tables are turning.

The progression of the story is well-paced and believable. There are turns I didn’t see coming, decisions that made me cringe, and characters that made me want to scream. But we see "Karma at its finest" and I loved that way things played out. Was every decision the right one? No. Did the characters make mistakes? Of course. Was there a whole lot of character growth by the end? Heck yeah, and I loved every single part, even the ones that broke my heart.

It’s not all black and white when it comes to Natalie and the Upper East Siders. There are surprising vulnerabilities and insecurities that have been hidden for so long that are well-written. I loved watching the characters acknowledge their flaws and wrongdoings as they grow. The changes Natalie goes through, including the ups and downs and the heartache and pain, is necessary. We also see all of Penn’s layers as he is stripped down by his honestly. I loved seeing how his character developed through the trilogy.

The emotion in this story is tangible and the love is fierce. I adored Penn and Natalie together. They go through so much heartache before they can be together and Penn sticks with her even when their relationship is tested.
"This is just me. I’m not perfect. I’m still working on me. And I’ll probably fuck it up again, Nat, but I’m willing to try with you. For you.”

Overall, Cruel Legacy is a fantastic conclusion to the wonderfully twisted, emotionally captivating Cruel Trilogy.

*ARC generously provided by the author and Wildfire Marketing Solutions in exchange for an honest review*


Profile Image for D.
761 reviews
July 16, 2019
The final instalment of this trilogy. As always I enjoyed reading a KA Linde story. As I've said with all her books, there is something that resonants with me through the characters even when I don't like them. Cruel Legacy did just that-- at some point in my life i can remember feeling like one or more of the characters felt. And while the characters are generally younger (at least compared to me lol), I always feel some sort of connection or buy-in. This trilogy and specifically Cruel Legacy I felt was about finding your fit. Knowing who you are and realizing what you let define you or become of you. We all try to figure that out at different stages of our lives.
What I appreciate about Linde's writing is her pacing, flow and her story arcs. Everything seems perfectly timed when reading and right when you have a big question on your mind, she swoops in with a scene that answers it.
Another thing Linde does really well is write a villain. Her villains are ones you love to hate and hate that you love them.
Delve into the Upper East Side and see what The Crew hav in store for you. You won't be disappointed.
D 4/5
Profile Image for Books on Stereo.
1,354 reviews172 followers
September 24, 2019
Cruel Legacy is the New Adult Gossip Girl-Cruel Intentions hybrid that I never knew I needed. Linde crafts an excellent conclusion to a addictive series.
Profile Image for Jackie (Jackie's Book World) .
876 reviews60 followers
July 17, 2019
***Review can also be found at Jackie's Book World. :)***

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The stunning conclusion to the Cruel Trilogy is finally here and it’s full of more deception and twists to keep you reading until the very end. K.A. Linde has undoubtedly outdone herself with Cruel Legacy, while taking the readers on a roller coaster ride that is the Upper East Side.

Cruel Legacy picks up after Cruel Fortune lefts off and this time around Natalie is after vengeance. After the events that transpired in the previous book, she is ready to make everyone pay no matter the cost. She already had a taste of the glamours life in New York, and realizes that in order to get revenge she is going to need to venture into the darkness herself. Little did she know that her plan might end up hurting those she loves the most.

In this particular story we get to see a bit of a different side of Natalie, she is still strong and determined. But she is also able to more independent as she mingles within the Upper East Side. She is more calculative than ever and she is able to work things to get advantage. While she has revenge in mind, Penn’s goal is to save Natalie from getting corrupted by the city. He is willing to do whatever it takes to prove to her that he is the one for her. But his loyalties with the crew are stronger than ever and he might just have to decide between the two in order to save his relationship.

I completely loved reading this story, it was filled with twists and turns that I didn’t see coming at all. We get to learn more about the crew individually and how connected they really are. Truths come out and loyalties are questioned. What I loved the most was the chemistry between Natalie and Penn. It’s sizzling and passionate. Their moments together truly had me rooting for them and Penn is just so swoon worthy! Though the characters go through ups and downs, they are ready to face them together and that’s exactly what happens. I do wish the author could have elaborated on some things at the end, but nothing major. The story truly comes full circle as it ends where the first story started and I couldn’t contain my excitement until the very last page. I’m so excited that K.A. Linde has decided to write about the rest of the crew, and cannot wait to read what happens next. Highly recommend checking out this trilogy and any other books by the author. You will not regret it! :)

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**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**
Profile Image for Amy.
1,632 reviews174 followers
July 10, 2019
If you were worried about Penn and Natalie at the end of Cruel Fortune, you should know that K A Linde doesn’t take her foot off of that gas pedal in this conclusion to her Cruel series.

Penn has grown throughout the three books. He learns from his mistakes, he strives to be a good man, and he wants to both deserve Natalie’s love and be someone she deserves in return. It isn’t always easy for him; selfishness and ruthlessness are ingrained in him, after all. They are the two emotions he knows best. But Linde left him on the right path in Cruel Fortune, and she keeps him focused in this book.

The problem is Natalie. Alexandre Dumas’s The Count of Monte Cristo heavily influences Cruel Legacy, with Natalie taking the role of Edmond Dantes, the character out for revenge. So focused is Natalie on vengeance that she risks losing the very humanity that attracted Penn. There are times when you will be terrified for her, wondering if she will forget who she is.

The good news is that she and Penn are together in this book, although not necessarily as a couple. They may have the same goals, but their ways of reaching those goals diverge.

The supporting cast steps forward. We have a chapter from Katherine’s POV, as Linde continues to flesh out Natalie’s nemesis. We also get to know Lewis better, as well as Jane and Lark. Natalie learns who to trust and who to keep at a distance, and sometimes those lessons are painful.

The big question Linde, much like Edmond Dantes, is whether revenge is worth it. When is enough enough? When can you go too far? And how do you stop from losing who you are in the process? You will read parts of this book with your stomach doing flip brought on by nerves and other parts with those flips brought on by arousal. The sexy times are FANTASTIC. K A Linde infuses intimacy with tension, making you both swoon and scream.

This is my favorite K A Linde trilogy. I love its gleeful deviousness, its emotion, its passion, and its characters. She lands a perfect ending with Cruel Legacy, although I am going to miss Penn terribly. Hit up the comments and let me know what you think of Penn, Natalie, and the crew.


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Profile Image for Michelle.
1,108 reviews84 followers
July 29, 2019
Well...

The upper east side was definitely and entity within this book. It was pretty crazy the way it was constantly referred to as this bigger than life kinda place.

“I couldn’t play by my rules. There are only the rules of the Upper East Side.”

“I offered, keeping my face neutral. A perfect blank mask taken straight out of the Upper East Side.”

“I knew what it meant to be Upper East Side, but I’d never really had to train someone.”

I struggled with it. It took away from the story for me. I just wanted things to unroll and flow. But it was very slow. And I wanted everyone to stop saying Upper East Side!
This series was exactly like the tv show Gossip Girl. But instead of teenagers it was adults acting like kids, Playing games.

I still wasn’t feeling Penn and Natalie. They felt like a hot mess. Throwing their past in their faces. Penn throwing how Natalie was with Lewis. And Natalie throwing the bet and him sleeping with TONS of women to get back at Katherine. (Which is still a blow to Natalie! Because he slept with a bunch of women!)

I also wasn’t feeling how Penn was still missing his friendship with the crew. After everything that happened! Especially with Natalie! He still had a soft spot for them. It was just wrong.
He knew how his crew treated Natalie. And he was upset with her about everything. He picked his crew over her! I was pretty much done with this book.

After everything.... and this is how it’s unfolding. And of course Natalie was the one apologizing! Because she made the crew pay for hurting her and others! But this was all her fault. This was so unbelievable. Even her best friend was like well... you didn’t have to do any of it.
Seriously! She didn’t murder anyone. She literally put them in their place and showed them how it felt to be on the other side of things.
But, she was in the wrong!

Penn took off and left her hanging. And of course Natalie was hanging on hoping he would go back to her. And forgive her for what she did to his friends! Unreal!

I wasn’t feeling the ending. Too much had happened to get that kind of ending. How can you let that all go.

Overall... this book wasn’t for me.

*ARC provided for an honest review.*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for KFForever.
1,053 reviews33 followers
July 16, 2019
KFForever

Reviewed by Donna on behalf of KindleFriendsForever

Cruel Legacy is the third and final part in the Cruel trilogy. We pick up where part two left off with Natalie Bishop vowing to wreak revenge on the crew from Upper Eastside. She had been humiliated yet again. After going home to Charleston to lick her wounds, Natalie comes back through the flames to settle her grievances or so we would believe. Reacquainted with Penn Kensington, he sets about training Nat how to live and survive the big city and the socialites of New York.

Natalie builds up her public persona and is gaining lots of new friends. She makes herself seen and heard. The bohemian girl has a radical change in appearance and behaviour much to my dismay. I was waiting for a car crash at any time. Penn and Natalie are full-on from the get-go in this last part of the trilogy. Steamy and passionate with each other more then ever is what we were all calling for since the second part. I couldn’t get my head around how manipulative and scheming the whole lifestyle they were living in was. This story is cruel and twisted at times, but I could see the journey all the characters were going on. It was binding everything together.

“To us my love, for being lucky enough to find the love of our lives and stubborn enough to refuse to let go.”

I don't know how many times my jaw dropped or I said wow! There’s so much going on to the point that I was even shocked at a couple of outcomes. This isn't just your average romance. Full of angst and a huge testing of friendships and relationships, it's like everyone’s got a lesson to learn by their actions and consequences. Penn Kensington has lived this life but there was something so hot and endearing about our favourite professor, I was on edge at some of the behaviour Natalie displayed. It just wasn't her at all and I began to fear for her at how embroiled she had let her experiences shape her.

“You now you have stars on your ceiling.”

“Corona Burealis.”

“Our Crown.”
“Always my favourite story.”
“Ours is my favourite story.”

“Corona Borealis.”


I have been waiting with bated breath to read this last instalment and I certainly wasn't disappointed. Ms Linde had it all perfectly mapped out but oh boy, did she send us on a rollercoaster of a journey throughout this trilogy. Again, there’s a fantastic playlist and I haven't stopped listening to it. Even when I wasn't reading, I had it playing in the background as it’s such a perfect accompaniment to the book.

If I could give this more stars I would. I've been very vague with my review and that is because I don't want to give too much away. I would love every person in the reading community to pick this up and trust me when I say you won't regret it. The writing and storytelling is flawless and I know one lady that will be chomping at the bit to read this conclusion and she will probably have the audio too.
Profile Image for Carol***BeautyandtheBeastlyBooks.
1,762 reviews171 followers
July 11, 2019
***ARC received in exchange of an honest opinion***

I'm really glad I read this series! It has the right amount of angst for me to really feel invested in it and that is something K.A. Linde knows how to do very well!

In this book, Penn and Nathalie's story comes full circle and I loved seeing them getting reaquainted and being themselves years after they first met in Paris. Nathalie, specially. She grew and matured a lot, specially after everything she went through because of Penn and the Crew.

I admit I wanted to see the bloodlust side of Nathalie, because some of the Crew members needed a lesson, and I was pleasantly surprised at what came of it. I saw it unfolding and I clapped on the other side of my kindle for K.A. Linde, because she did it perfectly!

Enjoying Cruel Legacy, for me, went beyond the love story, it really is about the characters relationships with each other, their friends and also with themselves. I like when stories go beyond the main characters and the romantic side (although I REALLY enjoy how hot Penn is. REALLY.) and gives us more. And it's not every author that manages to do that in the end.

Nathalie needed the wake up call as much as anyone else in the story. And she somehow seemed even more real in this book. Whenever we get to see character's flaws and their vulnerability, no matter how strong they are, it leaves us no other way than to relate to them (when it's written well, of course). And Penn...can we say SWOON-WORTHY MUCH???! I love Philosophy and I wish I had a professor like him. I definitely fell in love with him all over again. There's nothing like a powerful man that is dominant and also sweet (and a closet nerd). I gotta find my real-life Penn now. I really like how he balanced Nathalie (and how she did the same for him). They truly were made for each other. Not that it's all rainbowns and flowers. They are both flawed, but, together, they come up stronger because of those flaws.

The story left me very satisfied and I also liked the epilogue. I would have liked a bit more from it though, or maybe some other things explained, but I guess that's coming on the other Crew members' books.

I am very, very, VERY intrigued for Katherine's story after this book (please say there will be a Katherine book!!!). Surprisingly I ended up relating to her and connecting with her in a way I didn't think was possible. So much so, that the hints we get from her new reality probably intrigued me more than the whole book. It really sparked something in me, that her story may be the kind I REALLY like. Arranged marriages are so intriguing after all, when done right (and I have every confidence that K.A. Linde can do it right)!

Cruel Legacy was a great finale for Penn and Nathalie and it gave me all kinds of feelings and left me wanting more, which for me are signs of a definitely good read!
Profile Image for hugsandcookies.
972 reviews74 followers
August 7, 2022
I don’t do long reviews but rn it’s what I feel about this book.

“What a disaster. The party. Jane. Penn. All of it. It had all gone down in flames.”

I don’t hate the book but come on 🙄 just knew everything will blow up in Natalie’s face and Penn like ሠፕቻ however I am still a little disappointed, Idk if she’s stupid or just borderline stupid (okay is that even possible) I mean she has two men fighting over her 🙄. She literally ended with Penn on book 1 (over the Bet) then book 2 she got with Lewis (ofc he charmed her panties off 😏) and then broke up now she’s (supposedly) with Penn and he’s helping her to think and act like them but the audacity of his mood swings, where now I’m on the verge of being done with this book, but I’ll suck it up and finish it 🙄 cause when you have people that’s done you wrong for instance (Katherine for one) fact that both Penn and Lewis did a dirty on her she couldn’t even forgive Penn, yet she’s this whole different person with Lewis 🤷🏽‍♀️ but Lewis says the right words and she’s oh googly eyes, cause Penn is his normal ครรɦѻɭε self and he his regrets, but he knows when he’s िᛕɗ up and in my own honest opinion Natalie you should have NEVER gotten with Lewis AT ALL. Let’s just say this Upper East Side is starting to irk me with secrets far and beyond, and Natalie should have been done with them, at how she was treated yet she goes back for more 🤦🏽‍♀️ look all I can say is despite the รɦì+ shes been dealt with like her fears and doubts and trust, she could have given an ounce of thought for Penn cause isn’t this what it’s all about, Penn and not the vengeance she wants, (and be honest she just became another idiot like Katherine js) but I understand why she’s doing it (which I think is stupid cause there’s more important things to think of like salvage her job) and with all this vengeance happening it’ll likely come back and bite you in the ልรร whereas I was hoping that she’d have really learnEd her lesson and literally I was so over the rich snobby the mean and Natalie, like she has this moral that people or friends don’t do that type of thing but girl is doing it 🤦🏽‍♀️ anywho I love when best friends don’t give a िƈᛕ and has your back but the icing part that they consume 🤢 just no, but for this reading and reviewing alone is why I decided 4 stars is worth the รɦίՇ I had to endure finishing it. But here’s a little something that Natalie finally realised about herself.

““This is about me. It’s about coming back to myself. Being who I’m meant to be, not who I became. Releasing it all and starting over.””

Profile Image for Jennifer Wolfel.
398 reviews27 followers
July 16, 2019
I always get a little worried going into a trilogy.  Not always do they meet my expectations for an ending.  Sometimes they feel rushed or they just add drama for the sake of drama.  That is so not the case with the Cruel series and the ending of this story.  K.A. Linde surpassed all of my expectations with this finale and it couldn't have been more perfect!Natalie is probably one of my favorite 'Linde' characters.  She's sweet and sassy with a heart of gold, but cross her and make her mad and she will burn you to the ground.

After we left off at the end of the last book, Natalie's world had just been shook again.  Everything she was working for, or at least she thought she was working for, was basically a lie.  At the hands of someone she thought loved her, the deception and lies ran so deep, she had to flee to wrap her head around it all. The run was pulled out from underneath her feet yet again, and this time, this time she would take them all down if she had to.  They wanted to play games, well Natalie came to play and nothing was off limits.

What I loved so much about her in this book was that she was taking no prisoners.  Katherine and Lewis and the Upper East Side crew needed to learn hard and valuable lessons and she was going to find a way to teach it to them.  They needed to learn that their actions had negative consequences, and who better to show them, then someone they burned to the ground not just once but twice.  But what I loved about how Ms. Linde unfolded this story was not just a revenge strategy but a growth in the character of Natalie.  It's hard to talk about this without giving details away but know that every action has a positive and negative reaction and Natalie learns along the way that sometimes when you win, it doesn't quite feel as good as it should.This ending was so fitting for this story.

I was glued to every word on the page, wanting more, and devouring the story in a short amount of time.  Everything about this story was pure gold from beginning to end.  This truly is my favorite series from K.A. Linde. Natalie's journey will leave your heart fulfilled and bursting with joy! If I could give this one 10 stars I would!  I truly loved it that much!  I cannot wait to see what comes next from Ms. Linde and the Upper East Side crew!
Profile Image for Literati Literature Lovers.
1,967 reviews149 followers
July 16, 2019
Cruel Legacy is the highly anticipated conclusion to the Cruel trilogy by author KA Linde. It is angsty, dramatic, sexy and pulls you in to the affluent world of the upper east side. It gives validity to the adage, be careful what you wish for.

This story is about revenge, redemption and love. The characters Natalie and Penn come full circle and are faced with realities they cannot change and must decide what they want.

Natalie’s character goes through the most change and growth. I really liked her and watching her reconcile with the struggles she faces. Penn grows, as well, and he steals my heart.

I was anxious to see how author KALinde would wrap up this trilogy because I still remember the Avoiding series and that series killed me. I think that in Cruel Legacy, author KA Linde stays true to her characters and takes us on a crazy roller coaster ride. Cruel Legacy is a fantastic ending to a fantastic story. It is emotional, dramatic and a great read.
~Maria
Profile Image for Ruth.
493 reviews
September 7, 2019
There were so many things wrong with this book. I was so disappointed. I almost didn't even finish it. I could barely stand anyone in it.
Let's start with Penn. Natalie should have gotten rid of him half way through. As soon as he chose the Crew over her. Over and over he chooses them. I mean they ruined Natalie's life. Hurt her emotionally and even physically and he still considered them his bffs. No. If their relationship was suppose to be true love, he wouldn't have been able to stand anyone hurting her. When she's hosting one of the most important events to her and had worked so hard on, he walks out to make sure Cathryn is ok, choosing his ex-girlfriend and Crew member over Natalie. Then he has the audacity to be so mad and disappointed with Natalie that he practically breaks up with her and flies across the world to get away from her. HYPOCRITE MUCH!?! Isn't this the same Penn who crushed her by making a bet on her and lying?? Is this not the Penn that tortured everyone around him - even to the point of causing a suicide? I mean really?? She should have told him to screw off - that if she could forgive him for hurting HER directly, he could get over her hurting his friends. What's that you say ... yes, he chose the Crew again! Just no. I loved him in the other books and was so hopeful for this one, and he totally lost all appeal to me.

Then there's Natalie. There wasn't anything to like about her either. She focuses on revenge and is full of anger and hatred the whole time. She hates these people so much, but wants to be with them and accepted by them. She desires the whole time to "fit in" with the very people she wants to hurt? MOVE ON! Who cares what a bunch of people you can't stand think about you? I understood it to a point, the need for revenge, but it just went on and on and I lost interest. She should have just left town putting Penn and everyone else behind her. Screw them. Why stick around for torture and pain?
Too many things just didn't add up. The characters would say one thing and act another way. I hated that Natalie had to beg for Penn in the end when he did not deserve her from the beginning. He had no right to his self righteousness. It just didn't work for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Bec.
1,348 reviews22 followers
August 14, 2019
I really wanted to be able to give a higher rating overall for this trilogy but there were issues. I have issues! We start this book off basically where the previous one finished no real time jump or anything. There may be spoilers that follow but only if you haven't read the previous books. Here is a list of wrong doings by the Crew:

They had tormented a girl in high school so badly she killed herself.
They started the Bet from book one which was basically the same as what they did to the girl but to the heroine
They lied
Two male leads fight over her with one thinking he is altruistic the other plainly stalking and obsessed due to wanting what the hero had - still not sure as to motive
She loses her first job because of the bet, loses her writing /publishing deal because of Lewis
Her pen name is revealed because of Ren in book two
The Ren OW character is just plain awful, the men are no better apart from Rowe who seems removed from it all.

Our heroine wants revenge and I am all for it. Slowly her plan which we are not aware of fully comes to fruition but he feels bad about the fallout. I don't. She hasn't killed anyone, openly bullied, besmirched or attacked. She simply changes her attitude and things fall into place.

What I don't get/like is how the hero Penn is still sympathetic toward the members of the Crew all while having a relationship with the heroine. He walks this line acts all moralistic when he has done things that are in complete opposition to his preaching about morals and ethics. Where. Does. He. Get. Off?! He is all judgey when she forgave him for the bet and lying to her repeatedly.

So I don't get their love affair. I don't get why she should feel bad when karma gets its justice on certain members of the Crew and therefor I don't rate the book higher because I don't understand why the author is portraying...does she get revenge because it's right, is the heroine not deserving of having dished out comeuppance to the people who deserve it? I don't know.🙃
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