Pretty Venom

Teenage angst and first loves - if that's your kink, you'll enjoy this. Callum and Renee grew up in the same social circle, their mothers were best friends and their fathers were business partners. However, Callum constantly picked on Renee - his way of showing he was interested? I dunno, but he was quite mean and I honestly didn't like him. Renee was delightfully headstrong and brushed off his hurtfulness. It was kind of a surprise when these two finally hooked up. Their families were very affluent, so it was a bit of a turnoff to read how they literally wanted for nothing. Now they're embarking on going off to college together - in a penthouse apartment their parents spring for. Yeah, not exactly the college experience I went through. Callum's football takes him away from Renee, and again, I pretty much hated the way Callum treated Renee, and the way Renee was trying not to be the clingy girlfriend, yet she didn't put her foot down, either. Then comes the part that changes everything. THIS type of explosive young adult angst was why I read this book. Feelings were magnified and everyone hurt. But, I damn near quit reading with Hannah in the dorm room. That gutted me and I pretty much wanted to murder Callum at that point. I was ticked Renee was such a doormat and kept going back for more. How ironic that Callum was the one sleeping around after that, huh? I suppose I was happy they finally mended fences, but WOW! This book took you through a heck of an emotional roller coaster. So even though I hated what most of the characters were doing, I liked the fact the author pulled those extreme emotions out of me.

** spoiler alert ** Raw,Intense, & Epic...
Those are the first three words that come to
mind when I think about this book. I knew
going in that this book was going to be different
then the others in the Grey Springs Series. I
feel like this author puts a little piece of herself
in each book, that's how deep the words are in
every book she writes. I loved how the characters
were flawed & real,even though they had everything
their hearts desired. They fought,manipulated,
hurt,and twisted what was once sweet and precious...
all because of a lie. At the end they both get redemption
for the things they did and said, which was what we all wanted...
A definite must read??

**4.50 Stars**

Callum is handsome, popular and the school football star. He's being groomed to take over the family business when Dad retires. Callum LOVES playing football and couldn't care less about the corporate world.

Renee is pretty, smart, sassy, loves Sailor Moon and her sewing machine. Mom wants her to be an actress but Renee wants to be behind the scenes. Front and center is not for her.

Their fathers' are business partners. Their mothers' best friends. They all imagine their kids a perfect match. A perfectly planned wedding serving as the final merger between the families. Except that these two, as teenagers, hate each other on sight! No way either one is falling in line with the parents perfectly laid plans.

Oh teenagers! Not to mentions hormones that cause actions first and questions later kinda recklessness? The chemistry between them is hard to ignore. Before we know it they are in love and keeping big secrets. Like eloping and getting married. I was in love with love and these two spoiled brats. College life, trying to fit in and learning their place in the world leads to problems that this couple is not equipped to handle. One drunk night, one mistake and it seems all is lost.

There were times I wanted to stop reading because they kept one-upping each other in gasp inducing ways. Then came an emotional punch and another and another! The fallout, the anger, the hurt, the cheating, the lies, the head games, the angst! Oh my God the angst! Pretty Venom was a steamy, angsty, wickedly entertaining read with a great epilogue. I also recommend a glass of wine to go with it - A BIG POUR!

Pretty Venom is Callum and Renee’s story. They fall in love in their teens and run off to get married. They head off to college and that is where trouble hits. They both fall victim to insecurities. Callum wastes no time in bailing on Renee. His need to fit in with the team and not succumb to the wifey drives his decisions. Renee feels left out. They are not the team she thought they would be and she feels alone. To add insult she has to watch other females flirt with Callum. All of this leads to their very fast demise.

I was very excited to get my hands on this book. If you have read the previous books, you know Renee wronged Callum. He is angry and will not forgive. I was firmly team Callum; until I read Pretty Venom. I did not like him once I got to know him. To me he was a cruel character. This dated back to when they were young. You can chalk it up to a silly boy picking on the girl he likes but for me he displayed some ugly traits. This continued into adulthood.

I liked Renee and while she was in the wrong, it was blown out of proportion. I also wanted her to have some self-respect. I understand holding out for love but for me it was too much.

I have to say that I love Ella’s writing. I think she keeps her stories fresh and unique. I give her props for making me feel when it comes to her characters. I just could not get on board the Callum train.

That being said I can’t wait to see what Ella releases next. Until next time……

Pretty Venom is the third book in the Gray Springs University series. It is told from dual points of view and can be read as a standalone novel.

From the moment you pick up this book, you will be completely captivated by Callum and Renee's story. It is beautifully written and nicely paced. It is filled with angst, romance and heartbreak. My emotions were taken on one heck of a roller-coaster ride. I laughed and I cried. I swooned and wanted to yell. I fell in love and shook my head in frustration. There are so many memorable moments that I know I will never forget. Simply put, I absolutely loved this book.

If you are a sucker for second chance romances like I am, I would definitely recommend checking this one out.

Wow! This story pulled me in from the beginning with the fabulous writing and creative, intriguing characters. This is my first read of the series and I really like it. I'm going to read the first two. Following teens Renee and Callum from fifteen/sixteen when their parents planned their future to coincide with their fathers' business merger to college. Neither teen is happy with their mothers' plans. Callum is a football star and a hot boy who decides to terrorize school newcomer Renee. Callum is a hunk that you love to hate and hate to love but you can't help it. He's just got something! Renee is a quirky, beautiful enigma and Callum can't figure her out but he wants to. They hate each other until they don't. Callum is so sweet when he goes after Renee and they are so cute together, for awhile. Of course there's drama and angst and emotional upheaval but there's love too. Callum flips between "you hate him, you love him, you hate him...". But he's a great character as well as Renee with all her interesting choices. There is an edginess to this story that had me waiting for the next shoe to drop. The author did a great job of creating just the right amount of angst and sexy love that had me loving the feels and turning the pages. These sexy YA/NA stories are my guilty pleasure and this one is terrific! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.

Pretty Venom is an epic, gut wrenching hate to love, love to hate story that will send your emotions into overdrive. Ella Fields gets more creative and bold with each book she writes. Her work is consuming and addictive. She writes about real life topics and issues with grace. If you've never read her you need to!

I've never hated and loved a character as much as I had Callum Welch. He made me want to jump inside my kindle and strangle him at times. He was pure venum when it came to Renee. The way he treated her was understandable to an extent, but wow did he take it to the extreme. I loved getting to know more about Renee in this book. After the previous two books she had me curious and intrigued. My heart hurt for her, but she wasn't completely innocent.

Reading Pretty Venom was like watching an intense tennis match. It kept me on the edge of my seat with my head and emotions on a constant back and forth. I loved the strength, flaws, banter, grovling and connection Callum and Renee shared. Despite what they did to each other they owned up to their mistakes. It was fun and sad reading Callum and Renee's story. It was so messy but incredibly sweet and passionate. These two loved each other with something fierce. Pretty Venom is worth all the heartache, it is an absolute must read!!

Ella Fields has a way of making her characters as real as those we work with, our dearest friends, or even ourselves. Although the rawness and angst were remarkably high in this story, I felt as though we as individuals have felt many of the same insecurities and emotions at one point in life or another.

Not every love story is butterflies and rainbows. I would actually say most have their fair share of ups and downs. Renee and Callum had more than enough misunderstandings and hardships due to their stubbornness and need to spread the hurt they were feeling. I honestly struggled everytime I had to put this story down because of life. In the end, those who harbor the most pain have the ability to find the truest of love. I'm so very excited to see what this author will bring us next.

There needs to be a disclaimer for the heart with every Ella Fields book. This author knows how to make you fall in love, shatter your soul without repair, and then complete the impossible by mending your heart and soul back together in the best way possible.
That is what has happened to me while reading Pretty Venom.
There was one point where I honestly didn’t think my heart to take anymore torture. I was a crying mess cursing out Callum’s name to the fiery pits of hell.
I thought I’d read about donkey butts (we have to keep this PG) in books... nope! Let me just say that the things that Callum did to Renee in “retribution” were jaw dropping, Kindle flinging, pillow punching, chest clutching moments.
My poor, poor heart.
One mistake changed EVERYTHING! And just kept yelling, “make it stop!”
*le sigh*
Ella Field’s writing continues to amaze me. With every book, I don’t think she could get any better, and every single time she knocks it out of the water and more, and more, and more with every new release.
Not only is this book going on my top 2018 reads but it’s staying on my FOREVER favorite reads.
My heart needs a break now. Someone pass me a pint of ice cream and put on The Wiggles. I’m dead...

Ella Fields saved the best til last. Each book in this series has been above 5 stars for me but this last one had me wanting to throw my kindle several times over! I started this book with a preconceived idea of what I thought Callum and Renee were like... by the end of the first chapter my opinion had done a 180! The feels, emotions and rage this author pulls from her readers is unequivocal and that's what makes this authors books so addictive that you don't want to put them down! They are consuming!

Told from a dual POV; the story is fast paced as what starts out as young love quickly turns on its head as a result of one fatal event. I have wanted to throat punch Callum on so many instances, my heart broke for Renee on so many levels as a result. He really was the epitome of hateful; the true anti-hero of this story.

I cannot praise this series highly enough and if you are looking for a YA romance that will test your strength of endurance and keep you glued until the very last page then one click now. My heart has been well and truly battered!

WOWZERS

This book is everything I've come to expect from this author she's upped the angst and really did a number on her readers this time.

I'm not sure I can adequately express just how much Callum and Renee's story affected me. I wanted to know everything about these two and boy oh boy did Ella give it to me in spades.

We follow this couple from innocent friendship to love and hate. As I read I alternated between happiness and full on hatred. I'm sure alot of readers will feel like me, at times I had to take a break from reading because my heart couldn't take the pain I felt.

If you've read the authors previous books you'll know she excels at emotional overload. I can't think of another author who makes me feel as much who makes me as happy or as angry. Her writing for me just gets better with every new book she releases. She can literally be stabbing me I'm the heart in one chapter and making me swoon in the next one.

Another fantastic book from start to finish I can't wait to see what the next release so bring.

Reading Pretty Venom was a crazy rollercoaster ride. I was swooning, angry, frustrated, annoyed, swooning again, then I wanted to pull Callum and Renee and knock their heads together. But holy cow Pretty Venom was an incredibly entertaining read. I couldn't stop reading!

I was ready to fall in love with Callum. But, you guys, I hated Callum. So much. Then, I'd forgave him a little, then hate him all over again. I'm glad we got his chapters because I would've hated him all throughout the book. Surprisingly, it was Renee I felt for while at the same time I wanted to shake her and give her a good talking to.

Like I said, Pretty Venom was a crazy ride. My feelings were all over the place with this one. Not everyone is going to like it for sure. After I read it, I wasn't even sure how I felt. But, after mulling it for a day, I decided that while the characters drove me crazy, I wouldn't want it any other way. Pretty Venom was one hell of a read! It's been a while since I felt so many feelings reading a book and I may never get over it.

I first discovered Ella Fields with the first book in this series, Suddenly Forbidden, about Quinn and Daisy. I absolutely loved it! Then of course I had to read about Toby and Pippa in Bittersweet Always. That book had quite a bit about Callum and Renee, prepping us for Pretty Venom. This book did not disappoint! I liked knowing what really happened with Callum and Renee since we first learn about them in Suddenly Forbidden. The true story is shocking in its intensity and its betrayal and its vengeance. It’s a story about true love and being betrayed by a person you love, finding vengeance and then realizing that the actions may have been too swift without learning the truth. The question is can someone come back from that? It’s a story about deciding whether forgiveness can be granted, for both Callum and Renee. I love Ella Fields’ writing. Her characters are very real and flawed. No one is perfect in real life so why should they be perfect in books!? I also really like how the stories overlap each other. Scenes from each book in the series are revisited in the next book in the series but from another perspective. It definitely makes me want to go back again and read the previous book to compare those perspectives! This series has made me a true Ella Fields fan. Don’t miss out on the excellent stories and writing and getting to know the students of Gray Springs!

THIS BOOK, holy moly! Usually a book like Pretty Venom wouldn’t be something id read due to the warning, but I really needed something different from my normal go-to books. Ill happily admit that HOLY ANGST I loved this book, for a first-time reader of Ella Fields I really liked her writing style, she gave us a book that literally put me on an emotional roller coaster of various emotions ranging from super pissed to swooning to even laughing at the banter between Callum and Renee. As individuals these two were great characters, Renee’s determination to never give up was awesome I loved way she kept going and going she knew what she wanted, and she played her own game to get it. Callum oh how he is loveable even when I wanted to slap him and throw my kindle. Pretty Venom and Ella Fields words are the reason I’m currently bingeing on books with all the angst! Ella has become a go to author for me now and I’m looking forward to going back and reading everything she’s written.

This book blew me away, quite frankly the entire Gray Springs series was heartbreakingly and beautifully written. Ella Fields’ writing is effortless and breathtaking.

I had quite a crush on Callum from the 1st two books and was so excited for his story. Boy did all my expectations for his and Renee’s story go right out the window. My heart broke, oh gosh did I throw my kindle and step away quite a few times. Throughout I felt every emotion from anger, to joy to even some swoon worthy hot moments. This book felt so real. Young Love is such an indescribable thing unless you’ve had it. This story showcased how you navigate through obstacles thrown at a relationship where two people are still trying to figure out who they are. I was so happy with the ending. That epilogue was Everything! All parties involved got what they deserved. Please read this book you will be so obsessed with Ella’s work you will be just like me and beg for more. Loved, Loved, Loved this story.

Once I finished reading Bittersweet Always and that bomb was dropped I NEEDED this book ASAP! I loved Callum as a side character in that book and learning he was married had me ?!!!! I was excited to see how his and Renee's story came about. PLUS CAN WE STARE AT THAT COVER A LITTLE LONGER?! ?

Pretty Venom isn't for everyone. If you don't like cheating or anti-heroes then maybe stay away from this one. But if you don't mind it then one-click this pretty baby! ;) You will definitely get hit in the feels and your heart will break at least twice.

Renee was amazing! I love heroines like her. <3 Callum was ?? to a certain degree. I don't mind anti-heroes, I actually like them, but I had some issues with how cruel he was sometimes. ? Then he was ? so I'm happy.

This is sitting right at 3.5 stars for me ? I loved Renee (and Callum when he wasn’t being a major dick) and I’m so glad we got their book.

Pretty Venom was an emotional, gut-wrenching tale. This third book in the Gray Springs University series is Callum and Renee's story. Told in dual POV we are given their story from age 14 until present day.
Callum and Renee were perfect together until they weren't. These character are complex and flawed. They will evoke a range of emotions from you and as angry as you will get at times, you will not be able to put this book down. It will have you hooked until the very end.
This book shows us the aftermath of a mistake made. It shows us the cruel acts and words that can be inflicted upon another. It shows us what one is willing to do to fight for love and what one is willing to do to seek forgiveness.
This novel had some twists you would not have expected and an ending will amaze you. Worthy of more than 5 stars this page-turner was a phenomenal read and I would highly recommend it.

YOU HAVE GOT TO READ THIS BOOK!!!! This book how do I even begin? The beginning was tantalizing with the taunting as Callum tried to fight his desire for Renee. Renee was bitter with her rejections of Callum until the day he gave in to his feelings for her and boy did she make him work for her affection. Renee was so brutally honest that at times it stung. When their relationship took a turn for the worst, it was Renee's amazing strength and courage to do anything she could do to win back Callum who had become her enemy overnight. Callum was such a self centered, conniving, manipulative Jerk (for lack of a better term); that I would put my kindle down and walk away to only have to pick it up again immediately, because I could not stop. But in the end you cannot stop the love of a woman and a man who can't stand each other but so desperately love one another with every fiber of their being, and they have a little help from fate/destiny. The fairytale ending was fit for a Queen and her King. This book was my favorite by far in this series.

First Ella is one of my absolute favorite authors. I have all of her books and will continue to read and buy her work.
Now onto the book.
I absolutely hated Callum and felt sorry for Renee, but I thought the way she was so desperate for him was kind of adorable in a twisted way. But I love the way the story was told, how the characters were laid out and you could almost feel everything they were going through....
Mike was a douche and needed to get his butt kicked way worse than he did. He and Alexis deserved each other. By the way I think they need a story also.
But this story was another awesome 5 star read by the incomparable Ella Fields.

This book was just simply divine!!
It was love, hate, friends, enemies, it was simply everything!!
I Loved Callum but also despised him because he was a true man...Renee was a Gorgeous written character, she was real and everything she is was like a real person, perfectly imperfect...sometimes love is just that perfectly imperfect to find what you know is real and true that you know this is what life is made of.
Just Beautiful!! Real!! Raw!! Everything!!
One of the Best Books of 2018!!

Wow! I’ve been looking forward to this book, and I am so so so happy I finally got it! My stomach hurts from the rollercoaster ride it took while flipping the pages. Jam packed with angst, a smorgasbord of emotions, and a healthy sprinkle of love.

I love enemies-to-lovers books, and I can get down with second-chance like nobody’s business. The author took what I enjoy & took it up 10 notches. I’ve yet to not wholeheartedly love a book by this author yet. Looking forward to the next book!

Okay, wow. Whew, deep breath. I knew from the very first page that this book was going to be epic and amazing. Page one. By the time I was a few chapters in, I knew this was one of my new favorite books. I knew I would reread this story in the future, that I would carry a piece of this gem around with me always. I asked around for a phenomenal hate-to-love story (that’s my favorite trope) and someone recommended this novel. I’ve never read Ella Fields before, I had never heard of this series and now I’m stalking this author all over social media because I’m bound and determined to get myself on her radar. Ella broke me and then painstakingly slowly pieced me back together throughout the story. She kept me breathless and reeling, always unsure of what was going to happen and never bored or unaffected by the plot.

The leading lady is so unlike any of the others in this genre. She’s gorgeous, vain, selfish, confident, unique and so damn real. She burns with her love, it eats her alive and fuels her entire being. She’s a fighter, a game changer, a totally new and groundbreaking female who isn’t apologetic for being herself or wanting and enjoying what she likes. She’s a role model, for me at least. A rebel. I’m a bit obsessed with her, if you can’t tell. It’s just so rare to see a woman portrayed this way and, as a reader, we get to see her grow up. We see her break and rebuild and gain more strength and beauty throughout the story. It’s truly magnificent.

Callum is everything you could ever want in a rich boy with a chip on his shoulder. He’s spoiled, self indulgent, devastatingly handsome, callous, mean, angry, and absolutely perfect. I didn’t just love him, I wanted him for myself. His fury and hatred scald you, his remarkable love heals you again. Over and over you’re taken on this rollercoaster ride where Callum and the author work together to drive you straight over the edge of your sanity and into another headspace where he’s the only thing that exists and nothing but his attention, passion and understanding matter. You’ve never read an alpha male quite like this one before, and I doubt another will come along any time soon. He’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of antihero, and he’s cockily waiting to be devoured by your hungry eyes.

Beautifully brilliant, that’s what I would call this story. These characters are venomous, angry and overindulged and yet they manage to give you a love story that’s so real and honest that it punches you right in the feels. I ached for Callum and Renee. The way that this author portrays love is nothing short of revolutionary. It’s not your typical story, the characters fall in hate long before they fall for each other. They push and pull and constantly keep one another on their toes. Their love is wrapped in menace, betrayal, longing, redemption and so much passion that it explodes off the pages. This is one of those rare stories where you’re jealous of anyone who gets to read it for the first time, where you can’t sleep and you sit with bated breath throughout the entire story because it’s so wonderful that it claims a part of you. If stamps your soul and offers no regrets for doing so. I freely throw my recommendation to read this book at any and everyone. I would take out an ad campaign and let the world know about this story if I could. It’s just amazing. Trust me, you want this one.

I love an cocky guy . Callum he delivers! We’re starting young here so high school rich kids entitled you know the type. Renee she’s not having his crap . But wait , what’s this sparks? Chemistry sexual tension? You know what they say about boys who pick on girls? Well game on. We follow these two from High school to college where I’m biting my nails, what is happening you know the normal wtf WHY! Yes exactly! He did what , she did what OMG AGAIN! Yeah those moments . Loved it!

Callum and Renee become enemies at first glance. Their mothers decide the two should be a couple when they're 14. After all, their fathers are merging their companies, so it's only natural their children should be a couple. Right? Wrong. Callum doesn't want anything to do with the girl sitting outside his father's office. He's spitting mad that his mom wants him to be with that girl. So he spits his venom at her and he expects her to fold. But Renee's a different kind of girl than he's used to. She stands up for herself, she doesn't let him break her.

As they both arrive on the same college campus, they've spent the last few years hating each other, possibly (definitely) being attracted to each other, and now the real games start. Where they take a big leap to spite their parents. And they play a twisted mind boggling mess of a game with each other that will probably (definitely) end up with both their hearts being shredded to pieces.

Wow, I was completely unprepared for Pretty Venom. I'd never read anything by Ella Fields before and I have to admit I was expecting the same ol' boring, shallow NA fiction that clutters the genre. Thankfully Ella Fields is above that type of thing because Pretty Venom was pretty fabulous. I love enemies to lovers when it's done right, and Pretty Venom is more than done right, it's just about perfect. It toes the line of too angsty but never steps over the line. It's edgy and sexy and brutal and twisted. These two couldn't be more perfect for each other in all their shady, twisted ways. Phew! And let's not forget how hot they are together. Sometimes hate really is just a cover for love and lust, and Callum and Renee pretty much exist in that world of hate and love all twisted up into one big ball of craziness. These two are definitely crazy, but I love them together, absolutely love them. There I said it, I LOVE them!

So if you like your NA fiction, or even just enemies to lovers done right, I highly recommend you 1-click Pretty Venom today. It's snarky, twisted deliciousness.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy.

After loving The characters so much from the first two stories, I didn’t know they could be outdone. Well Ella just blew me away. Callum is officially my new favorite book a-hole. His appearance in the series before didn’t even begin to show him enough. I wanted to punch him, lick him and do much more to him throughout the book! Renee and Callum’s journey was even better than I could anticipate!!! There were time I wanted to scream through my kindle! Haha.

At times Callum and Renee’s journey was both beautiful and gut wrenching. When Callum and Renee first meet, Callum feels pressure from their parents and acts like a complete and total jerk. At times he is relentless, but realizes that he may be wrong about Renee and her intentions. Too be honest, I didn’t feel the deep connection at first, and I didn’t see Callum’s appeal. Over time Callum grew on me, but the minute I started to like him he showed his true colors. When his teammates gave him a hard time, he never stuck up for Renee, the woman he supposedly wanted to spend his life with. Instead of making her feel wanted and special, he made Renee feel like his back up plan and an after thought. One night, too much alcohol is consumed, mistakes are made leaving both Renee and Callum questioning everything. Really, tho? What man leaves his lady, who is completely wasted, to wonder around a frat house by herself??? Callum is hurt and lashes out at Renee in the worst way. I could feel Renee’s heartache and how confused and hurt she was. Whatever Callum did to hurt her, she still tried to show him how much she loved him and how they were meant to be. But once he sent her roommate a “message”, there was no way Callum could come back from that. Just NO! Even though I felt Renee was too quick to forgive Callum, I am glad they were able to find their second chance. So many feels in this one.

This book contains warnings so heed them. There is cheating involved in this story.

This book was like getting on the roller coaster of love and hate and riding between the two!! The angst the push and pull. These to characters were fabulous. A fabulous mess, but incredible characters.
This is one of those enemies to lovers stories but believe me you will go from hate to friends to lovers and back again before you get where you want to go.
Really enjoyed this read. Calum and Renee are great together in their own twisted way. This book will give you the feels, but it will break your heart a few times. You may want to throw your kindle!! This book was fabulous.

5 Stars +++++

I absolutely love Ella Fields as an author! She is more than definitely my go too! She has never disappointed me!

Callum and Renee's story~ known one another since high school but couldn't stand each other, parents are great friends and both are wealthy

"Renee wasn't all sweet; she was pretty venom wrapped in a sugary bow."

AMAZING!! SO HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

Hypnotized. Once again, after reading an Ella Fields book, I am hypnotized. How? How does she do it? I've been asking myself this question with all of Ella's books. She just has the ability to transfix you, to suck you in. And the end result is always the same, she leaves you wanting more, so much more.

Ever since we got a small glimpse of Callum and Renee in Suddenly Forbidden and then a little bit more of them in Bittersweet Always, I needed and craved more. I was so intrigued and I thought that with the little we got of their story I thought I knew where my allegiance lied. But, oh no no no no no, I was so wrong. There was so much to Renee and Callum's story that had me on the edge of my seat. Seriously, you have no idea how this plays out.

Ok, I thought I had Renee pegged. I thought I knew what I was getting myself into. I thought she deserved what was happening to her. I can admit when I'm wrong, and I was 100% wrong. She's this fiery and take charge woman. She knows what she wants and doesn't apologize for it. But under that tough as nails persona, she's also vulnerable and sometimes needy. And at times that neediness gets the best of her. Though she's strong, she has a weakness that overtakes her. And that weakness might just be her downfall.

*deep breath* Callum. *breathe out* I don't have much to say about him other than he is a grade A mothereffing *expletive* Alight, I take that back, I have a lot to say about him. I'm trying to control my rage, but it's hard when I'm thinking about this *expletive* Ugh, Callum Callum Callum, what the hell am I going to do with you? You know, I have that clip of Tyra Banks running through my head where she's screaming "I was rooting for you, we were all rooting for you." SMH. Just thinking about what he did makes me want to punch a wall and at the same time gut punch him. I'm painting him in such a bad light, huh? Those things are warranted, but there is good to Callum. I mean, he IS an *expletive* but there's good in his heart even though he tries to hide it. And I guess I wouldn't have it any other way, because in the end, I kinda like the *expletie*.

Renee and Callum, oh these two. They had me pulling at my hair, biting my nails, and screaming obscenities. Their toxicity suffocated me. At times it was hard trying to catch my breath at the level of angst I was enduring between these two. I'm not going to lie, there were times where I wanted them to walk away from each other and just go their separate ways. I mean, I thought it was for the best. But then, I couldn't see how they'd survive without the other. I wanted them to get their *expletive* together and C-O-M-M-U-N-I-C-A-T-E for crying out loud. In the end, I found myself rooting hardcore for them. Because even though they were both extremely stubborn, they truly were meant for each other.

Pretty Venom brings angst galore. Filled to the brim with emotion. In true Ella fashion she does what she does best, and that's making you feel ever gosh darn emotion there is. An exquisitely beautiful and heartfelt story about love and the power of forgiveness. Bravo Ella, you've done it again.

Holy hell was this book amazing!!! My first time for reading Ella Field's work, and my mind was blown!!!

Callum & Renee have a relationship like no other! Growing up their parents wanted nothing more than for them to be together. At the time they simply despised one another. However, as time passed so did their feelings for one another. Not wanting their parents to intervene with their love life, they took matters into their own hands.

Intense angst, so much emotion while reading this! The love/hate relationship between these two will leave your head spinning!!!! The connection so strong you want them to make it work but at the same time hate them both for their actions. Insanely hot!

I cannot wait to read Ella's other books because she won me over with this one. If you read only one book this summer, let it be Pretty Venom!!!

I have been interested in Cullen and Renee’s story since the first book and I have to say I enjoyed it. Some might not because of the theme of cheating but the author really did a good job with it. To me it didn’t scream angst to me. It was pretty loud back with humor and just an overall nice read. Cullum was a jerk but at the same time I think that the characters issues were lack of communication on all fronts. Even when they got with the picture.... they didn’t really talk about everything they went through. This really bugged me. Most of the book was based around these issues and they were just buried...... it wasn’t very realistic to me. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I’m intrigued with what we learn in the epilogue. I hope we get to see something come from that in the future. 3/3.5 stars #2OCCJD

I stumbled across this book a week ago and immediately wanted to read it and while all the books in this series are considered standalones I decided to read them in order, and I’m glad I did because we’re introduced to Callum and Renee in Suddenly Forbidden and see them again in Bittersweet Always and it really just made the anticipation to read this book that much more.

This book was everything to me. It made me fall in love, ripped my heart to shreds, then slowly pieced it all back together.

I was so engrossed in the story that I read it in one sitting, went to bed thinking about it, dreamt about it, and woke up still having it on my mind.

Ella Fields writing is smooth and her characters are multilayered. This book is one I’ll never forget!

5 stars

Spoilers

Callum is one of the worst book boys ever and not in a good way. He truly shows no remorse for what he has done and getting a bj from your ex’s roommate (Hannah) is just wrong the fact that Renee aka Mouse sees the end of it and he taunts her as she leaves makes it worse. I could have overlooked this if at the end you see more remorse from him maybe some conversations from his POV with his friends about his mistakes. But no he says sorry and sends gifts and at that point when he realizes her mistake was kissing someone not sleeping with him he immediately wants her back. She finally grows a backbone and they do end up together but it’s annoying. This book could have been so much better. I like how it took time for them but once again there should have been more from his POV and more about his mistakes. More about people knowing they were married so his teammates found out and they didn’t talk about it? He says sorry for his errors but the Hannah one should have more mention. I finished this book hours ago and the more I think about it the more annoyed I am.

I guess for me Callum doesn’t redeem himself and he looks like a jerk and no one says to him and if they do you don’t see it. The author shows how awful he is most of the book and even though the epilogue is good you don't care because you were cheated on the way there.

Edited to add

In fhe1st book Callum is all over Daisy he actively tried to date her and kisses her twice I believe. They kinda gloss a lot of that over in this book.

I wanted to strangle both Renee and Callum throughout this entire book. But, they finally get it right and I love them for it.

This author got the angst down to the nth degree and then some.
The writing is impeccable and beautifully crafted. I love this series.

Look at this beautiful cover !

Pretty Venom by Ella Fields is the third book in her Gray Springs University Series.

Meet Renee Grant and Callum Welsh. Both are kids when they meet and their parents are friends and businesspartner. They have something like a arranged marriage, only Callum hates Renee, the girly girl with a weakness for everything frilly and bows.
He makes her life difficult, but over the years his feelings toward her change.

Pretty Venom is a teenage/ college romance and Renee and Callum's story touched me on a deep level. It puts the pains of growing up and maturing on display in a totally honest way. They hurt each other and make their lives a living hell.

Pretty Venom is the final book in the Gray Springs University series by Ella Fields. Typing that sentence made me sad, because I have come to love this series and the characters. They will be greatly missed. If you haven't started this series yet, don't wait another second! The writing is phenomenal, the stories are beautiful, the characters are flawed and complex, and  the romances are complicated and passionate.

Callum and Renee meet in highschool soon after Renee moves to town. Their mothers begin to plan their eventual marriage from day one which only makes Callum plot Renee's downfall. He's not thrilled with his life being planned for him, and Renee bears the brunt of his frustration. Bullying her relentlessly, he vows to make sure she never gets any ideas in her head about becoming his wife.

 Renee gives as good as she gets until one day she begins to ignore Callum altogether. That draws him in instead of pushing him away, and eventually, their mutal hatred turns to mutual affection. Before long, they fall in love and when high school ends, they're ready to make a life long commitment to one another. 

Going to college married and living together is what they both want, but not long after moving in, Callum is staying out all hours with his buddies leaving Renee alone in their apartment. After he ditches her on his birthday, she decides to go out herself. Too much alcohol mixed with jealousy and pain leads her to make a mistake that rips them apart, crushing Callum's heart and leaving him hell bent on revenge. 

Heed the warning folks! I'm stunned my kindle survived to the end. I wanted to throw it against the wall and bash it with a hammer for good measure. Callum tested me like no other. The stuff he did to Renee was horrible, but one thing made me lose. my. mind. I wished so badly that he could be real just for a moment, so I could back over him with my car. The rage was real, y'all. I still feel it as we speak, and even though I wouldn't run him over anymore, I would sure as hell squeeze the sh!t out of his nuts. 

Having said all that, you may think I disliked this story, but on the contrary, I loved it! Books that play with my emotions are my favorite. I want to fall in love, have my heart ripped to shreds, and have it sewn backed together. I want laughter through tears and smiles filled with rage. Give me characters that make me love them even when I want to hate them for chopping my heart up and throwing in a blender. I want to feel connection and experience every drop of emotion with them. This book gave me all those things, and though I feel like I've been put through the ringer, I'm grateful for the experience. 

I'm going to start referring to Ella as "Queen of the Feels", because she never fails to give me all of them. Each book in this series drew a big emotional response from me. Every character drug me into their story and made me feel what they did. I felt nostalgic for a farm I didn't grow up on, cried tears of despair watching mental illness try it's best destroy a good man, and fell in love with a self absorbed football player that made me feel his pain even when I wanted to shove my foot up his @ss. I've endured three hard won love stories that left their mark on my heart, and I can't wait to do it again. I'll be waiting for your next project, Ella. In the meantime, I'll see if I can extend the warranty on my kindle. 

You know what makes Ella Fields unique in a world inundated with romance novels? She writes about real, troubled, flawed characters. Her romances aren’t easy. These characters have to work for love. But I have found, with the Gray Springs series, that her fictional love stories resonate because they are applicable to real life. We don’t live in the land of fantasy romance and alpha heroes. We live in a world where people screw up, where we act out of anger, where sometimes forgiveness isn’t easy, and where we have to fight tooth and nail for our HEA that may or may not come. This may seem contrary to what romance readers want, but, for me, it shows me that real love, the broken, tattered, bruised, kind of love can make it in the real world. It gives someone hope that maybe, even if they have made mistakes, that their HEA is out there, too. Even though all the characters of this stand-alone series exemplify this, none so more than Renee and Callum.

More than any other characters, Callum and Renee are probably the most unlikable, but their unlikable qualities, strangely are what I love about them. They embrace their entitlement and their wealth. They don’t make apologies for who they are or what they want. From the beginning, Callum sees Renee as a person with venom below, and she sees Callum for who he is, egotistical and callous at times. Their acceptance of each other, fully, flaws and all makes the reader accept them. In fact, I love how unapologetic they are about who they are and what they have. I love how they love each other in the beginning. It is consuming and all encompassing, transporting readers back to that reckless teen love. This facet of the story is so important for the fall, and, boy does Ella Fields shred your heart to pieces, and the more vile parts of their character become apparent. As much as I wanted to hate Callum for how he treated Renee or how she reacts to him, I couldn’t. Their actions came from heartbreak. It isn’t sound. It doesn’t make sense. Logically, readers will want to kill these two, but emotionally readers will get it, only making their actions and venomous words heartbreaking, leaving the shredded pieces to be scattered in the wind.

There is good to them, too, though, because they are complex and three dimensional characters. Renee is determined and fierce in her own way. She atones for her actions and continues to pursue what she wants without regard for her own feelings because she takes responsibility for her actions. Some may see this as weak but I saw it as strength. She also walks away when it becomes necessary, so she is anything but timid. Callum also has his good qualities. He is also willing to admit to his own wrongdoings and beg and plead for forgiveness. He is loyal and dedicated, and like Renee he takes responsibility for the role he plays as well. By the end of the story, Callum has my heart firmly in his hand, and I was more in love with them as a couple than ever!

This story isn’t for the faint of heart. Ella Fields, as always, writes in a way that makes you feel it. Renee’s desperation pulses through your veins. Each hateful act/word from Callum slices your own heart open. You LIVE these moments with them. I honestly didn’t know how she was going to turn all this hurt and pain around, but she did. And she did it in a way that I didn’t see coming and completely flipped the script. She throws everything into a shade of grey. But this is where the real ideas of love start being fleshed out: forgiveness, second chances, reformed love. Readers get to see how hard it is to forgive, how second chances don’t come easy and two different people enter the relationship for a second time from the tears and bruises that broke them down, and we get to see that a stronger love is there in the end. Ella Fields exemplifies and makes us feel REAL and COMPLEX love.

This series of standalones has made me a forever fan of Ella Fields. I will follow her anywhere she wants to go, crossing off any will not read topics off of my list because she handles each and every story with honesty and sincerity. She gives us authentic characters. She shows the complexity of the ever sought after love. She shows us that love is worth the fight and the hurt and the damage when it is for the right person. She gives real hope for real love in harsh and often unforgiving world, and I don’t think you can get any more romantic than that.

I love me some enemies to lovers stories. They make me feel all sorts of mixed feeling and it gets my blood pumping. Even though Callum and Renee frustrated me to no end at times, especially Callum, I really liked how the story turned out. One minute I’m rooting for them, the next I just wanted them to pack it in and be done. The hurt was strong between these two. But they were meant to be together and they had to learn to trust and forgive. That epilogue was adorable! I really loved this whole series. Each book brought something different and I enjoyed them so much!

This book started out great but, without too many spoilers, I couldn't handle how the male lead handled the break in their relationship. Or, more accurately, how the female lead continued to be so in love with him despite everything and everyone he did after they broke up. I ended up disliking her greatly, what a bad example for all women.

Angst! So much angst! Even enough to satisfy me and I love me some angsty stories. This story had so much emotion. So much drama. So much suspense and definitely heart and romance as well as hate and enemies. I found myself flipping through pages not understanding how this would all wrap up and work out, but needing to know what was going to happen next. This was my first book by Ella Fields and the first I have read in this series, but I am dying to go back and read more. I will definitely be looking for more from this author.

Callum & Renee's story was as beautiful as it was heart-wrenching! I'm always in awe of the strong emotions this author can evoke. If you're a fan of rooting for two imperfect people fighting for an imperfect love (and you don't mind feeling like your heart is being pummeled), then Pretty Venom is definitely for you!!

I received this from the wonderful author Jeannie Allison. Boy, am I glad I did!!

This book brought all of the feels. It was heartbreaking and amazing all at the same time. My chest physically hurt when I read this book. I couldn’t put it down. I needed to know what happened next. My emotions were all over the place while reading this book.

There is a point in the book that my heart felt like it just dropped out of my chest. Ughhhh, I can’t wait to read more by Ella Fields!

Alternating between wanting to smash my iPad, crying and wanting to scream at the heroine, basically summarizes the emotional roller coaster Ella Fields took me on, again.
Angst, frustration elation are narrated with an amazing writing talent. Even if the characters will act in a despicable weak manner, you soon realize this is an unavoidable reaction of true love. I simply couldn’t put the book down until I finished it. And I’m still thinking about it. Highly recommended.

Love-hate relationship turned forgiveness and understanding. Reading this made me want to shake the characters, at one point I even had to put this down. However, it was great read in the end. The love felt real and the heartbreak even more. And after reading this, like so many other novels I read, I will be recommending to my bestie. Mostly so she can share in the misery and feels I had to endure ?

Wow! I ❤️❤️❤️ Callum. I probably shouldn’t. I am glad we got to know this couple from their childhood. I liked that her hated her, but actually loved her. I thought their emotions were so real even through the trials. I want more of them!

5+ “Mouse” Stars!!!! I have no words to fully describe how EPIC and ANGSTY this story is!! It was incredibly written; so heartbreakingly gut wrenching, and yet achingly beautiful!!!! Callum and Renee are two characters that made me swoon, cry and had me nearly throwing my kindle at the wall! I hated them and I loved them, but this story was worth every tear!!!

READ THE BOOK!! It's perfectly written with so much angst and love. I just can't deal with how much I loved this book. Yeah there were times I hated both Callum and Renee, but that makes the story what it is. I had all the feels with their story and it's one I wish I could experience all over again for the first time. It's just phenomenal!!!

From the blurb, I wasn't thrilled about reading this book, but the reviews were excellent, so I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did! So much more than I thought it would be. Wonderful characters and a story that so many can relate to. Ella Fields is a phenomenal writer, I don't think she's capable of writing a bad book. Do yourself a favor and read this book!

Pretty Venom was, surprisingly, a book I had mixed feelings about, let me tell you why:
First, I love me some childhood lovers, second chance romance kind of book; however some times I just wanted to shake Renee and tell her to stop following Callum and to move on, but I guess that's love right there, you try and try for the ones who matter. Also, Callum just went and "did" everything around him without actually investigating or talking about it, but I don't want to say too much.
Overall, I really liked the book and would recommend 100%.

“You’re my greatest foe because you’re my greatest love.”

OH MY POOR PULVERIZED HEART!!! How do I even begin to describe my feelings for PRETTY VENOM, the third (and final?) book in the uber angsty Gray Springs University series? It's hard to put my maelstrom of feelings into words—I vacillated between swooning like a schoolgirl, cursing up a storm and weeping in agony— but one thing’s for sure: This agonizingly beautiful, emotionally explosive,
romance was a train wreck of epic proportions!

And I Would. Not. Have. It. Any. Other. Way!!!

PRETTY VENOM is truly an enemy to lovers story TO THE MAX! Told in dual POVs via masterfully crafted scenes that chronicle their tumultuous relationship from when they are teens to young adults, it's literally HATE AT FIRST SIGHT from the moment a tall, dark and ridiculously privileged Callum Welsh sets his ice cold eyes on 14 year old Renee Grant with "her stupid bows, fancy pantyhose, and reluctance to care about what others thought about her.”

Turns out their bored socialite mothers have been planning their wedding since their fathers first merged their companies—which of course both of their defiant offspring revolt against —but the high octane feelings between “the prince and princess of Welsh Grant Holdings” gets even more complicated as their mutual spite morphs into ALL CONSUMING, blissful young love and then back to seething hostility again! And as we slowly but surely get the full scope of the love and devastation that unfold, prepare for a JAW-DROPPING TWIST YOU NEVER SAW COMING!!

As with the first two installments, we are once again fully immersed in Gray Springs University campus life, and the secondary players are integral to the unfolding drama with the not-so-starry-eyed newlyweds. And while this is the final book in the trilogy it definitely can stand alone because the author does a fine job of filling us in on all the relevant back-story so you never feel as if anything is lost in translation!

Gah! Callum Welsh in all his RICH, BROODY, DELICIOUSLY SINISTER GLORY is definitely a dude you love to hate! So you should definitely heed the warning that it “contains an anti-hero who might make you throw your kindle!” And knee him in the junk! Not to mention smother him with kisses and bow at his altar!

Because truthfully? I could not get enough of this magnetically handsome ball player who despite everything does NOT possess a heart entirely made of stone! In fact, he is a young man who loves deeply, passionately, and believe it or not has a surprising romantic streak that took my breath away! And even when Callum is at his most vile and despicable, after things go terribly, horribly awry, a part of me cannot help but emphasize with him because deep down I know that the venomous wrath he unleashes on the girl he loved—and lost— comes from a place of such sheer unbridles pain

And while Renee’s actions are also seemingly unforgivable, this semi-spoiled heiress emanates such sparking vitality, aching vulnerability and pure exquisite beauty that you can’t help but love her! And I adore the dichotomy of her character — “Renee wasn’t all sweet; she was pretty venom wrapped in a sugary bow” and she’s truly Callum’s ideal match in every way!

Yet at the same time, when everything fell apart, her anguish and guilt, confusion and shame just DEMOLISHED me! And even at her lowest point, when her heartbreaking quest to try to win her estranged hubby back drives her to crazy obsessive extremes in the name of love, often at the expense of her own precious self worth, I totally rooted for her !

It goes without saying that the relationship between Callum and Renee is toxic and soul lacerating, and seems so irreparably broken at times you will wonder if it’s even worth fighting for. Well, I can say with 100 percent certainty it is!! Because beneath all the torturous angst and blistering dissension are the throbbing heartbeats of two soulmates who are DESTINED for each other ! And holy smokes is the angry sex MOLTEN HOT!!!

Bottom line? This book deserves EVERY SINGLE ACCOLADE because Ella Fields truly takes us on an exhilarating roller coaster ride, filled with dizzying heights and soul-crushing lows, that leaves us reeling! Her writing is resplendent, and highly addictive, and she infuses each and every scene with so many incredibly special touches and unique nuances it left me speechless! And talk about a VISCERAL EXPERIENCE! My stomach was in knots. I got swoony butterflies. Massive lumps in my throat. My pulse raced. I wanted to tear my hair out and rail at the gods! And finally rejoice from the depth of my soul.

Yup, you heard that last part right. For although my heart was shattered to smithereens, through the sheer power of Ella Fields writing wizardry she somehow managed to fuse all the tiny shards back together again. Which truly speaks to what a POWERFULLY EMOTIVE storyteller she is.

So do Callum and Renee finally get their HEA? You betcha...and the culmination of their long and arduous journey was so breathtakingly beautiful I cried buckets of happy, joyous tears!!

A Must Read!!!

5 stars does not adequately express how great this book was. Ella Fields is an extremely talented author who pulls you in at page one and has you bleeding and healing right along with the characters through till the last page. I read these out of sequence, but it didn’t take anything away from my enjoyment.

Every character in this book made me cringe. Renee is a weak, whiney, spoiled brat, Callum is a complete spoiled A-hole, their “friends” are all traitors, and the parents care more about themselves than their children. There were times I’d stop reading because I had no idea what was going on, like I’d missed an entire chapter or something. I devour several books a week and I couldn’t even stand to read this one until the end.

After being introduced to Callum and Renee in Suddenly Forbidden and Bittersweet Always, we were given a glimpse of their heartbreaking story. What we didn't know then was the history between them and the mutual love they have for each other. We were left wondering - how did everything go so wrong???

Even knowing what little we knew I didn't expect their issues to start & end the way they did. My heart was in a turmoil throughout Pretty Venom and at times I didn't know whether I should be loving or hating Callum or Renee or both!
I can see both points of view as to how they reacted, but were their actions towards each other justified? You will have to read it to find out out!! What I can say is you will feel every emotion there is - love, happiness, heartbreak & sorrow to name a few.
As sensitive as this subject is, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Beautifully written and Ella expresses this perfectly - the way we have come to expect from Ella!
I was on the edge of my seat for most of it with tissues in hand! A late night (or more early morning?) is needed for this book, as you will not be able to put it down!!
I must also say I loved both their Mum's! What a life shopping and drinking bubbles!!!
Pretty Venom is absolute perfection, thank you Ella!!

Sexy, smart and moving. Wow. A school yard enemies to a growing up together romance. Callum and Renee had their ups and downs, but at the core, this is the first romance I've read that accurately portrays a real life truth about young love. Grow up together or grow apart.

What an emotional rollercoaster! From high school to college, the highs and the lowest of lows, you can feel the emotion of the love they shared and the heartbreak they endured. Amazing story, looking forward to the rest of the series.