A Pretty Kind of Violence

I read this trilogy on KU. Loved it so much I had to buy the physical books!

What a fabulous start to a new “series” by Bella J. A Pretty Kind of Violence follows the story of Reth and Sofia and their eventual crossover. Reth, a train assassin, has a chance encounter with Sofia, and she quickly becomes both the object of his obsession and the light within all his darkness.True to Bella J’s writing style, she takes readers on a mysterious journey, slowly revealing her cards as she expertly intertwines the lives of Reth and Sofia. The buildup between the two is incredibly unique, with their stark differences creating a compelling dynamic. What begins as a dichotomy of opposites gradually transforms into a parallel between the characters, highlighting how much they truly complement one another.I imagine Sofia as Takada cherry blossom, soft, delicate, and beautiful, while Reth is the Eiffel Tower: loud, imposing, and rough around the edges. Yet together, they become the perfect balance, each serving as the remedy to the other's chaos. They are a seamless blend of opposites, proving that sometimes the most unlikely pairings create the most captivating connections.

Can't wait until part 2!

I would not categorize this book as a dark romance. More of a psychological mystery. There is not a HEA in this book, as the story leaves you hanging in the middle of chaos and heartbreak, waiting for the next book in the series.

A Pretty Kind of Violence by Bella J. completely hooked me from the first chapter. The story is fast-paced, intense, and kept my attention the entire time. I found myself constantly wanting to know what would happen next.Before diving in, I highly recommend checking the trigger warnings. There are some graphic and violent scenes that may not be for every reader.Reth is already shaping up to be an incredible character, and I have a feeling he’s going to become a fan favorite throughout the series. I also really enjoyed Sophia and loved watching her story begin to unfold. Their dynamic have me eager to see what comes next.Be warned: this book ends on a major cliffhanger! Thankfully, there are still two more books to continue Reth and Sophia’s story, and I can’t wait to see where their journey goes from here.If you enjoy dark romance, morally gray characters, high stakes, and stories that keep you turning pages late into the night, this is definitely one to add to your TBR immediately!

When I tell you this story hooked me.... I mean... I could not stop reading!A Pretty Kind Of Violence is book 1 in the Pretty Savage series.I am literally at loss for words. I don't even know how to sum this up without giving anything away. The characters are so in depth and amazing. Reth is such a broken soul. His past is so dark. He was turned into a stone cold Killer. Yet somehow, Sophia makes him feel something he shouldn't. Sophia is a child therapist and is taken into captivity by Reth. But he takes such good care of her. Reth is the darkest of dark and Sophia is the brightest of lights. The two of them together is electric. I can't get enough of them. I get goosebumps thinking about them together. My heart was in my throat at the end! The cliffhanger..... I can't.. imagine need the next book!!!! I can't wait. This is a definite must read!

With Reth and Sophia this was an exciting, but devastatingly beautiful book. Reth is a broken man who has been stripped of basic humanity and turned into a lethal killing machine. Reth becomes obsessed with Sophia and his unique way of protecting her, caring for her, loving her will meld your heart. While Sophia’s need to help him, understand him and fix him is overwhelming. This was a phenomenal book. I'm planning to get a physical copy of this book.

Obsession. Love. Stalking. Trauma. Violence.andPain.And somehow, beneath all of that destruction, something hauntingly beautiful.Bella J writes this story with such sharp emotional intensity and lyrical darkness that at times you almost forget how much pain is woven through its pages. Almost.Because underneath the beauty is something far more unsettling.This is the kind of book that slowly sinks into you and refuses to let go. From the very first page, there’s this magnetic pull to the story… you know things are spiraling, you know there’s damage waiting beneath the surface, and yet you can’t look away.The emotional tension here is palpable. The interactions feel charged with longing, grief, obsession, or danger. The lines between love and destruction blur so completely that by the end you’re left questioning where one ends and the other begins.And that lingering feeling? That ache?That’s what makes this book work so well.It doesn’t just entertain you; it unsettles you quietly. It leaves fingerprints.The title itself is brilliant because the violence here isn’t merely “pretty.” It’s intimate. Consuming. Emotional. The kind that reshapes and slowly destroys them.Dark, immersive, and impossible to look away from, A Pretty Kind of Violence is one of those stories that gets under your skin and stays there.Don’t miss this one.

STALKER ROMANCESLOW BURNHE IS OTT OBSESSEDCAPTIVE ROMANCETRAUMASophia is a sweet girl . she works as a childrens therapist . she is taken captive and her world is turned upside down ...Reth is the captor , with a broken past... a damaged man who keeps her safe... Reth is a walking red flag but it works because he is a a BELLA J MMC

This book will keep you guessing. Between flashbacks and the present, you will be sucked into a world of captivity while protecting. Loving only wanting to help people, Sophia gets wisked away not on her terms mind you but non the less by Reth who's been stalking Sophia since the moment they met one fateful halloween night. She was a secret, his weakness. A boy that got turned into a human weapon, who ended others with no remorse was given a lollipop on halloween by Sophia. Her next words to him is what broke him open. "Even monsters deserve love sometimes." From that moment she became the monsters obsession. Valeria, his psychotic handler knows something is up with him. She senses a change in him and does what she does best. Sends him on a mission to remind him. Of who he is. And what he is. The fact that we are left with a cliffhanger is the only complaint I have. But I know it will only get better from here.

This was a page turner that I couldn't put down for the life of me. I just wanted to know more. No, I needed more. This book will have you so intrigued that you don't even know you finish until the epic cliffhanger. And girls, you will fall down the rabbit hole for Reth because I know I did. I can't wait to get my hands on book 2. It can't come soon enough. And I hope that Sophia brings even more of her sass. And lord help Ian.

What can I say other than, oh my gosh, and not in a bad way. If you have read Bella’s books before, you know she is the queen of morally gray men who just capture and entice you and just pulls you in and never lets go. I fell down the rabbit hole with this one and I’m still falling. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to give anything away. I will tell you you that this is a must read. Reth is more than morally gray and you see what made him the way he is. You will think he is a monster, but with Sophia, he’s not. He becomes utterly obsessed with her and in his way protective of her in a way that he’s never felt. She is light and the first person he’s ever cared for. My heart just ached, broke, and bled for him. The ending left me in shambles. This is definitely not a rainbow and unicorn read. It is a dark, dangerous, and utterly delicious read that devoured me whole.

🖤 My review for A Pretty Kind Of Violence 💔⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶💔💔💔This book is a book that will live rent free in my head for a very very long time!! 🖤 It was so full of emotions and the tears I wept in the end was for both of the MCs.I can't wait for book two in this series!!If I got the honor to ARC read a book and I really like it I always buy a psychical copy as well that will stand proudly on one of my bookshelves. BUT with how amazing this book is I have to buy an entire box filled with a bunch of copies of A Pretty Kind Of Violence 🖤This is a stalker/captive romance where he falls first. She's a happy soft FMC and he is a broken/damaged MMC. They were made for each other 🖤 The characters was fantastic from start! I loved them both and really felt for Reth. He was one of those characters you really feel sorry for and wanted to give a big hug and tell everything will be okey. I really hope he gets his HEA 🖤Amazing story and plot as always from Bella J, the writing is phenomenal and you get to feel every feeling through those words. This book is heavier and a bit darker then her usual book and I am here for it!! The book ends on a cliffhanger and I am dying to know what happens next with Reth and Sophia!!A HUGE thank you gifting me this book and this is my honest review! This book was amazing!!!

The best way to describe this book overall! Bella J I've been waiting and you did not disappoint! June can't get here soon enough!

O.M.F'n.G! HOT, HOT, HOT! Amazing book, just like all of her other books! I just ABSOLUTELY love her writing. Enough twists and turns without being able to see some of them coming. Great book! Highly encourage reading this!

Bella J always brings you a twisted bark unhinged story that has a plot that will blow your mind. Once again she brings us amazing complex characters. Reth is a morally grey unhinged broken man who was turned into a killer he is controlled, manipulated and every movement is owned. They have stripped his humanity. Sophia is the sweet caring wholesome person who just wants to help people and when he slowly gets under her skin all she wants to do is save him. This story is heartbreaking and all encompassing you will feel so many emotions while you read. When these two start to bond it becomes raw emotional and their chemistry is intense and all consuming. You will be pulled into this story and it will keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you captivated. Then you're hit with that cliff hanger and you just can't wait for the next book.

From the start this book sucks your soul out of your body and transports it smack dab into the universe Bella created with Reth and Sophia. This isn't your typical stalker, dark romance. This is a story of someone so broken that the only remaining outer shell can only survive because of Sophia. Reth has a past so horrific that his humanity isn't present anymore. He has no self worth and has been conditioned so much that he only views himself as a weapon and has an almost unhealthy fixation on Sophia. As the story progresses so does your emotional connections with the characters. When he speaks negatively about himself, your heart bleeds. Sophia tries to understand the depth of his infatuation with her and he finally gives her answers like breadcrumbs to follow leading to their first meet. He will do anything for her, there are no lines that will not be crossed. She begins to understand he isn't there to hurt her, allowing her eyes and heart to be opened to the possibility of what could be.The character development, relationship, secondary characters and plot were all composed in such a meticulous manner that makes this book one that you will not only devour completely, but will recommend and read again to just be able to feel and experience the emotional impact again.

An intense story that grips you from the start. Reth and Sophia -- a very unique couple. He kidnaps her and is very stoic in his interactions during her guest stay (captivity). But once you peel back his layers, you see he is a product of what he has endured. Though flawed and severely OTT possessive, I found myself rooting for him and Sophia to get their HEA.An author that makes you feel for the anti-hero is one that writes books worth reading.

I always love when Bella J comes out with a new book.I know I’m going to get something so deep and complicated.APKOV is all that and more. A story that’s dark and twisted and heartbreaking.Reth is a complex character. He’s the morally gray/black character your heart bleeds for.Seemly without emotions or feelings. Built and trained to be a killing machine.But deep down in his soul and heart he’s broken. What was done to him was pure evil.Sophia is a sweetheart. A bit clumsy, a bit forgetful but always a ray of sunshine.She’s a hard worker, studies and helps traumatized kids.Her pure light and her gentleness can be felt by those around her.Being taken by Reth doesn’t change who Sophia is at her core.She sees Reth’s brokenness and trauma.Her compassion for the victimized helps her really start seeing Reth.Not as her captor. But as the broken man he is.Once the connection and bond is formed between them.Everything with them becomes more intense and more raw and gritty.The physical aspect is intimate and consuming.Mentally, emotionally and spiritually what they share is so deep and powerful.I was so consumed by this book and so invested in Reth and Sophia.Bella J is a master of storytelling. And it absolutely shows in this book.Her writing is brilliant and powerful.She brings the characters to life with their depth and layers.I was reading as fast as I could. Because I needed to get to the next page as fast as possible.All while I am trying to savor everything that is happening and taking place.The cliffhanger we are left with had me breathless and on edge.

Reth and Sophia’s story plunges you into a world of lethal obsession, unfiltered darkness, and emotional wreckage. Reth is Sophia's ruthless protector whose love manifests as a terrifying, possessive force. He does not ask for permission to save her; he demands it, trapping her in a web of forced protection where his lethal devotion leaves no room for compromise.As the dangerous secrets woven around Reth unravel, they trigger an emotional fallout and a heart-stopping cliffhanger that leaves the ultimate fate of both characters hanging in the balance. It is an unforgettable read for those of us who crave intense, complex, and unapologetically dark fixations that refuse to let go.*Please read trigger and content warnings.*I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advanced copy.

If you have read Bella J before, you will understand when I say this is another outstanding deliciously dark edge of your seat romance. Bella doesn’t pull punches. Instead she ropes you in one depraved lushes page at a time and let me tell you that A Pretty Kind of Violence is no exception. The book is amazingly written with characters you’ll not only get to know but you’ll seem to feel their every emotion, every thought, every mesmerizing moment of their lives.To this reader the storyline was like a plot within the main plot. 1st we have Reth, our main male character, a broken man who has been stripped of basic humanity and turned into a lethal killing machine whose movements are owned and controlled. Yet somehow Sophia, a soft hearted woman whose main goal in life is to help those who need saving, slips under his skin. His obsession with her becomes all encompassing. A woman who knows she should fear him yet still wants to help him. But is he saveable? Can he break away from those that control him? Trust me you’ll only want the best for this broken shell of a man.Then we have the storyline between Reth and Sophia that is woven into the other. I suppose this is technically the main plot yet somehow the two ran parallel to me. From the moment he starts watching her from the shadows to the day he took her captive you just feel their connection unfolding. Reth’s unique way of protecting her, caring for her, dare I say loving her will meld your heart. While Sophia’s need to help him, understand him and dare I say fix him is overwhelming. As their story progresses your heart will hurt, swoon and soar. But is Sophia just another thing that Reth can’t keep?Bella will keep you on your toes with this one. It’s not for the faint of heart. It’s a dark, depravity at its very best. But this reader highly recommends it. But be warned in true Bella J fashion it ends on a cliffy. But I have no doubt the next book will be totally worth the wait.2 Thumbs Up and 5 Stars