4.5 Stars

The Savage is a great new adult romance by Daniela Romero.

Definitely know there's rape though, so if that's a trigger, run fast.
There's also a suicide attempt, so be aware.

Cecilia's rape is intense and you feel every single moment of her pain and despair. And, yes, she knows her rapists and sees the main one still roaming free around campus.

But, ultimately this is a story of Gabriel coming to save her. Not only does he actually save her from her suicide attempt, but he also makes it his mission to save her and heal her. At first, I found his mission to be over the top. Seriously, who forces themselves into someone's life so damn much? It's crazy. But he has his reasons.

The relationship that develops between the two is sweet and I just loved it all.

My only complaint is that it ends on a cliffhanger. And I need to know what happens next!

Thank you for Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this story. I loved Gabriel and Cecilia. Gabe reminded me of a different Gabe in another favorite story of mine. I can't wait to read more of the characters.

LOVED everything about it. Hands down an amazing read. Complete rollercoaster of emotions. I had high highs and low lows and that cliff hanger, gah! I cannot wait to see what happens next.

Gabriel and Cecilia

"The Savage" is the first book in Daniela Romero's new series and tells the story of Gabriel and Cecilia.

"The Savage" is my first novel by the author and to be honest, I'm quite conflicted about reading another book by her. That's not to say that this book is bad, but it didn't really grab me either. This was for the following reasons:

I think the story dragged on a lot. It's all about Cecilia's suicide attempt, the horrific event that led to it and Gabriel trying to keep her away from that dark abyss. Unfortunately, I didn't find the love story that started there to be entirely authentic. For me, it felt a bit off. And I didn't always find spicy scenes appropriate in all places.

I don't know yet if I like Cecilia as the protagonist. So far I haven't seen enough of her personality to be able to judge that. I found Gabriel really cool. However, I had the feeling that he actually helped Cecilia more to help himself, instead to help her and didn't process the loss of his brother. As the story progressed, his protective instincts grew and he became more macho.

“The Savage” gets 2.5-3/5 stars from me.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

A emotional read. Loved Gabriel and Cecilia. Gabriel never gave up on Cecilia and the chemistry was off the charts, yes I was upset with some things but loved the story.

I just love Daniela Romero and everything she writes and The Savage was no exception. I will forever pick up whatever she puts out next.

This book was okay, I may have disliked both the main characters most of the time but there was potential!

Okay so I'll explain, the plot.. I liked! I liked Gabriel's friends and the whole found family dynamic. I liked the fact that Gabriel had been through this situation before and felt like he could save someone this time etc.

But I didn't like the actual characters, not together at least. Both of these characters are far too broken to be together or even attempt to be together.. and I have NEVER said that before. Gabriel is far too pushy and forceful, especially since he suspects what she's been through already. And her... See I forgot her name and I only finished reading it hours ago. Her, well she's just annoying tbh. But then there's also Gabriel's friends and how they "suspected" what she'd been through right down to the very last detail, like come on 😂

I don't know, it wasn't a badly written book and like I said there was potential, but the characters needed work man, especially with the topics used. Yeah I won't be carrying on unfortunately

Wow. I didn't expect to feel this many different emotions when reading this book. I experienced each and every emotion that Cecilia and Gabe experienced from beginning to end. The book frequently mentions the trigger warnings (suicide, suicidal thoughts, loss, and sexual assault), and you learn right away that this isn't a standalone! My feelings were obviously all over the place. Be prepared for an emotional whirlwind! Your heart will be broken, repaired, and then broken once more. The blows keep coming in. The plot is fantastic; it is so deep and filled with tension, drama, and steam. These are excellent personalities. The entire book is engrossing! with a side of unadulterated emotion that bursts from the page. Just...WOW

Wow…this book was everything. It was emotionally high and low. Cecelia’s story was heartbreaking to read, I felt so connected to her story that I got chills at times.

Gabe is serious book boyfriend material. He and his boys are a strong unit, and reading their banter was one of the best parts.

So excited for The Striker!

This book is heavy with content/trigger warnings, but it is such a good story. Gabriel is definitely hero material (savage or not), and Cecelia is the girl every reader should be rooting for.

I think the hardest thing about this book is the reason you should read this book. Teens (especially girls) are faced with constant threats from guys who seek only power. Assault, PTSD, and suicide are very real, and though this content makes the book difficult, that is exactly why you need to read it.

The author plainly places this warning up front. So you know from the start what's coming. It's not for everyone, obviously, but such a serious and real plot deserves recognition. Well written and readable.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book, provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow. I did not go into this book expecting to have so many emotions. From start to finish, I felt every single feeling both Cecilia and Gabe were feeling. The trigger warnings here (suicide, suicidal thoughts, grief and sexual assault) are prevalent throughout the book, and you also find out upfront this isn't a standalone.

Brought together by not-so-good circumstances, Gabe decides Cecilia needs protecting, and even though she is initially upset by that, she starts spending time with her new guardian angel and his friends. But shadows of the past just won't go away, and even though they have feelings for one another, can it last? Can Cecelia live with herself if Gabe is caught in the crossfire of her demons?

I actually cried at the end of this book, and I really can't wait for the next book. The writing style is very raw and open, abrasive at times even, but that's what this story is. Cecelia and Gabe are both broken people, and they use each other to stay whole. The description and detail sometimes had be flinching, but that made it all the more real.

I will patiently wait for Cecilia and Gabe's HEA, because, at this point, if they don't get one, I might lead an uprising. I've never read two characters more deserving of an HEA. I want to hug them both and tell them everything will be all right. I need for them to be all right.

*book provided through Netgalley*

4/5 stars! 2/5 stars for spice. 1st person dual pov. Please read trigger warnings before you start this book.

Wow, just wow! I loved every minute reading this book. I did not expect that at all. I went into this book blind (I do not suggest doing this unless nothing triggers you) and I was just amazed. Cecilia is trying to cope with a traumatic life event all alone, Gabriel is trying to cope after the loss of his brother. They are both so broken but some how through it all they help each other without realising.

He does everything in his power to help her even if its just being there for her and it was just the cutest to read, he even won over my heart! She's so strong dealing with everything in her life, I admire her so much. The tension between them is unreal throughout the book. Even with what she's been through the spice is there and he comes across so caring throughout it all

The only reason I couldn't rate the book a 5/5 was due to the fact it does end on a cliff-hanger when I was just expecting this to be a standalone not a duet or series. Overall I loved the book and will be reading more by Daniela in the future.

This was a hard book for me. The trigger warnings were clear in the beginning but I didn’t understand how prevalent they were until the first few pages. Im giving it 3 stars because while it was a good story, I was severely triggered. It was a hard read for me. Thank you to the author for putting trigger warnings though because without them this would’ve been 10x harder to read.

First off, this does end with a 'To-Be-Continued" so not the complete story. Book two isn't out at the time of this review. Secondly, there are a couple of major trigger warnings that should be taken seriously. Sexual assault and suicide in addition to bullying. While the actual events don't take place in the pages, it is played out in the character minds and we are giving a pretty graphic playback. If you aren't prone to the triggers, this is a powerful book. Those events weren't glossed over, and the characters thoughts and actions were real and believable. This was definitely a book that was hard to put down. Well written story. Well written characters. It alternates between POVs. Both the Hero and Heroine have broken spirits and find a sense of peace with each other, though nothing is easy. Due to the nature and subject matter of the book, it is intended for mature readers.

*I received an ARC cope of this book from Netgalley.

Can't wait for more

4.5 stars

After falling in love with the Devil's of Sun Valley High series, I couldn't wait to see what the author would come up with with spin offs and so far she's onto a winner. You have to heed the warning at the start if you have triggers because it gets intense and quick, but I just want Gabriel and Cecelia to have all the happiness in the world.

3.5 stars *
First I’d like to say I appreciated the content warning in the beginning. I personally don’t have triggers but I know that is important for a lot of people. The triggers for this book include sexual assault, suicidal thoughts and tendencies, and attempted suicide. Cecilia endures a traumatic event that goes on to haunt her. She hits an all time low emotionally and mentally and attempts to end her life. Gabriel has had a rough family life and has experienced so much loss in his life. Including losing his twin brother to suicide. When Gabriel finds Cecilia and takes her to the campus clinic he feels connected to her. When he runs into her months later he makes it his mission to protect her from everyone and everything. I fell in love Gabriel from the start he’s a protector through and through and will do anything for the people he loves. The way he watches out of Cecilia is heartwarming even if he is rough around the edges. Cecilia is such a strong character who you can see overcome a lot throughout the book. Her growth is amazing. I can’t wait to follow their story!

I will be posting this review on my Instagram

It definitely had my emotions all over the place. Be ready to go on an emotional roller coaster! You will have your heart broken, put back together then broke again. The hits don't stop coming. The storyline is wonderful, it has angst, drama, steam, and is so intense. The characters are great. The whole book is captivating! With a heaping side of raw emotion that leaps off the page. Just...WOW!.

This book hooked me from the start and I was fully invested until the very last page wanting to see where the story was going to lead for Cecilia and Gabriel and hoping that ultimately justice would be served. The story is not light-hearthearted and does deal with very difficult and heavy topics, but it is real and evokes a wide array of emotions throughout the course of the story.

Cecilia has been through hell and back and is on shaky ground. Gabriel sees something in her that evokes a protective feeling in him. My heart broke for Cecilia...over and over again. I liked Gabriel from the start and this was only further cemented as the book went on, and I adored the relationship he had with his friends and how they treated Cecilia.

This book did end as a cliffhanger, which I was not aware of, and am really sad about as I was hoping for some closure, but I highly, highly enjoyed the story, so I will definitely be on the lookout for the next book so I can see how this is all going to play out.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.