I picked up this book because Killian had me intrigued and I just had to see how the author would develop him. Unfortunately, I was majorly let down. I put myself through this painful story only for his character to be destroyed and rendered unlikable. Like i get that he was meant as a villain, but she could have made him a more interesting complex villain.

Reading this just reminded me why I didn't like the first one. Tasha spends the majority of the book creating theories in her head with little evidence. We are constantly told that she can't trust anyone at the school but not shown why. A lot of the problems come from her making up stuff in her head and the other characters withholding information from her. The worst one was Braxton's inability to tell her that he was there when her father died and knew who killed him. Like my dude you are her boyfriend but won't share this crucial information? How can he hope to be in a healthy relationship with her like that. There was so much of this story that's just everyone else knows what's going on except the MC that I was left frustrated and not enjoying the story at all.

Only good thing is that it's a quick read.

“but for now, on this storm-ridden night, we find ourselves here, separated by lies”
___
The second book in the Stolen Beauty trilogy by Alyson Noël.

This was one of my most anticipated reads for 2023 and I was hooked from the beginning to the end. Finished it in a heartbeat. There is something about all these characters that feels nostalgic and exciting, it’s hard to describe.

Read this series if you want:

• time travelers and time heists
• betrayals and unreliable characters
• romance
• magic system based on numerology
• high stakes (I had to put the book down at times because I was stressed out haha)
• fun fact: all artworks and ancient artefacts mentioned in the novels are real

Something I missed in this book is some more character growth from the main character, Tasha. She’s basically the same and hasn’t evolved a lot from the beginning of the first book. However she’s in a challenging environment with a lot of secrecy and uncertainty so I can understand it can be hard to grow in that environment. I hope she will have a lot of growth in the final book because I can see the potential in her story.

Thank you netgalley and entangled publishing for the eARC!

This was a really good follow up to the first book Stealing Infinity and actually managed to ramp up the mystery, magic and sexual tension. Caught between Braxton and Killian Natasha struggles to decide who she really can trust at Grey Wolf. Add in her fears for her friend Mason who has been dragged into this world of time travel, theft and danger and Nat whilst determined to find out why some students have disappeared still hides her unusual abilities. Thrown from one era to another Nat continues to search for the truth but it's even more shocking than she could ever imagine !
This author mixes so much here with Dark academia , history, art, tarot and magic that enables time travel. There's always a sense that Natasha is alone and cannot really trust anyone and as this book begins with quite literally a blast from the past for this reader the"triangle" just didn't really work. This is YA so things never progress too far if you catch my drift but certainly characters are left frustrated. I think the use of history and how art is integral to the plot was extremely well done and genuinely look forward to what happens to these characters next.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

Thank you netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book. I really enjoyed this book, I enjoyed the first book also, the continuous was great, this book was more inpactful and eventful. I enjoyed the characters, the plot and the world building. 4 stars

Wow! Where to start with the story? This is a fast-paced, ever changing story. It's impossible to tell what's truth or lies, as Tasha travels through time and uncovers pieces to a puzzle that is just starting to click in place in her mind. While this story can be read as standalone, it's really so much more enriching to read Stealing Infinity first.

LOVED this story - could not put down - hope the next one is out soon so I can find out what happens next in her "big plan'!!

This was just as exciting as the first! Many many plot twists, time travel, romance and renaissance Italy! A recipe for a five star read! I love this world! And all the timelines they travel to! Great storyline and a cliffhanger ending!! Who do you trust? Can’t wait to read the next book!

I absolutely loved the second book in this series, although it had been a while since I had read the first one I was able to remember the characters and the story line from the first book as I delved deeper into this one.
I really enjoy the characters, the historical references as well as the art history that is introduced in these books. I can easily relate to Tasha as she encounters situations from her time traveling jaunts,. In this book Tasha's distrust of those around her comes to a head with surprising results. You'll find yourself captivated by her relationships with her friends, and those she interacts with as she struggles with determining who is a friend and who is an enemy. You'll find yourself trusting, and doubting, and cheering her on while she tries to find answers to not only the mystery surrounding her situation in Grey Wolf, but her relationships with the two young men she's attracted to as well. This book is a bit of a building block for the next book in the series and although it's not exactly a cliff hanger the ending will leave you yearning for the next book in the series so you can find out what happens when Natasha literally takes a leap of faith in order to solve some of the mystery surrounding herself and what happened to her father.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This is book 2 and I need book 3 now! The story pick right up from the end of book one and has so much more time traveling and so much more adventure. I wish I could go to Gray Wolf! I love every second of this story.

Thank you @entangledteen and @netgalley for the e-arc of one of my most anticipated sequels this year!

Here’s what I loved:
• dark academia feel
• time travel
• the TWISTS
• time heists
• the romance!!!!!

These book are addictive. From page one I am pulled into the world of Gray Wolf and I wasn’t ready to leave! I am such a fan of this series and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5
Steam: make outs
TW: violence, murder, death, past attempted sexual assault discussed/recalled

Super excited for this title! I loved book one and book 2 was just as amazing. The twists and turns, the plot! All of it was amazing

Thank you Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for sending me an e-arc of this, all opinions are my own

After absolutely loving Stealing Infinity, I could not wait to get my hands on this book! So when I saw it on Netgalley....I really hoped and prayed I would be able to snag a copy.

I loved diving back into this world, and I love how much time travel was woven into this story. I think I remember saying I wanted more of that in book one! I do wish my ARC copy had the little Numerology and Fact pages that the first book had, but I kept it handy so I could reference it.

This book definitely introduced a little love triangle into the mix, and there were so many secrets going around that I was naturally suspicious of everyone and everyone. Compared to the first, this book focused more on the love triangle characters rather than every student in the school, and there is a tiny bit of discussion about where Song went from book one. This book also introduces the idea of Magik, which I hope gets explored more in the sequel.

And there is quite a cliffhanger too! At this point I have no idea how long this series will be, but I am in it for the long haul. The story is so interesting, and I love all the historical artifacts and people woven throughout the book. The idea of time travel really grabs my interest, and I love the way the author handles it here.

Overall, I was not as in love with the sequel as I was with the first, but I really enjoyed the story and I am definitely looking forward to the next installment. These covers are amazing, the secrets always keep me on edge, and the time travel aspect is so beautifully done. Definitely worth the read!
Content warnings: murder, violence, blood

It was such a fantastic read. This picked up from where the first novel left off. It does answer many of the cliffhanger questions from the last book; however, this novel also has a massive cliffhanger. It's fast pace and fun. The characters are further developed, and I enjoyed that very much. It would be good to read the first novel before you read this one. If you dive into this book first, there isn't much of a recap. If you think about it, there are some inconsistencies regarding the timeline and what would happen to the characters/people. I find Braxton and Nat's relationship boring. It's not that it's a YA genre. There is no banter or excitement whenever Nat and Braxton are together. It's very one note. They have the same personality, which makes for a bland relationship. I can't wait for the next book.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing, LLC, Entangled: Teen and NetGalley for letting me read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ruling Destiny is the second book in the Stolen Beauty series. The book picks up right where Stealing Infinity left off. Natasha is trying to figure out Arthur, her classmates at Grey Wolf, and so much more. This series is full of so many mysteries. While I thought I could guess what was coming, I was surprised a few times by reading this. I think readers who enjoyed the first book, will also enjoy this one. I am looking forward to reading the next book as well.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the first book so much and I've been waiting for what feels like forever for this book I was so excited when I got approved and immediately started reading it and it was just as amazing as the first book! I couldn't put it down it's such a different read then what I typically read and it's much needed and I love all the history in it as well.

Okay, this was fantastic.

I inhaled this in a single afternoon.

We pick up right after Book 1, with our main girl Natasha still unraveling the secrets of Gray Wolf and her fellow classmates.

I loved the references to tarot, famous artwork, and history in general. I highly suggest a quick google search of the referenced artworks as it really enhances the reading experience

Honestly, it was great and I’m excited to see how we wrap this all up in the third installment!

Thanks net gallery & entangled publishing for the eARC!

* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Ruling Destiny
by Alyson Noël
Pub Date: 06 Jun 2023

The second I stepped through the doors of Gray Wolf Academy, my world disintegrated. Here, time is malleable. It can be manipulated, shifted. Changed. And for those of us who Trip—or travel through time—the possibilities are infinite and perilous.

Now my life is caught in the secrets of everyone around me. Arthur, the eccentric billionaire who rules this school. Killian, who could be the only honest person here…or the biggest liar. And Braxton, magnetic, gorgeous, and unfathomable. The only thing I trust about him is our electric connection.

Whether we’re Tripping through Renaissance Italy or thieving from a ball in Regency England, my life’s become a web of lies and strange truths. And beneath the surface is an elaborate puzzle, filled with cryptic symbols and priceless treasures scattered across history—all somehow connected to my strange ability to see through time.

But Arthur has a dangerously ambitious agenda. And if what my dad taught me is true, I’m not just a threat to everyone at Gray Wolf.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for letting me read this ARC.
I’m a huge fan of the books they publish and even more so their authors like Alyson Noel.

• “Your scent reminds me of springtime and sunshine and laughter and joy.” He kisses me with a wanting that matches my own. “And you taste like faith and hope and promises kept.”

• Starting this book with the epilogue, even with my suspicions my mind was already blown. I even went back to the first book to reread that epilogue, I’m loved how everything started tying together from the very start.

• Gray Wolf, the placing for time jumpers also known as trippers, has so many secrets going around and seems dark and mysterious. It’s been easy to see that no one trust the other with good reason and although we know what Author is up, what are his true intentions?

• I readily enjoyed this book and I love that Alyson Noel brings up fascinating topics such as Alchemy and Occultism as well in her works, while showing glimpses of another era. Truly wonderful and definitely something I love to read about. She had me hooked from the very beginning.

Ruling Destiny by A. Noel, published by Entangled Publishing is the second book in the Stolen Beauty Series. I recommend to read the books in order.
Back to Gray Wolf Academy starts Natasha and Braxton's heart-wrenching story. Beautifully thought out, beautifully written is this an unputdownable read that had me in suspense til the last page.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to review this book before release date. I loved this sequel, it tied in really well with the first book, and I loved being thrown back into this universe, Anything by Ms. Noel is always an immediate buy! Formal review to come via GoodReads, Amazon and socials.

This was such a good read! I absolutely loved the characters and the journey they went through. The author did an amazing job of keeping the story interesting with twists and turns. I will be recommending this book to everyone and looking out for future books from this author.