Cuts heal, bruises fade—but broken hearts? They carry scars for a lifetime.
Rachel Van Dyken
Elite
Format:
ebook & audiobook
Publisher’s Synopsis:
For Tracey Rooks, life with her grandparents on a Wyoming farm has always been simple. But after her grandmother’s death, Tracey is all her grandfather has. So when Eagle Elite University announces its annual scholarship lottery, Tracey jumps at the opportunity to secure their future and enters. She isn’t expecting much-but then she wins. And life as she knows it will never be same . . .
The students at Eagle Elite are unlike any she’s ever met . . . and they refuse to make things easy for her. There’s Nixon, gorgeous, irresistible, and leader of a group that everyone fears: The Elect. Their rules are simple. 1. Do not touch The Elect. 2. Do not look at The Elect. 3. Do not speak to The Elect. No matter how hard she tries to stay away, The Elect are always around her and it isn’t long until she finds out the reason why they keep their friends close and their enemies even closer. She just didn’t realize she was the enemy — until it was too late.
Point of view:
1st Person.
Rellim’s Thoughts:
Elite kicks off the Eagle Elite series. Van Dyken has a reading order on her website.
This was kind of back and forth for me and honestly, it wasn’t until I read more of the series that I “got it” better ~ yet at the same time was even more disappointed in it. Unlike every other book in the series this is only from Trace’s POV, which I see the reason why, but it still sort of sucked. There’s a lot of whiplash going on as well as “Why the hell are you putting up with his shit?”.
I own the whole series in ebook and with the exception of Elite & Elect all of the audiobooks (the audio of the first two is subpar and they’re much better read). I’ve read/listened to the whole series multiple times, but now I skip Elite in favor of starting with Enforce (it’s Elite but from the guys’ POV).
Read this ONCE, because you have to for the foundation ~ but then move on because the rest of the series is soooo much better. I think that Elite and Elect have a distinct YA/NA feel that drops off in the rest of the series. Perhaps that is why, after experiencing the rest of it, these two feel more disappointing.
Oh, and if you’re familiar you will definitely get a “Twilight” feel from this book that sort of continues into Elect. Praise Baby Jesus after that each book focuses on a new set of couples so the Trace/Nixon/Chase drama doesn’t drag out for too long.
Oh and #TeamChase
Narration:
Sarah Franco’s narration was OK. I’m not sure if her voice made Trace sound even worse/whinier or if that was the direction she was given. I’ve only listened once and wouldn’t listen again.
About the author:
Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and, adorable son.
You can connect with Rachel Van Dyken here:
My Favorite Quotes
Cuts heal, bruises fade—but broken hearts? They carry scars for a lifetime. – Elite by @RachVD #Mafia #Romance #EagleElite
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