Kingston

Kingston is the first book in the Hawthorne Hall trilogy by Leila James.

Synopsis

Three men, two choices, and one secret …

A year ago, my best friend received an exclusive invitation to join an elite brotherhood at Kingston University. He went into Hawthorne Hall for his initiation … but never came out.

I intend to find out why.

The brotherhood would never knowingly invite a female into their ranks. So what if I forged my father’s signature on the recommendation? With a name like Elliot Ashford, they’ll never see me coming.

I’ll endure whatever hell these brutal brothers put me through because I have no intention of backing down or bowing out gracefully. It won’t be pretty. I’ve heard the rumors, especially about the three men in control of the brotherhood.

Kingston.

Cannon.

Archer.

I'm going in with one mission—find out what happened to Will. But the moment I set foot in this house, I have a feeling all my plans will go up in flames.

Welcome to Hawthorne Hall! Let the games begin …

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Trigger/ Content Warnings

Graphic sexual content

Bullyting

Dubcon

Mentions of self-harm

Mentions of suicide

Degradation

Praise

Voyeurism

Violence

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Review

I could not put this book down! I literally stayed up till 4am so I could finish it in one sitting.

Elliot's best friend, Will, joins the Brotherhood the year before and disappears without a trace. So she decides to trick the Brotherhood into inviting her to join. Most of the men in the Brotherhood are not happy about this but decide to let her go through the trials of the initiation process.

"If you want to be part of this brotherhood, you'll have to deal with everything that comes with it. Make no mistake, we won't go easy on you because you're a woman. It'll likely by more difficult because of it."

The three men in charge of the Brotherhood are hot a hell and complete alpha-holes. I was instantly obsessed with Cannon as much as he was obsessed with Elliot, gotta love those silent protectors that everyone is terrified of *swoon.*

While Cannon is the brawn, Archer is the brains of the trio. The "boy genius" is also very charming with his amazing skills at reading people but he also likes to instigate trouble just as much.

Kingston is the definition of being the big man on campus, the top alpha that the entire campus bows down to. He's also a stickler for the rules so Elliot breaking so many really infuriates him so he needs to break her to get her out of his boys club.

And of course Elliot, she has some serious balls. Shes snarky and doesn't put up with these alpha-holes like they are used to. She has obviously gone through a lot in her life and I'm curious to find out more of her story with her family and ex-boyfriend.

I cannot wait for the next book in this series. There are lots of secrets to yet be unraveled and Leila always has to leave us on the edge of our seats.

Plus I just need more Cannon in my life! 🖤

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Notable Highlights

"This girl has come into our lives, into this brotherhood and knocked me sideways. She. Is. Everything."