Running From the Past

After being expelled from Brightmore for a scandalous relationship with her stepbrother Asher, Rylee escapes her privileged but toxic home. She finds refuge with Chuck, a biker friend, and new roommates in a small town. The past haunts her—her mother's coldness, her stepbrothers' betrayals, and the pain of being cast out. Yet, in this new place, she clings to the hope of starting over, even as she numbs herself with sex, parties, and denial. The emotional void left by her family and Asher is ever-present, but Rylee is determined to survive, even if it means shutting off her feelings and living recklessly.

New Bonds, Old Wounds

Rylee's new roommates—Carmen, Jasmine, and Jeremy—offer her a sense of belonging she's never known. Chuck, her complicated biker companion, becomes her anchor and escape. Together, they form a makeshift family, sharing pancakes, haunted lake trips, and laughter. Yet, Rylee's wounds run deep. She avoids discussing her past, especially the forbidden love with Asher and the betrayal that led to her downfall. The group's acceptance soothes her, but she remains guarded, fearing that true vulnerability will only bring more pain.

Haunted Lakes and Job Trials

Rylee lands a job trial at Febri's, a local bar, and finds herself welcomed by Tara and Mike, who value her toughness and wit. The haunted lake becomes a symbol of her own haunted psyche—rumors, tragedies, and the ever-present threat of being "pushed" by forces beyond her control. As she navigates new routines, Rylee tries to suppress the trauma of her expulsion and the unresolved feelings for her stepbrothers. The bar becomes a stage for her resilience, but also a place where old wounds threaten to resurface.

Sex, Secrets, and Survival

Rylee and Chuck's relationship is raw, physical, and noncommittal—a way to forget the world's judgment. Their chemistry is electric, but beneath the surface, both are running from pain. Rylee's friendship with Phoebe, her best friend from home, is strained by secrets she can't share. The threat of her past catching up looms, especially as she learns that people are asking about her back home. The emotional stakes rise as Rylee realizes that no matter how far she runs, the past is never far behind.

The Call of Home

Phoebe's father is diagnosed with terminal cancer, and the wedding is moved up. Rylee, wracked with guilt and loyalty, agrees to return home for her friend. The journey is fraught with anxiety—she dreads facing her mother, the Taylors, and the ghosts of her old life. Chuck is called away by his biker club, leaving Rylee feeling abandoned once more. The emotional weight of returning home is crushing, but Rylee steels herself to support Phoebe, even as she fears being dragged back into the toxic orbit of her family.

Ghosts at the Bar

Back in her hometown, Rylee visits Wheels, the biker bar that was once her sanctuary. She reconnects with Volts and Butch, but the reunion is bittersweet. The biker world is more dangerous than ever, with rival clubs like the Norsemen circling. Rylee's presence stirs up old drama, and she's warned to keep her distance. Yet, she can't resist the pull of her old friends—or the unresolved tension with her stepbrothers, who are never far from her thoughts. The past and present collide, threatening to unravel the fragile peace she's found.

Confronting the Taylors

Rylee's return brings her face-to-face with Asher, Zayn, and Blake—the three Taylor brothers, each with their own brand of danger and allure. Asher's confession of love reopens old wounds, while Zayn's provocations and Blake's brooding presence complicate matters further. The family's dysfunction is laid bare, with secrets, betrayals, and unresolved desires simmering beneath the surface. Rylee is caught between anger, longing, and the desperate need to assert her independence, even as the Taylors' gravitational pull threatens to consume her.

Games of Truth and Dare

The Taylor brothers' twisted games of truth or dare become a battleground for power, lust, and emotional reckoning. Rylee is drawn into their orbit, unable to resist the thrill and danger of their attention. Zayn's provocations lead to a charged encounter, while Asher's jealousy and regret simmer. The boundaries between love, hate, and obsession blur, as Rylee finds herself both empowered and trapped by the brothers' desires. The games become a metaphor for the larger struggle—who will control the narrative of Rylee's life, and at what cost?

Tangled Loyalties

As Phoebe's wedding approaches, Rylee is forced to confront the consequences of her actions. Jenny, Asher's ex, blackmails him with a sex tape, threatening to destroy them both. Rylee's loyalty to Phoebe is tested as secrets come to light, and the web of lies grows ever more tangled. The wedding becomes a crucible for truth, forgiveness, and the possibility of new beginnings. Yet, the specter of blackmail and betrayal hangs over everything, threatening to shatter the fragile peace Rylee has built.

Wedding Revelations

Phoebe's wedding is a moment of beauty and heartbreak—a celebration shadowed by her father's illness and the secrets swirling around Rylee and the Taylors. Asher's confession that he's only with Jenny to protect Rylee from blackmail brings a measure of closure, but also new pain. The wedding becomes a turning point, forcing Rylee to confront her feelings for Asher, her loyalty to her friends, and the reality that some wounds may never fully heal. The joy of the day is tempered by the knowledge that the past cannot be erased.

Blackmail and Bargains

Rylee confronts Jenny, threatening to expose her own secrets if the blackmail continues. The power dynamic shifts, and Rylee reclaims some agency over her life. Meanwhile, the Taylor brothers' rivalry intensifies, with Zayn and Asher both vying for Rylee's attention in increasingly provocative ways. Blake, the brooding outsider, becomes an unexpected ally, offering protection and a measure of understanding. The house of cards begins to wobble, as old alliances fracture and new bargains are struck in the shadows.

The House of Cards Collapses

Rylee's newfound stability is shattered when her landlord is forced to sell the house, leaving her and her roommates homeless. The group scatters, and Rylee is forced to move back in with the Taylors—a return to the lion's den. The brothers' complicated feelings for her come to a head, culminating in a forbidden ménage that blurs the lines between love, lust, and self-destruction. Rylee's sense of self is tested as she navigates the treacherous waters of desire, loyalty, and survival.

Forced Homecoming

Back in the Taylor house, Rylee struggles to maintain boundaries with the brothers, each of whom wants her in their own way. Asher seeks forgiveness, Zayn pushes her limits, and Blake oscillates between protectiveness and disdain. The fragile truce is threatened by jealousy, unresolved trauma, and the ever-present danger of the biker world. Rylee's attempts to assert her independence are met with resistance, and she is forced to confront the reality that true freedom may be impossible in a world built on secrets and lies.

Forbidden Desires Unleashed

The tension between Rylee and the Taylor brothers erupts into a series of forbidden encounters—first with Zayn, then with Asher, and finally with both. The boundaries of morality, family, and self-respect are tested as Rylee gives in to her darkest desires. The emotional fallout is intense, with jealousy, guilt, and longing threatening to tear them all apart. The house becomes a pressure cooker, and Rylee is left questioning whether she is the architect of her own destruction or simply a victim of circumstance.

The Norsemen's Revenge

The Norsemen, a rival biker gang, resurface with a vendetta against Rylee. Past altercations come back to haunt her, and the threat of violence becomes all too real. Despite warnings from Butch and the Rebels, Rylee's impulsiveness puts her in harm's way. The Taylor brothers rally to protect her, but the danger escalates, culminating in a high-speed chase that brings Rylee's past trauma to the surface. The stakes are higher than ever, and survival is no longer guaranteed.

Crash and Consequence

A violent car chase with the Norsemen ends in a devastating crash, echoing the accident that killed Rylee's father. The brothers race to save her, their love and loyalty put to the ultimate test. The crash becomes a crucible for Rylee's trauma, forcing her to confront the pain she's tried so hard to bury. The aftermath is a reckoning—not just for Rylee, but for everyone who loves her. The lines between victim and survivor, sinner and saint, are blurred beyond recognition.

Picking Up the Pieces

In the wake of the crash, Rylee and the Taylors are left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. Old wounds are reopened, but new bonds are forged in the fires of adversity. Rylee's journey is far from over—she must learn to forgive, to trust, and to believe in the possibility of happiness, even in a world that seems determined to break her. The story ends on a note of hope, tempered by the knowledge that healing is a messy, nonlinear process. Rylee's scars remain, but so does her resilience—and the promise of a future she will fight for, no matter the cost.

Characters

Rylee Selwood

Rylee is the heart of the story—a young woman marked by trauma, betrayal, and a desperate need for love. Expelled from college for a forbidden relationship with her stepbrother Asher, she flees her toxic family and seeks solace in new friendships and reckless behavior. Rylee is fiercely independent yet deeply vulnerable, using sex and sarcasm as armor against a world that has repeatedly failed her. Her relationships with the Taylor brothers are fraught with desire, resentment, and longing, reflecting her internal battle between self-destruction and hope. Over the course of the novel, Rylee evolves from a runaway to a survivor, learning to confront her past, assert her boundaries, and fight for her own happiness—even as she remains haunted by the scars of her upbringing.

Asher Taylor

Asher is Rylee's stepbrother and the catalyst for much of her pain and passion. Charismatic, intelligent, and deeply conflicted, Asher is both Rylee's greatest love and her greatest betrayer. His inability to stand by her during the scandal at Brightmore leads to her expulsion and emotional exile. Asher is wracked by guilt and longing, torn between his desire for Rylee and his fear of destroying their family. His relationship with Jenny is a façade, maintained only to protect Rylee from blackmail. Asher's journey is one of self-reckoning—he must learn to take responsibility for his actions, fight for what he loves, and accept that forgiveness may never come. His love for Rylee is both his salvation and his curse.

Zayn Taylor

Zayn, Asher's twin, is the wild card of the Taylor family. Charming, irreverent, and unafraid of taboo, Zayn delights in pushing boundaries—especially Rylee's. His games of truth or dare are both seduction and psychological warfare, designed to test limits and expose hidden desires. Zayn's attraction to Rylee is intense and unapologetic, and he is less burdened by guilt than his brothers. Yet, beneath the bravado, Zayn is also searching for connection and meaning in a world that has cast him as an outsider. His relationship with Rylee is a dance of dominance, vulnerability, and mutual recognition of their shared brokenness.

Blake Taylor

Blake, the eldest Taylor brother, is the most guarded and morally rigid of the trio. Initially disdainful of Rylee, he is drawn into her orbit by a sense of responsibility and, eventually, reluctant affection. Blake's loyalty to his brothers is matched only by his skepticism of Rylee's intentions. However, as he witnesses her pain and resilience, he becomes a protector—offering her shelter, advice, and, in moments of weakness, forbidden intimacy. Blake's struggle is one of reconciling duty with desire, and learning that family is not defined by blood, but by the choices we make.

Chuck

Chuck is Rylee's closest friend and occasional lover in her new life. A member of the Rebels biker club, he offers Rylee a sense of safety and acceptance she has never known. Their relationship is physical and noncommittal, a mutual escape from pain. Chuck's loyalty is unwavering, but his ties to the biker world ultimately pull him away, leaving Rylee to face her demons alone. Chuck represents both the possibility of new beginnings and the inevitability of loss.

Phoebe Sloane

Phoebe is Rylee's childhood friend and the embodiment of unconditional support. Her impending wedding and her father's illness become catalysts for Rylee's return home and emotional reckoning. Phoebe is compassionate, pragmatic, and unafraid to challenge Rylee when necessary. She serves as a mirror, reflecting both Rylee's strengths and her self-destructive tendencies. Phoebe's own struggles with loss and change parallel Rylee's journey, highlighting the importance of chosen family.

Jenny

Jenny is Asher's ex-girlfriend and the architect of Rylee's downfall at Brightmore. Driven by jealousy and a need for control, she blackmails Asher with a sex tape, threatening to destroy both him and Rylee. Jenny's actions are fueled by pain and betrayal, but her willingness to weaponize secrets makes her a formidable antagonist. She represents the destructive power of resentment and the dangers of unresolved trauma.

Butch

Butch is a senior member of the Rebels and a stabilizing force in Rylee's life. He offers guidance, protection, and tough love, serving as a surrogate father figure in the absence of Rylee's own. Butch's loyalty to his club and his friends is unwavering, and he is instrumental in both Rylee's escape and her survival. His presence underscores the theme that family can be found in unexpected places.

Carmen, Jasmine, and Jeremy

Rylee's roommates in her new town are more than just background characters—they are her chosen family. Carmen is nurturing and optimistic, Jasmine is sharp and supportive, and Jeremy is goofy and loyal. Together, they provide Rylee with a sense of belonging and normalcy, helping her heal from the wounds of her past. Their eventual dispersal is a poignant reminder of the impermanence of found families, and the necessity of cherishing connection while it lasts.

Volts

Volts is a bartender at Wheels and a member of the biker community. His humor and warmth provide levity in dark moments, and his loyalty to Rylee is unwavering. Volts represents the importance of friendship, laughter, and resilience in the face of adversity.

Plot Devices

Nonlinear Narrative and Shifting Perspectives

The novel employs a nonlinear structure, moving between past and present, memory and reality. This mirrors Rylee's fractured sense of self and the way trauma disrupts the continuity of experience. The use of shifting perspectives—occasionally dipping into Asher's point of view—allows for a deeper exploration of motivation, guilt, and longing. The narrative's fragmentation heightens the emotional intensity and underscores the theme that healing is a messy, nonlinear process.

Games as Metaphor

The recurring motif of games—especially truth or dare—serves as both a literal and metaphorical device. The games are battlegrounds for power, desire, and vulnerability, exposing hidden truths and testing boundaries. They reflect the larger dynamics at play: who controls the narrative, who gets to define reality, and how far people will go to win. The games also blur the lines between consent and coercion, pleasure and pain, love and hate.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

The haunted lake, the recurring threat of car crashes, and the motif of cycles (running, returning, repeating mistakes) all serve as symbols of Rylee's internal struggles. The haunted lake represents unresolved trauma; the car crash is both a literal and metaphorical reckoning with mortality and loss. The cyclical nature of Rylee's journey—running from the past, only to be pulled back—underscores the difficulty of breaking free from destructive patterns.

Taboo and Transgression

The central taboo—Rylee's relationships with her stepbrothers—serves as both a catalyst for action and a source of ongoing conflict. The transgressive nature of their love is explored with nuance, highlighting the ways in which desire, shame, and societal judgment intersect. The novel does not shy away from the messiness of forbidden love, instead using it to interrogate questions of agency, consent, and the limits of forgiveness.

Found Family vs. Blood Family

The tension between found family (roommates, bikers) and blood family (the Taylors, Rylee's mother) is a central plot device. The novel explores the ways in which chosen families can offer healing and acceptance, while blood ties can be sources of pain and betrayal. The eventual dispersal of Rylee's found family is a poignant reminder of the impermanence of all relationships, and the necessity of forging one's own path.

Analysis

Pretty Savages is a raw, unflinching exploration of trauma, desire, and the search for belonging in a world that is both seductive and unforgiving. At its core, the novel is about the struggle to reclaim agency in the aftermath of betrayal—by family, by lovers, and by oneself. Rylee's journey is emblematic of the messy, nonlinear process of healing: she runs, she fights, she self-destructs, and she loves with a ferocity that is both her salvation and her undoing. The novel's willingness to engage with taboo—incestuous longing, sexual power games, and the allure of danger—forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the nature of love, loyalty, and forgiveness. Through its nonlinear structure, shifting perspectives, and rich symbolism, Pretty Savages invites us to question the boundaries between victim and survivor, sinner and saint. Ultimately, the novel suggests that healing is possible, but only through radical honesty, self-acceptance, and the courage to break free from the cycles that bind us. In a world of pretty savages, survival is an act of defiance—and love, in all its messy forms, is both the wound and the cure.

Last updated: December 27, 2025