If you crave intense enemies‑to‑lovers with emotional depth and characters scarred by their pasts, The Nature of Cruelty by L.H. Cosway is your next obsession. Lana and Robert’s summer under the same roof is messy, real, and beautifully healing.

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This post contains affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links.

What is The Nature of Cruelty by L.H. Cosway all about?

Lana never let her illness define her. Robert once thrived on pushing her until love became his real game. When Lana moves to London and ends up living with Robert’s sister, a truce turns into raw emotional transformation. Their summer together peels back masks and unveils truth, forcing forgiveness and unexpected love.

The Nature of Cruelty by L.H. Cosway Book Review

I was blown away earlier this year by L.H. Cosway’s storytelling, when I read PAINTED FACES.  Now, imagine my excitement that there was a new book by her coming out!  I didn’t really have any expectations on what I would get with this book.  I went in blind with faith in the author to tell an unexpected story.  And that’s exactly what she did.

The one thing I now know is that L.H. Cosway is more than a writer, she has an amazing ability for telling stories that draw you in completely and never once make you feel as if you’ve read this before.  Unique and compelling.

THE NATURE OF CRUELTY by L.H. Cosway is the story of three friends.  Lana who lives in Scotland, and a set of twins who spent their summers as her neighbors and the rest of the year with their rich dad in London.  Of course the girl becomes Lana’s best friend and the boy her nemesis.  Robert has made it a point his whole life to be mean and hurtful to Lana, causing a lot of insecurities in her.  But this was a clear case of when your parents tell you a boy bothers you because he likes you.

Robert has been in love with Lana from the very first time he saw her, he acted the only way he thought he knew how.  But now that she’s spending a summer visiting in London he plans to act on his desires and get the only girl of his dreams.

I loved Lana’s character most of the time.  She’s smart and a bit nerdy, but has just enough feisty in her to keep me interested to what was going on with her.  She also has a lot of her own issues to deal with her health.  I think sometimes she was a bit oblivious as a friend and was too focused on herself.  But she has a sweet heart.

Robert on the other hand is just INTENSE.  He is one of those people that lives life to the extreme every second.  I liked him for the most part, and that might be my attraction to asses.  But I was actually waiting for the other shoe to drop with him.  I thought there would be more to his story and it never came.

The chemistry between Robert and Lana was excellent.  Somewhat subdued at first and then molting hot.  Their relationship was a bit co-dependent but it worked.

What I wasn’t too happy about was Lana towards the end.  I just didn’t really understand her hot and cold … and then hot switches.  Although I get her point and why she did certain things, I don’t think what and how was the more mature approach for someone who displayed a level of maturity during the whole book beforehand.

This is definitely another winner by L.H. Cosway, who is now on my auto buy when I want a book to surprise me and give me a story like nothing I’ve read before.

If you’re craving a love story that doesn’t shy away from cruelty and emotional scars, The Nature of Cruelty by L.H. Cosway delivers in spades. Lana’s strength, Robert’s intensity, and their slow melt from childhood antagonists to lovers is messy, real, and deeply cathartic.

The Nature of Cruelty by L.H. Cosway Playlist

Author L.H. Cosway has shared with us her playlist for this book!

Here’s my playlist for The Nature of Cruelty by L.H. Cosway, taken directly from my iPod. In brackets after the songs I’ve written down which characters I thought of while listening to each one.

• St. Vincent – Cruel (Robert & Lana)
• Kaiser Chiefs – Oh My God (Lana)
• Dresden Dolls – Shores of California (Robert & Lana)
• Adam and the Ants – Prince Charming (Robert)
• The Killers – Mr Brightside (Robert & Kara)
• Muse – Madness (Robert & Lana)
• Mumford & Sons – Little Lion Man (Robert)
• Marina and the Diamonds – Hermit the Frog (Lana)
• The Bravery – An Honest Mistake (Robert)
• Sleigh Bells – Infinity Guitars (Sasha)
• Lana Del Rey – Born to Die (Lana)
• Marina & the Diamonds – Obsessions (Robert & Lana)
• Spandau Ballet – Gold (Alan)
• Kasabian – Fire (Robert)
• Joan Jett – Crimson & Clover (Sasha)
• Fallout Boy – Grand Theft Autumn (Robert & Lana)
• Damien Rice – The Blower’s Daughter (Robert & Lana)
• Ellie Goulding – Anything Could Happen (Robert & Lana)

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