Xavier Cold by Michelle A. Valentine Series: Hard Knocks #2
Published by Self-Published on January 20th 2016
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: eARC
Source: ARC
Purchase @ AMAZON or BN
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Book two in the HARD KNOCKS series will follow up PHENOMENAL X.
The conclusion to the New York Times bestselling romance that began in Phenomenal X, about one woman’s pulse-pounding relationship with a notorious bad-boy wrestler.
“What’ll it be, Anna Cortez? Are you in, or are you out?”
One momentary loss of control has now ruined everything Xavier Cold had going for himself. With his world unraveling fast, he’s willing to do anything to save not only his job but his relationship with the only woman he’s ever loved.Anna Cortez, still reeling from shock, tries desperately to save the man that’s consumed her heart, body and soul. She’ll have to dig deep and find courage she never knew she possessed to help Xavier fight demons from his past—a past that’s even more haunted than she ever imagined.
Liezel’s Thoughts:
Well then, that sure was one way to conclude a series! I do have to admit that I was perturbed with how “Phenomenal X” ended. I also felt it frustrating that we had to wait so long for a follow-up but you know what…? I have to admit that the wait was well damn worth it!
After everything that occurred, I expected X and Anna’s relationship to be flourishing perhaps even moving towards a more permanent relationship that was based on a solid foundation of friendship and love. This amazing couple certainly had the potential to have it all but multiple factors kept coming their way hindering them from doing so.
It seemed like they had problems coming from all direction and, at first, they were able to withstand it all but when the shadows from Xavier’s past were factored in – this is when everything began to come crumbling down around them.
“Before Her I was lost in the darkness, battling demons all alone. I’m nowhere near healed, but with her light, I know I’ll be able to find my way out of my own self-destructed path…”
They both had a difficult time. What I thought was great however was witnessing just how far Anna would go for her man. I’ve already mentioned in my previous review how much I admired her integrity and in this second installment we see her shine even more. She truly was in all matters the light to X’s darkness.
I thought that X’s indecisiveness was aggravating but when I further thought about it, I realized all his decisions were always made to benefit his Anna. No matter what the consequences were she was always his top priority. Time and again, he proved just how important she was to him. If anything, all of his hang-ups made the story more compelling.
Another thing that I enjoyed about the book was the wrestling reference. I never found the sport compelling per se but the way the author described the in and out’s gave me a better appreciation of what it all entails. I really appreciate just how in depth the author went to create such a realistic background.
All in all, I loved this series. Besides the romance, the magnificent characters (both primary and secondary) were definitely the huge draw for me and I am hoping that this isn’t the last we hear about them.
The Verdict:
| My Review At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| Writing Style | |
| Story Flow and Pacing | |
| Overall Impact | |
| Character Development | |
| Heat/ Sexual Tension | |
| Overall: | 4 / 5 |
About Michelle A. Valentine
Katie Ashley is the New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Best-Selling author of The Proposition Series, Runaway Train Series, as well as several New Adult and Young Adult titles. Her latest series, Vicious Cycle, has been picked up for publication by Penguin Books.
She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her two very spoiled dogs. She has a slight obsession with Pinterest, The Golden Girls, Harry Potter, Shakespeare, Supernatural, Sons of Anarchy, Downton Abbey, Designing Women, and Scooby-Doo. With a BA in English, a BS in Secondary English Education, and a Masters in English Education, she spent 11 1/2 years educating the Youth of America aka teaching MS and HS English until she left to write full time in December 2012. She is represented by Jane Dystel of Dystel and Goderich Literary Management.
| My Review At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| Writing Style | |
| Story Flow and Pacing | |
| Overall Impact | |
| Character Development | |
| Heat/ Sexual Tension | |
| Overall: | 4 / 5 |
