Thank you!

Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars!

"I stared into the eyes of the man I love without a doubt, and there's no question that this is who I was made for, the man I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with. Our love--it's unbreakable. "

Xavier Cold is finally here!!! I can not even begin to tell you how excited I was to get my hands on this book. I have been waiting and I mean waiting a long time for this book to get into my hands. And now that it's finally here, I couldn't be happier.

Xavier Cold picks up right where we left off in Phenomenal X and I don't know about you guys, but I've been dying to know what happened next. When we meet up with Xavier and Anna again, they are still reeling from what happened at his fight. Xavier will quickly find that his actions had some big consequences. Xavier feels lost and like his world is coming apart at the seams. He will find himself with no choice, but to return to his childhood home until the dust settles. But, returning home is anything but good. You see, when Xavier returns home, some parts of his past refuse to stay hidden. What will happen when Xavier's past wants to become a part of his future? Will Anna be able to help Xavier fight his demons and get the life he's always wanted??

I have to tell you, it was so good to be with Anna and Xavier again. I loved the two of them together. I thought the love they had for one another was real special and they certainly had their share of ups and downs while on their journey to HEA. Things are definitely still challenging for the two of them in this book and their relationship will be tested in more ways than one, this go around.

Xavier Cold was a quick and easy read for me. It is told from dual points of view and can easily be read in one sitting. This book had plenty of drama, angst, frustration, romance and sexy good times. So, why did I rate this book only 3.5 stars? Well, here's the thing, the story was too fast paced. I know. I know. I usually love my books to be fast paced, but this was too much. Parts of the story just felt too rushed and left me wanting more. I wanted things to slow down. I wanted to enjoy the characters a little more and I wanted to see them work through their issues; maybe a little more fighting for the things that they wanted. My other problem was the drama. Yes, we did need some drama. That being said, I felt like there was just too much. I can't give you any details because if I do, it will spoil things. Lets just say that I felt like a lot of it was unnecessary and that's why I couldn't give this book a 4 star rating.

Other than those issues, I found this to be an enjoyable read. I loved getting to spend more time with Xavier and Anna again. I was excited to see how their story would turn out and I'm happy to finally have those answers.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*

Michelle Valentine wrote the conclusion to the Phenomenal X series. I adored Xavier and Anna together as a couple. It was lovely to see inside X head as we view his childhood which helped to create who he is. Lots of good plot twists that I didn't see coming. I hope Valentine will write more about this couple in the future.

Book 2 in the hard knocks series is just as great as the first one. I highly suggest reading this books if you haven't already. I'm super late to these books but I'm so glad I finally got to them

Finally!!

Finally we got to see what happened after that cliffhanger. Xavier and Anna's story got a little emotional in this book, lots of ups and downs, with a nice surprise thrown in the mix. Loved this story!

I was honored with an ARC copy of this book and I'm so glad. I couldn't wait much longer for this to come out. The first book in this series blew me away. I fell in love within the first two chapters. Once it was over I needed the second. So my honest review for receiving the ARC is here.

Anna and Xavier are back and Michelle did not disappoint. My excitement for this book is crazy lol. I love Xavier and Anna's relationship. These are two different personalities with two different backgrounds who fell in love. In this conclusion Anna and Xavier go through ups and downs, and at every corner someone is trying to break them up. However, after all this they realize no matter what in the end they just can't live without each other. This book had me at the edge of my seat. At one point I had to step back because I thought this couldn't be happening. I pushed through though and I'm so glad I did. Michelle's words capture you and make you feel apart of this book. Her writing is amazing and I'm so glad she brought us this series. I would recommend this series to anyone. This is seriously one of my favorite series. Michelle is awesome and she creates amazing characters. Thanks Michelle for being a writing genius. Not sure but I thinking you can tell I love this book haha

Review to come!










FINALLY!!! There's a release date!!

Jan.20.2016





AND THE COVERR!!




Can't wait!

"What are you doing to me, beautiful? You're changing me in ways I never thought possible."

Author Michelle Valentine left readers with one whopper of a cliffhanger in PHENOMENAL X, the kind that has you staring at the page thinking 'What the HECK just happened? Are you kidding me? I have to wait HOW long to find out what's next?!' Yeah, that kind of a cliffhanger. Suffice to say that XAVIER COLD, the second book in Michelle's Hard Knocks series, was heavily anticipated by fans of the first book, and well worth the wait.

The rivalry between Xavier Cold and Rex 'The Assassin' Risen, wrestlers for the Tension group, has reached an all-time high. Having lost control in the ring, Xavier finds himself banned from all things Tension for three months. Determined to keep his suspension from destroying their relationship, Xavier and Anna return to Detroit, X's childhood home, and the dwelling place of all of his personal demons. But the road to happily ever after is not an easy one, and these two have their work cut out for them.

Where PHENOMENAL X is the story of the beginning of Anna's and Xavier's relationship, this book is about overcoming the things that keep us from being the best version of ourselves, and creating our own reality. It's about their love for each other, and the freedom that this kind of love offers. And, finally, it's about the redemption that comes through such unconditional love.

I could not read this book quickly enough. It's full of grittiness and intrigue, secrets that are jaw-dropping, and the kind of love that completely changes the landscape of lives. 4.5 phenomenal stars for XAVIER COLD, and kudos to Michelle Valentine for another awesome read.

***ARC provided by the author for an honest review.***

Read the full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.

Note: This ARC was provided by InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review.


Okay, I'm just going to say it. Xavier and Anna needed one heck of a crash course in open communication. Had they learned to actually be honest and out there about whatever was going on inside their heads, then maybe they wouldn't have made as many insanely ill-thought choices throughout the story. The fact that they tried to justify those choices by saying they were doing what was best for the other person made me want to smack these two, increasing in force with each terrible error in judgment they would make. Anna's jealousy was a clear indication of just how little she trusted the man she claimed to love and would never leave...only to have her actually leave him. Eh? And seriously, avoiding phone calls is a really rather immature thing to do and made Xavier come as more cowardly than someone wanting to save his woman.

Now, all that being said, I actually liked the overall. Yes, it had more angst and melodrama than its predecessor, but what I liked most was finally learning more about Xavier and why he is the way he is. My heart broke for him every time memories of his childhood would come back through his nightmares. Then there was what he did to survive as a teenager simply because it was much easier to rely upon the supposed kindness of a stranger than actual family. And once again, Xavier Cold is the main reason I enjoyed this sequel and the entire duet. He's multi-layered and very complex. He makes it clear that he isn't the poster boy for all things nice and shiny, but that belies the kind of man that he is on the inside. I'm going to recommend that you read Phenomenal X before heading into Xavier Cold, which gets four stars. ♥

After that cliffhanger from Phenomenal X, I wasn't sure where Michelle was going to take this book. I couldn't wait to find out what happens next. She did not disappoint!! I absolutely loved this story. I loved Xavier. You got to learn so much more about him in this book. You were left on the edge of your seat, the entire time you were reading. It was an amazing ending to a great series. I can't wait to read what Michelle has next.