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. ♥