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Xiveri Mates #2.5
Exiled from Nobu
He’s a dangerous human. He’s too hard to hate.
Exiled from my home world of Nobu, I have no intention of accepting Jaxal for a mate and assimilating with the brutish, feral human horde on their dingy wasteland of a planet.
But. There’s always a raxing but, isn’t there?
But when Voraxians threaten the strange harmony that exists here, I find myself in the ironic position of protector. And when Jaxal steps in to protect me , I start to wonder if he may be a male worth standing beside. Against anything. Even against my own kind. __________
Exiled from Nobu is a SciFi alien romance and a 17k-word novella in the Xiveri Mates series! It is best read as book 2.5 as the story picks up just after the events of Taken to Nobu. Like all Xiveri Mates stories, Exiled from Nobu features a new couple and has a guaranteed happily ever after.
Exiled from my home world of Nobu, I have no intention of accepting Jaxal for a mate and assimilating with the brutish, feral human horde on their dingy wasteland of a planet.
But. There’s always a raxing but, isn’t there?
But when Voraxians threaten the strange harmony that exists here, I find myself in the ironic position of protector. And when Jaxal steps in to protect me , I start to wonder if he may be a male worth standing beside. Against anything. Even against my own kind. __________
Exiled from Nobu is a SciFi alien romance and a 17k-word novella in the Xiveri Mates series! It is best read as book 2.5 as the story picks up just after the events of Taken to Nobu. Like all Xiveri Mates stories, Exiled from Nobu features a new couple and has a guaranteed happily ever after.
93 pages, ebook
Published March 21, 2023
About the author
Elizabeth Stephens
30 books1,584 followersTop 10 USA Today Bestselling author Elizabeth Stephens writes books where beastly men—or sometimes just beasts—always get the girl.
A full-time hybrid indie and traditionally published author, Elizabeth is best known for her Supers in the City series (Montlake) and her indie works like The Bone King and the Starling and Dark City Omega. In all of her books, readers can expect diverse casts, epic world-building, quests with unexpected twists, and women of color being celebrated loudly, Black and biracial women in particular.
When she isn’t writing, you might find Elizabeth enjoying the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest or traveling and making adventures of her own with her husband, tiny humans, and doggo, King Louis.
A full-time hybrid indie and traditionally published author, Elizabeth is best known for her Supers in the City series (Montlake) and her indie works like The Bone King and the Starling and Dark City Omega. In all of her books, readers can expect diverse casts, epic world-building, quests with unexpected twists, and women of color being celebrated loudly, Black and biracial women in particular.
When she isn’t writing, you might find Elizabeth enjoying the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest or traveling and making adventures of her own with her husband, tiny humans, and doggo, King Louis.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 20, 2023
Aww, a nice little Redemption for a naughty girl. Also loved a human male and alien female match.
4 stars
2 on the spice scale
4 stars
2 on the spice scale
June 29, 2026
I came to Stephens from her Supers in the City series (and Bone King and the Starling) and I'm just having a hard time finding that humor and chemistry in this Xiveri mates series at all. Maybe I just don't know how to read this genre? I read other alien books like Ruby Dixon or Zoe Draven or Victoria Aveline just fine, but these seem hard for me to latch on to. Maybe it's the elaborate titles and multiple names everyone has, maybe it's the five (and only these five) alien words she uses widely (yes, no, explain, [fork] exclamatory and [fork] verb and noun). I'm going to keep going through Pikosa so we'll see.
So this is a little novella, only found in the bundled set of the first three books. Lisbel and Jaxal are fated mates but both very prejudiced against the other's race, so not happy about it. They get exiled on the human colony after her attempt at getting rid of the Kiki in the previous book. They go from sniping and insulting each other to lusting after each other to being in love and like. There's no evidence of the transition to liking, it's just asserted. Lisbel starts to appreciate the humans, Jalax idk what he does to mend fences. I didn't feel it at all.
Also that Tri-God religion that Svera belongs to where she was all, sex bad, even involuntary mating bonds, judging and men in charge good, is apparently thriving on the colony? And still up to their "feel so much shame when you get SA'd by aliens that maybe off yourself" vibe. In the first book Svera was the outlier, but now there's a bunch of them, and they got Lisbel too.
So this is a little novella, only found in the bundled set of the first three books. Lisbel and Jaxal are fated mates but both very prejudiced against the other's race, so not happy about it. They get exiled on the human colony after her attempt at getting rid of the Kiki in the previous book. They go from sniping and insulting each other to lusting after each other to being in love and like. There's no evidence of the transition to liking, it's just asserted. Lisbel starts to appreciate the humans, Jalax idk what he does to mend fences. I didn't feel it at all.
Also that Tri-God religion that Svera belongs to where she was all, sex bad, even involuntary mating bonds, judging and men in charge good, is apparently thriving on the colony? And still up to their "feel so much shame when you get SA'd by aliens that maybe off yourself" vibe. In the first book Svera was the outlier, but now there's a bunch of them, and they got Lisbel too.
November 5, 2024
3.75*
The gap from hate to Love was crossed too suddenly for my taste, but otherwise, this was great! I loved Lisbel as a character
The gap from hate to Love was crossed too suddenly for my taste, but otherwise, this was great! I loved Lisbel as a character
March 27, 2023
3 1/2 Stars
This rating is only for the novella, Exiled from Nobu. I enjoyes Lisbel and Jaxal coming to terms with their mating. A short story and addition to the Xiveri Mates world. Happy reading!
This rating is only for the novella, Exiled from Nobu. I enjoyes Lisbel and Jaxal coming to terms with their mating. A short story and addition to the Xiveri Mates world. Happy reading!
September 16, 2024
💫[instagram]💫[storygraph]💫[YouTube]💫[Supernova Blog]💫
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💬: N/A
📖Genres: romance, sci-fi, sci-fi romance, aliens, fantasy romance
📚Page Count: 93
🎧Audiobook Length: 02h 00min
👩🏾🏫My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 - 4.5/5
----
TW -
*I read this story because it was recommended by romance author, Katee Roberts*
Exiled from Nobu by Elizabeth Stephens is the first novella in the Xiveri Mates series and it's chronologically book 2.5 in the series. Lisbel has been exiled from Nobu with her Xiveri Mate Jaxal but does she actually love him? Does she even like him? He seems brutish and even though she wants to hate him, she can't. When Lisbel finds herself in the position of protecting someone, she's impressed to watch Jaxal protect her. Maybe they can grow to really love each other, if they truly are Xiveri Mates.
This novella was cute, fun, and it definitely redeemed Lisbel from her previous actions in the 2nd Xiveri Mates book, "Take to Nobu". Book 2 needs to be read before reading this book, book 2.5 to fully understand what's happening in the background of the story. I think the only thing I didn't like about the story is how Lisbel slaps Jaxal in the face over a misunderstanding, Other than this scene, the rest of the novella was enjoyable and I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series.
I enjoyed the audio narration of this novella just as much as I liked the narration of both of the pervious full length books. Blaire Leblanc returns to voice Lisbel and a few side characters and Marquis De Sade voices Jaxal and a few other side characters as well. They both continue to do a wonderful job. This and the previous Xiveri Mates audiobook were published by Vitruvian Sound and so far I've liked all three of the audiobook narrations, they did a wonderful job with producing this.
The spicy scenes in here were short but they were still really nice. I'm giving the spicy scenes three point five chilies 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 out of five chilies
Overall, this novella was really enjoyable. I did have a problem with Lisbel slapping Jaxal when she got mad, but other than that it was a good story. I'm giving this 4.5 out of 5 stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 - 4.5/5 Stars
I listened to this audiobook for free on [Libbyapp.com]
---
💬: N/A
📖Genres: romance, sci-fi, sci-fi romance, aliens, fantasy romance
📚Page Count: 93
🎧Audiobook Length: 02h 00min
👩🏾🏫My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 - 4.5/5
----
TW -
*I read this story because it was recommended by romance author, Katee Roberts*
Exiled from Nobu by Elizabeth Stephens is the first novella in the Xiveri Mates series and it's chronologically book 2.5 in the series. Lisbel has been exiled from Nobu with her Xiveri Mate Jaxal but does she actually love him? Does she even like him? He seems brutish and even though she wants to hate him, she can't. When Lisbel finds herself in the position of protecting someone, she's impressed to watch Jaxal protect her. Maybe they can grow to really love each other, if they truly are Xiveri Mates.
This novella was cute, fun, and it definitely redeemed Lisbel from her previous actions in the 2nd Xiveri Mates book, "Take to Nobu". Book 2 needs to be read before reading this book, book 2.5 to fully understand what's happening in the background of the story. I think the only thing I didn't like about the story is how Lisbel slaps Jaxal in the face over a misunderstanding, Other than this scene, the rest of the novella was enjoyable and I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series.
I enjoyed the audio narration of this novella just as much as I liked the narration of both of the pervious full length books. Blaire Leblanc returns to voice Lisbel and a few side characters and Marquis De Sade voices Jaxal and a few other side characters as well. They both continue to do a wonderful job. This and the previous Xiveri Mates audiobook were published by Vitruvian Sound and so far I've liked all three of the audiobook narrations, they did a wonderful job with producing this.
The spicy scenes in here were short but they were still really nice. I'm giving the spicy scenes three point five chilies 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 out of five chilies
Overall, this novella was really enjoyable. I did have a problem with Lisbel slapping Jaxal when she got mad, but other than that it was a good story. I'm giving this 4.5 out of 5 stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 - 4.5/5 Stars
I listened to this audiobook for free on [Libbyapp.com]
October 2, 2025
Lisbel and Jaxal
Book 2.5 Xiveri Mates
Genre: Sci-Fi Alien Romance
Tropes: fated mates, black MMC, alien FMC, enemies to lovers, novella
Spice: 3/5
Content Warnings: violence, religious persecution
POV: 1st person POV
Audiobook: Duet Narration!
We met Lisbel in Book 2 of the Xiveri Mates series. She betrays Kiki and the Va'Raku. When she arrives for her trial, the mating bond between her and a member of the human delegation flares up, Jaxal. She loses her trial, despite Jaxal's efforts and is exiled from Nobu to live on the human settlement.
Jaxal hates the aliens. He was one of Kiki's best friends and her combat trainer. So when he feels the mating bond with the alien who almost caused Kiki's death, he is furious. He takes her in on the human colony. The bond wants him to be near her, but can't stand her.
A stranger in a strange land, Lisbel is stuck with Jaxal, hated by her own kind, yet inexplicably embraced by the humans. She slowly redeems herself. She begins to shed her rough exterior and may even find love at the end of the day.
Book 2.5 Xiveri Mates
Genre: Sci-Fi Alien Romance
Tropes: fated mates, black MMC, alien FMC, enemies to lovers, novella
Spice: 3/5
Content Warnings: violence, religious persecution
POV: 1st person POV
Audiobook: Duet Narration!
We met Lisbel in Book 2 of the Xiveri Mates series. She betrays Kiki and the Va'Raku. When she arrives for her trial, the mating bond between her and a member of the human delegation flares up, Jaxal. She loses her trial, despite Jaxal's efforts and is exiled from Nobu to live on the human settlement.
Jaxal hates the aliens. He was one of Kiki's best friends and her combat trainer. So when he feels the mating bond with the alien who almost caused Kiki's death, he is furious. He takes her in on the human colony. The bond wants him to be near her, but can't stand her.
A stranger in a strange land, Lisbel is stuck with Jaxal, hated by her own kind, yet inexplicably embraced by the humans. She slowly redeems herself. She begins to shed her rough exterior and may even find love at the end of the day.
August 15, 2024
We met Lisbel from Taken to Nobu, where she played the part of a wilful and scorned childhood mate of the Okarri. She longed to be the queen of Nobu, and tried to seduce the Okarri and led Kiki almost to her death because of her viciousness. In all of the twisted way Elizabeth plotted her story, she paired her with Kiki’s best friend, Jaxal, who had trained her relentlessly after her capture from the Hunt.
Jaxal, a human, hated aliens. After his mother participated in the Hunt, she k*lled herself due to disgust and horror. This left a gaping hole of hatred in Jaxal’s heart against the aliens, but the Xana came for both him and Lisbel, and I wanted to see if Elizabeth can redeem Lisbel, and heal Jaxal. Fated mates where each hate the other’s species? Let’s go!
In seven chapters, there’s not much depth, but Lisbel did redeem herself, while maintaining her thorny, prickly attitude. Just for that, I’m giving this a solid three stars.
Jaxal, a human, hated aliens. After his mother participated in the Hunt, she k*lled herself due to disgust and horror. This left a gaping hole of hatred in Jaxal’s heart against the aliens, but the Xana came for both him and Lisbel, and I wanted to see if Elizabeth can redeem Lisbel, and heal Jaxal. Fated mates where each hate the other’s species? Let’s go!
In seven chapters, there’s not much depth, but Lisbel did redeem herself, while maintaining her thorny, prickly attitude. Just for that, I’m giving this a solid three stars.
May 22, 2025
This is a cute lil novella telling the story of Lisbel and Jaxal (which my brain always autocorrects to Jaxon bc his name is actually insane).
I was really happy to get Lisbel’s redemption arc after her villain arc in book 2. I was very curious about her and saw her almost like an alien version of Kiki, back when she hated aliens on principle. They seemed to be two sides of a coin, so I was delighted when Lisbel then turns out to be the soulmate of her best friend from home.
This story was a little more cheesy than the others in my opinion, but it kinda has to be with such a short word count. It’s a nice little blip in their universe and gives us some insight in their individual journeys of hate to love. I’ll be interested to see how these changes reflect their place in the overall universe in the next books.
3⭐️
I was really happy to get Lisbel’s redemption arc after her villain arc in book 2. I was very curious about her and saw her almost like an alien version of Kiki, back when she hated aliens on principle. They seemed to be two sides of a coin, so I was delighted when Lisbel then turns out to be the soulmate of her best friend from home.
This story was a little more cheesy than the others in my opinion, but it kinda has to be with such a short word count. It’s a nice little blip in their universe and gives us some insight in their individual journeys of hate to love. I’ll be interested to see how these changes reflect their place in the overall universe in the next books.
3⭐️
November 1, 2023
I was looking forward to this novella cuz I love seeing how characters are redeemed and I was also curious to see more of Jaxal as Kiki’s best friend. Unfortunately this did not work for me 😬 I loved seeing more of the human community and the like, but I couldn’t really root for the romance and I think it suffered for being a novella in there wasn’t enough time to really show them getting to know each other and fall in love despite prejudices and history and stuff. I also have Strong Negative Feelings about under- and non-negotiated kink, so Jaxal spanking Lisbel without explaining or talking to her - esp considering she’d have no context being Voraxian and not human - really immediately turned this from okay book to Do Not Like.
November 13, 2025
This is a short little novella on the Xiveri Mates series.
I listened to the audiobook.
Overall, I’d say it’s cute and in line with the rest of the series, but there’s an odd mention of age-gap relationships where someone falls for their mate when one is an adult and the other is not, and then has to wait until they’re an adult to get together.
It happened in book one, but seemed more like they were both adults, just not the adequate # of rotations (seven) to partake in the mating ritual thing (—I interpreted this as being an adult at 18, but can’t drink until 21 in the states—), but in this novella it was brought up, and felt a little groomer-y and creepy. I reduced the rating for this creep factor.
I listened to the audiobook.
Overall, I’d say it’s cute and in line with the rest of the series, but there’s an odd mention of age-gap relationships where someone falls for their mate when one is an adult and the other is not, and then has to wait until they’re an adult to get together.
It happened in book one, but seemed more like they were both adults, just not the adequate # of rotations (seven) to partake in the mating ritual thing (—I interpreted this as being an adult at 18, but can’t drink until 21 in the states—), but in this novella it was brought up, and felt a little groomer-y and creepy. I reduced the rating for this creep factor.
March 28, 2023
“You’re xoking an old maid.”
I grin and rotate until I’m hovering over her. I laugh down into her mouth and inhale her scent. That iceberg is melting right quick.
“You move good for an old lady.”
In Exiled from Nobu we finally see what happened to Lisbel after her *Trial*. Jaxal who suddenly found himself a feisty mate, tries his best to survive her or she him. We never know!
I liked their dynamic and how there is no ego between them. Both insult and love each other like there is no tomorrow and I am here for everything! It was sadly a short read but worth every second. Patiently waiting for another awesome book from Elisabeth Stephens.
I grin and rotate until I’m hovering over her. I laugh down into her mouth and inhale her scent. That iceberg is melting right quick.
“You move good for an old lady.”
In Exiled from Nobu we finally see what happened to Lisbel after her *Trial*. Jaxal who suddenly found himself a feisty mate, tries his best to survive her or she him. We never know!
I liked their dynamic and how there is no ego between them. Both insult and love each other like there is no tomorrow and I am here for everything! It was sadly a short read but worth every second. Patiently waiting for another awesome book from Elisabeth Stephens.
February 13, 2024
This was a fun novella! The FMC is Lisbel, who has been exiled as punishment for lying to Kiki and almost getting her killed. The MMC is Jaxal, who was friends with Kiki and helped trained her. They are also Xiveri mates which we found out at the end of the previous book. Lisbel has not been adapting very well to living on the human moon colony. This was a fun getting to see a little bit more of the human colony and them taking Lisbel in, even though she is a bit of a grump to them. Loved Lisbel and Jaxal falling in love. Super cute!
April 11, 2023
I absolutely hated Lisbet when she went against Kiki but I absolutely adore her now that she has finally proven to everyone that she is good and her actions were only a product of her upbringing in a society that doesn't care much about "inferior beings. Jaxal was absolutely amazing too, especially at the end with his ultimate devoted actions. A page turner that makes this series even more amazing in it's complexity.
May 27, 2024
this would have been nice if it wasn't a novella - so it just rushes a really interesting dynamic and could have offered an insight into how complex it is to fold their planet into Voraxia. Like, this could have done so much and especially in comparison to book 2 it just dropped the ball at every turn.
I also really did not like how Jaxal introducing a Dom/sub dynamic given how utterly different their understanding of sexuality and cultural connotations are.
I also really did not like how Jaxal introducing a Dom/sub dynamic given how utterly different their understanding of sexuality and cultural connotations are.
October 6, 2025
Not a bad read.. short novela, so.things happened really fast. but the relationships arc was decently done, within such a short space (pages). it's more of an enemies to lovers than the first 2 books, since both MC's despise the race the other comes from, but since they are mated, all is well when it ends well.
May 3, 2023
Jaxal and Lisbels' story ❤️ it's a cute and quick read. I like how Lisbel is a bit of a psycho, and I love how Jaxal loves it lol I do wish it was just a few pages longer to include if they add to their family. But it's a super quick and cute read 📚
March 26, 2024
Cute little novella.
I wish there was more time to explore Lisbel and Jaxals journey and go more indepth into the way they adjust to each other a living with the humans. However for a novella length it was a sweet read.
I wish there was more time to explore Lisbel and Jaxals journey and go more indepth into the way they adjust to each other a living with the humans. However for a novella length it was a sweet read.
March 28, 2024
This one was so fun! Really a taste of your own medicine! It was a joy to read about two characters you should hate in the series. Kinda like Draco and lavender brown fanfic. But done so well I was so into it l. Also like when she gets in trouble 🥵🥵🥵🥵
June 19, 2024
So I am writing a universal review for all 10 books in this series. This is one of the best acid I romance series ever. Everyone single full book and the novellas are all five stars. The audiobooks are also so well done! I relished to them all the time. Such as incredibly talented author.
January 14, 2024
Cute novella..another great read
March 27, 2024
Super short
August 13, 2024
3.5✨️✨️✨️
September 6, 2024
Read as part of Xiveri Mates Collection 1. Yesss! I love a little redemption for some previously introduced baddies.
October 15, 2024
lisbon needs to apologize to keke.....big time.
February 15, 2025
Good story, but not nearly as captivating as the other books of the series.
November 3, 2025
I would have liked a bit more time with the couple for the chemistry to be believable, and I didn't like that Lisbel kept Jaxal, regardless of her reasons.
November 30, 2025
another enemies to lovers for the exiled bad girl from the previous book. I really like that the humans on the original desert moon planet are not all white. I appreciate the redemption arc too
March 11, 2026
This was a cute, funny and touching tale all wrapped up in a wonderful novella bow of words. I loved Lisbel and Jaxal together. Just adored them.
August 25, 2025
3.5 rounded up. Short and mean just like I like em.
This is with side characters continued from book 2 Taken to Nobu. Lisbel was kinda a bitch and Jaxal wasn't much better. Both were very bitter and dissatisfied with their lives though they lived in very different worlds...literally. Surprised and not pleased to be sudden Xiveri mates they still attempt to do right be the other and along the way realize even the shitty things seem brighter with the right (for them) partner by your side and having your back.
I enjoyed this little detour and return to the human moon colony!
This is with side characters continued from book 2 Taken to Nobu. Lisbel was kinda a bitch and Jaxal wasn't much better. Both were very bitter and dissatisfied with their lives though they lived in very different worlds...literally. Surprised and not pleased to be sudden Xiveri mates they still attempt to do right be the other and along the way realize even the shitty things seem brighter with the right (for them) partner by your side and having your back.
I enjoyed this little detour and return to the human moon colony!
December 31, 2024
Title: Exiled from Nobu
Series: Xiveri Mates
# in series: 2.5
Author: Elizabeth Stephens
Genre: Sci-Fi Alien Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Fated Mates, Forced Proximity, Hate to Love, Monster Romance, She's the alien,
Rep: Black Author, Black MMC
Pages: 93
Steam: Open door
Spice: 🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Review: Fascinating to see one of the "villains" from book 2 to get their own love story. It was fun going back to the moon and getting a peek at the humans still living there. I enjoyed seeing a non-human FMC being found attractive by the human MMC, and I think their chemistry is believable.
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.
.
.
.
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CW: From author's website: violence, explicit sex, dubcon, morally grey FMC, off-page trauma, battles
Pregnancy?: No
Babies/Children?: Yes, some human children that become attached to the FMC
Series: Xiveri Mates
# in series: 2.5
Author: Elizabeth Stephens
Genre: Sci-Fi Alien Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Fated Mates, Forced Proximity, Hate to Love, Monster Romance, She's the alien,
Rep: Black Author, Black MMC
Pages: 93
Steam: Open door
Spice: 🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Review: Fascinating to see one of the "villains" from book 2 to get their own love story. It was fun going back to the moon and getting a peek at the humans still living there. I enjoyed seeing a non-human FMC being found attractive by the human MMC, and I think their chemistry is believable.
.
.
.
.
.
.
CW: From author's website: violence, explicit sex, dubcon, morally grey FMC, off-page trauma, battles
Pregnancy?: No
Babies/Children?: Yes, some human children that become attached to the FMC
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews