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Xander
She only fought battles for others… never expecting someone to wage a war for her.
Calm. Calculating. Disciplined.
Xander Maxwell thrives on controlling his emotions. The ruthless hockey player leaves it all on the ice but is levelheaded outside the rink. Until he comes face to face with his estranged father’s beautiful young bride.
Jordan—a walking wet dream with heart-stopping curves, a sunshine smile, golden hair, and bright blue eyes.
He shouldn’t be enticed. His only goal is to no longer live under his father’s thumb. It doesn’t matter that Jordan is the most beautiful woman on earth or that she radiates like the sun itself.
There is only one problem. She is everywhere—in his thoughts, in every bone, even in his blood. She has snuck into his dreams, and he can’t wrench her out.
***
Successful, affectionate, and warm.
Jordan Banks makes a career out of selling the perfect life. With clients consisting of the wealthy and famous elite, there is no room for error. Perfection is everything, especially to her controlling husband.
The only part of her life she hasn’t perfected is the one that matters the most—family.
When Xander returns home after years, it’s an opportunity to cement the close-knit family dynamic she has always craved. After all, she is closer to him in age than her husband. The unlikely bond she forges with Xander isn’t part of the plan, though. Nor does she expect to see the same suffocating loneliness reflected in his eyes, the one she’s found within her marriage.
Their undeniable connection comes at a cost. A series of devastating secrets come to light, shattering her not-so-perfect life and leaving only Xander to shield her from the glancing blows.
Jordan is used to fighting battles for her clients, but it’s Xander who wages a war for her.
Xander is a steamy reverse age-gap hockey romance. This dark book is inspired by Helen of Troy and the myths surrounding The Gods of Olympus. It includes explicit content and is only recommended for mature readers.
Calm. Calculating. Disciplined.
Xander Maxwell thrives on controlling his emotions. The ruthless hockey player leaves it all on the ice but is levelheaded outside the rink. Until he comes face to face with his estranged father’s beautiful young bride.
Jordan—a walking wet dream with heart-stopping curves, a sunshine smile, golden hair, and bright blue eyes.
He shouldn’t be enticed. His only goal is to no longer live under his father’s thumb. It doesn’t matter that Jordan is the most beautiful woman on earth or that she radiates like the sun itself.
There is only one problem. She is everywhere—in his thoughts, in every bone, even in his blood. She has snuck into his dreams, and he can’t wrench her out.
***
Successful, affectionate, and warm.
Jordan Banks makes a career out of selling the perfect life. With clients consisting of the wealthy and famous elite, there is no room for error. Perfection is everything, especially to her controlling husband.
The only part of her life she hasn’t perfected is the one that matters the most—family.
When Xander returns home after years, it’s an opportunity to cement the close-knit family dynamic she has always craved. After all, she is closer to him in age than her husband. The unlikely bond she forges with Xander isn’t part of the plan, though. Nor does she expect to see the same suffocating loneliness reflected in his eyes, the one she’s found within her marriage.
Their undeniable connection comes at a cost. A series of devastating secrets come to light, shattering her not-so-perfect life and leaving only Xander to shield her from the glancing blows.
Jordan is used to fighting battles for her clients, but it’s Xander who wages a war for her.
Xander is a steamy reverse age-gap hockey romance. This dark book is inspired by Helen of Troy and the myths surrounding The Gods of Olympus. It includes explicit content and is only recommended for mature readers.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2024
176 people are currently reading
995 people want to read
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August 1, 2024
Taboo and br3333ding deliciousness
This one hit the spot… I luuurve me some bread (😉) in my books… the more bread, the better 🤣👀. Add in the taboo factor AND a retelling? Ufff 😮💨… say lesssss!!!
Xander (19 in the past, 22/23 in the present) is hanging out with his friends when he tests out the Golden Apple Beauty app on a woman he’s mesmerized by 👀. According to the app, she’s perfectly beautiful 😅. Then he finds out that this perfect woman is going to be marrying his father 😒 and he’s not happy 😐.
Three unhappy years have passed since Jordan (34 in the past, 37 in the present) married Henry 😐. At the time, she had high hopes for a marriage with him and babies, but as time progressed, she became a shell of the woman she used to be. Before marrying him, she had a close relationship with Xander and had more freedom (including a friendship with Piya from 5000 Nights of Obsession), but once she said yes, it all changed 😒.
Now Xander is coming to visit during a quick break from his NHL career, and Jordan hopes to rebuild the friendship they had years before 😬. Plus, she ends up being hired to help with Xander’s career 😅.
What she doesn’t know is that Xander’s been bidding his time, making money, and is ready to take what should’ve always been his 😅.
Let the claiming begin 😈.
What I liked/loved: potential spoilers
—the 🔥. It all starts at about 23%. Xander can’t help himself, even if she’s not ready for him 😅. He’s been waiting three years for her, so I understand 🤷🏻♀️🤣. A little after 30% is when he REALLY can’t help himself, and, well, he has to consummate his feelings 🥵, and Jordan HAS to be along for the ride 😉😬🫣
—how dedicated Xander is to making sure Jordan feels… satisfied 😉😅😮💨. This man goes to great lengths to make her 💦. Yes. He loves to eat cereal 🥵
—how protective he is 🫶. Sometimes, he gets a little TOO protective 😬, but hey… I get it 😅. This is the love of his life 🤷🏻♀️. So he might keep her away from people that are trying to hurt her (and others), it’s for her own good 😅 (retelling points for this 😉). I loved when he kicked some DONKEY (ass 🤣) when Jordan was hurt 💁🏻♀️. Don’t nobody be messing with his woman 💅
—the references 😉. They are sprinkled throughout 😅. Jordan using a sheet like a toga, Xander being nicknamed Trojan warrior, being secluded/abducted and out on sea, the boat’s name, the Golden Apple, I can go on and on 🤣. The good thing is that if you don’t understand the allusions, then it doesn’t affect your enjoyment of the book 🫶
—how JP and MINEMINEMINE Xander is 👀. How dare men have eyes 🤣🤣🤣🤣💀 🤡
—the flashbacks 🫶. I enjoyed seeing them get close in the past ❤️
—the nonnie and dubbie Connie 🔥😉. Xander’s so sweet about it 🙃 (I’d consider it more on the dub side, but others might think otherwise)
—intelligence is seeeeeexy AF 🫠. Xander might be young, but he acts like a full grown man that’s ready to take on the world full of responsibilities, especially when it’s about Jordan ❤️👏🏻. He finds out information that many 22-year-olds would never have access to, and that makes him a formidable opponent 💅
—somno and breeeeding 😈. Xander has goals and Jordan wants a baby 🤷🏻♀️. Hop to it 👏🏻🤣🤣🤣
—how thoughtful and sweet Xander is 🫶. This man will do anything to make sure Jordan’s happy (except be separated from her🤣). So he takes her when she’s unaware 😅, at least he ensures he gets her all that she needs and then some ❤️🤷🏻♀️🤣
—he doesn’t care for puck bunnies 👏🏻. That’s my kind of man 💁🏻♀️. His only focus is Jordan ❤️. Which means…
—no owd 👏🏻
—bc tampering 😈
—the side characters 👀. ERMAGOD I was giggling when we saw Piya and Axel 🤣. Axel is still so JP 🤣💀. I also can’t wait to read the other books coming up 👀
—the epilogue 🥹🫶. I wanted more 😭
What I wanted more of: SPOILERS
—since Jordan comes from her own hard-work wealth, I’m surprised she didn’t see what Henry was doing sooner 😬, especially when it came to being locked up and away from others, like Piya 😬. But I also get that it’s part of the retelling, so I was able to overlook it 🤣
—a woman flashes Xander at his game 🙄🙄 I was annoyed 😒. Good thing he doesn’t stray his eyes away from Jordan 👏🏻 or else 😑
—there’s Greek spoken, but we don’t get a translation or context clues 😭
—I wanted some kind of expression from Xander at the end before the epilogue 😒
—a longer epilogue 😭😅🤣🤣🤣
Overall, I looooved it ❤️
⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating*/sharing/owd
-mental health issues
-abusive husband
-OMD: the h is still married when the MCs start being physical 😅/the H gets jealous that men have eyes 🫣
-noncon ish/dubcon
-dirty talk/marking/breeding
-HEA/epilogue/a year ish later
This one hit the spot… I luuurve me some bread (😉) in my books… the more bread, the better 🤣👀. Add in the taboo factor AND a retelling? Ufff 😮💨… say lesssss!!!
Xander (19 in the past, 22/23 in the present) is hanging out with his friends when he tests out the Golden Apple Beauty app on a woman he’s mesmerized by 👀. According to the app, she’s perfectly beautiful 😅. Then he finds out that this perfect woman is going to be marrying his father 😒 and he’s not happy 😐.
Three unhappy years have passed since Jordan (34 in the past, 37 in the present) married Henry 😐. At the time, she had high hopes for a marriage with him and babies, but as time progressed, she became a shell of the woman she used to be. Before marrying him, she had a close relationship with Xander and had more freedom (including a friendship with Piya from 5000 Nights of Obsession), but once she said yes, it all changed 😒.
Now Xander is coming to visit during a quick break from his NHL career, and Jordan hopes to rebuild the friendship they had years before 😬. Plus, she ends up being hired to help with Xander’s career 😅.
What she doesn’t know is that Xander’s been bidding his time, making money, and is ready to take what should’ve always been his 😅.
Let the claiming begin 😈.
What I liked/loved: potential spoilers
—the 🔥. It all starts at about 23%. Xander can’t help himself, even if she’s not ready for him 😅. He’s been waiting three years for her, so I understand 🤷🏻♀️🤣. A little after 30% is when he REALLY can’t help himself, and, well, he has to consummate his feelings 🥵, and Jordan HAS to be along for the ride 😉😬🫣
—how dedicated Xander is to making sure Jordan feels… satisfied 😉😅😮💨. This man goes to great lengths to make her 💦. Yes. He loves to eat cereal 🥵
—how protective he is 🫶. Sometimes, he gets a little TOO protective 😬, but hey… I get it 😅. This is the love of his life 🤷🏻♀️. So he might keep her away from people that are trying to hurt her (and others), it’s for her own good 😅 (retelling points for this 😉). I loved when he kicked some DONKEY (ass 🤣) when Jordan was hurt 💁🏻♀️. Don’t nobody be messing with his woman 💅
—the references 😉. They are sprinkled throughout 😅. Jordan using a sheet like a toga, Xander being nicknamed Trojan warrior, being secluded/abducted and out on sea, the boat’s name, the Golden Apple, I can go on and on 🤣. The good thing is that if you don’t understand the allusions, then it doesn’t affect your enjoyment of the book 🫶
—how JP and MINEMINEMINE Xander is 👀. How dare men have eyes 🤣🤣🤣🤣💀 🤡
—the flashbacks 🫶. I enjoyed seeing them get close in the past ❤️
—the nonnie and dubbie Connie 🔥😉. Xander’s so sweet about it 🙃 (I’d consider it more on the dub side, but others might think otherwise)
—intelligence is seeeeeexy AF 🫠. Xander might be young, but he acts like a full grown man that’s ready to take on the world full of responsibilities, especially when it’s about Jordan ❤️👏🏻. He finds out information that many 22-year-olds would never have access to, and that makes him a formidable opponent 💅
—somno and breeeeding 😈. Xander has goals and Jordan wants a baby 🤷🏻♀️. Hop to it 👏🏻🤣🤣🤣
—how thoughtful and sweet Xander is 🫶. This man will do anything to make sure Jordan’s happy (except be separated from her🤣). So he takes her when she’s unaware 😅, at least he ensures he gets her all that she needs and then some ❤️🤷🏻♀️🤣
—he doesn’t care for puck bunnies 👏🏻. That’s my kind of man 💁🏻♀️. His only focus is Jordan ❤️. Which means…
—no owd 👏🏻
—bc tampering 😈
—the side characters 👀. ERMAGOD I was giggling when we saw Piya and Axel 🤣. Axel is still so JP 🤣💀. I also can’t wait to read the other books coming up 👀
—the epilogue 🥹🫶. I wanted more 😭
What I wanted more of: SPOILERS
—since Jordan comes from her own hard-work wealth, I’m surprised she didn’t see what Henry was doing sooner 😬, especially when it came to being locked up and away from others, like Piya 😬. But I also get that it’s part of the retelling, so I was able to overlook it 🤣
—a woman flashes Xander at his game 🙄🙄 I was annoyed 😒. Good thing he doesn’t stray his eyes away from Jordan 👏🏻 or else 😑
—there’s Greek spoken, but we don’t get a translation or context clues 😭
—I wanted some kind of expression from Xander at the end before the epilogue 😒
—a longer epilogue 😭😅🤣🤣🤣
Overall, I looooved it ❤️
⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating*/sharing/owd
-mental health issues
-abusive husband
-OMD: the h is still married when the MCs start being physical 😅/the H gets jealous that men have eyes 🫣
-noncon ish/dubcon
-dirty talk/marking/breeding
-HEA/epilogue/a year ish later
June 4, 2024
Whooooooooo boy........I'm at 63% and this is becoming a one star book. Ill finish to see how it'll end at this point, but this has been one big disappointment 😭😭😭 I didn't get an ARC because I didn't know how this co writing would go. And you know what that means! I don't need to blow smoke up ANyONES ass and can give my honest opinion! Truth will hurt. Grab yo bandages.
So this goes from 3 years past to present REPEATEDLY and gave me a headache. She is a 32 year old PR rep and owns her own PR company. THAT SHE STARTED 12 YEARS AGO!!!!!! Are you fucking kidding me?!!?!? I was still in college and making a dinky starting salary after I graduated!!!!! So you're telling me......that at 22 years old......she not only got the connections and the capital to start her own PR firm while graduating college at a semi young age? Did I get that right? Okur. 👎👎👎
She's marrying Henry (xanders dad) for who the FUCK KNOWS. She wants a baby and the first thing she does is agree to marry an old shit bag with two older kids and a ex wife? You got your own hot shot career with rich and famous movie stars and celebs but you can't find someone better than an old dude? Okur. 👎👎👎👎👎👎 its never told whether or not they fuck but I'm guessing they did? Why is this not told to us? he's marrying her for someone to plan his parties? He has mistresses on the side ans slowly, he makes it so that she's mainly at home isolated. When they're planning the party, shes super duper excited to grow be xander and his brother jaspers stepmom, wanting to take care of them like a mom and shit lolololol. Dafuq. Henry keeps getting busy at work but probably fucking a mistress so she takes xander to all these wedding appointments and she's like "wow, it's so nice to hang out with xander cuz now it feels like we friends!" Lololololololol. She sure is gung ho about marrying the old geezer...
So right before the wedding, xander is telling her that she should leave with his ass, a broke 19 year old college kid who doesn't have no job and his dad pays for everything. She thinks he's telling her not to marry his dad because he thinks she's a golddigger. I'm not sure why she would need to if she has such a successful PR business for TWELVE fucking years but okur👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎
And THEN later on, we find out her parents died and she was in danger of harming.....herself?! Others?! And had to be put in a mental institution. Somehow, and its NEVER explained so far!!!!!!! Somehow!!! HeNry gets her to sign over conservatorShip over to him, making him her ward. Like.....what the fuckitty? Where did this come from?! Did we not learn nuffin from Britney Spears?! why is this not explained?! How And why did she sign over her life to Henry out of everyone? How bad was she, a successful, smart, business woman from 22 fucking years old to some shell of a woman that he made her into. How did she end up in a mental hospital. Im not saying it doesn't suck to lose parents but people lose parents, dogs, siblings, husbands, every fucking day in this world but our mental hospitals are hot jam packed with people 🤔🤔🤔🤔 so what the fuck happened?! That would make for a better story than xander. This is not explained well in the book and made me crazy. CRAZY!!!!! Fuck that shit bro.
Deep breath.
Anyhoo.
Then it kinda in the present time and shes gone through with the wedding. She holds parties for him and looks pretty while staying caged up in Henry's house. she walks in on him with a mistress and tells him she wants a divorce and he just kicks her ass, like full on swinging his leg back and kicking her and beating her face. Xander takes her away to his boat that he coowns with caden his cousin and takes her to Canada which is where he plays hockey for a Canadian team and is away from US jurisdiction.
She keeps bringing up the fact that at 37, she could be his mommy to his young 22 👎👎👎👎👎👎🤦🤦🤦🤦 and ahe keeps thinking that they're related because shes his stepmom.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😬😬😬😬😬😬👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎😂😂😂😂😂🙄 dafuq is THAT. and she wanted a baby so fucking bad with her conservator that she married him (finds out from xander that he got a vasectomy) but she doesn't want to have xander knock her up and leave her stranded with a baby so she tries to take birth control pills. MAKE IT MAKE SENSE. Gorl! You're 37! He's a viral, hot hockey player making millions and has better sperm than the sperm donor center and its free!!!! Take it. GOT DAMN 👎👎👎👎👎👎👎 sorry xander, sucks to be thrown over for an older, soggier cock lololololol 👎👎👎👎👎👎
I'm now where he takes her to hockey practices and games and men can't stop looking and starijg cuz she's so HAWT. Mmmhmmmm. Okur. 👎👎👎👎 and he's jealous at every turn. He's tracking her through her phone, making sure he gets her pregnant aoon , and you know....the usual shit 😂😂👎👎👎
Imma finish and finish this review but smh......👎👎👎👎👎ita hurtling towards a one star which hurts cuz drethi anis is better than this and one of my favorite authors......😭😭😭
Edited to add: yeah.......this aint it sis. It ends with him being just like his dad, wanting to have temporary conservatorship of her to keep her tied to him even more. What the fuck? She's so successful and a bad ass but she needs a babysitter 👎👎👎👎👎👎👎😬 she calls her friend piya from fatal obsession (I'm pretty sure) and she goes to France to escape. But she's also pregnant. And has no long term plans of how she's going to support herself and this baby while hiding out in another country 👎👎👎👎👎 you just gonna visit French cafes drinking decaf coffee all day 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄👎👎👎👎👎👎 her friend piya tells xander that she's so bad ass that she got a scar from her ex bf who threw any his keys at her face and she needed stitches for calling him a dingus. But she had everyone calling him a dingus anyway and that, my friends, made her BAD ASS 😂😂😂👎👎👎👎👎
She finds out he send her lots of messages via social media asking for forgiveness. then she writes a text to xander on his birthday with nothing but "happy birthday!" Lololololol lordy lordt! I guffawed. Its like when all the mice in the og Cinderella show cindy her new dress they made and say surprise surprise suprise! And Gus the mouse goes "uh uh HAPPY birthday!" 😂😂😂😂😂😂🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦 what the fuck?! He's pouring his heart out to you and that's how you reply.....what the fuckity....
If you love flowery, overwrought writing, this book is for YOU! "Memories of Xander danced at the edge of my consciousness like they did daily, the bittersweet remnants of our unfinished love story tugging at my heartstrings. The pang of longing for his presence, a yearning for the familiarity of his laughter and the comfort of his embrace hit me the hardest when I was around others."" 🤦🤦🤦👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎
He finds her and HEA (happy ever after).
👎👎👎👎👎 one star. Fuck man.
So this goes from 3 years past to present REPEATEDLY and gave me a headache. She is a 32 year old PR rep and owns her own PR company. THAT SHE STARTED 12 YEARS AGO!!!!!! Are you fucking kidding me?!!?!? I was still in college and making a dinky starting salary after I graduated!!!!! So you're telling me......that at 22 years old......she not only got the connections and the capital to start her own PR firm while graduating college at a semi young age? Did I get that right? Okur. 👎👎👎
She's marrying Henry (xanders dad) for who the FUCK KNOWS. She wants a baby and the first thing she does is agree to marry an old shit bag with two older kids and a ex wife? You got your own hot shot career with rich and famous movie stars and celebs but you can't find someone better than an old dude? Okur. 👎👎👎👎👎👎 its never told whether or not they fuck but I'm guessing they did? Why is this not told to us? he's marrying her for someone to plan his parties? He has mistresses on the side ans slowly, he makes it so that she's mainly at home isolated. When they're planning the party, shes super duper excited to grow be xander and his brother jaspers stepmom, wanting to take care of them like a mom and shit lolololol. Dafuq. Henry keeps getting busy at work but probably fucking a mistress so she takes xander to all these wedding appointments and she's like "wow, it's so nice to hang out with xander cuz now it feels like we friends!" Lololololololol. She sure is gung ho about marrying the old geezer...
So right before the wedding, xander is telling her that she should leave with his ass, a broke 19 year old college kid who doesn't have no job and his dad pays for everything. She thinks he's telling her not to marry his dad because he thinks she's a golddigger. I'm not sure why she would need to if she has such a successful PR business for TWELVE fucking years but okur👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎
And THEN later on, we find out her parents died and she was in danger of harming.....herself?! Others?! And had to be put in a mental institution. Somehow, and its NEVER explained so far!!!!!!! Somehow!!! HeNry gets her to sign over conservatorShip over to him, making him her ward. Like.....what the fuckitty? Where did this come from?! Did we not learn nuffin from Britney Spears?! why is this not explained?! How And why did she sign over her life to Henry out of everyone? How bad was she, a successful, smart, business woman from 22 fucking years old to some shell of a woman that he made her into. How did she end up in a mental hospital. Im not saying it doesn't suck to lose parents but people lose parents, dogs, siblings, husbands, every fucking day in this world but our mental hospitals are hot jam packed with people 🤔🤔🤔🤔 so what the fuck happened?! That would make for a better story than xander. This is not explained well in the book and made me crazy. CRAZY!!!!! Fuck that shit bro.
Deep breath.
Anyhoo.
Then it kinda in the present time and shes gone through with the wedding. She holds parties for him and looks pretty while staying caged up in Henry's house. she walks in on him with a mistress and tells him she wants a divorce and he just kicks her ass, like full on swinging his leg back and kicking her and beating her face. Xander takes her away to his boat that he coowns with caden his cousin and takes her to Canada which is where he plays hockey for a Canadian team and is away from US jurisdiction.
She keeps bringing up the fact that at 37, she could be his mommy to his young 22 👎👎👎👎👎👎🤦🤦🤦🤦 and ahe keeps thinking that they're related because shes his stepmom.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😬😬😬😬😬😬👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎😂😂😂😂😂🙄 dafuq is THAT. and she wanted a baby so fucking bad with her conservator that she married him (finds out from xander that he got a vasectomy) but she doesn't want to have xander knock her up and leave her stranded with a baby so she tries to take birth control pills. MAKE IT MAKE SENSE. Gorl! You're 37! He's a viral, hot hockey player making millions and has better sperm than the sperm donor center and its free!!!! Take it. GOT DAMN 👎👎👎👎👎👎👎 sorry xander, sucks to be thrown over for an older, soggier cock lololololol 👎👎👎👎👎👎
I'm now where he takes her to hockey practices and games and men can't stop looking and starijg cuz she's so HAWT. Mmmhmmmm. Okur. 👎👎👎👎 and he's jealous at every turn. He's tracking her through her phone, making sure he gets her pregnant aoon , and you know....the usual shit 😂😂👎👎👎
Imma finish and finish this review but smh......👎👎👎👎👎ita hurtling towards a one star which hurts cuz drethi anis is better than this and one of my favorite authors......😭😭😭
Edited to add: yeah.......this aint it sis. It ends with him being just like his dad, wanting to have temporary conservatorship of her to keep her tied to him even more. What the fuck? She's so successful and a bad ass but she needs a babysitter 👎👎👎👎👎👎👎😬 she calls her friend piya from fatal obsession (I'm pretty sure) and she goes to France to escape. But she's also pregnant. And has no long term plans of how she's going to support herself and this baby while hiding out in another country 👎👎👎👎👎 you just gonna visit French cafes drinking decaf coffee all day 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄👎👎👎👎👎👎 her friend piya tells xander that she's so bad ass that she got a scar from her ex bf who threw any his keys at her face and she needed stitches for calling him a dingus. But she had everyone calling him a dingus anyway and that, my friends, made her BAD ASS 😂😂😂👎👎👎👎👎
She finds out he send her lots of messages via social media asking for forgiveness. then she writes a text to xander on his birthday with nothing but "happy birthday!" Lololololol lordy lordt! I guffawed. Its like when all the mice in the og Cinderella show cindy her new dress they made and say surprise surprise suprise! And Gus the mouse goes "uh uh HAPPY birthday!" 😂😂😂😂😂😂🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦 what the fuck?! He's pouring his heart out to you and that's how you reply.....what the fuckity....
If you love flowery, overwrought writing, this book is for YOU! "Memories of Xander danced at the edge of my consciousness like they did daily, the bittersweet remnants of our unfinished love story tugging at my heartstrings. The pang of longing for his presence, a yearning for the familiarity of his laughter and the comfort of his embrace hit me the hardest when I was around others."" 🤦🤦🤦👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎
He finds her and HEA (happy ever after).
👎👎👎👎👎 one star. Fuck man.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2024
drethi anis has (somewhat) restored my faith in romance books once again🙏
spoilers below because i’m too excited i cant shut up 😆
i truly needed a book like this one. i was craving something different because every other dark romance books have been a carbon copy of the other, i begged for some originality and luckily drethi answered my prayers.
our hero, Xander fell in love with his step-mother, Jordan, at first sight when he met her at his fathers engagement party. their chemistry and connection right off the bat was a whirlwind. they understood each other at a deep level and connected over truly being seen and not lonely. while Jordan viewed Xander as her best friend at first, it was clear to Xander she was it for him since the beginning. my heart broke and i even shed some tears when Xander was blackmailed by his father to walk Jordan down the aisle which he wanted to vehemently decline. i’m a sucker for a man suffering and Xander suffered his fair share❤️ after Jordan married his father, Xander refused to see her for years and when they reconnected, it was like nothing has changed at all.
after a few years, Xander wasn’t a stupid young man anymore, he was now a strong, rich, man with a plan 😈 crazy to think that i thought Xander was soft and sweet, well i guess he is to Jordan but he would do any and everything to get her by his side and i just love a man that takes his power. Xander, my legs are spread🦵🙌 there’s a lot of push from Jordan but also a lot of force and power from Xander because his love for her blinded him a bit which made him hurt her unintentionally. i loved that everything Xander did was truly for Jordan even if his methods were batshit crazy, his love for her overruled his every sense and he did his very best to bring back the person Jordan once was. i also ATE. UP. every scene of Xanders desperation for Jordan to love him back and the scene where he couldn’t find her for two weeks. i have said this before and i will say it again, men need to suffer a bit before they get their happy ending!!!!😩🤣
now Jordan broke my mf heart!!! she is so successful but after her parents died, she felt into a hole of depression and was institutionalized which Xander’s father, Henry, used to his advantaged and got her to marry him. i hated this storyline but it had to happen. my heart is breaking for all the woman in the world who are still experiencing in abuse in their marriages 💜 i pray they get all the help they need.
this book gave me everything. it gave me a Helen of Troy retelling, it gave me an obsessed (and i meannnn obsessed) man, it gave me a DELICIOUS reverse age gap trope (which is honestly a new fav of mine bc helloooo its so hot), it gave me the feels and the spice🌶️ !!!! i can’t describe how much i love the way Drethi writes her obsessed Heroes because they are the type to be so obsessive, possessive, overbearing but are filled with so much love for their women, there is no length in which they will not go to make their women happy and with the amount of shitty men IRL, i need some good ones in my books please 🤲
safety (spoilers): no owd, no virgins, 3 year separation, CNC/DUB CON, domestic violence, reverse age gap (approx 14 years😏), breeding and BC tampering (classic 🤌)
- Jordan was married to H’s father (Henry) for three years
- Jordan experienced domestic abuse in her marriage with Henry, physical violence (one scene), emotional manipulation/abuse (3 years of their marriage)
- i believe it was vaguely said that, our H, Xander has been celibate since the first time he seen Jordan (he’s too obsessed so i wholeheartedly believe this)
- some non con/dub con scenes with Jordan and Xander
- some controlling and manipulation tactics from Xander (he works on this)
- Jordan had experienced mental health problems and was hospitalized and institutionalized after her parents death (not on page but recounted)
- small two weeks separation with Xander and Jordan near the end: both celibate (Xander just needed to get his head out of his ass)
spoilers below because i’m too excited i cant shut up 😆
i truly needed a book like this one. i was craving something different because every other dark romance books have been a carbon copy of the other, i begged for some originality and luckily drethi answered my prayers.
our hero, Xander fell in love with his step-mother, Jordan, at first sight when he met her at his fathers engagement party. their chemistry and connection right off the bat was a whirlwind. they understood each other at a deep level and connected over truly being seen and not lonely. while Jordan viewed Xander as her best friend at first, it was clear to Xander she was it for him since the beginning. my heart broke and i even shed some tears when Xander was blackmailed by his father to walk Jordan down the aisle which he wanted to vehemently decline. i’m a sucker for a man suffering and Xander suffered his fair share❤️ after Jordan married his father, Xander refused to see her for years and when they reconnected, it was like nothing has changed at all.
after a few years, Xander wasn’t a stupid young man anymore, he was now a strong, rich, man with a plan 😈 crazy to think that i thought Xander was soft and sweet, well i guess he is to Jordan but he would do any and everything to get her by his side and i just love a man that takes his power. Xander, my legs are spread🦵🙌 there’s a lot of push from Jordan but also a lot of force and power from Xander because his love for her blinded him a bit which made him hurt her unintentionally. i loved that everything Xander did was truly for Jordan even if his methods were batshit crazy, his love for her overruled his every sense and he did his very best to bring back the person Jordan once was. i also ATE. UP. every scene of Xanders desperation for Jordan to love him back and the scene where he couldn’t find her for two weeks. i have said this before and i will say it again, men need to suffer a bit before they get their happy ending!!!!😩🤣
now Jordan broke my mf heart!!! she is so successful but after her parents died, she felt into a hole of depression and was institutionalized which Xander’s father, Henry, used to his advantaged and got her to marry him. i hated this storyline but it had to happen. my heart is breaking for all the woman in the world who are still experiencing in abuse in their marriages 💜 i pray they get all the help they need.
this book gave me everything. it gave me a Helen of Troy retelling, it gave me an obsessed (and i meannnn obsessed) man, it gave me a DELICIOUS reverse age gap trope (which is honestly a new fav of mine bc helloooo its so hot), it gave me the feels and the spice🌶️ !!!! i can’t describe how much i love the way Drethi writes her obsessed Heroes because they are the type to be so obsessive, possessive, overbearing but are filled with so much love for their women, there is no length in which they will not go to make their women happy and with the amount of shitty men IRL, i need some good ones in my books please 🤲
safety (spoilers): no owd, no virgins, 3 year separation, CNC/DUB CON, domestic violence, reverse age gap (approx 14 years😏), breeding and BC tampering (classic 🤌)
- Jordan was married to H’s father (Henry) for three years
- Jordan experienced domestic abuse in her marriage with Henry, physical violence (one scene), emotional manipulation/abuse (3 years of their marriage)
- i believe it was vaguely said that, our H, Xander has been celibate since the first time he seen Jordan (he’s too obsessed so i wholeheartedly believe this)
- some non con/dub con scenes with Jordan and Xander
- some controlling and manipulation tactics from Xander (he works on this)
- Jordan had experienced mental health problems and was hospitalized and institutionalized after her parents death (not on page but recounted)
- small two weeks separation with Xander and Jordan near the end: both celibate (Xander just needed to get his head out of his ass)
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did-not-finish
July 7, 2024⤅ I wanted to like this book (as you can tell from the pre-review) but I just couldn't bring myself to.
I've decided not to leave a star rating, as I DNFed very early. I admit I've one-starred books I DNFed in the past, but for this one it was less of a burning dislike and more... sheer indifference.
I have noted it many times, but it never fails to astound me how an author whose work I love individually produces a totally different quality of book when it's a co-write. I can't even necessarily blame the other author, because sometimes I enjoy their individual books too! In this case, I've not read anything by Drethi Anis so I can't be sure if that's the issue. Whatever it is, I didn't get more than a couple of chapters in.
The first red flag was in the prologue, which starts by denigrating women as 'Karens' (quote: 'Karens ignore trigger warnings, only to complain about said warnings. Don't be a Karen'). I'm sorry (not really) but I am 100% of the opinion that Karen is an insult rooted in nothing but misogyny. It stereotypes the image of the nagging, complaining woman who won't just shut up and accept whatever she's been given; in fact, its ambit has been broadened (as in this case) to encompass basically any woman who's not happy with something. The normalisation of 'Karen' as an insult allows men a free pass to denigrate a critical woman without using historically misogynistic words (e.g. bitch) which people would pick up on. Seeing other women call any woman a Karen, no matter how valid your opinion of her behaviour, rubbed me the wrong way. Why not just call out any person who reads a book despite knowing they won't enjoy it?
There's also a strong argument that 'Karen' is racist: Karen is very overtly a white woman's name, and the insult is mostly directed against white women.
Getting off my soapbox now and back to the book: the writing also failed to draw me in. The first-person male POV is always a risky choice and it didn't feel convincing here. The prose was stilted and overall the rich, beautiful characters felt shallow - not purely on account of being rich and beautiful, but because there are already so many such characters in romance that they felt no different to a thousand other heroes or heroines.
Ended up DNFing.
Pre-review:
I've decided not to leave a star rating, as I DNFed very early. I admit I've one-starred books I DNFed in the past, but for this one it was less of a burning dislike and more... sheer indifference.
I have noted it many times, but it never fails to astound me how an author whose work I love individually produces a totally different quality of book when it's a co-write. I can't even necessarily blame the other author, because sometimes I enjoy their individual books too! In this case, I've not read anything by Drethi Anis so I can't be sure if that's the issue. Whatever it is, I didn't get more than a couple of chapters in.
The first red flag was in the prologue, which starts by denigrating women as 'Karens' (quote: 'Karens ignore trigger warnings, only to complain about said warnings. Don't be a Karen'). I'm sorry (not really) but I am 100% of the opinion that Karen is an insult rooted in nothing but misogyny. It stereotypes the image of the nagging, complaining woman who won't just shut up and accept whatever she's been given; in fact, its ambit has been broadened (as in this case) to encompass basically any woman who's not happy with something. The normalisation of 'Karen' as an insult allows men a free pass to denigrate a critical woman without using historically misogynistic words (e.g. bitch) which people would pick up on. Seeing other women call any woman a Karen, no matter how valid your opinion of her behaviour, rubbed me the wrong way. Why not just call out any person who reads a book despite knowing they won't enjoy it?
There's also a strong argument that 'Karen' is racist: Karen is very overtly a white woman's name, and the insult is mostly directed against white women.
Getting off my soapbox now and back to the book: the writing also failed to draw me in. The first-person male POV is always a risky choice and it didn't feel convincing here. The prose was stilted and overall the rich, beautiful characters felt shallow - not purely on account of being rich and beautiful, but because there are already so many such characters in romance that they felt no different to a thousand other heroes or heroines.
Ended up DNFing.
Pre-review:
July 2, 2024
I honestly don’t know where to start with the review.
I really wanted to love this book; the modern-day retelling of Helen of Troy sounded amazing. But it just didn’t hit the mark for me. 👎🏻
‘Xander’ is a dark romance with a promise of angst and obsession. It is a forbidden romance with a lot of trigger warnings. The trigger warnings were definitely part of the story: domestic violence, sexual assault, kidnapping (adultnapping??🤔). ⚠️
I have to say I honestly disliked all the characters within this book (bar Jasper, who came in far too late, IMO). I felt like they lacked depth, and I didn’t feel any connection to them. The Protagonist and the Anti-Hero—Just OMG, I’ve never wanted to slap someone so much! 🫤🤯
I wanted to DNF this book badly, but I had to persevere to the end! The ending… this is the only reason for my 2 stars.
The last chapter and the epilogue, although rushed, made this book a teeny bit better.👌🏻
There's also some untranslated Greek and French dialogue that left me confused. A little translation would've been nice to keep the flow of the story. 🤷🏻♀️
I was provided an ARC of this book for free, and I am leaving an honest review, with all thoughts being my own. ❤️
I really wanted to love this book; the modern-day retelling of Helen of Troy sounded amazing. But it just didn’t hit the mark for me. 👎🏻
‘Xander’ is a dark romance with a promise of angst and obsession. It is a forbidden romance with a lot of trigger warnings. The trigger warnings were definitely part of the story: domestic violence, sexual assault, kidnapping (adultnapping??🤔). ⚠️
I have to say I honestly disliked all the characters within this book (bar Jasper, who came in far too late, IMO). I felt like they lacked depth, and I didn’t feel any connection to them. The Protagonist and the Anti-Hero—Just OMG, I’ve never wanted to slap someone so much! 🫤🤯
I wanted to DNF this book badly, but I had to persevere to the end! The ending… this is the only reason for my 2 stars.
The last chapter and the epilogue, although rushed, made this book a teeny bit better.👌🏻
There's also some untranslated Greek and French dialogue that left me confused. A little translation would've been nice to keep the flow of the story. 🤷🏻♀️
I was provided an ARC of this book for free, and I am leaving an honest review, with all thoughts being my own. ❤️
May 27, 2025
3.5⭐️
захотілось прочитати щось з оберненою різницею у віці, де жінка була б старшою. тому тримайте історію мачухи та пасинка і їх бурхливих токсичних стосунків 😈
це ніби як ретелінг на єлену троянську. щось спільне з її історією правда є, але з великою натяжкою.
книга могла б сподобатись більше, якби не дії персонажів, від яких я закочувала очі. хоча кінцівка трохи реанімувала її і завершення таки було милим та приємним 😌
щодо персонажів.
джордан - психічно нестабільна, і зазвичай такі персонажі мені імпонують своєю складністю, але це не той випадок. вона вийшла трохи картонна і слабка. не люблю таких. хоча плюсик їй за успішну реалізацію як піар-агентки 👌
ксандер подається таким страшним маніпулятором. правда керувати слабкою людиною така собі перевага, не зацінила 😏 та й головна його маніпуляція - зробити дитину джордан, аби її втримати. ди який, дітьми лякає 😅
але таку його недолугість ще можна списати на юність та жахливий приклад у вигляді батька. під фінал він таки все усвідомить і виправиться. але хотілось би, щоб це відбулося раніше, а не на 90% книги 🌚
о і ще один момент та можливість зробити читання веселішим. бо джордан, в голові цієї жінки просто каталог брендів/марок одягу, аксесуарів, деталей інтер'єру, вин, їжі, прикрас, автомобілів. можна влаштувати гру на випивання за кожну подібну згадку і десь до середини книги вже добряче набратись 😁
захотілось прочитати щось з оберненою різницею у віці, де жінка була б старшою. тому тримайте історію мачухи та пасинка і їх бурхливих токсичних стосунків 😈
це ніби як ретелінг на єлену троянську. щось спільне з її історією правда є, але з великою натяжкою.
книга могла б сподобатись більше, якби не дії персонажів, від яких я закочувала очі. хоча кінцівка трохи реанімувала її і завершення таки було милим та приємним 😌
щодо персонажів.
джордан - психічно нестабільна, і зазвичай такі персонажі мені імпонують своєю складністю, але це не той випадок. вона вийшла трохи картонна і слабка. не люблю таких. хоча плюсик їй за успішну реалізацію як піар-агентки 👌
ксандер подається таким страшним маніпулятором. правда керувати слабкою людиною така собі перевага, не зацінила 😏 та й головна його маніпуляція - зробити дитину джордан, аби її втримати. ди який, дітьми лякає 😅
але таку його недолугість ще можна списати на юність та жахливий приклад у вигляді батька. під фінал він таки все усвідомить і виправиться. але хотілось би, щоб це відбулося раніше, а не на 90% книги 🌚
о і ще один момент та можливість зробити читання веселішим. бо джордан, в голові цієї жінки просто каталог брендів/марок одягу, аксесуарів, деталей інтер'єру, вин, їжі, прикрас, автомобілів. можна влаштувати гру на випивання за кожну подібну згадку і десь до середини книги вже добряче набратись 😁
Want to read
March 22, 2024I am so excited about co-writing a reverse age-gap romance with Nenia Campbell. I've been dying to write a stepmother romance and couldn't have asked for a better partner.
Forbidden Ice: Hockey Gods of Olympus is a new hockey series that implements Greek Mythology.
The first installment in this series is Xander: Helen of Troy Retelling (Book 1) by Drethi A and Nenia Campbell.
The Myth:
Paris, the Prince of Troy, was asked to judge who the fairest goddess was by giving them a Golden Apple. Goddess Aphrodite promised him the most beautiful mortal on earth if he picked her, so he did.
Helen was considered the most beautiful woman on earth at the time. She was married to King Menelaus but found herself drawn to Paris for reasons unbeknownst to her. Undeterred by her marriage, Paris stole her away, starting an epic battle that brought forth the destruction of Troy.
Now, watch us put a new spin on this old tale.
Be sure to order the book via Kickstarter for exclusive scenes, merch, and more ➽ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
❥Release Date ➽ June 1st, 2024
*Limited run on KU before the book goes wide.
TW: Explicit content. Taboo theme: Stepmother Romance. Dubious and forced seduction.
Forbidden Ice: Hockey Gods of Olympus is a new hockey series that implements Greek Mythology.
The first installment in this series is Xander: Helen of Troy Retelling (Book 1) by Drethi A and Nenia Campbell.
The Myth:
Paris, the Prince of Troy, was asked to judge who the fairest goddess was by giving them a Golden Apple. Goddess Aphrodite promised him the most beautiful mortal on earth if he picked her, so he did.
Helen was considered the most beautiful woman on earth at the time. She was married to King Menelaus but found herself drawn to Paris for reasons unbeknownst to her. Undeterred by her marriage, Paris stole her away, starting an epic battle that brought forth the destruction of Troy.
Now, watch us put a new spin on this old tale.
Be sure to order the book via Kickstarter for exclusive scenes, merch, and more ➽ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
❥Release Date ➽ June 1st, 2024
*Limited run on KU before the book goes wide.
TW: Explicit content. Taboo theme: Stepmother Romance. Dubious and forced seduction.
June 10, 2024
Absolutely loved Xander!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: taboo, forced proximity
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥1\2
Completely awesome start to this series! I love reverse age gaps and this one was extra taboo 😅. Super fast paced with an extra side of spicy, I did not put this book down till it was done. I read it at home, as a passenger in a car, and at the doctor's office, lol. Absolutely loved all of Xander's crazy!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: taboo, forced proximity
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥1\2
Completely awesome start to this series! I love reverse age gaps and this one was extra taboo 😅. Super fast paced with an extra side of spicy, I did not put this book down till it was done. I read it at home, as a passenger in a car, and at the doctor's office, lol. Absolutely loved all of Xander's crazy!
June 2, 2024
Xander by Drethi Anis and Nenia Campbell is an enthralling and exciting masterpiece. The authors weave a gripping tale with vivid and lovable characters, rich world-building, and unexpected twists and turns that keep you engaged and eager for more. The storytelling is superb, keeping you hooked from start to finish.
A must-read for fans of unputdownable stories!!
A must-read for fans of unputdownable stories!!
June 7, 2024
this cover is ugly. nenia & drethi can do so much better than an orange skull with florals + butterflies like cmon ladies. my pet peeve is reading present & past tense, but am glad it wasn’t throughout the whole book. i like how domestic violence was touched & mentioned in here. there is a scene where xander & his mom was talking to each other in Greek. i wish the authors did a translation eng sub like cmon? we wanna know & understand what they’re saying to each other. also i’m annoyed how the authors abrupt the ending like that at the end when jordan told xander she’s prego… like dang, we can’t even get his reaction before yall end it like that? lazy & petty. went straight to the epilogue with their wedding & i didn’t like how they didn’t mentioned a timeline like how long it’s been bc heroine already had the baby. example -> “1 year later.” i like the heroine, but love the hero more (duh). heroine + hero have chemistry, lovers weren’t the issue. i think my issue was more so of the storyline how it was flowing. everything is okay, nth is outstanding, their writing isnt monumental that’s givin’ me the wow factor. it was missin’ fire & no plot twist (well i mean heroine was never really married), but idk? dat “plot twist” wasn’t giving. this could have been more gritty i feel like. overall smth to snack on if u want a quickie dark retell with heavy dubcon (noncon wasn’t heavy enough + too tame) & forced breeding bc me likely. 🙂↔️
2.5 stars rounded up stars bc i didn’t mind this (it’s okay).
2.5 stars rounded up stars bc i didn’t mind this (it’s okay).
June 3, 2024
There is nothing that Drethi A. writes I don’t love. Now, add a collaboration with Neina Campbell, and you will have a fantastic book. Warning: I read this book in one sitting and abandoned my adult responsibilities, and you will, too.
Jordan has stayed away from his controlling father for years. Figuring his obsession with his stepmother, Jordan would subside. Three years later, he is in town to visit his father and decides it’s his time to take her away from his father. From that point, one buckles up for a long ride.
The authors take you on a captivating journey with a phenomenal world and character-building. You will laugh, cry, and, at times, be enraged. Sometimes, I wanted to tell Jordan to wake up and smell the coffee, girl! Other times, I hated to love Xander. But I trusted the process. One thing is for sure. I hated the father throughout the book.
June 6, 2024
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Drethi never disappoints. She writes something different within romance where it doesn’t feel like a carbon copy of a formula like sometimes other romance stories feel like. Drethi always gives us MCs of color and often interracial romances which I adore!! Soo no surprise that when she said she was cowriting this- that I jumped on it.
The things:
-Helen of Troy retelling (it’s marketed as this and is true but honestly idk that story in depth so that wasn’t a drawl for me but someone who likes that story it will be)
-obsessed H.. instantly knew she was it for him
-JP
-somno
-Breeding 😮💨
-reverse age gap
-stepmom romance (she’s married to his dad but their close in age)
-hockey player H
-Non con 🤤 …yall know i feel like drethi does non con sooooo good. Whew
-drugging the H 👏🏼👏🏼
Dislikes:
The beginning feels a little slow as it builds their story and the time hops back and forth (which is a very drethi style) is sometimes hard for me and will make me DNF. That wasn’t the case here BUT- the back and forth did make me slow some.
If you love a JP Obsessed H who is going to get what he wants no matter what, even if he’s gonna take her- this is for you!!
Drethi never disappoints. She writes something different within romance where it doesn’t feel like a carbon copy of a formula like sometimes other romance stories feel like. Drethi always gives us MCs of color and often interracial romances which I adore!! Soo no surprise that when she said she was cowriting this- that I jumped on it.
The things:
-Helen of Troy retelling (it’s marketed as this and is true but honestly idk that story in depth so that wasn’t a drawl for me but someone who likes that story it will be)
-obsessed H.. instantly knew she was it for him
-JP
-somno
-Breeding 😮💨
-reverse age gap
-stepmom romance (she’s married to his dad but their close in age)
-hockey player H
-Non con 🤤 …yall know i feel like drethi does non con sooooo good. Whew
-drugging the H 👏🏼👏🏼
Dislikes:
The beginning feels a little slow as it builds their story and the time hops back and forth (which is a very drethi style) is sometimes hard for me and will make me DNF. That wasn’t the case here BUT- the back and forth did make me slow some.
If you love a JP Obsessed H who is going to get what he wants no matter what, even if he’s gonna take her- this is for you!!
August 4, 2024
I want to preface this review by stating that this book contains many things I dislike in my leisure reading, which I knew ahead of time, and I am not including those aspects in my star rating. The breeding trope, the sports aspect, and the first person POV are things I generally take pains to avoid, so I did not read this expecting to like those things.
Primarily, I read this book because I am a huge fan of Nenia Campbell. She has a way of writing that feels kind of like word flourishes--like the pretty little loops in fancy calligraphy. Her style has made me pick up and enjoy many books that I otherwise would avoid. There wasn't a lot of that in this book, which was mildly disappointing.
What I absolutely loved were the tiny symbolic details in every scene. The attention to such details made what was a predictable story line richer in unexpected and delightful ways. It kept me reading when I got tired of the characters.
The 18+ content is vivid and violent, exactly what I want from a spicy dark romance.
This wasn't my favorite book, but it was worth it for all the details. A quick read, easily digestible. I liked it enough that I think I'll try out other books by Drethi A. I'm excited to compare styles more deeply between these two authors.
Primarily, I read this book because I am a huge fan of Nenia Campbell. She has a way of writing that feels kind of like word flourishes--like the pretty little loops in fancy calligraphy. Her style has made me pick up and enjoy many books that I otherwise would avoid. There wasn't a lot of that in this book, which was mildly disappointing.
What I absolutely loved were the tiny symbolic details in every scene. The attention to such details made what was a predictable story line richer in unexpected and delightful ways. It kept me reading when I got tired of the characters.
The 18+ content is vivid and violent, exactly what I want from a spicy dark romance.
This wasn't my favorite book, but it was worth it for all the details. A quick read, easily digestible. I liked it enough that I think I'll try out other books by Drethi A. I'm excited to compare styles more deeply between these two authors.
June 1, 2024
I backed this project on kickstarter mostly because I’m “internet friends” with Nenia Campbell and she is an instant buy author. I am so glad I did. I cannot wait to hold the physical copy in my hands. I am so glad this book was made.
Did I find myself at times thinking if this wasn’t a dark romance book I’d hate the ever loving shit out of Xander?
Yes.
Did I also find myself reading and just thinking Jordan, be a good girl and do what he says. Overwhelmingly Yes! 😅
Such is the power of dark romance especially written by Drethi and Nenia Campbell.
This book fittingly, had me in a chokehold, from the start I was captivated.
I really liked the moments looking into the past with Jordan and Xander. Their dynamic was so sweet and charming and unassuming. Cut to the present and it’s all kinds of hot and fucked up.
This book is a Helen of Troy retelling, and as with any retelling I always go in with an open mind, there are so many variations on the theme whether they’re completely true to the original or so vague as to barely be related.
After this spoilers so read at your own risk.
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This book was somewhere down the middle, there were more overt mentions to Greek myths but also some moments where if you don’t really know the myth of Helen you might not fully appreciate but you can still read this book and love it.
Can I just say to that point, they flee on a ship! A legit ship, and Helen, without any clothing has to wear a bed sheet toga! I loved it.
Xander’s house is named Ilion, the actual fucking Greek for Troy! He takes Jordan from her husband, on a ship, to fucking Troy!! This book.
His mother’s name is Eirini, Greek for Irene, and she speaks Greek in the story. Also and I don’t know if this was intentional by the authors the Greek actress Irene “Eirini” Papas played Helen in the movie The Trojan Women (1971).
Henry shows up in a Trojan horse in the form of a delivery truck, it’s all so good and as someone whose entire teenage years were spent devouring Greek myths I loved these allusions.
I adored the push and pull of the relationship. Xander just wanting Jordan to love him and Jordan thinking he just wants to possess her. Miscommunication at its finest.
I understand for the uninitiated this book is just an asshole with a pretty wife he doesn’t appreciate losing his wife to his overly possessive and territorial asshole son, but this is dark romance and Xander though 🚩🚩personified is also peak dark romance MMC. Hes all about Jordan, he’d kill for her.
He spent the years away trying to become the man that could save her from his father. Is it an overreach? Absolutely, but can you deny his commitment?
Also having Jordan get a win over Henry and assert herself when it came to her relationship with Xander was EVERYTHING! At the end of the day she chose him because she wanted to and that’s why this is a romance at the end of the day.
Absolutely 5⭐️
I’d give it more if they let me.
October 12, 2025
Okay, I wanted to love this one more than I did. Xander himself? Total chaos. Possessive, jealous, dramatic — the kind of man you’d block in real life but can’t stop reading about 😅. The tension and spice were definitely there, no complaints on that part 👀
But the story felt uneven. Some scenes were so intense and emotional, then others felt rushed or didn’t quite connect. The pacing was weird — like everything happened too fast, and the emotional buildup didn’t always hit. I also struggled a bit with the heroine’s choices; sometimes her reactions didn’t match the situation, which made it hard to root for her.
It had potential, and I liked the dark, obsessive vibe, but I just needed more balance — more emotional depth, less drama for drama’s sake.
But the story felt uneven. Some scenes were so intense and emotional, then others felt rushed or didn’t quite connect. The pacing was weird — like everything happened too fast, and the emotional buildup didn’t always hit. I also struggled a bit with the heroine’s choices; sometimes her reactions didn’t match the situation, which made it hard to root for her.
It had potential, and I liked the dark, obsessive vibe, but I just needed more balance — more emotional depth, less drama for drama’s sake.
May 30, 2024
Rating: 5⭐️
Would Recommend: Hell yeah! 🌶️🌶️🌶️
My Review:
📚✨ If you're into retellings, this one's a must-read! 📖 "Xander" takes the classic Helen of Troy story and gives it a fresh, modern twist that's just chef's kiss perfect. 💋
Xander is the perfect MMC: OTT, possessive, and totally obsessed. You can’t help but get sucked into his intense world. Jordan, on the other hand, made my heart ache. She was so sweet but always let down by circumstances. From the moment Xander laid eyes on her, she had him completely hooked. 💔
Xander tried to stay away from his stepmother, but he just couldn't. And honestly, I'm so glad he didn't! He did everything to make sure Jordan would belong to him and stay that way. Jordan was hesitant about their relationship until the very end, but watching her come around was so much fun. 😄
Now, Xander's father was a real piece of work. Such a big A-hole! I won't spoil, but let's just say I was hoping for a bit more karma to hit him. 🤬
This book has become one of my favorite reverse age gap romances! I can't wait for Caden and Jasper's book. Bring it on! 📚💕
Tropes:
Reverse Age gap
Billionaire
Sweet Heroine
Non-con/Dub-con
Retelling
Breeding kink
Would Recommend: Hell yeah! 🌶️🌶️🌶️
My Review:
📚✨ If you're into retellings, this one's a must-read! 📖 "Xander" takes the classic Helen of Troy story and gives it a fresh, modern twist that's just chef's kiss perfect. 💋
Xander is the perfect MMC: OTT, possessive, and totally obsessed. You can’t help but get sucked into his intense world. Jordan, on the other hand, made my heart ache. She was so sweet but always let down by circumstances. From the moment Xander laid eyes on her, she had him completely hooked. 💔
Xander tried to stay away from his stepmother, but he just couldn't. And honestly, I'm so glad he didn't! He did everything to make sure Jordan would belong to him and stay that way. Jordan was hesitant about their relationship until the very end, but watching her come around was so much fun. 😄
Now, Xander's father was a real piece of work. Such a big A-hole! I won't spoil, but let's just say I was hoping for a bit more karma to hit him. 🤬
This book has become one of my favorite reverse age gap romances! I can't wait for Caden and Jasper's book. Bring it on! 📚💕
Tropes:
Reverse Age gap
Billionaire
Sweet Heroine
Non-con/Dub-con
Retelling
Breeding kink
June 6, 2024
3 stars
I don't even know where to start, but this wasn't as bad or as good as I thought it was going to be (if that makes any sense). The book started off well, but it really lost me around the 30% mark, which is where the romance should have started developing between the two leads in my opinion, but it just didn't. Xander and Jordan's romance never really takes off and they really didn't have any chemistry with one another when they were on page together. Xander does some groveling in the last 10% of the book, but it just didn't make up for the lack of build-up throughout the entire book.
I think my main issue with this book is that I couldn't get a feel for Jordan's character at ALL. Xander was going hard and trying to romance, girl-boss, gas-light, gate keep her the entire book and our girl was giving nothing. 90% of the book she either just lays or stands in a room while Xander tries to get any kind of reaction out of her. Mainly, I think the lack of chemistry between Xander and Jordan was Jordan's lack of character development both emotionally and romantically
I liked the concept for this book big, reverse age-gap, Helen of Troy retelling, since it seemed so unique and it was. I think the authors did a great job of the modern retelling portion of the story, double thumbs up for how they incorporated the Trojan horse. I think they did an ok job of making the big reverse age-gap between the leads believable. Again Jordan's cold-fish attitude towards Xander or lack of of emotions in general did not sell me on their romance fully.
I'm not a fan of Drethi A.'s writing, but I am a HUGE fan of Nenia Campbell's. I'm only saying this because I have tried Drethi's books and have dnf'd every single of them that I've ever tried. Drethi's characters typically have the same issue that I had with this story, there is no chemistry between any of her leads. All of her books have the tendency to also read the exact same too, just change the characters names and locations and you pretty much have the same book. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Nenia's books though, she's a great writer who deserves way more attention. All of her books and characters are unique. Whether she's writing dark, gothic romance or urban fantasy or contemporary dark romance she kills it, every time. Her characters are unique, her leads complicated, and her settings lush and atmospheric. My favorite books that she's written are Raise the Blood (a dark, gothic romance) and Quid Pro Quo (a contemporary, dark, reverse age-gap romance). Please check out her books if you already haven't.
Honestly, I was very surprised that these two author's even teamed up. Their writing styles and levels of writing are so drastically different. I think who ever edited this book did a good job in making sure that each chapter/POV that was written flowed really well together. However, if you have read these two authors before you can definitely tell who wrote which chapters/POVs.
For anyone who doesn't know this book fits into Drethi's already existing book universe. Xander's cousin Damon and Caden have books of their own, as well as Jordan's friend Piya. You don't have to read those books before this one as those characters don't really play a major role in terms of the plot in this book. If you liked this book you may like those, they are all apart of Drethi's Tales of Obsession trilogy.
I don't even know where to start, but this wasn't as bad or as good as I thought it was going to be (if that makes any sense). The book started off well, but it really lost me around the 30% mark, which is where the romance should have started developing between the two leads in my opinion, but it just didn't. Xander and Jordan's romance never really takes off and they really didn't have any chemistry with one another when they were on page together. Xander does some groveling in the last 10% of the book, but it just didn't make up for the lack of build-up throughout the entire book.
I think my main issue with this book is that I couldn't get a feel for Jordan's character at ALL. Xander was going hard and trying to romance, girl-boss, gas-light, gate keep her the entire book and our girl was giving nothing. 90% of the book she either just lays or stands in a room while Xander tries to get any kind of reaction out of her. Mainly, I think the lack of chemistry between Xander and Jordan was Jordan's lack of character development both emotionally and romantically
I liked the concept for this book big, reverse age-gap, Helen of Troy retelling, since it seemed so unique and it was. I think the authors did a great job of the modern retelling portion of the story, double thumbs up for how they incorporated the Trojan horse. I think they did an ok job of making the big reverse age-gap between the leads believable. Again Jordan's cold-fish attitude towards Xander or lack of of emotions in general did not sell me on their romance fully.
I'm not a fan of Drethi A.'s writing, but I am a HUGE fan of Nenia Campbell's. I'm only saying this because I have tried Drethi's books and have dnf'd every single of them that I've ever tried. Drethi's characters typically have the same issue that I had with this story, there is no chemistry between any of her leads. All of her books have the tendency to also read the exact same too, just change the characters names and locations and you pretty much have the same book. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Nenia's books though, she's a great writer who deserves way more attention. All of her books and characters are unique. Whether she's writing dark, gothic romance or urban fantasy or contemporary dark romance she kills it, every time. Her characters are unique, her leads complicated, and her settings lush and atmospheric. My favorite books that she's written are Raise the Blood (a dark, gothic romance) and Quid Pro Quo (a contemporary, dark, reverse age-gap romance). Please check out her books if you already haven't.
Honestly, I was very surprised that these two author's even teamed up. Their writing styles and levels of writing are so drastically different. I think who ever edited this book did a good job in making sure that each chapter/POV that was written flowed really well together. However, if you have read these two authors before you can definitely tell who wrote which chapters/POVs.
For anyone who doesn't know this book fits into Drethi's already existing book universe. Xander's cousin Damon and Caden have books of their own, as well as Jordan's friend Piya. You don't have to read those books before this one as those characters don't really play a major role in terms of the plot in this book. If you liked this book you may like those, they are all apart of Drethi's Tales of Obsession trilogy.
August 3, 2024
This was a miss for me for so many reasons. 😪 the language doesn’t match the characters, specifically the MMC.
From the jump, we’re immediately introduced to a handful of people with similar sounding names and it’s overwhelming, only to find that they play no role in the story itself; only to be mentioned at the very end once.
The manner in which the FMC and the MMC meets sounds totally ridiculous and immature (read: unbelievable and dumb), and the were told many times that they become best friends but that’s never thoroughly explained. You’re just expected to believe it. 🤦🏾♀️
Because in addition to being told time and time and time again that they used to be besties, there’s no timeline for that relationship. It’s relevant.
But it’s super confusing to me because not only are we forced fed this friendship but the FMC repeatedly points out their age gap in a disgusted manner (she’s 14.5 years his senior). It just doesn’t make sense.
There some conflicted but it’s resolved way too easily.
Our MMC is morally gray but not endearing. He’s actually a jackass.
Our FMC never warms to him but at the very end she’s just like, okay fine I love you.
Uhh.
Not to mention how many times the word sun and sunshine is used?! It’s totally overdone.
Just like the constantly brand name-dropping. I have no freaking idea what any of this is and I’m sure it’s meant to paint the idea that the FMC comes from wealth but it’s downright annoying because I’d venture to say majority of readers have no idea who these designers are, nor do they care.
ALSO ALSO, how attractive can parallel parking really be?! It’s mentioned multiple times. 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️
We have a mysterious best friend that the FMC is forced apart from who also has a morally gray man and access to some illegal shit but that’s also not ever explained.
The MMC is hell bent on knocking the FMC up and when he does, it doesn’t really make the story line. Like he doesn’t find out and then she runs away and he’s gotta wrestle with what he’s done to her and his baby.
There was so much potential for groveling but NOPE. The man just messes up CONSTANTLY and makes a right mess of everything and the FMC is just okay with it.
Pass.
Make that man beg on his MFn knees dude.
WHERES THE TENSION?! WHERES THE TURMOIL?! WHERES THE PLEADING?!
Missed. The. Mark.
It all feels so surface level and just poorly executed.
From the jump, we’re immediately introduced to a handful of people with similar sounding names and it’s overwhelming, only to find that they play no role in the story itself; only to be mentioned at the very end once.
The manner in which the FMC and the MMC meets sounds totally ridiculous and immature (read: unbelievable and dumb), and the were told many times that they become best friends but that’s never thoroughly explained. You’re just expected to believe it. 🤦🏾♀️
Because in addition to being told time and time and time again that they used to be besties, there’s no timeline for that relationship. It’s relevant.
But it’s super confusing to me because not only are we forced fed this friendship but the FMC repeatedly points out their age gap in a disgusted manner (she’s 14.5 years his senior). It just doesn’t make sense.
There some conflicted but it’s resolved way too easily.
Our MMC is morally gray but not endearing. He’s actually a jackass.
Our FMC never warms to him but at the very end she’s just like, okay fine I love you.
Uhh.
Not to mention how many times the word sun and sunshine is used?! It’s totally overdone.
Just like the constantly brand name-dropping. I have no freaking idea what any of this is and I’m sure it’s meant to paint the idea that the FMC comes from wealth but it’s downright annoying because I’d venture to say majority of readers have no idea who these designers are, nor do they care.
ALSO ALSO, how attractive can parallel parking really be?! It’s mentioned multiple times. 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️
We have a mysterious best friend that the FMC is forced apart from who also has a morally gray man and access to some illegal shit but that’s also not ever explained.
The MMC is hell bent on knocking the FMC up and when he does, it doesn’t really make the story line. Like he doesn’t find out and then she runs away and he’s gotta wrestle with what he’s done to her and his baby.
There was so much potential for groveling but NOPE. The man just messes up CONSTANTLY and makes a right mess of everything and the FMC is just okay with it.
Pass.
Make that man beg on his MFn knees dude.
WHERES THE TENSION?! WHERES THE TURMOIL?! WHERES THE PLEADING?!
Missed. The. Mark.
It all feels so surface level and just poorly executed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2025
I have to admit I found it a little boring. I felt like it was very repetitive, It just needed more.
November 3, 2025
Xander was Mr broody with an intense infatuation with his stepmom. This book only worked because they met when he was already 18. She was all sorts of depressed from an abusive marriage and loneliness, but he didn’t make it all better when he popped up in her life again, because it wouldn’t be a dark romance if he didn’t go full dark romance boyfriend on her. I enjoyed the grovel and how intense they were together.
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: violence, domestic violence, emotional and psychological child abuse, attempted murder, noncon, somnophilia, drugging, kidnapping, confinement, manipulative and controlling dynamic, depressive episode, birth control tampering, pregnancy, conservatorship, past mental health hospitalization, financial abuse, traumatic death of parents (past), sick parent, parentification, tabloid sex pic
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: violence, domestic violence, emotional and psychological child abuse, attempted murder, noncon, somnophilia, drugging, kidnapping, confinement, manipulative and controlling dynamic, depressive episode, birth control tampering, pregnancy, conservatorship, past mental health hospitalization, financial abuse, traumatic death of parents (past), sick parent, parentification, tabloid sex pic
June 2, 2024
Dark romance girlies, run don’t walk—you will absolutely devour this book! A reverse-age gap that creates singing tension and high-stakes, a deliciously morally grey hero, a beautiful but helpless heroine, a truly problematic level of obsession with more “look at her and lose your eyeballs” moments than I can count, and a surprisingly tender sweetness…all come together in a near-perfect mix that had me on the edge of my seat!
As always with dark romance, check your TW/CW. We do not condone the actions, thoughts or behaviors of fictional characters.
As always with dark romance, check your TW/CW. We do not condone the actions, thoughts or behaviors of fictional characters.
June 30, 2024
3.75
My song for Xander: obsessed by Olivia Rodriguez (Not so much for the vibe but well look at the lyrics!)
’She was insanity, and I was tired of fighting this madness. I could give her the life she deserved now, one fit for a queen, and embrace this sickness.’
A taboo ice hockey dark romance?
With a morally grey MMC with obsessive possessive tendencies?
Co-written by Nenia?
Of course, I had to read this!
”I’ll give you everything he denied you, Jordan. (…) All you have to do is reach out and take it.”
Xander is a Helen of Troy retelling in a loose sense (although an escape across the sea does occur). It is dark, problematic and captivating. It is also the first time an MMC with obsession became a little too obsessive… even for me.
’I spent years being called an old soul, the bigger person, the mediator. It didn’t bring me happiness.
Xander, the mercurial ice hockey star with mood swings that are easy to discern for us dark romance readers, yet a mystery to his stepmother. He is everything a dark romance needs, a good guy at heart but won’t hesitate to take care of those he loves. His character is complex and troubled, increasingly so over the course of the book – Xander’s development wasn’t simple and for that I a grateful. It made sense, it stressed me out, I loved it.
’After her ordeal tonight, the last thing she needed was for me to stare at her like she was the prey and I was the hunter salivating for a good chase. But Jordan fucked up by giving me those doe eyes. Didn’t she know? If she gave me an inch, I’d take the whole yard.’
Jordan on the other hand is the perfect Helen. Too trusting, a bit naïve, slightly flat for the first half of the book in a way that aligned with her story. Sure, I would have wished for her to snap out of it early on but in a marriage, in a situation like hers, I never expected her to.
’I fucked her as if it was a sacred ritual. The need for her was drowning me in shallow water.’
The writing was good, the smut was steaming hot! And I loved the amount of actual ice hockey content. Unfortunately, and I was a bit surprised by that, having particularly enjoyed Nenia’s writing before – there was quite a bit of repetition of phrases and information throughout the book. Not so much that it threw me off, but enough for me to notice.
It didn’t, however, interfere with the fact that, in my opinion, Xander is a fun, quick, problematic-in-the-best-way read for all those that love a good taboo dark romance.
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I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
My song for Xander: obsessed by Olivia Rodriguez (Not so much for the vibe but well look at the lyrics!)
’She was insanity, and I was tired of fighting this madness. I could give her the life she deserved now, one fit for a queen, and embrace this sickness.’
A taboo ice hockey dark romance?
With a morally grey MMC with obsessive possessive tendencies?
Co-written by Nenia?
Of course, I had to read this!
”I’ll give you everything he denied you, Jordan. (…) All you have to do is reach out and take it.”
Xander is a Helen of Troy retelling in a loose sense (although an escape across the sea does occur). It is dark, problematic and captivating. It is also the first time an MMC with obsession became a little too obsessive… even for me.
’I spent years being called an old soul, the bigger person, the mediator. It didn’t bring me happiness.
Xander, the mercurial ice hockey star with mood swings that are easy to discern for us dark romance readers, yet a mystery to his stepmother. He is everything a dark romance needs, a good guy at heart but won’t hesitate to take care of those he loves. His character is complex and troubled, increasingly so over the course of the book – Xander’s development wasn’t simple and for that I a grateful. It made sense, it stressed me out, I loved it.
’After her ordeal tonight, the last thing she needed was for me to stare at her like she was the prey and I was the hunter salivating for a good chase. But Jordan fucked up by giving me those doe eyes. Didn’t she know? If she gave me an inch, I’d take the whole yard.’
Jordan on the other hand is the perfect Helen. Too trusting, a bit naïve, slightly flat for the first half of the book in a way that aligned with her story. Sure, I would have wished for her to snap out of it early on but in a marriage, in a situation like hers, I never expected her to.
’I fucked her as if it was a sacred ritual. The need for her was drowning me in shallow water.’
The writing was good, the smut was steaming hot! And I loved the amount of actual ice hockey content. Unfortunately, and I was a bit surprised by that, having particularly enjoyed Nenia’s writing before – there was quite a bit of repetition of phrases and information throughout the book. Not so much that it threw me off, but enough for me to notice.
It didn’t, however, interfere with the fact that, in my opinion, Xander is a fun, quick, problematic-in-the-best-way read for all those that love a good taboo dark romance.
---
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
avoid
July 9, 2024REVERSE AGE GAP STEPMOTHER ROMANCE (14 years age gap) , not my jam.
June 7, 2024
I rarely give one stars, in fact I can't remember the last time.
But......this author is very prolific in her reviews and feels very comfortable skewering other authors works.
So......I thought I'd tell the truth. This is stupid. Also, yes I know the fairytale retelling shelf is inaccurate, but I didn't want to make a new shelf for the Helen of Troy retelling (vera, vera, vera, loose retelling, frankly) so I stuck it in as close of a spot as I had.
You may ask me; would you have been so harsh had the author not been such a douche to other authors? No, no I wouldn't have. Writing a book is hard work, deserving of more respect. I even applauded this authors putting a warning of triggers for delicate folks, who tend to read where they (knowingly) shouldn't all so their heads can explode and then write a very bad review of a fictional work. Applying real world values to fantasy, trying to intimidate good authors (or bad ones). Sorry, off topic. 📌 Anywho, no I wouldn't have left any review, I'd just have made a personal note never to read a book by her again.
You may ask me; would you have been so harsh had the author not been such a douche to other authors? No, no I wouldn't have. Writing a book is hard work, deserving of more respect. I even applauded this authors putting a warning of triggers for delicate folks, who tend to read where they (knowingly) shouldn't all so their heads can explode and then write a very bad review of a fictional work. Applying real world values to fantasy, trying to intimidate good authors (or bad ones). Sorry, off topic. 📌 Anywho, no I wouldn't have left any review, I'd just have made a personal note never to read a book by her again.
December 19, 2024
5stars as always.
I love an obssesd jp H wrapped around his girl’s fingers.
Xander Maxwells the MAN you are 👉🏻👈🏻
I love an obssesd jp H wrapped around his girl’s fingers.
Xander Maxwells the MAN you are 👉🏻👈🏻
June 3, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Xander by Drethi A & Nenia Campbell
Drethi is a ONE CLICK author for me. Her books are edgy and different, beautifully written with depth and feeling, fleshed out characters that are unique and wonderful.
Nenia is a new author to me, and Im always so happy to find new authors doing AMAZING work, I will enjoy reading more of her work.
Xander was phenomenal, Helen of Troy retelling, Xander the man was all the things readers on this side of the romance book world LOVE to read about, he was over the top, obsessed, possessive as heck when Jordan was finally within his grasp, he was single minded when it came to her, absolutely no one was going to stand in his way, especially not Jordan herself.
I loved reading how he could not comprehend any other reality but his own. He had a few lessons to learn here and watching him have to face that was fantastic.
As the story progressed , we witnessed Jordans heart and spirit slowly breakdown, she was heartbroken repeatedly by Xander and his obsession to have her at any cost, even if it meant disregarding her needs and feelings, or using agaist her, her own greatest fears, he was turning into the very thing they dispise if it meant he could keep Jordan in his grasp.
Xander would learn from his mistakes, you can not cage sunshine, and there is no light in the dark.
These 2 broke my heart a little, I could feel Xanders unwavering desperation for Jordan throughout, he suffered.
Jordan had been crushed into a box by her husband, not allowed to see the sun, so to speak, she was slowly muted and dimmed until there was nothing but a flicked of her former self remaining. She was cripplingly lonely and sad. She missed her best friend (Xander) to the point of depression.
Xander and Jordan were made for eachother, circumstances kept them apart, and an evil man made them suffer greatly inbetween, this lead to them both being products of their own environments and trauma, this lead to Xanders desperation to keep her locked beside him when the time came, at any cost, this also lead to Jordan needing her freedom to be able to breathe and survive after her escape from her husband. unfortunately, those two things blend like oil and water.
My only wish would be to see more of Xander and Jordan after their reunion at the end, I wanted to see his change and his reactions, I wanted a little 👌🏼 more. Im greedy that way 🤣
⚠️ While the book does contain cheating, without spoiling too much, there is no love triangle, the cheating is not between the main couple, she is with Xander's father for 3 yrs, it's loveless and unhappy, the father is a POS. I was in full support of Jordan finding her happiness with Xander.
Xander by Drethi A & Nenia Campbell
Drethi is a ONE CLICK author for me. Her books are edgy and different, beautifully written with depth and feeling, fleshed out characters that are unique and wonderful.
Nenia is a new author to me, and Im always so happy to find new authors doing AMAZING work, I will enjoy reading more of her work.
Xander was phenomenal, Helen of Troy retelling, Xander the man was all the things readers on this side of the romance book world LOVE to read about, he was over the top, obsessed, possessive as heck when Jordan was finally within his grasp, he was single minded when it came to her, absolutely no one was going to stand in his way, especially not Jordan herself.
I loved reading how he could not comprehend any other reality but his own. He had a few lessons to learn here and watching him have to face that was fantastic.
As the story progressed , we witnessed Jordans heart and spirit slowly breakdown, she was heartbroken repeatedly by Xander and his obsession to have her at any cost, even if it meant disregarding her needs and feelings, or using agaist her, her own greatest fears, he was turning into the very thing they dispise if it meant he could keep Jordan in his grasp.
Xander would learn from his mistakes, you can not cage sunshine, and there is no light in the dark.
These 2 broke my heart a little, I could feel Xanders unwavering desperation for Jordan throughout, he suffered.
Jordan had been crushed into a box by her husband, not allowed to see the sun, so to speak, she was slowly muted and dimmed until there was nothing but a flicked of her former self remaining. She was cripplingly lonely and sad. She missed her best friend (Xander) to the point of depression.
Xander and Jordan were made for eachother, circumstances kept them apart, and an evil man made them suffer greatly inbetween, this lead to them both being products of their own environments and trauma, this lead to Xanders desperation to keep her locked beside him when the time came, at any cost, this also lead to Jordan needing her freedom to be able to breathe and survive after her escape from her husband. unfortunately, those two things blend like oil and water.
My only wish would be to see more of Xander and Jordan after their reunion at the end, I wanted to see his change and his reactions, I wanted a little 👌🏼 more. Im greedy that way 🤣
⚠️ While the book does contain cheating, without spoiling too much, there is no love triangle, the cheating is not between the main couple, she is with Xander's father for 3 yrs, it's loveless and unhappy, the father is a POS. I was in full support of Jordan finding her happiness with Xander.
June 12, 2024
ARC REVIEW : 2.5⭐️ ( rounded up )
I don't know where to really start but if you love dark romance this book may be for you!! personally I'm a dark romance girly and this didn't hit the spot but I was still very enjoyable.
This was my first time reading a reverse age - gap romance and if I'm being 100% honest I have no idea what to think!! But the ice hockey element, I loved the idea but I wish it was shown more throughout this book. I didn't really see much of Xanders experience and involvement with his hockey, and I wish we did!!!!
I did like how there was a past and present writting style throughout some of the book as it did let us see into more of the characters backgrounds and experiences. I also really enjoyed how the Xander obsessed with Jordan and it really did show a LOT throughout the book, and us girls love an obsessive man in a book!!! 🤩I think my issue with this book was the story line and how I didn't think there was much romance it was mostly a fast story line like...
I also wish there was some sort of twist and to give us something we want to figure out! I would say it was very predictable on what was going to happen through out the book, which didn't make it as entertaining as it could have been.
Overall if you love a taboo, a little sports romance, angst, smut 🌶️, forced proximity this book is definitely for you! It does go over a lot of dark and uncomfortable moments so please do read trigger warnings!! This book won't be for everyone.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I don't know where to really start but if you love dark romance this book may be for you!! personally I'm a dark romance girly and this didn't hit the spot but I was still very enjoyable.
This was my first time reading a reverse age - gap romance and if I'm being 100% honest I have no idea what to think!! But the ice hockey element, I loved the idea but I wish it was shown more throughout this book. I didn't really see much of Xanders experience and involvement with his hockey, and I wish we did!!!!
I did like how there was a past and present writting style throughout some of the book as it did let us see into more of the characters backgrounds and experiences. I also really enjoyed how the Xander obsessed with Jordan and it really did show a LOT throughout the book, and us girls love an obsessive man in a book!!! 🤩I think my issue with this book was the story line and how I didn't think there was much romance it was mostly a fast story line like...
I also wish there was some sort of twist and to give us something we want to figure out! I would say it was very predictable on what was going to happen through out the book, which didn't make it as entertaining as it could have been.
Overall if you love a taboo, a little sports romance, angst, smut 🌶️, forced proximity this book is definitely for you! It does go over a lot of dark and uncomfortable moments so please do read trigger warnings!! This book won't be for everyone.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 15, 2024
Xander is in love with none other than his stepmother. This is a taboo dark hockey romance. Xander was crazed with obsession to the point he couldn’t function. Jordan was likable and in a terrible loveless marriage which made her being with the dad okay for me. I really love the unhinged heroes that this writer creates and it’s great to read the story retellings as well.
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June 21, 2024
Drethi Anis writes the best most unhinged Heroes and I love it! Xander is no exception. 4 stars
I really want Jasper to have a book and for him to be the craziest Hero we ever did see. Only because his personality seems so opposite to that! Here's hoping 🤞🤞
I really want Jasper to have a book and for him to be the craziest Hero we ever did see. Only because his personality seems so opposite to that! Here's hoping 🤞🤞
June 18, 2024
I love me some Drethi but this book was a miss. The flow was too choppy and the hero's inner monologues bored me to death. We get it, you're in love with your stepmom and your dad is a dick. The characters were boring as hell and had no depth. There was no emotional intimacy. Even the sex was not that good. So in short, this book has nothing to recommend it. I'm going to blame the new author because I know Drethi delivers and this is beneath her usual standards.
#stepmom #stepson #37years #20years #athlete #hockeyplayer #trophywife #nocondoms #hadallthemakingsofagoodbookbutfellshort
#stepmom #stepson #37years #20years #athlete #hockeyplayer #trophywife #nocondoms #hadallthemakingsofagoodbookbutfellshort
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