What do you think?
Rate this book
Blackbird: A stepbrother romance novel
Skyler Ravenwood is the perfect daughter. She attends Creston High, a school her stepfather pays for, and is the valedictorian for their senior class. Her life is simple. Go to school, come home, study, and sleep. Her days a never ending cycle of perfection to keep up with. That is, until she learns that her stepfather has a son. Xander is a mess. He listens to loud music, does whatever he wants, whenever he wants, and he is the epitome of everything Skyler despises. So, why can't she get him out of her head?
Will Xander be her downfall? Stripping her of her reality and ruining everything she has worked so hard to get? Or will both of them realize the emptiness they have struggled with throughout their lives are suddenly filled with a new, forbidden, feeling that only they can satisfy?
In this taboo stepbrother romance, Xander and Skyler will experience heartache, betrayal, and pain. where darkness creeps, light will surely follow. Follow their paths to self discovery and love as they battle the inevitability of life and the tragedies that come from it.
Will Xander be her downfall? Stripping her of her reality and ruining everything she has worked so hard to get? Or will both of them realize the emptiness they have struggled with throughout their lives are suddenly filled with a new, forbidden, feeling that only they can satisfy?
In this taboo stepbrother romance, Xander and Skyler will experience heartache, betrayal, and pain. where darkness creeps, light will surely follow. Follow their paths to self discovery and love as they battle the inevitability of life and the tragedies that come from it.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 17, 2024
26 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Crystal Crist
5 books65 followersCrystal Crist is a proud military spouse and a busy mom of three, adventurous, kids. As a self-published author, Crystal enjoys exploring various genres and connecting with her readers. Her journey is all about balancing love and creativity while also allowing her work to be a journey of healing for those with similar life experiences.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 13, 2025
Xander and Skyler!😭🖤 ughhhh.
I got to ARC read this book for Crystal and…I LOVED it so much. So so SO much. I could not put it down. When I am drawn in from the first page/chapter, whatever it may be I can just tell I am going to love this book and eat it up and that’s exactly what I did. This book follows Xander and his Step-sister Skyler (they didn’t even know each other existed).
Xander had to move in with his dad and Skyler’s mom because his mom passed away and even though he was 18, he was still in high school. 17 year old Skyler got a glimpse at a type of person she had never experienced before. An angry, tattooed, smoking teenage guy with the mouth of a sailor. Skyler is a 4.2 GPA student with focus on studies and definitely not boys.
She has the biggest, kindest heart and takes it upon herself to help Xander out to make his transition easier and throughout the book you see his walls start to drop. Everything feels lighter and brighter with Skyler around.
You definitely need to take a chance on this book if any of these tropes interest you:
•Enemies to Lovers
•Forbidden Love/Romance
•Step-brother Romance
•Grumpy Sunshine
•Who did this to you (on both ends)
Not to mention:
•Protective best friend Lizzie
•First kisses
•Trauma
•Mental Health
The way she handled the trauma and mental health struggles was HUGE for me. Take a chance. Get this book. It releases 12/27/24 and you will not regret it.
I got to ARC read this book for Crystal and…I LOVED it so much. So so SO much. I could not put it down. When I am drawn in from the first page/chapter, whatever it may be I can just tell I am going to love this book and eat it up and that’s exactly what I did. This book follows Xander and his Step-sister Skyler (they didn’t even know each other existed).
Xander had to move in with his dad and Skyler’s mom because his mom passed away and even though he was 18, he was still in high school. 17 year old Skyler got a glimpse at a type of person she had never experienced before. An angry, tattooed, smoking teenage guy with the mouth of a sailor. Skyler is a 4.2 GPA student with focus on studies and definitely not boys.
She has the biggest, kindest heart and takes it upon herself to help Xander out to make his transition easier and throughout the book you see his walls start to drop. Everything feels lighter and brighter with Skyler around.
You definitely need to take a chance on this book if any of these tropes interest you:
•Enemies to Lovers
•Forbidden Love/Romance
•Step-brother Romance
•Grumpy Sunshine
•Who did this to you (on both ends)
Not to mention:
•Protective best friend Lizzie
•First kisses
•Trauma
•Mental Health
The way she handled the trauma and mental health struggles was HUGE for me. Take a chance. Get this book. It releases 12/27/24 and you will not regret it.
April 28, 2025
RAW - EMOTIONAL - MASTERFUL - NOSTALGIC
🎙️ DUAL - Scarlett branches, Jonathon Swift
🌶️ 1/5
⭐️ 5/5
WOW, okay. I did not expect the story to be this good. I dove in blindly for Jonathon Swift and found myself enthralled and captivated by Crist's storytelling.
We have Skyler Ravenwood -valedictorian, obedient daughter and the ideal student. Everything in her world is neat and planned out. But when her new stepbrother Xander, the enigmatic bad boy, shows up, everything changes.
Xander is the opposite of what Skyler has always been told to stay away from — he's wild, mysterious, and carries a troubled past. Even though they know they shouldn't, Skyler and Xander are drawn to each other, starting a difficult journey full of emotions and hard choices.
Crist does a great job showing the tough and emotional journey of two people trying to find comfort in each other during the chaos in their lives.
What sets Blackbird apart is its unflinching honesty and the authenticity of its characters. Skyler and Xander's relationship is portrayed with nuance, capturing the intensity of forbidden love and the complexities of healing from past wounds.
Reading Blackbird felt like watching a deeply emotional movie. It reminded me of the sweet innocence of Flipped, mixed with the intensity of classic "good girl, bad boy" stories like A Walk to Remember.
Heartbreaking, tender, realistic and nostalgic.
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤
JONATHON SWIFT
🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤
🎙️ DUAL - Scarlett branches, Jonathon Swift
🌶️ 1/5
⭐️ 5/5
WOW, okay. I did not expect the story to be this good. I dove in blindly for Jonathon Swift and found myself enthralled and captivated by Crist's storytelling.
We have Skyler Ravenwood -valedictorian, obedient daughter and the ideal student. Everything in her world is neat and planned out. But when her new stepbrother Xander, the enigmatic bad boy, shows up, everything changes.
Xander is the opposite of what Skyler has always been told to stay away from — he's wild, mysterious, and carries a troubled past. Even though they know they shouldn't, Skyler and Xander are drawn to each other, starting a difficult journey full of emotions and hard choices.
Crist does a great job showing the tough and emotional journey of two people trying to find comfort in each other during the chaos in their lives.
What sets Blackbird apart is its unflinching honesty and the authenticity of its characters. Skyler and Xander's relationship is portrayed with nuance, capturing the intensity of forbidden love and the complexities of healing from past wounds.
Reading Blackbird felt like watching a deeply emotional movie. It reminded me of the sweet innocence of Flipped, mixed with the intensity of classic "good girl, bad boy" stories like A Walk to Remember.
Heartbreaking, tender, realistic and nostalgic.
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤
JONATHON SWIFT
🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤
November 13, 2025
Blackbird: A stepbrother romance novel
Ok Crystal Ok I see you....
I absolutely love being Crystals ARC team because she never dispoints
Again thank you very much
Skyler Ravenwood (the Good Girl) has meticulously crafted a life of perfection—perfect grades, perfect behavior, and a perfect smile—all to appease the demanding standards of her wealthy family. But beneath the flawless exterior, she's hollow, a product of control and emotional neglect. Her carefully constructed world implodes with the sudden arrival of Xander, her new stepbrother. A walking embodiment of chaos, secrets, and raw emotion, Xander is everything Skyler is not, and everything her family despises.
Xander (The Bad Boy)is the complete opposite of Skyler: a troubled, mysterious, and rebellious young man who carries a heavy past filled with trauma and pain. Despite the immediate dislike and the obvious taboo of their step-sibling relationship, an undeniable, forbidden attraction ignites between them. As they are forced into proximity, they find that the emptiness they've carried throughout their lives is suddenly filled by the other.
Their relationship quickly becomes a highly charged game of push and pull. They are drawn together by a shared undercurrent of past trauma and vulnerability, finding a dangerous comfort in their forbidden connection. Blackbird is the intense story of a good girl falling for a self-destructive bad boy, a tumultuous journey where they must risk betrayal, shatter taboos, and confront their deepest wounds to find a desperate, healing love.
The book follows their emotional journey through heartache, betrayal, and self-discovery as they battle their circumstances to find love and healing.
Ok Crystal Ok I see you....
I absolutely love being Crystals ARC team because she never dispoints
Again thank you very much
Skyler Ravenwood (the Good Girl) has meticulously crafted a life of perfection—perfect grades, perfect behavior, and a perfect smile—all to appease the demanding standards of her wealthy family. But beneath the flawless exterior, she's hollow, a product of control and emotional neglect. Her carefully constructed world implodes with the sudden arrival of Xander, her new stepbrother. A walking embodiment of chaos, secrets, and raw emotion, Xander is everything Skyler is not, and everything her family despises.
Xander (The Bad Boy)is the complete opposite of Skyler: a troubled, mysterious, and rebellious young man who carries a heavy past filled with trauma and pain. Despite the immediate dislike and the obvious taboo of their step-sibling relationship, an undeniable, forbidden attraction ignites between them. As they are forced into proximity, they find that the emptiness they've carried throughout their lives is suddenly filled by the other.
Their relationship quickly becomes a highly charged game of push and pull. They are drawn together by a shared undercurrent of past trauma and vulnerability, finding a dangerous comfort in their forbidden connection. Blackbird is the intense story of a good girl falling for a self-destructive bad boy, a tumultuous journey where they must risk betrayal, shatter taboos, and confront their deepest wounds to find a desperate, healing love.
The book follows their emotional journey through heartache, betrayal, and self-discovery as they battle their circumstances to find love and healing.
January 11, 2025
I really enjoyed this story. It’s a forbidden romance story with young love, abuse, self discovery and loss. Skylar is a girl who has the perfect grades and always studies and doesn’t do anything wrong. She likes a boy who is a football player and from a nice rich family. Her mom and step dad push her towards this boy. Her stepdads son has to come live with them unexpectedly and things start to change. Xander is a boy who has secrets and definitely does whatever he wants. Skylar tries to be nice to him at first but he doesn’t care. They do end up becoming friends at some point and feelings start forming..
I definitely recommend this to read! It’s got a twist you don’t think will actually happen and it’s gut wrenching.
I definitely recommend this to read! It’s got a twist you don’t think will actually happen and it’s gut wrenching.
December 30, 2024
Look… I’m usually first on the train for books that destroy your entire being but holy fucking shit, this book was a death blow!! The emotional roller coaster that I found myself on, I was not prepared for one bit. I literally wanna cry for a week now, maybe two. Maybe forever.
This book blew my mind. All the damn feels. All the emotions. Amazing characters. Heartbreaking, gutting end. Perfection.
This book blew my mind. All the damn feels. All the emotions. Amazing characters. Heartbreaking, gutting end. Perfection.
November 18, 2025
4.5⭐️
At first I wasnt sure if I was going to like this but colour me surprised because I actually LOVED it!
I had the best time reading this, and honestly just couldn’t put it down ! I stayed up way too late to read this, and had to try and cram the last of it before I started work this morning!
This was just an all around fun time! I do wish we had a bit more of an ending, I would have liked to see more in the epilogue, but overall this was really good!
The spice in this got me good too 😅🥵
At first I wasnt sure if I was going to like this but colour me surprised because I actually LOVED it!
I had the best time reading this, and honestly just couldn’t put it down ! I stayed up way too late to read this, and had to try and cram the last of it before I started work this morning!
This was just an all around fun time! I do wish we had a bit more of an ending, I would have liked to see more in the epilogue, but overall this was really good!
The spice in this got me good too 😅🥵
September 4, 2025
Wow I didn't expect that!
Way to make a girl cry Crystal! 😭
Xander and Sky were not what I thought I would find going in. When I heard step sibling I was like eh... But now what!?
So well written and not at all what I thought I was going into. This story was beautiful. The last few chapters had me bawling right along with Sky.
That ending though was perfect!!
Way to make a girl cry Crystal! 😭
Xander and Sky were not what I thought I would find going in. When I heard step sibling I was like eh... But now what!?
So well written and not at all what I thought I was going into. This story was beautiful. The last few chapters had me bawling right along with Sky.
That ending though was perfect!!
December 15, 2025
Such a great story. This is going to be one of those books that live rent free in my mind for some time. Xander and Skyler’s love story was beautifully written. I read this book in a day. I just couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend it.
December 19, 2025
Wow just wow
Skylar and Xander are thrown together when he has to move in with his father. She tries being nice to him and does small things to make his life there better. He is angry about the situation and tries his best at being mean to her. They form a friendship that goes further but not in the way it seems it might by the title. The twists and turns make this book so worth the read. Even if stepbrother romance is not your trope, you should read this book.
Skylar and Xander are thrown together when he has to move in with his father. She tries being nice to him and does small things to make his life there better. He is angry about the situation and tries his best at being mean to her. They form a friendship that goes further but not in the way it seems it might by the title. The twists and turns make this book so worth the read. Even if stepbrother romance is not your trope, you should read this book.
January 1, 2025
Overall, it's a good book. The writing flowed well, and the pace was good, but the storyline was pretty predictable in regard to the chain of events that were going to happen for most of the book. The characters were likable, and the chemistry was decent. I guess maybe I just had higher expectations based on the reviews I had seen.
December 10, 2025
Okay first damn but like also wow. I’m not usually one for step sibling relationships but I read the description and decided why not… and I am not sad.
Definitely major trigger warnings like the book says for specific topics but i absolutely loved this story. And im so sad it ended and i need more 😭
10/10 suggesting to my book club
Definitely major trigger warnings like the book says for specific topics but i absolutely loved this story. And im so sad it ended and i need more 😭
10/10 suggesting to my book club
December 18, 2024
A stunning sophomore work
This book had me by the heart and soul from the first page to the final turn. It has heart, soul and plenty of steam. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for severe fire to your twisted angsty love!!!
This book had me by the heart and soul from the first page to the final turn. It has heart, soul and plenty of steam. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for severe fire to your twisted angsty love!!!
September 19, 2025
Words cannot describe….
I never leave reviews… ever. But this book gave me so many different emotions… words really cannot describe the different feelings I felt reading the beautiful written words. This definitely is a MUST read if you’re looking for something more.
I never leave reviews… ever. But this book gave me so many different emotions… words really cannot describe the different feelings I felt reading the beautiful written words. This definitely is a MUST read if you’re looking for something more.
January 12, 2026
What can I say another 5 start from Crystal! I read this book in a day. The writing is absolutely some of the best i have read! Crystal REALLY did a great job writing about mental health. I would 10 outta 10 recommend this book to Add to your TBR!
September 20, 2025
What can I even say?? This book had me held captive the entire time. The roller coaster of emotions was insane but so well done! This book is absolutely worth reading!
July 11, 2025
Very well written dark romance. While the overall theme is step brother, step sister trauma bonding there is nothing cringy about this. Skyler is the perfect daughter, her stepfather treats her like his own. Years after his father walked away from him and his mother, Xander is forced to come live with his father after his mother dies. Skyler does her best to make her stepbrother, whom she’s never met, Xander feel welcome to the family. With a year until graduation for both, Skyler and Xander develop a bond neither of them expected to be so strong. I loved the character development, the plot, and the emotional roller coaster of this story.
November 6, 2025
Please tell me there is a book 2. Would have rated a 5. But the ending did not do it for me. Did not expect that as a closing was very disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2025
This book had me from page one. The emotions throughout the books. Laughing smiling crying I felt it all. I can not wait for another book as I need to read more about Xander and Skyler and what happens to their story.
December 24, 2024
Apparently I’ve been in the mood for books that wreck me this week, but this book deserves no less than 5 stars!
The character growth and development in this book was absolutely fantastic!
Skylar is the valedictorian good girl that has everything going for her. A loving mother, an amazing stepfather that loves her, and the attention of the high school quarterback. However, she is plagued with nightmares of her own, after losing her father in a car accident she is absolutely terrified to drive.
Xander is a broken soul, he’s spent his life living with a drug addicted mother, taking beatings from her suppliers, yet he’s still managed to get good grades all with the hopes that one day he’ll make it out. When his mother passes he goes to live with his Dad to finish out school. Xander and his dad have an estranged relationship. At 18 his dad has never been there to save him from any of the troubles he’s been forced to live with. To say he hates him would be an understatement. The one silver lining to his new living situation, his step sister Skylar.
Skylar immediately tries to make Xander feel welcome, however, wearing down all his built up defenses is proving to be harder than she thought. Skylar has never even kissed a boy other than in a game of spin the bottle when she was younger, needless to say that first kiss was not an experience she’s in any hurry repeat any time soon.
Xander is happy living in his room, in his bubble or metal music, and with the affections of the cheer captain. Until one day Skylar catches them under the bleachers, and it’s not the look of the girl on her knees that gets him off. Waring with the troubling thoughts that he may find the attention of his step sister more intriguing than he ever wants to admit. The stolen glances, and the building tension and angst. Skylar after finding that she was feeling things she shouldn’t for the boy on the other side of her wall may find that they can heal each other’s demons.
One thing leads to another and the tension finally snaps, now how much of themselves are they willing to give the other knowing they can never have a true relationship. Skylar is falling fast and decides she wants to give the last piece she has to offer to Xander, her virginity. Only in the moment it slips that she loves him and that’s not words he’s ready to hear.
After graduation comes around Xander is leaving, skipping prom. Skylar decides to give the QB another chance, even after her best friend’s insistence he’s a bad person. Lizzie hates everyone though, so she can’t be right, can she. Prom will definitely be a night to remember, however, Skylar didn’t expect it to be the night it broke her soul.
This is a beautiful book of forbidden love, trauma and healing.
Please check your TWs, this book contains on page SA, and the effects that follow.
Thank you so much to author Crystal Crist for allowing me to read this masterpiece in exchange for my honest review
The character growth and development in this book was absolutely fantastic!
Skylar is the valedictorian good girl that has everything going for her. A loving mother, an amazing stepfather that loves her, and the attention of the high school quarterback. However, she is plagued with nightmares of her own, after losing her father in a car accident she is absolutely terrified to drive.
Xander is a broken soul, he’s spent his life living with a drug addicted mother, taking beatings from her suppliers, yet he’s still managed to get good grades all with the hopes that one day he’ll make it out. When his mother passes he goes to live with his Dad to finish out school. Xander and his dad have an estranged relationship. At 18 his dad has never been there to save him from any of the troubles he’s been forced to live with. To say he hates him would be an understatement. The one silver lining to his new living situation, his step sister Skylar.
Skylar immediately tries to make Xander feel welcome, however, wearing down all his built up defenses is proving to be harder than she thought. Skylar has never even kissed a boy other than in a game of spin the bottle when she was younger, needless to say that first kiss was not an experience she’s in any hurry repeat any time soon.
Xander is happy living in his room, in his bubble or metal music, and with the affections of the cheer captain. Until one day Skylar catches them under the bleachers, and it’s not the look of the girl on her knees that gets him off. Waring with the troubling thoughts that he may find the attention of his step sister more intriguing than he ever wants to admit. The stolen glances, and the building tension and angst. Skylar after finding that she was feeling things she shouldn’t for the boy on the other side of her wall may find that they can heal each other’s demons.
One thing leads to another and the tension finally snaps, now how much of themselves are they willing to give the other knowing they can never have a true relationship. Skylar is falling fast and decides she wants to give the last piece she has to offer to Xander, her virginity. Only in the moment it slips that she loves him and that’s not words he’s ready to hear.
After graduation comes around Xander is leaving, skipping prom. Skylar decides to give the QB another chance, even after her best friend’s insistence he’s a bad person. Lizzie hates everyone though, so she can’t be right, can she. Prom will definitely be a night to remember, however, Skylar didn’t expect it to be the night it broke her soul.
This is a beautiful book of forbidden love, trauma and healing.
Please check your TWs, this book contains on page SA, and the effects that follow.
Thank you so much to author Crystal Crist for allowing me to read this masterpiece in exchange for my honest review
December 27, 2024
I love dedication "This book is dedicated to every woman, girl, and child, that has been on the receiving end of a man who took more than they deserved, and claimed the parts of us they didn’t own. For the people who crave love, but feel they are no longer worthy of it. I see you. I hear you. And I love you."
""Sometimes I know how it ends before it begins, but you were unexpected. I chased you off the only path I knew, and all I know now is without you, I could never find my way." – Alicia N Green"
This book had me hooked from the begining . The FMC Skylar, she is the valedictorian good girl that have everything going for her aswell as the attention of the highschool quaterback .But she is plagued with her own nightmares after she lost her dad in a car accident ... she is terrified to drive
MMC Xander, he is a broken soul that spent most of his life with a drug addicted mother and taking reguarly beating from her suppliers but somehow he manges to get good grades with the hope of getting out
i am not gonna spoil too much of this book as you will havve to read it yourself
""Sometimes I know how it ends before it begins, but you were unexpected. I chased you off the only path I knew, and all I know now is without you, I could never find my way." – Alicia N Green"
This book had me hooked from the begining . The FMC Skylar, she is the valedictorian good girl that have everything going for her aswell as the attention of the highschool quaterback .But she is plagued with her own nightmares after she lost her dad in a car accident ... she is terrified to drive
MMC Xander, he is a broken soul that spent most of his life with a drug addicted mother and taking reguarly beating from her suppliers but somehow he manges to get good grades with the hope of getting out
i am not gonna spoil too much of this book as you will havve to read it yourself
December 30, 2025
I am very clearly in the minority with my two star rating. To be fair, this was gearing up to be a solid three stars until the ending and that, unfortunately, resulted in losing a star.
Really I just felt like it was rushed.
Spoiler warning ‼️
She gets raped at almost 90% through the book.. they have a falling out and stop talking, she gets raped, he stays to help take care of her for a couple months until he has to leave for college (and that whole time they don't even have a conversation mind you) and then the epilogue is a year later where they run into each other at school. Obviously it leaves it open ended to assume they end up together but it's not actually confirmed. Oh and the parents get a divorce which I just thought was stupid and unnecessary. I'm not deep enough for this shit. I need a clear cut happy ending. This should have been a longer book or her getting assaulted should have been cut out entirely.
Other than that, the characters were likable and the chemistry was fine. Like I said above, I would have given three stars but the ending ruined that for me.
Really I just felt like it was rushed.
Spoiler warning ‼️
She gets raped at almost 90% through the book.. they have a falling out and stop talking, she gets raped, he stays to help take care of her for a couple months until he has to leave for college (and that whole time they don't even have a conversation mind you) and then the epilogue is a year later where they run into each other at school. Obviously it leaves it open ended to assume they end up together but it's not actually confirmed. Oh and the parents get a divorce which I just thought was stupid and unnecessary. I'm not deep enough for this shit. I need a clear cut happy ending. This should have been a longer book or her getting assaulted should have been cut out entirely.
Other than that, the characters were likable and the chemistry was fine. Like I said above, I would have given three stars but the ending ruined that for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2025
Wow. I don't even know how to begin! I couldn't put it down! I started around 2pm and finished around 1am, mind you with many stops in between while at work. But I couldn't stop! So beautifully written and she got my attention by the first chapter! I felt like I was there, I felt like I could feel the tension, the love, the hate, the romance all in one!
The fact that I hated Christian from the get go even before any insinuations was exactly how I knew things were gonna get intense. I had such a bad feeling for her with prom. I cried with Xander! It's like I was in that room with Lizzie begging her to be okay. So glad she is okay(in the alive sense) and so glad she is working through her trauma.
Oh my heart. what a way to start my new year, with such an amazing book. I truly wish there would be a novella or something so we can get more of these two. I desperately need it! They are just perfection! I understand if there is not because it was such a bittersweet ending, but man I would love to see how they heal together and move forward, plus would love more Lizzie!
The fact that I hated Christian from the get go even before any insinuations was exactly how I knew things were gonna get intense. I had such a bad feeling for her with prom. I cried with Xander! It's like I was in that room with Lizzie begging her to be okay. So glad she is okay(in the alive sense) and so glad she is working through her trauma.
Oh my heart. what a way to start my new year, with such an amazing book. I truly wish there would be a novella or something so we can get more of these two. I desperately need it! They are just perfection! I understand if there is not because it was such a bittersweet ending, but man I would love to see how they heal together and move forward, plus would love more Lizzie!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2025
I was given this book as an ARC reader, and finished it in a day and a half. Let me first start off by saying this book had me undone! Like torpedoing my heart into the side of a carrier vessel💥and then sending all the pieces down into the ocean's abyss. I yearned for more in the ending. I needed to see beyond those final words. However, I think this is what made “Blackbird” an excellent story. The pull to see more of Xander and Skyler. How would they end up if there had been another chapter? Xander and Skyler's characters glided out of those pages, or rather, I found my soul was being pulled into their lives. When Skyler hurt, it squeezed my own heart. When Xander realized his wrong doings or shared his past, again, I felt those emotions. When the ending closed out, that's when the tears decided to make an appearance. 🥹 Amazing books have a way of capturing something special, but "Blackbird" felt like a true experience. It's as if the book stole from me (in the best possible way!) Hands down this book would be one of those you return back to every so often.
June 8, 2025
I loved this book! When I heard it was a stepbrother romance I immediately said ,” not for me.” When I read the synopsis and heard reviews, I quickly changed my mind.
Skyler loses her dad tragically and years later, her mom finds love again with John.
Xander grows up in a very toxic environment with a drug addicted mother, his father, abandoned him when he was young.
His father is John, Skyler’s stepfather. He has a lot of money and power, she has had a very good life since her mother married him. Xander and Skyler know nothing of eachother until he shows up at their house to live there. His mother has died.
At first Xander doesn’t treat Skyler very well. She’s grown up in a wealthy home while he was trying to survive.
They start communicating, getting to know eachother, feelings start to happen.
Will they be able to ignore these feelings, what would people think?
Incredible read!
Skyler loses her dad tragically and years later, her mom finds love again with John.
Xander grows up in a very toxic environment with a drug addicted mother, his father, abandoned him when he was young.
His father is John, Skyler’s stepfather. He has a lot of money and power, she has had a very good life since her mother married him. Xander and Skyler know nothing of eachother until he shows up at their house to live there. His mother has died.
At first Xander doesn’t treat Skyler very well. She’s grown up in a wealthy home while he was trying to survive.
They start communicating, getting to know eachother, feelings start to happen.
Will they be able to ignore these feelings, what would people think?
Incredible read!
September 2, 2025
Honest reviewer
TRIGGER WARNINGS
Overall 4 star
Character 4 star
Plot 4 star
Ending 4 star
Pacing 5 star
Writing style 5 star
Spice 3 star
Favorite Character- Lizzie
READ YOUR TRIGGER WARNING!
RAPE
I would say I really enjoyed this book. I am not a huge fan of the step brother romance, however, this book wasn’t too bad for me to read. The writing style is good. The characters are well developed. The plot was plotting and it kept my attention the whole time. The pace kept me on my toes. It is pretty spicy if you don’t read a lot of spicy books. And the ending absolutely tore my heart out of my chest.
I'm not the reviewer that is going to tell you what happens but I am an honest reviewer.
TRIGGER WARNINGS
Overall 4 star
Character 4 star
Plot 4 star
Ending 4 star
Pacing 5 star
Writing style 5 star
Spice 3 star
Favorite Character- Lizzie
READ YOUR TRIGGER WARNING!
RAPE
I would say I really enjoyed this book. I am not a huge fan of the step brother romance, however, this book wasn’t too bad for me to read. The writing style is good. The characters are well developed. The plot was plotting and it kept my attention the whole time. The pace kept me on my toes. It is pretty spicy if you don’t read a lot of spicy books. And the ending absolutely tore my heart out of my chest.
I'm not the reviewer that is going to tell you what happens but I am an honest reviewer.
December 19, 2024
I’m so glad I was chosen to receive an arc! I honestly wish I could give this more than a 5 star rating! I have been in a reading slump for months and this book pulled me right out of it. I read it in a day and literally could not put it down. If you are looking for a step sibling, sweet innocent fmc and grumpy messed up mc this is the book for you. Plus a badass best friend that would literally fight anyone for her! “What happens when the darkness comes for you too?” “You are my light,Skyler. The shadows can’t touch me here.” This book gave me all the feels. The spice was 👩🏻🍳💋 5/5🌶️ this was honestly one of the best books I’ve read this year!!
May 13, 2025
This story hit really close to home with me.
Like one of the characters in this book I lost a family member to a car accident. The spice makes in interesting but what I love is the emotional connection the two leads share. Never in any other store have I seen two characters “see” each other. Trauma make you feel broken, feel isolated. These two are not broken in each other’s eye but beautiful. That ending. The violence brought upon the least deserving. The retribution that followed. We all know there will be fallout. It is incredible that the author was able to drop a bomb on us at the end and not feel like a cheap cliffhanger. True talent.
Like one of the characters in this book I lost a family member to a car accident. The spice makes in interesting but what I love is the emotional connection the two leads share. Never in any other store have I seen two characters “see” each other. Trauma make you feel broken, feel isolated. These two are not broken in each other’s eye but beautiful. That ending. The violence brought upon the least deserving. The retribution that followed. We all know there will be fallout. It is incredible that the author was able to drop a bomb on us at the end and not feel like a cheap cliffhanger. True talent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2025
TRIGGER WARNINGS
Overall 4 star
Character 4 star
Plot 4 star
Ending 4 star
Pacing 5 star
Writing style 5 star
Spice 3 star
Favorite Character- Lizzie
READ YOUR TRIGGER WARNING!
RAPE
I would say I really enjoyed this book. I am not a huge fan of the step brother romance, however, this book wasn’t too bad for me to read. The writing style is good. The characters are well developed. The plot was plotting and it kept my attention the whole time. The pace kept me on my toes. It is pretty spicy if you don’t read a lot of spicy books. And the ending absolutely tore my heart out of my chest.
I'm not the reviewer that is going to tell you what happens but I am an honest reviewer.
Overall 4 star
Character 4 star
Plot 4 star
Ending 4 star
Pacing 5 star
Writing style 5 star
Spice 3 star
Favorite Character- Lizzie
READ YOUR TRIGGER WARNING!
RAPE
I would say I really enjoyed this book. I am not a huge fan of the step brother romance, however, this book wasn’t too bad for me to read. The writing style is good. The characters are well developed. The plot was plotting and it kept my attention the whole time. The pace kept me on my toes. It is pretty spicy if you don’t read a lot of spicy books. And the ending absolutely tore my heart out of my chest.
I'm not the reviewer that is going to tell you what happens but I am an honest reviewer.
December 28, 2024
An amazingly written, heart wrenching story of forbidden love.
This book will give you all the feels!
I was hooked from the beginning.
I was hit with such an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia as I saw into Skyler’s mind while she experienced the feelings and raw emotions that come with being young and falling in love.
It was beautiful, and then it was tragic.
My heart was broken and barely patched back together by the end.
Highly recommend to lovers of dark romance.
Be sure to check your trigger warnings.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book will give you all the feels!
I was hooked from the beginning.
I was hit with such an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia as I saw into Skyler’s mind while she experienced the feelings and raw emotions that come with being young and falling in love.
It was beautiful, and then it was tragic.
My heart was broken and barely patched back together by the end.
Highly recommend to lovers of dark romance.
Be sure to check your trigger warnings.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️🌶️
January 25, 2025
Great story, great writing
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. In fact, as soon as I finished, I automatically started again.
I really enjoyed the author's writing style. It plays out as a movie in your mind. That when you know it's great writing. It is heartbreaking and tough to read at times but, the author does an amazing job with it.
*make sure to check TW*
My only disappointment with this book is how abruptly it ended. It felt unfinished.
We can only hope for more.
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. In fact, as soon as I finished, I automatically started again.
I really enjoyed the author's writing style. It plays out as a movie in your mind. That when you know it's great writing. It is heartbreaking and tough to read at times but, the author does an amazing job with it.
*make sure to check TW*
My only disappointment with this book is how abruptly it ended. It felt unfinished.
We can only hope for more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews