Golden Ruin: a 'Golden Boys' Pro Football Sports Romance

by Rachel Jonas, Nikki Thorne

Sterling Golden—NFL superstar, a man who has everything but the one woman he can’t seem to let go.

Me.

He returned to Cypress Pointe on a private jet to join his coach’s “dream team,” looking every bit as rich and famous as he’s become since we ended things. Only, our lives look nothing like they did when he left five years ago.

Back then, we were inseparable, in love, and blissfully unaware of what our future held.

Today, we’re two totally different people and probably wouldn’t speak at all if it weren’t for Jaxon. Our four-year-old son has never known what it’s like to have Mommy and Daddy be anything but cordial.

Sterling and I have co-parenting and strategic avoidance down to a science. Things are easier that way. But then tragedy pulls me and Jax headfirst into Sterling’s world, his life… his home.

Now, we’re living under one roof, building a routine that looks deceptively easy, trying not to fall back into old habits when it’s late and the house is dangerously quiet.

Life was complicated enough without such a major plot twist, and I’m learning one hell of a lesson.

That saying you’re done… doesn’t always make it true.

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Golden Empire is part of the interconnected KINGS’ Universe, which includes series such ‘KINGS OF CYPRESS POINTE’, ‘SAVAGE KINGS OF BRADWYN U’, and ‘KINGS OF CYPRESS GOLDEN EMPIRE’, listed in chronological order.
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Golden Ruin is a continuation of the KINGS OF CYPRESS POINTE series, featuring characters from the original saga well into adulthood. It isn’t necessary to start with the OG series, but checking it out either before or after you read Golden Rule (Golden Empire, Book One) may enrich the overall reading experience.

Author This installment in the series contains sensitive topics such as past emotional trauma and a house fire resulting in injury. If you’re uncomfortable with either of these themes, this couple’s journey may not be for you. Sterling and Lexi’s story is a second-chance romance with a guaranteed HEA, and there’s absolutely no cheating. Due to adult themes, coarse language, and sexual situations, this one’s for the 18+ crowd.

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More about GOLDEN RUIN

NFL/Football/Sports RomanceRomance with SpiceFound family who will live rent-free inside your heartAlpha MalesMillionaire RomanceContemporary Romance/Adult RomanceJealous Possessive Heroes galoreAll the “MINE” energy you can handleForced Proximity HeatHappy reading!

RJ/NT

468 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2026

Reviews

[Paula (in & out) · Rating 0.25 out of 5]

Why can’t people ever write a good 2nd chance romance? What is so hard about that?

Plot:

MCs have known each other since they were kids but it’s not until they were in college that their romance started and they fell in love. Details are not this author’s forte as we are left with many, many plot holes from background info on the MCs like how or why they fell in love in college, how long they were together, how long they were separated though one can guess it is 5 years, to relationships with OP, feelings in the present time period, etc.

All that we are told is that they were very much in love in the past but their relationship was toxic (according to MMC). That term is used a lot by MMC to excuse his shitty behavior towards FMC and for leaving her. The problem is we are never shown any toxic behavior. We are told that in the past, they would get high on dope, have sex and sometimes fight – rinse & repeat and that FMC didn’t talk/communicate with MMC and for this reason he could not stay with her so he left her. Left her pregnant BTW.

But when FMC confronts him about his leaving, we learn that she was dealing with abandonment issues of her bio Dad at the time whom she was trying to get close to and constantly getting rejected over & over again. In one of those times, she was angry & hurt and set her Dad’s car on fire and when she tried over & over again to explain to MMC how hurt she was feeling about her dad’s rejection and anger, he shut her down, dismissed her feelings and blamed her for not being strong enough to walk away from her Dad. He basically refused to listen, sympathize and understand where she was coming from. Refused to give her the time she needed to deal with her Bio Dad’s rejection in her own time & way so when she stopped talking to him about her feelings, he saw it as an excuse of toxic behavior and her not communicating. And did he ever apologize for that? NOPE.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Me and Lex were toxic as hell together back in the day. We loved each other, yeah, but that relationship taught me that love isn’t always enough. Every time we tried talking about something real, it was like navigating a minefield. And in the end, I didn’t know how to stay with someone I was afraid to even have a conversation with. But it took me stepping away to see the part I played. How I fell short when it came to supporting her emotions, how I became dismissive when she’d say what she was feeling or what she needed.

So he ups and leaves her and she is devastated because on top of her Father’s rejection & abandonment, she now has the same from the man she loves. And also, at the same time she finds out she is pregnant with his kid! We never get that scene of how he felt to become a Dad, whether he was involved at all in her pregnancy, whether he gave her child support, whether he ever contemplated marriage and becoming a family, etc. If it was an OW who was pregnant, you betcha he would have dropped FMC in a heartbeat, married OW and played happy families!

So now in the present, it’s 5 years later and they co-parent their child separately. When MMC walked away, he completely erased her and never thought of her again. For more than 30% or so, he just thinks of her as his kid’s mother and of their relationship being in the past. He also had no problem moving on from her to OW whom he fell in love with, lived with and was engaged to. How long he & OW were together is never mentioned but it seems a couple of years. When story opens, he & OW are on the skids because she left for Miami 4 months prior to think things through and to grow her brand (she’s an Instagram model or something). He bought a house that he & OW chose but she never made it to the closing to sign her name on the lease and MMC is angry at OW when she calls it “home” because she is not home to share it with him.

What annoyed me about this is that he so easily moved on with OW and says over & over again how he fell in love with her and that she may be using him for his fame & money to advance her career, yet in the next breath he states that he would have given her the world if she came home and they got married.

Because only one of us thought she had to leave permanently for her to pursue her dream. Whether she needed time away to travel, needed me to make an introduction to someone with connections, needed to leverage my visibility, I did all that shit.
For her.
Because I loved her.
----
Four months is a long time. A long time to think, a long time to guess whether you still have a relationship, a long time to learn to live without someone. And whether she likes it or not, after being apart for so long, I didn’t have much choice but to get good at that last part.

“And you keep calling this our home, but this is my fucking home, Tiffany! Because I stayed. I was here to fight this out with you, but you chose something else, remember? You did that.”

He also several times mentions that he hates seeing OW cry. He apparently can’t stand to see her so sad – yet when FMC cried several times, he had no such POVs at all!

She doesn’t say anything back right away, just holds the phone, still fighting back tears. I try not to picture her, try not to think about what us falling apart is doing to her, but I feel it all.

She sniffles again, and I hate the sound of her crying as much as I ever have.

He also, never lived with FMC when they were a couple in college and supposedly so in love. That’s a distinction that author makes in this crap-fest that annoyed me so much because she inserted this in the first half, but in the last half she wants us to believe that he never stopped loving FMC and she was always his one & only. What bullcrap! If authors want us to believe that, then perhaps stop inserting such shit with OP?

So anyway, in the present for a few chapters, MMC is still engaged to OW and contemplating breaking up with her. Even when FMC comes back in the picture and is living with him, he is still postponing breaking off things with OW until finally he can’t take OW’s excuses anymore and ends things.

As for FMC, her sister burns down her house by accident and FMC gets burned in her arms while rescuing her kid. She becomes homeless and MMC invites her to stay at his home temporarily until she is back on her feet and can find a new place so that he can take care of their kid while she recovers. So she & the kid move in and for 50-60%, nothing romantic happens between them until MMC’s brothers & OW let him know that he may have never gotten over the FMC and may have residual feelings for her. (Does anyone else hate this plot point when an MC has to be pushed and told that he has feelings for the other MC?)

Of course, he denies it and constantly reminds himself how toxic they were and that he no longer has feelings for her and moved on, blah, blah, blah. We even have OW tell him that FMC never stopped loving him because on the day they came home and told FMC they were engaged, FMC cried. At this point, I expected at the very least a reaction from MMC such as him remembering that moment, feeling some guilt or regret or anything. Yep, nada. Not a single f****g word and never to be repeated which showed this reader at least how clearly he didn’t give a shit about FMC. He showed more emotions & love for OW who was indeed using him and he didn’t care, then he ever did for the FMC who author tries to convince us is the love of his life. Again, Bullcrap.

Another example of his non-feelings for FMC is that while we are told MMC moved on with OW and was happy for as long as they were together, we don’t get any details about FMC if she was celibate or not during the 5 year separation. All we are told is that in the present there is a very nice OM whom she has known for 8 years who is a friend & her Boss and that she is starting to have feelings for. She even got butterflies (of the good kind) in one scene when she hugs him. She said in the beginning that they were in a “situationship” so I wrongly assumed they were also having sex. Nope. All we are told is that they were exploring about being more than friends & colleagues. OM was so much better. He was totally in love with her, great with her kid and very supportive & understanding. He tells her at one point when she is conflicted to choose which man she wants to be with, that HE never chose an OW over her. HE is loyal & supportive (unlike MMC) and that HE wants forever with her! And what does she do? She breaks his heart and chooses the bloody awful asshole over him. I wanted to cry at this point because I was all for her leaving the asshole behind and erasing him as he did to her! But nope, we can’t have that, can we?

Anyway, the last 30-40% of the story is a little better in terms that the MCs finally talk to each other and are together. But then OW causes a media storm to spite them by making FMC look like an unfit Mother and a ho with MMC being a cheater. In fictional romance and in RL, I would have expected (no, DEMANDED) that the MMC take care of this gross piece of shit and take her down! You know, defend my woman’s honor and all that? Yeah, no. He basically goes on this podcast to say that FMC is a great mother and he never cheated on OW and that he won’t press charges against OW for her lies. Uhm, excuse-moi? No man, I needed you to drag that biotch into the woods and rip her head off!

And speaking of OW, why was there no discussion ever about her with the MCs? Why didn’t FMC express her hurt to him about how quickly he moved on with OW and fell in love with her and asked her to marry him? This was such an important aspect in the story that it deserved an explanation from MMC to distinguish the two loves. If FMC was the love of his life, what was the OW? WHY did he fall in love with her? WHY did he ask her to marry him? What was about the OW that drew him to her? What was their relationship like? How long were they together? What “issues” grew them apart? What type of relationship did she have with his kid?

As for him expressing any jealousy of FMC moving on with OM, he was more hurt & jealous of the OM’s close relationship with his son and him being left out than of FMC moving on with OM. The first half of the story whenever OM showed up (which was far few), he sees OM with his kid and gets possessive & jealous. But when FMC is hugging OM and talking to him, his POVs is that he should go away for a few months so that he could allow FMC & OM to get closer and for him not see it. He doesn’t go away BTW, but those POVs again showed his lack of love or care for FMC.

Anyway, I wish I understood why people who write these 2nd chance tropes think we want to read this crap. People who read fictional romance do so for the fantasy & escapism. This load of garbage is just that – garbage.

A few other things that didn’t work is that MMC seems to move on from one relationship to another at no time at all. When he left FMC, he fell in love with OW. When he breaks up with OW, he immediately hooks up with FMC like a bouncing ball. Why was that not brought up ever? Then there was the house thing. He & OW bought the house for themselves so one assumes, OW slept there since he had to pack her shit and forward it to her, yet FMC is cool with that? I would not be cool with that. I would have never entered that place much less slept in his bed where OW’s ass laid and with all her things & his memories of her. And then we also have the HEA. Why did it take him towards the Epilogue after months of them being together to ask her to marry him in a very non-romantic proposal? Why was she also okay not to have all his firsts – the living together, the ILY’s, proposal, buying a house, etc.?

Yeah, this sucked.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reading this while it was being released on Patreon. I’ve read the ARC twice over. Lexi and Sterling have been and will continue to be my favorite. Honestly, while reading West and Blu’s duet I was eating up every Sterling and Lexi breadcrumb🤣. The way they were experiencing the new proximity gave me Veronica and Logan reconciliation vibes (minus the kid of course). Maybe it’s just because I was at the time doing a Veronica Mars (movie)rewatch, but it did match that tone. They moved on in their own ways and life happened. Personally, I felt as if their second chance was well paced. The drama and dilemmas they experienced in the previous books gave a bit more insight prior to their official return. The tension and the confrontation was long overdue between two very prideful and stubborn individuals.

Aside from the whole superstar football career, I’ve witnessed relationships experience these things. Their career choices weren’t aligning. Neither wanting to hold the other back. Lexi’s family was her safe space. Sterling’s father was … well iykyk. They were young and faced unexpected challenges that drastically changed their lives. People self sabotage and the ability to communicate can tank as quickly. The angst wasn’t overkill either. Just two people with unresolved issues. Of course there was dramaaaaa. Kinda necessary to drive the plot lol. However, Tiffany and Pandora aren’t a strong topic in this review. Covering the relationship development is what I’m here to review.

Overall, Rachel did a solid job showing how their maturity levels and overall life experience were necessary for them to grow. She showed two people navigating a fractured past, a new normal, as well as learning and accepting who they are in the present. She nailed the hesitancy, uncertainty, and overthinking when trying to approach and rebuild a fragile relationship. I guess, I’m ultimately just trying to say I appreciated that the overall tone of the relationship felt (to me) more relatable and realistic.

[2manybooks.2littletime · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this world, and I have been waiting for Sterling and Lexi's story for what feels like forever. The angst between these two was absolutely next level. From the very first chapter, I was completely invested in them and honestly, even before I started reading, I knew they were endgame. They just had to navigate years of hurt, misunderstandings, and unresolved feelings to find their way back to each other.

Rachel Jonas delivered all the emotional tension I was hoping for. Watching Sterling realize exactly what he needed to do to prove to Lexi that his heart had always belonged to her was both frustrating and beautiful. Their journey wasn't easy, but that's what made it so satisfying. The co-parenting dynamic, the forced proximity, and all those quiet moments under one roof created the perfect amount of tension and longing.

This story had me rooting for them every step of the way, and seeing them fight for the family they deserved made it impossible to put down. Another fantastic addition to a world I never want to leave.

[ILuv2Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been patiently awaiting Lexie and Sterling’s story since the breadcrumbs were put in the last two books. As one who doesn’t use Patreon, the wait was worth it. I love where the author took this story and how much they have both grown since the original King of Cypress Pointe books years ago. The way Lexie and Sterling both owned up to the mistakes in they both made in the past, and the way they never stopped loving each other, even from a distance kept me thinking about them all day until I was able to get back to reading. And, Jax, that kid was written as the perfect mix between their personalities. I loved seeing Sterling be a better father than he had growing up.

The only thing missing was an in-person smack- down on Tiffany by Sterling and Lexie. But I’m not mad at all at how the truth came out in the end.

It’s tricky to continue stories into the future like this, but kudos to Ms Jonas for doing such an awesome job.

I can only hope that Joss and Dane get a book in the future.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting for Lexi and Sterling's story for what feels like forever. And let me tell you Rachel did not disappoint. I have been reading every single book she has written and especially with all the golden boys. I was extremely anticipating Sterling and Lexi because of all the problems I knew we're going to be in this book. Not only did Rachel deliver on everything I thought I could ever want between Lexi and Sterling she gave me more than I thought would ever be there. This Universe sucks you in pulls you down where you just keep wanting more. I am so looking forward to any more of the couples in this book that she writes about. When she first came out and she was going to continue the series as they're grown up selves I was so excited and she delivered more than I could have ever asked for.

[Karja26 · Rating 4 out of 5]

really really tried to savour this!

I really really tried to savour this! But Sterling & Lexi are my fave CypressPointe couple and I was heartbroken HEARTBROKEN I told you when I saw they had broken up, WHAT DO YOU MEAN RACHEL?!? Why, How!?

Anyways crazy rant aside, I will always love the CP crew, S&L (and lil man Jax) hold a special place in my reader heart, glad to see their re journey and cannot wait to for book 4 cause I could already see the drama!

Side note….I wanted Tiffany to suffer more, I’m angry at her for all the drama caused and thinks she deserved to be crucified…. But that’s just me,

[Sunni Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My soul is complete!

Sterling and Lexi were my favorite OG couple. To find out they lost their way broke my heart, so I was beyond excited to know they were getting their story again, and it did not disappoint! Sterling coming to the realization that he loved Lexi was everything. Watching BOTH of them learn where they went wrong and owning up to it was refreshing to see. They both deserved the HEA they are finally going to get!

[Mona Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Golden Ruin

I can't tell you how excited I was for this book. I absolutely love these two, and when they broke up i was crushed, but I trusted the process, I really did. Now onto Pandora....so we get a few questions answered, but oh so, so many more questions remain. Who is behind the keyboard now? Or how many? I absolutely love this world and can't get enough

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very slow burn second chance.

This story was way to much of a slow burn for me. I get the characters need to work their problems out , however I struggled to finish with the pacing of the story. The characters were likeable & it was great to see the rest of the gang .

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just yes. I am so happy this book finally came out. I just HAD to know the rest of Lexi and Sterling’s story. This book was so them and I can not wait for the next book

[Amanda Kintner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

Love this world. Love these couples. Love everything about this series! Naturally they found their way back to eachother. The will they wont they pull was so good!