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Hard Knocks #1 & 2
X: The Hard Knocks Complete Story
This edition contains: Phenomenal X, Xavier Cold and a bonus book: Naughty King!
Good Girl. Notorious Bad-Boy. One Phenomenal Love.
From the mean streets of Detroit rises the newest superstar of professional wrestling, Xavier Cold, better known as Phenomenal X. His muscular physique makes men cower before him and women lose their minds with desire.
Anna Cortez is fresh out of college and naive to the harsh realities of the real world. Tired of living under the thumb of her conservative family, she defies them when she accepts a job as the assistant to wrestling’s most notorious bad-boy. Phenomenal X has an animalistic nature that even good girl Anna finds hard to resist.
One night forced to share a bed in a sold-out hotel, lines blur between them and they quickly learn that one lustful night changes everything and neither one of them will ever be the same.
*** Limited edition box set includes New York Times and USA Today Bestselling books, Phenomenal X and Xavier Cold, The Complete Hard Knocks Series. Bonus Book to a new series included: Naughty King (A Sexy Manhattan Fairytale: Part One)***
Good Girl. Notorious Bad-Boy. One Phenomenal Love.
From the mean streets of Detroit rises the newest superstar of professional wrestling, Xavier Cold, better known as Phenomenal X. His muscular physique makes men cower before him and women lose their minds with desire.
Anna Cortez is fresh out of college and naive to the harsh realities of the real world. Tired of living under the thumb of her conservative family, she defies them when she accepts a job as the assistant to wrestling’s most notorious bad-boy. Phenomenal X has an animalistic nature that even good girl Anna finds hard to resist.
One night forced to share a bed in a sold-out hotel, lines blur between them and they quickly learn that one lustful night changes everything and neither one of them will ever be the same.
*** Limited edition box set includes New York Times and USA Today Bestselling books, Phenomenal X and Xavier Cold, The Complete Hard Knocks Series. Bonus Book to a new series included: Naughty King (A Sexy Manhattan Fairytale: Part One)***
515 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2016
77 people are currently reading
308 people want to read
About the author
Michelle A. Valentine
45 books6,216 followers**Please direct all inquires to my website as I don't check messages on this site: www.michelleavalentine.com **
New York Times and USA Today Best Selling Author Michelle A. Valentine is a Central Ohio nurse turned author of erotic romance and New Adult novels. Her love of hard-rock music, tattoos and sexy musicians inspired her BLACK FALCON series.
Follow Michelle on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michel...
Website: www.michelleavalentine.com
Newsletter: http://michelleavalentine.us3.list-ma...
If you are interested in reviewing books please write to Michelle at michelleavalentinebooks@gmail.com
New York Times and USA Today Best Selling Author Michelle A. Valentine is a Central Ohio nurse turned author of erotic romance and New Adult novels. Her love of hard-rock music, tattoos and sexy musicians inspired her BLACK FALCON series.
Follow Michelle on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michel...
Website: www.michelleavalentine.com
Newsletter: http://michelleavalentine.us3.list-ma...
If you are interested in reviewing books please write to Michelle at michelleavalentinebooks@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 6, 2016
I really, really liked Xavier, sigh. Lol. Good series.
Want to read
July 9, 2018💝FREE on Amazon today (7/9/2018)!💝
Blurb:
This edition contains: Phenomenal X, Xavier Cold and a bonus book: Naughty King!
Good Girl. Notorious Bad-Boy. One Phenomenal Love.
From the mean streets of Detroit rises the newest superstar of professional wrestling, Xavier Cold, better known as Phenomenal X. His muscular physique makes men cower before him and women lose their minds with desire.
Anna Cortez is fresh out of college and naive to the harsh realities of the real world. Tired of living under the thumb of her conservative family, she defies them when she accepts a job as the assistant to wrestling’s most notorious bad-boy. Phenomenal X has an animalistic nature that even good girl Anna finds hard to resist.
One night forced to share a bed in a sold-out hotel, lines blur between them and they quickly learn that one lustful night changes everything and neither one of them will ever be the same.
*** Limited edition box set includes New York Times and USA Today Bestselling books, Phenomenal X and Xavier Cold, The Complete Hard Knocks Series. Bonus Book to a new series included: Naughty King (A Sexy Manhattan Fairytale: Part One)***
Blurb:
This edition contains: Phenomenal X, Xavier Cold and a bonus book: Naughty King!
Good Girl. Notorious Bad-Boy. One Phenomenal Love.
From the mean streets of Detroit rises the newest superstar of professional wrestling, Xavier Cold, better known as Phenomenal X. His muscular physique makes men cower before him and women lose their minds with desire.
Anna Cortez is fresh out of college and naive to the harsh realities of the real world. Tired of living under the thumb of her conservative family, she defies them when she accepts a job as the assistant to wrestling’s most notorious bad-boy. Phenomenal X has an animalistic nature that even good girl Anna finds hard to resist.
One night forced to share a bed in a sold-out hotel, lines blur between them and they quickly learn that one lustful night changes everything and neither one of them will ever be the same.
*** Limited edition box set includes New York Times and USA Today Bestselling books, Phenomenal X and Xavier Cold, The Complete Hard Knocks Series. Bonus Book to a new series included: Naughty King (A Sexy Manhattan Fairytale: Part One)***
March 10, 2016
A gentle, yet demanding caveman full of possessiveness falls for a sweet, innocent, full of love beautiful woman. Embark on the beautiful tortured journey of Xavier & Anna to see if they can find a happily ever after or if the dark consumes them both....
December 1, 2017
I think I should have known that this wasn't going to work for me.
See, I really dislike WWE style wrestling. Like, at all. It irritates me.
I'm an MMA girl all the way.
That was a huge strike against this story in my book, but I gave it a whirl anyhow. Duh.
But even when I was able to get past that, I still really really disliked Anna. She was whiny and annoying.
See, I really dislike WWE style wrestling. Like, at all. It irritates me.
I'm an MMA girl all the way.
That was a huge strike against this story in my book, but I gave it a whirl anyhow. Duh.
But even when I was able to get past that, I still really really disliked Anna. She was whiny and annoying.
August 22, 2017
PHENOMENAL X:
Xavier he knows the affect he has on women, "he goes back to signing his name and shrugs. "I always take in very inch of my surroundings, and any man would be a effing fool if he didn't notice you." He knows how to make compelling arguments, "I haven't even kiss you yet, and I'm already effing hard. Spend the night with me. Let me show you just how good I can make you feel." He's very protective of his girl, "Anna, when it comes to you, nothing else matters. No one will speak to you like that and get away with it. It's not going to happen." When the boy makes up his mind there's no arguing with him, "I st my eyes sternly on hers so she knows this isn't up for discussion. "You're mine. I take care of what's mine. End of story." I was actually quite surprised to find a cliffhanger at the end of this book, but to me it wasn't so bad.
XAVIER COLD:
Xavier's words of romance are quite naughty, "I kiss the warm flesh of her stomach and stare up at her through hooded eyes. “Did I mention how effing sexy you looked tonight? You have no idea how tempted I was to drag you to a dark corner somewhere and have my way with you” I enjoyed this book I loved Xavier.
Xavier he knows the affect he has on women, "he goes back to signing his name and shrugs. "I always take in very inch of my surroundings, and any man would be a effing fool if he didn't notice you." He knows how to make compelling arguments, "I haven't even kiss you yet, and I'm already effing hard. Spend the night with me. Let me show you just how good I can make you feel." He's very protective of his girl, "Anna, when it comes to you, nothing else matters. No one will speak to you like that and get away with it. It's not going to happen." When the boy makes up his mind there's no arguing with him, "I st my eyes sternly on hers so she knows this isn't up for discussion. "You're mine. I take care of what's mine. End of story." I was actually quite surprised to find a cliffhanger at the end of this book, but to me it wasn't so bad.
XAVIER COLD:
Xavier's words of romance are quite naughty, "I kiss the warm flesh of her stomach and stare up at her through hooded eyes. “Did I mention how effing sexy you looked tonight? You have no idea how tempted I was to drag you to a dark corner somewhere and have my way with you” I enjoyed this book I loved Xavier.
March 5, 2018
❤️🌼🔥THE HARD KNOCKS COMPLETE STORY❤️🌼🔥
Xavier Cold is a famous professional wrestler aka Phenomenal X, who is running from his past with lots of secrets and lots of rage...plus he’s gorgeous and hot, and, naturally, all of the women want him....Beautiful, Anna Cortez is running from the future her father has already planned out, including who she is going to marry...❤️🌼🔥
When Xavier meets Anna, she has no clue who he is, and his normal “game” doesn’t work on her...which, Xavier loves and, obviously, makes him want her more... Anna wants Xavier too, but she is determined not to be another “notch on his bedpost.” So the chase in on...❤️🌼🔥
Xavier and Anna have so much chemistry, I was afraid my kindle would explode.....Michelle Valentine wrote a hot love story with two lovable characters, and they are two really good books in this series....
Included with this series: Naughty King (A Sexy Manhattan Fairytale: Part One)...This is a fantastic series!!! I Love the book...and I Love Michelle Valentine❤️🌼🔥
Xavier Cold is a famous professional wrestler aka Phenomenal X, who is running from his past with lots of secrets and lots of rage...plus he’s gorgeous and hot, and, naturally, all of the women want him....Beautiful, Anna Cortez is running from the future her father has already planned out, including who she is going to marry...❤️🌼🔥
When Xavier meets Anna, she has no clue who he is, and his normal “game” doesn’t work on her...which, Xavier loves and, obviously, makes him want her more... Anna wants Xavier too, but she is determined not to be another “notch on his bedpost.” So the chase in on...❤️🌼🔥
Xavier and Anna have so much chemistry, I was afraid my kindle would explode.....Michelle Valentine wrote a hot love story with two lovable characters, and they are two really good books in this series....
Included with this series: Naughty King (A Sexy Manhattan Fairytale: Part One)...This is a fantastic series!!! I Love the book...and I Love Michelle Valentine❤️🌼🔥
January 8, 2019
Hooked on these two
There is this magnetic force between Xander and Anna that pulls them together from the very fist meeting on the plane to every situation they encounter together. The chemistry between these two is electric and as a reader it comes alive right off the pages of this book! Excellent writing to really pull the reader in and keep you hooked the entire time. Some of what Xander does is just dumb but let’s that chalk that up to him being so alpha male and recovering from such a traumatic past, that he can’t see the hurt he is causing Anna. I love Anna’s character, strong leading lady who grew a backbone and still manages to have this light shine out from her!
There is this magnetic force between Xander and Anna that pulls them together from the very fist meeting on the plane to every situation they encounter together. The chemistry between these two is electric and as a reader it comes alive right off the pages of this book! Excellent writing to really pull the reader in and keep you hooked the entire time. Some of what Xander does is just dumb but let’s that chalk that up to him being so alpha male and recovering from such a traumatic past, that he can’t see the hurt he is causing Anna. I love Anna’s character, strong leading lady who grew a backbone and still manages to have this light shine out from her!
August 15, 2021
Great storyline
I really loved this storyline and these characters! The story flowed well and the characters had a lot of growth personally and as a couple. The main characters are such opposites it made me giddy to read as the bad boy wrestler feel for the sheltered good girl.
This book has been on my wasn't too read list for a couple of years( i believe) and my only disappointment with it was the numerous editing errors ( words jumbled or added before and after -causing rereads of sentences because they didn't make since at first).
I really loved this storyline and these characters! The story flowed well and the characters had a lot of growth personally and as a couple. The main characters are such opposites it made me giddy to read as the bad boy wrestler feel for the sheltered good girl.
This book has been on my wasn't too read list for a couple of years( i believe) and my only disappointment with it was the numerous editing errors ( words jumbled or added before and after -causing rereads of sentences because they didn't make since at first).
July 30, 2018
I just couldn't get into this book. Maybe it was the professional wrestler storyline that just felt unbelievable to me, but after the first book I decided not to continue on. It did not matter to me how this played out.
October 6, 2021
Loved it
I really like when the over protective parent gets the rebellious daughter. Anna s tired of her father controlling her and makes a run for it. Will she fall for the bad boy wrestler??? Or is he too much to handle?
I really like when the over protective parent gets the rebellious daughter. Anna s tired of her father controlling her and makes a run for it. Will she fall for the bad boy wrestler??? Or is he too much to handle?
May 17, 2017
"Sometimes time is irrelevant in understanding the beauty of another person's soul."
July 19, 2018
Great series
I don't know why it took me so long to read this series. I read the first book when it come out and I forgot about the second book. So glad I finished it, loved it.
I don't know why it took me so long to read this series. I read the first book when it come out and I forgot about the second book. So glad I finished it, loved it.
January 11, 2019
Loved it!
This duet was great. I loved the story and characters. Thank you for sharing it with all of us. Wonderfully written!
This duet was great. I loved the story and characters. Thank you for sharing it with all of us. Wonderfully written!
January 9, 2022
Anna and Xavier's story is Phenomenal!! I couldn't put it down. Always wondering what was gonna happen next!!
July 29, 2016
Link: https://collectorofbookboyfriends.com...
Book Review: 5++ “Beautiful + Phenomenal X” Stars!
I’ve finally found my heart again.
Valentine once again sends me with her book in another ride-of-my-life. The soul-gripping intensity this woman puts in her stories is incredible. It can suck you up seconds after you start reading and the leaving point is almost a week after you’re done. From the first time I got to meet Michelle’s writing, I became an instant fan. But, Xavier Cold had me beyond possessed and addicted. This story came this close to not leave me any breath into my lungs.
I never knew what love was until I met Anna. She’s my heart.
The Hard Knocks Complete Series is a special edition that Valentine self published for a specific period of time which includes the two books of the Hard Knocks series and the first one of the Sexy Manhattan Fairytale series. The experience of Xavier “Phenomenal X” Cold in one book! Who can really resist that? I’ll tell you; N o b o d y! And in my case, I surrendered without a fight, which is kind of ironic since Xavier is a wrestler and doesn’t do that. But, his self didn’t give another choice. And Anna Cortez, his “beautiful”, had the same fate too; although, her luck made her his soulmate.
Everything starts when Anna flees her family and its suffocation of her life, and moves to Detroit, hoping for a life where she made the decisions and was free. But somewhere along the first moments of her journey – in the plane -, she comes across the stunning Xavier Cold. Being the sheltered girl she was until then, she has no idea who he really is when the hot guy sitting in the First Class offers the seat next to him after the passenger next to her spilled his drink on her and her seat. So, the rest hours of the flight are spent next to this hot guy who sets up in flames every cell of her body. Now, Xavier Cold, aka Phenomenal X, is a wrestler in a TV show who is trying to become a champion. He’s cocky, sexy, hot and he knows it. The only goal of his was to win the Champion Belt. But, the moment he locks eyes with Anna in the plane, he becomes hell-bent to win her and make her his. So, after a very very very interesting chain of events, Life “upgrades” Anna as his PA. Everything is going smoothly, and although the overwhelming attraction and heat flowing between them, and “friendly”. But when they are “forced” to share a room AND a bed, their relationship changes at the blink of an eye.
We’re playing with fire, and one of us is bound to get burned.
The moment they get intimate, both let every feeling for each other that was suppressed loose. And nothing and no one can put a stop to them. Every minute that passes – either they are together or not – rises the intensity to a new level. Passion, heart break, pain, joy, laughter and so many other emotions come together to combine a love between two unique people that will blow any reader’s mind. And just like any other Michelle A. Valentine book I have read, I couldn’t help feel like a part of the story and like everything was happening before my very eyes. My heart was breaking when theirs were; I was grinning like a fool when they were happy; I was hot and bothered during their steamy-as-the-deep-hell moments; I was swoooooooooooning over and over again every time Xavier was saying an as-only-he-knows romantic line to Anna and with the awesomely emotional and perfect moment in the end after the BIIIIIG NEWS!!!
Whatever word I use to describe my feelings this story brought out it me – and still brings – will be lacking since only the fast beat of my heart and the shivers all over my body while reading it, can give an accurate picture of what it did to me. I still feel highly affected from everything was happening in it even after all these days I have finished it. This is definitely one of the most memorable, amazing, well-written, captivating book I have ever read in my bookworm life. WELL DONE, Michelle!!! I highly doubt that I will be able to forget about this special couple any time soon! They have rightfully claimed a part in my heart!!
June 18, 2016
Umm Wow
I rereads the first book since it has been awhile I'm glad I did it was worth it. X has some really deep emotional issues going on that developed, because of his mom's addiction and Grandmother's mental delusions. I thought Anna was good but she also had her own issues with a controlling father. They worked well together and I was happy with the turn out.
I rereads the first book since it has been awhile I'm glad I did it was worth it. X has some really deep emotional issues going on that developed, because of his mom's addiction and Grandmother's mental delusions. I thought Anna was good but she also had her own issues with a controlling father. They worked well together and I was happy with the turn out.
March 6, 2016
Loved it !!
Once I started this series I couldn't put it down. I want more X!!! Great story, characters, everything. I really enjoy reading this author and look forward reading all of her books. Great job!!!! Keep up the great work.
Once I started this series I couldn't put it down. I want more X!!! Great story, characters, everything. I really enjoy reading this author and look forward reading all of her books. Great job!!!! Keep up the great work.
September 16, 2016
Enjoy this "Phenomenal" ride!!!
Amazing!!!! This author has blown me away once again, the characters she creates are so deep and so easy to love. Thank you Michelle for giving us Xavier and Anna's beautiful journey!!
Amazing!!!! This author has blown me away once again, the characters she creates are so deep and so easy to love. Thank you Michelle for giving us Xavier and Anna's beautiful journey!!
October 28, 2021
Definitely enjoyed this one. I loved X. I loved the background and the way the characters are with each other. Took me a while to get over being slightly annoyed but overall I really enjoyed the series.
June 11, 2016
The first book was good but the second book kind of fell flat for me particularly the return to Detroit.
March 12, 2016
Exciting
This book has a lot of exciting elements. The romance is great. If only we can all have an X!
This book has a lot of exciting elements. The romance is great. If only we can all have an X!
July 18, 2016
OMG AMAZING!! I loved every word, page, paragraph of this book!!!! This is definitely a must read!!
August 29, 2016
So hot!
I love this book and series! I will need so much more of these characters in my life! Must read for sure!
I love this book and series! I will need so much more of these characters in my life! Must read for sure!
January 20, 2017
I Sincerely loved this book, it was a very easy read.
no more than 5 deserving stars.
no more than 5 deserving stars.
July 21, 2016
2 1/2 stars...
The book was too slow and I just couldn't connect with any of the characters.
The book was too slow and I just couldn't connect with any of the characters.
Read
June 2, 2018Bit dissapointed
Not really book I expected. The story was bland for me and the characters too sweet and predictable. At times I skipped pages because I was not interested in the book.
The idea was good but not well thought out and executed. At the end I didn't connect to the story or like it. And the represent me indifferent.
Not really book I expected. The story was bland for me and the characters too sweet and predictable. At times I skipped pages because I was not interested in the book.
The idea was good but not well thought out and executed. At the end I didn't connect to the story or like it. And the represent me indifferent.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews