Stand

Stronger #5

by Jay Marie

The 5th and final book of the Stronger Series. Release date will be announced in 2021.

Not to be confused with a dark romance. This book is considered a dark erotic thriller.

*NOTE: For every book that is sold, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to a charity that benefits victims of human trafficking.*

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark

Unknown Binding

About the author

Jay Marie has been writing since she first learned the alphabet, but it wasn’t until 25 years later that she finally decided to take the deep plunge into the depths of publishing. Her written work conveys the darker side of writing, bringing in to light what most may shy away from. She has a passion for writing strong female characters with a brain that can override their sex drives, deliver one hell of a punch as well as take one. They have backbones made of steel and hearts that beat with a ferocity that refuses to be tamed or matched.

Her inspiration comes in the form of a minefield on top of a snow covered mountain. One step and a new idea explodes in her head, and then before you know it, she has an avalanche of ideas rushing through her brain and it does not stop!

When she's not writing until the late hours of the night, she's working as a legal assistant at a personal injury law firm in Michigan. She is also a part time law student at the University of Detroit Mercy Law School where she studies in the evening in hopes of becoming a human rights attorney. She enjoys practicing and teaching martial arts in her spare time as well as riding around on her super fun Honda Grom motorcycle.

If you'd like to connect with her more, check out her author page on Facebook where she posts occasional teasers of her upcoming books!

https://www.facebook.com/JMarieSeries/

Reviews

[Tanvi Gala · Rating 1 out of 5]

For the fuckk sake give us a damnnn datee this shit is fucking my head every fucking day I'm coming here to see if we got our date.. Just give a damnnn datee. U sadist

17 August 2021
Omgg we just got a cover omg omg omg omg omg

2 January 2022....
WHERE THE FUCK IS DATE...LIK BROO PLEASEEEEEE

7 january 2023
Fully accepted that I won't be reading this anymore ..

25 July 2024
Hmmmmmmm

5 June 2025
................

16 November 2025
WE HAVE THE RELEASE DATE FOR PART 1 OF STAND
IT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR US ON 21ST NOVEMBER 🎊😭😭

[Leslie]

This final book to the series has been on hold for over a year now. I understand life gets in the way. But a courtesy update from time to time on here isn't too much to ask for. Instead, there's been nothing! If you're going to be an author and write a series, you should, at a minimum, commit to completing it in a timely fashion...or maybe have the series completed before releasing each part. The readers have been loyally waiting but there appears to be no end in sight, especially when there's not even been any recent updates on here. But the thing that is most upsetting of all isn't even in regards to the readers being let down, waiting indefinitely. It's the victims of human trafficking. According to this book's blurb, a portion of the proceeds were to be donated to help these victims. That alone should have made getting this book written and published the highest of priorities.

[Linda Lee]

Maybe I'll still be around when this book is released. Last report from this author is maybe 2022. Some day I'm going to realize it's a bad idea to start reading before the whole series is complete!!

[Angelic Sunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm giving it a 5 star because I know it'll be fantastic! Can't wait to read it.

[Nikki “BookwormBiatch” Dovestream · Rating 5 out of 5]

She wrote this 7 months ago as an answer. Just a reminder to all you Karen’s out there who is so inconvenient with the waiting..” I work a full time job, was a part time law student that graduated this year, and struggle with my own mental health and physical exhaustion. And now I'm studying to take the Michigan Bar Exam next month. Writing is something I do as a hobby, and the inspiration to write is not something I can just conjure up immediately. Please understand and respect that I live an incredibly busy life and am doing the best I can. I probably won't write another series for a very long time because of the hate I've received for taking too long to write a book.”

STOP COMPLAINING AND LET THE WOMAN BREATHE AND THE CONCLUSION WILL COME… d Would you negative Nancy’s even manage to look at a book, let alone write one if you were in jays shoes?

[SoSo]

Jay Marie just announced that she will release Stand at the end of 2022.
It's such a great news. And don't blame authors because they can't release their books faster, they're human being, and they have their lives too... So chill out peeps !

[Jen Rene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to read this ASAP!! I wouldn’t have read the first four books if I knew their was a fifth. I like to read the whole series at once. Excellent series and I can’t wait for Stand.

[lala]

guyzzzz the first chapter has been posted online and the book will apparently be released in 2022! http://jaymarie.com/stand

[Tatiana Sayodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best dark romance book ever, forever!!! Overall conclusion... never underestimate a woman because you'll never know what hit you, no matter how much you think you're in control and playing God..."

Do you want to destroy my world?" she asked me, her eyes burning with revenge. "Fine! Then watch me destroy yours.""Sometimes, all it takes is planting a small seed. And it seems to be already taking effect. I can see it in your eyes.
""You're trying to force something, under the false impression that I'll change my mind and become more satisfied with my life."
But that's not what will happen. On the contrary, Darren, you'll make me even more dangerous.""
And how do you know that?"
"Because the most dangerous weapon on this planet is not nuclear energy, armies, or even money, Darren............""And you just handed it to me on a silver plate."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Stephany]

Obviously we know the last book will not end with Jaden and Darren being together but did you ever think maybe a spin off if she doesn’t kill him off where he does meet a women who makes him change who he is from his core?? Idk I wish she could see this because I’d love a spin off series I literally made an Amazon account just so I could buy books 2 and three so now I have all of them but I know he’s you know straight up asshole but I love Darren

[Annika]

She had a BABY people! Putting this book's release on hold speaks in volumes about the kind of person she is. She's prioritizing what matters most. HER CHILD. I know of a few "parents" out there who should take notes. I have nothing but reverence for this author.

[Dora]

Please release a date. Have read the first four books multiple times and need the last one already

[Karen Denise Foster]

Part one Nov 21, 2025.

[Tiffany Cain]

I absolutely loved the first 4 books and was prepared to write this author an outstanding review. Now, I don't feel the same, I have been waiting almost a year now for the release of the 5th book in this series (I know others have been waiting a lot long without any response). Life happens and we all get that but to just leave us all hanging and not even bother to update the status is just wrong. I don't think I will be interested in reading any more of this authors books.

[Dirkje Abma]

I think nothing but "a cliffhanger" again and I am totally pissed of. Bought the series book 1-4 and still waiting for book 5! But that book has not been released and people are waiting for over 4 years now. It is totally disrespectful to her readers and I hope they will never buy a book written by her ever again. It would be polite if she gave her readers a reason why book nr. 5 has been delayed for almost 4 yrs.

[Elenazdiary · Rating 4 out of 5]

- I'm suffering from Stockholm syndrome after reading this series because I don't want Darren to die😭

- I'm mad at every single person who recommended this series on fb without mentioning it's not complete & last book is not out yet.

- I can't wait to read the last book & find out what happened. I hope its in Darren's favour

[✨nejnamrog✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t see the point in one starring a book that hasn’t come out yet. Just a dick move really. This series is good. If this book ever comes out I’d happily do a re-read of the first four.

There are actually some of us who will wait patiently for this 😌

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start with what I liked.

I really appreciated the ending. After everything she went through, it was satisfying to finally see her win for once and make Darren pay for what he did.
However, I wasn’t completely satisfied with the death scene. I wanted something bigger, more dramatic, and honestly more gruesome. After everything he put her through, I wanted him to truly suffer. I wanted him to feel fear, pain, and that crushing hopelessness. I wanted his last moments to be drawn out, to really sit in that fear and agony, knowing she had beaten him and ruined everything he built. Instead, it felt too quick, almost too easy.

Still, the fact that we got his death at all was satisfying enough. I just don’t think Epilogue 2 was necessary :/

Now for my issues.

This book was way too long. The pattern became repetitive: she does something out of line, gets tortured, falls back in line over and over again. After a while, it stopped being tense and started feeling predictable and dragged out.🙃

Also, while everything technically paid off in the end, the resolution felt… lucky!
For someone who is supposed to be a master planner and smart, she made a lot of rushed, emotional, and honestly childish decisions. For the amount of plotting she supposedly did, she felt a bit dumb, which was frustrating.
Maybe reading this right after Six of Crows didn’t help. After experiencing a true mastermind like Kaz Brekker, her decisions had me thinking, “wtf are u doing ?!” The contrast made her strategic mistakes stand out even more.
That said, I don’t want to be too harsh. I actually enjoyed most of the series. It kept me reading, it made me feel things, and despite my frustrations, I was invested enough to finish it and that says something.

[Bre Sturn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. God....!! I need Part 2 STAT~! This is hands down one of my Top 3 series. Untouchable, God-tier books! The way Jay lures you in with her writing and keeps you on the edge of your seat is ADDICTING! If you haven't tried this series yet, you are missing out!!

[Reader]

So what? we are still waiting, nooo!!! I’m just going to finish for a hundred time reading all previous 4. Like some of you said: this is una tortura. Why!!!!

[Zara]

Oh my GOD what... I'm on book 3 and while I HATE spolers and love suffering till the end I really couldn't take it and decided to go through the reviews and what the actual fuck

I mean sweetie we know you're a sadist but this is a bit much...

I mean I never read books with real abuse (the manufactured kind is fine when we're told on every second what a bad ass evil mother fucker the bad guy is while he mostly treats the girl like cinderfuckingella)

Beating is a hard limit for me and if I'd known I wouldn't have picked the first book up but by the time it rolled around I was hooked coz DAMN Jaden is a the Avenging Angel of my dreams and I love her soooo much but what the actual fuck?

This is like Francette Phal's The Butcher Series and anything by Addison Caine and I just can't...

I mean why why why why why whynwhy why whynwhy why???

Please Jay baby come back to us PLEASE

[Anthea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly it was a great book to read on my Christmas break. Can’t wait for part two to come out and finish the awesome series.

[Allegra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I get the book series is dark ..But this whole book feels like torture porn that keeps dragging . I am okay with dark themes but after a while it leads to no where.

[Ginger Frampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for this series. 5 stars for Jayden and Darren (in that he's exactly what he's supposed to be). I woke up at 6 am to read this, devoured it, and am so glad to have done so. Also, glad it's over (I mean that in the best way possible. I need this series out of my brain, it's that disturbing, haha).

I can't believe it's not more popular, but at the same time, this really isn't everyone's cup of tea. It's not an enjoyable read, but it's a great one. Hopefully that makes sense. You don't FEEL good reading it, you feel stressed and upset. And, I need to emphasize that this is NOT A DARK ROMANCE! I've said it before, but I consider this to be a psychological horror/thriller. At no point does Jayden like Darren. Not once. The author does a very good job of making him tolerable to read, but you never like him, because she never does. And, if you did like him...I don't know if you read this series or else you may also be a psychopath.

If you've gotten to this point in the series, then nothing I say will be a spoiler, but for a reminder - Darren is a prolific sex trafficker (along with many other dirty dealings), and nearly kills Jayden a bunch of times. He breaks her freaking jaw, for Pete's sake, and tries to kill her whole family, gives her 0 freedom, and none of it is cute. I love love dark romance and there's always this moment of give or love from the hero. This just isn't that AT ALL. There's really nothing redeemable about Darren and he does such profound damage to her. He's obsessed with her, but he doesn't love her and never says he does. With all that, the ending hit me more than I thought it would. I didn't like how I felt, haha. Probably how Jayden feels, so that's an interesting psychological experience.

I was rationally very pleased with the way it ended, but I felt no catharsis. It didn't feel good. I had no emotional moment like "Yes!", and not because of the writing or the plot. You're required throughout the series to REALLY feel a lot, and then suddenly - poof. It felt like watching a dying animal that finally takes its final breath. You're not seeing the suffering anymore, but it's not like you're relieved either. I just couldn't root for anyone, whereas I could and did in the previous books without conflict.

Other that that, my complaints are minor - in this book, Darren's character wasn't what I would consider consistent. This is a man who was always a step ahead, always had a contingency. He made decision that didn't seem like "him" and the way his life unravelled was sudden and fast. I can understand it was all leading up to this final book, but it also didn't feel like the rest of the books. That's totally fine, overall this was one of the best series I've ever read. It's reminiscent of Mindf*ck, but obviously quite different.

Read it, but probably read it when you're in a really good mental space and can handle being disturbed, worried, anxious and upset for a long while after :)

[Paula Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review early release Part One STAND by Jay Marie

I’ve waited years for this installment, and after all that anticipation, I’m surprised to find myself feeling a bit let down. Something in Jaden’s plotting feels off this time, almost as if she’s bending too much to Darren’s world. The writing itself is solid, but the plot and overall story didn’t resonate with me the way I expected. I’m not even sure what I was expecting, but after all this time, I hoped for more.

Compared to the first four books, Part One of STAND felt subpar. I would have liked more Jason and Matt and far less of the Jaden and Darren banter. At this point, I think I’m simply over it; their back-and-forth bored me more than it intrigued me. After five years, I thought we’d see a stronger, sharper Jaden, but Darren still seems to outsmart her constantly. Maybe I’ve just gotten older and want closure, but the dynamic doesn’t hit the same anymore.

With all that said, readers who simply want the series to finally move toward an ending will probably be satisfied. This book didn’t enrage or excite me the way the earlier installments did, and maybe that muted reaction is part of why it feels lacking. I’ll still anxiously await Part Two, hoping for the ending I’ve always wanted, though I’m not confident I’ll get it. If I don’t, I’ll be disappointed, but I also think it’s time to move on from this series.

Jay is a talented writer, no question, but like many long-running TV shows, by the fourth or fifth “season” the plotting starts to feel repetitive. I wasn’t fascinated by this read, but if you’ve come this far with the series, you’ll likely want to see it through - just like I did.

[Eleanore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Public Apology to Jay Marie: Sorry for Being Impatient—This Book Slaps!

Huge thanks to Jay Marie for the ARC! All opinions are completely my own.

Where do I even start? After the painfully long wait between “Strike” and “Stand – Part One,” Jay Marie drops us right back into Darren and Jaden’s chaos like no time has passed at all—and honestly, there’s barely a second to breathe. The book opens with Darren doing what Darren does best: going on a revenge tear while daydreaming about a future with Jaden. Classic. Then a training mission blows up in Jaden’s face (not literally, but close), and she’s suddenly fighting through another impossible mess like the unstoppable force she is. Just when you think things might calm down, Jaden’s past comes crashing in—especially her secret about helping Kayla escape—and let’s just say Darren does not handle that news with grace. Meanwhile, enemies are creeping closer, alliances are falling apart, and Darren is basically on the verge of a stress-induced explosion. The deeper you go, the wilder it gets. Jaden’s nightmares return with new layers, Darren’s childhood trauma hits hard. By the time you hit the end, everything is on fire: betrayals, fights, big reveals, and then that cliffhanger. It’s 100% one of those moments where you close the book and just stare into the void like, “Jay Marie, how dare you?”

If you’re new to this series, do NOT start here. Go back to book one—“Stolen”—and let yourself fall into the madness properly. As a longtime fan of The Stronger Series, I can confidently say this book is absolutely worth the wait. Dark, fast-paced, chaotic, emotional—Jay Marie delivers just like she always does.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been 4 years since I read the previous book, Strike, in this series and I have been anxiously waiting for this next book ever since then. I’ve read a lot of other books in between and while I have a pretty good memory, it’s not as sharp as it used to be regarding details, but obviously I haven’t forgotten the larger plot points. I didn’t do a re-read of the series prior to starting this one and I had no problem following along. Sure, a refresher would’ve been great, but I didn’t have the time to spare, and quite frankly, as much as I love the compelling writing, Darren Davis is so abominable on page, I don’t relish repeat reading what he’s put Jaden through. Having said that, this newest installment was dastardly fantastic. Holy heck, is it a page turner and how the writing style reels me in. I am absolutely not Team Darren, but he is such a well portrayed villain and I will never stop admiring Jaden’s courage, even in her lowest of times. I’m always on the edge of my seat on behalf of Jaden and the events that happen never cease to surprise me in a “I can’t believe that happened, but of course it did” kind of way. Although this was supposed to be the final book, but is now split into 2 parts, I’m actually glad it’s not completely over yet because I have been enthralled with Jaden’s journey and this apparent, slow unraveling of Darren who will hopefully be on the receiving end of karma. I have such high hopes and optimism for Jaden and her potential future freedom and I am cheering her on all the way. Bring on part 2!

[Aleema · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoiler warning.

I just finished the final book in the Stronger series … and Wow.

From the very first page of Stolen, I was hooked. No slow burn into the emotional captivity this series kept me in.

I’ve read hundreds of books, every trope, every writing style, every kind of heartbreak but Jay’s storytelling is in a league of its own. She doesn’t just tell a story. She casts it. Her words are deliberate, vivid and razor-sharp. She is… quite honestly, a magician with words.

And apparently… a little bit of a villain herself. Because how else do you explain the fact that she made me, a fully grown, morally aware human, root for the villain?!?
Yes. That villain.

I was Team Him from book one. No shame here. Yes I stood beside that walking red flag for years. That’s how powerful her writing is, she didn’t create a flat antagonist. She created depth. Complexity. Charisma and Pain. She made him irresistible. She made me believe.
And then… that ending happened.

My fiction-loving heart wanted redemption. I wanted closure wrapped in something softer. Instead, I got something raw. Something bold. Something that hurt in the way only truly great storytelling can hurt.

Those final two words? They didn’t just end a series. They branded it. They will tie me to this story forever.

Even though it wasn’t the ending I wanted. I respect her even more for it. Because unforgettable stories aren’t the ones that play it safe, they’re the ones that make you feel everything and then sit with it long after the last page.

So thank you, Jay Marie.

[Marie Cervantes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, the finale. Jaden and Darren are coming to an end. This book was everything I’ve been waiting years for. I’ve always been team Jaden but damn I hated to love Darren. But things turned out how they needed to turn out. I can’t believe the scene about Camero. I cried so hard. Hell I was sad with Clive and Owen. They grew on me and I hated them too. So many love/hate relationships in the whole series. All the banter was spot on. The cliff hanger in part one…..the last paragraph should be framed somewhere. Absolutely fire! Part 2….. well. I felt like I needed closure for Sloane, Katherine and her little girl, but other than that, the way Jay Marie ended the whole series was perfection in my opinion. There literally was no other way. Jaden WAS traumatized all those yrs. It was going to affect her when she was free. It would have been impossible for her not to have had many problems adjusting afterwards. As far as the last sentence of part 2…well I loved it. I didn’t “read” that deeply into it. Darren would always be a part of her in some way even in death. I don’t think she went to hell. I don’t believe he was waiting for her. But just…he’s a part of her in life and now death. I thought it was greatness. This series is honestly the absolute best series or books that I have EVER read in my entire life. Jaden and Darren and their story will forever live rent free in my head. They are my Roman Empire.

[Linamandarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I was blessed to get an early copy of this book, yes I was in the arc and god, it was an experience.
I need to tell you it was a roller coaster of emotions, it keeps me guessing and biting my nails at every turn.
Possible spoilers🚫🚫🚫🚫🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁📡📡📡📡📡📡📡📡📡📡📡📡📡📡📡📡📡


………………………..:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::33


In this book you’ll see how Darren finds out the Kayla is alive and the Jaden have had lied to him. Everything after that have me guessing how Jaden was going to do, deal with it, and move to do some retribution on her on.
Honestly this is one of the best FMC ever made in a book, she’s everything I’d look for; she’s gorgeous, intelligent, confident and has a personality.

Although reading how awful and sadistic Darren is, how he tortured her and how he finds a way to psychologically abuse her, in a new way, It was like very vivid.
He finds new levels to fk her up and make her life miserable.
I just have to say, finally in this book we get to see how Darren planned it and succeed on get Jaden pregnant 🤰 and fkkkkk I’ve been waiting for so long to this to happen, every moment on the other books, got me wishing that was the time.
So hell yeah finally getting there.

Well, thank you Jay, you are the goat, 🐐 the boss. Fantastic storyline, with action, accidents, war and death, beautifully written and executed characters.
1000000/ 10