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 🎊😭😭

[Abstract ♥ Books · Rating 1 out of 5]

DO NOT READ THIS SERIES UNTIL THE LAST BOOK IS OUT OR YOU WILL SUFFER WITH US 😣😣😭😭
I JUST WANT THIS SO BAD

Can we have this book already?? :(

[Paula K · Rating 1 out of 5]

3 YEARS later and we are still waiting: The joke is obviously on all of us readers....I think waiting this long for a conclusion to a book SUCKS! There should be a warning from the author before anyone purchases one of her books that you will ultimately be waiting two+ years between each release.
I am editing this review as it has been 2+ years and I have moved this down to 1 star from the 2-stars previously given because the waiting is so ridiculous.

[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.

[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 !

[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?

[Raven Madere · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just want to say I LOVED this series-however, I see that the author doesnt update anything on here about the new release date and I even went as far as to tag her in a favorite author post-to which she said "boooo" to. I then decided maybe she would give me a hint on when Stand is coming out...her response was "Ill let you know when my brain tells me." Okay, really fucking disappointing to say the least. Dont start this series unless you are willing to wait over a year for the new release and thats being generous.

PS would be really nice of you to drop a release date soon, as 2021 is almost over.

[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

[Amanda Whyte · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow... I think I'm going to just give up this series. I've waited too long for the 5th book.

[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

[Lizzy · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Release date to e announced in 2021"
It's 2023 Now!
Will it ever reach the shelves?
Doubt it!
I read the other books so long ago, I can't even remember them!
Probably won't bother buying this one!

[Karen Denise Foster]

Part one Nov 21, 2025.

[Shey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I honestly forgot most details of the story after 3 years of waiting and dont have energy to go back and re-read the series again like I did early 2022 to prepare myself for this last book that was supposed to be published around that time. At this point, even if the last book ends up being a big success I dont think I would be able to appreciate it cause I have lost the connection I felt to the characters and forgot too much of the story line. so I give up on this series unless in far future I get in the mood to start from book 1 which is highly unlikely. Bye bye stronger👋👋

[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.

[Jordan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Is this book out yet?? It's March 2023, I feel like I literally cannot move on until I finish this series!!

It is August 20th 2023...wondering if I'll ever be able to read the final book in this series...it's literally left on a cliff hanger and I can't get over not knowing what happens!

January 1st 2025 and still no update on when the 5th book will be released. I think i have to just accept that we'll never know what happens.

August 29th 2025...still not out

[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 😌

[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 :)