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South Side Boys #1
Damaged
Librarian's Note: This is an alternate title/cover edition for ASIN B07WM1MD4K
“Last night I made her mine. She’s never been with anyone else, and if I have it my way, she will never be anyone else’s.” -Jaxson Kelly
I’m Damaged. Dark. Haunted.
A shell of a man with no hope for a future.
And then I met her…
Annabelle Locke, innocent and pure.
The kind of woman that could bring a man to his knees with lust and desire.
Saving her that night felt like redemption from my past.
Falling for her was my downfall.
I thought I could have a taste and walk away.
Now the shadows from my past have returned and I’ll stop at nothing to keep her safe.
Even if that means I have to lose her forever.
She can’t know my secrets.
She can’t know the truth of who I really am.
Or what I’ve done.
But maybe it’s too late…
Dive into this steamy, passionate bad boy romance today! This is book 1 in the South Side Boys series. It is a stand-alone novel with no cheating, plenty of steam and an HEA
“Last night I made her mine. She’s never been with anyone else, and if I have it my way, she will never be anyone else’s.” -Jaxson Kelly
I’m Damaged. Dark. Haunted.
A shell of a man with no hope for a future.
And then I met her…
Annabelle Locke, innocent and pure.
The kind of woman that could bring a man to his knees with lust and desire.
Saving her that night felt like redemption from my past.
Falling for her was my downfall.
I thought I could have a taste and walk away.
Now the shadows from my past have returned and I’ll stop at nothing to keep her safe.
Even if that means I have to lose her forever.
She can’t know my secrets.
She can’t know the truth of who I really am.
Or what I’ve done.
But maybe it’s too late…
Dive into this steamy, passionate bad boy romance today! This is book 1 in the South Side Boys series. It is a stand-alone novel with no cheating, plenty of steam and an HEA
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2019
984 people are currently reading
795 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Winter
119 books2,158 followersAlexis Winter is a contemporary romance author who loves to share her steamy stories with the world. She specializes in sexy billionaires, cocky alphas, brooding bad boys and the women they love.
If you love to curl up with a good romance book you will certainly enjoy her work. Whether it's a story about an innocent young woman learning about the world or a sassy and fierce heroine who knows what she wants you're sure to enjoy the happily ever afters she provides.
When Alexis isn't writing away furiously, you can find her exploring the Rocky Mountains, traveling, enjoying a glass of wine or petting a cat.
You can find her books on Amazon.
If you love to curl up with a good romance book you will certainly enjoy her work. Whether it's a story about an innocent young woman learning about the world or a sassy and fierce heroine who knows what she wants you're sure to enjoy the happily ever afters she provides.
When Alexis isn't writing away furiously, you can find her exploring the Rocky Mountains, traveling, enjoying a glass of wine or petting a cat.
You can find her books on Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
August 26, 2019
4 ❤️❤️💔❤️ 🥊 🌈 ☕️ 🌟🌟🌟🌟s
An emotional romance read where bad boy meets good girl.
Jaxson had a troubled past, therefore when he met petit Annabelle he decided he should stay away from her. Because Annabelle looked so innocent and pure to be sucked into Jacson’s fucked up world. A bright light of hope in his cold world.
Meanwhile, Annabelle was entranced by him. Whenever Jaxson was near her she would become clumsy and not able to form a coherent sentence.
Their chemistry was explosive and their story was heartening with twists and turns.
I did like this story and the author’s writing was simple but consuming.
An emotional romance read where bad boy meets good girl.
Jaxson had a troubled past, therefore when he met petit Annabelle he decided he should stay away from her. Because Annabelle looked so innocent and pure to be sucked into Jacson’s fucked up world. A bright light of hope in his cold world.
Meanwhile, Annabelle was entranced by him. Whenever Jaxson was near her she would become clumsy and not able to form a coherent sentence.
Their chemistry was explosive and their story was heartening with twists and turns.
I did like this story and the author’s writing was simple but consuming.
May 3, 2020
Well written, but love scenes were ruined
This is the first time reading this author and I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of grammatical errors, the writing style was easy and crisp, with a good flow that kept the story interesting. There was also no cheating, which is wonderful and I really loved the fact that the heroine wasn’t a sk@nk, but belonged completely and entirely to the hero, giving him the irreplaceable gift of her innocence and vulnerability in being initiated into sex creates a unique bond that can never be duplicated again. So kudos on that aspect of the story.
The two things in the story that detracted from it and make this a 3 star instead of five was 1) condom use and 2) annoying trashy friend who did nothing for the story.
Condom use in romance should be a huge no-no. It creates an unnatural barrier between the MCs that crushes the intimacy and connection of their coming together, prevents the hero and heroine from truly becoming one and sharing with each other completely of themselves as theres an ugly layer of latex between them. The hero can’t fully feel the heroine and the heroine can’t take the heroes essence into herself. Condom use in romance ruins love scenes like a bucket of cold water ruins a nice bonfire. For this reason alone the story loses two stars and I probably won’t read anything more from this author because of this ugly aspect. I don’t want to read romance and get to the good bits and have the intimacy and connection and coming together destroyed.
The sk@nky trash female bestie did nothing whatsoever for the story; she seemed to be there just as a plot contrivance to push the heroine out of her comfort zone, which would’ve been fine if she wasn’t portrayed as such an std-trap. It seems like every decent heroine who doesn’t treat her body like a c()m dump has to have a requisite w h0re gf as a sidekick and it’s annoying AF—it’s possible and probably that nice, decent girls who have self respect and who don’t let random dudes into their bodies also have nice, decent friends who treat themselves with respect and don’t let random dudes into their bodies.
Other than the nasty unpleasantness of condom use ruining the love scenes and the annoying trashy friend taking up way too much space unnecessarily in the story, it was a good story, good plot, likable MCs and well-written.
This is the first time reading this author and I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of grammatical errors, the writing style was easy and crisp, with a good flow that kept the story interesting. There was also no cheating, which is wonderful and I really loved the fact that the heroine wasn’t a sk@nk, but belonged completely and entirely to the hero, giving him the irreplaceable gift of her innocence and vulnerability in being initiated into sex creates a unique bond that can never be duplicated again. So kudos on that aspect of the story.
The two things in the story that detracted from it and make this a 3 star instead of five was 1) condom use and 2) annoying trashy friend who did nothing for the story.
Condom use in romance should be a huge no-no. It creates an unnatural barrier between the MCs that crushes the intimacy and connection of their coming together, prevents the hero and heroine from truly becoming one and sharing with each other completely of themselves as theres an ugly layer of latex between them. The hero can’t fully feel the heroine and the heroine can’t take the heroes essence into herself. Condom use in romance ruins love scenes like a bucket of cold water ruins a nice bonfire. For this reason alone the story loses two stars and I probably won’t read anything more from this author because of this ugly aspect. I don’t want to read romance and get to the good bits and have the intimacy and connection and coming together destroyed.
The sk@nky trash female bestie did nothing whatsoever for the story; she seemed to be there just as a plot contrivance to push the heroine out of her comfort zone, which would’ve been fine if she wasn’t portrayed as such an std-trap. It seems like every decent heroine who doesn’t treat her body like a c()m dump has to have a requisite w h0re gf as a sidekick and it’s annoying AF—it’s possible and probably that nice, decent girls who have self respect and who don’t let random dudes into their bodies also have nice, decent friends who treat themselves with respect and don’t let random dudes into their bodies.
Other than the nasty unpleasantness of condom use ruining the love scenes and the annoying trashy friend taking up way too much space unnecessarily in the story, it was a good story, good plot, likable MCs and well-written.
August 23, 2019
This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. The story was great and the characters were wonderful. Jaxson and Annabelle had a chemistry and attraction toward each other that was hard to miss. They met when Annabelle was getting attacked and Jaxson rescued her and it went from there. Jaxson felt comfortable enough to be able to open up around her in a way that he never has before. This book will have you rooting for them to get their HEA. You will not be disappointed while reading this book. It checks all the boxes: a little humor, steamy, and some suspense. It will keep you wanting more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 30, 2020
The story line was good. The characters needed to be more complex with more detail. Everything just felt very rushed though and predictable. I felt like their relationship just skipped ahead extremely quickly.
November 19, 2025
The story was pretty predictable and I felt the couple got together too early to really feel any tension. It wrapped up nicely, but overall was just okay.
January 6, 2020
I'll start off by saying that I don't hand out 5* ratings on a daily basis. This book TRULY deserved it.
Annabelle Locke is struck speechless and becomes a total clutz when HE enters the cafe she manages. At first he doesn't say much to her. Until one fateful night where he comes to her rescue.
Jaxson Kelly is trying to keep to himself. Yes, he's definitely noticed Annabelle, but he can't give into their attraction. He has too many skeletons in his proverbial closet that he can't allow to touch her. Then he has to come to her rescue one night and all bets are off. Annabelle and Jaxson are perfect together. Their story is scorching hot and tense. I loved their interaction. The flow of the story was right that kept my attention.
I recommend this read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Annabelle Locke is struck speechless and becomes a total clutz when HE enters the cafe she manages. At first he doesn't say much to her. Until one fateful night where he comes to her rescue.
Jaxson Kelly is trying to keep to himself. Yes, he's definitely noticed Annabelle, but he can't give into their attraction. He has too many skeletons in his proverbial closet that he can't allow to touch her. Then he has to come to her rescue one night and all bets are off. Annabelle and Jaxson are perfect together. Their story is scorching hot and tense. I loved their interaction. The flow of the story was right that kept my attention.
I recommend this read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 11, 2020
Jaxson and Annabelle were good together.
This story about Jaxson and Annabelle was good. I liked how Jaxson played hard to get so to speak.
He that he had too many demons to have a woman like Annabelle in his life. Not sure why Jaxon did not involve Reggie with the situation. Reggie was his business partner so it was half of his money that was missing. What happened to Stan? Did the guys he owed money collect some kind of way because he did not all the money he owed them? Loved their friends. Tori was a hot mess.
This story about Jaxson and Annabelle was good. I liked how Jaxson played hard to get so to speak.
He that he had too many demons to have a woman like Annabelle in his life. Not sure why Jaxon did not involve Reggie with the situation. Reggie was his business partner so it was half of his money that was missing. What happened to Stan? Did the guys he owed money collect some kind of way because he did not all the money he owed them? Loved their friends. Tori was a hot mess.
September 14, 2019
Jaxon and Annabelle
Annabelle is a shy girl who works in a coffee shop. When Jaxon Kelly comes in she can’t help herself . She becomes a klutz and can’t speak . Jaxon has to overcome his past to be with Annabelle. They are both lovable characters and I liked the whole group of friends. I can’t wait to read their stories !
Annabelle is a shy girl who works in a coffee shop. When Jaxon Kelly comes in she can’t help herself . She becomes a klutz and can’t speak . Jaxon has to overcome his past to be with Annabelle. They are both lovable characters and I liked the whole group of friends. I can’t wait to read their stories !
January 5, 2020
Easy read
Easy read with some drama but not much. Just a hero with do I deserve it issues. Good, will read the next
Easy read with some drama but not much. Just a hero with do I deserve it issues. Good, will read the next
Read
June 29, 2021Two people who have painful pasts. Annabelle is Is an artist and manager of a cafe, but is also an innocent. Jaxson is anything but pure but he has turned his life around. Both have an instant attraction but they have things stopping them.
This is a steamy contemporary romance, filled with great characters and lots of drama, that keeps you engaged until the end. I found the characters were well crafted complete with positive and negative characteristics. The storyline flowed smoothly and quickly and took me on an emotional rollercoaster. The narrative was from both main characters allowing insight into their pasts, feeling, emotions and actions. Both characters have to resolve past experiences and deal with current obstacles in order to have a chance at happiness. I loved how the characters developed and supported each other. The steamy scenes worked well and enhanced the storyline rather than take away from it. If you like heartwarming, sexy, contemporary romances then you should enjoy this novel.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a steamy contemporary romance, filled with great characters and lots of drama, that keeps you engaged until the end. I found the characters were well crafted complete with positive and negative characteristics. The storyline flowed smoothly and quickly and took me on an emotional rollercoaster. The narrative was from both main characters allowing insight into their pasts, feeling, emotions and actions. Both characters have to resolve past experiences and deal with current obstacles in order to have a chance at happiness. I loved how the characters developed and supported each other. The steamy scenes worked well and enhanced the storyline rather than take away from it. If you like heartwarming, sexy, contemporary romances then you should enjoy this novel.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 27, 2025
Annabelle and Jaxson - she’s an artist who lost her drive to paint and is managing a coffee shop; he’s an ex-con who co-owns a gym close to the coffee shop. Both are tongue-tied around the other one, so they don’t communicate when he comes in. Until the day she gives him her phone number and he throws it away. And then he rescues her when she’s jumped in the alley behind her shop at night. So she signs up for a self-defense class…at his gym. And once that happens, the sparks between them burst into flame and they become inseparable. She moves into his place eventually, where he’s set up an art studio for her. And then she gets a job teaching art, which she loves. But when his dad gets out of prison and reconnects, troubles start. Because dear old dad is up to his old tricks and this time, it involves Jaxson’s gym. So he says cruel things to Annabelle to make her stay away. Once he gets his dad out of his life again, he goes back to Annabelle and begs her forgiveness. And their HEA is back on track. At times, the writing is stilted, but who doesn’t love a reformed bad boy? TW: rough language, rough sex.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2020
Loved
This story was really good. Liked how they worked through the feelings of inadequacy. Jaxon has always been the bad boy on the ring side of the tracks and harbors guilt over the death of his younger sister. Annabelle is innocence personified but has a crush on the guy that comes into the coffee shop. When he inadvertently saves her when she is attacked in her way home from work their story kicks off. Ups and downs. With a little angst thrown in towards the end. It’s a good book. Only thing I didn’t like was I wish we knew the karma fate of his dad. He deserved either a beating or more jail time personally. Loved the ending. Looking forward to tori and Kallums book.
This story was really good. Liked how they worked through the feelings of inadequacy. Jaxon has always been the bad boy on the ring side of the tracks and harbors guilt over the death of his younger sister. Annabelle is innocence personified but has a crush on the guy that comes into the coffee shop. When he inadvertently saves her when she is attacked in her way home from work their story kicks off. Ups and downs. With a little angst thrown in towards the end. It’s a good book. Only thing I didn’t like was I wish we knew the karma fate of his dad. He deserved either a beating or more jail time personally. Loved the ending. Looking forward to tori and Kallums book.
July 24, 2022
Ok, this was a super cute story. Insta love isn't generally my favorite, but this one was cute.
The heroine was a soft, pretty naive girl who looked for the best in everyone and believed in second chances even for the worst of people.
The hero is a rough street kid with a huge heart that wants nothing more than to settle down in a nice, easy, comfortable life with the heroine.
The "plot twists" were realistic for the world the hero lived in. I didn't enjoy how he handled the situation but I also 1000% understand why he acted the way he did. Honestly, we as readers AREN'T supposed to love every actions the characters make.
The heroine was a soft, pretty naive girl who looked for the best in everyone and believed in second chances even for the worst of people.
The hero is a rough street kid with a huge heart that wants nothing more than to settle down in a nice, easy, comfortable life with the heroine.
The "plot twists" were realistic for the world the hero lived in. I didn't enjoy how he handled the situation but I also 1000% understand why he acted the way he did. Honestly, we as readers AREN'T supposed to love every actions the characters make.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2020
Bad Boy meets good girl romance. Another 23 y.o. Virgin story! I'm not against staying innocent and waiting for the right person but if you've waited so long why oh why do they always give in immediately ?!? WTF!! At least make it believable people come on! Still Jaxson and Annabelle were good characters, the story not original, and the drama was obvious and just made it even more frustrating! 2.5 stars for an ok read but one that's been told in one form another too many times! Just my opinion!😐
September 9, 2020
A good read. A little bad boy mixed with some innocent sweetness and you get Jaxon and Annabelle in this story. He’s never opened himself up. He’s from the bad side of town, has done time, has an awful family and is just no good for anyone. She’s a good girl, he’s dealt with heartache and lost her passion. She lights up when she sees him. There’s something about each other that’s irresistible. They let each other in only for him to turn away. His first concern is protection but that may not be enough to win back her heart.
January 24, 2022
A bad boy collection that you will get lost in. The characters are so easy to fall in love with but that's not to say some times you wanted to smack some of them. Childhood friends from the bad side of town find the one thing that will make them whole. That is if they can rid themselves from the past that is now in the present. Alexis has given us stories that are full of drama and suspense, lies and deceit, pain and sadness yet at the same time fun and romance.
These sexy bad boys will have you wanting more.
These sexy bad boys will have you wanting more.
May 30, 2020
This book started off strong for me. Annabelle is a shy clutz who works at a coffee shop and has a crush on a guy who comes in. Jacob has been in prison, comes from the south side and runs a gym. Of course they get together by from there the book goes downhill. There’s no remaining tension despite the other ‘obstacles’ they face. I didn’t buy into their relationship so all the up and down drama was just ‘meh’.
July 10, 2020
Action, Heat, and sweep me off my feet!
This was such a feel good story. Both mains were complex and A was a goodie 2 shoes, but it worked. You could put yourself in her place, or at least i could because that was me too lol! J was hot and though he was a "bad" guy in the book, he was actually just misunderstood. He was a good guy, but right himself bad and that's what made him awesome!
I really enjoyed the site characters too and hope the next book is about Tori and Kalum.
This was such a feel good story. Both mains were complex and A was a goodie 2 shoes, but it worked. You could put yourself in her place, or at least i could because that was me too lol! J was hot and though he was a "bad" guy in the book, he was actually just misunderstood. He was a good guy, but right himself bad and that's what made him awesome!
I really enjoyed the site characters too and hope the next book is about Tori and Kalum.
December 1, 2020
This was really good
I really liked this one and that’s saying a lot because I’ve been kind hard to please with my books lately lol. I really liked Annabelle and Jaxson. The build up of their relationship was done really well. The tension was good and kept me completely interested. I didn’t want to skim once. The conflict was believable but thankfully didn’t drag out too long. Great ending also.
I really liked this one and that’s saying a lot because I’ve been kind hard to please with my books lately lol. I really liked Annabelle and Jaxson. The build up of their relationship was done really well. The tension was good and kept me completely interested. I didn’t want to skim once. The conflict was believable but thankfully didn’t drag out too long. Great ending also.
June 5, 2020
Another Winner
I give this book a five-star rating because Alexis is worthy of the rating. She takes her readers into the story with her, as though we have front-row seats. The characters and story line keeps you glued to the page and looking forward to more. Thanks, I'm loving it.
I give this book a five-star rating because Alexis is worthy of the rating. She takes her readers into the story with her, as though we have front-row seats. The characters and story line keeps you glued to the page and looking forward to more. Thanks, I'm loving it.
June 17, 2024
Jaxson and Annabelle
Great get to know and fall in love, love story, from one person from the wrong side of town with a deadbeat Dad that used him and then got him in trouble. To an innocent girl who lost her mum at a young age and looked after her dad but moved away to try something new.
Great get to know and fall in love, love story, from one person from the wrong side of town with a deadbeat Dad that used him and then got him in trouble. To an innocent girl who lost her mum at a young age and looked after her dad but moved away to try something new.
March 18, 2020
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Great read.
Absolutely great read. It’s sucks you in from the beginning. It gives you a lot of the background without it being long and drawn out. It has intrigue, twists, and turns. The sex scenes are pretty hot as well. And it gets kind of emotional close to the end.
Absolutely great read. It’s sucks you in from the beginning. It gives you a lot of the background without it being long and drawn out. It has intrigue, twists, and turns. The sex scenes are pretty hot as well. And it gets kind of emotional close to the end.
June 8, 2020
Brilliant
I loved Bad boy protector. A story of never being enough, of history reappearing and trying to destroy your life and a story of beauty and forgiveness. A beautiful book I couldn't put down.
I loved Bad boy protector. A story of never being enough, of history reappearing and trying to destroy your life and a story of beauty and forgiveness. A beautiful book I couldn't put down.
August 13, 2020
Jaxson & Annabelle
This is the first book in the South Side Boys Series and the first book I’ve read by this author. I enjoyed it, it had a little of everything cuteness, sexiness, a little angst, a little humor, and some very interesting characters.
This is the first book in the South Side Boys Series and the first book I’ve read by this author. I enjoyed it, it had a little of everything cuteness, sexiness, a little angst, a little humor, and some very interesting characters.
December 22, 2021
I'm giving this book five stars to counteract the three star review who marked Winter down simply because she had her characters use condoms. WTF? Protected sex is always hot.
Also, this book was fantastic. Love the characters. I wish it had its own sequel because it wasn't long enough.
Also, this book was fantastic. Love the characters. I wish it had its own sequel because it wasn't long enough.
January 9, 2022
Annabelle and Jaxon
This author is new to me and I love this series it's filled with drama and suspense. It's about a family fighting for territory while wanting to love their person in peace.
This was an easy 5 stars from me.
This author is new to me and I love this series it's filled with drama and suspense. It's about a family fighting for territory while wanting to love their person in peace.
This was an easy 5 stars from me.
January 28, 2022
It’s a fighter book. I don’t really know what else to say other than that and it’s an ok story. Jaxson is suppose to be this damaged heart of gold ex-con but he is actually kind of a jerk…a lot! She forgives too easy.
July 8, 2022
The story line was good. The characters needed to be more complex with more detail. Everything just felt very rushed though and predictable. I felt like their relationship just skipped ahead extremely quickly.
October 12, 2025
Loved it! Mr Dark & Dangerous meets his opposite, doesn’t think he worthy because of his past but she talks him round and he falls in love. There’s a glitch in their relationship caused by his con artist father. Love wins out and they get their HEA
March 2, 2020
I loved this book so much, such an easy read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews