4.5 Stars: Super steamy, opposites attract novel
I mean… what else could I expect when the H is pierced… um… everywhere… and is always willing to… please the h 🔥.
The book starts off with Xander’s perspective (Xan). He slept with a girl, who punches him, and then her brother punches him as well. He got in trouble for stealing his teacher’s car, a teacher whom he slept with, and crashing the car. So, his parents send him away to be with his aunt, the principal at Lakewood Academy. He and his cousin decide to go to his huge party, which happens to be JJ‘s birthday party.
It’s Jordyn’s (JJ) 18th birthday and she’s having a huge party at her house/mansion. She has a lot of people that are over celebrating her, except for the one she wants to be there the most, her mother. Her mother isn’t always there for her, in the physical aspect that a mom should be. Yes, she provides for her, gives her some advice, but she wants to live her life more than she wants to be a role model for her daughter. She’s at this party with her boyfriend, Noah, her best friend and other people, but it’s clear from the beginning that she isn’t really into Noah like she should be at this point.
And then… She catches Noah with her best friend, having sex. She breaks up with him and leaves her house, which Xander applauds. Xander is instantly attracted to her and tries to pursue her, but JJ tries to limit contact with him, especially because he seems like a troublemaker. He has piercings everywhere (face, tongue, and… his d 😉👀) and tattoos, many of which were dares (peep the cover words).
As time passes, JJ‘s ex tries to get back with her, but she’s over it and she starts realizing that she is very attracted to Xander. Xander uses this to his advantage and is in close proximity to her whenever he gets a chance.
It takes a little while for them to do anything physical (over 30%) but… oh… dear… sweet… Jeeezus… it is INTENSE they do!!! 🥵🔥 Xander is all about JJ’s pleasure. Although she’s not a virgin, her experience with her ex-boyfriend wasn’t the best. Enter Xan- a tongue and d pierced god who knows his way around a woman and cares about his partner. The chemistry is steamy and thick 😅🤤💦. Their first real kiss was in a taxi… and he made sure that she… uh… got off. Even when they were in the restroom and her foes were on the other side of the stalls🔥he ensured her pleasure… and when Noah called her and Xan forced her to talk to him while he… took… care of her was with his 👅 was🥵🔥😉. I love me an H that takes care of the h is ALL ways 👏🏻.
The story of Xander‘s brother’s death made me get so emotional and cry. I really felt his pain, even though it’s been years, it feels like it just happened as he recounts it.
The biggest complications in their relationship are their parents, their uncertain futures, and Noah, who has connections, pushing to get JJ back while jeopardizing Xan’s life.
I really enjoyed this book. There were some style/writing things that made me feel like this is an early book for the writer, but obviously, the steam allowed me to continue to read until the end. I loved that JJ didn’t go back with Noah (even though she kissed him) and I really liked some of the secondary characters.
⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing
-toxic/abusive parents
-the H is hit by OW after he and the OW have been together (right when the book opens so before he meets the h) and it’s mentioned that he was with a teacher in the past
-the h is with OM, breaks up with him after he cheats, and kisses him after the break up once
-H’s brother’s death is detailed (death of a sibling)
-no condoms. H was going to put one on but the h doesn’t want him to. She got tested after she was cheated on (she’s clean) and she’s on the shot. He’s never done it without one before, but it’s been a few weeks since he was last tested
-HEA