From the Bookshelf of L.A.B.B…

Phenomenal X (Hard Knocks, #1)

Michelle A. Valentine

Start date: January 15, 2019

Finish date: January 15, 2019

Why we're reading this: New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Book!

Good Girl. Notorious Bad-Boy. One Phenomenal Love.

From th…more
[close] New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Book!

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.

*** New Two Book Series from NYT & USA TODAY Bestselling author, Michelle A. Valentine***

Find book one, Phenomenal X here:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1G9Wcou
Amazon UK: http://goo.gl/NXj890
iBooks: https://goo.gl/amNppQ
B&N: http://goo.gl/0UdPxw
Google Books: https://goo.gl/2Buv9b

Book Two, Xavier Cold, is LIVE!!

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What Members Thought

Mar 04, 2014 Bing rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Phenomenal was an apt description for Xavier Cold, not only with his abilities as a professional wrestler but also with his physical appearance. Known as the hottest man in wrestling, he exuded confidence, he was intense, extremely attractive, with intoxicating eyes paired with a great smile and any girl would be a goner.

Anna lived a sheltered life because of a very strict father who demanded his beliefs to be followed and his rules to be obeyed. Feeling suffocated and wanting to experience free
Phenomenal was an apt description for Xavier Cold, not only with his abilities as a professional wrestler but also with his physical appearance. Known as the hottest man in wrestling, he exuded confidence, he was intense, extremely attractive, with intoxicating eyes paired with a great smile and any girl would be a goner.

Anna lived a sheltered life because of a very strict father who demanded his beliefs to be followed and his rules to be obeyed. Feeling suffocated and wanting to experience freedom, she escaped the only life she's ever known to live with her aunt and cousin in Detroit. Despite her prim and proper demeanor, she wasn't exempted from Xavier's effortless sex appeal. Something about him made her crave to be wild and out of control despite her inner objections. Yet despite his intimidating built, his dirty talks and intensity, she felt safe with him. Underneath his tough exterior, she saw a good heart.

There was attraction on both ends, but since Anna wasn't a hook-up kind of girl and everything about Xavier screamed player, she turned him down; and Xavier saw right away that she was a good girl and felt a strong need to protect her even from himself. So a friendship was formed.

I've always thought that being friends with someone you are attracted to creates complications. Then if you genuinely liked and cared deeply about the person, it's a surefire way to muddle the boundaries and a recipe for heartbreak. This was also the dilemna that X and Anna faced.

Xavier and Anna were both battling the attraction but for different reasons. It was sweet and heartwarming to see the inevitable happen. They were very likeable characters and you will be drawn to them, regardless of how different their personalities were. They were just so good together.

The story kept me entertained and I found myself holding my breath especially towards the end. I wanted to smack Rex, the evil opponent of Xavier, well and good, but I guess we needed a hateful villain to make a story more engaging.

I loved how the story was told; the pacing, the unfolding of events, the characterization. There was never a dull moment and every scene had its purpose. There was a right balance of good and bad characters that played significant roles in the lives of Xavier and Anna. Nothing was overdone, there was just enough angst, triumphs, conflicts and passion.

I truly enjoyed this book and I'm excited to read the next one to hopefully see X and Anna get their happily ever after. After that ending, I just need to get my hands on the next book!
Who needs sleep when X is waiting for me?
...more

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Jan 14, 2019 Jan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fighters

“I could do things to your body that most women only dream about while reading their dirty romance novels, and I promise you’d fucking enjoy it.”

Wow, I was looking for a hot fighter romance and that's exactly what I got!

I loved Xavier and Anna, from the moment their eyes crossed on the plane I was all giddy.

"His eyes are the kind people write songs and poems about. They’re light blue and crystal clear. I’ve never seen someone with such intoxicating eyes"

Xavier is a famous Wrestler also known a “I could do things to your body that most women only dream about while reading their dirty romance novels, and I promise you’d fucking enjoy it.”

Wow, I was looking for a hot fighter romance and that's exactly what I got!

I loved Xavier and Anna, from the moment their eyes crossed on the plane I was all giddy.

"His eyes are the kind people write songs and poems about. They’re light blue and crystal clear. I’ve never seen someone with such intoxicating eyes"

Xavier is a famous Wrestler also known as Phenomenal X and Anna is the good girl in rebellion from her religious father who was trying to force her into an arranged marriage. Anna runs with the plan to start a new life with her aunt who isn't as strict or reserved as her father.

Xavier and Anna first meet on the plane, their eyes meet and of course, he is in first class but when the guy next to her spills his drink all over her and the stewardess takes her into first class to clean up and Xavier offers her a seat.

Phenomenal X is a friend's to lovers romance. Xavier begins to feel more for Anna and loves her goodness vibes, they become friends with a promise of nothing more, Xavier claims he doesn't want to taint Anna, he's bad for her, Xavier is a man who sees no goodness in himself, the child of a heroin addict who once lived on the streets until a couple who own a cafe rescued him when they found him stealing food. Although Xavier tries to hold back from Anna his efforts are futile as the chemistry between them becomes tangible.

“Not everyone’s meant to have happiness, Anna. Some of us are meant for the dark.”

I loved the build-up and progression in Anna and X's relationship, Xavier becomes possessive and protective of Anna as she enters his world in the wrestling arena. The cliffhanger to this story has me on edge, it held so much suspense, I can't wait to see how this story goes.
Looking forward to reading the next book.

"I’m so fucking addicted. This will not end well for either of us, because I don't know how to let her go". ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jan 31, 2014 Laura rated it liked it

Well, it ended in a cliffhanger. You know what that means. I have to wait several months to find out what happens:( Not cool. Anyway, it started off good. Some parts were a bit rushed and felt undone. This one was difficult to rate. I'm between a 3 to 4 point rating on this one. The plot has awesome potential. Hope the next installment will change my rating for the better. ...more

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