Release Date: January 20, 2016
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Book two in the HARD KNOCKS series will follow up PHENOMENAL X.
The conclusion to the New York Times bestselling romance that began in Phenomenal X, about one woman’s pulse-pounding relationship with a notorious bad-boy wrestler.
“What’ll it be, Anna Cortez? Are you in, or are you out?”
One momentary loss of control has now ruined everything Xavier Cold had going for himself. With his world unraveling fast, he’s willing to do anything to save not only his job but his relationship with the only woman he’s ever loved.
Anna Cortez, still reeling from shock, tries desperately to save the man that’s consumed her heart, body and soul. She’ll have to dig deep and find courage she never knew she possessed to help Xavier fight demons from his past—a past that’s even more haunted than she ever imagined.
 What an amazing ending to this series!
January 21, 2016 | By Michele ~ Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews
HOLY FREAKING CRAP!! I will say this now, I’m going to keep this review short and sweet. After that HUGE Cliffhanger Michelle left us with in Phenomenal X, I don’t want to ruin this one for you!
First, you’ll fall even more in love with Xavier than you ever thought possible. You’ll see sides of this man that you never thought you’d see. You get to see what it was that made him into this amazing man that he is today.
Second, you’ll continue to love Anna, I mean how can you not? She’s the perfect counterpart for Xavier. She just has this way about her that makes you fall in love with her too. It’s no wonder Xavier tries to hard to be the man that she deserves.
I’ll tell you what, there are so many twists, turns and revelations you won’t even know what to do with yourself. I don’t know how many times I was biting my nails hoping all would work out for these two. They more than deserve to have that happy ending.
This book gives you everything you’d expect from this hunk of a man. You’ll be so enthralled with this story, you’ll never want it to end! For those of you who have been waiting what seems like FOREVER for this book like I have, I promise you, Michelle A Valentine DOES NOT disappoint! Are you ready for more of the Alpha Male that is Xavier?
 really enjoyed Xavier! so will you..
January 26, 2016 | By Julie Kirby
After the Cliff hanger at the end of Phenomenal X, I feared that it was going to be the end for Xavier and Anna.
They really had to work hard on their relationship. X is still as hot headed as he ever was but Anna had such a calming effect on him and she was so forgiving. X called her his Angel and I do believe that was not too far from the truth.
He dealt with being suspended from work, well. He could so easily have fallen back into his old life, of tearaway teen from the wrong side of the track, but the reality that was Anna and Nettie really helped his to stay away from that.
We actually learn more about who X is, he had a really hard childhood and carried a huge weight on his shoulders.
Even though he pushed Anna away 'for her own good' or so he thought he had a hard time letting Anna fully into his life, I was so happy for them that he did just that, eventually!
Helping Corey helped to lift the cloud over Xavier, and although his first meeting with Anna didn't bode well he finally got his head out of his ass.
I was glad Anna chose to get closure with Jorge, from what we know of him he deserves his HEA and I am glad he was partly responsible for X realizing he couldn't not have Anna in his life.
It was a tough road for X and Anna, they both endured a lot of heartache and broken dreams, bt when it came down to it they both tackled their future head-on together. The kidnapping was hard, and thankfully didn't end up how I thought it might.
I loved how the other characters deepened the story line, even if I didn't quite like some of their personalities they were all major factor in having an all round, exciting roller coaster of a read.
Loved X & Anna's sexy times, and was great to meet 'Naughty Anna'
It has been a real pleasure seeing Xavier and Anna grow into the lovely good hearted people they both are, and that her parents finally saw the REAL Anna. Great ending to a fantastic series.
Great Conclusion
January 26,2016 | ByThe Book Enthusiast
In order to read this book you need to have read book 1 (PHENOMENAL X). I've been waiting for this book for a long time because man it ended on a pretty big cliff. Since this book is a continuation and there was a big cliffhanger my review below may be a bit vague but I really don't want to ruin it for anyone with too many details.
The story, for me, picked right back up. Michelle A. Valentine does a great job with helping us fill in any blanks we might have, but really once I was a chapter into it the previous book came back to me and I was good to go.
Xavier is a hot wrestler with a past and we learn more about that and there's a bunch of twists and turns. He's forced to face his past when some of the circumstances of book one has him living back in his childhood home.
I love the relationship between Anna and Xavier. Anna has grown a lot since book one, which was really necessary. I was thrilled to see her stand up for herself and even stand her ground with X. He really wants to make her happy and is so worried that she'll leave him. They really do go through a lot of growing, which I thought was needed, since in book one they sorta have "insta-ish-love".
There was a little slump for me in the middle for me but it picks up and I was able to quickly get sucked back into the story. Overall, solid read and totally worth it --especially if you already read book one and you've been waiting for the conclusion.
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