From the queen of heart-pounding, sexy, emotional romance Scarlett Cole comes Jordan Reclaimed, the first novel in the Preload series. He’s a rockstar, she’s a ballerina, they’re worlds apart yet just what the other needs. Jordan Steele’s life began when he was ten. When he was taken from his parents and a house that was never a home. When he met his brothers, the other lost and abandoned boys … brothers, the other lost and abandoned boys in his group home. When he learned what friendship and family and love looked like.
Now he’s made a career out of playing the music he loves, touring the world with the band he and his brothers formed in that crowded group home. No one but his found family really knows the man under the fame and fortune, the scars he hides behind the rockstar lifestyle. Until he sees her through the windows of the National Ballet, dancing, and suddenly the world doesn’t seem so dark.
Aleksandra Artemov ticks all the ballet boxes. Father a legendary Kirov dancer. Check. Prepping since birth for classical ballet. Check. Compulsive control over the food she eats. Check. Principal dancer at The National Ballet of Canada. Check. But what she craves is freedom.
She craves Jordan.
Everything about him should terrify her. His size, his tattoos, his hard rock edge. But he doesn’t. He stirs her very soul. Jordan has nothing but himself to offer her, and he’s never been good enough for anyone. Can he figure out how to face his own demons before he loses his light for good?
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I love my bad boys and when they play in a music band…. That’s just one of my favourite combination. And this blurb had me extra intrigued, because a ballet dancer and a bad guy who plays in a metal band!? Could a guy like him really fall for a girl like her and she for him? Well, the writer Scarlett Cole convinced me that such a ‘strange’ combination can happen. After reading this story I could totally understand why Jordan and Aleksandra would fall for each other, why they were perfect for each other.
Both Jordan and Aleksandra have personal problems and obsessive fears. They may look differently outside but deep inside they understand each, the pain and the longing. What you see outside isn’t always the same as the inside of a person. The story is told from both POV’s.
Jordan is very special, at one point I was even wondering if he was a bit autistic. I was very intrigued by his behaviour and thoughts. Aleksandra is a good girl, a good daughter, a good dancer but deep down she wants to be free, she was to be a bit wild. She was also a great character. The band members were also very special, you could feel and see that they all had their problems too which made me very curious about their stories. The guys really had created their own family with each other. They were there for each other no matter what. I loved that.
I’m new to Scarlett Cole’s books, so I haven’t read her other books (yet) but as I was reading this story I got the impression that I missed something. And I found that strange because ‘Jordan reclaimed’ is the first book of the ‘Preload’ series but then I discovered that Dred (the lead singer of the band) already had his story in the ‘Second Circle Tattoos’ series. You don’t have to read that story first to read this one (I didn’t ) but It explains why at least one member of the band had HIS girl already.
I’m very happy that I discovered this writer. I like her writing style and the fact that she isn’t afraid of writing about some very hard and sensitive subjects. The themes may sometimes be very ‘dark’ but the way it is writing makes it emotional but still light. I’m looking forward to reading more books of this writer and series.
Deep breath!! Wow, I’m not sure my emotions will be under control any time soon as this book was very emotional. It is no secret if you read the blurb that the band members of Preload are ‘brothers’ who came together in a group home. Obviously children aren’t placed in a home without reason and this obviously has had a huge impact on my feelings whilst reading the book. I’ve felt every emotion going and not all bad, I’ve smiled and laughed too but isn’t that a sign of a great book?! The main characters Jordan and Lexi are people who I just want to pull into a hug and never let go. The compassion that they show for others is something else, even when battling their own demons. The brother’s that make up the band…. well, I just cannot wait to read their stories too. Though I can imagine I’ll be boarding that emotional roller coaster once again. An outstanding read!!
Success does not always deter demons.
Five men forged a brotherhood of the heart while living in a state sponsored group home. All have had rough times during childhood. All have issues to deal with. All depend on one another. All hope to one day have more – but not just more money – they have plenty of that. Dred, one of the members of this brotherhood, had his story told in THE PUREST HOOK (Second Circle Tattoos #3) and from that story this series was begun. I can hardly wait to see how each of these wonderful men will find their happiness in the future!
One winter night Jordan Steele sees Aleksandra “Lexi” Artemov dancing through a studio window. He is enchanted. When she sees him outside the window she is fascinated. How they eventually meet face to face is delightful. The openness and caring of both as they get to know one another is heartwarming. Their growing love is encouraging. The demons that ride them are huge and not easily shared – and when shared – not easily dealt with. Being there for one another is a cleansing and beautiful thing for both of them. Having Jordan’s “brothers” there for both of them is marvelous always and in all ways. Jordan and Lexi eventually find their HEA though they still may have some demons lurking about…and yet…with their family of the heart there for them…there is hope aplenty.
I loved this book. It was painful to read at times but so worth reading. Jordan and Lexi deserved happiness and a future together and I am thankful the author agreed with me 😉 I was kind of curious how a tattooed rock star could find anything in common with a ballerina – but he did 🙂
Next up will be Elliott and I am eager to find out who will be able to tame his demons – can’t wait to read his story!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. This is my honest review.
Another one bites the dust
I was captivated by the band members from heavy metal outfit Preload after reading about lead singer Dred finding love with Pixie in The Purest Hook. And I was thrilled to learn that this first novel in the series would be about Jordan, as he was such an enigma in Dred’s book and I was so curious about his background as there seemed to be a big story there. Well Scarlett Cole did not disappoint, as she tells a beautiful story of two lost souls in Preload’s bass player Jordan and talented ballerina Lexie (Aleksandra).
What I loved about Jordan Reclaimed is how it didn’t rely on lots of drama or action to further the plot – at its essence it was about two people who are battling their own demons but find a sense of contentment, a sense of belonging, and a feeling of home with one another. Scarlett doesn’t shy away from having Jordan and Lexi deal with some heavy issues including childhood trauma, abuse, anorexia, suicide and mental illness – but every issue is treated with realism and respect, and I felt they contributed into making this such a fabulous story that really touched my heart.
So another Preload member has found love and this story was yet again a shining example of Scarlett Cole’s phenomenal talent. Even the ending is fitting of the overall story – there is no easy solution to many of the issues that Jordan and Lexi are up against and so Scarlett doesn’t give them a quick fix and happily ever after where everyone is “all better”. What is more important is whether these two tortured souls can face the difficulties in their path together and not be alone anymore. And of course, more hints are dropped about the three unattached members of Preload (Elliot, Nikkan and Lennon) so I cannot wait to see what and who is in store for these guys!!
Jordan Steele’s never had the happy childhood to look back on like most, he instead find’s memories of himself being taken from his parents home, or lack thereof, and being placed in the Canadian foster care system. Once in the system he bounced from place to place until he arrived on the doorstep of a woman who would not only change the course of his young life, but also give him the sense of family he never knew. Living with Ellen and the other boys in the home turned out to be the best thing to ever happen to him, his brothers, as he calls them now, have formed a band and have the opportunity to travel all over the world doing what they love, and making a lot of money to boot. Which is a far cry from how they all pictured their lives turning out when they were young, and they’ve never forgotten the tough, but sweet, woman who changed their lives, often visiting her and helping her out. But with all the success, and good fortune to come to his life, Jordan still can’t help but feel alone, like there is a part of himself missing, but that is all about to change…
Every facet of Lexi’s life has been under complete control from birth, the right dance classes, the right dance teachers, the right food, but never being the “right” thing for her. Her father had plans for her, and she has been prepped and groomed for the future he chose for her, none of it of course being the future she actually wanted for herself. She is tired of worrying about her appearance, living up to her father’s expectations, and trying to please him, only to fail every time. She wants the freedom to do what she wants when she wants, but as long as her father is in control that will never happen. She knows it is time to be brave and take the course of her life into her own hands, and the moment she meets Jordan she finally feels like she is strong enough to make that happen…
Being familiar with Ms. Cole’s work I thought I knew what to expect going into this read, but I have to say she surprised me with this one, in the best possible way, this is by far her best work yet! The instant my eyes landed onto the page, the words gripped me, had me completely at their mercy, and I knew there was no way I was walking away until I had devoured every last one. I knew a little of Jordan’s history from previously reading the Second Circle Tattoo series, but I don’t think anything could have prepared me for the breathtakingly beautiful story I found, it took me on an emotional roller coaster, and left an imprint on my heart! I loved these two characters so much, they were two damaged souls in need of saving, and little by little they found a way to mend what was broken in each other and also create something so beautiful in the process. All I can say is that you HAVE to read this story, it is truly one of the best reads I have settled down with yet this year, it is destined to move you beyond words!!