Love is impossible. Hate is an open game.
Kimberly
He was once my best friend, now he’s my worst enemy.
Xander Knight is heartbreakingly beautiful.
Ridiculously popular.
Brutally cruel.
He’s a knight but won’t do any saving.
Xander
We started as a dream, now we’re a nightmare.
Kimberly Reed is pathetically fake.
Terribly innocent.
Secretly black.
She can hide but never from me.
Black Knight is … me.
Black Knight is part of Royal Elite Series but could be read on its own. For better understanding of the world, you might want to read the previous books first. This is a high school bully romance, mature new adult, and contains visceral mental health situations that some readers can find triggering.
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Not at all what I expected from Xander and Kim!
I have been waiting for Xander and Kim’s story since Deviant King when Elsa befriended Kim on her first day of school at Royal Elite. Elsa saw a kindred soul in Kim, someone who was doing her best not to be noticed and was lonely like her. Though Elsa was targeted by Aiden and the rest of the four horsemen (the Kings of the school and the team’s football heros). It soon became apparent that Kimberly used to be in with those people but something occurred to change things and now she was hated at the school and Xander Knight who lives across the street from her was her main bully.
Once Elsa began dating Aiden, Kim was sort of accepted into their group, in that Elsa insisted Kimberly come with wherever she was invited. So Kim started attending Ronan’s parties, as well as the weekly football games where they all get together in the theatre room in Aiden’s house to watch his cousin’s pro team play on the big screen.
Ronan accepted Kim and was friendly to her but Xander wouldn’t talk to her unless it was to say something mean and it seemed that she would never be forgiven for what she did seven years ago. I wondered throughout the last few books what it was that Kim could have done that was so bad. I am not sure if I was disappointed or not in this book and the revelations.
I know that there was a lot more angst in this book than I expected and I didn’t really like that too much. Both Xander and Kim are very broken and it isn’t because of what Kim did when they were eleven. Both of them have awful parents that have really messed with their minds. Kim is basically a mother to her younger brother because her Mother can’t be bothered to do anything motherly.
At one point during the previous books I thought that maybe her brother Kirian was her and Xander’s child and Xander hated her for letting her parents claim him as theirs. However, I realized that wasn’t possible when I found out Kirian was too old and Kim would have had to have been ten or eleven when she had him. Though I do think that would have been a great story, if Kirian would have been younger.
One thing I really liked about this book, as well as the others is the supporting characters. I love the four horsemen. Xander is known as the horseman war which is fitting because he is full of anger. Ronan is a great guy in this one and he sets out to make Xander jealous throughout the book by dating Kim. Aiden and Cole even jump in to help a few times to try to get Xander to make a move or at least do something different.
I won’t give away the strife between Xander and Kim because it all came as quite a big surprise. But I will say that they were best friends when they were young, so they have had a connection for a long time. The chemistry between them is explosive and the tension is high. I loved the romance and the steamy intimate scenes. Great book, but a bit too much angst to give it 5 stars. So I will stick with 4.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was anxiously waiting for this book since the beginning of RES’ books. I was excited to know more about Xander and Kim’s story and finally discover about what happened between them. When I received the ARC my expectations were high, but Rina Kent was able to increase my standards to a whole new level. This one of the most emotional and deeper book I’ve ever read, and now this is one of my favorites too. When I finished reading I was speechless and I still am.
I met Kim at Cruel King and I fell in love with her instantly. She met Astrid at Elite’s game and was looking to Xander the entire time – that was when I became obsessed to know about them. On the previous books, I knew Kim as an incredible and funny friend, but on this book I was able to know the real Kim, and I can tell you that she is my favorite one. Kim is brave, even though she doesn’t believe that. Kim is loyal to her friends and to Kir, her little brother, whom she created like a mother. I wanted to protect her from the world but, at the same time, I was completely proud when she stood up for herself and faced her own demons. Briefly, she became my favorite character of Rina’s books. I suffered with her, I laughed with her and I loved Xander as much as her.
I was a little bit apprehensive about Xander due to the bully he was and how he would act on Kim’s fear, and I can say that he surprised me in a real good way. He became my favorite male character because of his many layers. He has a real good reason to act that way on the beginning and, now, I can understand that. I loved the way he treated Kim and how adorable he is with her. Xander has his own problems too, and it was very special the way he chose to heal – by himself but for her.
Them as a couple was the best part of this book. The way they helped each other to heal and to get better by themselves was amazing. I sobbed with this book and was thrilled to see how they grew up together.
Black Knight surprised me in the best way possible. Reading the previous book I made a lot of theories about what happened between Xander and Kim, but, as always, Rina surprised me. I can’t get enough of saying how much I love Rina’s writing. Thank you for this amazing book, it was very special for me to read about what happened to Kim and know that everything will be alright at the end.
One more thing that I loved about this book: to see the Four Horsemen. I was missing them so much and enjoyed every scene between them and their conversations. Now I can’t wait to Ronan’s book.
Besides Cole and Silver pending release, I couldn’t wait to dive into Xander and Kimberly’s story, especially after reading their intense interactions in the previous installments. And needless to say, wow! I really enjoyed reading this book and was surprised I was able to read this in one sitting. When that happens, you know shit’s good.
I think what set “Black Knight” release apart from the rest, was the highly emotional and obviously triggering topics that were featured which is probably want I liked the most about this read. I didn’t anticipate the author to include some sensitive issues (precede with caution my fellow bookfolks). It was real. It was raw. It was everything I didn’t expect but needed to get a better understanding of the intense dynamic between Xander and Kimberly including the bombshell (if you want to call it that) that dropped later on in the read.
Everything just flowed seamlessly and the author was able to immersed me into this read. It got to the point that I did in fact get a little teary eyed with some of the scenes. It was so relatable and heartbreaking to read. The only flaws I would like to point out is the duration of the read and how easily Kimberly was able to forgive Xander for all the pain he had caused her. She was obviously a push over. Like girl, make him grovel. Additional to that, Xander and Kimberly’s story could have easily ended at the 70ish% mark. Everything after the 70% seemed redundant, dull and boring in which case I did skim through it but nevertheless kudos to the author. This was a fairly decent read.
TOTAL RATING:
ARC PROVIDED FOR A HONEST REVIEW
Rina’s done again!! absolutely destroyed me again in just a few chapters, let alone the whole book.
I mean my mother caught me crying and is now interrogating me non-stop!! what am i supposed to tell her??
I mean the sole reason why I started book blogging and arc reading was because I just had to get my hands on black knight!!! its not a lie, really!!! the only reason I stared was for this book, that’s how excited I was !!!! and now after completing the book , the only thought I have is that
— ” XANDER IS MY BABY!!!MINE ONLY!!”
When I woke up this morning and saw this ARC on my kindle, I had to blink for a few times to make sure I was seeing correct or not! then my only aim was to savor every word of this book, I literally didn’t want to miss anything and shouted at anyone who disturbed me!!
From the very chapter I fell in love with Kimberly. She was truly broken and being in her mind was
a really agonizing experience for me. I felt everything with her, every pain and every happiness.
The way she handled herself was a real inspiration for me. No matter how her journey started, she was indeed a very strong character. The way she sacrificed everything for her brother, and the way she loved those limited people in her life was heart-warming.
Then there was Xander. I had been in love with him since the starting of the royal elite trilogy. But I will admit , even I in the staring of the book wanted to bitch slap him!!! he was such an ass to kimmy!!
I was just so greedy for his vulnerable moments, and just nearly broke my finger while highlighting those scenes!! the scenes where i saw the real Xander.
But then when the true reason came out for his behavior , I was literally shocked. I mean I could have never imagined that reason!!! let me warn you all , none of you will expect that twist!!
Suddenly every step he took made sense .
The ending of the book was so perfect and now I again have this itch to have Cole and Ronan’s book. All those small scenes I read in the book which highlighted their future relationships were just amazing and made me yearn for there story even more!!!!
its going to be very long months ahead , waiting for both Ronan and Cole!!!
I truly loved the way Ronan supported Kim and made her feel loved , because she really needed that sort of stability in her life. I loved how he made her feel loved when Xander somehow fucked up . He is truly amazing!!
If I had a 10 star rating, I would have given this book 10 stars, because this book truly deserves all the damn stars!!!
none of you are ready for Xander and Kim, but beware, they are going to wreck you!!
Xander and Kim’s story wasn’t what I expected, this story was too tame compared to Aiden amd Elsa. I’ve to admit this story kind of felt lame. Not to insult the author, this book was additionally different from the authors other books.
Xander and Kim was friends once upon a time, they were neighbours and each others everything. Something happened that turned Xander hateful towards Kim. The plot turned to an interesting twist by 70% of the book. The story blurred to me at that part and that’s when I lost interest.
Xander’s bullying to Kim was excessive compared to the reason. Kim was a quiet girl but her adjustment to become strong didn’t give that feels. Kim has serious mental issues partly because of her mother and is not comfortable in her own skin. The only good thing in her life is Kirian, who was an absolute adore. Xander is explosive. While he is vindictive he cares for Kim.
This book has triggers – attempt suicide, about-to-be-taboo, mean Mums. I thought Xander and Kim’s story to be more since in previous books they had lots of angst amd sexual tension among them. This book was not the best but I would encourage you to give it a go.
I don’t even know how to start this review – I’m honestly speechless. I didn’t know there could even be a book as beautiful as this one.
If you read my reviews, you probably know that I have an obsession with Rina Kent, but this has to be the best book she has written yet.
Going into this book, I knew what I was expecting and wanted – but what I received was so much better.
Black Knight is a truly beautiful story about two broken humans who intertwine and fit perfectly together.
It’s story of true, raw emotion that’ll leave you in tears.
It’s also a story that, once again, proves that Rina is the ‘Queen of Plot Twists’.
This book has definitely changed my opinion on Kim and she will now forever be one of my favourite characters and will always be close in my heart. Reading about her definitely made me cry on more than one occasion.
Reading about Kim and Xander was such a heartbreaking, yet amazing, experience and I really hope you all decide to do it too.
Stars ~ 100 (if only I could give it that)
I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book.
5 STARS
Oh Xander…just love him! This book held my captive attention from beginning to end. Xander and Kim’s relationship was intense especially with the issues they both faced. I am eager to read more from the Royal Elite Series. If you love bully romance then this book is for you. Black Knight by Rina Kent is an EPIC read that will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
Wow Kimberly and Xander’s story blew my mind, it was a brutal emotional roller-coaster, it’s dark, raw and deep. Two broken souls finding their way. A magnificent masterpiece where the intensity of every emotion and the passion makes a perfect combination, these characters and the story are simply beautifully written even with all that they have. Rina Kent is a genius for giving me everything I love in a book of this trope, a lot of twists and turns with a lot of turmoil and so real that my heartfelt every page. This book is on the top must-read list of the year and one I need in audiobook to experience it all over again. This series is a 5-star one just because we can’t add more in the rating. Utterly perfection!
This is the 4th book in ROYAL ELITES and features a new couple- Xander and Kimberley.
The author warned that she didn’t hold back and it emotional and gut wrenching and let me say, . There was pain, angst and the pining!! It was too much and not enough at the same time.
As usual, this is a dark bully themed book but there are also some triggering things inside the book so if you are easily triggered heed the author’s warning.
I can only say, the conclusion makes up for the angst and emotional pain I felt while reading this beautiful book. It’s a 5 star read and of my top reads of May.
Black Knight is raw, powerful, and kept me riveted to every page late into the night. Rina Kent wrote a beautifully twisted story with a broken anti-hero and a wrecked heroine. Oh, it’s a gorgeous bumpy ride that touched me personally.
This was my first Rina Kent book, but I can say for a certainty that it will not be my last. I had no trouble jumping right into Black Knight as it can be read as a standalone, but catching up and reading more is something I’m definitely looking forward to.
In Black Knight Kimberly deals with a lot of emotional issues, most of which she deals with alone with no one the wiser. Not only does she have eating disorders, she suffers from mental ones as well, like depression and cutting to name a few. She is in pain and looking for a way to fill the void that lives within her chest. It’s not a recent ache, but one that began basically from birth. She has a loving, but absent father leaving her with a mother that not only ignores her, but also emotionally abuses her. This void in her soul only grows bigger by being bullied at school, especially by those students who were her friends as young children. It’s easy to feel low and believe the bad things about yourself when you don’t have anyone in your corner to help feed you positivity. People who should care about you, be by your side, at least give you some spark of belonging. The darkness is very easy to succumb to when there is no one to shine some light.
While this book comes with a warning about triggers, as Kim feels alone and expresses herself in a very dark way, Rina Kent touched on multiple subjects in a way unlike any I’ve read before. Ways that I have been unable to verbally express in the past and it was therapeutic for me to mentally unpackage some old baggage and share them with a fictional character, but heed Rina’s warnings if this subject is not for you.
Xander used to be Kim’s friend, until they had a giant falling out, now he can barely stand the sight of her. Like a cat with a mouse, he toys with her…acting like he cares, but then not letting it show…dragging her emotions through the wringer. He becomes a master at toying with her, or is he? You see, Xander and Kimberly were best friends for years and there is no one better to really see through the mask she wears for everyone else, but he sees below the facade, but should he care? He too carries his own burdens and his Knight’s armor is dinged and rusty, so what happened and why did he fall from grace?
Xander and Kim’s world will rock you! Seriously the emotional angst is high. There were times that this story was very personal for me, which may be why I had to keep turning the pages, I had to know what happens between these two!! Thank you Rina for writing this emotional, personal book!
” Love is impossible, but hate is an open game.”
I was not ready for Kimberly and Xander’s story… not even close! Unapologetically honest, full of so much raw angst and a unique realness that will just break your heart in the best possible way! This might just be dare I say it… my favorite book in this series so far. The push and pull between X & K, their individual (heartbreaking) struggles and twists that I did NOT see coming had me going through so many emotions while reading. Seriously, ALL THE FEELS! Two people going through hell… two broken puzzle pieces that just fit… former best friends… to enemies…. to so much more Black Knight broke my heart & put it back together piece by beautiful piece…. authentic, honest, gritty & just SO SO GOOD!
GOBSMACKED! Yep, that is what I was as I read Black Knight by Rina Kent. This the fourth book in the Royal Elite series and tells the story of Xander and Kimberly. Mrs. Kent if you could please remove the knife from my heart now, I would greatly appreciate it, this book was heart wrenching made me look at real life disorders that I had not looked at before. Deliciously scandalous, dark, and twisted, with lots of surprised I honestly could not put this book down. I am simply on the edge of my seat waiting for Ronan’s story, Vicious Prince that is coming out in July. 5-stars for Black Knight by Rina Kent.
Kimberly Reed has been called names and fat-shamed all through high school. These are things that she can get past. What hurts the most is how her former best friend Xander Knight treats her. Kimberly and Xander were best friends until one day when they were eleven and Kimberly did something that Xander has not been able to forgive. Kimberly and Xander had made promises to each other to never leave but promises can be broken and friendships can be lost. Kimberly always thought Xander was her knight but sometimes the queen and her knight need each other equally, if they could only get past the moat and wall that surrounds their hearts, they might be able to find each other again.
Completely gutted! Absolute mind-blowing read! This book was great!
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:
To be honest I knew this book was gonna break my heart the second I heard the playlist, but I was so ready for it.
To those of you who have read the previous books in this series you probably know a little about Xan and Kim, but I knew nothing about them because unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to read the previous books, but that will change. Soon.
Xan and Kim are probably one of my favorite couples this year. That’s how much I loved them. When I started Black Knight I had no idea what to expect, I know the author said that I’ll be intense, but boy I WAS NOT expecting that.
“, .”
From the first few chapters I was a goner. I fell in love with both Xan and Kim in a heartbeat. Kim was broken in so many ways, and to be able to see inside her mind and feel her pain was beautiful and agonizing all together. I felt everything with her I swear, I lost count of how many times I cried with her and for her. The way she kept pushing herself not for her but for her little brother was heartwarming.
Kim was hurting but no one cared enough to notice, the only one who promised to always be there for her did not keep his promise.
” . , ’ . . .”
Xan was an asshole to Kim; I had no idea why he was doing that. He could see what no one else could, he could’ve made it all stop if he wanted to but he didn’t. It was obvious that he felt the same way towards her but there was something holding him back something big enough to make him hurt her.
“, ’ . .”
And that plot twist!!! You’re so not ready for this trust me.
This book was EVERYTHING. Beautiful, sad, breathtaking, heartbreaking, but above all, it was EPIC.
Xander and Kimberly are both flawed in so many ways, but together they are perfection.
“I’m in love with you. It probably began the day you hugged me and told me you’d never let me go.”
This book totally destroyed me! I loved Aiden and Elsa’s story but Xander and Kim’s story just took that place! I was yelling at the book when Rina totally threw me for a loop! I can’t wait for Ronan’s book to see if Teal is the girl that will tame him!
Kim and Xander have been neighbors there whole lives and were best friends up until they were 11 then it all changed. Xander became Kim’s number one tormentor. All Kim wanted was her friend back, but for years Aiden tormented her and made her life miserable. Then something happens and it shifts there lives even more than before. Can Xander and Kim find a way to bury the past and hurt and become friends again or are they doomed to be enemies?
Xander and Kim, so many secrets, so much hate between them. Gaaah Rina Kent has a way with characters that will haunt you and make you fall in love with them at the same time. Everyone loves a bad boy, but when that bad boy is your enemy and the boy from your childhood that you loved, how do you get over him.
Kim is haunted by her own demons. She showed up completely different in the beginning of the new school year, but she is hiding a huge secret. The only one that can really see through all her pain and secrets is the one person she can no longer love.
Xander knows a secret that he has been holding on to for 7 years. He cannot have feelings for Kim anymore because of this secret. There is a reason he is always drinking at the parties.
Rina has a way with making you feel the pain of these characters as though you are them. You end up hurting and emotionally raw just like these characters. Be prepared to laugh and cry as you experience this 5 star read. This book is worth the wait, stayed up half the night reading because I could not put I down.
Rina Kent is ah-may-zing! Her books just get better and better and she never ceases to amaze me with her characters and writing. Xander and Kim have undeniably been a couple that have intrigued me since the beginning of the Royal Elite Series. The author had penned such a raw, emotional rollercoaster of a read with this pair. I was so captivated by Xan and Kim’s story and finished it in one sitting. This needs to be added to your tbr! Rina Kent had me on the wildest ride of my life, those heart palpitations and emotions is epic proportions were unreal. I laughed, I cried and holy heck did I swoon. This masterpiece is not to be missed and is hands down the best book she has written to date!
All I can say is WOW! This book is very emotional!i couldn’t put it down and read it all at once. Loved Xander and Kim’s story. I voluntarily read an arc of this book.
Oh. My. Freakin. God. I feel like I waited for this book for so long that I started having dreams about it. No joke! But this book was sooo much more than I ever imagined it would be. I seriously just want to start reading it all over again but I think my poor heart needs a day break. Black Knight is a very emotional read and had my heart racing and tears falling more than once. I really felt for Kim and her mental struggles and I just wanted to be her friend, help her, hug her. Xan drove me crazy for good half of the book but then made me fall in love with his charm, wittiness, and those dimples. Who doesn’t love dimples? There was so much chemistry between the two of them, it was practically burning through my kindle. But not just that, their friendship and the friendships in general among all of them is truly beautiful. It reminds me so much of my group of friends in high school back in the day…with the football (soccer) games, the constant banter and jokes and dating each other. I think that’s what I love about this series the most and can relate to. I feel like I mention this in every review but nobody and I mean nobody does unexpected twists and bombshells in the books like Rina. At one point I had to put my kindle down, pick it up again, reread the same page twice, just to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. I love that about her books and that they’re completely unpredictable. I should probably mention that this book is on the darker side and has some intense themes throughout. Please read the authors warning before you begin. Rina quickly became one of my favorite authors and I cannot wait to read Ronan’s story. If I could give it 10 stars I would.
The ARC of this book was given to me in an exchange for an honest review.
Black knight is a raw and intense addition to the royal elites story that will have you reaching for the tissues and chocolate. Kim and Xan are amazing characters and their story is beautifully tragic and at times uplifting. Rina Kent is the master of writing and her stories literally jump off the pages as you read. They grip you and refuse to let go, making you feel every emotion and place yourself right there with the characters in the story. There’s depth to her plots, characters and scenes that are completely phenomenonal. Without a doubt, any fan of Aiden and Elsa need to read this book. It has triggers, especially in the mental health aspect, so beware. Yet, Rina gives them the limelight in this story and it creates a real and emotional beauty that other books steer clear of… And I love Rina all the better for writing about subjects that are real and raw. I cried, I laughed and and I smiled so much with this book. It’s amazing through and through and a book I will definitely want to reread over and over. What a inspirational story that just stays with you long after you’ve finished. Amazing writing, amazing storyline and amazing addition to an already amazing series. Can’t wait for the next book!