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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Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions in my review are my own.
This book, ya’ll. I’m telling you. I can’t even formulate a proper review right now. My head and heart are spinning right now. Rina Kent really knows how to make me feel a plethora of emotions.
I’ve said this in my other reviews, but Rina Kent’s writing style is just awesome. I always feel so at home reading one of her books. She makes the story so inviting and the narration is always so smooth. She is also the queen of plot twists, I am coming to realize. I don’t know where she gets her ideas from but she always knows how to shock me and bring the drama to a story. When I start reading one of her books I never want to put it down. They are so compelling.
These characters blew me away. Kim and Xander had so much depth and personality. Their characters elicited such intense emotion. They both had incredible character growth in the story. These characters were heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I also really love all the secondary characters in this series. I have fallen in love with each and every one of them and I can’t wait for the books in this series that have not been released yet!
The romance in this was so damn beautiful. I love a story where childhood friends become lovers and this one was full of heartache and drama. Xander and Kim had such an intense connection that seemed to transcend everything else. This couple certainly had their ups and downs. Their love story is an emotional one that really makes your heart bleed.
Overall, this book will open your heart right up. This book does not hold back on the feels and trust me, there are plenty of them. This is such a raw and gritty story that doesn’t hold back. There are many sensitive topics in this book and the author does not shy away from them at all. The story feels like a very truthful and poignant account of the issues and I think that the author handles them gracefully. This book does a great job of breaking you apart and then piecing you back together again. I dare say that I liked this book more than Elsa and Aiden’s story. If you haven’t already, jump on the Rina Kent bandwagon. You won’t want to miss out!
Omg I just finished reading Black Knight and I’m so freaking emotional! !!
Rina Kent you got me here in tears .. I’m so speechless. Five stars are not even enough of a rate it deserves. This book is so phenomenal.
This book will take you in one big emotional roller coaster ride but in the end it was so worth it because you got to see who really is Xander and Kim. They are one of a kind couple. I loved them from beginning to end!!
Bravo Rina!!
You did an outstanding job!!
Bookscastleignite
Jen
Seriously this author is one of my most absolute favorites and I am completely in love with her writing and this book! This one is Xander and Kim’s story and my emotions were truly all over the place with these two. From start to end I was utterly hooked and just couldn’t get enough of these two at all.
This is the fourth book in the Royal Elite series, and story of Xander, and Kim. This was beautifully written, gripping, and raw, and the characters captivated me, and kept me glued to the pages. This was an emotional roller coaster, intense, twisted, dark, suspenseful, and a must read.
This story shed a lot more light on Xander and Kimberly and I didn’t expect to feel the way I did afterwards. There story touched on a lot of sensitive subjects and was so full of angst that I even I was like wow take it down Xander lol. Kimberly was just such a sweet character and even though I did like her a lot I found her to easy going at certain points and Xander was much more intense and raw then I anticipated
Five black stars!
I have been impatiently waiting for this book and it was so worth the wait! Xander and Kim’s story was so much more than I thought it would be. Kim has become adept at hiding her issues. Xander tends to drink and fight his troubles away. I loved every minute of this book. In true Rina Kent form there were some big OMG moments. I love all things RES and I can’t wait for the next book!
Kent can do no wrong and is easily a one-click author for me. Heading back to Royal Elite was everything, this time Xander and Kim’s story.
Their story is totally different. Both these characters have been fighting a battle. Some readers may have triggers so beware. The book deals with eating disorders, cutting and alcoholism. They are not just slightly mentioned, they are a big part of the story.
Kim and Xander were best friends until Xander pushes Kim away and the spiralling of events over the years leads to where we are now. In true Kent style there a few twists and turns along the way, with emotional real-life moments that will tug at the toughest of heartstrings.
Kim is one of my favourite characters. She’s so complex, trying to do her best, hiding her dark secrets and afraid to be herself and at points, I suffered with her. I loved the turn of her character when she makes the decision to fight her demons.
Lovers of new adult will devour this. There is crazy angst, a meaningful story and plenty of steam. The side characters all make good appearances and it good to see Aiden still as jealous and possessive as ever. I’m loving this series so far and can’t wait for the next instalment.
ARC received for an honest review
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Overall Ratings;u2063
First Sex Scene – 70%
POV – Duel
Hero –
Heroine –
Story –
Steam –
Chemistry –
This book ripped at my heart! Black Knight is a dark, raw, gritty masterpiece!
Xander and Kim are so beautifully dark and broken. Their connection is powerful but their path is one filled with pain and heartbreak.
Black Knight is written in true Rina Kent style, with her heart on every page! This book hits you in the face with raw emotion but that ending is so totally worth it. And did I mention the twists, because holy moly the twists!
A NEED to read!!
So much more than I was expecting!!
This book is full of so much angst, pain, revelations and give you a much deeper understanding! This book takes you down a different path than you initially think you will go and it is WOW! Kim and Xander have a lot more going on that meets the eye and your heartbreaks for them a little. All of the characters play wonderful roles throughout this series and it’s great to see their friendships play out.
A MUST READ!!
Xander and Kimberley’s story was everything I wanted and needed, the history of them and their families answer so many question, at times I wanted to cry for Xander and for Kim, you’ll know what I mean when you read this beautiful book. I voluntarily reviewed this book.
This book was raw gritty and real and it took me on a emotional roller coaster of a ride! I think this book is by far the most emotional book I’ve read by RK and believe me I’ve read them all ! Xander and Kimberly’s chemistry from the start was hard not to notice and I knew we were in for a epic ride with these two ! The emotional journey these two went on was so heartbreakingly beautiful and tragic , it really was just wow , I can’t even this book was hands down one of the best books I’ve read of 2020 from this author and was definitely one of my most anticipated reads of this year ! There are some triggers in this story so please heed the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book if these topics are triggers for you . This book was very real and gripping from the first page , I simply couldn’t put it down! Definite must read and definite 5 stars from me! Now I can’t wait for Ronan and Teals story and Cole and Silver too ! Gahhh I Love all the characters of the RES world and I’m highly invested in them can’t wait to see what’s next !
*** ARC GIVEN FOR MY HONEST OPINION ***
Five Black-Brokenhearted Stars
“Love is impossible. Hate is an open game.”
This book deals with depression, eating disorder and cutting. I trust you know your triggers before you proceed.” – Rina Kent (excerpt from the Author’s Note)
This. One thousand percent this. Also, I just LOVE how Rina worded this. I’m honestly so sick of the cringe-worthy warnings about how dark the book is and yadda yadda yadda that a lot of authors seem to use. I really liked how straight forward this was without all of the dramatics thrown in.
Reading Black Knight felt like my heart had been torn out of my chest, stomped on with one of Silver’s Louboutin high heels, before being shoved back into place. What a heart-wrenching roller coaster of a story. I cried a few times while reading, it was hard not too. I could feel the character’s pain come through the pages of the book, a part of me wants to blame my cry-fest on leftover pregnancy hormones, but I know it was just the story that came to life in front of me. This book was raw and gritty but also beautiful and unapologetic.
Xander ‘War’ Knight and Kimberly ‘Green’ Reed’s story had no shortages of angst and twists. Rina really outdid herself with Black Knight. I was expecting a twisted enemies/bully romance and what I got was far more than that. I loved this book and highly recommend it, as well as the rest of the series (Deviant King is book 1 – Aiden and Elsa).
Next up for these elites is Vicious Prince. I cannot wait for Ronan’s story next!
He hates me not is the second part of the Hate and Love Duet by Rina Kent and Isabella Starling.
This book reveals the final answers we’ve still had left from book 1 and it didn’t disappoint!
Even though I would have loved a deeper insight in Georginas past, the book was great either way!
We got a lot of their time in Italy and how the whole family dynamics are working in either their families. Jasper is planing his revenge for his enemies there and we learn some things about his upbringing in Sicily.
The couple’s chemistry is just phenomenal. I loved them from the beginning (even though Jasper is obviously crazy )!! I just love how he will do anything for her – in any way she wants and needs him to (even if she’s afraid to ask ).
This book is a must-read if you’ve already read the first book in this Duet! I can also recommend it to anyone who loves Mafia romances, dark romances and Rina Kent in general
5 HEART WRENCHING STARS!! Rina Kent takes us on a heart wrenching ride….that will squeeze your heart until it stops. Xander and Kimberly will hit all your emotion button and push some than others. I can not get this book out of my head. This author’s writing is phenomenal in the beauty of dark.
Kimberly and Xander were friends once then things changed for the worse with them. Xander became Kimberly’s worst nightmare as a bully. Kimberly has a lot going on with believing in her self worth. The bullying from Xander doesn’t help in that regard. Xander also has much going on and is hiding secrets. The two are still attracted no matter how they fight it. A steamy, bully romance with twists and turns.
“You’re mine, Green. Now and always.”
Rina Kent has created a world that I am completely in love with. The characters are all amazing in their own way. Each story has its own unique and addicting presence.
I have been DYING for Kim and Xander’s story. Their previous encounters in the books in the series had made me addicted to them and their back story.
Vicious. Toxic. Cruel.
The pain from this story hit me deep. Both Kim and Xander had a painful past and it shaped the way they are today. Broken, battered, and bruised.
Rina always blows my mind with the twists and turns in each of her stories but this book had be frozen with my jaw hanging open. The suspense almost killed me. The angst had me hanging on by a thread.
I can’t wait to see what she brings us next in the series!
“Now, he’s the master of that suffocating fog that’s slowly wrapping its tentacles around my throat and cutting off my air supply.”
4.5 stars!!
This is book 4 in the “Royal Elite” series. I believe they can be read as a stand alone but I don’t recommend. There is so much you learn about the characters in each book. This book is Xander and Kim’s story.
You know I was super excited for Xander and Kim’s book. I could feel the tension and the story brewing. I was not disappointed BUT I was completely surprised. I did not see any of this coming. Hats off to this author for actually shocking me.
Xander is pretty much who I thought he would be. I won’t ruin him for you but I fell for him again. I have always had a thing for him in the other books but I needed more.
Kim is so much more then meets the eye. Her story is one that breaks many hearts. As a woman who faced a lot of the same struggles and she did as a teenager I see her. Her story was tragic yet beautiful.
This story has triggers and is deeper then most. It came as a shock as I didn’t think it was going this way and some of it seemed like it did not fit (the twist near the end). But I devoured this book. Rina can write her ass off. Now I am
dying to read about Ronan!!!
**I received this book as an arc and in return gave my honest review**
I’m just blown away by this story! Soo many twists and turns! Pain and loss along with love and happiness. My feelings were up for a chapter then ugly crying for another chapter. I normally wouldn’t really get into this age type of story, but Rina Kent’s writing draws you right in as if no matter what age the person reading is, you can totally identify with these characters. The love and hope and pain and angst of these people will twist your heart up in knots! Regrets and hangers on just want to make you punch their lights out!! It gets you that worked up. Be prepared for edgy Rawness and Jealousy.
Bravo Rina Kent! There is no halfway in this story it’s all in!
I reviewed a complementary copy of this book.
I love reading every thing this author writes..After Aiden,Xander is yet another interesting character..I loved the twists in the story..Kim with all her curves gripped me hard and I loved reading how she matures throughout the book..Xander and Kim had a powerful chemistry and I loved Ronan more in this book..Cant wait to read his story..
This book is for those of us who have felt invisible, who have felt shackled by our pain, our insecurities, and fears. This is for those of us who have silently screamed to be seen while we drown and suffocate, trapped in our bodies, trapped in hollow expectations and dreams, smothered in our own feelings, surrounded but yet all alone. This book is for me.
Our story is about Kimberly and Xander. We’ve seen them in prior books, but we get them unfiltered and exposed here. Xander is a bully- vindictive, the “War,” hateful- Kimberly’s ex best friend that is now an enemy for reasons we don’t yet understand. Kimberly is isolated, unhappy, verbally abused, and suffering from some dark mental health challenges. She’s hiding in her own skin, in broad daylight, and only Xander sees her- much to both of their chagrin. Our story centers much on their emotions and interactions- the plot feels like it moves quickly but it is driven by emotion- by interaction- which helps us deeply connect with our characters. We see their heart, not just their pain, we see their hopes- their light and dark. They find their way to each other as two soulmates, struggling to accept themselves and cope as they first repress and then address the demons that are cutting them from inside out.
Have you ever read a character that feels like the author bisecting you and examined your every working- even the dark, small parts of yourself that you squirrel away so no one can see their ugliness? The ins and outs of what makes you tick? You feel seen and exposed all at once- affirmed and uncomfortably vulnerable, because fiction blurs with reality. This character for me is Kimberly. I saw pieces of myself at every turn- ugly pieces that myself and others hide. Or I thought they were ugly- but Rina tenderly unmasks them with Kimberly, not exploitatively but with care, and makes them beautiful. I’ve never felt as seen, as visible, as understood- as worthy. Rina so beautifully puts words to feelings I’ve felt, that Kim experiences- metaphors and allegories,and so much powerful imagery.
This story is an excellent read- moments felt like therapy. I wish we’d gotten to live into the recovery of our characters a bit more, seen the non-linear process that healing takes- but that is perhaps a whole other story. And, to be honest, I’m not 100% sure about the twist (this book does have several MAJOR twists) still- even though they were necessary for both the conflict and conflict resolution- but the resolution of them felt easy, but maybe that is just the juxtaposition we need to see just how NOT easy Kimberly and Xanders journeys are- both in facing their own demons and in figuring out how two people, trapped within themselves, can be soulmates. That was the story that compelled me, that left me crying, exposed, and raw multiple times. And that is why you should read this book.
This story is raw and real- and Rina doesn’t just scratch the surface of dark and heavy subjects or experiences as an exploitative plot device. Rather, she brings them front and center, unmasks and exposes them and asks us to sit in them as our characters do- to breathe their air. This story hurts, it’s painful, it’s visceral- but in that you find emotional resonance, some peace and hope- either because you see aspects of your own journey or because she has so richly, tenderly and carefully crafted dimensional characters whose feelings have almost become your own. (or in my case, both). That said, there are multiple triggering subject matters dealt with- this is not sensationalized, it feels personal and gritty and real. Rina has been very proactive in sharing a warning with this book, which some readers may need to heed.
So, I say again, this book is for those of us who have felt invisible, who have felt shackled by our pain, our insecurities, and fears. This is for those of us who have silently screamed to be seen while we drown and suffocate, trapped in our bodies, trapped in hollow expectations and dreams, smothered in our own feelings, surrounded but alone. AND, this is for those of us who know it can get better, that there is beauty and hope in the struggle.
This book is for me. And, I believe this book is for you.