Claiming Xana: Wildcat Graduates Novel (Wildcat Graduates Series Book 2)

Claiming Xana is the continuation of the love between Noel and Xana (From the First Wildcat Graduates book Loving Noel).

Xana is finally heading to college and it’s just in the nick of time. Noel broke her heart with his accusations and breaking the trust she put in him and their relationship throughout high school. So going off and getting a fresh start with really nobody knowing her struggles she went through in high school is a fresh breath.

Noel has had his entire freshman year to realize his mistake in letting his jealousy get in the way of his relationship with Xana. He knows she would never do what rumors were claiming, but when it comes to that first love you can’t help but become overwhelmed by the feelings. But now he’s off to college as well and with him and Xana finally back in the same proximity he’s determined to prove to her that she is his and he’s never stopped loving her.

Compared to the first book in this series, this one was a bit more my pace and dealt a bit more with issues that adults would run into. Between Xana having medical problems that are changing her future and a boyfriend who is slowly controlling everything she does it deals with more problems I am use to hearing and dealing with now.
However, my biggest complaint with this story was Jeff seemed to just fall off the face of the planet. After his confrontation with Xana, then Noel, then her brother Mike they all know from the way he acts and his look when he leaves that they will see him again and problem have to deal with more problems. However, he never seems to pop back up, it’s just like *POOF* he gone!

Claiming Xana is book 2 in the Wildcat Graduates Series by Xana Jordan and follows on from Loving Noel, which is book 1 and also available to purchase.

Just over a year ago, Noel lost his “sweetness” and had to watch her leave for Southern Arkansas University. His senior year of high school wasn’t the same without Xana there but he’s finally graduated and is also heading to the same college. He’s determined to fight for a second chance and claim what’s his even though he’s heard from Stacy and Cade that Xana appears to have moved on with her life. Xana was left heartbroken by what happened with Noel but with the support of those close to her, she started to build herself a new life at college and has even changed her plans for the future. She still finds it too painful to speak about Noel but she knows he’s now on his way to the same college and she’s not sure if she’s ready.

“Now, we’re about to be attending the same college, and I plan on making her mine again. I’m going to show her just how much we belong together, that it’s always been just the two of us. No matter how long it takes.” – Noel

“I’ll be glad to have Cade around more often, but he and Noel are a package deal, and I’m not quite sure I can handle that. I guess only time will tell if we’ll ever be able to be around each other as friends.” – Xana

After reading Loving Noel (book 1) and awarding it 5 well deserved stars, I was excited to read Claiming Xana. I can honestly say that Xana Jordan has written another amazing book that makes you feel for the characters and has you frantically turning the next page to see what happens. I fell in love with Noel and Xana all over again as they faced new challenges that may be too powerful for them to overcome and stop them from being together again. I never expected the ending of Loving Noel and was left feeling gutted for Noel and Xana who were perfect together, so I hoped Claiming Xana would give them the HEA they needed and deserved.

Xana Jordan likes to give her readers the unexpected and she did this right from the start of Claiming Xana with Noel being left wanting Xana back but Xana having apparently moved on. So many books have the girl being left behind whilst the guy seems to carry on with his life, so it was a nice surprise and change to have the roles reversed by Xana Jordan. Noel was so patient as he waited over a year until he had the opportunity to prove to Xana that he was the guy for her and they were also destined to be together. Not many guys would do this and even though he wasn’t able to admit it when asked, he already clearly loved Xana. I think Xana believed she was moving on from Noel but by avoiding any discussions about him, she was also avoiding what had happened and wasn’t allowing herself to heal. By seeing Noel, she had to admit to herself that she still felt something for him and wanted him when she wasn’t well, which gave Noel the chance to step up and give her the help and care she so clearly needed. Then Xana gets upsetting news about her health but again, Noel is right there and gives her what she needs. The scenes about Xana’s health took me a roller-coaster of emotions as I felt Xana’s pain and despair about what the future now held for her along with Noel’s love and determination that this was something that wouldn’t ruin Xana’s life. I think without Noel, Xana would’ve really struggled to see that this news didn’t define her or her future.

Okay, now for the part that’s delayed me posting this review because I wasn’t sure if to discuss it or not. However, after taking the time I needed to think it over, I feel it’s important to add this part of my review and share something personal about myself in the process. Whilst Xana appeared to be moving on with her life, I believe she was actually vulnerable and her brother’s friend, Jeff, saw this and decided to use it to his advantage. Jeff appeared to be supportive and understanding but as a domestic abuse survivor myself, it felt to me like Jeff was using emotional manipulation to gain power and control over Xana and change her way of thinking and behaviour. I know some won’t agree with me, which is fine, but this is my personal opinion after being able to relate with some of what Xana experienced with Jeff and also warning signs I was advised to watch out for whilst completing a domestic abuse course. Unfortunately, I attended that course due to not seeing the warning signs and then experiencing physical abuse because I had remained in the relationship. If reading this book helps even just one person to question if or realise they’re being emotionally manipulated and save them from going through what I did, then I’ll be happy.

As always, Stacy and Cade were supportive of their friends and I loved reading more about their own relationship. It became obvious during Claiming Xana that there’s something going on with Stacy and I hope this is answered in the book about her and Cade’s story. From what I’ve seen, their book is going to be just as good and you won’t want to miss it! We also got to meet Mallory in Claiming Xana and she becomes part of this group of friends, so I will be next reading her story with Gavin in the first novella of the series called Catching Mallory. Then there’s Blain who is still the protective and supportive friend of Xana and repairs bridges with Noel after he realises how much Noel loves Xana. I can’t wait to see who or what Xana Jordan has planned for Blain and he certainly needs his own HEA.

I recommend not only this book but all books past, present and future by Xana Jordan who has fast become one of my favourite authors. You won’t be disappointed with her books and like me, will be sat eagerly waiting for the next book to be released.