From best-selling author Xavier Neal comes a slow-burn romance that’s full of the unexpected…They say all the best things in life are free.I say all the best things in life are easy.That is until easy gets me put on house arrest where I’m stuck with an estranged aunt, a needy cat, and drinking lemonade instead of tequila.Easy suddenly becomes hard.I basically have to sweat to get paid.I finally … becomes hard.
I basically have to sweat to get paid.
I finally realize that great cheesecake doesn’t magically materialize.
And I have to deal with a law-appointed babysitter constantly showing up to c-block my chance of proving to the drop-dead gorgeous neighbor – who I want screaming my name every night – that I’m more than just the crime I committed.
All the best things in life may be easy, but I’m slowly learning that all the greatest require real work.
Real effort.
And most importantly, real sacrifice.
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: Just Out of Reach
: Just Series #1
: Xavier Neal @authorxavierneal
: 4/5
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First of all, I want you to know that this book has a different writing style than you might be used to. I have never read a book with this type of writing style and I have to say I really liked it and it complimented the book. The characters are basically also talking to you as the reader. I felt like those moments where like the “confession/talk” moments you see in reality TV where people share their thoughts in front of the camera. It did take some time to get used to, but it worked extremely well with the book and it created some extra funny moments. The chemistry between the main characters was instant and you can feel it from the beginning. That said, the relationship develops at a more normal pace which I really liked; it felt genuine and authentic. I had some issues with some of the thoughts the main characters had (it is dual POV), but I kept telling myself to also give these characters the space to develop themselves and learn from their mistakes. And I am so glad I gave them the space, because the character development in this book is awesome and it is paced really well. It actually made the book somewhat more realistic, because most people don’t change overnight. I want to highlight that I think Lane is a really strong character and her attitude was amazing. I also liked Theo’s aunt, Christina a lot. Even as a secondary character she really was a great addition to the story. The setting of the story was really interesting as well, since I haven’t read anything like this before (Theo is on house arrest). Overall, it was a great romantic and steamy read whilst giving the reader an unique reading experience! Especially recommending this to those who want to try something different.
A lot of my reviews are also available with photo at my Bookstagram: @justmyfantasyworld
Just out of reach is being Re-Released and true to Xavier Neal’s form she delivers a book with an entertaining plot, great characters with the best banter and don’t forget the cherry on top, the steam.
Theo, after experiencing a great loss, ends up turning to the bottle as his friend. This leads to a DUI and house arrest with an Aunt he hasn’t seen in forever. But hmmm what’s that he sees, the neighbor is looking kinda hot!!
Lane, the gal next door. She’s going through it. She’s keeping a loser around because she doesn’t want to be alone.
Will they be able to break through their slumps or will some else try to destroy it?
Oh and how could I forget this one was written different but not bad different. Theo is actually speaking directly to us the readers and I really enjoyed that perspective.
Great read! I was absolutely pulled into everything about Theo and Lane. The story was handled so well, Theo, his pain, his problems, the trouble those things got him into… all made for a very strong character that I loved. Lane is a very amazing woman, I admired so much about her. Her strength, her ability to stand up and do what needs to be done. They have a great connection, sweet, fun, heat, bits of intensity and parts that had my heart pounding, needing to read faster. This is a must read!
Oh so good!! I’ve only read a few from this author but each time I get swept up into the world she’s created and it’s all consuming!
I didn’t like Theo at all at the beginning… I just didn’t understand it all and even after I knew the why I still didn’t understand. He was reckless and I just couldn’t like him. But then this woman appeared and I didn’t like the man she was with but loved her! Lane was different and I adored her reading spot, wishing I had the same. I loved the chemistry Lane had with Theo plus their banter. The teasing and flirting was so cute!! As much as I didn’t like Theo, I began to hope for more. I became worried at one point and wasn’t sure were the story would go but eager to find out.
Hours and hours of reading this all consuming book left me feeling a bit emotional. The life changing moments, the chemistry, the drama of an ex, the unknown always waiting in the background. I loved reading this book because it had so many elements, normally that would not be a good thing but this time it made the book complete! Happy ReRelease!!!
OMG!! I loved this book so much! An ex con on house arrest and the girl next door with the crappy boyfriend. It was so good!! It was sweet and funny and sexy AF!! Xavier Neal can sure write a steamy scene! I loved the way she wrote this book. The characters are talking to you, the reader. It was like an inner voice where the writing style changes so you know when they’re talking to you. It’s really cool! I’d definitely be interested in more books like that. Xavier Neal did a great job writing this and I’m excited to see what’s next!
Great story!!
Poor Theo, I felt bad for the guy. He was a mess, pretty much going nowhere. Funny how a mistake and criminal charges changed his life for the good in everyway possible. By the end of the book I was so proud of the man he became.
Lane was awesome! She was lost and stuck in her life for awhile. By books end she was a strong independent woman.
Together they were perfect, they completed each other. Oh and they were HOTTER THAN HELL!
Xavier Neal never fails to write a story I devour with characters I want to be friends with.
Theo has made some mistakes and finds himself on house arrest. House arrest might be just what he needs to rekindle his family relationships, to start over for himself and to create a future to be proud of and maybe just maybe to find love. Lane has been dealing with relationship BS for a long time so meeting the new neighbor and finding a friend that can make her feel special is pretty amazing, even if he can’t leave his yard for long periods of time.
This is a slow-burn romance that I adore. I love that we get to see the characters grow as individuals and also as a couple. This is a great story about redemption, finding yourself and having faith in others. It’s about love and support and about just being there when it matters the most.
I adore Xavier’s writing. It’s always different, entertaining and emotional. Love this book just like I love all the others.
I have been reading Xays since I first encountered King and I have been on a roll since. And this book here is one of my faves. Theo and Lane are beautiful hoot lol. Theo does not let his sentence hinder him from finding love. And Lane can’t help but to fall. And fall she did on a six pack of abs. I hate spoilers Because I want readers to experience the whole. So enjoy this wonderful and sexy read.
I absolutely loved this story! Lane and Theo had me laughing, gushing with love and unable to keep the smile off my face almost the whole way through their story. Lane and Theo pulled on my heartstrings right from the start and I never wanted their story to end.
I loved the inner dialogue with both Theo and Lane. It made the story very entertaining and totally hilarious. All the sexual innuendos had me in stitches.
Their story is sweet, funny, drama and angst filled, with a bit of suspense to keep you totally enthralled with these two amazing characters. They are a perfect match and I hung on tightly to my kindle hoping that they were going to get a happy ever after.
Fantastic writing making me feel like I was right there in the story with them!
Another great story! It’s full of angst and humor. This story will keep you captivated from the beginning. I loved the characters, the banter and the flying sparks. It’s an entertaining read and not to be missed.
When everything is given to you, what do you do when you finally find something that you want but is just out of reach? Read to find out what Theo does when faced with dealing with complicated matters to have what he wants or deciding the fight isn’t worth the work. Theo and Lane’s story will keep you guessing as this friends to lovers romance develops.
Xavier has done it again. She grabs your heart strings and knows how to keep you invested. I couldn’t put this one down. Theo and Lane didn’t have the traditional start to their relationship… but who really does?? I loved that these two actually worked at growing their relationship from, neighbors to friends, to dating to eventually …. marriage. We’ll have to wait and see, but I see a bright future for these two and I can’t wait to read the next chapter of their story.
This was an amazing slow burn love story. Theo made a huge mistake and was placed on house arrest for it. Moving in with his only living relative, an Aunt who disappeared from his life when he was a child. Lane is quite literally the sweet girl next door who finds herself the object of Theo’s attention. I enjoyed the angst between them as well as the way the conflict was handled between Theo and his Aunt. Overall this story was amazing. The side characters really helped bring a full picture to the story. I have definitely fallen in love with Xavior Neals writing over the past few months.
I’m not usually a fan of characters breaking the “4th wall” but this book was enough to get me to change my mind. Theo’s drunken rants and monologues were hilarious at times and emotion-filled at other times.
Theo is great as the charming, but oh so flawed, hero. He has a temper, a drinking problem, and is just about drowning in grief at losing his father. Lane could come over as squeaky clean but she has a hidden core of steel, one she doesn’t even know she has until she is tested. Aunt Christina is a hard-working woman and I enjoyed learning just what brought about the distance between her and the rest of the family. And Curtis – well what can be said about him except he got EXACTLY what he deserved – although justice was a bit slow for me!
The author doesn’t try to minimise what Theo has done to land himself in trouble, just let us see that he was just so over-wrought that his commonsense just got buried in the grief. Lane just accepted Theo as he was – she didn’t want to change him or see him as a “project” that needed fixing and overall their relationship was drama-free – the drama came from outwith the relationship and impacted on them.
Xavier Neal A moment of wrecklessness can bring about the greatest gift of a life time. Messing up can only derail you if you allow it to.
Once again Xavier Neal draws the reader in with writing style that is different. I felt like I was right there in the story. Completely invested in Theo and Lane getting their happiness. Sometimes, the pain we feel from loss of family or loss of trust can lead to a disastrous end. For Lane and Theo it was right there, all they had to do was go for it.
Sometimes the wrong choices cause you to make mistakes that you never think you can bounce back from. That’s where Theo thought his choices had left him, on house arrest, living with his aunt with no happiness in site. Until he looked next door and his whole world changed.
Xavier Neal knows how to write with emotion and does it so well. This is a story that will hook you until you read the last page.
This is a story about a man standing up and taking responsibility for his choices and making the changes he needs to in order to be a better man. I’m not going to lie, I did not like Theo when I started this book, but as I watched him grow into a better person my affection grew as well.
This is an emotional, steamy story that you are going to love. Xavier Neal is rapidly climbing my OneClick author list, if you haven’t read anything of hers you need to start, I have yet to be disappointed!
Absolutely loved this book!!! I loved how it showed the change in Theo and his awakening to how his life got to the way it was. I also loved seeing how Lane and her love helped Theo realize that he could be better and wanted to be. Lane showed all of her strength and love and was a perfect match for Theo. Also enjoyed the side parts of the story – cleaning up corruption in the police force and the struggles of ex-cons after being released. Definitely worth the read and I can’t wait to read the next in the series!!
I enjoyed Theo and Lane’s romance. This is an author that I know I can count on to create unique but realistic characters. They have flaws and issues and make mistakes and that is showcased beautifully in this book. Lane and Theo made a great couple that was easy to root for and become invested in. The storyline is well written and is an entertaining blend of emotion, humor, drama, sweetness and a sprinkling of cute. My heart ached for Theo but I also wanted to shake him for doing such a stupid and careless thing. As for Lane, her history is all too common and I could personally sympathize with her. I am posting an independent, impartial review.
Slow burn story with just enough angst, drama, steam and relatability to make it a 5 star read!!
Theo is a stereotypical, spoiled playboy. He is used to doing whatever, and whoever he wants, whenever he wants. But one mistake takes away his freedoms and forces him to really look at himself and those around him. He has to choose if he wants to continue to build himself up with hard work or revert to easy.
Lane is the cute neighbor who Theo immediately sees as a distraction from his self imposed pity party. Lane is in a toxic, unhealthy relationship because she doesn’t want to be alone, or rather be lonely. Befriending Theo and her work as a real estate agent has Lane realizing she is better off in no relationship than her current one.
Theo and Lane help each other grow and bring out the best in each other. But not everyone wants them together and with Theos freedom contingent on following specific guidelines, can they really make a relationship work?
This was an amazing story not just about relationships and a second chance but about family and happiness. Definitely recommend!!
Love love love
Theo and Lane
Intense broken emotional heartstopping love story
Cant wait for more