I swear to God, Jacob Lynch, if I ever see your arrogant, smug face again, I’ll ruin your manhood with a swift knee. You were the glorified football captain, the heartthrob, the most popular boy in school and yet suddenly you vanish leaving all your horrid friends pointing the finger at me, circling like hungry vultures to see if I would break. They just didn’t know that I already had. Daily. For … Daily. For months I cried for you. You. Broke. Me.
You taunted and tormented me for years until you finally convinced me to fall in love with you. You said, “Nothing can ever tear us apart.” And I believed you.
But you lied.
And then you left.
Without a word, without a touch, without a sound.
You. Just. Left. Right when my world fell to pieces, you lit the match and watched from afar, as what remained went up in flames.
So, if I ever do see your stupidly handsome face again, you’ll be nothing more than the boy I used to know. The boy who broke my heart and crushed my soul all in a single day.
Because Jacob Lynch… I have no more XO’s to give.
No longer yours,
Rosie.
P.S. I hate how much I still love you
Dear Readers, please be advised XO contains triggers as it deals with some prominent issues. However, I do hope you enjoy XO.
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I received this book for free for an honest review.
I finished this book in one sitting and was then sad it was over. I absolutely love how this title plays into the books, such a sweet little thing.
This book gives a real roller coaster of emotions, just when you think you got the story down……you don’t.
This is my first time reading this author and I was not disappointed one bit.
From the blurb which is what had me hooked from the very beginning to the last word at the end of the book i could not put this book down . This is the first book I’ve read from this author Melissa Jane and it won’t be the last I’m now a fan. ! . There was so many “OH MY GOD and NOWAY moments through out this book . Jacob and Rosie were kids living in a world of high school drama family drama and life in general Rosie not fitting in Jacob the star football player . Both of their lives completely different yet the same . Secretly in love, Jacob would do anything to get Rosies attention even if it meant playing tricks on her to get her in class or out in the school hall which in turn made Rosie hate Jacob. Little did they know that their lives would be come so intertwined and that secrets they themselves didn’t know would change the course of their lives irrevocably. This book had me turning page after page the characters are strong relatable caring and compassionate each one bringing something to the story that made you want to cry throw your kindle at the wall scream obsenities and want to throat punch a character or four lol once you read the book you’ll know who I’m talking about . . Lol because of lies and betrayal by those who are sposed to love Jacob and Rosie with all the love and protection they deserve they find themselves lost to each other for ten years. Ten long years that harvered bitterness and resentment until finally the truth is revealed and once again everything Rosie thought she new was shattered in to a million pieces just like her heart. I can not wait to buy this book in paperback i loved it so much and it will definitely be one of those books you will want to read again and again.Melissa Jane
4.5 stars of heart melting wonder.
XO by Melissa Jane will reel you in and capture your emotions.
With a mix of deep affection, excitement, tragedy and the power to stand for self worth this novel is sure to leave you speechless.
In a world full of love and hate, it doesn’t take much to push one over the edge. That’s exactly how Rosie and Jacob found their oddly infuriating relationship.
A once tormenting obsession turns into their whole world. As Jacob once put it “Nothing can ever tear us apart.”, until one day something did.
Left with nothing, Rosie struggles to pick up the pieces of her broken heart.
Will Rosie find any more XO’s in her future?
I adored Rosie’s strength and courage throughout this whole book, her determination and drive held me to the very end.
Left with a heavy hesrt, this gets my 4.5 stars of approval.
A highly recommended read.
*Note, this book has a certain trigger warning*
This is a great second-chance romance story that pulls at your emotions and draws you in from beginning to end.
Jacob Lynch and Rosie are enemies at first sight through most of high school until Jacob let down his walls and let Rosie in. They soon become each others everything until one night when her world imploded and he left and he dad died.
flash forward 10 years and they are face to face at their best friends wedding and everything Rosie had buried is coming back.
I loved that the first part of the book was the past, showing us what had happened between Jacob and Rosie then the second half picks up where they come face to face again.
Despite all the emotions that are dealt with in this book, humour is intermingled making this book a one to read.
There are not enough words in my vocabulary to describe what I am feeling about this book. It’s been a long time since I’ve been unable to put down a book, and to say I was ecstatic about XO is an understament.
Rosie is an artistic student with a deep seated hatred for her neighbour and the football captain at her school, Jacob Lynch. Until…that is, they fall in love…only for Jacob to break her heart.
Flash forward ten years and they are both in the same wedding party. Tensions arise and soon, secrets are revealed and the same passion they had all those years ago resurfaces.
This book encapsulates two of my favourite themes – high school romance and wedding party tensions. Melissa weaves a beautiful love story with Rosie and Jacob. I was absolutely blown away by how realistic these characters were for me. I felt every tear, every heartache…The childish emotions of high school drama, the pain of experiencing grief for the first time, the first heartbreak…it was all so real!
My hats off to you, Melissa Jane. I can not recommend this book enough.
XO is my first read from author Melissa Jane and made took me back to my love of young adult romances and mixes in my new favourite genre of new adult/contemporary romances.
Jacob and Rosie have known each-other since the beginning of freshman year. He is her arch nemesis.
XO travels between two different time frames. It delves into their high school history together and ten years after . Having the story set up like this is significant as it sets up their whole story.
The books brought a different ranges of emotions as a reader such as the feels the joys of a romance, tenderness and the anguish and pain of the emotional events that occur that lead the two to seperate and with humour and laughs – the brilliant banter between Rosie and Jacob.They balance this also with a pure and genuine love.
Which some the sensitive elements of this book was much deeper than my average reads, I enjoyed the whole story and love Rosie and Jacob together.
* Received book as ARC in exchange for honest review*
Rosie Reign was the art nerd in high school who wanted to get a scholarship and get of town as fast as she could. She desperately needed a high mark in drama but when her arch enemy is cast as the male lead she feels her scholarship is slipping away.
Jacob Lynch is the high school heartthrob and has been terrorizing Rosie since his family moved in across the street from hers. Unfortunately, their parents have become friends and they are forced to socialize outside of school but it doesn’t stop the torment.
Yet slowly Rosie begins to see a different side of Jacob until he breaks her heart again and again until the day he just disappears.
Now 10 years later they find themselves in the same wedding party and secrets are bound to come out if only they can stop fighting long enough.
This book was incredible on so many different levels!
Initially I wasn’t too sure where the book was headed as it was all about the past and how much the two hated each other and pulled pranks on one another through high school. Yet we also saw a different side of Jacob come out at certain times when Rosie really needed someone.
I thought Rosie was a great character and I loved that she wasn’t the typical “bombshell” character. She hated football and strived on the arts and was barely passing her math and science classes. I loved her relationship with her dad and I hated that her mom seemed so absent and then would try and “mother” her whenever she was around.
Jacob’s relationship with his mom was good but his relationship with his dad was definitely worrisome and I wondered what would happen if Jacob didn’t live up to what he wanted. At times Jacob was a complete jerk and at other times he was a knight in shining armour.
The incidents with Kevin were heartbreaking and I was shocked at Jacob’s reactions to them. I was glad he believed in Rosie although I hated what ended up happening to him due to the fight he got into.
Towards the end of the book I knew something was up with Jacob and I was shocked at where Rosie was left. I knew something had to have happened and I was so mad that Jacob wasn’t there for her when she needed him the most.
The reunion was definitely explosive in the beginning and I thought that Rosie had every right to be really mad at Jacob after everything she had been through and how he left her. I was totally shocked at everything Jacob revealed and my heart just shattered for Rosie. I also felt so bad for Jacob though having to deal with all of that. I was so mad at the other characters involved in it!
I was so happy at the end that they were able to get through it all and realize that they both still loved each other and could get through it all with each other!
By Rebecca
Oh my gawd! Hahaha! I can’t. I just can’t stop snorting and laughing at the antics of these two! The rivalry, the hilarious barbed taunts and insults that they throw each other during college years, really, in my opinion is so much fun, it made my day! My face hurts from smiling and laughing out loud as these two made it their mission to turn each other’s life impossible, if not hell.
XO is a stand alone, contemporary, enemies-to-lovers, second chance romance and another new to me author. It’s the story of Rosie and Jacob, rivals since college days and seemingly couldn’t stand the sight of each other. It starts freshman year when Rosie asked her Arts teacher to transfer seats since she was being sandwiched between Jacob and his other popular football friend. Jacob didn’t liked it, took it upon himself and pull a prank on Rosie’s skirt that made her the laughingstock of the school. Since then, it was war between these two.
“I had you in reality for only a heartbeat, but for ten years you’ve been my fantasy.”
Told mostly on Rosie’s POV, it is set in the now and then timeframe and sets the background for the story. Amidst the pranks, there is a spark of attraction that they try to deny. It became more pronounced when they see the other through lunch/dinner since their parents are friends and they were on some committee for school functions. You will get to see push and pull, snarky back and forth between them and how it all went down for Rosie’s heartbreak. Fast forward to present day when they both attended the same wedding of a friend. As old wounds have opened, is it really too late for these two? There are some minor scenes that could be triggering to some, so I think it should be taken into consideration. I have cried over the heartaches and betrayals that Jacob and Rosie inadvertantly suffered through. I was rooting for them to have their second chance for the abrupt way it ended when they were young. Overall, I loved this story of second chance, forgiveness and redemption. I highly recommend it to lovers of this romance trope!
“My darling Rosie, please forgive me. I never wanted to be the boy to break your heart.” – you broke me with this poignant line.
This was a page turner for me, I read it in a sitting because I couldn’t put it down. Yes it’s written from a present, past, present POV which many people don’t like. However that has never bothered me, in fact I happen to like a book which is written this way. Even though it was the same old, good looking bully jocks and gorgeous cheerleaders against the nerds and arty kids…it had a point of difference. It seemed as if the teachers enabled this kind of behaviour, turning their heads in the other direction.
Jacob and Rosie are neighbours, nothing alike and schoolyard enemies. Rosie’s mother is a workaholic, absent more times than she is not and came across as a self centred b*tch. While her father tries to keep everything together, he is Rosie’s rock, he keeps her grounded and the love that he shows her is totally unconditional. Jacob’s father is the typical man wanting to live his live through his sons, he pushes him to be the next football star. He is rude, arrogant and has no etiquette…that scene at the family bbq was bloody awesome. While his mother is a mild and meek woman who turns a cheek…to avoid conflict.
I found myself swooning whilst reading XO, cringing, wanting to throw a punch, at times I was utterly speechless and my heart was hurting. If you like books with angst, romance and a solid point to get across this is your book.
Discarded and left behind. Ghosted and alone was she.
Until he walks through the door back into her life.
Once they were everything whether in hate or in love. Now they harbour secrets and lies.
Shes full of resentment and anger for what he did to her, and hes full of remorse and guilt.
Can they salvage anything, or is the destruction that was, simply too much..
Ohhhh how I sighed and swooned like a teenager in love!
I initially wasn’t sure if I was going to like this as I’m used to Melissa Jane’s darkness, but wow all that went out the window by the end of the first chapter!
The complex family dynamics, and the behind the scenes expectations gave me more understanding of the characters and their actions.
Jacob the quaterback, jacob the adult I dont know which version of him I loved more! hes definetly just joined my book boyfriend list!
Rosie the art nerd, the unpopular edge of the circle kind of girl, I loved her personality. Her fire is hot!!
Two characters who’s family dynamics and relationships were worlds apart were brought together, and I for one cheered his dedication to the girl who couldn’t see his true intentions.
They are what made me smile, they are what made me get angry, and they are the reason I now feel emotional.
Another truly fantastic read by Melissa, worthy of nothing less than five stars in my humble opinion.
Having read other books by Melissa this book caught me off guard and not in a bad way. I knew it was going to be different than her action packed ones and I loved that.
This book having taken place mainly in the past was something that was different for me because it is not usually the age group I like to read. However, it did really build up to the present parts of the book. Without it I really don’t know if I would have like the book as much as I did.
Rosie and Jacob had more of a love/hate relationship. Jacob was cruel to Rosie and it is really not for the reasons that one may think. I will also say Rosie was not as innocent in the matter as one would think. When things change they are an unlikely couple because of their differences.
When they meet up in their adult lives things come out about why their relationship ended the way it did. When these things are told I was left speechless because talk about ripping my heart out and wanting to beat the crap out of a side character.
However, will Rosie be able to get past the past to have a second chance with Jacob?
Melissa Jane’s books always leave me anxious, on the edge of my seat and my stomach in knots.
XO was no different but in not Melissa typical style and I honestly say I was not disappointed.
Jacob and Rosie are completely opposite in everyway, but fate has other plans when they start dating. Everything is going great until 1 night when Rosie’s world comes crashing down around here.
Years later a chance encounter throws Jacob and Rosie back together.
Finally questions get answered but will it help Rosie move on.
Just be prepared to have a big ugly cry with this book. Well done Melissa
5 BEAUTIFUL XO STARS!! I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. This book is phenomenal….Jacob and Rosie have put their names on your heart. Their story will touch your heart, hit all your emotion buttons, make you mad and fall in love with these characters. I could not put this book down…..XO. Melissa Jane has given us a beautiful story that will stick with you forever. Definitely 1-Click this book….you need it in your life.
I honestly think anything I say will give to much away.
Bring tissues, like 3 boxes of tissues,
Bring chocolate, like 6 blocks of chocolate
Bring wine, a case should do
And settle down and get ready to have your heart ripped out stomped on and smashed before it even starts to mend.
I have come to expect the unexpected from this author but this still blew my mind.
XO was a great read and I enjoyed Rosie and Jacob’s story. There definitely were people I hated in this story and Rosie’s mom and Jacob’s dad were two of them. I absolutely loved the relationship Rosie had with her dad because her mom sure wasn’t around. Jacob’s dad was abusive and worthless in more ways than one, and I was happy when Rosie and Jacob fought back. This story had laugh out loud and sweet moments but it was also heartbreaking and was rough at times. I enjoyed the past to Rose and Jacob’s story but I do wish that there was more to their present. We were given a little of it but I wanted more. I wished there was more! The ending was sweet and I look forward to reading more books from this author in the future.
* This story does contain sexual assault and suicide so if those are topics that you rather stay away from this may not be the book for you.*
Ah, another review from Britt brought to you by piles of tissues, regret for not using waterproof mascara, and copious amounts of sugar because day drinking is frowned upon when you’re a mother. XO is one of the BEST ugly cry, soul deep romances I’ve read his year. I was gutted in the best way by this book.
The angst is real in this enemies to lovers meets second chance epic romance. I went from despising Jacob to absolutely loving him to wanting to kick him to loving him even more. Rosie had my heart from the start though. She may be an “art nerd” but she was no shy timid nerd. She had strength and wisdom beyond her years from the very start and continued to not only impress me but make me genuinely adore her.
Their story is one heck of an emotional roller coaster that is guaranteed to hit you in the feels (repeatedly) but every single tear is worth the beauty that is XO.
“I hate how much I still love you.”
Utterly brilliant.
That’s the only two words I can use to describe XO.
This is the first book I’ve read of Melissa Jane, and I can honestly say I don’t know why I haven’t read anything of her’s sooner.
What a way to start an author off with a bang!
Torment.
Despair.
Heartache.
Agony.
Redemption.
Love.
This book had it all in spades. It starts in the present, with a twenty seven year old Rosie attending the wedding festivities of her best friend. Rosie’s generally happy with her life, but something is missing. It’s not until we flash back to her teen years, that we find out what – more namely, who.
Jacob lynch, football jock, with cockiness to boot, shouldn’t find any interest in a nerdy art geek like Rosie Reign, but the new neighbours seem to always butt heads. He finds ways to keep tormenting her, almost like she’s some kind of play toy for him. When the two are paired up for a drama production, things begin to take a turn.
Melissa Jane has a way of creating antagonists that have your skin crawling and keep your breath caught in your throat. My heart skipped a beat several times, and not in a good way. But it was a very good thing. It means I was invested in the characters, and boy was I. The way Rosie and Jacob turned from bully, to enemies, to friends, to lovers was pure literary genius. Then just as you think everything is safe, be warned, the author has a way of stabbing your heart with every painful word and making those ugly tears flood your eyes.
Rosie and Jacob have that one in a million love story. The tale that sticks with you. The one you just have to keep reading because you NEED to know what happens to them – will they work it all out?
Trust me, you must read it, because it’s one of those books that will never leave your mind once you do, it is simply THAT great.
So stop reading this review and one click XO now! You won’t regret it…
The enticing love/hate blurb for this story will definitely rope you in!
But as it gives you a certain feel for it’s path, this author, in her signature fashion will wrench you in so many different heart breaking directions with Rosie and Jacob’s epic love story, I guarantee you will be left dizzy and breathless but nevertheless blissfully satisfied.
This is, in essence, a plethora of genres; bully romance, YA, enemies-to-lovers, and it is quite exquisitely woven into a second chance romance with a painful but joyous ending.
Though we begin with these characters in present day, we are soon taken back to where it all began, and Rosie and Jacob’s early years get off to a tumultuous start.
He apparently tortures her throughout their early school years together, but this feisty, arty nerd gives just as good as she gets.
And isn’t that attention just emblematic of a young boy’s way of showing his interest?
When these two do sort out their-what is obvious to we readers-wonderful chemistry, they are torn apart once more leaving Rosie devastated, and in it’s place hatred blooms.
Fast forward 10 years, and the two are once more thrown together to confront the love they would have themselves believe they left behind.
This story has ALL the feels, so many X’s and O’s, I was left a blithering puddle of emotions surrounded by tissues and a restored heart at its centre.
5 X’s, 5 O’s and 5 stars for this epic tale of love returned!
This story has it all. It is so well written with intense emotions that at times leaves you emotionally devastated as you travel the lives of Jacob lynch and Rosie Reign. Theirs was a emotional read filled with plenty of heartache heartbreak and strength through love until it wasn’t. When these two were younger their lives became a constant battle between them, the struggles they endured set them on a path that proved that although time has passed, what they both once shared was never really lost.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie’s Book Reports.
I swear to God, Jacob Lynch, if I ever see your arrogant, smug face again, I’ll ruin you manhood with a swift knee. You were the glorified football captain, the heartthrob, the most popular boy in school and yet suddenly you vanish leaving all your horrid friends pointing the finger at me, circling like hungry vultures to see if I would break. They just didn’t know that I already had. Daily. For months I cried for you. You. Broke. Me.You taunted and tormented me for years until you finally convinced me to fall in love with you. You said “nothing can ever tear us apart.” And I believed you. But you lied. And then you left. Without a work, without a touch, without a sound. You. Just. Left. Right when my world fell to pieces, you lit the match and watched from afar, as what remained when up in flames. So if I ever do see your stupidly handsome face again, you’ll be nothing more than the boy I used to know. The boy who broke my heart and crushed my soul all in a single day. Because Jacob Lynch…I have no more XO’s to give. No longer yours, Rosie. P.S. I hate how much I still love you.
You might as well go and get a box of Kleenex!!! I cried my eyes out reading this book. This is the story of Jacob and Rosie and their story will touch your heart in ways you will least be expecting. You will feel every emotion right along with all these characters. I went into this book blind and I think that is the best way for all of you to go into it. It is a story that is so beautifully written and one that you will soon not forget.