Jordan Reclaimed by Scarlett Cole Pages: 250
Series: Preload #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Also by this author: The Strongest Steel, The Fractured Heart, The Purest Hook, The Darkest Link, Under Fire, Final Siege, Deep Cover , Love in Numbers, The Games We Play
Goodreads
Jordan Steele’s life began when he was ten. When he was taken from his parents and a house that was never a home. When he met his brothers, the other lost and abandoned boys in his group home. When he learned what friendship and family and love looked like.
Now he’s made good, touring the world with the band he and his brothers formed in that crowded group home. No one but his found family really knows the man under the fame and fortune, the scars he hides behind the rockstar lifestyle. Until he sees her through the windows of the National Ballet, dancing, and suddenly the world doesn’t seem so dark.
Aleksandra Artemov ticks all the ballet boxes. Father a legendary Kirov dancer. Check. Prepping since birth for classical ballet. Check. Compulsive control over the food she eats. Check. Principal dancer at The National Ballet of Canada. Check. But what she craves is freedom.
She craves Jordan.
Everything about him should terrify her. His size, his tattoos, his edge. But he doesn’t. He stirs her very soul. Jordan has nothing but himself to offer her, and he's never been good enough for anyone. Can he figure out how to face his own demons before he loses his light for good?
Oh my…talk about a broken hero!! Jordan has such a sad backstory! If you can’t feel for him, you are not human! And while I have no idea what its like to be a ballerina, Lexi’s life isn’t all sunshine and daisies either. Her father is a horrible man and it creates this amazing dichotomy between Jordan, who had no family, and Lexi, whose father is ruining her life. Jordan Reclaimed is the story of these 2 broken people finding solace in each other.
Jordan’s backstory is sad, but the true tragedy is how it continues to affect him today. Terrified of being alone, unable to make deep connections with anyone except his band mates (who were in the group home with him as a child), he feels connected to Lexi for some reason after seeing her dance. She is instantly intrigued by him as well. But, Jordan feels he can’t pursue anything. Lexi is beautiful and talented and Jordan feels he has nothing to offer.
This is a book that gives you ‘the feels’. Jordan Reclaimed is not a light read by any means, but it is well written and emotional. I enjoyed the characters and emotional journey of the plot to redemption and acceptance. My biggest struggle is the 3rd person narration. In a story that is so character driven, I tend to prefer 1st person because it feels more emotional. However, this is a personal choice; I know lots of people don’t like 1st person at all!
This series, Preload, is a spin off of the Second Circle Tattoo series that I really enjoyed. Dred, the lead singer of the band, already had his story in that series, but you don’t need to read his story first to enjoy Jordan Reclaimed.
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: a few
- Trope: opposites attract
- Triggers: View Spoiler »
- Series/Standalone: stand alone
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
Clipped Wings by Helena Hunting, Until Jax by Aurora Rose Reynolds, Idol and Managed by Kristen Callihan…then you will probably like Jordan Reclaimed!
Jordan Reclaimed
I normally prefer 3rd person, but if 1st person in an emotional story is done right then I feel like it adds a lot to the story. Great review! I used to be a ballerina so I may have to add this one to my list! lol
Yes, you would probably really like this! Its a great story! I don’t know why I have such an issue with 3rd person. I think its only when its a really character driven that 3rd person bothers me.