Rina Kent

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 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.

Black Knight

Special Edition Print

aleksandra

i only read this because i needed more of teal, ro and cole.

also the whole sister plotline was so unnecessary and icky 

rhea ⸆⸉

v boring 

i only read this because i needed more of teal, ro and cole.

FUCK XANDER 

also the whole sister plotline was so unnecessary and icky 

sani

this book really had some dark and depressing things and tbh it was ok for me bc these things don't affect me that much. xanderkimberley played friends to enemies to lovers so well. and don't get me started on the plot twist. i swear i was about to throw my phone away.

He serioulsy thought that for SEVEN YEARS💀 no wonder he hated himself lol but not an excuse for treating her this bad he's insane if he thinks that was justified

Sophia

honya

kimberly is the loml i love her so much help. kirian had my whole entire heart too🫶🏽 and kim’s and xander’s dads???? i need to read abt them frfr

xander and kim relationship twist is sooo messy and confusing. kim's character feels so close to home; the ed, the glow up, the mommy issue. she deserves the world and xander should be punished for what he did to kim for years. YOU SHOULD'VE COMMUTATE THE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF KEEPING IT TO YOURSELF, ASSHAT!!!! i'm so glad that kim has elsa. you will always be loved, green. <3

Yasmin Dunnewind

Enjoyed it - but it was very rushed and it was definitely missing something. 

brittney arthur

Estefany 

Me gustó mucho la historia de Xan y Green, me faltó quizás más contenido, más desarrollo de su relación. Aun así, lo disfruté mucho. Amé el personaje de Kim.

Ahora vamos a por la historia de Ronan y Teal. Estoy deseando llegar a la de Cole.

🧸

celene

man,,,, that telenovela-like plot twist(s) were,,,,, um,,,, im- *inserts ‘guys its ok‘ squidward reaction pic*,,,, 

ANYWAY silvercole we love u !!!!! 😩

Jules

“Make me yours, Xan.”
 “You already are, Green.”

Lover of Romance 

Black Knight is the 4th installment in the "Royal Elite" series and this story features Xander and Kimberly's book. I will be honest in that I do wish that we saw more in the events in what happened between them in the previous books features the trilogy with Aiden. However, I was pleased that I didn't have to go through a whole trilogy to get these two to their HEA either haha I will admit that I could probably forgive this author mostly anything as her books are like catnip for me and I just can't seem to get enough of them. 

In this installment, we get a few flashbacks, so no worries if you don't care for flashbacks, is there are just a couple of times it happens. I am normally not a fan of flashbacks, but I was on board with how it was done here. I was really intrigued in seeing how this story grew between the pair. I did love seeing the childhood scenes so that we could get some backstory between these two. You sense that the hero learns something and this is why he pushes Kim away, these alpha males and not being able to handle truths very well haha but through a course of Events, Kim and Xan are brought back together and forced to face the truth together and find their way to the HEA. 

I really adored how this story implemented this conflict and resolved it. It was done in such a unique and interesting way, I have never seen this type of conflict resolved like this and I really liked it. This author definitely knows how to keep me on my toes. That is for sure. I also really enjoyed the way in that the author portrayed the character growth especially in regards to the mental illness that is showcased. I felt like she represented it very well. And I just really related to the heroine especially so well (she even had weigh gain stretch marks---which I NEVER see in romance, the heroines always have the perfect skin haha). 

Overall I was so entertained by Black Knight and was delighted to see how it was delivered and it came out as such a win of a read for me!

A Friends to Enemies to Lovers Romance (Royal Elite #4)

I was able to binge this in less than 12 hours. 💪🏽 Xander and Kimberly’s story tore me to pieces. I related so much to Kimmy, and it hurt me to see it from an outside perspective. 

Their story was absolutely brutal and emotional, all because of secrets and betrayals. But it was wonderful.

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

I was able to binge this in less than 12 hours. 💪🏽 Xander and Kimberly’s story tore me to pieces. I related so much to Kimmy, and it hurt me to see it from an outside perspective. 

Their story was absolutely brutal and emotional, all because of secrets and betrayals. But it was wonderful.

Taniareads 

** spoiler alert **
           xander and kim! i immediately jump for their book. Again, im not a really fan of bully romance but i keep reading books with this shit, seriously i need the stop. Kim owns my heart, the struggle about your eating disorder, her mom, an the bullying for the boy she love, ugh to much pain. the romance it was rushed, like... they found they are not siblings and the next chapter they have sex? like, c'mon...

Sheena

Updated review posted after processing everything that has happened but you can get the gist of it here.


  UPDATE: 06/16/2020

(view spoiler)[First things first, I would like to point out I am not a spiteful or malicious person by any means which I hope my fellow Goodreads members/friends/followers can testify to with my interactions with them. Everything that has happened in and out of these groups, not to just me but others as well, the author addition to her little minions need to be called out on their shit. All of that rambling and ranting that you’ll bear witness to below aside, everything that has transpired has left a bad taste in my mouth and I can’t support authors who treat readers or anyone in general like this. So I would like to apologize in advance for this long ass message so without further adieu...

The behavior of RK and her PR manager Brittany Franks has led me to add this author to my trash pile and personal shitlist. I will no longer be reading any of her future works nor anyone that she decides to collaborate with.
 
If you haven't already seen and read through the link posted above, as part of being on RK ARC, all readers are required to provide a minimum of 4 stars along with rave reviews (https://i.imgur.com/iBF6q7u.jpg) (and check out her BK amazon reviews if you don’t believe something fishy is going on). If the 4+ stars are not provided to any or all releases, you basically get the boot when they originally made it out to seem to wait a few days after speaking to Brittany to get the okay (hey girl!) before posting any negative reviews. No joke. I was removed and blocked (what warranted this exactly?) from Rina's Gritty Gang and Team Zero without any notice for what I am assuming is because I didn't provide the required rating (and quite possibly showing my support for WhoIShallNotBeName who has been vocal about her experiences with them) which was abruptly changed (unbeknownst to me) with ‘Black Knight’ release. I would like to point out, when I first joined the Team Zero (ARC team) group initially, there was a 3 star rating policy which I had always abided by and even gave ‘Black Knight’. Though I'm not a fan of, still supported because with my RK reading history, I had normally rated her books 2.5 (rounded up) stars above so I still decided to join for the time being. Then with the sudden change of the policy, it was a big no-go for them when members didn’t flock to their demands and ridiculous review rating policy.
 
I'm sorry but the last I checked, don't authors typically want reviewers to provide honest feedback and criticism? Even if they're unfavorable? Haven't you heard any publicity is good publicity? On that topic, there's no way in hell I could ever give her book such a high rating. RK is NOT that good of an author. Her stories are repetitive, unoriginal and the characters that she built up she completely ruins with the next release. She's an author that reminds me too much of L.J Shen *eye fucking roll* and to be blunt, if you want me to give you a top notch rating you better write something to damn deserve it because I'm sure as hell not riding anyone clit for a fucking ARC. I chose to review your book because either the blurb caught my eye, theme, or set of characters. Don't think for a moment that I owe you anything for the ARC. The whole purpose of creating an ARC team is to get feedback good and bad from readers to draw attention to your novel. Google what the purpose of an ARC team is because you lack knowledge on anything pertaining to it. And while you’re doing that, do me and everyone else a favor and reeducate yourself and your underling Brittany on what it means to be an actual author/PR team because it’s only a matter of time before you're called out for more of your bullshit and problematic actions.
 
Speaking of problematic, I’m reminded of the most recent troubles that have occurred with your team. Didn’t other ARC readers pirate RK particularly ‘Black Knight’ books online and to their non ARC friends? That also led to problematic RK being exposed as a xenophobic? If you didn’t know, she falsely threw out accusations and remove Brazilians readers (mainly blaming them for piracy) from her Readers/ARC team and when members called out her behavior, she or her little minion Brittany (leaning more towards since RK doesn’t have a backbone to do anything herself) deleted the comments and banned them from the Facebook group. Now why would anyone stand by an author who is xenophobic? Why would anyone stand by an author/team who treats readers and people in general like this? Perhaps with the recent piracy issues, maybe that's God's way of telling you to stop being ugly. Karma's a bitch huh?
 (hide spoiler)] 


  ORIGINAL REVIEW

(view spoiler)[

Besides Cole and Silver pending release, I couldn’t wait to dive into Xander and Kimberly's story, especially after reading their intense interactions in the previous installments. And needless to say, wow! I really enjoyed reading this book and was surprised I was able to read this in one sitting. When that happens, you know shit’s good. 
 
I think what set “Black Knight” release apart from the rest, was the highly emotional and obviously triggering topics that were featured which is probably want I liked the most about this read. I didn’t anticipate the author to include some sensitive issues (precede with caution my fellow bookfolks). It was real. It was raw. It was everything I didn’t expect but needed to get a better understanding of the intense dynamic between Xander and Kimberly including the bombshell (if you want to call it that) that dropped later on in the read. 
 
Everything just flowed seamlessly and the author was able to immersed me into this read. It got to the point that I did in fact get a little teary eyed with some of the scenes. It was so relatable and heartbreaking to read. The only flaws I would like to point out is the duration of the read and how easily Kimberly was able to forgive Xander for all the pain he had caused her. She was obviously a push over. Like girl, make him grovel. Additional to that, Xander and Kimberly's story could have easily ended at the 70ish% mark. Everything after the 70% seemed redundant, dull and boring in which case I did skim through it but nevertheless kudos to the author. This was a fairly decent read.


      
 (hide spoiler)]

Loulou

I felt Kim's history so much, it was like looking in a mirror or reading my own and this is the reason why I hate Xander so much. 
After everything that he did to Kim, it was a mistake for her to forgive him. He DIDN'T deserve HER. 
Xander was just an ungrateful brat. The way he acts after finding the truth and how he makes feel Kim so miserable is so despicable and disgusting.
Bu-hu your mom left you but you have a dad who loves you and would do anything for you, you have great best friends who are always there, you have money and could do anything and everything you want. Then why are you such a jerk? 
Kim deserves better and I would die on this hill 
Plus the whole plot could have been done if Xander sat down with Kim and their dads to talk.

I love this one but the groveling honestly isn't enough. I don't why rk loves to create villains but doesn't write about them on their knees asking for forgiveness like we badly need it.

Néomi

Why is everyone ingnoring the red flags of Kim and Xandar I don't fucking understand. She slept with him when he was drunk, yea he initiated but still no she gave him a BJ when he was asleep and he thought it was a dream cuz he was fucking drunk. The things Ronan says about Kim and Elsa (I think that's her name) are honestly disgusting. Let's ignor the fact that they were siblings for a hot second. He had dreams about sleeping with his "sister" was that not weird for anyone. She called it his flaw but wtf. I literally stopped reading it bc this book was a cluster fuck.also let's ignor the fact that he beat up any guy that can near her and emotionally abused her for years cuz he could "control himself" around her 

Ann Sabu

Jessie Stafford

Holy Twist! Rina Kent seriously brings it in the Royal Elite series but I was not expecting the amount of raw, emotional depth that would came from Black Knight. I knew there had to be a heavy reason why Xander’s hate for Kim ran so strong but trust me it is not what you think it’s going to be. Both of these characters are so broken to the bone, their mutual disdain for one another that is only mask for their hurt.

Xander, who already has enormous amounts of trauma at a young age, just continues to get slapped with one thing after another. His demons slowly eating him alive, I was nervous for his character at one point but he pulled himself up and pushed forward. Xander is truly tortured in his feelings but became who he needed to be to not just for Kim but himself. His inner turmoil is beyond justified, my heart shattered for him but then I was so damn proud of his characters choices.

Kimberly’s every day is heart wrenching. Equally as caught up in the hollow darkness yet she has very little to keep her afloat. Her struggles ripped me apart, I cried for her, I wanted to reach through my kindle and hug her. She may feel disgusting and weak but in reality her ability to love so much and so fully is her biggest strength. Rina Kent really tackles some extremely dark topics with her character and she does so with poignant and realistic emotions. Rina does not shy away from the uncomfortable parts in Kim’s struggle and depicts it in way that brings value to proper healing. 

In the end this book is a tale of two soulmates who no matter how tortured, no matter how many hurtful secrets lay between them, prove that love will overcome. Something else I enjoyed about this storyline is that the fathers really stepped up by the end for their kids, it was refreshing to see paternal characters in that light. Once you start you won’t be able to put it down and it will take you on a ride you won’t forget.

JoLee

5/5 Amazing

Xan and Kim’s story is emotional, unpredictable and intense. Xan is carrying a huge secret on why he resents Kim. Loved that their story did not follow the same Bully Romance as heavy as Aiden and Elsa story did. Really concentrated on their personal demons and more of the Enemies to Lovers.

Lauren ellis

TWs: alcoholism, eating disorders, depression. Kent’s writing is very interesting to me. This book was dark and talked about difficult subjects. I really enjoyed the way the fmc talked about depression as a fog. There was one part of the book that is one of the main plot twist that was just weird imo. I legit busted out laughing when I read it. True lol moment. That being said it wasn’t a bad book and it was unpredictable. 

Nedu

*4.5 Stars*

“Sometimes, stories end the moment they start”

Black Knight is a rollercoaster in book form. It is the the fourth book in the Royal Elite series but it can be read as a standalone. It follows Xander and Kim and it does have some dark themes such as eating disorders, depression, cutting, abusive parents that might be triggering. 

You can’t help but fall in love with Kim instantly. She is one of the strongest heroines I have read and you see her bravery in the things she goes through to keep her younger brother safe. I was pleasantly surprised by Xander mostly because this trope usually has a way of going sideways but the author exceeded my expectations. His motivations and actions were executed well and honestly this entire book was like a breath of fresh air with regards to this trope. Their relationship is so beautiful and emotional and you feel everything they do as you read through their journey.

The friendships and other relationships in this books are something to look out for but one I loved the most was Kim’s relationship with her younger brother Kir. It is one of the purest relationships ever and you can see how much they are willing to do for each other.

Coming to the minor characters, I wasn’t prepared for how intrigued I was by all of them. I am going to be picking up and following this series because I am truly interested in reading about each of these characters. You do not want to miss picking up this book and I have found myself a new favourite author to follow.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.*

Lysha Taynish

5 STARS! I enjoyed this book so much! 

«She threads her fingers through mine. “It’s not places that keep me rooted, it’s people. This place is my home because you’re all in it. If we go together, we’ll just be relocating home.”»

TW: depression, self harm, addiction, suicide, eating disorder, body image, emotional abuse, bullying. [I really appreciated the fact that the author actually mentions this at the begging of the book.] 

Ever since I started the series I had been waiting to read about Kim and Xander. The subtle hints that they had been friends, and something had happened intrigued me so, so much. 
This book was emotional, made me cry a couple of times, but I also loved how it was written, the pase was amazing, and the characters development and growth were amazing. 
I loved the way the healing with the mental issues and addiction issues were dealt with. 

«. I was honoured to be your knight. Now, I have to be a worthy of that title and you again.
 I'll heal, like I'm sure you will. I won't fix you and you won't fix me. We’ll just hug each other like we used to do in the past. If Samantha stirs any shit up, I'll kiss you in front of the world and shout that you're mine, their judgement be damned. The universe doesn't matter, Green, you do.
 Then. Now. Always.»

Black Knight

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