I've been itching for Jordan's book since he was introduced in The Purest Hook. His interactions with Petal, latched onto my heart and weren't letting go until he had his own book. Luckily enough, Ms Cole delivered...in a big way.

She gave you 2 broken souls, who by the end of the book were not fully healed but then again the best people never fully heal after going through things that no one ever should have to. Aleksandra was a great heroine to Jordan's hero...they are both broken but help each other fill one another's cracks.

I feel there were some plot holes but you can get over them, especially when you have numerous Jordan/Petal scenes.

I can not wait for the rest of this series. Pick this book up, along with Ms. Cole's previous series Second Circle Tattoos.

Scarlett Cole writes a great story and this lead off into Preload is perfect.
We finally get to see Jordan and his background, we met him in the Second Circle series and this one is all angsty and full of emotion. The book will wring you dry. We've already seen most of the past with the boys growing up, this gives a closer look at Jordan and it's just not pretty.
I thought Lexi was a good match for him. Yes she had some issues as well, but together their dance was sheer beauty. I don't think I've read anything like this before. The window scene will capture you, if it doesn't check your pulse.
If you haven't read the whole series, read this. You can double back and read Second circle. Scarlett Cole is a writer of the nth degree. She pulls from the depths and you feel every word. She makes sure of that. There's also beauty in her books. Petal... sigh. All around these books collective should not be missed. Jordan Reclaimed is a winner, hands down.
4.5 stars

**arc from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for a fair review***

A heavy metal rocker and a ballerina. Such and odd pairing but I loved them together. I've been looking forward to Jordan's story since learning about him in the third book of the Second Circle Tattoos series. He seemed so broken. Who would have that a ballerina would be his salvation and that he would be her salvation as well.

Jordan's story was heartbreaking and explained his need for having everyone close. His story brought the rest of the band members to the forefront. Each have their own tragic past that connects each of them and I'm eager to read the each of their own stories. Great series! ARC provided by NetGalley.

I have been a fan of Scarlett Cole since her debut novel and every book I read I am reminded as to why I just love her and her stories. They are unique and different. Dark at times without being depressing and full of hot moments and swoony scenes. Jordan Reclaimed is the latest of her stories to renew my love for her.

Jordan Steele is the base player for the metal band, Preload. He is possible one of the most tragic characters I have read which has caused him to grow up to be a man with major dependency issues. He is frozen in time as the boy with abandonment issues and the thought our his foster brothers/ bandmates moving on with their lives and out of their shared house causes him intense anxiety.

“I’m sorry. I’m out of my depth. I don’t date. I don’t share. I don’t do small talk and bistros and ballerinas.”

Lexi is living the ballerina dream but with that dream comes untold pressure. Especially from her father who is cold and demanding. When a stranger walking by on Christmas night stops and watches through the window at her practicing she is drawn to him even though they have never spoken a word. Over time they come to know one another and while both damaged and flawed to the point where it is hard to turn around they both want what they could have together desperately.

Jordan Reclaimed had me tearing up over and over but also had me smiling and hopeful in the same chapter. It was a perfect balance. While my heart ached for the pain these two have been forced to endure watching them come out of the flames of it all and find their way made this story for me. Scarlett Cole has succeeded in writing a book unlike any other and I am desperate now to get my hands on the next in the series, Elliott Redeemed.

~miranda

Jordan Reclaimed was an emotional journey. The characters are multi-layered and relatable. Jordan's strength and ability to love are woven throughout his story, yet he is unable to see it. Lexi is determined and strong. She is carrying the weight of her world on her shoulders. When Jordan and Lexi connect, they both feel lighter and free. Their connection is magnetic and intoxicating. The push and pull is both internal and external. Their journey is flawed, potent, and beautiful! Jordan Reclaimed is filled with personal growth, hope, and most of all love!

The perfect spinoff from the Second Circle Tattoos series. We met Dred and watched his relationship with Pixie blossom, and got a peek at Jordan, in Purest Hook. Jordan is Dred's bandmate and brother, growing up in a foster home the five boys are still extremely close. He has many issues, one of those being alone, but the guys have helped him cope. After meeting Lexi, the beautiful Russian ballerina, his attachment to her scares and excites him. She is also struggling with family matters but her maturity surpasses her years and she handles things smartly. This isn't an instalove story but it grabs your heart quickly and it's hard to put down. Cole has a way of making magic out of words and turning big tough guys into soft gentle sweethearts. Can't wait for Elliot to get his love. I received an advanced copy through Netgalley and have voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

***4 ‘Try Me’ Stars***

Ever since meeting the Preload guys in The Purest Hook I’ve been keeping my toes crossed that they would get their own books because I needed to know more about them, their pasts and was curious as to what kind of woman could bring these broken, but beautiful souls to their knees while helping them heal. So when it was announced that not only would they be getting their own series I was thrilled and did a little squee-happy dance that Jordan would be the first one up on the chopping block and I couldn’t have been happier with his journey to his HEA.

Jordan is the bassist and main composer for Preload and while he has the world in the palm of his hand, his dark past still has a choke hold on him that he hasn’t figured out how to fully break free from. I loved Jordan. He was the one I was most curious about and dear lord did my heart hurt for what he’d been through as a child. But despite the horrors he lived through, he was like a big ‘ole smexy as hell teddy bear with a huge heart that I just wanted to hug and then take to bed.

Lexi has been groomed to be a Principal ballet dancer from birth and though she loves the art form she is starting to feel the walls start to close in on her as the pressure to be the perfect ballerina starts to grow. I loved that while Lexi appeared fragile and shy, she wasn’t. There were things that she had to roll with, but she wasn’t a doormat. She had grit, backbone and heart.

I loved how Jordan and Lexi came together because of dance and music. Through their chosen art forms they were able to communicate without words, but they did communicate ~ at times quite bluntly, well all the time when it came to Jordan ~ which I loved. As with any relationship there are twists, turns and bombs sprinkled throughout the journey, and theirs had their fair share of them because of their own demons, but I liked how they worked through them. I loved Jordan and Lexi together, their bantering, their honesty and how they fought for each other even when things weren’t looking so good.

No question that I’m a Scarlett Cole fangirl and loved this book. The writing was engaging and I loved the dual 3rd person POV’s and I loved that it was a little bit more on the sweet side of the coin, but with a good amount of heat. The only thing that I can’t shake is that I feel like I needed just a little more from it. I would have like a little more closure/expansion with Lexi’s father and even her dipping her toes into the more contemporary side of things, but that’s just me. As for the rest of the band. I loved hanging out with all of them and the whole family by choice, not blood vibe they have going on, and of course keeping up with Dred, Pixie and Petal, who was just too adorable, but I’m not sure who’s book I really want next. Alls I know is that I want one to fall into my greedy little hands sooner rather than later!

Jordan Reclaimed by Scarlett Cole is a story about learning to love and live. To move forward and open yourself up. It was touching, heartbreaking and intense.

Jordan Steele’s early life was one of loneliness, deprivation and abuse until the age of ten, when he met his brothers. Other lost and abandoned boys who came together and created their own family. Years later he and those boys are making it big as the band Preload. They have fame, fortune and are living it up, but Jordan still suffers the effects of what happened to him. Until her, his light.

Aleksandra Artemov, Lexi, loves ballet. It is her dream, but her dreams generally take a backseat for her father’s dreams. Haunted by his depression and overbearing ways, she finds herself living a vicious cycle. Then one night she spies a man watching her practicing. He opens her to new wants, desires and a different way of life.

Jordan is a broken man. Afraid to move forward and of losing everything at a drop of a hat. He has no idea how to be with someone like Lexi. Up until now, he has been a love them and leave them type of guy. He is afraid his darkness will snuff out her light. Lexi, on the other hand, sees a man who awakens her soul. All she wants is him, but he is afraid of what they could be together.

Jordan broke my heart. He has suffered and lost so much, he holds a tight rein on those he loves and is afraid of losing everything that matters to him. As the life of those around him starts to change, he does not know how to cope. But Lexi gives him hope. But Lexi is fighting her own demons. Can they find a way to help each other before it’s too late?

This was a story of second chances and learning to let go, in order to hold on to what matters more. It was both uplifting and heartbreaking. But their journey helped heal them and find their way. A truly touching story that deals with so much loss and despair, but also hope and love.

With Jordan Reclaimed, the first book in her new Preload series, Scarlett Cole has woven a brilliant, multilayered story of healing, hope and true love. Jordan and Lexi are captivating heroes, and their story grabbed me from the very first pages. The subject matter is gut-wrenching and yet it’s absolutely not a sad story. I loved every minute of this unforgettable read.

Jordan Steele is a rockstar, the bassist of Preload, a world famous rock group. He is a complex character, who has experienced abuse and neglect in childhood and has been going down a path of self-destruction. His past story was heartbreaking. His trauma runs very deep but he was saved by his brothers by bond, the other members of Preload. These guys are wonderful, they are protective of him and always have his back. They are his family. Jordan has everything he could wish for in terms of celebrity or material comfort, but his emotional scars are still unhealed. He has been trying to bury his past, without success, and still feels unworthy of love.

His relationship with Aleksandra, Lexi, Artemov is based on mutual fascination at first sight. She is a talented ballet dancer, and her grace inspires him. They share the same need and talent to create. Lexi is a wonderful character, genuine, optimistic and forthright. She is a ray of sunshine and gives Jordan so much hope. Although he is in unknown territory, for the first time is his life, he feels the need to experience his emotions with someone. I loved these characters so much, they just fit together and their chemistry was palpable. They found their way to each other in a realistic way.

Jordan Reclaimed is a beautiful story that packs a powerful emotional punch. With the great cast of secondary characters, I’m sure there will be more wonderful stories in this series. Although the Preload series is interconnected with Scarlett Cole’s previous series “Second Circle Tattoos”, Jordan Reclaimed can be read as a standalone. I highly recommend it and I can’t wait to read more books by this talented author!

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley.

I'm in love! I can label this book many things, but the most accurate one for me would be emotional. This book hits home for me on so many levels it's going to be hard for me to even get through this review without spewing all of my secrets. But it'll be worth it.

Jordan is the bassist for a very well known metal band. He's also damaged goods. After surviving multiple abusive families, he finally found a home with his "brothers" and soon to be band mates at a group home. This is where they all fell in love with music and formed their band. But each one of the them still struggle with their past. This is Jordan's story and it's a heart breaker. It's also a story that the author tells so well, that I'm not gonna. Because every word written and read is too important to mess up in my review.

Lex is a ballerina. Not just any ballerina. She's one of the best. Although her father doesn't seem to think so and is constantly riding her to be better, thinner and smarter about her choices. After a chance encounter, Lex is mesmerized by Jordan and the music he created for her. One thing leads to another and we're taken on a journey of self worth and acceptance that will make you fall in love, just as I have, with this entire band...and author.

This isn't your typical contemporary romance. This is plagued with memories of abuse as well as self abuse issues that may be triggers for some. But if you can get past the sad, the light at the end of the tunnel is so bright, that it leaves you with feels that will last a very long time. I had a mix of tears and smiles, but all are in a very positive way. I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the bands' story. I'm officially a Preload fan!

reviewed by Chris

Another great read by Ms. Cole. This is Jordan's book and I loved it. Jordan has had a tragic life that has haunted him even now that he is grown. He doesn't know how to let go of the past and realize things will be ok with life. He can't grasp that change is ok and is part of life we live in.
Alex a balerina in the Canadian company is trying to make her own choices and live her own life but has her father who wants to run it for her. She being the good daughter lets him have his way most of the time just to make life easier. Her father who can't let go of his past pushes Alex too far one day and she runs. Jordan knows he needs to live in the present and let his past stay in the past and Alex is helping him with that, question is can his insecurities push her away or can he be strong and be there for her when Alex needs help with her life! A great read about how to overcome life challenges and meet them face on, and letting the past not control your future! Look forward to the next book in the series as the band is a colorful bunch of guys I love learning about. Honest review in exchange for ARC.

I fell in love with Ms. Cole’s writing last year when I discovered her Second Circle Tattoos series and quickly read the entire series. I was ecstatic to see she was going a spin off series - Preload. Jordan Reclaimed is the first book and features Jordan Steele, who we met in The Purest Hook. He is a character you could not help but notice, and I was thrilled to see his story would be told in Jordan Reclaimed, and it is a story you do not want to miss.

Jordan was abused and abandoned by his family (They do not really deserve to be called ‘family.’) and he grew up in the foster care system. He met his best friends, whom he now considers his true family, when they all lived together in a group hope. The men later formed the heavy metal rock group Preload, which is now extremely successful. All of me have issues (no surprise) stemming from their childhood, but Jordan is quite damaged.

Jordan is terrified he will lose his family again and haunted by the abuse he endured. He’s figured out how to live with his fears, but it is a constant struggle. One way he copes is by taking walks, and one night he is out walking late at night when he walks by a dance studio and sees Aleksandra Artemov practicing through a window. He is utterly mesmerized by her and by her dancing.

Aleksandra has been training to be a principal ballerina her entire life under the rigid control of her domineering father. She notices Jordan watching her practice, and she is just as captivated by the dark and broody stranger. Both cannot stop thinking about the other. Jordan begins to write and record music and leave it for her, and she begins using his music and choreographing a dance in the hopes he will come by again. He does come by and the two meet and… you must read to find out where they go from there.

Jordan Reclaimed is widely romantic and incredibly heartfelt with an intense and complex storyline. There is passion, hope, recovery and undeniable love, and I was riveted from the very beginning. I did not want it to end. As Ms. Cole often does, there are some darker storylines in Jordan Reclaimed - darker than typical romance novels. It is something I normally shy away from, but she really has a talent for presenting them with a sensitive touch and including them to craft a truly remarkable and memorable story. I can’t recommend Jordan Reclaimed highly enough, and I cannot wait for the next book in the Preload series.

A new series, but familiar characters from Cole. I am glad that we got to read Jordan's story right away, to learn what makes him tick.

Wow, Cole knows how to make characters who have lived through hell, find a happily ever after. I loved the passion, tension, and watching these two characters learn how to love.

I can only describe this new book from Scarlett Cole as AMAZING!!!! I loved it. I can honestly say that Jordan Reclaimed has outright ruined other rocker books for me. Yes this is now on record, I think by the end of this series I will be done with this trope because I don’t think anybody will write a better series than this, if Reclaimed is anything to go by.

Big call I know, but this book…….I am having trouble putting all my feelings about it into coherent sentences because NOTHING I write will do this book justice. Be ready for fan girling rambling.

When I saw that Preload were getting a spin off series, I was jumping for joy because I wanted to know the guys better. Then comes along Jordan Reclaimed and I dived on it because hey it was about the guys. What I didn’t expect was to fall so far in love with this group of men. And to feel absolutely gutted, heart sore but a thousand percent satisfied by the end of the book. Yes, I may have sat there for a few minutes in a daze when I was done thinking holy crap that was amazing.

I had all the feels while inhaling a story that will be staying with me for a long time. There were moments when I had to stop reading because my heart was breaking because of what was either happening or had happened to hero Jordan and his heroine in more ways than one Lexi.

Jordan, bassist for the band Preload, has had an unbelievably crappy life till he was brought together with his brothers in a group home where he finally had a family. His life before this will break your heart, trust me.

Lexi, a ballet dancer for a prestigious ballet company hasn’t been all roses either. What with an overbearing father, the constant pressure to be a better dancer, no mother and the need to dance the way she wants to, she has an idea of the misery Jordan lives with.

With one walk past a ballet studio, Jordan’s life is about to change forever. Because a dancer who makes him want, will claim his heart with one dance and set in motion a love story that will make you smile, swoon, cry, want to punch somebody out and fall in love with both Jordan and Lexi.

Throw in the rest of the band and Pixie from The Purest Hook with the super adorable Petal and you get a story that will instantly go to your keeper shelf but will also stay in your heart because it was so beautiful to see these two broken people not only find each other but to find a way to fight their demons to a HEA.

I can’t wait for the next book Elliott Redeemed. It’s going to be stellar. I loved, loved, loved this book and I’m sure I won’t be alone in this. Scarlett Cole you ROCK!!!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for review.

My first book by this author....and boy, was it a good one!

Jordan is the bassist from Preload, grew up in a foster home and is very close to his 'brothers'. (in fact seeing how close they were, how they looked after each other, bought a tear to my eye).

Lexi....a ballet dancer with so much pressure.

Both fighting demons that come in all shapes and sizes.

One glance through a window and both are enthralled.

One moment changes their lives.

This story was beautiful, tragic, powerful and so, so lovely.

A rocker & ballerina love story...YES!!!

Jordan Steele as had anything but an easy life and due to that he's become a recluse but only being comfortable with his "brothers". I appreciated being able to read about his past and why he was the way he was. Little did he realize that his life was about to be turned upside down.

Aleksandra-Lexi, lives for the love of ballet yet no matter how hard she tries, she will never be good enough for her father's approval. She's done everything within her grasp to show him how much ballet means to her but no matter what it's never good enough.

The night her eyes land on Jordan she knows her life will never be the same. Hard as Jordan tries to ignore his want to get to know Lexi he just can't because the pull between them is strong.

My heart went out to these two battered souls hoping they will get their much deserved happiness. A beautiful emotional story that will have you rooting for Lexi & Jordan! -Kara, 4.5 Stars

WOW ... this is one of the best books I have ever read. I literally could not put it down. This is the 1st book that I have read by Scarlett Cole .... and it will definitely won't be my last! The characters just seem so real and they draw you in to their story.

Jordan is so broken that you just want to hug him. His parents locked him in an attic for most of his childhood. He was rescued at the age of 10 only to go to foster homes to be abused some more. He finally ended up at a group home where he could feel safe and ended meeting 4 boys that became his brothers. In the group home the boys were given instruments ... to try and keep them occupied and out of trouble. They ended up becoming a famous metal band, but all the fame and money couldn't banish the ghosts of their pasts.

Lexi is a ballerina who is being controlled by her overbearing Russian father, whose own dancing dreams were shattered when he had a fall. Even though he blamed Lexi for her mother's death, he lived in Lexi's house and lived off her, pretended that everything was his. Even though her father insisted she only perform classic ballets, she longed to branch out to something more contemporary once in awhile.

One night when Jordan was out walking, he came across Lexi dancing in a studio and watched her through a picture window. He wrote music for to to dance to and left it at the studio. The music spoke to Lexi and the next time she saw him watching her, she made him come in the warm studio to see her dance to his music. Their attraction to each other was undeniable, but with 2 people so broken there were lots of obstacles to overcome. Their journey will make you laugh and shed tears ... but it is a journey I highly recommend you take.

I received an ARC copy courtesy of St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

4.5 stars -- I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

While you can totally read this without reading the Second Circle Tattoos series that this series spins off from, I will say that I regret not reading Dred's book before starting on this one (I've read 1 and 4, but not 3). Not that I won't likely still go back and enjoy that book, but you do get little mini spoilers in this book.

This was so much more...heartbreaking and involved and sweet and uplifting than I was expecting. I mean, yes and no. It's not that I don't know that Ms. Cole can write stories with harrowing backstory. But both Jordan and Lexie really got to me.

Since I hadn't read Dred's book, I didn't quite know what to expect from Jordan, but his backstory is just gut wrenching. And the ways he copes now, and how it has affected him...it just felt so real, and sucked me in and gave me all the feels. He was an extremely interesting character. Because he could be both sweet and innocent as well as dirty and even volatile. He was kind of a conundrum. Sometimes I wondered at the many aspects of him, but I can't decide if it his growth was too much too soon, or just right. Sometimes life gives you a trigger that your brain has been waiting for, that allows you to see more into yourself and finally get over your stumbling blocks. And occasionally I wanted a deeper look into how it is affecting him now, but maybe the bits we got at different times were just right. But anyways, regardless, I definitely wanted to hug the shit out of him.

And while Jordan's story is perhaps a bit more heartbreaking, Lexie has her own horrible issues to deal with. You feel it right from the start, and you just feel sick for her, and what she's living with, and how it has affected her. I was worried, at one point in the story, that her own struggles would be minimized, or not dealt with in the appropriate way and with sensitivity...but I should have trusted Ms. Cole. And in the end, the way that all went really made sense for her and Jordan. I kind of wished I'd been able to read more of how she was going to cope, but that's probably just me being greedy.

I did absolutely adore the look into the ballet world, even if hers was a bit skewed by her father. I've always admired the crap out of dancers, and my hubby and I have season tickets for our provincial ballet. I have the grace of a bulldog, so it's something I always envy...but I definitely don't envy the toll it takes and the hours of hard work they put into their craft.

And their chemistry together was pretty fantastic. It was a lot more blunt and straight talking than I was expecting at times, but it worked for them. I loved seeing Jordan struggle with how to have a relationship, and how he second guessed everything he did. Again, so sweet. And then he'd say something dirty, and it just balanced.

AND I LOVED THE BITS OF CANADIANNESS!! I mean, YES!! I've never lived in Toronto, but I did recognize street names, and stupid little things like the No Frills grocery store, the Canadian Tire bag, and shopping at The Bay, and Karen Kain, and the National Arts Centre in Ottawa (been there)! It's the little things that make this girl happy. *high fives Preload for being Canadian*

And finally, there was the secondary cast. While they weren't there all the time, the scenes where they were just showed me the connection between the guys, and how they lean on each other in small ways. And OMG, they brought such levity! "She's the phone!" Just so much love. Cannot WAIT to read more books of these boys. Though I am scared, b/c if Lennon is more f'd up than Jordan, I just don't know if I can handle his story.

Honestly, the only reason I'm rounding down instead of up is just a me thing...I'm still in that strange bubble where I'm not quite getting sucked into the books fully. Were I in a different mood, I can totally see myself rounding up. OHHH!! And there were some areas where the POV changed without a break. I'm not a fan. Especially since it was pretty consistent throughout the rest of the book, so it was what I had come to expect.

If you're a medium angst fan like me, who likes some heart wrenching, but not too much to be overwhelmed, then you need this series in your life.

Jordan Reclaimed by Scarlett Cole
Preload Novel #1

Success does not always deter demons.

Five men forged a brotherhood of the heart while living in a state sponsored group home. All have had rough times during childhood. All have issues to deal with. All depend on one another. All hope to one day have more – but not just more money – they have plenty of that. Dred, one of the members of this brotherhood, had his story told in THE PUREST HOOK (Second Circle Tattoos #3) and from that story this series was begun. I can hardly wait to see how each of these wonderful men will find their happiness in the future!

One winter night Jordan Steele sees Aleksandra “Lexi” Artemov dancing through a studio window. He is enchanted. When she sees him outside the window she is fascinated. How they eventually meet face to face is delightful. The openness and caring of both as they get to know one another is heartwarming. Their growing love is encouraging. The demons that ride them are huge and not easily shared – and when shared – not easily dealt with. Being there for one another is a cleansing and beautiful thing for both of them. Having Jordan’s “brothers” there for both of them is marvelous always and in all ways. Jordan and Lexi eventually find their HEA though they still may have some demons lurking about…and yet…with their family of the heart there for them…there is hope aplenty.

I loved this book. It was painful to read at times but so worth reading. Jordan and Lexi deserved happiness and a future together and I am thankful the author agreed with me ;) I was kind of curious how a tattooed rock star could find anything in common with a ballerina – but he did :)

Next up will be Elliott and I am eager to find out who will be able to tame his demons – can’t wait to read his story!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. This is my honest review.

5 Stars