Black Knight / RinaVerse #5 / Royal Elite #4

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Black Knight stands out from the rest of the Royal Elite series. Xander isn’t the possessive, unhinged psycho like Aiden or Levi. Instead, he’s a golden boy with his own self-destructive demons—dark, troubled, and carrying way more pain than he lets on. This book dives into some seriously heavy stuff, making it dark in a very different way, but it’s every bit as gripping.

Let’s start with a heads-up: Black Knight doesn’t hold back on the dark themes. We’re talking mental health issues, eating disorders, depression, fat-shaming, alcohol abuse, fighting, suicidal thoughts and self-harm. This book is honest and raw, so if any of that feels too heavy, just be aware going in. Kim’s journey is intense and heart-wrenching, but it’s also beautifully handled and adds so much depth to her character.

I’ve been curious about Kim since book one, and her story here hit me right in the feels. She’s dealing with a controlling yet absent mom, battling depression, eating disorders and her own self-destructive tendencies, and the whole thing is painfully real. Watching her go through it all was tough, but I loved that we finally got to see what she’s been hiding. Rina Kent doesn’t sugarcoat Kim’s struggles, and that honesty made her story impossible to look away from. She’s been through so much, and seeing her resilience shine through was one of the highlights of the book.

Xander is not your typical anti-hero. He’s not the psycho type; instead, he’s fighting his own battles with a bottle of vodka in hand. Outwardly, he’s the charming guy everyone loves, but inside, he’s a mess, torn between his feelings for Kim and his desire to keep her at arm’s length. His relationship with his father only makes things worse. Xander’s not perfect, but his struggles make him real and raw. He may not have made it to the top of my favorite anti-heroes, his bullying was brutal and uncalled for, but his story had me rooting for him nonetheless.

Kim and Xander’s story is built on years of miscommunication. They were inseparable as kids until one night changed everything, and since then, Xander’s been pushing Kim away in the cruelest ways. It’s a bit of a classic miscommunication trope, but that didn’t stop me from getting completely wrapped up in their story. They’re both broken, hurting, and hiding it from the world, and eventually, they find a way to heal together. It’s a messed-up love story, but it feels real, raw, and had me tearing up more than once.

My only gripe? The ending felt a little too squeaky clean and forgiving. After everything Kim and Xander went through, the resolution was a bit quick—like, snap-your-fingers, all-better quick. I wanted a bit more rawness, more time for Xander to really work for his redemption. The guy put Kim through hell, and while she finds healing, the quick forgiveness felt a little too easy. But even so, their story still left an impact. Kim and Xander’s story is messy, painful, and beautiful all at once.


And now, after all the feels, I’m finally ready for the book I’ve been dying to read—Ronan’s story! Bring on the chaos my cheeky little bastard, because I’m so ready for it!



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