Xander Penn has been around the block more times than he cares to count, always searching for an elusive something he’s never admitted to wanting, not even to himself. Until now… Then again, realizing what he craves doesn’t mean he accepts it. It’s one thing to dabble at the open-door policy club he belongs to, but quite another to declare it to others in the real world. After a harsh rejection pushes away the one person Xander wishes he could pull closer, he spirals down a dark path, using meaningless sex more as a punishment than a pleasure. When an unexpected ally makes him see he’s missing out on the best parts of life, Xander finally decides to open himself up to the possibility… But by then, it may be too late. Xander is an erotic romance novella intended for audiences 18+. This novella is just over 30,000 words, and it contains a variety of M/M and M/F encounters. Xander is book 2 of the Open-Door Policy series. However, each book can be read as a standalone.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Hot and Steamy!
Anna Ambrose does it again with her 2nd Open-Door Policy novella! We meet Xander in the first book, Lucy. Reading Lucy is not necessary but I recommend it since Xander’s book includes characters from Lucy & Lucy’s book sets up what happens in the Open-Door group.
Xander & Liam have been friends for years. They, along with Liam’s girlfriend Becca, are involved in the Open-Door group. Everything has been going great for everyone until Xander starts to feel something more towards one of the group members. It confuses & frustrates him so much the only way to ignore those feelings is by drinking & hooking up with random women. He knows he is hurting himself & the person he has feelings for but he can’t seem to stop because he is scared to deal with reality.
The author writes so vividly that you can see all these emotions & fears Xander goes through. I was happy when he finally got his HEA. This is a short read with plenty of heat! Looking forward to the next book!
⭐⭐⭐⭐Scorching Sizzling Stars🔥🔥🔥🔥
While a good portion of the story is pure steam, there is a lot of character buildup and the struggle Xander has with his sexuality is clear. I will be looking for more from this author!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Hot and Steamy, nothing held back.
Another steamy, sexy novella from Anna Ambrose. We met Xander in book one, and now we follow his story. Nothing is held back, hinted at, or alluded to. It's all here, every steamy moment. And just like book 1, this is beautifully written.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Hot steamy friends to lovers
Xander and Liam are best friends who also frequent the same sex club. They’ve fooled around a few times with Liam’s girlfriend, but have developed deeper feelings. It takes longer for Xander to acknowledge and accept them, since he’s never felt attraction to another man before.
This is the second book in the Open Door series, and while it could stand alone, it’s best to read them in order.
I enjoyed this more than the first. It focuses more on their relationship than the sex, but hoo-boy, it’s explosive!
Warning: While Xander is trying to work out his feelings, there is meaningless on page sex with other people.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Xander's Tough Decision
The night Ry introduces Lucy to the ODP Club is the night something turns Xander and Liam’s friendship into something else. Xander is fighting whatever is happening to him, while Liam has come to a realization. I thought Xander would be more open since he is part of a sex club but he is afraid of his feelings, of being judged. It’s a discovery journey that would hurt them both or make them happy. I enjoyed this story, full of ups and downs but with a HEA.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ VERY HOT!
After meeting Xander in the first book, I really wanted to read more about him. This book did not disappoint!
I don’t read a lot of books involving m/m, so this was a new experience for me.
Beautifully written, we don’t only see the steamy parts, but also Xander’s struggle with his sexuality.
A short, hot read. Perfect for those little breaks in between longer books!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Xander and Liam
This is the first book that I've read from Anna Ambrose and it will not be the last. As I began to read XANDER, I enjoyed reading this hot, sexy, and sweet story. Xander enjoys going to the sec club as some of his friends do. On a night that he goes to the club...Xander finds himself captivated by Liam. This opens a door for both Xander and Luam...and they're not sure what to do about it. So..what will Xander and Liam do?
Only way to know...read XANDER.
⭐⭐⭐⭐Explosive Detailed and Vivid Descriptions
So after reading part one in this series, Lucy: An Open-Door Policy Novella, it had left me wanting. Anna Ambrose had set up many interesting characters, and I couldn't wait to read more about their life stories. I was happy to be invited to read Xander, the second part of the series.
I have two opinions on this book: the sex is amazing, and the story is thin.
I'll start with the story. The story deals with Xander, who is a frequent visitor to the sex club they run on their college. This sex club has an open door policy, meaning every visitor is in theory open to having sex with every other visitor. The nights spent in this club often amount to hot threesomes with different partners as they come along.
During one of these threesomes, Xander meets Liam. Liam is there as the partner of Becca. During these evenings at the club, the two men discover the need they have for each other, despite considering themselves straight in everyday life.
I call the story thin because you learn little about Xander's life. You see his struggle with his sexuality and the developing love he feels for Liam. You don't see a great deal else.
The sex comprises about 95% of the story, and as I said, it is amazing. The level of detail is fantastic. The descriptions of taste and smell are of such level you can almost taste what the character is tasting. The flow of the sex is believable. Everything is well-described and vivid.
Xander was the first m/m romance I have ever read, and it was not a disappointment. I would have liked to see a little more 'world' around Xander, but the sex more than made up for it.
I could fall in love with both Xander and Liam, but unfortunately, they are off the market now that they have found each other. I guess I'll have to wait till book three in the Open-Door Policy series.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐If you like smokin' hot man on man sex this is for you!
Loved this! I really liked that the only POV we got was Xander's. But I could see Liam's feelings through Xander's eyes. Xander struggles with his sexuality but in a believable if not very mature way.
Haven't read the first book as M/M fiction is my thing.Will be looking for more M/M stories from this author.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐HOLY......!!!
This smoking hot, sexy, and fantastic story almost set my ereader on fire! Keep a fan and cold drink handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐I really enjoyed this coming of age novella
I really enjoyed this coming of age Novella...because despite the Open-Door Policy (basically a local sex-club on a college campus) and the fact that we have young adults, this is truly a story of finding yourself.
What happens when everything you have ever thought or known about yourself is suddenly tilting on it's axis? Of course you worry about what others will think, you worry about what the object of your obsession or affection will think. Do you give in to what you feel? Or do you fight it with everything you have?
Xander must come to terms with how he feels and the most unlikely person will be the one to make him finally face it.
Definitely a great steamy read!
⭐⭐⭐⭐Steamy, sexy, angst and conflict. Who could ask for more? Me...I want more!
Just finished this one last night and wow. Beautifully written. I only wished it was longer (yes, I know it's a novella, but I fell in love with Xander and Liam together and never wanted it to end!)
I know Xander is part of a series, but I read it as a standalone and didn't feel like I'd missed anything. Well done :)
