X
by A.R. Harris
What if the only way to survive your past… was to become someone else entirely?
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X
A.R. Harris
Dark Romance /
Psychological Thriller
148
April 25, 2019
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The Quick Look
Short, savage and to the point, X does not fuck around. Jessica’s got sticky fingers and a smile that’ll ruin you. Hunter breaks hearts like all the bottles he finds the bottom of. Aaron doesn’t break—he executes. And X? He’s the ghost of every scar you can’t outrun. There’s a price for everything in his world, and when the past comes calling, he’ll pay in blood—or splinter into someone who can.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Child abuse, dissociation, graphic violence, torture, PTSD, references to sexual assault, and gore. This one gets dark—read with care.
- Themes: Trauma, Identity, Survival, Found Family, Morally Gray Choices
- Read If You Like
- Split starring James McAvoy
- Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
- CBS’s Criminal Minds
- Dark romance with bite
- Best For: Readers who love morally gray romance, trauma-deep character arcs, and dark psychological vibes.
- Skip If: You’re squeamish about gore, or looking for something light and fluffy.
The Full Review
PLOT & PACING
Short, sharp, and unrelenting—this is a dark, high-stakes character study wrapped in a gritty rescue mission. The story launches straight into action and emotional chaos, with just enough quiet, character-focused moments to let the tension simmer.
CHARACTER & VOICE
X is a walking trauma response with a hammer and a gun, and you’ll root for him anyway. His dissociative identities are handled with surprising nuance. And Aria? She’s a snarky, stubborn firecracker who refuses to be anyone’s damsel. Their dynamic crackles with tension and unexpected tenderness. In X’s words…
“It’s as if she’s the counterbalance to my instability and it works. Every time I’m uncomfortable she intuitively reacts to any situation until I feel stable again. There are no words I can think of to thank her for this, and I don’t even know if she would understand if I could find any. I just know it works and that’s all that matters.”
STYLE & ATMOSPHERE
Sharp, visceral prose meets gritty atmosphere. The tone is unapologetically dark, but it doesn’t wallow—it pushes forward with raw honesty. A.R. Harris builds a world that feels claustrophobic and dangerous, yet deeply human.
THEMES & DEPTH
Beneath the blood and grit, X is a story about survival—what we do to keep going, and who we become in the process. It examines trauma without romanticizing it, and explores connection without offering easy redemption. This book goes there—and doesn’t flinch.
PERSONAL TAKE
I picked this up for an alphabet challenge and ended up hooked. The characters are delightfully messy, morally gray, and impossible not to root for. It gave me Butcher & Blackbird vibes in the best way: dark, bloody, and wickedly heartfelt. Definitely not for the faint of heart—but if you like your stories with teeth, this one bites back.
The Final Verdict
X is a violent, vulnerable, and unflinchingly raw ride through trauma and trust, with two unforgettable characters at the helm. Dark, brutal, and brilliantly off-kilter.
💀💀💀💀 out of 5 Split Personalities