Book Review: Down On Me by J. Kenner

Tight muscles. Vibrant Ink.
Meet Mr. January. Winter’s never looked so hot…Certified bachelor Reece Walker wants two things — to save the local bar he manages and to get Jenna Montgomery into his bed.

He has a few ideas for the bar. But Jenna... well, he’s going to have to rely on cold showers, because she’s been his best friend for years, and that’s a line he just can’t cross.

Until one wild kiss on a dark night changes everything. Now Reece is certain Jenna’s meant to be his.

And with long nights in bed, sensual caresses, and deep, lingering kisses, he sets out to thoroughly convince her that friends can be lovers, too.

Down On Me is first book in 'A Man Of The Month Novel' series. The first half of the story sets up the premise of the series while intertwining a friends to lovers romance.  The second half delves further into the relationship that left me frustrated with the heroine. I use heroine loosely because of her unreasonable nature put me off.

Let me start from the beginning. Reece Walker who works at Fix on Sixth, discovers the bar is struggling and he and his best friend jump in to help save it.  Reece also recruits their other best friend, Jenna Montgomery, who has just returned from Los Angeles after a failed job.  Reece, Brent and Jenna are long time high school friends, best friends.  Before Jenna had left for LA she and Reece had a special moment. A moment they both put behind them. Now that Jenna's back they both need to keep their distance because they don't want to ruin their friendship. Jenna knows that she wants more than Reece is able to give. When Reece decides he can't stay away can Jenna accept his limitations? All while trying to save the Fix on Sixth with a small remodel and a Fix on Sixth's Man of the Month calendar model contest.

Down On Me did a good job prepping us for the upcoming books in the series.  In the end I'm happy that Reece and Jenna have their HEA.  We'll see what February brings. 4 Stars

Book Review: Sweetest Taboo (S.I.N. #3) by J. Kenner

All eyes are on us . . . and there’s nowhere to run.

Everyone has their own ideas about Dallas Sykes: He’s a reckless billionaire, a devilish playboy, a man who gets whatever he wants the minute he wants it. But I know the real Dallas behind the money, bravado, and power—and he’s completely, blissfully mine.

We carefully guarded our secrets, and in each other’s arms we sought refuge from our dark past. Our pain became our pleasure, our control within the chaos. But we could only hide from the truth for so long.

Now we’ve let loose our inhibitions and are ready to face the future. And no matter what people think or say, coming clean is its own sweet reward.

Sweetest Taboo is the final installment in the S.I.N. series and what a great ending . Now we’ve got answers to the questions that have plagued us from the last two books, Dirtiest Secret and Hottest Mess. This is my favorite book of the series. Dallas and Jane find themselves up against the wall, the easiest way out is to end their relationship but instead they fight.

The story begins with Jane being released. The abduction is a warning to Dallas. His stalker is becoming more aggressive in her attempt to protect what is hers.

“So you care for her, leave her. Because the next time I meet her on the street, I’ll truly end this. I have to, my love. How else can I protect what is mine?”

Oh yes, the stalker is crazy! Dallas and Jane continue their relationship, they have waited long enough. No stalker, parent, ex-husband or societal expectation is going to keep them apart. Even after their past is revealed to the world they persevere.

“You were my dirtiest secret, down there in the dark where nobody knew.” “But they do know. So what does that make me?” “Now you’re my sweetest taboo.”

There are a series of unfortunate events and looming threats that led up to climatic ending. Each event only solidifies their relationship. The story is suspense filled, intriguing, fast paced and there are steamy scenes that you don’t want to miss. 4 Stars

Review: Hottest Mess by J. Kenner

No one can know about our love—and hiding only makes it hotter.

Dallas Sykes has a reputation. He is known for his parties, his money, and the countless women on his arm. Yet the Dallas I know is a different man—darker, smarter, and unbearably sexy. Just one look from him can leave me breathless; the anticipation of his touch can make me lose control.

Inextricably bound by our past, we keep each other’s secrets. And while there are people who have the power to hurt us, it’s the truth that threatens us most of all.

Dallas can be mine only behind closed doors, our passion as searing as it is forbidden. Yet nothing in this world has ever felt so desperately, deliciously right.

I love J Kenner's angsty romances but I'm struggling with the S.I.N. series. What I liked, the suspenseful ending. The last chapter drew the story together and set it on it's path of vindication. What didn't work for me was the love story. 

"This whole thing is a hot mess, you know. How are we ever going to make this work?"

Jane and Dallas are secretly together, their love hidden from the world in fear of upsetting their parents and losing their inheritance. Jane has discovered some of Dallas's secrets. His big secret takes up most of the story. Jane struggles proving to Dallas that she can help him. She wants to help Dallas take back the control he lost when he had been abducted. She wants him to take her to the dark side with him. The story drawls on with the continuing struggle. Plus more of Dallas's secrets are revealed leading to arguments and hurt feelings. 

Jane and Dallas's love is forbidden because they are brother and sister but not blood related. It's a enormous conflict however there is excessive drama regarding their hidden relationship and Jane giving herself over to help heal Dallas. The ending drew me back into the story, I can't wait for the conclusion. 3- 3 1/2 stars.

Review: Dirtiest Secret by J. Kenner

It was wrong for us to be together, but it was even harder to be apart.
 
The memory of Dallas Sykes burns inside of me.

Everyone knows him as a notorious playboy, a man for whom women and money are no object. But to me, he’s still the one man I desperately crave—yet the one I can never have.

Dallas knows me better than anyone else. We bear the same scars, the same darkness in our past. I thought I could move on by staying away, but now that we’re drawn together once more, I can’t fight the force of our attraction or the temptation to make him mine.

We’ve tried to maintain control, not letting ourselves give in to desire. And for so long we’ve told ourselves no—but now it’s finally time to say yes.

I love J. Kenner, she's a passionate writer. Dirtiest Secret is dark, dangerous, well-written and developed. The first half of the story is complex, filled with character development that is fundamental as the story progresses. The second half is filled with intrigue and revelations. 

"Because what was perfect and right and saved us in the dark is forbidden in the light."

Dallas Sykes uses his playboy status as a cover. He's on a secret mission to right the wrong and protect his sister, Jane Martin. Since their kidnapping they have kept their distance. Their siblings, not by blood but by adoption. Although they are attracted to one another, their relationship is forbidden. What they shared while they were kidnapped must stay in the dark.

The first half of the story was filled with the character development. There was a lot of information and connecting the dots. The second half of the story was fast paced and intriguing. Dallas's revelation is at first intriguing but soon too familiar, another character with dark secrets because of his sordid past. It's also a little awkward, although they are not siblings by blood, Dallas and Jane are connect by their childhood. This is only the first book of the S.I.N. series. There are plenty of more secrets to be revealed and bad guys to catch. 4 Stars!

Review: Deepest Kiss (Stark Trilogy, #3.10) by J. Kenner

From New York Times bestselling author J. Kenner comes a tantalizing ebook novella starring fan favorites Damien Stark and his wife, Nikki Fairchild. Deepest Kiss follows the couple from their island resort to their home in Los Angeles, and introduces Dallas Sykes, the seductive bad boy in the newest Stark International Novel, Dirtiest Secret (On Sale 4/19)—the first book in a new trilogy of the S.I.N. series.

Damien and Nikki are back in this short Stark Ever After novella. The gang returns including a few new members, a baby is born, a father reappears and we meet Dallas Sykes. You will absolutely want to meet Dallas, he's a playboy with secrets. He's also going to get his own series, the Dirtiest Secret coming in April 2016. I can't wait, I love a man of mystery.

Deepest kiss is filled with joy, intrigue and ends with more unanswered questions. Damien and Nikki are still haunted by pictures from their past. Nikki begins to think about growing their family in the future. She has self-doubts and finds herself back in Damien's arms for comfort. Nikki seems weaker in this novella. She's still struggling and relying on Damien.

"Because Damien will always be there, when I'm broken and when I'm not. He will always be there to hold me close. To give me what I need. And he will help me heal."

 I would love for her to become more self-assured and free of her demons. Although they may never go away at least have more control. The novella opened up a Pandora's box. 3.5 Stars.