Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Say My Name - Review





Say My Name is intended for mature audiences. You can read the first chapter of SAY MY NAME here!  

Add it to your Goodreads list here!

 
saymyname 

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Author: J. Kenner
Publication Date: April 7, 2015
Publisher: Bantam
Series: Stark International Trilogy, (Spin off from the Stark Trilogy) Book 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Recommendation: 18 and up
Rating:  4 Stars



Book Description:
About SAY MY NAME New York Times bestselling author J. Kenner kicks off a smoking hot, emotionally compelling new trilogy that returns to the world of her beloved Stark novels: Release Me, Claim Me, and Complete Me. Say My Name features Jackson Steele, a strong-willed man who goes after what he wants, and Sylvia Brooks, a disciplined woman who’s hard to get—and exactly who Jackson needs.
I never let anyone get too close—but he’s the only man who’s ever made me feel alive.
Meeting Jackson Steele was a shock to my senses. Confident and commanding, he could take charge of any room . . . or any woman. And Jackson wanted me. The mere sight of him took my breath away, and his touch made me break all my rules.
Our bond was immediate, our passion untamed. I wanted to surrender completely to his kiss, but I couldn’t risk his knowing the truth about my past. Yet Jackson carried secrets too, and in our desire we found our escape, pushing our boundaries as far as they could go.
Learning to trust is never easy. In my mind, I knew I should run. But in my heart, I never felt a fire this strong—and it could either save me or scorch me forever.


Say My Name is intended for mature audiences. You can read the first chapter of SAY MY NAME here!  
Add it to your Goodreads list here!

My Review:

 I have been anxiously awaiting this book since reading the Stark Trilogy.  I loved Damien and Nikki and was super excited when we were introduced to Jackson Steele in their last book.  He had a hard mysterious vibe that surrounded him and I couldn't wait to figure out exactly who he was.  Plus we were getting to see more of Damien's sweet personal assistant Sylvia who has been a fixture through out Nikki and Damien's relationship. 

So what is it all about?  It's the story of a scarred and scared woman and a man who craves having the control he never had as a child.  A man who sets his sights on what he wants and doesn't back down until he gets it.  What he wants is what he lost 5 years ago when a girl walked into his life and turned it on it's head then ran and if it takes coercion with a side of revenge all the better.  

 What did I love?  I loved that Sylvia is determined, she is determined to see her dreams come true, at least those that pertain to her job.  I loved that Damien never doubts her abilities and when given the chance to help her grow he doesn't even hesitate.  I loved the relationship between Sylvia and her best friend Cass and I am hopeful that we will see more of her in the future, perhaps another spin off? I loved that we got to see more of Damien and Nikki, to find out how things are there way and how much they have grown individually (Damien has done some serious 'growing up' ) and as a couple.  I loved that Jackson knows what he wants and is driven to get it,but I also loved that you never felt like the pressure he places on Sylvia is forceful or that he wouldn't walk away from her if she said 'no'  In fact we know from very early on that he will do what she needs, what she asks of him even if it breaks his heart in the process.   

 

 

 What didn't I like, well I hate to say it but Jackson Steele and I never connected.  Man I wanted to love him, I wanted to love him so hard it was ridiculous.  I kept reading, turning the page thinking that any minute I was going to fall off that edge I was teetering on and boom, I'd have my newest book boyfriend in my hands. Sadly, something keeps me just there teetering.  He's got too many secrets and even after finding out what some of those are and one of them is a HUGE doozy of a secret, it feels like there is still even more hiding behind his eyes.  He begs Sylvia to open up, he basically demands it of her and yet he stays closed off.  It left me just liking him, not loving him and definitely not trusting him and the not trusting him part is hard for me.  I can be reading a book with the biggest arsehole/man-ho ever but know deep down that for all his faults he is trustworthy and accept him into my heart but I just couldn't do that with Jackson and that makes me really sad.  In fact I waffled between a 3 (I like it) and 4 (I really liked it) rating for this book primarily for the reason that I could not click with Jackson.  Why did I decide on 4 stars? Because I know that there is a chance for him yet.  Jackson and Sylvia's story is far from over and I can see a future where I will finally teeter off that cliff and land soundly in Jackson Steele's lap.  

 If you liked the previous Stark novels you will like this one.  There is a great romance here waiting to unfold, action, surprises, plot twists and turns that will keep you moving forward and rooting for the HEA you know Sylvia and Jackson deserve.  If you like contemporary romances with a side of kink you will enjoy this read.  My one caveat is that everyone needs to know there is a history of abuse in this story that could be a challenge for some readers.  There are no terribly graphic details of said abuse, but it is a main theme of the book and could be painful for some readers so please keep that in mind.  I think it is a book worth reading, especially if you have a lazy day (maybe a beach day, haha) and can pick it up with out planning to put it down because I think once you get started you won't want to quit until you are done.  There is a bit of a cliff hanger, but it sets us up nicely for the next book and doesn't leave you wanting to chuck your book or e-reader at the nearest wall. All in all I thought this was a great read and I am really looking forward to seeing where J. Kenner takes this couple and I am looking forward to my eventual fall!  Happy Reading everyone!  

 

About J. Kenner

Julie Kenner (aka J. Kenner and J.K. Beck) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over forty novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres. Praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations,” J.K. writes a range of stories including super sexy romances, paranormal romance, chick lit suspense and paranormal mommy lit. Her foray into the latter, Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner, is in development as a feature film with 1492 Pictures. Her most recent trilogy of erotic romances, The Stark Trilogy (as J. Kenner), reached as high as #2 on the New York Times list and is published in over twenty countries. J.K. lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and several cats.

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