Title: Checkmate: This Is War
Series: Checkmate Duet #1
Author: Kennedy Fox
Genre: Enemies to Lovers Romance
Release Date: October 3
Travis King is the worst kind of asshole.
He taunts me for being a good girl and mocks my high standards.
He’s cruel, crass, and has enough confidence to last two lifetimes.
And I hate him.
It wouldn’t matter so much if he were avoidable.
But considering he’s my older brother’s best friend and roommate, I see him more than I’d ever want to.
His sculpted abs and gorgeous eyes are wasted on such an arrogant man, which makes me hate him even more.
Even though I’ve had a crush on him since I was ten, the feelings weren’t mutual and he’s made that very clear.
He’s always loved getting under my skin and one night against my better judgment, I let him in my bed.
I’ve succumbed to his manwhore ways, but that doesn’t change a thing.
Because the King is about to get played at his own game—and lose.
Checkmate.
Our Review
This is War is a page turning novel. I could barely put it down! Kennedy Fox did a good job of writing a story with many plot twists. There is love, hate, drama, and plenty of hot and steamy action! I enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more from these authors in the future.
First, the plot of this book is one I fall for everything. Enemies forced together to possibly become more? Love it! They say there is a fine line between love and hate. Kennedy Fox did an amazing job exploring this phrase and allowing readers along on the journey. These two characters have such chemistry that as readers we are anticipating the explosion. Everything about this plot I truly enjoyed.
Next, the characters are very dynamic. This story is told from dual point of view so we get to see the story from both characters perspective. This always adds an extra layer of depth to a story. Both of these characters have a lot of growing to do. Travis is obviously a player who has a tendency of making poor decisions. This is evidenced in the first couple of pages of the book. This gives him a clear starting point to grow from. Viola seems to be put together at first, but even the most put together people still have room left to grow. Watching these characters interact and develop throughout the story is entertaining.
The writing style of this book is the only part of the book I take points away from. I really did enjoy the book, but at times the story seemed choppy. I was craving more smooth transitions between scenes and maybe just a bit more altogether. I am also not a huge fan of cliffhangers, but this is not a deal breaker for me. In this case, it actually left me wanting more and was a good use of a cliffhanger. An aspect I really loved about this book are all the flash back scenes included. It was like slowly unwrapping a present on Christmas day. You want to rip into it, but instead you are painstakingly opening the present as slow as you can to savor that feeling.
The last part of a book I look for is heat. There was a lot of heat in this book, and it wasn’t always between the main characters. These scenes added to the story, but I felt more could’ve been done to explain some of it. I don’t want to give too much away, so I will just say that while I enjoyed the scenes, things could have been clarified a bit better. Overall, I really liked the amount of heat and the build up included in the story.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. I think there could have been some improvements to make it a 5 star read, but it is a solid 4 star. I would recommend this to my family and friends. Kennedy Fox is an incredible duo and I cannot wait to read more from them. Amazing novel!
Ratings:
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Heat: 5/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Overall:4/5
Favorite Quote:
“Aw… Another victim released. How sweet of you.”
“They aren’t victims if they’re willing.” Viola and Travis, This is War.
First, the plot of this book is one I fall for everything. Enemies forced together to possibly become more? Love it! They say there is a fine line between love and hate. Kennedy Fox did an amazing job exploring this phrase and allowing readers along on the journey. These two characters have such chemistry that as readers we are anticipating the explosion. Everything about this plot I truly enjoyed.
Next, the characters are very dynamic. This story is told from dual point of view so we get to see the story from both characters perspective. This always adds an extra layer of depth to a story. Both of these characters have a lot of growing to do. Travis is obviously a player who has a tendency of making poor decisions. This is evidenced in the first couple of pages of the book. This gives him a clear starting point to grow from. Viola seems to be put together at first, but even the most put together people still have room left to grow. Watching these characters interact and develop throughout the story is entertaining.
The writing style of this book is the only part of the book I take points away from. I really did enjoy the book, but at times the story seemed choppy. I was craving more smooth transitions between scenes and maybe just a bit more altogether. I am also not a huge fan of cliffhangers, but this is not a deal breaker for me. In this case, it actually left me wanting more and was a good use of a cliffhanger. An aspect I really loved about this book are all the flash back scenes included. It was like slowly unwrapping a present on Christmas day. You want to rip into it, but instead you are painstakingly opening the present as slow as you can to savor that feeling.
The last part of a book I look for is heat. There was a lot of heat in this book, and it wasn’t always between the main characters. These scenes added to the story, but I felt more could’ve been done to explain some of it. I don’t want to give too much away, so I will just say that while I enjoyed the scenes, things could have been clarified a bit better. Overall, I really liked the amount of heat and the build up included in the story.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. I think there could have been some improvements to make it a 5 star read, but it is a solid 4 star. I would recommend this to my family and friends. Kennedy Fox is an incredible duo and I cannot wait to read more from them. Amazing novel!
Ratings:
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Heat: 5/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Overall:4/5
Favorite Quote:
“Aw… Another victim released. How sweet of you.”
“They aren’t victims if they’re willing.” Viola and Travis, This is War.
Travis
Once I’m home, I start unbuttoning my shirt and ripping my belt off. I can’t stand being in these clothes any longer than necessary. I don’t see or hear Viola anywhere, although her car is parked in the driveway, so I pull my shirt off and pull my pants down before tossing them on the arm of the couch.
I walk to the kitchen and pull open the fridge to look for a beer. Once I find one, I twist off the cap and slam the door shut again. Just as I take a swig, a girl walks in, who is not Viola and stops frozen in her tracks.
“Who are you?” I ask, fully aware I’m down to my boxers. Her eyes glass over before finally blinking and looking back up to my eyes. “Did you hear me?”
She swallows. “Yes, sorry. You just scared the shit out of me. Viola said her brother wasn’t home.”
“I’m not her brother.” I take another swig, roaming my eyes down her petite little body. “I’m the roommate, Travis.” I say, taking a step toward her. “You must be a friend of Viola’s?”
Before she can answer, I hear Viola stomping toward us. “Don’t touch him, Ash. You’ll catch an STD.”
Her eyes widen, and I’m pretty sure I see her friend take a tiny step back.
“I’m surprised you even know what an STD is, considering you’re a virgin and all.” I flash a wink at her when her friend isn’t looking.
She huffs. “I’m not a vir—gah, never mind. Fuck off, Travis. And put some damn clothes on.”
“I don’t think your friend minds.” I turn and smile at her. “Do you?”
“Uh...I…” she stammers, and a part of me feels bad I’ve put her in the middle.
“Didn’t think so.” I grin, walking past her toward Viola. “Looks like you’re in the minority, princess.”
I sit on the couch and click on the TV. I hear Viola speaking to her friend as they finish bringing in all of her shit. I glance back and see bags lining the floor.
“You realize you’re only staying here for a couple weeks, right?” I shout. “No need to nerd up the place with all your Harry Potter books and capes. Wouldn’t impress my guests.”
“You’re an idiot,” she snaps. “And since when did you consider your one-night stands ‘guests’?”
I turn fully, facing her. Her cheeks are flushed, and I know it’s killing her that she has to be here alone with me. “You want to see how well I treat my guests?” I flash a crooked smile, knowing it’ll rile her right up.
“I wouldn’t let my worst enemy near you,” she fires back, narrowing her eyes at me. Fuck, she’s hot when she gets super pissed. All the more to push her buttons.
I tsk. “If you could keep them away that is…”
I turn back around just as she tells her friend it’s time to go. She whispers a few curse words, and I know this is going to be a lot more fun than I expected.
AMAZON * AMAZON UK * B&N
KOBO * iBOOKS
Kennedy Fox is a duo of bestselling authors who share a love of You’ve Got Mail and The Holiday. When they aren’t bonding over romantic comedies, they like to brainstorm new book ideas. One day, they decided to collaborate together under a pseudonym and have some fun creating new characters that’ll make your lady bits tingle and your heart melt. If you enjoy romance stories with sexy, tattooed alpha males and smart, independent women, then a Kennedy Fox book is for you! Both authors are from Manhattan living the glamorous bachelorette life, or perhaps they’re just confusing themselves with an episode of Sex and the City (Total #Girlcrush SJP). Either way, they’re looking forward to bringing you many more stories to fall in love with!
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