Kiss Marry Kill by Sidney Halston
Iron Clad Security #1

One day at a baseball game two people met, kissed then spent four amazing days together. Five years later issues in famous rock star Megan Cruz’s life bring Jax Irons back into her life. He is now a seasoned warrior with his own security company and is hired to do everything he can to keep Megan safe from a crazy stalker. There is definite interest between Megan and Jax but will the two decide to act on the attraction and lust they feel? Is it finally the right time in their lives for them to have something more with one another? And, how will the crazy stalker dude get his comeuppance?

This novel is told from both viewpoints with chapters set in both the present and past. I figured out early on who the stalker was and found the plot more romantic than suspenseful in nature. As the first book in a series it lays the groundwork for future jobs/romances of the security company employees and indicates that there will be at least two more books in the series.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press – Swerve for the ARC. This is my honest review.

3 Stars

This was a wonderful mix of suspense and romance. It's not just a hot steamy romance, it's that and so much more filled with a great mystery that will keep you on your toes the whole time you are reading. I loved all the characters and the whole plot to the story. I highly recommend this one, it is definitely a must read.

The title is totally what drew me in to this book. After reading the description, I had a feeling this is going to be a feel-good second chance romance with some mystery, and also some action.

Jax what's the total macho man. He was really protective of Megan and I found it sexy and enduring.

Megan was one tough cookie all things considering. I loved her quick wit and her backbone she never got rid of.

I like the whole him protecting her plot line. It kept me glued to my screen. Also adding in the second chance romance with The suspense stocker aspect, made it super fun. There's a slow burn with these characters that I didn't expect but enjoyed.

Overall, I loved it. The suspense aspect of this book kept me hooked but it wasn't a ton that would push romance readers away. I love the small snippets of their first meeting but it wasn't too much that it was going back-and-forth constantly. The author did an awesome job on her first suspense novel and I look forward to seeing more of the characters in more books to come! 4 stars #2OCCJD

** spoiler alert ** Kiss Marry Kill is the first book in the Iron Clad Security series. Book one is Jackson "Jax" Irons and Megan Cruz's story. I'd rate this book 3.75 stars. I know a weird amount and here's why. The book starts in the middle of a very intense scene and then fizzles out and the book was repetitive and hard to get through the first half of the book. At the 50% mark in the book is where is starts to pick up and things get more interesting. Which is why I rated the book the way I did.

Jax was home on leave from the USMC before he deployed when he met Megan at a Marlins baseball game. Megan was there with her inattentive boyfriend who couldn't be bothered to pay attention to her or the game. When the kiss cam came their way, not once but twice her boyfriend humiliated her by refusing to kiss her. So when it comes around, Jax feels for the girl and kisses her. They spent four incredible days together before they each went their own ways. Fast forward five years later when Jax is sitting in a bar drowning his sorrows to his surprise is the girl he fell in love with in the middle of a crisis at her home with a stalker.

The second half of the book picks up tremendously, but if you are looking for a romantic suspense, this falls a little shy IMO. For myself, it was kind of predictable, but the second half was still a good read. I was able to breeze through the second half, and did enjoy it. I wasn't a big fan of the way the flashbacks were done, it was confusing at times. Overall the book was good, and if you have trouble with the first half, try to push through, it will be worth it, interesting start to a new series. Am looking forward to the next book which looks to be Annie and Rocco's story....

Good start to the Iron Clad Security series.

Megan Cruz is the lead singer of the famous TNT band. She lives on Star Island in Miami. Everything changes when someone breaks into her home. From her bedroom closet, she calls her family. Her break in becomes immediate news. Next thing she knows, Jax, the man she spent 4 days with is back in her life and offering his protection.

“Promise me, you’ll be happy”


Jackson "Jax" Irons is the co-owner of Iron Clad Security with his best friend Joey Clad. Five years ago he met Megan at a Marlins baseball game. They shared a kiss thanks to the Kiss Cam and then they spent four days together just before he was deployed on his first tour to the Middle East. But, Jax is not the same carefree guy Megan knew. His time as a marine has changed him. Jax feels like he's the only one who can protect her and he doesn't want to risk her life by getting distracted by his feelings.

“The same kind of girl who agrees to have lunch with a stranger and stays for four days and rocks my world so deeply I’ve done nothing but think about her for five years.”


Kiss Marry Kill is a romantic suspense novel. It's told from both main characters POVs and it goes back in time when they both first meet. I like the storyline. The suspense about the stalker was always lurking but the romance took precedence.

Both Meagan and Jax were easy to like. They both had changed from five years ago but their feelings for each other never died. I could feel their connection without a doubt.

I would recommend this novel to the romance lovers who enjoy a side of suspense.

“You, sweetheart, you make me smile.”


3/5 Fangs

Cliffhanger: No

A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Second chance love with a thriller twist.

Jax Irons is heart broke over the loss of his father, but still carries on with his traditional father/son baseball game. Annoyed with the couple sitting next to him, in his dad seat, Jax soon realizes the girl next to him could use a little saving of face- on the kiss cam no less. Meghan Cruz literally melts on his lips! These two take off for a wild and adventurous 4 days- all he has before he heads back to war and all she has before she heads to law school- a path laid out before her by her lawyer parents and lawyer fiancee.

Those 4 days are life changing to both Meghan and Jax, yet they simply walk away- no exchanging numbers, emails- NOTHING! Goodbye! Except what they carry in their hearts and Meg is truly strengthened by their encounter.

5 years later, fresh from war, Jax is watching TV and breaking news that rock star, lead singer of TNT, has been terrorized by a stalker at her home. WHAT? Not his Meghan- a rock star? a stalker? Jax takes off only to find Meghan still locked in her closet, freaked out as the crazy Ryan has been there- threatening her- scaring her to death. Immediately Meghan goes to him over everyone else- 5 years apart melts away.

Meghan can't believe Jackson "Jax" Irons is in her bedroom and he's huge. Those arms make her feel safe and that's exactly what she needs right now. This crazy man has her mind racing- as well as her heart and she is scared. What will he do next?

Jax and his best friend own Iron Clad Security and quickly take over securing Meghan and her home after Jax takes over and makes it his mission, He might go a little overboard and take too many liberties and soon finds Meghan can be a force to be reckoned with. Meghan soon finds that Jax has his own problems and is scarred from his time in war. These two reconnect in the sweetest, HOTTEST way and it's a couple you know should be, and want them to be, together forever. Jax doesn't want to let his guard down and let Meghan in to close and him not concentrate on her stalker/safety. When the man just seems to keep bypassing all their efforts to protect Meg- Jax and Meg both are at wits end.

Meg is supported by her band mates Taylor and Nell and other close friends and still suffers a strained relationship with her mother and father after not becoming a lawyer. Loved the dynamics of this gang and the closeness of her band.

This stalker man is a terror- doing things to Meghan that are scary and irritating. The security crew are in overdrive trying to figure out who the guy is while trying to allow Meghan a somewhat normal life. When an event comes up she isn't willing to miss, the guys are on alert to protect her but somehow, right under their noses the worst happens. Jax pulls back, blames himself and feels its just like when he was in war. Meg is heartbroke but know the show must go on- in this case her tour. When creepy things keep happening they soon realize maybe they don't have the right guy.

This story was action packed and tense. Completely caught up in the drama outside of the love story which was awesome.

I really liked this book. Kiss Marry Kill by Sidney Halston is book 1 in Iron Clad Security series and it was chalk full of interesting characters and a fast paced plot with suspense and romance. A great mix of action and love. The suspect was pretty obvious but didn't distract from the story for me. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Really liked this story, wanted to kill Jax at times but it's hard to hate such an alpha hottie. There was plenty of action and a good whodunnit and of course a hot romance, great way to spend an evening.

If you asked, I would tell you I am not a fan of suspense. Kill Marry Kill may be the game changer.

I loved this book from the beginning to the end. The second chance romance, the emotion, the angst. It all just worked! The author did a great job of grabbing me on page one and making sure that I was hooked. I loved the flashbacks and the natural progression of the relationship.

The chemistry between Jax and Megan was off the charts. There were moments where the pull was almost too much, but the recovery was so worth it. I am a huge fan of Sidney Halston and I'm always on the edge of my seat to see what she comes up with next. I hope that we get more from the Iron Clad world soon because I am definitely a fan.

This book had my attention within the first few pages.

So I wanted to read this book based off the title alone. Kiss Marry Kill intrigued me I didn't read the blurb, I am not familiar with this author either. The only thing I knew about this book was that it was a Romance I was not even sure what sub genre this was until I read it, essentially I went in blind.

Holy shit heart pounding at just page three. This book starts off full of suspense and has me immediately thinking oh shit, OMFG. Wanting to say no no no don't get dead, don't get dead !!
Wow talk about an opening scene where we first meet Megan.

Enter Jax a blast from her past, the one that got away perhaps. Jax was broody, definitely an alpha and had mood swings that would make my head spin a little. Torn I think between protecting Megan and not letting his emotions get in the way of that protection, it really was such an endearing quality but at the same time frustrating because I wanted him and Megan to be able to have both. Megan was such a strong individual for me, she was independent and definitely able to handle Jax's moods as well as help him lower his guard down.

This book switches between present and past, now I don't normally care for books that do that however for this one it was sooo fitting and gave us the backstory between the two of them which I think was so critical to the present day story. It didn't over do it and just added that much more to the relationship with the two as the scenes from the past were all about them and their time together.

While I would say this book is completely suspenseful there are definitely some OMG moments that will have your heart beating a little faster. Jax and Megan chemistry is pretty smoking hot at times, their banter will also having you smiling, laughing and your heart will melt at some of the moments they share. At the same time I found myself trying to figure out who was after Megan and hoping Jax would get the bastard. The author will throw in a little bit of a twist that makes this book even more intriguing.

An extremely good read and I will no doubt be wanting to read more from this series. If you are looking for a second chance romance with some heart pounding suspenseful romance this book will hit that mark.

So many layers to this book. Suspense, mystery, 2nd chance romance and action. I love it when I'm drawn right into the story. So many good things about this book. Loved the pace, the writing and the strong characters. There were so many times that I wanted to slap Jax upside his head because he was being a meathead alpha. The chemistry between Jax and Megan is undeniable. The flashbacks to the past helped illustrate how deep their connection was.
This book is a great start to a new series and I look forward to the next book

This is my 1st book by this author and from what I hear, her first book in the romantic suspense genre!

5 years ago Jax and Megan meet at a game and sparks fly!!!!

Fast forward 5 years and Jax is now out of the military with demons and Megan is a singer with a demon of her own...in the shape of a stalker.

Enter Jax and Iron Clad Security back into Megans life!

This was a great read. I loved how they just didnt jump into bed again and that Jax took his job seriously and the suspense was just enough for me. A great start to the series and I look forward to the others!

I won't be rating or reviewing this book. I was unable to finish it. I found I wasn't connecting with the storyline or the characters. This has nothing to do with the author at all. I actually have LOVED every other book she has written. This one just fell short for me.

First in a series means building of a world. This world happens to have a mix of security detail and rockstar fame. I normally cannot stand rockstar romance reads but this one is very different, in my opinion. Megan was a once sheltered girl, now a famous rockstar, who is in danger. Jax is an ex marine who has a security company and met Megan 5 years ago. A brief fling and lasting impression have held them over for years until they meet again when Jax runs to her aid after she was attacked. The chemistry between the two is solid. Their personalities mold together nicely; both in current events and flashbacks. You can see the growth they've achieved even though you only get those small flashbacks for a four day period. The story line is solid, if not a bit predictable, but enjoyable all the same. Although I haven't read much of these suspenseful rockstar romances I felt like some of the occurrences or end could be seen coming a mile away. It doesn't take away from the romance or writing style though. I give it 3 stars because it has a lot of potential and is a solid lead for what could and will come next.

Kiss Marry Kill by Sidney Halston
Book #1: Iron Clad Security Series
Source: ARC from author and purchase
My Rating: 5/5 stars
My Review:

Can a few short days really change your life?? For Megan Cruz, the answer is a resounding, yes! In just a few days, Megan walked away from her long-term boyfriend, abandoned her parent’s dream for her of law school, and struck out on her own which turned into a meteoric rise to fame and fortune as lead singer of a wildly popular band. All because of a crazy hot kiss and a few smokin’ hot days with a soldier on his way out of town. Yeah, a couple of days really can change your life.

Fast forward five years . . . .

Fame comes at a price and for Megan Cruz that price is a stalker who has not only threatened her sense of safety, but has also threatened her life, and her future with her band. He’s sent threatening letters, left her “gifts,” and even gone so far as to break into her home. The last event found Megan shaking in her closet, gripping a large knife, and looking at the man who changed her life five years ago. In five years, Jax has honed his skills, opened his own security firm, and never forgotten about Megan Cruz. To see her so shaken and scared, triggers every protective instinct Jax has and it’ll be a cold day in hell before she’s hurt again.

Within hours, Jax has all but taken over the investigation into Megan’s stalker, moved into her house, and has his team setting up military-grade security in and around her house. He also found a moment amid all the activity to say hello and tell Megan how good it is to see her again after so many years  For Megan’s part, her world has been turned upside down, and the only thing that makes sense is Jax being back in her life. This Jax isn’t the carefree, easy to laugh young man of five years ago, but an older, more mature man who is serious, hardened by his experiences, and impossibly sexy. This new Jax is a cat of a different color and despite the seriousness of her situation, Megan wants to know more about him and be as close to him as possible.

Jax isn’t dumb enough to try and lie to himself about his attraction to Megan, but he isn’t going to let it get in the way of protecting her. Her life has been threatened, repeatedly and if he loses his focus, Megan could lose her life. What Jax doesn’t quite get is the fact Megan isn’t the shy, retiring girl he met five years ago, but a strong, independent woman who has learned to get what she wants. Yeah, the situation may be seven levels of awful and it’s going to get far worse before it gets better, but Megan is determined to have Jax. All she has to do is get through his tough exterior and survive a few more crazy attempts on her life.

The Bottom Line: Kiss Marry Kill opens with the drama and doesn’t do anything but continue to up the tension ante throughout. There’s the sexual tension, the tension between Jax and his team over his protection methods, and the implied tension over the stalker. With every new incident, I got a little deeper into the drama and crankier and crankier at Jax for not seeing the obvious right in front of him. Megan and Jax are just one of those fated couples you love to see together . . . . finally!! Traditionally, Halston has put her characters through the wringer before allowing for their HEA, but Kiss Marry Kill may just take the cake. Jax is strong, sexy hero who knows how to look after a woman, care for her. Megan is strong and independent though not dismissive of her situation and how serious it is. The flashbacks to the past inform the present and help the reader understand just how the relationship between Megan and Jax gets so intense so quick. This is one of my favorite writing techniques, the past and the present in a single read, and Halston pulls it off without a hitch. There’s plenty of action, drama, and truly yummy naughty bits to keep the viewer involved from start to finish and hoping for an early release date for the next book in the series.

Good story. I liked how they had to work together and their dynamic. But I'll admit to being confused about why they split and why they got back together.

I was drawn to this book by the title. This is the first book in the Iron Clad Security series. I did like the start of this series. For a first book, this does show promise of a good series. Sadly, what I was missing was the high suspense intensity levels. On a scale of 1-10, I would rate the suspense a 3. It was there at the beginning with Megan's stalker. I felt genuine fear for Megan. However, after this scene. I did not get a lot of the suspense again. It was not until the half way mark that anything really happened again with regards to any type of threats towards Megan. Until than it was just about Megan and Jax. Not that I am complaining too much as I felt the chemistry and sexual connection between Jax and Megan.

I liked that Jax did not fall into temptation the first free moment he had with Megan. He was about protecting her. While, I enjoyed getting to know how Megan and Jax met after a while I felt like the past did not really add anything to the story. While, this book may not have been a favorite of mine and it had some bumps along the way; I would read another book by this author. Maybe in this series as I do enjoy reading about strong men.

Jax and Megan met in an unlikely, but very sweet way 5 years ago. Knowing Jax was 4 days away from deploying for a tour in Afghanistan, the two made the most of those moments and got to know each other well. Now five years later a lot has changed, Megan is a member of an international pop singing group and Jax is a co-owner of a personal security company. The one thing that hasn't changed is the instant chemistry and attraction they share!! When Jax sees on the news that Megan's house had been broken into by a stalker, he immediately rushing to her aid and goes into protector mode. Even though they only had a short fling 5 years ago, it's very obvious feelings are still strong...for both of them!!!

What an awesome second chance romance!!! Sidney Halston did a great job of giving us Jax and Megan's history, all while giving us their present. I felt that this novel was paced perfectly and gave us the twists and turns at the exact right times! Being that Kiss Marry Kill is the first book in the Iron Clad Security series, I am very excited to read what Sidney Halston has planned for future installments (I'm hoping to get Joey's book next)!! Kiss Marry Kill is a 4.5 star book that I highly recommend!!

If you had the best experience of your life but it was too short, nothing comparing to it, you would beat yourself up with the what ifs and the maybes. So, when the chance presents itself again there is no way you will let it slip by your fingers. That is what happens, guilt is a crumpling feeling but when Jax gets a second chance it can not be wasted. He can't let go. Megan will not let him coward away and he will stop at nothing to protect her, keep her safe. When her live is at risk there is no one better to protect her. No one more invested. And through all the surviving and struggle these two need to keep alive that spark between them, that joyfulness that they had when they met. And that is no easy task after all that has happened to make them the people they are now. But maybe non of that is stronger than love...