Final Score - 5 Stars!


Wyatt Royce is successful photographer. He's gearing up for an upcoming exhibit that’s going to showcase the most sensual and enthralling pieces he’s ever created, but he’s missing one thing: the perfect model and not just any type of model - innocence mixed in with a sexual prowess and a boldness that she exudes naturally. He has a glimmer of this woman in his head, but finding has proven difficult, that is until his past comes flying into his door in the form of a first love, never forgotten and never moved on from.

Kelsey Draper is innocence - in more ways than one. She lives by a strict set of rules & doesn’t break the rules easily as the last time she did - her world blew up in her face, literally. The only thing Kelsey is focused on nowadays is taking care of her younger brother & helping him with medical expenses. Her long ago dream of being a professional dancer has been abandoned. She needs fifteen thousand dollars and fast, but there's a small window of time in which to achieve this. That is until an opportunity presents itself and she literally walks into a blast from her past. Now every feeling she’s ever had has quickly resurfaced - ten fold. But after twelve years of hurt and pain, can Kelsey and Wyatt finally move forward and get their chance?

When I read a story that has flashbacks in it, my only wish is that it’s done well - as I need an understanding of what happened then that effected the characters as they are now. The past was perfectly portrayed, and explained how so fast everything went wrong in Wyatt & Kelsey's relationship. From their first meeting, to watching how their friendship grew into something more, each glimpse into the past was the highlight I needed. I loved Wyatt’s character and even though he was a bit standoffish in the beginning (the flashbacks perfectly present why he is the way he is now), he redeemed himself and I was cheering for him to get the girl.

The only cause of concern I had was in Kelsey and her reactions during several parts of the story. I felt she needed to be more tough/take charge in certain situations. Her relationship with her father was the main source of her issues and I felt that he didn't warrant such a presence in her life as he wasn't in the story much if not at all.

If you a fan the author’s previous books for the Stark World, I know you’re going to enjoy this one immensely as some of those characters appear in this book and it's like getting to see old friends again after a long absence.

Second chances romance are my new thing and as soon as I heard about this one, I had to get my hands on it! Sometimes, life gets in the way or sometimes it's just case bad timing - but there's one thing you can’t deny ... and that's when you know you’ve been given another chance at not only getting your old love back, but somehow, someway making sure the mistakes you previous made don't come back to bite you. This was a beautifully told story of love, forgiveness, desire and finally finding the strength to become the person you were always meant to be.

I didn’t know quite what to expect when I started this one. I went in thinking it looked pretty spicy (which I like), and the blurb mentioned Wyatt likes control (hell, yeah!) and that Kelsey, our heroine, is the good girl who wants a taste of wicked (*fist pump!*). Wicked Grind gave me all that, sure, but it became so much more. It's a beautifully written story that asks us all to step out of the box.

Kelsey Draper needs money fast and to do that, she ends up auditioning for a photography shoot. One that wants her to pose in erotic images. But that’s the easy part when the man behind the lens is her first crush and he kind of hates her now.

Wyatt Royce never got answers but he’s moved on, hoping to make a name for himself outside of his celebrity family. Everything rides on this shoot and his vision for it, but he needs one last woman to photograph. When Kelsey steps in the door, Royce knows she’s the one he needs. But can he trust her again?

First, I thoroughly enjoy second chance romances, so if that’s your jam, I highly recommend this! The characters are front and center in this plot—back twelve years before and in the here and now. There are secrets on both sides and a whole lotta tension.

What really captured my attention, however? This book is all about body positivity for women. How they delight in their bodies and their personas, and take control. He’s on a time limit, and he knows what he’s looking for. Unfortunately, he’s got to work through a lot of past to have a chance at a future. Wyatt’s super sweet with a dash of sexy, and I was charmed by him.

Then there’s shy, “good girl” Kelsey. She wants to be a dancer, but she grows up in a household with a super strict, old-fashioned father. It’s quite the dilemma when she finds a job that’ll pay the money she needs but asks that she lays herself bare. Literally and figuratively.

The side characters were great, and I'm really hoping Griffin gets a book soon! If you’re looking for a book that’s all about taking chances and following your dreams, look no further! What a great, sexy book.

5 stars!

Amazing story!

We have two amazing people. People who've been through so much in their life!

And we get to hear all about it! We're going back in time 12 years a few times, to see how they met and fell for each other. But we still don't really know what happened to pull them apart. It's all very mysterious and exciting and heartbreaking!

And what happens in the present is just as exciting, but also sexy and fun and cute ....

It's all so very adorable and heartbreaking and ugh. I just wanted to jump into the book and hug the hell out of both Wyatt and Kelsey!

Great new book! And now I can't wait to see what Lyle has to tell us in the next book!!!


WICKED GRIND was an amazingly sexy and adorable & heartbreaking 2nd-chance-romance! I loved it! Hurry to your nearest amazon for your own Wyatt - this one is MINE!



More books in the kind-of-Stark Universe - woohoo!

I loved everything about Wicked Grind. I adored our lovelies, Wyatt and Kelsey, I loved their story, gah I just wanted more.

Told in dual POVs and in past and present tense, I felt like I fell in love with these characters twice.

This book has a bit of everything. It made me laugh, but it made me cry. It is sexy and sweet and full of love, but also oh so sad at times. I just wanted to jump into the book and give everyone a big bear hug.

There are some fantastic secondary characters - I adore Kelsey's brother Griffin, and hope we get more of him in the future.

I loved the little glimpse we got of Nikki and Damien and Jackson and Sylvia.

I don't want to give anything away, so just know that I was hooked on this book right from the start, and couldn't wait to turn each page to see where we were taken.

Can't wait for more.


*will go live on blog and Amazon etc on release day *

More books in the kind-of-Stark Universe - woohoo!

I loved everything about Wicked Grind. I adored our lovelies, Wyatt and Kelsey, I loved their story, gah I just wanted more.

Told in dual POVs and in past and present tense, I felt like I fell in love with these characters twice.

This book has a bit of everything. It made me laugh, but it made me cry. It is sexy and sweet and full of love, but also oh so sad at times. I just wanted to jump into the book and give everyone a big bear hug.

There are some fantastic secondary characters - I adore Kelsey's brother Griffin, and hope we get more of him in the future.

I loved the little glimpse we got of Nikki and Damien and Jackson and Sylvia.

I don't want to give anything away, so just know that I was hooked on this book right from the start, and couldn't wait to turn each page to see where we were taken.

Can't wait for more.

**will go on Amazon etc and blog on release day*

4.5 STARS

Wyatt is preparing the show of a lifetime - a set of one-of-a-kind erotic photography. With is project he wants to step out of the huge shadow cast by his Hollywood family. All he misses is the centerpiece of his show, a model uniting innocence, sensuality and eroticism. It's 27 days before opening and he still hasn't found the perfect model. Until Kelsey Draper walks into his studio.

***It was her. The girl who’d filled his mind. The girl who’d haunted his nights. The woman he needed if he was going to pull this exhibit off the way he wanted to.***

Kelsey is on a deadline, too. She needs 15 grand to enroll her brother for trials in a new clinical protocol for fourth degree burn victims. Her well meaning best friend passed on the audition that was meant for Nia and told Kelsey to go. Never in her life did she expect coming face to face with the man who nearly destroyed her twelve years ago. The man who is now staring at her in anger.

***He’s not a man, he’s a concept. A talisman. Fantasy mixed with memory and topped with a sprinkle of loss.***


Wyatt knows it is a mistake to hire her for his show. The way things ended all those years ago left him with a broken heart. But he wants her, this quiet, shy girl who comes to life when she dances her heart out. He wants her fiercely but how can he trust her not to walk out on him again? So much is riding on this show. Will Kelsey see it through? Can he move past his anger and be professional?


Wyatt is an ambitious young man who wants to find his footing in an industry that is so fake that if you have a famous name attached to you, you are automatically royalty. That's why he sheds his famous last name and uses a stage name - he wants to be accepted for his work and not because he is related to his famous family.
From the beginning you get the sense that Wyatt is a really good person. Even when he wants to punish Kelsey for hurting him you feel his remorse when he is being a jerk. When they (mostly) move past their painful history Wyatt becomes this sexy, sweet guy you get glimpses of in the flashbacks. I got a teeny bit irritated with him towards the end because he gave up on her so fast, that his show seemed more important than her. Thankfully his grandmother set him right.

Kelsey is a shy woman and has always been that way. Her light starts to shine when she dances - all of a sudden she is a completely different person: vibrant, self confident and sensual. It is the heady combination that made Wyatt fall in love with her twelve years ago and he is still immensely attracted to her, albeit unwillingly.
Since tragedy struck her family twelve years ago she has been playing things safe. Her father extinguished any spontaneity she had when she was a teenager and it is the central theme in this book. As soon as things get a little bit risky, Kelsey runs but Wyatt challenges her to risk things and let the world see the wild underneath all the restraint.

“Listen to your brother. He seems like a smart guy. Go a little wild, Ms. Draper. Cut loose. Take a risk.”
“Is that what you are? A risk?”
“Risk, reward. I’m pretty sure the two are tied together.”

Not only did I love her for owning her sensuality, I adored her for being such an amazing sister and I really hope that Griffin gets his well deserved HEA.

The development of their relationship is fast - granted they have known each other for a long time but didn't meet again for twelve years. We get to see the sweet story of two teenagers who fall in love for the first time via flashbacks. Back then they knew each other well, and it's this fact I still puzzle over that Wyatt misjudged the girl he was in love with when he was a teenager, so I would have loved to see a little more depth to the resolution of their problems and them moving past them. But that's probably me craving a little more grovelling. When all is said and done I fell in love with these two characters, and hard.


“You’re staring,” she said, smiling.
“You’re beautiful.” Her smile widened.
“I think it’s the dress.”
“I know it’s the woman.”

The conclusion?

Enough angst to keep you invested in the story? ✔
Delicious sexual tension? ✔
A sweet second chance love story? ✔

Yup - this story ticks a lot of boxes I'm a sucker for. Right off the bat - this is my first J. Kenner book.

*ducks to dodge the eggs and tomatoes*

J. Kenner's writing is modern and flows effortlessly. The dialogues feel very natural. The storyline isn't innovative, it's a well-used theme but still effective and I loved the angst that came with it. I don't even know why I never got around reading Ms. Kenner's stories but I'll definitely remedy this oversight. I tasted blood and now I'm hooked!

Great story about two people, Wyatt & Kelsey, who were together when they were teenagers for a summer, then she unexpectedly disappeared, and Wyatt was left with rumors that led him to hate her so to speak.
Twelve years later she walks into his photo studio, not knowing it's his, and he throws her out but she comes back, she begs for the job, she needs this job to help out her brother Griffin.
Can they work together, without letting the past and their attraction get in the way? Or will she run and disappear again.
This story kept me going I could not put the book down! I absolutely love J. Kenner's writing, and I'm looking forward to more in this series!! 5+ stars!!!

Once again, J Kenner releases another hot and sexy novel that will drop readers to their knees! Wicked Grind; the first book in the Stark World series where each book can stand alone, is devilishly good, wickedly hot, and filled with the kind of spice that will make readers sweat! Kenner knows how to write sexy and sassy romances and she successfully does every time she hits publish.

Normally, I don't read erotica (or books with a ton of sex) because they get boring after a while (I get it, you like to bone, your bring woman to your knees, and you are a sex god). However, whenever J. Kenner writes something I immediately jump to grab it- erotica or not. This tells you something about her books, yea?

Fans of J. Kenner, and those who like dirty and sensuous romances, you need to pick up her latest novel. I promise, you won't be disappointed. I know I wasn't! SWOON!!!!!

Recommended Read

A hot and sex read. Julie always delivers. A second chance love story that will have you falling for both Wyatt and Kelsey. Julie has a way of writing these characters that delivers each and every time. I loved the Stark Series and any spinoff series is a series I must read.

Wicked Grind is POSITIVELY ENTHRALLING!
Once again, Julie Kenner scores 10 stars with this beautiful second chance contemporary romance. She is the most brilliant writer I have enjoyed reading...from the moment I opened the book and read the prologue I knew I would be forever enthralled. Words like "forbidden, terrifying, yet tempting" how can you not be....The one man who changed everything. Yes I knew I would be in deep!

Talk about second chance romances this one is sensational...it captivates you with these characters and their chemistry its breathtaking but they have to be able to overcome their painful past or it could potential destroy them.

Wyatt Royce aka Wyatt Segal is the one man who longs to be recognized for his extraordinary work as a photographer, not because of his famous grandmother and mother, he has lived in that spotlight all of his life... a man who was always surrounded by beautiful, sexy, provocative, temptress, naked and forever wanting him..... but he only had eyes for one woman.... a woman he couldn't find.... He was working on a project and was in a desperate search for "her" the one woman who would bare all of what was pure, innocent, sensual, alluring.... after going through dozens of models he was about at his wits end when "she" walked through the door to his gallery.... his past appeared the sweet beautiful woman who left him 12 years ago.... Kelsey appeared like the angel she was to him..... his life ran before him and she was just as shocked. Little did she know it was "him" Wyatt the boy she met during the summer she worked at a country club, the one she gave herself to..... and he was the one who searched for her after that night she disappeared into the night and he never saw her again until now..... the emotions, the feelings, the outbreaks of anger, hate, surprise were all brought to the surface of this amazing second chance romance. Kelsey needed the money for her brother desperately so she fought hard for the job, while Wyatt didn't know if he should worship her or punish her..... ultimately together they faced their histories, their pasts, and they recognized their love was stronger.

Loved the way JK entwined, Nikki, Damien, Siobhan, and Cassidy into this story..... I'm going to really enjoy this ride into the Wicked Starks World..... A 10 STAR RATING FOR ME!

J. Kenner introduced us to the Stark books, and now she is opening it up into Stark World with Wicked Grind. I love that Wyatt gets his story heard. If you have read any of the Stark books previously with Nikki and Damien, you will remember Wyatt as Nikki's hot photographer friend. We all knew that he had some skeletons from the past, but never got into much of it until now!

Wyatt is ready. He is ready to put himself out there without his family name. That is until Kelsey walks into his studio to audition to be a model in his story that has been years in the making. I love that Cass and Siobhan are more involved in this story. I love that J. Kenner gives us glimpses of previous characters, but also makes sure they do not take the spotlight away from Wyatt and Kelsey.

Wicked Grind will take this second chance romance to new heights. There was some missing links from the past that will now make sense in the present. Wyatt has always been a catch, but we see a new side of him. It is time for him to shine. Not just in the sense of the story line, but just in general. You will love the wicked sexy scenes, and see the beauty in a woman's form. I loved Wicked Grind and so excited to explore Stark World a little bit more.

Wyatt and Kelsey were high school sweethearts but then things went horribly wrong. Now several years later their paths cross again and they might have a second chance at love if they can forgive each other. I really enjoyed this sweet sexy romance!

"Love doesn't have a safety net."

I don't think J. Kenner could write a bad story if she tried. I keep reading, just to be sure, but she always gives me exactly what I'm looking for and I'm able to check all the boxes. Just seeing her name on a book cover gets me excited, I don't even need to read a synopsis. She doesn't disappoint.

This new series is exciting because while it's a beginning, it still includes some of my favorite characters that are part of the Stark world. They don't have to do much, or say much, just showing up makes me smile. I'm a big fan of the arts, so this books was especially entertaining for me because it included photography and dance. I love a good second-chance-romance, so I really enjoyed traveling back in time to relive the event that caused the tension between Wyatt & Kelsey. Of course the author had to build my curiosity before she satisfied it. The suspense kept me glued to my kindle as I waited to find out why I was getting different vibes from each of the main characters. As the story was told in dual POV, I was able to know what they were thinking, and what they were missing. It killed me to know, and not be able to do anything about it. I wanted to whisper in their ears one minute, and in the next I was glad they weren't aware of my presence as I was being a virtual voyeur (wink-wink).

Wicked Grind is a great beginning to what I'm positive will be a very successful series. I can't wait to spend more time with these characters, and to meet the new ones that will be joining the Stark family. The line forms here...

Wicked Grind by J. Kenner is a sexy, sinfully enticing erotic slow burn second chance romance!!! With Kenner’s intoxicating prose, she stages and develops a romance that will have you begging and craving for more as two former lovers reunite and discover the second time around was worth the wait.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well that couldn’t be more true for Wyatt Royce, a high in demand photographer who has an upcoming exhibit that will showcase his highly anticipated photography. Wyatt knows what he wants his exhibit to entail. He wants the feel of eroticism, sensuality, boldness, vulnerability and beauty. While majority of his photos are ready to go, the final masterpiece is not ready as he is having trouble finding the right model. After countless searches, he couldn’t find the one that evoked every element he wanted that is until she walked into his studio demanding a shot to be his model.

Kelsey Draper is the girl next door. The girl who has big hopes of becoming a dancer but had to settle being a teacher. She was the girl who followed all the rules her father set except one. She was suppose to stay away from Wyatt but being a young teenager, she couldn’t stay away. She felt a connection to him. She loved him. But her love for him, was not enough for the burden she had to bear. So fast forward to several years later, Kelsey finds herself walking into the lion’s den when she is reunited with her first love, Wyatt.

Kelsey is in desperate need of the money and she knows that this modeling gig to be the muse for Wyatt is her only shot in making enough money to help with her brother’s medical needs. She is well aware that Wyatt is angry at her when she had to leave suddenly that summer since she never properly explained why. Naturally, Wyatt doesn’t want Kelsey to be the model even though she is what he is looking for. As Kelsey persuades Wyatt to give her a shot, slowly we see Wyatt letting go his guarded heart. Very slowly, we see Wyatt and Kelsey being drawn together as their chemistry and connection were like a moth to a flame. But as Kelsey slowly gives herself to Wyatt and makes herself vulnerable to him, will Wyatt’s resentment of the past push Kelsey away? And will Kelsey’s insecurities and fears force her to walk away from Wyatt a second time?

Wicked Grind is definitely one of those romances that catapults you as reader to feel the passion, intensity, lust, desire, heartbreak and love that Wyatt and Kelsey have for each other. It didn’t matter how long they were separated, their timing to be together was never right and so Kenner allowed the readers to see and understand that they both needed to grow individually and discover their strengths and weakness. So if you are looking for a love story that was beautifully well developed that captured all the feels, then I would recommend you to read this book. And just remember love is like a picture, we develop from the negatives and focus what it is important. And in this particular case, the only thing Wyatt is capturing and focusing on is the woman that danced and etched her way into his heart.

4.5 Stars Great Story, Ms Kenner has delivered a brilliant start to this new series and I look forward to reading more.

Wicked Grind is a second chance reunion between photographer Wyatt and teacher and dancer Kelsey. These two met as teenagers but their union was not meant to be now we have come forward twelve years to a chance meeting between the two that will rekindle passions once thought forgotten. But can’t they move forward and forgive and forget the past or will what was always be what they will never have.

Wyatt Royce knows what it’s like to be part of a famous Hollywood family. He's lived it his whole life and has truly never know if someone was friends with him because of his name or who his family is.

Royce is a photographer hoping to make it big in the industry without throwing his family name around. He can succeed but he needs to find his "it" girl in order to finish his huge showcase. He can’t seem to find her then she walks into his gallery and he can't believe it’s her. Kelsey, his Kelsey from twelve years ago. You see, these two know each from the past but had no idea they would ever run into each other again.

The shock, confusion, anger and hurt is written all over their faces as they realize they have to deal with the issues from the past in order for everything to work out. Will they be able too? Only time will tell.

I love how Julie mentions a lot of her characters from the other Stark series since this is set in the Stark world. Another awesome read!!!

Lana- White Hot Reads

This was a new author to me and be assured this will not be the last book I read.

I love a second chance of love story which is what Wicked Grind is.

Wyatt Royce is a photographer who career is about to take off. If and it's a big if he can find the perfect model to be the centerpiece of his sexy and controversial show.

Kelsey Draper wants to change her good girl image and she believes Wyatt is the man to help her.

However, these two have history together. Is Kelsey in too deep? Will Wyatt and his insistence on dominating in and out of the bedroom be too much for Kelsey, after all it was before?

Will Wyatt and Kelsey be able to move on from the past? Can Wyatt forgive her for breaking his heart 12 years ago? Can he trust thar she won't run again?

Can Kelsey overcome her fears and fight for the man she loves?

It was obvious that neither had outgrown their love for one another. Told from dual POV's it moves between the past and present.

i thoroughly enjoyed Wyatt and Kelsey's story and look forward to reading more in the series.

I received an ARC through the publisher and Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed.

This book had some ups and downs. The back story was the most interesting part, for sure. The "current" storyline is all too melodramatic and will-they-wont-they, she says yes then says no, wishy washy and ultimately frustrating. By the end, you can't tell whether he wants her romantically or just for his art, whether shes going to do it or not (and whether its for love or for personal gain) and after they drag it out to the bitter end you really don't care.
The secondary characters were far more colourful and interesting than Wyatt and Kelsey - her brother is the one I wanted to be reading about. He seems like a guy that can make a fucking decision.

Omg! This was the book I didn't even know I was waiting for! While Wyatt has been a secondary, or even tertiary, character so far I loved reading about his story and childhood. While this seems to be strictly a standalone, I hope we get more info on these two in the future. So many questions! What happened with Griffin? Are him and Nia ever going to be a thing? What happened when Kelsey's dad found out??? I neeeeeeed answers lol!

I absolutely loved the premise of this book. It had an intriguing plot that was very unique. I loved the flash backs from present to past as well. I haven't read a book by this author in a while but I'm glad I read this one!

The story is a long bit of back and forth. Does not carry through and it moves slow.