Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance

This is Josef, Olivia, and Sophia's story. Olivia is a widow who wants the people around her to have the best of anything and everything she can give them. She is a politician through and through, but she is also an amazing mom.

Sophia is a ball buster and I really thought she was a sweetheart in this story with Josef.

Josef is overprotective, strong, and amazing with both Sophia and Olivia.

This was a story about corruption, love, determination, and overcoming circumstances. Olivia's past and present collide in parts of this story and you can't help but guess what else is going to happen.

Olivia and Josef are a great couple. They balance each other well and they have a good relationship.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
Alternately exciting, funny, and surprisingly sexy, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It starts with Olivia having a very relatable emotional meltdown over a computer malfunction. It is a humanising glimpse beyond Olivia’s polished political facade that actually made me care about her.

It’s kinda sad that the most unbelievable part of this story is an incorruptible politician from an impoverished background with exacting moral standards. It’s almost an adult fairytale. Joey’s super high-tech security firm is probably more realistic. I loved the chemistry and interplay between Olivia and Joey and I enjoyed their sleuthing as Olivia finds herself and her family at risk.

This is the first book I’ve read in the series and I don’t feel like I missed anything by joining the series at book three. We do see some intriguing characters that I’m curious about and I think I’ll go back to the earlier books at some point. Olivia’s daughter is cute. Her presence possibly limits the heat factor at times, but Olivia makes sense as a single mum and I appreciated her struggle to make room for Joey in her very busy life.

This is a fun and sweet read and I would really like to believe that politicians like Olivia actually exist.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars of sexy and caring romance

This is the third book in the series, and I loved it. You could definitely read it as a standalone, but really, don't deprive yourself of a series of very enjoyable reads. Fast paced, super sexy, and lots of warm and cuddly feelings.

In this installment, IT hacker and security genius Joey meets Olivia Russo when she has a meltdown in an IT store. He solves her IT problem and then infiltrates her life as he just knows she is worth his time. She is also totally smitten, but with a political campaign to win and a 5-year-old daughter to protect, she is more cautious. It was great fun watching Joey break down her barriers, and them both fall in love with each other – and Joey grow close to her daughter, Sophie. She gave them plenty of opportunity for fun moments too.

This has a really good underlying plot, a message about strong women, and a man who knows what he wants and yet manages to avoid being domineering. Made for a super-hot romance and a very enjoyable read.

I cannot wait to see what series Ms. Halston comes up with next, as so far they have all been winners for me.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
I am seriously loving this series, it’s rare that I find a series that has me loving the new books as much as the previous, but this one does it! I would say this can be read as a standalone, but to really have the background of Iron Clad Security (ICS), I’d say read the previous books first!

Joey Clad is an ex-Marine and computer nerd who happens to be one of the best hackers ever. While updating security at a computer shop, he notices a woman on the security feed having a breakdown in the store, and once he sets his sights on her, he’ll do everything in his power to make her his. Olivia Russo is running for governor while also balancing being a single mom. When her laptop crashes right before a huge presentation, Oliva holds it together just long enough to make it to the crazy long line at the repair shop where she completely loses it. Joey steps in as her knight in shining armor, and though it takes a lot of convincing on Joey’s part, he convinces her to come back to ICS and let him get her set up with a new laptop. Joey is relentless with getting Olivia to date him, and eventually things really heat up between the two.

I absolutely love Joey’s character, he’s the sweetest and I think he really needed that redemption after the previous book when he was a dick to his sister. My favorite part of this book, of this series really, is the humor, intrigue, romance, and did I mention humor, that the author manages to fit into each book. This book is one you won’t be able to put down and I’m already on the edge of my seat waiting for book four!

A good, action packed book. Fast paced and emotional.

Holy smokes!! I fell in love with Joey from the beginning! He's the total package!!

Olivia and Conner were neighbors and best friends growing up. Neither of them had role models in their life, so they grew very close and depended on each other to vent. Conner always said it was him and Olivia taking on the world together. Great plans, but Conner, unfortunately started using drugs like his brother. While him and Olivia were at a party, the cops came and they both got arrested. Olivia left town and never looked back. She's now making something of herself as an adult...she's running for Governor! The night before her big speech her laptop has issues and she takes it to a shop to be fixed. Of course, everything goes wrong and she has a meltdown.

Joey (Josef) Clad is part owner of Iron-Clad security. He's hot, he's rich, he's super techy smart! He's at a shop working when he sees, while looking at surveillance cameras, a woman having a melt down in the shop. Not just any woman but one that's running for Governor! He rescues her, in more ways than one!

This story has romance, suspense, sweetness, suspense, humor and a great ending!! The characters were great and the chemistry between Olivia and Joey was amazing! Of course, I also loved Sophie! Loved this whole series!!

What happen to her best friend, Conner and his brother? Did they get out of the slums like she did? You gotta read this one and find out!!

This series is wonderful, though I somehow missed reading book 2, (which I will remedy) this one did not miss a beat. I honestly love the way Ms. Halston writes! In this 3rd installment of the Iron Clad Security series, we have Joey, our resident hacker and all round ex-military, sweet and intelligent man. He meets Olivia at a computer store, of all places. Lol. The chemistry was hot and the suspense became all too real. Joey became the right person to have in her life when her life becomes threatened. Joey was the perfect man for Olivia and those moments with her daughter? Tots adorable. I enjoyed this romantic suspense immensely! Keep up the great work Sidney Haltson!!! 4.5 stars!!!!

The actual political campaign and being a mom plot lines were weak at best. The romance and suspense with Olivia and Joey were spot on, and quite fun to read.

I don't know why I waited so long to read this one, because it was terrific! I wanted to see Joey fall in love and this was perfect.

This is the 2nd book in this series for me (missed the actual 2nd book which several people said was the best) and while I enjoyed them both they both failed me in the bedroom scenes. The story is exceptional and well written but when it comes to the sex scenes it is like somebody else did the writing about 2 different people. Totally out of character for the people in this story. I read a couple of hundred books a year and seen all kinds of intimate scenes written but all of the better ones flow with the people and story, this does not it is almost like they turned on a porn movie of 2 other people.

Olivia and Joey made a great couple and the political intrigue was a perfect background, you are kept guessing as to who and why things are happening, there are a couple of plot holes that were never explained away but that did not detract from the story but it did give me the impression of the story being rushed to finish the series. Sadly I can't give an example without it being a spoiler.

The worst thing you can do as a writer is jar your reader out of the story and that is what almost every sex scene did in this book (and the first book also) which is sad because this is close to a 5 Star story but those scenes (actually it was the transition into those scenes and not the mechanics of them) and what felt like a rushed ending I am giving it 4 Stars which might be on the high side. I really wanted to give this a 3 Star but I did really enjoy reading it for the mystery/story and stayed up late to finish it.

Bottom Line: Would have liked to have seen this book trimmed down a few pages and the sex scenes done better (in a literary sense) but the mystery was good and the story was laid out well so 4 Stars mainly on the strength of the story itself

I thought this was a good book. Great mix of action, romance, suspense and humor. Great characters. I love a strong female lead and that definitely defines Olivia. Joey is not the typical computer nerd but he is a typical Alpha male. His chemistry with Olivia jumps off the pages. His connection and interactions with Sophie were so sweet. I hope there is more to come in this series.

I'm not sure how I even missed the second book in this series but I did. Either way, jumped right in on this one. I felt the first book was a bit lacking and could get better as the series went but I'm at the point where I assume that I just don't like this series. The authors writing is enjoyable enough but the characters irritated me a bit.

I'm also not one for politics so that aspect in this book dropped my interest.

I voluntarily read an advanced reviewers copy of this book

This book has made me a believer in this series. I read book one in this series and I liked it but was not in love. I skipped book 2...but OMG am I happy I read book 3. Sidney Halston rocked it with this book.

I laughed and cried and enjoyed every second of this book. Single mom, widow, Olivia Monroe was a woman after my own heart. As a single mother myself I understood Olivia and her struggles. She was a public figure...a mother and overall a red blooded woman at the end of the day...and boy could I understand when she was on the fence about what she should and shouldn't be happening between her and Josef "Joey" Clad

Josef was great. While he did not know what he was getting himself into he jumped in with both feet once he made a decision and I loved every second of his confusion and very understandable uh oh moments.

Overall a great book!

I enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to the next one in the series.

I really loved Joey. He was alpha and one of those heroes that o couldn’t help but love. He took care of the people he cared about and when he decided that Olivia was something he cared about he was amazing. With Olivia’s past and the fact that she is a single mom, I loved that she was able to open up to Joey when the time came. It wasn’t always easy for them but the author did an awesome job at keeping the story at a good pace. Single parent romance are some on my favorites and Olivia was a great mom. I can’t wait to see what’s going to come with this series. 4 Stars #2OCCJD

*I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I really enjoyed reading this novel. It is a fun and easy book to read with good characters.

I have to admit, Joey is not what I was expecting. I remember him from the second book and he was so aggressive and possessive of his sister, that I thought it would translate over into his relationship. Well, it does... but I don't know, he still seemed a bit different to me. Olivia is sweet and has a 'take charge' personality, so seeing a different kind of strength in a woman is great. I do wish her strength had more moments to shine....

The romance is fun, although this is one of those books where if the heroine didn't like the main guy his actions would have been creepy and almost scary. Like, "I know you said you didn't want to date, but here I am ready to ask again... at your speech that my business is doing security for..." Even the way Olivia talks about Joey and how he "steamrolls" his way just puts me on edge. Considering she likes him, it is seen as loveable, but sometimes I can't help but think... what if....
I did enjoy this couple though, in the end.

I also very much enjoy the split POV, some chapters from Olivia's perspective and others from Joey's. I feel that it helps bring the characters to life and give the guys a way to showcase that they are more than their hot bods.

This book is funny, hot, and entertaining!The mystery wasn't super strong since it was kinda given away, but it still was entertaining finding out who the bad guy was and what they wanted. I didn't realize this would be the last book in the series, though!!! I am kinda sad about that, but I have yet to read book 1 (lol I've read 2 and now 3), so I'll go and read that. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.

Loved it! Really good suspense romance. Strong heroine with not the usually profession. Loved the H! Sexy steamy chemistry. Could guess who the baddie was but that didn’t distract from the story. Worth the read. I missed reading the first two book in the series but have bought them to catch up. I received a Netgalley copy and voluntarily provided a review.

3.75 stars--KISS KISS BANG is the third and final instalment in Sidney Halston’s contemporary, adult IRON CLAD SECURITY romantic, suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Iron Clad Security (ICS). This is thirty-seven year old, former Marine and ICS co-owner Josef ‘Joey’ Clad, and thirty-five year old, single mom, widow and candidate for Florida governor Olivia Monroe’s story line. KISS KISS BANG can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Joey and Olivia) KISS KISS BANG follows the building relationship between candidate for Florida governor Olivia Monroe, a single mother of a five year old daughter, and Iron Clad Security co-owner Joey Clad. Hours before a televised debate Olivia Monroe’s lap-top computer died. In desperate need of repair, Olivia accepts a complete stranger’s offer, to help in her endeavour to acquire a new device. Enter Joey Clad, security specialist, hacker and the man with whom Olivia will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance between our leading couple, and struggles to stay one step ahead of the person(s) trying to sabotage Olivia’s gubernatorial race, and the potential fall out when Olivia’s past comes seeking retribution and revenge.

Olivia’s husband was killed in a car accident shortly after the birth of their daughter. In the ensuing years our heroine has struggled to raise her precocious daughter but with the ineptitude of the current governor and his lackluster stand on pollution and industrial emissions, Olivia faces a new battle in her bid to run for the governor’s position when threats are made, and physical violence ensues. Running a platform based on family values and single motherhood, Joey’s appearance in her life forces Olivia to reconsider her involvement with our story line hero. Joey Clad knows that the frazzled woman at the computer store is the woman that calls to his heart but threats against Olivia means that our hero must become both lover and protector in order to keep safe the woman with whom he is falling love.

KISS KISS BANG is a story of betrayal and revenge; political interference; falling in love and letting go of the past. The premise is intriguing and engaging; the romance is quick to build without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The rush to the finish was a bit of a disappointment. There was no epilogue or revisiting of previous couples in so much as this particular story line is the final instalment in the ICS series. And I had a difficult time with a perceived lack of palpable, sexual energy between our leading couple- it felt like everyone was going through the motions without a true emotional involvement. I think if there was more conflict between the leading characters I would have felt more of the pull of attraction.

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The Iron-Clad Security series has been on my TBR for FOREVER it seems. I purchased the first two because I knew this was something I was super interested in reading. I am a sucker for politics, security, suspense... I was told the books in the series could be read as standalones, so when the opportunity presented itself to review an ARC of Kiss Kiss Bang, the 3rd book, I jumped on it. I figured this would inspire me to read the other two in the series. I was correct.

This was not a "damsel in distress needs a bodyguard to protect her" story. Olivia is a strong heroine in politics that stumbles across Joey from Iron-Clad Security in a meet-cute computer crash situation. Instalust occurs and circumstances keep bringing the two together. While the story did have an element of suspense that was somewhat predictable, the story stayed light and steamy enough to not cause a great deal of angst.

This book was my first by this author and can definitely be read as a standalone. I look forward to going back and reading the 1st two stories in the Iron-Clad Security series.

I love this series and this book just might be my favorite one out of them all to date.

I loved Joey. He's the kind of alpha book boyfriend that I swoon over. He's sweet, protective, and best of all, he's got heart. His scenes with Olivia's daughter --- gah, they made my heart melt.

I loved Olivia too. This book proves to me that you don't have to be a sword-wielding, ninja, leather-clad heroine to be kickass.

If you're looking for a romantic suspense book that has got feels along with fast pace action, I would totally recommend this book.

LOVED this story!!!

Loved Olivia's adorable daughter, Loved Joey and his protectiveness of everyone and Loved the dynamics of the political races in the story.

Joey!!! OMG!! I need more. I loved this book. I love this series!! It's full of suspense and intrigue and I get lost (in a good way) in the chaos of it all. Add a child to the mix and I am a complete goner.

I really enjoyed Olivia and Joey's story. I loved their unconventional meeting and Joey's take charge alpha possession over it. It took me a little longer to warm up to Olivia but as I got to know here better I understood the resistance I was feeling from her.

I am a huge fan of this series and it's getting closer to knocking Worth the Fight off the top of my favorites list for this author. This is the series that made me realize that I'm a fan of romantic suspense. This is the series that I tell all of my friends to read.

One thing I love is when a series of books is truly standalone and I can just jump in anywhere and not feel lost. Iron Clad Security is a great example of that, because I had never read a Sidney Halston book prior to Kiss Kiss Bang but I  was able to read this with no sense of loss. Even better is that I actually want to go back and read the other books that are earlier in the series.

The chemistry in this book was real and I LOVE good chemistry. Joey was such a great character and had pretty much every trait I love in a hero. My favorite moments were those where he was interacting with Livie's daughter Sophie. His immediate love for her was swoonworthy. I had a harder time connecting with Livie. I'm not sure why but it wasn't enough to detract from the book. I look forward to reading more from Sidney Halston.