What can I say about Kiss Kiss Bang other than Wow?! I received a review copy via Netgalley and what a treat of a read! I have not read the first two books in the series and it didn't affect my enjoyment of Kiss Kiss Bang. In fact I enjoyed the story so much that I just purchased the others. This is a romantic suspense story of Iron Clad Security owner Josef aka Joey Clad and the woman he bumped into in a computer store. Olivia Russo is a widowed single mother running for governor of Florida. She's been working on her speech when her laptop breaks down. Little does she know that this malfunction is going to lead to one of the most important moments of her life. Olivia thinks that her plate is too full to enter into a relationship let alone go on a date. Joey plans to show Olivia just how serious he is about getting to know this smart, beautiful, caring woman. This story has it all, drama, intrigue, suspense and some heat! And the most important part, characters that you will fall in love with like Olivia's 5 year old daughter Sophie. The story is written from dual POV so you will really get to know what makes these characters tick. I highly recommend this book and this was my freely given opinion.

Kiss Kiss Bang by Sidney Halston is a contemporary romance-suspense novel and the third book in the Iron-Clad Security series. It can be read as a standalone. Though don't miss out on the first two!

I have been waiting for Joey's book since book one and it did not disappoint. Joey Clad, hacker extraordinaire and one of the owners of Iron-Clad Security, is usually the man in the background of the missions with his computers. But when he meets Olivia Russo, candidate for governor of Florida by happenstance in a computer shop, he soon finds himself out in the field and serving as bodyguard to the lovely Ms. Russo when she starts receiving threats. Filled with suspense, mystery, romance and adorable scenes between Joey and Sophie, Olivia's daughter.

I absolutely enjoyed this novel. Olivia is a strong heroine with conviction and love for her daughter and those she cares for. She has a past that she's grown from and moved away from, but when it comes back to haunt her, luckily, she has Joey by her side.

I liked Joey in the previous books and was so excited to read his book. From the moment he saw Olivia he was hooked and how he steps in to protector for Olivia and Sophie is admirable and oh so swoonworthy! Loved it.

Overall, Kiss Kiss Bang by Sidney Halston is a great novel and addition to an enjoyable series. I very much recommend.

(I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book I received for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)

I LOVE Sidney's writing and her books! She is one of my favorite authors in this genre. As always, this book has great, likeable characters, a good mystery, and suspense that keeps the pages turning--what's not to like?

I will say that it ended a bit abruptly. I actually flipped the pages back and forth thinking I had missed something. Without spoiling anything, I guess I was hoping for a more romantic "approach" from Joey. This is a VERY minor criticism and didn't keep me from loving it. Can't wait until the next book!

I love this author. Joey is the perfect book boyfriend. He's smart, sexy, and more than capable of taking care of those he loves. I loved watching him fall in love with Olivia and her rambunctious daughter Sophie. The story was full of action, suspense, and romance. Don't miss it.

Kiss kiss bang bang was another good read from Sidney Halston.

Joey and Olivia’s first meeting is quite funny, in the middle of a break down due to computer failure. Joey comes to her rescue, she isn’t sure where he comes from but it genuinely grateful for the help.

The two continue to meet randomly, with Joey always saving her, thus begins there relationship and it builds from there. Olivia is a little reluctant, always coming up with any excuse. What she doesn’t bank on is how persistent Joey is and how no isn’t in his vocabulary.

There is plenty of drama, secrets and moments that will make you gasp. Olivia’s daughter is a real character, she had that much needed humour to it.

Overall I really enjoyed this book & of course Sidney’s writing.

After seeing Joey give his sister Annie such a hard time in Last First Kiss, I couldn't wait to see him get spun around by a woman and have the tables turned on him!

When Joey checks in on one of his corporate clients, he never expects to see the beautiful Olivia Russo sitting on the floor with a broken laptop on the verge of hysterics. The fresh faced candidate for governor represents hope to a lot of people including him, but he is drawn to the image of a woman dressed in comfortable clothes with a messy bun who is clearly distressed before he realizes who she is.

If someone had told Livie years ago that she would be a young, widowed, single mom running a campaign for governor of the state of Florida, she would have laughed and recommended that they lay off the good stuff they must obviously be indulging in. Yet this is the life that has found her, and she is throwing herself into it in the hopes that she can make a difference. Balancing the rigors of the campaign trail with raising a 5 year old precocious ball of fire named Sophie takes all her focus, and having her laptop crash in the middle of writing one of the most important speeches of her career was most definitely not in the plan. Add in a dangerously sexy stranger's offer of help that gets her pulse revving in a way she doesn't want to inspect too closely and she is wondering when she fell down the rabbit hole. She doesn't have time for anything remotely resembling dating though and she doesn't hesitate to try to deflect his flirting.

After he puts his computer skills to use to come to her rescue and sends Livie on her way, he can't stop thinking about her. Iron Clad's next security gig just happens to put Joey right back in her path the following night as they provide private security for an event being attended by the President where she is giving a speech, and things start to get interesting. The UST revs even higher but so does the danger, and Joey finds himself protecting her when her own incompetent security is nowhere to be found. It soon becomes clear someone has a vendetta against Livie, and Joey's protective instincts toward both Olivia and her little girl kick into high gear.

Sophie is absolutely adorable! She is a high energy firecracker and has Joey wrapped around her little finger in no time flat as he falls hard and fast for both Russo ladies. But a secret from Olivia's past with the potential to ruin her future is in danger of coming to light, and Joey's own secret may just make things even worse. The danger level continues to escalate as the threats to Livie become more personal and targeted with election day growing closer.

The attraction and developing relationship between Joey and Olivia happens fast, but it wasn't one of those cases of insta-love that have discouraged me from other stories in the past. The complications of trying to get to know each other in between cases and meetings while focusing on Livie's daughter amidst the uncertainty of the threat to their safety was realistic in its portrayal, and the sexy times were definitely smokin'! Joey certainly made good on those dirty intentions he referenced during their first meeting, and for the first time in his life the thought of settling down seemed perfectly natural to him. I think Annie and Rocco may still be my favorite couple of the series, but Joey and Livie are a close second!

i hadn't read the previous two books in the iron clad security series, but this had no impact on my ability to enjoy kiss kiss bang. this is a fast-paced romantic suspense, with josef "joey" clad meeting up with olivia "livie" russo and pretty much falling head over heels.

one of the things that made this book so enjoyable was how straighfoward everything about joey is. he's not one of those brooding alpha heroes who is going to keep you guessing about his motives and his feelings. with joey what you see is what you get. and livie finds that she really likes all of it. even if the timing is possibly the worst and the fact that she's worried about introducing a new guy to a five-year-old.

even when things get pretty dark, and some of the things that olivia suffers are pretty dark, the author has such a light touch that you breeze through the dark moments in a way that lets you both process the trauma and let it go. i'm probably not doing it enough justice in how i'm explaining this. but i'm trying to say there is suspense and danger, but it's not gritty and dark. the quick banter and repartee between livie and joey gives this book a sense of fun that is unexpected, but also very welcome.

**kiss kiss bang will publish on december 5, 2017. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/st. martin's press (swerve) in exchange for my honest review.

I am in love with the Iron Clad series by Sidney Halston. I can't wait to see who will be next.
Joey sees the damsel in distress in the computer store and rescues her. She just happens to be Olivia Monroe who is running for governor of Florida. Joey and Olivia are a great couple who have to work through personal and professional problems to find their HEA. What story is better then falling in love with your alpha hacker bodyguard, yet still being a strong independent women? Halston does this with style and grace that has been the ICS series.

The Iron Clad series definitely went out with a bang with Joey and Olivia's story!! I have loved every book in this series more than the last and Kiss Kiss Bang is no exception. I didn't think anything would top Last First Kiss but this book edged it out.

Joey is the Clad in Iron Clad Security. The guy who gets all hot and bothered about algorithms, feels more comfortable behind the computer than in the field, but definitely can handle anything that might come his way. When he happens to run into Olivia, the widowed single mom running for Governor, in a big box tech store, the connection is nearly immediate. She's normally so put together yet on this day, she's disheveled, laughing at nothing, standing in line with a broken laptop. When threats come near Olivia, Joey takes it upon himself to protect her and her daughter.

I admit that, while I couldn't wit for Joey's story, he definitely needed some redemption after the way he treated his sister, Annie in Last First Kiss. And he got it, in spades. Joey is romantic, caring, and jumps into protecting Olivia and her daughter almost immediately. Olivia is hardcore. She's overcome a lot in her life and is taking on so much raising her daughter alone and running for governor. When the threats start coming, she doesn't cower in the corner like a damsel in distress. She steps up and does everything she can to keep going but also keep her family safe. I will miss this series so much. I have loved all three of these books so much and I'm sad that there will be no more Iron Clad stories coming. All three can definitely be read as standalones but once you read one, you'll want them all.

*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*

Kiss Kiss Bang is the 3rd book in the series but can easily be read as a stand alone book. I read the first really loved it and somehow missed the second (but I will definitely be getting that book so I can fix that because so far I've really enjoyed this series). It has a great mix of strong, likable characters, suspense and romance.

The prologue of Kiss Kiss Bang caught my attention right away and I was really interested to see how Olivia's past was going to effect her present. I really liked the way that Olivia and Joey met and I felt their chemistry and found that their introduction made the possibility of a relationship between them more believable. It isn't long before Joey realizes Olivia has a stalker and that her current bodyguard isn't up to the task of keeping her safe. I liked the political plot that was meshed into the suspense and the romance and thought the author did a great job blending it all together.

Joey is a wonderful hero - he is an alpha but he's the brainy one (a hacker). He's also sweet, charming, sexy, stubborn and willing to go after what he wants and what he wants is Olivia and her daughter. Olivia's daughter was just the right mix of adorable and realistic. She wasn't perfect but she was cute and the scenes between her and Joey were so sweet. Olivia takes a little longer to warm up to but I ended up really liking her and respecting her. She was willing to fight for her beliefs and she was a wonderful mom. The romance was quick but even though it happened fairly instantly I never felt put off by that and I loved watching them begin a relationship while taking into consideration that Olivia had a little girl.

Although the suspense wasn't too terribly hard to figure out it was enough to keep interested and to keep me turning the pages. I read this book very quickly in one setting and was surprised by how fast it seemed to go. It grabbed my attention from the very beginning and kept me entertained until the HEA at the end.

A really well written read. This is my favourite out of the three. Really loved it!

Kiss Kiss Bang by Sidney Halston gets a very high 4-star rating. I had such a blast reading this! This author knows how to perfectly mesh suspense, romance and humor into one heck of an entertaining read. Some would say that Olivia and Joey’s meeting was a thing of fate. Her computer crashed and while waiting in a line going nowhere to get it fixed, it’s Joey to the rescue. That chance encounter led to the blossoming of something new and beautiful for both of them. And lucky for her. With a stalker on her tail, Joey couldn’t have happened into her life at a better time. As the co-owner of one of the most successful security companies around, he’s the perfect man to keep her and her daughter safe. Falling in love may not have been part of the plan, but it was a sweet bonus ;)

I adored Joey. He was everything I look for in a swoon-worthy hero. He was ex-military, alpha, incredibly intelligent, a hacker (I love those), sweet, considerate, charming, sexy, and his heart was in the right place. Olivia was a little harder to like, however, a lot of her resistance was understandable based on her history and the losses she already suffered. These two characters together were explosive and I loved watching them navigate their chemistry along the minefield of a five year old underfoot. It was so cute!

If you’re a fan of romantic suspense with touches of sweet and funny, you need to add this book to your list! This author doesn’t disappoint and her words will grab your attention from beginning to end.

Release Date: December 5, 2017
Genre: Romantic Suspense
POV: Dual - 3rd person
Heat: 4 out of 5
Type: Standalone - Book #3 of the Iron Clad Security series with character crossover

Wow! Now this is how alpha heroes and romance is done! I absolutely loved this book! It was so quick paced, never bogging down with too much or unnecessary information and the way Joey met, stepped in and then fell for Olivia and her daughter was totally swoon worthy! There was just enough drama and danger to keep the story moving and character development that made me feel like these people were my friends.

Sometimes when a heroine has a career such as Olivia they can be written to be too hard core in an attempt to prove they’re not or never will be a doormat. But Sidney Halston created Olivia to be tough in her career but with enough insecurity in her life that she was just…real, and totally likable. And Joey! OMG! This hero checked every one of my perfect alpha boxes. I didn’t want this story to end and I was a little disappointed we didn’t get a further look into the future for this couple. Nevertheless, I closed my Kindle with a contented sigh and a giddy smile on my face.

Thank you Ms. Halston for an incredibly satisfying read!

This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press - Swerve.

Dual POV
Safe
Possible triggers – teen drug use

Another 5 Star Iron Clad Security Book!!! Man I have loved every single book in this series!!


💛This is Josef and Olivia’s love story...

Olivia~ sure I came from a horrible past but here I am now running for Governor of Florida. I am a single mother and haven’t had sex in five years, so a man is out of the question right now. Problem is Josef Clad doesn’t really take orders or suggestions he just steam rolls his way right on in. And damn it if I can’t stop staring at him...

Josef~ I know what I want and I want her. Single mother and all. Sure I am a tech god but I want to be her sex god. Too much?!?! Anyway, I will do everything in my power to keep those two ladies safe...




💭My thoughts...

This book I didn’t think I was going to like as much as the last two. First I worry about that with all series because I have been let down quite a bit. But the main reason is because I wanted to throat punch “Joey” aka Josef in the last book. But damn now I see it, now I get it. What you see is what you get and damn if I don’t love this man now.

This book flowed effortlessly. The author built all these characters up in your head and boy she delivered. I fell in love with that little family in the making. The enemies I seemed to hate from the beginning but there was still some mystery that I didn’t see coming until the author wanted me to see it.

If you have started this series yet, I suggest you do. But if you don’t have the time or whatever the excuse may be, check out this book!! Do you like a man who doesn’t take no for answer when it comes to caring for you? Do you like sexy protective alpha males? Do you like men who love your kid? Do you like women who can hold their own but submit to the one right man? Then this is the book do you!! I love this whole security team!!!!

**I received this book as an ARC and in return gave my honest review**

I am always drawn to books that involve politics and a strong heroine. So after reading the first chapter, I knew I was in for a treat. Kiss, Kiss, Bang by Sidney Halston, is replete with a hot couple, a demented governor, and a little girl who is as cute as can be. This is the third book from the author's Iron Clad Security series and it enjoyed as a standalone.

Olivia Monroe is a candidate for Florida governor. She is also a widow, and a single mom to a very precocious five-year-old. Needless to say, Olivia is a very busy woman. So when her life is threatened, she needs additional security to ensure her safety. Her peace of mind comes in the form of alpha male Joey Clad, of Iron Cald Security. Joey typically manages others and is a first-rate hacker, but Olivia and her daughter have gotten under his skin for better or for worse.

Kiss, Kiss, Ban is quite a page turner. I am typically not a romantic suspense fan, but this book was a romantic roller coaster ride. This story is chock full of intrigue, steamy scenes, and three characters that I loved getting to know. The author pours passion into her writing and as a result, her characters are well-developed and full of intensity. Olivia, Joey, and Olivia's daughter, create a nice family. If you are in the mood for a suspenseful romance with a lot of heart, then pick up a copy of Kiss, Kiss, Bang.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

“I’ll go. But don’t get any ideas that I’m on the prowl for Prince Charming.”
“Darlin’, my intentions are far too dirty for a prince.”

I’ve been anticipating Kiss Kiss Bang, the third book in Sidney Halston’s IronClad Security series, for quite some time. Not just since the last book, but from early on in the first book.

There was always just something about Joey Clad that made me want to delve deeper. And now we finally have, I am even more in love with him. I’d love to be his “Darlin’”, TBH. Because, from his mile-wide protective streak to his ability to communicate to his swoony interactions with precocious Sophie, Joey was simply wonderful.

As was this book. Not perfect—I have to admit that I found it a little rushed and stilted in places—but certainly engaging, suspenseful and interesting. I loved the way Ms. Halston crafted this mystery, the bits and pieces, the twists and turns that made the stalking of Olivia feel dire. And edge-of-your-seat worthy.

And yet, wrapped inside that suspense was a (surprisingly low-angst) romance that made me smile. It balanced nicely with the drama—not overtaking it, but giving it a sturdy foundation on which to flourish.

Do I feel like this book could have been more? Yes. The standard set by the first two books in this series, Kiss Marry Kill and Last First Kiss was high, making it easier to feel like this one to fell a little short. Like I said, it was a little rushed at times. However, it more than made up for it with Joey, with Livie (I LOVED that she was a woman of power), and with the connection they shared, which helped make this series go out with a BANG.

(Unless there’s more to come. Is there? Do we know? Because I would be thrilled if so—not to mention in a state of constant anticipation to read whatever came next...)

“This isn’t just a one-time thing, right? This is me and you trying for something more?”
“Darlin’, this is me and you trying for everything.”

~ FOUR STARS ~

This book isn’t your typical romantic suspense. It’s not even your typical bodyguard book. It is so much more. First, I LOVE that the heroine in the book is running for Governor! I love strong, powerful females and alpha men who aren’t intimidated by them. Everything from the way they meet, to how their relationship progresses, to the conflicts is so refreshing. Yes there is romance and suspense, but there is also humor, heart melting moments, swoon-worthy acts, and an adorable little girl. While this is the third book in the Iron Clad Security series, you do not need to have read the previous books to thoroughly enjoy this book. It is a true standalone. This book is definitely worth checking out.

I freaking love this series! This book will hook you in and keep you glued with it’s perfect mix of romance, suspense and action, and also a bit of humour.

I enjoyed Joey and Olivia’s story immensely and can I just say - Joey, total swoon! The characters had a very believable feel to them which made the story that much better. This is my favourite series by Sidney Halston and I was not disappointed!

Kiss Kiss Bang follows the "Clad" in Iron-Clad Security who is actually known as Joey. Josef “Joey” Clad is an ex-Marine, co-owner of Iron-Clad Securities and the best hacker in Miami. He is also a man who has his eyes on a woman who he vows to make his, no matter what after a chance meeting.
Olivia "Livie" Russo is running to be the next governor of Florida. She is a single mum and is a widow. She runs into Joey at a computer store where she took her computer after it broke down on the eve of her big speech. She mistook him for the store’s IT guy and yet he totally helped her out. Then he ended up being what she needed again in his real job when a crazed stalker starts making threats against her.
Sidney Halston is one of my favorite authors because she writes one of the best romantic suspense series out there. There is a great mix of romance and suspense with just a good mix of humor and intrigue. Joey and Olivia had this great mix of chemistry which was electric. I loved the chemistry between them. It didn’t feel forced –it came off as quite real and I loved Livie’s little girl. She was a scene stealer. I loved the twists and turns this story took until the very end. I hated for this story to end and I look forward to the next book in this series.
My Rating: 4.7 stars *****
“I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me."

***ARC Provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley***

Sidney Halston books are almost always a fun ride, and this was no exception. Joey is the "Clad" in iron-Clad securities and he is the perfect Alpha Male, the man who is all man and who also takes the time to be kind to a woman who is clearly at the end of her rope in an electronics store (and, let's face it, if I am going to have a come apart, it's going to be in an electronics store. I was able to totally relate).

I liked Olivia a lot, even though there were times I thought she was incredibly naive, although the plot did give some explanation for this, so I was mostly able to let that go. I liked that she was attracted to Joey but also a strong woman who was not willing to make her entire life about a man. I appreciate the romance novel where the woman is capable and still wants the romance, although in this one, she was the one fighting the relationship much more than Joey did.

The plot was mostly believable. There were a couple of places where I did a bit of a side-eye at some of the actions of the characters, but it was mostly reasonable. I did think it was incredibly obvious who was threatening Olivia...but by the way the book was constructed and the way the plot unfolded, I actually think this was intentional, to allow the reader to have the suspense while balancing it with the romantic narrative.

I did enjoy this title and I am looking forward to the next book by the author.