Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this arc. I really enjoyed reading this one, it has a lot of action. It did seem to drag at times, but overall I really enjoyed it and I thought the chemistry between the main characters was great.

This is a short, lovely and romantic story.
The last thing Jo Rossi expects when she goes to Remington for a make-or-break audition is to end up meeting Sawyer Knox, an ex-Marine who’s more than half a decade younger than her and hotter than a freaking supernova who’s definitely flirting with her. And the more she gets to know him, the harder it is to resist…
I liked these two. Jo frustrated me sometimes but Sawyer is an amazing guy with a lot of patience. There are great steamy moments, interesting secondary characters and deep and emotional dialogs. I enjoyed it a lot.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Review in progress and to come.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

What a sweet story about finding love after betrayal Jo is in town on a mission to accomplish something she has not done on 6 years. While there sheets Sawyer.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

A short read that packs quite a punch without skipping a beat that has Sawyer, a bar manager who meets Jo, an actress who is auditioning for role that will make or break her career. She’s older than Sawyer but that doesn’t stop him from wanting to get to know her better and help her find her confidence before her audition. He’s also hoping for more and wants Jo for who she is, a single mother who deserves the world. Jo is skeptical at first but as she gets to know Sawyer, feelings erupt but is gun shy as the last time she took a risk, it put her dreams on hold. As Sawyer breaks down her walls, she has a decision to make that could be life changing either way.
Amazing characters that both have pasts that have shaped their future, mature handling of all the emotions and conflicts and no drama made it a great read that I couldn’t put down.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*

3.75stars-THE RENEGADE is the fifth instalment and stand alone in Kimberly Kincaid’s contemporary, adult THE INTELLIGENCE UNIT erotic, romance series a spin off from the author’s Station Seventeen and Remington Medical series. This is bartender and former US Marine, twenty-six year old Sawyer Knox, and thirty-two year old, drama teacher/actress and single mother Jo Rossi’s story line. THE RENEGADE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Jo is Frankie’s sister THE GRIFTER #3.

NOTE: The Renegade book five was released (our of order) after book six THE SAINT.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Jo and Sawyer) THE RENEGADE follows the quick building romance and relationship between bartender and former US Marine, twenty-six year old Sawyer Knox, and thirty-two year old, drama teacher/actress and single mother Jo Rossi. Jo Rossi is an actress, and her surprise pregnancy six years earlier meant the acting jobs were few and far between. Now divorced, Jo has an audition in Remington, where she will meet former US Marine and bartender Sawyer Knox, a man who stirs something deep within our story line heroine. Sawyer is several years younger than Josephine ‘Jo’ Rossi but watching from the sidelines, struggling with the ongoing affects of injuries suffered on his last tour of duty, pushed Sawyer to reconsider his own future, going forward. What ensues is the quick building romance and relationship between Sawyer and Jo, and the potential fall-out as Jo’s time in Remington comes to a close.

The relationship between Jo and Sawyer is one of immediate attraction but Jo struggles with their age difference and the possibility of a short-term affair. Sawyer Knox continues to do battle with issues of PTSD and the fall-out of a traumatic brain injury from an IED explosion that killed all of his friends and fellow teammates. Meeting Jo Rossi gave Sawyer hope for the future, hope that may be cut short with Jo’s prior commitments. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.


The secondary and supporting characters are energetic and familiar: Shawn and Frankie; Detective Isabella Walker, Detective Addison Hale, Detective Matteo Garza, Liam Hollister, Sawyer’s boss Kennedy, as well as Jo’s ex husband Derek, and their daughter Makayla.

THE RENEGADE is a quick read; a stand alone story of love and acceptance for two of the series secondary characters. The fast paced premise is captivating- the conflict is limited to personal choices and family commitments; the romance is seductive; the characters are fun and flirty.


THE READING CAFÉ: http://www.thereadingcafe.com/the-renegade-the-intelligence-unit-by-kimberly-kincaid-a-review/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5419893047


AMAZON CA: https://www.amazon.ca/review/R3OCITNNT7FB21/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/580223276

This was a relatively short story which meant events and realizations happened quite quickly. I wished Jo could have had a bit more self assurance as she was almost too defeatist for me. Sawyer was supposed to be battling PTSD and killer headaches from a traumatic brain injury sustained in battle but there was very little evidence of this in the story. I really enjoyed the younger man aspect. I also enjoyed the camaraderie of all the friends and colleagues.

Sawyer is a retired-marine who is friends with everyone on the fire department, police department, even the Intelligence Unit. He has been trying to get himself back on-track after an injury that ended his career. Sawyer is a good man and and you can really see who he is by the end of the story.

Jo is Frankie's sister, she is a not so famous actress in town to go to audition to try to get her life back on track after it was derailed with a surprise. Jo was not expecting to go out of her comfort zone, which is watching Netflix in pajamas alone.

I loved how these two hit it off from the moment they met. Their eyes locked and you could almost see the electricity snap between them. Sawyer and Jo's story was very sweet and I am so glad that we got to see these two live life outside of their comfort zone and achieve their dreams. I highly recommend this book!

Slightly different to other books in the series but still as engaging and kept the reader enthralled

An enjoyable read between Sawyer, who is a bartender and Jo, who is an actress who is visiting Remington in the hopes of obtaining a part. Very little drama as it was a short novella. Its not part of the Intelligence Unit per-se, but they are mentioned a couple of times. Overall, a quick enjoyable, contemporary romance.

What a gorgeous story, with such lovely, compelling, complex yet down-to-earth and relatable characters!
“The Renegade”, by Kimberly Kincaid, is a quick read, very well written, featuring a wounded warrior who is a stand-up man and a strong, determined heroine with vulnerabilities of her own.
The chemistry and attraction between Sawyer and Jo is palpable. Sawyer is an old soul and I loved that the author revealed his story ever so slowly, giving so much more meaning and substance to the “seize the day” attitude.
I also loved that he’s wounded, has issues, but has such a positive, optimist attitude about it. The loss he went through is unimaginable.
The hero’s kindness and chivalry are so, so attractive. The combination of hurt, sweetness and sexiness in his character is so yummy… His good looks are enticing, too, and wonderfully depicted, but without exaggerating the handsomeness.
The heroine feels human and complex; I liked how Kimberly Kincaid didn’t sugarcoat the work and hardship needed to fulfill her dream.
The way they share their experiences and open up to each other is amazing.
The age difference is a non issue, which is lovely. The fact the heroine’s ex, and father of her daughter, isn’t a villain is refreshing.
I also enjoyed the fondness and affection between friends, family, and colleagues. The dialogue is great, too, it all felt natural, genuine.

Sweet and swoony novella

Jo is in town for three weeks to prepare for a big acting audition. She’s a single mom who lives with her five year old daughter in another state. Sawyer is a military vet who retired due to injuries and is now the manager of a bar. Jo meets Sawyer on her first night in town and there is immediate chemistry and attraction so they agree to date while she’s in town. Then there are the feelings. This novella has a little bit of everything - sweet moments, steamy scenes, supportive family, strong friendships, painful pasts, imperfect characters, chuckles, and of course swoony love. Despite being short, the novella was well written with witty dialogue, characters with depth who grow and an engaging storyline.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Sawyer and Jo were very relatable characters and their chemistry was great. While all that is true this story felt a bit disjointed for me.

I love the HEA ending and enjoyed the snip it’s with Jo’s daughter Makayla. I just wish there was more depth to the story.

James' rating: 5 out of 5 flirty and steaming stars! ✨

Coming to you on 7th April 2023! 🥳

I didn't realize this was novella actually until I opened the book but this was short, light hearted and fun read! With a deep connection, friendship, sister goals, motherhood and life after trauma, this book had a wonderful blend of a little bit of everything. A really good read with headstrong ladies and gentle yet badass men. I liked Jo and Sawyer who had beautiful personalities with a very steamy relationship as well as a great developing connection. Would totally recommend this book to my romance readers. 😉 If you're a first time reader of this author, this book would be a great to start with. It would be like an intro into this series! 😁

Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for this amazing ARC!

What a read! Sawyer is overcoming his own battles and in comes Mikayla who has her own personal struggles and on a mission for redemption. Mikayla is ready for take two in her own personal acting pursuit. Sawyer is living each day to the fullest and in walks Mikayla when he needed it most. The read wasn’t very long, but just enough to introduce you to the group for future reads.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A shorter read than is the norm for wither of these series (it fits into both the station 17 and Intelligence Unit series) but it still has all the feels that you could possible want

Jo always wanted to work as an actress but a fling leading to a pregnancy has put that dream on hold but now she is getting a chance and it is Remington where her sister lives. She meets Sawyer ex military who has learned just how short life can be and he has made the decision that he is going to start to live again. He is instantly attracted to Jo when he sees her in the bar but he expects it to be just a fling but soon he is wanting so much more Can these two let down their walls long enough to develop something that could last a lifetime You will have to read to see

Fun and sexy, I really enjoyed it! I was so sad when it ended because I would've read a 500 pages book about those characters, honestly! I also like having the woman being the older on tin the relationship, for some reason it felt less creepy than, other age-gap books (we all know the reason *ahem* men *ahem*). A good 4 stars and I would recommend!

This was a good story. Jo Rossi had come to Remington to audition for the part of a lifetime. She was very nervous as she hadn't acted in several years. She had once landed a great part, but then turned up pregnant and the director replaced her. Now she was trying again. She was also reconnecting with her sister who was a huge fan and supporter of hers. She met Sawyer, who was the bartender where she was meeting Frankie. He wa a little younger, but they really hit it off. They became lovers, but she thought it was temporary. As they were falling in love, she got more confused and in her head. I really enjoyed the story and how Jo worked hard for what she wanted.

I got this story from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

This was a cute and short story about a woman, Jo, going for it all. Trying out for an audition in a show took everything she had in her and along the way she developed feelings for one of the sweetest men she had ever met. Sawyer knew since the moment he saw her she was different and he wanted to get to know her. He never expected to fall in love. Will things work out so they can have a chance at a life together? I was given an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for and honest review.

Thank you to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for this eARC.

This was a great little novella about two people taking chances to find happiness. I love the FMC and the MMC so much. It was easy to read as a standalone and I didn't feel like I was missing much by not reading the other installments. The only criticism for me is that I felt like the ending was anticlimactic.

Overall if you like quick easy reads with spice and great communication, this is for you. I'd be interested in reading more from this author.