This was a fast but enjoyable read for me. I loved being back in the Stark world this time with Bree and Ash. Bree is being blackmailed for $3 million and the only person she knows who has the means to help her besides Damien Stark, and who she trusts (mostly) to help her is Ash. They have some serious chemistry. Ash is more than happy to help her and all he wants in return is her. Bree has trust, control, and feeling safe issues as one can only imagine she would after being kidnapped but Ash is determined to make her his and help her feel in control at the same time. Their story is definitely an HEA once they take care of the blackmailers with the help of Ash’s friend Noah.

I received an advance reader's copy of Wicked Heat by J. Kenner from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’m always excited to read a new-to-me author and J. Kenner did not disappoint. Overall, I quite enjoyed the book and it made a tedious morning at the airport fly by while I read. There was action, intrigue, and chemistry. The characters were fairly well-crafted, the pace of the novel was mostly steady, and there were some surprises. Definitely worth reading.

As with all the Stark series, Julie keeps you wanting more..

Bree and Ash both have baggage, trying to work through on their own. Only, to eventually realize, they need each other..

Bree asking Ash for 3 million dollars, but not explaining why. Ash agreeing, but puts his own stipulation for giving the money to her. Then Aria trying to play devils advocate, for Bree trusting/not trusting Ash. All the while not letting Damien and Nickki what is going on.

The ending was outstanding, no spoilers, definitely a surprise.

If you love the Starks, Wicked Heat, is a must read!

Ashton Stone is the son of Damien Stark, the man he thought deserted him, and on whom he vowed revenge. Bree Bernstein is the Stark's part time nanny and newly published author, and since the first time Ash and Bree saw each other, there were sparks! Several years ago, Bree was kidnapped together with the Stark's young daughter, and put her on a trajectory that changed her life. Now, it seems there are many things she doesn't know about that time, but someone else does and unless she pays three million dollars, they will be released to the world and Bree is devastated. She goes to the one person she can think of that will help her, the man she has avoided for the past eighteen months and the only person that makes her feel. With conditions on the money he will give her, Ash makes sure that Bree is with him all the time so that he can figure out why she needs it.

This story was great. It didn't quite live up to the Nikki and Damien books, but it had heat, suspense and that extra set of players from the Stark world, that we like to keep up to date with. Well worth diving back in to this world.

J. Kenner knows how to pack the heat! I have read her Stark series and really enjoy her writing and this is no exception. I've been waiting for Bree's story for a long time now and I couldn't be happier with it! We are given blackmail, spice, raw emotions and beautiful, real characters. Love seeing Damien's son get his HEA!

J Kenner writes another amazing story with flawed characters who are working through great turmoil due to their pasts, fall in love despite their circumstances, and stand up against evil and earn their HEA.

Ashton Stone and Bree Bernstein have so much of their past to still work through. But current events throw them together again, and even though it feels inappropriate, they act on the attraction they've both been feeling since the day they met years ago.

Bree especially goes through a great deal of mental gymnastics. She struggles with her mind battling her physical attraction to Ash. Her apprehension towards men in general is real and stems from her kidnapping ordeal. But somehow, he feels safe for her. How will Ash break through her walls? Will Ash be able to get past his own demons? Find out! Buy the book!

Thank you J Kenner and NetGalley for this ARC. The above is my own and personal opinion.

I actually really liked this story . It was fast paced, filled with raw emotion, and love. The plot had everything from friendship, to blackmail, overcoming fears, love, and of course romance. Can be read as a stand alone.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Before I start my review I want to remind folks to check their trigger warnings! This book covers some heavy topics but it’s handled very well, IMO. I really liked both Bree and Ash and thought they had good chemistry. Their spice was spicy! I loved Bree and Aria, too. I haven’t read any of the other books in this universe but there was nothing that made me feel like I missed something. All in all, I really enjoyed this book and will look for more from this author!

A fun, spicy romance with the perfect amount of mystery. You will be kept guessing the whole book and it was great reading as these two really found each other.

Wicked Heat can be read as a standalone novel, but all the Stark novels are interconnected and once you dive in, the characters are so great and pop in even to just say "hello" in other novels and you'll wanted to get to know them! That's what makes the Stark Universe so awesome!!

Wicked Heat finally gives us Bree's story which we've waited a while for now. It's been years since her kidnapping, but we've never heard her side of it and she thought it was all over since everyone involved was dead.

Now she's being blackmailed by someone from the kidnapping that has tapes from those moments while she was held, moments she thought were just nightmares.

Ashton Stone, Damien Stark's son, who he didn't know existed until a few years ago, has always felt something more for Bree, but every advanced he's made, she either runs or dismisses. Now he is or only hope to catch this blackmailer.

While they are working together, sparks fly!!

Such a great book! And wow, Bree's story is so emotional!! Loved it!! Go Read!

ARC provided for honest review

Very good and poignant story with two damaged leads who lead you through the obstacles one has to overcome on the path to happiness.

Wow! What an amazing story about Ash and Bree!!
I loved it so much!!
Anything to do with the Stark Universe is a plus too.

Thank you Julie for another great story! Keep them
Coming! ❤️

I love romances and darker stories, so I was really excited to read this. The book pulled me in immediately and I was intrigued to know more about the characters and their backgrounds and how the mystery of the blackmailing was going to unfold.

Unfortunately, as the book progressed I felt less and less invested in the story and the relationship between the two leads. I didn't understand a lot of their actions and they often contradicted their thoughts. By the time I got to the end of the story, it just didn't have the impact I wished it would have. The solving of the blackmailing issue also fell flat for me from an emotional perspective.
That being said, I still kept turning the pages to find out what happened next, and I am intrigued to read other stories from within this universe that the author has released.

Thank you so much to XpressoReads and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. I really appreciate it!

It's the second generation of great storytelling when J. Kenner gives Ashton and Bree a well told story. Filled with the intense attraction that Ms. Kenner is known for and the wonderfully written characters that we had a glimpse of in the past, this was a great read. The combination of spice and mayhem is always a page turner.

4.5 Stars

Bree + Ash

We already met both in previous Stark books.
Ash is the long lost son of Damian and Bree is the Stark's nanny.
But now she's also a famous author with her first bestseller romance.
There has always been a super spark between Ash and Bree but they never started anything. Bree feels she's still not ready to trust anyone again after her kidnap ordeal years ago.
But Ash can't get her out of his head!
And then Bree starts getting weird messages and Ash is the only one who can help.

════════════════

I love reading Stark World Stories. And this one was just as great as others. Sweet, sparky, sexy, dangerous, mysterious, heartbreaking and so much more. Even if we didn't really see any Damian in here it was still a great book. Little Damian is just as great as his dad!
This book takes us from Malibu to Vegas to Austin and I loved that. Then we have the mystery of who is the bad guy this time? Didn't they all die? What is happening and what can Ash do to help? I loved reading this. Can't wait for Aria and Matthew's book next!

► WICKED HEAT was a very sexy and mysterious and sweet and just great new book in the Stark World. READ IT!!

Another winner from J.Kenner. Wicked Heat is one of my favorite authors most recent book. It is worth the read!

Wicked Heat, written by J. Kenner, is the fourth title in the Wicked Nights series.

Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Contemporary fiction, Romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Characters: Bree (FMC) & Ash (MMC)

First thing, this is a dark romance with dark situations included in the book. The FMC was kidnapped and SA off page but is now being blackmailed with the images and videos.

Bree is the nanny to Ash’s father’s young children. He was instantly attracted to her but she turned him down after he invited her to his hotel room.

I hate in books when the FMC is being blackmailed and they think they can just fix the situation themselves without needing any help from anyone. 🙄 That is not a storyline that I personally enjoy, others may not find that as annoying as I do.

The MMC pretty much blackmails the FMC himself. He agrees to give her money for the original blackmail in exchange for immediate access to her body. You. Don’t. Do. That. With. SA. Survivors!!! 🤬

Overall this was a book that I did not enjoy, the storyline is hard to read with such a dark theme.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title!