“I need three million dollars. And I need it in less than seventy-two hours.”

Wicked Heat was a roller coaster ride of a book for me. It was very gripping and kept me invested till the last. All the characters were carefully written. I loved the friendship of Bree and Aria and how they both had each other’s back. Ashton aka Ash, was a wicked and protective man at the same time. His love for Bree was conspicuously known on every page of the book and the extent to which he would go to protect her. I waded through most of the chapters.

The book has amazing F1 references, luxury cars, and New York City & Los Angeles described at its best.

What I liked the most about this book is the interaction of Ashton & Bree, the friendship of Aria and Bree, and Bree’s relationship with her parents.

I won’t let out many spoilers. I want all the book enthusiasts reading this book to be hooked and at the edge of their reading corner while the twists and turns unfold. I recommend this book to all the mystery, suspense, and psychological book lovers. Trust me you wouldn’t be disappointed.
The best spoiler: The readers will be appalled as to who were their extortioners.
quotes from Wicked Heat:
💬“There’s something you might not know about me. I’m a man who’s very good at two things. Solving puzzles. And getting what I want. And just so we’re clear, what I want is you.”
💬A columnist once wrote that he wore a death wish like some men wore a blazer, and maybe that was true. He didn’t like to dive too deep into self-analysis. Chasing the monster was one thing. Sitting down and having tea and conversation with it was something entirely different.
earth,
💬some things are wonderful. And definitely worth celebrating.”

Wicked Heat is a second generation story from the Stark World. It can be read as a standalone but I’m sure if you haven’t entered this world once you start meeting the characters you will want to dive into all the interconnected books.
This is Bree and Ashton Stone, Damien Stark’s son’s journey and this book has been a long time coming. It’s been years since Bree was kidnapped and up until this point we have never got her side to the story. Thinking everyone involved was dead life has moved on for Bree until she starts getting blackmailed……
This is where Ashton comes in so can he keep her safe and in turn win her love. One click to find out.
This is a wonderful romantic suspense novel. It has wonderful characters and the perfect mix of love, passion, drama and mystery. It’s raw, it’s gritty and I highly recommend it.

Final Score - 3.5 Stars

This book sadly missed the mark for me. As the story progressed and the days passed, I wanted an unpredictable twist to happen, but when you see the writing on the wall and guess who the big bad is, that shine and excitement dulls. I just longed for the book to be finished the further I read. Not even the epilogue generated a happy thought. This felt too rushed (especially towards the end of the book) and all I'm left with is bleh.

I love the Stark Series of books and all the other stories/novellas that have branched from it. This book, however, didn't hit the level one would expect from Stark World story. And I was stoked to read this book, like coming out of my self excited, as this is Damien's son (still can't believe he had a kid that's an adult!) and I expected his story to at least live up to Damien's level or if not, slighly approach it.

Readers of Kenner’s Wicked Nights are thrilled to get Ash and Bree’s story. And hold on to your seats because their story is a wild one. When Bree starts being blackmailed, she turns to the one she knows can help her, Ash. As I read the book, watching the sparks fly between the two, I saw Bree getting stronger and Ash’s maturity grow into something like his father. Wicked Heat is a breathtaking romance, with lots of suspense, a perfect story for the two we’ve hoped would get together from Ms. Kenner’s past books. Another masterpiece from J. Kenner.

Wicked Heat by J. Kenner
Listed as book four in Wicked Nights
This story is within the Stark series. I highly recommend you've read at least some of the books or you'll have significant spoilers.

We've known Bree Bernstein for awhile as Nikki and Damien's nanny. This story is her uncovering more from the past than she imagined. And when faced with an impossible challenge she turns to the one man she hopes she can trust, Ashton Stone.

Ash may have the bad boy rap but he's known for being what he wants. And he's wanted Bree for a hot minute. Now he'll take the chance to save her, with strings.

Enjoy the game and be prepared for the flames.

“You can’t truly know anybody. Not your friends. Not your neighbors. Not your lovers. Not even yourself.”

Betrayal comes in all shapes and sizes. It takes over your subconscious. It paralyzes you. It makes you second guess everything you’ve done and analyze every action and step before you take it. What is reality? What is fear? What control do we really have in the future?

“…what he craved was her heart. Her trust. He wanted to hold her and protect her. To support her. To be the man she turned to when the world became too much. He wanted to be her refuge.”

~trauma~trust~nightmares~reputation~fear~betrayal~ attraction~safety~control~freeing~

“A man whose hands have caressed me. A man I fear I don’t know at all. Who may have betrayed me in the most brutal of ways. He is a mystery, and yet I let him hold my heart in his hands.”

I didn’t realize how much I needed the pieces of this puzzle to be revealed. Understanding Bree and Ash and how their cracks, bruises, fear and strength complete one another.

“I can’t trust my own judgment and now my subconscious is telling me to run…until I can trust myself, how can I trust anyone else?”

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.