msmattoon's review against another edition
3.0
I like J. Kenner's books usually, but this one didn't grab me the way some of her others did. Damien Stark doesn't do it for me. I will probably give him another chance and read the other two books.
foreverbeautifulbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I would like to start off this review by saying the publisher, or whoever is marketing this book is doing it a great disservice by comparing it to 50 Shades of Grey. I nearly didn’t read this book because of that glaring quote in the blurb of the book. It is nothing like 50 Shades of Grey. A hot alpha Billionaire does not a Christian Grey make. This book was also very well written and edited.
With that being said, Release Me was the shock of my reading life. I thought I would hate it. I did hate it at times. I thought I would want to throw my eReader out the window. Oh, it nearly happened many, many times. However, I was addicted. I couldn’t stop. My pulse was pounding, my heart was open, and I couldn’t rip my eyes away from this book once I started it. Damian Stark is NOT Christian Grey! He is better mannered, has less control issues, he is better at BDSM, and he is just a more likeable man in general. Damian let her be her own person. He didn’t mold or try to change. He knew Nikki was strong just the way she was, and he complimented her personality. I actually cared about him in this story. He was so well written as this mystery man, that I was like…Hm, I think I want to know more about him. My main complaints were about Nikki. She just made me want to push her around a few times. I wasn’t sold on her ‘inner turmoil’, the cutting? It worked in the Secretary because it wasn’t as punctuated. It just didn’t work for me in this story as the driving reason why she wouldn’t give herself over to Damian. The dude was messed up in his own right, the last thing that guy was gonna do was be judgy.
If I was to rate the story, Release Me was very well written, well paced, and I wasn’t bored or skimming sections of the story at all. I wanted to know every thought, every emotion, and every detail of this love story. It was hopelessly flawed in the best of ways. It wasn’t a rip off of someone else’s story, this was its own story, with its own themes and conflicts and I appreciated that. I am so glad that I took a chance on this story despite the pitch that it was another 50 Shades. There was one huge glaring reality about this book—it was well written all around. Likable characters, quick witted dialogue, no repetition, and the sex scenes were well placed and easily written and damned clever and sexy.
I highly recommend this story to all my reading followers! I can’t wait for the sequel.
With that being said, Release Me was the shock of my reading life. I thought I would hate it. I did hate it at times. I thought I would want to throw my eReader out the window. Oh, it nearly happened many, many times. However, I was addicted. I couldn’t stop. My pulse was pounding, my heart was open, and I couldn’t rip my eyes away from this book once I started it. Damian Stark is NOT Christian Grey! He is better mannered, has less control issues, he is better at BDSM, and he is just a more likeable man in general. Damian let her be her own person. He didn’t mold or try to change. He knew Nikki was strong just the way she was, and he complimented her personality. I actually cared about him in this story. He was so well written as this mystery man, that I was like…Hm, I think I want to know more about him. My main complaints were about Nikki. She just made me want to push her around a few times. I wasn’t sold on her ‘inner turmoil’, the cutting? It worked in the Secretary because it wasn’t as punctuated. It just didn’t work for me in this story as the driving reason why she wouldn’t give herself over to Damian. The dude was messed up in his own right, the last thing that guy was gonna do was be judgy.
If I was to rate the story, Release Me was very well written, well paced, and I wasn’t bored or skimming sections of the story at all. I wanted to know every thought, every emotion, and every detail of this love story. It was hopelessly flawed in the best of ways. It wasn’t a rip off of someone else’s story, this was its own story, with its own themes and conflicts and I appreciated that. I am so glad that I took a chance on this story despite the pitch that it was another 50 Shades. There was one huge glaring reality about this book—it was well written all around. Likable characters, quick witted dialogue, no repetition, and the sex scenes were well placed and easily written and damned clever and sexy.
I highly recommend this story to all my reading followers! I can’t wait for the sequel.
ali23's review against another edition
5.0
WOW!! What a book! Not going to lie this book did take me a while to read. Not because it didnt catch my attention but because I have no patience when it comes to cliffhangers and waiting for the next read. So since all 3 books are out I can finally read them all!! Nikki really is a strong female character who had a rough childhood, and a crazy mom who wanted perfection at any cost. I really loved Nikki because not only was she pretty but she was a genius, and has rough edges at the same time, you cant help but have respect for her. Damian is this drop dead, secret filled, money making, intelligent, cunning, sex god on a stick. He is not this arrogant fool (okay he is but it works for him). I love them together as a couple. They both have darkness in them but only they can bring comfort and light to each other and that is pretty amazing! I am curious to see how this unfolds.
christine757's review against another edition
4.0
Wow!!!!
I love how he takes control over everything but still shows that he is vested in her and making their time together amazing. Can't wait to start reading the second book
I love how he takes control over everything but still shows that he is vested in her and making their time together amazing. Can't wait to start reading the second book
hillzaz's review against another edition
5.0
5 +++ STARS
Damien Stark is an enigmatic billionaire who always gets what he wants.
Nichole "Nikki" Fairchild is starting a new life in California, trying to escape her controlling mother and a traumatic past.
When Nikki and Damien meet, the sparks instantly fly! Damien makes up his mind that he wants Nikki, and like I said, Damien ALWAYS gets what he wants. Nikki isn't so sure about Damien's intentions and his own dark tortured past. Nikki is also unsure about Damien's need to control everything, which is what she has been trying to get away from and take control of her own life.
Overall, what you get is a great, steamy, HOT story with a little drama and mystery. I cannot wait until the next book!!!
**ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest and unbiased review**
Damien Stark is an enigmatic billionaire who always gets what he wants.
Nichole "Nikki" Fairchild is starting a new life in California, trying to escape her controlling mother and a traumatic past.
When Nikki and Damien meet, the sparks instantly fly! Damien makes up his mind that he wants Nikki, and like I said, Damien ALWAYS gets what he wants. Nikki isn't so sure about Damien's intentions and his own dark tortured past. Nikki is also unsure about Damien's need to control everything, which is what she has been trying to get away from and take control of her own life.
Overall, what you get is a great, steamy, HOT story with a little drama and mystery. I cannot wait until the next book!!!
**ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest and unbiased review**
the_bibliophile_pile's review against another edition
5.0
Oh! Wow!
I LOVE YOU DAMIEN STARK
Omg I couldn't put this down. I loved these characters from the beginning. They had an undeniable attraction to each other and they can't stay away from each other. Hot saucy moments make this book incredible and is definitely on my list of favourite books.
“I do, however, want you.”
My mouth is dry. I have to swallow before I can speak. “To help you pick a painting?”
“Yes,” he confirms. “For now.”
"You should know, Ms. Fairchild, that before the night is over, I’m going to kiss you.”
“Mr. Stark? How did you get this number?” I push myself back upright too quickly.
“I wanted to hear your voice.”
“I want to run my hands over every inch of you. I want you wet for me. I want to finish what we started, Ms. Fairchild. I want to make you come.”
“Caveat emptor, baby. Buyer beware.”
“This is what you were trying to hide. Why you’ve run from me. Why you wanted to be painted exactly the way you are.”
He doesn’t wait for me to answer. He already knows.
“You’re a goddamn fool, Nikki Fairchild."
"I’m so angry.”
“At me?”
“No. At me.”
“But why? I thought we already established that what happened upstairs was okay.”
He looks at me, his eyes hot with need. “Because now that I have you, I can’t stand the thought of ever losing you.”
Must read for anyone who loves romance novels with a lot of spice.
x.
I LOVE YOU DAMIEN STARK
Omg I couldn't put this down. I loved these characters from the beginning. They had an undeniable attraction to each other and they can't stay away from each other. Hot saucy moments make this book incredible and is definitely on my list of favourite books.
Spoiler
“I do, however, want you.”
My mouth is dry. I have to swallow before I can speak. “To help you pick a painting?”
“Yes,” he confirms. “For now.”
"You should know, Ms. Fairchild, that before the night is over, I’m going to kiss you.”
“Mr. Stark? How did you get this number?” I push myself back upright too quickly.
“I wanted to hear your voice.”
“I want to run my hands over every inch of you. I want you wet for me. I want to finish what we started, Ms. Fairchild. I want to make you come.”
“Caveat emptor, baby. Buyer beware.”
“This is what you were trying to hide. Why you’ve run from me. Why you wanted to be painted exactly the way you are.”
He doesn’t wait for me to answer. He already knows.
“You’re a goddamn fool, Nikki Fairchild."
"I’m so angry.”
“At me?”
“No. At me.”
“But why? I thought we already established that what happened upstairs was okay.”
He looks at me, his eyes hot with need. “Because now that I have you, I can’t stand the thought of ever losing you.”
Must read for anyone who loves romance novels with a lot of spice.
x.
jmsroczyk's review against another edition
2.0
A very lazy version of 50 shades, honestly. I won’t be finishing the series.
yerayrincon's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0