Release Me (The Stark Trilogy, Book 1)

If you're reading this review (and let's face it, I hope you are), you probably have a few details you're trying to get straight in your mind. Hopefully, my review and I will have answered these matters by the end, if not before. First, I realize I'm rather far removed from the intended audience. That's okay: I've discovered I'm rather good at coloring outside the lines. Second, I rated RELEASE ME five stars. What the heck? Again, I'll direct you to my previous statement, and I'll add that this book is really good. Have you ever found yourself reading exactly the right book at exactly the right time you needed to read it? Almost like destiny brought you two together. Cue the sappy romance music now, you might say, and you're probably right. But that's what this book felt like for me: a guy and a gal locking eyes from across the room, the physical attraction strong enough that nothing else and no one else seems to matter. In many respects, that's what this book was for me: chemistry strong enough that it could have melted an iceberg. Is there a lot of sex? Actually, there's not as much as I expected. But I'm a guy, and I have high expectations in these matters. Their first sexual encounter, though, involved four different acts of copulation, so naturally, I wondered if there were prescription drugs involved, and yeah, it might have strained disbelief for me, but it didn't delve so far out of reality that I believed it wasn't possible, or have a certain amount of hope, for that matter. After all, I do read mainly for entertainment, and this book certainly served that purpose by leaps and bounds. Oh yes, I was entertained. Probably more than I should have been. Yes, it might be slightly exaggerated, but guys really do think about sex every four minutes or so, and when there's an attractive woman across the room that time might be cut in half.So what about the book, you knucklehead? Well, I should probably get this out of the way right now. I am a contemporary erotica virgin, and therefore, I have no basis for what I'm about to say other than my love of reading and this includes anything from mysteries to horror to romances and just about anything in between. But I can tell you that the relationship seemed real to me. It didn't seem forced, and yes, I was totally into it. I was buying it like hundred dollar lap dances, and I did it with a stupid grin on my face. Nikki Fairchild and Damien Stark seemed as real to me as the dampness that hangs in the air after a hard rain in the middle of the desert. Nothing about their relationship or the writing or even the sex seemed off the mark. It was beautiful, sensual, and hot enough to make me feel as though I needed my own personal fan. The pages turned with surprising ease as I became more and more involved in the characters, their relationship, and the little obstacles that managed to cause them to stumble. Nikki and Damien had strength, purpose, and enough dimensions to make my head spin. Sure, they're both emotionally damaged, scarred, and have plenty of baggage like an airport carousel, but who doesn't? Nikki had a flippancy that I found rather amusing and certainly enjoyable. Heck, all of it was enjoyable, even the ending that sets itself up nicely for CLAIM ME, the second book in the trilogy, that doesn't come out until July 2. Yeah, my patience will be strained, but I don't mind waiting for the things I want. And no, I didn't feel the ending was forced, or even a real cliffhanger for that matter. Like the rest of the writing, it seemed to fit as well as a catcher's mitt.I should also mention that RELEASE ME could have been a cheap imitation of FIFTY SHADES OF GREY and probably sold a half million copies without even blinking a false eyelash. But it wasn't. And that's what I enjoyed as much as the writing itself. Ms. Kenner took a chance with this novel by delving into a genre already filled with imitations and knockoffs, and she said screw it, I'm paving my own path. If I had a fedora handy, I'd certainly tip it in her direction.Robert DownsAuthor of Falling Immortality: Casey Holden, Private Investigator

I thought this was a good book, it didn’t blow me away but it was enjoyable enough and I thought it was well written. It definitely was in the same vein as 50 Shades and Crossfire but there were plenty of elements and different twists that made it different from those series. I liked that before they met in this book they had a bit of history between them from a chance encounter several years earlier, it was fun trying to figure out if he remembered her at all from that. I also thought that their backgrounds, him being a former tennis star and her a former beauty pageant participant/winner, was also very unique and I definitely bought the whole “kindred spirit” thing they had going on because of their childhoods. The circumstances that brought them together was also different from the other series, it was sort of more like a business arrangement that started to turn into more. This part was interesting for me because as things progressed through their week together they never really addressed what to call their relationship, was it really just them keeping up their end of the bargain or was it more? It certainly felt like more and they both seem to think that, but it’s left unanswered in this book. There was a bit of angst in this book but it was pretty tame compared to some other series, they both had some skeletons in their closet and I think we got to see most of Nikki’s in this book and a few of Damien’s come out but I feel like there will be more that may cause trouble for them as the series goes on.I really liked the characters. Nikki had been through a rough time but she’s come out on the other side and she’s very strong and not willing to just roll over and take it. She sticks up for herself and while she does submit to Damien’s control in most instances she is not afraid to confront him or submit on her terms. She’s also very smart and is looking to build a career for herself and has no desire to just sit back and rely on Damien’s money. You have to respect her for that! I thought Damien was very charming and despite his controlling tendencies I really felt how he cared for Nikki and only wanted the best for her. He was incredibly careful with her, but at the same time didn’t treat her like a delicate flower. And of course because he’s filthy rich he showers her with elaborate gifts and whisks her away on his private jet for lunch on the beach, which adds an extra touch of romance and whimsy to the story. They have a ton of chemistry between them and there were some very hot scenes as a result! The secondary characters were also fun, her roommate Jamie was a hoot and I liked how Ollie was like a protective big brother for Nikki. Evelyn and Blaine were also nice additions.This book ended on a bit of a cliffhanger with an ominous meeting between Nikki and her former boss, so I am sure that there will be lots more drama served up in the second book! But overall I thought this was an enjoyable start to the series and I look forward to continuing on Nikki and Damien’s journey.

happily surprise about this booki thought it was gonna be your basic rich guy falls in love w little virgin girl and bla blaWell i’m happy to report that she is A BADASS & already had things going for herself prior to meeting him so that’s a relief !i’m so tired of the classic big rich male comes & save the day sappy bsThis is truly a good read w a mature writing & complex characters that are not at al perfect & very entertaining

Muito bom!!! Comprei toda trilogia depois de lê-lo.Uma estória intrigante, não consegui parar até acaba-lo.Estou lendo a continuação que mantém toda a expectativa do primeiro volume.

I downloaded this one Saturday after looking for a good read to get into over the weekend. It turned out that I read it in one sitting so it only lasted 3-4 hours but it did the trick. I’ve read one of the spin off Stark novels before but never any from the trilogy. This is the first book in the Start series and is all about Damien and narrator Nikki.The story focuses on the meeting and resulting relationship between Damien and Nikki. At firs Nikki tries to resist Damien but his lure is all too great.The plot and characters are very reminiscent of Fifty Shades. Having said that though the writing is much better and Nikki has much more to her than Anastasia Steele ever had. I enjoyed Fifty Shades but those facts are undeniable. Nikki is independent and strong willed. She is dead set on forging her own path and Damien’s very presence interferes with that. He’s domineering and sticks his nose in where Nikki doesn’t want it, which is just one of the similarities between him and Christian Grey. A penchant for spending money like it doesn’t mean anything is another.The plot moves along quickly but doesn’t cover that much in the way of a period of time; I had to keep reminding myself of how little time had actually passed in relation to the feelings developing between the characters. Although the main story is the progression of the relationship between Damien and Nikki there is an added element involving one of the other characters which adds some suspense to the whole story. I was absorbed by the story and kept turning and turning those pages.I downloaded Claim Me, the second book in the series, straight after reading this.

I honestly wasn't sure about this triology after falling in love with Bared to You but to my surprise I more than adored it!!!!! Highly recommended!! Couldn'tKeep the books down and so sad to have finished Damian and Nikki's adventure!!

Bei dieser Art Literatur wird es IMMER Kontroversen geben! Aber meine Empfehlung: bildet euch selbst ein Urteil und gebt nicht all zuviel auf die Meinung anderer!Entweder es gefällt, oder eben nicht. Dazwischen wird es nicht viel geben.Ich mag den Schreibstil ungemein, und auch mit meinen rudimentären Englischkenntnissen (natürlich mit tatkräftiger Unterstützung meines Kindle) finde ich die "Anstrengung", die Bücher in der Orginalsprache zu lesen, lohnenswert. Im Gegenteil, die meiste Zeit kann ich mir garnicht richtig vorstellen, das die deutsche Übersetzung die Stimmung richtig einfangen kann.Zum Inhalt werde ich hier nichts schreiben. Warum auch? Es sollte jedem klar sein, worum es hier geht! Zusammenfassung: Mann - Frau... Der Rest sollte einfach selbst entdeckt werden.Wer einfach ein paar aufregende Stunden außerhalb seiner eigenen Welt erleben möchte, stürzt euch einfach rein!Noch ein kleiner Tipp: die richtige musikalische Untermalung!Bei mir haben 50 seconds (Love Lust Faith + Dream) und J.T. (The 20/20 Experience) für einfache tolle Stimmung gesorgt 😉Viel Spass, und nehmt das ganze nicht so ernst... Lesen soll Spass machen! Und Bücher und Charaktere mussten wir in der Schule genug analysieren. Ich persönlich hatte daran nie Freude, ich wollte immer nur abtauchen in die unbekannte Welt und mich treiben lassen... Und das kann man mit diesem Buch leicht!