Never Kiss a Stranger

Never #1

by Winter Renshaw

It was an innocent mistake… All workaholic real estate broker Addison Andrews wanted was one night of pleasure, and picking the right guy was no different than shopping from a catalog thanks to the dating app on her phone. His name was Wilder, and his profile was blank – just a sexy picture of a man who promised every wicked intention of a one-night stand. The agreement was simple. One night. No last names. But the second their bodies melded together in the sheets of their posh Manhattan hotel room, there was no denying they fit together like two pieces of a broken puzzle. There’s just one problem… Addison unknowingly swiped right on the one man she wasn’t supposed to be with – her new stepbrother. All it takes is one bite of forbidden fruit to become addicted, but being with him has major consequences for their entire family. And if anyone found out about them, the career she worked so hard to build would crumble to the ground. But Wilder Van Cleef doesn’t care about the possibility of a scandal. He wants her, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes. PLEASE This is a standalone, full-length romance novel with NO cliffhanger.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, New Adult, Amazon, Audiobook, Forbidden Love

158 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 4, 2015

Reviews

[Ashleyjo · Rating 1 out of 5]

For f's sake, why the hell do authors think that fantasy means throwing ALL rational thinking, logic, preservation, safety, and effing common sense to the wind.

From the blurb: "One night. No last names." "Picking the right guy was no different than shopping from a catalog thanks to the dating ap on her phone."

First 10% of the book:

Chick sees an Adonis's profile on a dating website. His profile is BLANK aside from a pic. He texts can you talk. She says yeah. He texts for her to call him. She calls. He says I don't do relationships, emotions, blah. {why the f re you in a dating website then?!?} Anyhoo, he says for her to go to a hotel. THAT'S it, seriously! She f'ing goes to a hotel room a couple hours later to meet this dude that she's said four sentences to over the phone!

But, wait, it gets better. Once at the hotel, he goes on a 'i control this shit' move for a couple of sentences before SHE LETS THIS F'R TIE HER UP!! Yep, that's right she let a dating website Adonis she's said about six sentences to TIE her up!!

A hookup of one night, no last names is a heelofa lot different than picking some stranger that YOU KNOW NOTHING BUT A FIRST NAME out of a line up and meeting him in a secluded hotel room and letting him tie your dumb ass up!!

I'm not a prude. I love fantasy romance, dark tales, paranormal, insta-love, one night stands turned more, tear jerkers, BDSM, totally imperfect h/H, You name it, I've read and loved it. I don't abhor or begrudge a chick that just needs a sexual release with no strings.

But this is beyond any of the above. It's beyond my personal likes or dislikes in story and characters.

This shit is read by thousands upon thousands of lonely women that will go out and do stupid shit like let a stranger from a dating website (possible serial killer or sicko that make you wish you were dead) tie them to an effing bed knowing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about them or their intentions just because they read the shit in a book & the chick gets a happy ending.

Books, fantasy or not, send messages, and this shit here is a dangerous message that I just can't condone, read myself, nor recommend in any way to any other reader.

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★]

📚 📌 FREE on Amazon US today (12/25/2017) 📌 📚

Stand-alone book 1.
FREE: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Kiss-Str...
BLURB:
It was an innocent mistake…
All workaholic real estate broker Addison Andrews wanted was one night of pleasure, and picking the right guy was no different than shopping from a catalog thanks to the dating app on her phone. His name was Wilder, and his profile was blank – just a sexy picture of a man who promised every wicked intention of a one-night stand.
The agreement was simple. One night. No last names. But the second their bodies melded together in the sheets of their posh Manhattan hotel room, there was no denying they fit together like two pieces of a broken puzzle.
There’s just one problem…
Addison unknowingly swiped right on the one man she wasn’t supposed to be with – her new stepbrother. All it takes is one bite of forbidden fruit to become addicted, but being with him has major consequences for their entire family. And if anyone found out about them, the career she worked so hard to build would crumble to the ground.
But Wilder Van Cleef doesn’t care about the possibility of a scandal. He wants her, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes.


FREEBIES are often good for MORE than one day. I have gathered all my FREEBIES on a special shelf: Kindle-freebies (currently over 700 books)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[Syndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a very promising blurp. A forbidden romance. This book is a short. So not much can be packed here. Min angst, min drama, min character development, min plot. Just a typical shor romamce.

However ths forbidden aspect manages to keep me on the edge of the seat. Even though the ending is rushed. Again, not much to expect from short story. I loke Wilder. Despite his cold exterior, he is hopeless romantic.

His speach in that family holiday really kills me. If only the story can be prolonged a bit further.

Overall, i enjoy the book OK

3 stars

[Raj · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really liking the book until Addison nearly threw up in her mouth upon finding out that her 'leech' of a mother was now married to her "f**kbud's" dad.

I thought her reaction for being an adult woman who engages in anonymous sex was overtly extreme & dramatic.Frankly I could not see the conflict.The angst that ensues feels too manufactured & is more a result of her tightly wound personality than any moral code.

They were just two random strangers that were now flimsily related by a tenuous marriage.I'm unsure what good name the two sister's were protecting aside from their high flying careers.

To truly enjoy this book one has to suspend all disbelief.

[Maria Bikaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really, really enjoyed this book. Easy and quick read. A great and light option if you want to pass your time reading. Also if the idea of having a stepbrother scares you then believe me because getting know to wilder you will definitely your mind about family tights jaja
Wilder Van Cleef you rock!!

But let’s get things from the start. Addison Andrews just wanted a night of pleasure. Using a date app from her phone she picked up a very very hot man. His profile was blank but he was so good looking so she couldn’t resist and they made the deal. One night stand. No compromises, no last names, no regrets and hard feelings.

Wilder a sexy, dark alpha male completes every sexual fantasy of Addison

They have their own hot night but there is a problem. From the very moment they met and their bodies came together nothing could be the same anymore. it was something more than simple attraction between two adult people. Addison didn’t want to push things. She didn’t want to pass her relationship with Wilder into next lever because she had a rule. She couldn’t fall in love

There was no space on her heart for getting hurt again

But Wilder is not a man that gives in so easily.An alpha male like Wilder never quits especially when he falls in love
I loved they way these two people got involved. It was completely amazing how their one night stand night turned into a sweet romance . Life always surprises us and this is what happened with Addison and Wilder and two bodies became one soul.
Let’s be honest who could resist to Wilder’s intentions? God I loved him. He was introduced like a sex machine a man without feelings but he soon realizes that Addison with her strong personality managed to unlock his heart.
I really liked their relationship and how it was turned into love. Addison and Wilder fell for each other , they fell in love with every defect of each other, when they are close to each other they are real
Hey don’t be hurry. Ou thought that we would already have our happy ending? Guess what? #NOT. When Wilder and Addison finally admitted their feelings to each other the bomb exploded.
Their parents got married and the two lovers turned into stepbrothers

Addison with the threat of a scandal decides to terminate her romance with Wilder. But there is one problem. He didn’t ask Wilder and Wilder doesn’t quit especially from what he thinks is his and Addison is his woman and he is going to do whatever it takes to bring her back into his arms and when we say anything we mean everything.
I liked the way he tried to fix things. He gave her the space need even though he was hurt and he was fucking in pain without her but Wilder Van Cleef is always ready to make his move and win back his lover even if she has to confront his little sis jajaja in order to wake her up not to deny his love and their happiness. Brothers and sisters use to play games aren’t they?
Maybe this book was a little predictable with some clichés in it but also fresh
Hello there in this book you have an alpha male main hero, sex, romance, stepbrother story. What more you want? RUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

[Jennifer Knapp · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm...Where to start?

The premise started off okay, but went downhill. I can handle the random, anonymous sex. I can even believe that it might lead to something more. As they spent more time together, feelings intensify. I get that. What I thought was really a stretch was that Addison would be so quick to throw herself into heartache, and throw away a great relationship all because her mother married Wilder's father. Seriously? They aren't brother and sister, they are simply related by a piece of paper. They weren't raised together, they're both consenting adults, and they formed a relationship prior to when their parents' relationship was revealed. What's the issue? It seemed like drama for the sake of drama. The conflict was very contrived and, honestly, I've read paranormal stuff that seemed more plausible.

I also had a very hard time with understanding how someone who had no problem having anonymous sex would have an issue with being in a relationship with someone simply because an Elvis impersonator in Vegas pronounced her mother and his father husband and wife. (Especially since neither of their prior marriages seemed to last more than a year!) I think your morals might be all jumbled out of order there, sister.

Beyond that, it was an okay book. The whole story seemed a little rushed and anti-climatic, but it's an easy, fast read.

[Booklover · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first sex scene was boring. It was a quickie with a rushed description. Wilder's first POV seemed like he was into this woman/stranger already.

Why was he calling her Lovely, why? It sounded creepy.

DNF-Did not finish, CNF-Could not finish, WNF-Will not finish, WNWMT-Will not waste my time

[Tink Magoo is bad at reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

This is the second book by Winter Renshaw that I've read and it won't be the last. It wasn't quite up to par with Dark paradise, but I still enjoyed it.

What I would say is that the sex wasn't very descriptive, it was still hot just over too quickly and I would have liked more from it.

[Juli · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

And Enjoyable read but unfortunately it didn't wow me I felt like the story could of had a better ending it was a Little to predictable for my taste.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it

This book was an ok read, an could of been a quick read, but I got a little relentless at some parts and put it down.

[TP · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe my expectations are too high, who knows.

But i am sick and tired lately to stumble upon praising reviews and end up with an idiotic, superficial and shallow formula fiction.

A woman, who got hurt by an ex. Guess anyone has experience in that department. Closed herself off from emotions and any real relationship. But meeting up with a stranger in a hotel for sex after talking with him for 2 mins. Via a "dating" app and letting him tie her up. Yeah, and here the common sense and self-preservation train has left the station.
Going on. After some push and pull the emotional walls are broken down and they end up together. Isn't it wonderful, at this point even World Disney joined the train.
And now we come to the great plot twist, hang on there, we are just quickly switching to the insanity train. Turns out her mother and his father unbeknownst and secretly eloped. And we are faced with the horrible scenario that he is her stepbrother. She even gets sick to the point of almost throwing up by the thought of having slept with her stepbrother the last few weeks. That man she just met a view weeks ago and fell in love with. Not that you get confused here, like our heroine, no one knew from the other. I can't even find words for such stupidity this woman offers. And this brings us to our whiny heartbreaking moment of our train ride, because to top it all off, she of course ends the relationship out of childish and false moral obligations without thinking of acting and communicating like a grown up, again.
Of course after a lot of drama, tears and heartache we end up at our final destination the HEA. But not of their own actions and growth and development. No, no, of course not. What did you expect. Their parents just weren't meant to be together and divorced after a few months.

The END

Me, i am just stupefied by my own high expectations.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nope....not even a little.....

Addison....I don't even know where to begin....but a self absorbed label whore would be a start....

Wilder - by name only....by nature? Not so much....FFS, I'm all for pet-names....but "Lovely"....where's your balls man???

I lost the plot after their first encounter - if that is the type of sex a random hook-up generates, I would demand a refund for the app.....

And then it continue to slide....downhill..... at a rapid pace.....Addison's reaction to her mother's marriage was over dramatic and she obviously left the "adult" at the door. And then the angst that follows....moral code??....for all that is holy woman....seriously, just take the stick from out your arse!!!!

There was nothing taboo/stepbrother lurve about this story. It was told from joint POV's....but I had no empathy for either characters. This was just about two ADULT's who randomly meet under debatable circumstances, became fuck-buddies who then discovers their parents flimsy marriage, which in turn pops up an insurmountable issue, which isn't really....errrrrr.....WTF????

Disappointing read :(

[Shay · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out great then died... A slow death for me... They met... Messed around and then all of a sudden were in a relationship and in love.. It moved so fast.. Not much conflict... It was just a lil vanilla for me.. It had promise.. Then that died..

Maybe I expected to much..

[Lexy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this book was good

[Mspraise50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a non interracial story. This is my first book by this author. I read the story with Kindle Unlimited.

This is Addison and Wilder's story. I loved this couple, I loved the chemistry between them. I enjoyed the premises of the story very much especially when they both started falling for each other which was against their rules.

I loved the fact that even though there are secondary characters in this story, the main focus was on the couple, their relationship and the obstacles they had to overcome. I loved how Wilder never gave up on the relationship and even though sometimes he was angry at Addison and their situation, he made it clear he was not going to give up on them. I thought it was a romantic read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I will now read Coco's Story (Addison's sister). Definitely worth a read!

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the writing but the conflict toward the middle/end didn't seem strong enough to keep them apart. It seemed like most of the actual conflict was inside the heroine's head. I really liked the hero though.

[Rê · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

Couldn't handle the way she let a total stranger tie her up during their first date + insta love + characters overreacting.

[Gaufre · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the perfect light book to read while sick. The beginning was a little choppy and the male character a little pushy but it didn't make me uncomfortable with the story. I really like both characters. The conflict towards the end is a little farfetched they suddenly become stepbrother and stepsisterbut it is nice that, for once, the characters did not create it by misunderstanding or not trusting each other.

The book is eminently readable and this is my fourth book by Renshaw. Oh, and it's currently free.

[TJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF ~ 20%

[April Symes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real estate broker Addison Andrews is a workaholic who just wanted one night of pleasure, just one night of fun. She doesn’t have time to date but she just wants to have this one night of fun and has heard of this dating app so she decides to try it out. She used a dating app and spied a picture of a super sexy man. His profile was blank BUT something about his picture called to her. She went ahead and clicked on his picture and the meet was sealed.
Wilder a hot, provocative alpha man completes every sexual kink of Addison. They have a super-hot night together but there is a problem the next morning. It turns out that Wilder is actually Wilder Van Cleef. Wilder wants to continue with their relationship as friends with benefits hookup. But as the relationship continues, either can stay away and as their feelings start to build toward each other, that’s when the relationship starts to fumble. With a series of unfortunate rendezvous they soon learn who each other really is and their familial connections.
Addison is someone who is beautiful yet uptight and an original, catches Wilder when he least expects it and he starts to prowl after her, Addison tries to fight her feelings but she just decides to go with the flow of feelings she has for Wilder even though she is afraid to love, to show love.
Once Wilder has her and their relationship starts to blossom, the revelation that their parents have just got married is a tough blow. Breaks up Wilder and Addison, or kind of breaks them up. Addison is afraid that by them being together it will hurt Wilder and his business so she decides to make the ultimate sacrifice. Coco (an up-and-coming media face) and Addison’s sister, believe that the relationship needs to end for the sake of their reputations. Wilder wants the opposite – he is completely in love with her and he sees no obstacles in their way. It becomes a HUGE cluster mess.
I loved this story and I loved how Wilder was one terrific Alpha man- possessive, sexy, assertive, powerful. Addison showed her submissive side to Wilder and it was wonderful. I loved how she knew he was it for her. Yes, it was an emotional read at times regarding the whole step situation but it added layers to the whole falling in love situation. I truly enjoyed this book and HIGHLY recommend this as a read. Can’t wait to read Coco’s story because I have a feeling it will be another hit by this author.

My rating: 4.7 stars ****

[Aliana Milano · Rating 4 out of 5]

3/4 stars :)

[Coco.V]

FREE on Amazon today (11/06/2017)!

[Livia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible Review Title: Interesting start; decent narration!

Minor spoilers alert!!!

★¸¸.•*¨*•★Unabridged Audiobook Info★•*¨*•.¸¸★

Narrated by: Thomas Fawley and Katie McAble
Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins
Release Date: 11-29-16
Publisher: Audible Studios
Writing style: Dual POVs
Cover design: I really love this cover. It’s very stylish, and I’m guessing it was one of the main reasons I read the synopsis originally.
Dual formats owned: Kindle e-book and Audible audiobook
•*¨*•
Overall rating: ★★★★☆
•*¨*•
Overall Performance rating: ★★★★☆
•*¨*•
Story rating: ★★★☆

Would you listen to Never Kiss a Stranger again? Why?
Probably not because I didn’t like how the big issue kept them apart or how they chose to deal with it overall.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?
Their desire to have a non-emotional physical connection only was the most interesting aspect to me. I was curious to see how that was going to change. The least interesting part for me was the time they spent trying to avoid each other which began at roughly 57% into the novel.

What does Thomas Fawley and Katie McAble bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
It’s always interesting to hear how narrators bring personalities on the page to life. I thought both did well with this as well as doing both genders believably, although I felt Katie McAble was over emoting at times. Thomas Fawley was near perfect with his narration, and I tended to prefer Wilder’s POV chapters more than Addison’s for that reason.

Narrator ratings:
Katie McAble ★★★☆☆
Thomas Fawley ★★★★☆

BTW - I listened to a sample of book 2 in this Never series. I’m bummed that Katie McAble’s Southern accent for Beau is so exaggerated and awful that I don't think I could listen to an entire audiobook of that. She has a nice voice overall but seems to have had trouble not going overboard with her take on Beau which is a shame.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
Swipe right. You won’t regret it!

Any additional comments?
This was the first novel of Winter Renshaw’s that I’ve read, and it started off very strong. It had an interesting premise to me, and I liked how their attraction broke down their resistance to becoming a true couple. But then the book kind of derailed to me once the hammer slammed down on Addison and Wilder.

Overall, it wasn’t a bad love story, but it didn’t go the full distance and meet my expectations well enough to be considered a great story.

I actually felt bad for his dad and her mom when her mom provided the ultimate solution for Wilder and Addison to be together again.

Currently, the only other Winter Renshaw unread audiobook I own is ROYAL. I’m happy to give that one a try and am hoping that one has a more satisfying story from beginning to end.

[EroticaAfterDark (Lilith)]

FREE: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

[Fos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook
3.5
The Narrator was OK

Addison and Wilder

This was a good read. 📚
A bit shallow.
Although they both only want casual, he really pursues her.
Addison is really wound tight and very high strung.
Wilder is like a dog with a bone.

Honestly, personally I would never even consider sacrificing a relationship for a parent or parents that I didn't get along with. It would never even occur to me, so I don't really get Addison that way. My sister would be told to live with it. That whole situation was messed up. I just wouldn't care.

Wilder is kind of a mess, too.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story - great communication with the main characters - understandable plot even though in this time who cares what others think. I like the author added in the road block to better allow the stop in the relationship. Makes more sense. For me it was a average read. Still recommendable though

[Lucy Roderick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful love

Five shining stars for Winter Renshaw's heart wrenching story of love and doing the right thing. Addison and Wilder walk a tight rope to get to the end.

[Laronda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read

I enjoyed Addison and Wilder's story. Sometimes things work out the way that they are supposed to, regardless of your plans.

[a🧚‍♀️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars ⭐️