Unwrap Me

Stark Ever After #5

by J. Kenner

For readers of Fifty Shades of Grey and Bared to You comes an electrifying holiday eBook novella from bestselling author J. Kenner. In Unwrap Me, fan favorites Damien Stark and Nikki Fairchild get ready for Christmas, and this year they’re both on the very naughty list.

Genres: Romance, Erotica, BDSM, Contemporary Romance, Novella, Erotic Romance, Billionaires

83 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 24, 2015

About the author

J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and #1 International bestselling author of over one hundred novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, and paranormal mommy lit.

JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for them.” A six time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy) and in 2017 for Wicked Dirty in the same category. Her Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series (as Julie Kenner) is currently in development as a television show.

Her books have sold over three million copies and are published in over twenty languages.

In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.

Reviews

[Inês Sagres · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a moment, I thought I was reading the wrong book because nothing was making sense in my head.
This book starts just before Christmas and is intended to erase all of the 'what ifs' that Nikki might have in her head about the choices she made in her life.
Really surprised me! I was feeling lost big time but when things came together everything made sense.

[✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!!!
THANK YOU Julie for writing these little Stark stories.... that way we'll never have to let go of Damien & Nikki and whoever might be joining their clan one day....

This one was soooo sexy and christmasy and a bit what-if-y ☺
I loved it!

#MustRead for all fans of Damien Stark!!!!

[Rohina · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC gifted by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

4.5 Stars!

Give me any book with Damien and Nikki Stark and I will blindly read it. I, personally, love how J. Kenner keeps feeding my Damien obsession with these short stories. The moment I find that there is new one going to put I just reach an all new state of bliss. No kidding!

Unwrap Me is yet another great novella by J. Kenner. She provides us stories with enough drama to keep you engaged till the last page is turned and of course, plenty of hot sexy encounters.

Looking back and comparing it to the other novellas of this Series , this time Kenner has changed it.

The blurb says:

I wonder what would've happened if Damien and I hadn't met in exactly the way we did. How would my life have been different? Would another man have laid claim to my body and my heart? Or were Damien and I destined to be together no matter the cost?

I can only say this... I sure as hell, did not expect what Kenner presented! It was so different and you will have to read what I'm talking about because I can't explain anything without giving you THE spoiler!

If you like me love Damien and Nikki then you will not be disappointed. No matter how short these novellas are, Kenner manages to make me fall in love with Damien all over again.

I highly recommend Unwrap Me for all Damien and Nikki lovers. If you haven't read this series then I highly recommend you to read it NOW!!! You will sure as hell become addicted to them.

I just can't wait to read more Damien and Nikki novellas.



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[1-Click Addict Support Group · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unwrap Me by J. Kenner is a holiday Stark series novella with Damien and Nikki.

Damien and Nikki have been apart for eight LONNNGG days and are planning to spend the holidays together in quiet, and then with friends and family. Upon arriving Nikki plans a treat for Damien. Then, wham, bam, woah…. that wasn’t where I thought that was going!

At first, I wondered was I missing something, but nope my Kindle was on track. So, I kept reading. But I have to say—in the Stark style, the writing is flawless, the sex is white hot and the chemistry is off the charts! Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with this book like I had hoped. If you are a DIE HARD Stark fan, get this book. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Me, I’m going to read it again and try to figure out what I was missing… ~ Heather, 4 stars

[Donna ~ The Romance Cover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must read for any Damian and Nikki fans. As a staunch lover of the Stark series this was a great addition to their story. While I was hesitant where J Kenner took this story in the middle and it literally gave me palpitations it was a novel idea and did work.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so happy to hear that we get another look into the lives of Nikki and Damien and this time it's Christmas! We also get a little peak at the other characters that we love from this series. Nikki has always wanted to be independent and not be successful just because of who her husband is. In this book we get to see what would have happened if fate took a different turn. It has an It's a Wonderful Life feel to it.
I love the passion between Nikki and Damien, just can't get enough of these two!

[Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Combine The Christmas Carol with J. Kenner's sensual writing and you have Unwrap Me. A sexy treat for all Damien and Nikki fans!

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 SEXY STARS

The book takes a “it’s a wonderful life” turn with a dream sequence looking at how things could have worked out if they had met differently. This did not completely work for me and I found myself wanting to go back to how things were in “real life”.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unwrap Me is the hottest version of the Christmas Carol I have ever read. No, there are no ghosts and chains, but there is a fabulous tale of true love and how it can overcome it all. Isn't that the story of Damien and Nikki?

Unwrap Me, while short, will leave you panting and a post orgasmic smile plastered to your face. Deliciously sexy, sweet and heartwarming- Unwrap Me brings the perfect combination, making this a holiday favorite, for sure.

Keep on bringing the novellas for one of my all time favorite book couples. I don't think I will ever have enough.

** I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. **

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not one for dream scenarios, so this one wasn't really for me. I get what the author was trying to say; that they were meant to find each other no matter what. I'm also scratching my head at the gifts at the end. She doesn't even remember getting it for him? I can see his gift because at least he remembers buying it, but she doesn't even remember it. I also found myself reading just the dialogue feeling a little bored through this one. I loved this series and I just wasn't feeling it sometimes.

[Coco.V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great companion book to the Stark Trilogy !

Damien and Nikki are still so hot and sexy together! I truly love everything about them. If like me you've been following this series since the beginning you will enjoy to get another peek into Mr. and Mrs. Stark's married life.

[QuinnReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a Wonderful Dream

This takes place at Christmas. Damien Stark and Nikki (Nicholas) Fairchild Stark continue to grow and explore together even when the "what if" game plays out. They're one of my favorite book couples, and I love this addition.

What the hell has happened to me? Does the man emit some sort of Nikki attracting pheromones?
-- Nikki Fairchild Stark

Every episode of their saga includes some angst, sometimes the dangerous kind. Old ghosts are revisited in a George Bailey kind of way this time. I love how this comes full circle. Fated mates in the non-paranormal kind of way.

I really do recommend reading the series from the beginning. A lot of background is provided here, and you could probably get away with just reading this, but I'm biased and think this couple needs to be fully savored.

I borrowed the audio book and ended up falling asleep while listening. I had such a restful night. I love getting lost in their story.

The narrator continues to be Sofia Willingham. She does a wonderful job as our fair maiden. One day, I hope that a male narrator is mixed in with her for Damien, but until then, I'm very happy to have Sofia.

Story: 4.5 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Listening Speed: 1.8x

[Anne Dawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 festive & sexy stars

It was great to revisit Damien and Nikki again and this started off fantastically hot and steamy as we would expect from them. I love there relationship and it was obvious that we were in for something a bit different this time from the blurb

“I wonder what would’ve happened if Damien and I hadn’t met in exactly the same way we did”

Nikki is busy getting ready for a Christmas which is to be celebrated with some of the characters we have met and loved from the previous books. With Damien having been away for 8 days, Nikki starts to wonder whether her business would have been as successful without his help and his name and when he gifts her the building her office is based in, she really starts to wonder if she could have done it all on her own.

The book takes a very “it’s a wonderful life” turn with a dream sequence looking at how things could have worked out if they had met differently. I have to say that although I love these characters, this did not completely work for me and I found myself just wanting it to go back to how things were in “real life”.

The book was very well written but it didn’t pull me in as all the others in this series have but it was still an enjoyable, sexy instalment in the lives of Nikki and Damien

An ARC was provided by the author in return for an honest review

[Squallogal · Rating 5 out of 5]

For fans of the Complete Me series. I loved this novella. It was a dream. All those Christmas warm fuzzies, perfect for the festive season. My only criticism is there could have been less sex and more time spent in the alternative, feel good plot. I like Nikki looking for her strength and her heart only to find that both are within her and within her romance with Stark.

Well done again J. Kenner.

[Jennifer McGurk Finn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't real happy about the whole "what if" scenario but I kept reading anyway. Damien & Nikki are now & will always be my favorite book couple so I don't like to read about them not being together. I did like how they found their way to each other regardless of the situation. The ending was really sweet & I did shed a few tears.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cover: Looks tempting
My Rating: 90/100
Overall: Really liked it
Page Turner: Yes
Recommend: Yes

COMMENTS: This one was a bit odd. I honestly didn't like the whole dream because, hello, she wasn't with Damien. But overall, it showed the strength of a well prioritized and loving and responsible relationship. I seriously love this couple. N & D 4ever

[Bewaji · Rating 1 out of 5]

Point???

I don't know the point for this expensive novella. Is it to take us down memory lane with an alternative narrative? The sex? Or what? The author gives us this very short sexcapes of Nikki and Damien at a very costly price.
Not worth it.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 hot-damn stars!!



Didn't know that unwrapping gifts could be this hot until I read this sweet treat ;)

Loved it!

[Kel (Faerie-bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.

I loved it!!! No matter what, Nikki and Damien are fated to be together. And the little twist at the end was unexpected but so perfect!

[Nene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Read

Good Christmas read , The family is all together for the holidays and something weird happens to Damien and Nikki .

[Sharlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say I normally love Julie Kenners books but this one I was not fussed on at all, most of the story consisted of Nikki having a dream.
So sorry Julie but I was quite disappointed

[Michelle Kemp · Rating 5 out of 5]

another 5 star book. I love how they all come to the house to spend christmas together and the Dream WOW no matter how it happened Nikki and Damian would always be together,

[Karen Mc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming soon!

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved catching up with the characters!!!

[Rachel Teasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a spicy Christmas book. It was very good, but way too short. It also sounded a lot like 50 shades. When I looked up the release date, 50 shades came out Feb 2015 and this book came out Nov 2015. It is very possible that the author read the other book and added some of that into her book.

I liked the story line but it was moving really quickly. She could have made it longer and explained more of it. The sercets in the book was definitely something new, I have never read. But she went through that secret and back story so fast, that I felt it was rushing.

I liked the twist of seeing what life would be like without Damien in her life. But the end was weird and wrapped up so quickly that it almost doesn't make sense. I did learn as I was rating this book that it is part of a series so maybe that clears some things up.

[Lover of Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review-

This was quite an interesting novella, but is probably my least favorite that I have read from this author so far. I honestly still don't how I think of it to be honest. I know Nikki wants to be independent and all, but you are never independent when you are in a committed relationship, you share in that. But this book is kinda a retelling of "Its a Wonderful Life" where she wonders her life would be like without Damien, and if she would be successful or if he is holding her back. She goes through this journey of not having him in her life, and its a journey of them realizing that their love is destined and that they are to help each other in the successes of life. That they only give each other strength and joy and support and their love doesn't remove anything from anyone. I found it quite intriguing how they came to this realization and the retelling twist was different.

[Lorryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

okay so no one seems to be mentioning it but TW!!! there is self harm/cutting around 46% there's a brief mention of it before that but she actually does it around that point. I started off enjoying this even though I haven't read any of the other books in the series but I was just here for a fun holiday romance so I wasn't concerned about that at all. Once we switched over to the alternate timelines I lost interest quickly and starting back up first thing in the morning and immediately being blindsided by our heroine self harming was not what I wanted to start my day.

[Hopelessly seeking Happily Ever Afters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Damien and Nikki

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

Unwrap Me: A Stark Ever After Novella by J. Kenner. Stark Series, book 3.5. Audiobook review. Single POV (Nikki's). It's listed as 2 hours and 59 minutes; I listened at speed 2.50 for 1 hour 11 minutes. Narrator Sofia Willingham read well. I also own both the paperback and ebook. Content warnings: mention of h's sister's su¡c¡de; use of n¡pple clamps; @n@l; sp@nk¡ng; self-harm (h).

Christmas. Damien gifts Nikki her office. Nikki dreams of how they met and quickly fell in love. They exchange gifts and realize they shared the same dream. While it's a good short story, it's a pointless repeat of their origin story and didn't move their relationship/story forward. JP

4 out of 5 on my spice scale

1st read 2019
1st listen 01-20-24

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short story that seems to be quite a bit ahead of the rest of the timeline. After I finished this I'm going back to get through Jackson and Jamie's series. This was not my favorite. It was mostly a dream about what her life could have been because this too was a single perspective from Nikki. Some steam, some drama, this just wasn't my jam, but I hate skipping parts of series. Happy holidays from the Starks.

[Mary Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fabulous short story with Nikki and Blake. I didn’t know what to expect and loved the spin from the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” As they get ready to spend the holidays with family and friends, Nikki has a dream of what would life be like if she hadn’t met Blake. I love how this unfolded while giving me a chance to enjoy time with this amazing couple.