Stolen Kisses

The Barrington Billionaires #2

by Ruth Cardello

Dax Marshall isn’t the type of man a woman takes home to meet her parents. He’s a business shark who has never let anything as insignificant as caring stop him from taking over a company. Some call him heartless, but he doesn’t see the value of caring about anyone or anything until he meets Kenzi.

Her happiness becomes his obsession.

Kenzi Barrington has tried to be the person her family needed her to be, but she doesn't want to lie anymore. When she can’t hold a dark secret in another day, she turns to the one man she knows is strong enough to hear the truth.

What starts as a simple attraction becomes a friendship that changes how they both define love.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Ebooks, Fiction, Billionaires, Adult

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2016

About the author

Ruth Cardello hit the NYTs and USA Today for the first time back in 2012. Millions of sales are evidence that her books are akin to potato chips, addictive from the first one. She has created a multi-series billionaire world with a combination of escapism and realism that has gained her a faithful following of readers.

What Kindle Reviewers write about her:

"Wow hot at every page. Heart stoping, fear raging, mind blowing wonderful."

"I'm a true fan of Ms. Cardello. I ran on to her first book a few years back and have been hooked ever since. I could go on and on about the story like of this book, but I'm not. All of her books are total page turners, unique, heart wrenching, and I love them all. There isn't two alike in the bunch and I feel like i know the characters personally. I personally read 97 authors books. And I buy every book they put out. This author is in my top 10. Great job and keep them coming."

"Love this series. Got me to start reading again. I look forward to the next book. Thank you for giving me the love of reading back."

Ruth Cardello was born the youngest of 11 children in a small city in northern Rhode Island. She spent her young adult years moving as far away as she could from her large extended family. She lived in Boston, Paris, Orlando, New York--then came full circle and moved back to New England. She now happily lives one town over from the one she was born in. For her, family trumped the warmer weather and international scene.

She was an educator for 20 years, the last 11 as a kindergarten teacher. When her school district began cutting jobs, Ruth turned a serious eye toward her second love- writing and has never been happier. When she's not writing, you can find her chasing her children around her small farm or connecting with her readers online.

Email Notice of New Releases: www.RuthCardello.com/Signup

You can find her on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/RuthCardello

Follow her at Twitter @RuthieCardello

If you'd like to email her directly, you may contact her via her website: www.ruthcardello.com

Lone Star Burn Series
Book 1: Taken, Not Spurred
Book 2: Tycoon Takedown
Book 3: Taken Home
Book 4: Taking Charge

Want to hear the song Charles proposed to Melanie with? https://youtu.be/SGZT5nVKfMs

The Legacy Collection
Book 1: Maid for the Billionaire (FREE on Amazon!)
Book 2: For Love or Legacy
Book 3: Bedding the Billionaire
Book 4: Saving the Sheikh
Book 5: Rise of the Billionaire
Book 6: Breaching the Billionaire: Alethea's Redemption
Book 7: (Novella) A Corisi Christmas

The Andrades:
Book 1: Come Away With Me (FREE on Amazon)
Book 2: Home to Me
Book 3: Maximum Risk
Book 4: Somewhere Along the Way
Book 5: Loving Gigi
Christmas Novella: A Recipe for Love (Maddy and Richard)

The Barrington Billionaires:
Book 1: Always Mine
Book 2: Stolen Kisses
Book 3: Trade It All
Book 3.5: A Billionaire for Lexi
Book 4: Let It Burn
Book 5: More than Love
Book 6: Forever Now
Book 7: Never Goodbye
Book 8: Reluctantly Alpha
Book 9: Reluctantly Rescued
Book 10: Reluctantly Romanced
Book 11: Loving a Landon
Book 12: Loathing a Landon


For a more complete list visit her website at www.ruthcardello.com

Reviews

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋
Who could not fall fall this guy
Dax Marshall is tough , he handsome and he has money , perfect
He’s the type of man you would think twice about taking home to meet your parents and brothers, frequently destroying companies as a living , cares for no one just his business.

Kenzi is loving , sweet and messed up , she doesn’t need a man like him in her life .
Or does she
If she doesn’t I’ll have him . Lol 😂

Excellent 2 nd book , if you’ve not started reading this author yet .
Get moving!

[Sania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Standalone/Cliffhanger: Standalone but part of a series.
Ages of H and h: h is 28 and H is 34
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages: No
Was There Descriptive Sex: Yes
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM: No
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup: N/A
Contains Cheating: No
Amount of Sex In The Book: A decent amount.
HEA/HFN/etc Ending: HFN
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval: Yes
Any Triggers/Warnings: yes
>>Detail: h was sexually assaulted as a teenager. h's mother also lost his twin still birth. It's pretty important to the plot. There's no detail tho
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: No
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes

My Thoughts

[Shy · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://versusthewriter.wordpress.com...

I always enjoyed Ruth Cardello’s novels. And just when I thought she’s written her best one yet, she come around with something even better. For me this is her most emotional novel thus far.

I have probably reiterated so much in my previous reviews how I’m not a fan of love at first sight or whirlwind romances. This is not a love at first sight but I guess this qualifies as whirlwind romance. But somehow that thought didn’t bother me with Kenzi and Dax’ story. I guess it’s because of the way Dax’ had seen Kenzi the first time considering that the way they met was not very ideal. I liked how he understood her needs more than anyone who knew her ever did and how he put those needs first before his own.

Kenzi’s life experience was heartbreaking. I feel her so much even though I personally hate the name Kenzi. Funny how I didn’t even noticed her name much until I wrote this review. I guess that showed how much individuality Ruth’s characters have that you can see them for who they are and not relate their name to anyone else.

Kenzi’s family can get a little overbearing at times yet you can see how they love her in the way they know. This bit gave the story humor which made it all the more enjoyable to read.

What I love most about this story was how the characters grew. And mind you, I don’t mean just the main characters but everyone of them that is in this book. And as usual, I love how Ruth’s story is about family, friendship and love… how to understand each others as friends and/or as family even during those times when you don’t even understand yourself. For me, that will never ever get old. Because at the end of the day, that is what makes life bearable at hard times and more satisfying during the good times.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dax Marshall made no apologies for anything least of all the truth. He never lied. He said what he meant and he spent his life doing exactly what he wanted.

Kenzi Barrington was a fraud. If her family knew her deep dark secret they wouldn’t love her.

Meeting Dax changed everything for Kenzi. She learned to become strong and confront her pain.


This is the second in Ruth Cardello’s Barrington Series. From the very beginning of her books Ruth pulls you in and you can’t stop reading until the very last page. She has done this with Stolen Kisses very well. Your heart breaks for Kenzi and you definitely feel her pain but you also want to cheer when she becomes a strong, determined woman. Dax is a hard man but once you know his secrets and why he acts like he does you want to cheer for him as well when he starts seeing who he really is and who he could become.

Another hit by Ruth Cardello. If you have never read any of her books you are in for a treat. She does such a great job telling stories of love and laughter and happy ever after.

[Bell · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Is this a bad time?" The hitch in her voice told him it was for her.
--
He pulled her against his chest and gave her the hug she looked as if she needed. She settled against him with a heartfelt sigh. The desire to kiss her lost against the decision he'd made.
--
Kenzi glanced at him then looked away again. He didn't look happy and a memory of the night she'd met him came flooding back.
--
It was the talk he'd given women in the past, and he'd meant it when he'd said it.
I'm angry with her for accepting that shit?

My brainwave must be on another channel, because I could not not not follow along with the writing here. Apparently most people read the above quotes and don't stumble, but I was reading and rereading passages over and over because to me, this writing is really awkward.

Missing commas aside, I wasn't a huge fan of the plot either. She wants a reality TV show, then cries on an island when she can't have one. Handsome Angry Man sees her and tries to be of comfort, but he can't, because he's too handsome and too angry. Then they're having dinner together, she boasts about being able to eat a prime rib as big as her head, he orders her one and she does not, in fact, eat it. They leave early. There are SIGNALS. He wants to fuck. She wants to fuck. They're in the car but the signals CHANGE. Now they're sad. He tells her he won't fuck her. He tells her she's too good for that. She doesn't tell him how little sense this makes, but she probably should.

[May Reads Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
Insta connection
Really loved the male character!!
Lives their building relationships
Push and pull on the males side
No OW drama
Super sweet
Safe read
A must read

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a great book to read

[Sue Frankel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dax Marshall is a shark in the business and cares about no one who can't keep afloat on their own. He is a genius at buying out companies and easily does so without an ounce of remorse. Most have nothing good to say about Dax, until Kenzi enters his world with a splash - but is the splash big enough to tame the flame that seems to have taken up room and board in his heart and soul?
Kenzi Barrington is known to be beautiful, strong and nothing shy of the perfect daughter her family required her to be. That is until the night she stumbled upon Dax.
Kenzi no longer wants to stay in the shadows and bursts at the seams as her secrets start to unravel. Dax cares about no one, yet he shows Kenzi restraint, compassion and understanding. Can this be the same man? While Kenzi discovers her true self, Dax does some soul searching of his own. Can Dax unmask himself and be taken as anything other than the shameless bastard they pin him to be?
The book covers are soft, yet blunt and fit this series well. They draw you in like a nice, hot cup of coffee and then when you go to take a sip - you realize it's not the standard cup of coffee, but laced with a fine liquor that leaves your belly burning and wanting another sip. Oh so good!
Ruthie Cardello has done it again folks! She has tied each of these books in her Barrington Billionaire series with the finest silk bow. Reading her books has been such a pleasant and exhilarating ride. She has taken "romance" and morphed it into a million little shooting stars. This series takes you on a journey like no other. It is filled with passion, sex, lust but also carries much weight and depth - family problems, loss, death, abandonment, judgment, betrayal, friendship, mystery, happiness, sadness and other true life altering dilemma's that I will not describe because YOU really should start this series from scratch. I am literally wanting to hop out of my seat with every trickery, turn and discovery that this series unravels. Yes, it is a hot and sexy romance, but you have to read it to see just how much more there is to The Barrington Billionaires.
If you love Ruth Cardello's Barrington Billionaires... then you will be pleasantly pleased that her sister, Jeannette Winters and niece, Danielle Stewart each have a synchronized set that ties into this series. I have indeed read them all and I highly recommend you do too! That laundry can wait to be folded, a dish or two can sit in that sink.... crawl up, with a fur baby or two (if you are anything like me) and start them. I read Ruth's 1-3, then Jeannette's 1-3 and then Danielle's 1-3... NOW they each have BOOK FOUR releasing and I am squealing like a baby getting raspberries on her tummy. Yup, that good! ;) enjoy these gems and shoot me an email because I wouldn't mind some back and forth on what you loved and the secrets within these pages that I will spare you all from if you haven't started yet. You're welcome.

[Bette Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! Dax and Kenzi are great characters and you know from the beginning their relationship will turn into something special. Not without obstacles though. Dax is a strong powerful businessman and Kenzi's brothers have had their share of run-ins with the man and don't think highly of him. Kenzi has always struggled with asserting herself in her male dominated family and her relationship with her mother isn't as strong as she wants it to be. She's determined to fix both of those issues. Her biggest obstacle though will be getting Dax to believe that love is real and everyone is capable of it.

You don't want to miss this one. I highly recommend it.

[Lisa L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. Kenzi and Dax were such great characters. The story took us through their journey of discovering the best version each of them could be.

[Gemma Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man who doesn’t believe in love, and woman who doesn’t believe she deserves it

The second book in the Barrington Billionaires series focuses on Kenzie, the only sister among the six siblings (although seven if you include Kent who we understand was Kenzie’s twin who died at birth). If you have already read book one… you must do that before you read this, as they follow on from each other.

I would also recommend that you read The Legacy Collection and The Andrade’s Series before embarking on the Barrington Billionaire’s because this all links in to a much, much bigger storyline that cleverly intertwines. You won’t regret it as they are all excellent reads and it will help with understanding this huge and complex family.

So, Kenzie is a damaged soul. As soon as she was born her life became one of loss. Her mother’s grief has caused an emotional rift and as much as her loving parents have tried to protect her from hurt and pain by giving her what they thought she wanted, all they achieved was to push her away. Kenzie tried to be the perfect daughter, but the more she tried, the further she moved away from being her true self.

Lost and angry at the way her family smothered and shielded her, she starts to crack. A hidden tragedy she had kept from everyone begins to bubble to the surface, slowly eating away at her.

Away from family she seeks oblivion. Drunk and lower than she has been since that fateful night she encounters a dark and mysterious man on the beach who unknowingly saves her from her own darkness.

Dax Marshall isn’t a man who is known for being kind… he doesn’t believe in love. He’s never experienced it… never felt it… never wanted it… but there’s something about the girl on the beach that night that he can’t stop thinking about.

Even though their encounter is far from romantic. But neither can they forget each other.

The problems are many however. Her overprotective brothers are unlikely to welcome such a ruthless businessman whose conquests in both business and sex are many, unfeeling and brief. He doesn’t give emotion to anything or anyone. But no matter how much he attempts to shake his feelings for Kenzie, he can’t. She’s fragile and she needs his help to find her strength.

Even though they push each other away romantically there is a blossoming friendship building. She comes to seek his approval and counsel on how to turn her life around and his unwavering support encourages her to become the woman she has always wanted to be.

How long can they keep it to just ‘friends’? Should they give in to temptation to just see what they could have together?

You know what’s going to happen. One bite of that forbidden fruit, and there’s no going back.

But can their relationship survive the wrath of her brothers? And could Dax ever find it in his heart to let someone love him and love them in return? If anyone could it’s Kenzie… but will he be brave enough to try?

This story is a real ‘up-and-down’ rollercoaster ride. These two obviously have such a chemistry about them. They need each other more than either knows but they are both so damaged by love - one through too much, the other through too little - that it takes walking away to bring them together.

Great instalment… and I am definitely intrigued as to what the journal is going to unearth and Kenzie and Kent. There’s something not right and if Patrice Stanfield has anything to do with it - that is not good (read The Andrade’s Series… she’s a nasty, nasty piece of work).

[Dorothea Müller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenzi Barrington kann nicht länger die Maske aufrecht halten. Die perfekte Tochter sein zu müssen. Sie will ihre Vergangenheit verarbeiten und ein neues Leben beginnen. Genau in diesem Moment taucht Dax Marshall in ihrem Leben auf. Er ist kein Mann für sie. Er selbst sagt das auch und doch ist er der einige der ihr den Rücken freihält.
Die Geschichte beginnt mit der Begegnung der beiden, aber eine etwas düstere und Traurige. Kenzi hat es nicht gerade leicht in ihrem Leben, gerade weil sie seit ihrer Geburt, diesen Schatten mit sich trägt und dann hat sie noch eine falsche Entscheidung getroffen. Doch jetzt versucht sie ihr Leben wieder in den Griff zu bekommen und niemand mehr anlügen zu müssen. Sie tritt für sich selbst ein und Dax ist ihr eine Unterstützung. Doch er selbst sagte ihr, dass er kein Mann fürs Leben ist. Eine fesselnde Liebesgeschichte mit ein paar alten Bekannten aus dem ersten Band. Eine Liebe die sehr stark ist obwohl einer es nicht als Liebe sieht. Romantisch, Emotional und total ergreifende Geschichte über Stärke, Liebe, Familie und Freundschaft.

[Kelly G (Now Accepting Book Boyfriend Applications) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kenzie Barrington has spent her whole life a bunch of over bearing older brothers. They are always scaring off any guy that she dates. Dax Marshall has made a name for himself as a ruthless, selfish business man. When Dax met Kenzie something in him felt drawn to her. He felt like she needed him and no matter how much he wanted to stay away from her, he just couldn't. He some how ends up working his way into some kind of relationship with her and meets her family. She knows she wants him and he has opened up to her enough to understand why he seems to have an issue with committing to one person. Dax still cant quite figure out what his feelings for her are. And her brothers are not helping matters with their over protective behavior.

These 2 have a bunch of personal issues to work through if hey are going to be together. And then he has to win over her brothers. Its a great showing of people who's biggest drama is their own feelings and family in general.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The famous last words before all hell breaks loose within this series!

I’m interested in seeing just what Sophie’s sister wrote in her Journal. With that said this was a great addition to the series and the world that Ruth Cardello has created for these families.

Dax took awhile to warm up to her family but once he did he was everything that a person would look for in a partner. Then there was Kenzi...she was so broken in the beginning of this book, and until you started reading this book you had no idea. She hid her pain very well but letting it fester like she did wasn’t healthy and I’m glad she saw that (with the help of Dax) before it was too late.

I want to know what is brewing between Lance and Willa, so I’m looking forward to reading that book next.

[Jamoz23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and enjoyable.
Apart from the idiocy of wanting to star in a reality tv show, when she doesn’t even know who she is, or has the strength to stand up and be honest with her family, Kenzi wasn’t bad for a heroine.
I loved how she finally found her inner strength, all thanks to Dax, to deal with a situation a lot of young girls and women have faced. Hope she pushes that a bit more to promote awareness.
I just think the mother and to a certain extent the father, have a lot to answer for in making these children dysfunctional adults. Yes, they suffered a tragedy but you don’t switch off form your other children to wallow in grief. You have to carry on and make life as normal as possible for them.
Nice little twist at the end that makes me think the dead twin brother may not be.
Read through Kindle Unlimited.

[Amelia Autin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once in a long, long while you come across a book as emotionally heart-wrenching and luminous as Ruth Cardello's STOLEN KISSES. I don't give five-star ratings often, but this one deserves it. Kenzi Barrington is fragile and broken, but when Dax Marshall tells her she's stronger than whatever she's facing, she eventually realizes he's right and starts turning her life around.

What the reader also comes to know is that Dax is also broken, and Kenzi helps him the way he helped her.

Superlatives are often thrown around with sometimes careless abandon when it comes to book reviews, but this book is simply amazing. I only read it for the first time yesterday, and I've already re-read it this morning. It's that good.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story line.

I really enjoyed this story because it touched on a really hard subject. Many women of sexual assault internalize the attack and become self destructive, but this story showed that if you open up you take the power away from the shame that has been controlling you. Dax was Kenzi’s knight because he let her tell her secret without judgement or disgust. daz experienced childhood trauma of his own that left him not believing love was a real thing. Kenzie was his knight and should him what love really was excepting a person for who they were good and bad without judgement or a drive to change them.

This was a beautiful book to read. Thank you Ruth Cardello for telling a hard subject with a very positive outcome. This book gives hope.

[Stephanie Villere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here comes Kenzie!

This story is Stolen Kisses, book 2 of The Barrington Billionaires series, written by Ruth Cardello. Each one of these books has been a unique story with an underlying central point that just barely alludes the reader. In this story we get a look into the life of Kenzie Barrington. The youngest sibling with a big painful secret. Can she fight her way out of the past and start her present? Will her brothers continue to scare away anyone that she is interested in a relationship with? Read on to see!

[Irene Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great romance

A thoroughly enjoyable book, there is a lot going on in this and it deals with a number difficult emotional issues. You have two damaged people Kenzi who was raped when she was young and felt abandoned by her family, Dax who has been unable to develop close relationships because of his upbringing, the whole Barrington family who have lots of love but have been affected by their mother's depression over losing Kenzi's twin. All in all a very mixed bag of emotions but of course love is the biggest emotion that shines through. A really good read.

[Sandi Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance and meaning.

When life gives you lemons.... wow what a wonderful book . Ruth Cardello wrote such a heart touching book that had me in tears at times and other times fanning myself from the heat from this hot sexy couple. I love the messages in the. Look about underage drinking as well as pet adoption. This is a book that is not only a good romance but has meaning as well.

[Carol Lilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW ANOTHER AMAZING BOOK!!!

Every time I think Ruth's books can't get any better they absolutely do! I have enjoyed every book she has ever written, but this book was simply amazing! I love the storyline, I love the involvement of the family and I cannot wait to start reading the next book in this enjoyable series! Ruthie you definitely have another hit on your hands! Thanks for another phenomenal story!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was sweet!!

I like her and Dax. Dax is a nice character, complicated but kind underneath his shark exterior. He tries to give everything to people he cares about but expects it back.

I like her she is a little bit of a brat and I did think she was going to bug me but she isn't that bad. I found her kind of relatable. Wanting to be someone and do something with her life that is meaningful but struggling to find the meaning.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another page turner

The Barrington saga gets better and better this time around it is the story of Dax and Kenzie the baby of the family. Their journey is filled with angst, survival and new beginnings on the way to love. Thoroughly enjoyed this and 5 Stars again from me I am off to get the next book in this series it is barely 12 hours and I have read Books 1 and 2, cannot wait to read Book 3 .......

[sharon k. thaler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The h was emotionally stuck, and the H gave her the confidence to face her demons. The H dealt with life with brutal honesty, which was exactly what the h had seen too little of. The two main characters helped each other to grow, and they were stronger together than apart. I recommend this stand alone book. The series tells about each of the siblings, and they are also enjoyable.

[Ferbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best stolen kiss ever.



I love this story, it's realistic. Kenzi and Dax are two people that are hurting and troubled. They find each other and a way to heal. Add in a mixture of a special dog that helped the healing. Kenzi's friends, Lexi and Willa are hilarious. They bring fun to the story while her overbearing brothers just makes me want club them in the head. However, all the different personalities of the characters makes the story interesting. I enjoyed reading it

[Diana Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dax & Kenzi

Great story!! Strong alpha businessman Dax seemed ruthless and cold until he met Kenzi. Both a little damaged from their pasts but Kenzi taught Dax how to love and Dax teaches Kenzi how to be strong and stand up for herself. Together there’s passion and deep understanding.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although they couldn't be more different from each other Dax and Kenzie are perfect together. Kenzie finally finds her voice and the strength to finally be Free...to be herself.

Dax learns to listen and truly hear what is being said...and to forgive.

Together they find a beautiful and rare love!

I can't wait to see where this series takes me next...

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It!

I'm impressed how you started and ended this story which kept me reading non stop unless absolutely necessary! The first gift Dax sent Kenzi was so endearing to me I almost wept - although I must admit my eyes where a little glossy! Lol! Very touching gesture that endeared this book to me as one I will remember!

[Birgit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It's well written and entertaining,
the story-line is well-paced with off the charts chemistry between
Kenzi and Dax.
I read through the book without a break up to the end.

Will definitely read all books in this series.

So, go ahead, grab this book, grab a cup of coffee and let the story give
You a relaxed reading time.