Watch Me

Phoenix #1

by Stacey Kennedy

In the Phoenix club, there is only one rule; watch, don’t touch, until the powerful owner falls for his new star in this deliciously intriguing romance from USA Today bestselling author Stacey Kennedy.

It’s her choice to play his game. If she says yes, there will be more on the line than just her pleasure.

Zoey Parker has a three-step plan for revenge. First, gain entrance to the ultra-exclusive, upscale sex club, Phoenix. Second, act out her wildest fantasy in front of powerful old rivals, proving that they didn’t break her. Third, disappear and never return. The only kink in her plan? Rhys Harrington, the owner of Phoenix and the one man she needs to stay away from…

Rhys’ high-end clients pay extravagant amounts to watch his stars indulge their desires. Rhys’ only rule? Watch, don’t touch. But one look at Zoey and Rhys decides to participate in the show himself. And when an undeniable passion ignites between them, Rhys knows he wants more. Except Zoey is determined to run… and he is determined to find out why.

When Rhys discovers Zoey’s secret, he shocks her by offering his protection… and a no-strings-attached relationship. But Zoey knows there will be more on the line than just her pleasure. Because Rhys’ sizzling touch doesn’t only capture her body, it also commands her heart

Genres: Romance, Erotica, BDSM, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Smut, Erotic Romance

198 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2020

About the author

Stacey Kennedy is a USA Today bestselling author who writes contemporary romances full of heat, heart, and happily ever afters. With over 50 titles published, her books have hit Amazon, B&N, and Apple Books bestseller lists.

Stacey lives with her husband and two children in southwestern Ontario—in a city that’s just as charming as any of the small towns she creates. Most days, you’ll find her enjoying the outdoors with her family or venturing into the forest with her horse, Priya. Stacey’s just as happy curled up indoors, where she writes surrounded by her lazy dogs. She believes that sexy books about hot cowboys or alpha heroes can fix any bad day. But wine and chocolate help too.

Stacey absolutely loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at stacey@staceykennedy.com.

Reviews

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 2 out of 5]

That moment when a book that everyone else enjoyed, you didn't.
*looks around uncomfortably*

The blurb to this book immediately hooked me. I'm a sucker for a sexy story with some kink. And while this book certainly had that, it sadly just didn't work for me.

I think ultimately, I just couldn't connect to the story. It felt entirely too contrived for me.

Some minor spoilers below

The heroine gets sexually assaulted in college at a party. So to get her power back, she decides that losing her virginity in a public sex show at an exclusive club with a stranger where the two men who assault her are in attendance is the way to go. This was just the beginning of the end for me. I couldn't connect to this to save my life.

The mysterious stranger who has sex with her happens to be the owner of said exclusive and secret club and feels an immediate connection to her. He offers her a no strings relationship and his protection. It takes Zoey the entire book to really find her power and do something about what happened to her in college. But that wasn't even my issue. My main issue is that I never felt the connection to them as a couple. The chemistry just wasn't there. It read like a bunch of sex filler with some sweet and swoony moments, but it never really clicked for me.

Clearly I'm the odd duck out here and plenty still loved it. I wish I loved it as well but alas, it just didn't work for me. Personal preference is a beoch sometimes. But hey, read it for yourself and see. You may just love it.

Find me on:

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sexy but the love story got me the most.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I flit in and out of the BDSM type stories because I’m not a sadist. I don’t like pain so when the story is dominated by scene after scene, it tends to lose my interest.

But when I read the synopsis for this story I knew it was going to have a different twist. This was a very special and empowering story.

I don’t want to give away the plot but let me just say that I don’t think I have read many stories where the male character is so compassionate and in tune with a woman than in this story. He gives her a platform to take back her control.

Not only is he hot as sin and owns many cool businesses but he has to address his anger and hurt as well.

And what’s cool about that is his friends are perfectly matched with the same type of concern for women and I just know there are more stories coming that I can’t wait to read.

I love the way Kennedy decided to write this book. You start after a main event and then it goes backwards to get the rest of the story. The shocking event cries out at the injustice of sexual abuse and yet offers its own platform for taking a stand.

This story is amazing in so many ways. Sexy, steamy, sensual, courageous, satisfying, empowering. I love the awesome connection between the main characters and wish I knew someone like Rhys! Damn, so hot.

A taste of BDSM but mainly an awsome story of heat, lust, and perfect matches. Romance at it's best!

* copy received for review consideration

[Ⓐlleskelle - That ranting lady ッ · Rating 1 out of 5]

⭐️1 STAR⭐️
This is going to be short, to the point, snarky and possibly spoilery, so be warned.

Girl plans revenge in a swanky secret sex club to confront her abusers from college, gets the attention of the most notorious bachelor of the city and ends up getting her HEA as well as new group of sex swingers friends in the process.

Nothing says revenge like giving your abusers a free sex show in which you lose your virginity.


Oh my bad, this was all about regaining "control".



Mkay.



I'm not impressed with my first try at this author's work. I was in a mood for something short and sexy, a palate cleanser in between books if you will but neither the writing, the characters develoment, or the plot—flimsy and more than a stretch, worked for me.

I know, the blurb is pretty self explanatory, my bad, or maybe I thought it would work for me but this whole revenge scheme grew sillier after each and every page turned. I should have kept my losses early on but kept on reading for some reason. That reason was not the sex. I skimmed the sex scenes so that's more than telling on my interest for this book.

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[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stacey Kennedy is pure bliss and magic with the sexy sexy. I am super emotional right now over this story. I was taken by surprise with the path that Stacey chose for both Zoey and Rhys because of its depth of emotion. The empowerment and the growth and triumph that this story portrays is a thing of beauty.

Grab your copy right now!
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[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Intricate Healing Stars
* * * Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
Stacey Kennedy has written some solid reads for me. She is the queen of Sexy Times crossed with more depth than the usual sexy genre.

The idea is about a woman who has survived sexual assault, takes back her power, and to show those responsible, she is still owning who she is. She has decided to do this at the Phoenix, a sex club.

Not a usual choice for most.

The owner of the club is attracted to this woman in his club. He normally does not play with someone like her but his desire makes him break all his rules. He becomes involved with this woman and when he learns of her reasons for her actions, he becomes firmly in her corner.

There are sexy time, insight into hard experiences, and specific choices as to how they are handled.

This is the beginning of a new series for Ms. Kennedy.

A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Marta Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I previously read this authors Club Sin series which featured a BDSM club and lifestyle and if brutally honest got bored of that trope so it was with some trepidation that I decided to give this new series a go. It's definitely very different as its more about eroticism and sensuality rather than feeling free due to pain or relinquishing control. Actually this story is all about Zoey taking back control and finally feeling free. I know it sounds very odd that and perhaps implausible that a virgin would sell off her virginity in order to get revenge but actually this author had me believing in her plan and motivation. Rhys is the guy who takes very special care of her and it was easy to understand that he was protective and in some ways had walled off his feelings. Yes its steamy and the romance kicked off pretty quickly but there were still boundaries to break down until this couple could finally admit what they both wanted and more to the point needed.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received for review

4.5 stars

Whoa. Zoey and Rhys were hot. Rhys club and his friends are HAWT! Zoey's friends aren't too shabby either. There was drama, romance, club scenes, hot sex, and fun. Great story that I haven't read before. When you thought it was over, but wait there are two more chapters plus an epilogue. I can't wait to read Archer and Elise's HEA...it's gonna be HAWT!

[Anja H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

*5 EMPOWERED STARS*

Even though there was some pretty kinky stuff going on in this book (I'm talking BDSM/voyeurism, which is usually not my cup of tea), I surprisingly absolutely LOVED everything about this!
This was about so much more than just sex. This was about justice, mpowerment and mutual respect, and let me just tell you that Rhys is absolute perfection!
I especially loved the second half of the book (less sex, more emotions).

I desperately need book 2 because I'm so ready to get a closer look at the interesting dynamic between Archer and Elise!

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stacey knows how to write perfect characters that will own you and your feelings.

Watch Me is book #1 in her new Phoenix Series and I’m already hooked. I have been in a reading funk while suffering from rotator cuff surgery, but this was just the book to break that ice. Once I started this book it was so hard to put down. I always had to see what happened next between Rhys and Zoey, so before I knew it their store was over.

This series has other great characters with two of them being Elise and Archer. I can’t wait to see what their journey holds for us. With them two involved, it’s bound to be a blast.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watch Me by Stacey Kennedy is a feel-good romance with an intense emotional story, well drawn hero and heroine, and secondary characters that demand their own stories.

This is the first in a series about the Phoenix Club, a sex club started by Rhys Harrington, after the death of his college girlfriend. Rhys uses the club to keep his distance from women for anything except sex until the night Zoey Parker came in as a virgin for a show at the club. Due to the sensitive nature of this show, Rhys always handled virgins himself. What he didn’t know was that Zoey had an ulterior motive for appearing in the show-revenge against the two men who gave her a date-rape drug and posted photos of her naked on the web, destroying her life.

After just one night with Zoey, Rhys is enamored and offers to help her fight her way back to normalcy. But Rhys has his own secret flaws. Can these two damaged souls help each other back to a bright future together?

I loved the story, but there were a couple of issues. One was the setting: billionaire businessman falls for a dog groomer, in a club developed strictly for sex. The other was the motivation for the men who ruined Zoey. The devastation they caused felt personal, but there was no reason given for it. Once past those two issues, the story draws the reader in, and weaves a spell as charming as Rhys himself.

Overall, it was a delightful book, and worthy of being the first in an intriguing series.

Review copy provided for a voluntary review.

[Abstract ♥ Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS



'Watch Me' is a standalone book by Stacey Kennedy. Told in dual Perspectives , this book was the perfect mix of Kink and swoony moments!

This author is new to me. The book was great and I really loved the storyline , but what seemed to be lacking was the connection between the characters. I mean, yeah there were parts that I loved and enjoyed a lot , but I just couldn't connect to the characters , which made the whole book a little bit flat for me.

Rhys is the owner of a club. He usually stays away from his clients , but something about Zoey draws him towards her. He offers her protection and soon their professional relationship turns into so much more. There are a lot of hardships that these two have to face and I loved the connection they had.

A definite recommendation to all the contemporary with a bit of kink Romance lovers out there!


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[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watch Me was just what I needed. It was a quick read with an easy plot to follow. I enjoyed getting to know the characters. Rhys and Zoey were an unlikely couple to say the least. However, maybe it's their differences that makes them such a good match.

Rhys owns and operates the Phoenix club. It's a secret sex club where members are vetted and screened before they are allowed in. Everything is to protect their anonymity, that of other members and the club itself. Rhys comes from old family money and starts this club to fill a void for himself and realizes it helps others as well. He always maintains a distance from women. He has strict rules about only being with a woman once, no repeats. He refuses to attach himself to a woman as he's been hurt in the past. It's all only about sex for him. Until he meets Zoey that is...

Zoey is struggling with relationships in general. She was drugged and photographed at a college party and then it was blasted all over social media. It emotionally scarred her and affected her ability to trust others, particularly men. She decides upon revenge against the two men who went unpunished for the incident. To accomplish this, she finds her way into Rhys' club and inevitably his heart.

Rhys and Zoey are two broken people who don't believe they can have a successful relationship. However, against all odds, they find one another. This was a feel good read. Even though it may not be realistic, sometimes it's nice to see everything work out the way you want it to. It was a nice HEA for these two. Now, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series which will be about Zoey's friend, Elise and Rhys' friend, Archer. These two have some crazy competitive chemistry going on and the book should be fun.

Thank you to NetGalley for this Review Copy. I voluntarily reviewed it and the opinions contained within are my own.

[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watch Me is the first book in Stacey Kennedy’s Phoenix series, and it has me eager for more. From the start, I was hooked on this one, and I’m desperate to see how things play out for the side characters I fell for.

Although Watch Me was a quicker read than I’d anticipated, there was plenty packed in it to keep me hooked throughout. It was a story with more elements than I’d anticipated, keeping me hooked with everything that played out. The characters were great together, the storyline packed a punch, and I was left eager for more of the world we were introduced to. There were plenty of great side elements, and I’m so eager for more of them.

Without a doubt, Watch Me has guaranteed I’ll be back for the next Phoenix book.

[Ravenous eReader Book Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

RATING: 2.5 STARS (No book hangover and no extra caffeine needed the next morning)



Things started out fantastic. The blurb was good. The cover was great. It was a no brainer that I chose this read out of a billion others on Net Galley. I thought I had the perfect book to read. I thought I would finish this in just a few hours. But, oh...

Okay, okay, so there’s a host of four and five star reviews on this book. Everyone has their own opinions, and I respect this. For me, I just couldn’t connect with the characters. Although I have great sympathy for victims of physical assault, I had no sympathy for Zoey because of her actions after the attack. I can handle instalove, but no matter how hard I tried, I was not able to fall into the suspension of disbelief. This is why:

1. The actions don’t line up! Zoey was a virgin. Most virgins are too scared/shy to even let a man watch them undress, but Zoey hacks her way into an exclusive BDSM/voyeur club and gets it on with a total stranger IN FRONT OF HER ATTACKERS just to prove she’s still a virgin. Uh….wha????


2. After one session at the club where Zoey loses her innocence to a total stranger, she instantly becomes a dog in heat and is totally comfortable being intimate in front of a bunch of strangers over and over again. Oh no, no, no.



There were a few things I did appreciate:

The author did not use raunchy and graphic descriptions to describe love scenes. Love scenes didn’t drag on and on forever.

The book was the perfect length. A short, quick read even thought I pushed myself to finish.


***I would like to thank the publisher for providing a copy of this book on Net Galley. This review was voluntary. Best of luck to this author.

[Mary Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads, so here is my review.
What do you do when you are wronged and you want to gain control of your life? You make a plan, get revenge, and leave town.
That is what Zoey Parker had planned until she met Rhys Harrington. With the help of her BFFs, they were able to get her into the upscale private club, Phoenix. Where she was able to act out her wildest fantasy with Rhys in front of those that hurt her, to show them that they did not destroy her. She thought her plan was good until Rhys came after her and offers his protection and a no attachment agreement. But what they both don't know is, that neither of them wants to be without the other for very long. They are made for each other. Rhys and his security guys will do all they can to help Zoey bring down those that hurt her.
I love Stacey Kennedy and her writing style. She has a way of telling a story to keep you involved that you don't realize that the end is near until you are there and wondering when the next book is coming out. This story is filled with the pain Zoey goes through and the love it takes to help her heal. I highly recommend this one to anyone who has or has not read this author before. You will not be disappointed. I can't wait for book 2.

[Sarah - Vanilla Twist Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watch Me is a the first book in a brand new series by Stacey Kennedy and as usual the lady never fails to deliver. It will leave you not wanting to put the book down but also not wanting it to end.

Zoey Parker has spent the last year not really living her life but trying to find away to prove to those who wronged her that they didn't totally destroy her.

Rhys Harrington owner of a cigar club in Manhatten and face of his families wealthy business has a secret hidden behind the walls of his business namely one club called Phoenix where those who wish can live out their deepest fantasies without fear of being judged.

Zoey gets so much more than what she came for when she stepped into Phoenix, Rhys breaks all his own rules when he meets Zoey and we get glimpses into Rhys friends who are all members of Phoenix and hopefully a hint of who will be next to fall.

Definitely a 5 star read

[Tinabooklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always. 5 sexy stars! I was in love with this author's Club Sin serious. I thought nothing would compare. But I have to tell you, this book...wow! If you are looking for a hot as hell, alpha extraordinaire, sexy beyond words book. This one is for you! It's got it all. A sweet but strong h. A sexy take charge H. I'm not sure any author in this world can write a sex scene like this author. This book is off the charts. I can't wait for book 2!

[Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story line took a turn for the worse when after the heroine has been abused at a frat party she decides to have public sex in front of an audience which includes her abusers.
This was supposed to be about revenge and gaining back control whatever that means. I don't mind reading about kinks but for the life of me i couldn't find anything enjoyable about this story.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (9/2/2022)! 🎁

[Vendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, I like this series.
Of course it was hot and characters were too good!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoey Parker had explicit photos posted of her a year ago after being drugged now she has a three-step plan for revenge. First, gain entrance to the ultra-exclusive, upscale sex club, Phoenix. Second, act out her wildest fantasy in front of powerful old rivals, proving that they didn’t break her. Third, disappear and never return. The only kink in her plan? Rhys Harrington, the owner of Phoenix .
Rhys’ high-end clients pay extravagant amounts to watch his stars indulge their desires. Rhys’ only rule? Watch, don’t touch. But one look at Zoey and Rhys decides to participate in the show himself. And when an undeniable passion ignites between them, Rhys knows he wants more. When Rhys discovers Zoey’s secret, he shocks her by offering his protection and a no-strings-attached relationship.
A new series that captivated me from the start & held me totally engrossed until the last page, I read this enthralling book in two sittings. Yes it was explicit, erotic & sexy but it also had a story with a punch. I loved Zoey who wanted to get her life back & put the past firmly behind her & Rhys utterly gorgeous both inside & outside, he was also finding it hard to move forward but together they were able to heal each other. We were also introduced to Rhys’ three friends & Zoey's two & sparks flew between some of them, I can't wait for the rest of the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Anita Byars · Rating 5 out of 5]

Passionate & Sensual! This was an exceptional read! I got lost in this story and didn’t come up until I had to breathe. This story is intense and delicious. It is gorgeously seductive and painful. But it is addictive and powerful, and so so incredibly mesmerizing!

Zoey Parker, came for justice, to leave the pain and trauma behind, but she didn’t count on him. She had always been the woman who trusted blindly, who wanted to find love, who wanted children, who believed people were inherently good, who wanted the quiet life. Now all she had to do was find herself again. But from now on it would be her choice and her rules.

Rhys Harrington, was rich, broken, gorgeous, and seductive he showed her a passion she’d never known in her life til now. This shy but brave, strong but hurting, woman utterly fascinated him. He made her feel wanted, made her feel beautiful. And she had him breaking all his ironclad rules. He just couldn’t get enough of her. Such hunger. Such chemistry.

“True Love. Impossible Love. Love that came from two broken souls that found all the pieces they need to heal”

A Dreamy Sensual Romance with a HEA! Captivating!!!

Received an early copy for an honest review.

[Nonieღserenity2bliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Tthe author for the advanced reading copy. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

To be honest, I kinda expect the book to be hotter, just based on the description. But I'm not disappointed with the story as it is.

I find that the story is more sweet than sexy. The male characters in the book are all super protective and I don't know how I feel about that. I think at some point my eyes rolled back a little at the over protectiveness of the guys in the story. I mean, Zoey is no damsel in distress but at times, she certainly behaves like one so I don't quite get who she really is. She said she's strong but I'm not convinced. I'm all about female empowerment but decided to be publicly fucked by a stranger in front of the men who post naked photos and spread rumours about you are not a srong version of female empowerment

[Mags · Rating 5 out of 5]

⚠️ This story may cause a trigger as it features women being drugged and filmed without their consent. ⚠️

I was genuinely enthralled from the very first paragraph of Watch Me, and really had no idea where it was going to go and the ride this story and these characters took me on was fantastic. I loved the guys Rhys, Archer, Hunt, and Kieran, and the girls Zoey, and her two friends Elise and Hazel, who truly are the type of girlfriends that everyone should have. And the story just flowed, was seriously hot, intense, powerful, and gripping to say the very least.

Can't wait to read more!!!

Would definitely recommend.

**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

[Claudia Harauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Schon der Prolog ist heftig und die Triggerwarnungen definitiv angebracht, es sind für empfindliche Menschen nicht ganz leichte Themen die hier verarbeitet werden.

Ich mochte die Dynamik zwischen Rhy und Zoey sehr und ihre Liebe auf den ersten Blick auch wenn es am Anfang anders erscheint.
Es hat mich gefreut welche Wandlungen beide im Laufe der leider doch kurzen Geschichte erfahren haben.

Enthält sehr viele erotische Szenen, aber es geht nicht nur darum.
Ich mag ihre beiden selbst gewählten Familien sehr gerne und bin gespannt was die anderen noch erleben werden, denn es gibt ja noch 2 Bände die in Kürze erscheinen werden.

Kurzweilig aber emotional für Zwischendurch (aber nur aufgrund der Länge)

Viel Spaß beim Selberlesen!

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It brought me home”

Zoey was such a strong person. To go in and do what she did just to show they didn’t take everything from her was just, awesome! She never thought she would catch feelings however.

Rhys was a person who loved what he did but when he meets Zoey, everything is thrown out the window. I loved how he made her feel safe and how his friends protected her.

This was such a good story. I loved watching Zoey come into who she was and how she was surprised how everyone stood up and stood with her. Rhys was just the person she never saw coming. They are definitely perfect for one another.

[Jenniekenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. I am having the crappiest week but this book made it so much better. So much emotion, heat, strength, romance, giggles (archer and Elise...woohoo fireworks coming). This book needs 10000 stars. It is so good. I loved the way Rhys treated their first meeting (don’t want to ruin anything), I love how he wanted to protect her and the scene at the station...awwww

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watch Me is the first stand alone issue in the Phoenix series. It's a contemporary romance with a forbidden, virgin trope and has a touch of suspense, a sex club, best friends and a HEA. This is a short story with interesting characters.
Trigger Warning Include: Suicide, Cancer, Date Rape Drugs and Assault!

[Debra Johnson]

Purch. Sept. 2, 2022 Amazon

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Full Review to Follow