Bedroom games are fine … but I need a woman who won’t play with my heart.
After years in the military, I’ve faced down a lot of things, and there’s not much I shy away from. Except relationships. Because when you catch your wife in bed with another man, that tends to sour even the most hardened man against women.
When I was hired to keep surveillance on a woman with a checkered past, I went into the job anticipating the worst. But what I found was a woman who turned my head. Who made my blood heat and my body burn. A woman who made me feel alive again.
A woman who was nothing like what I expected, but everything I wanted. A woman who, it turned out, needed my protection. And wanted my touch.
And as the world fell out from under us, and everything I thought I knew shifted, there was only one reality I could hold onto—that the more I got to know her, the more I wanted her.
But if I’m going to make her mine, I’ll have to not only keep her safe, I’ll have to prove to her that I’ve conquered my own fears and doubts. That I’m done looking into the past, and that all I want is a future—with her.
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.
We're back with the Blackwell-Lyon Security guys in Austin.
Pierce already found his happy end in the first book and now it's time for the first of the twin boys. Cayden.
He doesn't do relationships. Or love.
Five years ago, just home from the war, he walked in on his wife having sex with another guy. Cayden kinda hates women now. At least cheating ones. That's why he likes to take on cases where a husband needs proof that his wife is cheating.
Enter Gracie. Her fiancé hired Cayden to find out if she's really cheating. He's supposed to seduce her. Poor Cayden is so horribly attracted to Gracie! But he will never be with her because she's with another man and because she's a cheating little player!
But is she???
Or is something entirely different going on here????
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Well.... I really loved this story!!
It was a very cute and sexy and exciting and mysterious little dramance!
I just love those three security guys and Cayden is just sooo sexy with his eye patch!
😂😂😂😂😂
Cayden doesn't want to fall for Gracie ... but he can't help it - she's just so perfect!
And poor Gracie - she's falling for him too, but she has some mysterious secrets we're not yet aware of ... ☺
And once we're aware of what's really going on? Things are only going to get more complicated and dangerous!!!
Great book! It has everything we need in our romances!
Excitement. Sexy guys. Adorable moments.
And lots of Austin tourist info. I really love it when I'm in a real place in my books!
Can't wait to get Connor and Kerrie's book next!
PRETTY LITTLE PLAYER was a really exciting & adorable & sexy dramance ! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Cayden - this one is MINE! ☺
Super sweet novella. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I love stories where a little bit of suspense or police action is involved. I guess I just love the hero complex of it all. And the best part is this is written from the male perspective. LOVE that because it is rare.
This story has to do with a stalking incident and the sexy PI who falls for his victim. What was great about the story is it’s not all cut and dry. The author added some great twists that kept the suspense interest high.
The love interest was strong and I really connected more with Cayden than Gracie. From the moment he sees her he knows she’s something special. His desire for her continues to grow even when he’s conflicted as to taking the case or not.
I really wanted a bit more heat in this story. The anticipation and build up is strong but the physical side could have grabbed me more. Plus, with this being a novella, there really isn’t much time for a big built-up either. So throw on the heat!
Overall story is engaging with strong characters that I really enjoyed. Plus, the ending is so amazingly sweet. It just made the whole book! Sigh…. I need a Cayden in my life!
I haven't read the first book in this new series (though it has been sitting on my kindle since release day) however that did not affect my reading of Pretty Little Player at all.
Oh how I loved Cayden from the minute we meet him. He is my kind of pirate!
Gracie - I like the girl! From the beginning I just knew that he wasn't what they were making her out to be. I like that he loves herself for who she is, and won't let anyone make her feel bad about herself.
Poor Cayden doesn't have a hope in hell of no falling for her.
This short book has a bit of everything in it, and I read it in one sitting.
I now need to go back and read the first book, and am waiting impatiently for what Ms Kenner brings us next.
This short book has a bit of everything in it, and I read it in one sitting.
I now need to go back and read the first book, and am waiting impatiently for what Ms Kenner brings us next.
Blurb: Bedroom games are fine … but I need a woman who won’t play with my heart.
After years in the military, I’ve faced down a lot of things, and there’s not much I shy away from. Except relationships. Because when you catch your wife in bed with another man, that tends to sour even the most hardened man against women.
When I was hired to keep surveillance on a woman with a checkered past, I went into the job anticipating the worst. But what I found was a woman who turned my head. Who made my blood heat and my body burn. A woman who made me feel alive again.
A woman who was nothing like what I expected, but everything I wanted. A woman who, it turned out, needed my protection. And wanted my touch.
And as the world fell out from under us, and everything I thought I knew shifted, there was only one reality I could hold onto—that the more I got to know her, the more I wanted her.
But if I’m going to make her mine, I’ll have to not only keep her safe, I’ll have to prove to her that I’ve conquered my own fears and doubts. That I’m done looking into the past, and that all I want is a future—with her.
5 Star Review Pretty Little Player (Blackwell-Lyon #2) by J Kenner This was a fast quick novella that had me engaged from the start to the finish; in fact I would have loved the story to be longer. I really loved the characters of Cayden Lyon and Gracie Harmon and the secondary characters are just as entertaining. I cannot wait for the next instalment in this series. Cayden Lyon is an ex-military man who having been cheated on by his ex-wife isn’t really looking for a relationship. When he gets a new job investigating if Gracie Harmon is cheating on Thomas Peterman he gets more than he bargained for; not all is as it seems. When Cayden manages to meet Gracie accidentally, their attraction is almost instantaneous, even though Cayden initially believes she may be cheating on Thomas. As he delves deeper into Gracie’s life he realises that Thomas has not been honest. As things spice up and danger rears it’s head, neither of them can deny the sizzling chemistry that sparks between them. Having been burned in the past, Cayden has to overcome his fears and trust in Gracie’s ability to love him and that they can have a bright future together. The question is can he? I cannot wait for the next instalment in this series.
Chapter One... J. Kenner you got me. I knew at the very first chapter I wasn’t going to be able to put this book down. Cayden with all of his heartbreak still won my heart. I knew deep down what a lover he actually was under all of his armor. He was a gentleman from start to finish! Gracie was a absolute sweetheart! She was the perfect match for Cayden. I love the way she stuck to her guns no matter what anyone thought. She was strong, independent and motivated! This can easily be read in one sitting, as it’s a fast paced, whirlwind of a love story. 4 Stars!
Pierce was an absolute favorite and then J. Kenner decided to expand his story and make a series out of it. I cannot be more happier because out of it came Cayden! My own sexy military pirate! Come on ladies, I encourage you all to read Pretty Little Player and meet your next book boyfriend! I loved the story line and more importantly....IT WENT DOWN NOT THE WAY I EXPECTED!!!! OMG how the tables turned on this one.
I am in awe with Gracie!!! As a fellow size 14, I related with her and was rooting for her all the way. She has a heart of gold. But don't let that fool you. She will fight back with her claws out if she needs to.
Pretty Little Play marks all the spots! Forbidden Romance, A twisted plot, and the unexpected happens! I could not be more enamored with these characters. What an amazing new series J.K. brings us! I think I want one of the men from Blackwell Lyon security on my detail from here on out!
Short, but good. I loved the premise. In a genre where tropes are recycled, it’s nice to stumble upon a unique idea. The hero is hired to spy on the heroine by a client who claims she’s his cheating fiancée. When the truth is revealed, the hero finds himself having to protect her from a stalker.
Wish it had been a little bit longer and had at least one steamy love scene.
3.5 stars. Short and sweet. I’m never a huge fan of insta-love, but this one was better than most. A little ridiculous but that’s okay... who needs reality in a romance anyway?
Decent read, story and characters. It had a little mystery (whose the stalker), romance and some self imposed drama...Cayden! Even though it was an ok read and story, the characters just didn't interest me or connect in a way I want to read more in this series or about the characters I just read about. I like this authors previous books but this one's like a filler . One to read until you find that fabulous read. 2.5 stars
The book was too short! I needed it to have double the pages it has now because I was really loving it. The pace for the first 2/3 of the book was the best and it picked up later because the author had to finish the story quickly. I wanted to spend more time with these characters and see them develop even more their relationship. There was honestly and a lovely connection between Cayden and Gracie. Cayden has some issues caused by his ex and now he is bitter and jaded. Well, at least he meets Gracie and she changes his mind. Gracie is a good person, likable and she can stand up for herself. In my mind keeps popping one of her phrases "I am not a Mona, I am a Gracie" and that quote made me like her even more.
The book was on the short side, to my disappointment. Yes, I am on a rampage talking about me wanting a longer book because I was loving everything and I was sad to it go. It's definitely an improvement from book one and it gives me high hopes for book 3! You must read this one, but also be prepared for its short length.
4.5 Stars for Pretty Little Player Book 2 in the Blackwell Lyon Series. This may be book 2 in the series but I do believe it can certainly be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone I fell in love with these characters from the moment I met them after all what not to love about a swoon worthy pirate and if you one click this book you will see exactly what I mean !!!!! Cayden Lyon is ex military running his own security firm with his twin brother and best friend they don’t normally take on investigations but something about this case seems personal to Cayden after all his ex wife cheated on him so he understands what Thomas Peterman is feeling and he doesn’t hesitate looking into Gracie Harmon. Gracie Harmon is a beautiful plus size model and when Cayden spots her flirting with the barman in the hotel she is staying it seems she is exactly what he expected a cheating fiancée or is she...... This story has a fair few twists and turns and as this book unfolds we see things are not always as they seem, the characters have depth and are easy to love. The sizzling chemistry between Cayden and Gracie make for some seriously hot moments but it’s also the friendship and loyalty shared between all of the characters in this book that help make this a great read. I loved the reference to Stark Security and I can’t wait to see where Ms Kenner takes us with the next book in this series.
Phew, preconceived notions are killer, right? We know what we know based upon experiences and past history . . . and hind sight is never wrong, right? Well, sometimes it is, and sometimes we really have to let things go in order to be happy and love again . . . but letting go isn’t easy.
Take Cayden, for example. He’s not a big fan of relationships. Doesn’t trust them, why would he when his own marriage went up in smoke due to his wife’s infidelity. He’s been burned by love, and has no desire to be in a relationship ever again. Doesn’t want to put his heart on the line. And his line of work only enforces his thoughts—he’s seen cheating spouses over and over again. And when duty calls, and he’s hired to investigate Gracie and her potential cheating on her fiancé, he’s proven right again . . . or is he?
I really loved the dynamic between Cayden and Gracie. Their meet-cute was adorable—too bad it was all set up to “smoke” Gracie out. But what it really did was cause Cayden to really question his actions, his perceptions and open his eyes. And realize just what was truly happening.
Cayden and Gracie’s romance is fun, smart and sexy AF. And once the truth is revealed, you’ll find yourself rooting for them to find their happily ever after. ~ Missy, 4 stars
This is the second book in the Blackwell Lyon series. I have read the first book but it can be read as a standalone.
This is the story of Cayden. He’s taken a job to find out if Gracie is cheating on her fiancé and has to go undercover and try to prove she is. His wife cheated so he know what this guy must be feeling and wants to prove she is. What he wasn’t expecting is for Gracie to not be a cheating stereotype, even when he put move on her, she pushed back. That only lead him to think there was more to her and he definitely wanted to know more. As it turns out, it was Gracie that was needing his help and he couldn’t say no, or stay away. This was a great story, that I devoured in one afternoon. I’m looking forward to the third book already! ____________________ Overall Ratings;
Hero - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Heroine - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Story - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Angst - ⭐️ Steam - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Chemistry - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Would I read more from author - Yes!
*A copy of this book was provided by the author for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed*
A jaded man, a devious plan to expose a woman's treachery. It all goes wrong for one reason: a passion that consumes them both.
The premise is exciting. This man with a pirate air about him lays a trap for yet another woman that confirms once more how duplicitous they all are. The irony is that his job is about deception. The female character's job is also a vital point in the plot.
I loved the way it worked out as his attraction and feelings towards Gracie, an exceptional and sweet girl, war with his job. The twist regarding Gracie's true identity adds suspense to a romance that bends perception and suspicions. Told from the man's POV, it's a lesson on trust, its power to change lives, and a pretty love story with flowing dialogues and sensuality that happens at the right time.
Very satisfying. I hope to know more about this security firm led by good men with hardened hearts waiting to be melt.
This is the second book in the Blackwell Lyons series and really enjoyed Gracie and Cayden’s story. There story is not normal but it works for them and I would have loved to read more.
Cayden has alit of animosity towards women after his ex wife betrayed him on numerous occasions. Now years later, he is still fighting to realize all women are not the same. So we he gets a job where he has to prove a fiancé is being unfaithful, he takes it.
Gracie is a model who has taken on a stalker. She is staying at a hotel while some upgrades to her house are being done and she has a chance to hire security. Suddenly she meets a man who makes her feel safe but the timing is all wrong.
When their pasts and presents collide, they must decide on how their future will go.
This book has it all mystery, danger, alpha man and a strong women. Love when you never expected it and lust that burn all night long. Grab your copy today and get lost in this book, you will not be disappointed!
This book was true J. Kenner writing! You get hotness along with some trouble going on in the background! Meet Cayden, burned by his ex wife, he trusts no women, he always wonders if they will cheat like his ex, so it's best to not let them get close. He's former military, but at Blackwell-Lyon Security, he manages to take on men looking to see if their wife or girlfriend is stepping out on them. This is where he meets Gracie! Hired by her soon to be fiance, or so he thinks, he starts to get close to her. Gracie is a plus size model, attracts attention from all over, including one who thinks she's his exclusively. Now she wants to hire Cayden to find out who her stalker is. Follow their story, it kept me wondering if they would catch the stalker, and also wondering if Cayden would get his head out of his a$$ and see what was right in front of him! Loving this series by J. Kenner, 5 stars grab it when it comes out!
Sweet, sexy, with-a-danger-aspect kind of read! I was lost in Gracie and Cayden’s story. Full review to come ... . . . Whew! I was excited to dive into this read and I couldn't put it down. In this book, Cayden has been hardened due to life. He's seen a lot of things and is not one who believes in happily ever after. I enjoyed the chemistry and immediate pull Cayden and Gracie had with each other. I liked how she made him hope. This was a fast read for me, mainly because I didn't want to walk away from Cayden and Gracie. She's a very sweet girl and she also gave Cayden peace. Their flirting was fun, the sexual tension high and I enjoyed the element of danger that came with them. The reader knows who but not how and I liked how that component worked it's way into the story. This was a great read and I HIGHLY recommend it! See my full review at https://booksaccordingtoabby.blogspot...
This series, like the Man of the Month series, takes place in good old Austin, TX and is an extension of the Stark universe. This was a hard book to put down because it flowed really well and a great story. However, I did find the plot summary provided to reveal a little too much. If it hadn't revealed what it did, I would have gotten more out of the plot twist and given this review five stars. Cayden is a total bad ass (ex military) and Gracie (plus size model) is a take no BS type of girl. He let's his past get in the way, and she has too much respect for herself to bend to his insecurities. I wish we had gotten a little more back story on Cayden's character, but enough is given to understand his character, I just wanted more. Also I would have liked a little more sexy times, but with shorter books from this author, this is the norm, but the foreplay is still top notch.
Cayden the cynic believes all relationships will fail. Well, his was incinerated which gives him cause to feel this way. His latest case has him investigating Gracie since her fiancé believes she is cheating. But as he connects with Gracie to find the proof he needs, he doesn’t encounter a woman that fits this mold. Gracie is a confident model but ends up at Cayden’s business needing protection from a stalker. Suddenly, the case has gotten even more intense but as Cayden unravels all the pieces, he doesn’t expect his heart to be a victim. Will Cayden be able to open up to love again? I loved Gracie and how she pushed Cayden’s buttons. She is a breath of fresh air for Cayden and he is the perfect alpha male that Gracie needs to lean on in her current crisis. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
Cayden Lyon and Gracie Harmon are great characters and carry this second installment of the series quite well. The secondary characters are just as entertaining and are the icing on the cake as far as I can see. I cannot wait for the next installment in this series - and I'm literally dying cause I need it right now with who the series is about and subject matter!
Cayden & Gracie attraction is almost instantaneous, but these two have a lot of issues to overcome to make it a HEA (trust issues and a deranged stalker). But once they do, and things heat up between them, they may have just found in each other the very thing neither one can live without.
This insta-love story is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat; and while it was a fast paced & quick novella, it had me from the very first page the last!
This is the story of Cayden and Gracie. Cayden is a cynic when it comes to romance and relationships. His wife was unfaithful and he tended to assume the worst of every woman. When a man comes to Cayden's security firm asking him to help prove that his fiancée is unfaithful, Cayden agrees to surveillance with a bit of bait and trap thrown in. What he finds is Gracie, who is nothing like the cheating stereotype in his head and seems to be a beautiful and desirable woman, with a heart of gold. When Cayden discovers that not everything is as it seems, it turns out that perhaps Gracie is the one who needs his help. Great quick read, can't wait for Connor's story in book three.
PRETTY LITTLE PLAYER by J. Kenner is book Two in the Blackwell Lyon series. This is the story of Cayden Lyon and Gracie Harmon. This can be a standalone book. Cayden is a ex-military man who is working as a PI now. What Cayden isn't working on is relationships since his last relationship he caught her cheating. When Cayden is hired to monitor a women named Gracie to see if she is cheating on her boyfriend, he pretty sure its a easy case. But what Cayden didn't plan for was how great Gracie was and that she is his dream women. Now to unravel what is really going on with this case. Really enjoyed their story. A really great read!
Ex military running his own security firm takes on an investigation which became a little personal. Hell, after all his ex cheated on him so he understands and doesn’t hesitates to investigate a beautiful plus size model’s flirt. Seems she is exactly what he expected, a cheater or maybe...
A broken heart who trust no one makes him excellent at the job, but at the same time not open to a true love.
This reading was fast with some twists and turns. Things are not always what they seem, all the characters had depth and I loved the reference to Stark Security.
Can’t wait to see where the next book in this series goes!
Loved Cayden & Gracie's story! And I really love their characters and what they are all about. Great novella but would have loved more time with them. Nice little twist thrown in there too! This may not be a very long read but it is certainly long on chemistry, sweetness and sexiness with some danger to spice things up tossed in the mix. When Cayden is hired to get the dirt on Gracie, it isn't long before he wants to get dirty with her. His ex-wife did quite the number on his trust though so he will not be an easy one to win over for anything long term. Gracie is a model and turns out not to be at all what Cayden expected. And I just love the unexpected.
After his own bad experience, Cayden has placed women in the untrustworthy category. And his job as ferreting out cheating wives, girls friends and fiancé proves his point. That is until he’s asked to check out a Gracie, she seems to have invaded his head and is always on his mind. Will she be the one to break through to his cold dead heart, or is she just another heartbreak in the making?
Again we are treated to another addictive book with charismatic characters and a well written storyline with an awesome dialogue that just pulled the whole story together. I enjoyed it very much and would highly recommend it!
Pretty Little Player is one super fast read in the world of Blackwell-Lyon Security. Cayden and Gracie are super cute and Cayden's protective side comes out when he is trying to protect Gracie. At first its a case of mistaken roles but then you find out the truth and its a race against the clock to find out who's after Gracie. I really like Gracie and Cayden is super sweet and sexy with this patch. Gives him a mysterious side.
Cayden got a new client. A man thinks that his fiance Gracie is having an affair. But when Cayden meets her he is instantly attracted to her. She is a model and has no problem with flirting. Soon they can't keep their hands of each other. He knows it is wrong but something isn't right. Can he trust her or will he end up with a broken heart ? Another fantastic book from a fantastic author. I loved that this book had a catch that I didn't see coming. I really enjoyed it.
Closing his heart to finding his own HEA, Cayden goes through life thinking of women as the enemy. That is until the mark he is following becomes a woman he cannot get out of his head. But will Gracie be the one to break down his walls? Or will she be another woman he cannot trust? Once again, J. Kenner creates a world her readers cannot get enough of. Awesome characters and a storyline that had me hooked from the opening pages, this is another fabulous masterpiece that everyone will enjoy.
Gracie (from Man of the Month series) meets Cayden, partner in security firm Blackwell & Lyon. Cayden is hired to be a PI to scope out Gracie, but what happens when his mark becomes more? Gracie is a friendly sweetheart and model. She also has secrets to why she ran from LA to Austin. Read all the these two as we finally learn Gracie’s secret! Also, special mentions Noah, more Pierce, and the Fix on Sixth gang.