Ever since Kennedi Chase was a little girl, she dreamed of one day owning her mother's bakery boutique, Chase Confections. Now that she does, she’ll do everything she can to keep it running. When a hotshot businessman—emphasis on hot—threatens everything she holds dear, Kennedi bakes up an unconventional plan to protect her family legacy.
He believes in himself…
Casio developer Trenton Shaw will do anything to succeed. After a bitter divorce, he’s poured his heart and soul into achieving his professional goals. A new parking garage on the Washington D.C. Wharf is essential to his casino. He won’t let a cake baker get in his way, no matter how gorgeous, tenacious, and irresistibly charming she seems to be.
There’s no denying the sizzling attraction as professional entanglements become highly personal. But when Trenton discovers Kennedi's secret, she’s forced into a desperate choice. Should she protect her family or her heart?
Michele Arris is a RWA Golden Heart® award-winning author in steamy contemporary romance. Her work is edgy and downright steamy with a melting pot of strong, diverse characters.
Michele grew up in the south and currently lives in the northeast. When she isn’t stationed in front of her laptop spilling her wayward imagination onto the page, she’s jotting scenes in her head.
“It’s enjoyable to write stories where two people are guaranteed their happy ending.”
Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review 2.5 stars. An unlikely romance between a tycoon and a determined heroine with clashing objectives, “See Me”, by Michele Arris (Tule Publishing), focus on business world and the problems Trenton and Kennedi have to face while they navigate their instant attraction and relationship. I liked that the hero is considerate and tender beneath the alpha male persona. Kennedi is dealing with serious and heartbreaking issues – her father’s dementia, the confectionery issues - that make her character relatable. I thought the story was a bit slow in places and the emphasis on the characters’ good looks and the descriptions of what and how well they dressed, especially Trenton, and the sex scenes annoyed me.
Kennedi is drowning, trying her best to save the legacies of both her parents. K. Avery Chase Confections and Investments. Her passion always lied with food, but when her Pop unexpectedly gets sick she has to manage the investments as well. On top of that her shop is being forced to relocate by a new Casino and it seems like nothing is going right. She sets out to confront the casino owner, which she does, but also realizes there is a strong undercurrent of attraction for this man she should despise. As they say there is a thin line between love and hate.
Trent is immediately attracted to Kennedi, not knowing who she was. Once he finds out she is the woman causing his Casino project to be stalled, the attraction still simmers. Once he finds out who she is at the core, all he wants to do is help her. He goes out of his way to help her come up for air, in a situation she was drowning in. He was so attached to her that he kept pushing off sharing his baggage because he couldn't imagine life without her....
Do they figure out how to work through his baggage together or is it too much?? Read it, because it is so good. The sub characters are strong as well.
I really loved the story line in this one! But it definitely could have been 100 pages longer, easy. I feel like at 90%, the author had to tie up like 20 different story lines and it felt really rushed.
Loved this book. Read it in one seating and was reluctant to let go when it finished I wanted more. Definitely telling all my friends about this talented author. Thank you for such an awesome story about a strong hard working black woman. Well done. I will be reading more from this author.
‘See Me‘ begins the ‘Tycoon’s Temptation‘ series with an emotional, sizzling romance that you might mistake for enemies to lovers, at first… no, these two may be on opposite sides but the attraction is too hot for enemies.
I liked them both for different reasons. Kennedi will do anything she needs to do to protect what is hers or her family. No one is taking Chase Confections from her, not even a hot developer who thinks he’s calling the shots.
Trenton has been wearing emotional blindfolders since his divorce, all he sees now is the single-minded pursuit of his end goal… that space on the wharf for his casino’s parking garage. He wasn’t expecting Kennedi or his intense attraction to her. Neither was expecting to fall or to have to make changes to their own plans that could derail everything between them.
‘See Me‘ easily caught me up in this world with believable, realist characters, smooth writing, and a plot that kept me engaged and wondering what would come next. Secondary characters matter to me, so I enjoyed the people we met… I’ve no clue if we’ll meet them again later in the series but I’ll be watching just in case. In all, I had a good, entertaining time in the first story of the ‘Tycoon’s Temptation‘ series and will definitely pick up the next one.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from Tule Publishing. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of See Me, the latest book and the first in a new series from Michele Arris. Wow! I really enjoyed Kennedi and Trenton's story. This book is an intense, emotional read. Both main characters are strong, powerful people with realistic flaws and problems.
The author creates an entire world by the waterfront and her descriptions of all the delicious sweets from Kennedi's bakery business were so tempting I had to go buy a cupcake. The chemistry and passionate scenes between Kennedi and Trenton were hot, hot, hot. In addition to rooting for these two to find their HEA, I enjoyed meeting the secondary characters and can't wait to read the next book in this series. I hope it's Tabitha's story!
Once I started reading See Me no one saw me until I hit the end of this book. I can not wait until I can read the next book in this series from Author Michele Arris. I am so excited to find a new author to me to read and stalk too. This book hit all my bells and whistles for a good sexy read. K. Avery Chase owns an upscale bakery but her dad by the same name own a real estate firm that need to be run. Let's just say life get very interesting really quickly. Make sure you have plenty of You Time when you pop this one open and a bottle of wine of bubbles. (wink).
This is the first book that i have read of Michele Arris and I loved it. All I have to say is I need to know if Trenton has a brother I can have. This is one of those books that starts off good and gets better as it goes. It has so many things going on that trying to leave this review I found myself giving some of the best parts away So all I am going to say is if you want a great read you should read this book. I will be reading more of her books in the future.
Wow what a great start to this new series. From the moment I picked it up it grabbed my attention. Kennedi and Trenton are both strong characters. The chemistry between these two is very, very hot! I loved the story line it was hot but intriguing at the same time. I look forward to reading more books by this author. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved Trenton and Kennedi's story. I loved and enjoyed reading this series. I read them backwards I started with book 3 first then I saw book 2,and finally saw 1. That said I enjoyed reading all, and would recommend reading this series. Good job Ms.Arris, thank you hoping to read some more of your books. 🙏
This was a good love story of opposites attract and enemies to lovers.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a page turner.
Great Chemistry and the story line was believable. Trenton and Kennedi were pure fire. The story had depth and you really felt that the characters connected.
Thus, my first read by Ms. Arris, and it’s freshly served! Trenton and Kennedi’s chemistry is off the charts, their first meet epic, and their realization of true love visceral!
Great book. I had the pleasure of reading an arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I loved it, strong storyline with real life scenarios and characters you got to know.
It is so good to read an interracial romance that is not sex looking for a story. It good to read one that has an editor and is not filled with unnecessary grammatical errors. It's good to read an interracial romance with both main characters strong in their own right.
I loved Trent and Kennedi both. Trent was the wealthy, white male who met Kennedi and immediately felt something. Kennedi was the African-American female who was a strong business owner, struggling to make a go of her business as well as her father's. They both knew who the other was when they met.
They both had misconceptions about the other which led to a lot of angst but made the story more interesting. There were very good back stories on them both. Kennedi's parents seemed more real than Trent's, perhaps, because we got to meet Kennedi's father.
I loved Trent's brother, Dominic as well as his lawyer and best friend Vincent. Kennedi's friends may had been more interesting. You have the firebrand, Tabitha and the sweet Evie. They're all business partners but more than that, you feel their loyalty and love for each other. In this story, they are there for Kennedi. You know that they all have their problems but are completely loyal to each other. They get very angry with other and speak truth. Because they know each other so well, the truth they speak to each other causes serious pain. However, because they love each other, their anger never simmers or divides them. They know each speaks the truth in love and almost immediately apologizes and forgives each other. You know that Kennedi's and Trent's story is only the beginning but that there are attractions between their brother and friends.
Yes, the sex is more than steamy but not pornographic. The sex is descriptive without the vulgarity found in so many interracial romances. Kennedi and Trenton have to face several issues that could break them up but love prevails. There are also those who mean them no good. Kennedy is taken in more than Trent but she always come to her senses.
Of course, there's a HEA that leaves you smiling. I can't wait to read Dominic's Tabitha's, Evie's, Vincent's or any of the other secondary characters stories.
I received this arc from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. See Me was my first book by Michele Arris. I enjoyed the book. It was easy to read, steamy, entertaining and an interesting storyline. The book featured Kennedi Avery Chase and Trenton Shaw. Kennedi and her two best friends own a very upscale bakery, Chase Confections. Also her father was recently diagnosed as having a brain tumor, causing dementia. He has been put into a very expensive and exclusive care facility, leaving Kennedi to also try and run his major real estate company as well.
Trenton, a wealthy businessman, is buildIng his casino in Washington DC but Kennedi’s shop is located where his parking garage is planned to be and so he’s trying to buy the land. She doesn’t want to sell but isn’t able to make the balloon payment that is coming due. At the start of the book we see him as ruthless, but as the story progresses, he shows a different side to Kennedi. He became more human and likable. He helps Kennedi with running her dad’s company and the two become intimate. He does constantly wonder what Kennedi is hiding.
I found some of Kennedi’s and her friend Tabitha’s actions to be annoying. It seemed they kept changing how they wanted to deal with Trenton. In addition, I felt there was too much time spent on describing how they looked and what they were wearing. I enjoyed the storyline and look forward to book 2.
See Me by Michele Arris is an enjoyable contemporary romance. While this author is new to me this book does not to read as a debut. It has a polished plot even if somewhat predictable with great character development. I say it was somewhat predictable because there is a bit of intrigue about the bakery’s financial problems but because it is a romance I expected love to win in the end. That kept me guessing until it was revealed completely.
Kennedi Chase and Trenton Shaw are strong complex characters. Parts of their pas affect their actions now sometimes good and sometimes not so much. While the fate of the bakery hangs in the air and the Washington D.C. Wharf makes a lovely backdrop the focus on the story is on the main characters new then developing relationship. This relationship burns bright and hot.
There are supporting characters just as interesting as the main so I hope they get their own stories in the future. Yes, this is an author whose books I would want to read.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 4 Stars
I really enjoyed Kennedi and Trenton’s story in See Me by Michele Arris, book one in her Tycoon’s Temptation series. This is story has these two start out at odds with each other. Kennedi is trying to keep a hot shot and handsome businessman from razing her bakery boutique; the one she inherited from her mother. At the same time she is trying to help keep her father’s business afloat while he is ill. Trenton, a real estate developer, will do anything to succeed. A new parking garage is essential for the casino he is building. He will not let a cake baker get in his way, no matter how beautiful, tenacious, and irresistibly charming she appears. These two have a magnetic attraction and off the chart chemistry while they mix their personal and professional lives.
Ms Arris wrote a wonderfully, sizzling and emotional story that is definitely not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with chemistry, amusing banter, and charming secondary characters giving Kennedi and Trenton a chance for love and a future together. I highly recommend See Me to other readers and look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
This one had a lot going on from family drama and illness, to shady dealings, to exes and business that it supported the back story of Trenton and Kennedi. I'd say it was alright overall. At a certain point in the book, I got to wondering what was wrong with Kennedi's attitude because sometimes she'd be angry or standoffish and I couldn't understand why, particularly after she and Trenton had sex or seemed close. It was a lot of back and forth unnecessarily at times I thought.
The friends were genuine and I liked that the characters had business responsibilities but I couldn't see how Kennedi managed everything she had going on in her life. The potential other man and secrets about his ex Trenton didn't disclose almost ended things before they got going well but in the end they were able to work their way through it. Most of it with Trenton begging Kennedi to stay and work things out.
Kennedi is working hard to keep her mother's legacy of a bakery running. She is trying to keep her father's business alive since he made some bad investments. She is fighting Trenton Shaw and his mega corporation to save both. This is book 1 in the Tycoon's Temptation series. This story is emotional as it deals with dementia in a parent which can be heartbreaking. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
3.5🌟 I got this book as a ‘Blind Date with a Book’ from a local bookshop! I was nervous when I started to read it but I was pleasantly surprised, I did enjoy the book! I didn’t love the writing style and I felt like the ending was really rushed. It definitely could have been longer. But overall, I enjoyed it! It was a quick little read!
I will say I don’t think I will ever find myself rereading this book or read the next standalone book in this series.
I love the sisterhood and affection between Kennidi, Tabitha and Evie. I especially love that Trent denied his feelings for Kennidi until he couldn't think straight; and the protectiveness the friends have for one anotherv especially where men are concerned. Can't wait to get to Dominic and Tabitha's story and hopefully follow that up with Evie and Vincent's story.
I received the See Me ARC in exchange for a honest review,the book caught my attention along with the Blurb.Kennedi Chase grew up around the bakery her mom owned and ran and always dreamed of carrying on the legacy of Chase Connfections until Casino Owner Trenton Shaw comes along has other ideas for the bakery lot.Can these two come to some kind of agreement?
This book was AN AMAZING READ!!! I felt all of the emotions each Main Character expressed. esp Kennedi and Trenton My heart broke for Trenton, when he thought he lost Kennedi. I felt all of his...However, he should have been up front and very vocal/honest about what his ex wife was putting him through. Thank Goodness for Dom.
Can not wait to read Book 2 & 3 in this series...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
If you are into novels with a ton of sex scenes in them, See Me is meant for you. It was a little too much for me, but I’m old so what do I know? I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
New author for me. I’ll give it 3.5 Surprisingly I’ve never read a book with a mixed race couple. Not that it matters, but I enjoyed the culturally different dialogue. Now some of It was corny, which is why i deducted points, but I would read another one of her books.
A very good story about corporate goings-on. Too bad the author felt the need to delve into detailed sex exploits as if the reader needed a tutorial. Unnecessary. Telling more about taking down Alan Lange would have been much more interesting