Let’s do a calendar, they said. It’ll be fun, they said.Well, they—I.e. Kilgore Police Department’s public relations specialists—were wrong.Now, every time Dax Tremaine walks around a corner, the women of Kilgore, Texas can’t help calling him Mr. January.Mr. January, can you fix my flat tire? Mr. January, can you cuff me? Mr. January, can you sign my boob?It goes from bad to worse when even on a … goes from bad to worse when even on a SWAT call, the women won’t stay away.
***
It was the worst time of her life. Rowen Roberts had finally admitted to herself that the man she loved would never love her back. She was just fired from her job for violating client confidentiality, and to make matters worse, she’s held up at gunpoint in a convenience store where she only wanted some ice cream to help mask the pain.
The moment the gun is pressed to her forehead, she knows she has a decision to make. Follow the rules and maybe possibly live, or go down swinging where at least she can salvage just a little bit of her dignity.
And when Mr. January himself tells her to do what the gunman says, she’s had enough. Rowen has never really been a girl that does what she’s told. Mr. January won’t have to save her. She can dang well save herself.
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Things aren’t always as they appear. That is the biggest take away I have from this book.
Let us start at the beginning shall we? The title is pretty misleading. In my opinion “Just Kidding” implies joking and lighthearted humor. There is nothing funny about this book. The only conclusion I can reach is that the story centers on the “kids” of the original LLV swat characters. As this is my first ever LLV book that correlation was totally lost on me until I read other peoples reviews. (I’ve obviously put WAY too much thought into the title of this book)
I’m almost done with my rant, I swear. Just allow me a moment to talk about the blurb for the book if you will. I am truly curious as to who wrote the blurb for this book. Several things mentioned in the write up don’t happen in the story, at all. I think the write up actually does the story a disservice. It doesn’t convey the heart of the story and the true depth of the characters.
Dax is a SWAT team member at the police station where Rowen’s father works as the chief of police. Rowen returns home after a series of unfortunate events has her tucking tail and running from her current situation. Dax and Rowen aren’t exactly friends to lovers, more of an “I’ve occasionally noticed you in the periphery of my vision while at family events/over time as we grew up”.
There is bullying (not between Dax and Rowen), suspense, death, military past/light PTSD, and so much more. The story was not at all what I expect from the write up, however I enjoyed it immensely and read it in one sitting. LLV is great at character building. The secondary characters in this book are wonderful and the story leaves you wanting to stay in their SWAT world just a little while longer. I guess it is a good thing that it looks like the SWAT Generation 2.0 series looks like it will be following the calendar in the book. We’ll get plenty of time to return to LLVs world in 2020.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I haven’t read a LLV book in almost 5 years (I know…shame on me!) and I’m so mad at myself that I haven’t! I forgot how much I loved her books!!
Just Kidding had me sighing, swooning, & falling in love with Dax & Rowen. I loved the banter! I couldn’t put it down because I had to see what happened next!
I loved that it’s a stand-alone, but that you get glances into her other series. Of course my TBR has just grown by 13 books…I just want to see more of the KPD!!!
5 Holy Hotness Batman Stars!!!
What a great start to a new series by what has become one of my go-to authors! Rowen finds herself back in Kilgore after getting the ultimate heartbreak, so she thought, and the worst prank imaginable. And wouldn’t you know, her first day back in town finds her face to face with Dax Tremaine, the man of her teenage dreams. But there’s a big difference this time, they’re both older, Dax has been to war and they’re pretty much almost forced to spend time together given that Rowen’s dad is Dax’s boss and she’s his “little girl.”
I laughed and swooned and fanned myself while reading this book. I loved the characters so much. Getting to know ones I’ve been introduced to in other books and new ones that I’m sure I’m going to grow to love in future books. Dax finds himself so drawn to this girl but doesn’t want to cross any lines, but, that doesn’t last long and when that line is crossed, everything changes for both of them all for the better.
This story moves at a great pace and those that deserve to have karma come back and hit them where it counts had me doing a fist-bump in my living room because in this case revenge is so sweet and deserved!!
I can’t wait for the next book in this series!!
#justkidding #llv #lanilynnvale #swatgeneration2 #kpdswat #book1 #mrjanuary #newseries #enemiestolovers #oppositesattract
Dax Tremaine and Rowen Roberts are the lead characters in this new SWAT team series. Rowen is the chief of police’s youngest daughter who just happens to be freshly graduated with her law degree and after having passed the bar is ready to tackle her new profession. Dax is on the SWAT team and participated in the fundraising calendar shoot at the station, ending up as Mr January and a very hot one at that!
I loved the fun banter and general good humour throughout the story, Max’s moment of his procedure being hilarious. It’s a light read but does have some deeper elements that are handled smoothly. Amongst all of this are a couple of crazy characters who really are nuts and cause quite a problem.
Both Dax and Rowen are great characters. Rowen is a tad zany but is as honest as the day is long, she also is very caring and has a heart of gold. Dax, although he relies on mummy too much , is also refreshingly honest and just as caring.
This is a sweet romance with a touch of spice thrown in as well.
Just Kidding is the first title in the SWAT Generation 2.0 series and features Dax Tremaine and Rowen Roberts. If you’re a long time fan of Lani Lynn Vale’s work those names may be familiar to you as both their parents and siblings have featured in previous titles.
As I’ve come to expect from Ms Vale, this title has the perfect blend of heat, heart and humor, and I love that it’s connected to Center Mass (Luke & Reese), Another One Bites the Dust (Max & Payton), Hide Your Crazy (Logan & Katy), F-Bomb (Harleigh & Slate) and will be connected to Fries Before Guys that features Derek, Rowen’s younger brother and fellow SWAT officer.
Rowen is sweet, sassy, funny, intelligent and hardworking. She’s kind of quirky and a bit of a klutz, but is also incredibly resilient, strong and kind. Dax is an alpha with a big heart. He’s sweet, and whilst very loyal is also incredibly private, and being objectified by a calendar is akin to torture for him.
The banter this pair shares is witty, flirtatious and fun and their chemistry is undeniable. This title is sure to leave you with a smile upon your face, and has left me incredibly eager for more of the second generation of SWAT.
I fell in love with the KPD Swat books and the kiddos…they are all grown up in the best way ever! These books are the best of two worlds where we have are favorite Swat guys that we loved but we also have all new guys to fall for. Dax is built, sexy and tattooed and his heart is all for Rowen. Rowen really put up with some crazy stuff before she moved back to Kilgore. She may have left a bad situation but she’s no scared little mouse. I love her strength and willing to stand up for the people she loves. Great steamy book in this new series!
Just Kidding is the first book in the wonderful start of the SWAT 2.0 series by LLV
Drama, humor a crazy ex girlfriend and a crazy psycho co worker had me hooked on this book.
Rowen Roberts just finished Law school and after pinning for a long time on a man that will never notice her and a crazy b*tch co-worker that’s making her life a living hell moves back to Kilgore.
Love Rowen. She was sassy, smart and also very funny.
Dax Tremain is on the SWAT team and he is Mr. January! And Dax hates it. He doesn’t like to post for pictures after a very bad experience with a crazy ex.
Love Dax. He was swoony, very protective and Alpha.
The banter between the main characters and the secondary characters had me smiling.
It was a quick read with a great storyline.
Will look forward to read the rest of the books in this series.
My Rating:
I love Lani Lynn Vale’s books about the Swat Tem at Kilgore Police Departament. The first series was super powerful with so many great stories and couples. Now, she is treating us with the second generation of these characters and they are even greater!
Rowen Roberts is a lawyer and has been stalked by a colleague in San Antonio, she decides to come back to Kilgore where her father is Luke Roberts and try again in her city. Dax Tremaine is a Swat Team member and employee of Luke’s. They have met before but the last time was when they were teenagers, now they are adults and what a great couple they form.
I loved this book! It is a sexy romance with much action and gives you a really good entertainment!
What a great way to start the New Year, “Just Kidding” is a fantastic read by Lani Lynn Vale. In this book we meet yet another sexy as sin, gigantium of a man in SWAT team member Dax. He is built like a tank, covered in tats, sweet and sexy and he falls head over heels for Rowen, his boss’ daughter. Rowen is an intelligent, independent, women. She is beautiful and sexy even after suffering a tragic case of mobbing. After passing the Bar, she decides to move back home, right next door to sexy Dax. Their undeniable attraction to one another is obvious and their chemistry is off the charts. When these two get together, It.is.hot. Overcoming the obstacles, Dax and Rowen get their much deserved happily ever after. TBR this great book and enjoy. (I read an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.)
If like me you love the original SWAT team’s stories then you are honestly going to love these stories about their kids, second generation SWAT.
In true LLV fashion she has delivered another book that you will throw yourself into and be unable to put it down. If I thought the original SWAT men were hot their offspring make these men look tame and your ovaries will be exploding!
Dax Tremaine is one hot AF alpha male. He likes his privacy and cherishes it until he is coerced into taking part in the department Charity calendar and is Mr January.
Rowan, oh I love this quirky girl, she’s so strong and embraces everything that is thrown at her. She has a heart of gold and that sometimes puts her in the crosshairs for bullies that do anything and everything (including making her lose her hair) to try to knock her down.
The chemistry between them is off the charts even before they admit there is something between them. They are so perfect together.
I am really looking forward to seeing what will happen next in their series.
Just Kidding by Lani Lynn Vale starts the adventures of a new crop of fellas from that wonderful town of Kilgore, Texas. This is the Swat 2.0 series first book, but the promise is nothing less than stellar.
I have been hooked on the antics and humor of these stories since book one. With this one I can say, the stories only continue to get better.
Dax Tremaine is nothing if not mild mannered. Well he was, till that dang calendar got out. Then all bets were off. Being a part of the Kilgore Swat team requires him to be a little more aware of what goes on around him. And as we find in this story, not al the events the team will get called out on will end well. Dax is that alpha that handles the situations to the best of his ability, but sometimes, the heart is hurt without even knowing why. I give him credit for stepping up and doing the right thing…even when the passions say otherwise.
Rowen can be…how can I say it nicely… a klutz. Beautiful, smart, with a good heart she has worked to reach the top of her game. Sadly, not everyone in her life is there to cheer her on. Some even stoop to very underhanded steps in an effort to discourage Little do they know the power of this young woman. Oh but they will. Rowen is nothing if not resourceful and persistent.
Her powers shine best when least expected, and she exudes those strengths with her actions…klutz or not.
One thing leads to another and whether these two want to or not, they are thrown together. Good and bad, life makes them a stronger power together. Some friends are not friends, but snakes in the grass. Thank goodness these two can figure out the good ones from the bad ones.
Lani Lynn Vale penned a story webbed with twist and turns at every corner. I could not put this book down. When you think you have it all figured out, surprise, you’re wrong. And when major changes come about, you will find yourself holding your breath and hoping for nothing but the better. Lani Lynn went all out with this story. For this to be Book 1 of the series says a lot about what to expect with all the rest. And I am looking forward to those releases as I was for this 5 star masterpiece.
*big sigh*
I absolutely loved the original KPD SWAT guys so now its their kids turn and i love these too! You get to see all the original lot and see how they’ve gotten on since their books finished and now their babies are all grown!
I absolutely loved Rowen and Dax, i love all LLV characters for the simple fact once the men have their sights set on their woman there isn’t a thing on this earth that would get in his way to get her, their always so alpha and protective its hot and sweet all at the same time.
Rowen i felt for the girl i really did. She got done dirty, she handled it alot better than i would of and it didn’t slow her down in he slightest if anything it made her keep her head held strong.
Dax was swoon worthy, he has his own hang ups too but again given his past i honestly don’t blame him.
I can’t wait for the rest of the kids books!
A new generation of SWAT is here! Just Kidding is a slow burn romance, filled with lots of supportive characters, and a story with twists and turns.
Rowan Roberts is the daughter to the SWAT chief and sister to a SWAT team member as well, so she is no stranger to this world. When she moves back to Kilgore after being bullied by an ex-coworker her life changes for the better when she runs into Dax Tremaine, a member of SWAT, who not only gives her a reference for a job, but also becomes her new neighbor. Her life is definitely looking up, that is until the bully who ruined her life shows back up.
Dax was burned by an ex-girlfriend a long time ago so he doesn’t trust very easily, but something about Rowan speaks to him. Even though she’s the little sister of his teammate and probably even more so that she’s the daughter of his boss he should probably stay away, but he just can’t. Their easy friendship blossoms into something more and he’s not about to stop the freefall from happening.
Dax and Rowan’s chemistry builds and builds until it finally sizzles and they can’t stay away from each other. Even as they come upon obstacles they stick together and overcome them as a team. I also love that they don’t let others come between them and that their family, whether by blood or team members, are always at the forefront.
Oh how I love Lani Lynn Vale books. This is book 1 of yet another spin off series, intorducing new characters that intermingle with the old. This is the SWAT team of Kilgore, and boy are they hot. The sweetness and sexiness in this book totally overshadows the mean and cruel. I love how you laugh and cry at every turn of the page. Always a one sitting read for me!
5 super shiny stars!!
Amazing start to a new series!
A new spin-off series by one of my favourite authors. It’s like Christmas came early as I tried to read slowly to make it last. Of course, that didn’t happen as Rowen and Dax proved to be too good to walk away before their story was done…
Rowen and Dax were gold in this hilarious, heart-warming and steamy romance… Work-place bullying, unrequited love and pure malice haunted Rowen until it all blew up in her face. Or on her head, to be precise. She was crushed but not down as she was forced to face her situation and the people pushing her into a corner. Dax was unexpectedly at her side for all of it, softening the blows while providing a new, sexy, captivating wrinkle. They laughed and fought, and soon found themselves side by side, battling whatever hit them next, together. Hilarious banter, saucy sexiness and a fight for your rights story had me laughing and smiling all the way through. Smiling and laughing but ready to pick up the fight too as bullying and jealousy went too far. They didn’t need my help, though, as loving family and friends had their backs.
New characters joined much-loved ones in a read that was over much too quickly. Loved, loved, loved it!
*Reviewed for Nerdy Dirty & Flirty