A tabloid scandal unites a powerful mogul and a woman from the wrong side of the tracks in this tantalizing novel from the USA Today bestselling author of Bound Beneath His Pain and the Club Sin series.Spoiler alert! The following reveals crucial plot points from Restrained Under His Duty.The multimillionaire owner of a chain of successful Irish pubs, Gabe O’Keefe loves being in the spotlight … chain of successful Irish pubs, Gabe O’Keefe loves being in the spotlight almost as much as he loves women. But when all his secrets are exposed in a shameless tabloid, his glistening reputation takes a hit. What hurts most is learning who sold him out: sweet and sensual McKenna Archer, his own employee. Gabe thought he could trust her. But now he’s got bigger problems than keeping his hands off McKenna.
After putting a difficult past behind her, McKenna would never betray Gabe. But she knows someone who would: her brother, a compulsive gambler who owes money all over town. To make things right, McKenna will have to set aside her feelings for her boss. Easier said than done. Gabe oozes pure temptation. But when they team up, McKenna sees that he isn’t the manwhore she always thought. He’s strong. He’s real. And the heat between them is the only thing that makes sense anymore.
Don’t miss any of Stacey Kennedy’s red-hot reads
The sinful standalone: PERFECTLY INAPPROPRIATE
The duet of naughty novellas: BOUGHT BY THE BOSS
The Dirty Little Secrets series: BOUND BENEATH HIS PAIN | TIED TO HIS BETRAYAL | RESTRAINED UNDER HIS DUTY | CUFFED BY HIS CHARM
The Club Sin series: CLAIMED | BARED | DESIRED | FREED | TAMED | COMMANDED | MINE
Praise for Cuffed by His Charm
“A very entertaining read filled with action, suspense, and enough emotion to satisfy your needs.”—Harlequin Junkie
“Cuffed by His Charm is a delightful book, with strong, likeable characters, emotional angst, a complex plot, and steamy sex scenes.”—Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
“I read this in one sitting! Seriously hot! Heroes who screw up and have to redeem themselves are my kryptonite. Cuffed by His Charm is an excellent end to the Dirty Little Secrets series but can easily stand alone. Passionate and emotional, this book doesn’t disappoint.”—USA Today bestselling author Jamie K. Schmidt
Cuffed by His Charm is intended for mature audiences. This ebook includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
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Gabe O’Keefe is use to being front and center in the public eye, and to be honest he really enjoys the attention… but then someone airs his dirty laundry, and his gleaming reputation takes a major hit, and now he is out for revenge. He thinks it is longtime employee who decided to cash in on his fame, and share his secrets, so he hands her her walking papers, only to learn soon after that it wasn’t her after all. Now he feels like an insensitive ass, and knows he needs to apologize to her and make things right…question is will she be so receptive to the man who is going after her own brother to get his revenge?
McKenna Archer hasn’t had the best life, growing up her parents weren’t around much, and her mom always seem to be on the wrong side of the law. Now her brother seems to want to keep up the family tradition, and get himself in deep when he throws her boss to the publicity vultures purely for monetary gain. But her boss thinks that she is to blame and fires her before she has the chance to tell him she knows who is to blame, and it hurts her to know that he doesn’t trust her. Just when she is ready to write him and her feelings for him off completely he shows up on her doorstep with an apology… question is can she forgive him?
Cuffed by His Charm is a suspenseful and oh so naughty little fairy tale that is sure to satisfy every romance readers appetite! This is the fourth offering in the Dirty Little Secrets series, and I have to say that I enjoyed it just as much as it’s predecessors, it had the same intensity, heat factor, and emotional depth…and of course a certain sexy multimillionaire that I have been dying to meet! Gabe was everything I thought he would be and so much more, and while I thought he acted like an ass a few times, I let it slide because I knew he would redeem himself eventually… and boy did he ever!! If you haven’t made time to read this series yet, I highly recommend you remedy that ASAP, because not only are you missing out on some exceptional stories, but also the opportunity to meet some really amazing characters too!! Loved this one, it left my cheeks with a permanent blush, and my heart overflowing!!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.
WHAT a way to end a series! Cuffed is full of twists and turns as Gabe tries to find out who has sold out himself and his friends. The first scene of the book between Gabe and McKenna was brutal….on my heart. These two are so good together. The epilogue, though short and sweet, gives us a brief glimpse into the futures of the characters we’ve followed throughout this series. While I am sad to be saying goodbye to the counsel, I think there may be a good chance we’ll se them again.
This is the fourth book in the “Dirty Little Secrets” series by author Stacey Kennedy. This author has done a fantastic job with this series. She has a way with writing hot exciting action and BDSM. This book had me hooked from the start. Could Gabe get any sexier? I really liked that our heroine McKenna is strong and very forgiving, but you’ll have to read it for yourself, I’m not one to drop a spoiler. This was a good story with solid characters and I really liked that McKenna enjoyed dominance but didn’t come across as brainless. If you read the previous books than you would have had a hint as to how hot these two were going to run. If you like books with BDSM and hot angry sex, then this is a book for you.
***I voluntarily reviewed this ARC for an honest review via NetGalley, this is my honest opinion and has not been influenced by the author, Publishers or NetGalley in anyway.*** Thank you!
Very good read!
OMG great addition to the Dirty Little Secrets Series, I just couldn’t put it down down until I finished reading the whole story. This story about Gabe and McKenna, Gabe is the fourth member of the Council, If you read previous books you would met Gabe or in Club Sin Series. I been waiting on Gabe’s book to see what he would get up maybe its because i am Irish, let me say was not disappointed, McKenna works for Gabe 100% attracted to each other. So pre-order COPY TO FIND GABE & MCKENNA get a HEA, i keeping my lips sealed. Sorry get no spoilers here!!!
I highly recommend this book and series, I received an advance reader copy from NetGalley
Cuffed by His Charm is the fourth book and final book in the Dirty Little Secrets Series. The story line continues in this suspense filled romance. You do not need to read the series in order, each story is an independent romance.
We pick up with Gabe O’Keefe confronting the possible snitch, his employee, love interest, McKenna Archer. Gabe and McKenna share a mutual attraction but Gabe has kept his distance because McKenna is his employee. Now all bets are off since discovering that McKenna is the snitch.
As it turns out, it was McKenna’s brother who has sold out Gabe and his friends to the tabloids. Now the issue is McKenna’s brother is missing and Gabe has to put his feeling aside or lose McKenna.
I really enjoyed this series but I felt Cuffed by His Charm was a small let down. McKenna, our heroine, didn’t have enough balls. She didn’t get angry in spite of being hurt but rather she was a doormat. Although at the beginning of the story Gabe made a terrible decision he redeemed himself by putting aside his personal feelings in order to keep McKenna. 3 Stars
Full review appeared on Reader’s Edyn on 11/19/17
McKenna Archer has been working for Gabriel as a bartender for a year. The entire year they have been walking a fine line between flirtation and caving in to smoldering desire, but Gabe refuses to cross that line. He does not date employees and so they continue their dance of temptation, which is quickly becoming sweet torture. But Gabe is suddenly on a rampage and something has shifted – he’s crossing a line he never has before, which is a dream come true. Except he’s calling her a backstabber. A traitor. She has no idea what is happening, but it’s bad and now her only course of action is to prove her innocence and help Gabe set things right. Unwittingly, she has played a hand in this scandal and she can’t move on with Gabe until this situation is resolved. However, familial connection isn’t an easy cord to sever and the actual offender might cause too much damage for Gabe and McKenna to be able to rally back from.
Gabriel O’Keefe is out of his element. He’s wanted McKenna since day 1 and now he’s found out what a beautiful liar she is. He has to have her before he throws her away, which is a feat much more difficult than he anticipated, even knowing the extent of her deceit. Except things aren’t as he had believed and suddenly they are thrown into a game much more dangerous than initially assessed. As Gabe’s trouble grows, McKenna finds her safety at risk and the deeper the trouble, the higher the risk. After the tangle of lies and deception are unraveled, Gabe an McKenna will have a lot of choices to make, but saving their fragile relationship might be off the table completely with too much damage done during the course of their investigation.
If you guys haven’t read any of this series, there is a warning that some critical plot points are revealed in this book for one (or more) of the previous books in the series. I haven’t read the rest of the series and this is book 4. While I didn’t have any difficulty following along and was sure that there were things mentioned that would have to do with a previous book or three, nothing that blatantly interfered with my reading enjoyment occurred. I don’t feel like anything too life-shattering was mentioned but having not read the previous books, I am in no way an expert. That said if you don’t want to risk any spoilers, it might be safer to read this series in order.
I really enjoyed both Gabe, McKenna, and all of the supporting characters – with the exception of the evil goons, of course. McKenna is a strong character who has been through a lot and has made her own way. With the exception of her tunnel-vision regarding her brother, she was a likeable character. I wanted to slap her regarding the enabling qualities she possesses with Evan and, even though we were prepared for her next moves in Evan’s case, I found that habit annoying. But when put into perspective, you can almost understand why she does what she does concerning her brother Gabe is that quintessential alpha male billionaire. He’s got money and power, but he’s an average guy who prefers working behind the bar, to the daily monotonous CEO grind. Ha! Who am I kidding? No billionaire is an average guy despite his dislike for corporate life. He’s connected and he and his self-made billionaire buddies are all at the center of some serious scandal which apparently spans the length of the series. I have to say that even though these guys are crazy intuitive, it was a quite a refreshing change to see them make a mistake and accuse the wrong person initially. Alphas making a massive mistake isn’t a common component. All of Gabe’s friends very obviously had their own back stories and the more they were involved, the more I liked them. I would definitely read the series in its entirety based on these charming characters; each bringing a vital piece to their life-long friendship. I’m looking for a story for Alex, Ryder’s hacker, next. Hopefully there are plans for her. Supposedly it’s the end of the series, but you never know … And since I’m speculating, there are a couple of other “potential couples” mentioned in the epilogue, so I’ll hold out for the next installment – or a spin-off …
Overall, this is a great book with a little bit of everything – brooding hero, strong female lead, loyal friends, an annoying mother, suspense, betrayal, hackers, redemption, a titch of BDSM, bars, sex clubs, billionaires and the women who have captured them, crazy hot sex … Yep, a bit of everything! I do have one compliant – the villain didn’t get his in my opinion. I feel like there could still be an axe to grind and if he’s the same scoundrel from the previous books (which I am not sure of), then really? That’s all? But technically there are two scoundrels and I felt like they could have dealt with that one just a bit more severely as well. Granted, they are upstanding guys that have been wronged, and wouldn’t stoop to the level of their temporary oppressors, but dang! If it truly is the end of the series, get it handled! And here is where I feel like Alex would come in nicely. Just saying. I’m pretty sure fans of the series would have no objection to visiting these characters again. But either way, fans of romantic suspense will find this read (and most likely the series) fascinating and engaging. The evil-doers will piss you off, the sizzling romance will excite you, the captivating plot will thrill you, and the emotionally charged characters will charm you. All in all, an enjoyable read!
Kindle version provided by RandomHouse Loveswept/Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book I read by this author. I found that I did not have to read the previous stories to enjoy this one. The attraction between Gabe and McKenna is tested greatly throughout this story. Gabe’s anger changes to guilt, remorse, then to protectiveness, caring and love. McKenna has to fight her own guilty feelings for all that she has brought into his world as well as her feelings of family loyalty. I enjoyed the story of their journey very much, though I felt the intimate scenes between them were a little too emotionless.
I received a copy of this story through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.
I have always loved Gabe, but after the way he started out his book, I am not sure if that love will last. Will he redeem himself???
McKenna has had a hard life, but she has a big heart and sometimes that lands her in trouble. She has loved Gabe for a long time and she knows that he has feelings for her too, but he won’t cross that line because she is his employee. Just when McKenna thinks that Gabe has finally given in to his feelings, he accuses her of something that she doesn’t know anything about. Again, McKenna is devastated. 1) Because Gabe don’t trust and believe in her and 2) she thinks that she has now lost somebody else that she cared about.
Gabe knows that he has totally screwed up with McKenna and doesn’t know how he will ever get over what he did or how he will ever get McKenna to forgive him. He broke her heart. It will take something major to make them see past their hurdles, but sometimes love is worth the pain.
I love, love this series and these characters and hate that this series is ending.
Let me start by saying that I haven’t read the other books in this series, but I didn’t have too much difficulty figuring out the connections between this group of friends. That part of the story line was interesting and it was obvious that this group would do anything for each other. The romance between Gabe and McKenna was where I ran into problems. I was put off by Gabe’s initial treatment of McKenna, but as the story progressed, he did redeem himself. McKenna, however, was the source of much eye-rolling and head shaking. From the star ratings that I’ve seen, I realize that I’m in the minority here, so I will try to explain without too many spoilers. McKenna loves her brother and would do anything for him, which I can understand. What I couldn’t understand was her willingly participating in a “scene” with Gabe right after finding evidence that her brother could be in serious trouble. I completely understand two people with a strong attraction coming together in times of stress, but this situation seemed almost separate from any worries McKenna may have had. Gabe had no reason to care what happened to McKenna’s brother, other than his feelings for her, but at times it felt like I was reading two separate stories – one that was an emotional hunt for Evan and another that was a steamy BDSM light romance. Again, toward the end, I was a bit confused about the money. I don’t know if it was intentional, but it came across that McKenna didn’t want Gabe when she though he’d paid one amount, but when the truth comes out, it’s a different story. I’m still confused as to why it matters how much was paid as long as her knight came riding in to save her. The romance between this pair never felt like a romance to me. A strong physical attraction, yes, and Gabe does things that only a man who loves a woman would do, but I never felt like McKenna had anything more than lust for him.
The last in the Dirty Little Secrets series can be read as a standalone (but you’d be missing out on three other great stories!) and was a great way to wrap up the series. While this wasn’t my favorite of the four, that does not in any way diminish the enjoyment of this series.
A couple of things did bothered me. My first issue is with Gabe’s treatment of McKenna when he believes she’s guilty. It’s just wrong. McKenna’s initial reaction to his behavior is appropriate. But after that? She forgives Gabe way to easily for his actions which makes her look weak.
Further, McKenna’s subsequent behavior seems extremely naive for someone with a past like hers. This naivety continues with blind loyalty to her brother even to the extend of putting her in danger for him (enabling his behavior even when she acknowledges that what she’s done for her brother has only perpetuated his gambling addiction). And again, her astonishment and reaction of how Ryder, Gabe’s friend who owns a very successful security detail company, finds more conclusive evidence during their investigation also makes her look rather naive.
Bright points though? Many and one is Alex, Ryder’s second-in-command and computer hacker extraordinaire (amongst other skills!) who is such a strong, capable woman. I enjoyed the way Ryder really looks at Alex as his equal – a very strong asset to his success. I’m hoping she gets a story of her own! Gabe’s other friends, Darius and Micah, also add to the story – and will make you want to read about their own stories in this series!
And beyond Gabe’s initial behavior, he goes to great lengths to right his wrong with McKenna. He has many facets and shows his intelligence in many different situations. You definitely understand how he became the successful businessman he is.
And the epilogue? Great for tying up this last book in the series!