Afghanistan hadn’t quite killed me. Karen Sinclair just might.You don’t find many too-pretty rich boys in the New Zealand Defense Force. Turns out there’s a reason for that. Fortunately, you can find your true self in the oddest places. Of course, you can lose yourself in those places, too—at least some pieces of you.Since I was back home with a new leg, some facial alterations, and time on my … alterations, and time on my hands, I might as well help out my sister. Showing a potential buyer around some of New Zealand’s quirkier ecotourism sites, having a few adrenaline-fueled adventures? Fine. It wasn’t like I’d never been camping, unlike the walking tornado that was Miss Karen Sinclair. Unfortunately, Karen had never heard of the phrase, “Let me get that,” let alone, “We don’t have time.” She’d definitely never heard, “There’s no more room in the car.”
And then there was the sexual frustration.
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A wounded warrior. A wounded woman. Rediscovering themselves and finding love while adventuring through life and New Zealand. I laughed with the characters and cried for them. I also loved that I was able to take a mini vacation within the pages thanks to the scenic details of New Zealand described by the author.
Sometimes we meet secondary characters and they resonate so much that we hope they end up with a story of their own. That’s exactly the case with Karen Sinclair (First seen in the Not Quite a Billionaire series). Kiwi Rules takes place roughly 10 years after we last saw young Karen.
Ms James does a wonderful job of bringing Karen into adulthood and creating a reason for her to also return to New Zealand. I loved the descriptions of Karen’s character, she’s entertaining and her mix of confidence and insecurities ripple off the page making her incredibly easy to relate to. Jax is an excellent counterpoint to Karen. He has his own issues and baggage, but has a confidence that she needs. I appreciated the things both Jax and Karen had in common, especially regarding their families and trying to determine where they are meant to go forward in life after some pretty big changes.
Kiwi Rules is another example of Ms. James unique style that pulls you into the adventures of her characters and makes you want to go along with them. There is an excellent balance between place descriptions and character activity so that you can picture the environment even if you’ve never been there. New Zealand’s unique culture is also woven into the story via secondary characters that make you want to hang out with them as much as with Karen and Jax.
If you have read the Not Quite a Billionaire series, then you will appreciate the appearance of Hope, Hemi, and the rest of the extended Te Mana family. Don’t worry if you have not read the earlier books as this is a complete stand alone.
Ms James is an author that I can always count on to deliver a high quality, engaging read and Kiwi Rules is another example of why this is true.
This is a 10 star read from me! Why? It’s about strength, rescue, family, betrayal, determination, and a belief in something better.
The writing is top of the line with characters that have depth and a plot and subplots that are tightly woven and keep the reader engaged from the start.
This story pulled me in from the first pages when we meet Daisy Kittridge on her way to tackle a life changing mission … when she runs into Gray Tomato, a Samoan ex-Rugby star. Daisy is strong, determined, and on her own after escaping from a cult as a teen. She’s been betrayed in the worst way possible, but has time and time again pulled herself out of tight situations and come out ahead … on her own.
Gray’s in it to help her on her mission … and finds himself in awe of Daisy’s strength and her independence.
This is a full length novel with humor, scenes that sizzle, favorite characters from previous books, and an ending that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I’ve been a reader of Ms. James from the start and each book of hers amazes me with the writing and the storyline.
If you’re looking for an in-depth, standalone novel with characters who will evoke the strongest of emotions and a story that will have you re-reading the moment you finish, Kiwi Strong is for you. Download now and clear the next day.
I received an ARC, but I purchased this book. This is my honest review.Rosalind James
The book was wonderful in so many aspects, however, there were many steamy parts that weren’t necessary for the storyline. Consequently had to skip over a good part of the book.
Falling in love while adjusting for tragic events. Very well written.
I had high hopes for this book. The first couple of chapters were interesting and grabbed me right away. The two main characters were wonderfully flawed with family who tried to “set things right” for them. Descriptions of New Zealand were beautifully detailed. Unfortunately, the storytelling fell rather flat in the middle. The storyline just seemed to go on and on with no clear path. It did have a happy ending, though. I’m sure there will be additional books in the series, but I won’t be buying.
It had very interesting characters. It wasn’t the same story line that many contemporary romance novels follow. It was also more engaging since it took place primarily in New Zealand.
I was thrilled to learn Kiwi Rules was Karen’s story. She’s the younger sister of a character (Hope) we met in another series (Not Quite a Billionaire), but she is now a little older. Jax’s story is heartbreaking but his bravery is just as admirable. Karen and Jax will take us on a journey that they didn’t expect to be on, but I couldn’t help but enjoy the ride. These two have their own issues and together they will figure out how to overcome them.
Kiwi Rules can be read as a standalone as this is the beginning of a new series. I enjoy Rosalind James’ books because of the detail she includes in her books, whether through surroundings, food, culture and especially in her characters. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
I absolutely Love this book! Karen and Jax both have demons to overcome, but they got so perfectly together, and see each other for who they really are, not just what is seen on the surface. They are such strong, wonderful characters, and are multifaceted people. Even though, Karen is a character from a previous book, this can definitely be read as a stand-alone.
Not only are these main characters amazing, but her secondary characters are as well, between all of the nieces and nephews, and other family member of both Karen, and Jax, I feel as if I know and care about all of these people.
Rosalind James’ writing makes me feel as if I am in New Zealand. Her descriptions bring the reader right into the story, and the scenery.
I’ve read most of Rosalind’s books, but this is now my new favorite!
Loved this book! But then I love all of the books I’ve read by Rosalind James. They’re very steamy and even though the male leads are very alpha,the women are also very strong. Great love stories with humor which is a must for me in any book I read. The characters in this story have some different challenges. The story seemed to me to be very well researched. The descriptions of New Zealand and the Maori people are very intriguing.
Karen is a character from the Not Quite A Billionaire series and I have been waiting impatiently for her story to be told. I loved her as a supporting character in the other series and it is fantastic that she developed into a strong, intelligent, take charge woman in her book. I loved that Ms James made her 30 as opposed to early 20’s as some other authors do for their female protagonists and I am excited that the hero is a person with special needs. Persons with Disabilities are invisible in most novels, much less romance stories, and it is wonderful that Jax is presented as someone who is not only coping but has found a way to go on with his life. I loved the story which was about facing major life challenges using inner strength to overcome self doubt. This is a great start to a new series and as usual I can hardly wait for the next one to be published.
4.5 stars. The further you read into this book, the better it gets.
Jax and Karen truly fit together like puzzle pieces. They had more than chemistry, they had a connection. Two people who felt broken and managed to find the one person to help make them while again. If that is not fate, I don’t know what it is.
One of many things I enjoyed about this book was Jax’s calm patience. Whether with Karen, the boys on the beach, his father, or Hemi, Jax stays the course. I loved Karen’s honesty. At times, it might have been more harsh then people were comfortable with at the moment, but you didn’t have to wonder what was on her mind. I thought it was also great that as Jax and Karen grew to trust each other, they could somewhat comfortably share their pasts, their present, and future with Each other.
Once again, Rosalind James provide a few hot scenes that were so full of sensuality, it made them downright scorching.
Then we got to revisit previous characters such as Hope, Hemi, and Koro. If this is the first book, I can only imagine how good the future books will be in this series.
Kiwi Rules was interesting. I really enjoyed Jax and Karen’s story, and I definitely recommend it.
“Kiwi rules” refers to the typical, low-key New Zealand approach to life. Jax and Karen are two people whose usual approach to life falls in line with Kiwi rules, but they are both adjusting to major life changes and are off-kilter in more ways than one. Meeting one another pushes them both even further off kilter, but also teaches each one important life lessons: how to trust yourself, how to be vulnerable, how to find a way forward. They do all this AND fall in love while traveling through New Zealand and surrounding themselves with gorgeous scenery and wonderful family members, each of whom is a fully drawn character. There’s also a duckling who is a pretty full character in and of himself, and provides charm and humor to many scenes. This book is fun, thought-provoking, and inspiring all at once.
Book 1 in the new New Zealand Ever After and if this book is anything to go by this will be another great series. We have met Karen before but you don’t need to have read any of Ms James previous books to enjoy Kiwi Rules.
Karen has lost her job and walked away from her boyfriend who happened to also be the boss all in one swift moment and she travels to New Zealand to lick her wounds and start over and that’s where she meets Jax a NZ special forces soldier who lost his leg in Afghanistan.
The chemistry is sizzling and the attraction is instant but Jax is not sure where he wants life to take hm and Karen is getting over a nasty breakup as well as looking into the company Jax’s sister owns, so do this couple have to much baggage to make a life together……..
Once again this very talented author draws us into the life’s of her wonderful characters and I loved that this story was intertwined with characters from the Not Quite Billionaire Series but please don’t be put off if you haven’t read that series because this book is a stand-alone. Kiwi Rules is a must read and you need to one click this beawritten love story. Looking forward to book 2