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 … 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.
Each Blackwell-Lyon book is a standalone romance with its own HEA!
Books in the series:
Lovely Little Liar
Pretty Little Player
Sexy Little Sinner
more
Another tantalizing addition to the Blackwell-Lyon Security firm series by non-other than Julie Kenner. The second in the series and she kept up the anticipation with the PT and client trope suspense with this inter-relation romance. Never lacking with twists and turns. Julie keeps your blood pumping whether it’s within the bedroom or face to face with the drama.
You’ll never go wrong with a J. Kenner novel!
it was amazing
Pretty Little Player is the second book from Blackwell-Lyon.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I was so hooked I couldn’t put it down. J Kenner never dissappoints.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
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.
Cayden was hurt by his ex wife and now only does hook ups! He meets a woman who makes him want more. Will he put his heart out there? Does she feel same way? This book is about second chances and putting your heart on the line when person is worth the risk.
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!
Cayden and Gracie’s story is sexy, hot, and romantic with some suspense and mystery thrown in. This was a quick read for me because I totally enjoyed Cayden and Gracie’s story. Cayden is totally gun shy of any kind of relationship and has real trust issues, but meeting Gracie changes everything for him. They meet while Cayden is investigating Gracie, but he soon learns his client isn’t being truthful about his relationship with her. Gracie shows him he can trust and love again after a few bumps along the way. I loved the ending and I cannot wait for the next book!
“Trust me when I say that most illusions about the institution of marriage and the concept of fidelity disappear like smoke when you walk in on your naked wife with her feet in the air and another man’s face between her legs.” ~ Cayden Lyon
To say Cayden Lyon has a low opinion of women’s faithfulness would be an understatement. Burned by his wife, the security specialist/PI is eager to take on cases where he can expose infidelity. When he is hired to find proof that Gracie Harmon is cheating on her fiancé, everything he thinks he believes is knocked off kilter. Finding himself drawn to the curvy model, Cayden begins to realize Gracie is not the person his client painted her to be, but she could be so much more to him if he can can get past his trust issues.
This suspenseful quick read is second in the Blackwell-Lyon series. Full of romance & danger, it’s an engaging story from start to finish. It can be read as a stand-alone, but I’m also really looking forward to Connor & Kerrie book next.
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.
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.
This is a fast read that I gobbled it right up. I also enjoyed cameos from some of the guys in the Man of the Month series. I really liked Cayden, but did his ex do a number on him with trusting women with his heart. Gracie was perfect for him because she brought out a new side to, but made him face his fears head on. This book had a little of everything heat, heart, humor, and suspense.
4.5 stars!
Sometimes things aren’t what they seem to be, as is the case with Pretty Little Player , the second book in the Blackwell-Lyon series. This novella is fast paced and heavy on the action, featuring two main characters that have off the charts chemistry and a storyline that doesn’t scrimp, despite being a short read. I loved it, and I look forward to more of these fabulous hotties from Austin!
Cayden Lyon was in the military for years but after being injured he setteled in Austin, Texas and became part of Blackwell-Lyon Security. He specializes in cases that involve adultery, and sometimes he’s hired by someone wanting to rule out pre-marital infidelity. Cayden knows a thing or two about cheating spouses; he caught his then wife in bed with someone, so he’s more than a little jaded when it comes to relationships. Once bitten, twice shy you could say.
“The world probably looks like it’s full of criminals if you’re a prison warden.”
When Cayden’s hired by a client to keep an eye on his fiancé, he does just that. When he started surveillance on Gracie Harmon, a plus size model and social media darling, he couldn’t find anything to incriminate her. So Cayden moved on to what he calls Plan B, that entails him trying to seduce her. If Gracie doesn’t take the bait, Cayden tells the client, he can proceed as planned. But if she does, then Cayden will notify him so he makes the correct decision. Either way, his job is over. Except this time, things don’t go as planned.
“My personal and professional experience suggests that where there is smoke, there’s fire. And if you think she’s fucking around on you, she probably is. Just one more pretty little player in a world full of cheaters and liars.”
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!
Pretty Little Player…those are the kind of women who Cayden Lyon hates and the ones he looks to expose as a PI. He wholeheartedly agrees with the idea that people reap what they sow, and when it comes to cheaters and liars, especially of the female variety, he’s all about paying them back for their infidelity by getting the goods on them for their husbands, and let me tell you, Cayden’s really good at his job, and the main reason is because his past gives him a vested interest in these kind of cases, continually proving that there are very few single women out there who won’t play with men’s heads and their hearts.
But boy is Cayden wrong about Gracie Harmon, which just might be a blessing in disguise because as soon as he sees her, he’s instantly attracted and his desire for Gracie only continues to build as the reality of her situation is revealed and Cayden figures out that she’s the one who actually needs his help, which is exactly what he’s going to give her and along the way, if he can let go of his past and look to a future with the right woman, maybe Cayden will be able to have the life and the wife he’s always wanted.
It’s amazing how much drama, romance, and suspense J. Kenner can pack into a novella. There’s definitely no downtime for her characters or her readers because the story moves quickly, exposing truths and exploring Cayden and Gracie’s growing connection.
Cayden and Gracie’s story is a quick read – one that has a bit of everything when it comes to the main characteristics of a romance and one that utilizes its setting to not only showcase everything that Austin has to offer but also uses its various locations to amp up the tension and deliver a sultry and seductive environment for everything that goes down in Pretty Little Player!
4 Poison Apples
Cayden Lyon has been away from home for 5 years serving in the military. When Camden came home and found that his wife was cheating on, him he took it hard. He was not going to put his heart through that again. Gracie Harmon is a model who’s fiancé wants to hire the security company that Cayden owns with his brother. Cayden is all for it. He hopes to save someone else from going through the pain he did.
Once Cayden and Gracie meet it is hard to fight the attraction between them. But first they have to work on themselves.
This is a standalone. But this is the second book in the Blackwell Lyon Series. This is a great and easy read.
From the moment I read Lovely Little Liar, I was intrigued by the two Lyon brothers. And though I think that ultimately Connor is going to be my favorite, I was super excited to get my hands on Cayden’s book as well. And I can honestly say that I wasn’t disappointed. The story is intriguing and sweet, romantic and a little bit suspenseful. In a few words, it is a lovely short story, perfect to curl up with in your favorite reading spot.
As I already mentioned above, I really enjoyed reading Caydon and Gracie’s story even though I kind of guessed the plot from the beginning. There were still a few surprises here and there that kept my attention. And it didn’t hurt that Caydon was a charmer with a broken heart and demons from his past. And of course, Gracie was the one woman who could put the pieces back together and heal the wound.
In short this is a lovely short story, perfect for taking off your mind of a busy day. So be sure to check it out. As for me, I can’t wait to get my hands on Connor’s story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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 no longer trusts women or love for that matter. His ex-wife Vivien cheated on him and he caught in the act! Now, except for hook-ups, Cayden will not allow any woman in his life on a permanent basis.
Running a security company has its perks. He still gets to take on jobs investigating women that may be cheating on their partners. Following this woman named Gracie and testing her to see if she is a cheater is definitely a perk. She is a gorgeous woman! Tempting her to see if she will cheat on her fiance does not thrill him, but it is definitely stimulating to see how far she will go.
All is not as it seems. As Cayden and Gracie bond, something does not feel right. Is she a cheater or is his client a liar? This woman is driving him crazy!
Entertaining and witty, this is a book to read in one sitting.
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.
When I started reading I couldn’t put it down. J.Kenner is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can’t wait for the next book.
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.
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.