Wicked days. Sinful nights. Meet Mr. April. A high school drop-out with only his twisted sense of humor and panty-melting good looks going for him, Nolan Wood has turned a small radio gig into a thriving career. Now a local celebrity, Nolan never wants for female companionship. But he never gets too close. And he damn sure never lets them see the man—or the pain—behind the jokes.Then a one-night … see the man—or the pain—behind the jokes.
Then a one-night stand changes everything.
Career-focused, goal-oriented, and buttoned-down accountant Shelby Drake isn’t the kind of woman who’d usually catch Nolan’s attention, but her soft mouth, hidden curves, and deep sensuality blow his mind. And after only one taste, he wants more.
But Shelby wants nothing more to do with him. And now the radio playboy is on a sensual mission to convince her that opposites really do attract.
Her pleasure is his passion.
**Start Me Up is part of a binge read series by New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and #1 International bestselling author of the million copy Stark series, J. Kenner.
Each novel in the series is a STANDALONE romance with a guaranteed HEA!
more
“Mornings With Wood”
Shelby Drake is a career-focused, button-down accountant. Her conservative demeanor walks the straight line of a professional CPA but she’s missing a little bit of passion and excitement in her life. That all changes when she meets, oh so sexy, Nolan at the Fix, Austin’s downtown bar and grill.
The night of the bachelorette party gets a little crazy, and with a bit of a dare from her girlfriends, Shelby locks eyes with Nolan. The instant attraction leads to a blissful one night fling. Well, that was the plan.
Nolan Woods is a successful morning radio host. With a radio show called Mornings With Wood, his schtick is a bit raunchy, raw and funny, and the commuters love him to help liven up their morning ride.
Nolan can’t forget Shelby and blurts it all out the next morning. To Shelby’s horror Nolan has overshared the intimacy she thought was special. But Nolan’s a gentleman all the way and she calls her the phantom woman. As hard as these two resist, Shelby and Nolan are worlds apart, she’s quiet and he’s boisterous. But Nolan brings the excitement and fun Shelby’s craved all along.
Start Me Up is the book 4 in the Man of The Month series, and a great addition. With Nolan’s promotion of the Calendar contest and The Fix on his morning show, we get a glimpse of how the bar is progressing towards financial stability. This is a delightful romance of how opposites attract. I received and voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy.
BEST.ONE.YET!!!!! Start me up is book #4 in the Man of the Month series, and I’ve gotta tell you, Nolan and Shelby’s story is filled with humor, wit, hot steamy sex and great bantering between these two great characters. This is JKenner at her best, from the first page to the last, it keeps the reader engaged, laughing, and some pretty emotional moments that definitely has the reader needing a Kleenex moment. Loved the side characters, Hanna and Amanda and how they played into this story. Loved how Nolan and Shelby came together at the bar, and boy, do they come together! Very well written, I’m a huge fan of whatever Julie Kenner puts out there, this is definitely one to add to your library. Mr. April has arrived! Now on to Mr. June, and Tyree will be the perfect one to add to that list! Loved it!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book
I cannot get enough of these men in the man of the month series. I love the way all these stories connect with each other in the series and I love the individual storylines of each series. Once again I absolutely loved the man of the month and the characters in the story. This was another great addition to this series.
I LOVE Nolan!!!! He’s crass, he’s funny and he’s hot. What more could you want?? Especially someone like Shelby to tame him. And she needs someone like Nolan to make sure she has fun and messes her up a little.
I really hope that Nolan will make an appearance in the rest of the series because he’s perfect and I just love that about him!
Meet Mr April, our favorite radio host, Nolan Wood. Nolan and Shelby’s story overlaps from January, so some scenes are familiar. Shelby is more externally conservative about her sexuality than Nolan, who airs is all on his morning radio show. They have several ups and downs and have to work their way through them. Read to find out if they can survive with having their sex life in the spotlight!
Another month, another man finds love. I have been dying to know more about Nolan the local celebrity morning show dj. His radio show – from the name to what he says on air had me laughing out loud. Shelby is a CPA who has a little to much fun one night at a bachelorette party. Nolan has had his share of woman, but a one night stand with Shelby has him on a mission for more. These opposites were so much fun to read. I was rooting for them throughout! Next Tyree – can’t wait!
Totally loving this series! Nolan and Shelby’s story is fun, sweet, sexy, and oh so hot! Nolan and Shelby are complete opposites, but these differences bring out the best in each of them and they totally mesh. Loved this story from beginning to end and totally love Nolan! And the ending…..can’t wait for the next book!
Oh how I love me some Man of the Month, and Mr. April is no exception. The story is about Nolan and Shelby and how their public persona and their private, behind closed door, inner dreams and fantasies can be worlds apart. Nolan is a loud, brash and larger than life on his morning show, “Mornings with Wood”. Shelby is a buttoned up, prim and proper accountant who has a plan on how her life will pan out. Shelby is content with the track her life is on until she meets Nolan and she realizes that she is settling with boring, reliable Alan when what she really wants is panty melting kisses and a spark that could start a wildfire. The biggest problem? Nolan’s life is out there for public consumption and Shelby cares too much what her friends, co workers and clients think of her. As usual, Ms. Kenner doesn’t disappoint. Roll on May 🙂
“This woman had the power to break his heart – and that scared him to death.”
I can’t tell you enough about how much I am loving this series!! Each couple, each story, each book in this series is full of humor, a little heartbreak, and some steamy scenes!!
Nolan Wood never has to chase women. They come to him, wanting a piece of his celebrity ,his devastatingly good looks, and his….well, you know. As host of Austin’s morning show Mornings With Wood, the raunchy, raw show full of innuendo’s and dirty talk, he’s never short of female attention. That is, until her. He’s going to have to fight for this one. Shelby intrigues him. Buttoned up and straight laced on the outside, and a vixen underneath. They are opposites in more ways than one. Can he show her that they’re worth it, despite their differences? Or, will she realize that she’s too good for him, and walk away, just like his ex-wife did?
Shelby Drake has her life planned out. Become a partner in her accounting firm, and marry Alan. He’s a decent man – a little dull, but he fits the plan and image that she’s been conditioned to have her life become. Everything is on track. Until she sees HIM across The Fix. Everything about him unleashes the minx in her. he’s everything she never would have wanted. He doesn’t fit her plan. But, is she so sure of her plan anymore? Does being with him mean she has to sacrifice what she has been working toward? Does following her plan mean she has to lose him? Are they just too different to make this work? When she makes her choice, where will they end up?
I loved Nolan! He’s not the suave billionaire. He’s not not the bad boy biker. He’s just a man – a real man. And what a sexy one at that! I wouldn’t mind have a few “mornings with wood” if you catch my drift!
Can’t wait for Tyree’s story next!!
You MUST start this new and unique series by J. Kenner! The premise behind the series title is a local bar trying to keep its doors open by featuring bi-weekly contests to find the a (non-professional model) man to represent each month of a calendar they will sell. All the winners so far are regulars at the bar, or connected to a regular, which makes each contest more fun and personal for the attendees and readers!
In Start Me Up, we get to know local shock jock, Nolan Wood. As extroverted as Nolan needs to be for his morning radio show, he sets his sights on his total opposite, conservative accountant Shelby Drake. As usual, Julie Kenner creates strong, multi-dimensional characters with personalities that continue to evolve during the course of the relationship. When Shelby’s friends encourage her to have a little fun out of her conservative comfort zone, she realizes there’s more to just finding someone who checks the boxes. Her struggle comes with whether she can find the balance between the expectations that come with the conservative side of her job and revealing her relationship with outspoken Nolan. For Nolan, he’s comfortable in his own skin, but guards his heart to find the right person who can discern the difference between his on-air personality and who he is at heart. Loved the banter between these two and what had to happen in order for them to reach their HEA.
I’m loving this series so far. every month is a new flavor and every month they get better and better. I have yet to find a favorite, favorite because every one I read kind out does the last. Each book, gives a little more, but reading about all these characters sometimes gives me a feel like I’m watch a show.
This is the 4th book in the series. Mr. April, Nolan Wood, a radio celebrity that has no filter. She is Shelby Drake, the complete opposite. When they first see each other a spark sets off. Both soon learn how good they are for each other even being complete opposites. I loved these two.
I cat wait to see whats next. This series is really good. I love how it continues and gives more every time. I devoured every single book, and I’m sure I will with whats to come. All the characters are well written, and the story are amazing.
‘Mornings with Wood’ – how awesome of a double entendre is that catchy radio talk show title?
And let me tell you, Nolan Wood’s On-Air personality is all about lewd comments, raunchy remarks, as well as a bevy of humorous and sexy undertones that make his show a hit with the ladies and a good way to spend mornings for all KIKX radio listeners.
But beneath Nolan’s joker personality and his easy going lifestyle is a man that he allows few people to see; the man who’s a bit jaded when it comes to relationships and chooses to keep things light and easy in every aspect of his life, making him notorious for his one-night stands and the type of willing and ready women who he tends to take home for a physical release and nothing more.
And it’s Nolan’s comedic façade that makes his attraction to straight-laced, reserved accountant, Shelby Drake, so perplexing; they’re opposites in every sense of the word, which is why when ‘Drunk Shelby’ comes out to play one night at The Fix with looser lips and lowered inhibitions, ‘Buttoned-Up Shelby’ is determined to stay as far away from Mr. April even if her body craves more time with the sexy radio personality.
Nolan and Shelby’s story illustrates just how much opposites do indeed attract, and once again, J. Kenner chose the perfect man to pose as her man of the month…this time Mr. April…not only does Nolan have the looks and the personality that will have females snatching up their own calendar but he also has found the woman who makes him think seriously about a relationship instead of playing things light and easy when it comes to his personal life.
J. Kenner’s Man of the Month series is definitely one of my most favorite guilty pleasures, and the fact that Kenner still has many more men to introduce to readers, add to The Fix’s fundraising calendar, and help find their ‘better half’ makes me anxiously anticipate who’s coming up next in her twelve months of alpha male goodness!
4 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
“Some small voice inside her head told her this was insane. That she should walk away now before she regretted it. That with this man she’d be risking more than her heart, she’d be risking her dreams—her plans.”
Sensible accountant Shelby Drake likes her life ordered & stable. Secure job-check. Parent approved boyfriend- check. When unfiltered radio personality Nolan Wood upends her quiet, neatly structured life, what’s a girl to do? Let down her hair and enjoy every wicked, passionate minute! Nolan was a refreshingly funny, live in the moment guy and it was a blast to see Shelby learn to stop worrying about what other people think & have fun. Start Me Up is a quick, enjoyable read with likable characters loosely tied to the other Man of the Month books.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Ruthie –
This is the fourth in the series and I am loving this series – it is becoming a firm favourite when it hits my Kindle, and feels rather like a romantic TV drama, but in e-ink! Now that we are four books in, there are subtle overlaps and a depth which can only develop over time. I would definitely recommend that you read them in order.
In this installment we learn more about radio DJ and joker, Nolan, and discover his deepest, most private secret, and just how that has affected his life. It is done well and is a reminder of how parents can damage their children. He is a fun guy and so his unexpected attraction, well beyond the usual, to Shelby is something that surprises him, but he is more than happy to investigate. There is no denying the chemistry between these two opposites. I loved Shelby’s secret sexiness (as an accountant myself I object to the stereotype!).
So we now have Mr. January through Mr. April, and a huge hint about who will be the main feature in the next installment, and very exciting it will be!
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Start Me Up (Man of the Month #4) by J. Kenner to read and review.
A hilariously sweet and sexy romantic comedy that’ll have you laughing and drooling and swooning…
I’m not sure how to vocalise how I feel. It’s no secret that I am in love and in lust with this series. For me, The Man of the Month series is such a genius concept. J. Kenner has really pulled it out of the bag for me. I’ll admit that Reece (Down On Me #1) has been really hard for me to let go of, however Nolan has come very close to ruining me. I went in struggling to see how Julie was going to tie Nolan and Shelby to The Fix on Sixth plot, but it was a very silly worry on my part. We had already met Nolan in the previous books, with him being the resident superstar radio presenter. I liked him well enough but I wasn’t itching for his story like I am for others…namely Brent’s. I am dying for his story.
Anywho, going into Start Me Up I was a little blasé about it and then it hit me. I don’t know how, but I went from meh to Christ, I can’t put this book down! This story had me in fits of laughter. Yes, the other books have had a dry humour to them, however this was a proper tongue in cheek, belly laugh till you cry sort of humour. I can even tell you how many times I got given the WTF are you reading on your kindle look from people around me. In fact I laughed so much that my cheeks were complaining by the end. The plot for this story I found actually really sweet and although it is an insta-love story it has pull and magic of a slow-burn. The twists were very well done and I love that the drama was minimal but had enough of an impact to make my heart go into over drive. For a moment I was worried where Nolan and Shelby’s story would end. Of all the books so far I’ve found that the third person narrative really elevated this story. It gave t so many angle and dimensions that you just wouldn’t get in the first person narrative. I have to admit that I never saw this day coming. I never thought I’d say that I preferred a story in third person! Ms. Kenner has converted me.
As far as characters go I found both Nolan and Shelby really likeable. I had expected Nolan’s cheeky chappie persona to grate on me and become irritating, but actually Julie has done such a great job of showing all the bigger parts that laid just under the “clown” surface. Again, I loved his dirty, filthy humour. I loved that despite his one track mind when things got serious he knew where to drop the act. He was so outrageous at times that when he was required to be serious it really threw me. Not in a bad way. In fact that’s what made him such a brilliant hero to me. It was also what made the similarities between him an Shelby come through. She is very much the complete opposite to Nolan. She’s serious and driven…ambitious and although she comes across as uptight, I actually feel like she’s actually just shy and reserved. Let’s face it, if she were uptight they would not be rocking the bed the way they do. What is it about the guys at this place their talented appendages? Do they have a cleaner that hasn’t been mentioned yet that goes around with a mop 24/7 to make sure the floors aren’t slippery?
In the end Start Me Up was just such a great read. It developed the calendar plot and it fit so well with all the other books—duh! I’m almost disappointed in myself for underestimating it before I went in. I really cannot wait for the next book in the series and I hope that we see a lot more of Nolan because he is a bright ray of sunshine. He’s that guy that just has a way of making you smile even when you want to kick and scream and cry.
Shelby and Nolan are such a fun couple. Outward appearances they are total opposites and you wouldn’t believe that they would make such a great couple. But when they open themselves up to each other, they are so perfect for each other.
Nolan is a morning radio DJ who show is called “Mornings with Wood”! He is very open about things when he is on the radio and talks about things that would make you blush. Shelby is an accountant who is on track to make partner in the company she works for and dating a college professor that both her parents approved. So when Shelby sees Nolan during a bachelorette party at the Fix, her friends tells her to go introduce herself to Nolan since he’s been checking her out.
Once the two of them get together, they realize that they just fit! But Shelby feels like Nolan can’t be a part of her actual life and gets so flustered when Nolan talks about their hookup on his show even though he didn’t name names. Nolan has to fix things with Shelby but also tells her that this is know he is as a person.
Nolan, as Mr. April, is such a great character to read about. Some of the things he does just makes you laugh. Shelby is so conservative but realizes that she wants what she has with Nolan because he makes her feel special and loved! I can’t wait for Mr. May!
I love this series!! I promise each one is as amazing as the last!! Noah and Shelby were great! I love when opposite attracts! Mr. April might be my new favorite Man of the Month (Yes, I know I say that every time)
This can be read as a standalone, but do yourself a favor and read the first three books in this series too!
J. Kenner’s Man of the Month series is binge worthy if you have not taken the leap yet. She has captivated me throughout, sucking me in with each book she delivers. Start Me Up was cute, sweet, and a lighthearted read.
“Because if I’m your fantasy, then you’re my muse.”
Opposites do attract with radio talk show host Nolan Wood and CPA Shelby Drake over a one night stand. The comedian in Nolan helps unravel the buttons of uptight Shelby, but vice versa, Shelby breaks down Nolan’s emotional walls of relationship barriers from past heartbreak. When their personal matter is put to the test, ‘on air’ can they work it out or will it be too much for one or the other?!
.
Out of all the novels in the series, I will say, this is my least favorite. I liked the characters, but something in the storyline just didn’t click, spark for me. I am a fan of Kenner’s work and will always be, but this story, I am sorry to say, just didn’t grab my attention and I caught myself skimming.
But to the positives: I really did like Nolan, he made me laugh and smile during his talk show and I kept thinking ‘I wish more radio hosts would be like him!’. I also enjoyed how Kenner keeps switching up the endings in all these books, keeping you on edge, you won’t know how the ending will turn out.
This truly is a great series and I am looking forward to Get It On with Tyree since it sounds like it will be a second chance romance and I am a complete sucker for those!
I really enjoyed Nolan and Shelby’s story. At first glance, you would think that they were so different that they wouldn’t mesh. But mesh, do they ever! I like the way they banter back and forth. Nolan brought Shelby out of her shell and Shelby made Nolan trust again. Nolan brought out Shelby’s passionate side. J Kenner never fails to write interesting stories and couples. This was a very easy read and you didn’t want to put it down.
The Fix on Sixth is once again the place to be with Mr. April!
Nolan is a sexy morning radio show host who has no filter. Shelby is a CPA who is waiting to make partner. These two opposites definitely attract when they meet at the Fix on Sixth during a bachelorette party. A one night stand leads to so much more but when miscommunication comes into play, are they destined to be over before they really start?
Nolan and Shelby were a breath of fresh air. Start Me Up was a really enjoyable read that had me hook, line and sinker from the first chapter. I loved seeing these two characters come together and their chemistry was amazing! I’m looking forward to the next installment in the series, Get It On which is Mr. May!