Drew Fisher is the type of guy every girl wants.Noble police officer by day, charming prince by night.He has no idea the effect he has on women, especially me—his little sister’s best friend. I’m the blonde Southern belle who lives up to the cliché, except I have my own quirks. I’m smart as a whip, can change my own oil, and recite The Pledge of Allegiance backward, but he doesn’t see that girl. … backward, but he doesn’t see that girl. It’d be easier to forget him if he wasn’t my roommate and if the first thing I saw in the morning wasn’t his shirtless body covered in tattoos. I’ve crushed on him since the day we met, but he’s made it perfectly clear where we stand—just friends.
I know I need to move on and accept that his feelings will never be mutual, but every day he smiles at me, I’m left dreaming of what if. He has girl issues, and I’ve got a crush I can’t deny. We’re friends, but I want more. One drunken hookup leaves us with much more than a platonic friendship. Pretending it never happened proves to be more difficult than anticipated.
A crazy ex-girlfriend, a dangerous war of stolen glances, and passionate kisses leads to the most reckless battle yet. I won’t be a pawn in his game, but I’ll play by his rules if it will show him I’m the one worth breaking them for.
Checkmate, Prince Charming.
This is book 1 in the Drew & Courtney duet and must be read first. Suggested for mature readers only.
more
These duets always get you sucked in and then make you wait for the sequel. Mia is back and at it again…..Drew is trying to get out of her clutches but can he?
Courtney is still in love with Drew but will she ever win?
Loads of feels and angst!
The narrator is fun.
This is perfect! It’s everything I ever wanted to see out of Court and Drew’s relationship. Their friendship was sweet, and I loved watching it grow into a steamier, playful, deeper relationship. And of course there’s a classic jaw-dropping-Kennedy-Fox-cliffhanger that I love! On to the next book!!
A best friend’s brother, friends to lovers romance between a hot tatted cop and a sassy southern belle? I am so here for it! I loved these two as side characters in Travis and Viola’s Duet and was so eager for their story.
Book 1 takes place a couple of years after Travis and Viola’s and Drew and Courtney are now roommates. Courtney has had the biggest crush on Drew since the second they met but never really acted on her feelings as Drew was in an on again off again relationship with Mia A.K.A. satan’s spawn.
Lately Drew has been noticing Courtney more and starting to see her as more than just one of the guys. During one of those breakups (and after a few drinks) Drew and Courtney succumb to the mounting attraction between them. Once Drew takes his Mia blinders off he realizes that he had essentially been burying his feelings for Courtney.
If you read Travis and Viola’s duet you know how much of a manipulative winch Mia is. Is she really going to let Drew go that easily?
Book 1 ends on the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers. I am not exaggerating when I say you will be DYING for Book 2 so go ahead and have it ready now. Lol.
Narration is dual POV but both are narrated by Lia Langola. She did Courtney’s southern accent justice and narrated for Drew just as well.
4.5 Stars
I think Drew and Courtney are so far my favorite couple.
They started as acquaintances, progressed towards roommates, then best friends.
Courtney has always had a crush on Drew from the moment she laid her eyes on him but never got in the way of his happiness. It was so fun to see how these two grew even closer together.
The heat between them is an inferno.
I have to admit, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop and the authors do not disappoint. With a twist! I need the next one and quick! What happened was shocking!
Omg. That was amazing and I’m sure I say this every time but Kennedy Fox are the Queens of a cliffhanger. I’ve been looking forward to this book and it did not disappoint.
This story centers around Courtney and Drew. Courtney is Viola’s BFF and Drew is Viola’s brother. Courtney has had a crush on Drew for years and the two are living together as roommates. In this book we get Viola and Travis’s wedding and the two end up having a very steamy and epic night together. Drew has finally dumped Mia and he realises his feelings for Courtney.
My favourite part is when they go to the Bishop Ranch. Yes, that’s right. She’s their sister! That took me too long to connect together. I read the Bishop brothers first before I started at the beginning of their book queue. I loved Courtney. She’s a feisty Texas girl who doesn’t put up with no nonsense. And Drew? Whew, he’s so swoony.
I can’t wait for part two of this duet. These two never disappoint
Let’s start off with you do not need to listen/read the first two books but will give you more depth if you do plus they were amazing so I recommend you do.
This book will take you on a little bit of a rollercoaster. Drew and Courtney together will make you heart happy and you might possibly laugh at certain times.
Things do get intense, you will swear you will curse you will swoon at the same time and possibly want to rip your earbuds out or throw your device but don’t do this you’ll need them to finish.
This ends in an omg moment because it’s a duet and how else could it go. It’s definitely worth the listen it was overall great and gives the listener/reader all the feels.
I have been waiting for Drew and Courtney’s story since meeting them in Travis and Viola’s story. I love friends to lovers romance and this was so good. The chemistry and attraction between Drew and Courtney was so hot and intense even though they did try to fight it. Too bad when it is meant to be, you can’t fight it. When they finally get together, it was explosive. Too bad, they will have some bumps in their new relationship in the form of his ex, Mia. I need more. I have to know what happens, time to move onto book 2.
OMG! I was so excited to start this book because I loved Travis and Viola so much! This book was everything I hoped for and so much more. Tension is high in several places and I nearly lost my ish a couple times.
Audiobook Review:
I was so excited for Courtney and Drew’s story after finishing Travis and Viola’s duet. I fell in love with both characters when they were in the supporting role, so I was extremely excited to see them move into the starring position. And from the very beginning this story did not disappoint. This was friends to lovers at its finest. Even if one of the friends always wanted it to be more. This was steamy and funny and romantic and just fantastic. I loved the way it unfolded and then as it was building and the different twists and obstacles were thrown in, I was even more hooked on what was going on. And then that ending! I’ve hated Mia for a while now, but it really and truly blew my mind what an utterly hate-able character Kennedy Fox created when I read that ending. I’m so anxious to see what’s going to happen in part two of this duet, and yet I can’t wait to get started.
I am so happy Lia Langola performed this book. She’s one of the narrators that I love listening to. She not only brings the right emotion to the story at the right time and does a good job of giving different tones to the different characters, but she also has a pretty dang good male voice. She’s one of those few narrators I don’t mind having as the only one even when there are male and female chapters because her male voice is really good.
Overall, this was another great story by Kennedy Fox and even though I normally don’t love cliffhangers, this one was expected and was so good it’s kind of hard to mind it when you know that just means there’s more story to come.
Mia Must Die
LOL. If you read the first duet in the Checkmate series you might remember Drew’s girlfriend, Mia, who almost broke up Travis and Viola. Well, she’s ba-ack. This time things are finally heating up between Viola’s brother Drew and her best friend, Courtney. This is one love affair for the ages, gang. If someone will just stuff Mia in a closet. In China.
Honestly, I’m enjoying Courtney and Drew more than Travis and Viola. They’re not as…um…broken. A bit more normal, but still quirky and fun with lots of banter and some seriously steamy gamesmanship going on. They’re really a lot of fun, and their story is a total treat, with just the right amount of emotional rollercoastering (it’s a word if I want it to be).
Heads up, though, readers: if adult language or super steamy scenes are not your thing, you’ll want to find another book, because both are in here. Also, this is book one of a duet, and there will be a dreaded cliffhanger. *gasp* But I enjoyed this story so much it’s all worth it, and I’m anxiously awaiting the next book to find out if someone stuffs Mia in a closet. In China.
Courtney has been in love with her roommate Drew for a while but he has never seen her as more than a friend due to his relationship with his on again/off again girlfriend Mia. One night changes everything but between a traumatic event and his past things are about to become complicated.
Drew is a police officer and the brother of Courtney’s best friend. He has accepted everything his drama filled girlfriend has thrown at him until she forces him to choose between her and Courtney which turns out now to be a choice at all however she isn’t going to let him go so easily.
Drew has deserved so much more than the treatment he has received from Mia and Courtney is everything he needs in his life and more. This is the first part of a duet that ends on a cliffhanger that leaves us wondering what the future holds for this couple. The narrator did a great job at bringing out all the emotion and angst of the story.
Love Drew and Courtney! So much emotion, love and fun. Very. steamy, witty and engaging. Not the typical Best Friends Brother story line. Very well written. Keeps you wanting more. Drew’s ex Mia is crazy. She definitely needs to go away… Cliff hanger makes you want to scream and have to hear the rest of their story.
I was so excited to listen to this book! I’m not a big friends to lovers reader, but this book and characters captured my attention. It was sweet, sexy, funny, and a bit dramatic; it definitely did not disappoint. Drew and Courtney might be my favorite couple. I loved their characters in Travis and Viola’s story and could not wait for their story. This book had me hooked from the beginning. I couldn’t believe how long it took Drew to realize Mia was not the girl for him! She was so annoying and I was happy to see her go! But like an annoying pest she keeps coming back. When Drew and Courtney, finally got together, they couldn’t have been more perfect for each other! They had instant hot chemistry and their banter was the best! It was so easy for them to just be together and that made story much more enjoyable! And of course you can’t have a Kennedy Fox book without a cliffhanger, and boy will this one make you want to throw Mia off a cliff!! I can’t wait to listen to book two in this duet and find out how it ends! Also let’s not forget Lia Langola’s wonderful narration of this book. It was perfect and she did a great job narrating dual POV bringing both Drew and Courtney to life. She does an awesome job with Courtney’s accent giving her that Southern charm. Langola is an entertaining storyteller and has become one of my favorite female voices to listen to!
*received review copy in exchange for honest review*
I absolutely loved this story!! It was fantastic! I loved getting to see Drew and Courtney as best friends and roommates before seeing them get together. I love that they had that relationship prior to. It makes them falling in love and the easiness of their relationship make sense and fit perfectly. I love their banter back and forth. They are great at the quips. They had me laughing out loud and wanting to fan myself lol. I loved the dirty talk between them. It really fit their personalities and made the story that much better. There is great banter between the other characters as well. Courtney and Viola together are hilarious. There was plenty to hold my attention the entire time. Drew and Courtney have to deal with him getting over a bad relationship that has been on and off again for 3 years. He is finally seeing how toxic it has been and is done with it when they have a night together after they have been drinking and celebrating at Drew’s sister and Courtney’s best friend’s wedding. Courtney has always had a thing for him but never thought it was a real possibility for something to happen. When it finally does they have some things that they have to work through, Drew’s ex being the biggest one early on. I love that Drew wants to take things a little slower, as he knows it is a big step for them and he wants to make sure to do things the right way. There are definitely some twists in the story and plenty going on that keeps the story moving forward and your attention engaged. I connected to the story and characters from beginning to end. There is a twist and cliffhanger at the end so I can’t wait to start the next book and figure out how everything is going to work out.
I loved the narrator as well. She did an absolutely fantastic job with the different voices for the characters. You could hear the emotions in the voice that were supposed to be there so it definitely made it feel real and gave the listening experience more depth. I loved the slight Texas accent for Courtney, it was perfect. I had no problem with telling the difference between Courtney and Drew either. I love dual narration, usually for that reason, but this narrator did such a fantastic job I didn’t feel it was needed. I just about felt like I was getting dual narration with just the one.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I was sooo excited when I found out that Drew Fisher and Courtney Bishop would have their own story. Their snippets in the prior books did not do its justice. Thank you Kennedy Fox for giving us more. <3
Drew is Viola's brother, Courtney's roommate, and a sexy and loyal officer who tends to be blind when it comes to the opposite sex, especially when it comes to Mia. (Inserting much needed rant: OMG Mia freaking Montgomery is crazy!!! I never liked her when we saw glimpses of her in the previous books in the series and her appearances throughout the read made me despise her character in my eyes even more. Mia being jealous of Courtney and testing her and the the constant games she would play when it came to Drew made her such a despicable person. Ugh! End rant.) Moving on...as he slowly finally realize what is in front of him the swoon factor comes into play and could not help but fall deep for this beautiful person.
Courtney, the southern girl has a personality that I adored. She too is loyalty to the people who matter most and such a free spirit. I loved how she was always honest with her BFF, Viola on her feelings and thoughts when it came to her brother and how much she kept Drew on his toes. She also pushes Travis that had me constantly LOL. She is a force to be reckon with Courtney style. Haha!
I enjoyed the easy going relationship that Drew and Courtney has. The continued angst and tension throughout the read is what I love most about this series. Although I couldn't fully wrap the idea of Drew and Courtney being best friends off the bat the rest of the story more than made up for it. This was such a sweet start to their story. To conclude, I have to quickly yell regarding the cliffy. WTF?!?!? How?? What?? Huh?? Why?? I'm all kinds of shocked and curious to see what happens next.
That cliffhanger…
Omg…I knew that Drew’s story would be amazing and I was right. Mia is definitely not the one I would choose for Drew, she is one evil witch! Now Courtney…she’s the one I like best. But Drew is so messed up and wound tight around Mia’s finger, will he ever see the real Mia. Drew is sweet and protective and deserves so much better than Mia. Is he the manho Travis was…nope…but you know what kinda man he is going in so it’s not a disappointment of who he is. He is…just Drew, amazingly sexy, passionate and loyal to a fault. Yet in the bedroom he is well let just say he knows how to please his gf. Hot hot hot. Loved every moment of this book. Now on to book 2 of the duet. Because I’ve got to know what happens next…
I received a free advanced copy on audible and hearing is every bit as amazing as reading it. Amazing read.
Wowwww!!!! I was not expecting that ending! Seriously, I need book 2 NOW!!!
I absolutely am LOVING this series, and after reading books 1 and 2 in the series, I couldn’t wait to get to Drew and Courtney’s story! I seriously loved them. Their friendship was so awesome, and the sexual tension between them was off the charts. I couldn’t stand Drew’s on again off again girlfriend and so I was rooting for him and Courtney from the start. I do have to say that I was SHOOK at that ending!!! Like my mouth dropped open!
I’m quickly becoming a huge fan of Kennedy Fox and can’t wait to listen to the next book!
Really enjoyed the beginning of Drew and Courtney’s love story. I love the friends to lovers trope and I love how this is going. It was sweet, funny and of course sexy. And that cliffhanger had me wanting to throw my phone across the room. I really must see how Courtney will handle this crisis.
REVIEW FOR AUDIOBOOK
I love this first book in this duet by Kennedy Fox. Drew and Courtney’s story is amazing. I think Lia Langola is one of the best narrators when it comes to audiobooks. I love listening to her voice all of these characters. Kennedy Fox has great taste when it comes to picking out their narrators. Check out this audio you won’t be sorry!
This is the third book is the Checkmate Duet, and the first book in Drew and Courtney’s friends to lovers story. You don’t need to listen to the first duet in the Series before this one, but it can help to understand the friendship between the characters. Drew is handsome! Courtney is funny, and beautiful. They are perfect together. The supporting characters a great. I love to see again Travis and Viola. I loved it! The storyline is sweet, beautifully written, and fun. The story ends with an unpredictable cliffhanger. OMG! I wasn’t prepared for that! I need the next book in the Series, now!! Lia Langola did a great job with the narration.