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.
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Gah! Why the heck can’t Mia go away?!?!? Like seriously…. I am so over this bitch!!!
I love a good friends to lovers story…. mix that with the sibling’s best friend and I am ALL OVER IT! I was super excited for Courtney and Drew’s story…. man was he totally clueless or what? I am not at all sure why but for some reason at the end of the last duet I didn’t think that Mia was still around…. damn she is one crazy chick! But I love the way that Drew and Courtney get together and the journey you see them going on. Of coarse this ends on a cliffhanger and I can NOT WAIT to see how it turns out!
*review for Audible version *
I’m pretty positive that this is my favorite Kennedy Fox couple, and that’s a hard thing to say considering how many great couples they’ve written. This story made my heart ache, had me laughing out loud, gasping and writhing from all the delicious steam, and balling my eyes out. Drew and Courtney stole my heart right from the start. I’m gutted from the ending, I want to know so badly what happens but it hurts so much.
Courtney has always crushed hard over Drew but he’s always been taken by his on and off again relationship with Mia. They’ve become best friends along the way since becoming roommates. Then the opportunity strikes and there’s no going back for these two. When together they are beyond electric, leaving my body in flames. Unfortunately, obstacles get in the way and I feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest.
I know the second book in this duet is going to kill me but I’m going to take it on and not look back. Drew and Courtney are everything and I know that you will love then as much as I do. The narrator is amazing and flawless, pulling you into the story and keeping your attention all the way through. Fantastic read and a must listen!
I was excited to read Drew and Courtney’s story, because I really liked the first duet in the Checkmate series featuring Drew’s sister and Courtney’s best friend. And while I do like these characters, I had a little bit of a struggle getting through this one. I guess it is true what they say about how a story without a lot of drama is boring. And I can’t even believe I’m going to say that there was maybe too much sex in this. I mean I actually was fast forwarding through those scenes towards the end wanting more actual story.
I did enjoy the times when they went home to Courtney’s family toward the end, it made me want to read more of the cowboy books by Kennedy Fox. Also had me thinking about the Bishop family tree. And the ending in this was totally not what I was thinking was going to happen, because I did not see that at all! So now I am definitely needing the second book so that I can find out how what happened at the very end came about and what it will lead to for Drew and Courtney’s future.
So this was a book that had a lot of drama at the beginning that had me so ready for the two to get together, but then maybe went on too long with just the status quo bit. There was even one part where I kind of got mad at Courtney for not trusting Drew though, and maybe that should have given me a hint at what happened at the end. Anyway, I do need to read, or should I say listen, on in the series. Again, the narrator does male and female voices different enough it works, but I think I would maybe like it more with two separate narrators.
After finishing the first duet in the Checkmate series for Travis and Viola, I couldn’t have been more curious to listen to Courtney and Drews story. I think this is one of my favourite friends to lovers romances, Drew and Courtney’s chemistry is so clear despite them being best friends. Our Hero and heroine have been living together for over 2 years and yet still Mia *eye twitches and growls* is still around being her repulsive self. When the night of Travis and Viola’s wedding finally leads to a drunken rendezvous between Drew and Courtney, the fun really begins.
Lia Langola did an amazing job on the Audio for this one, she really established her vocal performance for both characters making it really easy to follow for a solo narration audiobook. Drew and Courtney couldn’t be better matched and I loved getting to know what a down to earth, adorable guy Drew really is. This book had a playfulness about and a levity I loved. Once Drew realised that Courtney really is the girl for him he had no problem putting Mia in her place and showing his stern police officer authority (hot dayum). I was happily enjoying the banter and happy place the story was taking me, until the last minute of the audiobook when holy moly! what in the ever loving……..was that cliff hanger *gasps, blinks, picks jaw up off floor* Needless to say I am off to grab the next book in the story before I go insane wanting answers!
I absolutely fell hard for Drew and Courtney. Drew Fisher is the hot cop and also best friends with Travis King, Courtney Bishop is Drew’s little sister Viola’s best friend. Courtney has has a crush on Drew for years and Drew has no idea. She wants to forget about him and move on, but they live together. One night turns into a drunken hook up, they both try to pretend it never happened but there is no denying the attraction the boils between them.
Audio Review:
Umm… I have SO. MANY. QUESTIONS.
WTAF?!
Drama, love, crazy, sexy and vindictive are all words I could use to describe this book.
I love Courteney and Drew as a couple.
They love hard and are just perfect for each other.
Mia… I want to do some very nasty things to that vile human.
That ending?! I’m pulling my hair out!
Lia did another amazing job with narration but I desperately NEED THE NEXT PIECE.
Awesome Story & Narration Loving This Checkmate Series!!
Checkmate: This Is Reckless
Checkmate Duet, Book 3
By: Kennedy Fox
Narrated by: Lia Langola
Series: Checkmate Duet: Drew and Courtney, Book 1, Checkmate Duet Series, Book 3
I am loving Kennedy Fox’s “Checkmate Duet” series, this is book is Drew and Courtney’s story, having met them in in the first two books, Travis and Viola’s story, I knew I was going to love their story. Courtney crushed on Drew, her best friend’s brother but he was in a longterm relationship with girlfriend Mia Montgomery. Mia is a real piece of work, everyone but Drew sees how bad she as a person and bad for him in general. But he continues to put up with her and all her antics. Things start to shift for him after she gives him an ultimatum regarding his roommate. I loved how everything plays out in this book, the story is beautifully plotted with plenty of drama, humor, heartfelt and emotional moments, some hot romance and a mind-blowing ending making you want to scream. Kennedy Fox, thank you for another awesome story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
I listened to the Audible edition, Lia Langola is a fabulous narrator and versatile voice artist. She performs the voices for all the characters, covers both the male and female roles with perfection, giving each their own unique sound which makes it easy to follow along and know who is who. She does a great job with Courtney’s accent and giving her that southern charm. She handles the back and forth dialogue effortlessly, she also lands the humor without missing a beat. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another awesome listen
Courtney and Drew are the most adorable couple ever!!! I want a relationship like theirs. if only the could get away from Mia and her psycho self. Drew deserves Courtney and Mia needs to get lost once and for all. The biggest cliff hanger ever. Now I must know where Courtney is!!!!!
After reading Travis and Viola’s story, I was more than interested to see how Drew and Courtney would get together. The friends to lovers trope always rings my bell, especially when it’s best friends and there’s plenty of longing. I personally adored quirky Courtney a bit more than Viola and the way she helps Drew loosen up was incredible. Plus seeing those cameos? Perfection. The chemistry between Drew and Courtney is what makes this book so binge able. Add on the incredible audio by Lia Langola and you got another KF winner. I cannot wait to get my hands on a audio of book 2of this duet. I volunteered to listen and review a complimentary copy of this. All opinions are my own.
I love Drew and Courtney!! This is one of the best books and this is one of the couples that have stuck with me!! The friendship that turns to love is such a sweet and endearing thing to read. Plus you add in the steam that KF does flawlessly!!
I listened to this in one sitting and loved every minute if it. Lia does an awesome job narrating both POV.
I love how sassy and confident Courtney is. I love a heroine that’s smart, funny, outgoing and strong. Drew has had to deal with so much drama because of his ex, Mia , that Courtney is like a breath of fresh air. It’s great to see that a real friendship has formed between them through the years. I feel like that is what Drew really needed. It wasn’t lust or love at first sight for him. His feelings for her slowly evolved. Meeting the entire Bishop family was so fun. All of Courtney’s brothers are so hilarious and sweetly protective of their little sister. This book definitely leaves you wanting the next book to see how things end for this couple. Also Mia Montgomery is the absolute worst!
********AUDIO REVIEW********
Back when I read these books I absolutely loved them…Drew and Courtney are my favorite couple in the Checkmate series. Now that I have listened to this….I love them and their story even more.
Lia Langola is the sole narrator and has no problem getting the listener completely sucked into the story as she reads both male and female characters.
Drew and Courtney’s story touches on a different level. You have this blonde girl from TX who can easily hang with the guys one minute and be baking muffins the next. She is a ray of sunshine while Drew has a more serious personality, he is a cop afterall. Lia being able to take that tone from the pages of the book to audio for our listening pleasure is simply amazing. Of course it helps that Kennedy Fox writes such enthralling stories.
As with many of their other books this one is a cliffhanger that will have you wanting to start playing the next book, This is Effortless, right away.
#review #bookstagram #spoilerwarning @kennedyfoxbooks
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This book was such an fun read, good storyline, some parts were an bit long in details but you need them to understand the depth of the storyline
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Overall I loved reading them both, it’s an duology ….
Notes on book 1;
Drew deputy, Courtney best friend and secretly in love, Mia the crazy girlfriend/ex
Loved it, hate the cliffhanger ending… really need to buy the second book NOW!
Notes on book 2;
Sequel, a lot of plot twist some did got to me as an surprise, but to long on some subjects to end the story.
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Blurb;
Checkmate: This is Reckless & This is Effortless is a friends-to-lovers romance that’ll have you swooning and laughing from the first to the last page! Are you ready to play the game?
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 Courtney—his little sister’s best friend. She’s the blonde Southern belle who lives up to the cliché, except she has her own quirks. She’s smart as a whip, can change her own oil, and recite The Pledge of Allegiance backward, but no matter what, he doesn’t see that girl. It’d be easier to forget him if he wasn’t Courtney’s roommate and if the first thing she saw in the morning wasn’t his shirtless body covered in tattoos. She’s crushed on him since the day they met, but he’s made it perfectly clear where they stand. Just friends.
Courtney Bishop is as sugary sweet as her famous blueberry muffins.
Southern belle at heart, Cali girl by choice.
She barged into Drew’s life and they easily became best friends.
All was great as roommates and just friends, but then he started to fall for the girl who could chop firewood, deliver baby calves, and bail hay without breaking a sweat.
She’s the perfect mixture of sugar and spice, and he wants her.
One drunken hookup leaves them with much more than a platonic friendship. Pretending it never happened proves to be more difficult than either of them anticipated. A crazy ex-girlfriend, a dangerous war of stolen glances, and passionate kisses leads to the most reckless battle yet.
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#books
Good story till the last chapters in. WARNING – this is a cliffhanger book. And in my opinion was unnecessary. Tons of sex in this one. Not much story. Quite frustrating. I won’t be further reading.
Really enjoyable book,funny and catching
I actually liked this one. It’s not exactly a cliffhanger, but leaves you hanging a little, to hopefully get you to buy the next book.
love the book
There was more sex then plot going on with the book
Enjoyed it very much, but be aware it leaves you hanging.
Couldn’t put it down, in fact I had to buy the next one in the series it was so good. Loved the characters. Definitely would recommend.