She hates him.He loves getting under her skin.Travis King is the worst kind of ahole.He taunts me for being a good girl and mocks my high standards.He’s cruel, crass, and has enough confidence to last two lifetimes.And I hate him.It wouldn’t matter so much if he were avoidable.But considering he’s my older brother’s best friend and roommate, I see him more than I’d ever want to. His sculpted abs … roommate, I see him more than I’d ever want to. His sculpted abs and gorgeous eyes are wasted on such an arrogant man, which makes me hate him even more.
Even though I’ve had a crush on him since I was ten, the feelings weren’t mutual and he’s made that very clear. He’s always loved getting under my skin and one night against my better judgment, I let him in my bed. I’ve succumbed to his manwre ways, but that doesn’t change a thing.
Because the King is about to get played at his own game—and lose.
Checkmate, King.
This is book 1 in the Travis & Viola duet and must be read first. Suggested for mature readers only.
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This was a fantastic story! I absolutely loved the characters. The title “this is war” definitely depicts what is going on in this story lol. Viola and Travis snipe at each other constantly. They were close when they were young but something went wrong and Viola has hated Travis since. Travis isn’t sure exactly what changed, he just knows that she hates him and he loves to get a rise out of her so he pushes every button he can. This story pulled me in from beginning to end. I loved the snark between the characters. It was hilarious at times. They definitely have a communication issue and love to rile each other up. They are forced into close quarters together without a buffer and it causes sparks and for some things to finally boil over. There is the first in the duet and it ends on a cliffhanger. I completely get it and am glad that we are getting another story with these guys to work out issues and hopefully see them actually be together, happy, lol. There is plenty of action to push the story and the characters along. I loved the secondary characters, Courtney and Drew especially. This was a phenomenal read and while I am not the biggest fan of cliffhangers that doesn’t detract or put me off with this series and author. They do a great job with it and make it worth it every time. Definitely starting the next one right now. The narrator also did a fantastic job with the voices for the characters and acting the story out. I could hear the smile in the voice when it was supposed to be there and knew the different characters when she was switching between them. Great job.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
If you love the enemies to lover trope, this one is for you. The animosity between these two is off the chart. The underlying chemistry makes it obvious these two need to just hit the sheets LOL. Travis is your classic alpha manwhore, who is Viola’s big brother best friend. When they were little they were very close. But somewhere along the line things change and now they seem to hate each other. These two can fight and both can deliver some zingers. I kept waiting for the drag out knock out fight at one point. LOL Instead they kiss and things get complicated after that. This does end in a cliffhanger and now I must find out what is going to happen to this couple. I’m not sure they can come back from that ending. I listen to the audio of this story and I feel the narrator did a good job in changing up her voice for each character.
When they were kids Viola thought that she and Travis, her brother’s best friend, understood each other in a way that no one else in their lives did until the day that their relationship changed and would never be the same again. With her brother out of town she now finds herself roommates with Travis and the sparks are going to fly.
Travis has a way with women, but he keeps his relationships casual and short. He has perfected the art of doing whatever he can to draw the ire of Viola both with actions and with words. He is determined to deny the chemistry between them until he can’t and just when you think they may be able to overcome their past life throws them a curveball that leaves us needing the rest of their story.
Their interactions are humorous, the heat between is hot and Viola is fierce, but she has her mind firmly made up about Travis however there is so much more to the man than first appears. I really enjoyed the performance of the narrator and didn’t miss the fact that it wasn’t a dual narration.
Coming of age story about a girl who has always been in love with her big brothers best friend……he secretly wants her too but sooo much drama and bad memories come in the way. Ends with a cliffhanger. Narration is fabulous!
Viola has had a crush on Travis since she was 10 years, but she hates him. The problem is he is her brothers best friend. There chemistry is off the charts. They are at each other’s throats constantly. He is a one night stand kind of guy, so she figures she can play his game, but can she? This is the first of 2 books and the second is even better. I really like Lia Langola as the narrator of this, she does a fantastic job. This is a awesome enemies to lovers series
I want to ready this series over and over again! I love it so much. I felt like I was living in the moment with them. I enjoyed every single second of this book! It makes my emotional heart so happy!
Viola and Travis have a LONG history together. This story takes place in the present-day, but also includes several flashbacks and stories from their years of history, so we get a good amount of their backstory as well. These two have an almost volatile relationship in the present-day but have such a deep history of a mutual love for each other. This is definitely an intense enemies-to-lovers story!
Viola is an all-around nerd, who loves Harry Potter, reading and her school work. Travis is a self-acknowledged man-whore, who is also doing his best to further his career at work. Travis is best friends, and always has been, with Viola’s older brother, Drew. Viola has grown up with Travis and when they were younger, they developed such a deep bond together – sharing their childhood/teenage years secrets and troubles. Viola overhears some hurtful words in her late teen years, thus triggering her new-found hate for the douche, Travis. Drew, Viola’s brother, has also laid down a very stern rule about staying away from his little sister, to all his friends. This leads their lust/love on the back burner, for many reasons!
I enjoyed Viola as a lead female character, but Travis was not my favorite. He was an all-around douche most of the book. If you love a bad-boy lead male, then Travis is the guy for you! These two had a LOT of sexual chemistry that has been at the surface for many years now, which can only lead to an explosion at some point or another.
If you love a good enemies-to-lovers, bad boy story, then I recommend you pick this start of the series up! If you like a LOT of steam in your books, this is also for you!
Audio-
So I love an enemies to lovers with my whole being. This definitely checked all the notches for that.
The misunderstanding? Honestly. It’s a weak reason to not clear up any issues and for it have gone on for YEARS of their lives is crazy.
Maybe I’m just not a grudge holder and that’s why it’s unbelievable for me but idk.
All of the displays of the H with other women. I could have inferred it after the first few pages honestly. But it didn’t detract anything from the story, just felt more like an overkill.
My biggest issue was if these characters were pining for each other or had anything between them aside from some flashes of lust, it was buried way down deep inside of them. It didn’t feel like they liked each other at all, let alone loved one another.
However. I am dying to know what happens next. That cliffy, I was unprepared for.
*review for Audible version *
My heart felt like it was being squeezed to death throughout this entire audiobook. The angst and the slow burn about killed me! So many misunderstandings with Travis and Viola, I wanted to scream in frustration at them. I wanted to shake Travis with how he acted so nonchalant about things. He’s crazy hot but so frustrating. Viola is sweet, smart, and sexy. She has a strength that I can’t fathom having with everything that’s happened and been happening. The steam is just scorching, I mean whew, wow, fanning myself here. That ending tore me up. I’m crying, like legit tears streaming down my face. I need to start part two as soon as possible, I need to know…I’m aching for it.
Wow, I just finished listening to Checkmate: This is War and I’m dying!! This is going to be a quick review because I neeeed to start book 2 ASAP!
Viola and Travis are sooooo delish. Their story is filled with sooooo much sexual tension I was dying! I absolutely loved this story. The writing was super on point. I normally don’t read many books with dual authors because I feel like I can usually notice where one author stops and the other begins, but with Kennedy Fox’s writing, it’s literally like they’re one person. The story flowed so exceptionally well that I honestly could not tell that two authors wrote this story. I’m not sure why it’s taken me this long to read/listen to a Kennedy Fox book, but now that I’ve started I don’t think I’ll ever stop! Absolutely loved this story, and I’m so excited to read more from this fabulous duo!
Woah woah woah!!! I am beside myself right now! This book was so freaking awesome! The dynamic between Viola and Travis was insane! When they finally got together for the hate f they were building up to, it was EXPLOSIVE! When he found out why she was mad at him for all those years…. that scene brought tears to my eyes! I knew by the name of the book (duet) that there would be a cliffhanger, but it was not one I saw coming at all! And now my head is swimming with all the “why’s” …. So many questions I need answered!
With it being a dual POV but only 1 narrator I was not too sure how it was going to be. It was pretty good…. I didn’t lose the idea of who’s POV she was reading from. I always knew the difference between her female and male voices. Which was something I was concerned with since I sometimes have to stop listening in the middle of chapters, but I always knew by the sound who the POV was from.
I am so excited to get to the next one!!! I need those questions answered now!!!
****AUDIO REVIEW****
I love Travis and Viola
This is the first audio I have listened to with only one narrator and I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about it but Lia Langola did a great job with Travis’s parts. I can only listen to audio book that I have previously read and hearing Travis and Viola’s story made me love it even more. The narrator nailed the feelings of the characters very well, there were even a couple times when I jumped as her voice rose with anger. I have love the relationship between Travis and Viola and how it goes from heated anger to the point they can’t keep their hands off of each other. To fully understand their relationship the reader/listener must finish the book to get their full story. Viola was truly crushed by Travis at a young age and that wound simply heeled into a scar that never fully closed. She doesn’t want to love him and yet can’t help but love him. Just when the air is finally cleared between the two of them another they hit another bump in their road. In classic Kennedy Fox fashion they left this on a cliffhanger that will definitely leave you wanting the next book, This is Love, immediately!
This book was one of my favorite reads to begin with an then throw it in audio with a great narrator my heart is swooning all over again. Lia Langola did these characters in the most perfect of ways and brought to much to these characters. I loved her voice and she did a phenomenal distinction between the characters and her voice is just perfect for them.
This story line was one of my favorite enemies to lovers, big brother best friends story. I was completely captured with the story and I was addicted. The characters and their hatred/games at the beginning of the story had me laughing out loud with the pranks and trying to outdo each other, then tension between the two, the steam (wowza!) and the feels. The feels were so over the top and I felt everything straight into my bones.
Kennedy Fox brings their A-game to this enemies-to-lovers romance staring Viola and Travis. The two have insane amounts of chemistry, witty AF banter, and enough romance to break a swoon-meter, but despite the quick wit and funny back and forth bickering, after a while it kind of dragged on a little. Despite that little snag we get a hero that underneath it all is a great guy who just happens to have a very dirty mouth and I was here for it!! THIS IS WAR is a fun enemies to lovers story that I enjoyed. Now I need the next book because that cliffy was mean. Narration was performed by Lia Langola and she did a great job narrating the story and giving each character their own voice. I really enjoyed to and I’m excited for the rest of Travis and Viola’s story.
I don’t have enough words to express the amazingness of Checkmate: This is War, it is honestly the best book I have read / listened to this year. Kennedy Fox is a power duo who make book magic together, after reading one book by them I became a fan for life and I am so thankful I found this book. I loved the story, the characters, the romance, the everything of this book. I even loved the cliffhanger and I don’t think I have ever said that…EVER! Yes, it ends in a cliffhanger, a whopper of a cliffhanger but I feel it made this book even more intriguing, if they all ended as this one did I would read books with cliffhangers all the time. I am jumping out of my skin as I write this review because I want to be reading / listening to the conclusion of Travis & Viola’s story, I am so excited to learn how their story ends. After that I will be reading the other two books in this series. I especially look forward to Drew (Vi’s brother ) & Courtney’s (Vi’s BFF) story in Checkmate: This is Reckless.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Lia Langola did a fantastic job performing each character. I would give Lia five plus stars for her performance and look forward to hearing more books read by her.
This book is a MUST read / listen, you will be so glad you did!!!
Checkmate: This is War (Travis & Viola, #1; Checkmate Duet, #1) was a great read by Kennedy Fox. Travis is an asshole who taunts Viola for being a good girl. Viola hates him for how rude and crass he is. But even with all of that, she has had a crush on him since she was 10. But he has made it clear that he has no feelings for her, that is until one night when she lets him in her bed against her better judgement. I really enjoyed reading Travis and Viola’s story and can’t wait to read more by Kennedy Fox.
I love listening to a good book that completely consumes. The narrator really brought this story to life. Once I started I was hooked and listened until I finished it. I love when a book has me not wanting to put it down.
Travis and Viola have known each other since they were kids. Travis is her brother’s best friend and the one boy she can’t have. These two haven’t gotten a long in a very long time. When they are forced to be together for a while things change. Will they be able to put their hateful feelings aside and see if they ha e something worth fighting for?
The chemistry between these two is off the charts. After finishing this book I had to go straight into the next one to see what happens. Highly recommend!
Audiobook listen
Travis and Viola have always known each other. Travis is best friends with Viola’s older brother, Drew. They shared a connection when they were young but things changed between them and have only tolerated each other since.
Viola is staying with her brother for a few weeks over spring break but then he decides to visit his girlfriend, leaving Viola and Travis alone together. They do not get on at all and things are pretty hostile between them.
I loved all the little jokes they played on each other, trying to be better than the previous one. As the days went on the sexual tension and sizzling chemistry bubbled until it exploded and they couldn’t keep their hands to themselves and this pair was hot! I loved Travis and his dirty mouth.
For most of the book I didn’t like Travis’ character for what he put Viola through with his manwhore ways even when he knew he had feelings for Viola, but by the end, I was rooting for them and was so invested in their story that when the cliffhanger dropped I was beyond frustrated! I need their conclusion now!
This was a well-read audiobook and I loved both the male and female actors. They played it great!
ARC received for an honest review.
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Overall Ratings;u2063
POV – Dual
Hero –
Heroine –
Story –
Steam –
Chemistry –
Now, to be honest, I think I’ve had an e-copy of this for awhile, from signing up for a newsletter or a free deal or something. But I just never got around to it. When I got the audio though, I put aside what I was listening to and was sucked right in! At first I did wonder why they didn’t have a male and female narrator since there were two characters with their own chapters. But, the female narrator who does this book is one of the really good ones that can do a male voice pretty well. So that wasn’t an issue.
The hatred between Travis and Viola goes so deep. You can feel it in every word they say to each other. And while I kind of had an idea what might have caused the rift between them, it wasn’t exactly what I’d thought, and still was very emotional once it was revealed. The story was definitely hot. Although there was a point when I was wondering why she was fighting in that moment. However, since I think Travis kind of got into that, and pushed her so often for that kind of reaction, he kind of deserved it.
Both of them were definitely very ridiculous and stubborn right up to the point when her friend Courtney gave them a push and they finally figured it out. But then that ending! Gah! Now to get ahold of the audiobook for the second part so I can find out what happens next! Because even if that ending may have upset Viola, I have a feeling it’s not exactly what she was thinking.
Checkmate: This is War was the perfect brothers best friend/friends to lovers read. Viola or “V” has loved Travis King since she was 12yrs old but one overheard conversation and a decade later, she couldn’t hate anyone more than the mega Sleaze ball she use to think hung the moon. Now she know fairytales are not real and princes no don’t exist. Hard lesson to learn at 13yrs old.
Travis King heartthrob doesn’t even scratch the service. Women flock to him on his worst days…on his best…well just say his bed is never empty. But no matter how hard he tries he can’t get the goody toe shoes, princess out of his head. But he has to try…she hates him with her entire being which is for the best. Someone like her…she deserves better. Until one drunken night a kiss is all it takes to bring them both to their knees…except nothing can change. “V”s brother Drew would literally beat the heck out of him. Not only that Drew is his best friend. He just can’t lose his best friend. Can Viola and Travis find their way to each other? That cliffhanger oh my now I’ve gotta wait for book two…and I’m dying to know what happens next. Wonderful book, intriguing characters and all the feels!