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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I originally read Checkmate: This is War when it was first published and I loved it. A Frenemies to lovers romance with love-hate sex? What is there not to love. So when I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, I jumped all over it. Narrated by Lia Langola, she truly did a great job brining Travis and Viola’s story to life for me.
Travis and Viola were great characters with amazing chemistry, even as they tore into each other. I loved seeing these two interact. With every quip back and forth these two get closer than they ever intended! While trying to stay away from each other, these two still find themselves drawn together.
I loved how feisty, strong and determined Viola was with her choices. Hurt by Travis in the past, she is determined to keep him at arm’s length. But as her older brother’s best friend and roommate, he is always around. Travis knows Viola is off limits. So her hatred for him usually just fueled him to act in the ways the drive her the crazy and push her away. Until one day, he truly sees her, and now he can’t stay away from her.
These two make quite the pair! Their antics had me laughing and truly enjoying listening to the audiobook. Then you get that ending! A definite must-read and/or listen!
Happy listening!
This is the first book in the Checkmate Duet, a brother’s best friend, and enemies to lovers romance. This is a good introduction to Travis and Viola’s story. The back and forth, past to present, helps to understand the angst between them. The story ends with a big cliffhanger. Looking forward to listen to the second book in the Series, This is Love, to know what happens next. Lia Langola did a good job with the narration.
Audio review
This was so much more than anticipated! I had a picture in my head of the usual pranks and laughter, leading to love and a quick HEA, but this is so much more! Yes, there are pranks, great banter, hot times and laughter, but there is also a more serious and compelling side to the story. Travis and Viola have a more complex relationship, and Travis a potential pile of c..p heading his way! Lia Langola is such a very good narrator. She drew me in an swept me along throughout! Fabulous!! Bring on part 2!
Overall I enjoyed the first half of Travis and Viola’s story. I loved the banter between them and the funny pranks they played on each other. I did have a hard time with Travis’s manwhore ways. I know they weren’t technically together but the fact that he was still sleeping around bothered me. It was an interesting story and it kept my attention. I was even trying to find ways to listen at home, as I usually only listen while driving. So it was very entertaining. The narration was fantastic and very well done. I usually like duel narration for duel point of view books but the voices were different enough that you had no problems knowing who was talking. Fun book and I look forward to knowing how it ends because that ending was a shocker!
Voluntary review of an ARC
***Audio Book Review***
This novel absolutely blew my mind! Travis is a ridiculously hot alpha hole… and Viola is a very girl next door, best friend’s little sister. But their history, their friendship & rivalry is smoking hot! Their supporting characters are fun & complex & the world they have created is one I would love to dive into again! The cliffhanger is BRUTAL & intriguing & I am DYING for the next book! I truly enjoyed the narrator & her ability to relay the story in a touching, connectable way.
This is war is so right. From the war going on between the main characters, to my very own warring emotions, there is lots of tension and turmoil to be had as Travis and Violet’s story commences in book one of this duet. I have to be honest and say that I struggled with these characters. I wanted to like Violet and in some ways I did. However, I had very little respect for her and hated how she let Travis treat her. I refuse to give spoilers but; all I can say is: Girl Really?? You love him that much and find him that irresistible??!! I could not even wrap my head around it and it was a Hard NO from me. As for Travis, I actually felt he was quite vile and unpleasant. Form his attitude, to his actions, to his behavior, he was a huge walking, talking turn off to me. Only a single narrator on this book and while that is not my favorite option, I did think they did a good job.
***** AUDIOBOOK REVIEW *****
Lordy, Lordy, Kennedy Fox sure picked the only title this book could have ever had! Viola and Travis loved to hate each other!! They have one of the most aggressive relationships I think I’ve ever read (not including bully romances). I kind of agreed with Viola and wasn’t digging on Travis’s way with women. However, these two are not attached, in fact, the vehemently seem to dislike each other. If only they weren’t so damn turned on by the other one. But, they are and they want to fight it…. and fight they do!
Travis made me want to bash his head against a wall a few times! He drove me crazy with his man-whoring ways and cocky attitude. I loved Viola putting him in his place. I might have cringed myself when he dished it back out and put her in her place. She wasn’t all perfection, oh no,, Viola definitely tried to drive Travis just as wild as he drove her. They both enjoyed pushing each other buttons until they couldn’t take it. Speaking of not being able to take it… THAT ENDING!!! Or that CLIFFHANGER, I should say! Good Lord, I feel slightly crazed after that ending!
The narrator, Lia Langola, surprised me a bit. I’m a listener that really prefers multiple POVs to be performed by the respected sex. We get both Viola and Travis’s POV here and Langola performs for both of them. I think what surprised me the most was I didn’t hate it! Actually, it was the complete opposite… I enjoyed the narration immensely. I felt Lia really showcased the feelings both these characters showed especially the frustration bordering on anger.
Audio review
This is a mixture of love to hate to love and brother’s best friend/best friend’s little sister trope.
Viola and Travis have a long history and not all of it is good.
Lia Longola really brings the feelings that these characters have for each other, to life and portrays the angst superbly.
Obviously as this is a duet there is no HEA but with this particular cliffhanger ending, you will definitely go back for more!
Checkmate: This Is War
The Checkmate Duet, Book 1
By: Kennedy Fox
Narrated by: Lia Langola
Something has to be said about the attraction of an enemies to lovers story. There is always a tension you can feel that is pure chemistry. That is what Kennedy Fox has with Travis and Viola. These two have history. Travis is Viola’s brother Drew’s best friend and they grew up together. Life was great until it wasn’t, and the two have been enemies since. Now it’s college, spring break to be exact and Viola is going to stay at Drew’s. Little does she know he is going away, and that will leave her alone with, you guessed it! Travis! Just how long will it take before these two realize their attraction? And will they act on it? Taboo for being her brother’s best friend just makes this story better. Kennedy Fox have created high tension foreplay, along with witty banter that will most times make you laugh and other times make you cringe. It’s a coming of age, finding that reason for love and forgiveness and really enjoying each other. But we don’t get to all of that, because life happens, and now with the ending I have to queue up book 2! Fun, cruel, flirty, bullying, passionate and surprising, this book will pull you in and give you the feels you love to hear!
Lia Langola is amazing, and she nails this performance. She has such a variety of voices and picks the best ones for each character. She is one I look for as she knows her characters and gives them the nuances and inflections to let us feel and understand them. She is wonderful.
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Viola and Travis have known each other since they were kids. He is her older brother’s best friend. Something happened and she has hated him for 10 years. The chemistry is intense between them every time they see each other, which is often since he is roommates with her brother. He is a total man whore and she is a bit of a goody two shoes. Some of their banter was funny and entertaining but it did get old after a while. The entire first books takes place in just a couple of weeks time. This was a pretty quick, easy read. Leaves you with a cliffhanger and I started book 2 to find out the conclusion.
I’m at a loss for words.
Travis and Viola are very intense characters just like their story. Their hate and disgust for each other is palpable, even if it is not completely comprehensible at first. The reasons are revealed in flashbacks throughout the story and then make sense.
Their feelings for each other develop from hate to something more in a slow-burn way that makes you want to read even faster to see what happens next.
Both are very stubborn and I wanted to shake them not just once.
Their story sent me on quite the emotional roallercoaster ride, that’s for sure!
Great Story & Narration Angsty & Captivating!
Checkmate: This Is War
The Checkmate Duet: Travis & Viola, Book 1
By: Kennedy Fox
Narrated by: Lia Langola
I loved Travis and Viola’s story it is a great enemies to lovers romance and so much more. I enjoyed Kennedy Fox’s writing style, the storylines and characters she created were interesting and swept me right in and captivated my attention from start to end. I wound up binging on “The Checkmate Duet: Travis & Viola”, starting with “Checkmate: This is War” and what a start it is. Travis King is Viola’s older brother’s roommate and best friend. At one time they themselves were tight but that was when they were younger. Viola still crushed on him but hated what he did to her, torment, tease and get under her skin anytime he could. She started to give just as good as she got. This is one angsty story, they continually pushed each other’s buttons but then something gives and it turns into something more. The chemistry between them is undeniable, it is smoking hot and it is real. I loved how everything plays out in this book, there is never a dull moment with plenty of drama, angst, some twists, some laughs, lots of emotions and some hot romance. This ends in a cliffhanger so be sure to have the second book “Checkmate: This is Love” in hand because you are going to want to know what and why. Sorry, no spoilers here but I will say, Kennedy Fox does not disappoint she continues to bring it in the second part of Travis’ and Viola’s story with more drama, angst, twists, lots of emotions and some more hot romance. I am looking forward to the next Checkmate Duet in this series, Drew and Courtney’s story, I adored those two. Kennedy Fox, thank you for this great book and the emotional roller coaster ride
I listened to the Audible edition, Lia Langola is a terrific narrator and voice artist. She did an amazing job portraying the characters and bringing them to life, giving each their own voice and personality. You could hear how much heart she put into her work as she captured and projected the characters emotions into her performance. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for the great listen
“Checkmate: This Is War” (nook) was intense. I think that it is a great story and I was immediately drawn to the characters. However, I was definitely disappointed that “This Is War” was the first part of a duet. I try not to buy a book if I have to purchase a second or third in order to reach a HEA. In spite of that, I give a 5 star rating.
Great story. Very comical.
I loved this book. Travis and Viola were a bit immature, but absolutely hilarious. And once they did the deed? Steamy! And what a shocking cliffhanger. I didn’t see that coming. I thought for sure that Alicia was going to be the cause of all their troubles.
I really really really loved the characters in this story. They were believable, relatable, and wildly entertaining. I love it when a female character can hold her own.
Viola is what most people would call a nerd and she isn’t ashamed of it. However, she also seems to be quite social and can have fun. Travis was once her childhood best friend until she learned some details that she couldn’t let go. The thing about this book is that it’s relatable because we’ve either witnessed something similar with our friends or we’ve experienced it ourselves. There is quite a bit of miscommunication and assumptions made by both Viola and Travis, and I would argue both of them are at fault.
The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 is because it needs some serious editing. I can let one or two mistakes go, especially if they don’t impact the understanding or enjoyment of the story. However, several times throughout the book there were sentence errors. Either too many words or not enough words to make a complete sentence. This caused me to pause and go back to re-read it several times before I could keep reading.
Great
Enjoyed this book until I got t o the end and realized it was a cliff hanger. I try to avoid books that leave you hanging. I prefer standalone books.
Very funny. I recommend this book especially if u need a good laugh. Viola is awesome
Great book! I absolutely love it. The story is awesome. Steamy and a seriously hot hero! Definitely a reread!