From J. Kenner, the New York Times and No. 1 international bestselling author of the million-copy selling Stark series, comes Wicked Grind, a new novel set in the seductive Stark world. For fans of Fifty Shades of Grey, Sylvia Day, Meredith Wild and Jodi Ellen Malpas.Sometimes it feels so damn good to be bad…Photographer Wyatt Royce’s career is on the verge of exploding. All he needs is one … bad…
Photographer Wyatt Royce’s career is on the verge of exploding. All he needs is one perfect model to be the centrepiece of his sexy, controversial show and he’s sure to have a winner.
Then Kelsey Draper walks in. Stunning. Vibrant. And far too fragile for a project like this. Wyatt should know – he remembers vividly how their relationship ended all those years ago.
Desperate for cash and frustrated with her good girl persona, Kelsey sets her sights on Wyatt’s show – and only the show. Because Wyatt Royce is a danger to her heart. Still, she can’t help wondering if she’s in too deep when Wyatt agrees to give her the job only if he has complete control on camera – and in his bed…
Spellbinding romance. Electrifying passion. Why not indulge in J. Kenner…
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This is the first novel by J. Kenner that I have read. Wicked Grind was actually part of a 10-book box set by different authors . I am choosing to review each book as I read them. I wasn’t sure what to expect as the story begins salaciously with Wyatt photographing very seductive and erotic photos of women for an upcoming show of his work. At first, I thought this might be another tale of mind blowing, endless sex scenes with no real storyline, which to me is not indicative of a good storyteller. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that this story has so much more than sex, but digs deep into the past of Wyatt and his teenage love, Kelsey. Kelsey , who is desperate to help her brother Griff with much needed medical help for his burns, agrees to audition as the next model for Wyatt’s show. She just doesn’t know he is the photographer as he has changed his professional name. The fireworks start as soon as she walks into the studio and they meet again after 12 years. The story takes the reader through their relationship jumping back and forth from present to events from 12 years ago. It’s a fabulous story of love rekindled and found, personal growth for both, heartbreak of misunderstandings, and happy ever after. Sure the sex is hot, but the story of this couple is so endearing. I hope Griff gets his own story in the future. I’m definitely putting J Kenner on my radar.
What a great start to J. Kenner’s new series Stark World. Wicked Grind is a spin off from the Stark Series and in book one we meet Wyatt and Kelsey.
Wyatt and Kelsey fell in love twelve years ago when they were teenagers but the timing wasn’t right, meeting in secret meant hearts got broken, misunderstanding on both sides tore them apart will they be able to forgive and forget or will the feelings of anger and hate win again. Blame can sometimes be hard to overcome……..
I loved both of these characters, both so very different, one is a guy who grew up in the spotlight the other is a girl who’s father kept her under the thumb but somehow they complement each other if they can only leave the past in the past. I loved that we got snippets from the characters of the Stark Series but they didn’t take over. Second chance romance is one of my favourite genres and this author writes a great love story which not only hooked me from the first page it kept me on the edge of my seat to the very end. Looking forward to book 2 in this series.
My favorite author and series
Damn, talk about hitting close to home. I so relate to Kelsey, the voice of a parent keeping you from really living. What’s even funnier is that my husband is a photographer, not professional like Wyatt but I think he’s really good. Anyway, with the characters being so easy to relate to I absolutely could not put this down. Beautiful, I’m not sure how else to describe this story. It’s obviously an HEA but there were times that I wondered, will they find it? And I love, love, love how the other Stark World characters made an appearance but didn’t at all have anything other than a bit part. It was mostly just a “and over there is Damien and Nikki”, or “oh look, that’s Dallas over there”. Granted with Damien it was a bit more but that’s to be expected with him lol. He’s just that type of character but I love him for it. And Wyatt, just as awesome as the rest of the males in the Stark World, and just as drool worthy!! But don’t take my word for it, grab a copy now and find out for yourself!
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work and chose to write a review.
I fell in love with this book right from the start! I love a good second chance at love stories, and J. Kenner has definitely delivered with Kelsey and Wyatt. It’s the classic “privileged child falls for the less than privileged child, but circumstances force the two to part ways”. There’s a legitimate reason that brings Kelsey back into Wyatt’s orbit, but the demise of their initial teen romance is a big hindrance to what could possibly be a chance at a HEA.
Wyatt is determined to prove to his family that he can make it in life on his own merit, not riding the coattails of his famous grandmother. He’s determined enough that he doesn’t even use his family name. Kelsey is a conundrum: she’s shy and innocent, choosing to blend into the background, unless she’s dancing, and that’s when she’s in her true element.
They encounter each other 12 years later, and while Wyatt’s life is moving in the direction he’s always wanted, Kelsey’s life? Not so much. She’s desperate for the job with Wyatt, and there’s a very good reason why, but Wyatt isn’t so sure she’s the right person for the job (actually she is, but that’s a minor point lol). What starts as a way to finally purge her from his thoughts becomes something so much….more. Over the course of the story, the truth finally emerges as to what happened all those years ago that caused such heartbreak for the both of them. And in true J. Kenner style, the sexy times are so. Damn. Hot.
Overall, this is a fantastic start to this series, and I can’t wait for the next book to come out!
This is a second chance love/hate/love and forgiveness story. Wyatt Royce/Segal is an artist/photographer who is wrapping a big show and needs one more model to be The One and in walks Kelsey Draper to his studio. It is a blast to the past, 12 years to the past when they were in their teens and in love until the night Kelsey disappeared. So much anguish and misunderstanding and really Kelsey’s father should have been strung up for his emotional abuse. More than half of the book was back and forth past and present and while it was done in a way to tell the story it made for a slow telling. Once we were fully established in the present everything just went too fast and wrapped up too fast. Overall, I did thoroughly enjoy the book and all the characters and really looking forward to the rest of the series.
Kelsey & Wyatt I really love everything this author writes.
This was a really nice second chance romance story.As always there is always jealous and unhappy people who always get in the way of two souls who were meant to be together.
I loved Kelsey she was sweet and innocent along with being shy but full of self doubt and lacked confidence.Kelsey story is so close to what a lot of women face and have gone through on an emotional level so I can sympathize with her.
I loved how she was willing to do things out of her comfort zone as we saw how difficult those things were for her to do.I thought she was very brave and admired her that she was finally trying to do things that make her feel whole and confident once again.It wasn’t always easy as she let self doubt and her head and heart get in the way now and then but, when she finally let go of the past she went after the things that were going to make her truly happy.I loved her from the onset of the story as she made you feel the things she was feeling.
Wyatt on the other hand wanted to smack from the onset but,he redeemed himself later on and you could not help but love him to.I loved how he challenged Kelsey and he was definitely instrumental in helping her find herself.Wyatt himself had emotional baggage.Some was about Kelsey leaving him but more so dealing with his families fame and wanting to make a name solely for himself not on the coat tales of his family name.I loved how he examined his life as well and also admitting to his own insecurities and how they played a part in how he and Kelsey ended.
This was an emotional tale of a couple getting a second chance at love who are learning to trust in one another again along with letting go of ones past.We really enjoyed it as it was filled with tons of emotion and past regrets that made you feel for this couple as they slowly found their way back to one another.
I love when you can connect with the characters that you read about and I was able to do that with these characters.I have to point out that I loved the grandmother as well who was full of love and wisdom and also how close she was to her grandson Wyatt as it made my heart happy as I love seeing that closeness with your grandparents.
My only complaint and not really a complaint but and observation is that I missed the heat and hotness that her previous novels brought.I love that she writes really hot erotica novels and I look forward to seeing that aspect in her stories as that hotness is what made me fall in love with reading the Stark Trilogy in the first place.
4 stars from us available @angelswithattitudebookreviews
Read in June 2017
Lots of angst in this Stark spin off, it follows Wyatt a photographer known by both Nikki and Damien and Kelsey a dancer and kindergarten teacher. They met when teenagers and became friends in secret, Kelsey comes from a very strict father and apart from dancing lessons she has no freedom. One night changes everything and they do not see each other for 12 years, desperate for money Kelsey goes to an audition for a model. If you want to know more buy the book, honestly it is a great read. Intense and at times suspenseful, it is well written and compliments the other books along the Stark theme. I have read and loved each and every one of these books but this can be read without having read any of the others. I was caught and lost from beginning to end, I felt for both characters their young fledgling love torn and never resolved, misunderstanding on both sides causing angst and maybe a little misplaced hate. Blame can be a horrible thing until the truth and understanding resolve the issues, as well as being misplaced. J Kenner as always weaves a complex, entertaining and gripping story, with lots to interest and keep me coming back for more.
Wicked Grind is not only an amazing book but also a page turner. It leaves you not wanting to stop until you know the ending of Kelsey and Wyatt’s story. Wyatt’s character is the type of gentleman you want. Not only a gentleman but but a man as well. However I think I can generally relate to Kelsey as far as stepping out of the box her comfort zone goes. This book is absolutely amazing, can’t wait to read more from J. Kenner, would also definitely read again. I think the best part is by the end of this book it leaves you kind of wishing you were Kelsey, just like Wyatt hopes people feel the same way about her from his exhibit.
A good story. Somewhat predictable, but still enjoyable.
Characters really well fleshed out. Love second chance HEA!!
I had a problem with going back and forth in time. Other than the numerous flashbacks, it really is a good story.
Enjoyed Wyatt and Kelsey’s emotional roller-coaster ride to love. I don’t generally read stories in first person, but I reckon it works really well, having the female’s pov in first and the male’s in third. Well, certainly in the couple J. Kenner books I’ve now read and loved.
Boring
Loved the characters, the flow of the story & watching the characters realize their love for each other overcame the mistakes of their parents that kept them apart.
Distracting errors
Took too long to get good. And then once it got good it was super short. Think the book needs to be a little longer
Fascinating second chance romance! J.Kenner has given us another unique & sexy story featuring a secondary character from her Stark novels. Seriously enjoy this author’s writing!
Sexy, sensual and alluring! Wicked Grind by J. Kenner is simply fantastic and an amazing addition to the Stark series!
I am so happy that Wyatt finally gets a story of his own! He’s the photographer that we get glimpses of throughout the world of Damien Stark, but now we dive into his world of poses, lights, and lost love!
Looking for the last woman to complete his massive project for his art exhibit, a blast from the past literally shows up at his studio. Kelsey Draper stole his heart 12 years ago and now seeing her in front of him wanting the job, he is beside himself! Kelsey is desperate for money to help her brother, she takes her friends auditioned appointment for a racy, sexy shoot (totally the opposite of her) but little did she know it would land her front and center to her past!
Both must work together to achieve both of their goals: money for her and his finished project for the exhibit on his merit! Can they? Will outside influences hinder their path?
I am a huge fan of Julie’s work and she amazes me with each other stories/books! Impressive on this second chance romance with intertwining the past and present POVs so we as the reader understands the connection between the two! I will always read a J.Kenner book and she will always be a 1-clicker for me!
What a great second chances romance.. Wyatt and Kelsey had it in the past but it didnt work.. time had passed and they met again… they cant deny there is an old sparks going on and pretending nothing is going on…
Sexy slow burned doesnt stop me to enjoy this book.. i love J Kenner books 🙂