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maggiemaggio's review against another edition
2.0
Sigh. I do not know what to say about this book. I actually really enjoyed the first one (my review) for what it was, a kind of preposterous sexy times book that was much better written and featured much less annoying characters than [b:Fifty Shades of Grey|10818853|Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1)|E.L. James|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1358266215s/10818853.jpg|15732562] or [b:Bared to You|13572249|Bared to You (Crossfire, #1)|Sylvia Day|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1362527033s/13572249.jpg|18973111]. But this sequel? I don't know what happened.
Well, I guess I do know what happened and that was pretty much nothing. Literally nothing happened in this book. They had sex, they went to parties, there were small confrontations, but it just dragged and dragged and dragged. Zzzzzzz.
Then, at the end, the big secret is revealed (don't worry, I won't ruin it) and it's just INSANE. It's like 50 Shades crazy ex-boss sabotaging helicopter insane. And the truth? I didn't even care because I was practically asleep having read the last 95% of the book.
Honestly this book annoyed me far more than 50 Shades (which really annoyed me) because it could have been better. J. Kenner is obviously capable of being a mostly-okay writer and Nicki and Damien could have just continued on having normal people (well, relatively normal people...) problems, not being too annoying, and having really great sex and this would have been a fine book.
But sadly that was not the case. Stop after the first book, this one isn't worth the time or effort.
A received a digital review copy of Claim Me via Netgalley in exchange for my honest (obviously) opinion.
Well, I guess I do know what happened and that was pretty much nothing. Literally nothing happened in this book. They had sex, they went to parties, there were small confrontations, but it just dragged and dragged and dragged. Zzzzzzz.
Then, at the end, the big secret is revealed (don't worry, I won't ruin it) and it's just INSANE. It's like 50 Shades crazy ex-boss sabotaging helicopter insane. And the truth? I didn't even care because I was practically asleep having read the last 95% of the book.
Honestly this book annoyed me far more than 50 Shades (which really annoyed me) because it could have been better. J. Kenner is obviously capable of being a mostly-okay writer and Nicki and Damien could have just continued on having normal people (well, relatively normal people...) problems, not being too annoying, and having really great sex and this would have been a fine book.
But sadly that was not the case. Stop after the first book, this one isn't worth the time or effort.
A received a digital review copy of Claim Me via Netgalley in exchange for my honest (obviously) opinion.
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I will admit I was shocked by the turn of events in Claim Me. I figured we would get a glimpse into more of Damien's past, but I assumed it would revolve around Eric Padgett and his determination to hold Damien responsible for his sister's death. J. Kenner totally threw me for a loop with the direction the story took. But by going where it did, we get to see a side of Mr. Stark that made like him so much more than I did before.
Damien's still dominant (and he proves that in a variety of ways with Nikki) but we also get a laid back Damien, a tortured by his past Damien and a Damien who would break his own heart in an attempt to protect those he loves. He's not infallible and the vulnerability that he displays humanizes him. I loved how he let Nikki see these sides of him. Despite everything it proved to her he was just a normal man who needed his woman to support him, just like other men. But that doesn't mean he was there for Nikki in her time of need.
Nikki was in a better place in this book. She's still fighting her demons, but she's learning how to deal with the triggers that set them off. She doesn't always read a situation correctly and she's quick to react, but towards the end of the book she was fighting for both her and Damien, rather than running and burying her head. And when Damien really needs her, she fights...despite Damien's own actions. She finally took a stand and she did it in a graceful manner that proved to everyone...especially herself and Damien, that they are strong as a unit and will get through whatever comes their way.
A side note on a secondary character. I love Evelyn. In a way, Evelyn is able to give Nikki the motherly advice she so desperately wants but can't get from the evil shrew of a mother she has. She doesn't look down on Nikki and her choices. She gives Nikki that unconditional love she craves. She's known Damien for years and knows about some of the demons that haunt him. She also knows when she can or can't push him, but she also knows that Nikki is what Damien needs and will do what she must to see to both of their happiness...even if that means pushing Damien's limits.
If you haven't read the Stark Series, it's one that I highly recommend.
Damien's still dominant (and he proves that in a variety of ways with Nikki) but we also get a laid back Damien, a tortured by his past Damien and a Damien who would break his own heart in an attempt to protect those he loves. He's not infallible and the vulnerability that he displays humanizes him. I loved how he let Nikki see these sides of him. Despite everything it proved to her he was just a normal man who needed his woman to support him, just like other men. But that doesn't mean he was there for Nikki in her time of need.
Nikki was in a better place in this book. She's still fighting her demons, but she's learning how to deal with the triggers that set them off. She doesn't always read a situation correctly and she's quick to react, but towards the end of the book she was fighting for both her and Damien, rather than running and burying her head. And when Damien really needs her, she fights...despite Damien's own actions. She finally took a stand and she did it in a graceful manner that proved to everyone...especially herself and Damien, that they are strong as a unit and will get through whatever comes their way.
A side note on a secondary character. I love Evelyn. In a way, Evelyn is able to give Nikki the motherly advice she so desperately wants but can't get from the evil shrew of a mother she has. She doesn't look down on Nikki and her choices. She gives Nikki that unconditional love she craves. She's known Damien for years and knows about some of the demons that haunt him. She also knows when she can or can't push him, but she also knows that Nikki is what Damien needs and will do what she must to see to both of their happiness...even if that means pushing Damien's limits.
If you haven't read the Stark Series, it's one that I highly recommend.
ale_irigoyen's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sexyvixenreader's review against another edition
4.0
I am a definite fan of J Kenner and the Stark Trilogy.
kingsqueen27's review against another edition
4.0
This book series is not as captivating as many of the others similar to it that I have read. I understand Nikki's struggles with her past, but continually reading about it can be very tiresome. The ending picked up and got much more interesting, but the redundancy of problems in the first half made it difficult for me to get into the story.
pattymac61's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series of books...what can I say love Damian Stark the perfect alpha male. I love the story and can't wait for the third book in this series.
holly_suds55's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
smithrachaelynn's review
3.0
Another good chapter in this series. Some drama starts kicking up! This wasn’t my favorite but I liked it.
hannas_heas47's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, despite the first book being appalling similar to fifty shades, I am pleased to announce that it is rapidly pulling away from that aspect. Gideon is now surrounded with all sorts of attacks from all sides of enemies, and Nikki is bearing the worst of the attacks. Her character is applauded for refusing to lower her standards to cutting herself again and learns to deal with it. The sex is pretty bland but the relationship has it's interesting aspects. I'm not really sure what the deal is with her friends but it's getting interesting now, so I'll have to go finish book 3.