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theatrealpaca's review
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Rape and Trafficking
leanner's review against another edition
5.0
I love a great start to a new series, it leaves me anticipating more to come. This story stands alone and I'll assume the next stories are the siblings.
These characters live in a place where their roads seem like the highway to hell for many women. A route for human trafficking. This family are vigilantes and find a like minded woman, all have personal reasons for their thoughts and actions. Star is a survivor and determined to help women but her resources are limited, combining forces they will be unstoppable.
Of course there is love and romance, she's so independent and prickly that he has met his match.
I couldn't put this story down, absolutely loved it.
These characters live in a place where their roads seem like the highway to hell for many women. A route for human trafficking. This family are vigilantes and find a like minded woman, all have personal reasons for their thoughts and actions. Star is a survivor and determined to help women but her resources are limited, combining forces they will be unstoppable.
Of course there is love and romance, she's so independent and prickly that he has met his match.
I couldn't put this story down, absolutely loved it.
avigail's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
I picked up No Holding Back because of a reading challenge I take part. The second reason I decided to read the book is that the book cover is so deceiving with all the pastel colors. I thought I will be reading a fluffy romance.
Oh! I was so wrong. Yes, there are a couple of steamy & romantic moments, but at the same time, the plot deals with the difficult theme of human/woman trafficking.
Cade is an Alpha hero, yes he is a pusher even more with his military background. When it comes to Sterling (Star) he is compromising, listening, and treating her as an equal.
It is my first Lori Foster book, but certainly not my last one. No Holding Back is an action-packed romance, that keeps the reader on the edge of the seat, with serious real-life issues.
I am looking forward to reading the books of the other two McKenzie siblings.
Oh! I was so wrong. Yes, there are a couple of steamy & romantic moments, but at the same time, the plot deals with the difficult theme of human/woman trafficking.
Cade is an Alpha hero, yes he is a pusher even more with his military background. When it comes to Sterling (Star) he is compromising, listening, and treating her as an equal.
It is my first Lori Foster book, but certainly not my last one. No Holding Back is an action-packed romance, that keeps the reader on the edge of the seat, with serious real-life issues.
I am looking forward to reading the books of the other two McKenzie siblings.
aqlovestoread's review
2.0
This is the start of a new trilogy called The McKenzies of Ridge Trail. It’s a brilliant start to a series. It’s got one of my favorite heroines ever written by Lori Foster. I will say a content warning in that there is human trafficking discussed in the book. We have Star as the heroine who is standoffish because of her personal history. We have the hero Cade who has been intrigued with Star for awhile. It a thriller of a book with an amazing heroine and an understanding hero. The way Star and Cade interact with one another makes your heart sing. Seeing Cade’s family involved in helping also takes the story to a new level. It was such a satisfying love story under a dangerous plot. I can’t wait until the next book in the trilogy releases.
kindlelovingmom's review against another edition
4.0
First in a new series, with a heroine who is a survivor and a fighter, and a hero who lives and breathes the family business: busting up human trafficking rings.
Sterling (Star) Parson drives her semitruck across Colorado, as a cover for what she's really doing: searching for women she can help. She has a passion and drive to help trafficking victims, and she uses her trucking routes to hide her pursuits. Star is a loner, and she's never needed, or even wanted, anyone to help her, until she walks into Cade's bar.
Cade McKenzie isn't just a bar owner, but most people don't notice or care. Until Star. She walks into his bar, and all his responsibilities, and hopes for secrecy, go out the window. He knows she is up to something, and he wants to help her, but he isn't at liberty to spill all his own secrets to her either. How can they work together, if they're both determined to keep doing everything their own way?
Cade and Star were drawn to each other from the start, but they were each wary too. Star had no attachments in her life, and was in no hurry to change that. Cade didn't have the kind of life that made it easy to have a relationship, but he couldn't get Star out of his mind. They both had to figure out that the other was worth the risk of getting involved, and I loved watching them fall into each other.
Cade's family dynamic was fascinating, and his brother Reyes had an irreverent sense of humor, which I enjoyed. I was fascinated by the family's backstory, and how they got into this line of work. I can't wait to get to know the family even better as their stories continue on, with Reyes' book next!
I enjoyed this story quite a bit, though I will say that while this book had a similar feel to the author's Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor series (which is an all-time favorite of mine), it didn't feel nearly as FUN as those stories. I'm hoping, based on what I've seen of Reyes' personality so far, that his story might bring some of that fun back.
Content Warning for mentions & mild depictions of human trafficking, on and off page, in discussions and flashbacks.
ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club
Sterling (Star) Parson drives her semitruck across Colorado, as a cover for what she's really doing: searching for women she can help. She has a passion and drive to help trafficking victims, and she uses her trucking routes to hide her pursuits. Star is a loner, and she's never needed, or even wanted, anyone to help her, until she walks into Cade's bar.
Cade McKenzie isn't just a bar owner, but most people don't notice or care. Until Star. She walks into his bar, and all his responsibilities, and hopes for secrecy, go out the window. He knows she is up to something, and he wants to help her, but he isn't at liberty to spill all his own secrets to her either. How can they work together, if they're both determined to keep doing everything their own way?
Cade and Star were drawn to each other from the start, but they were each wary too. Star had no attachments in her life, and was in no hurry to change that. Cade didn't have the kind of life that made it easy to have a relationship, but he couldn't get Star out of his mind. They both had to figure out that the other was worth the risk of getting involved, and I loved watching them fall into each other.
Cade's family dynamic was fascinating, and his brother Reyes had an irreverent sense of humor, which I enjoyed. I was fascinated by the family's backstory, and how they got into this line of work. I can't wait to get to know the family even better as their stories continue on, with Reyes' book next!
I enjoyed this story quite a bit, though I will say that while this book had a similar feel to the author's Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor series (which is an all-time favorite of mine), it didn't feel nearly as FUN as those stories. I'm hoping, based on what I've seen of Reyes' personality so far, that his story might bring some of that fun back.
Content Warning for mentions & mild depictions of human trafficking, on and off page, in discussions and flashbacks.
ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club
pguynn64's review
5.0
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review*
No Spoiler Alert but that there will be various topics that can cause triggers
Sterling Parsons and Cade McKenzie are not your typical heroine and hero. For one they are very different but more alike than they know. Sterling has recently moved to Ridge Tail and yet Cade McKenzie can sense that she is hiding secrets and yet they could be the same as his.
If you love Lori Foster's books then you will love this one. I cannot wait for the rest of the books in this series to see how they unfold.
No Spoiler Alert but that there will be various topics that can cause triggers
Sterling Parsons and Cade McKenzie are not your typical heroine and hero. For one they are very different but more alike than they know. Sterling has recently moved to Ridge Tail and yet Cade McKenzie can sense that she is hiding secrets and yet they could be the same as his.
If you love Lori Foster's books then you will love this one. I cannot wait for the rest of the books in this series to see how they unfold.