A review by bwagner
Duplicity by A.J. Renee

4.0

Duplicity (St. Fleur Novel Book 3) by AJ Renee is the third book in her St. Fleur series. I story can be read as a stand alone but I highly recommend that you read the previous two books in this series. They will give you additional information on these characters that make the story flow better for you. One of the things I enjoy about this author is how she can create a story that pulls you in from the first word. You will enjoy her creativity of characters and her ability to introduce new characters without the awkwardness. These characters will take you on a roller coast ride of various emotions from compassion to hot sexy romance. This story is about two people who let their past dictate what their future could be. Find out what happens with these characters, will they let go of their pasts to see a future with each other?

Jamie Lynn has lived with the thought that everyone leaves for most of her life. She has rooted herself to St. Fleur with opening up a pub, questioning the only attitude she has even known. When she is in search of a new bartender, she meets him. She decides to hire him despite knowing it may be a bad decision on her part. What will happen when she gives in to their attraction? Will she give this relationship a chance before she shuts it down? What will she do when she is reminded that not everyone gets a happily ever after?

Jesse is in search of some solace when he decided to leave everything he has ever known including he memories that haunt him. Then he meets her. Will she be his light to his darkness? Will she bring back his hopes and dreams? When the truth comes out, will he convince her to give their relationship a try? When he is offered a gift that he has always wanted, what will he do?

Jamie Lynn and Jesse's relationship is one of attraction from first site but also it is a boss, employee relationship. They have been fighting their attraction for each other for a few years. She is not willing to get her heart broke and lose a good employee. He doesn't know why she is fighting the attraction. Will he convince her to give them another try? These are two strong characters both together and separately. She has a fear of everyone leaving her and getting hurt. He is just broken from his past. Will they learn that they just need to let go of the past to move forward? They complement each other and will plain just make you laugh with their banter. The secondary characters will also make you laugh and help keep the story flowing. You will enjoy seeing what happened to them after seeing them in the previous stories. They are supportive to the two main characters. Jamie Lynn never realized that when Jessie walked through her pub door that her life will change forever. Will they find the HEA?

This series by AJ Renee is one of my favorite. The stories keep you engaged and keep you turning pages. I enjoy her writing style, it makes it easier to read. AJ is a military wife and mother to three children. She has lived in Florida where she got her Master in Science in Criminal Justice and Bachelors of Science of Psychology. She never expected to find herself writing verses what she went to school for. When she is not shuttling her children around, you will find her at her laptop creating. This is a fast paced story that I read in one sitting because I had a hard time putting it down. You enjoy how the characters will pop right off the page and into your heart. They will leave you wanting more with every page you turn. I highly recommend this book as I know you will want to see what happens with these characters as they start a journey of healing together.