Short Take Reviews: Circle B Ranch series | Books 5 thru 9

 

The Circle B Ranch series was a lot of fun and while I was sorry to see it come to an end, I loved spending time with these characters that I've come to know and love over the span of nine books (actually, thirteen books if you count the Bishop Family Origin series). While I had my favorites characters and favorite books, I always enjoyed spending time at the ranch with the Bishop clan and watching as the family expanded with new spouses and children. Here are my quick thoughts on books five through nine. 

Kissing the Cowboy

by Kennedy Fox

Series: Circle B Ranch #5

Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Fake Dating 

After several drinks, Harper tells her business rival that she is engaged. Once sober, she begs her best friend since childhood, Ethan, to play the part and keep up the charade. Ethan would do anything for Harper - he's been in love with her for years, but has never told her. Ethan's pining for Harper was everything and I loved the way he adored her. Of course, the lines got blurred and real feelings got involved and I ate it up. Ethan's willingness to lay his heart on the line was super swoony and I loved the ease in their relationship. One of my favorites in the series. 4.25 stars

Winning the Cowboy

by Kennedy Fox

Series: Circle B Ranch #6

Tropes: Enemies to Lovers 

There had been a lot of lead-up to Kenzie and Grayson's story. She hated the poor guy and he couldn't figure out why. I wasn't a big fan of their prank war (it felt childish and immature) but I really warmed to them both once they called a truce. When they started to open up and be vulnerable with one another, their relationship really started to develop. I loved Grayson's dogged determination to win Kenzie over, and I appreciated Kenzie's soft center underneath all the stubbornness and sass. 4 stars

Claiming the Cowboy

by Kennedy Fox

Series: Circle B Ranch #7

Tropes: Love Triangle, Childhood Friends

Hadleigh had been best friends with the Bishop twins, Knox and Kane, all her life. When she and Knox took their harmless flirting to the next level, they kept their hook-ups under wraps. Things took a turn when Kane confessed his feelings for Hadleigh and she found herself caught between the two brothers. This was not one of my favorites in the series because I never felt a strong emotional connection between Hadleigh and the brother she ended up with. Instead, their relationship seemed based on the nonstop sexcapades and how far they pushed their boundaries and experimented. Still it ended as it should and provided a good set-up for the next book. 3.5 stars

Tempting the Cowboy

by Kennedy Fox

Series: Circle B Ranch #8

Tropes: Age Gap, Sibling's Best Fried

Ivy was an introverted bookworm (fist bump for Ivy) and had a secret crush on Kane Bishop - who happened to be her sister Hadleigh's best friend. There were times the attraction seemed mutual, but the timing was always off. When Ivy finally made her move, Kane was right there returning her feelings. I loved how Ivy was able to be herself around Kane, and she felt seen and heard by him. Kane was a sweetheart and loved it when Ivy read to him (definite book boyfriend material) and it was so rewarding to see him finally find his person. 4.25 stars

Seducing the Cowboy

by Kennedy Fox

Series: Circle B Ranch #9

Tropes: Friend with Benefits

At 30 years old and no romantic prospects in sight, Kaitlyn Bishop has given up on waiting for the right man. Desperate for a family of her own, she decides to move forward with having a child. She's floored when her best friend, Payton, offers his services. She's not sure it's a good idea, but her desire for a baby is strong enough that she's willing to take the chance. Naturally, they both develop feelings but are too stubborn to admit it. Kaitlyn's single-minded obsession with getting pregnant was a turn-off for me and it really overtook the story. I enjoyed Payton's back story and his devotion to Kaitlyn (even when she seemed blind to it). The epilogue that featured all the couples from the series was a real highlight. 3.5 stars

Have you read this series?

Short Take Reviews: The Circle B Ranch Series | Books #0.5 - #4

  

My love for Kennedy Fox continues as I make my way through another series by the writing duo. Having read and loved the Roommates Duets series and the Bishop Brothers series, it was time to move on to the Circle B Ranch. This is a second generation series, featuring the (now grown) kids of the couples in the Bishop Brothers series. I'm so hooked on this ever-growing family and their lives at the sprawling Texas ranch they call home.

ROPING THE COWBOY

Circle B Ranch #0.5

Format: Kindle

Trope(s): Enemies to lovers

Braxton, a new ranch hand at the Circle B Ranch, and Katarina, owner of the local bakery, have a steamy one night stand. The next morning Katarina is embarrassed, kicks Braxton out, and proceeds to act like he doesn't exist. When Braxton retaliates by insulting her bakery offerings, it's all out war. What ensues is a battle of wills and a game of one-upmanship. I wasn't a fan of the pranks they played on each other (it felt pretty juvenile) but there was no denying their chemistry. While neither of the lead characters were Bishop's, this novella was still a fun way to kick off the series and provided a great set-up for Riley Bishop's story in the next book. 3.5 STARS

HITCHING THE COWBOY

Circle B Ranch #1

Format: Kindle

Trope(s): Accidental Vegas wedding

The last thing Riley Bishop expected to get in Vegas was married. But a night of partying and a dare from his best friend resulted in just that. He was even more surprised when Zoey showed up at the ranch several weeks later, wanting to give their relationship a try instead of following through with the annulment. I loved how Riley was so much like his father (Alex from Taming Him, Bishop Brothers #1). Like his father before him, he was steadfast in his feelings for Zoey and was all-in from the beginning, never doubting despite their unorthodox beginning. I wish that Zoey had shared her secret from the start, rather than Riley being blindsided late in the game, but his willingness to be there for her once he had time to adjust made me love him even more. 4 STARS

CATCHING THE COWBOY

Circle B Ranch #2

Format: Audio

Trope(s): Brother's best friend

Diesel has been in love with Rowen Bishop for as long as he can remember. Unfortunately, she is his best friend's sister and decidedly off-limits. When Rowan returns to the ranch after college graduation she finds herself spending time with Diesel and seeing a side of him she's never known. Just as a relationship is on their horizon, Diesel's past catches up to him and changes everything. For years Rowan and Diesel's relationship had been based on sarcasm and insults, and flirting on Diesel's part. Over time, she came to see that Diesel had always been there for her, always looking out for her. Diesel could be a goofball and something of a man-child, but there was nothing childish about his feelings for Rowan. When Diesel manned up to deal with his past (after some initial denial), it went a long way in showing what kind of man he was. 4 STARS

WRANGLING THE COWBOY

Circle B Ranch #3

Format: Kindle

Trope(s): Age gap

Maize Bishop does all the cooking and baking at the Bed & Breakfast on her family's ranch. Her one rule: she never, ever hooks up with anyone who works on the ranch. Gavin has retired from the rodeo and just accepted a position at the ranch. He and Maize meet at the bar and share one night together, but when he shows up at the ranch she pretends not to remember him. Gavin gives her space for a while but enough is enough and he's determined to break down her walls. I struggled a bit with Maize because she gave new meaning to the word stubborn. The way she ran hot and cold with Gavin was unfair and I was glad when Gavin drew the line, took a step back, and made her come to him and woo him for a change. He was steady and mature and wasn't willing to play games. I appreciated his calm demeanor when dealing with Maize's sometimes fiery temper. 4 STARS

BOSSING THE COWBOY

Circle B Ranch #4

Format: Kindle

Trope(s): Single dad, workplace romance

Elle Bishop is on track to become a veterinarian and juggles an internship with Dr. Connor Wallen while attending veterinary school. Elle battles her attraction to Connor even though he is grumpy, taciturn, and sometimes downright rude. Connor has been through a contentious divorce and custody battle and now all he wants is more time with his young daughter. The only way to continue working with Elle is to deny his attraction to her and keep his distance. When Elle graduates and is hired by Connor, the close proximity only intensifies their feelings for one another. The storyline with Connor's daughter really captured my heart and his love and devotion to her was so moving. Seeing Elle and Connor finally admit their feelings to each other had me practically cheering and I appreciated how they became such a team when it came to doing what was best for Connor's little girl. My only quibble was that the first half of the book felt like a rehash of events that took place in previous books, and it was almost the 50% mark before the narrative caught up to where things left off in book #3. 4 STARS

HAVE YOU READ THIS SERIES?

Series Review: The Bishop Brothers series by Kennedy Fox

 

Over the last couple months I've been on a mission to catch up on/complete the plethora of series I have going. Most recently I binged Kennedy Fox's Bishop Brothers series on audio and I inhaled all four books like a Venti Iced Chai Tea Latte with two extra pumps of Chai. 😉 I don't feel particularly led to write full-length reviews for each book, so here are the short and sweet versions of my thoughts on each book.

   


TAMING HIM (Bishop Brothers #1)

⭐⭐⭐⭐.25

11 hours 16 min | 394 pages

Narrators: Aiden Snow and Savannah Peachwood

Alex Bishop was full of southern charm and sex appeal. He worked hard on his family's ranch and had a reputation for playing just as hard. A two week vacation in the Florida Keys had him crossing paths with River. Pediatric nurse River Lancaster made the impromptu escape from Wisconsin to the Keys after learning her boyfriend was married. She absolutely was not looking for a man, but crossing paths with Alex led to a sizzling hot, no-strings-attached vacation fling. When they parted ways, I was puzzled as to how their story would play out, but when River showed up in Texas several months later with news she needed to deliver face to face... that's when things really got interesting. I loved this introduction to the tight-knit Bishop family and watching as Alex and River navigated a new relationship. The narration was a treat and Aiden Snow nailed the charming Southern drawl.

Graphic credit: @shay_shelf

NEEDING HIM (Bishop Brothers #2)

⭐⭐⭐⭐.25

11 hours | 379 pages

Narrators: Aiden Snow and Vanessa Edwin

Oldest Bishop brother Evan bucked family tradition and instead of working on the ranch, he went to medical school and was now an ER doctor. Quiet and broody, he acted completely out of character the night of his brother Alex's wedding by indulging in a one night stand with a stunning woman he'd never seen before. The following Monday at the hospital he meets the new ER physician who is, of course, his one night stand, Emily. There was a mild enemies to lovers vibe in this one (not my favorite trope) but there was no real animosity and it didn't take long for their relationship to gather steam. Evan's lingering grief over a woman from his past seemed a bit much (I mean, he liked her but never even asked her out so how deep could his feelings have ran?). The sub-plot with Emily's stalker added plenty of tension and suspense and showcased Evan's protective nature. The teaser at the end was a brilliant set-up for the next book and had me diving right into Chasing Him.

Graphic credit: @shay_shelf

CHASING HIM (Bishop Brothers #3)

⭐⭐⭐⭐.25

11 hours 16 min | 428 pages

Narrators: Aiden Snow and Vanessa Edwin

John Bishop's life took a dramatic turn when he found out he was a father... in a most dramatic fashion, involving a 9 week old baby being left on his doorstep. Baby Maize was the product of a brief affair between John and Bailey, who never shared that she was pregnant. Having lost her battle with cancer, she left Maize to be raised by John. Mila Carmichael left her home in Georgia to spend time with her beloved grandparents in Texas. A little meddling by Mama Bishop, the family matriarch, led to Mila working as a live-in nanny for Maize while John ran the B&B on the ranch and adjusted to life as a new father. Mila fit in so well with the Bishop clan and they all adored her. And whether John was willing to admit it or not, he did too. I'd be hard-pressed to pick a favorite from the Bishop Brothers series, but if I had to this would be it. I fell hard for John and Mila and Maize and the little family they created - even when they didn't recognize it as such. The way John took to fatherhood and was so in love with his baby girl turned me into a pile of goo. And the way he encouraged Mila to follow her dreams, even if it meant leaving him and Maize and returning to Georgia, showed what a loving and selfless man he was. Vanessa Edwin lent such a sweetness to Mila's voice and Aiden Snow continued to bring every Bishop brother to life.

Graphic credit: @shay_shelf

KEEPING HIM (Bishop Brothers #4)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

12 hours 54 min | 492 pages

Narrators: Aiden Snow and Vanessa Edwin

Jackson Bishop and Kiera had been best friends since before they could walk. By the time she was fifteen, Kiera knew Jackson was the one for her but it seemed he kept her firmly in the friend zone. More than fifteen years later, she knew it was past time to move on and was now engaged to Trent. Jackson had loved Kiera for as long as could remember but felt he wasn't good enough for her. He was passionate about his work on the ranch but was certain Kiera deserved more than a life married to a ranch hand. When Jackson kissed Kiera the night of her wedding rehearsal (thanks to an abundance of whiskey), the doubts she'd been harboring all came to the surface. I can't say that Jackson was my favorite of the Bishop brothers. At over 30 years old, he still lived like a carefree frat boy - a total playboy who slept with all the single women and had Friday night whiskey parties. A lot of time was spent on flashbacks of Jackson and Kiera's past and I found myself wanting more of their present. (That also led to this being the longest of the books at almost 500 pages, which felt unnecessary.) There were some serious red flags in Kiera's relationship with Trent that she consistently explained away and Kennedy Fox really amped up the tension as the relationship imploded. While I wished for more time with Jackson and Kiera together as a couple (that came late in the story), I really loved all the time spent with the ever-growing Bishop family. The brothers, their wives, the children... I'd grown attached over the span of four books and was sad to say goodbye.

HAVE YOU READ THE BISHOP BROTHERS SERIES?

Review: Always Yours by Kennedy Fox

ALWAYS YOURS

Kennedy Fox

Publication date: February 18, 2020

Series: Liam & Maddie #2 | Roommate Duet #6
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audio
Source: Hoopla
4 Stars

Rehearsals, leotards, and textbooks—that was my life. 

Dancing is all I’ve known until Liam admits his true feelings, and I’m thrown into a world I know nothing about. Secrets and betrayal have proven that Liam isn’t the man I thought he was. Though I’m struggling with the truth, deep down I’d still do anything for him. 

Saving our relationship is his top priority, but keeping him safe is mine. Corruption and power are their game and Liam is nothing more than a pawn. Playing by the rules won’t end well, but I can’t let him fight them alone. 
 
Our happily ever after is right around the corner, but then it crashes and burns, threatening to destroy us. Giving up on the love of my life isn’t an option, but I might not be able to save him.

ALWAYS YOURS is book 2 in the Liam & Maddie duet and must be read in order.

Fair warning: This review may contain spoilers for the first book in the duet, which has to be read before this one. If you plan to read Always Mine, come back after that one has wrecked you. :)

Always Mine ended with Liam’s worst fear coming true: Maddie was in danger. With that development, it seemed that the enemy held all the cards and Liam was at their mercy. And just when it looked as if it was finally over, he was is pulled back into the dangerous underworld of Las Vegas for the fight of his life.

Kennedy Fox pulled out all the stops with this series ender. The danger was more intense, the villains were truly despicable, and the stakes were higher. At times I wanted to throttle Liam for keeping what he was going through from everyone. He wanted to ensure everyone’s safety – and the less they knew, they better – but he desperately needed to unburden himself and have the support of his friends. Even when I wanted to strangle Liam for some asinine decision-making (seriously, he should have been smarter than this), my heart also hurt for him and I was completely invested in the story. The tension was off the charts and as I listened, I sometimes wished I had the physical book in my hand so I could read faster and turn the pages quicker.

I continued to struggle with Maddie’s character in this one. Once again, her immaturity was on display and she always seemed to default to jokes and sarcasm and came off as silly and childish. It felt like she simply lacked the maturity to deal with much of what happened. She could be downright bratty at times and felt more like a burden to Liam instead of a mature, supportive partner.

The story was so full of twists and turns which left me reeling so many times. No matter how satisfied I was overall with the ending, there was one character who got such a raw deal and it left me raging at the injustice. This person deserved so much better and now that I know they are a featured character in another series, I’m obviously going to read it to make sure their life is set to rights.

I had such a fun time binging this series and immersing myself in the lives of these characters. I loved cheering for them, hurting for them, worrying about them, and feeling all the feels when they got their HEA. The epilogue did a great job at providing a final peek into their lives and their stories are ones that I’ll remember for quite a while.

HAVE YOU READ THE ROOMMATE DUETS SERIES?

Review: Always Mine by Kennedy Fox

ALWAYS MINE

Kennedy Fox
Publication date: January 7, 2020

Series: Liam & Maddie #1 | Roommate Duet #5
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audio
Source: Hoopla
4 Stars

College parties, beer, and one-night stands—that was my life.

Now, I hunt criminals. Drinking and women are still included, though I can’t seem to forget the underage girl who almost gave me her virginity. I stopped it before it happened and kicked her out.

Years later, we’re reunited. She’s no longer underage but still equally off-limits. After ignoring her relentless advances, she wears me down. I only have so much willpower when she’s around, which is all the damn time now that we’re roommates. Just when my restraint starts to crumble, my poor choices finally catch up with me, putting us both in danger. 

There’s no easy way to explain why I betrayed her, but I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe—even if it means breaking her heart.

ALWAYS MINE is book 1 in the Liam & Maddie duet and must be read first.

After the bombshell reveal at the end of the previous book (Truly Yours, the second book in Mason and Sophie’s duet), the conflict for Maddie and Liam was already in place.  Maddie has appeared in all the previous books, and made her interest in Liam obvious, but as the youngest Corrigan sister her life still revolved around college classes and dance rehearsals, rather than careers and relationships.

Liam had serious game but avoided relationships like the plague. After his mother walked out on him and his father, he saw that love could lead to loss. He had a near-hookup with Maddie a couple years ago but when she confessed her age, he shut it down fast. When he met her again a few years later and realized she was the sister of Lennon and Sophie (the girlfriends of his best friends) he knew he’d be seeing her plenty. And when Maddie moved into the house he shared with Mason and Sophie, there was no escaping her relentless flirting and advances.

As a bounty hunter (or, as Liam like to say, a fugitive recovery agent) he traveled a lot and his trips to Las Vegas led to some serious gambling. When he was approached with an offer to play some high-dollar games he was unable to ignore the lure of big money. And there began the trouble.

Maddie was a character I struggled with because her immaturity showed. She was several years younger than all the others and the difference in life experience was obvious. There were times when her relationship with Liam felt more like a girl with a crush who was determined to prove she could get the guy, instead of a woman with genuine feelings for a man.

Despite my feelings for Maddie, it was impossible not to be sucked into the story. One decision by Liam snowballed and set off a series of events that grew increasingly worse – and more dangerous. He was determined to keep his friends removed from his mistakes and keep them out of the fray, but that meant he was going it alone, with no support. There were times I wanted to shake him for making such asinine decisions, but I could also see how he get caught up in the moment before it all spiraled out of control.

Always Mine was filled with Kennedy Fox’s trademark steam, humor, drama, and OMG moments. While I was slightly less invested in Liam and Maddie’s relationship as I have been in the others in the series, I was completely hooked on Liam’s circumstances and his efforts to extricate himself from such a dangerous situation. The cliffhanger at the end proved just how far the villain was willing to go and had me instantly reaching for the next book.

Note: Always Mine is the first book in the duet that makes up Maddie and Liam’s story. While the two books can be read as a duet, the experience is much fuller if you read the previous duets, Baby Mine and Baby Yours (Hunter + Lennon’s story) and Truly Mine and Truly Yours (Mason + Sophie’s story) first. 

HAVE YOU READ THE ROOMMATE DUETS SERIES?

Review: Truly Yours by Kennedy Fox

TRULY YOURS

Kennedy Fox
Publication date: September 10, 2019

Series: Mason & Sophie #2 | Roommate Duet #4
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audio
Source: Hoopla
4 Stars

I knew within moments of meeting Mason Holt that he would change my life forever.
I just didn’t realize how much.
 
As my world spirals out of control, he continues to protect and take care of me. Being just friends is all he’s been able to offer, but when a life-changing event happens, our relationship blossoms into something more. 
 
When I think we can finally be together, someone threatens to tear us apart. I’m not the same girl Mason met years ago, but I’m determined to fight for what I’ve always wanted—him.

Fair warning: This review may contain spoilers for the first book in the duet, Truly Mine, which has to be read before this one. If you plan to read Truly Mine, come back after that one has wrecked you. :)

After the jaw-dropping ending of Truly Mine, I didn’t waste any time jumping directly into Truly Yours. This one picked up right where Truly Mine ended and I was amazed at what these characters had endured. Sophie really showed her strength when she recognized she needed time to heal emotionally from the events of the past several months. And for her, that meant pulling away from Mason and putting their relationship on hold while she underwent counseling and worked to find herself again. While part of me wanted to cry at that, because they were finally able to be together, I also understood and applauded Sophie for understanding she needed help.

Meanwhile, Mason was an absolute rock for Sophie. Patient and kind and utterly devoted. It killed him to not be able to care for Sophie fully like he wanted, but he was determined to be there for her and support her in the way she needed. Throughout it all, he was also dealing with the potential legal fall-out from previous events and mounting pressure from his father (who was such a high-powered sleaze ball).

The slow-burn aspect across Mason and Sophie’s duet was off the charts, but the pay-off was so worth the wait. From their first meeting, more than three years previously, their chemistry and connection were strong. And over the years it shifted from frenemies, to the closest of friends, to more. I loved the evolution of their relationship over time and the bond they formed through so many shared experiences was rock solid. It was a long and rocky road – one that saw Sophie’s life at risk and had staggering complications – but it made their outcome even sweeter.

Kennedy Fox created a delicious blend of drama, action, angst, and romance. Sometimes drama-free is what I want, but when I’m looking for something with more bite, and a couple that has to fight for their happy ending, Fox totally delivers. I love how throughout the span of the books, these characters become so familiar that I feel like I’m reading about friends. I ache for these characters, I cheer them on, I yell at them when they behave like idiots and won’t get out of their own way, and more than anything, I love their love stories. 

HAVE YOU READ THE ROOMMATE DUETS SERIES?

Review: Truly Mine by Kennedy Fox

TRULY MINE

Kennedy Fox
Publication date: May 23, 2019

Series: Mason & Sophie #1 | Roommate Duet #3
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audio
Source: Hoopla
4 Stars

The night we met, I instantly wanted to know the brunette bombshell’s deepest secrets. She was pure temptation, and I was mesmerized by her soulful bedroom eyes. 

As one drink led to two, I craved more of her playful banter and taunting lips. Resisting her wasn't an option, and we quickly became a desperate mess of tangled limbs and hot kisses. Once it became obvious that meeting her wasn't a coincidence, everything changed. 

After years of keeping her at a distance, I want to pull her close as a threat emerges in her life. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe, to show her I'm the good guy, but one night takes a tragic turn for the worse when her boyfriend and I start throwing punches. 

And it ends when I’m arrested for his murder.

Mason and Sophie had one sizzling hot encounter that left them both wanting more. But Mason quickly friend-zoned Sophie, convinced he had nothing to offer her. Over the next couple years, they engaged in a constant push-pull, wavering between friends and (mostly) polite acquaintances. Sophie kept waiting for Mason to come to his senses and Mason was torn between wanting Sophie desperately while feeling emotionally scarred and unworthy after a previous relationship went terribly wrong. When Sophie finally decides to move on and begins seeing a new man, warning bells immediately go off for Mason. Despite cautioning Sophie, who accuses him of being jealous, the relationship continues until Sophie finds herself tied to a man who has turned violent and possessive.

There were so many times in the first part of the story that I wanted to throttle Mason. He ran so hot and cold with Sophie and it’s no wonder that she was confused about where they stood and why she waited so long before moving on. Mason decided he was no good for Sophie instead of letting her make that call. But, just like with past books/characters, Kennedy Fox has a way of changing my feelings about characters, making me see them in a different light and understanding them better. Before I know it, I’m head over heels for them and pulling hard for them to have all the love they deserve. The same was true with Mason. This guy had a huge heart and was protective without being a caveman about it. He struggled so hard to walk the line between being Sophie’s friend while keeping himself removed enough to protect his heart.

She deserves better than I could ever offer her, better than someone who’s fighting their own demons and is an emotional mess. The more I remind myself of that, the better. - Mason

Sophie is the older sister of Lennon (from the previous duet) and her character had quite a journey throughout Truly Mine. It was heartbreaking so see the changes in her: from confident and fun-loving to broken, secretive, and pulling away from everyone in her life that loved her and cared for her. She became so isolated, constantly covering up what was happening behind closed doors, and even concerned pleas from her sisters and friends did not help. When it all came to a head, Mason and Sophie are drawn together and the back and forth nature of their relationship in the past is set aside as a strong bond is formed between them.

If you have feelings for me the way I have feelings for you, then please tell me. Tell me so I can stop second-guessing. - Sophie

This was angsty, slow burn at its finest and Mason and Sophie went through so much both separately and together. It felt as though the timing was never right for them and even when it seemed like finally their time had come, tragedy strikes again.

Kennedy Fox laid the foundation of Mason and Sophie’s relationship so well and it made easy to see how much these two cared for one another and what they went through individually to finally be together. These were two characters who truly deserved peace and happiness in their lives. One of my favorite aspects was the strong bond between this friend group and the unconditional support they gave each other (sometimes even while giving each other crap). The banter and humor were the perfect balance to the darker moments. There was a heavy dose of tension and suspense and – no surprise – a cliffhanger than had me downloading the next book immediately. Kennedy Fox has quickly become a go-to choice for emotional and addictive reads.

Note: Truly Mine is the first book in the duet that makes up Mason and Sophie’s story. While the two books can be read as a duet, the experience is much fuller if you read the previous duet, Baby Mine and Baby Yours (Hunter + Lennon’s story) first.

Trigger warnings for domestic violence: on-page physical/verbal/emotional abuse

HAVE YOU READ THE ROOMMATE DUETS SERIES?

Review: Baby Yours by Kennedy Fox

BABY YOURS

Kennedy Fox
Publication date: May 23, 2019

Series: Hunter & Lennon #2 | Roommate Duet #2
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audio
Source: Hoopla
4 Stars

*SPOILER ALERT FOR BOOK ONE* The worst day of my life happened when my boyfriend died. As I grieve my loss, I learn that I’m carrying his baby. If my world wasn’t already crashing down, now it’s burning up in flames. 

My religious parents will never accept a pregnancy out of wedlock and telling them means I risk losing them completely. 

To avoid disappointing my family, Hunter offers to be my fake husband. The lines become so blurred that neither of us want to admit we’re no longer pretending. 

The guilt of what we’re doing eats at me as I struggle to deal with my emotions. Just as I come to terms with our new situation, I learn Hunter’s been keeping secrets. And I’m left to make the hardest decision of my life—follow my heart or walk away from him.

Fair warning: This review contains spoilers for the first book in the duet, which has to be read before this one. If you plan to read Baby Mine, come back after that one has wrecked you. :)

Baby Mine ended on quite the cliffhanger so I was more than ready to dive right into Baby Yours. (Thank goodness for Hoopla!) After all that happened in the first book, Hunter and Lennon had formed an incredible bond. While their friends and Sophie’s sisters were supportive, they uniquely understood each other’s pain and loss. That, along with Hunter’s utter devotion to Lennon, created an intimacy between them that was so touching. I loved his selflessness and the way he was committed to being there for anything Sophie needed – partly because of his loyalty for Brandon and partly because of his feelings for Sophie.  

Lennon continued to be such a strong character and one that I admired. She had been dealt some hard blows and no one would have blamed her for crawling into bed and refusing to ever come out. But she showed such strength and even when she was deceiving her parents, I could understand her reasoning. It went against her nature to lie, but the thought of being shut out by her parents when they learned of her pregnancy (which seemed like a very real possibility considering their ultra-conservative religious views) had her making decisions that, while not ideal, seemed the best way to keep the peace and avoid yet another loss in her life. Even though I was desperate for she and Hunter to (finally!) be together, I appreciated the way she didn’t jump headfirst into a relationship and proceeded cautiously and respectfully.

The plot line with Hunter’s previous hook-up showing up pregnant with claims he was the father made me all kinds of ragey. Jenna was cruel (and maybe borderline unhinged) and I was so happy to see Lennon lay down the law and give Jenna a heaping dose of reality. I understood Hunter’s reasons for not wanting to share how he knew he wasn’t the father, but it would have resolved the drama a whole lot sooner if he had. (And I wish Lennon had continued to doubt that fact even after he told her the truth.)

Hunter has a place in the Book Boyfriend Hall of Fame. Thoughtful, devoted, affectionate, and so willing to be whatever Lennon needed. My heart hurt for him as he swallowed his true feelings time and time again. He gave Lennon the time and space she needed and even though he was in an impossible situation, his love for her kept him cemented to her side, being whatever she needed. Even his friends and Lennon’s sisters could plainly see he was in love with her, and yet he was patient enough to let Lennon work through things in her own time.

Hunter and Lennon’s story was an emotional journey that had me swooning, shedding some tears, and then swooning some more.  Kennedy Fox put these characters through the wringer but watching as they discovered they were stronger together than apart… priceless. And, in typical Kennedy Fox fashion, it ended with another cliffhanger that had my jaw dropping and scrambling to start the next book. 

HAVE YOU READ THE ROOMMATE DUET?