Shake It Up

SHAKE IT UP is the eighth instalment in J. Kenner’s contemporary, adult MAN OF THE MONTH erotic, romance novella series focusing on a fund raiser for the popular Austin, Texas bar known as The Fix. This is thirty-six year old, police detective Landon Ware, and twenty-four year old work-study university student Taylor D’Angelo’s story line. SHAKE IT UP can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary although I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion. SOME BACKGROUND: The Fix on Sixth, a local Austin hangout and bar, is in desperate need of renovations and a quick influx of cash so a plan is put into motion, by a group of regulars, a plan that includes a Man of the Month calendar competition, a recipe book, and a reality show aimed at rehabbing the bar. NOTE: SHAKE IT UP is a bit of a departure from the series in that most of the events and story line are not directly connected to the Man of the Month competition and celebrations but focuses on the threats against, and protection of, our story line heroine. Told from dual third person perspectives (Taylor and Landon) SHAKE IT UP picks up shortly after the events of book seven TURN ME ON. Working on her Master’s Degree in film study Taylor D’Angelo finds herself a part of the promotional crew at The Fix on Sixth. A recent spate of barely veiled threats against our story line heroine forces Taylor to reveal a potential problem for the crew, their friends and family, and ultimately herself. Enter police detective Landon Ware, and the man with whom Taylor will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Taylor and Landon, and the possible fall-out as the threats against Taylor become more personal and life-threatening. SHAKE IT UP focuses on the search for a stalker. Taylor suspects the who and why but is reluctant to reveal the entire story. Landon struggles with his attraction to the woman he has chosen to protect, a woman who has starred in all of his fantasies since the first time they met. The world building continues to follow the Man of the Month fund raising efforts for The Fix on Sixth but takes a back seat to the events of the past few story lines. The premise is intriguing and engaging; the romance is seductive and intense-there is a definite palpable sexual attraction between our leading couple. The characters are colorful, dynamic and charismatic. SHAKE IT UP is a fast paced, energetic and impassioned tale.

Alright, I feel like we’re getting back on track with this series. I felt like Book 7, In Your Eyes, was lacking and I think it might have been due to the timespan of the book and its short length. Whereas the last book took place over a year, this book takes place over a couple weeks. Taylor’s got a stalker and Detective Landon Ware steps in as a “favor”. While Landon is older than Taylor this is hardly May-December romance. While there is chemistry between the two, the sexy times aren’t very steamy, hence the four star rating. The development of their relationship lacked some building blocks due to the short time frame. These two don’t have that “tear apart” moment I’ve mentioned before, but they both come with their respective baggage. If you’ve been reading the series, you’re most likely invested in Reece, Cam, Nolan, Tyree, Parker, Easton, Griffin, and Brent. Spencer’s story was part of the building blocks of the series. Derek and Landon, (and mostly likely Matthew) are just the wild cards, the hotties for ladies we’ve become invested in from the previous books. Their stories aren’t meant to be game changers to the series, just some filling to progress the story line.

Another 5 Star read in The brilliant Man of the Month Series and I have to say this is for me the best so far, problem is every new release seems to be better than the last so I’m sure this won’t be the last time I say this. Book 8 is Taylor and Landon’s story and as with every book in the series it can be read as a stand-alone. Shake it Up has a lot going for it, it’s a face paced read with a lot going on to keep you on the edge of your seat and It also has a bit more mystery to it than previous books in the series. Taylor has always been the life and sole if the party at The Fix but in this book we see a much more serious side to this fun loving gal, she has a past she is desperate to hide but when the past comes back to haunt her she has no option but to open up to police officer Landon and her other friends at The Fix. Landon now has the perfect opportunity to show the girl who sets his heart beating a little bit faster that he is the one to protect and take care of her. J.Kenner is doing a brilliant job with this series and I really can’t wai for Mr September.