Sandy S.
4.25 stars-- DIRTIEST SECRET is the first installment in J. Kenner’s adult, contemporary S.I.N. erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on heir to a billion dollar enterprise Dallas Sykes, and author/ child advocate Jane Martin. DIRTIEST SECRET and the S.I.N. series is a spin off from J.Kenner’s STARK series. Dallas Sykes is reintroduced to the reader in DEEPEST KISS (March 2016). Told from first person point of view (Jane) and third person perspective (Dallas) using memories from the past and present day, DIRTIEST SECRET follows the ‘forbidden’ relationship between Dallas Sykes and Jane Martin. Dallas and Jane have known one another since early childhood, and have endured some dark and damaging times, but Dallas is keeping his distance from the woman that he loves to protect her from the man that he has become. Jane is a woman, strong in her convictions, but a woman who has loved Dallas Sykes most of her life. As she struggles with her relationship with and love for Dallas, Dallas continues to keep secrets from Jane and the rest of the world. What ensues are Jane’s attempts to keep Dallas in her life, as Dallas battles the demons from the past. To be honest, I am purposely being vague about much of the premise as the secrets from the past, the present and the possible future are dark, dangerous and heartbreaking, and are the catalyst that sent Jane and Dallas’s lives out of control. The ‘elephant in the room’-the person ultimately responsible for the past-is easily deduced from my perspective but there is always a possibility that something could change in future installments. The world building focuses on relationships, recovery and revenge-grieving about what was and what will never be yet struggling to ensure it will never happen again. We look at fractured family dynamics, secrets from the past, and a ‘forbidden’ love that is only forbidden in the mind-life long friends who have lived through hell and survived to live another day. The relationship between Jane and Dallas has been damaged and destroyed by the past- a past mired in betrayal, heartbreak, and abuse, that have formed the people we read about –today. The chemistry between Jane and Dallas is palpable; unmistakable and profound. Dallas needs and wants Jane with every breath that he takes, but he believes is unable to give Jane the love that she needs. J. Kenner once again traverses into the BDSM territory with secret clubs, and hidden desires. In all honesty, I am tiring of the BDSM trope-the billionaire who needs to control and use power to usurp the women in his life-sometimes I want a hero who doesn’t require Domination/submission to succeed or fall in love. DIRTIEST SECRET ends on a cliffhanger-it is book one of three and therefore be prepared to learn the truth-one book at a time. The premise is a slow build that focuses on what happened in the early years of Dallas and Jane’s life-the catastrophic actions of greed; the destructive nature of abuse and betrayal. The characters are heartbreaking, impassioned and intense. The romance is an emotional struggle against the odds-a love that has never faltered between two people who have fallen into a pit of darkened memories and a tainted past. DIRTIEST SECRET is an emotional and heartbreaking tale that grabs hold and refuses to let go.
Sue Galuska
This book was mind-blowing. J. Kenner takes you on ride through a dark, sexy and forbidden story. Dallas Sykes is known as the King of F*ck. He goes through women like most people drink water. He is rich and powerful. Most people don't know of his horrible past, when he was kidnapped as a teenager, except his family and closest friends. Dallas was kidnapped along with his "sister", Jane. While Dallas and Jane are not blood siblings, it just seems wrong. What Dallas and Jane went through while being held captive, no one will really understand except for them. It created a certain bond between these two that can never happen again. Well, never say never. Dallas and Jane stay away from each other, trying to get over their past in different ways but they both still long for the other. As Jane is writing her next book about children who have been kidnapped, her ex-husband tells her that they have a lead on her kidnapping from 17 years ago. Jane decides to go to Dallas to give him the news and this sets off their attraction to one another like it was still 17 years ago. The roller coaster these two are going on is just crazy. To be so attracted to some one whom you know is wrong to be with, but can't is just heartbreaking. As Dallas and Jane decide to try and handle their issues, we are taken along on this mind-blowing ride. Without giving away any spoilers, this story was awesome. I loved the mystery around everything that is happening. I really am enjoying Dallas and Jane. These two have chemistry off the charts. I had a feeling of some of the characters who may be involved in the kidnapping, but it was still a great cliff-hanger to read. I wish July would get here so I can read the next book!
1 person found this review helpful
Shae Coon
It starts off okay I understand they're not blood related but it's a little off putting them being adopted brother and sister,but then she goes and adds a description of them having sex at the age of 15. Not something I want to read in an erotic novel. It was disgusting and I immediately stopped reading it. I find it deplorable. I'm so sorry that I ever read any of her other books
1 person found this review helpful