Book Review | This Is War – Kennedy Fox (Checkmate Duet Series, Book One)

This Is War
By: Kennedy Fox

Series: Checkmate Duet Series
Book # in Series: 1 out of 6
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Self Published
Publication Date: February 26th, 2024
My Rating: ✮✮✮✮½
My Reading Format: Paperback

Synopsis:

She hates him.
He loves getting under her skin.

Travis King is the worst kind of a**hole.
He taunts me for being a good girl and mocks my high standards.
He’s cruel, crass, and has enough confidence to last two lifetimes.
And I hate him.

It wouldn’t matter so much if he were avoidable.
But considering he’s my older brother’s best friend and roommate, I see him more than I’d ever want to.
His sculpted abs and gorgeous eyes are wasted on such an arrogant man, which makes me hate him even more.

Even though I’ve had a crush on him since I was ten, the feelings weren’t mutual and he’s made that very clear.
He’s always loved getting under my skin and one night against my better judgment, I let him in my bed.
I’ve succumbed to his manw**re ways, but that doesn’t change a thing.

Because the King is about to get played at his own game—and lose.

Checkmate, King.

This is book 1 in the Travis & Viola duet and must be read first. Suggested for mature readers only.

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I’ve read damn near every series on Kennedy Fox’s series list, aside from one series. The Checkmate duet series has been left untouched on my tbr for so damn long, until today! I’m going in!!

In My Own Words:

Viola hates Travis with everything inside of her. But you know the saying goes, there is a fine line between love and hate. Once, many moons ago, Viola thought of Travis as her childhood best friend. They shared everything together, until Viola heard Travis spew his true thoughts about her to her older brother. He thought she was a pain following him around like a lost puppy dog. From that day forward, Viola made a vow to never let her guard down again when it comes to Travis.

Once upon a time, Travis saw Viola as his best friend. Then out of the blue she was doing everything in her power to avoid him or throw hate his way. So he decided to enter this game of chance and he started to throw back what she was tossing his way. Soon two people who were once close become two enemies.

Now, it’s getting close to spring break and Viola is set to stay at her brother, Drew’s house, for the next two weeks… And Drew won’t be there but his roommate, Travis, will be there and it’s game on!

My Thought:

I love a good enemies to lovers romance and Kennedy Fox DELIVERED this trope on a silver freaking’ platter! Travis and Viola are fire and gasoline and should come with a proceed with caution warning. I loved all the shenanigans. The back and forth banter had me laughing maniacally! I couldn’t get enough!

Now onto the characters, let’s start with Travis. Travis hasn’t had the best role models where relationships are concerned. His dad was an asshole to his mom and so on and so forth. Which leads to Travis fearing he’s going to become just like his dad. This man keeps women at arms length, never evolving, he’s a once and dump em’ kind of guy. But there is one woman he would be willing to stick around for, that woman being Viola.

Now onto Viola, whoa this woman is a force to be reckoned with. I definitely wouldn’t want to get on her bad side, like Travis did. Ah, I loved the moment where she bagged up all his clothes, while he was in the shower, and threw the bags in her trunk…. she didn’t, and I didn’t, expect him to react the way he did. This little fact only lead to the anti’s being raised. The push and pull was my absolute favorite.

The chemistry between the two of them is all consuming. I loved every moment he showed his vulnerability. I loved every moment she let her walls drop and showed him she still cared! MY HEART CAN’T HANDLE THESE TWO! And let’s not forget about the sexy as sin between the sheets, or in the kitchen moments! This man is a sexy beast and there is no denying it!

I can’t even imagine how brutal it must have been to experience that cliffhanger and then have to wait months for This is Love to release… My heart is pounding in my chest right now! I had a moment of impending doom when I flipped to the last page, and then I remembered, I don’t have to wait to read the next book!! I’ll be starting that one ASAP!

Overall, I loved the first book to Trevor and Viola’s duet. I loved the heat and I loved the vulnerability coming from both characters. But given the cliffhanger, I’m not so sure my heart is ready to dive into This Is Love…… Mia? Really!? WTF is happening!??

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Amazon: https://amzn.to/3c1osfw
Amazon World: http://viewbook.at/thisiswarkf

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Peace Love and Happy Reading,