Release Me (The Stark Trilogy)

The Stark Series #1

By: J. Kenner

Narrated by: Sofia Willingham

Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Finalist, Erotica, 2014

For fans of Fifty Shades of Gray and Bared to You comes an erotic, emotionally charged romance between a powerful man who’s never heard "no" and a fiery woman who says "yes" on her own terms.

He was the one man I couldn’t avoid. And the one man I couldn’t resist.

Damien Stark could have his way with any woman. He was sexy, confident, and commanding: Anything he wanted, he got. And what he wanted was me.

Our attraction was unmistakable, almost beyond control, but as much as I ached to be his, I feared the pressures of his demands. Submitting to Damien meant I had to bare the darkest truth about my past - and risk breaking us apart.

But Damien was haunted, too. And as our passion came to obsess us both, his secrets threatened to destroy him - and us - forever.

Release Me is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

©2013 J. Kenner (P)2013 Random House Audio

Great narration!

I enjoyed the narrator with this series.

I am a fan of Nikki and Damien, but I will admit this first book has a bit more drama than I like.

Just As Good As Fifty Shades

In this series we have lots of screwed up people. They shouldn't work together but they do. I like the way Kenner builds suspense & intrigue. I was always ready to make Damien the bad guy for all sorts of reasons, but you will have to listen to find out if he is. Nicki is so broken it's a wonder she functions at all.
All the parents should be publicly horse whipped. I won't pull punches on my opinion of child abuse.
The narration is excellent.

So glad there's another book coming out soon!

Would you consider the audio edition of Release Me to be better than the print version?

The audio is definitely much preferred in this case cuz it got me through the book faster, not that I wanted it to end. But I just the opposite, I couldn't stop listening and the audio made it easier.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This is a toughy because both main characters, Nikki and Damien, are lovable to me. Both characters are strong and very independent but they need each other. I think being with and seeing the other makes the character see and understand him/herself more. And that's what I love about this book. Both characters are facing similar demons and realize their bond is stronger than these demons.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The entire book was just full of raw emotion and was very moving all around but I think the moment he confesses that he's been watching her and wanting her for years because he knew they were kindred spirits was really moving.

Any additional comments?

The part of this book I hated the most was when it was over. I wanted it to continue. I am so excited for the next book in the series (Claim Me), which will be out next month (April 27th) YAY. I hope the second book touches more on his personal life.

All the raw emotion on both sides and trying to break the barriers is what makes it such a powerful listen. It is a lot like 50 shades and Bared To You.

SERIOUS BUT HOT BOOK!

I loved this book! It has all the secrets, drama, emotions and HOT SEX, that a person could want! The narrator was great! I fell in love with both Nikki and Damien. I can't wait till book 2 comes of next month. I am soo impatient!

A little juvenile

Is there anything you would change about this book?

It drags and is juvenile in it's language.

What could J. Kenner have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

A little more depth in the characters would be nice.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Sofia Willingham?

on the fence

Narrator spoils the story

She mispronounces words and not even difficult ones. She reads the story and doesn’t bring any life to it. Isn’t there any editing done before this is released? The story is great and would have been a great listen.

LOVE STARK!!!!!!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Similar but different than 50 Shades, good storylines, strong interesting characters and great sex scenes.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Being female it is going to have to be Damien...rough but soft, harsh but loving, business-like but caring and loves kinky fu@#$%ery!!!!!

What does Sofia Willingham bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

In the beginning I was not pleased with the narration....it takes getting used to, it grows on you and I think there is a purpose for the way she is reading.....

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There is humor, more than sadness. There is a disturbing storyline that makes you feel sorry for Nikki, but she is a fighter.

Any additional comments?

I could not put this down and only stopped when I fell asleep but quickly began listening again first thing the next morning. I cannot wait to listen to #2 but I have to have a cool down before I begin it. I notice that #3 is not listed in Audible....I don't know whether if it's not been written or performed yet but I hope Audible picks it up soon.

Good Book

It was a good book. A little hard to follow the plot. It kinda bounced around from the different character placed. But good book anyway.

5 star Hit

I loved this book. It is the first book I have listened to by this author and was sucked in by the reviews saying it was like 50 Shades or Bared to You. Is is very,very good and has its own twists and spins. I guess I am a sucker for this kind of story. Who does not like steamy sex scenes and an intense hot guy. The one thing I liked is the connection between Damien and Nikki and the tension is awesome. The anticipation is sooooo good. This is a definite must read. The characters are strong, seductive and hot! I listened to the books back to back and can't wait to start the third book. Put this on your must have list:)

Very Reminiscent of the Fifty Shades Trilogy

What disappointed you about Release Me (The Stark Trilogy)?

I felt as though I was listening to the Fifty Shades of Grey all over again.

What was most disappointing about J. Kenner’s story?

That is was basically a "different" take on the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy.

What about Sofia Willingham’s performance did you like?

She did a great job bringing the characters to life.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Release Me (The Stark Trilogy)?

The whole book.

Any additional comments?

Overall I was greatly disappointed in the extreme similarity of the storyline between this book and the Fifty Shades Trilogy.