Memories of You

A Stark Security Novella (1001 Dark Nights)

By: J. Kenner

Narrated by: Sofia Willingham, Joe Arden

Length: 2 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author J. Kenner comes a new story in her Stark Security series...

Hollywood consultant Renly Cooper is fed up with relationships. His recent breakup with a leading lady played out across the tabloids, and the former Navy Seal is more than ready to focus on his new position as an agent at the elite Stark Security agency. He’s expecting international stakes. Instead, his first assignment is to protect one of Damien Stark’s friends from a stalker. A woman who, to his delight, turns out to be one of his closest childhood friends.

After a foray into online dating puts tech genius Abby Jones in danger, she needs a bodyguard, and her business partner, Nikki Fairchild Stark, enlists help from Stark Security. When the assigned agent turns out to be her best friend from junior high - and her first crush - she’s thrilled to discover he’s even more delicious now. She hopes one sexy night can turn into more, but Renly is firmly in the friends-with-benefits camp.

As the threat to Abby increases, she tries to keep her growing feelings for Renly at bay. But as the sparks between them burn even hotter, can they go from friends to lovers when the first order of business is simply to keep Abby alive?

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new listeners, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

©2021 by Julie Kenner. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Foreword © 2014 by M. J. Rose.

Childhood Friends-to-Lovers

If you know me you know Friends-to-Lovers is my catnip and this one had me so giddy it's ridiculous. Childhood friends Renly and Abby lost touch after he moved away but a chance meeting has him front and center in her life again and at the perfect time.

Renly is is a new hire for Stark Security and his first assignment is to keep Nikki's partner safe which just happens to be his childhood best friend, Abby. Abby has a stalker after her, she's been receiving creepy calls and it's escalating so Nikki insists she has someone look after her, Renly. I have to say when they see each other after so many years it was like everything shifted and things were right in their worlds again.

I really enjoyed this quick read, I wouldn't consider this insta-love because they did have a solid background together which helped moved things along quickly. If you enjoy Steamy Romantic Suspense Reads or the Friends-to-Lovers trope I would recommend this book to you. I would also highly recommend the audiobook version because narrators, Sofia Willingham and Joe Arden did a wonderful job with bringing this story to life.

Happy Reading or Listening!!!

A short but wonderful story

Friends to Lovers. After being separated for many years, childhood friends Renly and Abby meet up again when she's in trouble. They start a physical relationship that they didn't have before. It's a fast but not really relationship since they knew each other before. Now if Renly can keep Abby safe maybe they can take the relationship to the next level. Great narration by Sofia Willingham and Joe Arden.

Short and sweet

I love that Abby finally gets her HEA and Renly is perfect for her. It’s always nice to peek back into the world of Stark International even if only for a glimpse. Joe Arden was brilliant as always but I have to admit I had trouble following who was talking sometimes with Sofia Willingham. I just wish the characters were differentiated a little better during her chapters.

This Story Felt Rushed

The story was a bit all over the place, and very little pacing. Two childhood friends that reunite as adults and the attraction that surfaced during their teen years, only grew as adults. Not sure why the writer had Joe Arden narrates on the third person, reason why I didn't find him totally engaged thus didn't like it.