Checkmate: This Is War

The Checkmate Duet, Book 1

By: Kennedy Fox

Narrated by: Lia Langola

Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 10, 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.

©2016 Kennedy Fox (P)2016 Kennedy Fox

4 Checkmate Stars

I have one questions… WHY? Why do I do this to myself? I know there was going to be a book 2 so why I ask you did I read book one when book two isn’t out on audio yet?

Oh I know because I have had my eye on this one for a while.
As always I went in blind. No synopsis, no nothing, I just notice the hype of this book and thought hey I want to read that.

I don’t recall reading an enemies to lovers romance off the top of my head, and I can’t say I didn't enjoy it because I sure as heck did.

I think the only part I didn't enjoy too much was how immature Viola was in parts of the book. Then again Travis who is “older” acted just as immature sometimes too. So I guess they balanced themselves out. Ha.. Then again I think to my self she is still in college and he is still pretty young himself...so they are learning.

I love a brother’s best friend romance… Giggles especially when they have “pretend” nothing is going on. Ha like that ever turns out alright.

The chemistry between Travis and Viola leaps out at you, you can’t help but wonder about their back story and why they have some much hate for one another.
I love that they both get there jabs in. They are very witty.
Does that make me sick for loving it so much...lmao...Oh well I loved it.

I want, no I need more… I know the eBook of book 2 will be out soon if its not already out but I am going to hold off for the audio because Lia Langola does a fabulous job with this audiobook.

This was my first audio by her but it’s not going to be my last. I very much enjoyed her male voice and her Viola voice.

Can’t say I like the sassy other girls voices but I think that was the point. ;) They are not supposed to be relatable characters.

*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*

Good Narration

While this book is written in dual POV, it's narrated just by a single female voice. She does a good job of making Travis's voice more gritty. Her male voice also has a certain a**hoIe vibe to it which is very fitting for the character. She does a great job getting the emotions, the quivers, excitement etc in her voice and spoken words down.

As far as the story itself goes, I felt a bit of a disconnect with the characters. They often act quickly out of anger and explode with emotions. Sometimes their emotions and feelings seem conflicting and not consistent for the characters. Both main characters are demanding and hypocritical with their expectations. Viola is a priss and often acts entitled and immature. With Travis, it bothered me that he continued a sexual relationship with two women during the same time frame. He doesn't stop one relationship because it's a sticky situation and also because he's a guy so it's too hard to say no? Hmm. That's not really attractive. That doesn't make me root for him. Their back and forth hate/hate relationship felt like it just went on in circles. It didn't seem to actually get anywhere and yet their story continues on in another book.

I liked the characters but the story was a little slow.

I really liked the banter between the characters- I laughed, sometimes until I cried. Travis King is definitely my type of guy to lead a book in terms of his characteristics. However I didn't like that he would seek out other women, those parts really disappointed me. I struggled a little bit a little over halfway through the story because the back and forth between hero and heroine in terms of their relationship was getting a little over done. Some people may enjoy it a little drawn out but I started to fade a bit, especially because the end of the book packed a lot and seemed to be a little rushed. So I think some of the "revelations" could've come a little sooner. But overall I did enjoy the book, I just would've preferred it would've moved a little faster in the middle.
The narrator was great. This was a second time listening to one of her books and I'm impressed with her versatility.
I would recommend this book (just advise to push through it when you hit the middle if you get a little antsy like I did), and I will be listening to part 2 of the duet.

Cute but....

I really wanted to like this one more than I did. This was a funny story about two people who are obviously crazy for one and other but aren't mature enough to handle their feelings. Although childish, I enjoyed the pranks. The but the contestant bickering got old really fast. It took a bit for the actual romance to happen. I also didn't like that it ended on a cliffhanger. Hopefully by the second book, Travis and Viola can get it together and just be happy.

I really dislike when production companies don't use male and female narrators for the two different perspectives, however Lia Langola really committed to the role. She was very believable as both characters.

Good, but dragged out

I love a good hate you but love you book, but this one just seemed to drag. Things are drawn out way too much. I made it to the end to have it leave on a cliff hanger. I'm not sure I have the brain power to make it through a second book

Hot Story

Love the story, it was sexy and funny. Lia does a good job on the various characters. Unfortunately this book ends in a cliffhanger. Looking forward to the continuation of the story.

Check This Book Out

I'll be honest... it took me a bit to relax into this story. The constant childlike bickering between Travis and Viola got under my skin. My first reaction was to assume they were shallow but as I simply enjoyed Langoria's narration, I slowly I came to understand the characters as the author brought out thier past, and once they allowed themselves to stop denying their connection. Then came the curveball. And a whole lot of story lines left untied when the cliffhanger hit. And now I'm waiting for the next book because I was just starting to get invested in the characters.

Langoria's narration was spot on. Im not sure I would'very stuck it out if not for her. She brought the story to life, helped me enjoy this listen.

Seriously....

The ending of this book sucks! This is a Romance book and it ended like that.... what a disappointment. I don’t want to read any other Kennedy Fox books because I’m afraid they will disappoint like this one.

Disappointing

While the narrator tried to make this story work, it totally bombed. Very weak story line and annoying characters. The excessive anger Viola constantly displays is childish and cringe worthy. I also find it hard to believe that she would want to have sex with someone who was with someone else mere minutes before. Makes no sense based on her anger towards him. All in all I couldn't finish, just couldn't stand the weak story, insipid characters and ridiculous dialogue another second.

Steamy Enemies to Lovers Romance!

What made the experience of listening to Checkmate: This Is War the most enjoyable?

I loved the narration by Lia Langola! She did an amazing job bringing all the different characters to life! I was really impressed by her male voices and found her performance very engaging. She captured the emotions of the characters perfectly.

What did you like best about this story?

I am a huge fan of the enemies to lovers trope, so this was a great story to listen to. It was hard to like Travis at first since he was such a manwhore, but the characters definitely grew on me and had me rooting for their happily ever after. The back and forth witty banter was fantastic! This is book 1 in the duet, so I can't wait to listen to book 2!

Which character – as performed by Lia Langola – was your favorite?

My favorite was actually Alyssa! She was so fun to hate and was exactly how I imagined she would sound. Another favorite was Travis, who was also voiced flawlessly.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Going to War Never Felt So Good! ;)

Any additional comments?

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Viola and Travis

This is the first part of Viola and Travis' story, the book ends on a cliffhanger so be prepared to listen to the second book to find out how their story ends. It's a brother's best friend/enemies to lovers story which started when they were children, she was ten years old when she first fell in love with the then twelve-year-old Travis but three years later she heard him saying something to her brother which she found hurtful after which she became his enemy.

Years later her brother Drew and Travis are roommates and it's impossible to avoid seeing Travis some times but when they do meet Viola and Travis tease and snipe at each other. Then during spring break whilst Drew is staying with his girlfriend Viola goes to stay at the house Drew and Travis share, alone their teasing and bickering take on a whole new level as they fight the attraction they can no longer deny.

I admit that I didn't much like either of the characters although as the story progressed they did become a little more likeable, the storyline is at times quite hot at times and funny.

The narration of this book by Lia Langola is excellent.

I was given this audiobook as a gift and am voluntarily writing my review.

Travis & Viola - Book 1

Can you hate and love a character at the same time? OMG Travis is such a manwh##e.
Viola & Travis are perfect for each other. Their bickering is great and when they finally slept together I could “hear”the sparks flying. It was sooo hot!!!
This book ends in a cliffhanger and what a cliffhanger… can’t wait for book 2

Hate to Love

This is my third attempt to post my review here at Audible, hopefully the third time is the charm! This story is quite fun and lovely, as always I enjoyed Kennedy Fox's writing.

She has a certain style that draws you in, always fluid with compelling characters, this one is no exception. I wouldn't go that far as to say it's a enemies to lovers story, they weren't enemies, Travis didn't even know why Viola didn't like him. It's a love to hate kind of story, one that I deeply enjoyed. The banter is nice, the characters likeable and the "games" are hilarious! Kinda juvenile, but like I said, the author has a way with words so everything sounds believable.

Lia Langola does a good job, I like her voice and her narration and overall I think it was a good choice for this book, her mature voice gave life to Viola.

Travis and Viola!

When they were kids Viola thought that she and Travis, her brother’s best friend, understood each other in a way that no one else in their lives did until the day that their relationship changed and would never be the same again. With her brother out of town she now finds herself roommates with Travis and the sparks are going to fly.

Travis has a way with women, but he keeps his relationships casual and short. He has perfected the art of doing whatever he can to draw the ire of Viola both with actions and with words. He is determined to deny the chemistry between them until he can’t and just when you think they may be able to overcome their past life throws them a curve
ball that leaves us needing the rest of their story.

Their interactions are humorous, the heat between is hot and Viola is fierce, but she has her mind firmly made up about Travis however there is so much more to the man than first appears. I really enjoyed the performance of the narrator and didn’t miss the fact that it wasn’t a dual narration.

hilarious!

this book had me laughing the whole time! the pranks Travis and Viola pulled on each other was brilliance , the whole story line had me gripped and by the ending I was dying for more ! I can't wait to listen to part 2 of this book !

Left me Wanting

Checkmate: This is War – Kennedy Fox – 3 stars

Checkmate: This is War is book one in the newest series by duo author Kennedy Fox. This book follows Travis and Viola high school friends turned enemies. I listened to this book as an audiobook and the first thing I didn’t love it that the only narrator was a female, Lia Langola. Although the narration was good for the female I hate how they attempt to do the male voice and much prefer two narrators for a dual point of view novel like this. This enemies to lovers book left me wanting more and to be honest wasn’t my favourite from this author. The story seemed to drag and I personally wasn’t a fan of the male lead, he was almost too unredeemable for me, however, I will withhold this until reading the next book. Although this wasn’t my favourite Kennedy Fox read, you can’t deny the chemistry between Travis and Viola and the story overall was well written must not my favourite. I’ll withhold my opinion on recommending until the next book as this must left me too on the edge to decide.

Enjoy Everyday,
Ebook Enthusiast 

Super Steamy!

First off WOAH. The tension in this book off the charts!! Listening to a Kennedy Fox audio book always keep me on my toes and I have to ALWAYS remember to keep my ear buds in 😂 i kept tossing up whether the relationship between Viola and Travis was toxic or if it was just your run of the mill enemies to lovers. Travis could be such a douche at times but he also had that sweet/protective side that Viola denied to indulge. Now that they have finally come to their senses but, is it too late?? I have to wait to for the next book in the Checkmate series and its killing me not knowing what’s going to happen

Wow

This one has really shocked me. I have read the book and I enjoyed it but I didn’t expect that the audiobook to be so much better, the extra emotion, hearing the back and forth and the banter made this such a joy to listen to. There is so much chemistry and personality here that I didn’t want to stop listening.

The narration is on point and this is what made me fall in love with this book all over again.

Enjoyable enemies to lovers romance

Travis and Viola have always known each other. Travis is best friends with Viola’s older brother, Drew. They shared a connection when they were young but things changed between them and have only tolerated each other since.

Viola is staying with her brother for a few weeks over spring break but then he decides to visit his girlfriend, leaving Viola and Travis alone together. They do not get on at all and things are pretty hostile between them.

I loved all the little jokes they played on each other, trying to be better than the previous one. As the days went on the sexual tension and sizzling chemistry bubbled until it exploded and they couldn’t keep their hands to themselves and this pair was hot! I loved Travis and his dirty mouth.

For most of the book I didn’t like Travis’ character for what he put Viola through with his manwhore ways even when he knew he had feelings for Viola, but by the end, I was rooting for them and was so invested in their story that when the cliffhanger dropped I was beyond frustrated! I need their conclusion now!

This was a well-read audiobook and I loved both the male and female actors. They played it great!

Plenty of enemies to lovers chemistry

This is my first book from the writing Duo Kennedy Fox after being on my TBR for so long! I actually listened to the Audiobook version and I have to admit I enjoyed it much better the second time around. Through my first listen I found it a little hard to follow, a single narrator was used and I found her voice was quite masculine anyway, this meant I struggled to differentiate between Travis and Viola's chapters if I was paying 100% attention. I thought she narrated the male sections really well but I would have preferred a slightly more feminine narration for Viola's sections. That aside I did enjoy the narration very much.

This is War is a true childhood friends/brother's best friend turned enemies to lovers romance. Viola and Travis were inseparable as children, but as they hit pre teens the feelings changed and the teasing began. Viola's heart was broken and she lost her best friend while Travis was non the wiser and they were now at war.

What I loved about this book was the back and forth teasing, pranks and insults slung between Hero and heroine. It helped to build up some seriously intense sexual chemistry, which was bound to explode. Travis is a typical manwhore, he gets what he needs and moves on and he isn't afraid to throw this in Viola's face just to get a reaction from her. When Viola decides to get even all bets are off and we really see the jealousy and alpha protectiveness come out of both characters.

Of course with the added complication of a conniving work college and occasional lay for Travis and Drew (Viola's brother and Travis's best friend) in the mix, the road ahead isn't an easy one. Things heat up towards the end and culminate in one heck of a cliff hanger I did not see coming at all! I really need to see how this duet plays out, I loved the writing and the character development. the story was down to earth, easy to relate to and the pacing was very good. The back and forth friction between Travis and Viola made the book for me I loved that she didn't back down from his relentless banter.