Tyler & Gemma, #1 (Lawton Ridge Duet Series, Book 1

By: Kennedy Fox

Narrated by: Lia Langola, Tor Thom

Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's Summary

I never planned on returning to Alabama, but circumstances brought me here after years of being gone. Though Lawton Ridge is my hometown, I was hesitant to go back because of her - my sister’s best friend. The last time we were together, she was 18, and I was a broken soldier transitioning to civilian life.

Gemma wrote to me while I was overseas and we developed a bond I hadn’t anticipated. I crushed her heart the day I left, something I’ve never forgotten. But now that her dad is my new boss, life just got way more complicated.

Too sweet, too innocent, too good for a guy like me - I should walk away again.

After serving five years in prison for something I didn’t do, I trust no one, but Gemma gradually breaks down my walls and exposes the pain I’ve hidden underneath. For her own sake, I should keep my distance, but it’s nearly impossible when I hear her sweet humming while I work and she slowly draws me back in. It’s a battle I didn’t train for, and one I’ll lose if I don’t keep my restraint - especially since she’s engaged to another man.

Keeping You Away is a slow-burn, angsty second chance romance with lots of small-town, Southern drama. It's book one in the Tyler & Gemma duet and must be listened to first.

©2020 Kennedy Fox (P)2020 Kennedy Fox

What a ride! Can’t wait for part 2!

Whew. That was a ride. I’m a huge fan of the Bishop Brothers and Circle B Ranch series by Kennedy Fox. When I was given a chance to be on their ARC review team, I jumped at the chance. I was given a code for the audiobook version for my honest review.

I love all the romance tropes. Best friend’s sibling and second chance romance stories are definitely in my top five. We start five years ago when Tyler comes back from serving in the military. He’s back home in Alabama for his sister’s graduation. While gone, he was exchanging letters with her best friend, Gemma. Over the 4 years, feelings start to develop. The two spend the summer together and Tyler leaves ending things.

Fast forward 5 years later, Tyler is back. Gemma is engaged. The spark and chemistry is still there. Tyler was her first, it’s hard to forget your first. I love the sweetness of the small town they’re in. The unresolved feelings got me. I love the angst. Tyler is so swoon worthy. Gemma is coming into her own and is showing her backbone. And this is a duet and that cliffhanger? Whhhattttt?? I can’t wait for part 2!

Both narrators, Tor Thom and Lia Langola were fabulous. Tor has a deep voice you can fall into. I love Lia’s Southern’s voice, she’s the perfect Gemma.

Amazing

Kennedy Fox did it again!!! This book is amazing, Tyler and Gemma have that chemistry you want in characters. This book will give you all the feels and more!!! I can't get enough of these characters and I didn't want this book to end. I can't wait for the conclusion of their story. I enjoyed the cameos of previous characters from other books. That always adds a little something something to a book for me!!
I can't recommend this book and author enough. I will read anything they write, they are that great!!

Can't wait for book 2!

I didn't read Liam and Maddie's story, so I was a little bit lost about how they all connected. Patience, grasshopper. I finally figured it out... I just had to read! I love Tyler and Gemma!!! This writing duo has a way with words that draws the reader in and keeps them hooked! All the characters, not just Tyler and Gemma, are well-rounded, relatable individuals who are multidimensional and full of life! I found myself wanting to yell at Gemma for continuing to let Robert treat her they way he did or shake Tyler for not telling Gemma about the last five years. But when they were together, oh how I loved their easy conversation as friends who have a a strong connection.

Lia Langola and Tor Thom were amazing narrating the characters! Their voices brought the characters to life in a way that I could picture them sitting in the room with me.

There are few authors whose cliffhangers I can stand, and I can count Kennedy Fox as one on the short list. Can't wait to read how it all pans out for Tyler and Gemma!

I received a complimentary copy of the audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this review.

I need the next book now!

I listened to the audio version of this book. This is the first book of the Tyler and Gemma Ex-Con Duet and a second chance at romance trope with one or two other's thrown in. I wish I had read Liam and Maddie's Duet first, but after awhile I felt like I knew enough of what was going on.
I loved Tyler's character. He had been to prison only because he had been set up. He's really an upstanding guy. He's doing his best to stay away from his old flame, Gemma, because she's now engaged.
I really hated that Gemma was with the guy. He's older and controlling. Yuck! She's trying to be a good girl and fight her feelings for Tyler because of the fact that she IS engaged. But when you've got one guy that would do anything for you and the other that you feel is trying to take over your life, which do you choose? Since this was left with a cliffhanger (and what a cliffhanger it is!), we'll have to wait and see. I can't wait to read the second book!
I was given a complimentary copy of this audio book. All thoughts are my own.

Tyler is even sexier in audio!!!

Hearing Tyler and Gemma's story in audio was so much better than I thought it was going to be. Tor Thom and Lia Langola (she is always fabulous) brought them to life quite well. The few times Tor's voice got super deep....I wanted more. He is the perfect Tyler. Lia has just enough of a southern hint to her voice which was a nice touch.

Tyler has spent the last 12 years away from Gemma yet has thought only of Gemma. The last five of those 12 years was spent in prison so upon his release he spends a few days with some old friends (Liam and Maddie) and then heads back home. He gets a job at Gemma's dad's repair shop and comes home to Gemma being engaged. He knows it wouldn't have been right for him to expect her to wait for him yet Tyler isn't a fan of her fiance, Robert.

Gemma's first love was Tyler and for years upon years she didn't get involved with anyone and when she is finally engaged to be married Tyler comes back home and knocks her world a bit sideways. She starts to question her relationship with Robert, especially when he starts pushing her to move up the wedding date.

Tyler and Gemma have a history that nobody can get in between. She is it for him. Even though I have read both books and I know what happens at the end it sure doesn't stop me from wanting Needing You Close in audio....I cannot wait for it.

watch out for the cliffhanger

I need to know more about what happened in Vegas! Also Robert is so terrible! I just want to shake Gemma and tell her to leave him. can't wait to see how this all ends.

on edge

screaming with the cliffhanger ending, can't wait for the second. am going crazy for Gemma to leave Robert!

Love this tension

EEEK! Needing You Close held the emotion I needed. This story held me captivated through all the twists and turns. Needing You Close was such an intense story with the slow burn I love Kennedy Fox for. I was all about Tyler and watching him get his happily ever after. Fox made Tyler work for it and he did. He did work for it and it was intense. I’m so loving all these characters. I’m deeply invested in on how Noah will get back in Katie's good grace? Can he earn it and what will Fox put them through?

Lia Langola and Tor Thom really brought Gemma and Tyler to life. The narrators really brought out the struggle, the push/pull struggle they had. I could definitely see Thom “being” Tyler. He has that real strong voice that really reminds me of a military man… I know, I’m totally being clichéd. I can’t help it. I enjoy a good strong voiced man. We can’t forget about Lia Langola now, can we. Langola brought Gemma to life so vividly. I felt her anxiety over her feelings with Tyler.

IT ended :-(

Tyler and Gemma have been exchanging letters with each other, while he was serving in the military. And through that they got to know each other pretty well. Now Tyler is home for his sister’s graduation and he and Gemma spends one magical night together, and then he leaves again ending things between them. Now its 5years later and Tyler is home… And Gemma is engaged. But the chemistry is still there between them. Like it always will be with your first love.

As you can imagine, two people in love and they drift apart and now they are back in the same place, but the other one is engaged… Yep queue the angst 😊 And just when I was getting into their story, it ended, like HELLO ☹I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT???

The narrators were awesome, I love Tor Thom, his voice, I love that deepness, definitely I think that is what Tyler would sound like. Lia Langola’s voice I had to get use to, but she won me over in the end. I am definitely looking forward to the conclusion of these two’s romance

Need more of this couple

This is my first Kennedy Fox book and man oh man what a start. This is part one of this great duet. Tyler is back after 12 years and is now working for Gemma’s father. They shared a great summer years ago and then he left. Gemma is now engaged but Tyler was her first love and sometime first loves never die.
I have to say I all in to this story and the audio version just brings it to life. Tor Thom and Lia Angola are new narrators to me and I have to say they did an excellent job. Tor’s deep voice made Tyler all the sexier and Lia is great with Gemma as well. I was honor to receive a free code for the audio version and I am honestly leaving a voluntary review.

Beautiful

It was the dust ok, I did not tear up because this was beautifully written and the characters were intense and so right for each other. I don’t cry over books ok maybe just a little. It wasn’t a sad book it was just how well the characters worked together and how much improvement they were gaining in their lives by being together.

Really well written and narrated I’ll definitely be listening to the next one

Love, love, love!

I’m a sucker for romances centering around an ex-convict. Add to that being a broken soldier who was incarcerated for something he didn’t do and it being a story penned by Kennedy Fox, whose heartfelt stories I’ve come to love, and KEEPING YOU AWAY was a no-brainer for me. I HAD to read it!

Tyler is a wonderful hero – compassionate and kind, loyal and honest. A good guy to the bone – no matter that his record (falsely) says otherwise. And Gemma … she is his younger sister’s best friend and the first girl he truly loved – before all hell broke loose. Now he’s back – and she is about to marry another man …

Off the charts palpable chemistry and sexual tension, and bone-deep-seated longing make for one intense and angsty slow burn second chance romance – it’s beautiful. And if that weren’t enough, there are also flashbacks in the form of letters Gemma and Tyler exchanged while he was in the military, which provide even more swoon-material.

Stories like this one are the reason why I love romance so much – and I can’t wait to pick up NEEDING YOU CLOSE – the conclusion of their story.

Good but not my favourite

This is a second chance romance, although, for this book, there isn’t much about the romance, it’s more them reestablishing being in each other’s lives. I’ll admit, I felt this book probably would have worked better for me as one book, had they cut out a lot of the childishness between the characters and had the heroine made smart decisions.

Sometimes, you meet heroines that you fall in love with and sometimes, they drive you crazy. Unfortunately, Gemma is the latter. Her inability to think for herself drove me to distraction. I kept waiting for her to end things in her current relationship and she just didn’t, not matter how manipulative or emotionally abusive he was. Then, to make matters worse, she keeps pushing Tyler away when she is clearly still in love with him, and acting jealous when he looks to be moving on. Honestly, both characters were frustrating and acted a lot younger than they were. Which was disappointing because their chemistry was fantastic.

Overall, it was an interesting story and part one of a duet, the cliffhanger was a good one and leaves the listener wondering what is going to happen.

Lia Langola and Tor Thom narrated and did a good job. Although, at times, it felt like the accent was inconsistent. Production-wise, it was fine with the exception of one line that was repeated twice, but I don’t know whether that was an audio issue or a book issue.

Note: If cheating isn’t your thing, this book probably won’t be to your liking.

You can't keep me away from book 2!!

Wow, good Lord, Tyler… what a man! He’s got it hard for Gemma. I do feel like I’m missing something… I’m thinking we get more of a beginning in Liam and Maddie’s story. I still feel like I got their story… don’t get me wrong but I know I’m missing a bit more. Anyways, my point in mentioning that is to recommend that you start at the connected books first. I bet it will make it a crazy rounded story. As it is, I totally plan on getting all the audios and listening to all of the stories! I like this group of friends though. They’re all honest and real. There’s a love there, a friendship that I can feel in the words. Kennedy Fox has a way of bringing romance out as well as the humor and fun.

Lia Langola and Tor Thom really brought Gemma and Tyler to life. The narrators really brought out the struggle, the push/pull struggle they had. I could definitely see Thom “being” Tyler. He has that real strong voice that really reminds me of a military man… I know, I’m totally being clichéd. I can’t help it. I enjoy a good strong voiced man. We can’t forget about Lia Langola now, can we. Langola brought Gemma to life so vividly. I felt her anxiety over her feelings with Tyler. I’m eagerly, LIKE EAGERLY, awaiting the next book.

swoon !

omg Tyler ! what a guy! he and Gemma have been friends for years and after a stint in prison hes back in his home town , but there's a part of his past that could ruin everything , I cant say too much as I don't want to give anything away , the ending had me gasping out loud and I cant wait to find out what happens next !

excellent beginning to duet and series

Wow, I listened to that in one sitting. While it was a slow burn I didn't think it was slow or missing anything. You will probably be wondering what is wrong with Gemma because how can you not see what's going on but it doesn't make you hate her. Thought Tyler was awesome. Excellent character development and interesting side characters that I can't wait for more from everyone. I did not know about Tyler's backstory but I'm gonna have to go back and listen to Liam and Maddie's story right away. Lia Langola and Tor Thom were excellent choices for narrators - both were fabulous.

mixed feelings on this one

This is my first introduction to Gemma and Tyler and overall I loved their story. It's a second chance romance at heart but with angst oh the angsty goodness. They met and had one summer together years ago, then Tyler left and broke Gemma's heart. Now he's back in town working for her Father and Gemma is now engaged to a much older successful businessman named Robert.

I loved the slow burn chemistry and confusion of feelings that are explored between them as both Hero and heroine try to build a working relationship and a friendship without igniting any old feelings they have buried. This is Kennedy Fox so of course things aren't that straight forward. Tor Thom and Lia Langola work really well together and portray the growing friendship and push and pull between the two MC's wonderfully. We get bits and pieces of Tyler's past slowly being unveiled and seeping into the story line that your suspicions rise that this is soon going to play a bigger part in this duet than expected. The other plot line that kept my attention was Gemma's stilted relationship with her fiancé Robert. He's a man that wants her to be a typical Stepford wife and that just isn't Gemma. As the distance grows between them, her feelings for Tyler begin to fill the cracks and then the tension just builds and builds.

The one stumbling block for me was I really feel like I needed to have read previous books to appreciate all the characters here especially Tyler. The story is told in such a way that made me feel I should know who characters are, know Tyler's past, understand established friendships. Yes this is Book 1 in Tyler and Gemma's relationship, yes I don't think I have missed to much in terms of their interactions. For me personally I am such a stickler for reading interconnected standalones in order that not having all that information, feeling like I was missing something just didn't sit right. It didn't take away from the story; but I think I would have been more immersed in this book if I had read the books that connect to this one, rather than wondering about each character I meet in Tyler's circle of friends.

All that said I am just as curious to find out what is going to happen as the twists and mystery built up towards the end of this first book and I want to see how it's all going to turn out.

My Thoughts on Keeping You Away

Keeping You Away is one of those stories that had an interesting start off. It was definitely good enough to make you want to keep listening. But the more you listen, the more it builds. And the more dragged into the plot I was.

I especially liked Tyler. He might have had a rough past but I was actually really enjoying learning more about him. It took me a moment to warm up to Gemma, but as the story went on I started to connect with her too. I loved this small town with everyone who knows everyone, but as expected it also had its issues. And there was just so much more going on then I initially expected.

The narrators for this were great. The deep tone of Tor Thom seemed to fit really well with Tyler and Lia Langola really brought Gemma to life.

And then that ending!!!! I desperately need book two to find out what happens next.

Give me book 2

Keeping You Away – Kennedy Fox – 4 stars

Keeping You Away by Kennedy Fox is book one in the Ex-Con duet series. This book follows Tyler and Gemma and if you’re a fan of Kennedy Fox you will have met them before in Always Mine and Always yours series. Although this book is a stand-alone, I find the aforementioned book to be insightful and would help readers understand these characters that little bit more. I listened to the audiobook of this novel and with Lia Langola and Tor Thom as the narrators this book delivered on the heat level. The narrators were easy to listen to and only enhanced this story for me. The book was a whirlwind and the chemistry between Tyler and Gemma is hot! The main characters dynamic changes as the story progress, however, their connection throughout is noticeable and one you know won’t be forgotten. The secondary characters only added to this book and their friendships and banter was engaging and a welcome addition. The story was amazing, however, I did find at times it was rather slow progressing, although it leaves you on the edge of the seat Kennedy Fox delivered on all levels. I can’t wait to see where Tyler and Gemma end up and if the secondary characters will get their own books!

Enjoy Everyday,
Ebook Enthusiast 

Tyler and Gemma!

There has always been something standing between Tyler and Gemma whether it was his military career, the aftereffects of his military career or how he found himself falsely imprisoned. He believes that she deserves so much more than he could ever give her especially now that she is engaged. Even though he has returned to his hometown and is working for her father he doesn’t believe that she could ever forgive him for the mistakes of the past.

Gemma has left Tyler in her past and is now planning a future with another man. After the pain he caused her she would prefer that he stayed in the past but what she hadn’t expected was that time and distance hadn’t diminished the chemistry between them but she has moved on with her life, hasn’t she?

Both Gemma and Tyler are compelling characters and this story takes you on an emotional journey that leads up to a cliffhanger which has us wondering what the future holds for this couple. I thought that the narrators did a great job with the angst and emotion of the story.