Title: Checkmate: This Is War
Series: Checkmate Duet #1
Author: Kennedy Fox
Genre: Enemies to Lovers Romance
Travis King is the worst kind of asshole.
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 manwhore ways, but that doesn’t change a thing.
Because the King is about to get played at his own game—and lose.
Checkmate.
Travis
Once I’m home, I start unbuttoning my shirt and ripping my belt off. I can’t stand being in these clothes any longer than necessary. I don’t see or hear Viola anywhere, although her car is parked in the driveway, so I pull my shirt off and pull my pants down before tossing them on the arm of the couch.
I walk to the kitchen and pull open the fridge to look for a beer. Once I find one, I twist off the cap and slam the door shut again. Just as I take a swig, a girl walks in, who is not Viola and stops frozen in her tracks.
“Who are you?” I ask, fully aware I’m down to my boxers. Her eyes glass over before finally blinking and looking back up to my eyes. “Did you hear me?”
She swallows. “Yes, sorry. You just scared the shit out of me. Viola said her brother wasn’t home.”
“I’m not her brother.” I take another swig, roaming my eyes down her petite little body. “I’m the roommate, Travis.” I say, taking a step toward her. “You must be a friend of Viola’s?”
Before she can answer, I hear Viola stomping toward us. “Don’t touch him, Ash. You’ll catch an STD.”
Her eyes widen, and I’m pretty sure I see her friend take a tiny step back.
“I’m surprised you even know what an STD is, considering you’re a virgin and all.” I flash a wink at her when her friend isn’t looking.
She huffs. “I’m not a vir—gah, never mind. Fuck off, Travis. And put some damn clothes on.”
“I don’t think your friend minds.” I turn and smile at her. “Do you?”
“Uh...I…” she stammers, and a part of me feels bad I’ve put her in the middle.
“Didn’t think so.” I grin, walking past her toward Viola. “Looks like you’re in the minority, princess.”
I sit on the couch and click on the TV. I hear Viola speaking to her friend as they finish bringing in all of her shit. I glance back and see bags lining the floor.
“You realize you’re only staying here for a couple weeks, right?” I shout. “No need to nerd up the place with all your Harry Potter books and capes. Wouldn’t impress my guests.”
“You’re an idiot,” she snaps. “And since when did you consider your one-night stands ‘guests’?”
I turn fully, facing her. Her cheeks are flushed, and I know it’s killing her that she has to be here alone with me. “You want to see how well I treat my guests?” I flash a crooked smile, knowing it’ll rile her right up.
“I wouldn’t let my worst enemy near you,” she fires back, narrowing her eyes at me. Fuck, she’s hot when she gets super pissed. All the more to push her buttons.
I tsk. “If you could keep them away that is…”
I turn back around just as she tells her friend it’s time to go. She whispers a few curse words, and I know this is going to be a lot more fun than I expected.
Review by: Gina
It's been awhile since I've read a book that had me tears in my eyes, laughing out loud! I love reading good banter between characters and Travis and Viola were the banter experts! And all the other jabs and pranks they play on each other was just HILARIOUS! This is an enemies to lovers story with the twist of adding a best friends older brother into the mix. So it had a lot of fun elements to play around with.
The story was super fun to read. Like I said laugh out loud funny and the sexual tension between Travis and Viola was OFF THE CHARTS! I'm surprise my kindle didn't spontaneously combust because when they finally got together it was HOT, HOT, HOT!!! I thought the story was well written, alternating POV's. I enjoyed the characters. Travis is the playboy, man-whore but deep down you know he's not a bad guy. Maybe just a little heart broken. Viola tries to come off stronger than she really is. She was disappointed in the past so she keeps her guard up.
I just loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a funny but hot read! It does end with a cliffhanger but I am super excited to read the next book! I NEED to know what's going to happen!
5 Stars
Review by: Tatia
WHAT!!! What just happened??!! That's the only thought running through my head right now! I just finished and cannot process how that just ended! I didn't see it coming. I didn't even know this was a duet! I didn't know it until I was at 94% and knew that there was no way for it to be wrapped up that quickly! Holy cow! That was a bit of a roller coaster ride.
Travis and Viola used to be friends. I say friends lightly because Travis is V's older brother's best friend. He has been since he moved across the street. But every night he would sneak over and sit with Viola and just talk. They knew everything about each other. They were best friends in a sense. Then it all changed. Now V hates Travis and the feeling is a bit mutual.
The back and forth between them...it's an amount of hate I don't think I've ever seen before. The disdain that oozes out of Viola's pores for Travis is strong. It overflows! They are constantly at each other's throats. It's definitely going to make things awkward when they have to stay in the same house. I was just waiting for all of the sexual tension to finally become too much! When it does, there is an explosion!
Kennedy Fox, I don't know who the two of you are but you write a mean book together. I am going to be anticipating the next book until its release. It can't come soon enough! I need them to write faster!!
4.5 Stars
Kennedy Fox is a duo of bestselling authors who share a love of You’ve Got Mail and The Holiday. When they aren’t bonding over romantic comedies, they like to brainstorm new book ideas. One day, they decided to collaborate together under a pseudonym and have some fun creating new characters that’ll make your lady bits tingle and your heart melt. If you enjoy romance stories with sexy, tattooed alpha males and smart, independent women, then a Kennedy Fox book is for you! Both authors are from Manhattan living the glamorous bachelorette life, or perhaps they’re just confusing themselves with an episode of Sex and the City (Total #Girlcrush SJP). Either way, they’re looking forward to bringing you many more stories to fall in love with!
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