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The Kings of Kearny by Navessa Allen | Book Review

Feb. 24, 2024

This surprising and exhilarating book features a main character surrounded by war heroes, a resilient female protagonist, and a captivating male biker, creating an engrossing narrative that left the reader eager for more. Despite being new to the author, the rich world-building and depth of character made the story feel substantial and enticing, sparking interest in exploring additional works in this captivating universe. The authentic portrayal of characters, mature handling of conflicts, and inclusion of explicit consent during intimate scenes added depth and freshness to the romance genre, making the book a delightful and unexpected gem.

The Kings of Kearny by Navessa Allen | Book Reviewfour-half-stars
The Kings of Kearny by Navessa Allen
Genres: MC Romance

Jakob Larson is going to be the death of me.

That’s what I think every time he strides into my bar.

The Kings of Kearny run this small Texas town, and Jakob is their chief enforcer.

The Viking, they call him. He’s a criminal. As dangerous as he is sexy. The kind of man who makes my inner cavewoman sit up and take notice.

Him big. Make strong babies. Bring home mammoth for dinner.

I’m ready to indulge her desires, but just for one night. Unfortunately, Jakob has other plans.

Someone in town is breaking one of the cardinal rules set by the leader of The Kings. And Jakob thinks they’re using my grandmother’s nursing home as a front for their illicit activities.

Now I’m neck-deep in trouble with him, and every time I think I’ve figured out what’s really going on, Jakob reveals another piece of the puzzle.

I need to figure out how far I’m willing to go to protect this town. How far I’m willing to go with Jakob.

Because if I fall for him, there’s no going back. No hope for a peaceful ending.

But Jakob is the kind of man who makes me think that peaceful is overrated, and that descending into darkness with him could lead to something even better than a Happily Ever After.

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This book took me by surprise, and I couldn’t contain my excitement. Featuring a main character surrounded by war heroes, a wounded yet fierce female protagonist, and a strikingly sexy male biker, the story had me hooked. The depth of character and world-building, despite being new to this author’s work, made me feel like there was a rich narrative beneath the surface, leaving me craving more books in this captivating world.

The hidden depth of Jakob, a former soldier now operating outside the law, intrigued me. His internal struggles and undeniable sex appeal added complexity to the story, as he worked to maintain order in his town. The dynamic with Krista, a fellow veteran working at a bar, built up with palpable tension, leading to an explosive and seductive connection that left me yearning for more.

What stood out most was the authenticity of both characters; they felt real, complete with flaws and attributes that made them relatable. The mature handling of their interactions, without allowing issues to fester, was a refreshing change from typical romance tropes. Even instances of miscommunication were swiftly resolved, building trust between the characters.

The inclusion of explicit consent in the book, especially during heated moments, where Jakob consistently reminded Krista of her control and the ability to revoke permission, added a layer of depth that resonated with me. Overall, this unexpected gem has left me eager to explore more books by this talented author.


Meet the Author


four-half-stars

About Navessa Allen

Navessa Allen lives in northern New England on a 200-year-old farm with her husband, their cats, and an assortment of farm animals.

Website | Goodreads

Category: Review Tags: NetGalley

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sherry says

    August 1, 2024 at 11:51 am

    I’ve never read this author but the book looks great.

    Reply
  2. heather says

    August 3, 2024 at 6:29 pm

    I got excited reading about this one sounds so good and one that I would soooooooooo love read while on vacation.

    Reply
  3. Elizabeth says

    August 16, 2024 at 9:40 pm

    I’ve avoided a lot of MC romance because I see the line between alpha and jerk being blurred too often, so YAY for consent!!

    Reply
  4. Suzie B says

    August 18, 2024 at 12:00 pm

    Im sold just by the cover lol I have read a little MC romance and it’s hit and miss for me

    Reply
  5. Adriane says

    August 29, 2024 at 8:02 pm

    Not a big fan of the biker genre

    Reply
  6. Barbara Montag says

    August 30, 2024 at 9:44 am

    I enjoyed reading this well done excerpt!
    Thank you for sharing it.

    Reply
  7. Dreaa Drake says

    September 1, 2024 at 10:27 pm

    This sounds like a book I’d love to read!

    Reply

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As a single mom rebuilding my life from scratch, I don’t need help. And I definitely don’t need the
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Why you need to #ONECLICK this book…
��Single Mom
��New in Town
��Neighbors
��Hurt/Comfort
��Grumpy Maple Farmer
��Protective
As a single mom rebuilding my life from scratch, I don’t need help. And I definitely don’t need the
attention of a six-foot-three maple farmer with a beard and a hero complex who looks at me like I’m a
problem he didn’t sign up for.
My landlord is broad-shouldered, permanently unimpressed, and entirely too comfortable telling me
when I’m wrong. I think he’s grumpy, rigid, and overprotective. He thinks I’m chaos in Crocs.
Falling for Josh Lawrence was never part of the plan.
But then he starts showing up.
For my son when he’s overwhelmed.
For my daughters when they need someone steady.
And for me when my hands won’t stop shaking.
I didn’t come to Vermont looking for a protector. I don’t need rescuing. But somewhere between harvest
festivals, pumpkin canoe races, and quiet mornings in the sugar shack, the man I swore was just an
annoyance becomes my safe place.
And when my dangerous past resurfaces and threatens the new life I’ve built, the grumpy maple farmer
next door becomes my fiercest protector, ready to stand by my side while I fight for my family.
 
Because it turns out maple farmers are a lot like their trees: quiet, stubborn, and surprisingly sweet
when the pressure builds.
#newbookalert #daphneelliot #smalltownromance @theauthor.agency
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"I've got to get Julian's booster." I turned toward the van, sticking a hand in my purse and rummaging for my keys. "No need. I got one." Lips pursed, I turned back to him. "Here." He opened the back door, and sure enough, there was a booster.  I strode to the door and examined it. "That's the same." "Yes. The same one you have. I saw it while I was at Costmart and grabbed it, figured it would be easier." Blinking, I turned to him, my brain not quite understanding. "Got snacks too." Julian wandered to Josh's side. "Is Wayne coming?" Ducking, he shook his head. "He's keeping Jasper and Vincent company while we're gone. Since we need my truck to haul the pumpkin back, there isn't enough room.  Julian's whole body sagged with disappointment. "But he'll help us build our boat, don't worry." The truck was equipped with snacks, water, blankets, and a few extra hoodies. Well-worn hoodies that looked so cozy I wished I could slip one on now, then take it home with me. "Why do you have so many snacks?" Maggie asked. "Cause kids eat a lot," he replied, eyeing her in the mirror.  Ellie shrugged. "Accurate." We hadn't even driven outside town limits before they were digging in. "Mom," Julian shouted far louder than necessary. "He has cucumbers. Cut in circles, not sticks." I turned in my seat, and sure enough, Josh had procured cucumbers, Julian's favorite, and had cut them with precision. "He got my crackers too." Heart thudding, I eyed the man beside me. "How did you know which foods were Julian's safe foods?" His focus was on the road, his fingers tapping the steering wheel. "I noticed and took a photo of the box with my phone. Didn't want to mess it up for him." 

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