REVIEW: In Too Deep by J. Kenner

In In Too Deep (Man of the Month #10) by J. Kenner, Local gym owner and professional trainer Matthew Herrington is proud of the business he built out of sheer determination and a drive to overcome his turbulent childhood. And he usually is a fairly confident, if not introverted, guy. But there has always been something about stunning lawyer Hannah Donovan since the first time they met that has had him stumbling over his words like a teenager. It’s not that she intimidates him. Matthew just knows better than to pursue someone out of his league. Then Hannah surprises him by asking him to pose as her fake fiancee in order to get some family money heading her way. How can he say no when it means spending some time one on one with her? Matthew will have to fight his attraction to Hannah, though, or else he’ll wind up even falling even more for her.

‘It wasn’t difficult to appear head-over-heels for his pretend fiancee, because Hannah Donovan had mesmerized him from the first moment he’d met her.’

Hannah is not impressed that she has to resort to playing games to get money that is rightfully hers. And although she doesn’t want Matthew to feel used in any way, she could really use his help so she can contribute her part of the money for the law firm she and her best friend Easton are starting up. Not that it’s any hardship to spend time with Matthew, considering his perfect body and how completely kind and unpretentious he is. But Hannah didn’t consider how attracted she’s always been to him. Or that this could have the potential to turn into something much more than casual in a heartbeat. She’s not in the right place to let things get serious, with her new business in the early stages. But an incredible man like Matthew doesn’t come along every day.

“Hannah,” he said when they finally broke apart.
“Don’t you dare tell me again that you’re not good enough. I don’t want to hear it. You’re the best man I know.”

Sincere attraction + a fake engagement = one seductively satisfying romance. J. Kenner proved with In Too Deep that she knows the exact formula needed to create the perfect couple, and how to build intensity while on their path to a HEA.

‘The truth was, he liked Hannah, and if he wasn’t careful, he might find himself in too deep.’

I’ve definitely been enjoying J. Kenner’s sizzling hot Man of the Month series but we are quickly nearing the end. *sob* Honestly, though, the final couple of match ups are the ones I’ve been waiting for. Our Mr. October certainly being one of them. Seeing Matthew for a few moments at a time in the previous books, he struck me as a truly nice guy, a self-made man who was protective of his carefree sister Selma. (Who had her own story in September’s book.) What I didn’t realize was that Matthew–even though he was a successful business owner and a personal trainer–had some doubts about himself. Don’t get me wrong. He wasn’t angsty or lacking in the alpha male department. Nope. It was when Matthew was faced with beautiful, quick-witted lawyer Hannah that he questioned whether his lack of education would mean she was way out of his league. And I got it. It felt like a real reaction to their differing personalities, their unique situation–and their intense chemistry.

Hannah was a pretty cool chick in her own right. Her background surprised me a bit as I didn’t know a whole lot about her other than she was besties with fellow lawyer Easton and friends with a bunch of the crew at The Fix on Sixth. Where this was a fake engagement trope, mainly in order to fulfill her parent’s wishes so Hannah could gain access to family money, I was worried that it would seem too contrived. But there was a mutual awareness and respect between her and Matthew right from the start that meant things began on a good note.I did think it was interesting how Kenner set this up with Matthew and Hannah both on the cusp of making big changes in their lives–but not necessarily on the same path as each other. They both had to figure out exactly what they wanted next, and to reconcile whether that meant they could make something of their amazing connection or not. And boy was it fun to watch!

That. Cover. Am I right? That alone will be enough to make ladies swoon and have grabby hands for In Too Deep. But the crazy hot romance, down to earth emotions, and continuing story arc itself will surely keep reader’s hooked.
 

Book Info:

Publication: Published June 12th 2018 | Martini & Olive Books | Man of the Month #10

Hannah Donovan is not my type.

Intellectual and career-focused, she’s a lawyer, and an intimidatingly beautiful one, at that. I’d rather pump iron than open a book, and the only reason I’d go to court would be for a traffic ticket.

She’s the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen. So how can I turn down her plea that I pretend to be her fiancé for one weekend?

But I never expected our pretend kisses to feel so real … or for it to lead to a wild night in bed that will forever stand out as the highlight of my sex life.

Our performance convinces everyone, but it was never meant to be more than a fantasy. A short term gig before reality sets back in.

I can’t imagine ever being good enough for her, but I’m hooked. And now I’m determined to do whatever it takes to make this fake engagement real.

Each novel in the series is a STANDALONE romance with a guaranteed HEA!

And don’t miss Bar Bites: A Man of the Month cookbook featuring recipes, slices of life, and an all new short story!