REVIEW: Cherish Me by J. Kenner

In Cherish Me (Stark Ever After #6.5) by J. Kenner, The holidays are a special time for most families of course, but for Damien and Nikki Stark, this is definitely one to celebrate after the rough year or two they’ve had. What better way to do it up right than to travel to dazzling New York City, with all the festive decorations and multitude of activities for their daughters. Just as Nikki was about to give her husband some wonderful news once they’re finally alone, the boutique hotel they are staying in comes under siege. And it will take every resource the Starks have to make sure their holiday has the safe and happy ending it so deserves.

“You came to Southampton with ulterior motives.”
“If you mean that I came with the intent of leaving my precious children in your care so that I could run off to Manhattan for a wicked night with my wife, then you are absolutely correct.”

J. Kenner gave Nikki and Damien Stark fans an early holiday gift with Cherish Me, a 1001 Dark Nights novella–so you know it brought the sexy. Add in a huge secret and some action movie-type sequences and you’ve got yourself a five star story.

‘Sometimes money could move mountains, solve problems, provide a new and better life.
And sometimes it put a target on your back.’

Julie Kenner has said in both the author notes in Cherish Me and online that she modeled the novella after a certain action flick that made “Yippee Ki Yay” famous. Whether you’re in the “It’s not a holiday movie” or “It’s totally a holiday movie” camp, the fight and action scenes Kenner came up with for Damien were exciting, fast paced, and added to the tension already going on in the Starks’ world. I really enjoyed the suspense aspect. It made the (happy) secret that Nikki was keeping from Damien that much more important and satisfying when it was all said and done.

Speaking of our perfectly imperfect couple, we got to see Damien and Nikki taking some downtime with their kiddos. Well…what should have been downtime, until there was a hostage situation. New York City is magical during the holidays so it was fun to see how excited their daughters were. Damien was still reeling from what happened in the couple of previous installments (I don’t want to spoil it if you haven’t read it yet!) so he kept an eagle eye on his family. That made it doubly difficult when Nikki ended up in harm’s way. But of course it ended on a positive note and Kenner confirmed there *will* be more of this power duo in the future! Plus she introduced some new players to the Stark universe here that should be interesting to see in upcoming books.

Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without a new Stark story. And with Cherish Me, J. Kenner will have your heart pounding from the high octane thrills as well as the steamy connection between Nikki and Damien Stark. Highly recommended.

Book Info:

Publication: Published November 3rd 2020 | 1001 Dark Nights Press | Stark Ever After #6.5

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author J. Kenner comes a new story in her Stark Ever After series…

My life with Damien has always been magical, and never more so than during the holidays, a time for us to celebrate the hardships we’ve overcome and the incredible gift that is our family. Over the years, he has both protected and cherished me. He has made my life more rich and full than I could ever have imagined.

This year, he’s treating me and our daughters to a holiday in Manhattan. With parades and ice skating, toy displays and candies. And, most of all, with each other.

It’s a wonderful gift, a trip I will always cherish. But this year, I’m the one with the surprise. And I can’t wait to see the look of delight and awe when I finally share my secret with Damien.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**