REVIEW: Hottest Mess by J. Kenner

In Hottest Mess (S.I.N. #2) by J. Kenner, Jane Martin knows her relationship with Dallas Sykes could be deemed immoral, sinful or even forbidden. But after the hell they went through together as teenagers and what they’ve accomplished in their lives, it should be up to them to decide if they belong together or not. And Jane knows they aren’t capable of staying apart any longer. Her love for Dallas is all-consuming and yet it is something they must keep quiet or be judged by the world. But maybe she’s ready for everyone to know how she truly feels about him, consequences be damned.

“This whole thing is a hot mess, you know. How are we ever going to make this work?”
The silence between us is long, but then finally he answers. “I don’t know,” he admits. “But we will. Don’t ever doubt it. Don’t ever doubt us.”

Dallas would do anything and give everything to keep Jane safe. His love her for has grown over the years to the point that she’s all he can see. He knows he needs to keep his mind clear so he can investigate into their tormented past and finally get the answers–and the ending–they deserve. But keeping secrets from Jane could backfire for Dallas in a big way. And with the information he’s uncovered and the implications as to who might have been behind the tragic event that shattered them, it could change his and Jane’s lives all over again.

I can’t help but laugh.
He looks at me like I’m insane. “What?”
“I was just wondering how many couples break down into sibling arguments in the middle of a lovers’ quarrel.”
His mouth twitches. “You have a point.”

Every bit as scandalous and wickedly sexy as book one in the S.I.N. series, Hottest Mess upped the stakes even more for Dallas and Jane. And with the dramatic cliffhanger at the end of this sequel, their future looks to be extremely complicated before getting to their HEA.

‘Right now, they had everything, because they had each other.
…And they were resolved to get through whatever the world threw at them. It wouldn’t be easy. But, dammit, it would be real.’

I was impressed with J. Kenner’s ability to keep Jane and Dallas’s relationship as intense and tender as it was in book one, Dirtiest Secret. I think she has a strong writing voice and it comes through well in this type of erotic storyline. Kenner is certainly not afraid to touch upon taboo subjects and use them to create intriguing, complicated relationships. I will caution readers right away that you need to read these books in sequential order, where the plot builds from one to the next. AND that this may be too much for readers who are uncomfortable with stories about BDSM and kink, kidnapping and torture, or about adopted siblings falling in love.

Even though it might freak some readers out that Dallas is Jane’s adopted brother, I’ve grown comfortable enough with their past and current relationship that it didn’t bother me. I think Kenner handled the situation well and made it fairly believable. It definitely felt like it was unavoidable, given their strong connection. And I still liked both characters, especially Dallas, but I did have to take pause over some of Jane’s actions. It didn’t turn me against her, but she was very quick to jump to conclusions and smacked Dallas across the face a couple of times in anger. I think if it was part of their BDSM ‘play’ it wouldn’t have bothered me so much, but it was done out of rage, and Jane unfortunately never really apologized for it.

I did love that the thread of mystery was still growing in regard to anonymous letters Dallas had been receiving, as well as in regard to who was truly behind the kidnapping. I have my suspicions, but there were so many people who may have been involved and too many questions still lingering to be sure. Like I said before, this was a true cliffhanger so be forewarned that you’ll be left gasping and wondering how it will all end. Things definitely changed completely for Dallas and Jane here, that’s for sure!

J. Kenner continued to push the boundaries with this edgy, passionate story. Forbidden love has never felt quite so right as it did between the perfect, combustible pairing of Dallas and Jane.

Book Info:

Expected publication: July 12th 2016 | by Bantam | S.I.N. #2

No one can know about our love—and hiding only makes it hotter.

Dallas Sykes has a reputation. He is known for his parties, his money, and the countless women on his arm. Yet the Dallas I know is a different man—darker, smarter, and unbearably sexy. Just one look from him can leave me breathless; the anticipation of his touch can make me lose control.

Inextricably bound by our past, we keep each other’s secrets. And while there are people who have the power to hurt us, it’s the truth that threatens us most of all.

Dallas can be mine only behind closed doors, our passion as searing as it is forbidden. Yet nothing in this world has ever felt so desperately, deliciously right.