REVIEW: Sweetest Taboo by J. Kenner

 
In Sweetest Taboo (S.I.N. #3) by J. Kenner, It seems like everyone in the nation is in an uproar over the forbidden relationship between author Jane Martin and sexy businessman Dallas Sykes. Including their family. Normally it would band the two of them together, both of them going into protective mode and shielding each other from the worst of the media onslaught. But with the new information that has come to light over the horrific events in their past, Jane and Dallas find themselves at odds, trying to figure out if they can trust what they’ve learned.

‘This was different. With Jane, he wasn’t in the spotlight because he was a player, but because of who he was playing with.’

The shocking details lead Dallas and Jane to scramble for the ultimate truth of who was behind the tragic incident that changed their then teenage lives forever. Their hopes of having a somewhat normal relationship and the chance to have a future together is being challenged at every turn. Jane knows her love for Dallas is just as strong as his love for her. But will their devotion be enough to triumph over the troubles they face as well as the opposition they must overcome from the rest of the world?

‘It’s all well and good for Dallas and me to say that we will carve out a life together in the world, but we still have to attack that fundamental question of how exactly that’s going to happen.’

Sweetest Taboo was a hot & wild ride that finally gave closure to one of Kenner’s most controversial couples yet: Dallas Sykes and Jane Martin. The romance was steamy, the family drama was angsty, and the truth behind their tragic past was more than a bit shocking.

He kissed her softly, thinking that he could hold her like this forever. “You were my dirtiest secret, down there in the dark where nobody knew.”
“But they do know. So what does that make me?”
“Now you’re my sweetest taboo.”

If you haven’t read the two previous books in the S.I.N. trilogy, then I will warn you that these need to be read in order as each one picks up exactly where the others left off. This final installment was quite an exciting time. Of course Kenner included her trademark erotic edge, with naughty sexy-time scenes that scorched the pages. But the love scenes didn’t dominate the storyline and the real issues were left to come to the forefront. So Jane and Dallas’s forbidden romance and their struggles over finding out who was behind the events that changed them as teens were really the main issues we saw resolved this time.

It’s so tough not to give away any spoilers in a story like this. And there’s so much I’d love to discuss but can’t. However, I can say that even though I kind of figured out who was behind The Incident, there were parts to it that I didn’t see right off, people who were tied into it that came as a bit of a surprise. I liked that Dallas and Jane (for the most part) remained strong and determined to find a resolution that they–and hopefully their family–could deal with. Aside from the taboo aspect of their romance, I thought they made a lovely couple who truly were bound together and cared deeply for each other.

Dallas was a protector, a man who fought his way from the depths of his own personal hell to make a name for himself in business and who had to hide his love for Jane for many years. They were both damaged in many ways as teens and it was rather heartwarming to see how well they knew each other and could care for one another when it really came down to it. I thought Jane was a fairly strong woman, certainly not as fragile as some people treated her. She knew her own mind and stood for what she believed in, which I loved. Jane wasn’t afraid to call Dallas on his lies or his actions and I think she was the only one who was really able to keep him in check that way.

This end to the S.I.N. trilogy pulled out all the stops and had a sweet happy ending that will be sure to please fans. Kenner was able to pack a lot of heartbreak, surprises, action and most of all, love into the last installment in the series.

Book Info:

 Published October 4th 2016 | by Bantam | S.I.N. #3

All eyes are on us . . . and there’s nowhere to run.

Everyone has their own ideas about Dallas Sykes: He’s a reckless billionaire, a devilish playboy, a man who gets whatever he wants the minute he wants it. But I know the real Dallas behind the money, bravado, and power—and he’s completely, blissfully mine.

We carefully guarded our secrets, and in each other’s arms we sought refuge from our dark past. Our pain became our pleasure, our control within the chaos. But we could only hide from the truth for so long.

Now we’ve let loose our inhibitions and are ready to face the future. And no matter what people think or say, coming clean is its own sweet reward.