REVIEW: Walk the Line by J. Kenner

In Walk the Line (Man of the Month #12) by J. Kenner, Brent is a single father first and the head of security at The Fix on Sixth second. And as a former police detective, he’s well suited for the job. Between his crazy work hours and spending time with his five-year-old daughter Faith, Brent has no time for romance. But he can’t deny that the minute Elena walked into The Fix, he hasn’t been able to take his eyes off her. Which is a problem. Because her father Tyree is his boss and close friend. Not to mention that Brent is about ten years older than Elena. That doesn’t stop him from wishing things were different and that he could fill his days and nights with all things provocative with her. When she becomes a fixture in his house, taking care of Faith, Brent isn’t sure he can control his feelings any longer. Although after the damage Faith’s mother did to his heart, he’s not sure he has it in him to try again.

“I can’t imagine finding anyone to fill my heart the way you and Faith do.”
You and Faith.
It had just come out, but she meant it. He could tell. She wanted him. But she wanted the family, too. Faith wasn’t an afterthought. The boyfriend’s annoying attachment.

Elena has secretly watched Brent since she met him on her first trip to The Fix. She’s never really got a good reading on him, on whether her attraction was reciprocated or not, but she’s been hoping he feels the same way. When she gets talked into take care of his adorable daughter Faith, Elena begins to see a new side to serious Brent. He’s a doting father and has a passionate alpha side she never dreamed of. As the sparks fly and things heat up between them, she worries that once she’s no longer needed to take care of Faith, Brent will end their secret liaison. And that would be a shame. Because Elena knows that what they have is something truly special and worth cultivating. Now if she can only convince Brent that he can trust her where his heart–and his daughter–is concerned.

‘She wanted to figure out a way that they could truly be together.
But she also feared that if she told Brent as much, everything would come to an end, including their secret relationship. And she just couldn’t risk that.’

Walk the Line finished off J. Kenner’s Man of the Month series with passionate romance, a thread of mystery solved, and well-deserved HEAs all around for this stellar cast–all of whom have become friends over the dozen installments I’ve read.

‘He wasn’t that dense. She was interested. And God knew he was interested.
But that didn’t mean it was a good idea.’

J. Kenner pulled out all the stops with her final book in the sexy as hell Man of the Month series. There were actually three tropes all rolled into one here: a May-December romance, a single dad as our hero, and an interracial relationship. I couldn’t have been happier with how things worked out for everyone involved in Walk the Line. Not only did former cop Brent and grad student Elena get their turn at a forever love match, but we had a final chance to catch up with all the other couples and even found out the fate of The Fix on Sixth. Whew. Lots going on in this story. But as always, the writing was on point, with yummy chemistry and a solid plot that moved along perfectly.

Brent, aka Mr. December, has made a cameo in every book, especially book one (Down on Me) as the two main characters had been his best friends since childhood. And likewise in this installment, Reece and Jenna appeared in Brent’s life, giving him advice and pushing him to take a chance on love after being hurt five or six years prior. Even though he fought his feelings for Elena tooth and nail, I couldn’t blame Brent for it. He was *such* a wonderful dad to his precocious daughter Faith–who was sweet as could be!–and, rightfully so, put her well-being first.

Elena was perfect for the awesome father-daughter duo and stepped right in like she’d always been there. And I have to say that the age difference didn’t bother me. They were about a decade apart but Elena (the younger of the two) was quite mature for being in her mid-twenties and had a good head on her shoulders. Of course, being Tyree and Eva’s daughter, how could she not be smart and wise beyond her years? She thought things through and tried to do right by everyone involved which I admired.

I truly hate to say goodbye to these incredible characters and have hope that Kenner will include them in upcoming books in her different series that take place in this “world”. But even if we don’t see them again, it felt like everyone was well on their way to having their dreams come true. This is highly recommended for fans who love their romances steamy and with emotional, involved plots.

Book Info:

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

Elena is too young for me, not to mention she’s my boss’s daughter and my babysitter.

That’s beyond complicated. And I’m not even looking for a relationship — but I can’t deny the attraction that sizzles between us.

I need to ignore it. A single dad, all I want is to take care of my little girl, do my job, and enjoy my friends. Anything more is asking for complications I can’t afford. Asking to be hurt again.

Trouble is, I want her, too. And when out flirty sparks turn to flames, I give in to temptation. Our secret fling is scorching hot, better than I’d ever imagined.

But secrets get out, and I could lose my job and my reputation.

And I am starting to realize she’s the one thing I’m not willing to lose.