Written By: J Kenner
Billionaire - Love After Abuse - Strong Heroine - Protective Hero - Deal - Suspense - Warning - Age Gap - Pregnancy
Synopsis of Release Me
Nikki Fairchild just graduated college and moved to Los Angeles with her best friend Jamie. When they arrive in LA Nikki ventures out to an Art party. Nikki is at this party as an assistant, bringing in investors as her main priority. Nikki sees the dreamy man that judged her pageant 6 years ago. Damien Stark is a retired tennis player who is also a successful businessman. Damien is the man she could not stop thinking about. But was it the same for Damien? 'Surely not' was the thought that came to her mind.
After talking to Nikki, Damien asked to meet. At the meeting, Damien had a proposition for Nikki. He offered to give Nikki a million dollars if she would pose for a painting. Did I mention that she would be posing nude? Taking the offer would mean she would have an investment in her company. But it would mean facing one of her deepest fear. Will she accept the offer, or will she find another way to her dream?
Stark Universe
There are many spin-off series and novellas within this universe. To make it more organized I will make "Stark Universe" its own post. But did not want to leave you hanging, if this was the only post you intend to read. The reading order for the Stark series, including novels and novellas:
Stark Series Reading Order
1. Release Me
2. Claim Me
3. Complete Me
3.01 Stark After Dark
3.1 Take Me
3.2 Have Me
3.3 Play My Game
3.4 Seduce Me
3.5 Unwrap Me
3.6 Deepest Kiss
3.7 Entice Me
4. Anchor Me
4.1 Hold Me
4.2 Please Me
5. Lost With Me
6. Damien
6.1 Indulge In Me
6.2 Delight Me
6.3 Cherish Me
7. Enchant Me
8. Interview with a Billionaire *
Readers of the series will know that the 7th book: Enchant Me was the last in the series. Interview with a Billionaire has interviews, journal entries, and letters from Damien. This compilation of writings will display Damien's view of events from the series. The book is being published in celebration of Release Me's 10th anniversary.
I would also like to note that the Stark series novels have new covers.
My Thoughts on The Stark Series
Heart Attacks
(DISLIKES)
Needs a Warning
Release Me and the other books in the series needed a better warning than "intended for mature audiences". There are topics in these books that might be triggering for even mature audiences. I saw no warning in the synopsis for sexual abuse, cutting, emotional abuse, or suicide; all of which were included in the series. As some of these topics have touched my life and those around me. Even though the book did not trigger me I could see how someone could. Especially if they went into the book blind.
Were There Too Many Books?
As you saw above, many books and novellas are in this series. This was the first author I came across at the time that had so many elements to a series. One lesson I learned from my creative writing professor was: an author doesn't have to monetize every work of writing they create. After initially hearing this advice I could not see the logic. But after reading this series I could see what she meant. An author should be able to learn and grow from their writing and being in the mindset that all writing needs to end in publication hinders this process. I believe most readers will lose interest the more books there are. In this case, it felt like storyline ideas were drying up or becoming less creative over time. Not to say I did not enjoy reading the books, I mean to say the books felt either unrealistic or predictable.
Stopping In The Name of Damien
Nikki stopped herself from cutting multiple times throughout the series. Each prevention was because of Damien. Nikki stopped herself because she thought of her partner and their relationship. The promise she made him always flashed through her mind as she went through the thought process. I just did not think it sent an empowering message for many women who struggle with cutting.
Eat Your Heart Out
(LIKES)
Nikki's Well-Written Struggles
Nikki's struggles although romanticized at points in the series, were not magically solved when she found Damien. Glorifying mental health in romance in some regards is difficult to accomplish. Mainly because the tone of the book is already romantic. So often I have read books where the hero or heroine's mental health disappears because of their partner. In The Stark series, Nikki struggled and the reader could feel the mixed bag of thoughts going through her head.
Strong Heroine
I thought Nikki was a strong Heroine choice and I enjoyed reading about her. Nikki's character was not written as perfect, she had clear flaws and struggles. But She fought against those struggles to be the best person for herself and Damien. She did not Annoy me as other heroines have in the past. I am looking at you, Ana.
You Can Feel The Love and Respect Between Nikki and Damien
I really enjoyed the dynamic between Nikki and Damien. You could feel the chemistry between the couple from the very first meeting. I swooned each time Damien was there for Nikki, and he wanted to protect her each time. Damien did not seem to protect Nikki in a controlling manner as other billionaire boyfriends' tendencies often leaned toward. You could feel the love they shared for one another through their actions and their thoughts. It was more than just words that described their love for one another. There was mutual respect within the relationship which was also refreshing.
How Steamy Is The Stark Series?
A Spectrum of Sex Scenes
Each review ends with a discussion about the sex scenes in the series. This review is no different. This series saw a spectrum of spicy scenes. From the gentle and slow to the hard and fast, this series had something for everyone. I have said in past reviews that if the sex scenes are too identical I will skip a scene together. The Stark Saga had identical scenes but not so identical that I wanted to skip over their entirety.
Feelings Were Always Attached To The Sex And Identifiable
The love between Damien and Nikki was felt with and without clothes. I often reread sex scenes because there was a conflict but the couple was still able to show their love to one another through it. And yes I am still talking about sex.
Coping Through Sex
The use of sex as a coping skill was interesting. I could see how doing this could be seen as one party using their partner in an intimate act. But I saw it as not a parasitic act but a mutualistic act. Both Damien and Nikki would have sex with each other to help their partner cope with their intense feelings.