Start Me Up
By J. Kenner
- Release Date: 2018-02-27
- Genre: Contemporary Romance
Description
A STEAMY OPPOSITES ATTRACT ROMANCE!
Wicked days. Sinful nights.
Her pleasure is his passion.
A high school drop-out with only his twisted sense of humor and panty-melting good looks going for him, Nolan Wood has turned a small radio gig into a thriving career.
Now a local celebrity, Nolan never wants for female companionship. But he never gets too close. And he damn sure never lets them see the man—or the pain—behind the jokes.
Then a one-night stand changes everything.
Career-focused, goal-oriented, and buttoned-down accountant Shelby Drake isn’t the kind of woman who’d usually catch Nolan’s attention, but her soft mouth, hidden curves, and deep sensuality blow his mind. And after only one taste, he wants more.
But Shelby wants nothing more to do with him. And now the radio playboy is on a sensual mission to convince her that opposites really do attract.
Each book is a STANDALONE romance with an HEA and an overarching story about a group of friends and the local bar they love. Totally hot and utterly binge-worthy!
Down On Me
Hold On Tight
Need You Now
Start Me Up
Get It On
In Your Eyes
Turn Me On
Shake It Up
All Night Long
In Too Deep
Light My Fire
Walk The Line
Royal Cocktail (a Man of the Month bonus book)
“With each novel featuring a favorite romance trope—beauty and the beast, billionaire bad boys, friends to lovers, second chance romance, secret baby, and more—this series hits the heart and soul of romance.” — New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips
Reviews
Beautiful
5By Daboss1222Overcoming fear; finding that person that makes it all better beautifulReview: Man of the Month 4: Start Me Up
5By LisaHines711Start Me Up by J. Kenner is the fourth book in her new 12 book Man of the Month series. Told in dual POV this is where the gruff down-to earth alpha, Nolan, chases the buttoned-up and proper Shelby. Shelby is not a prude but she is a very fastidious person. She has a plan for her future and Nolan does NOT fit into that plan. But even Shelby cannot deny the immediate attraction between them. Her plan is Alan but after meeting Nolan she is beginning to realize that the sparks she felt with him are nowhere near when she is with Alan. Nolan has already been there done that with uptight women. At first glance he is ready to write Shelby off as hot but uptight, but upon further (and closer) inspection he realizes that they have a chemistry between them that he has never experienced with anyone else, ever. Can a crass radio DJ make nice with the prim accountant? Well-written and well-paced, this was another great read and I'm excited with how each of the upcoming characters are gently weaved into the plots in earlier stories without being obtrusive to the current story. Enjoy!His Paradox
4By Kambie07So this one didn't really revolve around The Fix like the other 3. It did have some elements but not strong. I understood where the author was going but I felt that the relationship lacked a bit. I liked the fact that Nolan stood up for himself. That took guts. This was a good read.Straighlaced meets Player
5By ~Mindy Lou~The Man of the Month series all started when the local bar called The Fix on Sixth's loan was called in. Tyree, the owner, trusted the wrong guy to finance the start of the bar and now this guy wants the loan paid off in full or lose it. Employees and friends do not want to see the bar close. Long time friends, Jenna, Reece and Brent jump in to invest in the bar and come up with ways to raise money and bring more customers in. Jenna comes up with the idea to hold a Calendar of the Month contest for the public to choose each months model for the Calendar as a way to bring in more customers. In the fourth book of the series we have Nolan, DJ for the local radio station that has been helping with advertisement of the Man of the Month Calendar contest and Shelby, a very straight-laced accountant. We see the first hint to their attraction in book 2 through Brooke's POV and then again in Start Me Up in Shelby and Nolan's POV. What was suppose to be a one night stand, turns into so much more but could a couple be more opposite? I love nerdy, quirky characters and we get that with Shelby. Nolan is the sexy, outspoken player that has no trouble finding a date. He's also a man who has some hidden insecurities of his own. On paper, they don't work but in real life they are a perfect fit for each other. Shelby just needs a little bit of convincing. As long as you know the basics to the overall storyline in the series, you can easily read this as a standalone. I would recommend reading them all since I've enjoyed every book so far. I'm looking forward to Tyree's book next. ARC provided by SocialButterfly PRLoved Mr. April
5By Vetta1230Mr. April is finally out and Nolan gives us exactly what we would expect from him. This smart mouth cocky radio show host will make you to want to smack him and then love on him. But he will always be the life of the party. The last thing he expected was to fall for an no nonsense work-aholic, Shelby. But these opposite come together in spectacular fashion. This series is one that I can not wait to be released! I wait every month for the next book and Mr. May is looking to be just a good!Start Me Up by J. Kenner is a great read.
5By ArysBaenionStart Me Up by J. Kenner is part of the Man of the Month Series. Nolan Wood is a character we know from previous books. He has worked his way up and made a name for himself in the the local broadcast industry. Shelby Drake is a wiz with numbers and planning. Things are ok and that's generally the way she likes it. When she goes out to a bachelorette party at The Fix on Sixth and meets Nolan, courtesy of inebriation loosening her up, things get interesting. I liked how Nolan was in Start Me Up. J. Kenner gives the back story for him and why he is the way he is with women. Shelby is something different for him. Not a fan-girl and not his ice queen ex-wife. Each of them make mistakes, but in the end each knows deep down that the other is the one for them. Overall I have been enjoying all the books in J. Kenner's The Man of the Month series and Start Me Up was no exception. Each story delved deeper into another character while still having familiar faces. Nolan's story is one of perseverance whereas Shelby's is one of needing to escape from the path planned for her. These are two opposites who fit together and make something special. I very much recommend and can't wait for the next one. (I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book I received for free from the publisher in exchange for my open and honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)I enjoyed Mr. April’s story! Sweet, sexy and fun
4By Abilicious4I enjoyed Nolan and Shelby's journey. Shelby is a quiet girl whose life has been planned out for her with her parents influence. She's happy to go along with it, until Nolan lights a fire inside her. She's never felt the way Nolan makes her feel and he brings out the inner tigress in her. The two of them meet at the bar where the Man of the Month contest is taking place. Shelby gets liquid courage and introduces herself to Nolan. The sparks fly and one night of explosive passion shocks both of them. On paper they are complete opposites, but in life, they balance each other out. I enjoyed watching these two get to know each other and Nolan brought out the best in Shelby. She wasn't someone he was looking for, but she helped break down the walls he had put up around himself and supported him in a way no one else had. Their story was sweet, fast-paced and I couldn't put it down! Grab your copy today.Love This Series!
5By ShellyReyn"This woman had the power to break his heart - and that scared him to death" I can't tell you enough about how much I am loving this series!! Each couple, each story, each book in this series is full of humor, a little heartbreak and some steamy scenes! Nolan Wood never has to chase women. They come to him, wanting a piece of his celebrity, his devastatingly good looks, and his..... well, you know. As host of Austin's morning show Mornings With Wood, the raunchy, raw show full of innuendos and dirty talk, he's never short of female attention. That is, until her. He's going to have to fight for this one. Shelby intrigues him. Buttoned up and straight laced on the outside, and a vixen underneath. They are opposites in more ways than one. Can he show her that they're worth it, despite their differences? Or, will she realize she's too good for him and walk away - just like his ex-wife did? Shelby Drake has here life planned out. Become a partner in her accounting firm and marry Alan. He's a decent man - a little dull, but he fits the plan and the image that she's been conditioned to have her life become. Everything is on track. Until she sees HIM across The Fix. Everything about him unleashes the minx in her. He's everything she never would have wanted. He doesn't fit her plan. But, is she so sure of her plan anymore? Does being with him mean she has to sacrifice what she's been working toward? Does following her plan mean she has to lose him? Are they just too different to make this work? When she makes her choice, where will they end up? I loved Noah! He's not the suave billionaire. He's not the bad boy biker. He's jsut a man - a real man. And a sexy one at that! I wouldn't mind having a few "Mornings With Wood" if you catch my drift!Amazing. Easy and fun read.
5By TammyemdCan one night stand be enough? Shelby Drake and Nolan Wood would have to find out. Shelby is a CPA and very straight and narrow kinda girl who keeps everything to herself. Nolan is a DJ for a location radio station and does the morning show Mornings with Wood. Nolan has to make jokes about sex and other edgy stuff for his show. Shelby and Nolen met at The Fix on Sixth. Nolen promotes The Fix on Sixth, on his radio show to try to save it with the Man of the Month contest. This is a easy and fun read.Loved Nolan and Shelby’s book!!!
5By sferguson105I LOVED this opposites attract read!!! It drew me in from the start with a shy heroine checking out the “big bad wolf” and kept me there with their banter and antics throughout. Nolan brought this sexy side out of Shelby, and really seemed to give her strength to go for what she wants. A fantastic book that I would definitely recommend!!A couple who mesh together well!
5By 12tootI really enjoyed Nolan and Shelby’s story. At first glance, you would think that they were so different that they wouldn’t mesh. But mesh, do they ever! I like the way they banter back and forth. Nolan brought Shelby out of her shell and Shelby made Nolan trust again. Nolan brought out Shelby’s passionate side. J Kenner never fails to write interesting stories and couples. This was a very easy read and you didn’t want to put it down.Yummy
4By DdgoldbergsStart Me Up, A Man of the Month series is fantastic! It has all the feels with Shelby’s dream life and Nolan’s determination to succeed at his job. But will his career choice and humor be too much for Shelby. Will her fears and insecurities shatter her chance at love and a future of happiness. J Kenner’s writing continues to bring me to my happy place. A. Must. Read.Another good one in this series!
4By Christine Miller28Nolan and Shelby's story was such a sweet love story. Nolan is an on-air radio personality who likes to discuss all things inappropriate. Shelby is pretty straight laced and can't imagine having her love life on air....or can she. It was fun to watch this couple navigate the waters to find their HEA. The friendships that we've seen through this series are again in play in this book as they work to save the bar. This is such a fun project and I've loved meeting each of these characters as they find their their perfect matches. I can't wait to continue on!Love
5By Marie0217I received this book as an ARC in return for honest review. Shelby had her whole life planned out. She’s going to make partner, marry a nice guy and have a family. Her goals change when she meets Nolan at a bar during a bachelorette party for a friend. She tries to resist but can she keep resisting? Nolan and her are opposites, can they really make it work? I loved this book!I never knew April could be so hot!
5By sujezeNoah Wood is a sexy guy who grabs life and enjoys every ounce he can (So far, Noah is my favorite. But don’t tell anyone). Shelby Drake is a shy woman who strides for calm and order in her life. How will she react when a twister named Noah Wood tears through it? J. Kenner has done it again! I love how after each book, I feel closer to these characters.April is a great month
4By NickiH2025Shelby has always looked for men that check off all of the boxes on her list, but when she has a one night stand with radio shock jock Nolan, none of those boxes are even thought of. But while Nolan has uses his outspoken humor to further his career, it leaves the real true man unknown. Can Shelby find the man underneath the facade? And will that man complete her checklist? Or will Nolan once again hide behind his secrets and never get his HEA? I absolutely love this series. J. Kenner has introduced us to beautifully written characters that you cannot help but fall in love with. I cannot wait for more in this series.Paradox
5By Mom's Guilty Pleasure“He’d played the fool once. No way was he doing it again.” What happens when you take two different personalities, backgrounds in family life, career paths and add a little chemistry? Can you stay on track with your goals, planned out relationships or get past outsiders judgement? “...if I’m your fantasy, then you’re my muse.” I thought I’d finally get through one of Kenner’s books without tears. Even through the humor, hysterical girls night out shenanigans and Nolan’s monologues she still broke me down. I wouldn’t have it any other way. She touches on serious subjects, real life situations and makes you want to have real friends like the characters she describes. “He wanted to never let go—and at the same time he wanted his hands free so that he could explore every curvaceous, sensual inch of her.” As usual ~ I can not wait to get my hands on the next book in the Man of the Month Series, Get It On. Tyree has some work to do, because Mr April somehow wormed his way to the top of my list! “Just because you lost your wingman does not mean you have to abandon your mission.”Meet Mr. April
4By Embell0830I'm still loving this whole series, but this was more of a 3.5 star read for me, and this is my least favorite book in the series. It's still a good book; a steamy fun quick read, but I felt like there was a lack of development in the relationship of it's star characters. This book goes all the way back to the first book time lapse wise and because the book is short, but the timeline in the book is the long without flashbacks, there's just something missing for me. Each book of the series so far has had some sort of romance cliché; i.e. friends first, second chance love, best friend's little sister; so I'm guessing this one is opposite attract (there might be a better tag for it). Nolan is a great character; sexy, funny, sweet, caring, and has had some bad moments, but nothing overly tragic. Shelby is the intelligent, good girl who dates the right guy, has a solid career on the rise. Nolan brings out her inner "bad" girl. When we get to see the characters together the chemistry is hot, but I feel like we don't seem them together a lot. Another comparison to the other books, is that the epilogue of each book sets up the next book; however, the epilogue from the previous book doesn't present it's self until towards the end of this book. Based on the epilogue of the previous book and how each book has worked out so far, I was expecting something different. This is still a solid read and if you've enjoyed the three previous books then your going to enjoy this.Meet Mr April, our favorite radio host, Nolan Wood.
5By girlygirlmegsMeet Mr April, our favorite radio host, Nolan Wood. Nolan and Shelby’s story overlaps from January, so some scenes are familiar. Shelby is more externally conservative about her sexuality than Nolan, who airs is all on his morning radio show. They have several ups and downs and have to work their way through them. Read to find out if they can survive with having their sex life in the spotlight!
