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Checkmate duet series #1-2

Travis & Viola Duet

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Travis King is the worst kind of a$$hole with good looks and enough confidence to last two lifetimes. Viola Fisher is a goodie two shoes know-it-all who prefers fictional love stories over her own.

The only thing they have in common is their mutual hatred for each other.


Viola’s had a secret crush on Travis since she was ten, but he’s always made it very clear the feelings aren’t mutual. He’s cruel, crass and takes every opportunity to get under Viola’s skin. She’s smart, beautiful, and too good to be true. Hating him is her religion, but needing her is his.

Although Viola loathes his very existence, against her better judgment she let him into her bed. Her sexy curves and filthy smart mouth make Travis want her even more and although she’s succumbed to his manwh*re ways, she’s determined to not let that change a thing.

Too bad he has other plans.

Viola’s always been off-limits, but Travis is determined to keep crossing that line. She can try to push him away, but he always gets what he wants and he’ll do anything to prove he’s done playing games. Until then, they’ll play by their own rules to see who will win the biggest battle yet—love or hate?

Checkmate.

The Travis & Viola duet includes This is War & This is Love. Suggested for mature readers only.

Kindle Edition

First published December 6, 2022

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About the author

Kennedy Fox

78 books5,746 followers
Brooke Cumberland and Lyra Parish are a duo of romance authors under the USA Today pseudonym, Kennedy Fox. Their characters will make you blush and your heart melt. Cowboys in tight jeans are their kryptonite. They always guarantee a happily ever after!

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5 stars
350 (49%)
4 stars
208 (29%)
3 stars
103 (14%)
2 stars
28 (3%)
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17 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
Profile Image for Kayla Brunson.
1,475 reviews264 followers
October 26, 2018
So this was my first Kennedy Fox book, and I am lowkey disappointed. Did I start with the wrong book? The wrong series? If you can't tell my one star rating, I didn't really enjoy reading this at all! These were two grown ass adults who acted like children. STRAIGHT UP CHILDREN!

Viola has been mad at Travis for years for the dumbest reason. Seriously! This girl held a grudge the size of Texas over the dumbest thing. There was a misunderstanding when they were around 13 years old. Sweetie, you should have accepted the apology you never got and move on! Besides her holding this grudge, she held herself to this high standard. She slut shammed every single girl that looked at Travis, flirted with Travis, or who just in the proximity of Travis.

Even with all of that, Viola can't take the cake for the most irritating character. Nope let's talk about Travis King. Was I supposed to swoon over him? What’s attractive about a dude that screws a different girl every day?! This guy right here would screw every woman that had a pulse and thought that he was god for it. Not only did he think he was a god, but he would go out of the way to make sure Viola knew about it. I don't know if this is a spoiler or not, but there were so many scenes with him being intimate with other women. I don't want that in my romance!

I must have been really wanting to torture myself because I picked up book two in this duet. Was the author expecting me to actually think that these two idiots could love each other? The second book was full of so much fluff. All we get is sex, sex, oh and more sex! Nothing really happens. Both of these characters seem to do a 360 from book one and I was more pissed than when I started. My despise for Viola turned into hatred as the story progress and Travis actually turned into a decent person...but he still needs a bleach bath.

The next duet in this series is about Viola's best friend and brother, Courtney and Drew. While I loved Courtney, its Drew that I know I'm going to have a hard time with. (maybe it runs in the family) He has a crazy ex-girlfriend who he seems to be whipped over the moon about and can't seem to let go. Why am I thinking of even continuing this series? Do I love to torture myself? maybe. But I want to try and give the author another chance.

Was this all over the place? Hell yes. Would I recommend this one? Hell no.

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Profile Image for Mercedes.
565 reviews106 followers
July 28, 2017
3.5 Stars
I’ve been wanting to check out Kennedy Fox because I’ve seen people raving about her books and when the first book in this duet went on sale I immediately grabbed it! Bonus, it was an older brother’s best friend story, one of my favorite tropes. So, the overall duet I’m giving 4 stars, but each book on it’s own I felt was just shy of 4 stars. The second one was better for me but then Viola started to annoy me so it slowly dropped the score. I think 4 is good for the duet on the whole.
'If your mouth feels half as good as your hand does, you’re going to kill me.' I feel his chest vibrate against me as he catches his breath. 'I’m not coming in that filthy little mouth just yet.'
Travis had his whole badboy image down solid; he had the tattoos, the parade of women, and the snarky, naughty mouth. He had a corporate office job at a marketing firm and he was determined to move up in the company but his extra curricular activities with the bosses daughter might make that a bit difficult. Travis lived with his best friend and Viola’s older brother, Drew. When Viola needs a place to crash for spring break Drew offers up his room while he’s away visiting his girlfriend. Travis and Viola can hardly stand each other, Drew’s positive he’ll come back to find Viola hiding Travis’ cold body. But while Drew is away all that anger between Travis and Viola sparks into something more.
It's just me and her and it's all that matters. She's all that's ever mattered.
Viola had some serious hang-ups where Travis was concerned and while they weren’t unfounded but she let’s them control their relationship for quite some time. Viola started to feel more confident in their relationship and then when the second book rolls around they stumble on some more problems. The way that Viola chooses to handle these problems just caused me to become more aggravated with her. The sex between her and Travis was hot, I’d definitely read more Kennedy Fox just for that, but the overall drama was a bit too drawn out in my opinion.

**I read this as part of my Kindle Unlimited Subscription**
Profile Image for book bruin.
1,276 reviews337 followers
September 27, 2017
So excited that this duet is now a boxed set! No more waiting between books to find out what happens! Just sit back and enjoy the ride in this steamy enemies to lovers romance. There's even a bit of second chance romance and best friend's little sister taboo thrown in for good measure ;)

Travis and Viola will have you laughing out loud one minute and fanning yourself the next! Their smoking hot chemistry will melt your kindle and leave you wanting more! The secondary characters in This is War and This is Love, like Drew and Courtney, are just as fun and amazing, and there will even be a few people that you will LOVE to hate! Grab this set today!
Profile Image for Chelé-----4 The Love of Books .
767 reviews58 followers
October 1, 2017
I was immediately addicted to these two!! Travis and Viola have this passion, and history, this push and pull and OFF THE CHARTS chemistry! If you're looking for a fast paced, hilarious, steamy, addictive, fun and sensational frienemies to lovers read, Traviola is for YOU!! Kennedy Fox gets it right!
Profile Image for Taylor.
339 reviews18 followers
April 10, 2017
This is War -
"My pulse only increases when he walks in the room. my cheeks flush and my body hums when he looks at me. I feel the blood in my veins as my skin heats from his very existence. He's the epitome of perfection. ...Too bad a decade later, he's a complete asshole.
Travis King."

Ahh, where do I even begin with this amazing book?! This book was everything! I loved every word, every page, and every emotion that graced these pages. Kennedy Fox knows how to make me laugh, cry, fluster with anger, and fully emerge myself into this checkmate world.

"He managed to manipulate every brain cell into obeying him even after fighting to stay strong around him but I won't surrender my heart to him."

Viola Fisher is a nerd. She loves to read, loves to lose herself in a good book and fantasize about finally getting her Hogwarts letter. And she has no shame about what she loves and being smart. But that has never stopped Travis King from making fun of her.

"You're so vile."
" You have no idea just how vile I can be."

These two bicker and fight like an old married couple. They also know how to hate each other with a fiery passion. Though they didn't always used to hate each other, they do now and there is nothing they can do about it. Travis may have broken her heart when she was a kid but she will never let herself get hurt like that again.

"He's the king of all douches, a manwhore and one -upper. And I'm still the girl with a stupid crush."

Travis acts like he hates Viola, always picking on her and driving her up the wall but he knows better. He's a manwhore at it's finest and he's never claimed to want or any desire to be any different. Though he never thought about putting the moves on his best friends sister, he's always felt something and always picks on getting into her pants. Though it may be just hate, he knows she is drop dead gorgeous and smarter than anyone he knows. Viola Fisher is a princess. And his tainted fingers want to ruin her.

"You should know better than to play mind games with a princess, King."

These two are a riot and I loved every inch of it. Travis King is a sexy beast and Viola is my new homegirl. These two are everything they never knew they wanted. But will the king surrender and finally bow to a princess? Or will the king rule...forever alone?

This is definitely a must read duet and you are going to want to have This is Love handy after the ending of this bad boy.

This is Love -

"What did I say about playing games with the king, princess?" I drag the tip of tongue along her ear and down her neck. "I'm about to give you a royal lesson."

Kennedy Fox is back at it again. I devoured This is War and after that gut wrenching cliffhanger, I knew I was about to lose myself in This is Love. Traviola for life. These two enraptured my heart and I never wanted to let them go. Though I didn't want this duet to end, I couldn't put this book down.

"The game isn't over yet."

Travis and Viola are back. And they are back with a vengeance. Just when these two thought things were finally looking up for them, disaster strikes and brings down their kingdom. Nothing has ever been easy for them and being in a relationship definitely isn't going to be easy. Going from years of hating each other, to trying to find what they mean to each other...wont prove to be easy. Or it may be the most natural thing to have happened to them.

"Travis is my drug and when I'm getting my fix, it's hard to concentrate on anything at all."

These two were destined for each other. Though it may have taken them years to figure it out, they don't want to lose what they finally have. But everything seems to be pushing them in the wrong direction. Opportunities open up for Viola, Travis may be needing to look for a new job soon, and they still haven't told her brother Drew.

"It's just me and her and it's all that matters. She's all that's ever mattered."

The love these two have for each other is out of this world. It's a love we all hope to have one day. Though it still doesn't stop them from messing with each other and pushing each others buttons. They now do it with love in mind. They need each other for life.

"I want you for breakfast, lunch, and dinner."

Though everything is building up against them, it's not stopping them from trying to be together and working hard at it. They want each other...they belong together but everything is against them. When destruction lands in Viola's lap and breaks her trust for Travis...can it be restored? Or will Travis lose his princess forever?
Profile Image for Brie.
323 reviews61 followers
April 28, 2017
Actual rating: 4.5 (brilliant) stars
You know those books you keep seeing EVERYONE reading and you think to yourself "I should really read those." Yet, somehow they keep getting put off and moved down that never ending TBR pile? Well that was the Checkmate Duet for me. I decided while I was on vacation for spring break this year that it was time to bump this baby up my TBR and dive in! I started Checkmate: This is War on the last day of our trip.

You guys!!! Oh. Em. Gee. I devoured these books. I mean.... I COULDN'T STOP. I read on the plane, in the car, at the airport, when I was trying to fall asleep, on every lunch break when I was back at work, even while I was walking the dog. (I maaaay have accidentally tripped on the sidewalk a few times. Maybe.) Even that wasn't enough. I NEEDED more! I grabbed the audio so that I didn't have to take breaks from reading while getting ready for and driving to work, or doing chores around the house. Have you ever had a book consume you like that?

The first Checkmate Duet: Travis & Viola is an enemies to lovers romance and I found it so fun. Their witty banter, the pranks and the back and forth was perfect. This bind up of This is War and This is Love is probably the way to go, because the ending of the first book will leave you with sweaty palms and your jaw on the floor. I was SO happy that I didn't have to wait to find out what happened. It's a rough cliffy!

To summarize: Read these books. Don't wait! You won't regret it. If you love a good angsty read with a bit of humor and a lot of drama, you will love Travis and Viola's story. The sequel to second Checkmate Duet releases next week and I am so excited to start Drew and Courtney's story. I love this secret writing duo and am thankful to have finally picked up their books. I may have a legit obsession with Kennedy Fox now. So thanks to all those ladies that posted and talked about how amazing their books are. I hope these authors continue to share more stories with us!
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,751 reviews1,324 followers
April 5, 2017
***AVAILABLE NOW***

5 So Hot CROWNS

Travis and Viola's story in This is Love and This is War is one of the best enemies to lovers romances I have ever read. This boxed set promises sharp and witty characters, sex scenes that burn up the pages, and plots that ensnare the attention of the reader. I couldn't put it down and loved every minute of Viola and Travis's story. This whole series is a must read!
April 23, 2017
Absolutely Loved Travis and Viola and their Love/Hate relationship!! would definitely recommend this book and am looking forward to reading Drew and Charlotte's Book!
Profile Image for Natasha.
536 reviews26 followers
September 27, 2017
Ok, where do I start? The Checkmate: This is War duet is a enemies to lovers romance. 

Drew and Travis are best friends and roommates. Viola is Drew’s younger sister. Travis has a different girl every day of the week. And Viola and Travis don’t get along. At all. There is hate and anger that runs deep. And when Viola and Travis become temporary roommates for spring break, things get interesting, to say the least. 

I loved the first book, all the anger, and built up emotion, and tension between the two characters is great. And I have such a strong love-hate for cliffhangers- I hate them, they drive me absolutely crazy, but I must also love them, because it seems I’m always reading books with them (or authors are just plain cruel 😉) !! Haha. 

I love the game between Travis and Viola. I love their banter & everything-including their vulnerabilities, & emotions. I am definately team Traviola The cliff hanger of course drove me nuts & I had to know what happened next, so I started (& finished) book 2- This is Love as soon as I possibly could. 

 The second book was good. I liked the dynamic between Travis & Viola. I liked how they are trying to keep the relationship that shifted from pure hate to something else from Drew- which builds up tension & stress… I love how Travis changed some of his ways because of Viola. Of course, when tensions are high, and secrets are kept, something is bound to happen… And it does. In the form of Mia- Drew’s on-again-off-again girlfriend (who we met in book 1). She gets to push Drew & Travis apart, which also results in a riff between Travis and Viola. I loved that scene- so full of emotion! 

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love both books, but. After Mia successfully drove Drew-Travis-Viola apart… I would have changed a few things myself. I love that Travis works on bettering his own life. I love that Viola works on her career. BUT I think that they should have reconciled a little- talked things out between them, etc, became more on a friend level at least before her big news. I know they were both hurting, and both needed that space apart, but I just think that should have reconciled even just a little bit- become on better footing before the News was revealed. 

Again, this book ended in a semi-cliff hanger to get you ready for the next duet installment which i can’t wait to read the first book of. 

I give both books in this series a 4.5 ⭐ out of 5 ⭐ & would definately recommend them, for quick steamy reads! 
Profile Image for Colleen  (The Book Lover Blog).
595 reviews60 followers
October 25, 2017
4.5 Brightly Shining Stars!!

The Checkmate Duet was sexy and highly entertaining. I quite enjoyed the endless banter and jabs that Travis and Viola threw at each other in ‘This is War,’ but I equally enjoyed once the games were over and they were finally straight with each other, revealing their true feelings.

After all the games and sexual tension in book one, and that heart stopping cliff-hanger ending, I needed to read book two ASAP! I dove right in and I was not disappointed! There were moments of happiness, joy, anger and angst but overall, ‘This is Love’ simply warmed my heart.

In book one I went from kind of liking Travis, to wanting to kick his nuts, to liking him well enough and finally loving him in book two. He really went all in with Viola and was so sweet and swoon worthy. The chemistry between the two was just as blazing hot as book one and even though they were now happily together- in secret- they still had that funny banter that I loved in book one.

Overall, this duet was excellent, and by the end I had a huge grin on my face. I would most definitely recommend The Checkmate Duet if you love the enemies-to-lovers troupe!
Profile Image for BookSmackedMel.
916 reviews371 followers
September 27, 2017
These books were absolutely edge of your seat, pull at your emotions make you wanna punch someone reads.

Travis and Viola enemies to lovers. They have it out for each other, the banter back and forth with them will have you saying OHHH MY.
Travis King and his wicked tongue had me flushed and flustered. In the book 1 of this the epic battle between the two of them was so entertaining with clever comebacks, maybe a few pranks and some cunning debacle on both parts. The sexual tension between the two of them made it feel like you were on fire.

And at the end of book 1 I was ready to throw my kindle thinking NO EFFING WAY !!!!!!!!

Book 2 leaves off where Book 1 ended and will have you wanting to find out WHAT THE EVER LOVING HECK is going on. Again you are now figuring out what will happen btw Travis and Viola. Your heart will break a little and there will be a few twists and turns along the way. This is one of my fav series so far in the last year. I can't wait for more from these authors.
Profile Image for Book Obsessions  (Amber).
569 reviews12 followers
April 5, 2017
Travis and Viola have known each other since childhood. He's her brother's best friend and her biggest nightmare. Travis has a reputation with the ladies, one he isn't ashamed of. When Viola has to move in with Travis and her brother over spring break, neither Travis or Viola are excited about it...until enemies turn into a little something more. Who knew living with your worst enemy could be so much fun?!

I loved Viola, I loved Travis and these books caused me to have a few sleepless nights! I could not put them down and they are some of my favorite reads of 2017!
Profile Image for Bookworm Between the Sheets.
481 reviews15 followers
September 28, 2017
I LOVE this enemies to lovers Duet by Kennedy Fox! Viola and her Harry Potter booknerd self captivates man whore Travis in this delicious, hard to put down read! A must read for any reader that loves a steamy rivals to lovers story.
Profile Image for Shelby (BookLoversHaveMoreFun).
1,262 reviews39 followers
November 17, 2017
This book was so very good!!! Enemies to lovers have always been my favorite to read, but unfortunately there is not a lot of them out there. There were SO MANY times that I wanted Travis and Viola to just do it already! I love when there's a slow burn or sexual tension, but their sexual tension was UNBELIEVABLE. The pranks they did to each other made me laugh-out-loud more times than I could count. Viola's friend Courtney had the same affect.  

I thought This is War was a pretty amazing book, but This is Love blew it out of the water!!!

I really loved spending time with Travis and Viola as an actual couple, even though they had to hide it from Drew. They still had their banter, but it was almost like they were completely different people. It was almost strange that they weren't fighting with each other anymore. Travis constantly showed his romantic side, despite him repeatedly denying that he's not like the men in romance novels. It felt like there were many things packed in this one so there was never a lull. 
Profile Image for Jenny B.
1,278 reviews26 followers
November 25, 2020
This book was one of my favorite reads to begin with an then throw it in audio with a great narrator my heart is swooning all over again. Lia Langola did these characters in the most perfect of ways and brought to much to these characters. I loved her voice and she did a phenomenal distinction between the characters and her voice is just perfect for them.

This story line was one of my favorite enemies to lovers, big brother best friends story. I was completely captured with the story and I was addicted. The characters and their hatred/games at the beginning of the story had me laughing out loud with the pranks and trying to outdo each other, then tension between the two, the steam (wowza!) and the feels. The feels were so over the top and I felt everything straight into my bones.
Profile Image for Maggie BB.
683 reviews5 followers
October 2, 2018
Every now and again I enjoy a trashy romance. As long as you don't take them seriously, they can be a fun, mindless read.

The first book in this duology does not disappoint. There is sass and tension and ridiculous smut. Linger too long on any scene and it is problematic af... but eat it up mindlessly and it is good fun.

The second book, however, took a hard turn into excessive cheese land and was a struggle to finish... just way too corny for me. Overall probably a good read for those that are super into the genre.... but the over the top lovey doveyness is not for me. I enjoyed the fire in the characters in the first book, they seemed brain washed in the second.

I did really enjoy Courtney, though, and may pick up the Drew&Courtney duology next time I am in the mood for trashy romance...
833 reviews54 followers
October 1, 2017
THIS IS WAR

Travis,my darling!!!!! <3 <3

Travis King and Viola Fisher loathe each other. They have spent a considerable amount of their life making sure they know and feel each other's hate. But their relationship is not that simple. What lies underneath are years of unrequited feelings and an attraction so strong it might bring down the whole world. Giving in to each other might mean defeat but maybe it's worth it.

AAAAAHHHH!!!!! I was obsessed with this book from the first page. I stayed up all night and finished it because I was physically incapable of putting it down. I am in love with Travis and Violet and Drew and Courtney. Mia needs to eat dirt.

Kennedy For are holy geniuses and I am their fan FOR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!

This Is Love

After that bitching cliffhanger, I needed this like I need to breathe.

Travis King didn't think he'd ever fall for Viola. Now he wants her for himself for the long haul. But she still hates his guts and has trouble trusting him. Travis is determined to spend all of his waking hours convincing Viola that they are meant for each other. He'll do anything to make her see his way. Game on!!

As soon as I finished book 1, I grabbed this and didn't stop till I was finished with Viola and Travis's story. I might have forgotten to eat or shower that day but that's not important. This story needs to be everywhere and every person needs to sit back and read because GOD GOD these books are my life!!!
Profile Image for Cinthia.
256 reviews5 followers
September 25, 2018
The Checkmate series would have to be one of the most highly addictive books that I've come across in a long time. This duet is the quintessential enemies to lovers romance that will have you begging for more. Yet again I am blown away by this talented writing duo with their impeccable writing and lovable cast of characters. The compelling storyline had me devouring these books in a short time. I just couldn't get enough of Travis and Viola. The love and hate relationship between Travis and Viola was so enjoyable to watch especially in their interactions and banter with each other. The characters and story was so relatable that I couldn't help in being drawn to this series. I felt so immersed in Travis and Viola's world that I didn't want to leave. Then there's the colorful cast of secondary characters. The supporting cast was so well written that I couldn't help in being invested in these characters and their own stories. I'm very excited to see how their journeys will unfold throughout this series.
Honestly words cannot begin to describe how much I truly enjoyed this series. It was simply irresistible from beginning to end. It was such an emotional roller coaster they had me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. The first duet of the Checkmate series is a definite must read and shouldn't be missed.
Profile Image for Ellensreads.
79 reviews15 followers
October 1, 2017
Box Sets are the best!! Especially when it is a Kennedy Fox book because you need to read it all at once with out waiting for the next book!!!
Travis & Viola's story is Pure Perfection! a Book-nerd and a Man-whore. Enemies to lovers ❤️ I remember reading Traviolas story in a sitting because I couldn’t focus on anything but them because Viola and Travis captivated me so much and nothing in my world mattered but them! But luckily with this box set, you’ll get to meet the other squad members / family and fall in love with all of them like I did ❤️
October 1, 2017
Travis and Viola are such a firery love to hate relationship, especially in book 1. This duet hooks you into the lives of the friend group that forms the basis of the whole series and doesn't let you go. Also, if you're even the smallest smidge of a Harry Potter fan, Viola will be your best friend right from the start. I love how Kennedy Fox weaves in so many beloved parts of the book community while writing a romance that also makes you want to just drink wine and read it all night.
Profile Image for Ri.
5,089 reviews7 followers
September 5, 2017
4.5 delightful stars

What a nice surprise this book was. Not sure how I found it but I'm glad I did. V was a delight. I loved her witty comebacks. Travis was swoon worthy. The back and fourth chemistry and banter had me laughing several times. The steam was perfect too. Anxious to start on the next book. I have a serious soft spot for Drew.
Profile Image for Sleepless Beauty.
79 reviews3 followers
July 9, 2017
I am a glorified Fox fan!! Her books never disappoint.
Travis is a player and Viola is off limits.
They have managed to stay apart until now and boy do the sparks fly.
You will feel everything with this one.
Don't delay reading it!
Profile Image for Elizabeth (Lizreads15).
73 reviews5 followers
December 8, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I love Travis and Viola! What starts out as enemies/hate for one another quickly turns into a heated relationship!😏 Travis dirty talk, whew!🤌🏻 I love how Viola would taunt him, and he'd do the same with her! They love fiercely too!😍😍
Profile Image for Stephanie.
275 reviews4 followers
July 13, 2017
3 stars

I had to skim through a lot of it. It was promising in the beginning but it dragged on and on. I found Viola's reason to hate Travis for all these years immature.
Profile Image for Andi Isack.
402 reviews16 followers
August 9, 2018
*I missed so much team Traviola cuz I decided to re-read their story. It's sexy. It's hilarious, it's refreshing. Love, love, love.
Profile Image for LibriMagnetici Blog.
1,012 reviews17 followers
October 20, 2022
recensione a cura del blog “Libri magnetici" by Meghan

Kennedy Fox ritorna con una nuova duologia, ripartendo da una nuova coppia di coinquilini casuali.
In realtà Trevis e Viola si conoscono da tutta la vita, perché lui è il miglio amico di Drew fratello di Viola; tra loro però non c’è mai stato nulla, perché un po' la timidezza, un pò l’introversione adolescenziale, non ha fatto mai avvicinare più del dovuto i due.I giochi, le corse in bicicletta e gli scherzi sono tutto ciò che resta a entrambi: due vite cresciute diversamente, lei tra i libri e lo studio, lui nella carriera ed affermazione professionale.Ma con il passare degli anni Travis ha decisamente scelto la strada del playboy superficiale, diviso a metà tra la gelosia verso di lei e il desiderio di baciarla almeno una volta.

«E’ sempre stata il frutto proibito, la ragazza che non posso desiderare. Continuando a infastidirla e allontanarla mi sono fatto odiare ancora più di quanto potessi mai immaginare.»

Il loro sarà un continuo rincorrersi e respingersi, sempre sull’orlo di una passione sfrenata più che di un amore vero e proprio, con Travis che ad ogni pagina non riesce a conquistare il lettore, perché troppo, troppo, concentrato su se stesso, trattando le donne con cui ha storie passeggere davvero come fossero il nulla, superficiale anche quando tenta di conquistare Viola.La loro convivenza forzata non riesce a dare alla storia quella parte di brio e velocità che ci si aspetta da un hate-to-lovers, restando ferma su scambi verbali a tratti eccessivamente accesi, e che rendono la lettura un po' pesante.Di Viola non riusciamo a capire il suo accanirsi contro Travis e poi il cambiare idea un attimo dopo, in una incostanza continua di sentimenti e azioni.

«Speravo che le cose potessero andare diversamente, ma ora so che è impossibile. Lo odio per avermi fatto vedere quel barlume di speranza, per poi strapparmelo davanti agli occhi.»

Tutta la storia sembra cercare un colpo di scena che non arriva e questo penalizza fortemente la lettura: anche quando finalmente c’è il loro avvicinamento, non percepiamo quella svolta, quel di più che in questo genere di storie deve davvero caratterizzare la narrazione.Vedremo quindi cosa ci riserverà eventualmente il secondo volume.

Tre petali e mezzo.

Secondo e ultimo capitolo di questo duetto con protagonisti Travis e Viola.Alla fine del primo volume la storia si era chiusa con un drammatico incidente per Travis, e così nei primi capitoli veniamo a capo di questa strana e drammatica situazione.Nonostante i loro continui litigo e scontri, Viola accetterà la proposta di suo fratello di Drew di aiutare Travis nella lunga convalescenza, rivelando una diversa maturità dei suoi sentimenti.L’occasione di quella nuova convivenza forzata li porterà non tanto a riavvicinarsi quanto ad ammettere entrambi che la loro non è solo un’attrazione un po' folle, quanto un amore.

«”Non cerco la perfezione, Travis. Non voglio una relazione sempre tutta rose e fiori. Dev’essere una sfida continua, dove continuiamo a spingerci oltre i nostri limiti e a crescere insieme. I ragazzi troppo perfetti sono noiosi. Non mi sentirei all’altezza. Per questo preferisco di gran lunga una relazione imperfetta.»

Le uscite di nascosto, i messaggi, i regali inaspettati, il ritrovarsi anche attraverso solo gli abbracci porteranno la loro storia su un piano diverso. Soprattutto Viola in questo secondo volume è determinata sia nella sua storia con Travis sia nelle decisioni della sua vita, mostrando un personaggio sicuramente in crescita.

«Sono sopraffatta dalle emozioni.
…….
Ma non ho più intenzione di farmi mettere i piedi in testa.»

I diversi momenti della loro storia vivranno di nuovo separazioni e colpi di scena, ma tutta la lettura è molto scorrevole, in linea con storie non troppo complesse e che hanno come obiettivo solo quello di dare una lettura semplice.Le scene “hot” sono sempre molto presenti, come nello stile delle autrici, ma per questa coppia sono in linea anche con l’evolversi della loro vicenda.

Tre petali e mezzo.
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200 reviews86 followers
November 18, 2017
This Is War:

I freaking loved this book! I had been hearing a lot about it lately but then when I started reading it for myself and was halfway through it in a day, that says something for me because I am not a fast reader.

Travis, lets be real, is a f@#$ng b@#$rd! He is a bad boy player, he loves women and loves one night stands. But what you don't know about him is his heart always belonged to just one women. *Which in my opinion is why he only has one night stands, he doesn't let anyone in and doesn't have the heart to let himself have anyone.*

Viola is Travis's best friend Drew's little sister. They grew up across the street from each other. As kids, they were always really close. Travis didn't grow up in the best home life and when things were rough, he would sneak out across the street and sit on the roof with Viola. Then one day, as young teens, Viola just started hating Travis, leaving Travis to wonder what happened and why, their friendship ending.

This story has secrets, both past and present that they need to get off their chests. Kennedy Fox is amazing! I had so much fun reading this book and I can't get Viola and Travis out of my head! The best books and characters stay with you. Kennedy Fox is going to be around for a long time! I will be continuing this series! Book two and three are now out! I have already started book two! Love! Love! Love!

I highly recommend this book and the rest of the series to EVERYONE and ANYONE! It will not take a lot to suck you in! Give it two chapters, HE-double hockey sticks, give it the first chapter, and you won't be able to put it down! So, if you plan on starting this soon, *Please Do!* then make sure your afternoon is open, because you won't be able to stop!

I think it is safe to say-- 5 Owls... or should I say Foxes!

This Is Love:

Holy crap! This book! Again, Kennedy Fox ripped my heart out! It is safe to say this is becoming one of my favorite series of all time, very easily. This is Love picks up right where This is War ends. Something big happens at the end that leaves us all on a major cliffhanger, for spoiler purposes, I cannot say but we are left in the dark about it through more than half of the book and Viola doesn't really question it, she believes Travis and the story he explains.

They grow closer, the fighting somewhat stops but they decide to hide their relationship from everyone, except Courtney because she already knows. The middle of this book just opens up and swallows you whole! It completely took over my mind, body and soul. I couldn't put it down. I'm not much of a crier, but this book had me in tears at one point, I hated it!

"Just know, if you break my heart again, Travis King, I'll break your balls."

One of my favorite scenes of the whole series, so far, is... he f***s her against a big front window. I'm not going to go into details because again, spoilers, but it is hot as he$$! Just the thought of someone seeing, hot damn! In all the romance novels I've read, I've only seen one other window scene, I was in high school when I read the series, the hockey series by Rachel Gibson. They have sex on the top floor of the Space Needle in Seattle! I loved that scene between Travis and Viola and it did make me think of the scene in the Rachel Gibson series, it was just that awesome!

"I expect a celebration tonight... in the form of your naked body on top of mine while you yell how much harder you want it."

I read through the second half in two nights. But even though this book tore me apart at times, my heart ended happy... but again, left on a cliffhanger for the third book, which makes me want to start it RIGHT NOW! The ending left me screaming for more. As much as I want more from Viola and Travis, I am wicked pumped for Courtney and Drew, from friends to lovers! I'm excited!

Kennedy Fox knows how to write books and characters that captivate you! These books will definitely leave you wanting more as soon as you read the last sentence.

"Viola Fisher has always been mine, and finally being together is the endgame."
Profile Image for Michele McMullen .
2,342 reviews78 followers
February 2, 2018
A funny , sexually tense ride with two friends that turned so called enemies who then are lead to probably the most explosive relationship of their lives.
Travis is Viola's brother's best friend. Over the years Travis and Viola would share everything as teenagers . Travis being from a broken home enjoyed spending time with Viola's family and they accepted him as their own. Everything changed and it left them at odds but the attraction never faded. Once again they are thrown together by fate and that shall we say is when things become interesting. Travis loves to push Viola's uptight hoity toity buttons as he says. Viola despises Travis and his manwhore ways. Thrown together they begin the daily sexually tense fun filled banter that will have you laughing out loud! It is a fast paced read that will have you craving more of their crazy banter!
heckmate : This is Love ...the continuation of Travis and Viola's love hate relationship!
I absolutely adore the enemies to Lovers tales. It is so explosive and consuming. Travis and Viola have the most amusing and entertaining sexually infused banter!
Travis has always had a love/hate relationship with Viola, his best friend Drew's nerdy little bookworm of a sister. She has always rubbed him the wrong way but now he finds he would like to have her for himself but realizes that she is so off limits!
Viola has always hated Travis's man whore ways ...it disgusts her to no end but lately she has wondered what it would be like to be in his naughty bed. She loves pushing him and testing his limits with her smart ass comments and finally she crosses the line and the attraction can not be denied.
What do you do when the winds finally change and you give in to over the top angry sex?!
The fine line has been crossed between love and hate and now someone is bound to get hurt!
This is Love begins where this is War left off.
I was chomping at the bit to find out how Travis and Viola would navigate this unchartered relationship they have begun. Is it possible for this couple burdened with secrets, mistrust and turmoil make it work or is it too much to handle.
I loved watching this couple evolve as individually and together. They are sexy, funny and surrounded by drama .
Gifted a copy for an honest review!
~~Michele McMullen ~~
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