Never Kiss a Stranger (Never #1) by Winter Renshaw

Synopsis:

It was an innocent mistake… 

All workaholic real estate broker Addison Andrews wanted was one night of pleasure, and picking the right guy was no different than shopping from a catalog thanks to the dating app on her phone. His name was Wilder, and his profile was blank – just a sexy picture of a man who promised every wicked intention of a one-night stand. 

The agreement was simple. One night. No last names. But the second their bodies melded together in the sheets of their posh Manhattan hotel room, there was no denying they fit together like two pieces of a broken puzzle. 

There’s just one problem… 

Addison unknowingly swiped right on the one man she wasn’t supposed to be with – her new stepbrother. All it takes is one bite of forbidden fruit to become addicted, but being with him has major consequences for their entire family. And if anyone found out about them, the career she worked so hard to build would crumble to the ground. 

But Wilder Van Cleef doesn’t care about the possibility of a scandal. He wants her, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes. 

PLEASE NOTE: This is a standalone, full-length romance novel with NO cliffhanger. Contains a dominating alpha male hero and scenes of a sexual nature. Please be 18+.

Rating:★★★

Review:

It's been a while since I've read an actual romance novel, not erotica, and I really enjoyed it. I've honestly realized how much I've missed some good adult romance novels in my life.

When the book first started off I was a bit skeptical and a little "meh" about it. It picked up a little slower than I would have liked it to and it immediately started off with an one night stand sex scene before we got the chance to actually meet and feel out our characters, which was the book's biggest downfall. But on the up side of that initial encounter, the sex scenes were done really well and not in a "written porno" type of way so you won't get the feel of erotica while reading.

By the end of the book I did get to build up a bond with the main character although, I was getting frustrated with Addison for the same reasons that Wilder was. It's a pet peeve of mines to read about characters that can't say what they feel, causing unnecessary drama, but unfortunately that makes up the plot lines for many novels and genres across the world. Also, I didn't like the extent of sacrifice and blame that the characters when into. I just don't believe in expecting someone else to sacrifice their happiness for your own and it overly selfish. "Mama gotta have a life too!" - Baby Boy 

The one thing I look for in a romance novel is drama because that signifies reality for me, and butterflies did this book have a lot of drama going on! Relationship drama, family drama, and work place drama created our dramatic trilogy and I loved every waking second of it. About a good 50% of this was predictable for me but I was still kept on the edge of my seat to watch it all play out.  

I would love to give my recommendation for this book to anyone looking to dive into a good romance novel. It's a pretty quick and easy read to get through.