That first chapter had me going, "Gabe what the hell are you doing?" Poor McKenna had no idea what was coming her way. I can understand Gabe's frustration but he handled that so badly. And it was really big of McKenna to put all that aside and actually get on board with help him get down to the bottom of things. All in all, this series has been quite an adventure and really fun to read.

Kennedy’s emotional and erotic Dirty Little Secrets series is based on four men who are bound together by friendship, business, and BDSM. Cuffed By His Charm is the fourth story in this series and deals with the last man standing-billionaire Gabe O’Keefe. Book three revealed who has been selling Gabe and his friends’ out to the tabloid Gotcha. Now he has to figure out why and how to stop them. A spin off the Club Sin series, each story in here focuses on one couple with a strong ongoing arc. While you don’t have to read the Club Sin series to understand this one, I do recommend reading this series in order.

Kennedy opens on a tense scene with Gabe storming the castle (actually his pub) to confront McKenna Archer, the supposed person behind the bugs and tabloid stories. Gabe is heartbroken and angry that this woman whom he trusted has betrayed him. He uses their sexual attraction against her, engaging in rough sex as a way to punish her, before demanding she confesses. Her repeated denials only further anger Gabe more so he forces her to go to with him to Blackstone Security, hoping Ryder can break her. Only, while there he learns that he was wrong.

Very, very wrong.

McKenna is shocked, hurt, and confused. She can’t believe Gabe thinks she would betray him. At Ryder’s office, she learns of the bugs and watches a security tape only to learn that it’s her brother has been using her. Again. He is the one selling the information to the tabloid. Literally her brother’s keeper, McKenna agrees to help Gabe and Ryder locate Evan as long as they don’t hurt him.

I have been looking forward to Gabe’s story. The multimillionaire owner of a popular chain of Irish pubs and an exclusive BDSM club, Gabe has it all except for the woman he wants-McKenna Archer, his employee. Gabe has a strict policy of not dating employees but McKenna tests his resolve every day. His quiet yearnings had me curious to see how Kennedy would overcome his obstacles. The beginning showed great promise. Heavily character driven, Kennedy builds on the tense romance with it’s forbidden vibe as it unfurls against the mystery of Evan and his connection to the tabloid. Emotionally fractured, Gabe and McKenna try to find a way to repair the damage to their relationship and start anew while looking for Evan for answers.

Unfortunately, this story peaks way early and never recovers. Gabe and McKenna never move beyond a superficial level and frankly, they’re boring. The emotional connection I was looking for never fully develops. Intense sex scenes and repetitive erotic dialogue showcase the sexual chemistry between them but completely overwhelms the romance. Kennedy tries to make us believe they are falling in love but for the life of me, I couldn’t see why. I think a large part of this is the very short time span this takes place in. Less than a week, I believe. It doesn’t help that a majority of the mystery takes place off scene through a third party. So we spin our wheels listening to them have sex in between McKenna giving excuse after excuse for her brother’s actions while Gabe beats himself up over his actions. And yes, I had a hard time getting over Gabe action myself. Even though he told her to tell him if it wasn’t what she wanted, he is still her boss, he still grabbed her demanding sex, and it felt abusive.

Various familiar faces drift in and out of the story with no real purpose beyond pushing the story forward. Manufactured drama and outrage wear on you as you struggle to reach the end. Evan and the tabloid were the most positive aspects of the story and Kennedy only spends about 10% of her time on them. She pushes the main conflict and arc to resolution only to leave some parts unexplained and unbelievable. McKenna’s actions towards the end made her unreliable in my eyes as a strong partner for Gabe relationship wise and I ended the book disappointed overall.

GRADE: D

This is the 4th book in the Dirty Little Secrets series and we finally get Gabe O'Keefes's story. Gabe may be rich and likes his sex a little dirty (why else would you own a sex club?) but what most people don't know is that enjoys being a pub owner and serving beer, not the CEO to his huge company. They might not also know that Gabe has been lusting after McKenna Archer, a bartender that work for him. Since Kenna is an employee, she is hands off but when she ends up as the source for all the personal leaks of Gabe and his best friends to Gotcha! magazine, all bets are off.

Damn, you do not want to cross Gabe when he is not happy!

It quickly comes to light that Kenna's brother Evan is behind all the leaks and not Kenna, which leaves Gabe feeling a little guilty. When Kenna realizes something is wrong regarding her brother, Gabe and his friends step in to help. It was a twisty, turnie ride these two had to go on to find Evan and stop the leaks. I really loved how Gabe helped Kenna even though he'd rather have her brother rot in hell for the things he did to him and his friends. Overall, this was another great addition to this series with all your favorite alpha DC men back together. I really liked how loyal Kenna was, especially to her brother, even if he didn't always deserve it. And I really enjoyed the happy ending that Gabe and Kenna finally got!

Cuffed By His Charm is a charming and although intense had many sweet moments that I wasn’t expecting. Honestly, I had the most enjoyable time reading Gabe and McKenna’s book. Now I will say first off that this book can be read as a stand a lone, but I think I would have preferred being able to read this series in order to get more background information on this couple and Gabe’s three other friends especially since they play a big role in this story. This was a contemporary romance that I honestly was expecting a ton of angsty stuff going on and this book blew me away. All the angst pretty much happens in the beginning of the book which I found so refreshing. Most authors tend to drag it out through all the book but this author didn’t do that and boy I love her even more for that because I so needed a book where the romance was sweet and emotional and it had a vibrant feel to it.

So our lovely story begins when Gabe learns that someone has been spying on them and working with the tabloids. He has worked hard to make sure his name and his company’s name has never been slandered by the press and now he has proof that it was McKenna. A woman he deeply cares about but since she is his employee he has never crossed the line with. And so they have hot angry sex (all consensual though) and then Gabe breaks the news to McKenna and demands to know the truth. And learn that McKenna is completely innocent and that her brother stole her key pad number and sold information to the tabloids for money and he is always getting into trouble financially and McKenna always bails him out because she is protective and loving and sweet. So now Gabe has a lot of groveling to do and they have to get to the bottom of who is behind everything and to save McKenna brother’s life and still somehow find a happy ever after with Gabe.

So I really enjoy every aspect of the story and seeing this character-driven romance was just icing on the cake. We really learn so much more about Gabe and I loved that. Now, McKenna, she is an open book from the start. She is hard working, driven, kind and generous and doesn’t have a mean bone in her body and completely devoted to those she loves the most. Then we have Gabe who is a bit more complex but not really. He has a heart of gold but also likes to use his imagination in the bedroom. He runs a secret business that hardly anyone knows about but he has a great eye for business that works wonders and a talent he inherits from his father. But boy I loved hiim as the hero. Because he is so attentive and gentle at times with McKenna and he can be just as strong and alpha like in the bedroom when McKenna is all out for that. What I found most interesting is seeing how intune these two are with each other. And how the focus is on their relationship and how close-knit they are together. So many sweet and poignant moments I just never wanted to put this story away.

Cuffed By His Charm is a beyond memorable charming romance that is sexy, passionate and gives out all the feels!!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Kris – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars

Book #4 in a pretty good series, but Cuffed seemed to read a little slower for me. I loved Gabe's character, and he and McKenna had some great longing going on in previous books, so I was excited for their story. But I found myself skimming a tad overall and I think maybe too many mundane details did the story in for me. Still, a nice finale to the four alpha male, millionaire, playboys and their finding love and happiness.


Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars

What does a multi-millionaire businessman do when he thinks his employee has taken his and his friends' secrets and sold them to the tabloids? He gets answers, it might not be the answers he was looking for, but still answers.

Gabe O'Keefe is the owner of many pubs across America and when he learns that the one woman he has wanted for the last year has sold his secrets to the tabloids, he wants revenge and answers. But first he wants her, and he will not be easy because his anger will not let him. But when he learns the truth, he feels guilty for using her like he did without getting answers first.

McKenna Archer has never had an easy life, first her drunk of a mother and now her addicted brother. She has tried to help him, but what she needs to do is throw him in rehab and leave him there. Because he isn't doing anyone any good now. So when Gabe comes to her and she learns why, she knows it is her brother that has betrayed her once again.

Can McKenna accept help from Gabe and his friends, the only people to be there for her? Will Gabe forgive her brother for McKenna's sake? Will McKenna choose her brother over Gabe in the end? Will Gabe and his friends get their revenge on the tabloids in the end?

I love Stacey Kennedy's writing style and this story was great, I need to go back and read the rest of this series too. I loved Gabe and the way he wanted to protect McKenna, and she drove me crazy with the way she always bailed out her brother, but he was family and that is what you do for a family until you have had enough. I loved this one and hope you do too, so enjoy.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
I liked this book but there was something that felt a bit "off" to me. The issue with McKenna's brother was the plot twist that changed the game for her and Gabe. Gabe's reaction to McKenna's alleged betrayal was off-putting to say the least, and took a while for me, as the reader, to see beyond his actions.

A lot of things happened in a short amount of time, which is good for an action-packed story. What bothered me was how fast McKenna seemed to get over how Gabe treated her and what's more, blamed herself for the bad things that happened to him and his friends.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F BDSM Romance
Triggers: Addiction, Mob connections, Kidnapping.

This is Gabe's story. He is being hounded by the tabloids and he doesn't really know what to do when he finds out that someone from inside one of his establishments is the betrayer. He is angry and does something that ultimately made me really dislike him as a man and as a dominant: he took his anger out on McKenna by sleeping with her – it was him trying to get her out of his system.

McKenna has had a difficult life. She is also trying to keep herself above water because her brother, who is troubled, has been living and sponging off of her for a while, and when he finds himself in trouble, she enables him to get him out of trouble. McKenna has always been attracted to Gabe, so when he comes to her and she finds herself in his arms, she thinks finally something is going to go right for her. However, she finds herself not basking in the afterglow of their encounter, but faced with an angry Gabe who accuses her of betraying him and his friends.

What follows is the tale of how Gabe needs to find a way to redeem his horrible behavior, McKenna's past is revealed more and more and finally, whether or not Gabe and McKenna find their own happily ever after.

I do wish that Alex would get her own story, as she was one of my favorite characters throughout.


Lee'Anne – ☆☆☆
3.5 Stars

I enjoyed this book, though I have to say it was my least favorite in the series so far – the story just wasn’t as intense as the previous characters stories.

Gabe is the owner of a chain of pubs by day and Club Sin by night. He’s decided to take a break from the CEO life and just work in one of his pubs – he’s taken quite the liking to one of his most recent employees and though things are pretty hot between them, he knows getting involved with an employee would be risky. When a tabloid runs a story about his personal life he’ll do anything to find out who leaked his story, when he finds out it’s the gorgeous bartender, McKenna, he sleeps with her, then fires her. McKenna can’t believe that after all these months of sexual tension Gabe’s finally acting on it… only to fire her right after for something she knows she didn’t do. Heartbroken and hurt, McKenna assures Gabe it wasn’t her, then walks out and Gabe can’t help but to wonder if she may be telling the truth.

The chemistry between Gabe and McKenna is undeniable, but I have to say that was probably my favorite part about the book. There were almost too many details – it made it so that I was skimming a lot more then I would have liked. I don’t know that this is the last book in the series but it will most likely be the last one I read.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the fourth book in the series – and we have been working up to this episode for a while, so I would recommend that you read them in order to get the full force of this installment. We also get a nod to the Club Sin series too, which is fun for the loyal fan!

Gabe and McKenna have been skirting around their attraction to each other forever, so what happens at the beginning is a massive shock to the system, and completely out of character. It takes a little while to get over that, even with everything we know about Gabe. But the twists and turns mean that he is now going to have to do the very opposite to that which he planned, and may still lose the girl. The plot works perfectly at ramping up the tension, both in terms of the Gotcha! issues and romantic ones.

Super hot, a working resolution, and another man off the market! Thank you, Ms. Kennedy.

A tabloid scandal unites a powerful mogul and a woman from the wrong side of the tracks. The author knows how to melt your panties and your kindle with this book. She brings a powerful and alpha male Dom to life. Cuffed by His Charm is a terrific addition to the Dirty Little Secrets Series. This book is by far my favorite.

I really thought the BDSM content was going to be stronger in this book but it was all about solving the mystery. The romance ended but being the secondary plot rather than the primary.

What a great wrap up for this series! We finally see some real Kink, I've always thought for sex club owners they were pretty tame but ----- finally gave me what I was looking for!

We also finally get to find out why the group has been being recorded at the pub and who is responsible!

Gabe and Kenna have been teased since the first book and I loved their story. It was a simple get together there was a real struggle for Kenna feeling like she has to choose between her attraction to Gabe and her loyalty to her brother.

This story is action packed and sexy as hell!

5 CUFFED BY HIS CHARM STARS!! This series keeps getting better. This story has all the feels and keeps you wanting more. Gabe and McKenna are fantastic characters and very believable. Stacey Kennedy keeps us readers engaged in the story. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book from publisher via NetGalley.

Cuffed by His Charm is the forth book in this series and each one has gotten better. Gabe and McKenna were friends who worked together until he thought she did something unforgivable only to find out that it was way more complicated. The story is full of twists and goes where I never expected, but in the end I was more than happy to have picked this one up.

Advanced Readers Copy Courtesy of Netgalley....:)

This is the conclusion in the series to the 4 bad boy sex club owners. This is Gabe and McKenna's book and I really enjoyed it. I have been waiting for their story for a while and it certainly did not disappoint.

Each book can be read as a stand alone, but its much more enjoyable and will probably make mores sense to read them together.

Gabe and his friends are still trying to uncover who is behind the articles that keep outing them in the tabloids. When Gabe discovers that it might be McKenna, his employee at the bar who he has been lusting over for a while, he is completely and utterly shocked. Of course everything is not as it seems and when Gabe discovers its her brother that has thrown them into this mess they find themselves in, he has no choice but to wade in and help McKenna as well as his friends.

Of course things heat up for our couple as their chemistry is combustible and when sides must be chosen, will McKenna choose her brother who she has always looked after and bailed out of trouble, or will she choose Gabe, the man who she is falling in love with that is helping her and her brother out of the situation he has made for them.

*received in arc in exchange for an honest review**

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sexy and sinful. Gabe and McKenna’s story does not disappoint with its secrets and mystery. But you will be drawn in by the way these two dance around each other and challenge each other at every turn.

Gabe can’t believe that someone he has trusted us leaked his secret. McKenna has intrigued him from day one, but she has also betrayed him or so he thinks. The one thing that he can’t deny is his attraction for her and they have been flirting for months. Now he is going to take what he wants and ask questions later.

McKenna can’t deny the pull of attraction she feels for Gabe but when he accuses her of leaking his secrets she is devastated. And when he won’t take her denial, she just wants everything to be over so she can move on.

Once Gabe and McKenna find out who is really behind the leak they know they have to follow it through until they find the missing link. Along the way they will turn to each other and find out more about one another. And when they finally piece together everything will they give each other a chance?

Cuffed By His Charm
By: Stacey Kennedy

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Steamy, Sexy and Intense

Gabe and McKenna attraction has been building for the last year since McKenna joined working at one of his Iris pubs. Gabe has been attracted to this magnetic and beautiful woman who has made his days brighter, just knowing he would see her. But after having his personal life as well as the personal lives of his friends, leaked to a gossip magazine, he is faced with a harsh reality when his friend’s security firm is positive the mole is his heart, McKenna. The one woman he was willing to break his one rule - don’t date an employee. But when Gabe confronts McKenna his actions shatter all that they had built. When McKenna denies that she had anything to do with the betrayal, Gabe takes her to Ryder, so he can show her they have the proof it was her. Only to be blindsided by new information.

I really enjoyed this book and it kept me engrossed throughout. I really loved the characters and the way they interacted with each other. This is a fun, hot, romantic must read book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks you Netgally for letting me read and review.

Wow, this suspenseful, steamy romance was exciting. It starts with Gabe believing that his employee, McKenna, had sold his secrets to the tabloids. He has been in love with her for awhile, and wanted to make her his, but now feels betrayed. McKenna is in love with Gabe as well, and is hurt that he would believe the worst in her. This is a thrilling and sexy story that will have you guessing what will happen next as they try to unravel the secrets. As they get closer to the truth McKennas life is in danger and Gabe will do whatever it takes to protect her. I didn't read the first book in this series but was able to easily enjoy this book and will definitely check out the earlier books. If you enjoy super hot and sexy romance, you will love this book.

Good storyline with likeable characters pulled me right into the story from the very beginning and kept me totally engaged throughout the whole book.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

Cuffed by his Charm is the 4th and maybe last book in the Dirty Little Secrets series by Stacey Kennedy and it was very satisfying to say the least. Gabe, the fourth of a group of 4 men who each owned sex clubs in San Francisco and were life long friends, finally gets his HEA. McKenna was his match in every way. She was a bartender in his pub and they have been attracted to each other for years, but did nothing about it because of the boss, employee relationship. Things come to a head early in the book, and Gabe is such a hero. What a good guy he is helping McKenna through her mess and her life is a mess. Great character development as well as a thoroughly entertaining plot. I can always count on this author
to give me a sexy, enjoyable read.

Who knew disaster could spell such a beautiful future for two people? Gabe and McKenna have danced around each other at his bar for months. There's an undeniable chemistry between them but they can't cross that line of boss and employee. But when Gabe learns that McKenna might be behind the plan to bring him and his friends' dirty little secrets to life... He decides one night with her before his has to say goodbye is all he'll ever get.

McKenna finally thinks that Gabe is crossing the line in the best way with her. But what she can't believe is that he thinks she'd betray him. It's much worse than either of them imagined. Her brother is truly the culprit and now she has to decide between her loyalty to family or the man she's been secretly in love with.

As they follow the clues left behind by her mess of her brother, Gabe pushes McKenna's boundaries inside and outside the bedroom. While he may be dominant, Gabe is also the most caring man McKenna's ever encountered. Can she risk her heart with Gabe alongside her life for her brother? A daringly sexy romance filled with suspense and non-stop action. Gabe's ability to know when and not to exert his control with McKenna was so attractive. He may not want to push aside his desires but he knows that McKenna is a strong woman. And although he may control her in the bedroom, he works beside her in the search for the truth behind who is exposing all their secrets. I need the rest of this series so I can find out how Gabe's friends all found their HEAs!

Heart, Heat & Action! Well written with well crafted and likable characters, this was a story that kept me wanting more. I thoroughly enjoyed that this was written in dual POV. Getting a much better picture through both of these main characters. It was also great to be able to catch up with previous characters in this series. But although you might have a greater understanding, this can be read as a stand-alone story.
Gabe and McKenna attraction has been building for the last year, since McKenna became his employee. Gabe has been drawn to this clever, witty, beautiful, women that is strong as well as soft, who has made his days brighter, just knowing he would see her. But after having his personal life as well as the personal lives of his friends, leaked to a gossip magazine, he is faced with a harsh reality when his friend’s security firm is positive the mole is his heart, McKenna. The one woman he was willing to break his one rule - don’t date an employee. But when Gabe confronts McKenna his actions shatter all that they had built. When McKenna denies that she had anything to do with the betrayal, Gabe takes her to Ryder, so he can show her they have the proof it was her. Only to be blindsided by new information.
These two have a lot to overcome, in the form of danger, blackmail, and some twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The push and pull between them is sizzling. With some deliciously, sensual, scenes that are highly erotic. Will McKenna be able to forgive Gabe for his actions? Will these two find a HEA? You will have to read to find out.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Let me start by saying that I haven't read the other books in this series, but I didn't have too much difficulty figuring out the connections between this group of friends. That part of the story line was interesting and it was obvious that this group would do anything for each other. The romance between Gabe and McKenna was where I ran into problems. I was put off by Gabe's initial treatment of McKenna, but as the story progressed, he did redeem himself. McKenna, however, was the source of much eye-rolling and head shaking. From the star ratings that I've seen, I realize that I'm in the minority here, so I will try to explain without too many spoilers. McKenna loves her brother and would do anything for him, which I can understand. What I couldn't understand was her willingly participating in a "scene" with Gabe right after finding evidence that her brother could be in serious trouble. I completely understand two people with a strong attraction coming together in times of stress, but this situation seemed almost separate from any worries McKenna may have had. Gabe had no reason to care what happened to McKenna's brother, other than his feelings for her, but at times it felt like I was reading two separate stories - one that was an emotional hunt for Evan and another that was a steamy BDSM light romance. Again, toward the end, I was a bit confused about the money. I don't know if it was intentional, but it came across that McKenna didn't want Gabe when she though he'd paid one amount, but when the truth comes out, it's a different story. I'm still confused as to why it matters how much was paid as long as her knight came riding in to save her. The romance between this pair never felt like a romance to me. A strong physical attraction, yes, and Gabe does things that only a man who loves a woman would do, but I never felt like McKenna had anything more than lust for him.