Skip to main content

Member Reviews

What is not to like about a super protective sexy man that is great with your child too?! Joey is the whole package wrapped with a bow. You will feel ready to swoon with his actions and fan yourself with his dirty words. I really like that he has no filter and has the power to rattle Olivia but still settle her and make her feel safe. They both are task oriented and even when they were not looking for one another they were able to recognize that a chance at something serious was too good to pass out on. This book has a bit of excitement and mystery and a lot love. and a very smart pushy man that doesn’t take no for an answer... Correction, he doesn’t even asks. He takes.

Was this review helpful?

Kiss Kiss Bang is suspenseful romance filled with some intense moments.

I've read this series from the beginning and continue to enjoy each book I've read.

This one features Josef and Olivia. These two have what I would call a whirlwind romance.

Josef is protective and I would say Alpha as well. He was pretty relentless in his pursuit of Olivia but at the same time respected her profession as a politician. He made my heart melt with how he was with Olivia's daughter.

This storyline has some twists with it, definitely some moments where you are on edge as Olivia and Josef deal with threats to her. There are also some funny moments in this as well that had me chuckling.

The characters had me engaged from the very beginning and I found this one an easy and quick read. One sitting, no stopping.

If you are looking for a series that has involves suspense, hot chemistry and a hot protective alpha bodyguard then I definitely recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?

Joey is amazing! I immediately fell for him and his self control, impeccable manners and alpha personality. Then his love for Livie's daughter Sophie just took my heart. Livie came from nothing, widowed with an infant, and is now campaigning for Governor of Florida. There is nothing she can't do! Fabulous story with suspenseful moments, plenty of secrets and a Peppa Pig crazed five year old with questions for everything. The entire series is one of my favorites, read together is advised and enjoyable but each one can be separately read as the stories are not connected. I received my copy through Netgalley.

Was this review helpful?

A rousing, exciting story that I loved. Not my usual and I was positively engrossed from the first page.

Was this review helpful?

An awesome read with a perfect mix of suspense, romance and a bit of humor. This one was completely entertaining and I didn't want to put it down. The writing is excellent and the characters will grab your attention immediately. What really gets you though is the unique fresh storyline this author came up with.

Former marine Joey Clad may be a computer geek but he's all alpha as Olivia Monroe quickly discovers. Olivia is a single mom and a gubernatorial candidate so the last thing she needs right now is a relationship yet she can't seem to resist the strong and caring Joey. She needs his help finding out who is threatening her so spending time with him can't be avoided. Will she be able to resist him for long? Does she want to?

Definitely a book I recommend.

Was this review helpful?

4.25 ☆ This is my favourite Sidney Halston book to date! As Kiss Kiss Bang really drew me in from the start and kept me hooked throughout. And this was mainly down to the characters or one character in particular Joey Clad. Who I adored from the very first page, not to mention there was a really cute and funny five year old called Sophie. Who I couldn't help but love.
As for the storyline I thought it was good. A little suspenseful at times. As well as being both sweet and sexy and I enjoyed it a lot. Which is why I would happily recommend Kiss Kiss Bang to others.

Was this review helpful?

This book was......WOW. So so so good! Just read it, like now!

Was this review helpful?

Enjoyable light romantic suspense. I haven't read the previous books of this series, but it read well as a stand alone. I love the alpha male/ young daughter interaction, and she was adorable. Sure the relationship progressed quickly, and the "suspense" was somewhat predictable, but it was still a fun read for me.

Was this review helpful?

Joey Clad is half owner of Iron Clad Security. He is retired military, an IT genius and master hacker. He has always been a behind the scenes guy, taking care of everything IT, only becoming an active participant when absolutely necessary. He’s in great physical shape, somewhat alpha, very wealthy and pretty content with his life.

Olivia Russo grew up very poor with drug addict parents. She left town after high school and has done well for herself. She is currently running for Governor. She was widowed 2 days after the birth of her 5-year-old daughter, Sophie. She hasn’t dated since but has been focused on her daughter and career.

When her laptop crashes with her speech for the next day on it, she heads to the local computer fix it place. She has a public meltdown and Joey scoops in to save her.

Joey is completely fascinated by Olivia (Livie) and decides to see where it goes. Livie isn’t sure she has room in her life for a relationship but decides she’s not going to fight it.

There’s a small amount of predictable suspense with predictable bad guys. Mostly it’s Joey inserting himself into their lives playing the overprotective alpha while seeming to allow Livie to still live her life.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 stars!

The third book in the Iron Clad Security series, and Sidney Halston has delivered another solid bodyguard-client romance that is fun, flirty, sexy and romantic with a functional, low-angst relationship and a touch of mystery/suspense that makes this a really exciting read that can easily standalone. With an alpha hero you can’t help but love, a strong and feisty single mother heroine and an adorable little girl, this is a great read and I really enjoyed it.

Joey Clad is the second half of Iron Clad Security. An ex-Marine (of course), he is the tech guru of the company, and the best hacker in the business. Olivia Monroe is a widowed single mother who had a bit of an Erin Brockovich moment and found herself swept up in a run for Florida Governor. Her life is a whirlwind, and when she finds herself in trouble, Joey comes to her rescue

There’s a spark of attraction between Joey and Olivia from the very beginning, and when the gorgeous young politician becomes the target of a mysterious threat, Joey steps in to protect her – very quickly steamrolling his way into every aspect of Olivia’s life.

“I like you. I want you safe. You have a daughter. You need to keep her safe. I’m the guy who’s gonna do both those things.”


Oh, I do love me a straight-talking alpha male, and Joey is all that. He lays out for Olivia how he feels and what he wants, and he holds nothing back, and I freaking love that! There’s no game playing, no back and forth, no unnecessary angst. He puts it out there and he takes what he wants and it makes this a really fun read.

“I’ll tell you a secret, Livvie. While you’ve been working yourself up as to how I felt and you felt and Sophie felt and what the entire fuckin’ world felt, I’ve made you mine. Livie, Like it or not, you and me, we’re already in a relationship. You just didn’t want to see it.”


That’s not to say that there’s no intensity, because there absolutely is. The chemistry sizzles, the sexual tension is fantastic, and they do have issues that they need to deal with - the great thing is that they acknowledge those issues, they deal with them and they move on, working towards what they both want.

“This isn’t just a one-time thing, right? This is me and you trying for something more?”
“Darlin’, this is me and you trying for everything.”


Adding an additional layer of intensity is the threat facing Olivia. There is mystery and suspense, and it’s really well written. It doesn’t overwhelm the story, but it creates a sense of drama and excitement, and I thought it was really well tied in to the characters and their romance, making this a well-developed and intriguing story.

Quick shout-out too, to Olivia’s daughter, Sophie. She’s an absolute cutie, and watching the way that she and Joey embraced each other so effortlessly was just gorgeous.

I really enjoyed this book. 3.5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

A thrilling, sweet and sexy as heck romantic suspense. I love this series and each book is unique and exciting.

A computer crash is the last thing anyone wants, especially while preparing to give an important speech in a race for governor. Fortunately for Olivia Monroe, she also crashes right into delectable computer expert, ex-marine, co-owner of Iron-Clad security and secret hacker Joseph Clad who is more than willing to help a damsel in distress.

Olivia wouldn’t call herself a damsel in distress though. She’s a single mom and widow who’s been threatened and targeted because of her candidacy in Florida’s race for governor. She’s not backing down however, and Joey will be right there protecting her and her daughter Sophie, whether she asks him for his help or not. Because the man is not just attractive and skilled, he’s an assertive alpha male on a race of his own: to win the damsel’s heart. Can he convince her include him into her complicated life?

I’m not sure how I missed book #2 in this series, a fact that will be remedied ASAP, but I’m glad Kiss Kiss Bang didn’t escape me because I love reading Sidney Halston’s books which are always a source of great enjoyment.

This story snagged my interest right from its prologue which recounting Olivia’s teenage love for her next door neighbor while growing up and living in an underprivileged part of NYC. Fast forward twenty years and we see a thriving Olivia trying to fix her computer and meeting the very charming and self-assured Joey. Sparks immediately fly between them but Olivia resists not just because of her busy schedule but because of her cute and vivacious five year old daughter. But Joey is a hard man to say no to.

As threats turn to attacks, Joey’s protectiveness kicks in full force and while he’s racing to keep her from harm, he’s also falling hard for both the Monroe woman.

I just love a man who knows what he wants and is determined to get it. Joey might have been a bit highhanded, but it was just what Olivia needed and I loved how he admired and fell for her and Sophie. My ovaries just about exploded by the end of the book with all the cute scenes between Joey and Sophie!

Olivia is strong, smart, caring, and dedicated. She fights for what she believes in and does something about it. They were perfect for each other.

As Olivia and Joey got to know each other and the plot unfolded I kept wondering about Olivia’s past and present loving the suspense and trying to figure out what would come. I was as engaged with the story’s exciting plot as I was with the developing romance so much that I read this in one sitting!

Kiss Kiss Bang is book #3 of the Iron Clad Security series by Sidney Halston. It is a standalone romantic suspense. Told from both points of view and has a happy ending.

Was this review helpful?

Olivia is finally making a difference in her life and fighting for what she believes in as she runs for the Governor of Florida. Her family life was less to be desired and fueled her need to become a success. When her luck is down, she meets Joey. He would be her everything as he protected her and her very precocious daughter Sophie. Threats and attacks on her life forces Joey into action knowing he will do anything to protect the ones he has come to love. Absolutely loved this series!

Was this review helpful?

Sidney Halston writing is funny, emotional and suspenseful. Gubernatorial candidate Olivia Russo is also a single mother and stressed because her computer crashes. Joey Clad is the co-owner of Iron-Clad Securities and while on the job at an electronics store watching on the monitor he witnesses the meltdown of Olivia and comes to her rescue. Not knowing if she can trust the stranger but immediately and strongly attracted to him goes with him to his ICS office where he fixes her computer. Joey is just as strongly attracted to Livie and doesn't want to screw up the chance to get to know her. Livie is disappointed that they didn't exchange number but doesn't know like Joey does that he'll see her at the political event the next night. When protestors break through and into the building Joey makes sure that Livie is protected. In the elevator that happens to get stuck a very heated kiss is exchanged and unknowingly to them pictures taken. When Livie wants cancel her date with Joey, he won't let her and when more things happen makes it his business to protect Olivia and her 5 year old daughter Sophie too all the while falling in love with both of them. As the attempts to scare Olivia out the race for governor continue Joey and Livie get closer, and Joey has secrets that could derail her chances at governor along with 2 brother from her past . Will they be able to outwit the bad guys and live happily ever after? Will Livie become the governor of Florida? Will Joey reveal his secrets. I look forward to reading the other books in the Iron-Clad Security series. Book 3 has me hooked.

Was this review helpful?

Interesting, though unrealistic, story of a woman who is running for office. She befriends Joey, who is one of those men one hopes exists somewhere.

4 Stars. Great read.

Was this review helpful?

Wow this series of books by Sidney Halston is getting better with each new book that I read. Loved loved it from cover to cover, it had me hooked and won’t let go till the very end and left me wanting so much more even thow this book couldn’t get any better if it tried as Sidney Halston has done everything that is possible for a fantastic and enjoyable reading experience you can get. Would totally recommend

Was this review helpful?

This is the third book in the series and stand completely alone, so have no fear if you haven't read the first two :)

It's a fun romance with an added flair of intrigue and suspense. The characters are pretty great which makes you really invested in them and turning the pages as fast as you can!

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this last installment of this series. This is a very well written, well-flowing story that has all of the aspects I want in a romantic suspense and more.
Joey & Olivia have some major chemistry and I genuinely like both of them. I adore Sophie and I loved Joey's interaction with her as well has how protective of both her and Olivia he was.
I look forward to more from Sidney Halston as this series was just awesome!

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. I just had a hard time getting into this book at this time.

Was this review helpful?

In the year where women have stepped up to run for office comes a story of a widowed mother running for Florida governor. Olivia finds herself threatened and out of the blue, and timely, comes Joey of Iron Clad Securities. Her safety becomes precedent and of course the sparks fly as danger persists. Kiss Kiss Bang is a fine romantic suspense novel to conclude Halston's Iron Clad series.

Was this review helpful?

4 Solid stars... A geeky Bodyguard... a woman melting down at the computer shop and he steps in... Loved it- then it turns out she is in trouble and needs a bodyguard... Yum - this book had it all

Was this review helpful?