Every time I read one of Stacey’s books, I am automatically drawn to the hero/heroine and almost feel like I personally know them. I went into this book wanting to know more about Kinsley and she didn’t disappoint. And Rhett, oh my heart. Stacey’s characters always grab a a hold of you for some reason and that made Ruthless Bastard a perfect read. One of those that once I started it I didn’t want to put it down.

Stacey Kennedy never disappoints! This was a fantastic story with heartache, friendship, family, and love. I felt every emotion of the characters and could not put this book down. Even though I didn’t not read the rest of the series, I never felt lost or like I was missing part of the story. However, I immediately want to go and purchase the others and get to know the rest of the group! I HIGHLY recommend this book!

AWESOME! Is that a little too strong? Nope. This book had all the feels in it. Heat, humor, danger, oh and one ruthless bastard. Rhett has been the ruthless one, the deadly one, the unfeeling one, since he left the Army. It was how he was trained, it was what he knew. The Army made him that way. Kinsley has loved Rhett since they were young. They grew up together. Kinsley, even though her mother abandoned her, she loves hard and fierce. She is very loyal. What happens when a one night stand turns south? Oh boy! A crap ton of drama and over protectiveness. Especially when someone is trying to put Kinsley out of business and will do it one way or another....
No spoilers darn it! I loved this book and just did not want to put it down. It had me hooked...bad

Rhett and Kinsley have known each other forever. Kinsley has always liked her brother’s best friend. The feeling is definitely not one sided which is always great in this trope. They shared a brief encounter at her brother’s wedding. It was fun and exciting but Rhett pushes her away.

Rhett has a lot of triggers from his military time. He is a scarred man and no longer the teenager in love with his best friend’s sister. He has pain in him that makes him a cold and hard. The author tells the readers that he is this big standoffish guy but when it comes to Kinsley he is such a softie. I liked him a lot but a part of me wanted to delve deeper into that hurt.

Kinsley opens a bar in town but is in over head with the local gang. They don’t want her running the bar in town. Rhett is no pushover and immediately his Alpha side kicks in for the woman he cares about. There is nothing like a threat to push a couple together.

The sexiness of this story is off the charts. From the beginning where they had this uneasiness to them to the end where they are in love there is no denying the chemistry of these two.

Of course, there is drama, action and suspense as Rhett has to deal with the gang. As the two get closer, Rhett also has to deal with his friendship with her brother. There is such a fine line to play within. Kinsley doesn’t care as she wanted him her entire life. She handles the relationship in such a mature fashion.

This is a quick and easy read. I read it in one swoop from cover to cover and enjoyed it a lot. There are so many great characters popping in and out of the story. I can’t wait to go back to the start of the series because I definitely want to read more.

~ Samantha

A bar owner's bar gets trashed and who better to catch the culprit than the man she's been in love with since childhood and who also happens to be the father of her unborn child?

Third in the series but can definitely be read as a standalone. I decided to pick this one up as I was looking for something quick and spicy to read. I usually end up falling for the heroes like Rhett who come back from serving our country with PTSD. Rhett clearly loves Kinsley, but doesn't believe he can be what she wants (a husband). I would have liked a little more push and pull between Kinsley and Rhett who agree to become co-parents very easily and end up in bed pretty much immediately after she decides to stay with him when she' and the baby are in danger, despite knowing how "wrong" they are for each other. I felt pretty disconnected from the mystery and I'm not sure if it's just because the truth behind it was not really solvable for any reader or if it's because I didn't read the previous books to understand it a little better. Regardless, an okay book and a quick read.

Although a standalone book I think that it would benefit the reader to have read the previous books. Some of dialogue referred to past event that I wanted to know more about. This is the story of Kinsley and Rhett. The story certainly started off with a "bang" and continued to move at a quick pace. The story certainly had dama, suspense, family, friends and a little humor.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "RUTHLESS BASTARD" This is an addicting must have series you don't want to miss it's full of suspense, intrigue, danger, angst, secrets, action, hot steamy passion with twists you didn't see coming.
Rhett West is an ex-Army Ranger now a police detective in Stoney Creek Police Dept. his BF Boone is also a Detective and his father Police Chief in tbe small town of Stoney Creek Maine.
Kinsley Knight is the owner if the jazz club Whiskey Blues and it's very successful she and Rhett her long time crush have a very wild hot steamy might together at her brother Boone's wedding when they get back she tried numerous times to contact Rhett but he's ghosting her she has a little surprise for him.
Kinsley has a run with some dangerous bikers at her club one grabs her wrist rather hard that when Rhett comes and takes him down the next she heads to work only to find it was broken into they think it was the biker gang from the night before.
Rhett takes Kinsley home they argue at the door it's a surprise party everyones there she blurts put her surprise to everyone's shock he stays outside at first nit knowing how her brother Boone and dad are going to react about them being together.
This was such a terrific story I loved the chemistry between Rhett and Kinsley and how he steps up I definitely recommend so well worth the read I was sorry it ended. AWESOME AWESOME READ!!!!!

Ruthless Bastard by Stacey Kennedy is book Three in the Dangerous Love Series. This is the story of Kinsley Knight and Rhett West. I have read the previous books, but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Rhett had left his home town to join the Military and his plan was to make that a lifetime decision. But then he was injured which of course made that plan change to him being retired from the military and returning back home. But along with his two friends they became detectives in law enforcement. Rhett is a homicide detective who has taken to drinking to much and sleeping around to much. Kinsley has always had a crush on her brother's best friend but never got noticed or was able to act on it. But at her brother's wedding she does get her only chance to taste the forbidden fruit that is Rhett. But afterwards, Rhett goes back to ignoring her until she and the bar she owns becomes threatened. Rhett has gone into protective mode but especially after finding out something that Kinsley hadn't yet told him. Enjoyed this page turning story!

Ruthless Bastard was well worth the wait! I have been on pins and needles waiting for Rhett and Kinsley's story and what a good one it was. When they finally get together for a night I worried Rhett wouldn't be able to handle all that is Kinsley but having all of his protectiveness come out in this book made all the anxiety I had reading worth it! Also when it came to that beautiful moment near the end I couldn't help shed a tear. Loved this book!

This is the First time I am reading this author and totally enjoyed this book.

Rhett & Kinsley's story kept me entertained.

I liked the damaged backgrounds of these characters and seeing them learn to love again.
Steamy & a good story full of romance and acton packed plot that kept me hooked.

I will be. checking. out other books from this author.

Kinsley and Rhett have known each other for practically their whole lives. He's one of her brother's best friends, a police detective, and the only man who has ever owned her heart. He used to be sweet and charming, however, when he retired from the military he came home a changed man. Rhett is haunted by the things he did and what he saw when he was a soldier and adjusting to civilian life hasn't been easy. No one can question Kinsley's devotion to him, but Rhett would never saddle her with all of his baggage. He has no dreams of happily ever after. He can't even hold down a relationship. Can the small town sweetheart tame the notorious playboy?

Ruthless Bastard was a well-written, fast-paced, and entertaining diversion from reality. Rhett was supposed to be portrayed as a cold-hearted bastard, but to me, he was warm and caring with a bit of damage. I loved how the author characterized him and his backstory for it gave him depth and explained why he was such a delicious broken hero. As for Kinsley, she was an absolute darling person who should have nothing but happiness and joy. The small town feel and the romance that vibrated through these pages with some suspense to give this story an edge made my reading experience complete!

This third installment in the Dangerous Love series was a coupling I had been waiting for. They have always had electric on page chemistry, and I loved getting to see their story. I do hate that it was done with the whole "accidental pregnancy" trope thrown in there, but this book felt high stakes. It was nice to see both of the characters soften more towards each other as the grew closer through their adversities. All of the deep topics were well handled, and I appreciated the real nature of this novel. This series is definitely worth checking out.

First let me say I am an avid Stacey Kennedy reader. I absolutely loved THIS book. It has romance, steamy sex, but honestly the suspense got me, and of course love. I could not put this book down! Please read. Although it is third in the series, it could be read by itself.

This was my favorite book of the series. I wasn't sure if it would be, with the long history between the two main characters, but I loved it so much!

Kinsley Knight owns a successful jazz bar, and she's fairly happy at 29, but still single. She has always wanted Rhett West. Since she was a kid trailing after her big brother Boone and his two best friends, Rhett and Asher. But, after Rhett came back from his final Army deployment, he was never the same relaxed, fun-loving boy again. She still loves him, but she knows he can never be what she needs. He can never let her in, not really. But, at her brother's tropical wedding, they finally stop fighting their attraction for one night only, with unintended consequences.

Rhett West is a hot mess. He's a successful homicide detective in his small coastal Maine hometown, but he had plans for a lifetime as an Army Ranger. Until a bullet to the shoulder took that choice from him, and sent him back to a home he thought he'd never see again. He has had major problems readjusting to civilian life, and he can't seem to let anyone close, except his 2 lifelong best friends, who are also detectives who work with him. He's always noticed Kinsley, and he's always known how she felt about him. But after he got home, he knew she deserved more than he could ever give her, so he worked hard to keep her at arm's length. He slept around, and drank too much, and generally was unpleasant to be around. But, after one night with Kinsley, he's been avoiding her for the last two months, until the night some bikers roll into her bar and give her a scare.

Rhett and Kinsley had mega chemistry, and after they finally acted on it the first time, they had a very hard time keeping a lid on it. They were drawn together due to their circumstances, as well as the threats to Kinsley and her bar, and they couldn't help but take advantage of their situation. This story had so many tropes I love, including two of my most favorite: best friend's little sister, and forced proximity. I really had fun watching these characters fall into each other, almost without realizing it at first.

The rest of the crew was fun to catch up with, after watching them get their HEAs in the 2 prior books. I love how they really are like family, with all their different crossed connections, and relationships. I love how much they are all there for one another, and truly love each other. Kinsley's dad is also so great, and I loved how he trusted her to deal with her own life, and make her own choices. They all really loved both Rhett and Kinsley and hoped for the best for them.

I felt like the suspense plot was pretty strong here, and you never knew when danger was right around the corner. It kept me on my toes and I enjoyed that aspect of the story. I also liked how the danger really moved the story along between Rhett and Kinsley. If you've enjoyed this series, I think you'll really like this book as well. This was my favorite story of the 3, and I loved how it closed everything out for all these characters we've come to love.

This was my first series by this author, but I enjoyed all 3 books so much. I highly recommend this series, and especially this book!

The sizzling chemistry between Rhett and Kinsley finally comes to a head at her brother Boone's wedding.  After an unforgettable night at least for Kinsley, Rhett encases himself in a cone of ice and silence refusing to take her calls or answering her knocks on his door.  So when she does see him next she blurts out what she's been trying to get in touch with him about not realizing that she has an audience. She's pregnant and he's the father.  She doesn't need anything from him but feels he should know. Poor Rhett.  When he joined the US Army and went off the war he never expected that he would one return and take up a civilian life. Now he lives his life in the small town where he grew up working as a detective on the local police force along with his two best friends. He has no other relationships other than one night stands to take care of his needs.  He's resisted his attraction to Kinsley being that she's his best friend's sister and he does not do relationships.  Now! No pressure but his friends and family wait to see what he's going to do next.
Kinsley is one of the sweetest characters that I've ever met. She has no expectations from Rhett even though she loves him fiercely.  Slowly but surely her love starts to crack the ice surrounding Rhett's heart but danger surrounds her. If Rhett cannot protect Kinsley and his unborn child it will devastate him in ways his military service hasn't.  I am familiar with the more erotic writing by the author but the sensitivity with which she has tacked Rhett's emotional journey makes this book a winner. 
I have really enjoyed this series and the characters making it hard to say goodbye. I can't wait to see where the author will take us next.

3.5 stars (minor spoilers)

I really liked the MC- she was very mature, independent, and knew what she wanted. The male MC was great too- he has emotional scarring from having served for years as an army ranger, and he thought he was beyond repair, but he grows as a person and chooses to accept help. The chemistry was hot! I really liked that he's an alpha male, but doesn't smother the MC- he kept on asking her what she needed or wanted and did his best to meet her there without changing his core self.

I really liked this book and will definitely look into the author's other books.

Leaving reviews on goodreads and amazon

Rhett West- ex Army Ranger, current police detectives in small town Maine.
Kinsley- owner of Whiskey Blue, daughter of the chief of police. Has been in love with Rhett since she was 14.
Rhett and Kinsley are pure magic.
Kinsley has long loved Rhett. She has stood by as he left for the Army Ranger. She watched him come back a shell of the man he was before. Kinsley stood by and never judged Rhett’s behaviors.
Rhett goes against his own reason and has a one-night stand with Kinsley at her brother Boon’s wedding. He instantly regrets it. Fast Forward 2 months and he has been avoiding Kinsley even though she has been trying to call him. A scuffle at her bar brings him running to her and this is where things get good!
Kinsley and Rhett have such an amazing connection. There is something so magical about Rhett. He feels broken but his actions show that he isn’t. Kinsley has been raised with out a mother, due to her mom leaving when she was young. Kinsley worries she isn’t enough for someone to stick around for her.
It is so awesome to see Rhett’s protective nature kick in when Kinsley and her bar are threatened. There are so many moments when you get a glimpse at the kind of man Rhett is.
Rhett is totally swoon worthy. He made this book for me. I love all of Stacey Kennedy’s books and she does not disappoint with Ruthless Bastard. This was a 5/5 read for me. And Rhett got himself added to book boyfriend shelf!

Kinsley Knight has forbidden written all over her, she is the younger sister to his best friend, and that is a line he knows he shouldn't cross... even though he has once before. They let their attraction for one another lead them to bed one night, but the next morning he decided it was best to go back to a "hands off" rule with her.

He does his best to keep his distance, but when she calls one night asking for his help he can't help but come rushing to her defense...

Between the pages of this steamy little literary romp readers will meet a brooding wounded hero and the feisty woman who is determined to find her way into his heart. This forbidden pairing brought life to the pages, you couldn't help but get wrapped up in their little show. Rhett was determined to keep the lines clear between them and stay true to his friendship with her brother, but Kinsley didn't believe in lines, so she pushed him at every turn. I loved watching her push his buttons and tempt him every chance she got, and of course watching him try to contain himself around her, they kept anticipation levels high throughout. They were quite the pairing! I loved every single second of this one, the words were so intense and passionate, it was impossible to not get entranced by them!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, via NetGalley, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

The Dangerous Love series is such a good one and I was really happy to be back with this group of people!

Kinsley Knight is the sister of Detective Boone Knight and she's owns a bar/jazz club, Whiskey Blues, in town. Kinsley has spent time around Boone's best friend's for years, but Rhett West has always been the one that she has wanted for herself. But he's always been off-limits since he is her brother's best friend.

Rhett went into the military and expected that was going to be his life's work, but when he was injured and subsequently honorably discharged, he had to figure out what he was going to do with the rest of his life. He's come home and is working as a detective, but he is still haunted by things that happened during his time in the service and also the fact that he had to give it up.

When the opportunity presented itself at her brother's destination wedding for Kinsley to have the one taste of Rhett that she's always wanted, she took it. Now that they are back home, she's trying to get back to normal, but when her bar is threatened, things are anything but normal. Now fighting for the business, Rhett, her brother and their other friend Asher, are doing everything they can to help her. Rhett is involved from a detective standpoint, but Kinsley means more to him than he's ever let on to anyone else. Can these two actually find their way to one another and make it work?

I loved this book and I read it in one sitting. The characters are fantastic, it kept me on the edge of my seat with the action and I also loved the way Rhett and Kinsley's romance unfolded. The friendships and sense of family in this book are another reason that I loved it so much. Kudos to Stacey Kennedy for another winner in this series.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher**

Ruthless Bastard is a brother’s best friend/accidental pregnancy/small town/romantic suspense and the third book in the Dangerous Love series by author Stacey Kennedy.

Kinsley Knight and Rhett West have both grown up from their awkward teenage years, and can’t resist one another at her brother Boone’s destination wedding. Rhett’s military service and medical discharge have changed him deeply, and he has returned a “damaged” man. He joined the police department, and is still harboring a crush on his best friend’s sister. Kinsley owns a bar and ends up caught up in the middle of an intense gang situation.

This book is fantastic! I love the way the author makes the story flow so wonderfully, and details of the characters and their actions. This whole series is wonderful and intense. I love everything about this book! This wraps up this series so perfectly! I love the feels I got from this book. It has everything! I didn’t want to put it down. Loved this book and recommend it with 5 stars!