Cover Image: No Holding Back

No Holding Back

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

No Holding Back by Lori Foster is a page turning read. Really loved and enjoyed reading it. It's a beautiful story and I read it in one sitting.

A Must Must read.

Was this review helpful?

Lori Foster is a romance novel master. Lori switches things up in all her novels. You never know where she will take you. And that is especially true in No Holding Back.

Never in a million years would I think to find a love story in the middle of a book about human trafficking. But Foster does just this. The Mckenna’s are a remarkable family. I adore Cade, Reyes, and the whole gang. I just wish I had a Bernard of my very own.

Unfortunately, the dark subject made me feel a bit icky about enjoying the romance between Cade and Sterling. The steamy sex scenes feel out of place in a book about women being stolen and used for their bodies.

This ick factor is why I award No Holding Back 3 out of 5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

No Holding Back is a solid introduction to a new series. Lori Foster introduces a great bunch of characters along with a romance with loads of chemistry, and a storyline with danger and suspense. That's a good combination anytime as far as I'm concerned. Star and Cade are good together, and they're both likable, so it's not hard to root for them. The story does take a dark turn with a focus on human trafficking, so that's something to keep in mind, but it definitely held my attention. The writing is good and the story pulled me in and kept me invested in the lives of these characters. All in all, a good way to while away a few hours on the weekend.

Was this review helpful?

Sterling "Star" Parson is a truck driver who spends her time rescuing victims of human traffickers. Star is determined never to have to depend on anyone. Star finds a safe haven at a bar owned by Cade McKenzie where she can sleep without anyone bothering her. Cade knows Star is trouble and wants to learn all her secrets. Star and Cade try to fight their attraction to each other. Will Cade and Star learn to share their secrets and trust one another? Will Cade realize that Star is his other half? Will Star realize she can do more good working with Cade and his family than she can on her own? I love Lori Foster! No Holding Back is a fantastic book to start off The McKenzies of Ridge Trail series. No Holding Back has danger, scorching chemistry, suspense, action, and family. I would highly recommend getting No Holding Back by Lori Foster. I received an ARC of this book, and I am leaving my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This is a new series for Lori Foster. It’s about a girl named Star. In the beginning of the book you get to see what happened to Star when she was 17 years old. Because of her past Star has been shaped, to the person she currently is, when you meet her at Cade’s bar. Cade has been watching her for a while and knows something is going on with her and he wants to help. Cade is a tough ex military ranger who is always helping protect those in need. Those two have an instant connection and Star gives as good as she gets. You also get to meet Cade’s family. He has a brother, sister, father, and a close family friend, who has a true love of cats. The whole family is fighting for the justice of the innocent and they have trained for any event. The characters are wonderfully written and I can’t wait to see what happens in the second book! I was given an advanced reader copy for an honest review of this book.

Was this review helpful?

Lori Foster is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE authors and one of my most read. Seriously, she pretty much introduced me to the romance genre and I’ve been reading her books for MANY years. Unfortunately, I have not been clicking with her books lately. When I requested this book for review, I was expecting a mountain (cover), small town romance with some angst (blurb). No! This book is heavy and dark. Trigger warning…human trafficking!! Even though that is not a trigger for me, I was misled before opening the book! I’m a moody reader and I know that is not an excuse to complain about a book, but I was not in the right headspace for this.

Was this review helpful?

Lori Foster’s new series is about a family of fascinating individuals on a mission: to protect the innocent and bring justice to those that have evaded it for far too long. Sterling, aka Star, Parson has made it her personal goal to save as many women from sex traffickers as she can by using her profession as a trucker to aid them the best way she knows how. She is always on guard but has found a measure of peace and lowers the walls a tiny bit when she settles briefly in a bar owned by Cade McKenzie. Cade has been watching Star from the first moment she entered his bar. Each time she comes back he becomes more and more interested as well as suspicious of her true profession. He and his family, the McKenzies, are in the middle of another big mission and he shouldn’t let anything get in the way, but his draw to Star is also undeniable. Star and Cade begin working together with his family and are determined to bring justice to a seriously bad guy, but at the same time Cade and Star are falling deeper into their feelings for one another but they both have to lower the walls they have erected to keep others out. Watching Star break out of her shell and begin to trust others is fascinating; she'd been through some really terrifying experiences in her life but instead of letting them break her, she has made them into her purpose in life, driving her to help others. She is way out of her comfort zone with Cade's family, but uses her sarcasm smartly and the more she gets to know them the more she likes this crazy bunch of people. She is strong, but sweet at moments when she lets her underbelly show for Cade, and she is determined to do whatever it takes for those she thinks are weaker than her. Cade is a protector to the core and from the moment her saw her he knew that she would be his if they could find a way. He was a smartass as well but at the same time very dedicated and sweet that there was no doubt he was going to win in his mission to win over Star and that they were going to kick the asses of the criminal that they were after. His sweetness and determination to protect Star when she keeps throwing herself into danger made him frustrated several times, but he never lost his temper with her and that passion only fueled his feeling for her even more. The affection and lust between Cade and Star was there from the beginning -- their life together certainly will not be a quiet one! I can't wait to see the rest of the McKenzies find love as well as they continue to fight against the evils of the world.

Was this review helpful?

I was so excited to get a new series and this book didn't disappoint! Cade and Sterling have amazing chemistry together!! I can't wait for the next book in the series!! I received an arc and am leaving my honest review!

Was this review helpful?

Lori Foster’s new series about a family of fascinating individuals on a mission of protest the innocent and bring justice to those that have evaded it for far to long is one that will grab you by the heart and remind you that there really are good people left in the world. I was a tiny bit skeptical when I read this blurb because it seemed a little bit odd to me, but being that I am the daughter of a truck driver, and huge Lori Foster fan, I decide I would give her the benefit of the doubt and boy was I not disappointed. This story is one that revolves around a woman that has her own personal mission for justice who runs into the immovable force of the McKenzies and their missions cross in the most outstanding and explosive of ways. Sterling, aka Star, Parson has made it her personal goal to save as many women from predators as she can and uses her professional as a trucker to aid them the best way she knows how. She never lets her guard down, but she has found a measure of peace and lowers the walls a that smallest bit when she settles however briefly in the bar owned by Cade McKenzie. Cade has been watching Star from the first moment she entered his bar and each time she comes back he becomes more and more enamored, and suspicious of her true profession. He and his family are in the middle of another big mission and he can’t let anything get in the way, but his draw to Star is also undeniable. With Star and Cade working together with his family they are determined to bring justice to a seriously bad guy, but at the same time they are falling deeper into their feelings for one another if they will both just lower the walls they have erected to keep others out. I really loved getting to know Star and see her finding her way out of her shell. She has been through some really terrifying experiences in her life but instead of letting them break her, she has made them into the fuel that drives her and allows her to help others. She is hilarious in her interactions with Cade family and there I no doubt she is way out of her comfort zone there, but the more she gets to know them the more she likes this crazy bunch of people. She is strong, but sweet at moments when she lets her underbelly show for Cade, and she is determined to do whatever it takes for those she thinks are weaker than her. She really was the perfect match for Cade as he was a protector to the core and from the moment her saw her he knew that she would be his even they could find a way. He was a smartass but at the same time so dedicated and sweet that I couldn’t help falling in love with him, there was no doubt he was going to win in his mission and they were going to kick the asses of the criminal that they were after. I liked getting to know him and his family for sure, though I would have loved even more time where we saw him and Start get to focus on their relationship. His sweetness and determination to protect Star when she keeps throwing herself into danger made him frustrated several times, but he never lost his temper with her and that passion only fueled his feeling for her even more. The affection and lust between Cade and Star was there from minute one and led to some more than exciting moments that I can see making their lives interesting until the very end and there was no way to deny the passion. I loved every moment of this story and for sure am dying to find out what comes next in the series and to see the rest of the McKenzies find love as well as they continue to fight against the evils of the world. Lori Foster continues to amaze me with her imagination and ability to bring her characters and stories to life and to make her readers fall in love with them again and again. Another hit for sure!

Was this review helpful?

When I think of romance, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and satisfies every romance junkies' heart. This is a perfect books to snuggle up with on any day. Lori Foster is one of my favorites.

Was this review helpful?

What a way to start this new series! Whew! Lots of excitement.

I love reading Lori Foster’s romances. There’s something about them that is soothing. Even if it’s filled with angst and sadness, there’s just something about the strong man helping or rescuing the girl. Now don’t get me wrong, I do love strong women but we can’t do everything. Lori’s books show that it’s ok to be strong and ask for help.

Was this review helpful?

*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review*

No Spoiler Alert but that there will be various topics that can cause triggers

Sterling Parsons and Cade McKenzie are not your typical heroine and hero. For one they are very different but more alike than they know. Sterling has recently moved to Ridge Tail and yet Cade McKenzie can sense that she is hiding secrets and yet they could be the same as his.

If you love Lori Foster's books then you will love this one. I cannot wait for the rest of the books in this series to see how they unfold.

Was this review helpful?

No Holding Back (McKenzies of Ridge Trail #1). By Lori Foster. HQN Books (ARC eBook).

Ridge Trail may be a small Colorado mountain town but the McKenzie brood have strategically placed themselves in prime positions to gather information on human trafficking. It’s a secret and personal enterprise for the McKenzies. The family patriarch, Parrish, has set up his oldest son, ex-Army Ranger Cade, with a bar; and his second son, Reyes, a gym. His youngest child and only daughter, Mackenzie, handles the IT; and Bernard, an old family friend, stands in as their butler. Enter Sterling “Star” Parson, a truck driver who helps women escape abuse and is chasing her own dark past. When she and Cade cross paths while going after the same target, Cade brings her into the fold, and finally Star may have the justice she’s been seeking.

There is plenty of action, and rough and tough guys and gals to tackle the dark side of humanity. I had a hard time not picturing the brood as the Cartwrights from Bonanza though; especially with the widowed father and butler. But overall, I did find myself more interested in the other brother, Reyes, and what I’m sure will be his story next.

Was this review helpful?

If you're looking for something good to read I recommend No Holding Back by Lori Foster. Sterling and Cade's story is book 1 in her new The McKenzies of Ridge Trail series. Sterling's past has shaped her life and she uses her experience to help others. She intrigues Cade, the owner of a bar she frequents. Before long she realizes Cade can help her in her pursuits and they are soon getting close. No Holding Back will keep you glued to the pages until the end.

Was this review helpful?

Sterling "Star" is a trucker and a woman that has secrets. She knows all too well what challenges a woman in her profession faces every day. Cade is a bar owner and knows Star is trouble when she walks into the bar. He is eager to find out all her secrets for himself. The two have intense chemistry. This was a good read.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and am leaving a review.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book! The opening grabbed my attention with Star asleep in the bar, then the book took off from the very first page and never let up. Suspense, drama, and super steamy--I loved everything about Star and Cade's story. She was so fiercely independent so it was so touching to see her slowly let Cade into her life. I loved the way Cade took care of her without acting like he was taking care of her. Cade's family was a hoot and I liked the way they all had these strong-minded, dynamic personalities but worked so well together to protect Star and the other women in the story. Action, humor, and a swoony romance set this series off on a great start and I can't wait to read Reye's story.

Was this review helpful?

In Lori Foster's No Holding Back, this contemporary romance is hot, sexy, and and plenty of suspense like a romantic suspense/thriller-instilled into it. For Trucker Star Parsons who goes by the name of Sterling, she's a woman on a mission to take down a sex trafficker named Mattox. She was once a victim and wanted to save women from that precarious plight. But there was one problem, a bartender named Cade McKenzie she met in the bar, who stood in his way. It's been his life's mission to bring down the same person with his family. They both had strong backgrounds with rough upbringings. And when they joined forces to take down Mattox, they bettered the odds to win this fight. But the passion and the heat between them is smoking hot when they can't stop resisting each other. Together, they prepare to fight the good fight until they face off against him and later pledge their heart's desires to each other.

Was this review helpful?

Wow this new series from Lori Foster started out with a bang. Sterling was abducted by human traffickers and somehow managed to escape. Now she is determined to help other women if possible.

Case first noticed Sterling but to him she is Star. He is captivated by her and begins to watch her movements in his bar. Soon he realizes she is up things that will get her hurt. The Mackenzies have been tracking down human traffickers and now Star becomes the focus. Star and Cade are such a perfect match.

Human trafficking is a serious problem and Lori Foster did a wonderful job bringing problem to life in her book. Please be aware and safe!!

Was this review helpful?

As a teenager Sterling endured a traumatic experience that no one should have to, but she emerged from the situation stronger and determined to ensure that other didn’t suffer the same fate. Her career as a truck driver was deliberate as it allowed her to scope out threats without anyone being the wiser. She is used to constantly being on guard and Cade’s bar is the one place that she feels secure enough to rest.

Cade has transitioned from a career in the military to owning his own bar and shares a close relationship with his family. He is drawn to Sterling in a way that is unexpected and believes that there is a lot more to this private person than he knows. After he rescues her from a dangerous situation he realizes that there isn’t anything he wouldn’t do to keep her safe.

Sterling is strong and resilient while Cade is everything you would want in a hero and more. Suspense, romance and a great cast of secondary characters ensure leave you wanting more stories in this series.

Was this review helpful?

Great start in a new series! This book has it all, lots of action, steamy romance, and some mystery. I really liked Cade and Sterling's characters. I would definitely recommend this book and series.

Was this review helpful?