Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

In the beginning of this book I thought this series would be a throwback to her earlier wonderful series "Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor" and "Body Armor". It's not. The elements of strong, sensitive hero and take charge heroine are here, but it just isn't as good. I have to say up front that "Human Trafficking" is a trope I just don't like, so that may have something to do with it.

Sterling (Star) Parson is a woman on a mission. She is a loner and doesn't need help from anyone. She is an independent trucker which allows her to pursue her passion - finding and helping women who have been trafficked and putting the men responsible out of business.

Cade McKenzie's family has been touched by the evil of human trafficking and they all have decided to dedicate their lives to ending it, any way possible. He works as a bartender so he can help any way he can. When Star walks into his bar he senses a kindred spirit, a woman with a purpose and trouble.

They each have secrets, but one thing they share is an off the charts passion for each other. But, will that be enough when trust is nowhere to be found?

Author Lori Foster killed it in this first book of the McKenzies of Ridge Trail series…literally and figuratively.

The strong heroine in this story, Sterling Parson (Star), is out for revenge, working under the guise of being a truck driver, and taking refuge in the local bar. Cade, a bartender in the small town bar, knows more about Star than he will let on, but he won’t let her know until he has to, for her safety. The frequenters of the bar know to stay away from her, but she doesn’t seem to know her limits.

The McKenzie family dynamic is a mix of strong-minded individuals with a dark, twisted history and a very strong connection. The storyline is intense, deep, tragic, romantic and protective. 4.5 stars for this wonderfully written romantic suspense.

If you are looking for a book that will grip you, make you cry, make you laugh and make you want more then you really need to read NO HOLDING BACK. Hang on for this completely unexpected hard-hitting ride!

Reviewed by Annetta Sweetko for Fresh Fiction

The complete review may be found at: https://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=72813

What better way to start the new year than with a new Lori Foster series! And what a series it is. A little reminiscent of her Love Undercover series which was one of my favorites. Yet this series promises to be a little darker and I’m a big fan of dark. Books like this are why Lori Foster is an auto buy for me.
Cade and Sterling were fabulous characters. Both had heartbreaking back stories that had led them to their current paths and also made them the perfect match for each other. Cade was the sexy alpha that Lori Foster writes so well and Sterling his confident and capable match. When these two team up to take down human traffickers, you know you’re in for a wild ride. Their attraction was instant but the build- up of their relationship was slow and sizzling. And while I loved the sizzle, I also loved the emotional connection the two forged.
This book has the perfect blend of emotion, passion, and danger. It’s fast paced and will grab your attention from the start. If you’re a fan of off the charts steaming romance and engrossing suspense, you’ll be thrilled with this new series. Make sure you’ve got plenty of time because once you start reading, there’ll be no holding back. 2021 is off to a great start!

I loved this book. These are my type of hero/heroines. They both are strong, resilient and fiercely protective. Cade would be the perfect man for me in real life, as he is alpha but is not overbearing and a jerk about it. I love how Sterling gives as good as she gets to everyone. Both have fears and things that run deep especially Sterling but they are also strong. Both Sterling and Cade get each other exactly how couples should. Cade also seems to have special way of knowing exactly what Sterling needs and when to back off. I so can't wait to read more about the McKenzie family. I think this might be my favorite book so far by Lori Foster but she always seems to top them with her next book.

*I received this free book from NetGalley/author and am leaving my honest opinion*

The characters are great. The relationship between Cade and Star is fun to follow as they each learn about the other. Their progression as a couple is what kept me reading. Although a fan of Lori Foster the violence in this book was not to my liking and so found myself skimming through it.

The storyline is about human trafficking, which I understand is a real problem in society today but I read for enjoyment and this book, due to the nature of the subject matter, was anything but entertaining.

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

Sterling is so strong but so vulnerable. Cade watches over her even though he doesn't know anything about her. When he sees her take on some guys that he knows will harm her, he decides he needs to keep an eye on her. Whether she wants him to or not. Sterling doesn't trust anyone. She had a bad childhood and then she was abducted when she was a teenager. She doesn't want to be a victim ever again and she wants to help others who are in the same position. Cade and his family are secretly doing the same thing. Can Sterling trust him enough to work with him? Can she trust him with her heart?

This is the first in a new series that starts with its focus on human trafficking so ***Fyi it can be a trigger*** with that being said.... Sterling is a very strong female who works hard to help those escaping the dark world of trafficking. She has a past that turned her into a vigilante. Cade owns a bar but that is only a part of what he is, just you can’t judge a book by its cover. The story is full of suspense, attraction,and mystery. Cade family dynamics make for a whole story within itself. I can’t wait for the other books to see where they lead us. Everyone seems to be full of their own mystery. I was given an ARC from the author via Netgalley and this review is based solely on my own opinions.

. I am not sure about the premise of this book but once I got away from that it is a start of a great new series by Ms Foster.
Star is a strong heroine, I loved how she had self taught herself and the strength it would take to overcome everything she did.
The sibling relationship were so believable especially under the circumstances.
I am looking forward to the rest of the series .

This book hit all points with me. It was romantic, suspenseful, thrilling, had a bi of drama and at the center a great love story. This book had a strong female lead which I loved, and the lead man with a secret. Sterling and Cade have smoking hot chemistry and his protective side with her is heart melting. This is the first book in this series and it leaves you wanting the rest right now.

No Holding Back is the first book in the new McKenzies of Ridge Trail series. It has been a while since I have read anything by this author, and I am blown away by it! It was action-packed but also heartwarming as this family takes up the fight against human trafficking and rescuing innocent women. They wouldn’t meet the standards of a “normal” family so finding that special someone was not easy for them. Sterling (Star) Parson was a survivor, smart, sassy, and perfect for Cade McKenzie and you could feel the sizzle between them from the beginning.
Star had been taken by human traffickers while in high school but was able to escape before she was harmed. Now she tries to help innocent women and stop the men in charge of operations. She works alone and trusts no one but when Cade inserts himself into her life, she slowly comes to trust him as she realizes they are both working toward the same goal. Cade and his family are closing in on a human trafficking operation and Star was about to ruin it. Cade knows he must keep her safe, but he also needs to keep his family’s activities a secret. Cade and Star both must open up and share parts of themselves in order to build trust between them.
All the action and suspense in the storyline kept you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The characters were intriguing, and you couldn’t help but fall in love with them. I hope the next book will be Reyes’s story and I can’t wait for it!

Star Parson developed a thick skin a long time ago and it has suited her well being in the line of work that she is in. Being a truckdriver is typically something one would label a man's job, but she has found a way to make it her own, and also use it to do her true mission in life, save people from human trafficking. She blends in, scans the other drivers, and can quickly pick out someone who doesn't belong, her instincts are usually spot on. That is until she runs across bar owner Cade McKenzie... that man found a way to sneak past her radar and wander straight into her heart!

No Holding Back is an action-packed tale riddled with edge of your seat suspense and intense toe curling romance. As I settled down with this one I had an inkling that I was going to be in for a real treat and boy was I ever! I loved the tough as nails heroine, it's not too often you find one of those that can honestly stand toe-to-toe with the man vying for her heart. Star was not only impressive on paper, but inspiring as well. She had made it her mission to save others from a very ugly world, and she didn't care if she lost herself in the process, she was selfless and so strong. And when that world got a little ugly and a little too close it was Cade who came to her rescue, and he did an outstanding job at saving the day.... and stealing my heart right along with Star's! These two were pure magic together, they brought intensity, passion, compassion, and strength to every page... I loved everything about them! I look forward to more additions to the series, if they are anything like this one I know I will love them! Got to say Ms. Foster really outdid herself with this one, it took the top seat as my favorite read from her to date! Highly recommend!!

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

Wow, what a start to a new series! This story has it all--action, humor, family, intense emotion and lots of heat. Cade is drawn to Sterling, who has been a frequent visitor to his bar which is in a seedy part of town. Sterling is strong-willed, feisty and a tad skittish which intrigues Cade like no other woman. There is more to both Cade and Sterling which comes to light after one intense encounter that entwines their lives on many levels. You will love the journey these two take but don't overlook the "cherries on top": Reyes, Madison, Parrish and Bernard.

Sterling and Cade join forces to fight human trafficking along with Cade’s father and siblings. ARC from NetGalley.

No Holding Back (The McKenzies of Ridge Trail Book 1) Kindle Edition by Lori Foster
This is the first book in the series and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
This is Cade and Sterling's (Star) star story.  The whole McKenzie family is involved and I am sure they will play very important part in the following books.  This book covers a very horrific topic that is happening in the world today and the people fighting against it.  Cade is a strong H and Star is also strong and still dealing with some horrors in her past.  There is intrigue, angst, family interactions, heroes, bad guys, violence, laughs, tears, and lots of steam to get us to a very HEA.  I can't wait for more.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Tear-jerker Steamy Great world building Informative Unpredictable Page-turner Happily Ever After Wonderful characters Romantic Tragic Funny Action-packed Easy-to-read Entertaining

I am so in love with this new series. Generally I find it takes me some time to get to know and warm up to the characters in a new series but that was not the case with this book. All of the main characters have their own distinct personalities and there is an interesting dynamic within the McKenzie family (including their butler/chef Bernard). And while the subject of human trafficking is a serious matter, there are so many light hearted and snarky moments throughout the story that I often found myself laughing out loud. And given Reyes personality, I can hardly wait to read his story.

This new series based on a family that after a tragedy have become vigilantes of sorts, is not for the faint of heart. A series in which life is not black and white . The lines between the two is blurred and makes you wonder how one would react in similar circumstances where human trafficking is so real and justice is sought.
The first story in the series centers around the older son , Cade McKenzie, owner of a bar who in reality keeps tabs on what illegal things are being planned by some patrons.
Tucker Sterling/Star, is one of the patrons who frequents the bar. She stops by whenever her trucking route brings her close by. She somehow feels safe enough there that she frequently stays in a corner table and on occasion dozes. Her past has molded her present. She’s a survivor determined to help women in need. Cade suspects she’s trouble, but is very much drawn to her.
With a plot full of twists and turns, a very bad and evil man that is not only trafficking but also is after Star/Sterling, a complex family, and of course romance, this is definitely one story that will keep you on the edge of your seats from the first page to the last.
Kudos to the author for reminding the reader that human trafficking is very real in our country. As a nation and as individuals we need to help those in need. A reality hard to accept. Thanks goes to the author for bringing up this topic.
I am looking forward to more stories in this dynamic series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Engrossing story of Sterling and her quest to rescue trafficked women and how she teams up with Cade, and his family, who have the same mission. Each has personal reasons for what they do and as they learn to respect each other they recognize the value of working together. I enjoyed this complex romance with a haunting backstory. Highly recommended.

ARC received for review

I love Ms. Foster's books, and this one sounded great.

It just started out weird to me, and then the bad guy (or is it girl) was just off to me. It took me two days to read (I know that doesn't sound like a lot but I read fast and it should have only taken me a day). At times it dragged, and I had to power through. I loved Cade and his care of Star plus his siblings are pretty great. His dad is a butt. Loved Star and Rafe's (Cade's brother) sniping at each other.

Here's hoping Rafe and her book is better...will he ever get his cat back

I did not anticipated the book to open quite as darkly as it did, but it made it very clear what this series is dealing with: human trafficking.
It's not the first time Lori Foster has tackled this subject and I hope her books raise awareness.
Star got away and developed her life around the ability to help women escape and find support. She's been on her own for a long time and the walls around her soul are Mt Everest high.
Cade left the military and joined the family business under protest, but he's bloody good at what he does. When their paths meet and Star wrecks havoc with plans, processes, and routines, Cade is intrigued (when he's not tearing out his hair).
I loved the chemistry between the two and the way Star never responds as Cade expects her to. The two of them become a real team and Cade's brother and sister are fabulous back-up.
This was a great start to a new series and I cannot wait to discover Reyes and Kennedy's story in book 2.
TW: sexual harassment, human trafficking, sexual assault (not on the page, but talked about)