Lori Foster is a talents romance writer. Her ability to write two flawed characters who will pull at readers heart strings. Kennedy does everything she can to control her life so others do not see what she struggles with. Kennedy is very human with her desires that readers could see themselves friends with her.

The McKenzie's Ridge Trail is a must read series and your in luck it is only book 2! Start this series now!

4 1\2 stars

I did not read the first book in the McKenzies of Ridge Trail, but I definitely will be going back to get the full story. Kennedy Brooks is a survivor of human trafficking. She has written a book and speaks, specifically to University and College students about the dangers and how to protect themselves. When she returns home from her most recent tour, she finds her apartment burned down and begins to think she is in danger. She calls Reyes McKenzie who comes to pick her up and keep her safe. Who is after Kennedy? Can Reyes keep this strong, independent woman safe?

Reyes and his family have a vested interest in getting traffickers off the street. I enjoyed getting to know his family, especially his sister and sister-in-law. They are smart, independent men and I love their snarky attitudes, they take nothing from anyone. Reyes is a swoon-worthy hero, and is adamant about taking care of Kennedy and keeping her safe. Stronger Than You Know is a suspenseful story, told from Kennedy's POV with some added information from the POV of her friend Jodi. There are some difficult sections to read about the abuse the women suffered, but it was only a small part of the story. The story starts with a bang, but as we got to the middle of the story we meet the bad guys and their plans, it slows down a bit. As those plans moved forward, the action ratchets up as things come to a head. This was an enjoyable romantic suspense with great characters. The romance built slowly, with Reyes being very patient and Kennedy slowly opening up and trusting him with her heart, mind and body. If you love a slow burn that gradually ignites, you’ll love seeing their relationship develop and bloom. There are a couple of intimate scenes, but not too bad for those of us who prefer a clean romance. This book ends setting up the next in the series and I am ready for it, after I read No Holding Back.

The McKenzie family keeps they’re real business secret, but Reyes, like Cade before him, uses his side gig to full advantage.

Kennedy though, she, like Star, was a human trafficking victim, but she’s gone a totally different route. Instead of vigilante, she does public speaking and writes books, choosing to educate.

Of course, nothing beats coming home from a speaking gig to your apartment fire, goons waiting for you, or the knowledge that your past is coming for you. But fortunately if you’re Kennedy you have Reyes’ number in your phone…

Now, the two of them are adorable. Reyes is the guy who sits there going “I’m never going to grow up and marry, I’m a loner.” While Kennedy is such a loner you just want to buy her a cup of coffee and talk, or introduce her to all your single male friends.

And of course there’s action and drama, and a kitten or three

So first off don't let the cover art fool you. This is not a western romance. This is story about a woman who escaped from Human Traffickers but is still being hunted by them and a family determined to take them down, while helping survivors regain their lives.

Reyes McKenzie is considered the brash one of his family. He uses his gym to keep ears on the ground about any possible leads. When his mother committed suicide after being rescued from traffickers his father created a task force to rescue, counsel and provide assistance for survivors and take out the traffickers. Reyes, his brother and sister make a formidable team to stop the bad guys.

Kennedy Brooks escaped from human traffickers and went on to write a book about her ordeal and how to be more aware of the dangers. She also travels a lot on speaking engagements to help others be more aware. She still feels traumatized and stuck in the past but others see her as a strong, courageous woman.

When Kennedy returns home to find her apartment on fire and strange men waiting for her, she reaches out to the one person she thinks might be able to help, Reyes. He and his family come to the rescue and he ends up taking her into his home to protect her.

Watching these two grow close and falling in love was sweet and endearing. Foster does an amazing job of blending danger and suspense with a touching love story. Not only did I fall in love with these two, but I got to see the beginning dance between Madison (Reyes' sister) and Detective Cosby. I enjoyed this story so much and I can't wait for Madison's story. The McKenzies of Ridge Trail series will touch your heart and has amazing characters you'll want to keep reading about.

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Stronger than you know is the 2nd Book in the McKenzie family series & definitely a favorite of mine as I absolutely LOVE the McKenzie siblings. In Stronger than you know,  the 2nd of the McKenzie siblings, Reyes, continues his story with Kennedy. Alongside them, Madison, the last of the McKenzies, meets the handsome detective, Crosby. Together the three siblings come together to create a fun, hot & steamy, story, all while being badasses too!

STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW takes readers back to the intriguing world of The McKenzies of Ridge Trail. Lori Foster weaves magic with the words on every page she offers her readers.

Reviewed by Annetta Sweetko for Fresh Fiction

Complete review: https://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=74941

Kennedy has survived being trafficked and now she empowers others to get help and show them that it is possible to live your life afterwards. But somehow her past has caught up to her and she must rely on the help of Reyes McKenzie and his family. And of course nothing goes according to her plan, but she learns to roll with it and make the most of it. What she wasn’t expecting was growing closer to Reyes in the process.


While this is definitely a hard topic to read about, it’s also very empowering to see how these women overcome such hardship and find love in the midst of that. The McKenzie clan know the sad reality of human trafficking and have spent their adult lives trying to help them. I love the way this family has turned something horrible into something so good.

I love the way Lori Foster writes romance. I love the alphas who know when to step back and allow their women to control the situation, while at the same time being there in case they need them. And they also know when they see the bigger picture and take charge. Definitely fun to read about. And I am looking forward to reading Madison’s story next. She is definitely gonna be a force and I can’t wait for the explosions she creates.

Loved the main characters. Also loved snarkiness between the siblings. Fun and easy to read. I received an advanced reader copy for my honest review.

I’ve mentioned before that although I love pretty much everything I’ve read by Lori Foster, her romantic suspense novels pull me in more easily than her sweet romances. Stronger than You Know was a perfect example, but I knew that going in. No Holding Back was the perfect intro to the McKenzies of Ridge Trail series and Stronger than You Know was a strong continuation.

Reyes was attracted to Kennedy from the time she started coming to his gym. The attraction was mutual, but Kennedy was cautious, with good reason. Cautious or not, that didn’t stop her from realizing that he was someone she could trust enough to call when she sensed she was in danger. He proved himself from not hesitating at all to come when she called. That was the catalyst to their romance, but it was a slow burn from there. Knowing her history and Reyes’ experience in recognizing the signs, taking things slow made sense. The action and suspense started from the first chapter and didn’t slow down much from that point on.

Aside from the suspense, I think what I like most about this series so far is the family dynamic. Two books in and the character development is easy to pick up on. Parrish was almost distant in the beginning, but as reluctant as he was to open his family up to outsiders, Star and now Kennedy are helping him to open up. In the same way, Cade and Reyes are seeing a side of their father that they thought was gone since they had lost their mother. Even though Madison was the only girl in a household of men, she held her own and brought a skillset to their family “business” that earned their respect. Even Bernard was more than just a trusted employee and even the family has seen another side of him as the series has progressed. The banter and good natured teasing between all the characters was a fun distraction from the danger and suspense.

Reyes and Kennedy’s story was brought to a satisfying end, but the family’s story is far from over. Madison is next and readers were given a taste of what’s to come. I can’t wait for Watching Over You and more from the rest of the McKenzie family. ❤

These McKenzies' just keep getting better and better! With the second book in her McKenzies of Ridge Trail series Lori Foster dazzles us with Reyes and Kennedy and loads of chemistry and danger. This series is filled with intrigue and heart and keeps us on our toes throughout. I can't wait for Madison's story!

I highly recommend this book as well as the series to anyone who enjoys a close knit family out to right the wrongs in the world as each sibling finds their happily ever after along the way.

Kennedy has endured a traumatic past but rather than letting it define she does whatever she can to ensure that others don’t have to survive the same fate. When she arrives home to find her apartment on fire, she believes that her past is catching up with her so she calls the one person that she thinks can protect her who is Reyes.

Reyes first met Kennedy when she became a patron at his gym, and he immediately sensed her caution. When she needs his help, he is determined to keep her safe and that means showing that she can trust him with the secrets of her past so that they can eliminate the danger in the present.

Reyes is so patient and understanding while Kennedy’s strength and resilience shines through. They take us on a intriguing journey as we watch their relationship unfold and catching up with the McKenzie family is always fun.

I am a big Lori Foster fan and will read anything she publishes and this book was no exception!! Stronger than You Know is the second book in the series The McKenzies of Ridge Trail, though it can be read as a stand-alone. Reyes McKenzie is known to the town people, runs the local gym and teaches self-defense. But behind the scenes he also "collects" information on illegal activities that his family will look into. Reyes loves his bachelor lifestyle, where he "sees" 3 different women who are all looking for the same thing - just sex and a good time, nothing serious. In walks Kennedy Brooks joining Reyes gym, wanting to keep her self-defense skills in tip-top shape. The attraction is instant! She also realizes Reyes is much more than a gym owner.

I received an ARC from NETGalley and this is my honest review.

Not to get ahead of myself, but I can't wait for Madison's book! Sterling and Kennedy are both pretty kickass, but I feel like Madison is going to be the star of the series.

The McKenzie family is back on the trail of human traffickers, this time with Reyes at the forefront, and Kennedy by his side. I was intrigued with Kennedy from the brief introduction we got in No Holding Back and couldn't wait to get to know more about her and her story. Turns out she has more in common with Reyes and his family than she expected.

Stronger Than You Know is suspenseful, much like NHB, but this time we get the story from the points of view of survivors, Kennedy and to an extent, her friend Jodi. Reading about what these two went through was tough at times, especially knowing, even though their story is fictional, what happened to them is really going on in the world today.
As intriguing as the story was, it did go a little slow at times, especially towards the middle. I enjoyed the beginning, getting to know Kennedy and Reyes while they got to know each other. I liked when Reyes's family started to get involved in the case. But there was a point when things began to slow down- with all the talking and planning, including when we were in the pov of the bad guys, and I really just wanted more action. Everything ramped up again at the end as things came to a head. Kennedy really showed her strength in the midst of it all, I loved it!

While Kennedy's story arc was wrapped up in this book, I like that there's an overall arc that continues throughout this series. That teaser at the end for Madison's book made me even more excited for it than I was before. Crosby is definitely going to have his hands full with her, I can't wait!

Kennedy is a strong woman that took her own traumatic life experience and uses it to teach young women about the horrors of human trafficking. She is always on guard and afraid that her life is in danger because of this but she know she has to continue to help save as many as she can. Reyes is a man of mystery who isn’t who he appears to be yet when it comes to Kennedy he feels an immediate need to protect her so when she spots trouble she know she has to call him for help. The two of them are a perfect match and throw his brother, sister-in-law, and sister and you have a perfect second book in this series. You can read it as a stand alone but the books are fantastic so I’d definitely would pick them both up. I received a complementary copy from netgalley and my reviews based solely on my own opinions

I love this series. Foster gives us her normal great characters, wonderful love story and intense suspense. It's great to see the real, caring and serious Reyes. Is be honest, I didn't really like the jokester, annoying Reyes from the last book.. This guy though? Oh be still my heart. Intense, Alpha, big and sexy. This Reyes is my perfect man. And Kennedy's. Who else could ever get. through her walls? Keep her safe? Love her?

I'm a weird tum of everts, Kennedy's being hunted down by her previous attacker at the same time as her friend Jodi is by hers. Even worse, the bad guys have joined forces. Can these two victims who've chosen much different coping mechanisms find their justice and peace? Will they ever sate be? Well with the McKenzies at their backs they have the . best of chances for a bright future. Love and a relationship have never been neither Reyes or Kennedy's radar. They're crafted lives that work them. Makes watching these new fall even more poignant.

I loved the intrigue, the suspense, the intensity and the people so very much. I liked getting more of a look at the elder McKenzie, Madison and Cosby. I can’t wait for their book! This is another wonderful tale by Foster and I highly recommend it!

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC.

Kennedy is a survivor and is always on the lookout for trouble. When she returns from a speaking engagement and her apartment building is on fire, she has a bad feeling someone has found her. She reaches out to Reyes for help and he doesn't hesistate to go to her even though he knows she's hiding something. Kennedy is sure Reyes has his own secrets, that he's more than just a gym owner but she feels she can trust him, be safe with him. Circumstances keep them together and have Reyes bringing his family into situation as Kennedy's past is revealed. The attraction between these two is strong and seems his family sees it before he does. He's not the type to want the commitment but being with her has him wanting things he never thought he'd want. This is the second book in this series and we get a look at how Cade and Sterling are doing and a look into the future with Madison and Crosby. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my review.

This the second book in the series. It can be read as a standalone. Although it does spoil events from book 1 so I would read book 1 first.
I am really enjoying this series and learning more about the McKenzie family. This is Reyes and Kennedy story. We met Kennedy in book 1 and we find she is a survivor of human trafficking. She knows her kidnapper wants to get her back and put an end to her, and she has been training in Reyes gym. When Kennedy finds herself needing help she calls on Reyes and he vows to keep her safe. This story started out with a bang and keeps you wondering what's going to happen next. I love how Reyes is so kind and careful with Kennedy and in the end she discovers she is stronger than she thinks. I'm so ready for the next book and learn more about the family and Madison's story.

I have to say right of the start that I love this book series is bringing to light a serious topic and I know that Lori Foster has covered serious heavy topics in previous books, but this series has a theme. It’s a problem that is unfortunately prevalent today and that is human trafficking. In this book and the first book she delves right into the heart of the problem and you get to understand the victims and the people working behind the scenes to end it. Maybe not exactly how it plays out in her books but I’m sure Mrs. Foster does an amazing amount of research just like her previous books.

Kennedy is so much stronger than she thinks, she has survived this long on instincts and they haven’t failed her yet. After surviving a horrible trafficking ring and now being out in the open she realizes she might need more help than her own instincts. I loved Kennedy’s determination throughout the whole book and how she could still be so kind to people even though she was treated so horribly. This really shines through when you meet her friend Jodi. Kennedy is very much the calm in the storm, she doesn’t start to crumble until after the chaos.

Reyes is a very determined person he is portrayed as the party animal in the first book, but you just know he’s truly dependable. I love his family interaction, in the first book he was the guy who broke up the tension. In this book he’s more focused on Kennedy so Star is the one who seems to be breaking up the tension. He is so patient with Kennedy throughout the whole book and I love every minute of their dialogue.

I’m very invested into this family I can’t wait to see where the next book takes me. Of course we know who is next and I’m very excited for that story. Thank you to Lori Foster and HQN for a copy in lieu of my honest review.

Stronger Than You Know by Lori Foster was an emotionally charged romantic suspense.
I had not read book one in the series and felt this one read very well on its own. However I do plan to go back and get it.
Kennedy is a survivor and a strong woman that does not make stupid decisions. (Thank you Lori!). Someone is out to get her and she turns to the one man she trusts to take care of her. She has picked up that he has his own secrets and has the ability to protect her.

The author is a master at keeping the main characters central to the story and giving you just enough about the secondary characters that you absolutely must read their stories next. I am anxiously awaiting Madison and Crosby’s story.

The book grabs you from the opening scene until the last.

Trigger. Sexual assault, human trafficking,
Sexual content - some physical scenes, well written
Violence - some current day violence, and understanding what happened to Kennedy in the past.
Language – some profanity and the f word used 38 times.
Drug/alcohol – I don’t remember any drinking

I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW is the second instalment in Lori Foster’s contemporary, adult MCKENZIES OF RIDGE TRAIL erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the McKenzie family. This is motivational speaker Kennedy Brooks, and gym owner Reyes McKenzie’s story line. STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading book one NO HOLDING BACK for back story and cohesion

WARNING: Due to the nature of the storyline premise there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from several third person perspectives including Kennedy and Reyes, STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW follows in the wake of Kennedy coming home from her latest weekend speaking engagement to discover her apartment building on fire, and two men dressed in black looking for our story line heroine. A panicked call to Reyes McKenzie, finds Kennedy holed up with our story line hero, as he and his family begin an investigation into the who, how and why. When Kennedy reveals the truth about her past, and her friend in a similar situation, the McKenzie family take control, in an effort to protect the woman with whom Reyes is falling in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Reyes and Kennedy, and the potential fall-out as Kennedy’s past is determined to take back what doesn’t belong.

Reyes McKenzie has lusted after Kennedy since the first time they met but Reyes suspected that Kennedy was hiding a secret, a secret that when exposed would draw in the McKenzie clan, like no one else. The McKenzie family is a force unto themselves working behind the scenes, sometimes skirting the edge of the law, in an effort to save the young and vulnerable. Kennedy Brooks continues to struggle with demons from the past but uses her speaking engagements to warn others about the potential dangers that lurk around every corner.

The relationship between Kennedy and Reyes is one of immediate attraction but Reyes knows that Kennedy is in no position to engage in a sexual arrangement. Living together while the McKenzies work outside of the law, means up close and personal for our story line couple. The $ex scenes are passionate, intense and seductive.

We are introduced to the wonderful and impassioned McKenzie clan: father Parrish McKenzie, and his friend/assistant Bernard; Reyes’ brother Cade and his wife Sterling (No Holding Back 1); their sister Madison, police officer Crosby Albertson,and Kennedy’s friend Jodi Bentley. The requisite evil has many faces. Crosby and Madison’s story is next in WATCHING OVER YOU.

STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; of power and obsession, betrayal and vengeance. The character driven premise is strong and twisted; the romance is captivating and provocative; the characters are inspiring and spirited.

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