I love an Alpha Male who is confident enough in his strength to be soft around the woman he loves. When Reyes answers a desperate late night call from Kennedy he comes to her aid. They really didn't know each other except for the time she spent at his gym so for her to call him in an emergency you know he must seem to be trustworthy.
Reyes and his family often take matters into their own hands to stop human trafficker's and Kennedy and her friend Jodi had been abducted but managed to escape. They are now being hunted by the very men that they escaped from. They definitely need help and the McKenzie family are the perfect people to help them.
I love the strength of all the characters and how even though they want to be independent they are able to rely on each other for help.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kennedy is a survivor and Reyes a protector. Human Trafficking, what an ugly thought but it's real.
She lectures to help protect any other women and for him, well due to his own history his family are constantly at war with the baddies.
Someone is after Kennedy, she's had too many instances happen. Is it from her past and will she survive? There are many heart stopping moments in this story. The loving was a slow, tempting burn. He was aware of her history and was never going to cross the line. She needed protecting and the spark was igniting. He's never felt like this before, bit of a playboy never going to settle down.
This was one spectacular romance, you want them to have their HEA but know it won't be easy when the bad guys are multiplying.
Great entertainment during lockdown, I loved every moment.

I truly loved this story, Stronger Than You Know is book two in the McKenzies of Ridge Trail series.

This story is about Reyes McKenzie, the second of the three McKenzie siblings. We met Reyes and Kennedy in Cade's story No Holding Back. This book can be read completely as a stand alone but having read the first book you feel more connected to the characters and in Reyes and Kennedy's story you get so much more on the background of what makes the family seek justice. Reyes owns a gym and while dates his fair share of women he never gets involved with them until Kennedy walks in and he is instantly drawn to her sensing there is definitely more to Kennedy than she lets on. But Kennedy seems immune to Reyes charm. Until she finds herself in trouble her first thought is to contact Reyes for help. And when Reyes answers her call he and his family take on the danger to make Kennedy finally safe. This story has a great deal of emotion and with the addition of the mama cat Chimera and her babies it makes a great read.

This is a great story but I am really looking forward to Madison's story in book 3 and keeping up with her brothers and of course Chimera and the kitties.

I received an ARC of The Summer of No Attachments from Netgalley, and this is my honest review.

Loving The McKenzies of Ridge Trail series! This book is about Reyes and Kennedy's journey. Kennedy was a victim of human trafficking but she uses her past to help others. Kennedy may not be as blatant as compared to Star (from No Holding Back), but her quiet strength shines bright. She is matched perfectly with Reyes who is more fun-loving but still a strong protector who is focused on his family's role in eliminating human trafficking. From the first page, you don't want to put this action packed, romantic suspense book down. Can't wait for Madison's story!
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

Incredible series! This is Reyes and Kennedy's journey, fraught with life-threatening drama, filled with action that had me holding my breath, and enough heat to scorch my mind's eyeballs-in a good way. It - was - amazing!!
The McKenzie family's past plays a huge part in this family seeking justice for the victims of human trafficking. If it falls a tad outside of the law books, who really cares. All justified in my book.
I was all in on this incredible roller coaster romance.

I enjoyed this one even more than book 1, and I CAN'T WAIT for book 3!!

Reyes McKenzie is more than meets the eye. He owns a gym in a rundown part of town, but it's a means to an end. He and his family run a secret operation rescuing people from human trafficking, and getting them the help and resources they need. It's personal for all of them, and they are determined to make a difference in every way they can.

Kennedy Brooks was taken in her early 20s and managed to escape after a few horrifying weeks. Now she speaks at high schools and colleges to help people understand the signs to look for, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you are taken. But when she runs into trouble again, she knows who she can call. She has always sensed that Reyes was more than just a gym owner, and she decides to trust him to help her.

Reyes and Kennedy had a strong attraction from the beginning, and they both had reasons for ignoring it at first. But, once they saved an injured cat and her kittens together (in book 1), they started a bit of a friendship, that led to Kennedy trusting him enough to call him when she was in trouble. I loved seeing them slowly awaken to each other as a real possibility for a serious partner.

Reyes' family are the main side characters in the story, and I love them all. Revisiting his older brother Cade, and Star, from book 1 was a delight as well. But, I'm especially excited about his little sister Madison's book next! She and Detective Albertson were throwing off BIG SPARKS in this story, so I can't wait to see them explode! Kennedy's friend Jodi was also a very interesting character, and I hope we haven't seen the last of her in the series!

There was a bit of a suspense plot regarding who was after Kennedy and why, and if it had anything to do with her past as a trafficking victim. Reyes and his family are completely amazing, and I love how they do what they do, and especially how they came together to help Kennedy specifically.

Reyes and Kennedy had a leisurely descent from frenemies to friends to lovers, and I enjoyed it THE MOST! I highly recommend this one!

We meet Kennedy Brooks in book one. She was a victim once and is determined to never be again. Reyes McKenzie owns the local gym where Kennedy works out. He's tried connecting with her before only to be shut down. He knows somethings up with Kennedy. Reyes family is trained to help so when Kennedy calls Reyes when things go bad he's all in. I love this series. This book is action packed and the Mc Kenzie family just a super cool and I love that even though they are all bad asses they still razz each other like a regular family if a protective one. This is a excellent read from cover to cover. Can't wait for book three.



Find out more about Lori Foster and this series here www.lorifoster.com

Once again, Lori Foster draws me in from the first line and keeps me enthralled until the last. Stronger Than You Know is a great mix of suspense and romance with just the right amount of humor to break up the seriousness of the subject matter.
I read an advanced copy of this book

Stronger Than You Know is the second book in Lori Foster's McKenzie's of Ridge Trail series, another dark look at the nightmare of human trafficking, which appears to be this central theme on which this series is based, and here's the same warning I gave after reading the first novel in the series, No Holding Back--the subject matter of this novel is really dark--human trafficking/rape. It's as violent as it is steamy, but if on-screen graphic sex and violence are triggers for you, I'd recommend finding a gentler, less violent novel to read. If you haven't read the previous novel in the series, Stronger Than You Know can be read as a standalone, but I do recommend reading this series from the beginning. For several reasons, I liked this novel marginally less than the previous one, and I'm giving it a 4-star rating.

While I've come to appreciate alternating first-person narratives, this novel is written in third person, which shifts from character to character. Kennedy, the heroine and former sex trafficking victim, has, since escaping her captor, devoted her life to traveling to high schools and colleges, speaking about her own experience as a trafficking victim and advising young women about how to avoid being kidnapped and becoming human-trafficking victims themselves. After her flight home was delayed, she arrives back to her block in a taxi, to find her apartment building fully engulfed in flames. She instinctively knows that she was the intended victim, and so she immediately calls Reyes McKenzie, whom we met in the previous novel. He advises her to stay on the move and tells her he'll be there in 15 minutes. As they are speaking, two thugs start heading for her cab, and she manages to convince the driver to get moving. She knows Reyes because she trains at his gym, and he's big, tall, handsome and protective, and he arrives on the scene before Kennedy returns, making short work of the two thugs, then, as soon as Kennedy arrives, he spirits her away to his ultra-secure home. Having lost everything she owns except for her laptop and the clothing in her luggage, she is terrified and realizes she has nowhere else to go.

Reyes and his family are more than what they appear to be, with Reyes having been the wild child. His family has devoted itself to hi-tech, clandestine rescues of trafficked victims for years, trying to stay under the radar of regular law enforcement, and for several reasons I won't disclose in this review, and, having been the one Kennedy called, Reyes is now utterly committed to helping and protecting Kennedy. When she mentions that she is also trying to protect another victim whom she befriended, Jodi, who is also in hiding, rescuing her and catching her evil captors gets added to the list, and, as romance readers, we already know where the attraction between Kennedy and Reyes will lead, and it does--eventually.

My first issue with this novel is how long it takes between Reyes bringing Kennedy to his home and Reyes and his family doing anything more than talk about how to approach this situation, which in this novel is more than a month. The novel gets bogged down with technicalities and details about security, fact-finding (Reye's sister is one heck of a hacker), planning, and so on, and to this reader, it felt a little too much like padding for a page count. But, once there's finally a plan in place, this novel charges ahead like gangbusters, and the attraction between Kennedy and Reyes really heats up, as does the danger.

My only other issue with this novel is its finale. After spending chapter after chapter setting up the relationship of the two main characters, and the plans to protect her and her friend, Jodi, the author gives incredibly short shrift to their HEA ending, which left this reader feeling rather disappointed. I think that a commitment-phobic hero and a previously trafficked and troubled heroine deserved a more fully fleshed-out romantic ending.

Ms. Foster knows how to write an excellent page-turner of a romantic suspense novel, but in Stronger Than You Know, she did a better job on the suspense than she did on the romance, although it was still a very good read.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.

Kennedy is stronger than she realizes. When she needs help, she turns to Reyes. Someone is after her, she needs a secure place to stay and Reyes is more than happy to help. Reyes has been attracted to Kennedy since he first saw her but she puts out a do not touch vibe, so he left her alone. It turns out that it is the person who abducted Kennedy years before who is after her now. He has teamed up with another trafficker who has some really good resources. They are also after another woman who is friends with Kennedy. Can Reyes and his family keep them safe? Will they ever be able to live a normal life? Reyes never thought he wanted happily ever after, but he is changing his mind. Will Kennedy stay with him when all this is over?

Lori Foster has another winner with Stronger Than You Know! This book has suspense, romance, steam, and characters that jump off the page and into your heart. I love Kennedy. She went through something that would destroy a person, but instead of remaining a victim, she used her nightmare to help others. Reyes is amazing (I don't think Lori Foster can write a bad hero!)! He's Cade's brother (from No Holding Back, and one hero you can't forget), but his personality is his own. While Cade is serious, methodical, and tough as nails, Reyes is more fun-loving and a tease. Of course, he's also tough as nails and nobody to mess with.
This book draws you in from the first page and doesn't let you go until you reach the end! (I've read it three times so far!) If you love romantic suspense that has it all, then I definitely recommend this book! I can't wait for the next book in the series!!! I wish I could give this book more than five stars!

This was so good! I loved every minute of it! I couldn't put it down. I love Reyes and Kennedy is awesome! Her McKenzie series is one of my all time favorites. I never get enough of them. There was romance, suspense and such wonderful characters. I hope there will be more

I enjoyed Reyes’ and Kennedy’s story. You have suspense, romance, passion, family love and laughter! You can definitely feel the chemistry between Kennedy and ALPHA Reyes!!! I can’t wait for Madison’s story. That one should be very interesting ; -) I just love the McKenzie family!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Stronger Than You Know" (The McKenzies of Ridge Trail Book 2) by Lori Foster is a fantastic read. I loved Reyes and Kennedy's story. This was an awesome addition to this series. This story was packed with action, suspense, romance, passion, family, twists, interesting and entertaining characters, and more. I can't wait to see what happens next in this series in, "Watching Over You". Highly recommend it to all fans of romance, suspense, family, and series.

If you’ve ever read a Lori Foster thriller/romance, you know exactly what you’re going to get. The hero and his friends will be impossibly hunky and good-looking. They are incredibly alpha with almost super powers when it comes to fighting the bad guys and protecting their women and other threatened people.

This is the second in Foster’s series about the McKenzie family that devotes all their energies to rescue and help women who have been kidnapped as part of human trafficking. Reyes has had his eyes on Kennedy Brooks who has come to his gym to practice self-defense techniques. He can tell that she is hiding something and nervous about men. And with good reason. She was kidnapped as part of a human trafficking plot when she was younger and was lucky to escape. Now it seems that someone is coming after her again. She puts in a phone call to Reyes and he swoops in to save her and help her fight the bad guys along with the help of family.

There is a whole lot of disbelief to suspend, but if you enjoy an alpha hero falling for a woman who has suffered terrible degradation and come out stronger from her awful experiences, you’ll enjoy this new entry.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

This is the second book in the McKenzies of Ridge Trail series. In the first book we discovered that the McKenzies use their power and resources to help others. Here we have Reyes who is approached by Kennedy for his help. Reyes has been intrigued for awhile by Kennedy, who attends his gym, and was wondering about her past. Th elope story is handled delicately because of Kennedy’s past. It’s fun to see two strong characters who have a strong reaction to one another begin to get closer. This book has both suspense and a steamy romance. Th subject matter is handled well and it was nice to see more of how the McKenzie family interacts with each other. All in all it was an extremely entertaining book and I’m anxiously awaiting the next book.

I'm so glad I stuck with the series, as I wasn't a fan of the first book. This book kept me on the edge of my seat with non-stop action. Kennedy was a much more likeable victim and I enjoyed the interaction with Reyes. Although still a book regarding human trafficking and it's victims it wasn't as " in your face" as book 1.

Lori still dealt with a difficult issue with honesty and sensitivity. It was fun to get updates on Parrish, the matriarch as well as Cade , Star, and Madison. The relationship between Crosby and Madison gave a great introduction to the next book in the series and I can't wait.!

Although part of a series this story can be read as a standalone story, but why would you want to!

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

Book 2 in the McKenzies of Ridge Trail series, Stronger Than You Know, was a SUPERB story! I was on the edge of my seat from the 1st chapter! This story was suspenseful, thrilling, dramatic & romantic. I enjoyed learning about the McKenzies family dynamic and loved the characters of Reyes & Kennedy. I am a sucker for a "protective" man & this story was full of them. As well, I was in awe of all the strong women in this story. Lori Foster does such a fantastic job of writing "tough" characters, with big hearts, who fall (at their own surprise) so deeply and completely in love, despite all circumstances. I eagerly await book 3 in the series, Watching Over You, where we will learn more about Madison & Crosby.

Lori amazes me with her writing skills, this story kept me on the edge of my seat trying to guess what was going to happen next! I loved it! 5 stars for this one!
Kennedy survived and got away from her human traffickers, and now lives a life trying to help others avoid being kidnapped and sent to the same fate she experienced. She's always aware of her surroundings so when she feel's something is going wrong, she finally gives in and calls Reyes for help.
Reyes and his family do what they can to help woman who've been trafficked as they know first hand how horrible it is. When Kennedy reaches out to him, he will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
Read along and enjoy this story, as I said it will have you on the edge of your seat, but you'll also enjoy learning about these two amazing characters!

This was such a fantastic book that kept me on edge and I couldn’t stop reading. Kennedy is a survivor, she was a kidnapped victim that escaped. Loved how patient Reyes was with her and I completely felt their emotions. He’s a confirmed bachelor but is he falling for her? She’s also such a great friend to another survivor. But are they in the crosshairs of more kidnappers? Loved how Reyes and his family help victims too. It’s such a great series. Loved how close they become and how it’s Reyes who had to convince Kennedy to stay with him. Loved their happy ever after and I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy and I highly recommend this book.