Arrogant. Sadistic. Heir to a crumbling empire. And engaged to a woman he loathes. Then he meets the girl with the violet eyes, best friend of his wife to be. The more she resists him, the more his dark desires consume him to claim her. Green with envy, driven by lust, one kiss is all it will take to ruin everything.
Jo-Anne Joseph is a USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and psychological fiction. Along with a passion for writing, she is an avid reader, wine lover and foodie. Her lifelong love affair with words started at a young age. She’s a business professional, and lives in Johannesburg, South Africa with her husband, their son and fur babies.
This is the eighth book in the Dirty Heroes Collection, a multi-book, multi-author series of fairytale/mythology based storylines. (very loosely) Basically, a wicked queen opened a box that unleashed evil on 14 “heroes” making them dark. I love a re-telling like nobody’s business, so I was pumped to start this one, but quickly figured out they are NOT re-tellings. Some are closer connected, but others really only have a name or phrase that connects it to the tale.
I read that Kiss and Tell was supposed to be inspired from the Princess and the Frog, but other than a couple of toad references… I didn’t see it. The beginning of the book is a bit confusing; we start 21 years earlier with a small backstory (not very informative) then it FF’s 20 years, but is labeled “Sai One Year Ago” then we’re in the present… (21 years from the prologue/ 1 year from chapter 1) Confused?? So was I. 😁 Maybe I was tired, but I found the first several chapters hard to follow. They skipped around, and teased little pieces of information…just enough to be confusing. Things start to pick up when Kennedy is introduced; she is the BFF of Sai’s betrothed Amelia (Amy), and the two have an instant connection. (If you’re worried about a love triangle…don’t be… Amy wants nothing to do with him.)
The flow gets a little slow around the middle. There’re a few editing issues; pretty small stuff like boobs giggling instead of jiggling, or Sao instead of Sai. It's pretty dark with triggers of abuse, human trafficking, sexual violence to name a few. Mostly it's just talked about, but their are a couple scenes that could be disturbing to more sensitive readers.
Bottom Line- Overall, not a bad read. It was pretty entertaining, but I was lost for a hunk of it, so I wasn’t gobbling it down either. It picks up towards the last 25%; we get another flashback which fills in several of the blanks, but it’s rushed. It gets pretty ridiculous (especially the hospital scene) and races to the finish line. There’s an epilogue 5 years later (TURN THE PAGE AFTER IT SAYS THE END) **I’m going to tag as a re-telling for tracking purposes even though I didn’t really think it was. **
This is a stand-alone in The Dirty Heroes Collection. I am loving these books and this is another great addition.
This is a well written forbidden romance. The tension and chemistry in this story was hot. Loved the main characters.
Written on the darker side it had some great twists that had me glued from start to finish. Couldn’t resist reading this in one sitting. So so good.
Bit confused that it said the end but glad I clicked to next page or I’d have missed the epilogue and that certainly wasn’t something I wanted to miss.
“ Inside the monster is the man I love “ Sai is dark, demons run in the family, he is to live his life as his father dictates, even choosing the girl he will marry . Kennedy’s best friend is the girl who Sai is pledged to marry, however the chemistry between Kennedy and Sai is unmistakable.
I have been a huge fan of Jo-Anne Joseph for a long time and each book she shows more and more depth and soul, I read this book in one sitting as I could not put it down. This is a great addition to the series and can be read as a stand-alone.
There are several things this talented indie publisher does well. She excels in the dark and delicious storyline. She has the ability to push a reader out of her comfort zone and make her question things she previously thought to be true. And she has a gift for creating epic twists that the reader never sees coming. Her stories contrast light and dark, pitting good against evil, then leaving the reader to wonder how heinous evil real is.
This book, of course, is no different. The anti-hero, Sai Shah, was raised to be a monster by his monstrous father. While he has misspent most of his youth on wasting his father's money and mistreating women, the time has come for him to enter into a prearranged marriage with a business associate's daughter. Too bad it's the best friend, Kennedy, who he has the electric chemistry with.
Although I didn’t connect as deeply with these characters as I have others and the romance wasn’t as emotionally deep as I had hoped for, this is another excellent read from a truly gifted storyteller. If you like your dark romances full of intrigue and shocking twists, you’ll love this decadent, beautifully written story.
I am a recent convert to the twisted tales written by this author. While this book may have triggers for some they are there and the author is kind enough to forewarn her readers. This isn't a rainbows and unicorn type of read and the characters aren't all sunny and happy. He has a darkness that has been with him since the first time it tasted blood. He's promised to someone and yet it's her that calls to him. But he's a monster, a monster that can't be denied. If fate is real, if destiny can't be derailed, if what she's been told is true, so many if's to fall into place for all to be right.
This author once again writes a compelling story that will have you going back and forth between right and wrong, love and hate, villain and hero. Is he a good guy, no. Is he worthy of love, probably not, but then again who's to say. This book will take you to the dark place, it wont be pretty, it may even shake you up a little. In the end it will be your choice if you will kiss and tell. She made her choice.
I know there are many other books in the Dirty Heroes Collection but this one, Kiss and Tell, caught my attention the most. It had the right mixture of forbidden romance, enemies to lovers, and etc. It was really action packed. Maybe not from the moment go. But when it started, it was full speed ahead. Sai and Kennedy had undeniable chemistry. The tension... The utter heat could be felt between those two. The ending was just right. Not dark but the right amount of sweetness.
I’m a lover of this series, and this latest edition just proves why. It is not your usual princess kisses the frog and he turns into a prince! It is so much more. This story has quite a bit of depth to it. I literally read it in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down. Sai is a young man, a bit of a playboy you could say, being groomed to take over his fathers business but there is more to it than that. He is supposed to marry a friend of the families daughter, Amelia, which he wants no part of. When he meets her best friend Kennedy, he knows that it is her he really wants. The chemistry between them is sizzling! But family duties and history won’t allow it, or will it?
Sai has a very dark side to him and only the love of a woman can help him, but is that woman, Kennedy? She doesn’t want to betray her best friend, but she can’t help the way she feels for Sai. This story takes you on a wild and emotional ride that will keep you guessing about what will happen next. Just when I thought I had it figured out, this author throws something else into the mix! I really enjoyed this story and love Sai and Kennedy’s characters. Do yourself a favor and read this mind blowing story!
3.75 stars. I enjoyed this story. I really enjoyed this story. It was really easy for me to get sucked in this story. There were so many moments where I was legitimately impressed at what I was reading! Here’s the reason for my star rating... This story was supposed to be based on the Princess and The Frog, and aside from the two toad references, I didn’t entirely get it. While this story was definitely an original, and while I have enjoyed the twists the author took, she could have brought in a couple more key details from the fairytale in her version. It’s like they didn’t even work together and it was just a story not even loosely based on anything. Now the ending, oh the ending! I was involved, I was an enjoying the book and then boom the ending and I was all, wait-what are you kidding me? It was rushed and came out of nowhere, I wasn’t watching a fairytale, I was reading and this ending was too far out there for me. For such a short story, the overall plot could have used a few more details especially in the ending and more time to develop a few more of the characters past and present.
Sai comes from a life of wealth and privileged and is use to everyone bending to his will, it's strictly his way or nothing at all. With the exception of his father of course, the man dictates with an iron fist and he has Sai's life all mapped out for him, including the woman he is to marry. She was chosen for him when he was a mere child. But as with everything in his life, Sai wants to have the last say, wants his way... and he would rather have his wife's best friend Kennedy. And Sai always gets what he wants....
Kiss and Tell is a dark, sultry, emotional forbidden romance that is certain to have you feeling the heat! This isn't your typical feel-good romance, this one has a very dark side to it, one that will make you feel uncomfortable, and push your boundaries a bit. It's leading man has particularly dark tastes, and he will stop and nothing to get his way, and he wanted Kennedy in the worst way. She was not his chosen spouse, but he didn't care, so, as you can imagine things got a little intense when his father found out and tried to put his foot down. There is a lot of push and pull between these two, and of course a lot of interfering from outside sources, so them getting to a happy place took some time. I enjoyed this first time read, it had a unique story line, it's words were full of emotion and it's pages held lots of drama to keep my eyes glued to the pages. Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
Original? Unique? Never read anything quite like it? Yes, these are just some of the ways I would describe Kiss and Tell by Jo-Anne Joseph. This story takes place in the city of Istanbul and beautifully describes the coastal area of the country of Turkey. I’m not sure that Kiss and Tell is the best title for this book because of the dark and twisted nature but the story itself is great. As I stated it was twisted tell of inner demons, dark secrets, and family obligations. 4-stars for Kiss and Tell by Jo-Anne Joseph.
Sai Shah has never lived up to what his father wanted of him. To take over the family business Sai must marry a woman he doesn’t know or want. Sai prefers his single lifestyle and his playboy ways, until he meets his future bride’s best friend Kennedy Edwards. Sai has never met a woman that intrigued him as much as Kennedy or a woman that wanted nothing to do with him. If he wants to keep the company and his lively hood then he must marry Amalia and walk away from Kennedy if only it was that easy, if only Sai could keep his demons at bay. If only Sai could keep everything, he wants including Kennedy and his life.
The DIRTY HEROES COLLECTION (https://www.goodreads.com/series/288664) Fourteen standalone novels which each follow a well-known hero from favorite Disney classics.
Color me impressed with the amazing Jo-Anne Joseph, but of course, I've loved everything that I've read by her in the past, but this one is special addiction to The Dirty Hero Collection. I've decided that I'm not going to give details away because I promise it's better going in blind. It's of the forbidden variety, which always keeps me on the edge of my seat, as I try to decide on right & wrong while reading. Also, there are triggers which we were warned about, making it a dark & twisty read vs. wine & roses situation. It also means that there are crazy twists which had the f-bombs dropping like mad. Not to mention I seriously went back & forth about this hero, as some of actions really had me enraged. So, take a walk on the dark side & hit those one click buttons, as I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.
Arrogant. Sadistic. Heir to a crumbling empire. And engaged to woman he loathes. Then he meets the girl with the violet eyes, best friend of his wife to be. The more she resists him, the more his dark desires consume him to claim her. Green with envy, driven by lust, one kiss is all it will take to ruin everything.
If your looking for a book that isn't all sunshine and roses this is the book. This is also a standalone in the Dirty Heroes Collection. This is also a forbidden romance. Sal is a dark and dangerous man. Demons run in his family and the poor guy has to live his life as his father dictates. His dad has even chosen the girl he is to marry. The girl he is suppose to marry has a best friend named Kennedy. Kennedy is the one he has such amazing chemistry with. These two are smoking hot and it is their chemistry that will be melting your kindles. This book is on the dark side and may hold some triggers for some people so heed the warning. I loved it and devoured it.
Hold on to your hats this is a story that brings a little bit of everything you weren’t expecting and so much more. I read this in one sitting. I’m still digesting it. This author never fails to amaze me. Her genre seems to be every genre with just a little bit more thrown in. You know what? It works! Is the prince (Sai) thee prince or is he a frog? Is Kennedy strong enough to be the feisty,empowered woman with her compass set in the right direction? Or will her resolve be tested? This is not an easy story to read. There’s a lot to follow. At first I wasn’t sure I was in the right head space. I’m glad I stayed with it because it sucked me right in. I don’t do spoilers. Read the blurb and then enjoy the story for yourself. What good does it do if I tell you? Where’s the fun in that? This book gives you a lot to think about. I look at it as a version of What Would You Do if you were in these situations? It’s a mystery, love story, gut wrenching, very current and brings the heat you may be looking for. The secondary characters are vital to this book. You will love and hate some. We also get a beautiful description of the island they were living on. I’d love to visit. You’ll learn a little Turkish too. I would love for someone to call me Guzel. So to the author I say well done! You’ve managed to surprise yet again in the best way!
When I read the blurb for Kiss and Tell by Jo-Anne Joseph I knew I wanted to read it. A man engaged to a woman he despises when he meets the woman he wants. A forbidden romance that is dark and twisted. Sai is a man who knows what is demanded and expected of him. He is dark, focused and determined. When he meets Kennedy, he is drawn to her. The chemistry between them is intense, but she wants to do the right thing. But can she deny what she feels? Kiss and Tell by Jo-Anne Joseph was a dark and emotional story that will grip you from the start.
Read and reviewed for Sultry Siren Book Blog. Happy reading!
Kiss and Tell - A great dark romance full of twists and turns, a mixture of reality and moments into the dark spiritual world.
Sai and Kennedy's story will have you gripped from start to finish, this storyline is brutal in parts, contains some smoking hot sex scenes and a true love that needs to happen in order to release the past.
I loved the dark & light sides to Sai and one look into a set of violet eyes had the light pouring through, Kennedy is a down to earth girl, loyal and loving the perfect soul mate for Sai, but he was promised to her best friend many years ago, can fate win out in the end?.
Okay lets talk about Kiss and Tell. The hero/villain cause lets face it that's exactly what he was mother made a deal with the devil to keep her son safe because she didnt feel like her husband wanted the baby and in the end that same son took her life and didnt even bat an eye. This story is unlike and story I read and it was great but towards the ending it felt like everything was rushed.
This story was equally beautiful and ominous. Sai and Kennedy"s story was such a whirlwind of emotions. Sai is a dark monster and Kennedy is full of love and light, unlikely to work together, because of extremely opposite character traits. I was screaming for Kennedy to run away. Kiss and Tell was such a great story!
Sai and Kennedy are smoking! I could not put this down. From the very first sentence I was hooked because...WOW! You are forewarned...this is dark and may have some triggers. There are secrets and twists and turns I didn't see coming. I practically ignored my entire family while reading this. The chemistry between Kennedy and Sai is undeniable and the darkness that surrounds him may have you thinking he's not good; but everyone has light and dark in them. Their journey is just amazing.
This was a dark and twisted fairytale that completely held me captive within the pages. Sai and Kennedy have a tumultuous and intense relationship. He's to marry her best friend yet these two can't seem to break the invisible chain holding them together. There were many surprising twists and outcomes that enhanced this book.
Sai and Kennedy's story is such a rollercoaster of feelings, it is dark and twisted this book had me hooked from the start I couldn't put it down, Sai has a dark side he is a monster but even though he is you can't help but fall for him and feel for him in some parts. Kennedy is sweet and such a great person great friend. you are so rooting for them both but at the same time you telling her to get away, Such a great story you will not be disappointed. Great characters you will love/hate.
A dark and steamy read! This book shocked me with its twist and turns. I couldn’t put it down! I did think it felt a bit rushed a few times, but I still really enjoyed this book regardless!
OMG! I loved this book! Sai is the ultimate alpha with a dark and delicious side. This book captivated me right from the start and I couldn’t put it down!
This story is dark and so freaking good , Sai is promised to marry another but is drawn to her best friend Kennedy, Sai is not a Hearts and Rose's kind of guy he is more along the lines of chains and whips and the connection these two have is so strong