Stronger Than You Know: A Novel (The McKenzies of Ridge Trail, 2)

I am loving these darker Lori Foster books! Nonstop action and suspense along with the romance. CW for talk of kidnapping and sex trafficking.

Kennedy is a survivor and she is going to do everything she can to continue to help others and keep herself safe. But when she gets home to her apartment on fire she knows she needs help. Reyes and his family work to help trafficked people, but Kennedy starts to mean more to him than just another person to protect.

Years after escaping from a sex trafficking ring, Kennedy Brooks wrote a book and gives back to other victims by speaking at meetings about her experience. But is someone mad at her for speaking out? Arriving home late one night, her uber driver is nearly to her apartment when she senses something is wrong. Turns out the apartment building where she lives is engulfed in flames. Since Kennedy has had some recent scary situations, she has the driver stop just outside the apartment complex parking lot and she calls the first person she can think of: Reyes McKenzie. She has known him from the gym he owns, and she instinctively knows that he will help her. While waiting for Reyes to arrive, two strange men come out of the shadows and attempt to grab her. Kennedy fights them off and jumps into the uber and has her driver take her away. Later, she meets up with Reyes. He immediately believes her story of being threatened and takes her to his home to spend the night. Is Kennedy now safe—or has her troubles just begun?

What Kennedy doesn’t know is that Reyes and his family are secretly trying to break up sex trafficking rings. He thinks she is a strong person as he listens to her story about her past and what she is doing to stop others from falling into the cycle. Reyes doesn’t mention to her at first what his family is up to, but it doesn’t take long for her to figure out that the gym is only a front for what they do. And it turns out that there is indeed someone after Kennedy. Reyes will do whatever it takes to protect her as well as a friend of Kennedy’s named Jodi who was also once kidnapped and forced into sex trafficking. Like Kennedy, Jodi escaped, but she is a loner who operates under the radar while she tries to take down the bad guys. But it appears that there is a bullseye on Jodi, as there is Kennedy. Reyes and his family will have to pull all their resources together to take out the perps.

Things get tense in STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW, the second book in Lori Foster’s The McKenzies of Ridge Trail. The McKenzie family are rebels who operate under the radar in their quest to rid the area of sex trafficking rings. Reyes had encountered Kennedy at his gym and knew about her past due to the book. He has also had more than a passing interest in her from afar. Now Kennedy is under Reyes’s roof—and their mutual attraction soon explodes into passion. But first things first…they need to figure out who is trying to kidnap—and probably kill—her, and flush them out. In STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW, there is plenty of suspense and action, with some sensual heat in the bedroom between Kennedy and Reyes. Their attraction has been simmering for a while, but now they get to act upon it. Once Kennedy is safe, what happens to our lovers’ relationship?

If you love heart racing action and the good guys winning the battle, don’t miss STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW. Kennedy and Reyes are endearing and perfect for each other. In the meantime, get ready for the final book in the series, WATCHING OVER YOU, out in late December 2021.

Stronger Than You Know is a book two of a series. For me, it is much better enjoyed after having read book one – to know the overall storyline, the wonderful characters, etc. – but it certainly can be read alone. I’m loving this series so I wouldn’t miss any of these books.

This book is about Reyes McKenzie, the second of the three McKenzie siblings. To say he is a kick you-know-what kinda guy is an understatement. He also covers it up by being a charmer, alpha, serial dater…never really getting involved too deeply. And along comes Kennedy Brooks…

Kennedy is such a strong character – I loved her. She is in very big trouble, though, and has no one she can turn to, except she thinks of Reyes in one very scary situation she finds herself in. Kennedy has a horrific event in her past but she is trying to live her life the best way she can, by helping other women like herself, but sometimes even a strong, independent woman needs a helping hand.

Once again, in this story, Ms. Foster handles a horrific event(s) with understanding, compassion, and eventually love. I can’t retell Kennedy’s story as it weaves all around the characters. Reyes, and his family, take her under their wing and in the meantime, Reyes falls hard. And so does Kennedy.

Amazing story. Kept me on the edge of my seat. The McKenzie family is becoming more…familiar and open; and sometimes, the things that they say made me snort-laugh. They all have crazy skills and Reyes’ are highlighted in this story. My heart went out to Kennedy, Reyes…all the McKenzies…and all the women out there who have been touched by horrific events. I highly recommend.

book was in great condition and it arrived earlier than expected which I really appreciate. Thank you very much

Loved that the family sticks together no matter what. Love this book! How the women in the family compliments the men. How the women are just as much a part of the team and are hero’s in their own right.

i would NEVER pick up a book with a cover like this, for some reason, i always just think it's blah-blah-blah romance garbage BUT, when i don't have a book and am waiting on one in the mail, we have 3 big book shelfs in the lobby of my apt. complex and i have read EVERY good one down there (i thought) so was forced to try one with a cover like this-this book REALLY SURPRISED me-it was good, nothing at all like i thought-i realize now-i have found some really good stories in books with covers like this-i would tell the authors-use better covers that make us KNOW, there's a good story inside.

Great story line with just enough heat to make it a great read.

Love this book. Lori never disappoints as a writer. She pulls you in at the beginning till the end. This series is a must read.

Absolutely loved this book, I couldn’t put it down! The characters are well written and relatable. They show strong family ties, compassion, a willingness to help others, a strong sense of justice, and unwavering convictions. It not only shows the male characters as the heroes but shows that women can be their own heroes as well.

This is a great story! good strong characters and a great storyline! This author never disappoints!