Look, if you spent any time in a bookstore around 2013, you couldn't escape the black-and-white covers. They were everywhere. At the center of that storm was a book that didn't just ride the wave of the "billionaire romance" boom; it helped build the damn ocean. J Kenner books Release Me hit the scene when everyone was looking for the next Fifty Shades, but what readers actually found was something a lot more technically proficient and, honestly, way more emotionally heavy than the competition.
Damien Stark wasn't just another suit with a checkbook. He was a former tennis pro turned tech titan with a darkness that felt grounded in actual trauma, not just convenient plot points. And Nikki Fairchild? She wasn't some wide-eyed girl-next-door wandering into a den of iniquity. She was a former beauty pageant queen trying to escape her own scars—literally—while carving out a career in the male-dominated tech world of Los Angeles.
The Hook That Hooked Millions
The premise of Release Me sounds like a classic trope, but J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) added a layer of psychological complexity that most "corporate kink" books ignored. Damien offers Nikki one million dollars. The catch? He wants her to pose for a nude portrait. It's the ultimate power move. But as the story unfolds, you realize that the money isn't the point. It's about control, surrender, and the weird, magnetic pull between two people who recognize the same brand of brokenness in each other.
Nikki is struggling with a history of self-harm and a mother who basically viewed her as a trophy to be polished and sold. Damien is haunted by an abusive father and the crushing weight of public expectation. When they meet, it isn’t just "steam." It's more like two stars colliding. It's messy.
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Kenner, who actually spent a decade as a litigator before becoming a full-time writer, knows how to pace a scene. You can feel the legal precision in how the "contracts" and "deals" between Damien and Nikki are structured. It’s not just about the sex—though, let's be real, the book is incredibly steamy—it’s about the negotiation of two souls trying to figure out if they can trust anyone else with their secrets.
Why J Kenner Books Release Me Still Matters in 2026
You might think a book from over a decade ago would feel dated. Strangely, it doesn't. While the "billionaire" trope has been done to death, the way Release Me handles Nikki's agency is actually ahead of its time. She says "yes" on her own terms. She’s academically driven. She’s smart. She isn't just a passenger in Damien's life; she’s a partner who challenges his dominance at every turn.
Critics at the time, like those from Publishers Weekly, praised Kenner’s flair for dialogue. They weren't wrong. The banter between Damien and Nikki is sharp. It feels like a real conversation between two high-functioning, highly stressed people.
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The Stark Universe Expansion
If you're just getting into the series, you should know that Release Me is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s the first book in the original Stark Trilogy, followed by Claim Me and Complete Me. But Kenner didn't stop there. The "Stark Saga" has grown into a massive interconnected universe.
- The Core Trilogy: Release Me, Claim Me, Complete Me.
- The Extended Novels: Anchor Me, Lost With Me, Damien, and Enchant Me.
- The Novellas: Take Me, Have Me, Play My Game, and several others that fill in the gaps of their domestic life.
There’s also the Stark International spinoffs and the Stark Security series. Basically, if you fall for Damien Stark, you’re going to be busy for a few months.
Navigating the Controversy of the "Prostitution" Trope
Some readers and reviewers, like those on various book blogs back in the day, were uncomfortable with the "million-dollar portrait" plot. They called it "private prostitution." It’s a valid critique. The power dynamic is wildly skewed. Damien has all the money; Nikki needs it to escape her past and fund her dreams.
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However, Kenner addresses this head-on. The book doesn't shy away from the fact that Damien is, in many ways, a predator in the boardroom. The tension comes from Nikki’s internal battle: Is she selling herself, or is she finally taking control of the one thing everyone else tried to steal from her—her own body?
How to Read the Series Right
Don't just jump around. If you want the full emotional payoff, start with Release Me. You have to see the foundation of their trauma to understand why their "happily ever after" in the later books matters so much.
- Start with the original trilogy. Don't skip to the novellas yet.
- Read the novellas in order. Take Me actually introduces characters from other series, like Evan Black.
- Move to Stark International. If you want to see how the world expands to other characters like Jackson Steele.
Honestly, the best way to experience Release Me is to look past the "billionaire" label. It’s a character study of two people who are terrified of being seen but can't help looking at each other.
Actionable Steps for New Readers
If you're ready to dive into the world of Damien and Nikki, here’s how to do it effectively:
- Check your triggers: The book deals with self-harm, past abuse, and intense BDSM-lite themes. It's not a "fluffy" romance.
- Look for the 10th Anniversary Editions: These often include extra content or updated author notes that give more context into why Kenner wrote certain scenes.
- Don't ignore the novellas: While some feel like "extended epilogues," they actually provide the bridge to the spinoff series that make the Stark world feel lived-in.
- Join the community: J. Kenner has a very active "Stark Naked" fan group where people discuss the nuances of the plot even years later.
Start with the first chapter of Release Me. By the time Damien says, "I want to own you," you'll know exactly why this book stayed on the bestseller lists for as long as it did.