Audiobook Review – Inside Out: Behind Closed Doors by Lisa Renee Jones

Inside Out: Behind Closed Doors by Lisa Renee Jones

Narrated by Elizabeth Louise

Standalone Sexy Romantic Suspense

I read some of the Inside Out Series by Lisa Renee Jones, but I am not good with keeping up with series, so I kind of lost track along the way, even though I totally loved the unique stories. So when I heard that she was writing a standalone that had a distant relation to the series I was very excited to read her unique blend of hot and suspenseful again.

There was some confusion about Inside Out: Behind Closed Doors I think. It changed covers before release, and I think many thought it was part of another series (It does have Inside Out in the title which I don’t get). It’s not, it stands alone perfectly, but those that have read her other series (Careless Whispers and Inside Out) may recognize characters. The first few chapters of this did appear on the Storage Wars website a few years ago, but only the first few, believe me, you wouldn’t want to stop there and miss all the sexy excitement!

“I must be dreaming. How else do I explain having a famous poker player who looks like a cover model in my house, pressed up against me, and accusing me of blackmail?”

Skye’s friend Ellie has convinced her to bid on an abandoned storage locker. After digging through the whole unit, Skye was disappointed to find nothing of value except a note and a key to a bus station locker. Though she feels she may be followed, she goes to the locker and retrieves a $50,000 poker chip and a note.

Jason “Red Bull” Wise is a professional poker player who never loses. He never blinks. He is being set up my a former lover and is being blackmailed. Since Skye bought the storage unit of his blackmailer, he thinks she’s involved, but as they get to know each other he realizes she isn’t involved, but he needs her help. So it’s off to Vegas where the big Poker championship takes place, and he brings Skye along for the ride.

“He wants my trust. He needs my trust. He could demand. He could threaten. Instead, he’s invited me into the private space he swears he doesn’t share with others. It matters to me for reasons he can’t understand.”

The chemistry was instant. Jason is also known for never, ever bringing anyone but his parents to his games, so when Skye shows up with him, the gossip begins, as does all the people trying to psych out Jason so he loses. But despite the blackmail, he is cool as a cucumber, and done resisting Skye.

“Ask me to kiss you, Skye.”

Lisa has a way of writing that sucks you in and keeps you there. It feels like you are really a part of the book, and her writing keeps slowly ramping up the suspense until you are on the edge of your seat. But believe me, there is no shortage of sexiness!

“His words, low and rough, manage to be both sandpaper and silk, sliding along my nerve endings, a caress I feel in every part of me, inside and out.”

I am so glad that this was a standalone. There will be follow ups about other characters, but this one wrapped up in one book. Wahoo! It also got me curious about Ellie, so I think I may pick up the Careless Whispers series to read more.

Likes:

The book stands alone.
The unique concept of a storage unit mystery.
Set in the world or professional poker, also unique.
Lisa’s way of combining sexy and mystery.
Jason was yummy and alpha.
Loved the nicknames.
Edge of your seat excitement.

Dislikes:

The beginning moved a little slow, and the end wrapped up a little quicker than I like.
I think having the name Inside Out in the title lead to a lot of confusion that this is part of the series.

The Down & Dirty:

Behind Closed Doors by Lisa Renee Jones was a super unique romantic suspense that happily stood alone. The first few chapters may seem familiar as they were on her website and the Storage Wars website a few years ago, but this is a fully fleshed out, full length sexy mystery that keeps you involved and on the edge of your seat the whole time. A storage unit, professional poker, sexy times, a little mob, and lots of excitement made this a great read, plus I loved the narration.