What do you think?
Rate this book
The Precinct: SWAT #2
Protecting Plain Jane
Ten years ago quiet heiress Charlotte Maywether was abducted and held for ransom…but when she was targeted a second time, SWAT officer Trip Jones vowed to protect her. The damaged beauty was slow to trust, but even she couldn't deny the tender bond forming between her and her handsome bodyguard. Trip was determined to keep Charlotte alive and help her face her life-altering fears. But with a serial killer on the loose and Charlotte willing to play bait, it would take every skill he had to keep his beautiful ward from facing dire consequences….
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2011
31 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
About the author
Julie Miller
295 books370 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
USA TODAY Bestselling author Julie Miller writes breathtaking romantic suspense. She's won a National Readers Choice Award and two Daphne du Maurier Awards among other prizes. She was also honored to receive a Career Achievement Award from RT BookReviews and has been a finalist for many national and international awards. Her books have appeared on the USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, Amazon and BookScan Top 100 Romances bestseller lists.
Writing about Kansas City cops, Julie has crafted bestselling, award-winning books for Harlequin Intrigue. In addition, Ms. Miller publishes romantic suspense books with a military twist. Millions of copies of her books have been sold in print and digital formats around the world.
USA TODAY Bestselling author Julie Miller writes breathtaking romantic suspense. She's won a National Readers Choice Award and two Daphne du Maurier Awards among other prizes. She was also honored to receive a Career Achievement Award from RT BookReviews and has been a finalist for many national and international awards. Her books have appeared on the USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, Amazon and BookScan Top 100 Romances bestseller lists.
Writing about Kansas City cops, Julie has crafted bestselling, award-winning books for Harlequin Intrigue. In addition, Ms. Miller publishes romantic suspense books with a military twist. Millions of copies of her books have been sold in print and digital formats around the world.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 4, 2011
I discovered Julie Miller last year, loved her writing, and got all excited when I saw this book. I realize I am coming into the middle of a series, but Protecting Plain Jane is a stand alone book. Charlotte is what we call a tortured heroine, which is a nice change from the usual tortured hero. How can you not love a heroine who sports red hightops and glasses? Trip - triple J - is a big galoot (and thanks to Ms. Miller for giving me the opportunity to use that word in regards to a hero) with heroic tendencies. Trip, who may be a slow reader but is a model SWAT team member, will steal your heart, as he did Charlotte's and mine.
Due to a twisted serial killer--the villain in this Harlequin Intrigue series--the rich girl, Charlotte, needs protection. Enter Trip, the guy she tries to slice in half with an atique sword at the museum. Poor little rich girl has an enemy set on seeing her dead. Trip is determined not to let that happen.
What I love about tortured heroines is the story progression that must follow, specifically, the humongous need for her to develop trust again. Ms Miller walked us through each stage necessary to make the transition believable for a loony millionaire recluse spinster (she's only 27!) to a vibrant young woman willing to open her heart and embrace life again. Well done.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend that you read it, too.
Due to a twisted serial killer--the villain in this Harlequin Intrigue series--the rich girl, Charlotte, needs protection. Enter Trip, the guy she tries to slice in half with an atique sword at the museum. Poor little rich girl has an enemy set on seeing her dead. Trip is determined not to let that happen.
What I love about tortured heroines is the story progression that must follow, specifically, the humongous need for her to develop trust again. Ms Miller walked us through each stage necessary to make the transition believable for a loony millionaire recluse spinster (she's only 27!) to a vibrant young woman willing to open her heart and embrace life again. Well done.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend that you read it, too.
February 23, 2016
I enjoyed this book about a reclusive heiress with a few mental problems along the lines of panic attacks and trust issues left over from being kidnapped as a teenager. The KCPD SWAT member who falls in love with her while protecting her from a serial killer is also a slightly different type of character. He is 6'5" and is dyslexic so he has had to overcome the label of big and dumb to get where he is. The story is fast moving and I liked the relationship between the two. It was fairly believable in that it seemed like one of those times where you just meet someone you click with. Almost all of the scenes were the two of them together so even though this was a short book, there was plenty of time for them to fall in love and for her to learn to trust him.
It was fun to read a book based in Kansas City. I had a good time with the opportunity to visualize where exactly they were instead of having to make something up in my head. I wonder why the author changed the name of Kansas City's only daily newspaper, some sort of copyright thing maybe? Also having the hero go out into Brush Creek in a flood as bad as she describes and be in any way able to stand and walk is ludicrous but maybe she figured readers wouldn't call her on it unless they're from KC. After all I have no idea if authors are fooling me about anything set in Seattle do I?
Thanks to Lynne Marshall for the rec.
It was fun to read a book based in Kansas City. I had a good time with the opportunity to visualize where exactly they were instead of having to make something up in my head. I wonder why the author changed the name of Kansas City's only daily newspaper, some sort of copyright thing maybe? Also having the hero go out into Brush Creek in a flood as bad as she describes and be in any way able to stand and walk is ludicrous but maybe she figured readers wouldn't call her on it unless they're from KC. After all I have no idea if authors are fooling me about anything set in Seattle do I?
Thanks to Lynne Marshall for the rec.
August 23, 2011
The heroine Charlotte is a very intelligent and wealthy heiress, yet she hides away due to the horrors she went through when she was kidnapped and tortured when she was 17. She still suffers from flashbacks, nightmares and anxiety, as a result she has to be in complete control of every aspect of her life. Recently there has been attempted and actual murder of other heiresses in the area, and the perpetrator has been dubbed 'The Rich Girl Killer', and when Charlotte's bodyguard is killed and Charlotte is tormented it looks like she is the next target. SWAT cop Trip, the hero, is brought in to protect Charlotte, and after learning about her past ordeals and witnessing her fear he vows to protect her with his life and take away her fear. Charlotte and Trip grow very close to one another and he helps her realise she is not as weak as she thinks she is. But the threat to Charlotte gets worse and worse and when it looks like there is a second threat to her Trip knows he needs to do everything he can to keep her safe.
The start of this book really blew me away. It is action and suspense packed right from the start and I could hardly put it down. However it did slow down about halfway through and, for me, seemed to lose it's edge. I liked both the characters; Charlotte's issues and problems are very real and handled really well by the author. Trip is also a good characters, and particularly interesting due to his own self doubt. I don't think enough attention was given to the development of the actual relationship, and when they did get together it didn't really feel believable.
There is enough suspense to keep you on the edge of the seat, the identity of the killer is left unresolved and will be in a future book in this mini series (The Precinct: SWAT). The book stands alone fine though.
Although, I HATE the title of this book! Not that it has any effect on the story of course!
Action packed and fun.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
The start of this book really blew me away. It is action and suspense packed right from the start and I could hardly put it down. However it did slow down about halfway through and, for me, seemed to lose it's edge. I liked both the characters; Charlotte's issues and problems are very real and handled really well by the author. Trip is also a good characters, and particularly interesting due to his own self doubt. I don't think enough attention was given to the development of the actual relationship, and when they did get together it didn't really feel believable.
There is enough suspense to keep you on the edge of the seat, the identity of the killer is left unresolved and will be in a future book in this mini series (The Precinct: SWAT). The book stands alone fine though.
Although, I HATE the title of this book! Not that it has any effect on the story of course!
Action packed and fun.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
January 9, 2015
I've said it before, and I'll say it again:
Julie Miller is the master of originality.
I mean, where else would I find a book with an oversized lumberjack for a protagonist (who is still amazingly charming, by the way) and a somewhat crazy bookworm with a very bad case of PTSD, as our heroine, Charlotte Mayweather suffers from.
This book (the third in the series) meets all expectations I'd had, and featured amazing characters, an intriguing theme, and it's amazing at foreshadowing.
I think the thing I love most about this series is that in every book, there is more than one danger to face. In the second book, Man with the Muscle Audrey was facing not only falling in love with the handsome man Alex Taylor, she was also dealing with a friend in isolation, a hard-hitting gang case (in which she is also threatened by the afore-mentioned gang), and also being the target of the RGK, or Rich Girl Killer. That's a lot for anyone to have on their load, but Audrey deals with it well, as she is an independent and somewhat fearless Assistant to District Attorney.
Charlotte Mayweather is not like that. Dealing with severe post-traumatic stress from a kidnapping that happened ten years ago, she's lived her life in seclusion ever since. When she is targeted by the Rich Girl Killer, she goes almost crazy, her reaction on a totally different spectrum to her good friend Audrey's.
Trip Jones is a wonderful character, suffering from real-world problems often not discussed in books. He has dyslexia, has struggled with education his whole life, had succumbed to a high school life of poverty and bullying (and overcame it to become a fantastic SWAT officer).
The two are somewhat polar opposites, but Trip can see past her loony exterior and the red glasses, and Charlotte can see past his problems, past and structure.
I have a lot of respect for this book, and I can safely say it's not anything like the usual literature you'll find lining library shelves. It deals with the harsh reality, including the crime life, the high life, and mental setbacks that usual people suffer.
I really do recommend you read this series, as it is absolutely fantastic.
Adios, bookworms. x
Julie Miller is the master of originality.
I mean, where else would I find a book with an oversized lumberjack for a protagonist (who is still amazingly charming, by the way) and a somewhat crazy bookworm with a very bad case of PTSD, as our heroine, Charlotte Mayweather suffers from.
This book (the third in the series) meets all expectations I'd had, and featured amazing characters, an intriguing theme, and it's amazing at foreshadowing.
I think the thing I love most about this series is that in every book, there is more than one danger to face. In the second book, Man with the Muscle Audrey was facing not only falling in love with the handsome man Alex Taylor, she was also dealing with a friend in isolation, a hard-hitting gang case (in which she is also threatened by the afore-mentioned gang), and also being the target of the RGK, or Rich Girl Killer. That's a lot for anyone to have on their load, but Audrey deals with it well, as she is an independent and somewhat fearless Assistant to District Attorney.
Charlotte Mayweather is not like that. Dealing with severe post-traumatic stress from a kidnapping that happened ten years ago, she's lived her life in seclusion ever since. When she is targeted by the Rich Girl Killer, she goes almost crazy, her reaction on a totally different spectrum to her good friend Audrey's.
Trip Jones is a wonderful character, suffering from real-world problems often not discussed in books. He has dyslexia, has struggled with education his whole life, had succumbed to a high school life of poverty and bullying (and overcame it to become a fantastic SWAT officer).
The two are somewhat polar opposites, but Trip can see past her loony exterior and the red glasses, and Charlotte can see past his problems, past and structure.
I have a lot of respect for this book, and I can safely say it's not anything like the usual literature you'll find lining library shelves. It deals with the harsh reality, including the crime life, the high life, and mental setbacks that usual people suffer.
I really do recommend you read this series, as it is absolutely fantastic.
Adios, bookworms. x
August 10, 2016
I really liked this book. The Hero in this was absolutely swoon worthy, I swear everything he said to the heroine I just awed and grinned till my face hurt.
some of his lines
“You’re my only concern, Charlotte. What I say to you will always be the truth. I’ve got your back. I won’t hurt you. And I won’t let you get hurt.”
“I never want to do anything that makes you look at me with fear in your eyes again. That tears me up inside. I’d rather take a bullet than see you crying or afraid of me again.”
“You are one of a kind, Miss Mayweather.” Trip smiled and pulled her close. “And you’re all mine.”
I loved their first meeting and how strong and protective he was over her and how he called her 'honey' I didn't even mind that this book spanned a week before she lost her virginity to him and fell in love.
some of his lines
“You’re my only concern, Charlotte. What I say to you will always be the truth. I’ve got your back. I won’t hurt you. And I won’t let you get hurt.”
“I never want to do anything that makes you look at me with fear in your eyes again. That tears me up inside. I’d rather take a bullet than see you crying or afraid of me again.”
“You are one of a kind, Miss Mayweather.” Trip smiled and pulled her close. “And you’re all mine.”
I loved their first meeting and how strong and protective he was over her and how he called her 'honey' I didn't even mind that this book spanned a week before she lost her virginity to him and fell in love.
March 23, 2014
This was good read that was hampered by the category romance formate a bit. There is so much action we lose couple time and that is a bummer because the two leads are wonderful characters.
The love story is overwhelmed by the mystery in several places but it is still an enjoyable read with a gentle giant SWAT hero and heroine who is very strong and loving.
The love story is overwhelmed by the mystery in several places but it is still an enjoyable read with a gentle giant SWAT hero and heroine who is very strong and loving.
December 27, 2025
Very well written incredibly frustrating idiotic plotting. Her father (who loves her more than anything, snort) is nowhere to be found when she's being attacked right under his nose. Her step brother is basically helping the attacker, her step mother is a rhymes with witch and only cares about HER daughter and still her father is dicking around. It's like it's a murder mystery where the victim is killed by lack of attention. If anyone was looking at the victim they'd have caught the killer. But that would have made for a very short story if all those issues were fixed. And it wasn't that long to begin with. This just isn't very suspenseful, realistic or interesting. Spoiler alert. One, yes I said one, of her would be killers, was her step brother bc he was embezzling money from her and her very wealthy father. But still, you see her oh so loving and protective father? Nah. Plus his reason for the stealing was just pure dumb gold. To pay back the crooked security company her father checked over like his life depended on it (I think her father needs to be considered one of her attempted killers as well), who was her security detail night and day. Besides the 65 year old man that died in the beginning. Sorry, my review isn't making any sense but that's bc this "mystery" made no SENSE!!
Ok, I've wasted way too much time writing this review and it's made me feel like a crazy person. I mean I've felt wrung out after reading some bat sh!t crazy stuff, but this made me feel like doing violence.
Ok, I've wasted way too much time writing this review and it's made me feel like a crazy person. I mean I've felt wrung out after reading some bat sh!t crazy stuff, but this made me feel like doing violence.
March 25, 2025
I know this is part of a series, but I read it perfectly fine as a standalone. This was an excellent book. Action, suspense, a romance, and a cute little dog are all what made this a great book. It would be bad to be running from a serial killer. Charlotte, and her handsome body guard are actually dodging threats from two directions. The book starts out describing Charlotte as basically a shut-in. She is afraid to leave her house unless she is going to work. The museum where she works has a lot of locks to keep any one out. When someone penetrates the walls of her safe room, she takes them on with a sword. She was stronger than most people thought. I had two suspects in mind. I was right about one. It was still an awesome book!
March 26, 2021
Read for romances with dyslexic characters - hero in this one is SWAT team member with dyslexia. Heroine is agoraphobic who was kidnapped as a teen; she has lived in a swaddled mansion for years, afraid to risk kidnapping again. While working at her museum job (funded by billionaire dad), she is targeted by a madman, calls her best friend (who dates a SWAT guy), and best friend sends hero to bail her out.
Totally ridiculous building of relationship on nothing. Totally ridiculous breaking of rules, with SWAT team member in love with the object of SWAT team's protection (he would have been relieved of duty.) No meaningful use of dyslexia -- he sees "scrambled" words and that's about it.
Totally ridiculous building of relationship on nothing. Totally ridiculous breaking of rules, with SWAT team member in love with the object of SWAT team's protection (he would have been relieved of duty.) No meaningful use of dyslexia -- he sees "scrambled" words and that's about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2019
The heroine got on my nerves. What happened to her when she was a young girl was atrocious, but she was a crazy person 10 year later. She couldn't live alone, was a reclusive and feared all people except for her father, chauffeur and friend.
She needed psychological help, lots of help.
Needless to say that this book wasn't for me. I skimmed.
I liked the hero, though. He had the patience of a saint. Not that I see their kind of relationship going somewhere, except down the drain in alcohol sooner rather than later. No one - is that patient.
She needed psychological help, lots of help.
Needless to say that this book wasn't for me. I skimmed.
I liked the hero, though. He had the patience of a saint. Not that I see their kind of relationship going somewhere, except down the drain in alcohol sooner rather than later. No one - is that patient.
November 4, 2022
Big, Bad, & Bossy
Wow, another exciting Julie Miller book. Trip is a massive gentle giant member of SWAT Team 1. Charlotte is the heiress, he has vowed to protect. Their chemistry is smoldering hot!
Wow, another exciting Julie Miller book. Trip is a massive gentle giant member of SWAT Team 1. Charlotte is the heiress, he has vowed to protect. Their chemistry is smoldering hot!
January 29, 2018
Reread
December 25, 2018
HI #1266 = 4+ stars
March 27, 2020
I quite enjoyed reading this series.
July 10, 2020
Awesome
I just finished reading this book and it was awesome from the beginning to the end! I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
I just finished reading this book and it was awesome from the beginning to the end! I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
July 24, 2020
Another great Julie Miller story.
Love Trip & Charlotte's story. They were perfect for each other. A lot of action, humor, and romance. One of her best yet.
Love Trip & Charlotte's story. They were perfect for each other. A lot of action, humor, and romance. One of her best yet.
January 2, 2023
My favorite of the series
June 22, 2011
Ten years ago, Charlotte Maywether was abducted and held for ransom. Haunted by recurring anxiety attacks from the experience she maintains a hold on her sanity with carefully controlled routines among close circle of employees and family and the presence of her dog, Max.
While she is working alone at the family’s museum, a second abduction attempt is made. Charlotte contacts her best friend, who is a fiancé of a SWAT team member, and Trip Jones is sent to Charlotte’s rescue.
With the Charlotte’s driver murdered in the kidnap attempt, Trip is hired to protect her.
Trip, aka TJ, is also an interesting character with his own personalself esteem issues. What I liked best was how he dealt with her anxiety attacks. Trip showed compassion but also frustration at times.
The strength is this story lies with a less than perfect heroine and the character development with the budding romance between Charlotte and Trip. The villain, whose identity is kept secret from the reader through the story, comes off more malicious than dangerous.
Protecting Plain Jane is a fun, quick read.
While she is working alone at the family’s museum, a second abduction attempt is made. Charlotte contacts her best friend, who is a fiancé of a SWAT team member, and Trip Jones is sent to Charlotte’s rescue.
With the Charlotte’s driver murdered in the kidnap attempt, Trip is hired to protect her.
Trip, aka TJ, is also an interesting character with his own personalself esteem issues. What I liked best was how he dealt with her anxiety attacks. Trip showed compassion but also frustration at times.
The strength is this story lies with a less than perfect heroine and the character development with the budding romance between Charlotte and Trip. The villain, whose identity is kept secret from the reader through the story, comes off more malicious than dangerous.
Protecting Plain Jane is a fun, quick read.
September 10, 2011
It's kind of strange...I'm reading this whole series backwards. I started with the latest one, "Protecting the Pregnant Witness" (#4) which I liked and went in search of the others. Now I've just finished this one (#3 in the series) and am searching for the others. This one was on par with PTPW, the leads are likable, Charlotte and Tripp make a good couple. Charlotte has multiple psyche issues stemming from a previous abduction episode and Tripp still has residual insecurities from when he was a percieved "dumb bully" in school.Since I read the latest one first, I already knew the identity of the "Rich Girl Killer" but it was still interesting to read based on that fact. The writing and plot aren't up to my typical reading series but they make for a good quick read.
March 22, 2011
A woman with a traumatic past, a SWAT team member determined to protect her with his life--kidnapping, betrayal, secrets, murder, and a serial killer. And to top it all off, romance. A perfect story.
July 25, 2011
Harlequin’s Intrigue
Protecting Plain Jane by Julie Miller ( The Precinct: swat series)
If you read only one mystery this year, let this one be it. I guess I could quote the prologue here, ( no author’s permission) but after reading that, I was hooked.
Protecting Plain Jane by Julie Miller ( The Precinct: swat series)
If you read only one mystery this year, let this one be it. I guess I could quote the prologue here, ( no author’s permission) but after reading that, I was hooked.
November 27, 2012
I loved the quick pace, meaty action, and genuine suspense in this novel, almost as much as I loved the quirky and fresh characters: a heroine with a panic disorder, and a dyslexic hero. A really fun and satisfying read.
January 26, 2017
I'd read Beauty and the Badge and enjoyed it so I bought I'd give his one a shot. Eh. Not as good as B&theB. The heroine annoyed me. And while I know the book had to love along quickly, it just didn't "feel" right to me.
Read
December 24, 2014Miniseries: The Precinct: SWAT
Category: Suspense
Category: Suspense
April 27, 2011
Liked this one, but - ARGH! She ended on a cliffhanger again. Sigh...
April 7, 2013
I think this is Ms. Miller's creepiest story to date. I really enjoyed it.
June 5, 2014
Loved it!:)
December 28, 2014
I could not put this book down. The story line was excellant.
October 19, 2020
First read July 2014.
Reread.
Reread.
October 31, 2015
Surprise, plain Jane is a hottie!
Ridiculous, but a freebie.
Ridiculous, but a freebie.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews