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Her Ex-Crush Bodyguard
Someone is trying to kill her. It’s his job to make sure they don’t succeed.
As a news writer, Elliana Devereaux has made her share of Scam artists, drug dealers, self-proclaimed werewolves—the usual.
After an attempt on her life, Elliana's parents hire a bodyguard to protect her. And not just any bodyguard. Nope. They hire her teenage crush, Mateo Alvarado. Handsome, tall, muscular, and way too cocky, Mateo.
He broke her heart once, so she’s determined to have nothing to do with him.
Avoiding Mateo becomes impossible when he shows up at her office threatening to cuff her if she doesn’t come with him.
Yeah, her coworkers totally won’t talk about that.
How long can Elliana keep Mateo at arm’s length when everything about her protector secretly draws her in?
If you like romantic suspense novels that also make you laugh, you'll love this book! Snatch it up today!
As a news writer, Elliana Devereaux has made her share of Scam artists, drug dealers, self-proclaimed werewolves—the usual.
After an attempt on her life, Elliana's parents hire a bodyguard to protect her. And not just any bodyguard. Nope. They hire her teenage crush, Mateo Alvarado. Handsome, tall, muscular, and way too cocky, Mateo.
He broke her heart once, so she’s determined to have nothing to do with him.
Avoiding Mateo becomes impossible when he shows up at her office threatening to cuff her if she doesn’t come with him.
Yeah, her coworkers totally won’t talk about that.
How long can Elliana keep Mateo at arm’s length when everything about her protector secretly draws her in?
If you like romantic suspense novels that also make you laugh, you'll love this book! Snatch it up today!
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2023
104 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Janette Rallison
74 books1,999 followersCheck out my awesome book trailers!
My Unfair Godmother:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AlRg0...
My Fair Godmother: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up1jF8...
Just One Wish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP1Nce...
My Double Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzuswp...
Janette Rallison has five children who keep her well supplied with plot ideas, sometimes even making cameo appearances in her novels. She likes to write romantic comedy because there is enough angst in real life, but theres a drastic shortage on both humor and romance.
Playing the Field was named Society of School Librarians International Best Book Award Honor Book, and both Alls Fair In Love, War, and High School and Love, Life, and the Pursuit of Free Throws were included on YALSAs Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults list. Fame Glory, and Other Things on My To Do List, was just chosen for IRAs YA Choices list for 2007
"
My Unfair Godmother:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AlRg0...
My Fair Godmother: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up1jF8...
Just One Wish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP1Nce...
My Double Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzuswp...
Janette Rallison has five children who keep her well supplied with plot ideas, sometimes even making cameo appearances in her novels. She likes to write romantic comedy because there is enough angst in real life, but theres a drastic shortage on both humor and romance.
Playing the Field was named Society of School Librarians International Best Book Award Honor Book, and both Alls Fair In Love, War, and High School and Love, Life, and the Pursuit of Free Throws were included on YALSAs Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults list. Fame Glory, and Other Things on My To Do List, was just chosen for IRAs YA Choices list for 2007
"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
December 1, 2025
This was a super cute romantic suspense novella. Elliana works for the local new station and thinks she may have ticked off the wrong person when someone tries to kill her. Her parents hire a family friend, Mateo, to be her bodyguard. He also happens to be her childhood friend and crush but things ended badly between them and they haven't seen each other in a long time.
Ms. Rallison always knows how to write witty banter and fun romantic tension. I loved the scenes with Elliana and Mateo. The romance was swoony and the suspense was believable. A good balance of each. It's a novella so things do move a bit quickly, but was well developed and entertaining.
Content Rated PG
Romance: Kissing
Language: None
Violence: Mild
Ms. Rallison always knows how to write witty banter and fun romantic tension. I loved the scenes with Elliana and Mateo. The romance was swoony and the suspense was believable. A good balance of each. It's a novella so things do move a bit quickly, but was well developed and entertaining.
Content Rated PG
Romance: Kissing
Language: None
Violence: Mild
August 26, 2023
I just always enjoy Janette Rallison
April 8, 2023
I love a good romantic suspense book! Especially when it has dashes of humor, and this one fully delivers!
Poor Elliana! She's on the verge of cracking the story that will make her career take off and yet she has someone trying to poison and kill her. Her sources for the story are refusing to talk now and then he shows up! Mateo, her childhood crush! He's a bodyguard and the one her parents hired, without her knowing, to come protect her. Now she's in even more trouble!
Y'all, this book was so much fun! I devoured it! I laughed out loud. Especially at her Nana, and at his family, more specifically at his twin sisters' misinterpretations of conversations they'd overheard! Hahahaha! Again, poor Elliana! She'll need all the help that she can get to find a way out of this situation. And to keep her heart intact because it hasn't been intact since the day Mateo walked into her life, years ago!
If you need a book you an enjoy in a short amount of time, and enjoy it you will, this is one I'll recommend for you to pick up! Enjoy!
Content: Clean. Some moments of mild peril and some mild innuendos. A few kisses and nothing further.
My own personal copy from a book promotion. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
Poor Elliana! She's on the verge of cracking the story that will make her career take off and yet she has someone trying to poison and kill her. Her sources for the story are refusing to talk now and then he shows up! Mateo, her childhood crush! He's a bodyguard and the one her parents hired, without her knowing, to come protect her. Now she's in even more trouble!
Y'all, this book was so much fun! I devoured it! I laughed out loud. Especially at her Nana, and at his family, more specifically at his twin sisters' misinterpretations of conversations they'd overheard! Hahahaha! Again, poor Elliana! She'll need all the help that she can get to find a way out of this situation. And to keep her heart intact because it hasn't been intact since the day Mateo walked into her life, years ago!
If you need a book you an enjoy in a short amount of time, and enjoy it you will, this is one I'll recommend for you to pick up! Enjoy!
Content: Clean. Some moments of mild peril and some mild innuendos. A few kisses and nothing further.
My own personal copy from a book promotion. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
April 25, 2022
This was a fun novella and very well developed for being a shortened length. I enjoyed the characters, the second chance romance and the added element of mild suspense. It was a quick fix, easy reading kind of book.
May 6, 2023
Just plain loved it!
This was a surprising little gem of a book! I loved the mystery and the humor. It’s been a long time since I was hooked into the story so fast. I think by the second paragraph I super curious and excited how the attempted murder and subsequent call for police help played out. It managed to be funny and still retain some tension at the same time.
I wasn’t exactly sure where the mystery would go (although, when you find out the whodunit it’s just like, ohh that totally makes sense) but I loved the journey and role Mateo played as the police officer / hired bodyguard. A really fun and interesting mystery that felt light and a bit “cozy” that I would for sure reread in the future!
Rating: PG, clean, no language, some kissing but not really descriptive and no one gets carried away.
This was a surprising little gem of a book! I loved the mystery and the humor. It’s been a long time since I was hooked into the story so fast. I think by the second paragraph I super curious and excited how the attempted murder and subsequent call for police help played out. It managed to be funny and still retain some tension at the same time.
I wasn’t exactly sure where the mystery would go (although, when you find out the whodunit it’s just like, ohh that totally makes sense) but I loved the journey and role Mateo played as the police officer / hired bodyguard. A really fun and interesting mystery that felt light and a bit “cozy” that I would for sure reread in the future!
Rating: PG, clean, no language, some kissing but not really descriptive and no one gets carried away.
July 30, 2023
Great book. Listened to the audiobook and couldn’t keep a smile off my face. I liked the chemistry, banters and hilarious dialogues. Mateo’s twin sisters were also a nice touch. The suspense was also good. I only wish there was actual Spanish. Overall I enjoyed this one.
Content: Clean, Kissing
Content: Clean, Kissing
January 7, 2024
The story-telling is amazing! Clean, giddy, and adorable romantic suspense. I caught myself giggling quite a few times, it has just the perfect pinch of humor.
I didn't want to stop reading - I just had to find out what happened next. 5/5⭐
I didn't want to stop reading - I just had to find out what happened next. 5/5⭐
June 1, 2024
I read this book for the cover. :) 2.5 stars
Cute romantic mystery. Very short and surface level. I liked both characters.
Narrator was just okay.
Content clean.
Cute romantic mystery. Very short and surface level. I liked both characters.
Narrator was just okay.
Content clean.
January 27, 2023
This one had some nail biting suspense, a few awkward moments, and some humor. Enjoyed, especially Nana and the twins. Starts with some awesome attention grabbing lines and keeps moving. Fun read. Good chemistry, good story, fast paced. Recommended for a light reading evening.
July 31, 2022
Loved it. Like all of her latest work, there is humour, clean romance, and great characters in this story. I will be sure to read it again in the future and I highly recommend it. 👏🏻
April 8, 2023
Great suspense love reconnect story! I wish it would of been a regular length book so we could of had more build up with characters. But I throughly enjoyed myself, sitting by the beach and reading!
May 26, 2023
Sweet with some suspense
I enjoyed this story. It had a sweet romance, with some good suspense thrown in as well. Throughout the book I kept thinking I knew who was behind it all, but still found myself a bit surprised at the end. A fun and light read.
I enjoyed this story. It had a sweet romance, with some good suspense thrown in as well. Throughout the book I kept thinking I knew who was behind it all, but still found myself a bit surprised at the end. A fun and light read.
May 11, 2023
I love a good romantic suspense but I also like books with witty banter and I got both with this latest book by Janette Rallison.
Elliana was supposed to do a feel-good story but discovered some things she couldn't ignore. Just as she's putting the pieces together for a story that will help her career take off someone tries to kill her. Not by shooting at her or tampering with the brakes on her car, but something much more subtle--poisoning, and it almost worked. When Elliana's parents learn about the attempt on her life they hire a bodyguard to protect her but fail to tell her. And it's not just any bodyguard . . . it's Mateo Alvarado, her teenage crush!! (insert facepalm) Mateo may be there to protect her life but who's going to protect her heart?
This book was a fun read--I laughed out loud several times at the quips between the main characters. This is a blend of second chance romance with close proximity and some suspense. I was surprised when the bad guy was revealed. This is a great fast read.
I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
Elliana was supposed to do a feel-good story but discovered some things she couldn't ignore. Just as she's putting the pieces together for a story that will help her career take off someone tries to kill her. Not by shooting at her or tampering with the brakes on her car, but something much more subtle--poisoning, and it almost worked. When Elliana's parents learn about the attempt on her life they hire a bodyguard to protect her but fail to tell her. And it's not just any bodyguard . . . it's Mateo Alvarado, her teenage crush!! (insert facepalm) Mateo may be there to protect her life but who's going to protect her heart?
This book was a fun read--I laughed out loud several times at the quips between the main characters. This is a blend of second chance romance with close proximity and some suspense. I was surprised when the bad guy was revealed. This is a great fast read.
I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
November 20, 2023
4-4.5 stars. A mixture of suspense, humor and second chance kept me reading this one. Elliana’s life is being threatened so her mother requests Mateo as her appointed bodyguard in the meantime. Seven years ago, Elliana had a major crush on him, but she recalls how he avoided her and then rejected her. No one is better for this job than Mateo, though, as he already works for LAPD, so Mateo it is. His little twin sisters are adorable and hilarious in all of their eavesdropping and misinterpretations. Mateo himself is primarily professional, but he definitely gets personal and cheeky, too, and Elliana brings her own level of entertainment while avoiding danger. Cute and engaging story overall.
December 2, 2023
What’s Not to Love?
I read more than 200 books a year, and I forget the characters names almost before I finish each book. So, I don’t remember who or what this book was about. I do know that Janette Rallison’s books keep me up reading hours later than I intended. I do know that she always places her heroines in embarrassing and hilarious situations. The witty banter makes me laugh out loud. I finally fall asleep (only once I’ve finished) with a smile on my face.
I read more than 200 books a year, and I forget the characters names almost before I finish each book. So, I don’t remember who or what this book was about. I do know that Janette Rallison’s books keep me up reading hours later than I intended. I do know that she always places her heroines in embarrassing and hilarious situations. The witty banter makes me laugh out loud. I finally fall asleep (only once I’ve finished) with a smile on my face.
January 19, 2025
10 ⭐️s! Janette Rallison knocked this book out of the ballpark for a solid home run followed by a touchdown and an extra 2 points for the slam dunk that perfectly rounded this mystery romcom!
Ridiculous sports metaphors aside, let me just say that this is one of my new favorite books and I will be re-reading it again and again! It’s clean, hilarious, suspenseful, and so sweet! I love it! Go read it!
Ridiculous sports metaphors aside, let me just say that this is one of my new favorite books and I will be re-reading it again and again! It’s clean, hilarious, suspenseful, and so sweet! I love it! Go read it!
April 22, 2024
When I first started the book, I was really unsure if I wanted to finish it. At first, it felt too drawn out and predicted neverminded I didn't care for the main female leads character and her being shocked at predictable situations. But I'm glad I did because of the slightly change of the main female lead's character.
Elliana is a reporter looking into affordable housing developments where the structures might not meet construction codes and where the business president and other prominent individuals might or might not be embezzling the money meant to fund these residences. Indeed, it makes sense for someone to wish to quiet her.
I thoroughly loved reading the narrative and cheering for Elliana as she attempted to identify her assailant. In addition, her former childhood crush, the security her parents hired for her... Sure, please! I adore a nice friendship-to-love story from childhood! I loved watching Elliana and Mateo reconnect because they had lost contact over the years. I also like how there were scattered memories of their early years!
Additionally, I enjoyed the characters. Elliana is affluent, and depending on characterization, I may either like or dislike wealthy folks, so as I started reading the novel, I was a little concerned. I'm glad to hear that Elliana was nothing like the entitled, conceited privileged kids who I find so difficult to handle! Mateo and his family were really employed at her family's ranch, and I really liked how wonderfully she and her family treated their workers. She is only a decent person attempting to bring attention to this appalling housing condition. She was intelligent and likeable! I adore a well-read protagonist!
Mateo, on the other hand, was kind and protective, which is obviously part of his job, but you could see that he genuinely cared about her and that this wasn't just a job. I cherished him! and his household! I found it hilarious how his younger twin sisters attempted to bring these two together! I cherished them!
Overall, this book was a lot of fun for me! I adored the childhood friends-to-lovers cliché, the romance was adorable and lovely, and it was simply a pleasant read. I really like the mystery and suspense surrounding the housing situation and Elliana's attempted murder.
Elliana is a reporter looking into affordable housing developments where the structures might not meet construction codes and where the business president and other prominent individuals might or might not be embezzling the money meant to fund these residences. Indeed, it makes sense for someone to wish to quiet her.
I thoroughly loved reading the narrative and cheering for Elliana as she attempted to identify her assailant. In addition, her former childhood crush, the security her parents hired for her... Sure, please! I adore a nice friendship-to-love story from childhood! I loved watching Elliana and Mateo reconnect because they had lost contact over the years. I also like how there were scattered memories of their early years!
Additionally, I enjoyed the characters. Elliana is affluent, and depending on characterization, I may either like or dislike wealthy folks, so as I started reading the novel, I was a little concerned. I'm glad to hear that Elliana was nothing like the entitled, conceited privileged kids who I find so difficult to handle! Mateo and his family were really employed at her family's ranch, and I really liked how wonderfully she and her family treated their workers. She is only a decent person attempting to bring attention to this appalling housing condition. She was intelligent and likeable! I adore a well-read protagonist!
Mateo, on the other hand, was kind and protective, which is obviously part of his job, but you could see that he genuinely cared about her and that this wasn't just a job. I cherished him! and his household! I found it hilarious how his younger twin sisters attempted to bring these two together! I cherished them!
Overall, this book was a lot of fun for me! I adored the childhood friends-to-lovers cliché, the romance was adorable and lovely, and it was simply a pleasant read. I really like the mystery and suspense surrounding the housing situation and Elliana's attempted murder.
April 16, 2023
laugh out loud romantic suspense
Janette Rallison has a gift for humour. I don't usually actually laugh out loud - most rom com books just make me cringe - but I usually get at least a chuckle or two from her books. Even the high school ones which I'm definitely too old for. I like that this one is for adults, and I liked that it had suspense but wasn't too heavy.
If you were thrown off by the cover or the blurb, don't be. Her blurbs can be a little hit and miss. The actual stories are generally great - much more mature/thoughtful than you'd think, but still very light-hearted.
Janette Rallison has a gift for humour. I don't usually actually laugh out loud - most rom com books just make me cringe - but I usually get at least a chuckle or two from her books. Even the high school ones which I'm definitely too old for. I like that this one is for adults, and I liked that it had suspense but wasn't too heavy.
If you were thrown off by the cover or the blurb, don't be. Her blurbs can be a little hit and miss. The actual stories are generally great - much more mature/thoughtful than you'd think, but still very light-hearted.
August 19, 2025
This is the first book I’ve read by Janette Rallison and it did not disappoint. What’s not to love about having a handsome, protective cop as a bodyguard? I’m glad Mateo and Elliana got their second chance, even if it came because someone was trying to kill her. They had a lot of great back and forth throughout the book. I thought the initial scene with Elliana and the police was funny. I also enjoyed the humor Mateo’s sisters brought to the story. I was suspicious of the culprit early on but that doesn’t bother me. Overall, it was a quick, light read that was the perfect mix of romance, mystery, suspense, and humor.
October 4, 2023
A feel-good romantic comedy with a touch of mystery.
I love this author. It is always a delight to see a new book from her and I can trust all her books to be enjoyable.
After a disappointing day, I read this book and this book actually made me laugh out loud sometimes and, just for that, I am giving all the stars that Goodreads allows and, also, maybe I am a little biased since I am a fan of this author.
I love this author. It is always a delight to see a new book from her and I can trust all her books to be enjoyable.
After a disappointing day, I read this book and this book actually made me laugh out loud sometimes and, just for that, I am giving all the stars that Goodreads allows and, also, maybe I am a little biased since I am a fan of this author.
July 24, 2024
The book was good despite some issues. You could tell from the beginning he was into her as well and that the whole betrayal was a misunderstanding. He could have tried to explain it in their seven year hiatus to each other but no one ever did. The killer was easy to sus out and it was predictable, but the banter was funny and the nieces were hilarious.
All in all a quick read that's not amazing, but not terrible.
All in all a quick read that's not amazing, but not terrible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2023
a fun read
A fun and quick read, this is a contemporary romance with some suspense. Elliana discovers she’s the target of a murder attempt, and her family brings in her old crush, Mateo to be her bodyguard. I enjoyed the dialogue interplay and the relationship development of the 2 MCs.
A fun and quick read, this is a contemporary romance with some suspense. Elliana discovers she’s the target of a murder attempt, and her family brings in her old crush, Mateo to be her bodyguard. I enjoyed the dialogue interplay and the relationship development of the 2 MCs.
May 16, 2023
Loved it!
Her Ex-crush Bodyguard was a great book! Elliana was such a likeable character that you instantly wanted to root for, and Mateo was definitely book-boyfriend material with his laid-back teasing, charm, and "hot cop" bod.
Like all the other Janette Rallison books I've read, this one was a five-star!
Her Ex-crush Bodyguard was a great book! Elliana was such a likeable character that you instantly wanted to root for, and Mateo was definitely book-boyfriend material with his laid-back teasing, charm, and "hot cop" bod.
Like all the other Janette Rallison books I've read, this one was a five-star!
June 11, 2023
Sweet Suspense
Elliana totally had a thing for Mateo, but felt rejected and tried to move on until someone tried to kill her. Then matters were taken out of her hands when her mom hired him to be her bodyguard. They have fun banter considering what’s going on. I loved the epilogue!
Elliana totally had a thing for Mateo, but felt rejected and tried to move on until someone tried to kill her. Then matters were taken out of her hands when her mom hired him to be her bodyguard. They have fun banter considering what’s going on. I loved the epilogue!
October 26, 2023
I meant to read just a chapter or two of this and ended up accidentally reading the whole thing. I felt like it was a little short and would have liked for the characters—especially the mains—to be more fleshed out, but it was a fun story. There were the usual funny, awkward scenes that Ms Rallison does so well, as well as a tense, mystery vibe.
January 18, 2025
Enjoyable and suspenseful
Exciting story, solid characters, and HEA. I was a bit surprised at the bad guy, but it made sense. The wrap up focused more on the relationship between the H and h than on details about the would-be murderer and the story behind it, but overall I enjoyed the story and love relationship.
Exciting story, solid characters, and HEA. I was a bit surprised at the bad guy, but it made sense. The wrap up focused more on the relationship between the H and h than on details about the would-be murderer and the story behind it, but overall I enjoyed the story and love relationship.
April 10, 2025
handcuffs are not optional
Solving the puzzle of who would want to hurt Elle was very fun and hooking.The witty banter with Elle and Mateo was adorable that man was ready to use handcuffs to get her to come with him like thats insane lol.I enjoyed the book and hope to read more like it.
Solving the puzzle of who would want to hurt Elle was very fun and hooking.The witty banter with Elle and Mateo was adorable that man was ready to use handcuffs to get her to come with him like thats insane lol.I enjoyed the book and hope to read more like it.
April 14, 2023
This is much scarier than Rallison's usual romantic comedies, but still has fabulous, lovable characters. I would call it a romantic suspense comedy. The villain surprised me completely, so you may not want to read this when you're home alone.
May 19, 2023
Awesome!
One of my favorite Jeanette Rallison books so far. It was fun, well paced, and humorous. The plot seemed a tiny bit far-fetched, but I don't read for reality. If I wanted that, I would watch the news!
One of my favorite Jeanette Rallison books so far. It was fun, well paced, and humorous. The plot seemed a tiny bit far-fetched, but I don't read for reality. If I wanted that, I would watch the news!
December 7, 2023
Cute and quick, sweet romance. Listened on audio and it wasn’t my favorite. Might have enjoyed it more on paper. I felt like there were a few spots where the FMC annoyed me, and later a missed opportunity for character growth.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews