Grumpy Protector Next Door

Next Door Lovers #1

by Ella Sloane

Warning: contains scenes of abusive and may be triggering for some readers.
Grumpy Protector Next Door is a super steamy, grump/sunshine, boss romance. A grumpy ranch owner will do anything to protect a woman with a troublesome past. It’s filled with steamy love scenes with a heartwarming happily ever after.

176 pages, Paperback

Published March 17, 2023

Reviews

[Kristiej · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I didn’t care for this one - at all. Cassidy is our heroine. She’s on the run from an abusive marriage and her older sister arranges a job for her on a ranch as a maid/personal assistant. I did not like Cassidy. I didn’t like some of the stupid things she did and didn’t do. When she asked her sister for help she didn’t bother to say “please don’t tell my husband if he calls that we’ve spoken and whatever you do, don’t tell him where I am as he’s dangerous”. Nope, she said nothing. So of course not aware of what’s going on she tells the husband where Cassidy is so of course he shows up.

Now Liam, our hero (?) just so happens to be single and when they’re attracted to each other, naturally they have sex even though she is MARRIED. And he knows she’s married and that did not sit well with me at all. I’ve no use for any married woman jumping right into bed with another guy. No, sort your life out first. You have no business jumping straight into another relationship.

There were numerous other things about this book that annoyed the hell out of me. When Liam’s mother and grandmother come to spend a few days on the ranch, he tells them he and Cassidy are in a relationship and living together. I don’t know why. Then when it comes to night night time they sleep in the same bed and have lots of not quiet sex - with Liams mom and gramma just down the hall. No, just no. And I didn’t like Liam either by the way. I just didn’t like the book overall and I can’t recommend it.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poor execution

Not my first Ella Sloane story. Felt like it was a rushed story, poor timeline.

I understand the way the abused spouse mind works, and this was not quite it. Yes, Cassidy needed to get away from her husband who was more verbally abusive than physically, abuse is abuse, I get it. However, based on “this was the first weekend at the ranch”, this tells me that she’s been there for one week, and she’s throwing a “hissy fit” because she saw Liam out with an ex girlfriend; I’m sorry, are we in high school? If you are an abused wife, still skittish (which doesn’t go away overnight), you are not going to be slamming cupboard doors for fear of the reaction you’re going to get from the man, any man, especially when you flinched from him that day already, add in, just having dealt with the husband showing up.

Liam’s mother was worried about him working too hard/too much and not eating, so I’m trying to understand why it would be an issue that he hired a housekeeper/office assistant? It wouldn’t be the first time that someone fell in love with the housekeeper. If his mom has any issue with her “being a gold digger” in the future, it could always be explained then that she came from a bad situation (got a good divorce settlement) and he helped her out with a job and a place to stay and get her bearings.

I just think the timeline of this book was too rushed, it could have been drawn out a little. Or time explained better. The book says she was there a month, but the events make it sound like two weeks (everything seemed to happen the day before)

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the storyline, but could use some editing.

This book is a quick read, and I liked the storyline and the main characters. At times I found the book a bit hard to follow - I thought the characters were in one place, but then they all of a sudden were someplace else (like the scene started in one room and the next thing I knew they were in a different room with no explanation for how they’d gotten there). This made it confusing and I found myself going back to try and figure out what I had missed. This book is in need of some pretty serious proofreading and editing, especially the second half. Lots of missing words and letters, many grammatical errors and the mixing of tenses, which drives me crazy I thought this book started stronger than it finished, towards the end the writing became very simplistic, but I did like the characters, and the book was short, so it was easy to finish. I don’t think I’ll go looking for another book by this author, but I would try another of her books if I were to find it on Kindle Unlimited and it looked interesting.

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassidy and Liam will steal your heart in this romantic suspense. He hires her with reservations, as he thinks she's a spoiled heiress. He's pleasantly surprised by her and finds that she is genuine, sweet and a hard worker. Not to mention gorgeous, and it's not long before chemistry starts popping. And then her abusive husband shows up and she disappears. What happens when he's determined to find her? Does he find her and bring her back? Does he claim her and make her his? This was a good story about a grumpy hard who has a soft spot/ Good story line and interesting characters. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liam hires Cassidy to work for him but he's not sure: he thinks she's a spoiled princess who has never had to work a day in her life. He finds out soon, though, that there is a lot lying underneath the surface. She's been abused and his protector instincts kick in. He lets her know that she is safe now. Soon they are attracted to each other and when his family assumes she's his girlfriend, he doesn't correct them. In fact, he lets her know that he would like a relationship. Just when they are getting established, her ex returns and Cassidy disappears. Will Liam be able to save her in time for them to have a chance at real life?

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liam hires Cassidy as his new housekeeper and assistant and he is under the impression that she is a spoilt princess, who has not worked a day in her life, until he sees beneath the surface. Cassady is a ray of sunshine, and Liam is her grumpy new boss. When Cassidy’s abusive ex-husband arrives on the scent, she disappears, and Liam is determined to find her to protect and keep her safe. This is a well written story with suspense, intrigue, undeniable chemistry, family, friendships, danger, twists, and love, which leads to an addictive page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Cassidy finally decided she was leaving her abusive husband she asked her sister for help. It came in the form of Liam who needed a housekeeper and an assistant. He wasn't too pleased with Cassidy at first given the information he received from her sister about her skills but looks can be deceiving all of which Cassidy proved to be. Their relationship was finally beginning to settle until her past made a comeback. Will Liam be able to keep Cassidy safe from her abusive husband and will they get their chance for a happily ever after.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lucy Chesna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liam reluctantly hires Cassidy as his housekeeper and assistant even though he thinks she’s a rich spoiled girl in the run from her husband which was told to him by her stepsister . He finds out that she is amazing person and has true grit and the abuse Cassidy had lived through from her husband. She disappears after her husband shows up. Liam will fight to save her life and bring her back to him. A great story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aleksandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

He hires her as his housekeeper and assistant. He thinks she’s rich and spoiled as she’s running from her abusive husband. As he learns she’s actually an amazing person, their feelings for each other grow. She disappears after her husband shows up and he needs to fight to save her. It’s a good story, it’s well written, but it lacks an original idea.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sherrie Westover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpy Protector next door

Couldn't stop reading it!!! One day, done!!! Each story is so different from the last one, but I love these Grumpy alphas that have idea what it is they need or want till it hits them right in heart ❤️. Lol. Cassidy is so strong considering what she's been thru, and now only getting herself back!! Then bam, Liam takes her by surprise, and they get lost in each other. So many twists and turns, loved it.

Don't miss this one by Ella Sloane

[megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liam and Callie

Liam and Callie are adorable. Callie needs a fresh start away from her husband and Liam owns a ranch and is looking for a housekeeper and assistant. I love how protective he became of her and how Callie found her independence and embraced it. So happy they got a happily ever after with each other. I do you think Hallie is an awful sister, hopefully Liam told her off with what she did to Callie.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked seeing how this story unfolded, I felt a connection to both of them and felt for the situation they were both in. I wanted to give Cassidy a big hug and tell her I thought she was so strong. I believed in the connection that Liam and Cassidy had, and that they would get their HEA on the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story about Liam and Cassidy. I loved the story. Cassidy had a wonderful voice and her predicament was sweet.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was Liam & Cassie's book. A city girl shows up at his ranch. She needs a job and a place to stay.
She just left her rich husband. He should’ve turned her away. She’s his new housekeeper and assistant. It was a fun, intriguing read. And am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Joanne Moynihan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contemporary romance

Cassidy is running away from an abusive husband. Her sister helps her get a job at a ranch. Liam runs the ranch. They fall for each and need to address the issue of her husband

[ShaunyGirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems very similar to Arrogant Devil by R.S. Grey

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

overall, okay… storyline fragmented

A lot of spelling/grammar errors. Story line so-so. Not much character depth. General premise enjoyable, troubled woman saved by cowboy.

[zen_s · Rating 2 out of 5]

i think... it's a pretty simple book i guess.

[Robin is it summer yet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so so good. I wish they had waited till a divorce but I loved them both anyway

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Another amazing read from this amazing writer!!! See ya in the next review!!! Now on to the next!!! !! !!

[Susan The Trucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

This was an enjoyable read, but the editor is lazy. Many times, incorrect words were used in sentences. That is so annoying, and there's no excuse.

[Rania Abdullah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, Fun read ❤❤