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The Dexter Brothers #2
Always My Protector: Friends to Lovers Sweet Romance
The second Dexter brother has finally come home . . .
Everyone warned me against him, but I chose to try to see the good in him.
Now, I’m running home with what I could fit in my car and my two-year-old daughter with my tail tucked between my legs.
But when I get home, I realize I can’t tell my parents about what my husband did. I would just be proving them right, and I couldn’t stand letting them down again. So, I create a web of lies, protect my pride, and distract them with their only grandchild.
But the one person I can’t lie to is Dante Dexter.
Because when I need someone to protect my daughter—to protect me—he’s my only hope.
Dante Dexter is the only man capable of saving me.
Everyone warned me against him, but I chose to try to see the good in him.
Now, I’m running home with what I could fit in my car and my two-year-old daughter with my tail tucked between my legs.
But when I get home, I realize I can’t tell my parents about what my husband did. I would just be proving them right, and I couldn’t stand letting them down again. So, I create a web of lies, protect my pride, and distract them with their only grandchild.
But the one person I can’t lie to is Dante Dexter.
Because when I need someone to protect my daughter—to protect me—he’s my only hope.
Dante Dexter is the only man capable of saving me.
246 pages, Paperback
Published April 29, 2023
156 people are currently reading
987 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 4, 2024
Ugghh I over the book by 30%, but I powered though barely.
.
FMC(Brook) and MMC(Dante) grew up together in a small town they both had feelings for each other. When he asked her out, she turned him down stating "she wasnt ready for him."
She went off to college and ended up marrying the first guy she dated who turned abusive after marriage. Her family and friends hated the guy but rose colored glasses and all, she ignored them.
10 years and one toddler later, she left to her parents while Mark was on a business trip. She had no plans to return to Mark.
Yet, She told her ABUSIVE husband where she would be. Assuming he wouldn't care and would leave her alone.
SPOILER! THEY ALWAYS CARE!
She ran into Dante the first day back in town because he was also running(from life in the spotlight). She lied and acted like she didn't know anything about him even though her hubby was a fan.
She also lied to her parents about why she was there because she was embarrassed they were right about hubby.
There were several inconsistencies in personalities and story lines.
For example:
She arrives at her first riding lesson and spots Dante and not her best friends husband. She is mad enough she wanted to put a crying Alice back in her car seat and leave... WHY? He hasnt done a damn thing to you.
He calls her "bee," and she flips out, informing him that she is a married woman and her childhood nickname is inappropriate... Really?! It was a pointless and corny conversation. The author could've left it out.
Pointless because you end up having a great time riding horses and text back and forth a lot afterward.
She drives home after the first riding lesson, and her mom confronts her about FMCs feelings for MMC. Mom told her she was a married woman and that she needed to keep in platonic or stop seeing him. Not even one paragraph later same mom...if you wanna be with MMC we will support you... WHAT?! You just said, keep it platonic.
After the horseback riding lesson, they pretty much start dating. They went away with friends for a week, giving hubby time to get to her parents' house and lie and wait.
The husband shoots MMC and there was a trial and sentencing within six 6months. He only got 5 years?!?! Bullshit
.
FMC(Brook) and MMC(Dante) grew up together in a small town they both had feelings for each other. When he asked her out, she turned him down stating "she wasnt ready for him."
She went off to college and ended up marrying the first guy she dated who turned abusive after marriage. Her family and friends hated the guy but rose colored glasses and all, she ignored them.
10 years and one toddler later, she left to her parents while Mark was on a business trip. She had no plans to return to Mark.
Yet, She told her ABUSIVE husband where she would be. Assuming he wouldn't care and would leave her alone.
SPOILER! THEY ALWAYS CARE!
She ran into Dante the first day back in town because he was also running(from life in the spotlight). She lied and acted like she didn't know anything about him even though her hubby was a fan.
She also lied to her parents about why she was there because she was embarrassed they were right about hubby.
There were several inconsistencies in personalities and story lines.
For example:
She arrives at her first riding lesson and spots Dante and not her best friends husband. She is mad enough she wanted to put a crying Alice back in her car seat and leave... WHY? He hasnt done a damn thing to you.
He calls her "bee," and she flips out, informing him that she is a married woman and her childhood nickname is inappropriate... Really?! It was a pointless and corny conversation. The author could've left it out.
Pointless because you end up having a great time riding horses and text back and forth a lot afterward.
She drives home after the first riding lesson, and her mom confronts her about FMCs feelings for MMC. Mom told her she was a married woman and that she needed to keep in platonic or stop seeing him. Not even one paragraph later same mom...if you wanna be with MMC we will support you... WHAT?! You just said, keep it platonic.
After the horseback riding lesson, they pretty much start dating. They went away with friends for a week, giving hubby time to get to her parents' house and lie and wait.
The husband shoots MMC and there was a trial and sentencing within six 6months. He only got 5 years?!?! Bullshit
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2023
★★★. This was a very cute insta-love missed opportunity single mom book. Brooklyn is running away from her husband who is abusive with her two year old daughter, Alice. Her first day back in town she meets her high school crush Dante and from there they find themselves having another opportunity at love.
Dante and Brooklyn both liked each other in high school, but neither of them seemed to make the first move until the last day they could be together. I understood Brooklyn’s point of view with not wanting to date long distance with Dante since he was going into the NFL. I do wish Dante fought a bit more? He kinda just was like “I thought you liked me” and walked off.
Their second chance was cute. I liked how the author didn’t prolong anything and right away Dante was willing to protect both Brooklyn and Alice. The immediate feelings coming back was cute and you can see/feel them both never getting over one another.
The chapters with Mark (ex husband) point of views threw me for a loop, however I did love how the author put his point of view so we can see how horrible he truly was. Dante>Mark any day. The ending was a little rushed with Mark coming and kidnapping Alice, yet nothing happened with that. It kinda felt bland. I will continue to read this author because she writes easy going books and sometimes you just need a good vibe book.
“You keep tellin’ yourself that, honey. I can see the fear in your eyes, and I don’t like it. I want you to know that you’re safe from whatever or whoever is making you run. I won’t let anyone hurt you or your little girl. You can be damn sure of that.” With that, he walked away, climbed into his truck, and waited for me to pull onto the road.”
“And just so we’re clear, the only reason I haven’t acted on my feelings for you, is because when I kiss you, when I make you moan my name, you won’t be attached to another man. Most importantly, you won’t be runnin’ from him either.”
Dante and Brooklyn both liked each other in high school, but neither of them seemed to make the first move until the last day they could be together. I understood Brooklyn’s point of view with not wanting to date long distance with Dante since he was going into the NFL. I do wish Dante fought a bit more? He kinda just was like “I thought you liked me” and walked off.
Their second chance was cute. I liked how the author didn’t prolong anything and right away Dante was willing to protect both Brooklyn and Alice. The immediate feelings coming back was cute and you can see/feel them both never getting over one another.
The chapters with Mark (ex husband) point of views threw me for a loop, however I did love how the author put his point of view so we can see how horrible he truly was. Dante>Mark any day. The ending was a little rushed with Mark coming and kidnapping Alice, yet nothing happened with that. It kinda felt bland. I will continue to read this author because she writes easy going books and sometimes you just need a good vibe book.
“You keep tellin’ yourself that, honey. I can see the fear in your eyes, and I don’t like it. I want you to know that you’re safe from whatever or whoever is making you run. I won’t let anyone hurt you or your little girl. You can be damn sure of that.” With that, he walked away, climbed into his truck, and waited for me to pull onto the road.”
“And just so we’re clear, the only reason I haven’t acted on my feelings for you, is because when I kiss you, when I make you moan my name, you won’t be attached to another man. Most importantly, you won’t be runnin’ from him either.”
March 13, 2023
just extremely unserious and corny.. skimmed most of the chapters
August 5, 2023
1.75 stars
February 8, 2023
— 𝟐 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥｡𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐌𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥
𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐥𝐲𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 (h) goes back to her hometown of Honey Magnolia with her daughter to escape her abusive husband. No one is aware that her husband Mark has been hurting her for years ever since she’s had her child and she is afraid to tell the truth because he might take her away. On her first night back, she encounters her childhood crush, 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐫 (H) , a retired NFL star who came back home to settle down. Automatically, he notices that something is different about her and senses her fear so he promises to protect her and her daughter Alice. They cannot be together because she is still a married woman, but he gathers the support of the town and his brother’s so that her husband is unable to harm her again.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥｡˚𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞*˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥
I would have liked this more if he hadn’t been the first person she saw back in town. Seriously, how is it that she got stranded without gas and he was just magically there to make everything right again. This is a book obviously, so the coincidences make sense but I disliked the instant reconnection. He was protective of her and respected her boundaries which was sweet, but also the bare minimum. If he wanted a chance with her and dreamed of settling down, why didn’t he reach out to her years ago… why did it take ten years. She had a crush on him back then and he kissed her, and when she didn’t want to give him a chance he walked away from her. He didn’t even try and it was frustrating that their relationship just continued like the years between them hadn’t passed. Anyway, everyone was warning them because they got really close, and she was still married to Mark. Yet Mark was an asshole so if she did cheat, good for her because she deserved to be happy, but Dante was patient because he didn’t want to jeopardize her custody of Alice. He ended up risking his life for her and Alice, so that proved his love for them…good for him IG.
. *. ⋆O͢V͢E͢R͢A͢L͢L͢
The book was really short so it explains the lack of development, but it was an okay read for a small town romance with a tragic backstory.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥｡𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐌𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥
𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐥𝐲𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 (h) goes back to her hometown of Honey Magnolia with her daughter to escape her abusive husband. No one is aware that her husband Mark has been hurting her for years ever since she’s had her child and she is afraid to tell the truth because he might take her away. On her first night back, she encounters her childhood crush, 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐫 (H) , a retired NFL star who came back home to settle down. Automatically, he notices that something is different about her and senses her fear so he promises to protect her and her daughter Alice. They cannot be together because she is still a married woman, but he gathers the support of the town and his brother’s so that her husband is unable to harm her again.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥｡˚𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞*˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥
I would have liked this more if he hadn’t been the first person she saw back in town. Seriously, how is it that she got stranded without gas and he was just magically there to make everything right again. This is a book obviously, so the coincidences make sense but I disliked the instant reconnection. He was protective of her and respected her boundaries which was sweet, but also the bare minimum. If he wanted a chance with her and dreamed of settling down, why didn’t he reach out to her years ago… why did it take ten years. She had a crush on him back then and he kissed her, and when she didn’t want to give him a chance he walked away from her. He didn’t even try and it was frustrating that their relationship just continued like the years between them hadn’t passed. Anyway, everyone was warning them because they got really close, and she was still married to Mark. Yet Mark was an asshole so if she did cheat, good for her because she deserved to be happy, but Dante was patient because he didn’t want to jeopardize her custody of Alice. He ended up risking his life for her and Alice, so that proved his love for them…good for him IG.
. *. ⋆O͢V͢E͢R͢A͢L͢L͢
The book was really short so it explains the lack of development, but it was an okay read for a small town romance with a tragic backstory.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2023
DNF
This was such a weird one for me.
It had everything I love but something just wasn't clicking . It may be my fault since I haven't read the first book of the series but it didn't quite sit right.
This is a dual POV, small town romance, retired athlete book. Sounds great.
SPOILERS INCOMING (as far as I know I got to 48%)
Our main woman Brook ran from her psychotic husband with their child , back to her hometown where her old high school crush has also returned.
Dante (out main man) retired from football because he wanted to settle down. Bit odd to me but whatever. Like why would you go back to your hometown looking for love you know.
Anyways, in short, we find out her husband is an abusive bitch and is coming after her once finding out about the rekindling sparks between Brook and Dante.
I got as far as their picnic date but couldn't make it any further. It felt slow and off the cuff for me. I would have loved more background into Brook and scums' relationship .
Maybe you get that later.
Overall, I enjoyed the plot so far but felt very little connection to the characters.
This was such a weird one for me.
It had everything I love but something just wasn't clicking . It may be my fault since I haven't read the first book of the series but it didn't quite sit right.
This is a dual POV, small town romance, retired athlete book. Sounds great.
SPOILERS INCOMING (as far as I know I got to 48%)
Our main woman Brook ran from her psychotic husband with their child , back to her hometown where her old high school crush has also returned.
Dante (out main man) retired from football because he wanted to settle down. Bit odd to me but whatever. Like why would you go back to your hometown looking for love you know.
Anyways, in short, we find out her husband is an abusive bitch and is coming after her once finding out about the rekindling sparks between Brook and Dante.
I got as far as their picnic date but couldn't make it any further. It felt slow and off the cuff for me. I would have loved more background into Brook and scums' relationship .
Maybe you get that later.
Overall, I enjoyed the plot so far but felt very little connection to the characters.
June 11, 2023
Check your Trigger warnings!!
Small town
Dual POV
Running from ex
Parent
Ex having a POV
These books are just so cute and simple. These Dexter Brothers are just the best.
Let me have a Dexter Brother that would love and protect me with everything they had.
This book was so good. Simple and sweet, A mom running away from her abusive ex, and her high school love saving the day. Her coming back to her small town with a baby girl and her High school sweetheart instantly falling back in love with her and her daughter the minute he had seen them again. yes yes yes. I absolutely loved it.
It gets straight to the point hearing his inner thoughts was so cute and even hers as well.
I absolutely hated Mark, but I love how she had random chapters of him and his thoughts! I love when they let you in the head of the bad guy knowing what's going on and seeing their perspective.
I absolutely recommend this book.
Small town
Dual POV
Running from ex
Parent
Ex having a POV
These books are just so cute and simple. These Dexter Brothers are just the best.
Let me have a Dexter Brother that would love and protect me with everything they had.
This book was so good. Simple and sweet, A mom running away from her abusive ex, and her high school love saving the day. Her coming back to her small town with a baby girl and her High school sweetheart instantly falling back in love with her and her daughter the minute he had seen them again. yes yes yes. I absolutely loved it.
It gets straight to the point hearing his inner thoughts was so cute and even hers as well.
I absolutely hated Mark, but I love how she had random chapters of him and his thoughts! I love when they let you in the head of the bad guy knowing what's going on and seeing their perspective.
I absolutely recommend this book.
April 29, 2023
Taylor Jade Does it Again!!
I absolutely loved the first book in the dexter brothers series and I loved this one just as much.
When a Dexter brother knows what he wants he’ll do anything to get it and protect her at all cost against anyone who dares to try to harm her in any kind of way. From the beginning Dante was moving back to his hometown in order for him to settle down with a family; it was only fate that he ran into the women he loved ten years ago and still loved on the way into town. He immediately saw the fear in her eyes and vowed to protect her. Brooklyn was running away from her abusive husband back to her hometown and when she ran into Dante Dexter on the way into town there was this immediate sense of relief. I just knew instantly that those same sparks they had 10 years ago immediately ignited the instant their eyes met.
I absolutely loved the first book in the dexter brothers series and I loved this one just as much.
When a Dexter brother knows what he wants he’ll do anything to get it and protect her at all cost against anyone who dares to try to harm her in any kind of way. From the beginning Dante was moving back to his hometown in order for him to settle down with a family; it was only fate that he ran into the women he loved ten years ago and still loved on the way into town. He immediately saw the fear in her eyes and vowed to protect her. Brooklyn was running away from her abusive husband back to her hometown and when she ran into Dante Dexter on the way into town there was this immediate sense of relief. I just knew instantly that those same sparks they had 10 years ago immediately ignited the instant their eyes met.
June 27, 2024
Had high hopes for this book given the tropes of Single Mom, second chance romance and yay they are older 28-30yrs old. But…it was corny and aggravating at times. One minute her parents are saying they know something is wrong and never liked Brooklyns husband and the next they reminding brooklyn she’s a married woman and not to get caught up with that “nfl player” and they don’t want her near him. I’m sorry what?
I did like having all three character POVs. I didn’t understand how mark got away with the stuff that he did.
The epilogue was promising and almost got it to 3 stars.
Meh.
I did like having all three character POVs. I didn’t understand how mark got away with the stuff that he did.
The epilogue was promising and almost got it to 3 stars.
Meh.
March 9, 2024
Dante and Brook
Another Dexter brother, some more swoon!!
Dante was moving back to his hometown in order for him to settle down with a family, on his way to town he runs into Brooklyn the woman he loves. Brooklyn also returning home with her daughter to escape her abusive husband. There is still a spark there and Dante is instantly protective of both Brooklyn and her daughter. Dual POV and HEA.
Another Dexter brother, some more swoon!!
Dante was moving back to his hometown in order for him to settle down with a family, on his way to town he runs into Brooklyn the woman he loves. Brooklyn also returning home with her daughter to escape her abusive husband. There is still a spark there and Dante is instantly protective of both Brooklyn and her daughter. Dual POV and HEA.
May 20, 2025
This was a great romantic suspense novel. I enjoyed the first book in this series, and I liked this one even more. I loved watching Dante & Brooklyn get their long-awaited happy ever after. The ending was a little intense and felt a bit rushed, but overall, I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Some of my favorite moments were between Dante and Brooklyn’s daughter, Ali. It was a nice, small-town novel with a pretty intense ending.
October 22, 2022
Such a cute story. These boys are everything! I’m glad we got a little more sneak peak in the future with Archie and Kenna in this book also. Can’t wait to see more with the brothers. Hopefully at the end of the series we will get a small book about how many kids each couple ended up having.
This book did have some grammar issues but not bad ones. I still followed along well.
This book did have some grammar issues but not bad ones. I still followed along well.
July 27, 2025
Dante and Brooklyn
Dante was head over heels for Bee I'm high-school. He came home after the NFL to plant roots and found Bee and Ali running from her past. He protected her with his life. I loved his fierce love for her and Ali. He stepped up to be "Danny" & "Daddy" to Ali. The picnic at the waterfall was so swoon worthy.
Dante was head over heels for Bee I'm high-school. He came home after the NFL to plant roots and found Bee and Ali running from her past. He protected her with his life. I loved his fierce love for her and Ali. He stepped up to be "Danny" & "Daddy" to Ali. The picnic at the waterfall was so swoon worthy.
June 20, 2023
Check for TW’s. Good chunk of it was intense
September 3, 2024
4.5⭐️
January 31, 2025
I can not express how much I love, love, love Dante! He is a true protector through and through and his love for Brooklyn & her daughter is awe-inspiring.
April 29, 2025
This was such a cute bug. It was nice to break up all my dark romance.
September 4, 2025
What a rollercoaster of emotions
Amazing book.
Loved the characters and relationships they shared.
Im so glad they got what they wanted.
And the dynamic between them all.
Amazing book.
Loved the characters and relationships they shared.
Im so glad they got what they wanted.
And the dynamic between them all.
January 20, 2024
Loved this book and its sequels
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews