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Honor #1
Honor
Series: Salir del armario (Coming Out of the Closet)
232 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2001
106 people are currently reading
2753 people want to read
About the author
Radclyffe
142 books1,671 followersRadclyffe has written over forty-five romance and romantic intrigue novels, dozens of short stories, and, writing as L.L. Raand, has authored a paranormal romance series, The Midnight Hunters. She has also edited Best Lesbian Romance 2009 through 2015 as well as multiple other anthologies. She is an eight-time Lambda Literary Award finalist in romance, mystery, and erotica—winning in both romance and erotica. A member of the Saints and Sinners Literary Hall of Fame, she is also an RWA Prism, Lories, Beanpot, Aspen Gold, and Laurel Wreath winner in multiple mainstream romance categories. In 2014, she received the Dr. James Duggins Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist award from the Lambda Literary Foundation. In 2004, she founded Bold Strokes Books, an independent LGBTQ publishing company, and in 2013, she founded the Flax Mill Creek Writers Retreat offering writing workshops to authors in all stages of their careers.
She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”
Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.
She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”
Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
February 5, 2021
After the real life attack on our US Capitol in January, quite a few us were ultra frightened for our incoming POTUS and VP. We hoped security would be tight enough and that the agents could be trusted to protect the new president and vice president. At the time, I kept hearing people commenting, if only Cam was around. Kamala Harris needs Cam Roberts right now and I wondered who is Cam? Thanks to my oft Reading Buddy, Tere, I soon found out.
Cameron Roberts is a veteran secret service agent who is pulled out of Investigations to lead the security detail for the president’s daughter. Blair is 25, talented, and free spirited in every way. A tiger in a cage who Cam has to keep safe at all costs. Their intense chemistry leads them to break a few rules in a big way but it’s incredibly entertaining.
Just good, solid storytelling with plenty of action, hot scenes, and classic style characters, a tough, handsome protector and the beautiful, young woman who falls hard for her. Cam and Blair are very addicting to follow and I’m glad there are plenty of Honor books left for me to read.
Cameron Roberts is a veteran secret service agent who is pulled out of Investigations to lead the security detail for the president’s daughter. Blair is 25, talented, and free spirited in every way. A tiger in a cage who Cam has to keep safe at all costs. Their intense chemistry leads them to break a few rules in a big way but it’s incredibly entertaining.
Just good, solid storytelling with plenty of action, hot scenes, and classic style characters, a tough, handsome protector and the beautiful, young woman who falls hard for her. Cam and Blair are very addicting to follow and I’m glad there are plenty of Honor books left for me to read.
March 26, 2019
4.5 ⭐️
Hmmm.. an interesting read. I really do like the pull-push relationship between Cameron and Blair and how their relationship developed over time - though I must admit that there were times while reading the book where I’m appalled with Blair’s behaviour and perplexed how was it that Cam can remained ‘cool’ and unperturbed with Blair’s antics!
Hmmm.. an interesting read. I really do like the pull-push relationship between Cameron and Blair and how their relationship developed over time - though I must admit that there were times while reading the book where I’m appalled with Blair’s behaviour and perplexed how was it that Cam can remained ‘cool’ and unperturbed with Blair’s antics!
September 29, 2024
3rd time round, my guilty treat to myself. It's really The Best, on which all other novels have to graded against - is there a better pairing in all of literature than Blair & Cam? (...What about Emma & Jamie in Girls of the Summer? Stop!! That was rhetorical!!) Superb, love it and all those other extremes. Like watching a favourite episode of West Wing, I can reread again and again!
March 27, 2023
➥ 2.75 Stars *:･ﾟ✧
Kelly look away 😞💘. Sadly, I wasn't quite blown away by Above all, Honor, the first book I've read by this author. But, I consider that this was written in 2001 and that I saw someone say that this author's other books are far better. So, although I didn't adore this one, I'm still looking forward to reading more of this author's work.
The premise was strong. Cameron (h), a serious no bullshit bodyguard gets assigned to Blair (h), the daughter of the president of the USA, who promiscuously escapes her protection and goes to gay bars.
The writing was blunt and simple, I like it that way. But the actual development of the romance lacked. These women have had maximum 7 conversations by the end of this novel, and I think that was the main issue. Up until 40%, these women have not spoken seriously once. It was only that Blair had started to make sexual advances on Cameron, but I unfortunately found those to be quite jarring and out of place. For example, a led to b and they were fighting in a ring, Blair mainly attacking and Cameron mainly deflecting, and Cameron does an attack that lands Blair on the floor. Blair convinces Cameron to teach her how to do it, but after she does, she shoves her knee between Cameron's while there are MEN WATCHING. Keep in mind that these women don't know anything about the other. I feel that, if this had been more of a private moment, and it had been once they'd known each other better and could mess with each other a little, it could have been really good, but since I hadn't seen these characters developing their feelings for the other, I couldn't really root for them. Instead, the advances seemed random, ineffective and not really romantic.
What goes hand in hand with that is the lack of intimacy and vulnerability. There are about 3 times where Blair says "thank you" sincerely and supposedly vulnerably, but that's all we get in terms of the characters softening for each other. I was waiting for there to be a moment of high stakes, where they were seriously worried for the other, or where one broke down and the other listened to her patiently. And there were hints of that going to happen, but it never felt fully developed to where it actually felt like the relationship between them was growing. Although the featured quote is cute (the cutest I could find), I was pretty shocked when it was said because I didn't see them being at the "I love you" stage at all. I think that, in this book, Radclyffe failed to really show emotional connection and development of feelings. Sometimes, Cameron would say that Blair was so beautiful that she was attracted to her more than sexually. But then...what? Emotionally? Because that's unfortunately not evidenced at all.
There was one moment that got near to what I'd wanted, where they were both tired and the slept with their head on each other's shoulders while on a private jet and they woke up in a bit more disarray and comfort than usual. But even that moment wasn't lingered upon enough to make significant.
The third person narrative was another slightly jarring aspect of this book, because it was sort of omniscient? It would swish from perspective to perspective but it was hard to know who's? Sometimes we were in a side character's voice while they observed the two women interacting, but these changes were not smooth and clear enough.
Blair was an incredibly underdeveloped character. Her struggles are hinted at but we never see an exploration of what she goes through. Her voice, when we're in it, was shallow. Similar to Cameron, as we are told Cameron has had to grieve the loss of her lover but we don't see her talk it out with Blair or process her emotions in general. It's like it was just a fact added to her character profile.
Also, Blair's sleeping around started to seriously rub me the wrong way. I understand that as the presidents daughter, she couldn't do much. But in her acquisition of her "conquests" she would be sort of malevolent about it. It just made me uncomfortable, but maybe that's just me. She spoke about wanting to humble young butches? Because that was apparently really satisfying? When reading the sex scenes between her and her conquests, there's just such a lack of respect and care, which I found to be quite alarming. One time, Blair ties one of the said butches up with ties. And that's. Fine. I guess? But there wasn't any emphasis placed on consent at all and it felt as though the women she was with had just been naive and clueless about what she was going to do to them. Which was especially strange when she would continuously imagine they were Cameron? I just think having sex with a person and imagining them as someone else is seriously low.
And, this encounter had been when Cameron and Blair's relationship had become slightly (!) more established, at the 75% mark. So it was really jarring to read about her having sex with a stranger (again) while entwined with Cameron.
At the end, Blair gets really worried about Cameron, though I won't spoil why, and that's presented as being the epitome of love, or at least her realisation. But, that should have just been the start, in my opinion. Hoping that someone doesn't die is not a strong determinant of true love.
Overall, although the premise was strong and this author has clear potential, the romantic element was so severely lacking, in ways that even bad romances still achieve sometimes. So, hopefully her other books are better, because (if I'm not wrong) this was one of her first.
Cam leaned back, a soft smile on her lips. "Then it appears we have a problem, Ms. Powell. If I can't guard you, what excuse do I have to be with you?"
Blair took a deep breath. "How about because you love me?"
She kissed Blair gently on the forehead, and whispered, "Well, there is that."
━━━━━━━━━━━ ♡ ━━━━━━━━━━━
Kelly look away 😞💘. Sadly, I wasn't quite blown away by Above all, Honor, the first book I've read by this author. But, I consider that this was written in 2001 and that I saw someone say that this author's other books are far better. So, although I didn't adore this one, I'm still looking forward to reading more of this author's work.
The premise was strong. Cameron (h), a serious no bullshit bodyguard gets assigned to Blair (h), the daughter of the president of the USA, who promiscuously escapes her protection and goes to gay bars.
The writing was blunt and simple, I like it that way. But the actual development of the romance lacked. These women have had maximum 7 conversations by the end of this novel, and I think that was the main issue. Up until 40%, these women have not spoken seriously once. It was only that Blair had started to make sexual advances on Cameron, but I unfortunately found those to be quite jarring and out of place. For example, a led to b and they were fighting in a ring, Blair mainly attacking and Cameron mainly deflecting, and Cameron does an attack that lands Blair on the floor. Blair convinces Cameron to teach her how to do it, but after she does, she shoves her knee between Cameron's while there are MEN WATCHING. Keep in mind that these women don't know anything about the other. I feel that, if this had been more of a private moment, and it had been once they'd known each other better and could mess with each other a little, it could have been really good, but since I hadn't seen these characters developing their feelings for the other, I couldn't really root for them. Instead, the advances seemed random, ineffective and not really romantic.
What goes hand in hand with that is the lack of intimacy and vulnerability. There are about 3 times where Blair says "thank you" sincerely and supposedly vulnerably, but that's all we get in terms of the characters softening for each other. I was waiting for there to be a moment of high stakes, where they were seriously worried for the other, or where one broke down and the other listened to her patiently. And there were hints of that going to happen, but it never felt fully developed to where it actually felt like the relationship between them was growing. Although the featured quote is cute (the cutest I could find), I was pretty shocked when it was said because I didn't see them being at the "I love you" stage at all. I think that, in this book, Radclyffe failed to really show emotional connection and development of feelings. Sometimes, Cameron would say that Blair was so beautiful that she was attracted to her more than sexually. But then...what? Emotionally? Because that's unfortunately not evidenced at all.
There was one moment that got near to what I'd wanted, where they were both tired and the slept with their head on each other's shoulders while on a private jet and they woke up in a bit more disarray and comfort than usual. But even that moment wasn't lingered upon enough to make significant.
The third person narrative was another slightly jarring aspect of this book, because it was sort of omniscient? It would swish from perspective to perspective but it was hard to know who's? Sometimes we were in a side character's voice while they observed the two women interacting, but these changes were not smooth and clear enough.
Blair was an incredibly underdeveloped character. Her struggles are hinted at but we never see an exploration of what she goes through. Her voice, when we're in it, was shallow. Similar to Cameron, as we are told Cameron has had to grieve the loss of her lover but we don't see her talk it out with Blair or process her emotions in general. It's like it was just a fact added to her character profile.
Also, Blair's sleeping around started to seriously rub me the wrong way. I understand that as the presidents daughter, she couldn't do much. But in her acquisition of her "conquests" she would be sort of malevolent about it. It just made me uncomfortable, but maybe that's just me. She spoke about wanting to humble young butches? Because that was apparently really satisfying? When reading the sex scenes between her and her conquests, there's just such a lack of respect and care, which I found to be quite alarming. One time, Blair ties one of the said butches up with ties. And that's. Fine. I guess? But there wasn't any emphasis placed on consent at all and it felt as though the women she was with had just been naive and clueless about what she was going to do to them. Which was especially strange when she would continuously imagine they were Cameron? I just think having sex with a person and imagining them as someone else is seriously low.
And, this encounter had been when Cameron and Blair's relationship had become slightly (!) more established, at the 75% mark. So it was really jarring to read about her having sex with a stranger (again) while entwined with Cameron.
At the end, Blair gets really worried about Cameron, though I won't spoil why, and that's presented as being the epitome of love, or at least her realisation. But, that should have just been the start, in my opinion. Hoping that someone doesn't die is not a strong determinant of true love.
Overall, although the premise was strong and this author has clear potential, the romantic element was so severely lacking, in ways that even bad romances still achieve sometimes. So, hopefully her other books are better, because (if I'm not wrong) this was one of her first.
━━━━━━━━━━━ ♡ ━━━━━━━━━━━
February 15, 2022
This book is in my recommended books of the month
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March 22, 2018
I really enjoyed this book, I was specifically looking for a lesbian fiction book which is how I discovered Radclyffe and I am glad I did. The book that captured me from the start and I struggled to put it down, great writing and a great story. The only reason that I haven't given it a 5 star rating is an echo of some of the previous comments on the cliché pairing of a closed off butch character falling for the femme character, the lesbian community is more diverse than this and not saying that it is not common but it has been done in novels and I would like to see a little more variety.
Overall, great book and I would highly recommend.
Overall, great book and I would highly recommend.
January 29, 2015
I have to be honest, I don't understand why this one has an average rating of more than 3. It's one of the most boring novels Radclyffe has written.
There is such a lack of feelings in this book. Radclyffe describes what Cam and Blair feel for each other, but it's mainly lust and even that is not translated well in the characters' actions. As for romantic feelings, where do they come from? There is nothing intimate between the two, except for one personal conversation when Blair sketches Cam, but it still remains very superficial.
There is also a lack of characterization: what really happened with Cam's lover? how does she really feel about her lover's death? was her lover the love of her life? We could also use some more details on how Blair struggles with her lack of freedom. It shows in her actions but there is still something missing in terms of EMOTIONS. I don't see them, anywhere. It's all words, and they don't work to make a believable and touching story.
Blair and Cam are not even likable characters. Blair is an arrogant bitch throughout basically the whole book, and Cam is a boring robot.
I'm also tired of the butch detective who's closed off and falls for the femme she is supposed to protect in lesbian romance novels. How about some originality? I read so many books of this genre and this plot sounded so familiar I had to read the summary of this one 5 times in order to remember I hadn't read it before.
I won't read the rest of the series.
There is such a lack of feelings in this book. Radclyffe describes what Cam and Blair feel for each other, but it's mainly lust and even that is not translated well in the characters' actions. As for romantic feelings, where do they come from? There is nothing intimate between the two, except for one personal conversation when Blair sketches Cam, but it still remains very superficial.
There is also a lack of characterization: what really happened with Cam's lover? how does she really feel about her lover's death? was her lover the love of her life? We could also use some more details on how Blair struggles with her lack of freedom. It shows in her actions but there is still something missing in terms of EMOTIONS. I don't see them, anywhere. It's all words, and they don't work to make a believable and touching story.
Blair and Cam are not even likable characters. Blair is an arrogant bitch throughout basically the whole book, and Cam is a boring robot.
I'm also tired of the butch detective who's closed off and falls for the femme she is supposed to protect in lesbian romance novels. How about some originality? I read so many books of this genre and this plot sounded so familiar I had to read the summary of this one 5 times in order to remember I hadn't read it before.
I won't read the rest of the series.
January 6, 2020
This was not my first Radclyffe story but it was the first one to capture my attention from page one. I have thoroughly enjoyed her other books but this was full of action/suspense from the start and I had to remind myself not to get too lost within the pages otherwise the little people around me would have gone hungry. I was not only captivated by the physical action but also by the dialogue between characters and the inner dialogue as well. Radclyffe's way of writing was smooth as butter and easily transitioned me from scene to scene leaving me in suspense making me want more, more, more. The slow, seductive build-up between Blair and Cam was spot on, it wasn't too rushed and there was the perfect amount of backstory between the two women that left me rooting them on but also had me sympathizing with them as to why they couldn't act on their feelings. I absolutely adore and love Radclyffe's way of describing the physicalities of a character, whether they are the main star or a side character lingering in the background. There's nothing worse than reading a story between two women and not knowing what they look like, how their clothes fit, the gait in their walk, etc. (It's like hey! I wanna know why they turn you on, too!) It makes it harder for the reader to feel that heat, passion and physical attraction that the character's themselves are feeling toward one another, and that's why I love Radclyffe's physical descriptions.
Big, huge recommendation and yes, I plan on continuing with the series.
Big, huge recommendation and yes, I plan on continuing with the series.
September 7, 2020
This type of story is one of my favorites - an agent protecting someone important, in this case the daughter of the President of the United States. It reminds me of one of my favorite movies - The First Daughter with Katie Holmes but a wlw version and packed with more action.
So it’s not a surprise that I LOVED this work of art!! Imma be honest, Cam and Blair had me pulling my hair throughout the book lol they were both just so stubborn and afraid of letting their guard down to love that they were always pushing one another away and doing stupid things to numb their pain and feelings. But at least in the end, they woke up and finally gave in to their desire and love.
I just can’t help but love these kind of stories. And I’m so happy this book belongs to a series and there’s more books about this stubborn irresistible couple. I just hope nothing bad happens in the next books since the stalker is still out there and that just gives me anxiety lol but as long as they give me an happy ending in the end, I don’t mind suffering in the meantime. 100% recommend
So it’s not a surprise that I LOVED this work of art!! Imma be honest, Cam and Blair had me pulling my hair throughout the book lol they were both just so stubborn and afraid of letting their guard down to love that they were always pushing one another away and doing stupid things to numb their pain and feelings. But at least in the end, they woke up and finally gave in to their desire and love.
I just can’t help but love these kind of stories. And I’m so happy this book belongs to a series and there’s more books about this stubborn irresistible couple. I just hope nothing bad happens in the next books since the stalker is still out there and that just gives me anxiety lol but as long as they give me an happy ending in the end, I don’t mind suffering in the meantime. 100% recommend
February 23, 2022
This was one of my first books I've read in English. Now, many years later I listened to the audio version. And I still love it. Abby Craden did a great job too.
Still one of my favorite Radclyffe books
Still one of my favorite Radclyffe books
August 31, 2025
3 ⭐️- this is my second time listening to the audiobook ( first was in 2019). I remember liking it the first time and that’s about it. I picked it up again because I wanted to listen to something while I worked on a craft and didn’t want to listen to anything new because I knew I would be a bit distracted reading instructions and what not.
I did not remember how freaking horny everyone in this book is. Like unhinged levels of sexual tension and thoughts. And I love Abby Craden but I think she did Cam a bit dirty in the way she voiced her during sex scenes - very “manish”. It sooooo didn’t work for me. 🤮
I definitely didn’t like it as much this time around. But at this point I have over 600 sapphic romances under my belt compared to back in 2019 when I was basically brand new to the genre and so my tastes have changed maybe? 🤷♀️. Don’t get me wrong. I love smutty, sexy books but there’s just something about the way it’s portrayed in this story that ends up being a turn-off. YMMV.
I did not remember how freaking horny everyone in this book is. Like unhinged levels of sexual tension and thoughts. And I love Abby Craden but I think she did Cam a bit dirty in the way she voiced her during sex scenes - very “manish”. It sooooo didn’t work for me. 🤮
I definitely didn’t like it as much this time around. But at this point I have over 600 sapphic romances under my belt compared to back in 2019 when I was basically brand new to the genre and so my tastes have changed maybe? 🤷♀️. Don’t get me wrong. I love smutty, sexy books but there’s just something about the way it’s portrayed in this story that ends up being a turn-off. YMMV.
March 23, 2022
3 stars. I liked the plot but the characters never did grow on me and I didn’t buy the romance at all. Blair is absolutely insufferable. I despised her character and how vapid, bratty, and shallow she was. There was no growth or depth. Blair felt like a robot. Just there and with no interesting characteristics. They spend 90% of the novel having sex with other people and then all of a sudden I’m supposed to believe in their love? Nope. I’ll probably continue on with the series only because I do really like Radclyffe’s writing but this first book just didn’t do it for me unfortunately. Three stars for the action packed plot and great writing.
May 23, 2023
Probably the best bodyguard (shot of) trope in a sapphic fic I have ever read. I only hope the rest of the book of the series won’t disappoint me!
August 28, 2015
This is the flat-out magnificent opening book for currently a nine volume series. The two main women are complex, intriguing, with tour-de-force presence, skills, and sensuality. I get to be shoulder to shoulder with the secret service team guarding the daughter and only child of the president of the United States. Additionally the new head of this team feels unceremoniously demoted after being placed on this assignment, as it is a bit of a radical shift from her previous posting and the track she appears to be on. Given that the protectee makes a habit of ditching and/or losing her designated team certainly makes this current position somewhat undesirable. Nevertheless it becomes rather obvious why it is given to the secret service agent in question. Oh my goodness, but these adversaries have no idea what is about to befall them. Smoothly spectacular!
Cameron Roberts, often referred to as Cam, is a senior-level operative whose career has been on the investigative side of the secret service. Now she is moving into what is considered the protective side of the service. Anyhow, she quickly recognizes her previous qualifications are needed in spades to successfully manage this particular job and the astounding list of pitfalls and cleverly manipulated obstacle courses that must be overcome. Hovering over all the challenges in front of Cam is the fact that she recently lost her lover in addition to suffering a major leg injury. Nonetheless, Cam is nothing if not supremely proficient and could be on a direct track to an assistant director's position if she ever learned to play the internal politics game, which many in the know think is highly unlikely. It said a great deal to me that when the previous team is introduced to Cam, she more than impresses them all and her second in command breathed a sigh of relief when he clearly senses a whole new order of things were about to be put into action. From my point of view, Cam is a marvel. Splendidly sensational!
Blair Allison Powell is the daughter of the president. Previously her father was the vice president of the United States and governor of New York. She has been in a fishbowl under constant observation from multiple quarters for years and has become a consummate escape artist losing her protection teams with a high degree of efficiency. She is also a professional artist whose talents are well known and respected. She is managed by a noted individual in the field and long-standing friend. Her sexual predilections are understood, but every attempt possible is made to keep that bit of data out of the press so as to be less problematical for her well known father. Blair does little to assist in the preferred cover-up, adding another dimension to the long list of complications she provides for the secret service. I adore Blair for her signature feistiness. Moreover, the deliciously rocky road resembling one of Blair's kick boxing competitions places the two main women in one of the most highly entertaining contentious competitions I have had the pleasure to read. Stunningly sublime!
I unquestionably recommend everyone hop on this remarkable roller coaster ride. Surpassingly special!
NOTE: This book was provided by Bold Strokes Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Cameron Roberts, often referred to as Cam, is a senior-level operative whose career has been on the investigative side of the secret service. Now she is moving into what is considered the protective side of the service. Anyhow, she quickly recognizes her previous qualifications are needed in spades to successfully manage this particular job and the astounding list of pitfalls and cleverly manipulated obstacle courses that must be overcome. Hovering over all the challenges in front of Cam is the fact that she recently lost her lover in addition to suffering a major leg injury. Nonetheless, Cam is nothing if not supremely proficient and could be on a direct track to an assistant director's position if she ever learned to play the internal politics game, which many in the know think is highly unlikely. It said a great deal to me that when the previous team is introduced to Cam, she more than impresses them all and her second in command breathed a sigh of relief when he clearly senses a whole new order of things were about to be put into action. From my point of view, Cam is a marvel. Splendidly sensational!
Blair Allison Powell is the daughter of the president. Previously her father was the vice president of the United States and governor of New York. She has been in a fishbowl under constant observation from multiple quarters for years and has become a consummate escape artist losing her protection teams with a high degree of efficiency. She is also a professional artist whose talents are well known and respected. She is managed by a noted individual in the field and long-standing friend. Her sexual predilections are understood, but every attempt possible is made to keep that bit of data out of the press so as to be less problematical for her well known father. Blair does little to assist in the preferred cover-up, adding another dimension to the long list of complications she provides for the secret service. I adore Blair for her signature feistiness. Moreover, the deliciously rocky road resembling one of Blair's kick boxing competitions places the two main women in one of the most highly entertaining contentious competitions I have had the pleasure to read. Stunningly sublime!
I unquestionably recommend everyone hop on this remarkable roller coaster ride. Surpassingly special!
NOTE: This book was provided by Bold Strokes Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
October 15, 2012
Ok so this was my first outing with Radclyffe and I don't know why I haven't read her before. I think the name was throwing me off, kind of sounded like the books were written a long time ago but I was pleasantly surprised. I fell in love with this series in first couple of pages. The richness of the characters mixed with the ever surging storyline. Blair Powell is the presidents daughter and before that the vice president's and before that the governor's so she is used to being in the spotlight and having the Secret Service dogging her trail. She had her ways of "escaping" and eluding her followers and she didn't care much about it at all, and her protectors were sometimes unaware of where she was... Well that all stopped when Cameron Roberts entered the picture. Cam coming back from medical leave after a botched drug bust that left her shot and her lover dead. She passed all the doctors exams and was cleared for duty but instead of going back to her regular investigative position she is "demoted" to babysitter of the President's daughter. While she talked with the previous commander she was made aware of the hostile protectee and more so of her irregular schedule but Cam thought there was more to the story. When she first met with her team she laid down the law telling them to back off on the surveillance, give Blair some room to breath and make it easier on her so she will be more of an ally to her own protection rather than a hindrance. Cam's first meeting with Blair started off with "Egret" (the SS codename) was tenuous at best, answering the door ready to bolt, Cam keeps here there long enough to debrief her on the changes that have been made. During their meeting Blair tries her best to seduce the agent and while on the inside Cam felt the stirrings of attraction she pushed those away to concentrate on the business at hand. During the story there are highs and lows, revelations and realizations, love and hate, and lust and desire.
The story unfolds at a perfect pace. Make sure you set aside some time to read because it is hard to put down. Love the way Radclyffe writes and look forward to being able to read more and more and for this we thank you!
The story unfolds at a perfect pace. Make sure you set aside some time to read because it is hard to put down. Love the way Radclyffe writes and look forward to being able to read more and more and for this we thank you!
January 5, 2018
2,5 stars. I enjoyed this book, but not as much as I thought I would. The main characters were nice enough and the story was ok. Nothing we haven't read before, but who doesn't like a lesbian secret service agent ;). The whole 'romance' bit though... There was no real build up... Or maybe I should say, there was no romance at all. Cam and Blair only seemed interested in a sexual relationship for 90% of the book... So where do all the romantic feelings come from? I mean, I have no idea what or how it happened but suddenly they love each other? I think that's what bothered me the most, the only emotion the characters showed was lust ... And really, for a good romance we need a lot more than that.
October 29, 2019
I truly took in to consideration the comments left by other readers. I can see how some may hate Blair, but I don't feel it was overly done. I have mixed emotions about Blair. Sometimes I did dislike her actions. Other times I felt sorry for her and the situation she's in. I love Cam's handsome a$$ lol. She also has a lot to deal with and move on from her past. Radclyffe does a great job with introducing the supporting characters as well. I feel all them have layers that we have yet to discover. Looking forward to the next installment.
November 25, 2025
I think that if it wasn't a gay romance I might have rated it lower, but Radclyffe is soooooo good at hitting that spot just right, I couldn't go below 4 stars!
July 4, 2017
My first Radclyffe book. I am hooked! This book showed me how much I love heroic protagonists.
December 10, 2021
A second time around and it still a hit,Cam and Blair are up there with the most legendary lesbian couples ever written.
May 31, 2021
This was my first book by Radclyffe
Overall, it was a pretty great book, I‘ll definitely keep on reading this series!
The only thing ‘negative’ thing for me( which is probably just personal), was that the ending felt a bit rushed
Overall, it was a pretty great book, I‘ll definitely keep on reading this series!
The only thing ‘negative’ thing for me( which is probably just personal), was that the ending felt a bit rushed
April 15, 2014
Pleasantly Surprised
After bombing out with the last two books I bought from this publisher I didn't have high hopes for this read. I tried anyway and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. The book wasn't spectacular but it was okay.
Cam Roberts was part of the Secret Service investigative unit but a few months ago she was shot. Now she's coming off of her injury but the higher-ups have decided to move her to the protective unit and assign her the job that no one wants; protecting the president's daughter. Cam is not happy but she'll give the job her all just like she gives every assignment. I liked Cam. She's tall, slim, muscled, stoic, confident, and sexy. Cam is haunted by the event that caused her injury but she's ready to get back to her job.
Cam's job is Blair Powell. I have to say that I didn't like Blair very much and she never grew on me. She's perfectly beautiful, perfectly sexy, perfectly bratty, and completely self-centered. Blair resents having a protective deatil and feeling like she has no privacy as the President's daughter but really I wanted Blair to quit her bitching. Yes she's not able to do whatever she wants whenever she wants but Blair has it good. She makes a living doing what she loves, painting, and basically doesn't have any of the every day worries that most people have like, oh I don't know...how to afford groceries, can they work getting their car fixed into the budget, how to provide for their children, how to provide for their parents when they get older, will medical insurance cover this or that...so on and so forth. Blair constantly works to lose her protective detail and make them look bad. This so shitty of her on a lot of levels. First if Blair gets kidnapped it poses a national risk but Blair doesn't care. Second, by making the protective detail look bad she can ruin people's careers but Blair doesn't care. She just wants to do what she wants and damn how it affects others. She's ungrateful and childish.
In any case the whole book is basically Cam trying to keep Blair safe, Blair whining about the fact that people are trying to keep her safe and that Cam won't sleep with her, and somehow the two women falling in love. I definitely understood why any woman would fall for Cam. She was yummy awesomeness. Blair was meh but Cam made up for that.
All in all this book wasn't bad. It also wasn't worth the $9.99 I paid for it. I wish Bold Stroke Books would get their act together and stop charging so much for their books. It's outrageous.
After bombing out with the last two books I bought from this publisher I didn't have high hopes for this read. I tried anyway and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. The book wasn't spectacular but it was okay.
Cam Roberts was part of the Secret Service investigative unit but a few months ago she was shot. Now she's coming off of her injury but the higher-ups have decided to move her to the protective unit and assign her the job that no one wants; protecting the president's daughter. Cam is not happy but she'll give the job her all just like she gives every assignment. I liked Cam. She's tall, slim, muscled, stoic, confident, and sexy. Cam is haunted by the event that caused her injury but she's ready to get back to her job.
Cam's job is Blair Powell. I have to say that I didn't like Blair very much and she never grew on me. She's perfectly beautiful, perfectly sexy, perfectly bratty, and completely self-centered. Blair resents having a protective deatil and feeling like she has no privacy as the President's daughter but really I wanted Blair to quit her bitching. Yes she's not able to do whatever she wants whenever she wants but Blair has it good. She makes a living doing what she loves, painting, and basically doesn't have any of the every day worries that most people have like, oh I don't know...how to afford groceries, can they work getting their car fixed into the budget, how to provide for their children, how to provide for their parents when they get older, will medical insurance cover this or that...so on and so forth. Blair constantly works to lose her protective detail and make them look bad. This so shitty of her on a lot of levels. First if Blair gets kidnapped it poses a national risk but Blair doesn't care. Second, by making the protective detail look bad she can ruin people's careers but Blair doesn't care. She just wants to do what she wants and damn how it affects others. She's ungrateful and childish.
In any case the whole book is basically Cam trying to keep Blair safe, Blair whining about the fact that people are trying to keep her safe and that Cam won't sleep with her, and somehow the two women falling in love. I definitely understood why any woman would fall for Cam. She was yummy awesomeness. Blair was meh but Cam made up for that.
All in all this book wasn't bad. It also wasn't worth the $9.99 I paid for it. I wish Bold Stroke Books would get their act together and stop charging so much for their books. It's outrageous.
February 9, 2023
rtc!
i couldn't even wait a year to reread i love love this book and these characters
i couldn't even wait a year to reread i love love this book and these characters
June 3, 2021
3.75 stars. This was an enjoyable audiobook, narrated by the one and only Abby Craden.
The premise was very similar to Nancy Ann Heeley, which I have to admit was a DNF for me.
I had hoped for some politics or a somewhat deeper connection between the mains, but all in all this was quite a quick paced romance and I liked it overall. It was also a little short and felt somewhat unfinished - I guess I'll find the answer in book 2.
The premise was very similar to Nancy Ann Heeley, which I have to admit was a DNF for me.
I had hoped for some politics or a somewhat deeper connection between the mains, but all in all this was quite a quick paced romance and I liked it overall. It was also a little short and felt somewhat unfinished - I guess I'll find the answer in book 2.
December 31, 2012
After reading the first chapter I knew I had to keep reading the book to finish. After I read the first book, I knew I had to finish the series.
I really like Radclyffe's style of writing and how developed the characters are. Yes, the book may have been a little clichéd, but I think that can be overlooked because it is a fabulous story and well paced.
I really like Radclyffe's style of writing and how developed the characters are. Yes, the book may have been a little clichéd, but I think that can be overlooked because it is a fabulous story and well paced.
August 22, 2022
This was a big messy mess: chaotic head-hopping POV, one MC who was (quite literally) too annoying to live and another who, despite being a stand-up person, has a terrible taste in President’s daughters. Based on the love vs duty premise I should have lapped it up but alas, it broke my spirit around the 50% mark.
July 20, 2020
As a well loved book it really doesn’t need me to write it a long review about what makes it so great.
The one thing I will say is I’m now having to exercise A LOT of restraint to not just purchase the whole series and power through them all!
The one thing I will say is I’m now having to exercise A LOT of restraint to not just purchase the whole series and power through them all!
April 20, 2021
Every time I read a romance novel I’m constantly thinking - where is the enemies to lovers trope but lesbian style story I’m waiting for??? This was it, I loved it.
The action, the backstory, the sexual tension made this book a really good read.
The action, the backstory, the sexual tension made this book a really good read.
May 1, 2010
Anything by Radclyff is worth the read!
May 12, 2015
The book is engrossing and flows on smoothly. I finished the book before I knew it.
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