How do I surmise this beautiful story? Chloe was such a fixation for me, and Leo came in and surprised me with how much he stole the show.
Hidden twin talents! Twists. Angst. Longing. Trauma & healing. Loved everything about this! 👌🏻💙 Second chance romance, but make it heart breaking & piecing together.
Gah, why do you do me so dirty? Just when I think I can’t, and won’t find another FMC I’d want to gatekeep to myself, you give me one! Chloe stole my heart, her purity, her struggle, her pain, and beauty, along with the kindness she carried despite everything.
I raged, I cried, I yelled. I loved. And I can’t believe you made me wait to meet her properly!
Leo - he seriously came out of left field for me, cause I thought he was the laid back one. Oml.
The mouth on him! Dude can seriously give you one filthy experience to remember. 🔥🔥🔥
I loved them, and frankly wanted to sucker punch a bunch of people.
It just comes with the territory, I guess.
Trauma, healing, growth, chemistry. Everything I wanted to see happen!
Chloe is dedicated to saving people and making a difference, which is why she spends her life volunteering in refugee camps and crisis zones around the world. Compassionate, strong-willed, and deeply moral, she believes in the sanctity of life above all else. Leo, the quiet nurse working under her in the field, seems to share that belief—until the day she's kidnapped and everything shatters.
When Leo rescues her, Chloe is forced to confront a brutal truth: Leo isn’t just a nurse. He’s an ex-assassin with a deadly past and a very different view of justice. Now working with Caledonia Security, Leo is assigned as Chloe’s personal bodyguard after a new threat emerges. He’ll do anything to protect her, even if it means stepping back into the shadows of who he used to be.
I loved Leo. He’s brooding, loyal, and absolutely devoted to Chloe’s safety and happiness, even if it breaks his heart. The tension between his dark past and her bright ideals makes for a powerful, emotional dynamic that kept me hooked. Chloe is no damsel in distress—she’s fierce in her own right, and I loved how their story balances strength and vulnerability.
Molly Briar does a fantastic job continuing the Ungoverned Spaces series, weaving in familiar faces and teasing what’s to come without ever distracting from Leo and Chloe’s emotional journey. The spice is minimal but very effective when it shows up—just the right amount to elevate the story without overpowering it.
Highly recommend if you love morally grey protectors, slow-burn tension, and second-chance romance wrapped in danger and redemption. Chloe and Leo’s story is definitely one of my favorites in the series so far!
Every day since Dr Chloe Laurent was saved from her kidnappers is a day she doesn't deserve. At least in her mind. And if she isn't spending her second chance fighting against tyrants then why is she even alive.
Every day since Leo saved the woman he loves has been a lull before the storm of their fate. Sure, she may despise him for being a contract killer - a secret he hid from her during their friendship. But they are meant to be. He can feel it in his bones - specifically the leg what a took a bullet when he rescued her. He just needs to convince her of that.
When her new exploits put her in the crosshairs of dangerous men, Leo leaps at the opportunity to be her bodyguard and escort her home. But hitmen aren't the only things haunting his Parisian doctor.
Leo is the definition of steady and his calming presence is a joy to read. Note: I said calming, not mild. When the action heats up he becomes the largest person in the room, almost effortlessly. He will be everything she needs and more. Chloe has a wicked temper that counters her social anxiety well. I hear her french curses in Mimi's accent from The Paris Apartment audiobook. I loved their conclusion & I'm excited for her sister's story in the next book.
Dr. Chloe Laurent wants nothing more than to heal people and do good in the world, hence why she volunteers in refugee camps and in areas in need around the world. Leo works as a nurse under her charge until she is kidnapped and held for ransom. After Leo rescues her, Chloe comes to see who Leo truly is, an ex-@ss as in. She is bound to save lives and can't look past his proclivity for taking them.
Leo now works for Caledonia Security and is tasked with being Chloe's private bodyguard after threats to against her life come to light. Leo will stop at nothing to protect her and keep her light shining in the world, but will it be enough for the two of them to have a second chance at being together...
I absolutely adore Leo. He will stop at nothing to keep Chloe safe and to ensure she is happy. I love how this book picks right up where we left with the Caledonia crew and I love how Molly Briar sets up the next book in the series so well. Each book has its own twists, turns, secrets that come to light. This book really only has a few spicy scenes, but they are scorching hot! Definitely recommend reading Chloe and Leo's story and this entire series. I absolutely cannot wait for Hugo's story!
🌶️🌶️/5
🥀Ex-@ss as in MMC 🥀Touch Her and ☠️ 🥀Neurodivergence Rep 🥀DübCøn 🥀Bodyguard Romance 🥀World of Spies 🥀Found Family
I absolutely loved this book! It was fast paced, full with action and the spice was hot! This book in the series zooms in on Leo and Chloe. And seriously this book had me cracking up, I loved the banter between Chloe and Leo! They had me laughing so many times. And then Leo and Lea, their brother/sister bond is just soo amazingly strong and nice.
The battles Chloe needs to go through are heavy, but I admire how strong she is and how hards she fights to get back up again.
And how hard Leo is willing to fight for Chloe and wanting her to see the good in him, this whole book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. And then the spice.. Holy moly I like how dark Leo is between the sheets 🥵
The dual-POV made this book so much better, the depts we go into with Leo and Chloe are amazing. Molly did such an amzing job with both these characters and putting them on page. I loved the growth they both go through this book.
Thank you Molly Briar for this ARC to read. And I can't wait to devour Hugo's story!
I have been waiting for Leo's story and it was worth waiting until book 4. From the first book in the Ungoverned Spaces series the readers has seen glimpses of Leo and the different facets of his personality; and in this book we finally see how they all combine into a man that many of us may not have been expecting. And spoiler alert, Molly Briar did not disappoint when creating Leo. On the other hand, I was a little more apprehensive about Chloe. But in this book the readers really got a chance to see the layers and insecurities that prove some of Chloe's behaviors in the previous book. Not sure how, but I went from not caring about Chloe's character to rooting for her - which says a lot about how well this book was written. While this book can be read a a standalone, I would recommend reading in order as these books do build on the plots that occur in the previous books.
We finally get to know Leo and Chloe on another level and I was not disappointed. Chloe finds herself in trouble, again, not knowing her actions tend to put her there. With family/friends who are spies, they will always make sure you are protected. Leo just so happens to be the one who is chosen along with the infamous Hugo as backup. Not wanting him around after finding out his true self, Leo will do any and everything to protect her. This was such a sweet read and the love and affection he shows toward her lets her know she is worthy of it all. And the epilogue ties into how the book began, with family around the table talking and laughing with one another. Great work Molly!! Now for Hugo's story to be told, and I can't wait!
Of course, I always rate anything that Molly writes as 5 stars. Her writing is one click material. Leo finally gets Chloe. She is broken, her nightmares present. She doesn't know how to read people. She needs words and action. Leo and Hugo are sent to protect her from the danger she unknowingly puts herself in by protecting a child. There are bad people waiting to get their hands on her. Will she give in and let Leo love her and protect her? Will she continue to believe that she was abandoned by those closest to her. I couldn't put this book down. Go read it. I promise it won't disappoint.
This book is just so sweet! We have a second-chance romance between Leo, an assassin/nurse who wants to leave killing behind, and Chloe, a humanitarian doctor with trauma to heal from. Leo is such a gem - he is fierce and kind, sarcastic and vulnerable, always acting like it’s emotional intelligence. I appreciate how this book adds maturity and character development for Chloe. With one more book in the series, I hope we get to see more out of these two 😍
Chloe feels abandoned and alone but she stills manages to stand up to cruel people. She stands strong to protect a boy who has been abused and who clings to her. Leo is sent to keep her safe but she still keeps her a wall around her heart where he is concerned. He wants her and fights to makes sure she knows he isn't going anywhere.
Leo and Chloe's story is yet another great one in a line of great ones by this author. I have been reading her books for a while and enjoyed all that I have read. They are always more than I am expecting. I have a list of author's that I must read their books and she is one of them. She does not disappoint.
BOOK FOUR AMAZING! LEO AND CHLOE I LOVE THEM! THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING I LOVE HOW LEO IS ALWAYS JUMPING IN FRONT OF A BULLET FOR THE GOOD DR! I ALSO LOVE THE FACT THAT CHLOE IS STARTING TO SPEAK HER MIND MORE! YALL THIS IS A MUST READ
The slow build of Leo and Chloe's love story was beautiful. So many secrets. I laughed, I cried, I loved every minute, every word. I can't wait to find out what happens next
Rating: 5.0 Spice: 5.0 ARC review: This one was so good! I am shocked at how dominant Leo is! It's crazy how everything is going between everyone.. In each book, there's a story that tells how people do whatever to protect their family.. I love how strong the relationships are!
Leo and Chloe's story was full of action, danger and suspense. Their relationship was beautiful as he protects her. A great read with fabulous characters. Gripping and exciting.
I swear, each book in this series is just as amazing as the last. It started off incredible and I haven't been let down since the beginning. This book was INCREDIBLE!!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVED it!!!!!!
🔆This can be read as a stand alone but I suggest reading the other Ungoverned Spaces books first as that will give you more background🔆
Two lovers meant to heal, but what happens when one turns out to also be a killer?
Leo, the other half of Lea, is just as amazing as his twin. (If you haven’t read the other Ungoverned Spaces novels then you should!) He falls in love with his boss, Chloe, who is a doctor. He reveals to her his true self, an assassin with assignments to kill terrible people. After being rejected, he goes on with her still under his skin.
Chloe only wants to heal. The fact her best friends are killers are something she can over look, but not when that person is Leo. She thought he was like her and just wanted to heal, but he lied to her like everyone else. And she refuses to see him again, except in her dreams, until he becomes her personal bodyguard.
Will he be able to win her back? Will she be able to forgive him? Will their new relationship bloom into something they both desire? You’ll have to read to find out.
Honorable mention side characters: Hugo, my man! His little snippets really get you ready for his book. Asa, sweet baby boy. How can you not love him?!
This is a beautiful read that is amazingly written and shows the love that is needed to break the cycle. I read this sweet story in one sitting. Love how the story keep you in this amazing world.