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Sinful Secrets #1
Protecting Poppy
I was her strength, but she was my weakness I’m a hunter. It’s what I do best; track down my prey, then walk away. Until a woman with flaming hair and a fire in her eyes consumes my every thought. After picking up her scent, my obsession grows. Some call it stalking, I call it tracking. And now I’ve caught sight of my curvy fox, there’s no escape. She wants her freedom, but that’s the one thing I can’t give her. I don’t catch and release. Trouble is, I’m not the only hound on her tail.
Originally part of the Club Curve Collaboration. Mature themes.
Originally part of the Club Curve Collaboration. Mature themes.
318 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2023
845 people are currently reading
1923 people want to read
About the author
Annie Charme
31 books413 followersI’m a graphic artist by day and author by night, writing real, raw, racy romance. My book boyfriends are inked heroes who like fat, fun, and feisty women (sounds familiar).
My goal is to spread body positivity through my fat and fabulous curvy heroines with a good serving of British humour on the side (not forgetting an extra helping of alpha goodness).
On the very rare occasion I’m not working in my day job...or night job as a writer, I'll be living my best life in the heart of England with my other half, two wildlings (otherwise known as Veruca Salt and Mike Teavee), and a randy cavalier pup.
My serious book fetish travels with me in our tin cruiser as we roam the English countryside. You’ll usually find me in a field somewhere or curled up on the sofa with a coffee (wine), blanket and dog to keep me cozy, and a good steamy book to make me w—warm.
Get in touch! I love hearing from readers.
My goal is to spread body positivity through my fat and fabulous curvy heroines with a good serving of British humour on the side (not forgetting an extra helping of alpha goodness).
On the very rare occasion I’m not working in my day job...or night job as a writer, I'll be living my best life in the heart of England with my other half, two wildlings (otherwise known as Veruca Salt and Mike Teavee), and a randy cavalier pup.
My serious book fetish travels with me in our tin cruiser as we roam the English countryside. You’ll usually find me in a field somewhere or curled up on the sofa with a coffee (wine), blanket and dog to keep me cozy, and a good steamy book to make me w—warm.
Get in touch! I love hearing from readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
July 18, 2023
This one was delicious! Dom is a man of many things, and right now, he's keeping his main job hidden from Poppy when he shows up at her workplace, keeping his answers vague. He takes Poppy as soon as he can to keep her safe from her past, and that's when claws come out and fight because Dom thinks he knows best, keeping more info away from Poppy. I love that she fought back and challenged him.
When the past comes back, Poppy can't trust Dom she can't trust anyone when she's taken. And all over an item. I loved all the spicy scenes and that period scene!!!! GIMMIEEE MORE.
I wonder if Dom brother is getting a story.
I won't be reading kane and Violet story from the sneak peek at the end... He was with Vi's mom, and idk if he still has feelings for the dead mom or idk what his love is. And that sneak peek he had a woman all over him calling him daddy.
No ow/om drama, no cheating, slight secondary character, drama, sexy times, no virgins
Recommend-maybe
Cover-⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Slowinsta
Age gap
23h/38H
Push away from h
Violence
Praise kink
Period play
Gun/knife Violence
Rope play
Anal play
Spankings
Daddy kink
Hea
When the past comes back, Poppy can't trust Dom she can't trust anyone when she's taken. And all over an item. I loved all the spicy scenes and that period scene!!!! GIMMIEEE MORE.
I wonder if Dom brother is getting a story.
I won't be reading kane and Violet story from the sneak peek at the end... He was with Vi's mom, and idk if he still has feelings for the dead mom or idk what his love is. And that sneak peek he had a woman all over him calling him daddy.
No ow/om drama, no cheating, slight secondary character, drama, sexy times, no virgins
Recommend-maybe
Cover-⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Slowinsta
Age gap
23h/38H
Push away from h
Violence
Praise kink
Period play
Gun/knife Violence
Rope play
Anal play
Spankings
Daddy kink
Hea
October 23, 2025
I’m going to dive straight into this book. It was a good read and a fantastic audiobook. Unfortunately, the MMC was a little too controlling and possessive for my liking. He was a strong character, but it felt like love at first sight, and he came across as panting after her.
I really liked Poppy she’s a curvy character running from her past, and her personality made me laugh at times. I do love these two together, but the story felt a bit fast-paced, and as mentioned, the MMC just didn’t do it for me.
These are more personal preferences and reflect the kind of tastes I have as a reader. Even though it was good, I’m looking forward to reading more of Annie’s work in the future.
Genre/Type: Dark Adult Romance 18+
APK: Audiobook ALC
Audiobook Length: 7hrs 21mins
Narrators: Shane East and Evelyn Rose - Duet
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Series or Standalone: Part Of The Sinful Secrets Shared World
Tropes or Themes: Age Gap (13yrs), One Bed, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Plus Size FMC, On The Run, Obsessive MMC, Protective MMC, Made Me Laugh, Forced Proximity, Past Memories, Grovelling, Murder, Death, Secrets, Betrayal, Lies Sexual Content, Eyes On Me, Dirty Talk, Rough, Impact Play, Oral Play, Period Play, Primal Play, Heels Scene and Outside Scene.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
Kind Regards
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
I really liked Poppy she’s a curvy character running from her past, and her personality made me laugh at times. I do love these two together, but the story felt a bit fast-paced, and as mentioned, the MMC just didn’t do it for me.
These are more personal preferences and reflect the kind of tastes I have as a reader. Even though it was good, I’m looking forward to reading more of Annie’s work in the future.
Genre/Type: Dark Adult Romance 18+
APK: Audiobook ALC
Audiobook Length: 7hrs 21mins
Narrators: Shane East and Evelyn Rose - Duet
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Series or Standalone: Part Of The Sinful Secrets Shared World
Tropes or Themes: Age Gap (13yrs), One Bed, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Plus Size FMC, On The Run, Obsessive MMC, Protective MMC, Made Me Laugh, Forced Proximity, Past Memories, Grovelling, Murder, Death, Secrets, Betrayal, Lies Sexual Content, Eyes On Me, Dirty Talk, Rough, Impact Play, Oral Play, Period Play, Primal Play, Heels Scene and Outside Scene.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
Kind Regards
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
July 17, 2023
I just wanted a good smutty read with a curvy fmc and this gave what it needed to give. It was a bit toxic at times but all good at the end.
Read
February 20, 2024DNF 30%..
June 5, 2023
Protection or possession?
Dom has rescued 'his Red' and is keeping her hidden, protecting her from a past that is targeting her, but one she is unaware of. She thinks he has kidnapped her and is just keeping her locked up because he is obsessive....which leads to explosive, feisty battles of will that frequently end up in steamy sex. I really like both Dom and Poppy, but their communication sucks! Dom especially has that annoying Alpha trait happening where he thinks he knows better than her so just doesn't discuss it or tell her at all, he completely underestimates her strength and the power of being given a choice, rather than being told. But you cannot deny the chemistry between them, the passion, the lust, the love.
A steamy read on Kindle Unlimited and it is much longer than most of the other books in the Club Curve series, most of which are novellas.
Dom has rescued 'his Red' and is keeping her hidden, protecting her from a past that is targeting her, but one she is unaware of. She thinks he has kidnapped her and is just keeping her locked up because he is obsessive....which leads to explosive, feisty battles of will that frequently end up in steamy sex. I really like both Dom and Poppy, but their communication sucks! Dom especially has that annoying Alpha trait happening where he thinks he knows better than her so just doesn't discuss it or tell her at all, he completely underestimates her strength and the power of being given a choice, rather than being told. But you cannot deny the chemistry between them, the passion, the lust, the love.
A steamy read on Kindle Unlimited and it is much longer than most of the other books in the Club Curve series, most of which are novellas.
October 12, 2025
Audiobook review: I enjoyed this duet narration. the inflection was perfect and I loved their accents. Dom is incredibly possessive and Poppy is on the run. I liked the growth of the MMC but would have liked to see more growth for the FMC.
June 1, 2023
"This is my dumbest move ever. Who the fuck gets in a car with their stalker?"
🔥 Romantic Suspense
🔥 Stalker/kidnapped vibes
🔥 Protective/Possessive Alpha
🔥 Age gap (25 FMC and 38 MMC)
🔥 Role Play
🔥 Spicy 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
🔥 Dual POV
Nicknames: baby, little fox, pet
Fast, easy read with all the steam and spice. 🥵. Great plot with an unexpected twist towards the end.
I would recommend this to others who like these tropes and mature content.
Thank you to the author for an eARC copy of this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
🔥 Romantic Suspense
🔥 Stalker/kidnapped vibes
🔥 Protective/Possessive Alpha
🔥 Age gap (25 FMC and 38 MMC)
🔥 Role Play
🔥 Spicy 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
🔥 Dual POV
Nicknames: baby, little fox, pet
Fast, easy read with all the steam and spice. 🥵. Great plot with an unexpected twist towards the end.
I would recommend this to others who like these tropes and mature content.
Thank you to the author for an eARC copy of this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
August 1, 2023
Mi è piaciuto molto… 4 stelle perchè molte se non troppe scene sessuali che per carità va bene ma siamo al limite del porno🥱
July 2, 2025
P•&n with no plot. One of the trashiest books I’ve ever read
May 24, 2024
Que mal de verdad
September 1, 2023
boring.
Main female character was unappealing. The story was slow. Male character was ok except for the part where he is “obsessed” with the unappealing, sophomoric readhead. Had to stop reading to keep my sanity. Not a common occurrence.
Main female character was unappealing. The story was slow. Male character was ok except for the part where he is “obsessed” with the unappealing, sophomoric readhead. Had to stop reading to keep my sanity. Not a common occurrence.
June 23, 2023
Super unrealistic and cringey. DNF’d at 46%.
October 15, 2025
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
🎤 Duet narration by Shane East and Evelyn Rose
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance: 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
👀POV: Dual, first person, present tense
📖 What to expect: Romantic Suspense, Protective / Possessive alpha, Plus-sized dancer, Age gap, Rope play, One Bed, Primal Play
⚠️Content Warnings: Parental death (off page in the past), murder (off page), gun and knife violence, stalking, power play, Period Play, kidnapping, kink
This was my first Annie Charme book, and I am looking forward to continuing the series. It’s an age gap (she’s 25, he’s 38) romantic suspense featuring a plus-sized FMC who works as a server at a club and is on the run from a mafia boss. Dom is a regular at the club where Poppy works. One night, he steps in when a customer gets handsy and later offers her a lift home after her car breaks down. But when they reach her flat, a suspicious car seems to be waiting for her, so he drives past and takes her to his place instead. But in the morning, he refuses to let her leave. Unbeknownst to her, he’s been tracking her for a while and all is not as it seems.
Despite the premise of the story and the dark themes that are explored, this book was cozy and humorous in a way I didn’t expect. Dom is obsessed with her, but in that sweet “I’m keeping you, and I’m going to take care of you and make sure no one ever threatens you ever again” kind of way. Poppy, an independent woman who’s had a rough life, isn’t about to let him tell her what to do. It was amusing watching their constant battles of will. At one point, she even manages to tie him up and escape – temporarily. I loved their banter and chemistry. The spice was hot and a bit kinky and they shared some tender moments too. I enjoyed how the author balanced obsession and affection, creating a dynamic that felt both intense and unexpectedly sweet.
Outside of the romance, the pacing was engaging, and I finished the book in one day. I also enjoyed the presence of Dom’s brother, Dan, who added another later of humour to the story. My only disappointment was that we didn’t see the villain get his comeuppance as it happened off page – a choice that made sense tonally, but left me wanting a bit more closure.
Alongside the humour and romance, the story also touches on grief and parental loss. Both Dom and Poppy have lost their parents, and the way they open up about those experiences adds a layer of vulnerability to their relationship.
The duet audiobook narration was perfection. I love listening to Shane East, but I don’t think I have at all this year, so this was a treat. I’ve only listened to one book by Evelyn Rose – over a year ago – and her performance here prompted me to look up more of her work to add to my TBL. It was great having authentic English accents. Shane and Evelyn brought the story to life with their spot-on portrayals of the characters – Shane capturing the dark, possessive dominance of Dom’s personality, and Evelyn conveying both the strength and vulnerability in Poppy’s character. The spicy scenes were sizzling, and the suspense was gripping. It really was an immersive experience.
Overall, this was an unexpectedly light and entertaining romantic suspense with plenty of humour, heat, and heart. It’s definitely a lust-forward story, with more focus on the physical connection than the emotional one, which might not work for everyone. For me, though, there was enough warmth and vulnerability between Dom and Poppy to make their relationship feel genuine – and the audiobook narration elevated the experience even more. As someone who visualises when I read, I especially loved that part of the story is set in the Lake District, one of my favourite places in England.
If you like protective heroes, feisty heroines, sizzling spice, a plot full of twists and turns, and authentic English accents, you should check out this book.
*I received a review copy from the author. These thoughts are entirely my own.
🎤 Duet narration by Shane East and Evelyn Rose
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance: 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
👀POV: Dual, first person, present tense
📖 What to expect: Romantic Suspense, Protective / Possessive alpha, Plus-sized dancer, Age gap, Rope play, One Bed, Primal Play
⚠️Content Warnings: Parental death (off page in the past), murder (off page), gun and knife violence, stalking, power play, Period Play, kidnapping, kink
This was my first Annie Charme book, and I am looking forward to continuing the series. It’s an age gap (she’s 25, he’s 38) romantic suspense featuring a plus-sized FMC who works as a server at a club and is on the run from a mafia boss. Dom is a regular at the club where Poppy works. One night, he steps in when a customer gets handsy and later offers her a lift home after her car breaks down. But when they reach her flat, a suspicious car seems to be waiting for her, so he drives past and takes her to his place instead. But in the morning, he refuses to let her leave. Unbeknownst to her, he’s been tracking her for a while and all is not as it seems.
Despite the premise of the story and the dark themes that are explored, this book was cozy and humorous in a way I didn’t expect. Dom is obsessed with her, but in that sweet “I’m keeping you, and I’m going to take care of you and make sure no one ever threatens you ever again” kind of way. Poppy, an independent woman who’s had a rough life, isn’t about to let him tell her what to do. It was amusing watching their constant battles of will. At one point, she even manages to tie him up and escape – temporarily. I loved their banter and chemistry. The spice was hot and a bit kinky and they shared some tender moments too. I enjoyed how the author balanced obsession and affection, creating a dynamic that felt both intense and unexpectedly sweet.
Outside of the romance, the pacing was engaging, and I finished the book in one day. I also enjoyed the presence of Dom’s brother, Dan, who added another later of humour to the story. My only disappointment was that we didn’t see the villain get his comeuppance as it happened off page – a choice that made sense tonally, but left me wanting a bit more closure.
Alongside the humour and romance, the story also touches on grief and parental loss. Both Dom and Poppy have lost their parents, and the way they open up about those experiences adds a layer of vulnerability to their relationship.
The duet audiobook narration was perfection. I love listening to Shane East, but I don’t think I have at all this year, so this was a treat. I’ve only listened to one book by Evelyn Rose – over a year ago – and her performance here prompted me to look up more of her work to add to my TBL. It was great having authentic English accents. Shane and Evelyn brought the story to life with their spot-on portrayals of the characters – Shane capturing the dark, possessive dominance of Dom’s personality, and Evelyn conveying both the strength and vulnerability in Poppy’s character. The spicy scenes were sizzling, and the suspense was gripping. It really was an immersive experience.
Overall, this was an unexpectedly light and entertaining romantic suspense with plenty of humour, heat, and heart. It’s definitely a lust-forward story, with more focus on the physical connection than the emotional one, which might not work for everyone. For me, though, there was enough warmth and vulnerability between Dom and Poppy to make their relationship feel genuine – and the audiobook narration elevated the experience even more. As someone who visualises when I read, I especially loved that part of the story is set in the Lake District, one of my favourite places in England.
If you like protective heroes, feisty heroines, sizzling spice, a plot full of twists and turns, and authentic English accents, you should check out this book.
*I received a review copy from the author. These thoughts are entirely my own.
November 15, 2025
Protecting Poppy by Annie Charme
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️ (4/5 Stars + A Spice Rating!)
Genre: Rom-Com, Forced Proximity, Bodyguard Romance, Spicy Suspense
If you've ever wanted to be put under a protective detail by a grumpy, possessive alpha male, this is your sign. This book was pure, unadulterated, hilarious chaos, and the audiobook format took the tension to eleven!
The Plot Scoop: The heroine, the wonderfully vibrant and gloriously curvy Poppy, is running from a dangerous past (involving a mafia ex, no less) and trying to lay low, waitressing at a club. The hero is Dom, the handsome, protective "hunter" who has decided Poppy is his to protect—whether she likes it or not. He tracks her down, manipulates the situation, and essentially takes her captive "for her own safety." The plot is classic forced proximity: grumpy meets sunshine, only the sunshine is a disaster magnet who runs on good intentions and sass, and they're locked in one house together. The best part? Their explosive, zero-communication arguments always end with scorching, super-spicy sex scenes. Dom’s alpha possessiveness truly shines when he and Poppy are finally alone. The stakes are real, with outside threats circling, but the biggest danger is the fire in their bedroom!
Annie Charme wrote an amazing, unapologetically curvy FMC. Poppy is hilarious, resilient, and knows her worth, even while being completely kidnapped/protected by an overly possessive hero. She’s definitely the curvy female main character we needed in a romantic suspense!
Audiobook & Narrators: This is a MUST-LISTEN. The duet narration by Shane East and Evelyn Rose was truly five-star perfection. Shane East's low, growly Northern British accent makes Dom's possessiveness absolutely swoon-worthy, and Evelyn Rose perfectly captures Poppy's mixture of vulnerability and self-reliant sass. Their amazing chemistry elevates the tension and comedy flawlessly.
Verdict: If you need a laugh, a high-stakes plot, a heroine who inspires you to order that extra dessert, and enough spice to set your headphones on fire, listen to this immediately. It's only missing one star because I finished it too quickly and now my ears are lonely!
#BookReview #AudiobookReview #ProtectingPoppy #AnnieCharme #ShaneEast #EvelynRose #RomanceReads #CurvyHeroine #BodyguardRomance #Bookstagram #SpicyRomance #DarkRomance #DuetNarration
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️ (4/5 Stars + A Spice Rating!)
Genre: Rom-Com, Forced Proximity, Bodyguard Romance, Spicy Suspense
If you've ever wanted to be put under a protective detail by a grumpy, possessive alpha male, this is your sign. This book was pure, unadulterated, hilarious chaos, and the audiobook format took the tension to eleven!
The Plot Scoop: The heroine, the wonderfully vibrant and gloriously curvy Poppy, is running from a dangerous past (involving a mafia ex, no less) and trying to lay low, waitressing at a club. The hero is Dom, the handsome, protective "hunter" who has decided Poppy is his to protect—whether she likes it or not. He tracks her down, manipulates the situation, and essentially takes her captive "for her own safety." The plot is classic forced proximity: grumpy meets sunshine, only the sunshine is a disaster magnet who runs on good intentions and sass, and they're locked in one house together. The best part? Their explosive, zero-communication arguments always end with scorching, super-spicy sex scenes. Dom’s alpha possessiveness truly shines when he and Poppy are finally alone. The stakes are real, with outside threats circling, but the biggest danger is the fire in their bedroom!
Annie Charme wrote an amazing, unapologetically curvy FMC. Poppy is hilarious, resilient, and knows her worth, even while being completely kidnapped/protected by an overly possessive hero. She’s definitely the curvy female main character we needed in a romantic suspense!
Audiobook & Narrators: This is a MUST-LISTEN. The duet narration by Shane East and Evelyn Rose was truly five-star perfection. Shane East's low, growly Northern British accent makes Dom's possessiveness absolutely swoon-worthy, and Evelyn Rose perfectly captures Poppy's mixture of vulnerability and self-reliant sass. Their amazing chemistry elevates the tension and comedy flawlessly.
Verdict: If you need a laugh, a high-stakes plot, a heroine who inspires you to order that extra dessert, and enough spice to set your headphones on fire, listen to this immediately. It's only missing one star because I finished it too quickly and now my ears are lonely!
#BookReview #AudiobookReview #ProtectingPoppy #AnnieCharme #ShaneEast #EvelynRose #RomanceReads #CurvyHeroine #BodyguardRomance #Bookstagram #SpicyRomance #DarkRomance #DuetNarration
June 4, 2023
uuummmm is it just me or is it hot in here??????
Daddy Dom is here and ddaammnnn this man can protect me any day!
Ok so.... the man may have been waving some initial red flags but once you see all the layers to this man you will be hooked. This man is OT possessive, protective, strong, caring, swoon-worthy and is unapologetically honest even when it comes to matters of the heart.
And.....
Didn't Poppy, a beautiful and curvy woman on the run, send his world spinning!!!!!
Annie Charme always delivers a heroine you adore and admire.
Poppy is absolutely no exception to this. She is sassy, fierce, independent, caring and a little vulnerable.
Ok so perhaps given her past and the red flags flying she shouldn't have got into a car with a man who is her stalker, or is it hunter??
But I mean...... It was DOM!!!
I loved the spicy and suspenseful journey these to took me on.
The chemistry between them was FIRE, the spice was HOT and the banter at times had me laughing.
Dom is so unapologetically himself but gosh there were some extra sweet moments and things that he did for Poppy that had me obsessed with this man.
I definitely read some of this from the edge of my seat as I waited for the twist to hit, character secrets to be exposed and the outcome to unfold.
I loved this read that had me feeling all the feels.
Plus.... With a few side characters who caught my attention I'm praying we see them in future books.
5 Spicy and Suspenseful Stars!
Daddy Dom is here and ddaammnnn this man can protect me any day!
Ok so.... the man may have been waving some initial red flags but once you see all the layers to this man you will be hooked. This man is OT possessive, protective, strong, caring, swoon-worthy and is unapologetically honest even when it comes to matters of the heart.
And.....
Didn't Poppy, a beautiful and curvy woman on the run, send his world spinning!!!!!
Annie Charme always delivers a heroine you adore and admire.
Poppy is absolutely no exception to this. She is sassy, fierce, independent, caring and a little vulnerable.
Ok so perhaps given her past and the red flags flying she shouldn't have got into a car with a man who is her stalker, or is it hunter??
But I mean...... It was DOM!!!
I loved the spicy and suspenseful journey these to took me on.
The chemistry between them was FIRE, the spice was HOT and the banter at times had me laughing.
Dom is so unapologetically himself but gosh there were some extra sweet moments and things that he did for Poppy that had me obsessed with this man.
I definitely read some of this from the edge of my seat as I waited for the twist to hit, character secrets to be exposed and the outcome to unfold.
I loved this read that had me feeling all the feels.
Plus.... With a few side characters who caught my attention I'm praying we see them in future books.
5 Spicy and Suspenseful Stars!
June 18, 2023
PROTECTING POPPY By Annie Charme
I was her strength, but she was my weakness
I’m a hunter. It’s what I do best; track down my prey, then walk away. Until a woman with flaming hair and a fire in her eyes consumes my every thought.
After picking up her scent, my obsession grows. Some call it stalking, I call it tracking. And now I’ve caught sight of my curvy fox, there’s no escape.
She wants her freedom, but that’s the one thing I can’t give her. I don’t catch and release.
Trouble is, I’m not the only hound on her tail.
😊What i liked -
✔ Romantic Suspense/ Age Gap/Protective Alpha/Curvy Heroine.
✔ I sometimes just love British puns and crass (and this author has a ton of puns in her kitty)
✔ I really liked Poppy. She is sassy and Independent. (the best combination to have)
✔ I loved how unapologetically protective Dom was towards Poppy. (she absolutely deserved it)
✔ This was a quick read that gives you massive amount of feels. (i got good feels, hope whoever reads it also gets the same )
🤔What could have been better
✔ Okay so one or two spicy scenes did not go down well with me. (but again that's me problem)
📚Who Should read :
👶Beginners
💝Romance Lover
💕Age Gap Romance
🕵Suspense Romance
📈My Rating : 4/5
P.s - This book is very different from what i have read of this author and i was pleasantly surprised.
Thank You, Annie Charme ,for a copy.
I was her strength, but she was my weakness
I’m a hunter. It’s what I do best; track down my prey, then walk away. Until a woman with flaming hair and a fire in her eyes consumes my every thought.
After picking up her scent, my obsession grows. Some call it stalking, I call it tracking. And now I’ve caught sight of my curvy fox, there’s no escape.
She wants her freedom, but that’s the one thing I can’t give her. I don’t catch and release.
Trouble is, I’m not the only hound on her tail.
😊What i liked -
✔ Romantic Suspense/ Age Gap/Protective Alpha/Curvy Heroine.
✔ I sometimes just love British puns and crass (and this author has a ton of puns in her kitty)
✔ I really liked Poppy. She is sassy and Independent. (the best combination to have)
✔ I loved how unapologetically protective Dom was towards Poppy. (she absolutely deserved it)
✔ This was a quick read that gives you massive amount of feels. (i got good feels, hope whoever reads it also gets the same )
🤔What could have been better
✔ Okay so one or two spicy scenes did not go down well with me. (but again that's me problem)
📚Who Should read :
👶Beginners
💝Romance Lover
💕Age Gap Romance
🕵Suspense Romance
📈My Rating : 4/5
P.s - This book is very different from what i have read of this author and i was pleasantly surprised.
Thank You, Annie Charme ,for a copy.
October 10, 2025
🦊♥️ ALC Review ♥️🦊
📖 Protecting Poppy by Annie Charme
🎙️ Narrated by Shane East and Evelyn Rose
🗓️ Release Date: October 5, 2025
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
Narration: 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️/ 5
♥️ Romantic Suspense
♥️ Protective MMC
♥️ Insta-Obsession
♥️ Curvy FMC
♥️ Slow Burn
♥️ Age Gap (13 Years)
♥️ British Accents
♥️ Duet Narration
♥️ E-Book on KU
Poppy is a curvy ex-dancer on the run from her mafia boss ex-boyfriend. She’s waitressing at a strip club and gains the notice of a handsome, older customer who takes a protective interest in her. Poppy soon finds out that he’s been paying a lot closer attention to her than she thought, and what that means for her.
This was my first Annie Charme books and I’m loving her storytelling style. It was fun, campy, and soooo spicy! If you’re looking for a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously, while still having a good plot and sooo much tension, this is for you.
I love when Shane East and Evelyn Rose narrate together. They have amazing chemistry and it just flows so naturally. Shane’s Northern British accent is my all time favorite accent. If you’re not familiar with it… listen to this audiobook! (It’s so good!😊) Evelyn Rose was perfect as Poppy! She has the perfect tone to portray the Damsel in Distress, who can still take care of herself. This was a duet narration which makes it even more fun to listen to.
TLDR: Spicy, campy, age-gap romance with a FMC on the run and a protective MMC.
📖 Protecting Poppy by Annie Charme
🎙️ Narrated by Shane East and Evelyn Rose
🗓️ Release Date: October 5, 2025
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
Narration: 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️/ 5
♥️ Romantic Suspense
♥️ Protective MMC
♥️ Insta-Obsession
♥️ Curvy FMC
♥️ Slow Burn
♥️ Age Gap (13 Years)
♥️ British Accents
♥️ Duet Narration
♥️ E-Book on KU
Poppy is a curvy ex-dancer on the run from her mafia boss ex-boyfriend. She’s waitressing at a strip club and gains the notice of a handsome, older customer who takes a protective interest in her. Poppy soon finds out that he’s been paying a lot closer attention to her than she thought, and what that means for her.
This was my first Annie Charme books and I’m loving her storytelling style. It was fun, campy, and soooo spicy! If you’re looking for a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously, while still having a good plot and sooo much tension, this is for you.
I love when Shane East and Evelyn Rose narrate together. They have amazing chemistry and it just flows so naturally. Shane’s Northern British accent is my all time favorite accent. If you’re not familiar with it… listen to this audiobook! (It’s so good!😊) Evelyn Rose was perfect as Poppy! She has the perfect tone to portray the Damsel in Distress, who can still take care of herself. This was a duet narration which makes it even more fun to listen to.
TLDR: Spicy, campy, age-gap romance with a FMC on the run and a protective MMC.
June 12, 2023
Dark, Sweet, & Slightly Strange
Quotes:📖
I’ll make sure whoever dares to cross my woman will pay. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s mine.
I’m the strength she needs right now, but she’s becoming my weakness.
Thoughts:💡
Okay, this one introduced a new kink, I’m not sure it’s mine; but I accept anyone that loves it. The MMC is super OTTP and slightly worrisome. The story falls into the realm of dark romance, but the main characters are both cinnamon rolls that veer more towards law abiding than criminal.
Writing Mechanics: ✍️
The writing wasn’t Annie’s best but it was still good, it just had several typos. She obviously wanted to make her characters over the top which is why I think she sacrificed some of their depth. The book is full of spice and dark themes.
Fun Bits:
⚜️ Lots of Spice
⚜️ Several Plot Twists
⚜️ He Falls First & He’s Obsessed
⚜️ Celebrates The Curvy Girls
Important Note:✨
This book plays with the crimson tide and has lots of rope play and spanking.
Stats:📊
Spice Scale: 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/ 5
Character Dev: 4.25 💙💙💙💙/5
Tropes: Dark, Stalker, Captive, Curvy Girl📘
POV: Dual👩❤️👨
CW: Parental death off page in the past, murder, gun and knife violence, stalking, power play, strong language, kidnapping, graphic sexual scenes, kinks⚠️
Quotes:📖
I’ll make sure whoever dares to cross my woman will pay. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s mine.
I’m the strength she needs right now, but she’s becoming my weakness.
Thoughts:💡
Okay, this one introduced a new kink, I’m not sure it’s mine; but I accept anyone that loves it. The MMC is super OTTP and slightly worrisome. The story falls into the realm of dark romance, but the main characters are both cinnamon rolls that veer more towards law abiding than criminal.
Writing Mechanics: ✍️
The writing wasn’t Annie’s best but it was still good, it just had several typos. She obviously wanted to make her characters over the top which is why I think she sacrificed some of their depth. The book is full of spice and dark themes.
Fun Bits:
⚜️ Lots of Spice
⚜️ Several Plot Twists
⚜️ He Falls First & He’s Obsessed
⚜️ Celebrates The Curvy Girls
Important Note:✨
This book plays with the crimson tide and has lots of rope play and spanking.
Stats:📊
Spice Scale: 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/ 5
Character Dev: 4.25 💙💙💙💙/5
Tropes: Dark, Stalker, Captive, Curvy Girl📘
POV: Dual👩❤️👨
CW: Parental death off page in the past, murder, gun and knife violence, stalking, power play, strong language, kidnapping, graphic sexual scenes, kinks⚠️
March 25, 2024
This is the first book I have read from this author. I have mixed feelings about this book (they are pretty close to each other, more like if I was in a different mood something that may have been eh to me right now would have been something I really liked. Not the I hated this part but loved this part type. I hope that makes some sense). I would try other books from this author, I did like the characters separately, I did like them together, I did like how they interacted. I did finish this book and if someone was in a mood to read this type of book I would mention it to them. Was I glad when I finished this book, yes. Did I download the epilogue, no. Did I get invested that I wanted to, no. Was I interested in reading this book from its blurb, yes. Do I want to stop someone who thought they were interested in reading this book from reading this book by this review, NO absolutely not! I am trying to write more reviews for the books I read and get better at them (so take this with a grain of salt I guess) I don't know what it is that is stopping me from loving this book, I know I was able to put it down and go to sleep but I did pick it back up as soon as I woke up to finish it, I usually am a finish a book in one siting kind of person.
October 5, 2025
⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Protecting Poppy is my first time reading Annie Charme, and she definitely left an impression with this smutty, erotic romance.
Dom has been assigned a job to locate Poppy, but he becomes immediately obsessed and wants to make her his woman at any cost. Poppy is a woman on the run, and she is trying to lay low while working at a club.
Dom has been stalking her and decides to manipulate the situation to make her come home with him for her safety. The only issue is he will not let her leave, leading to some push and pull between them.
This was entertaining and very spicy, but I did feel like it dragged in the middle. I didn't connect to the heroine, and she was TSTL many times in the book. Then, the reveal of who hired him was just a little OTT.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
🎤Duet narration by Shane East & Evelyn Rose
The main reason I finished this book was because of the fantastic duet narration by Shane East and Evelyn Rose. Shane East is the best at voicing a dominant, dark, and sexy hero. He was perfection!
Kinks: Period play, praise, primal play, anal
Thank you to Must Love Audio for providing the ALC.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Protecting Poppy is my first time reading Annie Charme, and she definitely left an impression with this smutty, erotic romance.
Dom has been assigned a job to locate Poppy, but he becomes immediately obsessed and wants to make her his woman at any cost. Poppy is a woman on the run, and she is trying to lay low while working at a club.
Dom has been stalking her and decides to manipulate the situation to make her come home with him for her safety. The only issue is he will not let her leave, leading to some push and pull between them.
This was entertaining and very spicy, but I did feel like it dragged in the middle. I didn't connect to the heroine, and she was TSTL many times in the book. Then, the reveal of who hired him was just a little OTT.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
🎤Duet narration by Shane East & Evelyn Rose
The main reason I finished this book was because of the fantastic duet narration by Shane East and Evelyn Rose. Shane East is the best at voicing a dominant, dark, and sexy hero. He was perfection!
Kinks: Period play, praise, primal play, anal
Thank you to Must Love Audio for providing the ALC.
June 2, 2023
This is naughty and nice with plenty of spice! 🌶️🥵
I want Dom! Okay, here is a little possessive, but he’s also strong, kind, loving and not afraid to show how he feels. There’s a hidden loneliness to him that starts to disappear when Poppy appears in his life.
I love Poppy. As you come to expect from Annie, she’s fierce, independent and, of course, curvy with a softness and vulnerability.
She’s definitely too trusting, but with the past she has had, the tiniest sign of affection and safety, she’s bound to ignore the red flags, or push them to one side.
The story is darker and the spice naughtier than I’ve read before, but I loved it.
Throughout I was kept guessing and questioning everything including Dom.
Protecting Poppy is a fantastic spicy suspense romance with an amazing twist! It’s also funny (I love the banter between Poppy and Dom) and has some beautiful & tender moments too.
I love being on Annie’s arc team, because her books are amazing and always leave me with a smile.
Thank you for giving me the chance to read before release.
I want Dom! Okay, here is a little possessive, but he’s also strong, kind, loving and not afraid to show how he feels. There’s a hidden loneliness to him that starts to disappear when Poppy appears in his life.
I love Poppy. As you come to expect from Annie, she’s fierce, independent and, of course, curvy with a softness and vulnerability.
She’s definitely too trusting, but with the past she has had, the tiniest sign of affection and safety, she’s bound to ignore the red flags, or push them to one side.
The story is darker and the spice naughtier than I’ve read before, but I loved it.
Throughout I was kept guessing and questioning everything including Dom.
Protecting Poppy is a fantastic spicy suspense romance with an amazing twist! It’s also funny (I love the banter between Poppy and Dom) and has some beautiful & tender moments too.
I love being on Annie’s arc team, because her books are amazing and always leave me with a smile.
Thank you for giving me the chance to read before release.
July 8, 2024
I lied, I'm a liar I said i proudly dnf this book but I woke up the next morning feeling guilty BUT my feelings about this book haven't changed it took me a solid two days to get through 30 pages, I could only read 2-3 pages at a time before I had to take a break. I've read some smutty books in my time, and im not ashamed to admit that, but I am ashamed that I read this. Now I'm gonna share a few quotes from the book to hopefully spoil for desire to read this:
-"her chunky knees rub together" I'd kill myself
-"I want to fill your belly with my child" That's not cute that's just gross 😐
-“I’m still fighting the urge to drag you over this bar, carry you to my car and fuck your sweet cunt till you’re sore. Then I’d lick it better just so I could fuck you again.” just saw each other again after months are you kidding ?
Hey listen if you're into that the more power to you I envy you
ORIGINAL DNF RATING(I got 200 pages in before I had to dnf. I have never experienced such a train wreck in my life, and let me tell you, I read some trashy ass books but nothing could ever compare to this and this is the first book that I can proudly dnf without feeling guilty.)
-"her chunky knees rub together" I'd kill myself
-"I want to fill your belly with my child" That's not cute that's just gross 😐
-“I’m still fighting the urge to drag you over this bar, carry you to my car and fuck your sweet cunt till you’re sore. Then I’d lick it better just so I could fuck you again.” just saw each other again after months are you kidding ?
Hey listen if you're into that the more power to you I envy you
ORIGINAL DNF RATING(I got 200 pages in before I had to dnf. I have never experienced such a train wreck in my life, and let me tell you, I read some trashy ass books but nothing could ever compare to this and this is the first book that I can proudly dnf without feeling guilty.)
June 22, 2023
❤️ Book Review ❤️
Protecting Poppy by Annie Charme
🖤 My Rating 🖤
3/5⭐️
1/5🌶
❤️ My Thoughts ❤️
Well written, even having to look up some words because this is written by an English author with English words. But the author makes it easy to understand, and I appreciate that. It's such a good story between Dom and Poppy. There were some good parts to the story, but it was actually predictable. Like once the story gets going, it kind of gets a bit boring. There aren't many surprises. I think if it had been a longer story with some more twists and turns, it would have been much better. It's not a terrible story, just predictable. With how much of Doms personality is a dominate, you would have been expecting a Dom/Sub relationship, but it was really lacking. It's not something I would recommend if you're looking for a good storyline in a book, but if you have an insta-love story featuring a strong curvy FMC, then I would say it's worth the read.
Protecting Poppy by Annie Charme
🖤 My Rating 🖤
3/5⭐️
1/5🌶
❤️ My Thoughts ❤️
Well written, even having to look up some words because this is written by an English author with English words. But the author makes it easy to understand, and I appreciate that. It's such a good story between Dom and Poppy. There were some good parts to the story, but it was actually predictable. Like once the story gets going, it kind of gets a bit boring. There aren't many surprises. I think if it had been a longer story with some more twists and turns, it would have been much better. It's not a terrible story, just predictable. With how much of Doms personality is a dominate, you would have been expecting a Dom/Sub relationship, but it was really lacking. It's not something I would recommend if you're looking for a good storyline in a book, but if you have an insta-love story featuring a strong curvy FMC, then I would say it's worth the read.
February 2, 2024
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Swoon 🫦🫦🫦
LMAO 🤣🤣
Banter 😉
Dark Romance / Age Gap / Violence / HEA
Poppy works at a nightclub as a waitress and notices that several nights in a row a man dressed in black is watching her. Dominic has been hired to find and protect Poppy as she’s a witness to a murder and is hiding from the police. When a customer starts to get too friendly Dom steps up to save her. Dom waits until her shift is over and notices her car won’t start. She spots a matchbook on the ground by her car from the casino where she witnessed the murder. She starts to have an anxiety attack and Dom calms her and offers to take her home, only there is a strange BMW in her neighborhood and he opts to take her to his place.
There is a little twist to this story and I was surprised to learn who was behind the urgency to find Poppy. Dom fell first and hard and Poppy tried her best to resist his charm. Dom’s brother Dan was a fun addition to the story.
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Swoon 🫦🫦🫦
LMAO 🤣🤣
Banter 😉
Dark Romance / Age Gap / Violence / HEA
Poppy works at a nightclub as a waitress and notices that several nights in a row a man dressed in black is watching her. Dominic has been hired to find and protect Poppy as she’s a witness to a murder and is hiding from the police. When a customer starts to get too friendly Dom steps up to save her. Dom waits until her shift is over and notices her car won’t start. She spots a matchbook on the ground by her car from the casino where she witnessed the murder. She starts to have an anxiety attack and Dom calms her and offers to take her home, only there is a strange BMW in her neighborhood and he opts to take her to his place.
There is a little twist to this story and I was surprised to learn who was behind the urgency to find Poppy. Dom fell first and hard and Poppy tried her best to resist his charm. Dom’s brother Dan was a fun addition to the story.
October 10, 2025
I so wish I had a Dominic in my life when younger. His love for Poppy was relentless from the first chapter. Maybe some of his ways seemed to be dominant but I know from fact that if you are like living in a desperate life then you sometimes make desperate decisions and Annie captures this in her storytelling so very well.
I like the fact that it is made perfectly clear that Dom is a protector not a stalker but it doesn’t make him any less hot. The chemistry is off the scale and the tie ins to other characters make you want to read everything you can.
I originally read this book when it was first published but was gifted the audiobook so decided to revisit both Poppy and Dom. I must say Evelyn and Shane brought the characters to life with a whole new experience, Evelyn giving Poppy more sass and Shane making Dominic pure filth.
A great read and like all my reviews, I give no spoilers whatsoever
I like the fact that it is made perfectly clear that Dom is a protector not a stalker but it doesn’t make him any less hot. The chemistry is off the scale and the tie ins to other characters make you want to read everything you can.
I originally read this book when it was first published but was gifted the audiobook so decided to revisit both Poppy and Dom. I must say Evelyn and Shane brought the characters to life with a whole new experience, Evelyn giving Poppy more sass and Shane making Dominic pure filth.
A great read and like all my reviews, I give no spoilers whatsoever
September 14, 2025
Loved it!
This is my first read from Annie Charme and boy what a book it is to start with. Woo it had it all, mystery, spice, a sexy MMC, a sassy FMC and a plotline to get your teeth into. I loved everything about this book from the banter, to the moment that made me gasp (no spoiler but it involves Dom) to the sweetness of the feels. This novel has rough and ready spiciness but still has those sweet romance vibes underneath - or at least I reckon it does, but maybe I'm just smitten by Dom.
I loved the writing style, it told the story and had me hooked, I loved how the characters as well as the storyline developed. I loved the side character in Dan, so much so that I can't wait to read his book. This book is hot, with a capital H.O.T!! I loved reading every minute of it!
This is my first read from Annie Charme and boy what a book it is to start with. Woo it had it all, mystery, spice, a sexy MMC, a sassy FMC and a plotline to get your teeth into. I loved everything about this book from the banter, to the moment that made me gasp (no spoiler but it involves Dom) to the sweetness of the feels. This novel has rough and ready spiciness but still has those sweet romance vibes underneath - or at least I reckon it does, but maybe I'm just smitten by Dom.
I loved the writing style, it told the story and had me hooked, I loved how the characters as well as the storyline developed. I loved the side character in Dan, so much so that I can't wait to read his book. This book is hot, with a capital H.O.T!! I loved reading every minute of it!
June 17, 2023
Protecting Poppy by Annie Charme
This is Poppy and Dom’s story. It is a bit of a dark romance so if you’re not into that you may want to skip this one. Poppy is on the run from some people with power who want to harm her. Dom our mysterious protector is determined to keep her safe. There is so much going on in this story it is a bit or a roller coaster ride. There is lots of things that may be triggering to some so maybe check the trigger warning before reading. I really enjoyed reading this book the twists kept be engaged and invested in the book. There was a lot that was very unexpected and I like that in a book that it surprises you. This is a book I would happily recommend.
This is Poppy and Dom’s story. It is a bit of a dark romance so if you’re not into that you may want to skip this one. Poppy is on the run from some people with power who want to harm her. Dom our mysterious protector is determined to keep her safe. There is so much going on in this story it is a bit or a roller coaster ride. There is lots of things that may be triggering to some so maybe check the trigger warning before reading. I really enjoyed reading this book the twists kept be engaged and invested in the book. There was a lot that was very unexpected and I like that in a book that it surprises you. This is a book I would happily recommend.
June 25, 2023
Protecting Poppy is a spicy, age-gap, protector romantic suspense. Note that this story does have some darker themes like stalking, kidnapping, light bondage and some period play. Poppy is a young curvy woman on the run. Dom is a sexy, older man who is a hunter and has been stalking Poppy. Sparks fly between the two but it turns out Dom is not the only one after Poppy. Will she let Dom protect her? Or will lies and secrets keep them apart? The chemistry between the characters was off the charts. After all the twists and turns we do get a good HEA, but was stressful getting there. Overall, I really enjoyed the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 13, 2023
Don has been hunting Poppy or 'Red' for a while, when things take a turn he kidnaps her and protects her from old enemies.
There is push and pull in this relationship, all is not as it seems and there is a twist near the end, that is signposted but still great. This is a red hot steamy book, with a whole host of kink, period play, spanking (light) etc.
These two have instant chemistry, Poppy fight it, she is independent, sassy, vunerable and just wants to be told what is going on. Dom is alpha, secretive (cue sucky communication) sweet, lonely, loyal and obsessed with Poppy.
A quick and fun read, with drama, mild peril that you can't help but enjoy. It has a HEA and it will leave you feeling oh so good.
There is push and pull in this relationship, all is not as it seems and there is a twist near the end, that is signposted but still great. This is a red hot steamy book, with a whole host of kink, period play, spanking (light) etc.
These two have instant chemistry, Poppy fight it, she is independent, sassy, vunerable and just wants to be told what is going on. Dom is alpha, secretive (cue sucky communication) sweet, lonely, loyal and obsessed with Poppy.
A quick and fun read, with drama, mild peril that you can't help but enjoy. It has a HEA and it will leave you feeling oh so good.
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