The Protector and The Runaway Bride

by Summer Hunter

She’s the bright blue sky.
I’m the muggy waters beneath.
We align where the stars meet the sea.

Piper Parker turns up on my beach on a cold, foggy morning.

Running from her fiancé with murderous intent, she’s weak and broken from swimming the ocean.

My plan to keep Piper at my home until she recovers backfires.

She’s too compelling to resist.

But I should…

Storm clouds loom over us.

My heart hurts from a tortured past.

Her fiancé is still out to get her.

Piper and I can’t be together.

I try to keep her at arm’s length…

But her sunshine seeps into my dark soul and the shadows fade away.




Author’s A standalone spicy romantic suspense. No cheating. HEA guaranteed. Contains explicit content. Recommended for 18+.

Genres: Romance

248 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 21, 2023

Reviews

[Vanessa LeBlanc · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first book from this author and I did enjoy it.

I found it started off good but then kinda got a bit slow but then the action started up again.

I enjoyed the picture we got from the MMC. A muscular, alpha male, hot scientist…yes please. At some points I wasn’t a fan of the MMC mostly because he was being real annoying ass but he bounced back at the end.

I really enjoyed the FMC. Definitely felt sorry for her and what she was going trough. She was very sweet and just wanted to feel like she belonged.

The spice was good, which there would have been a bit more but the scenes we had was definitely 3 🌶️🌶️🌶️.

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

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was amazing! It blew me out of the park. The characters drew you in immediately. The world building and story structure was so strong it felt like you were in the story yourself. The overall storyline was one I would love to see more of as it was just amazingly done!.

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

[Hueygirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by Summer Hunter, but not my last. In fact upon finishing it I immediately downloaded the first one to catch up on the Magic. Landon finds Piper on the beach looking a little ragged, only to find out she was supposed to still be on a cruise. She’s got a big secret she doesn’t want him to know, but that’s okay he’s got one too.

The romance is great, and spicy too! An easy to follow story, that I finished in an afternoon.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review, but I enjoyed it so much I would’ve left one anyway.

[Jacklyn B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Landon is a very guarded and reserved guy who is a marine biologist on Magic Island.   He is getting his boat ready one morning when he sees a creepy figure stumbling up onto the beach. When he realizes it is a woman in a shredded dress, who looks like someone from his past, he is shook.  All he knows is that he is drawn to this woman and needs to help her.

☀️"Her sunshine seeps into my dark soul and the shadows fade away."

🧜🏻‍♀️Piper wakes up in a panic.  She is in a strange bed in a room that isn't her own.  She is injured and scared and all she knows for certain is that she needs to keep running from Garrett, her fiancé.  Except she physically can't. She decides to accept help from Landon and recover at his house. While they clearly have chemistry and are drawn to each other Landon refuses to open up to Piper, and she eventually moves next door with his neighbor Mrs. Hensley. Piper and Landon continue to run into each other and grow closer.  Will Landon ever decide to open up to Piper about his past? When Piper's past shows up and threatens her life, will Landon be able to save her?

🦄"Why be a horse when you can be a unicorn?"

I loved Landon and Piper's story!  Landon is really struggling with guilt and grief and Piper comes storming into his life and gives him the push he needs.  Piper is funny and feisty and I loved how she would push Landon. When she stood up for him, and showed him that he wasn't defined by this bad that happened, it made my heart melt.  Piper and Mrs. Hensley were hilarious roommates together, and I hope to read more about them! Landon's family (if you read book one, they should be familiar) are great, and I loved the family dinner scenes!  They were the perfect mix of sweet/awkward/sibling drama.

"I'm holding onto the past and I can't see the treasure right in front of me."

💙Tropes
☀️Grumpy/Sunshine
🩵Forced Proximity
🩵Runaway Bride
🩵Alpha Male
🩵Damaged Souls
🧜🏻‍♀️Sprinkle of Little Mermaid Vibes

[Amie Kieffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was wondering if Book 2 in the Magic Island series could be as exciting and page turning as Book 1, which was Chance and Maddie's story, and it definitely was! It felt like a reunion as I got to read about familiar characters and scenery from the first book!

The three brothers, Chance, Baxter and Landon, are so similar even with their differences....trust me, that makes more sense than you think... Landon is a difficult egg to crack but he is still sooo interesting and irresistible.

Piper reminds Landon of someone from his past in some ways and he isn't ready to open up. How this story begins is riveting. The story begins with an intense mystery complete with action and danger. Piper is so scared and hurt that she fears anyone who comes near her and who could blame her?

Surprising things happen along the way as Piper gets her bearings and recovers from the ordeal she endures at the opening of this story. Within the unfolding of the story and as the development of the characters illuminate and mature, there are some moments that make you laugh and break you out of the seriousness. The peaks and valleys keep you glued to the pages and the suspense is simply captivating and exciting.

This isn't a long read but it also isn't a novella; however, I just kept reading right on through to the end because I couldn't wait to reach that HEA. I'm looking forward to the next two books coming our way in this series. Another amazing story by Summer Hunter!.

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

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magic Island continues with the youngest brother Landon, a marine biologist, finding a mysterious but injured lady on the sands of his beach home. He has to help her. Granted, Piper brings her own set of problems, a fiancé who wishes to harm her and the lengths he'll go to find her, but it can't stop the connection that is beginning to form between these two.

Now Landon is a quiet guy, a bit reserved, he doesn't show his emotions. Which is frustrating to Piper as she tries to get to know him and ignore this attraction she feels. But she keeps trying. Piper heals from her injuries then leaves his home to live with the eccentric Mrs Hensley and even gets a job. All while trying to stay off the radar from her parents and her life. Piper will eventually meet Landon's family. Readers will have fun visiting characters from Book 1 again. You don't need to read the first book in order to read this one.😊 There was some slow moments but it did pick up again. Eventually Piper will reach out to her best friend Ashley and everything goes bonkers!!🙃 You kind of knew already what was going on there, but I won't spoil anything. This book has some suspense, drama, and of course, romance.🔥🔥 Will Landon finally open his heart and share his feelings with Piper? Or will he just keep silent and wallow away in his thoughts. My advice, you better hurry up, before your girl swims away forever. I did get some little mermaid vibes from this story too.😁 Looking forward to the next book. Enjoy!!🧜🏻‍♂️♥️🧜‍♀️

🪸🐋Thank you for an early book. This is my honest critique of the story I read.🐋🪸

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Piper Parker is on the run from a murderous fiancé.She washes up on Magic Island after jumping and swimming from a cruise ship where she was supposed to get married , but she hears her brother plotting with her fiancé to kill the only one in their path to Piper’s inheritance and what they’re to do to get hands on her wealth , so she’s desperate to get away. She thinks it is a deserted island ..Landon is the grumpy marine biologist who happens to own and live on the island . He doesn’t like people thinking they can rock up and take advantage of his home and sends them packing . He has troubles he wants to stay behind him too. Piper however gets under his empathic skin and he agrees to let her stay with him until she heals. Can they heal each other ? In this steamy close proximity steamy read is a warm hug of a romance story that also carries with it a witness and humorous amongst the angst. Well written enjoyable book.

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

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Protector and the Runaway Bride is a steamy, OTT, instalove, grumpy-sunshine, romantic suspense. Piper is a young bride-to-be escaping her evil fiancé. Landon is a hunky, grumpy marine biologist. Landon first meets Piper when she has washed up on the shore of Magic Island after jumping from a cruise ship. Their initial encounter is hysterical. She is injured and exhausted, so he takes her home. She confides in Landon, and he lets her stay until healed. They have a hot and cold relationship as Landon is tortured by his past. But the attraction and chemistry between the two is undeniable. There is a lot of action and drama as someone is out to hurt Piper. Will Landon be able to keep her safe? Will he admit his feelings? This was my first book by this author, and I loved it! Now I need to go back and read Chance's story! Loved Mrs. Hensley, too!

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

[Sharon Akshar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved reading the story 'The Protector and the Runaway Bride' by Summer Hunter. It was a very compelling story about a woman who appears in front of a man after she manages to swim ashore after jumping off a boat to flee from her fiancé that she has just found out is trying to kill her. The fiancé is not only after her fortune but also her parents' company. The man who rescues this woman allows her to stay with him while she is recovering and hiding out. She finds him to be very kind and protective and he is slowly brought under the spell of the woman who he thinks of as his 'mermaid'. He had some guilty and destructive feelings to work on after losing a woman he loved a few years before and his houseguest has to try to elude her ex-fiancé while trying to bring him to justice for his crimes. It's a very good book.

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

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Landon is a marine biologist staying on Magic Island. Piper is on a cruise with her fiance when she overhears what he has planned for her, to get her inheritance. She jumps overboard, swims toward an island and Landon finds her on the shore the next morning. Both have bad periods in their lives but he is set to make sure nothing bad happens to her. Both of their pasts come back to haunt and hurt them so they need to stick together. Loved the characters, their personalities, chemistry, entertaining situations and banter. The storyline runs well, with a little time to catch up on backstories in the middle. Drama, danger, tension, intrigue, revelations, steam and more kept the pages turning. Great ending.

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

[Reads With S ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i give it a solid 4/5!

it was a good book with solid a plot, and solid characters. but at points there were times where i was left needing more details and back story. like what happened to may. more details on what was going on prior to piper running away from the wedding with ashley, garett, and piper. also wanting to know what happened to them after they got arrested.
at points it was decently slow, and i just had to sit it down and do something else for a bit, but i continued to come right back to it. at the end, i just couldn’t sit it down and had to finish it that night 😅
the book has decent spice, and all around was a pretty good book. i would recommend it!
i was lucky enough to get this as an arc read!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Landon is guarded and prefers to spend time alone. That's why working as a marine biologist on Magic Island is perfect for him - he can spend time with the sea and on his own. One day as he is working, he sees a woman staggering along the beach. She's been injured and bears a not so passing to resemblance to someone he used to know. Landon takes the lady in and cares for her. Her name is Piper and she wants to run, but she physically cannot so she gives in and lets Landon take care of her. Even after she recovers, they keep bumping into each other and there are sparks between them. When Piper's past comes to call, will Landon be able to keep her safe?

[Victoria Golby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic Island Romance

Landon finds Piper on the beach, worn out. After she collapses he takes her back to his house to help her recover and learns she's running from her fiance who's trying to kill her. But Landon has his own problems, mourning for a woman he loved a few years before and Piper reminds him of her. Can they help each other while accepting the romance building between them?

A lovely slow-build romance, with great chemistry between the characters, mystery, suspense, danger, light humour and some brilliant twists.

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

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading this author and I will definitely be checking out more of her work. What happens when a young woman washes up on a tormented solitary man’s beach? Lots of mystery, action, humor, rejection, fear, undeniable attraction, emotional angst, suspense, steamy moments, family, evil intentions, lies, kidnapping, small community bonds, fun secondary characters, heartache, forgiveness, and love help make this an enjoyable read.

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

[Charmaine Nouwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Protector and The Runaway Bride is an intriguing,steamy,with suspense and twist and turns...When Piper is on a cruise for her wedding but when she heard what her fiance is planning for her after their wedding to get her family fortune,she run and jump out of the cruise and swam for safety on an island and met a gorgeous,grumpy and broken man who save her and the one who protect ed her from the people wanted to harm her..

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

[L KQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Plot Thickens

Landon and Piper's story is quite an adventure as she is running for life when she ends up on his island. He decides to help her but at what cost will it be as his own past comes back to haunt him? This was an exciting book with so many different things going along including an evil plot fraught full of danger. There were slow moments as well as well paced ones which made for an interesting read.

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

[Terra Oenning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hold on to the edge of your seat with this fantastic story that Is filled with suspense and action packed and chemistry and romance and heartbreak and so much more. Piper ends up on magic island and Landon saves her from her crazy fiance who wants her dead but will Landons demons stop her from protecting her ? Great story.

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

[K Webz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 of the Magic Island series is a book full of secrets and and suspense.

Piper swims to safety from a cruise ship and is found on the beach by Landon. He plans on only letting her stay until she recovers but he finds himself unable to resist her.

Will her ex catch up to her? Will both their secrets be revealed?.

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

[readingisfun27 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this story down. Loved it! Piper and Landon are perfect for each other, helping each other overcome their pasts and the spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ all the crazy places they get up to. I absolutely love Mrs. Hensley, she is a riot! Working her old lady magic. Can’t wait to read more Summer Hunter.

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

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read written by Summer Hunter; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is part of the Magic Island Series; it is a stand-alone book. The story is about Piper & Landon; she’s running from her fiancé; he’s determined to protect her.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the second in the series. I enjoyed Landon and Piper story. She is on the run from her ex that wants to kill her and Landon is protecting her. They have a strong chemistry, Filled with suspense and romance a grea tread.

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

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Landon and Piper's story. He discovers her in a horrible state, very scared and acting a bit crazy. She passes out and he takes her to his home. When she wakes up, she is in a strange bed and in a foreign place. I like how their story goes. It develops nicely with some mystery, suspense, danger, drama, passion, betrayal, secrets and good twists.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a wonderful story that pulls us into the lives of Landon and Piper. The story keeps us turning the pages with suspense, fear of relationships, danger and steam.

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

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an suspicion novel I very much enjoyed reading this novel the end is great a spicy novel a great book.

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

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts off with a thrill and they just keep coming. Landon and Piper are a perfect pair with each having their own difficult past.
But my favorite character is Mrs. Hensley, the ideal 80 year old idol.

[Robert Foland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Protector and The Runaway Bride is a steamy, romantic read. Passionate, intriguing, and bold. Summer Hunter combines amazing characters and an original storyline. Captivating from page one.

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

[B E · Rating 4 out of 5]

He rescues her on the beach in her wedding gown,running from her fiance. He plans to protect her at his home, not fall for her. Can they heal each other’s wounds?
.

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

[Tracy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Protector and The Runaway Bride (Magic Island Book 2 - Landon)
by
Summer Hunter

The story and characters were well written and developed. I enjoyed the drama, chemistry and journey. Great read.

[Joann Woods-Yoder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from start to finish. There is drama, romance, and suspense, and eventually, it gets steamy.

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

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Landon and Piper’s book. It was a suspenseful read. And am voluntarily leaving my review.