Bossy Alpha Protector

by Ava Nichols

My plan was to marry the kind of man I write about in my sweet romance novels, not lose my v-card to the ultimate bad boy… my brother’s best friend …

Women always line up to be with Travis Ray—a handsome, arrogant, alpha, playboy, rodeo star, and billionaire cattle rancher.

I can’t stand Travis, but my brother convinces me to work as his assistant while I get my writing career off the ground.

So I meet with Travis, and our banter turns into him challenging me.
Then kissing me and taking control of my body in ways I’ve never felt before.

But that can’t happen again.
He’s now my new boss.

As time goes on, I see his caring side.
And he continues to look out for me and protect me.

So I let him take me on another ride… on his office desk.
His intoxicating touch sets my whole body on fire, making it pulse with pleasure.

And now — I’m having his baby.

The connection between us feels so right, but my head says he’s all wrong for me.
So I can’t risk opening my heart to him.

Or will Travis prove that he’s everything I’ve always wanted in a man, after all?

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2023

About the author

Ava Nichols is a #1 Amazon Best Selling Author who writes relatable, sexy, and heartfelt contemporary romance. Her stories have a balance of fun, edginess, steam, light-heartedness and depth. You’ll get to watch her characters grow, open up their hearts and eventually find a happily ever after.

Her favorite themes are Billionaire Bad Boys, Enemies to Lovers, Brother’s Best Friend, Boss, Second Chance, and Age Gap.

When she’s not reading or writing, she’s enjoying nature, dance, pilates and spending time with her family. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two young children and two small dogs.

Reviews

[Berta]

It was a rare DNF for me. Just nope. Chose to stop at about 25%.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun enemies to lovers story with her brother's best friend. The chemistry was off the charts and the passion between the two was very intense. The storyline was fun and easy to get hooked to. This is a definite must read.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samantha Davis is a 23yr old stubborn, at times rude, young woman who wants to be a writer. She's on her last leg with her parents, since they don't really support their daughter's ambition or her determination to be an author. Oscar, her older brother does. He's a rodeo cowboy. Kind of strange that the parents are okay with that career path for their son but not okay with Samantha's choice/dream. Oscar knows Sam needs a job too. Who better than Oscar's best friend, wealthy business man and also fellow rodeo star, Travis Ray. Samantha hates the very idea. She can't stand Travis.

Travis Ray is 28, he took over his family's business and brought it back from near failure. He's a rodeo star too. And he's very very good at both!! Ladies adore him.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 He works hard and plays even harder. And when Oscar recommends his sister to be his personal assistant, the last one was fired, Travis wasn't down for it. He knows Samantha and this idea has failure written all over it.

When these two got together to discuss the job, the conversation went sideways then down into the hay bales. Literally. Samantha is very snarky. Chill out girl. She keeps throwing in Travis' face about his previous exploits with other women. She's soo jealous.🤭 She would never do that with any man, least of all Travis. And yet, what does she end up doing? She got down with Travis.😝 Let's be honest, I didn't really like Samantha or her attitude. I felt like she needed to grow up more. Stop living through those romance books Sam. Look at who's in front of you. Travis shouldn't have given her the job. I liked him. He went above and beyond for her over and over. He helped her get an apartment, furniture, etc. Defends her numerous times. And still Samantha disrespects him at work, says inappropriate things, no matter if you know the man for years, he's still your boss. He signs your checks girl, come on. Stop letting stupid words fall out of your mouth. She was the bossy one imo. lol🙊🙊🙊

There's plenty, and I mean plenty, of hot spicy heat happening.🔥🔥🔥 And bless his heart, Travis falls hard and fast. He's a big softie. Sam is too busy fighting the obvious. She gets a book deal and ghosts that penthouse apartment, her job, and Travis. Goodbye Austin. Hello New York. Now do you think that man is going to leave that situation like that? Oh no. Not this cowboy! And Samantha is also expecting his baby.

What's going to happen when he shows up and finds her? Or when Sam tells him about the baby? Will they make it work? How will her parents react? Oscar wants them together! No spoilers. You'll have to read it and find out what happens.

Love that book cover.😍 Sidenote: Sam did eventually redeem herself. I was like get on the Travis train already!! Let's gooo. Admit your feelings. I recommend. Happy reading partner.🤠❤️🤠❤️

🐴Thank you for an early read via Booksprout. This is my honest critique of the story.🐴

[Susan McWhinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read and worthy of 5 stars.
Who doesn't like an enemy to lover's romance, where hate and love are blurred with feelings of lust, lots and lots of lust!!
Samantha needs to get away from her controlling parents, who do not believe in her vision of being a well-known author.
Her brother Caleb comes up with a solution, the only problem is working for his best friend, Travis, whom Samantha has hated all her life, does not feel like the right solution. Travis is known as a player, which Samantha finds appalling.
Travis does agree to employ Samantha, for a limited time, to help her out and do a favor for his best friend. The start of him coming to her rescue throughout the story!
So starts the slow burn romance, starting with lust at the rodeo where Travis learns that Samantha is a virgin, and he right away coaxes her with ease to lose her virginity in the hay bales!! Samantha loved what she experienced but would never admit it, especially to Travis.
Working for Travis, the sparks fly, and unknown to either of them, Caleb is working behind the scenes to get them together. Burst waterpipes, a broken-down car all lead to passionate encounters between Travis and Samantha.
An unexpected surprise leads to Samantha leaving Texas for NY. Hiding her secret from her brother and Travis.
She finds success with a publisher and Travis makes it his mission to find where Samantha has gone, realizing that his feelings run deeper than just lust for her.
Loved the slow burn, the denied feelings between them both and how whenever Samantha looked like she needed help, Travis was there, for her, protecting her.
A great read that leads to a HEA for them both.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pat Stanton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Travis and Samantha's Love Story

Travis Rey is a successful billionaire CEO who is also a top rodeo rider. He was forced to assume the CEO role when his father totally messed up the company. He screwed employees, didn't manage the company, and ran it to the brink of bankruptcy.
Travis runs the company during the week and rides the rodeo circuit on the weekend. He is a fan and ladies' favorite and a player. He is also an impossibly demanding boss and can't retain an executive assistant.
Travis' best friend suggests that he hire his sister, Samantha, as his assistant. Problems is, they bicker and fight all the time.
Samantha is a difficult character. She goes out of her way to be obnoxious and bitchy to Travis. He agrees to hire her - treating her much better than she deserves.
Their relationship grows in spite of Samantha's treatment of Travis. Her self-proclaimed independence and stubbornness is a cover for her ridged idea of what love is and complete dismissal of what contradicts her plans.
Samantha detracts from the story. Travis is a good man and her response to him is one bitchy comment after another.
There is a change in the dynamics in the last 50 pages, but this reader had already had enough of Samantha. I don't really recommend this.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam was used to being at the rodeo with her brother Oscar and his best friend Travis. She never liked Travis but when she needed a job and an apartment after a fight with her parents, Travis stepped up and made her his assistant at the ranch. She is a romance writer and her goal is to get published and make it a career. The two become closer and see different sides to each other. Deep feelings take hold and then things change quickly. Will she get published? Is Travis the one for her? Is she the one for Travis? How will a baby affect the situation? Should she tell him for just leave for New York? Will her parents ever like that she is happy instead of trying to set her up with what they want? Loved the characters and the storyline that keeps you entertained all the way through. So many great situations that they deal with well, and the ending was perfect. Loved the New York visit and her agent. Well done.

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

[Shelf Indulgence · Rating 4 out of 5]

>>>_<<<
My plan was to marry the kind of man I write about in my sweet romance novels, not lose my v-card to the ultimate bad boy… my brother’s best friend…

Women always line up to be with Travis Ray—a handsome, arrogant, alpha, playboy, rodeo star, and billionaire cattle rancher.

I can’t stand Travis, but my brother convinces me to work as his assistant while I get my writing career off the ground.

So I meet with Travis, and our banter turns into him challenging me.
Then kissing me and taking control of my body in ways I’ve never felt before.

But that can’t happen again.
He’s now my new boss.

As time goes on, I see his caring side.
And he continues to look out for me and protect me.

So I let him take me on another ride… on his office desk.
His intoxicating touch sets my whole body on fire, making it pulse with pleasure.

And now — I’m having his baby.

The connection between us feels so right, but my head says he’s all wrong for me.
So I can’t risk opening my heart to him.

Or will Travis prove that he’s everything I’ve always wanted in a man, after all?

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha's parents have an idea if how she should live her life and it doesn't match what she wants so she decides to move out so she can pursue her romance writing and when she tells her brother he tells her he might be able to get her a job where she can move out and still write. But it is as the personal assistant for his best friend and the one man she can't stand.
Travis and her brother have been best friends for years and have been riding in the rodeo together for years and Samantha has seen him with a different girl every night of the rodeo and that is the last kind of man that she can respect. And Travis knows they can't work together. But when he hears her parents putting her down, he steps in a tells them he has hired her.
Things are tense for them from the get go but the sexual tension is even hotter.

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

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samantha has a dream to be a writer and find a nice man who will support her choice of career someday. Her parents have other ideas and keep pressuring her to get married and have babies. In order to get out from under their roof, her brother, Oscar, suggests that she go to work for his friend Travis as his assistant. The only issue with Sam working for Travis? She can't stand him. Sam takes the job and Travis has to admit that she's a good assistant even if they fight all the time. The more time that they spend together, though, the more they can see the attraction of the other. They had one time together at the rodeo before Sam started working for him, but Travis is more and more attracted to her. Then there's a flood in her apartment and his car breaks down and they have even more spicy times together. Suddenly, both of them realize that they are in love, but unsure what to do about it. Can they see their way past fighting all the time to love?

[Lisa Petty (Book Bangers Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha's parents have an idea of what she should be doing with her life get married and pop out some kids. For her, though she has bigger plans to move out on her own and become an author. Her parents don't feel that is a reputable career her brother convinces her to meet up with his best friend Travis. Travis doesn't have time for drama or having to get rid of another assistant. He is busy running the company and being a Rodeo Cowboy. When his best friend asks him to meet with Samantha it is all bad and she hates him. But what will he do but give her a chance when he knows she needs an out? Sam won't take any of his crap and it's funny how they banter back and forth and start to realize that they both aren't that bad. But when lines get crossed what will happen when these take off into uncharted territory? They both have dreams, but can they include each other?

[Ruth R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha was a romance author she still living with her parents,but she wants to go to live by hersrlf because her parents wants her to find a good husband so they have grandkids.
First she wanted to become a good author and her carier stable than her love life,her brother suggested that his best friend wanted a personal secretary, but she dislikes him from their childhood because at the rodeo he flirts with women and he always liked by women.
But her brother convinced her to give it a try because he pays good.
She went to talk to him at the back of stables after his turn at the rodeo,She gaved herself to him,but she still thinks that he is a prick.
When she started working for him she changed her mind about him,because at work he’s another person.

I loved the book from chapter 1.it’s a good story even the writing is good.
Well done Author

[L KQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wake Up Samantha!

Parental expectations are not always what the child wants or needs to be happy with their life. For Samantha, being a writer is her dream and nothing will stop her from achieving that, except she currently needs a job. Her brother sets her up to work for his best friend Travis who is reluctant to hire her. Due to some meddling and forced proximity these two get hot and heavy with a surprise on the way. Unfortunately, Samantha's attitude and decision making get in the way of greatness between them. Overall, this was a fun story where the brother and Travis were wonderful characters.

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

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enjoyable and romantic book to read on a Monday night while the husband watches Monday night football. :) Samantha is an author that wants to find her one true love. Travis is Samantha's brother's best friend who is a cowboy playboy and off limits. So, when the two of them hook up and have some really hot sex thing's change in more ways than one. Will Samantha and Travis get together or will they go their separate ways. What a great cowboy romance book that makes you smile with how things turn out.

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

[Tanya-Marie Zahrte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book grabbed my attention right off the bat. I thought their relationship (basically the first scene) was very rushed. As time went on I realized that there was so much built up sexual tension and already a history of them knowing each other, that it wasn't rushed as I initially thought it was, I finished this book in one sitting. That's how much I couldn't put it down. I really love how Travis and Samantha mix. They don't take bull from one another. Then how Travis always seems to have her back when her parents mingle in her life. That's what every woman wants.

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

[Terra Oenning · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was absolutely fantastic and will definitely have you enthralled from the beginning until the end and the storyline flowed throughout the book. Samantha needs to get out from under parents control when her brother suggest that she takes a job with his best friend Travis as his assistant but b9th don't get along or like each other. When working close together feelings emerge and lines crossed but can they make it work or will someone or something come between them? Great story and absolutely enjoyable story.

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

[Charmaine Nouwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bossy Alpha Protector: A Brother’s Best Friend, Billionaire Boss Romance story of Travis and Samantha..A billionaire, handsome, arrogant, alpha, playboy, rodeo star and a young woman,headstrong,independent and a writer wanna be..He needs an assistant and she become one as a favor from her brother while sheget her writing career off the ground...love their banter,the hate and love afterwards very entertaining..a wonderful,entertaining,steamy wioth a touch of drama and great ending..

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

[Annie Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready to be sucked into a steamy rodeo romance? This is THE one.

Travis and Samantha butt heads throughout the story, creating heat and passion that explodes every time their alone. Even when it was the "last time" last time. Their tension keeps the page turning, a total opposites attract, grumpy-sunshine romance that makes the happily ever after all the sweeter.

I love the surprise pregnancy. I love peaking inside the bad boy's head to see how he became the womanizing grouch and then watch him reform with a love he can't resist.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jill is in a no-win situation when she finds herself homeless and married to a stranger. Sam was drawn to Jill as he watched her work the floor in the casino passing out drinks. He takes her home with him to help her out until they can get their marriage annulled. But when her dangerous ex comes back into the picture will Sam be able to keep Jill safe from him.

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

[Bree Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the first demonstration of the female protagonists strength and humour. Her interactions with the alpha are hilarious. Their steamy interaction drive the action along and into the love story we all want. Such clever writing to show two strong personalities who compromise without compromising self.

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

[Trina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I loved this book. It was a page turner and the suspense was steamy hot. These characters were enemies to lovers were sizzling and their physical attraction was smoking firework and the chemistry was sparking electric. How will her think about this relationship about his sister and best friend and how will he reacted? I highly recommend this book and you won't be disappointed. I received ARC of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Trina Jones

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment you open this book, sparks will fly. On the one hand, Samantha and Travis don't get along and clash almost from the start, but at the same time when they are together the passion and lust are unstoppable and things get hot. If you like the genre of poles falling in love with each other then this is definitely one you should read.

I received an Advance Reader sample of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LA FITCH · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great read. Travis and Samantha have known each other for years as he is best friends with her brother Oscar, and they are rodeo cowboys together. There is a thread of humour throughout the book as they don't like each other until Samantha works for him then it all turns to love. This is a real page turner.

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

[Mindy Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an off limits romance between Samantha and her brother's best friend, Travis. These likeable souls and the unique plot make for an enjoyable read. What starts out as a one time hook up turns into something more. It is a romantic journey with drama and steam, sexual tension and chemistry, humor and charm, and engaging secondary characters. Entertaining!

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

[Kim H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a little bit of everything!! Romance, bad boy, off limits and steam!! Can’t go wrong when you put all those together in a nice little package. I enjoyed how the author created the characters as they are entertaining and kept me invested. I’ll read more by this author for sure!!.

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

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha sure is one feisty woman. But her parents are something else entirely. She has always thought Travis was a player. But she funds out who he really is when she starts working fir him Spicey and funny.

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

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

Manwhore and a virgin. Not my kink. But her getting pregnant? Does this author think women shouldn't get to enjoy having a sex life before being a mother??? He clearly got to enjoy HIS sex life.

Unfortunately, too many books from this author with the same theme: men deserve all the freedoms and women are here to service those freedoms.

[Nicole Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm very impressed!!! Sweet and steamy!😍💞🔥

I don't believe I've ever read this author before, so I am genuinely impressed. This book was well written, I enjoyed both male and female characters. I was pleasantly surprised by Oscar and his actions. What an awesome brother. I would give this book 10 🌟 if I could❣🥰

[Kt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I struggled to get into it, just a bit. But damn, I feel for both Travis and Samantha. The pace was curvy and bubbly and fully enjoyable. A bit of a rough ride in moments. The banter was also top-notch.

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

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha grew up knowing Travis. He was her brother's best friend. She never had a good opinion of him until she became his PA. Really enjoyed how they fell in love and supported each others dreams for the future. Received an advance copy.

[Kerri Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Travis is a sexy cowboy!! And Samantha is a strong willed romance writer. She needs a job to help her with her career goals and Travis needs help. He hired her to be his assistant. They don’t care for each other but can’t deny the chemistry between them. A really great book!