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Dark Hearts of Redhaven #1
The Broken Protector
Starting over isn't easy when an unexpected hero crashes her plans in this steamy and gripping new small-town enemies-to-lovers romance by Wall Street Journal best-selling author Nicole Snow.
My fresh start turned into a dumpster fire.
Awesome new job. Small town heaven. Friendly faces galore.
Then I strolled into my new home and found the unspeakable.
Just when I'm sure it can't get worse, I'm “rescued” by a man who makes me see red for miles.
Enter Lucas Graves.
A bossy grump with a badge who's sworn to keep me safe.
He rocks the scary-hot vibe, he reads too much, and he never misses a chance to give me crap for being a nerdy little cactus who mouths back.
Not the type of man I'd go for in my right mind.
Definitely not the type I should keep trading bruising kisses with.
Redhaven, North Carolina, has driven me insane.
Why else does my heart race when Lucas gets jealous and overprotective?
How could I think he'll ever share more than another reckless night?
He guards his own battered heart as fiercely as he watches over me.
It can't get more complicated.
Oh, but then it does.
There's a razor-thin line between heartbreak and hope with a broken protector.
He's so wrong for me I could scream.
But I'm not losing sleep over the very real danger I'm in.
I'm terrified that Lucas Graves might be the best thing that's ever happened—if he'd let us happen at all.
This big slice of feel-good small-town romance brings enemies to lovers fire, hilarious sweetness, heart-thumping suspense, and all the butterflies. Smile yourself silly as one big bossy lunk tries to keep his heart and his secrets from the headstrong new girl destined to make him whole.
My fresh start turned into a dumpster fire.
Awesome new job. Small town heaven. Friendly faces galore.
Then I strolled into my new home and found the unspeakable.
Just when I'm sure it can't get worse, I'm “rescued” by a man who makes me see red for miles.
Enter Lucas Graves.
A bossy grump with a badge who's sworn to keep me safe.
He rocks the scary-hot vibe, he reads too much, and he never misses a chance to give me crap for being a nerdy little cactus who mouths back.
Not the type of man I'd go for in my right mind.
Definitely not the type I should keep trading bruising kisses with.
Redhaven, North Carolina, has driven me insane.
Why else does my heart race when Lucas gets jealous and overprotective?
How could I think he'll ever share more than another reckless night?
He guards his own battered heart as fiercely as he watches over me.
It can't get more complicated.
Oh, but then it does.
There's a razor-thin line between heartbreak and hope with a broken protector.
He's so wrong for me I could scream.
But I'm not losing sleep over the very real danger I'm in.
I'm terrified that Lucas Graves might be the best thing that's ever happened—if he'd let us happen at all.
This big slice of feel-good small-town romance brings enemies to lovers fire, hilarious sweetness, heart-thumping suspense, and all the butterflies. Smile yourself silly as one big bossy lunk tries to keep his heart and his secrets from the headstrong new girl destined to make him whole.
Audible Audio
First published June 22, 2023
6885 people are currently reading
3455 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Snow
115 books6,492 followersNicole Snow is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author. She found her love of writing by hashing out love scenes on lunch breaks and plotting her great escape from boardrooms. Her work roared onto the indie romance scene in 2014 with her Grizzlies MC series.
Since then Snow aims for the very best in growly, heart-of-gold alpha heroes, unbelievable suspense, and swoon storms aplenty.
Current fan favorites include her Enguard Protectors series, accidental love novels, plus long beloved MC romance thrillers like the Grizzlies and Deadly Pistols.
Find more about Nicole here:
Website: http://nicolesnowbooks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolesnowbo...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nicol...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NicoleSnowBooks
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Nicole-Snow/e/...
Since then Snow aims for the very best in growly, heart-of-gold alpha heroes, unbelievable suspense, and swoon storms aplenty.
Current fan favorites include her Enguard Protectors series, accidental love novels, plus long beloved MC romance thrillers like the Grizzlies and Deadly Pistols.
Find more about Nicole here:
Website: http://nicolesnowbooks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolesnowbo...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nicol...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NicoleSnowBooks
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Nicole-Snow/e/...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 559 reviews
August 18, 2023
I would consider this more of a mystery than a romance. It starts with Delilah arriving in town from New York. She left behind a creepy stalker ex boyfriend.
She’s moving into the house when she finds a woman’s dead body. Cue murder mystery.
Honestly I would’ve rated higher but then I got to the part where she snoops on his stuff, gets all mad, doesn’t even stick around to let him talk or apologize, then ignores him for a long time.
Then she takes it one step further and does the most idiotic thing she could’ve done. She almost gets herself murdered but it’s all her fault. She puts on the red dress and goes to the party as if she doesn’t know that all these other girls with dark hair and red dresses were murdered after associating with the Arendelle family. Like girl? She doesn’t even bring a weapon or fill Lucas in (because she’s afraid he’ll stop her). It just got on my nerves and made me drop a couple stars off my rating.
She’s moving into the house when she finds a woman’s dead body. Cue murder mystery.
Honestly I would’ve rated higher but then I got to the part where she snoops on his stuff, gets all mad, doesn’t even stick around to let him talk or apologize, then ignores him for a long time.
Then she takes it one step further and does the most idiotic thing she could’ve done. She almost gets herself murdered but it’s all her fault. She puts on the red dress and goes to the party as if she doesn’t know that all these other girls with dark hair and red dresses were murdered after associating with the Arendelle family. Like girl? She doesn’t even bring a weapon or fill Lucas in (because she’s afraid he’ll stop her). It just got on my nerves and made me drop a couple stars off my rating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2025
4.5/5⭐️
this had me hooked! from start to finish. it’s a really good suspenseful romance that keeps the pages turning, i loved the banter and drama and romance and everything!
this had me hooked! from start to finish. it’s a really good suspenseful romance that keeps the pages turning, i loved the banter and drama and romance and everything!
August 21, 2023
The Broken Protector is the first book in a brand new Red Haven series. This book is a stand alone with no cliffhanger, is more of a murder mystery, light on the romance, drags slowly at times and has a HEA. The FMC is 12 years younger than the MMC but did she have to be so childish? And the MMC just laughed it off and kept coming back for more! Definitely not what I expected, to those who like murder, thriller books, this one is for you.
Trigger Warning: Foster Care, Stalking, Kidnapping, Missing Persons, Murder and Vandalism.
In small town Red Haven, NC, there is little to no crime but that changes when Delilah arrives in town from NYC for a teaching position. As she opens the door to her new home, there lays a dead woman. Maybe, she should turn around and go back home, but wait, her ex is stalking her, so, NO.
Lucas stays mostly bored with his job as Lieutenant on the police force, so, he mostly reads to pass the time. When a dead body call comes in, and he meets the feisty new resident he knows his life is about to get interesting.
Lilah throws off attitude at all times and has taken a dislike to Lucas and calls him different dick names mostly. He's attracted and makes up excuses to watch out for her, which only makes her madder. They start comparing ideas about the murder and she becomes a target.
Lucas tries to keep her safe but she thinks she's smarter and sets out to hunt a murder. Turns out she's the one being hunted, can Lucas save her in time?
Trigger Warning: Foster Care, Stalking, Kidnapping, Missing Persons, Murder and Vandalism.
In small town Red Haven, NC, there is little to no crime but that changes when Delilah arrives in town from NYC for a teaching position. As she opens the door to her new home, there lays a dead woman. Maybe, she should turn around and go back home, but wait, her ex is stalking her, so, NO.
Lucas stays mostly bored with his job as Lieutenant on the police force, so, he mostly reads to pass the time. When a dead body call comes in, and he meets the feisty new resident he knows his life is about to get interesting.
Lilah throws off attitude at all times and has taken a dislike to Lucas and calls him different dick names mostly. He's attracted and makes up excuses to watch out for her, which only makes her madder. They start comparing ideas about the murder and she becomes a target.
Lucas tries to keep her safe but she thinks she's smarter and sets out to hunt a murder. Turns out she's the one being hunted, can Lucas save her in time?
April 17, 2024
3.5 star
"We’ll have sick days and bad days and tragic days where life and death becomes more than bickering over what type of potato salad to bring to the police picnic. But as long as we always love harder than we fight, we’ll always find our way back to the light. We’ll find our fireflies. And we’ll always kiss away the wounds we claw in each other before carving sweeter ones with the way we crash together in bed. That’s who we are. It’s who we need to be together. It’s what makes us stronger, when we never crumble, never waver."
This is a new author to me. I accidentally came upon this book and thought it looked interesting, so I decided to check it out. From the beginning, I was engrossed. I didn't find a moment where I was bored with this book.
"We’ll have sick days and bad days and tragic days where life and death becomes more than bickering over what type of potato salad to bring to the police picnic. But as long as we always love harder than we fight, we’ll always find our way back to the light. We’ll find our fireflies. And we’ll always kiss away the wounds we claw in each other before carving sweeter ones with the way we crash together in bed. That’s who we are. It’s who we need to be together. It’s what makes us stronger, when we never crumble, never waver."
This is a new author to me. I accidentally came upon this book and thought it looked interesting, so I decided to check it out. From the beginning, I was engrossed. I didn't find a moment where I was bored with this book.
August 31, 2023
This book is sooo bad. it was way too rushed and it was very obvious who the killers were from the very beginning of the book. Not to mention the second hand embarrassment every other page. This author does not know how to write at all.
March 26, 2024
THE GIRL IS SO STUPID LIKE SHE GOES TO A PARTY DRESSED LIKE THE PAST VICTIMS WITH NO WEAPON AND TOLD NO ONE ABOUT IT
May 3, 2024
I am truly shook by this book. It’s a murder mystery, stalker drama, small town, big city romance all in one. I adore the main characters and can see the southern charm abounds! This was my first book by this author and there will be many more in my TBR!!
July 31, 2023
Delilah moves to Redhaven to become the new K-4 school teacher. She gets a deal that seems too good to be true. Free board, a good salary and a moving stipend that has her leaving NYC to begin a new life. Lucas is a cop in town and soon discovers Delilah is the new teacher. She discovers a dead body upon arriving at her new home and so begins their tale. She is prickly and acts like a toddler towards Lucas. He is 36 and she is 24, but you would never know it by their childish interactions. She argues constantly and he gives it right back to her. She did have a sad childhood that left her with trust issues. It also left her with a big prickly wall around her that Lucas accurately described as a cactus. She bumbles and stumbles her way through more than one terrifying incident and seems to not understand that Lucas is there to help. I didn't care for her much through this story. Felt she owed Lucas a whole bunch of apologies. All of their problems weren't created by Lucas and she needed to more than own her toddler behavior. He took on her issues without making her feel bad about herself. Too bad that there were quite a few times when she delivered some pretty big low blows his way. I couldn't understand why anyone was trying to get her attention when she behaved so horribly. I did like their ending, but wanted to see her treating Lucas with care and not sass.
July 8, 2023
Cliche, predictable, skipped to the end
I chose this as a KU read because I always see ads for this author's books, the covers are always smoking hot, and it sounded good. I tried but I read as much as I could (48%) then read the ending to confirm I guessed correctly. I did. It's predictable and cliche. I love long books, but only when all the words are needed. This is way too wordy, using multiple phrases to express things constantly. It also needs a good edit. One example is whether the Arrendell family has 3 or 4 sons. It depends on what page you read.🤷♀️ And, possibly a minor spoiler, the second time she ran outside barefoot without calling 911, all I could do was think about the commercial that pokes fun at cliche horror movies.
Why two stars and not one? I hate giving one stars, and the book had potential with elements I usually enjoy.
I chose this as a KU read because I always see ads for this author's books, the covers are always smoking hot, and it sounded good. I tried but I read as much as I could (48%) then read the ending to confirm I guessed correctly. I did. It's predictable and cliche. I love long books, but only when all the words are needed. This is way too wordy, using multiple phrases to express things constantly. It also needs a good edit. One example is whether the Arrendell family has 3 or 4 sons. It depends on what page you read.🤷♀️ And, possibly a minor spoiler, the second time she ran outside barefoot without calling 911, all I could do was think about the commercial that pokes fun at cliche horror movies.
Why two stars and not one? I hate giving one stars, and the book had potential with elements I usually enjoy.
June 18, 2023
Talk about a page turner that leaves you on the edge of your seat, this was absolutely fantastic! I was hooked from the very first page, there was mystery, suspense and intrigue at every turn. It had the usual witty banter I have come to love between local police officer Lucas Grave and New Yorker Delilah who has moved to the small town of Redhaven in North Carolina to teach K-4.
She was an absolute spitfire and Lucas knew exactly which buttons to press to get her riled up. His grumpy exterior was just a facade for his mushy overprotective true core. It was so exciting to see them banter back and forth and the big epic conclusion honestly had me enthralled. I loved every minute of this.
She was an absolute spitfire and Lucas knew exactly which buttons to press to get her riled up. His grumpy exterior was just a facade for his mushy overprotective true core. It was so exciting to see them banter back and forth and the big epic conclusion honestly had me enthralled. I loved every minute of this.
January 19, 2024
Hooked!
I haven’t been reviewing books for a while because I’ve been in the worst reading slump. This book has definitely pulled me out! I was completely hooked by the end of chapter 1! There was so much mystery and secrets I just HAD to know what was going to happen next! I loved every bit! Ok there was a let TSTL moments with Delilah that definitely made me want to smack her. And Lucas had some moments he definitely deserved a Gibbs head slap but overall it was a fantastic book! I had my suspicions throughout of who the “bad guy” was but I have to admit when the truth finally came out I was a little shocked! In a good way. There’s definitely a lot happening and I really enjoyed it all! I can’t wait to read the second book and I hope there will be more in this series!
I haven’t been reviewing books for a while because I’ve been in the worst reading slump. This book has definitely pulled me out! I was completely hooked by the end of chapter 1! There was so much mystery and secrets I just HAD to know what was going to happen next! I loved every bit! Ok there was a let TSTL moments with Delilah that definitely made me want to smack her. And Lucas had some moments he definitely deserved a Gibbs head slap but overall it was a fantastic book! I had my suspicions throughout of who the “bad guy” was but I have to admit when the truth finally came out I was a little shocked! In a good way. There’s definitely a lot happening and I really enjoyed it all! I can’t wait to read the second book and I hope there will be more in this series!
July 23, 2023
A little more of a thriller than I usually go for
June 19, 2023
Delilah, a city girl from New York, finds herself a job in small town Redhaven, North Carolina. Although she was happy to leave and start a new life, she didn't know what to expect in her new adventure. Delilah is a teacher. Work was one of the reasons she left New York, but she left mostly for more personal reasons.
Lieutenant Lucas Graves works for the police department in Redhaven. He was born and raised there. As soon as he meets Delilah, he feels a strong, possessive pull and a protectiveness towards her he finds hard to explain. Maybe it's because she's just witnessed something no one should ever have to see, maybe it's because of his past, or maybe it's something else. All he knows is that Delilah is starting to mean something to him. To Lucas's dismay, Delilah seems to be getting tangled up in all things Redhaven which included the mansion on the hill and it's occupants, the Arrendells, that run way too much in this small town. Lucas just wants to keep Delilah safe and in his life.
In Redhaven, sometimes bad things happen and no one is held accountable, whether it be because of status or lack of evidence. Lucas has his reasons for not liking the Arrendells, but today as it stands, he has a bigger fight in this game, he just hopes he's able to win.
Lots of mystery and intrigue! These characters, whether good or evil, are so compelling and vital to this story, I could not wait to find out what would happen next!! The phenomenal writing had me hooked and wanting more! Redhaven has my full attention and it's captured me hook, line and sinker!! So excited for what's to come!!!
AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ!!!
Lieutenant Lucas Graves works for the police department in Redhaven. He was born and raised there. As soon as he meets Delilah, he feels a strong, possessive pull and a protectiveness towards her he finds hard to explain. Maybe it's because she's just witnessed something no one should ever have to see, maybe it's because of his past, or maybe it's something else. All he knows is that Delilah is starting to mean something to him. To Lucas's dismay, Delilah seems to be getting tangled up in all things Redhaven which included the mansion on the hill and it's occupants, the Arrendells, that run way too much in this small town. Lucas just wants to keep Delilah safe and in his life.
In Redhaven, sometimes bad things happen and no one is held accountable, whether it be because of status or lack of evidence. Lucas has his reasons for not liking the Arrendells, but today as it stands, he has a bigger fight in this game, he just hopes he's able to win.
Lots of mystery and intrigue! These characters, whether good or evil, are so compelling and vital to this story, I could not wait to find out what would happen next!! The phenomenal writing had me hooked and wanting more! Redhaven has my full attention and it's captured me hook, line and sinker!! So excited for what's to come!!!
AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ!!!
January 1, 2024
The FMC made me want to scream…
I gave this two stars because the writing is good. The story itself had so much potential and I could have really liked it!
However, the female MC was infuriating throughout the entire story. She was argumentative, defensive & plain infuriating with her horrible choices. It felt as though she made bad choices just to spite a man who cared about her and didn’t want her to get MURDERED.
I love a good story where a female character saves herself and/or everyone else but all this one did was act like a petulant child that had to be rescued by the same guy she tells to kick rocks for her poor choices which he warns her not to make in the first place!!!
I gave this two stars because the writing is good. The story itself had so much potential and I could have really liked it!
However, the female MC was infuriating throughout the entire story. She was argumentative, defensive & plain infuriating with her horrible choices. It felt as though she made bad choices just to spite a man who cared about her and didn’t want her to get MURDERED.
I love a good story where a female character saves herself and/or everyone else but all this one did was act like a petulant child that had to be rescued by the same guy she tells to kick rocks for her poor choices which he warns her not to make in the first place!!!
June 19, 2023
This book will get your heart racing and keep you at the edge of your seat from beginning to end! The protective police officer and the spitfire teacher have A+ banter and chemistry!
Seriously the banter between Lucas and Delilah is absolutely delightful! She's sarcastic and strong and he's cocky and funny. She moves to his small town and bad things start happening. Between murders and stalkers and crazy hill folk, Delilah and Lucas fall hard and fast for one another. They both can be hot headed and it makes for some epic spicy scenes. I can't wait for more stories from this small town!
I received an ARC for an honest review.
Seriously the banter between Lucas and Delilah is absolutely delightful! She's sarcastic and strong and he's cocky and funny. She moves to his small town and bad things start happening. Between murders and stalkers and crazy hill folk, Delilah and Lucas fall hard and fast for one another. They both can be hot headed and it makes for some epic spicy scenes. I can't wait for more stories from this small town!
I received an ARC for an honest review.
July 4, 2023
Boring and too much Nothing
Boring boring boring. Looking for a romantic suspense and I get a boring female character who thinks and describes people and her surroundings a lot. Who cares. Is something interesting going to happen besides the anticlimactic dead body?
Done at 15 percent as this chick thinks and talks entirely too much. These characters are strange and boring for this reader.
Boring boring boring. Looking for a romantic suspense and I get a boring female character who thinks and describes people and her surroundings a lot. Who cares. Is something interesting going to happen besides the anticlimactic dead body?
Done at 15 percent as this chick thinks and talks entirely too much. These characters are strange and boring for this reader.
December 11, 2024
1.5 ⭐️
Book 1 in the Dark Hearts of Redhaven series.
Lucas and Delilah ❤️
Firstly, why did this book feel like it was 1000 pages long?
You could not pay me to believe that there was actual romance. No. Like where. Please tell me. And yes, this has suspense/thriller vibes too but again they were WEAK.
It just irritated me and the best part of it was finishing it 🤷🏼♀️
Book 1 in the Dark Hearts of Redhaven series.
Lucas and Delilah ❤️
Firstly, why did this book feel like it was 1000 pages long?
You could not pay me to believe that there was actual romance. No. Like where. Please tell me. And yes, this has suspense/thriller vibes too but again they were WEAK.
It just irritated me and the best part of it was finishing it 🤷🏼♀️
July 12, 2023
Just No
Here we have yet another author who created a female lead character who's to stupid to function in a normal way. Her reaction to every event is anger and stupid remarks. Done with this book. Did not finish.
Here we have yet another author who created a female lead character who's to stupid to function in a normal way. Her reaction to every event is anger and stupid remarks. Done with this book. Did not finish.
March 5, 2024
it was fine kinda boring
February 27, 2024
This 444 page journey was packed with crazy rich people, entitlement, deceit, dead bodies and never ending betrayal!
Right smack in the middle of all this madness, was Sheriff Lucas and School Teacher, Delilah, whom I absolutely loved! They both had been abandoned by love ones, some had a choice but others did not. They spent quite a bit of the story trying to overcome their trust issues.
Nevertheless, they found themselves battling lethal serial killers and dangerous stalkers. I so did not expect that when I chose this book.
Quite shocking!
January 21, 2024
boring
This book has potential but oh my Atlanta I couldn’t even finish it. I stopped at 33%.
The main characters had no chemistry. I was just bored out of my mind reading it, and I feel like it’s stole time away from my life that I will never get back. And I am one of those people that tries to finish a book all the way through even if I don’t like it and I couldn’t do it.
I think possibly maybe I’m not into small town tropes?
I do like some of Nicole‘s other books, so nothing against her. This storyline just wasn’t meant for my taste I suppose.
This book has potential but oh my Atlanta I couldn’t even finish it. I stopped at 33%.
The main characters had no chemistry. I was just bored out of my mind reading it, and I feel like it’s stole time away from my life that I will never get back. And I am one of those people that tries to finish a book all the way through even if I don’t like it and I couldn’t do it.
I think possibly maybe I’m not into small town tropes?
I do like some of Nicole‘s other books, so nothing against her. This storyline just wasn’t meant for my taste I suppose.
July 3, 2024
Disappointing.
This author is no longer for me. I have tried many books over the years and they’ve been hit or miss and more misses lately. This had an interesting plot, but the execution was over all over the place with internal dialogue that exhausted the brain, and the conclusion after sticking with it was anti-climatic.
This author is no longer for me. I have tried many books over the years and they’ve been hit or miss and more misses lately. This had an interesting plot, but the execution was over all over the place with internal dialogue that exhausted the brain, and the conclusion after sticking with it was anti-climatic.
January 5, 2024
I could not finish this book because of the writing. In no real world would a 24 year old main character be this far into her head with the internal dialogue. The premise was dumb of being hired for a teaching position in the middle of no where. The dialogue was painful along with the romance, and I just needed to end it by jumping ahead to the last 3 chapters.
February 12, 2024
Lucas, a cop and Delilah, a new to town teacher. The book is a murder mystery romance. The murder mystery was excellent, but the writing of the book just left me skipping paragraphs at a time to just get over it. Too much repetitive thinking and junk written.
May 25, 2024
Started out strong but I grew to despise the MFC because can you not be more stupidly annoying?! 3.5 ⭐
Read
July 22, 2024It’s a DNF for me.
August 26, 2024
This was an unintentional read. I took it at face value when the description identified this as an enemies to lovers romance. There was nothing in the description that eluded to it being a mystery/suspense story. So. a misleading description to say the least. If I had been forwarned that it wasn't really a straight romance book, but more of a suspense, then I would have been better prepared for the stressful read that it turned out to be for me. However, if I had intentionally chose to read a suspense, I would say this was a good book.
raincheck-might-return-to-one-day
September 2, 2024(9/1/2024- Borrowed KU loaner; read to 17%; not feelin' it; returned to Amz)
December 6, 2024
Wanted this to be good - it sure wasn’t
Displaying 1 - 30 of 559 reviews