Avocado Protection

by Kaje Harper

When Fynn invented the 'CadoBox, he didn't think it would change his life. Make some money? Sure. Fund his own laboratory? Hell, yeah. But not get him almost kidnapped, and land him with a six-foot-six bodyguard shadowing his every move. Fynn doesn't handle changes well. Having Nolan looming over him has his nerves on edge and his motormouth running. If only the big man wasn't so damned hot.


Nolan's owned his security firm for five years. He's protected many clients. None of them dragged him into their lab and lectured him on avocado offgassing. And none of them seemed as oblivious of both their danger and their attractiveness as Fynn. Bodyguards shouldn't fall for their clients, but it's not "falling" to vow no one's getting near Fynn on his watch.

An opposites-attract, size-difference, bodyguard action romance with an ADHD scientist and the man determined to keep him safe.

Content warning for abduction, violence.

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, Contemporary, Crime, Mystery, Fiction, Family

179 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 18, 2023

About the author

I get asked about my name a lot. It's not something exotic, though. “Kaje” is pronounced just like “cage” – it’s an old nickname, and my pronouns are she/her/hers.

I was born in Montreal but have lived for 30 years in Minnesota, where the two seasons are Snow-removal and Road-repair, where the mosquito is the state bird, and where winter can be breathtakingly beautiful. Minnesota’s a kind, quiet (if sometimes chilly) place and it’s home.

I’ve been writing far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – fifty years*), mostly for my own entertainment, usually M/M romance (with added mystery, fantasy, historical, SciFi…) I also have a few Young Adult stories (some released under the pen name Kira Harp.)

My husband finally convinced me that after all the years of writing for fun, I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out from MLR Press in May 2011. I have a weakness for closeted cops with honest hearts, and teachers who speak their minds, and I had fun writing four novels and three freebie short stories in that series. I was delighted and encouraged by the reception Mac and Tony received.

I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally published. A complete list with links can be found on my website "Books" page at https://kajeharper.com/.

You can find me and my book reviews on my author page here on Goodreads - I hang out on Goodreads a lot because I moderate the Goodreads YA LGBT Books group. I also post free short YA stories on that group, more than 50 of them so far.

You can also find me on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/KajeHarper

Reviews

[~Nicole~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Nothing we haven’t read before 1000 times . A simple bodyguard/clumsy scientist story, cute but totally predictable and formulaic .

[BookSafety Reviews]

MC bones someone else after 20%.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 22%.

Nope to the nope with picking up a stranger after meeting the love interest and having "his dick perk up".

And he actually goes through with the hookup!!!!

🤬👎🏻😡

[Kaje Harper]

Now available wide - currently Amazon and Smashwords, with other sites as soon as the distribution goes through. https://books2read.com/AvocadoProtection

[Agla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another meh read... 2.5 rounded up. The bodyguard and mystery aspects were fun, not sure about realistic but the tension was there. The investigating, not so much. It wasn't possible to guess and we only saw some of it. The relationship was very meh, the development and getting to know each other mostly happened off page I felt. I also felt that it was unbalanced with Nolan doing way more for Fynn than the opposite. It's hard to explain but I didn't really see the connection and sometimes I felt we were putting the cart before the horse. The relationship "resolution" was VERY abrupt. Also, did we need to see Nolan getting a hook-up at the beginning of the book? They had just met and it clearly wasn't cheating but what did that add? It wasn't graphic but still. This author has done WAY better.

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting set of MCs paired with a not-terribly-original setting and plot (bodyguard falls for the protected and vice versa). Despite the strong characterizations, something this author excels at even in short books, the length of the story made it so that the declarations of love felt a bit too rushed. I appreciated the attempt at keeping it as realistic as possible during the climax scenes.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, enjoyable!

Loved the characters, loved the mystery, loved the climax. I thought the aftermath was fine, which means it fit, but it didn't wow me. Glad I scooped this one up on release, it is always fun to read something that departs from an author's usual.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Thank you for the gift, The Bookshelf Elf!

[Caz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute bodyguard/protectee story featuring a nerdy scientist (with ADHD?) who is the target of kidnappers with a bit of plot and action, but the romance is rushed and the ILYs come way too soon.

[PaperMoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best thing about this is that there is no M-M action til late in the day - focus thereby on Nolan and his team's effort to head off Fynn's kidnapping 'threats'. The avocado box concept sounds wonderful - where can I get one???

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

FEEL-GOOD READ FROM START TO FINISH

Disclaimer: To those who read reviews in advance to determine if a book is to their liking or “good”, I will put it out there now, this review is more of subjective opinion (as I am more wont to do) than an objective critique, because I am no critic, nor am I attempting to be one. I don’t see the point in even forcing a strictly objective critique, because we enjoy what we enjoy, and the reasons for that will always be unique to each individual because we are shaped by our unique experiences and predilections. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say. So if you are looking for the more “critique”-esque reviews, this ain’t one of them. :)

Someone once asked me if I ever thought of any book, show, or piece of work as “perfect” and without flaw, after this person got the impression that I am quite finicky when it comes to what I truly like. The thing is, I actually have a very simple (if sometimes hard-to-meet) criteria: Any story that manages to keep me rapt from start to finish and leave me with an overall positive lasting impression afterwards is, in my book, a successful one. If I engage in a story and remain engaged without being jolted out of the characters’ world, emotions, and experiences due to any anomalies in the storytelling that make it implausible, hard to relate to, incongruous, utterly confusing, or just outrageous altogether, that. That’s hands-down worth 5 stars for me. For me, it doesn’t have to be without flaw (if there is even such a thing), it just has to do what stories are supposed to do: Transport you to their world and not release you from it’s delightful (or dark and disturbing)(or all of the above) hold until the ending, and maybe even remain gripping you beyond that.

And in order to achieve that? It has to have that one thing that all great stories cannot do without, i.e. great (ergo well-rounded and endearing) characters; and safe to say, in that aspect, this book definitely delivered. The main character is impossibly charming, oof. Which ensured almost right away that I cared about him to a ridiculous extent (hence, would follow him to the ends of the earth, haha). While I don’t have ADHD, I have met people who do, and while they were all wonderful people, I will admit that their trend of thought and behaviours did throw me for a loop plenty of times, and those were the rare times in my life I felt genuinely lacking and ill-equipped to understand something I so desperately wanted to. My lack of knowledge led me to research about ADHD extensively, and while it did enlighten me a lot, there were still so many things I found hard to grasp. Living vicariously through sweet and innocent Fynn, and witnessing the beautiful relationship that blooms between him and the ever-so-patient and kind-hearted Nolan was a breath of fresh air. It all started to make sense to me: all those scientific articles I read, all those experiences I’ve had with people who have ADHD suddenly clicked into place, and for the first time ever, I found (to my amazement) that suddenly, I could actually relate. Not only to Fynn’s anxiety and panic attacks (because I do have those - from PTSD and such), but also to his ADHD side. I laughed and smiled and cried and struggled with him (my heart broke for him so much), and I fell in love with him deeply just as Nolan did. Nolan on the other hand, was like a beacon of light in Fynn’s once dreary and lonely world, and how can anyone not love a man like that?? Fynn and Nolan have definitely squeezed in up there with my most unforgettable top favourite characters. (Not to say any less about the supporting characters who were all just as lovable—except Micah maybe, haha. Yeah, no. I don’t like him but he’s still a great character.) So in spite of all the technical and whatnot “imperfections” anyone else may find in this story (I did spot some typos, but they weren’t so bad as to ruin the experience as a whole), as far as my criteria for a worthwhile read and how I want my feel-good MM romance? This definitely earned 5 stars from me. (I did find myself wishing they had more sweet-sexy times as I neared the end, but the ending and epilogue certainly made up for it nicely, so I’m happy.)

(Special mention for the cute cover too. I just discovered that most self-published MM romances use stock photos to make their covers, which would explain why most book covers these days look slapdash, badly Photoshopped, unimaginative, generic, and even repetitive—with many using exactly the same stock image, guhhh. But this one is standout pretty. Literally, haha. It helped a lot in visualising how gorgeous Fynn is—unlike with other book covers that don’t even seem to care if it matches the characters or content. I just wish the models were credited like it’s usually done in most publisher-based books.)

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Fairly insta-lovey, but I loved the idea of a ‘CadoBox and appreciated the fact the cover is in an exact scene in the book. There’s some danger and action but quite light considering. Ivdid like the characters and felt the attraction.

[Zoë Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3rd person, past tense, dual POV

Nolan Stone (37), owner of Stone Security
Fynn Dempsey (33), bioscientist, inventor of the 'CadoBox

I was looking for a quick, uncomplicated bathtub read and this happened to pop up in a newsletter as a Bookfunnel Pride freebie. I recalled thinking the synopsis was cute a few months back when it was posted in one of the FB groups I'm a member of but I typically read only KU books and this wasn't enrolled. I love a good bodyguard romance and am a sucker for an awkward, nerdy brainiac.

This perfectly suited the mood I was in. It was slow and sweet and the building tension is believable as Fynn and Nolan spend more and more time together and by virtue of that get to know each other better and better. The caretaking was heartwarming and comforting and I quite enjoyed the slow burn aspect of the story and the fact that the MCs don't actually seal the deal until after the main conflict of who is after Fynn is resolved.

I'm not a fan of avocados, but the quirky premise made me wish that I were and could avail myself of Fynn's invention. I loved the bodyguarding aspect of the story and how though it you could see Nolan fall deeper in love with Fynn as he became more reluctant to leave his protection to other members of his team. The jeopardy Fynn faced felt real and at times I was at the edge of my seat. I did find the final encounter and reveal a little rushed and inelegant, but that's to be somewhat expected with a shorter romance.

I wish Micah and Fynn's relationship had been explored a little more, there are subtle hints throughout that Micah loves his brother, but that doesn't really come across clearly and certainly isn't received by Fynn and it would have been a nice side story.

I was promised a light fun read and that's what I got.

[Trip · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Then maybe we're supposed to stop being loners together."

I loved the concept of this book so much, it was rather unique and entertaining the idea of the Cadobox invention. The whole science behind and Flynn's work, creating device to check ripeness of avocado.

Flynn & Nolan are sweet together, although it felt a lot of their relationship development is off page a lot of telling not shown. Still cute though, as they find comfort in one another and very well suited. Watching shows together, meals and snuggling - nightmares.

Also enjoyed the various action moments too, as the underlying plot with the money and kidnapping. It was entertaining and I loved how Flynn got to kick ass too, he wasn't just sitting around waiting. He takes initiative and is protective too.

Overall it was a quick fun read, with a happy ending for Nolan & Flynn 🥑


Injuries
Nightmares
Car chase
Kidnapping
Gun fights
Bodyguard

Size difference

MC Nolan has a one night stand during the story, before they get together

[Yackie]

I spent my grown up adult money on this and wasn’t disappointed? I was very entertained. A great wackadoodle read ✨

[Kassu · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

Fun and cute. I rather enjoyed it but feel that it didn't rock my world, and I don't really see it being worth 4 stars, though it wouldn't be totally unjustified either.

[Sue Milkovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

AVOCADO ADVENTURE!!!

This is FANTASTIC!!! When I read the name, I thought what??? This is a MAGNIFICENT Book!!! Fynn is a scientist. A li'l absent minded, handsome but a rapid fire brain that doesn't take breaks. Nolan and his security team are hired to keep him safe. KAJE HARPER can create laugh out loud moments when you least expect it. I Loved This different dynamic. Adventurous, hilarious, hot and invokes hunger. Happily Ever After, Epilogue and a MAGNIFICENT recipe. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!

[Chancey "Does not give out 5's like candy" Knowles · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice story. Entertaining enough. It was one of those stories where everything was just enough to be okay, but nothing was more than just "okay to goodish". Nothing was memorable other than how avocados were featured. I did find the scientific stuff interesting and it added to the story for me, but I could see how some might find it tedious.

There were 2 things I found a relief: one was that the brother was not up to nefarious deeds. The other was that there was not a whole lot of whiny dithering about the relationship progressing, instead the bodyguard informs his team as needed and removes himself from payroll for this job. He was decisive and straightforward as a bodyguard, team leader, and owner should always be (especially in that field).

I am a fan of this author, and I will definitely continue to read her works even if this was not my favorite. It was still a very solid read.

[Lora Graham · Rating 2 out of 5]

No likeable characters

Fynn was annoying to me. He was supposed to come off as just the “absent minded professor” type, but he couldn’t control what came out of his mouth and wouldn’t even realize he’d spoken until someone responded. He not only rambled most of the time he spoke, his inner monologue even rambled. And on top of that, he wasn’t even all that bright. Prime example: Nolan told him to bind the bad guy’s hands together with duct tape. Fynn asked what to do. Bind his hands…with duct tape…wtf man. I was as confused as Fynn was when Nolan fell for him.

Micah really did act as if Fynn was just a cash cow rather than a brother, even after Fynn helped save his life. Everyone else in the story were just Nolan’s employees, and they only had surface level interactions. The whole thing was a struggle to get through.

[Sao Reads (smut books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Your spot, here in my arms.” Nolan patted the bed in front of his chest. “Always safe for you.”
“Mushy,” Fynn muttered, pushing to his feet. “Six-foot-six, built like Paul Bunyan, carries a gun, and underneath, he’s mushy.”

📗 4.5 rounded up. Re-read 8th April, 2025. 1st read in 2024.

This was a reread bcuz i forgot to review it last year! It's about Fynn the scientist, who needs protection from Nolan's security company. No kidnapping of mcs take place, and the story begins after an unsuccessful attempt was already made.

To me, this was a no angst read that’s why i loved it more. But has a lot of action and does involve a side character getting kidnapped. But there's no drama, no miscommunication of any kind, besides a mild OM encounter at the beginning (i'll talk about it below).

Also, it’s focused more on the interactions between MCs. So it’s not mystery focused and you won’t be following clues leading up to the unravelling of the kidnapper. But you will get to see the day to day protection that Nolan provides. Tropes at the end.

This has only 1 sex scene (this time no foreplay either) and it was mind blowing. i'm so happy that all the books that i've read so far which has only 1 sex scene in it, have been spectacular!! Love a book that's not littered with unnecessary sex acts. But that's just a preference only.


Starring River as Fynn. Characters are my own and are for review purposes only.

What i liked:

♦ i found the MCs super likeable! Fynn is so adorable, it’s no wonder why Nolan fell for him. And the protector/protected trope was very well executed. Loved how they complimented each other too, Fynn’s need to care for everybody paired with Nolan’s absolutely need to protect him. This turned into his absolute need to care for Fynn as well. 🥺

There was something about Fynn Dempsey that woke all of Nolan’s protective instincts.

♦ The ADHD rep is so well done imo! The way we get a glimpse of Fynn's head to see how his chain of thoughts go, it’s very interesting to see.

♦ The tender loving care. Not all is on page, but the stuff which are, it’s so adorable. It’s got all my fav tropes which are different versions of Acts of Service🥺: Making each other coffee, making each other food, shampooing and rinsing each other in the shower! And then Fynn going on his tippy toes to kiss Nolan. 🥺

♦ The epilogue was fluffy and it was a perfect end to the story. But special mention to the reader interview that happens later! i’ve only ever seen this in BL manhwas and i was pleasantly surprised!!! 👀

♦ It’s action packed. Although none of the MCs were harmed, it does include Fynn having anxieties over it. And i loved how Fynn ultimately overcame his fear.

♦ Because it was Nolan's pov, i love how he kept calling the kidnappers by names like not-shot-fucker and shot-fucker. This was so funny to read and i could sense the immense anger radiating from him.

What i didn’t like:

- There is OM drama here. Nolan takes a guy to a hotel only to give him a blowjob. Well, receive one too. But he wasn't yet with Flynn. Even then, it was icky. i would've preferred if his was dealt off page.


- There are many things that happened after the fact. We only know of it becuz we are told this by Nolan. Like, how he said that he got used to Fynn’s dialogs.

Wanting to throw himself into Nolan’s arms was weak and illogical, and he wasn’t going to do any such thing, but he couldn’t help a moment’s fantasy about being caught and hugged by someone that size. Well, not just someone. Nolan, who’d taken all of Fynn’s weirdnesses in stride so far.

Yes but most of the build up happened off page. Fynn says he wanted to hug Nolan cuz of what they've built up so far and yet, not much happened on page for that to happen. Felt like it came from nowhere.

- Nolan says he gets antsy if he doesn't see Fynn for long. Ok, but what happened to warrant such a reaction from him? Cuz we don't get to see much at all, maybe cuz of the short length of the book? idk. They got together at 58% mark. But yeah, how did they fall in love exactly? Don't know so can't tell.



Tropes: 📗gay x gay, 📗nerd x bodyguard, 📗boss x employee, 📗shy x outgoing, 📗size difference, 📗slow-ish burn, 📗insta like (one side), 📗only one bed, 📗forced proximity, 📗care taking, 📗make him coffee, 📗make him food, 📗bathing together, 📗touch him & die, 📗vers MCs (but Nolan t/ Fynn b, on page), 📗begging (in sex), 📗moaning, 📗no breakup, 📗3rd person dual pov.

CW: Contains OM problem, and violence (not between mcs).

Some cute quotes:

♦ When Fynn came out, hair damp and glasses fogged around the edges, Nolan had a plateful on the table. He waved toward Fynn’s seat, where he’d refilled the obligatory coffee cup. “Park it there and I’ll serve breakfast. You don’t have any fruit except avocados, but there’s jam and I poured orange juice.” Give you some vitamins with the carbs and caffeine.

♦ I don’t want in-house security. If I must have someone lurking in my space and following me around, I want it to be you.

♦ It wasn’t Nolan’s place to argue, even though he worried about Fynn’s blood pressure.

♦ “You like taking care of people.” Fynn was certain bodyguarding wasn’t just a job in Nolan’s skill set, but vitally important to him. “I happen to need guarding.”

♦ “I need a hug.” Not something he’d admit to anyone else in the world, but maybe something Fynn should hear.

♦ “If your humble ordinary civilian test case can make a request, please lock up. Then I’m yours.” -Nolan

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fynn is a nerd who invented a contraption for testing the ripeness of acovados and its made his company millions. Following a kidnap attempt, Fynn's brother hires Nolan's security firm to provide 24/7 bodyguards for Fynn.
I am not sure how much the avocado speak is correct but this was a very quick read with a couple of MCs who seemed to fit well together.

[Gabbi Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, this was so great!

I’m a Kaje Harper fan, so when I got a whiff of this book, I perked right up. I’ll admit, I’m not an avocado fan (both my nieces are and often get it in their hair). I’m not even a guacamole fan (tragic, I know). All that being said, I was fascinated with the offgassing of the fruit as well as the ‘CadoBox. Truthfully, I was intrigued by the premise of the entire story. From Fynn’s obvious quirkiness to Nolan’s fortitude, the two main characters piqued my curiosity.

The story begins when Fynn meets Nolan – his new bodyguard. Fynn would love not to need a bodyguard, but a near-kidnapping has him in a panic and although he doesn’t like change, he admits having Nolan around might not be so bad. Nolan’s owned his own security agency for five years now and nothing untoward has ever happened to a protectee. He becomes fiercely protective of his slightly awkward new charge.

Now, I related to Fynn. He’s got ADD and, having that myself, I saw me reflected in him. The way his mind wanders. Always forgetting even the most basic of things. My chanted mantra when I leave the house is ‘wallet, keys, cellphone’. Even still, I sometimes forget the cellphone. At least I can’t forget the keys because I live in a condo and have to lock up. The rest is relying on my mind, which can be dicey. I have extra cloth bags in the car because I am always leaving mine at home. I have to make a concerted effort to top up the dogs’ water bowl. At least they demand to be fed twice a day and will never go hungry.

But I digress. I loved the portrayal of Fynn because he’s one of the lucky ones with ADD who can cope without meds. I fall into that category, having developed coping skills. I still go down rabbit holes, though.

Nolan’s a man’s man. He works out and keeps in tip top shape for his job. He likes to go to bars to pick up other men. He’s not concerned about people knowing he’s gay – it doesn’t affect how competent he is at his job. He’s also finding himself attracted to the scientist who often blurts out truths and whose life is on the line.

I won’t spoil the climax or the ending. Except to say this is a Kaje Harper romance and I got my happy ending. Some dicey moments, though. I’m still not tempted to try avocados, but I can recommend this wonderful gay romance to everyone.

[Pontiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Fynn’s brother hires a bodyguard to protect him he feels like it’s overkill, but he was nearly kidnapped, so better to be safe. He’s an inventor and has made his and his brother’s company millions, but he’s a loner and wants to be left to his lab.

Nolan likes the quirky scientist who puts out a lot of non sequiturs, but is cute and funny. When a second attempt is made, Fynn takes things more seriously and Nolan finds himself wanting to be there for him and not have his team look after him.

They both feel a pull towards each other and start dating, sort of, so Nolan accompanies Fynn to a meeting with his brother and an investor at the marina. Fynn doesn’t want to see the investor’s yacht, and it turns out he knows him from his previous employment and never liked him then.

Fynn’s brother is taken and Fynn and Nolan chase down the kidnappers by boat, and the investor is the one who was scheming all along to get money out of the company.

A fun little adventure, with quirky Fynn and an interesting invention, the ‘Cado Box, and Nolan, a patient bodyguard who gets him.

[Ulysses Dietz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avocado Protection
By Kaje Harper
Beaten Track Publishing, 2023
Four stars

I happen to love avocados, and eat a lot of them, so right away I was taken by the slightly absurd premise of the book. But I also loved the simple, classic, romantic tropes upon which its narrative is built.

A slightly reclusive and inevitably nerdy scientist, Fynn Dempsey, is assigned a bodyguard, Nolan Stone, after a kidnapping attempt. Nolan is so big he makes Fynn’s not-so-small size seem smaller than he is.

It is not just that opposites attract, but that these men aren’t such total opposites as appearances might suggest. The exploration of that truth is the core of this book’s plot and its charm. Two obvious “types” are revealed to be more insightful and open-minded than we might think. They are more than they appear to be, and therein lie all the surprises that keep us turning the pages as our hearts pound a little faster.

[Dumbledore11214 · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars really.

I have not read the original short story, but I suspect that making it extended did not really help. Look I have seen the mentions of celebrities hooking up with their bodyguards of course and I get that this happens in real life more than once. But I still want to read about people actually doing their jobs well, I appreciate that the bodyguard here does not actually sleep with the client till he is not doing the actual body guarding, but does he not get that thinking about his client as potential lover that much distracts him from doing the job well?

You searched for suspects so well that the idea that actual suspect maybe that came up only when it was basically too late? You should have asked more questions? Well maybe if you thought less about how hot your client was, you would have?

2.5 stars

[Read by Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avocado Protection is a cute book, and a trope I love. Fynn (who for some reason I read as Flynn for a good chunk of the book) is our quirky / nerdy scientist who has made his brother and himself millions on a machine that tells you when an avocado will be ripe.

Someone tries to kidnap him while he is being driven to work one morning, so his brother hires security got him. The kidnapping attempt has already happened when we meet Fynn. We meet Fynn the day he meets his body guard, Nolan Stone - enter our 6 ft 6 tall dark and handsome love interest.

It’s a sweet story and simple with a few moments of action. It’s a slow burn, but you get to the spice, is decent. The book is not very long, sitting at 179 kindle pages. I enjoyed reading it. It’s a nice palate cleanser if you need one.

Over all, really enjoyed this book!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet, bodyguard/scientist story. After a kidnapping attempt Fynn’s brother hires Nolan’s security firm to protect Fynn. Fynn is initially skeptical but ultimately falls for the bodyguard who is more patient and understanding with him than anyone in his life has been. Nolan immediately feels drawn to his client, a huge no-no, when he senses how lonely and alone Fynn is and how little self confidence he has other than his science. When a second attempt occurs and Nolan isn’t there he decides he needs to remedy that and makes sure he is with Fynn most of the time not only because he knows Fynn is more comfortable with him but because Nolan can’t settle when he isn’t nearby Fynn.

It’s a really sweet story of opposites attract and strangers to friends to lovers. The epilogue is cute and I wish there was a further down the line epilogue. It’s a quick, fun read.

[Elizabeth D · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 I read this based solely on its title, lol, and it was an entertaining novella. I liked both Fynn and Nolan, and I appreciated that Nolan actually addresses the issue of being a bodyguard and interested in the person he’s protecting. (There are still a couple of things he could have done smarter, but the team mostly came off as quite competent.) I loved the idea of the ‘CadoBox (I could so use one, lol), and I liked how down to earth Fynn was. He still cared about people (in the abstract, even if he’s bad at interacting with them) and just wants to invent things. I appreciated the story showed ongoing trauma from traumatic events (even if I just want everyone to be happy and healthy). It was nice to see Fynn and Nolan make one another happier.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Fynn saw stars and made a sound he couldn’t spell.”


“Keep my spot safe for me.” He forced his wet-noodle legs to move and sat on the side of the bed.
“Your spot, here in my arms.” Nolan patted the bed in front of his chest. “Always safe for you.”
“Mushy,” Fynn muttered, pushing to his feet. “Six-foot-six, built like Paul Bunyan, carries a gun, and underneath, he’s mushy.”

So, yah. I liked this short story a lot. There wasn’t a lot of development, everything went pretty quickly, but it was sweet to watch these two loners become comfortable with each other and then begin to need to bee together just to feel balanced and normal.

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much fun! I loved the premise of the 'cado box, absent-minded scientist Fynn's ingenious invention, that is such a success that it earns him a kidnap threat. The dynamic between Fynn and security company owner Nolan is lovely, the perfect blend of opposites attract, respect and protectiveness.

I really enjoyed how the romance developed and the romantic suspense plotline played out really satisfyingly. Add a great supporting cast and you have a thoroughly enjoyable story. A delightful read. Now I just need to order a Cado Box!