Protector

Kensley Panthers #5

by Nicole Dykes

Zachary Olson
I screwed up. Big time. I hurt someone, and I hate myself for it.
I’m barely eighteen and already completely exhausted. Tired of being haunted by secrets and guilt.
My biggest regret, though, is keeping it all from Adam—my best friend, teammate, protector. My everything since I can remember.
And how do I repay him? By keeping these secrets locked up inside. Secrets I know would destroy us.
But I’m not sure how much longer I can do it. No matter how catastrophic the consequences.

Adam Bates
He won’t talk to me.
He’s never kept secrets from me before. We’re both quiet guys who keep to ourselves. But that’s never applied to each other.
I know something is wrong, but my best friend has shut me out.
How can I keep him safe if he won’t talk to me?
All my life, I’ve taken on this role—doing what’s right, no matter what. Watching out for everyone, on and off the field—especially Zach.
And I won’t fail him now, when he needs me more than ever.
Because this is who I am and what I do . . .
I’m the protector.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, M M Romance, Romance, Sports, Sports Romance, High School, Contemporary

202 pages, Paperback

Published December 5, 2023

About the author

Nicole Dykes is a wife and a professional assistant/mom to two gorgeous girls. Currently residing in Kansas, she’s a lover of coffee, Kansas City Chiefs, and all things romance.

She's found her passion in writing M/M romance because love is love is love. Some popular works include Hostile, The Spark of Hope Series, and The Kensley Panthers Series!

Email at nicoledykes_author@yahoo.com

Or visit my website at Www.authornicoledykes.com

Reviews

[Marci · Rating 1 out of 5]

The rest of the day goes by so slowly, I want to poke myself with a pencil just to get some damn excitement. Seriously, I’m ready to graduate and be done.

That was me reading this…😴 An amalgamation of various Nicole characters plus the exact same plot I’ve come to expect. No chemistry, no sparks. We’re seniors in high school! That sucks… What are we going to do next with our lives? Insert conflict that gets easily solved. Awww we’ll make it though. We have each other. I love you, you love me. Here’s a cameo of the previous characters just saying hey. Sex sex sex. The end. Okay but catch me reading one of her books in like five days time. I’ll never quit you, Nicole!!!

[Renae Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Protector is the final entry in the Kensley Panthers series and my goodness was it such a refreshingly low angst and fitting finale for this series. Adam and Zach are so darn cute together as they figure out their changing feelings for one another and what that means. Their newly awakened feelings for one another felt genuine and natural, all within a state of complete honesty and comfortability with one another, which made for such a fun and light read.

Overall I loved getting to see these characters again and I look forward to the spin-offs. I loved being back in this small town and cannot wait to revisit it from time to time.

*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was hard to rate. I think it's a 2.5 and rounding up to 3 feels overly generous.

The first 45% drove me nuts because it was just going round in circles with so much repetition and the conflict with Chloe made zero sense to me. Is it an American thing that you're going to stay with the first person you have sex with for the rest of your life? For me it was blown way out of proportion and I just didn't get why Zach felt guilty for breaking up with someone when it wasn't working. You don't owe anyone an in depth discussion, if it's not working it's not working! I don't think I even know anyone who's in a relationship with the person they lost their virginity to, it's such a foreign concept to me 😂 I also feel like virginity isn't that big a deal in England, definitely not the part I live in anyway, so the whole thing was just ridiculous to me. I'm also an atheist so the whole religion aspect with virginity and virtue also doesn't compute for me 😬

The middle part was so much better, definitely a solid 4 stars and I loved how they were tentatively starting to move from friendship to more. It was very cute.

BUT then the huge time jumps kicked in, which I hate! So the last part of the book went back down to 2 stars for me. The time jumps really irritated me because I want to see the relationship building. I don't give a shit about jumping forward a month or so just to have a sex scene with a brief mention that time has passed. That's not telling a romance story, it's just stringing together sex scenes with a few sentences that don't mention sex. I'm over it 🙄🙄🙄

I also found the whole custody/guardian thing completely unbelievable. The stepdad backed off so easily and the parents moving away was just too convenient for me.

I honestly don't know why I keep reading books from this author and expecting them to be deeper than a puddle but I think I've finally learnt my lesson 😂

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4 stars ⭐️

«He’s not someone I’m allowed to drool over. Not at all. It’s not right. He’s my best friend.
My protector. My fucking everything.»

Best friends to lovers, low angst small town romance.

This series had its ups and downs for me, but Protector was a solid finish.
Friends to lovers are always fun — add in a sexuality awakening and some steamy first times and I’m hooked.

Unfortunately, it was a tad too sugary sweet for me and very fairy-tale happy ending.
The ex drama was also annoying after a while.

All in all, cute & sweetness-galore romance.

CW and tropes(spoilers):
- Friends to lovers
- Small town
- New adult
- Demi MC
- Sexuality and queer awakening
- Pining
- Virgin MC
- First times
- Abusive stepfather
- Mentions of child physical abuse
- Vers MCs
- Flip-fuck
- Brief rimming

[Sheena · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars

sweetest fucking thing ever 😭 this is why i love best friends to lovers 🥹

His smile is blinding as he looks over at me happily. And yeah, this may feel totally unreal, but it’s not. This is the man I’m going to spend the rest of my life with. I can feel it. I always knew he’d be part of my life, but never in a million years did I dream I could have all this.

[martina (the life of a chaotic reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

i’m so sad that i have to let this world go!!! yes, i know there will be spin-offs but i got attached.
this is another wonderful addition to the series, but what i loved the most was how the whole town is starting to change. idk nicole always feels me with so much hope and love it’s beautiful and i love her

i read an arc and this is my honest opinion

[Jane aka Coughy019 (Safety info included) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes: friends to lovers, hurt/comfort, small town
Feels: 4.5/5
Steam*: 3.5/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: child abuse, parental neglect and abandonment, homophobia, demisexual rep, teen pregnancy of a minor character

Adam is Jameson's little brother (Jameson had an earlier book). Adam is 18 and all he wants really is to take over the family farm someday. Zach is his best friend. Zach broke up with his girlfriend a few months back and he's been messed up since. It takes a while for Adam to get the story out of Zach, but Zach has realized he's gay after a horrible attempt to be straight with his ex Chloe. Zach is also dealing with an abusive stepfather and neglectful head in the sand mother. Zach has two younger sisters, a 13-year-old and 8-year-old, and he's very worried about their safety in that house.

Adam comes to the realization that he is demisexual. He's never really been attracted to anyone but he's feeling things for Zach, they are very close and trust each other. They explore their sexuality together and are very quick to the friendship and love that they felt for each other over the years into romantic love. They are it for each other. But Zach has a lot of pressure on him, a lot of it put on himself because he's not fully trusting the people around him to help. Zach is afraid to come out and openly be with Adam because at some point soon he might need to be filing for custody for his siblings and homophobia in their small town may give them trouble.

This book was the last in the Kensley series. It honestly felt like a warm hug. It had a lot in common with Keeper, the first book in the series which I absolutely adored. But it was its own unique story, these characters had their own struggles and ambitions. I liked it a lot. Though Keeper is locked in as my fav. I loved how natural their feelings were. The demisexual journey and struggle could have probably progressed slower and more naturally than it did. But it's a short book so I'll give it a pass especially because there was a starting point of emotional connection from their years long friendship. I liked the role that the Bates family played in supporting Zach and his sisters. It added a lot of realism (Zach was never going to be able to be able to be a parent to his siblings at barely 18) and it gave Zach and Adam a shot at their youth. I love that Adam told his mom not to buy stuff for Zach, he knew Zach very well and knew that he already felt indebted enough. It was a nice little moment of him being a good partner.

I loved getting to see the characters from the past books pop up. Especially came off as natural when people pitched in and helped building the house. All the characters are so likable. Oakley was especially adorable. It was funny how everybody guessed / knew that Zach and Adam were a couple, even though they were trying to keep it a secret their feelings just shone through and they were not subtle.

Some notable moments:

"No matter what, I’m going to make damn sure he has everything he wants. He doesn’t need things. He needs security."

"“I fucking knew it,” Oakley says, doing an honest-to-God fist pump like he solved a mystery. “Oakley . . .” Travis warns, and Zach walks over to me, grabbing my face in his hands and leaving a loud smacking kiss on my lips. “You called it. Probably the worst-kept secret around, but still.” Zach looks into my eyes as he drops his hands and releases me. “We’re together.” “Knew it,” Oakley says."


*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.

**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.

[⋆｡°✮ Lucy InTheSky ✮°｡⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐ for the story, but -

and there's a big but to this series

- even though I've rated most of the books here with 3.5⭐, I have to point out that I absolutely loved Kensley and all of the characters included here, I loved all the MMCs and the couples.



This book is about Adam and Noah, two childhood besties who fall in love. Adam is Jameson's younger brother and I remember Adam from Guarded - it was the best book in this series for me - I disliked Adam very much back then, but in his book, Adam actually turns out to be a great character.

🔵 Best friends-to-lovers
🟢 Both MMCs high-school seniors, football players
🟡 Demisexual rep.
🟣 Coming out
🟠 Some m/f drama
🔴 Some domestic violence, but not prevalent in the story
🌶️ Good spice; one virgin; both vers

Adam and Noah are best friends and football players who are finishing high school with Adam taking over the family farm that Jameson didn't want, building his house on the property and basically involving Noah in his plans, since the guys are really, really close.

Adam being a demisexual is well represented, these guys go from really good friends to slowly peeling off layers of their possible attraction to one another.

Adam and Noah in front of their new house at the end of the book.



They're high school kids, yet oftentimes it felt like they were about 10 years older. Even though the story started out adorably awkward, I think the dialogues shouldn't be as serious. I wanted more of that cute awkwardness with Noah getting his wish come true, but him verbalising that it was a life-long wish for him to get with Adam, they should've talked about that more.

Adam and Noah were just smooth sailing all along and that's fine, but the story didn't pull me in as much precisely because of that, it was a very quick read and I think maybe at least some other things could be added, maybe coming out to the town or some drama with Noah's family maybe, something to make it a little more interesting.

Noah had a bad situation at home, but the story doesn't delve too deep into that, we don't get any on-page violence, Noah simply takes care of his younger sisters and eventually takes them away from that environment, their home life isn't the main topic, so the story basically doesn't have any angst, conflicts or confrontations on that part.

The spice was pretty great, the sex scenes weren't prolongued, they were shortened to a few sentences, but I actually liked it, it was short and to the point and happened many times on-page. I really liked their first kiss and first time having sex.
More of their intimacy could've been added aswell, like waking up together or cuddling or anything of the sort, they loved each other as friends and now as lovers, but I wanted that transition to be described a bit more.


Overall it's a cute story with no angst and ends this series on a sweet note.
I wasn't willing to part with Kensley, so I'm glad the author is making 2 spin-off series.

[Lady Macbeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Final book of the Kensley Panthers series.
Adam (Jameson's younger brother) and Zach have been best friends since forever: Zach is gay and totally in the closet, he dated a girl the year before, but their relationship didn't end well (their story is anticipated in Guarded); he doesn't have a loving family and his stepfather is abusive. He needs to protect his little sisters, but the secret about his sexuality is making him drown.
Adam love the farm lives and he's ready to take more respoinsibilities. He's very close to Zach and he would do anything to protect his friend: his reaction when finally Zach comes out to him is beautiful, he's determined to support Zach in every aspect of his life.

Adam's sexual awakening was well handled: they do not jump immediately into a physical relationship, Adam needs time to sort out all the new emotions he's feeling and Zach never pressures him for more.

What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
All the drama caused by Chloe seemed unnecessary, Zach constantly blaming himself was not right.
The second part seems less lack of a bit of tension.
Mr and Mrs. Bates, Adam's parents, seem very different from Jameson's book. They're way more attentive to his son's life, more welcoming and ready to do all is necessary to make him happy.
In Jameson's story, it seemed he was on his own. Even the farm chores were more demanding: Jameson had a little free time and had to hang out with Garrison at night. Here, Zach and Adam spend a lot of afternoons together.
Adam himself is different: in more than one occasion, in Guarded, he scolded his brother for not wanting not only the land, but also a family and he pushed him to end things with Garrison and follow a more traditional path. But here, until he falls in love with Zach, is very far from wanting a wife family for himself.

Anyway. it was a nice ending for a very lovely series.

[Lea Branov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protector was the perfect ending to a perfect series. Zach and Adam were just so adorable together, I love how Adam accepted Zach and his feelings for Zach so easily. It was really nice seeing past characters as well. I’m pretty sure Oakley and Travis will forever be my favourite Kensley Panthers but Zach and Adam are a close second. I’m super excited for the series with Oakley’s crew and the Big Bend Bears series!

[Aricka Decker · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If you last until I come inside you, you can have my ass right after.”

There is always going to be something about friends to lovers that always just does it for me. Without fault they usually always end up at around the 4 star or more rang unless something crazy happens or the writing is just unbearable. But I find this author writes stories that are easily enjoyed without having to put too much thought or effort into them and writes simple in complex stories that you can just vibe out to. Some characters click more than others but both her friends to lovers in this series were good to me. I found both Zach and Adam enjoyable and I was rooting for them both especially since this town sucks major ass and not in a good way Zach’s “parents” are trash and Adam’s have redeemed themselves. I feel like this could have been a hard hitting emotional journey but that’s not what this series is so I won’t hold that against them; which is hypocritical of me since I have with other books. But it’s my review and my option so I don’t particularly care. I enjoyed this, and it was one of those books that nothing actually happened and I like that shit. The whole slice of life shit is my kind of thing. And watching Adam and Zach fall for each other was just an easy no thoughts just chill type of vibe I was into at the time and thus 4 ⭐️s for the final in the Kensley Panthers series.

[lakshmi · Rating 1 out of 5]

this series is definitely not for me, it wasn’t in any way gripping. It says a lot when you stop midway through to re read an oldie to get back in the reading mood 😭

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"He’s my best friend. My protector. My fucking everything."

Omg this was SO sweet 🥺
Nicole knows how to write a perfect "friends to lovers", I loved every page of this book.

They had a big journey of self discovery, not just their sexualities, but what they wanted in their future and how they can protect each other and their families.

"Because that’s exactly what Zachary Olson—soon-to-be Bates, if I have anything to say about it—is to me.
He’s my home. My comfort."

[Jacqueleen the Reading Queen♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"No matter what the world throws at us. No matter what we need to overcome. At the end of the day, it's just us.

Zach and Adam."

I just loved these two!! If ever there was a couple that was a perfect fit it would be Zach and Adam. Not only are they best friends, but they are just so much alike. Both are stubborn as hell and protective over those they love. They aren't into the drinking and party scene. Spending time together on Adam's parents farm or at the swimming hole is much more their speed. They pretty much spend all their free time with one another just like if they were already a couple, minus the sex.

It made me smile with how these two finally got together. It was just so natural for them. Yes it was scary showing your vulnerabilities to someone, but that other someone was their person. I think deep down Zach knew Adam wouldn't be disgusted by him. And Adam knew Zach wouldn't think he was broken. I swear these two sealed the deal from their very first kiss. It was beautiful seeing Adam finally discover his sexuality, while doing it with someone he loved.

Honorable mention has to go the The Bates family. They may not be perfect, but they come pretty darn close. It takes a true man to own up to his past mistakes and I admire the heck out of Adam's Dad for it. And his mother was a saint in another life I swear. I was so glad Zach had them in his life to pick up the pieces left behind by his horrid and selfish mother. I have not one doubt in my mind that Adam and Zach are going to have the happiest life ever surrounded by family who love them. Great ending to a much-loved series.

[read_romance.withgloria Gloria Worlikar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was a perfect end to this amazing Kensley Panthers series and I enjoyed it so much. I love small-town romances and Nicole writes such amazing characters and beautiful stories, I enjoy it so much.

Protector is a story about Adam & Zach, we met them in the second book of this series as Adam is Jameson's younger brother and Zach is his best friend. They have known each other since kids and have always cared for each other.
Zach's family situation is not so good because of his abusive stepfather but he can't leave the house because of his younger sisters and wants to protect them. But there is also something he is hiding from Adam, the fact that he is gay and has a crush on Adam.

Adam & Zach were amazing characters with great chemistry, I adored their friendship and how they could get each other and later when they pursued their intimate feelings towards each other, I enjoyed their moments as well. There were many sweet moments and some ex-drama but they got their well-deserved HEA.
I enjoyed the cameos of the characters from the previous books mainly Oakley because I love his character so much also Adam's parents were so amazing and I loved their moments.

Though I am sad to say goodbye to such an amazing series, I am also excited to read the spin-off that Nicole has planned for Oakley's crew and also looking forward to reading more books from her.

* I received an ARC copy from Chaotic Creative Services and this is my honest review *

[Miki_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Super cute, just lost me a lil toward the end. It's very similar to the first book in this series but it's a quick and easy read

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so sad this series is over and this was an amazing way to finish things out.

[Boys From The Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this entire series. Will be reading a lot more from this author

[Sims · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sugary sweet🧁🍯

[Mal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love going back to this series but this one being the last made it sort of bittersweet, however I’m so happy that the author has spin offs planned.

This series is amazing, beautifully written, suffused with warmth and comfort and this book was just a brilliant addition to it. I’ve been looking forward to Adam and Zach’s story and I absolutely loved it. My heart hurt for Zach who is so resilient, trying to grow up, carrying the responsibilities of keeping his siblings safe and I loved how confident and stable Adam is even when he is trying to navigate his own feelings.

Things I loved:
* How Adam is such a unwavering supporter for Zach who has an unbearable weight to support that the adults in his life have dumped on him along with the abuse he has to deal with
* The transition from best friends to lovers is so well done
* Adam’s family who’ve grown and treat Zach and his sisters as family, how they step up for Zach
* Seeing all the cameos from the previous books pop up
* While the angst wasn’t overwhelming, how beautifully emotional the writing felt

Expect:
* Friends to lovers
* Demi rep
* Sexual awakening
* Found family
* Protective MC
* Small town romance

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Swoon: ♥️♥️♥️♥️
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥.5
Angst: ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’m crazy about you. I don’t know how I didn’t realize it was more than friendship before, but now that I know it is . . .”—his eyes have gone comically wide now, and I smile kissing the tip of his nose—“I’m all-in.”

Overall this was a sweet ending to this series. I will admit there was one very big side plot that I did not enjoy, BUT the relationship we got between Adam and Zach was sugary sweet, swoony, and easily made up for it. They really got together quite quickly and seamlessly, with the angst coming from external factors. I also enjoyed all the cameos we got from some of our OG faves (and Oakley will forever be my fave!)

Also the callback with “are you my boyfriend?” 🙌 like brother, like brother 😂

What to expect:
-Friends to lovers
-Small town romance
-All the cameos
-High school football
-Demisexual rep

TW/CW: Domestic violence against children by a parent

*I received an arc of this book, all opinions are my own*

[Gaby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure what is it about the Kensley Panthers that I just can’t stop reading these books. Listen, I’m very aware they are very mediocre but they just are like my junk food comfort read.

After the 1st one that I think may be the best this one comes as a close second. Adam was a great MC and the angst was extremely minimal.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, when Zach looks at me with that sort of goofy awe, I just feel kind of...warm inside. When he's around, everything feels right.

What you'll get:
Friends to lovers
Small town romance
High school football
Demisexual and gay rep
TW/CW: Domestic violence against children by a parent

Setting: Kansas

I thought this was a really nice end to this series and I liked getting to see some of my old favorites pop back up. These two felt inevitable ever since we met Adam the day he caught Bates and Dixon in the barn a few books back. Zach has little sisters that he desperately needs custody of because of a terrible/neglectful parent combo. He feels all this pressure to have it all together immediately after graduation to get them safe. I actually thought their relationship unfolding was the easiest part of this whole book.

Thank you to Chaotic Creative Services and Nicole Dykes for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Evelyn Bella (there WILL be spoilers) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not sure I read the same book like everyone else but it's a FIRM no from me.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sweet book but a bit formulaic. Follows similar patterns from the previous books in this series. Low angst but not boring, just kind of...there.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ 1.75🌶️

“You were always part of my future. I just didn’t completely realize the role you’d play, but you were there, Zach.”

This was so freaking sweet. I loved Adam and Zach to death.🫶

I enjoyed the simplicity of the plot, the low angst and just all around feel good vibe at these two discovering their love for each other and in particular, Adam’s sexual awakening. 🤭

But how is it even possible that after eighteen years of having next to no sexual experience, I come my brains out once with my best friend and suddenly, I’m obsessed with sex.

These guys are ride or die and I love how much they supported each other. There’s no miscommunication or unnecessary drama between them.

The only reason I’m not rating higher isn’t I didn’t love the execution of the storyline with Chloe. I like how it was resolved and place in their life but not particularly how what Zach “did” and her hostility and his subsequent guilt, played out during the story.

For book under 200 pages, it delivered what I was needing

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this book was going to kill me with high emotion. Zach is in turmoil and so troubled. However, he's got his bff, Adam, who is Mr Protector. He's loyal, strong, sexy and so righteous. Adam is a confused soul, he doesn't feel like his peers, they want to talk about sex all the time, he doesn't have the same urges. Until Zach makes a few suggestions that help him identify a bit better, this seems to help pave the way for Adam to start a relationship with Zach. There is angst, but not between the two MC's, their bond is unbreakable and this makes a really special connection between them. The heat starts off simmering, but once they get to know each other it ends off a lot steamier. I'm so glad we got to know Chloe at the end, it added a real poignant message to the story and if you aren't in love with Zach and Adam before, you will be by the end. It's  a HFN because their lives are just getting started but we know that it will be a HEA in the near future. Nicole eased the sadness of ending the series by promises of spin offs. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Molly Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

What a beautiful ending to an overall engaging series. Nicole took on a demisexual character this go around and handled it beautifully. I'm glad to see she took the time to understand this dynamic. Zach & Adam handled the change from friends to lovers in a way that we should aspire to when taking this leap. A refreshing low angst read that was a perfect pallete cleanser in the sea of high angst books I've been grabbing lately.
I'm looking forward to reading the spin-off series to see what comes next!

[Leilani Noack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I’m so glad to see Zach and Adam get there ending ☺️ I love the whole best friend to lover trope and it makes my heart smile. Zach deserves the world and Adam gave it to him. “Little bates” makes everything better. Best conclusion for a series. Nicole did such an amazing job!

[Katie R McGowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

so fucking slay i love this series nicole i’m obsessed w you and all these characters. if u ever need an arc reader i’m right here baby