Zero Sum Love

by Laura Marquez Diamond

ANASTASIA
He’s here.

The man whose life I ruined thirteen years ago is here to ruin mine.

At the time, Bryce MacElroy was a handsome, brilliant college student with a promising future. Because of me, that future was stripped away.

He has since buried the youthful version of himself under a mountain of muscles covered by a custom-made suit as elegant as it is intimidating. Like he could toast with champagne one minute and snap a man’s spine the next.

Today, he’s the walking, talking, smoldering version of an avenging god. He's Zeus, primed to smite enemies and ravish maidens in the twenty-first century.

He's also my new personal bodyguard. My overbearing and overwhelming bodyguard determined to smite my enemies and ravish…me.

It’s an arrangement I enjoy more than I should.

BRYCE
Whether or not she knows it, she needs me.

Whether or not she agrees, she’s mine.

Whether or not she wants me to, this time around, I’m damn sure keeping her.

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Suspense, Ebooks, Romantic Suspense, He Falls First

343 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 29, 2024

About the author

Laura writes romances featuring women who slay their own dragons and the men who love them fiercely. In her books, the fall is hard, the steam is blinding, the groveling is glorious, and the passion all-consuming.

For updates on works in progress and to connect with Laura and other readers, join the Facebook group Romancing With Laura. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok @romancinglauramd. She loves hearing from readers!

Reviews

[Elizabeth]

DNF at 85%.

This was terrible... but I wanted to know who the villain turned out to be... and then I learned... and it was so bad.

This plot made no sense and irritated the crap out of me. The romance was ridiculous. The mystery was ridiculous.

I need to learn to stop accepting free books. They are a waste of my time.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow burn
Touch her and d!e vibes
Action Packed
Multi-POV
HEA

This book had me hooked just by the blurb alone. It conveyed a promise that there was more to Ana and Bryce's story than a typical story has - more than just a boy and girl meeting and falling in love. Well, my dear readers - this story has young love, pining love, heartbreak, rejection, and so many twists and turns in the midst of everything - oh and throw in some Russian mob vibes and you have an amazing story.

From what I understand now, there's another story before this that delves more into two of the other characters that make cameo appearances in this story - so I suppose if you have read that story, you already know our main characters Ana and Bryce. But I was introduced to them fresh and new and oh goodness did I fall fast and hard for both of them!

In the beginning of this story, we see Ana as a more vulnerable girl who is doing everything she can to get the attention of Bryce who is really doing everything he can to keep Ana's attention off of him. Even though Bryce is trying his hardest to keep Ana's attention off of him, he's enamored by Ana and it shows through his POV throughout the whole book (it's super cute). He's also super protective over Ana and I do wish there was a bit more elaboration over what went down exactly that derailed Bryce's career - although it was covered, it just was kinda glossed over a bit quickly compared to how massive it impacted his life. (such is book life though lol)

By the time the book progresses from past to present day we see the difference between where the characters personalities have grown too. Ana becomes more independent and sure of herself but yet around Bryce she still has that soft spot that needs and wants him to be the strong one for her. While Bryce who once was always the protector is now a protector on steroids and has made it his life to essentially protect the one thing in his life that he holds dear to him.

An amazing read and one that I will be re-reading again in the future. I don't want to give any major aspect of this book away but there are some fun things going on and some crazy twists things too. Oh and the spice is good, but it's not the point - but it's nice :)

[Taylor Loewe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow burn! We get a lot of their history before we are in the current time.

Brilliant story! This is separated into a before she “ruined his life” and after. The before was so amazing watching them fight their feelings and desire. Their different POVs really brings a lot to the story as well. We get to understand thoughts behind certain actions we wouldn’t know otherwise. I did not expect that ending of part 1 to happen! The twist middle ways through the book was definitely a surprise!

Part 2 (the after) was the best part of the book. Although before was great, we really get to see the real them in this section of the book. Our FMC is fighting against our MMC, but he’s determined to have her back. We find out how he never truly lets her go in his own way.

Oh and that last twist at the end! Would love to see more in this universe

Fantastic story! Definitely recommend

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An agonizing slow burn, but so worth the wait. I think this is my first experience with the author’s work, but it certainly won’t be my last. I was sucked into the story, and it never let me go. Even now that it’s over, my brain is still turning everything over, looking for hidden messages and deeper meanings. My nerd-girl self positively reveled in all the geeky tech and adored seeing such a brilliant woman as Anastasia star in this book without dimming her light for any reason. And Bryce? He’s a little overwhelming at times, but all that protective energy focused on our heroine was heady stuff to witness. I’m nowhere near ready to let go of these characters and I wish the book weren’t over already.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author.

[Suzanne McNeill Taviner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great read. When I started reading it something was prodding my mind telling me things were familiar, and sure enough Ana is the sister of Sergi Petrov from Powerplay (The Columbus Mavericks)! I had been fascinated by Bryce's reaction to her when they first met and this book gave me to full story.
I enjoyed getting to know them a bit better and watching their story unfold. I did enjoy the protective and possessive nature of Bryce's affection and I felt bad for Ana, she held such guilt about their history. But they were meant to be together and were so great together.
The twist of the kidnapping was a big surprise and I wonder if we are going to get another story from the consequences?

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite having known each other since they were young, Ana and Bryce didn't always get along or, more specifically, there was an underlying attraction between them that neither of them pursued. However, as time passes, they come to understand that they never really let each other go. I love how these characters show the development they underwent while they were separated. As the years pass and they are apart, they genuinely grow as individuals. The story is about redemption, second chances in love, and unexpected turns. I really enjoy this book!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg!!!! This book is everything. I couldn't put it down. It's split up into parts. The first part of the book is the back story. It shows them as teenagers. Then it skips 13 years, and we see them as now. Let me tell you, it is a slow burn, but it's so worth the wait. It is over the charts steamy. Bryce is all grown up, and man, oh man, has he grown up. He has changed so much while still being the guy who is obsessed with Ana. I just can not say enough about how much I loved this book. It is definitely gonna stay with me for a while.

[Tara Syrnyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read! This was the first book that I've read from this authour and I will definitely be reading more. I thought the plot was fantastic and well thought out, the characters well developed with depth and distinct personalities, I loved getting to know these two and learning their story. I enjoyed how the story was written , the multi pov and the mix of past and present, it flowed well and made the story really interesting. I found myself fully immersed in the story and I am excited to read more!

[Chels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an action packed story of redemption, forgiveness, and real love. Ana and Bryce have known each other since they were young and one passionate moment changes the course of both of their lives. Fast forward to current times and Ana is in need of a bodyguard because she’s facing unknown threats. So Bryce shows up to be her protector. I don’t want to give too much away but the villain is surprising and Ana and Bryce’s relationship is smokin hot and filled with strong emotions. This is a great read!

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diamond is a newer author for me and I really didn't know what to expect with this read but I should have known...a well written and captivating journey between our main characters Bryce and Ana. A second chance, slow burn romance read with great twists and turns that had me hooked. Smooth flowing and addictive, this storyline was fantastic, and I can't wait to read more from Diamond.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I voluntarily provided this review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this story. It's filled with action, and twists that leave you on your toes. Bryce is hot as Hades and Ana Is a tough career woman. It's been 13 years since they saw one another and they are still shooting sparks like crazy. An amazing book and one I highly recommend.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. The first part is filled with tons of s3xual tension & stolen moments. The other parts had plenty of mystery of why Ana got suspicious notes & her reluctance to accept Bryce as her personal bodyguard. Bryce comes off as overprotective of Ana but it’s for good intentions. My only suggestion is any book like this that has phrases in other languages to maybe have footnotes at the bottom of the page or back of the book cause I myself just gloss over those parts without knowing what it says since not all of them got explained what they were saying to each other in this book.

[Mrs A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohh this was a nice surprise. I went into this a bit blind, this is action packed story of love and redemption with plenty of drama, action and romance. Ana and Bryce have excellent chemistry but they have a tricky road ahead whilst they overcome their past to get their well deserved HEA

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zero Sum Love by Laura Marquez Diamond is the very first book I’m reading by this author. What originally caught my attention was the cover which in turn led me to read the back of the book. Once I saw it was a bodyguard type romance I was sold. I read this book in one sitting, it was just so good I didn’t want to stop reading. What I really enjoyed about this book was how it was told in the before and after sense. It made it such a more compelling read to me. I also thought it had a lot more depth with the story being told in different POV’s. It has action, guilt, redemption, learning to forgive and a Russian mob angle. I really like Anastasia and Bryce’s characters; their chemistry was off the charts. But I really enjoyed reading how protective and possessive he was of Ana. I was rooting for them to get their happy ending. It was written very well and I vibed with the plot from the beginning. The book is described in such a way it made me easily imagine what I was reading and could understand choices/ decisions that were being made. Not to mention the moments where I was on the edge of my seat, those twists were really well done. This is a fantastic book that I would definitely recommend.

Final review:
4 out of 5 stars

[Tina Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF.Aside from the fact that it’s boring, hate books when they go back to years ago.

The book starts with Ana who is receiving threatening notes and her brother Sebastian calls Bryce in, as he runs a security company. Sebastian is married to Bryce’s auntie. Then it goes back to when Ana is 15, and Bryce is 22 and they meet for the first time. I didn’t like this bit as Bryce gets turned on by Ana who is FIFTEEN, and can’t handle it so he’s horrid to her. Apart from the gross factor, why is he horrid to her?? He ignores her and is really rude to her all the time.

This is where it gets confusing. It explains in the beginning that Sebastian and Ana are half siblings, he grew up in Russia, but plays something in America, and she grew up in America with her mother. Then she’s crying as her parents are coming for her as she hates them?? Erm….. ???

Then it moves in to Ana is 18 and dating and Bryce doesn’t like it so he cheats on his girlfriend with Ana. What? I’m so confused. In the middle of all this weird drama, there’s endless explanations of robotics which Ana is a genius at.

At which point I gave up. It’s boring. It’s 🤮 remember she’s 15, and it’s really confusing. Nope.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book I pulled out of my TBR ' Jar ' so of course I had to dive straight in.
I am not sure how I felt about this one, it was good. It just, maybe, wasn't for me.

' All this reconciliation bull**** is giving me hives. '

The Blurb in my opinion kind of made it seem like it was going to be more than it was, not in a way in which the book wasn't good enough. It was. But this one line in the blurb had me thinking a lot more had happened in the past or a revenge vibe was going to happen.
' The man whose life I ruined thirteen years ago is here to ruin mine. '
It also felt like whilst it seemed like a lot was happening, that in fact not a lot was and felt like it was kind of prolonged. It made me kind of feel like I was reading one long day and everything was quite quick. I would have loved more from the ending too.

Regardless, I did enjoy reading it! I don't think I have read a book by this author previously so I will be interested in checking out her others.
If anyone has any books they can recommend by Laura, please let me know!

[Mrs R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a standalone romantic suspense.

Anastasia and Bryce meet when her brother and his aunt get together (Sergei and Maeve from Powerplay). But they just can't seem to make things work.

I love how the story is told from 13 years ago when they first meet, and then jumps to the present time when they re-connect. Definitely a case of the right person, the wrong time.

Anastasia is very work-orientated and self-reliant, Bryce has managed to build a security company that uses the latest technology. Once these two reconnect the sparks fly.

The suspense keeps you on your toes, I was not expecting the person and reason to be what it ended up as, it will keep you turning the pages.

I really enjoyed watching these two grow and develop as characters. Bryce has a very dominant alpha streak which makes things very steamy.

- duel POV
- second chance
- bodyguard
- romantic suspense
- standalone
- alpha male

[Julorie Siefert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anastasia (Ana) and Bryce meet when they were young, an incident one night drove a wedge between them, the result of which led to actions that caused an alternative route of their lives and shattered their budding relationship. Thirteen years later they meet again, Ana a powerful and confident women, running her father's company the Petrov Shipping and implementing important environmental changes. Bryce had developed with his Uncle an important Security business. Who was sending Ana threatening notes? Who was following her? What was the surprising and shocking truth that was about to be unveiled? Bryce would do want to protect Ana, the only women he has ever loved? This was an amazing story of family, extended family and a love that would not be diminished. This is amazing story do read it.

[Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This slow burn romance hurts so good, you need to keep reading to find out what's happening next.

This is my first book by this author and it will not be my last. I adored Ana! This book is broken up into two parts with 13 years in-between. With second chances and a story of redemption, the author knocks you off your feet with an action, drama filled romance read.

Ana and Bryce are everything with their longing looks, stolen moments and all of their history. You cant help but turn the page after uncovering all of the parts that make these two tick for each other and then the ending came with a twist I was not expecting but solidified into the best outcome for the two. Cant wait to see if the author is writing anything else in this world.

*Overall 4/5
*Heat? 3/5
*Slow Burn
*Dual first person POV
*Ends on HEA

[Anoesjka Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story about Ana and Bryce comes in several parts - it introduces how they first meet and get to know each other, and then when they meet back up later in life. There is so much tension and love between these two that they just don't know how to deal with. I love how desperate Bryce is for anything Ana - and how she can't deny him anything. This is true both when they are still at school/college and also later in life when they have built their lives around their careers. I love how passionate Bryce is with his love for Ana, and how he will do anything for her to keep her safe. I love how Ana challenges everything he tells her, and lets her temper flare. I loved how this story played out and it was great seeing snippets of Sergei and Maeve and the rest of their families in this as well. Another great read!

[Helen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do like a good romantic suspense story and this was a really good one!
We enter with a chapter in the present day where Anastasia is less than pleased that her brother has hired a bodyguard due to threats she had received and even worse is the fact that the bodyguard is a blast from her past!
We then find out about that past - the pain, the heartbreak, the circumstances that doomed their love story and drove them apart before returning to the present day. This story was perfectly balanced on both the romantic and the suspense elements and i was glued to the pages wondering what was going to happen next. In suspense novels I can normally figure out who is behind the plot and have fun guessing but this one I was way off, there was no way I could have figured this one out! I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys romantic suspense

[Book Life With Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zero Sum Love by Laura Marquez Diamond was an utterly captivating read that I never wanted to end! If you’re a fan of slow burn, second chance, bodyguard romances this is the one for you! The way that Diamond created such a fantastic plot with masterfully developed characters made this a definite must read for me!

Our FMC Anastasia is an intelligent beautiful independent woman and I was 100% here for her!! I loved how the story intertwined the past with the present giving us an insight into Ana’s mind as well as her past with our MMC Bryce. And seeing then reconnect 13 years later was pure perfection! Because of course Bryce was the ultimate BA protective dirty talking alpha and just what Ana needed. And their chemistry? Well let’s just say it practically burned through the pages it was so hot!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want a Bryce! Oh this book is soooo good. Heat, action, intrigue, love, family. It hits everything. The author has such poetic language and great descriptors its a masterpiece. One of my favorite quotes is "Soda goes up my nose so fast the bubbles are shrapnel in my brain." I mean c'mon! Awesome line there. This book is essentially a slightly taboo love story where Bryce falls in love with Ana his Aunt's new sister-in-law and she's young but legal. There is only a 5 year age gap and Bryce tries his best to not fall but it's inevitable. They have their trials as, the author says, "A kiss and an org@sm does not constitute a relationship" but love is triumphant in the end! Can't wait to read more from this author!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story will give you all the feels, the good, bad, and ugly!

The main male character, Bryce comes across as our grey hero with the intensity of his love (the deep, all consuming, obsessive love) for the main female character, Ana, and the lengths he goes to protect her and be in her life.

Ana grows in the story and really starts to believe in herself more, with the help of Bryce and his love.

This story is a bit dark at times but, I think it's definitely worth a read as the story really has a good plot to it which keeps you invested from beginning to end.

One of my favorite quotes from the story is:

"She is my light. My reason to wake up every day. The love of my life. And I’m hers."

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a classic take on what happens when you assume instead of communicate. Our main characters have a past that begins while Ana is finishing her senior year in High School and Bryce is in College. And if anybody remembers what it was like to be that young, we all know high emotions and communication do not go together. during the first part of the book, we get a glimpse of their interactions and the catalyst that causes them to go their separate way.
But when Ana’s life if being threatened 13 years later, her brother reaches out to the one man who broke her heart and she feels she ruined his life,to save her. Here we get a second chance of love, redemption, and a villain I did not see coming.

Spice: 2/5
MF
Triggers: Attempted assault, Kidnapping, and drugging

[Tasha Goulet · Rating 4 out of 5]

At odds relationship

Zero Sum Love is the first book that I've read by this author. When I read the blurb my curiosity peaked and I had to check it out.

I really liked that this was told from different points of view. It made it easier to get the character's stories and this was important because of the tension between them. And I liked that this was more than a boy meets girl storyline. I liked that things were more complicated between them and knowing that they both had their own struggles. Bryce being Ana's bodyguard added to everything. Plus, I loved that he was so protective of her...and it wasn't just about the job. So sweet.

I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zero Sum Love follows Ana (Anastasia FMC) whose brother - Sergi was the focus of the book before this one - Powerplay.

Ana and Bryce have been in each others lives since they were young but they didn't always get along or more so they had an underlining attraction that neither one acted on. Mainly because of their age differences. Years later and after their lives have gone in different directions they end up back together when Ana start receiving threats. Which makes their attraction harder to ignore and things escalate between them. It was off of the charts hot!! I loved Ana and Bryce's relationship together. His protectiveness of Ana was endearing. This was a great read and a great addition to Sergi's book too.

[Briann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zero Sum Love is a second-chance romance and a stand-alone spin-off of The Columbus Mavericks series. This is the first book I have read from Laura, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I appreciated her note at the beginning of the book and the one at the end. They made me feel like she really cared about her readers, which made me enjoy the book more, especially when it came to all the tech lingo.
 
There is a lot of tech talk, which was hard to follow, but once you get past that, it really is a lost love/second chance romance with an independent woman and a controlling, protective alpha.
 
The book revolves around Bryce and Anastasia (Ana) and how their love story started and how one moment changed everything. Thirteen years later, they are reunited, and though she fights it, they are meant to be whether she likes it or not, because Bryce is done loving without her. And hot damn, who would have thought he would be so... dirty?
 
If you are looking for your next read, definitely consider this book.

[Madison_renee2415 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bryce, YES!

Oh this series keeps getting better and better!

Anastasia is a super smart engineer who is helping run her father’s company,l. Her brother finds out that she has been getting threatening letters and hires her high school crush, who’s life she running 13 years ago, as her personal bodyguard.

Bryce created this AI system to find patterns in people who harm others. He is more than happy to be Ana’s personal bodyguard because he plans on keep Ana safe and getting her back!

Oh the chemistry these two have and the SPICE!
I love when a man tells the woman what he is going to do and tells her to do it. Spice, spice, spice!!!!

[Mrs T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really engaging second chance, body guard romance.

Ana and Bryce have a checkered history, they were just starting to act on the spark between them when an incident occurred that altered their paths.

Forward some years and they are back in each others lives, albeit their paths are still a bit rocky.

What I love about this author’s books are that I really feel I know the characters well, none of the nuances of character development are missing.

At the same time the story arc's are well developed and the balance between angst, spice, humour, passion and strong main characters is perfection.

An extremely well rounded and engaging, enjoyable read. One satisfied reader!