Protector's Second Chance

by Rose Luv

Her company’s client is becoming her friend, however her heart wants more, but it will cost her the job she loves.

As a top executive, James exudes an alpha aura, commanding attention with every step.
But beneath his tough exterior lies a man haunted by regrets and a burning desire to right the wrongs of a past that had cost him loved ones.
He closed himself off from love a long time ago.

Mariah, a new and upcoming architect, is tasked by her company to design a large orphanage for their new and lucrative client, James.
This can be the break she needs to establish herself in her field.
But her first meeting with James stirs memories of her past that Mariah had thought her memory loss had erased.

The two become fast friends and James finds himself fighting an unexpected sense of protectiveness towards her.
Around her, feelings he had buried, begin to surface, along with guilt from old-wounds.
He wants to ask her out, but he won’t put her job in jeopardy as her company has a strong policy against their consultants dating clients.

Will their chance at love withstand the trials of the past, or will it crumble under the weight of secrets long buried?

If you want romance with some drama and a touch of suspense to make you smile, then look no further. This story is an uplifting read, that captivates you with the varied personalities of the characters and engorosses you into their emotions as the story unfolds.

This series is an uplifting escape that will have you believing in the incredible power of love. This is a clean contemporary romance series that is full of heart, that will make you laugh and swoon at the same time, but has no steam. These cousins will keep you coming back for more. If you like romances with tight families who strive to have good morals, then get ready to fall in love. And when you're done, read about the relatives of these cousins in the Abraham sisters series.

This novel is book 1 in the series.

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2024

Reviews

[Britt Galbraith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tugged at my heartstrings from the prologue all the way to the happy ending. There was so much unexpected goodness as well as unexpected complexity in this story that I didn’t anticipate, which added depth and richness to the tale.

I absolutely loved Mariah and James. Watching their relationship unfold was an exciting and emotional journey that left me feeling all warm and fuzzy on the inside.

If you are looking for a sweet and wholesome romance with all the feels - this book is for you.

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

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

James is working on building an orphanage in memory of his childhood friend Anastasia. Anastasia had gone missing many years ago when she was out camping with her family and she was assumed dead. She was his best friend and the person that brought the most joy to his life. So the loss of her, was what was fueling his new project. Everything was going as planned until in walks Mariah. She is his new architect for the orphanage project. She is kind, beautiful and James is drawn to her. James can't place why he's so drawn to her, but the more time they spend together the more he becomes curious of her. Mariah was an orphan who struggles with amnesia. She is working hard on the project for James but also getting sick over and over as his presence seems to flood back memories. Could it be that Mariah is James long lost best friend Anastasia? Or is he just projecting his feelings onto her because he's never gotten over Anastasia?

I don't want to share too much and post spoilers. But this story is just soooo good! You need to read this! There are a few moments where there story slows down a bit in the romance and spends a lot of time in Mariah story alone. But all in all, I still loved the story. The ending was good,but I think I wanted an epilogue with this one. But perhaps the next books in the series will do that.

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

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

PROTECTOR’S SECOND CHANCE is the first book in the Abraham Cousins series and I’m looking forward to reading more especially since there’s so many of them. This is Mariah and James’s story and it has many layers to it.

There are many stories being told and they are woven together sporadically. But by the end there are still too many loose ends regarding their history and what happened to her when she was twelve as well as a few years later. His stepbrother is a cause for worry and concern but he is glossed over.

I liked their interactions and how caring they both are. We get to know them a little at a time but still only scratch the surface. There are traumas for Mariah to deal with and they manifest in a variety of ways. But through it all James is always there for her as much as he can be. There are definitely secrets, friendships, family, work demands, some romance and vivid descriptions. There is reconciliation and the possibility of a happily ever after but the book ended abruptly. I’m hoping we connect with them in future books.

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anastasia and James were best friends when he was 14 and she was 12. Then she and her family suddenly disappear. Fast forward 14 years, when Mariah's company sends her to work with James to design a new orphanage. As the two spend time together, James starts to believe that Mariah is the friend he lost long ago, but she isn't convinced. It doesn't help that she has amnesia and gets really bad headaches when something triggers a memory. After a really bad relapse, Mariah decides she needs to take time to think things through and figure everything out. James isn't happy, but abides by her wishes and lets her go. I loved the part where Mariah meets a whole bunch of cousins and her aunt and it is great when she remembers who she is. This is a sweet, wholesome story with a very happy ending. I received a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

James and Anastasia were close until she and her family disappeared and presumed dead. Heartbroken, James decides he wants to build an orphanage in Anastasia's name. So the firm he hires has Mariah, an architect in their employ who jumped at the chance. But Mariah has problems with remembering things in her past. And while working with Mariah, James feel protective of her like he did when he was with Anastasia. But whenever she is around James she gets headaches. Why? This book hooks you from the beginning with smiles and tears you reach the wonderful ending. I loved this book and it is a wonderful first book and I am looking forward for more. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

James (Jamie) and Anastasia are best friends, but one day Anastasia disappears.

Fast forward 14 years, and James is moving up in his family's company, and a potential wife sets up a project to build his dream orphanage. When he meets the architect/designer for the project, there's something about Mariah that just keeps reminding him of his childhood friend, Anastasia. And as Mariah, who suffers from trauma induced amnesia, spends more time with James, she recovers more and more memories. And Mariah and James find that they share more than a passion for this project.

This was a sweet story of second chances and found family.

CW regarding loss and bullying.

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

[Ruth R · Rating 5 out of 5]

When James had 14 years old he had a best friend girl she was 12,they were always together in school even if she was poor everyone at school looked at her different for him she was special,he always told her when they grow up he will build a house and he will make a room for a piano,he used to play a song for her and she used to sing.until one day she and her parents vanished from air.
After 16 years he had a dream to build an orphanage for orphan children he wanted the help of an architect to design the place.A friend of him suggested her step sister to design his dream orphanage.

This book is amazing,I loved reading it because the story is good.
I recommend who loves to read second chances of love.

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mariah is an architect. She grew up in an orphanage. When given the chance to help build an orphanage she is excited. Unfortunately, there is something about James, her client, that is causing her severe headaches to come on suddenly. James is drawn to her. She reminds him of his childhood friend who disappeared with her parents and is presumed dead. He wants to name the orphanage in memory of Anastasia. What happened to Anastasia? Why's Mariah getting so many headaches around James? Where's Mariah's family? Will something grow better them?.

I received a copy of this book from the author. Review voluntarily given.

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

James and Anastasia had an incredible friendship as children despite their different social statuses that came to an abrupt end. Years later, James meets Mariah whose mannerisms and looks remind him of his long-lost friend. And there are things about James that call to memories Mariah's doesn't remember creating. They are as familiar to one another as the tune of an old song yet the title is just out of reach. Is the familiarity just false hope for what was? Or is it the key to unlocking a past that will lead them to their future?

Highly recommend for readers who prefer a clean, sweet, slow-burn romance, with no angst but plenty of intrigue. (Review voluntarily given.)

[PW · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic read with an unexpected, original plot and storylines. I loved how seeing Anastasia and James as youth. Their innocent first love is tender and touching. There are some startling events that are gradually revealed that just broke my heart. Anastasia and James are extraordinary characters with kind hearts. The writing drew me into the story. This story is one of the best I have ever read; I read at least five books a month.

It was my pleasure to read this Bookfunnel ARC. This author is new a favorite of mine.

[Natasha Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story of family, friendships,understanding. Whst would happen if you were suddenly not knowing who you were ? Would you fight to understand the unknown? This story follows the life of the lovely Anastasia/Mariah as she ventures thru life she thought she knew. To the life that was . A great story

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of true childhood friendship and painful past events. Emotional reconnection with past (getting back memories and “lost” life for Mariah) and today’s emotions that can’t be easily separated from ones of the past (for James). Intrigued to find out next books of the series.
I received free copy for voluntarily review.

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh so much emotions in this book. I really felt so much admiration for Mariah. Despite the effects on her health, she has so much determination to remember her past. I loved the scenes where they were stuck at the manor. And nine redheads, really. Very enjoyable book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happened to Anastasia? James is working with Mariah to build the orphanage in Anastasia's name. Mariah is having issues remembering the past. When she starts to remember she gets a headache and will sometimes pass out. Can anyone help her? I received a free book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anastasia/Mariah and James

It's not every day I start a book and love it from the first sentence through the last, so when that happens, I treasure those books. This is such a book. Amnesia is a fascinating study and James and Anastasia's story proves that truth. Their story is truly heartbreakingly beautiful.

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mariah and James have an interesting story. They cross paths and James is looking to make everything from his past right. It is a very interesting story and I really liked how it developed. I enjoyed it a lot.

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

[Anne Wondra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet read; no heat; a built-in mystery with the amnesia and potentially more with the incident with James' brother and friends. Flowed well until all the Abraham cousins were introduced and then it stalled. Author seemed to be prepping for future books, but was information overload here; and Mariah wasn't that likeable with her silence toward James. She might have needed time, but ...

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good! I love the amnesia part and all of her remembering.
Great story! Great characters, even Veronica. Great plot!
I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily sharing my honest opinion.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so well written and filled with moments of compassion, suspense, humor and love. It's a wonderful clean read with romance and emotion. The amnesia storyline was very interesting. This was a sweet adventure with these amazing characters. I really enjoyed this entertaining story.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mariah and James have an interesting story that spans over years. The author sends us through an emotional journey that will pull on your heartstrings. A great read. I received this ARC through BookSprout and voluntarily give my review.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read. James is working on a project. He meets a woman named Mariah. The problem is that she reminds him of his childhood friend who went missing. These two have a complicated relationship. Thankfully, in the end everything works out, and they get their happy ending.

[Peggy Mangum · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Little different from what I Normally read but Once You start You can't Put it Down. I would say a Type of Mystery. I am Glad I Read it. Looking Forward to the Next One. A Second Chance at Love ❤️

[Lela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book. Really like the characters and that it’s a clean romance

[LaRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did just what I love a good book to do and that is to totally entertain me in someone else's world! Such a great, entertaining, enjoyable book!