Protected by the Billionaire Ex-SEAL

by Ava Nichols

I had one intoxicating night with a chiseled bad boy… then found out he’s my new off-limits bodyguard …

Christian Charming. Ex-Navy SEAL. Billionaire. Playboy.

A flirty bet with him at a bar leads us to a night with uninhibited passion that drives him to work me like I’m his most important mission.

And I’m in ecstasy until I wake up and realize he left in the middle of the night without even a note.

The next day, I’m shocked to learn that he’s my new bodyguard, tasked with protecting me 24/7 from my ex, who’s been stalking me.

Then, Christian goes from warm and charming to cold and distant.

Until some drinks and a game of truth or dare have us diving into forbidden territory.
His touch sends a burning pleasure down my core.

And as we spend time together, I see a caring side to him.

But now, things are complicated — I’m carrying his baby.

Our bond and connection is undeniable.
But this can’t work.

Christian has plans for his security business, and I need to focus on writing my children's books.

And opening up my heart was not part of this temporary assignment.

Or will Christian realize he wants to be my forever protector?


Protected by the Billionaire Ex-SEAL is part of the Small Town Billionaires 3-book Series. Each book is a stand-alone story, so they can be read in any order.

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2024

About the author

Ava Nichols is a #1 Amazon Best Selling Author who writes relatable, sexy, and heartfelt contemporary romance. Her stories have a balance of fun, edginess, steam, light-heartedness and depth. You’ll get to watch her characters grow, open up their hearts and eventually find a happily ever after.

Her favorite themes are Billionaire Bad Boys, Enemies to Lovers, Brother’s Best Friend, Boss, Second Chance, and Age Gap.

When she’s not reading or writing, she’s enjoying nature, dance, pilates and spending time with her family. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two young children and two small dogs.

Reviews

[Susan McWhinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Ava Nichols does not disappoint. A worthy read with enough sugar and spice to keep your interest. Also a book easily read in one sitting!!
Sparks fly when Raven smack bangs into a brick wall, that being the body of Christian in a pub. As they get to know each other they are more than drawn to the other....hence a very hot one night between the sheets! Raven, waking finds that she has been ghosted by quite possibly the hottest guy she has ever met, but she has other serious issues to sort out.
When Christian meets up with his new assignment, he is shocked to see it is his one night stand, Raven from Nashville!
As the story unfolds, Raven, running and hiding from her volatile ex, finds herself living with Christian. This proves difficult to keep feelings in check and eventually, they give in to their desires and make a pact of no feelings be involved! And so begins the friends/assignment with benefits! That said, both Christian and Raven secretly start to develop feelings, but neither will let the other know.
Secrets are kept, and once Sam, Raven's ex is behind bars and Christian lets Raven go, he is unaware Raven is hiding another secret from him.
He doesn't follow her and assumes she has moved on, but Raven also feels lost as Christian does not try and make contact with her once she left, and she assumes he has also moved on without her.
So what happens when her secret is inadvertently revealed?
A delightful much deserved HEA for Christian and Raven ends a great love story!.

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

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one is just overall kind of weak. It lacks a strong through-line, the characters' actions don't make sense, there are EGREGIOUS examples of contrivance, and the plot is so full of holes it resembles Swiss cheese.


I admit, the title is what first caught my eye. Why would someone who was already a billionaire be acting as a bodyguard? What possible reason could the author come up with to justify him personally putting himself in danger instead of just hiring a bunch of guards to do the job for him? Was the heroine someone personally special to him? Was the person chasing her the hero's nemesis? I had to know why he was doing this!

The answer? Fuck you, that's why.

Yeah, there is no answer to this question. Quite frankly, the hero doesn't ACT like he's a billionaire at all, so I call bullshit on the title. He was in the military for years becoming a Navy SEAL and makes vague references to him having "gotten lucky with some investments" and now we're expected to believe he's a billionaire. That's just bullshit. And now he's working on opening these protection agencies in various locations not just, like, retiring and living off his limitless wealth because...reasons?

Why? Why is he doing this? If he's already got more money than he can spend in his lifetime, why not do some charity work? Or offer his protection services for free? It actually makes him seem like kind of an asshole that he's charging desperate people for his firm's protection when he doesn't actually NEED the money to keep his business going.

So yeah, this is not a billionaire hero. He's just a regular ex-military guy. His alleged wealth plays ABSOLUTELY NO PART in the plot. It was just added because some romance readers like to read about billionaire heroes and the author wanted to capitalize on that fad. Lame.

Getting to the plot, Raven and Christian bump into each other at a bar and hit it off and hook up in Raven's motel room. After one earth-shattering round of sex Raven falls asleep. She wakes up an hour later and Christian is gone. Then we flash over to Christian's perspective. He tells us that, in the first of many plot contrivances, he received a phone call from his former boss with an emergency. Christian expected to be able to resolve this "emergency" in only 2 hours time and didn't want to wake Raven. So he thought he'd slip out, without leaving a note, and be back before she knew it.

Instead he comes back much later than intended and finds she's already checked out. And he's upset because he realizes he never asked for her number or even her last name, so he has no way of tracking her down. But, although he's bummed, he tells himself it's for the best because he knows there was no future in it. He doesn't do relationships because he's "damaged." He also has to rush over to his new bodyguarding assignment. His first one in this area where he's hoping to open the newest branch of his business, so it's important.

Then he goes to his old home town to see a woman named Honey Lee (or something like that). Here we're quickly regaled with the fact that Christian was madly in love with Honey when they went to high school together but he never got up the courage to ask her out. He was serious enough about it that when he got finished with his first tour of duty, he came home, bought flowers, and planned to proposed to her. Only when he got there he found she was already married to someone else. So he just reenlisted in the military and left. Later on we find out that Honey was also madly in love with Christian this whole time, right up until she met her current husband.

Yeah, I hated this. I hate when the hero gushes about some former love of his life because it makes the heroine seem like a consolation prize. Especially the way this story was set up. If Honey hadn't met her current husband before Christian came home then she totally would have dated Christian since she'd had the hots for him forever and they'd probably be married right now! How am I supposed to feel like Raven is Christian's one true love with that kind of back story? And what's worse, Christian actually TELLS Raven all about the fact that he loved Honey first and Raven's just...fine with it? Sigh.

Anyway, Christian and Honey grew up together in this super small town in Tennessee where everyone not only knows everyone else, but is also related to them in some way. But somehow he never met or even heard about Honey's cousin, Raven? And he also didn't know the name of his new bodyguard client, apparently? Since it didn't strike him as odd when he just so happened to meet a woman named Raven at a bar? Sure, that makes sense...

You see what I mean about the plot just not holding together? There's virtually no way Christian wouldn't have known the name of his new client before meeting her for the first time. That's just not how reality works. How could Honey have even explained why her cousin needed protection without mentioning the cousin's name at least once during the conversation? This plot hole could have been avoided if the author had written it so that Raven gave Christian a fake name when they met at the bar. But she didn't so now we're left with this story that doesn't make sense.

Christian greets Honey and she introduces the allegedly heretofore nameless cousin. Raven and Christian have that shocked moment where they don't know what to do and then Christian starts pretending to be meeting her for the first time so Raven just rolls with it. He's inexplicably pissed at her for hooking up with him the night before. She's currently being stalked! He was a stranger! She shouldn't have taken such a risk with her life! I know this is supposed to show Christian as being protective of her but it just doesn't make a lot of sense. She knows who her stalker is, so her hooking up with a stranger is no more dangerous for her than it is for any other woman? And her being at the bar was probably safer than her being alone in her motel room since there's a certain safety in being around people.

Here we're told that Raven has already paid the fee for Christian's protection and again I have questions. She's a preschool teacher. Who lives in California. How much money can she possibly have? Later on we find out she also sells childrens books so I guess we're supposed to believe she makes such a killing at that vocation that she can pay for round-the-clock bodyguard protection for TWO MONTHS without breaking a sweat? Sure, I believe that....

Raven goes home with Christian and he explains that she's going to be living at his house and he'll be with her at all times. She's not even allowed to go to the grocery store or anything like that. Total house arrest. But again, I just had so many questions. Her ex was in California. They have no reason to suspect he knows where she is now. So how long were they planning on continuing this living situation? What was the end game here? What if the ex never came after her? Would Raven and Christian just live together forever, just in case? The story would have made MUCH more sense if something had happened to Raven after she'd arrived in Tennessee to make her suspect the ex was there and toying with her. Or if she'd never left California to begin with and had just hired Christian there. But this is the story we're given.

The first night Raven is at his house, Christian goes over all the security features of the place, stressing how important it is for Raven to learn them all. He also tells her he's going to teach her to use weapons, something he allegedly does, completely off page, and which has no bearing on the story whatsoever so one wonders why it was included at all. He also explains that he has a hard and fast rule to never get involved with clients, so no more hanky panky between them. Then they go to their separate rooms for bed.

Of course Raven has a nightmare and he has to rush in and comfort her because that's standard fare for this type of book. She talks about how her ex had started out a nice guy but then lost his job and became obsessive and possessive. He started drinking heavily and accusing her of cheating on him. Then he punched out a coworker of hers because she dared to have a platonic dinner with the man. So she broke up with him. Then he started sending her flowers and harassing her for a second chance, culminating in a day when he broke into her apartment. She locked herself in the bathroom and called the cops leading to a restraining order. Christian is stroking her back during all of this and there comes a point where Raven has mostly calmed down and they both feel the mood change. Christian gets a hard on and Raven thinks he's about to kiss her but he just tucks her into bed and leaves.

Next morning Raven is trying to sneak out of the house to go to her new job working with Honey at a private preschool. Christian anticipated this move and scolds her for trying to go somewhere without him when he's supposed to be protecting her. Then he goes to the preschool with her and spends his time marveling at how amazing she is with kids.

Next we get a scene with them playing a game of truth or dare while drinking. This is where he tells her all about his great love for Honey and that he'd intended to propose but they're just good friends now. And Raven's like "cool, I have no issue with that whatsoever." We also find out that Christian is a total manwhore and definitely does NOT subscribe to the "bros before hos" mentality when he's asked to explain his most embarrassing moment. He talks about a time in high school when some chick was harassing his friend and he tried to help out but ended up getting detention with the chick, so he banged her. He also banged the chick his friend was crushing on, which was a dick move.

Then Raven convinces Christian to give her a dare and he tells her to do something she's never done before. So she downs her drink, runs outside, strips her clothes off, and runs around the yard half naked. Then Christian takes her to this pond he used to swim in when he was a kid and she jumps in to swim around. Then she talks Christian into stripping down to join her in the water, they kiss and he fingers her to an orgasm.

And I was pretty much losing my mind at all of this. First of all, I can't even imagine the amount of bacteria, mold, and parasites Raven just got up her hoo-haa being fingered in a stagnant pond. Gross. But more importantly, how is this keeping her safe? Her ex could have been outside watching all of this! And Christian is literally standing there with his pants down! How can he claim she has to stay inside at all times and then just run around in the dark with her like this? There's no in-story justification. Either her ex could be out there ready to grab her at any second, or there's no damn reason for Raven to be on house arrest. You just can't have it both ways! Sigh.

Eventually Christian decides that it's safe for he and Raven to go to the local diner one night. And then he just leaves her at the table while he goes to place their order. He's gone long enough for a gaggle of local women to descend on Raven and demand she explain what she's doing staying at Christian's house. Raven says they're not dating, she's just a client and they're friends. One woman in particular, Amiee, whose relative makes sure to proudly explain that Amiee has won multiple beauty pageants, makes sure to tell Raven that she and Christian have an "understanding." The last two times he was in town they hooked up on multiple occasions. The last time was a year ago and she is more than willing to go for the next round. She also says she'd like for it to be more than just hooking up. She's hoping it'll turn into a relationship.

Raven is a bit subdued on the drive home because she's catching feelings for Christian but knows their situation is doomed. Once her ex is out of the way, she'll go back to California. And Christian is busy building his business. Christian decides to take her to a fair to cheer her up, which seemed wildly irresponsible considering that would be an EXCELLENT place for her ex to grab her, if he was around. While there, they get hot and heavy in a back room. Christian says he can't have a relationship with her and she says that's fine, it'll just be sex. And he grabs her and runs back to his house so they can bang.

Eventually he explains that the reason he has a solid "no fucking clients" rule is because two years ago he was supposed to be protecting a famous singer from her ex-husband during the divorce proceedings. He fell for her, they started sleeping together, and then were seen by her ex-BIL. The BIL shot her when she was on her way to the store and she died. Christian says he blames himself because he let his relationship with her stop him from investigating. If he'd stayed sharp and focused on his job, he would have done more research on the ex's family and learned that the BIL was the one with the violent tendencies, not the ex himself.

This back story might have worked if Christian showed ANY EMOTION WHATSOEVER while telling it. But there was nothing. I didn't believe he cared about this singer chick AT ALL. Nor did I believe that he actually blamed himself for her death. He just didn't act like a man who was battling his inner demons over this. And it especially doesn't ring true when he literally just banged Raven so clearly he's not all THAT committed to his "sex with clients puts them in danger" mantra. And it ESPECIALLY doesn't ring true when we were just told that he was fucking Amiee a year ago and the year before that. Which would put it right smack in the time frame when he was supposedly so torn up with his failure to protect this singer chick. Yeah, Christian, I really feel your pain on this one.

So Christian and Raven bang for a while and then Amiee comes calling with a blueberry pie. While they all share a slice she boldly strokes Christian's leg and he fumbles through suggesting she try speed dating. When she tells him straight out that she's interested in picking up their "arrangement" where they left off, he tells her he's not interested...this time. Then she turns nasty and brings up the fact that he's also banged two other women in town. Honestly, Ms. Nichols, was it REALLY necessary to the plot for the hero to have screwed every woman in this small town? But Raven goes all mama tiger about this. She yells at Amiee that she does not have the right to come into some one else's house and slut shame them when she herself was happy to partake of his bed-hopping antics until he turned her down. Amiee leaves in a huff.

Then plot contrivance calls on the phone again. One of Christian's contacts has a lead on a human trafficking ring and he's just GOT to help! So he leaves Raven at his house, alone. He doesn't even, like, take her over to Honey's house so Honey and her husband can look out for her. Nope, he thinks she'll be fine at home. Which again just begs the question of why they're even bothering with the bodyguard thing at all if they think she's fine on her own??

And then Raven proves herself to be Too Stupid To Live by rushing to open the door when the doorbell rings without even checking to see who it is first. I can't even, with this bullshit. Surprise, surprise, it's her ex. Who happily monologues about how he made some hacker friends and that's how he tracked her to Tennessee and then he just HAPPENED to bump into Amiee who was VERY happy to hear he was Raven's boyfriend and couldn't WAIT to share Christian's home address with him.

Raven stalls for a little bit but the ex gets pissed pretty quickly and grabs her. Christian arrives just in time to punch the ex in the face. Then he calls the cops and asks Raven if she's going to press charges...AND RAVEN SAYS NO! Seriously! She says she doesn't want to press charges against her FUCKING STALKER.

That's it. Stop the book. This just makes NO FUCKING SENSE. If Raven is sufficiently convinced that her stalker is dangerous that she's hired and paid for a bodyguard, then why wouldn't she take this opportunity to have him put behind bars? What is her fucking plan? To just keep living with Christian forever? To just periodically have to put up with surprise attacks from her ex for the rest of her life?? This is just complete nonsense! And her reasoning? She says that deep down he's really a good guy who's just "troubled." You can't save this kind of stupid.

And THEN, the ex somehow manages to "post bail" in a matter of minutes and immediately disappears. Wow, that's amazing. They must have had a judge just, like, sitting there waiting to do the bail hearing. And this unemployed ex somehow must have found and hired a lawyer to post said bail, or else found a bail bondsman that was ALSO just sitting around waiting for the phone to ring and who didn't think a guy from fucking California might just be a flight risk. How amazingly convenient this all is for the plot!

But do you want to hear the worst part? NOTHING COMES OF THIS. Seriously. You think the ex getting out of jail so quickly is going to mean he'll be gunning for Raven right away, but no! He never comes back into the story. We're told that, off page, he went to a bar and harassed some women, then he somehow got in a fight with a local gang??? and the cops arrested him. The women he harassed are pressing charges, and he was found with an illegal firearm in his possession. So he should be going away for decades...but he's already been tried and is only getting 2 years because of a "technicality." Why is any of this happening? Why is our main antagonist disappearing from the story without the hero or heroine actually being involved? Why are we finding out that he'll be a free man in 2 years when it has nothing to do with the story? MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!

Christian gets the call when the ex has been arrested in Nashville and for some reason doesn't tell Raven. He goes there, leaving her alone, again, and while he's gone she discovers she's pregnant. She decides not to tell Christian because she thinks his business is the only important thing to him. So when he gets back her bags are packed. He'd been planning to ask her on a real date but lets her go because it seems to be what she wants. Weeks later Honey spills the beans about the pregnancy and Christian immediately knows why Raven didn't tell him and is fine with it so he goes to get her. He shows up at a reading for her newest book and tells an inane story to the kids about two friends who have a "special project" in the works and should do it together. Raven melts, apologizes for bailing, they exchange ILYs and HEA.

What a train wreck.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learning to Trust

Raven Jones enjoys the company of young children. She enjoys working with them as teacher who is helping them grow into individuals with open eyes and open hearts, and she enjoys creating stories as Rain Jelly, she is a writer-illustrator of children’s books which provide thoughtful stories and images that can help a young children understand the world around them. Having grown up in a loving family, sweetly beautiful Raven with unique golden-copper eyes, uses her insight and talents to help her young readers better understand the world around them and how to approach with success the challenges and encounters of their world.

So, it is disheartening when Raven must admit to herself that she has a challenge—an individual—whom she doesn’t understand and whom she has grown to fear. Her boyfriend, Sam, has changed in his demeanor and his interactions with her. He is no longer a loving supportive partner. He has transformed into a controlling, demanding man whose aggression has caused Raven to fear him. And so, she runs.

Not wishing to distress her parents with whom she resides in California, she reaches out to Honey Lee, her cousin in the small Tennessee town of Sweet Haven. Seeking a place where she can have time to collect herself and continue her love of working with children, Honey Lee offers her cousin a position at the preschool that she heads. And so, Raven head across the country seeking to escape her ex and to rebuild her life.

But unexpectedly during a stop in Nashville as she heads to Sweet Haven, Raven meets a man whose kindness and humor touch her bruised heart, and her body responds to his forest-green eyes, brown hair and amazing body. But what truly catches her attention is his humor. As two strangers in the bar of the hotel, they both overhear an amazingly amusing pitch from a gauche man who is trying to flatter and ultimately connect with another woman in the bar. Both Raven and Christian are entertained and amused by the outlandish verbal pitches that the man is making to attract the woman. But the individuals who are attracted to a member of the opposite sex are Raven and Christian who spend the night in each other’s arms. But when Raven awakens, her handsome, engaging bedmate is gone, and she is left hurt feelings and rejection.

But, ever resilient, Raven moves on from her anonymous hook-up and heads to Sweet Haven and the welcoming arms and comfort of Honey Lee who has arranged for Raven to stay at the home of another local, a recently retired Navy Seal who is the owner-operator of a security firm and who will keep Raven safe. What Raven had not anticipated was that the man who would be her security is also the man who left her without a word after a night of passion—handsome forest-green eyed, brown haired, Christian Benson.

After reading the companion romance, Faking it with the Billionaire Rockstar, I was eager to continue the to follow the adventures of the friends and family of Sweet Haven, Tennessee.

[Joanne Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had one intoxicating night with a chiseled bad boy… then found out he’s my new off-limits bodyguard…

Christian Benson: Charming. Ex-Navy SEAL. Billionaire. Playboy.

A flirty bet with him at a bar leads us to a night with uninhibited passion that drives him to work me like I’m his most important mission. And I’m in ecstasy until I wake up and realize he left in the middle of the night without even a note.



The next day, I’m shocked to learn that he’s my new bodyguard, tasked with protecting me 24/7 from my ex, who’s been stalking me. Then, Christian goes from warm and charming to cold and distant.



Until some drinks and a game of truth or dare have us diving into forbidden territory.
His touch sends a burning pleasure down my core. And as we spend time together, I see a caring side to him.

But now, things are complicated — I’m carrying his baby.

Our bond and connection is undeniable.
But this can’t work. Christian has plans for his security business, and I need to focus on writing my children's books. And opening up my heart was not part of this temporary assignment. Or will Christian realize he wants to be my forever protector?

This is the first book in “Small Town Billionaires Series” - a great, easy going read that will have you hooked from the first chapter! A one night stand gets very complicated when it turns into a business arrangement when Christian is employed to be her bodyguard. They have one night of hot passion that leaves a lasting impact on both of them. Are they able they to turn off and ignore the sexual tension and wanting each other? Yeah, no! After a night of alcohol and Truth or Dare, they convince themselves that they can have “a no strings sexual relationship” - then just walk away!

The story will captivate you - it is full of drama, sexual tension, passion, danger and a few other twist and turns ….. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

A thoroughly enjoyable read from one chapter to the next - at times you are metaphorical “on the edge of your chair” wondering what will happen next. You will fall in love with Christian and Raven, hoping that everything with work out for them and they have a future together. Overall, I would highly recommend this book and you will not be disappointed 😊

[SherrecePQ Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christian and Raven meet, for what they believed, was just one night of no strings attached sex. So the disappointment Raven felt when she awoke to find him gone was palpable. Imagine her surprise, though, when the protection she had hired, on the advice from her cousin is the illusive and very sexy, Christian. Little did she know, that he had a good reason to leave her, and had gone back to see her as well, as he had felt that there was something more that needed exploring.

But, he is now professional Christian, so there in becomes a dance around their mutual attraction and a desire of them both wanting more. In this close proximity arrangement, they both unravel and share little bits and pieces about themselves, and before long, there is a mutual acting on impulse disguised as a no strings attached arrangement. Both of them obviously have this overwhelming desire for this to be so much more, especially when the reason for Raven need a bodyguard pays her a visit.

Throwing caution to the wind, in a moment of passion, there is an very unexpected surprise to this which as Raven making a decision she seems as necessary to protect Christian whom she has fallen in love with. There was all the emotional aspects that I love, and I love Christian and Raven and the shared mutual attraction and desire they have for one another. That one meeting was that one serendipitous moment that led them to what they both needed, each other.

[Pat Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian and Raven's Love Story

This is the second book in the Sweet Haven saga, which started with rockstar Nick and songwriter Clara getting together.
This book starts with Christian Benson, brother of Clara and best friend of Nick, meeting and hooking up in a Nashville bar with a beautiful young woman, Raven Jones.
Christian was a Navy SEAL for 12 years. One of his businesses is a personal security firm. It is headquartered in California, but he wants to expand and open another location in Nashville, close to Sweet Haven
Christian agrees to protect a friend's (Honey Lee) cousin in Sweet Haven, which will be the first case in the expansion. The problem is that the client is his one night stand, Raven. Christian was called away by his prior supervisor during the night of the hookup, but he did return to Raven's room. She thought he had ghosted her and left.
Their client/protector relationship starts rocky but improves as they get to know each other. Christian is protecting Raven from her obsessed ex-boyfriend, who has terrorized her, breaking into her California apartment.
The story builds on the relationships from the prior book, with Nick and Clara and their children, as well as Honey Lee and her husband, Aaron.
Their love story is compelling, The stalker is real and threatening. Their love is intense but unspoken for too long.
I recommend this book and look forward to the third installment, which features another Sweet Haven resident.

[Lady P · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story begins with Christian and Raven flirting at a bar resulting in a one night stand.🫠

Raven is running from her ex-boyfriend and needs protection. Her cousin hires Benson Security. Raven's assigned protector is Christian. Yup!👀 Christian was her one night stand, who disappeared less than an hour later without even a goodbye. Awkward!😳 Easy fix, let's both act as if we have never met. 😯

Christian has one rule, do NOT get involved with your client. Well that's a bust, but really shouldn't count as their encounter was before the assignment began.

Fighting their obvious attraction is a losing battle. Plus the necessity to live together for the duration of the assignment only fuels the heat!���

They decide that it's okay to be together as long as emotions are not involved. New flash! that ship sailed the first night they met. Does saying that "we'll keep it physical with no commitment" ever work? 🤔

They both have dreams for the future - Christian for his security business, and Raven for writing children's books. They both believe that there is no room in each other's lives when the assignment is over.

Will they believe their own excuses or will they go after what they want more than their own dreams?

Ava tells a believable story with suspense mixed in for good measure.

Enjoyed this read.

[Victoria Golby · Rating 5 out of 5]

He's determined to help her feel safe in Sweet Haven

Another great slow-build romance from Ava Nichols; with brilliant chemistry and spice between the main characters, a stalker, misunderstandings, a twist and a lovely HEA.

When Raven tries to escape her ex who's stalking her she runs to Sweet Haven at the suggestion of her friend, who also suggests a friend of hers can help with protection. When she reaches the town she has a connection with a man in a bar, both laughing at another's chat up lines, and they have a steamy night together, though when she wakes he's disappeared. But at her friend's she's shocked to meet her new bodyguard to find it's her one-night-stand.

When Christian goes to help his friend's cousin with some protection he is surprised to find she's the lady he'd met the night before. His rule is to not sleep with clients so he tries to keep his distance when he moves her into his home as part of her protection plan. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to ignore their feelings.

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

[Jin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ex-seal protecting a preschool teacher.
Christian is coming back to home town to establish his security business and his childhood friend/first crush asking for his service. On his way, he stops by in Nashville before he is heading home. When he meets gorgeous woman from a bar and enjoys night, what can go wrong.
Raven is travel cross country to get away from her abusive ex. Her sweet cousin offers her little town, she is heading there and little pit stop at Nashville. She doesn't do one night stand but when she meets handsome man, she decides to let go and enjoys except he leaves middle of the night.
Both are introduced by Honey Lee and finds they already had a sizzling one night stand before. Raven becomes his job and they have to stay in put. He promised to protect her and won't cross the line or won't he?
Christian doesn't seem like typical billionaire and his wealth doesn't come up until later in the book. I get his hesitation since his first job didn't pan out the way it should but story is bit too morbid and I don't think it makes him better at what he does.
Overall, I liked chemistry, banter between Christian and Raven. I am not sure if he needed to be a billionaire and his first assignment. I would give solid 3 1/2 stars.

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

[Esmeralda Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book it was a great read, I couldn’t put it down. The storyline is well developed, it’s a steamy page turner. The tension between the characters was very suspenseful, they have a mind blowing sexual tension, their chemistry and physical attraction towards eachother was a very sensational and very magical during their one night together. Their temptation towards each other was heating up, will they be able to fight the urge? Will their one night end the next day or will it blossom into something more? Find out more in this book. I definitely recommend this to others.

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

[Vickie Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raven and Christian meet in a bar and have instant chemistry. Christian is there on business so it was going to be a one night stand for him. He had to leave for an emergency and when he returned to apologize and try again she had already check out of the hotel. Their one night stand turns into a business relationship due to her being his new client. She is floored when he tells her, she is moving in with him. They become close over the time that he is her protector from her ex that is stalking her. He has to go out of town to check on something as a Ex Navy Seal and her ex finds her while he is gone.

[Charmaine Nouwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protected by the Billionaire Ex-SEAL: A Forced Proximity, Bodyguard Romance Small Town Billionaires..and this is Christian and Raven story.. the 2 met in a bar,hit it off and spend the night together only he left her alone without a goodbye or a note..Only mer him again that day in her in her cousins place and the one they've contacted to be her bodyguard from her crazy ex..He is Charming. Ex-Navy SEAL. Billionaire. Playboy, her bodyguard and the man who captivated her,a teacher,a children book author and a damsel in distress..An intriguing,exciting,with some drama,angst and romance..

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

[Mindy Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Book 2 in the Small Town Billionaires Series by this author, and can be read as a standalone. It is an off limits romance between Raven and her bodyguard Christian. These flawed but likeable characters and the unique plot make for an intriguing read. What starts out as a flirty bet turns into something more. It is a captivating love story with a compelling blend of drama and steam, danger and suspense, sexual tension and chemistry, and twists and turns, plus appealing secondary characters to keep the reader interested. An engaging page turner.

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

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raven and Christian have one sizzling night only for her to wake up and find him gone. If that isn't bad enough guess who her off limit's bodyguard is? That's right her sizzling one night stand. He changes attitudes quickly when he takes on the role, but the more time spent together has walls coming down. When Raven is faced with two pink lines thanks to that night will she and Christian take the plunge and see where their relationship lands them?.

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

[Tesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Total suspense and brilliant romance.

After a one night stand, Raven discovers her new bodyguard, Christian is that same man who is to protect her from her stalker.

Loved the connection that two had. The forbidden contradicts the passion and chemistry these two share. And it's interesting to see what the conclusion brings.

Well written I've found this author to be a new favourite. I loved the suspense and push pull of the relationship. Highly recommended!!.

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

[Trina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put it down. OMG 😱 this was a steamy page turner and the suspense was intense between Christian and Raven. I was on the edge of my seat and it was mind blowing 🤯 sexual tension. The chemistry and physical attraction was sensational magical during a one night with him. Temptation was heating up between them and couldn’t fight the urge anymore.
I definitely recommend this book and you won’t be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion. Trina Jones

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protection Wanted

Raven is in need of protection from her ex-boyfriend and asks her cousin for help. On her way to visit the small town of Sweet Haven she stops at a bar in Nashville where she meets Christian. One night together of heated passion results in some misunderstandings so when they meet again in a business setting conflicting feelings arise. This was emotional, suspenseful and exciting to read.

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

[YAZ3885 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down. You get pulled into Christian and Raven’s story right from the start. The chemistry and physical attraction was magical during a one night. Raven is running from her ex-boyfriend and needs protection. Christian has one rule, Don't get involved with your client. Fighting their obvious attraction is a losing battle. Will they go after what they want more than their own dreams?.

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

[ljamison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian and Raven meet at a bar and sparks fly and they spend a very intimate night together. Raven thought they would get to know each other but he was gone the next morning leaving no note. Of course they later meet when he is assigned to protect her from her ex. Christian decides the best way to watch and protect her is at his house. These two can’t seem to resist each other but misunderstandings lead to them separating. Will these two find their HEA together? Great story with interesting characters and story.

[Lisa Blais · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story and didn’t want it to end. I read it in one day as I just couldn’t put it down. You get pulled in to Christian and Raven’s story right from chapter one. I really like how the story is told from both characters points of view and you can really feel the emotions they are going through. I will definitely be recommending this to my romance reading friends.

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

[Debdutch]

An engaging tale of romance and suspense that keeps you hooked from start to finish. With sparks flying between Raven and Christian, their passionate one-night stand leads to unexpected twists and turns as they navigate their complicated feelings and pasts. A satisfying conclusion ties up loose ends and leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling.

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

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute romance that was a fun read. It won't take you long to get emotionally involved with Christian and Raven. An unplanned meeting at a bar leads to a night of passion. Needless to say, they're both surprised when her mystery man turns out to be her bar pickup. The story will grab you in with twists, drama and explosive chemistry. Likeable characters and an engaging storyline. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LA FITCH · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good story. Christian is hired to protect Raven from her ex. He does such a good job they fall in love. Their road to happiness is well-written with engaging characters. The others in the series are must reads.

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

[Jennifer Painter Slotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book drew me in right away and I didn't want to put it down. Loved how Christian and Raven met and then "met" again. The connection between them jumped off the pages and I really enjoyed the unexpected twists their story took. Loved the extra characters too. Such a great romance - 100% recommend!!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

ATTENTION everyone calling all romance lovers out there here is your next HOT 🥵 and STEAMY ❤️‍🔥 must read book. I loved reading about Christian and Raven. The way Ava describes them is superb and makes you fall in love not only them but the story itself. ❤️‍🔥🌟10/10 Star read.

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

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about two people who meet at a bar and have a night together. The next day they realize that he is the security person who will be protecting her from her controlling ex.
Great characters that can carry a good story.

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

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful novel that you couldn't put down. Raven and Christian's story was gripping from the first meeting and the chemistry and attraction was bliss. Through the writing style and the characters, the author has given us a story that you can actually read in one sitting and with enough steam and heat.


I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review..

[Sarah-Jo Paquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I could not put it down. The storyline grabbed my attention and loved the characters. They were explosive together ❤ and they got their HEA. Highly recommend if you love spicy books you can get escape in 😉.

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

[Kim H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christian is an ex seal and is level 10 on the hotness scale!! The journey these two take together is quite an adventure. You get steam, angst, desire, stalking, alpha protectiveness - all the things!!
Another great read by Ava Nichols!!.

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

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only one night or is it? Raven is trying to stay safe from her ex and hires a bodyguard. Enter Christian her one night stand. They have a connection that neither anticipated. Enjoyed their story. Received a free copy.