Beautifully Protected

by Tara Lee

Nickolas

She's forbidden. Untouchable. My job.

For the past nineteen years I've guarded her, protected her.
When she turns sixteen, it all changes after she declares she's in love with me.

I do what I think is right and push her away. Mixing business and pleasure never ends well.

But when her life is in danger, she turns to me and this time I can't push her away.

I'm far too old for her, and her father is my boss but things finally become clear and protecting her isn't the only thing on my mind.

Ayra

All my life I've been protected. Kept locked away for my safety.

I've only ever been in love with one man. He's guarded me my entire life. Always making me feel like a treasure he needs to protect.
I hate how he makes me feel, because I'll never feel this way about anyone else.

When my father arranges a marriage for me unaware of my feelings for Nickolas I try my best to forget him and move on.
When my life is threatened, he swoops in and keeps me safe.

We cross the line and things begin to blur but I’m beautifully protected, I’ll be fine. Right?

396 pages, Hardcover

Published April 2, 2024

About the author

Tara Lee is an Australian author who writes spicy romance, and men to swoon over. She comes from Hobart, Tasmania where she lives with her husband and two children.

When she's not a stay at home mum wrangling her two small children or fighting the voices in her head to be quiet she's getting up before the sun rises as a qualified baker.

Tara is a Pisces who survives on energy drinks, chocolate frappes and busting moves at Jazzicise for some me time.

Reviews

[Avid Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arya has had a crush on her head bodyguard as long as she can remember. Nikolas is 15yrs her senior. He's her bodyguard. She's the daughter of the Don. He's not good enough for her. But when her father begins the hunt for a husband worthy of his only daughter, time starts running out. Arya knows she should follow her father's wishes, but her heart wants what her heart wants, despite being told it can never be. Until a deadly assassin raises her head and almost succeeds in destroying her entire family. Nikolas can no longer stay away from the girl he's watched over as she grew into the beautiful woman she is today. He just needs to extinguish the threat to her and her family first.

[Christina Bays]

This was the first book I have read from this author and I am glad I did. I loved the story. It had me hooked from the start and I didn't put it down till I was done. I loved the interactions of the MC's, you could feel the great chemistry between them.

Arya, is The Don's daughter, and is being kept safe by her body guard Nikolas. Arya is in love with Nikolas, but he much older and thinks he isn't worthy of her. When someone raises a threat against Arya and her family Nickolas will do anything for her and starts to see her for the woman she has grown into.

I was given an ARC to read of this book and I am leaving a review voluntarily.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arya is spunky, kind and down to earth. She likes to push Nickolas’s buttons and while she tries to be a dutiful daughter, she stays true to her feelings. She cares about the people around her. Meanwhile, Nickolas has been protecting Arya almost all her life. He is resourceful and perceptive. He takes his responsibilities seriously and denies he might feel more for her. But soon those walls crumble and while he changes course, it takes a little push before he goes all in. These two have good banter and the are moments that pull at the heart strings. You definitely cheer them on.

We also have several side characters that younger attached to as they round out the cast, bringing out other sides to the main couple while also shining on their own. The action and suspense were good, and the whole there seemed to be some jumps in narrative and one plot point that leaves you wanting to get more background on the why, the story itself keeps you enraptured and wanting to know what happens.

[S I · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully Protected by Tara Lee
Wonderfully written story that captures your heart as you root for Ayra & Nickolas to get there happy ever ending as they have to deal with so much things standing in the way.

[Rhiannon Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My man 🔥🔥🔥🔥

The tension between these two… wow!
I honestly could not put it down from the moment I started!

This has to be my favourite book by Tara!

I adore Nickolas and Ayra so much!

[Tamarra Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author is a first for me, however, not the genre.

When you’re the daughter of a Don, love is out of the realm of possibilities, especially for our FMC who has a crush on her bodyguard, one as long as Arya can remember, however this could pose a danger to not only Nikolas but her entire family too, because one Nikolas is 15 years her senior and two he’s not good enough for her.

The time has come for Arya to marry, and thus, her father begins his task to find someone worthy of his daughter. The heart wants what the heart wants, and she is prepared to defy her father’s wishes, only to be told her childish fantasy will never be.

However that all changes when Arya and her entire family is almost taken out by an assassin no less, and Nikolas can no longer stand idly by, let alone stay away from the girl that he has watched over, a girl that has turned into a beautiful woman, one he intends to claim for his very own, but before he can do that, he must eliminate the threat against her and her family first.

If you love a good mafia story with a hot and spicy age gap romance and a happily ever after, then this book is for you.

Recommend both the author and the book.

I received an ARC. Therefore, I am submitting a voluntary review.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arya has been in love with her guard since she knew what love is. He’s always been there, keeping her safe, sometimes she thinks he might feel the same then he’ll say something indicating he doesn’t. Times up her father has arranged a marriage for her, so she makes sure Nickolas has no doubt on how she feels but he turns her down.
Nickolas is tempted by Arya, but their age difference is too much, and her father will unalive him. Seeing the man, she’s meant to marry Nickolas doesn’t think he can watch how she’s treated, when a threat nearly unaliving Arya Nickolas knows that he can’t deny what they both want.
Arya can’t believe that Nickolas is finally agreeing that they will be together, assuring her that he will make it right with her father. When her father selects some more husbands, Nickolas tells her it will be sorted. When the night of her engagement comes Arya wonders if Nickolas is to late.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Nickolas and Ayra’s story.
Nickolas has guarded and protected Ayra for years, and when she is 16 she confesses that she loves him, only for him to push her away. When Ayra’s overprotective father arranges a marriage for her, she decides it is time to move on with her life.
This is a well written story which has danger, suspense, intrigue, an arranged marriage, undeniable chemistry, emotions, tension, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Alannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow What can I say but WOW this book is everything and then some. I have no words it's just Amazeballs.

The crush that turns into more, the forbidden attraction. The back and forth fighting and the over protected father that's my man haha.

These 2 are fire in a crazy storm called there life..

[Amber Pickerill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arya is the Mafia princess who Nickolas is supposed go protect. She's just a job, until she isn't. You'll be on the edge of your seat reading this book. I loved it so much and can't wait for what's next!

[Lori Hammons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arya and Nickolas' story is one of angst, frustration, and patience. It's full of suspense and danger, as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this mafia romance.

[Eclectic Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking forward to Nickolas and Ayra’s forbidden love story between the bodyguard and the Mafia princess. The chemistry is unmistakable as Ayra craves it and Nickolas fights it. She is destined to marry another and then she’ll be off limits. But will he be able to live with that?

The chemistry between Ayra and Nickolas was obvious, but it wasn’t enough to make up for the flaws in the book. Ayra’s character seemed overly dramatic and immature, relying too heavily on Nickolas to rescue her. I wanted her to show some sense and not just be a damsel in distress waiting for her prince charming.

Nickolas was too restrained and hesitant and not the alpha male I was hoping for. I understand that he’s bound by duty to protect Ayra, but I wanted to see more of his assertiveness and confidence shine through. The author tried to redeem Nickolas towards the end, but it felt rushed and not enough to make up for his lackluster character throughout the book.

The writing style was choppy and disjointed, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. A new sinister element was thrown in for good measure, but the story lacked the finesse and flow to do it justice.

I pushed through the book hoping for a satisfying ending. But it was too little, too late. The happily ever after felt rushed and forced, not fully earned by the characters’ development throughout the book.

Thank you to Ms. Lee for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

[Shianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. However, some parts I feel were rushed and skipped over. Sometimes it felt very broken and jumped all over the place and was hard to follow along. Loved the story itself however and am interested to read Alessia's story as well!

[Chantelle Bensley · Rating 4 out of 5]

omg this book was amazing. loved the forbidden romance with bodyguard duties.