3.4/5 overall. These were quick, enjoyable reads. I find it a bit awkward when bodyguard/client relationships become the norm for an institution, but that’s kind of the premise of the series, of course, and I do feel differently about it when they keep ending up permanent partners, not just sleeping together. I found the power balance mostly worked, and this collection would have hit 3.5 if the second book hadn’t had quite so much trauma in it; I just couldn’t believe it was time for another relationship.
Bodyguard to a Sex God
3.5/5 I liked Logan and Adam but didn’t quite feel like they had enough time together, though I did appreciate the feels really started to come shortly before the epilogue. I’m never sure how I feel these days about bodyguards getting involved with clients. This one sort of felt like it was navigating it appropriately. I appreciated that Logan got the chance to be his real self, despite the glimpses into how wrong it can go when you’re a celebrity.
The Ex Factor
3/5 I’m really glad that Daniel was finally able to get the help that he needed, but it still felt like the abuse and trauma was extremely recent, and I couldn’t help but feel like now was not the time for a new relationship. It definitely helped relieve my mind to learn at the end that Daniel was in therapy, but I would have been happier if meeting Ben happened later or if there was a bigger time gap.
Cam was a real piece of work, and deserved everything that came to him. There’s so much going on with trying to stop Cam and salvage Daniel’s career that although Ben and Daniel are together all the time, it doesn’t feel like it’s actually about them all that much. I did love Daniel’s parents, they were awesome, and I liked the little moments that Daniel and Ben were able to connect.
Max and the Prince
3.75 This was my favourite of the three, although I feel like it had the potential to go most wrong with power imbalances. But Lucien seems to be very nominally a Prince, and I really appreciated that the age gap between Lucien and Max is so minimal. Lucien and Max spend a lot of time together over weeks, which I liked. They had a few heart-to-hearts, which I appreciated. But it still felt in some ways like they didn’t get to know one another that well and most of their advancements were physical.
I didn’t like Max keeping secrets at all (and while there was a confrontation about it, I feel like he’d do the exact same thing over again, which I didn’t love from equal relationship perspective). A couple things were never explained like Max suddenly competing in a college swim competition. Did he actually get a fake identity as an enrolled student? Characters had some complications, not perfect but usually not horrible, which made everything feel more life-like. In many ways this somehow felt cozy despite the serious things that happened.