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LA Wolves #8
Protecting the Boundary
I was hired to take care of his daughter, not fall in love with her football star father.
Meredith
Taking a nanny job wasn't part of my post-college plan—but neither was falling for my gruff, NFL-star boss and his sweet daughter.
Romel Watson's heart has been locked away since his wife's death three years ago. But the more time I spend with them, the more I see the cracks in his armor. I love his daughter like she's my own, and the way Romel’s eyes linger on me ignites a spark I can't ignore.
But he keeps me at arm's length, clinging to a past he can't let go of. Now I have to keep fighting for the family I've come to love or walk away before I lose myself completely.
Romel
My life has been locked in a routine of football and fatherhood since I buried my wife. Love and passion were things I no longer allowed myself to want.
Then Meredith walked into my home.
She's not just my daughter's nanny; she's a burst of sunlight in a world I didn't realize had grown so dark. Her warmth eases an ache I thought was permanent. But letting her in feels like betrayal, and every unspoken promise comes with suffocating guilt.
When my fear threatens to destroy the fragile happiness we've found, I'll have to stay trapped in my grief or risk it all for the woman who's given me—and my daughter—a reason to believe in love again.
This sizzling single dad/nanny sports romance will steal your heart and leave you breathless. This is book 8 in the LA Wolves Football series, but can be read as a standalone.
Meredith
Taking a nanny job wasn't part of my post-college plan—but neither was falling for my gruff, NFL-star boss and his sweet daughter.
Romel Watson's heart has been locked away since his wife's death three years ago. But the more time I spend with them, the more I see the cracks in his armor. I love his daughter like she's my own, and the way Romel’s eyes linger on me ignites a spark I can't ignore.
But he keeps me at arm's length, clinging to a past he can't let go of. Now I have to keep fighting for the family I've come to love or walk away before I lose myself completely.
Romel
My life has been locked in a routine of football and fatherhood since I buried my wife. Love and passion were things I no longer allowed myself to want.
Then Meredith walked into my home.
She's not just my daughter's nanny; she's a burst of sunlight in a world I didn't realize had grown so dark. Her warmth eases an ache I thought was permanent. But letting her in feels like betrayal, and every unspoken promise comes with suffocating guilt.
When my fear threatens to destroy the fragile happiness we've found, I'll have to stay trapped in my grief or risk it all for the woman who's given me—and my daughter—a reason to believe in love again.
This sizzling single dad/nanny sports romance will steal your heart and leave you breathless. This is book 8 in the LA Wolves Football series, but can be read as a standalone.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 23, 2025
About the author
Cadence Keys
25 books237 followersCadence Keys writes steamy contemporary sports romances about complex alpha males and the women who love them. She loves football, coffee, and watching Gilmore Girl marathons. She has been writing for almost a decade, but only recently got the gumption to really do something with her work. She looks forward to publishing many more novels, specifically her LA Wolves series.
You can also find more information about all future releases at www.cadencekeysauthor.com/
You can also find more information about all future releases at www.cadencekeysauthor.com/
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 20, 2025
2.5
Romel as a dad was A+++, Romel as a love interest was 💩. I didn’t even understand why these two were together…then when he explains to Dom why he “cares” for her it’s all about how she takes care of his daughter and how she cares for him to help ease his stress (the rockin’ sex was left out but they were banging like bunnies by the time this convo happened so maybe it fell under stress reduction)…not that she’s smart or funny or have any common interests they can bond over…but she’s good at taking care of people. Plot fail. I love single parent romances because at like seeing the person falling for the kid AND the parent, it warms my cold dead heart, but this was a major disappointment. I enjoyed the epilogue but it didn’t elevate my overall enjoyment of this one.
Romel as a dad was A+++, Romel as a love interest was 💩. I didn’t even understand why these two were together…then when he explains to Dom why he “cares” for her it’s all about how she takes care of his daughter and how she cares for him to help ease his stress (the rockin’ sex was left out but they were banging like bunnies by the time this convo happened so maybe it fell under stress reduction)…not that she’s smart or funny or have any common interests they can bond over…but she’s good at taking care of people. Plot fail. I love single parent romances because at like seeing the person falling for the kid AND the parent, it warms my cold dead heart, but this was a major disappointment. I enjoyed the epilogue but it didn’t elevate my overall enjoyment of this one.
March 14, 2026
Immature and selfish FMC
The FMC is so inappropriate, pushy, selfish, and immature I didn't want her to end up with the MMC. He deserved so much better than her.
He is still grieving the loss of his first wife. She acts very inappropriate as an employee, especially one living on the premises.
As soon as he shows a bit of attraction toward her, she feels entitled to all of his affections. She gets mad that he still has his wife's photo and things in his house, and feels that he should not disrespect her like that (after just barely starting a relationship).
When his feelings don't evolve at the same pace as hers, she gets mad at him.
Like her previous books, there was a lot more telling than showing. The epilogue just went on and on and on. And there were way too many explicit and lengthy intimate scenes that added very little to the story. Very little actually happens, other than her whining about him not falling for her fast enough.
SPOILERS
What dropped this down to one star for me was near the 80% mark. He goes alone to visit the grave of his first wife like he does every year. She follows him, and when she sees him crying, she storms over and basically says that if he is still grieving his first wife then he couldn't possibly love another. Then, when he gets upset that she invaded this incredibly painful and private moment, she throws a fit, quits her nanny job (without saying goodbye to the little girl), and leaves the state.
He has to chase her down, grovel apologies, and beg for her love.
His big sin was loving his ex wife, and grieving at her grave on the anniversary of her death. This was mere months after hiring the FMC as his nanny, and not long after they became romantically involved.
The FMC is so inappropriate, pushy, selfish, and immature I didn't want her to end up with the MMC. He deserved so much better than her.
He is still grieving the loss of his first wife. She acts very inappropriate as an employee, especially one living on the premises.
As soon as he shows a bit of attraction toward her, she feels entitled to all of his affections. She gets mad that he still has his wife's photo and things in his house, and feels that he should not disrespect her like that (after just barely starting a relationship).
When his feelings don't evolve at the same pace as hers, she gets mad at him.
Like her previous books, there was a lot more telling than showing. The epilogue just went on and on and on. And there were way too many explicit and lengthy intimate scenes that added very little to the story. Very little actually happens, other than her whining about him not falling for her fast enough.
SPOILERS
What dropped this down to one star for me was near the 80% mark. He goes alone to visit the grave of his first wife like he does every year. She follows him, and when she sees him crying, she storms over and basically says that if he is still grieving his first wife then he couldn't possibly love another. Then, when he gets upset that she invaded this incredibly painful and private moment, she throws a fit, quits her nanny job (without saying goodbye to the little girl), and leaves the state.
He has to chase her down, grovel apologies, and beg for her love.
His big sin was loving his ex wife, and grieving at her grave on the anniversary of her death. This was mere months after hiring the FMC as his nanny, and not long after they became romantically involved.
January 23, 2025
#NFLLAWOLVES #NannyRomance #2ndChanceLove
Protecting the Boundary: A Single Dad Football Romance (LA Wolves Book 8) by Cadence Keys is a cross-culture, unexpected romance between NFL widowed dad, Romel, with a three-year-old daughter, Kaylee, and a college graduate, Meredith, who is taking a gap year to decide if she wanted to pursue grad school for a physical therapy degree or not. Romel lost his wife to cancer when she gave birth to their daughter Kaylee. Being still seeped in the dregs of grief for his one and only sweetheart and wife, Sidney, he is unable to move on even three years later. Meredith (Mere) just came off of a blah relationship that hasn’t broken her heart but left her wanting more from life. Mere decided to apply for a Nanny position since she loves children, and the first interview she was given found her hired as a Nanny for little Kaylee while Romel traveled and worked with the L.A. Wolves NFL team. As time passes, their personalities at first clash but develop into a friendship that becomes more as attraction between them becomes too difficult to ignore. Despite the changes between Mere and Romel, it remains to be seen if he can commit to her if he can’t step out of his grief to love both his deceased wife and Mere at the same time. How long can Mere continue to have the passion without the love and family she desires? Candance Keys brings the romance and slow burn in Protecting the Boundary: A Single Dad Football Romance (LA Wolves Book 8) with no cheating and guaranteed HEA.
Protecting the Boundary: A Single Dad Football Romance (LA Wolves Book 8) by Cadence Keys is a cross-culture, unexpected romance between NFL widowed dad, Romel, with a three-year-old daughter, Kaylee, and a college graduate, Meredith, who is taking a gap year to decide if she wanted to pursue grad school for a physical therapy degree or not. Romel lost his wife to cancer when she gave birth to their daughter Kaylee. Being still seeped in the dregs of grief for his one and only sweetheart and wife, Sidney, he is unable to move on even three years later. Meredith (Mere) just came off of a blah relationship that hasn’t broken her heart but left her wanting more from life. Mere decided to apply for a Nanny position since she loves children, and the first interview she was given found her hired as a Nanny for little Kaylee while Romel traveled and worked with the L.A. Wolves NFL team. As time passes, their personalities at first clash but develop into a friendship that becomes more as attraction between them becomes too difficult to ignore. Despite the changes between Mere and Romel, it remains to be seen if he can commit to her if he can’t step out of his grief to love both his deceased wife and Mere at the same time. How long can Mere continue to have the passion without the love and family she desires? Candance Keys brings the romance and slow burn in Protecting the Boundary: A Single Dad Football Romance (LA Wolves Book 8) with no cheating and guaranteed HEA.
January 27, 2025
Last in a series and it is bittersweet to see it come to an end. Overall a really good football romance series. I have read most of them (at least the last 4) and have really enjoyed them.
This book follows Romel who is a single dad to a beautiful little girl. After his wife died, Romel closed himself off to any sort of relationship and focused solely on surviving without his wife and caring for his child. When he ends up hiring a nanny to help him out, he starts to have feelings for Meredith he didn't expect and honestly doesn't want. He promised to love his wife forever and these feelings make him feel like he is cheating. Enter Meredith, the fresh out of college nanny, who grew up without a mom so knows exactly what Romel is dealing with and how to care for his child. She has no problems identifying her feelings but knows Romel never will. Even as their physical and emotional relationship progresses, there is still a lot for them to have to overcome. When it finally gets to be too much for Meredith, she has to do what is best for her well being even if it breaks her heart. But can Romel come to terms with losing another woman he has feelings for? Can he love Meredith while still loving his deceased wife?
Overall very emotional book. Really loved Romel and his feelings.
This book follows Romel who is a single dad to a beautiful little girl. After his wife died, Romel closed himself off to any sort of relationship and focused solely on surviving without his wife and caring for his child. When he ends up hiring a nanny to help him out, he starts to have feelings for Meredith he didn't expect and honestly doesn't want. He promised to love his wife forever and these feelings make him feel like he is cheating. Enter Meredith, the fresh out of college nanny, who grew up without a mom so knows exactly what Romel is dealing with and how to care for his child. She has no problems identifying her feelings but knows Romel never will. Even as their physical and emotional relationship progresses, there is still a lot for them to have to overcome. When it finally gets to be too much for Meredith, she has to do what is best for her well being even if it breaks her heart. But can Romel come to terms with losing another woman he has feelings for? Can he love Meredith while still loving his deceased wife?
Overall very emotional book. Really loved Romel and his feelings.
January 23, 2025
This is such a beautiful story of resilience. Fresh out of college, where she pursued a degree in physical therapy, Meredith finds herself questioning her career path. Opting to take a year off before diving into grad school, she returns to her childhood home. She shares a close bond with her father. Her mother dies during childbirth, so Meredith is extremely close with her father, who has never moved on with another woman. Meredith decides to take a job as a nanny. She doesn’t expect to be caring for the three-year-old daughter of NFL star Romel Watson. Romel, who lost his wife shortly after childbirth, has been a grieving single father with little interest in romance. Yet, Meredith’s arrival stirs something within him, igniting a spark that challenges his guarded heart. While Romel struggles with guilt and is not sure if he can ever let Meredith in totally, there is no denying the spark between them. As Meredith and Romel navigate their complex emotions, the undeniable connection between them grows, paralleled by the tender love she develops for his daughter. This story beautifully intertwines themes of love, loss, and second chances. I am so sorry to see the end of the LA Wolves series!
January 25, 2025
This is a wonderful story of resilience. Meredith, who recently graduated from college with a degree in physical therapy, is unsure of her future. She decides to return to her childhood home and take a year off before enrolling in graduate school. Meredith chooses to become a babysitter. She is not expecting to be caring for NFL great Romel Watson's three-year-old kid. Romel, who lost his wife shortly after giving birth, has been a grieving single father with little interest in romance. However, Meredith's entrance awakens something within him, igniting a spark that tests his guarded heart.
As Meredith and Romel manage their complex emotions, their intriguing connection increases, as does her tender love for his daughter. The book beautifully ties together themes of love, sadness, and second chances. The story of Romel and Meredith was an excellent way to conclude the series. We watch Romel overcome his loss and fall in love again. At times, it was a little heartbreaking, but everything worked out in the end.
Thank you so much Cadence Keys for this e-ARC.
As Meredith and Romel manage their complex emotions, their intriguing connection increases, as does her tender love for his daughter. The book beautifully ties together themes of love, sadness, and second chances. The story of Romel and Meredith was an excellent way to conclude the series. We watch Romel overcome his loss and fall in love again. At times, it was a little heartbreaking, but everything worked out in the end.
Thank you so much Cadence Keys for this e-ARC.
January 24, 2025
Romel has been a single dad to daughter Kaylee since his wife died in childbirth. His in-laws have helped him manage her while he continued to play professional football but the time has come to get some additional help. Enter Meredith - a recent college graduate who is not sure her next step so decides to be a nanny while she figures it all out. She shares a sad beginning with Kaylee - her mom also died in childbirth. Romel and Meredith are attracted to each other but he has not been able to let go of his late wife in any way. Can he come to grips with moving on and finding love again before he pushes Meredith away?
I have read all the books in this series and liked them all. I think this works as a stand-alone but I do recommend all of them.
I read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I have read all the books in this series and liked them all. I think this works as a stand-alone but I do recommend all of them.
I read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
January 26, 2025
This book is more than a love story. It’s also about the journey through loss, grief and healing.
Meredith is looking for a job as a nanny. She lands the job taking care of the daughter of a single dad and NFL player, Romel.
Romel is still grieving from the loss of his wife three years ago and resistant to admitting that he needs a nanny. But with the close proximity of her job, they both find themselves attracted to each other. He resents these feelings, wanting to stay loyal to his wife. But no matter how he tries to keep her at arm’s length it just isn’t enough.
The strong emotional themes in this story are so well written. This is my second book in this series. I love the supporting cast of friends across the series. And I love love the evolving relationship between Meredith and Romel’s daughter. Thank you to Cadence Key for the ARC opportunity!!
Meredith is looking for a job as a nanny. She lands the job taking care of the daughter of a single dad and NFL player, Romel.
Romel is still grieving from the loss of his wife three years ago and resistant to admitting that he needs a nanny. But with the close proximity of her job, they both find themselves attracted to each other. He resents these feelings, wanting to stay loyal to his wife. But no matter how he tries to keep her at arm’s length it just isn’t enough.
The strong emotional themes in this story are so well written. This is my second book in this series. I love the supporting cast of friends across the series. And I love love the evolving relationship between Meredith and Romel’s daughter. Thank you to Cadence Key for the ARC opportunity!!
January 25, 2025
Oh my heart! One of the best in the LA Wolves series, its a tear shedding, heart aching, chance at finding love again that wrecks you just as much as it fills you with hope and soothes your soul. Romel is an outstanding character that tugs at every single heart string possible as he battles keeping his late wife's memory alive while finding himself falling a little more every day for Meredith. And if that's not enough to get you snapping this book up as quick as you can, the grace and understanding Meredith shows him will absolutely undo you. This is two souls that were just meant to find each other, realizing you can love people in different ways, and never letting go of the person who brightens your days and makes you feel alive and it is so ridiculously perfect.
January 23, 2025
Like all the other books in the serie I absolutely loved this story.
The plot but mostly the character building was amazing. Read it like the others in one go. Couldn't put it down even if I wanted which I didn't, because why would I? Couldnt wait to read the next page.
It was so refreshing to read About a widowed dad who still found place in is heart to love another women even after his and his daughters devastating loss. It was written so beautifully it really touched me and had me all emotional.
Before starting this series I wasn't even into sport romances but cadence has a way of writing and now I totally love these books from her.
The plot but mostly the character building was amazing. Read it like the others in one go. Couldn't put it down even if I wanted which I didn't, because why would I? Couldnt wait to read the next page.
It was so refreshing to read About a widowed dad who still found place in is heart to love another women even after his and his daughters devastating loss. It was written so beautifully it really touched me and had me all emotional.
Before starting this series I wasn't even into sport romances but cadence has a way of writing and now I totally love these books from her.
January 24, 2025
Protecting the Boundary is an amazing story! Romel and Meredith's story was so heartwarming and sexy at the same time. This sports romance is a second chance at love and single dad/nanny romance. I love their chemistry and how they fought their attraction for so long. I also, love how they understood each other with the similar tragedy they both experienced. I love how they complemented each other in every way and Kaylee (Romel's daughter) is the most adorable kid ever. I really enjoyed their story and can't wait to read more!
I voluntarily leave an honest review of this Advance Readers Copy.
I voluntarily leave an honest review of this Advance Readers Copy.
January 12, 2025
My heart……
I have loved each of the books in this series for different reasons and looked forward to this book even though I suspected my heart would be bruised with it given what I knew about Romel from his team mates books.
Well my heart is most definitely bruised, but also filled with with the love that this book was made up of
A hard storyline, it’s amazing me how this author took a storyline that was so emotive, and built a second love story without undermining or ignoring the existence of Kay’s mum and how much Romel loved her.
Adored how this story played out
I have loved each of the books in this series for different reasons and looked forward to this book even though I suspected my heart would be bruised with it given what I knew about Romel from his team mates books.
Well my heart is most definitely bruised, but also filled with with the love that this book was made up of
A hard storyline, it’s amazing me how this author took a storyline that was so emotive, and built a second love story without undermining or ignoring the existence of Kay’s mum and how much Romel loved her.
Adored how this story played out
January 24, 2025
It probably deserves 4 stars but I skimmed a bit not because of the book as such because I’m impatient. I love the widower trope and Romel was unsure for a good 60% of the book, which for me makes me unsure. He knew he had feelings for Meredith he just did want to or couldn’t (not really sure which one) to let go of his dead wife. This always builds but grey areas for me. He finally pulls his head out of his ass thanks to a letter he finds but I’m not sure he would have gotten there otherwise.
It was very well written.
It was very well written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2025
Wow! I absolutely loved this book. Amazing characters and wonderful plot. Very beautifully written and easy to read.
I read this book in one sitting and I loved every second of it. The chemistry and passion between Meredith and Romel was undeniable and sizzling. They were made for each other.
Overall I loved this book very much. If you’re looking for a single dad, nanny, football romance then you’re going to love it.
I read this book in one sitting and I loved every second of it. The chemistry and passion between Meredith and Romel was undeniable and sizzling. They were made for each other.
Overall I loved this book very much. If you’re looking for a single dad, nanny, football romance then you’re going to love it.
January 24, 2025
The story of Romel and Meredith was a great book to end the series. We get to see Romel get past his grief and fall in love again. It was a bit heartbreaking at times, but it all came together well in the end.
There is an epilogue at the end of the book that wraps everything up well. It touches on where the Fierce Four all are 10 years down the road, which completes the series nicely.
There is an epilogue at the end of the book that wraps everything up well. It touches on where the Fierce Four all are 10 years down the road, which completes the series nicely.
January 30, 2025
I loved this book. This is a romance book but it's also more than that. This is a story about a single dad about 3ish years after losing his wife and processing the grief while navigating his first relationship since her and all the struggles he goes through with it. It is a happily ever after at the end.
February 15, 2025
B, L, orAMWW ...
So this book may be good for some people but the successful Black, Latin or Asian male hero with a young white woman heroine trope just doesn't do it for me. The story arch was okay I guess but the way the author tries to gloss over the race aspects of the narrative was discordant and disturbingly distracting in its absence. Not my cup of tea...🤷🏽♀️
So this book may be good for some people but the successful Black, Latin or Asian male hero with a young white woman heroine trope just doesn't do it for me. The story arch was okay I guess but the way the author tries to gloss over the race aspects of the narrative was discordant and disturbingly distracting in its absence. Not my cup of tea...🤷🏽♀️
April 24, 2026
No more boundaries
Romel & Meredith have a compelling yet heartbreaking story. While they both are recovering from losing a partner, Romel loss is pretty tragic. Once he finds a way to love her tge way she deserves, they find they're HEA. I really enjoyed this storyline and characters.
Romel & Meredith have a compelling yet heartbreaking story. While they both are recovering from losing a partner, Romel loss is pretty tragic. Once he finds a way to love her tge way she deserves, they find they're HEA. I really enjoyed this storyline and characters.
January 21, 2025
it was so heart wrenching to read! i've always wondered about the way a heart would heal after the death of someone you love with everything you have. and cadence was able to show us this love and how a person can grow his heart more to fit more than one person. loved it!
June 21, 2025
Glaringly obvious & predictable plot. Very little for the reader to do. After two weeks, she decides to bury her crush on him. He finds himself coming awake after three years. This stuff reminds me why I dislike nanny stories. DNF.
June 23, 2025
I had been looking forward to Romel's story. I wish I could have gotten more into it. I just didn't feel the chemistry and connection between Romel and Meredith. I understand Romel's issue with grief and guilt... but for me it was too much and I felt bad for Meredith.
I adored the epilogue!
I adored the epilogue!
July 16, 2025
Great read
I preceded this to book 7. I really felt the conf!ict between the characters as well as from Meredeths father. It was set to the right pace. Some of the book was great at drawing out angst and really felt with grief well.
I preceded this to book 7. I really felt the conf!ict between the characters as well as from Meredeths father. It was set to the right pace. Some of the book was great at drawing out angst and really felt with grief well.
January 28, 2025
Meredith becomes a Nanny to a sweet little girl till she decides what to do with her schooling. Romel is a football player who tragically lost his wife. He is a grumpy guy. He doesn’t know what to do with his feelings about dating again and the pain of losing his wife. Slow burn at first but he is a dirty talker. Lots of ups and downs, cute but sexy story.
April 24, 2026
Passionate and interesting love story about a broken-hearted widower and a college grad looking for direction. I enjoyed the plot, setting, and characters.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews