Steal My Breath Away

Havencrest U #2

by Sarah Castille

New York Times bestselling author Sarah Castille brings another angsty, deeply emotional, heated romance that blends Ana Huang's Twisted Games with Katherine Center's The Bodyguard.

Emotions run high, but the tempo thrums higher as music, heat, and angst collide between a singer and her bodyguard.

Haley Chapman has struggled against rules all her life. As the daughter of a senator, she’s expected to finish her college degree, but music is her one true love—the only outlet she has for her wild, impulsive feelings.

When Haley becomes the target of a brazen kidnapping attempt linked to her mother’s high-profile Senate career, the Senator insists on round-the-clock protection. Having a security detail follow her around college feels like overkill, but the Senator has the perfect solution.


Ace Murphy was her brother’s best friend, and a former Air Force pilot, now working in personal security as a celebrity bodyguard. He was also Hailey’s teenage crush and the man who abandoned her when she needed him most, breaking her fragile heart.

Now, as Ace poses as her boyfriend on campus, their personalities clash. He may be her protector but to Haley, Ace is just another obstacle to her freedom and a painful reminder of the past. But as the threats escalate, their forced proximity ignites a connection they can't ignore--one that could either save them or break them all over again.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Romance, Forced Proximity, Second Chance, Enemies To Lovers, Audiobook, Contemporary, Second Chance Romance

320 pages, Paperback

Published June 17, 2025

About the author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Sarah Castille, writes contemporary erotic romance and romantic suspense featuring blazingly hot alpha heroes and the women who tame them. A recovering lawyer and caffeine addict, she worked and traveled abroad before trading her briefcase and stilettos for a handful of magic beans and a home near the Canadian Rockies.

Reviews

[Asher · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 24%.

I never once got the sense that the author had been a professional (or struggling) musician or a bodyguard, or had ever spoken to anybody who ever had. I didn't get the sense that much thought had been devoted to building a world around the characters that made sense. I got tired of the book assuming I was an idiot and spelling out every single emotion the characters had.

This is not a book that really understands much about the way the world works, and while I'm generally OK with a lot of silliness for a romance novel, this pushed a little too far. Haley's mother is said to be a state senator, yet works in DC and interacts with Capitol Police, which are things that United States Senators do. Haley's dad has a Michelin star but demonstrates none of the other signifiers of elite cooking, as if that's just a thing that Sarah Castille had heard of as a way to make it clear he was good. The novel opens with Ace immediately after the Oscars, so in March or so, but then a couple chapters later it's almost election time, which would make it almost November? Haley's mom talks about her getting protection from the US Marshalls despite that not being a thing they do. All these things are the sort of thing that an editor should have picked up on.

But the thing that really killed it for me was when, a quarter of the way through the book and after multiple flashback chapters that show us how much Haley's father meant to Ace, Ace looks at the watch that Haley's father had given him and thinks the phrase "He'd been like a father to me." No shit! People don't think sentences like that, and after giving us so many goddamn flashbacks we know that's true already! Enough. This wasn't funny or sexy enough to justify reading any further.

[Isabella Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book. It seemed like an interesting twist on a favorite trope…body guard and the girl he’s protecting falling in love…brothers best friend…heroine in danger…the pieces were all there but it just didn’t work for me at all.

The story was very predictable. Haley and Ace have known each other since they were kids…he was her brothers best friend and she’s always had a crush on him. Ace and her brother head off to the military…Ace returns a wounded warrior, and unfortunately Haleys brother didn’t make it back. They both struggle with grief…Ace feeling like the death of his best friend is his fault.

Haleys mom is in the senate, and after an attempted kidnapping attempt, her mom hires Ace to be her bodyguard. Forcing them into a reunion that neither was ready for. Haley is in college but also wants to be singer… *sigh* even writing this feels exhausting.

The bottom line, both MC’s were beyond immature. They spoke like they were kids fighting on the playground and it made it very difficult to get through the book. Their attitudes and the entitlement that Haley had was impossible to ignore…it felt at times like the author was just writing filler to fill the gaps and make the book longer. A lot of the things discussed in the book didn’t make logistical sense. It was just all over the place. Maybe it was just me but that’s how I felt reading it.

This book wasn’t for me, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be for you. If these tropes peak your interest then definitely give it a try Happy reading 🩷

Thank you to Sarah Castille and Hambright PR for the opportunity to ARC read this book 🩷

🎤College Romance
⛓️‍💥Bodyguard Romance
🎤Second Chance
⛓️‍💥Brothers Best Friend
🎤Forbidden Love
⛓️‍💥Forced Proximity
🎤Heroine in Danger
⛓️‍💥Wounded Warrior Hero
🎤Enemies to Lovers
⛓️‍💥Trauma/Grief
🎤Hurt/Comfort
⛓️‍💥Dual Timeline
🎤Angst
⛓️‍💥Dual POV
🎤HEA

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, @hambrightpr and @netgalley for the gifted ARC! #hambrightpartner #ad

Release date: June 17, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Rundown:
✨️aspiring singer/bodyguard romance
✨️brother's best friend
✨️second chance
✨️military
✨️forced proximity
✨️open door

Synopsis ✒️
As a senator's daughter, Haley is expected to go to college and get a degree, but all she wants to do is sing. When her life is threatened, her mother hires her brother's best friend, Ace, to be her bodyguard since no one knows her better. They were close as children, but a falling out had them not talking for years, and their reunion is anything but smooth.

Thoughts 💭
This is a sweet second chance romance. Haley and Ace have known each other since they were children and have always been drawn to each other but never acted on it. Ace is a wounded warrior after serving in the military and struggles to acclimate and find value in himself. The two compliment each other nicely, and I enjoyed their journey. The story is pretty predictable, but that never bothers me with romance. I'm just here for the sweet moments.

[Hannah Delano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two of my favorite movies growing up were 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘋𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳 & 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘓𝘪𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘺, which this book reminded me of and gave me some nostalgia!

Haley is a college student and daughter of a senator, who wants to make it in the music industry. Ace is a veteran and current bodyguard who is hired to protect Haley after an attempted kidnapping. The catch is that Ace is the best friend of Haley’s brother who she loved in high school.

There was lots of emotional depth in this story. Haley is traumatized by the loss of her father and brother, and Ace blames himself for her brother’s death during their military service. I enjoyed the dual timeline that gave us insight into their relationship in high school. If you want a story that will give you all the feels with a heavy dose of spice, this one is for you!

Some of the conflict between the main characters in the story seemed juvenile, with Ace treating Haley like a child still at times. It was also hard to believe that Haley was so naive to think that a major record label would want to sign her off of one karaoke song.

🎧 Audiobook Length: 9h 55m
🎧 Narrators: Anthony Palmini & Samantha Brentmoor

Anthony Palmini could read anything and I would find it attractive! I read this so quickly with the dual narration between him and Samantha Brentmoor.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲:
🛡️ Bodyguard
👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼 College romance
🥂 Second chance
💙 Brother's best friend
🤐 Forbidden
🚪 Forced proximity
‼️ Woman in danger
🎖️ Military hero
❤️‍🔥 Enemies to lovers

Thank you to Bramble, Hambright PR, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with copies of this book. This review is voluntary, and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I really liked the dual timeline. I felt like it helped with the dynamic of the main characters and to help understand their relationship. The narrators did a great job voicing them and showing their emotions.

I love a good bodyguard romance and this story delivered on that. Also, add in the fact he's ex-military and her brother's best friend *chef's kiss* Both main character's are dealing with grief and trauma and watching them work through that was nice. I did find myself getting frustrated with the FMC because she refused to listen when it came to her being protected. Other than that a great read.

Thank you @macmillanaudio for the gifted audiobook.

[Kaija · Rating 4 out of 5]

I DEVOURED this book!
It was enjoyable and the type of book that keeps you turning the page! The characters and the story?! Just loved it!
Glad I was able to ARC read this

[Daffy Kraizel]

Dnf 56%
It started out so strong! But became really predictable.. unfortunately I read many books similar to this and it just didn't work for me anymore. I wanted more angst, more slow burn, more push and pull. I felt like I could predict what was going to happen.

[MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haley Chapman comes from a prominent family and one that likes to keep a perfect image on the outside after tragedy. Her goal is to become big in the music world and currently DJ’s for the college radio station. When Hailey’s life is in danger her mother hires family friend Ace Murphy to be her bodyguard. He might be her late brother’s best friend but having Ace follow her all over campus might be too much to keep either of their true feelings at bay. On the other hand, maybe the time together might be what each needs to heal them both from their pasts. A touching bodyguard romance merged with music, second chances and action. Told in first person and present/past tense to see how their relationship began and unraveled. Dual POV.

[LeAnn Millward · Rating 3 out of 5]

*ALC provided via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review*

I wanted to love this book and don’t get me wrong, the book was not bad at all. I was just bored. I was hoping for more excitement considering the premise of the book is that there was an attempt to kidnap a senator’s daughter and her dead brother’s bff is hired as her bodyguard. I think I assumed there would be more action than what there was. It was very, very minimal. Also, the relationship between the two MCs would flip flop so quickly between instalove and not that it was confusing at times.

The narrators were phenomenal so kudos to them.

Thank you to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio, and Sarah Castille for allowing me to listen and review.

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars

This review is based on an ARC e-audiobook received for free from Libro.fm. I am not being paid to review this book and what I write here is my own opinion. My rating scale is below.

Three reasons I struggle to recommend this book:

Reason the first (a general issue). Everyone in this book is very immature, and not just because they're all under twenty five, and it makes it tiring to listen to. The ending in particular seemed to drag on forever, sort of like Castille realized she hadn't hit a specific word count, and tacked on a few more chapters that didn't add anything to the story she'd already wrapped up. But that's fine. I wasn't looking for spectacular writing in this book. However.

Reason the second (very much a me issue). I was regularly frustrated by the handling of Haley's mother's work. It was never made entirely clear whether she was a "state senator" in that she was in the state legislature or her state's representative to the US Congress, because those are two very different positions, and come with some very different built-in security measures. The conceit that people within her own party trying to stop her from running made absolutely no sense to me.

Reason the third (both a general and a me issue). It feels unkind to say this, but this was a low-average book made into a below-average audiobook by the narrators, who both sounded like they were recording through really bad nasal congestion. I would like to think that had I read this book in print I would have been through with it much faster, and all the things that annoyed me about it would have been fleeting enough not to irritate me so badly, but I didn't. I listened to the audiobook, and that made my experience worse.

rating scale
1 star - I was barely able to finish it. I didn't like it.
2 stars - It was okay. I didn't dislike it.
3 stars - It was interesting. I liked it.
4 stars - It was excellent. I really liked it.
5 stars - It was extraordinary. I really hope the author wrote more things.

[Cee · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 17%

ughhhh I really wanted to like this one. The vibe just wasn't there for me. I also started questioning so much. Like, what bodyguard only works with their client 6 months before switching? That's... no time and would not give him a good rating. I ended up researching the U.S. Marshals and no they don't guard senators and their families.
Also her major was psychology... that just totally didn't feel right. Why wouldn't she major in Music or something music-adjacent? That way even if she isn't a professional singer she can still live in that sphere.

The mom also sucked. I get she probably is supposed to, but that last chapter where she didn't tell the fmc who she picked as a guard is so messed up. She's just going to throw him at her when she knows they had a falling out? And the mom is supposed to love her?
I saw we were going into a flashback from 9 years ago (really... do we need flashbacks??) and decided I didn't want to continue on.

That all being said, I do think the narrators were doing a great job and I (mostly) liked Haley's character. The story has a lot of potential and I think if I could have gotten over the setup, I might have grown to enjoy the rest.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Bramble Romance for the gifted advanced listening copy of this thrilling, emotional, and spicy bodyguard romance!

Haley Chapman is doing her best to balance the pieces of her complicated life: grieving the loss of her father and brother, navigating the expectations of her high-powered mother (a U.S. Senator), and chasing her own dream of becoming a musician. But everything changes when her life is threatened...and her mom hires a bodyguard.

Enter Ace: her late brother’s best friend and her childhood crush. Suddenly, Haley’s world is turned upside down - not just by danger, but by desire, old memories, and unresolved feelings. As the threats escalate, so do the sparks between them. Can she protect her heart while he’s protecting her life?

This book is equal parts high-stakes action and slow-burn tension. It’s tender and sexy, with a strong emotional core. I loved the chemistry between Haley and Ace, the depth of their grief and growth, and how seamlessly the romance blended with suspense. Steal My Breath Away is a good pick for fans of protective heroes, second chances, and heroines determined to carve their own path.

🎧 Audiobook Notes: Anthony Palmini and Samantha Brentmoor are so well matched in this dual narration. They bring the vulnerability, tension, and heat to life, especially as the danger intensifies. The age range they cover is impressive, and nothing felt awkward or forced. (Runtime: 9 hrs 55 mins)

[Bray · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book follows Haley, who is the senator's daughter, as she heads off to college for her degree. Her biggest passion is her music and singing. When Haley's life is put in danger because of a threat, her mother hires a bodyguard to protect her. The man chosen is her brother's childhood best friend, Ace, whom Haley had the biggest crush on growing up. Because of a tragic and devastating event that happened in the past, both MCs struggled with their grief and lost contact with one another. The threat to Haley's life forces them back together, which neither is prepared for. I found this book to be alright. I didn't love it, and I didn't hate it. There are some areas that I felt could have been explained better, and other areas where I questioned if it was put in to make the book longer. Either way, it was not horrible, and fans of First Daughter will absolutely devour this one!


Read if you like:
-Singer x bodyguard
-Second Chance
-Brother's best friend
-Military
-Forced proximity
-Enemies to lovers

Thank you Hambright PR for this ARC!

[Jacklyn B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is angsty and sweet and emotional and has a brooding bodyguard! Yes, Haley and Ace have amazing chemistry and a special connection…but their relationship is also complicated.

Haley’s passion has always been music but she was feeling the pressure to go into politics. After a security incident she is assigned Ace as her bodyguard. The same Ace that she had a huge childhood crush on and who broke her heart…Now he is posing as her boyfriend and they definitely clash!!

I really liked the use of dual times so we get to see them younger and also in present time. Both of them are dealing with grief and past trauma and have some very emotional moments.

“I didn't ask Ace why he was there. He just was like he had always been when I truly needed him…”

✨What To Expect:
🛡️ Bodyguard Romance
👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼 College romance
🥂 Second chance
❤️‍🔥 Enemies to lovers
💙 Brother's best friend
🚫 Forbidden
🚪 Forced proximity
‼️ Woman in danger
🎖️ Military hero
⏰ Dual Timelines

[InMyNestaEra89 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first (successful) audiobook read and I loved it! I fear it has turned me into an audiobook girlie for life. 😂 This story was incredibly beautiful and so well written. The relationship was somehow the brother’s best friend/second chance/bodyguard/fake dating tropes all rolled into one. The main characters grew up together and both went through traumatic experiences in their childhoods. The author tells their story by going back and forth between their POVs, and also going back and showing memories from their childhoods, sometimes from both POVs. This book has a lot of trauma/ptsd/mental health representation and the author was able to really emphasize the importance of working through your trauma before getting into a relationship. I would highly recommend this book!! I also had no idea it was part of an interconnected standalone series until I looked it up on Goodreads and now I’m very interested to check out the first book!

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

*sigh* You have no idea how much I wish I could enjoy this book! I've been looking for a good bodyguard romance and thought this could be IT, but nope, unfortunately, I think I'm done with that trope as well as second chance romance...for now. The premise of this book sounds so promising and captivating but somehow the protagonists and plot design just fall flat even from the beginning. I get that Haley has had a crush on Ace since she was a teenager and vice versa, but their interaction later in life lacks chemistry or anything sizzling. I don't feel the sparks between them at all, which leads to me losing interest of the rest of the book pretty quickly. If you decided to read this book, I hope you'd enjoy it way more than I did!

***Thanks to the author and Hambright PR for providing me with an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.***

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Sarah Castille & Hambright PR, for this ARC of Steal My Breath Away.

First, I just wanted to say that the cover of this book is beautiful! I love the watercolor look.

This was a sweet romance and family book. I enjoyed the way that Ace and Haley were reunited. Ace was the perfect protector for Haley.

The story was very emotional, with Haley reflecting on a lot of hurt feelings about her deceased brother, Matt, and about the loss of her dad.

Ultimately, I felt like there was a lot of love and healing in this book, and I enjoyed it!

Steal My Breath Away will be released June 17th. I can't wait for the audiobook!

[Vivien Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a second chance, bodyguard romance, Haley and Ace's story. Haley is a musician who's also in college. Her mother is a high profile person and because of that Haley's life is threatened. She needs a bodyguard and that's where Ace comes in. He is her brother's friend, ex military man and Haley's longtime crush. He also has feelings for Haley that easily resurface. This is an angsty emotional story with a lot to unpack and seeing these two face their real feelings for each other was great. He also became her fake boyfriend on campus so he could be closer to her. I also liked the flashback scenes that give us a glimpse of their past connection. Overall a great story.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave Sarah Castille's *Steal My Breath Away* a 4⭐ rating. This book was a fast-paced emotional rollercoaster for me. When it comes to the bodyguard trope, I find that it can either be executed brilliantly or fall flat. Ms. Castille definitely delivered! Ace walked away from Haley, his best friend's younger sister, because he blamed himself for his friend's death, even though it was when she needed him the most. The angst, banter, and drama that these two experienced were gut-wrenching, but I was rooting for them to make it through everything together.

TRIGGER WARNINGS:

Death of sibling
Grief
Kidnapping

You will enjoy Steak My Breath Away if you enjoy:

TROPES:
Bodyguard
College romance
A Second Chance
Brother's best friend
Forbidden
Forced proximity
Woman in danger
Military hero
Enemies to lovers

Thank you, Sarah Castille, HambrightPR and NetGalley for an advance copy of Steal My Breath Away in exchange for an honest review.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @sarahcastilleauthor, @hambright_pr, @hambrightmarketing for this ARC & the opportunity to review it!

I devoured this one - I don’t remember the last time I flew through a physical read so quickly. It has so many elements that I love - bodyguard, brother’s best friend, dual timeline.

The flashbacks perfectly grasp the pain & trauma that both Ace & Haley experience that lead them to present day. It’s nostalgic & heartfelt but also devastating. My heart breaks for all that Ace had been through and why he closed himself off from Haley.

The way Ace tries to resist his attraction to Haley had me giggling - their chemistry is electric in both timelines. He feels great duty to his late best friend and his position has her body guard. But Haley won’t let that stop her from going after her dream or tempting him. She’s incredibly determined, talented, and rebellious. The way their relationship plays out kept me invested from start to finish.

[amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me feel every single emotion and I loved every second of it😭 Haley and Ace have a long history and I loved being able to read about their story in past and present. They’ve both gone through so much in their lives and found such a safe space with each other that I think is so beautiful! I was smiling, crying, and screaming throughout the whole book and it was such a captivating story that I never wanted to put the book down!

If you love a sweet but spicy bodyguard, second chance romance that leave you feeling all kind of emotions then you’ll devour this book just like I did!!🩷

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 - This one was fine. I guess it could fall in that new adult category. The main characters are college age which made them seem like adults while they also acted childish sometimes. I felt very frustrated that neither of the characters ever addressed their past traumas. It was sweet to see them finally get together. And the drama and mystery was pretty intense. Overall entertaining but also not a new favorite.

Thx to Macmillan Audio for the early copy.

[Maegan Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good bodyguard romance, and this was that, plus so much more. It was a second chance romance between two people who have literally been obsessed with each other since they were young! I loved watching Ace and Haley overcome things that have happened in the past, all while Ace was doing what Ace does best…protecting his girl! Can’t wait to read more of Sarah’s books!

[Emma Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this more than I did. I’m a sucker for the bodyguard trope and I was so excited, but the overall story just let me down. The book follows Haley, a college psychology student who has had more traumatic life experiences than any person should ever have to deal with, and Ace, a man from her past who is hired as her bodyguard after a kidnapping attempt.

The premise was so good, but didn’t feel executed well. A lot just didn’t add up. Her mom is a state senator but works in DC and on the short list for VP. Her dad had a Michelin star but struggled to keep the restaurant open. She never believed her bodyguard when he told her she was in danger. She’s finally kidnapped but it lasts all of two pages. There just never seemed to be any real stakes.

The potential was there and I genuinely enjoyed some parts but overall, I wish it’d been better. 3.25 stars.

[-Allison- · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I’m so grateful to be an ARC reader for this book! I thought this book was so sweet. I love a story with a bodyguard, and this book was no exception. This trope was made even better, because Haley’s bodyguard, Ace, just so happened to have been her brother’s best friend, so with the two’s shared history, book had an extra meaning to it. Overall, I would definitely read this book again, and I totally recommend reading it!

[Ashly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg 5⭐️! This book was so cute and so sweet! It had so much depth with the trauma that both the fmc and mmc were dealing with. Plus it had some suspense of who was behind the attempted kidnapping of Haley. Ace was perfection I just loved him and felt for him so much. I truly related to Haley a lot by being someone that locks up my emotions and trying to push through and △⃒⃘lways saying I’m fine when inside she’s just crying out from loss and grief. This book had me crying, laughing and falling for ace all at the same time!

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It took me a minute to get into the book but once I did that I was hooked


Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Kacie Mummawh0reads.x]

Tried to read this on two separate occasions… and just couldn’t get into in. Sorry

[Miri James Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5🌟

[El Park · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really couldn't get through the writing; I even skipped forward and I wasn't a fan. while I respect the author's style, it kind of reminded me of Wattpad fanfiction?