Dear John

Owens Protective Services #25

by Giulia Lagomarsino

Bradford Kavanaugh.
You’ve read about them in Reed Security.

You’ve come to know a little about who the men of OPS are.

But everything you thought you knew is a lie—smoke and mirrors.

The truth of OPS is hidden deep inside, waiting to be revealed.

Owens Protective Services.

Defend. Investigate. Secure.

Genres: Romance, Suspense, Humor

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 23, 2024

About the author

Giulia Lagomarsino is the author of the action-packed series Owens Protective Services, along with four other series that feature hot men, strong women, and storylines that will leave you laughing, crying, and begging for more. To find her reading order, visit her website http://giulialagomarsinoauthor.com or join her reading group https://www.facebook.com/groups/Giuli....

Reviews

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Dear John and Wait is the twenty-fifth book in Giulia Lagomarsino's brilliant Owens Protective Services series.

Giulia Lagomarsino truly shines! The book offers a mix of fun, emotional moments, steamy encounters, and plenty of action. I found myself laughing out loud when I wasn't on the edge of my seat from the suspense. The complex storylines and well-developed characters keep me coming back for more. I was so engrossed that I lost track of time, and before I knew it, hours had passed.

What I love about her books is that you never know what to expect. Her characters are opinionated, often speak without a filter, and possess a divine sense of sarcasm. The witty banter and hilarious moments are plentiful, but there's also a strong dose of action, danger, and suspense as they find themselves in various predicaments. I appreciate that we get to experience thrilling adventures—or misadventures—along with a happy ending, or sometimes not.

So, grab a drink or two and settle in for one of the best reads of your life!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was right about the story continuing. I knew that there was so much to it that it wouldn’t have been able to have just had one book. I loved it, I couldn’t put it down. Desperate to find out what happens next!

[Renee Entress · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 star

If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first:
In The Trenches: An OPS Protector Romance Novel (Owens Protective Services Book 1)
Nuclear Option: An OPS Protector Romance Novel (Owens Protective Services Book 2)
Charlie Foxtrot: An OPS Protector Romance Novel (Owens Protective Services Book 3)
Pop Smoke (Owens Protective Services #4)
Alpha Mike Foxtrot (Owens Protective Services Book 5)
Got Your Six: An OPS Protector Romance Novel
Full Battle Rattle (Owens Protective Services Book 7)
Embrace the Suck (Owens Protective Services #8)
Assume the Position (Owens Protective Services #10)
Soup Sandwich (Owens Protective Services #11)
Secret Squirrel (Owens Protective Services #11)
Self-Licking Ice Cream Cone (Owens Protective Services, #12)
Pucker Factor (Owens Protective Services #13)
Blowed Up (Owens Protective Services #14)
Balls to the Walls (Owens Protective Services #15)
Bite the Bullet (Owens Protective Services #16)
Free Fire Zone (Owens Protective Services #17)
Left-Handed Monkey Wrench (Owens Protective Services #18)
...And A Wake-Up (Owens Protective Services Book 19)
Blue Falcon (Owens Protective Services Book 20)
Iron Rations (Owens Protective Services #21)
Release Point (Owens Protective Services #22)
On the Double (Owens Protective Services #23)
Hurry Up and Wait (Owens Protective Services #24)

This is more of Isla and Kavanaugh’s story. You must read the book before this one to get the beginning of this couple’s story. This book is full of even more twists and turns and suspense. Secrets and even more secrets. Can he keep the secrets? Trying to keep them hidden makes him make bad decisions after bad decisions. Will it keep him from moving forward with her? Is he about to lose her? You get answers to previous questions but you will still have more unanswered questions.

I recommend this book.

[Viper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow Totally Awesome

OMG great continuation taking down the Senator Justice for Rafe and who's after Isla.
All the adventures and suspense, not knowing what's next. So many moving parts. Amazing.

Cash with his revenge has become a total different person. I'm not giving up hope the real Cash will return. Eva I feel for her, watch her husband destroy himself. But she's strong she's not giving up.

Isabelle trying to cope wirh a different life.
Believing her dead husband really loved her. Actual fact he was a monster. I truly love Knight how he's actually there for his sister at her pace, so she can get better.

All the OPS gangs have a strong bond, together supporting each other. Especially now when the business is not the norm.

Where do Isla and Kavanaugh stand at the moment? Will they find their way back together. Or will IKE be the one she chooses!
We got to know a bit more about IKE it was nice how he opened up to Isla. If he doesn't end up with isla, I hope there's a storyline for him, and that special woman.
This story had everything. Love, hate, pain, joy, sorrow, revenge, fear, laughter, passion etc. So detailed you can envision the words.

OPS are so funny they made me laugh in so many situations.

Fox if anyone can bring cash back, it's him. What tactics will he use to achieve the results?

Giulia love this series awesome writing.

Look forward to part 3 and and the adventures and suspense!!!

[Katelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh Kavanaugh is an idiot. He literally learned nothing from his previous lies. This book was almost exactly like the last one, just switch the location and the same shit. He has a gut feeling, he lies, he calls IKE, IKE tells Isla the truth, she kicks him out, he says sorry and she forgives him. So dumb.
This was literally at 70% of the book: “There were things I hadn’t told her, not because I was keeping secrets, but because I wanted to keep as much distance between myself and the senator as possible.”
“I knew I was hurting her, but I couldn’t stop it. I didn’t intend to hurt her. I just didn’t know how to open up and tell her everything she needed to know.” Yeah ok dude. You say you love her more than anything but puss out every time things get real.
What a dumbass.

Again 2 stars for isla and Riley’s story line. They’re the funniest and I love their sense of humor. Other than that, isla is just stupid. She’s such a hypocrite it makes me want to scream.

Cash’s plot is killing me. I honestly despise it.

I also hate the Isabelle/micahel/claire plot. I honestly could care less what happens to her and I don’t care to see how she turns out. She showed up randomly and can exit stage left asap. Her parents are idiots. Honestly how they can’t see how they’re not helping her is asinine. And enter Knight. He was one of my favorites in Reeds but now he’s still showing how much he gives a shit.

[Tish-Anne Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book truly took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. There were moments when I couldn’t bear to put it down, yet at times I found myself hesitating to turn the page, anxious about what might happen next. Dear John picks up seamlessly from Hurry Up and Wait, diving even deeper into the complexities of Isla and Kavanaugh’s relationship while shedding light on the consequences of prior events.

Both Isla and Kavanaugh are grappling with their own struggles. Isla and Riley are haunted by nightmares and on edge after Shawn’s attack, while Kavanaugh wrestles with guilt over deceiving Isla and not being there to protect her. This book answered many questions left from the previous story, although I’m still uncertain about Cash. The addition of Knight and Isabelle’s relationship arc was a highlight, as it allowed me to witness Isabelle’s struggle to adapt to life beyond the Island and to the overwhelming presence of family she’s suddenly surrounded by.

I found myself incredibly moved by the characters’ journeys; their pain felt palpable and raw, making this instalment even more poignant than the last. The banter among the guys is still there, though now shadowed by the weight of all they’ve endured.

Overall, Dear John left me emotionally invested, and I can’t wait to see what the next instalment holds.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this one twice as there was so much content with the different characters in play.

There is the continuation between Kavanaugh, Isla and Ike. Both Isla and Riley are reliving the bomb that went off and also being shot at. Neither one of them is sleeping through the night with numerous nightmares. Kavanaugh is trying to protect her, but there are so many secrets between them that Isla is having a hard time trusting him.

Then there is Isabelle who was rescued by OPS and her husband Kavala, killed. She has been held captive for 13 years but is so brainwashed that she believes she was happy. Only Hudson aka Knight who turns out to be her brother listens to her and tries to get her out of her own way.

And of course, we have Cash who is completely off the rails due to the death of his twin, Rafe. He only wants revenge and doesn't care who gets hurt in the process.

This book has so many twists, turns, suspense, and heartbreak. I was so thinking that at least one of the storylines would bring us closure, but alas, it's Giulia and she loves to leave us hanging. Just like Cash ends up with Fox.

Can't wait for the next book; hopefully we will get some closure.

[Dee Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

*SPOILERS*

*What a fun and an interesting read. It took me a bit to get into this book, but once I did it took off like a house afire. This story introduces segments of Hunter (aka Knight) trying to help his half-sister, Isabelle, to handle and overcome the trauma she is experiencing after being held captive as a forced wife on the “traffickers” island for thirteen years.

The story jumps back and forth with the continuing saga of Kavanaugh’s father, a repulsive and ambitious senator, Kavanaugh’s fake fiancée Olivia, and Kavanaugh’s actual girlfriend, Isla. The relationship with Isla is further complicated by Ike, who also wants her. Kavanaugh and Ike are both committed to the protection of Isla. Said protection is somewhat complicated by the interference of Fox, Cash, and other OPS team members.

Amidst all this Cash is still locked in his own head and dealing with the guilt of killing his twin brother, Rafe. This is a definite cliff-hanger story and I am off to grab the next in the series. As always, Giulia Lagomarsino writes a super story, lots of action, danger, and complications.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear John is Isla & Kavanaugh's story, however, Cash's emotions are definitely taking the cake for me at this time. Isla is a girl who flies by the seat of her pants, and she takes her sister along for the ride, so these two definitely fit in with OPS for real as they're hilarious. She decides to move closer to her friend Kavanaugh, and they start hooking up right away. You can't start with this book to be honest so if you haven't read the whole series to date, just read the one before this one. Kavanaugh has to work with his awful father in order to get some info for Cash, and things get dicey super quickly. There are so many twists coming in hot that my head was left spinning like crazy, and I'm still not quite sure how the big picture will turn out. There's a ton more emotional moments that had my eyes leaking in this book with Cash & his family as he's struggling hard. I don't want to give more information since it's a tangled web of chaos and it's not fixed in this book as there are a couple more to come before we have to say goodbye to this crazy crew. I'll never stop saying this, I'LL NEVER EVER GET ENOUGH OF GIULIA LAGOMARSINO, and HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Breen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Kavanaugh has always held a special place in my heart, since the first time he was introduced long ago I knew his story was going to be epic but sweet Lord I never expected this much! Loving it?! YES, I mean more of my man is always a delight but also WHAT is going on!? So many secrets, twist and the mystery isn’t making easy Isla and my Kavanaugh to fully trust each other and connect and I get it as again there's more mystery and questions rather than answers. If you haven't read the previous book please don't try this one as you'll miss our couple beginning, it's a joy you can miss specially my man lol. He's sooo good!!! Anyway, let's wait for the next book hopefully we will have more details revealed. Please Fox never change, you're insanely insane, I adore him!"

[Trish (Beautiful Chaos Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spiraling! Everyone is spiraling! Cash, Kavanaugh, and everyone is spiraling with them. It makes for a darker-than-usual story; it's heartbreaking because we know these are good guys, but mistakes are being made (just like humans do when they aren't thinking straight). It's a doozy of a cliffhanger, but we are not near the end of this battle. I am believing that Cash and Kavanaugh will make it through to their individual HEAs, but right now, things are looking bleak. Like I said, a doozy of a cliffhanger. But let me tell you, Giulia is knocking it out of the park with this storyline, and I know the payoff will not only be worth it, but it will have me laughing and kicking my feet.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 25th book in this phenomenal series, and this story is the second part of a trilogy within the Owens Protective Series.
This is a busy story throughout, and I am not going to reveal anything about the plot and ruin this amazing storyline, which ends with a mindblowing cliffhanger.
This is a well written story which is action packed, with family dynamics, friendships, emotions, secrets, challenges, heartbreak, humor, witty banter, crazy shenanigans, manipulation, twists and turns, and leads to an informative, entertaining, tragic, and unpredictable addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Shannon Godwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 stars definitely!!! I didn’t put it down once I started reading! So many twists and turns. I can’t believe she left us hanging like this! We need the rest of the story. Things are about to be even more interesting. My heart breaks for so many and I’m hoping it all comes out with HEA for everyone. Isla, I can’t imagine how she feels or how she going to handle things. And Cash…. Wow! Fox is going to have his hand full! And so t even get me started with IKE. Oh my poor IKE.
So much going on!! Can’t wait for the next book!!

[Rebecca Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a standalone! So good binge the others. Ok strapped in because here we go! Giulia takes us on another journey with the OPS team and boy is it BUMPY! Kavanaugh is trying to earn forgiveness from Isla. Cash is still broken from the choice he made. Isabella is trying to figure out who and what she is and in the middle is the OPS team. Now they have been through thick and thin but will they make it through this? Giulia uses her magic pen and welds this story and leaves us wanting the next book. So grab your funyuns you will need more than one bag! Just saying

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you believe this is number 25(!) of this series!

Just OMG!

This author has kept me coming back each and every time for another amazing, action-packed, funny, steamy story!

The series has to be read in order, or you will not enjoy it as much!

I'm waiting for the end, so I can start at the beginning again!

All of Ms. L's characters are amazing and the worlds she creates for them; "Chef's kiss" perfect!

Isla and Kavanaugh captured me for multiple hours of pure, blissful entertainment!

[Pam Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great!

I chose this rating because this was actually a pretty great book. I enjoyed pretty much all of the characters. This was a book of betrayal, protection, compassion, kindness, being a good person, doing what's best for you, well what you think is best for you, having a great mind and working on yourselves. I enjoyed this story because there were very different aspects of each character and what was going on with their situation. Very enjoyable. I recommend this book to all mystery and romance readers.

[Zelda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The OPS series just keeps getting better. I liked the way we get to see more of couples in depth, struggling with their emotions but Knight’s relationship with his sister Isabelle was the best part for me. Knight’s had enough tough times that he knows how to treat Isabelle without wrapping her in cotton wool. I am so conflicted over Cash’s behaviour, his cruelty and lack of care towards others shows his pain—my emotions were all over the place in this story. This is a great series, with action, fun banter, all kinds of feelings, lively characters & well-thought out plots.

[Torre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cow

This one is difficult for me. Fox, is so crazy but love the guy. We really need our Cash back. It's so sad. I just can't get over Isla, she has been kidnapped twice and still keeps going on how she doesn't need protection. She irritates me and wish she would let Kavenaugh go and stop making things worse. I like Riley but she is pretty mean to Bowie since he got hurt protecting her.

[Katie Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The men of OPS are back at it again, the women are crazy as ever, and for every question answered three more arise. Giulia is the master of hilarious romantic suspense. There is absolutely no way to predict where the twists and turns will lead us and I am so glad to be along for the ride. While this book mainly focuses on Isla and Kavanaugh again we get a lot of many of the other characters as well. Can't wait for the next book in the series because they never disappoint!!!

[Kimberley Volk Tersteeg · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Cash trapped in his own head, the whole company is on the fritz. He's pushed away everyone and has started to use his employees much like his brother did in an effort to seek vengeance on The Syndicate. Can the company, employees, significant others, and friends be saved from the grips of revenge before it's too late?

[Clayr Catherall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book of the trilogy within the OPS series, had me just as worked up as the first book. So much happens! I was hanging on the edge of my seat, flipping page after page at max speed. While not believing my eyes with everything that transpires. So many twists and turns in this story.

All I can say is book three can’t come soon enough.

[Sophie Ruthven · Rating 5 out of 5]

As this book is the middle book of a set of three, there isn't a lot I can say about it without ruining anything.
I will say you'll be cursing the characters and the author from start to finish, but then again that's not entirely unusual when reading this author.
Definitely enjoyed and can't wait to see what occurs after the ending.

[Nettie Schneider · Rating 3 out of 5]

It didn't end!!!

I hate it when a book doesn't finish its story. This time not just one plot was not finished, but two. If you are going to write a book, at least finish the plot/story in one book!

I usually love Giulia's books, but this time she didn't finish the plot. I have loved the whole series up until now.

[Kurtins R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a little bit different from the previous books in this series. Isla and Kavanaugh's story takes the reader on a wild ride.
The reprrcusdions of eventuelt from earlier books are still reversering through OPs.
Knight is trying to help Isabelle whose stockholm syndrom/brainstorming washing has taken center stage.
Everyone is spiralen in one way or another.

[Theresa Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

No words

I would have preferred this not be a three series book on this part of the OPS story but it hasn’t been disappointing. All I can say is IKE deserves the girl. Hopefully Fox knocks some sense into Cash in his demented way and for Kavanaugh who knows where he should end up.

[Carina Hales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that was a ride! Full of excitement, secrets and with Fox around plenty of laughs!

I really enjoyed this book and am so invested in where this will end! The story flowed so well even with the different story threads throughout. I’m also loving the softer side of Knight.

This was easily a 5 star read and I can’t wait to start the next book, I need to know what happens next!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, but I don't know when I've read a book that made me so mad. I knew just by the title that Giulia was going to throw me for a loop. Cash has gone off the rails and Kavanaugh and Isla are still trying to make this relationship work. Can't wait for the next book!!

[LaWanna Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, you get to see more of the guys from the Reed security and how they try to help Kavanaugh clean up his mess with Isla.
We also see more of Isabella and Knight and how their relationship is building. We also see how things are progressing with Ike.

[Arlene M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Isla’s and Kavaugh’s story with many secrets with Kavaugh’s manipulative Senator and also Cash’s revenge and complicities.
You really have to pay attention closely so you do not miss anything.

Giulia Lagomarsino great Job !!

[nina hipp · Rating 4 out of 5]

👍

 WOW, the twists and turns just keep coming! Just when I thought I understood how this story was to progress, it did about face. I was left with anxiousness, trepidation, and all kinds of feelings. I can't wait to read the next book! 🖤📖🖤