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Empty Kingdom #3
Guarded King
They say you only regret the risks you don’t take…
Landing the role of assistant to Roman King, billionaire CEO of the King Group, feels like a lifeline after losing my supposedly “stable” job—until my new boss coldly informs me that I’m too inexperienced and should never have been hired.
I may be younger than his previous assistants, but life’s thrown me enough curveballs to handle anything—including him.
Except working so closely with Roman—powerful, controlled, and carrying the weight of a tarnished legacy—soon sparks an undeniable attraction.
And it seems I’m not the only one feeling it.
But Roman is on the verge of a deal that could redefine both his and the King Group’s future. The last thing he needs is a scandal.
Especially one that mirrors past sins.
With so much on the line for both of us, maintaining our professional boundaries should be the only option. Yet every heated glance, lingering touch, and charged encounter tempts us to take risks we know we shouldn’t.
I just hope neither of us will be left with regrets…
Guarded King is a full-length, spicy, slow burn, billionaire boss/assistant romance with mutual yearning, a dirty-talking hero, and a guaranteed happily ever after! It's the third and final book in the Empty Kingdom billionaire romance series, but can be read as a standalone.
Landing the role of assistant to Roman King, billionaire CEO of the King Group, feels like a lifeline after losing my supposedly “stable” job—until my new boss coldly informs me that I’m too inexperienced and should never have been hired.
I may be younger than his previous assistants, but life’s thrown me enough curveballs to handle anything—including him.
Except working so closely with Roman—powerful, controlled, and carrying the weight of a tarnished legacy—soon sparks an undeniable attraction.
And it seems I’m not the only one feeling it.
But Roman is on the verge of a deal that could redefine both his and the King Group’s future. The last thing he needs is a scandal.
Especially one that mirrors past sins.
With so much on the line for both of us, maintaining our professional boundaries should be the only option. Yet every heated glance, lingering touch, and charged encounter tempts us to take risks we know we shouldn’t.
I just hope neither of us will be left with regrets…
Guarded King is a full-length, spicy, slow burn, billionaire boss/assistant romance with mutual yearning, a dirty-talking hero, and a guaranteed happily ever after! It's the third and final book in the Empty Kingdom billionaire romance series, but can be read as a standalone.
532 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2025
1812 people are currently reading
2307 people want to read
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August 3, 2025
The fact that this slow burn romance between a billionaire CEO and his administrative assistant needed to be so forbidden and it being the cause of the silly ass third act break up was the downfall for me.
📰“The headline, splashed across the front page, screams: Like Father, Like Son? King Group CEO’s Secret Relationship Raises Eyebrows.”
~~~~~~~~
“I can’t make a woman my priority when the King Group will always come first. Especially when that woman is my employee and the eyes of the business world are on me, waiting for me to slip up.”
Whose eyes are focused on the love life of the unmarried, completely single, always professional CEO of some luxury construction company? Who!? I would guarantee you that 99.9% of the world don’t even know the CEO’s name, let alone care who he is dating, or casually sleeping with. Make the conflict make sense 😤
🏗️ Roman - 39 yrs old, CEO of the family construction company, King Group inc., stoic workaholic, biggest fear in life is for the contractor companies that he is making deals with will one day think he is a playboy like his father (former CEO) was, and refuse to do business with the King Group.
👩🏼💻Chloe - 24 yrs old, taking care of her elderly, failing father, gets hired on as Roman’s executive assistant. Roman instantly took a disliking to her as he assumed she was too young and wouldn’t be able to handle the fast paced job.
♻️ Roman was immediately jealous and rude (which was awesome):
“Phillip, this is my new assistant. Miss Callahan.”
“Chloe,” I say, holding out my hand.
He shakes it. “Nice to meet you, Chloe.”
Roman’s low grumble interrupts. “Okay, that’s enough chitchat.”
♻️ Chloe was just like the heroines in Book 1 and 2, strong yet sweet and kind-hearted:
“His lips tilt into that almost smile of his. “Do you think I’m the kind of man who’d tank a good deal solely to defend a woman’s honor?”
His tone, combined with the glint in his eyes, sends irritation prickling over my skin. “Do you think I’m the kind of woman who needs a man to defend her honor?”
♻️ Then Roman starts being kind to her (both stuck in an elevator):
“Come here,” I say gruffly, tugging her toward me.
She comes with no resistance, and after only a moment’s hesitation, I pull her into my arms and hold her trembling body tight. “It’s okay. They’ll have us out soon.” It’s probably unwise to hold her like this, but I’m beyond caring right now. Particularly when she tentatively slides her own arms under my jacket and loops them around my waist, then rests her head against my chest.
“Focus on my heartbeat,” I tell her. “Listen to it counting down until the lights go back on and we start moving again, okay?”
♻️ Then Roman falls for her:
“Don’t,” he growls.
I deliberately wet my lips, my heartbeat detonating in my ears. “Don’t what?”
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?” My voice comes out breathless.
“Like you want me to taste you as much as I fucking want to.”
📉 But…. after 50% or so, things went downhill for me.
The Break Up, he prioritizes her last after his company. I would rather he break up with her for commitment issues, or even mommy issues, but not putting work first. That’s not love:“What the hell are you scared of, man?” my youngest brother asks.
Before I can respond, the elevator dings and the door slides open. I stride out first, then turn to face them, hands stuffed in my pockets. “You think I’m scared? I’m trying to do the best thing for the company. And for Chloe.”
After reading all 3 books in this trilogy in a row, everything just started to feel too similar. Same (non-sexy) dirty talk phrases, same foreplay actions, same sex scenes that I opted to start skimming, same mannerisms for each MMC, and …..everything being built was sustainable and eco-friendly and carbon neutral footprint. Not that this is a bad thing at all, but we are reminded of it at every turn. I was starting to wonder if the author is getting kickbacks from each sustainable mention.
I am in no rush to try this author again (even though I loved Book 1).
Bingo Reading Challenge 2025
Square #41 - finish a trilogy, Book 3
Progress - 75/100
📰“The headline, splashed across the front page, screams: Like Father, Like Son? King Group CEO’s Secret Relationship Raises Eyebrows.”
~~~~~~~~
“I can’t make a woman my priority when the King Group will always come first. Especially when that woman is my employee and the eyes of the business world are on me, waiting for me to slip up.”
Whose eyes are focused on the love life of the unmarried, completely single, always professional CEO of some luxury construction company? Who!? I would guarantee you that 99.9% of the world don’t even know the CEO’s name, let alone care who he is dating, or casually sleeping with. Make the conflict make sense 😤
🏗️ Roman - 39 yrs old, CEO of the family construction company, King Group inc., stoic workaholic, biggest fear in life is for the contractor companies that he is making deals with will one day think he is a playboy like his father (former CEO) was, and refuse to do business with the King Group.
👩🏼💻Chloe - 24 yrs old, taking care of her elderly, failing father, gets hired on as Roman’s executive assistant. Roman instantly took a disliking to her as he assumed she was too young and wouldn’t be able to handle the fast paced job.
♻️ Roman was immediately jealous and rude (which was awesome):
“Phillip, this is my new assistant. Miss Callahan.”
“Chloe,” I say, holding out my hand.
He shakes it. “Nice to meet you, Chloe.”
Roman’s low grumble interrupts. “Okay, that’s enough chitchat.”
♻️ Chloe was just like the heroines in Book 1 and 2, strong yet sweet and kind-hearted:
“His lips tilt into that almost smile of his. “Do you think I’m the kind of man who’d tank a good deal solely to defend a woman’s honor?”
His tone, combined with the glint in his eyes, sends irritation prickling over my skin. “Do you think I’m the kind of woman who needs a man to defend her honor?”
♻️ Then Roman starts being kind to her (both stuck in an elevator):
“Come here,” I say gruffly, tugging her toward me.
She comes with no resistance, and after only a moment’s hesitation, I pull her into my arms and hold her trembling body tight. “It’s okay. They’ll have us out soon.” It’s probably unwise to hold her like this, but I’m beyond caring right now. Particularly when she tentatively slides her own arms under my jacket and loops them around my waist, then rests her head against my chest.
“Focus on my heartbeat,” I tell her. “Listen to it counting down until the lights go back on and we start moving again, okay?”
♻️ Then Roman falls for her:
“Don’t,” he growls.
I deliberately wet my lips, my heartbeat detonating in my ears. “Don’t what?”
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?” My voice comes out breathless.
“Like you want me to taste you as much as I fucking want to.”
📉 But…. after 50% or so, things went downhill for me.
The Break Up, he prioritizes her last after his company. I would rather he break up with her for commitment issues, or even mommy issues, but not putting work first. That’s not love:“What the hell are you scared of, man?” my youngest brother asks.
Before I can respond, the elevator dings and the door slides open. I stride out first, then turn to face them, hands stuffed in my pockets. “You think I’m scared? I’m trying to do the best thing for the company. And for Chloe.”
After reading all 3 books in this trilogy in a row, everything just started to feel too similar. Same (non-sexy) dirty talk phrases, same foreplay actions, same sex scenes that I opted to start skimming, same mannerisms for each MMC, and …..everything being built was sustainable and eco-friendly and carbon neutral footprint. Not that this is a bad thing at all, but we are reminded of it at every turn. I was starting to wonder if the author is getting kickbacks from each sustainable mention.
I am in no rush to try this author again (even though I loved Book 1).
Bingo Reading Challenge 2025
Square #41 - finish a trilogy, Book 3
Progress - 75/100
February 8, 2025
Yalan yok. Akıcı ve güzeldin. Şu ara en çok ihtiyaç duyduğum şey... Belki bir tık da daha kısa olsan harika olurdu. Ama o da tuzu biberi diyelim.
Seriye, ailenin en büyük çocuğu, işkolik ve ciddi mizaçlısı olan Roman ile veda ediyoruz.
Roman görünüş olarak tam babasının oğlu diye düşündürüyor. Ama aslında alaka seviyeleri sıfır. Hoş gel de bunu anlat yavrucağa. Babamın hatalarını tekrarlamayacağım, ben daha iyi bir insan ve CEO olacağım derken hayatın neşesinden uzaklaşmış. Tek odak noktası şirketi en tepeye çıkarmak. Ama tecrübeli asistanı taşınmak durumunda kalınca işleri biraz sekteye uğrar.
Burda devreye Chole giriyor. Genç ve güzel asistanı... Aklından neler neler geçiyor 😱 Ala hayır. Ne demiştik. O babası değil. Gel de bunu duygularına anlat.
Chloe tatlı, verici ve gerektiğinde sağlam bir kadın. Babası için yaptıkları takdir edilesi. Ama varolan bu sebep yüzünden hep sorumluluk alan taraf olmuş. Şımartılmak, gezmek, ufak şeyleri dert etmeye pek zamanı olmamış. Şimdi de patronu olacak pislik ona yetersiz bir çalışan olduğunu söylüyor! Ukala!!
Çiftin uyumunu sevdim ben. Patron-asistan muhabbeti biraz uzadı sanki ama işler rayına oturunca daha iyi ilerledi kurgu.
Hatta hikaye tamam diye düşündüğüm anda yazarın mutlu son sonrasından anlar yazması da güzeldi. Sevdim bunu.
Ben seriyi genel olarak sevdim. Yazarın anlatımı da iyiydi bence. Türü sevenler şans verebilir.
Seriye, ailenin en büyük çocuğu, işkolik ve ciddi mizaçlısı olan Roman ile veda ediyoruz.
Roman görünüş olarak tam babasının oğlu diye düşündürüyor. Ama aslında alaka seviyeleri sıfır. Hoş gel de bunu anlat yavrucağa. Babamın hatalarını tekrarlamayacağım, ben daha iyi bir insan ve CEO olacağım derken hayatın neşesinden uzaklaşmış. Tek odak noktası şirketi en tepeye çıkarmak. Ama tecrübeli asistanı taşınmak durumunda kalınca işleri biraz sekteye uğrar.
Burda devreye Chole giriyor. Genç ve güzel asistanı... Aklından neler neler geçiyor 😱 Ala hayır. Ne demiştik. O babası değil. Gel de bunu duygularına anlat.
Chloe tatlı, verici ve gerektiğinde sağlam bir kadın. Babası için yaptıkları takdir edilesi. Ama varolan bu sebep yüzünden hep sorumluluk alan taraf olmuş. Şımartılmak, gezmek, ufak şeyleri dert etmeye pek zamanı olmamış. Şimdi de patronu olacak pislik ona yetersiz bir çalışan olduğunu söylüyor! Ukala!!
Çiftin uyumunu sevdim ben. Patron-asistan muhabbeti biraz uzadı sanki ama işler rayına oturunca daha iyi ilerledi kurgu.
Hatta hikaye tamam diye düşündüğüm anda yazarın mutlu son sonrasından anlar yazması da güzeldi. Sevdim bunu.
Ben seriyi genel olarak sevdim. Yazarın anlatımı da iyiydi bence. Türü sevenler şans verebilir.
February 20, 2025
This book has no business being 499 pages long 😤
February 10, 2025
Was great book.
All my favorite tropes in it , i just expect more , you know i want more things to happen
But nice 3 books
All my favorite tropes in it , i just expect more , you know i want more things to happen
But nice 3 books
February 15, 2025
Roman & Chloe. Final instalment of the series is the story of the oldest King brother. And it was my favourite!!
I absolutely loved this slooow-burn, office romance, it ticked many of the boxes that make me like a book.
Chloe was awesome for her age and gave Roman a run for his money. Confident and proud, I really liked her! I also loved Roman and the way we saw his gradual change. I could feel his struggle, it was so well described. And I loved them as a couple. They clicked and had great chemistry despite the big age gap.
It think it could have been a few pages shorter- personally I would have cut some of the spicy scenes- but oh well. ☺️
-Dual 1st person POV
-Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Overall: 4.5/5 ⭐️ for me.
I absolutely loved this slooow-burn, office romance, it ticked many of the boxes that make me like a book.
Chloe was awesome for her age and gave Roman a run for his money. Confident and proud, I really liked her! I also loved Roman and the way we saw his gradual change. I could feel his struggle, it was so well described. And I loved them as a couple. They clicked and had great chemistry despite the big age gap.
It think it could have been a few pages shorter- personally I would have cut some of the spicy scenes- but oh well. ☺️
-Dual 1st person POV
-Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Overall: 4.5/5 ⭐️ for me.
March 27, 2025
1) a tale as old as time. I can’t anymore with the disabled parent caretaker!!!!
2) Is it love? Or is just the only other person of the opposite gender available? I’ve definitely slept with a coworker but in my experience, I was blacked out both times. Also he was about 5’7” and ate bananas every day for lunch due to financial crisis.
2) Is it love? Or is just the only other person of the opposite gender available? I’ve definitely slept with a coworker but in my experience, I was blacked out both times. Also he was about 5’7” and ate bananas every day for lunch due to financial crisis.
dnf
February 9, 2025dnf - H goes to meet his ex fuck buddy with an intention to hookup because he can't get h out of his mind. doesn't matter if he didn't fully go through with it, he well planned to, so nope, dnf it is.
June 16, 2025
5. ★★★★★+++
MY NEWEST OBSESSION THEY LITERALLY OWN ME!!!!
my favourites from the series ⟡ ݁₊
MY NEWEST OBSESSION THEY LITERALLY OWN ME!!!!
my favourites from the series ⟡ ݁₊
June 19, 2025
Oh I ATE this uppppp🙂↕️😋
November 28, 2025
★4.25
-Boss x Assistant
-Workplace romance
-Billionaire
-Age gap
เล่มนี้เป็นเรื่องของพี่ชายคนโต Roman King พระเอกขึ้นมา Ceo แทนพ่อที่เพิ่งเข้าคุกไป หลังเข้ารับตำแหน่งพระเอกทำงานหนักมากกก วันๆทำแต่งานเพราะต้องการเปลี่ยนภาพลักษณ์ของตัวเองและบริษัท ไม่อยากให้คนภายนอกติดภาพจำของพ่อตัวเอง
นางเอก Chole เข้ามาเป็นเลขาคนใหม่ของพระเอกแทนคนเก่าที่ขอลาออกไปอยู่กับครอบครัว ครั้งแรกที่ได้เจอกันในลิฟท์พระเอกก็โดนตกละ แต่ทำเป็นไม่สนใจ พอได้รู้ว่าคนนี้แหละจะมาเป็นเลขาของตัวเองก็โวยวายกับเลขาคนเก่าที่เป็นคนคัดเลือกว่าไม่เอาไปหาคนใหม่มานู้นนี้(เพราะฮีมีปมในใจจากเรื่องเก่าๆของพ่อ)แต่ชีนางเอกก็สู้สุดใจจะเอาตำแหน่งนี้ให้ได้ เพราะต้องการเงินและสวัสดิการของบริษัทเพื่อดูแลพ่อที่ป่วยอยู่
เล่มนี้ก็ยังคงความสโลว์เบิร์นที่ sexual tension ดีมากเหมือนเดิมมม พ่วงมาด้วยความรู้สึก forbidden หน่อยๆของเลขาสาวกับเจ้านายที่มีใจให้กันแต่พยายามจะหักห้ามใจ เคมีมันเลยยิ่งพลุ่งพล่านไปใหญ่ พอถึงจุดที่ไม่ห้ามใจแล้วก็ต้องเก็บความสัมพันธ์ไว้เป็นความลับอีกเพราะกลัวมีผลกระทบต่องาน ละไอพี่พระเอกขี้หวงมากกกก แต่จะออกตัวก็ไม่ได้ 55555
โดยรวมก็คือชอบ สนุกเหมือนเดิม character development ดี ปมของพระเอกก็เข้าใจได้ว่าทำไมฮีถึงพยายามปิดกั้นตัวเองแบบนั้น แต่พระนางเข้ามาเติมเต็มชีวิตกันและกันจริงๆ ส่วน spice ก็ตราตรึงไม่ต่างจากเล่มสอง 55555 ชอบที่พระเอกเรียกนางเองว่า sweetheart ด้วย ชอบคำเรียกเบสิคๆแบบนี้ เขิน☺️
-Boss x Assistant
-Workplace romance
-Billionaire
-Age gap
เล่มนี้เป็นเรื่องของพี่ชายคนโต Roman King พระเอกขึ้นมา Ceo แทนพ่อที่เพิ่งเข้าคุกไป หลังเข้ารับตำแหน่งพระเอกทำงานหนักมากกก วันๆทำแต่งานเพราะต้องการเปลี่ยนภาพลักษณ์ของตัวเองและบริษัท ไม่อยากให้คนภายนอกติดภาพจำของพ่อตัวเอง
นางเอก Chole เข้ามาเป็นเลขาคนใหม่ของพระเอกแทนคนเก่าที่ขอลาออกไปอยู่กับครอบครัว ครั้งแรกที่ได้เจอกันในลิฟท์พระเอกก็โดนตกละ แต่ทำเป็นไม่สนใจ พอได้รู้ว่าคนนี้แหละจะมาเป็นเลขาของตัวเองก็โวยวายกับเลขาคนเก่าที่เป็นคนคัดเลือกว่าไม่เอาไปหาคนใหม่มานู้นนี้(เพราะฮีมีปมในใจจากเรื่องเก่าๆของพ่อ)แต่ชีนางเอกก็สู้สุดใจจะเอาตำแหน่งนี้ให้ได้ เพราะต้องการเงินและสวัสดิการของบริษัทเพื่อดูแลพ่อที่ป่วยอยู่
เล่มนี้ก็ยังคงความสโลว์เบิร์นที่ sexual tension ดีมากเหมือนเดิมมม พ่วงมาด้วยความรู้สึก forbidden หน่อยๆของเลขาสาวกับเจ้านายที่มีใจให้กันแต่พยายามจะหักห้ามใจ เคมีมันเลยยิ่งพลุ่งพล่านไปใหญ่ พอถึงจุดที่ไม่ห้ามใจแล้วก็ต้องเก็บความสัมพันธ์ไว้เป็นความลับอีกเพราะกลัวมีผลกระทบต่องาน ละไอพี่พระเอกขี้หวงมากกกก แต่จะออกตัวก็ไม่ได้ 55555
โดยรวมก็คือชอบ สนุกเหมือนเดิม character development ดี ปมของพระเอกก็เข้าใจได้ว่าทำไมฮีถึงพยายามปิดกั้นตัวเองแบบนั้น แต่พระนางเข้ามาเติมเต็มชีวิตกันและกันจริงๆ ส่วน spice ก็ตราตรึงไม่ต่างจากเล่มสอง 55555 ชอบที่พระเอกเรียกนางเองว่า sweetheart ด้วย ชอบคำเรียกเบสิคๆแบบนี้ เขิน☺️
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January 16, 2026Although there are parts I like, this is just too drawn out from the business standpoint. The romance is bogged down between all that plus the caregiver status of the fmc. I wanted to like it but found myself jumping chapters and skimming. I think the writing is good but long winded.
January 26, 2026
เล่มสุดท้ายในซีรีส์ มาถึงคราวพี่ชายคนโตของ King’s Group อย่างพี่โรมัน ชอบเล่มนี้ไม่แพ้เล่มสองเลย ฮื้อ ๆ เป็นแนว บอส x เลขา ที่พระเอกต้องการเปลี่ยนภาพลักษณ์ตัวเอง กำลังหาเลขาคนใหม่ พอสบตากับนางเอกในลิฟต์ก็ปิ๊งสาวละ ยิ่งพอรู้ว่าคนนี้จะมาเป็นเลขาคนใหม่ก็ไม่โอเค ฮีจั๊ดจากความเด็ก ด้วยนางเอกอายุ 24 ส่วนพี่แกก็ 39 ปีแหนะ เอจแก้ป 15 ปีเรยยย 🌝 แต่นางเอกก็ขอโอกาส อย่าพึ่งตัดสินได้มะ ให้ฉันทำงานให้เห็นก่อนสิ สรุปสุดท้ายก็ได้งานไปนั่นแหละ 😂
เป็น workplace romance ที่สโลววววเบิร์นแต่อร่อยมากกกก พระเอกยึกยัก ชอบสาวแต่ตั้งมั่นจะไม่เอาเลขา ฮีมีปมจากพ่อตัวเองด้วย ถ้าภาพลักษณ์แย่ บริษัทก็จะแย่ตาม เอาจริงไม่ค่อยอินจุดนี้ของเรื่องเท่าไหร่ รู้สึกมันเป็น rich people problem ปะ 55555555 แต่ก็เออ ๆ เข้าใจได้
เรื่องมันสนุกตรงที่พอมันเป็น forbidden พี่แกก็จะขี้หวงแต่ทำไรไม่ได้ เห็นใครมาจีบก็หึงไปหมด แต่ก็รู้ตัวนะว่าตัวเองไม่ได้ประกาศให้โลกรู้เองว่าคนนี้ผู้หญิงของผ้มมม ก็จะสมน้ำหน้าหน่อย ๆ 🤣 ส่วนเลิฟซีนเดอร์ตี้ทอล์กใด ๆ ก็คือแซ่บบบบ ไม่แพ้น้อง ๆ จากสองเล่มแรก อ่านละเขินหน้าร้อนไปหมดดด เบาได้เบาจ้าพี่ 🥵
ภาพรวมชอบมากแหละ
4.5⭐️
เป็น workplace romance ที่สโลววววเบิร์นแต่อร่อยมากกกก พระเอกยึกยัก ชอบสาวแต่ตั้งมั่นจะไม่เอาเลขา ฮีมีปมจากพ่อตัวเองด้วย ถ้าภาพลักษณ์แย่ บริษัทก็จะแย่ตาม เอาจริงไม่ค่อยอินจุดนี้ของเรื่องเท่าไหร่ รู้สึกมันเป็น rich people problem ปะ 55555555 แต่ก็เออ ๆ เข้าใจได้
เรื่องมันสนุกตรงที่พอมันเป็น forbidden พี่แกก็จะขี้หวงแต่ทำไรไม่ได้ เห็นใครมาจีบก็หึงไปหมด แต่ก็รู้ตัวนะว่าตัวเองไม่ได้ประกาศให้โลกรู้เองว่าคนนี้ผู้หญิงของผ้มมม ก็จะสมน้ำหน้าหน่อย ๆ 🤣 ส่วนเลิฟซีนเดอร์ตี้ทอล์กใด ๆ ก็คือแซ่บบบบ ไม่แพ้น้อง ๆ จากสองเล่มแรก อ่านละเขินหน้าร้อนไปหมดดด เบาได้เบาจ้าพี่ 🥵
ภาพรวมชอบมากแหละ
4.5⭐️
July 10, 2025
Roman & Chloe
August 16, 2025
this book was hot, HOT... AND HOT!!!!!
February 1, 2025
Fantastic end to a great series. I have loved reading about the King brothers. Roman and Chloe had a strong connection and the passion between them was off the charts!
Chloe was such a sweetheart with a heart of gold. I’m so glad she found Roman. Roman also needed Chloe to bring back warmth and love in his life.
An entertaining story, the pages flow by! I loved the appearances of Tate, Violet, Cole and Delilah, so good to see snippets from them after their stories. There was even a cameo from another favourite of mine!
Overall a great read and a book and series I would recommend.
Chloe was such a sweetheart with a heart of gold. I’m so glad she found Roman. Roman also needed Chloe to bring back warmth and love in his life.
An entertaining story, the pages flow by! I loved the appearances of Tate, Violet, Cole and Delilah, so good to see snippets from them after their stories. There was even a cameo from another favourite of mine!
Overall a great read and a book and series I would recommend.
July 27, 2025
3.75-4⭐️I finished this in under 24 hours, that how much I liked it. In a way, this was your usual workplace romance, but at the same time, it was soo much more than that, because the author didn’t just concentrate on their romance but also on their workplace environment and the relationships of their respective families. By the way, I loved seeing Cole, Delilah, Tate and Violet again, they were great side characters.
But what I liked the most was the slow burn and the tension between our two main characters. The way these two literally CRAVED AND YEARNED for each other but wouldn’t allow themselves to be together? Ugh DELICIOUS!!!! *dramatic faint*
The Plot:
After losing her job, our heroine Chloe is anxious about no longer being able to financially support her father who suffers from a chronic illness, so she applies for a secretary position at the hero’s firm. Although Roman is instantly drawn to her, he is against hiring her (an attractive assistant who he can’t keep his eyes off ) because he doesn’t want to be perceived like the womanizer his father was. Eventually, he gives in and brings her on board. Of course, as they work closely together, their mutual attraction intensifies. And despite their efforts to maintain a professional distance, their chemistry proves impossible to ignore.
- Age gap - 15 years (coming from someone who isn’t a fan of age gaps, it didn’t feel weird at all given how mature the fmc was for her age)
- Workplace romance - billionaire x secretary
- Brooding & tortured mmc x kind & down-to-earth fmc
- Spicy 🌶️
Only thing that bothered me was the third act breakup. It was completely unnecessary and Roman should have groveled a bit more. I was left feeling that she was much more in love with him than he was with her because of the way he prioritized the company over her. But other than that, I really enjoyed Chloe and Roman‘s story.
When it comes to this series, book 1 is my favorite, Roman and Chloe’s story is nr. 2 and I skipped Tate‘s book altogether.
“Tell me, sweetheart. Do you want me?”
Her breaths are coming fast. “I shouldn’t.”
“I know.” I press my mouth to the tender skin at the angle of her jaw. “I shouldn’t want you, either. But here we are.” My tongue flicks out and tastes her. “I’ve fucking missed you. Have you missed me?”
“You’ve seen me almost every day.” Her voice is breathy, her fingers tangling in the hair at my nape.
“I have. And it’s been fucking torture not being able to touch you again. So tell me, Chloe. Did you miss me too?”
“Yes. Every day.”
BR with my dear Lori! 🤗
But what I liked the most was the slow burn and the tension between our two main characters. The way these two literally CRAVED AND YEARNED for each other but wouldn’t allow themselves to be together? Ugh DELICIOUS!!!! *dramatic faint*
The Plot:
After losing her job, our heroine Chloe is anxious about no longer being able to financially support her father who suffers from a chronic illness, so she applies for a secretary position at the hero’s firm. Although Roman is instantly drawn to her, he is against hiring her (an attractive assistant who he can’t keep his eyes off ) because he doesn’t want to be perceived like the womanizer his father was. Eventually, he gives in and brings her on board. Of course, as they work closely together, their mutual attraction intensifies. And despite their efforts to maintain a professional distance, their chemistry proves impossible to ignore.
- Age gap - 15 years (coming from someone who isn’t a fan of age gaps, it didn’t feel weird at all given how mature the fmc was for her age)
- Workplace romance - billionaire x secretary
- Brooding & tortured mmc x kind & down-to-earth fmc
- Spicy 🌶️
Only thing that bothered me was the third act breakup. It was completely unnecessary and Roman should have groveled a bit more. I was left feeling that she was much more in love with him than he was with her because of the way he prioritized the company over her. But other than that, I really enjoyed Chloe and Roman‘s story.
When it comes to this series, book 1 is my favorite, Roman and Chloe’s story is nr. 2 and I skipped Tate‘s book altogether.
“Tell me, sweetheart. Do you want me?”
Her breaths are coming fast. “I shouldn’t.”
“I know.” I press my mouth to the tender skin at the angle of her jaw. “I shouldn’t want you, either. But here we are.” My tongue flicks out and tastes her. “I’ve fucking missed you. Have you missed me?”
“You’ve seen me almost every day.” Her voice is breathy, her fingers tangling in the hair at my nape.
“I have. And it’s been fucking torture not being able to touch you again. So tell me, Chloe. Did you miss me too?”
“Yes. Every day.”
BR with my dear Lori! 🤗
July 13, 2025
İlk kitabına göre Kat kat iyiydi beğendim
Adam iyiydi eski karısı biraz drama yaptı ama çok değildi
iki karakteri de sevdim
yalnızca daha fazla epilog olmasını isterdim
sonu yok gibiydi evlenme teklifi etti o kadar
fena değildi yine de belki sonra okunur
Adam iyiydi eski karısı biraz drama yaptı ama çok değildi
iki karakteri de sevdim
yalnızca daha fazla epilog olmasını isterdim
sonu yok gibiydi evlenme teklifi etti o kadar
fena değildi yine de belki sonra okunur
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2025
THE LAST DOMINO INDEED FALLS THE HARDEST
March 18, 2025
Something to be said for saving the best for last.
March 4, 2025
4.5⭐️ I actually love this series soooo much!! I was like 20 pages in and I was already giggling and kicking my feet! This is billionaire, workplace, boss x assistant, age gap, (24/39) romance. The burn of this was soooo good because of THE TENSION, the YEARNING, the lingering looks, the way we have this guarded billionaire who slowly but surely lets his walls down, with a FILTHY mouth, & the way that the fmc is sweet but also stands her ground??? Also yall.. the JEALOUSY???? ATE IT UP. The BANTER in the beginning? Again, giggling and kicking my feet!!! Idk, I’m a sucker for romances where there’s hesitancy and then the mc who’s hesitant to love meets the other mc and all that goes out the window.. causeeee, romance, right?? Ugh, love love this series and all the couples. Here are some of my favorite highlights:
The urge to stake a claim on a woman who isn’t mine—who will never be mine—is ridiculous.
“Stay or go, Chloe. Your choice.” NOT GONNA LIE THIS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ HAD ME GAGGED
“Don’t,” he growls. I deliberately wet my lips, my heartbeat detonating in my ears. “Don’t what?” “Don’t look at me like that.” “Like what?” My voice comes out breathless. “Like you want me to taste you as much as I fucking want to.”
“Being an island isn’t the defense you think it is, trust me. You’ll build your walls so thick that eventually no one will be able to get close to you, even the people who most want to be there. You’re doing a disservice to them and yourself by not letting them in.”
“Nothing about the two of us together is easy. But I want it anyway. I want you.”
I’ve spent my whole life keeping people at a distance, guarding my heart. But she breached my defenses without even trying. There was never any guarding against her.
The urge to stake a claim on a woman who isn’t mine—who will never be mine—is ridiculous.
“Stay or go, Chloe. Your choice.” NOT GONNA LIE THIS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ HAD ME GAGGED
“Don’t,” he growls. I deliberately wet my lips, my heartbeat detonating in my ears. “Don’t what?” “Don’t look at me like that.” “Like what?” My voice comes out breathless. “Like you want me to taste you as much as I fucking want to.”
“Being an island isn’t the defense you think it is, trust me. You’ll build your walls so thick that eventually no one will be able to get close to you, even the people who most want to be there. You’re doing a disservice to them and yourself by not letting them in.”
“Nothing about the two of us together is easy. But I want it anyway. I want you.”
I’ve spent my whole life keeping people at a distance, guarding my heart. But she breached my defenses without even trying. There was never any guarding against her.
June 18, 2025
:))))))))))))))((((((((((((:
February 19, 2025
I must admit I am not a big fan of age gap stories, especially more than 10 years. Buuuut.. I must also admit that I didn't feel it so much in the story, so it did not bother me. The story was wonderful, sweet aaaaand spicy. Very well done.
May 22, 2025
What was this!??? Excuse my rant, but I was so looking forward to reading about the final and most mysterious of the brothers! I feel robbed.
Rant:
It took me a long time to get into this book. I honestly hoped that the author would have some imagination here. Alas, here we are...
The author hit copy-paste and went with it! Is the exact same plot of the two previous books, just with different names. But, and this isn't saying much, really, at least in the first book, Delilah had a career!
I had so many issues with this book:
1. Why did this woman have to be a fetus??? It did not matter how many times the author TOLD the reader how mature she was (which was every five paragraphs). It made no sense, and there was no need for it! She could have been 27,28,29, or even 30 with a personality, and still, it would have been an age gap! The difference is that it would have been believable, realistic, and less creepy!
2. Why was the whole "I'm a frustrated artist" thing pushed? So this woman goes from painting something in high school to all of the sudden being an artist? She had very little going for her. Again, this woman, just like the previous ones, had the personality of a lobster. Just a Mary Sue type whose life somehow got interrupted by something super normal or relatable, but that, in their case, turned their lives upside down and is a huge obstacle, and so their are sad and need help but dont know that they do, until a man tells them🙄😖. So there is no depth, no challenge, and no realness to them. But then again, who had depth and gravitas at 24? Who even had enough work experience to land these outlandish jobs at that age!? 😒.
3. Who talks like this guy (Roman) during sex?! Oh dear! I found myself cringing many times while reading this guy's lines😬. For the love of something! I hope no one takes this as an example of how to talk to a woman.
4. Nothing actually happened. The whole book consisted of these two people whom I assumed had mental deficiencies since they couldn't be around each other for more than five minutes without having a medical emergency that rendered them disabled. Roman's penis was having a heart attack inside his pants every time Chloe happened to glance in his general direction. She was having a mental breakdown accompanied by abnormal genital lubrication every time she heard his voice or "felt him" behind her! It was so stupid that I couldn't understand it🙄 . There wasn't a single chapter with the two of them where the conversation flow did not get interrupted by the same inner monologues about how they felt, looked, breathed, walked, smelled , smiled... ugh.
The non-existent plot was solely based on the fact that he had to "hide" her, so this non problem just kept snowballing until it became ridiculous! And to make it worse, Roman finally decided to do what he was supposed to from the get-go:he said he was in a relationship. That's it! He didn't say who/how/when. No, no, he literally said in an interview that he was in a relationship. Magically, aaaaaall this couples' troubles were over, the end!
It is exactly as ridiculous as it sounds, and I feel ridiculous for finishing this book, but I just needed to know how bad it would get... It got bad, so bad. 🤷
As far as intra office/ age gap romances go, this was pretty bad and low on my list.
I feel like the author missed out here on coming up with something new, fresh, and different. Seizing the popularity from the previous books, this should have been a slam dunk...
Rant:
It took me a long time to get into this book. I honestly hoped that the author would have some imagination here. Alas, here we are...
The author hit copy-paste and went with it! Is the exact same plot of the two previous books, just with different names. But, and this isn't saying much, really, at least in the first book, Delilah had a career!
I had so many issues with this book:
1. Why did this woman have to be a fetus??? It did not matter how many times the author TOLD the reader how mature she was (which was every five paragraphs). It made no sense, and there was no need for it! She could have been 27,28,29, or even 30 with a personality, and still, it would have been an age gap! The difference is that it would have been believable, realistic, and less creepy!
2. Why was the whole "I'm a frustrated artist" thing pushed? So this woman goes from painting something in high school to all of the sudden being an artist? She had very little going for her. Again, this woman, just like the previous ones, had the personality of a lobster. Just a Mary Sue type whose life somehow got interrupted by something super normal or relatable, but that, in their case, turned their lives upside down and is a huge obstacle, and so their are sad and need help but dont know that they do, until a man tells them🙄😖. So there is no depth, no challenge, and no realness to them. But then again, who had depth and gravitas at 24? Who even had enough work experience to land these outlandish jobs at that age!? 😒.
3. Who talks like this guy (Roman) during sex?! Oh dear! I found myself cringing many times while reading this guy's lines😬. For the love of something! I hope no one takes this as an example of how to talk to a woman.
4. Nothing actually happened. The whole book consisted of these two people whom I assumed had mental deficiencies since they couldn't be around each other for more than five minutes without having a medical emergency that rendered them disabled. Roman's penis was having a heart attack inside his pants every time Chloe happened to glance in his general direction. She was having a mental breakdown accompanied by abnormal genital lubrication every time she heard his voice or "felt him" behind her! It was so stupid that I couldn't understand it🙄 . There wasn't a single chapter with the two of them where the conversation flow did not get interrupted by the same inner monologues about how they felt, looked, breathed, walked, smelled , smiled... ugh.
The non-existent plot was solely based on the fact that he had to "hide" her, so this non problem just kept snowballing until it became ridiculous! And to make it worse, Roman finally decided to do what he was supposed to from the get-go:he said he was in a relationship. That's it! He didn't say who/how/when. No, no, he literally said in an interview that he was in a relationship. Magically, aaaaaall this couples' troubles were over, the end!
It is exactly as ridiculous as it sounds, and I feel ridiculous for finishing this book, but I just needed to know how bad it would get... It got bad, so bad. 🤷
As far as intra office/ age gap romances go, this was pretty bad and low on my list.
I feel like the author missed out here on coming up with something new, fresh, and different. Seizing the popularity from the previous books, this should have been a slam dunk...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2025
5 grumpy stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rabdare sa treceți de slow burn.. apoi..4🌶
Cea mai buna carte din serie?
Pt mine DA!🦋
Rabdare sa treceți de slow burn.. apoi..4🌶
Cea mai buna carte din serie?
Pt mine DA!🦋
February 7, 2025
Guarded King, LM Dalgleish's third and final book in her Empty Kingdom series, captured and held my romance loving heart in the palm of its hand. The grumpy, gorgeous oldest brother's story kept me up 'til the wee hours while I absorbed every detail of how Roman King became the man he was.
His role as the CEO of their company always came first, sometimes at the cost of his own happiness. Heavy is the crown that this King wears on his powerful head. Roman was used to his solitary life at the top, love was for his brothers, not him. No risk, no regret.
When Chloe Callahan swept into his world, everything shifted. A job as the CEO's assistant was going to be a game changer for her, as long as she could convince judgy Roman King to take a chance on someone like her. Chloe was a little bad-assy, but in the nicest way. Kind and caring, she always lead with her big heart.
When heated glances turning to much more, their slow burn was on, leaning into the extra spicey zone, untamed and practically glowing with its intensity. Chloe and Roman will no doubt pull tight on your heartstrings as their walls come tumbling down. They took me by surprise quite a few times. Wink!
Guarded King was full of the best tropes- an age gap, billionaire boss/office romance with banter galore, grumpy/sunshine with sprinkles of longing and ansgty goodness. LM Dagleish nailed these exceptional and complex characters- I loved everything about Roman (swoon!) and Chloe's steamy, romantic push and pull. Revisiting the King brothers and their ladies in their world again was such a treat- I wish their stories could go on forever.
I recieved an early copy to read and this is my honest review!💓
His role as the CEO of their company always came first, sometimes at the cost of his own happiness. Heavy is the crown that this King wears on his powerful head. Roman was used to his solitary life at the top, love was for his brothers, not him. No risk, no regret.
When Chloe Callahan swept into his world, everything shifted. A job as the CEO's assistant was going to be a game changer for her, as long as she could convince judgy Roman King to take a chance on someone like her. Chloe was a little bad-assy, but in the nicest way. Kind and caring, she always lead with her big heart.
When heated glances turning to much more, their slow burn was on, leaning into the extra spicey zone, untamed and practically glowing with its intensity. Chloe and Roman will no doubt pull tight on your heartstrings as their walls come tumbling down. They took me by surprise quite a few times. Wink!
Guarded King was full of the best tropes- an age gap, billionaire boss/office romance with banter galore, grumpy/sunshine with sprinkles of longing and ansgty goodness. LM Dagleish nailed these exceptional and complex characters- I loved everything about Roman (swoon!) and Chloe's steamy, romantic push and pull. Revisiting the King brothers and their ladies in their world again was such a treat- I wish their stories could go on forever.
I recieved an early copy to read and this is my honest review!💓
March 30, 2025
GUARDED KING by L.M. Dalgleish? Instant favorite. Instant obsession. Instant meltdown.
I LOVED this book. I LOVED the whole series. Every single King brother is swoon-worthy, but this one? This one was mine. 👑
From the very first book, I was waiting—no, aching—to read Roman’s story. He was always the coldest, most mysterious, most guarded of them all, and I knew there had to be something deeper. And wow… it did not disappoint.
Roman. Was. EVERYTHING.
The way he burned silently for Chloe? The way he suffered in silence because he thought he couldn’t have her?? I was KICKING MY FEET. ✨
He couldn’t stop touching her, couldn’t stay away, couldn’t hide how deeply she got under his skin. And Chloe? She owned him without even knowing it. The power she held over him made me melt.
The emotional tension, the longing, the stolen touches, the resistance that never stood a chance… chef’s kiss.
I was giggling. Screaming. Hugging my Kindle. This was angsty deliciousness in the best possible way.
If you love:
• The cold, tortured hero who melts for one woman
• Deep emotional tension and longing
• A heroine who unknowingly becomes his whole world
• That slow unraveling of walls until everything explodes…
Then Guarded King is a MUST-READ.
10/10. No crumbs left. Absolute favorite. Go read it. NOW.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I LOVED this book. I LOVED the whole series. Every single King brother is swoon-worthy, but this one? This one was mine. 👑
From the very first book, I was waiting—no, aching—to read Roman’s story. He was always the coldest, most mysterious, most guarded of them all, and I knew there had to be something deeper. And wow… it did not disappoint.
Roman. Was. EVERYTHING.
The way he burned silently for Chloe? The way he suffered in silence because he thought he couldn’t have her?? I was KICKING MY FEET. ✨
He couldn’t stop touching her, couldn’t stay away, couldn’t hide how deeply she got under his skin. And Chloe? She owned him without even knowing it. The power she held over him made me melt.
The emotional tension, the longing, the stolen touches, the resistance that never stood a chance… chef’s kiss.
I was giggling. Screaming. Hugging my Kindle. This was angsty deliciousness in the best possible way.
If you love:
• The cold, tortured hero who melts for one woman
• Deep emotional tension and longing
• A heroine who unknowingly becomes his whole world
• That slow unraveling of walls until everything explodes…
Then Guarded King is a MUST-READ.
10/10. No crumbs left. Absolute favorite. Go read it. NOW.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 7, 2025
4.5
“The dark shields us from the reality of what’s happening between us.”
All the heart eyes! Guarded King was everything I was hoping it would be. Read this gem in ONE DAY! The build up, & chemistry between Roman & Chloe was incredibly hot. I loved the characters together and on their own. I adored Chloe for growing up faster than she should have had to, for taking such good care of her dad. Mostly for loving herself to know she deserved better when she no longer felt safe.
“The dark shields us from the reality of what’s happening between us.”
All the heart eyes! Guarded King was everything I was hoping it would be. Read this gem in ONE DAY! The build up, & chemistry between Roman & Chloe was incredibly hot. I loved the characters together and on their own. I adored Chloe for growing up faster than she should have had to, for taking such good care of her dad. Mostly for loving herself to know she deserved better when she no longer felt safe.
May 24, 2025
Halfway through: I’m bored. I don’t feel the chemistry between them, didn’t feel it from the beginning. I feel like there’s so much good potential, with her father’s story, his previous marriage, his relation with his dad, but the development of the characters and plot is lacking. I expected something different. I feel like I’ve read this story 1000 times before. I don’t feel their chemistry and I’m bored. I can’t imagine how they’re going to fall in love bc it’s purely physical, surface-level lust and attraction. And ik the other books started that way too, but those story lines allowed them to flow into the path of falling in love. When this couple falls in love, I think i’ll just be like ehh ok.
Finished: it got a bit better after my first review, up until the “break up” part. The reason for taking a break was kinda dumb. And it returned to the type of story I’ve read 1000 times before. They’re cute, but nothing special.
Finished: it got a bit better after my first review, up until the “break up” part. The reason for taking a break was kinda dumb. And it returned to the type of story I’ve read 1000 times before. They’re cute, but nothing special.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2025
Beautifully written
In tears!! The last book in this series but she finished it with a bang!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ x 20
I can see the amount of work, heart and detail that was written into this jewel! Loved every chapter...it's 3am and I am crying cause I knew Roman was going to be my favorite DAMAGED King and he hit me HARD!!😭😭😭😭😭...everything on his shoulders maybe cause I relate to him in certain ways that I couldn't put it down till I finished it... such a beautiful book ... thank you l.m for this jewel. Finally seeing all three King Brothers happy and even their mom... great way to end this series!🥰🥰🥰🥰
In tears!! The last book in this series but she finished it with a bang!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ x 20
I can see the amount of work, heart and detail that was written into this jewel! Loved every chapter...it's 3am and I am crying cause I knew Roman was going to be my favorite DAMAGED King and he hit me HARD!!😭😭😭😭😭...everything on his shoulders maybe cause I relate to him in certain ways that I couldn't put it down till I finished it... such a beautiful book ... thank you l.m for this jewel. Finally seeing all three King Brothers happy and even their mom... great way to end this series!🥰🥰🥰🥰
January 31, 2025
Wow, what an excellent read, couldn't put it down.
Roman and Chloe's story was a rollercoaster of emotions!
Roman is a grumpy workaholic and closes himself off emotionally from everyone. Chloe also struggles with some things but tries to see the positives in life. Through her wonderful nature, she manages to break down Roman's walls over time. And the tension in this book ...wow! I'm not a fan of slow burn but this was perfect! 🌶️🌶️🌶️
L.M. Dalgleish has an exceptional ability to create deeply layered, authentic characters. Her writing has made her one of my favorite romance authors!
For me, this is an absolute ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-book, and I’m already excited to read more from her!
Roman and Chloe's story was a rollercoaster of emotions!
Roman is a grumpy workaholic and closes himself off emotionally from everyone. Chloe also struggles with some things but tries to see the positives in life. Through her wonderful nature, she manages to break down Roman's walls over time. And the tension in this book ...wow! I'm not a fan of slow burn but this was perfect! 🌶️🌶️🌶️
L.M. Dalgleish has an exceptional ability to create deeply layered, authentic characters. Her writing has made her one of my favorite romance authors!
For me, this is an absolute ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-book, and I’m already excited to read more from her!
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