Rough and Protective

Aspenbrook Protective Heroes #3

by Ivy Noir

Can a cabin in the mountains spark more than just a fresh start? In the rugged beauty of Aspenbrook, two people with their own scars are about to realize that the powerful attraction between them is exactly what they both need to heal—and more than they’re ready to admit.

“I’ll stay out of your way.”
“You could never be in my way, Tessa. You’re exactly where you belong.”

Jake
She’s stubborn, but I can see the dream in her eyes.
Tessa’s trying to make it as a photographer, and she’s got nowhere else to go.
I offered her the cabin, and I’m not letting her push me away.
Every day we spend working together only makes me want her more.
She doesn’t know it yet, but I’m not just her protector—I’m what she needs.
And I won’t stop until she sees that.

Tessa
This wasn’t part of the plan.
A cabin, a rugged man, and working together on my photography—it’s too much.
But every time I look at Jake, I feel something shift.
His protectiveness, his touch—it makes me feel things I can’t ignore.
I’ve been avoiding this connection, but it’s getting harder with every day that passes.
I’m not ready to need him, but I want him more than I ever expected.

"Rough and Protective" is the third book in the Aspenbrook Protective Heroes series. While it can be enjoyed as a standalone, you won’t want to miss the rest of the series! Each book features a new alpha hero, a heart-pounding love story, and a satisfying happily-ever-after.

Genres: Romance, Slow Burn

65 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 9, 2025

Reviews

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa is in Aspenbrook for a photo shoot. As she's taking photos of the bookstore she stops when she spots a man who takes her breathe away. She can't stop looking at him.
Jake was heading to talk to his friend when he spies the most gorgeous woman he's ever seen. His friend's wife asks if he'd like to meet her. But he figures before he gets too involved with someone who's only in town for a while he backs off. A couple of days later he goes into town for supplies for the cabin he's fixing up. He comes out of th store and sees Tessa and she's about to step back into a pool of water which is in a pothole. He steps behind her to block her. Then they talk and she mentions having to find another place to stay. So he invites her to stay in his cabin. He loves having her there but his thoughts and dreams are erotic. Well he needs to do something to keep her around. So he goes to ask her to help him fix up the inside of the cabin.
They spend time at the stores buying furniture and other items to spiff up the inside. The draw they feel is off the charts.
Tessa starts to think maybe her over the top dream chasing might have been keeping her back from looking for something more to her life. Will the two finally figure out if they want a relationship?
A lovely story of a strong woman who knows what she wants and a strong man who can let her be her.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes all you need is a fresh start to see the new beginnings you put this on down until the last page has been turned. Tessa is a photographer, stubborn to a fault, asking for help isn’t easy for her and she is Aspenbrook to launch her website she dreams of working with National Geographic. Jake sexy as all get out retired military owns a farm he is just as stubborn as the beautiful photographer when she lands herself into trouble of course he steps in and offers her a place his cabin. The magnetic pull was there no matter how hard they tried to ignore it but the more time they spent with each other the stronger it grew learning that they work really well together but where are they headed, will she achieve her dream with his help, and will they find happiness some where along the way?

[Nancy Koske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa is doing a photo shot and website design for a new bookstore in Aspenbrook when she is seen by a local rancher and ex-military, Jake, who can't seem to take his eyes off her.There is just something about her. Tessa learnt that the B&B where she scheduled to stay will be closing before her work is finished to remodel due to low booking. Jake has a small cabin that he is doing up for a guest house; he offers it to Tessa and she recommends that he should doing as an Air B-n-B as an income source. Plus she will help as her rent for using it while getting photos in the area. Tessa has a dream of being a photographer for National Geographic. Follow their shared growth plus the possible fulfillment of her dream job.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anngela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great story from Aspenbrook. Continuation from the last book. I enjoyed how it started out where the last book ended at the party in Alice’s book shop how Jake sees Tessa across the room taking photos at the bookstore to help Alice get publicity and her website going. The lonesome rancher can’t keep his eyes off Tessa and she keeps looking at him instead of working. The attraction between the two of them is crazy but they play it safe and stay away from each other and are cordial. I really enjoyed how he moved her into his cottage when the B&B closed down. How they dated for three weeks getting to know each other. Like an old fashioned love story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vickie Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book three in the Aspenbrook Series. This is a great short read and I enjoyed it. I got a little sad, then laughed and then happy at the end.

Jake is Ex-military and owns a farm. Tessa is a photographer that was brought to Aspenbrook to helo launch her bookstore website. Jake and Tessa immediately notice each other, but will not act on what they feel in case Tessa has to leave.

Will Tessa stay? How do they get close to each other? What do they feel for each other? Is it love or lust? Does Tessa get her dream job at National Geographic? Does she travel by herself? Let's finish reading to find out!

[Shelly Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake and Tessa’s story
Book Title-Rough and Protective
Author-Ivy Noir
MMC/FMC- Jake and Tessa
Genre-Mountain Man Romance
Length-Novella
Spicy level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ out of 5 peppers
Series-Aspenbrook Protective Heroes Book 3
What I liked-I quite enjoyed how it started out where the last book ended at the party in Alice’s book shop. Jake sees Tessa from across the room taking photos at the bookstore to help Alice get publicity and her website going. It’s in endearing story of insta-love between the two of them. I enjoyed there happily ever after.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters in this book were so relateable and real; they're the people you want to have in your friend group. Tessa has a goal for her future and keeps her eyes firmly fixated on that goal. Conversely, Jake, former military, has had his 'adventure' and is happy with his life of ranching. Their initial meeting was intense and drew them together in unexpected ways. Would Tessa be so focused on her future that she missed the opportunities of the present? Only one way to find out!

I voluntarily reviewed a gift copy of this book. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Grinning Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat’s Stats
MMC/FMC- Jake and Tessa
Length- about 65 pages
Heat- really well done! Written very smoothly. 3.75/5 spice.
Series? N
Safety? Y
Triggers? Sex
Tropes- J/P Hero, Slow Burn, Fish Out of Water, Opposites Attract, Forced Proximity, Cowboy
What I thought- overall I liked it, although I think that Tessa’s 3 years later epilogue was too over-the-top and should have been cut. It soured a book that was both realistic and sweet.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa is a photographer who finds herself needing help. She maybe stubborn, asking for help is not something she finds easy. Step in Jake. Who is handsome, rugged and one big alpha male. He offers to help Tessa with a place to stay and with her photography. Working together makes the attraction grow stronger. The heat grows.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye for Photography

Tessa's stay was supposed to be temporary while she took photos to jump start her website and career but her constant run in with Jake takes her on a different path. Jake and Tessa were a beautiful pair that fate nudged them towards each other until it could not be denied. It was a wonderful story to read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jackie Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy brought out such chemistry between the characters from the moment they laid eyes on each other to their HEA. Jake and Tessa are the sweetest couple to meet and their flirting was so funny and cute. She had a dream she wanted for herself and in the end she got it and the man. I truly enjoyed the book. I also love how the characters from previous books on the series pop up.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is a photographer in need of help but us too prideful to ask. Jake steps in and offers her his cabin and their path begins. As time spent together blossoms will Jake get the woman of his dreams, and will it lead them to a happiness Tessa never saw coming.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how Jake and Tessa fell in love and worked together on his rental cabin. They make a good life together.

[Joy Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment to this series. For a short story, the attraction and characters are amazing and it is easy to read in a short amount of time. I was hooked from the first sentence.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! A Great story on How Jake and Tessa fell in love. The chemistry between the two was undeniably from the moment he helped her. I loved the life they built together. Can not wait to read more!

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the third book in the Aspenbrook Protective Heroes series. I enjoyed rough and protective which was Jake and Tessa’s story. Loved how these two broken ppl found each other. It gave me all the feels. I got a copy of the book and voluntarily leaving this review.

[robert tabora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hopeless Romantic 🥰

This series is so good. Great story line and characters. Jake and Tessa’s love story so different. They fall in love over redoing a little rental car cottage. He has on his ranch. Can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story with great characters. Tessa and Jake make the sweetest and perfect couple. This romance book is really really good, and I am hooked reading this series by Ivy.

[LastNightInVegas · Rating 3 out of 5]

3

[Zondra.Hallyahoo.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Dorian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute

This story was short and cute I like that even the story is short it didn't feel rushed like most short stories. I'm enjoyed this series.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good

I can’t believe it took him so long to ask her to be his wife. It was a good book. He was extremely protective of her.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous read. Absolutely loved this enjoyable story - very sexy too. Can't wait to read the rest of Aspenbrook Protective Heroes. Loved it! 5☆