Off Guard

by Marian Tee

An all-new "friends romance" short story from New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Marian Tee

18-year-old Gabby has a date. Finally. But because of the sheltered life she's led, she needs a chaperone of sorts. Enter Hadrian Bancroft, the hottest guy in uni - and her best friend. Or at least he was until he kissed her.

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, College, Contemporary Romance, Short Stories, Friends To Lovers

21 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 17, 2014

About the author

Hi! I love talking about books as much as the next bibliophile - doesn't matter whose books - so feel free to chat with me here. :)

As for other stuff you may want to know, you could visit my website or author page in Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/authormariantee.

Reviews

[Mya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like the ending much

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay. I almost forgot about this one but I remembered reading this in one of your newsletter. I enjoyed reading it again at the same time you just made my day because I've been craving some friends - to - lovers theme and I finally read some.

Gabby and Hadrian's romance was just so sweet and steamy. It's so funny when it's the girl who has been so dense about her best friend's feelings for her but what I like about them is that they are so blunt to each other. So when Hadrian's feelings finally came out because of Gabby's two words, "You don't", I was laughing at the same time and thinking, "oh boy". And from there things got a little bit steamy but a short problem occurred and finally there HEA. It was very fast paced but I totally love it.

Please have more friends - to - lovers theme. I really like how you write their story.

[Selene · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is divided into two parts. In part one, there are two POVs. In part two, there are two additional POV's, though their perspectives are brief and don't really add anything to the story. This is a somewhat likable, new-adult friends-to-lovers (quickie) story, but the POV switches from Hadrian to Gabby's perspective without any real transition in between scenes. Also, there are some very noticeable editing issues. Overall, the steamy scenes are very hot, but this story doesn't focus on anything other than the two lead characters getting comfortable with their new relationship status. I'm uncertain as to what the final outcome of the story is supposed to be since it ended so unexpectedly, but maybe that's the curve this author was going for.

[WitchinglyBookish · Rating 1 out of 5]

Apparently thos book was never completed, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

[Aiden lenk · Rating 1 out of 5]

i thought the characters in this book were very flat, creating a terrible and inconsistent plot. i found the sexual acts between the characters extremely awkward and even hinted at rape. i think if there was more character development rather than jumping strait from gabby thinking hadrien was a teddybear to wanting to suck his "quivering cock" as Tee creepily puts it, wich for me was very abrupt and could have used a lot of work, then introducing another boy who suddenly needs to be with gabby seemed very ignorant and like a poor decision on Tees part. the way that Tee introduces characters throughout the novel is too concise, leading to me not being able to picture anything other than when she spends 3 pages on hadrien slipping one finger after the other into gabby. it seemed unnecissary to spend that much time on him fingering her rather than the reader actually understanding how thier life is and why everything is happening way too quickly. terrible book that gives a terrible image to young boys and girls on what love is aswell as what freedom in love is. what was that about gabby needing a chaperone because she cant do anything for herself and Hadrien setting limitations on what she can and cannot do aswell as who to talk to? please, dont read this.

[Lin ( Nerdy Bookworm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great beginning

This is the beginning of a great story however it did not end with completion and left with highest expectations of what's next between this cute couple. I hope the author continues this book and allow the readers to complete this book.

[Rebecca Membreño · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it

It was in normal Marian Tee style, other than being short and incomplete. It says she will continue to update, but does not state how and the end is abrupt. Want to read more on this pair.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too short

[Sheryl Isaacs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good but way to short

Hadrian the rich, hot older man and Gabby the shy young woman have been best friends since a young age until Hadrian decides it's time for Gabby to know his real feelings. leaves the story on a cliffhanger and just as you become involved with these characters it's over! Interesting read.

[Lucila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabby and Hadrian are somewhat fairy tale story in New generation.

It is a good love story. The naivety and the aggressiveness of the characters brings the story more compelling and exciting.

[Annmarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

What the.. that's all?!?! Where is the next book?

[Alina Vlădoi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ended in the middle of the action. Hope to find the rest of the book soon.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved it! Friends to lovers is my favorite. I really need to read the second part but i don't know where can i find it :(

[Misty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ummm...

Short and sexy, for lack of a better word. Was not expecting that, this being marked as young adult but there ya go.

[Lena Blazejova · Rating 2 out of 5]

Totalni jednohubka...sotva jsem zacala cist uz jsem byla na konci...

[Christina Deming · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confused

I am really kinda bummed. Just as the story was getting going it unexpectedly ends. Is this all there is? Does it continue in another book?

[Kami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book because it was short and sweet. It was a easy read, and its just one of those books that makes you smile. I like all the characters. I find Gabby refreshing, shes sweet, insistent, and shy. Gabby doesn't realize how appealing she is to guys and with Hadrian as her best friend she's unaware how things go. Hadrian on the other hand was a great character i loved reading things from his point of view. Last but not least is Ryder I didn't want to like him because i love Hadrian and Gabby together but Ryder seems like a nice guy too. I just hope Ryder can find his own "Gabby" and not come between Hadrian and his Gabby.

The reason for only 4 stars was the wording in the story I had a lot of "his" and "hers" mixed up and in wrong places. I would have gave it 5 stars if it wasn't so often because over all it was an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Anita]

This was a great book, and I really loved the whole friends-lovers thing and how he's been secretly pining after her, EXCEPT MARIAN TEE NEVER GOT AROUND TO FINISHING THE BOOK. So all in all, it was a waste of time. The end of the book says she'll keep updating the book as promised, however the last edit was in 2014, and it is now 2016 and the book is unfinished. I didn't rate it, CAUSE THERE'S NO BOOK TO RATE. I usually like this author, and I got really into this book, but was very let down. I'm finding I often see unfinished stories with Marian Tee, such as when she stretches one story into 5 books and you finish three, yet get no sense of completion because the story was never completed. In those cases, at least you get a whole book though. All in all, it had a lot of potential, but you have to write a book for it to be a good book. I want to note that I've never written a review before, but this was just so ridiculous.

[David Rose · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lousy, lazy writing, badly edited (if at all). Imperfect English on top of that. Here's an egregious and graphic example: "her penis". Poor plot. Expected teen romance, I got smut erotica.
Claims to be a NYT bestselling author? I don't know. I searched the NYT for 'Marian Tee', I searched her own website (the news page) for 'New York Times' and 'NYT', I found no confirmation on Google. I went through the Wikipedia NYT bestseller lists back to 2000. I found no mention.
I do not enjoy rubbishing any author, but felt that a fair warning was necessary in this case.

[🌹Natasha🌹 · Rating 1 out of 5]

First of all, this book was way too short. I for one would've liked to see Hadrian have to chase after Gabby a little more. I know they were best friends & have been for a long time but the fact that she just gave in so fast was boring to me. I didn't think the writing was that great either. I found spots where it would say "her" when it was clearly supposed to say "him" & that's one of my biggest pet peeves when reading a book. You can't just write a book & not reread it before putting it out for all of us to see.

[Tanielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad start to Gabby and Hadrian's story. The two have been friends for years, Gabby rushes to him because she has a date. Hadrian doesn't like the idea but he doesn't stand in her way. Of course the date is miserable but it's all good for him. He gives her a mind blowing orgasm and they're dating. Not bad but at the rate the author follows up with her series you'll forget all about this short story and be on to something else.

[Therese Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching..

Loved the story...though it was too short and left me wanting to know if they'd make it together..nevertheless, young love is inspiring and more so if it endures thru time. I am one who found an enduring love at 18...still going strong after more than 30 years. I'm also proud to know you (Marian) are part Filipina since I am a Filipina, too! Keep writing more great books...

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story seem to jump in head first. Not much before or after. The part that is there has a some great scenes, and would make a nun blush redder then a fire engine. I also can understand the title to the story but I would have liked a like more build up and interaction with the main characters. However, if your wanted a quick and to the passion storyline this certainly has it. Not to raunchy or dirty but passionate in its own way.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really cute but so very SHORT. Maybe even an additional 20 pages could have added a little more to the story. However, what we got was pretty good. Tabby was so sweet and the way Hadrian felt about her was heart warming. I would have loved to have seen a glimpse of the future and to have been able to watch Hadrian fall even harder.

[Dj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way to short. Had a lot of potential but it went to fast and did not have enough info. I felt he was very harsh in the way he spoke to his virgin best friend that he is supposed to care about. I felt he talked to her like she was trash in the end. Then there was no further info. Would be interested in this as a full novel.

[Sienna Logan (Lost to Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5

This was a very short, easy read. It was straight to the point, the characters were believable, and it was a nice read to break up the time and rest with. I would have liked a little more as what you get is good and I enjoyed the author's writing. I would be interested in finding out more about these characters.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Off Guard' is a quick read that has friendship, a hot and steamy night and the start of a romance. I enjoyed the storyline. The characters seemed great together. I would have loved for this to be a longer read, yet I was overall happy with the way it was written. A good read to add to your tbr list.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeping in mind that this is a SHORT STORY... it's not meant to be a novel... then this is Great. I give it a firm 4 stars.
It's got one main scene and yowzah it's a great schmexy scene.
I love friends to lover books and this was such a sweet snippet of two friends that manage to get out of the friend zone. Loved it!

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too pushy

I felt like the verbs were way too demanding of a loving relationship that ed being portrayed. I also had a problem that the old show don't tell rule want followed as if we are nearly being told what to feel for the characters instead of growing the reader character relationship that makes the greats great.

[Sierra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked this book except for the length. I mean if your going to make a book (Which i might add is good) then there has to be a bit more character development and plot to the story. I would have i liked to see more from these characters.