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The Grumpy Protectors Return: An Enemies to Lover’s, Second Chance Romance
He’s my lifelong rival. My grumpy protector. And the last man I should fall for.
Going home wasn’t part of my plan. After five years away—and a lot of chaos—I’m back in Maple Ridge, broke, heartbroken, and crashing on my best friend’s couch.
The universe’s first welcome-home gift? Lucas Reid. Town hero. Real estate mogul. The guy my parents always compared me to… and the one I swore I’d avoid forever.
Our history is a messy mix of family rivalry and mutual dislike. Now we’re forced to work together on his latest project, and every clash between us sparks something stronger than either of us wants to admit.
But letting him in means risking more than my pride. My past mistakes still haunt me, and small-town gossip spreads like wildfire.
Can we break down the walls between us— or are we destined to be enemies forever?
Perfect for fans of grumpy protectors, enemies-to-lovers banter, and steamy second chances.
Going home wasn’t part of my plan. After five years away—and a lot of chaos—I’m back in Maple Ridge, broke, heartbroken, and crashing on my best friend’s couch.
The universe’s first welcome-home gift? Lucas Reid. Town hero. Real estate mogul. The guy my parents always compared me to… and the one I swore I’d avoid forever.
Our history is a messy mix of family rivalry and mutual dislike. Now we’re forced to work together on his latest project, and every clash between us sparks something stronger than either of us wants to admit.
But letting him in means risking more than my pride. My past mistakes still haunt me, and small-town gossip spreads like wildfire.
Can we break down the walls between us— or are we destined to be enemies forever?
Perfect for fans of grumpy protectors, enemies-to-lovers banter, and steamy second chances.
136 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 8, 2025
4 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 5, 2025
Let me start by saying: I just wanted a light little enemies-to-lovers, second chance romance to get me through a Tuesday night. Something spicy. Something swoony. Something that wouldn’t completely decimate my life from the inside out like a literary wrecking ball wielded by Zeus himself.
Instead, I got Sadie Colt’s cursed masterpiece: The Grumpy Protector’s Return.
I read the first chapter. Thunder struck outside. Power went out. Coincidence? I thought so.
Chapter three: My house spontaneously combusted. No warning, no fire, just boom, ashes and sadness. All that remained was my Kindle—still glowing. Still open to Sadie’s book.
Chapter five: My dog, Rufus? Beamed up by aliens. I watched it happen. He looked back at me, confused but oddly at peace, like he understood the higher calling of it all.
Chapter seven: My wife left me. For our lawn guy, Chad, who has a man bun and listens to acoustic Ed Sheeran remixes. She took the car and the blender. Left a note that said, “You’ll never understand passion the way Sadie does.”
Chapter ten: I showed up to a Zoom call for work. My mic was muted, and yet, my boss still called me a “idiot” without provocation.
Also, I now have violent, unstoppable diarrhea. Doctor says it’s stress. I say it’s Sadie passionate writing.
But here’s the worst part—the absolute sickest, most twisted thing:
I. Loved. The. Book.
I laughed. I cried. I clutched my chest like a widow in a storm. I screamed into a pillow. I highlighted quotes. I whispered lines to myself at 3am like a deranged Shakespearean actor.
And somehow… through the wreckage… I started rebuilding.
I got a rescue dog to replace Rufus. Named her Sadie. My wife? Turns out Chad was allergic to grass. She came back with a tan and regrets. I politely declined. I now grow a beard, work remotely from a cabin, and feel emotions again.
I write poetry now. I journal. I joined a book club. We only read Sadie Colt.
Thank you Sadie Colt! You’ve changed my life for the better
Instead, I got Sadie Colt’s cursed masterpiece: The Grumpy Protector’s Return.
I read the first chapter. Thunder struck outside. Power went out. Coincidence? I thought so.
Chapter three: My house spontaneously combusted. No warning, no fire, just boom, ashes and sadness. All that remained was my Kindle—still glowing. Still open to Sadie’s book.
Chapter five: My dog, Rufus? Beamed up by aliens. I watched it happen. He looked back at me, confused but oddly at peace, like he understood the higher calling of it all.
Chapter seven: My wife left me. For our lawn guy, Chad, who has a man bun and listens to acoustic Ed Sheeran remixes. She took the car and the blender. Left a note that said, “You’ll never understand passion the way Sadie does.”
Chapter ten: I showed up to a Zoom call for work. My mic was muted, and yet, my boss still called me a “idiot” without provocation.
Also, I now have violent, unstoppable diarrhea. Doctor says it’s stress. I say it’s Sadie passionate writing.
But here’s the worst part—the absolute sickest, most twisted thing:
I. Loved. The. Book.
I laughed. I cried. I clutched my chest like a widow in a storm. I screamed into a pillow. I highlighted quotes. I whispered lines to myself at 3am like a deranged Shakespearean actor.
And somehow… through the wreckage… I started rebuilding.
I got a rescue dog to replace Rufus. Named her Sadie. My wife? Turns out Chad was allergic to grass. She came back with a tan and regrets. I politely declined. I now grow a beard, work remotely from a cabin, and feel emotions again.
I write poetry now. I journal. I joined a book club. We only read Sadie Colt.
Thank you Sadie Colt! You’ve changed my life for the better
April 27, 2025
Sometimes the past can become a beautiful future!
This is the first novel I can recall reading by Sadie Colt and absolutely loved the storyline.
I loved the story of Sam & Luke. I thought that they were very relatable characters and the storyline probably hits closer to home for more of us than we want to admit. So many times, like Sam, we don't, or feel that we don't, live up to our parents expectations and are an embarrassment.
Luke was the perfect one in the past and she even sees him as that and more now. Sam's parents even compared her to him often. That could only cause one thing, resentment of him by Sam. In the end it was Luke who stepped up to help be there for her. When everything unravels, they truly find each other.
I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone for a great read and am already looking for more novels by Sadie Colt’s to read.
I read this title after receiving it as an ARC copy as well as borrowing it with Kindle Unlimited. I am leaving this review 100% voluntarily
This is the first novel I can recall reading by Sadie Colt and absolutely loved the storyline.
I loved the story of Sam & Luke. I thought that they were very relatable characters and the storyline probably hits closer to home for more of us than we want to admit. So many times, like Sam, we don't, or feel that we don't, live up to our parents expectations and are an embarrassment.
Luke was the perfect one in the past and she even sees him as that and more now. Sam's parents even compared her to him often. That could only cause one thing, resentment of him by Sam. In the end it was Luke who stepped up to help be there for her. When everything unravels, they truly find each other.
I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone for a great read and am already looking for more novels by Sadie Colt’s to read.
I read this title after receiving it as an ARC copy as well as borrowing it with Kindle Unlimited. I am leaving this review 100% voluntarily
March 16, 2025
Get ready because you are just one click away from reading a wonderful and romantic book that is very hard to stop reading. For being the first book, I have read by Sadie she had me at the very start with Luke and Sam's story. This is a really great read with a storyline that has some second chances coming true.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews