Guarded Knight

Echo Valley #3

by Sienna Judd

I’ve been in a lot of bad situations. War zones. Hostage rescues. But nothing prepared me for protecting Lara Young.

When my buddy Rocco says his sister’s ex won’t take no for an answer, I agree to step in—even though Lara is a complication I don’t need. She’s stubborn as hell, sharp as a whip, and reckless in all the worst ways.

And those pretty pink lips? Nothing but trouble.

Years ago, I found that trouble—one kiss, one mistake. Now, instead of my best friend’s sister, she’s a woman who hates me.

She thinks I’m overreacting. That her ex is just a bitter mistake she left behind. She doesn’t want a babysitter and finds ways to slip past the lines I draw.

Every last one of them...

Keeping her safe should be simple. Move her to Echo Valley. Keep my distance. Get the job done.

But nothing with Lara is ever simple. She pushes back, tests my control, and makes me crave things I shouldn’t.

But this isn’t playtime. It’s a fight for her life. And when it comes to this woman, I can’t afford to lose.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Forced Proximity, Small Town Romance, Found Family, Contemporary, Second Chance, Second Chance Romance

455 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2025

About the author

Sienna Judd is a small town, contemporary romance author who lives for all the spice and book boyfriends who are book husband material.

Sienna is an American girl married to her Prince Charming. She lives with her husband, three children, pony, dogs, guinea pigs and countless other animals on a small farm in England. She thinks kitchens are for dancing, is everybody's hype girl and might be known for talking too loudly.

Like every respectable woman she also loves drinking champagne and eating half of every chocolate in a truffles box.

Her spirit animal is a butterfly.

Reviews

[madmanreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️ | 2 🌶️

Oh my gosh there’s just something about a grumpy hero who doesn’t laugh or smile easily but does just for her 🥹.

❤️ Ex Navy seal MMC
❤️ chronic illness rep
❤️ brother’s best friend
❤️ small town romance
❤️ romantic suspense
❤️ it was always you

I am so in love with Lara & Gabriel. From the history they have growing up with Gabriel being her brother’s best friend, and all the callbacks that come with that… just so sweet.

Gabriel has seen himself as broken and held himself back from Lara because he didn’t think he was worthy of the short life she was destined to live with her chronic illness. The way these two looked her fate in the eyes and chose to love for however long she has left had me sobbing.

He was so tender and treated her like she is worth treasuring, but also made sure she knew how strong and capable he thinks she is, and didn’t try to take over everything for her.

I also wanted to note the cultural elements the author included for the Mendez family. That barbecue scene and the dancing made my heart feel all sorts of warm and fuzzy. To be a part of a family with so much vibrance, tradition, joy & soul is such a blessing and was so heartwarming to read.

Sienna Judd so beautifully captured the essence of contemporary soulmates and what it means for two people to have a love that transcends time and space. I will never be over Lara & Gabriel!!

[Samantha Draws · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW✨ 4.5⭐️ I have been LOVING this series! Lara may still have many good years left but Gabriel doesn’t want to bring her down with his demons. He’s had feelings for his best friend’s little sister for a long time but left to join the navy after the one time he acted on them. Now he’s back but he knows he isn’t good enough for her so he’s kept his distance. That is until she’s in danger and the only person she’s willing to trust with her safety is him. Lara is trying to escape a stalker so her and her best friend/roommate pack up and head to Echo Valley. Gabriel has purposefully stayed away from Lara because he knows the minute he’s close he won’t want to let go. The longer they spend time together though the stronger their connection becomes and the harder it is to deny what’s between them. Will Gabriel be able to protect her without giving in or is he willing to show her the man he is now and hope that she accepts him demons and all?

Oh man Gabriel and Lara have such a strong soulmate connection!! He takes protectiveness to a whole new level and I love the way he fights to keep Lara safe. You can really tell how much these two belong with each other. Gabriel instinctively knows what she needs for her CF. My heart broke for everything these two have faced. I wanted to give both of them a hug. I adore the family dynamics in this series! They all are more than happy to drop everything and do whatever they could to help in every situation. Also just have to say I was on my toes the entire time with this one and definitely didn’t figure out who the actual bad guy was until right what it was happening!! I promise you’re going to want to want to read this one!

Tropes:
✨Romantic Suspense
✨Brother’s Best Friend
✨Ex Navy Seal
✨Disability Rep
✨Small Town Romance

[Fatma · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

ARC Review

Tropes:
Brother's Best Friend
Second Chance
Stalker
Bodyguard Romance
Suspense
Touch Her & 💀
Cystic Fibros Rep

Another heartbreaking yet wholesome story by Sienna!

Gabriel and Lara are the definition of Right Person, Wrong Time. Coming back from the army, Gabriel wasn’t in the right headspace to give Lara the life she deserved, so he stepped back—breaking her heart, but allowing her to be “free.”

Gabriel is the ultimate brooding MMC, that's actually a complete softey and I LOVED every second of it! Even though he walked away from Lara years ago, he made it clear that he still cared for her—and always had. His heart knew he needed Lara back.

Lara had every right to be angry and keep her distance from Gabriel, but at the beginning of the story, I felt she took things too personally and maybe even put her life at risk because of it. Lara learning to lean on people while still being strong and independent was heartwarming, especially with her CF.

That said, I completely understood both Lara and Gabriel. I just wish Gabriel had opened up about the full extent of his PTSD earlier—it would’ve given them both some much-needed grace. Still, their time apart allowed them to grow individually and become ready for each other.

I was so relieved when they finally chose to be together, to heal, and to live for a future side by side.

The suspense was well done! I had so many theories about who Lara’s stalker could be—and one of them actually turned out to be right! Sienna wrote the action scenes in a way that kept you hooked, but they never overshadowed the romance, which I really appreciated.

I’m so excited to see what’s next in this series!

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

Tropes:
🧡 brother's best friend
🧡 bodyguard romance
🧡 romantic suspense
🧡 it's always been you
🧡 ex-Navy SEAL
🧡 chronic illness rep

lara and gabriel are 😙😙. brother's best friend, bodyguard, chronic illness rep, it's always been you, and a good handful of romantic suspense?! the suspense was definitely suspensing with this one!! (but yes, i did...kinda figure it out? lolz)

but I ADORE this community in echo valley so much and the mendez men are just 🤭🤭 all the brothers are a bit mysterious in their own ways, but gimme an ex-SEAL military man any day of the week! the protectiveness he had over lara? swoon. his inner monologue cursing himself over how much he wanted her? yes. and lara. my sweet, CF girl Lara, poking your nose where it doesn't belong. you just haddd to find trouble so gabriel could save you right? hehe. jk. but i loveee her resilience in this story, chasing her life and freedom, not letting her illness define her.

thank you so much to sienna for the eARC! Guarded Knight is available now! You don't want to miss this romantic suspense story!!

[Dom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay this book!!!! I am officially obsessed with Sienna’s writing and will 100% be going back to read more of her work

My man Gabriel was truly a “touch her & you die” type man and he had so much love for Lara - I felt his yearning from the first moment her name was mentioned 😭😭

Lara!!! My strong, brave girl!! I just loved everything about her tbh - her wittiness, her sarcasm, her bravery, her perseverance - she was just everything 😭

The bond these two had was just all-encompassing; nothing & no one else mattered when the other was in the room

The romantic suspense also had me on the edge of my seat!!! The way my heart was racing during those last few chapters - I was FRANTIC

This book truly was so spectacular - go read it!!!!

Huge thank you to Sienna for my arc & gifted copy 🥹🤍

🍪 Second Chance
💋 Romantic Suspense
🤍 Best friends little sister
📸 Rare Disease Rep.
🍷 Small Town

[Kaylie Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Sienna Judd for the ARC read of Guarded Knight.  


I really liked the set up of this story and learning the relationship between the MMC, Gabriel and the FMC, Lara.


She's an independent fire cracker that has Cystic Fibrosis and wants to thrive away from over protective family.

He's her brothers best friend and the protective ex- navy SEAL who has been assigned to help catch her stalker. 


The overall idea of the story I really enjoyed. It had a really solid thriller aspect to it that did help push carry the story along. 


I did feel that the middle of the book came to a bit of a stand still at times. There were only so many times I could read about Lara and Gabriel going back and forth and back and forth. It got a little tedious. 

It was redeemed by the last 25%. I could not stop reading! The action really picked up! 

[Keri Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awww. Sweet G. Sweet broken man.🖤

[Kaitlyn Fulkerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

** ARC Review **

I ATE this book up! It is the definition of a hook, line and sinker. The mystery aspect kicks in during the first line. You never truly know what to expect as you read this mystery romance. Gabriel is a broody ex seal, and Lara is a vibrant, sees the positive in everything kind of girl. The slow burn is chefs kiss. The love they have for each other is undeniably. I could not put this book down. I needed to know what was going to happen next immediately.

[Anais Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guarded Knight by Sienna Judd is book 3 in the Echo Valley series.

What to Expect:
🏡 Small-town romantic suspense
💪 Ex-NAVY SEAL
💘 Brother’s best friend
🩺 Disability rep.

4.5 | 2 🌶️

My thoughts:
Gabriel Méndez has known Lara since she was a child because she’s his best friend’s sister. He’s always been protective of her, and their first love they shared a kiss before he was deployed and it changed them both. He didn’t want her to wait for him, even though part of him wished she would, because he didn’t want to be selfish and steal those years of her life. Now, Lara is in Echo Valley under his protection because of a stalker, but being close again is complicated for both of them. Gabriel calls her Firefly because she’s the light in his darkness. Swoon!

Gabriel, “G,” knows having her near will be hard, but they need to be together to keep her safe. Lara has Cystic Fibrosis and works for a nonprofit with her friend Freya. Being around Gabriel stirs up feelings she tried to suppress. She tries to keep her distance, but the tension and banter between them? Electric. And that kiss in the barn? Soooo hot!

As days pass, their feelings can’t be contained. When they finally cross that line, Gabriel is both passionate and caring, making him perfect for her. Yet he hesitates to pursue a relationship because he feels broken after the war, PTSD, therapy, and running as a defense mechanism. He wants to put down roots in Echo Valley and avoid being a burden to Lara, who has her own life to live. She wants him too, but knows he could also break her.

Gabriel is loving, protective, and attentive, and their deep understanding of each other makes their relationship even more swoony.

The suspense in the story is fantastic. I had my suspicions, but the ending surprised me, exactly what you want in a good suspense!

After everything they’ve been through, Lara shows her strength and resilience, embracing a second chance at love without regrets. Gabriel, once broken, becomes vulnerable, showing how much their love is worth fighting for.

The secondary characters, Anton, Freya, Luis, Gabriel’s dad with his spicy club, and Rio (his brother)—added so much to the story. Xander, Lara’s brother, and her two nieces were absolutely adorable, and his protectiveness toward his sister was amazing. I seriously can’t wait for Anton and Rio’s book!

If you love romantic suspense in a small town with a cowboy vibe, I highly recommend this series.

Thank you so much, Sienna, for the advance copy—this review reflects my honest thoughts.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book with all the angst and longing and forced proximity this is the book for you!

❤️ Brother’s best friend
❤️ Ex Navy Seal
❤️ Chronic Illness rep
❤️ Small town romance
❤️ Romantic Suspense
❤️ It’s always been you

Gabriel and Lara have know each other since they were kids, they’ve always had a connection and before Gabriel left for the military they kissed. But when he returned he was not the same person and he didn’t want to be the anchor around Lara’s life. She has Cystic Fibrosis and did not have a long life expectancy, he wanted her to live her life to fullest.

Now it’s several years later and Lara is in trouble, she has an ex boyfriend who appears to be stalking her. Lara’s brother calls Gabriel to ask for help, which puts Lara back into Gabriel’s orbit and all of the feelings he’s had to bury come right back to the surface. Can he be what she needs and can he protect her?

Like I said, the angst in this one was so good. I love a good tortured MMC and Gabriel definitely was. I love a stoic grumpy man who only smiles for her, and that is definitely Gabriel.

Lara is incredibly independent and fierce in her own right. She definitely pushes all of Gabriel’s buttons and that f-it moment was so worth the build up!

I love the Mendez family and the found family that surrounds them. I loved all of the twists and turns the book takes trying to uncover the stalker. And the twist at the end was so good.

I especially loved that both Gabriel and Lara allowed themselves to love each other, and realized they didn’t need to be perfect versions of themselves to love and be loved.

[Hayley 〰 Hayley's Next Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

- small town
- romantic suspense
- brother’s best friend
- protective, ex-military MMC
- FMC has Cystic Fibrosis
- it’s always been you
- 🌶️🌶️/5
- dual pov

When Lara’s safety is threatened, her overprotective brother calls in the one person he trusts most to protect her – his just-as-overprotective best friend, Gabriel. She temporarily relocates to his small hometown, and let’s just say the close proximity makes it impossible to ignore the chemistry simmering between them.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear these two have been secretly pining for each other for years. Gabriel believes he’s no longer good enough for Lara after his military service, but she shows him that he's worthy and loves him exactly as he is. In turn, he understands her challenges living with Cystic Fibrosis and accepts her completely. Their connection is equal parts sweet and spicy.

The suspense subplot adds another layer of tension, and I loved that I could sense something was off but didn’t quite guess how it would all play out. Sienna delivers a clever twist that gives me total Catherine Cowles vibes.

Anton and Freya shine as the standout side characters, and now that Anton’s book is next, I can’t help but hope Freya will be his match. She’s earned her happily ever after, too.

Thanks to Sienna for the early copy.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! Each of these Echo Valley books keeps getting better and better! I can’t get enough of the Mendez brothers. I loved the second chance, and dare I say fated mates tropes in this book. They had such a strong history we knew they were going to end up together but it couldn’t come quick enough.

Ex Navy Seal Gabriel is tasked with protecting his best friends little sister from her ex boyfriend/stalker. Problem is Lara and Gabriel have quite the history. A kiss for the history books before he deployed and then enough baggage to feel like he could never be good enough for her that he stayed away when he returned home. They had been avoiding each other for years, but now they have to be together, and boy do the sparks fly. The suspense was real, as they thought they knew who the stalker was, but couldn’t have been more wrong. I was on the edge of my seat the second half of the book and couldn’t put it down. I thought I had it figured out but little did I know there was so much more going on. Lots of fun plot twists that kept me guessing.

I’m here for all the romantic suspense, I can’t wait for more from Echo Valley and I’m now hoping we get a future book about Xavier. Please please please.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sienna is an amazing author and always hit me in the feels.
A second chance romance and its you brother's best friend/Best friend's sister trope?!

We've been introduced to the MC's Lara and Gariel through Starlight Canyon and the other books in Echo Valley. It makes it so much more, personal, when shit goes down.

I love Lara's personality, it's not that she need's saving in that sence. She just needs help with a situation and I love how the whole family is so close. I love the support.

Gabriel is such a good and amazing guy and we all know he made that decision with the right intenstions.

I can almost believe this was between my husband and I when we first met. Now when I think about it. Me and hubby got a second chance romance.

I'll never stop recommend these books. I love seeing them in my bookshelf. And I can see a difference, a improvement, from the first books I read, Electric Hearts Series, to now.
This author has grown so much in the last years in their writing and I'm amazed.


Being able to read before release is a privilege and I don't take it for granted.


I truly need a spinoff with Anton and Freya. Damn!
Also waiting for Luis and Julias story.

[Jennifer Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Lara and Gabriel's story so much! From their secret history, to the way Gabriel took care of Lara, to the deep deep longing for each other. I ate this book up! And the suspense was the perfect piece to this story!

Lara has someone stalking her and needs some protection. Who else to look after her than her brother's best friend, Gabriel. They have a secret history that was cut short after Gabriel left to become a Navy Seal. Now he is broken and doesn't think he is worthy of Lara. He is there to protect Lara and find the person coming after her and that is all.

The gentle way Gabriel was with Lara made me swoon! She was the most precious thing to him and the love he had for her was so so deep. These two had an incredible connection and I just love the easy way in which their love grew. Lara was independent and sassy and Gabriel embraced that. He didn't dim her in the slightest and I loved that. He protected her and care for her in the most beautiful way. The way they loved each other brought me to tears. The suspense was so perfectly executed and left me on the edge of my seat. And the epilogue? The sweetest ending!!

-Small Town
-Ex Navy Seal
-Brother's Best Friend
-Second Chance
-It's always been you
-Romantic Suspense
-Cystic Fibrosis Rep

Thank you Sienna for this ARC!

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! I was hooked from the start! I love a romantic suspense by Sienna anydayyyy! I couldn’t put this book down it was SO GOOD! I wish I could reread Lara and Gabriel’s story again for the first time 🥹

Lara is badass! I love how strong and independent she is. She doesn’t hold back, she is living her life to the fullest 😍 I loved reading about her journey, she’s actually one of the best FMCs in my opinion!!

Gabriel MY MAN! I love how protective he is and that man is down bad! 🤭 He has experienced his own traumas and yet he will always put others before himself and I love that about him! Plus a man in therapy!!!! I love this behaviour!

I love this series so much and I love seeing the family back together again! The tension between our characters was everything and more. The sensitivity around the characters health conditions was so beautifully captured. We really got to understand them and I have so much love and respect for Sienna. I love seeing so much representation in books, I felt so much emotion for them both. I adored every aspect of this book, I was GASPING out loud for sure. That twist was something I didn’t see coming 👀 This book will be living in my head rent free!!!

Thank you so much Sienna for sending me an ARC of this book!! You’re the best ❤️

4.5 ⭐️

[Kristie Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

oved this one! This story has a mix of sooo many good tropes, with a Grumpy ex-Navy SEAL, Fierce, independent FMC, second chance, brother’s best friend, slow burn, andddd romantic suspense! I was soooo excited for this one! Lara and Gabriel were so perfect together! Lara has cystic fibrosis and is one of the strongest FMCs I’ve read in a while. She’s not looking to be saved. She just wants to live fully and on her own terms. Gabriel, the broody best friend of her older brother, is protective in the most tender, respectful way. He shows up, fiercely and consistently for her. Oh, and I ate up the angst between them!
Their chemistry was soo good! These two share a long, complicated history full of guilt, longing, and love that never really went away. Watching them finally let their walls down and fight for each other despite everything was so satisfying. This is also all happening while there’s a stalker situation that had me suspicious of everyone!! If you love romantic suspense stories with strong FMC and protective MMC, this one’s for you!

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐫𝐞:
🪶Ex Navy SEAL
🪶Romantic Suspense
🪶Small town
🪶Brother’s Best Friend
🪶Disability Rep
🪶Pillow fight
🪶Spicy book club

[Merrit Townsend (always1morebook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guarded knight is book 3 in the Echo Valley Series. Each book is an interconnected standalone that can be read in any order. This is Gabriel and Lara's epic HEA.

Here is why you should pick this one up:

-This book will grab you from the beginning. For all you suspense lovers, this book has the intent mystery through the whole story. not only do you get a mystery/stalker, you have a relationship that begins when Lara and Gabriel are kids.
-The angst in this book had me clutching my chest the entire time....
-The family dynamic.....I love found family but this book has not only that but a real family that will have you wanting to move to Echo Valley and join their ranch. We also get to see all the previous characters fro the first two books and that Ade y heart happy.
-the CF (Cystic Fibrosis) rep brought me back to my school days where I had a very good friend who passed away from this awful disease. Sienna really touched on the difficulties living with this disease and how the advancement has given people a longer time to live their life.
-Lara and Gabriel have loved each other for so long but Gabriels past and Lara's disease have a way of getting in the middle of their lives.
-Give this one a go. I loved it and I know you will too.

[Sarah | sarah.onemorechapter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the honor of beta and arc reading this book I LOVED it both freakin times. It hurt in the best way. G and Lara are the perfect mix of serious and sweet and I couldn't get enough of them.

Lara is in danger and who better to protect her than her brothers best friend Gabriel who is also an ex-navy seal. These two have an emotional history that will tug on your heartstrings and their connection will draw you in immediately. Oh Gabriel... this man deserves all of the forehead kisses he wants, the man is perfectly protective and possessive.

Lara has battled her whole life and she's independent almost to a fault. She's never wanted to be a burden so she's tried to handle everything on her own. But when her life is in danger she has to ask for help and it ends up being the best thing she could've ever done.

GAHHHHH I will never be over this book. I love G and Lara so dang much. They will always have a special place in my heart.

Thank you Sienna for the arc and allowing me to be a part of your process. I adore you!!

•ex- navy seal
•brothers best friend
•chronic illness rep
•romantic suspense
•it’s always been you
•secret tattoo
•touch her and die
•independent af fmc

[books.tea.happy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabriel came back from the Seals a different man than the one who left. He had fallen for his best friends little sister, but left to go to training.

When he came back he didn’t believe he was good enough for her, so stayed away, until fate brought them back together. Lara was being stalked and needed help. Gabriel was the perfect man for the job.

Their past made their reunion difficult. Lara has her own limitations and when Gabriel didn’t come back for her, she doubted herself.

When I started the story I suspected I knew who the stalker was, but I was so glad to be wrong, because if I was right it would have been a bit too predictable. I did get some of the twists in the story, but definitely missed some of the turns.

I so wanted them to realise that they were perfect for each other. Two broken souls who made each other whole. It took Lara’s life being in danger to give Gabriel the reality check he needed.

It was lovely to see previous characters from the serious and to get insight to where the series might go.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable romance, with a nice spice level and a good few twists and turns to add suspense.

[isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

tropes:
❣️ grumpy x sunshine
✨ brothers best friend
💌 small town
🥮 cystic fibrosis rep
🫶🏼 bodyguard romance

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡⋆˙𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗮
my sweet girl. i just wanted to wrap her in a hug. she is so strong and determined to live life on her own terms, not letting her cystic fibrosis define who she is. she’s so fierce, resilient, and such a sweetheart. she deserves the world

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡⋆˙𝗴𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗹
i adore how loving and attentive he is to lara and her needs. how he instantly knew what she needed for her cystic fibrosis. and how protective he was of her, from the very first page. like when he stayed up all night outside her door when she was coughing. and it doesn’t hurt that i love a grumpy man who only laughs and smiles for her

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡⋆˙ 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗮 & 𝗴𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗹
they’re both stubborn, but watching them realize they didn’t need to be perfect versions of themselves to deserve each other. they just needed to love one another and show the vulnerable parts they hide from the world

───────── ୨ৎ ─────────

thank you so much to sienna judd for the arc!!! this was my first physical arc and i can’t even convey in words how much i cherish it. i’m so beyond grateful to have had the opportunity to read it <3

⚠check tw!

[Andrea M · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this one

This is my first book by Sienna Judd and I’m already making moves to add book 1 and 2 to this months reads because I need more from this universe.

Gabriel and Lara have such a raw and beautiful love story. They have always been drawn to each other and there was a moment where things began to progress between them but then Gabriel is deployed and comes back a changed man.

Dealing with loss and trauma, he doesn’t want to burden Lara with his problems while she lives with a life threatening disease. He tries to keep his distance but when his best friend (and her brother) asks for him to protect Lara while she deals with a stalker who is increasing their threats.

With Lara so close in distance and his over protective nature taking over, they can no longer ignore the pull they feel. I won’t give away too much because this is a journey you need to experience. I loved the close relationships we get to explore, the book store and all the banter between this group of characters.

With the hints we are given to what is coming, I honestly can’t wait!!

[Juliana Cotrin Sobreiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

They were childhood friends that fell in love in their teens/early twenties, but didn't last long because Gabriel got PTSD after war and thought Lara, who suffers from a serious disease, didn't deserve to deal with his issues besides her own; and she stopped talking to him. In the present, as Lara is being victim of a stalker whose actions become worse at each time, her brother, Xander, asks for Gabriel's help to find and arrest that criminal. Lara, convinced by her brother to come back to their hometown so she could be protected from her stalker, accepts Gabriel's help, at the same time that fights his proximity, having her friend Freya on her side.
Will Gabriel and Lara let their love for each other flourish? Or will their fears make they fall apart for good?

Get ready for funny, tense, heartbreaking moments, besides twists and turns that'll keep you on edge!

I've received an ARC of this e-book from the author. All the opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Monique Collazo · Rating 5 out of 5]

GUARDED KNIGHT
eARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release Date: October 9

I love this Echo Valley series. But Guarded Knight! This is my favorite!! Some of my favorite tropes wrapped into one amazing book.

Lara has a stalker and her brother is determined to get him behind bars. So he asks his best friend Gabriel, who is an ex Navy Seal, to protect his sister and find this man. Problem is, Lara and Gabriel haven’t spoken since he’s been back from the Seals and they used to be very close. But Gabriel is willing to do everything in his power to protect Lara, not only from the stalker but from himself as well. But he’s also in love with her.

So good!!! When they finally see each other again, their playful banter back and forth. Inside jokes. His grumpiness. And she’s full of sunshine even though she’s battling a disease. I loved Lara. And Gabriel had me sweating. When the grumpy navy seal falls in love, he falls hard. And I enjoyed every second of it!

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better and Gabriel and Lara were absolutely no exception!!

Sienna had me guessing all the way through, every time I thought I had a solid guess she threw a a spanner in the works and sent me in a whole different direction! I had a little inkling of who it was going to be but she kept throwing me off!!

Gabriel is fierce, strong and incredibly protective, as well as being a broken man, basically the perfect mix to have you swooning all over the show! My heart broke for him with all the ways he convinced himself he didn’t deserve Lara, every reasoning being level more selfless than the last.

Lara is actually incredible, I loved how she kept defying her own odds and how she wanted to show she could be independent! She kept Gabriel on his toes and didn’t cave easily as I would have! She goes to find refuge in echo valley and ends up finding home, she truly wasn’t expecting it and wasn’t expecting to find it with Gabriel!


I can’t wait for the rest of this series!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

[gabreadsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This may be my new favorite in this series. If you're a fan of brother's best friend and it's always been you trope you'll devour this book.

Lara and Gabriel will steal your heart. There's so much history and chemistry between them that their love story felt epic. Gabriel is so protective and sweet towards Lara, even when she doesn't want his protection. He treated her like a treasure. Plus there's something about a grumpy hero who only laughs and smiles for the heroine. These two truly felt meant to be. Contemporary soulmates for sure.

I enjoyed the suspense plot as well. It was intriguing and will keep you guessing. There's plenty of action and mystery.

I also liked how Lara's chronic illness was represented. Yes it effects her but she was still strong. I thought this storyline was very important.

I loved the Mendez family and seeing them join together in joy and protection.

Highly recommend!

[Chelsea Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh.My.Heart! This book was absolutely fantastic! I adored every moment of Gabriel and Lara giving in to their love for each other! This one had me super emotional, especially the scene that the above quote is from! This had really great chronic illness rep in it, with Lara having Cystic Fibrosis.

I’ve loved the dynamic between the brothers in all of these books so far and this one is no different! They will do anything for each other, and of course there is the banter between them all! If I loved Anton in the last book, this one made me love him even more! Sienna, that man needs a book! 😜😍. I loved Lara and Freya’s friendship! Freya was absolutely the kind of best friend every person should have!

Sienna, you have found your freaking niche with romantic suspense! You killed it again! Gah, I just love this series so freaking much and cannot wait to see what happens next!

[DreadQueen CinnamonRoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was EVERYTHING I didn't know I needed when I started reading it. From the beginning to the last page, not only was it detailed enough to build this story you're in, but it's complex and unpredictable just enough to keep you guessing until the very end. I found myself giggling and laughing at the witty banter, crying at the sweet moments, and absolutely engrossed in the pivotal action moments. This book was an immediate favorite and I wish I could read it again for the first time. It was a perfect mix of all the tropes I love and unexpected twists. With a Happily Ever After that may be one of my all time favorites (And yes... it made me WEEP), this book needs to be on your shelf like yesterday. I'm already excited to read it again.

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

[Liezl · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Guarded Knight is the third book in the Echo Valley series by Sienna Judd. It is a second chance at a first-chance romance. I have been really enjoying this romantic suspense series. Book 1 is still my favorite, although it's the first book. However, Guarded Knight is an excellent addition to the Echo Valley series.

Ex-Navy SEAL Gabriel is tasked with protecting his best friend's little sister from her ex-boyfriend and stalker. The problem is, Lara and Gabriel have a complicated history. They shared a passionate kiss before Gabriel deployed, but he felt inadequate and stayed away when he returned home. They had been avoiding each other for years, but now they must be together, and sparks fly. The suspense is real as they believe they know who the stalker is, but they couldn't be more wrong. I was on the edge of my seat the second half of the book and couldn't put it down. I thought I had it figured out, but little did I know there was so much more going on. There were plenty of fun plot twists that kept me guessing

[Valeria Noda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of Beta and Arc reading for one of my favourite authors, Sienna Judd and I absolutely loved this story both times. 🥹

Lara and Gabriel were meant for each other. Even through the pain, time and distance apart, they found their way back to each other.

Lara is an incredibly strong and resilient FMC. She lives with a chronic illness and uses her experience to give back while embracing every day as it comes. Gabriel, an ex–Navy SEAL, is broody and grumpy but has the softest spot for Lara. 🫠 He saves all his laughs and smiles for her. Watching his growth and his journey to accepting that he is worthy of her love completely melted me.

You will cry when these two come together again — it’s beautiful, raw, and full of heart.

And can we talk about the cultural details?! The Mendez family BBQ brought me so much joy 🥰 I was smiling through the entire scene. The warmth, the love, the food, the laughter and the music - Sienna captured a Hispanic family gathering so perfectly it felt like being amongst my own family. ✨

I loved this story, I loved Lara and Gabriel, and it’s safe to say they’re my favourite couple in the Echo Valley series.

Sienna, your words are magic, and it’s such an honour to read your work.

✨Childhood friends
✨Chronic Illness Rep
✨Ex- Navy Seal
✨Romantic suspense
✨Brothers best friend

[Amy [Book Addict Reviews] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lara is being stalked by her ex when her brother steps in and asks his best friend, Gabriel, to protect her. Only they also have a history with each other that comes with plenty of baggage.

Lara has CF and she’s independent, so now having a brooding ex navy seal watching her is not something she enjoys. Gabriel is protective and the man has a possessive side to him as well. You can feel the chemistry between them from the start and the tension between them as they try to ignore their feelings.

The suspense of the story had me on the edge of my seat. There are twists and turns along the way and I couldn’t put it down.

If you’re looking for a brothers best friend, romantic suspense check this one out.