Mountain Protector

by Stella Banks

The man my father sent to protect me is driving me crazy in all the wrong ways... and all the right ones.

Some psycho my dad testified against just escaped from prison.
I don’t think I need protection.
But, of course, my dad sends a bodyguard to my house anyway.
Enter Clay Dover.
The first time he walks through my door, I can't decide if I want to kick him out or stare at him all day.
He's huge, intense, and follows me everywhere.
He's also hot. Like really hot.
I tell myself I'm annoyed. But the way my body heats when he's near tells a different story.
The tension between us is electric, and I've caught him staring at my lips more than once.
Now, I'm not just craving his protection. I'm craving him...

Genres: Romance

96 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 10, 2025

Reviews

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mountain Protector: A Hot Bodyguard Instalove by Stella Banks is a taut, heart-pounding romance that proves sometimes the fiercest protection comes with the hottest temptation. When Ruby’s life is upended by the news that a dangerous criminal—one her father helped put away—has escaped, she expects security, not sparks. Enter Clay Dover: towering, intense, and unwavering in his duty to keep her safe.

Their first encounter crackles with tension—Ruby’s fierce independence colliding with Clay’s calm professionalism. Yet beneath his steely exterior lies an undercurrent of desire that Ruby can’t ignore. He follows her every move, not just to guard her, but because he’s drawn to her quick wit and quiet strength. As threat levels rise, so does the heat between them: a shared glance in a darkened hallway, the brush of a hand during a late-night check-in, each moment stoking the fire of forbidden attraction.

What really elevates this instalove is the emotional stakes. Ruby wrestles with relying on someone else for safety; Clay battles his own code of conduct as a bodyguard against the pull of his heart. When danger finally strikes, their bond—built on trust and fierce protectiveness—becomes the very thing that could save them both.

If you crave a romance where every heartbeat is amplified by peril, and where falling in love might be the most daring act of all, Mountain Protector will have you racing through the pages.

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

[Nancy Koske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby had gone her own way instead of what her father wanted her to be become a lawyer and join his firm. Instead she had become a tattoo artist. Now he has called her about an escaped prisoner who he testified against 5 years ago who swore to make his family pay. Serious enough that her father had hired her a bodyguard. Escapee even had a Tattoo Weekly about her in his cell! Early the next day, Clay Dover shows up built like a mountain man and her bodyguard. Clay is shocked that he wants her; never this reaction to a client before. Had heard about local legend about love happening fast! Follow their road from protecting her and their attraction. Will they survive?.

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

[Sharon Akshar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story 'Mountain Protector' by Stella Banks. It is about an independent woman who is a tattoo artist. She is running the owners' shop while they are on a vacation trip when Ruby receives a call from her father warning her that a man who he helped send to prison has escaped and is coming after her in retaliation against her father. Her father has arranged a bodyguard for her while she is in danger. Ruby resents having to have a bodyguard with her until she meets Clay Dover. Clay is similarly impressed with her too and he knows that she is not just a job to him and that he will protect her with his life. It's a story with action and danger and makes for good reading.

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

[Aspen G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mountain Protector sizzles and pops! With action, suspense, and so much steam, Ruby and Clay take us on a wild ride filled with emotion and stubbornness, fierce independence, and an electric connection that blooms bigger with each page. Ruby is quite the firecracker, and her determination and grit are by turns admirable and frustrating. Ex-military man Clay is a beautiful human being and a protective bodyguard. I love how he loves all over Ruby while also keeping her safe. Their intimacy grows by leaps and bounds, and the action scenes are quite the rush too. Loved this one!

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

[Donna McEachran · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the premise of this book but had real difficulty with the continuity. Lots of errors that made it difficult to read.

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

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mountain Protector is Book 2 of the Rugged Hearts Duet. It's a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, age-gap, opposites-attract, forced-proximity, girl gets her bodyguard romance. Ruby is a smart and sassy artist and tattoo artist. Clay is a hunky ex-military man turned bodyguard. When Ruby ends up in danger, her father hires a bodyguard to keep her safe. Clay is instantly taken with Ruby the second he sees her. She is attracted to him as well. When she ends up in more danger, Clay takes her to his cabin. Things get hot and S-T-E-A-M-Y. What happens when the danger is over? Their chemistry was hot hot hot, and the ending was happy after the drama resolved. Clay was a hunky dream. I also loved seeing Lainey and Marcus again.

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

[Grinning Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat’s Stats
MMC/FMC- Clay and Ruby
Genre- Mountain Man Romance
Length- novella
Heat- open door, explicit
Series? Y
Safety? Y
Triggers- violence, menacing, reptiles
Tropes- Instalove, Bodyguard, Freedom ‘25, Ink Up, Small Town.
What I liked- of course, Spike, the bearded dragon. And I liked the vibe between Clay and Ruby— it was believable.
What I didn’t- there were some potentially interesting side characters who just weren’t. No development at all.

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

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby has always marched to her own drummer, never done what her father wanted her to do. Now a man her testified against has escaped from prison and he has hired a bodyguard for her until he is caught. Very early the next the man in question, Clay Dover, show up at her place.

Clay never expected his new charge would affect him so much, this has never happened to him before. He is ready to make her his but her safety comes first. He is just what Ruby needs.

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

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Mountain Protector” by Stella Banks

-A steamy, suspenseful small-town romance with heart and heat. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily sharing my honest opinion.
Ruby finds unexpected safety in Clay, the rugged mountain man hired to protect her from threats and danger, Their chemistry burns, despite rules that say she’s off-limits.
The small town of Cooper Heights and its residents are quirky and supportive. Ruby’s pet Spike is a very unique addition to the story.

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby has an escaped convict after her so her dad hires a bodyguard, Clay, to watch her till the convict is apprehended. From the first moment Clay sees Ruby he is drawn to her. This isn't like any other client he's had before. As the convict closes in, Clay and Ruby get closer and soon he's claiming her as his.

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

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Clay and Ruby. Clay is hired by her father when it turns out that her life is in danger because of an escaped prisoner. From the first moment Clay is crazy about her and the more the prisoner gains ground and gets closer to her he steps up a gear and to protect her and make her his he claims her. A wonderful story highly recommended!






I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Didi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3.5*
Fit Mountain Instalove magic strikes again as independent Ruby meets a determined protective bodyguard and sparks fly. I enjoyed the storyline but there were many inconsistencies that kept interrupting my reading flow. I liked how Clay took the time to “see” the real Ruby and understood her ways of dealing with things. Overall an okay addition to this series. HEA.

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

[Mandy Reads Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quickie Review: Another fabulous story by Stella Banks that I absolutely inhaled. I love a good body guard romance, especially when it’s set on one of my favorite mountains. And loved seeing Lainey and Marcus make a couple appearances as well. But as always with one of Banks stories, this was a perfect insta love romance with a but of suspense to go along with it. I am off to find another one of her books to devour. 5 Stars.

[Jade Michaelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short, very cute read. Even though it was under 100 pages, Stella Banks managed to properly build a believable connection between Ruby and Clay. Predictable? Yes. Did I care? Not at all. It delivered just the right amount of everything. Would definitely recommend!.

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

[Brenda Angelico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sassy story

This is a great story if you are a fan of the insta-love trope and want a quick read. I would have given it 5 stars, but the inconsistencies in the part of the story that take place at Clays cabin derailed me for a minute. Really interrupted the flow of the story.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Ruby's life is in danger because of her father, he hires Clay to be her bodyguard, and things take a steamy turn. This bodyguard romance is packed with action, suspense, danger, and steam. Mountain Protector is book two and a great addition to the Rugged Hearts Duet. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Ruby is tough and capable but everyone needs help sometimes. I liked how Clay falls for Rugy while protecting her. The culprits are caught thanks to them working together.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a fast-paced story that pulls us into the lives of Ruby and Clay. The story keeps us turning the pages with instant connection, danger, action and steam.

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

[Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby and Clay's relationship is fast-paced and mildly smutty. These two are butting heads in the beginning, but once they see how they feel about each other, they can't stay apart. I liked it. The story was entertaining and good if you want something quick and smutty. Give it a try!

[Joycee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5 stars.

Enjoyable thrilling Instalove. Clay is former military, Ruby is a tattoo artist.

A few typos momentarily distracted me, but this short story was nevertheless a good mix of love-at-first-sight and danger that they worked together to neutralize.

[Melinda Swaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A steamy, small-town gem packed with heart, heat, and just the right amount of drama. There were sweet gestures, bold moves, and steamy times in this little gem of a book. I absolutely loved this book and I’m loving this series too. Definitely a favourite of 2025!!! Happy reading

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked these characters as Clay has his job to protect Ruby, only sparks fly upon initial meeting. Enjoyed his protective and caring nature, loved that he was all in, with no fear or hesitation.

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

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mountain Protector is an amazing quick paced spicy bodyguard romance. There is action, suspense and steamy scenes. Clay and Ruby are wonderful together.

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

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby and Clay are two people in this book that will fascinate you from start to finish. Stella’s book right here is not only amazing to read but very well written and worth at least 5/5 stars.

[Marjorie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of plot inconsistencies and discontinuities detracted from what could have been a good story.

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[LJH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read- 30 minutes

Novella with little story line. Characters are likable and intimacy is solid. I liked that Marcus and Lainey made an appearance.