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Dear Reader , To fully appreciate Blindsided, consider beginning your journey with the MacGallan Clan where it Savior (Book 1), then continuing through Salvation and Sanctuary before diving into this latest chapter of their saga.

The MacGallan clan had long ago given up on Kane Murphy. At family gatherings, they'd watch him slouch in a corner, flask in hand, a perpetual five o'clock shadow darkening his jaw. Thirty-one years old when the drinking started in earnest, and now he’s still clinging to it and his bachelor existence with stubborn determination.

Then came the night of the Changing of the Guards ceremony. Declan's hands trembled as he broke the seal on the envelope addressed in his dead father's handwriting. "The family crypt," he whispered, eyes meeting Kane's across the room.

Hours later, standing among ancestral remains, their flashlight beams revealed something that would drag them all, willing or not, across the Atlantic to the misty shores of their ancestral homeland.



Kori Blake

Pressed a damp tissue to her face as the plane shuddered through another pocket of turbulence. The trembling aircraft wasn't what had unleashed this flood of tears, however. Five years of marriage had dissolved in the seconds it took to open her neighbor's text—"Thought you should see this"—and view the attached photos of her husband and sister tangled together on her own kitchen counter.

Now she is soaring somewhere over the Atlantic, bound for a friend's small-town cottage on Ireland's coast, desperate to find the woman she'd been before becoming the wife of a CEO.

But her recovery plan goes sideways when a red-eyed man across the aisle plops into the seat beside her. She can smell the booze on his breath when he says, “Whatever he did, he’s not worth it.”

Seven words. That’s all it took for her to feel comfort in the presence of a strange man. A drunk Irish one at that!

But once they part ways, both wonder whether they will meet again…

427 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 29, 2025

142 people are currently reading
273 people want to read

About the author

Aquila Thorne

35 books155 followers
Born in Southern Ontario, Aquila was raised on the outskirts of a small town. With nothing to do, she took to reading historical romance novels and vowed to write a book of her own one day. Fast forward 28 years and she did just that with her first Contemporary Romance titled Moonlit Night and a Series to follow. She still lives in that small town where she was born, her escape is within the pages of her writings

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5 stars
81 (49%)
4 stars
38 (23%)
3 stars
34 (20%)
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10 (6%)
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Michellelovesreading.
1,476 reviews174 followers
November 28, 2025
This was such a good book. I loved the relationship between Kori and Kane and how much he cared for her since he met her.

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️
Profile Image for Megan Horne.
109 reviews
November 20, 2025
*I am an arc and beta reader for Aquila. I’ve read all her work. My reviews are my honest opinion and given freely and voluntarily, with nothing given/expected in return.*

Loved this book as much as the others in the series. It gave me Goonies vibes!! I was hooked from the beginning.

My favorite line from the book was: “sometimes the most painful truths are the ones we need most desperately.”

There were 5 scenes that ended up being my favorite:
1. Running through the airport and speaking to the nuns.
2. The buried on beach fiasco.
3. Koris comment about the horror movie/getting killed first.
4. Kane and Koris moment in the rain.
5. The stress baking and family story time.

Can’t wait to read the next book and series Aquila has coming. She never disappoints with the twists, drama, heartfelt emotions, and good family vibes (even when they are fighting). Aquila draws me in to each story and makes me feel like I could be friends with them in real life/want to meet them and be a part of their world too.
Profile Image for Simone Haeseler.
504 reviews9 followers
November 16, 2025
It's the fourth book in this series and it started very mysterious. Kane was a hoot, he was very funny, liked him in his drunken stupor. The writing was funny and witty dialogues all around. Nice to see how the previous couples evolved. I liked the whole pace how Kori and Kane get to know each other, how they were drawn to one another. All in all a good solid story with a lot of unexpected moments.
Profile Image for Robin.
20 reviews
November 16, 2025
Blindsided had me hooked from the beginning. I felt like I was right with the MacGallan Clan on this adventure! It was action packed and I was as shocked as the clan was at the end. Can’t wait to see what is next!
1,026 reviews22 followers
December 2, 2025
The MacGallan clan had long ago given up on Kane Murphy. At family gatherings, they'd watch him slouch in a corner, flask in hand, a perpetual five o'clock shadow darkening his jaw. Thirty-one years old when the drinking started in earnest, and now he’s still clinging to it and his bachelor existence with stubborn determination.

Then came the night of the Changing of the Guards ceremony. Declan's hands trembled as he broke the seal on the envelope addressed in his dead father's handwriting. "The family crypt," he whispered, eyes meeting Kane's across the room.

Hours later, standing among ancestral remains, their flashlight beams revealed something that would drag them all, willing or not, across the Atlantic to the misty shores of their ancestral homeland.


Kori Blake pressed a damp tissue to her face as the plane shuddered through another pocket of turbulence. The trembling aircraft wasn't what had unleashed this flood of tears, however. Five years of marriage had dissolved in the seconds it took to open her neighbor's text—"Thought you should see this"—and view the attached photos of her husband and sister tangled together on her own kitchen counter.

Now she is soaring somewhere over the Atlantic, bound for a friend's small-town cottage on Ireland's coast, desperate to find the woman she'd been before becoming the wife of a CEO.

But her recovery plan goes sideways when a red-eyed man across the aisle plops into the seat beside her, she can smell the booze on his breath when he says, “Whatever he did, he’s not worth it.”

Seven words. That’s all it took for her to feel comfort in the presence of a strange man. A drunk Irish one at that!

But once they part ways, both wonder whether they will meet again…

Tropes: Clans, Family Gathering, Alcoholic, Bachelor, Changing of the Guards, Family Crypt, Ancestral Remains, Ancestral Homeland, Divorce, Second Chance, Small Town Romance, Ireland,

Blindsided is the 4th book in the Changing of the Guards Series by Aquila Thorne.

Blindsided is a beautiful and richly woven saga centered primarily around the MacGallen family – a family known as Irish mafia royalty who are now forging a new legacy in Canada. The Changing of the Guards series is one that will reward readers who start with the first book; with each book adding additional layers of emotional depth, family intricacies, and that undoubtable sense of connection that makes this amazing world so tantalizing and alluring.

Blindsided shifts the attention to Kane Murphy, whose cousin to Declan MacGallen and he’s been long thought his families “outcast.” Broody, magnetic, and he’s far more complex than his reputation has ever suggested, Kane’s entire story fragments the entire history of this once crime-burdened family who has been trying to redefine itself. Kane’s journey is consuming all on its own, and it quickly becomes unforgettable when Kane’s life converges with Kori Blake – a woman who is fighting her own battles and her own demons, her strength, vulnerability, and it’s her fire and strength that balances Kane in the perfect and most captivating ways.

I loved how we got to see characters from the previous books in the Changing of the Guard Series. (I did a bit of research on characters I was confused about.) And we find that with each question that we get answers to, new questions pop up. And of course, Kori’s ex-husband had to pop up and cause issues for the duo.

Aquila Thorne has made some very deliberate choices to ensure that this series is set apart. The perfect blend of a strong plot, sensuality, heart, and she manages to do all this without resorting to substantial violence and that’s something that’s often found in mafia romances.

Rather, Aquila leaned into mystery, slow-burn heat, adventure, family bonds that manage to feel both tested and resistant, Each of the MacGallen men brings their own kind of tantalising flavour, and we see that Kane is no exception – and Aquila perfectly crafted leads who manage to deepen the series with emotional landscapes.

I haven’t read the other three books, but after reading this book I will be going back and reading the first three books that I have missed. Blindsided is entertaining from the first word to the very last with tension, humour, romance, twists and turns, all the while she leaves you hungry for whatever is going to come next.

To sum it up: this book is a creatively crafted, character-rich, emotionally satisfying addition to a series I look forward to reading the rest of. So far, I get the feeling The MacGallen men are going to be completely unforgettable…and I have the feeling that there are many more stories to come.
Profile Image for Leisel.
746 reviews4 followers
November 17, 2025
Blindsided is the fourth instalment in the addictive Changing of the Guards series, a richly woven saga centred around the MacGallen family—Irish mafia royalty now forging a new legacy in Canada. This is a series that rewards readers who start from the beginning; every book adds layers of emotional depth, family complexity, and that unmistakable sense of connection that makes this world so immersive.

This time the spotlight shifts to Kane Murphy, cousin to Declan MacGallen and long considered the family’s “black sheep.” Broody, magnetic, and far more complex than his reputation suggests, Kane’s story cracks open the history of a once crime-burdened family trying to redefine itself. His journey is gripping on its own, but it becomes unforgettable when it intersects with Kori Blake—a heroine fighting her own battles and demons, whose strength, vulnerability, and fire balance Kane in the most captivating way.

What sets this series apart is its blend of strong plot, sensuality, and heart without resorting to the excessive violence often found in mafia romance. Instead, it leans into mystery, slow-burn heat, adventure, and the kind of family bonds that feel both tested and unbreakable. Each MacGallen man brings his own irresistible flavour, and Kane is no exception—another perfectly crafted lead who deepens the series’ emotional landscape.

Across four books, readers witness a family rising from its own ashes, finding unity in crisis and love in the most unexpected places. Blindsided continues that tradition beautifully. It’s entertaining from first page to last, packed with tension, humour, romance, and twists—while still leaving you hungry for whatever comes next.

In short: a creatively crafted, character-rich, emotionally satisfying addition to a standout mafia romance series. The MacGallen men are unforgettable… and their stories are far from over.
Profile Image for Dawn Litwiller.
388 reviews9 followers
December 2, 2025
Kori and Kane may just be my new favourites I. This series!
Kori is running from her husband after catching him cheating and Kane is running towards uncovering family secrets that just seem to keep piling up!
Kane uses alcohol as a huge crutch to cope with his less than stellar life so far, but when an unusual detox is forced upon him, Kori is his saviour and gets drawn into the family drama and mystery.
I wasn’t too sure if I was going to like Kane at the beginning to be honest, but the way he was protective and insightful about Kori, got me on his side pretty quickly. Kori is conflicted and unsure about many things, but something about Kane speaks to her and she feels drawn to him. They build a quirky little friendship while they both work through some issues as well as a growing attraction for each other.
As they get deeper into Kane’s family mystery and Kori’s estranged husband’s issues, they grow closer and closer and when they find themselves giving into the attraction and desire it is perfection!
The more they uncover and discover, the more they are drawn into more questions and mysteries that you never know how exactly it will all play out.
By the end, I was fully in love with Kori and Kane and it was a perfect introduction to a new series that I am so excited about!
Amazing character development and plot design that I get sucked into each time. Never predictable and a perfect blend of suspense, humour, humanity, romance and spice. A+
Profile Image for Patricia Monica Provost.
127 reviews2 followers
December 2, 2025
Kane and Kori🥰

Kane Murphy is the drunken cousin to the MacGallan family. No one care about him and he is the useless one. Until one day, Declan receives a letter from his dead father Tomas. Everything will change. That will send the MacGallan to a treasure hunt set in Ireland where the MacGallan originally came from. One their way to Ireland, Kori Blake is living her worst nightmare. She found out that her husband for five years cheated on her with her sister. She’s going to Ireland to take a step back and figuring out what is next for her in her life. But when two broken souls meet in airplane cabin, all logic goes out the window. She will help this beautiful broken man on his journey to find out his real identity.

Fourth and last books in the amazing Changing of the Guard series from Aquila Thorne. If you didn’t read the previous books, i highly recommend it!!! This dysfunctional family will learn about their history and about their own father Tomas. Yes his scheming will put them on a road of mystery and bounding. Kori and Kane relationship will become more than just be there for each other’s. Maybe love will show up when you least expected it. I really love that book because it’s ending all loose treads from the previous books and finally settled the MacGallan as a real family. Don’t get me wrong, there is a very slow burn between them and when it ignites, you better be ready for it!!!
5⭐️
Profile Image for Michele.
364 reviews5 followers
November 24, 2025
This was the 4th book in the series, and the couple is Kane and Kori. This couple meets by chance on a plane -- Kane and family are going on a trip to find answers about their family and Kori is running from her cheating ex. They come together several times after the plane and Kori decides to join in on their "adventure". It is an extremely wild journey that has some very disturbing reveals and secrets that help to bring the couple closer. Compared to the previous couples, their relationship feels more lighthearted and fun even though they encounter some serious situations -- but they tackle them together. Some memorable instances in this story are:

🏖️Kori stumbles upon Kane buried in sand at the beach - some brotherly intervention
😇Kane asking for the nuns' forgiveness while running drunkenly through the airport
🏴‍☠️Their scavenger hunt that takes them on a wild goose chase but provides answers
💩Ex-husband's comeuppance
🥰Found Family
125 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2025
A mysterious letter leads the MacGallan clan to Ireland on a scavenger hunt to find the truth. Kane, the black sheep of the family unknowingly is the MMC. Finding out he is a MacGallan heir and not a cousin. Kori, the FMC, is trying to find space after her husband cheats on her with her sister ends up meeting the MacGallans as their adventure begins. Kane and Kori have a connection, where they see each other real self and not what others assume. There is drama, “mob overtones “, humor as they follow the clues throughout Ireland. The love story evolves around the support the MC gives each other.
Characters from previous Changing of the Guard series are predominate, as the family drama builds with each answer found new questions are asked. Her ex-husband also adds to the drama.
Profile Image for Carolyn Norman.
770 reviews7 followers
December 1, 2025
It’s actually a 4.5⭐️ read. I loved Kori and Kane’s story. It starts with Kori’s husband cheating on her. She leaves for Ireland to hide out and figure out what to do with her life now.

Kane is on her flight to Ireland and he sees her sadness. Kane the black sheep of the MacGellan clan is on a hunt with his family to find some info their father leaves them.

That hunt for information, the budding relationship between Kori & Kane and Kori’s story of leaving her husband & the consequences is what makes you keep reading. It’s also so different from the first four books in the series. It’s more introspective about what family really means and there’s less action and adventure.

I will read the last book in the series. Borrowed this from Kindle Unlimited.
Profile Image for Liza.
213 reviews3 followers
December 17, 2025
Good read.

I was looking forward to this one. I seen a preview for it on Facebook and read the series before this came out. If you want a whole picture as s7ch, it is best to read the other novels first. However, I found it not necessarily a necessity. The other series will give you a background of everything and everyone. Im not 100% happy with how it ended. Looks like it keeps going with Christmas at Wolf Creek. Im not sure I'll keep reading them. I probably will but at a later date. This was a good read for the most part. Kane i feel had good character growth. I feel some wording was to repetitive. I will say though, I think Declan and Wren would be my favourite read. Had good humour in it also. This would be a close second.
Profile Image for Kellie Waldron.
773 reviews17 followers
December 15, 2025
This was an awesome book.

Kori find outs that her husband has been cheating on her. So instead of confronting him, she takes off to Ireland. this way she can figure things out without him controlling her feelings.

Kane is the black sheep cousin of the family, or so he thought. Come to find out he is a brother and his dad sends the family on a wild goose chase through Ireland to save the family name.

These two meet on a plane, but come together through the wild twists and turns of the story. The description of the where they went makes you feel like you were there. Loved it.
Profile Image for Andrea.
335 reviews
December 2, 2025
Nebyl to úplně můj šálek kávy.

- cesta za pokladem/rodinným tajemstvím = cestování po Irsku a pak dalších státech mě nijka zvlášť neoslovila
- hl. hrdina představen jako alkoholista celé roky, ale hned co potkal hrdinku a začali rodinnou cestu za pokladem tak se ani jednou neopil, nepotřeboval alkohol????


- dynamika mezi hlavními postavami ale byla skvělá, oba dva na začátku své cesty potom co se jim obrátil svět vzhůru nohama
- podvodník manžel, rozvod, útěk na osamocenou chatu v Irsku


Profile Image for Tracy ann  Robinson.
1,154 reviews26 followers
December 1, 2025
I’m a big fan of this author’s books and absolutely love this series. Kari faces the ultimate betrayal from her husband, Mark, and decides to leave him with the help of her friend. She’s heading to Ireland, where Kane Murphy, cousin to the Magellan mafia and known as the family drunk, is in for a surprise. A letter from Tomas sets them all on a journey to Ireland. On the plane, Kari meets Kane and the gang, and their lives soon become intertwined. You’ll join them on a ride full of humor, sadness, and sizzling moments—it’s an addictive read, and I can’t wait for the next installment.
Profile Image for Dawn Meece.
65 reviews4 followers
November 30, 2025
Kane and Kori are one of the most unique pairings that you wouldn’t have expected. They both helped each other with their problems they were working through. Let’s just say the journey that these two go on is absolutely amazing. I love the entire series, but I have to say I think this one was my all-time favorite in this series.
Profile Image for Cathy Moir-Allen.
76 reviews1 follower
December 16, 2025
Another Winner From A Topnotch Author !!!

I’ve read all the previous books in this series and loved each one. My favourite genre and especially when the morally-grey characters are injected with humor. The MacGallans manage to make a dysfunctional mafia family seem warm and inviting. Up next is Christmas at Wolf Creek which I’m looking forward to reading.
36 reviews
November 17, 2025
Amazing Series and storyline!

Kane and Kori are amazing together. Her unwavering support makes her shine! Lots of action that keeps you guessing. Tomas is a pain in his children’s lives. Loved the ending with the plot twist
Profile Image for Teleri Anoram.
350 reviews
December 10, 2025
I enjoyed The Changing of the Guards series overall. All of them quick reads with decent characters. Book 4 wasn’t my favorite, maybe because Connor wasn’t really around, but I loved the treasure hunt. This one just didn’t feel as connected to the 3 prior stories, still enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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