Guard Dog

by Katt Andrews

A dark, spicy crime romance with rom-com chaos, a brooding bodyguard hero, and a fiery, sharp-tongued heroine who knows how to write a good sex scene. HEA guaranteed.

Ami - After a betrayal that nearly ended my romance writing career, the last thing I need is more drama. But one dinner with a super-fan lands me in the middle of a kidnapping attempt—and on the hit list of a ruthless cartel. Now I’m stuck inside a crime family’s compound, “for my own protection,” with nothing but my sarcasm—and a reluctant agreement to help the crime lord’s daughter write her debut novel—an alien Regency romance (yes, that’s a thing).
And the worst part? Marco Cedillo. He’s a tattooed ex-Marine bodyguard, and way too brooding for my sanity. He calls me stubborn, but I think he’s the real problem—too protective, too handsome, and too tempting.

Marco - Keeping Maria Sandoval—and her guest—safe should be simple. That’s my job. That’s all it’s supposed to be.
Then Ami Zadegan shows up - sharp, stubborn, and infuriating—and way too good at getting under my skin.
I can’t afford distractions. And I can’t afford mistakes. But every time I look at her, my control slips. The way she stands up to me, the way she makes me feel like I’m more than the sum of my scars—it makes me want to break every rule.
And when enemies close in and secrets from the past threaten everything I’ve sworn to protect, I’ll have to decide if the risk of loving her is worth the danger.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance

390 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2025

About the author

Hi! I'm Katt Andrews and I write dark, dangerous romance where obsession smolders, loyalty cuts deep, and desire always wins. My stories are full of heat, grit, and morally gray men who will burn the world down for the women they can’t live without.

Texas features big in my novels because I was born and raised in San Antonio. I now lives in Houston with my husband, three kids, and a miniature dachshund named Daisy who definitely thinks she’s the boss. When I'm not writing, you’ll find me on the tennis court or deep down research rabbit holes about weapons smuggling, cartel dynamics, or which gun fits best in a thigh holster.

I believe every good love story should come with high stakes, emotional scars, and at least one violent interrogation.

You can stay up to date on the Guard Dogs (because there's more to come!), visit my website - https://kattandrews.com/newsletter.

Reviews

[Pennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ami thought she was just doing the right thing—rescuing a terrified girl from the back of a van. What she didn’t expect was to tumble headfirst into a seductive underworld where danger wears a suit and love feels like a loaded weapon. The chemistry between the leads crackles with intensity, building deliciously with every glance and every line of dialogue. And just when you think you can breathe again, the story hits you with a gut-punch of reality. That final moment? A raw, heartfelt redemption arc that earns every bit of its impact.

I won this ebook in a goodreads giveaway. My review is that of my own opinion.

[Lauren Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a debut! This jumped right into the action and it was fun to see all the Texas references. I really enjoyed it! Just waiting on my own Guard Dog to show up but until that happens, I will be impatiently waiting for Watch Dog to be released! 🖤 Can we also get The Dark Duke? pleaseee

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Won in a giveaway. I enjoyed the story and the female characters in this book. I didn’t really get how the main characters supposedly fell in love, something was missing there to really pull me in. But the plot moved along nicely and kept me entertained and wanting to know what happened next. Was more of a fun thriller to me with romance wedged in. I do want to read the alien regency romance book they create in this one though. Sounds right up my alley 😂

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through Goodreads. Guard Dog is the first book I've read from Katt Andrews I'm excited to see where she goes with the series.

[Brenda Maximenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has suspense and love. Was a wonderful read. Would recommend.

[M W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this in a Goodreads giveaway and thoroughly enjoyed it. Strong characters and an engaging plot. I especially loved outrageous Maria and I’m looking forward to her story in the next book.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, can’t wait for The next in the series!

[Vir Sala Keville · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me.

I had high hopes going into Guard Dog, but this one just didn’t land for me. The premise had potential, but the execution felt thin, especially when it came to character development and plot depth.
The story leans heavily on physical attraction and steamy scenes, which quickly overshadowed any emotional arc or meaningful connection between the characters. If you're looking for a romance with subtlety or substance, this probably isn’t it.
There’s definitely an audience for this kind of book, but I personally prefer something with more tension, growth, and purpose beyond the chemistry.
Two stars for the pacing and the concept...but overall, not my style.

[Sarah McKay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breezy mafia romance

Ami, a writer of romance novels, experiences a significant disruption in her life during a dinner with a fan. This fan, named Maria, is an aspiring author and the daughter of a mafia kingpin. While they are dining and discussing writing, Maria narrowly escapes a kidnapping attempt. Ami intervenes by striking the would-be kidnapper with her bag. Consequently, she becomes a guest at Maria's residence, the Sandoval mansion. Throughout her stay, Ami provides mentorship to Maria in her writing endeavors and interacts more with the staff, especially Marco, a bodyguard. The playful exchanges between Ami and Marco were enjoyable and felt authentic. Maria's vibrant energy was also delightful. The storyline was well-crafted. Although there were a few grammatical mistakes overlooked by the editors, the book was a pleasurable read. I would recommend it to anyone seeking a lighthearted and entertaining mafia romance.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guard Dog by Katt Andrews – This was an advanced copy that I won from Goodreads, so this is my honest opinion. Holy slow burn romance Batman! Ami saves a mafia princess from a kidnapping and ends up in a mafia romance “fever dream” that would make any writer swoon. That is until it all gets a little too real for everyone involved. I loved the tension between the MMC and the FMC with my whole heart, and the final grand gesture gets mad props for a sincere show of contrition! Happy Reading!

[Asher Robuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me in the best way. It’s dark, daring, and unafraid to explore the messy side of desire and obsession. While the crime element adds grit and atmosphere, the real tension lies in the relationship between the two main characters — you’re constantly wondering if they’ll finally give in to what’s clearly burning between them.
Who knew I liked dark romance? This book definitely proved I do!

[Nicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a writer having lunch with a fan. The restaurant was invaded by masked men who attempt to kidnap Mariah (the fan). Ami saves the day and attacks the perpetrator before Marco (bodyguard) can intervene. This is their journey. For a debut novel, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking forward to the next two books.

[Beth Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not my usual genre, but I found this debut absolutely captivating. The writing hooked me from the start and the pacing kept me turning the pages. An exciting and impressive first book and I’ll be watching for whatever this author writes next.

[Nicole Mainguy · Rating 5 out of 5]

thrilling

Great read, keeps you entertained until the very end. Leaves you craving more stories about these characters and looking forward to the next one.