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Marked by my Protector: A Curvy Girl, Age Gap, Mountain Man Romance

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He’s a tattooed rancher just rolling through town… now he’s hiding a stolen bride.

Sloane
I was supposed to land in Belgium and walk down the aisle to a future I didn't choose.
But fate dropped me in a tiny mountain town instead.
One gruff, inked rancher.
One wild, reckless plea.

I need to hide from my parents, even if I have no idea what I signed up for.
Now I’m tucked in his farm, heart pounding like I just rewrote my own destiny.

Tank
I've lived a life I'm not proud of.
I've seen the darkest side of people, and called it home.
Now, I seclude myself on my farm, assuming it will give me the peace I want but don't deserve.
So when my sister forces me into another unpredictable situation,
I can tell trouble is bound to follow.
Lucky for me, trouble comes in the form of a wild-eyed, curvy sweetheart.
She's acting like I'm her salvation, but I'm no angel,
and the devil in me likes what he sees.

Dear Readers,
If you love tattooed, obsessive, protective men, age gap romance, and a sweet and curvy heroines, you'll love this high heat steamy romance. As always this title comes with Khloe's 'Easy Escape Seal' A no cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA guarantee.

80 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 21, 2025

91 people are currently reading
23 people want to read

About the author

Khloe Summers

192 books343 followers

Best-Selling Author Khloe Summers writes short, steamy romance about small town love and mountain men.

Married to her own heart of gold alpha for over twenty years, Khloe is a firm believer in the magic of Happily Ever After.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
264 reviews10 followers
September 23, 2025
Sloane’s life is not her own. Groomed since the age of 10 to take over her father’s business, she’s on her way to Belgium to marry the man her parents picked when luck — or fate? — steps in. Thanks to a mechanical issue that grounds her plane, she meets Delilah, who offers up her brother Tank’s ranch as a place for Sloane to stay until she decides what to do with her newfound freedom. She’s not sure yet, but she really hopes Tank figures into her future. Tank, meanwhile, knows he has no business even thinking of Sloane that way. She’s too young and a rich city girl to boot. Tank’s like his name: big, tough and armored. Before he knows it, Sloane’s found a way inside. But Tank’s keeping a secret that could drive Sloane back into the life her parents planned.

We met Sloane through her bestie Penny in the previous book. She’s logical and practical, not one who falls prey to emotions — or so she thinks. The truth is, she’s stuffed them down deep in service to the life she’s been forced to lead. She WANTS to let all those emotions out; she’s desperate to feel something real, something she chooses, whether it’s mucking stalls in the barn or kissing (and more!) by the creek. Her dream of an authentic, happy life that she’s not quite convinced she deserves is a pretty relatable feeling for anyone who’s survived their 20s. As is questioning your worth, of wondering whether you’ll ever feel good enough (spoiler alert: that feeling never completely fades). I loved seeing her come into her own and stand up for herself and her choices and I loved how Tank supported and defended her journey. He may not talk much, but man, does he know what to say. The epilogue was just perfect. I loved seeing them both get what they deserved. I can’t wait to see Delilah get the same.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Chandra Luna.
1,776 reviews12 followers
September 19, 2025
Khloe Summers’ Marked by My Protector is more than just a runaway-bride romance—it’s a story about freedom, fate, and discovering love where you least expect it.

Sloane stole my heart right away. Imagine being pushed into a marriage with a man you’ve never even met, just because it benefits your father’s business. That’s the prison she’s trying to escape. So when her plane malfunctions and lands short of Europe, she doesn’t just wait for the next flight—she makes her first real choice. She decides not to get back on. That moment of rebellion, sitting on an airport bench with nothing but her fears and her hopes, felt so raw and brave. And when she meets Delilah, who offers her a safe haven at her brother’s ranch, you just know her life is about to change forever.

Enter Tank—the brooding, tattooed rancher who’s sworn off love and prefers the company of silence and his land. He’s used to his sister dropping strays on him, but Sloane is no ordinary stray. She’s bold, vulnerable, breathtakingly beautiful, and carrying a fire in her that calls to the parts of Tank he’s buried deep. Watching him wrestle with the walls he’s built, while fighting his growing need to protect Sloane, had me completely hooked.

The romance between them burns slow and steady, then ignites into something fierce and undeniable. It’s more than attraction—it’s the kind of connection that heals. Sloane wants freedom, and somehow Tank’s love gives her exactly that: the space to be herself, to choose her own path, and to finally feel safe. And Tank, with all his scars and shadows, learns that sometimes fate doesn’t give you what you want—it gives you what you need.

Marked by My Protector is passionate, emotional, and deeply satisfying. If you love protective, inked heroes, heroines chasing their own destiny, and small-town romances where love feels both like a refuge and a wildfire, this book is an absolute must-read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
11.6k reviews49 followers
October 3, 2025
A new future that she chooses

Marked by my Protector is the third book in the Inked and Possessive. Rugged Mountain Ink series. The story finds Sloane Hearthlow making a left turn on her way to getting married in Europe. It is not a marriage she wants but one that is expected she will accept, as it more a business alliance by her very rich parents. When the plane she was on lands in Colorado Springs because of mechanical trouble she takes up residence on a bench outside the airport. She may not know where she is going or what she is going to do but she does know that she does not want to go to Europe. Lucky for her a young woman named Delilah sits down next to her and that sets her on the most unexpected journey to her new future. Delilah's older brother Tank comes to the airport to pick her up when she introduces him to Sloane and it quickly becomes apparent that Delilah has taken in yet another stray, only this one is a young and curvy beauty. Tank may have inherited the family ranch up on Rugged Mountain but this mountain man is about to want things he never thought were for him once Sloane steps foot in his truck, house, and heart.
I am really enjoying this series. This book has a sprinkle of everything that is perfectly swirled into a wonderful story.
Profile Image for Shalalah.
632 reviews2 followers
September 22, 2025
Tattooed Rancher, Runaway Bride, and a Story Full of Fire!!!

Marked by My Protector is an intense, high-heat, and surprisingly tender romance that had me hooked from the first page. Sloane’s desperate escape from the life her parents planned colliding with Tank’s broody, inked solitude was the perfect setup for a story brimming with chemistry and heart.

I loved the contrast between Sloane’s brave determination to take control of her future and Tank’s gruff protectiveness that hides a vulnerable core. The tension between them is instant, the attraction undeniable, and the emotional payoff is exactly what I look for in a quick, steamy read.

What stood out most to me was how Khloe Summers balances the raw, obsessive edge of Tank’s character with a genuine sense of care and loyalty. It’s not just about heat—it’s about finding safety, belonging, and love in unexpected places.

This novella is perfect if you enjoy protective, tattooed heroes, strong curvy heroines, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. A fantastic escape that delivers both passion and heart.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Curvy Girl Book Nerd   (Jen S).
4,595 reviews62 followers
September 24, 2025
Sloane and Tank

MARKED BY MY PROTECTOR is Book 3 of the Inked and Possessive. Rugged Mountain Ink series.  It's a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, age-gap, opposites-attract, runaway bride, forced-proximity, curvy virgin gets her mountain man romance.  Sloane is a sweet and curvy socialite in her 20s. Her parents have arranged a marriage for her in Belgium, but she has decided not to go. She meets a girl, Delilah, at the airport, and tells her about it. Tank is a hunky, inked, somewhat reclusive mountain man and rancher. He is in his 40s and Delilah's brother. Delilah tells Sloane that she can hide at her brother's ranch. He reluctantly agrees, but the two experience an unexpected connection and things get hot and steamy. But he has a past, and her parents are looking for her. Can they make love work? This was a sweet and steamy story about love, acceptance, and found family. Their chemistry was insane and the ending was so happy after some drama. I loved it and can't wait for Delilah's story next!!
Profile Image for Aspen G.
1,697 reviews5 followers
September 23, 2025
Marked by my Protector is spicy, sweet, and swoony! Tank and Sloane are complete opposites and yet so perfect for each other. Tank definitely carries baggage and he has chosen to isolate himself to avoid future hurt. I loved how his sister doesn’t let him sink too far into that narrative. she is quite a delightful person, and I adore how she meets Sloane. Sweet Sloane, who has never stood up for herself, and yet finds the strength to rebel. This is a fun and safe read.

I’m not into the “little girl” kink, and this book has some verbal versions of that, which for me personally is a complete turn off. It’s not too overly done; it just doesn’t hold appeal and for me it actually takes away from the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jenny Harris.
4,400 reviews33 followers
October 18, 2025
I received this book with the understanding that I could leave a voluntary and honest review.

In this book we meet Sloane & Tank. Sloane is suppose to be married to a man she has never met before. However she wants more for her life than for her future partner to be chosen for her. When a girl she meets at the airport offers her a way out she takes it. Tank isn't the kind of man to be chosen by good girls but he can't seem to say no to his sister. So when she asks him to take Sloane with them to go home he agrees not realizing that he is in for so much more. Can these two find a HEA or will their status make a future impossible?

Another amazing hit out the park by this author. I would highly recommend it to anyone.
5,026 reviews27 followers
September 22, 2025
Sloane was supposed to be heading to Belgium for a wedding, but ends up in same town due a plane malfunction. She meets Delilah, who is waiting for her brother to pick her up. She offers her a place stay, her brother's ranch, while she figures out what to do next.

Tank has kept himself secluded on his ranch, having seen the darkest side of people. He believes Sloane is too young and good for him. But she has other ideas on that subject. He has a secret he has not told and believe that could change everything between them. This is a short and steamy read with some angst.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for RxReads.
367 reviews4 followers
November 13, 2025
Marked by My Protector is another addictive small-town, mountain-man romance from Khloe Summers that gives all the cozy and spicy feels. Sloane’s runaway-bride moment leads her straight into Tank’s rugged, tattooed arms, and from there, the chemistry is off the charts. He’s the perfect mix of gruff and gentle, the kind of man who makes you swoon while fixing fences and protecting hearts. The story is fast-paced but full of emotion, with a soft, curvy heroine and a broody rancher who doesn’t stand a chance once love shows up. It’s steamy, sweet, and the perfect quick escape. 💕🔥🐴.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Trish.
1,074 reviews5 followers
November 20, 2025
Sweet story.

Slone had a life of privilege. Traveling around the world, but never had any kind of nurturing love from her family. She was expected to go along with the life that they arranged for her. Tank worked the ranch left by his parents, but other than his sister, there was no softness in his life. In his late 40's, he felt that he had missed any opportunity for a wife and children. They were made for each other, and once both revealed their dark secrets, they see for themselves that meeting up was fate. Lovely HEA ending! Trish. A
8,829 reviews63 followers
September 19, 2025
Sloane was meant to be at her arrange marriage wedding in Belgium to a man she doesnt know or want. Instead shes in a small town, curtesy of a plane malfunction and meets Deliah who offers her a place to stay on her brothers ranch. Tank hadnt lived a life in the light he saw the darkness and wanted out he made his own sanctuary at the ranch that is until his sister asks a favor.well written steamy quick fast paced age gap small town romance
Profile Image for Andrea Smierciak.
192 reviews1 follower
September 20, 2025
What a wonderful story of an older, mountain man set in his ways and a younger, women being controlled by her family. Tank is keeping the family farm running since his parents are gone and resigned himself to a life of loneliness. Sloane is running from her families controlling nature and by chance ends up staying with Tank. Can these two stand up to her parents? Will Sloane stay once she learns all Tank's secrets? A must is this protective mountain series!
852 reviews4 followers
September 20, 2025
This is book 3 of Inked and Possessive. Rugged Mountain Ink series and a standalone story. I loved the characters, their chemistry together and the ending. This maybe a short story but I did not feel cheated reading it. My favorite part is that I started reading and before I knew it the story was done. A sweet romantic love story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Becky.
1,695 reviews4 followers
October 5, 2025
I love this book! Sloane is fleeing from an arranged marriage. Now she is stranded with nowhere to go. Until Sloane meets a girl and is offered a place to stay. Tank is used to his sister bringing home strays, but this is a first for her—bringing home a girl. I love Tank and Sloane. They are so perfect together. This is a sweetly steamy story with a happy ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Cynthia Khan.
2,755 reviews9 followers
September 19, 2025
Book 3 of Inked and Possessive. Rugged Mountain story of Sloane and Tank. Well that starts off with a sad start that turns into the most hilarious way to meet someone and find forever and true love and happiness. I can’t wait for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Barbara.
19.2k reviews8 followers
September 20, 2025
The third story in the Inked and Possessive. Rugged Mountain Ink. Sloane and Tank's short well written story with a very good storyline, great characters and a happy ending. I enjoyed reading. I want to read the next book. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Angi.
1,265 reviews
September 20, 2025
Every twist and turn of this book will put a smile on your face. Sloane and Tank have absolutely opposite lives. Nothing that should tie them to each other. That doesn’t matter. I really loved this addition to Rugged Mountain Ink. Can’t wait for book four.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,507 reviews5 followers
September 21, 2025
The third book in the series, Sloane is on the way to meet her arranged marriage and ends up stuck in colorado and that is where meets Delilah and Delilah take her home to her brothers ranch to hide her. I loved the instant chemistry between them. Such a wonderful read,.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Mandy.
511 reviews6 followers
September 22, 2025
Marked By My Protector is Sloane and Tank's age gap mountain man romance. It starts with a runaway bride of sorts and ends with a sweet happily ever after. I enjoyed and completed this quick read in an evening.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Unrulyreadr Reviews.
1,084 reviews21 followers
September 22, 2025
This was a cute little read. Tank and Sloane was cute, and Tanks "secret" wasn't what I was thinking it would be. I will admit I was going to something kinkier...that is just how my mind rolls. But over all cute, fun , fast read. The corn maze part was perfection.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
148 reviews1 follower
September 22, 2025
Sloan and Tank

A quick insta love story. Sloans plain to Belgium has mechanical trouble and lands in a small town airport.
Sloan takes that as a sign and stays in the town. Sitting on a bench she meets Delilah, sister to Tank, who is picking her up. The rest you have to read to find out.
928 reviews4 followers
September 26, 2025
Tank is a gruff rancher with a wild past.
Sloane is supposed to be in Europe for an arranged marriage she doesn't want.
Tropes:
Age-gap, protective hero, small town, tattoos, mountain man, rancher, cowboy, found family, HEA romance.

A special thank you to Khloe Summers and Booksprout for providing me with an eARC book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
1,643 reviews8 followers
October 6, 2025
A really great read of two lost souls finding each other. Sloane is running from an arranged marriage and meets Delilah. Her brother Tank has a ranch and she find out that Sloane needs time to figure things out. She arranges to have Sloane go out to the ranch with Tank. He falls for her but holds himself back because of his age and past! She falls for him just as fast!
402 reviews1 follower
October 13, 2025
Sweetest ever

I can't describe the pleasure I got from reading this book today! It was one of the most heartfelt stories I have read in a very Long time. Beautifully written with two of the most Poignant characters that I have had the pleasure to read about in a very long time. Very hard not to break down and cry. Loved it!! Ten stars if I could
Profile Image for Cheryl.
2,105 reviews63 followers
October 17, 2025
Sweet

Tank and Sloane are the sweetest couple. They meet when Sloane is sitting on her bench as she called it and trying to figure out what she was going to do with her life. Insert Delilah she's energetic and doesn't take no for an answer. She has it all worked out and offer Sloane to stay with her brother Tank. Their journey is sweet.
39 reviews
December 15, 2025
I loved reading Marked by my protector by Khloe Summers. She just wants a place to hide from her parents and their expectations on who she should marry. She never expected to find the tattooed rancher out in the middle of nowhere. What starts as him agreeing to hide her turns into so much more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
12.1k reviews75 followers
September 20, 2025
The author has given us an older man/younger woman story that pulls us into the lives of Sloane and Tank. The fast-paced story keeps us turning the pages with connection, denial, insecurities and steam.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
599 reviews2 followers
September 21, 2025
Sloan is a sweet, caring, and soft hearted woman. Tank is protective, grumpy and dangerous man. Their story is different with uplifting moments.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,310 reviews
September 22, 2025
Tank and Sloane are both damaged in different ways, dealing with things from their pasts that also affect their futures. They find each other in this steamy instalove with found family vibes.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
681 reviews4 followers
September 23, 2025
Gahhh!!! I just finished this one…And then went back and read the spicy scenes again🙄🤭😳🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍…then I went looking for a bonus scene…do I really need to say more???.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

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