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Brothers of Black Pine Ridge #1
Welded Defender
(Please note : This book is based off of my novella Mountain Protector.)
Marcy
I didn’t plan to stop in Black Pines Ridge.
But when my car dies in the middle of the mountains—and my past catches up—I’m left stranded, exhausted, and desperate for a place to breathe.
Then I meet Landon.
He’s quiet and steady, with hands built to fix what’s broken and eyes that see more than I want to admit. When my ex shows up in town, Landon doesn’t hesitate—he steps in like he’s always been mine.
Just a kiss. Just a favor. That’s what I tell myself.
But he's bringing me back to life. Making me feel things I'd forgotten I could. And giving me a strength I never thought was possible.
But as my feelings grow so does the danger. My stalker will do anything to get me back. Even kill.
Landon says he'll do anything to defend me, and soon I realize, I'll do anything to defend him too.
Defender is a steamy, emotionally charged small-town romance featuring a protective mechanic with a soft heart, a woman learning to stand on her own, found family, forced proximity, “touch her and die” energy, and one unforgettable kiss that changes everything.
Marcy
I didn’t plan to stop in Black Pines Ridge.
But when my car dies in the middle of the mountains—and my past catches up—I’m left stranded, exhausted, and desperate for a place to breathe.
Then I meet Landon.
He’s quiet and steady, with hands built to fix what’s broken and eyes that see more than I want to admit. When my ex shows up in town, Landon doesn’t hesitate—he steps in like he’s always been mine.
Just a kiss. Just a favor. That’s what I tell myself.
But he's bringing me back to life. Making me feel things I'd forgotten I could. And giving me a strength I never thought was possible.
But as my feelings grow so does the danger. My stalker will do anything to get me back. Even kill.
Landon says he'll do anything to defend me, and soon I realize, I'll do anything to defend him too.
Defender is a steamy, emotionally charged small-town romance featuring a protective mechanic with a soft heart, a woman learning to stand on her own, found family, forced proximity, “touch her and die” energy, and one unforgettable kiss that changes everything.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2025
363 people are currently reading
853 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 31, 2026
It was a miss for me. Didn’t connect with characters, their relationship development and overall story delivery.
Marcy (FMC) is on a way to her aunt, running away from her abusive ex. She stops at the bar & grill and suddenly her ex appears there.
Scared shitless, she runs to handsome man sitting near the bar, whom she noticed earlier, and asks him to help her out by pretending to be her boyfriend.
Landon (MMC) agrees and they kiss. He protects her from the ex and makes him leave.
Wary of Landon’s kindness, because of her massive trust issues, she dips from the bar.
On the road, her car breaks down, so she calls nearby mechanic for help and did not expect Landon to come for her rescue again. And that’s how their story begins.
Ehhh, feelings from Landon is very insta and didn’t work out for me in this book 😬
Listen, I dig “instalove” or “instalust” if it’s done right, buut considering the mention of him being in relationships with damsels in distress and always being overprotective - was pretty icky factor for me: “Sure, you’re not hopping from one train wreck to the next. But when you do date, you always go for the damsel in distress.”
As for Marcy, her feelings developed slower, but in weird way, as in inner monologue, she mostly mentions feeling safe with him and them BAM she loves him
A lot of things were unsaid/unclear, for example - Marcy’s background, how it all went to the point of her running away and leaving her whole life behind, what she did for living, etc.
Tbh, there’s a lot more mentions of what she saw in windows and her describing snow, rather than something important 😂
SAFETY
No cheating, sharing, OW drama
OM drama - h abusive ex
No details about h and H past sexual experiences.
Last time H officially dated was two years ago, but no mention was he celibate after or not.
What bothered me, is that they never used protection and never talked about it
If she’s on birth control? Are they’re “clean”? Did they always use protection before or not? Like nothing at all, zilch…
She’s pregnant a year after though 🤷♀️
Marcy (FMC) is on a way to her aunt, running away from her abusive ex. She stops at the bar & grill and suddenly her ex appears there.
Scared shitless, she runs to handsome man sitting near the bar, whom she noticed earlier, and asks him to help her out by pretending to be her boyfriend.
Landon (MMC) agrees and they kiss. He protects her from the ex and makes him leave.
Wary of Landon’s kindness, because of her massive trust issues, she dips from the bar.
On the road, her car breaks down, so she calls nearby mechanic for help and did not expect Landon to come for her rescue again. And that’s how their story begins.
Ehhh, feelings from Landon is very insta and didn’t work out for me in this book 😬
Listen, I dig “instalove” or “instalust” if it’s done right, buut considering the mention of him being in relationships with damsels in distress and always being overprotective - was pretty icky factor for me: “Sure, you’re not hopping from one train wreck to the next. But when you do date, you always go for the damsel in distress.”
As for Marcy, her feelings developed slower, but in weird way, as in inner monologue, she mostly mentions feeling safe with him and them BAM she loves him
A lot of things were unsaid/unclear, for example - Marcy’s background, how it all went to the point of her running away and leaving her whole life behind, what she did for living, etc.
Tbh, there’s a lot more mentions of what she saw in windows and her describing snow, rather than something important 😂
SAFETY
No cheating, sharing, OW drama
OM drama - h abusive ex
No details about h and H past sexual experiences.
Last time H officially dated was two years ago, but no mention was he celibate after or not.
What bothered me, is that they never used protection and never talked about it
If she’s on birth control? Are they’re “clean”? Did they always use protection before or not? Like nothing at all, zilch…
She’s pregnant a year after though 🤷♀️
October 23, 2025
Was an ok read but I wish the fmc had a bit more of a backbone, I don’t mind a damsel in distress if she has a bit of a bite but this fmc doesn’t and it gets a bit annoying and boring. Found the side characters great though 👍🏼
January 21, 2026
✨ Romance Comfort-Read Alert ✨
This review comes from a reader who loves:
🛑 No cheating / no OW-OM drama
💞 Low angst (together > apart)
🚫💔 No third-act breakup — I’m tired and I want them happy
👑 Strong FMC
💪 Take-charge MMC
🔥 Reformed playboy > current manwhore, but never manwhore is preferred
💬 Miscommunication allowed if resolved like adults
🏡 HEA ALWAYS
I read for joy, vibes, and emotional safety. If you’re here for chaos and pain… we might not be reading the same book 😌📚 I also tend not to rework the summary into reviews because chances are you’ve already read it to get to the book review part of the show.
REVIEW:
I really wanted to love this. I loved the cover and synopsis. The author mentions that this book is a combo of two (maybe?) other short stories, and I vaguely remember reading one. This gave ChatGPT wrote the majority of this story vibes. Some telltale signs: Many chapters start with "The room smelled like..." or every time someone hugged, there was commentary on their scent. Also, there were some detail mistakes. At one point earlier in the story, it was January, then it was December.
Character-wise: I liked the MMC, Landon, and the side characters of the auto shop. The FMC, Marcy, had zero personality. I get it, she is in PTSD trauma and on the run from an abusive ex. BUT, she just didn't give anything, and Landon, the MMC was super into her. He kept his distance b/c of her trauma, but at some point he holds her hand. They finally kiss days or a week later, then it's "I love you." and she leaves. It was a weird pace/story progression. She eventually comes back, though. When she eventually comes back, she acts so hot for Landon, like they had this amazing sexy chemistry the whole time. Home girl went from barely talking to "I can't wait, I need you right now in this truck in the middle of snow." It was weird and not consistent in tone.
That said, it was a fine fluffy read. There is mention of an abusive ex, stalking etc
🔐💞👑💪🚫💬🏡
(Safe • Low Angst • Strong FMC • Take-Charge MMC • No Cheating • HEA)
This review comes from a reader who loves:
🛑 No cheating / no OW-OM drama
💞 Low angst (together > apart)
🚫💔 No third-act breakup — I’m tired and I want them happy
👑 Strong FMC
💪 Take-charge MMC
🔥 Reformed playboy > current manwhore, but never manwhore is preferred
💬 Miscommunication allowed if resolved like adults
🏡 HEA ALWAYS
I read for joy, vibes, and emotional safety. If you’re here for chaos and pain… we might not be reading the same book 😌📚 I also tend not to rework the summary into reviews because chances are you’ve already read it to get to the book review part of the show.
REVIEW:
I really wanted to love this. I loved the cover and synopsis. The author mentions that this book is a combo of two (maybe?) other short stories, and I vaguely remember reading one. This gave ChatGPT wrote the majority of this story vibes. Some telltale signs: Many chapters start with "The room smelled like..." or every time someone hugged, there was commentary on their scent. Also, there were some detail mistakes. At one point earlier in the story, it was January, then it was December.
Character-wise: I liked the MMC, Landon, and the side characters of the auto shop. The FMC, Marcy, had zero personality. I get it, she is in PTSD trauma and on the run from an abusive ex. BUT, she just didn't give anything, and Landon, the MMC was super into her. He kept his distance b/c of her trauma, but at some point he holds her hand. They finally kiss days or a week later, then it's "I love you." and she leaves. It was a weird pace/story progression. She eventually comes back, though. When she eventually comes back, she acts so hot for Landon, like they had this amazing sexy chemistry the whole time. Home girl went from barely talking to "I can't wait, I need you right now in this truck in the middle of snow." It was weird and not consistent in tone.
That said, it was a fine fluffy read. There is mention of an abusive ex, stalking etc
🔐💞👑💪🚫💬🏡
(Safe • Low Angst • Strong FMC • Take-Charge MMC • No Cheating • HEA)
November 22, 2025
If you're a fan of Elle Garnet, you know exactly what you're signing up for, and Welded Defender absolutely delivers on the author's signature scorching-hot spice—it’s plentiful and unapologetic. However, in my humble opinion, this entry in the Brothers of Black Pine Ridge series marks a noticeable step up in overall quality. While the heat is certainly a major draw, the story and plot development here feel significantly more fleshed out and compelling than previous works. The world of Black Pine Ridge is vividly realized, and the central conflict—the "defender" element—isn't just a flimsy excuse for steam; it adds real, high-stakes tension and emotional depth. The characters are given the space they need to grow, making their eventual connection feel earned, not just inevitable. This is a five-star read that proves Garnet can balance her trademark heat with an impressively robust and engaging narrative.
#TheLitWhisperer
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#BookReview
#TheLitWhisperer
#WeldedDefender
#ElleGarnet
#SpicyRomance
#SmallTownRomance
#BrothersOfBlackPineRidge
#BookReview
January 24, 2026
This was a solid, easy read. Not super exciting, but not disappointing either.
Broken girl, small mountain town, and a sweet, gentle protector who falls hard and fast. Landon is doing peak “burly mountain mechanic” fantasy and I was not mad about it.
The tension didn’t fully grip me, but the side characters were interesting enough that I’d read their books if they exist.
Good palate cleanser. No regrets.
Broken girl, small mountain town, and a sweet, gentle protector who falls hard and fast. Landon is doing peak “burly mountain mechanic” fantasy and I was not mad about it.
The tension didn’t fully grip me, but the side characters were interesting enough that I’d read their books if they exist.
Good palate cleanser. No regrets.
October 21, 2025
loved this book.
Marcy and Landon are the cutest couple ever. The story is very well written and it gives you all the feels that you are looking for. All the highs and the lows that keep you turning the page. 🫶🏻📖
Marcy and Landon are the cutest couple ever. The story is very well written and it gives you all the feels that you are looking for. All the highs and the lows that keep you turning the page. 🫶🏻📖
December 1, 2025
Honestly, I was looking for a book that was going to make me cry with big emotions, and this ALMOST did it.
As always, I enjoyed the found family aspect of this book. I'm glad she didn't just automatically forgive her family when they finally decided to show up for her.
As always, I enjoyed the found family aspect of this book. I'm glad she didn't just automatically forgive her family when they finally decided to show up for her.
December 24, 2025
Landon wanted to protect Marcy from the moment she asked him to pretend he was her boyfriend. He never overstepped. Just wanted to be sure she was safe. And finally, she let him in. And his friends?! Love them all!
October 16, 2025
Such a great story line, action packed, and it’s a quick read. You can’t go wrong with those 3 things!
October 24, 2025
Loved this book! Really smooth read, love the found family elements.
October 28, 2025
A non-problematic protective MMC - give me more!
This was so light hearted and funny, I really loved it.
This was so light hearted and funny, I really loved it.
November 4, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ rounded up
November 15, 2025
Landon and Marcy.
It was sweet and insta-lovey, but quite entertaining.
It was sweet and insta-lovey, but quite entertaining.
November 15, 2025
how cutie patootie
November 16, 2025
I loved that it was a really sweet and naturally growing love. The spicy scenes were minimal and not too explicit, which is exactly how I like it
November 22, 2025
it was such an enjoyable, easy read. if you have trauma around stalking and DV it could definitely be difficult to read, but i really enjoyed the romance and the unproblematic characters in the book
December 23, 2025
It’s not a bad book, just nothing new or exciting. The same story as many others with very limited spice.
January 5, 2026
what an amazing read
This book was written so well that I couldn’t even put it down. I read while making dinner, in between packing lunches, along with whatever else I was doing.
This book was written so well that I couldn’t even put it down. I read while making dinner, in between packing lunches, along with whatever else I was doing.
January 8, 2026
love
Im so glad that i came across this book, I absolutely loved it. Not what I usually read but glad I gave it a try.
Im so glad that i came across this book, I absolutely loved it. Not what I usually read but glad I gave it a try.
January 30, 2026
Cute. It could be longer to fill the blanks and give more context about the characters but it’s nice anyways.
January 5, 2026
Yeah this book was a total miss for me
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews