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C.M.S. Protection #1
Her Blind Date Bodyguard
🥇 FIRST PLACE WINNER – Contemporary Romance, The BookFest Awards 2026!
A blind date. A hidden agenda. And one man determined to keep her safe—whether she wants him to or not.
Olivia Hart didn’t sign up for this. What was meant to be a glamorous weekend getaway with her best friend has turned into something far more unsettling—a mysterious dating event where women are blindfolded and chosen. Now, with a number pinned to her back and dread curling in her chest, Olivia finds herself trapped in a game she never agreed to play.
Ethan Carter is more than just hotel security—he is a former elite operative with a code he won’t break. When he sees Olivia standing alone, anxious and out of place, something about her cuts straight through his practiced distance. She’s not like the others. And someone in this room has already marked her as an easy target.
When the lights go down, Ethan steps in. Not only as her blind date, but as her bodyguard.
And what starts as protection quickly becomes personal. Because the deeper Ethan pulls Olivia into his world, the closer she gets to the shadows he’s spent years outrunning—shadows he never meant to expose her to. His past threats are no longer his alone, and Olivia, the one woman who makes him feel again, has become the perfect leverage against him.
In a world built on masks and misdirection, trust is the only thing more dangerous than desire—and loving her might be the costliest mistake he’s ever made.
Her Blind Date Bodyguard is a first-place award-winning contemporary romance/romantic suspense, recognised for its emotional depth, compelling characters, and storytelling excellence at The BookFest Awards Spring 2026.
A blind date. A hidden agenda. And one man determined to keep her safe—whether she wants him to or not.
Olivia Hart didn’t sign up for this. What was meant to be a glamorous weekend getaway with her best friend has turned into something far more unsettling—a mysterious dating event where women are blindfolded and chosen. Now, with a number pinned to her back and dread curling in her chest, Olivia finds herself trapped in a game she never agreed to play.
Ethan Carter is more than just hotel security—he is a former elite operative with a code he won’t break. When he sees Olivia standing alone, anxious and out of place, something about her cuts straight through his practiced distance. She’s not like the others. And someone in this room has already marked her as an easy target.
When the lights go down, Ethan steps in. Not only as her blind date, but as her bodyguard.
And what starts as protection quickly becomes personal. Because the deeper Ethan pulls Olivia into his world, the closer she gets to the shadows he’s spent years outrunning—shadows he never meant to expose her to. His past threats are no longer his alone, and Olivia, the one woman who makes him feel again, has become the perfect leverage against him.
In a world built on masks and misdirection, trust is the only thing more dangerous than desire—and loving her might be the costliest mistake he’s ever made.
Her Blind Date Bodyguard is a first-place award-winning contemporary romance/romantic suspense, recognised for its emotional depth, compelling characters, and storytelling excellence at The BookFest Awards Spring 2026.
809 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2025
About the author
Bella Rose
5 books4 followersBella Rose has enjoyed romance stories for as long as she can remember. She was first introduced to Mills & Boon novels by her nan when she was a young girl, and would spend countless evenings staying up later than she should, completely lost in the stories, finishing one after another in just a few hours! For her, books have always been the perfect way to escape into another world—one where love always finds a way.
Her nan passed away when Bella was eighteen, but she’s always felt that her love of books—and the joy of getting lost in a good romance—is one of the greatest gifts her nan ever gave her.
Today, Bella writes the kinds of stories she’s always loved to read: heartfelt, honest, and full of warmth. When she’s not writing, she’s usually at home with her husband, their children, and a lively assortment of pets—proof of her lifelong love for animals.
She hopes her books give readers a chance to unwind, get lost in a good story, and maybe even believe in a happily ever after or two.
“My writing grew from a desire to find romantic suspense stories I actually wanted to read. I was searching for high-octane action, real rescue moments, lethal-level alpha heroes, and a slow burn that builds tension without becoming boring—but most modern stories felt like they leaned only one way or the other. So, I created the space I felt was missing: cinematic danger, action, forced proximity, sharp banter, erotic tasteful spice, and that undeniable touch-her-and-die energy, all woven into one fast-moving story.
My books are for readers who want the protector element delivered on page—not passive brooding, but decisive action, gripping suspense, and romance that escalates through chaos. Expect romantic suspense driven by adrenaline and devotion, where the stakes are high, the action is intense, the chemistry is earned, and the hero actually shows up when it matters.”
~Bella Rose
Website - www.bellarosebooks.com
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Her nan passed away when Bella was eighteen, but she’s always felt that her love of books—and the joy of getting lost in a good romance—is one of the greatest gifts her nan ever gave her.
Today, Bella writes the kinds of stories she’s always loved to read: heartfelt, honest, and full of warmth. When she’s not writing, she’s usually at home with her husband, their children, and a lively assortment of pets—proof of her lifelong love for animals.
She hopes her books give readers a chance to unwind, get lost in a good story, and maybe even believe in a happily ever after or two.
“My writing grew from a desire to find romantic suspense stories I actually wanted to read. I was searching for high-octane action, real rescue moments, lethal-level alpha heroes, and a slow burn that builds tension without becoming boring—but most modern stories felt like they leaned only one way or the other. So, I created the space I felt was missing: cinematic danger, action, forced proximity, sharp banter, erotic tasteful spice, and that undeniable touch-her-and-die energy, all woven into one fast-moving story.
My books are for readers who want the protector element delivered on page—not passive brooding, but decisive action, gripping suspense, and romance that escalates through chaos. Expect romantic suspense driven by adrenaline and devotion, where the stakes are high, the action is intense, the chemistry is earned, and the hero actually shows up when it matters.”
~Bella Rose
Website - www.bellarosebooks.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bellarosebook
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bellarosebook/
Newsletter sign up - https://stats.sender.net/forms/epYPAy...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 22, 2026
4 stars — Look, third‑person and I are not friends. We nod politely across the room, but we do not hang out. So the fact that I still enjoyed this chunky, word‑heavy beast of a book says a LOT.
This story is long. Like “clear your weekend and hydrate” long. There were moments where the paragraphs felt like they were training for a marathon. A little trimming would’ve made the pacing tighter, but honestly? Once the action kicked in, I was hooked.
And the action is GOOD.
The tension in that creepy blindfolded dating event?
Peak “this is how documentaries start.”
The way the danger escalates?
Chef’s kiss.
The suspense scenes hit hard, the stakes feel real, and the book never forgets it’s a romantic‑suspense first and foremost.
Now, let’s talk characters — because I loved them.
Well… most of them.
Ethan?
Protective, capable, emotionally guarded, and absolutely the kind of man who steps between you and danger without blinking. He’s got that ex‑operative energy where he sees everything, trusts no one, and still manages to be soft with the one woman who matters.
Olivia?
Strong, smart, anxious in a relatable way, and absolutely not prepared for the chaos she walks into. She handles herself well, even when the world around her goes sideways.
But the slime balls?
The men who think they’re entitled to women?
The so‑called “friend” who acts like she has dibs on Ethan just because she wants him?
Absolutely not.
What is it with women who think they have a divine right to any man they set their sights on, and then conveniently pretend the woman he’s actually with doesn’t exist. The entitlement is wild. The audacity is generational. I wanted to throw her into a recycling bin and hope she got sorted correctly.
Thankfully, the story gives us plenty of action to balance out the irritation — danger in the shadows, threats from Ethan’s past, and enough twists to keep the pages turning. The suspense sequences are sharp, the emotional beats land, and the romance grows in a way that feels earned.
Yes, it’s wordy.
Yes, it’s lengthy.
Yes, third‑person and I will never be besties.
But despite all that?
I really enjoyed it.
4 stars — lengthy, a little too wordy, but packed with action, great characters (minus the slime brigade), and a romance that absolutely delivers.
This story is long. Like “clear your weekend and hydrate” long. There were moments where the paragraphs felt like they were training for a marathon. A little trimming would’ve made the pacing tighter, but honestly? Once the action kicked in, I was hooked.
And the action is GOOD.
The tension in that creepy blindfolded dating event?
Peak “this is how documentaries start.”
The way the danger escalates?
Chef’s kiss.
The suspense scenes hit hard, the stakes feel real, and the book never forgets it’s a romantic‑suspense first and foremost.
Now, let’s talk characters — because I loved them.
Well… most of them.
Ethan?
Protective, capable, emotionally guarded, and absolutely the kind of man who steps between you and danger without blinking. He’s got that ex‑operative energy where he sees everything, trusts no one, and still manages to be soft with the one woman who matters.
Olivia?
Strong, smart, anxious in a relatable way, and absolutely not prepared for the chaos she walks into. She handles herself well, even when the world around her goes sideways.
But the slime balls?
The men who think they’re entitled to women?
The so‑called “friend” who acts like she has dibs on Ethan just because she wants him?
Absolutely not.
What is it with women who think they have a divine right to any man they set their sights on, and then conveniently pretend the woman he’s actually with doesn’t exist. The entitlement is wild. The audacity is generational. I wanted to throw her into a recycling bin and hope she got sorted correctly.
Thankfully, the story gives us plenty of action to balance out the irritation — danger in the shadows, threats from Ethan’s past, and enough twists to keep the pages turning. The suspense sequences are sharp, the emotional beats land, and the romance grows in a way that feels earned.
Yes, it’s wordy.
Yes, it’s lengthy.
Yes, third‑person and I will never be besties.
But despite all that?
I really enjoyed it.
4 stars — lengthy, a little too wordy, but packed with action, great characters (minus the slime brigade), and a romance that absolutely delivers.
December 26, 2025
3.5/5
Her Blind Date Bodyguard is a contemporary romance written in third-person POV, and it’s exactly my type of book, with a dangerous MMC and a softer FMC.
Ethan was absolutely my kind of MMC: protective, dangerous, powerful, and completely obsessed 🥹❤️ I honestly fell in love with him.
The way he commands respect (and fear 😳) and how deeply he cares for the FMC from the very start really stood out to me, especially for a bodyguard romance. I also really loved that his character has layers, flaws, and an actual personality. He’s portrayed as a dark character, but throughout the book we also get to see his softer side.
Bella did a great job with the characters’ personalities. You can easily differentiate between them, which I loved, and the fact that they’re not perfect was a big plus for me. It added a sense of realism.
The dialogue felt natural, flowed really well, and made the interactions between characters feel real. This book has a little bit of everything, which I loved, and I’d rate the overall spice at around 3/5 🌶️.
One personal drawback for me was the writing style and the heavy use of descriptions and metaphors, but I genuinely think the story is worth pushing past that because the story itself is really enjoyable.
If you’re looking for a slightly dark romance with a strong, intimidating MMC, a hero who is very intense but also deeply devoted 😳, and a soft FMC who slowly becomes more confident and learns how to stand up for herself, this book is definitely worth checking out.
Her Blind Date Bodyguard is a contemporary romance written in third-person POV, and it’s exactly my type of book, with a dangerous MMC and a softer FMC.
Ethan was absolutely my kind of MMC: protective, dangerous, powerful, and completely obsessed 🥹❤️ I honestly fell in love with him.
The way he commands respect (and fear 😳) and how deeply he cares for the FMC from the very start really stood out to me, especially for a bodyguard romance. I also really loved that his character has layers, flaws, and an actual personality. He’s portrayed as a dark character, but throughout the book we also get to see his softer side.
Bella did a great job with the characters’ personalities. You can easily differentiate between them, which I loved, and the fact that they’re not perfect was a big plus for me. It added a sense of realism.
The dialogue felt natural, flowed really well, and made the interactions between characters feel real. This book has a little bit of everything, which I loved, and I’d rate the overall spice at around 3/5 🌶️.
One personal drawback for me was the writing style and the heavy use of descriptions and metaphors, but I genuinely think the story is worth pushing past that because the story itself is really enjoyable.
If you’re looking for a slightly dark romance with a strong, intimidating MMC, a hero who is very intense but also deeply devoted 😳, and a soft FMC who slowly becomes more confident and learns how to stand up for herself, this book is definitely worth checking out.
January 2, 2026
Her Blind Date Bodyguard - A book that hooked me from the beginning and made me lose some sleep (but I don't regret it one bit).
This book has everything you would want in a romantic suspense: love, friendship, honesty, betrayal, fear, power, uncertainty, danger, connection, humor and an ending that I wished would never come.
The characters are described in a very detailed and easy way, with real charm.
Olivia- honest, reliable, and easy trusting, while Ethan is protective with strong energy. The book is written in such a way that it will make you want to discover how the characters really are.
The writing is smooth, detaild and light.
If you enjoy romantic escape stories where you can find everything, this book is 100% for you. You will not regret reading it.
Personally, I can easily imagine this book as a movie.
Thank you, Bela Rose, for giving me the chance to read your book.
I can’t wait for book 2.
This book has everything you would want in a romantic suspense: love, friendship, honesty, betrayal, fear, power, uncertainty, danger, connection, humor and an ending that I wished would never come.
The characters are described in a very detailed and easy way, with real charm.
Olivia- honest, reliable, and easy trusting, while Ethan is protective with strong energy. The book is written in such a way that it will make you want to discover how the characters really are.
The writing is smooth, detaild and light.
If you enjoy romantic escape stories where you can find everything, this book is 100% for you. You will not regret reading it.
Personally, I can easily imagine this book as a movie.
Thank you, Bela Rose, for giving me the chance to read your book.
I can’t wait for book 2.
November 17, 2025
Loved loved loved the book!!!! From the start the pace felt right, the tension and the connection between the main characters was a good begining. The way danger and attraction mixed in this story gave it a good satisfying edge.
What i liked most: the balance. The romance isn’t rushed its a good slow burn (but not dragged so you get bored), so you can feel things building. And the suspense side isn’t just an afterthought, it added real stakes. The chemistry hit hard, but didn’t feel forced, i thought it was believeable.
Spice level was good, i'd say a medium level perhaps, it certainly had some steamy full on moments (phew!) but ive not read loads as im new to reading the erotic genre. Five stars for sure!
What i liked most: the balance. The romance isn’t rushed its a good slow burn (but not dragged so you get bored), so you can feel things building. And the suspense side isn’t just an afterthought, it added real stakes. The chemistry hit hard, but didn’t feel forced, i thought it was believeable.
Spice level was good, i'd say a medium level perhaps, it certainly had some steamy full on moments (phew!) but ive not read loads as im new to reading the erotic genre. Five stars for sure!
October 7, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed every part of this book, lot of action, suspense and high tension moments! Loved the erotic/heroic love story, five stars!!
November 23, 2025
Brilliant book, liked the plot/storylines, loved the attraction between the main characters and loved the steamy scenes.
November 12, 2025
I’ve just finished this book and it’s caused me to have far too many late nights where I couldn't put it down - that old saying of just one more page! Brilliant read, hope there is more to come.
January 31, 2026
This book gave every trope I was looking for - a protective, alpha MMC, forced proximity that actually mattered to the plot, and a well-paced slow burn that stayed engaging. The action sequences had a sharp, high-stakes intensity that kept the tension consistently elevated. I also enjoyed the other characters—their dynamic, humour, and banter added depth and balance to the story. Overall, the setup for the series is strong, and I’m especially looking forward to the next book!!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews