Daddy. By Devotion

by Jazlyn Starr, Tyla Walker

She wasn’t supposed to be mine.

A high-rise queen in heels, drowning in grief, clutching a baby that wasn’t hers to begin with.

I walk into her life to protect her.
Now I can’t walk out.

She thinks she can fight me.
Argue with me.
Order me out of her home like I’m just a hired gun.
But every time she spits fire, I want her to end up begging.

Every time she says she doesn’t need saving, I want to show her she already belongs to me.

The threats circling her? I’ll end them.
The ghosts in her head? I’ll burn them out.
The child she swore she couldn’t raise? I’ll raise them with her.

I wasn’t looking to be a father.
I wasn’t looking to be a husband.
But devotion isn’t something you plan.
It’s something you bleed.

And she’s about to learn—I never stop bleeding.

Read on for forced proximity, guardian-turned-daddy heat, marriage born in danger, and an ex-soldier who protects with bullets, vows, and his body. HEA Guaranteed!

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 2, 2025

Reviews

[The Bourbon-Sipping Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review 🥃: Daddy. By Devotion (Tall, Dark, and Fatherly)

Title: Daddy. By Devotion (Tall, Dark, and Fatherly)
Authors: Jazlyn Starr & Tyla Walker
Genre: Contemporary Romance, BWWM, Protective Ex-Soldier, Forced Proximity, Found Family
Vibe: White-hot intensity, unbreakable promises, and devotion forged in literal fire—best paired with a generous glass of barrel-proof bourbon, straight up.

Y’all. This book is not just a romance; it’s a commitment. From the very first page, this story grabs you and refuses to let go. We’re introduced to Cam, a high-rise queen who is thrown into unimaginable grief and sudden motherhood when she takes in a baby that isn't hers. On the same day, she gets a death threat. Enter Alex Rodriguez, the ex-soldier and family friend who walks into her life to be her protector.

The entire setup is pure, explosive drama. Cam is fighting him every step of the way—she’s independent, grieving, and determined to handle it alone. But Alex is all alpha-male devotion, seeing the strength she can't, and deciding in five minutes that she and the baby already belong to him. This is the ultimate "guardian-turned-daddy" fantasy, and it hits hard.

What I Sipped & Savor

🥃 The Devotion Factor: This is the core strength of the book. Alex's devotion isn't soft; it's fierce, protective, and frankly, dangerous. The blurb says, "Devotion isn’t something you plan. It’s something you bleed," and that’s exactly the intense, high-stakes promise the authors deliver on. He protects them with his body, his bullets, and his unshakeable vows.
🥃 Forced Proximity & Heat: The "marriage born in danger" trope is perfection here. Putting two strong, grieving, but highly attracted people under the same roof with literal threats circling? It’s a recipe for an immediate inferno. The chemistry is hot, spicy, and perfectly fits the narrative of two people clinging to each other in the middle of a storm.
🥃 The Found Family Element: I loved the tenderness woven into the drama. Alex wasn't looking for a wife or a child, but watching him step up to protect and nurture Cam and her little niece (Maya) gives this book real emotional depth. It’s a beautiful depiction of how love and family can heal the deepest wounds.

What Made Me Side-Eye My Glass

🥃 The Speed of Commitment: Fair warning: this is a fast-paced romance. The move from protector to husband/father happens quickly, driven by necessity and extreme circumstances. If you prefer a slow-burn with months of simmering tension, the immediate, overwhelming devotion might feel slightly too fast. But honestly, in a story this intense, I wasn't complaining!
🥃 The Antagonist: The ex-husband's drama is solid, but sometimes I felt the real-world tension was so high, I almost needed a break from the constant suspense. (But that's just a sign it was gripping!)

Final Pour

Daddy. By Devotion is an incredibly emotional, action-packed, and intensely protective romance that delivers a deep, satisfying HEA. If you love a man who will stop at nothing to protect his woman and their child, even when he has to fight her to do it, this is your next read. It’s packed with feeling, fire, and devotion.

I’m giving this one a solid 3.75 out of 5 stars.

Pairs well with: A high-proof, single-barrel Rye. It’s got a strong, deep foundation and a protective heat that stays with you long after the final sip—just like Alex's promise.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marichus Real · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cam is a businesswoman who falls down the rabbit hole into a world of desperation and excruciating pain.
Alex is a trustworthy soldier sent by Gideon to protect Cam and Maya.
The story is very emotional; I think this is the most emotional book I have read in a long time.
It is well-written, and the characters are well-developed. You can feel Cam’s raw pain and desperation. I loved the different personalities that Alex had: the lethal soldier, the protector, the tender one when he is holding Maya, the passionate, the shielding, and some others. I cried, I laughed, I bit my nails throughout the book.
I highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cam had her life all planned out and her job was all she needed and everything else came from her close friends and sister's family. Everything changes when she receives a call and becomes a mom overnight and a death threat thanks to information her brother-in law discovered. Rodriguez is a close friend to the family and selected to protect her but when he learns just who is after her it becomes personal in more ways than one. Will he be able to keep Cam and her little niece safe from who is coming and get their chance for happiness along the way.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story about two people brought together by threats. Cam's life takes a different turn than she had planned, due to circumstances. A phone call she receives leads to her becoming a mother on the same day she receives a death threat. Fortunately, Rodriguez helps her; he's not only a good friend of the family but also her protector. It's a story you can't wait to turn the pages. Will they stand a chance together and discover who is threatening her?









I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Victoria Ziglor-smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you very emotional

This story had my emotion all over the place, but it was a very good story. I loved how Daddy by accident and this one combined they both are great stories. I wanted to cry like a baby near the end. I will not be upset if you give Corbin a story as well, I know I’ll read it. Matter of fact I actually got this story and when I realize it was connected to Harper & Gideon I went and read their story over then started Cam & Alex. I will be reading them both over again, especially when I need a pick me up.

[Mommy "M" String · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very start of the story, you bear witness to an extraordinarily loving family. By the third chapter you are plunged in an improbable but gripping story, and two type A personalities that are inextricably drawn to each other, and somehow work together. A wonder depiction of how love heals and how it works. To find your soul mate during the worse crisis of your life is truly a HEA!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love forged in fire

Cam and Alex wow, wow, wow! Fear, guilt, sadness Wow!

Alex the forever soldier lost. And Cam too is lost with a longing. Who knew?

Harper and Gideon being the best friend and family that they needed.

This story line was full of suspense, tragedy, loss, pain and grief, but love and peace is just over the horizon!

[Joyce Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

CHOKING

This book had me so choked up. I was just so excited that they finally came together. Maya was such a sweet baby and all the trouble they went through was worth it. Great book 🥰

[Tonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

warriors…..

Cam and Alex are a force to be reckoned with! Together they are very powerful! What started out as a mission, turned into to something more unstoppable!! The love they share is undeniable. Great short read

[KAREN MCCRAW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story

Cam and Rod's relationship started out à little rough but they became a team fighting against tremendous odds. Through it all they both found love and a family.

[JILL Stock · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyed.

[Lanita Napier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

I have both books and these stories are so beautifully written. I was intrigued throughout. Look forward to reading more like this.

[CHANDRA RENEA FIELDS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chandra's Review

I truly enjoyed reading this book it was intriguing, mysterious, loving, and full of action! I would definitely recommend this book to read! 🤗🤗👏🏾👏🏾

[Gia Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

daddy by devotion. Tall, dark and fatherly.

Thanks, Ms Walker. Thanks Ms Starr for the very involved, exciting and suspenseful story. Couldn’t put it down except for interruptions.

[Linda Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT!!!!

Love the wonderful storyline. Great read. Couldn’t put the book down!!!! Keep writing good stories like this!!!! Need more!!!! Thanks!!!!!