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Risking Regret
Falling for my bodyguard was a mistake. Losing him was a tragedy.
Bennett Lawson didn’t just keep me safe—he stole my heart, then took the broken pieces with him when he left.
Now, years later, someone is after me. I feel them lurking in the shadows—watching, waiting, tracking my every move. When the fear starts creeping into every corner of my life, I show up on Ben’s doorstep, desperate for the security only he can give.
This time, I want more than just his protection—I want him.
***
She needs me to keep her safe. I need her to breathe.
When Annie Farrow shows up in my life again, my defenses collapse, and every buried feeling comes roaring back.
Annie isn’t just my second chance—she’s mine, and whoever thinks they can take her away from me is going to learn I would do anything to protect the woman I love…I just have to find her first.
Bennett Lawson didn’t just keep me safe—he stole my heart, then took the broken pieces with him when he left.
Now, years later, someone is after me. I feel them lurking in the shadows—watching, waiting, tracking my every move. When the fear starts creeping into every corner of my life, I show up on Ben’s doorstep, desperate for the security only he can give.
This time, I want more than just his protection—I want him.
***
She needs me to keep her safe. I need her to breathe.
When Annie Farrow shows up in my life again, my defenses collapse, and every buried feeling comes roaring back.
Annie isn’t just my second chance—she’s mine, and whoever thinks they can take her away from me is going to learn I would do anything to protect the woman I love…I just have to find her first.
- GenresRomanceFriends To Lovers
212 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2026
About the author
Anna Brooks
80 books1,012 followersBe sure to follow me on Bookbub for sales and new release alerts! https://www.bookbub.com/profile/anna-...
The first time Anna tried to read a romance novel, her hair caught on fire when she leaned over a candle to sneak a peek at her mom’s Harlequin. She thinks being hit on the head with a shirtless Fabio until the smoke cleared is what sparked the flame for her love of romance.
Anna was born in Wisconsin, but currently lives in Texas with her husband and two boys. She writes sexy romance that always has a happy ending and loves bringing characters back for cameos. Less than six degrees of separation connects any of her novels.
When she’s not writing or reading, she’s watching reruns of her favorite romcoms, talking to her dog and cat like they’re human, eating carbs, or practicing hand lettering.
She loves to hear from readers and can be found on social media as @annabrooksauth everywhere.
The first time Anna tried to read a romance novel, her hair caught on fire when she leaned over a candle to sneak a peek at her mom’s Harlequin. She thinks being hit on the head with a shirtless Fabio until the smoke cleared is what sparked the flame for her love of romance.
Anna was born in Wisconsin, but currently lives in Texas with her husband and two boys. She writes sexy romance that always has a happy ending and loves bringing characters back for cameos. Less than six degrees of separation connects any of her novels.
When she’s not writing or reading, she’s watching reruns of her favorite romcoms, talking to her dog and cat like they’re human, eating carbs, or practicing hand lettering.
She loves to hear from readers and can be found on social media as @annabrooksauth everywhere.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
March 13, 2026
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of the book and spoilers below
Wasted potential is the best way to describe this book. It's a bodyguard x second chance romance which sounds good. Bodyguard romances are always a solid choice (hello The Bodyguard or Twisted Games), but the only good part of the book was the prologue. I was intrigued right away, but the rest of the book was poorly written.
I wanted to DNF at least 3 times while reading, which says a lot considering it's on the shorter side of books I've read at ~145 pages. I don't think the characters nor Ben and Annie's relationship were properly developed. Everything felt rushed because I think the author tried to do too much in a short amount of pages. For example, there were multiple characters one had to keep track of (I loved Ben's parents, Vera and Sterling) and 3 different POVs. I think the author should have just stayed with the dual POV of Annie and Ben. Because there were so many characters to keep track of, the moment when all the pieces start coming together (X character was behind it the whole time) had me underwhelmed because I was "who tf is this person?"
Dirty talk, when written correctly, can be a turn on. Unfortunately, the dirty talk here was so cringe: "Were you too afraid to get a big one ’cause you’re so small down there?" Gag and not in a good way. The author needs to describe everything better because the descriptions and adjectives fell flat. For example, the bartender is described as "super pretty" and the bar's interior design as "it’s all unique and really cool"
SPOILERS AHEAD:
I noticed a minor inconsistency between characters. In chapter 16 Kit and Annie have a conversation where Kit tells Annie that she's hoping to save enough money to buy the bar from Ben. In chapter 23, Ben tells Annie that Kit is going to buy the bar from him. Annie is surprised by the news, like girl you knew this information beforehand.
I know I've mentioned already, but the pacing of the book threw me off, especially towards the end. In chapter 24 (there's only 25 chapters in the book), Annie gets kidnapped and everything gets resolved in chapter 25. But what makes me even more annoyed is that the author doesn't explain how Ben and his crew were able to locate Annie.
Wasted potential is the best way to describe this book. It's a bodyguard x second chance romance which sounds good. Bodyguard romances are always a solid choice (hello The Bodyguard or Twisted Games), but the only good part of the book was the prologue. I was intrigued right away, but the rest of the book was poorly written.
I wanted to DNF at least 3 times while reading, which says a lot considering it's on the shorter side of books I've read at ~145 pages. I don't think the characters nor Ben and Annie's relationship were properly developed. Everything felt rushed because I think the author tried to do too much in a short amount of pages. For example, there were multiple characters one had to keep track of (I loved Ben's parents, Vera and Sterling) and 3 different POVs. I think the author should have just stayed with the dual POV of Annie and Ben. Because there were so many characters to keep track of, the moment when all the pieces start coming together (X character was behind it the whole time) had me underwhelmed because I was "who tf is this person?"
Dirty talk, when written correctly, can be a turn on. Unfortunately, the dirty talk here was so cringe: "Were you too afraid to get a big one ’cause you’re so small down there?" Gag and not in a good way. The author needs to describe everything better because the descriptions and adjectives fell flat. For example, the bartender is described as "super pretty" and the bar's interior design as "it’s all unique and really cool"
SPOILERS AHEAD:
I noticed a minor inconsistency between characters. In chapter 16 Kit and Annie have a conversation where Kit tells Annie that she's hoping to save enough money to buy the bar from Ben. In chapter 23, Ben tells Annie that Kit is going to buy the bar from him. Annie is surprised by the news, like girl you knew this information beforehand.
I know I've mentioned already, but the pacing of the book threw me off, especially towards the end. In chapter 24 (there's only 25 chapters in the book), Annie gets kidnapped and everything gets resolved in chapter 25. But what makes me even more annoyed is that the author doesn't explain how Ben and his crew were able to locate Annie.
April 4, 2026
ARC REVIE
Sinceramente fueron los tropes quien me metió de primera en el libro, pero sinceramente es un léanlo y vívanlo por ustedes mismos.
Annie y Bennett se conocen de años atrás, el siempre ha sido su guardaespalda, pero hay mucho más en juego y todo se desmorona cuando Bennett tiene que recuperarse y no vuelven a estar en contacto hasta que Annie nuevamente está en peligro.
La tensión y el misterio en el libro es muy bueno, te mantiene pendiente de lo que pasará y sospechando de todos los personajes.
Por otro lado, si bien Bennett es guardaespaldas de Annie y es literalmente su trabajo, si logras identificar cuando pasa de ser “solo un trabajo” a ver cómo la mujer que ama está en riesgo y el solo tiene la misión de protegerla. Por lo cual el slow burn es la clave aquí y la autora supo hacerla, el hecho que sea un romance de segundas oportunidades le da más emoción.
A final del libro me costó conectar con los personajes, pero nada tan terrible. Es un libro rápido y ligero de leer, lo cual me deja intrigada acerca de los demás libros de la saga! Estaré esperándolos pacientemente 🤍
Sinceramente fueron los tropes quien me metió de primera en el libro, pero sinceramente es un léanlo y vívanlo por ustedes mismos.
Annie y Bennett se conocen de años atrás, el siempre ha sido su guardaespalda, pero hay mucho más en juego y todo se desmorona cuando Bennett tiene que recuperarse y no vuelven a estar en contacto hasta que Annie nuevamente está en peligro.
La tensión y el misterio en el libro es muy bueno, te mantiene pendiente de lo que pasará y sospechando de todos los personajes.
Por otro lado, si bien Bennett es guardaespaldas de Annie y es literalmente su trabajo, si logras identificar cuando pasa de ser “solo un trabajo” a ver cómo la mujer que ama está en riesgo y el solo tiene la misión de protegerla. Por lo cual el slow burn es la clave aquí y la autora supo hacerla, el hecho que sea un romance de segundas oportunidades le da más emoción.
A final del libro me costó conectar con los personajes, pero nada tan terrible. Es un libro rápido y ligero de leer, lo cual me deja intrigada acerca de los demás libros de la saga! Estaré esperándolos pacientemente 🤍
April 2, 2026
I’ve always enjoyed romance stories, especially when there’s some suspense involved, so I was curious to read Risking Regret. The cover immediately caught my attention, which partly made me want to request this ARC. In the book we follow Annie and Bennett, who used to be very close when he worked as her bodyguard, but after an incident he had to recover from, they grew apart. Years later, Annie finds herself in danger and goes back to Bennett, which brings back all their old feelings. In my opinion, the book was easy to read and flowed well in the beginning. I really liked the connection between the characters and the mix of romance and tension. However, towards the end, I felt like it dragged a bit and I had to push myself to finish it. Still, I found myself really caring about what happened to them and rooting for their happy ending. Overall, I think it was an enjoyable book, even if the ending was a bit slower. I’m glad I got the chance to read this ARC via Love Notes.
March 23, 2026
Risking Regret
Rebel Saviors Bk. 1
Anna Brooks
Falling for her bodyguard was a mistake. Losing him was a tragedy.
Bennett Lawson didn’t just keep Annie safe—he stole her heart, then took the broken pieces with him when he left.
Now, years later, someone is after her. Annie feels them lurking in the shadows—watching, waiting, tracking her every move. When the fear starts creeping into every corner of her life, she shows up on Bennett’s doorstep, desperate for the security only he can give.
This time, Annie wants more than just his protection—she wants him.
***
Annie needs him to keep her safe. Bennett needs her to breathe.
When Annie Farrow shows up in his life again, his defenses collapse, and every buried feeling comes roaring back.
Annie isn’t just Bennett’s second chance—she’s his, and whoever thinks they can take her away from him is going to learn he would do anything to protect the woman he loves…he just has to find her first.
TW
Tropes: Bodyguard, Romantic Suspense, Forced Proximity, Friends-to-Lovers, Slow-Burn, Rebel Saviors, Opposites Attract, Touch her and Unalive, Bodyguard x Client – Off Limits.
Risking Regret is the 1st book in the Rebel Saviors by Anna Brooks.
I found Risking Regret to be this enthralling read filled with a mix of romance, suspense, and emotional healing. From the first moment I met Annie and Bennett I was pulled into their story and I just couldn’t stop reading till I read the very last word.
Years ago, a catastrophic misunderstanding ripped Annie and Bennett apart and suddenly they find themselves thrown back together after Annie’s persistent stalker resurfaces and once again threatens her.
Annie has spent countless years living in fear over what her stalker could do, constantly watching her back, and the emotional weight that trauma is something that Anna Brooks portrays through this book really well. And slowly watching Annie begin to reclaim her self-confidence, her self-esteem, and those pieces of who she was that she thought she’d lost was incredibly powerful.
Bennett was honestly one of my favorite characters in this story. The way he protected Annie and proved how devoted he was to Annie over and over again and this was everything that I could have ever wanted in a romantic suspense MMC.
From the first moment Annie suddenly re-enters his life it was amazing to see all the feelings both Annie and Bennett had long buried come rushing back in and slapping them in the face, and then to see Bennett turn around and have the full force of his protectiveness sweep over her at all costs advances a lot of the tension throughout the entire book.
I loved the suspense element that helped to keep the storyline moving at this perfect pacing. And the additional layer of who is actually stalking Annie upped the tension and it balanced amazingly with the romance between Annie and Bennett. And at the same time, the second chance between Annie and Bennett and their emotional journey felt meaningful and so very well-earned.
Anna gave us the perfect amount of spice even though it was frequent and intense. The spice never once took away from the storyline, and the intense and frequent spice felt so natural and it felt like the perfect progression of Annie and Bennett’s relationship even though they had been separated for years with all those years of unresolved feelings and longings. And all the spice helped to resolve all that and the spice helped to keep the storyline, the plot, and the sub-plot moving forward.
Anna puts Annie, Bennett and all the secondary characters through a lot in this book, a lot of it is emotional, but by the end of the story it all feels so incredibly satisfying and you feel like the storyline is wrapped up perfectly and Annie and Bennett’s story comes to a natural and beautiful conclusion.
I have to say that I unconditionally fell in love with this book and I highly recommend this read and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Some of my favorite quotes are:
“She trusts me. She’s my client, my responsibility. I’m all she has until this shit is over, and no one’s taking me away from her. She’s mine.”
“Protecting you is the most important job I’ll ever have, sweetheart.”
“And I don’t care if it takes forever, because every second I spend keeping you safe is another moment I have with you.”
“You’re not my bodyguard anymore, Benny.” “Doesn’t matter, Blue. I’ll always protect you like I am.”
Rebel Saviors Bk. 1
Anna Brooks
Falling for her bodyguard was a mistake. Losing him was a tragedy.
Bennett Lawson didn’t just keep Annie safe—he stole her heart, then took the broken pieces with him when he left.
Now, years later, someone is after her. Annie feels them lurking in the shadows—watching, waiting, tracking her every move. When the fear starts creeping into every corner of her life, she shows up on Bennett’s doorstep, desperate for the security only he can give.
This time, Annie wants more than just his protection—she wants him.
***
Annie needs him to keep her safe. Bennett needs her to breathe.
When Annie Farrow shows up in his life again, his defenses collapse, and every buried feeling comes roaring back.
Annie isn’t just Bennett’s second chance—she’s his, and whoever thinks they can take her away from him is going to learn he would do anything to protect the woman he loves…he just has to find her first.
TW
Tropes: Bodyguard, Romantic Suspense, Forced Proximity, Friends-to-Lovers, Slow-Burn, Rebel Saviors, Opposites Attract, Touch her and Unalive, Bodyguard x Client – Off Limits.
Risking Regret is the 1st book in the Rebel Saviors by Anna Brooks.
I found Risking Regret to be this enthralling read filled with a mix of romance, suspense, and emotional healing. From the first moment I met Annie and Bennett I was pulled into their story and I just couldn’t stop reading till I read the very last word.
Years ago, a catastrophic misunderstanding ripped Annie and Bennett apart and suddenly they find themselves thrown back together after Annie’s persistent stalker resurfaces and once again threatens her.
Annie has spent countless years living in fear over what her stalker could do, constantly watching her back, and the emotional weight that trauma is something that Anna Brooks portrays through this book really well. And slowly watching Annie begin to reclaim her self-confidence, her self-esteem, and those pieces of who she was that she thought she’d lost was incredibly powerful.
Bennett was honestly one of my favorite characters in this story. The way he protected Annie and proved how devoted he was to Annie over and over again and this was everything that I could have ever wanted in a romantic suspense MMC.
From the first moment Annie suddenly re-enters his life it was amazing to see all the feelings both Annie and Bennett had long buried come rushing back in and slapping them in the face, and then to see Bennett turn around and have the full force of his protectiveness sweep over her at all costs advances a lot of the tension throughout the entire book.
I loved the suspense element that helped to keep the storyline moving at this perfect pacing. And the additional layer of who is actually stalking Annie upped the tension and it balanced amazingly with the romance between Annie and Bennett. And at the same time, the second chance between Annie and Bennett and their emotional journey felt meaningful and so very well-earned.
Anna gave us the perfect amount of spice even though it was frequent and intense. The spice never once took away from the storyline, and the intense and frequent spice felt so natural and it felt like the perfect progression of Annie and Bennett’s relationship even though they had been separated for years with all those years of unresolved feelings and longings. And all the spice helped to resolve all that and the spice helped to keep the storyline, the plot, and the sub-plot moving forward.
Anna puts Annie, Bennett and all the secondary characters through a lot in this book, a lot of it is emotional, but by the end of the story it all feels so incredibly satisfying and you feel like the storyline is wrapped up perfectly and Annie and Bennett’s story comes to a natural and beautiful conclusion.
I have to say that I unconditionally fell in love with this book and I highly recommend this read and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Some of my favorite quotes are:
“She trusts me. She’s my client, my responsibility. I’m all she has until this shit is over, and no one’s taking me away from her. She’s mine.”
“Protecting you is the most important job I’ll ever have, sweetheart.”
“And I don’t care if it takes forever, because every second I spend keeping you safe is another moment I have with you.”
“You’re not my bodyguard anymore, Benny.” “Doesn’t matter, Blue. I’ll always protect you like I am.”
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
“She trusts me. She’s my client, my responsibility. I’m all she has until this shit is over, and no one’s taking me away from her. She’s mine.”
Five years ago, Annie lost Ben in the space of a heartbeat. One misunderstanding. One moment of panic. One gunshot from her father that shattered everything. She had just turned eighteen, finally old enough to understand the pull she’d felt toward the man who’d protected her for months and then he was gone. No goodbye. No explanation. Just blood, chaos, and silence.
But the truth is simple: she has always been his.
Ben was the only place she ever felt safe, the only person who saw her without flinching, the only steady thing in a world that kept shifting under her feet. And he guarded her with a fierceness that went deeper than duty, deeper than loyalty, something he never dared name.
Now she’s twenty‑three and someone is watching her. Following her. Closing in. And when fear tightens around her ribs, there’s only one name she can think to whisper. Only one man she trusts with her life, even after five years of silence.
“Protecting you is the most important job I’ll ever have, sweetheart.”
Ben never stopped wanting her. Seeing her again older, scared, and still carrying that quiet ache undoes him. The tension between them is a live wire: old longing, old wounds, and a love that never died, just went dormant. It’s a slow burn with lots of sexual tension.
“And I don’t care if it takes forever, because every second I spend keeping you safe is another moment I have with you.”
As the danger around Annie escalates, the truth becomes impossible to ignore. She’s always been his. And he’s the only one she’s ever felt safe with. Their second chance isn’t gentle, it’s fate dragging them back together, demanding they face everything they haven’t faced.
“You’re not my bodyguard anymore, Benny.” “Doesn’t matter, Blue. I’ll always protect you like I am.”
Towards the end it felt rushed, and there a few variables thrown in there like the OW drama, and multiple creepy stalkers that detracted from the story for me.
Risking Regret is a beautiful and spicy second‑chance bodyguard romance full of devotion, heartbreak, and the kind of love that endures between a girl who was never truly safe until him and a man who would burn the world down to protect her.
A huge thank you to Anna Brooks and Love Notes PR for the early copy!
Five years ago, Annie lost Ben in the space of a heartbeat. One misunderstanding. One moment of panic. One gunshot from her father that shattered everything. She had just turned eighteen, finally old enough to understand the pull she’d felt toward the man who’d protected her for months and then he was gone. No goodbye. No explanation. Just blood, chaos, and silence.
But the truth is simple: she has always been his.
Ben was the only place she ever felt safe, the only person who saw her without flinching, the only steady thing in a world that kept shifting under her feet. And he guarded her with a fierceness that went deeper than duty, deeper than loyalty, something he never dared name.
Now she’s twenty‑three and someone is watching her. Following her. Closing in. And when fear tightens around her ribs, there’s only one name she can think to whisper. Only one man she trusts with her life, even after five years of silence.
“Protecting you is the most important job I’ll ever have, sweetheart.”
Ben never stopped wanting her. Seeing her again older, scared, and still carrying that quiet ache undoes him. The tension between them is a live wire: old longing, old wounds, and a love that never died, just went dormant. It’s a slow burn with lots of sexual tension.
“And I don’t care if it takes forever, because every second I spend keeping you safe is another moment I have with you.”
As the danger around Annie escalates, the truth becomes impossible to ignore. She’s always been his. And he’s the only one she’s ever felt safe with. Their second chance isn’t gentle, it’s fate dragging them back together, demanding they face everything they haven’t faced.
“You’re not my bodyguard anymore, Benny.” “Doesn’t matter, Blue. I’ll always protect you like I am.”
Towards the end it felt rushed, and there a few variables thrown in there like the OW drama, and multiple creepy stalkers that detracted from the story for me.
Risking Regret is a beautiful and spicy second‑chance bodyguard romance full of devotion, heartbreak, and the kind of love that endures between a girl who was never truly safe until him and a man who would burn the world down to protect her.
A huge thank you to Anna Brooks and Love Notes PR for the early copy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author and Love Notes PR for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy of Risking Regret in an exchange for my honest review.
Risking Regret was such a compelling mix of romance, suspense, and emotional healing. From the very beginning I was pulled into Annie and Ben’s story and couldn’t stop reading.
After a devastating misunderstanding tore them apart years ago, Annie and Ben find themselves thrown back into each other’s lives when Annie’s long-standing stalker threat resurfaces. Annie has spent years living in fear, constantly looking over her shoulder, and the emotional weight of that trauma is something the book portrays really well. Watching her slowly begin to reclaim pieces of her life again felt incredibly powerful.
Ben was easily one of my favorite parts of this story. His protectiveness and devotion to Annie was everything I want in a romantic suspense hero. The moment Annie reenters his life, all of those buried feelings come rushing back, and his determination to protect her at all costs drives much of the tension throughout the book.
The suspense element kept the story moving at a great pace. The mystery of who was behind the stalking added a layer of tension that balanced perfectly with the romance. At the same time, the emotional journey between Annie and Ben made their second chance feel meaningful and well-earned.
The spice was frequent and intense, but it never took away from the story itself. Instead, it felt like a natural progression of their relationship after years of unresolved feelings and longing.
While the book definitely puts the characters through a lot emotionally, the ending was incredibly satisfying and wrapped their story up beautifully.
Overall, I absolutely loved this one and would definitely read more from this author.
Risking Regret was such a compelling mix of romance, suspense, and emotional healing. From the very beginning I was pulled into Annie and Ben’s story and couldn’t stop reading.
After a devastating misunderstanding tore them apart years ago, Annie and Ben find themselves thrown back into each other’s lives when Annie’s long-standing stalker threat resurfaces. Annie has spent years living in fear, constantly looking over her shoulder, and the emotional weight of that trauma is something the book portrays really well. Watching her slowly begin to reclaim pieces of her life again felt incredibly powerful.
Ben was easily one of my favorite parts of this story. His protectiveness and devotion to Annie was everything I want in a romantic suspense hero. The moment Annie reenters his life, all of those buried feelings come rushing back, and his determination to protect her at all costs drives much of the tension throughout the book.
The suspense element kept the story moving at a great pace. The mystery of who was behind the stalking added a layer of tension that balanced perfectly with the romance. At the same time, the emotional journey between Annie and Ben made their second chance feel meaningful and well-earned.
The spice was frequent and intense, but it never took away from the story itself. Instead, it felt like a natural progression of their relationship after years of unresolved feelings and longing.
While the book definitely puts the characters through a lot emotionally, the ending was incredibly satisfying and wrapped their story up beautifully.
Overall, I absolutely loved this one and would definitely read more from this author.
March 29, 2026
Reviewed by Robyn for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner
Bennett Lawson was once Annie Farrow’s bodyguard who became her everything, then he was gone, destroying her. Years later Annie needs protection again and she turns to Bennett.
Bennett sounds like a total dog when you read my first paragraph but he isn’t. He was doing his job, and yes, lines did get blurred that shouldn’t have been but he was still maintaining his professional position. (Truly deep down I wanted to dislike him but just couldn’t.)
Being stalked would have anyone petrified and so of course Annie is just that. Bennett is the only person she truly trusts and he doesn’t hesitate to help her again. Their slow-burning romance allows readers to get to know them more intimately. I enjoyed witnessing Annie become more confident and begin to recover aspects of her life.
It’s not a one-way street as far as romantic feelings are concerned because Bennett was attracted to Annie from the beginning and is still attracted to her. I quite like the gap between them being together because Annie was only eighteen when they first met. Now she is older and the romance is more mature.
The suspense is in the background of the story all the way through adding enough tension to make it exciting. I loved the ending but 🤐 no spoilers from me.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
Bennett Lawson was once Annie Farrow’s bodyguard who became her everything, then he was gone, destroying her. Years later Annie needs protection again and she turns to Bennett.
Bennett sounds like a total dog when you read my first paragraph but he isn’t. He was doing his job, and yes, lines did get blurred that shouldn’t have been but he was still maintaining his professional position. (Truly deep down I wanted to dislike him but just couldn’t.)
Being stalked would have anyone petrified and so of course Annie is just that. Bennett is the only person she truly trusts and he doesn’t hesitate to help her again. Their slow-burning romance allows readers to get to know them more intimately. I enjoyed witnessing Annie become more confident and begin to recover aspects of her life.
It’s not a one-way street as far as romantic feelings are concerned because Bennett was attracted to Annie from the beginning and is still attracted to her. I quite like the gap between them being together because Annie was only eighteen when they first met. Now she is older and the romance is more mature.
The suspense is in the background of the story all the way through adding enough tension to make it exciting. I loved the ending but 🤐 no spoilers from me.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
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April 4, 2026
I didn't know what to expect at first to be honest, but I could not stop reading!! I really liked the main characters and the side characters. The book is not that long but the story line is very good. It actually had a good plot line that I did not completely expect. There were some elements that I did expect, but a lot of things were totally unexpected. I know that it is a spoiler but I'm obsessed with Joan Wick! Like she's a queen and I was really scared something would happened to her.
Ben is such a softy, I really love him!!! The fact that he was shot, basically because of Annie. They can all say she's not the reason, but let's be honest, she was. If she had known her dad was there and they had told her, she wouldn't have done what she did, but if she hadn't done it, he would still be a bodyguard instead of a bartender/business owner. He did not blame her at all and I'm very happy about that because he was one of the only people she could actually go to when she had no one. His family did everything to help her. His brothers, sister and parents are amazing!!
Annie is such an amazing woman. She talked herself down for years, because she got Ben shot because of a stupid mistake when he was her bodyguard. She basically lost everyone around her, except for the guys that are creeping around her. She's getting stalked again after five years and for some reason she almost thinks that she deserves it. Luckily, she went to the one person who would always protect her and would be there for her. I'm so happy for Annie that she actually made some really great friends that she can trust and are there for her.
My favorite quote:
"When you look at me... I don't feel alone"
My rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Ben is such a softy, I really love him!!! The fact that he was shot, basically because of Annie. They can all say she's not the reason, but let's be honest, she was. If she had known her dad was there and they had told her, she wouldn't have done what she did, but if she hadn't done it, he would still be a bodyguard instead of a bartender/business owner. He did not blame her at all and I'm very happy about that because he was one of the only people she could actually go to when she had no one. His family did everything to help her. His brothers, sister and parents are amazing!!
Annie is such an amazing woman. She talked herself down for years, because she got Ben shot because of a stupid mistake when he was her bodyguard. She basically lost everyone around her, except for the guys that are creeping around her. She's getting stalked again after five years and for some reason she almost thinks that she deserves it. Luckily, she went to the one person who would always protect her and would be there for her. I'm so happy for Annie that she actually made some really great friends that she can trust and are there for her.
My favorite quote:
"When you look at me... I don't feel alone"
My rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
April 4, 2026
Review of Risking Regret by Anna Brooks
Risking Regret delivers exactly what fans of romantic suspense come for: emotional tension, a second-chance love story, and a protective hero who never really let go. The novel centers on Annie and Bennett, whose past relationship ended painfully—only for fate (and danger) to pull them back together.
What stands out most is the emotional core. Brooks leans heavily into themes of regret, longing, and unresolved feelings, and that intensity carries the story forward. The chemistry between Annie and Bennett is immediate and believable, especially if you enjoy the “we never stopped loving each other” dynamic. Bennett, in particular, fits the classic protective hero mold—steadfast, intense, and driven by both guilt and love.
The suspense element adds momentum, giving the characters a reason to confront their past while navigating present danger. While the threat itself isn’t the most groundbreaking aspect of the story, it serves its purpose in raising stakes and keeping the plot moving.
That said, the book doesn’t reinvent the genre. Many of its elements—the bodyguard trope, second-chance romance, and damsel-in-danger setup—are familiar. Readers who prefer originality or more nuanced character development might find it somewhat predictable. The story relies more on emotional payoff than on surprising twists.
Overall, Risking Regret is a solid, engaging read for romance fans who enjoy high emotion, rekindled love, and a strong protective dynamic. It may not break new ground, but it delivers a satisfying and heartfelt experience within its genre.
Risking Regret delivers exactly what fans of romantic suspense come for: emotional tension, a second-chance love story, and a protective hero who never really let go. The novel centers on Annie and Bennett, whose past relationship ended painfully—only for fate (and danger) to pull them back together.
What stands out most is the emotional core. Brooks leans heavily into themes of regret, longing, and unresolved feelings, and that intensity carries the story forward. The chemistry between Annie and Bennett is immediate and believable, especially if you enjoy the “we never stopped loving each other” dynamic. Bennett, in particular, fits the classic protective hero mold—steadfast, intense, and driven by both guilt and love.
The suspense element adds momentum, giving the characters a reason to confront their past while navigating present danger. While the threat itself isn’t the most groundbreaking aspect of the story, it serves its purpose in raising stakes and keeping the plot moving.
That said, the book doesn’t reinvent the genre. Many of its elements—the bodyguard trope, second-chance romance, and damsel-in-danger setup—are familiar. Readers who prefer originality or more nuanced character development might find it somewhat predictable. The story relies more on emotional payoff than on surprising twists.
Overall, Risking Regret is a solid, engaging read for romance fans who enjoy high emotion, rekindled love, and a strong protective dynamic. It may not break new ground, but it delivers a satisfying and heartfelt experience within its genre.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Risking Regret by Anna Brooks completely pulled me in from the very first page and refused to let go. This story has everything I love in a romance. Intense chemistry, emotional depth, and a suspenseful storyline that keeps you turning pages long past bedtime.
Bennett and Annie’s story is filled with so much history, heartbreak, and undeniable connection. The bodyguard trope always has a way of raising the stakes, but Anna Brooks takes it even further by weaving in a powerful second chance romance that feels raw and real. The tension between them is electric and every moment they share feels meaningful because of everything they have already been through together.
Bennett is the kind of protective hero that makes your heart melt. His devotion to Annie runs so deep and the way he would do absolutely anything to keep her safe had me completely swooning. Annie is strong, vulnerable, and determined, and watching her find her way back to the man who never truly stopped loving her was beautiful.
The suspense element added such a gripping layer to the story. There is this constant feeling of danger lurking just beneath the surface that keeps you hooked while the emotional relationship between Bennett and Annie unfolds. Anna Brooks balances romance, tension, and heartfelt emotion perfectly.
Risking Regret is a powerful story about love, redemption, and fighting for the person who owns your heart. If you love protective heroes, second chance romance, and stories that keep your heart racing while also making you feel deeply, this book absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
Five stars without hesitation. I loved every second of this story.
Bennett and Annie’s story is filled with so much history, heartbreak, and undeniable connection. The bodyguard trope always has a way of raising the stakes, but Anna Brooks takes it even further by weaving in a powerful second chance romance that feels raw and real. The tension between them is electric and every moment they share feels meaningful because of everything they have already been through together.
Bennett is the kind of protective hero that makes your heart melt. His devotion to Annie runs so deep and the way he would do absolutely anything to keep her safe had me completely swooning. Annie is strong, vulnerable, and determined, and watching her find her way back to the man who never truly stopped loving her was beautiful.
The suspense element added such a gripping layer to the story. There is this constant feeling of danger lurking just beneath the surface that keeps you hooked while the emotional relationship between Bennett and Annie unfolds. Anna Brooks balances romance, tension, and heartfelt emotion perfectly.
Risking Regret is a powerful story about love, redemption, and fighting for the person who owns your heart. If you love protective heroes, second chance romance, and stories that keep your heart racing while also making you feel deeply, this book absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
Five stars without hesitation. I loved every second of this story.
April 4, 2026
Risking Regret was a compelling blend of romance, suspense, and second-chance emotions that pulled me in right from the start. Annie and Bennett’s history as client and bodyguard adds an immediate layer of tension, and the way their relationship picks back up years later felt both natural and emotionally charged.
I really enjoyed the connection between them. Bennett’s protectiveness and devotion made him such a strong romantic lead, and Annie’s journey through fear, trauma, and reclaiming her sense of safety added depth to the story. Their dynamic had that perfect mix of longing, chemistry, and unresolved feelings that made their second chance feel meaningful.
The suspense element kept things interesting throughout. Annie’s stalker storyline added a constant sense of unease, and I liked how it balanced with the romance rather than overshadowing it. The emotional weight of Annie always looking over her shoulder was handled well, and it made you root even harder for her to find peace and happiness.
That said, the pacing felt a bit uneven toward the end. The beginning flowed really well and was hard to put down, but the final stretch slowed enough that I had to push myself to finish. Even so, I was still fully invested in Annie and Bennett and needed to see how their story ended.
Overall, this was an enjoyable romantic suspense with strong emotional elements, great chemistry, and a satisfying conclusion. I am glad I picked up this ARC and would definitely read more from this author in the future.
I really enjoyed the connection between them. Bennett’s protectiveness and devotion made him such a strong romantic lead, and Annie’s journey through fear, trauma, and reclaiming her sense of safety added depth to the story. Their dynamic had that perfect mix of longing, chemistry, and unresolved feelings that made their second chance feel meaningful.
The suspense element kept things interesting throughout. Annie’s stalker storyline added a constant sense of unease, and I liked how it balanced with the romance rather than overshadowing it. The emotional weight of Annie always looking over her shoulder was handled well, and it made you root even harder for her to find peace and happiness.
That said, the pacing felt a bit uneven toward the end. The beginning flowed really well and was hard to put down, but the final stretch slowed enough that I had to push myself to finish. Even so, I was still fully invested in Annie and Bennett and needed to see how their story ended.
Overall, this was an enjoyable romantic suspense with strong emotional elements, great chemistry, and a satisfying conclusion. I am glad I picked up this ARC and would definitely read more from this author in the future.
March 24, 2026
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I wrote this review for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner.
Bennett Lawson was once Annie Farrow’s bodyguard who became her everything, then he was gone, destroying her. Years later Annie needs protection again and she turns to Bennett.
Bennett sounds like a total dog when you read my first paragraph but he isn’t. He was doing his job, and yes, lines did get blurred that shouldn’t have been but he was still maintaining his professional position. (Truly deep down I wanted to dislike him but just couldn’t.)
Being stalked would have anyone petrified and so of course Annie is just that. Bennett is the only person she truly trusts and he doesn’t hesitate to help her again. Their slow-burning romance allows readers to get to know them more intimately. I enjoyed witnessing Annie become more confident and begin to recover aspects of her life.
It’s not a one-way street as far as romantic feelings are concerned because Bennett was attracted to Annie from the beginning and is still attracted to her. I quite like the gap between them being together because Annie was only eighteen when they first met. Now she is older and the romance is more mature.
The suspense is in the background of the story all the way through adding enough tension to make it exciting. I loved the ending but 🤐 no spoilers from
I wrote this review for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner.
Bennett Lawson was once Annie Farrow’s bodyguard who became her everything, then he was gone, destroying her. Years later Annie needs protection again and she turns to Bennett.
Bennett sounds like a total dog when you read my first paragraph but he isn’t. He was doing his job, and yes, lines did get blurred that shouldn’t have been but he was still maintaining his professional position. (Truly deep down I wanted to dislike him but just couldn’t.)
Being stalked would have anyone petrified and so of course Annie is just that. Bennett is the only person she truly trusts and he doesn’t hesitate to help her again. Their slow-burning romance allows readers to get to know them more intimately. I enjoyed witnessing Annie become more confident and begin to recover aspects of her life.
It’s not a one-way street as far as romantic feelings are concerned because Bennett was attracted to Annie from the beginning and is still attracted to her. I quite like the gap between them being together because Annie was only eighteen when they first met. Now she is older and the romance is more mature.
The suspense is in the background of the story all the way through adding enough tension to make it exciting. I loved the ending but 🤐 no spoilers from
April 4, 2026
Risking Regret is a bodyguard/second chance romance. It was a quick read, which I normally don’t mind but in this instance I wish it were longer. The story lacked substance and could have benefited from more scenes that built the relationship between characters and developed the plot to fill in some holes. Story felt too short and a bit rushed but still an enjoyable read.
I did appreciate the found family trope and protectiveness of the MMC. There were a decent amount of spicy scenes in this shorter novel. Ben is a very devoted character. I love a talkative, dominant, take control male lead that prioritizes the woman and makes her feel safe, comfortable, builds her confidence, and is in tune with her emotions and needs. Annie is a bit too young, naive, and helpless than I typically like the FMCs to be but I was still routing for her happiness. I think she was just lacking the safety and security she needs to grow and step in to her potential, which of course she finds with Ben. It would have been nice if she took some matters into her own hands instead of running to a man to protect her though. Like if she believed someone was stalking her and sneaking into her apartment, why didn’t she install more locks or security cameras or take some self defense classes or something? But that is just my opinion and critique.
Thank you to Love Notes PR & the author for the ARC!
I did appreciate the found family trope and protectiveness of the MMC. There were a decent amount of spicy scenes in this shorter novel. Ben is a very devoted character. I love a talkative, dominant, take control male lead that prioritizes the woman and makes her feel safe, comfortable, builds her confidence, and is in tune with her emotions and needs. Annie is a bit too young, naive, and helpless than I typically like the FMCs to be but I was still routing for her happiness. I think she was just lacking the safety and security she needs to grow and step in to her potential, which of course she finds with Ben. It would have been nice if she took some matters into her own hands instead of running to a man to protect her though. Like if she believed someone was stalking her and sneaking into her apartment, why didn’t she install more locks or security cameras or take some self defense classes or something? But that is just my opinion and critique.
Thank you to Love Notes PR & the author for the ARC!
March 28, 2026
Snap Judgement
I thought this sounded exciting, but it fell apart under rushed storytelling, plot holes, and inconsistent character development.
Bookish Magic
✨The initial setup had potential and pulled me in, even if it confused me in the moment. I felt that everything would eventually make sense. Spoiler: it didn't.
✨There are elements of suspense, romance, and protection tropes that could have worked with stronger execution.
✨The bones were there.
Bookish Woes
😫 So many woes! Character motivations don't always make sense. Why the shift in Ben? Never explained.
😫 The romance feels rushed and underdeveloped. The conflict to intimacy jump is immediate. No buildup. No explanation. The pacing feels uneven, with key moments going from conflict to resolution immediately.
😫 Key plot points are left unexplained or unclear. They are never answered. Too many side characters are introduced without purpose or depth.
Final Thoughts
A story with strong potential that ultimately doesn't come together. Too many gaps, rushed moments, and inconsistencies kept it from being satisfying. Then there were the grammatical and spelling errors that irritated me to the point of frustration.
I thought this sounded exciting, but it fell apart under rushed storytelling, plot holes, and inconsistent character development.
Bookish Magic
✨The initial setup had potential and pulled me in, even if it confused me in the moment. I felt that everything would eventually make sense. Spoiler: it didn't.
✨There are elements of suspense, romance, and protection tropes that could have worked with stronger execution.
✨The bones were there.
Bookish Woes
😫 So many woes! Character motivations don't always make sense. Why the shift in Ben? Never explained.
😫 The romance feels rushed and underdeveloped. The conflict to intimacy jump is immediate. No buildup. No explanation. The pacing feels uneven, with key moments going from conflict to resolution immediately.
😫 Key plot points are left unexplained or unclear. They are never answered. Too many side characters are introduced without purpose or depth.
Final Thoughts
A story with strong potential that ultimately doesn't come together. Too many gaps, rushed moments, and inconsistencies kept it from being satisfying. Then there were the grammatical and spelling errors that irritated me to the point of frustration.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Tropes: bodyguard, romantic suspense, forced proximity, friends to lovers, slow burn
Thanks to Valentine PR for this ARC! I am on their master list and did not specifically request this book, but I am so glad they sent it to me, because I will definitely be diving into more of this author’s work.
I had SUCH a fun time reading this book. I’d be laughing through a chapter, and then screaming “wtf just happened?!” by the end of the chapter.
It was a wild ride that kept me guessing the whole way through.
Very fast paced and completely entertaining all the way through.
The FMC, Annie, is so relatable. She’s a little bit stubborn with a flair for the dramatics. And I found everything about her to be so endearing.
The MMC, Ben, was super swoon worthy & the PERFECT amount of ott possessive/jealous.
The banter between the two was top notch!
I even loved the villain in this book, not in a dark romance I’d get with him kind of way, but because he was such a great character. I was creeped out, and totally skeeved by him but he was such a great deranged psycho.
I will definitely read the next book in this series.
Thanks to Valentine PR for this ARC! I am on their master list and did not specifically request this book, but I am so glad they sent it to me, because I will definitely be diving into more of this author’s work.
I had SUCH a fun time reading this book. I’d be laughing through a chapter, and then screaming “wtf just happened?!” by the end of the chapter.
It was a wild ride that kept me guessing the whole way through.
Very fast paced and completely entertaining all the way through.
The FMC, Annie, is so relatable. She’s a little bit stubborn with a flair for the dramatics. And I found everything about her to be so endearing.
The MMC, Ben, was super swoon worthy & the PERFECT amount of ott possessive/jealous.
The banter between the two was top notch!
I even loved the villain in this book, not in a dark romance I’d get with him kind of way, but because he was such a great character. I was creeped out, and totally skeeved by him but he was such a great deranged psycho.
I will definitely read the next book in this series.
March 15, 2026
I received an ARC of this book.
Ben was Annie’s bodyguard for four months when her father was getting threats. When the danger passes, a big accident separates them. Five years later someone is stalking Annie and she runs to Ben because he is the person she trusts the most. I love a bodyguard romance because of the forced proximity and heightened stakes and emotions. Ben and Annie are able to fall back into the casual intimacy they had when living together. All those little idiosyncrasies you learn about someone when you're constantly in their presence. Now that they are older, their mutual attraction start coming to the surface and neither of them wants to be separated from the other and yet Ben really is trying to slow things down so that Annie doesn't feel rushed into yet another emotionally high stakes thing. I enjoyed the mystery of what was going on paired with their burgeoning relationship I just think things got a little bit muddled towards the ending.
Some spoilers ahead!
Ben was Annie’s bodyguard for four months when her father was getting threats. When the danger passes, a big accident separates them. Five years later someone is stalking Annie and she runs to Ben because he is the person she trusts the most. I love a bodyguard romance because of the forced proximity and heightened stakes and emotions. Ben and Annie are able to fall back into the casual intimacy they had when living together. All those little idiosyncrasies you learn about someone when you're constantly in their presence. Now that they are older, their mutual attraction start coming to the surface and neither of them wants to be separated from the other and yet Ben really is trying to slow things down so that Annie doesn't feel rushed into yet another emotionally high stakes thing. I enjoyed the mystery of what was going on paired with their burgeoning relationship I just think things got a little bit muddled towards the ending.
Some spoilers ahead!
March 15, 2026
I absolutely devoured this book! I was not expecting the twists and turns, the suspense, the intensity! It grabbed my attention immediately and held it. I read it in 6 hours. I absolutely loved the relationship between Annie and Benny. I loved seeing the way they showed each other their love in small ways. The way that Annie only feels safe with Benny. The way that Benny wants to make Annie smile, to stay near him. It was one of the first bodyguard tropes that I have read and I think I have found another favorite. Benny was “who hurt you?” and “I would burn the world for you”.
The tropes include off limits bodyguard/client romance, romantic suspense, forced proximity, friends to lovers, slow burn, opposites attract, I’d die for you, who hurt you?, touch her and die, and more! There is so much suspense and angst between the two. They both have feelings for each other and it takes Annie finally feeling safe for them to give in to those feelings. I love how protective Benny is of Annie.
There is some off the page animal abuse and physical abuse. There is on the page kidnapping, violence, and stalking. Be mindful of your mental health before you read this book!
The tropes include off limits bodyguard/client romance, romantic suspense, forced proximity, friends to lovers, slow burn, opposites attract, I’d die for you, who hurt you?, touch her and die, and more! There is so much suspense and angst between the two. They both have feelings for each other and it takes Annie finally feeling safe for them to give in to those feelings. I love how protective Benny is of Annie.
There is some off the page animal abuse and physical abuse. There is on the page kidnapping, violence, and stalking. Be mindful of your mental health before you read this book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Risking Regret completely gripped me from the very first chapter. I’m such a sucker for the protector trope, and Bennett and Annie made it hit just right. Years ago, Bennett who was responsible for Annie’s safety, and because she was still a teenager, kept his distance; choosing to do the right thing even though it hurt them both. That decision gave their story so much emotional weight.
When they meet again five years later under specific circumstances, all that history is still lingering beneath the surface. The tension, the unspoken feelings, the what ifs — every moment between them felt charged. Seeing Bennett’s walls come down for Annie and watching him finally accept his feelings was easily my favourite part.
It’s emotional, protective, and packed with the kind of heart that makes you swoon. There were a couple of trope-familiar moments, but I was all in. Easy four stars.
Thank you to the author and Love Notes PR for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
When they meet again five years later under specific circumstances, all that history is still lingering beneath the surface. The tension, the unspoken feelings, the what ifs — every moment between them felt charged. Seeing Bennett’s walls come down for Annie and watching him finally accept his feelings was easily my favourite part.
It’s emotional, protective, and packed with the kind of heart that makes you swoon. There were a couple of trope-familiar moments, but I was all in. Easy four stars.
Thank you to the author and Love Notes PR for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
March 20, 2026
Thank you Love Notes PR and Anna Brooks for this ARC💕
I loved the premise of this story but it just felt a little disjointed to me and could’ve flowed better at times, especially towards the end. It felt me feeling more confused than it did answering my questions.
I did enjoy that while it was obvious who Annie’s stalker was, other characters were introduced to throw you off. However, while I enjoyed this, I felt it didn’t really add to the story as it wasn’t really explained why characters, such as Noah, were acting that way. I feel this is something that could’ve been fleshed out more for it to make sense in the pacing of the story.
In terms of the relationship between our MCs, it felt very rushed and I would’ve loved to have seen more emotional development between them. I don’t mind a fast burn but this just felt too fast, especially considering they hadn’t seen each other in years and what happened when they did last see each other.
With more of this and certain aspects more fleshed out I think this has the potential to be an amazing book✨
I loved the premise of this story but it just felt a little disjointed to me and could’ve flowed better at times, especially towards the end. It felt me feeling more confused than it did answering my questions.
I did enjoy that while it was obvious who Annie’s stalker was, other characters were introduced to throw you off. However, while I enjoyed this, I felt it didn’t really add to the story as it wasn’t really explained why characters, such as Noah, were acting that way. I feel this is something that could’ve been fleshed out more for it to make sense in the pacing of the story.
In terms of the relationship between our MCs, it felt very rushed and I would’ve loved to have seen more emotional development between them. I don’t mind a fast burn but this just felt too fast, especially considering they hadn’t seen each other in years and what happened when they did last see each other.
With more of this and certain aspects more fleshed out I think this has the potential to be an amazing book✨
April 3, 2026
⭐️ 4.5/5
🔥 4.5/5
🌶️ 4.5/5
💧 4.5/5
Risking Regret was a strong blend of romance and suspense with a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers dynamic.
Bennett and Annie’s relationship is rooted in a shared past, with a misunderstanding that separated them years ago. Watching them reconnect while working through that history added emotional depth to their story.
The bodyguard element brought an extra layer of tension, especially with Annie dealing with an unknown threat. That sense of danger carried throughout the book and balanced well with the romantic development.
Annie’s character stood out in her journey to rebuild her confidence and find herself again after living in fear. Her growth made her perspective feel grounded and meaningful.
Bennett, as the protective and devoted MMC, added to the emotional pull of the story. His consistency and presence throughout made their connection feel steady and real.
Overall, this was an engaging read that balanced romance, suspense, and character growth in a way that kept me invested.
🔥 4.5/5
🌶️ 4.5/5
💧 4.5/5
Risking Regret was a strong blend of romance and suspense with a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers dynamic.
Bennett and Annie’s relationship is rooted in a shared past, with a misunderstanding that separated them years ago. Watching them reconnect while working through that history added emotional depth to their story.
The bodyguard element brought an extra layer of tension, especially with Annie dealing with an unknown threat. That sense of danger carried throughout the book and balanced well with the romantic development.
Annie’s character stood out in her journey to rebuild her confidence and find herself again after living in fear. Her growth made her perspective feel grounded and meaningful.
Bennett, as the protective and devoted MMC, added to the emotional pull of the story. His consistency and presence throughout made their connection feel steady and real.
Overall, this was an engaging read that balanced romance, suspense, and character growth in a way that kept me invested.
Review of advance copy received from Author
*ARC REVIEW*
I was kindly given an ARC of Risking Regret and this was so good! I was hooked and finished this within a day, it had me gripped! the suspense and mystery in this was so good, I was so intrigued and interested in finding who was stalking Annie, I was so curious. Ben was perfect, he was so caring and I loved how he noticed everything about Annie. he was such a good guy and I loved how protective he was over her and how he’d anything for her. Annie was so cute, she’s so sweet and been through so much and I just felt for her. the plot twists in this were so good, they were so interesting! I did feel there was a little bit unexplained with the whole stalker situation but it didn’t take away from the story. I really liked Ben’s family, they were so sweet and caring and welcoming and it was so nice to see. a really good read, really enjoyed it! (thank you to Anna Brooks and Love Notes PR for the ARC, all opinions are my own)
Risking Regret releases March 13!
4.25⭐
I was kindly given an ARC of Risking Regret and this was so good! I was hooked and finished this within a day, it had me gripped! the suspense and mystery in this was so good, I was so intrigued and interested in finding who was stalking Annie, I was so curious. Ben was perfect, he was so caring and I loved how he noticed everything about Annie. he was such a good guy and I loved how protective he was over her and how he’d anything for her. Annie was so cute, she’s so sweet and been through so much and I just felt for her. the plot twists in this were so good, they were so interesting! I did feel there was a little bit unexplained with the whole stalker situation but it didn’t take away from the story. I really liked Ben’s family, they were so sweet and caring and welcoming and it was so nice to see. a really good read, really enjoyed it! (thank you to Anna Brooks and Love Notes PR for the ARC, all opinions are my own)
Risking Regret releases March 13!
4.25⭐
March 17, 2026
Ben was Annie’s bodyguard for several months, employed by her father as he was getting threats and photos of Annie were taken showing how close they had got to her. However, this ended abruptly when Ben was shot.
Five years later someone is stalking Annie again and she literally runs to Ben as the person she trusts the most and he immediately says he will protect her, but acknowledges to himself that he sees her differently than 5 years ago.
This was a bodyguard romance with forced proximity. Ben and Annie fell back into the familiar intimacy they shared when they lived together, but they are 5 years older and both notice their feelings and both want to be together.
I struggled to feel their relationship, it felt rushed despite them having a history. Who the stalker was felt a little disjointed and how Ben was able to work out the location at the end was not clear and I felt it was a wasted opportunity to develop the story more.
Five years later someone is stalking Annie again and she literally runs to Ben as the person she trusts the most and he immediately says he will protect her, but acknowledges to himself that he sees her differently than 5 years ago.
This was a bodyguard romance with forced proximity. Ben and Annie fell back into the familiar intimacy they shared when they lived together, but they are 5 years older and both notice their feelings and both want to be together.
I struggled to feel their relationship, it felt rushed despite them having a history. Who the stalker was felt a little disjointed and how Ben was able to work out the location at the end was not clear and I felt it was a wasted opportunity to develop the story more.
March 18, 2026
*Book received as an ARC by lovenotespr for an honest review*
2,5⭐ 2🌶️
I was very excited to get into this book, because I love a bodyguard arc story, however personally I don't feel like it hit the spot.
The plot had a lot of potential and I particularly enjoyed the first 30% of the book. Progressing into the story though, the characters felt a little emotionally stunted and the way Ben handled a lot of the situations came off as immature and rushed.
I struggled to connect and empathise with the characters, as I felt that the emotional development was poor and there weren't enough core moments between the MCs to support the relationship and intimacy portrayed.
The plot twist wasn't that much of a surprise, and the mental aspect of the villain had me very confused in the end as it clouded his motives and thought process.
More bonding moments between the MCs to support their intimacy and fast emotional progression ,would have made this book a 4,5⭐ for me.
2,5⭐ 2🌶️
I was very excited to get into this book, because I love a bodyguard arc story, however personally I don't feel like it hit the spot.
The plot had a lot of potential and I particularly enjoyed the first 30% of the book. Progressing into the story though, the characters felt a little emotionally stunted and the way Ben handled a lot of the situations came off as immature and rushed.
I struggled to connect and empathise with the characters, as I felt that the emotional development was poor and there weren't enough core moments between the MCs to support the relationship and intimacy portrayed.
The plot twist wasn't that much of a surprise, and the mental aspect of the villain had me very confused in the end as it clouded his motives and thought process.
More bonding moments between the MCs to support their intimacy and fast emotional progression ,would have made this book a 4,5⭐ for me.
April 2, 2026
Risking Regret is a friends to lovers, forced proximity, opposite attract, touch her and die, suspenseful romance.
I like the reading Risking Regret. The main characters Annie and Bennett were both likable and the story of the relationship was captivating to read. There is a lot of history between them but with history comes a lot of heartbreak. But through it all the connection that they had never went away. As you watch the Annie and Bennett’s relationship play out in the story you can just feel the emotions these two are feeling and expressing.
Additional things, the balance of romance and suspense was good. I think that the suspense made the story better. The pace and flow of the story was good. It was easy to understand and keep up with.
Overall, Risking Regret is a good read. Annie and Bennett are good main characters. Their story is suspenseful while also being romantic. You be captivated from the first page all the way to last page.
I like the reading Risking Regret. The main characters Annie and Bennett were both likable and the story of the relationship was captivating to read. There is a lot of history between them but with history comes a lot of heartbreak. But through it all the connection that they had never went away. As you watch the Annie and Bennett’s relationship play out in the story you can just feel the emotions these two are feeling and expressing.
Additional things, the balance of romance and suspense was good. I think that the suspense made the story better. The pace and flow of the story was good. It was easy to understand and keep up with.
Overall, Risking Regret is a good read. Annie and Bennett are good main characters. Their story is suspenseful while also being romantic. You be captivated from the first page all the way to last page.
April 5, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
I had high expectations for this book, but unfortunately, it didn’t fully work for me.
Risking Regret has all the right elements: forbidden love, forced separation, emotional reunion, and a suspenseful subplot with an obsessive stalker. On paper, it sounds like the perfect combination but the execution fell a bit flat.
Annie and Ben’s relationship had potential, especially with their shared past and unresolved feelings, but I never truly felt emotionally connected to them. The story felt slow, repetitive, and quite predictable at times, which made it hard to stay fully invested.
The suspense element added some tension, but it wasn’t strong enough to elevate the overall experience.
That being said, the book does deliver a satisfying happy ending, and the characters might resonate with other readers more than they did with me.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad read just not a memorable one.
I had high expectations for this book, but unfortunately, it didn’t fully work for me.
Risking Regret has all the right elements: forbidden love, forced separation, emotional reunion, and a suspenseful subplot with an obsessive stalker. On paper, it sounds like the perfect combination but the execution fell a bit flat.
Annie and Ben’s relationship had potential, especially with their shared past and unresolved feelings, but I never truly felt emotionally connected to them. The story felt slow, repetitive, and quite predictable at times, which made it hard to stay fully invested.
The suspense element added some tension, but it wasn’t strong enough to elevate the overall experience.
That being said, the book does deliver a satisfying happy ending, and the characters might resonate with other readers more than they did with me.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad read just not a memorable one.
April 5, 2026
Risking Regret by Anna Brooks is an emotional and steamy second-chance romance that tugs at the heartstrings with raw regret, redemption arcs, and intense chemistry reignited after years apart. The story follows a resilient heroine confronting her past with a brooding hero haunted by old mistakes, where lingering sparks flare into passion amid family secrets, trust issues, and undeniable soulmate pull. Brooks' poignant writing blends aching vulnerability with swoony tension that delivers a satisfying emotional payoff.
I loved the hero's journey from broken remorse to devoted protector, the heroine's fierce growth shining through pain, and their slow-burn reconnection exploding into heartfelt, heated moments that feel authentic and healing.
While second-chance tropes feel familiar, Brooks' character depth and steamy warmth make it stand out. Overall, I’m giving Risking Regret four stars. It’s a moving, sexy read perfect for fans of emotional romances with heart.
I loved the hero's journey from broken remorse to devoted protector, the heroine's fierce growth shining through pain, and their slow-burn reconnection exploding into heartfelt, heated moments that feel authentic and healing.
While second-chance tropes feel familiar, Brooks' character depth and steamy warmth make it stand out. Overall, I’m giving Risking Regret four stars. It’s a moving, sexy read perfect for fans of emotional romances with heart.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My first time reading Anna Brooks and I’m damn sure this is not my last since I’ll be continuing to read her books in the future.
This book follows Bennett Lawson & Annie Farrow.
Ben is her bodyguard hired by her father when someone been stalking her. Some things happen between them and they didn’t see each other up until 5 years later. Annie goes to Ben for help when police didn’t help her at all. When she meet Ben again he took her to his house directly. Later she explains everything and he get more protective towards her.
Damn when he falls, he falls harder for her. I just love him. Like damn this is amazing. Also the fact that his parents loving her and assuring her everything is just wow. And the plot twist yeah didn’t saw coming.
Now can’t wait for the next book in this series 😍😍
This book follows Bennett Lawson & Annie Farrow.
Ben is her bodyguard hired by her father when someone been stalking her. Some things happen between them and they didn’t see each other up until 5 years later. Annie goes to Ben for help when police didn’t help her at all. When she meet Ben again he took her to his house directly. Later she explains everything and he get more protective towards her.
Damn when he falls, he falls harder for her. I just love him. Like damn this is amazing. Also the fact that his parents loving her and assuring her everything is just wow. And the plot twist yeah didn’t saw coming.
Now can’t wait for the next book in this series 😍😍
Review of advance copy received from Author
I must say, I’m looking forward to the rest of this series. Ben and Annie had a less than ideal start, and they definitely both have past horrors to wade through, but they’re perfectly matched. He’s her protector, she’s his heart and soul. He’s determined to keep her, and she’s been wishing she had someone to belong with and somewhere to belong. It helps that even the siblings with doubt see through their anger and clouded judgments pretty easily, too.
Granted, we still have danger. And I’m not afraid to say how worried I was about someone we later learn is John. That might have been the best moment of this story for me, I can’t lie. But it also all makes me want more. Will Parker have a second chance or a fresh one? Will Drew find happiness? Will Charlie and Kit both find their own people to make them feel whole? I can’t wait to find out!
Granted, we still have danger. And I’m not afraid to say how worried I was about someone we later learn is John. That might have been the best moment of this story for me, I can’t lie. But it also all makes me want more. Will Parker have a second chance or a fresh one? Will Drew find happiness? Will Charlie and Kit both find their own people to make them feel whole? I can’t wait to find out!
Review of advance copy
About 5% in and I was already hooked. This is one of those reads where you truly don’t want to put the book down. By the end, I immediately wanted to reach for the next book in the series.
Annie is written so well that you can really feel her trauma and understand how frightening parts of her life must have been. Ben is thoughtful and insightful, and I loved the dynamic of the large family he’s a part of.
If anything, a slightly longer book could have allowed for a bit more backstory or deeper exploration of some of the major events that were mentioned. A few moments felt like they moved past quickly, but even with that, it didn’t take away from how engaging the story was.
This series has officially moved into my “living rent free in my head” category, and I can’t wait to continue it.
Annie is written so well that you can really feel her trauma and understand how frightening parts of her life must have been. Ben is thoughtful and insightful, and I loved the dynamic of the large family he’s a part of.
If anything, a slightly longer book could have allowed for a bit more backstory or deeper exploration of some of the major events that were mentioned. A few moments felt like they moved past quickly, but even with that, it didn’t take away from how engaging the story was.
This series has officially moved into my “living rent free in my head” category, and I can’t wait to continue it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'm recovering from another book hangover. Yep. Risking Regret was too good to put down. The chemistry between Ben and Annie is felt throughout the story and the suspense/ mystery elements I thoroughly enjoyed.
Annie has lived a life in the shadows of what could have been. Her past has shaped her future, and the shadows are back invading her life again. In her fear, she runs to the only person to ever make her feel safe.
Ben has lived a life of regret for what could have been when a distraction in his past shaped his future. He has an opportunity to offer protection and the potential to change his future again. Will he risk stumbling over another distraction to protect her? Will he lose her before he realizes he loves her?
Risking Regret releases March 13, 2026.
Thank you to Anna Brooks and Love Notes PR for the ARC copy of Risking Regret. All opinions are my own.
Annie has lived a life in the shadows of what could have been. Her past has shaped her future, and the shadows are back invading her life again. In her fear, she runs to the only person to ever make her feel safe.
Ben has lived a life of regret for what could have been when a distraction in his past shaped his future. He has an opportunity to offer protection and the potential to change his future again. Will he risk stumbling over another distraction to protect her? Will he lose her before he realizes he loves her?
Risking Regret releases March 13, 2026.
Thank you to Anna Brooks and Love Notes PR for the ARC copy of Risking Regret. All opinions are my own.
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