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To Love and Protect

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In the ring, I’m known as Nightmare. I’m undefeated in the underground boxing ring and at the top of my city’s food chain.

That sounds cocky, doesn’t it? Sure. But it’s true. I’m also dangerous and the man every woman wants to be with, but I try not to brag.

The thing is, everything changed when I laid eyes on Remedie. She’s the gorgeous chef who doesn’t want to be saved. She’s surviving on selling plates out of her home, but she’s worth so much more than that.

So, what did I do? I hired her as my live-in chef. Now, she’s making more money than she ever has and she’s keeping me fed, both my body and my soul.

What’s the catch? She just wants to keep her head down and to stack her money. She doesn’t want love or a relationship, and I’ve never wanted one more.

What’s my solution? I made her a bet, of course. I bet her she’ll fall in love with me. She says she won’t. I’m pretty sure she already has.

Everyone knows Nico ‘Nightmare’ Graves can take a hit, but Remedie? She’s the first one who could knock me out for good.

172 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2025

325 people are currently reading
196 people want to read

About the author

Cyn

39 books128 followers

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5 stars
607 (61%)
4 stars
243 (24%)
3 stars
128 (12%)
2 stars
11 (1%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
Profile Image for Toya  Davis-Stokley.
2,578 reviews104 followers
October 24, 2025
Alright now Cyn! A time was had with this read! I smiled, I laughed, was in my feelings a bit, but most of all I enjoyed myself. ❤️

Remedie was so talented, and I wondered why she wasn't working in a high-end restaurant. To learn that bum ass Zayden ruined that for her and was continuing to drag her down with him was heartbreaking. 💔🤬 However, a lil party in the hood with her bestie turned it all around.

Nico “Nightmare” Graves chile was everything!! 🥰 This man was hilarious, a bit touched but had a heart of gold. When he laid eyes on Remedie, that was all she wrote. Game on! He was so intentional, and sometimes a bit overbearing to get his way, but Remedie was feeling him too. I loved them together. Remedie got the family she always desired, and Nico found someone to offer him peace in his crazy world. Great read! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Profile Image for Monique.
469 reviews23 followers
October 25, 2025
Nico was definitely touched in the head😂But I liked him. He loved that lady from day 1. This was a very fast paced instalove story, but I wish that we got to see more of them falling in love. He said he wanted to court her, but outside of trying to cook a meal for her I didn’t really see where any courting took place. But suddenly after a few meals together she was falling in love with him…how sway? Also his darkness or whatever was a big plot point and I kind of wanted to see how they navigated that together after he decided to make a career change. Did it just go away? Did he do therapy? How did he channel that into his future business ventures. So yeah a cute story but I wanted a bit more.

But shoutout to a true epilogue…15 laters with a family update.
Profile Image for Shades N Pages .
1,002 reviews27 followers
October 23, 2025
If the man is written by Cyn, I already know he’s an eater and he’s gonna love that woman down! Her men be down bad and intentional about it—and Nico was no exception. He knew what he wanted from day one, and I was here for it.I really enjoyed the dynamic between the couple, but outside of that, this book could’ve used a bit more work. It was fast-paced, but it lacked depth. I loved the concept of the bet, but we didn’t actually get to see those moments—the dates, the time spent together, the gradual fall. The writing felt a little choppy at times, and the whole incident with the ex was just glossed over. This story would’ve hit harder if it leaned into being a more character-driven romance—just focusing on the main couple and fleshing out their connection. I would’ve ate that up. Also—-the FMC being 34 years old and getting pregnant in the epilogue 15 years later??????? I was like noooooo lol. Overall, it was an okay read but off the strength of the MMC I enjoyed it
Profile Image for JazzReads .
1,087 reviews32 followers
January 29, 2026
I just want to say o did not have any expectations going into this book and I am happy to say that I really like it. Overall this book was really good and I like this couple. Nico was not playing around with Remedie and made it clear he really wanted her from the beginning. I like the part when Nico tried to make breakfast for Remedie. The FMC ex got everything he deserved in this book. Overall good read and I will be reading more books by this author.
Profile Image for alifetimeofliterature.
277 reviews145 followers
December 16, 2025
➸ 3/5 stars
“Remedie. Love is a risk. It don’t matter who it’s with. After that first heartbreak, it feels scarier and scarier each time. That don’t mean you stop chasing after it.”

I finally finished a book so a round of applause for me but I am a little conflicted with this review. I enjoyed the fact that the book was shorter than most but I really do wish it was longer. Nico’s and Remedie’s relationship fell flat for me once I took the time to really think about it. I really wished we couldn’t figure out who Karma was because she really had a bigger part in Nico’s life than I thought was concluded. The conflict with Zayden and him coming back was pointless in my eyes. I really feel like we could’ve gotten a better conflict to happen to both our main characters. Nico losing his last fight instead of going after Zayden in my humble opinion would’ve been so much better. I really didn’t want to read the epilogue (but I did) because I just felt like a 15 year time jump was unnecessary especially considering how short this book is and where the last chapter left off. Nico’s banter was really enjoyable throughout this especially when he got jealous AND WE LOVE A MAN WHO MAKES HIS INTENTIONS CLEAR!!
Profile Image for thebookcritic_.
867 reviews31 followers
October 23, 2025
felt very surface level

Nico applied pressure from the very beginning. Like he was not playing with her at all. Praying while seeing? Nico a fool. The bet made no sense to me because he would’ve just continued to date her until she changed her mind. Although the story touched on certain ‘deep’ things, I do wish it was more fleshed out and wasn’t so surfaced and glossed over. I didn’t feel like they were truly in love. 49 and having a baby?? Absolutely not.

I didn’t like the dig at tall girls. A little repetitive. A few grammatical errors.
Profile Image for Ashanti Burton.
669 reviews13 followers
October 19, 2025
Really enjoyed this. Loved Nico and Remedie. He’s an underground boxer while she’s a chef hustling to make ends meet. Her no good boyfriend is unemployed and taking up space in her house. Nico is down bad from day one and he’ll do anything to be in her presence. When he asked Remedie to be his personal chef it was just the beginning to their love story. Nico was so intentional and a lil unhinged lol. This was fast paced even tho Remedie tried to be in denial at first. Lighthearted but does have moments of DV. Epilogue is 15 years in the future which is always a plus for me. I enjoyed this. Would recommend.
Profile Image for Breeana.
624 reviews7 followers
October 18, 2025
Cyn be stepping on the girls necks......

Each book I read is better than the last, at this point Cyn's pen is the undefeated champ! I loved this story, I'm so interested in Karma and hope she gets a story because sis has some major pull. Three bodies and Nico never got caught I'm glad but Karma has to have mob ties lol. Remedie and Nico got their happily ever after, was sad that Gramps passed but I would have loved to get an update on Isla and Tyree.
Profile Image for Alexandria Stanton.
10 reviews1 follower
October 19, 2025
Nico & Rem 😍

Cyn does it again! This was such a fun read. I truly loved the insta chemistry that happened here. That Nico was and continued to be a fool for Remedy. It was the cutest thing, too! I love how attentive he was to her and how we put so much pressure on. Even the supporting characters were right on time. Tyree and Isla were the best sidekicks. I’m so happy that we got an epilogue with a happy ending 🥹
Profile Image for Ash.
172 reviews1 follower
January 1, 2026
We love a man who is there to love and protect.
Profile Image for SumFire.
680 reviews2 followers
February 1, 2026
I absolutely enjoyed "To Love and Protect" by Cyn.

Nico and Remedie’s story! The Underground boxer and the Chef. I loved how intentional Nico was about her and was great full for the authors glimpse into thier future.

She breaks up with her bum boyfriend in one of those crushing scenes and sleeping on her bestie's couch, trying to get her life together.

She goes to a house party at the insistence of her friend to get some happy in her life and meets the playboy boxer.

*Inst-love
*Urban Romance

S/N 34 must be the author's lucky number. However, she got it right with this FMC.
528 reviews
November 17, 2025
I love me a Delusional protective man that wants nothing but the best for his lady. Nico “Nightmare” was everything a women can ask for in a man even if he is touched in the head and everyone knew it including him. I love how self-aware he was then added a smile to top it off. He was literally what you see is what you get if he let you in and if he could he would have lived in Remedies skin. The way they meet was cute and seem like the most unlikely interaction is what gets you the life of your dreams and then some. Nico is intentionally all gas no breaks with how he was moving behind Remedie. He was trying to come out of his box for her and do things different those were the moments that made their love story so sweet and his family loving on her as well.

Hate that it took Remedie leaving her own space for her luck to turn around. At the same hands she loved and cared for 3 years be the same one who was bringing her down and trying to take her life. She had the right man for the job to turn it all around and he took it seriously. But to see 15 years pass and they are still rocking and growing as a whole, and family was everything!!!!! Wish is was a little more to the story to see the growth but to know its their and they built something that lasted was great.
Profile Image for Shauntelle (shauntellereads).
660 reviews64 followers
January 12, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was one of those reads that hooks you fast and then quietly sinks its claws in. I went in expecting a fun, fast romance, and walked out genuinely invested in both Nico and Remedie as people, not just a couple. Their connection felt immediate but not shallow, like two lives colliding at exactly the wrong and right moment at the same time.

Nico is intense, protective, a little unhinged in the way Cyn writes so well, but what really worked for me was how intentional he was once Remedie entered his world. No confusion about his interest, no mixed signals, just steady pressure and presence. Remedie, on the other hand, had her own weight to carry. I loved watching her move from survival mode into allowing herself softness without losing her backbone.

The pacing worked for me, quick but emotionally grounded, and the balance between danger, tenderness, and humor kept things engaging the whole way through. I also appreciated that the story didn’t overcomplicate itself trying to be something it wasn’t. It knew exactly what kind of romance it wanted to tell and delivered on it.

By the end, I felt satisfied, entertained, and oddly comforted, which is honestly my favorite combo. Cyn continues to write men who love loudly and women who grow into that love on their own terms, and I will keep showing up for it every time. I will definitely be reading through her entire catalog this year!
Profile Image for Trinity.
131 reviews
January 7, 2026
5 🌟

Happy to say this was my first five star read of the new year and I have literally zero complaints.

This book took a lot of things I normally dislike and had me cheesing, kicking my feet.

I absolutely adored nightmare and remedie, they were so different but perfect for each other.

He was one of the first male pov that had me laughing out loud , literally, I was obsessed with his humor , how big he was on his family.

I loved that he had a gay younger brother who he adored , the bond they had was everything , nightmare was crazy but he didn’t play about his people.

Remedie was so shy and cutesy to me , I loved her whole personality . Nightmare was able to bring her out her shell. She also had a best friend that wasn’t the stereotypical telling her to do stuff she didn’t want to do. Their dynamic was everything.

It was cute , cringey and I loved every minute of it.

Whenever you’re in need of a five star , just go back home to the black romance books no shadeee I needed this 💗🥰
Profile Image for Ruby.
647 reviews2 followers
October 27, 2025
Nico and Remedie!!

There was instant chemistry when Nico and Remedie met at a house party. I loved their relationship from the banter to the passion that they shared. Nico had me cracking up several times while I was reading this book which made it one of the reasons that I enjoyed the book so much. I couldn't stand her ex and didn't feel sorry for what happened to him because all he had to do was get somewhere and sit down. Nico promised to love and protect Remedie from the beginning, and he did just that. I'm hoping that Remedie's best friend, Isla, will get a book. I'm also hoping that we will find out more about Karma in the future. Great book that I thoroughly enjoyed!!
Profile Image for Kyndal J.
40 reviews
October 30, 2025
To Love and Protect Follows Remedie (an ex chef and Nico the Champ of underground boxing, better known as nightmare). Remedie I simply loved her. She’s so shy and quiet, but you can’t miss that spark in her, she’s feisty in the most unexpected ways.
Now Zayden (Remedies boyfriend unfortunately) is a straight up bum. No other way to put it. I had zero patience for him.
But then there’s Nico. That man is something else. He definitely has a wild, crazy side and stays surrounded by women — but when it comes to Remedie? He’s locked in. Protective, attentive, and always setting things straight
This book had me laughing the whole time!! The hunching was good and my girl was doing her big one in the kitchen. It’s hilarious, real, and full of moments that stick with you.
Profile Image for KayReads__.
304 reviews4 followers
October 22, 2025
I love a man who knows what he wants and goes after it! Cyn always writes the men I wish was real! lol Once again this was another great read. I love a good MMC falls and hard trope. and Nico was that! Once he saw Remedie he was already thinking about marriage and kids! I like Remedie as well, just hated that her ex made her lose her job at the start of the book and didn't care about her passion at all. I'm glad Nico did what he did! lol Isla, Tyree, Gramps, and Nico and Tyree's mom were great side characters. I wish we could've gotten a scene with his mom to show how excited she was to be a grandmother. I would love to get a squeal or an update on them!

Great story as always.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sassha Reads❤️❤️.
2,063 reviews20 followers
October 29, 2025
I really enjoyed reading Nico and Remedie’s story! Nico real deal fell in love with Remedie at first sight and moved with intention to make her his wife and the mother of his bigheaded babies. No lie….The book cover picture is what drew me in to read the synopsis before I decided to read the book. I like the fact that he was an underground boxer but I didn’t like his blackouts and what happened while he was in them. Nico loved Remedie hard and out loud and he provided and protected her. I did want to see them more as parents especially with Remedie thinking that it was going to be a struggle for her since she grew up in the foster care system.
Profile Image for Denise Newman.
253 reviews
November 21, 2025
loved it

As I continue to read Cyn’s catalog, I continue to fall deeper in love with her work. I was trying to read them in the order they were released but right now I’m skipping around and I haven’t found a book that I haven’t laughed out loud while reading!

Nico is a whole mess but he knew Remedie was the one as soon as he saw her at that party. And told her that and he would always protect her and that’s just what he did.

You will absolutely love how he loved her and helped her realize what unconditional love and support looked and felt like. So if you haven’t read this book yet, you definitely need to add it to your TBR!
Profile Image for Jite.
1,318 reviews73 followers
December 26, 2025
Cute and low angst…

I enjoyed this cute, low angst romance from a new-to-me author. The premise is that Cyn is in a dead-end relationship with Zayden who could have been the inspo for TLC’s No Scrubs except he’s living off her. When things come to a breaking point, Cyn has to leave her home and she soon meets boxer, Nico, and it’s love at first sight.

There isn’t a lot of drama in this but it’s a nice breezy read and I’d recommend it if you’re after something light where the MMC is fully gone on the FMC and is all out trying to win her love, and don’t care if it’s particularly memorable.
Profile Image for Lisareadsromance.
654 reviews16 followers
October 20, 2025
This was such a sweet funny read. Nico and Remedy were def such a cute couple. I loved that he lit was smitten the first moment that he saw her, and he was like you gone be mine period. He was the right amount of arrogant that was attractive. When Remedy was finally able to let go and let this man love on her and protect her it was up from there. He stankass ex got what he deserved and that's all I'm going to say about that punk bitch.

I think that Nico making the decision to bow out gracefully due to family obligations was the right thing to do and he was better for the decision.
Profile Image for EricaLenise.
328 reviews29 followers
October 23, 2025
Nico didn’t play about Remedie not even when he blacked out 😮‍💨 Even in that state his first instinct was to protect her and that right there had me melting. I really loved this one.

There’s just something about a man who plays too much but not about you. The kind that can make you laugh one minute and have you blushing the next. Nico was that man. Funny, loyal, protective, and soft in all the right ways.

It gave love, safety, and that grown man energy I always fall for. 4⭐ because I was swooning from start to finish.
Profile Image for Kamari.
41 reviews
November 24, 2025
Nico and Remedie got the happy ending they didn't know was possible for them. I liked them together, but I do wish we saw more of him courting her.

I did not like how juvenile the characters seemed, given they're all in their 30s. The house party scene was very...young adult. If not teenage. As well as how Nico acted at the doctor.

Speaking of Nico, his blacking out issue was never actually addressed in the way I thought it would be.

I also wish we got a little more detail about Gramps at the end.
445 reviews2 followers
November 30, 2025
Short and sweet and soooo cute!!!!

This was so straight up and no drama. I love it when a BDE MMC is in love at first sight… awww ☺️ the best… and then you have a special kind of author that can deliver, this is equal to a beautiful story…..
I LOVE LOVE LOVE these type of epilogue but I would have loved to hear from Isla, then Ree. We found out for Gramps, but nothing on the others and who was Karma after all? I had a whole story in my head where she was Remedie’s mama for a twist and fantasy, but I digress… all was perfect 👌
Profile Image for Jerrica (Mrsmar10Reads) Martin .
1,678 reviews10 followers
January 2, 2026
First of 2026

Remedie and Nico were just fun from the start. That man was on her like white on rice from when their eyes first met. I liked how the story focuses on them getting to know each other while waiting on Remedie to catch up to her feelings. I wish there was more Isla, Tyree, and even seeing more of Nico’s mom. Remedie finally got things figured out and received her blessings in the form of a family, a tribe that she’d always wished for. Happy Reading Y’all!💋
18 reviews
January 28, 2026
Funny sweet love story

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! I loved how intentional Nico was in his pursuit of Remedie. He was a wild card and his mouth was reckless. However he backed it up each time. The timing was quick short and shows that men marry women when they find the right woman. Nico was up front about his desire but patient to overcome Remmedie's fears and insecurities. Great support characters.



Profile Image for Chyna Charles .
64 reviews2 followers
October 22, 2025
Babyyy i ate this book up. Cyn never ceases to amaze me fr. Nico and Remedie were a time. Nico was a protector,lover,and so smooth with his words. Remedie needed space? My man bought a house right next door and said “I’ll have a key so I can come lay eyes on you from time to time.....I need to know where you are at all times......When you decide you’re ready to come back home, then I’ll have a skyway built.” SWOON!

DADDY NICO WAS EXACTLY THAT!!!!! DADDY!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
25 reviews
October 26, 2025
The best Nightmare ever

Such a great read. The way Nico instantly stepped in for Remedie was everything. This man was all gas no brakes from the first interaction, and I loved it. He was everything she needed at that moment in life. I loved that she didn't fight her feelings when she recognized how she felt about Nico. Great love story definitely worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews

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