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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

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Cyn

38 books167 followers

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5 stars
846 (61%)
4 stars
347 (25%)
3 stars
171 (12%)
2 stars
17 (1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
Profile Image for Toya  Davis-Stokley.
2,739 reviews116 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.
703 reviews33 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.
1,036 reviews35 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 .
1,270 reviews36 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.
306 reviews147 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 Shalana.
507 reviews10 followers
July 12, 2026
I love when the man falls first. Bonus points if he is a little nutty but self aware. Nico was down bad for Remedie and it made for a fun ride.
Profile Image for thebookcritic_.
977 reviews57 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.
811 reviews15 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.
713 reviews10 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.
14 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 Sharika Sellman.
262 reviews4 followers
August 2, 2026
It’s something about a man that would lay the world at his woman’s feet! I loved how Nico loved and protected Remedie from the moment they meet at that house party! Nico is definitely a nut case though blacking out while beating ass 🫣😮‍💨
Profile Image for Ash.
200 reviews1 follower
January 1, 2026
We love a man who is there to love and protect.
Profile Image for SumFire.
769 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.
534 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).
672 reviews85 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.
179 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 ReadingWithJa’Nyzeaire.
36 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2026
Yeah... Nico had me smiling the entire book. 😂 I loved this one. The ending had my heart so warm, and that's always a win for me. Nico was applying pressure from the second he laid eyes on Remedie, but I liked that he didn't immediately try to force his way into her life like we see in so many books. He gave her room while still making it very clear what he wanted, and I was eating it up.

The pacing was fast, so I never felt bored. Nico was such a protector and provider, and listen... if somebody is offering me $5,000 a week, call me Chef too. 😭 I completely understood why Remedie was trying to get herself together. Meanwhile, Zayden got on every single nerve I had. That man was a certified bum, and I couldn’t stand him from the jump.

If you like protective MMCs who know what they want, a romance that moves quickly, and a man who's gonna step up instead of playing games, I'd definitely recommend this one. I had way more than 99 highlights by the time I finished, so yeah... that should tell you everything. 🤭
Profile Image for reader.
140 reviews
May 31, 2026
this was okay, I guess 🤷🏽‍♀️. Don’t understand how you’re with someone that cost you everything AND you’re struggling AND you allowed them to stay🙄 AND you leave your spot leave them IN your Spot while YOU sleep on your friends couch 🧐??? Totally unbelievable. But I struggled through it anyway 😔Then the epilogue was disappointing for me, The MMC had stated that he was gonna give her kids, but he was disappointed that his first children were girls 😳 but now he’s okay since the oldest one is a fighter!! Whattttt??? and now the FMC is pregnant again with baby number 5 and she’s 49/50 years old? On page 49 she was 34 the epilogue is 15 years forward so 34+ 15=49. I guess it would have been a better read for me if: The FMC had not been in the system (seems like they all were), If she had more backbone with her slothful ex. If the MMC was a different person.
I read so much that ALL of the MMC’s/FMC’s sound the exact same
Profile Image for Ruby.
736 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.
42 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__.
320 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❤️❤️.
2,232 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.
391 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.
1,375 reviews77 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.
147 reviews
February 6, 2026
Fighting for Love 🥊

To Love and Protect is a quick, heartfelt read that shows how a real man will love you, protect you, and work to make your life easier. Nico, an underground boxer who struggles with blackouts, is strong, protective, and deeply devoted. Remedie is rebuilding her life after leaving a no-good ex who held her back and even caused her to lose her job. Growing up as an orphan, she’s learned how to survive on her own, which makes her strength even more inspiring. Together, Nico and Remedie’s journey is emotional, healing, and full of genuine love. A sweet and uplifting romance that’s easy to enjoy. 💕📖
Profile Image for Ess Bee.
154 reviews
February 22, 2026
Nico & Remedie.

I really like this quick read.

I enjoyed Nico & Remedie’s dynamic. They were flirty & had great banter. Nico stayed getting under my girl’s skin, but I think she secretly enjoyed it. lol
There were some dark elements in the story, (I mean, his fighter name was Nightmare, & he lived up to it) but nothing too crazy, imo.
Nico let his feeling & desires be known. Then he was intentional about Rem falling in love with him. & I appreciated the detailed epilogue.

I would recommend this to the book babes who enjoy:
Sports Roms/Boxer MMC
Chef FMC
Insta-Love
He Falls First
Found Family
& if you squint, Workplace Rom. lol
Profile Image for Lisareadsromance.
836 reviews23 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.
411 reviews32 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.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews