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First Watch
He's hired to protect the leader of a K-pop boyband. He never expected one of them to save him.
One catastrophic failure ended Griffin Hale's career with an elite protection unit and left him sleepwalking through dead-end security shifts in Seattle, trying to forget the man he used to be. When Eamon Price offers him a high-stakes assignment—bodyguard detail for Violet Frequency, a wildly successful K-pop boyband on their world tour, guarding the lead vocalist—he takes it because he needs the work, not because he expects to care.
Then he meets the five brilliant, overworked young men navigating impossible schedules and relentless scrutiny. And one of the idols—Rune, the quiet lyricist with sleepless eyes who writes the songs that break hearts worldwide—sees straight through the armor Griffin's spent years rebuilding.
The problem? One leaked photo, one whispered rumor, and everything Rune has built will burn.
Their connection grows in stolen late-night hotel balconies, whispered confessions over shared earbuds, backstage corridors where their masks finally come off. But as the tour escalates and a threat from Griffin's past resurfaces back in Seattle, the band becomes a target—and so does the man he's falling for.
To save Rune, Griffin will have to confront the failure that destroyed everything. To love him, he'll have to believe he's worthy of being loved back.
One catastrophic failure ended Griffin Hale's career with an elite protection unit and left him sleepwalking through dead-end security shifts in Seattle, trying to forget the man he used to be. When Eamon Price offers him a high-stakes assignment—bodyguard detail for Violet Frequency, a wildly successful K-pop boyband on their world tour, guarding the lead vocalist—he takes it because he needs the work, not because he expects to care.
Then he meets the five brilliant, overworked young men navigating impossible schedules and relentless scrutiny. And one of the idols—Rune, the quiet lyricist with sleepless eyes who writes the songs that break hearts worldwide—sees straight through the armor Griffin's spent years rebuilding.
The problem? One leaked photo, one whispered rumor, and everything Rune has built will burn.
Their connection grows in stolen late-night hotel balconies, whispered confessions over shared earbuds, backstage corridors where their masks finally come off. But as the tour escalates and a threat from Griffin's past resurfaces back in Seattle, the band becomes a target—and so does the man he's falling for.
To save Rune, Griffin will have to confront the failure that destroyed everything. To love him, he'll have to believe he's worthy of being loved back.
- GenresLGBT
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 21, 2026
16 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 22, 2026
Loved it and I'm not even familiar with K-Pop world.
But this book kept me biting my nails.
But this book kept me biting my nails.
January 22, 2026
I received an ARC of this book, promising to provide an honest review.
This is the first book in a new series titles The Guardians and I am looking forward to it. I honestly found it a thrill to read. There was enough tension throughout to keep one reading for hours after bed-time. Like other books I have read by this author, I was fascinated by the detail and knowledge that the author had acquired to be able to write it.
It revolves around a Boy Band, Rune being the one who writes the songs and does solo voice but not the band leader. Rune has been receiving threatening messages and so Griffen, a security guy who was fired (took blame for a leak he was not responsible for) several years earlier is called in to travel and provide security for the band and especially for Rune.
Rune is portrayed as fearful but proves to be much braver in the end. Rune leans on Griffen initially and there is a chemistry that leads to relationship that cannot be public, until it does just before the tour takes them to Seattle (Griffen's home base) where the culprit in the messages and incidents in San Francisco, Vancouver, Portland, and LA happened. To reveal more would mean spoiling the reader's enjoyment. In Seattle we meet back with the McCabes and others from The First in Line Series written by the same author.
This is the first book in a new series titles The Guardians and I am looking forward to it. I honestly found it a thrill to read. There was enough tension throughout to keep one reading for hours after bed-time. Like other books I have read by this author, I was fascinated by the detail and knowledge that the author had acquired to be able to write it.
It revolves around a Boy Band, Rune being the one who writes the songs and does solo voice but not the band leader. Rune has been receiving threatening messages and so Griffen, a security guy who was fired (took blame for a leak he was not responsible for) several years earlier is called in to travel and provide security for the band and especially for Rune.
Rune is portrayed as fearful but proves to be much braver in the end. Rune leans on Griffen initially and there is a chemistry that leads to relationship that cannot be public, until it does just before the tour takes them to Seattle (Griffen's home base) where the culprit in the messages and incidents in San Francisco, Vancouver, Portland, and LA happened. To reveal more would mean spoiling the reader's enjoyment. In Seattle we meet back with the McCabes and others from The First in Line Series written by the same author.
January 21, 2026
Amazing
This was unexpected, like usual with Declan Rhodes. But it was more unexpected than usual, so yes, it surprised me. It didn’t surprise how good it was, it didn’t surprise me how thorough it was, or how it flowed beautifully and naturally. It surprised me because someone who failed was given such a powerful position of trust, because he was given a chance after messing up, because someone saw what he did, the value he had, and how good he was, and realized that his mistake was simply that, and didn’t warrant the harsh treatment he received. And it builds from there. Yes, it’s a beautiful love story, it’s meant to be because the MCs are amazing, like usual, but they aren’t perfect. And I just love that! I love how Griffin can be the best and be fired, and still be given a chance. I love how things work out, how he can find himself in a better place, in a better company, with people who trust him and don’t judge him too harshly or throw him under the bus. And I loved that. I loved how the perceived failure was woven into the story, and used for growth. It is fantastic. I love Declan Rhodes, and I can’t wait for the next book!
This was unexpected, like usual with Declan Rhodes. But it was more unexpected than usual, so yes, it surprised me. It didn’t surprise how good it was, it didn’t surprise me how thorough it was, or how it flowed beautifully and naturally. It surprised me because someone who failed was given such a powerful position of trust, because he was given a chance after messing up, because someone saw what he did, the value he had, and how good he was, and realized that his mistake was simply that, and didn’t warrant the harsh treatment he received. And it builds from there. Yes, it’s a beautiful love story, it’s meant to be because the MCs are amazing, like usual, but they aren’t perfect. And I just love that! I love how Griffin can be the best and be fired, and still be given a chance. I love how things work out, how he can find himself in a better place, in a better company, with people who trust him and don’t judge him too harshly or throw him under the bus. And I loved that. I loved how the perceived failure was woven into the story, and used for growth. It is fantastic. I love Declan Rhodes, and I can’t wait for the next book!
January 21, 2026
FIRST WATCH - DECLAN RHODES
This is a new series called The Guardians, and a spin off from the First in Line books.
Griffin hesitated before agreeing to join security for Violet Frequency because his previous job ended with him taking the fall for something that wasn’t his fault. Afraid to be in that position again, Griffin decides to stay professional at all costs. Unfortunately he hadn’t planned on becoming attached to the band member he was tasked with protecting.
Rune is the lead singer and songwriter for the group, and is so used to being managed with the other members, he doesn’t realize someone is trying to hurt him. Threats against him escalate and it’s up to Griffin to make sure he remains safe. This also means more time together and finally giving in to their attraction for each other.
As the tour continues, Griffin realizes there is more going on, and starts documenting as much as he can to protect himself and Rune as the situation unfolds. There is an appearance by two of the McCabe brothers as well as assistance from Eamon when things reach a crisis level.
Great suspense, found family, and a HEA. Definitely an author you need on your must read list!
This is a new series called The Guardians, and a spin off from the First in Line books.
Griffin hesitated before agreeing to join security for Violet Frequency because his previous job ended with him taking the fall for something that wasn’t his fault. Afraid to be in that position again, Griffin decides to stay professional at all costs. Unfortunately he hadn’t planned on becoming attached to the band member he was tasked with protecting.
Rune is the lead singer and songwriter for the group, and is so used to being managed with the other members, he doesn’t realize someone is trying to hurt him. Threats against him escalate and it’s up to Griffin to make sure he remains safe. This also means more time together and finally giving in to their attraction for each other.
As the tour continues, Griffin realizes there is more going on, and starts documenting as much as he can to protect himself and Rune as the situation unfolds. There is an appearance by two of the McCabe brothers as well as assistance from Eamon when things reach a crisis level.
Great suspense, found family, and a HEA. Definitely an author you need on your must read list!
January 21, 2026
A restrained romance that I really liked. Rhodes has brought us back to the world of security professionals in the first book in his new series. Griffin is an expert body guard with a tragic past, his last principal was injured in an accident that was made to look like Griffin's fault. He was fired and the stigma of that has been held over his head for 18 months. Rune is a member of a popular K-pop boyband who has been the target of strange harassment. Griffin is hired to protect Rune and the two are immediately drawn to one another. It appears that the call is coming from inside the house, and Rune's management contact is trying to pin all the incidents as a reflection on the new security. It's a tense story and the subject of control vs. safety is a heavy theme. K-pop stars have to endure a lot of control over their lives in order to have that fame. This story is a great reflection on that control, even the relationship between the two MCs is restrained and protective. I usually like my stories to have a little more spice, but in this context it makes sense for these two to be so measured. I really enjoyed it overall and I'm looking forward to more of this series.
January 22, 2026
The debut of Rhodes’s The Guardians series starts off with a bang. If you’re not already a Rhodes fan, you will be after this novel. As always, the topic is current…this time its K-Pop. Under what kind of pressure are the performers and especially the lead performer? And why does he need to be protected? Who is sending the threatening texts? Is it an inside job? Enter the guardian who has a history of being the scapegoat. Exactly what does a ‘professional distance’ mean? The-behind-the scenes of getting ready for a performance are fascinating. The setting up and breaking down, lighting, sound checks, costumes, makeup, positioning, the list is long. And then there’s travel and hotel security plus too many dark corridors. There's always the question of who can be trusted. Is it acceptable to be yourself and if so, is it only behind a stage name? Who is your true self, how do you embrace it, and what does honesty mean and look like? What will be the rippling effects of each decision? Both the lead performer and the guardian must decide and find out. And you’ll also enjoy the spicy moments. Rhodes does not disappoint. Enjoy!
January 21, 2026
A new series that is full of mystery, Rune a member of K-Pop band Violet Frequency needs protection and Griffin Hale is perfect for the job. A bodyguard that sees patterns.
I really enjoyed following Griffin as he protected Rune on the American leg of their tour. There is an instant attraction as Griffin straightaway goes to work to protect Rune, but it does not feel rushed as they try and hide the attraction.
I liked following how Griffin worked out the patterns, getting to know the rest of the band. My only small issue was that I wished there was a prelude explain how Griffin got to work for The Guardians, whilst we learnt about the incident I wanted to know how he knew Eamon. Loved the cameos and I smiled when they appeared in the book.
Looking forward to continue this story
I really enjoyed following Griffin as he protected Rune on the American leg of their tour. There is an instant attraction as Griffin straightaway goes to work to protect Rune, but it does not feel rushed as they try and hide the attraction.
I liked following how Griffin worked out the patterns, getting to know the rest of the band. My only small issue was that I wished there was a prelude explain how Griffin got to work for The Guardians, whilst we learnt about the incident I wanted to know how he knew Eamon. Loved the cameos and I smiled when they appeared in the book.
Looking forward to continue this story
January 22, 2026
While this is a good read, I feel like the character development from Rhodes STORM WARNING series is missing.
I do not understand how Rune and Griffin can like each other so quickly, when it seems like it happened at their very first meeting?
I would have preferred a bit more of them getting to know one another and maybe an explanation of why they feel the connection they do between the two of them.
I also found that the repeated reminder of the issue from Griffin's past was a bit much. It felt like it was trotted out every second chapter. I get why he is leery, but I do not need it rehashed, repeatedly.
I did enjoy learning about the boy band aspect.
Overall, this was a good read and I am looking forward to the next one in the series.
I received an ARC for my honest review.
I do not understand how Rune and Griffin can like each other so quickly, when it seems like it happened at their very first meeting?
I would have preferred a bit more of them getting to know one another and maybe an explanation of why they feel the connection they do between the two of them.
I also found that the repeated reminder of the issue from Griffin's past was a bit much. It felt like it was trotted out every second chapter. I get why he is leery, but I do not need it rehashed, repeatedly.
I did enjoy learning about the boy band aspect.
Overall, this was a good read and I am looking forward to the next one in the series.
I received an ARC for my honest review.
January 21, 2026
Declan Rhodes is starting off a new series, The Guardians, with this book about Griffin, a personal security person who is assigned to guard a member of a kpop band. Giffin had an unfortunate thing happen with his last assignment, and we are able to see that the issue is resolved in this book. If you like solving a mystery along with your romance, and like to see what happens behind the stage of music artists, I recommend this book.
January 22, 2026
This author writes with incredible honesty that the world needs to hear. His words are gold and let's you see inside a person's being. I enjoyed every minute of this story. I loved how he made it so the characters were seen in a way that didn't appear mass produced, it made the characters stronger and more believable. I can't wait to see what comes next in this series.
January 21, 2026
This is a suspense, confusing at times during security language. Great start to this new series.
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January 22, 2026The book starts May 4 and ends May 17 plus a short epilogue that is set few months later
it's a little bland insta-love with a low spice level
it's a little bland insta-love with a low spice level
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews