Unguarded

Redford Ranch #2

by M.J. Hendrix, Ariel Hendrix

Her body is safe in my arms, but her heart might not be.

She’s more than a city girl. She’s a celebrity with fans … and stalkers.
I’m an ex-military cowboy from a small town that I’m content to never leave.
We should never have crossed paths. The same way I should never have been at Monroe Blue’s concert—never mind jumping onstage to save her.
When the singer shows up on my ranch with fear in her pretty blue eyes after another break-in at her LA mansion, I promise to be her temporary bodyguard.
Even with my special forces training, I have no defenses against the gorgeous singer who’s somehow making me feel things in the heart I buried after my mother’s death.
Private jets and penthouses weren’t made for cowboy boots.
As soon as she’s safe, I’ll be on the next flight back to Texas.
I might have been hired to protect her, but it’s my heart that was left unguarded.

This is book two in the Redford Ranch Series, but it can be read as a complete standalone. The best reader experience would be to start with book one, UNTAMED. Please check trigger warnings.

Genres: Westerns, Cowboy Romance, Romance, Dark Romance, Forced Proximity, Bodyguard Romance, Romantic Suspense

418 pages, Paperback

First published April 22, 2025

About the author

Mj also goes by Ariel. She's a native Texan who lives in Hawaii with her dreamy husband Justin and two kiddos.
She can't resist pairing a damaged heroine with a southern gentleman who manages to tear down her walls one brick at a time. The men in her books will open every door and carry every bag, just like Justin does.
She's eternally indebted to her writing, which rescued her from the darkest place she has ever been.
Her lifelong dream is to one day write all her books in a house by the sea, with a wine cellar that's never empty and her imaginary characters somehow becoming her real-life friends.

Reviews

[Julie Booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This story hooked me in and did not let go. I was still thinking about this book the day after I finished it. Cash, our ex military, cowboy, who protects his family. Monroe, a famous singer, is in need of new protection after she is attacked on stage. She wants Cash, the one who saved her.

Both our characters are a little flawed, and this added to my attraction. I loved how Cash immediately went into protection mode, when she was in danger, and only continued because he could see she was scared. Then there is the suspense.

I cannot wait to come back to Redford Ranch.

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[latashia · Rating 4 out of 5]

ok this maybe be a generous rating but plot/story aside I fucking love Cash Redford 🤤

[ugel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tai antra knyga iš serijos "Redford Ranch" autorės Ariel Hendrix. Nors su pirma knyga nebuvau labai sužavėta, vistiek tęsiu serija. Ir bam antra knyga tiesiog buvo omg - įsimylėjau mmc🫠
Monroe yra garai kantri daininkė. Jos gyvenimas nebuvo lengvas. Ji buvo apgaudinėjama, jos pasitikėjimas – buvo ne kartą išduotas, o be viso to, ką jau teko patirti, ji dar ir tapo persekiotojo taikiniu. Ir kai būten persikiotojas įsilaužia į jos namus LA, jinai supranta kad jei reikia asmens sargybinio, gebančio tinkamai atlikti savo darbą. Ir vienintelis žmogus, galintis ją apsaugoti, yra Cash Redford. Jis buvęs kariškis ir kaubojus.🤠 Turėjo tą niūraus, saugančio kaubojaus aurą – „paliesk ją ir mirsi“. ☠️🫠 Iš pradžių Cash atmeta Monroe pasiūlymą tapti jos asmens sargybiniu. Kol ji pati nepradeda jo įtikinti ir kai pamatęs baimę jos akyse nusprendžia jį priimti – ir jo gyvenimas apsiverčia aukštyn kojom.....
Cash ir Monroe yra visiškos priešingybės, bet kaip sakoma jos traukia vienas kita. Trauka, chemija tarp jų, amžiaus skirtumas, o kur dar visa spice scenos🔥 Tiesiog skaičiau ir laukiau kada jie nuleis savo apsaugines sienas, nes trauka buvo beprotiška🥵.
Skaityma vis galvojau kas bus persekiotojas ir turėjau įtarima, kas gali būti. Tai pabaigoje viskas susidėjo ir galiu pasakut mano įtarimas pasitvirtino🤫
Tai šita dalis man labai labai patiko, o dar Monroe comfort serialas yra "Friends" iš vis buvo top, tiesiog vyšnia ant torto🧡 Nes man šitas serialas irgi yra mano comfort zona🧡.

[MILAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 STARS
bodyguard romance
ex military cowboy
romantic suspense
age gap
forced proximity

Monroe is a famous singer who got attacked by a stalker on stage when cash saved her. From then on she has been looking for him to be her bodyguard for her tour or else she’s not doing it at all. Cash is a cowboy and owns a ranch and is very family oriented and says no at first but eventually agrees.


I read this book in one night. Every single book i have read from mj never misses. I love the redford ranch universe and all the characters. The tension and the buildup between cash and monroe was so good. I loved how both of their characters took time to fully show themselves to eachother. The suspense element of the book was such a great addition and added so much to the characters development. The way he calls her princess…. SWOON. I will be patiently waiting for the next book in this series.

[wpwpwpwppw · Rating 4 out of 5]

★3.75
-suspense
-bodyguard x country singer
-ex military cowboy
-forced proximity

เปิดเรื่องมาด้วยCash(พระเอก)พาน้องสาวกับเพื่อนน้องไปดู concert ของ Monroe Blue(นางเอก)ระหว่างที่นางเอกแสดงอยู่มีผู้ชายวิ่งขึ้นไปบนเวทีง้างมีดจะแทงชี พระเอกที่อยู่แถวหน้าเวทีเห็นก็รีบกระโดดขึ้นไปช่วยไว้ จริงๆนางเอกชีมีทีมการ์ดอยู่แล้วแต่ในวันที่เกิดเรื่องกลับเป็นพระเอกที่มาช่วยก่อนทีมการ์ดที่จ้างไว้ซะอีก หลังจากจบเรื่องนางเอกขอให้ต้นสังกัดติดต่อพระเอกไปเพราะอยากให้พระเอกมาเป็นบอดี้การ์ดให้แต่ไม่ว่าจะเสนอเงินเท่าไหร่พระเอกก็ไม่ยอมรับงาน สุดท้ายนางเอกชีเลยบินไปหาพระเอกที่ Ranch เองเลย

หลังจากพระเอกรับงานก็ต้องตามนางเอกที่กำลังอยู่ในช่วงเวิลล์ทัวร์ไปทุกที่ ระหว่างนั้นมีคนส่งช่อจดหมาย รูปถ่ายนางเอกมาวางไว้ในห้องพักของนางเอก คนนั้นคือรู้ความเคลื่อนไหวนางเอกทุกอย่าง รู้ว่าพักที่โรมแรมไหน ห้องอะไร จากที่พระเอกรับงานมาแค่2วีคก็กลายเป็นต้องขยับออกไปเพราะนางถูกคุมคามหนักขึ้นเรื่อยๆพระเอกฮีก็ทิ้งไม่ลงบวกกับอยากจับคนคนนั้นให้ได้ด้วย

โดยรวมก็สนุกดีอ่านได้เพลินๆจบภายในวันเดียว พล็อตเรื่องมันน่าสนใจ ยิ่งมีความ suspense เข้ามายิ่งวางไม่ลง เคมีพระนางดีแต่ด้านความรู้สึกอยากเห็นพัฒนาการมากกว่านี้อะ🙂‍↕️ และก็มีบางซีนที่อ่านแล้วไม่ชอบแต่คนอื่นอาจจะเฉยๆ แต่นี่อ่านแล้วแบบห๊ะ!!เอาจริงดิ555555 ส่วนความเบียวนี่ก็มีแทรกมาเรื่อยๆสงสัยกลัวไม่ dark cowboy romance

[Hope Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Love love love love love!!!

[Leigh Goldian · Rating 5 out of 5]

MJ hits the nail on the head - again!

I’ve read every book MJ has written and this one might be my favorite so far!

I’m giving it five stars and this is why:

⭐️ - one star for readability - The story was so easy to read and really sucked me in! I finished it in about two days even while working a full-time job and planning a wedding!

⭐️ - one star for emotional reaction - WOW! I cried, I laughed, I scoffed… what didn’t I do? The way MJ wrote this made me really feel what the characters felt!

⭐️ - one star for the characters - The character development was fantastic! At first I was mildly interested in them but by the end I either wanted to be best friends with Monroe or just BE Monroe 😅

⭐️ - one star for recommending - I would absolutely recommend this to others! Even if you’re not a cowboy romance fan, I still think you’ll like it, and most of the book doesn’t even focus on that!

⭐️ - one star for the plot - the twist at the end really got me! I was shocked and stunned and sad and that’s all I’ll say so I don’t give spoilers. Just read the book!!

All in all, 5 out of 5 stars. Go MJ!

[HANMAN · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not a good book. I have a lot of issues with this book. I do not recommend this book.

Much like book 1 of this series, important things happened “behind the scenes” and then we get no details. Best example of this is when we finally get to “the drama”. The stalker shows up at her house! What’s going to happen?????? Doesn’t matter. Cut scene to the other character’s perspective as they resolve the issue (really quickly KILL him and then BURY him with little details or description). Then cut back to the character who saw her stalker and get no description to of what happened, but that a frying pan was involved in…the altercation? The attempted kidnapping? we don’t know because we weren’t told!

Another issue. He tells her he loves her like 10 times in one chapter. Then a couple chapters later he shows up “to declare his love”. Brother, you did that 2 weeks ago!!

He head butts his baby brother in the face when he is hanging out with his girlfriend? That’s not romantic, that’s deeply concerning behaviour.

I have no idea how he came to get all the details about who was behind the stalker getting her information. The bad guy says “thanks for taking care of the stalker for me” and he can figure out his connection to the sex ring/celebrity impersonator ring based on that?? Help me understand this, please.

He changed her nickname from Princess to Blue at the end….and Blue is just her last name. I feel like the author forgot about that.

Also he keeps being described a “so tall and wide and wearing a cowboy hat and everyone in the room looks at him” and I think he was initially described as 6’3”. In 6’3”. That’s not that tall man.

[dinithi · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5!!!

i loved cash & monroe's story so much, and i had a blast being back on the redford ranch. i'm so happy it's officially out in the world!

this story was just as spicy and delicious as rosie & holden's, full of all the same forbidden goodness. the opposites attract, age-gap, forced proximity vibes were just amazing as they were in untamed. i think MJ really shines when writing these dynamics! and the bodyguard x pop princess aspect between cash & monroe was so fun!! 🤩

the buildup and tension between cash & monroe was done so well. i was on the edge of my seat waiting for them to let down their walls! cash was so reserved and guarded, i knew watching him let monroe in would be so special - and it was. monroe had a lot of trust issues, but cash was her perfect complement.

and outside of the romance, the suspense was so good. i forgot how much i loved a good romantic suspense!!

[Morgan 📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review!

Bodyguard romance? SAY.NO.MORE. I loved this book as MJ does it again!

Monroe is broke my heart with her vulnerability, and I just wanted to give her a hug. She knows how to put a front on when around people, and knew not to let people get too close. She really came into her own, and become such a strong character. She was perfect for Cash.

Cash was great! He really embodied the bodyguard, not trying to fall for the girl but falls hard. I love the Redford brother so much, and Cash may be my top one.

These two were great together and helped each other grow, which I love to watch happen in books.

[Madison Breaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Monroe and Cash SO much! Monroe is a famous singer who was performing when a stalker tried to attack her on stage. Cash is ex military and intervened before she could get hurt and now she wants him to be her bodyguard while she goes on tour. Cash is a cowboy who doesn’t want to leave his family ranch but agrees to it because he can see how afraid Monroe is for her life. This book was a page turner from start to finish. I love a little suspense mixed in with a dangerous cowboy who will do anything to protect his girl 😏 At this point i will read anything MJ Hendrix writes because I am obsessed with this series so far!

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Monroe and Cash so much. Both are a little broken at the beginning but they both are just what the other needs. I love the connection Monroe had with Cash installing knowing he was just what she needed to be safe while touring. I love how he would do anything to protect her the second he needed to without hesitation even from the beginning! I literally never wanted this book to end.

[Becca Whaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do I really need to say more than just CASH??? I don’t think so … but I will because holy swoon…. Even as a closed off cowboy he was a protective southern gentleman… Even when he was denying his feelings he was still sweet …. Monroe had scars deep deep scars and Cash was just what she needed. They healed each other …. He was her everything and she was his world …

[Ellen Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love!!

Was so excited to read Unguarded and it didn’t let me down. Can’t wait to read about the rest of the Redford family!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
If you want a book with the same vibes at The Bodyguard with Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, this is the one

[Mckenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!! Loved the storyline and the characters! Moving on to the third book!

[Tilly Horner · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ so much better than the first!!! What is it about the second book in a series?!

Cowboy x Bodyguard x Military x Touch her and die (literally) - I didn’t stand a chance x

[Maycie Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

i will be thinking about this book, and Cash Redford for days to come

[Korra Kalaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinda cute. A quick read

[Kirst 🪩🎀🍒 · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s just something about a dirty cowboy

[MEL GORDON · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all know I’m an absolute slut for a bodyguard romance, add in the fact he’s also a cowboy?? I’m done for.

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

idk why i thought this one was gonna be better but spoiler alert it was not

[Catie Fickin · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5

Would’ve been a 5 if both the FMC and MMC would’ve realized their attraction sooner, but regardless I still ate this up and found a new favorite author

[Sidney Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ Monroe blue and cash Redford. Monroe hides her real self from the world but cash is able to break down her walls. And boy is it great when she lets him in AND when cash lets her in as well. He is smart and protective and will do anything for that girl.

Things I want to remember..

“I don’t fucking care about your excuses or reasoning anymore. The detail you had on me then failed—epically failed. I nearly paid for the blunder with my life. It won’t happen again, hence my insistence on hiring my own security. I want Cash Redford, or I’m not doing a world tour. End of story.”The offer to be her bodyguard for six months in exchange for one million dollars was mildly tempting from the start, although not enough to convince me to leave my home and my family. I hate crowds. I dislike most people. I have zero interest in spending time in the presence of spoiled, entitled celebrities. Zade orders a five-hundred-dollar bottle of wine. He takes another photo of Monroe holding up her glass. I study him more closely than necessary, unable to shake the uneasiness in my gut. He treats her like she’s a prop in his world. As I approach the bed, my eyes catch something on the comforter. My body stills when I see a scrap of black lace—one of my thongs. My fingers inch out to grab it, but pause before I make contact. Four polaroid pictures are spread out over the bed with one word written on the bottom of each one. My throat constricts as the photos register in my brain. I’ve never seen them before. They’re not pap photos. There’s one of me on the back porch of my house in my pink robe, one through my home gym windows, one at my favorite pastry shop in LA, and one from just a few hours ago, of me rehearsing for the show. “Delivery for Kitten?” a male voice says. I stand, my hackles rising. Brooks steps aside to reveal a hotel employee holding a massive bouquet of blood-red roses, a note in his hand. “There have been more threats recently. One was a bouquet of red roses made out to Kitten, sent to your hotel room last night. The last one was tonight, left in your dressing room during the show. It was a dead bird with a note that said, You’ve flown so high. It’ll be quite a show when they all see you fall.”Maybe Cash is onto something. Maybe there’s someone on my team who can’t be trusted. “So, be for real. Why did you leave the tour? It was the chance of a lifetime, Cash. I know you hate being the center of attention and being around crowds, but this was, like, something most people dream about.” “I still got you the backstage passes for the concert in Dallas.”A knock sounds on my dressing room door. A moment later, Danny brings over a large bouquet of red roses. He removes the note and hands it to me. A tingle of excitement shoots through my belly. Did you miss me kitten? “I heard you might need me. I’m here because I couldn’t stay away.” I sigh, closing my eyes. That was all I needed to hear. She wants me to bathe her. I can do this without coming. The janitor is standing there, drool dripping from the corner of his broad grin. He’s shaking, eyes wide as he opens his mouth to speak. His voice is barely a whisper. “Kitten is so perfect.”Sam materializes, catching it with one hand. Unfortunately, my eyes drift over to notice my little sister’s reaction. She bats her eyelashes and leans back against the kitchen counter like she’s posing for a magazine cover. Why the fuck is she acting like this? Surely, it’s not for Sam. That’s it. I’ve reached peak living. I want Cash to suck on my nipples for the rest of my life. This is more exhilarating than performing for any sold-out stadium. She turns the phone around to show me the screen. As I step closer, I can see clearly that it’s a photo of us under the shower outside the bunkhouse. I do a quick google search for Monroe Blue. I grit my teeth when the photo of us under the shower fills the screen. The memory of our first time is now forever going to be tainted by the fact that the entire world got to witness it. “I think I’m in love with him,” I whisper. “But he doesn’t want anything to do with my life. He wants this, which I don’t blame him for. Redford Ranch is amazing. I’d want to stay here, too, if I were him.”The stalker who broke into my hotel room is standing there, bright white teeth shining as he grins up at me. He raises the Polaroid camera in his hands, the flash blinding me as he takes a photo. “I’ve really missed you, Kitten.”I dig in his back pocket and extract his wallet. I look at the ID. Tony Ziggler. “I love you.” I lean into her, panting the words as I come. It’s been ten days since I first said it, and I can’t stop. “I have a special song to sing for you tonight. It’s something new … something I’ve been working on since I had the pleasure of staying at Redford Ranch.” Her fingers strum the chords again, a romantic tune filling the air. “It’s called ‘Calluses and Cowboys.’ ”“It was Zade.” My vision blurs. I take a step back, my jaw falling open. “Ember and Zade?”He was the one informing Tony Ziggler of her whereabouts. Zade was the one behind it all. And when I killed the man, it freed him of whatever obligations Zade had toward him. He leans in, his warm lips brushing my ear. “I peeked to make sure you were the winner before ruining someone else’s night with that speech.”He and Ember were in some twisted-up organization together that found call girls who looked like celebrities. I’m really sorry, baby. I took care of it. He won’t be a problem, but Ember …”Zade Byron, 32, arrested on prostitution and sex trafficking charges. Bond held at ten million dollars.

[Sarah Masters · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm not as good as the first. Seemed like the author had a lot of ideas, threw them in a bag, mixed it up and then splattered them on the book.

[_kenzie_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

*arc review!! release date 4/22❤️

3/5🌶️
•opposites attract
•forced proximity
•bodyguard romance
•ex-military cowboy
•famous country singer
•age gap
•touch her & i hurt you
•found family
•suspense

🎤“Are you turned on right now?”
🤠“I’ve been turned on since the day we met.”

MJ does it again. i remember when i first read her debut novel and immediately fell in love with her writing. i’ve loved seeing her grow over the years, every story of hers just gets better & better.

the Redford brothers are to die for honestly. i’m in love with them. Cash and Monroe’s story was everything to me. their chemistry, their love, the tension…it all bled through the pages & made my heart swoon. i’m obsessed with them to say the least. they were everything eachother needed.

Monroe Blue: our country singer💙 i saw myself relating to her a lot. when she said “No one wants the broken, lonely little girl who was abandoned by her dad” my heart broke into pieces. that’s the most relatable thing i’ve ever read about. it truly goes to show you never know what anyone is feeling or going through behind closed doors. Monroe was amazing at putting up a front when she performed in so many different countries & cities but in reality, my girl was lonely. she had major abandonment issues so that made it difficult to open up her heart. so it was especially hard for her when she found someone she was down bad for but the complete opposite of her. because they both wanted different things. but they met in the middle and their love was beautiful, strong and bright. Cash was everything Monroe needed. he made her feel safe, protected, loved and seen.

“Every single clip of Monroe and her bodyguard has me panting and sweating.”
^^^ same🧎🏻‍♀️🧎🏻‍♀️

Cash Redford: hot damn country boy🐂 he hasn’t loved a woman since his mom died, being too scared to open his heart & lose someone he loves, again. but he fell hard, fast and fiercely & watching it was beautiful to see. just like Monroe, he was closed off with a huge barricade around his heart. and it took a lot to break that damn thing down, but it happened and i loved every second of it. watching him fight his feelings made me giggle because you could tell just how much Monroe had embedded herself into his heart. the first time they met was literally from Cash protecting her from a crazy fan & that protectiveness never stopped. he believed in her and never left her side. and not mention he damn sure knows how to make a good gesture…him presenting her that award at the CMAs..he really knows his way with words because please 🥹🥹 my heart couldn’t handle. Monroe was everything Cash didn’t know he needed, she opened up a part of him that had been buried for a long time.

fav quotes🤠🎤🐂🐎

“She’s the most irresistible woman I’ve ever laid eyes on”

“Now, I have to decide if I’m going to leave her exposed with a shitty security team or stay on the job and risk becoming just as obsessed with her as the rest of the world while fending them off every night.”

“I’m crushing on him so hard. I feel like I’m in junior high and first discovering what it feels like to be noticed by a boy”

🎤“Why are you here”
🤠“I heard you might need me. I’m here because I couldn’t stay away.”

“I’m Team Blue, always”

“Before I open this envelope, I’ve got something important I need to say to one of the nominees—-I need you to know that this isn’t even a fraction of how far I’m willing to go to be everything you need and want. I’ve seen you at your worst, and I’ve witnessed you at your best. I want them both. I want the hidden side of you that this crowd will never see. There isn’t a corner on this planet that I wouldn’t go for you. And as much as I love my little slice of Texas that I’ve always called home … it feels as empty as a fallen, hollow tree without you there. If you’ll have me, Miss Monroe Blue, I’d very much like to take you out on a real date sometime, not as your bodyguard, but as your boyfriend.”
^^^LET ME SOB

“And you look like a damn vision of heaven in that dress”

“You were so unexpected. When you came into my life, I was wandering. I didn’t even know I needed you until I found you.”

[paris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spicy level: 3.5/5
- Ex-military
- Age gap
- Forced proximity
- Cowboy MMC x Singer FMC
- Bodyguard Romance
- Opposites Attract

*ARC review*
Unguarded is book two in the Redford Ranch series by M.J. Hendrix and will be released April 22nd. In Unguarded, you will read about Cash and Monroe’s story, leaving you on the edge of your seat and turning the page for more.

If you haven’t read book one in the Redford Ranch series, I recommend you do because once you get a taste of the Redford brothers, you'll want more. They will go to great lengths for their family, especially for their women, and they are incredibly attractive while doing it. 😉

Monroe Blue is a famous country singer who rose from humble beginnings and struggles with severe trust issues due to her rocky past. When her stalker breaks into her apartment in Los Angeles, she decides to seek help from the only person she feels can truly protect her: Cash Redford.

Cash Redford is an ex-military cowboy who lives on his family ranch in Texas, and he is content never to leave. He doesn't express his thoughts openly, and he often broods quietly to himself. Since his mother's death, he hasn't loved a woman, and he is too afraid to open his heart to love again. Cash's life takes an unexpected turn when he meets the famous country singer Monroe Blue. While attending one of her concerts with his sister, Monroe is attacked by an obsessed fan. Cash's protective instincts kick in as he realizes her bodyguards aren't reaching her quickly enough. The moment he saves her lingers in his mind for the entire year that follows. To his surprise, a year later, Monroe shows up at his family ranch, asking him to be her bodyguard for her upcoming tour—a role he is hesitant to accept.

I loved reading this book, and I genuinely couldn’t put it down (I knew I would since I'm obsessed with all of M.J.’s books). The yearning, tension, and chemistry between the characters were perfect. The plot had me on the edge of my seat the entire time as I was reading and trying to figure out who the stalker could be. At times, you’ll die wanting the characters to just confess their feelings for each other, and when they do, the timing is perfect.

Favorite Quotes:

“Cash Redford is the only man alive I trust to protect me.”

“I’ve thought about those bright blue eyes in the last year more times than I’d ever admit.”

“Why are you here? I didn’t ask you to come back.”
“I heard you might need me. I’m here because I couldn’t stay away.”

“The problem is, I’m way more invested in her than I ever planned to be.”

“You’re a madman.”
“Only when it comes to you, Princess.”

[Alissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐️
I was so conflicted on whether I wanted to read this book because I wasn’t a huge fan of the first one but then I saw that it had higher ratings than the first and against my better judgment I did. I felt the word choice/verbiage this author uses is incredibly predictable and not in a funny haha way more like a cringe and WHY kinda way which had me wanting to DNF it multiple times.

I also felt like this book had too much information and yet not enough. I constantly was trying to figure out where we were going with the stalking situation. I normally like to try to piece together the mystery and figure it out on my own but there was practically zero context clues (besides her best friends sister making sourdough) to figure out what was going on. It was basically BAM this is who it was and why it happened all towards the end. It was like a mask behind a mask behind a mask I was just slightly underwhelmed cause I thought it was kinda out of left field (but hey that’s just me). The stalker had dirt on her ex and he uses her best friend to get back at her?? Also she has a whole ass security team around her and they just allowed the “janitor” into her room while she was sleeping and nothing even happened?! He just left?? And I get it fight or flight is a real thing. But you’re gonna sit there and tell me she’s been working with a training taking self defense classes since her first attack and not a single one of those instincts kicked in when he shows up?? Then what was even the point to add that into the storyline.

She also talks about how everyone leaves her and that her mother is super inconsistent and hardly talks to her but at the very end of the book her mom shows up to the CMAs to support her?? When all she did was constantly talk about her mother hating her for having a larger spot light. Then when Cash makes his big love declaration on stage all of a sudden her mom is so happy and proud of her???

I really liked the whole bodyguard pop star trope but I had a hard time just reading it for the vibes. My mind kept asking too many questions along the way. The foundation is good but the filling could use some work. I will say that every time I thought about dropping this authors books they always managed to pull me back. So kudos to that. The only way I’ll read the next book is if it’s Dolly’s story. But even then I may regret it.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cash and Monroe.

I preferred this one to the first, there were less cringy bits of dialogue. Loved the premise, an ex army rancher bodyguard? Sign me up.

Fave bits and highlights

“I will be very busy wallowing in self-pity after getting the wrinkly pink skin of my asshole lasered until it’s a smooth buttercream texture. All the coolest celebrities are doing it now. Wanna join?”

He’s a G.I. Joe–cowboy combo? Lord help me …

“I’m not from around here, but back where I’m from, you’d be laid out on the pavement with more than a black eye and a busted lip for getting that far up in someone’s personal business, especially a lady’s.” I stand up to my full height. “Now. Back. The. Fuck. Up.”

Monroe Blue is laughably out of my league. Even if she weren’t, I don’t crush on superstar singers with Coke-bottle figures that could drag grown men to their knees.

“Just stay low, Princess,” he whispers. “Trust me.” - THE START OF THE NICKNAME

“Stop it,” he whispers. My breathing halts. His gaze is focused on my mouth. I don’t even know if he realizes he said that out loud. I obey, letting go of my lip. He exhales, closing his eyes briefly before pushing off the wall. “I need to take a quick shower.” He disappears into the bathroom.

With very conscious effort, I’ve successfully kept from making physical contact for nine days now, I haven’t spoken her name in eight days, and I haven’t spoken directly to her in ninety-six hours. Except for the nonstop inner monologue I obsessively run through my head concerning her safety and her every move.

She is a problem. Monroe Blue is a big fucking problem in my life. The problem isn’t her fault. The problem is, she’s so aware and overly considerate about not being an imposition. The problem is, she fits here. The problem is, everyone adores her.

Mom’s death affected us all like this. She was the glue of the family. She brought out the soft, feminine side of Dad. After she was gone, we all started talking with our fists. Once you can’t communicate that way with someone, it’s easier to run and hide than it is to open up and use your big-boy words.”

“Hold on. Hold on. You’re okay. You passed out. How dare you exert yourself like that! Your gimpy heart wasn’t built to attack grown men with a cast iron!”

[mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc read!🩵🍓💌RELEASE DATE: 22/04/25

Monroe Blue is a country singer who becomes something from nothing. she has trust issues due to past relationships cheating on her. the only person she trusts to protect her is cash redford.

Cash Redford is a ex military rancher working with his family at there ranch, Redford Ranch. He loves living at the ranch and has no plans to leave. He Doesn’t want to open his heart again because he hasn’t loved another woman since his mother passed away.

One night cash and his family go out to watch Monroe perform , when a crazed fan jumps on stage and starts attacking her , cash saves her and is ultimately taken to jail due to his family’s reputation. His name is cleared and they both go back to their life’s.

Monroe wanted Cash to be her on security detail for a year, he ignored all offers until Monroe turned up at the ranch, before he finally relented and agreed.
cash thinks monroe is gorgeous but he can’t find himself distracted from the job.

I loved this book. It was so good. Cash was so protective and i know that was his job but HOLY HELL he was hot doing it. Cash is such a southern gentlemen, getting the car door for her, carrying her bags and looks away when she ultimately flashed him.
Cash always gives Monroe his hoodie which is just so swoon worthy.
Highly recommend, the first book in the series is incredible too and i will be reading MJ’s backlog >>>.

also the TWIST IN THIS BOOK. my jaw dropped

fav quotes
.”southern gentlemen are something else”
.”i’m about two seconds away from busting through every moral conviction and professional boundary i’ve ever had- is that what you want ?”
.”cash redford is the only man alive i trust to protect me”
.”i’ve thought about those bright blue eyes in the last year more times than i can count”
.”why are you here? i didn’t ask you to come back”. “ i’m here because i couldn’t stay away”
.”your a madman”
“only when it comes to you princess”
.”your not a problem stop talking like you are”

HAPPY READING!!