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The Agreement #4

The Protection Agreement: A Billionaire Bodyguard Romance

Duty or desire—he’s sworn to keep her alive.
But staying close blurs the line.


When a threat puts her life in danger, there’s only one man capable of protecting her—a ruthless bodyguard with a fearsome reputation and loyalty carved into his bones. The problem? His family and hers are sworn enemies. And he learned to hate her last name long before he ever knew her.

This is duty.
A contract.
Nothing more.

Shared space. Constant protection.
No attachment. No temptation.

Forced proximity turns restraint into tension. Hatred softens. Awareness sharpens. Desire becomes impossible to ignore.
She’s a damsel in distress who refuses to be fragile. He’s a possessive protector bound by duty, fighting feelings he has no right to claim. Every glance is forbidden. Every moment together is a betrayal written in silence.

As enemies close in and pressure mounts, distance becomes impossible.

Because the longer he stands between her and danger, the harder it is to remember where duty ends—and desire begins.

He was sworn to keep her alive.
He just wasn’t prepared for what it would cost him.

Touch her… and die?













400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2026

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A Akinosho

9 books9 followers

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5 stars
53 (44%)
4 stars
47 (39%)
3 stars
12 (10%)
2 stars
3 (2%)
1 star
3 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
Profile Image for Jenni.
7,738 reviews123 followers
June 10, 2026
3.5 - 4 stars

The Protection Agreement had me pacing my living room like a feral cat because THIS MAN. THIS WOMAN. THIS CONTRACT. This whole book is one long “I hate you but also if anyone breathes near you, I will commit a felony” slow‑burn meltdown and I was absolutely unwell.

He’s the bodyguard with the emotional range of a brick wall and the sexual tension of a man who has never known peace. Loyalty carved into his bones. Trauma stitched into his spine. A reputation so ruthless you can practically hear the ominous soundtrack when he walks into a room. And then he gets assigned to protect her — the one woman whose last name makes his blood pressure spike.

And she?
She’s supposed to be a damsel in distress but absolutely refuses to be fragile. She’s soft in the way steel is soft — bendable until it snaps back and cuts you. Every time she stands her ground, he loses three brain cells and gains a new emotional crisis.

They’re shoved into forced proximity like the universe said, “Let’s put these two idiots in a pressure cooker and see who cracks first.” Shared space. Constant protection. No touching. No wanting. No FEELINGS.

Yeah. Sure.
Tell that to the way he looks at her like she’s both a problem and a prayer.

The tension?
ABSOLUTELY feral.
I was kicking my feet like a Victorian orphan seeing sunlight for the first time. Every time he muttered “this is duty,” the universe whispered “liar,” and I whispered, “kiss her, you coward.”

He’s over here trying to pretend he’s unaffected while radiating “touch her and die” energy so hard I’m surprised the furniture didn’t burst into flames. She’s trying to pretend she doesn’t notice him watching her like she’s the only thing standing between him and complete emotional collapse.

And the danger?
The suspense?
The enemies‑closing‑in chaos?
It’s giving “I will burn down the world before I let anything happen to you,” and honestly, I support his choices.

So why 3.5 - 4 stars?
Because while the tension is immaculate, the emotional immersion still slips through my fingers. I’m INTO it, I’m INVESTED, I’m FEELING THINGS — but I’m not fully drowning. I’m standing at the edge of the pool like, “Yes, I see the water, I respect the water, but I’m not submerged yet.”

Still.
This man was built in a lab to brood, protect, and emotionally malfunction.
This woman was built to ruin him in the best way.
And I will absolutely be reading the next book because I need to see this man finally snap and admit he’s in love.

Touch her and die?
Sir, you already died the moment she walked into the room.
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
21.1k reviews265 followers
May 8, 2026
This is the fourth book in this impressive series, and this is Lexi and Bruce’s story.
Lexi’s life is in danger, and despite their families being sworn enemies, Bruce, agrees to keep her safe and protected, by becoming her ruthless and feared bodyguard.
This is a well written action packed, easy to read story, with family, friendships, emotions, tension, challenges, danger, suspense, intrigue, touch her and die vibes, forced proximity, romance, humour, witty banter, enemies / lovers, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, tragic, twisted, and unpredictable, page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Marija Unkind.
174 reviews31 followers
August 9, 2026
Sadly, this book wasn’t for me. I really wanted to love it because the synopsis sounded so promising but the execution fell flat.

The biggest issue for me was the writing. There were an overwhelming number of errors throughout the book and the writing style was lacking, which made it difficult to stay immersed in the story.

I also found the plot quite basic and, at times, boring. It jumped around a lot without much supporting the main storyline and I didn’t feel any real connection or chemistry between the main characters.

Overall, this book had potential, but unfortunately it just wasn’t a book I could enjoy.

Thank you to A. Akinosho and Victory Editing for providing me with an ARC 🖤
All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Reading by Deb.
1,307 reviews35 followers
April 27, 2026
Lexi is woken up with Amrit shaking her and whispering for her to grab her bag and run. Follow the plan and don't look back. When she arrives she is given a ticket to Chicago and leaves London and the people trying to kill her behind.

Bruce is jarred from sleep from his phone ringing. He tries to roll back over but it keeps ringing. Their families are known enemies so he doesn't know why Jonah keeps calling and texting. He finally loses it when he sees that Jonah has the nerve to be at the door to his building.

Jonah is begging on his knees for him to protect his girl until he can figure out who is trying to kill her. He knows that hiding her with his enemy would be the last place anyone would look for her and regardless of how they feel about each other he knows that Bruce is the best at what he does.

I loved this book! This series has recurring characters but can be read as a standalone.

Jonah gives Lexi one rule - don't tell Bruce who she is. Jonah gives Bruce one rule - hands off his girl, Lexi.

This book is action-packed and full of danger and suspense. This book is full of twists and turns and huge coincidences. And steamy hot. Lexi is running for her life and nightmares and the one person she shouldn't trust is the one who makes her feel the safest. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Brownskinnedreader.
234 reviews39 followers
June 30, 2026
This interracial, mysterious, body guard, forbidden romance will have you wanting protective services from this company.

Lexi is on the run for her life and she ends up in the arms of the last person she ever expected to protect her. When she finally comes face to face with Bruce she overwhelmed by the pull she feels to him. She has to keep her promise and secrets close to her chest but she struggles as she slowly starts to fall for the grumpy protector. Bruce is surprised when he gets a request to protect a girl from one of his longest enemies. When he finally meets this beauty he is instantly enthralled by her. He need to keep her safe gets stronger as secrets are revealed and his love for her grows.

I love a good romance where it has some mystery to it. Who is after Lexi and why do they want her dead? The author did a good job in building the connection between the characters. I did feel that the length of the book felt a little long and that some parts seemed unnecessary or dragged on longer than it needed to. In the end, this was a good read and I would recommend this to others.

Profile Image for Marilyn Diamond.
732 reviews31 followers
April 27, 2026
What started for me was “Sprinkles” not being able to sleep unless she could hear the sleeping pattern of her families sworn enemies who was contracted to make sure she stay alive. Traumatized because there was a killer out to get her Alexis Doherty caries a bag incorporating her passport, toiletries, underwear, pictures and an extra change of clothes. Trusting no one Alexis settles in a unit in Chicago with a body guard who loves her puff-puff (Don’t ask). The Lloyd’s versus the Powell’s is like the Hatfields and the McCoys. monies is always involved in feelings to destroy and kill the heir to AJ Powell Incorporated. “Bruce Powell is tasked with protecting “Sprinkles” life. Deep voiced, oozing authority and confidences scares those that look or disrespects Sprinkles the wrong way. This was my first time reading this author and I loved this work, Fast paced, page-turner, mystery, romanced-in real time. Bravo.

Lovingly submitted as this was a ARC for an independent publisher.
6,387 reviews
April 24, 2026
Wonderfully done!

Great characters!

Alexis is in need of a bodyguard! Hello Bruce!

You saw the movie right? So, I'm sure you'll guess what's going to happen between these two! LOL!

But, throughout, we're treated to wonderful banter and scorching chemistry!

I always enjoy Ms. Akinosho's stories!
Profile Image for books_n_ink217 Elizabeth Welch.
428 reviews26 followers
May 4, 2026
This is a quick read and I recommend if you want a quick pallet cleanser between series. It’s a bodyguard romance. The FMC is supposed to be around 26, if I remember right but her dialogue didn’t read that way to me (juvenile, sounded more like 16-18), that was my only issue. I did love the MMC. As long as you take it for what it is, you’ll enjoy The Protection Agreement! Thank you to Indie Pen PR for the gifted copy!
Profile Image for Pamelon.
974 reviews23 followers
April 24, 2026
The Protection Agreement: A Billionaire Bodyguard Romance by A. Akinosho is Book 4 of The Agreement Series. This book has secrets, attempted abductions, sexy hot scenarios, and both characters fall hard. Bruce is determined to protect and love Lexi. Nothing and no one gets in the way, not even family. This is a touch her and die situation! Check it out.❤️🔥❤️‍🔥
Profile Image for Lori Hammons.
3,046 reviews32 followers
April 26, 2026
Lexi and Bruce are magnetized to one another, pulling hard to resist, until they can no longer. The danger and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed their story.
Profile Image for Jocelyn Masson.
356 reviews6 followers
May 20, 2026
It took me a bit to get into this one. Once I was in, I was hooked. This is the first book i have read by this author and definitely would be interested in reading more stories from her. I would recommend this if you are into body guard romances.
702 reviews1 follower
May 18, 2026
omg good

What can I say about this story other than it’s amazing. The characters and storyline is just impressive. The author does a fantastic job at illustrating the love and passion share by the main characters. She also did well at expressing the relationship built with the side characters. It all just comes together beautifully.
Profile Image for Emily Knaus.
690 reviews8 followers
April 24, 2026
I really wanted to love this one, especially because the premise had so much potential, but I just couldn’t get into it. The writing style made it hard to follow what was happening, especially during dialogue and the flow kept pulling me out of the story instead of pulling me in.

Lexi, our FMC, never felt relatable to me. Her reactions read very immature, which made it tough to connect with her or root for her growth. Bruce, the reluctant bodyguard, had the bones of a compelling character, but the chemistry between them never clicked. Every moment that was supposed to feel charged or intimate instead felt forced, like the story was telling me they had tension rather than showing it.

The idea behind the book is genuinely good, I love a protective, reluctant bodyguard dynamic, but the execution just didn’t land for me. I kept waiting for the emotional pull or the spark between them, and it never quite arrived.
Profile Image for Diane Knutzen.
565 reviews1 follower
June 29, 2026
Thank-you go NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for my copy of this book! I was excited to receive it.

2 ⭐️

I was hopeful about this book and really wanted to read it, but unfortunately, I thought the writing was not good and there were far too many grammatical / spelling / sentence structure issues that really detracted from the story.

When I read the synopsis of the book, it sounded great. I was pulled in and intrigued. Unfortunately, this book just fell flat.

The baseline of the story was kind of there. The baseline could have been good, but the characters and the way it was written turned it into a not great book.

I also thought most of the book was quite boring. It jumped all over the place and there was no subplot to support the main plot line. It was too basic for me.

Also, there was no real third act conflict. Nothing to make any emotions other than not caring come to the surface.

I did not like Lexi / Jola. She was much too child like to me. I did not view her as an adult. She seemed like a young child. I don’t wan’t to be rude, but my honest opinion is she was pretty weak and pathetic.

Bruce was far better, but he still needed work. His overall character was good and we got to know him. I like the concept of the overprotective, jealous MMC, but it just wasn’t written quite correctly. It came off as cringe worthy instead of “oh that’s hot!”

Ice was probably the best character of the book. He was the one who had the most character growth over the course of the book. We really got to see him open up and see who he is as a character. I think a romance with him could make for a good book.

I really hated the nicknames in the book. “Sprinkles” and “Mr.Darcy” just made me cringe every time they were used; and they were used far too much!

Also, the spice scenes were not good. There were too many and they were almost all written the exact same. This book does need spice, but I would have preferred a couple of well written spice scenes as opposed to a whole book of terribly written ones.

The writing style of this book was pretty bad. It jumped all over the place and the story did not flow at all. There was no introduction at all to this book so we did not get to know the backstory or the characters. We just jumped right in and it left the reader going “what in the world is going on?”. This book could have benefited from a prologue so that we get some sort of backstory to set up the story.

This book was hands down the worst book for grammatical / spelling / sentence structure errors. I have never read a book that has had this many errors before. It took me a lot longer to get through this book because of this. I would say a good 90% of the book had some sort of error. This really could have used several more rounds of editing. It really took away a lot from the book.

I would say the last 8 chapters were probably the best part of the whole book. It started to feel more like a book with a purpose / story. It was more intriguing and was not repetitive like the rest of the book. It was not all the same day to day life. It was different and was more captivating than any other part of the book.

Overall, I really wanted to like this book because the synopsis sounded great, but this book just fell flat. I would recommend that the author do a lot more editing on the next book.
202 reviews11 followers
July 6, 2026
3 Stars

Lexi is on the run and in need of protection, and the only person Jonah can turn to to keep her safe is his sworn enemy. Bruce agrees to Jonah's terms and takes Lexi under his wing. But just the sight of her is enough to put into jeopardy the one promise Bruce made. Not to fall for her.
This forced proximity romance was unfortunately not for me. I felt that there was quite a lot of telling and very little showing. I think I would have liked a little bit more action, and for the danger to feel more imminent. Instead, it felt like Lexi was actually allowed to move quite freely, and that Bruce spent very little time being her personal bodyguard, which I thought was the main point of the premise. I did think that some of the interactions between Lexi and Ice were really sweet, and it was fun reading them growing closer, but at times I felt that she and Ice were closer than Lexi and Bruce, and I was actually thinking about them being a couple more.
It got a little frustrating that nearly every man, young and old, seemed completely taken with Lexi, unless, of course, they were married. It didn’t feel believable and also got a bit frustrating. I thought Bruce was overly jealous about things that were a little ridiculous, especially when he didn’t know Lexi that well, and he was supposed to be a grown man. The hobby of doing puzzles was quite cute, and I don’t think I’ve read that in a book before, but it was mentioned quite a lot, and while doing a puzzle can be quite fun, reading about someone doing a puzzle is not the most interesting.
There were a few things in this that didn’t make sense as well, words used wrong in the narrative, as well as events feeling unbelievable. An example of this is when Lexi takes her sleeping pills. The effect they had on her seemed way too strong for prescribed medication. The characters were okay, but I did want a little more detail in scenes, so that I could feel more connected with the characters. Unfortunately, the scenes felt like they happened quite quickly, with very little time spent on the depth and nuance of the characters, especially in the scenes where a lot of characters were introduced. It became difficult to fully get to know them and their relationship to Bruce and one another.
While this was not for me, I appreciate that some may enjoy the dynamic between Bruce and Lexi and the cosy moments scattered throughout this book. For me, I would have liked a little more drama and suspense, but I think that people looking for a spicy, forced proximity romance may enjoy this. This is part of a series, but it can be read quite easily as a standalone.
Profile Image for Ashleigh.
558 reviews25 followers
June 29, 2026
The Protection Agreement by A. Akinosho is a billionaire bodyguard romance, the fourth book in her Agreement Series. This was a great addition to her Agreement Series, bringing together a strong mix of tension, emotion, protectiveness, and vulnerability. Following the story of Bruce and Lexi, Bruce, who is an intense, protective hero who takes his job seriously, struggles when his feelings for Lexi become impossible to ignore. I liked how his character has that guarded, controlled energy, yet Lexi was able to break through those walls. His protectiveness made the romance feel passionate, but his internal conflict also added depth because he had to choose between duty and desire.
Lexi, who, while she needed protection, was not written as a helpless damsel in distress. I loved how she needed help, but she was not helpless at all. I loved how she had strength and independence, which made her the perfect fit for Bruce. Their connection was powerful enough that it all but jumped off the page as she challenged him, and he pushed right back. Their chemistry worked so well as it was built on danger, closeness, and the slow realization that their feelings were becoming serious.
While this story was mostly about Bruce and Lexi, the real treat is the side characters, Jonah and Declan. Jonah’s role was integral to getting Bruce and Lexi to admit they had chemistry rather than continue fighting the pull. Declan also had an effect on Bruce, helping him to understand how important Lexi is to him. Each of these characters not only helped move the romance forward but also brought the emotions to the forefront and pulled the story together. This story had the perfect amount of danger, closeness, and emotional tension. These tropes all work well together because the characters were constantly forced into each other’s space and showed an instant attraction that feels intense and hard to ignore. And there wasn’t just physical chemistry, but also a buildup of trust, safety, and vulnerability.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Protective Agreement. It had all the best elements of a romance novel: chemistry, suspense, emotional tension, and heat. I can’t wait to check out the next book in this series and, honestly, any other works by A. Akinosho, as each one I have read has been great. If you are looking for a great romance series with all the best characteristics, then this is the series for you!
34 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2026
The FMC Lexi Doherty is being hunted…someone wants to kill her. Right from the very beginning of the book her life is in danger. We quickly come to find out that Jonah, who we find out is very close to her, is willing to go to great lengths to protect her. He even seeks her protection from the best body guard in the city, who happens to come from a family that is his family’s worst enemy. Enter, our MMC Bruce Powell.

As the book goes on we come to find out that there are many secrets being hidden. Lexi has a complex past, not only her family background but someone who has hidden in the shadows and has terrorized her physically, mentally, and emotionally. The author does a really great job of letting the reader feel the magnitude of emotions that Lexi was going through. In the midst of everything somehow Lexi and Bruce have a connection that feels authentic and not forced in any way.

Bruce is intrigued by the mystery surrounding Lexi. In addition, he wants to figure out who is trying to kill her and why. He also is getting pleasure out of the fact that his enemy, Jonah needs his help keeping obviously someone who means so much to him safe.

This book was fast paced with a lot of suspense, action, and mystery. I liked the pacing of the book. It seemed as one question or mystery got answered there was another door that was opened. You aren’t given any information about the backstory of the characters, you are just thrown in the melee as Lexi tries to survive another night. As the characters are trying to figure out the mystery so are you. Just like Lexi is drawn to puzzles this story is one big puzzle and you are waiting for it to be revealed and solved.

As the suspense gets more intense, Lexi and Bruce’s connection gets stronger and a true romance is born out of a chaotic and deadly foe trying to kill Lexi. I truly enjoyed this romance that was also filled with suspense, intrigue, trauma, and secrets. There was no denying the love that blossomed between Lexi and Bruce. It was also clear that by the end of the book Bruce no longer cared to get back at his enemy because all that mattered was the love of his life, Lexi.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for CLorraine.
1,924 reviews29 followers
May 26, 2026
Tropes: Proximity, Bodyguard, Love/Attraction at First Sight, Found Family, Suspense, Taboo
The Protection Agreement by A. Akinosho is the fourth book in her Agreement Series. The books are all interconnected with characters crossing over but each book can be read as a standalone.
Providing security services, Bruce Powell has been a crucial part of Agreement Series universe and now it is time for him to shine and encounter his “forever” love. Like his “brothers” when he falls, he falls hard and quickly!
Since the passing of her father Alexis (Lexi) Doherty has been one step ahead of an assassin. Person. or persons unknown, has moved barriers and distance in order to reach her. As a last resort, her brother Jonah, contracts with their family’s enemy Bruce to provide protection for Lexi. One look at Lexi and Bruce is smitten. Now he has to keep her out of harm’s way and out of his ARMS. Easier said than done!
Conclusion:
Ms. Akinosho writes book with complex mechanisms and likable characters. Each story has a group of people who make a family unit when grouped together; soon Lexi starts to look at Bruce’s agents as her family. The mystery of the threat to Lexi has enough red herrings to keep readers guessing. Bruce and Lexi made a lovely couple, and Bruce was just as ardent in his pursuit as his “brothers”. The book does cover delicate and sensitive issues concerning past trauma. Final words, Ms. Akinosho has produced another relatively angst free romance that both charms and entertains.
Favorite Lines:
A pang of unexpected jealousy shoots through me seeing her in another man's shirt.

“And Lexi?” “Stays with me,” I confirm. Forever is what I want to add. Wait, what? My inner thoughts pause.

“Me too. Such a big and small world. A white man in Indiana is old friends with a Black woman in London. I didn’t see that one coming from across oceans.”

“Hell no. You stay, she stays, I stay.

My wife is happy and unhappy at the same time. Two things can be true.



https://theretiredreader.com/f/the-pr...
Profile Image for Angela Shirley.
969 reviews8 followers
June 23, 2026
Bruce Powell is a security expert with a reputation and when his services are required to protect a female who is being threaten he has a agreement sorted and in place, the only problem is its for Alexis Doherty and their families have a past which will be hard to overcome.

Lexis Doherty is under threat and her family have secured her a bodyguard to help protect her but when she discovers its Bruce she does not quite know what to do or whether the families feud will go against her.

So as the threats become more frequent and that her and Bruce get closer, they discover that they have an attraction to each other and although they have tried to keep this professional, the chemistry is too much to handle.

This the fourth book in this series and although there are references to previous characters and running characters from the other books it can be read as a standalone book without any thing distracting from the previous stories.

I loved the character of Lexis with her sassy attitude and independent thinking she gives the impression that this is an inconvenience rather than a major threat in her life. The interactions with herself and Bruce just make great reading and is wonderful and refreshing.

I loved the character of Bruce as I am a sucker for a Alpha male who is not scared to show his vulnerable side which this story develops as it goes along and his strength comes from his devotion and loyalty to Lexis.

I really enjoyed the story with its thrills and twists, which had you scrambling to finish each chapter. I can't wait for the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Kelly.
359 reviews1 follower
Read
July 1, 2026
The protection agreement is a body guard/forbidden attraction romance between Bruce Powell, a wealthy businessman with semi questionable ways of making his earnings and our FMC Alexis Doherty, a young woman finding herself in need of protection from some scary people.

As Lexi (Alexis) enters the protection of Bruce and his company, they find that their lives may be more intertwined than they could have ever imagined. Lexi opens up about her past and Yourban culture to show him that there are many different sides to life. Bruce is faced with the impossible task of controlling his temper and ever mounting jealousy.

Can Lexi and Bruce work together to figure out who is trying to destroy her life or will they find themselves unable to overcome all the pre-packed baggage from their families ruin their chances at a fresh start.

This Mafia style romance will have you wondering "who done it" until almost the very last page and rooting for love to win in the end.

Overall I found the story entertaining and engaging from beginning to end. There was great character building, redemption arcs and PLENTY of spice to keep me entertained. I did find a bit of the storyline either redundant or repetitive, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story or my ability to understand what was going on. I do wish the author would have opened up with Alexis's identity sooner in the story, a beautiful black woman with an occasional British accent, because up until 30% when we got to the character description, I was picturing the quintessential white princess needing saving.

With all that being said, I LOVE a bodyguard romance and would love to check out the rest of the series!
158 reviews5 followers
July 14, 2026
5 out of 5 Stars

The Protection Agreement (The Agreement Series #4) by A. Akinosho

This is the first book I’ve read by the author. The Protection Agreement is the fourth book in The Agreement Series, but it can be read as a standalone. The Protection Agreement had me pacing my bedroom and wanting to throw something. Bruce, Lexi, the contract. The whole book. You will be on the edge of your seat the entire time. It will definitely leave you wanting more.

Lexi is placed under Bruce's protection and at first it’s tense. Then as the time goes by she's still being hunted by an unknown party things start to change between her and Bruce. She knows that she should have feelings for him, but being protected by him has changed things. The longer she is there the more intense the feelings become. The quote I chose for her is this: “No, he told me his name when I promised to hurt him when he wasn’t looking, or hide somewhere he couldn’t find me.”

Bruce has someone he loathes at his house asking him to protect someone he cares about. He agrees and makes up a contract. The only thing is he touches her and he dies. He at first didn’t think anything like that would happen, but the longer she is with him the harder it is to keep his hands to himself. The quote I chose for him is this: “I said yes because, Onitemi, for the first time in my life, I saw a future I wanted more than anything else. With you. A woman I know is the love of my life. My soul wants you every day. No. Jola, it is bad enough that you acted like marrying me was a death sentence, then you ask to keep us a secret and want to remove the ring like we do not exist.”
118 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2026
Right from page one, Bruce and Alexis have you hooked. Every stolen glance and stifled touch packs just as much punch as the bullets flying around them.
Bruce is sexy as hell and the kind of hero you immediately fall in love with. He’s loyal to a fault, disciplined, and willing to do whatever it takes to do his job. He’ll stop at nothing to keep Alexis alive, even if that means denying the connection that’s clearly building between them. And speaking of Alexis, she’s not your typical damsel in distress. She’s willful, smart, and tough as nails. She has this amazing strength about her that keeps her from freaking out even when she should be scared witless. Bruce needs someone like Alexis who understands that he’d give his life for anyone in the blink of an eye.
The enemies- to-lovers trope was also a huge plus for me. The history between their families gave them plenty of reasons to be at odds with each other. Plus, they’re thrown into each other’s space 24/7 so you always have that intense building romance on edge. I loved watching their relationship blossom from distrust to respect, friendship, and finally love.
If the romance wasn’t enough to keep you reading, then the suspense will. Every time someone tried to kill Alexis I found another log to add to the fire. Bruce was determined to keep her safe and that had me reading until THE stupid alarm went off at 5am.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Ashley Lape.
164 reviews3 followers
July 14, 2026
Bruce Powell owns a very lucrative security company, and the one person he never expected to become a client shows up at his door, begging for his services. Jonah Lloyd needs Bruce's help protecting his little sister, Lexi, but Bruce thinks Lexi is Jonah's girlfriend. Part of the agreement is that Bruce is not allowed to lay a finger on Lexi; that will be easy until Bruce lays eyes on her for the first time. Jonah and Bruce can't figure out who has been trying to kill Lexi or how they keep finding out where she gets moved to. The history about the Lloyd and Powell family feud is never really explained until Bruce brings Lexi home to meet his father, and Bruce learns Lexi's real last name is Lloyd, not Doherty. The pieces start to fall into place, and the guys might have an idea about who has been trying to kill Lexi.

Meanwhile, Lexi is falling head over heels for Bruce even though that is exactly the opposite of what Jonah told her. Will everything work out? Will they ever catch the person after Lexi? Will Lexi and Bruce at least get the chance to try a relationship?

This was an amazing book. I could not put it down. I love the suspense of what was going on with Lexi and whoever was trying to kill her. Yet the slow burn between her and Bruce was just as strong. I definitely recommend reading this and any of this author's books!!
105 reviews2 followers
June 25, 2026
For readers who live for intense, protective alpha heroes and the delicious friction of generational rivalries, The Protection Agreement is an absolute triumph. The narrative masterfully breathes fresh life into the enemies-to-lovers and bodyguard tropes by adding a phenomenal layer of family warfare: the ruthless, fiercely loyal hero is contractually bound to protect a woman whose very last name he was raised to hate.

The forced proximity in this book is executed flawlessly. As they share a space under constant threat, the clinical boundaries of their contract rapidly dissolve into a sharp, undeniable awareness. Akinosho expertly crafts a heroine who is a "damsel in distress" without an ounce of fragility; she stands her ground, forcing the possessive hero into a grueling psychological battle between his lifelong duty and a forbidden desire. The pacing delivers a slow-burn, high-urgency atmosphere where every look feels like a betrayal and the classic touch her and die energy is dialed up to a thrilling maximum. It is an unputdownable, deeply passionate, and atmospheric romantic thriller.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Book.Athlete.
351 reviews6 followers
July 2, 2026
From the very first chapter of The Protection Agreement, I was drawn into the perfect blend of romance, suspense, and action. The bodyguard trope is one of my favorites, and A. Akinosho delivered it with plenty of tension, emotional depth, and just the right amount of danger.
Bruce and Lexi were wonderful characters to get to know. I loved watching their relationship develop as trust slowly replaced old assumptions, and their chemistry felt genuine from beginning to end. The mix of forced proximity, family conflict, and high-stakes suspense kept me eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next.
What I appreciated most was that the story wasn't just about romance. The mystery surrounding the threats against Lexi added an exciting layer of suspense, while the emotional growth of both main characters made their journey feel authentic and rewarding.
A. Akinosho has created another engaging addition to The Agreement Series. Whether you're already a fan of the series or picking it up as a standalone, this is a fast-paced romantic suspense filled with memorable characters, heartfelt moments, and plenty of twists to keep you entertained. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from this talented author!
Profile Image for Lisa.
3,975 reviews24 followers
July 9, 2026
The is a wonderful story! I love the sexy billionaire protector mixed with her sweet kind demeanor. They mix well together and make an incredible couple. This also has some suspense that kept me turning those pages. We meet a lot of characters to trick and fool the reader. Also, apparently this is a book in a ongoing series( which I was unaware) and the author did a great job blending the new story with the previous couples so I did not feel left out or lost.

I only had a couple issues with this one. This is a long book and some chapters seemed redundant. They cover the same situation as the previous chapter but from another's perspective and offer no new information. So the story could have been shortened with no loss of facts. The second issue was the nickname for Lexi. She is called “Sprinkles” by both her brother and boyfriend/husband. I feel one would have been fine calling her that but with brotherly affection and during sexual times felt weird to me.

Overall I enjoyed the two MC as well as the bodyguards we saw regularly. Seeing how Lexi worked her magic on those rough tough guys was fantastic. The story moves along at a quick pace with short chapters. I was engaged, thrilled and amazed at how this story played out!
Profile Image for Beejai Bohls.
369 reviews12 followers
July 14, 2026
This is the 4th book in the series and it can be read as a stand alone. This book has everything you could want. There is great banter between the leading characters, there is suspense, a body guard because why not, and tension between family rivals. The connection is on the pages right from the start and doesn't let up. This book was a quick read for me because I couldn't put it down. I found myself caught in the banter and then caught in the suspense of what was happening. They go from not being able to really trust anyone to trusting each other almost immediately. Crazy. I was sucked into the writing and the flow of the book. Its pace is really well done. Nothing dragged because of the book just because I'm impatient. The characters are strong, caring, lovable, and I loved it and can't wait to read more. If this is the first book you have picked in the series just know that you will be good starting it but you will definitely want to read the others because this one is that good. I can't wait to see what's next. This will be an author that I will read even more from. I could keep going with this review but I would then start to reveal things that would give other things away and I don't want anyone going in knowing what to expect.
Profile Image for Dols Allen.
37 reviews1 follower
June 27, 2026
This author has been on my tbr list for a while. First time reader and I was not disappointed. Not a slow burn per se but it was a very detailed book.

Bruce Powell is the the security and bodyguarding business and Lexi Doherty is in need of both. A mutual entity engages Bruce to protect Lexi. An ask Bruce demands his pound of flesh and an exorbitant fee for. However when he meets Lexi all bets are off. He decides nothing and no one will keep him away from her. He’s struggled with he’s emotions in the beginning because of who did the asking and he’s misconceptions of who she is. None of that stops the feelings.

Lexi for her part is trying to honor her promise and vows and only engage with Bruce when necessary. But emotions do not care about vows and promises made in a vacuum.

What happens when two people who have no business being attracted to, much less falling for each other find themselves in a place where a once in a lifetime love is presented to them…in the midst of danger, chaos and family drama? Read on to find out.

Also the way Bruce loves on Lexi…💕💕swoon!!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Heidi Sturgess.
1,223 reviews25 followers
July 14, 2026
I think I’ve missed out on sooooooo much ! This is book 4 in the series and I didn’t feel lost but I feel I deprived myself of the previous 3 books 😉I loved every minute and I got to build puzzles along the way 🧩🙂😉


Jonah goes to the one person he knows he can trust despite there being no love lost between them but Bruce is the best and right now that is exactly what Jonah needs and Bruce doesn’t make it easy , yes he’s intrigued but he brings Jonah to his knees , literally ……

Right from the very start we know Lexi is in danger but it’s a bit of a mystery as to why and who but my heart aches for her because her fear is very real and you actually can feel it 🥹

Bruce and Lexi shared a connection from the very first moment and Bruce is caught off guard by his feeling and the protectiveness he feels towards her #swoon# and Mr Tough guy is actually just a real old teddy bear especially where Lexi is concerned 😉

I’ll be the first to admit I was a bit of a wreck , I laughed , I cried , I swooned and more than once I was on the edge of my seat and now I’m going wild on Amazon one clicking the other books in the series 😉📚❣️






Profile Image for Jennifer .
1,788 reviews39 followers
June 22, 2026
The Protection Agreement: A Billionaire Bodyguard Romance (The Agreement Series) by A. Akinosho. 4 of 5 Stars.
Having read and enjoyed the previous books in this series, I was looking forward to reading this latest one. However, it can be read as a standalone story. Lexi is in need of a bodyguard when a threat puts her life in danger, and Bruce, with his fearsome reputation, is the man to keep her alive. Although his family and hers are sworn enemies, Bruce accepts, as it is just a contract to him. However, spending so much time together their mutual attraction and undeniable chemistry becomes impossible to ignore. As enemies close in and Bruce protects Lexi from danger, he finds it harder to keep telling himself that he’s just doing his duty by keeping her alive. I was hooked throughout by this forced proximity romance which has plenty of drama, suspense, and of course romance. Lexi and Bruce have sizzling chemistry and I liked how their relationship developed throughout the story. This is a real page turner and I found it hard to put the book down!

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