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Fractured Valor
Not yet published
Expected 27 Apr 26Xavier
After a mission gone wrong, the life of valor I once led bleeds away one drink at a time. But a brother-in-arms from my past needs my help, so I reluctantly agree. The assignment: transport a scientist and her antidote to a base on the west coast for international security.
As we race against the clock and face danger at every turn, I become fixated on more than just the mission. For someone so accustomed to feeling nothing, she makes me want to feel everything.
Isabel
Shaking off the tatted, sardonic hired bodyguard isn’t as easy as I’d hoped. My sharp tongue and defiant nature are supposed to chip away his resolve and allow me to arrive at my destination solo. But my efforts are stirring something in him—something I shouldn’t want from a man like him. The more protective he becomes, the harder I fight to resist the desires hidden in my guarded heart. Because if I let him in, I don’t think he'll give me back.
Especially once he learns I’m the reason he’s lost everything once before.
After a mission gone wrong, the life of valor I once led bleeds away one drink at a time. But a brother-in-arms from my past needs my help, so I reluctantly agree. The assignment: transport a scientist and her antidote to a base on the west coast for international security.
As we race against the clock and face danger at every turn, I become fixated on more than just the mission. For someone so accustomed to feeling nothing, she makes me want to feel everything.
Isabel
Shaking off the tatted, sardonic hired bodyguard isn’t as easy as I’d hoped. My sharp tongue and defiant nature are supposed to chip away his resolve and allow me to arrive at my destination solo. But my efforts are stirring something in him—something I shouldn’t want from a man like him. The more protective he becomes, the harder I fight to resist the desires hidden in my guarded heart. Because if I let him in, I don’t think he'll give me back.
Especially once he learns I’m the reason he’s lost everything once before.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 27, 2026
3 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
A.A. DaSilva
3 books60 followersAA DaSilva holds a degree in clinical laboratory science and brings her love of science and writing together via science fiction romance.
Born and raised in New England, she enjoys spending precious quality time with her husband and two sons, reading dark gothic romance, and hiking through the woods in every season.
Her multi-award-winning Periphery series explores fate, strength, and the choices that determine our destiny.
Her third book, a standalone contemporary romance, is forthcoming in 2026. For the latest updates on new releases and events, sign up for email updates and follow her on socials.
Born and raised in New England, she enjoys spending precious quality time with her husband and two sons, reading dark gothic romance, and hiking through the woods in every season.
Her multi-award-winning Periphery series explores fate, strength, and the choices that determine our destiny.
Her third book, a standalone contemporary romance, is forthcoming in 2026. For the latest updates on new releases and events, sign up for email updates and follow her on socials.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 25, 2026
Even though this is a short book, it packed a lot of action, romance, and suspense in it. I thought the relationship development between Xavier and Isabela was good. Forced proximity was key to this happening. I also liked how Xavier had a military background and how he was able to be vulnerable with Isabela regarding her past. Isabela is the sister to Rio, Xavier's boss, and she was able to confess to Xavier her deepest, darkest secret, which helped them bond even more. When they did give into their feelings, it was steamyyy.
Overall, 4/5 star read. There was some spice content, but it was about a 1.5/5 for me. I recommend Fractured Valor to readers who enjoy bodyguard romances, romantic suspense, retribution, and the forced proximity and enemies-to-lovers trope.
Favorite Quotes:
"I fell for someone who tried selling me the moon, and I sold my soul to buy it."
"The universe always balances itself. Someone hurt you and you had to escape. Our actions are neutralized when our intentions are for the greater good."
"Turns out, sex and alcohol don't solve problems or erase memories the way I'd hoped."
"There is darkness in the world, Isabel, but it'd be a shame to be so consumed by it that you refuse to see and acknowledge the light."
Thank you IRIS Influencer Society for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
Overall, 4/5 star read. There was some spice content, but it was about a 1.5/5 for me. I recommend Fractured Valor to readers who enjoy bodyguard romances, romantic suspense, retribution, and the forced proximity and enemies-to-lovers trope.
Favorite Quotes:
"I fell for someone who tried selling me the moon, and I sold my soul to buy it."
"The universe always balances itself. Someone hurt you and you had to escape. Our actions are neutralized when our intentions are for the greater good."
"Turns out, sex and alcohol don't solve problems or erase memories the way I'd hoped."
"There is darkness in the world, Isabel, but it'd be a shame to be so consumed by it that you refuse to see and acknowledge the light."
Thank you IRIS Influencer Society for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
March 24, 2026
Thank you to the author for providing me a early copy in exchange for my honest review.
What a quick read that was filled with high stake action, if you like a romantic suspense with a little bit of a slow burn then definitely read this. It’s only 180 pages and it’s such a page turner. It will have you wanting more and more. But once the ending comes you’ll feel complete with their HEA.
What a quick read that was filled with high stake action, if you like a romantic suspense with a little bit of a slow burn then definitely read this. It’s only 180 pages and it’s such a page turner. It will have you wanting more and more. But once the ending comes you’ll feel complete with their HEA.
March 14, 2026
This was great! Shorter than my usual reads yet but just as impactful! I loved every second of this story from front to back. I was invested in the characters and the plot/ mystery. The adventure they take doesn’t feel long and boring, but essential to their bonding and is the perfect amount of timeline here. We’ve got action and banter and fun teasing with nicknames. It’s a blushing moment before the steamy scenes! Ugh so good. Recommend
February 14, 2026
I ate this up!! Delicious combo of romance and suspense with top notch banter 😋
If you're a fan of enemies to lovers, high stakes and healing past trauma through connection, this is for you.
🧬 stem fmc
🔪morally grey ex assassin bodyguard MMC
😮💨 tattoos and scars
🛌 one hotel room
🏁 on the run / road trip suspense
🪖 brothers frenemy
🛡️ protective hero
❤️🔥 f*ck it moment
Favorite quotes:
“I fell for someone who tried selling me the moon, and I sold my soul to buy it.”
“Interconnected fates.” His mouth curved into a mischievous smile. “You’re not so bad, Troublemaker.”
"The problem with broken people being drawn to one another is that the bond is often a toxic one. Each party is desperate to feel whole, to feel worthy, and finding those things in another broken person never fills the void. It merely masks it. Like a bandage over a deep puncture wound—it’ll cover the hole but never fill it. That can only happen from the inside."
“There is darkness in the world, Isabel, but it’d be a shame to be so consumed by it that you refuse to see and acknowledge the light.”
If you're a fan of enemies to lovers, high stakes and healing past trauma through connection, this is for you.
🧬 stem fmc
🔪morally grey ex assassin bodyguard MMC
😮💨 tattoos and scars
🛌 one hotel room
🏁 on the run / road trip suspense
🪖 brothers frenemy
🛡️ protective hero
❤️🔥 f*ck it moment
Favorite quotes:
“I fell for someone who tried selling me the moon, and I sold my soul to buy it.”
“Interconnected fates.” His mouth curved into a mischievous smile. “You’re not so bad, Troublemaker.”
"The problem with broken people being drawn to one another is that the bond is often a toxic one. Each party is desperate to feel whole, to feel worthy, and finding those things in another broken person never fills the void. It merely masks it. Like a bandage over a deep puncture wound—it’ll cover the hole but never fill it. That can only happen from the inside."
“There is darkness in the world, Isabel, but it’d be a shame to be so consumed by it that you refuse to see and acknowledge the light.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fractured Valor by A.A. DaSilva completely pulled me in from the very first pages and never let go. This story is the perfect mix of high stakes action, emotional depth, and a romance that slowly builds under pressure in the most addictive way.
Xavier is the kind of hero who carries the weight of his past in every decision he makes. After a mission gone wrong, he is clearly a man trying to outrun his own demons, and watching him get pulled back into a dangerous assignment makes for such a gripping ride. Beneath his hardened exterior there is so much pain, loyalty, and vulnerability that makes him impossible not to root for.
Isabel was just as compelling. She is brilliant, stubborn, and fiercely independent, even when she is forced to rely on someone else for protection. I loved the tension between her and Xavier. Their banter, the constant push and pull, and the slow shift from resistance to trust made their connection feel real and earned.
What really stood out to me was how well the author balanced the adrenaline of the mission with the emotional journey between these two characters. The danger never lets up, but at the same time the story digs deep into guilt, redemption, and what it means to open your heart when you are convinced you do not deserve happiness.
By the time the truth about their past connection comes to light, the emotional stakes are sky high. It added another powerful layer to an already intense story and made the romance feel even more meaningful.
Fractured Valor is a thrilling romantic suspense that delivers action, heart, and characters you cannot help but become invested in. If you love protective, broken heroes, strong heroines, and a story that keeps your heart racing while also making you feel something deeper, this is absolutely one to pick up. I was hooked from beginning to end and will definitely be looking forward to more from A.A. DaSilva.
Fractured Valor by A.A. DaSilva completely pulled me in from the very first pages and never let go. This story is the perfect mix of high stakes action, emotional depth, and a romance that slowly builds under pressure in the most addictive way.
Xavier is the kind of hero who carries the weight of his past in every decision he makes. After a mission gone wrong, he is clearly a man trying to outrun his own demons, and watching him get pulled back into a dangerous assignment makes for such a gripping ride. Beneath his hardened exterior there is so much pain, loyalty, and vulnerability that makes him impossible not to root for.
Isabel was just as compelling. She is brilliant, stubborn, and fiercely independent, even when she is forced to rely on someone else for protection. I loved the tension between her and Xavier. Their banter, the constant push and pull, and the slow shift from resistance to trust made their connection feel real and earned.
What really stood out to me was how well the author balanced the adrenaline of the mission with the emotional journey between these two characters. The danger never lets up, but at the same time the story digs deep into guilt, redemption, and what it means to open your heart when you are convinced you do not deserve happiness.
By the time the truth about their past connection comes to light, the emotional stakes are sky high. It added another powerful layer to an already intense story and made the romance feel even more meaningful.
Fractured Valor is a thrilling romantic suspense that delivers action, heart, and characters you cannot help but become invested in. If you love protective, broken heroes, strong heroines, and a story that keeps your heart racing while also making you feel something deeper, this is absolutely one to pick up. I was hooked from beginning to end and will definitely be looking forward to more from A.A. DaSilva.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The story starts off with high intensity as the hero is an assassin for the government and on a mission that goes horribly wrong. Fast forward two years, he’s retired from the army and is basically a badly scarred drunk with no prospects. Enter an old army buddy who runs a security company and has been trying to get Xavier on his team for a while. He convinces Xavier to take on a small job—take a woman scientist with an antidote to a nasty drug across the county to her brother on an army base in San Diego. Isabel is stubborn and determined that she doesn’t need a babysitter – until she does. But even then, she fights against it—and against the feelings she is developing for Xavier.
Both Isabel and Xavier have issues with things in their pasts. It takes the entire trip for them to come to grips with those issues, especially when Xavier finds out about Isabel’s ties to his failed mission. As the danger escalates, so do their feelings for each other—leading to several steamy sex scenes. And a HEA that satisfies.
I will note that the story is told in multiple first person with each chapter headlined by who is the lead in that chapter. I know some people have an issue with this, but trust me, the story is worth it.
Recommended.
Both Isabel and Xavier have issues with things in their pasts. It takes the entire trip for them to come to grips with those issues, especially when Xavier finds out about Isabel’s ties to his failed mission. As the danger escalates, so do their feelings for each other—leading to several steamy sex scenes. And a HEA that satisfies.
I will note that the story is told in multiple first person with each chapter headlined by who is the lead in that chapter. I know some people have an issue with this, but trust me, the story is worth it.
Recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such an amazing, complete, and satisfying romance!
I love series and longer books, but with just under 200 pages, the author wrote it so well that I couldn’t get enough.
The introduction to the main characters was strong, and the enemies-to-lovers dynamic was clear from the start. They truly only tolerated each other, at first, until they couldn’t resist anymore. Xavier is such a sexy, strong, yet vulnerable MMC, and Isabel is the perfect hard-headed, spunky FMC with a soft side.
The banter between them was fun, with some genuinely funny lines sprinkled throughout the story.
One thing I really appreciated was how the characters didn’t drastically change from who they were at the beginning. Instead, they evolved through their growing relationship, which made their connection feel believable.
There were also a few open-door spice scenes with some great spicy lines, which added nicely to their chemistry and made me pause.
I love series and longer books, but with just under 200 pages, the author wrote it so well that I couldn’t get enough.
The introduction to the main characters was strong, and the enemies-to-lovers dynamic was clear from the start. They truly only tolerated each other, at first, until they couldn’t resist anymore. Xavier is such a sexy, strong, yet vulnerable MMC, and Isabel is the perfect hard-headed, spunky FMC with a soft side.
The banter between them was fun, with some genuinely funny lines sprinkled throughout the story.
One thing I really appreciated was how the characters didn’t drastically change from who they were at the beginning. Instead, they evolved through their growing relationship, which made their connection feel believable.
There were also a few open-door spice scenes with some great spicy lines, which added nicely to their chemistry and made me pause.
Review of advance copy received from Author
HONEST ACR REVIEW/No Spoilers!
Two broken pasts. One dangerous mission. And a connection neither of them expected.
Isabel and Xavier are both shaped by their pasts, and watching them confront those struggles throughout the journey was compelling. The tension builds when Xavier learns about Isabel’s connection to his failed mission, adding emotional depth and conflict. As the danger rises, so does their connection, creating a powerful mix of action and romance. The tension, the stakes, and yes the heat are all perfectly done.
Fractured Valor is gripping, emotional, and steamy read that keeps you hooked from start to finish.The chemistry, the stakes, and the character growth all come together for a satisfying happily-ever-after. AA DaSilva has done it again! You start a journey with her books, where you are not left disappointed.
Two broken pasts. One dangerous mission. And a connection neither of them expected.
Isabel and Xavier are both shaped by their pasts, and watching them confront those struggles throughout the journey was compelling. The tension builds when Xavier learns about Isabel’s connection to his failed mission, adding emotional depth and conflict. As the danger rises, so does their connection, creating a powerful mix of action and romance. The tension, the stakes, and yes the heat are all perfectly done.
Fractured Valor is gripping, emotional, and steamy read that keeps you hooked from start to finish.The chemistry, the stakes, and the character growth all come together for a satisfying happily-ever-after. AA DaSilva has done it again! You start a journey with her books, where you are not left disappointed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I started reading this and was pulled in immediately and could not put it down until I was completely done. I read it in one sitting and I am at a loss for words over this amazing book. This was about Xavier and Isabel. Xavier was a hero that carries the weight of the world and past mistakes on his shoulders. After a bad mission he pretty much started running from his demons. Yet underneath all of his tough exterior is a huge heart, that is fiercely loyal. Then Isabel she is so amazingly smart and very independent and don't like being dependent on anyone. Overall, the author did a great job with characters and the plot. I felt there was an amazing balance between the action, emotional, and adrenaline in the story. I am excited to see what the author comes out with next.
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March 27, 2026Book review:
We have Xavier that is down on his luck after a mission gone wrong. An old mate calls him and has a job offer for him if he wants it, and it will pay well. All he has to do is take a scientist and her antidote to a base on the West Coast. Think it will be easy, right? Nope, he was so wrong and found out why they wanted him for the job. We have Isabel trying to shake him off from the word "go," and then other people are after them the whole time on this trip. Lest just say they had one heck of a ride the whole time in this book.
@aadasilva11
We have Xavier that is down on his luck after a mission gone wrong. An old mate calls him and has a job offer for him if he wants it, and it will pay well. All he has to do is take a scientist and her antidote to a base on the West Coast. Think it will be easy, right? Nope, he was so wrong and found out why they wanted him for the job. We have Isabel trying to shake him off from the word "go," and then other people are after them the whole time on this trip. Lest just say they had one heck of a ride the whole time in this book.
@aadasilva11
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews