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The Protectors #1
The Hazard and the Hitman
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and being in the hospital with stitches in my head and no way out makes me pretty desperate. So I log in to a dating app, searching for a guy willing to pretend to be my boyfriend so I can bust out of this overpriced nightmare.
But what do I get?
Accused of being a prostitute. Talk about a waste of phone minutes.
With plan A a no-go, I move on to plan B. Escape. Except, on my way to freedom, I’m nearly pummeled by a man wearing all black and with the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen.
When he pretends to be my boyfriend, I’m shook. And even more shook when I discover this is the rude guy from the app.
Turns out he’s not only rude but bossy, irritable, and he keeps calling me a walking hazard. I go along with the lie anyway, thinking I can ditch him as soon as I’m free.
Except that doesn’t happen.
I end up back at his place, eating soup and trying hard not to catch feelings.
Then my apartment is broken into, and I’m running for my life, confused, injured, and with nowhere else to go. Kieran vows to keep me safe, something he seems more than capable of… Which is kinda odd for a real estate agent, right?
As the threat to my life intensifies, I start to wonder if I’ll make it to my next birthday and, more importantly, if trusting Kieran is the deadliest hazard of all.
But what do I get?
Accused of being a prostitute. Talk about a waste of phone minutes.
With plan A a no-go, I move on to plan B. Escape. Except, on my way to freedom, I’m nearly pummeled by a man wearing all black and with the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen.
When he pretends to be my boyfriend, I’m shook. And even more shook when I discover this is the rude guy from the app.
Turns out he’s not only rude but bossy, irritable, and he keeps calling me a walking hazard. I go along with the lie anyway, thinking I can ditch him as soon as I’m free.
Except that doesn’t happen.
I end up back at his place, eating soup and trying hard not to catch feelings.
Then my apartment is broken into, and I’m running for my life, confused, injured, and with nowhere else to go. Kieran vows to keep me safe, something he seems more than capable of… Which is kinda odd for a real estate agent, right?
As the threat to my life intensifies, I start to wonder if I’ll make it to my next birthday and, more importantly, if trusting Kieran is the deadliest hazard of all.
447 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 13, 2026
About the author
Cambria Hebert
100 books5,714 followersCambria Hebert is a bestselling novelist of more than fifty titles. She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair.
Besides writing, Cambria loves a pumpkin spice latte, staying up late, sleeping in, and watching K drama until her eyes won’t stay open. She considers math human torture and has an irrational fear of chickens (yes, chickens). You can often find her running on the treadmill (she’d rather be eating a donut), painting her toenails (because she bites her fingernails), or walking her chihuahuas (the real bosses of the house).
Cambria has written in many genres, including new adult, sports romance, male/male romance, sci-fi, thriller, suspense, contemporary romance, and young adult. Many of her titles have been translated into foreign languages and have been the recipients of multiple awards.
Awards Cambria has received include:
Author of the Year 2016 (UtopiaCon2016)
The Hashtag Series: Best Contemporary Series of 2015 (UtopiaCon 2015)
#Nerd: Best Contemporary Book Cover of 2015 (UtopiaCon 2015)
Romeo from the Hashtag Series: Best Contemporary Lead (UtopiaCon 2015)
#Nerd: Top 50 Summer Reads (Buzzfeed.com 2015)
The Hashtag Series: Best Contemporary Series of 2016 (UtopiaCon 2016)
#NERD Book Trailer: Best Book Trailer of 2016 (UtopiaCon 2016)
#Nerd Book Trailer: Top 50 Most Cinematic Book Trailers of All Time (film-14.com)
#Nerd: Book Most Wanted to be Adapted to Screen: (2018)
Amnesia: Mystery Book of the Year (2018)
Cambria Hebert owns and operates Cambria Hebert Books, LLC.
You can find out more about Cambria and her titles by visiting her website:
http://www.cambriahebert.com
Email: cambriahebert@rocketmail.com
Facebook: http://smarturl.co/CambriaHebertFanpage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambriahebert
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/cambriahebert/p...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambriahebert
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/amazoncambria
Newsletter subscription: http://eepurl.com/bUL5_5
Share Squad sign up: http://bit.ly/sharesquad
Besides writing, Cambria loves a pumpkin spice latte, staying up late, sleeping in, and watching K drama until her eyes won’t stay open. She considers math human torture and has an irrational fear of chickens (yes, chickens). You can often find her running on the treadmill (she’d rather be eating a donut), painting her toenails (because she bites her fingernails), or walking her chihuahuas (the real bosses of the house).
Cambria has written in many genres, including new adult, sports romance, male/male romance, sci-fi, thriller, suspense, contemporary romance, and young adult. Many of her titles have been translated into foreign languages and have been the recipients of multiple awards.
Awards Cambria has received include:
Author of the Year 2016 (UtopiaCon2016)
The Hashtag Series: Best Contemporary Series of 2015 (UtopiaCon 2015)
#Nerd: Best Contemporary Book Cover of 2015 (UtopiaCon 2015)
Romeo from the Hashtag Series: Best Contemporary Lead (UtopiaCon 2015)
#Nerd: Top 50 Summer Reads (Buzzfeed.com 2015)
The Hashtag Series: Best Contemporary Series of 2016 (UtopiaCon 2016)
#NERD Book Trailer: Best Book Trailer of 2016 (UtopiaCon 2016)
#Nerd Book Trailer: Top 50 Most Cinematic Book Trailers of All Time (film-14.com)
#Nerd: Book Most Wanted to be Adapted to Screen: (2018)
Amnesia: Mystery Book of the Year (2018)
Cambria Hebert owns and operates Cambria Hebert Books, LLC.
You can find out more about Cambria and her titles by visiting her website:
http://www.cambriahebert.com
Email: cambriahebert@rocketmail.com
Facebook: http://smarturl.co/CambriaHebertFanpage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambriahebert
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/cambriahebert/p...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambriahebert
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/amazoncambria
Newsletter subscription: http://eepurl.com/bUL5_5
Share Squad sign up: http://bit.ly/sharesquad
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 540 reviews
March 14, 2026
Safety info, content warnings and tropes down below.
This book really was a whole heaping of fun, and actually made me laugh out loud a couple times. I can also confirm that there’s the usual brand of Cambria possessiveness and protectiveness that I love so much. It’s OTT, nostalgic, and just feels comforting in a way. There’s something about a cold, grumpy hitman immediately losing his cool when meeting the love interest that warms the soul. Kieran being a completely overprotective mother hen being head over heels with a walking banana peel (the nickname Hazard is very apt) leads to a lot of fun and cute moments.
I always love when romance books have an external plot, and if it’s action-y, even better. Although it took a while for the plot to kick in, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The action was fun and exciting, but never angsty. It’s an easy read, lots of fun, and perfect if you love complete obsession and possessiveness between main characters. Haz is also just adorable.
While the sex scenes were hot at times, I don’t love the words fapping, rod or manhood, lol. I also don’t love whatever the hell is going on here:
Some dodgy sex scenes aside, I really enjoyed this book. 4.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to the author for the ARC :)
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Grumpy hitman
Size difference
Heterochromia
Dude in distress
Instant obsession
Possessive and protective
Fast burn
'You're mine'
Coming untouched
Mild breeding kink
Calling him 'baby doll'
Multiple orgasms
Mafia adjacent
Rich & poor
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
On-page car accident
Vomiting
Minor injuries and mentions of medical treatment
Themes of not affording hospital bill
Explicit sexual content
Alcohol consumption
Throat-fucking (safewords discussed)
Home invasion and destruction of property
Graphic violence
Gun violence
MC abandoned as a child
Brief moment of dubcon (other MC does not see it like that and is not upset)
On-page panic attack and general anxiety
Attempted murder of MC on page
On-page death of bad guys (graphic)
Pet fish's lives in danger (survive)
Mentions of parent deaths (past)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 22 and 30
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 394
Happy ending: Yes
“I don’t belong here,” I said quietly, already shaken up, so the words just tumbled out. “In this fancy house.” I sniffed and gestured in his direction. “With a man like you.” His head cocked to the side. “And what do you think a man like me is?” “Bad-tempered, bossy, anal.” I glanced around. “Obviously rich.” “Is that all?” His tone was dry, and I itched to look at his face to see what expression he wore, but I denied myself. Looking at him led to bad things. “Handsome,” I mumbled. “What?” “Hard of hearing,” I hollered.
“Can we finish this conversation in the morning, baby doll? I need some sleep.” “Yes,” I replied, carding my fingers through his dark hair. He moaned in satisfaction and went boneless on top of me. Did I mention he’s like twice the size of me? “Don’t you want to roll over?” I asked, squished beneath him. “No,” he declared, then started to snore. It shouldn’t have been easy to sleep while being smothered by a massive lawnmower.
“I made you eggs. Go,” he said, releasing me and stepping back. “I don’t have time.” “You are not leaving this house until you eat breakfast.” He might as well have just declared a law because the look on his face was unforgiving. “Get your keys!” I said, racing toward the kitchen. “I’ll be done in less than five.” “If you choke, I’ll spank you.” I coughed around the scrambled eggs already stuffed in my mouth. “Chew,” he demanded, disappearing back into the hall to presumably find his keys.
My heart constricted painfully when he looked up again. “I’m sorry.” It was a night of firsts for me, it seemed, because the indulgent, coddling sound that came out of me was one I’d never heard before. Maybe I was sick. I should check myself for a fever. “You didn’t do anything wrong, baby doll.” I cradled his face between my palms. The urge to kiss the end of his nose had me swaying forward, but I caught myself before I could. What possessed me to do such a thing, I didn’t understand. Must be the fever.
“Why do you look like someone kicked your puppy?” It wasn’t a question but more of a command. I scowled. “If I had a puppy and someone hurt it, I wouldn’t pout. I’d knock out their teeth.”
“But I need you to also understand that I love you, and you said you love me back.” “I do.” He confirmed. “That means I get to help take care of you now, and I can’t do that if you’re running around all willy nilly and getting into elevators by yourself—” “Willy nilly.” He snickered. “Pay attention,” I barked. “I’m giving you a lecture.” “Right.” He agreed, not contrite at all.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
This book really was a whole heaping of fun, and actually made me laugh out loud a couple times. I can also confirm that there’s the usual brand of Cambria possessiveness and protectiveness that I love so much. It’s OTT, nostalgic, and just feels comforting in a way. There’s something about a cold, grumpy hitman immediately losing his cool when meeting the love interest that warms the soul. Kieran being a completely overprotective mother hen being head over heels with a walking banana peel (the nickname Hazard is very apt) leads to a lot of fun and cute moments.
I always love when romance books have an external plot, and if it’s action-y, even better. Although it took a while for the plot to kick in, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The action was fun and exciting, but never angsty. It’s an easy read, lots of fun, and perfect if you love complete obsession and possessiveness between main characters. Haz is also just adorable.
While the sex scenes were hot at times, I don’t love the words fapping, rod or manhood, lol. I also don’t love whatever the hell is going on here:
I sucked deep and, as I drew back, brought out my teeth. The blunt edges of bone grazed over the sensitive, silky flesh, shaving off a thin layer and catching on the underside of his fat head.
Some dodgy sex scenes aside, I really enjoyed this book. 4.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to the author for the ARC :)
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Grumpy hitman
Size difference
Heterochromia
Dude in distress
Instant obsession
Possessive and protective
Fast burn
'You're mine'
Coming untouched
Mild breeding kink
Calling him 'baby doll'
Multiple orgasms
Mafia adjacent
Rich & poor
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
On-page car accident
Vomiting
Minor injuries and mentions of medical treatment
Themes of not affording hospital bill
Explicit sexual content
Alcohol consumption
Throat-fucking (safewords discussed)
Home invasion and destruction of property
Graphic violence
Gun violence
MC abandoned as a child
Brief moment of dubcon (other MC does not see it like that and is not upset)
On-page panic attack and general anxiety
Attempted murder of MC on page
On-page death of bad guys (graphic)
Pet fish's lives in danger (survive)
Mentions of parent deaths (past)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 22 and 30
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 394
Happy ending: Yes
“I don’t belong here,” I said quietly, already shaken up, so the words just tumbled out. “In this fancy house.” I sniffed and gestured in his direction. “With a man like you.” His head cocked to the side. “And what do you think a man like me is?” “Bad-tempered, bossy, anal.” I glanced around. “Obviously rich.” “Is that all?” His tone was dry, and I itched to look at his face to see what expression he wore, but I denied myself. Looking at him led to bad things. “Handsome,” I mumbled. “What?” “Hard of hearing,” I hollered.
“Can we finish this conversation in the morning, baby doll? I need some sleep.” “Yes,” I replied, carding my fingers through his dark hair. He moaned in satisfaction and went boneless on top of me. Did I mention he’s like twice the size of me? “Don’t you want to roll over?” I asked, squished beneath him. “No,” he declared, then started to snore. It shouldn’t have been easy to sleep while being smothered by a massive lawnmower.
“I made you eggs. Go,” he said, releasing me and stepping back. “I don’t have time.” “You are not leaving this house until you eat breakfast.” He might as well have just declared a law because the look on his face was unforgiving. “Get your keys!” I said, racing toward the kitchen. “I’ll be done in less than five.” “If you choke, I’ll spank you.” I coughed around the scrambled eggs already stuffed in my mouth. “Chew,” he demanded, disappearing back into the hall to presumably find his keys.
My heart constricted painfully when he looked up again. “I’m sorry.” It was a night of firsts for me, it seemed, because the indulgent, coddling sound that came out of me was one I’d never heard before. Maybe I was sick. I should check myself for a fever. “You didn’t do anything wrong, baby doll.” I cradled his face between my palms. The urge to kiss the end of his nose had me swaying forward, but I caught myself before I could. What possessed me to do such a thing, I didn’t understand. Must be the fever.
“Why do you look like someone kicked your puppy?” It wasn’t a question but more of a command. I scowled. “If I had a puppy and someone hurt it, I wouldn’t pout. I’d knock out their teeth.”
“But I need you to also understand that I love you, and you said you love me back.” “I do.” He confirmed. “That means I get to help take care of you now, and I can’t do that if you’re running around all willy nilly and getting into elevators by yourself—” “Willy nilly.” He snickered. “Pay attention,” I barked. “I’m giving you a lecture.” “Right.” He agreed, not contrite at all.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
July 28, 2026
4 Stars
Protective, possessive, OBSESSIVE. This is M/M insta-love on crack, people… and I ATE IT UP!!!
The story follows Kieran and Hazard’s whirlwind romance, which goes from 0 to 60 mph, as the broody hitman and his damsel dude-in-distress enthusiastically hopscotch from strangers, to immediate protector/protectee, to madly-in-love live-in boyfriends, all in under a week.
To be fair, said week includes multiple murder attempts on both of their lives, steaming hot sex scenes, several life-threatening injuries sustained, a couple of great sidekicks, heaps of dead assholes along the way, and more clumsiness and chaos than I could shake a stick at.
If you’ve read a Hebert book before, you know what you’re getting into. It’s the kind of OTT, probably-problematic-behaviour-but-I-don’t-give-a-f*ck, touch-him-and-die, I’ll-burn-the-world-down-for-you vibes—which I unashamedly favour in my romantic suspense reads, and Hebert most definitely has my number on this.
I zipped through this book like nobody's business, leaving fully entertained and deeply satisfied with Haz and Kieran’s story. Now, onto the sequel starring hilarious sidekicks Ghost and Rett, who were perfectly introduced and set-up here, in such a way that they almost stole the whole damn show!
The Protectors series
Book 1 - The Hazard & the Hitman (4 Stars)
Book 2 - The Geek & the Ghost (4.5 Stars)
Book 3 - pending...
Protective, possessive, OBSESSIVE. This is M/M insta-love on crack, people… and I ATE IT UP!!!
The story follows Kieran and Hazard’s whirlwind romance, which goes from 0 to 60 mph, as the broody hitman and his damsel dude-in-distress enthusiastically hopscotch from strangers, to immediate protector/protectee, to madly-in-love live-in boyfriends, all in under a week.
To be fair, said week includes multiple murder attempts on both of their lives, steaming hot sex scenes, several life-threatening injuries sustained, a couple of great sidekicks, heaps of dead assholes along the way, and more clumsiness and chaos than I could shake a stick at.
If you’ve read a Hebert book before, you know what you’re getting into. It’s the kind of OTT, probably-problematic-behaviour-but-I-don’t-give-a-f*ck, touch-him-and-die, I’ll-burn-the-world-down-for-you vibes—which I unashamedly favour in my romantic suspense reads, and Hebert most definitely has my number on this.
I zipped through this book like nobody's business, leaving fully entertained and deeply satisfied with Haz and Kieran’s story. Now, onto the sequel starring hilarious sidekicks Ghost and Rett, who were perfectly introduced and set-up here, in such a way that they almost stole the whole damn show!
The Protectors series
Book 1 - The Hazard & the Hitman (4 Stars)
Book 2 - The Geek & the Ghost (4.5 Stars)
Book 3 - pending...
July 30, 2026
Kieran + Hazier 🖤
Insta love | Opposites | Size difference | Possessiveness
I enjoyed this for the most part. It had surprising humor that I didnt expect. But there are negatives. This isn't an all positive 4 star review.
I really don't try and take fiction too seriously. But when its something so basic, it really should be correct.
The author could have benefited from very simple research of IV's. I'll explain further below. It was just distracting.
And having Haz talk directly to the reader at times was weird.
Rant about IV's:
The needle does not get left in your skin. It honestly took me out of the story seeing multiple times how a "needle" got ripped out of Haz's skin when the IV came out. No it did not. Its a flexible catheter. The needle does not stay. Sincerely a chronically ill person who's had plenty of IVs.
⚠️ potential spoilers below in detailed tropes, content and warning lists
Tropes/content:
Hitman
Rich guy + poor guy
Ex foster kid
Size difference
"Baby doll"
"Doll"
"Little hazard"
Mine
Instant love
Makes him get more IV fluids
Makes him eat and cooks for him
Dry humping + grinding while being held
Marking
Sucks on his thumb while getting hickies
Cum in his pants
Wears his clothes
First time sleeping with someone. Actual sleeping.
Bathing together
Cuddles after nightmare on their first night
Carries him
Possessive
Licks his tears
Hands free
Rimming
Breeding
Uncut
Bareback
Rough sex
Claiming sex
Kiss each others owies
Vouyerism and exhibition between the two of them, teasing each other before the main event
Nipple play and sucking
Face sitting
Finish while giving head
69
Strict roles
Epilogue 6 months later - Keiran bought Haz the fish store, Haz's newfound uncles and Keiran have a truce
Warnings/icks:
Car crash
Concussion
Blood and needles
Stitches
Hospital stay
Multiple IVs
Orgasms while concussed
Kieran gets attacked by 3 men in the gym shower but comes out on top
Haz's apartment gets ransacked and several men attempt to kill him - he escapes with injuries
Haz's mom abandoned him as a baby naked and with umbilical cord still attached when he was just a couple hours old
Sex while hooked up to IV
Sex without lube
Discussion of injury in the military
Haz has hit out on him and there's attempts to kill him multiple times
Kind of big spoiler:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Someone actually tries to hire Keiran to kill Haz.
Haz is the son of a mob boss who is dead. The guy who had a hit on him killed his dad and then tried to kill him. He never met the man who was his father. His uncles accept him.
Insta love | Opposites | Size difference | Possessiveness
I enjoyed this for the most part. It had surprising humor that I didnt expect. But there are negatives. This isn't an all positive 4 star review.
I really don't try and take fiction too seriously. But when its something so basic, it really should be correct.
The author could have benefited from very simple research of IV's. I'll explain further below. It was just distracting.
And having Haz talk directly to the reader at times was weird.
Rant about IV's:
The needle does not get left in your skin. It honestly took me out of the story seeing multiple times how a "needle" got ripped out of Haz's skin when the IV came out. No it did not. Its a flexible catheter. The needle does not stay. Sincerely a chronically ill person who's had plenty of IVs.
⚠️ potential spoilers below in detailed tropes, content and warning lists
Tropes/content:
Hitman
Rich guy + poor guy
Ex foster kid
Size difference
"Baby doll"
"Doll"
"Little hazard"
Mine
Instant love
Makes him get more IV fluids
Makes him eat and cooks for him
Dry humping + grinding while being held
Marking
Sucks on his thumb while getting hickies
Cum in his pants
Wears his clothes
First time sleeping with someone. Actual sleeping.
Bathing together
Cuddles after nightmare on their first night
Carries him
Possessive
Licks his tears
Hands free
Rimming
Breeding
Uncut
Bareback
Rough sex
Claiming sex
Kiss each others owies
Vouyerism and exhibition between the two of them, teasing each other before the main event
Nipple play and sucking
Face sitting
Finish while giving head
69
Strict roles
Epilogue 6 months later - Keiran bought Haz the fish store, Haz's newfound uncles and Keiran have a truce
Warnings/icks:
Car crash
Concussion
Blood and needles
Stitches
Hospital stay
Multiple IVs
Orgasms while concussed
Kieran gets attacked by 3 men in the gym shower but comes out on top
Haz's apartment gets ransacked and several men attempt to kill him - he escapes with injuries
Haz's mom abandoned him as a baby naked and with umbilical cord still attached when he was just a couple hours old
Sex while hooked up to IV
Sex without lube
Discussion of injury in the military
Haz has hit out on him and there's attempts to kill him multiple times
Kind of big spoiler:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Someone actually tries to hire Keiran to kill Haz.
Haz is the son of a mob boss who is dead. The guy who had a hit on him killed his dad and then tried to kill him. He never met the man who was his father. His uncles accept him.
March 15, 2026
The fastest insta-love to ever insta-love and it was absolute perfection 😍
When I say fastest insta-love ever, I mean it. These two meet face to face and 15 minutes later - literally - Kieran is already highly protective of Haz and calling him things like babydoll. Within literally a few days - within a week - they're declaring their love for each other.
And honestly I was eating it the fuck up.
Haz is poor, having grow up in an orphanage, and has 4 jobs, living day to day, paycheck to paycheck. While driving home from work in his beat up, shitty 20+ year old car in the rain and thunder, he seemingly crashes into a guardrail and has to go to the hospital. But it's very expensive to be at the hospital (the way this premise wouldn't work if the American healthcare system wasn't shit...but anywayysss) and Haz wants to leave right away, but they won't let him unless he has someone to be with him to look after him (he has a concussion, after all).
So what does Haz do? He goes on a dating app to ask a guy to pretend to be his boyfriend to get him out of the hospital sooner, because the sooner he gets out, the less expensive the bill will be.
Kieran, a hitman, just got back from a job and is taking a few weeks off and is looking to get laid. When Haz asks him that he's not convinced Haz is genuine, but something about his face seems innocent and sweet and real, which Kieran isn't used to anymore, people being genuine.
So he eventually goes, they run into each other, literally, and then Kieran pretends to be his boyfriend and is hooked on this small, adorable, sweet and kind guy immediatley.
Of course Haz is just as obsessed with the big, tall and sexy broody man who comes to his rescue, and soon enough Kieran is declaring Haz his. Smut happens almost right away and it's hot and sexy and passionate. I absolutely loved the chemistry between these two.
But also...there's more to Haz's accident than meets the eye, especially when he goes back to his apartment and see it trashed, and then later...men come to kill him.
Haz is so sweet and kind that it doesn't make sense that anyone would want to kill him...but there they are, trying. And Kieran will do everything in his power to keep Haz alive, because he's the one thing he can now never lose.
This is just...so fun. Is it a bit wild and OTT and does it get a bit silly at the end...yeah. But I don't care, it was just too good. Theeir possessiveness of each other was *chef's kiss* and the plot was engaging and fun anyway, and it resolved well enough and in a way that made sense, and I zoomed through this book so fast.
I truly love this author and can't get enough of her books. I absolutely can't wait for Ghost and Rett as well, so I'll be on the edge of my seat waiting for their romance.
Until then! 😘
When I say fastest insta-love ever, I mean it. These two meet face to face and 15 minutes later - literally - Kieran is already highly protective of Haz and calling him things like babydoll. Within literally a few days - within a week - they're declaring their love for each other.
And honestly I was eating it the fuck up.
Haz is poor, having grow up in an orphanage, and has 4 jobs, living day to day, paycheck to paycheck. While driving home from work in his beat up, shitty 20+ year old car in the rain and thunder, he seemingly crashes into a guardrail and has to go to the hospital. But it's very expensive to be at the hospital (the way this premise wouldn't work if the American healthcare system wasn't shit...but anywayysss) and Haz wants to leave right away, but they won't let him unless he has someone to be with him to look after him (he has a concussion, after all).
So what does Haz do? He goes on a dating app to ask a guy to pretend to be his boyfriend to get him out of the hospital sooner, because the sooner he gets out, the less expensive the bill will be.
Kieran, a hitman, just got back from a job and is taking a few weeks off and is looking to get laid. When Haz asks him that he's not convinced Haz is genuine, but something about his face seems innocent and sweet and real, which Kieran isn't used to anymore, people being genuine.
So he eventually goes, they run into each other, literally, and then Kieran pretends to be his boyfriend and is hooked on this small, adorable, sweet and kind guy immediatley.
Of course Haz is just as obsessed with the big, tall and sexy broody man who comes to his rescue, and soon enough Kieran is declaring Haz his. Smut happens almost right away and it's hot and sexy and passionate. I absolutely loved the chemistry between these two.
But also...there's more to Haz's accident than meets the eye, especially when he goes back to his apartment and see it trashed, and then later...men come to kill him.
Haz is so sweet and kind that it doesn't make sense that anyone would want to kill him...but there they are, trying. And Kieran will do everything in his power to keep Haz alive, because he's the one thing he can now never lose.
This is just...so fun. Is it a bit wild and OTT and does it get a bit silly at the end...yeah. But I don't care, it was just too good. Theeir possessiveness of each other was *chef's kiss* and the plot was engaging and fun anyway, and it resolved well enough and in a way that made sense, and I zoomed through this book so fast.
I truly love this author and can't get enough of her books. I absolutely can't wait for Ghost and Rett as well, so I'll be on the edge of my seat waiting for their romance.
Until then! 😘
April 30, 2026
I feel like Haz really needed someone like Kieran to protect him & I loved them together. He was so innocent & naive but I liked Kieran for him. I liked how Haz really shook up Kieran’s life too. Some parts seemed a lil ridiculous (& maybe slightly cringey at times sorryyyy), but overall it was a fun read and def made me laugh! I absolutely loved the scene where Haz found Kieran’s lil secret murder room 🤣
I’ll for sure be reading the next book in the series (which should be ghost & rett).
Fav parts:
“You aren’t leaving. This is where you belong.” “W-what?” I asked. “I’m keeping you.”
For me, Haz was the very definition of life, and how easy it was to be consumed by him. I wouldn’t give him up. Instead of death, I was going to cling to life. To him.
“If you are going to threaten me, then do it properly,” he reasoned, taking the gun and turning it around. Oh my God, I was holding it backward?! No wonder he didn’t seem the least bit scared. Holy crap, I could have shot myself!
I’ll for sure be reading the next book in the series (which should be ghost & rett).
Fav parts:
“You aren’t leaving. This is where you belong.” “W-what?” I asked. “I’m keeping you.”
For me, Haz was the very definition of life, and how easy it was to be consumed by him. I wouldn’t give him up. Instead of death, I was going to cling to life. To him.
March 15, 2026
Thank you BookSafety Reviews for bringing the gem to my attention! Now i'm going to be diving through your reviews to see if I can find another safe read from this author.❤️
This was so much fun! There is literally nothing I love reading more than two MCs immediately fixated on eachother. The possessiveness was perfect. No pushing away from either, just two men super needy for eachother and all the drama came from outside the relationship. And I had absolutely no fear they would stray from eachother and seek out someone else at any point in the story. 🥰
Haz had some incredible TSTL moments that had me rolling my eyes a bit but it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. I was fully invested in the story and all the characters, even the side ones which usually i'm not a fan of.
♥︎I loved Haz's interest in fish and how scrappy he was to keep living. How he was intelligent and observant even though he was not the best at caring for his own wellbeing. I also really loved how he completely accepted Kieran after learning what his real job was. And of course, I can relate to being an anxious mess.
♥︎Kieran was the perfect mix of possessive and caretaker, stoic and grumpy with everyone else but a marshmallow for his doll. 🥺
Why not 5 stars then? I have a big pet peeve about sexual scenes while there's active injuries,especially when it's a bit rough. There were parts where I got annoyed at how an important topic got easily swept away into distraction, that's on me, i'm actually surprised I enjoyed the humor in this as much as I did but I needed some more serious time to balance it all out. I'm also afflicted by the more-gene, I'm often left wanting more.. all that possessiveness and no proposal or wedding? Shame!
I'm super hopeful for Ghost and Rett to get their own book, i'm also hopeful that it's not a second-chance trope and instead it's a book that would run concurrently with the timeline of this book.
Full disclosure: I skimmed most of the sex scenes because the wording and description didn't let me take them seriously or my mood just prefered the non-spicy affection.
This was so much fun! There is literally nothing I love reading more than two MCs immediately fixated on eachother. The possessiveness was perfect. No pushing away from either, just two men super needy for eachother and all the drama came from outside the relationship. And I had absolutely no fear they would stray from eachother and seek out someone else at any point in the story. 🥰
Haz had some incredible TSTL moments that had me rolling my eyes a bit but it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. I was fully invested in the story and all the characters, even the side ones which usually i'm not a fan of.
♥︎I loved Haz's interest in fish and how scrappy he was to keep living. How he was intelligent and observant even though he was not the best at caring for his own wellbeing. I also really loved how he completely accepted Kieran after learning what his real job was. And of course, I can relate to being an anxious mess.
♥︎Kieran was the perfect mix of possessive and caretaker, stoic and grumpy with everyone else but a marshmallow for his doll. 🥺
Why not 5 stars then? I have a big pet peeve about sexual scenes while there's active injuries,especially when it's a bit rough. There were parts where I got annoyed at how an important topic got easily swept away into distraction, that's on me, i'm actually surprised I enjoyed the humor in this as much as I did but I needed some more serious time to balance it all out. I'm also afflicted by the more-gene, I'm often left wanting more.. all that possessiveness and no proposal or wedding? Shame!
I'm super hopeful for Ghost and Rett to get their own book, i'm also hopeful that it's not a second-chance trope and instead it's a book that would run concurrently with the timeline of this book.
Full disclosure: I skimmed most of the sex scenes because the wording and description didn't let me take them seriously or my mood just prefered the non-spicy affection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2026
DNF . this book was incredible hard for me to read, mainly because of Haz being everything i dislike about characters roled into one annoying ass character but this is my personal opinion. He seemed like he had no common sense or understanding on basic health. in the beginning i got it because of medical bills but then when he remained obtuse it was beyond tiring. as well as, some chapters in this book lasted HOURS while the scene is meant to be the span of a few hours?? 12 minutes of plot and a whole ass day with way too much drama but then 3 hours of sex and 4 chapters later and they’re still having sex and the same things/ arguments happening over and over again with no resolution?? like kieran being “worried” about Haz but then keeps him ALL night after escaping death and passing out in his arm but the moment he’s awake and on his naive stupidity, Kieran is happy to keep him up all night and be rough with him and then cry about his lack of self control and how Haz needs to look after himself and sleep????
this book lacked a plot to begin with or lost the plot entirely i fear and was incredibly lacklustre as everyday they were literally repeating all the same conversations or just having sex, the smut wasn’t even worth it bro🙄 the last straw was the whole denying friendship to neighbour, then to claiming he’s his bestie 0.2 seconds later thing, i felt like i was reading a book for pre teens as that was the level of maturity in this book.
this is where i get real (my personal opinion as a gay man) i dont know this author but it seems she jumped on the MM bandwagon “trend” as a lot of female authors are doing and tried to portray a twink as the designated damsel in distress who is hopeless and needs a strong, serious, “grumpy”, “big/strong” man to help him survive day to day life essentially and give him validation and value… sound like something familiar??? FM romance books perhaps? i’ve seen this done multiple times with many female authors and no hate for them trying to write MM but i see exactly what is up. like come on, the whole “im so helpless and so small, my feet don’t even touch the ground on this average size bed, please save me but don’t try because im completely independent and never forget it…but save me from myself??” it’s the misogynistic but generic plot line of unfortunately too many FM books and movies so it’s pretty obvious just because when you slap an MM in the title throw a “roughed up” pretty little twink in there but it’s a man who is the epitome of girls “pick me” energy and generic ass plot line, that’s where your mind is at.
again this is my opinion and thoughts, this books is seriously not worth the time and is a disappointment to the community. much love though bro
this book lacked a plot to begin with or lost the plot entirely i fear and was incredibly lacklustre as everyday they were literally repeating all the same conversations or just having sex, the smut wasn’t even worth it bro🙄 the last straw was the whole denying friendship to neighbour, then to claiming he’s his bestie 0.2 seconds later thing, i felt like i was reading a book for pre teens as that was the level of maturity in this book.
this is where i get real (my personal opinion as a gay man) i dont know this author but it seems she jumped on the MM bandwagon “trend” as a lot of female authors are doing and tried to portray a twink as the designated damsel in distress who is hopeless and needs a strong, serious, “grumpy”, “big/strong” man to help him survive day to day life essentially and give him validation and value… sound like something familiar??? FM romance books perhaps? i’ve seen this done multiple times with many female authors and no hate for them trying to write MM but i see exactly what is up. like come on, the whole “im so helpless and so small, my feet don’t even touch the ground on this average size bed, please save me but don’t try because im completely independent and never forget it…but save me from myself??” it’s the misogynistic but generic plot line of unfortunately too many FM books and movies so it’s pretty obvious just because when you slap an MM in the title throw a “roughed up” pretty little twink in there but it’s a man who is the epitome of girls “pick me” energy and generic ass plot line, that’s where your mind is at.
again this is my opinion and thoughts, this books is seriously not worth the time and is a disappointment to the community. much love though bro
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2026
5 ⭐️
3.5 🌶️
100% yes.
Haz was absolutely the cutest anxious little bean. I loved everything about him. His whit and sass. His love for fish and plants.
Kieran omg. I absolutely love when an MC gets mad at inanimate objects that like hurt their partner. Kieran was the sweetest most delusion hitman ever.
Their instalove connection was everything. And that hookup app hospital meet cute. Are you kidding me?!
Ghost - Kieran’s bestie - had me laughing. Him and Haz would banter the house down and rile Kieran up. It was such a fun time. I neeeeeed me some Ghost and Rett though please 🥺
I will say some of the word choices at times were a little weird during their spicy moments but it didn’t pull me completely out of the story. I just prefer not to read the word “rod” in reference to 🍆 🫣😅
Anyway this was such a delightful read and I loved every second of it.
3.5 🌶️
100% yes.
Haz was absolutely the cutest anxious little bean. I loved everything about him. His whit and sass. His love for fish and plants.
Kieran omg. I absolutely love when an MC gets mad at inanimate objects that like hurt their partner. Kieran was the sweetest most delusion hitman ever.
Their instalove connection was everything. And that hookup app hospital meet cute. Are you kidding me?!
Ghost - Kieran’s bestie - had me laughing. Him and Haz would banter the house down and rile Kieran up. It was such a fun time. I neeeeeed me some Ghost and Rett though please 🥺
I will say some of the word choices at times were a little weird during their spicy moments but it didn’t pull me completely out of the story. I just prefer not to read the word “rod” in reference to 🍆 🫣😅
Anyway this was such a delightful read and I loved every second of it.
April 7, 2026
I looooooved this book so much. Haz and Kieran together were so hot but also so funny! I loved how Kieran took care of Haz, ugh my heart! Such a good book. Would recommend. 12/10.
March 18, 2026
This was honestly such a good time. Light and fluffy and I probably won't think too much about it later but I had fun right now.
Very typical Cambria Hebert possessive/protector MC in Kieran but Haz was a little anxious messy ball of sunshine and I adored him! Their banter was chef's kiss. I love this kind of match - reminded me a little of Lane and Felix from Alice Winter's In Darkness series and that's a compliment! Kieran gave me all of the "mine"s that I desperately want in shit like this, just absolutely OTT possessive of Haz in all the ways I love but also a soft little marshmallow for him as well wanting to give him everything in the world. And Haz was funny and feisty and anxious and messy in all my favorite ways - a very natural foil for Kieran's grumpiness. Like, things were so shitty around him and he still just enjoyed his life, he still just tried and I wanted to squish his sweet little face!
The sex and dirty talk was hotttt. This author still deviates too far outside of the approved smut terms for my taste but it wasn't as bad as others of hers I've read, and there was limited use of the bad words. I do beg of her to please drop "rod" from her arsenal and also, I never again want to see the word "fap" for the rest of my life. Just say stroke like the rest of us! I'd even take one of those "his fist shuttled over his cock" situations over THAT. Luckily the sex was truly hot enough that my eyes just replaced them with the acceptable ones in my head and moved on.
Not much new under the sun here but it was all done well enough. It was funny and sexy. The plot was fine - it had hitman/mafia stuff going on that I'm not super into but it was somehow light enough that it didn't bother me. I don't think it took itself too seriously and that helped. I loved Ghost and I'll totally read his book. I loved how much Haz was into his fish. These motherfuckers fell in love in less than a fucking week (which has to be a record on the instalove scale), and I do wish things would've been stretched out even just a tiny bit longer for credibility, but their love felt like more of a choice so that's how I was able to wrap my head around it. They were choosing to belong to one another and choosing to let those feelings settle and I think that allowed for it to feel possible.
I'm so glad this was put on my radar, it was such a good little pick me up!
Pet names: baby doll (1000% yesssss)
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Safety (may contain spoilers)
SA/rape: None
Other person drama: None
Very typical Cambria Hebert possessive/protector MC in Kieran but Haz was a little anxious messy ball of sunshine and I adored him! Their banter was chef's kiss. I love this kind of match - reminded me a little of Lane and Felix from Alice Winter's In Darkness series and that's a compliment! Kieran gave me all of the "mine"s that I desperately want in shit like this, just absolutely OTT possessive of Haz in all the ways I love but also a soft little marshmallow for him as well wanting to give him everything in the world. And Haz was funny and feisty and anxious and messy in all my favorite ways - a very natural foil for Kieran's grumpiness. Like, things were so shitty around him and he still just enjoyed his life, he still just tried and I wanted to squish his sweet little face!
The sex and dirty talk was hotttt. This author still deviates too far outside of the approved smut terms for my taste but it wasn't as bad as others of hers I've read, and there was limited use of the bad words. I do beg of her to please drop "rod" from her arsenal and also, I never again want to see the word "fap" for the rest of my life. Just say stroke like the rest of us! I'd even take one of those "his fist shuttled over his cock" situations over THAT. Luckily the sex was truly hot enough that my eyes just replaced them with the acceptable ones in my head and moved on.
Not much new under the sun here but it was all done well enough. It was funny and sexy. The plot was fine - it had hitman/mafia stuff going on that I'm not super into but it was somehow light enough that it didn't bother me. I don't think it took itself too seriously and that helped. I loved Ghost and I'll totally read his book. I loved how much Haz was into his fish. These motherfuckers fell in love in less than a fucking week (which has to be a record on the instalove scale), and I do wish things would've been stretched out even just a tiny bit longer for credibility, but their love felt like more of a choice so that's how I was able to wrap my head around it. They were choosing to belong to one another and choosing to let those feelings settle and I think that allowed for it to feel possible.
I'm so glad this was put on my radar, it was such a good little pick me up!
Pet names: baby doll (1000% yesssss)
“Consider it an apology.” His nose wrinkled. Fuck me, he’s adorable. “An apology for what?” “For being rude before.” “I’m pretty sure that’s your personality.”
He cuddled right up against me, wedging himself under my arm, pressing tight against my side. With his cheek pillowed on my chest, every breath he took brushed my skin. I realized then that the only way I’d ever be able to sleep again was with him tucked in my protective embrace.
“Whoever did this to you will beg for my mercy, and I will show them none,” I swore.
I glanced down at his lower belly. Maybe I was high from endorphins or my vision was blurred. But he looked a little swollen, stuffed nice and full of my seed. Satisfaction roared through me, and I covered that little mound with my hand, rubbing against it with pride. “Mine.”
“You’re mine.” He reminded me as if I might have forgotten the eleventy-million other times he’d said it. Funny thing, it didn’t matter how many times he declared it because, every single time, my insides turned into goo.
“Your name is not all you have. You are so many things that it both amazes and scares the shit out of me.” “What things?” I asked. “One day, I’m going to make you a list. A long list that I will never stop adding to. Until then, you will just have to believe me when I say you are everything I thought went extinct in this world. You are more than most people will ever be.”
“You are essential, baby doll. The one and only thing I will never live without. Wherever I go, you go too.”
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Safety (may contain spoilers)
SA/rape: None
Other person drama: None
March 24, 2026
Hitman and disney-princess damsel in distress mm romance, a meet cute in a dating app (really!) involving a hospital discharge escape plan. My first book by the author, I can't compare with any others but it was very very cute (but I better take a break between similar books). And Haz really was adorable and cute, and even my stony heart could go along (mostly) with him befriending houseplants and risking his life to save fish. Towards the end it all goes Haz goes on too stupid to live era and "bickering is fun" (not my thing) but mostly a lot of fun.
This is technically a contemporary novel, set in Buffalo, and I got absolutely no private insight into the writing process or the author's other work, but it felt to me like an omegaverse novel, or at least a paranormal novel under camouflage. Their dynamic, the instant love, the instant growly lust, the utter devotion, the imprinting on one another, the innocence thing (word used 21 times...) it all felt very much biological imperative, fated mates rather than any sane modern adults. But I read those things without any contemporary skins, so I still had fun...
There is an element of unreality about some details for example the injuries which are very pity-inducing in some scenes but seem to disappear the moment they start to have sex... The use of mobile phones was also a bit out of whack, yeah, run of minutes, but data is separate right, and you could always get free wifi to send messages, right? Never heard of whatsapp for example? And seriously phone out of minutes but it might still work as say, a clock... (and if Haz is memorizing phone numbers or not, in one scene it seems like he has, in another no like any normal person...). A few other incongruities, but well, like I said, it's not about the realism, it's about the cute..
Vibe reminded me a bit of old Julie Garwood, if anybody remembers, and also in a way of Alice Winters.
This is technically a contemporary novel, set in Buffalo, and I got absolutely no private insight into the writing process or the author's other work, but it felt to me like an omegaverse novel, or at least a paranormal novel under camouflage. Their dynamic, the instant love, the instant growly lust, the utter devotion, the imprinting on one another, the innocence thing (word used 21 times...) it all felt very much biological imperative, fated mates rather than any sane modern adults. But I read those things without any contemporary skins, so I still had fun...
There is an element of unreality about some details for example the injuries which are very pity-inducing in some scenes but seem to disappear the moment they start to have sex... The use of mobile phones was also a bit out of whack, yeah, run of minutes, but data is separate right, and you could always get free wifi to send messages, right? Never heard of whatsapp for example? And seriously phone out of minutes but it might still work as say, a clock... (and if Haz is memorizing phone numbers or not, in one scene it seems like he has, in another no like any normal person...). A few other incongruities, but well, like I said, it's not about the realism, it's about the cute..
Vibe reminded me a bit of old Julie Garwood, if anybody remembers, and also in a way of Alice Winters.
March 17, 2026
4.5 stars for Haz and his Hitman!! (I actually really liked the title and how it played into the book)
Ugh these two were freaking adorable. This book had a lot of my favorite tropes wrapped into one. The grumpy/sunshine, the hurt to comfort, a hitman MC and then add in the instalove and insta obsession that just worked soo well and I really enjoyed this one!! Kieran is so damn grumpy but his obsession with Haz comes swiftly and he finds himself doing things he never ever would have. Not only were they cute but their banter was hilarious at times.
Both of the characters were so great!! Kieran’s possessiveness is what I long for in every book I read. Everyone needs to be his level of possessive. I loved it so much.
There were some corny or overdone lines. Like how their hearts felt like kites because of the amount of love in them or how they kept referring to defying death and having life and all that. Could have done without that.
I also wasn’t a fan of the sex scenes. This author is notorious for putting sex scenes in at the weirdest times. It always seems to be when one of the MC gets hurt or assaulted. I really don’t like that especially if the MC is injured but is okay to get pounded by the other MC, like in this book. I much more preferred the cute moments to the sex scenes here.
Anyway I’m very much looking forward to Ghost and Rets book. I loved Ghost so much!!!
No cheating or OM drama. No third act break up. Murder. HFN (living together but would have been nice to see a little more of their future)
Ugh these two were freaking adorable. This book had a lot of my favorite tropes wrapped into one. The grumpy/sunshine, the hurt to comfort, a hitman MC and then add in the instalove and insta obsession that just worked soo well and I really enjoyed this one!! Kieran is so damn grumpy but his obsession with Haz comes swiftly and he finds himself doing things he never ever would have. Not only were they cute but their banter was hilarious at times.
Both of the characters were so great!! Kieran’s possessiveness is what I long for in every book I read. Everyone needs to be his level of possessive. I loved it so much.
There were some corny or overdone lines. Like how their hearts felt like kites because of the amount of love in them or how they kept referring to defying death and having life and all that. Could have done without that.
I also wasn’t a fan of the sex scenes. This author is notorious for putting sex scenes in at the weirdest times. It always seems to be when one of the MC gets hurt or assaulted. I really don’t like that especially if the MC is injured but is okay to get pounded by the other MC, like in this book. I much more preferred the cute moments to the sex scenes here.
Anyway I’m very much looking forward to Ghost and Rets book. I loved Ghost so much!!!
No cheating or OM drama. No third act break up. Murder. HFN (living together but would have been nice to see a little more of their future)
April 11, 2026
Possession level: tying his shoes because you couldn’t stand him doing it himself.
May 14, 2026
2.0 stars. It reminded me of many MF books where the fmc is just a damsel in distress, except they replaced her with a twink in this book. He only fainted 5 or 6 times, so maybe I'm being harsh (it could have been 10-12 times)..
I wasn't expecting the Borne Identity, nor a romantic comedy. But there's a way to blend these genres, and do it well; I know it, because I've read them before.
I would have been okay with a badly handled genre blending if it wasn't for how stupid Haz was.
Haz is the utterly incompetent fmc. She wants to be an independent woman! Despite the fact that many people tried to kill her this week, she's really concerned about keeping her job at the fish store and keeping her ransacked apartment, even though she has a millionaire that's suddenly obsessed with her and willing to pay for anything. (Girl, can you maybe lay low for a bit and find another job? Do you enjoy putting the man who loves you in danger just to keep your minimum wage job? Wow, you're so independent!!)
I honestly believe the author wrote this book as a MF and then switched the names and pronouns at the last minute. The gender roles are predetermined, the sex is basically the same, and Haz is possibly the dumbest fmc I've read all year. Talk about a damsel in distress.
No shade to the narrators though, they did a great job considering the source material. I definitely cringed multiple times thinking of them having to read this. Sorry about the book guys, but y'all did the best you could with what you were given, and you did great!
I wasn't expecting the Borne Identity, nor a romantic comedy. But there's a way to blend these genres, and do it well; I know it, because I've read them before.
I would have been okay with a badly handled genre blending if it wasn't for how stupid Haz was.
Haz is the utterly incompetent fmc. She wants to be an independent woman! Despite the fact that many people tried to kill her this week, she's really concerned about keeping her job at the fish store and keeping her ransacked apartment, even though she has a millionaire that's suddenly obsessed with her and willing to pay for anything. (Girl, can you maybe lay low for a bit and find another job? Do you enjoy putting the man who loves you in danger just to keep your minimum wage job? Wow, you're so independent!!)
I honestly believe the author wrote this book as a MF and then switched the names and pronouns at the last minute. The gender roles are predetermined, the sex is basically the same, and Haz is possibly the dumbest fmc I've read all year. Talk about a damsel in distress.
No shade to the narrators though, they did a great job considering the source material. I definitely cringed multiple times thinking of them having to read this. Sorry about the book guys, but y'all did the best you could with what you were given, and you did great!
May 3, 2026
Its a damn good thing i was drunk starting this book and the way i needed more liquid courage to continue reading tells me that ive found a dangerous new game on an antidote on how to not dnf books.
Alas, this book was not worth liver cancer.
Alas, this book was not worth liver cancer.
May 2, 2026
Hurt/comfort? Yes, I could go for that.
Hitman falling for a poor little twink? Quite sweet, could be worse.
Twink armed only with a fork successfully fighting off three gun-wielding assassins in a room "the size of a shoebox"? I'll get back to you when I've stopped rolling my eyes.
Hitman falling for a poor little twink? Quite sweet, could be worse.
Twink armed only with a fork successfully fighting off three gun-wielding assassins in a room "the size of a shoebox"? I'll get back to you when I've stopped rolling my eyes.
March 25, 2026
“The least you could do is not make it harder for me to keep my fucking heart beating.”-Keiran
His brows furrowed. I grabbed him by the front of the button-up and yanked until our bodies collided. “You,” I snarled. “You’re my fucking heart.”
📗3.7→4 stars | 22nd Mar 2026. After thinking a bit on it, i've rounded it up to 4 stars. i will never reread it, but it was good enough. But there are some personal dealbreakers i just couldn’t ignore, so i’m keeping it at 3.7 without rounding up. The story itself is good. i loved the caretaking, possessiveness, and the size difference. But the sex… was kinda off and ruined the mood after a while. i’d honestly have preferred less of it (yes me saying this 😭) and more focus on their domesticity. Also, the big guy doing the nursing is NOT for me at all. i do not prefer it like that. Purely a me issue, i’m sorry.
Anyhoo.. Yo, who tells a future hookup to come rescue him from a hospital? Haz, that’s who. 💀
🔹Story- 4⭐, Characters- 5⭐, Sex- 2.8⭐, Epilogue- 1 HFN⭐
Immediately there were several i loved and wanted from a book like this:
👉Haz being this most innocent pure thing as ever. He’s also smol and so cute. :3
👉A grumpy assassin killer who meets Haz’s dating profile and.. Like, he… he’s gone. He’s gone, bro. 😭 He’s so enamoured by Haz’s purity and innocence. Who wouldn’t be?
👉Small guy has the big guy wrapped, smothered and buttered all up on his fingers!
“I want you so much that I’m spilling all my secrets.”
👉Innocent MC completely accepts the very guilty and remorseful, morally grey MC! Unnggh My kryptonite.
👉Insta lust and the bigger guy going feral with all the possessiveness and the unchecked jealousy over not being Haz’s “first” iykwim. 😏 Kieran went full on “Mine” mode just for his BABY DOLL. 🥺🥺
I hadn’t even comprehended the implication, and he was already across the center console, face close to mine, his hand wrapped loosely around my throat.
“Let me make it crystal clear, little hazard, that what’s mine is mine. So if there is someone in your life that shouldn’t be there, I will remove them.”
Remove them? “I live alone.”
👉Big guy calling the smol one as “doll,” “baby doll” and “kitten” and treating him like a dainty porcelain little thing that needs to be loved and protected at all cost.
“Good doll.”... “I’m not a doll.”
👉The instant care taking!! Kieran’s a total daddy. There’s so much touching, and carrying him or unknowingly pulling him off the floor, feeding him food. He kissed his boo boos!! Damnn
“I know what I want.” He was bold. It seemed he never got nervous or
anxious…..” “I want you to let me take care of you tonight, little hazard. I want to make sure you’re safe.”
👉i love insta love/lust, it’s a known fact by this point. And so these 2 hit the spot just right. And Kieran’s so lusty he even gave him a safeword: Sugar.
“And you said you wanted to watch over me tonight. That’s why I’m here. And I t-tried t-to leave. Y-you wouldn’t let me.”
“You aren’t leaving. This is where you belong.”
“W-what?” I asked.
“I’m keeping you.”
I didn’t understand. My brain was too jumbled to make sense of his words. He must have seen the confusion and distress in my expression because gentle soapy hands cupped my face.
“You’re mine now, Hazard. Not just for tonight. For always.”
👉There’s resistance from Haz at first followed by relentless pursuing by Keiran.
☙Loved how Kieran talked about the horror of sending a soldier to combat, all anti govt. Didn’t know he was Asian until 67% in cuz of this.
☙Narrated by Avery Wilde and Thomas C Wylde. Their voices clashed a little.
☙Liked that almost everything was on page. Recently been reading books that have too much happening off page. But not here. Even thought it’s insta lust but we have copious amounts of tender love to show us the love forming.
☙The last 20% was action packed. And heyyy Rhett and Ghost are a thing! i hope the next book is about them.
*// i rate sex different from sex acts and all my reviews reflect that. The views are my personal and may not align with yours. Only read if you’re ok with that. Else, please skip this next part.*
♦️This has 5 sex scenes.i did like how Kieran constantly checked in and reminded Haz about the safeword. 1st at 40% and has with rimming as foreplay. This was just… okay. For all of it, something felt off. It didn’t really feel like 2 men doing it, you know? Felt more like the presence and emotions were missing. So that kinda dampened the enjoyment fosho. Both 2nd & 3rd were better. Oh and also some sex acts very early on. Overall, i just didn’t enjoy most of the sex, which is wild for me. So i focused on the story instead… but yeah, that’s why it couldn’t be a 5 star. Finding out the author mainly writes MF kinda made it make sense why it felt so off.
Some angst info. It was relatively low angst, despite the danger. i’ve spoiler marked them just in case:
Weird sex aside, then came the most problematic issue for me:
❌This has suckling (no lact/n) but it’s Keiran nursing the small one aka Doll. It’s not a dynamic i like at all for that kink. Since i prefer the other way around, so had i known about this, i wouldn't have read the book in the 1st place. So i skipped those parts esp in the epilogue, so didn’t listen to the end much at all, i think they have sex then but i grew tired of it.
Tropes & tags: •Assassin x normal joe, •ex military, •grumpy x shy, •gay x gay, •MC with anxiety issues, •heterochromia, •insta lust/love, •orphan MC, •controlling MC, •obsessive and possessive MC, •clean freak MC, •extremely jealous MC, •touch him & die, •rich x poor, •make him food, •carrying, •hugging, •lap sitting, •heavy care taking, •wear his clothes, •significant size difference, •wash him up, •shower together, •licking tears, •begging (in sex), •breeding kink, •belly bulge (with c*m), •nip play & biting, •shower sex, •strict role Keiran /t Doll /b, •no cheating, •no OM drama, •no breakup, •low/mid angst, •1st person dual pov, •HFN.
CW: Attempted murder on MC, MC & SC get shot at. They survive.
March 19, 2026
3.5 stars rounded down.
I went into this thinking Cambria Hebert’s writing might just not be for me. I DNF’d Wish pretty quickly, and at the start of this one I was already preparing for a repeat. The writing initially felt a bit basic and I wasn’t fully sold. But she might just be a writer who needs to warm up, because as the book goes on, the dialogue noticeably tightens and the banter starts to land.
And despite a premise that is absolutely bonkers—like, flirting with fantasy levels of absurd—I ended up having a good time. The chemistry worked, the banter improved, and somewhere along the way I got genuinely invested. Their relationship was actually kind of adorable.
That said, this book requires a serious suspension of disbelief.
First: instalove. Hard to do well, but in this case, so much happens in such a compressed timeline (we’re talking about a week) that it weirdly feels like more time has passed. I bought into it more than I expected to.
Second: the foster care backstory. I’ve now read multiple MM romances with the healthy white newborn abandoned and never adopted premise, and I just cannot make my brain accept it. This is not Dickensian London. That baby is getting adopted immediately.
Third, the early sex scenes were problematic. Actually when I reconsider that the whole book spanned about a week, all the sex scenes were problematic because Haz was wounded. A blowjob while recovering from a fresh concussion? I had sympathy vertigo reading it. And the first anal scene where Haz had multiple stitched wounds and an IV? Between the medical logistics and my hyperphantasia, I could not stop mentally repositioning that IV arm. Again…fantasy.
But then, just when I’d start side-eyeing things, the book would pull me back in with moments of genuine tenderness. There’s a scene around the 60% mark where Haz kisses a bruise on Keiran and it’s honestly swoony:
“For long moments, there was nothing but his lips and the solace they offered to a wound I would have ignored as if it weren’t there.”
That balance—this tough, callous hitman showing vulnerability in a quiet, intimate way—really worked for me.
I did love the dynamic overall (size difference, chaotic/possessive energy), but I’d be lying if I said there weren’t moments where Haz felt a little too young in voice, behavior and physicality. Like 13 year old boy young. Not all the time, but enough that it occasionally pulled me out of the romance.
A few stray thoughts I jotted down while reading:
• I am looking forward to reading Ghost and Rett’s story.
• Authors, we need to talk about lip biting until it bleeds. Where are the follow-up canker sores??
• A fish shop in Buffalo…how booming is that business, really?
• Where does one acquire black tactical pants? They sound so stylish.
Overall, I had more fun with this than I expected and I’m glad I stuck with it. It wasn’t perfect, but the relationship won me over. I might even circle back and give Wish another shot, even though I found the name Nemo so distracting (and as I type, it occurs to me that the author must have a little bit of a fish obsession…)
I went into this thinking Cambria Hebert’s writing might just not be for me. I DNF’d Wish pretty quickly, and at the start of this one I was already preparing for a repeat. The writing initially felt a bit basic and I wasn’t fully sold. But she might just be a writer who needs to warm up, because as the book goes on, the dialogue noticeably tightens and the banter starts to land.
And despite a premise that is absolutely bonkers—like, flirting with fantasy levels of absurd—I ended up having a good time. The chemistry worked, the banter improved, and somewhere along the way I got genuinely invested. Their relationship was actually kind of adorable.
That said, this book requires a serious suspension of disbelief.
First: instalove. Hard to do well, but in this case, so much happens in such a compressed timeline (we’re talking about a week) that it weirdly feels like more time has passed. I bought into it more than I expected to.
Second: the foster care backstory. I’ve now read multiple MM romances with the healthy white newborn abandoned and never adopted premise, and I just cannot make my brain accept it. This is not Dickensian London. That baby is getting adopted immediately.
Third, the early sex scenes were problematic. Actually when I reconsider that the whole book spanned about a week, all the sex scenes were problematic because Haz was wounded. A blowjob while recovering from a fresh concussion? I had sympathy vertigo reading it. And the first anal scene where Haz had multiple stitched wounds and an IV? Between the medical logistics and my hyperphantasia, I could not stop mentally repositioning that IV arm. Again…fantasy.
But then, just when I’d start side-eyeing things, the book would pull me back in with moments of genuine tenderness. There’s a scene around the 60% mark where Haz kisses a bruise on Keiran and it’s honestly swoony:
“For long moments, there was nothing but his lips and the solace they offered to a wound I would have ignored as if it weren’t there.”
That balance—this tough, callous hitman showing vulnerability in a quiet, intimate way—really worked for me.
I did love the dynamic overall (size difference, chaotic/possessive energy), but I’d be lying if I said there weren’t moments where Haz felt a little too young in voice, behavior and physicality. Like 13 year old boy young. Not all the time, but enough that it occasionally pulled me out of the romance.
A few stray thoughts I jotted down while reading:
• I am looking forward to reading Ghost and Rett’s story.
• Authors, we need to talk about lip biting until it bleeds. Where are the follow-up canker sores??
• A fish shop in Buffalo…how booming is that business, really?
• Where does one acquire black tactical pants? They sound so stylish.
Overall, I had more fun with this than I expected and I’m glad I stuck with it. It wasn’t perfect, but the relationship won me over. I might even circle back and give Wish another shot, even though I found the name Nemo so distracting (and as I type, it occurs to me that the author must have a little bit of a fish obsession…)
July 26, 2026
Haz & Kieran
Hitman and his Mark
Touch him and die
Size difference
Possessive
Mafia / Secret Government Agency
Fish / Plant Daddy
Secret identity
Good twists and turns in this book
Spice - 3.4-4/5
Story - 5/5
Hitman and his Mark
Touch him and die
Size difference
Possessive
Mafia / Secret Government Agency
Fish / Plant Daddy
Secret identity
Good twists and turns in this book
Spice - 3.4-4/5
Story - 5/5
Review of advance copy
I wasn't sure what to expect when I dove into this book, but to absolutely love every second of it wasn't it. This book really has a little bit of everything; humor, action, growly possessive MMC, super hot spice. Haz and Keiran were magnetic. You just couldn't help but fall head over heels for Haz. He's an adorable walking disaster. Keiran, man I want a Keiran in my life! He's the perfect amount of growly, protective, grump!
I did not expect to love this book as much as I do and it's easily a top read of the year for me so far. Being a first book for me by Cambria I'm eager for more!
I did not expect to love this book as much as I do and it's easily a top read of the year for me so far. Being a first book for me by Cambria I'm eager for more!
April 20, 2026
Dnf@ 35% / 15 chapters read
Bro on deaths doorstep and obviously gets so horny that he starts cry over not having sex with the love interest. Like… yeah totally relatable.
I will say this started out funny. If we could edit down the internal monologues and weirdass sex scenes, it would be so much better.
Bro on deaths doorstep and obviously gets so horny that he starts cry over not having sex with the love interest. Like… yeah totally relatable.
I will say this started out funny. If we could edit down the internal monologues and weirdass sex scenes, it would be so much better.
April 15, 2026
This was a really fun book. It’s over the top and while it feels like a lot of time passes, it’s like maybe 2 week. Insta lust and insta love.
Some of it was a little too over the top. We aren’t having sex with those serious injuries and an IV in. And honestly sometimes Haz really needed to shut up and listen. No you can’t go to work when there’s a price on your head. Sit your pretty butt in Kieran’s beautiful home and relax!
Overall very enjoyable and a good time. Fast paced and excellent spice!
No breakup.
Some of it was a little too over the top. We aren’t having sex with those serious injuries and an IV in. And honestly sometimes Haz really needed to shut up and listen. No you can’t go to work when there’s a price on your head. Sit your pretty butt in Kieran’s beautiful home and relax!
Overall very enjoyable and a good time. Fast paced and excellent spice!
No breakup.
July 12, 2026
This was a slow start but once it got going it was so good! This was hella insta love but you know what it was such a fun time it worked and it was definitely OTT but it made for an entertaining time!
Side note - I’m so excited for Rhett and Ghost’s book!! Debating waiting for the audio or jumping straight into the ebook
Side note - I’m so excited for Rhett and Ghost’s book!! Debating waiting for the audio or jumping straight into the ebook
July 16, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
March 23, 2026
Idk how a book about a hitman and a chaotic fish loving brat was adorable but it was 😅
Hazard was hilarious and Mr grumpy fell hard 🤭 I adore them
Hazard was hilarious and Mr grumpy fell hard 🤭 I adore them
March 28, 2026
DNF around 60% there’s some good writing in there but the motivation of the characters never makes sense. And I feel like there’s a totally normal conversation going on and then suddenly keiran is touching Haz’s face or they’re kissing or having sex and I feel like I missed something. So I go back and nope, that shit just comes out of nowhere every single time. I wanted to like this. I love an overprotective grump. But I gave up.
Ok also everyone said this was so fun. And someone suggested it as a rom com. I didn’t find this fun or funny. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Ok also everyone said this was so fun. And someone suggested it as a rom com. I didn’t find this fun or funny. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
April 10, 2026
This book made no sense!
A hitman that takes a stranger into his actual home and insists they live with him
A man with a concussion and stitches with no trouble having smex, some more smex and than some more on the day he Self-discharge from hospital with his "fake boyfriend/stranger" against medical advice
Over Insta possessiveness of the hitman
Creepy talking to plants of haz
Maybe it's just me....
A hitman that takes a stranger into his actual home and insists they live with him
A man with a concussion and stitches with no trouble having smex, some more smex and than some more on the day he Self-discharge from hospital with his "fake boyfriend/stranger" against medical advice
Over Insta possessiveness of the hitman
Creepy talking to plants of haz
Maybe it's just me....
June 22, 2026
This story was so good when I read it as a short story and it was even better as a full length one. I love the characters so much, the sass, attitude, and banter all of it worked together so well. I can’t wait for the next book to release next month.
March 16, 2026
Safeeeee🙌
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