Protecting Mia

Brotherhood Alliance #8

by Lila Ferrari

She thought she left the danger behind. But it just found another way in.

Mia Whitmore escaped the high-stakes pressure of New York’s culinary scene to start fresh in Haywood Lake. Her catering business, Plated Perfection, is finally coming to life. But success is hard to savor when someone keeps trying to snatch it away. Missing ingredients, sabotaged events, and anonymous notes that cut too close to home.

Enter Caleb Jennings, a former Marine and K9 handler haunted by the past and rebuilding his future one project at a time. Now working in construction with Finn Ryder and doing protection work for the Brotherhood Alliance, Caleb is sent to build an addition onto Mia’s house.

But he quickly realizes she doesn’t just need a contractor. She needs a bodyguard.

Because this time, he’s not just guarding a client. He’s fighting for a second chance—at purpose, at peace, and maybe… at love.

341 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2026

Reviews

[Jane McDougall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh that feeling when you discover a new author and realise there are books to be read!

I came to this story with no knowledge of the work built by thi s author and full of anticipation and I was ot disappointed.
Mia has moved to Haywood Lake with the skills she learned in the big city she is well equipped to start her own catering business and be there for her Dad as he recuperates from a stroke.
Former Marine Caleb is working in construction with a side gig as part of the Brotherhood protectors and is currently working on a new barn fro Mia’s business.
But strange things are happening to Mia and her work and whilst at first she dismisses them as bad luck, it soon becomes obvious that someone is targeting her.
At first, both are wary of starting something for very different reasons. Bu the danger ramps up so doe hier feelngs and soon Caleb will do anything to keep Mia safe.
This was a sweet suspenseful story, with great characters on two and four legs and a beautiful setting. I was at times screaming at the pages to push Mia into telling Caleb what was happening and that madeit even more suspenseful for me. Looking forward to more from Lila.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia left her catering business in New York to return home to Haywood Lake to care for her father. She’s started a new catering business in Haywood Lake and hopes to build a barn on her father’s property where she can hold special catering events.

Caleb is a former Marine now living in Haywood Lake. He works in construction and does protection work for the Brotherhood Alliance. He’s sent to Mia to provide an estimate for the barn construction.

When odd things start happening that affect Mia’s reputation and possibly her safety, Caleb vows to protect her and determine who is responsible. Can he figure it out in time to save her business, reputation, and life, and maybe give them both a second chance at love? I loved this book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Carolyn Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protecting Mia by Lila Ferrari was a wonderful return to Hayward Lake, and I loved catching up with familiar faces from earlier books in the series. This time, the story centres on Caleb and Mia - along with Caleb’s loyal dog, Ranger, who definitely deserves a mention!

The book strikes a great balance between romance and suspense, keeping the story moving at a steady, engaging pace. There are plenty of clues scattered throughout about who might be targeting Mia’s business, but I have to admit - it kept me guessing right until the end.

With a mix of excitement, heartfelt romance, and an unforgettable canine companion, this story has all the ingredients for a thoroughly enjoyable read. I’d highly recommend it to fans of romantic suspense and anyone who enjoys revisiting a well-loved fictional community.

[Tesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was awesome. Full of suspense and mystery. I liked the fact that this kept me guessing till almost the end.

Caterer Mia was being targeted for being successful, when she meets Brotherhood Protector Caleb and his dog, Ranger.

Caleb is the ultimate Protector, not wanting anything to touch his girl. I enjoyed their chemistry as all as the addition of Ranger who was a little personalty unto himself. But that romance was a real delight.

I enjoyed the whole dynamic of the team of brotherhood Protectors and the story they give each other.

Well done on all levels. Mystery, suspense, danger and drama, kept me involved from start to finish. I can recommend this book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BecReadReview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tension crackles between Caleb and Mia as nothing seems to quite sync up at first. Caleb tugs at your heart, especially in the way he takes a chance with Ranger—who completely steals the spotlight. You can’t help but fall in love with Ranger.

Mia and Caleb may start off slow and slightly out of step, but once their walls begin to lower, the heat builds naturally as they fall for each other. There are hints about who might be coming for Mia, yet the uncertainty lingers as incidents continue to knock her down, keeping the suspense alive.

As expected, Caleb and the team move swiftly and efficiently when it matters most, stepping in for the rescue in the way we’ve come to love and admire. It’s a smooth, entertaining read filled with tension, loyalty, and a well-earned romance.

[Arlene M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia Whitmore owns a catering business called Plated Perfection.
Caleb Jennings former Marine and K-9 handler. Works construction with Finn and also works form
Brotherhood Alliance.
Chase Maddox is head of Brotherhood Alliance.

Mia and Caleb meet and the tension , chemistry and attraction are their a slow burn to explosive.
Mia owns a catering business she is trying to expand with a barn being used for a small venue.
Caleb is in construction building the small barn venue.
Mia is having small incidents with her catering business p, there are 2 competitors.
Who is behind these incidents? Can Caleb and the Brotherhood Alliance protect her?

This book is full of suspense, danger and intrigue.

Great Job. Lila Ferrari !!!!!!!

[Cheryl Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I felt so sorry for Mia throughout this story. It seemed like she just couldn't catch a break. I could definitely understand why she didn't catch on to what was really happening. You would like to believe that your friends and business associates were fairly good people. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I enjoyed that the author kept me wondering exactly who was messing with Mia. There were just too many people it could have been, yet I hoped it wasn't. My favorite part was when Ranger chased the guilty party into the woods and took a bite, that's karma at it's finest!! I loved how Tex came thru for them. Ya gotta love Tex!!!. Great Story, definitely recommend!

[Karen Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down! Mia has moved back to town to help out her dad. She also has a catering business. She is wanting to build a party barn. That’s how her relationship with Caleb starts. He’s a construction worker and works for the Brotherhood Alliance.

Someone is out to sabotage her. Wait til you find out who! I had several suspects in mind. Especially Roy who works for her dad and sometimes helped her. He’s a piece of work! Fire, bad food, and a power outage are just a few things that go wrong. When something happens to Mia, Caleb is on a mission to make sure she’s ok. He’s a protector for sure. In the end will Caleb and Mia get that second chance at love?

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

After returning home Mia to look after her father, she finds herself doing up a barn and making it in a catering events place.
Caleb had been a Marine and is in construction and protection work for the Brotherhood Alliance. It is the construction side that first bring him and Mia together again.
With someone wanting to ruin Mia not just reputation but also cause her harm, makes Caleb realise he can’t let the woman he cares for become to harm.
Loved the characters, full of strength, chemistry, second chances, drama and romance with spice.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mg Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protecting Mia was a enjoyable storyline that will keep you engaged from start to finish with a smooth transition from the suspenseful drama to the spicy but emotional romance between Caleb and Mia with a sweet lovable puppy and a plethora of alpha male's from previous books and their sweet heart's too the little twist to keep the story fresh and entertaining you definitely want to add this to your tbr stack.

I received a advance readers copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Cynthia Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 8 of Brotherhood Alliance story of Former Marine and K9 handler Caleb Jennings and Mia Whitmore. Now that was incredible and I so thought it was the other person not the one this story turned out to be the bad guy. I loved the mystery behind all the bad luck Mia had, the drama and danger made this into a real page turner. The chemistry and passion these two have makes the romance sweeter and more relatable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lila Ferrari provides us with vivid descriptions of the landscape in Haywood Lake as well as all the delightful treats Mia makes as caterer. She continues with the story as something more sinister is out to get Mia and her business when she returns home to help her father. Getting to see Mia and Caleb’s relationship grow was icing on the cake. Enjoyed getting to know those two as a couple and the other characters interact.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia has a catering business that is starting to take off. Her hard work is showing results. She's seen Caleb at events with her friends but doesn't know if he even notices her. That's about to change. Now little things are happening here and there that just doesn't make sense . See if you can figure out who it is because I was wrong and had a WOW moment.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brenda Hojonski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved returning to Hayward Lake and reading about Mia and Caleb's story. I loved how they got to know each other and how finding out who was sabotaging her there were three possibilities that kept you guessing until the end. Meeting the whole gang of Hayward Lake and catching up on their stories why they supposed Caleb and Mia through their journey which makes you feel like you are part of this big, family. Only complaint? Mia's food sounded amazing and made me hungry. Ha! Ha!

[CMLH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia thought she had left the stress in New York when she came to Montana. With her catering business growing, she decides to add a little bit to it. She keeps having issues with her business but is determined to keep building her life. Enter Caleb. He’s there to assist with the construction but soon realizes that Mia needs protection, specifically his protection. As their relationship grows, the sparks start flying and the danger starts showing more.

[Lori Zakrzewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lila Ferrari certainly knows how to keep you guessing who's behind all the things happening to Mia since she returned to Haywood Lake. Fortunately for Mia, she has Caleb, and Ranger, standing right by her side. This is a wonderful addition to the Brotherhood Alliance series. It was great to catch up with other members of the Brotherhood and the woman who love them and support each other.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart in throat. People following wrong paths for wrong reasons. The ones in the wrong just justifying their actions to make them feel better about their actions. The good ones just out there trying and getting up every day to start over again. I love the Brotherhood series's and this is a great addition to those I've been lucky enough to read.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boy this book keeps you guessing. I got Roy's girlfriend wrong. There's plenty of danger and most of it is centered around Mia and jealousy of her business. Get ready for a long story with plenty of action and suspense. HEA.

[Christina Standridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story. Fantastic suspense story. A committed caterer fixed on getting her business off the ground. Someone set on destroying everything, shes worked for. A former marine that want to help.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tom Prejsner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance

Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novel series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you