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Guardian

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On a blustery November day in London, Gavin catches a bus from Waterloo Station to his office. He makes this journey five days a week, year after year, alone. Or so he thinks.

He does not know that his guardian angel accompanies him each day of his life, watching over him—loving him as all guardians must. His guardian’s feelings, however, fall into baser depths. As all guardians know, it is taboo to feel carnal love for a human ward. Such a relationship would not be viable—or healthy. Gavin’s guardian knows this. Lives and breathes this. And yet, to lift Gavin from depression, he is willing to attempt the to manifest as a human for Gavin and finally meet the love of his immortal life face-to-face.

Guardian contains adult content suitable for mature readers only.

42 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 7, 2016

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About the author

Jordan Taylor

61 books32 followers
Author of contemporary and historical fiction. (Photo by Simon Bequoye.)

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5 stars
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16 (37%)
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13 (30%)
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Chelsea.
986 reviews7 followers
March 22, 2016
4 HEARTS

This was absolutely beautiful, but not what I was expecting when I started reading it. It took me a long time to think on this before I wrote this review. I enjoyed it immensely but it left me feeling confused and a little sad. I’ll explain that later in the review, which may be a bit spoilerish, but I’ll warn you appropriately.

This is written from the Guardian’s POV, we never know his name he is merely Gavin’s Guardian. In this world everyone has a guardian and every guardian can see each other, they are always present to their person and ALWAYS loving!

Throughout the train, I see others lean on their people, hug them, or rest their heads on shoulders— holding them on the stressful morning commute. We feel for them. We can’t help it.

Gavin’s guardian however, loves him more than he knows he should and desperately wants to help him through his depression.

They never tell you it’s wrong. They don’t have to. Relationships between humans and guardians are loving, caring, compassionate.
But my feelings for Gavin…



This was so beautifully written, I wish I was a writer so I could say what was so wonderful about this writing. The details about this world were so subtly given that we saw everything in glimpses. It left me wanting to see more, but knowing enough to understand the universe.

This is a story about unconditional love. Not the normal romance-story type love. But selfless, self-sacrificing, forever love. The guardian’s love for Gavin was beautiful and heartbreaking. I was in equal amounts pleasure and pain while reading this, but mostly pleasure.

I lean my forehead on his. “I’m so sorry. I wish I could do more for you. I would do anything for you, Gavin. You know that?” Gavin opens his eyes for a moment to look out the window at the darkening city. I kiss his temple, longing to kiss his lips, wishing even more that he could feel me.

The guardian becomes physical (human) for 24 hours to help Gavin out of his depression and also because he desperately wants to touch and hold him, just once.

The man I know more intimately than I know myself— whom I spend every breath beside, whom I love with a blinding intensity I have not felt since some lives back as a physical— does not know me. As far as he is concerned, I am a stranger. Nobody.


This is where I'm going to get into the spoilers. I will be giving away a lot of the ending. Please don't read if you want to enjoy the story as it plays out. However I think I would have liked to have known the ending before reading it. So anyway SPOILER.





Beautiful wonderful concept about loving guardians surrounding their people in love and helping them through life's obstacles. In the end it ended as it should, but I felt sad and tense, much as the guardian did as the realisation of what was to happen dawned upon him, Truly a beautiful short story!


Profile Image for Stephanie   GooglyEyes.
1,273 reviews32 followers
October 5, 2018
4.5*

This unique writing style has me feeling some kind of way. Kind of sad, really.

Told in the POV of the guardian angel, and he speaks in mostly description, not so much dialect to other characters. He's in love with his charge, but knows it will forever be unrequited.

After months and months of Gavin's depression, his guardian angel decides to take matters into his own hands. At first it is selfish,but then he realizes he isn't the one and looks beyond himself to the people around them. If he can't be the one for Gavin, he's definitely going to choose the right person and help them see what's in front of them.

So, it's a sad story, but also beautiful. I really quite enjoyed this technique of writing.
Profile Image for The Novel Approach.
3,094 reviews136 followers
March 10, 2016
Sometimes when we go into books, we expect one thing and get something totally different. That’s not always a bad thing. That’s what happened for me with this book. While not entirely what I thought, this novelette was probably more enjoyable because of it.

A guardian’s job is to watch over their assigned human. Gavin’s guardian, however, begins to fall for him even when he knows he’s not supposed to. And he’ll do anything to become human, even if it’s just for a short time, to make his human happy again.

I won’t lie. My heart broke for the guardian, knowing he was loving someone he shouldn’t. As a guardian, his job is to keep his human safe and love him in a platonic way, but this one goes beyond that. And what’s worse? Gavin doesn’t even know he exists. Even when he touches Gavin, the human cannot feel it. But despite his guardian watching over him and trying to draw out his pain, it’s not working.

There’s not much more I can say without ruining the story because it is so short. But I can say this: the writing is beautiful and packed with emotions. I really did cry over the guardian’s plight, and I felt for Gavin and his suffering. Jordan Taylor did a wonderful job making me care about both of them from the first page until the last.

If you’re looking for a quick read—it took me just over an hour—that’s full of emotion and well-written characters, then look no further. Give Guardian a chance. I know I’m glad I did.

Reviewed by Jennifer at The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
Profile Image for Nicole.
177 reviews
July 9, 2018
For such a short story, it really was beautiful to read.
Profile Image for Sara .
1,547 reviews154 followers
Read
March 29, 2016

Jordan Taylor has managed to shred my heart in a matter of 42 pages with the most beautiful and bittersweet story I have read this year.
They never tell you it’s wrong. They don’t have to. Relationships between humans and guardians are loving, caring, compassionate. But my feelings for Gavin…

Guardian is nothing like I expected. From the blurb we know Gavin has a guardian… but this story, it’s told from the POV OF this guardian angel, the unnamed former physical person who watches over Gavin, who cares for him and who loves him as no Guardian should, he loves him as a physical man loves another. Not as an angel loves his charge.

This story hurt my heart in the best way and even though I cried though most of it and am still crying as I write this review, I urge you to read it.

Stories that make you feel deeply are the best stories for me. The emotions, even the ones that make your head hurt because you have been crying as you read, are forever seared into your heart and soul and they don’t let go.

I won’t go into detail with the story, I think it’s far too valuable to spoil but the story does have a feeling of angst, of overwhelming love and sorrow that the movie City of Angles had. Though City of Angels had me sobbing into a box of wine listening to Sarah McLachlan after I saw it, Guardian has me listening to "Please, Please, Please,  Let Me Get What I Want” by The Smiths while hugging my Nook rocking back and forth in a corner.

Goodness. This book is heartbreaking, so very romantic and utterly stellar. What an amazing debut read by a new to me author it was.

Guardian is one of those stories that quietly sneaks up on you, takes hold of your heart in a painfully fierce grip, but holds it with such love and devotion that the pain is welcomed. It’s a story that takes you beyond what you know of a romance and shows you that sacrificing everything you want, for the one you love, is the greatest gift you can offer.
Profile Image for Gaby.
339 reviews5 followers
April 9, 2016
I went into this book expecting one thing, and I got something completely different. I keep reading the blurb and wondering what did I get wrong… I think it’s the blurb what was wrong. Is this a bad thing? … Well, yes… Yes, it is. Even though I ended up liking the book I think it’s a bad thing because it’s misleading. So because of that, let me tell you one thing: this book is not a romance. At least not the one the blurb tells you. Not quite.

Gavin is in severe depression. After the break up with his ex he was just never able to put himself together. His guardian angel has seen him through all these times and has irrevocably fallen in love with Gavin. I found this to be beautiful and fucking heartbreaking. There is nothing that the angel can do about it, nothing at all. One day he decides to manifest himself to Gavin and.. I think.. I think this was one of the most beautiful moments I’ve read. It was really beautiful. Beautiful in a wistful way. In a way that the wanting and the need and the desperation that the angel was feeling came of page nicely. It was beautiful in the way that maybe you could kind of feel a part of Gavin healing, until… It wasn’t.

There are decisions made. Angel knows he has to do something and that maybe that something is not something that will give him what he needs. It’s sacrifice. It’s love in a painful, yet, beautiful form. It’s heartbreaking and I think maybe even romantic. Gavin never finds out, ever. He doesn’t even know about his angel. So, yes, it’s romantic. But it’s not a romance. Even if there is romance… I know I make zero sense. You’d have to read it to see what I mean.

The writing is lovely, and I quite enjoyed it. My only complaint is that I think this is a bit overpriced for the length of the book.

That being said.. it’s a good read. Just.. Prepare yourself to get your heart broken. Or at least mine did, and while I got a tiny smile in the end, I really couldn’t put myself back together. Bwahahaha. But then.. I’m suck a sucker for angst than even this made me strangely happy… I know. Something is utterly wrong with me. And I kinda love it.
Profile Image for Lila Hunter.
Author 12 books87 followers
January 3, 2017
Guardian is a beautiful short story about the true meaning of love. It’s a none traditional romance, but lovely on its own right. I’m not going to spoil the twists and turns that give this story its uniqueness. I’d only say that it’s different than the blurb description.

The author did an excellent job bringing to life the Guardian’s feelings and Gavin’s misery. Also, with the changes in Gavin’s life. They were slow but significant. There’s some humor together with the pain and angst.

Read complete review at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.

ARC provided by Nine Star Press in exchange for an honest review.

Profile Image for ⚣Michaelle⚣.
3,662 reviews237 followers
June 25, 2017
4 Stars

So, this book is not gonna be for everyone. It's also not a typical romance. BUT I absolutely loved City of Angels and in some ways this story reminds me a bit of that... including the less than ideal ending. (Which I also loved, both in that movie and this tale, but I've been told I'm weird - which I can't objectively argue against.)
Profile Image for Annie ~ Queer Books Unbound.
363 reviews54 followers
December 16, 2016
Oh this was beautiful! <3

I loved this. Love the idea that we all have guardians like they're described in this book.

Guardian left me with a smile & warm fuzzy feelings all over; just wish it had been longer. :) Recommended!
Profile Image for Donna.
3,449 reviews41 followers
September 7, 2017
Selfless love... not something you see every day, but can I just say that even though this wasn't what I went in expecting... I came out know the Guardian had made the right choice and all would be well! Selfless love... *sigh*
Profile Image for Bronwyn Heeley.
Author 41 books87 followers
October 2, 2017
3.5✨ I probably would have enjoyed this more if I believed, even slightly, in guardian angels
Profile Image for Jennifer Lavoie.
Author 5 books69 followers
April 13, 2016
Read for The Novel Approach.

Sometimes when we go into books, we expect one thing and get something totally different. That’s not always a bad thing. That’s what happened for me with this book. While not entirely what I thought, this novelette was probably more enjoyable because of it.

A guardian’s job is to watch over their assigned human. Gavin’s guardian, however, begins to fall for him even when he knows he’s not supposed to. And he’ll do anything to become human, even if it’s just for a short time, to make his human happy again.

I won’t lie. My heart broke for the guardian, knowing he was loving someone he shouldn’t. As a guardian, his job is to keep his human safe and love him in a platonic way, but this one goes beyond that. And what’s worse? Gavin doesn’t even know he exists. Even when he touches Gavin, the human cannot feel it. But despite his guardian watching over him and trying to draw out his pain, it’s not working.

There’s not much more I can say without ruining the story because it is so short. But I can say this: the writing is beautiful and packed with emotions. I really did cry over the guardian’s plight, and I felt for Gavin and his suffering. Jordan Taylor did a wonderful job making me care about both of them from the first page until the last.

If you’re looking for a quick read—it took me just over an hour—that’s full of emotion and well-written characters, then look no further. Give Guardian a chance. I know I’m glad I did
Profile Image for Mary.
438 reviews45 followers
May 3, 2016
The blurb is pretty much explanatory.....

I have never read any "angel-themed" books in the m/m romance genre; so, took a chance on Guardian by Jordan Taylor. For such a short read, this book packed a punch. I am so glad I read Guardian. This book was not what I was expecting;and yet it was. Let me explain. I have read the other reviews and find i did not share their frustrations over the plight of the Guardian Angel and Gaven. We have Gaven, depressed and despondent over a bad breakup with his boyfriend. He is simply existing; causing the Guardian Angel very much angst. Gaven is not moving on. . As a Catholic, we are taught from a young age that everyone has a "Guardian Angel" from birth is commissioned to guard the "soul of the person"; therefore.my take on this book is different from the other reviews. I felt the Guardian did his job of protecting Gaven; however, when he became human, he forgot his agenda (took on the feelings, the existence as a human) to help Gaven. However, It is a short read and any more would spoil the book. I love the way Jordan Taylor wrote: I could feel the emotions and the angst sweeping through the Guardian. It was a great read. One I would say I would re-read. This is not the conventional love story but a love story never the less. I would recommend it to anyone wanting a book with a punch.
*******
An ARC was given to my by the publisher, NineStar Press for an honest review.
Profile Image for Morgan  Skye.
2,775 reviews28 followers
June 30, 2016
This is a short story and I don’t want to give it all away but… be warned the ending is NOT what you’d expect and though it might be considered a HEA… I’m not really happy with the ending at all.

Gavin is a guy who has lost his love – broken up, not deceased -and is feeling depressed and lost in life. His guardian angel has developed deep feelings for him and really wants him to get out of his funk so he manages to manifest himself in the physical realm to help him out.

That is all I can say without spoiling things, but… it’s not what you think will happen… at all.

I didn’t care for the direction the story went and found the writing awkward and hard to get into. It’s told from the angel’s point of view and it’s very British and maybe some of the writing was done intentionally as bursts of emotion to demonstrate the depth of feeling… but it didn’t translate well for me.

I can’t recommend this and I didn’t like it.

1 of 5 stars
Profile Image for Tifferz.
289 reviews2 followers
August 2, 2016
4 Stars, 1.5 Flames
As a guardian we are to love, care, guide, and protect our wards. But the love Gavin's guardian wants to love and be loved by Gavin. He longs to touch and kiss him, cheer him up and out of the funk he is in. He is granted 24 human hours to help Gavin escape his depression and almost misses out on what's right in front of him.

Wow! I love novellas like this one as it pulled at my heartstrings and gets you thinking about your own personal guardian. No names were given to the guardians which makes this book feel real.

This novella only being about 60ish pages made my heart hurt for Gavin and his guardian. Love is beautiful in all its ways but I wasn't prepared for this one to pull me in and make such an impact on me.

This in first Jordan Taylor book and it most certainly won't be the last. I want to reveal so much .ore but then it will give the story away, so you will just have to buy it!

*I was gifted a copy of this novella in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Janis F.
382 reviews5 followers
March 21, 2016
This was a very interesting story and not at all what I thought it was going to be. The book had some interesting twists and by the end I really felt bad for Gavin's Guardian.

I understand the Guardian's job is to watch over their human and help them whenever they can. And Gavin's Guardian went out of his way to do that but things did get a little complicated.

This is the first book I've read by Jordan and the story was written in the first person from the Guardian's perspective. This book left me feeling like I really wanted to know how Gavin felt about his life but this sometimes happens when reading first person stories.

Overall, I felt the book was well written and the story was interesting to read.
I received a copy of this book directly from the publisher.
Profile Image for Natalie  H.
3,885 reviews30 followers
September 17, 2018
Short and sweet.

Gavin is heartbroken. Lucky he has a guardian on hand willing to do anything for him. Some lessons you learn the hard way. I felt the guardian was both right and wrong. A nice little short story about making the right choice.
Profile Image for JD.
97 reviews5 followers
June 12, 2016
This book felt like City of Angles, but without the annoying Nicholas Cage. The end was beautiful and exactly what the story deserved.
Profile Image for Aislinn.
482 reviews2 followers
January 1, 2017
I like the idea of the guardian angels in this novella, though it would have been nice to see it developed more, especially his charge's character.
Profile Image for Erica.
1,691 reviews38 followers
January 5, 2018
I . . . don't even know how I feel about this.
Profile Image for Shaine Smith.
4 reviews
November 26, 2018
Super Sweet!

A very short but very sweet, if not bittersweet at moments, romance! I want to read more from this author!
Profile Image for Sadie Forsythe.
Author 1 book287 followers
December 29, 2021
Just marvelous. Romantic, but not a romance in the standard sense—really hits you in the feels.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews