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The Protectors #4
Forsaken
I didn’t know how to tell him how afraid I’d been that I’d never have this moment with him. This moment where it was just the two of us. This moment where he made me feel whole without even trying. --Eli
Abandoned. Abused. Betrayed.
Ex-cop Maverick “Mav” James needs only three things. His Harley, an open road and his work in an underground organization that delivers justice when the law can’t.
Family? They left him long before he left them.
Friends? A liability.
A place to call home? Doesn’t exist.
Mav’s motto is simple: Get done and get out. Work, sex, doesn’t matter. No emotional connections. Simple.
Until he meets him.
Alone. Hiding. Broken.
At fifteen years old, Eli Galvez had nothing. No family, no friends and only his body as a means to make enough money to survive. But a chance meeting changed all that and eight years later, he’s well on his way to having the life he could once only dream of. He’s been accepted into medical school and he’s finally returned home to Seattle to be closer to the men and women who don’t share his blood, but are the only family he’s ever really known.
Only things aren’t what they seem and the secrets Eli has been hiding are about to come to the surface with dangerous consequences.
One final chance at a real future.
Guys like Eli just aren’t Mav’s type, period. Yet he can’t deny his intense attraction to the younger man who only looks at him with fear in his eyes. Until the day there’s something else in those eyes too. Something that draws Mav in and refuses to let go. Something that makes him want to forget his rules. But Mav’s learned the hard way what happens when you get too close to something. And while he vows to protect Eli after a violent attack leaves the younger man shaken, protection is all he’ll offer.
Because anything else would just cost too much.
Trigger Warning: This book does contain a possible trigger for some readers. Specifics can be found by utilizing the "Look Inside" feature or downloading a sample and scrolling to the page right before the table of contents. Please note that reading the trigger that is included may cause spoilers.
**Full length novel (86k words)
***This is Book 4 in the series, but can be read as a stand-alone story - no cliffhangers.***
Book 1 - Absolution (M/M/M)
Book 2 - Salvation (M/M)
Book 3 - Retribution (M/M)
Book 4 - Forsaken (M/M)
Note: This book contains M/M sexual content and is intended for mature audiences
Abandoned. Abused. Betrayed.
Ex-cop Maverick “Mav” James needs only three things. His Harley, an open road and his work in an underground organization that delivers justice when the law can’t.
Family? They left him long before he left them.
Friends? A liability.
A place to call home? Doesn’t exist.
Mav’s motto is simple: Get done and get out. Work, sex, doesn’t matter. No emotional connections. Simple.
Until he meets him.
Alone. Hiding. Broken.
At fifteen years old, Eli Galvez had nothing. No family, no friends and only his body as a means to make enough money to survive. But a chance meeting changed all that and eight years later, he’s well on his way to having the life he could once only dream of. He’s been accepted into medical school and he’s finally returned home to Seattle to be closer to the men and women who don’t share his blood, but are the only family he’s ever really known.
Only things aren’t what they seem and the secrets Eli has been hiding are about to come to the surface with dangerous consequences.
One final chance at a real future.
Guys like Eli just aren’t Mav’s type, period. Yet he can’t deny his intense attraction to the younger man who only looks at him with fear in his eyes. Until the day there’s something else in those eyes too. Something that draws Mav in and refuses to let go. Something that makes him want to forget his rules. But Mav’s learned the hard way what happens when you get too close to something. And while he vows to protect Eli after a violent attack leaves the younger man shaken, protection is all he’ll offer.
Because anything else would just cost too much.
Trigger Warning: This book does contain a possible trigger for some readers. Specifics can be found by utilizing the "Look Inside" feature or downloading a sample and scrolling to the page right before the table of contents. Please note that reading the trigger that is included may cause spoilers.
**Full length novel (86k words)
***This is Book 4 in the series, but can be read as a stand-alone story - no cliffhangers.***
Book 1 - Absolution (M/M/M)
Book 2 - Salvation (M/M)
Book 3 - Retribution (M/M)
Book 4 - Forsaken (M/M)
Note: This book contains M/M sexual content and is intended for mature audiences
282 pages, ebook
First published August 18, 2016
559 people are currently reading
1305 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 373 reviews
August 18, 2016
As Ele says, Sloane Kennedy's books are crack. There is no other explanation.
I couldn't wait to read Mav's story, and it was every bit as juicy as I expected.
Somehow, the author can throw in piles of angst and still make you feel good about life.
There's a real focus on family here. I loved the way Eli stood by Mav. Eli was not the only one who needed saving.
Need I mention the ridiculously passionate sex and glorious HEA?
I can't wait for book 5!
I couldn't wait to read Mav's story, and it was every bit as juicy as I expected.
Somehow, the author can throw in piles of angst and still make you feel good about life.
There's a real focus on family here. I loved the way Eli stood by Mav. Eli was not the only one who needed saving.
Need I mention the ridiculously passionate sex and glorious HEA?
I can't wait for book 5!
August 22, 2016
I liked this one. It has some of the hottest sex I've read since Tate and Logan. Melt the paint off the walls sex. The problem was the super infusion of drama/angst at about 60% that kind of threw the plot off course for me. The self doubt about the MC's worth wasn't particularly original either.
But great sex, and lots of cameos from folks in both series makes this a win in my book.
3.5 stars rounded up because BABY!
Recommended.
Trigger warning:
But great sex, and lots of cameos from folks in both series makes this a win in my book.
3.5 stars rounded up because BABY!
Recommended.
Trigger warning:
October 13, 2018
I just love this author and her books are like crack to me. I couldn't wait to read Mav's story and it didn't disappoint.
We've met Mav in the previous book, where he was doing security on little Matty, who's in the hospital. This is where he also meets Eli, who's a volunteer at the children's hospital.
I was very excited to find out that Eli, is the same Eli from the "Baretti" series. He was still a young boy back then, and it was so great to read about him all grown up.
Mav feels an instant attraction to the skittish young man and when he saves Eli from a bad encounter at the hospital, he doesn't want to let go him. But Mav doesn't do relationships, ...everyone leaves anyway. He's also smart enough to know that Eli is not a one night stand kinda guy. He better keep his distance....
Eli has been interested in Mav since the first time they've met. Even though Mav scared him a little in the beginning, the pull he feels towards him is stronger. Eli hasn't had it easy growing up, which makes it hard for him to trust people. After Mav saves him, he realises the man makes him feel things he hasn't ever felt before. Eli is all in, but Mav is not making things easy for him.
I'm not gonna go into the plot much further, because I don't want to spoiler. I do however want to mention the hotness of this book. These guys were on fire !! Eli actually surprised the shit out of me.
I really enjoyed this one and I loved catching up to all the characters from the other series. I think this book can be read as a stand-alone, but it will be more enjoyable, when if you read the other books and series. There are a lot of old characters in this one. It may also be nice to read about Eli, when he was still younger and first introduced in "Logan's Need". Eli himself is a recurring character from that point on.
Even though Mav pissed me off a couple of times, I still liked both characters a lot. He just needed to get his head out of his ass !!
Loved it, 4 stars from me and I really can't wait for the next one, which is gonna be m/m/m !! Memphis really had me intrigued !!!
This is the fourth book in the "Protectors" series !!!
This review was posted on Wendy's Wycked Words
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August 17, 2016
Sloane Kennedy's books are crack, there's no other explanation. The moment I finished this book, I was already craving the next one. Yes, the situations are still OTT, and yes, the MC's behaviour is still morally and ethically questionable. I still don't care!
This is the story of Mav and Eli. Plotwise, I'm not going to say much because I don't want to spoil it. But as the story unfolds, you gradually realise that all your initial assumptions were wrong, and I have to say that it was very well done. Eli's past is revealed piece by piece, which kept my interest unwavered, and at the same time the passion between him and Mav burns so hot and deep.
I loved the contrast between the characters, but what I loved the most is when the tables turned. In the beginning, Eli is scared and weak. Mav is strong, and Eli's protector. But as the story goes, Eli was the brave one, because he faced his past and Mav's harsh treatment, while Mav tried to run like a coward.
The steam in this book is unprecedented, and trust me, I 've read a lot of sex. I mean it when I say that these sex scenes were among the hottest, if not the hottest I 've ever read. Eli and Mav put porn stars to shame. Some of the sex scenes were endless, but believe me, you won't feel the urge to skim.
I only have one complain: Mav's behaviour got too muchat some point. I understand him, I really do. But the way he treated Eli was unnecessarily cruel, and it felt contrived. I get that he wanted to push him away, but he didn't have to be such an asshole.
Bonus points for Baby! Best rottweiler there is!
The next book in the series will be MMM and I can't wait. I know Sloane Kennedy knows how to do menage. But first, I'll take the author's advise, and read the Barretti Security series (which has been waiting in my kindle for ages) and is necessary in order to catch up with all the characters. There were already too many Barrettis in this one, and it made me wish I had read their books first.
Great addition to the series, and my personal favorite after Absolution.
*Review cross-posted on Gay Book Reviews*
January 30, 2019
Re-read January 2019
I’ve read this four times now and while I like it enough to re-read, Mav still gets on my nerves. I love the tortures souls Sloane Kennedy writes, but somehow I wasn’t sure why Mav was that closed off. Yes, his childhood sucked, but he left that place when he was 16 and he was now 32. I would think that was enough time to at least get over it a little.
-----------------------------
Maverick is one of Ronan’s men and has been guarding young Matty in the hospital. It is there that he meets Eli.
Eli is a volunteer at the hospital and notices the hot man guarding the young boy fighting off cancer immediately.
When Mav leaves the hospital one day, he hears Eli pained screams and runs to the car park to help him. Eli has a bruise on his cheek and a sprained wrist, but won’t say who attacked him.
Mav ends up at Eli’s place when he drives him home. And even though Mav doesn’t want to get close to anyone and Eli has some real issues to deal with from his past, the two grow close anyway…
I love the formula of the gruff, unapproachable MC who finds someone who needs his protection and love (often an abused younger guy) and starts opening up. And I really really love the smaller guys needing protection, but sometimes I struggle with the closed-off alpha males in this series. Especially when I’m not sure why the tortured hero acts to tortured in the first place. Darn, Mav made it hard on himself in this.
But Eli was just wonderful and I loved how he wouldn’t give up on Mav, even though Mav tried to push him away.
I especially loved the last 35% when things about Eli were finally revealed. That scene at the hospital was everything I’d hoped it would be when I found out who hurt Eli.
So overall this was a nice hurt/comfort Sloane Kennedy style.
I’ve read this four times now and while I like it enough to re-read, Mav still gets on my nerves. I love the tortures souls Sloane Kennedy writes, but somehow I wasn’t sure why Mav was that closed off. Yes, his childhood sucked, but he left that place when he was 16 and he was now 32. I would think that was enough time to at least get over it a little.
-----------------------------
Maverick is one of Ronan’s men and has been guarding young Matty in the hospital. It is there that he meets Eli.
Eli is a volunteer at the hospital and notices the hot man guarding the young boy fighting off cancer immediately.
When Mav leaves the hospital one day, he hears Eli pained screams and runs to the car park to help him. Eli has a bruise on his cheek and a sprained wrist, but won’t say who attacked him.
Mav ends up at Eli’s place when he drives him home. And even though Mav doesn’t want to get close to anyone and Eli has some real issues to deal with from his past, the two grow close anyway…
I love the formula of the gruff, unapproachable MC who finds someone who needs his protection and love (often an abused younger guy) and starts opening up. And I really really love the smaller guys needing protection, but sometimes I struggle with the closed-off alpha males in this series. Especially when I’m not sure why the tortured hero acts to tortured in the first place. Darn, Mav made it hard on himself in this.
But Eli was just wonderful and I loved how he wouldn’t give up on Mav, even though Mav tried to push him away.
I especially loved the last 35% when things about Eli were finally revealed. That scene at the hospital was everything I’d hoped it would be when I found out who hurt Eli.
So overall this was a nice hurt/comfort Sloane Kennedy style.
April 18, 2019
4,5 stars
Loved it!!!
I'm really enjoying this author's writing style! This story was extremely HOT, but also sad, super sad! Loved both main characters, Mav and Eli!! ❤️ Eli was so broken. His past broke my heart!
As I've already read Caleb's story before (Eli's brother), I knew he and Mav get their HEA and then some more. They deserve it!
Looking forward to reading more from this author!
Loved it!!!
I'm really enjoying this author's writing style! This story was extremely HOT, but also sad, super sad! Loved both main characters, Mav and Eli!! ❤️ Eli was so broken. His past broke my heart!
As I've already read Caleb's story before (Eli's brother), I knew he and Mav get their HEA and then some more. They deserve it!
Looking forward to reading more from this author!
August 10, 2016
3.5 Stars
Sloane Kennedy's books are fast becoming one of my guilty pleasures. I've thus far enjoyed The Protectors series. Some bad boy action, flexible moralities, super hot sexy times, over the top story lines and all.
Maverick James doesn't get attached. Doesn't stick around. Doesn't form roots. He tells himself that he doesn't need anyone or anything and relationships - of any kind - are nothing but heartbreaks waiting to happen. Maybe he hasn't always been this way, but time and again people have let him down and betrayed him. So he closed himself off and decided he was better off alone.
Eli Galvez is shy, a bit timid, and caring. He's volunteering at the hospital Tate and Hawke's son, Matty is receiving treatment for his Leukemia. Mav intimidates him, so he tends to keep his distance. However, one day when Mav scares off someone bent on hurting Eli, things change.
Mav and Eli both are stubborn men. Mav, more so, though. I got kind of frustrated with his insistence on not letting Eli in, once things got hot and heavy and Mav's real life intruded on their bubble. He hurt Eli time and again. And I don't know that I would call Eli a doormat, but he was determined to not let Mav push him away, even though down that path lived only pain. I really don't think Maverick deserved Eli at all. And Mav stayed his path until Eli's real life caught up and it nearly cost him his life.
I liked Forsaken and I thought it was a pretty good addition to the series, but I found Mav a very frustrating character. He was cruel to Eli, and unnecessarily so, because he was, ultimately, a coward. Maybe life had handed him reason to not trust people to stick around, but I really wanted to put him in time-out.
The saving grace, here, was that Eli was pretty strong and knew what he wanted and his determination to stick by Mav - because he knew that Mav was just scared. So Mav was forced to see that not everybody is out to get you. And not everyone will throw you away. And when Mav realizes just how close he came to almost losing Eli, he finally grows a pair, as they say, and decides the risk to his heart is worth it.
And after the end of Forsaken, we get a taste of the next book, which will be a menage! I've really loved the menage stories that this author has written in the past, so I'm super excited and can't wait to get my greedy, grabby hands on it. I'm not going to tell you who the MC's are, for that one, but I have a feeling it'll be great.
--------------------
ARC of Forsaken was generously provide by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
Sloane Kennedy's books are fast becoming one of my guilty pleasures. I've thus far enjoyed The Protectors series. Some bad boy action, flexible moralities, super hot sexy times, over the top story lines and all.
Maverick James doesn't get attached. Doesn't stick around. Doesn't form roots. He tells himself that he doesn't need anyone or anything and relationships - of any kind - are nothing but heartbreaks waiting to happen. Maybe he hasn't always been this way, but time and again people have let him down and betrayed him. So he closed himself off and decided he was better off alone.
Eli Galvez is shy, a bit timid, and caring. He's volunteering at the hospital Tate and Hawke's son, Matty is receiving treatment for his Leukemia. Mav intimidates him, so he tends to keep his distance. However, one day when Mav scares off someone bent on hurting Eli, things change.
Mav and Eli both are stubborn men. Mav, more so, though. I got kind of frustrated with his insistence on not letting Eli in, once things got hot and heavy and Mav's real life intruded on their bubble. He hurt Eli time and again. And I don't know that I would call Eli a doormat, but he was determined to not let Mav push him away, even though down that path lived only pain. I really don't think Maverick deserved Eli at all. And Mav stayed his path until Eli's real life caught up and it nearly cost him his life.
I liked Forsaken and I thought it was a pretty good addition to the series, but I found Mav a very frustrating character. He was cruel to Eli, and unnecessarily so, because he was, ultimately, a coward. Maybe life had handed him reason to not trust people to stick around, but I really wanted to put him in time-out.
The saving grace, here, was that Eli was pretty strong and knew what he wanted and his determination to stick by Mav - because he knew that Mav was just scared. So Mav was forced to see that not everybody is out to get you. And not everyone will throw you away. And when Mav realizes just how close he came to almost losing Eli, he finally grows a pair, as they say, and decides the risk to his heart is worth it.
And after the end of Forsaken, we get a taste of the next book, which will be a menage! I've really loved the menage stories that this author has written in the past, so I'm super excited and can't wait to get my greedy, grabby hands on it. I'm not going to tell you who the MC's are, for that one, but I have a feeling it'll be great.
--------------------
ARC of Forsaken was generously provide by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
March 19, 2021
“Audible hopes you’ve enjoyed this program”
Well audible.....
Is there a Sloane Kennedy book that isn’t utterly problematic and filled with tone deaf writing about race and just everything? I’m not the wokest person around but writing about a minority race might not be a thing you do when you aren’t from that minority, and maybe not everything from google should be written down 🤷🏽♀️.
Also the torture porn with the magical D is getting old, like...change that.
Well audible.....
Is there a Sloane Kennedy book that isn’t utterly problematic and filled with tone deaf writing about race and just everything? I’m not the wokest person around but writing about a minority race might not be a thing you do when you aren’t from that minority, and maybe not everything from google should be written down 🤷🏽♀️.
Also the torture porn with the magical D is getting old, like...change that.
July 2, 2017
There is something addictive about this series. Even though reading one book in the series is like reading them all because there is some serious cooking cutting going on when it comes to the characters and the plot. I find myself rolling my eyes at the OTT scenes one moment and in the next moment, I’m tearing up or getting goose bumps. I’ve given up saying this will be the last book I read by the author, because at this point, resistance is futile.
November 28, 2016
***4.25 Stars***
I just can't get enough! Another winner in this addicting series.
The hurt/comfort was terrific here. Eli and Mav were perfect for each other. Just what the other needed to feel settled, grounded and needed.
At different points in the story, each man was able to step up and be the support that the other needed during a difficult time.
As is to be expected in this series, both men have heartbreaking histories. Eli and Mav were looking for the same thing in their own way: affection, family, acceptance and love.
And the heat level here....INFERNO! Just the right combination of passion, desire and intimacy.
"Tell me you want this."
"I don't have the words to explain how much I want this."
I wasn't sure any couple would be able to compare to Hawke and Tate....but Mav and Eli are right up there with them.
The author's note at the end of the book advises reading Logan's Need from the Escort Series and Redeeming Rafe, Saving Ren and Freeing Zane from the Barretti Security series before the next book in this series. Since I was planning on reading Sloane Kennedy's MM backlog anyway, might as well heed her advice so I get the most out of my reading pleasure.
I wish I would have read Logan's Need before this book since that's where Eli is first introduced, and even though it'll be hard to read about the things that a teenage Eli is going through, I think it'll be a little easier knowing the HEA that's waiting for him.
i-m-a-quitter
August 22, 2016DNF @40%
I can't believe I am DNFing a book in this series. Yeah, I haven't really loved any of them...but I have liked them.
Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this one?
Maybe I'm over the series? I mean all of the books are rather similar.
Maybe I'll pick this one up again some day? Maybe I won't?
Bottomline, I just wasn't feeling it.
I can't believe I am DNFing a book in this series. Yeah, I haven't really loved any of them...but I have liked them.
Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this one?
Maybe I'm over the series? I mean all of the books are rather similar.
Maybe I'll pick this one up again some day? Maybe I won't?
Bottomline, I just wasn't feeling it.
December 31, 2019
Sloane Kennedy has done it again. She has the ability to reach inside her readers and wrench our hearts out. The story of Eli and Mav made me cry, scream with frustration at some points and want to hurt someone in the book very, very badly when the truth, which wasn't what I suspected, finally came out. We first meet Eli when he's a 15 year old street kid, selling his body to survive until he is rescued and looks set for a life free from pain and with a bright future. Alas not so. I fell in love with Eli in Logan's Need and to find out what happened in the intervening years between that book and this has just broken my heart. Poor, gentle, loving Eli who has already suffered so much. And now there's Mav. Bad Boy personified on the outside with his long hair, tattoos and Harley.,,,,,,,A broken,man on the inside. Rejected all of his life. Leaving before he get's left. As with all of Sloanne's books the angst level is high, and there's a lot of tension.but the HEA wins out in the end. Eli and Mav are two scarred and damaged souls who finally find love and acceptance in each others arms. *sigh*
December 17, 2017
Re-read 12/2017 before I start the latest release from the Protectors : shattered, with Caleb, Eli's stepbrother. It's becoming a real saga, LOL
And still as good as the first read :-)
----------------------------------------
Book 4 of the protectors series. Warning : it’s better to have read the Barretti security & the protectors series before starting with this one as all the characters are present.
Eli, haunted by his gruesome past of abuse, is back to Seattle and spends some time at the hospital visiting sick children. That’s how he gets to meet Mav, one of the employees of the “protectors agency”. They are clearly attracted to each other but only start to interact after Eli got attacked by his stepfather at the hospital's parking lot and Mav intervenes to help him. From then on, it’s fast-paced : a combination of chemistry, anguish, betrayal, self-loathing,…and characters that are so attracting, even though Mav was quite an ass at some point.
Sloane Kennedy outdid herself in this one : insta-lust, insta-love, total OTT angst, but as usual, it works 200% where other writers would utterly failed. Extra bonus for the out-of-the-chart hotness : Holly Molly !!
And, the cherries on top of the cake : Matty, my super hero from book 3, is there, still the fantastic little boy you can’t help but to adore, as well as all the MCs from the Barretti securities and the protectors series, adding nice touches of friendship and family.
My craving is temporarily satisfied, but it won’t last very long and I can’t wait for book 5 !!
And still as good as the first read :-)
----------------------------------------
Book 4 of the protectors series. Warning : it’s better to have read the Barretti security & the protectors series before starting with this one as all the characters are present.
Eli, haunted by his gruesome past of abuse, is back to Seattle and spends some time at the hospital visiting sick children. That’s how he gets to meet Mav, one of the employees of the “protectors agency”. They are clearly attracted to each other but only start to interact after Eli got attacked by his stepfather at the hospital's parking lot and Mav intervenes to help him. From then on, it’s fast-paced : a combination of chemistry, anguish, betrayal, self-loathing,…and characters that are so attracting, even though Mav was quite an ass at some point.
Sloane Kennedy outdid herself in this one : insta-lust, insta-love, total OTT angst, but as usual, it works 200% where other writers would utterly failed. Extra bonus for the out-of-the-chart hotness : Holly Molly !!
And, the cherries on top of the cake : Matty, my super hero from book 3, is there, still the fantastic little boy you can’t help but to adore, as well as all the MCs from the Barretti securities and the protectors series, adding nice touches of friendship and family.
My craving is temporarily satisfied, but it won’t last very long and I can’t wait for book 5 !!
March 4, 2018
*** Wow! - favorite couple alert ! *** Scorched sheets, too !
Maverick/Mav and Eli.
Tate and Hawke's son Matty is undergoing chemo treatments for Leukemia. Sweet but skittish Eli is a hospital volunteer who visits this cute little Matty.
That is where Eli and Mav meet, because Mav, 32, works for Ronan's security business,
where Mav and others take turns protecting and watching the family.
Mav is big and tall, muscled and tattooed, with long hair, scruff and motorcycle attire; a real badass. Eli can't help but notice the dynamic man. Eli is part of the Dominic Barretti family. ( the Barretti series)
When Eli is attacked, Mav is close by, but too late, and Eli refuses to tell him who did it, so, the plot thickens. Even Eli's big Rottweiler, Baby, likes Mav.
We see other security team members, and the story is intense, interesting and exciting. Mav and Eli get close, have super sizzling sexiness, with dirty talk and all out hotness in bed, on the table, the shower, and more. It's erotic and your heart will flutter. *(If you have read the Guns N' Boys series from K. A. Merikan, you will feel the same passion, the intensity and wild rawness and abandon that you felt with Dom and Seth.)
These two guys, Mav and Eli, have that kind of deepness, and it's fabulous !
Magnificently written, , this is totally enthralling, and un-put-downable. Awesome characters, a wonderful series with twisty tale that intertwine, and it's action packed.
These two men are there for each other, no matter what, as Eli steps up to help Mav when he needs to take a sad trip. We hear Eli's tale of his childhood torment, his brothers, and his evil stepfather.
This series is amazing ! I highly recommend it ! ENJOY !
============================
Sloane gives us the line up of how her series' connect and which order to read them in, but I have skipped around, and I'm still completely satisfied. Free on Kindle Unlimited.
==============
==============
Maverick/Mav and Eli.
Tate and Hawke's son Matty is undergoing chemo treatments for Leukemia. Sweet but skittish Eli is a hospital volunteer who visits this cute little Matty.
That is where Eli and Mav meet, because Mav, 32, works for Ronan's security business,
where Mav and others take turns protecting and watching the family.
Mav is big and tall, muscled and tattooed, with long hair, scruff and motorcycle attire; a real badass. Eli can't help but notice the dynamic man. Eli is part of the Dominic Barretti family. ( the Barretti series)
When Eli is attacked, Mav is close by, but too late, and Eli refuses to tell him who did it, so, the plot thickens. Even Eli's big Rottweiler, Baby, likes Mav.
We see other security team members, and the story is intense, interesting and exciting. Mav and Eli get close, have super sizzling sexiness, with dirty talk and all out hotness in bed, on the table, the shower, and more. It's erotic and your heart will flutter. *(If you have read the Guns N' Boys series from K. A. Merikan, you will feel the same passion, the intensity and wild rawness and abandon that you felt with Dom and Seth.)
These two guys, Mav and Eli, have that kind of deepness, and it's fabulous !
Magnificently written, , this is totally enthralling, and un-put-downable. Awesome characters, a wonderful series with twisty tale that intertwine, and it's action packed.
These two men are there for each other, no matter what, as Eli steps up to help Mav when he needs to take a sad trip. We hear Eli's tale of his childhood torment, his brothers, and his evil stepfather.
This series is amazing ! I highly recommend it ! ENJOY !
============================
Sloane gives us the line up of how her series' connect and which order to read them in, but I have skipped around, and I'm still completely satisfied. Free on Kindle Unlimited.
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==============
October 31, 2017
Eli and Mav both deeply hurt. Both had their heart locked and were very vulnerable.
The difference between them was Mav looked as the strong guy and Eli as the small weak one.
My stomach squeezed many many times and electric contractions were going through my
body from the hurt. The hurt... I felt it all. The author did a good job.
“I leave so I don’t get left,”
Their journey is one with many bumps. They were instant attracted to each other even knowing it could never be. Their sexual interactions were sizzling and beautiful and heartbreaking.
Their connection was very emotional.
“I sighed in relief. He wasn’t letting me go…yet.”
It's wonderful to see Eli getting stronger and that he is the one who does the fighting for their 'relationship'. Somehow he is getting it all about Mav.
Forsaken is one of a serie. I didn't read any other I had a little struggle with all the names but that's my debit.
Because of the serie there is a lot of story, again my debit I got a little distracted now and then
But when it was all about Eli and Mav (and 80% it was) I was all in.
The story unfolds strong and the writing is powerful.
I loved this story and strongly recommend it.
“It was all about me. For the first time in my whole goddamn life, I was being put first.”
The difference between them was Mav looked as the strong guy and Eli as the small weak one.
My stomach squeezed many many times and electric contractions were going through my
body from the hurt. The hurt... I felt it all. The author did a good job.
“I leave so I don’t get left,”
Their journey is one with many bumps. They were instant attracted to each other even knowing it could never be. Their sexual interactions were sizzling and beautiful and heartbreaking.
Their connection was very emotional.
“I sighed in relief. He wasn’t letting me go…yet.”
It's wonderful to see Eli getting stronger and that he is the one who does the fighting for their 'relationship'. Somehow he is getting it all about Mav.
Forsaken is one of a serie. I didn't read any other I had a little struggle with all the names but that's my debit.
Because of the serie there is a lot of story, again my debit I got a little distracted now and then
But when it was all about Eli and Mav (and 80% it was) I was all in.
The story unfolds strong and the writing is powerful.
I loved this story and strongly recommend it.
“It was all about me. For the first time in my whole goddamn life, I was being put first.”
May 10, 2018
*3,75 stars*
After book 4 it is clear that Sloane Kennedy follows a certain MO in this series.
All her MCs are massively broken over and over again, the plot is in general on the unrealistic side, going bare is definitely a thing, so is pulling arms over the head whilst in the throes of passion - just to mention some of those things.
Still - I enjoyed this book, like the previous one, and there can be no doubt that I was entertained and pulled into it - despite my observations and niggles which in itself is a huge compliment for Sloane Kennedy’s ability to make me care about her characters.
These books are sheer escapism in a good way and I will come back to this series, no doubt!
After book 4 it is clear that Sloane Kennedy follows a certain MO in this series.
All her MCs are massively broken over and over again, the plot is in general on the unrealistic side, going bare is definitely a thing, so is pulling arms over the head whilst in the throes of passion - just to mention some of those things.
Still - I enjoyed this book, like the previous one, and there can be no doubt that I was entertained and pulled into it - despite my observations and niggles which in itself is a huge compliment for Sloane Kennedy’s ability to make me care about her characters.
These books are sheer escapism in a good way and I will come back to this series, no doubt!
July 3, 2021
I loved it, but I had to knock off a star for that bull Mav tried to pull on Eli. I was pissed off the highest point of pisstivity for that BS.
Reread 7/3/2021 I won’t change my rating, but reading these books back to back really makes me hate the formula
Reread 7/3/2021 I won’t change my rating, but reading these books back to back really makes me hate the formula
April 8, 2019
Oh how I loved Mav and Eli’s story. I love how these books make me want to keep finding more of Sloane’s books so I can have the whole group in my head.
These two men have so much to heal from and they help each other heal it really was outstanding how they find each other. Like attracts Like I suppose. Mav is strong and has that hard shell and Eli is sad and has a soft outer shell and how they both complement each other I just swoon.
The narration was ok I am not sure I like the “accent/native” voice he does for Mav but it’s not sooo bad.
These two men have so much to heal from and they help each other heal it really was outstanding how they find each other. Like attracts Like I suppose. Mav is strong and has that hard shell and Eli is sad and has a soft outer shell and how they both complement each other I just swoon.
The narration was ok I am not sure I like the “accent/native” voice he does for Mav but it’s not sooo bad.
July 2, 2019
4 stars!! 🤩Another tear-jerker 😭from the queen of angst... and yet I loved it 😍. Eli and Mav are both broken by their past circumstances and present secrets, but Eli's life has been so much harder. It's unimaginable what he goes through day after day, feeling guilt and shame for something that wasn't even his fault. Despite having turned his life around, he doesn't feel any happiness or sense of family because of this baggage 😢. Mav, on the other hand keeps a tough untouchable exterior but melts for Eli 💘🔥and somehow despite all the odds they find solace in each other's arms. However, nothing lasts forever as both of their pasts casts a pall on their temporary happiness and suddenly everything they hold dear; family, friends is in jeopardy. 😬 Can they survive the odds against them? Will Eli's extended family accept Mav?
This story like all the others in this series is angsty and sad.. it fills you with rage 😡sometimes at how badly Eli was betrayed and honestly it was tough to read in some places. 😧, but I didn't give up 😊 and continued on till the HEAesque Epilogue 😍. Nevertheless, there were so many supporting characters from previous books in this one, that I realized that I needed to catch up a little🧐; so I will be doing some book-time-travel and read the stories of all the Barrettis before continuing on with this series. 🤓.
This story like all the others in this series is angsty and sad.. it fills you with rage 😡sometimes at how badly Eli was betrayed and honestly it was tough to read in some places. 😧, but I didn't give up 😊 and continued on till the HEAesque Epilogue 😍. Nevertheless, there were so many supporting characters from previous books in this one, that I realized that I needed to catch up a little🧐; so I will be doing some book-time-travel and read the stories of all the Barrettis before continuing on with this series. 🤓.
April 16, 2021
Who’s crying at 3 in the morning? Me! The most painful yet from this series. At first, I was a little bit confused because I feel I’m missing out on things and then everything went clear in the last chapters. I knew it was coming but I wasn’t ready. Kennedy’s writing, characters, and romance are literally magic. So much depth and complexity that blew me away.
August 27, 2016
3.5 for this next book - another good read with more smokin scenes. While I have enjoyed this series it seems to have the same recipe / plot each time. I really liked Eli & Mav, they worked, but there was so much going on !
December 31, 2020
Eli, my baby boy, you have my heart 💖
February 26, 2022
Eli precious baby 💕💕💕💕💕
February 22, 2019
** 4.5 stars **
Eli is finally ready for his happy ever after but something terrible holds him back. He does not feel worthy, he withdraws from others, and unfortunately they don't even notice. The only person who sees that some things are not as they should be is Mav. When he comes to Eli's rescue, both men start on a journey to figure out how to let go of their past and feel deserving of happiness that is within their reach.
I love Eli. He is a survivor, and life should have been sweet to him, but instead he got sour lemons. Poor baby! I rooted for him so much. When the truth came out about what he went through, I was heart broken. Evil exists in many packages, and one never knows what is hiding behind closed doors. Eli is one of the strongest men in this series and so worth knowing.
Maverick while also having traumatic past in its own way was slowly destroying the relationship that was developing between two men. It's as if he could not stop. From the life he led before it might be understandable but it hurt Eli so much, I really wanted to smack him upside his head sometimes. He needed someone persistent like Eli to show him what devotion and love was. It was at times very agonizing process for both men.
The ending was tragic in a sense that people who were supposed to protect and love Eli betrayed him and hurt him. When the truth came out there was so much guilt, so many tears, so much regret. Mav and Eli went through a lot together, but finally they both were healing and moving forward. I loved this book, and I highly recommend it.
Eli is finally ready for his happy ever after but something terrible holds him back. He does not feel worthy, he withdraws from others, and unfortunately they don't even notice. The only person who sees that some things are not as they should be is Mav. When he comes to Eli's rescue, both men start on a journey to figure out how to let go of their past and feel deserving of happiness that is within their reach.
I love Eli. He is a survivor, and life should have been sweet to him, but instead he got sour lemons. Poor baby! I rooted for him so much. When the truth came out about what he went through, I was heart broken. Evil exists in many packages, and one never knows what is hiding behind closed doors. Eli is one of the strongest men in this series and so worth knowing.
Maverick while also having traumatic past in its own way was slowly destroying the relationship that was developing between two men. It's as if he could not stop. From the life he led before it might be understandable but it hurt Eli so much, I really wanted to smack him upside his head sometimes. He needed someone persistent like Eli to show him what devotion and love was. It was at times very agonizing process for both men.
The ending was tragic in a sense that people who were supposed to protect and love Eli betrayed him and hurt him. When the truth came out there was so much guilt, so many tears, so much regret. Mav and Eli went through a lot together, but finally they both were healing and moving forward. I loved this book, and I highly recommend it.
January 6, 2025
This was book 4 in
"The Protectors"
series. At fifteen years old, Eli Galvez was saved by Dom and Logan when he was taken off the streets he was working when his sister went missing and was killed. After going to college on the east coast he returns to Seattle to get ready for medical school while waiting he volunteers at the hospital that Mattie is in when he meets Maverick. Maverick James has worked for Ronan for a few years Mav is afraid of commitment and letting people get close to him he doesn't think of the guys has is family because the family he was born into left him and disowned him because he was gay and half white and half native American. While working as a cop he ran across police corruption and the other cops turned against him. When he sees Eli after someone beat him up he knows that he has to protect him. What he found out was heart breaking with so much sexual abuse that Eli had to go through. Each one of the guys are having a hard time with the whole thing about how we make a family. Eli doesn't think he is good enough for the Barretti family and Mav never thought of Ronan and the guys as family. When a family tragedy Mav tried to push Eli away but he refused to go so they go together and Mav realized that he had someone that is not leaving him. When one of Eli's friends is hurt while returning his dog he was mistaken as Eli. When everything comes out Eli got to see that the Barretti's are his family and will do anything to protect him also both families meet. This was a good read although I wanted to slap both of them. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Maverick
Maverick
March 31, 2017
The Barretti's meet The Protectors.
Another exciting adventure in Sloane Kennedy's vigilante assassins series. Eli, the young boy rescued by Dom Barretti and Logan, is back and meets Mav when Eli's volunteering at the hospital Matty is in. There's a lot of story here, with Mav dealing with his past and trying to keep emotional distance from Eli. Eli has issues with his own past to deal with. The tropes and themes are pretty OTT, as always, but just as all-consuming to read, too! I would want to see the trigger issue in this story used less often in the future.
Dom and a few of the Barretti family appear in different parts, as they end up intersecting with Ronan's group. That was nice, but as often happens with Sloane's books, the building romance and character interactions and copious sex scenes use a lot of page time. Then it always seems that the climactic events become overwhelming in too few pages before the end. There was sooo much going on in the last 25% or so. There were some new characters squeezed into that latter portion. Some names we've seen mentioned in the course of the series, who become more prominent. There's an excerpt of Memphis story at the end and the other's will appear later, I'm sure.
I couldn't give this more than four stars, because I got rather frustrated with Mav's character. None of that will keep me from reading the next one, nor the one after that.
Another exciting adventure in Sloane Kennedy's vigilante assassins series. Eli, the young boy rescued by Dom Barretti and Logan, is back and meets Mav when Eli's volunteering at the hospital Matty is in. There's a lot of story here, with Mav dealing with his past and trying to keep emotional distance from Eli. Eli has issues with his own past to deal with. The tropes and themes are pretty OTT, as always, but just as all-consuming to read, too! I would want to see the trigger issue in this story used less often in the future.
Dom and a few of the Barretti family appear in different parts, as they end up intersecting with Ronan's group. That was nice, but as often happens with Sloane's books, the building romance and character interactions and copious sex scenes use a lot of page time. Then it always seems that the climactic events become overwhelming in too few pages before the end. There was sooo much going on in the last 25% or so. There were some new characters squeezed into that latter portion. Some names we've seen mentioned in the course of the series, who become more prominent. There's an excerpt of Memphis story at the end and the other's will appear later, I'm sure.
I couldn't give this more than four stars, because I got rather frustrated with Mav's character. None of that will keep me from reading the next one, nor the one after that.
June 20, 2018
I started reading The Protectors series last month, I read the first three books and I was advised by a friend to read Logan's Need and the Barretti Security Series before I continued on which I did and thank goodness that I did or I would have been lost with Forsaken as we first meet Eli in Logan's Need and then a few more men in the Barretti series.
Poor Eli I know what he went through when Dom rescued him but the secret he has been keeping for years broke my heart and I was cheering Dom on when he found out the truth.
Mav (sadly not named after Tom Cruise lol) I knew him a little, he was the mysterious guy on his Harley but he came to Eli's rescue when he needed someone the most.
There is instant attraction between them which they don't fight they give in and have lots of sex HOT sex.
These two men have both been hurt by people that are supposed to love and take care of them but can they be there for each other emotionally not just sexually without running away when they both have to deal with difficulties from their pasts.
Again this has everything you expect from Sloane Kennedy tough sexy men, scorching passion, heart breaking moments and nail biting drama and a sweet epilogue.
I loved having the other men from this series turning up here and there when Eli and Mav needed backup and having Ronan's men meeting Dom's men was a bonus as you may have noticed I am a little obsessed with Dom Barretti.
I know I will be spending more time with Dom in the next book Vengeance as Tristan is his oldest son.
My Sloane Kennedy binge continues this was my ninth book.
Poor Eli I know what he went through when Dom rescued him but the secret he has been keeping for years broke my heart and I was cheering Dom on when he found out the truth.
Mav (sadly not named after Tom Cruise lol) I knew him a little, he was the mysterious guy on his Harley but he came to Eli's rescue when he needed someone the most.
There is instant attraction between them which they don't fight they give in and have lots of sex HOT sex.
These two men have both been hurt by people that are supposed to love and take care of them but can they be there for each other emotionally not just sexually without running away when they both have to deal with difficulties from their pasts.
Again this has everything you expect from Sloane Kennedy tough sexy men, scorching passion, heart breaking moments and nail biting drama and a sweet epilogue.
I loved having the other men from this series turning up here and there when Eli and Mav needed backup and having Ronan's men meeting Dom's men was a bonus as you may have noticed I am a little obsessed with Dom Barretti.
I know I will be spending more time with Dom in the next book Vengeance as Tristan is his oldest son.
My Sloane Kennedy binge continues this was my ninth book.
May 15, 2024
DNF @ Epilogue
Skimmed. Annoyed at the constant pushing away but still having sex 🙄
Everyone needs therapy.
Eli should’ve had some self respect after Mav said he was just a good fuck, because he continued to push Eli away in hurtful ways -he needed to grovel hard but of course he didn’t . 😒
Skimmed. Annoyed at the constant pushing away but still having sex 🙄
Everyone needs therapy.
Eli should’ve had some self respect after Mav said he was just a good fuck, because he continued to push Eli away in hurtful ways -he needed to grovel hard but of course he didn’t . 😒
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2017
4.25 stars from me. Another winner from Sloane in this sexy series, and I was extremely pleased to see that the 'predator' in the story was used as a punching bag by several people before he got arrested, yay!!
I love how this series is being intertwined with the Barretti Security series to make one HUGE family affair...all gay or bisexual men, either in couples or threesomes with lots of kids included in the mix. Our next story is Vengeance, featuring Memphis (The Protectors), Brennan and Tristan (Barretti)...can't wait!!
***Also wanted to thank Sloane for telling it like it is as far as the disgraceful way the indigenous population of the U.S. i.e. Native Americans are treated by their government, and the same can be said about the Aborigines in Australia. The explorers of our past have a lot to answer for, but being treated as they are in the 21st century, well, that's on us....***
I love how this series is being intertwined with the Barretti Security series to make one HUGE family affair...all gay or bisexual men, either in couples or threesomes with lots of kids included in the mix. Our next story is Vengeance, featuring Memphis (The Protectors), Brennan and Tristan (Barretti)...can't wait!!
***Also wanted to thank Sloane for telling it like it is as far as the disgraceful way the indigenous population of the U.S. i.e. Native Americans are treated by their government, and the same can be said about the Aborigines in Australia. The explorers of our past have a lot to answer for, but being treated as they are in the 21st century, well, that's on us....***
July 26, 2017
I liked this one A LOT better than the second and third books, but it is still... Missing something or there is something just a wee bit, maybe, MF about it?!?! Here I'm thinking about the miscommunication and the 'stoic': "I'm FINE!" Even though the person uttering the sentence is CLEARLY not fine.
I loved Eli and Mav though and the amount of POWER Mav hands Eli is AMAZING!!!! These two are really at the top of my list for favourite MCs in this series.
I loved Eli and Mav though and the amount of POWER Mav hands Eli is AMAZING!!!! These two are really at the top of my list for favourite MCs in this series.
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