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I once made the mistake of falling for a client, and it nearly cost me my career.
Jaded and disgraced, I used my attitude as armor so it could never happen again.

Until I was assigned to protect Lofton Beck.

Hollywood’s golden girl had a stalker on her tail—and two dead bodyguards.

She was a nightmare from the start. Didn’t follow orders. Had no concept of boundaries. Worst of all, she was so damn gorgeous I couldn’t build my walls strong enough to keep her out.

As the threats escalated, we were forced into hiding at her family’s farm. Keeping my distance became impossible with her sleeping in the room next door.

Somewhere between our early mornings together and the quiet moments when the world disappeared, it became clear her stalker wasn’t the most dangerous part of the assignment.

Protecting her was never the problem.
Falling for her could cost me everything.

Unknown Binding

First published April 26, 2026

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About the author

Aly Martinez

57 books8,162 followers
Originally from Savannah, Georgia, USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez now lives in South Carolina with her four young children.

Never one to take herself too seriously, she enjoys cheap wine, charcuterie boards, and her mildly neurotic golden retriever. It should be known, however, that she hates pizza and ice cream, almost as much as writing her bio in the third person.

She passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a super-sized tumbler of wine by her side.

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5 stars
124 (37%)
4 stars
144 (44%)
3 stars
47 (14%)
2 stars
10 (3%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
Profile Image for Christy.
4,646 reviews36.1k followers
May 23, 2026
4 stars

Another great bodyguard romance from Aly Martinez. I've missed her books! Devon and Lofton's book was great.
Profile Image for Mikky.
1,021 reviews305 followers
Want to Read
April 27, 2026
April 2026 - HERE WE GO! It's been published! AHH! Now to negotiate with my mood reader brain so I can get to this as soon as it lets me 😭

August 2019 - I've heard from a little birdy that this might be getting released in October! I hope that little birdy is right this time ♡

January 2019 - Dates will probably get changed BUT the author is aiming to release this around July 2019! I'm so excited! I hope this doesn't change!

October 2018 - This novel has been pushed back. A possible release date is in the first few months of 2019.

July 2018 - The author announced that this novel will be releasing some time in December 2018! I'm hoping I like this novel as much as I liked the first book in this series. *Fingers crossed*
Profile Image for Kursed Reads.
884 reviews10.1k followers
May 18, 2026
When a crazed stalker kills her longtime bodyguard, celebrity Lofton Beck turns to Guardian Protection for safety.

Devon Grant isn’t new to high profile clients. In fact, it’s the root cause of his grumpy personality. But Lofton manages to soften his rough edges without even trying. And when she puts in a little effort to get his attention? All bets are off.

It’s been years since I’ve read anything by Aly Martinez. That’s because the Regret duet broke me (in the best way). Falter was a very different read than I remembered from the author, but you’ll find no complaints. I enjoyed the angst and evolution of Lofton and Devon’s relationship. The secondary storyline kept things interesting and I loved the side characters.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Format: 📱

🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Mystery/Suspense, New Adult

Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present}
Emotions: 🤯😊🫠🥺😍
Darkness: 🩶🩶
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

✨ Tropes: Billionaire, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Heroine in Danger, Opposites Attract, Secret Relationship, Workplace
 
💫 Microtropes: Caretaker/Protective MMC, Cinnamon Roll, Trauma Bonding

🔆 Character: Bodyguard, Celebrity

💋 Kinks: n/a

🤰🏻 Pregnancy: n/a

🚩 Red Flags: Alphahole, Jealous/Possessive/Obsessive

⛔️ Safety Squad: Stalking (Not by MMC), Unaliving, Violence, and other potentially triggering elements. Triggers may appear both on- and off-page and in the past and/or present. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📍 Setting: Los Angeles, California + Farm, Tennessee 🇺🇸

📣 Type: Falter is part of the Guardian Protection series of interconnected standalones. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading prior books may enhance the experience.

⚠️ Warning: The angst in this slow-burn will edge you to the point of combustion!

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
Profile Image for Betül.
1,076 reviews293 followers
May 9, 2026
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**

Aly Martinez continues to prove why she’s one of my favorite authors. Her writing always manages to pull me in almost immediately, and Falter was no different. I picked this up at the perfect time because it ended up being such a great palate cleanser. I flew through the pages.

One thing Aly does really well is create characters that feel easy to connect to, and both Lofton and Devon were no exception. I really enjoyed their dynamic and loved seeing their relationship slowly develop throughout the story. They felt like a great match, and the chemistry between them worked really well alongside the more suspenseful elements of the plot.

The balance between romance and suspense was done really nicely. The story kept moving without ever feeling too heavy in either direction, and I stayed fully engaged the entire time. I especially enjoyed the quieter moments between Lofton and Devon just as much as the more tense scenes involving the stalker storyline.

The side characters were also a highlight for me, and it was fun being reunited with characters from the previous books in the series. Even though this is the third book in the series, you can easily read it as a standalone. Overall, Falter was an engaging and entertaining romantic suspense read with strong characters, good pacing, and a romance I really enjoyed following.
Profile Image for Shabby  -BookBistroBlog.
2,018 reviews1,022 followers
April 28, 2026
Consuming, addictive story that held me captive from the start. Set in dark underside of celebrity culture where stalkers - murderers reside. Lofton is a superstar and her fame & fortune comes with a leeching blackmailer as a package deal. Things escalate to dark & dangerous situation hastily and her ol' loyal bodyguard is killed.
Guardian security steps in to help, Devon is chosen one. Grumpy, reluctant and abrasive. But his heart soon melts when his ward to protect is hurting bad, so his instructions from his boss are crystal clear

“You ever work through your shit by cutting into a woman who’s already bleeding. Client or not. You’re gonna have to deal with me. Got it?”

description

Yes sir🫡
He's handsome and sexy.
Lofton is beautiful.
Alone
Together
Protector/Damsel
....you do the math!

description

“ Devon Grant had gone from the man I couldn’t read to the story I couldn’t put down.”

Surprising Twist was the Threat, when revealed, had my jaw hanging open!!!
It's steamy, set on razors edge so emotions are sharp and intense, sweeping me off my feet instantly.
“4.5 stars for Devon Grant, First of His Name, Breaker of Professional Boundaries and Bed Slats, Warden of the Beck Family Farm, Master of Stoic Brooding, Protector of the Menacing Lofton Beck, and Rightful Heir to All Her Orgasms?”
Follow me on:
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Profile Image for  Sonya ♕Chatterbooks book blog♕.
1,025 reviews1,190 followers
May 18, 2026
1779074118625

Aly Martinez never fails to bring you a tortured protected hero and this book was no different. Whether you've read the previous books in the Guardian series or you've decided to start with this one, you can rest easy knowing that she's going to take care of your heart in the process.

Devon Grant has been through his fair share of protecting high profile celebrities. Being in constant Survival mode is second nature to him now and he uses that skill to assess his surroundings while in work mode. He’s precise, calculated, and downright one of the best bodyguards at his Agency. But with that comes complications and an error in judgment that continues to haunt him to this day.

danger

Lofton Beck has always known that she wanted to be an actress. Hard work has never scared her and growing up on a farm, just fueled her work ethic even more. Now she's one of Hollywood's hottest actresses and she has no plans to slow down. That all changes when a dangerous stalker took away her safety and made her his number one target. Forced to hire a top notch security team with a new bodyguard, Lofton is about to get a one on one lesson in having to trust someone she knows nothing about.

I have to say that I really liked the connection between Lofton and Devon from the very beginning. You felt it immediately even when they were at odds with each other and you were anticipating the next moment they were going to be pushed together.

If you're a fan of this author's work, I highly recommend you read this one. Devon and Lofton's love journey through self discovery, heartbreak and danger,was all worth it.



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Profile Image for Bryanna.
536 reviews77 followers
May 1, 2026
Enjoyable, but not what I typically expect from Aly Martinez.
Profile Image for Megan ~The Never Ending Book Basket.
2,458 reviews92 followers
April 27, 2026
Let me tell you something, if there is something I know in life to be true, it is that Aly Martinez can write a hell of a romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat, that will have you feeling absolutely EVERYTHING, and that will have you believing with your whole heart in the couple she gives you and allows you to fall in love with. Falter encapsulated all of that and more and was her at her best. This book is a quintessential Aly Martinez book and it was absolutely incredible, unforgettable, and utterly consuming from start to finish. But more than that, it was an amazing and all-feeling love story between two people who shouldn’t be together, who shouldn’t work, yet every jagged cracked piece of themselves fits perfectly with the other in a way that feels wholly meant to be.

Falter is the story of Lofton and Devon, two characters who come together in the most extraordinary of circumstances, who feel absolutely everything they weren’t prepared to feel for one another, and who change each other’s lives and hearts in ways that neither were prepared for.

This book is their journey to absolution. This book is their story of forbidden love. This book is their healing from everything that has gone wrong in each of their respective pasts. This book is their opportunity to put their hearts on the line, to let their vulnerability shine, and to break down the solid walls that they have built around their hearts. This book is a fight for them. This book is a fight for her safety and freedom, from both a literal stalker endangering her and also the life she thought she always wanted, but turned out to be the version she didn’t want. This book is a fight for him and his freedom, from a past version of himself, from the weight of the mistakes he’s made, and from feelings he wasn’t prepared to feel.

This book is Lofton and Devon through and through on their journey to accepting everything that they make each other feel and then some. It is them at their best and worst and everything in between. It is them and their most vulnerable, and their most real and raw, feeling everything under the sun that they weren’t prepared for, but that they also needed like they needed their next breath. It was the two of them and the new normal they shared and created together. And that new normal scared them both out of their minds with what it made them feel, but it was also the exact place they were always meant to be because the way these characters see each other, get each other, and fight and show up and feel everything for one another is true perfection. And that perfection may be complicated and messy and rawly emotional at times, but it is very them, it is perfectly them, and it allows every piece of their heart and emotions to shine.

Simply put, Falter by Aly Martinez is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year and is a new favorite book of mine from this author.

This book just utterly consumed my mind and my body and my heart in every word of what I got with this couple from the very first page of this book. Thrown into the thick of the action, this book puts you in it with Lofton and Devon. She is a celebrity who is being stalked and who is in literal danger. He is the bodyguard who is hired to protect her and who might also want absolutely nothing to do with a celebrity scene or a celebrity.

These two definitely get off to a rocky start, but the more time they spend together, the more protective he gets, the more she breaks down those walls and adds little cracks of emotion to them, and the more that they see each other for who they really are in the quiet mornings they share together, the more these two realize the shit is about to hit the fan. And by shit, I mean their feelings and emotions because what they share is everything. It is all kinds of forbidden because he is her bodyguard and she is the client, and they are definitely not supposed to want each other, but want each other they do. Their slow burn gloriousness of connection and fire and pull to one another will literally give you life on this book. Trust me on that. And watching these two give into everything they make each other feel, watching them show up for each other in the way that they do, and getting to be there as they fall so hard for one another will pull your heart to their fiercely in every way possible. I promise you that.

Devon and Lofton share something undeniable. It might break all the rules, it might be messy and complicated and flawed, but it is so inherently them. The way these two pull back all of the layers and see each other for who they are is absolutely everything. But more than that getting to watch them put their hearts on the line when it really matters, getting to watch them poke at each other until there is no choice left, but to fall for one another, and getting to watch these characters reckon with the depth of their feelings and connection is truly incredible. It makes for a hell of a love story and it will definitely have you knowing that these two are meant to be. They are meant to find their way, even if what they share breaks all the rules, and even if what they share isn’t supposed to work, and getting to be so connected to them as they give it they’re all in this book will truly have you in love with everything they share and what they give you.

There is truly such beauty in the moments that you get with Devon and Lofton. In the slow moments, in the vulnerable moments, in the moments where they let all of their colors shine for the other to see. There is such authenticity and heart in what they build. It is slow and glorious in how it grows and how that tension between them amplifies, and it truly changes the trajectory of everything for the both of them. And all of that might scare them out of their minds at time, but it also firmly cements for them that the other is who they are meant to be with, and that the other is the person who truly changes everything. The depth of what these two share, the love that grows so authentically and honestly with them in those quiet moments, in those real and raw moments, and in the moments for the whole world to see, sear your heart to everything they share and will have you knowing that they HAVE to find a way.

They just have to.

Aly Martinez finds the best balance of that emotion, that fire and connection, that undeniable pull to one another with what she gives you with Devon and Lofton, and she lights it all on fire. I mean she amplifies it in the best way through what she gives you with them, and you will be here for every second of it. But more than that, you will just love the vibe of this entire book. You will love the banter and the levity you get with these characters. You will love the action and the suspense of it all that will keep you guessing until the very end. You will love that these characters build such an understanding of one another, and how that shines in the most beautiful way in every breath of this book. But more than that, you will just love how wholeheartedly connected you feel to both Lofton and Devon as you get to experience the story with them. I really cannot say enough how much this author just lets you live this book with her characters and it truly is everything to get an experience that.

Because Lofton and Devon… They leave their heart and souls in this book and you will relish in that with them.

I also have to say that being back in the world of Guardian Protection was actual perfection. This whole series owns my whole heart. I love these characters, I love these men, I love their complicated stories to finding love, and I love that only they know how to push each other‘s buttons in the way that they do. This is a found family of complicated characters who show up and love each other in every way, even when they mess up and it’s the best. I have loved this series for years now, and being back in this world is truly the best. Seeing all of my favorite characters again, getting all of their interactions, and just getting to be back in a world full of fictional characters that would do anything for one another, and that equally know how to get under each other‘s skin in the best way has been the best experience. This whole found family of characters shows up for each other in every way that matters, but more than that they had such a levity and heart and connection to the story and it’s the best.

And let me just tell you, I’m already chomping at the bit to be back in this world because I need more of this series something fierce. (Cough, Johnson, cough.) There are definitely some characters that I need everything from and I will be not so patiently waiting for every single one of them. That is how invested Aly Martinez makes you in this series but in every one of her books. She just shows you a group of characters you can’t help but love and want everything with, and it’s one of the best things about her books because you just feel so wholeheartedly connected to her characters, what they give you, and what you feel and experience with them. This series is no different, and getting another moment with all of these characters with Lofton and Devon was truly amazing.

Falter just made me love this world of characters more, but it also gave me an incredibly emotional and unforgettable journey with Lofton and Devon in a way that I just loved. Devon is a complicated character, that we may or may not have met before, and getting to see his evolution, getting to see his fight in it all, and getting to see the truth and vulnerability and what he feels and shares with Lofton was absolutely everything. And Lofton was a true gem of a character. I mean, that woman has a heart of gold, she has so much fight in her, and she is just trying to make semblance of her new normal in the life that she has. I just loved her character from the start and I was immediately enthralled with her.

Getting to see the grumpy sunshine vibes that both her and Devon give off as they fall so so hard for each other, as they try and pretend it’s not happening, and as she just so painstakingly works at that man to show him that they are inevitable and that they feel everything is truly the best. But more than that, just getting to see these two put their hearts on the line when it really matters and show up for each other in only the ways that they can is true perfection and will just have you believing and knowing that they have to find a way to make it all work. That they have to find a way to that happily ever after because there is no other alternative for those two in the depth of what they share.

It’s easy to see from this review that this book is one of my favorite books. I’ve read this year. And I really can’t say it enough. This book is Aly Martinez at her best and the way you get equal parts swoon and suspense and spice will have you living for every breath of this book with Lofton and Devon. I really can’t say that enough. Those two are truly something special and getting to watch them build an epic love story together in this book will have you feeling every breath of their story and then some. But more than that, it will just have you be believing and the two of them and what they give to each other. Those two definitely make each other work for it, and it is the most glorious slow burn to the finish line with them, but it is also so worth it and it will have you be believing in everything they feel and share together.

Trust me on that.

I could not have loved this book or this couple more. What they share, what they give you, the emotion and vulnerability of it all, the fire and suspense of it all, and the way this author tells the story and lets you experience her unique writing and storytelling voice is truly amazing. This is what romance reading should be like. A book like this from this author where the layers and shades and colors of her characters shine brightly and honestly and vulnerably through every second you get with them, simultaneously taking a hold of your heart with every layer and peace and nuance they give you.

It is books like this one that reminds me why I love reading romance so much and why Aly Martinez is one of my all-time favorite authors. Because what she delivers in Falter with Devon and Lofton is more than everything. It is real. It is raw. It is emotional and vulnerable and breathtaking. It is romantic and swoony and fiery. It is consuming in every way and on every level. It is complicated and messy. It is just them. It is them in the most honest and true and real way sharing everything together, letting their colors shine, and be believing in each other and what could be. It is them, wholeheartedly them from start to finish, and I truly could not have asked for more.

Simply put, Falter is a book you need in your life this very second, and I promise you that you will love every breath of what you get with Lofton and Devon. Their love may be forbidden, their feelings may be off limits, and they may also know how to get right under each other skin and push all the buttons each other has, but these two definitely show you that they and their love and everything they share together are worth it.

So beyond worth it. And then some.

I truly could go on and on about how much I loved and felt everything within this book with Lofton and Devon, but I will wrap it up here because really you just need to read this book. You need to read and live and experience everything these characters give you in this book and just embrace it. Embrace their vulnerability, their honesty, and the true selves they give you and their story. Their story is everything and then some, and you will love getting to take it all in with them. They make every second of their story worth experiencing and fighting for, and honestly that’s just scratching the surface of what makes their love story in this book epic and emotional and unforgettable.

Aly Martinez leaves your heart and theirs on every page of this book and it is literal perfection. What you experience with Devon and Lofton across their unforgettable and deeply emotional love story will definitely have you in it with them, believing in everything they share, and fighting right along with them that they find a way to make what’s forbidden and off-limits something that can last forever. Getting to go along with them as they share their beautiful and all feeling colors with each other and the world will give you everything and more with them. And really, there’s no better feeling than that…or what you get with them in this absolutely incredible book.
186 reviews
April 28, 2026
This one just didn’t work for me. Disappointed as I love Aly Martinez, her Someone Trilogy is in my all time top 5 but for some reason I just didn’t enjoy this one.
I wasn’t keen on Devon, Lofton seemed too perfect and I just didn’t really feel the chemistry. Plus those names are so weird it was jarring
Profile Image for Laurenreadingrecs .
659 reviews43 followers
April 29, 2026
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes:

💛CELEBRITY x BODYGUARD
🩶GRUMPY × SUNSHINE
💛FORBIDDEN
🩶FORCED PROXIMITY
💛STANDALONE
🩶JADED HERO

Lofton is still recovering from an attack that left her bodyguard , Marty dead. Marty wasn’t just her bodyguard he was her friend and more like family. She is grieving, and due to her life is scared a new bodyguard from Guardian Protection is brought in Devon Grant. Devon is brought in to cover her and head her personal security.

Devon upon arrival wasn't thrilled to be assigned to her but unfortunately it’s the job, and Devon is a professional. Devon is a grump and grouchy, but he also makes her feel safe. He sees her for her and not the persona Hollywood sees.

They decide to head to her family farm in Tennessee where she is needed to help with her dad , who has Dementia. Devon and Loftons relationship evolved and changed but not before jumping over hurdles to get to their Hea.

This story dealt with suspense, romance, death , grief and Aly touched on all the topics with care.

This book is another hit from Aly
Profile Image for Robin.
1,032 reviews29 followers
April 27, 2026
This story absolutely consumed me. Devon works for Guardian Security. He is amazing at what he does, but he has his a past that haunts him. He is assigned to guard Lofton who is a movie star and has a stalker.
I absolutely fell in love with Lofton‘s character. She has so many layers to her. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough as Devon peels back each one.
That’s all I’m gonna tell you because if you have read an Aly Martinez book before you know, nobody writes characters with as much depth as she does. This book has it all, romance, suspense, laughter, tears.
Just trust me, you will walk away feeling all the feels, the a-ha moments and everything in between.
Definitely a five star read for me!
Profile Image for Muna.
290 reviews2 followers
June 9, 2026
2.5

I loved Devon losing his mind about Lofton and her teasing him

I loved Brooke and Zoey and MARTY

I loved the guardians

This book is so teasing a why choose/harem something between Alex Johnson Brianna and Apollo? Crazy but sign me up

But at the end of the day I didn’t love it. I usually love Alys plot twists bs suspense but it didn’t here here one bit other than MARTYYYY tears rolling down my face

And their relationship I don’t know why but I couldn’t get out of my head that he had a job to do. And apparently the last time that he protected a woman he also fell for her. So sorry for not completely falling for them but I didn’t love it. Like any time he is near a woman like that he’ll fall for her? But sure it wasn’t real love until he met Lofton blah blah blah
Profile Image for MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog.
1,502 reviews277 followers
April 27, 2026
Devin Grant is a bodyguard and a very professional one at that until his new client Lofton Beck would push all his buttons…and boundaries. He wasn’t thrilled to be assigned to her but the job of protecting comes first no matter who it is. Can he keep Lofton safe without crossing a line? This is a bodyguard romance with plenty of banter, emotions and action to keep you entertained. A touching side story with her family and discovering what Devin is hiding from his past is also slowly revealed. Told in first person and dual POV.
Profile Image for Randi (randi_reads).
1,659 reviews357 followers
April 30, 2026
I went into this book blind. I had no idea what it was about. I just knew that this author had a new book coming out and I loved her previous books that I read and wanted to read it. I am so glad I did.

Falter is book three in the Guardian Protection series and can be read as a standalone.

Lofton Beck is an actress who seems to have a stalker. Devon Grant is a bodyguard who is hired to protect her after a tragic incident. They initially get off to a rocky start. He doesn't want to disclose personal information while she is used to her former bodyguard who was like family. The more time they spend together, though, they find that their chemistry and attraction is strong.

I really enjoyed the story and the secondary characters.

Read this if you like:

Dual POV/First Person
Bodyguard/Actress
Romantic Suspense
Forced Proximity
Forbidden

Thank you to the author for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Profile Image for E-Reader Addict.
1,369 reviews46 followers
May 9, 2026
This new Aly Martinez book has been a long time coming and it was absolutely worth the wait. The banter was and I LOVE how this author drops a plot twist from out of left field - no preamble, no hinting, just BAM there it is.

I would have plowed through this one a lot faster but I was trying to get through another book I wasn’t enjoying, so I was sneaking in chapters of this one on my lunch break…while my computer did updates…standing in line at the grocery store…even while my car was filling up on gas. I hope more books in this series are on the way.
Profile Image for Sammie Lynn.
424 reviews5 followers
May 8, 2026
Oh man, oh man, Aly Martinez has done it yet again! This book kept my attention from start to finish, I did not want to put it down! I loved the characters, the storyline and plot twists, and of course, the banter and chemistry between Devon and Lofton. This is the third book in the series but really, you don't have to read the others (although I would suggest them as they are also great reads!) It was great to be back in this world, and I hope to see more in the future!
Profile Image for Carol.
3,658 reviews3 followers
May 27, 2026
Falter

Wow! This story is about an actress who finds herself in danger. There is someone who is out there to do her harm. Now Guardian Agency has been contacted to help protect her, can the guy assigned to her, do do with the history he has with his past demons. This story is intense, full of drama and deception, and suspense. The person behind this danger remains hidden, and it's unclear about who/ why someone is trying to harm her. People have been hurt/ killed trying to keep
her safe. Absolutely loved this story.
Profile Image for Polly.
691 reviews244 followers
May 4, 2026
Few editing things that could be cleaned up but the story made up for it.
Profile Image for Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾.
2,356 reviews13.7k followers
May 17, 2026
4.5 STARS
There was nothing professional about this. Not even a little. But dear God, it felt incredible.

Devon is the one character whose book I didn't even know I wanted, but now that I have it, It's one of the most deserved HEAs that I could have asked for. And if you don't know who Devon Grant is, do yourself a favor and read The Fall Up and The Spiral Down. First, they're phenomenal books. But also, it will give you a good snippet into Devon's origin story. And it was a hot mess. Hence me having no idea that I wanted his book. But man oh man did he win me over in this book!!!
Fuck me. Fuck my life. And fuck good deeds that led to an ungodly beautiful woman kissing me. I might have been the first man in all of history to say that last part. I didn’t suspect many men would’ve gone into full panic mode after a kiss from Lofton Beck. Honest to God, I didn’t know I had a panic mode before her lips touched mine.

The last thing Devon is looking for is to return to being a bodyguard for a famous client. The first time he did, it ended in disaster. And now his assignment is to protect the beautiful actress, Lofton Beck, who is in the crosshairs of a dangerous stalker who has recently turned lethally violent. She needs to hide and Devon is assigned to ensure nothing gets to her. But the woman will also be the end of him because the instant hit of attraction that sizzles between them is unwanted at best and dangerous at worse. So what's an elite bodyguard to do? Be a complete and total a*hole to her, obviously.
The man who could clear a room, read a threat, and talk me off a ledge without breaking a sweat stood at the foot of my bed with absolutely no idea what to do with his hands.

I love a confident FMC, and Lofton won me over immediately. I loved the way that she relentlessly pursues Devon but not in a brash or overly zealous way. Just a woman who knows what she wants and also understands her own appeal. And Devon, poor Devon, didn't stand a chance.
I dragged in a breath that did nothing to quell the storm brewing inside me as I stared at the woman who I had no doubt was going to ruin me. “Jesus Christ,” I breathed. It wasn’t a prayer. But it was definitely a surrender.

This is a romantic suspense that was the perfect balance of action and romance. I love the way that Aly weaves both together so seamlessly that tone just amplifies the other. I also love the way she packs an emotional punch that never fails to hit all the feels. And I'm not sure whose story did that more; Devon or Lofton's. The pacing was fantastic, the chemistry was sizzling, and the character development was so satisfying that I couldn't get enough.

I was hoping that Aly would write more in this series and she seriously delivered with this book. It may have been my favorite in this series and I hope she continues because I need more!

If you're looking for a bodyguard romance that has suspense, a little splash of hate to love, and one heck of an emotional punch, then do yourself a favor and read this one immediately!

ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review

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Profile Image for AJ.
3,307 reviews1,079 followers
April 27, 2026
5 stars

Aly Martinez is back, and she absolutely nailed this bodyguard/movie star romance with a grumpy hero, a heroine in danger, and an exciting, emotional and chemistry-filled love story. I was instantly hooked and read it in a day, and I loved it!

This is book #3 in the Guardian Protection series. There is character crossover from the earlier books in the series, and Aly’s fans will recognise Devon from another of her books, The Fall Up (sensational twist to the story there!). But you can easily read this book as a standalone.

Lofton Beck is an Oscar-winning movie star, and she has a dangerous stalker. When her bodyguards are killed, she turns to Guardian Protection, and Devon is assigned to protect her. Their working relationship doesn’t get off to the best start, but with danger in the city, they head to her family’s farm in Tennessee. Slowly and naturally, they let down their guards and start to reveal their true selves. They settle into life together, getting to know each other and growing more comfortable, and soon everything begins to change.

Their coming together is gorgeous, full of sweet moments, teasing, laughter and fabulous chemistry. With Lofton in danger, we see grumpy Devon’s protective, alpha side, and he is determined to keep his distance, which makes his gradual softening towards her all the more heartfelt. The small, emotional shifts and gentle touches between them make every moment feel meaningful, and I loved every little shift in their dynamic. It’s romantic and sexy, real and full of feeling, and it is beautiful to watch.

When it came to Lofton, I was no longer falling.
I was already on the ground floor. Probably in desperate need of a lifeline, but loving every second of loving her.

The emotion in the story comes from both the forbidden nature of the romance and the heartwrenching drama they are dealing with. Lofton is understandably terrified, grieving heavy losses and facing some devastating family issues, and she grabs on to Devon like a lifeline. Meanwhile, he has fallen for a client in the past which led to him hitting rock bottom, and it’s not a mistake he’s willing to make again - especially when it could cost him his job. They have some significant challenges, and watching them work through it all to find their HEA is wonderfully satisfying.

We get to see the Guardian Protection guys, and their camaraderie is so much fun, and the girl time is a real highlight. Lofton is a wonderfully strong heroine, and I loved her bravery and watching her journey throughout the story. Devon’s redemption is beautifully written and had me falling madly for him as he moves on from the past and finds his happy.

“I’m here, babe. Holding on with both hands. Never letting go.”

This is a fun read with wonderfully entertaining moments and beautiful emotion. The romance stole my heart, and the stalker storyline brings suspense that had me madly flipping pages. I was completely captivated and loved every moment.

5 stars.

An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.


Profile Image for Kay Daniels (Kay Daniels Romance).
2,260 reviews77 followers
April 30, 2026
High suspense, high stakes, high emotions, and the best part is the high reward by the end of it all.

Lofton Beck is a Hollywood star who unfortunately caught the attention of a stalker. A stalker who has escalated to the point where people are dying around her. She begins to wonder if playing pretend on the big screen is what’s important in life when life is so fragile. Sometimes it takes a huge jolt, like losing those close to you, to really put things in perspective and unfortunately for Lofton it’s a stalker in hers that gives her this life perspective. However, if it wasn’t for those horrific events, she also wouldn’t have met Devon Grant and for that she is grateful.

Devon works for Guardian Protection, and is hired as her bodyguard. I’ll just say that his first impression doesn’t leave her feeling warm and fuzzy. He’s grumpy and grouchy, to put it mildly, but he also makes her feel safe and protected, which is his job. Somewhere along the way, he also makes her feel seen, and not as a Hollywood star, but as a real person, for the first time in a long time, or perhaps ever. Devon isn’t looking for sound bites, or insta likes, or even to know her for who she knows. He actually prefers her in coveralls and without makeup. It’s refreshing and something she’s never really known. She loves it, but she also wonders if can she trust it. Those high stakes and high emotions also come with some high doubts too. Everything is tense, which is what makes these stories so fun to read. Devon is smitten, if a gruff man like him can be smitten, but he definitely falls hard, even when I knows he shouldn’t.

You know that moment in every story…well maybe not every story, but certainly a lot of them, especially ones with high stakes, anyway…it’s that F-it moment when characters give in to the tension because they realize that life is short, or the weight they have been carrying is too heavy to bear alone, or whatever the circumstances may be and they just give in to the tension that has been building between them. I love those moments when the passion breaks as everything else around them is still, typically, in chaos. It’s hot, it’s always passionate, and typically the truest form of how they feel for one another because in most cases there is a desperation in those moments to be raw and open. I can never get enough of those scenes and Falter, of course, catches Lofton Beck and Devon Grant in moments such as these….

Let me just reference….Chapter 19 and 20 🥵👀❤️😂and that’s where I will now say no more because anything else shall say too much.😉

Except, Aly Martinez always knows how to write a good twist, especially when high stakes are on the line. I was completely thrown for a loop on this one, which I loved. It was very well done as I never saw it coming and even more so because my heart was taken for a wonderful ride.

Oh, wait. One more thing. Fall for a man who falls for Lofton like Devon does. ❤️👌😍
Profile Image for Stefanie Kral.
778 reviews26 followers
May 9, 2026
✯✯ 5 Lofton & Devon Filled Stars!!!!✯✯

OMG Aly where have you been for the last few years???!!! I have been a huge huge HUGE fan of Ali Martinez ever since the first book of hers that I read, and this book is no different. It doesn’t matter if she’s releasing a tearjerker or romantic suspense book either way, I am hooked from the first page all the way to the last sentence. I was hoping that she would continue writing The Guardian Protection Series Bc these guys are all alpha on the outside but Ali fines they’re softness that they have hidden and for some it’s hidden way deep and she finds a way for them to bring it out and Devon was no different.

I really don’t wanna give away much of what happens in the story.

But, Lofton is an actress and her bodyguard who she has had for years who she considered family has been murdered, and she’s got a stalker after her so Guardian Protection is hired to guard her and that’s how Devon Grant gets into her life.

The last thing Devon Grant wants to do is become a bodyguard to an actress who’s in the spotlight but that doesn’t mean that he’s not gonna do his job to the best of his ability.

These two definitely do not start off on a good note but when they end up on Lofton‘s family farm to look after her father and they’re stuck in the same house and they spend early mornings and late nights together talking, they start to peel back each other‘s layers and see the real person inside and not who they let people see.

This is definitely a slow burn romance with forced proximity, and a grumpy/sunshine trope. I was hooked through every chapter from start to finish and in true Aly Martinez form just when you think you know who is behind what’s going on again because the other shoe was gonna drop and if you’re like me, you’re gonna be sitting here in the middle of the night screaming at your Kindle cause everything you thought you knew was false and Aly does it all the time and I absolutely love it.

I have read every single book that Aly Martinez has written, but I’m not gonna lie. It’s been a long time since I read the previous books in the series so I didn’t remember what happens. I had to go back and look at my reviews and get a-ist of what happened, but it didn’t matter because this is a standalone and I really didn’t need to remember everything that it happened to understand this book.

Now I’m sitting here waiting for the next book that Aly is going to release and I’m hoping and praying that the weight won’t be too long Bc she’s such an amazing storyteller. I’m also on the DL, hoping that the next book she releases will be another one of her tearjerkers cause I have not read a good one of those in a long time.
Profile Image for Sandy S.
8,580 reviews212 followers
April 30, 2026
4.25stars--FALTER is the third instalment in Aly Martinez’ contemporary, adult GUARDIAN PROTECTION erotic, romantic suspense series. This is thirty-four year old, security specialist and body guard Devon Grant, and thirty-two year old actress Lofton Beck’s story line. FALTER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Devon and Lofton) FALTER follows in the wake of the murder of Lofton Beck’s bodyguard. Lofton Beck is a Hollywood actress but our heroine found herself under the security of Guardian Protection Agency after somebody shot and killed her security team Marty and Derrick. Devon Grant doesn’t do Hollywood types, having ‘been there, done that’ but something about Lofton Beck drew Devon like a moth to a flame. From the outset, Devon kept his distance, moving Lofton when he discovered a potential leak, and the safest place was her family farm, where Devon will be up close and personal with the woman with whom he will fall in love. As the days pass, Devon and Lofton would slowly become something more but the past refuses to let go for our story line couple, and each would have to come to terms with what was happening and why.

The world building follows the building relationship as our couple learn about one another From friends to relationships, family and losses, Devon and Lofton begin the dance of seduction until Devon is reminded about a ghost from the past.

The relationship between Lofton and Devon begins as a professional arrangement. Lofton is hoping that Devon sees her more than the ‘rich and famous’, while Devon struggles to move on from the past. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and animated secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Lofton’s best friend Brooke and her daughter Zoey; Lofton’s sister Jenn and her husband Terry, and their father Lawrence. WE are reintroduced to several members of Guardian Protect Agency and their significant others.

FALTER is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, money and obsession, family and relationships, friendships and love. The character driven premise is inviting, dramatic, edgy and twisted; the romance is spicy and seductive; the characters are sassy and spirited.

Copy supplied for review
Profile Image for Ptiteaurel.
3,965 reviews61 followers
May 10, 2026
Même si cette lecture en anglais est le 3ème tome de la saga Guardian Protections, je n'ai eu aucun souci de compréhension. Nous sommes sur un romantic suspense qui saura nous réserver quelques surprises jusqu'à la fin.

Lofton Beck est à l'apogée de sa carrière quand un drame se déroule. Elle est la cible d'un homme qui va coûter la vie à son bodyguard et ami, Après 15 ans avec cet homme de confiance, elle va devoir supporter un autre bodyguard et on peut dire qu'il ne va pas mâcher ses mots. Elle devra fuir le danger car l'homme est cavale n'a laissé aucune trace. Entre danger et retour dans son passé, elle va remettre bien des choses en compte. Je l'ai trouvée très attachante avec son père qui souffre d'Alzeihmer et qui ne se souvient que de la période heureuse avec sa mère Clara. On va vivre plein d'émotions avec cette jeune femme et j'aime cela.

Devon Grant travaille pour Leo James, le patron de la Guardian Protection Agency depuis des années. On le sent assez grognon mais on va vite s'attacher. S'il est un peu bourru au départ, il va laisser tomber la carapace. Il va voir notre héroïne pour ce qu'elle est et non cette célébrité adulée de tous. On va le mettre en garde pour ne pas franchir la limite mais comment résister à notre héroïne. On sent aussi qu'il cache des squelettes dans le placard mais cela donne encore plus de tensions. Il est ultra protecteur et devra faire des choix au moment voulu. C'est un homme avec des failles mais un homme bien.

Bref, j'ai passé un très bon moment de lecture avec ce romantic suspense bien dosé. L'enquête est au coeur du récit mais la romance n'est pas un reste. Cette lecture m'a donné envie de découvrir les précédents tomes.
Profile Image for Kahea.
2,293 reviews124 followers
May 12, 2026
***4.5 Stars***

This one hit all the feels in the first few chapters. I was sniffling in the first and then wanting to reach through the kindle to Gibbs smack a certain Guardian. But, as one would guess, this rollercoaster of feels kept me turning those pages to see just how Lofton and Devon got their HEA and just WHO the stalker was (spoiler: I DID NOT SEE THAT ONE COMING).

Lofton and Devon. I loved Lofton. Yes, she is a celebrity, but she isn’t a diva. She’s knows how to turn it on when she has to, but she is genuine and dealing with more than most know. Devon…sigh. I ended up liking him in the end, but his behavior at the start made me think of a toddler acting out for not getting his way. I understand he had issues with the job from the start and why, but it did take me some time to warm up to him.


As you can guess, their journey started off rough…real rough, but since they are in close quarters, edges start to smooth out and they start to become more than reluctant protector and protectee and the chemistry between them soars. I loved their bantering and the ‘titles’ that were given. There was a bit of a bump in their journey, but I absolutely loved how it was worked through and after another dose of chaos, got their HEA.

This was a rollercoaster of a read. The drama is high, which considering the situation one would expect, but there is A LOT going on. And though it has been a minute since I read the first books in the series, I LOVED hanging out with the Guardian crew…they were awsome! And as for the stalker thing…didn’t see that coming, but bravo to the author for that and how it tied everything together!

~ Copy provided by the author & voluntarily reviewed ~
Profile Image for Melissa Miller-Mattern.
609 reviews12 followers
May 3, 2026
Reviewed for A Wanton Book Lover Blog

Someone is out to kill Hollywood actress Lofton Beck; a stalker who will stop at nothing to find her. Devin Grant is assigned from the Guardian Protection agency to protect her. He once made the mistake of falling for the woman he was protecting, but was crushed when his feelings weren't returned. Now, to make sure Lofton doesn't get any mixed signals from him, he is all business with a side of jerk. As they spend time together, Lofton is determined to break down Devin's walls and get to know the real man. Lofton slowly begins to see who Devin really is, and Devin sees Lofton not as the famous actress but as a family-oriented woman from Tennessee. Devin fights the chemistry they both feel until Lofton finally breaks him. Now, Lofton is not only the woman he was hired to protect, but she is the woman he is falling in love with. He will stop at nothing to protect her and her family from whoever is out to get her.
Falter is the third book in the Guardian Protection series and can be read as a stand-alone. This was a fast-paced romance, with an over-the-top alpha trying to protect his lady and her pushing right back. The story built up with sizzling chemistry between Lofton and Devin, which resulted in a great love story. It was especially touching how Devin took special care dealing with Lofton's Dad.
Profile Image for Carmen Rae.
1,720 reviews186 followers
June 6, 2026
I picked this up figuring I’d read for a minute while the kids were distracted, read that first sentence, knew I needed more time and promptly closed my kindle. I had forgotten how badly Aly Martinez grabs me by the throat and just doesn’t let go. I think most of her books have been solid 5 star reads and this one definitely joined them.

Lofton had my heart breaking from that first chapter and she just kept right on cracking pieces off. Everything about her was just so sweet and caring and selfless, it really didn’t fit with the diva I anticipated. But even more so was how she cared about the people in her circle. I couldn’t get enough of her.

And then along came Devon and I so wanted to kick him and find Lofton someone better. Until he started to drop the walls and give Lofton pieces of himself. And once he let her in he was so all in and so all about Lofton I couldn’t help but fall for him too.

But oh the feels were real and the rollercoaster I went on while reading this. They were so hot together yet there was so much depth to their relationship. Everything about the progression of their relationship felt genuine and organic and I loved it. These Guardian guys and their ladies are awesome and I’m hoping that we got a bit of a teaser as to what’s to come.

Profile Image for Barbara.
930 reviews33 followers
May 5, 2026
Wow, Aly Martinez is back with her new release Falter. Aly is on my top 5 authors that I love to read.

Before this book was released, I did a revisit of the first two books on audible. I am so happy that I did. Falter is book three in the Guardian Protection series and can be read as a standalone, but you really want to read the entire series.

This story starts with you right in the middle of a tense situation. Loften Beck is in the middle of a break in, she has her two bodyguards until they were both killed. The thing is Lofton Beck is a famous actress, and she has a dangerous stalker. Once the threat is under control she turns to Guardian Protection. Leo James assigns one of his guys, Devon Grant to be the primary to protect Lofton. Devon is not happy about this as he had a bad experience with an actress.

Devon and Lofton definitely get off to a rocky start. But the longer they are together the more protective he seems to get. For safety they change locations to Lofton’s childhood home, which is a huge farm. The more time they spend together the more they learn about each other things change. Their slow burn romance will keep you on the edge of your seat. You will love their banter, and the sizzling chemistry is off the charts. The stalker storyline and the suspense captivated me from start to finish.

Being back in the Guardian Protection world was amazing. I’ve loved the series from the first book, love all the characters. They support each other as well as push each other’s button which is so entertaining!
As always, Aly gives us a great epilogue!! Now to wait for the next one!





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