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Guardian SEALs #1

Protecting Lily

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He is everything that's not on her Perfect Man List

Lily Green lives by her daily to-do list. Lists have guided her through some of the darkest parts of her life. But none have prepared her for the bodyguard hired to protect her and the diamonds she's working with. Grayson Warren is an overbearing alpha, everything she doesn't want. Or is he?

Desperate to save his ailing business, former Navy SEAL Grayson "Storm" Warren is willing to take on any job, including protecting an infuriating list-making lingerie designer. Sexy doesn't even begin to describe Lily Green. One touch. One kiss, and Grayson's protecting more than diamonds.

Can Grayson show Lily there’s more to life than lists?

Previously published as Lace Forever.

104 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 21, 2016

474 people are currently reading
276 people want to read

About the author

Nicole Flockton

114 books505 followers
USA Today Bestselling author Nicole Flockton writes sexy contemporary romances, seducing you one kiss at a time as you turn the pages. Nicole likes nothing better than taking characters and creating unique situations where they fight to find their true love.

On her first school report her teacher noted "Nicole likes to tell her own stories". It wasn’t until after the birth of her first child and after having fun on a romance community forum that she finally decided to take the plunge and write a book.

Apart from writing Nicole is busy looking after her very own hero – her wonderfully supportive husband, and two fabulous kids. She also enjoys watching sports and, of course, reading.

VISIT ME ON FACEBOOK:
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Also, stop by and check out my Reader Group: Nicole's Ninjas on Facebook!

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5 stars
253 (43%)
4 stars
192 (32%)
3 stars
90 (15%)
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41 (6%)
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10 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
Profile Image for Philomena Callan Cheekypee.
4,007 reviews431 followers
May 14, 2018
This is the third book I’ve read by this author in quick succession. I’ve gotta say I’m really loving these alpha males. The female characters are awesome and it takes a great woman to show the man what he’s missing and what he needs.

Lily is a strong wealthy character. She is working with diamonds and begrudgingly agrees to hire some security. Enter Grayson. He blows up everything that Lily believed in. Can Grayson get through those barriers that Lily has built to protect herself?

I really good enjoyable quick read. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Profile Image for MsChris1161.
487 reviews52 followers
July 4, 2017
Love Alpha males? In PROTECTING LILY by Nicole Flockton OMG does her hero, Grayson Warren fit the bill! Grayson is a former Navy SEAL who now operates his own security company. When this Alpha male shows up to Lily Green's offices as her new bodyguard her whole carefully planned out world is suddenly spinning out of control.

Grayson doesn't match up with any of the items in Lily's list of attributes her perfect man will have, but she can't resist his sex appeal. Lily is his client, and high-maintenance, and what's up with her need for a list for everything?. He shouldn't get involved with her, but this woman makes him want to break all of his rules!

Fun book as these two battle through their sexual tension. Rita, Lily's best friend and assistant, does what she can to encourage these two in this classic story of opposites attracting. Quick read filled with humor, some can't-help-myself sex, and a happy ending for all! 3.5 stars

~Complimentary copy received. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Profile Image for Teri.
3,918 reviews37 followers
April 17, 2018
Protecting is what he does and now he is also trying to rebuild the reputation of his business. He has no idea Ms List would knock him to his knees. This is a cute insta love read that is straight forward and to the punch. This author gives a read that has action a little intrigue and a hea.
This is my first read by this author and it is a good start to a long relationship. Great read with alpha characters and strong females. They all have their own issues but they love true and hard.
Profile Image for Kim  Brewing.
3,613 reviews36 followers
April 3, 2019
This is a quick read, so I don't get as many details as would have liked (the confrontation for example) but I enjoyed it. What happens when you have a list of all the attributes of your dream man on paper but the man who makes your heart pitter patter is almost the exact opposite of all of them? What happens when your struggling with professional issues and meet the woman you didn't know you were looking for? Like your OTT protective men? Then this is the story for you. It is also the set up for a series, so I look forward to meeting the rest of the team.
Profile Image for Fiona Marsden.
Author 37 books148 followers
July 8, 2017
A nice little novella with an OCD heroine who copes by making lists about everything. Hero is yummy and it's interesting watching two such different people work things out.
Profile Image for Pam.
4,625 reviews67 followers
August 3, 2019
Protecting Lily: Guardian SEALs Book 1 is by Nicole Flockton. This book is not as exciting as the other books in the series and I am not sure I would have continued the series if I had read this one first. It just didn’t have that push to keep reading that the others do. However, as a first book in the series, it leaves a great deal of room for the others to improve.
Lily designs bra and panty sets and has taken her ideas from scratch to a multimillion-dollar business despite all the warnings she had had that it wouldn’t work. The only one who believes totally in her was her best friend, Rita. She and Rita had been in foster care together and complemented each other perfectly. When Lily had decided she needed an assistant, the first person she called was Rita. Now, Rita ran the business while Lily did the designing. The job they were tackling next would put her company on the maps. She was asked by Bent Diamond Company to design some bra sets with diamonds. The only drawback was they would want her to have security when working with the diamonds. She didn’t want someone looking over her shoulder, she worked alone. It wouldn’t work; but she had to find an alternative.
Grayson “Storm” Warren was an x-SEAL who had set up his own security company with a boyhood friend, Wayne. He was doing pretty well until Wayne decided to defect and take a quarter million dollars a client had given them for safe keeping and had disappeared. Grayson had made up the money with his own savings and kept the peace with his client and saved the reputation of his company. Now, however, he was not getting the jobs he needed and he was running out of money. When offered the job of security with Lily’s Lingerie, he took it. He had to make good on this job. What he didn’t plan on was his reaction to Lily herself. He was immediately attracted to her. Would he give in to his instincts and risk losing the job and his reputation?
Profile Image for Char (1RadReader59).
3,202 reviews20 followers
August 20, 2022
Lily is a woman I can relate, to with all the list. She had no control in her life being brought up, in the foster care system. After being sent back to the group home, after a catastrophe, at the foster home visit. Lily jumps at the chance, to have routines back, in her life. The list grounded her and helped her regain control. As a child of divorce, I coped the same way, more so when having my own children.

She knew what, to do in the group home. In foster homes, she has no clue, what's expected, of her. The older she got, the harder it is, to fit into a strange, home. So, in high school, to keep herself organized. She made a list, at the end of each day, for the next day. A to-do list.

To the point of an obsession, if it's not done, which would never happen, or if it gets miss placed. (Loud screaming inside, my head.) This is the case, as the book opens up. An important client coming in, for Lily points, to utter disaster.

Of course, Rita her PA, and best friend since they were fourteen, laughed out loud. Lily tries to convince her, ‘You know I can fire you, and I’m the one that signs your, checks.’ She tells her, to get over herself, and write a new list. Lily says it means it's now, going to be a shxty day. Rita says, to tell yourself it going, to be an even better day, with a new list.

The new client loves her lingerie designs to accent their diamonds. She has no problem with their timeline it's just the conditions for creating the perfect garment. A bodyguard. Yup! That's right she objects. You see her quirks are sometimes not in the norm. Rita tells her to suck it up.

Grayson needs this job badly, especially, after his business partner embezzled company funds. Thank goodness he had the money to cover it but no ongoing cash flow or reserve. Now, he plans to be the bodyguard for Lily & the diamonds.
Profile Image for Dana Busenbark.
2,801 reviews29 followers
July 7, 2017
Lily Green is a woman with lots and lots of lists. Grayson Warren is the man hired to protect her, why? Seeing the first five lines of the first chapter really tells me a lot about Lily. Watching what happens when Lily and Grayson meet for the first time and then he accepts the job is like watching a chain reaction, flip over accident on the freeway. You slow down, can't stop watching, and then go full speed ahead! You don't know if they are going to have wild monkey sex or if they're going to try to kill each other at that point. Lord, but is the sexual tension THICK in the air between the two of them, but Lily's idosynchrisies make it much more interesting. Especially when Lily's client requires a security presence during her 'work'. I have to say that my favorite line of the book is "You can't spend your whole life living by lists." Though when I think about it, for some, that may be the only way they can get through, especially those with disabilities. You're going to have to read this book to see what happens, because I had to laugh at the end!

RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.
Profile Image for Piper's Romance Reads.
130 reviews6 followers
July 16, 2019
3.5 stars

Lily is a list-making, OCD lingerie designer tasked with using thousands of dollars worth of diamonds in her newest collection. The diamond company has one stipulation to Lily’s dream - security at all times when handling the diamonds. Down on his luck, ex-Seal Grayson drunkenly signs up to be a “Manservant” and Lily’s assistant, Rita, recruits him to guard the diamonds. Little does he know he should be guarding his heart.

Lily has a list for her perfect man and Grayson is anything but. Lily is shocked by her immediate attraction to the rough alpha man. While Lily is hesitant to act on those feelings - Grayson breaks the boundaries of professionalism and kisses her senseless. With a lot of encouragement from her best friend & assistant, Rita, Lily begins to slowly venture out into the world of romance with Grayson. Can Grayson prove there’s more to life than lists? Can Lily stop her list making ways and open herself up to the wonder of life unexpected?

***
I found the title to be misleading, Grayson never really has to “protect” Lily from any danger. The story feels anti-climatic. However, if you want a short sweet, mushy read it has it in spades. However if you’re looking for a more suspenseful romance, I’d skip this one.
Profile Image for Becky Claxon.
2,204 reviews18 followers
March 18, 2018
Lily Green owned her own lingerie store and designed most of the product. Her best friend who had been with her since they were in foster care is her assistant. Lily lives by lists as it gives her control that she never had growing up. A large diamond house asks her to design a bra with their diamonds on the bra. They insist she has security with her the whole time she is working on the Diamonds. Her assistant hires an ex seal that has his own security company named Grayson Warren. Grayson is broad, handsome, and all alpha. This scares Lily some as she feels her perfect man is the opposite of Grayson, but she is attracted to him.

I felt bad about Lily’s childhood and how she was treated. She needs someone who puts her first and doesn’t always tell her what to do. Grayson was all alpha at times, but tried his best with Lily which I liked. Her best friend was great and was so good with guiding Lily at times. It was a good short book.
Profile Image for Merle.
2,397 reviews1 follower
June 28, 2017
A brief story of a successful lingerie designer who has brought herself up from a rough childhood, and the guard who helps her. Lily Green is a self-made woman who controls everything around her by her lists. To-do lists, lists of duties, even a list of characteristics for her ideal husband.

Grayson Warren is an ex-SEAL struggling to make his way in his own security firm. Having trusted the wrong person as a partner, he is desperate for any work he can get. When Lily's assistant contacts him and gives him their rather unusual demands, protecting her while she designs a collection trimmed in diamonds, he takes the job.

The next part of the story is predictable - the attraction that neither wants, the pushback, the HEA, etc. The editing leaves a lot to be desired here; a lot of incorrect word choices and bad grammar make the story a little less interesting.
Profile Image for Sara.
1,403 reviews166 followers
July 7, 2017
4 Stars!

A fun, sexy, opposites attract romance!

Lily is forced to hire a bodyguard while she designs and creates a piece for her lingerie line using diamonds. Enter Greyson "Storm" Warren. He is a former Navy SEAL who owns a security firm, but has taken this job on the side through a website called Manservant.com. I had to mention that because I found it hysterical! Anywho... these two fight their attraction at every turn. But, with the help of Lily's meddling assistant, Rita, they finally give in and oh my... so hot!

This is a quick read with steamy sex, humor and a HEA!
Profile Image for Ashley Carr, LSoR.
4,992 reviews62 followers
May 12, 2018
4.5 stars

I love Nicole Flockton’s books and when I got a chance to read her her Special Forces series from the beginning I jumped at the chance. This book centered around Lilly and Grayson. Growing up in the foster care system/group homes Lily had a system to survive – making lists. Now that she is a successful business woman she still makes her daily lists. That has worked well for her until she is forced to hire a bodyguard. Grayson, the bodyguard, turns her life upside down and her lists can’t even help her. Being an ex-SEAL, Grayson has to fly by the seat of his pants on occasion. These two complement each other so well that will Lilly see that before it’s too late?

** I voluntarily read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review **
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
423 reviews
December 31, 2018
Lily owns her own company making Lingerie. She’s well known and has just taken on a big job making a bra and panty set made with real diamonds. In order to do this she must hire a bodyguard of sorts to protect the diamonds as well as her. That is where Grayson comes in. This book wasn’t what I was expecting. It focused more on the relationship between Lily and Grayson, which I loved. I just felt like it needed some action/suspense. The author was heading that way with the whole Wayne situation. I just wished we could have been there when Greyson confronted Wayne. But we only got to see the after effects. Either way I really did enjoy this book and plan on reading the next in the series.

Happy Reading 🤓
Profile Image for Teresa.
1,388 reviews3 followers
October 31, 2017
A lingerie designer meets a former SEAL and sparks fkt

There is definitely something to be said about an OCD designer and the diamonds she has to chosen to create a one of a kind bra and panty set with diamonds as the focal point. But little does Lily or Grayson know how much fire will be there when he's been contracted to guard both the diamonds and her. Can they keep their hands off each until after the big reveal?
Profile Image for Sherry.
583 reviews2 followers
December 21, 2018
Cute love story

Protecting Lily is a fast paced romance book. Grayson meets Lily when he is hired to be her security guard for a contract she has entered. Lily has no interest in finding love since it’s not a part of her list. But the more time they spend together, feelings develop between them. She tries to fight it off because he’s not her “perfect man” but she takes the risk in following her feelings. Great read with a happy ending!
738 reviews5 followers
January 4, 2021
Definitely in the cute beach read category.

This story centered totally on Lily and Grayson's insta-lust/love life than being a true suspense. In fact there was no conflict or suspense. And he wasn't a true bodyguard. The diamonds were just an afterthought throughout this whole book. Add to that all the grammar mistakes and I should take back a star. Sorry. Don't waste your time. Wish I hadn't.
Profile Image for Dicentra.
215 reviews1 follower
June 17, 2023
Too short and undeveloped

Sometimes, a novella will feel a lot longer than it really is because it's so well done. This is not one of those. I feel like this should probably come a little later, maybe as a prequel or something after getting you hooked on the series. Unfortunately, this wasn't good enough to make me want to continue, I wasn't super invested in the characters and didn't really have a desire to move on to the next book.
174 reviews1 follower
May 2, 2019
Quick read

I do love a quick insta-love read and inspite of some side stories not given a chance to be explored more it is still worth the time reading it. Lily with all of her insecurities and list-making skills was enough to make Grayson fall to his knees. Their interaction was enough to finish the story.
1,075 reviews
June 28, 2019
Just an average book for me. I am not a fan of short stories and I went into this one without checking the page length- shame on me.

With such a short story it is hard to get into either main character. The plot and the romance were pretty predictable and shallow.

This book would have had three stars from me, but the grammar and editing errors were too much.
Profile Image for Meghan.
3,369 reviews7 followers
November 24, 2020
Cute and fast read

Tow business owners who are quite opposite meet and fall in love. They clash for a brief minute and then have intense chemistry. The angst is about history on her part and a work conflict on his. The issues are resolved quickly and there is a sweet HEA. It is a quick read and sweet story.
Profile Image for Delaine Mclafferty.
513 reviews2 followers
December 24, 2020
A great book

The book shows that everyone, no matter where your life started or who you are, you can make it with self determination, commitment and time. Even when things go wrong you just pick yourself up and start again. There's someone somewhere just waiting on you to show them they matter, that you care.
Profile Image for Linda Rea.
2,189 reviews15 followers
February 7, 2021
Lily is a list maker because of her upbringing it makes her feel safe but with her newest project the client insists on security so now she has Grayson. Grayson thinks Lily is high maintenance with her planning but he needs the cash so he has no choice the only problem is he is attracted to the client and that’s not on his list.
467 reviews
April 10, 2021
Grayson and LilyHotie

Hot and hotter, this was explosive from the start. I loved how the office staff nicknamed Grayson Hottie McGuardy. From their first time meeting they both knew how much they wanted each other. Lily had a lot of trust issues from the way she grew up that she needed to overcome. It was heartwarming to see Grayson realize that he could trust again too.
Profile Image for Paige Norman.
607 reviews3 followers
June 28, 2021
This was a really great read! Lily doesn't want a bodyguard, but her client does, so they hire a guard online. Enter Grayson, a/k/a "Hottie McGuardy" who's in need of clients and doesn't need a woman who makes lists to get through the day. Great relationship resolution, standalone, HEA. First time reading this author; I'll definitely read more.
131 reviews
September 30, 2022
Protecting Lily

A fun and cute novella about a sexy alpha ex marine trying to get his company running again when his partner absconded with his money. An independent sexy woman lives her life on lists. He's hired by her firm to protect her and the diamonds she uses for her lingerie project.
Profile Image for Lisa B. Lovely.
692 reviews1 follower
March 20, 2018
I loved Lily, I totally get the list making thing she does. Grayson was fabulous. The writing is great and the plot was wonderful. Rita the BFF was a fabulous character. Great job Nicole Flockton!
Profile Image for Spunky N Sassy.
5,392 reviews119 followers
May 23, 2018
Spunky N Sassy Rating: 4.0

~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's Review~~~~~~~~~~

Military romance is one of my favorite sub genres of romance. I love the characters and find myself wishing for my own soldier. Read. This. Book.
Profile Image for Spunky N Sassy.
5,392 reviews119 followers
May 23, 2018
Spunky N Sassy Rating: 4.0

~~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~

Military romance is one of my favorite subgenres of romance. I love the characters and find myself wishing for my own soldier. Read. This. Book.
Profile Image for Nikki Burgess.
402 reviews
January 7, 2019
Great Quick Read

I was pulled right into this story. This is the first story I read by this author and I was not disappointed. I'll definitely read more stories. This was perfect for a weekday read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews

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