Discovering Daisy

The Protectors #5.6

by Sloane Kennedy

At nearly forty years old, Cash Malloy has accepted that the lifestyle he and Sage, his partner both in life and on the job, live isn’t normal but is what both men need to escape the darkness of their pasts. But he also knows that Sage’s wounds run much deeper than his own and that there will come a day where what Cash can give Sage isn’t enough anymore. And after meeting the young woman Sage has become enamored with, Cash knows that day is closer than ever.

At twenty-one, Daisy Washburne has found a new life working for an underground vigilante group. To the men she works with, she’s Daisy, IT girl extraordinaire, but in the silence of her apartment she’s just awkward, quiet, weird Daisy whose computer is her best friend and whose only link to the outside world are the voices of the men she’s trying really hard not to think of as family. But it’s one voice on the other end of the phone in particular that calls to her like no other and eases just a little bit of the loneliness that has consumed her since losing her mother to a brutal act of violence.

In order to survive, Sage Brighton has had to learn how to be two different people. To most of the world, he’s happy-go-lucky, flirty, easy-going Sage. But to the one man who knows him better than anyone else, and yet still doesn’t really know who he is, Sage sees himself as nothing more than a fucked-up mess who takes more than he gives. Life without Cash isn’t even a possibility for Sage, but he can’t deny the pull young Daisy Washburne has had on him from the moment he hears her voice for the first time. Only in the deepest recesses of his mind does Sage allow for a world in which he can have both Cash and Daisy at the same time. Fortunately for Sage, the lines between fantasy and reality are miles apart – almost a thousand miles to be exact, since Daisy doesn’t live anywhere near Cash and Sage’s home in the Ozarks.

But when a chance encounter between Daisy, Cash and Sage in a motel just outside Seattle changes everything, the demons from Sage’s past threaten to derail the life he and Cash have built together. When circumstances bring the trio back together, Cash sees an opportunity to give Sage what he needs, even if it costs Cash everything he’s ever wanted. Only, he soon finds that Sage isn’t the only one drawn to the quiet young woman who’s good at being invisible. And he can’t help but wonder if maybe the key to saving Sage isn’t about Sage choosing who can give him a normal life.

Because maybe normal isn’t enough.

Just like maybe one love isn’t enough… for any of them.

Genres: Romance, M M F, M M Romance, Menage, BDSM, Contemporary, Abuse

139 pages, ebook

First published December 30, 2017

Reviews

[Denise H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** O.M.G. Holy hot sexiness...*** the first sex scene with Daisy watching our men, Cash,39, and Sage, 27, is total voyeurism and extremely, intensely orgasmic !
First the wedding, then there is the rescue of Daisy from three thugs, and her friend, Dylan, an online gaming partner was kidnapped. They take her to their home in Arkansas.
They are slow to come together, because the men want innocent Daisy, 20, to come to them when she's ready.


Dylan's still not found, and they keep taking care of each other in their daily routine. The main office of Ronan's has been notified and are helping.
Protecting Daisy is their focus.

Cash, big, muscled, older, sturdy, is the dominant and Sage, toned and tough, his sub have been together for years. Both men want to add Daisy to love and cherish. Each person has been through lots of adversity, and we learn a lot about each person.

This is the amazing, well written and engrossing. Deep thought-filled characters, intense, erotic M/M sex, and later, M/M/F sex scenes that are scorching and passionate. First time everything for Daisy.

This novella is super sexual and loving, but also brutal in it's honesty.
I love Sloane Kennedy books, and always look forward to more. I never hesitate to choose her. I've read the whole list she presents in the book, to show her reading order.
There's no BDSM, but there is Dom/Sub action. Triggers are listed, cult sex abuse and suicide attempt also.

This is a wonderful short story that pulls our wonderful group of people in this series, even closer together.
I highly recommend it ! ENJOY !

======

[Valerie ❈M/M Romance Junkie❈]

I cannot believe that I knowingly read a book with girl parts. It won’t become a habit, but it was ok.

[Lyndy Ann ♫ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read all the books in The Protectors series I only had this novella left which is a m/m/f and I was curious about Daisy the IT extraordinaire who when the guys need any IT help she is the gal they call.

Discovering Daisy should be read after A Protectors Family Christmas 5.5 as the first chapter is set the night of the Wedding.

In this we meet Cash and Sage who have been together for two years and met working a case for Ronan and they still work for the group. Daisy is in danger, so she chooses to go and stay with Cash and Sage.

I enjoyed this, but I am not a fan of Dom/sub relationship (hence 3*) and this is what Cash and Sage have they both need it because of their pasts, having Daisy staying with them puts a strain on their relationship and Sage breaks and Cash has no choice but to go all Dom in front of Daisy. Cash expects Daisy to run but she stays, and he explains their needs to her.

Having Daisy around makes Sage finally open up about his horrific past bringing him and Cash even closer and Daisy is the missing link that bonds these three together.

This novella has everything you expect from Sloane dark, emotional and the sex in this is mostly m/m the m/m/f sex only happens once but they are all scorching as always.

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was book 5.6 in "The Protectors" series. Cash Malloy and Sage Brighton have been a couple for two years they both work for Ronan. Daisy Washburne is a 21 year old IT girl that also works for Ronan and while attending Hawke and Tate's wedding they final meet. Daisy and Sage have been flirting over the phone they never met until the wedding and she was nothing like they thought she was. Cash and Sage have a D/s relationship with Cash being in charge it was something that each man needed because of their childhood and so much was out of both of there control more so for Sage has he was raised in a cult and was abused sexually and physically. Daisy for her part begin working for Ronan when her mother was killed and seeking revenge she was saved by Ronan. When Daisy is attacked Cash and Sage come to the rescue and she moves in with them and at first they try to hide parts of there relationship from her. When Cash tells her what happened to Sage and why he needs to give up control and also why he needs to do the controlling she starts seeing them in a new way. Turns out Daisy is a virgin and she is not sure if they want her for a night or not as they did tell her that they did bring a third in there bed for a night. This was a short quick read that was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

[AvidReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars ⭐️.
Even if the name is about Daisy the heroine I would say the story is mainly about Sage one of the hero.
Sage and Cash have been already in a relationship when they met daisy. They both love each other deeply but dynamics of their relationship isn’t what one call normal because of childhood trauma. But it works for them. But sage still can’t give all of him to Cash. And Cash is afraid there will come a time were he wont be enough for Sage. And Sage’s attraction to Daisy almost reinforced this. But what Cash didn’t count on was his own attraction to the younger girl and her need and want for both of them. From there on it’s a new beginning for all of them.

Don’t let the bookcover fool you ,this isn’t a simple erotica. Sure it contains steamy scenes, but its also so much more. This one is more dark than I imagined. There are some disturbing elements in this book. Especially Sage’s backstory. It was heartbreaking. I especially salute for him surviving that and the others supporting and helping him move on from that. Check for triggers. What I didn’t like was the detailed description about the ‘the thirds’ they like to bring in to their relationship to test their boundaries in the first chapter itself. It’s a safe book with no Ow/OM scenes. What I liked was the way author brilliantly introduced Daisy to their life and maneuvered it so that readers are convinced they need her to in their lives.
Recommended but again check for triggers.

[-C- · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written storyline that pulled me in from the very first page and the characters were so well detailed that I was totally engaged throughout the whole story!

“For me, you’re like the sun. You warm everything up and you add enough light so I can finally see things more clearly. Cash is like the earth under me – solid and strong and always there, whether I’m taking steps forward, looking over my shoulder at the past or dropping to my knees in surrender.
…you and Cash together are what make it bearable.
You’re the soft place that he sometimes needs to land, Daisy. He’s the ground beneath my feet, but you’re the rain that feeds him, lets him grow, helps him to always be strong for me."

[⚣Michaelle⚣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite 4 stars but rounded up for not making it all about the girl parts.

I wish this were longer; all three characters' stories deserved more exploration (especially Sage's with being kidnapped by that cult) and so there was only just enough background to explain their personalities and behavior...but still, given the shorter length SK did a great job.

One of these days I'm going to go back and start all these (including the previous 2 series) (well at least the ones with MM) from the beginning.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novella, a bit of a side story to the Protector series. It’s about Daisy, who works for Ronan & his underground protectors. I was totally blown away by this gut punching, emotionally intense, absolutely beautiful MMF story. It has several triggers, it’s not an easy ride, but it leaves you better for the experience, with a more open mind. A truly amazing read. ❤️

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well. It was Sloane Kennedy so of course I jumped head first and devoured it.
As usual the sex was HOOT. The men were fucked up but so, so sweet and adorable.

Normally, I don't like in a MMM or MMF when 2 of the 3 are already a couple.
Well miss Kennedy handled that beautifully.

Daisy and her innocence was adorable and she did fit with Cash and Sage.
It was short but everything was explain and it didn't feel like anything was missing in the story.

Always a winner for me with this author.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should have known better; I keep trying, but this series just isn't for me.

Even for a novella, this story just felt chaotic. I didn't believe the connection between the female and the two male main characters for a single second, and the suspense adjacent plot (which just feels like the author exploiting the most heinous traumatic backstories you could possibly think of to make her characters seem layered) is laughably thin.

If I ever try to read another book in this series (or any of the interrelated ones) SMACK ME.

[Danielle Gypsy Soul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just didn't buy the connection to Daisy. I don't think I've ever read a book with a couple that is together for a few years and then both of them fall for a 3rd person and turn the dynamic into a poly relationship. It always feels like there isn't a connection between at least two of the characters. In this book I really didn't feel it between either of the two guys and Daisy.

[Kim Lowery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stupid app ate my whole review. $@&%%€!!!

This was solidly written. It’s my understanding that the author rarely has heroines. That’s fine. I’ve no interest in reading that genre but it showed in this. It was written in alternating first person. With that perspective the risk is more telling than showing and that was the case here.

It’s very frustrating for me to be told “several weeks later” and “during the next few weeks” as they build their relationship. That’s the part I’m interested in.

It’s all good to have damaged characters with violent pasts. I don’t go looking for this, but it doesn’t bother me either. However, the focus was really on one character healing to the exclusion of the romance.

Which meant the heroine was something of an afterthought. Even their first meeting was over the phone - we are told. And in person at a wedding - we are told. We rarely get shown anything. Except the sex, naturally.

Cash is 40, Daisy is 21, and Sage is 28ish. I don’t know how long the guys have been together. Theirs is the established relationship. I actually prefer this dynamic when reading MMF. Dunno why. But it’s done far better in the Barber series, for example. (Which is third person.)

Shouldn’t bring up another author during a review like that but this book did remind me of that series.

Bringing in a new person, you’d think most of the focus would be on the new. On how that fits or doesn’t, what does she bring to it, how is it now different. But although that is included - it’s just a few lines. It’s NOT the focus of the book.

Instead the focus is how Sage has not dealt with his past and now does deal with it. He’s not *forced* to deal with it. It is an organic process and it’s not a stretch to say Daisy is the trigger for dealing with it. But even so, it’s not about the trio’s relationship - it’s about Sage.

I feel like that was a lost opportunity somehow. In any case it’s a well written book and I liked reading it.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I think this just felt a little rushed due to length. I liked Cash and Sage as a couple, and Daisy certainly seemed to fit with them as well, it just didn't seem like we got enough time to really sink into it. Also, the dangling thread of Daisy's friend in this one bugged me since who knows when we'll get an answer as to what was going on.

Still for a novella type story this was good. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Whynter Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another emotion story from Sloane Kennedy. I'm so happy that Cash, Sage and Daisy found each other. I hope we get to read more of their story.

[MountainKat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable addition, but simpler story because of the length. I listened to the audio with Michael Dean narrating and enjoyed that as well.

[Dani Elle Maas · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a treat this novella was
i am normally not of the m/m/f but this was a perfect amazing edition to the protectors series.
highly recommended

[no one · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Discovering Daisy" is an odd title for the book considering she felt like an afterthought most of the time.

I'd like to start out saying that the writing in this book is not bad at all, it's just how the story played out that is making the rating so low.

In this book, we have an already established couple--Sage and Cash--who occasionally bring a third into the bedroom. Having a third has always only been about sex, and is completely temporary, until they "meet" Daisy. It starts out with phone calls (that we don't actually get to read about, like most of their interactions, unless it's an inner monologue summing it all up), but, apparently, that's all they need to fall for each other. Sage more-so than the other two. Sage is, to me, the main part of the book. It's all pretty much centered around him trying to move on from his past and be able to love and whatnot.

Sage and Cash have a Dom/sub thing going on and are completely committed to one another, but Sage needs more--and more is apparently Daisy. It never really made sense to me how come Sage became so obsessed with Daisy to the point that he kisses her and is magically able to tell Cash that he loves him (something he hasn't been able to do before, because something was holding him back, that Daisy somehow changes in a matter of days) and, soon after, he is able to completely open up about his dark past. Because of Daisy--a random girl who comes off like a major third wheel.

Maybe it's the telling and not showing, but I genuinely felt no connection between them and Daisy. They were all saying I love you's within two months, but I didn't feel it. Between Cash and Sage--yes. But not at all between either one of the mmc's and Daisy.

The telling instead of showing made it hard to see what made Daisy so important to them--especially Sage, considering Daisy was supposedly the catalyst that made him able to admit his love and talk about his past--when we are only told snippets of their past before they meet at the beginning of the book. We are told they talk over the phone and Sage basically falls for her without ever seeing her, and then they meet for the first time but we don't actually get to read it and experience that moment. The book jumps straight into Daisy locking herself out of her motel and ending up in Cash and Sage's room where it, of course, gets sexual. Then she freaks, leaves, and we hear from her a month later when she just so happens to leave them a voicemail that leads them to go track her down and rescue her from being held captive at her place.

When Daisy starts staying with them, it's the same way. Bare minimum interaction and development that ends up summed up in an internal monologue because there's been a time jump. When Daisy and them kissed after that whole situation with Sage, I thought that we were going to get to experience them navigating that, plus the fact that Sage can magically say I love you now. . .but, no. There's a time jump of another month so we don't get to actually read about them in the beginning of this new "relationship". Made no sense. And, after the inner monologue telling us a little about that month we were robbed of, Sage finally talks about his past. . .then there's another time skip immediately after that gets summed up in another internal monologue. It's so rinse and repeat, it's crazy.

Backing up for a second, I want to mention something that really bugged me: where the hell is Dylan? Why was that side plot left unfinished without even a hint of what happened? Basically, when Cash and Sage track Daisy down because no one has heard from her since she left them that voicemail, they find she's being held hostage at her place. We learn she has a friend, named Dylan, who was staying with her when some men came and took him. He was mentioned a couple of times after--we are just told he hasn't been found yet--but nothing ever comes of it. After the last mention where he still hasn't been found, there's a couple time skips and the book ends. No mention of finding him, and there's no other book (that I saw) that has Dylan in it as a main character. I assumed that maybe he would be the mmc of a different book and that's why him being found isn't tied up in this book, but I don't think that's the case. So, what the hell happened with that? Sloppy writing? Idk, but that really bugs me.

So, to sum it up, I think the author is a pretty good writer. I just think the story needs to be ironed out better. And less telling instead of showing, please. I will probably check out the author's other work just to see if maybe this book is a one off. Hope so, because the potential is definitely there.

2.5 stars.

[French Press Bookworm Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a fantastic addition.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Protectors #5.6
Discovering Daisy: A Protectors Novella by Sloane Kennedy is marked on the goodreads series reading order list as "The Protectors #11.5" as it is a novella and not a full-length novel like most of the books in this series. However if you want to read them in chronological reading order, then I suggest you check out the list that I have provided below. Regardless, this is a wonderful addition to this highly addictive series. Enjoy!

Recommended Chronological Reading Order for the “A Family Chosen” (Escort Finding Security Protectors) Universe:
1. Gabriel’s Rule (m/ f) (The Escort Series, #1) – Gabriel (Gabe) Maddox & Riley Sinclair
2. Shane’s Fall (m/ f) (The Escort Series, #2) – Shane Matthews & Savannah Bradshaw
3. Logan’s Need (m/ m) (The Escort Series, #3) – Logan Bradshaw & Dominic (Dom) Barretti
4. Finding Home (m/ m/ m) (Finding Series, #1) – Callan (Cal) Bale & Rhys Tellar & Finn Stewart
5. Finding Trust (m/ m) (Finding Series, #2) – Jaxson (Jax) Reid & Dane Winters
6. Loving Vin (m/ f) (Barretti Security Series, #1) – Vin Barretti & Mia Reynolds
7. Redeeming Rafe (m/ m) (Barretti Security Series, #2) – Rafe Barretti & Cade Gamble
8. Saving Ren (m/ m/ m) (Barretti Security Series, #3) – Ren Barretti & Declan Hale & Jagger Varos
9. Freeing Zane (m/ m) (Barretti Security Series, #4) – Zane Devereaux & Connor Talbot
10. Finding Peace (m/ m) (Finding Series, #3) – Gray Hawthorne & Luke Monroe
11. Finding Forgiveness (m/ m) (Finding Series, #4) – Roman Blackwell & Hunter Greene
12. Absolution (m/ m/ m) (The Protectors, #1) – Mace Calhoun & Cole Bridgerton & Jonas Davenport
13. Salvation (m/ m) (The Protectors, #2) – Ronan Grisham & Seth Nichols
14. Retribution (m/ m) (The Protectors, #3) – Michael (Hawke) Hawkins & Tate Buckley
15. Forsaken (m/ m) (The Protectors, #4) – Maverick (Mav) James & Elias (Eli) Galvez
16. Vengeance (m/ m/ m) (The Protectors, #5) – Memphis Wheland & Tristan Barretti & Brennan Devereaux
17. A Protectors Family Christmas (The Protectors #5.5) – everyone
18. Discovering Daisy: A Protectors Novella (m/m/f) (The Protectors #11.5) – Sage Brighton & Cash Malloy & Daisy Washburne
19. Atonement (m/ m) (The Protectors #6) – Dante Thorne & Magnus DuCane
20. Revelation (m/ m) (The Protectors #7) – Cain Jensen & Ethan Rhodes
21. Redemption (m/ m) (The Protectors #8) – Pheonix Jones & Levi Deming
22. Finding Hope (m/ m/ m) (Finding Series #5) – Quinn Donovan & Beck Barretti & Brody Wilder
23. Defiance (m/ m) (The Protectors #9) – Vincent St. James & Nathan Wilder
24. Protecting Elliot: A Protectors Novella (m/m) (The Protectors #9.5) – Cruz de la Vega & Elliot Wittier
25. Unexpected (m/m/m) (The Protectors #10) – Gage Fortier & Jonathan Nash & Everett Shaw
26. Shattered (m/m) (The Protectors #11) – Jace Christianson & Caleb Cortano
27. Unbroken (m/m) (The Protectors #12) – Aleksander (Aleks) Silva & Vaughn

Read:
January 12, 2018 – FREE e-book on the author's website
December 30, 2021 – Audible Audiobook

[Jeanny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author freebie MMF

Trigger warnings: Child abuse, Assisted Suicide,
Attempted Suicide

[X · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't feel Daisy in the relationship.

Not at all.

Cash's personality was a dream, and Sage is so lucky to have found him.

There was no need for a 3rd person.

Throughout the story I felt that the addition was unnecessary, so it affected the reading mood. Dylan was a mystery and stayed a cliffhanger throughout the story and end. [her friend which she never met in her life, but know through an online game who was staying with her after being beaten blue and black]

The timing when Cash and Sage visited her for the first time, that happened to be JUST the moment that she was being abused by Lee and another guy was such a coincidence that I felt off.

Generally not my favorite of this series.

[BookDragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have been better if it was just Cash and Sage. To me it felt like Daisy didn't fit into the story at all. I would have rather her be with someone else that wasn't already in a relationship. I only felt the feelings that Sage and Cash had for each other, not Daisy. Also what happened with Dylan?

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced, sexy, and chaotic. Like most Sloane Kennedy novels we are covering a lot of action and emotional issues in this one packed into an even shorter period. Very good as always especially if you have become addicted to this series and the hot mess that it is of damaged people.

[Gigi · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I did like the 2 male heroes, Cash and Sage, I didn't feel that they had any connection with Daisy. The book was just too short.

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry

Daisy felt like a third wheel. Loved Cash and Sage. It could have been better if it was just them. The side plot was also pointless.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Protectors #5.6
Discovering Daisy: A Protectors Novella by Sloane Kennedy is marked on the goodreads series reading order list as "The Protectors #11.5" as it is a novella and not a full-length novel like most of the books in this series. However if you want to read them in chronological reading order, then I suggest you check out the list that I have provided below. Regardless, this is a wonderful addition to this highly addictive series. Enjoy!

Recommended Chronological Reading Order for the “A Family Chosen” (Escort Finding Security Protectors) Universe:
1. Gabriel’s Rule (m/ f) (The Escort Series, #1) – Gabriel (Gabe) Maddox & Riley Sinclair
2. Shane’s Fall (m/ f) (The Escort Series, #2) – Shane Matthews & Savannah Bradshaw
3. Logan’s Need (m/ m) (The Escort Series, #3) – Logan Bradshaw & Dominic (Dom) Barretti
4. Finding Home (m/ m/ m) (Finding Series, #1) – Callan (Cal) Bale & Rhys Tellar & Finn Stewart
5. Finding Trust (m/ m) (Finding Series, #2) – Jaxson (Jax) Reid & Dane Winters
6. Loving Vin (m/ f) (Barretti Security Series, #1) – Vin Barretti & Mia Reynolds
7. Redeeming Rafe (m/ m) (Barretti Security Series, #2) – Rafe Barretti & Cade Gamble
8. Saving Ren (m/ m/ m) (Barretti Security Series, #3) – Ren Barretti & Declan Hale & Jagger Varos
9. Freeing Zane (m/ m) (Barretti Security Series, #4) – Zane Devereaux & Connor Talbot
10. Finding Peace (m/ m) (Finding Series, #3) – Gray Hawthorne & Luke Monroe
11. Finding Forgiveness (m/ m) (Finding Series, #4) – Roman Blackwell & Hunter Greene
12. Absolution (m/ m/ m) (The Protectors, #1) – Mace Calhoun & Cole Bridgerton & Jonas Davenport
13. Salvation (m/ m) (The Protectors, #2) – Ronan Grisham & Seth Nichols
14. Retribution (m/ m) (The Protectors, #3) – Michael (Hawke) Hawkins & Tate Buckley
15. Forsaken (m/ m) (The Protectors, #4) – Maverick (Mav) James & Elias (Eli) Galvez
16. Vengeance (m/ m/ m) (The Protectors, #5) – Memphis Wheland & Tristan Barretti & Brennan Devereaux
17. A Protectors Family Christmas (The Protectors #5.5) – everyone
18. Discovering Daisy: A Protectors Novella (m/m/f) (The Protectors #5.6) – Sage Brighton & Cash Malloy & Daisy Washburne
19. Atonement (m/ m) (The Protectors #6) – Dante Thorne & Magnus DuCane
20. Revelation (m/ m) (The Protectors #7) – Cain Jensen & Ethan Rhodes
21. Redemption (m/ m) (The Protectors #8) – Pheonix Jones & Levi Deming
22. Finding Hope (m/ m/ m) (Finding Series #5) – Quinn Donovan & Beck Barretti & Brody Wilder
23. Defiance (m/ m) (The Protectors #9) – Vincent St. James & Nathan Wilder
24. Protecting Elliot: A Protectors Novella (m/m) (The Protectors #9.5) – Cruz de la Vega & Elliot Wittier
25. Unexpected (m/m/m) (The Protectors #10) – Gage Fortier & Jonathan Nash & Everett Shaw
26. Shattered (m/m) (The Protectors #11) – Jace Christianson & Caleb Cortano
27. Unbroken (m/m) (The Protectors #12) – Aleksander (Aleks) Silva & Vaughn

Read:
January 12, 2018 – FREE e-book on the author's website
December 30, 2021 – Audible Audiobook

[senna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.90/5? 4/5?

- idk how i feel about this
- but i didn’t hate it
- i liked the writing and the world is interesting enough to make me want to read all the books in this megaverse (and also because i really liked the characters and would like to get their breadcrumbs lol)
- i’m only cautious bc i assume (key word: assume) the author is heterosexual and that usually makes for fetishized m/m
- which i feel like we... did get in this book? but also not really?
- like we started off great and it was like ‘yes! finally an m/m without fetishization’..... but then pure sex for the next couple chapters or so and then back to there being a relationship that beyond sex (and not really healthy but thankfully that’s fixed by the end)
- and then there’s the fact that daisy was essentially turned on or something by all the m/m couple being so in love at the wedding
- so do you see my dilemma?
- like i want to read more but also don’t want to support m/m fetish tho part of me wonders if it’s because this is a novella and things need to get done faster compared to full length books, which might be better
- also it’s mentioned that this could be read as a standalone without reading anything else in the series tho i think the author did say it would be much better if you did read the series or other books set in the same world, and i have to agree because i don’t understand their jobs at all 😅
- is it like a mafia or gang thing? 😅😅 no clue and it’s not expanded upon in the novella so def read at least one book in the world
- but honestly i’d die for daisy and sage
- ngl the ending made me emo

[J.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella works excellently as a romance arc interlude that fits within the Protectors universe but doesn’t necessarily include all the full series hallmarks. For example, Cash and Sage are already together as a couple, Sage’s tragic backstory is securely in the past, and Daisy’s immediate conflict doesn’t revolve around her. I look forward to the resolution of her friend Dylan’s story in a later book, but for now, I’m happy to enjoy Daisy coming out of her stereotypical “computer girl” shell. However, this isn’t a book purely about a gay-presenting couple accepting a woman to make a permanent trio.

Sage’s story might be resolved, but the emotional and mental scars have not. The way he relies solely on Cash for his mental and emotional security is not healthy nor sustainable. Ultimately, it is the men’s joint attraction to Daisy is what propels them on the path toward healing.

Overall, this is a satisfying novella featuring familiar characters. I agree that it is best read on the heels of A Protector’s Family Christmas, and I hope to see these characters continue to appear in supporting roles in future books.

[Barb ~rede-2-read~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been sitting on this one for a few years but I'm happy I finally dusted it off and got to reading it. It's dark in that Sage's past was horrid (as most of the books in this series) and descriptions of child sexual abuse were vivid enough to note here. However, the story was also filled with hope and love and a chance for a new future as an established male couple fall in love with an emotionally damaged and very smart Daisy, the computer geek behind the scenes in previous books.

I'm not much for girl parts in my stories anymore but this was not overdone and by the time Daisy actually lost her virginity, she was more than ready and the scene was tastefully done. LOL, that sounds so prim and proper, but my point is that it made sense and wasn't done just for sexual gratification or exploitation.

I liked the male couple and their back story and the way they approached their feelings for Daisy. Overall, it was interesting to read and healing for Sage. Nicely done romance.

[Ruth Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can an author put so much emotion into a novella and leave you reeling? Well Sloane Kennedy did it. This book tosses your emotions around and then puts them back for you.
Cash needs control and he has that with Sage. Sage needs to give up control and he has that with Cash. They need each other but they need to be honest with each other.
Daisy is someone who Sage has flirted with over the phone but when they finally meet at a wedding they are struck by how much they may need her.
They help her out with a problem and she wants to go with them until it's all sorted out.
This book is about their discovery of each others pasts. The laying to rest of their pasts and the fact they need each other to work the way they should.
As usual Sloane Kennedy writes with skill and captures the reader from the first word to the last.
I can't recommend this book strongly enough as is the case with every book Sloane Kennedy writes.