What do you think?
Rate this book
Jenna entered a fake marriage ten years ago when she was young and reckless, in hopes it might advance her failing Hollywood career. Ten years later, she can’t undo her mistake. Her A-list husband is too famous—and too cowardly—to admit he’s in a long-time gay relationship with a fellow actor, and at thirty-four, Jenna’s dreams have faded to dust. Then Caleb Winchell enters her life. The taciturn, Texas-bred bodyguard is as handsome as he is capable, and Jenna’s lonely world is rocked. He’s a true and honest force in her dishonest existence, standing by her side as she fake smiles her way through the smothering farce of her life. Caleb helps her breathe again, but she can’t act on her deepening feelings toward her bodyguard. He’s a professional, and he never breaks the rules. And she’s a married woman…even if it’s all a sham.
- GenresContemporary
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 29, 2018
6 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Molly Joseph
8 books51 followersMolly Joseph is the “vanilla” counterpart of New York Times and USA Today bestselling BDSM romance author Annabel Joseph. Annabel and Molly both love to explore deep and complicated relationships on the pages of their books, except that Annabel’s couples have BDSM dynamics, and Molly’s couples don’t.
You can learn more about Annabel (and Molly) by visiting annabeljoseph.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter to stay current on upcoming releases. You can also find Annabel/Molly on Facebook (Facebook.com/annabeljosephnovels), and Twitter (@annabeljoseph).
You can write to either Molly or Annabel at Annabeljosephnovels@gmail.com.
You can learn more about Annabel (and Molly) by visiting annabeljoseph.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter to stay current on upcoming releases. You can also find Annabel/Molly on Facebook (Facebook.com/annabeljosephnovels), and Twitter (@annabeljoseph).
You can write to either Molly or Annabel at Annabeljosephnovels@gmail.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 7, 2018
I loved this book! Ms Joseph always writes amazing stories with really complex characters.
All is not as it seems in Jenna's life. Actually, nothing is! Caleb is hired as her personal bodyguard and he discovers a woman who has lost trust in people and has lost herself along the way... I loved how Ms Joseph dealt with the celebrity lifestyle, she always finds a new way to look at it and I always love her interpretations :)
We catch up with characters from other books and I hope we'll see more stories with Caleb's siblings :)
All is not as it seems in Jenna's life. Actually, nothing is! Caleb is hired as her personal bodyguard and he discovers a woman who has lost trust in people and has lost herself along the way... I loved how Ms Joseph dealt with the celebrity lifestyle, she always finds a new way to look at it and I always love her interpretations :)
We catch up with characters from other books and I hope we'll see more stories with Caleb's siblings :)
November 11, 2018
I didn't know that the age difference between Hero and Heroine was +10 years, with the Heroine being the older one. It's not my favorite setup, a heads up would've been nice.
My main problem with the story was the ending. Heroine is all forgiving and full of love towards her ex husband who treated her badly and abused her while being married for 10 years. I just couldn't believe what I've read. After all that she's been trough with him she tells him that he's always welcome in her home (her new sanctuary with the Hero) and he could stay here whenever he wants and she would just move to the house of her in-laws. And then at the end she tells him she loves him.
The ending was messing up the whole book for me. Sorry, not sorry.
And I didn't really feel the connection between the Heroine and the Hero. It was all too sudden, too emotional. I could believe in lust and attraction, but love? I didn't see it.
Overall good writing. The ending was anti-climatic and there's only a happy end for now. No HEA.
My main problem with the story was the ending. Heroine is all forgiving and full of love towards her ex husband who treated her badly and abused her while being married for 10 years. I just couldn't believe what I've read. After all that she's been trough with him she tells him that he's always welcome in her home (her new sanctuary with the Hero) and he could stay here whenever he wants and she would just move to the house of her in-laws. And then at the end she tells him she loves him.
The ending was messing up the whole book for me. Sorry, not sorry.
And I didn't really feel the connection between the Heroine and the Hero. It was all too sudden, too emotional. I could believe in lust and attraction, but love? I didn't see it.
Overall good writing. The ending was anti-climatic and there's only a happy end for now. No HEA.
November 4, 2018
This is a title I would normally have skipped over, but it caught my attention while reading a blog post. The blurb intrigued me, and after scanning the first chapter, I decided to give this one a try. Beard is a light romance, and fairly predictable, but good characters. some tense moments, and a nice ending.
May 16, 2021
An entertaining story despite the repetitive whiney wallowing that knocks it down to 3.5 stars
I work 6 days a week and just wanted something short (for once).
This was just the ticket.
As always with the multi pen named Josephs, this was written well enough. And all the angsty drama made the pages fly by. Someone said that you need to read the previous book Diva in order to "get" this book, but that's not the case. The only connection is the guard in this book, is the brother of the guard in the previous book, and they work for the same company.
No big elaborate backstory there, folks.
The broad in this book...okay. She'd been through some things. Was the same age as me but didn't know that California law entities divorced spouses to half after 10 years (and NDAs are not a prenup). She whined a LOT and cried a LOT and did *very little* to try to get out or change or help herself. But then that's the power of isolation in an abusive and manipulative relationship. It overrode logic, reason, and made me a little annoyed at times. But the positives outweighed the negatives here and in the end this was better than I thought it would be. If you're looking for a seedy sleazy angsty crazy story with a little bit of sarcasm and humor WITHOUT being triggered by life or unfortunate circumstances- then give this book a look.
I work 6 days a week and just wanted something short (for once).
This was just the ticket.
As always with the multi pen named Josephs, this was written well enough. And all the angsty drama made the pages fly by. Someone said that you need to read the previous book Diva in order to "get" this book, but that's not the case. The only connection is the guard in this book, is the brother of the guard in the previous book, and they work for the same company.
No big elaborate backstory there, folks.
The broad in this book...okay. She'd been through some things. Was the same age as me but didn't know that California law entities divorced spouses to half after 10 years (and NDAs are not a prenup). She whined a LOT and cried a LOT and did *very little* to try to get out or change or help herself. But then that's the power of isolation in an abusive and manipulative relationship. It overrode logic, reason, and made me a little annoyed at times. But the positives outweighed the negatives here and in the end this was better than I thought it would be. If you're looking for a seedy sleazy angsty crazy story with a little bit of sarcasm and humor WITHOUT being triggered by life or unfortunate circumstances- then give this book a look.
November 3, 2018
4.5Stars
I love Molly Joseph and her Bodyguards series. Beard is no exception. The author brings the full emotional gamut in this book. I was tempted to toss my kindle more than once in the beginning of this book.
Jenna and marriage is a marriage of convenience. The household in which they live is volatile and emotional abusive. Enter Caleb. Besides crazy fans, it's determined that Jenna needs protection from her husband and his lover. I couldn't have hated these two characters more. They were horrible and got away with it for years.
With the protection of Caleb, Jenna finds herself again. It was a struggle and the first half of the book was emotionally draining.
I love Molly Joseph and her Bodyguards series. Beard is no exception. The author brings the full emotional gamut in this book. I was tempted to toss my kindle more than once in the beginning of this book.
Jenna and marriage is a marriage of convenience. The household in which they live is volatile and emotional abusive. Enter Caleb. Besides crazy fans, it's determined that Jenna needs protection from her husband and his lover. I couldn't have hated these two characters more. They were horrible and got away with it for years.
With the protection of Caleb, Jenna finds herself again. It was a struggle and the first half of the book was emotionally draining.
October 31, 2018
Sigh, swoon, that is what Caleb Winchell will do to you. We've met him before, twice, in his brother's book, and in the previous Ironclad book, but nothing prepares you for who sweet and protective this man really is! And Jenna needs it, because she has been living in an emotionally stunted, threatening world, for far too long. Caleb notices everything about her, and she feels safe for the first time ever. They bond, they connect, and then the sparks they have light up the night with super sexy times. They aren't going to have an easy time of things, but Caleb is a calm in the storm that has become Jenna's life, and she just needs to trust herself, as much as she trusts him
November 12, 2018
Awesome !!
I loved Jenna and Caleb’s story. Twist and turns filled with secrets, lies,fear, danger, death and love that pulled me and kept me captivated. The storyline was so intriguing that I couldn’t put it down until the last word. The characters were well suited with a connection and chemistry that made an awesome read. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an awesome read
I loved Jenna and Caleb’s story. Twist and turns filled with secrets, lies,fear, danger, death and love that pulled me and kept me captivated. The storyline was so intriguing that I couldn’t put it down until the last word. The characters were well suited with a connection and chemistry that made an awesome read. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an awesome read
November 6, 2018
I guess I was waiting for this big finale scene and I never got it.
Nate and Tom really needed a come to Jesus session.
Did enjoy Kyle making an appearance.
Nate and Tom really needed a come to Jesus session.
Did enjoy Kyle making an appearance.
November 10, 2018
Loved reading this story.
June 17, 2020
Oh boy! Those Winchell brothers. Sigh. I have to admit, I prefer Kyle (rougher around the edges *wink), but Caleb is sexy and could hold his own. I'm not a huge fan of romances revolving celebrities but I really enjoyed this one. I pretty much like anything Annabel Joseph writes. I'm a fan of her writing style. Everything just flows and there's a nice balance between romance, drama and humor. Very nice read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews