What do you think?
Rate this book
Second Chances #1
Guarding Gaby
Gabriela Navarro believed she and Eli Wolverton would always be together…until he abandoned her.
Years later, Gaby has made a new life in the big city. Her future is bright, and Eli is her past. When she returns to bury her father and learns that Eli is accused of his murder, she is stunned, but she no longer knows the man who's replaced the boy she loved.
Then their paths cross again, and though the longing between them is more powerful than ever, Eli refuses to defend himself and pushes her to go. Does Gaby believe the charges against him, or the urgings of her heart?
There is so much more at stake than Gaby can imagine. With his freedom and his life on the line, only one thing would draw Eli away from his search for the truth: Gaby's safety.
Even if that means he'll lose her forever.
Years later, Gaby has made a new life in the big city. Her future is bright, and Eli is her past. When she returns to bury her father and learns that Eli is accused of his murder, she is stunned, but she no longer knows the man who's replaced the boy she loved.
Then their paths cross again, and though the longing between them is more powerful than ever, Eli refuses to defend himself and pushes her to go. Does Gaby believe the charges against him, or the urgings of her heart?
There is so much more at stake than Gaby can imagine. With his freedom and his life on the line, only one thing would draw Eli away from his search for the truth: Gaby's safety.
Even if that means he'll lose her forever.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2007
71 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Jean Brashear
147 books239 followersA letter to Rod Stewart resulting in a Cinderella birthday for her daughter sowed the seeds of New York Times and USAToday bestselling author Jean Brashear's writing career. A lifelong avid reader, at the age of forty-five with no experience and no training, she decided to see if she could write a book. It was a wild leap that turned her whole life upside down, but she would tell you that though she's never been more terrified, she's never felt more exhilarated or more alive. She's an ardent proponent of not putting off your dreams until that elusive 'someday'—take that leap now.
Over fifty published novels later, the five-time RITA finalist and RTBookReviews Career Achievement Award winner has accumulated a whole passel of war stories to swap and loves nothing better than talking writing and books with readers and fellow writers.
And she'd still take that leap, war wounds and all.
Over fifty published novels later, the five-time RITA finalist and RTBookReviews Career Achievement Award winner has accumulated a whole passel of war stories to swap and loves nothing better than talking writing and books with readers and fellow writers.
And she'd still take that leap, war wounds and all.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 30, 2019
ARC for honest review with no compensation
Guarding Gaby is book 1 in the new Second Chances series by Jean Brashear and a great start!
The story is about Gabriela "Gaby" Navarro and Eli Wolverton, young love, lost love and second chances...
Gaby returns home to bury her father and learns that her lost love, Eli is accused of his death, but she doesn't believe he is capable of doing that but who knows if he is the same guy she once loved...
Suspense, intrigue, emotional, family ties and love will keep you reading and rooting for Gaby and Eli to find their HEA....
Guarding Gaby is book 1 in the new Second Chances series by Jean Brashear and a great start!
The story is about Gabriela "Gaby" Navarro and Eli Wolverton, young love, lost love and second chances...
Gaby returns home to bury her father and learns that her lost love, Eli is accused of his death, but she doesn't believe he is capable of doing that but who knows if he is the same guy she once loved...
Suspense, intrigue, emotional, family ties and love will keep you reading and rooting for Gaby and Eli to find their HEA....
May 6, 2019
Very enjoyable book that is a wonderful second chance romance wrapped up in a great action packed suspense filled story. Gaby and Eli are amazing characters that are well developed and the story has a nice flow to it. Eli's backstory will break your heart as well as give you hope. This book is the start to a new series from this author and I simply can't wait for more! I definitely recommend it.
April 25, 2019
When Gaby's estranged father dies in Texas, she leaves New York to go home to bury him and settle his affairs. Chad, an ex-boyfriend and current sheriff meets her plane, with the hope of rekindling their high school romance, but another ex, Eli, still has a hold on her heart. Chad tells Gaby that her father was murdered and Eli is his prime suspect. Of course, Gaby does not believe Eli would ever do any such thing. This book is different from all of the Jean Brashear books I have read, and I've read a lot (okay all). There is a love story, but it seems secondary to the action and the plot. I was drawn in and found it hard to put the book down until I finished. As this is book one in a new series, I am sure I will enjoy all the rest of the series as much as I did Guarding Gaby.
July 20, 2022
A good read
I enjoyed this story. Good characters, beautiful environment and good writing. There were a couple spots where I could predict the outcome, but it was worth reading and I'm on to the next in this series.
I enjoyed this story. Good characters, beautiful environment and good writing. There were a couple spots where I could predict the outcome, but it was worth reading and I'm on to the next in this series.
April 30, 2019
Good Read
Jean Brashear always writes stories that grabs hold of you from the very beginning to the .This one certainly doesn't disappoint.
Jean Brashear always writes stories that grabs hold of you from the very beginning to the .This one certainly doesn't disappoint.
February 25, 2021
As usual, a highly recommendable book by this author!
January 26, 2023
Gaby returns home after the murder of her father only to find that the number one suspect is the boy she once loved with all heart. Can she really believe that he is responsible?
Read in KU.
Read in KU.
January 27, 2025
4.5 star read.
I have read pretty much all of Jean Brashear's Texas Heroes series, and see slight similarities between this book and those, but this book has a really different sense about it.
I think it is because more emphasis is placed on the situation, and the romance isn't as prominent. The couple is pretty consistently in peril throughout most of the book, and that is not a usual place in which to find the romantic couple.
Yes, it is a second chance love story between Eli and Gaby. There is also a "bad" guy/ "good" guy situation. This is not really a mystery, it is more a suspenseful novel with a good dose of intrigue, heavy on the suspense.
Very early in the book, it was easy to see what type of role Chad was going to play. There was a surprise twist toward the end, but it wasn't really that much of a surprise.
There was danger and a bit of violence. One thing that really struck me was how sad Eli's childhood was, and how much it played in the current situation. One of the characters from Texas Hearts made an appearance, and a reference to Rafe and Diana was made.
An entertaining book, where, once I started reading, I just read through to the very end. I would have liked an epilogue, just because I'm a good epilogue kind of woman, but this book ended very nicely with Eli and Gaby's HEA. I
I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I have read pretty much all of Jean Brashear's Texas Heroes series, and see slight similarities between this book and those, but this book has a really different sense about it.
I think it is because more emphasis is placed on the situation, and the romance isn't as prominent. The couple is pretty consistently in peril throughout most of the book, and that is not a usual place in which to find the romantic couple.
Yes, it is a second chance love story between Eli and Gaby. There is also a "bad" guy/ "good" guy situation. This is not really a mystery, it is more a suspenseful novel with a good dose of intrigue, heavy on the suspense.
Very early in the book, it was easy to see what type of role Chad was going to play. There was a surprise twist toward the end, but it wasn't really that much of a surprise.
There was danger and a bit of violence. One thing that really struck me was how sad Eli's childhood was, and how much it played in the current situation. One of the characters from Texas Hearts made an appearance, and a reference to Rafe and Diana was made.
An entertaining book, where, once I started reading, I just read through to the very end. I would have liked an epilogue, just because I'm a good epilogue kind of woman, but this book ended very nicely with Eli and Gaby's HEA. I
I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
April 16, 2019
One night Gaby was out with her friend Chad when they found a young boy named Eli nearly beaten to death. They got him to the hospital and Gaby visited him as often as she could. Gaby began to have strong feelings for Eli and he for her but Gaby’s father didn’t approve of her relationship with the wild boy that Eli was, he wanted her to marry Chad the sheriff’s son. When her father discovered that Gaby was spending so much time with Eli he prevented her from seeing him before Eli fled town which caused a huge rift between Gaby and her father. Fast forward several years to Gaby now in New York and just having received a promotion she worked hard for. Then she receives a phone call telling her that her father has died and she has to return home to bury him. Eli has also returned he was summoned by Gaby’s father before his death he asked Eli to keep Gaby safe as he no longer trusted how things were going around his ranch and the town. Eli struggles to keep Gaby safe and to prove himself innocent of the murder of both his mother and Gaby’s father. The sparks are still strong between them and flames up as they work together to resolve things. I have never read a book by Ms. Brashear that I didn’t love and devour and this one was no exception. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I was given an ARC and am happily giving my honest review.
April 11, 2019
Guarding Gaby review
What an emotional story about personal growth, family, and love. The author slowly builds the story to the ending you hope for but really aren’t sure will happen.
It is not always easy to come back to that place where you became an adult and ran from when your dreams led you elsewhere. For Gaby, that wasn’t by choice when her father passed away. Her plans were to attend the funeral, pack things up that she wanted, and then return to her job. New chapter in her life and it didn’t include the ghost from the past. But it doesn’t work out that way when her first love is accused of his murder.
Eli is in hiding, trying to find enough evidence to prove that he didn’t murder his mother or Gaby’s father. But when Gaby sees him and gets involved, it also gets dangerous. He has to save her from herself but his is not her future.
It began as a forbidden young love and it rekindled into passionate adults.
What an emotional story about personal growth, family, and love. The author slowly builds the story to the ending you hope for but really aren’t sure will happen.
It is not always easy to come back to that place where you became an adult and ran from when your dreams led you elsewhere. For Gaby, that wasn’t by choice when her father passed away. Her plans were to attend the funeral, pack things up that she wanted, and then return to her job. New chapter in her life and it didn’t include the ghost from the past. But it doesn’t work out that way when her first love is accused of his murder.
Eli is in hiding, trying to find enough evidence to prove that he didn’t murder his mother or Gaby’s father. But when Gaby sees him and gets involved, it also gets dangerous. He has to save her from herself but his is not her future.
It began as a forbidden young love and it rekindled into passionate adults.
September 14, 2024
A lovely second chance romance! I am a sucker for this trope, and it was handled well. Gaby and Eli have a powerful connection, and their love is still obvious years later. The plot was interesting and kept me guessing. The pacing was spot on and moved quickly. Gaby had a determination and strength about her that I really admired, and Eli's love for her was so moving. The ending was great! I can't wait for more in this series!
*I received an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
*I received an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
April 20, 2019
What can I say? I could not wait to read this story. And it did not disappoint. I was on the edge of my seat. And so many twists and turns. I was emotional right throughout. Eli is such a complex character. Reading about his upbringing and life had me so tearful. Jean Brashear has this amazing talent creating characters that tug on your heartstrings. I just wanted to take him home and look after him :)
I cannot wait for the next one.
I cannot wait for the next one.
April 16, 2019
This book has everything and you won't be able to put it down. You have Gaby Navarro and Eli Wolverton who are first loves, true loves. Ripped apart by circumstances beyond their control. Now they are back where they started from. There is murder, arson and mayhem. Who do you trust? Gaby and Eli do get there HEA. I love that Ms. Brashear brought Rosaria Sandoval, who is a healer back.
April 17, 2019
Jean has done it again. Another great story. While this story is not part of the Texas Heroes series (best series ever) I love how she manages to tie a small portion of this story to that series. This story has a bit of everything: grief, heartbreak, suspense, disbelief, but ultimately love.
Readers: take a chance on this second chance romance. You won’t be disappointed.
Readers: take a chance on this second chance romance. You won’t be disappointed.
April 17, 2019
A story well worth reading and very well written. So true to life. It make you feel like you are there and part of it somehow. It has excitement, drama, suspense, so many emotions and so much more. The characters and the story flow so well together. I hated to see it end. I highly recommend it. I received a review copy and voluntarily review it.
October 24, 2017
An Excellent Story
Again, excellence of character development, the smooth progress of the plot, the rise and fall of my heart beat as I read the lines. The and many other emotions felt because of the talents and skills of Jean Brashear.
Congratulations on another winner!
Again, excellence of character development, the smooth progress of the plot, the rise and fall of my heart beat as I read the lines. The and many other emotions felt because of the talents and skills of Jean Brashear.
Congratulations on another winner!
May 4, 2019
This was definitely an intriguing book. Jean keeps her readers in suspense all the way through the book. I loved the suspense and the romance at the end of the story. Looking forward to the next story.
February 9, 2016
Great
Sheer enjoyment,holds you from the first page to the last.Mystery,Romance,Suspense.A heart stopping thriller everything you need to keep you going.Next book please.
Sheer enjoyment,holds you from the first page to the last.Mystery,Romance,Suspense.A heart stopping thriller everything you need to keep you going.Next book please.
April 21, 2017
Intrigue, danger, romance
Easy reading and had all a good book should have. Deceit, danger, and a love that endured the test of time.
Easy reading and had all a good book should have. Deceit, danger, and a love that endured the test of time.
June 22, 2017
okay. decent characters. decent setting. nothing special.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews