Ash Harker is skilled at her job as a professional bodyguard. She's former military, but she also has a secret romantic streak a mile wide. She’s just always known that true love is for other people—people with fewer scars than she has.
Serena Davenport has clawed her way to the top of the business world, and with a successful company to run, she has no time for love. But when Serena finds herself the target of a stalker and needs someone to keep her safe, the bodyguard who shows up at her door looks startlingly familiar...
One terrible date a few weeks ago was something both Ash and Serena swore to put behind them. But now, unexpectedly, they're forced back into each other’s lives. The date may have been a disaster, but the scorching hot attraction between them is undeniable.
With a murderous criminal on their trail, they can’t afford any distractions—and what’s more distracting than love?
Marian Snowe is an author of lesbian romantic fiction. She can often be found talking to trees, examining flower petals with a magnifying glass, or venturing with small steps into the frigid New England ocean. She lives with her vivacious, adventure-loving wife, Ruby Grandin, and two cats. She loves to settle down in a meadow or at her desk by a window (with a good view of the birdfeeder!) to write stories about ladies in love.
Bodyguard Ash has to spend every minute of every day guarding Serena from an increasingly crazed stalker. What makes it all very awkward is that they had a data that went from nice to TERRIBLE not long before they start on this working relationship.
The push and pull between the MCs is fun, and it isn't too long before they decide to pack away the board games and while away the boredom of being shacked up in various hide-outs in... other ways.
Told in alternating chapters from Ash's and Serena's POV we traipse along on their journey of realising that they are maybe falling in love but being unsure how the other one feels about it.
The crazed stalker drives the story. Like all fictional stalkers I have encountered recently he is unbelievably good at what he's doing. And we never find out how he managed it. Don't read the book for that thriller part of it. Do read it for the closeted romantics coming out of the closet whilst hiding in it (so so speak).
A quick read and perhaps a bit drawn out in places, but very enjoyable.
I've read a few of Marian Snowe's and I was impressed with Steal My Heart so when I saw this plot had the bodyguard trope, I knew I had to read it.
Ash is former military and now a private bodyguard for hire. She wants love, but her gruffer instincts have her walled off. Serena is a successful bubbly business woman in the fashion industry but has been receiving increasingly threatening messages and vandalism.
These two had a failed date a few weeks before the assignment, where both had an obvious attraction, but a misunderstanding stopped any chance of it going forward. So, of course, suddenly they are thrown together, Ash determined to keep her cool and do her job professionally, while Serena is the typically difficult person who fights her protection and safety measures every step of the way... Yeah it's a tiny bit cliche - but what else do you expect from a bodyguard trope? lol!
The push pull is understandable in a lot of ways, but also helps ramp up the tension between the two, as well as the emotion. Ash genuinely cares about Serena's safety and Serena is scared but trying not to show it, and is quite taken with Ash's protective nature. The threats keep escalating, as does the sexual tension between the two.
Together they are hot and steamy, but also very sensual and loving. They try to act like it's just physical, but it's obvious there is more to it. I enjoyed their romance together and the HEA was satisfying. So I recommend it!
I have read a few books by Snowe, some I really liked and others not so much. I actually enjoyed this read. I enjoy bodyguard themed books and how the two met was a nice change. I did get a bit annoyed with Serena at times. In this day and age stalkers are no joke and I find are more resourceful than MacGyver. And I'm not just talking about this book I just mean stalkers in general. The person could the dumbest person ever but somehow can elude the police, hack systems, and find the person even if they went to Neverland. Regardless, it was a nice read told from alternating views of Serena and Ash. Plus free on kU
The book pretty much takes place in a bubble between the two MCs, pushed together by job/circumstances. Despite this, it works. Ash and Serena needing to spend so much time together heightens the tensions at the beginning and builds the relationship between the two.
A misunderstanding makes things both amusing and sort of cringeworthy for a time, but also provides the conflict for both characters that makes the story interesting and makes it more than your standard bodyguard falls for client story.
I enjoyed the alternating points of view, though I appreciated Ash more than Serena and the journey that she goes through.
3/5 It took me almost a month to read this,even tho the book itself is very short,i don't want to blame the book tho,the fault is mine because I had spent my time reading fanfiction more than reading published books.But this was when I was reading it enjoyable enough. I do believe sometimes Ash was being dramatic, like when Serena asked her about her dream wedding and Ash started talking about them being only platonic, like girl- she didn't proposed she really needed to relax.So Ash was annoying towards the end and Serena was annoyed at the begging, they truly are soulmates
I would have enjoyed this more if it weren't so long. It started off really good but by the halfway point I found myself that I wish the book moved faster. Some of the scenes were not necessary. I did like the chemistry between the two MCs but there was a little too much back and forth between them for me. I did skim some after the first half to get to the end. I think with a little more reworking of this, it could have been more than the 2.75 stars I am giving it.
Dnf'd Maybe I'll pick it up again. I just can't stand when a character doesn't seem to understand that their life is on the line or appreciate the effort that is put in to keep them alive.
“It was as if I was playing chicken with my own heart: I’d run headlong at it with my assertion that this all was just casual, and it would barrel toward me with the declaration that these feelings were anything but. Only time would tell which of us would flinch first.”
“Just for fun, cried a frantic voice in my head. We always said just for fun. But that was the thing. ʼWeʼ never said that. I did.” “I couldn’t tell which scared me more: that I’d made Ash think we were in love, or that we were.”
“It’s like I’m addicted to you. … If we keep this up, I don’t know if I can untangle myself from how I feel. I can’t afford that. This isn’t going to last forever, and it shouldn’t.”
“It wasn’t Serena who was torturing me. I was torturing myself.” • ~ • ~ • ~ • Seriously, how incredible is a book that has a simplistically poetic yet still with such titillating complexities as a line like that—how could this book be anything but incredible!!!
An emotional & entertaining story with characters that become so authentic they truly become like real people in your mind & a riveting plot lines that draws you in so effortlessly & subtly without you even noticing.
A love story that didn't even need a sex scene to feel the passion & intensity! Instead, the story relied on words & emotions not physical acts to drive the imagery of their love for each other… “To say that I saw sparks when she kissed me would’ve been a gross understatement. I saw fireworks. I saw stars being born.” …& you're melting like butter!!
This story was absolute perfection!!! With every page I read, the more I identified with & felt connected to these characters then the more I became invested in their journey. An emotional & entertaining story with characters that become so authentic they truly become like real people in your mind & a riveting plot lines that draws you in so effortlessly & subtly without you even noticing.
I love stories that feature a tough female lead with a “protector” personality (bodyguard, cop, military). And what goes better with that personality than a damsel in distress?!?
This is the premise of the book. Hot sexy amazon-like bodyguard is hired to protect petite fashion designer from a crazy stalker. They must spend 24/7 with each other. Wonder what will happen???
Suspend reality and enjoy the steamy chemistry these two have.....(Seriously do not try to figure out how a security company stays in business with so many errors) :) just go with it
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were believable and enjoyable, and there were just enough details left out of the story to really allow my imagination to spread out into the world contained within the book.
The real star of the story, however, is the character development that Ash shows. Because we're inside her head we get to see the type of person she is from the very start, but she doesn't allow any of the other characters in. As time goes on we're able to see more of her true personality shine through, and not in the usual way that romance books show this. She's not only being herself around the woman she loves, but in a more general sense I was able to get the feeling that she was genuinely letting herself be more authentically *her*.
I would absolutely recommend this to people, especially if you like the theme of a bodyguard falling for their charge and trying to make it work.
I enjoyed the way this novella worked out from beginning to end. Our two mains meet up for a disastrous date, and then all of a sudden, they have to work together after Serena receives threatening notes. Ash is the bodyguard sent to protect her. Serena is not the best client initially, but events cause her to change. Their first meeting hangs over them like a cloud and colors their interactions. The gradual changes and their inner thoughts were intriguing, although since the first person POV changes every chapter, I did get confused a couple of times as to whose head I was in. It has some romantic moments as well as increasing threats and then a wild conclusion.
I loved the characters chemistry. The story held its own and kept me interested and excited to the conclusion. I expected a little more for the ending but story was still good.
Ash and Serena started their relationship backwards. After a disastrous first date, there seemed to be no hope for them after Serena was threatened by a stalker and Ash was hired to protect her. Most relationships start off with the 'getting to know one another', phase, then the sex comes next, sometimes, depending on the preference. Ash and Serena jumped into bed thinking it would be something to occupy their minds while they hid and waited out the bad guy. Well, that all went to hell when they started to get to know one another more personally. Love conquers all, chimes in my mind. However, Serena was a stubborn mule and dug her heels in to the last second before relinquishing her control of her heart when it came to her feelings towards Ash. And Ash, well she came off as the protective, strong, butch, but underneath of it all, she was a closeted romantic who yearned for the fairytale wedding and that happily ever after; awwwww. I enjoyed this story, albiet frustrating at times because Serena was one of those femmes who drove me bonkers! An easy, light read about a bad guy chasing the girl who got away and the butch-in-shining-armor, who saves the day... or maybe it was the femme who saved the day ;)
This is the first book I read of Marian Snowe and for me was a great introduction. I enjoyed very much the story, the plot, the twists and turns, the characters. Everything is well assembled and works perfect.
I loved this book completely! The suspense, intrigue, romance, passion, the raw emotions and the chemistry of the characters was absolutely fantastic. The storyline moved along flawlessly and kept me engaged at all times. I’d love to see these characters again in another book.
The suspense as well as the characters are very well developed. It is great to see the growth of the characters all through the story. There are a lot of things I didn’t see coming. Got me on edge and turning pages until the end, trying to discover where all the enthralling plot lines would end. Got me hooked me from the first page.
It’s an excellent read that I’d like to recommend to anyone who enjoys a good romance, suspense and killer chemistry between the main characters.
I really enjoyed this. Got a little cheesy at the end, but it was feel good for the most part. I won't lie, the back and forth about being together wasn't so much frustrating as it was confusing. I think about the third "breakup" I didn't see a reason for them to keep playing this push and pull. One time, maybe. It was just too many times for me when both of them were so obvious.
I wasn't constantly focused on the threat, and the last confrontation I saw coming. I wouldn't describe it as "bone-chilling", not that I needed a better stalker profile (I'm good, thanks). Loved the MCs though, and I loved that they were actually attracted to each other from the beginning. I had this issue with a previous novel I read from this author, but in this one I didn't feel like the chemistry was forced, and Ash is a sweetheart.
I am going to go ahead and read another by this author.
Ash, military veteran & bodyguard meets Serena twice. Good story. The locations were visible as I read the story. Serena's attempts at sneaking out, wanting her personal freedoms in order to feel 'normal', is over the top at times. I began to wonder what it would take for her to believe; it was an actual attack that was hard to wrap my mind around. But hey, I don't write them, I just read them. I never found out how the perpetrator kept finding them; so much for witness protection. I would have preferred to sex to be at the end of the book, culminating all the character tension within the story. It got very exciting as the characters were on the run.
I am not sure where we went wrong with this because it started out with so much promise. Ash is the bodyguard think Xena warrior princess, Serena is her client. They meet in interesting circumstances and eventually Serena becomes her client. I am not sure if it is because I have read a lot of bodyguard tropes lately but I get more than a little irritated when the client has to save herself or her bodyguard it reminds me of all those jokes about female bodyguards not being efficient and Ash appears to me to be more incompetent than most. There are some awkward moments but it's not a bad book. It's just that for me it promises much and fails to deliver.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I loved the push and the pull between Serena and Ash from their first meeting to the end of the book. The chemistry between the two characters was sizzling. We were also treated to some wonderfully romantic settings while they were on the run.
Here's one of my favorite quotes from the book when Serena and Ash take a break from worrying about the stalker to play racketball. Serena sees Ash in workout gear for the first time. "It was the ass to which all other asses would be compared to from this day forward."
The suspense and drama in the storyline keeps the reader on the edge of the seat while waiting to turn to the next page. This was a great book that I had my doubts about when I started reading it. After the initial meeting between the two main characters, which was a weird beginning, but it made sense once the story really started. I’ll tell you this book will definitely make it into my next to read list. Ash and Serena’s story was exciting, full of suspense, drama and eventually became a true love story .
Ash Harker, former military, bodyguard knows how to protect her clients but sometimes her romantic heart can get in the middle. Serena Davenport, successful business owner, has a starker and he is getting serious. Running for their lives only draws them closer. Can they control the spark between them and find the starker before he kills them. Erotic romance and adventure. Recommend.
Ash and Serena met through a dating app. Due to a misunderstanding things did work out. Serena has a stalker and is in need of a bodyguard. Here enters Ash. The attraction is undeniable but protection of Serena is of utmost importance. Throwing these two together makes for an interesting and engaging story. Read about their journey. Enjoy and lose yourself. You won't be disappointed.
A very nice realistic tale, for a change about adult women, who, as happens to all of us, carry emotional baggage and have to come to terms with how their self preservation habits can make them unable to see love when it jumps in their face.
The characters are well rounded and totally believable and the plot, well, that is something else entirely. A very good crime novel on top of a wonderfully gripping and totally sweet romance. I just could not stop reading before I had finished it.
This is an exceptional audio book. Nicole does an incredible job of bringing the story and the characters to life. The suspense and the personalities are well developed and believable.The layers of this story make it a different type of emotional read than I usually find enjoyable. I was actually disappointed when I finished it. This is the first book I have experienced by Marain Snowe. Her works have been added in my TBR stack with great anticipation.
"what my heart is telling me is that this is realer than anything I’ve felt before.” In this fascinating story of how the culprit find her client and how they escape in the many ways of not falling for her. In this story of how and why make it seem the warrior dies in the end but does she really.
Seriously a favorite for sure. I don’t know why some stories are so captivating and draw you in where you know you’ll read this particular story again. I couldn’t get enough of these two strong women. Sometimes first impressions are wrong. You have to develop a knowing of someone. This story proved that.
The book has minor loopholes in it. The romantic angle of the book is on point. Both the protagonists go through a plethora of emotions before accepting their true feelings for each other. Watch out the obsessive villain though- The man who can do anything and reach anywhere!
The book is for a light-hearted read which gives you the much needed butterflies
A battle-scared security guard has maybe met her most challenging case yet.
A ex has chosen his former "mate" as his alone. It is the duty of the new bodyguard to protect the former "mate" from her ex and protect herself from falling in love with a client. Or can she? Enjoy!
The two main characters were simple enough, I don't think it needed alternating chapters providing both perspectives. It became very repetitive to read after a while. Although I read it for the "bodyguard" subgenre, the plot was predictable and the story worked very hard to keep the villain around, sometimes to an unrealistic degree.