The Ex Assignment

Rogue Protectors #1

by Victoria Paige

Seventeen years of buried secrets and a divorce stood between them.

It started with her estranged father’s murder.
The last thing LA detective Gabby Woodward needed was the custody of her entitled half-brother.
She was jaded and overworked. A nurturing soul she was not.
And he was a reminder of “him.”
Her ex-husband.
The man who crushed her heart and trampled on her love.

Ex-mercenary Declan Roarke had hit rock bottom.
His new assignment mentoring teen actors was the gateway to hell.
And the last thing he needed was to be near his ex-wife.
The woman who trampled on their vows and ruined his ability to trust.

Working together exposes feelings for each other that never died.
It also uncovers the conspiracy that tore them apart.
Lies. Murder. Plot twist.
Welcome to Hollywood.

* Fast-paced romantic suspense that can be read as a standalone.

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Suspense

356 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 24, 2020

About the author

Victoria Paige writes smart, edgy, seductive romance.

Her heroes are badass alpha males and her smart, strong-willed heroines can hold their own against a bossy hero. Her books are sexually explicit and may contain dark themes, morally ambiguous choices, and disturbing situations as she injects realism into her stories and gives them her own twist.

Victoria lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband and playful German Shepherd Dog, Loki.


Find her at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victoriapaig...

Twitter: @vpaigebooks

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Reviews

[Bitchy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a bit chaotic & kinda odd. The story was all over the place, convoluted & way way wayyyyy too much drama & twists. I did not like Gabbie at all. She cheated on her 1st husband, the love of her life, Declan, who had been mourning the loss of his sister. Even though she didn't sleep with the dude, Nick, she still got almost naked & was writhing around on the bed with him. The minute you mentally go there & you carry it out, you're cheating. Sex isn't the only way to cheat. The she gets all offended that he wants a divorce & he supposedly cheated back with her step mother. Give me a break! She ends up pregnant, then loses it & then decides to marry Nick, not long after her divorce, with Declan is finalized. And her reasons to marry Nick? Because she wanted to have another baby so badly & he was a comforting ear during her hard time. So, she's using this other poor schmuck just to have a baby. She eventually gets pregnant but loses it & then divorces Nick. ARE. YOU. KIDDING. ME?!!!! This chick is nuts!!!!

Fast forward 17 years, Declan works for a private company made up of all military dudes, and he's assigned to protect Gabbie's celebrity younger half brother after their dad is murdered. This is where things start to get really chaotic & just way too much for 1 story. Baby swapping, bio weapons, cartel, gangsters, drug poisoning & so much more drama. In a nut shell, Gabbie's younger brother, Theo, isn't her brother, he's her son! Her baby had been stolen by her ex step mother & raised as her own to appease the drug lord she was having an affair with. Declan had figured it out first since Theo looks identical to him. Then when Gabbie eventually finds out, her reaction is anticlimactic. For someone that was willing to do anything to have a kid, she sure had little to no reaction. And, when Theo found out, he was also very nonchalant about it. Eventually all the drama calms, things get resolved, Dec & Gabbie remarry & everything is peachy.

This story just had way too much going on. Everytime you think you're keeping up, something new pops up & then something else & then another twist & turn. It was making my head spin. I just didn't care for the lead female & how Declan could look past what she did.

[Southern Lady Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this has a good storyline but I just couldn't get into it. It seems somewhat complicated for what I needed at the time (smutty and easy listening)

DNFed at 40%. Perhaps another day.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second chance at love…

****4.5 Stars****

I have just been introduced to a new culinary delight thanks to The Ex Assignment. Peanut butter toast with pieces of sliced apple on top is delicious. Whether it be trying new culinary delights, or googling words, places, and things, I love expanding my knowledge. Victoria Paige takes me past the culinary delights to bombs, cartels and biochemical warfare. Again, Ms Paige has me convinced she is CIA and just happens to love writing romance stories on the side. Her stories just seem so believable and I’m scared how accurately she portrays what is happening in our world.

I really enjoyed reading The Ex Assignment and in some ways, I was surprised how much I loved it. The original picture I was seeing turns out to be wrong and what I ended up with is so much better. Like any good story, it takes a wee bit of time to unpack all the pieces and slot them into the right places. Gabby and Declan’s story has a lot of rough edges and it’s only after 17 years apart that they realise the mistakes of their past. Immaturity and lack of life experience hindered their young relationship, and secrets, betrayals, and heartbreak kept them apart. Now that the secrets have been exposed, Gabby and Declan must decide whether to risk a second chance at love.

It is definitely not a smooth ride for Gabby and Declan. While dealing with seeing each other again, they are also having to fight the bad guys, deal with Gabby’s half-brother, and solve the murder of her father. But, their attraction and connection to each other can’t be denied. Now they must learn to trust each other again and see if love can survive the second time around.

The Rogue Protectors is a new series but we do get to catch up with some old friends. I loved the fast-paced and exciting world we are introduced to. The characters are strong, determined, and excellent at what they do. I absolutely loved Garrison’s character who reminded me of another favourite from Ms Paige’s Guardians series, Viktor Baran. Those cranky, bossy Alpha males with their single-minded focus on their objectives, really make me laugh. They are both very intimidating but it’s obvious that they have a heart underneath the tough exterior.

The Ex Assignment was exciting from start to finish and I was left extremely satisfied. The sexy times were sizzling, and it was obvious that they were meant to be together. Yes, I was a little frustrated with their separation and what led up to that separation. It’s obvious they married too young and didn’t really have proper guidance or their priorities straight. This second time around was the right time, and the author convinced me they would make a success of their relationship.

If you haven’t tried a Victoria Paige romance yet, I highly recommend giving The Ex Assignment a try.

Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.

[Natasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the things I HATE in books is stupid misunderstandings that could have been resolved with just one conversation, and this book was full of it.
Also too muchhh family drama, I felt like I was watching a mexican telenovela, the only thing that was missing was the evil twin😂

[Vfc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chance - a seventeen year separation...within that time Gabby remarries, but that marriage also falls apart and she becomes a detective. Declan is sent as part of the security detail to protect Theo her younger brother based on Peter’s suspicious death. Neither of them has been intimately involved with anyone for the past three and four months respectively.

I’m an admirer of this writer’s work such as (Fire and Ice, Guardians, #1), therefore this was a natural transition to her newest release. Her female characters represent a tapestry of strength and assertiveness in male dominated environments. They are physically fit, toned, keep in optimum shape with weights and martial arts and can hold their own in combat.

Peter’s death is suspicious and something in the will triggered red flags.” “What red flags?” Levi asked. “Let’s put it this way … Revenant Films was right in hiring you as Theo’s security.”

At the will reading, a letter from Peter to Gabby
“Gabrielle, I’ve watched you struggle with what happened all those years ago. You needed your family and I’ve been selfish, thinking of my own happiness and didn’t consider your own. I tried to contact you, but you never returned my emails, calls, or texts. I hope you view Theo in a different light than me and Claudette. He’s a good kid—if not spoiled, but I hope spending time with you will teach him about the real world. Because of that, I would like for Theo to move in with you for the duration specified in this will.”

Her father forces them to be together, with Gabby acting as his guardian. Her brother—who she now knows beyond a shadow of a doubt, was never her brother, but the lovechild of her ex-husband and her stepmother, Claudette. Declan’s son. All these years since Theo hit puberty, Gabby thought she’d imagined seeing a replica of her ex. Her relationship with Theo strained, but now with Declan’s return, the ugly truth is staring her in the face.

Declan to Gabby
“Theo Cole is not your father’s son.” Her face blanched of colour, then her face hardened, a chill taking over her eyes.
“Not here.” She walked ahead of him.
“What? Afraid the world will know the truth”?
“The truth”?
“He’s mine,” he choked.
“You’re right, he’s yours.”
“Why? Why did you lie?”
“What?”
“Why did you keep him from me?”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“That scene at the hospital. Was that staged? Guilt me enough to get out of your life?”
“You bastard, that scene? Was a woman who’d just lost her baby. That scene? Was a woman whose husband handed her divorce papers three days after she’d lost that baby.”
“You’re not making sense.”
“That day I lost everything,” she said dully.
“He’s our son.”
“No, Declan, only yours.”
“I thought he was my brother all these years. But this …”

For four months Declan shut her out and when his sister died, he shut her out. Claire, his sister has always been on borrowed time with Cystic Fibrosis. Two weeks before they separated, they had hate sex with her being blamed for Claire’s death.

His face twisted in a sneer. “I should never have married you. I should have never married you and maybe, just maybe, my sister would still be alive”. Somehow Gabby knew their marriage was over then, his words ripping out her young insecure heart and unleashing a vindictive vixen.

She almost slept with Nick. Declan was convinced that she did, declared them over, and changed the locks of their apartment. She tried to explain, stalked him until he put a restraining order on her and, ultimately, he served her divorce papers on grounds of adultery.

She would have accepted that their marriage was over and wallowed in self-destruction had she not found out she was pregnant. For a time she hoped a child would fix their marriage, so she made one last ditch effort. But that final effort shattered her when Claudette answered their apartment door wrapped in a towel.
“Pregnant? I’m not the sucker I once was, Gabby. Trying to pawn off another man’s child? When you deliver that kid? I’ll be demanding a paternity test.” He slammed the door on her open-mouthed face. It was the final jolt she needed to accept that she’d lost him.

“I’m done with this sh*t. Done with you. I’m glad you know. You deserve to get to know him as his father. I don’t have the answers you need, take it up with Claudette.”
“Claudette?”
“Yes. Are you forgetting my ex-stepmother? That day I came to you to beg you to reconsider the divorce because I found out I was pregnant and who did I find? My stepmother with a towel wrapped around her body, answered your door.”

She lost the baby because of a brutal mugging. Did Declan think she staged the mugging, too? She checked the rearview mirror just in time to see a motorcycle run parallel with Levi's Escalade before overtaking it. Alertness pushed the past out of her mind, and defensive instincts kicked into high gear. She glanced over at Theo to make sure he was buckled in. “What?” her brother quirked a brow. “Watch out!” Theo screamed. Gunfire sprayed their vehicle and their tires blew. “Hang on!” Gabby yelled. Her car fishtailed, grated against concrete. She almost regained control when a van barrelled out of nowhere and rammed the front of their vehicle, smashing into something unyielding.
“Theo, are you all right?” A groan sounded beside her, but her attention refocused on the masked men who got out of the van.

Claudette appeared on the CIA’s radar recently. The DEA has a file on her that dates back twenty years. More so in the last three since the popular party drug XZite exploded on the Hollywood scene. She and Ortega were lovers. She was his connection to the Hollywood elite and they’d met up over the years, but it was the DEA’s belief that Ortega was using her position as Peter’s wife as a Hollywood insider. What do you remember of your relationship with her?” “Never had a relationship with her. I slept with her once before I married Gabby,”
“And the time Gabby found her in your apartment?
We can only go by the hospital records, and we’re talking seventeen years ago. It seems the quickest way to find your answers is to go straight to the source”.

Before they decided to see each other exclusively, he was a male escort to supplement his sister’s medical care. The first thing he admitted was sleeping with her former stepmother. It was at a time before Claudette married Peter. It did take Gabby a week to digest this new information, and when she decided to take a chance on Declan, she also had to tell Peter.

Confronting Claudette:::
“Why don’t you tell me how Theo came to be your son?”
“He was better off with me and Peter. She was only keeping the baby to hang on to you. It was for the best!”
“So your answer was to steal our kid.?” (He should be relieved not bewildered, as he served her with divorce papers three days after the mugging, questioned paternity, got a restraining order against her; and staged Claudette in a compromising position answering the door in a towel and through the years, she’s been staring at his mirror image in Theo).

“I did you a favor. I set you free. If you found out you had a son, would you have gone on with your dream to join the Army? You hated her. You were going to divorce her. But you had second thoughts, didn’t you? You had the restraining order on her, but you were the one stalking her.”

“How did you know?” It took months before he was able to think about Gabby and the baby. Deep down he knew it was his, but he couldn’t erase the image of her in bed with another man, but that one night he got delayed on a modeling job, she got attacked.
“How, Claudette?”
“I had you followed, I got involved with a very dangerous man.” “Raul Ortega?”
“This is why I contacted you. You have connections that I need.”
“Tell me how Ortega is connected to this baby switch.”
“I wish you wouldn’t call it that. Theo will always be my son” (Theo hates her).
“Talk, Claudette. Why did you do it? Did yours really die?”
“How dare you! Are you suggesting I killed my own baby? I cried for days when I found out my baby was dead in my womb.”
“Are you saying, the switch was premeditated?”
“You don’t understand! Ortega would have killed me if I had no baby to show for it.”
“He was the father.”
“Yes!”

Claudette was right. She stepped out on their marriage, with Nick. They were having irreparable problems. Nothing happened between Nick and herself that night, coming to her senses, but Dec’s timing was impeccable.
“Declan and I … were young. I was barely nineteen and he wasn’t even twenty. We weren’t prepared for how volatile our emotions were, and we didn’t know how to handle it without hurting each other. Anyway, I’m telling you this, because I don’t want you to miss out on having a relationship with Dec. You should give him a chance.”
“Are you reconciling?”
“God, no,” she responded instantly.
“Then why was he in your room last night?”
“We had something to discuss regarding what happened yesterday.”
“Riiiight.” Gabby made a tsk sound at his teasing, batted him on his arm with the back of her hand.

Do you want me to talk to Theo?”
“No Gabby. I don’t need your help with my son.”
It was a slap to the face.

“From his reaction, I gather he still thinks Peter Woodward is his father?”
“Yes. It’s up to you how you want to break it to him. I want no part of it.” Surprised how those words cut into him and his shields slammed up. He watched Gabby greet her brother, sensing no warmth coming from her, and Theo had the rascal attitude going. What the hell was going on?

There was no trace of a mother’s love in her eyes when she regarded Theo. Their interactions hinted more like he was a thorn in her side.

Should Theo believe that Roarke cheated with Claudette, it would be a double betrayal. He views Peter Woodward as the only father he’s ever known. The kid detests his mother, he does seem to like Gabby who prefers not to give him the time of day.

She remembered being lured by Claudette and leaving the convenience store with her. Remembered her head exploding in pain and she wished she had drifted into blessed numbness, but instead, excruciating agony eviscerated her insides. It was her baby being born, her baby never getting a chance to cry. Gabby almost bled out and died. Then the voices came as she floated in and out of consciousness.

“She lost a lot of blood.”
“Get out of here!”
“I’m staying, Peter … I’m her husband.”
“You abandoned a pregnant wife and she nearly died, you son of a bitch—do the right thing. I beg you, Declan. Give her back the life she deserves.”
After three days, she woke up and the first person she saw was Declan, sitting in a chair, his head buried in his hands. Her hands drifted to her belly and it felt so empty. A sob rose in her throat.

“You’re awake,” he said gruffly.
“My baby? You didn’t want him,” she accused.
“Gabby …”
“You didn’t believe he was yours.”
“I’m sorry—”
“Get out! Get the hell out!” The nurses rushed in and then the doctor.

The medical staff tried to calm her down but there were no words to drive out the excruciating pain. She fought everyone until they sedated her. The next time she woke up, the only person she saw was Nick. He was the one who broke the news that her father had taken Claudette and their new baby to France. By her bedside was a thick folded document. Divorce papers. She stared at them dispassionately. Her world already imploded the day her baby died.

Sleeping around for revenge wasn’t in the cards for him because he didn’t trust women. Even when Gabby married Nick, he didn’t go on the rebound. Instead, he gave his best to the Army and was fast-tracked for Ranger school. Eventually there were women. Some were faceless one-night-stands and others were short-term girlfriends. Certainly no one became close for him to want a commitment.

The truth is finally revealed about the baby swapping and his staging a tête-à-tête with Claudette to get Gabby out of his life, which backfired, as the picture painted convinced Gabby they were intimately involved.

“It hurt to look at you then, Gabby, I felt a failure, as a brother, and then as a husband. Finding you in bed with Nick sent me straight to hell.”
“What are you saying? That you and Claudette staged the scene at the apartment?”
“Yes.” He let her manipulate him.
Many times he wanted to blurted out that Theo was their son.

Gabby lives minimalistically, no tchotchkes, no memories. Nick Carter is her ex-husband, Peter’s right-hand man, and Theo’s manager. They can all assume blame for the marriage dissolution. He holds her accountable but, he said utterly vile words to her blaming her for his sister’s death. There’s an old idiom, ‘there’s always three sides to a story, his, hers and the truth.

A hodgepodge of CIA, disbanded mercenaries and LAPD cops. Then the Cartels, drug mules, crime lords, biological weapons, premeditated baby swapping.

“Her mouth is turning blue!” Declan roared. “Calm your sh*t, Roarke, before I have you ejected from here,” not willing to risk getting separated from Gabby.
“You better wake up, Angel, or I’m gonna paddle that a*s red. I love you, dammit! You’re not dying on me, you hear? I don’t care if it’s heaven or hell, I’m gonna hunt you down and drag your a*s back to me. You. Are. Not allowed to f-g die”.

Maybe he needed to be dosed with the same meds. “I’m serious, Gabrielle Woodward. You wake up—” “A**hole.” He shoved Bristow aside and cupped Gabby’s face. “Say it again. Angel, please, talk to me.”
“You talk too much.”
“I love you, Angel.”
“Hate to break this up,” Bristow said behind him. “But let’s save the mushy stuff for later, shall we?” The nurse motioned to the EMT to transfer Gabby to the gurney.

Not a dull moment.

[Victoria Paige]

It's LIVE !!!

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D7QZH58
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08D7QZH58
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08D7QZH58
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08D7QZH58


READ a PREVIEW: CHAPTER 1 & 2


“What are you doing?” A calm voice asked from the doorway.
There stood a version of her ex-husband she couldn’t connect to the nineteen-year-old boy she’d known. He was leaning against the doorframe, one foot crossed over an ankle, arms folded over his chest, biceps bulging, observing her struggle to straighten up, but doing nothing to help her. His eyes were guarded, his mouth tight. Declan of seventeen years ago had packed on maybe twenty pounds of muscle. No trace of the young man she used to know remained. He was broader, seemed taller, and there was nothing safe about him.

[XxTainaxX Curvy and Nerdy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ad on FB peaked my curiosity. While this had a lot of potential, it went largely unfulfilled. There was a lot of telling and not showing. The characters were flat with little to no reaction to big plot twists and felt underdeveloped. The plot was interesting but a little chaotic and a good deal of it could’ve been sorted with an honest conversation. Overall I’d say this wasn’t for me but others may enjoy it.

[Mandy Brennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couldn't finish

I made it 20% of the way and DNFed. There's just so much nonsense stuff happening, I got a headache. I feel like this book is for someone who wants to see two people who had a rocky past reconnect and heal, and also that person loves a new soap opera level drama in every chapter this book. And the main characters are supposed to be in their thirties but act like they're teenagers.

[maggieandteddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This started off with a really fast start. It reminds me of a James Bond movie.
First though, Gabby, the heroine has to get through her father's funeral. Gabby didn't have a very close relationship with her dad.
Her father, Peter, was married to a much younger woman, Claudette. Ohh, look out for her!
There are so many characters, and twists and turns. This kept me reading and turning the pages to see what would happen next. Gabby is a well trained detective with the LAPD. She's well respected. She grew up in a privileged home.
Declan, is a body guard in a personal protection company with hie friend Kade.
Declan and Gabby had a past. They were married years ago and broke up when they were still very young.
Years later, they meet again with so many hard feelings and misunderstandings.
Gabby stayed in L.A. and Declan left to grow up and see the world.
This is 3rd person POV.
As I've mentioned, there are a lot of characters that play important roles in the many plot twists.
I was surprised quite a few times. Gabby and Declan start to get closer and find out what went wrong all those years ago.
Gabby works mainly with men on the force. She really holds her own.
Gabby has also renewed her relationship with her 17 y/o half brother Theo. He grew up close to their dad Peter.
The relationship between Gabby and Declan takes a few turns- as does Gabby's relationship with a her brother Theo.
I enjoyed the action packed ride.There's a great ending and epilogue.
I can hardly wait to find out what happens in the next book! I received an ARC from the author and my review is my own opinion.

[Elizabeth]

DNF at 31%. I give up. The drama is soap opera level. And the editing on who is who and what happened when is all over the place. I just don’t care.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has so many charactors by name anyway that seem so familiar to me. There is a lot going on, secrets, danger, murder and finding out what you believed isn't true after all. Loved this first book. HEA

[Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️🎧📚 Addict ON HIATUS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio - 5 Stars
Story - 3 Stars

[Izzie d · Rating 3 out of 5]

Married young then divorced.
Lots of family interference and meddling, misunderstandings.
Heroine remarried for a brief time.
Both Hero and heroine been with others in 17 years apart.
Mystery.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
HEA.

[Rasa Ievkalne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well. It was not as smooth a ride as I was hoping. Lets start by noting, that I think this was me problem, not the books per sé. I didn't see the chemistry between the main characters and for all their problematic past author spent so mutch building up, there was not enough reconciliation for my taste. It was too quick, too easy, deep hurts never got talked out. And I didn't see enough to believe they could get back together and be a successful couple. Love is not enough. And even the love that was supposed to never have died between the main couple, I didn't feel it or believe in it. Maybe I am just too jaded, maybe I was relating to the amount of hurt caused to heroine and maybe because of that I just couldn't understand how she could so easily fall in the old pattern.

Now I should probably talk about the actual plot and action in this book. In my opinion it was over the top. I admit not to being a huge fan of crime books, but occasionally I do read them. My one unbreakable rule to liking them is author have to convince me it could really happen. Story have to be firmly planted in the realistic realm. So, when author lets her imagination fly and bring the story on fantasy level, it looses that connection to reality. It may be encouraged in fantasy books, not so mutch in books based in real world. I am not even sure if the problem i had was with the row of events themselves or the way author wrote them. The way a story is told is more than half of what makes a book good or not. In this case, I felt it was not done well.

Now, let me remind you again that I believe the problem is more with me as a reader and how I like my books to be told, not the book itself. I am 100% sure there will be plenty of people who love this book. Just not me. It was too unrealistic for a reality based story. Too rushed, too shallow for my taste. So, I gave it the best rating I could. Mostly so that when I am looking for a book from my read list to enjoy again, I will pass this book over immediately.

Do I recommend it? If you don't mind unrealistic plot, unreasonable love story and problematic characters, then you will probably enjoy it.

[Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complicated, twisty second chance read that has both romance and murder. More than a quick read you have to be prepared to pay close attention to all the turns this read takes. A good more than you expect story.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabby Woodward's estranged father is murdered, and in the will she's left her half-brother Theo. She's also a detective which leaves with little time so how is she going to take care of Theo, and he reminds her of her ex-husband Declan. They married too young, so with that young outlook in life, they were able to be torn apart, and it's been 17 years since they saw each other. Yeah, fate stepped in to have him as Theo's bodyguard so things take a turn. Neither got over their feelings for the other, and there's also all kinds of dangerous chaos going on that is being unraveled piece by piece, along with the uncovering of what really happened to end their marriage. It makes for big time twists that had my f-bombs dropping loud & proud as Victoria Paige is fantastic at weaving together an intricate plot, and I'm never able to guess how it all plays out which is simply brilliant in my eyes! So, you want to hit those one click buttons for a heart pounding ride filled with all kinds of intensity, and a side of second chances! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL!

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This was so addictive and totally worth it!
I'm so in love with the characters, can't wait to read the next book.

[Sue Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

All is not as it seems in “The Ex Assignment”

The catch phrase “all is not as it seems” is the perfect gut feeling I had when I first started reading this story. I was quite overwhelmed with the many problems and challenges Gabby and Declan had to face from their past and going forward. I couldn’t imagine how they could ever put the hurt behind them and fix the shattered pieces of their young love in order to try again. But then I remembered that this was a Victoria Paige story, and she has always managed to make even the most broken couples find their way back to one another in a believable and satisfying way. The sad and frustrating events from their past made me want to dig deeper into the relationship’s dynamics in order to understand how the current second chance was going to work. Fate and a twisted suspense plot brings the couple together again. Gabby’s father has been murdered and her brother, Theo, has been assigned a security team that includes her ex, Declan, the man who left her heart broken after their divorce years ago.

This second chance for Gabby and Declan in the midst of several suspense plots was quite a volatile ride. The whole relationship was so complicated and raw that it made me think about how I would react in their places while I was reading. Amidst all the secrets, danger, murder, kidnapping and terrorist threats, there is something major that happened in this couple’s past that is going to turn their world upside down. The view of what happened in the past changes for the couple and for the reader as well when new information is revealed about what went wrong during their marriage. I love stories that turn your view on its head and you find that what you perceived about people and events changes the more you read. The past tragedies and suspense elements keep you turning the pages. I felt the tension as they navigated through miscommunications, tragic circumstances, interference from outsiders, and cruel deceptions.

Victoria Paige always brings in great suspense plots that are timely with the dangerous elements we face today in the world. Her research is always educational when reading about how law enforcement, military ops, and private security companies fight crime and terrorist attacks. It was intriguing to read about a female detective who is fearless, tough, and competent at her job while still being feminine and vulnerable to letting her guard down to love again. It was refreshing the way Declan could temper his fears and overprotective, alpha nature when Gabby is at risk and experiences the same dangers he has on the job. Dec could still be strong, protective and caring when Gabby needed him to be.

These two had to recover from loss, betrayal, and an ugly divorce and somehow find forgiveness and the strength to find the trust they had lost. They had more than their fair share of obstacles, so an admission of past mistakes and feelings of remorse needed to be expressed in order to believe a happy future together was possible at the end. The couple's still strong attraction and emotional connection made it possible to rise above each challenge. Declan's determination to make things right and get Gabby back were strong attributes of the hero. Gabby’s willingness to learn from the past and take a chance on having the love and family she once dreamed about was crucial to moving forward. There was a lot that both had to forgive from the past and more to overcome with each new reveal or hindrance, but fragments of the whole picture finally fit into place and those who tried to ruin their happiness were overcome. This author serves up a satisfying finish with a hopeful future for Gabby and Declan. Ms. Paige’s stories just keep getting better, and I look forward to more stories in the Rogue Protectors series!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Camille]

DNF. Just bored out of my mind. I got to somewhere around 65% and just couldn’t trick myself into continuing on. Romantic suspense is really not my fave, but I thought with the lure of infidelity and second chance tropes I could bear it. Turns out I could not.

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good read. LA detective Gabby Woodward's life has been turned upside down her estranged father has just been murdered and she has been named guardian of her 17 year old half brother Theo who is a tv star. Ex-mercenary Declan Roarke had hit rock bottom.
His new assignment mentoring teen actors was the gateway to hell. Declan is Gabby's ex husband and the each still has some hurt feelings. When her father dies Declan is asked to protect her and her brother. This was a pretty good read this was my first time reading this author. This book had a lot of action in it. These two set there problems aside when they realize that a drug cartel was responsible for the murder of her father. This was a good read and I liked the narration of this book as I listened and read it. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading or listening to the next book in this series.

[Nickie Sale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow a real page turner with a lot of action. When Declan is sent to look after a teen movie star little does he know he will have to face his ex wife Gabby. Married when they were very young and lets just say it was conspiracy that riped them apart, they are now faced with dealing a 17 year old teen movie star, Gabby's brother after her fathers death. There's a lot going on in this book, and whereas you may guess some of it early on, there is definately a lot of action with a lot of twists you won't see coming. Looking forward to book 2 !!

[Alison Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish!! Drama, tears, twists, turns, action, sassy teenagers and some revelations that you won't see coming are just some of the great things you get from this story. I love second chance romance book and this one definitely didn't disappoint. I can't wait to read the next book from this author!!

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabby’s life is about to be turned upside down as not only is she trying to investigate the suspicious death of her father, but she is now responsible for her half-brother Theo. Trying to balance this along with her career as a Police Detective and the sudden reappearance of the man she believes betrayed her is about to become not only complicated but dangerous as well.

Declan can’t believe that a man with his background is now tasked with coaching young actors which is only made more difficult when it reunites him with the woman who broke his heart. As the intrigue and surprises escalate there are a lot more questions than answers, but will this be their opportunity to work through the secrets of their past or are they destined for devastation once again?

This is a story about two people who have always belonged together however they were unable to overcome their love being tested. The chemistry and connection between them is stronger than ever and they must not only deal with the past but the danger in the present as well.

[Jenn the Readaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me on quite the ride! Gabby and Declan have a lot of anger and hurt to get past so they can work together, but it seem like every time they uncover one piece of the mystery, another puzzle appears to stop them from figuring it all out. And once they finally hash out everything that ripped them apart so long ago, they have to fight to stay alive long enough to enjoy their lives.

This book had a lot of twists and some angst, both of which kept me wondering what would come next. It was a great start to a new series and I can’t wait for more!

[Paige Whitecotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow so much.

This book kept me turning the pages to find out what was next. The suspense was enough to make me have goose bumps at times. The hate, hurt, confusion, understanding, and love was palpable. Definitely worth the read.

[Jo West · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars plus!

Wow this is an awesome read..I loved Declan and Gabby's story, it has an amazing storyline that flows smoothly from one chapter to the next, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, it has a twisting and winding plot that will have your heart racing! I have read a number of books by Victoria Paige and the Ex Assignment is her best book yet, I can't wait for the next book in the series Protector of convenience.

[Jennifer Richey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello shut the front door! 2nd chances, military ops, secrets and kick ace people in this book! Gabby when her father dies he leaves in our will that her little brother Theo has to stay With her and that’s where the twist comes in he has to have a bodyguard that so bodyguard is her ex husband Declan. That’s not all this family is all about secrets but who gets hurt at the end?

[Gena · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - This was an interesting, unique storyline that had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, the execution was lacking. Some of the writing was jumbled and timelines/details were very unclear, to the point of distraction. With better editing this could easily be a homerun, as I really did enjoy the basic premise.

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more like 2.5 rounded up....alot of this story didn't work for me

[Bookish.Midnight. and. black · Rating 1 out of 5]

OTT, exaggerated, stupid heroine, a 17 y gap, ridiculous