Protect You

Love on the Clock #4

by Nichole Rose

This SEAL will wage war to win a future with his feisty girl.

Bryant
I loved Gia Duncan the day I met her.
But I knew I had to ship out, so I said nothing.
I'm back now, and all I want is to claim my girl.
I think I have a real chance until I say something stupid.
Now she wants nothing to do with me, but that's too bad.
An angry client is targeting her, and I'm her first line of defense.
I just left a war zone.
I'll wage another if that's what it takes to win her heart and her safety.
She's mine to protect, and I'm taking no prisoners.

Gia
I thought Bryant Denver cared about me.
But I wrote him every week. He never wrote back.
Now he's accused me of sleeping with my brother.
And saved me from a crazy client.
He says I'm his and swears he's not going anywhere.
I'm so afraid to let him in again.
He broke my heart once.
Can I trust him to protect it this time?

Warning
This older SEAL isn't afraid to fight dirty to claim his younger curvy girl. If office romance, over-the-top men on a mission, and feisty heroines make you happy, you'll love Gia and Bryant. This sweet, steamy romance from Nichole Rose comes complete with a sticky-sweet and guaranteed HEA.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Novella, Military Fiction, Contemporary

101 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 29, 2021

About the author

Four-time award-winning author Nichole Rose writes deliciously dirty rom-coms, sports, and small-town romance, featuring relatable curvy women and the devoted alpha men who can't live without them. From obsessed billionaires to over-the-top hockey players to the firefighter next door, no one is safe from the hilarious, sassy women she sets loose on the world. She loves delivering relatable characters, hilarious banter, and enough heat to make you squirm.

Nichole also writes dark romance as Nichole Fallon.

When not writing, Nichole enjoys fine wine, cute shoes, and everything supernatural. She is happily married to the love of her life and is a proud ringleader in the world’s most ridiculous chihuahua circus. She and her husband live in central Arkansas.

Reviews

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

This one was a fast pace good book.

Bryant is finally back from being overseas and he is finally going to claim his girl and once he sees another man at Gia house he thinks she moved on. And he needs answers and when they get into a mini fight over his assumptions and finds out that guy is her brother. He needs to work for his girl.  As for Gia she has few emotions dealing with her long lost crush/man and a client who wants to cause her harm because he blames her for the lose of his money.

No ow/om drama, Drama, slight secondary character, sexy times, virgin gal and no manwhore

Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐⭐⭐
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶

Slowinsta
25h/40H
No condom
Tiny pull away from h
Safe
Hea
Epilogue

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stars: 5
Length: Novella
POV: Dual
Series: Love On The Clock (stand alone but connected)
Ending: HEA
Re-read? Yes

"Fight me, Gia baby," I murmur. "Fight like hell if you need to do it. Hate me if that makes you feel better. I'll carry that for you. I'll carry whatever you need me to carry. But know that when you're done being mad, you're mine."

Can I just start rating books: Nicole Rose? Then you'll just know it's amazing and worthy of a re-read? Again, the woman can do no wrong for me. She definitely has a style but she still manages to make each book and each series feel different.

We finally get Gia and Bryant's story! I love a good military man finding the love of his life. Bryant returns from his latest tour and comes home to get the woman he loves, Gia. Gia has been writing to him every week that he's been gone. They were good friends (who obviously had feelings for one another) before he left to go to war six months ago. The first stop he makes when he gets home is to Gia's house so he can tell her he loves her and another man opens the door. He's crushed but undeterred. He is still going to make her his. Too bad it's all a misunderstanding! They get off on a shaky foot at the beginning.

"You don't get to hurt me and then bully your way back into my life like nothing happened. You broke my heart last night, Bryant. I have nothing to say to you."

It's basically just another perfect read from Nicole Rose.

[♡Tonya♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bryant and Gia

Nichole Rose has become one of those authors that I look forward to seeing what she does next. I have really enjoyed some of her stories, including this one. Sexy, alpha Navy Seal and his smart, sweet BBW!

-no cheating
-no ow/om drama
-1 year separation- neither with others
-virgin heroine/ no info on hero’s past
-excessive use of the endearment “Gia baby”. - he called her that 46 times (yes I checked)
-great epilogue 6 years out. It was very informative about their lives which is what I look for in an epilogue

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Protect you was a good friends to lovers story! Very cheesy and sweet. Hero and heroine were adorable and kind and the epilogue heartwarming!

[Chalice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The couple: Bryant and Gia

Romance trope: friends to lovers; instalove
Series: Love on the Clock
Length: 101 pages

Plot: Bryant was working security at Grant Davis's firm, where he got to know Gia. They really seemed to hit it off, but he never made a move and Gia couldn't figure out why. Then he left for military service and she wrote him, all the time, but he never wrote back. Now he's back in town and Gia isn't sure if she wants to forgive him, especially after he keeps sticking his foot in his mouth.

Commentary: Cute with a jp her and kinda-naive heroine. I say kinda because she is definitely smart (as evidenced by her job). She's innocent though and Bryant is the first man that's ever caught her eye. She just has to be able to trust him again.

Previous book in the series: Keep You
Next book in the series: Love on the Clock: The Complete Series

[The Bosnian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up by recommendation and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. NEW to me author and everything, it's on the shorter side but you get the insta quick love with a hero that is all about his heroine & alpha! Right down my line of reading! Will be reading more by this author, enjoyed the writing style along with the story!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I know peace and joy because of you. I've found hope and home because of you. I don't merely love you, Gia baby. My heart beats for you. My entire world is you. I'm so fucking in love with you, the thought of not having you guts me."

Omgahhhh I absolutely loved this one. This is probably my favorite from this series. Just something about both Bryant and Gia that I loved so much, and them together? Yes. Plus the girl on the cover? She’s freaking stunning. Imagining her as Gia made this book even better.

Bryant wrote Gia a letter before he deployed telling her how much he loved her, but he didn’t think it was fair to ask her to wait for him. He kept the letter in his pocket every day as something to help him get through his deployment and get home.

Gia’s pretty mad when he shows up, and rightfully so - he never responded to her letters that she wrote every single week. I admit, that is kinda messed up, but I forgave him for it because the things he constantly said to her were so damn sweet. He more than made up for it. We get to read the letter at the end and it was just... sigh. I just love the 2 of them together so much.

The epilogue is everything that I love in an HEA and I’m hoping that we got a sneak peek of a new character’s book (*ahem* Jax *ahem*) but we’ll see.

sidenote: this is marked as an older man/younger woman romance but I don’t think either of the character’s ages were mentioned at all soooo I’m not gonna count it.

I’m pretty sure I’ll read anything by Nichole Rose, so here’s looking out for any new releases and I’ll be going to read some of her older series that I haven’t read yet...

4.5⭐️ and definitely worth reading this.

[Liz [reads books] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey this is probably the best NR book I've read. I enjoyed it and I'll probably reread. 4½ stars

[Lisbeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fue una lectura agradable.

[A-reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bryant is so swoon worthy, but as Gia says, she still want to drown him in a bathtub. The two have loved each other since meeting, but Bryant knew he was going to be deployed again and couldn’t ask her to wait for him, just in case. Gia wrote him every week, but she never got a reply back, she scoured newspapers hoping to never find his name in them. Being back home he heads straight to her house, but he’s greeted at the door by a young man, he assumes the worst and leaves there to track her down at work. When he gets there he just in time to save Gia from a client who was about to attack her because he lost a lot of money when he didn’t listen to Gia’s advice. Bryant sends him on his way then puts his foot in his mouth when he accuses her of writing to him while sleeping with the guy at her house. She’s heartbroken and so mad at him. He didn’t acknowledge her the whole time he’s gone and now he accuses her of being a cheater. He walks her to her car where right before she leaves she tells him the guy at her house is her brother. Knowing he messed up big time he calls Grant to let him know about the crazy client. The next day Grant tells Gia that until the client who was part of a pyramid scheme and wanted by the FBI is caught, Bryant will be her bodyguard. She’s not happy when Bryant says they will be staying at his house, but when they go to her house that night, it has been ransacked by the client looking for a file. Knowing that Bryant would die to protect her she forgives him and wants to be with him. At his house they talk a little and enjoy their first time together. He is so sexy and sweet with her. His inner dialogue can come off as not alpha, but his actions are pure alpha, you get the best of both worlds. Lots of I love yous and more sexy times. When the client breaks into her house again, he is chased by Grant’s security and killed by the police. Now that he knows she’s safe he pretty much tells her she’s marrying him and he’s already told her he’s going to knock her up. She finally reads the letter he wrote right before he left. He never sent it, it became his talisman while he served. It was beautiful and heartfelt. Epilogue six years later with three kids and another on the way.

[Nikki_Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!! I just couldn't put it down. Nice, quick read, Short and Sweet. With a wonderful HEA!! Favorite one so far!!

We don't get to read about the first time Gia and Bryant meet in this book. I've read about them in some of the other books. I was so sad when I read in, Hold you, that Bryant was going to be deployed. We do get to read a little about their first meeting, and some of their meetings after that.

Bryant comes back from being deployed and the first thing he want to do is find Gia. Bryant goes to her house only to have another man answer her door. It's her brother, Dante, he is staying with Gia so he can look at Vanderbilt. Bryant doesn't know this he's been away for about a year and a half. Bryant can't believe his eyes and leaves go to Davis Financial Group to find Gia. Unfortunately when he arrives he finds her with a client who is raising his voice at Gia because of a bad investment he made. Bryant makes the guy leave, then says something to Gia about the guy at her house. When Bryant escorts Gia out to her car she finally lets him know it's her brother who is at her house. Bryant follows her home and watches over her all night. When Gia arrives at work the next day Bryant has already filled Grant Davis, owner of Davis Financial Group, in on what happened. Bryant agrees to be Gia security guard and she is staying at his house. When they go to pick up a few things at Gia house she discovers someone has been in her house. Gia feels discussed that someone has picked through her belongs. When they arrive at Bryant's house Gia discovers he has a security dog who loves Gia as much as Bryant does. Mischief, Bryant's guard dog, will protect Gia but also is so sweet and loving towards Gia. While they are sleeping Mischief is barking, Bryant goes to find out who maybe breaking into his home to discover Grant has some news for the both of them. Bryant lets Gia know that the man after her has been taken care of. When Bryant walks Grant out, Gia finds the letter Bryant wrote to her before he was deployed. Bryant finds her sobbing on the couch with his letter in her hands. It is the most amazing, wonderful letter. One that lets Gia know Bryant will be her HEA!!

[Donna Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Why is love so complicated?”
**********
Tropes: Age gap, alpha hero/curvy girl insta-love (*technically), second chance (**)
**********
Triggers: Assault/violence, breeding kink
**********
Bryant met Gia 18 months ago and fell instantly. She did as well. But neither confessed their love (*) before he had to deploy over seas to Syria. Time jump to present when he returns and a series of misunderstandings leave her broken hearted (**) and him more determined than ever to make her his.(*) After which, the Nichole Rose formula takes over. Poof. HEA and a sweet epilogue and bonus scene round out their story.

This chapter of the Love on the Clock series is more angsty than the others. More drama and less spice. Th spice we do get is just as hot as the rest of the series, though. If expanded with greater detail, the plot would make a great full length 5-star read. The characters are mostly complex, if single minded when it comes to each other, and believable. The spice isn’t as big of a part of this story as the others, but what we do get is well written and hot.

Movie rating R, 4/5 stars overall, 4/5 hearts, 3/5 guns for violence on and off page, 3/5 flames. If spicy, insta-love over the top plot novellas are your thing, I recommend the four book series.

[Cat H · Rating 4 out of 5]

It lost a star because I didn’t want it to end and it did. Rude.
God I love Nichole Rose books. They’re always everything I want rolled up into a less than 200 page story. 100 pages In this case. Instantaneous, over the top, possessive love, sex that’s hot as all hell, a cute little plot that adds to the romance without distracting from it, and most of the time, like in this book, there’s a curvy heroine who is smart, and can hold her own.
Plus this one had a pupper. Every book is better with an animal, and that’s just fact, Jack.
I continue to return to Ms. Rose’s books and be completely happy with the results every time. They’re well written, steamy, short reads, with the kind of love that I know isn’t all that realistic or in all actuality maybe not the healthiest, but it’s the kind of love I’ve always wanted. Explosive, and all consuming.
I’ll be over here. Impatiently waiting for more of her books to be released.

[Leslee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how I have waited for Gia and Bryant's story! Bryant has made a series of missteps when it comes to his girl Gia. First, he didn't tell her how he felt, second, he didn't tell her when he was leaving third, he didn't write to her while he was deployed, and finally, he didn't tell her he was coming home. The nail in his coffin was how he reacted to finding a man living in her house. Gia is so hurt by all of these things and isn't shy about showing it. Bryant realizes he is a complete bonehead and sets out to rectify the situation. Bryant is so very lucky that Gia has such deep feelings for him, it probably saved his life. I had all the emotions from this one. His anger at himself for not telling her how he felt and how deep down hurt she was by his silence almost brought me to tears. I don't know how she manages to pack so much into her novellas. It has to be magic, a spell woven out of romance and steam, perfect for escaping reality for a few hours. Ten stars for Protect You!

[Rmqbookqueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Protect you was an amazing friends to lovers story! Like all of her other books, Nichole Rose gave us such an intensity with and romance with her characters in this book. Bryant is a great guy and spent a year and a half with Gia at work building their friendship, so I was understandable that she would be made that he didn’t write her the year he was away in active duty. I appreciated that their drama was resolved in a little over a day, but they were both so in love with each other that a little bit of conflict was good for them and everything was put on the table. If you are in the mood for friends that have been in love with each other and finally get to have their HEA I would recommend picking this book up!
Extra info:
-safe
-age gap om/yw
-hot af
-only have eyes for each other
- HEA a few years out

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall: a good book! I admit, I still prefer "Hold You" in this series, but still a good addition to this series. Ex-NAVY Seal who comes back from home from deployment to finally claim his girl. Not necessarily "miscommunication" between the MCs, no wrong decisions....just, tough situations they were both put in based on his deployment. They both needed to work together to discover how each other felt before, during and after the deployment. Both MCs did great at this. This book really shows some of the many challenges of a deployment and armed services life.

I only give this 4 stars instead of 5 because this felt like a second chance romance. Although it wasn't technically a second chance romance, that's what it felt like. Personally, not a fan of second chance romances.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I love all this authors books

I'd say this book was great as per most all author Nicole Rose books are, they carry maybe between 4 , 4.5, and 5 stars. I'd say this was a 4.5. I liked Gia and Bryant's story very much, only reason I leave half a star off is because I do love a handful of her book a bit more, and then their are two I like, but much less than I usually do.... But even those two books I find worthy of 4 stars.
I love how the characters are in the same fictional world and can be linked somehow to another character, even crowing different series, I'd go crazy if she some how was able to write an ensemble book giving each MC equal story line significance and connectivity( just 1 readers dream story wish here)

[Mildred Campana · Rating 5 out of 5]

True love surpasses any obstacles.

The final story of Love On The Clock. Bryant and Gia are the perfect couple that nearly did not happen. Bryant and Gia were friends but they both feel more. Bryant was deployed to Syria and since he did not want Gia to wait for him just in case he does not make it back he does not tell her how he feels. Gia wrote to him weekly but he never replied. When he got back he was a jerk to Gia. Gia made him work hard before he forgave him. But love conquers all and the story on how they got there is great. A wonderful read and I highly recommended it.

[Kat4 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect

Nichole Rose did it again! Gia and Bryant were made for eachother. NR has combined the sweet innocent h, the alpha protective, totally in love H, the sweet swoony love story, a bit of drama (but not om/ow) and an amazing HEA. I love that she takes us back to past characters in all her series, and a New series never means saying goodbye.. NR is one of the few that truly does that. Add in the every increasing heat level in each book she's been writing lately and it's a one click purchase for me, and will stay that way!!

[Mariel Quiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say other than after reading the first book in the series I was hooked and I rushed to get every other book in the Love on the Clock series. To say that Nichole Rose is dangerous to my wallet is to put it mildly but well worth the danger. So far everything I have read from her has been well worth the read. Fun characters, witty banter, sassy women, hunky men, laugh out loud moments so make sure you read them where you won’t attract attention to yourself when you burst out laughing and lots of hot, steamy sexy time. Sorry, no spoilers, but highly recommended.

[Danielle Grimes-Oliveira · Rating 5 out of 5]

😍😍😍😍

I was hoping we would get Bryant's story so when I saw this story was his I was so excited . Bryant and Gia were perfect for each other. Seeing the characters from the other books always makes me love these books even more. Each and every book Nichole writes I fall in love with and can't wait for her next one.

[Randi Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazingly sweet story

I love Nichole Rose's boosk so much. The possesive males and the curvy women are so amazing to read about. This was a bring tears to your eyes novel with such a great ending. This is oe of my favorite of ehr books. After reading this book, you will want to go back and read all of her other ones too!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I am always amazed at how Nichole Rose can draw me into her stories and keep me reading until I finish it way too quickly. I love military men and the women who love them. This story touched my heart and I can’t imagine a world without this fabulous incredible freaking phenomenal author. Such a great book and I can’t wait for more!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Nichole Rose book is Five Stars!

Bryant and Gia are perfect together, even if it takes a year and half, a deployment and a huge misunderstanding to finally! get them together.

Bryant is one possessive Alpha hero. He worships the ground Gia walks on and every time he said, “Gia, baby,” I sighed.

I adored this book and the whole On The Clock series. Highly recommend.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

Bryant is back and not going to let anything in the way of telling the woman he loves she is his. What he finds makes him furious and his protective side rears up cause Gia will never be harmed on his watch. He just hopes she forgives him for leaving how he did and can let his love guide them into a happy future.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gia and Bryant

Bryant made a mistake never replying to all the letters Gia sent him while he was away on his tour as a SEAL.
Now he is back after a year away and leaving the military and he us ready to get his girl. But will he be able to break through the walls she built againt him?! After he hurt her ? Come and find out.highly recommended

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this short, lighthearted read. Insta love. Older man and younger woman. A captivating storyline, that was sweet, emotional and entertaining. The story moved at a good pace and was a smooth read. Loved the characters, who were warm, adorable together and had such great chemistry. Overall, a really enjoyable read.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Fight me, Gia baby. Fight like hell if you need to do it. Hate me if that makes you feel better. I’ll carry that for you. I’ll carry whatever you need me to carry. But know that when you’re done being mad, you’re mine.”

Insta love that burns over the course of a year and a half. A perfect conclusion to the Love on the Clock series.

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swoooooon!!!

I knew I was going to love Bryant from the first time we met him in the series and I am so happy he found love with Gia. Loooooved this book as well as the whole series!

[Lauren Stockdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Gia and Bryant! Bryant was so possessive and growly but also sweet and sensitive with everything he said, especially the letter he wrote for Gia. I loved the epilogue and I hope we get a story for Jax!