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"Does that mean you're in?" he asked softly, staring down at her.

She arched a brow. "As opposed to staying here, hiding under your ma's bed?"

"Big, bad, brave Ruby." A hint of smile suddenly touched his mouth, softening him, and for a moment, she couldn't look away. "That's my girl."

Sweetheart. My girl.

"Don't," she warned him.

He only stared at her, eyes gleaming.

"You can't blow it up," she said again.

He lifted a brow. "But I like blowing things up."

She remembered the chilling, scary man she'd met in her apartment and wasn't surprised. "Rafe."

He stared at her for another long, motionless moment, his gaze stroking over her, and something glinted in his gaze, something she didn't recognize and didn't trust. Something that made her far too aware of herself, of him, and flushed her cheeks with hot, stupid color.

Then he handed her the sketchbook and sat down beside her.

"Show me," he said.

◆◆◆

When the boy who broke her heart crashes back into Ruby Jones's life, she's determined to give him the boot. There are some things a girl simply can't forgive, and being forgotten is at the top of the list.

The last person CIA Agent Rafferty Blackheart expects to find while retrieving the message left for him by his dead partner is the childhood friend he left behind two decades earlier. But the woman he discovers bears little resemblance to the girl he remembers, and even though the sight of her breathes life into everything he's spent years fleeing, walking away from her is an impossibility.
Because Rafe is on a mission, one he can't complete without Ruby. So no matter their dark history, their mutual distrust, or the intense, unwelcome pull between them, they must come together. To avenge the death of an innocent; to save a child. And to stop a mad man bent on reshaping the human race.

Before it's too late.

A dark, edgy, steamy thriller with characters you won't forget…contemporary romantic suspense at its best.

274 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2021

80 people are currently reading
69 people want to read

About the author

Hope Anika

20 books62 followers
Winner of RWA's Vivian Award and the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense, Hope Anika writes heartfelt romantic thrillers.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
1,263 reviews
July 18, 2022
They were fighting over the bag, she was giving as much as she got, someone had trained her well, he was good but so was she…… until she looked into his eyes, the only bit of him that she could see, one as black as night and the other with glinting swirls of brown, blue and green, she was stunned, it couldn't be, until he said "Ruby"? she was suddenly transported to the worst time of her life.

Rafferty Humboldt had been her friend, she had comforted him and protected him as they shared a horrific childhood but when she was eight years old and he was ten he had left her behind, she could forgive him leaving but he had forgotten, that she couldn't forgive, all the past hate and anger returned, she despised Rafe with all her being.

Rafe, now a CIA officer wanted the messenger bag that Ruby Jones was delivering, he was looking for clues as to who had killed his partner and best friend, Jack, in the bag was a message which was a matter of national security and the thing that has got Jack murdered, Rafe needed to know who was Jack's informant on the inside of the weapons plant.

As this story unfolds, the danger is worse that Rafe first thought, Ruby reluctantly agrees to work with Rafe and along with Pete, an older friend of Rafe and Jack and Sean McDougal, Jack's brother , who had been a member of the Irish Republican Army building bombs and Sean's prepubescent son, Mickey a computer genius they set off to blow up the chemical weapons plant…………… what could go wrong ?

This story is fast moving, action packed, with nail biting suspense, the author has managed to capture the pain, anger and desolation of Ruby, it is palpable. Ruby has grown into a beautiful but insular woman, she needed no one, Rafe into a ruggedly handsome man, the chemistry is there by the bucketful, can Rafe ever win Ruby's trust, will Ruby ever let down the barriers that she has built, where does Trudy Gordon fit into the story ? will this Kamikaze mission succeed, the appearance of young Henry is a game changer, they must survive.

I loved this story even though I hadn't read the first one in the series.

I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary.
507 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2021
"Rafe was still very much a predator. Unflinching in the face of violence, his appetite for blood a little too healthy. Ruby could relate; for her, violence was an outlet she rarely allowed herself. It was not something she sought out, but when it found her, she used it."

I will admit that I almost did not read this book. I should know better. Never judge a book by its cover, yet I did. For some reason it did not intrigue me. I gave it a chance after the blurb. I'm so glad I did.

The book starts in the middle of action and it just keeps going non stop. It was engrossing, and even though there is a lot of inner voice, it kept moving the story forward. There is action, deep reflection, character growth, and romance. The story will keep you invested until the end.

Both Rafe and Ruby are survivors of a chaotic painful past. Rafe was able to walk away from that and he never looked back. It was too painful so he buried that past, unfortunately Ruby was part of that past.

Eight year old Ruby grew up unforgiving of the boy that never looked back and though her past was horrible she managed to survive. So when Rafe unexpectedly shows up again, she tries desperately to run away from him. Her grown up heart returns easily to the feelings of a betrayed eight year old.

Because of their past, he's cold and calculated, she's just as cold and calculated as him. Both have nothing to lose and suddenly they are thrust together on this whirlwind adventure to save the world. Can they save the world while protecting their hearts?

I received a free copy of this book and I voluntarily reviewed it.
Profile Image for Yoneidis.
2,149 reviews12 followers
March 1, 2021
It’s the first book I read by this author and it has amazed me.
It’s a story of spies, of an almost suicidal mission to save the world, but it’s also the story of 2 old friends who, after almost 2 decades without seeing each other, they meet again.
Ruby and Rafe lived together when they were children, both also have in common bad experiences with their parents. But Rafe leaves and is adopted by an lovely couple leaving Rubi behind.
Now they meet again with the death of Jack, Rafe’s partner in the CIA, and they embark on a mission that will lead them to work with great characters: Pete, Sean( Jack’s brother and bomb expert) and Mickey( Sean’s teenage son and genius hacker).
They all head to Norway to destroy a laboratory where a virus is created that can erase an entire race from the face of the earth.
It’s a story that hooks you from the first page. Action-packed, funny thanks to Sean and Mickey and his comments, with much love between Ruby and Rafe.
Highly recommended.

“I need you,” he told her bluntly. “I’m tired of just surviving, of being without. I missed you. And now that you’re here…I’m not letting go.” Her head was shaking, but her eyes were on fire, and her mouth was trembling. Her hand clenched in his shirt. “Don’t.”“I don’t care if you believe me,” he told her sharply, even though it was a lie. “I’ll prove it. Every moment of every day, I’ll be here. Doing whatever you need, being whoever you need me to be. And someday soon, you won’t be afraid to fall, because you know I’ll catch you.”
3,714 reviews42 followers
December 17, 2020
This is book two of The Guardians Series and it is Ruby and Rafe's story and omg what a story it is. Rafe is a CIA agent and when Jack his partner and best friend is killed while trying to uncover a weapons manufacturing plant Rafe decides that he is going to complete what Jack hadn't but he was not expecting Ruby who is a blast from the past. Ruby is a messenger along with other occupations and while delivering a message she was not expecting to see Rafe who walked away from her when they were younger. Rafe and Ruby have to work together as they are both in danger so they have to deal with the consequences of their actions but can she let go with her anger to see what has always been right in front of her. While Rafe and Ruby have strong chemistry and feelings for each other will they come out of this situation alive so they can eventually be together. Omg this book was absolutely amazing and full of twists and turns and the characters and storyline pulled you in right from the first page and I couldn't put this book down. Hope Anika is fast becoming one of my favourite authors and I can't wait to read more of her books in the future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Zsa Zsa.
1,167 reviews1 follower
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August 24, 2021
After reading The Bequest (Book One of The Guardians Series) I looked forward to Rafe's story. If you haven't read or choose not to read Book 1, you can read it and enjoy this book as a standalone. In my opinion you will miss out on a nuanced portrayal of a young boy who has a complicated and emotional backstory. Ruby also made an appearance in Book 1.

Rafe is out for justice, his partner friend and fellow agent is dead...murdered. His superiors have closed the case. He has a lead that could provide answers. The meeting with the Messenger goes of the rails when is is unable to provide the correct password. Ruby cuts and run when the delivery goes bad. Flouting protocols she examines the undeliverable message, thus setting in motion a journey of danger and action.
Rafe and Ruby haven't seen each other in decades, yet there exists a visceral connection between them.
Joined together they must navigate feelings old and new, personal issues, peril and unexpected events.
This was an entertaining read with a satisfying HEA.
Profile Image for Catlou.
1,418 reviews15 followers
August 31, 2023
Have you ever watched a TV show that was so intense and thrilling you looked forward to each week's episode? Well, BLINDSIDED is like that show except you don't have to wait to know what’s going to happen next because it's right in front of you, ready to be devoured from start to finish without stopping. And trust me, once you begin you will NOT want to stop. The building chemistry and feelings between Rafe and Ruby as well as the threat of potential danger to their lives will bring your heart into your throat and keep it there. The side characters, while adding depth to the story, also help to garner more interest and involvement in the narrative. The intensity never lessens from beginning to end, whether it's the action, the drama, or the emotions, it will keep you glued to every page and unwilling to walk away until the end. The only thing I missed was not getting to see Cheyenne and Will again. I had hoped we’d at least get a visit at the end but that certainly didn’t diminish my overall enjoyment of this story.
300 reviews2 followers
December 28, 2021
This was another great book by Hope Anika. The perfect combination of romance and danger with great main and side-characters. Anika writes very well so that you end up immersed in the story, feeling what the characters feel. Her characters are very human with all their flaws but there is enough to like that I wanted to follow their adventure and have them get together. And the mystery/danger element had me turning page after page, right from the start.

The one thing with this book is that I struggled to imagine a five or six year old being so in love that it carried through twenty or more years.

The book is a standalone, but it follows on from the one before (though many years later) and reading them in order would better explain the histories of the two main characters. So if you can get the one before, do so. It is a great book.

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy of this book for free but this review is my honest opinion and freely given.
Profile Image for Deborah.
445 reviews7 followers
April 6, 2022
Whew! I should know better than to pick up a suspenseful book like this at night. But the story starts out a bit slow. A woman encounters the grown-up version of a childhood friend. She felt betrayed when this kid went off with a guardian and didn't take her with him. After all, he'd practically lived with her family, bad though it had been. There remains a bit of confusion for me about their relationships with 3-letter spy agencies and such, but there's a clandestine bioweapon manufacturing operation in Norway and a dead friend who didn't know he had a son before he died. Loads of suspense and a tiny touch of romance and… Well it is too late to go to sleep now…

This, as I said, starts slow, but cranks up fast and is hard to put down.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Avid Reader.
814 reviews7 followers
January 2, 2021
I had not read the first book and this works as a standalone (I have since bought book 1 as this one was so brilliant and I wanted to hear about Rafe's background). This was a fast paced action packed book with a very well writtten set of diverse characters united by a desire to avenge the man who linked them all together. This was set against the back drop of Rafe and Ruby meeting for the first time since Rafe left Ruby with her abusive family when he was 10 and she was 8 after his mother died. Both their lives and the people in them had shaped them into the adults they had become but the frightened children who were close friends were still buried inside them. A brilliant book with a great ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
869 reviews3 followers
January 3, 2021
This books certainly made for a wonderful sequel to its predecessor. There is almost non-stop action and so much drama and suspense that I couldn’t put it down. Hope Anika is fast becoming a favorite author as her books always leave you on the edge of your seat. When Rafe decides to finish what his partner started in the investigation, things really heat of fast and he meets quite a bit of trouble. His and Ruby’s romance though was so romantic! They make a fantastic couple and the chemistry & connection between them was beautiful to see. I can’t wait for the next book to come out

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Elizabeth McDaniel.
2,383 reviews
January 11, 2021
Rafe and Ruby were best friends when they were young and both had horrible mothers. But he left her, then she was all alone. In and exciting and interesting twist of fate Ruby was delivering a package but the drop went all wrong and she realized it was Rafe. The deadly, dangerous, intriguing, world saving, revenge journey they were forced on led to them discovering their love was still there even though he held it under his tough exterior and she tried to hate him. Exciting and fun read with good characters

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Romaine Heart.
2,337 reviews30 followers
August 18, 2021
When CIA Agent Rafe Blackheart went rogued to find his dead partner's killer little did he know that his past would come back to haunt him. The little girl he left behind. Now a woman. The guilt.
Ruby survived her childhood. Getting out of the hood. Making something of herself. Forgetting the little boy who shattered her heart.
With Rafe and Ruby being reunited they along with others try to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of his former partner that leads to international corruption.
Thank you Booksirens and the author for a digital copy. Read and reviewed voluntarily and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own
5,665 reviews63 followers
August 11, 2022
Rafe lived with Ruby and her family for a while as a foster kid and then at 10 years old he was sent elsewhere. He is now a CIA agent looking for the killer of his partner. Ruby reenters as the messenger that brings something for the partner, but Rafe does not know the code so she runs.
The characters are terrific and complex. The storyline is a roller coaster ride of drama, danger, secrets, surprises, steam and old wounds. Working together gets them feeling something more could happen between them. Loved the chemistry and intrigue so much I could not put the book down. Great ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,249 reviews15 followers
January 3, 2021
This is the next book in the series, and hoping there is more. This is the story of Rafe and Ruby. Rafe is the child from the Bequest. Rafe is trying to intercept a message from his partner who died. This is an edge of your seat ride. I could not put it down. This is as good as the first. We have intrigue, action, romance, secrets and betrayal. This has wonderful characters and an interesting story line. This is a wonderful sequel. Great story, so worth reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Chaotic Bookshelf.
28 reviews2 followers
December 9, 2021
This the first book I’ve read by this author, of you like suicidal missions and spy game then this is for you. Bonus points if you like found family and rag tag team of misfits who might want to kill each other. I did not read th first book before this, as it has different characters story in each book of this series. I liked the chemistry between the two MCs and the sarcasm from the side characters didn’t hurt either. Did I like this book? Yes. Would I recommend it? Again, yes.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
3,352 reviews18 followers
January 5, 2021
A well written plot that captivates you and holds your interest from the start. Warning, once you start reading, you'll find it hard to put it down. Well developed characters that are easy to get to know and you enjoy reading their story. The author has a unique way of writing that story so that you can't help loving it. A great series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Profile Image for Margaret Yelton.
2,140 reviews44 followers
June 4, 2021
Blindsided is book two in the Guardian Series, and although I did not read first book I had no problem reading this as a stand alone. Rafe is now a man and out for blood after the death of his friend. What follows is a action filled storyline, that reunites Rafe with someone from this past. I would recommend it to others. I received a copy of the book from Book Sirens, and am voluntarily leave a review
Profile Image for Liz Sergent.
1,356 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2021
This book is a second in a series and can be read as a standalone. Rafe a CIA agent is working to avenge his partners murder. He teams up with a childhood flame Ruby who intercepts a package that is a whole lot of trouble. This book is full of twists and turns that takes the reader on a wonderful ride. Excellent book!
This received a complementary copy of this book for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Willie-mai.
460 reviews2 followers
June 10, 2022
This is my first book by author Hope Anika and I'm glad that I recently discovered her! If you haven't read any of this author's books then make sure you because once you start you won't be be stop, they're well written, action packed and had a great storyline! Absolutely fantastic storyline and I can't wait to read her other books and the rest of this series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,871 reviews24 followers
October 1, 2021
Ruby and Rafe reunited after a decade apart, but now worlds apart and with lots of baggage they are each carrying around. Can they get past the demons they each own? The past has them at a stand off with each other, trust is a big issue if they are to go forward and defeat the now common enemy. A good mystery with young love sprinkled in between. Very enjoyable read.
1,099 reviews1 follower
April 25, 2024
A good story

I liked that we see Ruby from Race's childhood come back for this story.
Ruby is a strong woman who has made her way in difficult times. Rage is trying to prove he's not his mother, which he never could be, when his best friend dies while investigating something very sinister.
They group together to avenge Jack and others.
Profile Image for Aineenmarie.
391 reviews3 followers
December 31, 2020
I was very surprised on how the plot was so well written that I could not put the book down. I cannot wait for another book by the author. Such a great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
83 reviews
February 11, 2021
By your nails suspense!

Great characters good story line lots of action. It was stamey towards the end but it didn't distract from the story line. This is her 2nd book I've read and I would read another one.
Profile Image for Zeinab Dh.
1,635 reviews38 followers
March 6, 2021
I chose to read and review this book. I liked it a lot. It is well written. It has a nice plot charming captivating characters. I was surprised in some scenes but it is great and do recommend it to readers
Profile Image for BecReadReview.
1,900 reviews35 followers
July 13, 2022
Rafe is complicated & cold. Ruby is hurt & determined. Together they set off fireworks. The past has a hold on them. Their chemistry is hot. The banter between the team of misfits leaves you laughing. An plot that keeps you engaged & emotional. Good read!
7,813 reviews65 followers
February 15, 2021
The characters are engaging and well developed with a good storyline throughout the pages.

I received a copy and am voluntary leaving my honest review.
241 reviews
April 19, 2021
Amazing book

I devoured this book! Hope Anika just keeps getting better. I've thoroughly enjoyed every one of her books. Looking forward to the next one.
151 reviews1 follower
August 6, 2021
The boy has become a man.

Book Two in the Guardian Series, Blindsided is everything that its predecessor, The Bequest, originally was. It is a well-developed sequel with a complex plot that takes its riders along intricate twists and turns with intriguing characters originally introduced in the first book. To put it simply, Hope Anika has a unique way with words!

The boy has now become a man. The boy bequeathed to Cheyenne Elias by her worst enemy and adopted by her and her man, Will Blackheart, is now Rafe Blackheart, a bad-ass CIA agent out to avenge his partner’s murder. He is attempting to intercept a message from his dead partner when he realizes he is tangling with the girl he left behind all those years ago, Ruby Jones. But the woman he is battling is not the little girl of 20 years ago either.

Together with a ragtag group of semi-criminals, these two have an impossible mission to complete. Along the way, Rafe realizes his partner had secrets and a brother who was not what he seemed. More importantly, Rafe recognizes feelings for Ruby that were dormant but not gone.

Hope Anika writes thrilling romantic suspense. She has a skill that few other authors have. Her books are created with patience and thought. She twists her plot and her characters in ways that are not predictable. That is what makes her books so special!

I am a devoted fan. I have been since I read my first Hope Anika book which was The Bequest. I don’t even have to read the synopsis to know it will be amazing. I just buy the latest book.

Take my word for it. This book is worth every penny! You will not be disappointed. I was given a Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I liked it so much that I bought it for my personal collection.
Profile Image for Marion.
1,815 reviews
January 1, 2022
This is the second book in the series but I have not read the first. This did not diminish my enjoyment of this story in any way. It is well written and easy to follow. CIA Agent Rafferty Blackheart is attempting to avenge his partners murder. He knew he was investigating something off the books and Raff is trying tp piece together what it was. While attempting to intercept a message he runs into his childhood lover Ruby Jones. Ruby, an EMT, is now a messenger. Since Raff doesn't have the correct code she leaves with the parcel. She destroys the parcel but first looks at it. Able to have total recall, she doesn't realize the danger that it puts her in. Raff saves her from an attack at her apartment and takes her away to safe hiding place. He explains that he needs the info she saw but that is it. He doesn't want to put her in further danger. Already involved, Ruby makes a deal. Take me with you or no info. The saving the world plan is concocted. With old friends, his partners brother and son and Ruby, a dangerous mission is underway.

This is a complex story that has a lot of twists and turns. The characters are really interesting. This is a romantic suspense that will keep you guessing right until the very end. The very best kind of story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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