Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Balls & Brawn Security #1

Out of Harm's Way

Rate this book
(Alternate cover edition of ASIN B08ZM6Z365.)

I’m coming after you, baby boy. You’re going to pay for what you did.

The terrifying text message from Mick Water's abuser, recently escaped from prison, sends him spiraling into panic. His life is just getting back on track, and now he's constantly looking over his shoulder and barely able to sleep at night. When his friends arrange for a bodyguard for him, Mick feels a confusing combination of relief at having protection, dismay at the sheer size of his new bodyguard, and arousal due to Mick's attraction to big men. His ex was a big man, and Mick paid dearly for that attraction.
Oxford Bradley enjoys his job with Foster Security, which includes a mixed bag of high-stakes cases--some of them dangerous--and dull babysitting-type situations. When he isn't working, he prefers a serene life devoid of drama and, let’s face it, a somewhat vanilla sex life. Assigned to protect a terrified man from his abusive ex, Ox is horrified at his body’s reaction to not only Mick himself, but also Mick’s admission to a Daddy kink--he’s never had an unprofessional relationship with a client and he isn’t starting now.
As Mick warms up to Ox and the two men get to know one another, the attraction between them grows. Ox refuses to break his professional code, but what about when the danger's over? Living in different states, they can't possibly have more than a one-off, and the temptation to explore with this intriguing man is undeniable.
Will one night send Ox running back to his comfortable vanilla lifestyle, or will Mick help him find a new favorite flavor? And what happens when an opportunity presents itself for Ox to see Mick again?

Out of Harm’s Way is an MM romance and the first book in the Balls and Brawn Bodyguard series.

206 pages, ebook

Published April 5, 2021

130 people are currently reading
184 people want to read

About the author

Rebecca James

45 books289 followers

I write M/M romance with passion. Contemporary, omegaverse, paranormal, sci-fantasy, and a sweeter Boys' Love series. My Boys' Love series is only available on my website:
www.rebeccajamesmmromance.com
For updates on my new releases as well as snippets from my books; my recommendations; news from other authors; and boys' love talk, subscribe to my newsletter.
https://www.subscribepage.com/b0p8h9
My private group on Facebook, Rebecca's Romantic Readers, is the place to be to hear about upcoming books, win prizes, get beta opportunities, etc. Join today! https://www.facebook.com/groups/RJRea...
Follow and like me on Facebook--it helps me grow!
https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaJames...
You can find me on these sites:
Tiktok @RebeccaJamesRomance
Bookbub
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rebec...
Newsletter
https://www.subscribepage.com/b0p8h9
https://twitter.com/rjamesromance1
https://au.pinterest.com/rjames201581/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rebeccajame...



Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
126 (35%)
4 stars
126 (35%)
3 stars
80 (22%)
2 stars
19 (5%)
1 star
7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
Profile Image for Susan.
2,358 reviews461 followers
dnf
April 13, 2021
DNF at 13%

I couldn't get into this at all.
Everything felt so superficial. It was like there was no depth to the story or these guys.

And I get that we met Mick when he was having a threesome with his sister and Jeo and that the sister thing had to be addressed, but now it was like that whole scene didn't play out like we read about before. I understand that it's a weird thing to do with your sister and Mick had to say something about it, but I don't always like it when a character gets his own book and suddenly we are told that the weird scene we read about before wasn't like that at all. Just own up to that shit, or don't write it in the first place.

I'm quite sad that I didn't like this book because I was really looking forward to Mick's book. ☹️
Profile Image for Maddy.
879 reviews
April 12, 2021
Well this was surprisingly..weak. Possible spoilers ahead so proceed with caution.



The blurb promised some thriller action, some adventure, some nerd-jock dynamics, some daddy/boy kink, but all of those angles were very weak. The action part lasted for about 30%, then it was all.. I don't know what. Sexual exploration? There was little to none suspense, and situation was resolved pretty quickly and easily. To be fair there was a car chase which is like an action book must-have, but other than that, I don't think it was even worth mentioning. With how little and shallowly it was explored, I wonder why it was there at all. It could have been just two sentences - "We met when my ex escaped from prison and wanted to kill me. He protected me and that is how our relationship started." Boom. Saved myself a whole third of the book filled with lukewarm protection detail descriptions. Well sure some more ex drama was sporadically happening later in the book too, but that was also ridiculously weak and useless.



The nerd-jock angle was also weak. I saw no indication whatsoever that MC could be considered a nerd. He had no interesting hobbies, no particular area in which he excels in, no books, no video games, no science facts, nothing. There was literally nothing to support the claim that he is a nerd. Unless he is a nerd whose hobbies are clubbing and partying and sleeping around a lot? Yup, totally sounds like a typical nerd description. Absolutely.



But then again, with such unstable personality, it came as no surprise. He was not unstable as in psychotic, but more along the lines of bipolar. Mick's personality was scared and shy, then bold and sultry, squeaking in fear about his ex hurting him, then asking Ox for pain during sex, being all unsure one moment, then bragging about his sexual conquests the next, having panic attacks and anxiety, then flirting with strangers. There was no stable thread of personality treats uniting all these sides, so his personality was very unstable and weakly developed, jumping from one extreme to the next with no in-between. He does not do relationships, mostly just hook ups, yet somehow he was in a relationship with his abusive ex. Or did his ex suddenly develop an obsession like that from one time? Mick is not a golden goose that gives gold eggs, so I don't see why it would happen. Plot hole, meet plot hole. Inconsistent contradictions all over the place. Both characters were weakly developed, but at least Ox was a bit more stable and consistent, but Mick was all over the place, jumping from one mood to another, from one personality to another. Unstable, inconsistent, contradicting, annoying.
And it is not just the mood swings. I am always terribly offended when authors try to describe how characters feel after abuse when they haven't bothered to do even a lick of research. I mean how hard would it be to talk to someone who has went through it or read some forums where people discuss what it is like or I don't know, go to a shrink and ask them what is typical behavior after trauma and abuse. If you want to include such things in a book, please do some research! There were many instances where I cringed about the awful portrayal of lasting trauma, but here is the one that finally made me want to dump this book. He is at home, he still has panic attacks and can't feel safe, can't sleep peacefully, he doubts he can anywhere alone or travel alone. And then he leaves the door to his apartament wide open while he goes to change, crossdressing no less. He leaves the door wide open, while he is getting naked and vulnerable, where anyone could peek in and if they didn't like what they saw, it could lead to serious violence. Right. Have you done no research whatsoever? A person who has gone through abuse and still has anxiety would never do that. Ever. It is ridiculous to even imply they would. Oh and a couple chapters later he tells his sister off for having door unlocked. Seriously? Obviously, this is another instance of the character's bipolarity or multiple personalities or mental instability or whatever. I honestly don't know and don't care. It was annoying. Personalities of characters were so unstable and weak, I didn't care about any of them, and these wide jumps and fluctuations were annoying.



And crossdressing? Really? This book promised Daddy/boy kink, yet it was also weak and diluted. It felt less like a kink and more like role-playing. They played some roles with domestic discipline, played with consent, mixed in crossdressing, a lot of sub/dom, but from different sub-kinks, then some sporadic Daddy names which was not really Daddy kink, more like random exclamations. Then the role reversal, roleplay like teacher/student, nerd/jock. It is all over the place. Generally I don't mind it when characters explore, switch roles and experiments with different kinks, but the way these characters kept being forcibly shoved into defining it all as Daddy/boy? Yeah, no. Just no.



All in all, this book was annoying. Everything was weak - the plot, the characters, the story development. There were plot holes, contradicting personalities and actions and a serious lack of research about abuse and trauma, as well as different kinks. I wanted to like this, I really did, but I couldn't. I am sorry, but this was weak and sloppy and I just couldn't enjoy this book.

**I was provided an ARC of this book from the author for an honest review**
Profile Image for Anna.
568 reviews
April 13, 2021
To, że skończyłam , zaliczam do cudów.
Profile Image for Antisocial Recluse.
2,712 reviews
dnf-not-for-me
May 1, 2021
I really don’t like Daddy tropes and why do authors feel the need to give bisexuals internal monologues comparing sex with women to sex with men. Do they think readers need extra confirmation?
Profile Image for Megan.
1,469 reviews29 followers
April 10, 2021
Ox and Mick...Mick and Ox...I wanted to love them together. It was a giant and a nerd match that should have been made in heaven for my own taste, but there was something about Mick in the beginning and Ox at the halfway mark that didn't really work for me. They were fine overall, just not anything close to a couple I'd rave about.

I liked Ox for most of the story and appreciated that he was a solid character, one you could count on and build on, but his family drama seemed forced and didn't add to his character or his individual growth all that much. I will say that while Ox protected Mick and came to his aid at the drop of a hat, Mick was given a chance to "save" Ox in return. What didn't work for me in that situation was that it wasn't something Mick was specifically qualified for. His encouragement to Ox to open up was good, it worked for them, but the whole situation seemed very specific and yet very generic so literally anyone kind of close to Ox could have given the same advice and have it heeded.

Mick was saucy and also incredibly scared. Those traits should have worked, but his constant return to describing or discussing his past conquests bothered me. No shaming, no judgment about his exploits, I just think that his more salacious moments could have been skipped and just have him open up to Ox in a more genuine way, some kind of tender and open conversation becoming more and more heated as they shared desires or interests. I certainly won't claim to be anything close to an author myself, so maybe what I hoped for instead wouldn't be viable. Whatever. All I know is I wasn't a fan of how it was done in the story.

So overall this wasn't a bad story, it just wasn't for me in the end. 2.5 stars.
Profile Image for Diane Dannenfeldt.
4,030 reviews78 followers
April 5, 2021
We have the story of Mick who's ex boyfriend/Daddy (not a real Daddy, but an abusive a&&hole) has escaped jail. Ox is hired to keep Mick safe. Ox ticks all of Mick's boxes; big, strong & giving off Daddy vibes, even though he is/thinks he is just vanilla. I really liked watching these two get to know each other & not just jumping straight into bed. Also, while he is Mick's bodyguard, he doesn't make a move until Mick is no longer his client. Once that happens, all bets are off. My only real issue is that the issue with the ex resolves way too quickly & I would have rather a different outcome. I can't wait for more in this series.


I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
1,055 reviews5 followers
May 24, 2021
Started out good

Started out good and then fell flat. The excitement of the ex trying to kill Mick and Ox being sent to protect him was great, then another guy was following Mick and again Ox had to come protect him and then nothing. It just fizzled out, like the author was like ok here is the reason Ox has to protect Mick after that I don't need the bad guys in 5hw book any more so they quietly go away.
Other parts seemed out of place as well, like why talk about Mick's love of surfing, buying him a new board and him possibly moving up with Ox near the beach and then move to Denver?
And then there wasntotally stuff missing, yeah the kink but come on you can't promise Daddy kink and then think 2 spanking scenes and Mick yelling out Daddy during sex fulfills that requirement.
Also, it alluded to that this was a straight to gay romance. I hate when authors do that and then make it so that in fact the MC is acutally bisexual and has been with men before.
Not bad but could have been so much better.
Profile Image for ReadingAddict.
199 reviews6 followers
March 30, 2021
Out of harm's way is a sweet and kinky MM romance.

Mick just got out of an abusive relationship. His ex-boyfriend is in prison but when he escapes prison, Mick is terrified. Oxford is a bodyguard and is the hired bodyguard for Mick. During their time together they fight an attraction towards another. Oxford lived a vanilla life before he met Mick. But Mick is into Daddy kink. Can they fight their attraction or will they give in? And will Micks' ex find him?

I liked this book. It was a quick, nice, and kinky read. Mick has to deal with so much and is really strong. He knows what he wants. Oxford is reluctant at the beginning but warms up fast. I adored the chemistry between them.
But some things got resolved a bit quickly for me. I won't spoil what, but that did not feel realistic for me.

But all in all, it is a sweet read with a little angst and two adorable MCs.

*I received this book as an ARC. I chose to leave an honest review*
Profile Image for Shelba.
2,699 reviews101 followers
dnf
May 2, 2021
DNF @ 4%

This is obviously a spin off of the Hedonist series… one chapter in and there are already a bunch of characters being mentioned form it… and I have not, nor do I plan to read that particular series.

Also, this seems to be one of those books that likes to romanticize motorcycle clubs… like, it really shouldn’t have been a shocker that your ex was a drug trafficker.
Profile Image for lemonysnickety.
257 reviews3 followers
August 1, 2024
DNF at 50%
All the exciting stuff happened already by like 30% and even that wasn’t that engaging, and then it’s just so nothingburger I can’t trudge through another 50% of sex scenes that are somehow all “the best I’ve ever had!” while also having no chemistry?? How is there kink and a killer in the book and it’s still too boring

Other reviewers noted it too but MC was only a “nerd” because he had a pet bird and wore glasses 🙄😒 not a single nerdy thing about him, he didn’t even know much about birds and he was unlikeable as soon as it became clear his character had no consistency (and that the lack of consistency was poor writing, not because of trauma)

And. the author should Not be writing characters who have gone through trauma/abuse and are healing because they don’t know how to do it and are setting a terrible example. You can’t write a character who’s supposedly both experienced in the kink community *and* having panic attacks over violence/consent/touch and then—without any healing/therapy/time—immediately go into a scene without a mention of safewords or signals or talk of boundaries. Like that’s just not how it works?? And if that was how it worked in this story, then there’s not much difference between the ex and the love interest???
“Everyone heals in their own way” sure in real life maybe, but that’s not a valid argument here where we could see the character’s thoughts, and those thoughts begin and end with “big man hot teehee”.

Also, how is the other MC so massively huge (noted in like every paragraph, both body and dick size are apparently oversized) yet after a month apart he doesn’t need to stretch his partner who’s more than a foot shorter??

Sooo many characters were introduced (well, they were on page or mentioned but not a clue how they were connected to the MCs so couldn’t figure out who to try to remember. not really an introduction at all) and like don’t worry about setting up the characters in the rest of the series when you can’t even make me care about these MCs rn

Really shouldn’t be a big deal. But the ex’s name is Monty Groover. That’s the name of a malformed British muppet who got rejected from Sesame Street, not a big scary biker who runs a drug cartel and kills prison guards. All the names are terrible actually, big love interest is “Ox” (Oxford) and someone (not a clue how they’re connected to anyone) is “Slade”. just no

I really wanted something entertaining to dissociate to and I couldn’t get into this no matter how hard I tried, but then it’s not really worth that much effort anyway is it
Profile Image for Brianne McCallum.
1,136 reviews5 followers
April 11, 2021
I was given a free arc copy from the author and the GRR arc team for review.

Micks abusive ex boyfriend/Motorcycle Club, big bear, Daddy Dom is arrested on Gang/Drugs trafficking. He blames Mick for ratting him out and threatens revenge. Just when he feels safe, he finds out his ex killed a cop and broke out of prison and knows where he is. So he is forced to have Ox, a bodyguard, move into his house and protect him. Not such a hardship when they both like men and are both hot. But Ox doesn't sleep with clients.

This was a great, quick read. The 2 MCs were both loveable characters. How Oz took care of Mick was so sweet. They fit each other perfectly and had amazing chemistry. I liked their banter while they were forced to resist each other. The plot was interesting and kept me reading from start to finish all in one read. The only reason I didn't rate it 5 stars is cause after reading the description I got myself psyched for a full of suspense kind of book but really other than the beginning and end the majority of the book is just focused on their long distance relationship and I jus wanted there to be more action throughout. However, I still really enjoyed it even though it was pretty low angst overall. The many high heat, Daddy kink, bdsm scenes and even a scene with lace definitely were a plus. I would recommend this and I'm looking forward to reading more in the series. The other characters seemed great and there was great world building and I definitely want to read their stories. I don't think I've read this author before but i definitely would again.
Profile Image for DebbieReadsBooks.
2,777 reviews51 followers
April 7, 2021
Independent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Mick gets a text from his ex, and his friends organise some protection. Ox is a big man, like Mick's ex, but something about the gentle giant settles Mick. Once the threat is gone, can they make it work?

For the most part, I enjoyed reading this book. For the MOST part. But something is niggling at the back of my brain, and I cannot figure out what!

I liked Mick and Ox, as a couple. Ox learns just how UN-vanilla he really is, and it's fun watching him learn what Mick likes, and what Ox learns HE likes too.

Both men have a say, in the third person. Each voice is clear and concise. The story is well written and well delivered.

I just CANNOT figure out what's bugging me about this, I really can't! There is an epilogue, that in my copy runs straight from the end of the last chapter, and while it took me a little bit to catch up with that, it's not that fact thats bothering me.

Having thought about it, (and I apologise if I just missed it when reading!) is there isn't anything said about what happens to Mick's ex. I can't remember his name, sorry! About what happens as a result of his court case and all that. Did I miss it?? I tried to go back and look, but couldn't see.

I'm sorry I didn't love it, especially since it looks like the first of this author I've read!

3 good solid stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Profile Image for Amos24601.
1,289 reviews43 followers
April 16, 2021
Enjoyable

I most definitely enjoyed this book. I had a pet peeve or two, but overall the story is engaging and Ox and Mick are intriguing together. We meet Mick when his life if once again being disrupted by his abusive ex. Ox is brought in to protect him and the sparks fly all over the place. I enjoyed Ox so much. He was open to trying new things out of his comfort zone with Mick. He also had a strong sense of honor by not wanting to engage with a client. Mick was adorable in the most vulnerable way when we first meet him. As he comes out of his shell, he becomes more and more endearing. The chemistry is off the charts and the veritable buffet of stuff they do together in the bedroom is smoking hot. I only wish we had gotten a little more detail during those scenes.

The drama with Mick’s ex seems to resolve a little too hastily for my taste. I felt like the story had more teeth than the author gave it. I was also really, really bothered that there was no talk of safewords prior to Ox and Mick “playing” for the first time, especially since Ox was new to the scene. I was grateful that they had a mention of it later.

I felt like we got a complete story as we had the passage of time over several months. It didn’t feel rushed to have Mick and Ox develop these feelings for one another. I am highly interested in the next book with West and Logan and can’t wait to read it.
1,986 reviews10 followers
April 6, 2021
This book rocks and I absolutely loved it! The story of Mick and Ox is full of danger, love, family and fun. They meet when Ox is hired to be Mick’s bodyguard when Mick’s abusive ex escapes from prison. They start their journey at a cabin in the mountains of Tennessee and it will take them all the way to Denver and love by the end. Feelings grow between them but Ox refuses to do anything while Mick is his charge. A phone call will lead to a harrowing car chase to escape Mick’s ex and will land them in a motel where they will take the next step when the ex is caught. Back in New York, Ox will once again need to come to the rescue when Mick is being followed and it will bring them both to North Carolina. Things get a little bumpy when Ox’s parents arrive for a visit but in the end, old hurts will be resolved when Mick gets Ox to talk to his parents about why he’s been so distant. Things work out for them all in the end when Ox finally gets to have a great relationship with his parents, he and Mick move in together and Mick’s sister and husband come to visit. At their first Thanksgiving dinner with their entire family together, Ox will take their journey one more step forward when he asks Mick to marry him.

I read an ARC copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
Profile Image for Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews.
2,698 reviews140 followers
April 7, 2021
Out of Harm's Way is first book in the Balls and Brawn series. This Rebecca James tale is a great mix of bodyguard romance, danger, and sex.

Oz is hired to protect Mick after his ex escapes from prison. Oz is bisexual and can't deny his attraction to his subject. It's does take them a little while though, as they aren't going to allow Oz to eff up his assignment.

I felt bad for Mick immediately. The reader can feel his fear from the start, with plenty of fearful moments to follow.

The attraction and friendship that develops is sweet. And I love the long distance issues and how they play into the storyline.

Their story includes some steamy scenes, including dirty talk, lingerie, and some public sex. The risky sex is a delightful scene. But damn, I love Mick in a skirt.

The Daddy kink aspect of this story is very light. Yes, their sex life includes some Daddy moments, but it's few and far between.

The suspense and danger is riveting, with some twists and turns thrown in to keep things intriguing.

One of my favorite parts of the story involves Ox's parents. I don't want to give anything away, but it's both sad and satisfying.

Out of Harm's Way is a great read by Rebecca James. The combination of danger and action, with sex and romance, is all well done.
Profile Image for Kat reads romance.
213 reviews
April 7, 2021
This is a fun MM bodyguard romance with a dash of delicious Daddy kink.
Mick’s abusive and dangerous ex-boyfriend has escaped from prison. Ox is a professional bodyguard who is hired to protect Mick. I just loved both characters, and the two had a dynamic that was unique enough to keep stuff interesting. Mick is still dealing with the trauma from his experiences with his ex-boyfriend. However, his sassy and sexually adventurous side really comes through. I loved how he had a cute nerdy vibe with his glasses and yet enjoyed tempting Ox and had all these crazy sex stories. Ox, on the other hand, had his own inner struggles. However, once he realizes he has feelings for Mick and discovers that Daddy kink appeals to him, he doesn’t hesitate much (yay!!). I liked how it wasn’t just Ox protecting Mick. They each had insecurities and fears that they supported each other through. The sexy times were very hot—the Daddy kink was well done, and for those who are wondering, the kink level is fairly light. This is definitely a romance first, despite the bodyguard stuff and evil ex, so if you are looking for suspense and action, this might not be for you. I really enjoyed this romance and recommend it to fans of sweet MM, especially those who like some Daddy kink.
**I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review**
1,005 reviews36 followers
April 4, 2021
When Mick’s ex and abuser comes after him Mick is whisked away to a safe house with a bodyguard. The only problem is that Ox is just the kind of man Mick goes for. After what happened with his ex, Mick is not looking, and Ox is the opposite of Mick yet their attraction cannot be denied. As the two try to ignore their attraction they must deal with Mick’s ex. When it is all over can the two find a way to explore their attraction or will they let this chance slip away?

Mick and Ox’s story is a nice read full of emotion. The two men are good together and it was nice to see their relationship take shape. I did feel that there was a bit more drama thrown in then needed to be. Both men had more baggage that had to be dealt with throughout the story and parts of the drama with Mick’s ex had plot holes that were glossed over. Mick and Ox have good chemistry and are hot together. I enjoyed seeing Ox explore with the help of Mick and as they did their bond grew. The two must decide if they will take the chance and listen to their hearts. To me there is a bit more drama and different kinks in this story then there needed to be. Aside from that Ox and Mick are good characters and their story is a nice read.
Profile Image for Anna Torres.
385 reviews10 followers
April 8, 2021
I love The Hedonist by Ms. Rebecca James and when I learned about this new series, I am excited to delve into this world again. This time we will have bodyguards instead of Motorcycle Club members.

If you remember Mick from The Hedonist, he appeared in the last few books of the series as a side character. But what I can't forget about him was the fact that the Hedonist members protected him from his ex who was abusive to him. They tried to always protect him.

Ox is the bodyguard assigned to protect Mick. It was through Dante, one of the Hedonist who became a lawyer, that they got Foster Security to assign Ox to protect Mick.

What started out as a protection detail became so much more when Mick and Ox are force to run because of the threats coming Mick's way when his ex escaped prison.

I think the book is a promising start to another amazing series. I am really looking forward to the next one. Congratulations Ms. James!
Profile Image for K-Me.
2,858 reviews
April 5, 2021
Mick is a small, nerdy but sassy young guy who was badly abused by his ex who is now just getting of prison. Ox is just a big Gentle Giant of a Man who becomes Mick's Bodyguard. Ox is bisexual and is instantly smitten with Mick Ox stays in the room and comforts him. They become very comfortable together. Ox even carries him around when Mick gets injured. Got to love a Size difference Romance!!! Told in Both of their POV so you get both of their emotions. I really liked Ox, it took me a little longer to connect with Mick, but Ox had me routing for them! I do not want to give too much of what happens with the Ex and their client/bodyguard situation away but their relations does start to include some very steamy times!! I received an ARC for my honest review and I would recommend this story if you like Bodyguard Romances with a bit of action and lots of sweet and steam.
Profile Image for Latecia Jennings.
2,346 reviews10 followers
April 12, 2021
**ARC Reader** This to me was a good start to a new series. I love the bodyguard theme and this didn't disappoint. Mick needs help from an abusive ex who is after him and gets help from a bodyguard service from his friends. In comes Ox. Ox is believable in size and all but the bad boy persona is not there. He is a sweet teddy bear of a man and it was kind of not believable that he will take care of business if the need arises. The threat towards Mick was prevalent through out the story but mainly we got to see Ox and Mick explore their kinky side which ultimately developed into love. There were little side stories but all in all the romance between the guys was the main event. I enjoyed it...thought it was paced well...HOT intimate times between the guys and a lovely HEA. Can't wait for the next story in the series...looks like it's gonna be good.
Profile Image for Rebecca Grove.
3,492 reviews26 followers
April 12, 2021
Mick is in trouble his abusive ex has broken out of jail and is threatening him. Mick is the key testimony to lock his ex away for good. He is put under the witness protection plan and taken to an isolated cabin. There he meets Oxford, his bodyguard. Mick is embarrassed with how much he is attracted to Ox. Max really wants a big protective Daddy to watch over him and Ox looks like he would be perfect.

Oxford is a big guy who is bisexual, His last girlfriend won't stop calling him so he is glad to get away for work. Then he sees Mick and he realizes that staying professional is going to be a hard struggle. For the first time he is getting a strong protective and caring urges. He never thought he was into Daddy kink but Mick may make him change his mind.

This is a fun book with two loveable main characters. I received a copy of this story and this is my honest review.
4,913 reviews18 followers
April 12, 2021
Sometimes, a dating checklist is a good idea! Mick leads and adventurous life owning his kinks! He makes one bad choice and ends up with a lot more than expected, none of it good. His ex, Groover did not live well and as a result was puniched. He blamed Mick. Groover went after Mick, making no secret of his intentions. Ox was assigned as his bodyguard. Mick, noticed how good looking he was. But was damaged by his relationship with Groover. Ox, noticed Mick and was interested. Mick was a client and they was a no no! Groover is resilient and clever. Does Mick ever feel safe enough to act on his interest? Do the cops catch up with Groover? Will Ox act on his attraction? Exciting story. No time for complacency. The security team is a good group. I will be reading the previous stories. Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Mandy.
1,017 reviews
April 6, 2021
This book was great to read and drew me in from the first page.
The story of cute Mick, who, while hiding from his dangerous ex, is paired with lovable and genuine bodyguard Ox was a great read. It was full of sexy heat as they explored their attraction to one another and evaded those who were out to harm Mick. Add in Happy, Micks’ bird, who had me giggling and Oxs’ fellow bodyguards and employers and it was full of well-rounded characters. The two MCs were adorable together and after what Mick went through deserved to work out their lives and get to their HEA.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can recommend it as a great read and the start of what promises to be a great series.
I was given an ARC of this book to review and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Juniper.
3,403 reviews24 followers
April 10, 2021
When Mick’s abusive ex escapes from prison, bodyguard Oxford (Ox) is his protection. Spending time together kindles an attraction that neither can resist. Ox knows he’s bi, but thinks he’s pretty vanilla, until Mick introduces him to a different side of himself. Mick and Ox are definitely hot together, and they work together emotionally as well as physically, so I like them as a couple. I sometimes found their story to be a bit all over the place, however— Mick’s panic attacks are either a big problem or they’re not, the storyline with Ox and his parents is interesting but seems to come out of nowhere, and things with Mick’s ex don’t really seem entirely resolved at the end. Overall, however, an enjoyable read.

*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review
Profile Image for Terri.
1,667 reviews
April 11, 2021
Mick and Ox were both likable characters, and theirs was a sexy romance. The first part of this book was exciting, as Ox protected Mick from his ex, who was abusive and evil. The middle dragged a bit for me, though it was nice to see the relationship between Ox and Mick grow stronger. Once Mick went to stay with Ox in the bodyguards' house on the beach, my interest rose again, and I liked seeing how both men interacted with each other's friends, Mick's family, and Ox's parents.
Overall, this was an enjoyable story and a promising start to a new series. I look forward to the next book, which will feature Logan and West. I loved the author's Hedonist series, and I think this one might end up being just as good.
498 reviews10 followers
April 15, 2021
Oh So Good

I'm a sucker for a good bodyguard book with lots of hurt/comfort thrown in and Ms James delivered. I loved the name Ox she chose for the bodyguard. He was assigned to guard Mick from a former boyfriend of a motorcycle gang and they end up hiding out at a cabin where they can't stop imagining hooking up with each other. They eventually do and the vanilla Ox discovers he has a kinky side that comes out around Mick. I'm assuming there will be more books as there was a whole host of side characters who worked with Ox. At times this read like this was a spinoff series but I'll have to check the author's website. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to read the next book.
Profile Image for Mary.
2,753 reviews23 followers
April 16, 2021
This is suspenseful, entertaining and romantic. Months after leaving an abusive relationship, Mick finds himself being threatened by his ex after Groover escapes from prison. Ox works for a bodyguard company and is assigned to protect Mick. Ox is everything Mick wants in a man, and he feels safe with Ox. Ox hasn't dated another man since college, but there is something about Mick that he has a hard time resisting, but he's Ox's client, and makes him off limits. Until the assignment is over, anyway. As soon as it is, the two are all over each other. But they live in two different states, which makes it hard, but neither wants to give up what they feel. The past haunts both of them, and it will take both of them to conquer everything.
Profile Image for Grace.
112 reviews2 followers
April 6, 2021
Sweet, hot start to a new series

Ox and Mick are such a sweet (and hot) couple and I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold. Their lives are very different but they find something worth working for in each other. The plot seems to change from Ox helping to save Mick from an ex to both men learning and growing as individuals and a couple. While I was expecting a bit more of the ‘edge of my seat’ energy, what I got was an endearing journey to love and family. Oh, and whoa, their journey includes some seriously hot times! I look forward to learning more about Logan and West, and the rest of the team, as this series goes forward.
Profile Image for Lori Dunn.
897 reviews24 followers
August 28, 2024
This was my first time reading this author. The story was good.

You have the big, sweet, and protective bodyguard and the much smaller nerdy yet kinky man he is hired to watch over.

This is a trope that usually works, and it does here, too. For me, however, the story felt a bit off. I'm not sure why or how. Maybe a bit rushed in the storyline? I felt that there was part of the story missing about both characters. It just didn't feel complete.

Also, descriptions of both characters and how their personality is before they meet does not mesh with how they act afterward.

I'm not saying I didn't enjoy the story because I did. But it definitely was NOT a 5 star read for me.

3/5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.