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Chikalu Falls #3
Protecting You
One moment of hesitation and I lost Maggie forever.
Since then, we’ve spent the last 15 years in this small town circling each other and pretending neither remembers how right it felt when we were best friends.
Now she’s a single mom and doesn’t need a “broody, grumpy cop” like me complicating her life. No matter how many times her heated gaze scorches my skin, I can never have her in the way I want.
Completely.
So I push her away––but it’s for her own good.
Because if she knew the truth of what I did, she wouldn’t just have hurt feelings, she would truly hate me.
She has a guarded heart and it’s all my fault.
But I don’t have a heart at all. I gave it to Maggie O'Brien a long time ago.
PROTECTING YOU is a seriously steamy, interconnected stand alone small town romance. It's the third book in the Chikalu Falls series set in the fictional Montana town, Chikalu Falls.
Since then, we’ve spent the last 15 years in this small town circling each other and pretending neither remembers how right it felt when we were best friends.
Now she’s a single mom and doesn’t need a “broody, grumpy cop” like me complicating her life. No matter how many times her heated gaze scorches my skin, I can never have her in the way I want.
Completely.
So I push her away––but it’s for her own good.
Because if she knew the truth of what I did, she wouldn’t just have hurt feelings, she would truly hate me.
She has a guarded heart and it’s all my fault.
But I don’t have a heart at all. I gave it to Maggie O'Brien a long time ago.
PROTECTING YOU is a seriously steamy, interconnected stand alone small town romance. It's the third book in the Chikalu Falls series set in the fictional Montana town, Chikalu Falls.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2021
1089 people are currently reading
4877 people want to read
About the author
Lena Hendrix
34 books3,454 followersLena Hendrix is a USA Today and Amazon Top 5 bestselling contemporary romance author living in the Midwest. Her love for romance started with sneaking racy Harlequin paperbacks as a teenager and now she writes her own hot-as-sin small town romance novels. Lena has a soft spot for strong alphas with marshmallow insides, heroines who clap back, and sizzling tension. Her novels pack in small town heart with a whole lotta heat.
When she's not writing or devouring new novels, you can find her hiking, camping, fishing, and sipping a spicy margarita!
Want to hang out? Find Lena on FB, Tiktok or IG!
When she's not writing or devouring new novels, you can find her hiking, camping, fishing, and sipping a spicy margarita!
Want to hang out? Find Lena on FB, Tiktok or IG!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 295 reviews
December 18, 2021
4.5 stars
This one WAS SO GOOD!! AHHHH!!! Cole is something else and on a completely new level of HOT. He is a broody, grumpy officer of Chikalu falls who has never had the ability to keep his eyes off of Maggie, even back when they were in high school. Maggie is a badass single mom who prides herself on her independence and does everything she can for her teenage daughter. Two people with an intense connection who have known each other their entire lives… will they finally get their happily ever after?
You get to see glimpses into both of their pasts and the reasons behind why they feel how they do.
Quick facts about this book:
Multiple POVs
Alternating timelines
Single mom romance
Small town romance
Interconnected stand alone
STEAMYYYY
You guys need to read this freaking book! This was my first Lena Hendrix novel and WOW she crushed it!! I’m ready for MORE!
This one WAS SO GOOD!! AHHHH!!! Cole is something else and on a completely new level of HOT. He is a broody, grumpy officer of Chikalu falls who has never had the ability to keep his eyes off of Maggie, even back when they were in high school. Maggie is a badass single mom who prides herself on her independence and does everything she can for her teenage daughter. Two people with an intense connection who have known each other their entire lives… will they finally get their happily ever after?
You get to see glimpses into both of their pasts and the reasons behind why they feel how they do.
Quick facts about this book:
Multiple POVs
Alternating timelines
Single mom romance
Small town romance
Interconnected stand alone
STEAMYYYY
You guys need to read this freaking book! This was my first Lena Hendrix novel and WOW she crushed it!! I’m ready for MORE!
November 29, 2021
This is the third book in the Chikalu Falls Series and I honestly loved every single word of it! I really enjoy this author’s stories and her writing style. I loved the first two books in this series, but I think this book creeped up and took over as my favorite!
Cole and Maggie are fantastic characters and the sexual tension and chemistry between them is palpable! The character development is incredible! I loved not only seeing their current relationship struggles, but also their past and what brought them to this point. I also really adored the relationship between Maggie and Lottie, as well as Lottie and Cole, it really pulled at my heart strings in a major way!
One of the things that I very much enjoy about this series is that, although it is a series of stand-alone’s, there is a lot of crossing over of the characters. You do not have to have read the prior books to understand what is going on, but it’s awesome seeing those characters again.
This is a fantastic read. The storyline is addictive, and I definitely had a hard time putting it down. It is a true page turner.
If you love a steamy small town romance with an incredible storyline and awesome characters, then this book is for you. I highly recommend it and cannot wait for more!
Cole and Maggie are fantastic characters and the sexual tension and chemistry between them is palpable! The character development is incredible! I loved not only seeing their current relationship struggles, but also their past and what brought them to this point. I also really adored the relationship between Maggie and Lottie, as well as Lottie and Cole, it really pulled at my heart strings in a major way!
One of the things that I very much enjoy about this series is that, although it is a series of stand-alone’s, there is a lot of crossing over of the characters. You do not have to have read the prior books to understand what is going on, but it’s awesome seeing those characters again.
This is a fantastic read. The storyline is addictive, and I definitely had a hard time putting it down. It is a true page turner.
If you love a steamy small town romance with an incredible storyline and awesome characters, then this book is for you. I highly recommend it and cannot wait for more!
December 10, 2021
I loved this third addition to the Chikalu Falls series! Lena did an amazing job of creating two characters that I couldn't help but love, even when I was hating them for what they were doing, haha. These two pushed each other two the brink. At times it made me crazy and all I wanted to do was jump through the screen shake them and tell them to talk BUT it made for a super relatable and believable read. It elicited serious emotion out of me and that is what I hope for in a great author and great story.
The chemistry with these two made for some incredibly spicy scenes that I am all here for.
Great job, as always Lena!
The chemistry with these two made for some incredibly spicy scenes that I am all here for.
Great job, as always Lena!
December 29, 2021
she did it again!
this book is everything i've been looking for!
this is pitched as a small town, single mom enemies to lovers romance, and even though this already sounds amazing, let me tell you!
this is a friends to ''enemies'' to lovers!!! i say ''enemies'' because they never really hated each other.
one more thing, he's a cop, and one time he gave her date a ticket just because he was jealous!!
and he knows how to make those handcuffs interesting 😏
this book is everything i've been looking for!
this is pitched as a small town, single mom enemies to lovers romance, and even though this already sounds amazing, let me tell you!
this is a friends to ''enemies'' to lovers!!! i say ''enemies'' because they never really hated each other.
one more thing, he's a cop, and one time he gave her date a ticket just because he was jealous!!
and he knows how to make those handcuffs interesting 😏
December 3, 2021
Maggie & Cole were best friends growing up, but were secretly pining for one another. On prom night, Maggie got pregnant after a one night stand with her prom date, when all she really wanted was for Cole to take her. Their friendship didn’t withstand the different directions their lives were taking; Cole, going away to college and Maggie, raising her daughter as a single mom.
Now 14-years later, Maggie owns a flower shop in Chikalu Falls and Cole is the chief of police, just like his dad was. But Maggie & Cole are no longer friends and their relationship leans more on the side of enemies.
Cole only treats Maggie poorly because of the guilt he’s felt over something that happened a decade earlier. And he knows that he doesn’t deserve Maggie’s kindness or friendship.
But when Maggie starts to see past Cole’s rough exterior, she starts to develop feelings for him again. Cole wants to stick to his guns, but he can’t deny Maggie’s affections either. He just hopes his past doesn’t come back to haunt him…
Protecting You by Lena Hendrix is book 3 in the Chikalu Falls series. I’ve really enjoyed this series so far & getting to know the various characters that repeatedly pop up in each book. I love childhood friends to lovers and the childhood friends to lovers turned enemies to lovers truly works for me. So when I learned that PY had this specific trope, I was floored. This romance had a lot of potential and overall, I really liked it. What made me bump down the rating? The flashbacks included throughout weren’t in chronological order, so I was constantly trying to do math to figure out when/where it took place, which took away from the romantic development. I still like Lena’s writing & I’ll definitely read more by her in the future. 3.5/5 stars.
Now 14-years later, Maggie owns a flower shop in Chikalu Falls and Cole is the chief of police, just like his dad was. But Maggie & Cole are no longer friends and their relationship leans more on the side of enemies.
Cole only treats Maggie poorly because of the guilt he’s felt over something that happened a decade earlier. And he knows that he doesn’t deserve Maggie’s kindness or friendship.
But when Maggie starts to see past Cole’s rough exterior, she starts to develop feelings for him again. Cole wants to stick to his guns, but he can’t deny Maggie’s affections either. He just hopes his past doesn’t come back to haunt him…
Protecting You by Lena Hendrix is book 3 in the Chikalu Falls series. I’ve really enjoyed this series so far & getting to know the various characters that repeatedly pop up in each book. I love childhood friends to lovers and the childhood friends to lovers turned enemies to lovers truly works for me. So when I learned that PY had this specific trope, I was floored. This romance had a lot of potential and overall, I really liked it. What made me bump down the rating? The flashbacks included throughout weren’t in chronological order, so I was constantly trying to do math to figure out when/where it took place, which took away from the romantic development. I still like Lena’s writing & I’ll definitely read more by her in the future. 3.5/5 stars.
November 29, 2021
This book was bittersweet for me because although I was excited to have Maggie and Cole's story, I knew this was the end of the Chikalu Falls series. But, Maggie and Cole were everything I was hoping for and more! Slow burn, angst friends to enemies to lovers. Just everything I love in a book, these two gave me. Of course I also wanted to shake them both, particularly Cole, but I loved everything about their story and could not put this book down. I actually wish the book was longer so we could have had more of these two! It's hard to say which couple was my favourite because I loved all of them for different reasons, but I'm pretty sure Cole completely stole my heart. Another incredible read by Lena and I cannot wait for whatever she has for us next!
November 29, 2021
I love my visits to Chikalu Falls and Protecting You is a wonderful addition to the series. This is police officer Cole (Deck ) Decker and single mum Maggie’s story and let me just say this book has it all.
Deck loves his job, he love his town and he loves Maggie in fact he has loved her for the last 15 years but he believes she doesn’t need a grumpy, broody man in her life.
Maggie is a single mum to a teenage girl and she is doing the best she can to run her flower shop and keep her daughter on the straight and narrow and that means no time for relationships.
This couple have skirted around their feelings for years and it seems that the once good friends have now become enemies because of hiding their true feelings so what will it take for the hurt to be fixed, what will it take for them to act on the intense chemistry they share….
Guess you need to read the book to find that out.
This book touched me on so many levels, it’s an emotional ride that I was so happy I rode, it’s beautifully written with characters you can’t help bonding with and what added depth to this journey catching up with the residents of Chikalu Falls, a town that starting to feel like home. Can’t wait to see where Ms Hendrix takes us next.
Deck loves his job, he love his town and he loves Maggie in fact he has loved her for the last 15 years but he believes she doesn’t need a grumpy, broody man in her life.
Maggie is a single mum to a teenage girl and she is doing the best she can to run her flower shop and keep her daughter on the straight and narrow and that means no time for relationships.
This couple have skirted around their feelings for years and it seems that the once good friends have now become enemies because of hiding their true feelings so what will it take for the hurt to be fixed, what will it take for them to act on the intense chemistry they share….
Guess you need to read the book to find that out.
This book touched me on so many levels, it’s an emotional ride that I was so happy I rode, it’s beautifully written with characters you can’t help bonding with and what added depth to this journey catching up with the residents of Chikalu Falls, a town that starting to feel like home. Can’t wait to see where Ms Hendrix takes us next.
February 13, 2022
your typical hot and cold and doormat combo
1/5
Honestly it was exhausting reading this book. I didn’t find a single redeeming quality to either Cole or Maggie. Both just stayed perpetually immature in their thirties even though one has a full grown teenage daughter and the other is a cop who has sworn to protect the town but seem to abuse his power just to stalk his high school crush. Both are complete idiots and frankly there wasn’t a need for almost three hundred pages of repetitive nonsense.
Maggie is a desperate pushover and Cole a bumbling moron. I could have done without all the incessant mention of how much of an infuriating hunk Cole is. It’s like the author just needed to fill her word count for the day and threw in 30 euphemisms to describe Cole’s attractiveness. It does the exact opposite effect and just comes off as shallow. Additionally, it was absolutely unnecessary to mention Cole’s s*xual rapsheet. Honestly I don’t understand the fixation authors have of keeping their heroines virginal while the male leads stuck their pens in anything and everything that moved. It just takes away from the so called “love” that the male lead supposedly had for the heroine. It makes the whole story cheap and beyond mediocre. Please do better. This series had potential but ultimately fell flat due to unrealistic female and male ideals.
1/5
Honestly it was exhausting reading this book. I didn’t find a single redeeming quality to either Cole or Maggie. Both just stayed perpetually immature in their thirties even though one has a full grown teenage daughter and the other is a cop who has sworn to protect the town but seem to abuse his power just to stalk his high school crush. Both are complete idiots and frankly there wasn’t a need for almost three hundred pages of repetitive nonsense.
Maggie is a desperate pushover and Cole a bumbling moron. I could have done without all the incessant mention of how much of an infuriating hunk Cole is. It’s like the author just needed to fill her word count for the day and threw in 30 euphemisms to describe Cole’s attractiveness. It does the exact opposite effect and just comes off as shallow. Additionally, it was absolutely unnecessary to mention Cole’s s*xual rapsheet. Honestly I don’t understand the fixation authors have of keeping their heroines virginal while the male leads stuck their pens in anything and everything that moved. It just takes away from the so called “love” that the male lead supposedly had for the heroine. It makes the whole story cheap and beyond mediocre. Please do better. This series had potential but ultimately fell flat due to unrealistic female and male ideals.
November 29, 2021
Oh my heart.... Maggie and Cole will make you feel all the feels in this wonderful story!!
Cole and Maggie have that connection and love that we all want... And they have such an amazing story, but they also have their pasts and secrets that keep getting in the way.
Their story is one of my favorites! I love all these characters and they pulled on my heartstrings the entire read.
I couldn't put this book down!
I can't wait to see what Lena comes up with next, she has a gift of writing stories that will capture your heart.
Cole and Maggie have that connection and love that we all want... And they have such an amazing story, but they also have their pasts and secrets that keep getting in the way.
Their story is one of my favorites! I love all these characters and they pulled on my heartstrings the entire read.
I couldn't put this book down!
I can't wait to see what Lena comes up with next, she has a gift of writing stories that will capture your heart.
December 1, 2021
Everyone in Chikalu knew how Deck felt about Maggie just like everyone knew how she felt about him. She’s the only one to call him by his first name, mostly everyone else called him Deck if not Decker. After many years they get their chance to be together.
November 30, 2021
In ‘Protecting You’ we read the story of Maggie and Cole. Maggie and Cole where best friends growing up. But in their teens they started to develop more feelings for each other. Unfortunately they both where to afraid to acknowledge those feelings, and they ended up making choices they both regretted. For more than fifteen years Maggie and Cole have been in the same little town, but they never got close again. They seem to despise one another. At least that is what they believe themselves. Everyone in town can see the attraction between these two, but a lot has happened over the years and a lot has been said.
Since reading a little bit about Maggie and Cole in ‘Keeping You’, nothing major so you can easily read this one without reading the other, I was really curious about their story. So when I finally was able to start reading, I didn’t want to stop until I learned everything about these characters. Maggie and Cole definitely have a lot of chemistry, but they act as like they don’t like each other at all. Slowly we learn that there is a lot more to their story then first expected, and I enjoyed getting to know these characters.
‘Protecting You’ is written through both Maggie and Cole’s point of view. And I definitely loved reading their story through their eyes. Maggie was this tough, hardworking, single mom, who always put her daughter first. Cole was a sheriff who worked hard to keep his city save. And above all he made sure Maggie was taken care off. To the outside world he disliked Maggie, but we soon learn that he has always loved Maggie and wanted to take care of her more than anything.
Although both characters are definitely fun, I loved Cole the most. I loved how intensely he cared for Maggie. And even though things would have been much easier if he just talked about these feelings and admitted them, I sort of adored why he hid everything for everyone. (Though not nearly as good as he liked to think.)
This book definitely had a few steamy moments, but mostly this book was just very intense. In the end I wished I could have read more about their romance, and a little less about their past, but I really enjoyed this story. And above all it made me determined to read the first book as well.
Since reading a little bit about Maggie and Cole in ‘Keeping You’, nothing major so you can easily read this one without reading the other, I was really curious about their story. So when I finally was able to start reading, I didn’t want to stop until I learned everything about these characters. Maggie and Cole definitely have a lot of chemistry, but they act as like they don’t like each other at all. Slowly we learn that there is a lot more to their story then first expected, and I enjoyed getting to know these characters.
‘Protecting You’ is written through both Maggie and Cole’s point of view. And I definitely loved reading their story through their eyes. Maggie was this tough, hardworking, single mom, who always put her daughter first. Cole was a sheriff who worked hard to keep his city save. And above all he made sure Maggie was taken care off. To the outside world he disliked Maggie, but we soon learn that he has always loved Maggie and wanted to take care of her more than anything.
Although both characters are definitely fun, I loved Cole the most. I loved how intensely he cared for Maggie. And even though things would have been much easier if he just talked about these feelings and admitted them, I sort of adored why he hid everything for everyone. (Though not nearly as good as he liked to think.)
This book definitely had a few steamy moments, but mostly this book was just very intense. In the end I wished I could have read more about their romance, and a little less about their past, but I really enjoyed this story. And above all it made me determined to read the first book as well.
June 13, 2022
Book three in the Chikalu falls series can be read as a standalone and is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.
Cole Decker and Maggie O’Brien grew up as friends. Years and circumstances came between them and lead to animosity and hard feelings. Meanwhile, Maggie has been raising her daughter alone for the past 15 years. I love the relationship her daughter, Charlotte, has formed with Cole despite the distance between him and Maggie. I love Maggie and her perseverance to succeed for herself and her daughter against the odds. Cole melted me. He has all these bottled-up feelings that burst out at the most inconvenient times. When he and Maggie give in to their magnetic attraction to each other it is enough to steam up a kindle. As their story progresses, they have to learn to communicate with each other in order to get their HEA. I laughed, swooned, and shed a tear as I read this excellent small-town romance.
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book.
Cole Decker and Maggie O’Brien grew up as friends. Years and circumstances came between them and lead to animosity and hard feelings. Meanwhile, Maggie has been raising her daughter alone for the past 15 years. I love the relationship her daughter, Charlotte, has formed with Cole despite the distance between him and Maggie. I love Maggie and her perseverance to succeed for herself and her daughter against the odds. Cole melted me. He has all these bottled-up feelings that burst out at the most inconvenient times. When he and Maggie give in to their magnetic attraction to each other it is enough to steam up a kindle. As their story progresses, they have to learn to communicate with each other in order to get their HEA. I laughed, swooned, and shed a tear as I read this excellent small-town romance.
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book.
January 23, 2025
4.5 Star Review of Protecting You (Chikalu Falls #3) by Lena Hendrix
I was drawn into Protecting You from the first chapter and I could easily imagine Chikalu Falls, Montana.
This is Cole (Deck) Decker and Maggie O’Brien’s story and was well written and entertaining. We have met these characters in previous books and I was excited to see what Ms. Hendrix had in store for this couple.
There is something about a grumpy hero that appeals to me and Deck is certainly that. Perhaps because he is a police officer and often sees the harsher side of life but despite that, single mum Maggie is drawn to him.
These two have had feelings for one another for years but neither have acted on it. I loved the push and pull dynamic of their relationship and I was so happy to be back in Chikalu Falls.
This is a heartwarming, emotional and story that left me with a smile on my face.
I was drawn into Protecting You from the first chapter and I could easily imagine Chikalu Falls, Montana.
This is Cole (Deck) Decker and Maggie O’Brien’s story and was well written and entertaining. We have met these characters in previous books and I was excited to see what Ms. Hendrix had in store for this couple.
There is something about a grumpy hero that appeals to me and Deck is certainly that. Perhaps because he is a police officer and often sees the harsher side of life but despite that, single mum Maggie is drawn to him.
These two have had feelings for one another for years but neither have acted on it. I loved the push and pull dynamic of their relationship and I was so happy to be back in Chikalu Falls.
This is a heartwarming, emotional and story that left me with a smile on my face.
August 4, 2024
if these bitches just spoke to each other this would have been a novella instead of 400 pages of miscommunication
Currently reading
December 9, 2021Hello lovelies! I have a DOUBLE giveaway happening over on IG! I teamed up with Kandi Steiner and we are each giving away a SIGNED paperback. She's excited to share a signed copy of Washed Up and I'll be giving away a signed copy of Protecting You.
Head on over - all you have to do is follow and comment to be entered!
Good luck!
https://geni.us/lenakandigiveaway
******
Writing a HEA for Maggie & Cole (Deck) was so moving. First, I love a hot cop (who doesn't?!) and there's so much fun you can have with that. Plus, at one time I was also a single mother. There's something about someone loving your child as their own that just gets me.
I truly loved that both Maggie and Cole could find their way back to each other - but I have to yell you - writing the banter and finding ways for them to irritate each other was SO much fun.
Spending more time in the cute little town of Chikalu Falls was so needed. While this story is a complete standalone, many of the fun and familiar faces pop into this story.
What's next? A new spin-off series is on the horizon but I've also been toying with the idea of sharing Old Man Bailey's love story - what do you think?
If you haven't had the chance to check out Maggie & Cole, you can find it here: https://geni.ius/protectingyou
Head on over - all you have to do is follow and comment to be entered!
Good luck!
https://geni.us/lenakandigiveaway
******
Writing a HEA for Maggie & Cole (Deck) was so moving. First, I love a hot cop (who doesn't?!) and there's so much fun you can have with that. Plus, at one time I was also a single mother. There's something about someone loving your child as their own that just gets me.
I truly loved that both Maggie and Cole could find their way back to each other - but I have to yell you - writing the banter and finding ways for them to irritate each other was SO much fun.
Spending more time in the cute little town of Chikalu Falls was so needed. While this story is a complete standalone, many of the fun and familiar faces pop into this story.
What's next? A new spin-off series is on the horizon but I've also been toying with the idea of sharing Old Man Bailey's love story - what do you think?
If you haven't had the chance to check out Maggie & Cole, you can find it here: https://geni.ius/protectingyou
May 24, 2023
4 ⭐️
small town romance.
second chance.
former best friends.
misunderstanding.
teen pregnancy.
single mother.
town sheriff.
friends to hate to love.
While I liked the book, the characters and the story, Cole kind of annoyed me. There was really no need for him to be that rude to Maggie.
But his interactions with her daughter were cute to be fair and when he finally got his act together, he was dreamy.
small town romance.
second chance.
former best friends.
misunderstanding.
teen pregnancy.
single mother.
town sheriff.
friends to hate to love.
While I liked the book, the characters and the story, Cole kind of annoyed me. There was really no need for him to be that rude to Maggie.
But his interactions with her daughter were cute to be fair and when he finally got his act together, he was dreamy.
November 18, 2021
Deck is a police officer in the small town he grew up in. He loves his job and loves that he is following in his family’s footsteps. He has been madly in love with the same girl pretty much all his life. Deck has major emotional guilt over his past actions and he isn’t sure he can ever get over everything. Maggie owns the small town flower shop. She is a single mother to a independent feisty high school girl, and she’s doing the best she can. When her and Deck see each other their is an undeniable connection but they try to avoid each other at all cost. Can these to former friends get past whatever it is to explore what the could have? Are their wounds so deep that they can’t be fixed? This was a great emotional journey that I truly enjoyed. The characters and friendships were strong and entertaining. The story was emotional and fulfilling. I would definitely read another book by this author. I loved the writing style and the small town feel.
December 4, 2021
Nothing better than a super steamy friends to enemies to lovers. Especially when half of the duo happens to be a surly cop who is hotter than sin. I’ve loved the two previous books in this series, and while this can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend the others as well. That being said, I absolutely loved this book! The amount of tension and angst between Cole and Maggie was intense, and the spice was HOT. I really enjoyed the little snippets into their past and how Maggie finally brought all of Cole’s walls down. The banter between them was natural and easy. I loved the challenges and heartwarming moments Lottie’s character provided and how much Cole loved her, even from afar. This was a beautifully complex second chance romance that made me feel all the things. *I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 19, 2021
I’ve been waiting for Deck and Maggie
This was a story that has been in the back of Chikalu Falls and it had to be worth the waiting… it totally was
Hot and steamy with a lot of angst and history
One my favorite tropes with friends to enemies to lovers and it’s beautifully written by Lena Hendrix
I hope this is not the end of the series but if it is…. It was amazing
I give it 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was a story that has been in the back of Chikalu Falls and it had to be worth the waiting… it totally was
Hot and steamy with a lot of angst and history
One my favorite tropes with friends to enemies to lovers and it’s beautifully written by Lena Hendrix
I hope this is not the end of the series but if it is…. It was amazing
I give it 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
December 1, 2021
This is the story of officer Cole Decker and Maggie O’Brien.
They were best friends during high school and although they had feelings for each other they were never able to express them. She ends up having a bad night with another guy and becomes pregnant at 17. Her life changed completely and Cole and Maggie grew apart. Fast forward 14 years and he’s an outstanding police officer and she’s the town’s flower shop owner and the mom of a sweet and rebellious girl.
Over the years Maggie and Cole (or Decker like everyone calls him) not only grew apart, they became enemies. He did everything he could to make her life miserable, you’d think that a man in his 30s would behave better but no, he goes out of his way to make her feel bad, when deep down he loves her so much it hurts, and this is the way he came up to keep her away from him since he blames himself for things that end up making her life harder than it needed to be.
Maggie on the other hand is clueless to how Decker feels about her and although deep down she knows she loves him, she cannot get past the fact that he treats her so bad. Until one faithful night, when Maggie is in danger, Decker is there to help! Would they be able to let go of their guilt over their past and get a HEA?
This is my first Chikalu Falls book and I’m in love!!!
Small town, fun group of friends, hotter than hot hero and strong heroine? Yes, please! I love everything about this story. How the dynamics between Maggie and Decker evolve and how deeply they care about each other. And their steam? Well, is pretty, pretty hot! He’s bossy! And she loves it 😈
I also love the connection between Decker and Lottie (Maggie’s daughter). I give this book 5 stars and highly recommend it! Now I can’t wait to have some free time and read the other two books in the series 💜
They were best friends during high school and although they had feelings for each other they were never able to express them. She ends up having a bad night with another guy and becomes pregnant at 17. Her life changed completely and Cole and Maggie grew apart. Fast forward 14 years and he’s an outstanding police officer and she’s the town’s flower shop owner and the mom of a sweet and rebellious girl.
Over the years Maggie and Cole (or Decker like everyone calls him) not only grew apart, they became enemies. He did everything he could to make her life miserable, you’d think that a man in his 30s would behave better but no, he goes out of his way to make her feel bad, when deep down he loves her so much it hurts, and this is the way he came up to keep her away from him since he blames himself for things that end up making her life harder than it needed to be.
Maggie on the other hand is clueless to how Decker feels about her and although deep down she knows she loves him, she cannot get past the fact that he treats her so bad. Until one faithful night, when Maggie is in danger, Decker is there to help! Would they be able to let go of their guilt over their past and get a HEA?
This is my first Chikalu Falls book and I’m in love!!!
Small town, fun group of friends, hotter than hot hero and strong heroine? Yes, please! I love everything about this story. How the dynamics between Maggie and Decker evolve and how deeply they care about each other. And their steam? Well, is pretty, pretty hot! He’s bossy! And she loves it 😈
I also love the connection between Decker and Lottie (Maggie’s daughter). I give this book 5 stars and highly recommend it! Now I can’t wait to have some free time and read the other two books in the series 💜
November 14, 2021
Cole and Maggie are GOALS!!!
These 2 had been friends for years, and there was always an attraction between them, but over the years they grew apart and had their own lives. Maggie is a single mom and has so much going on in her life, and Cole is a police officer. My heart hurt while reading when they kept getting pulled away from each other, because you can just tell they are meant to be.
When they finally get to try a relationship, it's AMAZING!!! And the way Cole is with Maggie's daughter will have you swooning.
This is an AMAZING story, the characters will have you hooked and your heart will be invested in their HEA. I can't wait to read what Lena writes next!!!
These 2 had been friends for years, and there was always an attraction between them, but over the years they grew apart and had their own lives. Maggie is a single mom and has so much going on in her life, and Cole is a police officer. My heart hurt while reading when they kept getting pulled away from each other, because you can just tell they are meant to be.
When they finally get to try a relationship, it's AMAZING!!! And the way Cole is with Maggie's daughter will have you swooning.
This is an AMAZING story, the characters will have you hooked and your heart will be invested in their HEA. I can't wait to read what Lena writes next!!!
November 10, 2021
So I’m still in love with this series. Maggie and Cole had some serious heartache and angst to dole out, but it was all worth the misery in the end. They had so many “almost, maybe, could’ve been” chances until now that they both felt the fear of their new truce-turned-relationship falling apart. And that fear was so clearly conveyed here that I wanted to scream at one party and cry for the other. Because sometimes, fear rules the day and tries to rip everything to shreds before love and hope shut it down. And that’s exactly what you can worry about here. Is Cole really a jerk? Or is he hiding something more? And is Maggie ready for a partner, or has she had too much time to shoulder everything herself (or so she thinks)?
I love how this author manages to deliver small town living in all its good and bad splendor while never scrimping on the truths that come with life in any setting. There’s no OTT drama, but there IS finally a hilarious answer to the bandit mystery. And there is definitely a lot of love and time to make up for along the way, so enjoy the ride. I know I did.
I love how this author manages to deliver small town living in all its good and bad splendor while never scrimping on the truths that come with life in any setting. There’s no OTT drama, but there IS finally a hilarious answer to the bandit mystery. And there is definitely a lot of love and time to make up for along the way, so enjoy the ride. I know I did.
October 11, 2023
Lena Hendrix is becoming my favorite author 😊
November 30, 2021
Amazon / Amazon Worldwide / Amazon Print
Once upon a time, Cole and Maggie were best friends who had more than friendly feelings for each other, but never acted on them. Mistiming, being teens, it all happened and now years later in their 30s, and the two circle each other, pretending to despise each other, but are secretly still in love with the other. If only Cole would drop his grumpiness and let Maggie in. If only they hadn't lost years while yearning for each other. If only they could get on the same page and be together. If only...
Maggie has spent the the years since high school raising her defiant teen daughter, wondering why her former best friend can't seem to stand the sight of her. There was a slim chance back in the day for them to perhaps have a future, but when she got pregnant by her jerk of a prom date, it seemed as if Cole was disgusted by her. If only her body didn't react to him like she wished he'd use his handcuffs on her. If only he hadn't arrested her heart and kept it. If only...
The angst and push and pull was high here. I wanted to smack them both, especially Cole, each time they pushed each other away, just knowing they actually loved the other. Sigh...but by the end, I was happy they'd found their happy, even if it took FOREVER and a day to get there. Even if they had to both experience loads of pain on their way to stability and happiness. I liked these two together, although they weren't actually a couple for very long by the time their epilogue rolled around. Now I'm waiting anxiously for the next Chikalu Falls resident to find love.
ARC provided by Social Butterfly PR for an honest review.
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November 27, 2021
All reviews posted at Tales of Love, Life, and Murder
There’s such a love-hate relationship in the earlier books so I was happy to finally get Maggie and Cole’s story. The banter between them is great and at times funny, but there’s a tragic element running through their story. These two have a really complicated history. They went from best friends to strangers then eventually became enemies without really knowing how things changed so drastically. They’ve been avoiding each other for fifteen years, which takes a lot of effort in a small town.
There was more than a decade of unrequited love on both sides so it was sad, but their behavior was frustrating, too. They could’ve saved so much heartache by just having a conversation but they were both too stubborn to give in, determined to hold a grudge. I enjoyed the flashbacks showing what happened years ago because it gave us insight into their actions now.
They had a few false starts so my emotions were all over the place for a while but the ending was perfect. I received a free copy from Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review.
December 1, 2021
Beautiful ending to the series
As sad as I am to see this series end, I loved seeing all my faves again in this book. Maggie was a strong single mother who made it work. And after Cole got his self together over his guilt he became everything I knew he could be. Going to miss this little town so much. But I’ll probably be rereading Finding You soon. 😘 (honest review for an ARC sent my this lovely author)
As sad as I am to see this series end, I loved seeing all my faves again in this book. Maggie was a strong single mother who made it work. And after Cole got his self together over his guilt he became everything I knew he could be. Going to miss this little town so much. But I’ll probably be rereading Finding You soon. 😘 (honest review for an ARC sent my this lovely author)
January 13, 2022
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
STEAM: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I wasn't sure if it was possible, but the Chikalu Falls series keeps getting better and better. This time, we get small-town enemies Cole and Maggie.
Petty is their favorite color, and they pretty much have a light show in that color every time they get in close vicinity to each other. No one in Chikalu can seem to figure out how they went from best friends in high school to being at each other's throats (not in a good way) for 15 years.
Some speculate that it has something to do with the deceased father of Maggie's teen daughter, but their falling out seems to be one of the many secrets that we, the readers, uncover with them.
I have to say that Cole and Maggie are my favorite couple of the series. I am a sucker for enemies-to-lovers, so their petty banter and the underlying tension were my jam. The story toggles back and forth with flashbacks to their childhood, so every present interaction is given more depth and meaning. When that growing tension finally implodes, Lena Hendrix definitely brings the heat. Hear me out: I know spicy scenes with handcuffs can be cliché, especially with Cole being a cop, but that scene is just **chef's kiss** and you would not want to miss it.
I adore their interactions with Maggie's daughter Lottie. The adversities Maggie had to overcome as a single mom speaks to her strength and resilience, and it is no wonder she can lock horns with Cole for 15 years without skipping a beat. I also love that there was a strong connection between Cole and Lottie way before this phase of Cole and Maggie's relationship, and we get to see how that started and its wonderful progression.
As always, we fall even deeper in love with the rest of Chikalu. The couples from the previous books play their important parts as the support system that Cole and Maggie need.
The hunt for the [eggplant] bandit comes to a stunning conclusion in this book, and it was a plot twist I most definitely did not expect but thoroughly enjoyed.
I am not sure if this is the last we will see of Chikalu, but I have definitely enjoyed the series. If you're considering this book, it works well as a standalone. If you want to get a full experience, I definitely recommend reading from the beginning.
STEAM: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I wasn't sure if it was possible, but the Chikalu Falls series keeps getting better and better. This time, we get small-town enemies Cole and Maggie.
Petty is their favorite color, and they pretty much have a light show in that color every time they get in close vicinity to each other. No one in Chikalu can seem to figure out how they went from best friends in high school to being at each other's throats (not in a good way) for 15 years.
Some speculate that it has something to do with the deceased father of Maggie's teen daughter, but their falling out seems to be one of the many secrets that we, the readers, uncover with them.
I have to say that Cole and Maggie are my favorite couple of the series. I am a sucker for enemies-to-lovers, so their petty banter and the underlying tension were my jam. The story toggles back and forth with flashbacks to their childhood, so every present interaction is given more depth and meaning. When that growing tension finally implodes, Lena Hendrix definitely brings the heat. Hear me out: I know spicy scenes with handcuffs can be cliché, especially with Cole being a cop, but that scene is just **chef's kiss** and you would not want to miss it.
I adore their interactions with Maggie's daughter Lottie. The adversities Maggie had to overcome as a single mom speaks to her strength and resilience, and it is no wonder she can lock horns with Cole for 15 years without skipping a beat. I also love that there was a strong connection between Cole and Lottie way before this phase of Cole and Maggie's relationship, and we get to see how that started and its wonderful progression.
As always, we fall even deeper in love with the rest of Chikalu. The couples from the previous books play their important parts as the support system that Cole and Maggie need.
The hunt for the [eggplant] bandit comes to a stunning conclusion in this book, and it was a plot twist I most definitely did not expect but thoroughly enjoyed.
I am not sure if this is the last we will see of Chikalu, but I have definitely enjoyed the series. If you're considering this book, it works well as a standalone. If you want to get a full experience, I definitely recommend reading from the beginning.
December 1, 2021
5 Stars for my first Lena Hendrix read, and a novel with an emotional rollercoaster to a Happily Ever After!
Thank you to Grey's Promotions for sending me an ebook Advanced Readers Copy for me to read and review!
--------------------------------------------------------------
Before I even opened the first page, let's talk about the blurb! Of course, nine times out of ten the cover is what our eyes and minds are first attracted to--and this time was no different to be honest--, but the blurb has to back up that call-t0-read attraction. Protecting You did just that. Not overly long. If anything, it was short, sweet and directly to the point telling you as a reader what you would be in for.
✔ Will-they won't they
✔ Small-town
✔ Single parent
✔ Another shot at love
✔ Second chance
✔ Afraid to commit
✔ Hidden feelings
✔ Emotionally wounded heroine
✔ Grumpy cop
✔ Angst
And all that is just naming a few tropes/features of this novel. For a small town, it and the story about its inhabitants is packed-full of something for everybody.
One part I have to particularly have to comment on and applaud Lena for including, is the banter between Maggie and Deck. As a Brit--famous as we are for our love of and use of banter--, I can appreciate the angst between these two as they bantered back and forth at several points within the novel before we get to that sweet, sweet turning point when our two main characters take the leap we've all been holding our breaths for. The banter between the two I could tell wasn't meant with any genuine malice, which is always a nice change from the snippy and snide nature I've read written by other authors, Maggie and Deck's teasing of one another was simply just that and nine times out of ten I had a good laugh. Another point to Lena.
As much as we all love romance and angst, I love a book that amid all the hidden feelings, pent-upness and drama, it can still make you laugh, giggle-snort or full-on belly laugh. Lena gave us those moments here and there with Maggie and Deck.
Going back to the romance, well...woah. This is a novel where those moments are dotted here and there and when they appear--albeit if they're not as frequent as some may like--snow and ice could be melted with the heat! We all hold our breaths as I said at the start of this review for the moment where two characters literally for want of a word, come together, and I like where Lena's head was at when writing that very first scene which would indeed itself set the scene for future moments to come. Pun intended. Deck did not disappoint.
Neither did a certain escapee goat on four legs. You'll understand when you read this novel. We should all be thanking Sassafras!
For my first Lena Hendrix read I could not have hoped for a better introduction to her and her writing style. I'm always weary of new authors as I always want to enjoy every book I read, I'm terrified of offending an author if I'm not to keen on a singular piece of work but fear not, this was not the case and I'm happy to say that it was quite the opposite.
I'm going to be happily following Lena and her novels from this point on and if what my gut is telling me, I'm not doing to be disappointed. She's been a super sweet person towards me over on Instagram, which is always a bonus, so I can't give higher praise to her or her work if I tried.
Five stars for Lena, Deck and Maggie!
Thank you to Grey's Promotions for sending me an ebook Advanced Readers Copy for me to read and review!
--------------------------------------------------------------
Before I even opened the first page, let's talk about the blurb! Of course, nine times out of ten the cover is what our eyes and minds are first attracted to--and this time was no different to be honest--, but the blurb has to back up that call-t0-read attraction. Protecting You did just that. Not overly long. If anything, it was short, sweet and directly to the point telling you as a reader what you would be in for.
✔ Will-they won't they
✔ Small-town
✔ Single parent
✔ Another shot at love
✔ Second chance
✔ Afraid to commit
✔ Hidden feelings
✔ Emotionally wounded heroine
✔ Grumpy cop
✔ Angst
And all that is just naming a few tropes/features of this novel. For a small town, it and the story about its inhabitants is packed-full of something for everybody.
One part I have to particularly have to comment on and applaud Lena for including, is the banter between Maggie and Deck. As a Brit--famous as we are for our love of and use of banter--, I can appreciate the angst between these two as they bantered back and forth at several points within the novel before we get to that sweet, sweet turning point when our two main characters take the leap we've all been holding our breaths for. The banter between the two I could tell wasn't meant with any genuine malice, which is always a nice change from the snippy and snide nature I've read written by other authors, Maggie and Deck's teasing of one another was simply just that and nine times out of ten I had a good laugh. Another point to Lena.
As much as we all love romance and angst, I love a book that amid all the hidden feelings, pent-upness and drama, it can still make you laugh, giggle-snort or full-on belly laugh. Lena gave us those moments here and there with Maggie and Deck.
Going back to the romance, well...woah. This is a novel where those moments are dotted here and there and when they appear--albeit if they're not as frequent as some may like--snow and ice could be melted with the heat! We all hold our breaths as I said at the start of this review for the moment where two characters literally for want of a word, come together, and I like where Lena's head was at when writing that very first scene which would indeed itself set the scene for future moments to come. Pun intended. Deck did not disappoint.
Neither did a certain escapee goat on four legs. You'll understand when you read this novel. We should all be thanking Sassafras!
For my first Lena Hendrix read I could not have hoped for a better introduction to her and her writing style. I'm always weary of new authors as I always want to enjoy every book I read, I'm terrified of offending an author if I'm not to keen on a singular piece of work but fear not, this was not the case and I'm happy to say that it was quite the opposite.
I'm going to be happily following Lena and her novels from this point on and if what my gut is telling me, I'm not doing to be disappointed. She's been a super sweet person towards me over on Instagram, which is always a bonus, so I can't give higher praise to her or her work if I tried.
Five stars for Lena, Deck and Maggie!
November 25, 2021
Title: Protecting You (Chikalu Falls #3)
Author: Lena Hendrix
Hero/Heroine: Cole & Maggie
Trope: Frenemies to Lovers/Single Parent
THE GOOD 😀
Lawd have mercy, Lena Hendrix knows how to write a hero that’s an absolute smoke show. Don’t get me wrong, I adored Lincoln and Colin, but Cole took it to the next level of hotness.
After getting glimpses of both Cole and Maggie in the previous books in the Chikalu Falls series, I couldn’t wait to read more about these complex yet wonderful characters. I was not disappointed. This story was the epitome of frenemies to lovers, and I was absolutely here for it.
Having known each other literally their entire lives, Cole and Maggie were the best of friends and spent every minute together. Fast forward to the present day and the situation was very different.
The one thing (amongst many) I loved was the push/pull between Cole and Maggie. Exchanges between them were intense and fraught with tension, which in turn created some off the charts chemistry. Even though both of these characters were so stubborn and hard headed at times, I couldn’t help but love them. Both fighting their own personal demons - Cole with living in his fathers shadow and Maggie constantly questioning her skills as a mother - they tried so hard to resist the pull toward one another, to no avail.
I ADORED this book and I’m hoping and praying that this isn’t the last we’ll see of these characters. Lena Hendrix has once again written a book that incredibly difficult to put down. I’m really mad at myself that I’ve finished it already.
THE BAD ☹️
That I don’t have another Chikalu Falls book to read immediately after this one.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this to read. This is my honest review.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: Yet another sweet and steamy visit to Chikalu Falls, loved this!
STEAM LEVEL: 🔥🔥🔥
STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Lena Hendrix
Hero/Heroine: Cole & Maggie
Trope: Frenemies to Lovers/Single Parent
THE GOOD 😀
Lawd have mercy, Lena Hendrix knows how to write a hero that’s an absolute smoke show. Don’t get me wrong, I adored Lincoln and Colin, but Cole took it to the next level of hotness.
After getting glimpses of both Cole and Maggie in the previous books in the Chikalu Falls series, I couldn’t wait to read more about these complex yet wonderful characters. I was not disappointed. This story was the epitome of frenemies to lovers, and I was absolutely here for it.
Having known each other literally their entire lives, Cole and Maggie were the best of friends and spent every minute together. Fast forward to the present day and the situation was very different.
The one thing (amongst many) I loved was the push/pull between Cole and Maggie. Exchanges between them were intense and fraught with tension, which in turn created some off the charts chemistry. Even though both of these characters were so stubborn and hard headed at times, I couldn’t help but love them. Both fighting their own personal demons - Cole with living in his fathers shadow and Maggie constantly questioning her skills as a mother - they tried so hard to resist the pull toward one another, to no avail.
I ADORED this book and I’m hoping and praying that this isn’t the last we’ll see of these characters. Lena Hendrix has once again written a book that incredibly difficult to put down. I’m really mad at myself that I’ve finished it already.
THE BAD ☹️
That I don’t have another Chikalu Falls book to read immediately after this one.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this to read. This is my honest review.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: Yet another sweet and steamy visit to Chikalu Falls, loved this!
STEAM LEVEL: 🔥🔥🔥
STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 1, 2021
Okay my book loving friends. You know how we love to read these dirty and dark books to escape and live vicariously through the characters in these fictitious scenarios and worlds because it’s not even close to feeling real?
Well, what about the exact opposite?
Lena created this amazingly wonderful story of Maggie and Cole that you just want to escape in because it’s so real and relatable.
Maggie is a single mom that lives in a small town. She’s been best friends with Cole forever. However, they became more like enemies after Maggie tells Cole she is pregnant from her very reckless night with David after prom. Cole leaves for college right after without resolving anything with Maggie.
Years later and here we are with all this angst and tension between them. They can’t escape each other in this small town and neither one are even sure they want to. But Cole is keeping his distance for a reason.
This book is a perfect blend between friends to enemies to lovers. It is filled with some delicious spice. This book will give you butterflies, make you smile, and make your heart melt.
I highly recommend this book!
Well, what about the exact opposite?
Lena created this amazingly wonderful story of Maggie and Cole that you just want to escape in because it’s so real and relatable.
Maggie is a single mom that lives in a small town. She’s been best friends with Cole forever. However, they became more like enemies after Maggie tells Cole she is pregnant from her very reckless night with David after prom. Cole leaves for college right after without resolving anything with Maggie.
Years later and here we are with all this angst and tension between them. They can’t escape each other in this small town and neither one are even sure they want to. But Cole is keeping his distance for a reason.
This book is a perfect blend between friends to enemies to lovers. It is filled with some delicious spice. This book will give you butterflies, make you smile, and make your heart melt.
I highly recommend this book!
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