Guardian's Obsession

by Mink

Vivian is my ward. I’m tasked with taking care of her and handling all her needs. The only thing is, I was expecting her to be a child, one I could easily hand off to a nanny. But she isn’t. She’s a grown woman with wicked curves who fascinates me.

I’m in charge of her inheritance. I want to be in charge of her. All of her. I’m the sort of man who’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants. I’ve crushed my competition again and again over the years, and now I’ll turn my skills on my young ward, breaking down her defenses until she’s completely open to me. When I finally get a taste, I’m hooked, and I realize I’ll never let her go.

But her foolish brother has other plans, and he’s made deals involving my sweet Vivian. He’ll find out just how ruthless I can be when it comes to protecting what’s mine, and Vivian irrevocably belongs to me, just as I belong to her. Forever.

MINK’s Grab a kitty and an iced coffee for this sweet and steamy tale of a guardian and his innocent ward.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Contemporary Romance, Forced Proximity, Smut, Drama

151 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2022

Reviews

[Melluvsbooks]

DNF - the H is awkward as hell. Unconfident. Simpering. Yikes.

[Katie Utterly Unashamed · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with my last review, I read this and didn't have time to write a review, therefore I just remember liking it.

In general, I'm really enjoying this author though. I'm actually going to go pick another one from Mink to read while its raining.



Instagram | My Blog | Facebook

[Viv “BookVixen” Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweeter than usual

This was a bit more sweet than minks usual stuff—no blood and gore and only one scene where the hero has to beat a threat to the heroine up!

It was still totally cute tho, with lots of kittens, steam and swoon.

And double virgins!! So 100% safe! Put me in my happy place!

[Flo₂₂ · Rating 2 out of 5]

the h is to childish , and really naive..i hated that.
there are holes in the plot, meaning a lot of important stuffs off page!!!!
their first time - the wedding ..like really?
and like always a lot about kittens , which i start to hate in this author books.

[Kristianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of Mink’s books but I think this may be my new favorite of her recent books! Meeting Griff really let Vivian shine once she knew she was loved and cared for. She was so sassy it was hilarious. And I loved how she made him less serious in return. Loved this book so much!

[DeeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the gang were present in this engaging story! Loved Charles and Vivian's romance!

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

not minks usual- not in a good way

Not the mink I usually enjoy. It was disconnected 🤷🏻‍♀️

-insta love
-possessive H
-age gap
-cute kittens
-Story didn’t connect well- was too rushed and jumped and didn’t make a lot of sense

[Joanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yeah, no. . . this had everything to be good but ended up being a freaking mess 🥴

▬ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: age gap, guardian x ward, insta lust/love

[WhiskeyandReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have yet to read a book by mink that I didnt like. Adding in things about cats is hilarious.

[Meg ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

can i have a griff please

[A-reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

My reviews always contain spoilers, I write them so I can remember the story.

Griffin has just been named guardian to his deceased business partner’s daughter Vivian, he expects a child but is surprised by the beautiful curvy young lady he meets. Vivian is 18 but due to her brother being an alcoholic her parents made Griff her guardian until she turns 21. Their attraction to each other is immediate, Griff doesn’t know how to deal with it, he has never had time or interest in women. Mrs. Putnam, his housekeeper, treats her with such kindness and helps her adjust to being in Griff’s house. After a bit of adjustment the two give into their feelings and enjoy sexy times and I love yous. The brother, Charles, tries to get Vivian to come home, he needs the money he can get by marrying Vivian off to a bad guy. But Griff isn’t going to let that happen. Charles does manage to get her away and the bad guys drug her and take her. Griff and his security along with Mrs. Putnam go and rescue her. (Loved that Mrs. Putnam was old school mob and could handle the bad guys with ease.) Epilogue with kids and them crazy happy in love. Charles realizes the error of his ways and with Griff’s help is a better man.

[I'm Fine, Just Tired · Rating 2 out of 5]

Guardians Obsession

HERO /HEROINE
Griffin is part of a huge merging company. He is very good at his job. His job being, making the best investments, advising others on investments, and eliminating anyone in his way by whatever means necessary.
Vivian has only been to two places in her life, her parents home and the boarding school she was raised in. While her parents traveled the world, Vivian’s was small and sheltered. Now that she’s 18 she was hoping her world would open up more. She wasn’t counting on her parents dying. And she didn’t know that even at 18 she would be placed into a new home under a guardianship.

REPRESENTATION

OVERALL THOUGHTS This guardian/ward type of relationship ended up being cutesy more than anything.

The feelings I feel when a MC has to do everything for their partner. I blush every time.

“You can have all the dumplings you want.” Griff spears one onto his fork and offers it to me. “You don’t have to do that. It’s yours.” “Open,” he orders. His tone leaves no room for argument.

Mrs Putnam is a gem. As are all the older ladies in Mink stories. Some of my favorites.

“Go upstairs and apologize for being a stuffy weirdo.”
She disappears into the kitchen.
“I wasn’t being a stuffy weirdo,” I grumble as I climb the stairs.

“He acts like it was him I was saying I was going to have the little ones with.”
“You should tell him that.”
“Really?”
“Yep,”

“Because your favorite foods are domination and revenge. Neither of those are on the menu here.”

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE A lot of fade to black scenes where it should have been some filthy smut. :( I love filthy smut.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

“Just look at you. A little lamb in a world full of wolves.”
“Does that make you one of the wolves?” she fires back.
“Yes.” I don’t see any point in hiding that fact.
“I’m the only wolf you’ll ever have to worry about.”

SAFETY

AGE: Vvivian is 18 and I’m guessing Griffin is in his 30s

SEXUAL HISTORY: BOTH ARE VIRGINS BABYYY

“There is no woman, Vivian. There never has been. There’s only you.”
Her lips part.
“Never?”

CONDOMS: No, they want babies

I can already feel my body demanding another release, but this time, I want to coat her pussy with me. To put a baby in her just like she’d said.

TUMMY BUTTERFLIES: 2/5 Age Gap, Breeding Kink, Loss of Virginity and although there were a lot of great kinks, it mostly faded to black. I WANT DETAILS. We only got a few.

“What you heard was me thinking about putting a baby in you, about fucking you until you came so hard you blacked out.”

PUSH/PULL: No

SEPARATION: Only for maybe an hour

CHEATING: no

OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: no

SEX SCENE WITH OW/OM: no

ABUSE: Child Neglect, Abuse at School, Child Abuse by Father

POSSIBLE PET PEEVES/TRIGGERS Romanticizing Pregnancy, Panic Attacks, Afraid of the Dark, Drugging Someone Against Their Will, Death of Parents,

HEA/HFN: HEA Years later. Vivian and Griffin are out with other previous couples from Mink books. They have babies. Griff and Viv are still obsessed.

[ziyuan ʚɞ Reads Dark Smut. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You’re mistaken.” Once again, I find myself staring at her lips.
“You can’t just say that.”
“Hmm?”

She rolls her eyes. “You can’t just say ‘you’re mistaken’ to someone like that and then offer no explanation.”

I rather enjoy her tone–pert with a side of schoolmistress. Amusement starts to bubble beneath my surface. “Why not?”

Griff realized he was not the kind of man who’s capable of nurturing anyone, he knew like Vivian would be the exception to that rule, because she’s quickly become the center of his world.

Vivian was so freaking adorable, she was that kind of heroine you would find yourself couldn’t help but fall in love with. She was like the little kitten and should be worshiped and cherished by his Griffin.

I remind myself that I’m her guardian, that her brother was just here telling me not to prowl after her, that I was friendly with her parents–but none of that can stop the desire I feel for her as I watch her move, hear her talk, and realize that at some point in the past day or so, I’ve fallen for her. Irreparably. Inescapably. I want her, and I won’t stop until she’s mine.

What a caveman hahahahah.

This one was super great and j really really enjoyed during the reading. Griff might be ruthless but when he was with his Vivian, he was always the most amazing lover.

I agree the warning before the reading:

Grab a kitty and an iced coffee for this sweet and steamy tale of a guardian and his innocent ward.♥️♥️♥️

Hilarious Mrs. Putnam:

🌟🌟🌟

I had no idea how Mrs. Putnam even knows a recipe for the dish. It’s not as if she’s ever made it for me. “Wait, why don’t you cook like this for me?”

She snorts a laugh. “Because your favorite foods are domination and revenge. Neither of those are on the menu here.”

“That’s business. This is food.”
“Quit your belly-aching.

I really really adored Mrs. Putnam. She was funny hahahahaha!!🤣

“I’m just going to go–”
“Go upstairs and apologize for being a stuffy weirdo.” She disappears into the kitchen.

“I wasn’t being a stuffy weirdo,” I grumble as I climb the stairs. But it’s not like I’m taking advice from Mrs. Putnam. I was going to follow Vivian anyway. I can’t seem to help myself. Wherever she is, I suddenly want to be. I’m not a stuffy weirdo, I’m an obsessed stalker.

Hahahahahaha, Griff must be speechless talking with Mrs. Putnam.😆

[Guilty Pleasures · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
There were some things that felt not great, but overall I had a great time.

Griffin, for the most part, was great with Vivian.
Vivian sometimes just felt a bit juvenile.
Obviously she’s deeply traumatised by her past, which makes Griffin making a move on her even worse than it already is, considering that he is her Guardian. But that’s taboo romances for ya, I guess?

They never used condoms … but at the same time Griffin always looked funny when Vivian mentioned kids. The first time we get an explanation, sure.
But he still gets a weird look when someone makes a comment. And at least to me that look felt off to Vivian? But it’s never explained.

I love that the three cats were woven into the story, although they apparently never got real names. The Mother Cat is “Mama” and the two babies are the “Kittens” all throughout the story.

I liked the friends of Griffin — however, Amelia’s Husband pulled Griffin to the side when they visited and said that the rival - the Santivascis - would maybe show up, but that fizzled out and nothing happened. Unfortunate.

I think my favourite character is Mrs. Putnam and that was pretty early on. I think this quote did it for me:

» I had no idea how Mrs. Putnam even knows a recipe for the dish. It’s not as if she’s ever made it for me. “Wait, why don’t you cook like this for me?”
She snorts a laugh. “Because your favorite foods are domination and revenge. Neither of those are on the menu here.” «

I loooove love love she’s such a Hardass on Griffin — setting him straight and smacking the back of his head when he needs to get real — but a total sweetheart to Vivian at the same time.

And at the end we also get to know she was kind of the queen of the underworld of that town? Damn talk about a colourful history!

Although I’m kind of confused. They did kill the Family Santivascis, no? Mrs. Putnam implied that she was good with her shovel after a kill, but they never clarified what happened to them.
Is there a vendetta maybe? Do the Santivascis want revenge?

Also! What happens to the boarding school! Was Griffin successful in taking it over? What happened with that issue?

So yeah. I enjoyed the book, but there were too many small issues that were odd or felt off to me, for me to rate this book higher.

[Kiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guardian's Obsession was about 18-year-old Vivian Shelby, the youngest child of the late David and Laverne Shelby, and their business partner, Griffin Friarlane.
When Vivian's parents both died, they left most of their assets to their daughter, and they made Griffin her legal guardian until she turned 21, at which time she would receive the bulk of her inheritance. They didn't leave much to her brother, Charles, so that put them at odds, even though Vivian wasn't aware of that fact. However, he made it known to Griffin that he wanted his sister as well as the company.
Before he ever met her, Griffin wasn't aware of Vivian's age. He thought she was still a child. But when he met her at the funeral of her parents, he laid claim to her and wasn't about to let anyone else near her.
This story pretty much took place within just a few weeks' time span from the funeral, so it was very rushed. However, it was full of angst and drama, a ton of humor, and some really spicy scenes, though most of it was a fade-to-black type of spice. There was betrayal, fear, passion, and white-hot anger. The twists and turns of the storyline definitely needed some work, but it wasn't all that bad.
For the most part, the two main characters were well-developed. It was apparent, though, that Vivian was fresh from an all-girls' private school. She wasn't totally naive, but she was definitely an innocent girl. Griffin was 100% an alpha male, so his character development was interesting to watch play out. Both characters were allowed to grow and adapt to their circumstances.
The book was fun to read, but it had quite a few unresolved issues, and the plot left too many loose ends, plus it ended rather abruptly without allowing the final scene to be resolved. If it was, then that took place off-page and without the author letting the reader in on what happened. Because of that, I could only give the story a 3.5-star rating, rounded up to four.

[Chalice · Rating 4 out of 5]

The couple: Griffin and Vivian

Romance trope: guardian/ward
Length: 151 pages

Plot: Griffin is at the funeral for his business partners when he is told that he's been named guardian of their daughter. Vivian is eighteen but her parents wanted her watched over until she turned 21. Griffin is all business, all the time, but Vivian makes him want to be better, at least for her. Vivian doesn't understand why she has to live with Griffin, especially since she has an older brother, but Griffin insists and she gives in, much to his delight.

Commentary: Shout out to Mrs. Putnam! I wonder if she was part of the assassin's group from some of the previous books.
I felt so bad for Vivian - so sweet and trusting and so let down by her parents and her brother. Why does someone have kids if they don't want to spend any time with them? When they're adults, that might be one thing (still weird, but fine) - everyone has their own lives. But you're gonna have a whole kid then ship her off to boarding school and not even spend holidays with her? Sad.
Griffin was not a likable character for about half of the book. Imagine doing business at someone's funeral! But he knew he had to be better for Vivian's sake. I love how he was just a little jealous of how Mrs. Putnam doted on Vivian (foods that she never made him, etc.). Sweet story all around.

I had no idea how Mrs. Putnam even knows a recipe for the dish. It’s not as if she’s ever made it for me. “Wait, why don’t you cook like this for me?” She snorts a laugh. “Because your favorite foods are domination and revenge. Neither of those are on the menu here.”

“We’re just asking if you want us to put out some feelers for adoption. I know you found them outside, so I wasn’t sure if you were planning on keeping three cats.” “I want them all. Who doesn’t want cats?” I mutter.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 stars. I liked this more than I thought I would. Mrs. Putnam (Griffin's cook/housekeeper) was a great side character: snappy and churlish to Griffin, then in the next breath she'd be sweet to Vivian, then back to being dismissive to Griffin even though he's her boss. She was a great mother-figure to Vivian, who really needed one, but she was also unexpectedly bad-ass, pulling out her favorite gun when she had to protect Vivian. I usually don't like side characters that turn into mother figures since authors tend to go overboard and make those women too nosey, but Mink did a good job here.

I would've rounded-up to 3 stars for "pretty good" if it weren't for a few important moments being done off-page, such as Vivian moving into Griffin's room or Griffin encouraging Vivian that she doesn't have to stay away from his office.

And I didn't feel like there was any closure with her brother Charles or with the whole situation involving Vivian's old boarding school. I will say, though, that I appreciated how consistent it was that Vivian panicked when waking up in the dark while she was alone, and that it didn't happen just once and she was suddenly all better after talking about it the one time.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guardian's Obsession is a fun and wicked adventure into the mind and heart of this extraordinary author! We learn what true belonging and honest love feels like first hand. Out heart and mind is treated to a wild journey of exploration, hope, and redemption. I felt every high and low, and I never wanted to miss anything that happened within the pages of this sumptuous love story. it is love story that will never get old and will last throughout the ages.

Mink has a beautiful way of having you fall in love with her characters before you even know it's happening. This is exactly how this story fell into place for me. I was lost to her fabulous characters from the very beginning, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Mink's stories are wondrous and exciting and feel like home. When I need some comfort and a feeling of belonging, I just find a book by Mink and then hide away while I let my heart be moved and healed.

[MerReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Griff and Vivian! My new favorite couple! Before anything, this will be in my reread pile!
Mink really is who I go to for comfort reads. Stories that are OTT, make me happy and swoon!
This story is safe, no cheating, Double Vcard, no OM/OW (there is a leader of a powerful organization that wants our sweet Vivian but Griff saves his woman!) They are each others one and only and I love that, we need more of that. Bonus, a fantastic HEA epilogue.
There is a momma cat and two kittens (rescues), we get to see some old friends, from 'Vetting his Kitten', Grant and Amelia, and we get to see briefly Marianna and Fenton is there once, but we don't see him, from the book 'Hidden Love'.
The H is alpha, OTT, never pushes the h away, same with our h, she never pushes H away.
Oh, Mrs. Putnam is a hoot! One of the best secondary characters in the MINK books, I absolutley adore her!
I highly recommend this book...Happy reading!

[Sommer Lovett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet but how did her phone end up back in his office🙄

This is a sweet tame story. No kink (unfortunately,lol) 1 sexy scene, though hot and 1 oral only scene. I read this through KU but I am returning it. I like more steamy scenes. But I know a lot of people don’t and they will like this book.
Little critiques 1) there were bodyguards supposedly everywhere but none around her, FMC, at his office?? And 2 (Pretty Big) how did she text her brother when she went outside “Me: I don’t see you.” when in the next scene she left her phone w/ her Kindle in Griffin’s office and he is able to read her text messages?!?

I just really feel this was rushed or not even really cared about. I love Mink’s books❤️📚😍 I ALWAYS download her books when they hit KU, I don’t even read the blurb. I will continue to do that also but recently bought the majority of them after I read it or heck I won’t even be done and buy it. But sadly this is not one of them.

[Babel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cats are always the best in these stories! :-D I really swooned over the cuteness of the little pets that are so in brand with the author.

This lovely novella has an aloof and ruthless businessman suddenly in the role of warden of a young beauty. Of course, he can't understand his urges to possess, protect and claim her. Fret not, gentle reader, the heiress has a lot of trauma and need of love that his demanding tactics are exactly what she craves!

It's full of hilarious situations because of Griffin's misunderstandings of social cues or one special woman who becomes all soft when in the company of such a sweet ward. Then, it's also sexy when it counts, and very entertaining as some dangers pop up to put their cosy world in peril. Really great fun.

[hottie men · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guardian's Obsession is the story of Griffin and Vivian.

Vivian is Griffin's new ward after her parent's death. Griffin is immediately captivated by her beauty and her innocence. He's supposed to take her in until she's 21 and allowed her inheritance but he can't do that with all the things he wants to do to her. One day his restraint and control break and he claims her but not fully just with orgasms. HE IS SO FUCKIN HOT WITH HIS TALK. Her brother Charles is planning to get her married to a mafia boss or some shit idk but when they kidnapped her, Griff went ballistic and saved her with guts and glory, and Mrs. Putnam. Linn and Mrs. Putnam were superior women in the story also Miranda and Amelia and their husbands. I want to see their kids soon.

Solid 4/5

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this instalove story. It was entertaining and enjoyable with a touch of taboo. The characters were interesting and likable. Mrs. Putnam and Linn were both great additions to the story and I kind of wish we got a bit more backstory (and more!) about them. They were definitely women to be reckoned with. Griffin was not prepared when he saw a beautiful woman only to find out that she was Vivian. Vivian knew who Griffin was but wasn't prepared for how he would make her feel. Sparks flew between them immediately. There was some drama and angst as well as a bit of violence, but it worked out well. I loved their happily ever after. I recommend reading this book.

[Leslee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Griffin eats, sleeps, breathes his business. Even at the funeral for his business partners', he is still working. Thrown for a loop when his attention is captured by this gorgeous woman in the crowd, he is floored to find out she is the deceased couple's daughter. To further complicate his feelings, she is to live with him, under his guardianship, for the next couple of years. Vivian's never felt at home, spending her life at boarding school except for the holidays. Now Griffin is giving her his home, giving her his time and attention and she is falling fast. Pure undiluted escapism was directly injected into my veins with this story. So fun and sweet!

[PeaceOfGod · Rating 3 out of 5]

😵Which 18 y/o wears Kitty pants and Kitty tops and KITTY HEAD BANDS?!
NOBODY!!!
Except for Ariana Grande occasionally , and that's because she's in the show-biz.
18 y/o in reality wear something that'll make them look 25 not 12!!!!


🙄I don't know why , the authors , to maintain age-gap , show 18 y/o FMCs wearing clothes the likes of 12 y/ols.😕

🙂I wud have added an image or something to this review , but I 😞 JUST CANT FIND IT CAUSE ITS NOT REAL!!!!


🥺Something's wrong with me.

😕Or with her fashion choice.

🥱I didn't enjoy this one after a few pages.


💚Dual-virgins.
💚Safe.

[Heather Boothe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! There is nothing I would change about it, not a single thing. I didn't think she could top Crazy Love but this one might have. The last week has been *chefs kiss* in regards to new releases. Three of my top authors have released new books that were DV and I loved each one. Actually I think it was four new releases.

This book was great and exactly why I keep reading books from Mink. OTT possessive alpha males are the best. But ones that can be sweet too. Reading this was like eating a donut, so sweet and so good lol. I could eat like six donuts back to back and I could read six books just like this back to back.

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve read a few books about guardian and wards, this one just didn’t quite do it for me. I like the build up of tension and that angst of each being attracted to the other but trying not to be. In this book they don’t hold out really and somehow everyone around them thinks they should be together. Meh. I guess there is a little drama thrown in with the brother and some trauma from a room at boarding school that seemed like something thrown in trying to make Vivian have more dimension. To me, it didn’t work. She acted childish quite a few times, and was a bit annoying. Griff was also annoyingly cocky, and actually kind of boring.

[Syd Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this was a great book. I loved the connection and chemistry between these two. Griff and Vivian were awesome. Griff and Vivian finally meet under sad times but these two are instant drawn to each other. Griff is exactly who Vivian needs in her life and helps her grow. I really enjoyed is book with its steam, drama, suspense, love and great HEA. I would recommend this book and Mink as a must read author.

I received a free e-book copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Cindy Vernon · Rating 4 out of 5]

After her parents death, Vivian becomes the ward of Griffin, her parent's business partner. She is 18 and just graduated from boarding school where she was mistreated and ignored by her parents. Griffin and Vivian connect and fall in love but her brother is involving her in a dangerous plot. While there is instalove, there is also a development in their relationship. They both have been hurt and are closed off but open up to each other. There is of course spicy encounters aplenty and I found this to be one of Mink's better books. I really enjoyed it.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m pretty sure this is my new favorite story written by MINK! I greatly enjoyed this story from the very first few pages. I devoured it!

Griff has just learned he’s going to be the guardian of his business partner’s little girl. Only she’s not a little girl… she 18. And he wants her to belong to him in all ways. Only him!
Well written with characters who will capture your attention and not let go! 5 stars!!!