Valiant Protector

by B.L. Brooks

Cillian

•••

The girl next door might just be the one I’m meant for…

My new neighbor doesn’t quite fit the part around here—angry, broken, depressed and poor.

No , as little Laney Jones here doesn’t belong at all, being the adorable, upbeat, sweetheart that she is…

And when I come to learn she’s out of options—forcing her to live in the slums of the city—an internal, or should I say feral instinct locks into gear, driving me to want to do nothing but protect Laney.

Living down here is my way of laying low, especially with the years I’ve racked up in the Bratva. But the goddess next door doesn’t deserve to live like this.

And with danger now lurking around the corner, I have no other choice than to break my one rule and step into the picture. Saving Laney, keeping her safe…and all while I make the girl mine.


If you swoon for mafia men who stop at nothing to claim their women, then you’ll absolutely enjoy my Merciless Mafia Men series! Each book takes place in the same world, so I recommend reading the series in order. If you’re a fan of age gap, insta-love romance, then you’ll fall in love with Cillian and Laney’s story!

*This is a steamy, short, standalone read. No cliffhangers or cheating involved. Just one Happily-Ever-After. (:

54 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 2022

About the author

sweet & steamy stories involving HOT alphas who stop at nothing to claim their women...❤️‍🔥

❥ Sign up for my Newsletter!
‣ https://bit.ly/3og42UL

Connect with me!
❥ Facebook Fan Page: ‣ https://bit.ly/3neGz5l

❥ Facebook Group: ‣ https://bit.ly/38bj9cw

Reviews

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cillian is on his way to retirement from the Bratva when he connects with Laney a young woman who has moved into is building and is his next-door neighbor. Laney has finally taken the reigns and moved away from her parents who were controlling. Sparks pass between her, and Cillian and he is determined to make her his but when she sees him and his boys working over a client, will she turn tail and run? This story had me all caught up in it and cheering for Cillian and Laney to get their chance to find happiness!

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

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one of the Merciless Mafia Men series it can be read under an hour or less, if the rest of the series is anything like this one this it is going to be an amazing series. Cillian sexy as all get out bratva looking into retirement when the most beautiful women move in next door to him from the moment, he saw her he knew she was meant to be his but how would he make that happen considering she doesn’t know much about his world. Laney comes from a home where she was controlled to the point of abuse, she wanted to live free from any type of judgment or control, and so moving out of her parents into her own place was a start but one look at her neighbor he thought was how sexy he was from that moment the attraction was instant, insanely intense and the magnetic pull between them continues to grow the more time they spend around each other until his world comes walking through and she finally sees him for who he really is all while taking care a guy but his concern is will she understand, will she walk away or will she run away from him, from the violence, from the darkness in him, or can she accept his line of work, will her parents understand why she left or cause her some trouble, and will these two unlikely people find happiness?.

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

[Rebecca Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cillian has work for the Bratva since he was a teenager. He specializes in finances and is close friends with the group's head. Unlike the other important men in the Bratva, he hasn't bought a fancy house but he still lives in his seen better days apartment. He wants to stay close to his roots. Then one evening he meets his new neighbor, Laney. She is a beautiful young woman with a sunny personality who doesn't belong in this part of the city. Cillian decides that he needs to keep an eye on this innocent to protect her.

Laney came from a wealthy family but struck out on her own because she wanted more freedom. She moves to a new city and lives in a bad part of town in hopes her family won't look for her there. The neighborhood makes her feel nervous. Her neighbor, Cillian looks really scary but he has been watching over her and helping her. She is falling for him but she is afraid that he might be involved in bad things like the mob.

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

[Terry Babb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toe curlingly good easy read...
Mafia collector & enforcer falls hard for his young neighbour. They live in a slummy neigbourhood, he by design, she due to having escaped her controlling parents & lack of funds. At 38 he's planning on retiring soon but in the interim his protective instincts kick in as does his desire for the young girl. In spite of her witnessing his lackeys beat up a debtor whom he reminded was overdue she knocked on his door in the wee hours of the morning, ostensibly to get clarity & ended up in his bed. He was quite dominant but she relished every moment & they were like horny rabbits. Fast forward the wealthy former Bratva bad boy officially retires & takes his woman travelling to whichever country takes their fancy, living the life! I can't wait for more in this new series. I received an arc & this is my honest & voluntary review.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valiant Protector is the first installment in the Merciless Mafia Men series written by B.L. Brooks. This is a fast-paced steamy novella with a sweet young heroine and a brutal mafia accountant. Laney is a kind, young, and innocent girl that escaped the clutches of her controlling parents and fled to a slummy complex. Cillian is her neighbor and he has been employed by the Bratva for most of his life. Cillian feels an immediate connection with Laney and he vows to protect her. He’ll provide for her in ways no one else can. He just has to convince her to be his.

This short-story was a great read. I devoured the story quickly and was sad when it was over! I love when the villain gets the girl and am happy this ended so well!

Tropes: Mafia, insta-love, age-gap, virgin heroine
Heat: 3/5.

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

[Jenny Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book with the understanding that I could leave a voluntary and honest review.

In this book we meet Laney & Cillian. What would you do if you had been looking for that perfect woman and she ends up in the last place you thought she would, your run down apartment complex? This question is asked by Cillian when he meets Laney. He knows from the moment he lays eyes on her this girl is meant to be his. Laney is just trying to make her life her own. Sure she would have liked to live somewhere nicer but she just doesn't have the money for that. Can these two find a HEA or will the secrets they are keeping from one other make that impossible?

Another amazing story by this author. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.

[MoniBoop · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great lunchtime read you don’t want to miss. Cillian is a six foot five man of muscle who takes one look at little Laney and is hooked. All of his protective instincts come to life for her. Even with their large age difference he knows she’s his. Laney finds herself attracted to the huge older man instead of being afraid of him. Even though she can feel he’s dangerous she can’t fight her attraction to him. Their short journey is exciting and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

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

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this short instalove story. It was entertaining and enjoyable with a tiny bit of drama and angst. The characters were interesting and likable for the most part. Yuri was creepy. Cillian was so protective and possessive of Laney as soon as he saw her. Laney was wary of Cillian but still attracted to him. She trusted him really quickly. Cillian was sweet even when he was a bit surly. I loved their happily ever after, even though I wish there was more (cause I'm greedy!). I recommend reading this book.

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

[Stacy K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cillian has a strange/possibility secret job and when he runs into Lainey just outside his apartment it’s instant attraction. Lainey just wants to live on her own and doesn’t want to be controlled by her parents anymore. There might have been a little suspense thrown in so us readers can enjoy it more. Might have been too quick on the relationship part but other than that the plot was alright.

I read an ARC via the author and I'm voluntarily choosing to review it.

PS- sorry for the late review

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cillian and Laney both chose the same appartment building to hide out in. They meet as she is moving in. Cillian could be scary but for Laney he makes her feel safe.

I enjoyed their relationship and how both are trying to find what they want from life.
A great start to a new series. I am looking forward to the next book.

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

[Lorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tough Exterior
BL Brooks has again started a series off with a bang! Cillian grew up surviving the nasty streets. Tough as nails is how he looks but is the true man any different? Laney is running from an unhappy situation and she runs toward Cillian unknowingly. Meek young female…..Tough man! What can happen given the two involved? I can’t wait for the next book because there are lots of twists that could be happening.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable bratva story with a twist. I liked that Cillian was older than Laney which gave this a fun age gap twist. Add in that he wasn't as active with the bratva and that Laney was running from her past, the timing for the romance works. Really good.

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

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laneys took the plunge and moved out from her controlling parents, Cillian is Bratva, and starting to look into his retirements, when these two meet sparks fly but will everything be smooth sailing when trouble calls and laneys discovers Cillian truth? Well written, steamy age gap, desires and more.

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

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has given us a wonderful older man/younger woman story that pulls us into the lives of Cillian and Laney and does not let go. The moment Cillian sees Laney, he knows that he will do anything required to keep her safe. But will she accept who he really is?

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

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laney has moved out from her helicopter parents. She's a small, quiet little woman. She's looking for her independence. She moves into a dangerous neighborhood. Much to her good luck, her new neighbor is 6 ft. 5 muscle bound, Cillian! This is their story. Age gap, opposites. A quick, entertaining read.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eu adorei muito esse livro! Tenho a sensação que ele foi um dos mais trabalhados que já li dela e apesar de curtinho foi muito maravilhoso. O fim deles foi um deleite, com aquele gostinho de quero mais 😊🩷

[Shellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cillian….

This is a quick steamy little read that was pretty good. It has a little action but not a lot. The quick chapters are mainly about the main characters coming terms with their want/need for each other. Little spice; it was cute.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty mild

Not much to this story at all. Could be fleshed out. Background stories were rushed. No real suspense. Kind of just blah

[Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars It was pretty good.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There really isn’t anything you can dislike about this book, short and sweet sums it up perfectly 👌

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

[Jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally enjoyed reading this book

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The epilogue came out of nowhere and was very unsatisfactory for me personally.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

intense

This was an intense and entertaining read. Cillian and Laney kept you on your toes. Their story was steamy and over the top and had just enough action. Great read.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok read

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Her protector

New series from the author mafia. I liked the book just didn't love it. Its short read lots of plot gaps.

[Annemarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good short read. Perfect for a lunch hour. I wanted a bit more, I wish Cillian would've proposed. And I also would've liked to have seen them settled with children.