Protecting Zoey

by Mink

Leone
I meet Zoey at the worst possible time and in the worst possible place. Saving her life is like breathing, something I’m hard-wired to do. She’s innocence and sweetness, two things that have no place in my dark world, especially when they make her a beacon for bad men who want to hurt her. But they won’t, not on my watch. It doesn’t take long for me to realize that protecting Zoey is what I was born to do.


Zoey
My sister is missing. I’ll do anything it takes to find her. That is, until I meet the dark, mysterious Leone. He saves me and makes me want things I’ve never even considered. His touch is addictive, and when he promises me he’ll help me find my sister for a price, I’m all too eager to pay up, no matter how much it might cost me.

MINK's Grab a furry friend and a caffeine for this darling tale of true love.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Contemporary Romance, Drama, Love, Humor

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2022

Reviews

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been While since I read a Mink book because I enjoy the stories I just get annoyed with how much cats she puts in. Like her heroines loveeeeeee cats and it gets annoying.

Leone is taking care of bussiness for his boss wondering what happened to the money they are owed. A sob story is told but before he leaves enters Zoey she's at the wrong place right time when she's saved by Leone when a rival shoots at them.
Leo is already sprung for Zoey but he knows she also lied he's going to find out why she was there and protect her.
Zoey tells Leo about her sister who hasn't came back home so she did alittle digging herself trying to find her.
With her "evil" cat she's stuck with Leo until they find her sister and the money.
Sexual cute tension between them they become more. Now Zoey had a mini mini problem once they find her sister stay or leave. But let's be honest she isn't leaving.

We might? Get a story about the sister and Leo right hand man. But I don't think so.


No ow/om drama, no cheating, slight secondary character, drama, sexy times, virgin gal and no manwhore


Recommend-maybe
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶

Slowinsta
Age gap
Violence
Mentions of child neglect (the h snd her sisters past)
No condom
Hea
Epilogue

[*CJ* · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Protecting Zoey" is the story of Zoey and Leone.

A grumpy protective hero, a sweet heroine, loads of drama, insta love, adventure, a sassy cat and a sweet HEA. Enjoyable!

Safe
3/5

[Zero (semi-hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh. The fmc was so innocent and perfect that it was obnoxious. And the instalove was extreme.

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

❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️

I’m sick, so writing a review on my thoughts is gonna take too much effort. So let me just say: I feel like dog crap warmed over and then I read this and it made me forget how miserable I feel. I actually laughed at the cat hijinks. And I never laugh when I’m sick.

I love Mink. that’s All.

Safe. Hero’s past isn’t mentioned at all. Doesn’t come off as a manwhore. Heroine is totally innocent and gives the hero the gift of claiming all her firsts for himself. No others, no cheating or abuse of any kind. HEA with epilogue

[Flo₂₂ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf 75%
It started good but then again with all that cat stuffs here and there , like always killed the vibe again.
I needed more built up other than cat stuffs.
I wasn't really into the mood of it, and i got annoyed and bored.

[Ana M. Román · Rating 3 out of 5]

No está mal pero se me hizo largo, que ya es decir viendo su longitud.

[Rmqbookqueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

You’re all going to be obsessed with this one! It’s such a great read with a big bad man that can’t help but melt for his woman when he finds her.😍😍💕

Leone & Zoey are such opposites with her being a ray of sunshine, and him a grumpy man that falls head over heels for the woman that makes him feel who for the first time. Their characters were amazing and I love that we got to see Nick and Sophie Davinci in this story! If MINK does one thing flawlessly it is integrating characters from other books in every story.

This was 100% safe, and very insta love! Zoey got herself a man and then fought for them both to get their happily ever after. Everything about their relationship was adorable and very very hot. We can’t forget Zoey’s cat Bentley too. He was very much a main character in this book, and he was so hilarious. Protecting Zoey is a must read for MINK fans and romance lovers!

[Maru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es una historia corta de un romance instalove entre un asesino y una mujer que fue toda su vida protegida por su hermana y un gato que tiene un sobrenombre de Lucifer.
Leone y Zoey son muy tiernos y dulces juntos, nadie le cree a Zoey cuando dice que Leone y Bentley son buenos, los consideran seres del infiernos y peligrosos.
Zoey se metió en problema por culpa de su hermana Xanadu, que también es alguien peligroso, y la cuido de sus padres que eran un desastre.
Me gustaron todos los protagonistas, eran muy buenos, y te conquistan

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked these two together. There are some laugh out loud moments. Zoey is big trouble and Leone comes to the rescue. I enjoyed the dialogue and even Xanadu had some redeemable moments. Protective OTT. HEA.

[Fiona Fog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This authors an automatic one click, she combines sweet and sexy effortlessly, providing a read that ticks every box for me as a reader.

Over the top storyline, laughter and relatable female leads.

Smoking hot heat and an alpha who loves hard.

It’s a yes from me.

[Celestial · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Bookreviewgirl_xo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.25/5

Leone + Zoey

✔ Mafia Boss
✔ Rich MMC/ Poor FMC
✔ Missing Sister
✔ Insta-love
✔ Virgin FMC
✔ Violence
✔ Dual POV - First Person
✔ HEA with Epilogue

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

s h e l v e s :
alpha
cameos (Nick & Sophia Davinci)
cinderella
damsel
endearing fmc
innocent doe eyed heroine
instalove
mafia
men in suits
moves her in
ott
possessive
princess treatment pampering
protective
rich hero
sits her in his lap
soothes my daddy issues
takes care of her
virgin

e n d e a r m e n t s :
♥︎ little one

k i n k s :
no condom
praise
tss
💦

e n d i n g :
HEA + babies

🔥

She starts to wriggle again, making my cock jump against her backside.

She squeaks. “My cat!”

“You don’t have to tell me twice, little one.” I slide my hand down her side, more than happy to stroke her pussy until she forgets all about the unpleasantness at the club.

“No!” She gasps again when I ease my fingers along her smooth thigh on the way to her panties. “Bentley is my cat!”

♥︎

Just when I think I can’t take anymore, Leone slips his fingers into my panties, brushing right past my clit to grab the other side.

“What are you–” I’m cut off when he yanks them.

♥︎

“You want my cock, little one?” He nips at my bottom lip.

“Yes.” I move my hips with his fingers.

“It’s going to be more than this. Do you think you can handle it?” he asks as he starts to work a third finger into me. It’s tight, but he grinds his palm down on my clit, and my body opens up more for him. “There you go. Getting ready for me. Such a good girl.”

♥︎

“Open those legs. I didn’t tell you to close them.”

♥︎

I see a small trace of cum leak from the head. I lick my lips, wondering what he tastes like.

“Not today, little one.” He crawls back onto the bed, lowering his head to swipe his tongue across my clit before he keeps moving up my body. “I love having your taste in my mouth.”

♥︎

His cock brushes against me. “And now you’re giving yourself to me.” The head of his cock slips through my folds before it starts to press into me.

♥︎

“Wet for me, little one?” I slide my hand up her thigh.

“Leone!” She squeals as I drag my finger across her panties. “Focus!”

“I am focused.” I press up on her clit, loving the way her breath catches.

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

Protecting Zoey

HERO /HEROINE
Zoey has been taken care of by her older sister their entire lives. And when Xanny goes missing, Zoey takes it upon herself to buck up and go find her. She has a kitty named Bentley and he protects her ferociously. She’s naive and sweet but also does her best tos tick up for everything she cares about.
Leone is a made man with his own business and men. But when a favor for a friend ends up with someone dead and a pretty innocent woman in his arms, he knows he’s meant to protect her.

REPRESENTATION

OVERALL THOUGHTS This was okay. I was bored a bit through this one. Zoey was fun and I really liked Bentley.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE I wasn’t impressed with Leone as a love interest. He didn’t hold my attention and they never really talked about anything that made me swoon or feel butterflies.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

“Is your sister’s real name Xanadu?” I ask.
She rolls her eyes. “Yes. Our parents were into LSD and all kinds of witchcraft. They even had a huge altar to Cthulhu in the kitchen where the stove should’ve been.” She shudders. “All the tentacles.”

SAFETY

AGE: Zoey is 18 and I’m not sure how old Leone is. But it’s def age-gap

SEXUAL HISTORY: Zoey is a virgin and Leone is not.

CONDOMS: No

HEAT LEVEL: 3/5 was pretty vanilla and boring. Smut scenes were quick and not a lot.

PUSH/PULL: No

SEPARATION: No

CHEATING: No

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

SEX SCENE WITH OW/OM: No

ABUSE: past parental neglect

POSSIBLE PET PEEVES/TRIGGERS

HEA/HFN: HEAthey have a son and Zoey is pregnant with their second baby.

[hottie men · Rating 4 out of 5]

Protecting Zoey is the story of Zoey and Leone.

Grumpy sunshine, age gap I think, hot kingpin alpha hero, sassy, innocent heroine, her sister went missing and stole cash from a friend of Leone and her sister Zoey is looking for her and gets in a hit and run guns blazing in a club that Leone was in as well. He takes care of her by taking her back to his house and gives her and her car Bentley their own room even though he wants nothing more to claim her. She’s a little naive and her sister Xanadu was the smart one and she ran away to protect Zoey until Zoey found her and someone shot Leone and he nearly died and Lenny and Xanadu got the hots for each other but she denies it and it’s amazing. I want their story. They ploy a coup and decide to get the money from Xanadus locker to return to Nick but it was all a ploy for him to ask to her to marry him and it was so cute but really plain. Would’ve given it a 5 ⭐️ but it was really plain. HEA and kid, Finn and another on the way.

Solid 4/5

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this story. It was sweet, enjoyable, and entertaining although there was some violence with it being a mafia lite story. The characters were interesting and likable for the most part. Xanny was a pain in the patootie but also kind of sweet with the way that she had protected her sister. Zoey was super sweet and tried to be tough while she looked for information about her missing sister. Leone was doing a favor for a friend when he ran into Zoey. He decided that he should protect Zoey and find out what she knew. Leone and Zoey were great together. The way that he took care of her was awesome. Leone decided that he needed to keep Zoey. Zoey was enjoying being taken care of by Leone all while he helped her learn to stand up for herself. There was some drama and angst but there was also steam and love. I loved their happily ever after. I recommend reading this book.

[valentina · Rating 2 out of 5]

esta historia es cero memorable y siento que para mañana ya la olvidé por completo.

sin embargo, al principio hubo una escena que me mató de la risa, porque básicamente zoey está insistiendo en que vayan a su casa para buscar a bentley (su gato), y Leone no para de decirle que es peligroso y tal, a todas estas ella está sobre su regazo y obviamente Leone decide que es buen momento para ponerse duro, y ajá ella se da cuenta y cómo que comienzan a discutir/coquetear en pleno carro, y zoey grita «mi gato» y Leone como que se le terminan de morir las neuronas o no sé y cree que esa es la señal para que la acaricie entre las piernas y le suelta un «tus deseos son órdenes» y zoey estaba en plan «no, no. mi gato. bentley es mi gato» y al pobre Leone se le corta toda la nota alsksksk o sea super random todo, y lo más loco es que no llevaban ni veinte minutos (capaz menos) de haberse conocido 🥸🥸🥸

[Chalice · Rating 4 out of 5]

The couple: Leone and Zoey

Romance trope: insta-love
Length: 152 pages

Plot: Leone was at one of his boss's clubs trying to collect money from the manager, money which he doesn't have. Towards the end of that conversation, a girl runs into the room and is almost killed. Leone saves her...and then takes her home to keep her. But it's more complicated than that. Her sister is right in the middle of the missing money and Zoey isn't sure where to find her. Leone wants the money back but he wants Zoey more. And then there's Bentley, a personality all on his own.

Commentary: Leone is one of Nick DeMarco's men, so we've been in this world before. Leone and Zoey even go over to Nick's home (where Nick teases him a bit about being in love). Mink always has cats in her books, but Bentley may be the lord of them all. Sorry, I meant Lucifer.

“Stay here.” I ease her to the bed and stand, reaching for the gun in my bedside table. “No!” She hops up and jets out the door as I swipe to catch her, just missing her. “Don’t hurt him!” “Get it off me!” Tyler screams from somewhere down the hall. “It’s like a fucking demon!”

I did like that although Zoey was as naive and innocent as any of Mink's heroines, she wasn't as sweetly dumb. She did go to find her sister with no plan, but I felt that was more out of desperation than anything. Most of her naivety was also because of her sister sheltering her. It was a cute story after all.

“Is this all right?” Zoey walks into my office, her pink sundress and white cardigan like a lure, along with some little white shoes with rainbow laces. She looks like what a fluffy cloud might have a daydream about.

[Syd Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was awesome book. I loved Zoey and Leone together with their intense connection. Leone stumbles across Zoey but accident but that was all it took to know that Zoey was mean to be his. Zoey just needs some help trying to find her sister and thankfully Leone is willing to help her. These two were fantastic together; I had some huge laughs with this book as well as a lot of steam. I really enjoyed this book and I hope we get more Mink here very soon. I would highly 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.

[Sabrina Flachsmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt like the Mink of old. We get to see some old mafia friends, which I loved. Leone was great, I'm a sucker for a hero that is immediately obsessed with his heroine and Leone delivers. He rescues her from a bad situation at a club. Zoey is super sweet but has been sheltered by her sister her whole life. Since her sister has protected her, she decides it's up to her to rescue her when she goes missing. Meeting Leone changes her life in ways she didn't expect. He allows her to come into herself and grow strong, all the while supporting her. Loved these two, loved the secondary characters just as much.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leone and Zoey

Leone was a bad man. He had been one fir a long time and when things required getting his hands dirty, he didn't hesitate. He was swift and lethal. He didn't believed in nothing but the strength of his gun. Until he locked eyes with Zoey. His whole world change in that moment. When he was forced to saved ger from a man aiming his gun at her he was determined not only to obliterate him for the offence but to keep her in his arms forever. Great read. Highly recommended

[Tassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bentley is definitely the best guard cat I’ve ever heard of! He really is my favourite thing about this book.

I just knew from Leone saying Marvin was silly for love that he would fall in love at first glance too. I think MINK is slowly becoming one of my favourite authors, their books are so interesting and keep me wanting more from the first chapter until it’s finished and this one was no exception. I loved it!

[Shyla]

Sassy Sweet

I love all of Minks book but Protecting Zoey may be my new favorite. Leone met Zoey at the worst possible time and in the worst possible place. Saving her life is like breathing, something he is hard-wired to do. Zoey's sister is missing and she will do anything it takes to find her. Leone and Zoey are perfect for each other.

[Mistie Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoey & Leone

Another fabulous MINK story! Leone is immediately struck by Zoey's innocence. He has an overwhelming desire to protect her, no matter the cost. Zoey doesn't realize that he's not looking after her temporarily, but watching them navigate the situation is so sweet. I loved it!

[Weekend Reader_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bentley

If you like Mink you know the formula innocent/young FMC and dangerous MMC, epilogue married possibly with kids. This release is the same with the added good sister bad sister trope. For a second I thought Zoey was going to pick this random man she's only known for a few days over her sister but all is well.

CN: stalking, gun violence, child neglect and endangerment

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leone & Zoey

Rough, hardened Leone and sweet, young Zoey. So perfect for each other. And of course, Bentley! I am always eager for a new Mink story and Protecting Zoey did not disappoint. I loved it! Especially a little bonus romance with a second couple and a visit with some old friends - the DaVinci’s. So good!

[Leslee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The big bad guy falling for the loveable, innocent Zoey, how perfect! I loved Zoey's earnest and sweet personality. Leone sees immediately that she is too precious for this world and he is determined to protect her and keep her. Zoey's insistence that her cat is a sweet, lovable kitty is absolutely adorable. Devoured this in an afternoon, just delightful, 5 stars!

[Lovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!

Who doesn't love a good cat story, from Mink? Was missing the Davinci family and we see them again. Zoey is so innocent but quirky in such a good way and Xanny is crazy. Love how we get two love stories for the price of one. Leone is swoon worthy and I definitely recommend this and all books by Mink!

[Jane doe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good one!

I just love the way Mink writes books! I think it’s because I relate to the heroines quite a bit! All a little oblivious, and so kindhearted! Any book of hers is a winner to pick!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one!
MINK is amazing at giving you wonderful hot alpha males and pairing them up with damsels in distress!
Zoey is shot at and almost killed! Good thing Leone was there to save the day! Literally, he continues to save her life over and over again.