Hands Off

Bennett Security #1

by Hannah Shield

When Aurora Bennett witnesses a murder by a ruthless Los Angeles crime boss, she ends up stuck in her apartment like she’s the one who committed a crime. Then a sexy new neighbor moves in, and he’s just the sort of bossy, broad-shouldered male that makes her crazy—in more ways than one. Devon Whitestone can’t tell his neighbor Aurora the truth—that he’s actually a personal bodyguard hired by her brother, the owner of Bennett Security. Rule number don’t touch. When a dangerous crime syndicate paints a target on Aurora’s back, Devon swoops in to protect her, even though she insists on making his job as difficult as possible. He won't let her out of his sight. But he’s definitely not supposed to like what he sees. This action-packed romantic suspense features a brooding ex-Army stud, his boss’s feisty younger sister, and heart-pounding danger… You won’t want to miss the explosive first book of the Bennett Security series!

Advance Praise for HANDS OFF :

"Each page had me on the edge of my seat. I was rooting for Devon and Aurora from day one. I can't wait for the next book!” Mandy, Goodreads ★★★★★ “So good that I didn’t want to put it down. It had everything I romance, suspense, and some unexpected twists.” Rachel, Goodreads ★★★★★ “This book was right up my alley, filled with murder, mayhem, twists and turns and steamy romance.” Nancy, Goodreads ★★★★★

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Bodyguard Romance, Military Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

Published April 28, 2022

About the author

I write suspenseful romance with pulse-pounding danger, fun & flirty banter, and tons of heart (plus spice!). Both a Californian and a Texan in my past, I now live in the Colorado mountains with my family.

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the first book in the Bennett Security series. I really love the characters in this book, and the two main characters have a ton of chemistry and really fit together so well. Aurora is a strong woman that is not scared to go for what she wants and does not hold back at all. I love a book that has a strong woman character. This book is full of action and suspense with some hot romance with a ton of chemistry mixed into it which makes a wonderful read. I could not put this book down and loved it so much. This book also kept me guessing who was behind all the trouble. The ending was so great, and I was living for it. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Diana Road Books) or author (Hannah Shield) via Booksirens, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved HANDS OFF, the first book in a new romantic suspense series by author Hannah Shield. Party planner Aurora Bennett is assigned a bodyguard by her brother after she witnesses a mob murder. She’s the only witness. There’s a mole somewhere, but no one knows if it’s a dirty cop, someone in the DA’s office, or someone close to Aurora herself. Aurora is sick of her brother interfering in her life, so her bodyguard, Devon Whitestone, and ex-Army Ranger, has to guard her while lying to her about what he’s really doing. But then things start to get heated, both in the attempts on Aurora’s life and in the chemistry building between them. This had great suspenseful scenes, tight pacing and a scorching steamy romance I couldn’t get enough of. Aurora was fun and confident, and I loved the backstories and families of both characters. I’m excited to see this is going to be a series and was happy to see that the characters I was hoping would get to play the lead in the next book are indeed slated for book two!

I received a complimentary copy of Hands Off as one of its beta readers. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Ꮗ€♫◗☿ ❤️ ilikebooksbest.com ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penthouse Proximity: When Protection Turns Personal



The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌏
Character development: 😋🙂😘🥰🥰
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration

🦸🏼‍♀️ Heroine Spotlight: Aurora Bennett

Aurora Bennett is determined to build her party planning business on her own terms, even if that means pushing back against her overprotective older brother Max. Her first big event at the Lighthouse Club feels like a win—until she suspects Max had a hand in securing the gig. When her payment comes in at double the quoted rate, Aurora’s instincts scream “interference.” Her attempt to return the excess lands her in the middle of a murder scene, and suddenly, independence takes a backseat to survival.

🦸🏻‍♂️ Hero Spotlight: Devon Whitestone

Devon Whitestone carries the weight of legacy and loss. Raised in a cop family, he chose the Army Rangers over the LAPD, but tragedy pulled him back to civilian life. After his twin brother Kellan was murdered, Devon left the military to support his grieving family and joined Bennett Security. Now stationed in West Oaks, he’s tasked with protecting Aurora—undercover, across the hall, and under strict “hands-off” orders from her brother Max.

🔥 Plot Pulse

Aurora’s life is upended when whispers spread about a woman witnessing the murder. She’s adamant about keeping Max out of her business, but Max has other plans—namely, installing Devon as her secret neighbor-bodyguard. Devon’s assignment is clear: protect Aurora without getting involved. But proximity breeds tension, and Aurora’s penthouse becomes the epicenter of danger, desire, and defiance.

❤️‍🔥 What Hit Home

• Devon’s internal tug-of-war between duty and desire is palpable. Max’s “Hands Off” decree adds delicious tension to every charged moment between him and Aurora.
• The emotional stakes are high, not just from the murder plot, but from the layered grief and loyalty that shape Devon’s choices.

🤨 Room to Grow

• Aurora insists she’s not a pampered princess, but her reactions sometimes say otherwise. Her emotional arc could use a bit more grounding to match her grit.
• Devon’s alias “Rick Harrison” is unintentionally hilarious. Unless he’s moonlighting on Pawn Stars, it’s a distracting choice.
• Max’s controlling streak veers into overbearing territory. Even after discovering the romance, his grip on Aurora’s autonomy feels more patriarchal than protective.

🎧 Narration Vibes

Narrated in dual POV by Connor Brown and Aubrey Vincent.

• Connor Brown’s voice is rich and commanding, though it skews older than Devon’s character. Still, he nails the emotional beats.
• Aubrey Vincent brings vulnerability and fire to Aurora’s chapters, though her tone occasionally tips into whiny territory. It’s a minor distraction in an otherwise emotive performance.

📝 Final Thoughts

A tense, emotionally layered romantic suspense with a heroine fighting for agency and a hero torn between loyalty and longing. The narration adds depth, even if the casting isn’t pitch-perfect. If you’re into protective heroes, sibling drama, and heroines who refuse to be coddled, this one delivers.

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[Taylor Jefferson]

DNF at 17%

Nothing will make me DNF a bodyguard romance faster than when the person being protected continues to put themselves in danger. Aurora is witness to a murder committed by a crime syndicate but her only thoughts seem to be of how her freedom is being compromised by her loved ones wanting her to be safe. She complains about her brother treating her like a child and being overprotective but she has no problem living in a penthouse he owns rent free. I think we are suppose to feel empathy for how stifled she feels but her brother comes across as caring and she comes across as whiny and ungrateful. All she was asked to do is stay in her apartment where it’s safe but barely a few hours later she has to get out. Once she walked out the door I was done. You are the only witness to a murder and probably the only person that can bring justice for the man killed but you risk it because you want to take a walk. Your beautiful, free penthouse is just too stifling?!? I will admit I have been in a bit of a reading slump and my patience seems to be less than zero but Aurora was insufferable and I just can’t.

[Brittany · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn't with this book. I found the heroine completely unlikeable. Her life is on the line and yet she seems far more concerned with trying to seduce her bodyguard. I also felt like yelling "no means no" at her several times. If it was the other was around and a male client was repeatedly making sexual advances on a female employee who has rejected him, we would call him a scumbag and condemn him for the sexual harassment. But because it's a woman, we are supposed to find it great that she eventually wears him down? Not to mention, it seems incredibly selfish as his career was on the line.

But the worst thing about this book was the incompetence of the so-called security professionals. Her life is in danger and she is supposed to be hiding, but they think it's perfectly acceptable for her to be using social medial, emailing / messaging people and even facetiming?!!! Even a moron would know better, which is what makes the entire book so unrealistic / unbelievably frustrating to read. Frankly, I wish I had just DNF.

[CA Portnellus · Rating 4 out of 5]

New author to me, but Hannah Shield did not disappoint for this adult romance genre. While the characters were the epitome of both sides, they are both likeable and seem real; and the bad guys, one can despise. The story moved within a swift but even pace and arc. Action, suspense and timing worked well.
If the reader likes the brawny, brave, silent hero with a soft side and melting chocolate heart, then Devon is your man. He is most of what women want in a fantasy and real lover.
The heat and attraction between Aurora and Devon is well done including their frailties and doubts. Nice playtime and seduction to drive the sexy side of the book. Meanwhile havoc, murder, and criminals keep the plot moving with a mystery and a few odd folks twisted together to complicate and compliment the motives.
Nice job for a first book.
Mostly clean edits, a few typos, but overall very well done.
The story is plausible, working with a varied cast of characters, plot twists and resolution. The 'big reveals' came at different unexpected times which were better in my opinion.Then allowing the characters to better deal with the truths, instead of an end of book revelation that easily sweeps it all into a tidy forgivable pile.
I'll check out the next books in the series, for sassy, saucy modern romantic romps!
I received this book as a complimentary ARC, with a request for an honest review. My opinion is my own, and I liked the book!

[Tuweleme · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - I made it about 100 pages in and just couldn't anymore. The two main characters felt like 14 year olds instead people in their mid-twenties. That alone was annoying enough, but then ridiculous scenes were added in. Like using a dildo as a hammer to hang a picture - no woman would ever use her toys like this, not to mention a dildo would make a terrible hammer because the material is not meant for that kind of pounding. Seriously, I gotta wonder if the author has ever touched one. Then throw in scenes of random cooking and powdered sugar covering them both, and her throwing her drink in the guys face, and the way the brother talked to his employee like he was out of bad business CEO movie from the 80's..every stupid cliché from 40 years ago was thrown in there, and that was just the first hundred pages.

I can't figure out why people are saying the heroine was strong. She wasn't. She was immature, myopic, judgemental, and needed someone to explain to her about consent and that consent goes both ways. It saddens me that people don't even know what feminine strength really looks like and that they confuse it with this nonsense. Maybe this is what feminine strength was in 1980, and the people reviewing this book are trying to relive their youth. But we've come a long way since then, and this kind of stereotyping about femininity has no place a good romantic suspense story.

[The Gemini’s Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bodyguard? ✔️
One bed? ✔️
Boss’s sister? ✔️
Bad guy after heroine? ✔️

This book checked off so many tropes and I'm here for it. Hannah Shield is a new to me author and she definitely didn’t disappoint.

Devon was your typical alpha male and I loved every second of it. He has his own demons and internal battles but that didn't stop him from claiming what is his. Aurora didn’t take his shit and I’m so glad for that. I love a heroine with a backbone.

I highly recommend checking out this action-packed romance! I will definitely be continuing this series.

P.S. If you subscribe to her newsletter there is a bonus epilogue.

***ARC in exchange for an honest review***

[Andria Potter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spare me from fainting heroines that have no backbone, and men that are hired bodyguards that refer to the mc girl as "spoiled little rich girl" and in the next chapter he even acknowledges that maybe that was harsh to say after what she went through? Yeah pass. Not for me. I tried five chapters and wasn't impressed. Actual rating 2.5 ⭐

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a superficial, somewhat schizophrenic book. It’s too short to really do justice to the myriad of relationships and random plot points that are introduced so it reads like a confusing mishmash of “stuff that’s supposed to be in a romantic thriller” rather than a cohesive story. It rushes too quickly through the standard romance beats without giving the characters time to breathe or really connect, so you never really believe they have any true feeling for each other. And it somehow manages to be so boring that I started skimming just to get through it. I didn’t really like either of the main characters. Aurora was whiny and useless in the action scenes, but cringe-inducingly forward on the sex front to the point where I wanted to both tell her to have some self-respect and also send her to a seminar on how no means no. Devon was a beta who was more worried about upsetting his mom or Aurora’s brother than in making decisions for himself. And every single person in the story, many of whom work for an allegedly elite security firm, were all COMPLETE IDIOTS when it came to keeping Aurora safe and figuring out who was trying to kill her.


The story opens with Aurora at a club, looking down upon a party in full swing. She’s an event planner and this party is the culmination of months of work on her part. But even as she’s telling us about how hard she worked to make this happen, she also says that the only reason she got the job in the first place was because her hyper-controlling brother, Max, knows the club owners, a married couple. Then their personal assistant, whom Aurora had become good friends with during the planning, comes over and hands Aurora her final check. Aurora looks at the check and finds that they’ve more than doubled her fee. She decides that she can’t accept this because she KNOWS that they’re only doing it as a favor to Max and she wants to make it on her own.

So she follows the husband when he goes into another room, intent on refusing the money. Only she stumbles across him being harassed by some unsavory characters, including the local mob boss. Aurora hides in another room and she triggers the silent alarm. Meanwhile the husband ends up getting shot by one of the mob boss’s lackeys.

Next chapter we come in on Max talking to the hero, Devon. He comes straight out and says that Aurora witnessed the murder and is going to testify against the mob boss. At the moment, her identity is secret but it’s only a matter of time before they find out who she is. Now, most hyper-controlling brothers who run elite security firms would use this brief window where Aurora is still anonymous to, you know, GET HER OUT OF TOWN AND INTO A SAFE HOUSE OF SOME KIND. But not this hyper-controlling brother. He decides that it’s perfectly fine for Aurora to just hang out in her regular apartment. Now, in fairness, it was a penthouse apartment in a building owned by Max and it had the best security system money can buy, but it’s still her normal residence. That’s LITERALLY the first place the bad guys will look when they find out who she is.

But it gets worse from there. Max says that Aurora is “stubborn” and says she doesn’t want a bodyguard. I think what Max meant to say here is that Aurora is an idiot who is the definition of Too Stupid to Live. I love bodyguard romances but I HATE, HATE, HATE when the heroine acts like a whiny brat who thinks it’s just too much of an imposition to have a hunky man around keeping her alive. And I didn’t really believe that Max would just roll over and let Aurora have her way on this point. We’re only 2 chapters into the book and already the schizophrenia has started. On the one hand we’re asked to believe that Max is so controlling that he’d meddle in Aurora’s business just to try to take care of her, but on the other hand we’re told that he’s fine with her refusing a protection detail when a freaking mob boss is gunning for her? Yeah I just don’t buy it.

But anyway, Max’s bright idea is to have Devon move into the other penthouse apartment right next door to Aurora so that he can keep an eye on her. He says that Devon can’t let Aurora know who he really is or why he’s there. Then he tells Devon that he has to keep his hands off of Aurora. She’s the boss’s sister, so no hanky panky. Which was just so condescending and gross. It should be a company policy for ALL bodyguarding jobs that you don’t become physically involved with the clients. Not just a special warning because it’s Max’s sister. But apparently they don’t have that policy, since Max never mentions it. No, he just personally feels like he has the right to decide which guy’s D ends up in his baby sister’s Vajayjay. Because it’s not like Aurora, a grown woman, should have any say in that kind of thing, right? Blech. But Devon apparently doesn’t see any issue with this decree and gives Max his word that he won’t sleep with Aurora.

Devon’s backstory was poorly fleshed out. We’re told that both his dad and his twin brother are dead. The brother fairly recently, and it was so devastating for his mother and sister, that the mother begged Devon to leave the military. She just couldn’t bear the thought of losing another man in her family. Devon agreed and returned to the states. He works for Max’s security firm selling people high end security systems. And that’s ALL he does. He doesn’t date, or have hobbies. He works to support his mom and sister and tries not to do anything dangerous. He’s convinced himself that he’ll be satisfied with that life of duty, but when Max gives him this assignment, suddenly his blood is humming again. We keep going back to the deaths of his dad and brother again and again throughout the story but it never really goes anywhere. Their deaths don’t have some deeper meaning to them. There isn’t some hidden treachery that only Devon has known about all this time that’s eating away at him or anything like that. It’s just part of his past and has nothing really to do with the current story. Lame.

Aurora has a close friend named Lana who works at the DA’s office. She’s personally handling the case of the murder, which seemed like a conflict of interest to me, but she’s also trying to be there for Aurora personally. So she spends the night in Aurora’s penthouse. The two girls go up to the rooftop terrace for some air, which was my third WTF moment about the lack of security on Aurora (after no one thinking to get her out of town and Max letting her refuse a bodyguard). Why is she going out onto the terrace? Anyone with a sniper rifle could take her out from blocks away and they’d never catch him! This isn’t just your run-of-the-mill purse snatcher we’re dealing with here, it’s a mob boss! They have assassins on retainer for crying out loud!

But, thanks to plot contrivance, nothing happens to Aurora during this outing. When she and Lana come back down, they see Devon moving in. And right away Aurora pegs him as a bodyguard sent there by Max. She recognizes that Devon has military training by the way he moves, and she knows that Max had been deliberately keeping the other penthouse apartment vacant because he was being very picky about who was allowed to live next door to his baby sister. But now, suddenly, today of all days, when she’s just witnessed a murder, Max decides to let some muscle-bound military guy move in? Yeah right! So I was happy to see Aurora acting smart for a change and hoped this meant things were looking up…but it didn’t. Devon, who apparently can’t lie to save his life (which sounds like a real liability in the military. Bet they weren’t too sorry to see him go…) fumbles through his denial and resorts to calling Aurora a “spoiled little girl.” This not only hurts her feelings to the point where she’s fighting back tears, it also, for some reason, convinces her that she was wrong about him being a bodyguard. Sigh.

Aurora and Lana go back into her apartment. Then, at 3 am, Aurora can’t sleep and decides that now is a great time to rearrange the furniture in the apartment and to move some of the paintings around. This requires her to drive a new nail into the wall. She’s got no regard whatsoever for Devon (who is going by the name Rick) or Lana, or anyone else in the building who might be trying to sleep. Lana wakes up and just good-naturedly offers to help Aurora with this crazy task, except they can’t find a hammer. But wait! Aurora has a great idea! She runs into the bedroom and gets her vibrator and this is what she uses to hammer in the nail. I’m sure the author meant for this to be a high-larious scene but I couldn’t stop rolling my eyes. No woman in the history of the world, ever, has used a vibrator or dildo for this purpose when there are a million more suitable alternatives throughout the house. It would destroy the sex toy!

Naturally Devon comes running over because he’s afraid Aurora is being attacked and she acts like it’s no big deal that she’s dildo-hammering nails at 3 am. OMG, Ms. Shield, this heroine is just, like, SO relatable! /s. Devon gives the girls a hammer and helps them finish the task, then leaves again.

A scene change later, Lana has left to do DA things and Aurora decides to call the victim’s widow to offer her condolences. Then she comes straight out and tells this woman that she personally witnessed the murder. Because it’s not like they were trying to keep that a secret or anything, Aurora. Next thing you know, Aurora learns that the mob boss is being brought in to the police station, which is apparently right down the street from Aurora’s penthouse. She decides that she’s just GOT to watch this guy being brought in, so she puts on a baseball cap and sneaks out without letting anyone know. I can’t even, with this woman. She really is the definition of TSTL.

Lucky for her, Devon is spying on her through a series of cameras that Max installed and he races out after her. Aurora watches the mob boss being brought in amidst a media frenzy. Then she notices a strangely nondescript guy in the crowd. He’s staring right at her and he scares her. They make eye contact and then he starts coming towards her. She turns to run and slams right into Devon. She’s super relieved to see him, even though she’d previously hated him for being a jerk at their first meeting. He helps her back to her apartment and she asks him to stay. She’s unsettled by the encounter with the nondescript guy and she doesn’t want to be alone.

So Devon stays and they bake cookies together. Seriously, that’s what they do. In the course of the afternoon, they bury the hatchet and joke around. Then they have an accident with the powdered sugar that leaves them both covered and laughing and Aurora kisses him. He responds at first, and grinds up against her so that she knows he’s very happy to be there, but then remembers his promise to Max and backs off. He insists that this isn’t happening and then leaves. Aurora is pissed.

A scene change later, Aurora goes up on to the rooftop terrace again. Devon watches her go and then says that she’ll be safe up there. Then he gets a bad feeling and grabs his guns then races up to the terrace. Meanwhile, two bad guys have made it onto the terrace and are trying to kill Aurora. Devon arrives and kills them, then he and Aurora escape out a secret fire escape Max had installed. Obviously Devon has to come clean about being a bodyguard and Aurora is pissed but then has the disturbing realization that Devon had just killed two people, for her, so she has to let it go.

Devon takes Aurora to a friend’s house, then calls Max, who is vastly relieved that Aurora is safe. They spend a full two days at this house, just basically watching TV. Aurora tries to put the moves on Devon again the first night they arrive by begging him to sleep in the same bed with her. He eventually agrees but tells her flat out that he’s not interested in having sex with her. She pushes, pointing out that his clearly present erection says otherwise, and he rather cruelly tells her that he’d react that way to any pretty girl who was throwing themselves at him, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s not interested, then he goes to sleep on the couch.

Then one of Max’s other staff members, a woman, arrives and gives them both laptops that are allegedly totally safe for them to use. She then tells Aurora that she can go ahead and check her email and social media, which she’s sure Aurora must just be DYING to do. No one ever warns Aurora not to say or do anything to give away their location. Maybe they thought that went without saying since someone was trying to kill her, but Aurora is an idiot so she really needed this spelled out for her. So of course she FaceTimes with the widow’s assistant about completely banal stuff that was in NO WAY pressing enough for her to need to call.

That night, Aurora gives Devon the full court press AGAIN on the sex front. She comes out of the shower and parades around naked, even spreading her legs and playing with herself right in front of him. This finally proves to be too much for Devon and he finally gives in and has sex with her. Afterward he admits that Max ordered him not to touch her and that’s why he’s been trying so hard to resist. Aurora is pissed that Max thought he had a right to decide such a thing for her (though strangely unaffected by the news that Devon went along with it), but agrees to keep their relationship on the down low because if Max finds out about it Devon will likely be fired.

Early the next morning, a car rocks up and starts unloading bullets into their house. They make a run for it out the back door and Devon tries to circle around to kill their attacker. But Aurora decides that she simply can’t let Devon put himself in danger while she sits safely in the shadows so she runs out of cover over to his side to have some hysterics. Max shows up and takes them both to the security firm’s building. Devon was grazed by a bullet during the fracas so he gets taken to the infirmary. Aurora is worried about him but tries unconvincingly to pretend that it’s just normal concern for someone who was injured protecting her.

Aurora is put up in an apartment Max has in his building but before long Devon sneaks in so they can have some more hanky panky time. Max catches them at it and he’s pissed. He tells Aurora to leave and then he reads Devon the riot act. Then he goes on this long schpeel about how you can’t trust feelings that develop in a situation of intense stress like this. That Aurora was in a delicate mental state and by Devon sleeping with her when she was so scared and desperate for protection it was akin to SA. Devon allows Max to get in his head and agrees that maybe what he and Aurora feel for each other really ISN’T the real deal. Maybe it’s just hormones and adrenaline and when it wears off she’ll hate him for taking advantage. Even though she’s the one who doggedly pursued him.

So Devon quits. Max was going to let him keep his job, even give him a promotion, as long as he broke things off with Aurora, but Devon knows she’d see it as him choosing the job over her. So he quits and leaves, without explaining anything to Aurora. That leaves Max to tell his version of what happened and Aurora is heartbroken. She’s also pissed at Max for interfering. Devon goes home and his mom is in hysterics over his injury, but his sister goes on a tirade about how she hates that Devon is making himself miserable in order to protect her and the mom from future heartbreak. That if he really likes being a bodyguard and doing dangerous things like that, that’s what she wants him to do with his life. The mom is against it at first but eventually backs down and apologizes for emotionally blackmailing him into quitting the service. This finally releases Devon to do what he wants with his life.

Next thing we know, the mob boss has requested a Skype call with Aurora. He says that he’s not the one who’s trying to kill her. In fact, he actually wants her to testify because it’ll exonerate him. He’s not the one who pulled the trigger, one of his men did. They make arrangements for Aurora to go to the courthouse the next day and get her testimony on record. Because that’s totally how these things work. You witness a capital crime one day and 48 hours later you’ve already testified and your job is done. Only when they get to the courthouse, the defendant’s lawyer is missing.

While they’re waiting around, Aurora is handed some coffee that the woman seems overly eager for her to drink. A short time later, Aurora is running for the bathroom to vomit. When she comes out, there’s the widow’s assistant. It was her and the widow all along. What a shock! She even explains that they found Aurora at the safe house because she recognized something in the background when Aurora FaceTimed her. They kidnap her and take her to the empty house next to the widow’s estate. The nondescript guy is the assistant’s boyfriend and he’s a mob assassin, he just doesn’t work for THIS mob boss. They question Aurora to determine what she knows and she does a TERRIBLE job of lying so they immediately deduce that she knows nothing that can incriminate them so they decide to throw her off a nearby cliff.

Meanwhile Devon has been scouring security footage and found a shot of the widow talking to the gunman before her husband was killed, so he figured out she was involved. Then when he got the call that Aurora had been kidnapped, he ran straight over to the widow’s house. But she answered, calm as a cucumber and said that Aurora wasn’t there and Devon shrugged and started to leave, totally convinced that he’d gotten it wrong. Then he hears a noise that tips him off about the other property and arrives in time to save the day and he and Aurora exchange ILYs. HEA.



Overall it was just kind of lame. I didn’t like how beta Devon was. It was bad enough he let Max’s decree keep him from pursuing Aurora in the first place, but to then let Max convince him that they didn’t actually have feelings for each other? Devon was just weak. And Aurora was just as bad. I hated that she kept throwing herself at him after he’d told her straight out that he wasn’t interested. It made her seem both pathetic and predatory. I hated how stupid everyone was with regards to Aurora’s protection too. The characters just did things because it was the easiest way for the author to get to the next action scene she wanted to portray, not because it’s how a real thinking adult human with two working brain cells would behave.

[Charissa Gracyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heat + Action!

I really enjoyed this author's debut novel! Lots of steam, sass and a former military man always make a fun combination that I can't resist as a reader. I'm looking forward to reading the next book about Aurora's grumpy, overprotective brother Max. I can already tell he's going to be delish!

[T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Received ARC for honest review

I was not expecting this at all. I got a whole lot more from this novel than I expected. It was nothing short of fantastic. I mean, bodyguard? – yes please. Throw in some tasty action? – thank you! It’s exciting, intense, well-written, and you do not want to miss out. There’s just enough of a little bit of everything that makes the story without over-the-top dramatics. I loved the character background the author had given Devon. I love that he was just an ordinary guy trying to support his mom and sister. It might seem fast paced and the timeline of the book doesn’t actually span over a great deal of time but you don’t also get that feeling of the story being rushed. Aurora, our main heroine, is spunky and had just witnessed a murder. It's Devon’s job to keep her safe before she can testify in court but things go awry. I also am extremely satisfied that the secret of Devon being Aurora’s bodyguard isn’t something that drags to the end of the novel. I think the author has done a great job at building these characters and giving them these vulnerabilities without making them weak or overtly annoying with self-sacrifice or self-pity. The plot itself is done well and will leave you wanting more. The suspense of the attacks and who was behind it was also constructed nicely. I was on my toes and it made me suspect everyone. Haha. Overall, Devon as Aurora’s bodyguard is all you need. I’m officially hooked on this series. Definitely cannot wait to read the next!

[Viper Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deliciously intense bodyguard romance!

If you're a sucker for the smushy-hearted hyper-focused protector type of book boyfriend like I am, I guarantee you're going to love this book. Devon is the whole package and I fell in love with him at first sight.

Aurora is the too-protected younger sister of Max, who runs his own very successful security business. When she inadvertently witnesses a mob-related murder, she chafes under Max's layers of protection, preferring to be in charge of her own destiny.

Devon is all about taking care of the women in his life, especially considering the recent tragedies his family has endured. He really tries hard to do the honorable thing and keep his hands off his boss's sister, but Aurora is committed to not making it easy for him. Between dodging bullets and dancing around their undeniable chemistry, life keeps Devon and Aurora on their toes.

The mystery part of this story was very well done - despite the hints, I was surprised to discover the entirety of the murder plot. The intense action scenes were perfectly paired with even more deliciously steamy romantic scenes, all of which led to a compelling standoff that culminated in a very satisfying HEA. As a nice bonus, we are introduced to quite a few characters who are going to be paired up in future books.

I'm completely hooked on this series and can't wait to read more from this author. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Leanne Crabtree · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grabbed this from the KU Library after looking for something a little romantic-suspense-y just for a change from the regular urban fantasy and contemporary reads.

It starts with Aurora Bennett at a party she had planned for her client with an Angels and Demons theme when she witnesses her clients murder at the hands of a organised gang. Squirrelled away by her older brother and his high tech security company she grows increasingly close to her bodyguard and though Devon tries to resist her, he eventually can't resist the pull of their attraction.

I struggled with this from early on, to be honest. It wasn't entirely pulling me in which is probably why it's taken me 12 days to read it. I don't know if it was the style or the storyline but I wasn't enjoying it as much as I expected to, though I did stick with it to finish it.

I did like Devon, though his martyr act got a little old towards the end. Aurora, I found to be a little annoying at times. If anything I was more interested in the secondary characters like what was going on between Devon's sister and the guy whose house they used for a little while (I forgot both of their names 😅).

I don't think I'll be picking up more of this series in the future.

[Aiysha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hands Off

This is the first book in the Bennet Secutity series and whilst I did enjoy reading it, I wasn’t able to fully immerse myself in the story. It’s a fun, contemporary romance that focuses on a bodyguard who is hired to protect the MC. I did like the story and the plot was actually really good from beginning to end. I wanted to know what happens next and the author does a really good job of keeping me on my toes wondering what will happen.

Tropes:
Bodyguard romance
Armed Forces
Enemies to lovers
Forbidden love
Forced Proximity

Where it falls flat however is the characters as I felt in my opinion that they never had any chemistry. This was rather unfortunate as because I never felt the chemistry between the two main leads, the relationship kept on feeling like it was lurching one step to the next. That’s not to say there weren’t good moments between both characters there were. It’s just wasn’t enough to actually want me rooting for them as I wasn’t too bothered.


Will I reread? No.
Will I continue the series? Maybe.

Thank you BookSirens for this eARC in return for an honest review

[Tina Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

It went on and on. I started skipping pages. So boring!

As well as being really really boring, I guessed who the baddies were straight away, the protection on her was really bad, she shouldn’t have been allowed to video call her employer.

Aurora has moved back to her home town,to work as a party planner. She lives in her brothers flat, and Max basically controls her life. When Aurora witnesses a murder, Max puts a secret bodyguard across the hall from her, as she refused a bodyguard. Devon starts to have feelings for Aurora, but Max told him to not touch her. (See, controlling!!) He fights not to do anything with her, as she doesn’t know who he is. Eventually she finds out and they have sex, while they are being pursued by a man trying to kill her. Hmm okay..

The sex scenes were boring. They were boring as a couple, and I figured out who it was straight away that wanted her dead.

I will say one thing. I didn’t spot any spelling mistakes and it was well written. Just boring, sadly.

[Sadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! If you like Kat Martin's security centric books you will like this one. It was a good pace and length, sometimes the romantic thrillers get a bit long and I lose steam about halfway in but not with this Hands Off. I enjoyed it from start to finish. Max, Aurora's brother was uber annoying in his overprotectiveness so I hope that gets toned down some in his book. But, I loved the rest of the supporting characters in addition to the main characters Aurora and Devon obviously.

Thank you Booksirens for the arc!

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book with strong characters in Aurora and Devon. The author pulls you in with all the action and suspense as well as the steamy romance. I was glued to the pages with all the twists and turns as she moves the story fluidly with her descriptive scenes and delivers a thrilling romantic suspense.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Alex (HEABookNerd)]

DNF @ 30%

I was really hoping HANDS OFF would be an exciting and fun bodyguard romance but alas, it's pretty boring and Aurora and Devon have very little chemistry. Aurora also makes some really dumb decisions regarding her safety and while there's nothing wrong with a woman pursuing a guy, Aurora really needs to learn what "no" means; seriously leave the man alone, he's said no multiple times.

Content Warning: recent death of a brother

[Natasha den Dekker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Absolutely howling at all the ex-army men running security companies. Also a lot of fun when you want to read but the PRESTIGE FICTION is too much (and you're hungover).

[G.K. Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to be starting a new series by this author. Looking forward to Book #2 in the series.

[Sarah Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like it. I was looking forward to reading it but i got about 15% in and returned it. I've read a lot of military/ex military fiction books and these guys just didn't sound like ex military at all. Firstly Bennett wouldn't talk to his men like the way he initially spoke with Devon, he might be new but they had experienced similar things, they would be brothers in arms. Yes there would be a firmer speech pattern going on but it would be familiar. Not as if he was a hot CEO and he was talking to someone below him which is basically what happened. I would suggest checking out Maryann Jordon Lighthouse series, she hits the nail perfect. Secondly i wasn't feeling the grief i get (SPOILERS) he lost his father and twin BUT he is a soldier they learn to cope to be the strength they grieve behind the scenes and i honestly see what the author was trying to do But Devon just came across as unconfident to me i'd put him more as a college kid than an ex soldier. Finally he not be a good liar but he would of been trained for this as a soldier. I mean what if while enlisted he had been taken by the bad guy?? it didn't make sense and didn't work. And going on an operation as bodyguard for his boss he would have already had a fake ID in mind he would be confident in his job (which at no point he was) And NO matter who he was he is on business not there to let his guard down and relax, for his boss little sister no less firstly as soon as he heard the banging he should've just booted that door in or had a means to get it secondly he would shout is that a dildo! it was ridiculous and i just couldn't read it.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Aurora sees something terrible, her brother steps in to protect her. He hand selects Devon to be her bodyguard, in secret of course. She makes the naive assumption that her life wasn’t in danger, and this situation wasn’t that big of a deal. And that the man who moves in next door has completely innocent intentions. That is until her life is put in jeopardy because she’s a little too naive about the depth of this situation. Luckily that random man next door isn’t some random rich guy! Keeping Aurora safe means putting his own life in danger. But Devon never hesitations to step up to the challenge. It quickly becomes more than just a job to him! It probably has a lot to do with being on the run, hiding, and the debacle over just one bed…but things don’t stay innocent for long! Devon comes with a lot of hesitation. He’s dealing with his own emotional turmoil. Family expectations, the pressure he puts on himself. But once Aurora comes into his life, nothing is more important than keeping her safe. And that changes everything.

My Favorite Quotes:
• “I knew you’d be sweet.”
• “I told you. I can take care of things myself. But I don’t mind if you watch.”
• “I need to taste you. Once wasn’t enough.”
• “You owe me a ride, cowboy.”
• “Yes ma’am. You’re in charge.”

7/10 Dirty Birdy
9/10 Forced Proximity
7/10 Forbidden Love
6/10 Second Chance

[BusyM3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable start to this new series Bennett Security. This is a new author for me and I am looking forward to read the next book. The story is fast paced, full of action, suspense, drama, romance, family and much more. The story is about Aurora who witness a murder and her big brother will stop at nothing to protect her. Even if that means putting a bodyguard on her, which she doesn't want. Devon works for Max on a desk job. He wants more, but he doesn't due to his family. He is given the opportunity to just observe Aurora and keeps his hands to himself or his boss will kill him. When he first see Aurora he know that will be the hardest thing for him to do. He want to protect her at all costs. This is their journey to their happily ever after. I enjoyed this book.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julie Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

The action begins in chapter one and does not let up, and you are on the edge of your seat for the entire ride. Aurora hears something she shouldn’t have and is immediately in danger. Her overprotective brother has a plan in place quickly to protect her. As chaos ensues, has his security company been compromised? Aurora is a strong character, and smart, but there is a person who wants her dead, and a mole feeding them information.

Devon is her bodyguard, in place by her brother, and has promised her brother not to touch her. With the white-hot chemistry between the two, and Aurora knowing what she wants, will he give in?

As a debut novel, the pacing is great and the intensity is perfect. The twists and turns keep you guessing, I was wrong BTW, and I was on my toes until the end.

[Niki Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This books was really good! Very much Ana Huang Twisted Games vibes which I loved. The end seemed a little rushed to me, which is ultimately why i didn’t rate it 5*. Rushed endings for me can ruin the whole book. It wasn’t the most rushed but I felt as though it could be fleshed out a little more. Overall though I really enjoyed it and I’m just raging I couldn’t fit the time in to finish it in one sitting cause it’s definitely a book I could see myself doing that with. I am SUUUUUPER excited for the next book ♥️

[tattooedbooknerdgirl35 (Amanda Lynn) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4 stars. Received as an ARC reader for an honest review of this book. I have to say Hands Off is very suspenseful and have lots of actions. Their are also a lot of steamy scenes.
Devon the bodyguard and Aurora have chemistry the minute they meet in her brothers penthouse apartments. He sends Devon to protect his sister Aurora. Her brother is very over protective and has issues with giving her space. I also love her interaction with her bestie Lana.
This book is very good and if you love romantic suspense I think you should check it out.

[Mandy Grepares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh this book! I loved Devon and Aurora. The first moment they met you could sense a chemistry between them. Devon's job was to protect Aurora, but he also saw something in her that he couldn't walk away from. And The Incredible Hulk scene! If you know you know. Each page had me on the edge of my seat. I was rooting for Devon and Aurora from day one. I can't wait for the next book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

How in the world does this book have such high ratings?! I’m trying to be objective here, but gosh that was painful to sit through. The plot was predictable and the dialogue was cheesy. It honestly felt like an SNL mockery of every bad 80’s action film. 😬

This book didn’t feel original in any way, but I suppose if you have a weak spot for corny insta-love “action” tropes, have at it.

**Recommended alternative: The Mogul and The Muscle by Claire Kingsley

[Ann Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

An action packed, suspenseful read. Aurora and Devon were very likeable with a sizzling chemistry. There were lots of twists and turns to keep me gripped with a cast of interesting characters. A really well written story. Looking forward to reading more books in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.