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lifeinthebooklane's review
4.0
I put this at a solid 4.5 stars. How can I find a book with a REALLY dark hero, and some graphic violence, funny? The answer was mainly the supporting 'hero' called Nate. Oh my word every word out his mouth had me smiling and giggling. Quote from Nate "I lost my suicide mission check list, so I'll just go off the top of my head here."
If you're considering purchasing this, you've probably read some dark mafia books and some very lightweight books that claim to be mafia but just don't work. This isn't either of those, it is an amazing, complex, not too dark but not to lightweight adventure of love and survival.
Conrad is a paid killer, he makes no excuses and no regrets about this. Charlie seems quite a reserved and quite woman and to be honest I did wonder how any 'normal' woman would feel safe with a mafia hitman. Yes romance books are a little bit fantasy but crikey if they stretch the bounds of belief too much I for one don't enjoy them. Well clearly I enjoyed this and that it TOTALLY because of the amazing plot and also Charlie's 'back story'.
Charlie is a MUCH more complex character than first appearances suggest and there is just something special about Conrad, making them both extremely likable characters. I felt the connection between them and the burgeoning romance was absolutely believable. And who wouldn't love a man who tells her "You're it for me, The first, the last, the only person I want to touch or taste. The only one I want to kill for. The one I'd die for." (swoon).
The plot twists, turns and loops around leaving you with no idea what will happen next. And it does so at just the right pace so that you are turning pages and gripped by the story, without having to re-read passages to understand what is happening. I found the epilogue just a little bit strange and slightly confusing but not enough to spoil the book for me, Have I said yet that I loved this book? Well I do. I REALLY recommend that you read it.
If you're considering purchasing this, you've probably read some dark mafia books and some very lightweight books that claim to be mafia but just don't work. This isn't either of those, it is an amazing, complex, not too dark but not to lightweight adventure of love and survival.
Conrad is a paid killer, he makes no excuses and no regrets about this. Charlie seems quite a reserved and quite woman and to be honest I did wonder how any 'normal' woman would feel safe with a mafia hitman. Yes romance books are a little bit fantasy but crikey if they stretch the bounds of belief too much I for one don't enjoy them. Well clearly I enjoyed this and that it TOTALLY because of the amazing plot and also Charlie's 'back story'.
Charlie is a MUCH more complex character than first appearances suggest and there is just something special about Conrad, making them both extremely likable characters. I felt the connection between them and the burgeoning romance was absolutely believable. And who wouldn't love a man who tells her "You're it for me, The first, the last, the only person I want to touch or taste. The only one I want to kill for. The one I'd die for." (swoon).
The plot twists, turns and loops around leaving you with no idea what will happen next. And it does so at just the right pace so that you are turning pages and gripped by the story, without having to re-read passages to understand what is happening. I found the epilogue just a little bit strange and slightly confusing but not enough to spoil the book for me, Have I said yet that I loved this book? Well I do. I REALLY recommend that you read it.
honeynwool's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
pattyfgd's review against another edition
5.0
Dark and a little gritty, Celia Aaron starts this series with a bang! Conrad, a trained hit man finds himself enamored with Charlie, the owner of a flower shop. Yes, opposites attract, yet he does not act on it. Sitting outside her flower shop every day though, draws attention to her, and his enemies use this, kidnapping her to get his attention. And it works. Little did this couple know the real feelings that would develop! Aaron has woven a story with some dark qualities, heated passion, steamy scenes and in the midst of it all, humor. Conrad is so alpha, it's impossible not to love him, and we find Charlie to be much more than she appears. It's fast paced and an amazing listen. Nate who has his book next has some great scenes mixed in, sure to make you smile, giving us a glimpse of what is to come. Love the epilogue giving us a look to the future. Great start to this series!
Narration is key with this kind of darkish, romantic suspense, and Lance Greenfield and Erin Mallon nail it. Greenfield has a rough, raspiness to his voice that fits Conrad to a T. It's deep, full of malice when needed, and the extremely enrapturing. Mallon gives Charlie an innocence in the beginning, with an inner strength that shines through. It's the perfect team for this book.
Narration is key with this kind of darkish, romantic suspense, and Lance Greenfield and Erin Mallon nail it. Greenfield has a rough, raspiness to his voice that fits Conrad to a T. It's deep, full of malice when needed, and the extremely enrapturing. Mallon gives Charlie an innocence in the beginning, with an inner strength that shines through. It's the perfect team for this book.
smithrachaelynn's review
3.75
Things I liked:
- I really enjoyed the premise of the book but there were parts of the execution that felt off to me.
Things I didn’t like:
- This happened at the speed of light and while I could’ve gotten over that, it felt randomly goofy at different points too.
kelly_reads_books's review against another edition
5.0
I loved Conrad and Charlie's story.
At times, with all the drama and fighting, it was intense and violent. At other times their relationship was beautiful and erotic.
I really enjoyed it!
At times, with all the drama and fighting, it was intense and violent. At other times their relationship was beautiful and erotic.
I really enjoyed it!
beckyrendon's review against another edition
4.0
It seems that I have a thing for Dark Protector. Nothing like a cold blooded killer to warm up your insides. No, you don't think so?!? Clearly you haven't met Con!
Con was wooed by the quiet flower. The beautiful woman hiding among the roses of her shop. He watched her. It was his own form of Heaven.
But someone tried to take his Heaven and that isn't something Conrad takes lightly. No- he'd do anything to keep his Heaven safe.
She had no idea who he was. She didn't know what he did. She only knows that he's the reason she is in this mess. She also knows that she's definitely in trouble. Charlie (Conrad's personal Heaven) never met the man and only saw him once. What an impression he made too!
Trust and faith. He wants her trust. She has to decide if he's worth it because he is her only shot at getting out alive.
reviewed for the Sweet Spot Sisterhood
Con was wooed by the quiet flower. The beautiful woman hiding among the roses of her shop. He watched her. It was his own form of Heaven.
But someone tried to take his Heaven and that isn't something Conrad takes lightly. No- he'd do anything to keep his Heaven safe.
She had no idea who he was. She didn't know what he did. She only knows that he's the reason she is in this mess. She also knows that she's definitely in trouble. Charlie (Conrad's personal Heaven) never met the man and only saw him once. What an impression he made too!
Trust and faith. He wants her trust. She has to decide if he's worth it because he is her only shot at getting out alive.
reviewed for the Sweet Spot Sisterhood
ameserole's review
4.0
I finished this book like 2 days ago, I'm tired as frick this morning, so if I get anything wrong in this review just deal with it because at this point I don't care. Maybe I'll come back when I'm not tired or working to fix it but ... meh, don't get your hopes up.
Dark Protector was a pretty interesting mafia book. I liked the two main characters - even though the girl kept trying to leave. However, she did surprise myself and the other characters that she definitely knows how to handle herself. Of course that usually means something bad happened in her past, aka Brandon, and I felt bad for her to go through that manipulation but at the same time I'm glad that she did because it lead her to become the person that she is now.
Con, the mafia guy and I also can't remember is first name.. conrad maybe? I don't know - I need coffee pretty badly right now. Well, at first he was kind of strange because he was low key stalking this girl (Charlie?). Then he became pretty much swoon-worthy because of how protective he was of her. However, I did not enjoy the little teasing smut moments. I totally get that he wanted her to trust him before things went any further.. but he's sort of the reason that she is wanted dead and everything. Then the fact that he sort of kidnapped her was the cherry on top.
Charlie, again, was pretty likable. I don't really have much to complain about her. The chemistry between these two was good. Then the epilogue was kind of predictable but still likable. I feel like it might of mindfucked me a little bit because there was some hint of confusion - but I'll blame that on me being dead ass tired.
Overall, I really did enjoy this book. Sorry for this half-ass written review.
Dark Protector was a pretty interesting mafia book. I liked the two main characters - even though the girl kept trying to leave. However, she did surprise myself and the other characters that she definitely knows how to handle herself. Of course that usually means something bad happened in her past, aka Brandon, and I felt bad for her to go through that manipulation but at the same time I'm glad that she did because it lead her to become the person that she is now.
Con, the mafia guy and I also can't remember is first name.. conrad maybe? I don't know - I need coffee pretty badly right now. Well, at first he was kind of strange because he was low key stalking this girl (Charlie?). Then he became pretty much swoon-worthy because of how protective he was of her. However, I did not enjoy the little teasing smut moments. I totally get that he wanted her to trust him before things went any further.. but he's sort of the reason that she is wanted dead and everything. Then the fact that he sort of kidnapped her was the cherry on top.
Charlie, again, was pretty likable. I don't really have much to complain about her. The chemistry between these two was good. Then the epilogue was kind of predictable but still likable. I feel like it might of mindfucked me a little bit because there was some hint of confusion - but I'll blame that on me being dead ass tired.
Overall, I really did enjoy this book. Sorry for this half-ass written review.
poose72's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25