Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
This was incredibly sweet.
Never before has a fake boyfriend, who doesn’t do real relationships, been so good at boyfriending. Harley is a badass seal who strives at saving people and making things happen. He’s committed to his no-relationship status. But he’s completely oblivious to his own sweet nature, and desire to care for and nurture others. Well, in particular - Ambrose.
Ambrose is a posh TV exec, dashing in a suit, dealing with anxiety, and has a sweet obsession with his tiny dog. He’s been crushing on the bodyguard ever since he started working on their set. An attack on Ambrose one night sets them on a path that has them spending a lot of time together (and sharing a bed!).
This has a great slow build feel, with some very hot sexy times (still fanning myself). I loved how naturally they seem to fit together, despite how different they and their worlds are. Though they do have a few moments where they head to the dreaded lack of communication territory, thankfully they get their heads on straight relatively quickly. I also enjoyed the exploration of sexuality and sexual orientation.
Never before has a fake boyfriend, who doesn’t do real relationships, been so good at boyfriending. Harley is a badass seal who strives at saving people and making things happen. He’s committed to his no-relationship status. But he’s completely oblivious to his own sweet nature, and desire to care for and nurture others. Well, in particular - Ambrose.
Ambrose is a posh TV exec, dashing in a suit, dealing with anxiety, and has a sweet obsession with his tiny dog. He’s been crushing on the bodyguard ever since he started working on their set. An attack on Ambrose one night sets them on a path that has them spending a lot of time together (and sharing a bed!).
This has a great slow build feel, with some very hot sexy times (still fanning myself). I loved how naturally they seem to fit together, despite how different they and their worlds are. Though they do have a few moments where they head to the dreaded lack of communication territory, thankfully they get their heads on straight relatively quickly. I also enjoyed the exploration of sexuality and sexual orientation.
This is a nice mm romance with two unusual characters. Ambrose is a Hollywood writer who has a very popular show filming in LA. Harley is part of the A-1 Security detail there to keep the shoot private and safe. Ambrose has a panic disorder and has a rather adorable Chinese Crested therapy dog named Hercules. Harley has recently come to terms with the fact that he's pan, and is figuring out what that means. He's also never considered himself boyfriend material and has, in fact, never been in a long term relationship.
Anabeth Albert sets these characters up very nicely and then does an equally good job of unfolding their relationship and personal revelations. One thing I enjoy about Ms. Albert's books is her frequent inclusion of more non-conventional sexual orientations, such as here with Harley being pan. I also appreciated that anal sex is not presented here as the only "real" sex, or even as the preferred sex act. Since studies show that the majority of gay men don't regularly participate in anal sex, it seems unfortunate that mm romances seem to act like it's the brass ring for a relationship.
Overall an enjoyable few hours of reading!
Anabeth Albert sets these characters up very nicely and then does an equally good job of unfolding their relationship and personal revelations. One thing I enjoy about Ms. Albert's books is her frequent inclusion of more non-conventional sexual orientations, such as here with Harley being pan. I also appreciated that anal sex is not presented here as the only "real" sex, or even as the preferred sex act. Since studies show that the majority of gay men don't regularly participate in anal sex, it seems unfortunate that mm romances seem to act like it's the brass ring for a relationship.
Overall an enjoyable few hours of reading!
*4.5"
Harley and Ambrose are just so adorable together, with that wonderful balance of sweetness and heat. It's a pretty low angst romance that covers several tropes - boss/employee, bodyguard, fake relationship. We also have a lovely ugly dog who's also there for anxiety support, a crazy fan base for Ambrose's TV show that turns out to be quite important to Harley for certain reasons.
These two together slowly evolve their relationship from boss and employee to fake relationship when it's thought that Harley is necessary to keep Ambrose safe when away from his niece's wedding but to go undercover as a boyfriend instead of worrying anyone. It's unsurprisingly easy for things to develop when there's forced proximity with only one bed but from there it's all their own choice. It's lovely to read them show more of their true selves to each other whilst also learning a bit more of themselves and what they want in a relationship, especially for Harley as he never saw himself in this position.
There's very little drama, mainly to do with the show that Ambrose created and writes. Harley is all about keeping him safe and wanting him to bring the show to its full potential which are excellent boyfriend qualities. The guys from A-List are unsurprisingly teasing about anything happening between the two but it's clearly said with love. Cressida, Ambrose's sister, comes across as slightly high strung but clearly wants the best for her brother and Hercules is just so lovable, easing Ambrose's anxiety and is clearly an excellent judge of character with how he reacts to Harley.
A wonderful story overall and a joy to read. I'm glad that it brought so much to the author at a time she needed it. A recommended read, along with the rest of the series, and I'm looking forward to the fourth.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Harley and Ambrose are just so adorable together, with that wonderful balance of sweetness and heat. It's a pretty low angst romance that covers several tropes - boss/employee, bodyguard, fake relationship. We also have a lovely ugly dog who's also there for anxiety support, a crazy fan base for Ambrose's TV show that turns out to be quite important to Harley for certain reasons.
These two together slowly evolve their relationship from boss and employee to fake relationship when it's thought that Harley is necessary to keep Ambrose safe when away from his niece's wedding but to go undercover as a boyfriend instead of worrying anyone. It's unsurprisingly easy for things to develop when there's forced proximity with only one bed but from there it's all their own choice. It's lovely to read them show more of their true selves to each other whilst also learning a bit more of themselves and what they want in a relationship, especially for Harley as he never saw himself in this position.
There's very little drama, mainly to do with the show that Ambrose created and writes. Harley is all about keeping him safe and wanting him to bring the show to its full potential which are excellent boyfriend qualities. The guys from A-List are unsurprisingly teasing about anything happening between the two but it's clearly said with love. Cressida, Ambrose's sister, comes across as slightly high strung but clearly wants the best for her brother and Hercules is just so lovable, easing Ambrose's anxiety and is clearly an excellent judge of character with how he reacts to Harley.
A wonderful story overall and a joy to read. I'm glad that it brought so much to the author at a time she needed it. A recommended read, along with the rest of the series, and I'm looking forward to the fourth.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Enjoyed it
This was a really sweet book and I really enjoyed it. I loved that there was no big drama throwing them into over-protect mode but rather a much more gentle protection issue as it made a change for this kind of story.
Ambrose and Harley are super cute together and I liked how they balanced each other out. I will definitely keep reading this series.
This was a really sweet book and I really enjoyed it. I loved that there was no big drama throwing them into over-protect mode but rather a much more gentle protection issue as it made a change for this kind of story.
Ambrose and Harley are super cute together and I liked how they balanced each other out. I will definitely keep reading this series.
My favourite so far in this bodyguard romance series
Definitely my favourite one so far, it’s incredibly sweet and a lovely discovery of both sexual awakening on the part of Harley and of learning to trust in his own instincts from Ambrose.
There was, however, a very brief moment towards the end where I thought I would be chucking my Kindle out the window as they ummed and ahhhhed about their feelings. It looked like we may be heading into classic lack of communication territory but thankfully not.
Both men managed to muddle their way through explaining their fears and their feelings and all was well in the LA world!
Before that, Annabeth had treated her readers to a truly lovely romance which builds slowly in the intensity from a bodyguard relationship, to a fake dating one, to a friendship and into love. This is also coupled with Harley’s realisation he’s pansexual (and possibly demi-romantic also, though that’s never outright stated).
I really appreciated the time they took to not only explore Harley’s awakening desire for Ambrose, but also with Ambrose’s own second guessing all the time due to his anxiety disorder. He’s been burnt before in the past by wanting his sexual activities to mean more than just getting off and so he’s understandably hesitant to let people in.
Harley though, he is just the sweetest former Navy Chief SEAL cinnamon bun going. He’s never seen the point of relationships but as he gets to know Ambrose, and plays at being his fake date, things slowly change.
This very much is a slow burn case of someone finding out that there might just be a reason for falling in love other than the accompanying orgasms and someone else finding there is a perfect for them partner out there.
Throw in a cute dog, good family and friends, a sideways trip to Annabeth’s Rainbow Cove, and a sub-plot about Ambrose’s TV show facing cancelation, and you get a great all round book which is thoroughly enjoyable.
Definitely my favourite one so far, it’s incredibly sweet and a lovely discovery of both sexual awakening on the part of Harley and of learning to trust in his own instincts from Ambrose.
There was, however, a very brief moment towards the end where I thought I would be chucking my Kindle out the window as they ummed and ahhhhed about their feelings. It looked like we may be heading into classic lack of communication territory but thankfully not.
Both men managed to muddle their way through explaining their fears and their feelings and all was well in the LA world!
Before that, Annabeth had treated her readers to a truly lovely romance which builds slowly in the intensity from a bodyguard relationship, to a fake dating one, to a friendship and into love. This is also coupled with Harley’s realisation he’s pansexual (and possibly demi-romantic also, though that’s never outright stated).
I really appreciated the time they took to not only explore Harley’s awakening desire for Ambrose, but also with Ambrose’s own second guessing all the time due to his anxiety disorder. He’s been burnt before in the past by wanting his sexual activities to mean more than just getting off and so he’s understandably hesitant to let people in.
Harley though, he is just the sweetest former Navy Chief SEAL cinnamon bun going. He’s never seen the point of relationships but as he gets to know Ambrose, and plays at being his fake date, things slowly change.
This very much is a slow burn case of someone finding out that there might just be a reason for falling in love other than the accompanying orgasms and someone else finding there is a perfect for them partner out there.
Throw in a cute dog, good family and friends, a sideways trip to Annabeth’s Rainbow Cove, and a sub-plot about Ambrose’s TV show facing cancelation, and you get a great all round book which is thoroughly enjoyable.
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I wasn’t prepared for this to be the sweetest book (so far) in the series. Not that there’s no fire, but Harley and Ambrose are both a bit timid at times. Luckily, they fit together well. Harley is large and in charge of his day-to-day life as a former Navy SEAL and current security specialist. Ambrose may be a bit timid when moving about the world, but he knows how to ask for what he wants in the bedroom. As sweet as they both are, they don’t quite have the off-the-charts chemistry of the other couples. Yet they still have a beautiful connection.
When Ambrose is attacked and those around him are unsure if it was random or there was a motive, Harley steps in to protect him on a trip to Ambrose’s niece’s wedding. Since they don’t want to draw focus from her on her special day, they decide to do the fake couple thing; one of my favorite tropes. It’s only brief, and the trip leading up to the fake part is what had me falling in love with this couple.
The insecurities of both of these men are times endearing and frustrating. Everyone within their orbit can see what is happening and how they feel, but they are so sure they aren’t what the other wants and/or needs when they have to get back to the real world. It’s something they have to figure out for themselves for it to stick, though.
Seeing the way the people at A-List Security always pull together for one another is something I love about this series. They may not always agree with each other, but they will always have each other’s backs.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated