A review by fae_princess_in_space
On Guard by J.R. Gray, Andi Jaxon

emotional funny lighthearted sad tense 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

5.0

This was so good; it had so many of my favourite tropes all smushed into one scorching hot book! Obscure sport? Check! Pretty Woman premise? Check! Obsessive, possessive love? Check! Black cat x golden retriever? Check! Class difference? Check, check, check! 

Isaac Becker has been disowned by his extremely religious family after being forcibly outed. He’s desperately trying to keep his place at college but is fast running out of money… until a handsome older student offers to pay him $3000 for 24 hours of his time. Desperate, Isaac agrees, but quickly realises he’s in trouble when the enigmatic man turns out to be everything he’s ever dreamed of… but it’s only for one night, right? 

Oliver Godfrey, part of the New York elite, hates everyone and everything. Until he falls head over heels for the sweet, innocent Isaac after only 24 hours together. It was only meant to be one night… 

But the two are forced together when they realise they are both on the fencing team, the New York Gods. Oliver has spent his privileged life getting everything he’s ever wanted, but suddenly he’s faced with potentially having to give up everything - his inheritance, his future job at his father’s firm - to be with the one man who makes him feel something. But can Isaac get over the trauma of his past and let Oliver love him? And will Isaac’s roommate Colin ever stop cockblocking them? 

Read On Guard for:
✨ Black cat x Golden Retriever 
✨ Class difference 
✨ Virgin MC, touch starved 
✨ Pay to play 
✨ Sports romance (fencing! ⚔️) 
✨ Dom/Sub dynamics 
✨ Touch him and 💀 
✨ Overcoming religious trauma 

Gonna get a copy (with this cute alt. cover!) to get signed at RARE London 💕