The Protector: A Sexy, Angsty, All-The-Feels Romance with a Hot Alpha Hero

by Jodi Ellen Malpas

Alexandra Baldwin (Narrator) and Owen Macmahon (Narrator)

A standalone novel from Jodi Ellen Malpas, the bestselling author of the THIS MAN and ONE NIGHT trilogies, comes a passionate and unforgettable romance.

People think they have Camille Logan nailed: daddy's girl, beautiful, spoiled young woman with her father's bank balance to fund her lifestyle. But Camille is determined to have a life free from his strings. Now, after fighting so hard to be independent and happy, she finds her life threatened as a result of her father's ruthless business dealings. Caught between resentment and fear, Camille prepares herself for the measures her father will take to protect her. But nothing could prepare her for the ex-SAS sniper who crashes into her life.

Jake Sharp resides in his own personal hell. He was distracted from duty once before, and the consequences were devastating - both personally and professionally. Accepting the job of bodyguard to Camille Logan isn't the kind of distraction from his demons he should take. Women and Jake don't mix well, yet protecting the heiress seems the lesser of two evils. But Jake soon discovers that she isn't the woman she's perceived to be. She's warm, compassionate, her presence settling, and his duty to protect her soon goes deeper than a well-paid job, no matter how hard he fights it. He needs absolution. He comes to need Camille. But he knows he can't have both.

Don't miss LEAVE ME BREATHLESS the new linked novel to THE PROTECTOR - the perfect summer romance!

• ISBN10: 1478941855
• ISBN13: 9781478941859
• Publish Date: 6 September 2016
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Grand Central Publishing
• Edition: Library Edition
• Format: Audiobook (CD)
• Duration: 14 hours and 9 minutes
• Language: English

Reviews

[Lynn]

3.5 Stars

The Protector is the first novel I've read by Jodi Ellen Malpas and it's standalone.

Camille Logan is a socialite, the daughter of Trevor Logan, the London-based business and property tycoon. She's stunningly beautiful; a sought-after model and wannabe fashion label owner. Despite a hefty trust fund income, Cami is trying to forge her own way in life and away from her controlling and possessive father, only he won't let her. He's overprotective, especially after her spell in rehab, caused by her association with Sebastian Peters; her abusive drug-taking ex. Little wonder, she's livid when her father tells her he's hired a bodyguard to protect her. Only the six foot four ex-SAS sniper is an intrusion she didn't think she'd welcome.

Jake Sharp, works to keep busy and to distract him from his demons. At thirty-five, he knows personal problems need facing head-on, but that's too tough for the former SAS sniper. When he's assigned a job as a bodyguard for Trevor Logan's daughter Camille, he views it as just another job, only his illusions are shattered when she doesn't fit his preconceived idea of a spoilt 'princess'. Additionally, the reason he's protecting her doesn't add up either. With that thinking, Jake's determined to find out the real reason he's protecting Cami, never envisaging he'd become more than her protector.

I found the first half of the book a bit slow, as we become acquainted with the protagonists. Whilst I liked them together as a couple and enjoyed their sizzling interaction, the plot surrounding them wasn't convincing in the beginning. Their love story is the highlight as we witness them overcoming personal obstacles to find happiness and love together. Despite Jake's rough, tough exterior, he's adorable and romantic. Camille shows she's the opposite of what the tabloid and glossy magazines write about her.

The latter part of the book came to life around the 80% mark but as Jake finds his closure for his happy ending, I'm left feeling underwhelmed about the ending. I don't need my books to end in neat Happy Ever After bows, but even for me, there wasn't enough there to make me satisfied about what potentially lies ahead for Jake and Cami as a couple.

Overall, I enjoyed The Protector but it just lacked 'je ne sais quoi' to make it a fabulous read. That being said, I'm still more than happy to try other books by Ms. Malpas in the future.

***arc generously received courtesy of Forever via NetGalley***

[thebookdisciple]

Link to full review below! Steamy, mysterious contemporary romance! I enjoyed it a great deal! See full review on The Book Disciple

[Cocktails and Books]

3.5 Cocktails. Full review to come.

[leelu92]

DNF'd at 30% no rating.
This was the first book I've read by JEM and I was really excited for it.

Unfortunately, this book did not work for me one single bit. Apparently, JEM is not my jam.

[chemicalscream]

Oh. my. GOD. This is another masterpiece from Jodi Ellen Malpas. If you love a Tall, Dark and Moody hero then Jake Sharp is the Book Boyfriend for you.

Jake Sharp has serious demons and he lives with them every day. The only ways that help him keep them at bay is drinking, sex and work. When a job comes in to guard the daughter of a rich business man he’s reluctant to take it at first glance. What he’s expecting is a rich spoiled girl brat, but it isn’t what he gets.

Camille Logan is a smart, independent woman who is determined to make a name for herself without the help of her father.

The moment the two of them meet in the story the chemistry is there and it builds up quite nicely throughout the story. I really enjoyed getting to know the two of them. Jake’s backstory is quite heartbreaking and I definitely didn’t expect for it to turn out the way it did. But in the end it works out quite nicely and it will definitely bring a tear or two to your eyes. It was a very sweet ending.

The Protector is a standalone novel, unlike Jodi’s previous work, and I’m quite sad that we won’t get to spend any more time with Jake and Camille. Who knows? Maybe in the future she’ll re-visit them again. We’ll see…

Jodi definitely knows how to write a Swoony-worthy guy and if you love Jesse and Miller, you’ll LOVE JAKE. Read this book now! If you haven’t read Jodi’s previous series This Man or One Night, you should DEFINITELY check those out as well.