Proceed With Caution:
This book contains a drugged kidnapping. The author does apologize for this story-line in her author's note, realizing that she went too far, but this one is not as bad as Callie's Catastrophe.
The Basics:
Penny's Protector happens concurrently with Callie's Catastrophe, but it doesn't backtrack quite as far. Just to the point where S'bren realizes that Penny is the woman for him, getting roped into M'toks nefarious plan.
My Thoughts:
I have been excited to get S'bren's story for a couple of books now, ever since I realized that he is an adorable himbo. The previous book did have me worried since he drugs Penny's tea in order to kidnap her, but he really is a sweet and simple minded male. He truly didn't understand that someone could have taken advantage of Penny after unknowingly drinking sleepytime tea. Of course, this was the author backpedaling and redeeming S'bren. But it worked for me. But I have a soft spot for him.
Penny's Protector is actually quite fun. After lecturing S'bren on the dangers of spiking someone's tea, Penny asks him to take her adventuring! Penny desperately wants true love and resonance, but she knows once she's pregnant she'll be stuck at camp for a long time. Now is her chance to get out and see the world! Or at least some of the ice planet highlights. S'bren is more than happy to take Penny on a tour of the planet and the two make several great discoveries, including that surprise at the end of the previous book.
Penny's Protector also goes into Penny's fear of being left. She's had bad relationships in the past, where the man just used her for sex but didn't see her as "the one." She loves the idea of resonance and being someone's entire world, but she's also scared. She's attracted to S'bren, but what if she falls for him, and then he resonates to someone else?! S'bren is just so sweet in this situation and letting her take the lead even though he wants nothing more than to be with her. It's just so darn cute!
I think Penny's Protector is one of my favorites despite the rough start. I just absolutely adore S'bren. I have to admit that I pictured him as a blue Kronk the entire time. I also enjoyed getting to know Penny. She hadn't been involved too much in previous books, but she was a nice heroine. She's adventurous but also a romantic. I hope she and S'bren get many more adventures to come!