Cover Image: Guarding Her

Guarding Her

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I just loved Gia and Lawson! The romance was great, and the suspense kept me guessing. I'll admit that I don't typically love having chapters focusing on a secondary couple since I feel it can disrupt the flow, but I actually really enjoyed it here! Clarita and Carlos were great as well. 5 stars!

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed everything about this book, the two main characters, the close-knit family support, the romance, and the suspense. Gia Ferrer loves her work as an illustrator, but as a favor does some modeling for her friends’ clothing line. This opens up a situation that soon takes on a life of its own through social media. Lawson Murphy, her brother’s friend, is attracted to Gia, but has kept his feelings to himself out of respect for her brother. He is working as a bodyguard for Red Stone Security and when Gia receives threatening emails, he vows to protect her. She wants more than protection from Lawson as the attraction is mutual. When her home is broken into, Lawson asks Gia to stay with him where their emotions flare out of control. Gia has no idea who could hate her so much as Lawson and the police continue to search for the person who is determined to destroy her. When the final threat comes from someone they didn’t suspect, will Lawson be in time to save the woman who owns his heart? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Was this review helpful?

Guarding Her by Katie Reus
Red Stone Security #18. Contemporary romantic suspense. Can be read as a stand-alone but better if you’ve the last few simply because it’s a group of people that work and attend family parties together.
Gia is helping a friend by modeling her swim suits and one of the videos goes viral. And that brings out the crazies including a stalker. Lawson tries to keep his distance from Gia because she’s Juan’s little sister, but his feelings been growing. When he’s hired to be Gia’s bodyguard, he must maintain his professional hands off policy to keep Gia safe.

Suspenseful and steamy with a secondary couple storyline.
I love this author’s writing so wasn’t surprised by the twist. I wanted to yell “don’t go out alone!”

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to keep.

Was this review helpful?

This book held my interest right from the start. It was action packed, romance novel. I liked the location, the main characters were likeable, and the plot was exciting.
I like reading romance novels, especially after reading a few psychological and crime novels, romantic stories are a well needed breath of fresh air, but this was full of non-stop action too.
I liked the book and gave it a well earned 5 stars. I think it works very well as a standalone novel but after finishing the book I realised that it is part of the series. For me, this is the first book by the author but I can see myself reading more by this writer in the future.
I’m so happy I requested this book on Netgalley and was accepted to read and review it. It was a pleasure to read, and I can only recommend it.

Was this review helpful?

Very good read. Lawson and Gia were very attracted to each other, but Lawson was best friends with her brother. Gia did some modeling in bathing suits for a friend and suddenly had a stalker and people saying mean things on twitter and her feed. Plus she had a competitor spreading lies about her illustrating abilities. All and all, she was a little stressed. When things heated up, Lawson started guarding her and though things were heating up between them, he resisted quite a while.. The Redstone security books are all good and we see some friends from before.

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Was this review helpful?

First I wanted to thank Author Collective 20 for providing an ARC in exchange for a honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

While scrolling through NetGalley I saw the cover of this book, and it intrigued me. I read the synopsis and I LOVE me some romantic suspense…then add brother’s best friend trope and I’m sunk! I am so happy I requested this book….and got accepted cause I really enjoyed it 🥰

Guarding Her
Release 5/17
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What I loved:
-Series, this is part of the larger Red Stone Security Series and I’m so excited to dive into all of the other books
- Brother’s Best Friend, this is one of my favorite tropes cause I just really like how much Lawson is worried about losing Juan (brother) but it willing to risk it for Gia
- Mystery, I am normally really good at figuring out “who done it” but this one really did surprise me at the end
- Family, this story includes a larger family element but the best part is it’s not blood family just chosen family

One thing that kind of threw me was a secondary storyline with another couple and it could be because I haven’t read the others in the series but it seemed a bit random to be part of Gia and Lawson’s story.

Overall this book had everything I look for in a romantic suspense, great romance, spice, great twist and believable turmoil between the main characters. Once I started this book it was really hard to put down and I am already eyeing how quickly I can get to the other books in the series cause I can’t wait to learn about the rest of the Red Stone team. If you love romantic suspense then PLEASE to pick this one up as soon as you can cause its a great stand alone story with a whole series behind it so you can live in this world for a while!

I plan to post this on instagram on 5/16, day before release on my bookstagram account @readingwiththecatlady It has already been uploaded to Goodreads at the link below

Was this review helpful?

Guarding Her is the eighteenth book in Katie Reus’ Red Stone Security Series. It is a suspenseful romance novel filled with great characters, an interesting storyline, no cheating and a happily ever after.

Gia and Lawson have been drawn to each other for months, but she is his best friends little sister and off limits. But when a video of her modelling a friend’s new clothing line goes viral, Gia becomes the target of a crazy stalker and Lawson steps forward and will do anything to protect the women he loves. But will it be enough, especially when her brother finds out? Read it and find out!

This book can be read as a standalone, but when read in order, a greater appreciation for the series is achieved. Reus does an excellent job weaving old and introducing new characters into the Red Stone Security series. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!

My only complaint relates to the secondary storyline between Carlos and Clarita. It was interesting but I think that it detracted from the main storyline.

Was this review helpful?

4.25⭐

Guarding Her is a fast-paced and really engaging story. That grabbed me from the very first page, thanks to an interesting mix of romance and suspense. As main character Gia finds herself being tormented by a stalker after she agrees to model some swimwear for her new sister-in-law's sister Carlita.

And with a few edge-of-your-seat moments and great characters, some of whom will be familiar to fans of the series and a romance that was full of sparks this really was an enjoyable read. That I would happily recommend to others.

Was this review helpful?

Fantastic!

Another great addition to the Red Stone series! These characters and story lines continue to go strong and Lawson and Gia fit in perfectly. They have a tangible connection and engaging story.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

Was this review helpful?

Such a great book!
Guarding Her by Katie Reus was a fast paced romantic suspense, that have me so intrigued that I could not put it down!
I loved the chemistry between Gia and Lawson. It was intense.
Lawson was hesitant to act on his feelings for Gia as she is his best friends younger sister, but when he finds out she is in real danger he cannot hide his true feelings anymore.
I loved this book so much, and now plan on reading the rest of the series..
If you love romantic suspense books check this one out!

I received a free copy of Guarding Her in exchange for my honesty review.

Was this review helpful?

4.5 stars

Another great book in Katie Reus' Red Stone Security series! Here, we get Gia and Lawson's story, and happily, it's another from the Best Friend's Sister/ Brother's Best Friend trope, one of my favorites (a hair behind Friends to Lovers).

In this installment, the suspense comes in the form of a stalker. Gia and Lawson's budding romance is put on hold when he's assigned to be her bodyguard until the stalker is caught. (Well, at least the sexy times are.) Typical of a Reus suspense novel, a few red herrings will keep most people guessing: I recognized the red herrings for what they were but was not one hundred percent sure who the culprit was until the reveal.

Also true of a Reus suspense novel (or my experience with one anyway), the actual suspense part is not as fully developed as I would have liked it to be. Instead, some of the plot space is taken up with a secondary plot; this time, we get Clarita and Carlos experiencing marital woes. Although it took away plot time from Gia and Lawson (whom I rather adored), in the end, I kind of liked their story better or at least as much.

Anyway, another great story from an author I love!

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!

Was this review helpful?

What a good read this is. The story is hot, twisted and hard to put down. The twists and turns sure kept me wondering who the bad guy was. I loved the ending!

Was this review helpful?

Wow, I so enjoyed this book. This was a new author for me and I’m certainly ready to devour more. If you like romantic suspense stories, then you’ll enjoy this one. Lawson and Gia were perfect together. It had a touch of steam, suspense and a twist that I didn’t see coming. I would highly recommend. I received an advanced reader copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

Getting more in this series is getting more of recurring characters from previous books that I love and want more of, while getting to enjoy new characters to the series. The Red Stone Security team is one big happy family and you just never know what characters from previous books you are going to get to see again. My favorite couple made an appearance, but really I love them all. Gia and Lawson were amazing. Gia has a deadly stalker and Lawson will do anything to keep her safe, including breaking the boundary of best friends sister code. Lawson is just so protective, you can't help but love how he takes care of Gia. I also enjoyed a bit of a story with a one of the married couples in this. Another hit for the series!

Was this review helpful?

Suspense is my go-to subgenre in romance. I cannot get enough of it. Katie fills that need with all of the suspense I want and romance on top of it. I do love a good bodyguard story and when the hero gets all alpha and growls a good bit. Who doesn’t? Lawson growls! Hot! Another thing I love about this book and I have read it in others is the third person (villain) having their own chapters with their inner thinking but we don’t know who they are. It gives the story creepiness (does that sound weird? I don’t know but I find it exhilarating.). The suspense and overall sexiness (damn) had me eating up the pages faster than downing a bowl of ice cream.

There is a secondary story in this book and I thought it was fantastic and so very sweet.

Was this review helpful?

Gia’s in danger. Lawson is in trouble. She needs protection, but wants the guy who seems impervious to her. He wants her heart, but can’t risk his friendship with her brother or his job. And when Gia needs 24/7 protection, Lawson is ready to beat back anyone else who may volunteer for the job. As these two live with the frustration, tension, and scorching desire that Lawson refuses to compromise Gia’s safety or his professionalism for, mysteries are solved and new problems arise.

And as interesting as Gia and Lawson were, I found my heart and ALL of my attention focused on Clarita and Carlos. Married, in love, but maybe not so much now? Maybe the spark is gone on one side. Maybe that spark has found another to ignite with? Oh, my heart broke so much for the pain and worry and angst and apparent proof. But all may not be as it seems. And once Gia and Lawson found their way and the danger was removed, I HAD to know where Clarita and Carlos would land. And their story made an already steamy story absolutely red hot when all of their secrets came out. These two couples brought a must read book for your enjoyment, so enjoy it!

Was this review helpful?

What a wonderful, sweet, romantic suspense. When Lawson Murphy’s best friend’s sister is being stalked following a modelling session, Lawson won’t trust her safety to anyone but him. After all he’s crushed on her for years, not that anything can ever happen, his best friend made sure of that. Gina too, has crushed on Lawson for most of her life, sadly for her he doesn’t feel anything more than friendship for her. That’s what Gia has always believed, but when he becomes her bodyguard a few things come to light, unfortunately Lawson is forever the professional, and won’t cross that line. As the threats to Gia increase, it becomes apparent that her safety, and possibly her life are in the balance. I was on tenterhooks throughout. Both Lawson and Gia were refreshingly upfront and honest with each other, I loved her approach to life, she truly was beautiful inside and out. The story was fast paced, kept me on my toes throughout, and was wonderfully passionate between the Gia and Lawson. The perfect couple, an addictive storyline, and a wonderful read. Written in multiple POVs. I received an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Gia has been attracted to her brothers best friend for a while and during the festivities for her brothers wedding Lawson and Gia get the opportunity be around each other more without interference. Though Lawson is attracted to her ( very much) he knows you don't mess with your best friends sister. Unfortunately Gia has a stalker that very much wants her dead and the only person she wants to protect her is Lawson.

I love this series and I'm so happy its back. Characters are always fun and interesting, plus you have the adding enjoyment of reading about characters in past stories.

Was this review helpful?

What a great series this is!! I always look forward to reading another one.

This time we have Gia and Lawson. Lawson has been crushing on Gia for a long time but doesn't want to make a move because she's his best friends sister. In return, Gia's also been in love with Lawson for ages but thinks he isn't interested in her. Needless to say she's wrong.
When she ends up being stalked and little things start to happen, Lawson steps in to protect her. In doing so they are in close proximity and it's becoming harder to keep distance from each other, until they can't hold it in anymore.
This is a fast paced romance with twists and turns on every page.
I also loved the little side story going on in the book, it was a nice surprise, a little extra.

I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.

ARC kindly given by Netgalley and the author for voluntary review. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

This is another great read in this series that was finished a while ago but reader's didn't want to let go This is the story of Gia sister to Juan whose story we had previously and Lawson who also happens to be Juan's best friend Lawson has always had a thing about Gia but he knows he can't go there after all she is his friends best sister but he is finding it harder and harder to turn away When the connection between them starts to strengthen he knows he has to face his friend and tell him how he feels and Juan isn't happy But even more dangerous is the stalker that Gia has managed to get after modelling swimwear for her friend Clarita and that danger is much closer than anyone realises. You also have a sub story about how Clarita and Carlos's marriage is faltering after they have been together since they where fifteen and a fun conclusion to that. While this book can be read as a stand alone do yourself a favour and read the entire series

Was this review helpful?