Reviewed by Susan65
Title: Protecting Elliot
Author: Sloane Kennedy
Series: The Protectors #9.5
Heroes: Elliot Wittier/Cruz de la Vega
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 108 Pages
Publisher: Sloane Kennedy
Release Date: October 17, 2017
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Protecting him was just to supposed to be another job. Until it wasn’t.
Two years after surviving a brutal attack from members of his own unit, former Special Forces soldier Cruz de la Vega has found new purpose working for an underground vigilante group that offers justice when the law can’t. When he’s assigned to figure out who attacked a local gay rights activist, Cruz expects it to be just another job.
But when it comes to protecting Elliot Wittier, he soon learns that the last thing he wants is for the intriguing young man to be just another job.
At twenty-five years old, Elliot Wittier is well on his way to having the perfect life. As the head of a hugely successful investment firm and the founder of a prominent foundation, he should be on top of the world.
But looks can be deceiving and Elliot knows how to play the game. With the fear of failing the two most important people in his life always at the forefront of his mind, Elliot keeps an iron-grip on the control that has served him so well in the past. But when a violent attack leaves him vulnerable, Elliot’s carefully constructed world starts to fracture. As he struggles to keep the threat under wraps, he’s thrown off guard when a gorgeous stranger takes an interest in him at a Halloween themed benefit. Throwing caution to the wind, Elliot decides to allow himself the freedom that being with the enigmatic Cruz de la Vega brings for just one night.
But what happens when one night isn’t enough? Or when the past catches up with the present? Can what two men found in each other in just twenty-four hours really last a lifetime?
***Although it features several characters from my other books and is part of the “Protectors” world, Protecting Elliot is a stand-alone novella that can serve as a great way to get a feel for the Protectors/Barretti/Finding universe I’ve created. In regards to the timeline of events, Protecting Elliot occurs after Book 9 in my Protectors series, but it is not necessary to read any other books to enjoy this novella. I’ve specifically written this book to give new readers a chance to meet my guys and for loyal fans to check in with old favorites while still meeting a new couple.***
Review: I actually read this book. Truly, a real paper and ink book that I had to hold in my hands and actually turn the pages; it was awesome. I highly recommend it and this novella. If the author’s intention was to highlight her writing and, specifically, The Protectors series, she chose well. I loved both Elliot and Cruz …and Cruz’s brother was very intriguing and I cannot wait to see where that story line goes. Cruz has a story separate from Elliot, which had me wanting to keep reading to see how his brother would get his happy ending, too.
Honestly, if you are reading this review, then you are probably already a Sloane Kennedy, and The Protectors series, fan, but if not, pick up this book and give it a shot, you will not be disappointed. This book has everything we come to expect in this series, except the format is condensed and more fast paced, but no less exciting, sexy, and highly enjoyable. We have a mystery to solve, a budding romance, a little bit of family drama (on both sides), and a whole lotta fun. And as always, we get to meet up with a few of the originals in the series, and that is always high on my list.
Because of the length of the book, the angst factor is pretty low, but sometimes that is a good thing. We come to expect a certain amount of torment for our men, but having a fast paces novella gives us what we want without tearing out hearts, at the same time. It was nice to see some resolution for Elliott and his father, though. Read it, you’ll love it. Trust me.
Overall Impression: I really liked it!
*I received a copy of this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.*
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