Vow of Protection: Personal Protectors Book 1, Brittany Cournoyer

Walker and Beckett have nothing in common.  And when a bar brawl puts them together in a way neither anticipated, it opens a door to a lot more than a job opportunity.  Since Walker is straight it shouldn't be a problem to move Beckett in with him to protect him from a biker gang's retribution.  But when the threats become more personal, more violent, both men realize that nothing is as it seems.

Beckett's inner thoughts were glaringly harsh.  All the name calling, belittling, mocking, sneering, disrespect, and anger was shocking.  It went on for so long that I was pretty sure it wouldn't ever end.  At times it was difficult to sift through all of that to see his genuine desire to protect Walker and then to actually grow to like him as a person, let alone as a prospective lover.  When that change did come it wasn't a huge revelation or anything, it was a bit more subtle and it wasn't really enough for me.

Even though Walker had always believed he was straight I could believe his struggle at trying to figure out what it was that drew him to Beckett.  His inner thoughts really gave the reader a clear understanding of his frustration and emotional turmoil.  When he gets to the point of acceptance it's so clear and matter-of-fact, thank goodness, because I don't think I would have appreciated the moment-after-regret stuff on top of Beckett's animosity and the surrounding craziness.

Together I felt the two were actually a good match.  While I didn't like the way Beckett chose to think about Walker for most of the story, I did feel that they had so much to offer one another that I was glad by the end that they finally had their moment.  Beckett's off-hand remark regarding their future is adorable and so fitting for who both men have grown to become.

With slightly predictable drama and a couple surprises tossed in as well as a lot of seriously great steam, the story moved along pretty well and gave a satisfying conclusion.  Well, there was a big confrontation moment that was wrapped up pretty cleanly that I was merely okay with, but other than that I grew to truly enjoy what I read.  The ending made up for some of the personal angsting and went a long way to proving that both men were mentally and emotionally ready for their HEA.

*$3.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!