A Family of His Own: Stories of Us Book 3, Rheland Richmond

The bodyguard trope is one I generally enjoy, especially when it involves people who need love and protection wrapped up in a sexy package.  Adding in the power that comes from regained confidence and freedom claimed, and I'm usually a goner.  But with this story I was struck right in the beginning by some disturbing comments and attitudes that I had a severely difficult time getting over.  Cris and Xavier's connection also just didn't sink deep enough for me to fall in love with the story.

Cris had a really hard go of things.  I could absolutely relate to his loneliness and when he got stuck with Patrick, I felt for him.  In a cerebral way I can see how his inner strength got him through the ordeal, but on the page it seemed to fizzle out pretty quickly.  The man he was when a surprise phone call came was one of vulnerability and eager hope.  That man was interesting too, but not nearly as potent.  There seemed to be a disconnect between who Cris was at the beginning and who he was near the end.  I kind of liked both sides of him, but if they had been brought together well they would have cemented him as a whole and diverse character and I would have loved him.  Unfortunately, that was not the case.

Xavier, on the other hand, started off as a noble man, one that I was curious to get to know.  Except when he was faced with the surprising and captivating Cris, his mouth pissed me off.  In what world is it ever okay, even to provoke a reaction, to victim blame?  Sure it got Cris to spit fire from his eyes, but Xavier's whole attitude was one of heavy-handed and domineering authority that I absolutely didn't appreciate.  He excused his terrible words and attitude later by saying he couldn't stand the idea of Cris hurt, but that was only ever one passing thought in his head never to be revisited.  And then the pages and pages and pages devoted to his denial of any spark or feelings he might have for Cris was so overboard.

And so by chapter four, I was having an extremely difficult time getting into the story.  I almost didn't care what happened.  When the drama went down it was so close to the end of the story that I wasn't sure if anything was ever going to get answered.  Sure enough, because it was left so last second, it felt more like an info-dump and everything was rushed which left me feeling underwhelmed.  That and the overall pacing of the story was hard to swallow.

There were great moments in this story though, lest you think I detested the book.  Every time Cris was genuinely happy, excited, and in awe of his gift, I was pretty floored by his immense love.  Without Cris this story would have suffered severely.  His heart was the best part of this whole book.  While I wasn't drawn by any of his friends and didn't like their banter, Cris managed to rise above them and be someone I'd remember.  He and Xavier really did work for their happiness and it was well-deserved.

*$4.99 on Amazon

XAVIER

Former Navy SEAL Xavier Thierry knows he is good at his job… protect the client. You do the job but never get too close—that’s his motto.

When the friend he owes for saving his life asks for a favor, he doesn’t hesitate to say yes, no questions asked. But babysitting some pampered brat is nowhere on his to-do list.

Until he first lays eyes on him… Cris. And he’s nothing like Xav expected.

He wasn’t sure when this man stopped being a job, but the rules blur once Cris ends up in his arms. How can Xavier let him go when he’s the only one who chases away the darkness?

CRIS

Cris Whitcomb thought he finally found his happily ever after… But the fairytale soon became a nightmare, one that left him with only one choice—to push away those he loves to protect them.

His chosen family refuses to be pushed away. Their solution, call in someone trusted to watch over and protect him… Xavier.

But what happens when your future walks in on the worst day of your life?

Maybe sometimes you have to go through the bad to get the best...