Rating~ 3.75- 4 stars

I quite enjoyed this one!

This was my first book by Diana Girdin and certainly won't be the last!

What's is about: Rayne Alexander left her hometown and her family behind at 17, pregnant and alone. Betrayed by her family, the guy she loved and his family she was devastated. But all isn't as it seems since Jeremy Teague had no idea that Rayne was even pregnant, he thought that she no longer loved him and didn't want to be with him but he never got over her. Now Rayne is back, working at the security company and meeting Jeremy after all these years is a shock. To Jeremy not only does Rayne seem very afraid but seems to be also hiding something, a secret that will change Jeremy's life.

This is second chance romance about high school sweethearts that circumstances and family separated.

I really Jeremy and Rayne together, thrown in the fact that they both never got over each other even when they felt the other had betrayed them it made me adore them. They also had great chemistry and that Jeremy felt protective of Rayne even though they hadn't seen each other in years. Rayne was quite a strong woman, not only because of what she did when she was 17 but taking care of her son, Decker and then again having to relocate because of her boss. She really loved her son and was willing to do anything for him. Jeremy after the shock of finding out he's father, he was also lovely, while he wasn't happy that he had lost so many years of his son's life, he understood why Rayne did what she did. Also, Rayne and Jeremy's son was so cutteee.

This is light suspense book, with the bad guy trying to find Rayne before she tells someone what she saw and seems to have developed a creepy obsession over Rayne. The light suspense element allowed Rayne and Jeremy to be reunited and develop their relationship. The writing is engaging even if the story line is not completely new.

Overall I really liked the couple, the story was done well, it's a great read for anyone looking for a light romantic suspense book and with a adorable HEA it leaves the reader smiling!

ARC was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

It seems that I'm on a little bit of a romance suspense mood lately, which is great considering all of the new books I've added to my TBR. Yay! As a new Diana Gardin reader, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Does she write more romance? Or will her books be heavy in the suspense? I'm please to say that Sworn to Protect is pretty flippin' sexy. Who can go wrong with a cover like that? I quite enjoyed this book. I loved the characters. Rayne and Jeremy were fun to follow, especially as a second chance romance. It was a fabulous mixture of sweet and sinful moments. With that said, I did have a little bit of a difficult time getting into the 1st person writing style. There were moments when Diana's writing felt a bit choppy. Once I got the hang of it and was able to click with the characters/writing style, it was smooth sailing from there. I did really enjoy reading the villain's chapters, which gives the readers more insight into the motive. Not to mention is creeped me out in a couple instances, which is always good in a suspense book. Overall, it was a very entertaining book and I'm looking forward to picking up the 2nd book in the series.

I received an advance copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Coffee Dates with Sworn to Protect

• First Date: Gardin hooked me from the opening scene as Ryne Alexander stumbles on to a secret at work. A secret that has her fleeing with her son and heading home to Wilmington, NC. I was a little worried as some tropes I am not fond of popped up 
  Spoiler

  Secret Baby. Miscommunication.
  but Gardin soon puts those fears to rest, and I immediately liked both Rayne and Jeremy. Right away I was intrigued by the team at Night Eagle Security. We see some banter, comradery, and individual personalities emerge. Rayne is in serious trouble.  Between the reconnect and danger I knew I am in for a fast paced ride.


• Second Date: As Rayne and Jeremy come to terms with their past and begin to reconnect attempts are made to grab her. It's soon clear that her former boss is determined to silence her. While the Night Eagle Security team begins to investigate, Rayne, her son Decker and Jeremy get to know each other. The chemistry between these former high school sweethearts is off the charts, and I enjoyed their interaction both alone and with Decker. Jeremy is swoony, from his alpha need to protect and the love he has for his dog. Not to mention the man can cook and that is always a turn on for me. He is definitely, book boyfriend material ladies. As the danger increases so does the risk, and we are made privy to her pursuers perspective.


• Third Date: Gardin wove the past into the present as the suspense angle moved towards a nail-biting climax. While the story isn't necessarily anything new, Gardin does provide a storyline that is fast paced and intense. We get to meet other characters, and I am curious about their stories. The romance was super sexy with plenty of heat, but it also came with a tender, sweet side complete with picket fence. The author wrapped up the tale wonderfully delivering a finish to both the suspense and romantic angle that is sure to leave readers smiling.

This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer

I've read this book numerous times now and have to say every time I've read it , the feelings i got the first time are always the same. I truly enjoy sworn to protect by Diana Gardin and really want to read more from this author.

This is the first book I have ever read by Diana Gardin and I have to say that it will not be the last.



I loved the Rayne and Jeremy and I loved their chemistry.

I can't wait for the next book in this series. I already purchased a few of Diana's other books and I can't wait to dive into them. Hopefully, I will be able to read them very soon

This is the first book in the Rescue Ops series, this is also a second chance at love story. The story is told from 2 main points of view: Jeremy and Rayne. There is a little bit of everything thrown into this book, love story, suspense, drama and angst and steamy sex scenes. I could not put this story down and I finished it in one sitting! I was hooked from the first page. I enjoyed the dual POV, it really helped the story to flow seamlessly. Ms. Gardin did a fantastic job setting this story up, it was fast paced but slowed when it needed too. There was a clear beginning, middle and end. Rayne and Jeremy’s story will grab you by the heartstrings and not let go. I am blown away by this novel, and will continue to read anything Ms. Gardin produces. An excellent, emotion stirring story that will leave you panting for more. It grabs you from the first page and never let’s go, you are completely engrossed in Rayne and Jeremy’s world, so make sure to carve out time to devour this book!

3.5 Stars

Reviewed for Nerdy Dirty & Flirty
Link to come

This was the first book I've read by Gardin, and it won't be the last!
Full of emotion, action, and suspense, this is a great read!

Second chance romance, stalkers, and hot security guys! Sworn to Protect is like the romance novel version of lions, tigers, and bears! Oh my!

We start with Rayne on the run. She has discovered something incriminating in her boss's office and she knows she has to flee. So, she grabs her son and they fly back to her hometown, Wilmington, NC. She hasn't been back since her family shunned her when she was 17 and pregnant. However, she never let her old boyfriend, Jeremy, know she was pregnant with his child.

Jeremy struggled to come to terms with Rayne's abrupt departure from his life. Now, many years later, he is working for a black ops security agency. When Rayne suddenly reappears in his life, he is thrown. He is still hurt and angry, but he never stopped loving her. He knows right away that she is in some sort of trouble. Cue the alpha male!

These two have a big miscommunication to clear up while dealing with Rayne's boss, who not only is upset about what she found in his office, but is fixated on her as a romantic partner. Honestly, there are a couple times the chapters are in his POV and it was just weird. I think because you have no idea where these feelings of his come from. She worked for him for years and had no idea he was obsessed? Because he is taking obsessed to a new, creepy level.

While enjoyable overall, Sworn to Protect wasn't anything new in terms of plot. It is well written though and engaging if you are looking for an easy weekend binge read! You get the danger and suspense from the crazy boss, the second chance romance of a couple who need it, an adorable kid, and it will leave you smiling!

 

• POV: dual 1st


• Tears: no


• Trope: secret baby, on the run, second chance


• Triggers: none


• Series/Standalone: stand alone


• Cliffhanger: 
  Spoiler

  no


• HEA: 
  Spoiler

  yes

Books by Susan Stoker, Maryann Jordan, Anne Conley, Lani Lynn Vale...then you will probably like Sworn to Protect!


See full review on The Book Disciple