XAVIERFormer 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 … 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…
One who knows the pain of loneliness, another haunted by memories he can’t run away from… Maybe they are exactly what each other needs…
TRIGGER WARNING: This book contains scenes of domestic violence in flashbacks.
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The series is beautiful. And this book went straight to my heart
I’m a huge fan no only of the Stories of us series but of all Rheland Richmond’s books, so when I received this book as an ARC I was ecstatic, and my opinion cannot be unbiased because all my excitement (sorry!) Even if this book can be read as standalone, you would want to read the previous ones as many of the characters of those like Tristan and Nathaniel, Teo and Michael are also part of this story and you would like to know more about them to fully understand it. This book is about Cris and Xavier, and how they got together, you’ll find love, romance and hot scenes, lot of action, interesting and complicated situations that will keep you on edge until the very end. Of course, love and family always prevail and you got an HEA well deserved. I’m sure you’ll love it as much as me!
This is an enjoyable, beautiful & heartwarming slow-burn MM romance although it was heart-wrenching to read in some places. The plot is well-written; it draws the reader’s attention & keeps it until the last page has been turned. The characters are well-developed & the first impression is that there are absolutely no common interests between them but they actually complement each other as they draw closer together. There are character crossovers but this book can be read as a standalone.
There is: a young vulnerable yet feisty male billionaire (Cris) that was beaten & abused, his caring friends (Teo, Tristan, Lain & their partners), a abusive stalker ex (Patrick), a bodyguard (Xavier) hired to protect Chris but is attracted to him, a cute baby boy (Nash), some twists, drama, suspense, intrigue, memories, domestic abuse, friendship, attraction, threats, danger, abduction, deceit, betrayal, emotional turmoil, panic, verbal confrontation, apologies, secrets, memories, fear, distraction, complications, determination, explanations, threatening calls, trust, verbal banter, manipulations, rescued, love, some steam, contentment & a satisfying conclusion.
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.
Sometimes there is a silver lining we cannot see….yet!
Domestic abuse is very common in our society nowadays and most of the abused stay quiet and endure it because of shame and fright. If the family does not realize it, these abuses can last years, and the person being abused will slowly lose their confidence, self-esteem, feel degraded and unworthy.
Cris was in an abusive relationship, if that was really a relationship; and is still being threatened by his abuser even from a distance. When his friends, who he has been staying away from, learned and seen what his life has become, they had to intervene. They have to protect their brother who in turn has been protecting them too, or so he thought!
Xavier owns his own security firm with a few of his friends as business partners. A former Navy, he has his own nightmares to get through but it hasn’t stop him from protecting and providing protection services to people who need them. He has never met the person he is meant to be with. Protecting his best friend’s friend was just a job at first, until he got to know the person up close.
Who would have known that these two unlikely persons could become more than protector-protectee? This is a story with domestic abuse in the past, finding the loves of their lives and finally finding their own family. It is a story of friendship, family, acceptance and loyalty among friends. A story of finding your love in unexpected circumstances.
A Family of His Own is the third book in the Stories of Us series by Rheland Richmond. This is a suspenseful drama meet bodyguard romance. So many emotions while reading this book. Anxious, sad, happy…. this book brings on all the feels. Xavier is sexy and protective and Cris is loyal and sweet…. I love these two men together. The supporting characters are amazing and interesting.
The story has drama, suspense, and romance…. there is a strong emphasis on family which I really love. Definitely a satisfying read and great addition to the series.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.