The worst betrayals are ones you don’t see coming.The greatest lies are the ones we pretend aren’t real. But my life is at the mercy of Cruz Solano, the greatest pretender of them all.Now I have no one to trust, nowhere to hide and the country I love is in the hands of a sociopath.If I want to survive, there’s only one person I can trust. The same person who is willing to sacrifice love for duty: … who is willing to sacrifice love for duty: me
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4 Stars
Review by: Alysia
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
The Protocol series by Eden Butler has a total of three books, all short in length, about the previous first lady and her security. Cruz and Lia have a past. They were lovers in college before Cruz left to follow his career in the military sector of the government. Lia waited for him for two years before she moved on with her current husband, who became the US president and then was assassinated. Cruz must now protect her from the men responsible.
I enjoyed reading about Cruz and Lia and all the ups and downs they went through to stay safe and be together. Their love was forbidden, and i loved how they tried to deny their feelings and do whats right, but were unable to physically do so. I won’t spoil the ending but just know, you won’t be disappointed!
3.75 stars–FINAL PROTOCOL is the third and final instalment in Eden Butler’s contemporary, adult PROTOCOL serialized erotic, romantic suspense story. FINAL PROTOCOL is the continuing story of former First Lady Ophelia ‘Lia’ Harris, and Secret Service agent Cruz Solano. FINAL PROTOCOL can not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of BROKEN PROTOCOL.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Lia and Cruz) using present day and memories from the past, FINAL PROTOCOL follows in the wake of Lia believing Cruz may be guilty of the ultimate sin. On the run, Lia discovers she is not alone, and the man that she loves may be battling for his life.
FINAL PROTOCOL is another quick read revealing the truth about what happened and why: the assassination of the US President, and the people behind the power, the control, and the cover up pointing fingers at an innocent man. The fast paced premise pulls the reader into a story of betrayal and vengeance; domination and control; second chances and happily ever after.
I will add that ‘reviewing’ a serialized novel is difficult; made more challenging when consecutive instalments are brief requiring cohesion between instalments for a completed summary. World building and character development transpires over several instalments making it problematic for individual reviews but necessary for a cumulative final judgement.
Loved the last installment of the protocol. We finally get answers we’ve been waiting for. And the hea we were hoping was coming. Cruz finally gets to tell his side of the story, and Lia finally can move on with her life. Loved these two together
Favorite Quotes:
I closed my eyes, letting Aretha’s rich, silky smooth voice purr in my ear as she sang about Do-Right women and men.
My Review:
An active storyline brought a satisfying conclusion to this spicy and tautly written tale of romantic suspense. The storylines were entertaining and Ms. Butler’s briskly paced and evocative writing kept me interested and invested in the characters from beginning to end.
Wow!! Loved the fast paced, suspenseful ending! No spoilers, but you will finally get the answers to every question in your head, including the fate of Lia and Cruz! It’s totally swoon worthy, you will no be disappointed!
I’m stuck on this 3 star rating because these three shorts would have made an awesome book if they were combined. I still don’t understand the Authors reasoning. Why the stop and starts. It makes me feel like the Author got stuck and had to leave the characters for a while and then came back to them. This short had it been combined into one book would have been a 5 star read for me.
This really could have been a 5 star read had this been one book with that being said this was a good read but I can’t give it it’s due with it broken up like this, it’s just not fair to readers. If however you are willing to buy it this is a good story with everything you want from an exciting suspense/romance. These two have plenty of steam and the action and intrigue really kick in. As one book it will keep you entertained from start to finish and yeah there are enough twist to keep you wondering and happy at the end. As 3 books you can’t really appreciate the story or the action in my opinion it cheats both the author and the reader. Would I read this author again? Yes I would but I would also pay attention to the page count on her series.
This was a short series filled with drama, suspense and second chances. Cruz and Lia were explosive together and in this final book they had me on the edge of my seat with the twists and turns I wasn’t expecting. This was a quick read that you’ll definitely want to read!
Final Protocol brings this amazing series to an end that will take you on a ride of emotions like no other in such a short amount of time. As Lia is thrown into confusion, anger and terror threaten to bring her crashing down. Cruz is now on a mission to save the one person who quietens the noise that lives in his head, but will he survive to keep her safe. As their lives, freedom and love are at the highest risk to be lost can Cruz show Lia that he is still the man she has always trusted and loved. This final book nearly brought me to my knees as the intensity that surrounds these two characters found its way into my heart, head and soul. Such a breathtaking way to finish this three part series. Eden Butler never fails to bring you all you need, want and crave in a romance whether she is against, breaking or finally just writing to protocol.
What an exciting end to a short series that I devoured quite quickly. I completely love Cruz, every single thing about him. And Lia is just fierce. This was such an epic end, with all the feels & excitement throughout, that you’re just gonna love it!!