She’s a warrior at heart.Briar’s life was changed forever by a childhood marked by loss and trauma. When she was an orphan the government recruited her into a secret program and turned her into a contract killer. No matter how hard she tries to leave that life behind her, it’s still a part of who she is. She loves and trusts her husband deeply, but old habits die hard. Now everything is about to … die hard. Now everything is about to change for them. When things take a life-threatening turn, Briar is forced to confront her most deeply buried insecurities and find the courage to lay herself bare to the man who has promised to stand by her always.
But this is one battle she can’t win alone.
Matt loves his independent, badass wife more than anything, but she’s also the most stubborn and frustrating woman he’s ever known. Haunted by a loss that shook him to his core, he’s even more determined to protect Briar now that their lives are about to be altered forever. He’ll do anything for her, but if they’re going to have a shot at a happily ever after as a family, his fierce Valkyrie must first learn to lower her guard and let him in completely.
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Great, edge-of-your-seat series!
Briar was orphaned ar a young age and put into a program that made her into a killer. Now she works for a covert group and is still a highly skilled shooter. Her husband Matt works for the FBI Hostage Rescue Teams. Matt was married before and lost his wife and baby before it was born and it devasted him. It takes awhile to get past Briar’s defense and he think he has. She still very independent and doesn’t like to show weakness. She has a surprise for him and hopes he’s excited about it. She’s pregnant but she’s afraid she doesn’t have what it takes to be a mother. I don’t want to give a whole lot away but be prepared for tissues, a little aggravation, and a man who’ll do anything to keep his new family together. But if she can just open her walls just a little and let Matt help, they might just be able to get through this. Great story. I wanted to cry for Briar and Matt. Matt has to decide whether to put his job or family first. But that’s really.a no brainer. Sexy with important messages in them. * Voluntarily read and reviewed this for Netgalley *
“Guarded” is Matt & Briar DeLucca’s story of them becoming parents after their HEA in “Disavowed”. Now they are not facing the criminal element, but something even scarier for them, parenthood. Briar finds that impending motherhood is not easy and a bit scary, but faces the challenges as she and Matt get ready to meet their daughter. Matt also is going through his own worries after the death of his first wife and baby, but can’t wait to become a Dad. A sweet story as life continues for two wonderful characters in the hostage rescue team. **I received “Guarded” from NetGalley and leave my review based on my reading.** 4 Stars!
Aww Briar and Matt. It was so nice to be back into their world, the world of Hostage Rescue Team and catch up on these too. Briar’s stubborness is why I love her so much. And Matt! Lucky Briar because Matt really is so patient with her. I mean the patience that man has lol.
This story is about parenthood, asking for help – because sometimes you don’t need to do everything alone, leaning on the other person and let yourself be vulnerable which doesn’t mean you are weak.
Matt and Briar are just amazing and awesome together. They just work. They are both stubborn, strong; both have baggage and are jaded from the past; both have an emotional ups and downs from different reasons. Matt wants to protect – her it’s his first instinct but Briar doesn’t want that. She can take care of herself but Matt just wants to be there for her and to make sure she’s okay. They need to meet in the middle. I loved the development of this emotionally beautiful read and these two people.
Loved it!
Briar and Matt…enjoyed these characters in this adventurous tale. This book is part of the Hostage Rescue Team and definitely a page turner.
Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.
So I didn’t know when I requested this book from Netgalley that it was like a follow up to the couple from the book Disavowed. When I started reading I realized something was off. Though I could follow it fairly easy enough to read it as a stand alone I felt like I missed something. I feel it would have been a much better read had I read Disavowed first. Still it was an emotionally angst filled and sweet read. Matt was amazing and so supportive. I loved him! Briar had some issues, but I still really liked her. I’m a sucker for pregnancy/baby books so got lots of feels from that part of the plot. Overall not a bad read but I wish I would have read their first book before reading this one.
Briar loves her husband and she loves her job. She does not love anyone trying to tell her what to do and that is exactly what Matt tries to do in order to keep her safe. Briar has to learn to trust herself and Matt so they can work together to come to a compromise and have their happily ever after.
Disavowed by Kaylea Cross blew me away with its intensity, and when I saw there was a chance to visit with Matt and Briar again at the time when their lives are changing forever, I might have squealed a bit. And Ms. Cross does manage put a wallop of emotions into this novella, get your tissues ready, you might just need them.
Briar had been, from a very young age, trained to be a killer, to avoid emotions, and focus on the task. Her struggles to hold her independence and to stay strong, to convince herself that she can be a good mom despite the way she was brought up, to reassure herself that she can take care and nurture her child is heart-wrenching.
Matt loves Briar more than anything and is willing to make any sacrifices for her happiness and safety. I love how he reacted when he saw the struggle Briar was facing, how he stood up, and what lengths he was willing to go to be there for her and for his little family.
The suspense in the story comes from the intense and danger-filled jobs both Briar and Matt have. The drama is poignant, yet compassionate and even informative. The warm, loving, tangible adoration between Matt and Briar is uplifting, the brotherhood and closeness between the members of the Hostage Rescue team are as palpable as it always has been.
A touching and moving tale, an emotional and intense continues to the devoted and passionate love story growing, developing, and maturing between Matt and Briar.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Oh, how I enjoyed this story! I was really able to relate to Briar and what she felt and went through after the birth of her daughter. I mean other than the fact that I’m not a trained government assassin, I felt like this could have been my story after the birth of my oldest. Honestly, it was a bit scary how spot-on it was.
I haven’t read all of the books in Cross’ HRT series yet (they’re on my TBR), but I had read Disavowed, which was Briar and Matt’s story. There were a couple spoilery moments from the books in the series I hadn’t read yet, but nothing too earth-shattering. That being said, going into this book without having read Disavowed would not be advised. I think it’d still be relatable and enjoyable, but not nearly as much so if you didn’t have the character’s back-stories.
If nothing else, this has made me realize that I’m pushing the HRT books I haven’t read higher up on my TBR because this reminded me how much I enjoy this series.
*I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*