She moved into his house… then into his heart.Elle Lee is on the run—hiding from her ex and his family. After secretly moving to the other side of the country, she wants nothing more than to stay shielded behind the carefully constructed armor that’s kept her, and her secrets, safe all these years.But when she befriends Conor—the strong, quiet guard who works security for the mysterious Alice … works security for the mysterious Alice Braxton—she finds herself wanting to step out from behind her armor and experience life again.
Conor Kahele is a protector—always has been, always will be. So when timid Elle gets a job at the Braxton Arcade, he can’t help but watch out for her. They become fast friends and when Elle finds herself with little money and no place to live, Conor is unable to stop himself from asking her to move in.
Platonically, of course.
But friendship goes out the window the more they learn about one another, and soon Conor finds himself agreeing to take Elle’s virginity. What neither agreed to was giving the other their heart.
While people from Elle’s past hunt her, demons from Conor’s past haunt him. If he can guard her heart, Conor just might save them both. But if he fails, if he goes too far, he might become the very thing that stalks them.
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I loved the first book in this series, but I loved this one EVEN MORE.
Adore Ian writes the mix of new adult angst, feminist suspense, and intense erotic romance I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW I NEEDED. But now I know, and I’m waiting for every release like Oliver Twister. More pls.
In Guarding Her Heart, the mysterious Elle is running from her clearly abusive past. So of course her protective, security-working friend Conor notices something’s up and is all over it. They end up as roommates when Elle loses her home, and then they wind up banging because of course they do. But they both have a lot of very serious personal issues to deal with, and also there’s an FBI shootout.
Since this is an Adore Ian book, all the leads are FABULOUS HUMAN BEINGS and everyone gets the love and support and therapy they need, which is the kind of security blanket my anxious brain requires when a story has high stakes like these. It’s like, the outside world is being terrible and dangerous, but together? Elle and Conor are SOFT and KIND and GOOD. My eyeballs are HEARTS RIGHT NOW.
Also, as always, the love scenes in this book ruined my life. Like. Jesus Christ. I needed an inhaler. Holy God. Wow. YES. OKAY. THANK YOU, ADORE IAN.
Guarding Her Heart by Adore Ian was spectacular! It hit some sensitive subjects that were poignant and well thought out, and I simply could not put it down.
I absolutely adored Elle, and Conor was a sexy tattooed Hawaiian beast! I absolutely adored their chemistry, and I loved how they both got to grow with one another.
This story is a sensitive one. It’s all about consent in a different way. Yhis author knows how to send a poignant message in a real way and in a sensitive way too! It really does affect you, and makes you feel a lot.
I have to be honest, although this book is absolutely incredible, it didn’t touch me the same as the first book. It still packed a punch, though. I think it’s because my heart will always belong to Damian.
And the steam… PHWOAR!!! Set the book alight!
Guarding Her Heart was a brilliant, poignant, funny, steamy and empowering book. It is deserving of five stars, if not more, and I would most definitely recommend it!
Conor and Elle are two broken souls trying to survive the mess life has handed them. Each dealing with issues that plague them. Conor has the tools to fix what’s wrong with houses, but not the tools to fix what is wrong with himself.
“I fix homes for other people because I can’t fix my own.”
Ellie is on the run from her ex. She thought her ex would be her first, her everything, instead he turned into a monster. Not any monster, but the best monster.
“Because the best monsters aren’t just the ones you don’t see coming, the best monsters are the ones who make you care.”
“I used to think he was beautiful in a way that was hard to describe. Now I think he’s ugly in a way I can describe too well.”
She’s finally free, living and enjoying her life, making her own decisions. Until things start to happen. Faces she recognizes all too well start to show up and send her spiraling into panic attacks and insurmountable fear because she knows what’s coming.
Conor’s had a soft spot for Elle since he first saw her. There was an instant pull to her he couldn’t describe. But there is no way she would want someone like him. He is a giant that exudes back off vibes, and he plays the part well. Conor thinks he isn’t worthy or deserving of good in his life. He failed his sister therefore he isn’t worthy of having a home, or love. When frightening things start to happen to Elle, Conor steps in and is determined to protect his friend. He couldn’t save his sister, but he’ll do everything to save Elle. To protect her he moves her into his house. Their friendship blooms into something beautiful and lustfully sinful. Unfortunately, Conor feels he isn’t worthy of Elle and friend zones her.
“I’ll prove that I can keep her safe. And that starts with guarding her heart.”
But Elle isn’t having it. She pushes until Conor cracks. Then we get some very STEAMY erotic play.
What happens when the monster reveals himself? Will Conor be able to save Elle after all? Will Elle get her happy ever after?
The author gives us an interesting story with well-developed characters. I enjoyed them all including the supporting characters. The plot was definitely suspenseful and the erotica HOT! Once again the author gives us a story that keeps us on edge and fanning ourselves at the same time. A story definitely worth reading.
I read an ARC of this book. My fair and honest review is voluntary.