One night brings them together. Another night tears them apart.Grace Miles misses her easy friendship with Asher, but growing up means growing apart. And really, how could he fall for her when they spent their childhood getting muddy in the creek and splitting sticks of gum?But this summer, something feels different. If Grace didn’t know better, she’d think Asher was flirting with her. Those dark … flirting with her. Those dark eyes, hard body, and wicked smile make her insides swirl and her heart dare to hope for things she’s convinced herself she’ll never have.
Falling for your best friend shouldn’t be complicated, but for Asher Bailey, loving Grace is anything but simple. The road to romance isn’t smooth thanks to his pack of wild brothers who are protective of the girl next door, a take-no-sass grandmother, a small town where gossip is a spectator sport, and a feud that spans generations.
But Asher realizes his feelings are too big to ignore. Loving her isn’t the risk. Losing her would be.
And one night, one kiss, changes everything.
Finally admitting their feelings is the beginning of their happily ever after. Until their fairy tale love story is tragically interrupted, and neither of them will ever be the same.
Author’s note: Lifelong soulmates, ridiculous pranks, brother shenanigans, and a feuding town. Protecting You is the Bailey Brothers series origin story. Be there when it begins and fall in love with this wild band of unruly brothers.
The Bailey Brothers is meant to be read in order, and Grace and Asher’s story concludes in book two, Fighting for Us.
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Probably my favorite thing ever about romance reading is finding a new series to fall into, and Kingsley delivers big in this first book of the brand new Bailey Brothers series. Small-town charm, quirky and larger-than-life characters, an out-of-control but immensely endearing brood of boys, and a wise, wonderful Gram I wish where my own set the backdrop for a story full of heart and emotion that I could not put down.
The Baileys and the Havens have been in a family feud for generations, to the point that no one knows the source of the original disagreement, but the descendants keep it alive, mostly with legal mischievous acts. Grace Miles has grown up living next door to the Bailey brothers and their Gram. While most of the boys are like brothers to her, Asher, the oldest, has always been her best friend. And if you’ve ever read any romance, you can already see where this is headed.
If you’ve read anything by this author, you’ll be ready to jump into this series, no questions asked. If you haven’t, here’s the perfect opportunity to discover her talented writing and find an amazing new book world to get lost in.
In all fairness, you need to know this book ends with a bit of a cliffie and no HEA. However, it’s vital to the series so you can experience the innocent, young love between Asher and Grace. It will explain a lot about Grace’s determination and have you firmly in her and Asher’s corner as they travel a challenging road to forever in the next book. Go ahead and start reading this one today so you’re ready for the rest of their story in Fighting for Us in just one week. One thing is certain. Once you visit the small town of Tilikum, these unruly, unrepentant, charming Bailey brothers will steal your heart, and you’ll be eagerly awaiting more!
This. Book. Is. Everything.
This prequel novella sets the stage for the series by telling the backstory of Grace Miles (first introduced in The Miles Family series) and Asher Bailey. Friends since they were children, they drift apart as teens and then reconnect as young adults only to have their future interrupted in the blink of an eye. Get ready to meet a wise grandmother, five wild brothers, a sweet young woman raised by a single mother, an adorable four-year-old, a town feud that spans generations, and terrorist squirrels.
This book DOES end with a cliffhanger, so there is not a “Happy Ever After” but a HOPEFUL ever after. Be sure to have plenty of tissues on hand (especially if you haven’t read any of The Miles Family series because that series gives you a glimpse of what happened to Grace and Asher but not why.)
The conclusion to Grace and Asher’s story is in Fighting for Us, book two of the series. Please note that the Bailey Brothers series needs to be read in order. It’s not necessary to have read The Miles Family series prior to starting these, but you should as characters from both series cross over. (I HIGHLY recommend reading The Miles Family series…but that’s in other reviews!)
Some quotes that I loved:
~Grace had lodged herself into my heart a long time ago, and she hadn’t left room for anyone else to get in.
~Loving her wasn’t dangerous. Letting her go would be.
~Something deep inside me ached for that version of reality. For a world where Asher and I were together. Because anything else felt so wrong.
~She was my first love, even though I’d taken too long to tell her. And she was going to be my only love. I knew that now more than ever.
#FreeAsherBailey
The first book of this new series has left me speechless. After all, every book written by CK leaves the reader for wanting more. This story is no exception. Asher and Grace have been best friends forever but at a certain point that love seems to change into something more. Initially both are quite uncertain as what to do next but once they get together again it seems that time has not affected their feelings. So far things went from good to great and perhaps the book is going to give the reader the final HEA. Unfortunately as the story extends, something bad and unexpected happens disrupting the linearity that would have led the book to a wonderful finale. I must admit I was left empty-handed. Nothing could have prepared me with this unexpected ending. I kept staring at my kindle trying to figure out how to deal with the emotions that the story took me out. The only thing that unburdened my mood was the epilogue that in some terms gave some easiness in my heart. The element of surprise in this book is what affected me most and I’m really looking forward to see what the next book has in store for me.
Love Grace and Asher’s book even though it ends with a cliffhanger. I love reading about how they fell in love with each other. I love how Asher protects Grace no matter what comes at them. Can’t wait to read their happily ever after.
Ok it took a while for me to read this purely because life got in the way.
Claire gives us snippets of the back story to Asher & Grace in The Miles stories and oh my gawd did she follow through. The love story of childhood best friends who both secretly want more but for their own fears don’t act on them until it’s almost too late.
Unfortunately due to previous events an incident where Asher proves how much he loves Grace leads to him having to serve a custodial sentence. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
This book. It has ALL THE FEELS. ALL OF THEM!
We first meet Grace in the Miles Family series. If you haven’t read that yet, it’s okay. You need to read it but you can still read Protecting You without knowing all the Miles Family. This is another small town romance which is something that Claire EXCELS at. There is a longtime feud between the Baileys and the Havens. No one really knows what started it but it filters through the entire town leading to pranks and shenanigans and sometimes tempers flaring.
Grace is living with her mother and brother in the small town of Tilikum Washington. She’s grown up with the Bailey brothers and their Gram next door. Asher, the oldest was her childhood best friend. As they grew up they grew apart but now she’s home from college for the summer and things feel different and she’s starting to look at Asher with new perspective.
Asher has always loved Grace. First as his best friend and then as they grew up it became something more. He’s been waiting for her to come home and hoping she will be willing to consider dating him and sharing her life with him.
This is the book that almost didn’t happen. Claire has said in her Facebook group that she hadn’t originally planned to write how Grace and Asher first fell in love. She planned to pick up their story years later. I am so very thankful she wrote this. We needed this story to get to know them and it makes their eventual HEA so much sweeter.
It does have a cliffhanger and Claire has apologized profusely about that and is kind enough to only make us wait a week for the rest of their story. Don’t wait!! It’s worth it!!
This book whets your appetite for the Bailey brothers and their amazing Gram. The end of the book had my heart in my throat and tears spilling freely while I raged at injustice and for lives being irrevocably changed.
If you aren’t sure about reading this because you don’t want to cry or don’t like conflict READ IT ANYWAY. If you don’t then you won’t appreciate the rest of their story nearly as much as you should. This is the book that Grace and Asher deserve to give the rest of their story justice and the ending so much sweeter.
Great introduction to a new series! Love Asher and Grace and their families. Cannot wait for the next book!
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
I am a HUGE fan of Claire’s work, to the point that I’ve read every single book she put out. When she first started talking about the Bailey Brothers, I was so EXCITED! The Miles Family has a VERY special place in my heart, and now I get to share my heart with this new family.
Protecting You is the Origin story for Grace and Asher. We’ve met Grace in the Miles Family books… and now it’s her turn. Y’all. I can’t even put into words what this book did to me. I was falling in love with them from the very start and there was no turning back for me. Watching them come together was EVERYTHING I never knew I needed.
Asher and Grace are a beautiful story of friends to lovers that will have your heart swooning. From the start, you are drawn into them and their story. You are right there as they become so much more than friends. And then, in true Claire fashion… you will have your heart torn into pieces.
This book does end on a mild cliffhanger, but don’t worry because their story isn’t over… and it won’t take too long to get it!
Five stars for this charming and fun origin story that will have you feeling all of the emotions from start to finish.
This is the first book in The Bailey Brothers Series and a spin off on The Miles Family series. This prequel for Grace and Asher that ends in a cliff hanger but it has all the feels!!
Asher is one of five brothers and Grace is the girl next door. They are best of friends and navigate their youth together. But what happens when they are no longer as close as they once where because Grace goes off to college while Asher stays home for college. When Grace comes home for summer their chemistry is like no other and Asher decides to make Grace his. One event changes their lives forever.
Claire is hands down one of my favorite authors and this book the reason why. She is able to draw you in. I think this is one of her best novels! I cannot wait for next book in this series <3
Great start to a new series.
Protecting You is my first read by author Claire Kingsley, and it was a great introduction to her work. This is a novella introducing Asher Bailey and Grace Miles, two childhood friends who missed out on a high school relationship because they were too scared it would ruin their friendship. But, once Grace goes off to college leaving Asher in their small hometown, he realizes he made a mistake letting her go. It might take him a few years to get his act together and see the light, but from then on he’s determined to win her heart. Then, just as they are set for a happy ever after, their world comes tumbling down.
This was a sweet, angsty and emotional story, can’t wait for the conclusion.
My heart!
Well, this prequel/novella hit all the sweet spots for me. Love, family, drama, it’s all here.
A super quick read, but an insight to Grace & Asher’s history. Friends since childhood, morphed into something more.
My spirit soared and plummeted with this one. I can’t wait to find out what happens with the entire clan.
I love sitting down with a good book that I can fall into and escape. Claire Kingsley’s writing never fails to give me that escape. I waited up until midnight for the book to drop on Amazon on release day and then settled in for the adventure. Protecting You didn’t disappoint. The resulting book hangover I had from staying up all night reading it was well worth it.
Asher Bailey is one of five boys raised by their grandparents after their parents are killed in a house fire. Asher had some trouble with the in the law as a juvenile, the result of a longstanding row between two families that split the town’s loyalties. Asher dreams of becoming a firefighter and one day the chief. But he has to wait 1 more year to seal his juvenile record so it won’t impinge on him being hired. There is one more thing that Asher dreams of and that is Grace, the girl nextdoor.
Grace grew up nextdoor to Asher. Her home life wasn’t as good as Asher’s was but Asher and Grace had practically been joined at the hip throughout childhood. Grace has always dreamed of a forever with Asher but gave up on that goal when Asher started dating other girls. Back from her second year of college for summer break, Grace finds Asher wanting to take the step to start dating her. As the two date and make plans for the future, they are struck by a tragedy that pulls them apart.
No one ever said love was easy but is their true love strong enough to survive?
This book is actually a prequel to Fighting for Us. It gives us some important back story on the Baileys and Grace. The book does leave the reader hanging but it isn’t really a cliffhanger. The next book comes out one week from the release date of Protecting You.
This is the first book in the series and it introduces you to all the characters, it’s fun, loving and full of family humour. Grace and Asher have been best friends since childhood, but Asher has always tried to protect Grace and his family by not getting serious about her, but doing so, they are become distant. That is, until she comes home on summer leave from college, and Asher realises that he needs her, not just needs her but has to to have her! Thankfully Grace feels the same.
What follows is a story of a new relationship full of love, and the urge to protect no matter the cost.
The question is, can they make it through what is to come, or will it break them for good.
CLaire Kingsley has done it again, left you wanting more of the series. I can’t wait for the next book.
Asher and Grace in the beginning. Closest of friends as children they
come back to each other as young adults and fall deeply, sweetly in love.
Their story is pure beauty until it is interrupted by tragedy. Grace is strong and is trying to carry on. I can’t wait to find out how that turns out.
Protecting You is the first book in the Bailey Brothers series by Claire Kingsley. Although short, this book is a nice introduction to the Bailey family. It’s also the start of Grace and Asher’s story, which will continue in Fighting For Us.
Asher is the oldest of five brothers. After their parent’s untimely death, they were taken in and raised by their grandparents. Only now it’s just their Gram. Asher has been best friends with Grace since an early age. The two were pretty much inseparable growing up until they finished with high school. Grace then left town for college while Asher chose to stay in town. With so many miles between them, they slowly began to drift apart. That is, until she came home one Summer, and it was like no time had passed. But in the blink of an eye, tragedy struck, and nothing would never be the same.
I completely fell in love with these two along with the whole Bailey clan. Asher and Grace are just perfect together. The connection they share moves past age and boundaries as it delves into the realm of soulmates. If you’re into friends-to-lover’s romance, definitely pick this one up. Five stars for Grace, Asher and Protecting You!
I loved learning the origin of Asher and Grace’s love story. Watching them grow up together and realize that deep down they had always known they were meant for each other was so sweet. Their back story was written with such emotion and flowed so smoothly that I got lost in it and felt like I was living it right there with them. I felt the friendship, excitement, fear, love, and utter heartbreak. Meeting all of the Bailey boys along the way was so much fun and I love Gram already! I am 100% invested in Asher and Grace and can’t wait to read the rest of their story!!
Free Asher Bailey!
As the initial book in the Bailey Brothers series, Protecting You has already set the bar high. After reading the Miles Family series with glimpses into Grace’s life, I was anxious for this novella. I absolutely adored the peek into the childhood of Asher and Grace and how important she was to him at such a young age. The love these two share is beautiful and will hopefully be a strong enough foundation once they reunite. Grace is such an inspiration after everything she’s experienced and the faith she has in Asher. Bring on book two!
All the highs and lows with the prequel. I knew where this was going but I just kept hoping. Anyway, I loved their young love, it’s that deep rooted, grew up together kind of love. They were young and happy and THEY HAD PLANS. I finished a few hours ago and I kid you not, I’m worried about Asher and how he’s going to change. I know I’ll get an HEA, but how much is this gonna hurt?
This is a much awaited series and I’m so excited to read it!
Oh my heart! I absolutely loved knowing Asher & Grace’s backstory. I loved that we have an in-depth history of the Bailey Boys & I cannot wait for more!!!!
This is the first book in a new series from Claire Kingsley. The series features five brothers. First up is Asher Bailey. We learn that Asher has a tendency to be a little hot-headed but is very protective of those that he loves. We first met Grace Miles in the Miles Family series. She and Asher Bailey have been friends for years and finally fell into a relationship one summer when she was home for college. Asher is a sweet, protective and loving young man who will do anything to protect Grace and make her feel cherished. Things were perfect until they weren’t. Their lives were changed after one fateful night. Grace is a strong woman who knows what she wants and continues to live towards the dreams that she and Asher once had. This is an amazing story that gives us a backdrop to Grace and Asher. It also had a surprise appearance from the Miles family. This is a prequel and the story will pick up in Fighting for Us, which is the next book in the series. I am so excited to see how their journey turns out. Claire has given us an emotionally heartwrenching insight to the beginning of this relationship. I am so looking forward to the rest of this series. I would recommend reading the Miles Family series first to get a glimpse into the life of Grace and her family. You will be glad you did before delving into this new series!