Rocco is number twenty-one in the Reed Security series, and it is suggested they be read in order.Rocco has his world all wrapped up in a neat package. He has a job that he loves and his daughter, the best thing that’s ever happened to him. And he has his rules. These rules keep the order and balance in his life and the women where they should be. But he never counted on Brooke, and she’s about … and she’s about to turn his world upside down.
Brooke never had the typical love life. She tried to have it all, but there was always something that held her back from committing. Until Gary. Gary was…not really important. But being with him led her to Rocco in the most unusual way, and now she’s about to find out all about his rulebook.
Rules for Sexual Encounters:
“You were serious? You actually have a rulebook?”
“I don’t joke around about stuff like this. I think it’s best for both of us to go in with guidelines laid out about what we want out of this. This is for the occasional fck. If we decide to take it beyond that, I have a revised version of this.”
I looked down at the paper and read through the rules that he laid out.
1. Condoms will be used during all sexual encounters, regardless of the fact that the woman may be on birth control. No exceptions.
2. The woman does not have bed rights after sexual encounters and will leave within ten minutes of sexual encounter ending.
“You kick your women out of bed ten minutes after you finish fcking them?”
“What’s wrong with that? We both got what we wanted. There’s no point in dragging it out. That just confuses the situation. Besides, I work early in the morning. I need my sleep.”
“Right, and a half hour would make all the difference in the world,” I said sarcastically.
“Are you telling me that you’ve never screwed someone and then wondered why the hell they were hanging around?”
“Well, no. I mean, of course there are times that you just want the other person to leave. It’s just that it’s hard to kick someone out.”
“That’s why they agree to this. If I want her to stick around, I’ll ask her to. But by doing this, I’ve eliminated the awkwardness of the goodbye.”
“No, you’ve eliminated having to ask her to leave. If anything, the goodbye is going to be even more f*cking awkward because you’re putting such tight time constraints on her leaving.”
He shrugged. “It gets the job done.”
This guy had some serious issues that I didn’t even want to get into. I looked back at the paper and continued reading.
3. The woman does not have washing rights after sexual encounters.
“What the hell are washing rights? Like, I’m not allowed to clean up afterward?”
“You are, just not with me. I will not be washing you in any way. I won’t bring you a washcloth or wipe you down like they do in those stupid romance novels.”
“And you read many of those?”
“No, but some of the women do. Believe me, I’ve been informed what men in those novels do, and they aren’t men. Bunch of pu$$ies.”
“Okay, so, no washing rights. Got it.”
4. If asked to stay longer, the woman does not automatically gain bed rights, washing rights, coffee rights, or house rights.
“Okay, this may seem like a stupid question, but what are coffee rights and house rights?”
“Well, that part needs some adjustment since we’re living together. Basically, it means that if I do ask you to stay the night, you don’t automatically get to help yourself to coffee in the morning. Nor do you get to wander around my house and look at all my stuff.”
“Wow,” I said, not wanting to touch that with a ten foot pole.
“Hey, I just like there to be boundaries.”
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I’m going to say this one more time, Giulia Lagomarsino gets better with each book she writes. This is the twenty-first book in the “Reed Security” series and I’ve never laughed as hard as I have with this one and at the same time, their chemistry can burn up the screen on my kindle. It’s a great story about Rocco, his daughter Evie and Brooke. Even if this is the first time you’ve read Giulia Lagomarsino, you don’t want to miss this one. It’s phenomenal.
Rating:
Perfect balance of heat and hilarity!
One thing I hate about reading a book like this, #21 in a series, where It is my first time reading anything from this series, is the fact that if I really love it, like I did with this book, then I have another whole big series to add to my TBR. And this book was spectacular. It was super hot and steamy, it had action and drama and I was laughing out loud like every few minutes.
Despite the fact that I hadn’t read any of the previous Reed Security books, I feel that I know quite a few of the guys and their women now after reading this book. I love the good natured ribbing that goes on between the guys. Especially the married ones and the single ones. The jokes they play on each other and the situations the set up for each other and even the way they try to help each other are hilarious.
This book was about Rocco, he works for Reed Security and is a single father since he accidentally knocked up a one night stand and after giving birth she dropped the baby off at this front door. Since the time Reed Security was attacked they have put tight security on the base where they all have houses, especially in Rocco’s home around his daughter. Including a panic room high tech security entry to the baby’s room and an armed security robot.
Rocco meets Brooke at a gas station after she has committed a crime against her cheating ex boyfriend and to get away from the cops, Brooke hides in Rocco’s truck. He lets her get his gun away from him and take him hostage because he is attracted to her and wants to get with her, but she thinks he is just a muscle bound gym rat who was easily overpowered. After a few days on the run Rocco shows her how easily he can take his gun back but the cops end up pulling them over and Brooke is arrested.
It turns out that Brooke is best friends with the wife of another member of Reed Security and has met all the guys except Rocco before. Including the owner Sebastian. So in court Sebastian offers the judge to put Brooke up in a house with one of his security force on their property on house arrest rather than have her do jail time. Rocco is selected as that man. Though Rocco has strict rules for the women he is with and Brooke is not the kind of woman to follow rules for long.
This is all the prime setup for a whole lot of hilarity, fun and the chemistry between these two is sizzling hot! I loved every minute of this book and at some point I want to read all of their stories! Man, I really need to win the lottery so I can quit my day job and read more. And also find some way to go without sleep. Why can’t I be a vampire, they never need to sleep! They don’t even need glasses! I would love to get rid of those dirty things too. I’m cleaning them a million time a day! Hate em!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have read other titles by this author and this is just as good as those. The author did a great job with giving these characters life. The chemistry is undeniable and steamy. The storyline flows smoothly from beginning to end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Full review appeared at Reader’s Edyn on 04/30/20
Brooke is a passionate being. She’s also quite understanding. So when she walks in on her boyfriend in the middle of a BDSM scene with another man in their home that she literally JUST moved into with him, she doesn’t immediately freak out. But when he confesses to using her as a cover, the passion ignites and she does some damage with a baseball bat. Fearing jail, she runs and ends up taking a hostage and his vehicle to get away. What she doesn’t realize is that the sinfully sexy guy she absconds with is Rocco of Reed Security. Neither provides their real identity so she also can’t tell him her connection to the security company. When they end up in custody, Brooke is forced to live under house arrest with Rocco for a full year. The guy that rocked her world. The guy that has rules for everything – including hookups. The guy that has a toddler. And consequently a new set of rules concerning the little tyke as well. But Rocco is better than jail and Brooke decides she’s going to have an enormous amount of fun both enforcing and breaking every…single…one…of…the…rules.
Rocco is completely perplexed by Brooke. She’s never acting as he expects, constantly throwing him off guard. He’s a carefully planned man and has rules for everything. It keeps things simple and straightforward. With a young daughter to think about and a highly dangerous job, he can’t afford distractions. But Brooke is a level of crazy he never knew he would crave like a drug. She stands for the complete opposite of everything he holds sacred. She doesn’t like kids, she has no stable employment, no retirement or insurance, and holds a devastating secret that could mean the end of any shot they might have at happiness together. But Rocco’s ways aren’t necessarily the right path either and while his carefully constructed life may have seemed like the way to go, once he and Brooke realize they have more than just fantastic sex together, he also eventually sees that he’s got to bend as well. But will he bend in time to save their delicate relationship, or will the dangers of his profession bring everything to a screeching halt before they have a chance to see where this love could lead?
Good Lord! I have never read any of the Reed Security series before. Given that this is the 21st book in the series – You heard me right. Twenty-first! I have no idea how I have not stumbled across these books before. I may have started at 21, but dang, am I happy with it! I can only imagine how great the other books in the series are. Thinking about reading twenty of them to get caught up is a bit daunting, but also thrilling. I mean, how often do you come across a book that you not only enjoy, but find out has so much more to offer with so many other books before it? And that’s not even counting the next two books I am aware of that take place after ROCCO. Good grief! All of these mouth-watering special ops guys who now work for an elite security firm? Yes, please! I was able to obtain a copy of this book when I hosted a tour for it on my blog. I have to admit that the blurb hooked me immediately. I mean a hot man with all of Rocco’s talents and skill, with a daughter, and a rule book for sex? I had to find out more and I was not disappointed. It was hilarious to see this man thrust these rules that make his life uncomplicated toward a woman who is nothing but complication. And her way of testing him at every turn and challenging those rules? Priceless. But Rocco wasn’t the only one thrown for a loop. Brooke, self-proclaimed anti mother material ends up making a huge turn around where Evie is concerned as well. And while the little darling is only a portion of Brooke’s transformation, and definitely a scene-stealer (mostly because of how great Rocco interacts with her), Brooke ends up “domesticated” as Knight would put it. Overall this is a story of give and take, push and pull; making allowances when you love someone, no matter how far outside of your comfort zone it might throw you. And if you are lucky, you’ll find true happiness in a place you never could have thought it would ever exist. Initially, the book started out with a whole lot of crazy and a side of hot mess, but eventually, things began to even out a bit and make sense as you get to know and understand the characters more. Admittedly, these guys would all have to have just a bit of crazy to carry out the jobs they do, so it all works.
Having never immersed myself within the world of Reed Security before, I was a bit overwhelmed by all of the other team members. There were a crap ton of them. But after some time, they began to take shape and before too long, the camaraderie within this tight fold of skilled warriors had effectively drawn me in and left me thoroughly entertained. The heavy banter from one member to another was a joy to experience and even in the face of some horrific situations, they still maintained some levity – their love, loyalty, and trust for one another never in question. Once they discover that Rocco seems to have willingly put himself in a predicament so far out of character and with a woman to boot, they all knew there was something special about Brooke. And the ribbing began. The married men provided advice. It was worthless crap but given with good intentions. The single men saluted to the end of an era and the Captain somehow always had a hand in every little detail that seemed to occur. Knight, also, was a trip. I couldn’t figure him out initially and wondered at his motivation. But it wasn’t long before his intentions were made clear and that my preliminary hesitation toward him was completely unnecessary. I can’t say I have many complaints about this book. Sure, Rocco going along with Brooke from the beginning was a bit far-fetched, but he did a good enough job of explaining his curiosity that I bought into it. So no big deal. But I was a tiny bit disappointed in their sexual chemistry. The times at the motel were hard and hot. But after they moved in together each time was almost anti-climactic. We were led to believe that it was just as explosive as the first time but the descriptions waned quite a bit afterward. Considering that both claimed to want to keep things down and dirty and avoid that “love making $#!%”, I was surprised at the lack of detail. There was one scene that really tugged when Brooke and Rocco are talking about a future and Brooke’s plans after house arrest is over. It’s glaringly clear on just how differently they think about things and at one point Brooke says, “Well maybe I don’t fit. Did you ever think of that?” I had the worst tingles when she said that – like it was the beginning of the end for them. With Brooke running through life pretty much care-free and Rocco having the career plan, they looked as if they’d found an impassable blockade. But, true to form, Brooke surprises him again and tries to see things his way and he eventually understands her point after a bit of an booty-kicking from his team. Given the constantly changing POV switch between Brooke and Rocco, and the reasons for their specific outlooks on life, this aspect of the book was a nice addition. I liked that there was a depth provided to each of them by allowing a picking of their thought process as events unfolded.
Make no mistake, these are a bunch of rough around the edges, hardcore guys with passion and language to match. If you gravitate towards sweet romance, this isn’t the book (and probably not the series) for you. And don’t get me started on Knight and his mad IT skills. Killer robots in Evie’s room? Check. Laser beams, tear gas, and floor shocks? Check. There is just so much to this book and I can’t wait to sink my teeth into the rest of this series. I am assuming it would be best to start at the beginning. With all of the secondary characters introduced to me in this book alone, I would agree that it probably would be a good decision to start with the first book in the series. However, I also enjoyed my time immensely, so if you want to check his book out to check for compatibility, I don’t think you would have any issues reading ROCCO first. Although, you might also be left with a worse problem … having twenty other books to read when you discover how fantastic this book is. LOL But then you would also have the chance to read ROCCO all over again when you work your way back around to it. That’s a bonus. No matter if you decide to start with the first book, or this book, Ms. Lagomarsino and the Reed Security series is not to be missed.
Kindle version provided by Xpresso Book Tours/Author in exchange for an honest review.
This book is brilliant. I loved every second of it, Brooke and Rocco are fantastic together. A lot of action and laughter so I finished the book before I realized it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I wish I had read the other books in the series first but since I didn’t it was still a really good book. So it definitely can be read alone and fully enjoyed. I loved the characters and watching Brooke and Rocco truly find themselves and letting life change and help them grow.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I absolutely love reading this author and this Reed Security series. This book is no different, another perfectly written story to get your heart pumping and your blood flowing. Rocco’s story is learning more about him, his job, his daughter and his rules for absolutely everything. Brooke comes into Rocco’s world, she kidnaps him, and she is shocked by the rules he has laid out for everything, including his sexual encounters for women. The chemistry between these two is absolutely panty melting. The typical Guilia humor flows through the story to make you laugh. Another fantastic read, enjoy!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Rocco lives by rules. All he needs is him and his daughter. He loves his job and thinks his life is fine just the way it is. But when he meets Brooke, it all changes.. With all his rules, Brooke is finding it hard to understand how he can be so regimented. But the attraction between these two is there, if only Brooke can work around Rocco’s rules. Parts were actually funny due to Rocco’s strict rules and Brooke’s reaction was the same as mine. At times I wondered why she didn’t just walk and put his rules down to him being strange. I enjoyed the humor in this book and of course the mystery and action. This is such a great series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As someone that has followed the Reed Security gang from the very beginning, this book is a great continuation of series. While not my favourite characters of the series you definitely saw real growth from both Rocco and Brooke. I loved seeing all the antics that the gang from Reed Security got up to as usual.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Extremely entertaining, captivating and interesting sexy read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong, intriguing characters. I want to read more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have yet to be disappointed in any book in this series. Giulia mixes up her writing from totally serious to one that keeps you chuckling all the way through. Rocco finds himself “kidnapped” by Brooke and she feels she is totally in control. He could take the gun away from her in the blink of an eye. Brooke dislikes kids and never wants them, she doesn’t know Rocco has a daughter that he thinks the world of. When Cap assigns Rocco as her protector(jailor) for the next year, he has an ulterior motive. There’s plenty of action, drama, and steam-that keeps you entertained from beginning to end. I highly recommend this entire series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was great! I loved Rocco and Brooke, the banter between them was fantastic and their chemistry was palpable. There’s lots of great antics and plenty of laughs in this book. Such a entertaining and phenomenal read, I highly recommend you give it a read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book twenty-one in the A Reed Security Romance series a well written story that had me laughing as I read especially the last couple of pages. This is Rocco, his daughter Evie, and Brooke’s story. When this series is finished I want to read the books again in order, from one until the end. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
“I thought this was breaking the rules.” “Shut up.”
Brooke beats up her boyfriend, destroys his car with a baseball bat, takes Rocco’s gun and kidnaps him, and now they’re on the run. And we’re not even done with chapter 2 yet. She’s on house arrest, and because she’s Reese’s friend, Reed Security agrees to be in charge of her. More specifically, Rocco is in charge. They’re busy doing the dirty every chance they get. But this isn’t a real relationship. He has a little girl – she hates kids. He has “The Rules”. And he’s drawn a line in the sand regarding “The Rules”. How many of them can Brooke get him to break before someone falls in love? These books just keep getting better with each new release. I can’t even imagine how the author keeps all the characters straight, and consistent throughout all the books. I love Brooke, and while what she did to her boyfriend and his car was wrong, I really can’t blame her for it. Rocco is a terrific father to little Evie, but he needs to take that rule book and shove it… I was impressed that when Brooke realizes that she can’t get rid of “The Rules”, she decides to turn them on Rocco to her advantage. There’s the usual amount of suspense and danger in this book, as well as a ton of steamy scenes. These two are in love long before either of them is willing to admit that they have any feelings at all. The Reed Security guys are in rare form, and the banter is even more hilarious than previous books. I can hardly wait for Coop’s story!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Rocco and Brooke are an absolute hoot, they rub each other the wrong way in the best possible way and frustrate each other to no end which gives you as well as all their friends plenty of laughs. I totally get why Rocco and the others are so protective of Evie and Brooke doesn’t make things easy with how shut down she is and how she uses snark to respond, if only she would be honest. Be ready for plenty of laughs, one hell of a secure baby room, steamy attraction, secrets, hope and a chance of a happy ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Humor, emotion, action and very hot romance
Excellent romance of the Reed Security series which from the first two chapters, sets the tone on the characters of Brooke and Rocco. They are as crazy as each other, lost in their denial of emotional bond. I loved the two characters from the first two chapters. The story can be both hilarious, exciting and moving, and I had a great time thanks to the quirky characters.
Brooke knows how to choose her men! When she discovers that her two-month-old boyfriend with whom she has just moved in, is gay and like BDSM, she gets angry, breaks his things and flees by getting into Rocco’s van. Rocco works in Reed Security, is always armed, and, like almost all the men he works with, he has the muscles, the intelligence, is extremely sexy, but he does not have the art of communication with women, especially the one like Brooke who is not really good either in terms of social ties.
She believes he is kidnapping him when he lets himself be, to see how far they will go together. However, following her action against her ex, she finds herself under house arrest in Rocco and his 2-year-old daughter’s house. It’s quite hard for Brooke who has a sickly repulsion towards children.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
Do yourself a favour and read this entire series you won’t be disappointed It is one of the best romantic suspense series around and to make it even better Giulia has the best comedic timing I have ever come across These guys are enough to make you have to change your undies and it isn’t because they are so hot though they are it is because they are so funny.
Rocco is a single dad and member of Reed security he had a one night stand and nine months later a baby was dropped on his doorstep and the mother moved on. He will do anything to protect his baby girl. That is why he is so stunned when Brooke “kidnaps” him trying to escape from her ex. This is one women who is going to throw his carefully controlled life into a tailspin but in time he will wonder how he ever survived without her but the fun is getting to that point
Brooke goes ballistic on her boyfriend then kidnaps Rocco to help her get away.
Brooke had agreed to move in with her boyfriend and was moving stuff in but when she enters the kitchen she find him about to have sex with a man in a BDSM costume. Her anger explodes and she starts taking swings at him with a baseball bat once hitting the other man who moans not in pain but with pleasure. she goes outside and beats on his car then he tells he has called the police so she gets in her car and drives off. Wondering what to do next she pulls into a petrol station and notices the large man filling his car in front of her. She gets in his vehicle and when he gets in she threatens him with the bat telling him to drive. Rocco is intrigued by the woman threatening him and wonders what she is running from.
ballistic
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book 20 OMGOSH- what a great finale. I have loved this series it’s filled to the brim with humour, and drama. Rocco is a single father who puts his daughter Evie first and that was nice to read. Brooke had to grow up much to fast. One day, the last day of her move into her boyfriend’s place, she is faced with something painful. Brook ends up at a gas station where she runs into Rocco and proceeds to kidnap him and take his weapon. Could hardly believe it. Lol Not one to usually succumb to a woman nor let any situation get the best of him, Rocco decides to go with the flow and winds up on the run with Brooke for a few days. They had a spark from the first touch. Their attraction is instantaneous and the heat between them makes them fall into bed quickly. They have a rude awakening when they get arrested by the police and the subsequent arraignment that Brooke is subjected to that changes the course of both of their lives.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
OMG, I would give this wonderful book more than five stars if I could. Enjoyed the heck out of this with sexy alpha Rocco and bad girl take no crap Brooke. Starts out with her kidnapping him, which he let her because she is sexy as all get outs, and ends with her getting on house arrest stuck at his house with him and his young daughter Evie. The bad thing about that is Brooke does not like kids at all and when Rocco goes out on a job with the crew she thinks she can take care of Evie and that was too funny how it turned out but when Rocco gets seriously hurt she realizes she really loves him and never told him. I absolutely loved the characters and this book. Did not want it to end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.