She was off limits. Too young. The boss’s daughter. Forbidden. I knew it all along, but it didn’t change the absolute possession I felt when it came to her… nothing would change how I felt about her. So I did what I had to; I waited until the time was right to make her mine, only to find out there is one thing that could ruin it all. ♠️ Readers are loving Surface ♠️ “I highly recommend this … loving Surface ♠️
“I highly recommend this author, and especially this story. It’s gonna make you want to go back & read all her other work if you haven’t already!” ~Carrie M
“OMG, I love this author, every single book I read by her is my favorite at that time. This is the start of a new series and I am absolutely in love with these characters, and this story, and the way it was all written. Royce is everything I love about an alpha male…” ~Kirchersmiles
“Royce is such a perfect protector to Paisley. Royce is so tender and sweet to her. Their chemistry is off the charts. Anna is one click author for me I love her words.” ~ PJD
“I freakin’ loved it! Seriously Ms. Brooks best work to date. This book was full of action, heat, and emotions. This series is going to be AMAZING if this book is any indication of what’s to come. The two main characters Paisley and Royce have such a beautiful bond that shines bright throughout the entire story.” ~MegM927
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This is the first book in this series. It can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.
I liked Royce and the possessiveness he felt toward Paisley. I appreciated that he recognized that he needed to be away from her until she was over 18 because of their age difference. I completely understood how Paisley could have strong feelings for Royce as a 16 year old and how teenage boys were not really a temptation. I love the way Royce and Paisley are together. I found their relationship both sweet and hot.
Since this book is the first in the series, there is a lot of character introduction and set up for future stories that takes place. There are also a lot of plot points built into this book because of that. There are times when it feels like there is a lot going on. I was really impressed that the author was able to make so much happen and introduce so many characters in a relatively short book. I love the world she created and would love to read more of the books. At the time of this review, the books are not in Kindle Unlimited, so I will be watching for sales and hope that they go into KU down the road. This was my first book by this author in preparation of meeting her at Holidays with the Belles in Dallas this weekend and I look forward to reading more of her books.
Royce was hired to protect Paisley and as she grew older he realized she was going to be his. The problem though was she was too young and he waited until she was older to finally make his move. Paisley though is angry thinking that Royce doesn’t have feelings for her and doesn’t understand why he is all of the sudden acting like he cares. Can Royce be the man Paisley always thought he could be or is she wrong?
This was a pretty good forbidden romance. I thought Paisley was a bit naïve at times but overall the chemistry between Paisley and Royce is terrific. Liked how the story unfolded and would read more from this author.
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. Usually it’s hard for me to start a new series following another that I have finished, but not in this case. The plot was intriguing throughout and kept you guessing. Can’t wait to read the other books!
I really enjoyed ready this book about forbidden love. The characters are funny, kind, loyal, strong, intelligent and fierce! There are some good twists and turns throughout the book, that kept me turning the pages, and not wanting to set the book down. I am definitely looking forward to reading another book by this author.
LOVED THIS STORY!!!
I couldn’t wait to hear the story of Paisley and Royce, when I first met them in Steady.
I love the alpha hero. Royce knows what he wants and he goes for it. Once Paisley was old enough, Royce made his intentions clear and got his girl. They have both loved each other for so long. So it was great to see them finally come together.
Royce always made the right decisions when it came to Paisley. He loves her fiercely and would do anything to protect her.
I can’t wait to read more from this series!
Anna Brooks firstly I have to say this Cover and the rest of the series Covers are Fucking Gorgeous.
This is book was absolutely beautiful. I was worried about it and I’m so Stupid cos Anna Brooks knows how to give good stories.
This is technically a Spin-off of Steady so I have to let you all know if you love Derike and Polly we get so much of them here it was bloody Amazing.
This book is about a girl that’s been so in love with an older guy that works for her dad. So yeah it’s Taboo but when she turns 19 all Bets were off. Paisley has known so much of heartache and sorrow I’m so glad for her that she has Polly and Erik.
Royce waiting for time to make his move and boy does he move in when the Time comes. This man moves heaven and earth for her. He would kill for and trample anyone trying to come between them
I loved this book and all its twists, turns and sexy time.
Anna definitely has another Hit Series in the making.
Another 5 Star Read by the Fabulous Anna Brooks
Enjoy!!!!!
Royce & Paisley have been more than family since she was in her teens. He has literally had Paisley’s back, as her bodyguard. They have a sweet story. She grounds him and he’s her protector. Finally, when she’s an adult, he can go all alpha male claim her as his. While the story was slightly forbidden, I liked the fact that he waited until she was of legal age. There were sad backstories, but I liked that there was a strong family unit for the pair, even if most weren’t connected by blood.
This was the first time reading anything from Anna, and I can tell you I really enjoyed this book. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!!! I loved the story of Paisley and Royce! I loved their backstory, the present story, and even the future story of them!
I loved the storyline and how it flowed, and how time passed but didn’t feel like you were missing anything.
WOW. The first time that Royce FINALLY kisses Paisley! I could feel her joy, and excitement. That’s the thing with this book, you can feel each emotion from each character. There were details in the book, but without it being overboard, and boring.
I loved how Royce was so protective over her and also her parents, and how they would do anything to protect her.
I really enjoyed the twist in the book too! I wanna know what happens with Brinley and Noble. I loved each character and what each of them brought the story!
Some of my fave parts of the book:
1. Then he presses his lips to mine. Oh. My. God. – The first time Royce FINALLY kisses Paisley!! I felt every emotion she had!
2. “Whenever you were makin’ yourself come, I was doing the same damn thing, thinkin’ about you and how beautiful you are.” – When Paisley finds out where Royce has been, and he was thinking the same thing about her as she was him!!
3. It’s crazy how tough ass guys become so weak and gentle around their women. – When Royce realises that he’s not the big bad buff guy when it comes to Paisley.
4. I ate the hell out of that fruit. And damn it’s sweet. – When Royce knows that Paisley should be off limits and the forbidden fruit but he goes for it anyway.
5. “And fuck you for making me call myself a grandpa.” – When Erik has a chat with Royce about it all, and this line made me laugh so much!
6. “I thought I was meeting your mom for dinner, but………. – I don’t wanna ruin it for people that haven’t read it yet, but the truth comes out from Royce’s dad!
An excellent start to a new series. I love the chemistry between Paisley and Royce. Definitely will read more of the series.
This was definitely a 5 star read!! I loved it and finished it in a day!! There were lots of surprise twists and turns that I didn’t see coming! I loved the chemistry between the two and could tell right from the start that they were meant to be together. This was my first book by Anna and I cannot wait to read another by her! I love love loved it!!! I’m definitely starting book 2 in this series ASAP!
I loved this book! This was an amazing story-line. full of love humor and sexy steamyness. Lots of Alpha males in this with strong female characters.
Steady (which is about Paisley’s adoptive parents) is one of my all-time favorites by this author – which is saying a lot because I pretty much am in love with ALL of her books! Paisley & Royce’s story jumps right in to their relationship, and they’re together for most of the book. I LOVE this! I love that the story is ABOUT their relationship, and there is definitely some drama, but it’s outside & they are together for it.
The world-building that happens w/ Anna Brooks is so well done that every time I read a new story from her, I want to REread the stories before – and I want the next stories to be available RIGHTNOW! 😉 So, I highly recommend this author, and especially this story. It’s gonna make you want to go back & read all her other work if you haven’t already! : )
I received this book as an ARC for my honest opinion. All thoughts on the book are mine, mine , mine. This book was truly amazing! It had everything I love about a Anna Brooks book. She has never disappointed.
Warning it may cause a book hangover! Once you start you can’t put it down!
I fell in love with Royce and Paisley from page one. Anna Brooks is able to write a character (Royce) that makes you want to reach through the pages and bring him into your world, just so you can have a man like him lol.
This book is full of love, family, and heart stopping moments. I never write about what happens in a book I review because that’s what the blurb is for, also I hate spoilers. But this one is truly amazing. I can’t wait to read the rest in this series. Thankfully we’ve only scratched the ………Surface.
Surface is the first book that I have read by Anna Brooks. And, it won’t be the last! I highly enjoyed this book. It is a bit of insta-love but that’s fiction even though they did know each other when Paisley was too young to date Royce. Little did she know he was watching over her while she was away in NYC and it wasn’t until something bad happened to her that she found out. Of course, she is now old enough (19 years old) still a kid but, old enough for Royce. Paisley is adopted by Erik and Polly when she was 14 years old and Erik owns the security company that Royce works for. It wasn’t the smartest thing for Royce to get with the boss’s daughter. But, sometimes you just can’t help who you love and I can’t say more because I don’t want to ruin your story.
Of course, there is so much more involvement with the story between these two. I enjoyed the telling of Paisley and Royce’s story and look forward to reading more of Anna Brooks books. I give Surface 4 stars and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the Guarding Her Series.
3.5 “Stay Sweet for Me” Stars
If Royce asked me to stay sweet for him, I would be forever like sticky bun pancakes lol….. This was a great start to a new series! So many new characters to meet and love, color me the very happy book nerd that I am.
Paisley has been lusting over Royce for years, too bad for her he is just that much older than her to give her dad, who just so happens to be Royce’s boss as well, a stroke lol… She patiently bides her time until she thinks it’s right within her reach only to have Royce disappear for a couple years. I loved watching Royce struggle through what he wants, but what he knows he can’t have, until he can. The cat and mouse between these two was great! I loved how these two came together.
While this story wasn’t quite as angsty as we usually get from this author, I still can’t wait to meet the rest of these characters, I am truly intrigued by just the little snippets we get in this book. I can tell already Ms. Brooks is going to deliver hit after hit!!!!
Genre: Romance, Suspense, bodyguard, friends-to-lovers
Standalone: Yes
Part of a Series: Yes Book 1 of the Guarding Her series which is a spin off of her Pleasant Valley Series (Paisley’s parents are featured in Steady)
POV: Paisley and Royce
Steam Level: Kindle-melting
5/5
Wow, just wow! I started Surface intending to read a few pages to see what it was like. Anna Brooks is a new-to-me author and I wanted to get a feel for her writing styles. Several chapters later I had to force myself to put my kindle down and go to sleep. I was up bright and early later that day (I would say the say the next day but if we’re honest it was probably after midnight when I went to bed and only a few hours later when I woke up to read more). Royce and Paisley’s story was enthralling, engrossing, and emotional. It was a roller coaster of twists and turns that were unexpected. Midway through I put all of Anna Brooks’ other books on my wishlist. This is definitely an author I will be reading more of in the future! Surface was the perfect mix sweet and sexy. Royce is tough as nails, protective, and sweet. Paisley is strong, funny and smart. I cannot wait to read more of Anna Brooks’ books and see more of Paisley/Royce’s HEA in future books in this series.
I received this book for free. This is my honest and voluntary review.