REVIEW: Guarding Brielle by Nicole Flockton

In Guarding Brielle (Guarding Seals #5) by Nicole Flockton, Brielle Wilson has struggled to get back to enjoying life ever since being kidnapped while on vacation. So, when her therapist suggests she take a vacation, she decides to accept a friend’s offer to attend a wedding. Yet, she never imagined that she’d run into Tim ‘T-Rex’ Exeter; the man whose SEAL team rescued her from the harrowing kidnapping situation she’d found herself in. Spending time with Tim is no hardship, but when Brielle learns there’s another threat to her safety, will she be able to put her complete trust in Tim to keep her safe or will she lose her shot at happy ever after because trusting someone isn’t easy after all that she’s been through?

”You getting sucked into it again, aren’t you?”
“Sucked into what?”
“The memories of what happened to you in India and what happened in the bar.”
T-Rex’s presence was calming to her. The smooth, baritone of his voice seeped into cold places within her, warming her up. “Yes. Every day I think about it. My shrink said I should go on a trip. She thought it would help me to take a step back into living life again.”

I always enjoy reading Ms. Flockton’s books, but there’s something really special about her Guardian Seals series and Guarding Brielle is the best book of it yet. Since it’s a story encompassing a heroine that has been through a harrowing experience and is finding it hard to get back to her old self; a hero that is willing to do anything to make the heroine feel safe; and compelling dialogue that had me reading quickly, determined to discover what the hero would have to do to keep the heroine safe because the threat to her safety was never neutralized.

The way this story started with the prologue had me hooked right away because the heroine has been through so much and I couldn’t help but sympathize with her. Will she ever feel safe again? However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face in chapter one where this story really takes off, as Tim is the best hero a woman can have to come along and rescue her time and time again. Will he be able to help Brielle? Moreover, I loved how much the heroine blooms throughout this story, especially since she’s been through so much and it’s understandable why she’s prone to panic attacks and would rather be alone. Yet, in saying that, I liked the decisions she made and how resilient and courageous she is because she needs to get back out amongst the world and interact with people. Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine was that she put her trust in Tim because she knows he won’t let her down if anything happens to her again.

”You made an assumption which was so wrong.”
“I did?” His eyebrow rose in question and a small smile played across his lips. “What did I assume?”
“You assumed you were a trigger for my attacks. That couldn’t be further from the truth. You’re my salvation.”

While the hero, I loved everything about him – his confidence, his charm, how protective he is of the heroine and the tight friendships he shares with his friends and members of other SEAL teams. I also liked that he was honest and upfront with the heroine and didn’t shield her from the truth of her situation, of that she could be in danger again. Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero was his kindness and his determination to get through to the heroine, especially when she suffers one of her panic attacks. Really, his warmness and gentleness were absolutely heart-warming and had me loving the hero even more than I already did.

Overall, Ms. Flockton has delivered a well-written and wonderful read in this book that played with my emotions at times because of how sweet Tim can be and all that Brielle has been through; and where the chemistry between this couple was tangible and had me loving that the heroine put her trust in Tim the way she does; the romance was hot and shows how right these two are for each other; the secondary characters were just as entertaining as the main ones, as they would do anything for friends; and the ending had me worried for the main characters because of what happens, but had me loving the hero’s determination to protect the heroine. No way will anyone keep him from achieving happy ever after with the heroine. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up nicely because Tim and Brielle are so happy together and I loved the playfulness between them, even if the heroine is hiding a secret; a secret that’s not hers to tell. I would recommend Guarding Brielle by Nicole Flockton, if you enjoy the sexy protector trope or books by authors Susan Stoker, Shauna Allen, Elle Boon and Delilah Devlin.
 

Book Info:

Publication: June 26th, 2018 | Self-Published | Guardian Seals #5

Brielle Wilson may be home safe and sound but being kidnapped while on vacation has left her a broken woman. Every day is a battle. When her therapist suggests she take a trip, she suffers an anxiety attack in the office. Go on another trip? No thank you, not after her last one. But fate gives her the push she needs when a college girlfriend calls and asks her to attend a wedding on the other side of the country. She only hopes she won’t regret her decision.

After a couple of harrowing missions, Navy SEAL Tim ‘T-Rex’ Exeter is ready for some down time. When he recognizes a blonde at a bar, as the woman he rescued on a recent assignment, he’s intrigued and drawn to her in a way he never has been before. When she experiences a PTSD attack, he’s compelled to help. Under the worst of circumstances, he finds himself wanting to protect her and keep her close by his side.

Will spending time with Tim be a constant reminder of the horrors she only wants to forget, or will he give her the strength to move forward? When the threat against Brielle’s life becomes real again, Tim will do everything in his power to bring her home, no matter what the cost.