REVIEW: Hostage Security by Lisa Childs

Hostage Security by Lisa Childs is the fourteenth book in the Bachelor Bodyguards series. This book introduces a new branch of the Payne Protection Agency, but it felt like some of the characters had been introduced previously and readers were expected to know them. It works as a standalone, but it would be helpful to read the previous stories to understand the backgrounds of these other characters more.

Josh Stafford is starting his life over after spending five years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. His new job at the Payne Protection Agency finds him involved with his ex-fiancée, Natalie’s, jewelry store. When the son he didn’t know he had ends up being kidnapped in exchange for diamonds, he needs to put his investigator skills to use to find him before it’s too late.

It took me a while to warm up to Natalie. Not only does she suspect that Josh may have stolen the diamonds from her family’s jewelry store, but when she suspects that he may not have actually committed the crime he was in prison for, she doesn’t talk to him about it. Instead, she continues to spend a lot of time waffling between suspecting him of stealing the diamonds and the possibility that he may be innocent of both crimes. Josh, for his part, could have tried harder to let Natalie know what had really happened.

I’ve only read one previous book in the series so I can’t say if all the branches of the Payne Protection Agency are this unorganized, but I was surprised that one of one of the people leading this branch, Milek, wanted to leave Garek, the other leader who is also his brother, out of the loop in regards to everything that was going on. One would think that he would have wanted to keep him in the loop. There also seems to be a lot of mistrust, especially from Josh, towards the other employees.

The story is full of mystery and suspense, and I found myself more interested in that than in the romance between Josh and Natalie. I also really liked Henry, who had such faith that his father would find him, even though he had never met Josh. He was very brave during his ordeal and actually comes across as older than he was. The author also does a really good job handling the dementia that Natalie’s father was dealing with. It was a realistic depiction of what people with dementia, and their caregivers, experience.

Hostage Security is a story about family, forgiveness, and healing with a theft and kidnapping mixed in. Despite some of the issues I had with it, I enjoyed the story overall. It’s a little slow to start, but once the action picks up, it will keep readers engaged until the end. This book would be for readers who enjoy romantic suspense, second chance romances, or stories about hidden pregnancies/children.

Book Info:

Publication: February 25, 2025 | Harlequin Romantic Suspense | Bachelor Bodyguards #14

After five years behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit, Josh Stafford gets a fresh start as a security specialist. When work takes him to his ex-fiancée’s jewelry store, he does everything he can to keep his distance. And then the son he’s never met is kidnapped… Josh understands why Natalie Croft doesn’t trust him. He broke his promises to her and couldn’t tell her why. He’s ready to push emotions aside until their little boy is safe—no matter how much he still loves her.